The Rakehell Regency(331)

She needed time to think. But the Earl's insistence that she marry him, and her own worries about what was occurring with her family back in Somerset, were enough to drive her to distraction. Jonathan a cousin? How was it possible?



Her aunt had said that wills were overturned all the time. Where there was one claim to the estate, there could easily be two.



Why not more?



The sudden thought which came unbidden made her wonder. How had the Earl become so familiar with Jonathan's family affairs, and her own? Why had he taken the trouble to blacken Jonathan in her eyes with the story of him with a trollop?



She knew the two men disliked each other. Was it possible that Ferncliffe was related to Jonathan in some way... Or her family? And wanted to claim Ashton Manor for himself?



It was possible. And if it were true, he might just get everything he wanted in one fell swoop. The Earl might have decided that the chance was there for the taking, and he had the better claim. He was trying to restore the Castle, but it would take a long time. Far better to help himself to a more prosperous estate, like Ashton Manor?



To run an estate also needed ready money. Hers?



That was just one theory. There could be several other explanations for the Earl's actions. But for Pamela, none of them boded well.



The carriage could not arrive too soon at the Duke of Ellesmere's home. In her haste, Pamela tumbled out of the vehicle, and landed hard on her knees upon the filthy ground. But she paid no more heed to her torn riding habit than she would a flea as she made her way up the stairs.



If the butler was astonished to see a disheveled young woman on the doorstep in her torn spilt riding skirt, he gave no indication. He showed her into a small side parlor decorated in delicate buttercup and peach. She paced up and down, and nearly broke the handle of her riding crop by wringing it between her jittering hands.



At length the Duke appeared. For a moment he was speechless with astonishment. "Miss Ashton! Are you well? Pray sit down and take some refreshment."



"No, thank you, I couldn't touch a drop."



"Please sit, at least, and tell me why you have come," he insisted, alarmed by her pallor.



She did as she was requested and perched herself gingerly on the edge of the sofa. "I'm sorry to come her like this. I've heard the most dreadful things being bandied about with regard to Jonathan. You're his friend, Your Grace. I know you can do something about this, allay people's suspicions."



The Duke's emerald eyes glittered perceptively. "You mean, allay your suspicions."



She nodded and blushed. "Very well, yes, mine too. But I assure you, I want only his happiness. You see, I don't believe he can be as bad as everyone is saying. I flatter myself that I've got to know him well in the time he has been in our parish, and at Bath. I cannot reconcile the man I know with the things that the Earl of Ferncliffe and my aunt have told me."



"Ah, Ferncliffe."



The tone in which he said it indicated he had little regard for the man or his opinions.



"But if it's not true, any of it, then why would he go to so much trouble to damage Jonathan?"



The Duke sat back in his seat and steepled his fingers together. "Why do you come to me with this? How is it you think I can help?"



She blushed again. "Please forgive the presumption. I thought that since I don't believe any particle of it is true, you could warn him. Or if at least some of it is true, I cannot help but feel that it's connected with you in some way. That he's tried to help a friend, and things have been misconstrued or deliberately misunderstood?"



"I see. Well, why don't you tell me what Jonathan has been accused of? If I can help, I will."



She hesitated a moment, for the crimes seemed too great to even repeat aloud. And there was one other thing required before she could ask for candor from him. Pamela had to be truthful herself.



"Please, before we begin, I have to confess something too. No word of what we say in this room will ever be repeated, I trust?"



"That goes without saying. So long as you know that I won't break a confidence of Jonathan's if I can help it."



"I know he only thinks me a silly, flighty young girl, but I love him. I tried to flirt with him in Bath, and made fool of myself. He told me he could never be mine, that he was bound to another.



"I've tried to tell myself the match would be unsuitable for both of us for many reasons. I ran away from your house after I treated him shamefully. I'm heartily sorry if I offended you and your lovely wife."



The Duke inclined his head politely. "No offence taken, I assure you. We suspected something, but it is not our intention to interfere, merely love and support you both no matter what."