Chapter Twenty-Seven: Ellie

My knees were shaking, but I tried desperately not to let it show. A confrontation like this was the last thing I had wanted, but Mrs. Burke had left me no choice. How were we to get out of this mess? Was there some kind of etiquette for resolving public humiliation?

"I have lost nothing!" My stepmother was shaking with rage at my refusal to back down. "Even if I were to concede that Harriet was my daughter—which I am not saying is true because it is ridiculous!—you cannot prove that you are Miss Burke!"

That...was an excellent point. My baptism record had been removed. Had she destroyed it completely? So few people would vouch for my identity after her malicious lives.

But what did it matter? I could go back to my peaceful life. There wasn't anything I wanted from the earl, and if he refused to believe I was his ward, so be it.

To my surprise, someone laughed behind me. "I knew coming all this way would be entertaining," Lady Middleton's voice said, sounding genuinely delighted, "but I never thought it would be this delightful."

Entertaining? Delightful? What part of this scene could be described with those words? When I'd spoken to her, I hadn't thought the woman could be cruel in such a way!

Mr. Turner held his arm out to me. "Miss Burke, allow me to make you known to your guardian. He has been anxious to meet you these many weeks."

My hand trembled as I placed it on his elbow. "Of course."

When we turned towards the earl, the expression on his face was one that discouraged further comment. "On second thought," Mr. Turner said, "let us go to the library."

Anywhere that was away from the stares would be wonderful, so I nodded. Mr. Turner guided me past the earl and then out of the ballroom. "I'm sorry," I whispered. "This is my fault. Lady Middleton wanted to see my face, and I didn't want to refuse her."

"There is nothing to be sorry for," he responded immediately. "In fact, I'm proud of you for standing up to her. That cannot have been easy but you stood there like a queen."

His praise sent a flush of pleasure through me. "I don't think I have ever been more terrified," I admitted. "Everyone was staring at us and then whispering together. They must think I am insane."

"Courage is the strength to do what you must even when you are terrified." Mr. Turner shook his head. "My father once told me that. I can't believe I'd forgotten."

"I think I would have liked your father."

He hurried me along a hallway. The rugs under my feet were brighter and more beautiful than any I had ever seen before. There were candles burning to guide the way, which seemed like such a waste when there was no one there to benefit from the light.

"I hope you will be able to tolerate the company," Mr. Turner said as he paused in front of a door that was slightly ajar. "Mr. Patchman was to keep your stepsister occupied here."

I couldn't even imagine how the tantrum Harriet must be having. She did not like when things didn't go as she wanted. Or maybe she was afraid of what her mother was going to say.

The sound of low voices drifted out of the room. There was no crying or shouting, which was a surprise if Harriet was in there. Was she and this Mr. Patchman having a calm discussion?

Maybe she liked this gentleman more than I had thought.

Indeed, when Mr. Turner and I stepped in, Harriet and a man I did not recognize were seated rather close together. They both looked up with guilty expressions and shifted away from each other. Given that they were on a settee together, this was only a few inches.

"I hope we are not interrupting," Mr. Turner remarked. He led me to one of several chairs in front of the unlit fireplace. "I feel I should warn you that the earl and, no doubt, many other members of my family, are not far behind us."

No sooner had he spoken than the earl came through the doors. "Well, that was a fine scene, wasn't it?" he asked, his tone disgruntled.

"It wasn't as though any of us intended it to be," the familiar voice of Lady Burrows responded. She entered on the arm of her husband, her mask still firmly in place. "You would have to be a fool to believe that, William."

"No one is a fool," another lady, older than Lady Burrows but still clearly in her prime, said as she followed. "Kindly refrain from name calling, if you please, Olivia. It doesn't help the conversation in any way."

The room, which had at first seemed so large, felt smaller and smaller as more people came in. Good heavens, were these all Mr. Turner's cousins? There weren't even enough chairs for them all to sit!

Last to arrive was my stepmother with an unfamiliar man right behind her. Was he there to make sure she didn't try to run?

"This is an outrage!" Mrs. Burke said immediately. "Am I to be held against my will?"

"An outrage, madam?" The earl repeated, spinning around. "You think you can complain about being inconvenienced after the lies you have told us all? You should count yourself lucky that I have not dragged you to the magistrate!"

To her credit, my stepmother didn't try to argue. She did send a glare in my direction.

"My lord," Mr. Turner said, his hand on my shoulder. "Might I introduce you to Miss Elinor Burke."

The earl barely glanced over. ""Another claimant to being my ward? Why am I not surprised? I hope she has proof of her claim."

"Well." Mr. Turner hesitated. "I am still looking for that, but—"

"Then, she can wait. You have been so vocal about needing proof up to this point. I will not consider it until I have more than the word of a strange girl."

Strange? Me? His dismissive tone rubbed me the wrong way. "I have survived this long without you, my lord," I said before I could think better of it, "I can continue doing so if I am such an imposition to you!"

