“Sterling?” he croaked in disbelief.
Overcome he dropped the newspaper in his hands to the floor, scattering the sheets in all directions and rushed to Sterling, grabbing him in a rib crushing hug. Sterling held back a yelp of pain as he returned the sentiment. But Marcus still felt the tensing, he pulled away to look Sterling in the face and saw the pain. For the first time he really took stock of Sterling and his companion. He noticed the fresh scar on his face half hidden by a scraggly beard and overly long hair as well as the fact that he was several stones lighter than the last time he saw him. Sterling’s face, which was always chiseled, was now bordering on skeletal. After Marcus released him Thomas rushed to catch him before he fell, his crutches no longer supporting him.
“Whoa, Governa. Careful the Capt’n is feel’n poorly.” Thomas said.
Marcus noticed Sterling’s companion for the first time. Thomas, a short thickly built man, spent years working on the docks which made his compact frame bulky. If Sterling’s facial hair looked shaggy then Thomas’ was well past that. His sandy hair covered his rough features, a short stubby nose and wide forehead.
Realizing that Sterling needed assistance together Thomas and Marcus quickly move him upstairs to his old room and sent Gideon for a physician.
As Marcus and Thomas settle Sterling on the bed he told Marcus what had happened and how Thomas had taken care of Sterling. Impressed and grateful for Thomas’ role in helping his brother in the last few weeks as he recovered and saving his leg Marcus offered Thomas a position in his household. Usually a position in a Duke’s household is coveted by the servant class but Thomas felt differently.
“I would rather stay with the Captain your grace.” he replied. “He saved my life as well.”
Gideon returned to the room to announce that a physician has been sent for and should be arriving forthwith.
Happy that Sterling had returned home alive if not completely healthy, Marcus surveys the room in appreciation and notices that there is black fabric draped over the mirror above the dresser. Reminded, Marcus turns to Gideon and orders that all the mourning should be removed immediately.
“Immediately, sir” Gideon replies then executes a quick bow before he gathers the staff to remove the mourning black that they had just put up the week before when they heard of Master Sterling’s death.
A quarter of an hour later Gideon returns with the physician in tow. After a quick introduction the doctor started examining his leg then he pronounced that there was not much he could do at the time. The doctor explained that there was still debris in the wound but he did not want to reopen it. Especially when Sterling was still weak from the original injury and it did not seem to have hit the bone. The best thing to do for his injury was to rest and heal. There was also nothing he could do about the wound on his face. He could not correct the bad stitch job, in time as the scar heals and fades it should not be as noticeable. Marcus thanked the doctor and had Gideon show him out.
****
It was weeks yet before Sterling was strong enough to really stand on his own and during his recuperation Marcus and Sterling spent time renewing their relationship. Two years had past since he had left, since that night in the library.
One observation that Marcus made was that Sterling had changed, for better and for worse. He now had a reserved air about him that he did not use to have. A quiet confidence that says he knows who he is, one acquired from the trials of battle.
Chapter Two
Her father was dead. She learned about it from his wife.
He had gone to London for the Parliament session after visiting her for a fortnight and he had planned to return in less that a month but now he never would.
She rolled up to visit Blackbrier Park in a grand carriage, it gleamed black with gold inlaid accents and the Thornburg crest prominently displayed. One of her father’s longtime loyal servants, John, came as soon as he could to tell her the news but he was too late. His wife stopped at the cottage before going on to the estate and with obvious pleasure told her of his death.
“Lord Thornburg is dead.”
“ What?” Cecilia asked in confusion. She had just seen her father a few days ago.
“He’s dead. And he left Blackbrier Park to me.”
“Oh?” Cecilia asked questionably. Cecilia was sure that her father meant to leave the park to her. The property was unentailed.
“Yes, it’s mine and I am selling it.” Lady Octavia said. “And I have set up a new estate manager with directions to have you arrested if you ever come back on the property again.”
According to Lady Octavia, her father did not leave her with anything. No inheritance, no dowry. Cecilia knew she was lying, knew that her father made provisions for her. He would never have left it to chance, especially with his wife, although she did not know the particulars. Knowing that she could not win against the legal wife and highborn lady Cecilia decided not to challenger her. She would rather let the matter rest than stir up the hornet’s nest that is his wife.
Luckily Rose Cottage was hers; her mother held the deed and she passed it on to her when she died over two years ago. Having the deed made her grateful for the only argument she ever remembered her mother and father having. She could remember her father begging her mother to live with him at Blackbrier Park in every way as his wife but legally. Her mother knew that even with their scandalous relationship living together would be beyond acceptable. Society would accept a Lord with a mistress but not one who lived with him, it was beyond the pall. To protect her he had agreed to purchase Rose Cottage and have the deed in her name making it impossible for anyone to it take away. Thus, insuring that both mother and daughter would always have a home.
After her initial grief over the loss of her father she realized that she should be self-sufficient if she maintained a frugal lifestyle. The income from a midwife with a healthy garden should sustain her.
