Page 16 of The Duke’s Sworn Spinster (A Duel and a Wedding #1)
Chapter Fourteen
Y our Grace, a matter has arisen that requires your attention. Please get in touch with me at your most convenient opportunity.
Meuric Howell.
Archer made the inconvenient trek back to London. He had hoped to relax for a couple more days before engaging with business matters later that week until he received the notice from his accountant that he wished to speak with him.
This had better be important, Archer growled to himself as he walked through the office doors.
His accountant rushed to greet him the moment he entered.
There must have been something in Archer’s face, for Mr. Howell suddenly became nervous and proceed quickly with beads of sweat forming on his brow.
“I do hate to disrupt your schedule, Your Grace.” The man apologized and took a handkerchief from his pocket. He dabbed lightly at his head, preventing the sweat from getting in his eyes.
“If you would look here, Your Grace,” Mr. Howell pulled out a folder as they took a seat.
“Regarding your wife’s accounts, they are empty though I do know some small portion has been put into high yield investments as a matter of urgency.
My secretary, who was in that day, took care of the matter, so I’m afraid the payments went through.
I have, of course, terminated my secretary and will be hiring a replacement. ”
“What?” He was less concerned with the fact she was making good on her plans to invest than what could have required her to use up all of her savings? I suppose I did tell her that it was hers to do with as she wished.
“Can you tell me where the money was transferred?”
“Yes, Your Grace. That would be the account of one Lord Nittinghill.”
“I beg your pardon?” Archer looked at Mr. Howell with outrage. “There must be some mistake. Why would she give that little weasel her money? I don’t think they have even seen each other in months.”
“I am afraid there is no mistake, Your Grace. I have checked several times, and the funds were given to a Lord Landon Babington, Earl of Nittinghill. ” Mr. Howell furiously swiped at his head as his nervous disposition increased with Archer’s growing anger.
“Are you able to retrieve the funds?” Archer asked, barely able to control his emotions. How dare he make her part with her money!
He thought back to her anger when he had found her, and he clenched his fists.
“No, I’m afraid I cannot do anything more.
When I discovered my secretary’s action, I made immediate inquires.
However, it seems her brother has passed the money on to a third-party, and I am not legally able to contact them or inquire into their identities.
All I know for certain is that the transaction was made within the Royal Bank. ”
Archer stormed out of Mr. Howell’s office. He was going to have a talk with his so-called brother-in-law. He had worked her to the bone, and after all that, he still asked her for more.
Not this time, Archer thought determinedly. This time he would make sure she kept what was duly owed to her.
Archer marched up the drab steps and slammed his fist repeatedly into the door. The wood cracked beneath his fist which made him take a step back and breath. His temper would not help matters, especially if he strangled the boy.
“He is young. He is foolish. He is young. He is foolish,” Archer repeated to himself. “If you kill him, Lydia will never forgive you.”
“Your Grace,” the elderly butler answered the door.
Archer tried to be courteous, but his patience was wearing. He stepped inside and shook his head when the butler asked if he wanted him to take his hat.
“No need for that. I will not be long.” He marched past the butler and through the empty halls.
“Your Grace, please, won’t you wait in the drawing room?”
“No, I won’t give your master the chance to flee,” he said as he threw open the door to Lord Nittinghill’s study.
The boy sat behind his chair as Archer had once seen him before when asking for his wife’s hand in marriage.
His brother-in-law huddled in the dark with multiple layers of coats and a blazing fire to keep him warm.
“Your Grace,” the young lord squeaked. “What can I do for you?”
“Where is it, boy? What have you done with her money?” Archer glowered down at him, his voice icy cold.
As if he could not help himself, Lord Nittinghill’s eyes went to the ornate chest beside him. Archer strode towards it and pulled it open, ignoring the boy’s protests.
“Hey! You can’t do that. That’s my property!” Lord Nittinghill reached towards him, but Archer whipped round, the glare on his face enough to make the boy recoil.
