Suzanne Robinson by Lady Hellfire Page A

left. What was his name? Poggs? He could have talked to Poggs and arranged the sale efficiently. Instead he was going to have to explain the whole process to Miss Grey and hope she understood the complexities.
    Of course he couldn’t find her. She’d gone off by herself on foot, and no one knew where. Alexis had to content himself with writing to his own solicitor.
    His secretary was handing him the letter to sign when Fulke paid him a visit. Alexis finished his signature and dismissed the secretary. Fulke promptly set a stack of papers in front of him.
    “Sign,” his cousin said.
    As Alexis read and signed, Fulke took a seat in the armchair in front of the desk.
    “I see my revenues have gone up,” Alexis said without looking up.
    “You needn’t thank me,” Fulke said.
    “I wasn’t going to. Why am I paying Badger Snead an allowance?”
    “Broke both legs thatching one of the tenant houses.”
    “Drinking again?”
    “Yes. Alexis …”
    “Mmmm.”
    Fulke waited until Alexis looked up from the papers. “I’ve invited someone for a visit.”
    “You know you’re free to ask whomever you wish.”
    “I know, and I have consulted Juliana. She agrees that no matter how we feel, it is our duty as Christians and as subjects to help.”
    Alexis put his pen down, then walked around the desk and leaned on it with one arm.
    “When you start talking about Christian duty I almost get a recurrence of dysentery. Out with the wormwood and gall.”
    “The Earl of Cardigan.”
    Alexis didn’t move. To hear the name hurt physically. “Not if the Queen herself asked.”
    “She does,” Fulke said. “That is, His Royal Highness does on her behalf.”
    Alexis turned to the cabinet where he kept liquor. He poured two whiskeys and held one out to Fulke. As he bent to hand the glass to his cousin he whispered as if in church.
    “If you bring him into my house, I may throw him in the oubliette.”
    “Charity, Alexis.” Fulke stood up and walked over to the fireplace. “There have been threats upon Lord Cardigan’s life.”
    “Good,” Alexis said. Fulke scowled at him, and he grinned and lifted his glass in a toast. “To James Thomas Brudenell, the Earl of Cardigan. May he take up residence in hell.”
    “Don’t blaspheme.”
    Alexis drained his glass. “Cardigan is a permanent scandal. He’s been involved in more duels and lawsuits than anyone else I know. He is simultaneously arrogant, unintelligent, and fearless. Did you know he spies on the officers under his command? Has adjutants hide in closets and take down their conversation? If he weren’t so brave I’d call him a weasel. As he is brave and a damned good horseman, I’ll call him a selfish idiot. He’s not coming here.”
    Fulke took a folded letter out of his coat and handed it to Alexis. Alexis glanced at the Royal Seal, then tossed the letter on the desk and shook his head.
    “He’s arriving tomorrow,” Fulke said.
    “Is that so? Then I’ll put a canon on the battlement and he can charge it. I won’t miss like the Russians did. God! Fulke, the man tossed away the lives of hundreds of men in a useless charge.” Alexis felt his control beginning to shatter. His voice rose with each word until it almost echoed throughout the room. “Useless, dammit. And Val lives a bloody waking nightmare. You weren’t there. You didn’t see the headless bodies still riding horses. Damn you, Fulke. Damn you for bringing that monstrous fool where I can reach him.”
    “Alexis!”
    Fulke was beside him holding his wrist. Alexis looked down. He’d broken his glass with his grip. Whiskey andblood dripped from his hand. Fulke pried his fingers loose and removed the pieces of glass. Shoving Alexis into the armchair, he wrapped the hand in his handkerchief before summoning the butler.
    Alexis studied his hand while Fulke dabbed at it with the handkerchief. “It’s too late to stop him, isn’t it.”
    “I’m afraid so. You must practice forgiveness. The Lord