Michael felt a pinch of frustration, but he’d known it would be difficult to discover things from such a loyal employee. “And the first guardian?” he asked.
Talbot waited for a maid to pass, her eyes downcast, then he gestured for Michael to enter a small room, obviously his office, with a desk, sideboard, and several chairs. A small window looked out on the garden, surely a sign of his respected position in the household to have such a view.
“My lord, I am not certain what you require of me—”
“Some help, Talbot. Your mistress asked for my assistance with Lord Appertan and his behavior. But if I don’t know everything that is going on, how can I help her? It’s obvious she is worried about her brother, and if I can do anything to ease her mind, I want to do it.”
Talbot hesitated, and in that moment, Michael realized that if Talbot knew the strained status of the marriage, he would never help Michael at all. But at last he gestured to a chair, and instead of walking behind his desk, pulled up another chair next to Michael.
“My lord, I am only the butler,” he said quietly. “But I have been with this household my entire adult life, as has Mrs. Ellison. We both want his lordship and Lady Blackthorne to be content with their lives. But do I know things of a personal nature? Perhaps some, most of which I would not dream of sharing with anyone, even my lady’s husband. I would not long be trusted as a butler if I betrayed confidences that I overheard in the course of my duties. But as to their guardians, I might be able to briefly converse although I don’t believe what I know is of much benefit.”
“That’s a fair answer,” Michael said, crossing his arms over his chest as he studied the other man. “So tell me about the first guardian, the one they both shared.”
“The guardianship was arranged long ago with a cousin of their mother’s, someone who would not be in line to inherit any part of the earldom. But he was a country cousin who seldom went to London. Young Lord Appertan chafed almost immediately, for their guardian never went to Town, and only made rare appearances at Appertan Hall. I do believe that Lady Blackthorne concluded they felt it difficult to properly chaperone an heiress, and did not wish to deal with Lord Appertan’s ... high spirits.”
“So once Appertan became the earl, he had a right to choose his own guardian, and Lord Doddridge suited him, according to my wife.”
“I imagine all young men wish to do whatever they please,” Talbot said in a faintly amused voice. “Lord Doddridge permitted this, as long as he could be certain the estates were being properly cared for. When Lady Blackthorne proved she could function in that capacity, he stipulated that he would visit once a month to be apprised. But surely you know most of this, my lord.”
“Did you ever hear that Lord Doddridge might have deliberately sought the position of Lord Appertan’s guardian?”
“Sought?” Talbot echoed, frowning. “As in, for a motive all his own?”
Michael nodded.
“I’m sorry, my lord, but that I don’t know.”
“And he doesn’t benefit in any way?”
“I believe not.”
This was pointless. How could he ask the butler if Lord Doddridge would benefit if Cecilia were dead? It would sound ... ominous.
“Thank you for your information, Talbot,” Michael said. “I’ll be having dinner with the man tonight and no chance to discuss him with my wife beforehand. You’ve been helpful. Do you mind if I ask about the new servants most recently hired?”
Talbot frowned. “There have only been three, my lord, only one of whom is under my direct control. Susan, the new maid, works for Mrs. Ellison, and Parsons, the watchman, is overseen by the gamekeeper. The page, Francis, runs errands and does the occasional task about the house when the footmen are too busy.”
“How old is he?”
“Seventeen. He, of course, aspires to be a footman. But we are his first employer.”
The boy was certainly old enough to be up to mischief if he wanted to. And Susan also had the run of the house, but Michael remembered the horrified expression on her face when the bust fell toward Cecilia.
“My lord, have we given you some reason to question our hiring decisions?”
Michael would have liked to confide in Talbot but worried that his suspicions might become common knowledge. “I know Susan the maid is also relatively new, and that accident involving the falling bust concerns me. My wife almost died.”
Talbot studied him gravely. “And you fear for her. I understand.”
“Due to my military career, we will most likely be separated for long periods of time.” How strange that he would have settled for this so easily once upon a time, but now that he was so against it, he didn’t have the first idea how to solve it. “I need to know that my wife is safe, Talbot. Can you do me a favor and recheck the references and the backgrounds of the new people hired?”
“Of course, my lord. I will confer with the steward and see it done.”
Michael stood up with the aid of his cane. “Thank you. I know I have no true standing within this household, but I appreciate your taking my concerns seriously.”
“Lady Blackthorne often remarked on the late earl’s high praise of you, my lord. I am grateful to see your concern for her, considering ...” He trailed off.
“Considering I agreed to marry her sight unseen?” Michael answered dryly.
