Untitled

by Wendy Bayne

  Miles just stared at him then shook himself. “Does my father know about this?”

  Uncle Arthur pointed behind Miles. I turned around and saw the Don speaking to the Earl and Marquis along with the chief justice. I told Miles what I could see happening when suddenly the Earl and the Don embraced, and everyone shook hands all around. Miles was breathing quickly and had his head cocked to the side as if he was listening for something. Suddenly he yelled, “FATHER, DOWN!” Murphy was near at hand and knocked the Earl to the ground as a shot rang out. My father and Uncle Samuel ran off in the direction of the shot followed by Murphy with his pistol drawn. Dr Jefferson ran to the Earl who was being helped to his feet by the Marquis. General chaos pervaded on the grounds with the women screaming as they ran towards the house, most of the men were calling for their horses and weapons as the servants were dashing about grabbing the silver and crystal that was strewn about the grounds. Michael ran to us suggesting that we all retreat to our carriage. Miles was torn between staying with his father or going with us.

  I made up his mind for him. “Mother, I’m staying with Miles and the Earl.”

  Knowing that Miles needed me as his eyes, she nodded as she handed James to Lettie, she hugged me then slipped her little popper into my pocket. I watched them all disappear around the hedgerow then I took Miles’ arm and went to his father’s side.

  The Earl was on his feet brushing his sleeves off but when he saw Miles, he took a step forward and wrapped him in a bear hug. I stepped back so as not to be crushed. Don Francisco was directly to my right and he leaned to whisper to me, “Miles’ mother was a very beautiful woman; he looks somewhat like her.”

  I was taken aback that he spoke to me in such a sociable manner. “You knew his mother?”

  He nodded. “Does that surprise you, Miss Turner?” He was chuckling, it was a rasping sound and I wondered if it was from a lack of use. “She spent some time in Spain visiting her mother’s family when she was very young, my family were neighbours. She was very fond of singing and had the voice of an angel.” His eyes looked off into the distance as if he could see her and hear her voice.

  “You loved her?”

  He laughed, “Oh my, no, Miss Turner. I was too busy pursuing a career in politics when I knew her. I had no time for young ladies. It was merely her voice that enchanted me.”

  It just came to me. “Oh! You mean she was already in love with someone.” I eyed the Earl.

  The Don nodded and smiled, this time it did reach his eyes. “Yes, to an English Viscount who was so persistent that her father had sent her away. But then the world went mad, she returned to France and I never saw her again. I heard that her father had been arrested and, so I came to Paris determined to locate her and see what I could do to help her and her family. But they were gone. During my search I found the church where she had married her Viscount. I had hoped the rest of the family had gone with her to England. The priest there was a good man, he became my confessor while I was in France we became good friends. But he was old and not well, he was very afraid that the madness sweeping the countryside would engulf his church and that it would be looted like so many others. So, he gave into my care the church registries and much of their plate. Then a few weeks later the church was set fire by marauders. I went to help and pulled the old priest out then helped to put the fire out. The priest died from exhaustion and I think a loss of heart a few days later. He asked me to keep the registries and plate safe until the church was rebuilt one day. Shortly thereafter I was forced to leave for Spain, so I took them with me.”

  I was puzzled and asked him, “But why bother?”

  He sighed taking a step away. “Would you believe I couldn’t bear the thought of anymore of this beautiful country’s history being destroyed. The names in those registries go back hundreds of years, the plate is from the time of the crusades. Just think of all the families that have been married, buried and christened in that one church, what would have happened to those documents? The locals may have saved them or used the pages to wrap fish and the plate would have been taken from them. I’m a writer by desire and a politician by circumstance, Miss Turner, any written record of our lives is worth saving for the future. Wouldn’t you agree?”

  I turned to face him in awe of his words, he genuinely meant what he was saying. his face was like an open book while he spoke. But then the shutters went down again, and he was the dour Don Francisco once again. But I responded to the man inside that façade, “You amaze me, sir. I would not have counted you among the sentimental.”

