by Joan Vincent
“What could be wrong?” Thomasina said with a forced laugh.
* * * *
“You say the name is Thait, my lord?” Mr. Wenton asked.
“Yes. I wish to know what dealings any member of my family may have had with that family.”
“Thait. The name is vaguely familiar. Wait, let me go through some of the papers I brought with me.” Shuffling and thumbing, the bent old man mumbled to himself. He paused and looked up. “Is this matter of import to you, my lord?” he asked.
“Very.”
“Then may I excuse myself? There are some additional papers in my room. I shall return as soon as I locate what you seek,” he said with a bow.
Longeton nodded. When the solicitor had left he poured a brandy. Taking the seat at his desk, he sipped at it and allowed his thoughts to roam to the matter of Thomasina.
Some time later a knock interrupted his reverie. Mr. Wenton shuffled in when he was called. Laying an official-looking document in front of the Marquess, he explained, “This is the deed to a small tract of land and a cottage. Neither is of great importance nor value but your brother won both from a Sir Roger Thait at a card table. I recalled the incident when I came across this.
“There was some trouble collecting the deed as Thait did himself in shortly after losing the property. The matter is somewhat muddled as your brother passed away soon after that. I hope this proves helpful, my lord.”
“Helpful, indeed, Mr. Wenton. I have but one more thing to request.”
“Whatever I can do,” the solicitor said with a staid bow.
“Deed this property to a Miss Thomasina Thait. Also stipulate she is to have a livelihood of ₤100 yearly for her lifetime. I would make it larger but it would only arouse her suspicions. When you complete the work, you are to present the papers to Miss Thait. She is a guest at Thornhill at this time.
“Explain to her that you were reviewing matters of the estate and discovered that the Marquess of Thornhill had won the property dishonestly and hence it was being restored to her. Use the words ‘Marquess of Thornhill’ exactly. The livelihood can be said to be in reparation for damages caused by the loss of the property. Do you fathom what I wish?”
“I believe so, my lord. But is this wise or necessary?” Wenton asked. “I believe if nothing else, your brother was honest at the tables.”
With a wave of his hand, Longeton dismissed the old man’s remark. “I find it necessary. See to the matter at once.”
“Of course, Lord Longeton.”
* * * *
“Why, Mr. Wenton, you are looking well,” Lady Longeton greeted the solicitor as she thumped into the study.
“You are most gracious, my lady, and in exceedingly good looks yourself,” he responded. “If you will excuse me, I have a task to perform.” He bowed.
“I hope to see you before you take your leave,” she acknowledged his greeting. Waiting until the door closed behind him, the Marchioness turned her grandson.
“Have you your answer?”
“Thomasina believes I am responsible for her father’s death. He committed suicide shortly after Duard won a cottage and a small tract of land from him,” Brutus replied.
“Stupid man. Now I recall it,” Lady Longeton exclaimed. “The wife died upon receiving the news of her husband’s death and the loss of her home—Thomasina’s parents. The poor child. I shall go to her at once and explain—”
“No.”
“You cannot mean that.”
“If she agrees to marry me thinking as she does, I will know she truly loves me. If I remove the obstacle, I would never be certain.”
“This is utter nonsense.”
“No, Gram. I shall relieve her of all obligations to marry me. I must do this as I see it. I ask you not to speak of anything we have discussed this eve.”
“As you will, my dearest boy, but I think it absolute foolishness for you to risk your happiness so,” she told him with a sorrowful shake of her head.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Monday gave birth to a brilliant golden orb that spread its warming rays over Thornhill. It proclaimed a gloriously beautiful, if warm, day.
Thomasina sought the comfort of the cool gardens in the afternoon. Mr. Wenton’s news that the cottage would be returned to her was still being absorbed. A new turmoil had arisen with the delivery of a note from Brutus.
“Tommi! Tommi!” Mathew called as he ran into the garden.
“Here,” she called, rising.
“Is it true what I just heard?” he asked excitedly. “Let us sit. You must tell me all. Has everything been restored to you?”
“The cottage—the land, and more,” Thomasina answered slowly as they sat. “I am to be given a livelihood for my lifetime. I can be independent if I will it.”
“Independent? But what of your betrothal to Longeton?” he asked. Seeing her hesitation, he reached for her hand. “There is much you have not told me. Will you trust me now?”
“I must turn to someone—if only to speak of it this once before I turn away from it all.” Thomasina bit her lip as she sorted out the words.
“I believe,” she said, “that Brut—that the Marquess has arranged for the return of the cottage and the livelihood so that he can be free of me. Of course his solicitor would not admit that he was responsible; he said he came upon the error doing routine examination of the estate records.”
“It is nonsense to say Longeton wishes to be rid of you,” Mathew scoffed. “The man loves you.”
“Then why did he write me this?” she asked. Tears brimmed as she pulled a crumpled piece of paper from her reticule.
Smoothing it straight across his knee, Mathew read:
My dear Miss Thait,
It is obvious that you find my very presence repulsive. With great sadness, therefore, I release you from any and all obligations you may feel towards me in the matter of marriage. I shall place the matter in your hands. If you depart with the Buckleys on the morrow, I shall know you have decided your happiness lies elsewhere.
