Page 24 of Destined to be a Duchess
Catherine paused a moment, and the room filled with silence. She took a deep breath before procuring a note from the table beside her. It had been hidden behind a vase of flowers. That had been no accident.
“Here is a letter from the vicar of Costessey parish, located a few miles south of here. In the letter, the vicar testifies to the existence of a marriage record for Nicholas and Anne Chambers at their church. He has invited us to investigate the records ourselves, given that there is little chance of locating the marriage licence. It is anyone’s guess where the document ended up.”
She smiled sadly, turning to Marianne. “I served as a witness at your parents’ wedding and knew all along where it had been held. There was little reason to bring the matter up until now.However, if a visit to Costessey is necessary, then that is where we will go.”
Marianne’s lips parted in surprise. She imagined Catherine twenty years younger, dressing her mother for her wedding to Nicholas before serving as their witness. Her chest filled with warmth as she imagined the scene, knowing she would never be able to pay Catherine back for her kindness.
The Earl of Foxburn didn’t look nearly as moved by Catherine’s loyalty. He was still searching through Nicholas’ letters for something that would invalidate her parents’ marriage, or so Marianne guessed.
A few minutes passed in relative quiet. Lord Foxburn and Miss Manners pored over Catherine’s correspondence, whispering to each other. Marianne stared into the fire, her eyes glazing over until the earl cleared his throat to speak.
“It seems that the letters corroborate your story,” Lord Foxburn said joylessly. “However, I will require further proof before I can claim you as a member of this family. Some evidence of your birth, for instance …”
“Such evidence is on its way to us from France as we speak,” Catherine replied, looking as relieved as Marianne felt.
“I shall have to take you at your word on that count, Your Grace.” Lord Foxburn fell silent, driven to speak again by a scowl fromhis sister. “I apologize for my necessary unpleasantness earlier, Marianne.”
“Thank you for the apology,” Marianne replied, earning herself a slight smile from the earl. “Many would have done the same in your shoes, I’m sure.”
Unsure what to do next, Marianne tensed as Catherine rose from her seat. The dowager duchess glanced between Marianne and Lord Foxburn as rain pattered against the windows.
The overcast sky made the room dark, shadows dancing in the glow from the fire. It cast a grim light on Catherine, dressed in black, who turned to her son. Marianne stared at him, surprised by the expression he wore. Was that … fear? Anger? There was no time to ask before Catherine spoke.
“Now that we are all better acquainted, I would like to invite you to take tea with us. You should remain at least until the rain subsides. Anthony,” she called, “if you would accompany me outside for a moment?”
Anthony seemed reluctant to leave. He sighed and leaned into Marianne with the others watching, making her cheeks burn. “Will you be fine on your own for a while?” he whispered.
She nodded, warmed by his concern. Catherine’s motivations became clear as she asked them all to get along in her absence. She wanted Marianne to spend some time with her cousins,and hopefully endear herself to them. The two of them soon departed. Anthony paused at the doors to take a final glance at Marianne, imbuing her with courage.
“Her Grace is a formidable presence,” Miss Manners said once they were gone. She swapped seats, placing herself beside Marianne. “You could not have asked for a better friend to guide you through this difficult transition.”
“I’ve often thought the same myself.” Marianne leaned back, perturbed by Miss Manners’ eagerness to be close to her. “Had you never met her before?”
“Oh, never. Frankly, it was not until recently that Gideon and I spent much time with thehautton. Our grandfather became the Earl of Foxburn after the death of your grandfather. When was that …?” She tapped her fingers against her lips.
“Perhaps ten years ago now. Our grandfather passed last year, leaving the title to Gideon. We’ve chosen to remain at our home in Bury St. Edmunds for now. The ancestral seat is presently being rented by a lovely family from London. Until recently, we hadn’t had a reason to take the house back from them. But with your apparition …” She pursed her lips. “Who knows what may happen next?”
“We are almost as new to this as you are,” her brother interrupted. He crossed his arms over his chest. “If you are whoyousayyou are, that is. How could it be that you did not know you were related to an earl?”
Marianne shrugged. “I could only know what my mother told me. And I had no reason to think she would lie to me.” She paused, glad to see that the earl was willing to speak with her. “I meant it when I said that I don’t intend to ask anything of you. Knowing that you both exist, that I have a history of my own at last … it’s all that really matters.”
“You genuinely mean that, don’t you?” Miss Manners said, beaming with affection. “How lovely you are, Marianne. I can call you that, can’t I? For I would very much like you to call me Lavinia. And Gideon …” She glanced over her shoulder at her brother. “Well, he’s a cold fellow, but I’m sure you’ll defrost him before long.”
Gideon looked unconvinced. Both the earl and his sister were absurdly attractive, and Marianne began to consider what the rest of their family may have looked like.
“This is a lot to ask,” Marianne said, “but I would love to peruse that gallery you mentioned. I have never actually seen a painting of my father.”
“Well, then you must come to Saltsman House,” Lavinia exclaimed, taking Marianne’s hands. “That is where we live. We have so many paintings dating all the way back to the fourteenth century. You’ll be able to see your father and your father’s father,and so many other ancestors that it will make your head spin. And then, of course, we should have you for dinner because really—”
“Lavinia.” Gideon’s tone was firm. “We should not get carried away.”
His sister shot her eyes heavenward. “I think now is the perfect time to get carried away.” She laughed, and Marianne laughed too. “When will you be free to come and visit us?”
“Oh …” Marianne puffed out her cheeks. “His Grace has been invited to a hunting party by the Marquess of Hindborough.” She thought that was the right name. Gideon’s nod of approval confirmed it for her. “I have been invited to join him, but I’m unsure how long we will stay there. Perhaps a week?”
“I am somewhat familiar with the marquess’ daughter, Lady Eliana,” Lavinia said. “She is a …” Her lips formed a hard line. “You will see for yourself what she is. There are other ladies I could introduce you to if you would like. And there are gentlemen you could meet too if you catch my meaning …”
The brother and sister shared another look.
