My Fair Guardian Read online

  Her sister’s pout lessened only a trifle.

  Bethany sighed. “Why don’t you and I ride to the vicarage this afternoon? As soon as we get home, I’ll ask the stables to saddle our horses while we change our clothes.”

  Jane gave her a hug. “You’re the best.”

  Bethany’s answering smile was short-lived. Although she understood her sister’s sentiments full well, she had no choice but to be strict custodian. Jane’s safety was paramount, so she could ill afford to be incautious. The most recent attempted burglary had made that clear.

  ∞∞∞

  An hour later, Bethany and Jane were riding their horses at a canter across a field of late spring wildflowers. As they approached the perimeter of the estate, Bethany noticed a wagon filled with seedlings and a familiar-looking man with a shovel.

  Jane pointed. “Oh, look, there’s Will!”

  Bethany’s eyebrows rose “You know him?”

  “Of course! I know everyone who works for us.”

  The fellow rested his foot on the step of the shovel blade as they reined their horses in. Bethany recognized him as the hero on the night of the attempted burglary.

  “Hullo, Will!” Jane smiled.

  “Hullo, Miss Jane!” He gave her a saucy grin. “Fine afternoon for a ride.”

  “Indeed, it is.” She glanced at Bethany. “Bethany, this is Willoughby Winter. Will, this is my sister, Miss Christensen.”

  The fellow shifted his gaze from Jane to Bethany and doffed his cap, revealing a thick head of tousled chestnut curls. For a moment, she worried he would mention the burglar in front of Jane, but he did not.

  “Good afternoon, Miss Christensen.” He cocked his thumb at the seedlings in the wagon. “I’ve been tasked with planting a hedge…to beautify the grounds.”

  “Er…that’s excellent. Carry on, then.” Bethany glanced at her sister. “Let’s be on our way, Jane.”

  She gave the area where Will was digging a wide berth and had nearly reached the road when Jane called out her name. Bethany reined in her mount and waited for her sister to join her.

  Jane frowned. “I just had an idea. What do you think of Will?”

  “Think of him?” Bethany shrugged. “He seems to be a diligent worker.”

  “Did you know he’s Mr. Leopold’s cousin?”

  Bethany’s spine straightened. “Are you serious?”

  Jane nodded. “Perfectly. He’s also a very clever artist. I was riding past the stables a few days ago while he was sketching a horse and I stopped to have a look. We fell into conversation and he mentioned his connection to Mr. Leopold.”

  Bethany’s eyes widened in alarm. “Jane, I want you to stay away from him! You don’t know whether he’s telling the truth or not, and the last thing I want in my employ is a man who is overly friendly with his employer’s younger sister!”

  Jane scowled. “I was the one who stopped to talk to him, not the other way around.”

  Her sister’s lower lip protruded and Bethany sighed.

  “Jane, you can’t go around trusting everything everyone says.” She bit her lip. “I’ll talk with Mr. Winter to find out if he’s truly Mr. Leopold’s cousin, all right?”

  “All right.” Jane giggled. “Will is terribly handsome.”

  Bethany rolled her eyes. “If you say so. Wait here a moment.”

  She rode back toward the nascent hedge, only to discover Will had climbed onto the wagon. As she drew alongside, the man peeled off his shirt and poured water over his head from a tub of water. Water streamed down his well-muscled torso, but several thin white scars marred the top of his shoulders and in between his shoulder blades, as if he’d fallen in a bramble bush long ago.

  Bethany felt flushed as she cleared her throat. “Excuse me, Will?”

  He stared at her, wide-eyed, before lunging for the shirt he’d draped over the side of the wagon. “Forgive me, Miss Christensen.” He slid into the garment and began to button it up. “I thought you and Miss Jane had ridden on.”

  “Yes, I had, but I wish to discuss something with you. Could you come to the house tomorrow morning at nine o’clock?”

  He frowned. “If you like.”

  Having nothing further to add, Bethany gave him a curt nod and rode back toward Jane. As they continued on their way, her sister gave her an expectant glance.

  “Well?”

