Page 83 of The Rules of Courtship
“He is a proud older brother again,” Jacob said, grinning. “We worried the babe would make Peter miss his younger sisters, but he has only made good comparisons thus far. He is utterly smitten with her.”
Oliver’s pulse began to race. “I realize it is not the most opportune time for a conversation, but when you have a moment, may I have a word with you?”
“Now is good. Eliza just managed to get Lydia to sleep again.” Jacob was taller than Oliver. He rubbed a hand over his jaw. “I have an idea what this might be about. You did not seem surprised to hear yourself referred to as a nephew of Captain Rose when the will was read.”
Oliver’s heart thudded. “No, I was not.” He swallowed, realizing this information was not new to Jacob. He was too calm, too accepting already. “How long have you known?”
“Since around the time I became engaged to Eliza.” He gave Oliver a sheepish smile. “I wanted to approach you, but it was thought that the news should come from the captain. Then he went missing.”
“There never is a good time for life-altering information, is there?” Oliver asked. Something about the comfortable way Jacob spoke put him at ease. “It has been something of a shock, but I admit to feeling relieved as well. Has your father been made aware?”
“I’ve started many letters to him, but they always end up in the fire.” Jacob grimaced. “I write to my mother occasionally, but we do not have a strong correspondence. Our relationship has not been easy. Were you told that they live in America?”
“Yes.”
“If you would like to make the connection, I am happy to draft a letter about you to introduce the idea to them.”
Oliver stood there, staring at his half-brother. The new changes in his life had all come on so quickly, he was not certain what he wanted. “Can I think about it?”
“Of course.”
“I am conscious of the fact that your father had a family after he and Diana parted ways,” Oliver said. “I would not wish for my existence to create any problems.”
Jacob looked thoughtful. “Understood, but at this point, I do not think you would negatively impact my parents’ marriage. My father parted ways with your mother before he was married. I think you need to decide what you would like to do and we can proceed from there. I have been—” He stopped, swallowing hard. “I have not had much in the way of natural family for most of my life, Oliver. It was good news to me when I learned of our connection. The majority of my family until now has been chosen or forged through friendship or marriage.”
Oliver could understand. He had plenty of family in the area, but no siblings, no parents who had not abandoned him—it was a singularly lonely experience to feel unwanted by the people who had brought you into the world. Understanding Captain Rose was merely an uncle had helped assuage the pain, but it did not erase the years of feeling abandoned before he learned the truth.
Oliver found himself smiling. “I have never had a brother before. I am looking forward to it immensely.”
Jacob dropped his head, rubbing the back of his neck. “Wedo not need to make the connection public unless you wish it. Our stations?—”
“I had the same thought, but for entirely different reasons.” Oliver huffed out a breath. “Very few people are aware of this, but when my grandmother died, she left me a debt-ridden estate. I have been clawing my way out of the hole all year, and the work is not finished yet, I still need three thousand pounds. Ruth has agreed to marry me, but we might not be able to remain here for long if I cannot find a way to pay back the debts my grandmother left behind.”
“I did not know.”
“No one does, except Ruth and her parents. All that to say, she has still agreed to marry me. If we make our relationship known, then the stain of illegitimacy might bleed into my family, and I want to protect them from that.”
“Understandably,” Jacob said.
“Adversely, I am not ashamed of our relationship, Jacob. I would be proud to call you my brother.”
“Please do not,” a woman’s voice said.
Oliver’s blood ran cold. He looked around the corner and found Esther standing there, a stricken look on her face.
“Forgive me,” he said tightly, frustrated to have been overheard. How long had she been listening? He really ought to have taken the conversation into a private room, but the hour was so early, the house silent. “I was unaware anyone else was awake.”
“I tried to sneak away when I recognized the private nature of your conversation, but when I heard you mention the debts your grandmother left—oh, Oliver. I had no idea.”
He was taken aback by the sorrow in Esther’s tone. “No one knew,” he said. “I had hoped to keep it that way.”
Esther nodded. “To protect your grandmother’s name, undoubtedly.”
She spoke as though she knew him. He exchanged a glancewith Jacob; the man’s eyebrows were raised slightly. “That was my objective, yes.”
“I could have guessed.” She let out a soft breath. “William spoke of you often. I feel as though I know you, which is unfair when I am a veritable stranger.”
This was interesting.
