Page 53 of A Countess Captured for the Captain
“But it iz lies, all lies,” she exclaimed, but there could be no denying the proof of the letters, or the fact that the stolen documents had been found in Nox’s uncle’s desk by Strap and other pirates.
The truth was plain to see, and Samantha’s father had the Magistrate summoned, who listened with astonishment to this tale of treachery and intrigue.
“Another day or so and you would have gotten away with it, Uncle. But one should never underestimate the loyalty which exists between Captain and crew. I owe Strap my life,” Nox said, as his uncle and aunt were led away to Brixton Prison to await their fate.
“Will they be hanged?” Samantha asked, but Nox shook his head.
“I would not see such a punishment. But given that they intended to take everything away from us, it seems a fitting punishment that they should have everything taken away from them. Let them spend the rest of their days in that accursed place. I shall not shed a tear for them,” he said, putting his arms around Samantha who breathed a deep sigh of relief.
“You see, Father, Nox was the right man for me to marry, after all. He has surely proved himself well enough and now will you give us your blessing?” Samantha asked, turning to her father who nodded.
“I am sorry, Samantha. I treated you and Nox abysmally, and I was interested only in revenge for the wrongs I mistakenly perceived. You have my blessing and I hope that in time we can heal our damaged relationship,” he said, and Samantha nodded, glancing at Regina, who sniffed.
“Does a pirate ever change, Randolf?” she asked, and the others turned to her angrily.
“He has proved himself well enough, Your Grace,” Rebecca said, “certainly he is a worthy husband for Samantha, anyone can see that.”
“What makes you think a pirate cannot do good, Duchess Hampton?” Strap asked, and Regina looked at him haughtily.
“How dare you speak to me? You are nothing but a commoner, be gone with you,” she said, waving her hand dismissively.
“But I thought you were quite taken with commoners, Duchess Hampton?” Strap said, and now Regina scowled, turning away and demanding to be taken home.
“How dare he insult me like that,” she exclaimed, but Strap began to laugh.
“Young William Dean, the stable boy, and Jack Mason, the footman, not to mention Charlie Bennett. Which one is the father of your child, Duchess Hampton?” he asked, and Regina turned a remarkable shade of red, her fists clenching, as she sank onto a chair in the hallway.
“I… I do not know to what you are referring,” she said, but Duchess Sinclair now stepped forward.
“I think you do, Regina. Your reputation proceeds you, though of course you have done well to cover it up. Poor Charlie Bennett was dismissed in disgrace by your mother, was he not? But I knew why. Oh yes, I gave him a position as footman when you had muddied his reputation. But it was your reputation that was muddied. You were with child before you married the Duke, and do not deny that it is not the truth,” Duchess Sinclair said, as Regina let out a wail.
“During our observations we noticed Duchess Hampton often slipping out of Hampton Manor to her rendezvous. Of course, it was none of our business, but if she insists upon sullying the good name of Captain Nox, then it seems only right to tell of her own misdemeanors,” Strap continued, and Duchess Sinclair nodded.
“Eminently fair,” she said, as Samantha’s father stared at Regina in anger.
“Do you mean to tell me that the child is not mine?” he demanded, and Regina shook her head.
“Lies, it is lies,” she exclaimed, but that day had seen the revealing of enough truths for her words to sound hollow and empty.
There could be no doubt that another secret had been discovered, and now Regina fled in shame, closely followed by Samantha’s father, calling for an immediate annulment.
“But this is all too astonishing,” Rebecca said, as the party now sat in the drawing room which had so nearly been the inheritance of Nox’s uncle and aunt.
“But you are the rightful Earl of Brimsey, Norman,” Nicholas said, and Nox shook his head.
“Just promise this, Nicholas. Never call me Norman again,” he said, and the others laughed.
Epilogue
When the others had left, Samantha and Nox sat down again in the drawing room. The house felt strangely empty, and they had dismissed the servants so that they might be alone, Strap having returned to his lodgings at the docks. Nox’s uncle and aunt were safely in Brixton Prison and Samantha’s father had vowed that Regina’s name would be mud, the heir he had longed for now merely a baby without title or legitimacy. Happiness had been taken from some and given to others, most notably Samantha and Nox, who at last had each other.
“The terrible thing is that they nearly got away with it,” Nox said, pouring himself a brandy and sitting back with a sigh.
“Yes, even if you had regained your memory, it would not have mattered. They would have called you mad and made out that you were merely trying desperately to save yourself. No court would have believed your testimony, even if you were certain of yourself, for there was no evidence to prove it,” Samantha replied, as he put his arm around her, and she rested her head upon his shoulder.
“There was only one person who believed me, and that was you,” he said, but she shook her head, blushing a little with embarrassment.
“Would you be angry if I told you that even I had my doubts,” she said, and he shook his head.
