"I knew your mother," Abelard began.
"Well?"
"Yes. She was a beautiful woman. You have her strange hair coloring."
"I remember my mother's hair, though it was touched with gray the last time I saw her," he said sadly, recalling their last good-bye.
"Your mother and father's marriage was arranged. Marissa never loved Elliot, your father."
"I never thought my parents loved each other. They accepted their position in life as so many did."
Abelard nodded. "True enough. But your father grew bitter over the years. He had loved a woman. A woman not befitting his station. His father warned him that if he chose to marry her, he would disinherit him. Elliot went into the marriage with your mother blaming her for preventing him from marrying the woman he loved."
Lucian listened, wondering what all this nonsense had to do with him. Many men were forced to marry women they didn't like, much less love. His parents had been no different. He had understood that from a young age. And from a young age he had known his father had mistresses.
"Your father kept the woman he loved as his mistress after Marissa and he were wed. She died in childbirth, leaving him a son. As the years passed his hatred for your mother grew as did his hatred for you."
Lucian looked at him oddly. He had known no love for his father, but hatred for his own son? That was surprising and hard to understand.
"Your mother contacted me, fearful for your life."
"My life?" he asked oddly.
"Yes." Abelard choked back the pain. "Your mother begged me to help protect you."
"From who?"
"Elliot. He wanted his illegitimate son to inherit his title and land. Fearing that Elliot would have you murdered, Marissa asked me to find a way to protect you and help her petition the court to secure your inheritance."
"So you falsified documents of my debt to you," Lucian said.
Abelard nodded. "I could control how long you were away from England and return you when it was safe."
"What went wrong?" Lucian asked, realizing a quirk of fate had condemned him.
Abelard's voice nearly caught on a sob. "You were to be assigned to my best and most trustworthy captain. All was settled. You would be safe." He shook his head, casting his glance to the carpet at his feet. "The captain was killed by a robber the night before the ship was to sail. My agent handling the vessel had to find a replacement immediately. There was no time for a proper and thorough check on the man. He was assigned to the ship and hastily told you were to be treated exceptionally well."
"I think he misunderstood the order," Lucian said with controlled anger.
"No, he did not. I discovered too late that he was a vile creature who hated the genteel. And by the time I did attempt to return you to England, the ship had already been captured by pirates."
"An interesting story," Lucian remarked. "But I'm confused. You're telling me my own father hated me enough to want me dead?"
Abelard stood and walked to the open window. "Yes, I am."
"Not a good enough explanation," Lucian stated calmly. "I want to know what you aren't telling me."
Abelard rubbed his temple. "I had promised your mother those many years ago I would never reveal the secret."
Lucian stood, impressive in his size and dressed like a gentleman in his blue brocade jacket with white breeches. "Tell me, Abelard. Tell me the true reason my father wanted me dead." Though he had no love for the man, the idea that his own father would have him killed tore at his heart.
Abelard stared at Lucian.
"Tell me, Abelard. You owe me that much."
"I owe you much more," he said softly.
"Then begin with the truth. Why did my father want me dead?"
His answer was swift. "Elliot Darcmoor wasn't your father and he knew it. He wanted no bastard to inherit his title and lands."
"Who is my father?" Lucian demanded.
"I am."
Lucian felt the shock down to his very soul.
"I loved your mother more than life, but duty and family obligations forced us apart. She never told me she was pregnant. I didn't learn that you were my son until she came to me all those years later for help."
Lucian attempted to comprehend, but it was difficult. The man who had been responsible for his suffering was his own father.
"I need that drink," Lucian said, heading for the cabinet that contained his best brandy.
"I could use one myself," Abelard agreed.
Lucian poured them each a glass of brandy.
Both men downed their drinks in no time and Lucian poured them each another one.
Abelard continued. "Your mother was beside herself with worry and regret when you were captured by the pirates. I spared her the news of your suffering on my ship. I didn't think she should know."