“What was his name?”
Archer hesitated. “People here don’ take kindly to helpin’ the authorities, even if R wasn’ one of us.”
“I am not the authorities.”
“Then why do you want to know so much?”
Nick hesitated, unsure of what to confide. But in the end, he realized he needed to trust Archer in order to get the man to trust him. “Because I am afraid it was my late father, the former Earl of Layton.”
Archer let out a crack of laughter. “You shoulda tol’ me that from the beginnin’, milord. For it ‘tweren’t no kin of yours. It wasn’ no Chilcott or Layton.”
Nick’s relief was immense. It didn’t necessarily clear his father’s name, especially if he had used an alias. But Nick had decided it didn’t really matter that much anymore. Let Simon do what he would do. If he had evidence of his father’s misdeeds, let him present it. But Nick had no desire to make his job easier. Especially now when he’d found his countess. “I cannot tell you how much you’ve relieved my worries, Mr. Archer,” said Nick.
“I’m glad I could help. The funny thing is, R was also an earl who passed away. Ridgeway was his name. The Earl of Ridgeway.”
And suddenly, Nick’s life looked much grimmer.
* * *
Kate looked at the man who had grown so dear to her. Even if they hadn’t spent such a magical night together, her heart would have gone out to him. In the half hour since they had bid Archer farewell, they’d walked the bluff in silence. He had taken her hand when they set out, and hadn’t let go.
She had been waiting for him to tell her his thoughts. But since that hadn’t happened, she decided it was time to step in. “The Earl of Ridgeway. He was the father of the current earl?”
“Yes. And my true sire. ‘Tis ironic, isn’t it? My cousin is about to accuse my supposed father of treason, when in fact it was my real one who was guilty of it.”
“There is no proof anyone committed treason. All we know is the late Earl of Ridgeway came here looking for a boat.”
“A boat to send something to France. There was no good reason to send anything to France.”
“Perhaps he worked for the Foreign Office and was sent here to support our own spies.”
“Not very likely. Ridgeway was a scoundrel. He beat Colin and James, and sold his eldest daughter into marriage to a man who would pay off his debts. He cared nothing for King and country. He cared for no one but himself. I cannot imagine him working on behalf of the Foreign Office.”
It was odd how she was already able to read her husband, though they’d only been together such a short time. “You aren’t going to tell this to Simon, are you? Not even to clear your name and remain the earl.”
Nick’s face was bleak, a far cry from the self-deprecrating humor she usually saw there. And very different from the passion and love she’d witnessed the previous night. She squeezed his hand and was grateful when he brought hers to his lips.
“No,” he said. “I cannot tell Simon. I can bear the scandal. Colin and the others cannot. He’s barely able to keep the family together as it is. If he is stripped of his estate, they’ll have no place to live. I would offer him my home, but while he might allow our sisters to live there, he and James would leave to eke out an existence. But who would hire them? They would be disgraced and find it next to impossible to earn enough to live on.
“Win was accused of murdering her bastard of a husband. It was only through the intercession of the man who became her husband that she wasn’t lost to us. She doesn’t deserve to survive the hell of her first marriage only to be labeled a traitor’s daughter. And what of Rose and Letty? There was no money for Rose’s come-out. Now she and Letty both would be denied their birthright in the ton. Dear, sweet Anna would’ve faced a difficult enough time in Society because of her Indian heritage. She’d have no chance after this. James’s wife Irene was disowned by her family because she chose to be Anna’s stepmother. Should she also face this disgrace? All of my brothers and sisters have already suffered so much. And they still have an uphill battle to fight. I’ll not allow our father’s inexcusable actions to be their downfall. He gets no more power over us. Yet, I fear the one who will pay the biggest price is you. I am sentencing you to a lifetime of poverty and dishonor.”
Kate couldn’t bear to see the desolation in his eyes.
“The only thing that matters is that we will be together. But I hate to see you take this dishonor onto your own shoulders,” said Kate. She knew this honorable man would do anything for his family and she loved him all the more for it. “But, mayhap, the case is not as dismal as you believe. All Archer said was that the former Earl of Ridgeway was looking for passage. None was provided here. Perhaps he gave up on his quest. Or, for all we know, it wasn’t truly the Earl of Ridgeway. After all, I think it would be highly unlikely for the man to implicate himself while in the midst of committing treason.”
Nick nodded slowly. “The old earl knew how to look out for himself. It does seem odd that he would make such an error. We should find Archer and ask him more questions.”
“I fear that may do us no good since I see him pushing off shore.” She pointed to where Archer and his family were putting out for a sail. “Perhaps it is time to go back to the Revenue to ask them more questions.”
Nick kissed her then with a slow intensity which warmed her from within, despite the cold wind whipping about them.
“What was that for?” she asked.
“For being my intelligent, resourceful and ever patient countess. I already knew you were beautiful, but the rest is proving to be a pleasure to behold. I must say I am getting the much better end of this marriage.”
“I disagree, sir. You have acquired, quite possibly, the world’s worst countess.”
