The Shocking Secret of a Guest at the Wedding (Millworth Manor) (7 page)

As a young girl she had longed for independence. And why not? The new century was fast approaching and with it progress and new ideas. Why, weren’t women already working for suffrage? And while being an independent woman of business was not something she would proclaim to society—it would ruin them after all—it was time, past time, really, to embrace it within herself and stop looking back at what her life was supposed to be. But rather look at what it was. And what it could be.

Without thinking she raised her chin as if facing the future head-on. No, Lady Theodosia Winslow was not born and bred to be an independent woman of business but it was exactly what she was.

Teddy smiled at the thought. And that, my dear mysterious American, might well be the grandest adventure of all.

Colonel Basil Channing considered himself a man of action and courage. Why, among his many adventures, hadn’t he once faced a charging rhinoceros on the African plains? Hadn’t he escaped the clutches of bloodthirsty natives in the South Seas? Hadn’t he been presented at court to Her Majesty? Still, none of those, with the possible exception of his introduction to the queen, had proved as daunting as the task before him now.

He surveyed the expectant expressions on the faces of his family in the large, gracious Millworth dining room, the scene of any number of announcements, proclamations, and revelations through the years. Indeed, it seemed whenever there was a critical issue affecting the family it was revealed and discussed here. It had become something of a tradition. It was assumed when a request was made to meet in the dining room it would be a family matter of some importance.

“I am sorry to interrupt,” he said with an apologetic smile although everyone was in excellent spirits. Exactly why this had struck him as the perfect moment to say what had to be said. One should always seize an opportunity when it presented itself. “I didn’t think this could wait any longer. In truth, I shouldn’t have waited this long. But it’s rare that the entire family is together in one place. I didn’t want to take the chance that some of you would scatter in the morning so I thought it best to do this now.” This was an announcement he did not want to repeat.

Basil nodded at the newlyweds. “But I do apologize for taking you away from the festivities.”

“Nonsense, Uncle Basil,” Camille said with the sort of smile that could only come from someone truly happy. “The ball is well under way and no one will miss us for a few minutes.”

Basil had asked his brother and sister-in-law, their twin daughters, Beryl and Camille, along with Beryl’s husband, Lionel, Lord Dunwell, and Grayson, as well as the youngest Channing daughter, Delilah, to join him. Delilah was accompanied by an American, a Mr. Russell. From what Basil had heard last night, there was a question as to whether Mr. Russell would be here at all but judging by the way he and Delilah looked at one another, they had resolved whatever problems they’d had.

“I must confess, you have us all dying of curiosity,” Beryl said. Beryl always did come straight to the point.

“And a certain amount of apprehension.” Nigel studied his brother closely. “It’s not like you to be preoccupied and on edge but you have been since you arrived at Millworth.”

“I will try to keep this as succinct as possible.” Even though Basil had rehearsed any number of times since he had learned of Jack’s existence, the right words evaded him now. He braced himself and met his twin’s gaze directly. “I know you have been concerned about the fate of Millworth as you have no sons. And upon our respective deaths, your title, the estate, and everything associated with it will be inherited by some distant relative we scarcely even know.”

“It’s the way of the world.” Nigel shrugged as if it didn’t matter but both brothers knew it did. “I’ve made my peace with it.”

“As have we all,” Delilah said. “Admittedly, it will be rather sad to see Millworth pass into unfamiliar hands but it’s not as if any of us will be left penniless.”

“Thanks to appropriate first marriages,” Bernadette said smugly.

Bernadette had done an excellent job of raising the girls on her own after Nigel had gone off to wander the world. She had made it her mission in life to make certain her daughters would not face financial insecurity should their husbands decide to seek adventure rather than live up to their responsibilities. The first marriages for all three girls were to older gentlemen with substantial fortunes. No matter what happened in the future, their financial security was assured.

“That is one less thing to be concerned with,” Basil said under his breath.

It was only in widowhood that Beryl and Camille, and now apparently Delilah, had found what looked to be genuine love. Exactly as their mother had planned. Something Bernadette had admitted to Basil but would never admit to her daughters. It was one of many confidences she and her brother-in-law had shared through the twenty years of Nigel’s absence from his family. Not that Nigel hadn’t realized his mistake very nearly from the start. But Bernadette had thought it better to let her daughters think their father was dead rather than know he had abandoned them.

