Chapter 27 #3
The two females came into the library and Peachey led the intruder over to stand before him.
She wore a large, black bonnet and a black cloak.
“This is Miss Julie Lamb.” After performing introductions all around, she continued, “My lord, as I told you recently, Miss Lamb was your nurse, assisting at the births of you and your brother, and caring for you during the first two years of your life.”
He couldn’t believe that Peachey had summoned this person here behind his back. “It’s kind of you to stop, madam, but as it happens I must—”
“I am afraid I cannot stay more than a few minutes,” the woman interjected in a clear voice.
Although her long face was pale and rigid, Hart realized with a shock that tears shone in her eyes.
“My brother died last night, and so I was passing by on my way to be with his family.” She exchanged a glance with Peachey.
“I understand that you have been dealing with some difficult news, my lord. I only came to tell you that all of it is quite true.”
Emeline took charge then, directing the four of them to chairs and suggesting that they ring for tea. Miss Lamb shook her head. She truly could not stay, she insisted.
Hart wanted to say that he would have brandy.
An entire bottle, please. The woman was gazing at him in a way that stirred up memories that must be far too ancient for him to access.
The sound of her voice, clear yet gentle, was like a hot poker in his heart.
Why the devil did he have to endure this torture?
Just then, Emeline took his hand again and sent him a meaningful gaze that told him exactly why. If he didn’t clear out the poison that festered inside, he could never be the husband she deserved.
“I’m listening, Miss Lamb,” he managed to say.
“Oh, Lord Jasper… When you first learned to talk, you called me Lambie,” she said fondly.
“But of course, you couldn’t remember that.
” She spared him from replying by continuing, “I would have known you anywhere, my lord. So handsome, just as you always were even as a babe. Handsome and fearless, much to the displeasure of the duke.”
Hart couldn’t stand another moment of this. “I find it hard to believe that my father could have perpetrated the sort of hoax Mrs. Peachey described to me recently. More plausible would be the notion of my mother hatching this entire story out of pity for me…and resentment toward the duke.”
“Oh, no, my lord,” Miss Lamb said, apparently unfazed by his harsh words.
“The duke did it, just as you have heard. The duchess had a terrible birth with the two of you. Of course, no one guessed there could be two babes! She nearly died from the pain alone, I think, and they gave her so much laudanum she didn’t remember a thing.
But I was there, a witness! You were born first, then ten minutes later, young Austell surprised us all. ”
Hart dug in. “But don’t new babies look just the same at birth? Perhaps it’s you who has it wrong. And in any case, why should my father play this trick? It makes no sense.”
“You did not look the same, not a bit! You were always stronger, the one who cried more, demanded more. And the duke wanted to…bring you to heel. Break your spirit, if you will, so he might begin to train you. But you wouldn’t be broken.
No mention was made about an heir during those years when you and your brother were so tiny. ”
As the story continued to pour out, Hart’s fists clenched until his nails cut into his palms. Miss Lamb leaned forward now, confidingly.
“I began to suspect that His Grace was watching the pair of you so that he might choose for himself who would be the heir and the spare, if you will. One day, I was passing in the corridor, and I overheard an argument between the duke and duchess. He was telling her that she could not know which child was born first because she was out of her senses. He said, and I will never forget it… ‘Only I know the truth of it. It was Austell!’ And then as he stormed out of her bedchamber, he saw me standing there, dumbstruck.”
Hart wanted to put his hands over his ears, but Emeline was wide-eyed, listening with rapt attention. “My God. How terrible! What happened then?
Pale as death in her black bonnet, Miss Lamb sat back in her chair and folded her trembling hands.
“The very next morning, the duke called me to his library and closed the door. He told me that I would have to leave his employ, but I needn’t fear being without employment or lodging.
He asked me where I would like to live and of course I said the village of Boyton, to be with my family again.
I was given a nice cottage…and ￡20,000 to ‘live a quiet life’ as he put it.
It was a fortune to someone like me, enough to see my own ma and pa through their last years in comfort. ”
“And why are you breaking your silence now?” asked Emeline.
“My friend Madge here came to see me and explained all that happened since the day I left the castle.” Miss Lamb looked over at Peachey, who reached out to pat the woman’s cheek.
“My conscience has always been troubled, not that I think I could have done much to stop His Grace, even if I tried. But now he and the duchess are both gone, and I wanted to make it right.” She looked at Hart.
“Will you challenge the dukedom, my lord?”
Hart blinked. “What? Oh, God, no.” He gave a harsh laugh. “It’s the last thing I want. But I will admit, I’m glad to know the truth. It explains a lot of the madness I’ve witnessed.”
Miss Lamb made to rise from her chair. “I must be going now. My nephew is waiting with the carriage.” They all stood together.
“Thank you for coming,” said Emeline.
He extended a hand to the older woman, even as the dark past swirled inside him. “I’m very grateful to you…Lambie.”
A smile lit her thin face, and she held fast to his hand. “You know the truth now, Your Grace. That’s what matters.”