Page 50 of The Colonist’s Petition (Heirs & Heroes #2)
Thirty-Nine
“ T he truth will set you free.”
The verse from the eighth chapter of John read by the priest was not an unknown one to Johnathan.
Nor was this the first time he heard it from a pulpit.
Arguably, this was the most ornate pulpit he’d seen.
His eyes traced the carvings as the words turned over in his mind. He must speak to the earl today.
Hours later, he sat in the earl's study, willing his knee not to shake as he sat.
“You know I have no power to grant that you can marry my granddaughter?”
“I did not wish to speak to you about Georgiana.”
The earl raised a brow.
“When I first arrived at The Willows we spoke at length and you asked me if I thought I could remain in England all of my life. My answer is the same now. I could. We toured your estates, and you asked if I could manage them. I still believe I could. Then you asked if I could swear fidelity to the King. At the time, I thought it might be possible, yet I have doubts. The unease I felt with the idea expanded until it occupied most of my time and questions as I studied. After reading the minutes of Parliament, hearing of the Prince Regent’s debauchery from many sources, and the reaction of the peers to the slaughter at Dartmoor, I have concluded that I can never in good conscience kneel to an earthly king. ”
The loudest noise in the room was the ticking of the clock. Johnathan counted the tics and tocks. At the count of eighty-one, the earl leaned forward.
“I cannot say this is unexpected. I have watched you question and struggle with the concept of the House of Lords. I am disappointed, but part of me feels I would be even more disappointed if you did not follow your conscience.”
“I so wanted to save your earldom from Sir Lightwood. I wanted to protect those who live on your lands. I wanted to —”
“Marry my granddaughter?”
“That was part of it.”
The earl took a folded paper from his drawer. “What do you make of this?”
Johnathan read the letter. “Mr. Fawkes wants to see us?”
“On a matter of urgency. There were some places in the pedigree that had holes in them. Perhaps he found another heir. Last night I worried about the possibility. This afternoon I am ready to embrace it. Let us not mention anything of this conversation until we meet with the genealogist in the morning.”
“Georgiana and I have already spoken of it, as I cannot see a way to marry and provide for her if I do not continue and become an earl.”
The earl nodded. “I thought as much. Ask her to keep this private, too. Not even Jane for now. If you love my granddaughter as much as I believe you do, we will find a way.”
“But I have no way of making a living.”
The earl stood and walked around the desk. He laid a fatherly hand on Johnathan’s shoulder. “We shall think on that for the time being. Now we must return before the ladies think something is amiss.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“Thank you for being honest. It is too bad your honesty fell on the side it did. You might have made the best earl England has ever seen.”
The scripture was true. Though there was much to be resolved. The heaviness that grew on his shoulders over the past months dissipated. He was free, in a manner of speaking.
Phil and Michael arrived shortly before the dinner hour unexpectedly. Aunt Healand left the parlor to make the necessary adjustments to the evening meal.
Phil motioned to her husband to sit near the door before she corralled her sisters into the far corner. She set one hand over her middle and leaned close. “We came so I could tell you that I am leaving Town tomorrow.”
“Leaving?” asked George and Jane in unison. “Why?”
Phil smoothed her dress down in the front. “So in July you can be Aunt George and Aunt Jane.”
Jane gasped.
George whooped.
“Hush!” Phil covered George’s mouth with her hand. “This is not news to be bandied about.”
“Does Alex know?”
“I told her at Christmas when I first suspected.”
“And you did not tell us?” Again, the question came in unison.
“I could hardly write such news in a letter and telling Jane without telling you felt wrong.”
“Do Rose and Father know?” asked Jane.
“They will know when I start my confinement. I will tell Grandfather and aunt tonight.”
“This is why you were ill at the Duchess’s Ball?” asked George.
“I believe it was the crush. Other than some moments in the early days I have been well.”
Michael loudly welcomed Aunt back into the room. Grandfather and Johnathan entered a moment later. Phil excused herself and went to her husband. They spoke quietly by the door before asking for everyone’s attention.