Any worries she had about dealing with Lady Octavia in the future were assuaged. Blackbrier Park was put up for sale just days after her father’s death. Cecilia was relieved yet sad that the Blackbrier Park was no longer part of the Thornburg Estates and her father’s family. Once it was purchased it will no longer be her home.
Chapter Three
Sterling was ready to return to the old life he had before the war. To be the carefree man whose biggest concern was gambling away his quarterly allowance. Although not completely healed he felt that he needed to leave the house, he felt like a caged animal. The scar on his face was still pink and jagged and he limped with pain in his thigh but he was ready to face the masses of the ton. He dressed in a new set of black evening clothes and snowy white caveat tied to perfection by his brother’s valet. Once dressed he slowly descended the stairs where he was met by Gideon who handed him his coat. He pulled on his overcoat while waiting for the carriage to pull out front. He climbed into the carriage and was on his way.
Ever since he had returned from the dead the house had been inundated with invitations for Sterling to attend balls, soirées, picnic lunches and house parties. Sterling decided to accept the invitation from a friend who attended Eton with him, his wife was throwing her annual ball.
They announced his name as he descended into the ballroom. The crowd turned and watched him limp down the steps. He could hear some gasps. He reached the bottom steps and approached a few former friends from his wild days. After a few minutes of talking it became clear to him that they no longer had the same interests. It should have been no surprise to him, before he left for the war the same restlessness had reached him where the daily activities of playing cards at the club and visiting the same old haunts were becoming boring. As he surveyed the room he saw that several of the young ladies were looking at him but when they saw him returning a look they quickly turned around.
It was not until after a fortnight of attending society functions that he became aware that the looks he was getting were more than the shy glances of d
ebutantes but a combination of pity and disgust. The ton was expecting the return of one of their beloved sons whole and hale not the scared, lame man who came back.
Sterling realized that he no longer belonged with the ton. It was not the looks that he received but the fact that he did not care. While he was gone he had changed, he could care less about the opinions of the beau mode. Now he had his own rules and standards to live by and living at his brother’s house, on his charity and a monthly stipend was not it. He still had not found his own bachelor apartment, he needed to take action. But he nor Marcus was in a hurry to be separated after such a long absence.
Sterling was sitting on the same chair he was in the last time he made a life changing decision and told his brother. This time was different, this time the military was no longer an option. He was conflicted, he had no real purpose, no viable options. Most men of good families joined the military, which he had already done, or he could become a Vicar, which he could never see himself doing. He was definitely not one to shepherd souls, especially when he was lost himself.
Marcus who sat across him behind the desk watched the subtle emotions of confusion and determination play across Sterling’s face. He knew what Sterling was thinking, he had noticed the change in Sterling. It was time, Marcus cleared his throat.
“Sterling I have been thinking and I know that you have been restless, wanting some sort of responsibility. So before you left I had been looking for a solution that would make you happy. I was negotiating before you left and I did not want to tell you about it until the details had been finalized. Then you left before I had the chance to tell you, so…”
Marcus pulled some papers out of his desk., it was a bill of sale and a deed. He slid them across the polished wood of the desk. “A property had become available called Blackbrier Park. I purchased it.”
Sterling was shocked.
Before Sterling could interrupt he continued “Since all our other properties are entailed I was looking for something you could wholly own that has the potential to create a healthy income. This property suddenly came available when the late Earl of Thornburg, died. His widow was selling everything unentailed, before some distant relative of the Earl’s could be found.”
Sterling sat in shocked silence “Marcus I cannot take this it’s too big, it’s an estate!”
“Do not think of it as a gift but an advance in your monthly stipend, starting with the last two years. I know you feel the need to make your way in the world, which I understand. But this property is only a half days ride from the family seat.”
Sterling picked the papers up from the desk, he shuffled them in wonder.
“All the papers are in order and in your name. I have been overseeing the basic maintenance but I thought that you would want to make any changes yourself.” Marcus paused a beat to clear his throat “There are to be no objections to this, it is yours and you deserve it. You are now a man of property.” Marcus sat back in his chair happy for his brother and glad he was able to do something for him especially after he had been through so much.
Sterling sat there stunned, his hands were shaky as he held the papers. Thoughts raced through his mind, he could not wait to see his land.
“There is no way I can repay you” he reached across the desk and shook his brothers hand then pulled him into a hug. “I shall visit the estate immediately and assess the house and land for any changes that may need to be made.”
Sterling turned and limped from the room his thoughts whirling. As he climbed the stairs he began to catalog all the things he will need to pack for his trip. When he entered his room Thomas was there putting things away.
“We are leaving. We are going to my estate” Sterling said proudly.
Thomas looked at him in surprise. In the weeks that they spent together Captain Fairchild had never mentioned an estate. They began packing while Sterling explained.
The next morning Sterling and Thomas departed from the house on horseback. Sterling did not want anything delaying him from reaching his new country estate, even a little pain in his leg, Blackbrier Park.
