Both Harry and the Duke stood. Harry extended his hand. “It was a pleasure having you, Allan. I will be in touch. Please don’t be a stranger.” It’s amazing how his moods seem to change so quickly.
The Duke also extended his hand. “It has been wonderful meeting you. I hope that we can get together, soon.”
“It was my pleasure,” Allan said, shaking the Duke’s hand. “I bid you both a good night.”
Allan walked towards the door and into the grand hallway, and once again his childhood memories flooded back to him. It was a time when he, Edward, and Harry had fun and enjoyed all of the spoils of being young lords.
Things felt different, now, for some reason. He didn’t know if it was because of his time in the British Army, or if, perhaps, it was due to the fact that Edward was now married. He didn’t think so, though. Instead, it seemed as if things had changed between him and his cousin Harry, but he couldn’t exactly put his finger on it. He and Edward had always been a bit closer, but now, it almost seemed as if Harry saw him in a different light.
Allan couldn’t figure it out, now, but he had an entire two-hour ride home tomorrow, and he was sure that he would be thinking about it then.
Chapter 9
Esther and Ruth were walking down a gravel path to the outdoor tea garden on their father’s estate. The day was sunny and warm, and there was a slight breeze in the air, which caused the curls surrounding Esther’s face to sway.
The path lead from the eastern end of the home, winded around the nearby stables, and then went through a wooded area. Eventually, it ended in a small clearing, where their mother had created a gorgeous and peaceful tea garden.
“I wonder how Mary and Edward are enjoying their wedding tour?” Ruth asked her older sister as they walked along the path approaching the woods. “They have been gone nearly a week.”
“I’m sure they are having a pleasant time,” replied Esther. “Though I am sure that they are looking forward to some time alone. Wedding tours are often filled with dinner parties and balls, and that can become taxing.”
“Yes,” said Ruth. “I am certain, too, that they are looking forward to coming back to their estate.”
Esther could hear birds singing, and as they walked through the woods, she could feel that the air had gotten cooler. In the distance, she could hear the clicking of the dishes as the staff prepared tea for her and Ruth.
“Have you thought about when you are going to tell Mother and Father about your own upcoming nuptials?” Esther asked Ruth.
“I hope to tell them, soon,” Ruth admitted. “I am frightened, but this is what I want, and this is what David wants. I can only hope that Father and Mother will understand.”
Esther was quiet for moment. She knew her mother’s feelings about Ruth’s beau, and though she was not totally aware of her father’s opinion on him, she could only guess that it was similar. “What will you do if they forbid it?” she asked Ruth.
Now it was Ruth’s turn to be quiet. Esther could tell that her sister was thinking. “I suppose I must do as they wish,” Ruth replied quietly. “Do you think they would forbid it?”
“I don’t know, Ruth,” Esther admitted. “I hope that your wishes come true, though.”
Again, Ruth was silent. Esther could see the small table and chairs ahead of her, along with a tray filled with a tea kettle, finger sandwiches, biscuits, and teacups.
The sisters walked up to the table, and the two footmen waiting for them pulled out their chairs. Esther sat down with Ruth directly across from her. This was their first afternoon tea together for awhile, and certainly their first without Mary.
The footman behind her placed a tray between them with finger sandwiches, biscuits, and small cakes with butter icing. Esther began to pour the tea into the teacups that sat before them.
Esther placed a teaspoon of sugar in her tea followed by a splash of fresh cream. She placed her spoon in the teacup, moved it back and forth, and then placed it onto the saucer. She lifted the cup and took a sip. It was the perfect temperature and tasted delicious.
Across the table, she could see Ruth doing the same. Esther really loved these moments with her sister, and though she missed Mary, she felt that this was a great time for her and Ruth to become closer. Both of them were close with Mary, but not as close with each other.
“The tea is delicious,” Esther commented. She took a finger sandwich from the tray and placed it on her plate. “Don’t you agree?”
“Oh yes,” Ruth agreed.
“Are you feeling well, Ruth?” Esther asked.
“I am just thinking about telling Mother and Father about my engagement,” she said.
“Well, don’t dwell on it,” Esther said. “What will be, will be.”
“You are right, Esther,” Ruth said, and then she took another sip of tea. “By the way, how was your visit at the orphanage yesterday?”
Esther had, for the final time, visited the district orphanage before it was closed down. “Most of the children are already gone, including Julia.” She was trying not to think about it, but the thought of that dear child being sent away somewhere was heartbreaking to her.
“Where is she?” Ruth asked with concern in her voice.
“Unfortunately, no one could tell me,” Esther admitted. “I am so saddened that she could be somewhere terrible.” She could hear her voice crack as she spoke.
