Chapter 7
Seven
Dear Joshua,
It is no secret that I have viewed you as a son.
I could never openly love my own child without destroying his future, and when Dickenson Mayer presented you as my new solicitor, how could my broken heart resist you as a surrogate?
My loneliness, however, came at a cost to your reputation.
You have kept my secrets over the years, and for that I am eternally grateful.
Since the moment I introduced you to the young Lady Drake to assist her with her financial affairs, I was aware of your infatuation.
I have watched your love for her grow over the years, but I believe if I did not know you as well as I do, I would have never noticed your hidden admiration and longing for something more.
Your regard for her and her station are admirable qualities, and to any other member of the working class, I would not encourage a suit.
Yet I am also quite close with Lady Drake as well, I apologize for the masculine pride of an old man that has hindered your path.
Allowing you, and many others, to believe she was more than a confidant was wrong of me.
Lady Drake is, and will always be, a woman above reproach.
Do not doubt what your heart is telling you.
Lady Drake cares more deeply for you than she has any other living soul. Of that you can be certain.
It is up to you, dear boy, to win the lady.
She has led a life of solitude for too long, and so have you.
There has never been a couple more deserving of happiness than the two of you, and I pray you find the fortitude to break the boundaries of propriety and offer for the woman you love.
As you know, I failed the woman I loved in life, and I hope to rectify that in death.
If you offer for the lady, I hope you will allow my duchess to give you a gift for the ceremony as a token of my love for the two of you and my blessings on your union.
With fatherly affection,
Nithesdale
—A letter to Mr. Joshua Forrester, Esquire, from Edward Charles Hancock, Duke of Nithesdale, written December 1810 a week before his death. A letter he gave to Joshua to open upon his death.
Phoebe walked into Iseabail’s room and smiled at her friend who snuggled with her newborn baby.
The midwife was gone and the young mother had returned to her own bedchamber.
Iseabail was in a fresh dressing gown that was pulled down over one shoulder as she nursed her son, the new Duke of Nithesdale.
“Are you truly not going to use a wet nurse at all?”
“No, my parents may not have been the best at planning for their children’s future, but I had a lovely childhood filled with laughter and love.
I want my son to grow up experiencing those same warm family bonds, even if he won’t have a father to race in the meadow or teach him to hunt and fish.
I plan to do all those things with him as my father did with his girls. ”
“It doesn’t need to be that way, Iseabail. You can have more children. You can remarry.”
Iseabail’s chin quivered as she caressed her son’s black hair.
“I will not risk his future or mine by putting doubt into the minds of the ton as to who should be the Duke of Nithesdale. Xavier is Edward’s son, but his previous heir will attempt to prove he is not and I don’t wish to give him any fuel to start any rumors. ”
Phoebe decided to drop the subject for now.
Iseabail was feeling protective of her newborn son, and that was a good emotion for her to have.
“Other than fishing and hunting and running through the fields, what other unladylike things do you plan on sharing with Xavier? Don’t tell me you plan on cutting down your own Christmas tree? ”
Iseabail smiled as she pulled Xavier from her breast and began patting his back as if she had done it her entire life. “I will not be wielding an ax, but I will teach him to use a pen so that he may write his own resolutions.”
“Speaking of resolutions…” Phoebe pressed her lips together to keep a giggle from startling the baby.
Her friend glanced up, a twinkle glistening in her eyes. “Your list was much naughtier than what Forrester read out loud to me, wasn’t it?”
Phoebe couldn’t help but tease her. “For being a widow who just gave birth, you have a one-track mind.”
Iseabail adopted her most bewildered expression as she rapidly batted her eyelashes in a practiced look of innocence. “But you’re the one who corrupted me, remember?”
“I believe we corrupted each other.”
“True. But seriously, you must tell me what was on that list.”
“We had this same discussion when you became pregnant. You said, and I quote, ‘There are some things that should remain between a man and a woman. To share would break the spell of that special moment.’”
“That’s what I said, word for word?”
She walked over to stand at her friend’s side. Iseabail looked exhausted despite her maid having helped her bathe and braid her hair. “If it is not word for word, it is close. May I hold him?”
