Page 76 of The Duke Who Loved a Widow
When their carriage arrived at Castle Montbury, Mr Chalston ushered Arabella and Sir Joseph into Robert’s study. The beauty of the panelled walls and view out across the moor tothe woodland in the distance contrasted sharply with Arabella’s mood of total despondency.
Emma, Aunt Grace, and Dash had joined the dowager duchess in the drawing room while Henry ran upstairs to find Freddy. The boys planned to have a game of hide and seek throughout the castle and then go for a walk with the nanny to the folly.
Emma had decided to attend, after talking with Arabella. The idea of potentially having a talk with Nathaniel had driven her to overcome her wish to stay at Horton Hall. Arabella hoped Emma could find a time and place to speak to Nathaniel and resolve their issues.
“We will prevail against Christopher Farrington,” Sir Joseph reassured Arabella. “I’m confident that the Duke of Montbury has the information needed to stall this temporary order and then get this claim thrown out of court.”
“I wish I had your confidence, Sir. All I see wherever I walk are shadows that might be Christopher Farrington hiding behind a tree or a wall. He is on his way here, and I’m trying to be brave, but it scares me,” she said quietly.
“Ah, I hear voices. I think it is the Duke and Mr Dawkins. Let’s hope for some positive news.”
The door opened, and immediately, Arabella felt calmer after seeing his face. The duke came over to her and took her hands. “Sir Joseph sent over a messenger with the letter, so Mr Dawkins could scrutinize it before we met. Come, take a seat. You must be exhausted.”
She let him lead her to a seat, noticing her uncle’s momentary look of surprise. As the duke said earlier, people would soon know they were courting, and it seemed they really were. It settled her a little to know she had this closeness with Robert.
She looked up to see the second man take a seat behind the polished wood desk and begin to arrange a number of papers in piles. He looked up and smiled at her while Robert made the introductions.
It was Mr Dawkins who started the meeting. “Lady Farrington, I think it best if I give you my impression of this letter concerning the enquiries I’ve been making at the request of his grace,” he said, nodding at the duke. “Then I shall proceed to explain what we must do to refute the allegations and ensure that your little boy stays with you.”
Arabella warmed to Mr Dawkins, after he called Henry ‘her little boy’. It is so easy to forget there is a tiny child at the centre of this situation, she thought.
“Firstly, this letter is very different to previous correspondence, which I have here, copies provided by the court in London,” and he pointed to a pile of letters on the desk.
“I believe it is not from Mr Farrington’s solicitor’s office. I suspect it is a forgery, purporting to be from the solicitor.” He paused and looked around the group. “It does not, in itself, mean that the information is wrong. In fact, my enquiries indicate that the court is looking to award sole guardianship to Mr Farrington.”
Arabella gasped out loud and gripped the arms of the chair. “I’d hoped that wasn’t the case,” she said.
“Oh, don’t distress yourself My Lady. The information that led to the court taking this view is a tangle of lies or misinformation, if we were to use a more legal expression.”
“Lies is an acceptable expression,” inserted the duke.
Mr Dawkins nodded his agreement and continued, “We have gathered enough information to prove these lies. The information about various incidents at Farrington Hall was from witnesses who were paid for their information. His insinuations about you have no basis in fact. The words sound impressive in a legal document but are still lies. The judge will not look kindly on that. It could even result in a prison sentence for Farrington, unlikely but possible under the terms of the law.”
“I hope the blighter rots in gaol,” added Sir Joseph. “He’s in this for the money and nothing else.”
“Indeed, Sir, you are, in fact, correct in that assumption. Mr Farrington has considerable debts and no prospect of settling them. On several dates in the last month, the moneylender who holds his note has sent debt collectors to the Hall. He sold all the horses recently, and most of the house is mothballed and closed off.”
“So sad, it was a wonderful house and a place for employment and community spirit. He has destroyed a place with history in a few weeks,” said Arabella. She paused, concerned. “Were the horses his to sell? I thought all the property was in trust for Henry?”
“That is correct, but he does oversee the finances,” replied Mr Dawkins.
“Oh indeed, he penny-pinched on the housekeeping monies from the trust fund. We barely had money for firewood. Now I wonder if he withdrew larger amounts, based on my household expenses, but only passed on a fraction of the money,” Arabella informed him.
“I would not be surprised and shall investigate any discrepancies,” agreed Mr Dawkins. “The financial irregularities cannot be contested. We have clear evidence, and it has already been supplied to the court.”
“I cannot thank you enough,” Arabella whispered. “It is all due to his grace and Sir Joseph, who have given me the means to pursue these enquiries.
“And the way he has cast aspersions on my character. Is there anything that can be done about that?” Arabella was determined the world would know she was not a bad mother.
“That’s taking a little longer. However, we have made excellent progress. We now have witness statements about what exactly happened during several of your son’s, erm, scrapes or escapades. No one felt anything could have been done to prevent these incidents,” Mr Dawkins said reassuringly before adding with a smile, “I would like to meet your little boy, as he sounds full of adventure and determined to find out more about the world of nature.”
“Can we definitively clear Lady Farrington’s name?” asked the duke.
“As of today, yes, we can. I have enough evidence now to refute all the claims. I can prove several documents are fraudulent, including the latest letter. I have to add, ma’am, that I cannot guarantee that Mr Farrington is not in the area. That part may be true.”
“You mentioned the court was going to find in favour of Christopher based on the evidence already presented. I’m unsure how long all this new evidence will take to process. MightI have to give Henry up temporarily?” Arabella asked, unsure if she really wanted to know the answer.
“It’s difficult to say. We have a peer of the realm with connections and an interest in this case. I have spoken with the clerk of the court and emphasized the need for the judge to consider the new evidence we have submitted,” Mr Dawkins answered honestly.
