Realm 06 - A Touch of Love

by Regina Jeffers

  Although she thought it impossible, Lucinda felt pity for Sadia Warren. The woman’s parents had turned their backs on their only child. She could hear the bitterness in the earl’s tone when he asked, “You did not rush to your daughter’s side when you discovered Captain Warren’s desertion?” She knew Charleton had searched for her after the colonel’s death, and he had welcomed her despite Lucinda’s many faults. It was a sobering reality.

  Mrs. Cotto shot a furtive glance at her husband. “Sadia’s choice was not in keeping with our faith,” she said softly. “But we did send for the child after learning of Sadia’s passing.”

  Apprehension riddled Lucinda’s question. “You have never set eyes on the boy?”

  “No, Ma’am.” Mrs. Cotto wiped her eyes with a small handkerchief.

  Another long, uncomfortable pause followed. “Yet, you had sought the boy?” Lucinda searched for a flicker of hope in the Cottos’ tale.

  “We were too late,” Cotto admitted without emotion. “Sadia had sent the child away, leaving no record of where he might be. However, our daughter did leave an account of her husband’s activities. Neither Sadia or Mr. Warren acted honorably, as such, we feared retribution and fled our home.” Lucinda noted Mr. Cotto’s expression of anticipation. The man thought his tale would spark the earl’s interest. Little did Cotto realize the earl would never pay to hush information, which would soon become public record.

  The Cottos had protected their reputations, but did nothing to shield their daughter or Simon. Lucinda’s heart felt caught in Sadia Warren’s fierce bleakness. Evidently, Matthew had spoken kindly of Lucinda to his legal wife, and Sadia Warren had chosen a complete stranger rather than permit her parents access to Simon.

  She shot her uncle a brief, anguished glance, and Lord Charleton responded in love. “My niece and Simon are saddled with Captain Warren’s perfidy.” The earl spoke to Mr. Cohen rather than to the Cottos. “As an earl, I can protect Lucinda from the shame she inherited from her late husband. I would be willing to extend the earldom’s influence to Simon.”

  Cohen’s eyes sharpened with interest. “Yet, the Cottos possess family connections.” His protest sounded less than honest, and Lucinda recognized Cohen’s dislike for the Cottos. Evidently, the Jewish leader disapproved as violently as she of the Cottos’ actions.

  Charleton ignored Cohen’s dispute: Both the earl and the Jewish leader negotiated for the same outcome. It was freeing to recognize how well her uncle knew her heart. “True,” the earl said simply. “Yet, I doubt an English court would hand a boy over to impoverished grandparents, who have never set eyes upon the child, when an English earl wished to adopt the child.”

  Cohen did not even flinch from her uncle’s pronouncement. Instead, he turned to the Cottos. “I agree with Lord Charleton. As sorry as I am to say this, no English court will recognize your plea.”

  Cotto’s cheeks reddened with indignation. “You would take the boy from his family?”

  Charleton’s expression displayed his profound distaste for Cotto’s false familial concerns. “The boy affects my niece, and she cares for him tenderly. He thrives under Lucinda’s care, and she has faced the censure of Society to protect the child. Yet, I am not insensitive to your claims. You have a legitimate connection to Simon and should be reimbursed for relinquishing your rights to the boy.”

  Before Cotto could object, Cohen asked, “What do you propose, my Lord?”

  The earl sat forward to press his point. Lucinda marveled at his confidence. “As Charleton, I hold connections beyond my estate, especially in the world of thoroughbred horses.”

  Cohen explained for Cotto’s benefit. “Lord Charleton has an exceptional line, one renown throughout England.” The news brought greed to Cotto’s eyes, and Lucinda knew her uncle had won. Her eyelashes swept downward to conceal her relief.

  The earl nodded his head with refined assurance in acknowledgement of Cohen’s praise. “I am willing to assist you in securing a position with a well-respected breeder and present you with a settlement for your renouncing your claim to the boy.”

  Cotto asked suspiciously, “How large a settlement?”

  “A thousand pounds.”

