The Forgotten Spare (Endless Love #3)

Chapter One

Arthur Jameson, Duke of Hightower stared in disbelief at his solicitor, Jeremy Smith.

The man had always been upfront with him about everything, but this, this was different.

He couldn’t believe what Smith had just told him.

Even more disturbing was that his parents had kept this from him.

But given his parents had been murdered, he couldn’t place blame on them for never telling him.

The solicitor, however, was a different story.

He should have told him as soon as Arthur had become duke.

That was a moot point now. He needed to process what he’d just been told.

“So you’re telling me one of my father’s oldest friends had been caring for my brother for all these years. Why would he and my mother even consider doing that? He was their son too,” Arthur said.

“Yes, until he died unexpectedly last month. Your brother, Charles, has some unique abilities, and to be quite honest, it sometimes scares people who don’t know him.”

“Where is my brother now?”

“Charles is living in a cottage on Lord Denton’s estate. Denton’s son has been kind enough to allow Charles to continue to stay on until other arrangements can be made.”

Arthur shifted his weight in the leather chair he occupied. “You mentioned he had unique abilities. What are we talking about?”

“He can recall the most minute details of a conversation from years ago. He’s extremely brilliant, but no one has been able to figure out how this came to be.”

“You mentioned he’s been in institutions?”

“Yes. Nothing serious, just trying to understand how his mind works. His mind is like a steel trap.”

“I suppose it’s time for us to meet, and I need to make a decision as far as where he should live,” Arthur replied.

“Would you like me to make arrangements?”

“If you wish to make contact with the son and let him know what’s going on, I would appreciate it.”

“Not a problem, Your Grace.”

“Can he travel by himself to London, or should I go to him and bring him back?”

“It might be best if you went to him. I understand crowds sometimes overwhelm him,” Smith replied.

“Where is he?”

“The Isle of Wight.”

Arthur arched a brow. “Not too far. Make all the arrangements and let Lord Denton know of my arrival.”

“I shall, Your Grace. It might be advisable for you to stay for more than the day. Probably a good idea if you meet Charles and the pair of you get to know each other first. He might not like leaving with someone he considers a stranger.”

“I guess we’ll find out,” Arthur replied. “Does he know he has a brother and sister?”

“Yes.”

Arthur thought of his sister, Roxanne. She was in Italy with her husband on a delayed honeymoon. He would need to write her so she wouldn’t be too surprised when she and Graham returned. Daphne, his own bride, might be able to help him with planning for his brother’s arrival.

He rose to his full height and began to pace the floor. “If that’s all, I’ll leave you to it. Just let me know what transpires and when I should make plans to leave.”

“I shall, Your Grace.”

He turned and walked out of the office and headed for his carriage.

Deciding to walk back to his office in Parliament, he dismissed his carriage.

There was certainly a lot to think about.

He had a brother, and not just a brother, but a twin.

He wondered what Charles looked like since he forgot to ask.

Was he identical? That certainly would be interesting.

The afternoon was one of the rare gems. The sky was a magnificent shade of blue and this time there wasn’t a cloud to be found. The kind of day that brought people outside.

He couldn’t wait to tell Daphne what his meeting had been about. Of course, she would be supportive, and knowing her, she would probably have some suggestions on making Charles feel at home. She seemed to have a sixth sense about people.

Reaching his office, he soon realized he wasn’t concentrating on anything but his newly found brother.

He found himself writing notes about things he needed to know, things like why his brother was kept from virtually everyone for the majority of their lives.

Did he have a temper he couldn’t control which was part of the reason he was separated from the family?

No mention had been made as to whether Charles had a disfigurement, which would be a logical reason to hide him away.

That didn’t make any sense though. He could have been sent to York and not a friend of his father’s.

Too many mysteries and not enough answers.

Arthur knew he needed to see all documentation regarding Charles.

He needed to understand the reasoning behind it all.

He wrote a letter to the solicitor, asking for whatever correspondence he might have.

There had to be quite a file on Charles, dating back to when he was first sent away.

Arthur wanted to read anything and everything to decide what might come next.

