Page 5 of Loving an Earl
“Another safe journey,” Quincy said as he entered the warehouse office along with Caldwell. Both men looked tired but in good spirits, as they should be with the fortune in cargo their ships had hauled into port.
Edmund sat at one of three desks in the large room and eyed the large piles of correspondence. “Caldwell, would you pour three glasses of brandy? We should celebrate another successful adventure.”
The three friends sat drinking and discussing their shipments, which were being unloaded into their warehouse at that very moment, when a gentleman knocked on the open office door and said, “Excuse me, gentlemen. I’m looking for Mr. Edmund Weston.”
“I am he. And you are?”
“I am Randal Beauregard, solicitor to Henry Weston, the late Earl of Langford. I have a letter for you, my lord. Your uncle Henry passed on two months ago. You have inherited the earldom.” He handed Edmund a sealed missive. “I am very sorry for your loss. Please come to my office tomorrow. We have things to discuss and paperwork to sign.” He bowed and left as quickly as he’d arrived.
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Quincy said as he looked thoughtfully into his drink. “And congratulations on your title and inheritance. I find it very awkward when titles transfer. Strange circumstances.”
“Most definitely,” Caldwell said as he refilled everyone’s glasses.
Edmund stared at the letter in his unsteady hand. Once he opened it, everything in his life as he knew it would change. He broke the seal on the letter from Beauregard, unfolded it and read:
Dear Edmund Weston, The Earl of Langford,
It is with terrible regret that I inform you of the death of Henry Weston, the 5th Earl of Langford, on 21 April 1815, in a riding accident. He leaves his widow, Lilliana Weston, the Countess of Langford...
He didn’t bother reading the rest. “Uncle Henry had a wife.” Surprise did not begin to express how he felt about learning that Uncle Henry had finally married. He was glad he’d had someone to share his last years with, but his heart ached for his widow that she would spend her elderly years alone. One of the first things Edmund needed to find out was whether there was a dower house at Langford Manor. Surely, she would not want to live in that enormous manor alone when he was not in residence.
Both of his friends’ heads turned his way.
“I’m shocked,” Quincy said, pulling Edmund out of his musings. “We certainly haven’t been very well informed during our years abroad. I think something as interesting as the Earl of Langford taking a bride at his age would’ve made the newspapers we received.”
“One would think.” Edmund studied the empty glass in his hand. “I imagine she is upset with me for not coming right away. Not that I could have. I hope someone explained that I was out of the country and wouldn’t receive word until now. I would hate our relationship to be stained before we’ve met.” He should write to her himself, try to undo any awkwardness that might exist between them on account of his absence.
Quincy stood and placed his glass on the sideboard. “I’m going home. I have no idea if my parents received my message informing them of my arrival. Hopefully, I won’t cause my mother to have a fainting spell when I appear.”
Caldwell snorted and stood to follow his friend out. “Since I live in single gentlemen’s quarters, I’m free to do as I please.”
Alone at last with his thoughts, Edmund made a list of important things he needed to do starting tomorrow. Before he traveled to Langford Manor, he needed to visit Baron Winslow and inquire about his daughter, Annabelle. The thought of Annabelle stabbed his heart. He’d once cared for her deeply. It was almost ten years since he’d seen her, and he hoped she was happy, healthy, and alive, wherever she was. Neither the baron nor he had been able to locate her since she’d left all those years ago. The last time Edmund had been in London, he had spent many days and nights wandering the poorer sections of town in the hope of finding her. The baron was getting on in age, and he wanted to see his beloved daughter once last time before he met his maker.
*
Two months hadpassed since Henry’s death, and the household had prepared to welcome their new lordship each day to no avail.
Until a letter arrived stamped with the Earl of Langford’s seal.
Her hands trembling, Lilly sat alone in the family drawing room, awaiting afternoon tea while she broke the seal. Opening the short correspondence, she began to read:
My Dearest Aunt Lilliana,
Please forgive me for writing to you months after my uncle’s passing. I returned to the country only days ago, having been abroad for many years, and I just learned of his death. I also only just found out he married, and I am very sorry for your loss.
It is with a saddened heart that I write to you now. I remember my uncle from when I was a boy, and I regret that I didn’t spend more time with him as an adult.
I will arrive at Langford Manor on 15 June 1815 to meet with the estate manager and visit the tenants. I sincerely hope that you will make time to spend a meal or two with me so we can discuss your plans for the future.
Your Humble Nephew,
Edmund
Lilly folded the missive and slumped down into the settee in a most unladylike way. Who cared? No one would see her except for the maid bringing her tea. So he’d been abroad and hadn’t known Henry had passed or that he had wed? How interesting. It also sounded as though he was single, which was in her favor. He would probably spend all his time in London.
Before knowing whether he was wed or not, Lilly had it in her mind to spend some time with Emmeline in London. London didn’t frighten her as it once did. However, she thought now she would wait until her year of mourning was over before leaving. By then, perhaps she would be ready for public gatherings.
But until she met with the new earl, her future plans really were up in the air.
