“Mr. Elliott Bevan?” the first man asked. His voice was gruff.
“Who is asking?” he replied.
“We have come from Dunsmore House, at the behest of Lady Dunsmore. She wishes to see you immediately.”
“On what matter?” Elliott demanded to know.
“That is for Lady Dunmore to tell you.”
He frowned, but realized he had little choice but to follow.
“You must allow me a short while to dress. I cannot visit her in my nightclothes, it would be most unseemly.”
The second man nodded. “We will wait.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“There must be some mistake,” Elliott said.
He sat opposite the fearsome figure of the Dowager Countess of Dunsmore. The night had taken a strange turn, and he was contending with the aftermath.
He had been soundly asleep less than half an hour ago, and now he was being told that he was the lost Earl of Dunsmore — the son that had been presumed dead after the fire had ravaged Dunsmore House. As it turned out, Alice was his long-lost sister. At least, that’s what he was being told.
“There is not, I assure you,” Lady Dunsmore replied kindly. “I realise that it is a great deal to comprehend, but it is the truth. Mr. Parch has looked into it, and there can be no mistaking your heritage. You were deposited near Carlisle and taken into the care of the Bevans. I did not know of any of this, before today, but it is the irrefutable truth. Lady Alice is your twin sister, though we still do not know the whereabouts of your other sister — my granddaughter, Marguerite. When you were lost, I knew you as Arthur and Charlotte.”
He shook his head.
“I am the Earl of Dunsmore?”
“Effective immediately, my dear. I suppose it may be too late to become accustomed to a new name, Mr Bevan – Elliot, but you are Arthur, the grandson I thought dead for so long.”
“How can that be?”
“My daughter caused a great deal of upset to a member of our staff and caused some trouble for a young gentleman. Their siblings, who were on our staff, sought vengeance for his pains. He was a very young man, and he was sentenced to death because of her accusations. They were falsely made, but it did not alter the outcome,” she explained. “The boy’s brother and sister set the fire that burned the rest of the manor down, and they sought to kill us all in our beds. The sister appeared to have a last-minute change of heart, and she took the children — you, and your sisters. She took them to safety, but far from me.”
Tears glinted in the old woman’s rheumy eyes.
It seemed entirely impossible that this could be true, but the evidence was overwhelming. Everything slotted into perfect place. He had always known he was adopted, but he had presumed he’d come from an orphanage. Instead, it turned out that he had come from a great lineage, steeped in tragedy. With this revelation, he was now the Earl of Dunsmore.
No longer a humble architect, but a member of the English peerage. Alice, too.
His first thought was of Jane, though it was bittersweet. It seemed that he had the right station in life for her, after all, but there was nothing he could do about the marriage. So close, and yet so far.
“Do you know of a man named James Felling, the Baron of Waterford?” the Dowager said.
Elliott nodded, the name sticking in his throat.
“I do, my Lady.”
“You may call me Grandmamma if you wish, though I will understand if you cannot.” She smiled hopefully. “Now, there is something I must tell you of this Lord Waterford. He attempted to steal from me this night and was almost apprehended by Mr. Parch and several of my men. However, he took the risk of entering the lake in the dead of night and, I am sad to say, he did not emerge again.”
Elliott stared at her. “James Felling is dead?”
“That is the presumption. The men are still searching for him, but he seems to have struggled in the water and been dragged below.”
“Has his wife been informed?” A vision of Jane bombarded his mind. The way she had walked towards him through the woodland, and firmly into his life. If James was dead, did that mean Jane was free to marry again, after a suitable period of official mourning? He could hardly dare hope for such a serendipitous event. Indeed, he hated himself for even thinking it, for a man was dead. James may have been cruel and brutal, but no man deserved to drown. It would have been far better for him to have been sentenced before a magistrate, and yet… a small flame of possibility flickered deep in his chest.
The Dowager nodded. “I have sent men to speak with her, and Alice has gone with them to soften the blow. I imagine she will be rather distraught to hear this terrible news. I had thought Dunsmore House might be finished with death, but it seems there was one more life it desired to take. He was a greed-ridden thieving fortune hunter, but that does not make his demise any less troubling, especially not for his wife. I have heard that she is with-child, which only makes matters worse.”
“I must go to her, my Lady… Grandmamma.”
“At this hour?”
He nodded.
“She is a dear friend of mine, and I should like to be there to assist in bringing her comfort. Would you mind terribly if I excused myself?”
“Of course, dearest boy,” she acquiesced. “But please, for my sake, I pray you will return.”
“Of course Grandmamma. I will return later, so we may discuss my new situation further. Yet, now I need very much to be with the two young ladies at this moment. My… sister will require support.”
It felt odd to refer to Alice as his sister, but that appeared to be the reality of the scenario. He had gone from a quiet life of being an only son, to discovering that he had siblings and an entire history he knew nothing about.
Excusing himself with a sorrowful goodbye, he exited the still-standing wing of Dunsmore House and made his way back to Clackford House. He chose to walk instead of taking one of the offered carriages.
