THE HONORABLE ROGUE
Bonus Epilogue
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CHAPTER ONE
Ten Years Later
Charles held Violet’s hand in his. Their eyes were on the stage, watching his brother deliver his talk. “He’s good, Papa. Uncle Benjamin is doing an excellent job of explaining astrometry to those of us who know little about it.” He looked down at his daughter, who appeared to be enjoying the lecture as much as Charles. Of course, his enjoyment was because it was his little brother up there. The words themselves were just a jumble of terms and explanations about a field he knew nothing about and never would. “Do you grasp what he’s saying, Lexi?” His daughter, now nine years old, and a replica of her mother, with all her Aunt Flora’s worst traits and determined nature, tended to run the household. If her parents let her, that is, which they did not, but she still tried. Secretly, Charles and Violet loved her strength, even if sometimes they wanted to gag her. Her younger sister Beth, however, who sat beside her, swinging her legs back and forth, was the exact opposite. More like Charles. Usually, by day’s end, her hair had come free from the pins holding it, and her dress was rumpled. Beth was usually reading or daydreaming. She was the perfect foil for her volatile sister, and Charles and Violet often said they’d been exceptionally lucky to have two daughters that were the exact opposite of each other. Had they not, life in the Thomas household would be a constant struggle. “It’s exceedingly complex,” Violet whispered, “but I am so proud of Benjamin, Charles. He is doing wonderfully well up there in front of all those stuffy astronomers.” He looked down at his wife. Violet had found her first grey hair yesterday, and to say she was displeased about that was an understatement. Lexi had told her she had it because she was old, which did not help the situation. “Why does it bother you?” Charles had asked Violet. “I’m not entirely sure,” she’d told him. “But it does.” “Ageing is inevitable, my love.” “Well, that makes me feel better then,” she’d muttered before walking away from him. “Your brother is far smarter than you, Charles.” “Yes, thank you, Alex,” he said to his cousin, who sat behind him. “But he had to get his brains from somewhere, remember.” “We all know they’re from me,” Flora said. “Untrue, as he was brought up in my household, clearly, it was me,” Madeline, his older sister, said from beside Alex. “It comes through the male line,” Charles added. “Now be quiet, our brother is doing a summary.” “Thank God, because that means he’s nearly finished,” Ram added under his breath. “And now I shall take questions,” Benjamin said when he was done. Tall and lean, every time Charles looked at his brother, he saw his father staring back at him. Pride and love was all around Charles for the young man who stood up there. For the boy who had entered their life under tumultuous circumstances and then become one of them. “I can’t believe that old windbag just said that to Benjamin,” Violet hissed in his ear. “Boo!” Flora was yelling from behind him. “What did he say?” Charles asked Violet. “Basically, that Benjamin was a young upstart who needed to spend a great deal more time researching before they would find his opinions credible.” “I beg your pardon?” Charles got out of his seat as, beside him, Lexi climbed onto hers. She then shook a fist at the man, who was also on his feet. “Get your facts right, Burlington!” Alex roared from behind them. “How bloody dare you!” Charles thundered. “That will do,” Bramstone said from the row in front. “You will all sit down now,” he added. “No need for the talk to be, that up-and-coming young astronomer Benjamin Thomas has an unruly family, and therefore to be avoided at all costs.” He didn’t want to sit, but after a final glare at Lord Burlington, Charles did, bringing Lexi down with him. “You have to love those Nightingales,” someone in the rows behind said. He thought it might have been Mr. Douglas from Crabbett Close. Charles settled back into his seat, anger still lingering. They were a fiery lot, his family, and while, once, he’d never have thought of himself that way, he most certainly was now. Looking at his brother, who was acknowledging the loud applause from others in the room, with a bowed head. The loudest of which came from their family, he thought that today the youngest Thomas had made a statement, and he was sure that was a threat to some. Thinking of his father, Charles no longer experienced that niggle of pain. With Flora’s help, he’d forgiven him for his perfidy. He’d given them Benjamin, and while the circumstances had not been favorable, the result was that he, Madeline, and Flora had a wonderful brother, who they loved very much. Rest easy, father, and know we will always care for your other son. CHAPTER TWO
After the lecture, they were all to drive to the Pavlov Estates, which was, of course, theirs, but still named as such.
