There was a knock on the door.
“Come in,” called Colin, though he moved not an inch.
The heavy door slowly opened and Letty entered.
Ava sat up and moved off her husband, who grudgingly let her go. “Is everything all right, dear? We kissed you good-night a while ago.”
Letty nodded, but worried her bottom lip with her teeth.
“Come sit with us,” said Ava. “We can have a little coze.”
The girl hesitated. “I’ve come to ask you something, but I can’t with Colin here.”
Colin furrowed his brow. Ava had learned nothing worried Colin more than a problem with his family. But he didn’t press the girl. “If you’d like,” he said gently, “I can leave the room. I’m certain I can pester James about something.”
“He and Irene retired to their bedchamber,” said Letty.
“Then I shall be certain to bang on their door and demand that he come out to talk to me in the hall. I’m quite certain he’ll be excited to do so.”
“Colin,” admonished Ava. “I’m certain that is quite unnecessary.”
“But it’d be most fun.”
“Colin doesn’t have to leave,” said Letty. “But maybe he could go look out the window.”
Now Colin looked truly worried and Ava was growing alarmed herself. But Colin dutifully moved to the window, while Ava patted the seat beside her. “Now what would you like to talk about, love?’
Letty sat next to Ava. “I wish to ask you something.”
“You can always ask me anything.”
Letty nodded, but hesitated before continuing. “You know how Violet has her mama? And even Anna now has her English mama?”
“Yes,” said Ava carefully.
“I’ve never had a mama. Well, I did, but she didn’t like me.”
“Oh, Letty, I’m certain that’s not true,” said Ava, as she reached for her hand.
“It’s true, isn’t it, Colin?” asked Letty.
Ava knew her husband well enough to realize his first instinct was to lie, to shield Letty’s feelings. But, instead, he smiled sadly at the girl. “Our mother wasn’t very…motherly,” he said from the window. “But it was nothing you did, Letty. No one who really knew you could keep from loving you.”
That seemed to make Letty feel better. She took a deep breath. “Ava, I know you’re Colin’s wife and my sister now. But, well, I was wondering, if you wouldn’t mind….when we’re not around anyone else, I was wondering….” The vulnerability on Letty’s face was heartbreaking. “I was wondering if I could call you Mama. I mean, I know you’ll soon have your own children and you’ll love them and be their mother, but before that happens, could I be your daughter?”
“Oh, Letty,” said Ava, as she pulled her into her arms. “No one has ever made me feel more love in my heart than right now. I’d be very proud and honored to be your mama forevermore. And don’t worry about any children I may have. I have more than enough love for all of you. Besides, I shall need you to give them a proper example of what it’s like to be my daughter. For they’d just be babies and have no idea.”
Letty giggled, even as she leaned her head against Ava’s breast. “What if you have sons?”
“Then they shall need a big sister even more because boys can be an inordinate amount of trouble. Just look at your brothers.”
Letty giggled, but then she turned serious. “I don’t want Rose and Win to be sad that I’ve chosen you as my mother. They’ve been my sisters ever since I was born and I love them very much. But I was hoping, well, I was hoping you’d say yes.”
“I cannot imagine how I would ever say no to such a beautiful offer. I am not a sapskull, after all.”
“I have one more question,” said Letty. Then she whispered, “Do you think Colin would ever want to be my papa?”
“With all my heart, love,” said Colin, who could no longer keep his post at the window. He sat on the other side of Letty and pulled her into his arms. “My dear girl, I would be so proud to call you my daughter. Though I have no idea if I will be a good papa.”
“I’m certain you will,” said Letty.
“Thank you for your vote of confidence,” he said, as he kissed the top of her head. “Fortunately, I can count on your mama to be responsible and sensible. She’ll make certain you eat enough vegetables, while I’ll ensure you know how to swim, shoot and ride.”
“I would like that,” said Letty. “Will you also teach me to play cards and the rules of gaming?”
“I’m not certain that is quite the thing for young ladies to learn,” said Ava playfully.
