“Take your coat off first,” Hetty said impatiently. “It’s dripping.”
Eddy pulled off his heavy coat and cap, both new. Magdalene knew Judah had cared for the boy with as much coin as he might have spent on a son of his own. She led him into the kitchen and poured him a cup of tea while Hetty slapped buns onto a plate and put them in front of him.
Magdalene suspected the maid had hoped to toast them for her own tea. “How is the captain? He called two days ago.”
“I haven’t seen him since breakfast. He went to Redcake’s.” Eddy inhaled the bun as if he’d had no breakfast.
“You have been working on your speech. I believe your vocabulary has improved.”
“That tutor ’as me reading these books. Long books.”
“You are used to short newspaper articles,” Magdalene agreed. “But do you really want to go back and work in the cold? Perhaps you should stay until spring, at least. You are well fed and clothed.”
“I don’t want the captain to get attached to me, like,” Eddy said. “I ’ave me a ’eart. ’e’s a sad fellow, and I don’t want to ’urt ’im more.”
“Why is he sad?”
Eddy shrugged. “Maybe because ’e’s all alone in a big city? Because ’is mother died? I don’t know.”
Maybe because the woman he loved rejected him.
“I never thought him sad.”
“You don’t have to live with ’im. ’e’s very reserved. ’ardly laughs at me jokes anymore.”
Poor man. “It might be kinder to stay for a bit. You don’t want your benefactor in the depths of melancholia.”
“It’s quiet and boring in ’is ’ouse!” Eddy pushed back his chair. “I like a bit of action and noise about. I like doing things with me ’ands. I can’t even whittle because Penny doesn’t like the shavings about.”
A banging on the front door commenced. Hetty rushed into the hallway and was soon back with Captain Shield, followed by Lewis Noble.
Magdalene could not keep the smile from radiating across her face. Eddy, on the other hand, went into a slump, staring down at the table.
“Mr. Farmer came to me, saying this young man had given his tutor the slip.” Judah frowned down at Eddy.
“You shouldn’t ’ave left work, guv. You’re busy,” Eddy mumbled.
“I was concerned,” Judah said. “Mr. Noble brought me in his steam car since he had just pulled up at the loading dock at Redcake’s. It was a fast ride. Have you been here all this time?”
“Only for a few minutes,” Magdalene said.
“I went around to the shops, to see if I could get a job. I start next week at a shop, fetching and delivering their paper subscriptions.” Eddy puffed out his bantam chest.
“That does not sound like a step forward,” the captain said. “Why would you want to do that?”
“He wants a more active life,” Magdalene said. “He claims not to be made for quiet scholarship.”
“Why don’t you stay with me?” Lewis Noble suggested with a glance at Judah. “I could use another set of hands in my machine shop.”
“I want to give the lad an education,” Judah said. “He is an intelligent, likeable boy.”
“The captain treats him like a son,” Magdalene said. But she felt Eddy was far too independent, and had been on his own far too long, to want to be a son.
“I just need a bed and an interesting job,” Eddy said. “I would happily work in a machine shop.”
“Don’t you want to learn mathematics, Eddy?” Judah asked. “And history and politics?”
“I don’t need education for education’s sake,” Eddy said. “I can learn all that I want from the papers.”
Lewis put his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “I can teach him the math he needs for machinery. There is a great deal to learn. It is not a job one can do without any training.”
“Are you offering him an apprenticeship of sorts?” Judah asked.
Lewis nodded. “There is a little room off the shop he can sleep in. I’ll pay for his food and clothing, plus a bit of pocket money if he proves himself useful.”
“At least he’ll be indoors,” Magdalene said, wishing Judah didn’t look so troubled. He obviously wanted the boy to stay with him. He was a protector, a good honorable man who wanted to care for anyone he took under his wing. Like her. He had liked her so he offered her a job, then had fallen in love with her so he offered her marriage. She had thought, like Eddy, that the life he envisioned was not the one she wanted. But now, she could see what Eddy was throwing away and she wished he would not.
Judah cleared his throat. “You will always have a home with me if you need it, Eddy. But I must say Mr. Noble has excellent skills and unique inventions.”
Magdalene was touched by his willingness to let Eddy go, despite his feelings. He was a good man.
“We will still be friends?” Eddy said, pushing back from the table and walking over to Judah. “And you’ll give Mr. Farmer a reference? ’e’s not a bad’un, just isn’t for me.”
