Master of His Fate

by Barbara Taylor Bradford

  Once the Palladian mansion came into view, Reginald sat down on a wrought-iron garden seat, sighing to himself. Having made up his mind to speak to Sebastian as soon as he could, his thoughts turned to the days ahead.

  Tomorrow their few days of masculine companionship in lieu of a bachelor night would be over. Alexis and the family would come to Courtland: Sebastian’s three daughters, son-in-law, and sister Thea. And, of course, his Jane.

  A smile crossed Reginald’s face when he thought of his wife. He was going to tell her she was like a fabulous racehorse with her breeding, stamina, and heart. She would like to hear that, would be amused at being compared to a horse.

  His wife would arrive tomorrow, and he was relieved she was coming before the others, who were to arrive on Saturday morning in time for lunch. She would help him make Sebastian see the sense of consulting a doctor. Jane was a true diplomat by nature, smoothing the way, courteous, always calm, cool, and in control. He could barely remember a time when she had raised her voice. Yes, Jane could help to put things right. She would get Sebastian to toe the line and get medical help to boot.

  Because the week before his wedding would be busy, Sebastian had decided to have a celebration dinner this coming Saturday. In the afternoon, he was going to show the diamond tiaras to Alexis. Reginald remembered this now, and knew he had no option but to get the doctor to come today. With this thought in mind, he now jumped up. He hurried back to the house, intent in his purpose.

  * * *

  Much to Reginald’s surprise, Sebastian was walking across the front entrance hall when he came in through the front door.

  They met in the middle of the hall, embraced, and greeted each other. Sebastian looked him over and said, “So you didn’t go riding this morning after all?”

  “No. I did go down to the yard, spoke to Smiley, and fondled Brilliant Boy … what a great horse he is.”

  “I know. I was lucky there. A great buy. Perhaps we can go out together early tomorrow morning? Before Jane arrives?”

  Reginald was about to agree and changed his mind, thinking of his father’s words. He said, “No, that’s not possible. And you know it, Sebastian. Come into the library. I wish to speak to you privately and alone. Before breakfast.”

  Sebastian stared at him, frowning, and then inclined his head. “Let’s talk.”

  Once they were inside the library, Sebastian took the lead before Reginald could say a word.

  “I’m not well, Reggie, and I know you know it. You’ve spotted it despite my efforts to hide it. Am I correct?”

  “Yes, and I—”

  “Let me finish,” Sebastian cut in. “I caught cold. Last week, I think. And now it seems to have gone into my chest. I have a feeling I might have bronchitis. Dr. Sedgewick has treated me for that before. I thought I should go into Cirencester to see him. After breakfast.”

  An enormous wave of relief swept through Reginald, and he exclaimed, “I’m so glad you’ve seen the sense of getting medical attention. Today’s the thirteenth. You’ve exactly sixteen days to get back into good shape before your wedding.”

  “Don’t think I haven’t thought of that, Reg. It never leaves my mind, as a matter of fact. And Alexis has eyes in the back of her head. She’ll spot something’s wrong when she gets here on Saturday … if I’m not careful.”

  “I couldn’t agree more. Let us go into the dining room. After breakfast we can go into Cirencester.”

  “I’m so glad you intend to accompany me.”

  “Whatever makes you think I’d let you go alone?” Reginald said. Taking hold of his friend’s arm, he walked Sebastian out of the library, saying a silent prayer all would be well.

  Forty

  Sebastian and Reginald sat in the brougham, the spacious carriage Sebastian preferred. His head driver was taking them into the ancient town of Cirencester at a quick trot.

  Neither man had eaten much breakfast, both anxious, in their different ways, to set off to visit the doctor.

  At one moment Reginald said, “I hope Sedgewick can see you and his surgery is not crowded out with patients.”

  “I’m sure everything will be fine,” Sebastian responded. “Anyway, last year he took on two associates, Dr. Leith and Dr. Palmer, who have opened a small private infirmary across the street. They’ve become … a sort of team, actually, and I congratulated them on this. You know, Reg, many people with plenty of money prefer to go to a private hospital when it comes to their health.”

