Chapter 24 #2
The earl did not seem surprised. “When I was your age, it was a different world. Machines and trade had yet to really make their mark on society. My focus was on Ireland. My struggle was with the British, Tyrell, and it was a huge struggle in those days. I was determined to protect my tenants and guard their few rights, while keeping the British at bay.”
“But that was a huge burden, was it not?” Tyrell knew the history of Ireland intimately.
“There were times,” Edward admitted, “when I felt far too small and insignificant for such a great responsibility. Unlike you, I had no brothers and my only sister had married an Englishman. But then I met and married your stepmother. Mary’s love enabled me to bear the burden that is Adare.”
Tyrell stared at his father. “I am deeply in love with Miss Fitzgerald, and it is my greatest hope that her love and strength will also enable me to bear the great burden of Adare.”
The earl stared back. He finally said, “Mary warned me that it would come to this.”
“I have never in my life dreamed that the day would come when I should disappoint you,” Tyrell said passionately. “There is no one I admire more than you, Father. But I can protect Adare and secure its future with Elizabeth at my side, as my wife.”
A shadow fell across the earl’s face and he sat down. “I have never seen you so dark and moody as I have these past months since the summer’s end. Since she left.”
Tyrell leaned on the table. “I have something to tell you.”
The earl looked up.
“Elizabeth is not Ned’s real mother.”
The earl was obviously stunned. “What are you saying?”
“Elizabeth claimed my son as her own, sacrificing her name, her reputation, her life in order to give him a home. And when she left me at Wicklowe, once again she had the courage to sacrifice everything to do what was best for Ned. She broke her own heart to do so. She is a woman of great selflessness and even greater courage.”
Edward slowly stood. “I had no idea, Tyrell. And I begin to see where you are leading. I am not surprised by her courage and charity, though. How could I be? She is well known for her good deeds.”
“She will be a great countess,” Tyrell said fervently. “Can you possibly deny that?”
“No, I cannot.” Edward studied his son. “I feel certain that you are prepared to give up everything for her.”
“I do not want to fight you, Father, for the earldom,” Tyrell said.
“But I will. One stroke of the pen could change everything, but I know you would never act in that kind of haste. I believe that if the countess, my brothers, and Devlin and Sean all rally to my cause, you can and shall be won over. I am not trying to turn the family against you, but I am the best suited to protect and secure the earldom. I have been raised to do so. Even without Blanche’s fortune, we can survive.
In fact, I have decided the first order of business will be to sell Wicklowe, as it is an extravagance now that serves no real purpose. ”
The earl’s gaze became moist. “I could never do battle with you, Tyrell. You are my pride and joy. I understand. I understand that you have found a great and enduring love, the kind I share with Mary. I understand that this decision was not easy for you and the matter of fortunes aside, I think Miss Fitzgerald far more suited to being the next countess than Lady Blanche.”
Tyrell was amazed. “Father! What are you saying? Are you telling me, here and now, that you will agree to a union with Elizabeth?”
He nodded. “It will make your mother very happy, and frankly, I have never been so worried as I have been in these past months, seeing you so dark and without humor.”
Tyrell was shocked; he sat down.
“I think that I have always known that it would come to this. I was just refusing to admit it. I can be a stubborn old man,” he added with a smile.
Tyrell shook his head. “Stubborn? No one is more open of mind than you. Thank you, Father, thank you.” He stood and went to embrace his father.
“You have my blessings, Tyrell. And I will speak with Harrington immediately.”
Tyrell could not speak. He had expected a battle or at least no small amount of recriminations, but instead, his father had stood by the most important decision of his life. “You will not regret this,” he vowed.
Lizzie lay in bed. It was midnight and sleep eluded her.
Her visit to Harmon House earlier that day played in her mind a hundred times, Ned’s grins, Tyrell’s every look, each exchange.
This terrible chasm of aching was a grim reminder of the past they had shared.
Friends did not yearn to be in each other’s arms, and friendship with Tyrell might prove to be a nearly impossible task.
And the truth was, her heart wanted far more.
Lizzie remained resolved, though—she was going to settle for friendship and do whatever she must to make their friendship succeed.
First, she would ignore the terrible sexual tension that only Tyrell could arouse. Lizzie inhaled, staring at the ceiling. True friends were loyal, caring and honest with each other. Maybe they were doomed, no matter what she did. A lie remained between them, the lie about Ned’s maternity.
