Chapter 10
Ten
Jane? Married? Who would have her?” Enough alcohol still flowed through his veins to make Lightwood reckless. “Plain Jane, dull as dishwater. The fool. No man could ever love her.”
Michael put his hand on Richard’s shoulder. A reminder he needed Lightwood’s signature. “I would be very careful who you call a fool.”
Lightwood blinked and looked at Michael, who nodded at Richard. “Y-y-you?”
“I believe he is sobering up,” said Michael.
Richard leaned forward. “Perhaps by the time I am done explaining the wedding settlement, Lightwood, you will be fit to sign the documents.”
Lightwood gulped the next cup of coffee down. Richard made a note to thank whom ever made the coffee for preparing the brew at a temperature that allowed for quick consumption. Richard had a footman deliver a copy of the settlement to Lightwood.
“Most of this first page is standard. I allow Jane to keep control of her dowry for any future needs, etc. I provide an ample allowance upon her with one stipulation. Not one ha’penny is ever to go to you. Never ask her for money, she cannot give you a brass farthing. Understand?”
Lightwood nodded.
“Speak up. I need the witnesses to be clear that you say you understand.”
“Jane cannot give me money.”
“Very good.” Richard continued through the settlement. “…you are not to step foot on any property owned by me without prior permission.”
By now Lightwood appeared quite sober and as uncomfortable as a man who had drunk two large carafes of coffee might be.
“I believe we are in need of a stretch.” Richard nodded to his largest footman, a former soldier in His Majesty’s service. “Yates, would you see that Lightwood is directed to a place where he can take care of his immediate needs?”
Lightwood was ushered out of the room, and the three other men Richard had sent for entered.
Captain Edward Godderidge, his cousin’s husband.
As Michael’s brother-in-law and having grown up near the Kellmore Manor, he was the perfect witness as he was one of the few men in Town who knew Jane and had a dislike for Lightwood.
The Earl of Whitstone’s solicitor entered next with a thin man of business, who was Lightwood’s last known solicitor.
Richard greeted them and directed them to seats around the room.
“Godderidge, I am sorry to pull you from your visit with Deborah’s family, however, I need a witness to a rather delicate matter involving Lightwood.”
“That fiend? After the pain he caused my sister?” The retired Royal Navy captain searched the room for the man who had slandered his sister, nearly destroying her future happiness.
“Now is not the time for fisticuffs. I hear Isabel is happily wed. I hope she and Dalrymple received my congratulations. I wish I could have been there,” said Richard.
Godderidge took his seat. “They both understand your absence, Your Grace, and we all wish our condolences on the Duchess’s death, however you wish them to be received.”
“Thank you. I find the four weeks since her death have been, interesting to say the least.” Richard straightened the papers in front of him to give a pause between the condolences and announcement of his nuptials. “Among other contracts, Lightwood is signing Jane’s marriage agreement.”
The look of surprise on Godderidge’s face quickly changed into a grin. “You and Jane? I offer my congratulations!”
“Do you not think it is an odd match?”
“Jane is one of the most brilliant people I know, man or woman. Once she is comfortable with you, she will keep you thinking. I have yet to figure out some of the puzzles she proposed when she was only twelve. There is not a child in our village who does not love her.” Godderidge’s unsolicited approval gave Richard hope.
Richard addressed Whitstone’s solicitor. “Were you able to draw up what you need with the Earl’s approval?”
“Yes, his lordship’s directions arrived by courier late yesterday.”
Lightwood returned to the room with footmen flanking him. He sat, tilting his head and furrowing his brows when he saw his own solicitor.
“I assume you are already acquainted with Captain Godderidge, and this is the Earl of Whitstone’s solicitor, Mr. Wells, and you recognize your own solicitor, Mr. Jones, I believe?” Richard oozed condensation to put Lightwood in his place.
Mr. Jones cleared his throat, “Former solicitor, Your Grace. Sir Lightwood has not paid my fee for almost a year.”
“I will pay your fee tonight. Now that we have all the witnesses we need, shall we proceed?” Richard nodded to the Earl of Whitstone’s solicitor.
Wells pulled papers from his portfolio. “This is an order from Sir John Ryland, Sixth Earl of Whitstone, barring Sir Lightwood from access to any of his properties. Any personal effects left at Kellmore Manor await delivery at Sir Lightwood’s convenience.
” Wells handed a copy to Lightwood and to Jones and set another on Richard’s desk.
“This next paper is a petition of guardianship for Rose Lightwood, who has for the past two and a half years been at school funded entirely by his lordship the Earl of Whitstone. The petition will need to go through the court, of course.”
