The Earl of Arundel (Earls of England Book 1)

by Angela Johnson

  “I’m afraid not,” Edward replied as he sat. “My father wanted time alone with him this morning.”

  “I’m sorry to hear this,” Miss Parker said. He noticed she squeezed her sister’s hand.

  He wondered what they’d been discussing before his arrival. Searching for something to say he remarked, “This garden is beautiful. Do you spend much time out here?”

  “Emma has spent a bit of time out here of late,” Miss Parker said with a smirk.

  “You have?” he asked, wondering why this was the response.

  “Yes. The garden has been wonderful this year,” she demurred, glaring toward her sister.

  “Lord Arundel also enjoyed the garden this year,” Miss Parker said as an aside.

  “My brother?” he asked in surprise. Edward noticed a blush in Miss Parker’s smile as she spoke. When she smiled her face lit up and her green eyes sparkled.

  “Yes, he hasn’t been this ill the entire time,” Miss Parker responded. “Emma and Henry helped him walk out here as he healed from his initial injuries.”

  “I’m certain he enjoyed the time. When he is home, Phillip spends so much time outdoors his hair gets bleached by the sun,” Edward commented. “It is one of the easier ways to tell us apart.” He added the last as an aside to keep the conversation going.

  “I hadn’t noticed the difference,” Miss Parker replied. “Emma, did you notice?”

  “No,” Emma said, her voice rising in pitch. He thought she looked a little guilty for the lie she was telling. He knew from her response she had noticed the difference in their hair.

  Edward thought her reaction was strange but brushed it off as a misunderstanding of her intent. For a moment he wondered if she held feelings for his brother. But Phillip wouldn’t have given her false hopes due to his engagement to Lady Olivia. They sat in silence for a few minutes before it was too tense and unbearable.

  “We have a rose garden at Wentworth Hall similar to this. Has Phillip spoken about it?”

  “No, he hasn’t,” Miss Emma responded. “Didn’t Lord Arundel mention the amnesia?”

  Nodding, he realized how stupid the question had been. “Yes, he did. I had hoped he would have a few memories, though.”

  “He never mentioned the garden or Wentworth Hall,” Emma responded.

  Again, an uncomfortable silence moved over the group. Perhaps it was strange for them to see he was identical to his brother. He stood not certain where to go with the conversation anymore, and knowing he’d interrupted them he decided he should leave.

  “Forgive me for my intrusion.” He gave his most courtly and flirtatious bow to both the Miss Parkers and left without a backward glance.

  He heard Miss Parker speaking, although he knew she was trying to be quiet. “Do you think Phillip and Edward are as similar in personality as they are in looks?”

  Miss Emma responded, “I doubt it. And is it strange? I don’t think they look anything alike.”

  He quickened his pace, not wanting to appear as if he were eavesdropping on them. He did find it strange to hear Miss Emma say they didn’t look alike. He and Phillip were identical. They were duplicates minus the scar. He shook his head in amusement and moved to the patio, where he saw Doctor Price speaking with the Parkers. The door to the patio was open, giving him the chance to overhear as he headed to the house.

  “He is through the worst of the infection. He is on the mend,” Doctor Price commented.

  “This is wonderful to hear,” Lady Amelia responded. He could see the sincerity in her posture and face. He made a mental note regarding the similarities of Lady Amelia and Anne. Anne was a younger version of her mother.

  “Ashby would like to move Arundel to London before the end of the week. It won’t be long before your lives will be back to normal.”

  “We will forever be thankful you found my brother,” Edward said before either Lord or Lady Parker could respond. He didn’t want to hear his brother had worn out his welcome.

  “As are we,” Lord Anthony said with a smile. “Lord Arundel is a welcome addition to our home. Life will not go back to normal with his absence.”

  “Thank you. I do appreciate your generosity to him and my father and me.” As Edward walked into Phillip’s bedchamber, he saw Ashby standing by the window. “May I come in?” he asked, hoping his father was ready for company.

