The Cinder Earl's Christmas Deception

by Em Taylor

  “But you would have had money.”

  “And what if one day he hit me, forcing me somewhere I did not want to go, like the night at Lady Arbuthnott’s then let go and I hit my head and died, my lord? It happens. Look at Patsy’s husband. There are no pockets in shrouds.”

  He raised his eyebrows and pursed his lips.

  “You make a good point, my lady.”

  “We have kept the Duke of Hartsmere waiting long enough.”

  She batted at him until he moved off her and adjusted her clothing as best she could. Gabriel fixed his own clothing before helping her with the lacings of her gown.

  ∞∞∞

  They put back on their outdoor clothing and returned to the castle. The ducal coach with its ostentatious emblem still stood outside the front door. A couple of footmen, whom Gabriel recognised, stopped when he approached the door. He smiled at them and was surprised when they bowed. These were men with whom he had supped ale in an inn.

  He led Kathleen under the large portico of the castle and through the front door which was held open by the butler.

  “I see he is here. Is he in the drawing room?”

  “Yes but, you…”

  “Fine. Don’t bother to send up tea. He is not staying.”

  “But…”

  Gabriel sent a wave over his shoulder that suggested he cared not what the butler had to say. When he got to the drawing room doors there were two servants standing guard like sentries or footman. Why the devil did he have footmen at his drawing room all of a sudden? He supposed it was because a Duke was here.

  “Kathleen, my love. My father and I have a fraught relationship. Please ignore anything he says or anything I say. Just know that I love you and anything I say is to wound or shock him, not you.”

  She nodded stoically.

  He nodded to the footmen who looked a little concerned and strode in as they opened the door. He began speaking before he even looked towards his father.

  “Sorry, Your Grace, I was tumbling my countess in the dower house. You know what a draw that place has.”

  He stopped as Kathleen nudged his side and hissed his name. His gaze settled on Godfrey who had jumped to his feet and was standing wringing his hands.

  “Where’s…” Gabriel started, but he stopped when Godfrey executed a low bow.

  “Good afternoon, Your Grace.”

  Gabriel’s gaze did a quick search of the room, but his father was certainly not here. He looked behind, but the man had not appeared in the doorway after him.

  “If you are calling me Your Grace, Godfrey then…”

  “Our sire is dead, yes. You are the ninth Duke of Hartsmere. I am your humble servant.” He bowed again.

  “Up Godfrey. Please stop grovelling. Tell me, he is dead?”

  “Aye, Your Grace.” Godfrey sighed. “Well, you can imagine he was in a real temper about your defection and marriage. He went to see…” he gestured to Kathleen. “Uh, Her Grace’s father and was not pleased with the result of the meeting. Apparently, her father is considering giving her dowry to you and funds to set you up. Not that you shall need them now. But he came out of the Roberts’ townhouse in a foul temper. Cedric called out a warning as he crossed the road, but Father was so busy railing and shouting back at Mr Roberts and threatening him with ruin that he did not hear, or he ignored Cedric’s warning and a coach and six, which apparently was going at some speed for a town street, ran him down. The horses trampled him and there was nothing could be done to save him.”

  “I may ask one of those young men outside the door to arrange a tea tray after all,” Kathleen led Gabriel to a love seat and urged him onto it and patted his knee. He clasped her hand briefly then let it go. He felt like he had been trampled by horses himself. He despised his father, but he’d not prepared himself for this.

  “And Cedric.”

  “Shocked but fine.”

  “You came in the ducal carriage.”

  “I thought you would want to ride home in it. Did I overstep the mark? I am sorry, Gab… Your Grace.”

  Gabriel waved a dismissive hand at him. “You are still my half-brother. Gabriel is fine.”

  “Tea is on its way.”

  “About the coach, old boy, I was only doing what I thought was right.”

