“I know everything there is to know about the situation between Mr. McAlister and the Duke, though,” Selina stated which seemed to surprise the Duchess. “He tried to convince Father to let us marry without a title, but he did not change his mind. I was there when Mr. McAlister came out of my father’s office and the idea hit him.”
The Duchess looked confused. “He did not want to come here, Your Grace. It was his very last resort, I assure you. Mr. McAlister vowed to himself to never ask the Duke for anything, but in this case, if we were to marry, he needed to.” Selina put her teacup down. “I know it was a shock, seeing him here, I know your life was disturbed because of it and I am sorry, but it was our last resort.”
“You care for him. Genuinely,” the Duchess stated, looking at Selina strangely.
“I do,” Selina agreed, not ashamed to admit her feelings.
“Why are you so against marrying my nephew?”
“I am sure Lord Ainsworth is… suitable for someone else but not me. For me, Mr. McAlister is the only choice and if my father had agreed with his terms in the first place, none of us would have gone through what happened.”
The Duchess seemed to think about Selina’s words for a few seconds. “He did seem… very keen about your marriage instead of talking about anything else. Even offered us money. He never mentioned taking any of it; that was my husband’s idea.”
Maybe she was being too naïve or hopeful, but Selina really wished she could change the Duchess’ mind. “He is not after money, I assure you, Your Grace. All he and I want, is to get married. All this drama could have been avoided if my father had accepted his first offer. We would not have bothered you and your husband at all.”
“I see.” The Duchess cleared her throat slightly. “Perhaps I should have given it a second thought but, talking with you is clearing my thoughts.”
Selina shook her head slightly. “I do not blame you, Your Grace. Your life has been twined into our problems and it should not have been. I apologize if we disturbed you. All Mr. McAlister and I want is to be together and live our lives in peace.”
“I can see that you do,” the Duchess agreed and there was some wishful thinking in her eyes. “I do not know what the future holds, dear Miss Clifford, but I like your candidness. You remind me of my late daughter.”
“I am sorry for your loss,” Selina said, truthfully. “I know it has been years now, but if a loss of a parent hurts this much, I know the loss of a child is even more painful, no matter how long it has been.”
For a few seconds, the Duchess could just look at Selina in wonder and then, she said, “I am happy, Miss Clifford, that you are joining this family, one way or the other.”
Selina smiled politely. “There is only one way, Your Grace. Just one way.”
Chapter 24
Edward Egremont, Duke of Bellford
It had been a while since he had been to Bristol and it had grown quite a bit. His business was more located in London than anywhere else, but he had made the trip occasionally in the past.
When he wrote his son a few days before about a visit to his home, the Duke was nervous he would be rejected. After all, everything between them was new and frail, so far.
The positive answer made the Duke very happy and he asked his valet to pack his bag and found his wife’s maid to tell her he would be gone for a few days. Sadly, he and Anne were strangers living in the same house, at that point.
Just as he expected, Taunton was as beautiful as its namesake.
His son had explained to him why he changed the place’s name and it broke the Duke’s heart to hear it, but it was fair. The boy loved his mother more than anything and losing her to a broken heart, and thinking it was his fault for asking about his father… He should have been there.
The Duke still couldn’t believe he had a son for almost thirty years, and no one ever bothered to tell him. Looking at Edward, standing in front of his home, hands on his back and looking every bit of a lord he should have been, it still made him proud.
Edward was his son, no matter what and how he came to be. They were blood.
He got off his carriage and his son took a few steps forward to greet him. Most of his staff were outside, waiting for him. After all, it wasn’t every day a Duke came to visit even if that Duke was the father of the owner of the house.
“Your Grace.” His son bowed and offered his hand, to which the Duke shook, relieved that at least his son was trying to be cordial and friendly. “Welcome to Taunton.”
“Thank you for having me, Mr. McAlister.” The Duke smiled back and he knew the secret wouldn’t stay that way much longer. They looked too much alike and questions would rise at the sudden friendship between the men. “What a lovely home you have.”
“Thank you, sir.” Edward gave a nod and looked at the house. “The place was in pieces when I bought it, but I brought it together, I think.” They started to walk towards the lined-up staff. They stopped in front of an older man and woman. “Your Grace, this is my butler, Mr. Marks and the governess, Mrs. Jones.” He bowed his head while she curtsied. “If you need anything, they are the ones to ask, isn’t that right, Marks?”
The older man gave a firm nod. “Of course, sir. Anything you need, Your Grace, at any time. Please do not hesitate.”
“Marks, could you please show His Grace’s valet his quarters after Mrs. Jones shows him the Duke’s room?” Edward asked, having noticed Mr. Barnes by the carriage, some of the staff helping with his luggage.