Though...where would that leave me? Meadowbrooke belonged to my stepmother. I would not stay under her roof anymore, not after the threat she had posed to my wellbeing. Perhaps Miss Sharpe would take me in?

"Ignore the girl," Mrs. Burke said, her tone smug. "She has shown herself to be mentally defficiant since I have been here. I brought a doctor from London to treat her and take her to Bedlam if necessary."

The attitude of the family shifted. "Bedlam, Mrs. Burke?" Lady Burrows repeated, her tone freezing cold. "I hope you say that as a poor jest."

"Why? Such a place is the only place that will cure the stupid girl of her ridiculous pretensions. I'm sure it is not the terrible place everyone makes it out to be. Whoever is sent there certainly belongs there."

Mr. Turner's hand slipped from my shoulder, tightening into a fist. Mrs. Burke didn't seem to notice the upset she had caused. I didn't understand it myself. Did they know someone who had been sent to Bedlam or some place like it?

"Well, then, if she is not Captain Burke's daughter, where is my ward?" the earl demanded, glaring at my stepmother.

Though I disliked that I had been so readily dismissed, I was curious what lies my stepmother would tell now. How would she explain this away? What excuse could she possibly give?

She paused. "I will confess I wanted only the best for my daughter," she said slowly. "What mother wouldn't? Harriet had not had the same opportunities that were provided for my stepdaughter."

Her tone became pleading, as though she could convince everyone. "Where is my ward?" the earl asked again.

Mrs. Burke shook her head. "I didn't know how to tell you. The girl has a willful streak." She was speaking quickly, as if she wanted to get the words out as soon as possible. "She didn't want to come to the country. She has been having too much fun with her friends."

That was her story? What would she do next? Hire an actress to play the part when the earl demanded she present me?

"What is her name?" Mr. Turner asked.

"What? Who?" Mrs. Burke turned to him with confusion.

"Captain Burke's daughter. We know it is not Harriet. That is the name of your own daughter. So what is your stepdaughter's real name?"

I ducked my head to hide my smile.

"He's right," Mrs. Fenrows spoke up for the first time. She leaned forward in her chair. "You speak about your husband's daughter in such an impersonal way. She must have a name."

"I think the correct question would be what was the name of her mother."

Lady Middleton's voice made everyone spin around. The elderly lady leaned on her cane as she came through the doorway. "Did none of you think to wait for me?" she asked, her tone put out. "I cannot walk as fast as the rest of you."

"Aunt Middleton, what are you doing here?" The woman I thought was the earl's mother hurried forward. "You ought to have–"

"Mary Turner, you might still be the countess, but do not imagine you can tell me what I ought or ought not to do." Lady Middleton scowled at the other woman. "As a member of this family, I have a right to hear the scandal as it is happening."

"There is no scandal!"" Several voices said at the same time.

Ignoring them, Lady Middleton ventured further into the room. Realizing there was no chair for her, I rose from where I was seated. "Please sit here, Lady Middleton."

"Well, someone knows how to behave around an old woman," the woman said with an approving nod. "Thank you, dear girl. Why haven't you told my nephew your name already?"

"The earl has decided that there is no proof I am who I say I am and until there is, he does not want to talk to me." I stood by the chair as she sat down.

"Ah. So he decides to continue talking to the liar."

It was difficult to tell who was more offended by the statement: Mrs. Burke or the earl. Both became even more red faced and sputtered. Lady Middleton ignored them both. "Well? Does anyone know the name of this Captain Burke's first wife?"

"Aunt Middleton, we don't even know the name of William's ward," Lady Burrows said gently.

"I'm afraid that my husband and I didn't speak about his first wife. It was not an advantageous marriage, you understand, and my husband told me how much he regretted it," Mrs. Burke spoke up. "She was the daughter of an innkeeper, you know."

"How dare you?" I exclaimed, furious at her continued lies. I was not about to hear such things about my mother. Though I would have said more, Lady Middleton's hand on my arm stopped me.

"We know she is a liar, my dear," the elderly woman said kindly. "Pay her no attention. Now, does anyone else happen to know Captain Burke's first wife? Alex. You've been making inquiries."

"I have. Captain Henry Burke married Miss Marie Elinor Brown on September 29th, 1794," Mr. Turner responded. "I saw the notice written in the parish records. Mr. Rushman found it for me. Regrettably, the baptism of their daughter had been mysteriously removed."

"Marie Elinor Brown, you say?" Lady Middleton repeated, as though I hadn't already told her myself. "William, did you know I had a cousin who married an innkeeper. She became Mrs. Elinor Brown. It was a shocking love match at the time."

Astonished, I stared down at her. Did she mean... No. How could she?

"I'm sure it is merely a coincidence," Mrs. Burke said shakily.

"Indeed? Did you not wonder why a mere captain had an earl as his daughter's guardian?"

I had wondered, but had assumed the former earl had been acquainted with my father in some way. Was it because my mother had been distantly connected to them? They were my family?