Basil had been his twin’s champion through the years and had argued repeatedly with Bernadette about allowing Nigel to return home. Nigel had pled his own case in frequent letters but Bernadette was unyielding. While to some she might have seemed overly stubborn, Basil knew his brother’s actions had hurt her deeply. So Basil had become his sister-in-law’s confidant and close friend and had fulfilled the role of father for the girls when he was in England. But his restless nature had kept him seeking travel and adventure and he was gone more than he was present. Basil never would have admitted it even to Bernadette but it was often difficult to see the life and family his brother had freely forsaken, the life Basil would never have. The life he could have had if only . . . Basil firmly thrust the thought aside. It was pointless to dwell on the past and what might have been. His brother had been a fool but then, in many ways, so had Basil.

It was only this past Christmas that Nigel had at last found the courage to come home in spite of his wife’s objections. As it happened, she was waiting for him to do so. After twenty years apart they had found one another again. Bernadette had, if not completely forgiven her husband, at least been willing to overlook his transgressions and move forward. After all, twenty years was a long time. Not as long as thirty . . .

“I do wish you would tell us what this is all about.” Annoyance sounded in Bernadette’s voice. “We do have a ball to return to, you know.”

“Of course, I know,” Basil snapped, then drew a calming breath. “This isn’t easy, Bernadette. I’m trying to think of the right way to say this.”

“Just say it.” His sister-in-law glared. Patience had never been one of Bernadette’s virtues. “The more you dissemble, the more the rest of us think this is something truly dreadful.”

“It’s not dreadful,” Basil said staunchly. “In many ways it’s something of a miracle.”

“Go on then.” Nigel’s brow furrowed with concern and he studied his brother. “Out with it, Basil.”

“Very well.” Basil paused to pull his words together. This was every bit as difficult as he had thought it would be. “It’s a long story but I shall try to make it short.”

“Too late,” Beryl murmured.

Basil braced himself. “A very long time ago, I met a lovely young woman, the daughter of an American banker.” He chose his words with care. “We fancied ourselves in love and did what young people in love often do . . .”

Bernadette’s jaw clenched with impatience. “Do get on with it, Basil.”

He ignored her. “We eloped.”

A collective gasp washed around the room.

“Her parents were appalled and convinced the marriage was a terrible mistake. They convinced us of that as well.”

Nigel stared, shock and disbelief in his eyes. “You never told me any of this.”

“It was not something I was particularly proud of.” Basil’s voice was sharper than he intended. He had always regretted letting Elizabeth go. Now it seemed it was the biggest mistake of his life. “At any rate, she returned to America and was to have the marriage annulled. Her father would see to that.”

Beryl studied her uncle closely. “
Was
to have the marriage annulled?”

“Yes, well, that’s apparently difficult to do if the bride is with child.” Basil shook his head. “I only recently learned about this.”

Camille’s eyes widened. “Then you’re still married?”

“And you have a child?” Shock rang in Delilah’s voice.

“Basil,” Nigel said in a hard tone and met his brother’s gaze. “What exactly are you trying to tell us?”

“I’m trying to tell you I have a son.” Basil drew a deep breath. “I’m trying to tell you there is a new heir to Millworth Manor. And he’s American.”

Shock hung in the air. For a long moment no one said a word. Then the dam broke.

“Good Lord, Uncle Basil.” Beryl stared at him. “How could you have been so careless as to misplace a son?”

“And in America no less.” Delilah scoffed in a derisive manner earning her a raised brow from Mr. Russell. “Not that it’s not a fine enough place to lose a son,” she added quickly.

“Although where you lost him is really beside the point, isn’t it?” Camille said.

Bernadette shook her head in amazement. “How could you, Basil?”

“First of all, I’ll have you know, all of you, that I knew nothing about this.” Basil blew a long breath. “Elizabeth, his mother,
my wife,
did not see fit to tell me that we were still married nor did she inform me as to the birth of my son who has, by the way, recently marked his thirtieth birthday. So you see, my dear niece”—he pinned Beryl with a firm look—“I did not misplace him as I was unaware of his existence.” His gaze shifted to Delilah. “New York is the home of his mother’s family and again I did not lose him as I didn’t know he existed.” He directed his gaze to Camille. “And yes, where he was is entirely beside the point although I daresay had he been born and raised in England I might well have stumbled onto him before now.” He narrowed his gaze at Bernadette. “And as to how could I, how could I what, Bernadette? Fall in love with a woman and then fail to fight for her? Admittedly, that was a mistake that I realized nearly from the beginning. And while I wrote to her, it seemed she wanted nothing more to do with me. Should I have pursued her in spite of that? In hindsight, of course I should have.” His gaze pinned his sister-in-law’s. “But we all make mistakes out of passion or pride or pain, mistakes that have unexpected repercussions. Don’t we, Bernadette?”

