Page 4 of Once Upon a Winter's Tale
Tears rose in Alaina’s eyes. “I realize the awful spot I have placed you in, Your Grace. My husband is powerful, and if he finds you helped me…”
“Please, we are friends. If it comes to it, I believe I can handle Wharton. After what I have heard, I believe the need to move you is urgent.”
“I will have us packed and ready to leave quickly. May I ask where we are taking her, Lawrence?” his wife asked.
“You may recall I recently inherited my aunt’s unentailed property in Kent. Legitimately, I need to inspect it, have repairs made, that sort of thing. It’s a small manor house, but Alaina can live there. A small staff—a loyal staff—will assist her and the baby. And with discretion, her existence will remain hidden for some time. I will keep watch on the situation.”
Alaina swiped at the tears and kissed her baby’s head before looking up. “Thank you, Your Grace. We shall forever be in your debt.”
When the women cleared the room, Kendall rang for his butler. The man came immediately.
“Chambers, please send for my solicitor, and tell him he is to attend immediately. Tonight. And Chambers, I will rely on you to make sure the household knows there is to be no discussion of our visitors this night. To anyone. I will dismiss anyone I hear has broken that silence and will make sure they do not find a job anywhere.”
“I have already taken care of the staff, Your Grace. And your solicitor will be here as quickly as possible.”
“Good. Ready two coaches—and ensure they are without ducal markings. We leave for Devon tonight.”
Chapter Two
November 1817
Essex, England
“Lawrence would beheartbroken,” the Duchess of Kendall murmured, reading her morning paper over her tea.
“Did you say something, Mother?” Her son Albert, the Duke of Kendall, looked up from his newspapers. “I wasn’t able to make out what you said.”
She placed her paper down. “I did. It seems the Earl of Wharton’s succession has been completed. I don’t know if you remember, but he was a friend of your father’s, years ago. The flu took him, but his death was wrapped in tragedy born long ago. Your father would have deeply mourned his dear friend’s death.” She shook her head. “I don’t think your father ever got over not being able to help his friend. At one time, they had been like brothers. It was quite wretched.”
He placed the paper down in front of him. “So much has happened since Father’s death two years ago. But to hear of a friendship that waned… I met no one that didn’t tell me how wonderful Father was. How unusual to hear there was someone that didn’t continue his friendship.”
“It was a most difficult situation.” She shook her head as if clearing it. “The man was obsessed with having an heir. He and his wife lost four or five babies in a row, and I suppose it took its toll on the marriage when the last child was declared stillborn.”
“It was a tragic story. And Wharton never produced a live son. His nephew, Patrick Brewer, inherited the estate at an opportune time. Wharton’s properties were flourishing, the last I heard,” her son said, his tone sincere.
“Yes…” the duchess said absent-mindedly.
“I heard the man became a recluse following the death of his fourth child.”
“Mmm. Yes. It was a messy situation,” Caroline Stanton said, suddenly wondering how her friend Alaina was faring and if she had heard the news of the succession. She had hated sending her friend news of her husband’s death, especially when Alaina had had to choose between the life of her baby and remaining with her husband, whom she loved, but no longer understood.
While theirs had been an arranged marriage, it had very much seemed a love match in the beginning, like Caroline and Lawrence’s union. But something happened to the earl, and he became a troublesome man, according to her friend. He had been keeping his wife pregnant—four pregnancies over three years—and Caroline had feared for her friend’s life. Until Brianna, none of the children had lived.
After Alaina left, Caroline heard that the earl maintained the baby had died. It made no sense to her or Lawrence, but they stayed silent to protect Alaina and her daughter.
Several years had passed since she had seen Alaina, making her feel like the worst friend.
She reached over to her son and covered his hand with hers. “You stepped into your father’s shoes and have done well, but lately, you seem more your old self.”
“Yes! It is as if a dark episode has ended, and it has quite spurred me to enjoy life. I’ve been making a point of familiarizing myself with all of Father’s properties, and plan to visit each of the more distant ones. Roger and Henry had taken turns checking on them, but with Henry’s marriage to Livy, and Roger’s practice becoming more profitable, they haven’t been as available to me. There are several properties, including a few unentailed ones, that would benefit from a visit. Perhaps I should venture to Devon and work my way back.”
“It’s been such a short time for you, with all that has happened—losing your father, and then the attempt on your life. Have you decided when you will leave?”
“I should leave for Devon soon. There are familial obligations I have neglected these last two years, with Father’s death and my recovery. I would certainly like to be home before the festivities.”
“That sounds lovely. I would enjoy attending with you but could not leave your sister in charge of decorating for Christmastide. She will turn this house into a forest, with her penchant for covering everything in green, leafy garland,” she murmured casually. “Are you speaking of leaving this week?”
Caroline needed to tell Albert about Alaina and her daughter, but first, she needed to pen a note to her friend and warn her about his visit. She and Lawrence had never discussed the countess and her daughter with their sons out of respect for the friendship between the husbands, and the hope that things would heal.
