Page 38 of Second Chance Prince
“Can’t you give him a good beating?” Ernest piped up. “That was what Father would have done.”
Freddie looked at him curiously. “Would he? Haveyouever beaten a man?”
Ernest hastily shook his head.
Freddie leaned back in his seat, his auburn hair bright against the padded leather, and straightened his cuffs. “When I was in the army, I saw a man flogged for theft. They wanted him to give up the names of his compatriots so they could be punished too, but he refused. I’ve never forgotten it. I swore to myself then that I would never use brute strength to gain my objective.”
Niki was relieved but a little surprised to hear this. Ernest was right; their father would not have hesitated to hurt someone if it gained him what he wanted. Then again, if Freddie could not persuade the man to talk, where did that leave him? He would ask for his chamberlain’s advice. And it was always possible if the man was from Holtswig, Francis would recognize him.
He looked up and found Freddie watching him. Freddie smiled without humor, and his hazel eyes were hard. “He will talk,” he said quietly. “Never fear, sir, we will get to the bottom of this.”
“The sooner the better,” Niki agreed, but he was uncomfortably conflicted. With this over, there would be no need for Roberta and her government’s protection. In an effort to redirect his thoughts, he said, “You have known the Ashtons for a longtime?”
“I have known the duke for a long time,” Freddie corrected him. “We grew up together, he and Charles and I. They turned out to have aristocratic blood, but not me. I know they have worked hard, I am not saying they have had it easy, but neither have I. What I am today is a self-made man, and I am proud of my humble origins.”
“You were placed in an orphanage, I believe,” Niki said. “Have you ever tried to find your mother? Your parents?”
“Once. I traced them to the poorer part of London but no further. I have wondered sometimes whether my relatives are amongst the rioters causing havoc around the country. I even have some sympathy for those desperate people. They only want what every man does—enough food and money to live a life not ridden with pain and poverty. There but for the grace of God go I.”
He gave a bleak smile.
Niki had no response. He was surprised. Was Freddie saying he would be a rebel too if things had been different? If he was not paid by the government to protect men like Niki, would he be fighting against them?
He had hoped to redirect his thoughts away from Roberta, but Hart’s revelations had made him uneasy. He tried to dismiss his doubts, reminding himself that he had believed Hart to be a man he could rely upon, that he had even put his full trust in him.
And now? He was not so sure.
Chapter Nineteen
Roberta had returned to Ashton House and a mountain of invitations, as well as a list from Countess Matilda of all the functions she and Niki must attend. His aunt seemed to have taken it upon herself to be their majordomo.
But first, Roberta wanted to see Estelle Longhurst.
She set out for the Longhurst home as soon as possible, eager and anxious in equal parts. She just hoped Estelle had listened to her advice before she let herself be swept away by Karl’s charm. Surely nothing terrible could have happened in so short a time? Barely a week! And yet she had a niggling sensation in the pit of her stomach that Estelle would agree to whatever the charming Karl asked of her.
Lady Longhurst was seated on the settee in the sitting room and sent her a languid smile. “My dear Roberta, how lovely to see you! You look enchanting in that bonnet. I posit it is the latest fashion?”
Did she look enchanting? The effect of her bonnet had been the last thing on Roberta’s mind as she dressed to come here, but she smiled back and accepted the compliment.
“Estelle is still abed, the lazy chit,” Lady Longhurst went on. “We had a rather raunchy little gathering last night.” She laughed wickedly, and Roberta tried to keep her smile in place. “We probably kept her awake until the early hours.”
“Oh. She did not take part in your gathering?”
Lady Longhurst raised her eyebrows. “Goodness me, no. She ate supper with us and then went out to a ball with some of her friends.”
Relieved, Roberta felt herself finally begin to relax.
“Oh, and there was that handsome gentleman who seems to have taken such a shine to her. I believe he is your fiancé’s brother.” She leaned forward and whispered beside her hand, even though there was no one else in the room to hear. “Karl.”
Roberta felt every muscle in her body tighten, even in her throat. For a moment, she could barely speak. “I…I think I will go up and speak to her,” she said and rose to her feet.
Lady Longhurst waved a hand. “Tell her it is long past time she came downstairs. She has been very inconsiderate.” She yawned.
Roberta knew where Estelle’s room was. It was where they had first met when Olivia brought her here, on her way to Ivo. Her sister had been worried about bringing her younger sister to such a place, but Roberta had spent the evening playing with Estelle’s collection of dolls and wishing she had never come. Even so, friendship between her and Estelle had flourished.
A tap on the door brought forth a disgruntled, “Go away! I have already said I do not want any toast or tea. Just—just leave me alone.”
Roberta’s hopes that everything was all right were dashed.