“Of course,” Judah said.
“Why don’t I take him home to pack?” Lewis suggested. “You had half a dozen crises brewing when you left.”
“I want to break the news to Mr. Farmer myself,” Judah said. “Do you think you can take Eddy to your shop now, and I’ll send his things over tonight?”
“Of course,” Lewis said. “Do you want to ride in a steam-powered carriage, my boy?”
Eddy grinned. “Yes, guv, I do.”
Judah inclined his head to Magdalene. “I apologize for disturbing your morning. How is Manfred?”
“He is sleeping comfortably. His fever is gone completely, but George has a touch of it now. He slept on a pallet next to Manfred’s bed all those nights I was gone, so he was bound to feel the effects of the illness himself.”
“I sincerely hope you do not succumb as well,” Judah said. “May I call on you tomorrow evening to check on you?”
“You need to come back today,” Eddy said. “I ate all of ’er raisin buns.”
“Tonight then,” Judah said. “With a hamper from the bakery.”
She nodded quickly, wondering if he would pose his question to her again. The idea of a proposal from him now excited her, while the one from the baronet had filled her with dread. A fashionable life was all very well, but she’d rather have a busy life in the upper tradesman classes with a man who loved her, than a lonely life in high Society with a near stranger. Judah cared for the happiness of those he loved. She could not doubt it.
Chapter Twenty
M
ondays were usually busy days, but Judah had not calculated in the added complications of a defected ward, terminating the employment of a tutor, packing and delivering belongings, and calling on a lover with a hamper of raisin buns. So it was with some trepidation that he sat down to his dinner before he left home to deliver the belongings and buns.
“Your post, Captain,” said Penny, dropping a pile of envelopes next to his plate.
Normally, he would read them in front of the fire after he supped, discarding all the invitations that came despite his unsociability in the fall. But still the invitations came, and more besides, as the men from his club added him to their social world. He saw one from Lord and Lady Mews that he would normally discard, but that was Magdalene’s social circle. The invitation was for a pre-Christmas gathering. For the sake of seeing her he would accept.
Next he found a letter posted from Heathfield. When he opened it, he recognized his brother’s confident scrawl.
Judah, I know the question of your birth has continued to trouble you. I would rather withhold this communication from the former servant I contacted for you, as it does no credit to any of the involved parties, including you, me, and our sister, but I understand you will be happier knowing. Be assured of our love and devotion. In fact, after reading this letter, I do hope you will reconsider using your title for the family’s sake, and for the sake of your future wife, whether you link yourself to the Cross family, the Courtnay family, or someone as yet unnoticed.
Judah stared down at the folded papers Hatbrook had included. He could see through the top page to large, blotchy letters. Tears perhaps? Or a hand unused to a pen? Taking a moment to prepare himself, he stepped to his bar table, which had been moved into the parlor. Slowly, he poured a finger of Drambuie into a glass, savoring the uncertainty of the last moment before he discovered who his father had been. He stared into the fire and sipped the drink. Then, he returned to his chair and the letter.
Dear Lord Judah, I do not know if you remember me, but I am John Dewey, who was the underbutler at Hatbrook Farm when you were a lad. The marquess has been visiting those of us former servants who retired in Sussex, inquiring into your parents’ lives. The matter is a delicate one, but he gave me your note, and assures me you do desire this information that I set before you.
My lady, your mother, was sorely mistreated by your father, who was absent for long periods of time once his nursery began to fill. She leaned heavily on Robert Harmony, who was my superior and the butler to the family, as well as a distant cousin to the Shields. I believe they had an intimate connection. Two of the reasons I believe I am correct are this: After you were born, Mr. Harmony held his position for one more year. When the marquess made his appearance on the estate, the first one since your birth, he and the butler had a loud altercation, after which Mr. Harmony was turned out without a reference. This is not the way any family treats an esteemed, well-liked, and efficient higher servant, so something untoward must have occurred between him and the marquess. Shortly after, your mother was terribly ill and kept to her rooms for weeks. I believe she suffered the loss of another child, perhaps because of her husband’s bodily mistreatment of her.
Judah put down the letter, sickened by the story. Had the late marquess beaten his mother when he discovered the truth? He could not focus on that terrible thought for long. His blood heated with interest about this Mr. Harmony and his fate after leaving the Farm.
