An Officer, Not a Gentleman by Elizabeth Johns

Author:Elizabeth Johns [Johns, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781733958721
Published: 2020-04-28T05:00:00+00:00

At the wake, Uncle Fergus stayed by Bridget’s side whenever Aunt Betha came near. For some reason he had decided to protect her, but she was grateful. After everyone had paid their respects to her, he pulled her aside to a nook in the drawing room.

“Do you really think there is a copy of your father’s will at the London house?” he asked.

“I wish I knew for certain. There were no papers of any kind in his trunks. There have to be some somewhere. He would not lodge everything with his man of business, surely? Why do you ask?”

“I have a suspicion Betha is plotting something, and I strongly suspect it has to do with Riordan marrying.”

“Surely there will be someone willing to marry him for his title alone?” Bridget countered.

“No doubt, but no outsider would be invested in keeping it a secret as family would be. If that knowledge were made public, he could be hanged. I wonder what she will try now that she knows you are ineligible?”

“I certainly do not wish for him to be hanged,” Bridget said. She and Rory had been playmates, once upon a time. Perhaps that was why her aunt thought she would be tolerant of his tendencies. “Hopefully she will let me go in peace. Do you think she has legitimate claims on my father’s will?”

“I would not think so, but she might be hiding it in order to constrain you.”

The solicitor said that without the will we will have to go to the Chancery Court. It could take months.”

“At least you have your husband’s military pay for now,” he said reasonably.

“That is true,” she said, feeling quite guilty for dragging Tobin into such a mess. She looked over to where he was conspicuously hiding in the corner and smiled. An older gentleman went up to speak to him and Tobin tensed.

“Who is that man speaking with my husband?” Bridget was astonished how quickly the lie flew off her tongue. Perhaps it was because she wanted it to be true.

“That is Lord Wrexford.”

Bridget took a closer look. The man looked exactly as she imagined Tobin would in twenty years’ time. Tall, handsome, distinguished… “I should have guessed.”

“The resemblance is remarkable. It is a pity about Kilmorgan.”

Bridget was confused. It must have shown.

“His heir died last year. No one really says why, other than illness. He and Riordan were close.”

“Tobin looks uncomfortable. Perhaps I should rescue him.” She was about to walk away when her uncle took hold of her elbow.

“I will try to have a discreet search for you.”

She met his gaze with a look of what she hoped was appreciation. “Thank you, Uncle. I fear I will need all the help I can get.”

She walked slowly across the room, trying to determine if she would be intruding. All she knew was that Tobin felt animosity towards his father, yet it appeared as though Lord Wrexford felt no shame in acknowledging him. So far, it did not seem that her family was aware Tobin was illegitimate.

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