Michael could not pull his gaze from Phil’s as he spoke. “We know what we are about to say is not exactly proper. However, we feel you should know the truth when my darling leaves for our country home in the morning. It seems that The Earl of Whitstone will soon have a new title…”
Phil grinned. “Great-Grandfather!”
The celebratory joy wove throughout the evening. No one took particular notice when Johnathan led George through the garden door at dusk. A few steps from the door he stopped.
“I spoke with your grandfather about abandoning the petition. He is disappointed, but not upset. He asked that I not let my feelings be known until after we meet with the genealogist in the morning.”
George took his hand in hers. “You did not need to tell me tonight.”
“I did. You are the most important person in my life. He knows I would tell you. He approves of our potential union.”
George glanced through the near window into the well-lit room, everyone was looking toward the entryway, so no one was watching them. She moved closer to Johnathn. “Yes, he expressed that in January. But it will do us little good without my father’s consent.”
“Nor without a way for me to support you. I have no employment or money to purchase land to farm. Even if such land were available.”
“Please —” George’s thought was cut off by her father rushing out the door.
“I have told you that you could not court her.” The scent of stale ale wafted off of him.
“We were only talking and only feet from the door.” That explained why everyone was preoccupied a moment ago.
“With your hand in his. I will not stand for it!” Father yanked George away from Johnathan.
Michael, Grandfather, and two footmen joined them after hearing the ruckus.
“Sir Lightwood, come inside. The whole of Russell Square need not hear you.” Michael moved between Father and Johnathan. The footmen followed suit, boxing Father in, until he had no choice but to go inside.
“Might I suggest the ladies go to the parlor?” Grandfather’s question was taken as the direction it was meant. Aunt Healand, Phil, Jane, and George went to the other room, but left the parlor door cracked open.
“Did Father say why he came?” asked George.
Jane led George to a chair. “He said something about never being an earl. Then said Johnathan would not either. That is when he saw you outside.”
“I’ve called for tea,” said Aunt Healand. “No telling how long this will go.”
George sighed. “I wish I could go in there and tell Father to stop this foolishness. I want to marry Johnathan.”
Jane laughed. “I thought you would never admit your feelings.”
“I’ve been telling you so for weeks.”
Jane pointed her finger at George. “Not so forthright. You have been hinting at it.”
“I’ve told you plainly.”
“No, you haven’t. You just stare at his miniature and sigh.”
“Do not.”
“Girls! Anyone with two eyes can see that George has fallen for Johnathan, you do not need to fight about what is obvious.”
Phil suddenly gasped, moving her hand over her middle and silencing any rebuttals to aunt. “He kicked me.”
Aunt Healand gasped.
Jane exchanged a look with George. They had both seen more puppies, piglets, kids, and kits born than most gently bred women.
“I know that it is not proper for me to discuss such things. But you are my sisters. And I must tell someone.”
Aunt Healand, trying to remind them of propriety, asked, “Promise me you will keep it among your sisters only?”
“I wish I could take you both to the country with me.”
Jane did not wait a tick before answering. “I will go. I have endured enough of the Season. If George marries, I know I could not survive an event on my own.”
George grabbed Jane’s hand. Her sister could not live with their father forever. “Enough of the Season? We have only had two weeks of ours, and we have not been to Almack’s yet. You cannot give up so soon. There must be someone for you.”
Tea arrived. Aunt Healand poured.
Phil took her cup. “You are unlikely to receive vouchers after they ripped mine up last year. I did not find Almack’s as superior as I thought it would be.”
Aunt Healand handed Jane her cup. “Better off not applying for vouchers. Those old birds are not about to admit they were wrong last year. As for another Season, you are welcome to be my guest when you are ready. Besides, London isn’t the only place one can find love.
I certainly did not. You may find someone who suits you where you least expect it. ”
The tension in Jane’s brow faded. “Or perhaps I will enjoy being the doting aunt far too much to care.”
George looked to the door. “It is far too quiet. I wonder if Father has left.”
Jane shook her head. “If you listen carefully, you can hear muffled voices.”
“I believe Father is a bit intimidated by Michael. Perhaps that is why we don’t hear his usual yelling.”
Setting her cup aside, George walked to the door. “I almost wish they would yell so I would know what transpires.”
Could the silence be good?