“Anything I have to say to Miss Baldwin is in the note. Everything beyond the jewelry, I will leave to your discretion. Yet, warn her. If she thinks ever again to approach me or Lady Beaufort or any of my family, she will greatly regret the thought. I will not have her ladyship harassed by a woman of Miss Baldwin’s nature.”
“In case Ihave not told you,” his wife said as their coach pulled to the side before Duncan Place, “I do not regret our marriage in any way. As long as you are with me, I will know happiness.”
“From where did those sentiments come?” Navan asked.
“I do not know, but I thought it important to say the words, especially before we face my brother’s accusations and then the curiosity of the Smithfields. I am well aware you are doing all this for me. Alexander shall not like the idea of our maternal relations seeking me out when they once had refused his overtures,” she explained.
“I think much of that came from the former viscount, for his plans to marry your mother off to someone willing to assist with your grandfather’s debts were thwarted by the marriage of your parents. Lord Jonathan Dutton, your paternal grandfather, was not willing to assist the Smithfields, as had been your mother’s intended. Moreover, when Alexander first approached the Smithfields with his return to Marksman Abbey, he was still aligned with the Marksman’s earldom, a dynasty which had brought the Smithfields, as you will know them, to their knees after your parents’ elopement. When the Smithfields sought redress from Lord Jonathan Dutton, his lordship refused. The Smithfields suffered greatly for many years due to the scandal associated with the elopement and the loss of the promised funds from your mother’s intended family. In fact, they would have had to pay the man reparations for her breaking the engagement.”
“I had no idea,” Annalise said in pure amazement.
“Naturally, you would not.” He paused before adding, “I know something of which even your brother is not likely aware. I overheard Duncan speaking on Alexander’s birth to two of the men the government hired to bring Alexander to the earldom. Your brother followed me in the order of those Duncan took under his care, and I was not supposed to be in the room, but I was hiding behind the drapes when the discussion occurred. I had gone into Duncan’s study to claim one of the hard sugar clove candies he keeps in his desk drawer.”
“Why does Alexander not know what you do?” she asked in concern.
“Because Duncan initially feared it might deny Alexander the earldom until Duncan could prove what all suspected,” he told her as his footman climbed down from the carriage, sending it rocking slightly.
“Tell me,” she instructed.
Navan purposely left the door latched on the inside until they finished their discussion. “Unlike with Aaran, who was legitimate only after Duncan convinced a Scottish court that the previous Lord Graham and a woman known as Maude Bell were married, for they had stood before an inn full of patrons and claimed to be husband and wife… Such is legal in Scotland, by the way, but England requires an actual marriage before a clergy of the Church of England. Like us, your parents also married in a Scottish church, and it was one ordained by the Church of England. The thing that was different was that six months later, Alexander was born.”
Navan studied the myriad of emotions crossing her features. It took her more than a moment to understand completely what he had confided in her.
“They anticipated their vows?” she asked.
“Though it is possible to have been only once, it is more likely they enjoyed each other’s charms on multiple occasions,” he said. “Your parents married, for they were expecting a child. Your father thought Lord Jonathan Dutton would support them, for if their child proved to be a boy, that child would be the heir presumptive to the earldom. The eldest son, Lawrence, had not yet married, and, ironically, he died of a heart attack shortly after his succession as the 10th earl. The second son Richard died in a duel on the Continent, and the third son was thrown from his horse and died. Your father was correct in his assumption, but no one could have predicted his success when his three older brothers had failed.
“Lord Jonathon Dutton did not turn your father out, for the 9thearl would never have abandoned a possible heir completely. His lordship presented your father with a large farm to sustain him in case he was to be called to serve the earldom. Unfortunately, the Honorable Robert Dutton had no skills to survive on the land, proving what his father thought all along—being able to produce an heir did not make Robert worthy of being the future earl. As Alexander has told you, your father meant to prove his father in error. His greatest achievement was surviving long enough to make Alexander the 12th Earl Marksman. Your brother is often a selfish arse, but he has proven to be the best of the Duttons.” He held up his hand to prevent her initial comment. “Actually, I married the best of the Duttons. Your brother is still second best.”
She smiled with a bit of sadness in her expression. “I am truly grieved by all that happened to both of my parents and Alexander. Your confession puts much into perspective. I shall never expose the truth to Alexander, for I do not believe him of the nature to tolerate the idea of being conceived out of wedlock.” She sighed heavily. “We should go in. They will wonder why we are still in the carriage.”
“I will simply tell them I am resistant to sharing my bride with anyone, even family,” he claimed.
She observed, “My mother loved Robert Dutton enough to stay with him even as their lives became smaller and smaller and filled with no hope. He harmed her dearly by sending her away. Yet, like her, I would stay with you no matter the circumstances,” she said in such honesty that it shook Navan to his core.
If his wife had any idea how deeply her simplest statements of devotion affected him, she would know great embarrassment. Yet, he cherished her innocent goodness deep in his heart.
“Let us go inside, my love,” he instructed. “Tomorrow, we will call upon the Smithfields. The Beauforts are gathering their rag, tag, and bobtail family. We will soon be the most diverse and interesting people in all of theton.”
“My boy!” Duncandeclared as he caught Navan up in a manly embrace. “You have been sorely missed over the last few months.”
“I was in Ireland with my grandmother, who is quite ill,” Navan explained. It was the tale he and Annalise agreed to repeat to one and all.
Duncan did not comment, which meant he had already learned some of Navan’s business in Ireland. Navan could not imagine that Lord Macdonald Duncan would deny either Alexander’s or Theodora’s request to learn if Navan had married Annalise properly. Instead, Duncan turned to Annalise and also embraced her. “You are doubly welcome in my home, my lady.”
“Thank you, sir,” she said meekly, which meant she was dreading facing Alexander.
“Come in,” Duncan instructed. His lordship led the way into the interior rooms, while Navan caught Annalise’s hand and placed it on his arm to support her. He leaned his head to the side and whispered, “My money says Alexander and Theodora are already waiting for us in the sitting room.”
She nodded her head in gratitude for the warning, just as Lord Duncan stepped aside to reveal Beaufort’s prediction to be accurate. Her brother immediately caught Annalise up into his embrace. “I was very worried for you.”
“There was no need to worry,” Annalise said in competent tones. “Your brothers saw to my safety in your absence, and Mr. Rheem proved quite efficient as always.”
“And, of course, Annalise’s quick thinking had her jumping from a moving carriage. You were not required, my lord, as I am confident Duncan has told you several times,” Navan added in a taunt.
Alexander grimaced in frustration, but he ignored Beaufort’s insinuation. “And you married?” he asked his sister.
“Absolutely not!” Beaufort swore in a mocking tone. “We have been living in sin for the last two months!”
