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Chapter Twenty-Six

Sebastian

S ebastian had always been a confident man, but that confidence deserted him as he arrived at Lincoln’s Inn Hall.

Despite the early hour of the morning, the hall was already bustling with solicitors, petitioners, and barristers in full wigs.

Clerks stepped out of large wooden chamber doors to call out names and case references.

Sebastian spotted his own solicitor, Helliwell, standing in conversation with the man Sebastian could only assume was his barrister, Mr. Sewell.

He looked Sewell over, evaluating his rigid bearing and hoping it boded well for his case.

He was paying a pretty penny for the man to appear before the court on his behalf today, and that was in addition to what he owed his solicitor, which was itself in addition to the filing fees and clerk fees he owed.

He would be obliged to acquire a loan to meet such obligations.

Sebastian had only ever met with Helliwell in person once, and he wondered if he should have been more diligent in choosing the men who would represent him in front of the court.

He strode over to them to make his presence known.

They seemed capable enough, however, and Sebastian satisfied himself that at least Hollis did not have the money to pay for the best solicitors and barristers money could buy.

If the man ever regretted his affinity for strong drink, today would be the day.

There was no sign of Hollis as they talked over the case in the hall, and Sebastian began to harbor a hope that he might not appear at all. It was entirely possible that he had drunk well into the night and overslept.

But Hollis and a wigged gentleman appeared just as Sebastian, Helliwell, and Sewell decided to enter the chamber where the hearing would take place.

Hollis looked less disheveled than usual, his hair groomed and his clothing pressed.

He might even fool the court that he was capable of taking care of himself.

His gaze met Sebastian’s, and his lip curled slightly.

The hearing chamber had high windows, dark wood paneling, and rows of benches and desks facing the elevated seat of Master of the Rolls, who would preside at the hearing. At the benches sat two dozen wigged barristers.

Sebastian was shown to the gallery meant for petitioners, his heart hammering.

The first case was a land dispute, found in favor of the heir, while the next argued for a new trustee to be appointed due to the misuse of guardianship funds.

Sebastian sat straighter as he listened to the arguments provided, but the Master of Rolls deferred judgment, requesting further evidence of financial misconduct.

Sebastian’s barrister, Sewell, grimaced at this, sending Sebastian’s heart to beating at a clipping pace.

Their own case was called next, and Sebastian could hardly contain his nerves as Hollis’s barrister stood to make his arguments.

“My Lord,” the man said, “I appear on behalf of Mr. Edward Hollis, the children’s appointed guardian by prior order of this honourable court.

I am instructed that Mr. Hollis has, since his appointment, exercised every reasonable care in the maintenance and supervision of his late brother’s children, to whom he stands as both protector and legal steward. ”

Exercised every reasonable care ? Sebastian could not help scoffing.

Helliwell shot him a dampening look.

Hollis’s barrister continued, his voice full of energy that couldn’t but draw the attention of everyone in the chamber.

“It is with no small concern that we submit to the Court that the children were removed from Mr. Hollis’s guardianship without his consent—indeed, without so much as a formal petition before this court to alter the current arrangement.

The petitioner, Mr. Sebastian Drake, had neither legal right nor standing to take the minors into his household.

Such an act amounts, we respectfully submit, to an extrajudicial removal bordering upon abduction, and must not be countenanced, lest it set a dangerous precedent in matters of guardianship and wardship. ”

Sebastian sat straighter, looking to his solicitor, who gave a slight shake of the head to discourage any further reaction.

So, Sebastian was to sit here calmly while Hollis’s barrister told outright lies to the court?

The barrister was not finished, however.

“The respondent, though of respectable birth, is not possessed of adequate means to provide for the children. His estate, I am informed, is encumbered by considerable debt, and his personal affairs are not such as would inspire confidence in a man seeking guardianship over three young lives. Mr. Drake has recently—very recently—engaged himself and, according to several reports, has since terminated the engagement under circumstances that suggest instability, both financial and emotional.”

