“Your father.” It was not a question. Her reaction to the book removed any doubt that he had about the Lord of Blackbrier being her father.
With out any prompting Cecilia confessed all. She told Sterling about growing up in Rose Cottage, visiting her father at the estate, her mother’s death, and finally her father’s death. “I thought that Blackbrier Park was part of my dowry but then his wife told me of his will, I guess he did not make provisions.”
Sterling thought that was odd. A man, who spent so much time with his daughter, knew his daughter so well as to give her a gift that truly accepted her for who she was and what she wanted to become, would not neglect her future. With the quick sale and the good price his brother paid it sounded fishy to him. He was curious.
Lost in thought it took a moment for him to realize what she was saying. “Now that you know the truth I understand that you cannot see me anymore. Truly your leg is healed so there is no reason for me to come to our lunches. I should have stopped long before.”
“Stop? I do not want to stop. If fact, I want to see more of you.”
“That is very kind of you to say but we should not be seen together. This should not have started in the first place, but I could not resist. Our association will tarnish your reputation with the local gentry.”
“Reputation?” he asked insidiously. “I do not care for my reputation. Your reputation would be more damaged than mine.”
“I am not concerned with mine.“ Self depreciably she continued, “You must have a good reputation to tarnish first.”
Seeing that they would not come to an agreement, Sterling pushed to his feet and reached into his pant pocket. With a quick breath he pulled out a box from his pocket and went down on a bended knee. “I have a way to protect both our reputations. Miss Cecilia Wright, would you do the honor of becoming my wife?”
Cecilia was speechless. She never expected this but she knew what she had to do. “No.”
Out of all the responses that Sterling had anticipated that was not one of them.
Seeing the question in his eyes Cecilia quick explained. “I am honored that you asked but I cannot accept. A lord cannot marry a bastard. The brother of a duke and a land owner cannot marry someone socially unacceptable. You can find someone acceptable to marry, someone to bring something to the marriage, someone with a dowry.” Anticipating an objection she rushed on “Besides I never planned to marry. I always wanted to become a physician and being a wife, anyone's wife, will not allow for that.” Quickly Cecilia gathered her things and rushed out of the room, food uneaten, not waiting for Sterling’s acceptance.
Sterling watched her hasty exit. He was not going to accept her rejection. He had been thinking about proposing marriage since before he found out about her parentage. All of her objections were inconsequential. He did notice that she did not say that she did not love him and that is the only objection he would accept.
Meanwhile he decided to check into the ownership of Blackbrier Park.
****
Sterling searched the estate from top to bottom and came up empty-handed for any paperwork alluding to the Earl’s will or any arrangements he had made for Cecilia. He thought that there may have been something there because when the estate sold, from what he could tell, nothing was removed. Sterling was frustrated but he came to the conclusion that any evidence to be found would be in London, at his main residence, with the Earl’s business papers.
He wanted to take Cecilia with him to London. Sterling knew that having her present would not help getting the answers he was looking for, men did not do business with women, but he wanted her there anyway. He could imagine the fun they would have exploring London together especially since she had never been, he wanted to see the city he grew up in from her eyes.
The only problem was figuring out how to get Cecilia there. Since proposing Cecilia had been avoiding him at every turn. Every time he paid a call on Rose Cottage, Mary said that she was not home. They both recognized it as the lie for what it was. Every time she closed the door on his face her eyes apologized. He was fairly certain that Mary knew what was going on between them.
It seemed to Sterling that the only way to see Cecilia was to catch her as she was out and about. With determination he began scouring all of her favorite places, under the tree by the blackberry bushes, at the river where she fished and the local lending library. He finally found her at the library.
He knew she could not brush him off in public but he also did not want to reveal their relationship to one of the biggest gossips in the village, Mrs. Rook the librarian’s wife. As he approached her she gave him a look that clearly said to not approach her and as he got closer she quickly shook her head. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Mrs. Rook watching them. “Miss Wright, it’s a pleasure to meet you here.” Sterling said in his most respectful manner.
“Lord Fairchild.”
“Do you enjoy reading?”
“Yes, my lord.” She answered shortly.
“I, as well. I am currently reading Great Expectations by Dickens. Have you read that?”
“No, my lord.”
Seeing that he was not going to get anywhere while being watched Sterling executed a short bow and said “I must be going. Good day Ms. Wright.”
“Good day, my lord.” She replied relieved.
Once Sterling exited the shop Mrs. Rook scurried around the counter and approached Cecilia. “Have you met Lord Fairchild before?”
“Yes, he had injured his leg and needed assistance.”
“Really?” Mrs. Rook had always disapproved of her occupation. “You better be careful, a lord can take advantage of a lone young lady such as yourself.”
“Everything was aboveboard. He behaved properly and Mary was there for assistance.” Stopping her before she could continue with her dire predictions of a woman alone Cecilia continued, “I must be off Mrs. Rook, I shall see you later.”
“Yes, yes, I will see you later.” She replied, her mind was already spinning on who she would tell about Miss Wright and the new lord of Blackbrier Park.
