Chapter One #2
Did you know we have a brother? Charles. He’s my twin brother, born minutes after me. For reasons I’m still not completely clear about, he was sent to live elsewhere. I’m going to review everything the solicitor has on file going all the way back to the beginning.
What I do know is that one of Papa’s friends had been looking after him on Wight. The friend has since died, which is how I learned of our brother’s existence. From what I do know, Charles has some extraordinary skills, but at the same time has a sometimes-brutal temper.
I plan to go to Wight to meet Charles and try and get to know him before bringing him to London to stay with Daphne and me. Everything is very much up in the air and will be until I meet him. I do know he is aware of our existence.
I wanted you to know about this so it wouldn’t be too big a shock when you and Graham return. I hope this finds you both well and enjoying your trip to the fullest.
Arthur
He was surprised at how easy writing to her had been.
Picking up his glass, Arthur took another swallow of the golden liquid before re-reading what he’d just written.
Satisfied, he prepared the missive to be sent to Italy.
Then he rang for a footman to make sure the letter went out in the post this afternoon.
Daphne followed the footman in holding a plate of cake and tea sandwiches left over from her tea. “How did it go?”
“Surprisingly easier than I thought it would. I hope it reaches her before they leave.”
“I’m sure it will. Now you’re going to come sit in front of the fire and eat something. I’m quite sure you didn’t take time out for lunch after your meeting with your solicitor.”
She knew him so well. One of the many things he loved about her. She liked being bossy without it sounding like that. Marriage had not changed her, or her views, and he hoped it never would. He liked her being opinionated.
*
With his solicitor as efficient as ever, Arthur found himself faced with ledgers and files holding copies of correspondence regarding his newly found brother, Charles, the following day.
He had the morning to start reading them and decided he would make good use of his time, since his afternoon would be occupied at Parliament.
Everything in the ledger was neatly noted with what the payment was for.
His father gave his friend money every year for Charles’s everyday expenses.
If there was something involving more, Denton contacted the solicitors.
It was all as it should be. He shut the book and turned his attention to the files and found those in perfect order.
The most recent correspondence sat on top.
The papers were arranged chronologically.
It wasn’t that he was looking for something wrong, he merely wished to see where the money went and for what it was used.
It was obvious to him that Denton had done an excellent job in the care of his brother, overseeing Charles’s education in every way a child of an aristocrat would be taught.
Arthur noted his brother was quite proficient with swords, spoke four languages fluently, and had an eidetic memory.
That piqued Arthur’s curiosity, since most all of what he’d learned about Charles indicated his sibling to be far superior intellectually.
He wrote in a notebook he’d placed to one side.
He would be interested in knowing if Charles was aware what he had was unique.
What bothered Arthur was if his brother had emotions like loving someone.
Being raised the way he had been where people thought he was unique, did people have the perception he was incapable of such emotions, or had he been raised as though he did?
Some of this he wouldn’t be able to get answers to until he met his long-lost brother. Did his parents ever visit him, or had he been swept to the back of their minds? Better not seen nor heard. He couldn’t fathom to have been given that choice.
A knock on the door caused him to look away from the notebook and papers. “Enter.”
The door opened and in walked Daphne along with a footman wheeling a brass cart. “I assumed you were caught up in your work, so I took the liberty of bringing breakfast to you.”
“You’re right. I had forgotten, and thank you.”
She smiled. “Finish what you’re doing, and I’ll fix you a cup of tea. You can choose from several things to eat.”
He grunted and shut his notebook before closing the file.
Standing, he made his way to a chair in front of the hearth where Daphne had placed a cup of tea.
He sat and picked up the cup and took a taste while Daphne placed a plate on the table for him consisting of toast with marmalade, some apple slices, and a piece of sausage.
He hadn’t thought he was hungry until he saw the plate of food.
“Did you finish going over your brother’s files and ledger?”
“No, but I’ve got a better understanding on the situation.”
“Good,” Daphne replied.
“I know there are other families who have endured or are going through something similar. We aren’t unique. I never in a thousand years would have thought our family would be one. The fact that my father never gave me the slightest hint about Charles is worrisome right now.”
“You have to take into consideration what happened to your parents. It might just be that he was going to tell you since he knew you would someday be duke, but his life was cut short.”
Arthur picked up an apple slice and bit into it thoughtfully. “You’re right, of course.”
The room fell into a peaceful quiet as they both ate. One of the things he admired about Daphne was that they could be in the same room for hours and never feel the need to speak. Just knowing she was near soothed him.
“What are your plans? Is Charles going to live here or in Kent?”
“My intention is for him to stay in the blue suite here. It’s the largest guest suite. In Kent he could stay in a separate wing. He’d have privacy when he needs it but could still eat with us. I imagine it’s going to be an adjustment for him to learn to live around others.”
“There’s always the option of one of the cottages that isn’t being used at the moment.”
“That’s true. It’ll be easier to make a decision once I’ve met with Denton. The move alone from the only place he’s called home is going to be traumatic enough,” he replied.
“Hopefully Denton will send a reply quickly. Would you like me to accompany you?”
Arthur shook his head. “Not the first time. I don’t wish to overwhelm him. I’m not even sure he’ll know there’s about to be some major changes to his life.”
“Very well. Would you like for me to have the suite readied for him?”
“That would be very helpful.”
“Let me know what you need from me, and I’ll be sure to get it done,” Daphne said.
He grinned. “You can start by going over and locking the door.”
“Arthur, are you wanting to be naughty? So early in the day?”
“Perhaps.”
“Are you free this afternoon?”
This time he shook his head. “I’m afraid not. There are several matters I need to be a part of in Parliament.”
“You’re a busy man, Arthur. I know your constituents already look up to you, and you seem to savor every bit of it.”
“I will admit I’m enjoying it. I never thought I would,” he replied.
She kissed him on the cheek. “I will let you get back to what you were doing. I’ll have the suite cleaned and aired out.”
“Thank you. I’ll see you before I leave.”
She nodded with a grin as she walked through the door. By the time the door clicked closed, Arthur was deep in thought.