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Nathan did not know if anyone had used it since, but Sebastian had shown it to him after their father passed on the knowledge to him. It was only supposed to go from heir to heir, but, in a fit of caution, Sebastian had felt the need to share everything he could while Nathan was his heir. Neither of them had expected Nathan to need it, but Sebastian never liked leaving anything to chance.
Now that Nathan was the earl, he supposed he should get started on providing an heir for the earldom as soon as he could. Not that he and Lily had made a bad start of it, but he could not imagine any of his cousins inheriting the title. As far as he was concerned, none of them were suited for it. Robert, who was currently Nathan’s heir, had the same penchant for gambling Nathan’s father had. He did not trust Robert would take care of the staff or the estate.
Another thing that he now needed to worry about.
Tucking the list safely away to be dealt with later, Nathan left the study to greet his in-laws, hoping his friends would not be far behind.
* * *
Lily
“Well, you are looking well.” Lily’s mother smiled benignly, then leaned in, lowering her voice. “I trust your marital duties were not too onerous then.”
“No, Mama, thank you.” Suppressing her eye roll, Lily stepped back and gestured to Mrs. Moore. Trust her mother to bring that up immediately. Her mother’s explanation of ‘the act’ had been given to Lily years ago when the mares were breeding. Her mother had not seen fit to expound upon it before Lily’s wedding night, to her relief. Sometimes, her mother’s matter-of-factness was a blessing, and other times, it was a trial.
“Beautiful house.” Her father was looking at the décor, wandering toward the drawing-room. “Is there a library?”
“A very fine one. Would you like to see your rooms first?” Lily was unable to keep the smile from her lips. Her parents never changed, and she would never want them to. In many ways, they did not fit in with theton.
“Yes, please. I went to Jay’s this morning and purchased some items for you,” Lily’s mother said, and Lily nearly sighed with relief. Jay’s on Regent Street had a large selection of ready-made clothing for mourning. “I brought some crepe for the house as well.”
“Thank you. I am sure there must be someone around here who provides something similar, but I have not been able to explore yet.” Lily smiled as a sound from the stairs made her tilt her head back, and she met her husband’s gaze. “Here is Nathan.”
Nathan had it much easier than she did. He had plenty of dark suits, from what she had seen, and did not need to purchase new clothing, though the black band around his arm made it clear he was in mourning. Once the initial mourning period was over, that would be cast off.
“Welcome to my home,” Nathan said as he descended. His gaze caught Lily’s, and he quickly corrected himself. “Our home.”
“I am sorry it is under such circumstances,” Lily’s mother said, stepping forward to greet him, her dark eyes full of sympathy. Lily’s father came over to convey his condolences as well.
They got through the social patter well enough, then sent her parents with several footmen and Mrs. Moore to show them to their rooms. That had barely been finished when a knock sounded on the door. To Lily’s surprise, it opened immediately, and a man stepped through, and she quickly Harker, the elderly gentleman who had come to London to tell Nathan of Sebastian’s death.
“My lord.” Harker bowed quickly.
“Harker, good to see you traveled well.” Nathan lit up, and Lily looked at him questioningly before realizing he likely wanted more information from Harker. Blast. She wondered if she would have the opportunity to listen at the keyhole again. With more people arriving, it was going to be much harder to escape being caught.
“Yes, my lord. The Earl of Durham was kind enough to offer me transport in his carriage,” Harker explained.
“Elijah and Josie are here?” Not that Lily had not been happy to see her parents, but she was extremely relieved to hear her friends had arrived. Perhaps Josie could help her.
“Yes, my lady, the earl, the countess, and his cousin, Miss Stuart.” Harker bowed to her. Elated, Lily dashed past him as quickly as she could while still maintaining some decorum. Thank goodness—JosieandEvie. Reinforcements were here!
* * *
Nathan
Nathan approached Harker, secure in the knowledge Lily would have everyone else well in hand. Keeping his voice low, in case there were any curious ears about—sounds in the foyer could echo oddly—Nathan drew Harker a little off to the side, away from the door.
“I found a list of names in my brother’s study. Moore said Sebastian was investigating my father.” If Moore knew, Harker would, and it was possible he would know even more. While Nathan had many questions for Harker, that one was the most important now that Nathan knew about it. If someone had been helping his father, they could still hang for treason.
There might even be a connection to the traitor he and his friends were currently hunting. The idea made Nathan’s stomach clench, but it was not far-fetched. After all, how many traitors could there possibly be?
Hopefully, not many.
“Aye.” Harker’s expression sobered. “That was one of the things I meant to tell you once I was able. Your brother had found evidence in your father’s diaries that he had smuggled in spies during the war and helped them get back out.” Harker shook his head, disgust contorting his features. “I swear, my lord, I did not know where he was getting the money from. I thought it was from the horse races, as always.”
“I do not blame you, trust me,” Nathan said, clapping the other man on the shoulder. Harker was no traitor. He and Mrs. Potts had likely been the saviors of the estate. Certainly, they had shouldered the burden of looking after it and the staff while his father ran through his funds and neglected his duties.
“My father was…” There were so many things he could call his father. A reprobate. A wastrel. A failure of a human being, on more levels than Nathan had realized.