  He looked down at me with the hint of a smile which lightened his face for a moment. “You are so lovely and so very young.” Then he looked around him saying in a more sombre voice, “What you see of Paris today is a mere shadow of what it once was. It was arrogance that brought it to the brink of irrevocable destruction and became instead an apoplectic storm that ravaged this country. We have a duty, my dear, to preserve our past, so we can understand our future and not make the same mistakes. But more than anything the people who have lived and died here do not deserve to be forgotten.”

  I was so struck by his words that I felt a tear roll down my cheek. “No, they don’t. They should be honoured and remembered.” He raised a hand and wiped away my tear with the tip of his finger. He bowed to me, took my hand and kissed it then he straightened up looking me in the eye, “I may have been wrong about you, Miss Turner.” He smiled then he walked away towards the Comte’s house.

  Miles was speaking with his father and Dr Johnson was standing by them staying alert while the Marquis stood smiling, watching the father and son. Uncle Samuel returned looking concerned “Is his Lordship alright?”

  “Everything is fine, Uncle. In fact, I think everything may be perfect.” I looked over his shoulder but there was no sign of anyone with him. “Where’s Father?”

  He sighed. “The Comte called out the militia and we met them in the woods they’re demanding answers from your father about who would want to shoot Lord Shellard, so he asked me to come back and see everyone home.” I tensed and thought about going after him, but my uncle seemed to have read my mind. “Don’t worry, Lissa, Murphy is with him and the militia just wants to talk to him so let’s gather up the strays and go home.”

  Chapter 29

  Autumn 1831, France: Lost and Found

  Two weeks later the gentlemen were in the billiard room celebrating the news that Miles’ legitimacy had been confirmed by the French courts. I smiled to hear them carrying on, I wanted so much to go to Miles, but this was a time for him, his father and uncle to be together and not a someday possible fiancée.

  My mother needed me at her side, she was worried about my father because he had not returned from the Comte’s home. He had sent several messages that he was aiding with the investigation and we were all to stay put. He was the one who sent the message and the documents concerning Miles’ confirmation and assured us yet again that he was okay. Today, Mother had gone to the nursery to be with James, this was her routine now, she refused to come down taking her meals there because the windows had a sweeping view of the surrounding countryside and the drive leading to the chateau. I feared for my father thinking back to when Miles had been incarcerated. But it hadn’t been the French that had tortured Miles; it had been our own people, the French merely facilitated it. Still my heart was pounding in my chest when I finally heard my mother running past my door.

  I followed her to the head of the stairs just in time to see my father coming through the door as my mother raced down the stairs and threw herself into his open arms. He laughed, pulling her back and looking into her eyes that were swollen from days of crying. “My darling, whatever is the matter?”

  She gulped for air and stuttered, “I—I didn’t know.”

  I was poised on the bottom step by then. “Papa.” I was going to mention that she had been afraid because of what had happened to Miles, but I changed my mind. “I’m glad you’re home.” I smiled, and he reached
out an arm for me pulling me into a hug with my mother.

  Then mama pulled back smiling up at him then at me. “We have cause to celebrate today! You’re back! Miles’ case has been decided in his favour and now we can go home to England.”

  Father rubbed his cheek. “Not yet, my dear, there is still the question of Julian’s murder and my promise to the ambassador. But if you want to go home, darling, I’ll make the arrangements for you and the others.” He reached out to brush a stray hair behind her ear.

  She took his hand, kissing his palm then shook her head, “Whither thou goest so shall I,” and then she chuckled. “No, my love, we’ll stay. There are still a few dress makers and shops that I haven’t visited.” She chuckled with delight as my father groaned.