“I have acquired, most definitely, the world’s best wife. And a lovely countess. Now, shall we visit the Revenue?”
“Yes, but first, I believe it is time to pack up my old life so that we can begin a new one together.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Kate stood at the door to her home and looked around it for the last time. She’d been able to fit all of her possessions into her worn valise and Nick’s trunk. In the hour it had taken her to gather her things, she’d been conscious of Nick’s eyes upon her.
“You do not have many items,” he said.
“But what I do have, I treasure. I have books from Oscar, as well as a necklace my father gave my mother.” She held up a beautiful necklace with rubies and bits of amber. “As a little girl, I saw Mother wear this on special occasions. She loved it because Father had given it to her. After they died, most of their things were sold to pay for my passage, but I took this and hid it in my clothes. It would have made Mother so sad to part with it. I knew they both were gone, but, somehow, I felt that as long as I had this necklace, I still had a connection to them.”
Nick pulled her into his arms. “I wish I could have helped the little girl who was so sad. I am ever so thankful that Oscar was here for you. Which reminds me, I would like you to take me to his grave before we leave.”
“You would?” She tried to choke back the tears which threatened to fall.
“I’d like to pay my respects and it will be important for you to say your farewell.”
She didn’t even try to prevent the tears from falling. He handed her his handkerchief, then held her until she stopped crying.
“Nick,” she said, after inelegantly blowing her nose. “If we ever need money, if you cannot retain the title…. We can sell the necklace. My parents would understand.”
He kissed her gently. “No, love. We cannot. I will move heaven and earth to keep us housed and fed. You will never part with that necklace.”
He was no longer holding her, but she felt his warmth and security just from the look in his eyes. She felt his love. “Can I keep wearing Oscar’s coat? Mrs. Johnson always criticizes me when I wear it.”
“Lord knows I always try to live my life
as Mrs. Johnson would,” said Nick as he picked up her valise. “My first sight of you was in that greatcoat. I would be sad if you ever stopped wearing it.”
“Your first sight of me was in the archives. I wasn’t wearing it.”
“Well, not exactly,” said Nick. “But that is a story for a different time. I’ll have the coachman put the trunk in the carriage, if you are ready to leave your home.”
Kate took one more look at the cottage which had been her refuge after Oscar’s death. She had loved living here. But now she knew her home was with her husband – wherever that would take her.
* * *
Nick admired many things about Kate. Her courage, her independence, her wit and beauty. But perhaps it was her adaptability to whatever fate threw her way that made him admire her the most.
She’d ridden out to help him when no one else would, simply because he was in need of rescue. She’d accepted their marriage as a means of preventing her ruination, despite her trepidation about being thrown into ton life. And now she was equally prepared for a life of disgrace if he lost his title.
He could learn a great deal from her example.
After leaving the house, they walked through church grounds to the cemetery. It was filled with modest gravestones, with whole plots set aside for families.
“There is the section for the Archers,” she said, pointing to a large stone with the family name inscribed in it, surrounded by smaller graves. “In the archives, I read about the births, marriages and deaths, if you recall.”
“I shall recall that and my unfortunate remarks for quite some time, especially since I have a feeling you’ll never let me forget my words.”
“Never, my lord,” she said, as she pulled him to her for a kiss. “There were days when I would walk through here on my way home and smile at the memories the people in the ledgers had created. Life ends, but love does not. These people live on through the people who loved them. And here is my dear Oscar.”
She showed him a small stone, which was still shiny and new. She picked up a bouquet of dead flowers she’d left a few days earlier. “Who will put flowers on his grave now?” she asked softly.
Nick put his arm around her. “We can send a letter asking Archer to do it, as well as some coins to reimburse him for his time.”
“Thank you,” she said. And her look of gratitude warmed him through and through.
“I personally tend to George and Francis’s graves.” He’d never told that to anyone. “They are at the estate. I can show you, if you’d like.”
“I would like that,” she said. “I want to help you with them, if you’ll allow it.”
Nick dared not say a word because his own eyes were filling with tears.
“I’d like to pray,” she said, as she bowed her head.
He joined her in silent prayer, taking her hand as he did so.
They remained that way for a moment, at peace and together in silence.
Until it was broken by an unwelcome visitor.
“I told you to never defile church grounds again!” said Mr. Bramwell, filled with righteous indignation.
They turned to see the vile little man. “I plan to turn you out of the cottage the moment your lease is at an end. Indeed, if only there were a morals clause in your contract, I would turn you both out into the street right now. Do not think for a moment that your pagan ceremony makes you married. You have been living in sin since Miss Winston took you to that hut in the storm.”
“It is Lady Layton, Bramwell,” said Nick, who wondered just how much penance he’d have to pay for knocking a man of the cloth unconscious.
“It is no such thing! You are not married.”
“We are handfasted and I intend to make the ceremony official as soon as possible.”
“I’ll not perform the marriage.”
“Yet another blessing. I seem to have an abundance of them since meeting Lady Layton.”
