“Let us wait for Jeremy to come in as well,” said George.
For once in his lifetime, Michael looked lost. He cursed himself silently for not bringing Oliver with him. Oliver would have been a great support for him as he listened to his mother unravel the past.
A stocky man walked into the living room and Michael saw that he was a younger version of George. “My Lord, I would like you to meet my son, Jeremy Hetherstett,” said George as he introduced Jeremy to Michael.
Jeremy looked as flummoxed as Jane, but nevertheless, he smiled and shook hands with Michael. “It is indeed an honor to have you call on us, Lord Michael,” said Jeremy. He had heard of Michael and his trysts and Jeremy lost no time in making Michael feel at home, although he, up to that point, did not know that Michael was his half-brother.
Jeremy looked around the living room and saw that his mother had been crying. “What has made you sad, Mama?” asked Jeremy. Elizabeth shook her head and looked away.
“Elizabeth, I believe Lord Michael is busy and it would be good if you could tell him everything, from the start,” said George.
Elizabeth nodded and took a deep breath.
Jeremy and Jane sat next to each other. “What’s all this about?” asked Jeremy in a whisper as his bent his head to talk to his sister.
“Will you for once keep your trap shut and listen?” said Jane, who was anxious to know what secrets her mother had hidden all this time.
Elizabeth cleared her throat and looked at her husband before her gaze rested upon her three children. “I have a confession to make and I know it is time that I told the two of you everything of my past,” said Elizabeth, looking at Jeremy and Jane.
“Your past?” asked Jeremy.
Elizabeth nodded. “I was once married before I married your Papa,” said Elizabeth.
Jane and Jeremy exchanged glances. Although it did not dawn on Jane what her mother was about to reveal, the shrewd mind of Jeremy worked fast. “And?” asked Jeremy.
“Who were you married to before you met Papa?” asked Jane.
“I was…I was married to…the…Duke of Hampshire…and,” Elizabeth could not continue as Jeremy and Jane both gasped.
“You were married to the Duke of Hampshire and you were a Duchess?” asked Jeremy. Elizabeth nodded.
“I conceived on the night of our wedding and nine months later, Michael was born,” said Elizabeth, nodding toward Michael.
“Oh my God,” said Jeremy. “So you are my half-brother,” he said, making it sound more like a statement than a question.
Michael kept on looking at his mother.
“How did you meet Papa?” asked Jane.
“Your Papa…your Papa worked for the Duke of Hampshire and…I fell in love with him…and…left…the castle…leaving my son Michael and his father,” said Elizabeth as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Jeremy saw Michael clench his jaw. It is a wonder that this man does not kick up a row here, thought Jeremy.
“How old was I when you left Hampshire Castle?” asked Michael, speaking for the first time since Elizabeth began her confession.
Elizabeth looked at Michael for a long time and looked away.
“How old was I when you left the castle?” repeated Michael, and this time the other three people caught the stern determination in Michael’s voice.
“You…Michael… was barely a year…old,” said Elizabeth as she sniffed into her handkerchief.
“You left Michael when he was not even a year old?” asked Jane in shock.
Elizabeth nodded. “I am not proud of what I did, but at that time I was young and…I loved your Papa very much,” said Elizabeth as she looked lovingly at George, who looked down at his feet.
“Didn’t you ever love Michael’s father?” asked Jane.
“Jane, I think you are embarrassing your Mama,” said George.
“Embarrassing Mama? Are you in your good senses, Papa? She left her marriage and her baby to go away with you and you think my question to her now embarrassed her?” asked Jane, her eyes spewing fury.
“That is not the way to talk to your Mama,” said George.
“Very well then, I shall go to my bedroom,” said Jane as she stood up angrily, determination written all over her face.
Jeremy was the only one who was quiet, as his mind was working on how he could benefit from the new finding that he had a half-brother who happened to be the future Duke of Hampshire.
