Fall From Grace Read online

  ‘Ah, therein lies the rub.’ Charles drained his glass and accepted Jake’s offer of a refill. ‘He fell in love with the daughter of one of the agents to whom you just referred.’

  ‘Good God! First and actress, then the daughter of a man from the middle-classes.’ Jake shrugged. ‘Well, at least he didn’t marry the actress. That’s something, I suppose.’

  Charles chuckled. ‘You don’t need me to tell you how impulsive Luke could be, and how easily he fell in love.’

  Jake grunted. ‘And with no family members on hand to rein him in…’

  ‘My reaction was similar to your own when I heard he had married the woman, and I couldn’t help wondering if he’d been duped by a pretty face. I mean, a man with Luke’s affable and impetuous disposition alone and lonely in a strange land.’ He shrugged. ‘It happens.’

  ‘Speaking from experience, Charles?’

  Charles grinned. ‘I don’t marry ’em.’

  Jake chuckled. ‘Very wise.’

  ‘Says the man on the point of tying the knot.’ They both glanced towards the window as a sudden heavy burst of rain beat a tattoo against the glass. The leaves on the trees in Jake’s garden were turning with the season and a strong wind swept the fallen ones across the lawn. Summer was officially over. ‘However, returning to the subject of Luke, I reviewed my opinion of his countess’s character upon making her acquaintance, but more about that later. Luke knew he was needed back in England, not to fulfil the social engagements his mother had planned for him but because he didn’t trust the people his father had appointed to run the estate indefinitely. He didn’t trust one person in particular, but again, more of him shortly.’ Charles paused to take a sip of his drink. ‘Those running the Cantrell estate had been allowed too much latitude. Luke wanted to return home with his countess‒’

  Jake rolled his eyes. ‘Naively assuming that such a person would be greeted with open arms by the dowager countess. Did he warn his new wife that she was unlikely to be received with much warmth?’

  Charles shrugged. ‘You knew Luke.’

  ‘That is what I supposed.’

  ‘Anyway, it didn’t come to that, since by the time he had put his affairs in order and was in a position to come home, his wife was increasing. He didn’t want to risk the voyage when she was in a delicate condition so he decided to remain in India until after his child was born.’

  ‘I see.’ Jake rubbed his jaw. ‘And where is his widow and child…was it a boy or a girl?’

  ‘A boy.’

  ‘Ah.’ Jake nodded emphatically, starting to understand where this was most likely leading. ‘A son who is now the Earl Cantrell. Which of course changes everything.’

  ‘Exactly so, and that is my reason for calling. Lady Cantrell was turned out of Cantrell Court by the dowager Lady Cantrell and her daughter after just one night.’

  ‘That doesn’t surprise me. I have never had a high opinion of Cantrell’s mother. Very self-aware. Can’t imagine she would have taken the news of her precious son’s marriage to a girl from the middle classes well. She always had such grandiose plans for Luke.’

  ‘Which is perhaps why she pretended not to know anything about Luke’s marriage when her new daughter-in-law presented herself at Cantrell Court. Luke had written to break the news that he was married, and wrote again when his son was born.’

  ‘Did he receive a reply?’

  ‘His wife doesn’t know. If he did, she hasn’t found any such letter amongst his effects.’

  ‘Which rather implies that he received a vitriolic response and saved his wife from pain by destroying it and not telling her.’

  Charles inclined his head. ‘I tend to agree.’

  ‘This is highly suspicious, Charles. Why would the dowager received Lady Cantrell, even for one night, if she knew nothing about her marriage or her son?’

  ‘As always, you have gone to the heart of the matter. The dowager told Megan‒’

  ‘Megan?’ Jake asked with a speculative smile.

  ‘Oh, it’s not like that. She’s a comely little thing but was grieving and completely lost, in great need of a friend so soon after Luke’s demise. Naturally, I offered her my assistance, just as any gentleman, any friend of Luke’s, would have done.’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘The proprieties have been observed, I do assure you. But we have spent a lot of time in one another’s company since I escorted her back to England and it seemed reasonable when she suggested that we forego the formalities and invited me to use her name.’

