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“I am not worried,” he muttered, which was a lie he knew Albert could see through. Matthew hated to think that the same business he had neglected was the one suffering now, especially when he was doing all he could to see it succeed. “I should ride to Ramsgate with you,” Matthew announced, and Albert immediately began to shake his head.
“You are an intimidating man, and your presence might make people cower and refuse to speak,” Albert explained.
“I thought they would be likely to speak with me there.”
“We have to be subtle. Now, you have not told me this but I know you suspect everyone.”
“I do not suspect you,” Matthew murmured before sipping his tea.
“Well, you should until my innocence is ascertained.”
Matthew began to chuckle but stopped when he looked up and saw how serious Albert was. He wanted to argue but decided against it because Albert was a stubborn man, and so only nodded. He could never suspect the man who had dragged his wounded body off the battlefield whilst being injured himself.
“I will go to Ramsgate alone, and I shall return, hopefully, with some news.”
“Very well. Thank you.”
Several minutes passed between them in silence with each man lost in his thoughts. Then Albert suddenly said, “Now that you have determined that Florence is Dee, what do you intend to do?”
Matthew turned to regard his friend. “I am no longer certain.”
“Why?”
“Diana,” Matthew said, thinking of how he would elaborate, and Albert waited patiently. “I find it very difficult to understand her, yet she reminds me more of Dee than Florence.”
“I am sure you know what must be done to have your answer then,” Albert said, and Matthew nodded slowly.
As he had earlier decided, the best course to take was to get to know both women very well. Matthew gave Albert an appreciative nod before refilling his teacup. They remained in the salon for two more hours before Albert left, and Matthew went up to his chambers.
He undressed and lay on his bed, staring at the vaulted ceiling. After what felt like a long time, he was finally able to fall asleep. Unfortunately, as was the norm now, he woke up sometime later, unable to breathe and in pain.
Chapter 14
Diana saw Abigail returning from the post office through her window, and she quickly set her paintbrush down and rose, cleaning her hands on her apron as she headed for the door. She was not expecting to receive a letter but she hoped.
She made certain that neither her aunt nor Florence were in the hall when she descended the stairs before proceeding to meet Abigail. However, she was stopped in her tracks when she passed the room that Margaret used as a study and heard her name mentioned.
Diana knew she should not eavesdrop but she thought it necessary because she might need to hear what was said about her in case it affected her future plans. This tempered the small pang of guilt she felt and gave her the courage to move her ear close to the ajar door to listen.
“No, Mr. Larson, that will not be acceptable,” Margaret said with annoyance in her voice. “You have to do something.”
“What if there is nothing for me to do, my lady?” asked Mr. Larson, Margaret’s solicitor. He had also served the late Baron Dervin.
Margaret’s voice sounded exasperated when she said, “You must find a way for us to pay these debts.”
Diana’s eyes widened when she heard that. She knew her aunt spent a good sum on managing the house her late husband had left them, and on Florence, but she never suspected that the Dervin fortune had dwindled.
“You advised me to invest more money into my late husband’s business and it failed,” Margaret continued. “All we have left is my daughter’s dowry, and I have had to spend some of it. I believe I am right to blame you for our current misfortune.”
There was a moment’s silence before Mr. Larson spoke. “I honestly thought the business would prosper, my lady, but I will not take the blame because I have advised you many times to watch the amount you spend.”
Diana thought Mr. Larson’s words would anger her aunt, and she was right when Margaret’s voice became shrilly. “I have an image to maintain and a rather demanding daughter!”
“Viscount Edgington sends you funds for his daughter’s care every month, and I understand that you spend very little of it on the girl. Perhaps you should depend upon that money until I find a way for you to repay your debts and earn.”
How dare you!Diana thought, her hands forming fists. She did not expect Mr. Larson to encourage her aunt with such lousy advice. That money was hers, and not for Margaret or her solicitor to do with as they pleased. Unfortunately, she could not walk in and challenge them because she feared the consequences. All she could do was gather as much information as she could so she would know what to do about this later.
“What he sends me is not enough!” Margaret snapped.
