by Claudy Conn
She stepped over to the lead-paned window and peered down the long drive. He must have found her by now. Where were they? As she spotted them, she drew in a long breath of relief.
Nanny hurriedly left the library at her back and charged into the open central hall, where she proceeded to cross her arms across her chest and tap one foot against the dark oak flooring in a flurry of impatience.
Everything she had feared had come to pass. There was nothing more she could do. Once they lost Kitty’s guardian, this day was bound to arrive. After all, their positions at Wharton were rather vague at best, as Kitty was not a blood relative to the late Sir Edwin.
It was several moments later that Withers opened the front door to greet his young mistress and her guest. Nanny stood, her fingers doing a dance on her arms.
“Well,” she said, her voice cracking with her pent-up emotions, “’tis time you found her!” She sniffed regally and attempted to maintain her composure.
Harry’s brow went up and said, “Indeed.” He obviously thought better of elaborating.
“I have been worried, my dears, seriously worried,” Nanny offered as she directed a piercing glance toward Kitty. “The sky does not, you know, appear friendly.”
Kitty took Nanny’s shoulders, dropped a kiss on her nose, and then led her towards the library, whose doors were still wide open. “I am here safe now, love … safe and sound. Let’s go into the library and …” She turned to Withers, who stood to one side awaiting her. “And if Withers will be so kind and have refreshments brought to us there … we can be comfortable.”
* * *
Kitty soothed Nanny’s frazzled nerves, patted her hands as she saw her seated and asked, “What is it, Nanny, dear?”
“Well, for one thing, you can’t be racing around all over the countryside in britches!” Nanny complained.
Kitty could see that Nanny was, in fact, far more anxious than usual. “There, there, dear … right, as you say. I shall try and not ride all around the countryside in britches. What is the other thing?”
Nanny took her hands. “Something awful … I never expected … well I did expect something, but not this.” She paused and sniffed.
“What, Nanny, love? Never expected what?”
“Mr. Harkins stopped by earlier than he had indicated and means to come back. His news … well, I don’t think it … well, it is all so terrible, terrible.”
“Mr. Harkins? I thought he wasn’t due till three?”
“That’s right, but just this morning he received an unexpected letter … from the Earl of Halloway!”
Kitty puzzled up, “Who is the Earl of Halloway?”
“Sir Edwin’s nephew.” Nanny wrung her hands.
Kit knew Nanny never liked to deal with anything out of the ordinary, but something in her manner worried her. “What is so terrible about that?” Her hand went to her mouth. “Never say we are in debt?” Then she swooshed that away with her hand. “But if that is the case … we will take it in stride, Nanny, and do what we have to do.”
“Absurd child, as though your guardian would ever have left you in such straits. No, of course, we are not in debt,” Nanny scoffed at once. She glanced at Harry, and then she raised a brow at Withers, who had just come in and deposited a tray of tea and biscuits.
“Ah, tea,” Harry said and filled an awkward moment. “I am ever so hungry …” He pulled his chair closer to the table and looked to Kitty. “Perhaps, if you poured Nanny a cup … she might feel better, and while you are at it, I wouldn’t mind one as well.” He reached for and swallowed a small cookie whole.
Kitty took the suggestion, saw Nanny sip, heard her sigh, and watched Harry eat another biscuit before saying, “Now, if we are not in debt, what is so terrible and why should a letter from Uncle Edwin’s nephew to Mr. Harkins have you so overset?”
Nanny sat back with her cup and sipped a bit more of the soothing brew before she eyed them a moment and told them, “I am not sure I understand it all, as it is more than a bit confusing, and Mr. Harkins, so kind, did try to explain, but he said he would tell us the whole when we were together.”
“I shall lose my mind,” Kit told Harry. He grinned. She turned back to Nanny and said, “Tell us from the start, and we shall pick it apart until it is no longer confusing.”
“Apparently, your guardian, your dear Uncle Edwin, made a change in his will.”
“A change?” Harry was surprised into asking. “What sort of a change?”