  ‘I am perfectly sure it was a natural consequence of friendship,’ Jake replied with a raised eyebrow.

  ‘Anyway, the dowager claims she gave Megan and her son a bed for the night because she thought they had come from India with news of her son. Megan said that she swooned when she told the woman of her marriage to Luke and the birth of her grandson. Harsh words were spoken. The dowager branded Megan as a cruel opportunist, playing on a mother’s grief to feather her own nest.’

  ‘The dowager’s own nest would have dried out, but for Luke’s endeavours.’

  ‘Exactly so. It upset Megan to be called an upstart who was attempting to fob them off with her bastard son as the new earl.’

  ‘Surely Cantrell’s wife had proof of her claim?’

  Charles shook his head. ‘She did indeed produce her marriage certificate, as well as the baby’s birth certificate which clearly named Luke as his father. The dowager cast that proof aside, saying forgeries were easily obtained in that part of the world. Megan and the baby, who is now a year old, were thrown out of Cantrell Court first thing the next morning. She was very upset and it was only when she reached London, found lodgings and examined her possessions that she discovered all the paperwork supporting her claim had disappeared.’

  Jake frowned in disgust. ‘Somehow I am not surprised. I should have thought that your Megan would have kept a closer guard over them, but then again, I suppose she’s a trusting little thing who imagined the dowager would see reason, given time.’

  ‘Exactly so. She claims that lady was not as shocked as she ought to have been, suggesting that the news of her son’s marriage had reached her ears, even if it had not come from her son directly. As you know, people are coming and going from India all the time and tend to call in upon relations of those already stationed out there to deliver letters and news.’ Charles flashed a humourless smile. ‘Oceans are no barrier to the spread of gossip. Especially not now that we can travel so speedily by steamboat.’

  ‘If Lady Cantrell was aware of her son’s nuptials it would explain her anxiety to have him return home.’ Jake stood to add a log to the fire and watched as a shower of sparks shot up the chimney. ‘Once under her control again, I suspect she would have talked sense into him and found a way to dissolve the marriage. That would have been easily achieved given Cantrell’s status as an earl and Megan’s own…well, lack of status, but for the child. And, of course, his birth changes everything.’

  Charles nodded. ‘In all respects.’

  ‘There will be records of the marriage and subsequent birth in India. It is simply a case of asking for copies of the relevant documents.’ Jake spread his hands, at a loss to understand why his involvement was required. ‘Or the new Lady Cantrell’s father, the agent, must be able to attest to the union and the legitimacy of Cantrell’s heir.’

  ‘He can’t be found. He moved on in pursuit of new contracts and hasn’t been heard from in over a year.’

  ‘Good lord!’

  ‘Quite. There is a great deal more to that story as well. Anyway, I was due to return to England and persuaded Megan to come with me. I sensed that she had an urgent need to stake her son’s claim upon his inheritance. We parted company when we landed. She went directly to Cantrell Court and I went to my own family. Megan is now back in London, and she wrote to me explaining her reception by the Cantrells—which didn’t surprise me but greatly upset her. I called to see her this morning. She has limited fu
nds until she can prove who she is and persuade Luke’s lawyers to release capital to her.’

  Jake rolled his eyes. ‘It doesn’t surprise me that Luke was so lackadaisical about such important matters. I suppose he didn’t anticipate dying so young, but then again, he was living in a dangerous part of the world.’

  ‘I agree with you. Anyway, Megan has taken a room in a boarding house in Pimlico which is on the respectable side of adequate…just. She has lost her husband, she is unaware whether or not her father is alive and she has been cast out by her late husband’s family. Needless to say, she is in a state of considerable agitation but, typically, her concern is for her child, not herself.’

  ‘I am very sorry for her predicament.’ Jake shrugged. ‘But Lady Cantrell will have to be accepted by her late husband’s family and her son acknowledged as the current earl once the truth comes out, unpleasant though the lot of them are.’

  ‘Would that it were that simple.’ Charles scowled at the flames dancing up the chimney. It was a cool day, and the blaze was welcome. ‘Lady Cantrell’s daughter has just announced her engagement to her cousin Joseph who, upon Cantrell’s death, became next in line to inherit.’

