Staring at the fabric of the canopy above her, Julia shrugged. Alive, she thought suddenly. As if the mere touch of a man had awakened senses in her she didn’t know existed. Bereft, for the strong arms that had carried her to this room were no longer wrapped around her, and she felt the loss as if something she loved had died.
“I am fine,” she whispered, reaching out a hand to grasp onto one of her mother’s. “Although, I made a cake of it, didn’t I?” she said with a hint of derision, remembering a bit of what had made her so short of breath there at the end.
Temperance shook her head. “You were doing just fine until … well, until whatever topic came up that had you and Mr. Comber nose to nose,” she chided gently.
Julia’s eyebrows cocked up. “Nose to nose? I hardly reach his neck!” she replied with a grin. The humor in her face disappeared, though, when she recalled the rest of what it was that had the two of them at odds on the dance floor. “He’s not married,” she said quietly.
“No, he’s not,” her mother agreed with a shake of his head. “Do you have someone in mind for our Mr. Comber?” she wondered, reaching over to push a lock of hair off of Julia’s cheek.
Julia stared at her mother. What would make her ask such a thing? “Did you … did you know you would marry Father when you met him?” she asked. “Was he already an earl back then?”
Temperance regarded her daughter for a few moments before deciding how to respond. “He was a viscount, but I … I admit I considered another first,” she said carefully. “But, I have never regretted marrying your …”
“Who?” Julia asked as she sat up on the bed, her eyes wide. My mother loved another! “Was he a commoner?”
Angling her body away from Julia, Temperance seemed to consider how best to answer. “Of course not. Lord Trenton was already an earl. He … he seemed to favor both Cousin Charity and me, but it was apparent after a time that he preferred Charity,” she explained, not adding that she had discovered the two in her bedchamber when she returned from a ball. They had taken their leave the hour before, although not at exactly the same time.
Julia shook her head. “I cannot imagine you married to that … beast,” she murmured. “Poor Charity …”
“Charity knew what she was doing,” Temperance said quickly. “She wanted to be a countess, and once he had bedded her, and she carried his babe, she made sure he met her at the altar.”
Her eyes wide, Julia sat shaking her head. “Gabriel?” she whispered, remembering how she thought he might one day be her husband. A wave of relief washed over her.
At one time she would have welcomed her second cousin’s amorous attentions, but not now. Not now that she’d heard the on-dit and realized he might marry her only to see that her father was made out to be a fool in Parliament.
Temperance nodded. “He’s the poor one in all of this,” she said with a sigh. At Julia’s look of disbelief, she added, “He lost his brother because his father thought the babe was a bastard. He lost his uncle because his father thought – erroneously – that the man was the babe’s father. He watched his mother being beaten … just because.” She rolled her eyes and looked away, blinking back tears.
Julia covered her mouth with a hand. “I didn’t know … I didn’t know any of this,” she said from behind her hand.
“And I only tell you now so that you have some perspective,” Temperance said gently. “Do not be hasty in assuming too much or too little of someone. Especially when it comes to a husband. Your Father might demand you marry an aristocrat, but I will not be so strict in my expectation,” she explained before she leaned over and placed a kiss on Julia’s head.
“Are you telling me to consider Gabriel as a husband?” Julia wondered, imagining her cousin in a whole new light.
A smile split her mother’s face. “No, my dear,” she replied with a shake of her head. “Although, he is rather handsome,” she added with a sigh.
“And rich,” Julia stated with an arched brow. She closed her eyes and remembered the ride in the park. Lord Trenton had attempted to flirt with her, she was sure. But his manner didn’t suggest he did so with an intent to court her. Nor did she think she could consider him for matrimony. No matter how rich he was.
So where did that leave her?
Pining for a man who was a groom in her father’s stables! “Mr. Comber is rather handsome,” she hinted then, wondering why her mother had steered the conversation to include talk of other men.
