Family secrets filled with intrigue, treachery, and a
30-year-old murder must be resolved or
he'll lose her forever.
Hugh Talbot is
a self-made man who built his fortune one coin at a time. One of the wealthiest
men in England, people vie to be his client. He is a loyal man who is
instinctive and decisive by nature and bases his business on honesty and trust.
An eligible bachelor sought after by every mother with a single daughter, he
has no interest in a relationship, until he falls wholeheartedly in love with
Charlotte.
Lady Charlotte
Eden and her father recently from France have taken up residence at their long-neglected
family estate in England. A methodical well-organized archery champion she is
introduced to Hugh by a mutual friend. His support of her archery endears him
to her, add his honesty and good humor and she is doomed. Theirs is not a
budding romance. It is in full bloom.
When Hugh
introduces Charlotte the daughter of Lord Miles Eden, the Earl of Sagamore to
his family, a decades old scandal filled with intrigue, treachery, and murder
comes to light. Hugh’s family is turned upside down when his father announces
he is the true Earl of Sagamore who had denounced his title and legacy and that
his uncle Lord Miles Eden, was killed in a duel three decades ago.
His world in
shambles, Hugh’s loyalty to his family will be tested when he must decide if
blood is thicker than water.
Hugh: Book 1 Sons of Sagamore - Excerpt
Chapter One
London
July 1288
Charlotte Eden, daughter
of Lord Miles Eden, Earl of Sagamore, and Hugh Talbot, son of Gareth Talbot,
Constable to Lord Wesley Reynolds, Duke of Northumberland, were at the end of
their budding romance.
“The heat in here is
unbearable.” Charlotte fanned herself and looked over Jane’s shoulder.
“Why don’t you and Hugh
go for a turn in the garden? A cool breeze will do you both good.” Jane Parker,
the hostess of the small dinner party, stared at the backgammon board.
“Did you win, again?” Jane
accused her opponent John Huestis, Hugh’s close friend.
Charlotte leaned over
Jane for a better view. “He certainly did.”
“I thought you were
taking fresh air,” said her hostess, who glared at the gameboard and waved a
dismissive gesture.
“What kind of apple is
short-tempered?” Charlotte laughed.
“You and your silly
riddles. You use them as a distraction.” Jane straightened her back and
smoothed out her skirt.
“Hmmm. The Copstard? The
Queene? No.” John’s face broke into a broad grin. “A sour apple.”
“No, you fool.” Jane
turned an icy stare at Charlotte. “A crab apple. To think I supported you at
the archery tournament. I cheered the loudest when you beat Hugh. I expect the
same support from you. After all, I did hold your shoes while you competed.”
“Bare feet are my secret
weapon,” said Charlotte.
“Your secret... talk
about distraction. Distract your competitor with a view of your dainty toes is
more like it.” The warm laughter in Jane’s voice melted her angry tone.
“Don’t be ridiculous.
Grasping the ground with my toes helps me keep my balance.”
“I thought you were
vain. That you didn’t want to get your shoes muddy. I did notice that Martha
Falin had difficulty at the line. Like a child having a temper tantrum,
stamping around. I suppose she also wanted to dig her feet into the ground. Too
bad it didn’t help. I don’t know why I tolerate that pushy woman. Martha
inserts herself everywhere.” Jane mopped her forehead with a piece of fine
linen she took out of her sleeve.
Jane, competitive by
nature, had to win all the time.
For Charlotte, her
challenge was competing against herself. It proved to be a winning strategy.
She succeeded in beating her opponents most of the time.
“Martha preferred to
console Hugh when he lost.”
“Please, Jane. Don’t
remind me. Charlotte wounded my manly pride,” Hugh said. He placed his hand
over his heart. His melodramatics made everyone chuckle. “Martha wanted an
invitation to the tournament at Glen Kirk Castle. The woman refuses to
understand the decision is not mine. I directed her to the castle steward. I’m
anxious for Charlotte to participate this year.”
“You want her to best
you on your home ground?” Jane asked.
“Oh, no. I’ve learned my
lesson. I’m not competing. I want to watch my brother’s face when Charlotte
wins,” Hugh said.
That sent everyone
laughing.
Hugh faced Charlotte. “How
do you manage to beat everyone?”
“Grand-père taught me
the lessons he learned serving in the Crusades. Concentration and focus. Some
of my best memories of him are teaching me archery and listening to his stories
about his friends in Demietta, Egypt. He brought art and statuary from the Holy
Land. Each piece held a memory, but his legacy is much more than objects.
“Stories about distant
places and people, his successes, and even his failures all held lessons.”
Charlotte paused. His thick white mane of shoulder length hair, his sparkling
dark eyes, and his rumbling, rich voice were clear in her mind. “I can’t leave
out his riddles.”
“Ah, your riddles,” John
said.
“You’re much better with
your bow and arrows than with her grand-père’s puzzles,” Jane said
“With your help,” Hugh
said. “At the Parker’s event, Charlotte’s last arrow struck the target at the
edge of the mark and yet you called her the winner.”
