The latest edition of the Cryer will be delayed this morning. We’re waiting for the
Committee for Privileges—or as Lady Man-Eater likes to call them—a bunch of ‘white-wigged men’ to make a formal announcement as to who is the true head of the Eanruig earldom. A bit of news we did pick up this morning—one member of the committee divulged that he sits on a dais to keep Lady Man-Eater from attacking.
Sounds like a traveling circus, doesn’t it, gentle readers?
Fair and honest reporting always,
The Midnight Cryer
Thea smoothed her hands down the elegant but subdued blue-and-silver Italian crepe gown that Mademoiselle Mignon had crafted for her to wear today. Even the fine leather gloves that had been dyed to match couldn’t keep her palms dry. Her hands had become watering pots, and the hearing hadn’t even started. Her future and the fate of all the people that depended on her would be decided today. It would be a blessing to just have it over with. Living in limbo was hell.
Beside her sat Will, who looked impressive in a dark-navy double-breasted morning coat with black wool breeches. His silver silk waistcoat almost shimmered in the light, the material was so fine. A sapphire sparkled in the small stickpin he’d used in the intricately tied mathematical knot of his cravat. Every time she glanced at him, the thing appeared to wink at her, and she prayed it was a good omen.
Behind her, the entire Cavensham family had come to support her. The Duke and Duchess of Langham sat directly behind them, with Stella and Lady Edith directly behind. Claire and Pembrooke, McCalpin and March, along with Emma and Somerton sat directly behind the duke and duchess.
Even with all this support, the uncertainty of today’s outcome twisted her stomach into a knot that she didn’t think would ever become untangled. It didn’t help matters that Mr. Odell hadn’t arrived yet. His seat sat empty, and the table depressingly bare. Across the aisle, massive piles of papers were carefully sorted and laid in precise order in front of the duke’s solicitors.
She turned to Will, but he was talking to his father. She caught his eye, and he smiled in return. Just then, the door opened behind them, and the Duke of Ferr-Colby entered with his entourage. With his blond hair and blue eyes, he cut a striking figure. His straight posture and confident smile made him appear at ease—almost as if on a stroll in the park.
After he greeted the Duke and Duchess of Langham and the rest of the Cavensham family, he turned his attention to her. “Lady Eanruig, you look especially beautiful today.” He bowed slightly.
“That’s where you’re wrong, Ferr-Colby,” Will drawled. “She looks this way every single day.”
The duke winged an eyebrow, then returned his attention to Thea. “No solicitor? That’s a novel approach. Good luck.”
Thea didn’t answer.
As soon as the duke settled at the table directly across from Thea, three members of the committee in full ceremonial robes and wigs took their seats. Following behind them, another man entered.
Will leaned close. “That’s the attorney general. He’s here to listen and take notes for the Prince Regent. He’ll not ask any questions.”
Lord Howton called the hearing to order. “Is the claimant ready to procced?” He looked around the chamber. “Where is Mr. Odell?”
“I’m afraid Mr. Odell hasn’t arrived yet.” Thea rose slowly and faced the dais. Her pulse pounded, but she refused to sit. “Lord Howton, if it would please the committee, I’d like to say a few words first,” Thea announced with a strong and steady voice. Thankfully, no one knew her knees were knocking gently.
His eyes widened. “It’s out of the ordinary, but of course you may. Please proceed.”
Will also rose to stand beside her. He took her hand in his. His whisper only loud enough for her to hear. “Odell will be here. Just remember you are the true Countess of Eanruig, and your confidence and commitment are in rare form today.” He squeezed her hand gently. “Countess, you’ve never been more beautiful in my eyes than you are now.”
She squeezed his hand in acknowledgment.
When Will sat, his chair squeaked, the only sound in the chamber besides the pounding rhythm of her heart. She forced herself to ignore the stares of the committee members and glanced at the Cavenshams behind her. When her gaze settled on Stella and the Duke of Langham, she nodded. Slowly, she drew a deep breath for courage. The Daniels family flashed before her. Ladykyrk and its future depended on her succeeding today. She drew her shoulders back and faced the committee. Silence reigned through the chamber, but she’d not allow it to quiet her.