BL
“This has upset you?” Mathew asked. He studied her with a puzzled expression.
“No ... well, yes. Oh, Mathew, you cannot understand what torture I have been going through.” She lowered her eyes. “You know I love him, but you do not know that he was responsible for my parents’ deaths. His solicitor’s turning over the deed is a final admittance of his guilt.
“All along he had denied knowing what I was speaking of and acted as if he did not recall my father. Worse, just when I decided there must have been some mistake—that he could not have been what I imagined before I knew him—he confirms all my worst fears with this.”
Mathew shook his head. “Tommi, look at me. That is better. I have not followed all of what you have said clearly, so let me ask a question. You believe it was Brutus Longeton who caused your father’s death?”
She responded with a sad nod.
“Why do you think that?” he asked curiously.
“Because my mother told me that it was Marquess Longeton who had won all we had.”
“Ah ha! That explains it. It was the Marquess who won it—but it was Brutus’s brother, Duard, who had the title then.
“Brutus was out of the country with the army. He could not tolerate his brother’s way of life and returned only after his brother died.”
“You are certain?” Thomasina asked, hope lighting her face.
“I overheard my parents discussing it shortly after your arrival at Buckley House.
“What you must have gone through believing as you did,” he said shaking his head.
“But,” he brightened, “it will all end well.”
“That is even worse. What a muddle I have made,” Thomasina said sadly. “I cannot tell him I thought him a gambler, a cheat—worse. He will not believe I was willing to accept him before I learned the truth. In fact, he must have written the note because he no longer cares for me—if he ever has.”
“Do not
tell him anything,” Mathew told her. “Simply remain when the Buckleys depart.”
“That would not do. He will know there has been a change. I cannot lie. I am now certain he depends upon my departing with them. It is hopeless.”
“Nothing is ever hopeless,” Mathew replied. “There is some way to right things—you shall see.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Sparkling crystals of dew greeted Tuesday’s rising sun, but for Thomasina the sun could not shine through her personal gloom. No solution that was satisfactory had come to her. It was with a deep sigh of sadness and regret that she ordered her things packed and added to the Buckleys’ baggage.
The deed was done by mid-morn. Since they were not to depart until after a cold collation at noon, Thomasina sought the refuge and solitude of the gardens.
Here she chose a bench to one side and, sitting, once again began to go over all the arguments for remaining. Deeply preoccupied she did not see the three gazing at her from behind a large clump of birch.
“Parker, do you understand what you are to do?” Dianna asked in a whisper.
“It shall be easy,” he whispered back.
Both looked to the third conspirator.
“We are agreed then?” Mathew asked Dianna.
Smiling, she nodded.
“All right. Parker, you wait until I reach the house—then begin. Dianna shall whistle when I return. You know what to do then.”
The boy’s eyes sparkled in anticipation as he signed that he did.
“Be certain to return to the others as soon as you signal Parker,” Mathew bade Dianna. “I shall be there to help you as soon as I can.”
“Parker, go on,” Dianna whispered as she saw Mathew disappear from view.
With a wave he trotted off. “Hello,” he bade Thomasina as he skipped past her.
“Parker, where are you going? Were you not to remain in your room until we depart?” Thomasina asked, rising and following him.
“I did not care for the room. Not when the day is as lovely as this. Will you play tag with me, Tommi?” he asked, running further ahead.
“Not today, Parker. It would only get us both into trouble. Perhaps after we return to Buckley House.”
“Mother will only send you away when we return home—you know she has said that. Come. Find me!” he shouted and scooted out of sight.
“Come back here, Parker!” Thomasina shouted, knowing he would not. She turned back towards the bench, then, with a grimace, gave chase.
The path Parker wended through the gardens lead steadily towards a lake at the far end. As a sharp, clear whistle sounded, he dashed straight for it.
Thomasina sprinted as she saw him waver at the lake’s edge. A brick wall had been built to prevent the water from wearing away the soil.
Parker tottered on it, flailing his arms wildly. “Tommi!” he screamed as he toppled into the water.
* * * *
“Did you hear something?” Mathew asked Brutus as they came into the gardens.
“No. What was it we had to come here to speak of?” the Marquess asked irritably. He had seen Thomasina’s baggage added to the Buckleys’ and had been fighting the urge to speak with her ever since.
“I am certain someone is calling. Listen carefully,” Sherrad urged.
A faint “Parker” came to their ears.
Brutus dismissed it with a wave of his hand. “The boy was to remain in his room.”
“If you believe he would do as he was told or was supposed to you do not know him as I do,” Mathew noted. “What is at the end of the gardens?”
“A lake.”
“Very deep?”
“Do not tell me,” Brutus said exasperatedly, “Parker cannot swim.”
“Oh no, Parker swims quite well,” Mathew answered innocently. “But that was Thomasina’s voice we heard calling and she cannot.”
“She cannot?!”
Mathew nodded. When Brutus began a hasty sprint towards the lake a broad grin spread across his face.