Jane walked past her brother and stood before Michael. “Michael, I am sorry and I apologize on behalf of my family for the untold sadness you would have gone through growing up without a mother. I had both of them, but you had only your father, and my heart bleeds for the little boy who grew up on his own,” said Jane and with that, she swept out of the living room, her head held high. She looked every inch a lady and Michael was secretly proud of his half-sister.
Michael stood and dusted his breeches. “I must be going. I think I have heard enough,” he said.
“Will you stay for a cup of tea…my son?” asked Elizabeth.
“Maybe another time,” said Michael as he smiled at his mother. He did not want to leave with any feelings of anger or sadness. He wanted to show his mother that he still accepted her as his mother and nothing would change, and that he wanted to bury the past. Michael walked toward Elizabeth and put his arms around her as he kissed her on the cheek. “Look after yourself, Mama, and if you need anything, you only have to send word through Jeremy,” said Michael as he turned to shake hands with George and Jeremy. Then he was gone.
Jeremy stood at the window as he watched Michael leave. His mind was full of plans on how he would befriend Michael now that it was in the open that Michael was his half-brother. He thought he could pinch a good deal out of him.
Elizabeth and George sat in the living room in silence. Neither spoke and George knew better than to intrude on Elizabeth’s thoughts. He knew his wife was shocked, sad and also happy at the same time that she had finally confessed to her son, the Duke of Hampshire.
6
CHAPTER SIX
BONDING
BONDING
“Nothing can break the bond a family has.”
Michael returned home, his head full of thoughts of his mother and newfound siblings. He liked Jane as a brother would like a sister. She was witty and a firebrand at the same time. He loved the way she spoke her mind and was never lost for words. However, Jeremy was another thing. Michael had seen in Jeremy something totally different from his sister. Jeremy always seemed to be planning and scheming, and Michael saw it at first glance. Nevertheless, he was not going to let that stand in the way of nurturing their bonds as siblings. Michael was determined that he would be a good big brother to his half-sister and half-brother.
There was a soft tap on the door. “Come in,” said Michael.
Leticia walked into the bedroom, carrying a tray that contained soup, roast beef and a soufflé that had been prepared by the cook, who had taken to experimenting and trying out new dishes. “I thought you’d like dinner in your bedroom tonight, my Lord,” said Leticia as she placed the tray of food on the side table and went to adjust the bed sheets. “My Lord, it is not my place to be asking, but how did your Mama take it when she saw you?” asked Leticia.
Michael smiled at the old housekeeper. Leticia had always been good to him. “She was in shock for a moment, and cried, which is natural I guess for a mother,” said Michael and he caught Leticia twisting her lips. Michael smiled at the old housekeeper’s way of letting out her fury. “Leticia, it has been a long time since all this happened and who knows, maybe it all happened for the best. I don’t blame my mother for falling out of love with my father and falling in love with George,” said Michael, and he distinctly heard Leticia gasp.
“What in the world is happening to young folk like you who think differently about matters such as this? Do you know how upset and distressed His Grace was when your Mama ran off with George?” asked Leticia, wiping her face
with the back of her hand.
“I know it must have been distressing for Papa, but, Leticia, let’s face it, we have to look to the future now and not ponder what happened in the past,” said Michael with a smile as he patted the old housekeeper’s shoulder.
Leticia shook her head and walked out of the bedroom, muttering under her breath. Michael smiled. It was hard to be angry with the old pudgy housekeeper. He knew she meant well and was still fiercely loyal to the memory of his father.
Michael was surprised at how hungry he was as he devoured the last of the soufflé and sat back with a contended sigh. His thoughts strayed to the happenings of that day and he smiled again when he thought of fiery Jane. She really is something, he said to himself as he took a sip of water. However, Jeremy was something else. Michael saw in him a life of wine, woman and song and smiled to himself when
For two days Michael remained in the castle, and with the help of Paul and Leticia, he rearranged his father’s belongings, throwing away what he thought was not necessary and putting into boxes what he thought he would need later. However, the thought of his father’s Will made Michael cringe. From where could he find a Lady with inheritance, now that Lady Clare Hatherton had literally put up her shutters, blocking him out? Michael was never to be the one who bent his head to failure. Oh no, he took failure head on, and he smiled to himself as all these thoughts zipped through his mind. Yes, he would pursue Lady Clare relentlessly, until she stepped down from that high pedestal that she occupied now.