That is the first proof I offer, Lord Judah. The second is this: I had never seen eyes so unusual as Mr. Harmony’s, until I saw them in your own face. Tiger eyes, I believe the maids called them, for the striations of amber and brown were as pretty as the gemstone that carries that name. This is not a proof, but he shared your interest in military matters as well. Mr. Harmony joined the army after he was let go. He was ultimately sent to Ireland, where he died in 1870. A relatively young man, but there was illness in the camp. I believe he is buried there.
I do hope you forgive the impertinence of this communication, but if it is any comfort to you, I remember one more thing. You loved to crawl along the checkerboard pattern in the front hall, and when you learned to stand you would often hold on to the table in the front hall. It was there you took your first halting steps, and it was Mr. Harmony who held your hand. It was he to whom you walked. I witnessed the moment myself. Unfortunately, so did the marquess, coming in from a shoot, and I believe that was Mr. Harmony’s undoing. Your servant, John Dewey.
Judah set the letter down and drained his glass. After a moment, he chuckled aloud. Having read this astonishing communication, his brother wished him to become Lord Judah Shield again? He should be plain Judah Harmony. Yet, all involved were dead, the mystery was solved, and his brother wanted no chink in the family armor. At least Robert Harmony had been a relation. His brother’s heir would arrive in the spring, his sister had just made her debut, and his brother knew he contemplated marriage. The fact that he didn’t make a complaint of his affection for Magdalene was a statement in itself. He could have her with nary a word of mistreatment by Hatbrook if he stepped into line.
And Magdalene? She would say yes far more easily to Lord Judah than Captain Shield. He knew this for a truth. But had he been Captain Shield too long to make the switch in her eyes?
The clock downstairs told him it was seven p.m., and he still had to make his calls. He opened the parlor door and yelled down the hall for Lawrence to order him a hansom and load in the baggage.
An hour later he had delivered Eddy’s box and a Christmas cake to Lewis Noble. Mindful of the time, he had refused a slice of the cake and returned to the hansom, promising he would visit again later in the week. At eight p.m., the hansom came to a stop in front of the Cross home. Though heavy curtains protected the ground floor, he could see lights on the first floor. Magdalene must still be expecting him.
He climbed the steps, to which clung tiny particles of sand in the hopes of forestalling ice, and knocked. Hetty peered out a few minutes later.
Judah held up his hamper. “Raisin bun delivery.”
Hetty took the hamper from his hand. “Thank you very much, I’m sure. Good evening to you, Captain.” She began to close the door.
He heard footsteps on the stairs behind the maid.
“Hetty! Is that Captain Shield? Invite him in, please.”
Hetty shrugged. “You didn’t say you wanted to come in. I’ll fetch a tea tray.”
Magdalene’s cheeks were pink. “I assumed you wanted to call. Was I wrong?”
“No,” Judah assured her. “I have something to show you.”
“Oh? I have a fire lit in the parlor.”
“Thank you.” He took off his coat and hat and handed them to her.
After she had placed them on pegs, she opened the parlor door and walked in. He followed, enjoying the movement of her hips, though he did wonder why she wore her cakie uniform instead of a more fashionable garment.
She blushed when she turned and saw him staring at her, then looked down. “Oh, you’ve caught me wearing this again. It is so comfortable for nursing.”
“I believe my brother found it difficult to persuade his wife to give up her uniform,” Judah said.
“Yes, they are such practical dresses. Well, I shall not bore you with garment concerns. What did you want to show me?” She sat on a sofa.
Her expression seemed so welcoming, with none of the reserve she had exhibited on his two previous visits. While he knew showing her the letter might finally end their relationship for good, she had offered him the ultimate intimacy and even for a Scandalous Cross girl, that had to mean something.
Without making a pretense of polite behavior, he sat down next to her on the sofa. “I want you to know that I have decided to resume my courtesy title and leave my military one behind.”
“Oh?” She folded her hands and placed them in her lap.
“Yes. My brother thinks it would be best, and I believe it would make him happy, despite everything.”
“Everything? I did not know you had a quarrel.”
“We did not. But we are trying to support each other’s happiness.” He pulled the letter his brother had sent from his jacket. “Before I trouble you with this, I should ask what your intentions are regarding Yorkshire and the baronet.”
“It has become very clear to me that I prefer London,” she said, staring at her hands.
“And the baronet?”
