by Jane Charles
Ashton pinched the bridge of his nose realizing that Father’s habit of ruining investments went back decades, and something he’d apparently inherited from his own father, and possibly his grandfather, given the reason Father had married Mother in the first place—because she was an heiress.
“He fired the men and hired others but with the repairs that the house needed, as well as the outbuildings and the harvesting, your father sought a loan from Mr. Silas Palmer, which I believe was the biggest mistake of all.”
Ashton couldn’t agree more.
“What of your mother?” Eve asked.
“Mother passed in 1802.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Yes, well, her life was good despite the circumstances: a mother of a bastard child and still in love with a gentleman who lived in England, married and had legitimate children of his own.”
“Were they happy when father visited?” Eve asked.
“Gloriously.” He shook his head. “He’d often say that he wished he could remain in Barbados, with us, but duty required that he suffer in England.” He shifted his eyes to Ashton. “I’m to understand he and his wife did not care for each other.”
Eve snorted. “Loathed is a more accurate description.”
“It does answer a number of questions.” Memories came back to Ashton. Ones he’d buried long ago.
“What questions?” Eve asked.
He winced. “You are probably too young, but I do remember times when father had been gone for months and mother demanding if he enjoyed his holiday with that woman. I assumed he had a mistress tucked away in London that he preferred.”
“Instead, it was his love, living in Barbados,” Eve concluded sadly.
“The only time he ever seemed even a bit happy was when he was packing his trunks for a trip. I thought it was because he’d be separated from Mother when he was actually looking forward to what awaited him. Further, Father no longer traveled after Milan’s mother died,” Ashton added. He hadn’t left England after his final trip in 1803. “I can assume Father traveled after her death because of you.”
“The man who fathered me did see to it that I received an education first here, then in England where I attended Cambridge. Upon earning my degree, I returned to Barbados and have been a solicitor and man of business for many absentee English plantation owners.”
“Did you visit with Father?” Ashton asked. How had he not known he had a brother, especially if he’d spent time in England? The question answered itself. Father kept many secrets from his family—his legitimate children.
“Regularly,” Hill answered. “I understood his need to keep me separate from his other children.”
“No different than how he kept our cousins hidden from the world,” Eve huffed as she stood.
“Yes, well, it is the way of things,” Hill responded.
“That doesn’t make it right,” Eve retorted as she strode across the parlor until she reached the brandy, then poured herself a glass.
“Pour one for us all, please,” Ashton directed
“I don’t believe brandy is necessary,” Hill suggested.
“I do,” Ashton and Eve answered at the same time.
Despite Hill’s claim that brandy was not necessary, he accepted the snifter from Eve. “Shall we discuss your father’s business.”
“He’s your father too.”
“He fathered me. Shall we leave it at that.”
Despite having visited with Father, apparently Hill held ill feelings for the man, not that Ashton could blame him.
“As you are probably aware, your father’s debt to Sir Silas Palmer is nearly twenty-thousand pounds. He made regular payments that went through me. I’ve studied the accounting over the years and several arguments could be made in reducing the amount.”
It was just as Storm and Roxburg had stated.
“You are also aware of the condition that Mr. Palmer put into the contract that if your father’s debt was not paid in full prior to the first of next year, you are to marry his daughter, Miss Francine Palmer.”
Ashton nodded. “I have no intention of doing so.”
For a moment it looked as if relief crossed Hill’s features.
“I secured buyers for the plantation and obtained the rest of the funds to pay Palmer in full, so I will not need to marry his daughter.”
Milan frowned, then picked up his glass of brandy and drank. Not a sip, but a drink, as if he was about to deliver bad news, and Ashton’s stomach tightened.
“I was afraid that would be your intention, which means that you are not fully aware of your situation.”
Ashton leaned forward. “What do you mean?”
Milan pulled a document from his stack and handed it to him. “You do not own the Grell Hill Plantation. I do. Your father deeded it to me, to wash his hands of the business a few months after the revolt. It is where I was raised and where my mother lived until her death.”
Ashton’s blood ran cold as he realized the ramification of what he’d just been told. “If I can’t pay Palmer, I may be forced…”
“To marry the woman I love.”
“I’ve spoken with the Vicar, and despite the circumstances of neither you nor Wingate being a resident of Barbados, he has agreed to the crying of the banns since Wingate does own a home here,” Sam announced after he returned from town.
“If he does so, then Palmer may learn before the debt is paid,” Hannah worried. Even though it appeared as all would work out as it should and she and Ashton could marry in less than a month, she still had an unsettled feeling. She’d awoken with it this morning and had been unable to shake the anxiety.
“He promised not to do so until I’ve instructed,” Sam assured her as he frowned. “What is wrong? You should be happy.”
“Oh, I am, but unsettled as well. What if something happens and we can’t marry?”
“I cannot foresee anything for which you should be worried,” he assured her.
