“Naturally,” Benjamin said with a slight frown. “Come in. Miss Whitchurch and I were discussing our future plans.” He waited for Duncan to step through the room’s portal, and for the lady to stand, before Benjamin leaned close to tell Duncan, “Miss Whitchurch has asked for my hand in marriage.”
Duncan burst into laughter before he reached for Miss Whitchurch’s hands. “Good for you, my girl. Yours is most excellent news. Most excellent, indeed.” Duncan leaned in to place a gentle kiss on her cheek. “Our Lord Thompson is sometimes too cautious.” His lordship kept hold of her hand. “Your news makes me doubly glad I called upon Macalhey House. I had hoped to speak to Thompson this evening on that very subject.”
“Please sit down, my lords,” Miss Whitchurch directed them with all the graciousness of a proper countess, but Benjamin made no such observation aloud.
“Should I pour you a drink, my lord?” he asked Duncan.
“I am well,” Duncan assured, “and I have been from Duncan Place longer than I should be. Sit. Both of you,” he ordered. When they were all comfortable, Duncan continued directing his statements to Miss Whitchurch. “First, I wish to apologize to you for not keeping my promise to learn more of your sister’s whereabouts.”
“Lord Thompson explained how you were called to address both personal, as well as governmental, duties,” she told Duncan. “I cannot complain, for all within your family have shown me great consideration. Lord Graham proved himself exemplary.”
Without a response, Duncan reached into an inside pocket of his coat and brought out several folded over pieces of paper. “I originally planned to speak to Thompson privately, but your news of a marriage proves I was not mistaken in the necessity to assist you promptly. Pray, permit me to speak to what I have executed: I hope you will approve.” He handed Benjamin the first of the papers. “Earlier this evening, I spoke to Mr. Braun, and the clergyman made ‘suggestions’ on how you two could present the child a future marking his legitimacy.”
Benjamin quickly scanned the paper and read it aloud. “Miss Cassandra Whitchurch married Lieutenant Anthony Chase in January of this year of our Lord,” he said in disbelief before handing the paper to Victoria to read.
“I created the name from the lists of the many killed in both America and Europe,” Duncan explained. “There is no such soldier on the war lists, but in all the chaos there will never be a true accounting of all those United Kingdom lost. There are, however, records of a Lieutenant Chase’s enlistment, thanks to Hartley who has developed his own sources in such matters.” Duncan sighed heavily when he turned over a second paper to Benjamin. “As there are too many who know something of Miss Cassandra anticipating her vows, neither Braun nor I thought it wise to claim that she married before the child was conceived. We agreed, however, that when Lieutenant Chase was called to return to his duties before the child’s birth, it was imminent for your sister and him to marry.”
Benjamin shot a quick glance to Miss Whitchurch. As she read the document, her eyes misted with tears. “What of Mr. Betts?” she asked softly. “Many in Hampshire know the rumors,” she explained softly. “My father lost his position in the local parish.”
“That cannot be completely changed,” Duncan admitted. “Few in London care for young Mr. Betts’s company nor do they respect Lord Betts. That being said, if Jonas Betts continues to tell others he wasMiss Cassandra’s ‘lover,’ the presence of church records will make him appear a fool, which is a name he is often called both to his face and behind his back.” Duncan motioned to the other papers. “I know you two would wish to have the boy christened, but it is no longer necessary. You simply must have someone other than one of you fill in the boy’s given name and then you must sign your own names, or better yet, take the document to Braun to fill in his part of the official record.”
Benjamin read the baptismal certificate. “Miss Whitchurch and I are listed as the child’s godparents.”
“As I just said, you two must make another journey to Braun’s church and sign the necessary paperwork there, perhaps, tomorrow afternoon once Braun is finished with his duties to his congregation. The child is now the legitimate son of Lieutenant and Mrs. Anthony Chase. What will you name him?”
“Ethan David,” Benjamin and Victoria said together.
Benjamin explained, “Miss Whitchurch decided on the name earlier this evening.” He looked to Victoria for her reaction to all Duncan had executed in his name before saying, “How might we thank you, my lord? I would never have thought Braun to be so useful!”
“There is no reason for an expression of gratitude,” Duncan said in exacting tones. “Even without blood ties, we are family. As to Braun, did you not realize Braun’s many connections? They vary greatly, for the man serves a ‘diverse’ population,” Duncan said with a chuckle. “Braun signed Lieutenant Chase’s name on the other document himself. As to the issue of the knowledge of Miss Cassandra’s anticipating her vows with Mr. Betts, you and your family have proof otherwise. Not necessarily of Miss Cassandra’s innocence, but of the boy’s legitimacy, and the child will not be punished for his parents’ indiscretions.”
