Children of the Shadows, page 30
Sir James Durridge was there, sans his clerk, who now cooled his heels in Newgate, awaiting trial. Alonzo’s legal representative sat opposite him, beside his client.
Mrs. Dunstan was placed beside Sir James, demure and calm. How could she be so serene at a time like this?
And lastly, Juliette allowed herself to look at Daniel. He gave the barest of nods as he rose. His features were tight, showing the strain he must be under. All the gentlemen stood as the ladies approached.
“Tristan, Melisande, welcome back.” Marcus rounded the table, pretending this was his first meeting with them since their return. He had debriefed them the night after their ship docked, but that wasn’t for everyone in the room to know. He kissed Mother’s offered cheek. “Do sit down. His Highness will be with us shortly, I am sure.”
Juliette took the chair the duke pulled out for her, down the way from Daniel and opposite the Darbys. The table formed a line of demarcation between the sides.
Haverly took the seat at the foot of the table, at Juliette’s left hand. There were two chairs at the far end still empty. The most ornate of these must be for the Prince Regent, and the other for Sir William Garrow.
The silence suffocated her. Why was she here in a room with no air? Where was the prince? Did he not know that his delay was torture?
Mrs. Dunstan leaned forward and caught Juliette’s eye, giving her an encouraging smile. Daniel’s mother had said her calm trust came from the Lord.
If you’ve any extra calm, could you pass it down, please? God is in control. God already knows what the Prince Regent will decide. His heart is in the hand of the Lord. Like a river of water, God turns ruler’s hearts the way He wills. Please, Lord.
Juliette knew the truth of this, and yet trusting it, leaning into it, being reassured by it was still a struggle. Charlotte had asked the hard question of whether Juliette had prayed that God’s will would be done, or if she was praying that God’s will and hers would align. At this point Juliette didn’t know what to pray. Please, Lord was all she could muster.
A door at the end of the room opened, and a large, florid-faced man with a paunch and a waistcoat that strained to conceal it entered.
The Prince Regent himself.
Everyone pushed their chairs back and rose, and as he drew near, the men bowed and the ladies curtsied. Juliette did the same, sinking low and keeping her eyes down.
Another man followed him in, gray of hair and sober of demeanor. Sir William Garrow.
Juliette took her seat after the prince was seated, and she gripped her hands in her lap. Her gold and garnet ring bit into her finger, and she twisted it round and round.
“A most serious subject, the succession of a title.” The prince had a fruity, deep voice, and he spoke with no introduction or welcome, almost as if continuing a conversation he’d been having. He licked his lips frequently, and the resulting glimmer of moisture made Juliette’s stomach flip. She studied the far wall, where a portrait of an Elizabethan courtier stared back at her, then turned her face back to the prince, lest she be exhibiting bad manners by not giving him her attention.
“I have given the matter much thought and have conferred with both Garrow here and Haverly on the matter. Having examined the proofs provided by both sides …” He droned on for some time.
Why wouldn’t he get to the point?
“I am reluctant to go against tradition and expectations, and for that reason I have decided that Rotherhide will be inherited by Viscount Coatsworth, Alonzo Darby.”
Juliette closed her eyes as Lady Coatsworth gave a sob. Rushing water sounds filled her ears, and her breath caught in her throat.
It was over. In spite of the evidence, in spite of all the work everyone had put in, in spite of what was right and just and all her prayers …
She opened her eyes to see Alonzo put his arm around his mother and hold his hand out to Agatha. Agatha blinked, and two tears raced down her cheeks.
“Thank you, Your Highness,” Alonzo said.
Juliette wanted to be happy for her friend, and maybe someday she would be. But not now. Now she could barely avoid being crushed by her disappointment.
She was glad she could not see Daniel’s face in that moment, down the way. She could not look at Marcus. He had done everything humanly possible to prove that Daniel was the rightful heir.
This was a miscarriage of justice, but they were powerless to change any of it.
Poor Daniel.
