Gordon Blunt walked slowly over to his daughter and looked down on her empty face. ‘You were never satisfied with anything, nor did you listen to me and now look where it’s got you.’ He knelt down and gently stroked his fingers over Emily’s cheek. He carefully closed her eyes and keeping his hand on the back of her head; he lifted her into his arms and started to cry for his dead child. ‘What am I going to tell your mother?’ he gulped out as he rocked her.
‘Kitty!’ Robin gasped out, his chest heaving. Charles could see the blood bubbling on his chest as the breath sawed in his throat. He exchanged looks with Richard, but both men knew he didn’t stand a chance. The knife had penetrated his lung and he was slowly drowning and bleeding to death at the same time.
‘I’m here, Robin.’ Kitty said calmly and knelt beside her brothers. He lifted his hand and she clasped it in both of hers.
‘I’m so sorry.’ He panted for breath. ‘I made a terrible mess of everything, didn’t I?’
‘Ssh! Robin, you must stop talking.’ She stroked her hand over his cheek.
‘I loved you.’ he murmured, fading fast. ‘Look after her, Charles. Do a better job of it than I did.’
Kitty watched the light vanish from his eyes and they slowly closed as his face relaxed. ‘So now we will have two funerals.’ She looked up at Charles. ‘He will have to be transported to Mickleton.’
Charles looked at the sombre expression in his sister’s eyes and nodded his head. There wasn’t anything he would deny her at that precise moment.
The physician called the Magistrate, who came to investigate, but as there were so many witnesses, he accepted Charles version of events, which was mostly the truth.
Gordon Blunt had his daughter removed and buried with all haste in the family mausoleum. Robin was laid out in his finest clothes and his casket was sent to Durham.
Charles went to see the Lord Chancellor the next day to discover what he needed to do next. Whilst he was there, he went to see the Archbishop of Canterbury and acquired special licenses for both himself and Richard.
Their return to Durham was sombre and over the next few days they buried the Duke, Thomas Stafford and his eldest son, Robin Stafford in the family plot next to the Chapel at Mickleton Hall.
Within the week, Reverend Michelson came from Middleton to perform the wedding services to both Kitty and Charles.
For this one event, Kitty wore Ivory instead of black, as Victoria insisted.
After another few weeks had passed, Victoria decided that she and Edward would return to his house in Berkley Square.
‘Remember, Victoria. You are my father’s wife, the Dowager Duchess of Durham. There will always be a place for you at Grosvenor Square and you must not become a stranger to us. My father would be cross if you did.’ Charles said.
Kitty and Richard left for Eynsford Manor the next day and by the end of the week all the guests had returned to London for the start of thelittle season., leaving the new Duke and Duchess of Durham to get really acquainted.
Epilogue
Kitty sat with her hands folded in her lap and looked down on the spectacle from the privileged position of the public gallery. She was wearing an ivory silk day gown, with a high lace edged collar and a black velvet Spencer to contrast it and as a mark of mourning for her father and brother. The black and ivory silk bonnet enhanced her beauty. On one side of her was her husband Richard, his brother David, his wife Imogen and Robert’s wife Isabelle. On the other side her new sister-in-law, Louise, Duchess of Durham sat proudly in awe of her husband’s new position, with the Dowager Duchess, Lady Victoria and her son Edward Bertrand, the Duke of Wentworth. On the row of seats behind, Millicent, fresh from childbirth and looking radiant, sat with Anne and her husband Lord Brooks. Kitty was so proud of her brother and had remarked to him how like father he had looked in his official robes.
There was a hush as the new peers entered the Chamber. Unusually, the Prince Regent lounged indolently in the throne as the Lord Chancellor, the Earl of Eldon, sat down on the Woolsack; his severe robes making him seem almost menacing. Eldon frowned at the Prince Regent’s unnecessary presence, but didn’t comment as he turned his head to watch the procession of peers.
At the front, in his plain black robes was The Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, holding his staff of office. He was followed by The Garter Principle King of Arms, attending herald from the College of Arms, resplendent in his colourful uniform. As Charles was a Duke, he was preceded by his junior supporter, Robert Cranborne, the Duke of Cambridge and followed by his senior supporter and mentor Rupert Carter, the Duke of Cumberland. Next came the young Earl of Asquith, William Devereux, followed by the new Earl of Rutland, Robert Dunsmore and last, but not least Gordon Blunt, the Earl of Alderney. All of them were dressed in Parliamentary robes and the coronet of their rank.