  He nodded and pointed toward Phillip. “He is still out. The doctor believes he is mending. We will leave for London as soon as Phillip is well enough.”

  Relief came a short time later as Phillip woke.

  “Where did you come from?” Phillip asked.

  “It’s about time you came back to us,” Edward said.

  Taking a deep breath Phillip asked, “Am I still at Springhill Abby?”

  “Yes, you’ve been too ill to move. Although, since you’re awake, we can discuss moving you to Lancaster House in London.”

  “Sounds exhausting,” Phillip said as he tried to pull himself into a sitting position.

  Edward reached forward and pulled him up and situated the pillows behind Phillip for support. “How bad is the amnesia? You know who I am, right?”

  Phillip looked over at his brother. “Wait, you aren’t my reflection?”

  “I’m asking a serious question here,” Edward chided.

  “I’ve had flashes and dreams, but I don’t know what I’m missing.” He smiled and shrugged his shoulders. “It is normal to have a nurse sitting with me, or Lord Anthony’s youngest daughter Emma. What did I do to get you in here?”

  “You’d prefer the nurse?”

  “No, I’d prefer the daughter.”

  Edward laughed. “She is a beauty.”

  “Yes, I agree,” he said. “Back to my question. What did I do to get you in here?”

  He pointed to Phillip’s arm where the bandage showed the bleeding. “You threatened to die, again.”

  “Hmm . . .” He closed his eyes for a moment, then asked, “Again?”

  “Doctor Price and Lord Anthony have regaled us with the story of how you were found. You are fortunate to be alive.” Edward stopped to take a deep breath before continuing. “Mother has been distraught, and Father is beside himself. He will be happy to know you’re awake.”

  “When you write to them, will you tell Mother I love her?” Phillip sighed before finishing. “My relationship with Father, it’s complicated, right?”

  Edward gave him a questioning look but shrugged it off. “You can figure it out as you talk with him. I’ll send him in if you’d like.”

  Surprised, Phillip raised his eyebrows and tried to get out of the bed. “Father is here?”

  Forcing him to stay in the bed, Edward responded, “Yes, we are staying with you until you are able to leave. But if Father has it his way, we will leave tomorrow.”

  Edward turned his attention to the door as he heard a soft knock. Phillip’s valet walked in with a toiletry kit, followed by a maid with a supper tray for Edward.

  “You’ve been eating in here as well? Also, who is he?” Phillip asked, pointing toward the man.

  “He’s your valet, Thomas. It looks like you are missing a lot.”

  “You can take his plate back to the dining room,” Phillip said. “He doesn’t need to get crumbs in my bed.”

  Edward laughed and stood to leave the room. “It is good to have you on the mend. And let Thomas do his job.”

  Fifteen

  Phillip watched his brother leave. For so long he’d wondered who his family was and where they were. Were they looking for him? He’d had so many questions since waking at Springhill Abby. Now with his brother and father there to retrieve him, melancholy rose up in him. He didn’t want to leave Emma.

  It was strange having a valet, because he didn’t know the man and he was uncomfortable around him. He watched as Thomas si
tuated his items on the table. He noticed the shaving kit, and he reached up to touch his face. There were hairs on his chin, so he must not have been shaved while he was ill. Thomas was a short man with dark brown hair and brown eyes. He had a mole on his chin, which distracted Phillip for a moment as he noticed a hair sticking out of it. He wondered how he could have forgotten such a sight.

  “How long have you been my valet?” Phillip asked as he stared at the hairy mole.

  “Three years, my lord,” Thomas said as he continued to empty the toiletry kit.

  “How old are you?” he asked, knowing it was a rude question but not caring. This man was in his father’s employ. He was paid well for the impertinent questions.

  “I’m twenty-seven years old, my lord.”

  “Do you have a wife and children?”

  “No. But my family lives in Derbyshire near Wentworth Hall, and I am able to visit them on my half-days.”

  Since he’d been at Springhill Abby, Phillip’s needs had been seen to by the nurse, but he had managed to dress himself. It was odd allowing someone to help him. “I can dress myself. No need to help.”

