Ashton Park (38 page)

“No, sir.”

“Not once?”

“No, sir.”

“What…what are your thoughts concerning him?”

“Excuse me?”

“When you think of Edward—do you think well of him?”

“Of course I do, sir. He always treated me with the utmost respect and kindness. We have gone our separate ways now but I remember him with great fondness and affection.”

“What if I told you that the barriers to enjoying a relationship with our son had been removed? That he was free to court you and, if you both wished it, marry you?”

Charlotte’s thoughts began to whirl and her mouth chose words independent of her state of mind. “Why, sir, I have heard that Edward is engaged to be married to Lady Caroline Scarborough this summer.”

“That’s true.”

“And I myself have come to an understanding with one of the young men of the yacht crew.”

“Has there been a formal engagement?”

“No, sir. Not yet. But he expects to have a ring for me by the fall and declare his intentions to everyone at that time.”

“Tell me—forgive me for being so bold—do you love this young man?”

She smiled despite the confusion in her head. “I do. He’s very sweet and gentle and treats me like a lady.”

“Do you love him more than you loved Edward?”

“I…I…” Charlotte felt drenched with cold. “Edward and I had an exceptional relationship, Sir William. Something out of a fairy tale. I’ll never forget it. Why, he had just survived having two ships go down under him at the Battle of Jutland when we met. It was magical, sir. I don’t expect to duplicate that experience with any other man.”

Sir William turned back to the window and gazed out at the harbor as he spoke. “Lady Elizabeth and I always thought well of you.”

“I know that, sir.”

“Over the past few years a number of our children have chosen partners outside of the English nobility. At first, Lady Elizabeth and I resisted. But one after another our sons and daughters won us over. I suppose I could say that God won us over as well. Victoria married Ben Whitecross, who had distinguished himself as a pilot in France. Kipp married a delightful young woman from France. Libby wed an American. In each case Ashton Park and the Danforth name was the richer for it. We saw that God was no respecter of persons and had endowed all sorts of young people with gifts of charm and grace and wit that rivaled and often surpassed that which we had experienced among those of noble birth. I and Lady Elizabeth soon came to the realization you would bless Ashton Park as much as any Kincaid or Fordyce or Rushberry. So that is why I have come. To ask you to return to England and take our son Edward as your husband, ’til death do you part.”

“Sir William…” Charlotte’s tongue and mind stopped working.

He nodded. “Of course it is a great deal to take in. While Lord Thornton does not know the nature of my visit he suspects rightly that I came to ask you to return with me. He thinks for employment. No one can know the truth. Not yet. Not unless you and Edward come to an understanding.”

Charlotte did not respond.

“In any case,” Sir William went on, “he has invited me to stay over a day, and I told him I would let him know at tea. I do not expect you to give me an answer right now, Miss Squire. But is there any point to my remaining here the night? Might you have an answer for me in the morning?”

“Edward knows nothing of this, does he, sir?”

“He does not. He has been furious with his mother and me since we put an end to your relationship with him and will scarcely speak to us.”

“If he loves Lady Scarborough, why would he want me?”

“Because he loved you first. I doubt he has ever forgotten you.”

“Would you bring us together then? To see one another? To talk?”

“We would take a ship from the Isle of Man and make our way to Scotland immediately. He has been residing at our hunting lodge in the highlands.”

“What if he refuses to see me?”

Sir William shook his head. “Child, if possible, you are more striking than when you lived at Ashton Park. Edward will not refuse to see you.”

“Why are you doing this? So many years later? I don’t understand.”

Lines gathered on Sir William’s face. “It is our way of apologizing to you, Miss Squire. Not an easy thing to do. But Lady Elizabeth and I admit we were wrong. We should not have interfered with your relationship with our son. We should have let it take its course. In addition we do not believe Lady Scarborough loves him.”

“How can you know that?”

“She was sharply disappointed that Kipp married another woman. We believe Edward, in a state of anger and wishing to hurt us, readily agreed to her proposal that they consider marriage. But she will use it to get close to Kipp once again. We don’t believe she cares for Edward…and that when he discovers this it will wound him, perhaps fatally.”

Charlotte put her fingers to her lips. “You can’t mean that.”

He shrugged. “You know how volatile Edward is. And unduly sensitive. We thought perhaps if he saw the woman he loves again he might come to his senses.”

“I don’t even know how I myself would feel if I saw him again, Sir William.”

“I understand that. It may be a wild goose chase. It may come to nothing. But Lady Elizabeth and I believed we must try.”

Charlotte stared at him a moment longer and shook her head. “You do not need to spend the night, sir. I don’t know if I shall regret it in the morning, but I will give you my answer right now.”

Lady Elizabeth had her gardening gloves on and was kneeling by a yellow rosebush near the front doors of the manor, when a black cab pulled into the drive. She lifted the brim of her hat to see who it was. Tavy was already walking down the steps to greet the arrival. A man stepped from the car in the uniform of a major in the British army. He was on the far side of the cab helping a woman out of her seat. Lady Elizabeth rose to her feet. The car drove off and Robbie stood smiling at her, his arm around a young woman with a green dress and a green headscarf, whose own smile was quiet and warm.

