Amberley Chronicles Boxset I: The Impostor Debutante My Last Marchioness the Sister Quest (Amberley Chronicles Boxsets Book 1)

by May Burnett

  “The inn was in considerable disarray that day, as another traveller, a young lady, had most tragically died there in the night before our arrival. The prevailing opinion was that she had choked from a terrible cough that had plagued her already during dinner the previous night, in the establishment’s only private dining room.

  The lady had a female infant, a maid and her coachman with her. The maid and coachman absconded with the coach and all her money and luggage hours before the innkeeper found the lady dead in the morning. There was not even a scrap of paper left to make out a name and direction where the innkeeper could have sent to the family, to take care of the abandoned child. The innkeeper could not even remember the name of the lady, if he had been told it when she rented the room.”

  “I hope they caught and hanged the coachman and nurse,” Prune said vindictively. “To leave their mistress’s child behind like that! What absolute villains!

  “If they were capable of that,” Jonathan asked, “how can one be certain that the poor lady really died from that cough?”

  “Since the child was in urgent need of milk, and we were travelling with a wet nurse, the innkeeper gratefully accepted our offer to look after her for a few days, till the child’s own family could be located.

  Since the poor lady and her infant were dressed as members of the gentry (at the very least), we did not doubt that somebody would soon be looking for them, and take the girl to her natural protectors. To that end, we delayed our onward journey for three whole days, and Harry spent the whole time searching for any trace. We paid for an announcement to be placed in the local news sheet, so that the child’s family might come forward, but we could not remain in the inn indefinitely. Finally we gave the innkeeper and the local justice of the peace our future direction in Cheltenham, and left with the child, still hoping that she would soon be claimed by her own relatives.

  That was two weeks ago now, and nobody has come forward. I now believe that this little girl whom I am beginning to love as much as our two, is also destined to be mine. Yet I feel uneasy at the thought that someone may be searching for her, possibly her father. We have named her Charity provisionally. She is a most winsome baby that everyone wants to hold and cuddle.”

  “Indeed?” Jonathan said sotto voce, looking at Cherry.

  Prune chuckled. “So you had your magic even then.”

  “At least we have a starting point,” Cherry said. “I want to go to this place myself, and talk to that innkeeper and his staff, if they are still alive. Is this letter dated?”

  “Yes,” Mrs. Bolston said, “January 14th, 1794.”

  “So Patience is the eldest,” Prune remarked thoughtfully, after doing sums in her head. “And you are most likely the youngest, tough we are much of an age. And it sounds as though you are of gentle birth, though it is unusual that your mother was travelling only with servants, and no wet nurse, when you were that small.”

  “If she had a family, a husband, should they not have found me in all those years?” Cherry said. “We know nothing about this woman and how she died, not even if she was really my mother.”

  “We know that whoever she was, she had extremely poor judgement in choosing her retainers,” Prune commented. “Though she might not have chosen them herself, any more than I can choose the staff at Spalding Hall.”

  “I hope you find out the truth of the matter,” Mrs. Bolston said. “And I confess I am curious as well. If you discover the identity of the poor young lady, will you write to tell me about it? I have wondered about it, now and then, for almost three decades now.”

  “Most willingly,” Cherry assured their hostess. “It would be but a small part of the thanks we owe you.”

  They took their leave of Mrs. Bolston, promising a visit by Patch at the earliest opportunity, and set off towards Bellington.

  Jonathan sat with his back towards the coachman once again, looking at his sister and betrothed sitting side by side. Now that they knew the truth, he fancied he discerned a likeness of Prune to Emily that he really should have noticed before. And those brown eyes: had not his mother’s been quite similar?

  “We can try to solve this new mystery,” he said, looking at Cherry, “if you are certain you want to? It has been nearly thirty years, after all. The answers, if we discover them, may turn out to be as depressing as the story about Prune’s and my parents.”

  “Even so I had rather know the truth, if it is there to be found.”

