An excited ambiance filled the room. The small group waited, not knowing what was happening. Lord Leopold Denyer had arrived with two strange men. Who were they? What were they doing here? What did they want? Had the House of Irvine collapsed completely? The duchess had been forced from the house. Would they lose their jobs? All these questions were abuzz on whispered voices.

The door flung opened. A young Bedawee man strode towards them, his cloak trailing behind him. Lord Denyer followed, with another strangely dressed man beside him. There was a loud gasp from the footman. He rushed forward, grabbed Samuel's hand, and went down on his knees. "My Lord! Your Grace! It is so good to see you."

Another gasp followed. Cook fainted. The room went into a chaos. Everyone spoke at once. Marvin ordered the two maids to take care of Cook and get her onto a chair.

Samuel smiled down at Carson. "How have you been, my friend?"

"Your Grace. I... I thoug..."

Samuel put his hand on Carson's cheek. "Please stand. I will explain." He looked up at the people in front of him. Marvin the butler, Norris the cook and Justin Tanner the head stableman, were all there. Carson stood beside the two maids, Alice and Heather along with Jeremy Gates the gardener. All stared wide-eyed at Samuel. He smiled. "I know this is a shock to you all. As you know, The House of Irvine has been put into disrepute, over the last three years. It is with a heavy heart that I return to you knowing my brother is dead. I have banished Caroline Somersby..."

Norris gasped loudly. Samuel continued, "Yes. Her name is Somersby. You have all been in this house my entire lifetime. You are my family, and therefore you should know the truth of what has happened."

"Samuel." Leopold touched his nephew's forearm. "Is this necessary?"

"Yes, Uncle. Without these people, The House of Irvine would not physically exist. From what you have told me, they have held multiple positions to keep Denbury Hall running. They deserve the truth."

Leopold bowed his head and stepped back.

Samuel faced the group again. "Caroline and George Somersby were not brother and sister but husband and wife. They murdered my father by suffocation. When I suspected the truth, I became a threat to George, so he organised to have me abducted."

More shocked murmuring rippled around the room.

"Please," Samuel said. "This is very hard for me to speak of, so I will only say it once. I was shipped to Algiers and sold into slavery. I will not talk of my time there." He lifted his hand and ushered Omar forward. "This man saved my life. His name is Omar. You will treat him with the same respect as you treat me. Without him, I too, would be dead." Samuel hung his head, dragged in some heavy breaths, and then looked back up. "I returned to England to discover my brother had died. George and Caroline Somersby poisoned him. I have been told he suffered in the worse possible way. I want to thank those of you, who did their best, to make him as comfortable as you could." Samuel took another deep breath. "This means I am now the Duke of Irvine. Other than my uncles and cousins, you are the first to know of my return. There is a lot of work to be done, to bring The House of Irvine back into repute. I know with your help, this can be done, and I thank you sincerely for holding everything together in my absence." Samuel looked around the room. The women had tears in their eyes. Cook was struggling to control her sobbing. Samuel went and knelt before her. He took her by the hand. "Norris, please. Don't upset yourself like this."

"Oh... My Lord," she howled. "I am sorry. I'm just so happy to see you. God has blessed us this day. You are alive." She threw her arms around him.

Leopold cleared his throat.

Samuel couldn't help but chuckle. This was not the, done, thing. A cook hugging a duke. He didn't care. These people were like family. "Shh... Norris," he tittered. "You're putting everyone into shock. I'll never get any work out of them." She chuckled with him. Samuel stood up and smiled. "Norris has been here since well before I was born. I don't know what we would do without her." He stepped back and focused on Heather and Alice. "I'm sorry, but the child William, will still need to be taken care of for the moment. I trust that I can leave this in your hands."

"Yes, My Lord." The women curtsied.

Samuel nodded and continued, "If any of you know the whereabouts, or anything to do with Anderson's disappearance, please let me know. Also, if you have any information, not already brought to light, to do with the deaths of my father and brother, that would also be appreciated. Tomorrow will be soon enough." Samuel looked around the group. "Justin, what of my horse, Cole. Do we still have him?"

