Riverbreeze: Part 1 (25 page)

“That would be fine.” Tyler said, his words
almost slurred. That frightened Robert even more; Tyler had never
slurred his words before. “And Jamie, how are those horses of
yours? I was hoping I would be able to see them before….” His words
ended as he yawned hugely, his chest heaving in order to draw in as
much oxygen as he could.

Jamie jerked, realizing that Tyler had spoken
to him. He looked to Robert for support and relaxed a little when
Robert nodded encouragingly. “The horses are fine, father.” Jamie
said, trying to sound as if nothing was wrong, but he was nervously
wringing his hands, cracking a knuckle or two in the process.
Robert frowned at him and Jamie stopped. “They’re strong and
healthy and happy to be here, I think.” He added, with a little
smile.

“Good, good.” Tyler murmured again. He was
quiet for a moment as if he were falling asleep. Robert noticed
that the solicitor was moving toward the desk in the corner. Arnall
lit several candles, then picked up some papers, slipped on a pair
of spectacles and scanned them quickly. When he was satisfied with
whatever he had read over, he cleared his throat quite loudly.

Tyler came awake with a start. He looked
confused for a second; then when he focused on Arnall, he seemed to
remember something. “Oh yes.” He said. He turned his attention to
the brothers again. “My boys.” He said, smiling with effort. “You
know I have always thought of you as my boys.”

“Yes, father.” They said simultaneously, then
smiled nervously at each other.

“And you know how disappointed I was when I
learnt that I could not legally adopt you.”

This made Robert and Jamie shift guiltily in
their seats. All those years ago, as soon as Francis had decided
that he had wanted to officially adopt the boys, he had sent his
agent back to England to do some more investigating. He had learned
the truth then, that they were still the legal charges of their
older brother, the Earl of Pennington. This had shocked Tyler, but
he hadn’t been able to give them up; he hadn’t been able to send
them back to their true home, especially when he had seen the scars
on the boys’ backs. He knew he would never send them back.

But he also had never told the boys, he had
let them believe that their secret was safe; he had even gone so
far as to give the boys his last name since they had lied from the
beginning and refused to reveal their real names. But when Robert
had asked for Kathleen’s hand in marriage, Tyler knew that Robert
must wed under his real name. Everything had to be legal so it was
then that Tyler had told them he knew their true identities and
from that moment on, the boys’ real names had been restored to
them.

Tyler continued, “You have always made me
proud and you have never disappointed me.”

Robert knew this wasn’t true; just this
morning he had disappointed his father by fighting with Phillip.
But Tyler didn’t seem to remember that or he didn’t think it
was

important. Robert kept quiet. Jamie did
too.

“Do not doubt that I have always loved you….”
Tyler continued, all the while looking lovingly upon the
brothers.

“We love you too, father.” Robert said
quickly and unashamedly.

“I know, son. I have been blessed. The good
Lord answered my prayers when he delivered the two of you to me. I
do not question Him now nor His will.” There was silence as Tyler
took several slow deep breaths. And then, quite calmly, he said, “I
am dying and as much as it pains me to leave you boys, I will go to
Him with peace in my heart knowing that He will be watching over
you.”

“No…” Robert gasped, his heart pounding.
Jamie looked like he was about to cry.

“Shhh.” Tyler said soothingly, as if he were
speaking to a child. “Do not mourn me. Rejoice with me; I will soon
be with my beloved Aileen and Kathleen. I have missed them so
much.”

Jamie was crying now, silent tears rolling
down his cheeks. Robert just sat there, shaking. It was happening
again; he had no control again. Another person who he loved with
all his heart was being taken from him and he felt so lost, so
helpless.

“We do not want you to die.” Jamie said
through his tears.

Tyler smiled at him, love and affection in
his rheumy hazel eyes. “I know you don’t, son, but it is my
time.”

From the opposite side of the room, the
solicitor cleared his throat again. “Mr. Tyler, sir, excuse me for
interrupting.” He said, holding a stack of papers. “But we need to
tend to business before the twins arrive.”

