“I believe you are giving up a rich history to which your family could align itself,” Great Aunt Annalies said. “However, taking into account the reputation of the title you wish to be rid of, I find I cannot condone you.”
“What exactly is the stain upon the title, Great Aunt Annalies?” Ann asked. “Since Danyal arrived in England, everyone hints about it, but no one will explain it to us.”
Great Aunt Annalies pressed her lips together. “I am afraid that it is not my story to share with you. Danyal inherited the title, though. He may feel it is appropriate to tell you.”
Danyal sat back, his knife and fork lowering. “It is not a pleasant story,” he said, his voice low.
“Will it make me hate you a little more?” Elise asked.
“I am quite sure that both of you will no longer look at me in the same way, once I have told you,” Danyal replied. “Very well, then.” He cleared his throat.
Elise reached for the teapot and refilled his cup.
Still, Danyal did not speak. He rolled his eyes. “I am not even sure where to begin.”
“Begin with Lillian,” Great Aunt Annalies said softly.
Elise jumped. “I knew Mother was mixed up in this, but she has never said anything. Should she not be the one to tell us?”
“As the forty-third Marquis of Blackawton raped your mother when she was fourteen,” Danyal said, “then murdered her father by cheating in the duel Seth Williams challenged him to, before escaping to India, I am quite sure your mother will never want to tell you the story.” He let out a heavy breath and picked up his teacup.
Ann’s eyes grew larger. Elise could feel her own eyes widening and her heart pattering as she put together the full story from Danyal’s fast statement. “Aunt Emma,” she breathed. She looked at Great Aunt Annalies.
Annalies nodded. “Emma is actually your half-sister,” she said softly.
Ann pressed her fingers to her temple and closed her eyes. “Oh my heavenly father!”
“That particular Marquis of Blackawton was murdered upon the Yorkshire Dales, fifteen years later,” Danyal said. “My uncle, Konstantin, inherited the title, as his aunt married Blackawton’s father. The accusations that Blackawton was a Russian agent made the Emperor very unhappy with the family and he confiscated the principality from Konstantin’s father and forced the family to live in Constantinople for many years. When Kosta’s father, the old Prince, passed on, Kosta came to England to determine how Blackawton really died. The reports were mixed and confused, and by clearing them up, Kosta thought he might restore the family’s reputation and win back the Emperor’s favor. He actually did earn the Emperor’s favor for his fortitude in tackling the matter. The Emperor gave the principality back to the family. Only, he was never able to repair the reputation of the title itself, for the truth was worse than the lie which covered it for so many years.”
Elise stared at Danyal, her heart hammering. “Yorkshire!” She breathed. “Blackawton died in Yorkshire?”
Danyal looked up at her. “Nothing was ever proved. Even my uncle refused to confirm it…but I suspect your father was the one who relieved Blackawton of his miserable life.”
“He did it for Mama.” Ann’s eyes shone.
“Very likely, yes,” Danyal said. “My uncle Kosta never learned for certain. Everything is speculative. It is not a subject for open and frank discussion, as I’m sure you now understand.”
Great Aunt Annalies gave a soft sigh. “It was far worse having to live through it.”
“Even the little you can confirm is more than enough for me to understand why your family feels they must be rid of the title,” Elise told Danyal. “Perhaps it would be best if the title was retired.”
“I am sure Queen Victoria will consider it from all angles,” Great Aunt Annalies said. She frowned down at the letter in her hand. “Well, that is a complication…”
Elise sighed. “Complications are my lot in life. What is it now?”
Danyal glanced at her, his eyes narrowing.
Great Aunt Annalies put the letter on the table. “I’m not entirely sure where to start. It seems that Natasha’s and Raymond’s son, Richard, has been touring France. While he was there, he married Éve, my step-granddaughter. And while Iefan’s letter is terribly short on details, he did manage to convey that sometime in the last few weeks, Richard was shot in the shoulder.”
“Shot!” Ann repeated.