"Yes, My Lord. He is in fine health, though he has not been ridden all these years. He does not allow another on his back."

"Good." Samuel smiled, and then turned to the cook. "Norris. How much meat do we have?" He smiled and held out his palms. "It is a beautiful day. You may all have the rest of it off, so we can start a fresh tomorrow."

Everyone talked at once. Samuel held up his hand to silence them. "We shall have a party on the lawn. If you could help cook prepare food and drinks, and those who play instruments, music would be appreciated." Samuel looked at Norris. "Don't work too hard. With the help of others, prepare simple food, so you may enjoy the day too." He bowed his head and left them all chattering and laughing. Leopold and Omar followed.

"Samuel." Leopold grabbed his forearm. "Is this wise?"

"Yes, Uncle." Samuel laughed. He hadn't felt this good in a long time. It was like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. "I want to dispel the bad atmosphere from this house, and what better way to do that, than to have a party."

*

Samuel set to work the next day making plans for the future. He hunched over ledgers, studying the figures from the farms.

"My Lord, you wanted to see me." Carson stood in the opened doorway with his hands in front of him and his head tipped.

"Yes." Samuel got up from behind the desk and moved around it. He was dressed in long black pants and a white open necked loose long-sleeved shirt with his dark hair, tied back in a knot. "I need a valet, Carson. Do you want your old job back, or are you happy as a footman?"

"Oh, sir." Carson couldn't hide the smile on his face. "I would be most honoured to be your valet."

"Good." Samuel patted him on the shoulder. "Can you ask Norris to come and see me, and then I'll get you to sort out my clothes." Samuel lifted the corner of his mouth. "I may need to have some new ones made. Perhaps I'll get you to organise a tailor in a day or two."

"Of course, My Lord." Carson bowed his head and left the room with a big smile on his face.

*

"You wanted to speak to me, My Lord?" Norris stood nervously before him. Perhaps he thought she was too old to continue to work.

"Norris. Yes. Please sit."

"Your Grace?"

Samuel chuckled and came around the bureau. He ushered her into a chair and sat facing her. "Norris, what I wish to speak about is something I need kept between you and I. You are the longest serving member of this household. I know that I can trust you implicitly."

"Oh." Norris put her hand to her mouth. Warmth coursed through her body. The honour she felt brought tears to her eyes. "Your Grace. Absolutely. You have my word; I will say nothing."

"It's to do with the child, William. I need to find him a good home. I want him to be raised by an honest hard-working family who do not live anywhere near here. I know you are from Northumberland and have family there. Do you know of anyone who would be willing to take him, and raise him as their own? I will pay them a yearly allowance to do this. However, I cannot have anyone else know of this arrangement. I need to keep his whereabouts a secret, so I'm asking for your help, Norris."

"Oh, Your Grace, you shall have it." The tears flowed over her lashes and down her cheeks. "I have a niece. She and her husband have never been able to have children. It has been one of the hardest things for her to deal with over the years. He is a blacksmith and farrier. A hard worker. They have a little cottage. Plenty of room. I'm sure they would love to have him. I could write to them, My Lord."

"That would be perfect, Norris. If they say yes, would you be willing to travel with me to take William to them. I will need to meet them so I can set up the trust."

"Oh, yes, Your Grace. I haven't seen my family for five years." Norris gulped back a sob and wiped her eyes.

Samuel took her hand and patted the back of it. "Thank you, Norris. When you receive word, let me know, and we will talk again." He watched her leave the room and smiled. Everything was going to work out for the boy.

Not long after there was another knock on the door. Samuel frowned and called, "Come."

"Your Grace." Marvin stepped into the room holding a letter in his hand. "May I speak with you?"

"Yes, certainly." Samuel put his pen down and indicated a vacant chair. "Please sit."

"Sir?" Marvin cocked his head and frowned.

