Chapter 28
In the south salon of the Duke of Rutland’s townhouse, Sebastian, the butler announced Lady Jane Winthrop Dabney. Alexandra smiled and motioned Lady Jane to a brocade settee. Nicholas had volunteered to take her son, John for a tour of the gardens.
Alexandra poured tea, having dismissed all the servants for the privacy of the occasion. Lady Jane looked at the grandeur, clasped and unclasped her hands. “I’m overwhelmed by your attention, Lady Sutherland, and for Lord Rutland to take an interest in my son, giving him a tour of the gardens, but I am unable for the life of me to understand why?”
Alexandra placed her hand on the older woman to quell her shaking. “You are in good company, Lady Jane. You do not need to be worried.”
“May I ask how you made the acquaintance of Captain Sharp? Is he alive?”
Alexandra shook her head sadly, allowing the truth to sink in.
Lady Jane began to cry.
“I want you to know, your Captain Sharp, in a way, saved our lives.”
She frowned. “Saved your lives?”
Alexandra nodded and gave her a summary of events, how they found the cottage and supplies that helped them survive. Finally, she presented the locket and well-thumbed book. “This is Captain Sharp’s diary. He died with the locket you gave him over his heart. He never stopped loving you.”
Lady Jane took the locket, clenching the gold heart-shaped piece in her fist. “This is my locket. I remember giving it to him before he left. When he didn’t return—”
“—You thought he had died. But he lived.” Alexandra tapped the book. “In his diary, you will learn that he had returned to England, discovered you were married and expecting your first child. In no way did he desire to upset your life. Heartbroken, he quietly moved away to a deserted island and lived out his days alone.”
Lady Dabney placed her palm on her chest. “If I only knew, I would have sailed away with him. I loved John more than life itself.”
She started crying, full drenching sobs. “I waited and waited for him. I found myself with John’s child. My father was a strict man and would have thrown me out on the streets. My only recourse was to accept Sir Dabney’s proposal. I never loved him.”
“Sir Dabney,” Alexandra said.
Lady Jane nodded. “I had to protect my child. I loathed Sir Albert Dabney. He was a charlatan, and I soon learned he was a womanizer, drinker and had gambled away my dowry. When my father died, and left me his estate Albert wasted the entirety. Now he has left us with tremendous liabilities and terrible poverty. Every day I fend off creditors. Sir Dabney is to die soon. The doctors say he has two to six months. His profligate lifestyle caught up to him. At least he will be in a better place while I face the looming threat of debtor’s prison. Oh, how I had high hopes for my son. He is very intelligent and I wanted him to continue his education, but…”
Alexandra gave her a handkerchief. Her son, John, was Captain Sharp’s child? Alexandra imagined the terrible paradox Lady Dabney found herself in. Unmarried and pregnant? Captain Sharp’s delays fueled her desperation. “We all make mistakes, have struggles and regrets. But you are not your mistakes.”
Alexandra moved to the door, and opened it a crack. “Lord Rutland.”
Nicholas and John Dabney entered. John’s dark hair and good looks at sixteen years, were probably from his father. He sat on the settee and put his arm around his mother. “I have had the most wonderful time with Lord Rutland. Mother, have you been crying?”
Six footmen entered and deposited three heavy chests. At Nicholas’s nod, they departed He locked the door.
If Lady Dabney or her son thought his behavior odd, they did not indicate.
Alexandra stood next to the chests. “What I’m about to reveal, will give you the power to shape both you and your son’s futures.”
“I-I don’t understand,” said Lady Dabney.
“Captain Sharp’s last wish was for you to have this gift,” said Alexandra.
Alexandra and Nicholas popped open the trunks. Gold coins, pearls, and gemstones glittered and gleamed.
Lady Dabney’ jaw dropped open.
John Dabney was thunderstruck. “Mother, I demand to know who is Captain Sharp and why would he give us his treasure?”
Alexandra lifted some gold pieces and dropped them into Lady Dabney’s hands. “This is why he left you, but unfortunate circumstances, meaning storms, and then being enslaved by Barbary pirates, prevented him from returning to you on time.
Lady Dabney broke into sobs again, and hugged her son. “Captain Sharp was your father. You are named after him. When we get home, we will have a talk.”
“I recommend you keep your treasure in our care until your husband dies,” said Nicholas. “That way, you can keep it from dishonest creditors.”
Nicholas put his arm around a beaming Alexandra. “I have one request, Lady Dabney. I expect you and your son to attend our wedding.”