  “I know. And what a clever idea. So what you’re saying is that one of them will be available to see you immediately.”

  “That’s right. The other two are excellent doctors, but Sedgewick has looked after the family for years now. He has all my records, knows my history, my tendency to catch cold.”

  “I’m sure that’s all it is,” Reginald said, wanting to be positive and reassuring.

  “I don’t feel too bad this morning, and I didn’t cough much last night,” Sebastian volunteered.

  After these short exchanges, both men fell silent, preoccupied with their own thoughts. They had always been comfortable with each other no matter what, ever since their boyhood days at Eton.

  Within twenty minutes, Hamm brought the carriage to a standstill outside the building where the doctor’s office was housed. The two men alighted and walked inside. The doctor’s receptionist looked up and smiled hugely when she saw Sebastian and a companion entering the office, walking toward her.

  “Good morning, Mr. Trevalian.”

  “Good morning to you, Miss Maeve,” he answered, and added, “This is Lord Carpenter, a close friend.”

  Reginald said, “Good morning, Miss Maeve.”

  The receptionist smiled, greeted him in return, then said, “I don’t believe you have an appointment, Mr. Trevalian.”

  “No, I’m afraid I don’t. But I would like to see Dr. Sedgewick if he is available.”

  “I will go and tell him you are here, sir,” she replied, and went down the corridor.

  Within seconds, Miss Maeve Streeter returned. “If you would come this way, Mr. Trevalian, Dr. Sedgewick can see you now.”

  “Thank you, Miss Maeve. His lordship will come with me.”

  “Yes, sir.” She led them down the corridor and into the office of Dr. Archibald Sedgewick, who stood up when the two men entered.

  Walking forward, he shook Sebastian’s hand, greeted him cordially, and Sebastian introduced Reginald.

  “Lord Carpenter is my oldest and dearest friend, and I would like him to stay while you examine me, Dr. Sedgewick. If you have no objection, that is.”

  “None at all, Trevalian. Please, take a seat, both of you, and we shall talk for a few moments.”

  After they were seated in front of the doctor, who was seated at his large desk, Sebastian said, “I haven’t been in top form the last few days. I caught cold.”

  The doctor nodded. “I know you’re prone to them. So explain how you feel. That’s the only way I will be able to understand what else might be wrong with you. I wish I had a way of seeing inside you, Trevalian, but I’m afraid I don’t. Please tell me about your symptoms.”

  “Last weekend I was here at Courtland and began to feel poorly. Chills, sneezing, a light cough. I also felt … I think listless is the best word to use.”

  “What other symptoms have you had this past week?” the doctor asked, frowning slightly, leaning forward over the desk, studying Sebastian’s face, his eyes probing. “You must have other problems or you wouldn’t have come to see me.”

  “The other day, when I was shaving, I felt a stabbing pain in my rib cage. It went away, but it came back the day after. Also, I’ve had several huge coughing attacks that have been hard to bear. Somewhat debilitating, in fact.”

  The doctor nodded. “Have you been spitting up anything? Blood? Sputum?”

  “Last night I did spit up sputum, but no blood. Sometimes I get an attack of the chills. I become icy cold, but they usually disappear after a while.”


  “Have you had trouble breathing?”

  “A few times, and a sharp pain in my chest.”

  Dr. Sedgewick rose. “Would you come behind the screen, Mr. Trevalian? Please take off your jacket, waistcoat, and shirt. I would like to listen to your heartbeat, examine you thoroughly, and take your temperature.”

  Sebastian did as he was asked, and stretched out on the bed where the doctor had indicated he should lie down. A moment later, Dr. Sedgewick reappeared with his stethoscope around his neck.

  After listening to his heartbeat, taking his temperature with the thermometer, which was in his mouth for five minutes, the doctor began to press his hands on Sebastian’s chest and abdomen. “Do you feel any pain under the pressure of my fingers?” he asked.

  “No, I don’t,” Sebastian said, answering truthfully. But as he sat up, on the doctor’s instructions, he had a small bout of coughing, which swiftly abated.