Michael sat in his father’s study as he rummaged through files, which contained information of his father’s estates around Bath and Hampshire. He was engrossed in looking at one particular file when he heard a knock on the door. Closing the file and putting it in the drawer, he turned to the door. “Come in,” he said. Paul walked in and after one look at Paul, Michael knew the old butler was angry. “Paul, it looks as if you have seen the devil himself, and you don’t look pleased,” said Michael with a grin.
“You could be right, my Lord,” said Paul.
Michael raised a questioning eyebrow. “What is it, Paul?” asked Michael.
“You have a visitor, my Lord, a Mr. Jeremy Hetherstett,” said Paul.
“Oh, Jeremy is here to see me?” asked Michael, a smile crossing his lips.
Paul nodded and waited for instructions from his master.
“Take him to the living room, Paul. I shall speak with him there,” said Michael, who was not foolish enough to invite Jeremy into the study.
Paul nodded, apparently pleased that Michael had not invited Jeremy Hetherstett into the study.
Michael walked into the living room to find Jeremy looking up at a portrait of his father.
“He was a grand gentleman,” said Jeremy, pointing to the portrait.
“Indeed, Papa was,” said Michael as he smiled at Jeremy and pointed to the sofa.
“To what do I attribute this visit from my half-brother?” asked Michael with a smile.
“I was visiting a friend and thought I should stop by and see you,” said Jeremy.
“A friend?” asked Michael.
Jeremy nodded. “Yes, Lord Stephen Huntington and his beautiful wife Lady Maria Beaumont-Huntington,” said Jeremy.
“Oh, is Lord Stephen your friend?” asked Michael in surprise.
“Indeed he is,” said Jeremy with a hint of smugness.
“Then you are fairly close to our family,” said Michael.
“I don’t understand,” said Jeremy, looking bewildered.
“Lord Stephen Huntington is a cousin of mine, but from what I heard through the grapevine, he was banished from the castle by Duke Edward Frampton,” said Michael.
Jeremy squirmed in his chair. Now that was not music to his ears. He remembered the circumstances under which Lord Stephen Huntington and Maria Beaumont had been banished from Frampton Castle. He had been party to a scheme that backfired…a scheme that was atrocious. It had been to abduct the children of the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland, Lady Sophia and Lord William, but it had backfired when Duchess Charlotte Frampton had come upon her brother, Lord Stephen, and Maria Beaumont, then governess to Lady Sophia and Lord William, plotting and planning the abduction. It had been the end of his stay at Frampton castle.
Michael watched Jeremy as his train of thought wandered back to Frampton Castle and Duchess Charlotte Frampton, with whom he had had his share of comfort. However, Jeremy was not going to tell Michael all that.
“Well, what brings you here?” asked Michael.
“Mama has not been feeling too well after you visited her. She is always thinking of you and crying,” said Jeremy, beginning his story on a sad note.
Michael looked at Jeremy sharply. “What’s wrong with her? Has she been sick all this while?” asked Michael as he looked anxious.
“No, she was fine until you arrived,” said Jeremy with a slight smile.
“Oh, I am sorry that whatever it is was triggered by my appearance, but you will understand that I had to make peace with Mama,” said Michael.
“Oh, I do, indeed, I do,” said Jeremy quickly.
“What is it, Jeremy?” asked Michael as he watched Jeremy closely.
“Well, things are not all that bright at home, with Papa only having the plot of land beside our house, which he cultivates, and Mama helps him with the work on the land,” said Jeremy.
“Oh, I see,” said Michael, his heart going out to his mother. She could have been happy at the castle if she had not fallen in love with George. Elizabeth Hetherstett would have been Duchess of Hampshire, but all that was water under the bridge now.