“It is not yours, and we both know it.” Without hesitating, he pulled the chest out of the corner.
“Please, Your Grace, leave it be! She said you have no use for it.” But Archer was on a mission. He threw open the lid to reveal bankers notes, a few jewels, and several necklaces that he knew his wife had received as wedding gifts.
“Please tell me, Lord Nittinghill, how is it you came to be in possession of my wife’s entire wealth?”
“My sister gave me her money freely. Unlike you, I am not plump in the pocket. I needed her help.”
Archer slammed the chest closed, startling the young lord and his butler who lingered at the door.
“After all you’ve taken from her, you have the nerve to ask for more,” Archer snarled at him. “I did not know my brother-in-law would turn out to be such a gull.”
“I am not!” Landon threw his head in his hands, looking pitiful.
“Please, Your Grace,” the butler interceded. “Have mercy on His Lordship. He had not a father to teach him the ways of this world.”
“He may not have had a father, but he had a sister who I know tried to impart in him some kind of common sense.” Archer took a steadying breath and glared at the boy. “Yet all he sees her as is a meal ticket.”
“Your sister has sacrificed everything for you?—”
“I never asked her to.”
“Because you did not have to. That is the kind of woman she is.” Archer shook his head.
“Generous to a fault. And all you do is take and take and take until she has nothing left to give. Your foolishness forced her to marry a stranger, and while I am not the monster everyone thinks I am, you had no way of knowing that when you let her throw herself at my mercy.”
“But even that was not enough for you. She gave you a chance to live up to your name. To rise to the challenge, and you have failed.” He picked up the chest full of bank notes. “I am taking this with me.”
“But if you do that, I will be ruined.”
Archer raised his hand. “You did not let me finish. I will be taking back her dowry. In exchange, I will pay off your debts and your servants, but you will come work for me.”
“I will?” His Lordship looked startled.
“Yes, and you will continue to work for me until your debt is repaid in full. You will serve under my direct supervision, and you will not so much as set a toe out of line without my leave. Am I understood?” He looked down at the boy.
“Yes,” Landon nodded enthusiastically. Archer was about to leave, but just as a footman lifted the heavy chest to take it to Archer’s carriage, the young lord spoke again. “Why are you doing this? Helping me, I mean.”
“Without your sister, you are ruined. Financially, socially, and within a couple months, I suspect you would be out on the streets,” Archer said while he looked around pointedly.
“You would not survive, and I have no doubt, Lydia would never forgive me or herself if something were to happen to you. So, I will give you one chance.” He held up his finger. “One.”
“Thank you, Your Grace. I cannot tell you how much this means to me.”
“And…” Archer cut in. “… I better not hear a single whiff of gambling or spending your money idly. I do not give second chances. I will not say it again. If you are caught gambling or throwing away money on frivolous business opportunities, I will throw you to the wolves.”
Archer glanced back at the butler. “Mr.?”
“McCallough, at your service,” the man bowed before the Duke.
“Mr. McCallough, I assume you are in charge of the house expenses in the Duchess’ absence?”
“I help with supervising. That is correct, Your Grace.”
“Then I would like you to complete a monthly report on Nittinghill’s spending habits.
I will have my accountants send monthly funds for food and wood to keep you and your staff taken care of for the remainder of the time in which your master will be paying off his debts.
Mr. McCallough, you will be in charge of the house’s budget.
Any money taken from the Nittinghill account will be reported to me immediately. Are we clear?”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Mr. McCallough said complaisantly.
“If anything should happen that results in Lord Nittinghill’s termination,” Archer stated, “please know that you are welcome at my estate. Or I can provide a letter of recommendation. You and your staff will be secure no matter the outcome.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”.” Though he got the distinct impression that the butler would never leave his master. The McCalloughs were loyal to the Nittinghills. Knowing his wife, he suspected she was the cause of their devotion.
Archer nodded. “Then that’s settled. I will make the necessary arrangements.”
Archer left with the chest in hand. He wondered how his wife would take the sudden reappearance of her dowry.