The Dark Earl (30 page)
“Harry, you believe in more Irish superstitions than anyone I know. Surely you are not dismissing the possibility that you could be the
third bride
in the family?”
third bride
in the family?”
“It’s possible that
I
could be the third bride,” Jane insisted. “You cannot deny that Trixy’s wedding was a surprise, as well as Rachel’s, so why couldn’t my wedding be a surprise?”
I
could be the third bride,” Jane insisted. “You cannot deny that Trixy’s wedding was a surprise, as well as Rachel’s, so why couldn’t my wedding be a surprise?”
Her mother cautioned, “Jane, it is decidedly unladylike to be so eager for a husband. My older sister Georgy earned a reputation for being man-hungry, and she was left on the shelf until she was thirty-two years of age.”
“But the tarot cards say that it is the woman who leads, and the man who follows.”
“Jane, darling, one cannot conduct one’s life on what tarot cards say. They are a whimsical diversion used to entertain at parties. I’m off to give Maud and Ronald their riding lesson. It won’t be long before we must leave for Kilkenny.”
When her mother left the room, Jane looked at Harry. “The tarot cards said that Trixy would get her wish in a
three
, and that’s exactly what happened.”
three
, and that’s exactly what happened.”
“What did your cards say, Jane?”
“I remember I got the
Temperance
card, but I’m not really sure what that means.”
Temperance
card, but I’m not really sure what that means.”
“
Temperance
is the Angel of Time. It means you must have patience. You are so young, Jane. You have all the time in the world before you need to think about marriage.”
Temperance
is the Angel of Time. It means you must have patience. You are so young, Jane. You have all the time in the world before you need to think about marriage.”
“But if I take my time, someone else is sure to grab him. Trixy stole D’Arcy right from under your nose. I don’t want that to happen to me.”
“I know you’re speaking of Will Montagu. He’s only twenty-two years old, so he too has all the time in the world to think about marriage. Jane, if it will stop you from worrying your guts to fiddle strings, I assure you I have not set my cap for Will.”
“Truly, Harry? You won’t try to steal him from me?”
“I promise.”
Jane sighed. “He is the Earl of Dalkeith. There will be scores of other females eager to be his countess and live at Dalkeith Palace.”
“That’s true. But if you stay sweet and innocent, you will stand a far better chance of stealing his heart than all the others.”
The corners of Jane’s mouth lifted in a smile. “And here’s the best part: Mother is going to invite the Montagu family to a dinner party when we get back to London.”
“She’s bent on matchmaking. Little does she know we will conspire against her.”
At the end of August, the Hamilton family traveled to Kilkenny Castle to visit Lord Butler and Rachel. James Butler had sent Abercorn a letter telling them his brother John had died without ever regaining consciousness, so they knew the family was in mourning.
Abercorn sent a message that they would be arriving later in the day, so when the two coaches reached Kilkenny Castle, James and Rachel were waiting for them.
“Rachel, darling, you look radiant.” Louisa embraced her youngest sister. “We are simply here to pay our respects. I won’t subject you to my horrid horde longer than two days. Harry, Jane, and young James have promised to act as nursemaids to their younger siblings while we are at Kilkenny.”
“That is extremely thoughtful of you, Lu. We are doing our best to take care of John’s children in this sad time. The arrival of the young Hamiltons will be a welcome diversion for them.”
The Hamiltons were accommodated in one wing, and then the two families had dinner in the castle’s great hall. Widowed Frances still had a vacant look in her eyes, as if she hadn’t fully comprehended her loss yet. She finally excused herself to feed her newly born baby girl.
Harry could sense that Rachel wanted to speak to her in private, so she asked if she would show her the garden.
Harry lowered her voice. “Any regrets, Rachel?”
“Oh, none whatsoever about marrying James. There is something I want to share with you, Harry. But I’d like you to keep it to yourself.”
“I won’t breathe a word.”
“It wasn’t just a riding accident. It was a
hunting
accident. John was shot and fractured his skull in the fall from his horse.”
hunting
accident. John was shot and fractured his skull in the fall from his horse.”
“Does your husband have any idea who shot his brother?”
Rachel nodded, and whispered, “It was his son Edward, who is now the Marquis of Ormonde. The child is drowning in guilt and clings to James as if he’s a savior.”
