The Silent Love (31 page)

"Yes and send my son to me as soon as he comes in." She softened her manner, realizing that the man was merely showing respect for David, whom he liked very much, as did all of the servants. "And Darwin... please appraise me of the solicitor's arrival and make sure that cook has luncheon prepared for several guests, for we shall have the reading of the will today."

"If I may say so, Milady, there is a likelihood that you will be quite surprised by the contents of the will... " Darwin could not resist baiting her a bit, for her curt manner had injured his dignity.

Hannah tossed her napkin upon the table and glared at the man, "How should you know anything of this matter?" She stopped herself from screaming at him, and took several deep breaths before she calmed enough to continue. "I should think, were there anything untoward in this will that I should know about, you would tell me now."

"If I could do so, Milady, I surely would, but I have given my word to the old Marquis, and his death does not release me from a promise given." Darwin drew himself up, satisfied that he had undone her, for though he liked her well, he was wont to think her too mild with the young boy and hoped that the new master would give the child better manners.

Darwin knew his own worth, as well, for did not the Larkspur blood run through his very own veins? 'Twas a pity there was no written record of the many births, some even legitimate, that showed the Larkspur lineage in its entirety. But there was one record that would be revealed today and he could not wait for the consequences... and rubbed his hands together in anticipation as he went his way.

Chapter Nineteen

~~

"These then are the marriage lines. Darwin here, good fellow that he is, assisted me in this small duplicity... but you can see that it will benefit all quite well, in the long run."

"What have you done?" David demanded suspiciously.

"We have simply placed your mother and father in a wee Kirk in Scotland in the year 1797 where they were secretly wed by one Earnest Perry, Vicar, Christ's Church. Gillian Strongbow was kind enough to lend his signature to this particular document, consenting to the marriage."

Gillian coughed loudly and looked to the windows, his ears red with mortification.

"But it is not the truth. Surely, you cannot expect people to believe—"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I can. It has happened before, you know. Secret marriage... heir inherits rightful claim... even happens a royal or two I could name for you had just such an experience.

"Though of course, the issue of those unions could not inherit the throne... but that is a matter of state and we are dealing with a lesser circumstance. The security of the nation does not depend upon this... being 'the truth' as you put it."

Mr. Maguire, looking quite pleased with himself, sat back in his chair and folded his hands across his lean stomach, as he was wont to do at times like this. "But for an accident of birth, you would be the heir at any rate, for I know that your father had planned to marry your mother..."

"You cannot expect me to perpetrate this duplicity upon my wife. She has been deceived enough by this family." David started at the bit of paper, showing him legitimate and the heir, or rather, the
Marquis
now. "I think this is not to be disclosed today, Mr. Maguire."

"It is too late for that. The Royal family fully expects your presence in London for your swearing of fealty." Mr. Maguire busied himself with paperwork, not looking at David whose face was a storm cloud.

"How can that be?" He looked around wildly, as though to escape, but of course there was no place to go. "I have not sent a missive to the Royals. Surely that ancient rite has been out of practice for some time?"

"Well, for all intents and purposes, it no longer serves the crown in the manner that it did, for instance, during the borders wars. Nevertheless, it is a ritual that still stands."

"I took the liberty, sir, of sending Gates with the obituary when he went for the solicitor." Darwin looked smug. "They have naturally, been in touch with your solicitor, Milord and he has... "

"I should think you take a great many liberties in this house, Darwin. That may change very shortly if you do not cease your interference... " His irritation with the servant and the solicitor knew no bounds. He threw them each a vile look.

"Now, David, ah... your Lordship. I am sure that loyal servants such as Darwin are hard to come by, and he has done his best for you... and remember, he
is
following the old Marquis wishes... not his own."

David threw the solicitor another irritated look and drew his hands through his hair in exasperation. What a conundrum, this. He paced across the room and back, a scowl marring his handsomeness. Finally, he halted in front of his grandfather and fixed him with a stare. "What do you say to this, grandfather? Was this your idea?"

"Nay, never mine. Not...exactly. The Marquis' lad." Gillian hedged and squirmed on his seat, not liking the look in David's eyes.

He decided to recapture the ground he had lost with his dissembling words, and drew himself up, standing before the younger man, and being several inches taller, knew an advantage.

His own brows drew together, and he spoke with authority. "David, if we have done you a harm, I'd surely like to know how. You are the son of a Marquis and deserve to be the heir. "Tis only a matter of circumstance that you have not been, until now."

"Yes and the circumstance, as you call it, is my being born a by-blow. How can you condone this? Do you propose I go to Hannah with this... this horrid tale? I will not, you can be sure of it."

"And indeed, Milord, you shall not have to." At the sound of Hannah's voice, all the men in the room turned their eyes to the door.

Regal and composed, a secret smile upon her lips, her eyes bored into David's with unspoken communication. "I should think, that as the Marquis, you would be glad to take your wife and child to meet the King."