"Sit, Marvin." Samuel smiled. "You have something you need to tell me"

"Yes, Your Grace." Marvin tentatively sat down, and then held out the letter to Samuel. "The duke gave this to me before he died, My Lord." Marvin held out another piece of paper. "With this, sir. He was unable to speak in the end but was able to write. There was always paper and ink within his reach. One day he pulled this from under his covers and handed it to me."

"Thank you." Samuel looked down at the letter. The envelope was blank. He unfolded the note. The writing was untidy, nothing at all like his brother's. Instead, it was that of a weak, sick man.

Marvin.

On the first anniversary of my death or on the return of my brother, Samuel, I ask you to deliver this letter to him, or to my uncle The Earl Leopold Denyer. I state a year, as I believe this will be enough time for mistakes to be made, and truths to unfold. It is of utmost importance this is kept secret. I trust in your loyalty to The House of Irvine.

Your servant,

The Duke of Irvine.

Frederick Denyer.

A lump formed in the back of Samuel's throat. It took him a moment before being able to look back up at Marvin. "Thank you." Samuel gave Marvin a forlorn smile. "Thank you for following his orders. If you could leave me now?"

"Yes, Your Grace. I am so sorry for your loss."

Samuel waited until Marvin had closed the door behind him before opening the letter. Inside was a copy of a marriage certificate with the names George Somersby and Caroline Hocket, married in Teignmouth, and dated two years prior to her marriage to Haliford. This was a relief. Teignmouth was in the South and Northumberland in the North. Very little chance of Caroline ever finding William if she had returned to her origins. Another slip of paper was in the envelope. A badly written letter of resignation from Anderson. Samuel frowned at it, and then opened the letter from his brother.

By now I will be dead. This certificate came to me one day ago.

Soon after Samuel's disappearance, I enlisted the services of a runner to investigate George Somersby and Caroline. I fell ill soon after. I suspect I have been poisoned though I have no proof. The arrival of this certificate proves Samuel was right in his suspicions, and I, in my assumption of poisoning. My illness has dragged on, and now I am unable to speak. I do not have much time left. Since losing my speech, George Somersby has hinted that Samuel is still alive, and living a life of hell. He has also hinted in having a hand in the death of our father. I am hoping it is you, Samuel, who are reading this. If not, please search for him Uncle Leo. George Somersby must hang for his crimes. Caroline too, is no innocent in this. They are both guilty. Justice must be ensured, for the harm done to The House of Irvine. The letter of resignation from Anderson is not real. Anderson was an educated man. This letter was certainly not written by him. I fear, he too, has been murdered.

Your loving brother and nephew, Fred.

Samuel folded the letter and put it back in the envelope along with the marriage certificate. He took a deep breath and looked at the ceiling. A tear ran down his face as he said, "Justice has been done, brother."

Another knock brought Samuel out of his revue. "Come!"

Justin Tanner, the head stableman, opened the door and put his head through the crack. "If I could have a word, Your Grace?"

"Yes of course, Justin." Samuel ushered him into the room. "What's on your mind?"

Justin fiddled nervously with the brim of his hat, as he held it in front of him. "You said if anyone knew anything about Anderson, sir, that you'd want to know about it?"

"Do you know something?" Samuel put his brother's letter on the desk and leaned forward, clasping his hands together.

"Yes, My Lord." Justin spun the hat in his hands. "He's been living on the farm, sir, and working as one of the hands. I wrote him a letter saying he'd gone so Mr. Somersby would think he had. Anderson said he was in trouble, and if he didn't disappear quickly, he'd be done for, so I helped him out."

Samuel burst into laughter. The relief he felt, took his breath away. "Well, you better tell him to get his backside back here, Justin. He has work to do."

Samuel is certainly taking control.  How do you think he is coping with his new responsibility as Duke of Irvine, a title he never wanted.

I'm overjoyed by the respect he has shown the staff. ♥

And isn't it marvellous that Anderson is alive and well. xoxo

Photo taken from Art UK