“And we are free of his tyranny.”
Matthew chuckled. “Tyranny? I don’t think I would go that far.”
Jordan arched an eyebrow. “Are you so sure? He ruled with an iron fist and a willow switch at the ready. We didn’t dare question his authority.”
“We no longer need worry about beatings, and haven’t for some time,” Matthew reminded him.
“No, we are free.”
“And you are well on your way to becoming the barrister you wished to be.”
Jordan grinned. “Do you think I will be a good barrister?”
“If the judges were women you wouldn’t lose a case.”
His brother laughed but most of his humor died. “It is what I want to do, and I think I would make a damned good barrister.”
Matthew clamped him on his shoulder. “As do I.”
“Which brings me back to my original question. Are you doing what you wish?”
Matthew turned away to study the three men through the window. “I don’t know. I’ve always knew this is what I must do and would never let myself think of anything else, and certainly not contemplate a different vocation.”
“Now you can.”
He thought for a moment. He could write the bishop and resign his post easily enough but then what would he do. He had no skills.
“If it is truly your calling to be a minister, I will say no more,” Jordan said quietly.
Matthew looked over his shoulder and met Jordan’s eyes. “That is just it. I am not sure.”
Why were those three here, again? Grace took a deep breath and stepped into the room. They rushed toward her with greetings.
“Good afternoon, gentlemen. To what do I owe this visit?”
“Clearly it is obvious, Miss Cooper,” Mr. Draker announced.
She hitched an eyebrow.
“Your father,” Mr. Richards explained.
“Is not up to visitors.”
“We know,” Mr. Thorn answered. “But this attack and his condition has left you in further need of a husband.”
Grace took a deep breath and tried to calm the irritation that built the moment she was in the presence of these gentlemen.
“It is because of my father’s current condition that I do not have time to meet with any of you or consider the future.” She turned on her heel and marched toward the door. “Good day.”
“Wait, Miss Cooper,” Mr. Richards called out.
She stopped and turned. “I really do not have time for this at the moment. I don’t even know if my father will live through the day. So please, leave.”
There was another brisk knock at the front door and Grace stifled a sigh. Why all these visitors, today of all days. With a deep breath she opened the door to find her uncle standing on the threshold. He was the last person she wished to speak with. He stepped inside without waiting for an invitation. Grace didn’t even bother to offer a greeting.
“I want to see my brother.” He towered over her, probably trying to intimidate her into doing his bidding, but it wouldn’t work.
“He is not up to visitors at the moment. Perhaps if you came back tomorrow.”
“I will not be put off,” he yelled and leaned toward her. “I had to learn of the attempt on his life from someone else. You didn’t even bother to send word.”
Grace straightened her spine and looked him in the eye, determined not to cower as he probably hoped she would. “I did not feel it was necessary to send word.”
“Not necessary!” he bellowed. “He is my brother.”
“Who you haven’t bothered to see in two years,” Grace countered.
“Lord Stillwaite, we are so glad you have arrived.”
Grace turned to find the three lords standing behind her in the foyer.
Her uncle looked at them and then back at her. “Tsk, tsk, Grace. Were you entertaining three gentlemen without the benefit of a chaperone? Something really should be done before you are ruined beyond all repair.”
“They called on me and I was just asking them to leave.”
“As we are all here, perhaps now is a good time to discuss Miss Coopers’ betrothal,” Mr. Thorn stepped forward.
A headache began at the base of her skull and Grace used every bit of control she had in her possession not to yell. “As Stillwaite is not my guardian there is no need for further discussion of my future.”
“But your father …,” Mr. Richards began to argue.
“My father will make decisions once he is better recovered or until Lord Brachton takes the ability from him.” She couldn’t stand to be around the four of them any longer. “Good day gentlemen.” As she couldn’t force each from the house, she turned on her heel and marched to her father’s bedchamber and closed the door. With any luck they would all be gone soon.
She settled into her chair beside his bed and picked up this cold hand. “Oh, Papa, please recover soon, before uncle has me married off to one of those three.”
Matthew and Jordan moved further toward the door leading to the parlor when the three men left the room. Sounds from the foyer drew them closer and they listened silently to the exchange.
“My niece has been left too long on her own,” Lord Stillwaite announced as soon as the door to Mr. Cooper’s bedchamber clicked shut.
“What did Brachton say,” Mr. Thorn asked.
“Bah, that man won’t make a decision until he knows what or who caused my brother’s fall.” Stillwaite stepped to the threshold of the room and both Matthew and Jordan ducked out of sight. Each pressed against the outside wall on either side of the doors. There was barely enough room to hide between the windows and on either side of the entry.
“They say someone tried to kill him,” Mr. Richards announced.
For a moment there was silence in the room and Matthew wondered if a confession would spill from someone’s lips. Instead, he heard glass clinking against glass as one or more gentleman made themselves comfortable in Cooper’s home. Most likely it was Stillwaite, who believed all of this should be his.
“Well, gentlemen, it is only a matter of time before I have control of my brother and niece, and intend to make changes.”
“What kind of changes?” Mr. Richards asked with hesitation.
“First,” Stillwaite began. “This land could be much more profitable.”
“But the land still belongs to Miss Cooper,” Mr. Thorn reminded him. “You would only act as the guardian. Once her father dies she inherits or it is held in trust, depending on if she marries.”
“Then it is in my best interest that my niece not marry.”
Matthew looked at Jordan. Their eyes met.
The three gentlemen voiced their arguments quickly, talking over one another in such a manner that Matthew wasn’t sure who was saying what.
“Unless it is to my benefit, of course,” Stillwaite spoke over them.
Silence followed.
“If each of you could offer a good reason why I should grant you Grace’s hand, I will give it considerable thought.”
“You would live here?” Mr. Draker asked.
“No,” Stillwaite laughed. “I prefer London, but I can’t leave this estate in the hands of just anyone. If I don’t find the right husband for Grace, an estate manager will need to be hired, one that I trust.”
“I assume such would not be necessary if Grace married,” suggested Mr. Draker.
“Therein lays my dilemma.” Stillwaite chuckled. “I can hire an estate manager, send my brother off to Bedlam and take Grace to London. Once she has enjoyed one Season she will have no desire to be tied to this place.”
“Or?” Mr. Richard’s prompted.
“For the right price, I will marry her off to one of you, and you can decide what is best for her and her father.”
“For a price!” Draker clarified.
“Of course, everything has a price. What are you willing to offer?”
“Usually it is the other way around. A dowry comes with the bride.”
“This is an unusual circumstance,” Stillwaite reminded Thorn.
“If you managed the property, what would you do with it?” Richards asked.
“Nothing so mundane as to try and make a profit off of milk and eggs.” Once again Matthew heard the sound of glass clicking. He must be pouring himself another drink. “Farming would bring a good profit. The land is fertile and hasn’t been farmed in decades, if ever.”
“A waste,” Richards said in disgust.
“What would you do, if you were granted control, of course?” Stillwaite asked.
“It should be mined. I am sure this ground is rich in iron ore.”
“Or coal,” Thorn interrupted. “Or both. It is a shame to see such bounty go to waste.”
“I hadn’t considered that. Are you sure iron ore or coal deposits will be found?”
“We are sure of it,” Thorn answered. “Studies have already been done. We presented the reports to Mr. Cooper before his accident but he refused to even consider the possibility. The man was mad before he was struck in the head.”
“What of you?”
Matthew assumed the questing was directed to Draker as he hadn’t voiced his plans, and the brother seemed to take no offense to how Thorn just spoke of his brother.
“Both are equally sound investments and probabilities, but I would add sheep.”