35. A Discovery Leads to a Revelation
CHAPTER 35
A DISCOVERY LEADS TO A REVELATION
M eanwhile, at Engels Mansion
Deep in thought, Randy was about to follow the pavers leading to the front door of Engels Mansion when someone called out to him.
“Pardon, but are you him?”
Blinking, Randy turned to see a young man carrying a leather satchel, a white missive clutched in one hand. He stopped and moved to join him. “What have you there?” he asked in Greek.
“Correspondence for Bellingham. From England.” The postal courier appeared frightened for a moment. “Will you pay?”
Randy glanced at the writing, grinning when he recognized his mother’s penmanship. “Yes, yes, how much for the postage?” he asked, digging into a waistcoat pocket for some coins.
“Two-hundred-fifty lepta,” the boy replied, as if he feared Randy’s response. His eyes rounded when Randy pulled out a handful of drachma and offered him three. Obviously relieved at seeing the coins, the courier handed over the letter.
“ Sas efcharistó ,” Randy said, not bothering to wait for any change. “I will take it to him,” he added, practically running to the house.
Having fished fifty lepta from his pocket, the carrier stood in confusion for a moment and finally shrugged before continuing his deliveries.
“ Y ou’re back earlier than I expected,” Barbara said when Randy joined her in the parlor. She was pouring tea from a pot made from pottery, the hand-painted design far different from any of the porcelain teapots that could be found in the butler’s pantry at Ellsworth Park.
Reminded of why he was home before dinner would usually be served—he had hoped to spend more time in Diana’s company—Randy sobered somewhat as he handed the missive to his aunt. “It’s from my mother,” he said.
Barbara gasped, an expression of delight crossing her face. “Where did you get it?” she asked in awe. She offered him the cup of tea she had just poured, but he shook his head.
“There was a courier out front. I paid the postage,” he said. “Left him with the extra in the hope he’ll see to expediting future deliveries,” he explained. He watched as Barbara carefully undid the folded missive, the paper in surprisingly good shape considering it would have arrived in Athens via a ship and then overland transport. Mail sent only over land was considerably cheaper.
When Barbara had the sheet completely unfolded, she studied the writing for a few minutes, one hand going to her chest as she inhaled softly.
“What is it? Is something wrong?” Randy asked in alarm.
“Hardly. It seems your mother has dug up what might be an old coin,” she replied, tittering softly. “She wonders if it might still have some value.”
“Digging? Where?”
“In the garden. Next to the orangery,” she replied, holding out the sheet to Randy. “She’s talked about having a row of tulips along the front of the brick, and I think she’s finally received the bulbs she ordered,” she added as she waved to the middle of the letter. The coin was depicted in a crude drawing in the middle of the sheet. “It appears she traced the outside of it,” she added, “so this must be its exact size and shape.”
Giving the illustration a passing glance, Randy said, “It’s Roman,” his manner rather sullen. “Father found a few when he plowed close to the river.” The Gisborn lands, directly north of the River Isis, were extensive, the farms providing livings for a number of residents in Bampton and enriching the Gisborn earldom’s coffers. The reminder of what he was to eventually inherit brought with it the thought that Diana wouldn’t be by his side.
Barbara glanced up and regarded her nephew with furrowed brows. “Randy, what’s wrong?”
He blinked several times. “I... I think I’m in love.” He practically fell into the chair adjacent to hers, his hands scrubbing his face as he planted his elbows onto his knees.
Scoffing softly, Barbara set aside the letter and angled her head to one side. “Why does it take men so long to realize the obvious?”
“Aunt Barbara,” he countered, his face screwing into a grimace.
“Miss Diana?” she guessed.
He nodded.
“You two did seem rather attached whilst we were at the cape,” she said softly. “But from what she told us in the coach, I gathered she wasn’t interested in matrimony.”
“She’s not,” he affirmed, swallowing hard when a lump in his throat suddenly formed. He dipped his head and struggled to breathe.
“Oh, dear,” Barbara whispered. “Have you spoken with her? Told her of your regard?”
He straightened in his chair. “In a manner of speaking,” he said. “I... I kissed her.”
“You did what? ”
Randy blinked, sure his aunt’s lips hadn’t moved. The query was also said in a much deeper voice than hers, which had him turning to discover his uncle standing on the threshold of the parlor.
