The Birthright (31 page)
Nicole’s head tilted downward, causing her rich auburn hair to spill over one shoulder. “That’s an odd word to describe a relationship.”
“Well, it is far more than that. I sensed God speaking to me through Thomas this afternoon, outlining a work I might do here for Him—work I would be suited to perform.”
“Like a calling,” Nicole whispered.
“Yes, perhaps even that,” Anne said.
Nicole turned and stared at the candle. Anne was again struck all over again by the aura of strength and beauty that emanated from Nicole. The strong lines of her face were heightened by the candle’s shading, as were the depths to her eyes. “I should think,” Nicole said, “Cyril would be more than happy to see you returning to life and the future with such a sense of dedication to our God.”
The power of those quietly spoken words was enough to bring tears to Anne’s eyes. Impatiently she brushed her vision clear and said, “Might I stay with you in Harrow Hall a while longer?”
“What a question,” Nicole chided. “This is your home for as long as you wish.”
“Thank you, dear sister.” Anne hesitated a moment, then said, “I only wish you would find a man and a love for yourself.”
Again the gaze returned to the candle. “First I must find my place,” Nicole said.
“What are you saying? Your place is here. All know it to be so.”
Nicole’s eyes remained locked on the flame. “A calling, then. A purpose of my own. A direction and a—”
The words were cut off by a soft knock on the door. Gaylord opened and said, “Forgive me, ladies, but Lord Charles asks if Miss Nicole might join him and Lord Percy in the library.”
A faint shudder ran through Nicole’s body, which she quickly suppressed. “Of course.” She then rose up and crossed to the door, only pausing there long enough to whisper back to Anne, “Pray for me. Please pray.”
Nicole stood motionless outside the library doors. All the determination and resolve in the world were not enough to hold back the single tear now rolling down her cheek. She wiped it away and in the same motion knocked on the door. Instantly a voice called from within for her to enter. Still she hesitated as she struggled with herself.
The hardest thing she had ever done was to reach down and turn the handle.
Charles smiled at his niece as he welcomed her. “My dear Nicole, please do join us.”
She stepped inside and softly closed the door. Nicole immediately spied the sealed documents on the table beside Percy. Charles noticed her trembling and also the way she stifled it. Nicole lifted her chin, gathered the folds of her dress, walked over and settled onto the edge of the settee—graceful and dignified as a queen. “It is growing rather late, Uncle. Should this not perhaps wait until tomorrow?”
“No, it should not.” He saw how Percy’s smile of anticipation gradually disappeared in the face of Nicole’s solemnity. Charles sat down in the chair opposite them and could not help but take a moment to wish for things to be different. But he pushed this aside with the strength given him by the afternoon’s realization and the evening’s gift. “You look beautiful tonight, my dear.”
“Stunning,” Percy agreed.
“Thank you, Uncle.” Nicole folded her hands in her lap and waited, forcing herself not to look at the papers on the table.
“I’ve asked you to join us here, Nicole, because there are matters of great import to be settled,” Charles said.
“Here, here,” Percy said.
Charles continued. “I’ve decided that I shall not ask you to become my heiress after all.”
“And may I be the first to congratulate…” Percy’s mind caught up with what his ears just heard, and his jaw flopped open.
But Nicole was swifter to respond. She stiffened and said, “Have I offended you in some way, Uncle?”
“No, not at all. Far from it, my dear.” Charles smiled sadly. “You have made me proud in every possible way. You have gone so far beyond my greatest hopes that I could do nothing but see God’s hand in the woman you have become.”
“Then why…?”
“Yes, by all the stars! Why?” Percy sputtered. “I must insist, m’lord, that you think carefully—”
“Hold there,” Charles ordered. When he was assured Percy would remain in his place, he turned back to Nicole and said, “It is difficult to explain, but I want you to know that I find myself utterly at peace with this. And peace is what I wish for you.”
“I am, Uncle. I’ve found God’s peace sustaining me here.”
“Peace and something more, my dear. I wish for you also the blessing of
joy
. My own destination is set. For the first time, I can truly leave all my worldly affairs in God’s hands. I am defeated and yet on the other hand I feel triumphant.”
Nicole looked at him intently, and it seemed to Charles that her eyes held the clarity of precious jewels. “Is it your heart?” she asked.
He decided not to answer directly. “God has helped me to focus upon the
true
goal that lies ahead. I am beaten and yet I am victorious.”
“I understand,” Nicole whispered, her words trembling with the effort to maintain control.
“It is the least I can do,” Charles said. Then he reached and took hold of her hand. “To reward you for the trials you have overcome, for the sacrifices you were willing to make.”
“But I still am…” Nicole said and then took a shaky breath. “I
am
willing.”
Charles smiled again. “But I don’t ask this of you, Nicole.”
Percy looked to be foundering on the settee as he struggled to collect himself from the shock. “M’lord, this…this is scandalous!”