  “Please get dressed, Mr. Trevalian,” the doctor said.

  “What do you think is wrong with me?”

  “I will explain in a few moments.”

  Sebastian dressed as quickly as he could, wanting to know what the doctor had discovered, if anything. Like all doctors, he kept a straight face, never displayed any emotion whatsoever, so it was impossible to read him. The odd thing was, now that Sebastian had seen the doctor, he felt better. But then wasn’t it always like that? He smiled to himself.

  Once he was back in the chair, sitting in front of the doctor, Sebastian gave him a long stare and asked, “Do I have bronchitis?”

  “No, you don’t. When you have bronchitis only the air passages are infected. I believe there is an infection in your lungs. You have pleurisy. There’s a bit of a fever in your system and your temperature is hovering just over a hundred and one. However, that is relatively normal. Nonetheless, we must watch this. Hopefully, it won’t go any higher.”

  “What is pleurisy actually, Dr. Sedgewick?”

  “An infection of the lining of the lungs.”

  “Can it be treated?”

  “Yes, to a certain extent, but sometimes it does precede pneumonia.”

  Sebastian gaped at the doctor. He felt a cold chill run through him. “Oh my God, not—not pneumonia!”

  “Let us see if we can treat the pleurisy, prevent anything else from developing. I am going to give you a strong medicine for your cough. I will need to get an analysis of your sputum. Miss Maeve will give you a small glass container for that. If you would attempt to cough before you leave, please. She will show you to the bathroom.”

  “Yes, I will be glad to do that, Dr. Sedgewick. You know I’m getting married on September twenty-ninth. I hope I will be better by then.”

  “I understand, and let me just add that your fever is low grade, but I do want you to take better care of yourself. No rushing around the estate or lifting heavy objects. As much rest as you can have will do marvels for you.”

  * * *

  Reginald had met Jane Cadwalander when she was sixteen, married her when she was eighteen, and welcomed the birth of their first daughter when she was nineteen. And so he considered he knew her very well indeed, since she was now thirty-seven.

  That was why he could not wait to be alone with her, because he knew she was bursting to tell him something important. He read this in her eyes and in her demeanor. But she had arrived just when he and Sebastian were finishing lunch, and Sebastian had insisted she join them for coffee.

  Finally, at last, Sebastian excused himself and went to his bedroom to rest, following Dr. Sedgewick’s orders given with some forcefulness yesterday.

  It was Friday, September 14, and Jane had been expected in time for afternoon tea. But here she was. Early.

  Now that they were alone at the table, Reginald leaned closer and murmured, “I know you have something to confide. You’re practically bursting at the seams. So what is it?”

  “I can’t tell you here,” she answered and, pushing the chair back, she stood. “Come along. Let us go to our set of rooms. I can only tell you in absolute privacy.”

  “If it’s such a state secret perhaps we should go outside, where only the birds can hear. In a house, walls have ears, you know, as well as servants.”

  Jane started to laugh and led him out of the dining room and up the main staircase. As usual, they were staying in the Parisian Suite, a set of rooms composed of a bedroom, sitting room, and two dressing rooms, each with a bathroom. The main rooms were charmingly decorated with pieces of French furniture along with comfortable sofas and chairs. The suite was spacious, airy, and overlooked the gardens. Sebastian never allowed any other guests to occupy it. It was always kept for them whenever they wanted to come.

  “So, tell me,” Reginald said, once they were inside the suite. “You look about to pop.”

  “I am about to pop…” She led him into the bedroom and indicated he should sit down on the sofa. “For your own safety, just in case you pass out,” she explained.

  He stared at her, obviously more puzzled than ever, and then sat down on the sofa as she had requested.

  “You said I looked about to pop. And oh, am I going to pop, Reggie! In about six months.”

  “I’m not following you,” Reginald said, frowning.

  Jane began to laugh, hurried over to join him on the sofa. Taking hold of his hand, she placed it on her stomach. “Babies are going to pop out of here in about six months. I’m pregnant, darling! Three months pregnant! And the thing is, two will pop. I’m carrying your twins.”