These words brought Robert back to the real
reason why they were here like a splash of icy cold water thrown in
his face. The twins. While Robert was shamefully curious to know
what was in the will concerning him and Jamie, he was dreading the
arrival of the twins and what would be read from that sheaf of
papers. In one printed line his entire life would be changed and he
wasn’t ready for that. Just this morning he had mentioned to Jamie
how he had finally found some contentment in the invariable routine
of his life.

Jamie’s life would change also, although he
might welcome the addition of a wife in his life.

“Of course, John, just a few more words
before you begin.” Tyler said. Then he spoke his final words to the
two young men. “Robert, Jamie, I have done my best for you two.
Sadly I was not given enough time to do the same for my nieces.
They are quite alone in this world. Do not be angry with me. I know
you will be kind and generous.”

Robert felt like he had been punched in the
stomach. Those words had confirmed his worst fears. He stared at
his adoptive father, clearly displeased. How could Tyler do this to
him? He didn’t want to be forced into a marriage to someone he
barely knew, even if he had admitted to himself that he did feel
some attraction towards Elizabeth. He would also have to give up
the secret relationship he had with Makki. He knew his conscience
would never allow him to keep a mistress while he was married.

He opened his mouth to say something, but
Francis Tyler put up his hand, stopping him. He said what he
thought was true. “I know, son, you still grieve for Kathleen and I
appreciate that, but she is gone two years now and my nieces need
kind and generous protectors. Remember when you needed the
same.”

That rendered Robert speechless. Yes, he did
still grieve for Kathleen, but that was not the only reason he was
opposed to a marriage.

Robert remained silent, fighting feelings of
betrayal. Tyler was not giving him a choice and he was blatantly
calling upon his honor as a gentleman. He was also being called
upon to repay kindnesses bestowed on him. But he and Jamie had been
children…and desperate…and they had been willing to work; they had
even signed contracts of indenture. They hadn’t
asked for anything
. He stiffened on the stool, crossed
his arms in front of his chest and pressed his lips together in
anger. He turned away from Tyler.

“Robert, look at me.” Francis Tyler
pleaded.

But he wouldn’t.

Jamie frowned at Robert’s reaction. “What is
wrong with you?” He whispered to his brother. “Father only said
that the girls would need protectors. He didn’t mean for us to
marry them, did he?”

“What do you think?” Robert snapped, keeping
his voice low.

“I think I wouldn’t mind marrying Evelyn and
you just said you were attracted to Elizabeth.”

“I am, but that doesn’t mean I want to marry
her!”

Jamie looked distressed for a moment, then
his eyes widened as an idea came to him. “Oh.” He said, “You would
have to give up…”

“Shh!” Robert shushed him sharply. “Do not
say anything!” He hissed at Jamie, glaring at him.

Jamie settled down. “All right, but you’ll
regret this. Talk to him, at least.”

“No.” Robert remained stiff and resolute, his
arms crossed in front of his chest.

“Fool.” Jamie hissed at him. Shaking his
head, he turned to his father. “We’ll do our best, father. We’ll
take care of them.” He spoke for his brother and himself.

“Thank you, James.” Tyler said with a warm
smile. Then with a glance at Robert and a sigh, he addressed Mr.
Arnall. “Go ahead, John.”

The man had moved to the foot of the bed and
was now clearing his throat once again. He inclined his head to
Robert, who had reluctantly turned to face the solicitor, and then
to Jamie, saying, “Gentlemen, before I begin to read from the last
will and testament of Master Francis Tyler, it is my duty to inform
you of certain facts concerning this document. Due to the recent
arrival of Mr. Tyler’s nieces and to his sudden illness, it had
been necessary to rewrite Mr. Tyler’s will. He has asked this of me
this day and I have been pleased to record his final wishes on this
paper. While this will has not been officially recorded with the
county clerk and cannot, in all legality, supersede the document
that is on record at this time, it has been witnessed by Samuel
Mathews and George Menefie, two prominent citizens of this county
of James City. I would remind you that these gentlemen would find
it most insulting if you questioned their signatures and I would
also remind you that it would be most dishonorable of you to
challenge the contents of this document.”

