The Gentleman’s Impossible Task (The Fairbanks - Love & Hearts) (The Regency Romance Story) Read online

  Sam felt himself blush and was surprised to feel a lump in his throat. “Thank you, Aunt. And you asked about my work. I am really on holiday now, in between leaving the old building and going to a new one. I have not yet had enough experience of the Yard to know how it will be different from my own ways. But I spoke to Sir Robert and he said—”

  “You spoke to Sir Robert Peel? That must have been an exciting moment for you!” Elizabeth looked impressed. Sir Robert Peel’s act of creating the London police force had provided the first adequate means to combat crime in London. The position of authority Sam had received was indirectly thanks to Sir Robert, and it was clear that he admired the man hugely.

  “It was exciting to meet him, yes,” Sam admitted with a smile. He looked out through the window, scanning the beautiful clear sky. “I am anxious for a holiday from all the action. I am glad the act passing through Parliament has given me these weeks. I need time to reflect on my life and my career.”

  “Have you discovered anything during those reflections?” Elizabeth asked, smiling gently.

  “Oh, no, not yet. I’ve only just started this particular investigation.” He grinned. “The investigation into the deepest inner parts of Samuel Worthington.”

  The three chuckled.

  Shawn cleared his throat “What do you… or did you, rather, have to contend with while you were working alone?”

  Sam’s eyes drifted to the ceiling as he searched his memory. “Theft and espionage in the main, Uncle. That was the most of it.”

  “Have you had to solve any murders?” Elizabeth asked, leaning forward with an anxious look on her face.

  Sam lifted his eyebrows. “Unfortunately, yes. I have seen four cases of murder and several attempted murders in the last ten years.”

  “You’ve been doing this for longer than that, haven’t you?” Elizabeth leaned forward and took the glass of wine her husband was handing her. “Thank you.”

  “I have, though I had not made a name for myself before 1820. So, it is only nine years and seven months since I have been regularly involved. It has been quite adventurous.” He chuckled. “It was my good friend, Nigel, who introduced me to that. Do you remember Nigel, Uncle? He mentioned that he worked with you when he visited Fairfield?”

  “I seem to recall something like that.” Shawn nodded. “It was... perhaps five years ago?”

  “Yes, that’s correct. He has been my friend for many years. We were at Cambridge together.” Sam grinned at the memory.

  “He spoke highly of you when he was here,” Shawn said.

  “We are good friends. And it was him who referred members of the Ton to me whenever a crime needed to be solved. I can thank him for my career now.”

  They all sat quietly a moment.

  “I’ve heard stories about you saving people, too. In more ways than one,” Elizabeth mentioned.

  Sam shrugged. He was well-built and very handsome, and Elizabeth could not help but think that if he set his sights on a woman, he would not have any trouble winning her heart. “I do what I can with this time I have on earth. I may not have a title but I can leave a legacy of kindness and justice after me.”

  Shawn nodded. “That is wise statement, young man. You must have done well at Cambridge.”

  Sam grinned. “I would say I was fairly hopeless, Uncle. Or so the dons informed me. I’ve learned a great deal more over the years. A lot about human nature and instincts. I have been observing people all my life. I sometimes feel I can see the intentions of others within moments of meeting them.”

  “Are you always correct?” Elizabeth tilted her head to the side, intrigued by her young nephew.

  Again, Sam smiled, lighting up his face up and making it more handsome than it already was. “I would say I am right nine times out of ten. And in my defense, for the other one in ten, I have at least pointed the investigation in the right direction. A few times I have truly misjudged someone the villain. But mostly, I have been correct in my observations.”

  “So lovely.” Elizabeth clapped her hands softly. She could not help herself and continued with a sly grin. “Do you think you will be able to attend any of the balls and parties we have planned? I’m sure there are many dances for your evening if you chose to attend.”

  “And a lot of ladies, too, Aunt?”

  “Perhaps.” Elizabeth giggled.

  Shawn outright laughed, shaking his head and giving his nephew a knowing look.

  Sam answered while laughing, “I will tell you... as I told my mother, Aunt Elizabeth. When the right woman comes along, I will surely know it.”