  The image of the man’s bare torso flashed into Bethany’s mind and she shook her head to clear it. “I’ve arranged a meeting tomorrow morning. I’ll see what he has to say then.”

  Jane beamed. “Will is ever so much more handsome than anyone else I’ve ever met.”

  Bethany gave her a sharp glance. “Good looks don’t necessarily mean a person has a good heart, Jane. Conversely, a man of truly sterling character might not always possess the most pleasing countenance. Take Mr. Leopold, for example. Although he wasn’t the most dashing of gentlemen, he took us in after Mama and Papa died and showed us every kindness.”

  “The bushy hair on Mr. Leopold’s ears and his curly eyebrows were disconcerting, but we only knew him when he was elderly. In the gallery, there’s a portrait of him when he was about your age, and he was far more pleasant to look at back then.”

  “I suppose you have a point.” Bethany shrugged. “Handsome or not, I mean to evaluate Will’s veracity and character. You ought not let your inclination for him color your judgment.”

  “If he’s truly Mr. Leopold’s cousin, he’s sort of a relation, isn’t he?”

  “No.” Bethany laughed. “By that reckoning, we are related to everyone. We might as well invite the entire world to live at Lansings Lodge and dine at our table.”

  “Oh, you know what I mean!”

  Out of respect for Jane’s feelings, Bethany merely smiled.

  Chapter Two

  Too Common

  The following morning after breakfast, Bethany and Jane entered her study to await Will’s arrival. Bethany seated herself behind the large mahogany desk while her sister wandered around the room, picking up various art objects on the shelves and examining the framed sketches and watercolors on the walls.

  “You’ve changed almost nothing in here since Mr. Leopold died.” Jane glanced at her. “Why not?”

  “I don’t know.” Bethany shrugged. “The room reminds me of Mr. Leopold, I suppose, and I find it comforting.”

  “If I were you, I’d remove everything that was his and start over. Otherwise, you’ll always feel like a guest in your own home.”

  “You’re very wise, Jane. Perhaps I—”

  Her reply was interrupted when the butler tapped on the open door. “Willoughby Winter has arrived.”

  “Show him in, Richmond.”

  Bethany rose as Will appeared in the doorway. A cloth cap was in his hand and he wore a rumpled sack jacket, a loosely woven shirt, and a pair of clean trousers. His hair was tousled and overly long, but he was at least clean-shaven.

  “Good morning.”

  His deep voice made the fine hair on Bethany’s forearms stand on end and she shivered.

  “Good morning, Will.”

  Jane waved. “Hullo!”

  Bethany’s gaze flickered toward her sister. “Close the door behind you when you leave, dearest.”

  Jane scowled briefly but made her way from the room. Will caught her eye as she crossed in front of him and gave her a good-humored wink. When the door was closed, Bethany made a gesture of invitation.

  “Have a seat.”

  He sank into a ladder-back chair, which suddenly seemed too dainty to hold his frame. Even in the confines of the study, the man radiated the same sort of wild, untamed energy he’d exhibited the afternoon before. Of course, that had been with his shirt off, Bethany thought. To compensate for her ensuing blush, she folded her hands together on the desk the same way she’d seen Mr. Leopold do whenever he was discussing business.

  “First of all, I want to thank you again for capturing our latest burglar. I also appreciated your di
scretion as far as Jane was concerned.”

  “’Twas my pleasure, Miss Christensen. I can’t abide thieves and I didn’t want Miss Jane to fret."

  She smiled. “I understand that you claim a family connection to our late guardian?”

  He shifted in his seat. “I didn’t want to trade on my relationship to Frederick, but he told me a long time ago if I ever needed employment, I could always find it at Lansings Lodge. I hope that isn’t going to be a problem.”

  Although the man expressed himself well, Bethany was not satisfied. “How exactly are you and Mr. Leopold related?”

  “Frederick Leopold and my mother, Agnes Leopold Winter, are cousins.”

  “And who was your last employer?”

  “I spent the last few years in London, trying to make a living as an artist.” He shrugged. “I could only scrape by, so I left.”

  Bethany could relate full well to his plight, but she didn’t intend to confess it.

