Under His Protection

Chapter 18

Trevorton House, two days later

"You look very beautiful this morning, sweetheart," Oliver told Val as she entered the breakfast room.

"Why thank you," Val replied smiling at her husband she was dressed in one her dark green day gowns trimmed with Belgium lace that he loved seeing on her.

"I have two missives that arrived this morning," Oliver told Val as she took her seat to break her fast as one of their footmen placed a plate of eggs and ham in front of her while another one place a pot of hot chocolate by her plate along with some of Cook's scones on a smaller plate. Val was always exceptionally famished in the mornings after a night of passionate love with Oliver.

"One is from Devlyn's butler saying he learned of a butler named Graham that is employed by a Lord Tillman-Jones." Oliver continued on. "The second is from Charles stating that Tony's butler discovered a Graham employed as a valet to Lord Wallingham. I researched their names and neither man has Augustus in their name."

"Do you know either of them?"

"Tillman-Jones yes and he doesn't fit your description of the man you saw leaving Boswell's house. Wallingham I do not know."

"Do you know where Wallingham lives?"

"No and I sent a missive to Rider to track down his whereabouts and let us know as soon as he discovers the man's address. Then my dear wife you and I will sit in one of my unmarked carriages and see if he is our man or if we by chance we might see this valet of his."

"I still have about three more items on my list to purchase, Oliver," Val told him.

"I thought we finished yesterday."

"I thought we had too but I found this in my desk," Val held up a piece of velum. "It has three important items Mrs. Mortmain needs for the Hall that she handed me just before we left and I cannot believe I forgot them. She would like to replace the stove for Cook since it is quite dated as well as some new pots and pans and cooking utensils. Everything goes back to when your grandfather was the marquess, Oliver and we do want to keep Cook happy. This should be the last of the major items needed and from here on we should be able to maintain things as we need them and not have such large household expenses all at one time."

"I told you to quit worrying about the money we are spending to bring both the Hall and this house up to snuff," Oliver replied. "Aunt Caro and I both saw how badly things had been left undone after Father died and we spent time at the estate. I really don't understand why neither Father nor Robert saw how she was neglecting both houses."

"One look at her wardrobe shows where most of it went, but that still doesn't account for all of it since I saw her ledgers and know how much she was allotted. Do you suppose she had a gambling problem?"

"That could be possible but as I told you before I wasn't around her very much at all and never heard any gossip about her gambling in excess or even a lover."

"Do you think she was supporting a gigolo?" Val asking her husband smiling at the thought. "After all men do have mistresses."

"I know Robert did," Oliver answered. "His solicitor showed me in private a bequest to a young lady here in London. She was given the house Robert owned that she lived in and enough money to last a long time if she watches her spending. Earlene having a...gigolo would not be surprising at all."

"That won't happen to us will it Oliver after we have the heir and the spare we need?"

"No, you are stuck in my bed for life, Val."