Chapter One
Arthur Jameson, Dukeof Hightower stared in disbelief at his solicitor, Jeremy Smith. The man had always been upfront with him about everything, but this, this was different. He couldn’t believe what Smith had just told him. Even more disturbing was that his parents had kept this from him. But given his parents had been murdered, he couldn’t place blame on them for never telling him. The solicitor, however, was a different story. He should have told him as soon as Arthur had become duke.
That was a moot point now. He needed to process what he’d just been told.
“So you’re telling me one of my father’s oldest friends had been caring for my brother for all these years. Why would he and my mother even consider doing that? He was their son too,” Arthur said.
“Yes, until he died unexpectedly last month. Your brother, Charles, has some unique abilities, and to be quite honest, it sometimes scares people who don’t know him.”
“Where is my brother now?”
“Charles is living in a cottage on Lord Denton’s estate. Denton’s son has been kind enough to allow Charles to continue to stay on until other arrangements can be made.”
Arthur shifted his weight in the leather chair he occupied. “You mentioned he had unique abilities. What are we talking about?”
“He can recall the most minute details of a conversation from years ago. He’s extremely brilliant, but no one has been able to figure out how this came to be.”
“You mentioned he’s been in institutions?”
“Yes. Nothing serious, just trying to understand how his mind works. His mind is like a steel trap.”
“I suppose it’s time for us to meet, and I need to make a decision as far as where he should live,” Arthur replied.
“Would you like me to make arrangements?”
“If you wish to make contact with the son and let him know what’s going on, I would appreciate it.”
“Not a problem, Your Grace.”
“Can he travel by himself to London, or should I go to him and bring him back?”
“It might be best if you went to him. I understand crowds sometimes overwhelm him,” Smith replied.
“Where is he?”
“The Isle of Wight.”
Arthur arched a brow. “Not too far. Make all the arrangements and let Lord Denton know of my arrival.”
“I shall, Your Grace. It might be advisable for you to stay for more than the day. Probably a good idea if you meet Charles and the pair of you get to know each other first. He might not like leaving with someone he considers a stranger.”
“I guess we’ll find out,” Arthur replied. “Does he know he has a brother and sister?”
“Yes.”
Arthur thought of his sister, Roxanne. She was in Italy with her husband on a delayed honeymoon. He would need to write her so she wouldn’t be too surprised when she and Graham returned. Daphne, his own bride, might be able to help him with planning for his brother’s arrival.
He rose to his full height and began to pace the floor. “If that’s all, I’ll leave you to it. Just let me know what transpires and when I should make plans to leave.”
“I shall, Your Grace.”
He turned and walked out of the office and headed for his carriage. Deciding to walk back to his office in Parliament, he dismissed his carriage. There was certainly a lot to think about. He had a brother, and not just a brother, but a twin. He wondered what Charles looked like since he forgot to ask. Was he identical? That certainly would be interesting.
The afternoon was one of the rare gems. The sky was a magnificent shade of blue and this time there wasn’t a cloud to be found. The kind of day that brought people outside.
He couldn’t wait to tell Daphne what his meeting had been about. Of course, she would be supportive, and knowing her, she would probably have some suggestions on making Charles feel at home. She seemed to have a sixth sense about people.
Reaching his office, he soon realized he wasn’t concentrating on anything but his newly found brother. He found himself writing notes about things he needed to know, things like why his brother was kept from virtually everyone for the majority of their lives. Did he have a temper he couldn’t control which was part of the reason he was separated from the family?
