It was a glorious, brisk autumn day soon after the snowstorm. George and Thomas were standing on a ridge overlooking the work on the racetrack and also watching Barnstable leading Robert out on Siren, the eldest and best-trained horse. Barnstable rode one of the Duke’s personal horses beside the young lad as they trotted gently across a field.

“Easy on the reins,” Barnstable said. “You are pulling too tight. Ease up on the bit.”

The boy complied.

“How is the saddle? Does it need adjusting?”

“Not certain, sir. Seems to be fine, but do not know enough to know,” he said with a laugh.

“I think the stirrups need tightening. I know it pushes you forward in the saddle. But that is the point, and you will get used to it eventually. You need to build those leg muscles.”

“And if I grow more?” Robert asked.

“Let us hope not too much. Need you short and lean.”

“But I can do nothin’ ‘bout that Mr. Barnstable.”

“P’rhaps not. But if I knock you on the head enough, might stunt your growth.” And with that Barnstable spurred ahead and left the lad to figure out how to get his horse to follow after.

“Track is looking good,” Thomas said to George up on the ridge. “Foreman said the fencing should be finished in the next week or two.”

“Hope we can get it all done before winter sets in.”

“Has Helena said anything further about Comerford’s troubles?” Thomas asked.

George scratched his chin. “There has not been a single word. No one has shown up with any charges or writs, or anything that might indicate that he is in trouble.”

“How strange.”

George turned to gauge Thomas’s reaction to his next question. “What would you say if we went to visit Ralph? Find out what exactly is happening, and if the occasion should arise, ask him if he might still be interested in investing with us? After all, he has forgiven us and is allowing the marriage. He is most grateful for what you have offered to do for him.”

Thomas looked uncertain. “Oh, George, I am not certain this is the appropriate time to do that. After all, he must be under a great deal of uncertainty and stress.”

“But we have no one else who has expressed any interest at all in our project and we do need to raise the rest of the investment.”

“We might go over to see how he is doing. I have no problem with that. But as for asking him to invest again, I will only consider that after we have spoken to him a while. But let me be the one to decide if we should ask him or not. I do not want you rushing in and blurting out something inappropriate. Will you agree to that?”

George gave a sharp nod. “I will.”

Thomas looked up from his desk as there was a knock at his study door.

“Come in,” he called out.

Prunella peeked around the door and asked, “Am I disturbing you? Might I come in?”

“Of course, please,” he said standing at her entrance. “Is it teatime already?”

“I have no idea. I was just wandering around the lovely house and stumbled across this room I had not seen before. I hope you do not mind?”

“Not at all.”

“What a lovely room, and what an abundance of light. It must be a very pleasant place to work.”

“I enjoy it.”

“And this is where you do your work for our investment?”

“It is.” He was not quite certain what she was doing here, but he was content to let her roam the room if she so wished.

She examined some of the portraits. “And are all of these paintings of your family?”

“Some of them are. Some are portraits that were commissioned of notables of the time. My family has a history of supporting certain artists—as does yours.” Thomas came from around the desk to give her more of his attention.

Prunella went up to a wall and looked closely at the fabric in which the wall was covered. She ran her finger along a seam.

“How long has it been since some of these rooms were redecorated? The house is rather out of fashion, is it not? And while the house is clean, it seems to me that there has not been a lot of upkeep.”

Thomas dared not answer in case he might disgrace himself in front of a guest.

Then Prunella turned to him with a large smile and said, “I would be more than happy to take over the management of redecorating—unless, of course, you wished to live full time in London. Then it would not matter. Pemberton might do for the occasional weekend, but as it is now…”

Thomas interrupted her, “Miss Prunella, you need not concern yourself with these matters, as you will not have the opportunity to exercise your re-decorative talents.”

“Then you wish us to live in London, then?” she asked brightly.

“No. What I mean is—you are making an assumption that is not based in reality.”

“I beg your pardon. I do not understand.”

“I mean, Lady Alderman, you are assuming that we are to be married. And I know my memory slips from time to time, but I do not remember asking you to marry me.”

A blank expression crossed Prunella’s face—but only briefly. “Oh, but your attentions… your invitation to visit Pemberton… is that not an explicit proposal of sorts?”

“You delude yourself, Lady Alderman. I have no intention of marrying you now, next month, nor indeed, ever.”

She was stunned into silence. “But…”

“I am most grateful that you chose to invest in our business, and we promise to do everything in our power to increase the value of your investment, but do not think, for one moment, that our connection will ever go beyond that.”

“Thomas… how can you be so rude?”

“Ever since you arrived you have demeaned Pemberton, belittled our traditions and showed disdain for my family. I really do not see what possible interest you would have in marrying into this family.”

“But my forty thousand… I thought…”

Thomas nodded several times as he gathered his thoughts. “Lady Alderman, I am certain there are many gentlemen who would jump at the opportunity to marry you. However, I am not one of them.”

“But your title. I thought I was to be a duchess,” she said tearing up and pulling out her handkerchief to dab at her eyes.

“Alas, Prunella, it is not to be so.”

Thomas and George were shown to Ralph’s study where he was seated by the fire, lighting his pipe.

“Gentlemen, an unexpected surprise. Welcome. And to what do I owe the pleasure?”

Thomas stepped forward. “We have not heard what has happened with your troubles. Helena says no authorities have come to whisk you away.”

