Page 3 of Master of Paradise
At mention of Eton, Nick's thoughts sped backto the day three years ago when he had had a man-to-man talk withhis father about not returning to school.
"Father, I hate the damned place, and most ofthe thick-headed fags who go there. I don't intend to go on toCambridge this year. So let's hear your thundering match now andclear the air. What I really want to do is start learning themanagement of this place. There's nothing like first-hand,practical experience. You've done it so long, it comes naturally,but it's a vast undertaking, and I might just as well learn sooneras later."
His father's eyes became pained as he sat himdown and furnished him with the facts of life.
"Nick, there's something I should have toldyou long ago, and I'm a damned scoundrel not to have done so. Purecowardice on my part, if you want the truth."
Nicholas knew he was somehow the cause of hisfather's anguish and wished he could ease the telling of this thingthat lay heavily upon the older man. He grinned encouragement tohis father. "Come on Harry; I can face it if you can."
"The fact of the matter is, I made thebiggest mistake of my life by not marrying your mother." He letthat sink in for a moment or two.
I'm a bastard,thought Nicholas,incredulously.I can't believe I've been in ignorance all theseyears,he thought dispassionately.
Lord Harry looked his son straight in theeyes. "The past cannot be altered, or I would alter it, so help meGod! At the time I chose not to marry a girl beneath my station andchose instead a lady of high birth who fitted perfectly into thesocial mileau of Peacock Hall. So you see Nicholas, Philip is mylegal heir; he'll get the title, the Hall, everything. No, noteverything," he amended. "I shall see that you get plenty of moneyand property of your own, but you will never be the Lord of PeacockHall." He shook his head regretfully. "The Fates have paid me backa thousandfold, giving me Philip for heir, rather than the son Ilove and cherish."
Nicholas said what he always said at mentionof his brother, "Philip isn't so bad." Then he asked, "My mother--she is dead, isn't she? You didn't lie to me about that?"
"I'm sorry to say that she is in truth dead.God rest her soul."
"Well," Nick shrugged, "what's the differenceif my brother has title to the place? It will still need a deal ofmanaging."
His father looked at him proudly, "I'll saythis for ye, bastard or no, you're a real man." He assured him,"I'll set up a trust fund for when you reach your majority. I'llput in enough so it will accumulate to about a hundred thousandpounds by the time you reach twenty-five." Harry winked at his son."I'll put a safeguard on what I leave you so you can't touch apenny before you're twenty-five. A young rogue would have it allspent on horses and wenches!"
Nick grinned. "Never had to pay for it yet,Father.
"By God, I'd hope not. A lusty young studlike you? Why stap me, half the women in London would pay you.You're like a young Apollo."
Nicholas dragged his thoughts back from thepast to hear the cool, remote tones of Lady Pamela say reprovingly,"Harry, you may inform Lady Sackville that I am quite put off ather not giving a formal dinner for the prince."
"Ah, can't do that m'dear. The visit issupposed to be a secret. The poor chap is so fawned upon byhostesses, the fellow never gets an informal moment to relax."Harry rubbed his finger alongside his nose. "So remember, mum's theword."
Philip, who had been listlessly toying withhis food, cast Nicholas an imploring glance and Nick immediatelynodded his understand. As soon as he got his father alone, he wouldplead Philip's case for a thoroughbred and some lessons in gunhandling. He knew he could sway his father, and hoped that Harrywould be able to overcome Lady Pamela's gentle sensitivities.
Before they arose from the dining table, sheinquired politely, "Shall I order the carriage, Harry?"
"Carriage?" he demanded incredulously. "Weshall ride as usual." He gave no thought to Nick's evening clothes,and indeed would similarly adorn his person before going to Knoleto spend the evening with the prince. Harry thought carriages werefor women and old men, and never tired of saying so.
Lady Pamela reproved gently, "If you areriding Harry, try not to overindulge."
Harry's face grew redder than its usual wontand the loudness of his voice increased apace. "I should hope I canstill hold my liquor, though I fail to see what possible differenceit makes to you when you insist we keep separate bedrooms," he saidbluntly.
Not by the flicker of an eyelash did shereact to his coarse remark in front of his sons, and Nicholas againmarveled at her unruffled poise.
On the way to the stables, Harry chuckledrichly, "Can't wait to see their faces when you clean them out.'Tis no wonder they dub you 'Old Nick', ye've the Devil's ownluck!"
"Skill Father, skill!" Nick grinned andchanged the subject. "By the way, it's high time Philip graduatedfrom ponies. The way he's mounted is a disgrace. He needs athoroughbred, and it's no good giving me the argument he can'thandle one, because he never will until he gets the chance. He'sdying to learn how to shoot. If you are too busy, I don't mindgiving him lessons."
"Hah! There'd be hell to pay. The womanshields him behind her skirts to the point of indecency."
The two large bays cantered along closeenough for a conversation between father and son with only a slightraising of their voices.
"Father, he's your son. You've only to saythe word and your word is law. You speak as if Lady Pamela was ashrew, when in point of fact she gently acquiesces to all yourwishes."
"Not all," he said drily, and Nicholasgrinned into the darkness as his graphic imagination pictured howearthy some of his father's wishes would be.
Knole, which had been built in the fifteenthcentury, was one of the largest private houses in England. Theirarrival coincided with that of their neighbors from the other greathouses in the district, who'd come for the high-stakes game.
Lord Bora and his son Perry, followed uponthe heels of Viscount De L'Isle from Penshurst, Sir Oliver Dykefrom Edenbridge Castle, and Francis Child, the world-famousbanker.