  It impressed Lucinda how the earl could speak so calmly on such an important matter. The sum was a phenomenal offer, and she recognized how her uncle meant to control the negotiation.

  “A thousand pounds and a lucrative position,” Cohen reiterated.

  “And your promise never to contact Simon. Once I accept him into my household, the child will be reared with my values.”

  A myriad of emotions crossed Mrs. Cotto’s countenance, but the lady held her tongue. Lucinda wondered why the woman had permitted her husband his stubbornness.

  Cotto hesitated, obviously debating whether he should refuse the earl’s offer, while knowing he had few options. Finally, he said, “How should we proceed, my Lord.”

  Disappointment and elation fought for control of Lucinda’s heart. Disappointment that the Cottos would not fight for their grandchild and elation at having the boy as part of her family.

  “I assume you trust Mr. Cohen to arrange the legal details on your behalf,” Charleton said with more amiability than Lucinda thought necessary. “I will have my man of business contact Mr. Cohen. The gentleman will know what is best for the child and for your family.”

  Cohen evidently understood his role for he stood immediately. Lucinda held no doubt the earl would reward the Jewish community handsomely for Cohen’s service. “Thank you, my Lord. Mr. and Mrs. Cotto and I await word of the negotiations.” The Cottos followed Cohen to their feet. Each offered a bow of respect before Cohen ushered the couple from the room.

  Long after their departure, Lucinda stared at the still open door. Every protective instinct she held flared to life. Protective of Simon, who had not known they had just bargained for his future. And protective of her uncle, who had risked a fortune to assure her happiness. “Your generosity never ceases to amaze me,” she whispered.

  “Even if your heart was not part of the agreement, I would never have permitted Simon to live in a household filled with prejudice,” the earl declared.

  “We cannot protect Simon from the world’s censure,” Lucinda responded.

  Her uncle recaptured her hand. “Yet, we can provide the boy a safe haven, one where he will know respect and worth.” He kissed her temple. “Let us send for the child. I am certain he is quite famished; boys are always hungry.”

  Lucinda chuckled, “Lord Worthing said something similar on the evening of our return to Blake’s Run.”

  Charleton stretched his arms over his head. “I will write to Mr. Shadwick this evening. Tomorrow, we will set a course for Charles Place. I am most anxious to welcome you to your new home.”

  The Wednesday raids had proved quite successful, and Carter had received fabulous praise for his uncovering of the theft ring. Although he had pleaded with the others to accept their portion of the honor, each of his friends had refused the accolades.

  “My name has known enough renown,” Godown grumbled. “I am happy to be nothing more than the Marquis of Godown, a member of the House of Lords, and father to Renard Crowden.”

  Carter had not asked how his friends had recovered so many treasures. He suspected they had been relentless in their searches for they recognized the consequences of failure. In Staffordshire, Godown had uncovered a dozen pieces of suspect; Lexford another five from the Earl of Holderman’s manor. Worthing found several pieces of pottery and more than a score of figurines in Oxford, while Carter had discovered eight paintings and another half dozen statues under Gideon Warren’s roof.

  “What is it you wish at such an ungodly hour?” The man had still worn his dressing robe when Carter had demanded admittance at Coltman Hall.

  Carter had taken great pleasure in the anxiety upon Warren’s countenance when Carter announced his position and his purpose. He wished Mrs. Warren had been present to witness the exchange. Throughout
his search, he had thought of Lucinda Warren and how her late husband’s family had treated her so poorly. His final revenge, taking Captain Warren’s parents into custody, proved exceptionally satisfying. His only regret had been the knowledge Gideon Warren had not been the man with Murhad Jamot at Suffolk’s Rising Son Inn. Carter had assumed the Warren’s had marked Lucinda for death in order to protect their participation in the art thefts.

  “You have a message, Sir, from the Earl of Charleton.” Carter looked up to see Symington Henderson, his new assistant. They had experienced a set back during the coordinated searches with the complete disappearance of Dylan Monroe, but Carter held no doubt they would eventually prevail. The Realm held extensive resources, and there were few places in the world Monroe could hide for long.