“Of course, sir.”
“Thank you, Mr. Marks.” The Duke nodded at him and at the governess. Edward didn’t bother presenting him to each maid and butler as there were too many, but the Duke gave them all a quick nod and they either curtsied or bowed.
As they walked inside, the Duke was surprised at how large the place was and such a pristine work of restoration.
“You are very talented, Mr. McAlister,” the Duke commented, looking up in wonder. “This place looks beautiful.”
“Thank you. It took a while, but it finally feels like home.” Edward smiled, looking around and his gaze finally met his father’s. “Well, Mrs. Jones will show you your room. I know it has been a long journey and you might want to rest before dinner. I will be at my office if you need anything.”
“I will come down early so maybe, we could talk before the meal, then? Would that be agreeable?” the Duke asked.
“Of course, sir.” Edward bowed his head. “You do not need to dress up for dinner; it’s just us and I’d rather be comfortable, unless you insist on it, Your Grace.”
The Duke chuckled. “I am grateful, actually. I still have no idea why we all dress up to have a simple dinner and as you said, since it’s just us and there are no ladies present, it is no problem to be casual.”
“Very well, then.”
“This way, Your Grace,” Mrs. Jones said, to get his attention, and the Duke followed her.
* * *
“I hope you found your accommodations to your taste, Your Grace.” Edward asked and the Duke chuckled. Both men sitting in front of the fireplace at the library while they waited for dinner to be served.
“You renovated them, Edward,” the Duke said. “I am sure you are aware the rooms are better than many in London, even. I’m even willing to bet the best ones had something to do with you and your business.”
Edward smirked at that. “A few, really. Business is growing, thankfully.”
“Always a good thing for a father to hear about his son’s living.” Edward looked at him. “It’s just us at the moment; no sordid gossip will get out just because I said that.” The Duke was amused. “If it does, it will be why I am here and how much we look alike.”
“At least my home is just outside Bristol so, I hope there won’t be gossip.”
The Duke snorted softly. “If there’s one thing I have learned over the years is: the staff gossip. I wouldn’t be surprised if half of Bristol knew I am already here.”
“I guess it can’t be help
ed, can it?” Edward sighed. “People are bound to find out.”
“They are.” The Duke’s eyes softened when he looked at his son. “Edward, I talked to the king a few days ago. He-”
“Didn’t approve me being your heir since you already have one and there’s nothing to be done?” Edward completed his father’s sentence and the older man sighed and nodded. Edward gave him a firm nod in response. “We knew it was a shot in the dark, a silly hope that it might work.”
“I already spoke to my lawyer and he is updating my will as we speak,” the Duke said. “I will help you as much as I can, son. You should get back to London with me and we can talk to Mr. Clifford together. The man can’t be this stubborn about his daughter marrying a man with a title.”
Edward snorted. “He is, trust me. I tried to talk sense into him. Miss Clifford tried as well and I am fairly sure his mother, Mrs. Clifford, did the same. She took a liking to me.”
“Of course she did,” the Duke chuckled slightly. “If you are anything like me, you charmed her, didn’t you?”
“I am yet to meet a woman who shouldn’t be charmed with some innocent remarks,” Edward replied.
The Duke laughed. “Yes, I remember those ‘innocent remarks’ from when I was young. Got me into trouble more times than not.”
“Me, as well,” Edward chuckled. “Mrs. Clifford is such an interesting woman, witty and smart. I suppose that is where Miss Clifford gets it. She is not much like her father, I’m afraid.”
“That is a good thing,” the Duke said. “She is not hunting for a title; she just wants to be happy the best way she can, under her circumstances.”
“We both are,” Edward sighed. “All of this would have been avoided if her father… We do not want to cause a scandal, far from it, we are trying to do everything right, but we can’t give up one another, I…”
The younger man didn’t finish the sentence, but he didn’t have to; the Duke understood.
“I, for one, am grateful this happened,” the Duke said truthfully and received a surprised look from his son. “I am hoping Mr. Clifford sees reason, of course, but I am grateful because if not for this, I would not have met you, Edward. I would have never known about you. What happened to Daisy… I do not wish misfortune on you, ever, but through this, we finally managed to meet and clear some things up.”
Edward seemed to think for a moment. “You are right to an extent. If it weren’t because of this, I do not think I would have ever contacted you.”
“At least some good came from this mess. I am getting to know my son and I am very proud of what I have seen so far. You are a very talented young man, son.”
The compliment took Edward by surprise, clearly, and the Duke had his heart racing at what his son’s reaction would be to both the compliment and being called his son.
Edward cleared his throat slightly, to get more control over his emotions. “Thank you, sir. I did what I could with what I had.”
