In the Baron’s Debt by Roselyn Francis

Chapter Four

Lord Rothesay felt as though he had awoken on the wrong side of the bed. He woke up feeling grumpy and greatly burdened. And most of all, he woke up with thoughts of Miss Bellingham, who had tried to defraud him. It felt as though he could still feel her blonde hair through his fingers. Her skin had.

"Your Grace..." called a voice from behind.

Jeremy froze. He had almost forgotten that he was not alone. He was in the midst of his butler and valet. He clenched his fists. He had been so preoccupied with thoughts of Miss Bellingham. He breathed out and moved away from the French windows of his bedchamber. He turned to see Harrison, his valet, holding up two coats. Behind Harrison, stood Mr Randolf, who bowed the moment their eyes met.

"Your Grace, you sent for me," Mr Randolf said.

"Yes. I'd be going horseback riding, ask Francis to ready the horse."

Mr Randolf creased his brows. "But, Your Grace, you said you had a meeting with the Earl early this morning. I asked the footmen to ready the carriage."

Jeremy shook his head. He was indeed supposed to be meeting with the Earl of Richmond, in order to discuss business, however, he was yet to receive and affirmation. "The Earl is yet to respond and, until he does so, I'm afraid there shall be no meeting."

Mr Randolf nodded tardily. "Of course, Your Grace."

Jeremy hoped that the Earl sent a response soon enough. He had told Mr Randolf of the meeting in hopes that the Earl's response would arrive early today. He had been confident that after their previous encounter, he had been able to convince the Earl to be his business partner. But now he was not so sure. And aside from the Earl, something else had his attention. It was why he needed to clear his head. Horseback riding would do.

The moment Mr Randolf bowed and walked out the door, Harrison was quick to make a comment. "Which do you see fit for today, Your Grace?"

Jeremy looked closely between the two coats. After a while, he said. "Gold embroidery. Perhaps they would brighten my mood."

Harrison bowed. He placed the other coat aside and approached the Duke. "You do not seem like yourself today, Your Grace. Horseback riding? At such early hour?”

Jeremy groaned, but he said nothing. He knew how eager Harrison had been to say something. He hated it, sometimes, that Harrison could read him like a book.

"Perhaps it would be best if you thought better of the idea, Your Grace."

Jeremy knew what idea Harrison had as to why he was going horseback riding, but it truly was not the case. He sighed and faced Harrison, startling the man, as the action was abrupt and not in the least expected. "I only wish to clear my head, Harrison. Are you done?”

Harrison swallowed. He brushed the sides of Jeremy's coat and stepped back a bit. "All done, Your Grace. You look dashing."

"As always," Jeremy responded with a smile.

Harrison bowed. Jeremy made his way out of the bedchamber and headed downstairs. Upon arriving, Mr Randolf stood at the bottom of the staircase. He bowed. "Your Grace... Breakfast? Mrs Kane has made sure that breakfast was prepared early."

"No." Jeremy responded with a slight shake of his head. He did not want breakfast. Mrs Kane would have to tell the cook to have it preserved. "The horse?”

"Ready, Your Grace."

Jeremy nodded and headed outside. Just as he had been told, the horse was ready. Francis assisted him in saddling the horses and being comfortable. Once all was set, he pulled at the reins and rode into the far distance, through the narrow path that led to the river -- east from his home. It was where he liked to go, to find comfort in the wind and water, by merely gazing and riding. As a younger man, it had helped him a lot. He was certain it would still help him now.

* * *

Jeremy was not certain how long he rode for. All he knew was that the riding had done him some good, exactly what he had aimed for. He felt more relived and a little lighter. As he alighted from the horse and handed its reins to Francis, Mr Randolf approached him.

"Welcome, Your Grace."

Jeremy walked past him and headed to the study. He was now ready to work on all the files he had left piled up. And he also needed a drink.

"Your Grace, a letter from the Earl of Richmond has just arrived," Mr Randolf said, walking into the study with him.

Jeremy walked around the table and slipped out a brandy from beneath. He poured himself some and took a swig before collecting the letter from Mr Randolf. Mr Randolf bowed and walked out of the study. Jeremy was left alone.

His mind was occupied as it was. He hoped that the reason for the Earl's letter was positive. He already had an issue that weighed a ton. The rejection of his proposal by the Earl would only make him feel worse. He groaned and rubbed his temple.

