His Contrary Bride (A Gentleman's Guide to One Upon a Time - Book 2)

by Charles, Jane

  “It’s good to know that even if my husband couldn’t provide for his son, he was able to provide for his daughter-in-law.” The ladies chuckling as the tension began to subside.

  Before she knew what was happening the tears welled in her eyes, her chest tightened and Sabrina was sobbing. “My cousin. Someone needs to get word to him. Juliette is increasing and shouldn’t be upset needlessly.”

  “I will visit her this evening, on our way home. If they are asleep, I will visit first thing in the morning,” Phoebe promised.

  Banging at the door silenced the room. Panicked Sabrina looked around for a place to hide. Phoebe pushed her behind a door as Chambers strode down the hall after Jones. Who would be calling at this hour?

  A few moments later Dillon returned, Felding followed him. The poor man looked as agitated as the others had a short time earlier.

  “Thank God you are safe.”

  “As you can see, we are well.” Marius stated. “But, that needs to remain a secret.” He continued by explaining about the fire.

  “Chesterfield is still there, along with a few others, waiting for the fire to be extinguished. I’m afraid there is nothing left.”

  “I expected as much.” Marius pulled Sabrina close and looked down at her. “We should go, Shields will be waiting soon.”

  Sabrina hugged each of the women briefly before she followed Marius out of the back of the house. As they had before, they stuck to the shadows as they made their way to the end of the ally. As had been promised, a hackney waited at the opening with Shields in the driver’s seat. “There are clothes inside. I’m going to take you out of London to the next coach stop. It will be easier to travel by common coach. Others won’t be paying you as much attention.”

  Marius helped Sabrina in and took a seat beside her. After pulling the shades, they settled back for the first leg of the trip. Though Sabrina eventually drifted asleep in the silence, Marius remained awake, trying to figure out a plan. If they didn’t gain the upper hand, they would always be looking over their shoulder and at a disadvantage.

  * * *

  Dawn was just breaking when they arrived at their destination. Marius left Sabrina alone in the carriage so she could change into a modest gown.

  The two men were shaking hands when Sabrina finally emerged, glad to be back in familiar clothing.

  “I will send word if and when I learn anything of Chesterfield.”

  “Thank you for everything, Mr. Shields.”

  After bowing to Sabrina, he climbed back into the driver’s seat and drove away.

  “Where are we going?” She finally asked.

  “To Summer Hope. Wouldn’t you like to see your inheritance?”

  Chapter 24

  They traveled by public coach for two full days. Six people were crowded into the seats and Sabrina wondered if they would ever arrive. The first night they stayed in an inn along the way. They were so tired that they barely ate their dinner before falling into an exhausted sleep. It was the first full night’s sleep Marius had gotten since he married Sabrina six days ago.

  At the end of the second day they arrived in the village of Hopedale. Summer Hope sat on the outskirts. Knowing the place was deserted, they spent the night again in the local inn. Once again sleeping soundly, glad they were close to their destination.

  The day was bright, clear and warm when Sabrina woke. They would be at their new home soon and things looked brighter, if only for a short time. Until her uncle located them. Before traveling to the house, however, Marius decided to pay a call on a local solicitor who had been taking care of Sabrina’s mother’s family and who had been corresponding with Jacobs in London. Though he wanted their presence to be a secret for a short time, he didn’t want to be shot as a trespasser either.

  After partaking of breakfast in the common room, Marius gained directions to the solicitor’s office. The front room was empty, but for a few chairs. A small desk at the end of the room sat vacant. Behind it, a door was partially open. Marius motioned for Sabrina to remain by the entry while he approached and knocked on the apparent office door, calling out at the same time.

  “Yes?” An older voice came from behind the door.

  Marius pushed it further open to see an older thin man sitting behind a huge desk, piled with papers. The walls surrounding him were filled with books. He looked haggard and tired as if too much had been put on him. He held a document in his hand.

  “My wife and I would like a moment of your time, Mr. Harden. If it is convenient.”

