Page 69 of The Phantom Duke
“I found that becoming a duchess rather than simply being the daughter of an earl led to an increase in the amount of my time I was asked to give to… well, everybody,” Anna said. “From one or two letters a week from my friends to dozens from complete strangers who wished the patronage of a duke and duchess. You should become accustomed to it, Maria.”
“Damien is not exactly the kind of duke of whom one seeks patronage. That is why I was asked to marry him, after all.”
“Perhaps this is evidence of the civilizing effect you are having upon him?” Theodora asked.
Maria’s mouth fell open as she read the letter. It was difficult to describe the feeling that swept over her, for the claim was so utterly absurd that it seemed impossible.
“Hardly!” she gasped. “Listen to this!”
She began to read.
Your Grace,
I trust this missive finds you well and becoming accustomed to your new role as duchess and wife to my brother…
Maria looked up. “Brother!” she repeated.
“Yes, people do have siblings,” Evelina said, sounding confused.
“But Damien does not. At least, he believes he does not. His mother died at his father’s hands. By the way, that is one of the secrets this house holds and obviously should go no further than the four of us.”
The other ladies looked shocked.
“Murder?” Evelina asked, her face aghast. “I have never heard that.”
“Nor have I,” Anna said. “Of course, he is aduke. I am certain that—if it is true—the late Duke of Winterleigh would have some means of concealing his misdeeds. Men like that always do.”
“Indeed,” Theodora said. “But can it be true?”
They looked at Maria, who gave them a helpless shrug. “I do not know, butthisis something I have not heard before.”
“Yes,” Evelina said, gazing intently at the letter. “Yes, a brother.”
“It is like something from a novel,” Theodora murmured. “All of it.”
“Indeed,” Anna said.
Maria read on.
I write to you in expectation and hope of a favorable reception. I have conducted much research into the reputation of my brother—a stranger to me—and gleaned much of his character. It has led me to reject the notion of communicating directly with him. I do not wish my correspondence to be dismissed as a hoax. I hope that, as a member of the fairer sex, my plea might be heard by you.
My name is Ezekiel Alaric. I am a brother, as mentioned, to Damien. Our mother was driven out of Winterleigh in fear for her life before I was born. I came into the world in Northumberland, where I have endeavored to build a life for myself. I now feel that I am ready to meet my brother. I am alone in the world without either parents or a wife. I do not say this to elicit sympathy, simply as a statement of fact.
I would like very much to correspond with you and ultimately to meet you at some neutral location in London. That is where I am writing from. I look forward to your reply.
Master Ezekiel Alaric
“Well, what do you make of that?” Maria said, sitting heavily on a chaise like a puppet whose strings had been cut. “It is impossible!”
Even as she denied the possibility of Damien having a sibling previously unknown to him, she wondered if the lettermightbe truthful. Her husband was a man with many secrets.
Evelina put out her hand for the letter, and Maria handed it over.
“What a development! A long-lost brother that the duke does not know of!” Anna said, eyes shining with excitement.
“It seems to me, Maria, that this is your opportunity to overcome the barriers you described the duke as maintaining. If you were to be the architect of a reunion, or to be more precise, a union, as it sounds like they have never met, surely the duke would look favorably on you?”
“Hold now, Theo,” Evelina said, putting the letter down. “Do we know how the duke will react to this letter? His brother is so wary of being suspected that he has not written to the duke directly, but to our friend Maria,” she looked directly at Maria. “How do you think he will react?”
