No time like the present, he decided. And though his wife would be furious, he wanted to see for himself what sort of man her uncle was.
The journey lasted a day and a half. To his surprise, Nigel’s estate was magnificent, far surpassing his expectations. Stephen’s coach circled around the gravel entrance, and he noted the impeccable gardens and manicured lawns.
Although Emily’s uncle did not possess a title, his wealth rivaled any viscount or baron. Falkirk would have fit into a single wing. It led Stephen to question how Nigel Barrow could have led such a life of luxury while allowing his other family members to suffer in poverty. Unless Barrow had sent money and Hollingford had squandered it, which was possible.
After Stephen disembarked from his carriage, a footman opened the front door and accepted his card. He was led into a drawing room decorated with rose-and-blue wallpaper. Mahogany tables and French gilded chairs adorned the space, while a piano was set against one wall.
Before long, a plump gentleman with snowy white whiskers entered, smiling brightly. He leaned heavily upon a walking stick. “You must be the Earl of Whitmore.”
Stephen inclined his head, and the gentleman gestured for him to sit down. “I am Nigel Barrow. Delighted to meet you, I must say. When I heard that you’d come, I had hoped my niece and the children would be with you.”
“On another visit, perhaps.” Stephen accepted a cup of tea, declining cream or sugar. Nigel seemed to be overly fond of sweet tea, for he added several large pinches of sugar with tongs.
“Well, then, what brings you here? I assume this is about the will.” Before Stephen could reply, Nigel continued. “Terribly sorry to hear about my nephew. He always seemed to be pouring money into unfortunate investments. I regret that I could not be there to help him.”
“He was in India a year ago, I understand. Did you see him?”
Nigel nodded. “Of course, of course. He told me about some of his losses, and I loaned him funds.” Shaking his head, he added, “I should have sent them directly to Emily, it seems.”
Nigel sipped his tea, then added another spoonful of sugar. “I sent Daniel hundreds of pounds over the years, but I fear Emily saw none of the benefit. I was gratified to hear that she married you, by the by. She’s had too much hardship in her life.”
Though the man’s regret appeared genuine, Stephen wasn’t entirely convinced that all was what it seemed to be. “How did you hear about our marriage?”
“Daniel wrote to me about it several months ago. He seemed to think his fortunes would change, now that Emily was settled.” With a light shrug, Nigel set his teacup down.
“About the children,” Stephen began. “Emily was quite upset to hear that her brother named you their guardian. She has been like a mother to them, all this time.”
Nigel smiled warmly. “I am sure she has given them the best of care. But you see, at the time Daniel made out his will, she was unmarried with no prospects. We thought it best that I oversee Royce’s inheritance, should anything happen to Daniel. And, unfortunately, his life was cut far too short.” He shook his head sadly.
“Why did it take you so long to return to England?” Stephen asked. “And, for that matter, Emily says you never once visited her or the children.”
Nigel rested his wrists upon his knees. “There has been unrest because of the Sikh war, I’m afraid. My own estates in India were threatened, and I’ve been preoccupied with them.” He brightened. “But now that everything has been put to rights, I can atone for my mistakes.
“I’ll confess,” he continued, “I have the selfish desire to spoil Daniel’s children, since my wife and I were never blessed with our own.”
Rising to his feet, he leaned heavily on the cane. “Come, now. I should like you to see their rooms. I fear, I went a bit mad with shopping. I couldn’t decide what toys they would like, so I bought them all.”
As he led Stephen upstairs, the man had to stop at the landing to catch his breath. His wrinkled face gave an apologetic smile. “Forgive me, Whitmore. The effects of being old, I’m afraid.” He leaned upon his cane and the banister, pausing a moment. His eyes glistened with intensity. “I’ll always regret that I couldn’t help my nephew Daniel. I blame myself for it.”
With a heavy sigh, he added, “But I look forward to seeing his children. And, as you can see, I have the funds to ensure their comforts.” He continued up the stairs, leading Stephen to a nursery that was brimming with toys and dolls of every kind. It contained everything a child could want.
And yet, Stephen hesitated about bringing them here. Perhaps it was because he’d grown to care about Royce and Victoria. He, too, was reluctant to see them go.
But he also knew they had to obey the law. There was no alternative.
“Will you bring Royce and Victoria here?” Nigel asked. “I fear traveling does not agree with me. And have Emily come along, as well. I should welcome the chance to see her again.”
“She has her doubts about you,” Stephen admitted. As did he, though he couldn’t see anything wrong with the older man.
“Then allow me to set her mind at ease. All of you may stay for as long as you wish.”
He supposed he would have to accept the invitation. And he had no doubt that if anything were wrong, Emily would discover it.
“I will let them know.”
Upon his return to Falkirk, Stephen decided to speak to Royce first. Of the two children, the boy would be the angriest at having to leave.
But before he could seek out the boy, Farnsworth awaited a chance to speak to him. Clearing his throat, the butler looked embarrassed.
