Page 51 of The Colonist’s Petition (Heirs & Heroes #2)

Forty

N either the earl nor Johnathan spoke on the ride to the genealogist’s office. Sir Lightwood’s drunken revelations of last evening gave them both much to think about. If Georgiana’s father was correct…

Johnathan could not begin to comprehend the implications.

As for the earl, it was as if he aged ten years overnight.

However, the source of the information was highly suspect.

Sir Lightwood was so inebriated that he had sunk into complete oblivion and a deep slumber.

Some time in the night he roused enough to be escorted out by the footmen.

Mr. Fawkes greeted them at the door and led them into the same chaotic office they visited last time. The solicitor was present. He greeted the earl in his usual manner, with no indication, outside of his being in the room, that anything was amiss.

Against one wall stood a large board with a genealogical graph attached.

On the left side was a branch starting with Nathaniel Whittaker née Ryeland.

It was the same line the solicitor had shown them the previous week leading to Johnathan.

On the far right was Sir Lightwood’s name.

Across the top was written “Whitstone Earldom.” The Second Earl of Whitstone was listed immediately below the title.

Mr. Fawkes spread his arms wide. “This has been the most complicated genealogy I have worked on in my career.”

If the man expected congratulations, he should have not told others about the information.

The earl stepped closer to the board inspecting his own name. “I have heard speculation that you have completely upended the line of succession.”

“Yes, very exciting. I have been bursting with the news for days now.”

The earl turned to face Mr. Fawkes. “Enough that you told it throughout the taverns of London?”

Mr. Fawkes took a step back. “I’ve told none outside this office. The notes I sent you and your solicitor were deliberately vague, lest they be intercepted."

“Then you have those in your employ whose tongues wag like old ladies.”

“Surely not.”

“Sir Lightwood came to my house last night with the news that not only was he not to inherit, but I should be deposed as well.”

To his credit Mr. Fawkes registered shock. “I—I—I?—”

This standoff would not help anything. Johnathan pointed to the tree. “Perhaps it would be best if you explain the particulars, then we can determine the source of Sir Lightwood’s information.”

Mr. Fawkes picked up a pointing stick. “If you will have a seat, I shall explain the succession and where it went awry.”

The genealogist took a long drink from his teacup before proceeding. “As suspected, I found more family on Sir Lightwood’s line. However, it appears he is a clear heir to the title of baronet.”

Perhaps Sir Lightwood had been wrong last night in his drunken ramblings.

“However, as I will show you in a moment, the heir to the barony is not next in line for the title of earldom.” Mr. Fawkes moved his pointer to the fourth Earl of Whitstone. “Were you aware that your cousin was the product of the fourth earl and his second wife?”

“Yes. The first wife and all the children died. Mumps I believe, or measles.”

“Almost correct. The oldest son, Thomas who was thirteen, survived but was rendered completely deaf by the illness. I had a devil of a time locating him. The Fourth Earl set him up in the country on a small estate with a good couple to care for him. When he was of age, the boy inherited, a bit more than a gentleman’s farm, enough to keep him in a matter of gentility without drawing undue attention.

Thomas Ryeland kept his surname which helped with the genealogy.

Although he was deaf, he married and had six children.

Including three sons, who lived to adulthood.

The oldest stayed on the farm, the second joined the ministry and the third purchased a commission and died on the continent.

” Mr. Fawkes tapped the board where each of the names were written.

“We will only concern ourselves with the eldest, Thomas Jr. As you see he had four children that lived to adulthood. The oldest inherited the farm, which has continued to do very well. He even managed to send his son to Harrow. Unfortunately, Thomas Jr. passed in January. His son Theodore has returned home from school. The boy will be fifteen in June, and he is unaware that he is the rightful heir to the earldom.”

Silence filled the room.

“So all this time I’ve not been the earl?”

“The fault does not lie with you. The fourth earl went to great lengths to conceal the memory of his deaf son and first wife. He moved from Kellmore to The Willows permanently. I cannot find that his second wife ever knew of the boy. She believed the whole of the first family tragically passed. Only the solicitor knew. When the fourth earl passed, Thomas was alive and running a profitable estate as a gentleman. He should have been the fifth earl. He was well read and wrote a fine letter. However, even if Thomas Ryeland’s existence was known, because of his deafness the crown may have passed him over as heir.

The Fifth Earl kept correspondence from King George where he was acknowledged by title.

I can find no evidence the Fifth Earl was aware of his cousin’s existence either. ”

The earl took advantage of a pause in Mr. Fawkes narrative to comment. “If deafness is enough to keep Lords out of Parliament, then half the lords over sixty would be released.”

“Yes, yes, you see my point. Thomas Ryeland was the rightful heir, not his younger half-brother Nathaniel, nor his cousin, your father.”

“I am at a loss as to how to proceed. It seems I’ve been living a lie my entire life.” The earl’s voice shook.

The solicitor stepped forward with a leather-bound folio “I have taken the liberty of writing up a synopsis of Mr. Fawkes findings. Given young Theodore’s age and your own.

I suggest the best way to reconcile the wrong is to have him tutored under your care until he reaches his maturity.

It will also give him time to finish at Harrow and continue on to Oxford or Cambridge and thus be better prepared for his future.

I believe there is a courtesy title the boy can be given immediately to help with the transition. ”

The earl took the folio. “I hope the matter can be clarified quickly as it still must be a matter of parliamentary procedure.”

Mr. Fawkes cleared his throat. “This is not the first time I have discovered an error in genealogy that affected one’s status in the peerage.

The other ones were only barons, and a viscount.

Both times the matters were taken care of swiftly and quietly to ease the embarrassment of the crown.

I assume you will experience the same. I wish you Godspeed. ”

Once they were alone in the carriage, the earl leaned his head back and sighed. “Last night I never dreamed Felton would be correct. I hope you’ll remain my guest. It seems we have a new cousin to meet. I am sure you can navigate him through the first bit better than I can.”

“The poor boy. I can imagine his surprise.”

“I’m afraid you may not. As a gentleman’s son of no rank, he would have been the least of the students. When he returns to school after his mourning, he will have a new place and some will resent it. His new life will not be easy.”

“You have done well as my mentor. You will be better as his.”

“For now, it is up to others to determine the exact course this will take. I am hopeful I will not be penalized by the crown, as I was not involved in the deception.” The earl shook his head. “I cannot think on it too much. Shall we turn our energies to your problems?”

“Mine?”

“Georgiana.”

The one word summed up all that was wrong and right in his life.

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