Iseabail reluctantly held out the baby and Phoebe took the little bundle into her arms. The new Duke of Nithesdale was the first baby she’d ever held in her life.
The birth had been stressful and exhausting.
A milestone in their lives she would never forget.
Yet it had seemed like an endless bout of pain and pushing and she’d had to lay her trust in the midwife’s experienced hands.
If Phoebe was honest with herself, she had been scared witless for Iseabail’s life and she wasn’t certain she would want to put Forrester through such an experience, even if she could have a child.
The man would want to throttle someone before the child was born.
She stared down at the peaceful babe in her arms with such a wonderful sense of peace.
In that one special moment, it was as if every ugly aspect of life didn’t exist. There was no war, no starving children on the streets of London, no violence against those who could not defend themselves.
Nothing but this joyous occasion of a boy coming into the world, holding so much promise.
“He is gorgeous. When he grows up, he’ll be such a darling all the young debutantes will flock to him, and you won’t be able to say no to any of his requests.”
“He is adorable, isn’t he?”
“Yesterday, you were calling him a demon child.”
Iseabail’s chin rose with the pride of a mother. “Today, I know his true character.”
Phoebe returned Xavier to his mother and sat down next to the bed. “In all seriousness, I came here to discuss something with you that needs my attention.”
Iseabail’s body stiffened. “What’s wrong? If something has happened to one of my sisters, you must tell me.”
She reached for Iseabail’s hand and squeezed it tight. “Your sisters are fine. Everyone is fine. Forrester did not want me to tell you, but I told him you needed to know the truth to understand why I must leave.”
Iseabail’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Leave? Now? You must be joking. I need you here.”
“I wish that I were, but it seems that Astley has gotten himself in a spot of trouble.”
Relief washed over Iseabail’s features. “Astley is always in trouble. It should have been his middle name.” She reached over and pulled the little blue blanket with the ducal crest embroidered in gold that she’d made for Xavier tighter around his body.
Phoebe winced. “This is different than his normal rakish naughtiness. He has been taken by Napoleon’s men and is being held for ransom.”
Iseabail’s gaze shot to Phoebe’s. “That’s not possible. What could Astley have done to end up in the hands of the French?”
“It seems he traveled to America and was on his way back when a French Naval ship captured the American schooner he was on. The ship was captained by Forrester’s cousin and he wrote Forrester and asked him to notify Astley’s family. He did not want them hearing about it from Napoleon first.”
Iseabail’s concerned features turned stoic. “Then you must go immediately. Astley may be a rake, but my family owes him everything for saving Caillen’s life.”
“Are you certain my departure won’t be too taxing on you? We should be able to return within a sennight.”
“Of course, I am. Xavier and I are fine. Astley’s family needs you now.”
“You know I would stay with you if I could, but his mother may not trust Forrester arriving with such awful news. She has been through so much, she has a hard time trusting the English. This news of Astley’s capture will devastate her.”
“I’ve been too preoccupied with my own family’s lack of acceptance by the ton to recognize any slight the earl’s family may have received.” She hesitated and then asked, “Does the Duke of Ross know?”
“No. Forrester thought Astley’s family should hear the news first.”
“I understand, and I insist you leave in the morning with Forrester. However, I do have one request before you leave.”
“As if you must ask. You know I will do anything in my power to assist you. I value your friendship more than I can possibly say.”
“I need assistance with my own resolution.”
Phoebe squeezed her hand. “Of course, but the new year is weeks away, can’t it wait until our return?”
“No, it can’t wait. If we wait, something bad could happen.” Iseabail’s eyes teared. “Please Phoebe, I need you to bring Forrester in here first. He will resist, but you must insist.”
Her brow puckered. “Why?”
Iseabail only said, “Please?”
She sighed and stood up. “What are you up to, Duchess?”
“This was very important to Nithesdale.”
“Alright. I will bring Forrester here tomorrow morning before we leave.”
Iseabail’s bit her lip and shook her head adamantly. “It can’t wait. I wish to fulfill a promise, and before you ask what promise, bring your husband-to-be in here.”
Not wanting to upset Iseabail further, she agreed. “I will be back with him momentarily.”