  “I understand.” He smiled at her, so warmly that it felt almost as good as a kiss. “After so many revelations, nothing seems impossible. And have I told you that I have a skilled investigator right here, eager for his next assignment? We will set him on this new spoor, like a bloodhound.”

  “Is that how you found us?” Prune enquired.

  “Indeed, though he could not decide which of the three sisters was my twin. I knew right away that it could not be Patience.”

  “Patch,” Cherry corrected. “As family, you should use the family names.”

  “And you have to meet you niece Anne, when we get back to Spalding Hall.” Prune smiled. “She is named for our mother. My sons are coming back from school in a week. I can hardly await their arrival. They are your nephews.”

  “That means I have three nephews and two nieces already, for Emily has one of each. She is planning to visit here as soon as the season of her hay fever passes, so you will probably meet her in July. She can stay at Lobbock Manor with her family.”

  “Another sister – it is a lot to take in,” Prune said dreamily. “But I am happy to know the truth, even the grim details. The children will be glad to have another uncle and aunt.”

  “Why did you come here yourself, to find your twin, Jonathan?” Cherry asked. “We are all grown women. You could just have ignored the issue. After thirty years, many, perhaps even most people would have done so. And I gather that you are a very busy man.”

  “Since I am in a position to ensure it, I want all of my family to be happy and secure. That was all I wanted to achieve, in whatever manner seemed most efficacious. Now that I have met you, and know your circumstances, I can proceed to fulfil this plan.”

  “You wanted to make me happy and secure?” Prune asked incredulously. “That is my husband’s duty, not yours.”

  “I wish I had known that when we first met,” Cherry said, “I imputed much more dangerous motives to you, Jonathan. I applaud your intentions and will advise you how to go about it. In a nutshell, Prune and Matt need to get away from Sir Charles. Can you deny it, Prune?”

  “That is my dearest wish, has been my greatest desire for many years.”

  “Well, I am willing to help you realise it,” Jonathan said. “I suggest you consult with your husband what you want to do, and where you want to live. At the very least you need your own household.”

  “Yes!” Cherry exclaimed, eyes gleaming. “Don’t be a pea goose, Prune, grab his offer and make the most of it. He owes it to you after hogging your mother’s milk all those years ago.”

  “Nonsense,” Prune said, with a smile, however. “I will think on your offer and talk it over with Matt. Can you really afford to support our whole family?”

  “Quite easily, Prune. And Matt may want to do something useful, rather than simply be supported. Talk to him.”

  “I almost wish I had turned out to be your sister, when I hear what you are proposing,” Cherry joked.

  “Don’t worry; I am not going to forget Patch and you. I plan to solve all your problems, the debts, and this man Buckley’s threats, so that we can concentrate on our courtship and plans for the future.”

  “That means going back to London,” Cherry said, unsure how she felt about that. “I suppose it would be scandalous to do so together.”

  “I have to go back in any case, for business reasons, but I suggest you come later, once I have dealt with your dragon there and it is safe. I shall leave in about a week’s time, after I have taken possession of Lobbock Manor. Would you mi
nd staying there when I am gone, and setting the household in order? I intend to rehire most of the previous employees. We can look at the place together before my departure, and decide what should be done.”

  “You would leave me in charge?”

  “Who else, but my betrothed wife? And you have experience with a household of that size, since you grew up at Spalding Hall, and had your own household in London. I plan to leave all domestic arrangements to you.”

  “I will help you, if needed, and so will Patch,” Prune offered. “Family should pull together, in good times as well as bad.”

  “Let me make a note of that maxim,” Cherry said, pulling a sheet of paper and a pencil from her pocket.

  At the rate she was collecting them, she might have to publish her book in three volumes.

  Chapter 25

  The door to the library remained obstinately closed for over an hour. The family were waiting in the drawing room, too tense to enjoy their breakfast, and anxiously speculated on the success of Jonathan’s mission.

