MARCH 1864
The steamer advanced towards the English shore as he looked on with grim resignation. The sun caressed his face, and the breeze ruffled his hair before twisting around him to lift the flaps of his overcoat in a playful dance. England looked welcoming and lush. His homeland seemed to have put on its best finery to receive him. And yet, he did not feel welcomed.
He approached this duty as a condemned man being led to serve his sentence. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. He was not a child anymore. He was a man now. Fully grown and in control of his life. He was not defenseless. Nor was he weak.
He sensed the approach of Wang before the man spoke. His friend and mentor had accompanied him in the capacity of his secretary. Although calling him his secretary was a gross misrepresentation. The man was his friend, colleague, and in many areas, his teacher. His knowledge of ancient Chinese medicine had enriched Colin’s medical practice and even helped him manage his condition.
“Your land is exquisite, my lord.”
He looked askance at Wang. With his average height, slight build and serene face it was easy to underestimate him. Yet Colin knew for a fact that he could defeat several men bigger than him in hand to hand combat. His friend was a master of martial arts. The first time he had seen Wang fight he had been beyond impressed, and had insisted and pestered the man until he agreed to teach him. That had been over ten years ago. Thanks to Wang’s teachings he now knew how to defend himself. Never again would he be a victim to bullies.
“You have never called me my lord in all the years we have known each other.”
“But that is the title you are about to assume. I thought it would be important to practice.”
“I don’t know if I’m up to the task, my friend.”
The older man turned to him. He knew Wang was in his fifties, although his unlined face and jet black hair did not betray his age. “Of course you are. The purpose of all your training was to prepare you for this. This is your destiny.”
He snorted. “More like my curse. Have I thanked you for coming with me?”
“Only about a thousand times. No need.” he waved his hand dismissively. “I wanted to see your homeland. What are your plans once we arrive?”
A shrug. “Go to Hartfield Park. Meet my stepmother and sister. See them settled. Assess the condition of my estates. If I’m lucky, everything will be in order and I’ll be able to return to my life in New York within the year.”
Wang shook his head. “Your life is here now. The sooner you accept that, the happier you will be. How about finding love? Acquiring a wife, having children.”
“Unlikely.”
“I thought the primary duty of an English Lord was to beget an heir to pass on the title.”
“It is.”
“But you won’t do it.” It was not a question.
The horn of the ship as it docked saved him from having to answer that. In truth, he didn’t know how to answer. He wouldn’t be averse to falling in love. But finding someone who'd love him might prove and impossible and heartbreaking goal. Now that he was an earl, there might be many ladies willing to throw themselves at him. After all, love was not a requirement, or even desirable, in an aristocratic marriage. But he wouldn’t enter a marriage like the one his parents had had. At least his mother had been able to escape it, although not without steep consequences.
The gangplank was lowered. He turned to Wang. “Let’s disembark. England awaits.”
“How much longer before we reach your home?”
“Not long enough.” He muttered as we walked towards the gangplank and his destiny.
