Hope for Tomorrow (26 page)

As such Lucien, was hopeful that probate would be settled quickly so that he could begin bringing Marchwood into the modern age.

Relations between Lucien and his mother remained frosty but then Lucien couldn't ever remember them being warm. She kept to her bed for a few days after the funeral, presumably hoping that he would take pity on her. Even if he were inclined to, there was no way that he could change who Martha was and 'Miss Aldercott' remained a good match for him. Finally his mother left her rooms but made it clear that they would never again discuss 'the housemaid'. She wasn't exactly happy to talk about 'Miss Aldercott' either but she did at least mention her name and reply with short answers.

Finally she took herself away to stay with one of his sisters for a few weeks.

Martha didn't answer his letter for a week and he began to worry that he had done the wrong thing.

When she did finally write she said that she was sorry for his father's death and hoped that he was coping with it.

She then told him that despite agreeing to marry him one day, she thought that she had made it clear that it would not be until after Gus's death and if his business or health were affected in any way by Lady Beaumont having learned the truth, she would sever all ties with Lucien immediately and deny his words for the rest of her days.

Lucien was ashamed to admit that he hadn't thought of Gus when he revealed the truth but wrote back assuring her that if he had believed that there was even the slightest chance of his mother revealing her secret, he would have said nothing.

Now he just had to pray that he was right.

Martha continued to write to him about business matters but never anything personal. She did not invite him up to Penchester and nor did she ask after his welfare.

Lucien felt bereft but he couldn't really blame her. He knew that Gus was like a father to her and he should have respected her feelings for him. He had just been tired of his mother's continual criticism of Martha while she praised Miss Aldercott that he had lashed out in anger. He admitted that it was rash of him and that he shouldn't have said anything without her permission.

For a time he mirrored her letters and only spoke of business but he soon found himself unable to stop enquiring after her and Hope. He apologised more times than he could count but she never acknowledged anything other than business matters.

He was beginning to despair of ever being forgiven.

Chapter Twenty Three

Martha arrived home from the shop intending to reply to Lucien's latest letter and was surprised when the maid informed her that Dr Blackhall was waiting for her in the parlour.

“
Thomas,” she said with a smile as she entered. “What a pleasant surprise.”

Thomas stood but he looked anything but pleased to see her. In face he looked rather grave.

“
Is something wrong?”she asked.

“
I think you'd better sit down,” he said,

“
Is it Gus?”

“
No! I'm sorry, I did not mean to alarm you. Please.” He gestured to the seat beside him once again and Martha sat.

“
I heard some rather disturbing news today,” he said.

“
Oh?” she felt a pang of dread.

“
Hope is your daughter, isn't she? Not your sister.” He looked disappointed.

“
Oh, Thomas, I...” her worst fear had come true. “I didn't want to lie to you but can't you see, I  had no choice.”

“
Is that all that has been keeping us apart?” he asked. “Because it makes no difference to me, Martha. If anything it makes you even more remarkable.”

“
Thomas, you cannot have a fallen woman as your wife. A former housemaid, no less.”

“
Martha, no one believes the rumours. They cannot equate the fine woman that you are with a common servant.”

“
You could.”

“
Only because of your speech about never marrying. It suddenly all made sense but believe me, the ordinary man or woman on the street does not believe it.”

“
I hope that is true; not so much for me but because I'm not certain that Gus's health could stand such a scandal-”

“
It is true,” he assured her.

“
Good, but that is not the only reason I said that, Thomas. The truth is, I love Hope's father. I always have and I always will, even before we were reconciled. I couldn't in all good conscience give my heart to anyone knowing that I could not love them as I do him.”

“
And if I said that didn't bother me?”

“
My answer would be the same.” She reached over and took his hand. “Thomas, you are a good man and you deserve someone who can love you as you deserve to be loved.”

“
And what if I never find her?”

“
You will.”

“
I wish I could be as certain.”