“Indeed,” Temperance agreed, her face suddenly lighting up. “And well-mannered, and well-spoken, and an excellent horseman and …”
When she paused, Julia glanced up at her. “What else?” she prodded, surprised her mother would be espousing the attributes of a groom.
At that moment, Temperance Harrington almost – almost – told Julia the truth about Alistair Comber. But she thought of what might happen between now and the ball and thought better of it. “He’ll make an excellent gentleman,” she finished with a shrug.
Julia smiled. “Thank you, Mother,” she replied before giving her mother a hug. “I do hope so.”
Chapter 35
Lady Trenton Takes Her Leave
Charity Wellingham, Countess of Trenton, had to admire the haste in which the inn’s stableboy and groom had seen to her coach-and-four. Why, to make the request that she be ready to leave the inn within ten minutes of the mail coach’s departure would have had any other coaching inn giving her excuses, but not the hard-working men at the Spread Eagle. She had to admire how the two, along with the inn’s owner, nearly tripped over themselves to do her bidding.
The thought that they did so because they worked for an inn manager who commanded that level of service suddenly crossed her mind. Miss Cumberbatch was to be commended for what she had done with the Spread Eagle. She obviously had devoted employees, she had probably seen to the upgrade of the property, and she had managed to give birth to an adorable child and was raising him as if he was her nephew. She would make a good countess, Charity realized, wondering if she was doing the right thing by her son.
Tricking the young woman who was looking after the babe had been a bit difficult. The loyal servant, Margery, was in the same room as Gabe. Having just changed his nappy and settled him into his crib, Margery was straightening the room when Lady Trenton breezed in and requested a moment to play with Gabe. The countess dropped her valise next to the threshold as she made her plea.
“Of course, my lady,” Margery agreed, giving the countess her very best curtsy. “His mum will expect him to be down for a nap soon, though,” she said hesitantly, stepping aside so the countess could reach down and pick up the babe.
“Nonsense,” Charity replied as she lifted Gabe into her arms, her gloved hands and pelisse hiding her injured arm. “Had she a proper nursery, this one would be playing right about now.”
Margery regarded the older woman for a moment, annoyed by the woman’s comment. “Miss Cumberbatch is a very good aunt,” she answered a bit defensively.
“Of course, she is,” Charity agreed with a smile as she moved to take a rocking chair in the corner. Miss Cumberbatch has them all convinced she’s the baby’s aunt, she realized just then. “A heavy one, he is,” she murmured as she settled herself.
“Nana, dada,” Gabe said as one of his fists escaped from the blanket that swaddled him and began waving through the air. He grinned, displaying a limited number of teeth and a dimple that perfectly matched his father’s.
Charity smiled at the boy’s antics. “I’m sure you have responsibilities to see to, young lady,” she said as she kept her attention on the Cupid look-alike she held. “I think I should like to rock this little boy to sleep.”
Margery regarded the woman for a moment, thinking nothing untoward could happen with Gabe in the arms of a countess. “If … if you’re certain, my lady,” she replied, thinking she could finish cleaning up the public room. “I’ll just be ten minutes, no more,” she added as she moved to the door.
“Run along,” Charity said with a wave of one hand. “This little boy and I will just be here taking a nap.”
With one last glance at the countess and at Gabe, Margery hurried out the door and down the steps to see to the public room.
Charity waited a few moments, admiring her grandson as his eyelids grew heavy. Once he was asleep, she carefully stood up and made her way to the valise, slowly lowering the baby until he was safely inside. Padded with a few of her under things, it would provide a perfect way to carry Gabe out of the inn and into her coach.
Peeking around the threshold and sure no one was about, Charity tiptoed out of the room and to the back stairs, pausing at the top to see if she could determine where they might bring her should she use them instead of the stairs that led into the public room. Daylight, from a window or from an opened door, illuminated the bottom step. She descended as quickly as she dared given her burden and her skirts. With all the inn’s employee’s busy with cleaning up after the departure of the mail coach or seeing to her coach, she was able to make it out the back door and to the side of the inn yard before she spotted her driver in a discussion with the inn’s owner.