“Richard and Éve?” Elise asked. It was difficult to accommodate the idea of those two being married. They did not seem to have very much in common. Richard was far too English for someone like Éve to consider.
Danyal lowered his teacup and raised his brow. “He was shot here in terribly polite Britain?”
“Just outside London, I believe,” Great Aunt Annalies replied. “As Richard and Éve have returned to Innesford while Richard convalesces, Iefan is travelling to Innesford to see them. He suggests I meet them there to discuss my request for funds to modernize the house.” Great Aunt Annalies lifted her chin. “This modernization business was your idea, Elise. Yours and Ann’s. I think it only fair that both of you accompany me to Innesford and explain yourself to Iefan.”
“Modernization?” Danyal asked.
“This house is nearly one hundred years old,” Elise said. “The conveniences of a modern house are quite missing here. Gaslight was installed only a few years ago, when most of London has had gaslight for years and years. That is just one example.” Elise smoothed her hair from her temple, feeling an echo of the frustrations she had come across in the last few weeks. “When one is working in this house, one becomes much more aware of how limiting the lack of modern facilities can be.”
“I’m not sure how Mrs. Brown puts up with it,” Ann added. “There is only one tap in the kitchen, which is on the other side from the sink. She constantly carts kettles of water to the sink and to the stove. Every time someone asks for a pot of tea, I want to scream, because I must haul that same kettle.”
“Which is why the pair of you must come with me to Innesford and explain everything to Iefan.” Great Aunt Annalies folded the letter. “He expects to arrive at Innesford in three days.”
Ann looked at Elise. “I am to be the butler beginning on Monday.”
Elise smiled fondly at her. “I thought you would argue for travelling to Innesford.”
“One of us must stay and run the house,” Ann said. “If I turn my back on any aspect of the house for too long, it begins to unravel. Only constant vigilance will keep this house running properly—which it must do if the guests are to be comfortable.”
“How very businesslike of you, Ann,” Great Aunt Annalies said. She looked up at Elise. “Then it is settled. You must come to Innesford with me.”
Elise glanced at Danyal. “But how am I to make Danyal dislike me, if I am in Innesford?”
Great Aunt Annalies lifted her shoulders and let them drop. “Very clearly, he must come with you. I would not interfere with your project. I am quite sure Cian will be able to accommodate Danyal.”
Elise grimaced. “Can you come to Innesford, Danyal? I really must speak to Iefan about the funds for this house.”
“I have heard much about Innesford, over the years,” Danyal said. “I understand there is a train service running from London to Innesford, these days?”
“If Queen Victoria beckons, you can be back in London in a few hours,” Great Aunt Annalies said. “Although, I understand she is in Balmoral at the moment, so it is unlikely you will receive your appointment in the very near future.”
Danyal sat back. “Then I should very much like to visit Innesford.”
CHAPTER SIX
Innesford Manor, Innesford, Cornwall. A few days later.
Danyal stood upon the broad steps of Innesford, and gazed out upon a startling landscape, one he would never have expected to find in the heart of Britain.
An expanse of gravel stretched from the steps he stood upon, to meet the edge of an even larger a
rea of mowed and rolled lawn. The lawn was divided into separate sections. Closest to the house, the lawn was laid out with pegs and hoops for croquet.
Beyond the croquet court was what looked like a cricket pitch. Instead of bats and balls, though, four footballs rested upon the pitch.
At the end of the lawn was a further stretch of wild grasses and bushes. Then cliffs, which dropped to the sea below. A handrail and wooden steps disappeared over the edge of the cliff, leading down to the beach.
As intriguing as the landscape was, it was not the most startling part of the view. What astonished Danyal the most was the people. There were six adults and at least one of them was the butler. The adults were not sitting about sipping brandy, either. Three men kicked another of the footballs about the gravel, right in front of the steps. Two of the children were also involved. As Danyal watched, the smallest child–a little girl in a pinafore, with rich brown curls–threw herself upon the ball and hugged it to her belly, her feet kicking up in the air with enthusiasm.