“Speaking about what you had,” the Duke said, “I would like to… visit your mother’s grave.” Edward was even more shocked than before. “I… I would like to pay my respects, as late as they are, and have some closure, for both of us, I think. I am not a very religious man, but I do believe in God and souls and if I can do anything to put your mother’s to rest, I will happily do it.”
His son stared at him for a long moment, studying his words and demeanor. Smart.
“She is not buried here, even though the place is named after her.” Edward said. “She told me she never wanted to put her feet back in England again. Her home was Wales and Lady Tennyson told her she could be buried by the place she made her home.”
“She is in Wales, then.”
“Yes,” Edward nodded.
“I see,” the Duke thought for a second. “I would like to extend my visit and add a quick journey to Wales, if it is agreeable to you.”
“You want to go to Wales?” The tone of incredulity was clear on Edward’s voice. It was quite amusing.
“I do,” the Duke nodded. “I want to see where she is buried, where you grew up… I want to know everything I missed, son.” He used the term again, since there was no objection before. “I just want to try to be a part of your life, in any way you let me.”
After a few moments, Edward nodded. “Very well, then. My house in Wales is close by. We can stay there a couple of days. There isn’t much to see, really.”
“I don’t mind. Everything I will learn, I will treasure.”
For a second, the Duke thought he saw emotion pass across his son’s eyes, but it was gone as fast as it appeared. They were interrupted by a knock on the door, and the announcement about dinner being served.
“I will write to my staff in Wales to get the house ready and to Lord Tennyson, asking about a possible visit to the estate. Would that suffice?”
The Duke smiled. “That would be perfect, son.”
Once again, Edward didn’t ask for him not to call him that. It was a win for the Duke, one he didn’t take lightly nor for granted.
He was gaining a son, slowly, but he was getting there.
Chapter 25
Dear Selina,
As you are aware from my previous letter, the Duke of Bellford is visiting me in Bristol.
While growing up, I had this ‘fake’ father I adored, then when I found out what my mother was hiding from me, I hated him and what he did.
Now there’s yet another truth and I don’t know what to feel.
What is anyone to do about having so many changes in my past that is changing my present and future? I am trying my best to adapt, to change the image I built of my father, and replace it with the one I am building of the Duke.
I am surprised that I find myself enjoying his company. Yesterday we went shooting and we actually had fun. I was so surprised; I am ashamed to admit that I excused myself early and went to my bedchambers because I didn’t know how to handle it.
He has been calling me by name or as ‘son’ and I haven’t corrected him. I should have, the first time it happened, but I didn’t.
As much as I hate change, I am trying my best, to be better for myself and for you, my dear Selina. I do not want to hold grudges anymore, and I want to be whole for you.
He asked me to travel to Wales so he could visit my mother’s grave. He wants to see where I grew up, where my mother and I lived. We are going tomorrow, so I am sending you my address if you wish to write me back. Please, use a male name to send it to me. My staff is sworn to secrecy, but we can never be too careful. I will send letter to you as Elaine McSweeney, you can have your fun choosing your name.
I miss you, Selina. When I held you, everything seemed to be alright and I hope we can be together soon.
Yours truly,
Edward
* * *
My lovely Edward,
I am thrilled you and your father are getting along and doing things together. Letting him call you ‘son’ is a big step for your acceptance about both who you are, and who he is. It is a step in the right direction.
You are getting the chance to have him in your life in an unusual way, surely, but to know you are trying, that you are giving him this chance, and not just because of me, makes me very happy.
As it turns out, I have news of my own. The Duchess of Bellford asked me for tea yesterday!
I am giggling just imagining your face as you read this. Please, do not worry. We got along pretty well, actually. She is a fascinating woman, just a little bitter, maybe, but I can’t fault her; not when her whole life is shattered and she lost her daughter.
I am not siding with her, God knows she has done bad things in the past, and I am sure you are not her favorite person in the world, but if I hadn’t known about your history with her, I would have had the best of times.
She said she wanted to meet because either way, I would be part of the ‘family’.
We discussed you and Lord Ainsworth and I must warn you, dear Edward, that your cousin is spr
eading rumors about why you and the Duke are close. I will not lie, they are very convincing and if I weren’t there when Papa told you we couldn’t marry without you holding a title or the time we spent together, it could have fooled me.
It appears he is telling some people you planned this for a long time, and I am just a means to an end to get his revenge against the Duke and take everything from him.
People will believe his lies, Edward.
Not because they might think it is the truth, but because society loves a scandal and can you imagine a bigger scandal than a Duke’s son born out of wedlock, demanding the title and using a rich merchant’s daughter as a step?
A Hidden Duke For The Passionate Lady (Regency Historical Romance) Page 17