Kitty raised a brow and waited for her Nanny to answer.
“It is about Kitty,” Nanny said. “You see, Kitty was his beloved ward, but, of course, he has an heir … and that heir is the Earl of Halloway. At least, that is how he saw it.”
“What?” Harry seemed shocked. “He changed his will in regard to Kitty? An heir? But … he adored Kitty. Are you saying she is left without a home? I don’t believe it!”
“Oh no, no … but that is where it gets complicated.” She pulled a face. “Mr. Harkins told me that Kitty must be present for the reading of the will, which was not to take place until three months after your uncle’s demise. He will be back here at four.”
“Well, this is all very odd,” Harry pronounced with an accompanying frown.
“What is there in that?” Kitty said quietly. “Most estates are entailed. I just never gave it a thought, but I am not a blood relative, so it stands to reason Wharton would probably go to a male heir …” Her voice broke. “But if that is the case … I shall so miss Wharton.”
Harry and Nanny exchanged uneasy glances. Changes to wills usually turned out troublesome in one form or another, and so Harry told her. “Besides, I don’t believe he would leave you out in the cold. Impossible.”
Kitty shrugged. “Well, ’tis nearly four now. Mr. Harkins should be here any minute, and we will know exactly where we stand. Harry, do stay.”
“Yes, I think I shall, if only to make certain you and Nanny are all right afterwards,” Harry agreed.
“Go upstairs, my love,” Nanny said softly. “Wash up and get out of those horrid britches. Quickly now—there isn’t much time.”
Kitty chewed her bottom lip. Whatever was she to do? Leaving Wharton was something that had never been a possibility. Where would she and Nanny go? “I just don’t believe it. Even though the estate might be entailed, I can’t believe that Uncle Edwin would serve us thusly, Nanny.”
This was a complication they had not expected.
“I agree, Kit. Your guardian was a good sort and never would have served you such a trick.”
“What then?” Kitty eyed him before she left. “Just what then?”
She looked over her shoulder before she left the room and saw that Harry’s face was drawn in deep concentration and that Nanny sat rigid with worry.
This was very unexpected, but there was nothing and no one that could ever make Kitty believe her dearest Uncle Edwin would leave her and Nanny to fend for themselves.
~ Five ~
IT WAS NOT a coincidence that at that very moment the Earl of Halloway sat back in his winged leather-bound chair to reread Edwin Wharton’s letter and a copy of the will his uncle had drawn up just before his death. He had been notified of his uncle’s death, and told that he would be sent a copy of the will and a letter from his uncle explaining that will, after three months had passed. It had only mildly surprised him, but then, he had always thought his uncle Edwin eccentric.
Wharton had been his uncle, but he scarcely knew him.
He read first, Mr. Harkins’ accompanying note and then the will with mixed emotions.
Harkins again reminded him that he was Edwin Wharton’s solicitor and briefly advised the earl that his uncle had died, leaving him as chief beneficiary of his uncle’s considerable fortune.
The earl sat forward and re-read those lines.
There were, however, stipulations.
The first had already been achieved, as the three months’ waiting period for the will to be read had been t
aken care of. Evidently, his uncle Edwin would not have his ward, Christina Kingsley, distressed during her time of mourning, and his final will, he wrote, would distress her.
Rich, he thought. I will be rich. I will be in control of my life.
Right, so why then did he have this uneasy feeling?
He hadn’t even realized that his uncle was such a wealthy man. After going over the paperwork, he discovered his uncle was probably one of the richest men in all of England.
He held up his uncle’s letter and then slowly read it for the third time.
Nephew,
It occurs to me that I have neglected you. I should have spent a little more time getting to know you over the years. I do beg your pardon.
Shall I make up a list of ready excuses? I think not. The truth is my dear sister—your mother—and I were never good friends. There too, she so enjoyed her London. I did not. She loved to flit amongst the fashionable beau monde. I abhorred such a life. For me Wharton Place, my beloved New Forest, and my fox hounds were all the world I required, especially after Kitty came into my life.