“Come along, Burberry. I wish to be home early this evening,” she said with a hint of impatience.
Mr. Bristow rushed to the side of the coach and opened the door for her. “Thank you for staying at the Spread Eagle, my lady,” he said as he bowed.
“Thank you for the excellent luncheons and accommodations. I shall return,” she promised as she allowed the owner to assist her into the coach. “Let’s be off, Burberry,” she called out the window.
John Bristow was about to ask after her maid when the driver stepped up onto the coach and settled himself on the bench. The tiger, caught off-guard and still conversing with the stableboy, had to run to get to the coach. Before Mr. Bristow could say anything, the coach was suddenly moving and on its way out of the inn yard. Another few minutes, and it was out of sight of the Spread Eagle.
Inside the coach, Charity Wellingham breathed a sigh of relief. She hoped Fuller’s son would see to her lady’s maid’s return to Trenton Manor within a day or two. Until then, she would have to rely on the other maids at the house to see to her needs.
And the baby’s, if a rescue wasn’t already in the offing.
She reached over and opened the valise, smiling when she determined Gabe was still sound asleep.
Within a few moments, Lady Trenton was as well.
Chapter 36
Of Bastard Brothers and a Son
Gabriel Wellingham spent the night at Trenton Manor, enjoying the relative peace and quiet for the first few hours after his return from Wolverhampton. His mother had been true to her word and was off on some trip, apparently. Given her reaction to his news the day before, he thought it was better she wasn’t in the manor. He was sure she would argue that he should disavow any knowledge of his son and of the woman who claimed Gabriel was the boy’s father.
Now that he planned to ask for Sarah’s hand in marriage, he wanted a day or two before having to inform his mother of his decision. It might take time – and a good deal of cajoling – to make his mother see his reasons for what he was about to do. And what he had already done with the help of his solicitor.
Three siblings, he thought with a sigh. I have two brothers and a sister. His man had been quite thorough in doing his research, although old gossip had provided enough information to help get the search started.
Having met his sister, Lily Harkins, in London, Gabriel was heartened when he received a note from her upon his return to Trenton Manor. Lady Samantha has encouraged me to accept your offer of clothes, a companion, a townhouse and a come-out. Lady Samantha is determined to have me ready for the Mayfield Ball. As for the dowry, it is far too soon for me to consider matrimony. I wish to have a Season to think about it. Thank you for your generosity. Your sister, Lily.
Gabriel smiled as he read the missive, a sense of satisfaction settling over him. He could at least see to it she made an advantageous match in the Marriage Mart should she decide marriage was in her future. Hurrying off to his secretary’s office, Gabriel greeted the dour man with a smile and his thanks for finding the chit.
His directive to Heatherton to see to Lily’s arrangements was met with a nod and an, “I’ll see to it immediately.”
Feeling rather satisfied about Lily, Gabriel decided he was ready to meet his brothers. “Have you news as to the whereabouts of the two boys?” he asked of his secretary.
Heatherton seemed to hesitate before finally nodding his head. “I have, my lord,” he said as he seemed to flip through several papers he had stacked neatly on his desk. “These just came in the morning’s mail.” Pulling out two sheets from the stack, he handed them to Gabriel. “I am … sorry, my lord,” he murmured as he waited to be dismissed. “I have seen to it the investigator was paid for his services.”
Furrowing his brows at his secretary’s comment, Gabriel turned his attention to the papers he’d been given. One described a baby boy born in Wolverhampton to a former maid of the manor. Died of fever at age one, the report stated, the date from over eleven years ago written in a scribble.
Damnation! Gabriel thought with a heavy heart. He would have been twelve this year. Before Gabriel had a chance to feel too much sorrow, he flipped to the next page. Horace Cooper, aged fifteen, shot while attempting to steal a chicken. Although he lived for a few days, he later died of an infection.
Gabriel stared at the report, reading it again just to be sure he had read it correctly. Stealing? “When did this happen?” Gabriel wondered, holding out the sheet about Horace.
