He paid his debts. The creditorsleft him in peace. Oliver focused all his attention on spending his longawaited money. He celebrated the death of Eloise by taking a mistress andgambling. But Oliver was a terrible gambler. Oliver, a plump whoreon his lap, unwisely played faro with Runyon. He knew now that Runyon lethim win several hands. Oliver, drunk and filled with overblown confidencebet everything. The whole of the Dunforth money went to Runyon on theturn of a card. Oliver was ruined. Then he remembered. Oliver stillhad his unfortunate niece, and Helmsby Abbey. But time was running out.
Oliver waddled into his study and over tothe massive oak desk. Opening the drawer, his sweating hands closed overa small blue bottle. How fortunate that Runyon, who was as rich asCroesus, needed a wife. Runyon would forgive the debt. Oliver could keepHelmsby Abbey and the money and Alexandra’s money. But Alexandra mustmarry Runyon. Now Oliver was about to lose everything because that littletwit possibly offended Runyon at dinner. She was alwaystrouble. Even as a child. Always mouthing off. Thought shewas so smart. He suspected she thought to outsmart him. He knewperfectly well her birthday was still two months hence After all, hisentire life depended on knowing the terms of his guardianship. Silly,stupid little girl. Her marriage to Runyon would take place well beforeher birthday.
Alexandra would awake tomorrow with aheadache from the enormous amount of wine she drank tonight. Oliver, as aconcerned uncle, would send for a doctor who would prescribe medicine.Alexandra, the doctor would tell her, was possessed by a nervousdisposition. She needed medication to calm her and avoid headaches.
Alexandrawouldbe biddable.Shewouldmarry Runyon. Oliver would keep the rest of the Dunforthmoney and sell Helmsby Abbey. His only regret was that Eloise was nolonger alive to witness it.
EIGHT
“Miss Dunforth?” Jameson opened theparlor door. “Mr. Runyon is here to see you.”
Alexandra put down the last of her teaand smoothed down the sprigged green muslin of her gown. The special teathe doctor prescribed gave her a lazy feeling, but the headache abated.The headaches started soon after her dinner with Mr. Runyon, but the teamanaged to keep the worst of the pain at bay. The doctor her uncle summoned,a stern, older man who spoke with an upper crust accent, told her she hadanxiety due to exhaustion. The sudden excitement of London, afterspending so many years in the country, confused her nerves.Alexandra normally scoffed at such diagnoses of women’s ills. She rarelyeven contracted a cold. But the tea did make the headache goaway. And when the headache returned, the tea helped again. The teadid tend to make her forgetful. She nearly forgot about Mr. Runyon taking herto Thrumbadge’s today.
Mr. Runyon’s visits become a daily ritualafter dinner at his home. She looked forward to seeing him. Today,he was taking her to Thrumbadge’s, London’s premiere lending library andbookseller. Her uncle’s library left much to bedesired. It was full of ancient tomes dedicated to medieval armor.She thought the books likely left by the previous owner, since the only thingshe ever saw her uncle read were reports of horse races. The thought ofcoming back to her uncle’s dismal town home with a carriage full of booksfilled her with delight. And anything purchased today she could take with herto Helmsby Abbey upon her return. She couldn’t wait to leave London,though she would miss Miranda Reynolds and the Dowager, with whom she had twicehad tea, and even attended a musicale. She considered herself lucky thatLord Reynolds and she did not cross paths again, although she did spy him fromacross the room at the musicale. She made an excuse to greet Lady Dobsonwhile Miranda conversed with her brother. Lord Reynolds escorted a beautiful,tall brunette that evening, who clung to his arm as if their skin were fusedtogether. Thankfully, he didn’t see her or at the very least he ignoredher presence. The brief flirtation they shared was apparently over. Shetold herself how grateful she was he no longer toyed with her.
Alexandra stood and greeted Mr. Runyonwith a bit of nervousness. Today she must ask him to do something of theutmost importance for her. She took a chance, she knew. Mr. Runyon mighteasily go directly to Oliver Burke, but no other alternative existed.Alexandra had sent several messages to Mr. Meechum, but received noreply. Now she knew why. Yesterday, she wandered by her uncle’sstudy, curious at the sheaf of paper on his desk that resembled her stationery.Her uncle had left hours ago for his club, and Tilda was occupied in thekitchen brewing Alexandra’s tea.
