Once Upon A Regency: Timeless Tales And Fables by Grace Samantha & Mariel Amanda & Platt Meara & Merritt Allison & Thatcher Ari & Brower Dawn & London Sue & Barron Lynne & Andresen Tammy

Author:Grace, Samantha & Mariel, Amanda & Platt, Meara & Merritt, Allison & Thatcher, Ari & Brower, Dawn & London, Sue & Barron, Lynne & Andresen, Tammy [Grace, Samantha]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2016-02-04T16:00:00+00:00

MASQUERADING AS A MISS

CHAPTER NINE

Armed with Miss Franklin’s date of birth, Spalding revisited the parish nearest to Almondsbury and asked to see the record book for the appropriate year.

He was shooting blindly, he knew, believing to find Miss Franklin’s birth or baptism record in Almondsbury, but that town had to be where her mother was from. He prayed it was so.

The handwriting in the book was a horrid scrawl, and his eyes burned from deciphering the script. Still, he plodded on until he found a child named Cassandra. The birth date matched, but the family name was Norton, not Franklin. The witnesses were listed as Lord and Lady Royston.

That part, at least, matched Miss Franklin’s memories. Royston was close enough to stone as to be a likely match. He wrote down the information included in the record, then closed the book. He sought the parson in the next room. “Thank you for your assistance, but I have one more question. Do you know Lord and Lady Royston?”

“Of course. Everyone here knows of them.”

“Could you give me their direction?”

“Yes. If you take the west road out of the village, ride about three miles and you’ll see their home. You can’t miss it.”

The parson was correct about not being able to miss the estate. The substantial house sat adjacent to a large pond, with a stone bridge crossing the narrow end. The grounds were immaculately kept, the hedges trimmed into various animals. If his sisters saw the place, they would demand new landscaping at Fenwick Abbey.

A butler opened the door as soon as Spalding knocked. Handing the man his card, he said, “Lord Spalding to see Lord or Lady Royston.”

“May I tell them your purpose in calling?”

“It’s a personal matter regarding Miss Franklin.”

The butler closed the door leaving Spalding outside. A few minutes later, he returned. “Follow me, please.”

Spalding was led to a large drawing room, sunlight brightening the room through many large windows. The furnishings were more ornate than those at Fenwick Abbey, and they showed the wear of many years’ service.

Lady Royston motioned to a chair near hers. “You said you’re here about Miss Franklin.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I’m afraid she was lost at sea earlier this summer.” Her expression didn’t change, but the sadness in her eyes had been noticeable when he first sat.

“I have reason to believe otherwise.” He explained what he knew, starting with their arrival at the Johnsons’ home.

“And you believe this young woman is my grandniece?”

“I’m uncertain, to be truthful. Miss Cassandra Franklin was on her way to see her great aunt and uncle after the death of her mother. She only knows her great aunt as Wilhelmina, and doesn’t recall anything of her great uncle.”

Lady Royston gasped, raising her handkerchief to her breast. “How did you come to see me about this woman?”

“I found a birth record in this parish for which you signed as witness. Your relationship to the child wasn’t given, but I had to ask you in person if you are Miss Franklin’s relation. You see, her surname on the record was given as Norton, not Franklin.