  That evening the celebration for Miles was cautiously optimistic, there was still the English Crown to approach. But with the marriage registry in the Earl’s possession it seemed to be of less concern now. However, there was still a murder to solve and the ambassador’s patience were running out. And there was still the mystery of the person involved in taking a shot at the Earl, but the Minister for the Interior insisted that it was now a matter for the French authorities and he would brook no interference from us. Father had been questioned thoroughly and repeatedly and after initially assisting the authorities he’d been told to go home and warned to stay out of the investigation.

  Miles was enraged but there was little he could do on his own, being almost sightless. The Earl and the Marquis had moved from Paris to the chateau much the to the minister’s chagrin. He would have preferred them to remain in the city, but he eventually relented after realising that the Earl’s security would then be our problem and not his. The Earl on the other hand was loath to hide but he obviously enjoyed the thought of being with his son and I knew that at least some of Miles’ anxiety would be relieved with him residing here. In addition, it afforded them time to plan their approach to the King once we returned to England. I didn’t spend as much time with Miles as I had in the past with his father here. Instead, I visited with Mrs Baxter and Patrick almost daily and rode around the chateau’s domain with Emilie and Jacob.

  Father, Uncle Samuel, Jacob and Michael were often gone for hours on end every day until they came home one day worn out and bedraggled. They had finally found Gabriel or rather he had found them.

  Gabriel was a large angry-looking man, but I wasn’t as much surprised by his appearance as I was by who came with him. It was Charity Clarke dressed in men’s clothes. “It was you at the embassy not your brother.”

  She smirked but stood closer to Gabriel taking his hand as she swallowed before saying with a great deal of venom, “Yes, it was me, but Ramsey is not my brother and the Clarkes are not my parents!”

  I looked at her with scepticism, not knowing if she was lying or telling the truth.

  She drew herself up with her head held high. “If you must know, I am Gabriel’s wife! We met on board a ship bound for the Indies, but it was captured by pirates. They killed everyone else and sold us as indentured servants.”

  Gabriel squeezed her hand and she stopped talking and he glared at me, “Our personal history is not relevant to the issue at hand.” He turned to my father, “You asked for information in return for my wife’s protection.”

  Father looked to my mother who had just come into the hallway along with Emilie and Aunt Mary. It was Uncle Samuel who turned to Emilie, “My dear, it appears that we’ll be having additional company staying with us.”

  He looked beseechingly at Emilie who smiled at him and with an underlying tone of mirth to her voice said. “Of course, my love, shall it be one room or two?”

  No one made a sound until Charity broke out in a resounding laugh that dispersed the tension. “One, Madame Hughes, Gabriel and I have been married for seven years; only three of which we have spent together.” And then in a bitter undertone, “Thanks to the Clarkes and their scheming thieving ways.”

  I could see now why Charity hadn’t done well in the London marriage market, she was obviously not from the upper classes, there was a slightly rough edge to her. She was perhaps from a gentile family but not from the upper crust and most importantly she was already married. She was very self-assured, but it was obvious that she took her direction from Gabriel without question. I suppose that was a wife’s duty, but I couldn’t help but wonder if Don Francisco would approve of his niece.

  Gabriel was eyeing me up and down in a manner that I didn’t care for at all, but I refused to lower my eyes. Miles came out of the library stepping up behind me and laying is hands on my shoulders. I reached up to touch him and saw Gabriel raise a brow then quickly avert his gaze. Father suggested that they retire to their room to freshen up and change then we would meet in the salon. The footmen came in with their worn luggage, our group broke up and our guests followed Mr Allan up the stairs with the other gentlemen close on their heels. I went with my mother and Aunt Emilie to the salon where we were joined shortly by Dr Jefferson, the Earl, the Marquis and Miles.

  Miles stretched his legs out rubbing his hand across his forehead and then his eyes, he had been complaining of flashes of light and headaches for some time now. The tinted spectacles the doctor had procured for him helped but he refused to wear them most of the time. I walked over and jerked the curtains closed on one side to shelter him from the bright sunlight and on returning to my seat beside him he took my hand giving it a squeeze. Emilie had called for refreshments, so we sat in silence for a few minutes, I looked about me and noticed that Aunt Mary was not with us nor was Uncle Arthur. I looked to my mother and she seemed to understand, nodding towards the Earl.