“What do you do?” asked Michael, looking at Jeremy. He thought Jeremy to be able bodied.
“I studied hard and became a barrister…” began Jeremy, but Michael interrupted.
“A barrister? Goodness gracious, Jeremy, you could make a mint of money with that alone,” said Michael.
“I know,” said Jeremy as he nodded his head sadly.
“But then why don’t you pursue it?” asked Michael.
“I could, but over an incident back in Devon, I was banished from the area,” said Jeremy.
Michael smiled. “It looks as if banishments were the order of the day at that time,” said Michael.
Jeremy smiled. “Indeed,” said Jeremy.
Michael’s thoughts circled around the files he had been looking at before Jeremy’s arrival. There was one file that had the details of a property in Bath that was close to where Elizabeth lived. If he could have it turned over to his mother, they could make a living out of it.
Jeremy was watching Michael out of the corner of his eye. He knew his half-brother was thinking seriously about something and he wished that it concerned money or land.
“Jeremy, I was thinking. You know there is a property of Papa’s that is quite close to where you live. If I could turn it over to Mama, you and George could till the land and make a living out of it. I believe it has a grand acreage,” said Michael. Jeremy’s eyes lit up.
“Oh, that is right generous of you, Michael, very generous and Mama would be over the moon if you did give her the land you talk about,” said Jeremy.
“I shall take a look at the details of that land and then come visit Mama sometime next week,” said Michael. “But until then, do not tell Mama anything about it,” concluded Michael.
“Of course not. Let’s surprise her,” said Jeremy.
“Indeed, let’s surprise her,” said Michael, feeling happy that he had a sibling to talk to, even though there was the word “half” in it.
One week later
Michael visited Bath with the file containing details of the property he had deeded to his mother tucked safely within his coat. He had decided to ride his stallion to Bath instead of taking the carriage, as he did not even want Simon to know that he was visiting his mother again.
Jane was in the garden, tending to the rose bushes, when she heard the sound of hooves. She knew it could not be Jeremy, as he was
home. She got to her feet, shaded her eyes from the bright sunshine and smiled when she saw that it was Michael. “Hello, Michael,” said Jane as she brushed her muddy hands on her apron and walked to the gate to greet her half-brother.
“Hello, little sister,” said Michael and Jane’s heart leapt with joy at being called little sister by Michael. She had come to like Michael very much.
“Is Mama at home?” asked Michael.
“Indeed she is. Let’s go in. You could tether your stallion to that iron rod over there,” said Jane as she pointed to a newly constructed iron rod, and Michael suspected that it had been put there expecting his visits to see his mother.
Michael tied his stallion to the iron rod and walked into the house with Jane.
Elizabeth was in the kitchen baking, and the aroma of freshly baked croissants wafted from the kitchen and swirled around Michael. “Mmm, that smells delicious,” said Michael appreciatively.
Elizabeth heard Michael in the living room and came rushing out of the kitchen, her eyes sparkling. “Michael, you have come,” she said as she held out her arms to her son.
“Yes, Mama and how are you keeping? I heard from Jeremy that you were not feeling too well last week,” said Michael. Elizabeth and Jane exchanged surprised glances and Jeremy, who was about to enter the living room, stood frozen.
“Ah yes…I was not feeling too well last week. It must have been the change of weather,” said Elizabeth, but Jane knew better. Her brother had been visiting Michael, with a stack of fibs up his sleeve.
When everyone was seated in the living room, Michael pulled out the file and held it out to his mother.
“What is this, Michael?” asked Elizabeth in surprise.
“Take it, Mama, and read it,” said Michael with a smile.
George looked at his wife in wonder.
“George, will you read it please, I feel so nervous when I see files like this,” said Elizabeth as she held it out to George.
Regency Romance: To Capture The Duke’s Heart (CLEAN Historical Romance) (The Inheritance Saga) Page 10