“On the contrary,” Charles said, not removing his eyes from Nicole. “Of all my decisions, of all my actions, this one has the feeling of being the most correct.”
“You must realize that with the enemy you face…sir, you could lose your lands, your title, everything!” Percy protested.
“What I have,” Charles replied softly, “in truth is not mine at all.”
“Uncle, I must refuse.”
“I beg you not to. I am releasing you from your obligations. In fact, I
want
you to return to the New World.”
Percy stared at them openmouthed. “You want…?”
“That’s right.” Charles then stood and walked over to his desk. “But there is something I would ask you to do for me.”
Nicole was no longer able to hold back the tears. “Anything.”
“I want you to live a full and joyous life. I want you to find your
own
destiny. I want you to become the woman we’ve all seen beginning to blossom these past months.”
Nicole raised her hand to her lips to stifle the sobs.
Charles picked up the documents that were handed him that evening by Samuel Blackthorne. “These papers confirm my landholdings in Massachusetts. Percy, I want you to draft a deed that will transfer ownership to Nicole and then add sufficient funds to enable her to do with the land whatever she pleases. No matter what the Crown might do to me here, at least she’ll be safe and well taken care of in America.” He gave them both a grand and satisfied smile. “And transfer to Nicole ownership of the painting that graces the wall of her bedchamber. May it always remind you, my dear, of one man who will be praying for you the rest of his life.”
Percy was unable to lift a hand to accept the packet. He just sat and watched as Charles laid the documents on the settee beside him. “But…what of your titles? Your home? Your holdings here, m’lord?”
“That’s all in God’s hands. As is everything upon this earth.” Charles felt the burden of a lifetime suddenly lifted from his shoulders and his heart. He smiled with deepest affection at the quietly weeping Nicole and said, “My dear, I beg you to agree to my request.”
Over the following days, Harrow Hall became a hive of activity. Captain James Madden had responded promptly to Charles’s letter of inquiry, stating there was a ship leaving in two weeks for Halifax from which they hoped to learn whether or not the New York port was still in British hands. The captain also mentioned that he’d be commanding the foredeck. This news was taken as a sign by all, and so the entire manor threw itself into preparations. For Charles, these days took on a breathless quality.
Even Lord Percy, indignant as he had been at the outset, could not hold himself back from becoming caught up in all the excitement. He finally left for London, where the newly drafted documents for the Massachusetts property were to be formally deeded and sealed. Percy had shouted from the carriage window as he pulled away that they were mad, the entire lot of them. Yet he was smiling, and, earlier, he had embraced Nicole, promising to pray for her every day. Furthermore, Percy had taken Charles aside and vowed to do everything in his power to arrange for Anne to be appointed his heir. The key, he said more than once, was to strike before Charles’s foes could marshal their forces.
To everyone’s amazement, the stabilizing force in the household had turned out to be their latest visitor, Judith Mann. Cyril’s mother had arrived the day after Charles’s surprising announcement. Immediately Judith set about helping Nicole prepare for the upcoming voyage. And there was not a moment to lose, that is, if the ship was to sail before the first of the winter storms arrived. For the weather seemed to emphasize the sense of urgency. The days were now marked by blustering showers and wind enough to toss the trees violently back and forth. Their world now lay littered with the parchment of a passing season.
Eleven days later they set out together for Portsmouth harbor. They traveled in Charles’s carriage and a hired coach that trailed behind, both piled high with trunks and bundles. It was not a penniless colonial lass returning home, but rather a fine lady traveling in the style which befitted her station. Their departure was graced with the fairest weather in weeks, chilly yet filled with sunshine accompanied by a light breeze.
Charles had risen early that morning and gone downstairs for breakfast, finding Anne and Judith sitting together near the fire. He was about to greet them when Judith said, “I could not help noticing the affection you hold for Thomas Crowley.”
Charles took a step back and listened as Anne replied, “I do hope you believe me that I mean your son’s memory no disrespect.”
“Which is precisely why I decided to mention this at all.” Judith’s chair creaked as she leaned forward, closer to her daughter-in-law. “My dear, you are young and alive with passion and potential. From everything I have seen, Thomas is a fine and upstanding gentleman.”
“Oh, he is!” Anne cried. “He holds the Lord in his heart’s central place and seeks ever to do His will.”
“Of that I have no doubt. Nor do I question that His hand is upon your relationship.”
“Mrs. Mann, to hear you say these words…” Anne stopped and composed herself. “I confess that with Thomas I find myself able to dream again. His hopes and plans for the future absolutely thrill me.”
“I am very happy for you, then. Would you accept an old woman’s advice?”
“Words from you are always welcome.”
“Thank you, my dear. If the experience of years has taught me anything, it would be that in the matters of the heart, especially when one has endured such rough times as you, it is vital to move slowly and with caution. There’s no need for rushing into anything. Take time to heal fully. Take time to come to know the man as well as his mission. Therein lies your greatest hope for lifelong happiness.”
Charles turned and walked silently away. His breakfast could wait a while longer.