Lizzie flipped onto her side. She hated thinking about that ancient falsehood.
She had promised Anna she would take her secret to the grave with her, but now it seemed to be one more obstacle in the way of her relationship with Tyrell.
Although it hardly affected his life now, it might affect how he felt about her.
He would not be pleased that she had lied so monstrously to him, if he ever learned the truth.
Lizzie leapt from her bed. There was only one conclusion to be drawn. If there was any genuine hope of their becoming friends, the truth had to be told.
If Seagram was surprised to see her at the front door of Harmon House at half past seven the next morning, he gave no sign. “His lordship is taking his breakfast in the library, Miss Fitzgerald. I shall tell him you are here.”
Lizzie smiled as brightly as possible. “I will see Lord de Warenne in the library, Seagram.”
Tyrell was at his desk in his shirtsleeves. When he saw her, he instantly stood and crossed the room. “Elizabeth!”
She curtsied. “Good morning. I know this is odd but—”
He took her hand. “What is wrong?” His gaze was very concerned.
“Everything is fine. But I must speak with you. I know the hour is unusual, but I could not sleep.”
He gave her a sidelong look, not releasing her hand. Elizabeth suddenly became aware of his warm, strong grasp and her heart skipped. But she was too tired to pull her hand away, and she did not want to.
“Would you bring tea, please, Seagram,” he said.
Lizzie tugged on his hand. “We must speak privately.”
Tyrell followed the butler to the doors, then firmly closed them. He then returned to Lizzie, who was pacing. She was sick with dread.
“It cannot be that bad,” he said.
Lizzie shook her head. “That depends on you, I think.”
Tyrell’s eyes widened. “Are you planning to tell me you will not see me again?”
Lizzie started. “No! Of course not! I meant what I said—I desperately want to be your friend.”
His face closed. “Is that why you are here?”
She nodded, trembling. “I must tell you a story.” She had thought very carefully of how to proceed.
Tyrell appeared bewildered, but she had his full attention now. “Very well. Do you wish to sit?”
“No.” She twisted her hands. “My sister, Anna, who is married now, has always been reckless, Tyrell, reckless and terribly beautiful.” She tried to smile and failed. “You know her. You must—she was at several of the masked balls at Adare.”
Tyrell was utterly confused. “Why are we speaking about your sister?”
Lizzie inhaled. “She isn’t malicious, but she is vain. She was terribly spoiled as a child.” She spoke in a rush now. “Mama indulged her, and so did Papa. I think that is why, as an adult, she has never thought twice about gratifying her needs.”
Tyrell held her gaze. “What is this about, Elizabeth?”
Lizzie bit her lip, her vision blurred with tears. “I told you in the letter I left you at Wicklowe that I was not Ned’s true mother. There is a reason,” she whispered, “that I appeared at Raven Hall after a year away, with your son in my arms, claiming him as my own.”
Tyrell was clearly perplexed. Then Lizzie saw comprehension begin. “Elizabeth, I did not receive that letter. I have suspected for some time, though, that Ned was conceived on All Hallow’s Eve, by the woman who wore your costume.”
Lizzie nodded, shaking terribly. “That woman was Anna.”
Tyrell blanched as she had never seen him blanch before.
Lizzie hugged herself. “I planned to meet you that night, Tyrell, but Anna had ruined her costume and Mama insisted she go home. She asked me for my costume, and fool that I was, I gave it to her.”
He was staring in absolute disbelief.
Lizzie knew he was appalled by the nature of the tryst, but was he appalled with her, as well?
“Please, please try to understand! I swore to Anna I would never divulge this secret. Even though I knew it was wrong, even though I knew you had every right to know the truth, she begged me for her help the day she bore Ned into this world. We had planned to give Ned up to a good home, but when I held him in my arms, I fell in love and I knew I could not give him away, not to anyone! I decided he would be mine, and as you know, I have loved him as if he were my own child ever since.”
He was breathing hard. “Elizabeth! I had no idea that woman was your sister! I was waiting for you, and I was very angry when I found her instead. Good God!” He ran his hand through his hair, clearly trying to understand.
“I intended to leave when I realized a strange woman had met me in the gardens. She was very bold. She indicated she would be more than pleased to cater to my appetites and I accepted the invitation in extreme anger.”
“I know. Anna told me,” Lizzie cried. “I know you were not her first lover.”