A Lesson in Forgiveness (21 page)

“Fine, then. You must have questions for me. Ask them.”

“What happened?” His question was simple, without malice or provocation. Ginny had to admit she was somewhat disappointed.

“Shortly after you left, I discovered that your steward had abandoned his post. My father, God rest his soul, knew of someone who could fill the position immediately. There are few days that go by that I don't thank God for Sean McCarthy.”

Picking up on her simply made statement, he asked, “Your father? When?”

“Close to six months now. He never forgave himself for forcing our marriage. I could not even afford to travel to his funeral. Your dear mother had to give me the funds.”

Colin noticed how every statement she made had an accusation in it. His anger was coming back, incrementally. He needed to quash it before it got the better of him.

“I am sorry to hear it. Your father was a good man. I am to understand from Lord Clarendon... I beg your pardon, I mean the Duke of Sutherland, that Mr. Stevens stole a large sum of money from me.”

“You spoke to Miles?” she asked before she could stop herself. It had been a few weeks since their ill fated evening together, but she'd not heard from him at all. Not that she couldn't understand why.

Clenching his teeth and closing his eyes, he replied, “Yes.” It was the only word he could get out. He knew his voice would betray his true feelings on the subject of Miles Clarendon.

“Yes, Mr. Stevens stole a large chunk of money from you. He kept all the tenant's rents for last year and he was also able to steal your earnings for the year. He never paid any of the bills from your house party or the wedding, so you can imagine how desperate things got around here.”

“I am appalled. He had been my manager for over five years. I had never imagined he was so unscrupulous. You must know that I would never have left if I had suspected such treachery.”

Ginny, who had been taking a sip of tea, slowly put her cup down on the table. Leveling her eyes to his, she thought of all the statements she could make. Instead, she simply said, “Then I'm sorry you didn't know.”

“Bethany... I am unsure how to make this up to you.” That was certainly the truth. As the Earl of Whitmore, he rarely had to apologize. Then, he had never done anything as grotesque as what he did to the woman sitting across from him.

He could see her struggling with what to say next. He wasn't expecting any answers tonight, but he needed her to know that he recognized his own behavior and was trying to acknowledge it. The memory of her taking ownership of the kiss came back to him. She didn't beat around the bush, but owned it entirely. Didn't she deserve that much?

“Bethany, I have no excuses. This past year was not something I am proud of or would ever do again. At the time I thought I was owed it. When I received those letters... well, I just didn't want to have to face my imprudence. I will not expect your forgiveness. I only wish that someday I shall have it.”

Pretty speech
, she thought without any compassion.
Sounds like something he's been working on for some time, maybe even from the first day he left.
Ginny continued to examine his features, trying to determine his sincerity. In the end, she had to have her say.

“I told you I wouldn't marry you, but you begged. Why? Why would you beg when you knew all along that you would leave?” Ginny stood up and began to pace in front of the window. Catching the view of his gardens, gardens she'd worked on personally so they wouldn't fallow, tears entered her eyes. Even after a year of abandonment, she still felt something for him. Not enough to forgive him though.

Ginny stopped and stared out the window. Her body rigid, her face turned away so he couldn't see how much pain she was in. She had to tell him how it made her feel, how much pain he had caused. “That morning, when I found the bank note, I could have killed you. I guess it was a good thing you left, because I even terrified Tabby. I couldn't believe that my own husband could be so callous, so unfeeling.” Turning to look at him, wanting him to know it all, she said, “Your actions were beyond vile. They were the stuff of the worst parts of society. I almost wished you'd hit me instead, because at least in that, I could defend myself.”

What could he say to that? He was left without any means to defend himself. Looking down, he wanted to avoid whatever shame she laid at his door. Without looking at her, he felt her move to the door, open it and speak to a footman. Leaving the door open, she turned to him and said, “I have sent for Mr. McCarthy. I think it's about time you two meet.”