Sterling waited for Cecilia on the road to her cottage, the same road where they first met. He knew that she would have to come that way to return home. She appeared, walking towards him around the bend in the road. He waited there on his horse for her to come to him. When she came within a few yards he dismounted.
“Cecilia.” Sterling said by way of greeting.
“My Lord.” she replied.
“Sterling.” he insisted.
She relented “Sterling.”
“I went to the cottage several times this week but you were not home.”
“You must have just missed me.” She said evasively.
“Apparently so.
They just stood there staring at each other for several moments until Sterling’s horse broke the spell with a whinny. “Shall I walk you home?”
Without waiting for a reply he turned his horse and began walking down the lane. He had slowly weaned himself off using the cane heavily and now he did not need it but he still carried it with him. Cecilia’s help had changed his future from a lame, damaged man, a shell of who he used to be to the man he was now. They walked together for a quarter mile before Sterling spoke again. “So you do not want to get married.”
“No.”
“I don’t want to marry anyone else.”
“Maybe not today but someday a proper lady will come along that will have a dowry, who is socially acceptable and then you will regret marrying me. I could never live with the resentment.”
“I could never resent you.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Someday is not today.”
“No, it’s not.”
Sterling whipped around to face her “So…”
“So, do not bring up marriage again.”
Silence reigned again for the rest of the distance to Rose Cottage.
Cecilia never expected Sterling to propose and when he did
panic overwhelmed her. She was in love with him and she feared that if he asked again she would not be able to say no. For the last week as Cecilia avoided Sterling a cold, dull ache formed in her chest and when she saw him the familiar warmth bloomed again. The last week taught her that she wanted their relationship, whatever it was, to last as long as possible.
At the gate leading to Rose Cottage Cecilia turned to Sterling and said “I will see you at lunch.”
Surprised, Sterling agreed. He was excited at the chance to renew his suit and lunch was one step closer to getting Cecilia to agree to become his wife.
****
After lunch they lay together on Sterling’s bed content and relaxed. Cecilia was resting her head on his shoulder and Sterling was lazily drawing circles with his finger on her arm.
Sterling decided that it was time to broach the subject of going to London. “This last week I have looking into you father’s will. I cannot believe your father would not leave you without any type of inheritance.”
“I would not think so as well but his wife made it very clear that he left me nothing.”
“I want to go to London and look into this further.”
“You do not have to do that.”
“I want to. And I want you to come with me.”
“To London?”
“Yes. I thought that we could talk to the solicitor in charge of your father’s will and then we could see the sights of London.”
“You should not put too much effort into this. I have my mother’s house and I live comfortably. That is much better than most illegitimate children.”
“I want to. I want to find the truth.”
After much thought Cecilia agreed “I always wanted to see London.”
Smiling at her acceptance Sterling said “Let’s depart the day after tomorrow.”
Chapter Thirteen
The carriage ride to London was an intimate and leisurely ride that took two days. Mary and Ella agreed to take care of Rufus for her while she was gone and Thomas stayed at Blackbrier Park continuing the renovations. Alone they spent the days in each others arms snuggled together talking and laughing, enjoying each others company. The only thing they did not discuss was what they would find once they arrived in London.
The carriage was unmarked and they checked into an inn half way to their destination. The proprietor, a chubby man with a full beard, met them at the door. “M’lord, me laidy, welcome to the Fat Duck Inn. If you would like, I can take your coats and ye can relax in the private parlor while me misses prepares ye a room.”
Cecilia was surprised when the proprietor mistook their relationship and even more so when Sterling did not correct him. Unsure she said nothing until they were alone in the parlor.
“My Lord and Lady?
“Would you rather not share my bed? Would you rather sleep alone? Would you rather have people wondering why you are traveling without a chaperone?”
“No.”
“Then My Lady are you hungry?” he asked wily.
“Famished.” She replied with a mischievous smile.
“Then let’s dine before going to our room.”
The next morning they departed the inn as the sun rose so they arrived in London by early evening. Cecilia, not used to the busy hustle and bustle of the city, stared at the passing buildings and people. Once they entered the city and the congestion of many people it took well over an hour to reach the Duke’s London residence. Sterling planned to stay at his brother’s home while visiting.
When they pulled in front of the house Cecilia was shocked. Turning to Sterling she said “I thought we were staying at a hotel.”
“No. We will be staying at my brother’s home.”
“Your Brother’s? The Duke?”
“Yes, the Duke.”
“I can’t stay here.”
“Yes, you can.”
“I can’t. You stay with your brother and I will check into a hotel.”
“No. Besides I want you to meet my brother. He will like you trust me. No judgments.” Seeing the look in her eyes he said “I promise, if you feel uncomfortable in any way we will leave.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Sterling exited the carriage and then handed her down. Together they walked up the steps. Their ascension reminded him of the last time he returned to this home after a long absence. This time was vastly different. This time he was hale and hardy with the love of his life on his arm.