  The man sighed deeply and seemed to sink in his chair after taking in Marius appearance. Shields had brought clothes servants should be wearing and they were well worn. Marius looked far different from his normal appearance. “Come in. This day can’t get much worse. How can I help you?”

  “I am Marius Parker, recently married to Lady Sabrina Chester and newly arrived from London.”

  The man’s eyes grew wide and his face paled. “That is impossible sir. I don’t know who you are but you most certainly are not the man you claim to be.”

  Marius was taken aback by the reply. “I assure you, sir, I am Mr. Parker. My wife and I wanted to introduce ourselves before we traveled to Summer Hope.”

  The older man rose from his chair, bracing his knuckles on the desk. “I don’t know what you are trying to pull young man but Mr. Parker is dead.”

  “I assure you, sir, I am very much alive.” Marius argued back wondering if he could trust this man. Surely news of the fire couldn’t have reached here before their arrival.

  “I hold here a letter from Lord Chesterfield informing of his niece’s death in a fire. It arrived just this morning.”

  “Lord Chesterfield should have waited to see if any bodies were found before he wrote.” Marius argued back. “I assure you that my wife and I did survive the fire.”

  The older man studied him. “Do you have proof you are who you say?”

  “No, sir. Regretfully, everything I own burned a few nights back.”

  “What is amiss?” Marius turned, surprised to see Sabrina in the door.

  “Mr. Harden doesn’t believe we are who we say we are. Your uncle has already written of our demise.”

  “Lady Sabrina.” The solicitor choked.

  Sabrina turned toward the man who was looking at her oddly. “Yes.”

  “I can’t believe it is possible. I thought all hope was lost.”

  “I am very much alive, Mr. Harden.”

  “Why do you believe my wife and not me?”

  “It’s obvious, sir.” The solicitor replied indignantly.

  “What is obvious?” Marius asked, perplexed.

  “She is the exact image of her mother, nor has she changed all that much since she was here as a child.”

  Sabrina smiled sadly at the man.

  “Please, please sit down. Can I get you anything? It was just a few days ago that I received the announcement of your marriage from my brother-in-law.”

  “Who would that be sir?” Sabrina asked, taking a seat.

  “Why Jacobs, of course.”

  “I had no idea you were related.” Sabrina stated with surprise.

  “Yes, well I married his sister.” The man sat back down. “You can’t begin to imagine how pleased we all were to learn you had married and your uncle would no longer control the jobs and land.”

  “Have things been difficult?” Sabrina sat forward with concern.

  “Oh dear, I shouldn’t put all of this on you at once, but you should know that since your father’s death, everything in this village had suffered.”

  “How so?” Marius asked. After all, he now held the control Chesterfield once did.

  “First Lord Chesterfield raised the rents, and has continued to do so but he refuses to raise wages. Some families are near starvation. When some were unable to meet their obligation they were burned out. There is no longer a widow’s pension, or any pension for that matter. The workers have lost hope of owning anything of their
own ever again. The school has been closed. Children now work in the mines. The only reason most have hung on was because Lady Sabrina was old enough to marry, hoping she would marry a fair man.” The solicitor paused for a moment and took in the surprised faces. “Oh dear. I shouldn’t have gone on like that.”

  “No. It is quite alright. I would like to know everything my uncle has done.” Sabrina’s back went rigid. Anger radiated from her being.

  “As would I.” Marius agreed.

  The man sat for a moment then reached for the books. “This is the accounting for the mines, the wages, and the rents.”

  Marius opened the books on the desk before him. Sabrina pulled her chair up for a closer look. Each employee and tenant was listed and the columns included the wages they were paid and the rent that was due. After some of the names deceased had been written and the date of death and a notation of the wife’s name. Wages ceased to be paid after the death yet the rent amount remained the same. Ten men had died in the past year alone. The figures were staggering. Finally he closed the book and looked up at the solicitor. “The rent is over half the wages. How do they get by?”

