Never and Always (Emerson Book 6)

by Maureen Driscoll

  Francis laughed and refilled his glass. “Perhaps we should tell him. Someone needs to make a man out of young Wes here. The shock will do him good.”

  “If you insist,” said Wilton. “But you are not to repeat this to Mama, do you hear?”

  “I will not say anything to her,” promised Wes.

  “Father had an affair with the late Countess of Ridgeway. She became with child and the late Earl of Ridgeway had no choice but to accept the girl as his own, lest the entire world know he had been cuckolded.”

  “Everyone knew anyway,” said Francis.

  “We have another sister?” Wes asked. He was not particularly surprised to learn his father had been unfaithful. But he had never known a birth had resulted.

  “Of course not,” said Wilton.

  “But if Father had a daughter with Lady Ridgeway, we have a sister. Or a half one, anyway.”

  “Father did not have a daughter with Lady Ridgeway, he had an affair with her,” clarified Francis. “It was her fault she bore a child. She should have been more careful.”

  “But is the girl still alive?” asked Wes.

  Wilton shrugged. “How would we know? It is no business of ours.”

  “Does Mama know?”

  “She has never said anything about it, as far as I know,” said Wilton. “But she wouldn’t, would she? She is a proper lady, brought up to never question her husband. It is what makes marriage work, as distasteful as the institution is. The only thing I will like about being married is a wife who doesn’t care what I do.”

  “That’s easy for you to say,” said Francis with a scowl. “You are the heir. Any wife I take on will give me much less freedom. It isn’t fair, really. You get everything, simply by being born first. Of course, young Wes here will really be in the suds if he marries. A wife who has no chance of becoming a countess will be too difficult to handle by far. Now, bugger off, Wes. Wilton and I have matters to discuss and wagers to place.”

  Wes left his brothers, wondering about the sister he had never met.

  Two nights later, he decided to speak to his father about it. After all, he had only promised not to say anything to his mother. He found his father in his study after dinner, with a glass of whisky in his hand, seated by the fire.

  “What do you want, boy?”

  “I have a question, sir.”

  “Do make it quick. I have reading to do.”

  There were no books in sight, and Wes knew his father would rather sit alone than have to speak to his youngest son. He also knew this conversation would not be especially welcome. But there was nothing for it except to take the direct approach. “Sir, did you have a baby with the late Lady Ridgeway?”

  His father was stunned for an instant, then laughed. “Of course I did not have a baby with the woman,” he said. “She bore a daughter as a result of our affair, but that was Ridgeway’s problem, not mine.”

  “So, you did have a baby with her, sir.”

  “I did nothing of the kind.”

  “Yet, Lady Ridgeway became with child because of your liaison.”

  “It is actually a fairly common occurrence among families of the ton. And Ridgeway himself could hardly complain since he got Layton’s wife with child and he turned out to be the heir. We all had a good laugh about that. This was naught but a girl. I confess myself surprised that you would even ask about it, though I take it as a reassuring sign that you think about relations at all.”

  “Does she have red hair?” He had become fascinated with the idea that he might pass his sister on the street one day and not recognize her.

  “Wesley, why the devil do you care? And why come to me now? It is all in the past.”

  “But the girl still lives, does she not? How old is she?”

  “I haven’t the faintest idea. I suppose she would be about twelve years old. Or at least that was when the affair ended.”

  “Have you ever seen her?”

  “Of course not! I have little enough use for my own daughters. I cannot imagine why I would seek out a by-blow. I also cannot imagine what business this is of yours.”

  “She is my half-sister, sir.”

  “She is absolutely no such thing. I often wonder where you get such oddball ideas. Is it because you spend so much time with the cripple and the impoverished bastard?”

  “No, sir,” said Wes, knowing his father was trying to get him to leave by using such disparaging language. “I spend so much time with Lorton and Jones because they are my friends and much better company than the other boys at Eton.”

  “You are not at Eton for good company, Wesley. You are there to make the right kind of friends, something you clearly have not done since you stopped rooming with young Reynolds. Now, you will cease all questions about the Emerson chit or you will take the beating you most assiduously deserve.”

  With that, the earl retrieved a broadsheet from his desk and began reading, the conversation clearly at an end.

  Wes knew he would get no more answers from his father or brothers, so he decided to take matters into his own hands.

  He would write to the current Earl of Ridgeway and hope he could be of some use.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Ridgeway Manor, Wiltshire, February 1829

  Colin Emerson, the Earl of Ridgeway, read the letter once again only to find the contents had not changed in the half hour he had been pondering it. He had never encountered a situation like this before and it concerned his beloved youngest sister, Leticia, who was only thirteen years old.

  A boy claiming to be Letty’s half-brother had expressed interest in meeting her. And as if that were not worrisome enough, he had also asked Colin to keep the visit a secret from the boy’s father, the Earl of Mayhew. Colin had never known the identity of his late mother’s lover. But now that he pieced it together, he could definitely see the resemblance between Mayhew and Letty.