  Elizabeth joined him in laughter. “Are you not in search of a bride, even now, young sir?”

  “I am, your grace, but only to the extent that if I meet someone at the dance, I will take time deciding if she is the one.”

  “You may not have the luxury of making that decision, young man,” Elizabeth said, still giggling.

  “Oh? And why not?”

  “Because sometimes love hits like a storm that you cannot avoid.”

  He shrugged. “I am not sure I would prefer one way over the other – the slow discovery or the sudden surprise. For my part, I am satisfied with my life. I wake up every morning happy to be alive.”

  “That is wonderful to hear, Sam. We have made up a bed in the east wing for you for while you are here in Fairfield. I trust it will be to your liking? My husband says you are an early riser.”

  “That sounds lovely, Aunt Liz. Thank you.”

  “Not at all, young man. We are glad to have you here!”

  CHAPTER TWO

  DINNER AT WORTHINGTON MANOR

  DINNER AT WORTHINGTON MANOR

  The dining room at Worthington Manor was lit with soft candlelight, gleaming off the silverware and the silk-papered walls. Sam crossed the threshold to where his uncle and aunt were already standing at the window, marveling as he did so at the restrained luxury of the room.

  “Good evening, Uncle. I am sorry if you were waiting?”

  “Not at all, nephew. We just arrived ourselves. I trust you had an exciting afternoon?”

  Sam pulled a face. “I was very glad to have an uneventful time.” He sat down in the chair offered to him beside his uncle. “I’ve been exhausted by the past months and all I can think about is not having to think about anything.”

  Shawn and Elizabeth laughed with him as they seated themselves. “We have had a quiet few years, Sam,” the duke replied. “It seems the older we become, the more peaceful our lives are.”

  “I haven’t heard that before, Uncle,” Sam said quizzically. “I have heard that the time goes by faster with every year that passes. But no one else has told me it becomes more peaceful. I think we do not have much peace in London.” He sighed.

  “What kind of crime do you encounter there, Sam?” Elizabeth asked curiously. “Is it so very dangerous? I find it hard to imagine anywhere but Fairfield.”

  “Fairfield?” Sam chuckled gently. “Your grace, the crime here in Fairfield is nearly nonexistent. If you want to see a real den of iniquity, you have to go to a large town, frequently visited and the most populated of all England. London, for example.”

  Elizabeth raised a brow. “It seems obtuse, does it not? To commit crimes in a place so densely populated? Would they not be more successful here in Fairfield, where they would not be caught as easily?”

  Sam raised his eyebrows, tipping his head in her direction. “Caught as easily? I would it was easy to catch them in London, your grace.” The tips of his lips lifted in a smile. His eyes twinkled merrily at her. “And mayhap it would be, were we facing only the odd theft or some crooked dealings. In London, we have not only crooks and thieves. We face so much, and all the time we work around the wayward children, all over the streets of London. It’s as though they’ve never had parents. Many are thieves themselves, but I turn a blind eye to them.”

  Elizabeth nodded, and Shawn frowned. “You should not have to, nephew.”

  Sam
tilted his head to the side. “No, I should not. But what else can I do? They are hungry.”

  Shawn and Elizabeth looked at each other sadly. The door to the kitchen swung open, and Beatrice and Emma came through bearing large round trays. Each tray held two covered platters. They set the platters down on the table skillfully and gave the duke a respectful curtsy before leaving the room as quietly as they had entered.

  Sam eyed the roast ham in front of him as the footman removed the cover. “This is going to be the best meal I have had in a long time, Uncle. I can feel it.”

  Shawn beamed at him. “I hope so, Sam! But you must continue to tell us about your work in London. Have you faced any challenging cases?”

  “Indeed I have,” Sam said, sighing as he remembered them. “I have solved several cases that I thought I would never come to understand. But, at times, it is not possible. In fact, there are a handful of cases I have yet to solve.”

  “No.” Elizabeth shook her head. “I find that hard to believe. As intelligent as you are, as charismatic? I cannot believe there is anything that can get past you.”

  Sam stood up from his chair, pushing it back with his knees and gave the duchess a deep bow, placing one hand in front of him and the other behind his back. “Thank you, your grace. You give me far more credit than I deserve.”