“Where did your arrow
land? Outside the target. Do not complain to me or my guest about how I judged
the contest.”
“I picked up the bow to
discourage Martha. I had no intention of shooting. If I had.” His words were
left hanging.
Charlotte glanced at him,
waiting for him to finish.
“You still would have won.
I had no intention of taking off my shoes.”
Hugh stepped in front of
her at the line, picked up a bow, nocked his arrow, and let it loose. Ready to
shoot, his inconsiderate behavior astonished her. “Annoyed” was a better
description.
Jane had introduced them
months before. She thought him a bit arrogant and hadn’t seen him again until the
competition. He handed her the bow without looking to see where his arrow
landed.
“No thank you. I have
my own.” Charlotte stepped in front of him and took aim.
“You’re in the wrong area.
The women’s competition is further down the line.”
She knew where the women
were placed on the line and had no intention to shoot in the shorter distance
competitions. Charlotte drew her bow, then let her arrow loose.
She glanced at his face
as he watched her arrow and smiled as his jaw gaped open when it hit the center
of the target.
“I’m in the correct area;
it looks like you are the one in the wrong place.” She put her bow and quiver
on her back, picked up her shoes, and left the line.
“How long have you
known Jane?”
“About three years.
Why do you ask?” Was Hugh interested in Jane? First he used her as a decoy against
Martha, and now as a resource of information about Jane, who was her good friend?
His interest in Jane would be wonderful, but disappointing.
“I’ve known her a bit
longer and never heard her mention you.” His casual attitude was unaffected,
and the conversation flowed naturally.
“You and I met months
ago. At Jane’s home.” His eyes and mouth were frozen open in a moment of
stunned surprise.
“I didn’t think you’d
remember,” he said.
“You remember?” She
smiled at his attempt to redeem himself.
“At the archery
tournament I stumbled on your shoes. In the evening you wore a deep blue bliaut
with a purple chemise. Pearls were sown along the neckline and hem. Shall I go
on?”
“Touché.”
Hugh took her hand and
placed it on his arm and never said another word about their first encounter.
“I thought we’d walk
and discourage Martha Falin.” He nodded to Lord DeGraw, who stood with his wife.
“She does have a way
of attaching herself.” Charlotte followed his gaze, relieved that the DeGraws
didn’t have a daughter.
“I’ve thoroughly
enjoyed the afternoon.” Hugh maneuvered her past a group of mothers with
withered looks.
“You sound surprised.”
She had to admit she enjoyed their time together as well.
“I’ve been invited—”
“Let me guess, a
hostess with an eligible daughter.”
“No. I’ve been
invited to an archery exhibition. I thought you would enjoy attending it with
me. If you like, we can ask Jane to come as well.”
That was six months ago.
Leaving France had turned out better than she anticipated. She and Jane were
close friends, and now there was Hugh.
“Jane, another round?
You could use the practice.” John winked at Charlotte before stepping away on
Hugh’s arm.
“Why don’t we play chess
instead of this, this Backgammon? Chess is a game I can win.” Jane began to
reset the game. Charlotte knew, as did the others, Jane had no intention of playing
chess.
John shook his head,
rolled one of the dice, and handed her the other.
“No? I thought not,”
Jane said as the ivory cube tumbled onto the board. “I go first. And Charlotte,
leave the door open. I would like some fresh air. It will help me think clearly
so I can beat your friend.”
“I thought you liked me,”
John smiled. “Roll the dice, please.”
Charlotte followed Hugh
into the garden. The clear night and small gathering of close friends would
make a comfortable evening, except she was anything but at ease.
Breathe deep. Yes, another breath. She glanced at Hugh. How
did the man remain so calm? Without a care in the world.
Hugh’s earlier words
echoed in her head. Her heart pounded like stampeding horses.
“Are you sure?” her
words were a whisper.
Hugh took a step closer.
“Yes. I am sure. I want to marry you.”
Charlotte felt heat race
up her neck and spread across her cheeks. Surely, her heart would burst. His
arms slid around her. Her body tingled from his touch.
“And I want to marry
you,” she whispered against his cheek.
How could Jane call this
a budding romance? Their relationship was in full bloom.
* * *
Hugh gathered her into
his arms and breathed deeply, inhaling lavender and rose, her scent. The
fragrance was as delicate as the beauty in his arms.
Over and over, Jane told
them their strong fondness was a common situation, and that if left alone, it would
run its course.
This tenderness for each
other was not temporary, that was certain. It would last a lifetime.
Hugh met Charlotte six
months ago at the Parker estate. For him, the evening event was a social one. However,
Lord DeGraw insisted on speaking to him about a business venture. At times, his
reputation as a successful investor who made his clients wealthy was a
hardship. He had to develop ways to avoid talking about business without
insulting his clients. The terms DeGraw wanted did not suit him. Rather than
tell the man no, again – and to avoid Martha Falin, who was always underfoot – Hugh
busied himself at the archery tournament.
He crossed the field by
the butts and stumbled over a pair of woman’s shoes.
“Why so deep in thought?”