  Colin’s first impulse was to say no to the request. But he and his wife Ava had always encouraged the girls in their family to know their own minds. Perhaps he should allow Letty to make this decision for herself.

  He had their butler, Thompson, summon Letty to his study. A few moments later she arrived with two of Colin’s children: Terrence, who had just turned five, and Audrey, who was a year and a half younger.

  “Papa!” said Terrence, as he and Audrey gave him a hug. “I read a book to Letty and Audrey!”

  “I read one, too!” said Audrey.

  “You made up all the words,” said Terrence.

  “I did not! Everyone knows those words,” said Audrey.

  “But they weren’t the ones in the book,” said her brother.

  “That doesn’t matter,” she said, jutting her chin out.

  “Does too.”

  “Does not.”

  “Does too.”

  “Does….”

  “Children,” said Colin gently. “I am glad to hear you both are reading.”

  “But she wasn’t!” said Terrence.

  “Then let me say I am pleased you both at least had a book in your hand. But I must speak to Letty for a moment. Mayhap you could find your cousin Anna?” Anna was Colin’s niece and two years younger than Letty.

  The children rarely passed up on opportunity to spend time with their cousin, so they left the room, their squabble momentarily forgotten.

  Colin hugged Letty, then motioned for her to have a seat. “I received a letter today and it concerns you, love.”

  “It isn’t bad news about Violet is it?”

  “Not at all, thank goodness. It wasn’t about Violet and I am sorry I gave you a fright. I should have let your mama do this. We all know she is much more sensible than I.” Since Letty’s mother had died when she was young, Colin and Ava acted as her parents. “Mayhap I should let you read it yourself.”

  He handed her the letter then watched her read it. He could see a variety of emotions cross her face from curiosity to surprise to excitement, though tempered with a bit of uncertainty.

>   “Do you think it is true?” she asked. “Could he be my half-brother?”

  “I do not know for certain. I am not sure if anyone does other than this boy’s father. And as you can see from the letter, he does not want Mayhew to discover his request. I do not know anything about this Wesley Addington. He might be a nice young man who wishes to become acquainted with you. Or he could be a school boy who wishes to play a prank. Eton certainly has plenty of the latter. I would rather not take the chance because I do not wish to see you hurt. But it is not my decision to make.”

  “You think this might be someone’s idea of a jest? The kind of thing which people would gossip about in London?”

  Letty had tried not to show it, but Colin knew she had been hurt by some of the vicious gossip directed her way, as well as the even more unkind things which were said about Anna, whose birth had been the result of a liaison between Colin’s brother James and a native woman in America.

  Colin sighed. “It could be. I am afraid the only way to know for certain would be to invite the boy to visit us. However, you do not owe him anything. We can simply ignore the letter.”

  Letty considered the matter for a long moment. “But what if he’s like Nick?”

  Nicholas Chilcott, the Earl of Layton, was Colin’s half-brother. Nick and Letty were not related by blood at all, yet their bond was strong.

  Letty continued. “What if this boy simply wishes to meet me? We might not have anything in common besides a father. But if it is that important to him, should we not at least give him a chance? I promise not to let it hurt me if he turns out to be doing this as a lark.”

  Colin’s heart broke for the young lady who still had faith in others after having been hurt so many times in the past. He rose and drew her into his arms. “I cannot promise not to hurt him if he dares toy with you. It is my protective instinct, love. We can invite him if you wish. But if at any time you change your mind, we shall send him packing.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Eton, March 1829

  “So this is where toffs spend their childhoods,” asked Victor Stemple, as he and Colin walked across the grounds toward the building where Lord Wesley Addington resided. Victor had been the Emersons’ butler, but was now the assistant steward on the estate. He and Colin had first met at a military hospital during the Peninsular War when Victor had been recovering from wounds which had left him severely scarred down the right side of his face and body. The two men had formed a friendship, despite the difference in class.

  “Yes,” said Colin. “This is where toffs get a formal education and form the ties which help ensure the ruling class stays in power, regardless of how dim-witted and ill-suited to govern most of them are.”

  “You sound like a revolutionary in the making, my lord,” said Victor.

  “Too much time spent at this place would turn the King himself against the peerage. The only redeeming part of my history with this institution is it is where I met both Nick and the Kellington brothers. If it had not been for them, James and I would have been miserable. Though I cannot say we would have been any happier at home.”

  “Friendship has the ability to make anything tolerable.”

  “Truer words were never said.”

  They entered the old stone building in front of them and were immediately assailed with the smell of mildew, too many boys and too little bathing. Various lads were milling about, ordering liveried servants to take their trunks to their waiting carriages. The boys themselves were laughing and joking with each other. It had all the hallmarks of the start of a holiday.

  “Excuse me,” he said to a passing boy. “I am looking for Lord Wesley Addington.”

  The boy rolled his eyes. “Why are you asking me? It’s not like we’re mates.”

  “Lord Ridgeway asked you a question,” said Stemple.

  The boy simply shrugged. “Last time I saw Addington, he and the gimp were moving the charity bastard’s things into the rat hole again. You might try there.” The boy walked away without taking his leave.