  The solicitor shook his head sadly. “They don’t. It is the hardest for the widows. When what little savings is gone, they have to try and find work somewhere but half of the businesses have closed and those that are open don’t have the means to hire extra help.”

  “I notice the rents are due tomorrow. What will happen if they can’t be paid?” Sabrina asked.

  The solicitor began to squirm in his seat. “A way is always found. Nobody has been forced out since those first few months.”

  “Mr. Harden, I need to speak with you.” A female’s voice came through the door. Sabrina and Marius turned to find a young woman stepping inside the room. She was expecting a child in the not so distant future. Marius automatically stood at her entrance as did Mr. Harden. Seeing the solicitor was not alone, the newcomer blushed and began backing out the door. “Excuse me.”

  The solicitor came around the desk. “It is fine Mary. How can I help you?”

  Glancing at Sabrina and Marius, Mary bit her bottom lip. She hesitated for a few moments before she turned her attention back to the solicitor and began to speak. “It is the rent, Mr. Harden. I have tried to save everything, but I have to feed my son. I don’t know what to do. If I gave you everything I had it still wouldn’t be enough. I know I have asked before, but is there any way you could help again?” Tears formed in her eyes.

  Mr. Harden smiled at her sympathetically. “You know I will help where I can, Mary.”

  The woman seemed to relax at his words.

  “However, you should now address Mr. Parker with your request.” Mr. Harden turned toward Marius to make the introduction. “Mr. Parker, may I present Mary McGregor. Mr. Parker has recently married Lady Sabrina and now makes the decisions.”

  Mary paled visibly and nodded her head in greeting.

  Seeing her discomfort, Marius stepped forward. “I assure you, Mrs. McGregor, that if you are having difficulty with the rent, I am certain we can work something out.”

  Tears began to come to the woman’s eyes again. “Thank you. Honestly, I try to save, but it is so difficult.”

  “Why don’t you ask your husband to come see me in a day or so and we will discuss arrangements.”

  Mary sighed. “That is kind of you, but my husband was killed in a mining accident three months back, so it is I you’ll need to speak with.”

  “I am truly sorry for your loss, especially at this time. I am still trying to figure everything out but, given your circumstances, don’t worry about paying rent. Take care of yourself and your child.” Marius added with a smile.

  “Oh, thank you so much. You are a blessing, Mr. Parker.”

  Uncomfortable with her gratitude, Marius stepped back, looking to his wife. “Mrs. McGregor, may I present my wife Lady Sabrina Parker.”

  Sabrina stood, smiling at the woman to greet her and all warmth fell from Mary’s face as she curtsied. “Pleased to meet you.”.

  “Please, Mrs. McGregor, don’t stand on ceremony. Call me Sabrina.”

  Mary stood looked at her coldly. “I’m afraid that is impossible and likely to remain so.”

  Chapter 25

  Sabrina cast a glance at her husband, who appeared as bewildered as she at the cool, resentful attitude emanating from the woman. Finally she looked to the solicitor for help.

  Looking uncomfortable, he retreated behind his desk.

  “I suppose I should have warned you, Lady Sabrina. You are not likely to receive a warm reception.”

  “I thought you were relieved I was alive.”

  The man blushed uncomfortably. “Our hope was that you would marry a fair and honest gentleman.”

  “I am afraid I don’t understand. Do they hold me responsible for my uncle’s actions?”

  “In a manner of speaking.” The solicitor finally offered.

  “But I had no control over his actions,” Sabrina argued, her voice beginning to rise.

  “Perhaps not directly, but you were the reason rents were raised and all the profits from the land and mines were used,” Mary spit out.

  Sabrina felt hated. “How?” Sabrina asked hesitantly, almost afraid of the answer given the venomous tone.

  Mary raised her eyebrows. “While you were attending that exclusive girls school our rents were raised to pay the tuition. While you prepared for your Seasons.” Mary’s voice grew harder, “Our rents were raised . I am surprised to see you dressed thus given the cost of your wardrobes. How many Seasons have you had now Lady Sabrina? Three? While we were slowly starving so you could catch a wealthy and titled husband.” Mary flicked a glance at Marius, taking in his appearance. “At least you married a fair one.”