The earl paused at this point and frowned. Kitty? Ah, he had a vague memory of a child … no more than seven or so. He shook his head, as no ready answer came to mind, and went on reading.
There it is. Plain speaking, lad, plain speaking. Well, if you are reading this, I’m dead and buried three months ago. That you already were told, and now, it is time for you to know the rest, and this is how it stands.
Made myself a fortune. Richer than a Nabob.
My man will give you the details when you come down to Wharton Place. Leaving a sizeable portion to you. However, I have stipulations. You forfeit all if you can’t or won’t comply with my wishes. First of them is you don’t arrive at Wharton until three months have passed after my death.
Now, here it is so that you may understand. You see, I selfishly kept Kitty with me. Couldn’t bear to send her off to London. Should have. She is the most beautiful, dear girl, and if anyone deserves a London Season, it is Kitty.
Making up for it now through your good offices.
Kitty is Christina Kingsley. Her father was my best friend, and he named me her guardian.
She will be twenty next month. Aye, a rough and tumble creature with a smile that lights up a room.
I want her established in London with your precious beau monde. I know this will take some work as you are a bachelor, but that is my stipulation. I left my Kitty enough of a competence that she will never want for anything and a sizeable dowry to make her entrance and a respectable match.
My Kitty doesn’t give a fig for fineries, but she needs to be turned out in style. Give her one, two, or three Seasons—though I think the first will see her neatly wed—but keep the fortune hunters at bay.
There it is. If you don’t take on my ward, see the job through to its completion, Wharton will go to my next of kin. I would have preferred to leave it all to Kitty, but she would just go on running wild here, and that is no life for a young maid.
Good luck, lad. It won’t be easy.
Your Uncle Edwin.
The earl put down the letter and shoved it across his desk.
His eyes were filled with the irritation he felt at that moment. He would of course carry out his uncle’s wishes, but why his uncle should have chosen him for such a task was beyond his understanding.
Fire and Hell. Why did everything come with a price?
Damn it to bloody perdition!
He rose from his chair and paced. Well, let us pick this apart, shall we?
At least I haven’t been asked to marry the chit.
No, but you don’t know a thing about launching a chit into society, do you?
No, launching her wouldn’t be easy. He didn’t know a thing about giving a maid a London Season. Damn it all.
He would need a respectable hostess, and he would have to open Halloway House. Their family London House was located in Kensington Square, and he could see his grandmother fluttering about getting it all in order. Was this what she wanted all along …? She must have already known when she sent for him. Sly woman.
His eyes narrowed with the challenge. It was a damned nuisance, but he didn’t have a choice. He couldn’t pass up the chance at acquiring a fortune and being in control of his own situation. With any good luck, she might be pretty enough to marry off quickly?
He thought about his grandmother.
Well, he would send off a note to his man of business and get the matter settled. He grinned and called for his valet to pack for him.
Traveling to the New Forest would take at least three days!
~ Six ~
MR. HARKINS HAD read, and thoroughly explained the meaning of, Sir Edwin’s will. He expressed his desire to make a full accounting of Miss Kingsley’s present holdings under the terms of the will, but he seemed very ill at ease. He coughed lightly into his fist and said gently, “I was reluctant when Sir Edwin explained what he wanted, but he said he knew what he was doing.”
“But I don’t understand.” Kitty put a hand to her forehead. “Is the Earl of Halloway my new guardian and, if so, until when? And must I leave Wharton Place?” Her hand dropped to her lap, and she began fretfully playing with the material of her blue silk gown.
Mr. Harkins cleared his throat and said, “Nonsense. No one is asking you to leave Wharton. As to the question of guardianship. No, the earl was not appointed your guardian, and yet … therein lies the confusion because of what he is being asked to do. It is clear that your uncle wished you to have a London Season and that he wished for the earl to establish you with the beau monde. It is all very irregular.” He looked bemused.