“
Come on, Thomas, even you will admit that you have been so focused on building your practice that you have neglected your social life. Besides Gus pestering you to come to dinner, you hardly mix with polite society at all, unless it is with an eye to recommending yourself to more people.”

“
True,” he admitted with a smile. “I have been rather focused on work of late.”

“
Of late?”

“
Fine, I probably should try and get out a little bit more.” He smiled at her but it faded as he grew serious again. “Will he love you as you deserve to be loved?”

“
I don't know,” she admitted. “Sometimes I think he will and at others... I think he means well, truly I do but he's an only son, raised to be Lord of the Manor and it's hard for him to think of others, beyond being their master.”

“
Well if anyone can tame him, it's you.”

“
I hope so,” she smiled.

“
Can I ask who he is? I won't tell, you have my word.”

“
Lucien Beaumont.”

“
The Earl of Marchwood?”

“
Yes. I'm surprised that the rumour didn't mention that?”

“
It didn't.”

“
Are you certain?”

“
I am. If it will put your mind at ease, I was told that you were the very image of a fallen woman who ran away after she fell pregnant with a Baron's bastard child. Though of course it couldn't be you because you are a lady and nobody is that good an actress. At least, that is the version of the tale that I heard.”

“
At least it isn't coherent. I suppose it could be worse.”

“
Indeed,” he smiled. “Which is why I replied that I had heard that you and Hope were the illegitimate daughters of a Scottish Duke, who sent you both to Gus when your mother died.”

“
That was quick thinking,” she said. “Thank you.”

“
It was the least I could do.”

“
Do you suppose these rumours will reach Gus?” she asked.

“
I don't suppose anyone would be that crass, though it is best to prepare him.”

Martha nodded and swallowed.

“
I will continue to spread the falsehoods,” Thomas assured her. “My sister is a terrible gossip so I shall write to her the instant I get home. Your royal lineage will be all over London by tomorrow evening.”

“
Thank you.”

“
Do you know how the rumours started?” he asked. “If we knew, we could perhaps cut them off at source.”

“
I dare say the source is Lucien's mother, Lady Beaumont. Lucien told her the truth in a fit of anger but he swore to me that she wouldn't tell anyone, that she would be too fearful of being associated with a woman like me.”

“
Well since the rumour is inaccurate, I would assume that she has kept her son out of it.”

“
Thank you for telling me, Thomas, and for being so understanding.”

“
It was my pleasure,” Thomas smiled.

“
I do hope that we can remain friends?”

“
Of course. And although I doubt he will, come and get me should Gus suffer any ill effects when you tell him, or at any other time for that matter.”

“
I will. I wonder if I might impose on you a little more. Gus refuses to tell me much about his condition so can you tell me what's wrong with him?”

“
Only that it is a problem often related to old age.”

“
Is there nothing we can do?”

“
Very little,” he said. “Over-exertion is dangerous, he must stay as calm and relaxed as possible. He should get plenty of fresh air, very light exercise and eat a light, simple diet if you can get him to.”

“
He didn't tell me any of that, beyond taking things easy.”

“
I dare say that he does not want to change his lifestyle too much.”

“
How long does he have?”

“
It is impossible to say. I've seen this a few times before, sometimes sufferers can last for years, sometimes only months.”

Martha's eyes began to shine with tears.

“
I don't know if this is any consolation at all but when it comes, the end is usually very quick.”

“
Then at least he won't suffer too much.” Martha took some comfort in that.

“
I think your holiday in Blackpool was good for him, he had much more colour the last time I saw him.”

“
Yes. I was thinking that I should try and take him away more often. All the time we are here, he cannot completely leave work behind but in Blackpool, he was as relaxed as I've ever seen him.”

“
That's a good idea.” Thomas smiled. “And now I suppose I should be going. We don't want to start more rumours.”

“
No.” She smiled. “Thank you.”

Thomas left and Martha poured herself a shot of brandy.