The peers lined up in front of the Lord Chancellor, each of them acutely aware they were turning their back on the Royal Prince, who yawned in boredom. The Garter Principle King of Arms presented the peers Letters Patent, a document issued by the Sovereign to create a new peerage and Charles handed over the Writ of Summons, also issued by the sovereign to command the new peer’s attendance in Parliament. Charles had spent an inordinate amount of time collecting the necessary documents for the King to issue the Letters Patent and he was prodigiously relieved that the documents had arrived.
Charles kneeled down in front of the Lord Chancellor and they listened to the Reading Clerk of the House of Lords, dryly and unemotionally read out the documents for the House.
‘George the Third, by the grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, and of our other realms and territories, King, defender of the faith. To all Lords Spiritual and Temporal and all our other subjects.......’ His voice seemed to drone on and on, making Kitty yawn almost as much as the Prince Regent was doing. At one point she wondered if the Prince had nodded off, as both Alderney and Cumberland exchanged a look and then glanced behind them. When they looked forward again, they were both smirking. ‘.........In witness thereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent. WITNESS Ourself at Westminster this tenth day of November in the year Eighteen Hundred and Twelve in Our Reign.’ The Clerks voice wound down like a squeeze box. There was a crackle of parchment and the Clerk started again.
‘George the Third by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, and of Our other Realms and Territories, King, Defender of the Faith, To Our right trusty and well belovedCharles Stafford Chevalier Greeting. Whereas by the advice and assent of Our Council for certain arduous and urgent affairs concerning Us, the state, and defence of Our United Kingdom and the Church.......’ Kitty closed her eyes and hoped she wouldn’t nod off. She stifled another yawn and Louise giggled beside her.
‘Stop yawning!’ she said firmly. ‘We’ll all be asleep if you don’t.’ And she nodded down the line to see Richard’s and David’s head starting to nod. Kitty sniggered and dug her elbow in her husband’s side.
‘.....And this as you regard Us and Our honour and the safety and defence of the said Kingdom and Church and dispatch of the said affairs in nowise do you omit Witness Ourself at Westminster the Tenth day of November in the year of Eighteen Hundred and Twelve in Our Reign.’ The Clerk snapped the parchment and carelessly rolled it, handing it back to the Lord Chancellor.
Charles was then asked to take the Oath of Allegiance and there was a distinct rumble through the Chamber as an usher coughed in the Prince Regent’s ear. Prinny, as he was affectionately called by his subjects, jumped, spluttered and apologized for his lack of propriety, pulled a snuff box from his waistcoat and proceeded to take a pinch of snuff, making him sneeze loudly for at least five minutes.
Charles waited patiently and then made the pledge and carefully signed the Test Roll, before being led to the Duke’s bench by the Garter Principle Kings of Arms. Along with the supporting Dukes, he doffed his coronet and bowed to the Lord Chancellor three times, before being escorted back to th
e Chancellor to shake hands before Black Rod and the King of Arms led him from the Chamber.
Kitty’s heart swelled with pride as her newly coroneted brother, the Duke of Durham, left the Chamber, but they had to sit through Robert’s investiture. The Clerk droned and the Prince snoozed, until the Oath and then Robert was led to the Earl’s bench for more headwear doffing, before he was escorted from the Chamber. The Speaker announced a short break and Kitty stood to ease the aching in her back.
‘Are you feeling alright?’ Richard asked her as they turned to leave the regimented seating.
‘Yes, I’m fine.’ She said with a smile.
‘I know you didn’t feel too well this morning.’ Richard said softly as he took her hand and placed it in the crook of his elbow.
‘It’s nothing.’ She replied evasively as he walked her slowly from the gallery and started for the stairs. As they got to the bottom of the staircase, an usher was waiting to escort them to the Lord’s Dining Room.
As the Usher opened the door for them, the Lord Chancellor greeted Kitty formally. ‘Countess, it’s an honour to see you in the House.’
‘Thank you, My Lord. It’s such a pity I cannot sit in the Chamber, as my rank entitles me to.’ And she introduced each member of the party, taking her time over Edward.
