“Take them to the magistrate,” ordered theKing.
Willean stepped backward, threw off hisguards and ran to the door. Nicholas stuck out his leg, trippinghim and he sprawled on the floor. “I’ve done nothing” He poundedhis fists on the parquet, screaming until the guards liftedhim.
“You were an accessory, and it was your ideato sell me into slavery,” said Alexandra.
Lady Ursula attempted to shake off herguards, her voice dripping with venom. “I should have had youkilled, Alexandra, but foolish Willean had a soft heart.”
“Enough,” snapped the King. “I’ve heardevidence from Andrew Baines and Lord Rutland, and I don’t want myevening spoiled more than it has already.”
The King turned to Alexandra. “LadySutherland, your father was a good friend of mine. I was saddenedat the time of his passing and enraged when I learned of themachinations of Lady Ursula and her son.
“Now to the matter of the Sutherland lands.Lord Richard petitioned me in your favor and as it is known thatsome titles are distinctive and pass onto female heirs. Mysecretary has read your papers as dictated by your father’s hand,and it is my pleasure to inform, that you will be bequeathed theSutherland lands and do not need to go any further withofficialdom. I waive all constraints as to what is duly yours.”
“Thank you, your Majesty.” Alexandra presseda hand to her chest. The presence of the King and his support lefther dazed. So, this was the big secret Nicholas and his father andconspired all afternoon.
All the sacrifice, struggle and sufferingtriumphed in justice. With certainty, her father and Molly weresmiling down on her. Just then the room began to move. Dizzy, sweatbeaded on her forehead. Oh dear, was she going to swoon?
“I look forward to your upcoming nuptials,”said the King, winking at Nicholas. “I assume I’ll be invited.”
Nicholas bowed and Alexandra saw a pleasedsparkle in his eyes as she curtseyed again. “Yes, YourMajesty.”
The King clapped his hand on Duke Richard’sshoulder. “Cousin, I’d like a good game of chess and lack fordecent competitors. It has been too long.”
Duke Richard laughed as he walked away withKing George and his retinue. “In the future, I will produce anopponent, in fact, my new daughter-in-law to be who has surprisingaptitude.”
ChapterTwenty-eight
In the south salon of the Duke of Rutland’stownhouse, Sebastian, the butler announced Lady Jane WinthropDabney. Alexandra smiled and motioned Lady Jane to a brocadesettee. Nicholas had volunteered to take her son, John for a tourof the gardens.
Alexandra poured tea, having dismissed allthe servants for the privacy of the occasion. Lady Jane looked atthe grandeur, clasped and unclasped her hands. “I’m overwhelmed byyour attention, Lady Sutherland, and for Lord Rutland to take aninterest in my son, giving him a tour of the gardens, but I amunable for the life of me to understand why?”
Alexandra placed her hand on the older womanto quell her shaking. “You are in good company, Lady Jane. You donot need to be worried.”
“May I ask how you made the acquaintance ofCaptain Sharp? Is he alive?”
Alexandra shook her head sadly, allowing thetruth to sink in.
Lady Jane began to cry.
“I want you to know, your Captain Sharp, ina way, saved our lives.”
She frowned. “Saved your lives?”
Alexandra nodded and gave her a summary ofevents, how they found the cottage and supplies that helped themsurvive. Finally, she presented the locket and well-thumbed book.“This is Captain Sharp’s diary. He died with the locket you gavehim over his heart. He never stopped loving you.”
Lady Jane took the locket, clenching thegold heart-shaped piece in her fist. “This is my locket. I remembergiving it to him before he left. When he didn’t return”
“You thought he had died. But he lived.”Alexandra tapped the book. “In his diary, you will learn that hehad returned to England, discovered you were married and expectingyour first child. In no way did he desire to upset your life.Heartbroken, he quietly moved away to a deserted island and livedout his days alone.”
Lady Dabney placed her palm on her chest.“If I only knew, I would have sailed away with him. I loved Johnmore than life itself.”
She started crying, full drenching sobs. “Iwaited and waited for him. I found myself with John’s child. Myfather was a strict man and would have thrown me out on thestreets. My only recourse was to accept Sir Dabney’s proposal. Inever loved him.”
“Sir Dabney,” Alexandra said.
Lady Jane nodded. “I had to protect mychild. I loathed Sir Albert Dabney. He was a charlatan, and I soonlearned he was a womanizer, drinker and had gambled away my dowry.When my father died, and left me his estate Albert wasted theentirety. Now he has left us with tremendous liabilities andterrible poverty. Every day I fend off creditors. Sir Dabney is todie soon. The doctors say he has two to six months. His profligatelifestyle caught up to him. At least he will be in a better placewhile I face the looming threat of debtor’s prison. Oh, how I hadhigh hopes for my son. He is very intelligent and I wanted him tocontinue his education, but…”
Alexandra gave her a handkerchief. Her son,John, was Captain Sharp’s child? Alexandra imagined the terribleparadox Lady Dabney found herself in. Unmarried and pregnant?Captain Sharp’s delays fueled her desperation. “We all makemistakes, have struggles and regrets. But you are not yourmistakes.”