“See?” said Colin. “You’ve only had a mama for a few moments and already there are rules to follow. I’ll just make sure to teach you those things when your strict mama is not around.”
Letty pulled back to look at them both. “Are you certain you wish to do this?”
“We couldn’t be more certain of anything,” said Colin. “Now, would you like us to take you back to bed again?”
“Yes….Papa,” said Letty shyly.
Colin had to pause for a moment to choke back tears. Finally, he said, “All right, Daughter, let’s put you to bed.”
Colin and Ava walked a tired Letty back to Violet’s bedchamber. They carefully opened the door so as not to disturb the two sleeping girls. Anna was in the middle of the bed and Violet on the other side. Ava tucked Violet’s leg back under the covers as Colin settled Letty in. He tucked all of the blankets under the mattress.
“I can’t move,” whispered Letty.
“Pray forgive your papa, dearest,” said Ava as she untucked the blankets to give Letty more room to move. “This is his first day and I know he wants to do everything right.”
“But it doesn’t have to be all right,” said Letty, as sleep began to slur her words. “There just has to be love.”
Sleep took her at that moment. Ava and Colin watched their new daughter sleep for a few moments before stealing out of the bedchamber and back to their suite.
Finally, when it was just the two of them, Colin took Ava in his arms. “You didn’t just save me when you agreed to be my wife,” he said. “You saved this family.”
“No, love. You saved this family and it has nothing to do with money or title or the future of the Earl of Ridgeway. Colin Emerson saved us all just by being Colin Emerson.”
Colin was once again on the verge of tears.
“Make love to me, Colin,” whispered Ava. “Let’s see about giving Letty a brother or sister.”
“You mean another mouth to feed?” asked Colin, as he immediately set about fulfilling her request.
“Yes, love. Let’s see about adding yet another Emerson to the dower house.”
“If you insist, Lady Ridgeway. If you insist.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Win took a deep breath from the comfort of the Duke of Lynwood’s carriage. She was parked outside her house and it was time to go in. It wasn’t her first trip back to the house since Pierce’s murder, of course. But it was the first one where she’d have to face his family, one of whom was likely a killer.
She was there for the reading of the will and the disposition of the estate. Her brothers and Rose had wanted to accompany her, but it was better they weren’t there. She didn’t want anything to frighten off the murderer.
Her brothers weren’t there, but she was hardly alone.
“Are you certain you wish to do this?” asked Alex. He was seated across from her. “We can find another way.”
“I must do this. But I realize I have yet to thank you for everything you’ve done for me. Everything you continue to do. And I fear it is at great cost to yourself. You haven’t told me how you convinced Sir Wilfred to get the charges withdrawn. I believe my great good fortune will be your undoing.”
“Do not worry about that, my lady.”
“Please call me Win. I believe it will give me the confidence I lack at the moment.”
“Very well, Win.”
>
He tentatively reached for her hand. She gave it to him gladly. His warmth traveled from their joined hands straight to her heart.
She smiled. “Shall we?”
“As you wish.”
He helped her out of the carriage, then escorted her up the stairs. Win looked at her house with fresh eyes, now that she was no longer a prisoner of it. She was truly sorry two people were dead, but she couldn’t regret being free of her marriage.
Just as Alex was about to knock, Havers opened the door. From the sour look on his face, he was obviously expecting her.
Win entered her home, or at least the house where she used to live. It wasn’t her home now. Home was the estate in Wiltshire where she’d go when this matter was finally settled. This house was simply a means to an end.
“Havers, are the others gathered?” asked Win as the butler took her cloak.
“Yes, madam. They are in the study along with the rather odd solicitor.”
“Mr. Olson is my friend, Havers. That will be the last unkind word you say about him,” said Win, who rather enjoyed the butler’s astonishment to be spoken to so sternly. When Pierce had been alive, he’d punished Win whenever she was too assertive with the staff.
But Pierce was no longer there.