The tallest of the men picked the girl up by her middle. She hung from his hands, her limbs still wrapped around the football. He shook her in an attempt to dislodge the ball and said something about it being against the rules.
The butler stood nearby, laughing at the absurdity of the moment. He seemed to be in no rush to serve the family.
Two young matrons, both elegantly dressed, stood upon the croquet court, talking to each other with mallets in their hands. The taller lady in yellow was explaining the rules to the other woman. She demonstrated how to swing the mallet, while the other woman kept her hand up to shade her eyes, as she assessed the hoops set out upon the court.
No one was lounging despite a number of comfortable-looking outdoor chairs placed enticingly along the edge of the croquet court, for spectators.
As Danyal watched, a footman emerged from the house behind him and moved over the gravel, carrying a tray with tall glasses filled with brown liquid which Danyal presumed was iced tea.
The suddenly released football rolled in the footman’s direction. He calmly raised the tray out of the way so he could see, then kicked the ball back toward the group. He moved over to the ladies on the croquet court and held the tray out to them.
Elise stood by Danyal’s side, absorbing the view herself. “It has been such a long time since I visited Innesford. We used to come here nearly every year.”
A crunch on the gravel announced another guest from inside the house. This time, it was Iefan. Princess Annalies’ son, Iefan, and another son of hers, Ben, had both caught the same train down to Innesford as Princess Annalies and Elise. Danyal suspected that because he accompanied the ladies, neither son turned the conversation to business while they were upon the train. Neither did they question why he was with Elise and the Princess, demonstrating a polite lack of interest in his affairs.
Now Iefan strode across the gravel toward the croquet court.
The lovely lady in blue dropped her mallet and hurried to meet him at the edge of the court. She threw her arms around Iefan’s neck and chattered in French.
One of the younger men kicking the football also moved over to where the pair stood. This, then, must be Richard.
The two remaining men stopped their energetic wrestling over the football and turned to watch the doors where the new arrivals emerged. The little girl wrapped her arms around the leg of the tallest of the two. She watched the new arrivals with a solemn expression.
“I don’t think I have seen so many people with so many differences, all together like this, since I arrived in Britain,” Danyal said.
“I’m not exactly sure what you mean by that.”
“Children, staff, young, old, everyone is here together.”
Elise shaded her eyes against the lowering sun. “I had quite forgotten how unusual it is,” she murmured. “In my family, especially during the gathers, when we used to have them, it was always this way. We children were not told to stay in our nursery. For a week we were permitted to run anywhere we wanted, do anything we wanted. I used to love the gathers.”
The man with the child clinging to his knee bent and picked her up. He settled her on his hip and came up to Danyal and held out his hand. “I’m Innesford,” he told Danyal. “Forgive the informality, but it is a very lazy day for us, today.”
Danyal shook the man’s hand, even though he normally did not touch another person’s flesh when greeting them. Shaking hands was an egalitarian custom here in Britain, though. Every man did it.
“Cian, this is Danyal, Prince of Pandev,” Elise said. “I suppose I should say Prince Selâhattin Danyal Bora of Pandev. Danyal, this is the Earl of Innesford.”
“As you said, it is an informal moment,” Danyal said. He really didn’t mind, for the activities upon the lawn were distracting. “Even your staff plays football?” he asked Cian, when he noticed that the footman who had served the tea to the ladies on the croquet court had put the tray down, and was now kicking the football to the older man who had been standing beside Cian a moment ago.
Cian glanced over his shoulder. “Edmunson was the village champion. I’m sure Raymond is merely learning a better way to kick the ball. Although, if we are trying to make up teams to play against each other, my staff are more than willing to pitch in.” He tilted his head. “I hope you don’t find that too shocking?”
“Not at all,” Danyal said. Although he would certainly have to think about it, later. It was definitely an unusual arrangement.