“You are on edge because at first you were courting, then betrothed, then you released him, he courted another for a day and now you are to be married,” Jillian said. “So much has happened too quickly that your nerves simply need to catch up.”
It was true. The past fortnight had been turbulent, nearly as turbulent as the storm that had come upon Hannah and Ashton just days after their arrival. The storm that kept them together for the night, very much alone, that led to the betrothal in the first place.
Maybe Jillian was right. She simply needed a few days of everything being settled as it should and then she’d be able to relax.
“I know Wingate wishes to marry as soon as possible,” Sam interrupted her thoughts. “However, as the documents still need to be prepared and signed and funds transferred to Wingate, I propose you wait until after the first of the year.”
Her eyes widened. “So long?”
“As I said, everything will take time and as we don’t want an announcement until after Palmer has been paid, we will have to delay the nuptials. It is better for everyone.”
“Very well,” Hannah blew out a sigh. “I don’t like it, but I understand the wisdom.”
“I’ve already posted a letter to Benjamin that I anticipate your vows shortly after the first of the year.”
Hannah sat forward. “He’ll tell Mother, then Danby. What if one of them sails here to try and stop the wedding?” Maybe that was her deepest concern. She feared her great-uncle arriving on the docks in Bridgetown to forbid her marrying Ashton.
Sam laughed. “First of all, Danby isn’t leaving the castle this close to Christmas.”
She supposed he was correct. Why order everyone there if he was going to be absent? Except, at the time he did the ordering, not even Danby could have anticipated this turn of events.
“Further, I asked Ben not to tell Mother or Danby and assured him that one of us would write once the marriage has taken place.”
“Do you think he’ll hold his silence?” Hannah bit her bottom
lip.
Sam barked out laughter. “Do you think our oldest brother wants to be the one to deliver such news to either of them.”
She relaxed. “I don’t believe any of us wants to tell them, and why it would best be done in a letter.” Hannah ended on a laugh. “Though, I do wish all of my family could be here, but that would invite intrusion from the very two people who like to meddle the most.”
“You can tell your sisters all about it when you return.”
“Yes, and I doubt any of them will blame me for marrying here.”
“Besides, you may return to find that one of your sisters married while you were away.”
Hannah sat forward. “Which one and what do you know?”
Sam glanced to Jillian.
“It will be over and done by the time she returns, and she doesn’t have enough time to warn her,” Jillian offered.
“Warn who?” Hannah demanded.
“Danby has written that he intends to see Tabitha marry this Christmas.”
Hannah’s eyes widened. “And you haven’t warned her?” she cried. “What kind of brother are you?”
“I only just learned.” Sam held up his hands in defense. “The news was contained in the correspondence I just received. If I could warn Tabitha, I would, but it is unlikely any letter would reach her prior to traveling to Danby Castle, just as the correspondence I posted to Ben is unlikely to arrive before Christmas.”
“Who has Danby chosen for Tabitha? Did he say?”
“Viscount Straffan.”
Hannah frowned. “I do not know him.”
Sam began to grin. “Though he spends a good portion of his time in England, his family estate is in Ireland and his family breeds some of the fastest racehorses to run any track.”
“Horses? Has Danby gone mad? Tabitha hates horses,” Hannah proclaimed.
“Ah, but his home is in Ireland. She might determine the distance from Mother far outweighs being in the vicinity of horses.” Sam laughed. “The family name is Delaney and Tabitha’s future husband is Andrew Delaney, who will one day be the Marquess of St. Mullin.”
“It doesn’t matter what title he brings; Mother is still not going to be happy that her daughter is living in Ireland.”
“No more than she’ll be happy about you living in Oxfordshire.”
Thank goodness there would be enough distances, but Hannah pitied her youngest sisters, Deborah and Sarah, because Mother was going to be doubly careful in whom they married, as she would not allow one more daughter of hers to move so far away. Of that, Hannah was certain, and now even happier that she was marrying in Barbados.
Chapter 25
”Love?” Eve asked. “You love Miss Palmer?” It wasn’t said with any accusation, simply surprise. Then her eyes widened. “You‘re the one whom Isabella saw Miss Palmer kissing yesterday.”
Milan’s face brightened. “It’s possible. Who might Isabella be?”
Eve laughed. “A cousin and unfortunately, born in a similar circumstance. She’s now married to Mr. Nathaniel Storm.”
“Mr. Samuel Storm’s brother?”
“Yes, and her sister, Bianca, is married to Roxburg.”
Mr. Hill narrowed his eyes. “They are my cousins?” he asked almost in disbelief.
“Their mother was Father’s sister,” Ashton offered.
“They are bastards as well?” he asked.
“It is a long story, but yes, they were born on the wrong side of the blanket, but we are all family.”
“A duke married a bastard.” He shook his head then picked up his snifter, which was empty. Ashton rose to retrieve the decanter and refilled his glass.