  “Thank you, Henderson.” Carter accepted the letter. He would have preferred the message had come from her, but, at least, the connection remained in tact. It was too soon for word of their discovery to have reached all the shires; therefore, Carter supposed Lord Charleton simply responded to the news Carter would portray Mrs. Warren in the most positive of lights. “Remind me an hour before I am to meet Prinny at Carlton House. Prince George does not like to be kept waiting.”

  “Likely, it will be you who waits,” Henderson said jovially.

  Already breaking the seal on the letter, Carter nodded his agreement. “Not likely,” Carter corrected. “It is an assurance.” The Prince had already sent emissaries to several foreign governments, inquiring of their claims of missing artwork. Prinny saw their recoveries as excellent diplomacy.

  Henderson discreetly slipped from the room, and Carter leaned heavily into the chair, prepared to have even second-hand knowledge of Lucinda Warren.

  Following the customary greetings, the earl wrote, “I thank you for your allegiance to my niece. Lucinda would think herself undeserving of such kindness, but I am pleased you see beyond my niece’s façade to her real vulnerability.”

  Carter realized how difficult it was for Lucinda Warren to permit anyone to observe her fears. Obviously, he and Charleton knew the woman well.

  “Please send word when you have settled the business with Captain Warren’s parents. I wish to prepare Lucinda for the news.” Carter had previously posted a letter to the earl within hours of confirming his suspicions regarding the Warrens.

  “I have much news of which you will take an interest,” Charleton continued. “First, Lucinda and I met with Mr. Cohen for the man had located young Simon’s grandparents.” Carter’s heart raced. He knew it would be difficult for Lucinda to part with the child, and with Simon bearing Captain Warren’s name, the boy would know great censure unless the child’s grandparents took care.

  “I will explain in more detail in another letter, but please know neither Lucinda or I would see Simon placed with Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Cotto. The first Mrs. Warren’s parents spoke with vile prejudice, and they sought the boy from duty, rather than love.

  “I have, therefore, paid the Cottos to abandon Simon to my care. I have purchased passage to the Americas for the Cottos who boarded ship on Friday. Simon will remain with me. I have promised the boy a gentleman’s education and a future, more than he would know with the Cottos.

  “One point of concern from the conversation with Mr. Cotto may prove of importance to your investigation. Cotto freely shared the news of his objection to his daughter Sadia’s marriage to then Lieutenant Warren. The man’s narrow mindedness came not from Sadia Cotto’s joining with a foreigner– an Englishman, but rather from the feud among Jewish tribes. The Warrens have passed themselves off as good Englishmen, when, in reality, they are Ashkenazim German Jews. Cotto’s family is Sephardic.”

  “Damn!” Carter muttered. “I had never considered the possibility. No wonder the Warrens forced their son to marry Lucinda Rightnour. Lieutenant Warren could not return from the war with a Jewish wife, especially one of Spanish descent. Their son’s actions would have brought notice to the family’s differences; Matthew Warren would have ruined all for which the parents had suffered.”

  “On a more personal note, I plan to bring Lucinda into Society soon, as my niece, she has a prominent place to claim. My heir is a distant cousin, who is my senior. As said cousin is a bachelor of some repute, Lucinda’s issue could one day inherit the title. Her return to Charles Place has renewed my resolve to outlive Cousin Edmund. Despite the scandal of the moment, I imagine when word of her importance to the title is known, Lucinda’s worth to the ton will increase. I also plan a sizeable dowry to sweeten the interest of eligible gentlemen. However, I will not give my blessing unless Lucinda’s heart is engaged. My dearest girl has known enough sorrow.”

  Notwithstanding his emotional upheaval, Carter read the closing, but his mind remained on the woman who had captured his heart. She would enter Society as Rightnour’s niece–the only family of the Earl of Charleton, a wealthy and powerful aristocrat. In many ways, Carter celebrated Mrs. Warren’s entrance into Society. She was truly one of a kind, and the lady deserved proper recognition of her worth; yet, Carter felt the sword of Damocles hanging above his head. “Dozens of would-be suitors will fill the lady’s dance cards and sit in her parlor. Gentlemen with more powerful titles.” His baronetcy was of short duration, and Carter was simply the second son of a baron. It twisted his gut to think upon her sharing her affections with another or to consider the possibility he would one day greet her as an indifferent acquaintance. It would be unlikely Mrs. Warren would choose to be Lady Lowery when she could expect to be a baroness or a viscountess or a even a countess. Carter possessed a small country estate with a manor house in need of repair and a governmental position, which demanded much of his time. He had little to offer the wealthy niece of the Earl of Charleton.