“That is so tragic. My heart goes out to the boy.”
“Edward monopolizes James, so I am offering my comfort to the other children, especially eight-year-old Grace. Their mother is still stunned as a bird flown into a wall.”
“With a new baby to look after, is it any wonder? You will surely have your hands full. It is such a sudden change for you, Rachel.”
“After living alone, I find it gratifying to be surrounded by a husband and children.”
Harry embraced her. “I shall miss you. I know it will be difficult, but you and James must come to London whenever it’s possible. And in the meantime, promise me you won’t give up your writing.”
“I won’t,” Rachel vowed.
That night, Harry heard her parents discussing the tragic details of the hunting accident, and realized that James Butler must have confided in her father. She was relieved that her parents knew. It would make it easier for her to keep the secret.
Thomas Anson had a secret plan to return to London early. If everyone, including his family, thought he was still in Staffordshire, it would be his alibi if one should be needed. While he’d been at Shugborough, he had once again experienced his nightmare that his beloved home was on fire. He had been halfway down the stairs to fill buckets with water when he realized that his deep-seated fear was all in his head.
While at Shugborough, Thomas had made time to thoroughly examine the situation he was in. His resolve hardened and he concluded that it was time to take matters into his own hands.
Thomas timed his journey so that he arrived in the city after dark. He drove to Furnival’s Inn, located in Ludgate, paid to have his carriage and horses stabled, and took a room for the night. After dinner in the taproom, he went upstairs and changed his clothes, donning black from head to foot.
At midnight, he picked up a small spanner and set off on foot to Fowler’s law office, located on the first floor of a building off Chancery Lane. He made his way cautiously to the alley at the back of the building, and began the painstaking job of removing the iron bars that covered the window. He set the bars and the bolts he had removed on the ground and then with his fist, protected by his black leather glove, broke the window and crawled inside.
He moved about the law office slowly, feeling his way to familiarize himself with the layout, and did not strike a match until he had located the bank of heavy wooden filing drawers. He lit the lamp, turned it down low, and set it on the floor so its dim glow could not be seen through the front windows.
With rigid resolve, he removed the drawer marked
A
, sat down on the floor next to the lamp, and methodically went through all the files until he came to the one marked
Anson
. He read everything in the file including two signed wills. The first named Thomas Nathaniel Anson as his father’s legal heir. The second will named his daughter Anne Frederica as his heir, with her husband, Lord Elcho, to hold the Staffordshire property in trust for her. A foul curse dropped from Thomas’s lips. Next to the wills, he found his father’s sworn affidavit that falsely claimed he was illegitimate, along with a letter of instructions that stated if Thomas married before his father died, Fowler was to burn the affidavit.
A
, sat down on the floor next to the lamp, and methodically went through all the files until he came to the one marked
Anson
. He read everything in the file including two signed wills. The first named Thomas Nathaniel Anson as his father’s legal heir. The second will named his daughter Anne Frederica as his heir, with her husband, Lord Elcho, to hold the Staffordshire property in trust for her. A foul curse dropped from Thomas’s lips. Next to the wills, he found his father’s sworn affidavit that falsely claimed he was illegitimate, along with a letter of instructions that stated if Thomas married before his father died, Fowler was to burn the affidavit.
He carefully replaced everything in the file except the second will and the signed affidavit. He turned out the lamp and put it back where it belonged. Then he lifted the drawer from the floor and replaced it in the bank of wooden files. He put the papers inside his coat, climbed out the window, and carefully bolted the bars back in place.
Thomas picked up a few stones and broken bricks from the alley. He tossed one through the bars of the broken window, then with the other stones proceeded to break the windows of other offices in the building. He didn’t want Fowler to suspect that his office had been broken into, and fervently hoped it would appear that young hooligans had been on a window-smashing spree.
At least it should buy me some time before Fowler discovers that documents are missing from his files.
The thought occurred to him, and not for the first time, that there could be other copies. There was little he could do about that, short of setting ablaze the building, and fire was anathema to Thomas.
Perhaps there are other copies in the safe that Father keeps in his bedchamber. The wily swine has always kept the combination secret, but perhaps there is a way of learning what it is.
