Page 23 of Wicked Is the Duke
Chapter Eight
"Look at you! You'resoaked to the bone," Jane exclaimed upon seeing Anna and Henry standing in the great hall. She glared at her brother.
"Please, it's not Henry's fault. We were dry but ran into a light shower on the way back."
Henry nodded. "It's true," he replied.
"There's something I need to tell you before you depart." Jane looked nervous, smoothing her skirts.
"What is it?" Henry asked.
"Lady Caroline and the Earl of Carlisle are here. A wheel on his carriage broke."
Henry shook his head. "I know he has a small estate nearby, but this is the long way to get to it," he said. He glanced at Jane and then Anna. "Why is Lady Caroline with him without a chaperone? I was unaware they were seeing one another."
"She has a chaperone, but why she accompanies him I don't know. Anyway, I just wanted you to know they'll be here overnight. Someone has gone to fetch Norwood's wheelwright."
Anna appeared nervous. She looked at Henry. "Go change so you can return quickly."
He nodded and leaned over to kiss her cheek. "I'll be back as quickly as possible."
He turned on his heel and quickly walked out the front door.
"I don't like this. I don't like this one bit," Anna ground out as she watched Henry mount his stallion.
"I don't, either, but what were we to do?"
"You did the right thing. It's just her and the earl I don't trust," she replied. "Don't you think it's odd that their carriage broke a wheel so close to here?"
"I do. The entire matter is suspicious. Norwood is out at the stables. I know he doesn't believe their story, either."
Jane linked her arm with Anna's. "Come, let's see to getting you a bath."
"I'd like that. After that, I'd like to lie down before dinner. If there's time."
"You have plenty of time. I moved supper to eight to give the men time to get the carriage repairs started. If the wheelwright comes."
Anna nodded and headed upstairs. She would be damned if she would allow Lady Caroline to ruin her day, though she was quite curious as to the entire chain of events. She didn't believe for one second the story she’d heard. Something wasn't right, and something within her told her to beware.
***
Henry pushed the stallionhard as he headed back to Blackmont Crest. The more he thought of the earl and Lady Caroline's unexpected arrival, the angrier he became. He knew Caroline well enough to know she never did anything without a hidden motive. She was quite unhappy with his choice of wife, making sure anyone who would listen knew her displeasure. Carlisle was sinister, not caring what anyone thought. Money was his one and only motivation, and he didn’t care who he ruined to get what he wanted. He had attempted to pursue Anna quite aggressively, his need to secure an heir muddled the man's common sense. He was a good deal older than Anna, and she had made it quite well known to the earl that she had no interest in a match with him.
Even her brother disapproved. Carlisle was close to being broke. The man had sold most of his land and lesser estates that weren't entailed. Creditors had come and taken furnishings from his residences as partial payment. Still, it hadn't helped. Marriage to a younger woman with a sizeable dowry might help, but Henry had the feeling the earl was further into ruin than he was letting on.
He jumped off his horse, handing a waiting groom the reins. Walking into the great hall, he began barking orders. The housekeeper appeared out of nowhere as he relayed wedding plans and when the blissful event would take place. If she was horrified by the short notice, she didn't let it show.
His valet, Smythe, appeared. "I will be in my study. See that a bath is drawn, and have the carriage made ready."
"Yes, Your Grace. Is there anything else?"