  For a moment Reginald was stupefied, unable to say a word, and then he took hold of her and hugged her to him, hanging on to her as if for dear life.

  At last, he said, “Oh my God, Jane. I can’t believe it. You’re pregnant! And with twins. Oh my God, one might be a boy.”

  “They both might be boys,” Jane pointed out. “Who knows? I’m just so happy, and I know you are.” When he was silent, she asked carefully, “You are, aren’t you, Reggie?”

  “I am. Of course, I am. I’m over the moon, darling. Why didn’t you tell me before? You must have known something.”

  “I did, but I am fully aware that I’m a certain age and I didn’t dare tell you until I was absolutely sure I was carrying them safely. My doctor told me yesterday that I’m in excellent health, that I shouldn’t have any problems carrying them to full term.”

  Yesterday I was at another doctor’s, Reginald thought, a sudden sadness sweeping through him. But he’s going to be all right. Sebastian’s going to be fine. He wanted to tell Jane, confide in her about Sebastian, but he had promised he would not tell a soul. And he would keep that promise he had made to his best friend.

  Rising, pulling Jane to her feet, Reginald led her over to the open window and put his arm around her shoulder. Mustering all of his strength, he said in a steady voice, “I am thrilled about the babies, Jane, and I’m going to look after you very well, take great care of you, my darling.”

  She turned to face him, staring at him. After a moment, she said, “You’re sad about something, aren’t you?”

  “Not at all. Just utterly and completely taken by surprise by your stupendous news. Jane, just think, I might have a male heir at last.”

  “I know you will … I just feel it in my bones. And in my belly.”

  Forty-one

  Almost at once Sebastian knew it had been a mistake to come down to the vaults. They were vast and endless, and very, very cold. He ought to have checked again yesterday and had paraffin heaters brought down to warm them up. Too late. Here they all were. He and Alexis, Jane and Reggie, and Claudia. His sister Thea and his two other daughters hadn’t wanted to come to view the tiaras, nor had Cornelius, who had his head in bank papers in the library.

  A moment later, Alexis hurried to his side, and said, “It’s like the Antarctic down here, Sebastian. I think we’d better go to the room where you put the tiaras, pick one, and leave.”

  “Yes, we must do that at once. It’s bloody ic
y down here. You’re right about that.”

  Turning around, he said, “Reggie, Jane, Claudia, let’s make this fast. Alexis and I are very cold, so you must be too.”

  “We are,” Jane exclaimed, answering for everyone. They were all freezing. “Lead the way, Sebastian.”

  He did. They went through three more vast vaults and came to one with an open door. “In here,” he said. “I took the pieces out with Kingsley the other day … it didn’t seem as cold then.”

  “Oh my goodness me!” Jane cried when she saw the six tiaras lined up on a black velvet cloth spread across a long table. “How wonderful they are! And so many!”

  She took hold of Alexis’s hand and they hurried across to the table, followed by Sebastian, cheering up when he saw the look of awe and anticipation on Alexis’s face. She turned, smiled at him, was obviously impressed.

  Claudia was fast on their heels, and said to Alexis, “Remember, this is the one I wore for my wedding in June. You mustn’t choose that. So let’s put it aside.”

  “You’re quite right,” Sebastian said. His eyes swept over the other five. He reached for the one which was his favorite. It had belonged to his mother and it was elaborate without being ostentatious. It rose to a higher point at the front. He thought it was stylish, and said so, looking at Alexis as he spoke.

  “This is my favorite. I would love you to wear it … it was my mother’s. But in the end, it must be your choice.” He picked it up and started to walk toward her, carrying the diamond tiara carefully. Unexpectedly, it slipped out of his hands and dropped to the floor with a crash.

  “Oh, Sebastian!” Alexis cried, running to the tiara, bending down and taking it in her hands. She saw at once that some stones were missing. Claudia came and knelt next to her and they soon found the three missing stones which had adorned the front peak of the tiara.

  “What a clumsy fool I am,” Sebastian exclaimed, angry with himself. “I suppose my hands are cold … that’s the only explanation I can come up with.”