Learning to love (Part Book 1)

  © 1st Edition Noviembre 2018

  © Anne Marie Warren

  LEARNING TO LOVE

  1st part

  © Cover Design: Alexia Jorques

  © Translator: Ana González

  © Edited: Teresa Cabañas

  © All rights reserved.

  Copying or distribution is prohibited without permission.

  Thank you for buying this ebook

  @22-November-2019

  To my parents.

  For having given so much without asking anything in return.

  But especially for your unconditional love for this dreamer.

  Thank you for supporting me in my madness.

  INDEX

  CHAPTER I

  CHAPTER II

  CHAPTER III

  CHAPTER IV

  CHAPTER V

  CHAPTER VI

  CHAPTER VII

  CHAPTER VIII

  CHAPTER IX

  CHAPTER X

  Do not miss the second part

  CHAPTER I

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  CHAPTER I

  Hampshire, England

  Spring 1873

  A lthough it was an early hour, the streets of London were already crowded with merchants, passers-by and urchins who wandered around the city hunting for unwary people to steal something from. Something normal for an overpopulated city that was changing to adapt to new times, and struggling desperately to find its own way forwards.

  What was not normal at that time, was to see a luxurious carriage stopping at the door of the prestigious law firm Jenkins & Hopkings. It was not unusual the fact that a leading member of the nobility was venturing within its walls, but the fact that it was such an unsuitable time at the beginning of the season.

  The most curious gazes did not want to miss any details so they could boast they had seen the Earl of Hampberg, the Marquis of Cordugert or any other honorable member of high society. How big was their joy when they could contemplate the magnificent and enigmatic Earl of Brandbury for a moment, title that he had just inherited after the death of his father with a delicious scandal behind it.

  It was a long time ago, due to a strong argument, when father and son had broken all ties that bounded them, except the unavoidable blood ones. This separation did not surprise anyone among their acquaintances, as the strong character of both, opposite ways of thinking, and the legendary family pride, prevented them from holding a cordial coexistence, ending up with no possibility of reconciliation. All these reasons kept them away during the period of six years in which the old Earl survived without his son living alone in his isolated countryside mansion.

  In the past, the young Braxton, now known as the new Earl of Brandbury, had been waiting impatiently to reach the legal age to inherit the small legacy of a thousand pounds from his dead mother, and achieve independence from his domineering father. Eager to try his luck in the world and prove his worth in life, he started a business of imports, to increase his fortune and make his father suffer the shame of having a son who gets his hands dirty by doing commoner jobs.

  However, fortune did not favour him for the first three years, as he had to accept a partial loss of his investments, while watching his inheritance running out, considering that he wanted to go on living at the high standard he was used to. Consequently, he was forced to learn from his mistakes in order to maintain his privileges. Luckily enough, he had the good fortune to meet a young businessman named Aron Sheldon, who opened up business opportunities and welcomed him like a brother.

  His progressive ideas, and how he acted in a non snobbish way, brought him reproaches and rudeness from the most respectable families in London. But he could also count on the support of a number of aristocrats who, as well as himself, thought that the time for a change had come because of the development of the industry, the new scientific advances, and mass migration to cities, realising that the old English way of life was coming to an end.

  If for anything was known the new Earl of Brandbury, it was because of his elegant bearing, the way his eyes looked like a raging sea, his rebel, deep black hair and the flawless way in which he dressed. He was also considered a serious, formal, reserved man who did not enjoy such typical excesses of the aristocracy. These virtues were labelled by some as defects as well as unabashedly praised by others.

  The young lord was seen as a dandy who would catch the ladies glances on the few occasions in which he showed up, as his presence on social events was so scarce that discovering him in one of them was considered, indeed, an event in itself. Rumour has it that his greatest love was his business and that he had the favours of a mistress whom he kept in secret. Something normal in a young heir aged twenty-four.

  But that day the face of the new Earl was more dour than usual and no one dared to exchange glances with him. In a very few strides he decidedly made his way to the door of the prestigious law firm and solemnly entered into the dark brick building.

  Without delay, and with the self-efficacy of such a highly regarded service, the young lord was taken to the office where Jenkins himself was waiting for him. With the very timeliness of an Englishman, the tall figure of the Earl made his entrance at the same time the cuckoo clock chimes rang, showing the agreed time for the meeting.

  As it was expected the old and pudgy lawyer rose to greet him with the respect an Earl deserved. Cortés bowed to greet him and told him to take a seat in front of him. His years of legal profession among nobles had taught him that the formalities were necessary if he wanted to prosper, just because a simple lawyer without a relevant name could not develop a career without satisfying the whims of those who were well born.

  "Lord Brandbury" began the lawyer. "On behalf of Jenkins & Hopkings I give you our deepest condolences on the death of your father."