  She smiled as he sat down, blue eyes regarding him warmly. “Do you see? How can anyone lie to you? You are simply charming.”

  Sam pulled his chair a little closer to the table, returning her smile. “I appreciate those words, Aunt Elizabeth. However, I must admit my failings. These cases I speak of, they are not ordinary cases. They involve many tangled webs, and I could only untangle them so far. I might find I have to resort to some other means for finding out the truth. People do lie, your grace. Despite my charisma and charm.” He grinned at her, inclining his head.

  “And good looks,” Elizabeth added for good measure. She looked at Shawn. “He is so much like you when you were that age.”

  “I was never a charismatic, handsome detective though, was I?” Shawn grinned at her and raised a brow at Sam. “Be careful. The duchess has set her eyes on you.”

  Elizabeth gasped, covering her smiling lips with one hand. “Shawn! Don’t say such things. What would be said if that got out in society? The ton would laugh, I am certain of it.”

  “Oh, I am certain of it, as well, my love.” Shawn laughed.

  Elizabeth narrowed her pretty eyes at him. “I am not certain whether that is a compliment or an insult.”

  Shawn had stopped laughing and was looking at his wife with great admiration. “I meant only they would think no such thing of you, my dear Liz. I would not insult you.”

  Sam squirmed slightly in his seat, feeling slightly uncomfortable. The intimate love between his aunt and uncle was something that was new to him. He cleared his throat, his eyes down on the plate in front of him. The footman had filled it with a deliciously-scented broth. He desperately wanted to eat but his aunt and uncle had not so much as lifted a spoon to take a bite. Perhaps they were waiting for him? He had been out of society for so long he had almost forgotten his manners. He just knew his stomach would soon be growling loudly enough for both of his relatives to hear it.

  “Shall we eat?” Elizabeth said, much to his relief.

  “Yes,” Shawn replied. “I will say grace.”

  Sam tried not to groan outwardly. He did not want his uncle to think he did not want to say grace. He knew the Worthingtons were an unusually devout family. But he had no idea if Shawn would follow the usual mode or if he would make a sermon of it. He bowed his head, saying a quick prayer of his own that Shawn would say a two-minute prayer.

  “Bless us, Our Father, Thy gifts to our use and us to Thy service; for Christ’s sake. Amen. Thank you also for our nephew Sam, who has come to visit, and we pray You grant him a time of peace from the crime he faces daily.”

  Thankful for the short prayer, Sam immediately lifted his spoon. He was ready to taste the sweet ham on his tongue that the footman had revealed from underneath the covered salver. He had not enjoyed a good meal for some time. He ate wherever he could find an inn in London and he never knew what to expect. His favorite tavern made delicious meals, but it was in the least-salubrious quarter and he did not visit if he did not have to. It was a shame. He had always thought that if he ever needed a cook, he would find out who cooked in that tavern and hire them.

  “It is a good thing that you face challenges in your work,” Elizabeth said, lifting her spoon to her lips and sipping the hot soup. “I imagine it makes it much more interesting.”

  Sam nodded. “It is, yes.”

  “Do you have plans for Christmas? It is only a few short months away.”

  “I do not, as a matter of fact. I have no wife and no children and so Christmas seems somewhat immaterial. My parents…” He smiled at Shawn. “...as you know, are in the Americas. So I will be alone this Christmas.”

  “You must try to come back and celebrate with us!” Elizabeth sounded excited. “And you cannot say now that you will be alone,” she added archly. “Perhaps we will find a woman for you before then.”

  Sam laughed. “Thank you, Aunt. But I do not think I have the time to invest in marriage. I am run off my feet by my employment. I am one of only twenty inspectors in Charing Cross. And the other inspectors almost all have families. Someone will need to take care of crime while they are held down at their homes.”

  “If you are able, please come. If you cannot, we do understand.” Shawn gave Elizabeth a gentle warning look not to pursue the line of questioning.