“And to think I ever thought of making that wanton my bride.”
Nick decided hitting Bramwell was the much more appealing choice than not hitting him, regardless of the heavenly consequences. But then Kate stepped in.
“Mr. Bramwell, I was quite surprised when my husband told me you had suggested we had an understanding. As you know, no such thing existed. While I normally try not to hurt anyone’s feelings, I would like to make clear that there would be no circumstances in the world where I would have married you. None, sir. Not even one. You use your pulpit to intimidate others and your judgmental ways have driven more than a few people away from the peace that should be found in the church. You are the opposite of the Reverend Oscar Lowell and I feel sorry for the citizens of Weymouth. For their sake, I hope you become the spiritual leader they deserve.”
Nick felt like cheering. He believed the late Reverend Lowell was doing that very thing from heaven.
“You are a harlot! A whore! A…”
Nick planted the man a facer with his left hand. Bramwell deserved the right – and more than the one punch – but Nick had too much respect for the position of a clergyman to not hold back just a bit.
Bramwell was on his arse, holding his bloody nose. “You whoreson! You bloody bastard!”
“Language, Bramwell,” said Nick. “There is a lady here. Is there anything else you’d like to say to him, my dear?”
Kate looked at the man who’d importuned her on more than one occasion. “Farewell, Mr. Bramwell. We vacated the cottage. Pray use my remaining rent money on alms for the poor.”
“I’ll use it to hire a barrister to have your husband convicted of assault.”
“I do not believe you will,” said Kate. “Not unless you’d like to see what my husband’s right fist can do, as well as his brothers’. Use the money as I instructed. I will hear if you don’t. And I shan’t be happy.”
“If she’s not happy, I’m not happy,” said Nick, who kissed his wife yet again. “Shall we depart?”
“Yes, my love, we shall.”
With a salute toward Oscar’s grave and a glare at Bramwell, Nick escorted his wife to their waiting carriage.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
The trip to Dorchester was much more pleasant for Nick this time than the last. They were in his carriage and he had Kate by his side. He had a feeling everything would be better with her by his side.
She was currently running her hands over the cushions in a way that made him wish she’d do the same to him. She was also opening all the compartments.
“Is that a mink lap robe?” she asked about the contents of a drawer. She didn’t touch it. She simply studied at from a distance as if wondering if the minks were still alive.
“I cannot remember what has been packed away in here, but I suppose it may very well be.”
“You cannot remember if you have a lap robe worth more than my entire inheritance several times over?”
“I am not careless with money if that is what you’re asking. But the title does come with a fair amount of wealth.”
“Do you think that’s why Simon is doing it, then? Is he trying to take your title for the money? For, while being truly poor is a terrible thing, I cannot believe that a person actually needs such luxuries as a mink lap robe. Though, I confess I won’t object if we get to keep it.”
“I don’t believe it’s the money. I think he just wants what is mine. He isn’t a very happy man and, mayhap, he believes wealth will make him so.”
“It won’t,” she said with gratifying certainty. “It is all relative, of course. If one doesn’t have a home or enough food, then money can go a long way toward making a person happier. Though I believe, even then, there is more to happiness than simply what one can purchase. Oscar and I never had much money, but we were happy together. And while I am thankful for my inheritance, I would trade it for love.”
He couldn’t resist kissing her. “Fortunately, you do not have to trade it. And I am ashamed to admit we may have to use it as our children’s inheritance.”
�
��Children!” she looked at him with some alarm.
“Do you not wish to have children?” he asked.
“I want children very much. I just haven’t thought about it truly happening.”
“It might be happening right now,” he said, as he laid his hand gently on her stomach.
“But we only…came together the one time.”
“And it could have happened that one time.”
Now she put her hand over his. “A child. I would like that.”
She turned to him and they kissed. After a lifetime of wishing to find someone to love him back, Nick couldn’t believe it had happened at the most inconvenient time.
He was about to teach Kate about the joys of making love in a carriage – utilizing the mink lap robe – when he felt them drawing to a halt. His coachman opened the door a moment later, announcing their arrival at the Revenue office.
Nick helped Kate out of the carriage, then looked around to see if they were being watched. Someone had seen him at the Revenue office on his last trip. Someone might be watching again. But this time Nick was prepared. He and his men were all armed. He wouldn’t let the brigands ambush him again.
The Revenue office wasn’t any more pleasant this time than the last. But fortune was smiling upon them because Deakes was there. The man looked none too happy to see them, but with a sigh, he agreed to meet with them in his cramped office.
“When I left here before, I was set upon on the road and barely escaped with my life,” said Nick, studying the man across from him carefully. “You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”
“No, milord. But as I said to ye the day ye was here, folks around here don’ like it when outsiders ask questions.”
“Are you saying you believe I’ll be attacked again? Because this time I am well armed and travelling with my wife. I will not hesitate to kill anyone who threatens her.”
It appeared Deakes lost some of the color in his face, though it was difficult to see under the grime. “Yer wife?”
Always Believe in Love (Emerson Book 4) Page 17