He had decided that there was no way he was going to wed Miss Helena Bellingham, however the thought of her still haunted him. Aside from the dilemma he was battling internally, he was also battling with keeping her face out of his head. Each time a memory of her came up, it was of them both, laughing and talking before their dance. There, at the other end of the hall, where she had charmed him with her words, her wit, her maturity. She looked so young, yet her mind was a sage. He had been instantly attracted to her beyond anything else. He had felt the need to satisfy what he felt on the inside and he had offered her the best way he knew how to, physical touch.

Her skin had been smooth beneath his fingers, her hair, a dazzling beauty -- the blonde curls pulled up, only two strands framing each side of her face. She was a beauty.

A knock came on the door. Jeremy groaned and looked up. "Who is it?”

"It is I, Your Grace," came Mr Randolf's voice.

Jeremy sighed. "Come in."

Mr Randolf walked in, as requested. "Your Grace, there are two ladies in the drawing room who wish to see you."

Jeremy’s brow creased. Who could these ladies be? None of his conquests dared to visit him, knowing fully well how scandalous it could turn out. "Who may these ladies be?"

"Lady Morley and a Miss Bellingham."

Miss Bellingham?!He thought.

Jeremy clenched his jaw. Miss Bellingham was in his home? What guts she had. He stood up abruptly, startling Mr Randolf. Ignoring this, Jeremy made his way out and headed towards the drawing room. He walked in.

When he walked in, Miss Bellingham was standing by an old painting of his mother. The other Lady, who was seated on the red laurel wreath, seemed to be calling her attention. Jeremy was caught off guard by this sight, and so he stayed frozen for a moment.

"This is a beautiful painting," she was saying.

"I suppose, but I do advise that you take a seat before the Duke walks in and sees you —"

"And sees me admiring a beauty, Georgina, it matters not."

Jeremy almost smiled. But then he shook his head, recalling why he was here in the first place.

"What are you doing here?” he asked, his voice coming out huskily.

Miss Bellingham gasped and twirled around. Her hair was packed just as she had at the ball. Her blue eyes were widened. She seemed surprised to see him. Her cheeks turned red as their eyes met. She must have been remembering the kiss, Jeremy thought. He too was.

He cleared his throat. "I asked a question."

"A reasonable one at that," Miss Bellingham was quick to respond. Her brows lifting as she said this. Jeremy was not surprised at her response. As a matter of fact, it made him smile a bit. "That is no way to welcome a guest."

"Helena..." the seated Lady whispered. When she saw that Jeremy was looking at her, she looked up immediately. "Pardon me, Your Grace." She rose. "Lady Georgina Wallace, Countess of Morley."

Jeremy inclined his head towards her. "Lord Rothesay. I'm afraid I do not understand the purpose of this meeting."

"Lord Rothesay, I have come as a chaperone for Miss Bellingham in hopes that we can discuss the issue at hand."

"There is no issue at hand, my Lady. This is a waste of time."

"This is a serious issue that requires critical thinking from both you and Hel -- Miss Bellingham, Your Grace. Perhaps if you seat and listen to what she has to say..."

Jeremy was tempted to do the exact opposite of that request. He wanted to walk out of the room and into his study. He truly wanted to do that, but for some reason, before he could take that action, he looked at Miss Bellingham. Expecting to see her hard gaze, he was stunned when he did not. Replacing them were eyes of a woman who was terrified. His heart skipped at the sight of that. For a moment there, she looked vulnerable, a lot like the younger woman she was. And this made him reflect on what he was about to do. So instead he took a seat and stared at Miss Bellingham.

Acting as though he were unaffected by her emotions, he flayed his hand in the air and relaxed back in the chair. "Pray tell, what do you wish to say that would sound quite new?"

"I think it is best if we were wed," she blurted. She was seated now.

Jeremy narrowed his eyes. He had known that he had been set up by herself and her brother. He had known, but for her to look him in the eye and tell him such a thing, he felt stung. He had preferred when she had been pretending that she knew nothing of her brother's plan.

"Nonsense, Miss Bellingham."

"My reputation is on the verge of total destruction!" she cried. "If word got out, of what had happened, I would be forever ruined."

"I gave you my word that nothing of such would occur, but of course those words of mine were useless as you had already planned it all out with your brother."

Miss Bellingham closed her eyes and swallowed. He watched her throat bob before she opened her eyes. Her eyes were teary now. She spoke calmly. "I do not wish to go through with this, to spend the rest of my life with one whom I barely know. Do you think that this is what I want?”

For some reason, Jeremy felt extremely uncomfortable that Miss Bellingham's eyes were teary. He hoped that her chaperone might go to her rescue, but the Lady simply stared at him. Jeremy clenched his jaw. Of course, the Lady was also in on the plan to trap him. They all were.

