She clapped her hands. “Children, get back upstairs at once. Mr. Plumpton has come at considerable expense to replace that horrid Mr. Bridgewater.”
Disappointment trickled through Henry. Terrance had been a wonderful teacher and very patient with the children. Lady Byworth hadn’t liked him because he wouldn’t fall into her bed. He couldn’t have done anything else to deserve being dismissed.
The children stood stock still and as one turned to their father, a plea clear in every face.
“Mr. Plumpton is dismissed,” Nate informed her. “Mr. Stackpool here shall oversee their education until he can persuade Mr. Bridgewater to return.”
The duchess turned her frosty eyes on Henry, and he considered taking a step back. The venom in her glare hurt even at a distance.
“Children, take Mr. Stackpool on your daily walk, would you? Your mother and I need a few moments.”
Dismissed so curtly, Henry heeded little Cecily’s tug and left with the children. Once they were clear of the house, the older boys cheered.
“I knew Papa would throw that mean man from the house. I just wish he would have let us watch,” James grumbled.
“Now, Master James, your father knows what is best for you.”
James dipped his head at the rebuke, but then skipped ahead. Pierce chased after.
With Cecily taking such shorter strides, the boys quickly forged ahead on the winding path. When the path curved and they were out of sight of the house, Cecily tugged on Henry’s sleeve. He stopped and picked her up.
This was another of their secrets. To keep apace with the boys, Henry had to tote the youngest along in his arms. He didn’t really mind. Cecily was a light little thing and she rarely caused him problems. The duchess, however, would suffer an apoplexy if she found out.
“I really missed you when you were gone,” Cecily whispered. “Where did you go?”
Henry hadn’t thought to practice an answer suitable for young ears and he floundered. “I, ah, visited with a friend.”
“Were they nice?”
Nice was an understatement, but he couldn’t wax lyrical about the girl’s father. “Yes, I had a very pleasant time.”
“Nicer than with me and James and Pierce to keep you company?”
He chuckled. “No, nothing could be that good.”
Cecily snuggled into his neck and sighed. “You smell like Papa.”
Henry choked. The young girl had always been observant. It was just a matter of time before she noticed his clothes were finer than they should be. He’d have to change clothes soon.
As he walked along, the burden in his arms grew heavier. Cecily fell asleep as he walked through the forest and when he came to the bubbling stream where the boys had stopped, James hurried to remove his jacket so Henry could put his sister down.
The little girl grumbled, but soon fell still. Henry moved a little away to where the boys stood watching and they both hugged him tight. Moved by the children’s affection Henry returned the embrace.
“We thought you’d gone away for good like the other servants always do,” James explained, wiping his eyes with his shirt sleeve, but trying to hide the action from his younger brother.
“Mama said you’d run away.” The younger son bit his lip and gazed at Henry with such accusation than he grew embarrassed. He hadn’t thought the children would notice his leaving more than with any other servant.
“Well, I had a little time away, but I’m back now and here to stay.”
Pierce dug his toe into the earth. “Promise?”
“Yes, I promise.” No matter what happened between him and Nate or with Nate and his harpy of a wife, Henry would remain a loyal servant to the family. He only hoped the children never learned the depth of his entanglement with their father.
Appeased, the two boys approached the stream and hunkered down to watch for fish. On a warm day, they liked to wade out and attempt to catch them bare handed. Henry didn’t think it a good day to try it and told them so. Given the tension in the house, he had no wish to have the children scolded for any inevitable fall.
Henry smiled at the boys. “What did you three get up to in my absence?” Henry looked about him, glad to be home. He hadn’t counted on missing the place so much but when the carriage rumbled through the gates he had known the truth. He was safe. He was home. Noticing the boys hadn’t answered, Henry glanced at them. They shifted uneasily and looked at each other. “Come on, out with it. It cannot be all that bad—the manor is still standing.”
“We listened.”
“Listened?” Henry looked between them and the boys blushed. “To what?”
“Oh, lots of things,” James, the eldest, gave up his fish watching and sank down beside him. He leaned against Henry’s shoulder. “Cecily started it.”
“Go on.”
“She visited mama’s room one night and heard her moaning. She was really worried, but Papa’s valet marched her back to bed. Cecily said he was all white and fishlike. He scared her so much that she didn’t tell us until the next morning.”
Nate’s valet had likely bedded the mistress that night. Poor Cecily—to come upon such a scene at her age. Henry hoped she never understood what her mother liked to do with the servants. But it could not be good that the duchess had entertained another in her bed. She was still young enough to deliver another child. Nate would be furious if she grew bellyful with another man’s seed. He hoped nothing came of it. “Did Cecily tell your father?”
“I don’t think so. Mama came out and threatened to take away all her dolls if she breathed one word about it. Cecily is exceedingly fond of them, you know.”
“Of course.” Trust the child to skip over the implications of his mother’s infidelity and hone in on the truly important matters: dolls.