  “It is fine, Godfrey. It seems sensible to bring the ducal coach if I am, after all, the Duke. Good God.” He shuddered visibly. He had known this day would come but the idea of it was quite sobering. And he had been prepared for a showdown with his sire. The feeling of anti-climax was quite, quite overwhelming. He stood—unable to sit still and paced to the window. “When did it happen?”

  “Yesterday morn. The Duke decided he was going to spoil the Roberts’ Christmas morn. I suppose that was why the coach was travelling so fast. He did not expect anyone to be out at that time on Christmas morn except a few servants and they would be looking where they were going.”

  “How are Cedric and your mother taking the news?”

  “Cedric is in shock. He said the Duke’s body was badly broken. He does not have a strong stomach, as you know. Mother is being stoic. She seems… relieved. She was even asking if she had to go into mourning since she was his mistress.”

  Gabriel raised his eyebrows. “I suppose there are no rules for mistresses. We shall have to purchase mourning clothes as soon as we get back to town. How will we tell Christina?”

  “I sent a messenger with a note for Stalwood to his Richmond estate. I assume they would have gone there because of the weather.”

  “Aye, they did. Godfrey, why are you doing all this?”

  “All what?”

  “You came here, you have arranged for Christina to find out. What else have you organised?”

  “Just for Father’s solicitor to attend you once you return. Gabriel, I did not mean to overstep the mark. I merely…”

  “You have not. I just want to know why you, the youngest of my siblings has had to take charge.”

  Godfrey blink then pursed his lips. “Cedric is an arse.”

  Gabriel felt the bubble of laughter explode in his throat before he roared with glee and lurched forward to slap his half-brother on the shoulder.

  “Indeed he is, brother. Indeed he is.”

  Godfrey looked rather nonplussed and Kathleen just looked amused as the tea tray was brought in.

  “You must be hungry Godfrey.”

  “I am. Could have chewed on the leg of one of the outriders. But was not sure of my reception here so wanted to make it in good time to find an inn and hire a horse if necessary for the return journey.”

  “You thought I would cast you out of my home.”

  “Well, you have been treated abominably, Gabriel.”

  “Not by you, Godfrey. You always tried to affect the fashionable ennui, but you made a pretty poor job of it.”

  “I am an outcast in society. It is easier to pretend not to care, Gabriel. I am a bastard, after all.”

  “Some people may treat you with disdain, but you are the son and now the brother of a duke.”

  “They think I am like Cedric and I am nothing like him.”

  Gabriel sighed. Now was not the time to undo years of sibling rivalry and Cedric’s bullying ways. “We shall talk about it more when we get back to town. I can tell you for one thing—I am sure my duchess is relieved to see that you are wearing breeches rather than inexpressibles.”

  “Miss Violetta Masterson prefers me in these,” he said grinning.

  “You are wearing them for a young lady?”

  “She is the granddaughter of the Earl of Moncliffe. His third son’s daughter. She is five and twenty, and as pretty as a picture but she… is lame. She needs to use a crutch to walk. Many in the ton have ignored her as a result. Her dowry is substantial. But I do not care about that. I am sure Father will have left enough for me. She understands me. I met her but a week ago, but I cannot wait until I see her again. She says she does not care that I am a bastard.”

  “Sh
e sounds lovely.”

  “Yes, she does. People are idiots if they cannot see past her need to use a crutch. Why, we are friends with the Duchess of Kirkbourne and she uses crutches sometimes and is carried other times. She is delightful,” put in Kathleen.

  “So, if I marry a lame woman, you will not give her the cut direct?” he asked, hope filling his gaze.

  “Never,” said Gabriel, and Kathleen shook her head vehemently. Godfrey let out a breath and visibly relaxed. Damn, Gabriel hated society. The poor chit had a problem walking and had probably been ignored and insulted all her life.

  “Maybe once we get back and everything is settled, we can have her around for dinner. And you as well of course,” said Kathleen

  “That would be kind of you. Thank you, Your Grace.”