  Lucinda morosely looked out over the manicured lawns of Charles Place. She had been in Lancashire for a little more than a month, and he had not come, nor had he sent his greetings. Once the news had arrived of Sir Carter’s successful operation, Lucinda had expected the baronet’s appearance in her uncle’s sitting room, but his absence had spoken volumes. Initially, she had made the obligatory excuses for his withdrawal: There was still much to do with the investigation; his father’s recovery should take precedence; and the baronet’s responsibilities to his estate during the growing season were more pressing than dancing attendance upon a lady.

  Unfortunately for Lucinda’s foolish heart, there had been the occasional snippet in the London papers delivered regularly to Charleton’s morning table. Sir Carter Lowery had been seen enjoying the opera in the Duke of Thornhill’s box and in the company of Lady Cecilia Pickford’s family, and Sir Carter Lowery had been among the guests at the Nichols-David musicale where he spent the evening with Lady Marguerite Nichols-David. “The baronet remains the dutiful son,” Lucinda had told her crushed ego. “Sir Carter will choose among those who shall add impetus to his career.” Had not Lucinda heard his companions’ names mentioned repeatedly by Lady McLauren? Louisa Hutton had smartly warned Lucinda not to permit her heart to know Sir Carter, but Lucinda had foolishly ignored the countess.

  “Ma’am?” Simon called from the open doorway. As she had suspected, the boy had thrived at Charles Place. “May I go to the stables to visit with Mr. Higgins?”

  Charleton’s coachman had taken a liking to Simon, showing the boy all he knew of horses. Simon’s inclinations appeared natural, based on what she knew of Mr. Cotto, and the earl had fostered the boy’s interest by offering to purchase a pony for Simon from one of the neighboring farms.

  “Have you completed your lessons?” She asked in that maternal tone, which had appeared one day when Lucinda had tended a bloody scrape on the boy’s knee.

  “Yes, Ma’am.”

  Although they had agreed to keep some facts confidential until Simon was older, she and the earl had had an honest talk with the boy upon their arrival in Lancashire. “We were not successful in discovering those of your mother’s family,” she had explained. “But Lor
d Charleton has expressed an interest in your residing with him. The earl will hire a tutor and see you have a university education.”

  The boy’s forehead had scrunched up in disappointment and then in elation. “I will stay with you and His Lordship?” Simon had asked in disbelief.

  “Of course,” Charleton had said in that characteristically authoritative manner, which Lucinda counted among his most endearing qualities. “This house has spent too many years without a boisterous boy roaming the halls.” And with that, Simon had accepted his new life. It amazed her how resilient the boy was–in reality, much more resilient than she.

  “No more than an hour,” she said in admonishment. Lucinda had quickly learned if she did not place a limit on Simon’s time in the stables, the boy would sleep among her uncle’s cattle.

  “Yes, Ma’am,” he said with the crooked grin, which would one day break a woman’s heart. Simon scrambled from the room, darting between two of the housemaids who polished the silver knobs decorating the earl’s main staircase. Only yesterday evening, Simon had fallen asleep on the earl’s lap, as Charleton had shared his line of horses with the boy. When one of the footmen had carried Simon to the nursery, the boy had repeated the animal’s facts in his sleep. It was all quite comical, and Lucinda had taken comfort in the knowledge her Uncle Gerhard would no longer be alone.

  “I have word from Mr. Shadwick,” her uncle announced as he entered the room. “There are several new horses being placed for sale at Tattersalls at month’s end. I thought we might travel to London for the sale. Might even take in part of the short Season before returning to Lancashire for Christmastide.”