“I’d like to start with why the original Earldom of Eanruig was created in the first place.” Thea cleared her throat so her voice would carry through the room. “My ancestor, Alexander Gordon, who was named after King Alexander II, fought against the British repeatedly. In honor of his bravery for those battles long ago, Alexander Gordon was given the title of Earl of Eanruig and the land that is now called Ladykyrk by charter in the year 1012. The king decreed that the title would pass to the heirs of the marriage, not the male heirs of the marriage.”
Without a single note, Thea traced her entire ancestry, everything she’d learned from her grandfather, including his relentless lessons on the history of her family. Finally, she came to her mother. “I am the only heir from the marriage of my father, James Monmouth, the Earl of Northcross, to my mother, Lady Janet Worth, who was the only child of the previous Earl of Eanruig, who also held the title of the Duke of Ferr-Colby.”
Though she didn’t dare look, she felt Will’s warm gaze. Her confidence continued to strengthen, knowing he was by her side.
“My grandfather was a fair and just man. His loyalty has always been to the crown and the responsibilities he bore with his titles. One of those responsibilities entailed ensuring my readiness to assume my duties as the Countess of Eanruig, which I’ve been performing for years. There is only one decision that this committee can make today—the only decision that is fair and in the best interests of the estate and the people of Ladykyrk. That’s to declare the title of the Earldom of Eanruig as my birthright. Today, I stand before you and declare that my claim is true.”
Her last words echoed through the chamber. When they finally faded, silence blanketed the room. Lord Howton and the other members squirmed in their chairs. She might have been too passionate, too loud, but she would never forgive herself if she didn’t speak on her own behalf.
“Before I sit down, there’s another matter to be addressed, the rumors and allegations that have been printed about me and my grandfather.” She turned to Ferr-Colby. The spineless coward refused to look at her. With a slight shake of her head, she continued, “My grandfather was ill for seven years before he passed. When he started failing, his doctor and his most loyal servants came to me. It was in my grandfather’s best interests if his duties could be simplified. That’s when I took over the administrative and secretarial duties for him. With the help and support of Mr. John Miles, the butler for the ducal estate, Dunbar on Ferr, along with his brother, Mr. Charles Miles, the butler of Ladykyrk, we provided the best care possible for my grandfather and assistance in the management of his estates to the best of our abilities.”
Will’s steadfast presence gave her strength as Thea stared at the three committee members, daring them to question her.
“Barely at the age of eighteen, I took all responsibility for my grandfather’s well-being and the responsibilities of Ladykyrk and Ferr-Colby. Not once did his ducal heir make an effort to see about my grandfather’s welfare or the status of the ducal estate. Not once,” she repeated. “If anyone believes I’d do my grandfather harm, then they don’t know me nor do they know the loyal servants in my late grandfather’s employment.” Thea inched her chin upward. “If anyone”—she turned toward the duke—“would like to examine the account books for Ferr-Colby or the Earldom of Eanruig, then they are welcome. If they’d like to interview the servants, I’ll make the arrangements. I have no secrets to hide.”
Will rose from his chair and stood beside her. “I’d like to add to what the Countess has said today.”
Lord Howton nodded.
“I’ve had the opportunity to become familiar with the tenants of Ladykyrk. Every single one of them praises the Countess of Eanruig’s efforts. Under her management, the estate and the Ferr-Colby duchy have prospered. Lady Eanruig’s tenants respect her for not only her business acumen but her kindness and her willingness to work hard for them.” Will turned toward her and smiled. “For anyone to besmirch her integrity is a travesty. I can attest to that. All the rumors and innuendoes that have been printed or bandied about are utter hogwash.”
The smile on Will’s face hit her square in the chest, and she stood a little taller, basking in the warmth and pride of his gaze.
“Gentlemen, I find myself in the most fortunate position of being betrothed to this amazing woman. I can only come to one conclusion. Jealousy and pettiness are the source of such ugly rumors and the utterly ridiculous challenge to her claim.”