“I don’t believe it’s common knowledge, the circumstances of her birth,” Eve advised. “And Roxburg might not appreciate his neighbors knowing the truth, but I thought it was important that you know.”
“A duke married a bastard.” Mr. Hill shook his head and took a drink. “England must have gotten quite liberal since I left.”
“As we said, it’s not common knowledge.”
“Yes, of course. Yet, I assume Roxburg knows.”
“He does,” Ashton advised as he shot a look at Eve. “Though he might not appreciate that we’ve told you.”
Mr. Hill took another drink and shook his head. “In truth, it is a rather shocking revelation, however I know how such information can be perceived and the innocent party treated and will hold my tongue.”
“Thank you,” Ashton said and prayed that the secret did remain within the family. Not that he cared, but he didn’t want Bianca or Isabella to suffer if the truth was known.
“Did my father have any other property or anything of worth in Barbados?” Ashton asked.
“Whatever else he may have owned was sold long ago. He used to have a larger plantation, but under poor management, he never really realized a profit and was forced to sell off some of the land.”
Ashton pinched the bridge of his nose. He needed that plantation. He needed the funds from the sale. Now what was he to do?
“How much power does Palmer really hold on this island?”
“More than he should. Many people owe him money and for those reasons fear him. He is a cruel and bitter man and believes that he’ll only gain respectability if his daughter marries a titled gentleman.”
It was just as Roxburg had told him, but what was he to do now?
“You love Miss Palmer?”
Milan nodded. “But her father forbids her to associate with me and though I’m ashamed to admit it, we do see each other in secret.” He looked to Eve. “Such as yesterday and she is terrified of having to marry you,” he said to Ashton. “And of being taken to England, never to see Barbados again.”
“Or you,” Eve added.
To which Milan only nodded.
“Bloody hell.” Ashton rose from his seat and began to pace. Everything was finally working out and now it was all about to be taken from him again. Hannah was about to be taken and he’d not have it. “I have nothing against Miss Palmer so please do not take this as an insult, but I have absolutely no desire to marry her.”
“Yet you may not be given a choice.” Milan’s voice was grim.
“No. I’ve got to find a way.” He looked up to his bastard brother. “I am betrothed to another and I will not release her.”
Milan straightened. “Then what do you intend to do?”
“I don’t know but I’ve got two months to figure it out.”
Hannah’s dowry was fifteen thousand pounds, but that still was not enough, and he loathed asking for a loan that he wasn’t certain he’d be in a position to pay off.
“Have you reviewed the contract my father signed?”
“No. I only know of it.”
“As a solicitor, would you mind reading through it and trying to find anything that could get me out of this mess?”
“Of course, if it means you won’t be marrying Miss Palmer.”
“No matter what, I can assure you that I will not marry the woman you love.” He’d rot in a Barbados prison first, which might very well happen. “If Father left you the plantation, why aren’t you living there and why haven’t you seen to repairs?”
“I may own the land and the house, but I’ve not the funds to see that the work is done.”
Ashton nodded. “Perhaps you should seek investors. Storm and Roxburg are interested in purchasing.”
“I’ll give it some thought since at the moment, it’s empty land and an emptier home if I cannot share it with the one I love. And, as long as Palmer lives, he will never grant me permission to marry his daughter.”
Ashton had sent word yesterday that he could not call since he was seeing to matters so that the debt to Palmer was satisfied. And though she had wished to see him in hopes that her nerves would calm, Hannah would rather he got the nasty business of Mr. Palmer behind him.
Besides, she would see him today, as Bianca was to host a luncheon for their families and a few additional guests, whom sh
e did not name. Hannah really didn’t care who else was in attendance since she only cared to see Ashton and hoped that they could find a few moments in private. Though she loathed the need for reassurance, anxiety still ate at her and she wished she could shake the feeling that something wasn’t quite right. Isabella claimed that her mind wasn’t ready to accept something that was seemed almost too good to be true and in time it would settle. Hannah prayed that she was right because this was not a state in which she wished to live for the next few months or for however long it took until she and Ashton could finally marry.
However, her heart sank upon entry into Roxburg’s parlor when the first person she spied was Miss Palmer.
Why was she here and sitting next to Ashton’s brother?
Then she blinked. Lord Jude Grell was supposed to be in London, and in another instant, she realized that the man only held a strong resemblance to Lord Jude.
She glanced to Ashton and Eve and back to the stranger. There was no doubt that they were related, but who was he?
But, more importantly, why was Miss Palmer here? Hannah had thought Ashton had been able to break all ties with her, unless he needed to keep up the pretense until the debt was satisfied.
Her eyes shifted back to Ashton who watched her with concern and a grim set to his mouth.
Her stomach sank.
The unease she’d been experiencing since yesterday wasn’t simply her mind trying to settle. Something had happened, and she feared her wedding was soon to be called off and the betrothal broken for good.
