Page 30 of The Rules of Courtship (Hearts of Harewood #3)

Chapter Thirty

Rule #30: Always beware of who might be lurking around the corner

It was not until later that evening that Eliza gave birth to a noisy baby girl. The infant’s cries rang through the halls of Boone Park, and the party waiting in the drawing room—comprised of Eliza’s mother, father, sister, niece, Samuel, Oliver, and Jacob’s young apprentice, Peter—exchanged glances of profound joy. Ruth had left hours ago. She could not justify waiting any longer when her visitors had likely already arrived. While Oliver had been sad to see Ruth leave, he had felt a calm about him, understanding that for the rest of their lives, their separations would only ever be temporary.

He had made sure Eliza and Jacob had everything they needed before taking himself off to bed. It had been a long day, but it had ended very well.

The following morning, Oliver was awake before the sun. Instead of taking a ride, he went in search of Harrison to see to it Eliza had been cared for overnight. When he made his way down the corridor toward the staircase, he happened upon Jacob, coming from the direction of Eliza’s chamber.

“How are they doing this morning?” Oliver asked, thinking of his cousin and her brand-new daughter. The corridor was dim and quiet, the rest of the house asleep.

“Quite well, both Eliza and Lydia.”

“And Peter?” Oliver asked, curious about the lad. He knew Eliza and Jacob had brought Peter into their hearts as well as their home.

“He is a proud older brother again,” Jacob said, grinning. “We worried the babe would make Peter miss his younger sisters, but he has only made good comparisons thus far. He is utterly smitten with her.”

Oliver’s pulse began to race. “I realize it is not the most opportune time for a conversation, but when you have a moment, may I have a word with you?”

“Now is good. Eliza just managed to get Lydia to sleep again.” Jacob was taller than Oliver. He rubbed a hand over his jaw. “I have an idea what this might be about. You did not seem surprised to hear yourself referred to as a nephew of Captain Rose when the will was read.”

Oliver’s heart thudded. “No, I was not.” He swallowed, realizing this information was not new to Jacob. He was too calm, too accepting already. “How long have you known?”

“Since around the time I became engaged to Eliza.” He gave Oliver a sheepish smile. “I wanted to approach you, but it was thought that the news should come from the captain. Then he went missing.”

“There never is a good time for life-altering information, is there?” Oliver asked. Something about the comfortable way Jacob spoke put him at ease. “It has been something of a shock, but I admit to feeling relieved as well. Has your father been made aware? ”

“I’ve started many letters to him, but they always end up in the fire.” Jacob grimaced. “I write to my mother occasionally, but we do not have a strong correspondence. Our relationship has not been easy. Were you told that they live in America?”

“Yes.”

“If you would like to make the connection, I am happy to draft a letter about you to introduce the idea to them.”

Oliver stood there, staring at his half-brother. The new changes in his life had all come on so quickly, he was not certain what he wanted. “Can I think about it?”

“Of course.”

“I am conscious of the fact that your father had a family after he and Diana parted ways,” Oliver said. “I would not wish for my existence to create any problems.”

Jacob looked thoughtful. “Understood, but at this point, I do not think you would negatively impact my parents’ marriage. My father parted ways with your mother before he was married. I think you need to decide what you would like to do and we can proceed from there. I have been—” He stopped, swallowing hard. “I have not had much in the way of natural family for most of my life, Oliver. It was good news to me when I learned of our connection. The majority of my family until now has been chosen or forged through friendship or marriage.”

Oliver could understand. He had plenty of family in the area, but no siblings, no parents who had not abandoned him—it was a singularly lonely experience to feel unwanted by the people who had brought you into the world. Understanding Captain Rose was merely an uncle had helped assuage the pain, but it did not erase the years of feeling abandoned before he learned the truth.

Oliver found himself smiling. “I have never had a brother before. I am looking forward to it immensely.”

Jacob dropped his head, rubbing the back of his neck. “We do not need to make the connection public unless you wish it. Our stations?—”

“I had the same thought, but for entirely different reasons.” Oliver huffed out a breath. “Very few people are aware of this, but when my grandmother died, she left me a debt-ridden estate. I have been clawing my way out of the hole all year, and the work is not finished yet, I still need three thousand pounds. Ruth has agreed to marry me, but we might not be able to remain here for long if I cannot find a way to pay back the debts my grandmother left behind.”

“I did not know.”

“No one does, except Ruth and her parents. All that to say, she has still agreed to marry me. If we make our relationship known, then the stain of illegitimacy might bleed into my family, and I want to protect them from that.”

“Understandably,” Jacob said.

“Adversely, I am not ashamed of our relationship, Jacob. I would be proud to call you my brother.”

“Please do not,” a woman’s voice said.

Oliver’s blood ran cold. He looked around the corner and found Esther standing there, a stricken look on her face.

“Forgive me,” he said tightly, frustrated to have been overheard. How long had she been listening? He really ought to have taken the conversation into a private room, but the hour was so early, the house silent. “I was unaware anyone else was awake.”

“I tried to sneak away when I recognized the private nature of your conversation, but when I heard you mention the debts your grandmother left—oh, Oliver. I had no idea.”

