Page 32 of A Sister to Beguile (Sherton Sisters 5)

Chapter Thirteen

Their visit to the wool factory hadn’t been nearly as informative as Grace had hoped. It turned out that someone asking questions about Rathnelly’s business interests was a common enough occurrence. When Felicity had first moved to Rathnelly, the duke had even been suspicious of her curiosity. It was fortunate that the duke’s suspicious nature had his employees on high alert, so they took note of everyone asking questions, but their notes hadn’t been terribly detailed.

Yes, a stranger had been asking questions. And yes, he had been seen in the village on the days that the notes had been left on the estate, including the third note with the menacing knife, but no one knew who the stranger was. She supposed that made sense. He was a stranger. But she wished they could find someone who knew who it was. Their search that afternoon had thus far been fruitless.

Dusk was falling when Lord Sterling guided his horses up the long drive to Rathnelly House and Gracie was torn with indecision.

“Do you think Her Grace would be able to speak with me for a few minutes?” The earl’s question interrupted Gracie’s troubled, circling thoughts. She turned to stare at him in the lowering light.

“I cannot be certain, my lord. She did say she would not emerge from the sickroom. But we could ask.”

“I just cannot be comfortable leaving the household unprotected.”

Gracie’s eyebrows rose at his words. “Well, there are a significant number of large, almost imposing footmen and grooms about the property, so I wouldn’t say we’d be left unprotected. But if you’re offering to stay, I’m sure you will be made welcome.”

She rather thought she might have embarrassed him by her assumption, but then he nodded. “If we are to continue with our investigation on the morrow, it might be best for me to be close by.”

Grace nodded even though he was no longer looking at her as he drove into the stable yard. Grooms hurried forward to take control of the horses and help Gracie down from the high seat. Sterling waited to offer her his elbow and escort her into the house.

“Mr. Carter, has Her Grace left the nursery wing yet?”

“No, my lady, she has not, but she had the footman leave a message for you.”

Gracie frowned. She hadn’t told Felicity very much about what was going on as of yet. She hadn’t wanted to alarm her, since she was so preoccupied with the sick children. Grace should have known her inquisitive sister would still be able to keep herself informed.

Dearest Gracie,

You ought to have told me there were things afoot. I trust you are taking care of it to the best of your ability, but do keep me informed. If Lord Sterling is going to continue helping you, you may invite him to stay the night if you think it best. The servants will see to it.

The children and I send our love,

Duchess of Rathnelly

Gracie chuckled over her sister’s commands. Felicity certainly enjoyed being duchess when it suited her to be commanding.

“Thank you, Mr. Carter, for the message. I will write a reply shortly,” she said to the waiting servant before turning to the waiting earl. “Since she is still sequestered with the children, I don’t think you can speak with her, but she has had the forethought to extend an invitation to you, if you’d like to dine with me and remain here tonight, the household will see to your needs.”

Embarrassment made her palms damp, but Grace didn’t flinch as she extended the invitation to the earl. While she hadn’t been wrong about them being sufficiently protected by the sheer volume of servants upon the estate, somehow having the earl close by would make her feel safer. But now, she was struggling with unwanted feelings for the handsome man, and that made her highly uncomfortable.

The way he had learned to listen to her was attractive in itself. It had been irritating that morning when he was clearly taken aback with her assumption that she would be involved in finding a solution to the threats against Rathnelly.Had he really thought he would be able to tell me about it and then carry on his merry way without including me in finding a solution, especially after I had asked him for his help?That had been a ridiculous thought from the moment it had formed in his mind. She couldn’t stand for that. But now, he seemed to have overcome that flaw.

Not knowing from whence the threats came made them all the scarier and a chill remained in Grace’s heart. And therefore, the earl’s presence would be welcome. Even though she would like to think she was well able to handle the oversight of the household and even the investigation, having another source of authority was a comfort.

She ought to have spoken with Felicity. If she had not had the mystery upon her hands, despite her sister’s words to stay away, she would have stopped by several times throughout the day. Not doing so was rather unfeeling of her. Or so it might seem to her niece and nephews.

But there were only so many hours in the day, and Grace had been intensely busy between conferring with the housekeeper and butler on matters pertaining to keeping Rathnelly running smoothly and traipsing about the countryside to ascertain whether there truly was a threat to her sister’s family.

Mr. Carter interrupted her tumultuous thoughts. “I can have a footman show you to a room, my lord.”

Grace smiled her gratitude at both men. “I will meet you for a meal shortly, my lord. I will send a note to my sister and tidy myself up a bit before then.”

Lord Sterling bowed to her before following the footman, not arguing or offering any further words. Grace closed her eyes for a moment but all she could see was the handsome earl staring back at her. It was the most disconcerting experience of her life. If only it didn’t seem so one sided, Grace might reconsider her desire to remain a maiden aunt to her sister’s children. But from what she could tell, Lord Sterling merely considered her the pesky sidekick he was forced to drag along with him because Grace had insisted, and he was too much of a gentleman to gainsay her. With a shake of her head, Gracie stepped into a receiving room that she knew had a well supplied desk.

My dearest Duchess,she began the note with a twist of her lips. Felicity would surely enjoy the greeting.

My apologies for not discussing these matters with you before setting into action. As you can imagine, I didn’t think you would want them discussed in front of the children. And I didn’t want to worry you. But yes, Lord Sterling is here and will remain until at least tomorrow. Have you heard from Rathnelly?

Your loving sister,

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