Ralph shook his head. “And that is the absolute truth. No one has contacted me. I went to London to visit with your solicitor, and he knew of no charges and said that, as far as he knew, I was to be given a commendation for turning those rascals in to the tax and rev people.”

“Did he say if Wilcox had been taken to London?”

“He has. But that was all he knew, besides the fact that he was being held at Marshalsea Prison.”

“Curious,” Thomas said, removing his gloves. “What can my uncle be up to?”

George stepped forward, “Perhaps your uncle has said nothing about his involvement in France.”

Ralph shrugged. “I have no idea. All I know is, at this moment, there have been no consequences.”

George stepped forward. “Father… I may call you that, may I not? As Helena and I are soon to be united.”

“If you wish.”

Thomas thought he knew what George was about to do, and he restrained him by the arm and shook his head. George took Thomas aside and whispered, “It will be fine. It looks as though there will be no charges. We can ask him.”

“George, we agreed,” Thomas said, cautioning him.

“Gentlemen, why the whispering?” Ralph asked, getting out of his chair and lighting his pipe. “There is no need for secrets between us.”

“Thomas…” George tried nudging his friend forward.

“Out with it, gentlemen. What is it you want to say?”

George could restrain himself no longer, and he turned to Ralph and said, “Sir, now that there has been a reconciliation between us, we were wondering if you might reconsider your decision about investing with us in our project. We have raised all but a small amount, and we are well on our way to success. We wanted to give you an opportunity to become a part of this if you are still interested.”

“Hmm,” Ralph said, as he puffed on his pipe and seemed to be considering. “I have to say, I am not out of the woods yet. Until this whole matter is settled, I have no idea what could happen. Perhaps your uncle has talked to the authorities, but they have not acted yet? I think it would be unwise of me to commit sums of money I might later need for my defense.”

“I could not agree with you more,” Thomas said, giving George a sour look for speaking. “But I need to go to London shortly, and I had thought to visit my uncle—wherever he might be. Let me find out what, if anything, he has said. And I will let you know.”

Ralph seemed to like that and said, “Very well. However, it seems unlikely to me, knowing your uncle, that he would not have spoken to someone about my involvement in France.

Thomas replied, “I would like to put your mind at ease and will try and get a definitive answer for you.”

Ralph suddenly smiled strangely and asked, “And is there any chance you might reconsider marrying Helena?”

George’s face froze, and he looked at Thomas.

“Absolutely none, Ralph. You forget your daughter is already engaged to my dear friend, George.”

George looked greatly relieved.

“No harm in asking,” Ralph said with a wink.

Thomas had just returned to Pemberton after the meeting with Lord Comerford. George had remained behind to discuss with Helena what was to be done about putting a hold on their marriage plans. Thomas no sooner got his outer coat off than Grandmamma appeared at his study door.

“Thomas, what is going on?” she asked in an abrasive tone.

“How do you mean?” he asked, trying to get his bearings after an uncertain morning.

“Your Prunella just announced to me that they are to leave first thing tomorrow morning. I asked her why and she said, in a very nasty tone, that you must be the one to explain.”

Thomas could not help but chuckle slightly. “Oh, yes… First of all, she is not my Prunella. I have come to the conclusion that she is not the right lady to be the Duchess of Pemberton. Before leaving the house, I made it clear that there would be no proposal of marriage from me. She took this information badly, I presume, and so they have chosen to return to London, where I know she shall be a great deal happier than spending any more time in the rundown Pemberton House.”

Grandmamma could not repress a slight smile. “I see. Hmm. And who have you chosen to be Duchess of Pemberton, might I ask?”

“No one, Grandmamma. At this time, I have decided to put all my focus and effort on the horses. I will build a fine business for the estate, and until I achieve that goal, I will not think further about finding a wife.”

“Oh, Thomas… what am I to do with you?”

“And I am glad you are here, for I wanted to tell you I am off to London tomorrow to meet with Wilcox. I thought you might want to know in case you wished to send him any correspondence.”

“You know for certain he is in London?”

“Yes, at Marshalsea.”

“Oh, poor Wilcox. I hear it is a terrible place.”

“I am not certain any other prison would be better, Grandmamma. But I hope to meet with him and find out if he has spoken against Lord Comerford. As of this time, there have been no inquiries or charges brought against his Lordship.”

“Yes, I should like to send a letter to Wilcox. And do you think they would allow a parcel of some warm clothing and perhaps some food?”

“I have no idea, but prepare it, and I will try to take it to him.”

The Ladies Alderman decided to take all their meals in their rooms until they were to leave the next morning. Cordelia, however, showed up at all the family gatherings and was delightful and entertaining.

The next morning, Thomas was preparing papers for his trip to London when his study door opened, and the two Ladies Alderman appeared in their traveling cloaks.

“Your Grace,” the elder Lady said, “We are soon to depart. We wanted to thank you for your generous hospitality and wish you well in your business endeavor.”

“Then you do not regret investing in our project?” he asked with a slight smile.

It was Prunella who responded. “We have seen your fine horses and believe we stand a good chance of seeing a return on our investment. At least for now, we wish to retain our investment with you and Mr. Edgerton.”

“I am pleased to hear that. And I do assure you, we will do our very best to make our venture successful.”

The two ladies nodded. “We are certain you will,” Prunella replied.

“Have a good trip home,” Thomas offered as the two turned and left the room and then the house.