  “My lord,” Thomas said, “I must earn my keep.”

  “Aw, well . . .” He hesitated, realizing he had made the man uncomfortable. “Go ahead then.”

  Thomas nodded, looking a bit uncomfortable with the entire conversation. “You can stay right as you are, sir. I will take care of everything.”

  Thomas drew Phillip a bath, which he appreciated, until he hit the water. The water was hot. Phillip tumbled out of the tub and glared at his valet. “It could use some cold water to temper the heat.”

  “I apologize, my lord. I must have forgotten to pour it in.” Thomas didn’t look repentant, but he rushed over to a bucket of water. After making certain it was cold, Phillip allowed him to pour it in.

  The bath was heavenly. Thomas added peppermint oil to the water, which made Phillip think of Emma and the last time he’d kissed her. The heat of the water let off steam and soothed his aching body. He lay back after washing himself and closed his eyes. Thomas emptied water out of the tub and refilled it with heated water as it cooled. Still, Phillip lingered in the bath.

  Phillip watched as Thomas picked up the shaving soap. He spread it across Phillip’s face. Thomas helped him position his head and then ran the razor to clear the hair and soap. Phillip flinched when Thomas cut his face.

  “Have a care!” Phillip said, touching the spot. He pulled his hand away to see blood.

  “I apologize, my lord. My hand slipped.”

  Phillip washed the blood off and allowed Thomas to continue. Phillip waited for Thomas to finish the shave. His face received two more cuts. He wondered if Thomas was always so careless while shaving him.

  After soaking for a while, Phillip looked down at his hands and noticed they were shriveled. He smiled. The bath was relaxing, and he didn’t care if his fingers looked like prunes.

  “Are you going to get out of the bath, my lord?” Thomas asked, holding a towel.

  “I wonder,” Phillip said without moving to exit the tub, “have you always been so careless with my shave?”

  “No, my lord.” Thomas looked repentant, so Phillip let it go until Thomas brushed his injured leg, causing Phillip to collapse.

  “Are you trying to injure me further?”

  “No, my lord. I would never try to injure you.”

  “Please, just leave me to take care of myself.” Phillip dressed and made his way back to the bed. He didn’t want Thomas anywhere near his injured leg.

  Sixteen

  “Father,” Edward said as he entered the dining hall, “Phillip is conscious. I told him you are here. He recognized me, of course. He didn’t know Thomas. He is confused.”

  “Once we get him to London, I’m certain his memory will improve,” the Duke of Ashby said with confidence. “We shall leave first thing tomorrow.”

  “Father, don’t you think it would be best to allow him to recover strength before setting out for such a long trip?”

  “No.” Ashby wasn’t one to argue with, so Edward let it go.

  “I’ll make certain he is ready to leave,” Edward said without sitting down for dinner. He was thankful for the interruption, as he was nervous around his father. The sensation started after Ashby hit him. It was an experience he never wanted to have again.

  “Your Grace,” Thomas said, entering the dining room. “Lord Arundel is resting.” Thomas looked like he wanted to say something more, but he stopped and waited for the duke to dismiss him.

  “Do you have something more to say?” Ashby asked, looking over at the man.

  He stammered, “My lord, Arundel . . . is not well,” he said. He paused and was going to continue when Edward interrupted him.

  “What do you mean? He was talking to me and seemed fine while I was in there.”

  “While preparing the bath, I forgot to add the cool water in and his leg was burned. I also brushed his injured leg and caused him great pain, It was an accident. Your Grace, I do apologize for my clumsiness.”

  “Did you reinjure his leg?” Ashby asked in frustration.

  “The nurse said it should be fine. She will have the doctor confirm when he arrives.”

  “Fine.” Ashby went back to his food as Thomas stood by the door. “Thomas, have Arundel ready to leave tomorrow after the doctor has checked his leg.”

  “Anything else, Thomas?” Edward asked.

