Chapter 19
About a week later, three couples were at ease in the Duke’s study. Guay had his arm around a radiant Véronique, who had, upon learning of the Duke’s engagement, finally agreed to her suitor’s proposal. Marta was sitting in a chair, while Francis stood behind his hand resting on her shoulder. Sarah and the Duke sat next to each other their fingers just touching.
“We have to make plans,” The Duke said seriously. He turned to Marta, “notwithstanding your contentment at your forthcoming marriage to my valet, I am afraid this is not possible.” He held up his hand as Marta was about to interrupt, “you must see that my mother in law cannot marry my valet. Think of my privacy. A son in law is at a large enough disadvantage as it is.”
“Very true,” commented Sarah, abjectly failing to keep a straight face. “Why, if we had cross words all I would have to do would be to complain to my mother and you could expect your most intimate secrets to be thrown in your face. Mother, it just won’t do.”
“I am grateful for your support my love,” said the Duke, theatrically wincing at the mere thought of the scene laid out by his betrothed. “Therefore, I have a plan.” His face turned more serious, “the two men I trust more than any other are in this room with me now. Guay has already accepted my offer of the post of Steward of my estates in France. I hope that you, Francis will accept the same post in respect of my English estates.” The Duke looked enquiringly at Francis, who looked terrified at the prospect of so much responsibility. It was Martha who answered for him,
“Thank you, Your Grace,” She said quietly, “he will be glad to accept.”
“Both of you,” The Duke continued, having acknowledged Marta’s response with a decided nod, “will be supported by your wives who will, I suspect, make your jobs a great deal easier. Your wages will therefore reflect the contributions Véronique and Marta will both make. As to when this will happen, Scriven is to retire in eighteen months. By that time, you will both be ready. I do not believe however, that this is enough. I owe you both my life and I do not choose to make you dependent upon me or, in the future upon my children. You both need an estate of your own. I have already purchased Stainefold house to the south of Sale Park together with the small estate surrounding it. Mrs Leighton and Francis, this will be your home after you marry and it will be close enough for you to visit your daughter whenever you wish. I shall locate a similar property adjacent to my estate in France for Véronique and Guay. Each year for the next ten years I shall give you one tenth of those Estates and so after ten years they will be yours. You may consider them, if you wish, partly a wedding present and partly a reward for past and future services. Both estates will generate an income sufficient for you to live comfortably. I would hope you would still want to manage my estates but you will not need to do so.
This announcement, not unnaturally created great excitement as the import of the Duke’s words struck home. Guay would have an estate of his own to pass on to this children and Marta, after so many years, would finally have a house of her own to manage. Guay and Francis were almost overcome and Véronique and Marta burst into tears.
“Mother,” Sarah attracted her mother’s attention when a measure of decorum had been restored, “I have no intention of being parted from you so soon after discovering you. So, I have a proposal. There are three weddings to plan. You and I will marry on the same day and we will honeymoon in France. We will all travel to Seltz so that Véronique can marry Guay attended by her own family. And then we shall all go onto Vernon’s new estate.”
Sarah’s proposal having been endorsed by all those present the couples sought a little solitude prior to returning to their homes. Sarah, walked over to the Duke and looked up into his face.
“You are a good man and I am a lucky woman, I am marrying the man I have loved all my life and I have discovered that he is much better than the fantasy I had created.”
“All your life?” The Duke said considerably astonished.
“Of course.” Sarah replied blandly” you are, after all, very eligible. You need not worry however, I’m not marrying you just because of your fortune. You have other qualities besides.”
“I am so grateful for your approval,” the Duke remarked as a future husband should. “What other qualities?”
“Well...” said Sarah as if giving the matter considerable thought. “You are a reasonable fencer, although given time I think I shall be better, you are not a bad dancer, you are kind to both my mothers, you ...” The Duke decided at this point to silence his beloved and kissed her. After a minute, he lifted his head and Sarah went on conversationally “you kiss quite nicely and...”
“Oh no!” Cried the Duke, “what have I let myself in for.
THE END.
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J. Howard Shelley
About the Author.
J Howard Shelley lives in Wolverhampton, England. After a twenty six year career in nursing he decided to go down a different route and qualified as a Solicitor. (For our American cousins that is a type of Lawyer and has nothing to do with dimly lit back streets). He now earns a living suing people and defending those being sued. He plays a reasonable Trumpet, is good with a hammer and when the time allows likes to enjoy the open country.
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