The thought occurred to him, and not for the first time, that there could be other copies. There was little he could do about that, short of setting ablaze the building, and fire was anathema to Thomas.
Perhaps there are other copies in the safe that Father keeps in his bedchamber. The wily swine has always kept the combination secret, but perhaps there is a way of learning what it is.
The following morning, Thomas left Furnival’s Inn, drove north to Hampstead Heath, where he spent a few happy hours exploring the heath made famous by highwaymen. When the sun was at its zenith, he drove his phaeton west to the Brent river, and spent the afternoon fishing. Dusk was descending when Thomas drove south on the Circular Road and entered London as if he were returning from Stafford on the last day of August.
“It’s the first day of September and it’s still warm as summer, with not a hint of autumn in the air.” For once Harry was glad to be back in England.
Abercorn’s ship had made an overnight crossing to Bristol. Lady Hamilton leaned back against the velvet squabs of the coach. “We’ll be in London tonight, and will be able to sleep in our own beds, for which I am truly thankful. Amen.”
“Harry, I’ve never visited the House of Commons. How about taking me to the visitors’ gallery one day this week?” Jane asked.
Harry hid her amusement. “I would be delighted. I’m so glad you are taking an interest in politics. Trixy wasn’t the least inquisitive about the subject. Perhaps we’ll be lucky enough to hear Uncle Johnny speak on the floor.”
“You’ll likely see Will Montagu. He’s the member for Midlothian,” her mother said.
Harry smiled.
And Thomas Anson is the member for Lichfield.
And Thomas Anson is the member for Lichfield.
Chapter Sixteen
T
wo days later, the Duke of Abercorn drove to his office in Westminster and dropped Harry and Jane off at Parliament. When the sisters climbed to the visitors’ gallery, they were happy to find it empty.
wo days later, the Duke of Abercorn drove to his office in Westminster and dropped Harry and Jane off at Parliament. When the sisters climbed to the visitors’ gallery, they were happy to find it empty.
“Since Parliament has just reconvened after the August break, visitors will be few and far between. The first week back is notorious for being slow and boring.”
Jane fixed her eyes on William Montagu. “I’m not bored.”
Harry spotted Thomas Anson immediately. His black curly hair made him stand out from the other members. She dragged her glance away from him when Lord John Russell stood and addressed Prime Minister Aberdeen. It took her a moment to realize the topic of discussion was the Crimean War that Britain and France were fighting against Russia. Her uncle John was advocating that Aberdeen should adopt a more aggressive policy in the war.
The minute John sat down, Lord Palmerston was on his feet, criticizing Aberdeen for his policy of appeasement. Palmerston was even more insistent than Lord John that Britain must be more aggressive in the war they were waging.
Harry lost focus on the talk of war, and her glance soon became riveted on Thomas Anson once again. Jane sneezed and Harry opened her reticule to find her a handkerchief. She was surprised that none of the men below even looked up.
Her mouth curved in a mischievous smile as she took an acorn from her fringed bag.
Harry hung over the railing, took careful aim, and let it fly.
When Anson looked to see what had just fallen from above, he spied an acorn sitting beside him on the green leather bench. He glanced up and saw a dark young lady with scarlet poppies in her hair.
The audacious Irish beauty is back! My prayers have been answered.
When Parliament recessed at five, both sisters were eager to go downstairs and wait for the members to leave the floor of the House and gather in the large foyer. They greeted Lord John, and Jane hoped Will Montagu would stop to talk with them. If Harry hadn’t given up betting, she would have wagered a guinea that Thomas Anson would be drawn to her.
“Hello, Thomas.” Harry didn’t offer him her hand to kiss. Instead she spoke to her uncle. “I was delighted to hear you give Aberdeen a hard time.”
“My comments were mild compared to Palmerston’s.” Lord John kissed Harry and Jane on the cheek. “How was Ireland?”
“Eventful.”
“Indeed. Your mother wrote to tell me our sister Rachel married Lord James Butler. She also shared the unfortunate circumstances. I approve the match, and hope she is happy.”
Harry glanced at Thomas. “Rachel is exceedingly happy. Her husband loves her deeply. Jane, why don’t you tell Johnny about our visit to Kilkenny Castle?”
She stepped closer to Thomas to explain the circumstances of Rachel’s marriage.
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