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Henry nodded. “I don’t see it serves any purpose to pursue an annulment now. You are clearly not a virgin, Dara, and I have my peculiarities.”
“As a wife, Dara will raise any children as Henry’s heirs, and in return you’ll not interfere with our affairs. We’ll not mention yours either.”
“Our children?” Dara said, aghast. “You would—”
“Aye, lass. I would for your sake, not his. They will inherit his title and bear his name. But in secret, we’ll know they’re ours. Now and again, Henry will return home and play the role of father and husband in some suitable public venue. He may then leave to return to the life he chooses. Neither of you, if we are careful, need suffer any dire consequences.”
Henry scoffed. “Have my wife raise her children in a hovel? How will this fit the story? Who will they think you are?”
Dara pulled a face. “I admit, servants would be useful, and I don’t wish to live in that cottage—”
Matthew interrupted without rancour. “The cottage will be gone, and as for the children, they’ll known me as their uncle.”
“I’m sorry,” said Henry, alarmed. “Their uncle—”
“What about the cottage?” added Dara, confused.
Matthew held a hand to silence them both. “Heavens, you’re as bad as each other in the matter of patience. I have not lived frugally for no purpose, lass. I have saved every penny, and there is a small deceit on the part of our grandmother, Henry, the duchess.”
Henry’s eyebrows furrowed. “What deceit?”
“She sent money to my mother after she married my father. In secret, of course. My father opened a bank account in my name. The amount grew and I added to it later. It’s now a sizeable fortune. I plan to replace my hovel, as you call it, with a fine manor house and I’ll move my farm labourers into a purpose-built settlement by the river. I shall do so using my name, Denzel, to save you any embarrassment.”
Henry’s jaw had dropped as low as Dara’s. Both of them sat in silence, absorbing Matthew’s plan, while he petted the dogs’ heads with his workman’s hands.
“I see,” muttered Henry eventually. “It seems there is no reason to object to your arrangement.”
“Aye, except for one small matter. Folks will need to know that Dara visits kin, your brother, the uncle of your future children, and that will then explain why she stays with me for protection, while you do your travelling. Long journeys, I take it?”
“Very long,” Henry smiled. “I understand. “I shall ensure you are recognised as my legitimate half-brother. Not a Coleman, obviously, but nevertheless my kin.”
“Good.” Matthew nodded
. “This will go some way to restoring our mother’s good name. The Denzels will be landed gentry in a few years’ time, you’ll see, and they’ll be nothing humble in the education of my children; they’ll be upstanding in society. We’ll be discreet, naturally, and just as you’ve trusted your servants to stay loyal to you, mine will too. Pay them a decent wage and they’ll turn a blind eye, and ear, to overheard conversations between me and Dara.”
“Indeed,” said Henry dryly. “Although, as I’ve learnt to my cost, I suggest you interrogate them carefully first.” He held up the crumpled letter. “Or else they’ll return to make trouble for you.”
Matthew held out his hand. “Give me the letter.”
Henry hesitated before handing it over. Matthew turned to the fireplace. The embers were still warm from the previous evening’s blaze. He poked the paper deep into the hottest ashes and slowly, the paper crisped, turned black, and disintegrated.
“As I said, I can always get another one, but I don’t think we need threats anymore. What do you think, brother?” Matthew raised his eyebrows.
“I think you’re quite correct,” said Henry pleasantly. The colour of his skin was no longer flushed with embarrassment. He eased back in his seat and snapped his fingers. The dogs, pausing to look up at Matthew, wavered for a second before wagging their tails and settling at his feet. “It seems I’m still master of Willowby Hall.”
“Aye,” said Matthew. He held out his hand and drew Dara to her feet. “We’ll get her clothes and things, and go.”
Dara was supposed to be acting the part of Lady Coleman. She tugged on Matthew’s sleeve and said quietly, “Shouldn’t I stay until—”
“I think his lordship will be leaving again quite soon. He’s good news to tell somebody important in his life. Aren’t I right, brother?”
“Yes, I shall be gone early in the morning. I have a long journey. I suspect this time I might be gone... eight or nine months? Would that suit your plans?”
Dara stroked her belly. “Quite probably. You should return for the baptism of your child. Matthew will be the godfather, and we can celebrate with a party, invite my parents and sisters to see our successful enterprises.”
Matthew waited until they were out of the house before speaking again. “Fancy a walk home?”
“Yes, Master.”