"How?" David looked at her in astonishment.

"How do I know of what you speak?" She smiled prettily and fairly glided across the room, her eyes still on her husband. "I have a very bad habit, I am afraid, for I listen at doors."

Gillian Strongbow colored up once more as his very own words echoed back to him, earning him a glance of amusement from his grandson, who had visibly relaxed. He coughed delicately and looked at the ceiling, his innocent manner not un-remarked by Hannah, who grinned at him as well.

Hannah's eyes moved around the room until they landed upon Darwin, who stood in the shadows, his erect posture and aloof manner belying the part he had played in the ruse. A satisfied gleam emitted from his silver eyes and he nodded imperceptibly at the marchioness.

She nodded back with a small smile, then looked at her husband. "And when do we leave for London?"

David, not certain that he wanted to involve himself in yet another fraudulence, turned her by an elbow and escorted her from the room, calling over his shoulder. "Gentlemen, I would speak alone with my lady wife for a few moments... help yourself to the port." He could not get enough of calling her his wife.

"How then, my husband, will you tell the King that you are not the heir after all, without exposing those who—through love and regard for you—have placed themselves in danger of what could amount to a treasonous act?"

"Treasonous... surely you go to far, Hannah." David paused, however, as he considered her words and looked carefully at her, repeating, "Treason?"

"Mayhap not so severe, but I am sure the King would have little sense of humor, knowing that his peerage has made so free with the titles of his crown. He may begin to wonder who else may have done similar things and start an investigation, which I must point out, would do you no good with your fellows of the aristocracy."

Seeing that her argument was having little effect, she added the ringer. "And of course, David there are your business concerns. Do you think the King would stop at ruination? He would not, I assure you. To be so publicly humiliated by one of his Lords... it would enrage the man."

"Prinny? He is a veritable pussycat. No... I think he would laugh heartily and slap me on the back in congratulations for managing to execute this fraud." David was on thin ice, and his voice showed it.

"Yes, well..." Hannah tilted her head to one side, studying her husband. "Do you remember a man by the name of Beau Brummell?"

She added the final touch, mentioning the hapless fellow who had angered the King for nothing more than a few witty remarks at His Majesty's expense and paid for it with exile.

Hannah read the Times avidly and was well versed in the goings on at court and in the
ton
, even though the paper was sometimes weeks old.

David stopped arguing at this point, for he remembered well the circumstances of poor Beau's fall from grace and had been at one of the balls where the Regent had cut him dead. He shuddered to think of that happening to him... or worse, to his family. "Hannah, you have made your point. But there are still things that bother me about this whole business."

"Such as?" Hannah preened, just a bit, at her victory, but grew thoughtful at his next words.

"Such as... so many people being involved who know the truth... and there is my mother. She will not take kindly to this, I am sure, for she has been much admired for her bravery in shunning marriage with the demned lord of the manor." He frowned just to think of it. "It will make her look a fool."

Hannah sighed, recognizing the dangers of two many cooks in the kitchen. After some careful thought, she gave an irrefutable argument. "If any here were of a mind to tell what they know, surely they would implicate themselves as well. I think we are safe in assuming that your grandfather and Darwin, too, would be inclined to uphold family honor and keep their own council.

"And Mr. Maguire, though not family, belongs to a family that has served yours in the capacity of legal counsel for almost two hundred years. He, too, prides himself on our family honor."

"And my mother?" David quizzed her with a sardonic smile, for he knew even Hannah could have no answer to this dilemma. "What will we do if she denies the whole thing?—which she might."

"I do not think she will, David. If you go to her and explain the circumstances, and that none of this was your doing—and don't forget to tell her about the King—she will forgive this and be done with it."

"Oh very well, then. I suppose you have the right of it. I vow, I do not mind being the Marquis... I
did
mind not telling you the truth of the matter, and would have told you, had you not found out through devious dealing."

He grinned at her and swung her into his arms, his lips hovering just above hers, as he whispered, "I do love you, my little night bird. I would take you off to the cottage, but my mother has requisitioned it for Carlton."

"What mean you by that, Milord? Surely your mother has not... ah, would not... " She looked the question at him, and he shook his head.

"No, it is too soon, or too late, which ever fits best the situation. She says that grandfather has taken a liking to Carlton, and he has decided to stay in the area for a while. I believe he has no other place to go. Told me that his family was wiped out almost completely in the influenza epidemic. He comes from near Derbyshire, and has lived most of his life in London. But that is another story for another time."

"David... "

"Hush you now, my love, for I cannot kiss you if you are talking." David proceeded to show her how very much he did love her, and it was a while before they returned to the drawing room.

David went that afternoon to see his mother and explained the situation, asking her advice, though he had already made up his mind in view of Hannah's arguments that he would proceed as the Marquis.

"What then will you do my son? Are you planning on becoming like your father?" Mary was truly worried, for she had seen much in her life and knew better men than David had become spoiled by riches and power.