Page 34 of To Win a Viscount's Heart
“I know Percival Bowles very well. He’s a friend of many years. That man at Rose Manor is not Percival Bowles. He’s an imposter.”
“How do you know?” Gerald asked.
“Because I told him.”
Gerald looked up to see his friend Wright in the doorway of the dining room.
“Wright!” Gerald stood to greet his friend and invited him to join them.
“My apologies, I only just arrived,” Wright said, taking a sip of coffee.
“Tell Gerald what you know,” Bambury said.
Wright nodded. “As soon as I got your missive, Gerald, I went to Bellecote House. Lady Fleur was exhausted and was resting when I arrived, but I questioned Maggie and Ben,” Wright said. “They described Percival and his minion Grom. I knew immediately who they were—Vern Stiles and Grom Dugan. Vern has a tattoo of some sort of dragon on one side of his neck,” Wright continued.
“Yes, there was some sort of ink drawing on his neck. But part of it was always covered in my presence,” Lady Fleur said.
“And there is an identifying mark on the real Lord Percival Bowles…a tattoo of an anchor, with the year 1808 below it on the inside of his right wrist. It’s not overly large, but it signifies the year he started in the Merchant Marine,” Wright added.
“Then what happened to Percival?” Gerald asked.
“We are trying to determine that,” Gerald’s father said. “He was reported missing from his post with the merchant marines, but that is all we know.”
“Percival had become a peer, and if he met with foul play, the Prince Regent wants to know. Before we left, Prinny ordered that men be dispatched to investigate and determine if the real Percival is alive or dead,” Banbury said.
Lord Wright has been looking into the new Viscount Bowles’ background. He has many connections in the merchant marines, as well as the navy. He may know more.”
They turned and looked at Wright.
Wright nodded. “I’ve known Percival for years, and none of this sounds like him. However, I’m not defending him. But we don’t know what has happened…yet… to Percival Bowles, but we suspect foul play.”
“There has to have been some sort of foul play,” Gerald’s father agreed. “Phillip’s assessment of his cousin was totally different. My friend died thinking he had left his wife and daughter in safety.”
Based on the persons missing around the time of Percival’s disappearance, we think we know the identity of the imposter and his associate. They generally took assignments together, and the larger man—the associate’s name is Grom,” Wright added.
“That was his name!” Lady Fleur exclaimed.
“He has a tattoo of some sort of dragon on one side of his neck,” Wright continued.
“Yes, there was some sort of ink drawing on his neck. But part of it was always covered in my presence,” her mother said.
“That certainly sounds like it could be them. But that doesn’t answer where the real Percival Bowles could be,” Wright said. He thought for a moment. “One of the things I recall about Percival is his unique tattoo. It is a tattoo of an anchor, with the year 1808 below it on the inside of his right wrist. It’s not overly large, but It signifies the year he started in the Merchant Marine.”
“He had ordered me to pack my valise for Gretna Green and that we would leave the next day. He saidMamanhad already been buried. I packed my valise with what money I still had in my secret place in the floorboards, and the only jewels I still had… a few thingsMamanandPapahad given to me, including my sapphire ring,Grand-mere’spearls, andPapa’ssignet ring. I thought I would need to sell them to survive. Ifound apples and carrots for Azure and wore the clothes that I usually rode when I rode Azure…britches and a shirt. We ran into much rain, and I decided I would not be able to travel to London in such weather and both Azure and I were almost to the point of exhaustion. I decided to come here, as it was closer than London. And I didn’t think Percival could find me here. If he did, I felt certain you would protect me, Gerald.”
Gerald swallowed. She had trusted him with her life. “I will continue to protect you, Selena,” he said, unable to control the misting in his eyes as he gazed at her. “Do you remember what happened in the stables that led to you fainting?” Gerald swallowed, pushing past the lump in his throat.I thought I had lost you…just when I found you, Selena.
I think we need a bit more here – perhaps Gerald can say – remember when I told you about that night five years ago at the Adamson’s ball and that stupid bet. You graciously forgave me and told me that when your memory returned you would feel the same way.
“Yes,” Selena replied softly.
“Well, now that your memory has returned. Do you still feel the same way about our betrothal?” he asked in a raspy voice.
“Yes, I do.”
He drew her close and embraced her, planting a passionate kiss on her lips.
When the kiss broke, Gerald spoke up. “I’m not sure everyone was privy to what happened when Selena arrived, so if you’d like, I can fill you in on it.”