Lord Howton cleared his throat. “That’s all well and good, and we appreciate your candor and observations. However, your conjectures regarding the reasons for the rumors aren’t relevant here.”
“Oh really?” Will drawled. “Well, when my fiancée is threatened with a capital crime, I think it best to be on the offensive.” Tenderly, he took her hand. “I’ll not allow her reputation to be ruined because of someone’s greed.”
Ferr-Colby stood. “Now see here!”
“Gentlemen, both of you sit.” Howton banged a gavel. “This hearing will not be turned into a spectacle.” He turned his attention to Thea. “Outside of your oration about your family’s lineage and the few papers that have been submitted on your behalf, you’ve presented no evidence against the Duke of Ferr-Colby’s challenge to the title nor have you presented the title’s charter. Do you have any other evidence?”
A suffocating silence surrounded her as the room grew quiet. If someone dropped a needle, everyone would surely hear it. Thea’s stomach fell in a free fall along with all her hopes for success. “That’s all I have, my lord.”
Howton leaned back in his chair and stared at her as if making a decision. After a grueling moment, he addressed her. “It’s the claimant’s responsibility to prove their claim. I can’t advise the attorney general and the Prince Regent you are the rightful heir without irrefutable evidence.”
Will stood abruptly, followed by the Duke of Langham.
“Howton, we’re all aware that once a title is granted, it can’t be taken away,” Will practically growled the words.
“Please, Lord William. Treason and murder are reasons for titles to be revoked.” Howton sighed. “If I need your instruction about the granting of titles, I’ll ask you the question directly. I don’t need a lecture.”
“No, but you’d better listen to me,” demanded the Duke of Langham. “Do not make a mistake that can’t be undone.”
Clearly irritated, Lord Howton regarded both Will and his father.
Stella and Edith were fretfully whispering behind her.
Someone from the duke’s table said, “She’s going to lose.”
Thea’s vision blurred, and she gripped the edge of the table tightly in hopes she’d not faint into a heap. This was her day of reckoning for all her misdeeds in the care of her grandfather and his ducal estate. Silence roared in her ears, portending she would lose Ladykyrk and the chance to protect her grandfather’s legacy.
The crack of the gavel shattered the uneasy quiet that had surrounded her. Fate had slapped her in the face.
“Since the claimant has no other evidence except her oral history, the committee will take the matter under advisement—”
“I apologize, my lord, for my tardiness,” Mr. Odell called out as he practically ran down the aisle to stand next to Thea. “I was detained by an important matter.”
“More important than the hearing?” Howton queried. His anger clearly hadn’t abated.
Mr. Odell turned to Thea and whispered, “I’m certainly sorry if I caused you any worries, my lady.” Then he addressed the dais. “Lord Howton, just now a courier from Ladykyrk arrived with documents. We’re hopeful it’s the charter, and if so, it’s crucial evidence that the committee must see.”
As the other committee members whispered amongst one another, Howton scowled. “Please proceed.”
Thea sat. Only then did she start to tremble. Will sat too, but discreetly took her hand. Gently, he rubbed his thumb against her hand.
Mr. Odell retrieved documents from his leather portfolio, then turned his attention to the committee. “My lord, it’s simple really. The Duke of Ferr-Colby’s argument is that King Charles II made a mistake in granting the title to descend to ‘heirs of the marriage’ which would have allowed females to inherit instead of ‘male heirs of the marriage.’ In 1660, John Worth, the fifteenth Earl of Eanruig, returned the title and the deeds of land to King Charles II as a show of support for his majesty. In return, the king reissued the patent for the title to the earl. The language in the charter received this morning will clearly state, the title would descend to the ‘heirs of the marriage’ not the ‘male heirs of the marriage’ as is customary for English titles.”
Lord Howton glanced at Ferr-Colby, who raised an eyebrow.
Mr. Odell didn’t wait for a signal to continue. “Respectfully, the Duke of Ferr-Colby argues that since an English king granted the title, it should have provided that the succession of the title passed to the oldest ‘male heir of the marriage’ as the English law of primogeniture provides.” Mr. Odell leaned forward as if divulging a grand secret. “But this is a Scottish title, and Charles II was also the King of Scotland, which has a long tradition of allowing titles to pass to females. Since the reign of Robert the Bruce, female succession has been prevalent. The king knew exactly what he was doing. There was no mistake.”
