As far as he could tell, none of them knew the truth of his situation.
The meddlesome townspeople could speculate as much as they wished, so long as it amounted to nothing more than how he spent his days. He was not eager for that particular piece of information to become widely known, but at least it would not harm his reputation or his father’s name.
Breaking through the treeline, he crossed the small lawn toward his house. Ivy climbed the side of the pale gray stone building, encasing it in a layer of spindly green webbing.
A soft meow floated on the cool breeze and stopped Bentley in his tracks. It was no coincidence; he’d now heard that sound three times, and it was clearly a cat in distress.
Hesitating only a moment, he dismissed the idea of sending out a servant in search of the creature. He’d heard the sound from his study, so it stood to reason the animal was somewhere in that general area. Bentley stepped quietly to his study window, raking his gaze over the ground in search of a disturbance.
A chicken squawked, its head bobbing in his peripheral vision as he narrowed his gaze. A portion of the hedges appeared darker just under the study window, as though a heap of dark clothes was puddled there. Squatting low, he searched through the dense bush.
A cat lay still, huddled in a circle, and Bentley reached in to pull it out. Slipping his hands around the soft, silky fur, he gently pulled the animal from its hiding place, surprised when it came easily. The only cat he’d ever known had been his mother’s, and that creature was so taciturn it made the local innkeeper, Jolly, look like a sweet, old grandmother.
At least this one didn’t seem interested in testing its claws on Bentley’s coat. He looked the animal over as it climbed slowly onto his lap. Sucking in a breath, he avoided touching the angry red line which marred the cat’s gray-striped back. It had clearly gotten in a fight with a sharp branch or another animal.
Seeming to notice him from the far end of the yard, the chicken pivoted, coming toward them with increasing speed. The cat reacted at once, climbing up and over Bentley’s shoulder, its claws digging into his neck as it fought to stay on.
“Blasted—get down.” But the cat had other ideas. It fought to stay put as the chicken neared them, and Bentley stood. “Is she the culprit, then? Did you get in a fight with a chicken?”
Moving away from the fowl, Bentley went toward his front door. He carefully pried the cat from his shoulder, its stubborn claws digging into the fabric of his coat.
“Let’s take you inside and clean your wound, shall we?” he asked before stopping himself. He’d never had an impulse to carry on a conversation with an animal before. Hopefully, this wasn’t an indication that his solitude was driving him to madness. He was rather comfortable with the way his life was now.
Egerton opened the front door for him, and Bentley stepped inside. “Please tell Mrs. Notley that I have a cat in need of some medical care. I need some warm water, cloths, and something to bandage it.”
Egerton looked down his large nose at the feline. “Shall I take the cat to her, Your Grace?”
He shook his head. “Have her bring the things to my study. Or send Edwin. I do not care who assists me.”
“Very good, Your Grace. I’ll see to it at once.” He hid any measure of uncertainty he felt, talented butler that he was, and left.
Bentley fought a smile and took the cat toward his study. There would be a decent fire built up by now, and the animal would need the warmth it provided. It was settled snugly against his chest, and he had felt the calming of its frantic heartbeat, grateful he’d managed to put it slightly at ease.
Kneeling before the fire, Bentley laid the cat on the floor. It turned and climbed back onto his lap, and he chuckled.
“Ah, you’re a boy. Very well, sir, you may sit here. But first, allow me to remove my coat.”
Bentley took his greatcoat off and somewhat awkwardly tossed it over the chair just behind him. He slipped his fingers between the cat’s ears, stroking the silky fur. “I will clean and bandage you, but then you will be put back outside where you belong. Understood?”
He used his best ducal voice, but somehow the cat didn’t seem to be paying him any mind.
Oh well, he’d just have to show it what he meant. Just after he brought it up to snuff, of course.