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Chapter Ten
Alex hadn’t been able to stop thinking about Lady Grace. He tried to tell himself it was only the Barringtons he was thinking about, but it was her face that kept returning to the forefront of his mind’s eye, so he knew he was lying to himself. Even as he contemplated his potential investment in Rathnelly’s schemes, he couldn’t stop remembering the evening spent in the lovely young woman’s company.
And so it was with no regret that he found himself in front of Rathnelly’s front door, raising his hand to knock, even as it was pulled open by an attentive servant.
“Good afternoon, my lord.” The butler bowed and welcomed him. “I am afraid the household is currently at sixes and sevens. Her Grace is unavailable to receive guests.”
“I understand completely,” Alex replied. “I received word about Lord Easton’s illness. But I also received a note from Lady Graciela asking that I visit.”
“I will see if she is available to receive you now, my lord. Would you mind waiting in the Yellow Salon?”
Without really awaiting a reply, the butler left Alex to his own devices, hurrying off to direct a footman to confer with the lady. He wasn’t left waiting long, though, as Lady Grace presented herself much quicker than he expected.
“My lord, thank you so much for attending me. I hope it wasn’t an imposition. Have you had the measles?”
Alex grinned at the nervous energy about her.
“I am unafraid of a children’s disease. I’m reasonably sure I had them all when I was a boy and am not overly concerned.”
“Oh, that’s very good, then.”
Alex thought she was barely paying attention to his comments about the illness. It seemed to him as though she had asked because she ought to, not because she was actually concerned about his health. He wasn’t in the least bit offended, it was just that she seemed truly distracted.
“You asked me to call, my lady?” He said it as though he was asking. It had been a strange missive to receive from a young woman that he had come to think wasnotsetting her cap at him. Her demeanour now didn’t lead him to think otherwise.
“Yes, my lord. I know it is a trifle irregular that I have done so, and I do hope you don’t think it was overly forward of me. I’ve also sent a messenger to try to locate Rathnelly, but I wasn’t perfectly sure of where he is, so I’m not sure when or if he will receive the message. It is probably nothing, and I disturbed you for no reason. But the servants said it was the third message, and the knife made it seem like an escalation. And while I was loath to disturb you, I also didn’t want to trouble Felicity, since she clearly has her hands full as it would seem now all three of the children have caught the dreadful illness. The servants were rightly concerned about it, and while a part of me wants to just dismiss it, I didn’t think I should do so out of hand without asking someone else for an opinion. But I didn’t want to send for a family member as everyone has little children, and you were already here, besides not having any children yet.”
Alex stared at her. He had never witnessed the usually unflappable young woman rambling before. She finally stopped for a breath, and embarrassment flooded her face. He tried to ignore how adorable she looked as well as the sudden impulse to offer her a comforting embrace.
“I think you might have to add a few details, my lady. You said a knife and a note was found?”
It hardly seemed possible, but her colour deepened. Still, she lifted her chin and met his gaze, almost defiantly.
“Perhaps, we ought to have a seat and I could ring for tea.”
It was such a female thing to say. Alex tried to keep his amusement from showing. There was obviously something serious afoot, but the girl wanted to take tea. The threat didn’t seem to be completely immediate, though, so he supposed a short delay while she composed herself wouldn’t be the end of the world. He could tolerate it, but he did hope she would get to her point soon.
“It would seem you have been left in charge of Rathnelly while the duke and duchess are otherwise engaged.” Alex tried to prompt her as the silence descended between them. He had noticed on previous occasions that Lady Graciela did not mind silence, but today she was clearly ill at ease.
“It hardly seems right, does it?” She asked the question with self-deprecating humour in her tone, but her chin rose as though she were proud of being in charge.
Alex didn’t want to find it appealing; there was nothing to do about it but ignore the sensation. He was at least glad to see that Lady Grace had regained her equilibrium. As a gentleman, whatever the situation, he couldn’t leave the girl to fend for herself. It would be far less burdensome if she weren’t having hysterics. Again, he fought his amusement. Lady Grace had never given him reason to think she was subject to irrationality, but she seemed to be close to it that day.
The tea trolley soon arrived, and Lady Graciela poured as skilfully as any well-bred young lady. The familiar ritual seemed to steady her nerves, and she smiled at him over the rim of her cup.
“I do apologize for the manner in which you were greeted, my lord. And I’m sorry for bothering you with this little problem. But it would seem there is someone making threats toward my family. Or rather, toward Rathnelly, who is now my family, so it is one and the same.”
Alex frowned. “What sort of threats?”
“Well, that’s the thing and why I wanted to discuss it with someone. They are vague and not exactly threatening, but they are disconcerting just the same. There have now been three notes pinned about the property. The first two were at the stables. This morning’s note was pinned to the kitchen door, held in place by a large knife. I wasn’t here for the first two. And apparently, the staff did not think the notes alarming enough to tell either the duke or duchess. But today’s message, which included the knife and being attached to the house as it was, seemed to be more serious. I happened upon them when they were discussing what was to be done.”
“And you thought to involve yourself?”
“What else would you have me do? Ignore it altogether? While a part of me would like to do so, that doesn’t seem to be a productive solution. It’s entirely possible that I’m making a mountain out of a mole hill and ought to have just waited for Rathnelly’s return. But the knife gave me serious pause. So, I thought to ask for the opinion of what I hope is a discreet, level-headed third party.” The pointed expression upon her face amused him once more. He nodded at her.
“You did the right thing, my lady. I will look into it.”
Lady Grace glared at him, and Alex was once again reminded of a kitten trying to guard the house. The angry expression didn’t sit well on her pixie-like features.