  Without the slightest sign of sorrow on his face the new lord simply nodded, making it clear that the issue was settled. It was not that the new lord had no heart by far, but the rules of etiquette prevented public display of any emotion, as this was a matter entirely inappropriate for a gentleman.

  Jenkins knew these rules and therefore he disregarded his dry character. He had spent many years serving the noblemen, and almost nothing in their behaviour was surprising now. This was the reason why they had chosen as the motto of his law firm "Listen, keep silent and forget."

  "If you wish we can start with..." said Jenkins feeling uncomfortable because of the news he should give, clearing his throat to get ready for it, "the outstanding issues of the deceased Earl of Brandbury."

  A slight nod of agreement of Lord Brandbury gave him permission to continue.

  "In the first place, I inform you, my lord, that you can have at your disposal Brandbury Hall when you consider it of convenience, as I am in charge to have everything prepared for your arrival. On the other hand, if you prefer to stay in London, I advise you to ask for the services of a…"

  "What is it that is so hard to tell me?" said the firm voice of the Earl interrumpting him sharply, and showing that he was a man with little patience and not easy to manipulate.

  While it was clear that the old lawyer was known for his cold blood, the deep voice of the Earl made him start to sweat and curse his bad luck. It had never been to his liking to give bad news, even less when it came to individuals with such dour personality like the young lord. Gathering his courage and wiping his sweat from his forehead with a fine linen handkerchief, he could only breathe deeply and pray to be done with that meeting as soon as possible.

  "I regret to inform you that due to the mismanagement of the lands by your deceased father, along with an overspending, your heritage has been seriously undermined", said the lawyer, not darin
g to meet his eyes.

  A heavy silence settled down between them and dried the throats of both speakers. When Jenkins began to think that lord Brandbury was petrified, the latter gave a slight sign of breathing when he got some air to get ready to speak.

  "Go on," was all he could say.

  "As far as I could find out, your father kept losing money year after year by refusing to make improvements on his lands and squandering large sums of money in gambling. All the available capital has gone to his creditors, who were not a few, so that the legacy has been reduced to the title, the lands, and a debt of six hundred pounds you will have to pay as soon as possible."

  "A title is worthless if the lands generate loss and there is no capital to make them productive."

  ‘I'm convinced that a man with your talent for business will know how to get benefits from them. You just need a big capital investment to pay the debts and make improvements in your lands, and in a few years time the grandeur of the Brandbury name will be restored.

  The facial expression of lord Brandbury showed the lawyer that the economic conditions of the gentleman were not as sound as he thought, and therefore the unexpected news had been welcomed as a bucket of cold water in full winter. A mocking glint appeared in the eyes of the young Earl, allowing Jenkins to breathe normally again.

  "Typical of my father to leave me on the brink of bankruptcy. The old man got what he wanted at the end and he has given me in return all the damages I caused him over the years."

  "I imagine you knew nothing about this unfortunate situation."

  A cold stare made him tremble, showing that his answer was obvious and that he was in no mood for nonsense.

  "Anyway...", he said clearing his throat for the second time. "It is necessary to make some improvements on the lands or you could lose everything in a couple of years."

  "What condition is the mansion in?", the Earl asked.

  "I took the liberty of making an inventory of your property and check the status of Brandbury Hall. I have to inform you that although the mansion is a bit obsolete, lacking of the new amenities that we enjoy today, its maintenance has not been neglected and it does not have significant damage. Nevertheless, its is logical and convenient to face a renovation to make it look better and prevent its deterioration."

  "How much capital would I need to start with the land reforms and to pay the debts?"

  "I have worked out some estimations for the most urgent expenses and you would need eight hundred pounds to start, besides four hundred pounds to face the renovation."

  "Are you saying that I should invest a fortune of twelve hundred pounds to avoid losing everything?"

  "I am afraid that you are right my lord."

  "And as you have said before, I will not get benefits until two years later."

  "At least."

  After everything had been said and all the painful situation had been assumed, lord Brandbury abruptly ended the meeting standing up all of a sudden. Even though he had been educated to keep a straight face in any situation, this new disposition he had to deal with was far from being appropiate to keep calm.

  If he had not been a gentleman, he would have been cursing his father and his depraved lifestyle. Because of his stubbornness and his mismanagement he was now about to lose everything, considering that his small fortune was far from being able to cover such high costs that were required by the family lands.

  He could cope with the first payment of eight hundred pounds at the most, but the consequence of this would be to remain without a shilling in his pockets and without capital to maintain his current businesses, not to mention the impossibility to maintain certain amenities.

  The word ruin floated in his head when he left the office without looking behind, and also while settling in his carriage waiting to calm down. All his plans, his dreams, and investments twirled around that heritage which he believed to be his salvation, and which had turned out to be a heavy strain that oppressed his entrails.