“You come at an interesting time,” Cian said. “We’ve had some drama in the family lately.” His gaze shifted to the man standing beside the lady in the blue dress. “Richard is still recovering from some troubles he and Éve had. That is why Iefan arrived with you. I’m not sure why Ben is here.” Cian glanced at the man with the thick beard and twinkling eyes, standing on Elise’s other side.
“Iefan and I are combining business with pleasantries,” Ben said. “No objections to us using your library a bit later, Cian?”
“Of course not. Although I will need the library myself later this afternoon. Some of the villagers are coming to see about loans.”
Danyal lifted his brow. “You lend money to your people?” That was an extraordinary idea.
“I’ve been lending money to local fishermen for nearly ten years now,” Cian said. “All very small loans which allow them to establish their business. And of course, I charge interest. Not a lot, but it helps make the arrangement mutually beneficial. Innesford village was in dire straits, fifteen years ago. That is no longer the case. The fishing boats bring in a healthy income for the villagers.”
Danyal stared at him, his astonishment battling with disbelief. “I thought the English were aghast at usury.”
Cian smiled. “The upper class is generally against anything which requires risk. Only, we are in modern times now and circumstances for my family are somewhat different from even twenty years ago. As you are a distant member of the family, you must be aware of the misfortunes which have befallen us, lately.”
“It seems misfortunes befalls this family frequently,” Danyal said honestly. “Yet, somehow, the family continues to thrive.”
“I’m glad you see it that way,” Cian said. “We have been sorely tested of late. Although…” He turned to glance at Richard once more. “Those worst afflicted do seem to be recovering, one way or another.”
“Is that why you assist your people?” Danyal asked curiously. “Because misfortune is common to all?”
“That is an interesting way of looking at it,” Cian said. “Elise, will you and the Prince and Aunt Annalies be staying for the night?”
“If you don’t mind, yes,” Elise replied.
Cian glanced up at the sandy colored walls of the big house. “Time was, this house would be stuffed full of people at this time of year. No, I don’t mind at all. You are more than welcome.”
Ben said, “Perhaps, Elise, we should get the business out of the way and clear the library for C
ian and his villagers. Then we can all relax and enjoy the rest of the afternoon.” He glanced out at the lawn and the cliffs beyond. “It has been a while since I smelled sea air.”
“You and Sharla, Dane and Stephen are more than welcome at any time,” Cian said.
Ben nodded. His gaze was upon the sparkling sea. “We really should take you up on that. We’ve been buried in London for far too long.”
Elise stood. “I will collect Great Aunt Annalise and meet you in the library.” She hesitated, then added, “You don’t mind if Danyal sits in on the meeting?”
Ben stroked his beard. “The Prince has an interest in your affairs, then?”
“Actually, I am trying to demonstrate to Danyal the very worst aspects of my personality.” Elise told him. “A woman discussing business matters must surely be added to the negative side of the ledger, yes?”
Ben smiled. “Especially when the lady in question speaks of ledgers in such a knowledgeable way.” He glanced at Danyal. Danyal saw curiosity in the man’s gaze, but not condemnation or judgement.
There was a sense of inclusion emanating from everyone in the family. Even though they were polite and acknowledged his title, they still made Danyal feel welcome. There was none of the formal fussing that went on in Constantinople. In that ancient city, protocols smothered spontaneity. To a degree, because his principality was subject to the Ottoman Emperor, his court was weighed down with as much etiquette as the Imperial court in Constantinople.
Perhaps that was why he had found the first sight of this family so intriguing. There was a refreshing naturalness about them.
Ben gave Danyal an unforced smile. “Do you ever indulge in sports, Your Highness?”
“Please call me Danyal. We are family, after all. If by sports, you mean kicking a football, then I have never done such a thing.”
“After we have dealt with business, I’d be pleased to show you how it’s done,” Ben said. He patted his own belly. “I could do with some running around, myself.”
“I look forward to that.” Danyal was startled to realize that he meant it.
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