  “Please, call me Kathleen, since you are my brother-in-law. So, when are we headed for London?” She turned to Gabriel. He glanced out of the window and grimaced.

  “I thought mayhap we should wait until morning.”

  “I agree. Godfrey will be tired from travelling, you need time to come to terms with everything that has happened, and we would just be setting out when we would have to stop to rest for the night.”

  “I thought you said snow was not dangerous.”

  “Only freshly fallen snow. Look at the sky. It is clear. The snow shall freeze overnight and be like a frozen lake. The horses would break their necks. No, we should wait until morning.”

  “You really are like my own personal weather vane, my love.”

  “Only when it comes to snow. I know it better than you. Now I should go and speak to the staff about dinner and getting a room prepared for Godfrey. I shall be back presently.”

  Kathleen left, and Gabriel headed for the sideboard. Lifting a glass, he motioned to Godfrey who nodded eagerly. He really was a bit like a pup who just wanted to be loved. Gabriel was not sure he could manage to love his half-brother. Perhaps too much water had flowed under that particular bridge, but he could learn to respect the chap, given time. Now he just had to get used to the fact that the Duke of Hartsmere was no longer a man he despised. The Duke of Hartsmere was himself.

  Chapter 22

  “I cannot believe he left no will,” wailed Lady Benwick into her handkerchief as Kathleen patted her hand.

  Gabriel slid into the chair behind the desk in the Duke’s study and looked around. Kathleen gave him an encouraging smile.

  “I have consulted every solicitor my father ever had dealings with, his man of business and we have searched all his papers. There appears to be no will. As his eldest son, that means all properties and monies apparently come to me.” He paused. He looked no happier about that news that the rest of the assembled group. His finances appear to be in good health.

  “He has left my boys destitute. I am sure you are happy, Your Grace.” Wailed Lady Benwick. Kathleen’s patience was wearing thin.

  “Madam, you shall be quiet.” He steepled his fingers and pursed his lips. Really it was poor form for the previous duke to die without having left any kind of will. Kathleen and Gabriel had discussed it in bed the previous night as he had worried about what to do about it. She liked that he was willing to discuss business with her. “Let it be acknowledged that I am not my sire and I am nothing like him. He may have refused to do his duty, but I shall not.”

  “Stalwood, did my father give you Christina’s dowry?”

  Stalwood stiffened. “No but…”

  “I shall give you ten thousand pounds as a dowry for her. Is that enough?” Stalwood’s eyebrows rose.

  “Aye. It is too much.”

  “Nothing is too much for my dear older sister,” he said, grinning. Christina stuck her tongue out at him and Kathleen, Stalwood and Gabriel laughed. Everyone else just looked a little confused.

  Gabriel looked at Lady Benwick. “Madam, I know you are well looked after by your late husband’s estate. However, I have never doubted you cared for the eighth Duke. You bore him two sons, and you suffered much scandal to be with him. My feelings with regards to your part in my mother’s death are neither here nor there. You shall receive three thousand pounds per annum until your death.”

  “My part in her death. You killed her.”

  “In what way did Gabriel kill her, Ma’am? He was a child? He did not know what he was witnessing. He thought the Duke was hurting you?”

  “Pardon? I have no clue what you are talking about, Duchess,” Lady Benwick said, the contempt dripping off the honorific.

  “My lady, I was five. I was playing near the dower house and I saw you and my father copulating.”

  “You did no such thing. I never… not in his bed, not in his house and not on his estate. He always came to me.”

  “Even when you were married to Lord Benwick?” Gabriel raised a sceptical eyebrow.

  “I was faithful to my husband. Much to your father’s chagrin.”

  “But I saw him, smacking your arse and plunging into you. I thought he was beating you as he beat my mother. Of course, I knew not what sex was back then, and I thought you were a servant. I told my mother and that night she killed herself.”

  Lady Benwick gasped. Her face was ashen, and she grasped for Kathleen’s hand.

  “She killed herself?”

