Page 70 of The Artisan and the Duke
Fredrick thought that very odd indeed, and his stomach sank as soon as he saw the man. It was an old acquaintance of his that he had not grown reacquainted with since his return from the war for a good reason. The man gave Fredrick a bright smile, “Fred.” The man’s voice held relief that Fredrick did not trust.
Fredrick nodded to the maid, “The gentleman and I will be in my father’s study.” The young woman curtseyed and quickly was off to her other chores. Fredrick eyed his unwelcome guest and asked the man to follow him to the study.
***
“I thought your brother was the one who inherited the title,” Samuel said with an appreciative sip of the whisky that Fredrick handed him.
Fredrick nodded and agreed, “He is. Why would you be puzzled by that?”
“Does he let you often drink from his liquor stocks?” Samuel asked with amusement.
Fredrick sighed. “Yes, he is my brother. We both live here. Which brings me to my question, why are you here, Samuel?” Samuel Teagan was a man who loved gambling and money more than any Fredrick had met thus far.
He knew that if the dark-haired Samuel had landed on his door with his clothes shining with crispness unnatural to the gambler, that Samuel had something up his sleeve.
“My fine fellow, I’m here to beg your forgiveness. I know that we parted on unpleasant terms before you left to fight in the war. I also know that is probably why you have not sought me out since your return,” Samuel said, his eyes just for a moment going to Fredrick’s disabled leg. “So I thought I would come and do the right thing. I just want to end things on a note of kindness.”
Fredrick eyed the man for a moment before he asked, “You need money, do you not?”
“Fred, I don’t know why you would think that,” Samuel said with indignation, but the fury died out of the man’s eyes. “I got into a bit of trouble with the guards. My parents, wealthy as they are, have snatched the purse strings very tight. I fear that I may end up in one of the workhouses before long.”
Samuel had always been in one scrape or another, yet Fredrick frowned at the man, “Your clothes do not speak of poverty and desperation, Sam. Perhaps you should change before you start your career as a beggar.”
“You always were a self-righteous blowhard, Fred,” Samuel said with a laugh. “I guess some things war can’t even tame. I don’t really need the money, this is true. I just wanted to test the waters.”
Fredrick sighed, “Consider them tested.”
“Fair enough, old friend,” Samuel said. As the man stood, “While I’m here, I should probably tell you that there are some quite odd and awful rumours floating around about your brother and his wife. I daresay that there might be more who believe them than do not.”
Fredrick narrowed his eyes at the man and asked, “What sort of rumours?”
Samuel frowned and pursed his lips out in thought. “Have you really not heard?”
“I have heard that my brother’s wife was guilty of adultery, which is a false allegation,” Fredrick said quietly. “What have you heard, Sam?”
Samuel sighed heavily, “I heard that your uncle was dead, and your brother killed him. I also heard the rumour about his wife, but I am never interested in the romance nonsense that enthralls most of the society women. I am glad to hear that it is a false rumour and can tell people so.”
“I would appreciate that,” Fredrick said before he added, “as far as we know, my uncle is alive. My brother and our cousin Boris are actually out looking for him right now. He’s been missing for sometime, and we have become most worried about him.”
Samuel nodded, “Yes, I have noticed the old man not being around the clubs and such. It lent a little credence to the rumour actually although I don’t know how bloodthirsty I would consider His Grace. He never seemed that ruthless, and it would be an absurd thing to do with how beloved the old man is with the Lords.”
“Yes, it would be,” Fredrick agreed before he assured Samuel, “my brother is one of the most even-tempered people I know. I doubt very much that he would harm the man outright.”
Samuel raised his shoulders in a shrug. “Rumours spread faster if they are lies, or so I have found,” he said with a smile. “It was actually nice to see you, Fred.”
“Be well,” Fredrick said as he rose and reached over to clasp the man’s hand. “I am glad to see you better than when I saw you last.”
Samuel chuckled and agreed with a nod, “Aren’t we all?” As they released the handshake, Samuel gave Fredrick a little salute and then was quickly out the door.
***
“There’s a rumour that Gregory killed Uncle Lawrence,” Jules said in shock.
Lady St Claire sighed, “And yet you are not concerned about the rumour regarding your own virtue?”
“I care not for what society thinks of me, but the rumour about Gregory could be very dangerous,” Jules said softly.
Fredrick nodded his agreement as they sat in one of the sitting rooms. “It could indeed. Let’s just pray that Uncle Lawrence turns up alive and well so that he can stand trial and look like the villain he is.”