He was taken aback by the sorrow in Esther’s tone. “No one knew,” he said. “I had hoped to keep it that way.”

Esther nodded. “To protect your grandmother’s name, undoubtedly.”

She spoke as though she knew him. He exchanged a glance with Jacob; the man’s eyebrows were raised slightly. “That was my objective, yes.”

“I could have guessed.” She let out a soft breath. “William spoke of you often. I feel as though I know you, which is unfair when I am a veritable stranger.”

This was interesting.

She took a careful step closer. “He might not have been your father in truth, but he did think of you as a son. He cared for you deeply, Oliver. But he did not have a good relationship with your grandmother, which often kept him away. I hoped his returning to Boone Park would mend that for you both.”

“I was glad he came.”

She smiled kindly. “May I offer advice? I know it is presumptuous of me.” Oliver nodded, so she continued. “William sacrificed a great deal so you could be brought up legitimate and to protect your secret. I hope you will take that into consideration when you decide what to do with the information you have received. Protect the name of your wife and future children, and do not let William’s sacrifices be in vain.”

The desire to proudly claim his new brother warred with the pull he felt to keep Ruth free from scandal, to protect their future children. He understood the words she did not say, as well. He should not allow Esther’s sacrifices to be in vain. William was not the only one who had been forced to give up family.

“I will leave you now,” Esther said. “I have been packing our trunks. We plan to set out the moment it is bright enough for safe travel. Please think on what I’ve said. I will always welcome a letter from you, Oliver. I would’ve liked for things to have been different between us, for you to have been brought up in my house with my girls, but alas, your grandmother had the final word.” She gave him a soft smile. “I do hope we will see one another again.”

Oliver felt oddly emotional at the admission. Her eyes shone hopefully, the tender expression not unlike the way Lady Helena often looked at Ruth—and she was a stepmother. One did not have to be naturally born to appreciate one’s parents. Oliver could admit that. He had been loved for the duration of his life. He felt, upon hearing this, that while he first believed his family had shrunk with Captain Rose’s news, it had only grown. “I would like that,” he said at length. “Please eat before you leave. I will send for breakfast to be set as soon as possible.”

“That would be wonderful. Thank you.” Esther dipped a small curtsy before making her way toward the stairs.

Jacob raised an eyebrow. “Interesting,” he whispered.

“What do you think of her advice?”

“It is sound. We do not have to tell the whole of Harewood that we are brothers for it to be truth. I care not for their opinions, anyway.”

Brothers . “Then it is settled. We need not say anything now.” He reached forward, firmly shaking Jacob’s hand.

“Would you like to meet your niece?” Jacob asked.

Oliver startled, the connection locking into place. Eliza and Jacob’s new baby was his niece . “ Yes ,” he said, with feeling. “I would like that very much.”

“Then I will fetch you the moment she wakes,” Jacob said around a yawn.

“I will see to breakfast for Esther and her daughters. Shall I have a tray sent up?”

“No. I am hoping to fall back asleep.”

“Good luck,” Oliver said, leaving him to it.

He could not hide the bounce in his step or the smile on his face as he walked away to see to his tasks. In just a few days, his life had become more enriched than he could have possibly dreamed.

The day passed without Ruth visiting Boone Park—a feat which Oliver found to be excessively tiresome. He wanted to see her, to touch her, now . Waiting until he had put off mourning before the banns could be read was already utter torment. He was glad for the distraction of his cousin and her sweet new baby, but it did not make him miss Ruth any less.

Eliza remained in their grandmother’s room, sleeping most of the day and being attended to by her maid, Anne, when she needed something. Jacob and Peter were in and out of the house, but everyone else had gone to their homes.

It was pleasant having a quiet house again. Oliver did not mind hearing the baby cry every so often. Just knowing his uncles had returned to their homes and were no longer eating his carefully economized stores was a boon to his spirit. He had also spent a good amount of time with Jacob today, talking about their habits, how they were each raised, the commonalities they shared, and their differences of opinions. It was like discovering a new book he enjoyed and hoping the author had written many more. Oliver wanted to learn everything he possibly could about Jacob Ridley, and he had been gratified to feel the sentiment returned.

By the early afternoon, he was seriously debating riding through the abutting fields that connected his land to Wycliffe’s in the hopes Ruth would be out as well, when Harrison let himself into the drawing room. “Are you at home for visitors, sir?”

Oliver thought the mourning visits were through already, that his aunt had managed all of them. He worked on devising an excuse, wondering if he could use Eliza’s situation to keep people from visiting, when Harrison’s brow rose.

“What is it?” he asked his butler.

“I think you will want to welcome these guests.”

Oliver sat up straighter. “Ruth?”

Harrison nodded .

“Gads, man. See her in. You never need ask when it is Ruth. She will soon be the mistress here, you know.”

Harrison kept a straight face. “I have heard, yes.”

Oliver shooed him from the room. “Fetch her, please.”

“Right away, sir.”

Oliver was not entirely certain, but he believed he saw a smug smile on his butler’s face as he left the room.