“Can’t anyone help you?” Ruth asked.
“I am trying,” said Esther. “I spoke with Father last night, and he is going to make inquiries. I also sent letters to other orphanages in the region to try and locate her.”
Ruth sighed. “I’m very sorry to hear this, Esther. I know how strongly you feel about the girl.”
Esther swallowed hard. She truly cared for Julia, and she would stop at nothing to make sure the girl was safe.
“Pardon, My Lady,” a voice said behind her.
Esther turned and a third footman was standing with a letter. “I was asked to give this to you, Madam.” He held out a tray with the letter, which she took. She opened the wax seal, unfolded the letter, and immediately recognized the penmanship. It was from Mary!
“Oh Ruth!” she exclaimed excitedly. Her sister looked up. “It’s a letter from Mary!”
“What does it say?” Ruth asked quickly.
Esther read through the very brief letter. “She says they are having a marvelous time…”
“And?” Ruth said.
Esther laughed. “She also says that they are planning a dinner party at their home the week after next. We, of course, are invited.”
Ruth giggled loudly and clapped her hands. “That’s is fantastic! I have been waiting for our first dinner party invitation. I’m so excited!”
“Oh, I am too, Ruth,” said Esther. “We must hurry with our tea so we can get back to the house and start deciding what we shall wear.”
* * *
“My Lord,” Clark said, as Allan looked up from his work. “Lord Harry Bishop has arrived.”
“Very good,” Allan replied. “Thank you, Clark. I’ll see him in a moment.”
“Very well, My Lord,” Clark said. “He is in the sitting room. I shall inform him that you will be there shortly.”
“Thank you,” said Allan. His cousin, Harry, had sent word that he would like to see Allan, so he had been expecting his arrival. Allan was a bit puzzled as to why Harry wanted to see him, but perhaps it was because he was lonely at the house without Edward, and simply wanted some company.
Allan finished the closing of his correspondence, and then tidied his desk before straightening his shirt. It always made him feel better to have his clothes in order because he knew that they were the only barrier between other people and his scars.
With one final glance at his desk, Allan took the short walk to the sitting room, and then smiled when he saw his cousin.
“Welcome, Harry,” he said, as he walked towards his cousin, his hand extended.
Harry smiled back
at him and took his hand. “It is a pleasure to see you, Cousin.”
“Please, have a seat,” Allan said, motioning to the sofa. “Wine?”
“Of course,” said Harry. A nearby footman brought a tray with two glasses of wine over to the men. Both Allan and Harry took a glass, and both took a sip.
“Delicious,” said Harry.
“Thank you,” said Allan. “It is a French wine…new varietal.”
“It’s lovely,” Harry responded, taking another sip.
“How was your journey?” Allan asked his cousin.
“It was perfect,” said Harry. “It’s not a terribly long trip, and the scenery between home and here is beautiful, too. It was just long enough to relax, yet not long enough for me to be bored.”
Allan laughed. “Yes, Harry,” he said. “I know you get bored easily.”
“That, I do,” Harry agreed. “I always need to be doing something, and doing something, I have…and it involves you.”
“Oh?” asked Allan, taking a sip of wine.
“Yes,” said Harry. “Do you remember when you told me about Miss Bridget Crampton at Edward’s wedding?”
“Yes,” said Allan. “What about her?”
“I have discovered where she is,” said Harry with a smile.
“You have?” Allan asked very quickly. He couldn’t help but feel his heart skip a beat.
“I have,” said Harry, sipping on his wine. “Are you interested in knowing more?”
“Of course,” said Allan. He really knows where Bridget is?
“She’s not very far from here, actually,” explained Harry. “She is a spinster, living with her father.”
“Oh,” said Allan. “How far?”
“An hour’s journey south by carriage,” Harry revealed.
“That’s it?” asked Allan.
“That’s it,” replied Harry with a grin.
“How did you find this information?” Allan asked, still quite astonished by it all.
“I have connections everywhere,” said Harry. “I just asked some of my clients who I thought may know of local surgeons, and I got the information I wanted. It was simple.”
Harry took a piece of paper out of his pocket and slid it across the table to Allan. Allan picked it up and opened it.
“Is this where she lives?” Allan asked.
“It is the location of her father’s home, yes,” said Harry.
“I can’t thank you enough for this, Cousin,” Allan said as he tucked the address into his pocket.
“Now that you have the information, what do you plan to do with it?” Harry asked.
Allan thought for a moment. “I believe I will try to contact her. Perhaps I should pay the good doctor a visit.”
Harry grinned. “That would be a very nice thing to do. Thank him for all he did for you after your injury.”
My injuries…Bridget knows about them already, so I would not have to explain or hide my scars from her.