  “Yes, my lord,” Thomas continued, “I accidentally cut his face.”

  Ashby pushed his chair back from the table. “What were you thinking?”

  “It was an accident, Your Grace.”

  “Edward, your valet will attend Arundel until Thomas learns how to do his position again.”

  Thomas bowed to Ashby and went to follow him out when Edward asked, “Thomas, do not attend Phillip again without David.”

  Thomas turned back to the room. “I understand, my lord.”

  Edward shook his head. “I should have stayed and helped him instead.”

  “No, my lord, it is my position.” He again stopped and looked uncomfortable.

  Edward’s eyes widened. “You should go and get your supper, Thomas. My brother won’t need any more services for the night.”

  “Thank you, my lord.” Thomas bowed and left the room in a rush.

  With Lord Edward by himself, dinner was a different experience. Emma listened as he spoke about Phillip. He was animated. The stories he told were of a different person, and she wondered if Phillip could be the fun, energetic person his brother described.

  “During our years at Eton, Phillip and I would skip courses and spend our days out in the countryside.” Looking toward the door, Edward turned back and in a conspiratorial whisper said, “Don’t tell Ashby! Anyway, we built a raft and hid it in a shed at night.”

  Emma interrupted his story. “Lord Arundel made it sound like you were the one who skipped classes.”

  Edward laughed. “Well, he does have amnesia . . .” He left the words hanging, and she joined him in laughing. “He skipped a few times, but there were times I left him behind because he didn’t want to miss a lesson on Shakespeare or Greek Mythology . . . seriously . . . boring . . . lessons!”

  Emma enjoyed Edward’s energetic personality. Even though he made fun of Phillip’s love of literature and learning, she knew he respected his brother. He didn’t say the words, but it was in the way he spoke about Phillip.

  Anne was a different person with Lord Edward in the house. Emma was surprised to see how animated her sister had become.

  “We were going to sail down the Thames and head to the North Sea.”

  Henry looked up. “I wouldn’t be surprised if the story is still told to this day at Eton of the twins who tried to escape.”

  Pleasure filled Lord Edward
’s face. “Well, we didn’t make it very far.”

  “The story is so epic,” Henry replied.

  Emma noticed a flash of pain cross Lord Edward’s face as the pleasure left. “You heard all of it?”

  “I was at Eton the same time as you and Arundel.” Shaking his head with regret he said, “I should have recognized him.”

  “It’s been a long time since Eton. Where did you attend after?”

  “Cambridge.”

  “Ah. Phillip and I were sent to Oxford.”

  Anne cut into their exchange. “Are you going to finish the story? What happened on your voyage?”

  Lord Edward reanimated himself. “Phillip has a love of literature, so I convinced him Thames was the River Styx and we left on a voyage to become invulnerable. Our governess would tell us the myth of Achilles at bedtime, and at one point it was Phillip’s favorite story. She told us about Achilles’ mother and how she dipped him in the River Styx during his childhood and it made him indestructible, until they found his heel had not been dipped.” He took a deep breath and continued. “I convinced Phillip all we needed to do was find the correct spot and swim in the River Styx to be just like Achilles.”

  “What happened?” Emma asked, curiosity building in her at this different side of Phillip.

  “We pulled our raft to the bank when we decided we found the entrance to the underworld, and then we made a blood sacrifice to the Goddess of the River Styx.”

  “What do you mean by ‘a blood sacrifice’?” Anne questioned. Emma was thankful she asked, because thoughts of killing an animal for this purpose made her ill.

  “We took a knife and slit my pinkie finger.” He turned his hand over and showed Anne the tiny scar where he’d slit his finger so many years ago.

  “You both slit your fingers?” Emma asked, confused by his wording.

  “We both slit our fingers. Phillip and I are identical, so we agreed it was wise to match scar for scar.” He scrunched his face up a little. “He’s beat me with scars. The doctor told us the one by his eye could’ve blinded him, so Phillip decided we didn’t need identical scars. In case you are wondering, I was ready to match the scar.”