He did not know if it was the enormity of what he had just discovered, or the dawn light piercing the sky, but sadness hit him like a punch to the gut. He had lost so much, and he had not even known it.
He thought of the mother and father who had loved him so dearly. He would never know them, and that tore at his heart.
It seemed like the worst kind of cruelty, to have gained and lost so much in one fell swoop.
He raised his face to the sky and let the cold breeze nip at his cheeks.
If you are out there, anywhere, please know that I am thinking of you. I wish that I could see you. I wish that I could speak with you. I wish that I could know everything there is to know of you. I am sorry that we have been separated in such a callous way. I am sorry that we will not meet until my days are done. But, when that day dawns, know that I will be anticipating our reunion with a happy heart.
He arrived at Clackford House a short while later, and discovered Alice and Jane in the drawing room. Tears streamed down Jane’s cheeks, her hands trembling around a cup of tea. The rest of the household were awake and tiptoeing carefully around, so as not to disturb the poor young woman.
Elliott, on the other hand, moved straight towards her and knelt at her feet. He set her cup down on the side-table and took her hands in his. Keeping his eyes fixed on hers, he kissed her hands softly and gave her his warmth. Her fingertips were like ice.
“I am sorry for your loss, Lady Waterford,” he murmured. “I pray your grief is short-lived, for you should not be made to suffer.”
“I did not expect this,” she sobbed.
“I know, my Lady, and I know it will be difficult.”
He cast a shy glance at Alice.
“It is my honour to call you ‘sister’, though you must forgive me if it takes me some time to grow accustomed to this new situation.”
Alice smiled.
“And I, Brother. This is a strange day for us all.”
“What am I to do without his security?” Jane whispered, her eyes wide in fear. “I do not know what become
s of widows. Will I be made to return to Waterford? I have been unhappy here, but I have found comfort in two great friends.”
“We will not let them take you,” Alice assured.
“You will remain, if you wish it,” Elliott added.
He did not know what he might do without her. They had grown so close in the past weeks, and he could no longer envision a life without her in it. He had never expected anything from her, and had not dared to hope for a true romance, but he loved her nonetheless. He always had, since that first day when she had emerged from the trees.
Jane forced a tearful smile onto her face.
“I should like to stay, but I do not know if it will be permitted. I fear I will be made to obey those above me.”
Elliott shook his head.
“Nonsense. We will not allow it.” He paused thoughtfully. “In fact, I must insist that you come with my sister and I to Dunsmore House and reside there until you have given birth to your child.”
Alice flashed a grin. “He is right. Dunsmore House belongs to him now. If he says you may stay there, then it will be so.”
“It is settled then. It will be in your best interests, as well as those of your son or daughter. After that, neither myself nor my sister, nor my grandmother, will make you leave. You will be perpetually welcome.”
“Do truly mean it, Mr. Bevan? Oh… I mean, my Lord?”
Elliott nodded.
“I would not lie to you, Lady Waterford.
By four o’clock that afternoon, both Alice and Jane’s belongings had been taken from Clackford House and moved to new bedchambers in Dunsmore House. The three Felling children had been taken under Elliott’s wing, too, with him placing them in rooms that had not been used since he and his sisters had played there as infants. Strangely, he remembered the rooms as if it had once come to him in a dream.
They were, naturally, devastated to learn about the death of their father, even with the comfort of Alice and Jane. Nothing would replace their father, for now they were orphans.
Elliott could understand their pain, though he had only recently learned to feel it. Still, he did not know how he could help beyond giving them a place to live, and so he left their care in the expert hands of the two young ladies.
Elliott had noted a glimmer of disapproval in the Dowager Countess’ eyes as the move had been undertaken, but he had paid it little heed. Jane’s comfort was his main priority. She had been through a great deal, and he did not want her living alone in the bleak, cavernous hollow of Clackford House. Not when he had an entire wing of a manor at his disposal, which had been painfully sparse of inhabitants for much too long.
“Thank you for doing this kind thing for me,” Jane said, as he helped the staff carry the last of the trunks in from the carriage.
“It is my pleasure,” he replied.
Already, it looked like a weight had lifted from her fragile shoulders.
In truth, it really was his pleasure. Now, he would be able to see her whenever he pleased, without fearing discovery and the scandalous presumptions of gossipmongers. He did not think she had loved James, but that did not make his loss any less painful for her. With his death, he had taken her future security. It was dangerous to be a widow in this world, especially the widow of a Baron. The wealth she might inherit, if she had a son, would not be extensive.
And if she did not have a son… well, she would be cast aside as useless in society. Any fortune James might have had would fall to the next male heir, and she would be written from the Waterford lineage as if she had never been part of it.
Meanwhile, Elliott had to bear the weight of a lineage that he had not known belonged to him. It would be a difficult time for both of them, but he was certain they would survive these trials… together.
Part Two
Chapter Thirteen
“You look beautiful,” Jane murmured, in admiration, as she looked upon the bridal vision of Alice.