“Yes,” Allan agreed. “That would allow me to have an excuse to visit, and I can enquire about her then.”
“We have come up with a fool-proof plan, Allan,” said Harry. “What could go wrong? Before you know it, you could be sitting here with Miss Bridget instead of with your old cousin Harry.”
Allan laughed again. He surely was enjoying the time spent with Harry, and it surprised him slightly. When his cousin was in a good mood, he was a delight to be with. When he wasn’t, Harry could be difficult. Fortunately, he seemed to be in a wonderful mood, so Allan decided to take the next step.
“Harry, you have come all this way,” Allan said. “Please, join me for dinner.”
* * *
Allan could smell the gunpowder in the air. He was laying on his back on the hard ground, and the sounds of booming cannons shook his body. He breathed in again, and his fingers began feeling for something to touch. Was that dirt? No. It’s wet. Mud? No. It’s warm and thick. It’s blood…my blood.
He struggled to open his eyes, and when he did, all he could see was a cloud of black smoke. Allan blinked and opened his eyes again. The smoke was billowing through the air, and now he heard shouts between the blasts. Are they saying my name?
Allan felt no pain, yet he knew that his body was quite broken. He closed his eyes, preparing himself for death. It would come, and he wasn’t ready. He was young…too young…to die in this battle.
He took another breath and heard shouting again. It really did sound as though they were saying his name, yet it was very muffled. He forced his eyes open again and saw the face of Oliver above him. Oliver was speaking, but Allan couldn’t understand what he was saying. He closed his eyes again, and everything went black.
Allan shot up in his bed in a cold sweat, breathing heavily. Another night, another flashback.
* * *
Esther was waiting with her maid in a small, dim, dank room. The chair she was sitting in was not well made, and every time she moved, the chair made a sound. They were waiting for an administrator, Miss Honora, who was the head of the main orphanage in the neighboring district.
Since her local orphanage was closed, and Esther still wanted to work with orphans, she and her maid had traveled to a district that was a bit further away with hopes that she could continue her charity work. She was also, of course, hoping to get some information about Julia and Sophia.
There was a musty smell surrounding them, and the floor seemed damp. These were not conditions for anyone to be in, especially children. She could hear crying and yelling through the walls, but they weren’t close. Esther assumed that they were in another area of the orphanage.
She heard a sound behind her, and the door opened. A middle-aged woman in dark, dingy clothing walked through it. This must be Miss Honora.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting,” the woman said. “You are Lady Esther Nott, I presume?”
“Yes,” Esther said. “Are you Miss Honora?”
“Indeed,” said the woman. Just from this initial interaction, Esther could tell that she was a tough, stern woman. She even looked the part with a pointed nose, sharp shaped chin, and thin, grey, watery eyes. Esther certainly couldn’t image Honora smiling.
“I am here to enquire about the facilities and to find out if you have any information about a former orphanage mistress,” explained Esther.
“I am very well aware of why you are here, Lady Esther,” Honora replied. “I don’t have any information for you.” The woman sat behind a desk, which was in the corner of the room.
“I don’t understand,” said Esther, puzzled. “I haven’t yet told you whom I am looking for.”
“My apologies, My Lady,” Honora said curtly. “Whom are you seeking information about?”
“A young orphan by the name of Julia, and an administrator by the name of Miss Sophia,” Esther replied. “She was the…”
Honora interrupted. “I don’t have any information for you, as I have said, Lady Esther.”
Esther cleared her throat. “Who is your superior, Miss?”
Honora looked directly into Esther’s eyes, and Esther involuntarily shivered. “I am the head of this orphanage, but if you would like to speak with my superior, you are welcome to. It is Mr. Victor Smith. However, he is in London for several weeks, so any meeting would have to wait.”
Esther stood. “I intend to speak with Mr. Smith at my first opportunity, Miss.” She motioned to her maid to follow her, and then turned to Honora, who was still sitting at the desk. “I thank you for your time.”
Esther was furious, and it took all of her strength to not lose her composure. She walked back through the dingy hallway of the orphanage with her maid following behind. How DARE that woman act that way.
She came to the door, and pushed it open a bit harder than she should have, which startled the coachman who was waiting outside for her. He opened up the door of the carriage, Esther got inside, her maid get up into the front seat, and then, he, too, took his place. As the carriage lurched forward, Esther p
romised herself that she would get to the bottom of this and find out what happened to Julia and Sophia.
Chapter 10
Allan stood in front of the wooden door. He still hadn’t built up the courage to knock, yet people kept passing him on the street. The sign next to the door said, “Percy Crampton Surgeon.”
Lusting For The Broken Earl (Steamy Historical Regency) Page 8
