A Daring Liaison(42)
Aunt Caroline’s jewelry was locked away in a safe at the estate in Kent and only she had the key now. She opened the little box where she kept her jewelry—and the key. Still there. Then what had he wanted?
She glanced around, searching for any other trace of Hathaway’s invasion, and noted that the stack of books by her bedside had been rearranged. Had he gone so far as to...but no, they were all there, though in a different order. And every trace of Charles’s presence there last night had been erased.
I think it would be best if he were gone today. Otherwise the next fortnight is likely to be exceedingly uncomfortable. Charles’s words echoed in her mind. He’d been right. She did not want to think of the man in her house any longer.
She patted her hair into place, brushed the wrinkles from her gown, and hurried down the stairs to the library.
As she entered the room, Hathaway looked down his long nose at her—no smirk, just a dark look of disapproval. Of superiority, actually. And, perhaps, just a hint of anger? “Yes, madam?”
“Hathaway, it is my belief that you have been unhappy in this household since Lady Caroline’s death. I have been painfully aware of the awkwardness between us. I think, therefore, that it would be best for all if we severed our relationship. I am prepared to offer you half pay for the next month whilst you find other employment.”
Hathaway stiffened and managed to look even sterner. “Half pay, madam?”
She nodded. She had not expected gratitude, but she had thought he would see the sense in her plan.
“I served his lordship, then Lady Caroline, and since her death—you. Three-and-twenty years, madam, and you think to pay me off with one month of half pay and push me out the door with nary a ‘by your leave’?”
She gritted her teeth. Hathaway had been left generous bequests by both Lord Betman and Lady Caroline. What he’d done with them, she had no idea. But had she been unfair? Ungenerous? She, herself, owed Hathaway very little. Based upon his short service in her employ—less than a year—he’d shown her little but impatience and disrespect. She could not imagine living indefinitely with him in her home and subjected to his behavior. But in the interest of expediency, “Full pay, then.”
She straightened her back and strengthened her will as she went to the desk and removed the leather packet that held the cash she’d withdrawn from the bank for household expenses. She removed the required sum and pushed it across the polished surface toward him. “On second thought, I would rather you leave today, Hathaway. If you are unable to find lodgings on such short notice, you may sleep here tonight, but I expect you to have made other arrangements no later than tomorrow.” Perhaps he could find employment wherever his lady love worked.
His expression was incredulous. Could he really have thought he could treat her and her guests with such disrespect and yet remain in her employ? “Surely you realize most employers would have dismissed you long ago, Hathaway. I would think you’d be relieved to depart when you find working for me so odious.”
His eyes narrowed and Georgiana suppressed the shiver that went through her. Evidently he read the resolve on her face because he snatched the banknotes from the desk and spun on his heel to leave the library without another word.
* * *
Lord Carlington signaled the waiter at White’s gentlemen’s club to pour Charles a sherry and nodded toward the deep upholstered chair across from his. “Good to see you again, Hunter. Coincidence? Or have you come looking for me?”
“Looking,” Charles admitted. Indeed, he’d been one step behind the man all day. It was time for their long-delayed talk.
“Something I can do for you?”
Charles settled back against the cushions. “If you are agreeable, I’d like to ask some questions regarding Georgiana.”
“I cannot help you with that, I fear. I’ve seen her across a room on occasion, but never met her until last night.”
“Actually, it was more Lady Caroline and her friend that I wanted to ask about. Georgiana has very few memories of her early years, and I hoped you might be able to help me with that.”
Carlington grew contemplative. “I knew a few of Caroline’s friends. Was there anyone in particular?”
“Georgiana’s mother.”
“Ah, Mrs. Carson. No, I did not have that pleasure. I believe I heard that Caro went to finishing school with her, but the woman married before she even had a season.”
“That is unusual, is it not?”