The poor girl was pacing anxiously in her chambers, making final preparations before they departed for the church. To Jane’s delight, Alice and Frederick had chosen St. Mary’s Chapel to marry in — the church that Elliott had restored.
Alice smiled nervously.
“My heart is pounding.”
“Do you not wish to marry him?”
“Oh, I wish to marry him with all my heart. It is only that… well, I feel such happiness and contentment that I fear it may be taken away from me. Such good fortune has fallen into my path, and it hardly seems real.”
Jane walked up to her friend and took her hands.
“You are the most fortunate of women, because you deserve it. Frederick is a good man, and he loves you dearly. If you love him just as much, then there cannot be any hardship to overcome. You have been blessed, at long last.”
“Do you truly think so?”
“I do. You will be the happiest of pairs, and you shall be the envy of everyone who looks upon you,” Jane assured, for she felt her own pang of envy. How she wished she might be allowed to marry Elliott and enjoy the same happiness. “Now come, or you will arrive late to the most joyous day of your life.”
Alice chuckled.
“I am glad to have you here, Jane. I do not know what I should have done without you.”
“And I, you.”
Together, they left Dunsmore House and went to the waiting carriage, Alice’s ivory gown shimmering with tiny gems and a lace veil accentuating her fine features. Grandmamma had insisted not only on the carriage, but the finest gown she could find for her dear Alice.
“You are radiant,” Jane smiled.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Glancing around the congregation, Jane froze.
A familiar figure sat near the back, dressed in uncustomary black.
Georgette? What is she doing here?
There had been some correspondence between herself and the sister of James, but she had not expected to see the woman here. Indeed, their last letter had agreed that Georgette would remain in Northumberland and await the children, for it had been agreed that they should return to James’ family. There had been no mention of her coming to claim them.
Jane forced her own smile onto her face and vowed to enjoy her friend’s wedding. Now was not the time for familial dispute. She could contend with her sister-in-law later, after the festivities were over.
After the vows were made, Jane found herself outside while Frederick and Alice were driven away in the carriage. The wedding breakfast was to take place at Dunsmore House, and the congregation would follow. However, Jane knew that she would have to deal with Georgette first. The black-clad woman was waiting at the top of the church path, a stern expression on her fair face. She showed no glimpse of her former affection for Jane. Indeed, she seemed somewhat angry to see Jane again.
“Georgette, this is a pleasant surprise,” she said.
Georgette glowered.
“Pleasant? There is nothing pleasant about it.”
“No… that was a poor turn of phrase, I admit.” Jane dropped her gaze and smoothed her hand across her swollen belly. It had been less than a month since James had disappeared beneath the lake, and she was supposed to still be in mourning. With Elliott around, and the comforting presence of the house she now lived in, she had almost forgotten.
“Lady Waterford, will you be attending the reception?”
Elliott appeared from nowhere, a soft smile on his face.
She smiled up at him. “I will, Lord Dunsmore.”
“Shall I hold the carriage?”
“No, thank you. I will follow anon.”
He dipped his hat to Georgette. “I do not believe that we have been introduced?”
“This is Miss Felling, Mm Lord, James’ sister.”
Elliott paled. “Ah, then I am sorry for your loss. Please, excuse me.” He glanced at Jane once more. “I will speak with you later.”
Jane watched him leave and wished he had remained. She needed support to endure this meeting, for the letters had be
en trying enough. Georgette was, naturally, heartbroken, and had said as much in their correspondence. Jane did not know what to say to make any of this better, nor did she know how to conceal her newfound happiness. Elliott had made everything make sense again. They had been spending a good deal of time together, from dining at the same table to taking a turn about the gardens with Alice and Frederick as chaperones. Her love for him had only grown, and his for her.
“So… this is why you have not returned to Waterford?” Georgette gestured towards the retreating back of Elliott.
Jane shook her head. “He is my dear friend’s brother—the lady who has been married this day. I have not returned to Waterford as I did not believe you, nor James’ family, wished me to. And then there is my condition to consider. A lengthy journey would not be good for the child. Might I ask why you have come so far to speak with me? I am glad to see you, but I fear that you are not as pleased to see me.”
“My brother is dead, Jane. We do not know what happened to him, other than the stories we have been fed, and my family are eager to have his children back where they belong,” Georgette said coldly. “I have come to collect them.”
Jane nodded. “Very well, that may be arranged once today’s festivities have been concluded.”
“You are to accompany them,” Georgette insisted.
“Pardon me?”
“You are to accompany them, and myself, back to Northumberland.”
Jane shook her head. “That was not the agreement we came to.”
“Well, the agreement has changed. After all, you are carrying James’ child. If you are bearing a son, then he may one day be the next Baron of Waterford. It pains me to say so Jane, but I quite sure that you are aware of how feeble Francis is.”
Jane felt her blood run cold. She knew that Georgette cared for Francis, but the practicality with which she managed the situation shocked her. There needed to be a replacement at hand, just in case. Jane had not cared whether she bore a son or a daughter, but now the stakes had been raised. Dread sank into her stomach like a stone. Could she really be forced to return to Northumberland? It seemed a foolish question.
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