"Enough," he bellowed. He had had enough of this. "I think it is best that you take your leave now."

Jeremy was not prepared for what happened next. Miss Bellingham rose and spoke. "My reputation is on the line because of both our actions. And I'd rather be dead than be disgraced before the entire society. I cannot live to see my reputation and that of my family dragged."

Lady Georgina rose. "Helena..."

"I mean every word that I have uttered," she said sternly.

Jeremy's heart skipped. Was she truly contemplating ending her own life? Would she truly do that? He sat there frozen, staring at her and wondering what he had gotten himself into.

"Listen to me. I do understand that your fear might be as to whether you have to change your ways because you are wed. It shan't be so," she let out shakily.

Jeremy stared at her but said nothing. His thoughts were racing. What did she mean by that?

"You shall go on doing the regular things that you do. Our marriage shall only be in name. You need not worry about having to be... a good husband."

Jeremy was astounded by what he was hearing. But of course, how could he have expected more? When he knew all too well that she was after his money. It was funny how he had gone for a ride to get rid of her from his mind and yet, here she was. He did not know what to make of the situation.

"I do not need anything from you. All I need is to protect my reputation," she said.

"What?"

"I promise you a befitting dowry for your troubles," she blurted. Jeremy sat up and gazed at her more intently, as though doing so would aid him in understanding her. She seemed like such a mystery -- the mystery was related to why she had targeted him. And now she was promising him a dowry?

"I'm in no need if your -"

"Then how else can I convince you to be wed to me?" Miss Bellingham cried. She burst into tears again, making him flinch. Jeremy sat up and swallowed hard. He was caught in a very difficult situation. He did not know how to offer his comfort -- not that he wished to, but she seemed hysterical. Lady Morley rose from where she was seated and walked to Miss Bellingham. She placed her arm over her and facing Jeremy, she said. "This situation could bring a dire consequence to her life. And it could alter everything she has ever lived for. It’d be weighing on her."

"I cannot live and be disgraced. I'd rather be dead --"

"Speak no such thing," Jeremy chided, his heart pounding. No. Never would he let her commit suicide. "No one shall die. "

"I just might!" Miss Bellingham called in return. "I just might if…"

"I'll wed you," Jeremy blurted. "I'll come to your home and ask for your hand in marriage."

The ladies froze. Jeremy looked between them. Miss Bellingham stared at him through glossy eyes. "You will?"

He narrowed his eyes but nodded once. He was a man of his words. And he would do what he promised. "Yes, I shall wed you."

He'd rather they were wed than for anything to happen to her. He would never be able to live with himself if harm came on her, so he would do what he needed to do in order to keep her from making a mistake of her life. And although he felt the need to remind her that their marriage was no happy one -- as he had been coerced into it, he thought against telling her that. All he wanted was to see how all of this played out.

The marriage would not change him. Never. He would be the same man he was. He would be the same Lord Rothesay. They would only be wed in name. But every other thing would be as it was. It would be no happy marriage of love. Never.

"I shall come and see your family in a few days so we may speak and begin preparations for the wedding."

The expression on Miss Bellingham's face was... astounding to him. Because contrary to what Jeremy had expected, she did not seem thrilled by his acceptance. Rather she seemed... surprised and sad. Jeremy narrowed his eyes. It was apparently a part of her plan. To make him unable to understand her, unable to see through her ploy. But he saw through it. And he knew what she wanted. He could not let himself be deceived by her supposed innocence.

But at the same time, he knew that Miss Bellingham was willing to go to any end just to see that she got what she wanted.

"Thank you," came her lowly-voiced response. Jeremy simply stared at her.

"Now that that has been settled, I must get back to work," Jeremy said, rising.

Lady Morley nodded. "Yes, of course."

"Mr Randolf would see you both out. Excuse me."

Miss Bellingham rose as well. Her eyes were still on his. Jeremy felt a thrill run through him. Thoughts of the moment they shared roared in his memory. But he brushed them aside quickly. He turned away from Miss Bellingham and made his way to the door. His mind was racing. He still could not believe that he had accepted to wed her. He swallowed hard.

Once he was out of the drawing room, he could think of only one thing. And that was to find out who Helena and Allan Bellingham were and what they were up to. And he knew exactly how to get some information.

Long after Miss Bellingham and her chaperone were gone, Jeremy sent for Mr Randolf. It was only he who he could trust with a severe matter as this.

"I want you to source for anything you may know about Helena and Allan Bellingham.”