Robert sat there duly chastened. So, he was
being warned. They knew how he was going to react! While he could
legally challenge the will if Tyler died before the new will could
be recorded with the county clerk, he would be looked upon as an
ungrateful wretch. The whole colony knew what Francis Tyler had
done for the two young men and if Robert voiced one objective word,
he would probably be shunned for life. Even though he had no idea
of what was in the first will and really didn’t care what had been
bequeathed to him, he knew without a doubt that there was nothing
about the twins in it. He would have to accept this will and he
would have to do it graciously, whether he liked it or not.

Mr. Arnall began. “With that said, because of
these unusual circumstances I will not be reading the entire will,
only the section that concerns you two.” He stopped here to adjust
the papers, holding them at the right angle to take advantage of
the light from both the candles and the fire in the fireplace. Then
in a detached professional voice, he recited, “I bequeath to my
sons, Robert Alexander Bassett and James Andrew Bassett, the
remaining two thousand four hundred acres of the Blackstone
plantation to be divided as follows: one thousand acres to Robert
and fourteen hundred to James…”

Both brothers gasped at this. They thought
the five hundred acres that Robert had received when he had married
Kathleen and the one hundred acres that Jamie had received as
freedom dues was the entire property. Now each of them would have
fifteen hundred acres of adjoining land. They were astonished; but
Arnall was not finished.

In a monotone he continued, “I also leave
fifty pounds sterling to each of them. To Robert I transfer the
indentureship of the servant, Nathan, and leave my two favorite
books,
Merchants Avizo Verie Necessarie for their
Sonnes and Servants When They First
Send
them beyond the Seas
and
The Method
Physic
. To Robert and Kathleen’s son, Robin Francis Bassett,
I leave a cow and her calf, to be placed in the possession of his
father, Robert, at the time of my death. And the book,
Aesop’s Fables
.

To James, I transfer the indentureship of the
servant, Dolnick. I also leave my stallion, Apollo, and my mare,
Peasblossom…”

When Jamie heard this, he gasped out loud. He
gaped at Tyler, he was so overwhelmed. Tyler smiled; it was a tired
smile, but it pleased him to see Jamie so happy. “Father…” Jamie
said. “You are much too generous! What about Phillip and Maureen?
Shouldn’t they receive the horses?”

Tyler just flapped his hand weakly,
dismissing Jamie’s concerns. “No, you should have Apollo and
Peasblossom. And do not worry yourselves, both of you. Phillip,
Maureen and their children have been amply settled.”

Which was true, Robert thought. They would be
inheriting this prosperous plantation along with the remaining
eighteen indentured servants, Tyler’s merchant business and the
silk producing operation which Phillip was already familiar with,
and this house along with everything in it. But Robert was not in
the least bit jealous. In fact, his head was swirling. He didn’t
know what to feel anymore. He was obviously grateful to Tyler for
his generosity, but it seemed that all these bequeathals came with
a price.

At that moment Elizabeth and Evelyn arrived,
standing hesitantly in the doorway. Robert and Jamie immediately
stood, their manners intact, although Robert needed a little help
from Jamie with a hand at his elbow. They watched as the girls
stepped in cautiously at the behest of the solicitor and then
Robert watched as Jamie and Evelyn exchanged a small, shy smile. He
wasn’t quite sure, but he thought he saw Evelyn blushing. His eyes
met Elizabeth’s and she nodded politely, but she did not smile.
Robert wondered at the expression on her face. She looked almost
apologetic and a little sympathetic, but what could she possibly be
sorry for? He could tell that it was more than just sympathy for
his dying father. It was almost as if she already knew what was to
come and was apologizing for her part in it, even though she had no
choice in the matter herself. But how could she know? Had she just
had the same assumption or had Maureen actually told her and Evelyn
what was in the new will? Robert was certain that the entire will
had been read to Maureen and Phillip, informing them of the
contents.

Greetings were exchanged, each of the girls
tenderly kissing their uncle in turn, for they had also been the
recipient of his kind and gentle ways for the short time they had
been in his home. And then they settled themselves on the stools
that Robert and Jamie had given up for them.