The entire room went silent. Ferr-Colby slowly pushed his chair back and stood. “If that’s the language of the charter, then I agree. But I want to review the document for myself.”
The three committee members nodded. The attorney general was frantically whispering to his scribe what to write down.
With Will by her side, Thea allowed herself to embrace with open arms a spark of hope that it was over. She squeezed Will’s hand, and he returned the gesture.
Mr. Odell opened the leather portfolio and pulled out a stained parchment. He quickly read the document, then bent his head and closed his eyes for a moment. Finally, he turned to her. “I’m sorry, my lady.”
Ice threaded through her veins, and she sat there frozen, unable to move or feel.
“May I?” Ferr-Colby stood and extended his hand.
Odell slowly handed the document to the duke, then exhaled painfully.
For an eternity, Ferr-Colby examined the documents. He passed the documents to his solicitor, Mr. Blaze, who nodded.
The duke leaned over and gave the documents back to Mr. Odell. “Thank you, sir.” He turned his attention to the dais where the members of the committee sat. “It’s the original charter which became null and void on the issuance of the second charter by King Charles II. It isn’t relevant to my claim. Based upon Lady Eanruig’s statements and what I’ve learned today, I’m more certain than ever that the earldom should be awarded to me.” He looked over to Odell. “By Lady Eanruig’s own recitation of the title’s passage through the family, it has always descended through the firstborn males.”
Lord Howton nodded.
The attorney general stood and addressed Thea. “Lady Eanruig, it’s my duty to advise the Prince Regent that you have not proven you are the rightful heir, and as such you are not to be admitted to the peerage with all the rights and dignities associated with the Earldom of Eanruig.”
With little fanfare, the attorney general left the room.
“This hearing is adjourned.” Howton pounded his gavel, then exited after the attorney general, followed by the other members of the committee.
A soft cry of disbelief broke from her lips. She covered her mouth with her hand at the outburst. In the span of less than an hour, she’d lost everything. Slowly, she brought her hand to her forehead while a suffocating sensation crowded her chest.
“Where did they find this charter?” Will closed the distance between them, then leaned close to Mr. Odell.
“It arrived by special courier.” Odell shook his head slightly, then lowered his voice so they couldn’t be overheard. “Mr. Miles sent it. His note said he’d found it in the henhouse.”
Mr. Blaze asked to speak with Mr. Odell, and the two gentlemen stepped away.
“Mr. Miles doesn’t read Latin,” Thea murmured. She had no energy to speak any louder.
“Thea, darling, look at me.” Will’s voice broke the spell that encased her, and she finally turned to him. “Your grandfather hid it there?” He spoke softly so others couldn’t hear.
“Most likely,” she answered.
“It stands to reason that he hid the other charter there too.” Will’s eyes searched hers as if willing her to fight. “We have several trustworthy solicitors that can leave for Ladykyrk within the hour to search for you. They have associates who can accompany them.”
“No,” she whispered. “It needs to be me.”
“I’ll go with you.” Just then Ferr-Colby laughed and drew Will’s attention from her. “I’ll kill him,” Will said as his furious gaze bore into the duke’s back.
Thea placed her hand on his arm. “It’s over.”
His hands tightened into fists. “No, it’s not.”
“No,” she said firmly. “The only thing important now is to leave this room.”
Will’s intense blue eyes stared into hers. “All right.”
His words were a promise, and inside, Thea’s heart pounded in agreement. But her mind told her to let it go. Such efforts for retribution wouldn’t help Ladykyrk or its tenants right now.
The Duke of Langham came to their side. “I’m on my way to see the Prince Regent.” His gaze locked with hers. “Thea, I’ll make him promise not to decide anything at least until we can think of a plan to right this wrong.”
Will took her hand in his. “Shall I go with you?”