“However, I am convinced that though for form’s sake I must side with Darby as to Rotherhide, Mr. Swann has a rightful claim. This dilemma has caused me not inconsiderable effort, and I believe I have come up with a solution. A rather Solomonic solution, if I do say so myself.” The prince patted his stomach with satisfaction, licking his full lips again. “Mr. Swann, you and your mother were unfairly treated by Rotherhide, and you deserve compensation. You are the legal firstborn heir, and though I cannot give you Rotherhide, I have decided it is only right to confer on you a title of your own.”
Everyone on Daniel’s side of the table straightened.
“Your Highness?” Daniel asked.
The prince smiled broadly, as if pleased to have stunned everyone. “That is correct. There is a title lying fallow at the moment. Aylswood. I am conferring on you the title Earl of Aylswood and shall create the title Viscount Swann as well. There is property north of Banbury, a house and estate that come with the title. They have been maintained by the Crown up until now, but you will take over their upkeep and ownership. I believe the previous Earl of Rotherhide left you a considerable sum as his ward before his death. You shall keep that bequest. Also, there will be no aspersions cast upon your lady mother. Though it is unconventional, this is an unusual circumstance. By rights she would be a countess now, and while I cannot confer that title upon her, she will be known as Lady Catherine, Viscountess Swann.”
No one had lit a candle or opened a curtain, but the room seemed brighter. Juliette still struggled to breathe, but for a different reason.
Two titles? The solution had never occurred to her, and she was surprised it had occurred to the prince.
God really did move in mysterious ways.
“That is a very sensible plan, Your Highness. Most clever of you to have thought of it.” Marcus spoke smoothly, complimenting the ruler without being obsequious. “Aylswood is a beautiful estate. Some of the best stables in the land, I understand.”
“Sir William will see to the paperwork and meet with the necessary people in transferring the title from the Crown to you.” The prince waved his hand, as if it were a trifling task. “Haverly here has informed me of your service in keeping the King’s peace. Bow Street will be sorry to lose you, but as a new peer, your time will otherwise be occupied. I’m certain Haverly will assist you in learning your way. He did the same for another new earl, Whitelock, not all that long ago.” The prince pushed his chair back and rose, shoving his bulk upright.
Chairs slid back on the carpet as they all scrambled to their feet.
“It’s time for morning tea.” He patted his stomach again. “I’m peckish. Someone will show you all out.”
There was barely time to bow and curtsy before he was gone.
Had it all really happened? Was Daniel now an earl? Aylswood, not Rotherhide? Did she dare hope?
Alonzo puffed out his chest. His every line showed his satisfaction. In his mind, he no doubt thought he had been vindicated. His mother dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief, her hand shaking. For all those on the outside, her marriage was declared legal and true, her son the rightful heir.
Agatha rounded the table, hugging Juliette. “Isn’t it the most wonderful thing? You are happy for me, are you not? Though I’m not certain why you are here? Had your parents something to do with the Prince’s decision?”
Juliette was spared having to answer.
“I asked the Thorndikes to come,” Marcus said. “They are here to support Mrs. Dunstan as her employers. Though no longer Mrs. Dunstan, but Lady Catherine.” He inclined his head to the new viscountess.
“Your Grace, it will take some time to become accustomed to what has happened. Did you know the prince had these plans?” she asked.
“He consulted with me yesterday.”
The way the duke said it had Juliette wondering if the solution had originated with Marcus and that he had somehow convinced the prince that it was an idea of his own making.
Marcus winked at Juliette, and she suppressed a laugh. He had influenced the prince. She was sure of it.
“We will be taking our leave,” Alonzo said, his lips stiff.
Daniel crossed to him. “Rotherhide, we’ve had our differences, but going forward, I would like to put the daggers away. We are, whether we like it or not, half brothers. I believe we are both big enough men to behave, if not warmly, then at least civilly to one another.” He held out his hand.
Juliette held her breath.