“Well, yes, I suppose.” Bernadette muttered and had the good grace to look chagrined.

“When did you find out about this?” Delilah asked.

“A few weeks ago. I took the first ship to New York. But of course, I couldn’t stay.” He glanced at Camille. “I couldn’t miss your wedding.”

“Thank you,” Camille murmured with a weak smile.

Beryl shook her head. “You must be furious.”

“My anger is greatly diminished by my, well, I suppose my joy is the only good word for it.” He smiled wryly. “It isn’t every day that one discovers one has a full-grown offspring, and a son at that.”

“Still, I would be hard-pressed to forgive something of this magnitude,” Beryl said firmly. “Why, I know I shall never be able to forgive this woman on your behalf.”

“Thank you, my dear, for your loyalty.” Basil smiled and shook his head. “I don’t know that I have forgiven Elizabeth or that I ever will. Regardless, what’s done is done and we need to move forward from here.”

“Father.” Camille turned to Nigel. “You haven’t said a word.”

“This is quite a lot to digest,” Nigel said thoughtfully. “Not the least of which is my brother failing to tell me about his marriage.”

“I apologize for that. I put it all behind me and went on with my life. It seemed pointless to bring it up. Now, of course, it’s an entirely different matter that affects us all.” Basil held his breath. “I know this is a shock but I would appreciate it if you would say something, Nigel, anything. I have no idea what you’re thinking.”

“I’m not entirely sure what to say. As you said, it’s all a bit of a shock. Completely unexpected. And the consequences. . .” Nigel’s gaze met his brother’s. “Cousin Wilfred’s dolt of a son will be most disappointed. I however . . .” A slow smile spread across his face. “I couldn’t be more pleased.”

Basil grinned at his brother. “It is something of a surprise.”

“A surprise? Good God, man.” Nigel crossed to his brother and embraced him. “You said it was a miracle and I’d say you’re right. It’s a bloody great miracle. Millworth and the title going to your son, my nephew. Nothing could make me happier.”

“But Father.” Delilah cast an apologetic look at Mr. Russell. “He’s American. You can’t have an American Earl of Briston.”

“I don’t see why not,” Mr. Russell said in a casual manner and glanced at Lionel. “Is there any legal reason why an American couldn’t inherit an English title?”

Beryl’s husband was a political sort, a member of Parliament, and if anyone knew the legal repercussions of any question, Lionel did. Or, as Basil had always suspected, he simply thought he did. “From what I gather thus far, Colonel Channing was, and still is apparently, legally married to this man’s mother so legitimacy is not an issue. Regardless of where he resides or where he was born, he is the colonel’s legal heir and, after the colonel, Lord Briston’s closest male relative. As his father is English, he would be considered a subject of the Crown even though his American birth gives him citizenship in that country as well. The way I see it, and I very much doubt that I’m wrong on this, he is considered a citizen of both countries.”

“Entirely more than we wanted to know, dear,” Beryl said to her husband.

“Quite right.” Lionel nodded. “Well, I don’t see any impediment to his inheriting at all.”

Perhaps Lionel was as clever as he thought himself after all. Beryl’s smile of pride said she certainly thought so.

“But in every way that truly counts, he’s an American.” Horror sounded in Delilah’s voice.

Grayson inclined his head toward Mr. Russell and lowered his voice. “I suspect that sort of thing is going to be most annoying in the future.”

“Oh, I’m not worried. She’ll come around. You’d be surprised at how willing she is to compromise.” Mr. Russell grinned confidently, his gaze firmly on Delilah. “Besides, we have a contract.”

Grayson frowned in confusion. “A what?”

“None of your concern.” Delilah huffed and a blush washed up her face.

“So then . . .” Camille said slowly. “You’ve met him? The new son, that is?”