His father shook his head. “Take Thea home.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” All the earlier tumult in her brain had disappeared, only to be replaced by despair. She closed her eyes. She had spoken from the heart to the committee, and her grandfather’s wishes hadn’t prevailed.
Thoughts of the tenants, Mr. and Mrs. Miles, and the folly crashed through her. She’d failed them, just as she’d failed her grandfather. A sob welled inside, but she refused to allow it to escape.
An hour ago, she thought of herself as the true Countess of Eanruig, with all the responsibilities that it entailed, and she’d relished every part of it.
Now, she was simply Theodora Worth, a woman without any place to call home in the world.
Will hadn’t had much of a chance to talk to Thea alone since his entire family had swept her into Langham Hall to offer their support and love after the hearing. While he spoke with McCalpin about the day’s event, Thea had stolen away to her room, then sent word she wouldn’t attend dinner. Not wanting her to be alone, Will had asked that a tray for two, a bottle of whisky from the Langham cellars, and two glasses be delivered to his room.
After today, his decision had become clearer. He wanted to marry her. The overwhelming need to have her forever in his life felt right—for both of them. He never wanted her to hurt again.
Always ready to shed his uncomfortable evening clothes, Will had put on his favorite pair of doeskin breeches with his silk banyan tied around his waist. Before he could make his way through the dressing room between their chambers, a knock sounded on the connecting door.
He opened the door within seconds. Immediately, Thea’s expression caught him off guard. He’d known she’d be despondent from the results of today. Who wouldn’t be? But the haunted look on her face broke his heart.
With his gaze, he caressed her, then held out his arms. “Thea, I’m relieved you’re here.”
At the sound of her name, she rushed into his embrace. “I needed to see you.”
He wrapped her tightly to him. “And I you.”
For how long they stood locked together, he couldn’t tell. But he’d hold her forever like this if it gave her comfort. Never had he wanted to take the pain from someone as much as he did with Thea. Gently, he pressed his lips to the top of her head. She exhaled painfully.
She leaned back, and her mystical eyes met his. “I’ve thought about your suggestion to go to Ladykyrk together, and I agree. But I want to go to Lady Prydewell’s soirée tomorrow.”
Of all the things she would say, her wish to attend a society event surprised him. “I’ll escort you. Is there a reason?”
She nodded once. “I want to show society that I’ll not give up. If I leave for Ladykyrk tomorrow, then London will think I’m running away. But if I make an appearance tomorrow, they’ll realize I’m still fighting for my title. I can’t allow the Cryer or Ferr-Colby to taint my reputation any more than they already have.”
“That’s wise in my opinion.” Her determination to continue to fight thrilled him. She’d not back down after this setback, proving his Thea was impressively strong.
She pressed her lips together. “I thought … if you’re still willing … we could leave the day after.”
“I will always be willing.” He brushed the back of one finger across her cheek, the skin silken soft. “I’m ready to tear apart a henhouse.”
She grinned, then reached up and kissed his cheek. “What do you have there?” She left his embrace and walked to the tray with the food, whisky, and glasses. “Are we having another whisky lesson?”
“I thought you might be hungry. And thirsty.” He came to her side and lifted the bottle in his hand as if she were a goddess and he was making an offering for her pleasure.
“Just thirsty,” she answered. “I couldn’t eat a bite.”
He moved closer and stood directly behind her. “Maybe after a drink?”
With his free hand, he gently trailed his fingers across her cheek, and she leaned into his body. She felt so perfect in his embrace. He ran his lips up the tender slope of her neck until his mouth rested against her ear. “Though you didn’t get the result you wanted today, we’ll not give up without a fight. You were simply magnificent today, Thea. You took my breath away.”
She inhaled deeply, and her breasts rose as if demanding to be admired. Her beauty could make men fall to their knees in praise, and he held that perfection in his arms. He’d do everything he could to comfort her.
“Will?” The whisper of his name across her lips sent blood pulsing through his body.
“Hmm,” he murmured, as he teased and kissed the tender spot below her ear.
She leaned her head sideways, so he could have greater access. Without kissing her, he trailed his lips down her neck this time.
“I want to stay with you tonight,” she answered.