For a moment it appeared that Alonzo would refuse, but in the end he jabbed his hand forward, gave Daniel’s a brisk shake, and turned away.
It was a beginning.
Agatha joined the Darbys, taking Alonzo’s offered arm, looking back with joyful eyes to Juliette. Her beloved had gotten what he wanted and thought he deserved. She was content, her future assured. And she appeared more than ready to resume her friendship with Juliette and totally unconcerned that Daniel had been given a title. What happened beyond Alonzo mattered little to her at the moment.
Sir James and the other barrister gathered themselves, shook hands all around, and departed, leaving the Swanns, Thorndikes, and Marcus.
“We’re most pleased for you, Mrs. Dunstan. Or should I say Lady Catherine. I suppose this means we will have to find another housekeeper.” Father bowed over her hand.
“I confess, while I am happy to have been here for you, Lady Catherine,” Mother said, “I’m still mystified as to why you thought we should be present, Marcus.”
“Ah, that. Well, I believe that will become apparent soon. Daniel, would you like us to absent ourselves?”
“Not just yet, Your Grace, if you don’t mind. There is something I would like to say to Lord Thorndike.” Though he was not speaking to her, his eyes never left Juliette’s.
“Yes?” Father asked.
Daniel turned to face him. “Sir, I love your daughter. I had no business revealing those feelings to her when I did, a month and more ago, but I was delighted to know she returned them. I should have come to you immediately, but I was called away on a case, and then you and your countess left the country. In my previous station as a Bow Street investigator, I could not possibly have hoped you would look on my suit favorably, and though Juliette had declared she would marry me no matter my station in life, I could not in good conscience ask her to reduce her circumstances to that degree. I held on to hope that the Prince Regent would see the rightness of my claim to Rotherhide and that as an earl, I would be an acceptable match for Lady Juliette.”
Father’s brows rose, and he looked at Mother. “I see. It must have been a crushing blow to you when the prince awarded the title to Darby.”
“It was the worst moment of my life, sir. Worse even than when I was taken away from my mother and banished to boarding school as a child.” His eyes met Juliette’s again, intense and eloquent. “But when His Highness said there was still an earldom for me, it was like sunshine bursting through the clouds. All the shadows fled. Sir, I would like to marry your daughter, and I would like your blessing.”
Father pursed his lips, narrowing his eyes. “Juliette, is this true? Do you love this man?”
“I do, Father.” Her voice came out squeaky, she was so overcome with hope.
“And you were prepared to marry him even if he had not received a title?”
“I was.” She nodded for emphasis. “No matter what it cost me, though it would have pained me greatly if I did not have your approval.”
He stroked his chin. “Haverly, you’ve had him investigated thoroughly, have you not?”
“I know more about him, Thorndike, than he knows about himself. I’ve spent the last six weeks looking into every aspect of his origins, and before that, you know I had him checked out as a potential operative for the agency.”
“Hmm. Melisande, what do you think?”
“I think you should stop tormenting them and give your blessing. It’s clear now what has been ailing Juliette since we arrived home. She’s been pining.” Mother hugged Juliette to her side.
Father laughed. “I can never fool you, Melisande.”
“Father, please,” Juliette said.
He inhaled sharply. “I give my blessing, Swann, not because you are an earl but because you are a good man. You have integrity, honesty, and kindness, all of which qualities will serve you well in the future. I give my blessing to you both, but I will ask one thing.”
Daniel’s relieved smile had Juliette biting her bottom lip. “What is it you require?”
“I would ask you to wait to marry until autumn. You have not known each other for long, and in mostly extreme circumstances. It would be wise to spend more time in each other’s company, preparing for marriage. And I would like Juliette to be married from Heild House, at St. James the Great Church in Pensax.”
“September?” Juliette asked. That was only four months from now.
“I was thinking November, but perhaps we can compromise on October?” Father faced her and leaned down, placing a kiss on her forehead. “I believe we will make our way toward the carriage. Daniel, I trust you will say what you have to say and bring Juliette to the front door in a few minutes?”