When Marcus heard the door knocker he left the library where he was reading correspondence. He knew that Sterling arrived; it was the only person who would visit so late. He had just received his letter indicating that he was coming to London. He also knew that he was bringing his physician, who was oddly a woman. From his letters Marcus knew that whoever this woman was she had worked a miracle. Not only did she heal Sterling’s body but his soul as well. And for that he would accept her no matter what their relationship and welcome her into his home.
Meeting Sterling’s brother was not as painful or embarrassing as it could have been. He met them at the front door and after a quick hug and inspection he nodded to himself as if he approved of the changes in Sterling, then turned to Cecilia for an introduction. He was polite and respectful with no indication of disapproval. With relief Cecilia smiled at the duke.
That night Cecilia, Sterling and Marcus had dinner in-family. They sat together at one end of the of the long dining room table talking of things of no consequence. Cecilia could see that Sterling and Marcus had a great relationship. She had heard that some brothers did not share relationships as closely as theirs, that the titles tore families apart, where one son inherited everything and the other received nothing. She could see that Sterling never held the Dukedom against Marcus and that Marcus never lorded it over Sterling’s head. She should have known that when Sterling told her that Marcus had given him Blackbrier Park.
The conversation eventually turned to more serious topics like to the change of ownership of Blackbrier Park. Sterling was the first one to broach the subject. “The reason we came to London was because of Blackbrier Park.”
Sterling went on to explain about Cecilia being the Lord Thornburg’s daughter and her belief that the estate was left to her. “I was hoping that you could give me as much information as you have and then we plan to visit the solicitor who handled the lord’s will and the sale of Blackbrier Park.”
Thoughtfully Marcus replied, “My man of business thoroughly looked into the estate but if you think that something is off, by all means…” he trailed then continued “I’ll have him pull the documentation he still has in the morning, I trust you brought the deed and bill of sale?”
“Yes, I did. I also brought some of the old lord’s papers to compare his signature.”
Their ugly estate business handled for the day they moved on in the conversation talking about the sights that Sterling wanted Cecilia to see and do.
Cecilia wondered what Marcus thought about her illegitimacy and her claim to Blackbrier Park. She had watched him carefully as he listened to Sterling explain why they were here and his expression did not change except to furrow in thought.
After dinner Cecilia retired early, the journey was exhausting and she wanted to rest. She borrowed a book from the Duke’s library and left Sterling with Marcus to reminisce as they drank brandy in the office. An hour later, still immersed in her book under the thick covers of the Duke’s guestroom, Cecilia heard sounds coming form the room next to hers. She had thought that the room was empty. She was proved how wrong she was when a door opened and Sterling stood at the threshold.
She quickly sat up and grabbed her robe. In a low voice she asked, “Sterling what are you doing here?”
“I wanted to make sure you are settling in comfortably.”
“How did you get in here, you need to go back to you room. What if someone saw you?”
“Our rooms are connected, no one will see.”
??
?What do you mean our rooms are connected? We can’t be in connecting rooms. What will your brother think?” panicked she continued, “What must he think of me? First I come to London with you unescorted and now we are sharing rooms.”
“Relax, Marcus is the one who arranged the rooms.”
Not listening to him she said, “And the staff! Word will spread that an unmarried woman is staying at your brother’s house practically sharing a room with you.”
Taking her in his arms Sterling shushed her and said, “The staff is nothing but discreet, no one will know if you do not want them to.” Stroking her hair he said, “My brother knows that I care for you and he arranged it so that we may be together without an audience.”
“How does he know?”
“I have been writing about you since we first met.”
Pulling away from embrace she questioned, “You told him about our relationship?”
“No but he must have read between the lines and figured that I care for you.” Pulling her back against him he said, “Don’t worry about Marcus. He likes you for no other reason that you have made me happier in the last few months that I have been in the last several years. He will not judge you.”
“Really?”
“Yes, now let’s take advantage of the shared room.” And with that he brought her face up to his and kissed her.
****
The next morning Sterling met with Marcus’ man of business, Mr. Dudly, and gathered all the paperwork from the estate’s purchase. Everything looked like it was on the up and up so he sent a note round to the solicitor’s office asking for a meeting. The reply came quickly, as any response to a Duke would, and they had an appointment at three o’clock that same afternoon.
In the carriage on the way to his office Cecilia sat in strained silence. Correctly interpreting her silence as nervousness Sterling took her hand and said, “Everything will be all right, we will get to the bottom of this.”
Cecilia gave his a wobbly smile and said, “I know we will but what if I am right, what if Blackbrier Park does belong to me? Blackbrier belongs to you too.”
“I’ll think about that once we find out the truth.”
The carriage slowed to a stop in front of the building housing the solicitor’s office. Once they exited the carriage Cecilia looked up at the building. It was a three story gray stone building dull with soot. One thing that Cecilia noticed when she entered the city was the thick smog that blanketed the sky. In the country you can see the heavens full of stars but here nary a single light penetrated the heavy haze.