  “Jonathan was so confident,” Prune said, “but I cannot understand how he thought he could get around Sir Charles, when he has only met him three times before.”

  “Well, I trust he knew what he was talking of,” Cherry maintained. “Jonathan is not an ordinary young man. He has made a great fortune in a relatively short time. It stands to reason that he must be an excellent negotiator. He told me that he knew the language Sir Charles would understand, since he also used to be in business.”

  “But that was long ago, and he has affected the life and behaviour of a country gentleman since then.” Patch sounded doubtful.

  There was little of the gentleman in Sir Charles’ behaviour, but Cherry refrained from saying so for Lady Spalding’s sake. One of her maxims read Do not speak unpleasant truths if they would give pain, and change nothing.

  “Just what is he trying to accomplish?” Miss Spalding wondered. She had come in late and only caught half the conversation. “He hardly needs Sir Charles’ approval to marry you, Cherry, as you are of age. Since Sir Charles did not give you a dowry when you married Max, he is unlikely to give you one now. And didn’t you say that your young man is already rich?”

  “Very rich, I believe,” Cherry said, “and of course there is no question of a dowry for me. This is about Prune and Matt and their children.”

  “Then why aren’t Prune and Matt in there?”

  “Jonathan advised that d-difficult subjects are b-best handled by an intermediary,” Matt told his great-aunt, “and the w-way he explained it, made sense. With all the p-principals present there is too much danger of emotion getting in the way of a sensible s-solution. He said it is how s-solicitors and diplomats make their living, at least in p-part.”

  “But what is he going to accomplish?” The old lady asked again.

  “Let’s wait and see the outcome, I am almost afraid to hope,” Prune said. “A disappointment now would be too cruel.”

  “At l-least we haven’t heard any shouting,” Matt said optimistically.

  “Yet,” Patch said, smiling at Paul, who sat opposite her.

  A few minutes later the library door opened, and Sir Charles emerged, followed by Jonathan. Cherry’s heart swelled with love and admiration to see her betrothed so cool and unruffled after a long interview with the ogre of her childhood. He even winked at her behind Sir Charles’s back.

  “Here, have some tea.” Lady Spalding handed her husband a cup, taking great care not to spill any drops.

  “Thank you.” It was rare to hear these civilised words on Sir Charles’ lips, and his family exchanged wondering glances.

  “Matt,” Sir Charles said, fixing his son with a glare, “do you really want to work for Durwent, and go to live with your family in that dower house? It is not even half as big as Spalding Hall, where you have all the conveniences.”

  Primed by Jonathan, Matt’s response was ready. “I f-feel that I should be contributing more to the family c-coffers, and not live all my l-life on your bounty, F-father. But I would not like to r-risk an estrangement from my p-parents over it.”

  “And I want to be able to see my grandchildren regularly,” Lady Spalding said. “But they can be noisy and unruly, as is natural at their young age, so it would be more comfortable to have them only for visits rather than all the time.” She was lying, Cherry knew, and would greatly miss having the children in her house.

  “Hmpfh.”

  A long silence followed. Finally Sir Charles asked Matt, “Would you still be overseeing our own tenants?”

  “Of c-course,” Matt assured his father, trying not to betray his dawning joy. “But it is not enough to occupy me f-full-time, as you know. With Jonathan’s local t-tenants and the hog farm to s-supervise, I shall be busier, and the b-better for it.”

  “Very well,” Sir Charles said, though it was visible to all present that it cost him to make the concession, “you may accept the offer.” He drank his tea down in a single inelegant gulp, and stalked out of the drawing room without another word, leaving his family in stunned silence.

  Prune jumped up and hugged Matt in celebration, under her brother’s indulgent eye. After her first transports were over, she hugged Jonathan too, thanking him for his help.

  “How did you do it? I thought it impossible,” Paul said curiously. “If you have a secret method to deal with Sir Charles, we all would be most interested to learn it, I’m sure.”

  “Yes, indeed,” Matt said fervently.