Ginny stood at the door, intending only to introduce them and leave. She needed to be alone, or at least away from Colin. A moment later, Sean McCarthy entered the room. Smiling in his direction, she motioned him to the other chair. “Sean. I would like to introduce you to Lord Whitmore. He will be taking over now that he has returned. Please direct all questions to him. If you gentlemen will excuse me, I will leave you to get to know each other.”

Walking to the door, not bothering to look at either man, Ginny was relieved to be able to escape. As far as her imagination was concerned, the meeting was far less contentious than she would have thought it could be. Ginny had always imagined him coming home and being just as arrogant as before. She had never envisioned him apologizing. Heading to her room, Ginny figured she just needed a good cry to get it out of her system. Then she might be able to survive dinner with him. She could only hope.

“Mr. McCarthy, is it?” Colin would never refer to anyone by their first name. Except, of course, his wife, but never in front of anyone. She had referred to Clarendon by his first name and now, his steward. It showed a level of familiarity that made him wonder how many men Bethany had been intimate with.

“Aye, my lord. Sean McCarthy,” the Irishman stated and held out his hand. Colin shook his hand, then stood up and took his place behind the desk. Sean eyed him suspiciously.
So, that is how the relationship will be
, he concluded.
I may find working with Lady Whitmore more satisfying.

“Could you please explain to me how you came to be here and what had transpired shortly after your arrival?”

“Certainly, my lord.” Sean began, not wanting to leave anything out. He thought back to when he first received the letter from Mr. Hamilton.

It was only a month after losing his position with Lord Warwick, who had died at the ripe old age of 68. Sean and his wife had been in residence for only three years, but it had been very gratifying. The former steward had retired and left everything in perfect order. It was easy to take over and keep things as they'd been.

When the Earl passed, his nephew was in line to take the title. Unfortunately for the McCarthy's, the new Earl of Warwick had his own people he wished to use. Although adverse, the new Earl gave him several months notice, a glowing letter of recommendation and an extra two months pay after he was to leave the position. He and his wife did not need to vacate their home until the end of October, so Sean could bring the new man up to speed.

The letter came and Sean took the opportunity that presented itself. The new Earl, good to his word, paid for his traveling expenses instead of the severance and bid him good luck in his future endeavors. Sean's wife, Gladys, was ecstatic over the moving further south. Born and raised in Scotland, Gladys had always preferred more tepid climes than those she'd grown up in.

Off they went, not knowing more than the fact that the previous steward left unexpectedly and the Lord of the manor was traveling on business. They arrived a week later, with a cart filled with their belongings. The travel was hard, but they were both eager to start their new lives.

Their enthusiasm would soon be quashed. Arriving at the home, they were both surprised to see the new mistress waiting for them.

“Lady Whitmore, I presume. Tis a pleasure to meet you.” His accent, a mix of Irish and Scottish, was barely understandable. “May I introduce ya to my wife, Gladys.” Gladys McCarthy performed a perfect curtsy.

“Oh, Lady Whitmore. Thank you ever so much. Sean and I have been wanting to move south for the longest time. God must surely have been smiling for this opportunity to arise.” The woman was absolutely jolly. There was no other word.

“Don't be ridiculous. It is you who are doing me a great service. The last estate manager disappeared on me, so I fear Mr. McCarthy that you may be in for more work than you bargained for.” She looked somewhat reticent, knowing he was probably going to be putting in many long hours in the beginning.

“Dinna worry ya'self, my lady. I am no stranger to hard work.”

“Please take a look inside. You can freshen up and then I can show you around the office. Gladys, if you wish, Mrs. Johnson was the housekeeper for the last steward and is more than willing to continue. She has already made the house ready for your arrival.”

“I never had a housekeeper before. I usually take care of such things myself.”

“It is completely up to you. Please take a look around. When you're ready, Mr. McCarthy, I'll be in the office around back.”

With that, Lady Whitmore walked away, leaving the couple to inspect their new home.

“Gladys, go on and have a look. I will see if Lady Whitmore needs my help.”

