An Officer but No Gentleman(107)

My only disappointment is that you never told me about the fire. I know you think I do not know your part in that fire, but I spoke with the neighbors and they told me about the overturned table and the two dead pups. Your mother was not fond of the hounds and she never allowed them in the house. I know it was an accident, one that a child your age could have never foreseen, but I always wanted you to tell me voluntarily what happened. I suppose it is only human nature to want to avoid taking blame. Someday, I hope you will tell someone, even if it is just that lunkhead, Morty, that you have grown so close to.

I have to say, I am glad to see that you have befriended someone at last, even if it is such a clown as he. Never have I been so sure that someone was dropped on his head as a baby, as I am about Ness. I am quite conflicted about this young man. He is both a good and bad influence on you. He has certainly taken the starch out of your drawers, but I worry that he has no qualms about taking you with him to the tavern. Though in truth, when you came back with a drink or two in you, you instigated a conversation with me, something you never do unless it’s about the running of the ship or business.

I wish I saw more of that side of you, but without the drink.

Charlie, I never thought our charade would go on this long. For some reason, I assumed I would remarry and you would return to a normal life with a step-mama to watch you. I have entertained thoughts of sending you to boarding school, but your manners are as coarse as jack’s and Brody tells me your studies are far beyond what they would teach.

What you do with the rest of your life is up to you. If you are still a minor when I die, Brody will watch after you until your majority. If you want to live ashore, there is ample money to keep you into your dotage. However, if you ever find yourself in dire straits, know that your mother has a brother who lives in England. He broke ties with your mother during the War of Independence. His name is Richard Carlyle Avondale. I think when she named you Carly it was after him. Your mother told me he was to inherit a title from a sonless uncle. I believe the family estate is called Winterhurst, but I don’t remember where it’s at.

I wish in life we could have had a normal father-child relationship. I always wanted to tell you I love you, but I couldn’t bear it if you didn’t return the sentiment.

If there is any advice I can give you, Charlie, it is this: Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

Your father,

John Sinclair.



Charlie finished reading the letter and handed it to Jaxon.

“May I?”

Charlie, lost in thought was slow to answer. “Aye.”

While Jaxon read she spoke with Grayson. “Was that everything?”

“I think so. The only matter pending is the question of the legality of the marriage. But honestly, as your solicitor, I would like you to consider whether or not you want someone else to have control of the money.”

“Gray, if you want to continue in the capacity of my attorney, I don’t want to hear any more about it. All I want to know is how to make the marriage legal. Do we have to annul it and redo it? Or can we just redo the vows with the correct names?”

“That’s not really my field of expertise.”

Charlie nodded. “I trust what you’ve learned about my past is confidential.”

“Of course.”

“And can we keep the deputies until the money is safe?”

“I’ll add their services to your bill.”

Jaxon looked up from the letter and shook his head. “Don’t try to pad the bill. I’ll be going over it with a fine-tooth comb.”

“Now you know why I don’t want you married to my brother. He always thinks the worst of me.”

Grayson pushed up to his feet to leave.

“Haven’t you forgotten something?” Jaxon asked.

“No, I don’t think so.”

“You owe Charlie an apology.”

Grayson looked less than contrite. “Charlie, I’m sorry I didn’t believe you and that I thought the worst of you. I hope you and Jaxon will be very happy together…even though, he doesn’t deserve you.”

Charlie eyed Jaxon. She wasn’t sure what to say since he added the little dig, but decided to take the high road. “Thank you, Gray. I’d like to just forget it and start fresh with you.”

“I’m going to talk to Reverend Fyfe and see if he knows what needs to be done to fix your wedding conundrum,” Grayson said before taking his leave.

“Are you all right?” Jaxon asked when they were alone again.

Charlie shrugged. “I don’t know. That letter only confused me. I didn’t tell him my boots were too small because I didn’t know I had to. He took me to the tailor without me needing to tell him. My mother purchased my shoes without any conversation about it.”