Page 59 of Betting on a Duke
Chapter Twenty-Three
Aloud poundingon the door early in the morning made both Clarice and Samuel jump out of bed. “Stay behind the door, so nobody sees you,” she said as she slipped on her robe and moved toward the door. Before opening it, she asked, “Who is it?”
“My lady, it’s Kirkland. I need to speak with you privately.”
She opened the door. “Come in quickly.” After he stepped inside, she shut and locked the door, and she noticed Kirkland wasn’t surprised to see Samuel.
“Pardon the intrusion,” he bowed, “but I thought His Grace would want to hear what’s being said about him.”
She and Samuel looked at each other, both knowing her father had done something.
“Tell me, Kirkland,” Samuel said as he leaned against the door, his arms crossed, prepared for a confrontation.
“Rumor has it that you torched Stanton Hall, killing your family so you could inherit the title.” Kirkland shifted his weight from one leg to the other. “I’m sorry. I know it’s not true. You’re an honorable man.”
“Do you know who started it?”
“A former Stanton Hall stable boy who now works somewhere as a stable hand in Newmarket said you started the fire, then went to the stables so you’d look innocent.”
Clarice swiftly pressed her hand over her mouth to quiet her gasp.
“Thank you, Kirkland.”
He bowed. “Your Grace, my lady.”
After he left, Samuel locked the door again and started pacing the room, looking worried. Clarice didn’t blame him. She couldn’t imagine what he must be thinking, knowing people believed he murdered his family.
“Your father must have bribed him. Whether he worked at Stanton Hall or not doesn’t matter. The damage is done. I need to think. Can you ring for a breakfast tray? I need strong coffee.”
Clarice went to the door between her and Letitia’s room and knocked. A moment later, Penny opened it. “My lady.”
“Can you please send for a breakfast tray? In addition to tea, I want strong black coffee.”
“Right away, my lady.”
Clarice shut the door, and when she turned, Samuel was dressed, which made her think she should be as well. She pulled a chemise and a day dress out of the wardrobe and dressed behind the screen in the corner. When she came around the screen, she asked, turning her back to Samuel, “Could you please lace up my dress?” Samuel, seeming lost in unhappy thoughts, had her asking again, “Could you lace up my dress?”
“Oh,” he said, coming to himself. “I’m sorry.” His fingers worked the laces. “I keep hearing Kirkland’s voice in my head. Your father finally got what he wanted. He ruined my victory with Zeus and has everyone in Newmarket and all of Suffolk, no doubt, gossiping about whether I did or didn’t start the fire.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t you dare apologize for what he did,” he bellowed and grimaced. “Forgive me. I’m just frustrated and angry that your father hates me so much that he would do this. Making threats is bad enough, but to act on them and purposely try to ruin my life is beyond reprehensible.”
“I agree. How do we make it right?”
“We find the rumormonger. Or rather, Kirkland does. He shouldn’t have too much trouble locating a former stable boy who recently came into coin.” Samuel walked to the door. “I’ll be back soon. Actually, meet me outside the inn doors in thirty minutes. I want to go to Ramsbury Ridge Farm and find out from Ramsbury how bad the gossip is.”
“What about breakfast?”
“I can’t eat now,” he said as he went out the door.
She didn’t think she could eat either, but a cup of tea would be nice. Just then, Penny entered through the adjoining door with a tray. Clarice asked, “Is Letitia up?”
“Yes, my lady. She’ll be right in to join you now that His Grace has left.”
“I’m here,” Letitia said as she swept into the room, already groomed and dressed for the day. “What is happening?”
Clarice told her everything.
