Chapter 12
T he day after she had tea with Emma, Bett still hadn’t decided what to do about Peter. Should she confront him about not telling her of Noah’s visit?
Would it make any difference at this point?
At least she now knew Noah had come to call on her. That had relieved her mind greatly because she’d been afraid he didn’t care for her anymore. Perhaps it was time to tell Peter and Cecily of her feelings for Noah and see what they had to say.
Bett made her way to the upstairs parlor to have tea with Cecily. Her poor sister-in-law was very uncomfortable these days, with the birth only weeks away, and there wasn’t much Bett could do to help her besides keep her company.
The August heat was becoming unbearable, and Bett could only imagine how uncomfortable Cecily was feeling.
Cecily looked up from her embroidery when Bett entered the parlor. “I’m very pleased to see you, Bett. I was so disappointed when Peter told me yesterday that you preferred to have tea at Fleming Manor instead of here.”
Bett’s mouth fell open. “What did you say?”
“Yes. I woke up from resting, ready to enjoy an afternoon of good conversation, but Peter said you’d already left to go to Fleming Manor.”
Bett was flabbergasted that Peter would outright lie to his wife. His high-handedness had gone on long enough. She wouldn’t let him get away with telling such lies. “Cecily, it wasn’t my choice to travel to the Fleming Manor. Peter told me you weren’t feeling well and asked me to cancel the engagement.”
Bett watched a range of emotions flit across Cecily’s face. Would she accept that Bett was telling her the truth? The last thing she wanted was to cause any problems between them, but Peter was wrong to lie to his wife.
“Well, I suppose my darling husband was merely worried for me,” Cecily finally said.
It didn’t surprise Bett in the least that Cecily wouldn’t criticize her husband in front of her. There was no point in discussing the point any further. “That was probably his reasoning. With the baby coming soon, I’m sure he didn’t want you to be overly taxed,” Bett said.
She was saved from any more discussion about it when the maid brought in a tea tray.
“Shall I pour for you, Lady Williams?” Kate asked.
“Yes. I can hardly move about these days.”
Kate poured out the tea and handed each of them a cup. “Do you require anything else, my lady?”
“No, thank you, Kate. You may go.”
The maid curtseyed and left the room.
“Are you feeling any better today?” Bett asked.
“Peter’s heir is quite active these days. I can barely fall asleep before I feel him kicking me. Then it’s difficult to return to sleep.”
“It won’t be long before you’re holding your precious child in your arms,” Bett said with a wistful air.
“Does it make you sad to see me with child?”
“Oh, no. You mustn’t think that. I’m overjoyed for you and Peter. Don’t worry about me. Perhaps one day, I’ll be holding a child of my own soon.”
“Really? Have you met someone?”
It was now or never. Time to tell Cecily about Noah. Bett knew her sister-in-law would share the information with Peter so she wouldn’t have to confront him about his lack of civility when Noah came to call.
“I did. It was at the Fleming house party back in June. His name is Mr. Hughes.”
“Mr. Hughes? Why does that name sound familiar?”
Bett decided not to reveal the fact that she knew Noah had come to call on her. “Have you met him?”
“Oh, now I remember!”
“What are you remembering, my love?” Peter asked, joining them in the parlor.
“Peter, darling, do you remember a Mr. Hughes coming to call?”
Peter frowned before nodding. “Yes. The visit was most odd, as I’ve never met the gentleman before.”
“Oh, Peter, Mr. Hughes was calling on Bett. They met at the Fleming house party back in June.”
Bett watched Peter’s reaction closely. Why was he frowning? Would he admit he’d been rude to Noah and finally tell her about his visit?
“I see. I wasn’t aware of that fact,” he said.
“I can see now that I should have shared my interest in Mr. Hughes with you earlier, Peter. Did you at least inform him that I was visiting with Lady Persing and would be returning soon?”
Peter shook his head. “I did not. I saw no need, as you never mentioned him or your interest in having him call on you.”
Peter was right in that regard. She inwardly groaned at her foolishness in not mentioning Noah before. She hoped she hadn’t ruined her chances of ever seeing him again. “Of course. I do apologize for not mentioning him before. However, if Mr. Hughes should call on me again, I’d be very much interested in seeing him.”
“Have you developed a tendre for him?” Peter asked, his lips pinched in a stern line.
“Very much so, and I do believe he feels the same.”
Cecily clapped. “Oh, darling! Isn’t that wonderful? I do hope something will come of this, Bett, so you may be as happy as Peter and I.”
“Thank you, Cecily. I hope for that as well.” Bett wasn’t sure Peter was as pleased as his wife about this turn of events, but he would have no say over whether she accepted Noah’s suit, should he propose. She’d reached her majority and wouldn’t need his permission to marry. He should be glad to be rid of her, but an uneasy feeling that that might not be the case settled in her gut.
Mr. Hughes, I do hope all is well with your uncle, and you’ll come to call on me again soon. I need you more than ever, my darling.
Noah stood ramrod straight as the vicar read the prayer.
“Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God of his great mercy to take unto himself the souls of our dear brothers here departed, we therefore commit their bodies to the ground. Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Noah had pushed back Aiden’s funeral service two days to be able to bury Uncle Charles alongside his son. Father and son had been close in life, and he knew Charles would want to be joined with Aiden in death. He stared in disbelief at the bodies of his family members, who’d been so vibrant mere months ago. What was he going to do without them?
The staff and many of the tenants had come to pay their respects. Everyone loved his uncle and cousin, and he was glad to see the turnout.
A light drizzle began to fall, and it fit Noah’s mood perfectly—dark, dank, and miserable. He hadn’t slept in the past two days and could hardly come to terms with the fact that his family had been taken from him so soon.