  Jake snorted. ‘Accounting for Arabella’s sudden willingness to marry that strutting peacock. I’ve seen him once or twice at White’s. Standards have not declined to the extent that he’s a member there himself but, now that I think about it, he was in company with his uncle.’

  ‘With whom he never lost an opportunity to ingratiate himself.’ Charles scowled. ‘Being a lover of Drury Lane and all its peripheral benefits himself, it is easy to see why Joseph and his uncle got along so well. Joseph is already spending more time at Cantrell Court than at his own lodgings here in London. It’s as though he’s already taken over responsibilities that are not rightfully his.’

  ‘Presumably he’s the person you referred to earlier who’s taking advantage of his position.’

  ‘Right.’

  ‘By marrying her cousin, Arabella probably assumes that she will take control of the family’s fortune and affairs. A fortune that will have to be fought over by Luke’s lawyers, I presume. If your Megan claims that she is its rightful guardian on behalf of her son, then none of it can be released until matters have been resolved.’

  ‘That is the action I have advised her to take. Only sufficient funds to maintain Cantrell Court are to be released until the affair is settled. I have offered to swear an affidavit to the affect that the marriage took place, was legal and that the child is legitimate. But these things take time and the Cantrells will fight Megan tooth and nail in the meantime.’

  ‘At least you can keep the fortune Luke amassed in India out of Arabella’s grasping hands until matters are settled,’ Jake nodded in satisfaction. ‘That can be easily achieved. The lawyers acted for Luke, and until they can be sure who his rightful heir is they will keep tight control over the funds. I am well acquainted with Arabella Cantrell’s rapacious nature. She never wasted an opportunity to deploy her wiles whenever I was unable to avoid her in a ballroom. From what little I have heard about her cousin Joseph, he’s not the full shilling. A man of fashion rather than thought, which means that Arabella will be the real power behind the Cantrell throne.’

  ‘She is nothing if not ambitious and she won’t permit the existence of a legitimate heir to stand in her way. Which is why I need your advice, Jake.’

  Their discourse was interrupted by the arrival of Isaac. He and Charles greeted one another warmly.

  ‘I am anxious to meet your lovely lady wife, about whom I have heard glowing reports,’ Charles said when the three men were seated in front of the fire.

  ‘And so you shall. She and Olivia are taking Harvey Nichols by storm as we speak, I shouldn’t wonder, and making a large dent in Jake’s bank account.’

  Jake shrugged, unconcerned about Olivia’s expenditure. ‘I dare say the results will be worth it.’

  ‘Good lord!’ Charles shared a look with Isaac and both men chuckled. ‘I never thought I would live to see the day.’

  Before Isaac could formulate a response, the door opened again and Eva and Olivia swept through it in a swirl of wide skirts and cheerful chatter, scattering raindrops from the brims of their bonnets.

  ‘We took you at your word, and…Charles, what a delight!’

  Jake watched his intended greet Charles with a genuine smile and kiss on the cheek.

  ‘Congratulations upon finally bringing this rogue to heel,’ Charles replied. ‘I hope you know what you’re letting yourself in for.’

  ‘Oh, I think I have a fair idea.’

  ‘Eva, my love.’ Isaac took his wife’s hand. ‘Allow me to present our friend and associate, Lord Charles Hadley. Charles, my wife, Lady Isaac.’

  Eva, looking as lovely as ever, made her curtsey. ‘It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Lord Charles,’ she said. ‘Olivia told me once that you were instrumental in getting those ridiculous charges against her dismissed.’

  ‘Jake did all the hard work, ma’am. I merely do as I am told.’

  ‘I thought you were in India,’ Olivia said when they were all seated and refreshments had been ordered.

  ‘And miss the wedding of the year?’ Charles chuckled. ‘Not a chance. Always assuming I am invited to witness it, of course.’

  ‘Naturally you are,’ Olivia replied.

  The ladies quizzed Charles on his experiences in India while tea was served and Olivia poured for them all. Jake liked to see her naturally taking on the role of hostess in his home—soon to be their home—as though she had been born to it.