  Slowly Sabrina sank back in her chair, stunned.

  “Don’t worry, Lady Sabrina. I’m sure everyone will come around as their lot improves. Perhaps then they won’t mind so much having to suffer so you could meet Mr. Parker,” The solicitor offered.

  Marius stood in silence, his eyebrows narrowed with concern. The solicitor looked at her almost apologetically while Mary looked at her as if she were the mud on her boots.

  After a moment of silence, Sabrina spoke. “Let me see if I understand. My uncle told you the money went for my education, clothing, and seasons. That was his justification for raising rents and not increasing wages?”

  “Yes,” Mr. Harden and Mrs. McGregor answered in unison.

  “I suppose it is possible that a pampered young lady such as yourself would have been sheltered from the realities of life. After all, you had important matters on your mind such as which dress to wear to which ball.” Clearly Mary had no respect for Sabrina.

  Slowly Sabrina turned toward her husband. “Marius, I have never in my life hated anyone but that is the only emotion I can feel for Uncle James. Ramsey and I didn’t suffer from his greed and deceitfulness, but these people have.”

  Marius wanted to argue that he believed she had suffered, but refrained. Perhaps in comparison to the citizens of this town she hadn’t.

  “Oh Marius, how could I have been so ignorant all these years?”

  “You were trusting of a family member, Sabrina. But, the guilt is not yours and you should explain the truth to these people.”

  Sabrina shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. He is my uncle and I should have questioned him about the situation instead of accepting everything he told me.”

  Marius was beginning to worry about his wife. It was if she had lost all life sitting numbly in the chair, pale as a ghost, blaming herself. Well, Sabrina was not to blame and he would make sure everyone understood it. “Since my wife won’t tell you the truth, I will.”

  Mary eyed him skeptically and the solicitor seemed nervous. Slowly and clearly, Marius presented an abridged version of Sabrina’s life since the death of her father.

  The two stood in stunned silence. Finally, Mary turned to Sabrina her attitude now
one of horrified. “You were a servant?”

  Sabrina dismissed the notion. “It wasn’t difficult. Much easier than your life I’m sure. At least I had wages, meals, a roof over my head, and a small sense of security. My uncle stripped much of that from you.”

  “I am so sorry for misjudging you, Lady Sabrina. Can you forgive me?” Tears filled Mrs. McGregor’s eyes again.

  Sabrina smiled weakly. “You aren’t the first, or the last to be misled by my uncle.”

  “I promise to let everyone know the truth.”

  Sabrina stiffened, looking to Marius for guidance. He searched her face, it was her decision. The answer was in her eyes. It wasn’t time yet.

  “I would appreciate it is our presence was not announced.”

  “But why? We could all use some hope now,” Mary insisted.

  “Chesterfield had my wife’s father killed. He has since attempted to kill her when our house was set on fire. We are hiding until we can decide how best to deal with him,” Marius quickly explained.

  Mary had sunk into a chair by the window while Mr. Harden stared at him, mouth hanging open.

  “So you understand. Lady Sabrina and I want to keep our presence a secret until we have a plan to finally gain the necessary proof against Lord Chesterfield.” Turning to Sabrina he bestowed a loving smile. “For now however, my wife and I would like nothing better than a few days to ourselves. These past day have been tiring and we have no idea what we will find at the house. But, I assure you that in a few days I will address the issue of the rents.” This statement reminded him that he had one more question. “By the way Mr. Harden, when the tenants can’t meet the rent, where do the funds come from?”

  Mr. Harden sighed heavily. “Before I tell you, I want you to understand that if I am terminated it was the only choice I had.”

  “Go on, Mr. Harden. I’m sure your reasons were for the best.”

  “The profits. I changed the books and only took enough for the rents. Never anything for myself, I assure you sir.”