For ten years, it had served as a place for those in need of a safe haven to stay for as long as they wished, but after their recent purchase of another property for this purpose, today the Pavlov Estate was about to be opened as something different. “I am very hungry,” Lexi said as the carriage rolled through London. “So hungry, my stomach is hurting,” she added. “Alexis, to be really hungry you would have to go without food for a whole day, if not two, which,” Violet said as her daughter opened her mouth, “I assure you, you never have.” “You can wait until we arrive, daughter,” Charles said calmly. He was often the voice of reason in their household, as Violet tended to battle wills with Lexi often. “Exactly,” Violet said. She was then the recipient of a squinty-eyed glare from her child. Again, something she received most days. Lexi then spent the drive explaining every detail she could recall of Benjamin’s lecture to annoy her parents and distract herself from her hunger. While her sister ignored her, Charles and Violet pretended to look interested. One thing she had learned quickly about children, having many nieces and nephews now, was that if you cut them off, they tended to go back to the beginning of what they were trying to say, and start all over again. ‘Suffer through it, Violet, it’s the only way,’ Charles’s cousin, Ellen, had told her once. “Toffee?” Beth rustled about in the small bag she always carried and came out with a handful of the sweet confectionery. “Why, you little baggage,” Charles said, lunging for it, which caused squeals from their youngest. “You’ve had that the entire time, and only now are sharing it with us.” Beth gave him a smug smile. “Of course.” “Did Uncle Leo give you that?” Violet demanded. “I’ve told him not to feed your sugar habit.” She then took the piece Charles handed her and popped it into her mouth. Violet had believed after the death of Tobias she would never marry, and yet the life she now lived with Charles and their daughters was beyond anything she’d ever imagined. It was full of love and laughter, and also noise and arguing. It was loud and messy, and filled with so much emotion, some days she thought she would burst with happiness. “Why are you smiling?” “The sugar, of course,” she replied to Charles. Older now, he had grey at the temples and a few more lines on his face, but was still ridiculously handsome, which annoyed her even more now she’d found that grey hair. They’d changed each other in so many ways. It had not been easy, and theirs had been a road full of ups and downs, but Violet would change none of it. Charles understood her like her mother never could. He knew when she needed a moment of solitude and when she was happy or sad, and she was the same for him. He straightened things for her, and she made sure never to sneeze when he was around, which wasn’t always easy with children in their household. She looked at him as he kissed her cheek softly. “What was that for?” Violet asked. “Because I love you.” “Eww,” Lexi said, looking disgusted. Charles grabbed her, pulling her onto his lap, he then tickled her while she shrieked loudly. Unlike her parents had been, Charles liked to hug and play with his daughters, and of course that extended to Violet. He never missed a moment to show them how much he loved them. While her husband and eldest daughter shrieked, they turned into the driveway of the Pavlov Estate, and Violet noted the sign was covered. “If the opening is today, why is the sign still covered, Charles?” “I have no idea.” He looked out the window. “I shall see to it when we stop.” “Are you as excited as I am?” she asked him. “This will make a difference for so many.” He gave her his special smile. “Very much so, my sweet. I cannot wait for our first students to arrive.” When their carriage stopped, they climbed out and joined the others who had also just arrived. “There are so many carriages,” Beth said, looking around them. “Are you nervous, Papa?” “No, more excited.” He patted her head. The Pavlov Estate was now set up as an educational institute, and today they were opening the facility. Charles had proposed this to the family many months ago, and they had agreed wholeheartedly. It had taken months of researching for the entire family to set his dream into motion, but everyone had been fully on board with what he had proposed. This place would offer a beginning for many that would change their future. It would give hope to those who previously had none. Both women and men, that was very clear to anyone employed to work here. There would be no discrimination. Looking at the large house, Violet thought the facade had lost its neglected appearance. Flowers lined the gardens, and someone had neatly trimmed the trees and lawns. Doors were thrown open to the guests, and inside, staff were setting up the buffet for after the speeches. “Even the lion is smiling,” Charles said, winking at Violet. Much had changed since that day years ago when she’d found the Pavlov fortune. “This was your dream, my love, congratulations that today you will see it fully come to life,” Violet said to Charles. “Oh please. There is no way he is that wonderful. Why, just yesterday I found several spelling mistakes in the article he wrote.” “Hello,” Cam,” Charles said, releasing her. “How wonderful that you made it.” “I came for the food.” CHAPTER THREE
Between them, he and Cambridge Sinclair now owned four newspapers in London, one in Ireland, and another in Scotland. It had turned out that they worked very well together. Cam was flamboyant and loud. Charles was quieter, and Devonshire Sinclair had noted he was a great deal calmer.
