Page 60 of Betting on a Duke
“I can’t believe Portsmouth did this. I knew something was off with him when he called on me.”
“Sometimes he hides it well. For most of my life, actually. At least until I turned eighteen.” She sat down at the dressing table. “Penny, will you please do my hair?”
“Yes, my lady.”
While Penny brushed and styled her hair, she said to Letitia, “I’m going with Samuel to Ramsbury Ridge Farm. He wants to speak to the baron. We are both hoping Kirkland finds this former stable boy. And if he was in fact working at Stanton Hall at the time, he would be a grown man now. My father, no doubt, bribed the first likely person he came across, knowing it didn’t matter if he was at Stanton Hall or not. Once the rumor was spoken, it would spread like a forest fire. Samuel is already being talked about after winning the race yesterday. And today, his competition on the racing circuit will be all too happy to seehim fall from grace.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“Can you send word to Greyson and Hunter and ask them to come to Ramsbury Ridge Farm? I have a feeling Samuel will be keeping a low profile until he can clear this up. Even if he gets the person to recant what they said, the damage will be done. But still, it’s better than doing nothing.”
“I can do that.”
“Thank you,” she said as she hugged Letitia. “I’m meeting Samuel outside the inn. I’ll see you later.”
“Be careful.”
“Thank you. You too.”
Clarice entered the quiet corridor and made her way to the inn’s main entrance, keeping her head down and listening for Samuel’s name.
“Lady Chesterfield.”
Her feet came to a halt as she looked up to see Lord and Lady Kendall, their faces worried. “We heard the rumors about Stanton,” Lady Kendall said with a tense frown. “So your father went through with his threats? The blackguard. I’ll see him ruined if it’s the last thing I do.”
“Thank you.”
“Is there anything we can do?” Lord Kendall asked.
“If you see my father, send word to me at Ramsbury Ridge Farms. I’ll be with Stanton.”
“We will. Tell His Grace that he can count on our support,” Lady Kendall added.
“Thank you. I will. I must go.”
Clarice hurried outside and found Samuel standing by a hackney. “Kirkland is otherwise occupied, so we’re traveling in this.” He opened the door and assisted her inside, then he joined her on the bench.
“What did Kirkland say?”
He said he would tear apart every stable and mews until he finds the stable hand. He said it wouldn’t be too hard. Other servants will not appreciate one of their own suddenly having money to spend. Or at least more money than they earn. More likely, he’s bragging about how he got the funds, and all he had to do was tell a lie.
“Yes. Most likely.”
They arrived at the farm and found Ramsbury and Anna in the breakfast room having their morning meal. Both looked up with concern when they entered.
“Help yourself to breakfast. There’s plenty,” Anna said. “And strong coffee, just the way you like it, Samuel.”
“Thank you.”
She and Samuel filled their plates with food from the sideboard and sat next to each other, joining the baron and baroness at the table. A footman poured Samuel a cup of coffee and Clarice a cup of tea.
“Now that you’re settled,” Ramsbury said, his brows furrowed, “we heard. A new stable hand I recently hired told me and was quite vocal about wanting to throw you out before you burn Ramsbury Ridge Farms to the ground.”
Clarice reached over and squeezed Samuel’s hand.
“Don’t worry, I relieved him of his duties and sent him on his way. No one in this household believes this nonsense, and if they do, they will also find themselves packing their things.”
“I don’t want to cause you any trouble,” Samuel said, his voice cracking with emotion.
