Read Online Fenella J. Miller by A Debt of Honour - Free Book Online Page A

grinned to himself, he was behaving like a lovesick boy. He turned and, as he did so, the front door swung open and a smiling maid silently handed him the missing garment.
    Nodding his thanks, he shrugged it on, buttoning it up around his neck against the weather.
    Jamming on his beaver he strode off into the rain to find his mount, which no doubt had been eating his head off in a warm stable somewhere at the rear of the building. He cantered the mile back into the village of Dedham and clattered through the archway at the Sun Inn. Immediately an ostler appeared at his side.
    ‘A rum old day, sir. I’ll take your horse, shall I? You’ll be wanting to get inside and dry off.’
           Fletcher dismounted and tossing the toothless old man a coin ran inside the ancient building. In the smoky beamed hall he unbuttoned his coat and shook it vigorously before tossing it over his arm. The landlady appeared from the snug.
    ‘Ah! Mr Fox, sir. His lordship was enquiring after you. He’s in his parlour breaking his fast and I believe he wishes to speak to you on a matter of some urgency.’
           Fletcher looked down at the dripping coat over his arm and the landlady bustled forward. ‘Here, sir, let me take that, I’ll get it dried for you in no time. I’ll put the coat back in your chamber as soon as it’s fit to be worn.’ She nodded in the direction of the window. ‘But I doubt if you’re going outside again this morning, not in this weather.’
           Ignoring her chatter he smiled his thanks and headed for the stairs. He and Wydale had been given the best rooms in the place; he had a bedchamber and parlour at the rear of the building, overlooking the stable yard and Wydale had a matching pair overlooking the busy main street.
           Outside Lord Wydale’s room he paused , a strange feeling of reluctance coming over him. He could recall exactly his conversation with Miss Fox and her damning condemnation of the man who called him friend. She was quite correct. It was long past time to sever the connection and leave the man to go to perdition anyway he chose. He knocked, but without waiting for an answer pushed open the door.
           ‘Reed, when are we leaving for Wivenhoe Park? It’s damned boring cooped up in here in the rain.’
           ‘I shall send a note straightaway. I have arranged to call in at Grove House to see Miss Fox tomorrow, I cannot depart before then.’
           Wydale shrugged. ‘So I must spend a further day in this dismal place? I swear that I cannot see what that artist fellow, Constable, sees in the countryside. Dedham is a dreary place and if I didn’t have property here I should never visit again.’
           Fletcher gritted his teeth, biting back his angry retort. How could he ever have seen this man as acceptable? However, he must keep up the pretence until he had persuaded Wydale to sell him the vowels. It would not do to cause offence until he had achieved his objective.
           ‘I’m going to change my clothes, then shall send my groom over to Wivenhoe. I am obligated to remain until tomorrow, but there’s no reason why you cannot go as soon as I hear form General Rebow. You have a closed carriage so the rain should not bother you.’
           ‘Aren’t you forgetting the delectable Miss Fox?’ Wydale sneered.
           ‘As I have said, Wydale, I shall ride over on my own tomorrow. It is merely a courtesy visit, Miss Fox was unwell when I called earlier this morning.’
           Without waiting for an answer Fletcher turned on his heel and marched out before he punched the man lolling in his chair, his dark hair in fashionable disarray and his white teeth gleaming in a knowing smirk.
           He wrote his note to General Rebow but included a request that the Fox family be invited also. He doubted if Eliza had the opportunity to attend many social functions outside her home. Smiling, he sanded the