Lady X

~ Twenty ~

JACOB PACED IN his library. He looked around. This room had been redecorated by his father. It had the look of a man’s room; it had the feel of his Cressly heritage even in the woodwork that held all the ancient books and texts.

What would his father think if he knew?

He turned at the sound of approaching footsteps and smiled, “Hunter, I was just wondering where you might be.”

“I will get right to the point, Jacob…do sit,” Hunter said without preamble.

Jacob sat and waited, his eyes widening, as Hunter relayed the information he believed his young host should know.

Jacob, did in fact, interject with questions, and exclamations of ‘blackguard, scoundrel, and bloody hell. After Hunter was done, he rested his hands on his bent knees and released a slow whistle. “So, that is why Jerry has always been so mysterious.”

“Hmmm. The waters have gotten too murky for Swit to wade through and I don’t believe he was ever comfortable in the spy business,” Hunter said thoughtfully as he moved to the large bay window overlooking a stretch of green lawns, his hands clasped at his back.

“And Bellingham?” Jacob brought his lordship’s head around. “What will you do?”

“I have already done it. The results were disastrous. I had sent word to the Home Office, and I am afraid Bellingham did not wish to face what he had done. I am telling you all this, because I have just received a message that Bellingham has committed suicide.”

“Suicide!” Jacob stood up, his face drawn in shock. He shook his head, “Then I suppose that puts an end to it?”

“I don’t think so, Jacob. That is why you must know all the details. I am a guest in your home, and you have a right to know what I am involved in.”

“Yes, of course, and tell me how may I help?”

“By staying away from David Horwich. He is a dangerous and unscrupulous man and will be more so, as I mean to use him badly.”

“Use him? How so?”

“I have a plan, and forgive me, even I am not certain just how I will execute it. I still have to play it out in my mind, but I have Sidmouth’s blessings in the matter. Rest assured, I am not a rogue out for sport. The Home Office is behind my efforts.”

“I am behind you as well, anything you need, you have but to say the word,” Jacob offered staunchly.

“I shall, aye, then lad, I shall,” his lordship gave him a warm smile.

Shyly, Jacob hemmed a moment before he blurted out, “I am honored that you chose to confide in me.”

Hunter inclined his head, but before he could respond, Jacob hurriedly added, as he stopped his sudden pacing, “I have something I would like to tell you, as well.”

“Oh?” his lordship eyed him.

Sir Jacob felt a wave of heat reach his neck. “I have applied to the squire for Exerilla’s hand and he has accepted my offer to court her.”

Lord Hunter MacTorry burst out laughing, and then said, “No, ye haven’t, Jacob say ye haven’t! Why on earth would ye do such a thing, when ye are not in love with her and she is not in love with ye?”

“I believe I can make her comfortable. I can give her a certain degree of freedom and by doing that, make her happy. Besides once we are engaged, then that cad will not be able to try and force himself on her the way he has been doing. She doesn’t complain, but one only has to have eyes to see what is going on there. I had stopped by yesterday just moments after they had arrived home from the little jaunt she and Mrs. Horwich had taken and found David harassing her. He is a devil, Hunter. When she accepts my suit, she won’t be bothered with him any longer.” Jacob said looking away.

“Ye delude yerself, lad. David is not about to allow her to get engaged to ye and ye are forgetting that this lass won’t marry ye just to save herself from discomfort.”

“I think you overstep yourself, Hunter,” Jacob said again unable to meet his eye.

“I am not offering ye insult Jacob. I am only telling ye, that I think I have the lass’s measure and I doona think she will do anything but follow her heart. As we both know that means she won’t marry without love.”

“Some marriages of convenience work out very well. Love can develop out of affection and friendship,” Jacob offered.

Hunter scoffed and a low growl edged his words, “Affection, friendship, do ye think that is what this lass needs? No, laddie!. Exerilla was meant for more.”

“I think I can give her what she needs,” Jacob would not give up, he had promised Lucas