Uncommon Expectation

Chapter Zero - Prolog

Madam Dreux, you are ready. May I be of any further service? The dressing servant asked.

No Alain, I am fine, thank you. Lady Dreux responded. Do I truly look ready? It’s not every day a girl…woman, meets her husband for the first time,

Yes ma’am that’s true, it’s not every day that a girl turns nineteen years old and transforms into a woman either. Don’t worry, you look wonderful. Alain DuPont was three years older than Prius Dreux, but had been her lady in waiting servant for over seven years already. Though she was not of the same privileged pedigree as the Lady, she lived a very comfortable and superior life style compared to the rest of the French peasants.

Thank you Alain. I have to admit, I’m very nervous. From what I’ve heard about the Earl, he is a very worldly and experienced man.

Yes ma’am, I have heard the same stories you have. But he is a wealthy English Lord and your future will be secure. Alain assured her young lady.

Alain…have you…well…um…have you been with a man? The Lady asked tentatively.

Yes, I have, but only one. Alain responded with her head held low. Please don’t ever tell anyone.

Oh no, I never would. The Lady contemplated her next question. What was he like?

Alain looked up with her eyes sparkling. He was wonderful. I loved him…still do really. If my father ever found out, he come all the way out here and kill him. Alain looked down again, her grief too much to conceal. I’d marry him if I could.

You were in love with him? The Lady asked eagerly.

Yes. I believe we all get one true love in this life…this world. And he is mine. If I live to be ninety years old, I will love him until the day I die. Alain was looking up again. She had a content but panged look.

What if I don’t love the Earl? I’ve never even met him, and I know he’s much older than I am. The young Lady had been sitting on her make-up chair while Alain had lowered herself and was sitting on the carpet at her side. Alain reached up to her and she slid down off of her stool onto the carpet too.

Madam, maybe you’ll love him madly. It happens all the time. Alain assured her. Your father would never hand his only daughter off to a man who might treat her badly.

Yes, I’m sure that’s true. I know my father loves me, and wants desperately to protect me. But I, well, we will end up in England, many hundreds of miles away. You and I are going to have to learn to speak English well enough to get by. That alone scares me.

Alain had been wondering if she would be accompanying the Lady to her new home. It will be my pleasure to go with you. We can learn English together. Besides, you already know a lot of English from the girl’s school. Alain paused and looked up into the Lady’s eyes. I’m going to have to learn from the beginning.

Oh, it’s not too hard Alain. I’ll help you. We can make it fun. At least we’ll have each other to talk to. The Lady said smiling.

Yes ma’am. I hope we get to live in a nice house.

Yes me too. The English have a reputation of living like pigs. The Lady looked up at Alain with the devil in her eyes. I sure hope the Earl is a clean pig.

The girls laughed and cackled for several minutes. Come on my Lady. Let’s get you up. Sitting on this carpet is getting your gown all wrinkled. People will think I’m not very good at what I do.

Alain got up and pulled the Lady up from the floor and began straightening and adjusting her gown. With seven layers of under skirts, her dress blossomed out at her hips and cascaded to the floor in an ever widening waterfall of lace, silk and satin.

There you go my Lady. You look stunning. I wish I could see the Earl’s eyes when he first gazes upon you beauty.

Prius blushed. I only hope he is half as complimentary as you are Alain.

Alain looked at the crystal clock sitting on the bedroom mantel. OK my Lady, it’s time to go.

Prius Dreux, Lady of Landsdown sat remembering that day. It had been a wonderfully cool June morning and the whirlwind events since then had kept her from spending too much time questioning her place in life and the circumstances she now found herself in.

The three year wife of the Earl sat in her upstairs bedroom and admired her new home. It had taken that long for her to decide on a floor plan and then convince the Earl to construct it for her. The Earl was very fond of her, that she knew without question. Why else would he agree to any expenditure she requested and build this opulent home for her?

As she sat and pondered that question, Alain returned from her bedroom and looked down at the forlorn looking Lady. Madam, you look glum today, is something wrong?

Prius sat sidesaddle on one of her wing chairs, and turned to address Alain. I don’t know. How could anyone have such a grand home and feel such overwhelming depression?

I’m not sure I understand my Lady. What do you mean? Alain responded with genuine concern as she moved over to the side of the Lady.

The Lady looked out the window and gazed at the newly planted trees lining the serpentine lane that arched out toward the entry gate. I have this wonderful home, and no one to share it with. I wrote and told the Earl that it would be ready to inhabit by now, but I’ve not heard a word in return from him. Prius looked back at Alain. I’m not even sure where he is...or what he’s doing.

Alain was no stranger to the abandonment Prius was feeling. It had pretty much been her sole and continuous emotion since coming to England. He travels a lot, that true, but I’m sure he’s true to you. He’d be a fool not to be.