“We will eat after the opening, Cam,” Leo said. “Oh, very well.” Charles still wrote, but mainly now, just for the children in the family. He didn’t need it anymore, as his life was full. They all walked together along the well-worn paths around the house to where seats were set up for the guests who milled over the grounds. Two further buildings had been erected years ago, and now they too would become classrooms. This facility would be life-changing for many. “Right then, Charles, most of the guests are seated,” Alex said. “We should begin. Come, we shall sit and bask in his magnificence.” “Very amusing,” Charles said. “You’ll be wonderful.” Violet kissed his cheek, and he inhaled her familiar scent. It always steadied him. He walked up the stairs, taking his notes from the inside pocket of his jacket. Moving to the center of the platform that Mungo had said they’d need for such an occasion, he stood and looked at the guests seated below. The chatter eased, and then there was silence. “Welcome, everyone, and a special welcome to my family and friends. We are pleased to have you all join us here today. This facility is the culmination of a dream I had, and my family helped bring it to life,” Charles began. His eyes went to the front row where his girls sat. Violet looked like she was already crying, and his daughters were smiling up at him. Behind them sat the rest of the people Charles loved, all looking at him with pride, as he’d looked at Benjamin earlier. “We wanted somewhere anyone could learn, no matter their standing in life. A facility that would offer education to further the lives of many,” Charles continued. “The women of my family are some of the strongest I know, and most are more intelligent than many men.” This had a few people tittering. “It is their wish that this institution offers women the education they have been denied until today.” A round of applause broke out after that, mainly from the women. Some even stood and cheered. He noted one of them was Mavis Johns. “It is my family’s belief that empowering those who want to learn by giving them the tools and education to do so can only benefit our country. It is time for the antiquated views of many to be put to one side.” More cheers, and he noted there were a few scowls from men as well. Change is coming gentlemen. “It is my honor and privilege to open today the Tobias Telford Education Institution.” His eyes were on Violet as he spoke. Her hands were now pressed to her mouth in shock. “Tobias died suddenly and well before his time. He was a man of honor and humility and a great friend to my wife. His passing changed the course of her life, but I know she will always carry the love and friendship she had for him deep in her heart.” Now Flora was sobbing too, along with Ivy and Alex. “When I proposed to my family that I thought we should name this facility after Tobias, they wholeheartedly agreed,” Charles said, still looking at Violet, who was now being hugged on both sides by her daughters. “So please join me in declaring the Tobias Telford Education Institution open.” Charles raised the glass he’d just been handed, and the guests all rose and followed suit. Leo stepped up then and gave a full breakdown of how the institute would be run, and what was to be offered. Charles stepped back and waited for him to finish. When he had, it was to more loud applause. He smiled at Violet as she blew him a kiss. When the official duties were over, he walked back down the steps and into his wife’s arms. “I-I don’t know what to say,” she whispered as he held her. “It’s the most wonderful honor, Charles, and I can never thank you enough.” “He was your first love, and a special friend, Violet. I know he was a good man because you have told me, as have your family.” “But to name this place after him, the family—” “We debated for quite some time about this, and then when I mentioned Tobias, there was instant agreement. So don’t think for one moment they had no wish for this, my sweet.” “It is the greatest gift to him, Charles.” He simply held her then, while around them, guests were herded inside to the awaiting buffet. “I have you because of his death, Violet, and that is not something I will ever rejoice in, but because of him, I live with the woman who holds my heart. So, from now on, his name will be on the lips of many, and his memory will no longer need to be kept alive by just a few. Now, everyone who steps through those doors will know exactly who Tobias was.” She wept. He held her, and together they took a few moments to remember the man who had changed the course of their lives forever. |
