Having climbed from his bed and in the act of dressing, Aaron’s thoughts wandered to Emma. Preparations for the wedding were nearly complete, and there was nothing to stop their marriage from taking place. All was going well. In fact, it was going too well.
Nearly a sennight had passed since Aaron had asked Mr. Brentry for his daughter’s hand in marriage. When approached, Mr. Brentry had shown immediate approval, with Aaron receiving a hearty, jovial slap on the back and Emma a fatherly kiss on the cheek. But that was before Mr. Brentry questioned Aaron further as to his worth, suitability, and future prospects. Sadly, Aaron had been found wanting.
Aaron suspected that had Emma not told her father that if the proposal was rejected, she would remain a spinster, Mr. Brentry would not have caved in and given his consent.
There was a knock on the bedchamber door and Franks, Aaron’s batman, entered carrying a pair of freshly polished Hessian boots. The shine on the boots was excellent and couldn’t have been improved upon considering the age they were. But then Franks could always work his miracles on anything he set his mind to.
When Aaron joined the army, Franks had been assigned as his batman, and together, through thick and thin, they had come through the war. The war years had been hard-hitting, but Franks had stuck it out, and Aaron swore that if it had not been for Franks nursing him through the worst of his trauma, he wouldn’t have survived.
He owed his batman a lifelong debt, and he knew it.
“I ought to dig deep into my pockets and buy a new pair of boots. But somehow I…”
“’Tis the same thing you say every time, gov. You never do get new ones made. It’s ’cause you don’t like giving up what’s yours. That’s your trouble.”
Dressed and wearing a white, starched shirt and buckskin trousers, Aaron was in stockinged feet, tying his cravat in front of a mirror. When done, he sat in a chair and pulled on the boots. They were a perfect fit and comfortable.
Aaron knew that what Franks had said was correct. He didn’t like change. A new pair of boots would have to be broken in, just like a new woman. And although committed to the idea of marrying Emma, Aaron still had his doubts about how she would fit into his life.
Windhurst Hall was his home. His inheritance. It had been in his family for generations. Yet he didn’t know if Emma would suit life there. She was used to towns and cities, not country living. There were no balls or routs of an evening, just log fires, books, servants, and dogs for company.
He could tolerate living in his Bath apartment on the second floor, but he wasn’t sure Emma would survive such an existence until they could be better situated. He didn’t have the luxuries in life to offer her―at least, not yet. Not until he regained Windhurst Hall and could recoup his losses.
“I almost forgot to mention, gov. There’s a Mr. Edward Templeton to see you. He said I was to tell you it was of some importance, and if you could―”
“Edward? What the devil does he want?”
Hastily throwing on his tailcoat, Aaron left the room and went to see why Edward was calling.
Edward was waiting in the saloon. Sunlight was streaming through the open window, and although the room was cluttered with books and other personal items, that didn’t seem to bother the unexpected caller. He was sitting in a large, comfortable chair, leisurely reading last week’s copy of the Bath Chronicle.
What with wedding preparations and sorting out the business of Windhurst Hall, Aaron had not had time to retrieve his post and letters from the receiving house. This meant that the current editions of the Bath Chronicle and the Weekly Gazette hadn’t yet been collected.
Edward folded the dated newspaper and tossed it carelessly onto a nearby table.
“Ye gad, Aaron. You took your time. While I’ve been sitting here waiting at your convenience, I’ve been thinking you’re about to become a dandy, or worse, one of those coxcombs. How long does it take you to dress? Beau Brummell could have put his breeches on quicker. Do you think I’ve nothing better to do than pander to your needs?”
“You’re undoubtedly a busy man, Edward, which makes me wonder why I’m so honored to have you call at such an ungodly hour of the morning. It’s not yet mid-day. What is so urgent that it cannot wait until we see one another in a few days’ time at my wedding?”
“It’s not what but who. And it’s Lord Stratton that can’t wait.”
“Stratton? Why? What has he done now?”
Aaron was alert. The mere mention of Lord Stratton had his hackles rising. When Lord Stratton had left the rout, Aaron had a suspicion that they had not seen the last of him. He was now being proved correct. After the unsavory way in which they parted, he wouldn’t be surprised if something fishy was happening.
“It appears he’s been in contact with Cuthbert Williams and has had dealings with him.”
“These dealings…did they concern Windhurst Hall?”
“They did. This morning, and quite by chance, I happened to be at the Pump Room―”
“The Pump Room?” said Aaron. “Why on earth would you of all people go there? What ails you? Have you taken sick?” Aaron was astonished to hear Edward mention a visit to Bath’s spa. Being of sound mind and body, it was unlike his friend to seek the curative medicinal waters.
“It wasn’t for me that I went there. According to our physician, my father has acquired a condition called gout. There’s not much one can do, but a dose of the waters was prescribed. If it gives him peace of mind, then who am I to say he should not drink there? But that’s by the way.”
“Then come to the point. I’ve yet to break bread. You might be an early riser, but when in the city, I’m not.”
“What I’m here to tell you is that while at the Pump Room, I was informed by a reliable source that Lord Stratton has taken your cousin’s promissory note off Cuthbert Williams’s hands and now holds the rights to Windhurst Hall. He’s about to demand Lord Merton honors the debt.”
“What? Stratton has my cousin’s note?”
“Yes. And if Lord Merton doesn’t find the money, Lord Stratton is threatening to take possession, or it will be pistols at dawn.”
“Ridiculous. He cannot do that. Surely he can’t?”
“I’m afraid he can, and that is just what he intends to do. There’s not much you can do about it except pay your cousin’s debit―immediately. Aaron, this business with Miss Brentry…if you don’t hold the ceremony at once, there will be no point in marrying her. Windhurst Hall will be lost. Gone forever. And the reason for this marriage will no longer exist.”
With his hands buried deep in his pockets, Aaron took a turn about the room and went to stand at the window.
“Cuthbert Williams was happy to wait for payment, but it seems Stratton is not. How much time do I have to sort this out?”
“None. According to my source, Lord Stratton is on his way to Merton Manor as we speak. He’s about to make his demands.”
“Then I will have to follow Stratton and see if he will delay closure until I’ve spoken with Miss Brentry’s legal representatives and have her dowry in the bank. At the moment, I’ve nothing to offer him. Once Stratton gets his hands on the property, there’s no knowing what he’ll do with it…and with my workers. Damn awful timing.”
“True,” said Edward. “If only you were already married, your problem would be solved.”
“But I’m not. And now I’m wondering why he bought the note from Cuthbert Williams in the first place. What can his motive be? Windhurst Hall means nothing to him. He can’t possibly want my home.” Aaron’s brows drew together. “Not unless…”
“Unless what?” asked Edward.
“Not unless his purpose is pure revenge.”
Edward looked taken aback. “Revenge for what?”
Aaron turned and looked unseeingly out of the window at the passersby below.
“I fear Miss Brentry and I have unwittingly made an enemy of Lord Stratton. I must go to her at once and warn her. I might even have to call off the wedding. Now that Stratton has Windhurst Hall within his grasp, Miss Brentry and I might not have a roof over our heads or a house to call our own.”
With a brief nod, Aaron left Mr. Templeton and went in search of Emma. He set off for Lansdown Crescent with haste, to break the bad tidings.