“I will escort Mr. Lewis to the sitting room while you are in the study,” said Havers.
“Actually, you won’t. He’ll be accompanying me.”
That also surprised the butler and Win realized she enjoyed provoking him. It was the tiniest bit wicked of her, but, perhaps, it was time to be wicked.
“Shall we, my lady?” asked Alex, who looked like he was rather enjoying himself, as well.
They entered the study to find Clive, Emmeline and Horace already seated. Poor Mr. Olson looked like he’d been on the receiving end of quite the scold. But Win had confidence the man had the fortitude to survive it. He’d probably learned a great deal about Pierce’s family while enduring it.
“Mr. Olson,” she said, “thank you for coming. I hope I’ve not kept you waiting long.”
“Not at all, my lady. I’ve been having a very interesting conversation with your late husband’s family.” The twinkle in his eyes said he cared for them as little as she.
“This is outside of enough!” said Emmeline. “To think my brother’s murderer is free to come and go in his house and that we – good Christians that we are – should have to be in the same room with her. It’s a disgrace.”
Win turned to her. “Emmeline, good Christian that you are, I am certain you know Christ Himself used to minister to all sorts, while never judging any of them. I didn’t murder Clarence. Even the Crown knows that now. Horace, Clive, I hope you are well.”
Horace, as always, looked terrified of offending his wife. Clive, as usual, looked half foxed.
“Lady Winifred, if you are ready, I can proceed with the reading of the will, now,” said Olson.
“I still don’t know why this man is reading the will,” said Emmeline. “He’s not Clarence’s solicitor. Nor do I know why that man is here at all.” She pointed to Alex.
“Both of these gentlemen are here at my request. Clarence’s solicitor is not the most reputable man and Mr. Lewis is here because he’s still interested in finding my husband’s killer. A goal I’m certain we all share.”
“I think we did find Clarence’s killer,” drawled Clive. “But perhaps you found a way to convince Lewis he was mistaken.”
Alex took a menacing step forward, but Win put her hand on his arm to stop him. “Thank you. Mr. Lewis, but I can handle Clive.” She was amazed to realize that was true. She’d been bullied by so many people in that house. But everything was different now. And it wasn’t just the strong man by her side who gave her courage – though that certainly didn’t hurt. She felt her own strength. She turned to her brother-in-law. “No, Clive. In this case, it was a simple matter of justice prevailing. Now, Mr. Olson, do be so kind as to read the will.”
“Of course, Lady Winifred.” Olson picked up the document on top of the desk. “The Last Will and Testament of Clarence S. Pierce. Without reservation or coercion, I hereby bequeath the following….” Here, Olson paused. “Lady Winifred, the first portion may be difficult for you to hear. Would you like me to read it to you in private?”
“No, sir. Pray continue.”
Olson cleared his throat, then began reading once more. “I leave the sum of one hundred pounds to each of the whores at Madame Thurmond’s brothel, including the madame herself. They have serviced me well these many years and I wish them good fortune.”
“That is outrageous!” said Emmeline. “Surely we can get that part of the will invalidated.”
“If for no other reason than the whores at Madame Thurmond’s are hardly worth even a tenth of that amount,” said Clive. “Isn’t that right, Horace?”
“I’m certain I don’t know what you mean,” Horace said quickly.
“Sorry, old boy,” said Clive. “Didn’t mean to get you in trouble with the missus.” Though, of course, he had.
“This will be easier without further interruptions,” said Olson, before continuing. “To Havers, I leave the sum of ten pounds, my silver pen and my sincerest thanks for being such a toplofty bastard. You would’ve received more, but I knew what you really thought of me. To Tawny….” Here Olson paused again, with an apologetic look at Win.
“Do not fear my reaction sir. I can only imagine what comes next. Pray continue.”
“To Tawny, a magnificent…uh, maid, fifteen pounds and a thank you for never giving me the pox. To my brother Clive, I bequeath my collection of port. Most of which you’ve probably already drunk. To Emmeline and Horace, I give you all the books in my library you care to read.”