Kitty had an affection for Mr. Harkins. He was, after all, her dearest Henrietta’s father, but this was all too much. She turned her face for a moment as she composed her thoughts. Nanny, she could see, looked about ready to faint. She reached over and patted Nanny’s hand. “There, there … we shall do.”
With flushed cheeks, Mr. Hawkins got up and moved to put a comforting hand on Kitty’s shoulders. “Kitty, your uncle left you with quite a sizeable portion. You will never want for anything. He did not wish to force you into a loveless marriage. His only intention was that you be presented properly to the ton and have your pick of suitors. You will have a substantial allowance all the rest of your days from your portion.”
“Dear Mr. Harkins, if I appear distraught, it is not about money. It is about … having to leave our home. This is really the only home we have ever known.”
“I understand, but I am sure you have thought about marriage? Once married, you would make a new home, and until then, you will be under the earl’s and his grandmother’s protection. You will do.”
“Of course, of course,” Kitty said, wanting to comfort him. “Thank you.”
Mr. Harkins then hurriedly took his leave.
Harry had sat speechless throughout, as had Nanny. Only Kitty had made unintelligible remarks at specific junctures of the reading of her dear uncle’s will.
She stood and worked her hands frantically as her mind took it all apart. Aware that Harry was watching her, she said defiantly, “I shan’t go off with a stranger. Harry, do you think I have to go off with a stranger?” Before he could answer, she turned to Nanny. “No one can make me!”
Harry cleared his throat and offered, “No, but it would appear that if you don’t, this nephew of his—the earl—won’t be allowed to inherit the estate and it will go to the next in line. Seems a paltry thing to do … not cooperate with him, unless he turns out to be a rum touch or something, and how can he be? He is an earl.” He regarded Kitty consideringly and added, “I am surprised by this will, but I will say your guardian was a knowing one, so why don’t we calm down and see what is to be done?”
She rounded on Harry, wagged a finger, and spluttered, “How … how can you take it so coolly?”
“Darling child, this was your Uncle Edwin’s dying wish,” Nanny offered quietly.
Kitty turned to her, and her shoulders slumped. “Oh dear … oh no … it was, wasn’t it? Now, what shall I do?”
“Come, sit with me, and we will all talk about this in a reasonable manner,” Nanny said.
Kitty couldn’t sit and instead paced. “If he is Uncle’s nephew, why have we never met him? Why was there never any mail from him?” She stomped her foot. “I don’t want to go to London. I don’t want a Season where I shall be paraded about like a leg of mutton—”
Harry chortled with laughter, and she turned a wicked glare at him. “It is all well and good for you to laugh, but ’tis true.” She stared at the ceiling as though praying and said more quietly, “Don’t you see? I shall be surrounded by high flyers … and won’t know how to go on, and besides all that, I don’t want to get married. At least … not yet.”
“By Jove, she has a point, Nanny.”
“Nonsense. If her uncle Edwin had not fallen ill, he would have leased a lodging in London and launched her himself.” Nanny turned to Kitty. “You should have at least one Season, Kitty. Your parents would have wanted that for you. I know that as much as Sir Edwin detested London, he had meant to do that for you,” Nanny said in a cajoling tone.
Kitty closed her eyes. She knew she was out of options. She didn’t have a choice, did she? She didn’t want this. Her uncle Edwin had gone to so much trouble on her behalf … even to the point of not allowing the will to be read for three months.
She had to honor his wishes.
She was neatly caught in a trap. She sank onto the cushy yellow damask chair and groaned. “I am heartbroken.”
Harry moved towards her and shook his head as he patted the top of her wild array of long curls. “You aren’t. What a bouncer that one is. Heartbroken, indeed. Be a good girl, and do what you must.” Because she glared at him, he said. “Look, I don’t blame you a bit for being out of sorts. I am, myself, a trifle baffled by all of this. I have never heard of such thing being put into a will and didn’t expect it from your guardian. However, he adored you and wanted the best for you, so, perhaps he saw something we are missing?”