  Jonathan shrugged modestly. “I just did what I do in any business negotiation: find out what the other party values and wants most, and make them an offer they find hard to refuse.”

  “And what does Sir Charles want most?” Paul asked. “I would have guessed it was getting his own way in all things, and keeping the whole family under his control.”

  “Yes,” Patch said. Prune nodded her assent, and Cherry also silently agreed with this evaluation.

  “You first threaten to snatch the desired thing completely away,” Jonathan explained, “and then, when the counterparty is sufficiently alarmed, you offer the thing you really want to accomplish as an acceptable compromise. In this case, I told Sir Charles that I was offering Matt a position in my company in London, and would move the family completely out of his orbit, since I wanted my twin sister to live closer to me.”

  “Then he would have threatened to disinherit us,” Prune said, listening with wide eyes. “Did he not realize you were only bluffing?”

  “But I wasn’t – had he remained obdurate, I was perfectly ready to make good on my threat. Of course I don’t know if you would have accepted the offer,” Jonathan said to Prune and Matt, “but from my observations, it would have been better than remaining as you were.”

  “God, yes,” Prune said fervently. “In fact I would very much like to see London, but not necessarily to live there, with the children so small.”

  “I would have hated that,” Lady Spalding said. “Though I do understand your motives, Prune.”

  “You will definitely see London when you come to visit Cherry and me,” Jonathan promised.

  “So F-father accepted our m-moving into your d-dower house so he would at least have us n-nearby?” Matt asked.

  ”Mostly, but I sweetened the pot by promising to settle a sum on Prudence and her children.”

  “He was never happy that you married me without a dowry, Matt. And he has harped on that circumstance forever,” Prune said ruefully. “Since you are my brother and can afford it, Jonathan, we accept with gratitude.”

  Jonathan nodded, acknowledging his sister’s thanks. “Overall this seemed the best solution. It will give Prune her own household where she can live in peace, and you, Matt, will still inherit your father’s fortune in due course, unless he changes his mind.”

  “I am sorry, P-prue,” Matt said, “that it took so l-long, and your brother’s intervention, for you to have your own h-house. M-maybe we never should have married so young, w-wi
thout independence -”

  “At least we have the children,” Prune said. “I would not change the past if I could. But now I am eager to inspect the dower house, and prepare it for our occupation. The boys are coming back from school next week. Do you think we can move by then?”

  “That fast?” Lady Spalding regarded her daughter-in-law in dismay.

  “The sooner the b-better,” Matt supported his wife. “It’s not as though we had too many things to t-take, or a large d-distance to cover. I believe the house is f-furnished, though we may have to change some things around. M-mostly we need to hire s-staff, and there are candidates enough here in the village.”

  “If anyone from our household wants to go with you, I shall not stand in their way,” Lady Spalding nobly declared. “Except my cook, that is.”

  “I will help in any way I can, to make the house ready for you,” Patch offered. “A household of one’s own is a sweet prospect indeed.”

  “Have you and Paul set a wedding date yet?” Jonathan asked Patch.

  “The first week of June,” Patch said, after a quick exchange of looks with Paul. “We spoke to the Vicar yesterday. He will officiate, of course.”

  “He is losing my sister Mabel too,” Paul added, “she is marrying Lord Minton’s younger son. Mabel’s increased dowry has at last prevailed on the Mintons to give their approval to the match. But she will have to wait until after Patience and I are united.”

  “I will help with the wedding,” Prune offered, and Cherry added her own offer.

  “My step-mother and sisters are already full of plans,” Paul warned them. “Patience and I didn’t want anything elaborate, but it looks like it will be quite an event in this parish. The choir is already starting to practice new songs for the marriage of their best soprano.”

  “So these will be extremely busy, but happy weeks before us,” Cherry said.

  “I will send you the keys to the dower house right away,” Jonathan promised Prune. “Since we don’t know how many keys the former gardener got hold of, I shall also arrange for a smith from Norwich to change all of the locks soon.”