Page 42 of The Duke Who Loved a Widow
Yarborough tells me the courts are likely to look favourably on my bid for full legal guardianship of my ward. And he has a treasure trove of money. The will was wrong. The fever must have got to my cousin’s head.
Indeed, earlier that day in his office, Mr Yarborough had shared the positive messages he was getting from his mole in the court. The judge looked likely to rule in Christopher’s favour any day now.
Of course, the latest intelligence from Yorkshire suggested that Henry had got into further danger due to his mother’s negligence. He’d been almost killed in a collision with a horse, apparently, while wandering unattended in a forest.
Any day now, his money troubles would be over. He laughed to himself and noticed the others looked at him strangely. Damn them. Fickle friends. Only there for his Malmsey wine.
It might mean Violet didn’t leave him. He’d manage without his wife, but it made a difference if she was in residence at Farrington Hall, just in case Lady Arabella Farrington appealed the judgement. Violet had told him that if he didn’t return from London with good news, she would leave the next day.
She was finished. Unfit to care for her own child. He hoped she ended up in the poor house or even better, on the streets. That thought made him laugh out loud.
Later, when he was back in his lodgings, he had an idea. He looked around the room, which was all he could afford. The bed was flea-ridden, and he doubted the linen had been changed since the last guest stayed. Never mind. Soon, these days of scrimping and saving would be over.
Yarborough had better come through with a result soon.
Suddenly, a thought occurred to him. No, too much effort; it would be better to wait. What if Yarborough failed? Surely, he ought to have a second option ready, or he would face total ruin.
Why wait? Why not speed things along a little? He could send a message directly to Yarborough’s contact in the North Riding. Hell, he could go there himself and take the boy.
The legal authorization would be due in a few weeks anyway. The more he thought about it, the more he became convinced it would be quite appropriate to present the papers sooner rather than later.
He’d sleep on it and decide tomorrow.
Chapter 16
“Mama, can you tell Aunt Emma that we need to leave soon,” called Henry.
“In about half an hour,” Arabella replied. “I know you’re excited, but you should arrive at the castle at the correct time. Lord Robert and the Dowager Duchess Helena are very kind in letting you join Freddy’s lessons. It’s kind of Aunt Emma to offer to help with the tutoring too.” However, Arabella and her Aunt Grace were all too aware of the motivation behind Emma’s interest in teaching the boys.
“Very well, Mama. It’s exciting, though. The Reverend Colbrooke says we can put the boat in the water this afternoon to see if it's watertight. If it is, then the repairs will be much easier.”
“It looked like a sturdy boat to me,” Arabella reassured him.
Henry almost jumped up and down in excitement. “Then, after luncheon, we’re going fishing, and you’ll be there too. You told me how Papa loved fishing, so I’m bound to be good at it.”
“He loved being by the lake at Farrington Hall. I think it might have been your papa’s favourite place. He’d have enjoyedbeing with you today, but we must carry on as best we can without him.”
“You’re not as sad as before, Mama,” Henry said thoughtfully. “I think it is doing you good to live at Horton Hall.
She gave him a hug. Always so serious and growing up far too quickly.
“Well, the weather is lovely. It’s a perfect day for adventures,” she said.
After waving off Henry and Emma, she spent a pleasant morning alone in the garden at Horton Hall with her notebook and graphite pencil, jotting down ideas for her book of poetry. She held her head up to the sunshine, feeling its warmth on her face. The pergola she found had shade but let the dappled sunshine through.
As lunchtime approached, she went to the kitchen to collect a wicker basket of cold cuts, cakes, and homemade lemonade for the boys’ picnic.
Judd, her coachman from Farrington Hall, came across to the kitchen while she was there.
“Would you like the pony and trap for this afternoon, My Lady?” he asked.
She thought for a moment and nodded. “That’s a good idea. There’s room enough for all of us to return by trap. I need to get used to driving it.”
She smiled. “How are you doing here, Judd?”
“I miss Farrington, of course I do, but there is a large stable here, and your uncle has given us that cottage, so I can wed Tabitha sooner than we’d ever hoped for.”
“I’m glad to hear it. I can’t thank you enough for helping us escape from the hall that night.”