Alexandra approached her uncle’s desk tofind every one of the notes she’d written to Mr. Meechum. Her uncle interceptedthem all. The last note, given to the stable boy, sat on top of thestack. Nervously she felt for the note she placed in her reticule thismorning. Mr. Runyon may be her only hope. The crackle of the paperassured her the note still lay safely in her reticule.
“Miss Dunforth. Are you ready forour excursion?”
Alexandra swung her thoughts from thetreachery of her uncle to the appearance of her friend. Mr. Runyon,impeccably dressed as usual, wore a dark blue coat with dark brownbreeches. He jauntily swung his walking stick as he strode towardsher. The top of the walking stick was adorned with a wolf’s head.Blood red rubies, the eyes of the wolf, glinted at Alexandra.
Mr. Runyon smiled down at her. “I’ve sentfor Tilda to await us in my carriage.” He frowned. “I am sorry, my dear, thatwe need to bring Tilda, but I did promise your uncle to observe everypropriety.”
“I am excited beyond words to be able togo to Thurmbadge’s! You cannot imagine how appreciative I am. Myuncle’s library is …a bit lacking.”
“Your uncle does not strike me as an avidreader, just an avid eater.” He laughed, then covered his mouth with a glovedhand as if he had spoken out of turn. “My apologies.”
Alexandra laughed merrily. “Noapologies necessary, Mr. Runyon. You and I are of a like mind and I amgrateful for it.” She stood and reached into her reticule. “Thereis something I need to discuss with you.” She hesitated, unsure if sheshould proceed.
He watched her politely, the blonde browsraised in question.
Alexandra stood abruptly and shut theparlor door. She knew now that Odious Oliver kept her from Mr. Meechum,but her uncle didn’t know she knew. He likely had the servantsspying on her. She kept her voice low.
“Mr. Runyon. I am so sorry toimpose upon you, but I have no where else to turn.” She took out the noteand handed it to him, pausing to clasp his hand in hers. “I hope that you willnot mind assisting me.”
Mr. Runyon turned the note over. Hefrowned when he saw the name written in Alexandra’s neat script across thefront. His pale blue eyes narrowed.
“It’s not what you think!” Alexandra saidurgently. “Please let me explain.”
Mr. Runyon looked displeased. Verydispleased. Then the look vanished, replaced by one of polite confusion.
Alexandra swallowed, relieved that hewould listen to her. “Mr. Meechum is my aunt’s solicitor.” Alexandrawasn’t certain how much she should tell Mr. Runyon. After all, he wouldlikely not want to help her if it meant their betrothal would beannulled. She decided to be discreet. “The estate is to go to me onmy marriage,” she lied, “but I think my uncle means to sell it sooner, and keepthe profits himself.”
“You mentioned that you grew up there.”
“He is threatening to throw out myservants, many of whom are elderly. These people are my family, the onlyfamily I have left. My aunt, on her deathbed, made me promise never tosell Helmsby Abbey and to always look after the loyal retainers who are part ofthe Dunforth family. I cannot allow him to sell my home.”
“Are you suggesting that Lord Burkedoesn’t truly own this Helmsby Abbey? That he is attempting fraud? To repayyour servants' loyalty to your family with homelessness?” The cultured voicesounded shocked.
Alexandra sighed in relief that he seemedto be on her side. “I do not think my family solicitor is aware of thesituation. I must consult him so that he may delay the sale. Myuncle cannot sell it.”
“Please do not distress yourself. “He slowly nodded his head. “Miss Dunforth, words cannot express howdeeply I am honored that you entrust such a task to me. After ourexcursion today, I will personally deliver your note to Mr. Meechum and wait onhis reply. If it is positive,” he took her hand gently, “I will escortyou there immediately. However, if it is not, will you promise to acceptMr. Meechum’s response and look towards your future? Perhaps withme?” He reddened slightly, seemingly embarrassed by the expression of hisemotions.
Alexandra looked at the kind man beforeher. She should tell him everything and rely on his discretion. Hishonor. Her mind raced. She could not take that chance. Mr. Runyon,once she explained her reasons, would understand and forgive her. Shenodded her assent.
“Then let us be off!”