The vicar concluded the ceremony with a closing prayer. “Almighty God, we rejoice in your promise of love, joy, and peace. In your mercy, turn the darkness of death into the dawn of new life and the sorrow of parting into the joy of heaven; through our Saviour Jesus Christ, who died, rose again, and lives forevermore. Amen.”
When he closed the prayer book, Noah turned to those assembled. “Thank you all for coming to pay your respects to the viscount and my cousin. I very much appreciate it. They were both well-loved and will be sorely missed.”
One by one, those in attendance said a few words to him as they departed, and Noah took comfort in knowing that they were sincerely given. When the mourners had left, the footmen carried the bodies of both Uncle Charles and Aiden into the crypt, laying them side by side on the largest slab.
“Thank you, you may return to the house,” Noah said to them.
The vicar had followed them into the crypt and stood silently while Noah took in the gravity of the situation. His family was gone, and he would never have the pleasure of seeing them or hearing their voices again. Tears streamed down his face as he laid his hand on his uncle’s chest.
“Uncle Charles, I hope you’re at peace now that you’re with your beloved Aiden. I shall miss you both forever.”
The vicar stepped forward and placed a soothing hand on Noah’s back. “My lord, I’m so very sorry for your loss. If you have need of me, you only need to summon me. I will come at once.”
The hole in Noah’s heart seemed cavernous. Even the vicar’s kind words and offer of support didn’t soothe him. His grief was immense, and he looked at the vicar with a tear-stained face. “Thank you, vicar. That’s very kind of you.”
The vicar left, but Noah found it hard to depart. Once he walked through the crypt doors, he would never see his family again. His feet seemed glued to the floor as he tried to process the tragedy. In a matter of days, his life had been turned upside down. What was he supposed to do now? He was like a small rowboat adrift in the ocean waves without any oars.
He had no idea how long he stood there. By the time he left the crypt and closed the door behind him, the sky had darkened, and fat rain clouds had started to fall. He’d barely started the walk back to Harrison Manor when the skies opened up, sending a deluge of rain down upon him. Thunder boomed, and lightning flashed overhead. Noah looked up and screamed, a gut-wrenching scream full of anger, hurt, and disbelief. “Why God? Why take my family away from me?” He’d never been much of a religious man, but now his anger at a vengeful god spilled out as he railed against the fierce wind and torrential downpour.
Thunder boomed again as if the heavens agreed with him and were screaming their displeasure at his family’s untimely deaths. By the time he reached the manor, he was drenched through to his skin.
Jerrison opened the door before he reached the top step. “Master Noah…I mean, my lord, you must change out of those wet clothes before you also catch a chill.”
“Jerrison, there’s no need for such formality. I would welcome our easygoing relationship to stay the same. Some things don’t need to change.”
Jerrison’s lips thinned, and a sadness Noah had never seen before crossed the butler’s face. “I’m terribly sorry, but I don’t think that’s possible. You’re now Viscount Harrison and, as such, must be treated with all the respect due to your rank, especially in front of the staff.”
It was one more change that Noah hadn’t anticipated, but he knew the butler was correct. He was no longer merely Master Noah but now the lord of the manor. The thought terrified him. He’d never aspired to join the aristocracy, and with the title now his, he would have a lot to learn about running the estate, taking care of the tenants and staff, and eventually taking his seat in Parliament, although that was the furthest thing from his mind at the moment.
“Your valet has ordered a bath prepared in your chambers,” Jerrison said.
“Searle is here?”
“Yes, my lord. He arrived while you were at the funeral.”
“I see. Thank you, Jerrison,” Noah said, trudging up the stairs.
When he reached his chamber, Searle was there and helped him out of his wet garments with his usual efficiency. The man didn’t say much, and Noah appreciated the silence. The last thing he wanted was to talk about his current circumstances.
The bath was soon filled, and Noah climbed into the steaming water. His muscles unclenched as he soaked. He had no idea what his life would be like now. His days as a carefree bachelor were over. It was imperative he turn his time and energy into taking care of the estate, although as he thought about everything, a fleeting thought passed through his mind.
Life would be easier if I had Bett by my side.
He had no idea when he’d see the lovely Lady Williams again. His first priority was taking care of everything here at Harrison Manor. He couldn’t leave before he figured some things out. After he got out of the bath and dressed, he made his way down to his uncle’s study. He needed to write a note to Miles and let him know about the tragic turn of events.
As he began to write, silent tears rolled down his cheeks.
Miles,
Unfortunately, the worst has happened. Uncle Charles has also perished from a fever. I shall be at Harrison Manor for the foreseeable future, taking care of estate matters.
Noah
He sanded and sealed the letter using the Harrison signet ring that was sitting on his uncle’s desk. How many times had he played with it when he was younger? Charles always let him try it on, even though it would slip off his tiny fingers.
“Uncle Charles, I shall wear this ring and do everything within my power to make you proud,” he whispered as he slipped the ring on his little finger.
He tugged the bellpull.
It was mere moments before Jerrison appeared. “My lord, how may I be of assistance?”
Noah held out the letter. “Please have this sent to Mr. Walker at Fleming Manor.”
“Of course, my lord. I’ll send a messenger right away.”
“Thank you, Jerrison.”
“Will there be anything else, my lord?”
Noah shook his head. “Just the letter for now.”
Jerrison took the letter and left the room as silently as he’d entered.
Noah slumped down in the chair. This was his life now as the lord of the manor, and the sooner he embraced the changes, the better it would be for everyone connected with the estate. He would do his best for everyone, but he had no idea what it would take to mend his wounded heart.