“A couple of years ago, my lord,” Heatherton answered, using a finger to point at the date on the report.
Gabriel lifted his eyes to the ceiling, closing them for a few moments. Killed for stealing a chicken? Probably because he was poor and hungry.
I’m too late, Gabriel thought in despair. Years too late. “Are you sure these are … all of them?” he asked in a hoarse whisper.
Heatherton nodded. “The investigator was quite sure there were just the three,” he replied carefully.
Just three, Gabriel repeated to himself. Well, at least Lily was still alive, he considered. And my son.
More determined than ever to convince Sarah to marry him – and to see to it his bastard son was recognized as his own – Gabriel ordered his horse be made ready for the trip to the Spread Eagle. Packing the jewelry and the toys he had purchased for Gabe, he was on the road north by noon.
Chapter 37
A Bauble and a Baby
By the time Sarah reached her room at the other end of the hallway, she had to grip the door frame in order to stop her forward momentum. Nearly spinning into the room where she had left Gabe with Margery earlier that afternoon, her heart leaped into her throat when she found neither in the room. Panic already threatening to cloud her thinking, she rushed out of the room, determined to find Margery.
“Where is he?” Sarah called out as she hurried down the stairs.
The tavern maid was calming sweeping the public room, humming softly as she did so. Surprised at Sarah’s sudden appearance, she took a step back. “Where is … who?” Margery wondered.
“Gabe!” Sarah nearly yelled. “He’s not in my room …” She stopped as she watched Margery take another step backward and her expression change from one of calm to panicked.
“The countess,” Margery managed to get out. “She insisted she be allowed to put the babe to sleep. When I left her, she was rocking him. She assured me …” The tavern maid didn’t have a chance to finish her sentence as Sarah ran from the public room and through the hall to the back door of the inn. “Mr. Fuller!” Margery heard her call out.
Dropping the broom, Margery hurried up the stairs and to Sarah’s room. Although the baby definitely wasn’t in the room, nothing of his extra blankets or clothing was gone, nor were any of the nappies missing from the stack atop the dresser. Margery worke
d her way down the hall, checking rooms she knew to be unoccupied and finally ended up in the parlor where Mrs. Fuller sat staring at the fire.
She regarded the lady’s maid for a moment, a mix of sadness and anger making it hard to stay calm. “Did you know she was going to take the baby?” Margery wondered, her hands pressed against her middle. “I should never have left her alone in Sarah’s room.”
The lady’s maid finally turned her gaze to the tavern maid, her head shaking from side to side. “I cannot believe Lady Trenton would do such a thing,” she murmured. “She doesn’t know the first thing about taking care of a babe.”
Margery’s eyes widened. “Then, why?” Margery asked, her worry increasing. This is all my fault.
Mrs. Fuller shook her head. “Well, the babe is her son’s bastard child,” she said in a whisper.
Margery stared at Mrs. Fuller for a very long time. “Gabe is Lord Trenton’s son?” When the lady’s maid merely nodded, Margery shook her head. “But, how can that be? Gabe’s mother was Sarah’s sister. The poor woman died giving birth to him. How would the earl even know Sarah’s sister?”
The explanation didn’t seem to matter to Mrs. Fuller. “Anyone who knew Gabriel Wellingham when he was a babe could take one look at that baby and know it was his,” she countered quietly.
Shaking her head, Margery took her leave of the parlor and made her way down the stairs to the taproom, expecting to find Mr. Bristow. But the owner wasn’t in the room. By the time Margery got to the backyard, a flurry of activity was underway.
“How long ago did she leave?” Sarah asked, her question directed to the inn’s owner.
“Ten minutes, maybe,” he answered with a shrug. “But, I tell you, she didn’t have the babe,” he added quickly. “Just a valise.”
She didn’t have the babe? But, of course she wouldn’t have had the baby in plain sight! “He was probably in the valise,” Sarah said, her panic increasing.
My Fair Groom (The Sons of the Aristocracy) Page 25