Over the past few weeks, she had become more and more anxious to speak with Garrett, her fiancé. Good lord, with over three hundred invitations having been sent out, she hoped to goodness that she did, in fact, have a fiancé!
A week in London,and still, Natalie hadn’t heard one word from her betrothed. She knew he’d signed the marriage contracts with her father, but he had not bothered yet to waitupon her. And a lady could not call upon a gentleman. She wasn’t a harridan, for goodness sake! And she most certainly would not go to his home in search of the proposal she’d hoped he’d make officially, once and for all.
The first event of the Little Season was nearing, and as each day passed, Natalie’s anxiety grew into nothing short of terror. She hoped it would all be worth it.
She could do nothing but wait.
As had becomeher daily ritual, after taking breakfast, Natalie expelled some of her restlessness by pacing the length of the room while her mother perused the gossip columns. Since arriving, she’d been unable to sit still long enough to read a book, or attempt any sewing projects, or focus on anything else, really, except for her tenuous situation.
On this particular morning, she’d twisted her handkerchief into a nearly unrecognizable knot when Mr. Thomas, the butler, stepped in to announce an unscheduled caller. Her mother glanced up, startled, when Natalie squealed in delight. The familiar face she saw behind the butler was a person she’d not expected to see so soon.
She had missed Lilly, now the Duchess of Cortland, more than she’d realized. Dressed in an impeccable morning gown of mint green and sky blue, her dear friend wore a jaunty hat atop her elegantly coiled platinum hair.
“Lilly!” Natalie rushed over to her friend, holding both hands out to grasp hers.
Lilly smiled and held Natalie’s hands in hers. “I have missed you so much! When Aunt Eleanor told me you were in town, I came right over!” She squeezed Natalie’s hands warmly. “The duke and I have just arrived back from our honeymoon, but my thoughts have been with you since the day we left.”
“Please sit down, Your Grace,” Natalie’s mother invited, using the title that ought to have been bestowed upon her own daughter. Nonetheless, she spoke in polite and welcoming tones. “Your wedding travels were pleasant and uneventful, then?”
Lilly nodded and then went on to tell of some of the places she and Cortland had traveled to. She appeared to be so very happy. She moved with a lightness that hadn’t been there before. In fact, she glowed.
“But that is not why I have imposed upon you this morning. I have come because my aunt informed me of your, er…situation.” And then, looking at Natalie with a gleam in her eye, she added, “It is true, then? You are to marry Lord Hawthorne, and I am to havetwonew cousins?”
Natalie hadn’t considered the familial connection between Lilly and Garrett. But of course, if Lady Sheffield was Garrett’s aunt and Lilly’s aunt, then the two of them would be cousins. “You are not related to Lady Eleanor through Lord Sheffield?”
Lilly smiled warmly. “Lady Sheffield is my late mother’s older sister. Lord Hawthorne’s father was their brother. He was the middle child. So, yes, we are first cousins! You can imagine my astonishment when I read my aunt’s letter.”
“Are you acquainted with Lord Hawthorne, with Garrett?” Natalie asked the question cautiously. For the older earl had attempted tokillLilly. He’d kidnapped Lilly, but she’d managed to get away. She’d knocked over a lantern filled with fuel while climbing out of a second-story window at Maple Hall. She’d been lucky to escape unharmed. It was why the estate came to be in ruins.
Natalie placed her hand on Lilly’s arm. Lilly had been so very brave! She’d been so strong! Natalie felt ashamed for her own self-pitying thoughts of late, considering.
Lilly’s smile disappeared for a moment. “Despite all that occurred with his father, with the old earl and myself, I havenever spoken with his heir. I never thought there would be any reason to. But he had nothing to do with what Hawthorne tried to do to Michael and me. He is his own person, and unless I discover anything to contradict this, I am happy to meet him, to welcome him into our lives—if he wishes it.”
Natalie tilted her head sideways. “Does it upset you greatly? Knowing your cousin was raised by…a murderer? Because I must tell you Garrett is a most honorable gentleman. He has proven this to me on numerous occasions.”
“It did, initially, but my aunt has convinced me of his good character. My sister and parents have passed on, and I believed Glenda and Aunt Sheffield were my only living relations. I am pleased to have found more family.”
“So with Glenda being married to Joseph, you are not only to be my sister-in-law, but my cousin-in-law as well. Would you think me a dolt for not having considered this connection before this morning?”
Natalie’s mother tugged at the bell pull. “It is nearing nuncheon, Your Grace. Will you stay for sandwiches and tea?”
Lilly turned her attention to include Lady Ravensdale. “I’d be delighted. But what I wish to ask you is what Michael—His Grace”—Lilly corrected herself with a blush—“and I can do to help.” Looking back to Natalie, she explained, “I understand there was something of a situation earlier this summer? It sounds harrowing, but you look to be well. Are you completely recovered, then?”
Natalie summoned a faint smile as her nerves, which had disappeared for the last few minutes, made a clamoring return. “I am fine now, Lilly, but Lord Hawthorne faces a few social hurdles. And if he cannot manage to clear them, I’m not certain my groom will show up for our wedding.”
“Tell me what I can do. I am aduchessnow, ladies, as you well know! And that must be good for something!”
At these words, Natalie’s mother leaned forward. “As a matter of fact…”
Through the post,Lord Ravensdale had confirmed to Garrett that his father was Mr. Arthur Winters. He and Lady Ravensdale, having a close relationship with Lady Sheffield, had suspected this for years. The events surrounding his birth and then later, the uncanny resemblance between Garrett and the late Mr. Arthur Winters validated their suspicions. Natalie’s father wrote to him that Mr. Winters had been a man of gentle birth, with no claims to any title or nobility. This information served as confirmation of that which Garrett had already come to believe as truth.
Garrett himself had examined more closely the drawings stored in the trunk. And yes, he saw a strong resemblance. He was surprised he’d not noticed it initially. He was coming to terms with the reality that William Castleton had not fathered him. His own chances of siring a healthy child, as far as he was aware, were the same as any other man. He could partake of his marriage bed with no concerns in that area.
Garrett also received word from both his solicitors and the crown with their determination regarding Garrett’s claim to the title. Both assured him that his position as the Earl of Hawthorne was secure. They based the declaration upon “marital paternity presumption.” The letter from the crown explained that “a child born during a marriage is to be considered the offspring of the husband.” Even a child born of a wife’s adulterous affair would be recognized as a legitimate child of the marriage. His solicitor explained in the letter that this rule recognized a husband could rebut the marital presumption only by proving his impotence or his absence from the country. Since the late Lord Hawthorne had never rebutted Garrett’sclaim as his son, then no one could question his inheritance. Even if the fact became common knowledge, the law would continue to recognize Garrett as the legal heir. At this point, there was no long-lost relative willing to step forward and challenge his ascendency.
Garrett presumed it would not be convenient to find somebody else willing to take on the rebuilding of Maple Hall. Might as well be himself as anyone else.
And so he would retain the title about which he’d grown to have very mixed feelings.