“Yes, sir.”
Juliette clasped her hands before her, hardly able to believe what had transpired in the last few minutes. The moment the door closed, Daniel embraced her, holding her close, kissing her temple, her hair, her forehead. At last he cupped her face between his palms.
“I’ve been waiting all my life for you, Juliette. You have helped me heal from hurts I didn’t know I carried. Every day you inspire me to be a better man. I love you. Please, will you marry me?” His voice was thick, as if damming up more emotion than he knew what to do with.
“I will, on one condition.” She stared hard into his eyes, wrapping her fingers around his lapels.
“Name it.”
“Never again will you consider doing something ‘for my own good’ without allowing me a say. I understand your reasons, but I never want to live through anything like the last week again. My love is unconditional. I loved you before you were given a title. I loved you before you knew you were entitled to one. I love you, Daniel Swann, not your prospects, your social standing, or your wealth, potential or perceived.”
His face softened, and he lowered his face until their foreheads touched. He moved his head so that his nose brushed hers. “I promise, and I love you all the more.”
She raised her face to his, wanting to show him as well as tell him how much he meant to her. His arms came around her, folding her close, his lips firm on hers, giving and receiving, promising and anticipating.
Every shadow dissipated in the light of his love and their future together.
Suddenly, five months seemed a long time to wait.
Epilogue
“I HOPE THE PRINCE DOESN’T mind too much our being late to Brighton.” Juliette took the chair Daniel pulled out for her at the Thorndike’s dinner table. Guests laughed and found their place cards. “He left last week.”
He took the seat beside her, letting his hand linger on her shoulder, inhaling her rose-scented perfume. “I wish we didn’t have to go at all, but as long as we can be together, it won’t be so bad.”
“There’s so much to do here, and you’ve yet to see your new property. Have you been to the Banbury area before?”
“I have not. It’s still hard to believe I have a manor house and lands. The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind. Haverly has made quite a point of introducing me around, sponsoring me for membership at White’s, procuring invitations, establishing me in society. Your father has been helpful too. And your uncle.”
Everyone had found their places, and Daniel studied the guests. Across the table, the Dowager Duchess of Haverly examined the silverware and crystal, Haverly bent his head to listen to Countess Thorndike, and Miss Cashel adjusted her skirts, a regal expression on her flawless face. The new Earl of Rotherhide and his betrothed looked quite pleased with each other, though she wore half-black mourning attire.
“I’m happy for them,” Juliette said, following his gaze. “Agatha was certainly surprised when I told her of our betrothal, but as long as you didn’t take Alonzo’s title from him, she’s happy for us both.”
Daniel’s mother, beautiful in a burgundy dress with ostrich feathers pinned in her hair, caught his eye and winked. She was still unaccustomed to the finery, as well as being a guest in a house she had overseen as housekeeper less than three weeks ago. He had rented a townhouse for them both, not a mile from Berkeley Square, and she had been seeing to hiring staff.
He must guard his resources, for he did not yet know what sort of income his new estate would provide, and the bequest from his grandfather would not last forever. How did one stay afloat financially when one was supposed to be the idle rich? Something on which to consult Haverly, and soon.
Footmen popped corks and filled glasses with champagne. At the head of the table, Tristan Thorndike rose, holding his glass. “Ladies and Gentlemen,” he said, his voice raised.
Conversation ceased and heads turned.
“Tonight is in way of a celebration. My only child, my beloved daughter, Lady Juliette Thorndike, is formally betrothed to the Earl of Aylswood, Daniel Swann. Please join me in a toast to their happiness. I wish you as successful and blissful a marriage as your mother and I.”
Everyone raised their glasses and drank. Daniel caught the eye of the dowager and only just refrained from tossing her a saucy wink. He didn’t want to make the old girl choke on her wine.
Down the way, Sir Bertrand took a long gulp from his glass, his eyes unfocused, his movements wobbly. Once again he was playing his role as a sot. Who was he spying on now?