Prius once again turned to look at Alain. I don’t know. We hear stories. He always was a ladies’ man. Everyone I’ve ever met that knows him tells me so. They say ‘Oh Lady Landsdown, how did you ever tame him?’ I don’t think I have Alain.

I wouldn’t worry too much. He married you, and he’s built you this marvelous home and given you all this land. If he never came back you would still be the winner.

It’s more than that I’m afraid. Prius pulled the other wing back chair up near hers and guided Alain down into it. It’s just that…I think…I think I may be with child. In fact I’m sure of it.

Alain leaned over and hugged her friend and employer. That’s wonderful news, I’m so happy for you. As soon and she had finished saying the words, the time clock in her head kicked in. Oh…my…are you sure?

Yes, I’m very sure Alain. The Lady said with her head lowered. Slowly she looked back up to face Alain. You understand my dilemma?

Alain had a look of shear trepidation. I think I do. What…when…Oh my; who?

Prius looked down in shame as her eyes began to well up. The farm manager.

Alain had been half leaned over toward her charge, but now bolted straight up. Marlon Cosgrove?

Prius looked up at Alain from under her lowered eyebrows. Yes. Marlon Cosgrove.

Alain was incredulous. Oh my. Well, he is handsome, I’ll grant you that. I wondered why he was spending so much time tending the landscaping around the house. Alain concluded as she raised her eyebrows and cocked her chin under.

Oh Alain, please. This is serious. What if the Earl finds out?

Alain considered the implications of what she’d just heard. "How long have you thought you were with child?’

Prius didn’t look up this time. About five or six weeks. She responded.

Alain was calculating in her head. OK, the last time we saw the Earl was two months ago. Let’s say it was eight weeks. That means we could convince him it was his. He won’t even consider any other possibility. Alain bobbed her head forward quickly. OK, it’s done. The child is the Earl’s. Depending on when the child arrives, we may have to fudge his memory for him a little. You need to write him now telling him of the wonderful news. That should bring him out of the woodwork!

Prius raised her chin and smiled. Just like that?

Yes my Lady, just like that!

What should I tell Marlon? Prius asked meekly.

Tell him whatever you want to, or don’t tell him at all. Was this just scratching an itch, or do you have feelings for him? Alain asked directly.

Oh Alain, I have deep feelings for him. I remember you telling me about your one true love. He is mine. Prius replied in a buoyant voice.

Then tell him you love him and the child is his. Tell him to never say a word to anyone, and to love you forever.

Really Alain, you think I should?

Yes ma’am my Lady, I do. Love for a woman in this man’s world is nearly impossible. If you believe he loves you, he will be quite content to have you to himself while the Earl is away, and that’s most of the time. Alain concluded.

What about the rest of the house and farm staff, do you think any of them may figure this out?

Alain considered the possibility. If they haven’t figured it out yet, they soon will. I will tell you this; their allegiance is to you, not the Earl. He is truly kind and considerate to you, but not to any of them. They love you and despise him. You won’t have any problems there. Alain stood up and looked out the front window. You let me take care of them.

We’ve tried to be discrete. Prius’ voice sounded defensive.

And you should continue to be discrete. Alain turned and looked down at Prius. Be in love, but be discrete. After the newness wears off, the staff won’t really care.

You think so? Prius asked sheepishly.

You treat them well. Feed them well, pay them well and are a polite and considerate matron. Mr. Cosgrove is healthy, single, virile, handsome and revered by the staff as much as you are. They will be very happy for both of you. Believe me. Alain assured her. Let’s share the happy news. I’ll tell the staff and you tell…well whomever.

There was no possibility that Prius Dreux Landsdown would ever know that she would have another last name before the end of her days, anymore than she could ever know how her actions would affect so many others over the next four hundred and fifty years. She would have four children; name the estate and many of the prominent features of the estate before she would pass into history. But history was going to resurrect all of that, and more.

Chapter One:

The Solicitor General of the United Kingdom was standing in an office conference room in York, England. At forty-two, he had enjoyed a meteoric rise through the English legal, judicial and political system, and loved the job he now held. Unaccustomed to being at any kind of legal disadvantage, he was unsure of what to do for the first time in his life. He stood looking around the room for a few moments then turned to his assistant.

Earl, do you have a camera in your car?

Earl Wence had worked for the Solicitor’s office for twelve years. He was a good, competent prosecutor and had risen through the ranks by his inane ability to do his job without alienating anyone. He was among those who had been more that a little annoyed by the new Solicitor’s promotions above those that had been there for years including him, but at this very moment he was happy he didn’t have the job.

Yes sir, I have my digital in my brief case. Would you like me to retrieve it?

Yes, please. I’ll wait here for you.