  “Aye. What did you think happened?”

  “He… your father just said you killed her. I did not ask for the details.”

  “So… was it you in the dower house that day?”

  “I told you. I was never on your father’s estate. Not even to visit my boys once he took them away from me.”

  “He took us away from you? He said you did not want us,” said Godfrey.

  “How could you think that? I loved you. I faced down scandal to have you.”

  “Were you having your affair with my father when I was five?”

  Lady Benwick looked contemplative.

  “I believe not. I think I may have been courting Lord Benwick at that point. Your father was furious.”

  “Good God. It is all coming out now.”

  “Perhaps mother did not kill herself. Perhaps he killed her.” Everyone turned and looked at Christina. She shrugged. “They had an almighty row that night. He was bellowing, she was crying. He hit her a few times. I suppose we shall never know the truth. The reason I suggest it is that for many years there has been guilt and accusation and hatred in this family and I for one am sick and tired of it. The man who caused it all is dead. And thank God for that. He was violent and he was vile. It is time for us to move on. What is done is done. Mother was downtrodden and beaten by her husband. However she died, it was probably a blessed release. We now have our own blessed release from the same man. Let us not spend our time going over what might or might not have happened twenty years ago.”

  Everyone just stared at Christina for a few moments. Kathleen had to say something. She agreed with her completely.

  “Yes, you are right Christina. It is time to move on. You were saying about money, Gabriel?”

  “Oh yes. Godfrey and Cedric, you shall each have three thousand per annum but Cedric, yours comes with conditions. You will get one thousand pounds every four months. If I hear any rumours or tales from servants, maids, or ladies that you have hurt them or forced them to do anything sexual or otherwise that they did not want to do, then you shall receive no more money.”

  “Excuse me, of what do you accuse my son?”

  “He abused my wife before he knew she was my wife and I heard things from the maids.”

  “Is this true?” She looked at Kathleen.

  “He tried to use force to take me upstairs at the Arbuthnott soiree before Christmas but when I tried to resist, he attempted to drag me away. The Duke of Kirkbourne intervened, and Cedric let go and I injured myself. Then he tried to force me again the night that Gabriel stepped in and everyone found out about the charade he had been living.”

  “I see. Cedric, you and I shall be having words and you shall be mending your ways.”


  “But Mama…”

  “Do not ‘Mama’ me. You are a grown man. Is this how your father brought you up?”

  “It probably was, Ma’am,” said Gabriel.

  “Mayhap,” she said, visibly deflating. “He was a brute.”

  “Did he hit you, Lady Benwick?” asked Christina suddenly.

  “Chrissie,” Gabriel rebuked. She gave him an ‘I only asked’ look.

  “Why do you think I stayed?” asked Lady Benwick. “Why do you think I came back only once my protector was gone?”

  Kathleen took the woman’s hand in both of hers.

  “Gabriel is all the business concluded?” He nodded. “Then we shall all have tea in the drawing room. Lady Benwick, Cedric, Godfrey, you are of course invited along with Christina and Stalwood.”

  As they rose and Gabriel took her arm to lead her out, she smiled at him. He had started to mend the bridges with his family. They would work on the rest as time went by.

  Chapter 23

  December 31st, 1816

  “Please let us know when you hear from Sophia,” Kathleen urged Lord and Lady Beattie as they stood at the door to see off their guests.

  “I suspect she is in Cumbria. I have no idea if that is more or less safe, given the circumstances. But with all this snow, I doubt anyone would be stupid enough to follow her. I just hope she and the babe are well. It is a difficult enough journey in good weather.”

  “We shall pray for her safe return,” said Gabriel, as he lifted Emily’s gloved hand and pressed a quick kiss to it.

  The butler opened the door and their friends walked out into the swirling snowstorm. Kathleen watched, slightly worried as her friend descended the steps. She was well propped up against her husband.

  “Do you think the nephew of Sophia’s husband really does want to kill her son?”