  ‘Now that you are back with us, Charles, I dare say your mama will be thinking in terms of finding a suitable wife for you,’ Olivia teased.

  Charles threw back his head and groaned. ‘She already has candidates lined up for my inspection. Why cannot I be left to make my own choice?’

  ‘Mothers have a natural inclination to marry off their sons,’ Eva said. ‘I expect it’s her subtle way of reminding you of your duty.’

  ‘I am not the heir, Lady Isaac. My brother is already married and dedicating himself to filling his nursery. I fail to understand the need for me to follow his example.’

  ‘What else would your poor mama do with her time?’ Olivia asked with a whimsical smile.

  Charles pulled a resigned expression. ‘If Jake had not pipped me to the post I would oblige my mother by seeking your hand. No coercion would be required in that instance.’

  ‘Damned barracuda!’ Jake grumbled, to a bout of laughter.

  ‘You ran to Jake in order to hide out here.’ Olivia smiled. ‘How very sensible of you. Even your formidable mother will not get past Parker.’

  ‘My advice, for what it’s worth,’ Jake said, ‘is to hold out for the right woman—and I don’t mean this one. She is spoken for.’ He sent Olivia a warm smile. ‘Believe me, the wait will be worthwhile.’

  ‘I have to agree with Jake,’ Isaac said.

  ‘You two have cornered the market in that regard and left us lesser mortals with the scraps,’ Charles complained.

  Isaac flashed a smug smile. ‘You shouldn’t have stayed away for so long.’

  ‘Well, I have trespassed upon your time for too long,’ Charles said, standing.

  ‘Has Cantrell applied for Letters Patent in order to claim the title?’ Jake asked.

  ‘What’s this?’ Olivia asked, just as Jake had intended that she should. This injustice would hopefully distract her from her doubts about their wedding. ‘By Cantrell, I assume you refer to the untimely demise of Lord Cantrell. I was sorry to hear of it. He was in India at the time too, was he not?’

  At a nod from Jake, Charles related most of what he had just told him. Olivia and Eva listened in outraged silence, only occasionally breaking into Charles’s story with a pertinent question.

  ‘I assume you called in the hope that Jake would use his influence with the Lord Chancellor. You wish to prevent the Letters Patent being gra
nted until the new Lady Cantrell is in a position to support her son’s claim with documentary evidence,’ Olivia said.

  ‘Quite so, but it would be an imposition, given your impending nuptials.’

  ‘Nonsense!’

  ‘I am not without influence myself,’ Charles replied. ‘I simply wanted to acquaint Jake with the particulars in the hope that he might have advice to offer.’

  ‘What happens if a title is contested?’ Eva asked.

  ‘It goes into abeyance until such time as the credentials of the legitimate heir can be authenticated,’ Jake replied.

  ‘Then that is what the new Lady Cantrell must do,’ Olivia replied with asperity. ‘You must help her to make her son’s claim, Charles. Indeed you must. And you must also write to your connections in India and obtain copies of her marriage licence. Then this matter will be settled, despite the odious dowager’s determination to prevent her grandson from inheriting his rightful title and estate.’

  ‘I will speak with the Lord Chancellor in the meantime,’ Jake said. ‘Just to ensure that Joseph Cantrell’s claim is not rushed through. Not that these matters are normally considered urgent. The letters are just a formality. Joseph will already have assumed the title, even though he cannot rightfully use it until the letters are issued. Thankfully he can’t get his hands on the fortune Luke made.’

  ‘Arabella will already be doing things her way,’ Charles said. ‘You may depend upon it.’

  ‘I agree,’ Isaac said, grim-faced. ‘That one has never lacked ambition.’

  ‘Thank you, Jake.’ Charles inclined his head. ‘The request will bear more weight coming from you, given your close connection with the Home Secretary and the endless favours that are owed to you by the government.’

  Jake shrugged. ‘Happy to oblige,’ he said.

  ‘I should like to meet Lady Cantrell,’ Olivia said. ‘She must be in urgent need of a friend. I know how it feels to be shunned and disbelieved in the hour of one’s greatest need.’