The Earl of Arundel (Earls of England Book 1)

by Angela Johnson

  He changed back to his storytelling voice and continued. “Once the blood sacrifice was made, I told him to swim in the River Styx. We both spent the rest of the day swimming and jumping into the river from an overhanging tree.”

  “So . . . you weren’t trying to escape Eton?” Anne asked.

  “Oh yes, we were going to continue into the North Sea and go where the water took us. We had food enough for a week.”

  “What went wrong?” Emma asked.

  “Headmaster Ollerton contacted our father and mother. They were in London for the season and close by. Our father can be an intimidating man when he wants to be. He questioned the boys in our dormitory, and it wasn’t long before they revealed our plans to sail into the North Sea. Our father and Headmaster Ollerton found us before nightfall.”

  “They took both of you back to Eton?” Emma asked due to Lord Edward’s falter in finishing the story.

  Lord Edward smiled. “It was a stupid idea, but we had fun while it lasted.” In a side comment he said, “I just wish it had worked,” and then added for explanation, “the dipping in the River Styx.”

  “What do you mean?” Anne asked. “Why do you wish it had worked?”

  Edward laughed. “He wouldn’t be in the situation he is now if he were invulnerable.”

  “I suppose,” Anne replied, “but if it had worked, we never would’ve met him and you.”

  Emma was not the only one in her family to take a double look in her direction. Anne was flirting with Lord Edward.

  “Very true, Miss Parker.” He paused before continuing. “But we have an unfortunate issue with someone trying to kill my brother, and we have no idea who it is.”

  “In these situations, it is common to be the next person to inherit,” Richard said in an offhanded but pointed comment.

  Lord Edward laughed. “You’re correct. And our constable thinks along the same lines. I don’t want the title or inheritance. I’ll receive more than enough when the time comes. Phillip has said many times he’ll receive far more than he needs. All of my siblings feel the same way. We don’t need the wealth my father has.” He added with a sigh, “It is overwhelming.” He continued after a moment of thought. “Phillip tried to join the Royal Navy a few years ago. He wrote our father a letter and told him to name me heir.” He sighed and shrugged his shoulders. “He doesn’t want to inherit the mess.”

  “Mess?” Henry asked.

  “Wealth brings challenges you wouldn’t think about. Take this situation—someone tried to kill him. I have no doubt it has to do with money. I just wish they would make the request instead of attempting murder,” Edward said as though he’d given the situation a lot of thought.

  “Are there any leads?” Henry asked, pushing his plate to the side so the footman would clear it.

  “No, my father and I hope Phillip will be able to give us information. But after speaking with him tonight, I don’t think he remembers anything about it.” Disappointment showed in his words and expressions.

  Everyone stood to go into the parlor for the evening. Emma sidled up against her sister to whisper, “Lord Edward?”

  Anne looked guilty as she took her sister’s arm and whispered back, “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “You’ve warned me to guard my heart,” Emma responded, “so I’m going to give you the same warning. We didn’t know Phillip was an earl when I fell in love with him. You know his brother is titled, and you are falling for him.”

  “Does this mean you’re going to forget your feelings for Phillip?” Anne whispered as they both sat on the couch.

  “No, I’m not giving up. We are a perfect match, and I have a dowry of five thousand pounds to tempt him.” Emma shrugged her shoulders.

  Anne shook her head in the negative. “Five thousand pounds won’t tempt an earl. He’ll have women worth fifty thousand pounds or more tempting him.”

  “But those women don’t hold his heart like I do.”

  “I hope you are right,” Anne said. Emma knew she was going to say something else, but she stopped herself before continuing.

  “Anne,” her mother called across the room, “will you play for us tonight?”

  Emma looked to her sister before she stood. “I suppose our mother is going to help you with your conquest.”

  Anne looked back at her. “She wants both her daughters married.” The smile on her face and the bounce in her step made Emma laugh as she watched her sister go to the piano.

  Seventeen

  Wearing clothing he was told was his was a little strange. Phillip had been wearing Henry’s clothing since he woke. The clothing was comfortable and although a little large due to loss of weight, his one thought was how surreal it was to know these were his.

  Phillip hobbled into the dining room for breakfast. He wanted to find a way to pull Emma aside before he left so he could ask for her hand. It wouldn’t be as romantic as he’d hoped, but he needed to ask before leaving Springhill Abby. He took a seat, across from his father, and had a second to consider what he wanted to eat before Ashby spoke.

  “Constable Adams will be here this morning. You should prepare to speak to him. We will leave for London soon after.”

  “London? So soon?” Phillip asked with a glance toward Emma. She had her head down and her eyes adverted.

  “You’ve trespassed upon Lord Anthony and his family for far too long. It is time we gave them back their home.”

  “Your Grace,” Lord Anthony said before anyone else could speak, “my family and I do not begrudge Lord Arundel the time he has spent here. We are happy to have been of service to him.”

  Phillip’s heart filled with gratitude for Lord Anthony and the entire Parker family. He again looked at Emma, hoping to lock eyes with her to indicate he’d appreciate a private assignation with her.