  “You’ve a pleasing face and figure. Why didn’t you try your luck at the stage?”

  “I did work at the theater a bit, mostly painting scenery and the like. I performed a few times in small roles, but I was limited in what I could do.”

  “Why is that?”

  Inexplicably, his face turned a mottled crimson. “Ah…principal actors have to learn lines and such.”

  She cocked her head. “Is that a problem?”

  “For me, it is. I don’t read…very well.”

  “I see.” She gave Will a level glance. “Forgive my skepticism, but I’ve had all manner of charlatans attempt to insinuate themselves here since my guardian died.” She gestured toward a stack of letters in a box behind her. “As soon as I became his heir, I was besieged with requests for money by various worthy causes which don’t exist.”

  His smile was almost sad. “You’re right to be cautious but I’m not asking for anything more than steady employment. I was raised on hard work, so swinging a pickaxe or wielding a shovel is nothing new for me.”

  Bethany tilted her head. Now that she had the opportunity to examine Will at close quarters, he did bear an uncanny likeness to the portrait of young Mr. Leopold.

  “You said before that you came to visit Lansings Lodge before? I would have remembered meeting you.”

  “I came to visit Frederick once when I was nine and he wasn’t anyone’s guardian back then. He gave me a tour of the house and we spent the entire day together.”

  “I’m surprised he never mentioned you.”

  Will shrugged. “Why would he? I’m just a poor relation.” He nodded toward the desk. “He showed me the hidden compartment in his desk, though. Frederick said that’s where he kept all his secrets, but I think he was joking. He was such a plainspoken man, I doubt he had any.”

  The information regarding a hidden compartment was news to Bethany, but she kept her countenance. Why had Mr. Leopold told Will about it, but not her?

  “You know about the hidden compartment?” She paused. “I-I’m not sure I’m entirely convinced.”

  Will lifted one eyebrow. “Would you like me to prove it?”

  “If you can.”

  She stood and took a few steps away from the desk to allow him access. Although she was tall, Will seemed to tower over her as he passed by. He opened the pencil drawer two inches, depressed the rosette on top of the horizontal corner trim piece, and the fluted wooden column swung out on a hinge. Will retrieved a rolled piece of paper and a slender book from the narrow compartment and gave it to her. She glanced at the battered black leather bound book, which had the word ‘Journal,’ written in gold lettering on the cover. Although the paint was rubbed off in spots, it was still legible.

  Will retreated to his seat. “Did I pass the test?”

  “Well enough.” Bethany crossed over to the bell pull and gave it a tug. “You’re welcome to return to your duties while I investigate your claim of kinship.”

  His amber eyes reflected concern. “I am Frederick’s cousin, but I swear I don’t want anything but my wages. If you ask Mr. Troy, he’ll vouch for my work.”

  “I understand.”

  Richmond tapped on the door and opened it. “Yes, Miss Christensen?”

  “Show Will out.”

  Will gave her a nod before leaving the room. As soon as he disappeared into the corridor, Bethany picked the rolled paper up from the desk blotter and unfurled it. When she discovered the document appeared to be a codicil to Mr. Leopold’s will, her eyes widened in shock and her heart began to pound.

  The sound of running footsteps alerted her to the arrival of her sister, and she barely had time to drop the document into a drawer before Jane appeared.

  “Will is leaving the house.” Her eyes were wide. You didn’t discharge him, did you?”

  “No, he is merely returning to his duties.” Bethany’s eyes strayed to the journal on the desk, which was sitting out in plain sight. “Er….will you fetch Mr. Leopold’s family Bible, please? It’s on the bookshelf behind the piano.”

  Jane gave her a puzzled glance. “It’s not Sunday.”

  “I need to verify Mr. Leopold’s family tree.”

  “Oh. All right.”

  Jane whirled around and darted off, affording Bethany the opportunity to tuck the journal into the drawer next to the parchment. She squeezed her eyes shut and took several deep breaths to calm her racing heart. Ever since Mr. Leopold had become her guardian, she’d viewed him as almost a saint. How disconcerting it was to discover he’d had a sordid secret! Indeed, if she’d slipped on a patch of ice and landed flat on her back, she could not be more stunned at what she had learned from the codicil.