  For six years he had struggled to get a foothold among the Lords of the kingdom and the new emerging class of wealthy entrepreneurs. He earned every penny with effort and poise in order to thrive and be respected. But what was hurting him the most was that he expected that the heritage would allow him to marry the love of his life, as the daughter of an Earl deserved a husband who could provide for her and not make her perish in poverty. He would never bring his beloved a life of hardship and needs, when his wish was to give her the whole firmament.

  Time was unfortunately not on his side, because only a few months ago he had teamed up with his old friend Aron Sheldon to build a cotton textile factory, and everything indicated that after a couple of years the company would begin to generate substantial profits. He trusted his friend as he belonged to a prosperous family of merchants and he knew he could trust in his judgment. The only thing he needed was time and that was exactly what he did not have.

  He was running out of time with regard to his beloved Charlotte, as she had been insisting on marriage for a long period, and the clock hands were swirling against him in relation to his heritage and his business.

  With these thoughts in mind he went to his house in Mayfair wishing to dive into a good bourbon and forget his father and his cursed inheritance. The next day he would face the world and the tears of his beloved Charlotte, when he would tell her that their marriage should have to wait, or even worse, to be postponed indefinitely.

  Never before had he lamented so much being called Lord Braxton Jennins, Earl of Brandbury.

  CHAPTER II

  I t was widely known that the more you wished one thing, the more the universe conspired against you.

  This was undoubtedly the reason why Jane was wasting a splendid morning of horseback riding, even so when the night before she had left everything well prepared for this purpose. She had been enjoying three weeks of exhausting social life since she had left behind her beautiful Greenville Hills to stay in London and attend the specific events of the season.

  Her agenda had begun, as it was expected for a young beginner, with her introduction to the queen at the palace of Saint James. Celebrated in the morning, this ceremony required, by royal command, to wear an old uncomfortable dress which all the attendees hated. Afterwards, the compulsory ball at Willis halls, formerly known as Almack's, whose invitation she achieved thanks to lady Sophie Wyonick, mother of her best friend Madison.

  Since then, social events had not stopped and she had begun to miss her morning horseback riding. But how could she do it if every ball ended by dawn and she had to get ready for the visits, the walks in the park, the shopping, the unavoidable afternoon tea with its corresponding gossiping about the previous evening, and hundreds of other things? The problem was not that she hated such amount of activity or that she was bored. In fact, she had been dreaming for years about her presentation and everything was being wonderful. She only missed a few hours for her personal relish and, above all, to do what she enjoyed the most, such as horseback riding and playing the piano.

  But of course luck had abandoned her, and now she had to spend the morning looking for her little boy around the neighbourhood. He had never visited the city, and he would be afraid to wander aimlessly without knowing where to go. She had to find him, otherwise she would never forgive herself for having been so inept as to allow him to wander through a city he did not know.

  Resigned and finding out, thanks to her maid, that he had been seen deep into the back gardens of their neighbour’s mansion, Jane wore the first cap she saw and ran to his rescue, without imagining that thanks to this her destiny would begin to be fulfilled.

  With a really bad mood, Braxton entered his Mayfair mansion hoping that a good drunkenness would cheer him up and would also give him the courage to face his beloved Charlotte.

  But unsurprisingly, nothing happens the way one expects, and because of the speed with which his butler opened the door, he knew a very serious problem might be waiting for him. He had been countin
g on him to manage his mansion for so many years that Braxton only needed a glance at the normally expressionless face of the man to know that something wrong was happening.

  He sighed, surrendered to his bad luck and wished more than ever to have decided to go to his club of St James for a drink without incidents.

  "What is it Pratt?" he asked wearily.

  "Well sir, your neighbour, Miss Jane Grayson, has required the assistance of the mansion personnel to look for her… little boy in the gardens."

  "Excuse me, what did you say?" Incredulous at what he had just heard, Braxton stared at his butler, but when this one was about to inform him, he changed his mind. "Don’t worry, I’d better see it with my own eyes and ask for an explanation to that lady."

  Wishing to avoid wasting more time than necessary in this matter, he walked decisively into his garden, until he realised something. He wouldn’t have missed it if he hadn’t had such a bad morning, but after having received so many bad news it took him more time to focus on anything.

  He suddenly stopped in the middle of the hall, having the poor Pratt just about to bump into him, and he turned to look at his butler.

  "Did you say Miss?" He asked, thinking that it might have been a mistake, while looking for the impeccably uniformed man hurrying to be at a proper distance from his master and fitting his frock coat all at the same time.

  "You see, my lord…" he began to explain.

  "Leave it Pratt, I think I would rather not know it."

  "As you wish, my lord."

  And they kept on following the path to the gardens, but this time mister Pratt paid special attention to his Lordship steps.

  Once they arrived, Braxton saw something he never thought he would witness. If that morning had not been one of the worst of his life, he would have laughed outloud. But his lips did not show even a simple smile, and there was only disbelief about what his eyes saw.