Lady Elizabeth went quickly to her son, peeling off her gloves, and hugging him. “You didn’t call. I had no idea you were coming home.”

“I wanted to surprise you. Where’s Father?”

“You surprised us so well that he isn’t here. He’s on a business trip. We hope to see him back in a few days. How long can you stay?”

“Quite a while. I’m posted to Liverpool until January.”

She laughed, hugging him again and kissing him on the cheek. “Posted to Liverpool? You mean you’re free of that frightful war in Ireland? Oh, I thank God. That’s wonderful news.”

She pulled back and looked at the woman beside him. “Forgive me. I was so worried. I didn’t mean to be rude.”

The young woman shook her head. “You weren’t rude. You have every reason to celebrate, Lady Elizabeth.” She extended her hand. “I am Shannon Dungarvan. Of Dublin. Your son asked that I accompany him to Ashton Park.”

Lady Elizabeth took the hand. “I’m very pleased to meet you. Welcome to our home.” She looked at her son. “Is there something you should be telling me? I’m sure you didn’t meet Miss Dungarvan on the boat.”

“No, Mother.”

“Is it another surprise? I suppose I can handle any sort of surprise now.”

“I hope so. Shannon isn’t a Dungarvan this morning. She’s a Danforth. Shannon Danforth.” Robbie had one arm around Shannon and the other around his mother. “For the past twelve or so hours she’s been my wife.”

Albert was moving a cast-iron frying pan back and forth over the stove. “I’ll have it done in a bit. It’s coming up nicely.”

Catherine sat at the kitchen table sipping her tea. A thin smile emerged. “That’s almost two weeks of breakfasts. Is this still part of your penance? Or are you fattening me up for the kill?”

Albert scowled. “There’s no public event coming up where I want you hanging off my arm.”

“So it’s the penance?”

“I’m no pope. But I think we ought to try and have a marriage again. It’s nothing more mysterious than that.”

“So bacon and eggs and fried tomatoes should do it?”

“And this morning it’s soda bread. I’m trying, Mrs. Moore. I think you’re tired of me saying I’m sorry for the affair.”

“I am. Sick and tired. The food is better. Though I can’t say I trust you yet. Are you sure there isn’t some special occasion around the corner?”

“All right. There is. I’m digging a great moat between Belfast and the rest of Ireland. I need your help.”

Catherine laughed. “It makes no sense. We almost have a divorce and now you’re Sir Galahad.”

“I make no peace with you or your father over Home Rule.”

“I know that.”

Albert came to the table with the pan and scooped a large square of soda bread onto Catherine’s plate. “There. That’ll go well with butter. My father used to sprinkle sugar on the butter as well.”

He placed a square of the bread on his plate next to a fried egg and set the pan down on a folded cloth. Then he took his seat facing Catherine. “That’ll do nicely. Shall I pray?”

“It’s too much. Really. Don’t try so hard. I thought I’d walk out the minute your back was turned. That was long ago. I’m too fat to run out the door now.”

“Look. I told you. I’ve been a fool. Ireland is going up in flames. I’m lucky to have a wife. To have a home. It was like a tomb here all that time you were gone. It was awful. So as sour and short-tempered as I am, I know how to show gratitude. I don’t want you becoming a nun and I don’t want to be a bachelor. May I pray?”

“Go ahead.”

He prayed and they began to eat. Catherine kept her dark eyes on him as he put forkfuls of beans into his mouth. She buttered the soda bread, cut it with her knife and fork, and buttered the edges as well.

“Is it the note?” she asked after a few moments.

“What note?”

“The death note. I saw it, you know. You left it on the chair in your bedroom. Is that what’s turned you into Mr. Sweet and Lovely? In case something happens?”

Albert sat back. “I didn’t want you to see that. I don’t want you to be upset.”

“Where was it?”

“In my office. They’d slipped it under the door.”

Catherine stopped eating. “You could come out of your building anytime and they might have gunmen waiting in a car.”

He shook his head. “No. The Royal Irish Constabulary patrol the docks pretty regularly. In any case, my breakfasts have nothing to do with the note. I only found it on the floor of my office three days ago.”

“I know they don’t. I’m just having a hard time understanding the change that’s come over you.”

“Don’t think too hard. I’m a complicated man.”

“I know that too.” Catherine moved her hand, stopped, then moved it all the way across the table and gripped his hand. “I’m still not sure what to make of you, Albert Moore. But I like what you’re trying to do. Please be careful. And if you mean everything that you’re doing and saying, then promise me something.”

“What’s that?”

“Promise me. If you mean all this. Don’t even ask what the promise is. Just promise me and I’ll tell you.”

Albert didn’t let go of her hand. “All right. Just to help you on your way. I promise.”