  The Lord Shellard chuckled. “Mrs Turner, your family’s ability to communicate without a word is extraordinary or are you all mind readers?”

  Mother smiled at him. “It’s merely a mother-daughter talent, my Lord.”

  He grunted and looked at me. “Are you sure, Mrs Turner? Your daughter seems to be able to read my son’s mind very well.”

  She laughed out loud. “That is an entirely different talent, Lord Shellard, I assure you.” Everyone laughed.

  I frowned glaring at my mother but decided I would not let them distract me. “Lord Shellard, do you know where my Aunt Mary and Uncle Arthur are?”

  The Earl nodded. “They’re packing, Miss Turner.” I couldn’t believe that he felt that answer would be sufficient, but I bit my tongue as he gave me a crooked half smile “They are doing me a service by taking my petition to legitimize Miles to His Majesty; by doing so we hope to keep Edward here and out of England. Then they will collect my wife and children and take them out of harm’s way to Cornwall for a holiday.”

  “But, my Lord, doesn’t that expose both you and Miles to further danger here from Edward? And now that we’ve taken in Gabriel and his wife, can you be sure that you’re safe here?”

  The door opened and instead of the refreshments as I had expected Gabriel and Charity walked in. They both looked exhausted, yet Charity had apparently been listening at the door with her chin held high, scanning the room and effectively challenging anyone to interrupt her. “His Lordship is safe from us, Miss Turner, we are no friends of the Brownes. It was not my husband that shot Julian Browne…it was me! My husband followed me into the woods at the Embassy, not you.”

  The room was stunned silent. Gabriel moved forward sitting down and pulling his wife along with him. Charity sat holding so tightly to Gabriel’s hand that her knuckles were white. He opened his mouth, but she interjected. “Gabriel, this is my story to tell.” She let go of his hand first smoothing her skirts then folding her hands in her lap. “After the death of our father my brother and I were to journey to the Indies where he had procured a job as a factor on a coffee plantation. Gabriel and I met on the merchantman Windswept out of Portsmouth, he joined us on the ship in Bilbao where we had stopped to off load some cargo. To say the very least he was a charming shipboard companion.” She shifted her eyes to glance at him brief
ly, he was watching her like she was the only person in the room.

  She blushed at his scrutiny then continued, “My brother didn’t trust him though. He had been warned by the captain that Gabriel had a most inappropriate reputation when it came to young ladies which was the paramount reason why he was being sent away by his family. Thus, we weren’t allowed to be alone very often.”

  Then her face changed and her eyes watered. "A few weeks after leaving Spain my brother contracted a fever along with four of the ships’ company. He was the only one that died, he didn’t linger long but we had sailed too far for the captain to put into a port anywhere, so we buried him at sea and continued our journey. I was now unchaperoned, unprotected and with no prospects. I was at the mercy of the captain and crew, but Gabriel stepped in and became my protector. He promised to take me with him to his family’s plantation and once there he would help me return to England or find a suitable position for me in the Indies. I’m a country gentleman’s daughter, my education is sufficient for gentile village life but not for employment even as a governess. So, during the voyage Gabriel undertook to improve my languages, mathematics, geography and literature.

  “When we were within a few days of reaching our destination, our ship was attacked. The crew were killed, and the ship was sunk. Gabriel and I were the only survivors, it was during the attack that he proposed we pretend to be brother and sister if captured. We found out later after listening to the pirate crew that the whole point of the attack had been for the English owner of the Windswept to collect the insurance money for the loss of its cargo. Most of which had already been off loaded in Bilbao. And to capture Gabriel and ransom him so our ruse that he was my brother protected him as well as me.” She swallowed and looked to her husband.