Smiling at her husband, Gladys turned and entered the house. Walking around the house, following the same direction as his new mistress, he found the back garden and doorway to his new office. There, inside the door, he found Lady Whitmore, pouring over a ledger, with her brows furrowed in concentration.

“Lady Whitmore?”

“Oh, Mr. McCarthy. Really, you didn't need to join me so quickly.”

“Ya seem a little concerned, my lady. I dinna want you to deal with this anymore. That is what I am here for.” His smile was meant to soothe, but Ginny took it quite a different way.

“Mr. McCarthy.” Ginny stood up and walked around the desk. Settling her bottom on the edge, she crossed her arms and leveled her gaze at his. When she had his attention, she continued. “I believe you'll find me to be a very... hands on type of landowner. The last steward left without any notice, the same time my husband was called away on business. I find myself quite in the dark about how to run an estate and refuse to be caught unaware again. Which means, I will be most attentive and probably quite annoying to you for the first few months. If this seems unreasonable to you, I need to know now. I would hate to have you move in just to leave because you couldn't handle the relationship.”

Sean McCarthy had never had a woman speak to him so frankly, or with such authority. Certainly there were women who commanded their and everyone else's lives, but none that he had to chance to meet. Even his wife relinquished all major decisions to him. The latest being their move south for this new position.

“Aye, my lady. I would welcome yar input as well as the opportunity to school ya in the details of stewardship.”

Ginny eyed him suspiciously. Not knowing him, she couldn't be sure if she was being played. In the end, she would have to find out over the next few weeks. “Thank you, Mr. McCarthy. I appreciate that. Now, I was able to find a number of ledgers, but none from the past year. I assure you I've looked everywhere.”

“When did you find out that no one had been paid?” Colin asked immediately after McCarthy finished his story.

“It was within the week. Several merchants came to me to ask when they could expect their payments. I had them provide me with duplicate bills. Cross-checked those with your staff. Unfortunately, there were several who padded their bills thinking no one would be the wiser.”

“And those merchants?”

“Were dealt with appropriately. The bills were adjusted and their services are no longer employed by this house.”

“Very good. When did you find out about the money being missing.”

“Your wife and I journeyed to London to speak to your bankers and your man of business. That was when we discovered the missing funds. Or rather, that the funds had no' been deposited as they should have been.”

“And what is your relationship with Lady Whitmore?” Colin was trying to catch him off guard. It was obvious that there were feelings between them. His wife called him Sean, and, Colin had little doubt, he called her Bethany when they were alone. What he wanted to know was whether he should start searching for a new steward, since he would not allow his wife to fuck this one.

“I beg yar pardon, my lord?” Colin had to admit that the steward did appear confused, but anyone could pull off a performance when facing their lover's husband.

“Are you and my wife engaged in an affair?”

The question was asked so casually, that at first, Sean wasn't quite sure he'd heard it correctly. When it finally registered in his brain, he stood up and came to the desk, putting both hands down on the smooth wood and stared at his new employer in the face. Sean McCarthy was no stranger to hard, back breaking work. His years working his way up to steward had made him big and hard. There was one thing he would not proscribe and that was anyone questioning his honor.

Not wanting to go too far, but wanting his point made, he said, “My lord, I am a married man. I have no' ever, nor would I ever, behave inappropriately with yar wife. I have too much respect for my wife to do that. Yar wife and I have worked closely together for a year now. She has my greatest respect. I am no' sure why ya would think such a thing, but I am sure it was no' from something Lady Whitmore said to ya.”

“No, it was not. I sensed a closeness between you and needed to know if it was anything I should worry about. I apologize for impugning your honor, sir.” Colin needed to rein in his feelings. They would lose him a good steward and drive a larger wedge between him and his wife.

Relaxing somewhat, McCarthy suggested, “Perhaps tomorrow we should take a ride around the estate. I can show ya the improvements that have been made recently.”

Standing up, holding out his hand to the man, Colin replied, “Thank you, Mr. McCarthy. I would appreciate that. Shall we say ten o'clock?”