  “I suppose it would be bad form of me to trip him,” said Stemple wistfully as they watched the boy leave.

  “Unfortunately, he seems to be the type to report you. But should he pass this way again, I shall be sure to send him sprawling. It is one of the privileges of being an earl. If memory serves, I believe the charity students’ quarters are in this direction,” said Colin, as he led the way to stairs at the back of the building.

  After descending one flight, they found themselves in a dark, damp hall. It seemed to be deserted, save for the sound of laughter in a room at the end. When they arrived, they found a dank room with a cold stone floor, barely big enough for a cot and a shelf. The three boys within immediately stood when Colin and Stemple entered.

  And Colin was struck speechless when he saw the boy who could only be Letty’s brother.

  There was no mistaking the family resemblance, not just with the red hair and blue eyes. Their bone structure was also strikingly similar. There was little doubt he and Letty were related.

  The other two lads were contrasts to Addington. Though the boy with fair hair was trying to stand up straight, he was leaning a bit to one side and appeared to have a weakness in his right leg. The lad with dark hair was wearing clothing which looked to have been purchased when he was a good three inches shorter. He was likely the scholarship student who occupied this room. Given the innate elitism of Eton, both of the boys were likely the target of others’ cruelty. The fact that Addington had friends such as these spoke well of him. “Addington?”

  “How do you do, my lord,” said Addington, as his voice cracked just a bit with nerves. He and his friends bowed.

  Colin could not help but notice their manners were much better than the boy they’d spoken to upstairs. “This is my friend, Mr. Victor Stemple.” The boys all bowed to Victor.

  Addington spoke again. “My lord, Mr. Stemple, please allow me to present my friends, Robert Carmichael, Viscount Lorton, and Mr. Mark Jones.”

  Viscount Lorton? Colin felt immediate sympathy for the young man. His father was one of the biggest tyrants in the ton and a reactionary in the House of Lords. He was known for his dislike of anyone he felt was inferior to himself, and some of his most vicious speeches and insults had been directed to the lower classes, the infirm and those who required any type of assistance. Colin could only imagine what the young viscount faced at home. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Addington, Lorton and Jones.”

  “My lord, I regret not being ready when you arrived,” said Addington. “We were helping Jones move and I must have lost track of time.”

  Colin waved off the concern. “We made good time on the trip and were early. Did you just arrive at school, Jones?”

  “No, my lord. The three of us usually stay in Lorton’s room, but during holidays the headmaster insists that I return here.” The boy stood straighter. “I am here on scholarship, which only covers the school year. I work during the holidays.”

  “I told the headmaster I wished for Jones to remain with me,” said Lorton. “But all it earned me was a caning for questioning the school’s authority.” He grinned.

  “Then I earned one for questioning their decision to cane Lorton,” said Addington with a grin, before quickly adding, “Not that I make a habit of questioning authority, of course. I will not be a bad influence on Lady Leticia. I promise.”

  Colin considered this. “What about you, Jones? Were you also caned?”

  “Twice, my lord. Once for defending Lorton and the other for defending Addington.”

  “I see,” said Colin, contemplating all that was being said. “Jones, is your school scholarship dependent on your working during the holiday?”

  “No, my lord. The only time I must work is during the holidays. My scholarship is guaranteed for the school terms.”

  “Will you stay here for the holiday as well, Lorton?”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  Colin nodded. “All right, get your thi
ngs.”

  “I am already packed, sir, and look forward to meeting Lady Leticia,” said Addington.

  “She and the entire family are looking forward to making your acquaintance, as well. But I meant for all three of you to gather your things.”

  “My lord?” asked Lorton.

  “Three boys who have been caned together should be able to go on holiday together. We have plenty of room at the manor to accommodate all of you, though there is one inviolate rule. No female at the estate or the surrounding area is to be the object of your affections. I have a firm policy that no one under my protection will be importuned. Is that clear?”

  “Of course, my lord,” said Lorton.

  “I promise on my honor that you can trust all three of us,” said Addington.

  They turned to Jones, whose shock was evident. “I would never do anything to harm them,” he said. “But, my lord, while I very much appreciate your invitation, I am unable to accept.”

  “If you prefer mucking out stables here to spending time at the manor, I shall be terribly insulted, Jones. Though once the three of you are besieged by the dozen or so young children we have roaming about the place, the horses might seem the wiser choice.”

  “Please understand that I mean no disrespect in my refusal, my lord. But I cannot in good conscience accept your invitation knowing I could never repay you.”

  “I am inviting you to be my guest, Jones, without expecting anything in return. Think of poor Addington, if you will. He is about to meet a sister he did not know existed until recently. For all he knows, she is an irrational, witless termagant. She is not, by the way,” he said, turning to Wes. “She is quite lovely and more clever and kind-hearted than the rest of us put together.”

  Addington grinned. “Then I shall be hopelessly shown up.”

  “If you are, she will be too kind to say it. Come with us, Jones.”

  The boy looked uncomfortable. “I have nothing to wear, sir. Nothing suitable. And I cannot take any man’s charity.”