  “London is a beautiful place,” Sam said in between bites, finding that he was getting full quickly. They had finished the soup and moved on to the ham, and his stomach seemed unused to such rich food. “But especially in the East End, there are people who must be protected. For every criminal, there is a victim. And they are the ones for whom I work. To see that each victim gets justice.”

  “You mentioned you do not see only thefts or crookery. So what sort of crimes do you encounter then?” Elizabeth gave him a fascinated look as she cut into a slice of ham.

  “I would say that above all else, we deal with drunkenness, assaults, and theft. There are assaults even against our newly-trained policemen, but I must say that sometimes I have my sympathy with the assaulters.” He chuckled mirthlessly. “Some of our force are poorly-trained and I have caught several myself who were drunk on their beat. Why should a victim of crime approach such a man? There is little trust so far. For myself, though, I must say I have been met with respect. I am proud of my work and I like the challenges.”

  “And – pardon me, my love – you have been combating prostitution?”

  Sam shook his head sadly. “No, Uncle. I cannot in all conscience arrest those women. Those who are selling their bodies have a reason for doing so. They need to eat. They need to have clothes to wear and shoes on their feet: not that they all have shoes.” He looked down at his plate, distressed. “I am led in that, as all things, by my conscience.”

  “I know you are, Sam.” Shawn nodded. “I have heard good things about you.”

  “Thank you, Uncle Shawn. I appreciate your words.”

  “I was speaking to the—“

  Shawn did not finish his sentence. All three of them turned to the door as it burst open. A woman came through, followed closely by the butler, Joshua.

  “Your grace, your grace!” The woman ran directly to Shawn and fell to her knees next to his chair, lowering her head and sobbing into her hands.

  Shawn leaned over to place his hands on her shoulders. He glanced over to see that Elizabeth had jumped up from her chair and was reaching to help the woman to her feet.

  “Annette!” she said.

  “Annette… what has happened?” the duke asked.

  The woman continued to sob for a few more minutes. She finally lifted her head and looked at both of them. “My husband… Joseph. Joseph has died!”


  “What?” Shawn looked taken aback. “Has he been ill?”

  Annette shook her head jerkily. “No, no. He has not been ill. He has been in excellent health. We… we have been very hap… happy. We have plans for… Christmas and… his family is… coming. Oh, your grace, I don’t know what to do.”

  “I don’t understand. How did he die?”

  “He… he did not wake up from his rest. He likes… to take a rest during the afternoon when it’s… been a difficult day. I am not sure what was troubling him, but he was upset when he came home for tea and lunch. He retired to the bedchamber and… and… oh, your grace, he did not wake up!” She lowered her head and began to sob again.

  Elizabeth knelt down and wrapped her arms around her. “Oh, dear. Oh, dear,” she murmured.

  Sam watched the scene with a sinking heart. And not only because of the misery of the woman, Annette. He knew that his hope for a peaceful visit with his aunt and uncle had just been entirely dashed. This sudden death would need investigating, and that was what he did.

  CHAPTER THREE

  ANNETTE AND THE INSPECTOR

  ANNETTE AND THE INSPECTOR

  Sam and Shawn left Elizabeth to console the countess at Worthington Manor and rode to the Franklin estate to see for themselves what had happened. On the way, Shawn apologized to his nephew.

  “I am sorry, nephew. This was meant to be your holiday. It seems it will be interrupted.”

  “Don’t be concerned, Uncle. There is certainly nothing you could have done to prevent this from happening.” Sam chuckled. “Unless you killed Earl Franklin. In which case, I really wish you had chosen a different time to commit the crime.”

  Shawn laughed as well and then his smile faded. “It seems uncouth to laugh when a man has died.”

  “You are right. We are uncouth.”

  Both men laughed despite themselves at that as the carriage pulled into the long path that led to the estate. It was flanked on both sides with rows of green trees, some with the last of the season's apples hanging from the branches. Sam was reminded of the apple pie that had been meant for their dessert that evening. Clouds covered the darkening sky, making it appear later than it was. Tall lanterns were set about ten feet apart along the pathway, providing dim light for the passersby. They were already lit, indicating that the estate was still unruffled, no one lapsing in their work because of the tragedy. Sam wondered what kind of relationship the earl had with his servants.