Summoned To Berkshire

A month after news of Napoleon's escape, Niven turned away from the window in his office, surprised to see an unexpected visitor at the door. "Cousin," he exclaimed, offering Kenneth his hand. "I heard ye and Withenshawe were back from Vienna, but what are ye doin' here?"

Kenneth's frown confirmed his suspicion. For some reason, Withenshawe had not yet returned to the offices of his shipping company. That didn't bode well since the business had always taken center stage in his life. He hadn't been happy about a prolonged absence in Vienna.

"I am entrusted with an errand by my friend, William Halstead," Kenneth replied.

Niven's concern grew. "Is he well?"

"I cannot lie, Niven. He found the journey hard after contracting a chill. The doctor fears it may have settled in his lungs as pneumonia. The prospect of sending his sons off to war again hasn't helped."

A lead weight lodged in the pit of Niven's stomach. He, indeed the whole King family, owed a great deal to Withenshawe. He'd invested heavily in the Kingdom Distillery and provided free shipping for Uachdaran whisky from Dundee to London. Not only that, he'd entrusted Niven with oversight of his empire. "Have they taken him to his London townhouse?"

"No. Rochevaux Abbey in Berkshire was deemed to offer a better chance of recovery. Clean air, and it's the family seat."

"He has three sons."

"Yes, Rowan, Ash and Hawthorne. And I believe there's a daughter, another Withenshawe offspring probably named after a tree!"

Niven's mind whirled. Spruce? Nay, not for a lass. Olive? Magnolia?

"Anyway," Kenneth said, jolting him from his preoccupation with the name of a lass he'd never met. "He wants to see you."

"I'm to go to Berkshire?"

Kenneth chuckled. "You make it sound like the ends of the earth. The village of Billingbear is only about forty miles from the city. And don't worry. He's invited me and my family as well. We're expected on the morrow."

Niven wasn't sure why he was nervous. He'd done a good job of running the company—at least he hoped the duke thought so. The news that Cat was also going along eased Niven's nerves. It would be a pleasure to see her and her wee son again. He just hoped Kenneth's sister, Daisy, wouldn't be included. That brief romance was over and done as far as he was concerned.

"I expect Withenshawe wants to have a discussion about the Congress," Kenneth said. "He's in touch with Wellington on a daily basis. Cat and Daisy can spend time with the duke's daughter. From what I hear, her three brothers are her only company. My mother and Jock might come too."

Willow hadn't seen her father for months—not since his departure for Vienna and then only briefly. She was shocked to see he'd aged considerably. She supposed worry about the Congress and the latest news about Napoleon had contributed to his poor state of health. The prospect of sending his sons off to war again must be tearing him apart. He'd always been the rock of the family, her darling Papa, vibrant, energetic, successful. It broke her heart to see him so weak and sickly. The prospect of life without him at the helm was terrifying. Rowan would inherit the dukedom. She'd be completely under her military-minded brother's thumb. Spinsterhood loomed large.

She often wondered if the Three Trees had any regard for their father. They lived a lavish lifestyle, thanks to their father's lucrative shipping empire and other investments. His generous contributions in support of a whisky distillery in Scotland provided them with a plentiful supply of spirits. Yet, they'd preferred army life to getting involved in any of his businesses. It was disheartening, especially given their nominal standing as directors. She shuddered to think what might become of the company if her father died. Rowan wouldn't have a clue.

Since their father's return from Vienna, the brothers had done nothing but grumble about the host of nurses and doctors coming and going. She'd watched her father struggle for breath for hours, whereas Rowan, Ash and Hawthorne had visited only once, and then as the inseparable trio they were.

Despite the circumstances, she looked forward to the imminent arrival of the Duke of Ramsay and his family. Rowan had declared it an inconvenience he'd prefer to do without and, naturally, the other two had agreed with him. Was it any wonder few noble visitors ever ventured to Rochevaux Abbey?

The men traveled to Berkshire in one of Withenshawe's carriages, the women and Kenneth's infant son in a Ramsay conveyance. Niven was glad to be spared the necessity of listening to a wailing babe, but he was more relieved not to be traveling with Daisy Hawkins. Their brief relationship would never have gone anywhere but no man likes to admit he's been dumped.

Not that Daisy had acquired another beau. Like him, she would probably end up never marrying. A spinster.

While Kenneth prattled on about the joy of being reunited with his wife and bairn after Vienna, Niven lapsed into a doze. What was the word for a man who never married?

"Lifelong bachelor," Jock Graham declared.

Crivvens ! Had he spoken out loud? "Er…aye…'tis my intent. To be a lifelong bachelor."

It certainly sounded a more positive fate than spinster .

"You'll change your mind when you meet the right woman," Kenneth replied.

"Aye, laddie," Jock confirmed. "I've been blessed to be loved by two women. After my first wife died, 'twas a lonely life until I met Lady Maureen."

"I've enough to keep me busy at the shipyards and the bonded warehouse," Niven countered.

"Do you not want to father children?" Kenneth asked. "I can't tell you how proud I am of my son. Between you and me, I suspect Cat is carrying again. Maybe a little girl this time."

Niven thought of his brothers in Scotland, both fathers of wee ones. But fatherhood wasn't to be for the youngest King. His experience had convinced him lasses were fickle creatures who couldn't be trusted. Daisy had proven that, as had Jasmine Foxworthy who'd thrown Payton over for a rich earl.

However, it seemed pointless to argue with Kenneth and Jock. They were happily married and, in any case, the argument about Jasmine and Payton didn't really hold water. Jasmine's betrayal had freed Payton to marry the love of his life.

Thoughts of marriage and bairns fled when the carriage turned into a long avenue and Rochevaux Abbey came into view. The house dominated the surrounding verdant landscape. Niven knew the duke was rich, but this enormous five-story mansion oozed wealth and privilege. There may at one time have been an abbey on this very spot, but it was evidently long gone. His mind filled with all the things he hadn't accomplished while in charge of the shipping empire.