Charlotte asked, bringing him back to the present.
“A riddle. What costs
nothing but is worth everything, weighs nothing but lasts a lifetime, that one
person can’t own but two can share?”
He gazed at her face and
watched it change as she studied his question. Finally, a smile.
“Love.” She kissed his
nose. “You won’t distract me with a riddle. What had you deep in thought?”
“If you must know, you.
How fortunate I am to have you.”
Charlotte snuggled
closer. “You’re not the only one who is lucky. I’m glad I decided to visit Jane
six months ago.”
Hugh curved an arm
around her waist, held her tight and kissed her long and deep. He savored her
soft, tender lips. His body ached for her with a sudden, fierce fire. It was a
heady feeling. Her soft, curved body melted into his hard plains.
“You make it difficult
to leave you.” Hugh’s forehead rested on hers.
“You figured out my
secret plan. Can’t you wait a bit longer? I’m sure my father will return soon.
He usually doesn’t stay away this long.”
“No. I already stayed
longer than I planned. As the oldest son, Father and I work closely together.”
“Does he train you to
take his place at Glen Kirk?”
“I never thought about taking
his place. Through the years he’s trained me to handle the obligations of the
eldest son. Now that I have my own business, my brothers have taken over most
of my responsibilities, but I return to Glen Kirk to fulfill those that are
still mine. I’ll be with you in a few weeks when you come to the tournament. I’m
looking forward to introducing you to my family.”
“Will you two come back
in here?” Jane called from the salon. “I refuse to play another game with him.”
“’Tis not my fault you
play poorly.” John laughed loudly.
* * *
Later that evening
“You enjoyed yourself. Did
Jane win any games?” John accompanied Hugh on his walk home.
“Don’t change the
subject. You’re mad if you don’t investigate Charlotte’s family. Granted, the
girl is bright, witty, and lovely, but what do you know about her or the Edens?”
“You worry too much,”
Hugh said, as they walked on.
“I’ve never seen you
like this. You. Who investigates each person who approaches you to determine if
you’ll do business with them and this, something that will impact your life
forever, let me say that again, f-o-r-e-v-e-r, and you dismiss the idea.”
“You would investigate
my own brothers.” Hugh slapped him on the back and continued on.
“I would if a defunct
earldom became suddenly activated by a man who appeared out of nowhere after
being absent thirty years. What better way for him to line his pockets than to
marry off his only daughter to one of the wealthiest men in England?”
“John, you’re seeing
conspiracies where none exist.”
“You are a man who makes
money on his reputation and quick decisions. Humor me. Let me nose around. I
hope I find nothing, and afterward I will know I did everything to protect you.”
“I gathered all the
information about the earl that I need. After the tragic death of his older
brother and his entire family, Miles succeeded to the earldom. He relocated to
France to be with his wife’s family, the Cantrelles, and managed the Sagamore
estate from afar. Five years later, Juliet, his wife, died – leaving him with
Charlotte. Following the death of his wife’s parents, he and Charlotte returned
to England. His finances enhanced by a modest inheritance from the Cantrelle
estate appears to be healthy but limited. The majority of the estate was left
to Charlotte.”
“Who provided you with
that information? Charlotte?”
“No. Lord Falin came to
my office before I returned to Glen Kirk and mentioned his daughter pouted
about me spending time with Charlotte. He spoke of the Edens. Of course, he
didn’t give me explicit financial information about the earl.”
“Falin is not the most
reliable source,” John said. “Now there’s an odd man. With a daughter of
marriageable age and access to one of the wealthiest single men in England. I
can understand him not getting involved in encouraging a relationship between
you and Martha, but his wife? I think Lady Falin would be a mother with a
mission.”
“Please, not Martha. She’s
a lovely woman, but I’m not interested in her as a companion.”
Martha wasn’t even a
lovely woman. She irritated him showing up at odd places and being somewhat
underfoot. He could only imagine what he’d have to contend with if she had her
mother’s help.
He glanced at John. Could
his friend be right, about looking into the Edens’ background?
“You have that smug
expression.”
“What smug expression?”
“The one that says you
intend to investigate the Edens and Falin whether I ask you to or not.”
“I prefer not to keep it
a secret from you. I’ll report back to you if I find anything about either one.”
They stood in front of
Hugh’s home.
“Come in for a drink?”
“Not tonight. I did
enjoy the evening. I do think Charlotte is lovely and wonderful, and I hope I
find nothing.”
“You needn’t explain. I
understand you’re looking out for my best interests. Just don’t get annoyed
when I tell you I told you so.”
“I would never forgive
myself if something happened to you because I didn’t follow my instincts. Speak
to you tomorrow.” The deep lines on John’s face faded, replaced by a tired
smile.
John’s relief startled
him. They were boyhood friends, and while he had a knack for making money, John’s
gift was finding information nobody wanted found.
Hugh entered the house
and stood at the library window. He watched the retreating figure of his close
friend disappear into the growing evening fog. John was right, of course. Too
much was at stake. However, no matter what John found, nothing would stop him
from marrying Charlotte.
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