* * * *
At lakeside, Thomasina watched Parker flounder. It was too far back to the house to summon aid, and she knew no one was in hearing distance of her calls. But it would do little good to jump in, she reasoned, since she could not swim.
Sitting on the edge of the wall, Thomasina dangled her legs in the water and stretched as far as she could. She tried to reach the boy, but he bobbed further and further away.
Desperate, she slipped from the wall and found the water was only knee-deep. Walking until it neared her waist, Thomasina called to him to try and reach her. Then the weight of her skirts tugged at her; caused her to lurch forward.
“Tommi!”
Brutus’ desperate call turned Thomasina’s head. A vast wave of relief and happiness flow through her at sight of his running figure.
“Parker,” she called stepping back, but the boy was no where to be seen. “Parker!” she screamed, scanning the water’s surface.
No answer came. Parker did not reappear, but a weight hit Thomasina in the knees from behind and down into the water she went.
Coughing and spluttering, Thomasina pushed her head above the water. The first thing she saw was Parker’s beaming face. The next, a split second later, was Brutus taking a flying dive into the lake in her direction. The force of his body hitting the water combined with the weight of her wet skirts threw Thomasina back and under the water again.
Her head above the surface once more, Thomasina did not know if she should laugh or cry as she saw the terrified look on the Brutus’ face as he hunted for sight of her across the water’s surface.
Seeing her, his face was illuminated with joy. In a few strokes Brutus reached her side and swept Thomasina into his arms, crushing her in a thankful embrace. As he hugged her, Brutus discovered the water was just below his chest; he could easily stand. Swinging his gaze at Parker, the boy grinned in return.
Steadying Thomasina, their eyes met and held.
“Thank God you are safe,” Brutus breathed as if it were a miracle.
“You do care,” Thomasina cried joyfully and reached to caress his cheek.
“Care?! Do you not know how much I love you?” Brutus demanded. He drew her to him once more and eased his hold only so he could kiss her.
Neither heard the three hoots Parker sounded in the direction of the house.
* * * *
Mathew, standing before the opened outer doors of the main salon, heard the hoots. He walked over and addressed the butler. “Please see that Miss Thait’s baggage is returned to her rooms,” he instructed.
“But she said she was returning with us,” Lady Augusta objected.
“There has been a slight change in her plans, Mother,” Dianna explained. “Thomasina indicated that she would remain here until the decision was made as to when their wedding would be.”
“When was this? I am certain—” Lady Augusta began.
“Augusta,” the Baron warned.
The Baroness looked at her husband. “It must be as you say, Dianna.”
The butler shrugged inwardly at this supposedly meaningful exchange. One never knows what the gentry are about, he thought as he went to do as Viscount Sherrad had bid.
“You should fetch Thomasina in from the garden, Dianna. The time we have left is growing short and I would like to visit with her before we go,” Lady Augusta told her daughter.
“Oh, I do not think she is in the garden any longer,” Dianna answered. “She will join us in good time for a visit.”
“Yes, you know she would not fail to bid Parker farewell,” Mathew added. He took a seat beside Dianna and winked at the Marchioness who had been observing the exchange of looks between the two.
The Baroness also wondered at the strange exchange of glances between, but passed it off as lovers’ understandings. Thinking her son safely in his room, Lady Augusta sighed. At least he was out of mischief for once.
A faint smile hid the Marchioness’s thoughts. Wondering just wh
at the young couple had put Parker up to, she thanked God that the problem had evidently been resolved. Another point for me, she noted mentally. I wonder if Jane favours a girl or boy for her wager as choice for their first?
* * * *
Thomasina drew back, breathless. “I must tell you,” she began but was silenced by a brief kiss. “Lord Longeton, you must listen.”
In answer he kissed her again.
“You must know what I thought of you,” she tried again.
“I care only if you love me. You are the most beautiful woman in the world. Besides—” he kissed the tip of her nose “I know what you think. And now that I am certain of your love I can tell you that it was not I, but my brother, who gambled with your father. And the man who demanded a chance for regaining his losses? He was another of Duard’s victims. He was so drunk he mistook me for him.”
Gazing into those deep emerald eyes, Thomasina decided there was no need to tell him that she had known all. It was enough that he was satisfied.
“Let us put all misunderstandings behind us,” he told her, “forever.”
“Oh, yes,” she answered.
“Is that all you two are going to do?” Parker asked indignantly from where he sat upon the wall’s edge. “How am I to have any fun?”
As one, Thomasina and Longeton turned towards the boy. They scooped up water and splashed it at him. The wet skirts wrapped around Thomasina’s legs as she stepped forward, caused her to fall. Brutus caught her and lifted her in his arms, and then slogged through the water to the wall.
Must they always stare at each other so? Parker wondered in disgust. “You’re no fun at all anymore,” he tossed at them as he rose and sloshed towards the house.
“Do you recall the first time you fell into my arms?” Brutus asked Thomasina as he climbed out of the water and joined her.
“Yes,” she smiled, “and the second time, and the third.”
Brutus hugged her once again. They stood, kissing with a growing passion as the water streamed from their garments to the ground.
As they reluctantly parted, Thomasina teased with a glint in her eyes, “We could keep Parker with us.”