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“I cannot comment on what he might have done in the past as to telling them about the troubles he was facing, but I would think, considering he wished to keep all the information to himself, that he wouldn’t have done so. And the information about your cousin and the potential link to it being about your family rather than Rathnelly specifically, might be new. It is likely safe to assume Rathnelly has also heard the rumours, but I can’t be certain he has. He does rather like to keep to himself. Additionally, according to my new steward, it was only last week that Griffiths was seen in the area asking untoward questions.”
“Ah, I see,” Grace said, her voice faint. After clearing her throat, she carried on briskly. “I appreciate you sharing these details with me. In light of all this information, it would seem I do need to be concerned about the messages that are being left.” Grace stopped and pondered for a moment. “I cannot decide whether or not it best to tell Felicity.” She turned to the earl as though to ask his opinion but almost laughed over his dubious expression. Clearly, he didn’t want to be tasked with making that decision. “I think we ought to try to find out a little bit more about the matter before we bring my sister into it. She is consumed with caring for the children. I don’t think she needs anything more to worry about at the moment. If we run into any sort of difficulty, we can always consult with her then. Or, as you say, perhaps we can safely leave it with Rathnelly sooner rather than later. I have already sent a messenger for Rathnelly about the children’s illness. I wonder if I ought to send another or hope he comes home straightaway from the first.”
“I would think this a more pressing issue than a childhood illness.”
“A proud papa might not think so,” Grace countered with a smile before continuing. “That will be our first order of business, then. We must send further word to the duke. And I suppose we ought to contact Wexford and Eastwood as well. And definitely Mr. Northcott, if you think this might involve his nemesis.”
“I wouldn’t have put it quite like that, but you do have a way with words, my lady.”
Finally, Grace found a moment of levity and laughed along with the earl. It would seem they had both needed the outlet, as the mirth was far in excess of what was called for.
“Shall we adjourn to His Grace’s library? Somehow, that seems both appropriate and inappropriate all at once.”
At Sterling’s questioning glance, Grace elaborated.
“Appropriate to sort the matter in his library, but somehow I feel as though it would be an invasion of his privacy. I have never gone in there without him present.”
“Not even for a book?”
It took everything in her not to roll her eyes at the daft man.
“I haven’t visited so many times that I have been in need of reading material while here,” she answered patiently.
Sterling shrugged, making her grit her teeth, but then he added, “I was merely funning. I can understand your sentiment about feeling as though you were violating his privacy. I feel similarly. Is there, perhaps, another room with a large table or desk we could use, and the servants could bring us the supplies we need?”
No longer finding him quite so irritating, Grace offered him a genuine smile. “That is quite a brilliant idea. There are probably several rooms that could be used, even one of the dining rooms. But there is a room that I have surmised might be used for games and such if Rathnelly was hosting a route or some similar entertainment. There are a few tables in the room. And there might even already be a supply of paper there. Let us see if it will suit our needs before we ring for help from the housekeeper.”
Without awaiting his reply, Grace hurried from the room, eager to get started. Before long, they were both seated at a table with a pile of paper between them while a footman was setting up another table with refreshments for their enjoyment.
“Thank you, Samuels, that looks like it will be plenty to keep us satisfied for quite some time.”
“Very well, my lady. I will return in a while to see if you could use anything else. And Mr. Carter will be nearby if you should require anything in the meantime.”
Grace believed quite firmly in acknowledging the servants’ efforts, but she was so determined to get to the bottom of the dilemma, she could barely acknowledge the footman’s words. With a smile and nod, she dismissed the young man, grabbing a pen and examining the nib quickly before dipping it in the ink and getting started.
Since, in her estimation, Wexford was the most powerful person of her acquaintance, she determined to write to him first. A part of her felt badly for involving him in even more family complications, as she knew he’d had to intervene in both Vigilia and Felicity’s dramas. But since the man seemed to thrive on straightening out his family’s dilemmas, Grace didn’t think he would mind. In fact, she could imagine he would give her a set down if she didn’t approach him first. That thought made her smile a little.
“Does this amuse you, my lady?”
Sterling’s incredulous question made Grace laugh a little. “Not in the least.” She scoffed. “But I am writing to Wexford, and thinking about him does amuse me at times. It cannot be helped, I’m afraid.”
Her lips twitched again as Sterling stared at her with incredulity. “Wexford amuses you,” he repeated.
“I should probably ask that you not tell him that if you are ever in conversation with him, but do you not find him a trifle amusing?”
“Not in the least,” he replied with a smile, turning her words back on her.
“I guess the thing that I find amusing about the dear man might be a little off putting for some. He is rather intense, is he not?”
“Quite,” Sterling replied as he glanced back at his own paper.
“To whom are you writing first?” Grace thought to ask.
“Rathnelly.”
“Oh good. I probably should have thought of him first, but somehow, it was my first instinct to call on Wexford.”
“I’m surprised it wasn’t your father,” Sterling commented. Grace couldn’t detect any censure in his tone, but heat flushed her cheeks all the same.
