Chapter One
Henry
Spotting Crosswood Hall from the window of the carriage as I approached brought no happiness. Only a bone-deep weariness. I had always believed I would, one day, return home in triumph.
Instead, I was coming home a broken man. Broken in so very many ways. Physically. Emotionally. Spiritually.
Just…broken.
When the carriage pulled up, the footman—whose name I had been told and then had promptly forgotten—moved to assist me.
I glared.
He stepped back and bowed his head.
My leg nearly gave way as I descended the stairs. Overbalancing, I almost fell.
A quiet, but audible, gasp went up from the assembled staff.
The staff I would have insistednotassemble. If I had had my wits about me. Which I had not and here we were.
“Your Lordship.” Mr. Wiggins, the estate manager, stepped forward. “We are most grateful you are returned to us.”
If he had saidin good health,I might have been forced to fire him on the spot.
As things were, I needed him now more than ever. “Thank you, Wiggins. I will expect a full accounting.”Because that is what lords do…correct?
“When you are able.” He gave another bow.
Fortescue, my butler, gave a short wave to the assembled staff.
They departed.
Except the one man I both expected and dreaded.
Percy Dankworth.
He stepped forward. “My lord, with your permission, I am to serve as your valet.”
Wiggins had explained this in a letter. The one confirming not only was I the heir—after the deaths, first of my father and then of my brother—but that Caroline had died as well. A mere two months after giving birth to my niece.
Now I was not just heir to Crosswood and the vast estate, but I was also uncle to a six-month-old innocent infant.
I had received assurances she had a wet nurse—and all a babe could require—but that would never make up for the fact she was an orphan.
With a world-weary and war-injured uncle.
“Dankworth, I will be requiring your services.” I rotated my right shoulder, emphasizing my pinned sleeve.
Solemnly, he nodded. “I understand and will meet your every need.” He met my gaze with determined blue eyes. “Would a bath be in order? To relieve you from the discomfort of the journey from London?”
A voyage made all the worse by the constant rain. The muddy roads had hampered our journey north to the seat of the Hartridge family home.
“That would be appreciated.” I held that steely gaze—but with difficulty. “I shall require your assistance in all things.”
“You shall have it. You only need ask. I hope, in time, I will be able to anticipate your needs and fulfill them all.”
I blinked.Must be dust in my eye. “As you say.”
