“It is my pleasure to see you realize what is rightfully yours. Of course, I doubt anyone would question it based on your looks alone.”
She jerked. “What do you mean?”
“That slight cleft of your chin. You appear more a Clark than Peter.”
She felt stunned.
He chuckled. “If you don’t believe me, look at the portrait in the great hall and tell me if you don’t see a resemblance. Now,” he said, slapping his hand against his knee, “our next step is that I must speak with Peter Clark. No doubt news of your arrival has spread, and in my experience, gossip travels faster than the truth.”
“Yes, I believe the vicar has contacted him on my behalf. I was trying to reach him because of the letter.”
Mr. Longham nodded. “He deserves an explanation as well. I am bound by both duty and honor to see that your father’s wishes are carried out to the very jot.”
She stared as she recalled Mr. North’s observations. “Would my birth be part of the church records?”
“I’m sure it would be, but I doubt Mr. Clark’s name would have been associated with it. Why do you ask?”
“Mr. North, the local vicar, said it could not be found.”
“Ah, someone could have listed a false name. You were baptized, I do know that. In this parish as well. I will call on your half brother as soon as I am able to set a meeting for the two of you. You are residing at Mrs. Martin’s boardinghouse, if I’m not mistaken.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. Then I can reach you there. This is not a secret, per se, but I would advise that you not publicize or act on any of this until all is made known to Peter Clark and the appropriate parties. As I said, the probate could take quite a long while. I wish I could stay in town and handle it immediately, but Peter Clark is out of town and I’m expected in London. Come now,” he said with a smile. “I fear your friend Mr. Warrington is none too happy about my chatting with you.”
Chapter 18
James paced the darkened corridor outside of his study. Inside the chamber Miss Hale was speaking with Mr. Longham, and James was not sure what to make of it.
The expression on her face at learning her father’s identity would plague him. He could only imagine what the lady was thinking and feeling after learning such critical news.
Her plight was drawing him in. The struggle. The hope. The determination. For many reasons she was a mystery to him, and every interaction left him wanting to know more about her. How curious it would be to have no knowledge of your parents’ identity and embark on a journey with only a vague letter as a guide.
Family had always been the cornerstone of James’s life. He and his father had not always seen eye to eye, but it had been his father’s legacy and foresight that influenced James’s work. It was the sort of legacy he hoped would continue with his own children one day.
What must it have been like for Miss Hale never to have had a parent or a sibling? To live every day wondering who your people were and where exactly you were from? It was the very reason he had fought so hard to be Rachel’s guardian. To prevent her from that very scenario.
James ceased his pacing and sank onto one of the wooden chairs lining the wall outside of his study. He remained very still in order to listen for voices, but the only sound that met his ears was indecipherable muttering.
At length the study door opened and Mr. Longham appeared.
James jumped to his feet.
“Our business is concluded, Mr. Warrington. Thank you for the use of your study.”
James entered the study and sought out Miss Hale. She stood in silence next to the window. “I trust everything is all right?”
“Of course.” Mr. Longham’s voice rang with confidence as he gathered his satchel and held it in his arms. Seemingly unaware of Miss Hale’s affected state, he lifted his gaze to the painting behind the desk. “You know, I spent many hours in this study when Mr. Clark was living. In his later years he spent the majority of his time in London, but when he was here, I’d come by monthly to go over papers and the like. I even had my own chamber upstairs. The Blue Room.”
James lifted his brows.
Oblivious to his host’s annoyance, Mr. Longham continued. “Many secrets and stories I could tell you about this house. For instance, let me show you one.” Mr. Longham returned his bundle to the chair and crossed the room with languid, intentional movements. He knocked on one of the wall’s painted panels, knocked on the one next to it, pushed it in, and surprisingly, it gave way, revealing a small alcove. He beamed back at James, as proud as a child with a new toy. “Concealed spaces.”
James stepped forward to get a closer view of the exposed depository. “I had no idea.”
Longham chuckled. “Ah yes. These recesses are scattered throughout this house, especially in the cellars. Mr. Clark used to keep French brandy in this one when it was his study, but as you can see, it’s been cleared out.”
As intrigued as James was about the hidden spaces in this venerable house, the hour was growing late, and he was more concerned about Miss Hale than any secret the house might possess. “Perhaps the next time you are in town you can share with us the house’s other mysteries. But it will be dark soon. I’m sure Miss Hale would like to return home.”
“Again, it was never my intention to upset Miss Hale.” Mr. Longham turned to her. “May I escort you back to the boardinghouse, my dear?”
James grew increasingly frustrated with the man’s assumed acquaintance with her. “I’ll make arrangements for a carriage to return Miss Hale.”
“My goodness, you take the job of host very seriously.” The solicitor turned to him, unhurried, and extended his hand. “Very well, very well. I wish you many happy and successful years here at Briarton Park, Warrington.”
James shook the extended hand.
Mr. Longham bowed toward Miss Hale. “I leave for London in the morning. But I will send word to you as soon as I am able after I arrange the meeting we discussed.”
She nodded.
He handed her a card. “Should you need to write me, this is where to reach me.”
Miss Hale accepted the card and tucked it in her reticule.
The three of them walked through the corridors to the great hall, where James and Miss Hale saw Mr. Longham out.
And then they were alone in the great hall.
James was uncomfortably aware of her presence, her nearness. Of the change in her disposition. Of how much he wanted to help her or offer some sort of comfort, but he didn’t know how.
“That Mr. Longham seems a long-winded fellow,” he said in an attempt to lighten the mood. “I hope whatever news he had for you was pleasant.”
At length she looked up at him absently, the expression that curved her full lips forced. Her cheery tone could not mask the melancholy underneath. “He answered a great many of my questions. I thought any information would bring consolation, but now it seems there are even more questions.”
He wanted to bring her encouragement, but how? “I’m certain that once you have time to contemplate what you learned, you will feel more at ease with it.”
“You are right, of course. I should be grateful. And I am. I just—” Her voice broke off, and she struggled for words. “I think it best that I return home.”