  “You are very generous, Lord Anthony.” This time it was Edward who spoke. Ashby wouldn’t have been so kind. “We are indebted to you for the care Phillip received.”

  “Yes,” Ashby said, cutting any response from Lord Anthony off, “but it does not mean we will continue to trespass upon your kindness. Constable Adams will interview Phillip this morning, the good doctor will make a final visit, and then we will leave for London.” Turning to Phillip he said, “Arundel, make certain you are ready to leave.”

  Phillip didn’t speak. He nodded to let his father know he heard. The room was filled with the clinging of silverware against plates, but Phillip couldn’t bring himself to eat. He feared this would be the last time he saw Emma, as they didn’t have the same connections. Realizing Ashby expected some type of response, other than a head nod, he asked, “Do I know the constable?”

  “Yes,” Ashby reassured, “he has been in the village your entire life, and he worked in the stables at Wentworth Hall before taking the job as the constable.”

  Phillip gave Edward a questioning look as he made a sound of dislike. He turned and asked, “Do you not like the constable?”

  “No, I don’t. And I don’t think he has any intention of finding the person responsible,” Edward replied as he ate toast.

  Ashby looked over to Edward. “Once the constable finds the correct person I will request a formal apology for you. But for now, you may make yourself scarce while he is here.”

  “What am I missing?” Phillip asked with concern.

  Edward finished chewing his toast before he spoke. “I spent time in a jail cell this summer for murdering you.”

  Phillip looked to Ashby for confirmation of Edward’s words and then back to his brother. His concern over the clothing being too large seemed frivolous now that he knew Edward had been incarcerated.

  “I’m not sitting in the cell right now because father’s solicitor convinced Constable Adams he couldn’t hold me without your body,” Edward finished.

  “Why would the constable suspect you?�
�� Anne asked with vehemence.

  Henry answered the question for everyone. “If the elder is dead the younger becomes the heir.”

  Edward nodded. “Somehow my ring ended up out in the bushes as well. Whoever did this had access to the house.”

  “Is this why the constable is coming? He wants me to say it was Edward who tried to kill me?” Phillip wasn’t happy about the prospect of visiting with the constable.

  Ashby looked over and said, “It’s a possibility. Adams was very unhappy I allowed Edward to accompany me here to retrieve you.”

  Phillip was about to apologize to his brother when the butler entered the room. “Lord Anthony, there is a constable here to see Lord Arundel.”

  “Thank you. Will you show him to the parlor?” Lord Anthony replied.

  Edward looked over and said, “He’s here for you.”

  Phillip took his crutches from Thomas and limped from the silent dining room. He couldn’t imagine spending time in a jail cell. His mind raced with this information as he entered the parlor to see the constable. He moved to the couch and sat across from the man.

  Phillip looked at the constable, trying to pull some memory of this man out of his brain. He was tired of the constant fog over his mind.

  “My lord?”

  “I apologize I wasn’t listening,” Phillip said.

  “I asked if you can tell me why you left the garden party at Wentworth Hall.” Constable Adams had a pad of paper and a pencil similar to what Emma used for sketching. The pencil made Phillip think of her sketches.

  He tried to remember the garden party but instead remembered his horse Bassanio. It was a memory he had before. “I don’t know why I left. But I know I was riding Bassanio.”

  Constable Adams didn’t respond. He wrote on his pad.

  “Is Bassanio back at Wentworth Hall?” he asked.

  “Yes. Can you tell me anything about your ride?”

  Phillip closed his eyes hoping to bring out a memory. He could see his horse standing by a stream. “I remember sitting by a stream.”

  “We found a tree where you rested for a while. A tracker was brought in to tell us what path you took. You were on your way home, until you veered off into the woods. Do you remember any of this?”

  Frustrated, he concentrated on what he thought was a memory when he remembered the sound of a bullet. “Someone shot at me. I had a bullet in my arm. Doctor Price extracted it. I think I fell off the horse when I was shot.”

  “How did you end up at Springhill Abby?”

  “Lord Anthony found me in a river.”

  “How did you end up in the river?”

  Phillip looked out the window. He concentrated on the horse tethered in front of the house. He remembered the dark figure standing over him. “I was dragged to the river.”

  “Did you see your assailant?”

  Phillip looked up at the constable. He shook his head. “My memories are blocked.”

  Constable Adams switched tactics without notice. “Tell me, how is your relationship with Lord Edward?”

  “He’s my twin brother. Some would call him my other half. He’s doing everything he can to help me, and I am thankful to him.” It might have been a bit of an exaggeration, because he couldn’t remember anything about their relationship, but the words were easy to speak and made sense to him.

  “Has he tried to injure you since he’s been here at Springhill Abby?”

  “Certainly not!” he replied, raising his voice. “The one person to cause me injury since being here is my valet. He didn’t find a need to cool the hot bath water, he was clumsy with my injured leg, and he gave me a few cuts on my face while shaving. Perhaps he is the culprit.” He didn’t know why he accused Thomas, but the words flew out before he stopped himself.

  Constable Adams looked at him for a long moment as though he was assessing the truth of Phillip’s words. “If you remember anything, please let me know.”

