Page 26 of A Duke's Sinful Bargain
The heavy oak door creaked open, and Tom entered with a stack of papers in his hand. His sharp eyes flitted about the room, acknowledging the traces of a night spent in contemplation with brandy.
“Good morning, Your Grace,” Tom greeted, his tone respectful and, as always, perceptive. Alexander expected questions, one at least, but surprisingly, none followed.
“Good morning, Tom,” Alexander greeted him back, walking over to his desk. “Thank you for coming so early. Now, let us attend to matters that require our attention.”
Tom nodded, laying out the papers on the writing table, but no matter how hard Alexander tried to focus, his mind still wrestled with the conflicting undercurrents of desire. He had to banish the thought of Anna from his mind, to compartmentalize it somehow, to channel this same energy into his responsibilities. Just because his mind was a tangled web of thorns didn’t mean his obligations would wait on him.
“I have settled the final part of the Ashbury debt,” Tom pointed out, selecting a specific document from the pile he had brought and offering it to Alexander for his perusal.
“Good.” Alexander nodded, accepting the document, but he had no intention of going over it. He trusted Tom. If he said the matter was settled, then it was settled.
It was then that Tom steered the conversation in the direction of finance and estate management. Despite diligent efforts to immerse himself in the affairs of the estate, Alexander’s mind kept wandering back to Anna’s enchanting presence. Every time, he tried to shake off the unwanted distraction, determined to maintain at least a façade of composure.
Whether or not Tom noticed, he did not mention it. In fact, Alexander suspected that Tom was merely too well-mannered to point out to his lord that there was no use in speaking to him, because he was present only in body. His mind was elsewhere.
“There are also matters of upcoming social engagements that require your attention,” Tom added. Alexander had no idea what those social engagements were. Probably more balls that he did not want to be a part of, but he still had to. “We could leave that for another time, though.”
Alexander sighed, raking his fingers through his hair. The three months of his and Anna’s arrangement had only commenced, but it was a decision he had already made, even if they were not to meet again. This was a decision that would alter the future of the Blackthorn estate and, in turn, his own destiny. With a contemplative gaze, he looked up from the documents that lay scattered before him and addressed Tom.
“Tom,” Alexander began, his voice tinged with determination, “I have decided to remove the debt pertaining to the late Lord Ravenscroft. I want it settled immediately and erased from the ledger.”
It seemed at first that Tom didn’t hear him well. His brows furrowed as he pondered on the order, then he finally looked up at Alexander.
“Your Grace, removing the debt entirely without compensation would constitute a considerable financial strain. You must be aware of this yourself. This is a complex matter that requires careful consideration.”
Alexander tried leaning back into his chair, but it provided little comfort—his entire body was as tense as the flow of his thoughts. “I am well aware of the implications. Do not think that this is a rash decision. On the contrary, I have thought about it long and hard, and my decision is final. I want the debt gone, and I want it done discreetly.”
Tom, with his stoic facial expression, was rarely shaken to the core. This time, however, he could not hide his confusion. “May I ask, Your Grace, what has prompted this sudden change in the way we do things? Pardon me for saying it, but you have never written off a debt, not even a small one. And this especially is not a decision to be taken lightly, as the late Lord Ravenscroft’s debt is quite substantial.”
Alexander hesitated. He wanted to share everything with Tom, as he did consider him a friend, but he was afraid that letting more people in on the arrangement he had with Anna would open more means for complications. Still, he needed an ally in all this. And Tom had always played this part to perfection. Finally, he decided to speak, and the words that started to flow carried the weight of the truth that needed to be guarded at all cost.
“Last night, Anna… I mean, Lady Ravenscroft,” he quickly corrected himself, because she was Anna only in the darkness of his bedchamber. Everywhere else, she was still Lady Ravenscroft. “She and I reached an agreement. In exchange for certain… favors, I pledged to alleviate the Ravenscroft estate of the debt in its entirety. I don’t think I need to remind you that is to remain between us, and discretion is of the utmost importance.”
Upon hearing those words, Tom’s eyes widened in shock. It took him a few moments for this information to sink in. “Your Grace, you know I will always offer you my advice, even when it might not be something Your Grace wishes to hear. So, perhaps it is not my place to say anything.”
“Speak, old friend,” Alexander urged. “Even if it something I do not wish to hear.”
Despite these words, Tom didn’t speak immediately. It was as if he had been considering which words to use, as this was a rather delicate topic. Finally, he said, “Such an arrangement, if I understandd it correctly, is… highly irregular. It goes against the principles of responsible estate management. If Your Grace starts relieving others of their debts like that…”
Alexander frowned. “Who said others, Tom?”
“I apologize, Your Grace, I didn’t mean it like that.” Tom lowered his head as he spoke. “This is just… so out of character for you.”
“I know.” Alexander sighed, not taking the words of his steward as malicious or judgmental. On the contrary, Tom had always had his master’s well-being in mind, and his words, although seemingly harsh sometimes, were always spoken out of a sense of loyalty and duty. Alexander could only appreciate having someone like that by his side. “But… there is something about this woman, Tom. I can’t explain it.”
“Women do have a tendency to cloud a man’s mind,” Tom said gravely.
As someone who had never been married, who had never shown much interest in women in general, Tom still seemed to speak out of some ancient wisdom that had been bestowed upon him by a father or grandfather, perhaps, in regard to women and their effect on men. Alexander could agree with that.
Women created confusion. They created drama. That was why he himself had never bothered much, instead choosing to focus on his title, estate, and wealth. Those were enough to keep him happy and entertained… until recently.
“As for the settling of the debt, this will be the one and only instance of such an arrangement.” Alexander steered the conversation in a slightly different direction. “And my personal affairs shall not hinder the welfare of Blackthorn estate.”
“I am certain that they will not, Your Grace.” Tom nodded.
“You must ensure that this order is executed discreetly, Tom.”
“Yes, Your Grace.” Tom nodded obediently. “I shall see to it as you instructed.”