  Jane returned with a large Bible clasped in her arms. “Here it is.” She put the tome down on the desk.

  Bethany opened the book to the section where births, deaths, and marriages had been recorded. Before she had a chance to focus on the page, Jane stabbed her finger at an entry.

  “The name Winter is right here. Will is telling the truth.”

  Bethany verified the information. “Yes. Mr. Leopold’s cousin, Agnes Leopold, married Edgar Winter.”

  Jane bent closer to the page. “It’s curious that an entry was never made for their son, Will.”

  “I don’t think that means anything.” Bethany averted her eyes. “Will is definitely related to Mr. Leopold.”

  “Mr. Leopold may have forgotten to make the entry.” Jane gave an excited little shake. “So, what does this mean? Are we going to introduce him to our friends?”

  “I-I don’t know.” Bethany paced. “He’s too common to mix in society.” Her gaze drifted to the drawer where the codicil was concealed. “I need to think a little more carefully before I decide what to do about Willoughby Winter, so don’t say anything to anyone yet.”

  Jane’s curls bounced as she shook her head earnestly. “I won’t.”

  “In the meantime, don’t you have to report to the schoolroom for your lessons?”

  “Oh, no! Mr. Pace said if I’m late one more time, he’ll make me write lines!” Jane bolted from the room.

  Once Bethany was alone, she sat down to compose a letter to Mr. Leopold’s solicitor. She required expert legal advice.

  ∞∞∞

  Three days later…

  “Thank you for coming, Mr. Ingalls.” Bethany gripped the arms of her chair as the newly arrived solicitor glanced over the codicil. “Please tell me I have no reason to fret.”

  “Alas, I cannot.” The older man gave her a pained glance. “This codicil represents a binding legal document modifying Mr. Leopold’s will.”

  Bethany groaned. “I cannot believe I’ve had this sprung on me like a snake!”

  “I imagine Mr. Leopold didn’t anticipate dying so precipitously or he would have forwarded the codicil to me. Now that it has been discovered, however, we have no choice but to abide by his wishes.”

  “Is there nothing we can do to prove the codicil is invalid?”

  He shook his head. “The codic
il was properly witnessed by the butler and the housekeeper—two disinterested witnesses, in accordance with English law. Had Mr. Leopold executed the codicil in my office, it could not be more valid.”

  “Mr. Leopold died over six months ago. Why didn’t Richmond or Mrs. Mills say anything to anyone about a codicil?”

  “In all likelihood, Mr. Leopold shielded the contents of the codicil from view and they didn’t know what it was. All the witnesses were required to do is to watch him sign the document and then affix their own signatures.”

  “This is insane.” Bethany shook her head. “I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

  “Codicils are not uncommon, but rarely are they discovered in this unusual way.” Mr. Ingalls sighed. “I’ll write a letter to Mr. Willoughby Winter at his last known address in Gisburn, advising him that he has been named a beneficiary in Mr. Leopold’s will.”

  “There’s no need to write a letter.” She rose from behind her desk and tugged on the bell pull. “The man is working on the grounds of Lansings Lodge as we speak.”

  ∞∞∞

  Bethany paced as she waited with Mr. Ingalls in her study. The solicitor polished his spectacles with a handkerchief and gave her a pained glance.

  “You’ll not make the situation any more palatable by punishing the carpet in that fashion, Miss Christensen. Your life doesn’t necessarily have to change overmuch.”

  “I beg to differ. I’ve met—”

  “Excuse me, Miss Christensen?” Richmond stood in the doorway. “Mr. Winter has arrived.”

  Will walked into the room with his cloth cap crushed in one hand. His curly brown hair was so damp with perspiration it looked almost black. Furthermore, his work shirt was nearly transparent with moisture, his boots were dusty, and the smell emanating from his body sent Bethany rushing over to unlatch the window. After she threw it open wide, she turned to address him—more formally this time, considering his change of status.

  “Thank you for coming, Mr. Winter. Is it raining?”

  He gave her a puzzled glance. “No, but it’s hot and I was sweating like a pig.”