There were a couple of unused cottages that might suffice for his brother, since from what he understood, Charles stayed in a cottage on Wight.

The solicitor mentioned he seemed to prefer the solitude a cottage had to offer.

There were a thousand questions, and until he received information there was little to do.

Arthur decided he was at a dead end, so he stuffed the paper he’d been scribbling on into his pocket along with the letter to the solicitor.

The sooner he received documents, the better.

His other hurdle was going to be writing Roxanne and giving her the news.

Knowing his sister, she would drop everything and be on her way home to help.

His carriage was waiting outside for him. He climbed in and gave the driver instructions. As the carriage lurched forward into the London traffic, he hoped Daphne would be there waiting at Jameson House for him. He needed to tell her and listen to her input.

As fate would have it though, the afternoon traffic in London was not for the faint of heart.

After having to stop for a wagon having lost its load of fruits and vegetables in the middle of one of the most used streets, Arthur made the decision that he could walk home quicker than sitting still on a London street in the afternoon.

He opened the coach door and jumped down, announcing to his driver his intentions.

He began walking, and soon Jameson House came into view. The brick facade was something he thought he’d never tire of. The structure demanded the attention of anyone who passed.

Taking the stairs two at a time, he entered the house, surprising the footman posted at the door as he divested himself of his hat, gloves, and greatcoat. Moving on, he quickly found Daphne in the drawing room feeding Sam, the macaw, pieces of fruit. She startled, not expecting him.

“You’re finished for the day?” she asked.

“Partially. More like I couldn’t concentrate after meeting with the solicitor.”

“What could he possibly have said to you?”

“That I have a brother. A twin brother.”

Her eyes widened as she took in what he’d just told her. “A twin brother you knew nothing about until today? How is that even possible? And why would your family hide him away?”

“I’m still finding out, but evidently, he was born after me, and he’s eccentric…”

“Eccentric? How?” Daphne inquired.

“He’s smart, has a mind like a steel trap.”

She nodded, giving Sam a piece of apple. “There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“No, but he is evidently prone to temper tantrums.”

“And?”

“He’s living on Wight for the time being,” Arthur replied as he sat down in a chair across from his wife.

“Your mind must be going a hundred miles a minute with questions.”

He nodded. “It is. I’ll be making a trip to Wight to meet him and try and get to know him.”

“Does he know about you?”

“Yes, and Roxanne too. And speaking of Roxanne, I need to go write her a letter and let her know of Charles and what has transpired.”

“That would be a good idea. She would not be happy with you if she came home and found all this out,” Daphne replied.

“Precisely.” Arthur sat back in his chair, closing his eyes. “To think all these years Roxanne and I have had a sibling we knew nothing about. It boggles one’s mind.”

“I can only imagine.”

He turned his head in the direction of her soft voice. “Don’t we have dinner with the Smythes this evening?”

“Yes, they’re hosting a small dinner party. I can send our regrets if you don’t feel up to attending.”

“Please.”

“Consider it done. Now why don’t you go to your study and write that letter to your sister?”

“You don’t mind?”

“Of course I don’t. I need to send our apologies to the countess about this evening.”

“Thank you,” he replied, standing, then planting a kiss on her cheek. “I shouldn’t be long.”

“Take all the time you need.”

He quit the room, despite Sam’s repeating his name, an indication the parrot wanted him to stay.

The house was quiet as he walked to his study.

A fire greeted him, the room warm as he entered.

Walking across the room, he poured himself a whiskey before sitting down at his desk.

Usually, he had no problem writing to his sister, but the subject matter of this letter would prove most difficult.

Since she was older, he was curious to know if she might have any small memory of Charles.

If she didn’t, this letter might jolt any lingering memory she might have but didn’t know she had.

Taking a sip of whiskey, he placed the glass to the side and pulled open the center drawer for a fresh sheet of paper. He picked up his pen and stared down, trying to wish the words onto the page. They didn’t come, so Arthur began to let the words flow.

My Dearest Sister,

What I’m about to tell you will come as a shock. It certainly did to me.