Free The Shocking Secret of a Guest at the Wedding (Millworth Manor) by Victoria Alexander

American.”
    Shock hung in the air. For a long moment no one said a word. Then the dam broke.
    “Good Lord, Uncle Basil.” Beryl stared at him. “How could you have been so careless as to misplace a son?”
    “And in America no less.” Delilah scoffed in a derisive manner earning her a raised brow from Mr. Russell. “Not that it’s not a fine enough place to lose a son,” she added quickly.
    “Although where you lost him is really beside the point, isn’t it?” Camille said.
    Bernadette shook her head in amazement. “How could you, Basil?”
    “First of all, I’ll have you know, all of you, that I knew nothing about this.” Basil blew a long breath. “Elizabeth, his mother, my wife, did not see fit to tell me that we were still married nor did she inform me as to the birth of my son who has, by the way, recently marked his thirtieth birthday. So you see, my dear niece”—he pinned Beryl with a firm look—“I did not misplace him as I was unaware of his existence.” His gaze shifted to Delilah. “New York is the home of his mother’s family and again I did not lose him as I didn’t know he existed.” He directed his gaze to Camille. “And yes, where he was is entirely beside the point although I daresay had he been born and raised in England I might well have stumbled onto him before now.” He narrowed his gaze at Bernadette. “And as to how could I, how could I what, Bernadette? Fall in love with a woman and then fail to fight for her? Admittedly, that was a mistake that I realized nearly from the beginning. And while I wrote to her, it seemed she wanted nothing more to do with me. Should I have pursued her in spite of that? In hindsight, of course I should have.” His gaze pinned his sister-in-law’s. “But we all make mistakes out of passion or pride or pain, mistakes that have unexpected repercussions. Don’t we, Bernadette?”
    “Well, yes, I suppose.” Bernadette muttered and had the good grace to look chagrined.
    “When did you find out about this?” Delilah asked.
    “A few weeks ago. I took the first ship to New York. But of course, I couldn’t stay.” He glanced at Camille. “I couldn’t miss your wedding.”
    “Thank you,” Camille murmured with a weak smile.
    Beryl shook her head. “You must be furious.”
    “My anger is greatly diminished by my, well, I suppose my joy is the only good word for it.” He smiled wryly. “It isn’t every day that one discovers one has a full-grown offspring, and a son at that.”
    “Still, I would be hard-pressed to forgive something of this magnitude,” Beryl said firmly. “Why, I know I shall never be able to forgive this woman on your behalf.”
    “Thank you, my dear, for your loyalty.” Basil smiled and shook his head. “I don’t know that I have forgiven Elizabeth or that I ever will. Regardless, what’s done is done and we need to move forward from here.”
    “Father.” Camille turned to Nigel. “You haven’t said a word.”
    “This is quite a lot to digest,” Nigel said thoughtfully. “Not the least of which is my brother failing to tell me about his marriage.”
    “I apologize for that. I put it all behind me and went on with my life. It seemed pointless to bring it up. Now, of course, it’s an entirely different matter that affects us all.” Basil held his breath. “I know this is a shock but I would appreciate it if you would say something, Nigel, anything. I have no idea what you’re thinking.”
    “I’m not entirely sure what to say. As you said, it’s all a bit of a shock. Completely unexpected. And the consequences. . .” Nigel’s gaze met his brother’s. “Cousin Wilfred’s dolt of a son will be most disappointed. I however . . .” A slow smile spread across his face. “I couldn’t be more pleased.”
    Basil grinned at his brother. “It is something of a surprise.”
    “A surprise? Good God, man.” Nigel crossed to his brother and embraced him. “You said it was a miracle and I’d say