Lightwood took the papers. “He cannot do this. She is my sweet Rose.”
“He can try,” said Michael. “I have already written out my testimony. Since I met my wife, Lady Philippa in 1814, I am unaware of any material or paternal care given to Rose from you. If the Earl’s request fails, I will petition for guardianship.”
Lightwood’s mouth opened and shut like a codfish. Good.
“Anything else, Mr. Wells?”
“No, Your Grace.”
“Then you are free to go. Thank you for coming so late on a Saturday evening.” After the man exited, Richard turned to the next page of the marriage settlement.
“Now to conclude the settlement. You are to take up residence on your estate in Yorkshire. As a baronet, you are not a member of the House of Lords, however, as my secretary, you will attend every open session of Parliament and prepare notes for me. During this time, you will live in a flat of modest means at the address provided. As you know, your memberships to every reputable club and many disreputable ones have been revoked, owing largely to your accumulated debts. You are to live in a circumspect manner including eschewing your relationship with Miss DeLuc, née Prudence Smythe. In return, you will receive a stipend from me each year. However, owing to your debts and to protect your debtors, this stipend will first be used to pay your creditors. Jones has provided me with a list of creditors he is aware of, to which I have added those which the Earl and I have discovered. You have until Monday to add what we have missed. By our calculations, this will use the stipend money through 1823.”
“You cannot put that in a marriage contract!”
“Mr. Carmichael and Mr. Jones. Is there anything illegal with what I present in the contract?”
“I assure you a groom can request certain behaviors with proper exchange by the bride’s family,” said Mr. Jones.
“What if I do not wish to abide by your contract?” Perhaps Lightwood was not as sober as he appeared.
Richard leaned forward. “The crown has been looking for a few leaders to send to Australia. I am sure I can secure you a post.”
The threat was not much more than that, as Richard only thought of the idea, but he could make such an assignment happen.
Lightwood visibly swallowed. “You have robbed me of my daughters, set me to work as a secretary so you can keep tabs on me no doubt, and consigned me to the north country during the remainder of the year. What other indignities do you intend to heap upon me? This is nothing other than thievery.”
“Have I robbed Sir Lightwood in any way? Publicly humiliated him?” Richard looked at each man in the room and all answered no.
Michael walked over to Lightwood’s chair and stage whispered, “To be honest, as Philippa’s husband, I feel His Grace’s offer is more than fair. Clearing your debts in exchange for Jane’s hand in marriage is a better settlement than you got from me.”
Richard pulled out the last paper. “This is an affidavit for the Archbishop of Canterbury, stating that you agree to Jane’s marriage, as she has not yet reached her majority.”
“You have been a widower for a month and seek to marry my daughter in a quick marriage? I know what the late Duchess’s father accused you of and why you married last time.
Tucking the poor girl into your bed at a house party then trying to get out of the marriage.
At least her father prevailed. Did you do it again? Did you compromise my daughter?”
Captain Godderidge leapt from his seat and spun Lightwood’s chair around a quarter turn.
“His Grace is not one to throw punches during a negotiation. Having served in the Royal Navy, I however have no such qualms, and I already owe you a facer for the lies you spread about Mr. Dalrymple and my sister. You knew Isabel had not been ruined. Just as you know your daughter has not.”
Lightwood shrunk back. “Then why the rush for a special license?”
Edward looked at Richard. With difficulty, Richard shook his head, and Edward stepped back.
Richard addressed the despicable man who would soon be his father-in-law. “My reasons are my own, and your daughter has agreed to them. Even now she is with the Viscountess Endelton and Miss Lightwood, preparing for the wedding.”
Lightwood looked to Michael for confirmation.
“Philippa could not be more pleased.”
“I demand to see that Jane is well.” Lightwood’s concern could not be genuine.
“Considering you fled Kellmore Manor while she lay bleeding and senseless on the floor, you have no right to demand such a thing.” Richard weighed the disadvantages of banishing Lightwood from the wedding.
If the man told anyone and the news of the nuptials reached Duncan… He could not take that risk.
Lightwood lifted his chin. “I will not sign these papers unless you agree to let me see her.”
“You may come with me. However, you are not to speak to Jane unless she agrees to speak with you and there are witnesses. You may not speak to her alone.”
“She is my daughter. I can speak to her if I wish.”
“Only if she wishes.”
“She will.”
“Very well. You may see her.”
Lightwood grinned as if he won a great battle as he stepped forward and added his signature to the required documents.
Edward and Michael looked at Richard as if he had lost his mind. Perhaps he had.