Damn Lucien! She was prepared to face this but not while it could affect Gus! She understood that he probably thought that he had been defending her honour but that wasn't good enough! She downed the drink in one mouthful, almost gagging as the hot liquid slid down her throat. She coughed a few times then poured a fresh glass for Gus, knowing that he would be home soon.

He took the news surprisingly well, seemingly more concerned for her than for himself. Martha assured him that she was fine and that Thomas had helped to avert disaster.

Now only time would tell if Thomas had succeeded.

Lucien heard about Martha's roots in the Scottish nobility from the railway chap who came to survey the land. The deeds should be transferred into Lucien's name in another week but they had a gentleman's agreement and the railway wanted to get as much as possible done before the sale went through.

“
You're in business with Miss Aldercott, aren't you? Augustus Aldercott's ward?”

“
Yes.” Lucien didn't see anything wrong in that question.

“
My missus tells me that she and her sister are the illegitimate daughters of the Duke of Lothian.”

“
Really?” His surprise wasn't false.

“
Aye. My misues loves her gloves, bought her a pair for Christmas two year ago and she's still over the moon about 'em. When I told 'er whose land I was surveying today, she asked if you aren't the one she went into business with, something about capes or cloaks?”

“
Yes, she designs the outerwear and I have it made using wool from our local factory. I'm hoping that the railway will make trade a good deal easier for everyone, us included.”

“
That it will. The Misses will be right stoked when I tell 'er I'm working on the land of 'er business partner.”

Lucien just smiled.

“
So you didn't know about her noble heritage yourself, like?”

“
I knew,” he said, “But she asked me not to broadcast it.”

“
Aye, well I can see why not. Still, it's not like she an' her sister had any say in how they came into this world, is it?”

“
No indeed. Tell me, how are people reacting to the news?”

“
Couldn't say, Sir, beyond me wife that is.”

Lucien stayed with him for a few more minutes answering questions then he headed back to the house. The surveyor would drop the final plans in the next day, he said.

Lucien had more important things to worry about. His mother was still at his sister's so he saddled his horse and rode north-west to the town of Warrington, where an old friend of his lived. The ride took about two hours and he headed to Peter Gatley's house, where he was warmly greeted by Peter's wife.

“
I'm afraid Peter is in town but I'm sure he'll be back soon if you would like to wait.”

“
That would be lovely, thank you.”

She escorted him into the parlour and they shared tea as they waited for Peter.

“
Terribly sorry to call in like this but I was passing and realised that I hadn't seen Peter in months.”

“
That's because you took yourself off the social circle,” Mrs Gatley gently chided.

“
Indeed I did. With father being so ill, I didn't really feel up to much socialising.”

“
No, of course not, I was so sorry to hear about his passing.”

Lucien doubted it; his father had never liked the Gatleys since they were 'new money' which was one of the many reasons Lucien had cultivated a friendship with Peter.

He removed his gloves with great care, tugging on each finger, hopeful that Mrs Gatley would notice and comment, which she did.

“
I say, are those Aldercott gloves?”

“
Indeed they are,” he smiled. “Why do you ask?”

“
Haven't you heard about Miss Aldercott?”

“
No?”

“
Heavens! Well, it just so happens that she and her baby sister are Scottish nobility! Illegitimate of course, but a direct descendent of Charles I by all accounts.”

Lucien could help but notice a second link to Scotland.

“
Ah yes, I heard something about a scandal and a child.”

“
That's probably her younger sister. They say their mother died in childbirth. Dreadful business.”

“
It hasn't put you off wearing her gloves, I hope?”

“
Oh no. In fact many of my  friends are even keener on her garments now that she has a royal connection.”

“
And it doesn't bother you that she's illegitimate?”

“
Well one can hardly hold that against her, though I dare say I might think differently if she were trying to reclaim the throne or somesuch. As it is, one can only admire her fortitude in making something of herself with such a taint on her name.”