Chapter Four
Exhausted Cecilia walked home. It had been a long night, Mrs. Smithe was in labor for eighteen hours but now they had a brand new baby girl. Cecilia had been concerned with this delivery, Mrs. Smithe was older and her last delivery had some small complications, she wanted to be ready just in case. Thankfully there were no complications with the delivery. She was walking home rather than driving her buggy because when Mrs. Smithe’s oldest son, Joseph, came up to Rose Cottage it was quicker to grab her medicine bag and ride double to their cottage than to take the time to hitch the horse. After a long day and night worrying about his mother Cecilia did not want Joseph to return her home but to sleep.
Her feet felt weighted down with each step and she had another mile along the country road before the turnoff to Rose Cottage. The lane she was walking down ran adjacent to fields that were part of Blackbrier Park’s many acres. The wheat grass grew tall, past her waist, ready for plowing. Now that summer was ending it was time to start reaping the rewards of a beautiful summer.
Behind her she faintly heard the trot of horse hooves on the compact dirt. Expecting one of the locals she turned to greet them. As they came around the bend she realized it was not a villager but two men and judging on their attire part of the upper ton. She quickly turned around with her head down. It was better for a woman alone to not attract the attention of two strange men. She silently hoped that the men would just bypass her, but it was not to be as they pulled along side her.
“Madam? Can you tell me where Blackbrier Park is located?”
Cecilia whipped around to look and the man who just spoke. Shocked she asked “Blackbrier Park?”
No one had lived there since her father’s wife sold it to some London gent. It had sat there unoccupied for almost two and a half years. She had been dreading this ever since the estate went up for sale.
Her memories of her father were tied to the estate and she knew that new owners meant changes. She looked at the man and his companion closer. The cut and quality of their clothes told Cecilia that they were well to do but not garishly so. Hope bloomed in her chest. Maybe this lord will not completely shred her childhood memories. She cleared her throat and said “Continue down this road and in about two miles there will be a lane leading to the Park’s entrance”
Sterling was surprised at the woman’s dictation. Her simple clothes indicated a simple country lass but her accent was of quality. She was wearing a plain dark skirt with a crisp white long sleeved shirtwaist, that at some point in the morning were rolled up to her elbows. A smart row of buttons marched up the front of her top but the last few buttons at her throat were undone leaving the barest hint of flesh.
It was surprising that a lady of quality would be walking down a county lane alone. He felt compelled to offer her a ride but there was no proper way to do so, with a last look and a friendly nod he thanked her and continued down the lane following her directions.
Cecilia watched the gentlemen continue on trotting down the lane. She released a sigh of relief. She did not want to converse with them more than she had to and she knew by his look that he had wanted to say or do more. Eager to return home she quickened her pace, she wanted to reach home soon. The new owners of the Blackbrier Park weighed heavily on her mind.
****
Cecilia’s home, Rose Cottage, was named for the climbing roses that have enveloped the back of the house and the arbor. The house featured a small entrance and foyer with a sitting room, library and kitchen downstairs and upstairs was two bedrooms in the eaves. The library was long ago converted to an exam room for expectant ladies and anyone else who may need attention. The shelves, full of books, held medical journals and literature about the latest techniques for curing ailments as well as midwifery. Her mother, and now she, felt it was important to keep up on all the latest methods of a physician, the medical community was always d
iscovering new ways to help the sick. Cecilia still remembers her mother giving her some of her favorite volumes and pouring over the text, absorbing all she could about medicine.
The morning after delivering Mrs. Smithe’s baby Cecilia got ready for her day, she slipped on a simple morning gown made of a fine lawn fabric. The dress, like all of her others, was a deep purple trimmed with gray. When her father died she purchased a wardrobe of mourning clothes and once her circumstances changed she could no longer afford new clothes even after she was out of mourning.
Dressed she decided to make a delicious blackberry tart for the Smithe family. She knew with the new baby she will not have the time to make any special treats for her children. Cecilia loves to bake so this was a perfect opportunity to get her hands in to some dough. Skipping down the stairs Cecilia made her way to the kitchen and picked up the basket sitting by the door. Rufus her dog, who was snoozing next to the unlit wood burning stove jumped to his feet when he saw that she was leaving. With basket in hand and Rufus following wagging his tail she exited the cottage and made her way to a blackberry bush that is at the edge of her property, the very bush that Blackbrier Park was named after. The old but fruitful bush was thick with ripe blackberries ready for the picking. She waded into the prickly vines and started choosing the choicest berries for her tart.
****
Fresh from a deep restful slumber, the best he had in a long time, Sterling woke up with a sense of purpose. He wanted to explore his new home and see his land. Too anxious to wait for the estate manager Sterling had a quick, simple breakfast and called for his horse to be saddled. Thomas stayed behind to arrange both of their things and inspect the house to make a list of necessities. With no real purpose in mind Sterling began riding east.