Emmeline sputtered in her shock. “I don’t read!”
“And to my wife Winifred, who gave me so much pleasure over the years from the many beatings I dispensed, I leave all my other worldly possessions, including the house.”
There was one moment of silence. Winifred was rather stunned to learn she was the prime beneficiary of the will though she knew it would all have to be sold to pay off creditors. Apparently she wasn’t the only one who was surprised, for Emmeline’s shriek soon pierced the silence.
“That will is a forgery!” she said. “It cannot be possible that Clarence would have done that to us – his own flesh and blood – and left everything to the whores and his murdering wife.”
“Well, to be fair, Emmeline,” said her brother, “Clarence didn’t realize she was a murderess at the time. But, yes, it is an outrageous injustice.”
Alex could barely calm himself to speak. “Actually, what is truly an outrageous injustice is the fact Lady Winifred was ever charged with the crime. She didn’t murder her husband. And the next person who says she did will be the subject of a slander suit…or worse.”
“What business is it of yours, Lewis?” asked Horace. “Shouldn’t you be out looking for the real killer, since you’re so certain it isn’t Winifred?”
“I plan to catch the real killer,” said Alex. “But in the meantime, I’m here to assist Lady Winifred with her next order of business.”
“Which business will that be?” asked Emmeline. “Unless it is to kill the rest of us in our sleep.”
Winifred smiled politely. “You can rest in your bed, Emmeline. And I do mean your own bed. I’m here to tell you all to vacate my home immediately and have my belongings returned forthwith. I noticed there were several paintings missing, as well as vases and other items. And that was simply a cursory examination of the main floor. You may keep any family portraits, but everything else will be returned. If they aren’t, I’ll have warrants sworn out from Bow Street. You are familiar with Bow Street, aren’t you? You have a day in which to put everything to rights, though I do want you to return to your own homes with all due haste.”
Her pronouncements were met with a satisfying silence.
“But Win, dear,” said Emmeline, “we only too
k family items of great emotional value.”
“So, if I were to take an inventory of my jewelry, it would all be there?”
There was another satisfying silence.
“Not exactly,” said Emmeline.
“Then remedy that, posthaste,” said Alex. “Lady Winifred, I shall check back with you on the morrow to see if I need to serve any warrants.”
“Lady Winifred,” said Mr. Olson, who was packing up his papers. “I shall take my leave of you, now, unless you need anything further.”
“Actually, Mr. Olson, I was hoping you’d return those ledgers to Lord Grayson’s suite.”
Clive, Emmeline and Horace turned as one to look at the two ledgers Olson was putting into his satchel.
“Is that the ledger Lewis removed from the secret compartment in Clarence’s desk?” asked Clive.
“Yes,” said Win. “We couldn’t make any sense of them, but Lord Grayson has always liked puzzles. He’s going to see if there’s anything of value in them. Mayhap, there is more money to the estate, after all.”
“I’ll go to Grayson’s with you, Olson,” said Alex.
Havers entered the room. Perhaps sensing his employment was at stake – rightly so – he politely announced, “My lady, the Countess of Ridgeway is here, along with Lady Rosemary and a Miss Wallace.”
“Thank you, Havers. Please show them to the sitting room. Mr. Pierce, and Mr. and Mrs. Warren are to pack and be gone within the hour. Do be so good as to assist them in their efforts.”
“Of course, my lady,” said Havers, who then bowed himself out of the room.
“Win, are you quite certain you want all of us to leave?” asked Clive. “This must be quite overwhelming. You need a man to help you.”
“Horace will do it,” said Emmeline.
“My brothers will help me if I need assistance. Please be gone within the hour. Good day.”
It was hard not to have a final word with Alex before he left the house, but Win couldn’t risk having the others take note of their friendship. As far as they knew, Alex was there in an official capacity only. But Win couldn’t stop thinking about him as she went down the hall to the sitting room.
Always Have Hope (Emerson Book 3) Page 21