“I saw him every day for more than two weeks, and did not feel I knew him at all. I confess I am more excited by the return to London of my friend, Constance Lively, than by the thought of a marriage with the baronet.”
“I am sorry you went to all that trouble.”
“Was I foolish to go?” she asked.
He wanted to say yes, but she had to pursue what she thought was best for herself. Just as he had when he had persisted in wanting to know his true parentage, whether or not it hurt his family. They had both been on a quest of sorts and neither had found anything that made them happy.
“At least you learned a truth about yourself.”
She smiled. “Yes, I did. It is good to know what it takes to make one happy.”
He handed her the letter. “This cannot be said to make me happy on most any level, but it is a truth.”
“It is good the writing is large, or I would not be able to read it without additional light,” she remarked, opening the pages.
She read in silence for several minutes. Hetty came in with the tray, but they both ignored it. Magdalene shook her head several times. Judah resisted the urge to pace and simply watched her read.
When she was done, tears stood in her eyes. “What a touching scene. I am so glad you had a little time with him, even though you do not remember. I am sure it comforted him.”
“If he loved me, wouldn’t he have remained in the area?”
“Your father might have threatened him, and he probably couldn’t have found work. Maybe he didn’t realize the army would send him away.”
“Or he wanted to go. The person I feel most sorry for is my mother.”
“Yes, you might have had a full-blood sibling.”
“Probably not without scandal. As it was they kept the secret inside the family for their entire lives.”
“I wish your mother had never told you,” she said, handing the papers back.
He folded them back into his coat. “Since people obviously knew, it might have been kinder that she did reveal it to me. I could have run into this Mr. Dewey at any time, or one of those maids. It was better to find out in India, even if it put me into a rage at the time.”
“You do have unusually beautiful eyes,” she said. “So someone might have remarked on them. But I cannot imagine you in a rage. You seem so even tempered.”
He bowed his head at the compliment. But then, when he heard the rest of her statement, he looked up again. “I contain my emotions well. No one ever cared about them, so I kept it all inside.”
“I care,” Magdalene said.
“Yet you trampled on my feelings, when you refused my suit.”
“Not without a care,” she demurred. “I was so focused on my plans for myself. I am sorry I hurt you. A good man like you does not deserve to be ill-used.”
“Then you agree I am ill-used?”
She hesitated. “As am I. You did not renew your suit after certain recent events took place.”
He cleared his throat. “Am I to understand you would wish it to be renewed?”
She turned to him, pulling her interlaced fingers to her bosom, but she didn’t speak.
“I see,” he said, his heart breaking. “I wish it was otherwise, but I do respect your desires. Perhaps you are hoping to return to your position at Redcake’s? I can promise you would be welcome there, and there would be no trouble about your brief departure.”
“I want you,” she whispered. “I do not know how to say it without sounding an utter and complete wanton.”
With hope returning, he said the first thing that popped into his mind. “I like you as an utter and complete wanton.”
She blushed. “I know.”
“You want to go on as we did in Doncaster?” he asked carefully. “In your brother’s house?”
“No, in yours!”
“I cannot have a mistress in residence.”
She gestured to him. “You could if she was your wife. Perhaps a wife who decorated cakes at Redcake’s during the busy season?”
He grinned. “Then you will marry me?” Was she sneaking glances at his trousers?
“Can we be utterly scandalous in private, as scandalous as we are proper in public?”
“For a Scandalous Cross, I doubt anything could be more likely.”
“I shall do my best to be a proper tradesman’s wife. And ensure that your family approves of me.”
“And a Society wife,” Judah said. “Fully accepted by my brother. Do you know, I already sent a note accepting my first engagement as Lord Judah? To Lady Mews, for next week.”
“Is this the life you want? Truly?” Her eyes widened.
“My scandal is private, and my scandalous life will be private, and I see no harm showing off my beautiful wife in the latest fashion from time to time. As long as I have the energy to get up for work in the morning.”
She laughed. “There will not be a party that will prevent you from getting up in the morning.” In her light stays and cakie dress, it was all too easy to come up on her knees, and deposit herself on Judah’s lap.
“Ah, Lady Scandalous,” he said, wrapping his arms around her. “What a way to spend a cold winter evening.”
“And morning. I resolve to make you late every delicious morning.”
He kissed her brow, then her upturned mouth, before placing his lips on a path farther south.