Sebastian clenched his eyes shut in consternation. Hollis’s barrister was more capable than he had expected, even if he was spouting misinterpretations and lies.

“Mr. Hollis, on the other hand, has maintained the children within a proper household and provided for their care. No formal charge of cruelty or neglect has been substantiated, and I would respectfully submit that any discontent expressed by the children themselves must be viewed through the lens of youthful caprice. This is not a question of affection, my Lord, but of legal standing and capacity. The current arrangement is both lawful and sufficient. No cause has been shown to disturb it, while there is sufficient evidence to make the court wary in the extreme of granting Mr. Drake’s petition. ”

Sebastian’s nostrils flared, and he watched Hollis, who was calm and sober for perhaps the first time in his life, staring forward at the Master of Rolls with a somber expression that was meant, no doubt, to inspire confidence in his abilities as a guardian.

The time was granted to Mr. Sewell, and Sebastian hovered on the edge of his seat as the counterarguments began.

“My Lord, if I may—this is a petition concerning the guardianship of three minor children, who have, for the last several years, been under the guardianship of Mr. Edward Hollis. While this arrangement was initially sanctioned owing to Mr. Drake’s minority, it is my submission that circumstances have altered sufficiently to warrant reconsideration. ”

Sebastian’s hand fiddled in his lap as he looked around the room. The attention of those who had listened to Hollis’s barrister was flagging at the sound of Sewell’s rigid, monotonous voice.

“Mr. Drake is of age, is possessed of an estate—albeit, somewhat encumbered—and he has demonstrated a sincere commitment to the welfare of his siblings. They voluntarily left Mr. Hollis’s care and sought out Mr. Drake, which, I think, speaks to their feelings on the matter.

“Mr. Drake has shown himself to be both willing and, I daresay, morally fit to assume responsibility for his family. If Your Lordship pleases, we would ask that serious consideration be given to placing the children with their elder brother in what we believe to be a more natural and affectionate arrangement.”

Sebastian itched to stand and defend himself, to tell the court the truth of Hollis’s supposed guardianship. If he and Hollis had been the ones making their cases to the court rather than having barristers speak in their stead, there could be no doubt of the result.

But Sebastian was obliged to sit in silence while Sewell provided a lackluster defense. He had to accept the distinct possibility that the court would find in favor of Hollis; Sebastian could hardly blame it given what they were hearing.

“In support of my client’s position,” Sewell said, “we have a sworn statement from the eldest of the children, Miss Margaret Hollis, who is thirteen years of age. She describes conditions in Mr. Hollis’s household as…less than ideal. Troubling, even.”

He fumbled with his papers, then drew one out. “If it please the Court, I can…read an excerpt?”

The Master of Rolls nodded.

Mr. Sewell put on his spectacles and cleared his throat. “‘We are afraid in Mr. Hollis’s house. He yells when he drinks and breaks things sometimes. When I had a fever, he left us alone for two days. We do not feel safe with him.’”

Sebastian’s throat tightened painfully as Mr. Sewell looked up over his spectacles. “We believe this illustrates that the children’s preference would be to remain with their brother, Mr. Drake.”

The delivery of the evidence left Sebastian wanting, but at least there was evidence.

The Master of Rolls offered Hollis’s barrister the chance to respond, which he was obviously eager to do.

“My Lord, while I acknowledge the statement from Miss Hollis, I must submit that she is a child of merely thirteen years and hardly in a position to make judgments regarding her welfare that would override the authority granted by this court, which named Mr. Hollis as guardian.

“Children, my Lord, are easily influenced—especially by elder siblings with financial interests at stake. Mr. Drake, let us remember, is a man in debt, whose motives are not beyond question.

“We cannot allow a child’s impressionistic complaints— unsupported by physical evidence or corroborating testimony—to supersede the legal rights of her appointed guardian.”

Seething silently, Sebastian fixed his gaze on Helliwell, waiting for him to confer with Sewell and guide him in a rebuttal, feeling as though the chances of victory were slipping away like a scent on the wind.