“I kissed her,” he repeated. “I escorted her home from the Acropolis, and we were in the front parlor, and... I don’t know, I couldn’t help myself,” he admitted. “She started kissing me back, and I told her I would be hers always, and then we were... caught.”
“ Caught ?” Barbara repeated, her eyes wide.
Will took one look at Randy’s face and apparently sorted what had happened. “The Henleys arrived in town about an hour or so ago,” he stated. “I saw Cousin Marianne in an open carriage. Thought she was my sister at first. The resemblance is remarkable.”
“It sounds as if history might be repeating itself?” Barbara asked gently, her gaze darting between her husband and her nephew.
Randy shook his head. “Except Lord Henley won’t require me to marry her. He’s already told her she can have her dowry and live as a spinster,” he bit out. “Besides, she would hate me if she was forced to wed me.”
“So... you want to marry her?” Will asked, settling into the chair facing Randy’s. Barbara saw to making him a cup of tea and held it out to him over the low table that separated them.
“I do,” Randy affirmed. “Lady Henley invited me to breakfast in the morning, where I expect Diana will make it clear she’s not interested in marrying me.”
“Marianne invited you to breakfast?” Barbara asked in surprise. “Well, that’s encouraging.”
“I think she’s on my side,” Randy said, allowing his first moment of humor to show since leaving Vouros Mansion. He remembered what he had seen on the front door and hoped Cousin Marianne understood what he meant with his gesture.
He hoped it wasn’t a trick of the eye. Hoped it wasn’t because the grain in the wood had somehow formed what he was sure was a dedication in Old Attic.
If Diana was made aware of it, he was sure she could find a way to expose the entire inscription. Make out all the words. Find the one that he had seen.
All the time she had spent in the temples on the Acropolis, and what she sought was probably etched on the inside of her front door!
“Well, if she’s like any other mother, I rather imagine she wants to see her daughter wed,” Barbara said, pulling him from his reverie. “Wants her to have a protector, especially given her avocation,” she added.
“I’ve been trying to sort how we could make it work,” Randy murmured. “I know she wants to go to Egypt. We could go there for our wedding trip,” he explained. “She wants to continue to do her archaeology, though. She’s good at it. She’s terribly clever. Remembers everything she’s ever read or heard or seen. But...”
“You’re going to be an earl someday,” Will reminded him in a quiet voice. He took a sip of tea and gave his wife an appreciative nod.
“I know. I know. But there must be something I can offer her. Some way we can make a marriage work,” he reasoned.
Barbara lifted the letter from the low table and held it up. “Perhaps there is,” she murmured softly.
“What’s that?” Will asked.
She passed the creased sheet to him. “From your sister. Seems she’s discovered what Randy says is a?—”
“A Roman coin,” Will said in awe, studying the drawing in the middle of his sister’s perfect penmanship. He chuckled softly. “Henry found a few of these near the River Isis about ten years back, when we were checking the irrigation gates,” he added.
“You’re sure it’s Roman?” Barbara asked in awe, her gaze darting to Randy. He had his head down, obviously still smarting from what had happened with Diana.
“I’m fairly sure. We could have Lord Henley...” Will stopped and scrubbed a hand over his face, a slow grin forcing a dimple to appear at the base of one cheek. “We should have Miss Diana confirm it, don’t you think?” he asked in a teasing voice. “Mayhap, encourage her to take a trip to Oxfordshire and verify it in person? Allow her to... oh, I don’t know. Dig up so more?”
Randy suddenly straightened, his eyes wide. “Uncle, you’re a genius,” he said, rising from his chair to rush toward the door.
Will stood as well, but he held out his hands. “Steady, Lord Forster,” he stated, his simple words sounding as a warning.
Halting, Randy huffed and turned.
“Her parents have only just arrived in town. She’s probably not accepting callers, especially this close to dinner,” Will warned. When he saw Randy’s crestfallen expression, he added, “I know exactly how you’re feeling right now,” his gaze darting to Barbara.
“You’ll see her at breakfast in the morning,” Barbara said softly. “Surely you can wait until then.”
Randy finally nodded, although he had already begun forming another plan.
A plan to see Diana later that night.