  Phillip grabbed his crutches, thinking it would be nice to visit the rose garden. He wanted to find Edward, and he wanted to see Emma. As he exited, Ashby and Lord Anthony entered.

  “How much was he able to remember?”

  “He doesn’t remember anything we didn’t already know. Lord Anthony, I would like to speak with you.”

  Phillip didn’t stop to listen in on the rest of the conversation. On the other side of the hall he heard a piano being played. He hobbled into the room and smiled when he saw Emma. He didn’t know she could play the piano. Anne was the one who played at night. He sat on the couch, put his head back, and listened.

  “When did you come in here?” Emma asked as she stopped playing.

  “I didn’t know you play.”

  “Anne is more talented than I,” she said as she sat next to him. “Were you able to answer any of the constable’s questions?”

  “Yes, I remembered a few details but not enough to help the situation. I was hoping to get a chance to speak with you. My father is convinced we need to leave for London, and I—”

  Emma cut him off. “Phillip, I want you to be well, but I pray the doctor finds a way to keep you here.”

  “If I can convince him to tell my father I cannot travel, I will do so,” he said sincerely. When she smiled, his heart melted. He picked her hand up and kissed it. Emma leaned forward and he kissed her. As he pulled away he noted her pink cheeks. He didn’t have to do much to get her to blush. Her eyes were still closed, so he leaned forward and kissed her again. Phillip pulled back as he heard voices in the hall.

  “My lord.” The butler entered and gave a quick bow. “Doctor Price is waiting for you in the parlor. His Grace is also in the parlor. He is insisting on staying in the room for your visit with the doctor.”

  Phillip cringed. He didn’t want his father in the room, as he needed to convince the doctor to make an excuse for him to stay at Springhill Abby. He limped toward the parlor, trying to concoct a plan of action, but nothing came to him.

  “Doctor Price, thank you for coming,” he said when he entered the parlor. “My father is anxious to depart for London.” He tried to sound nonchalant and unaffected by the prospect of leaving.

  “I must admit this is concerning.” Doctor Price turned to Ashby with a determined look on his face. “Lord Arundel has been ill. The head injury he received has been quite bothersome to him and has caused much distress. There is no telling what a trip to London will do. The roads are not smooth enough, and the journey could irritate his injuries, your Grace.”

  “What do you suggest, Doctor?” Ashby’s tone was condescending.

  “He should rest for another week. I can then assess his injuries and determine if he should remain or travel.”

  “Not acceptable. We are leaving in an hour.”

  “Your Grace. Please understand the jeopardy you are putting your son in by forcing him to leave.”

  Phillip watched as Ashby debated the doctor’s statement. He couldn’t remember most of his life, but what he could remember made him know his father was more self-absorbed than caring. He also knew Ashby was a bully and not likely to be convinced to stay when he didn’t want to.

  “We will stay until next week, if you deem it necessary.”

  Surprised by Ashby’s decision, Phillip submitted to the exam. After the doctor finished, Phillip made his way back to his room with the new cane, as he’d graduated from crutches. The morning had been exhausting.

  Eighteen

  Edward noticed the look of sympathy on Anne’s face when she heard he was accused of killing his brother. She was beautiful and he enjoyed her pity for his predicament. He hadn’t flirted with a woman since the day Phillip disappeared, and although he had a small amount of guilt for not being around when he was needed, his desire to know Anne now took over.

  As Phillip left to speak to the constable, Edward finished breakfasti
ng and walked out to the rose garden. He wanted to stay as far away from Constable Adams as possible. He didn’t like the man.

  Edward walked to the bench in the rose garden and found Emma and Anne sitting as they had the first time he’d been out there. “May I join you?”

  “Please,” Anne responded with a smile. Her beauty sent a jolt of excitement through him.

  He wanted her to like him. “It’s a beautiful morning,” he said as he looked around. He thought about the statement and then cringed. I’m discussing the weather. How charming.

  “We were considering a walk through the grounds. Lord Arundel enjoys walking with us. Would you like to join us as well?” Anne asked. Her blue eyes twinkled in the sunlight as she spoke.

  “It would be my pleasure.” Edward looked back at the house. “However, I don’t know how long Phillip will be . . . and does he walk, or is it more of a hobble?”

  He smiled as both women laughed at the pathetic joke. He didn’t consider himself funny, but for some reason women laughed at his attempts of humor.

  Emma stood, startling him. “I think I’ll practice the piano. I haven’t played in a while. Why don’t you take a walk?”

  Is my attraction to Anne so obvious? he wondered. “Would you like to walk with me?” he asked Anne.

  “Yes, I would.”

  Edward held his arm out and led her from the garden. She pointed him toward a dirt path, and he followed her directions. The mere touch of her arm in his made him think the trauma of having Phillip nearly killed was worth it. He never would have met Miss Parker otherwise.

  “I am surprised to see you are not preparing to leave. Has something changed?” Anne asked. He could see her curiosity had multiple levels to it. She didn’t want him to leave. Or was he imagining her intentions because he didn’t want to leave?

  “I will procrastinate until necessary . . . or my valet will take care of my things. But even when we leave, we can meet in London for the season,” Edward replied. Before she could respond, he had an idea. “Will you dance with me?”