“And then I started watching mama’s door too when papa went away. The valet spent each night in mama’s bedchamber, but I think he might have hurt her. She called out ever so loudly.”
“Did you go in?”
“No, I was going to but then I heard her thank him. Does Mama like pain?” James’ brow scrunched. “She always claimed she suffered for our births.”
Henry scrambled for a way to turn the conversation. “A lot of women say that. I think a lot of women use that line too, from time to time—especially when their children are troublesome.”
James leaned heavily against his shoulder and burrowed. Getting the hint to offer more comfort, Henry lifted his arm and encircled the boy. “Cee Cee didn’t sleep much while you were away. I kept her company during the night.”
“You were a very good brother. I’m proud of you.”
The older boy yawned and then after a minute or two he slept as well.
Henry looked over at the younger boy, but Pierce was still watching the fish.
As if feeling eyes upon him, Pierce scowled at his brother and sister then shook his head. “No sense that pair. Night time is for sleeping—not gadding about.”
Chapter Twelve
The children returned to the nursery for their evening meal while Henry turned below. The servants’ hall was awash with activity, yet when his presence was noted, they all fell silent and hurried to take a seat. Thanks to his position, he’d always garnered respect, especially as he had the duke’s ear. If they knew he’d had their master’s prick as well that respect would disappear altogether.
Silence was extremely rare in the servants’ hall. He stepped through and took his place beside the butler. Henry glanced around, wondering if they knew or suspected. Not too many met his eye.
Unwilling to let the silence unnerve him, Henry cleared his throat. “I understand Mr. Bridgewater was dismissed in my absence. Would anyone care to inform me if he communicated his plans for future employment? The duke has indicated he’d like him reinstated.”
The butler and housekeeper exchanged a long glance. The butler leaned closer. “I am so pleased to hear this. Mr. Bridgewater hasn’t departed the estate as yet. I managed to convince him to remain until the duke returned.”
Henry let out a relieved breath. “Excellent. Have him report to me in my office tonight. Or perhaps, you had better tell me where he’s hiding until I can speak to the duke.”
“He’s bunked down with the gardeners. Seems as happy as a lark out there, despite the poorer accommodations.”
Thank God Terrance was still here. He had to warn him about Lewes and the location of his country estate. Neither of them had heard of it when they’d sought employment from the Duke of Byworth. They thought themselves free of ties to the past. “Excellent. I’ll see him after dinner.”
Henry picked up his silver and forced food down his throat. The other servants quickly began gossiping about the duke and duchess. They were to dine together tonight, they said, the duchess had made extensive plans for the dukes evening.
Unexpected and ridiculous jealousy turned his stomach into knots. He quickly finished his dinner and stepped out of the manor. He didn’t want to overhear the servants discuss whether their employers were mooning at each other over the crystal glassware.
He took the winding path through the shrubbery.
Terrance Bridgewater approached in a rush, weaving his way along the path and pulled Henry into his arms. He squeezed tightly. “I thought you’d never get out of there.”
“Bloody Hell, Terrance, you stink of the manure pile.”
Terrance chuckled. “Best way to hide from the notice of the great house. Not too many would think to visit the gardener’s patch.”
Henry held Terrance at arms’ length. “Two things. Byworth wants you to continue as tutor, but . . . the Duke of Lewes is in the area. Arrow had an unpleasant encounter with him at his country estate. He’s looking for Archer.”
Understanding widened Terrance’s eyes at the mention of their former names. Terrance caught Henry’s face and turned him towards the moonlight. He winced at the bruises that still darkened his jaw. “He caught Arrow?”
“Unfortunately, yes. However, he does not know where the man resides. But Lewes’ residence is known to Byworth and he, in fact, saved Arrow. Our employer also knows about the Hunt Club and what else goes on there.”
So much depended on secrecy, but in a great house matters best left unspoken had a way of becoming known to all. Terrance hissed, and raked his hand through his hair. “So we leave tonight?”
“No.” Henry crossed his arms over his chest. “Byworth will overlook the issue. He has similar inclinations.”
Terrance whistled. “Never expected that.”
Henry shrugged. “Very surprising.”
Actually, his mind still reeled that the Duke of Byworth desired him the way he did.
“So does Arrow have a new master?”
Henry scowled. Most times he’d been the submissive partner in any Hunt Club appointments, and Terrance knew that very well. But he wouldn’t be anyone’s property in the bedroom again. “No. Arrow retired, if you remember.”
Terrance nodded. “So you are safe here. Thank god.”
Henry clutched Terrance’s shoulder. “You will be too. But you will need to stay out of sight for a while. At least until Lewes leaves the district. I’ll do my best to find out when he does.”
Terrance offered a wry smile. “Lewes has remarkable persistence. If he found you here and you slipped out of his grasp he will search for you again. What conversation did you have with him? I hope nothing that could lead him to your location.”
Henry thought over their conversation, and his stomach dropped to his boots. “I told him I was in service.”