Many of the group were now regarding me with interest. "She does have the Turner look about her," the earl's mother said slowly.

Nervously, I shifted from foot to foot. "That proves nothing," the earl pointed out. His tone was uncertain, though. Maybe his great-aunt's words had begun to convince him?

"Don't be an idiot," Lady Middleton said with no little disdain. "My cousin's name was Elinor. Is it so surprising that she would then use it as part of her daughter's name and that daughter then naming her own daughter after her mother?"

It took me several moments to untangle what she was saying. I thought I understood, but it was a convoluted statement.

"There is an elderly woman who lives in the area. A Widow Miller," Mr. Turner said. "I'm sure if we speak to her she will tell us not only about Captain Burke's first wife but also Miss Burke herself. If there is some question in your mind."

"This is ridiculous!" Mrs. Burke exclaimed. "The Widow Miller is an old woman and is often confused. I've heard many in the area speak about it. Anything she says could hardly be relied upon to be accurate."

"Well, that certainly presents a problem, does it not? Given your lies, we will regard any young lady you might present after this with doubt and suspicion," Lady Middleton remarked with a laugh. "I am inclined to favor this young lady's claim."

"She is a useless maid!"

"Then it is a wonder you have kept her in your household for so long," Mr. Turner told her sharply. "Have you not ordered her to remain inside Meadowbrooke Cottage and not to leave without your say so?"

"Well, naturally I wished to protect my neighbors from her lies and delusions."

"And who was to protect our neighbors from your lies, madame?"

My stepmother's face was beet red, and I wondered what she would do next. Harriet was remaining silent, no doubt so no one would notice that Mr. Patchman was holding her hand.

"How dare you cast aspersions on my character!"

"You are the one who has been revealed as having lied to us consistently for the last three weeks, madam!" The earl exclaimed, his tone annoyed. "You are in no position to protest any of us for pointing out what we already know."

"Dear girl, have you anything to tell us?" Lady Middleton asked, patting my arm. "After all, this is your identity we are discussing."

"Mrs. Haynes was there when my stepmother left me at Meadowbrooke twelve years ago," I spoke up. I looked down at the elderly lady. "She's the cook, and she has been the one responsible for me these many years."

The lady raised an eyebrow. "Twelve years? That is a long time. She must be an admirable woman."

"She taught me everything I know. Well, she and Miss Sharpe." It occurred to me, as I spoke, that she wouldn't know who Miss Sharpe was. "They both have tried to give me some kind of education."

"I think it is perfectly clear now," Lady Middleton said firmly. She narrowed her eyes and glared at the earl. "This young lady can offer witnesses as to her identity, and I have offered my own insights into the matter. What more can you possibly want?"

Lord Berdwell heaved a sigh. "There has been such confusion," he said. "But, I can see I must accept the truth in front of me."

To my surprise, he then turned to me and made a bow. "Miss Burke."

Relief washed over me and my knees felt weak. Was it over? "My lord," I said, making my curtsy.

"You cannot mean to present her to society!" My stepmother exclaimed. "She is uneducated and useless!"

"If she is uneducated, the fault lies with you, Mrs. Burke," the earl snapped. "Do you realize how much money you have stolen from my family these past twelve years? Money that was to pay for my ward's education!"

Mrs. Burke took a step back. Perhaps it hit her then all that she had lost. She must have weighed the risk before she set out to deceive. Or had she been so confident in her success that failure had never come to mind?

"This family has been dragged through enough scandal because of you, though, so I shall not summon the magistrate," the earl continued. "You would do well to remain out of my sight lest I change my mind."

"B-but–" the woman stammered. "What am I to do? Where should I go?"

"I would suggest you find passage to America or Australia," Mr. Turner spoke up.

My stepmother shook her head. "You cannot expect me to drag my daughter across the world to an uncivilized country!"

Mr. Patchman cleared his throat. "The young lady has done me the honor of accepting my hand in marriage," he said, his tone uncertain. "There is no need for her to go anywhere."

He gulped as Mrs. Burke glared at him. "Excellent," William said, waving his hand dismissively. "That sounds like an excellent idea. Shall I make the arrangements, Mrs. Burke?"

"You cannot force me to leave!" she protested.

"Would you rather pay back every pound you stole over the years?" Lord Berdwell asked. "I think you know how meticulous my cousin is about details. I'm sure he will give me a detailed accounting of the amount. And then I will see you in prison."

There was a pause where I could see my stepmother weighing her options. Finally, she gave a nod. "Very well. I will go wherever you send me."

She wouldn't give up so easily, would she?

"In the meantime, we will return to London, where we can start fresh," the earl said, turning back to me. "The sooner we leave, the better."

My stepmother made a choked sound. "Excellent," Lady Middleton said, pushing herself out of the chair. "I will take the girl under my wing. In fact, I insist she ride in my carriage with me."

"Excellent. We'll leave tomorrow."

Wait. What? Leaving?