‘Your Grace.’ The Lord Chancellor smiled. ‘I look forward to the day you can take your seat.’ He offered his hand. Edward bravely took his hand and shook it firmly, making both Kitty and Victoria smile.
‘Thank you, My Lord.’ Edward replied in his falsetto voice.
‘The Duke is over by the balcony,’ the Earl of Eldon pointed, ‘and I have more business in the Chamber.’ He bowed to the ladies and excused himself.
‘He’s a nice man.’ Edward said innocently making the whole party laugh.
Kitty turned towards Charles and started across the Dining Room. ‘You both looked so handsome and fine!’ she extolled as she stumbled, stopped and Charles was horrified to see the colour drain completely from her face.
‘Kitty?’ he said loudly and started forward as her eyes rolled up in her head and she gracefully collapsed onto the carpet. ‘Kitty!’ he almost shouted as he and Richard arrived at the same time.
‘Get out of the way.’ Millicent said harshly as she delved into her reticule, producing a small bottle made of blue glass and stoppered with a cork. Millicent bent down, twitched the cork out of the bottle and held it under Kitty’s nose. ‘Kitty!’ she said loudly and Kitty took a deep breath and reared away from the cork.
‘Oh! What is that appalling smell!?’ she said as she slowly opened her eyes. ‘What am I doing on the floor?’ she asked indignantly.
Millicent stepped back and indicated for Richard to help her up. ‘Didn’t anybody else bring some smelling salts?’ she asked and laughed. ‘I knew you’d need them today.’ She said to Kitty.
Kitty squirmed and shook her head. ‘Be quiet, Millicent.’ She said with all the arrogance of her rank as Richard held her at arms length and looked at her enquiringly. She smiled coyly. ‘Later, my love. I’ll tell you all about it, later!’ she said to distract him.
Charles looked over his shoulder and said harshly ‘If you’re ill, Kitty, I think we should know about it, after all we’re all friends.’
‘Very well, but I wanted to tell Richard first.’ And she hooked her hand through his elbow, steering him away from the others and stepped out onto the terrace overlooking the Thames. The air was choked with smog from a million fires and the rotten stench of the river. Kitty wrinkled her nose at the unpleasant odour.
‘So what is it that you want to tell me first?’ Richard said and looked at her quite coldly.
‘I was going to do this tonight at home, rather than in such a public place, but I have some good news for us.’
‘You do? What, how ill you are?’ he asked harshly.
‘I’m not ill.’ She said softly and looked at her feet to hide her tears and trepidation. ‘I am with child.’
‘Kitty!’ burst from Richard’s throat as he flung his arms around her and lifted her off the floor. ‘Oh! My Love! I’m so proud and happy.’ He settled her back on her feet and gently stroked her cheek. ‘You are sure?’
‘Positive. I saw a doctor yesterday and he reckons it will arrive in the summer.’
Historical note:
Hereditary Peers do not have to be introduced to the house. The ceremony I have plundered for this story was only performed for new peers and life peerages created by the Sovereign. Since the House of Lords Act 1999, peers no longer have to kneel before the Lord Chancellor and the hat doffing was curtailed. The Writ of Summons is no longer read out to the House, but the Clerk still reads the Letters Patent. Peers no longer sit according to rank, but party.
Due to the Constitutional Reforms Act 2005, The Lord Chancellor was removed from presiding over the House and no longer officiates at an Introduction; it is now taken by the Speaker of the House of Lords instead.
As law and order was so poor in the early nineteenth century, it’s more than possible that a peer of the realm could cover up his brothers murderous acts, simply by changing his identity and sending him to the army. There was no police force as we know it, only the Bow Street Runners. But they were few, considering the population levels in London at that time and they were very overworked. Without credible witnesses, a solicitor would not employ a barrister to prosecute anyone. Most court work was for the lower classes and transportation the most popular punishment. Having said that, more than enough peers found themselves twitching on the gallows at Tyburn!
Other Titles by Lyndsey Norton
A Lust for Gold Erica Young Fire! At the Al-Hejira Jealousy The Avenging Angel
Regency Stories Two Notorious Dukes The Duke and the Governess
Inspector Castle Series Dating and Dying Bombs on Trains
The Red Suitcases
Table of Contents
Copyright
Prologue
It would be an unfortunate place to die!’
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Epilogue
Other Titles by Lyndsey Norton
The Theft of a Dukedom Page 25