While Earl was gone the Solicitor walked around the table looking at all of the paraphernalia lying in neatly arranged piles. He had just been informed that all of the gear and all of the photos on the wall had come from Moinster. Moinster was a ninety-two hundred acre estate in the northwestern most part of England, and was bounded on the north by the Scottish border and on the West by the Irish Sea.

The Solicitor thought he was coming to the office of the supposed land owner’s attorney Walter Knowles, to investigate the evidence of said ownership. Instead he was assaulted by the press outside the office and then promptly confronted with all of this evidence, suggesting that someone had blown up the manor home at Moinster last night. Walter Knowles was accusing the English government of being the perpetrator.

The SG heard the front door come open and could hear the continued assault by the press on his assistant as he made his way back into the office.

General Sir; here is my camera. I only have about half battery left but my data card is nearly empty. He turned and looked back toward the front door. Those people are vultures!

The SG looked at his assistant for a second and smiled. OK Earl; lets shoot as much of this stuff as we can. I bet they have copies of the photos on the wall, so let’s concentrate on the stuff on the table.

Yes sir. Earl started arranging the gear on the table. All of the items were of military grade and style, including two H&K sub-machine guns with nasty looking silencers on them, an H&K .45 pistol, also with a silencer, two black nylon back packs, packaging from high explosives, detonators, and several different types of two way radios and satellite phones.

Earl was shooting each item then had a thought. Sir, possession of these firearms is highly illegal in this country, should we think about calling the military or local authorities about this?

I’ve thought about that Earl. Until we have a full understanding of what went on last night, I think we’ll leave all of this equipment here. Please carry on; I think I’ll go talk to the Barrister.

Earl resumed his task. Yes sir.

The SG had been informed that all of the ownership documentation he thought he was coming to see were located in another conference room, so he ducked his head in and looked around. The entire twelve seat conference table had neatly arranged rows of documents on it. Having seen enough for the time being, he turned and headed for the Barristers lobby.

When he got to the lobby, he approached the lady behind the reception counter. Miss, I’d like to have a word with Mr. Knowles if I could.

Certainly sir; I’m Mary, Mr. Knowles personal secretary; I’ve been instructed to show you in right away, please follow me.

Mary led the SG down a short hallway that was lined with office doors and floor to ceiling window-walls filled with opaque glass that had been popular back in the 1960’s. She opened the last door and turned to allow the SG to enter.

General, I’m surprised you’re finished so quickly, please, have a seat. Walter had been sitting behind his desk knowing that it would, indeed, not be a long time until the SG came seeking him.

Walter Knowles father and grandfather had also been the Barristers for the Cosgrove family, who proclaimed themselves rightful owners of all of Moinster. This attorney/client relationship had already lasted for over one hundred years. And like his father and grandfather, Walter at thirty-two had only a thin band of hair around the perimeter of his, otherwise, bald head.

The SG proceeded into Walter’s office and took a seat delicately. Mr. Knowles sir, I’m sure ambushing me with all of this information is part of your tactic today, but let me assure you I…

Walter cut him off. General Sir, your government had its military goons sneak onto my client’s property and blow up his house. It’s a god damned miracle that no one was harmed, so let’s not talk about me ambushing you!

The SG sat, furious inside, waiting for his composure to return. Mr. Knowles, you know I am in no position to respond to these allegations. I am having my assistant photograph all of the paraphernalia on the table; I assume you have copies of the wall photos of the damage. May we have those to take with us?

Yes General, I do and you may have as many copies as you want. If you’d like, I can have our security people escort your representatives onto the property to inspect the damage as well; with prior scheduling, of course.

The SG considered the offer. OK Mr. Knowles, I would indeed like to have that opportunity, how many representatives may I send and when?

Walter had his answer ready. My client will allow three inspectors. We strongly suggest at least one of them have forensic damage assessment training and one have explosive detection training.

OK Mr. Knowles, may we schedule that now…say for ten AM tomorrow morning?

Yes sir that would be fine, I will arrange it. There is another matter; we have also recovered the body of a deceased soldier. It appears he somehow fell or was thrown onto the rocks of the shoreline while trying to escape from the assault. His fate was not his fault; rather it was surely designed by some stupid politician. He deserves a devoted soldiers respect and care. We would like to surrender his body to the proper military authorities ASAP.

The SG had been told when he got there that there was a body, but the realization that he could be identified and a soldier and possibly an English soldier was just now sinking into his consciousness and he paused for a moment to reflect. Yes, I believe whoever he is, that may very well be true; I will arrange a military escort at once. The SG realized he needed to regain his steadiness. However, Mr. Knowles, until such time as we identify the poor soul, I will take exception to your describing him as a soldier; ours or anybody else’s.

We already know better Sir; however, in the best interest of my client, we will not divulge his identity until you can confirm to us what we already know. Walter hesitated for a moment. That is as long as we feel you are being straight with us.

The SG tilted his head back and considered the implications of what Walter had said. Mr. Knowles, I believe that this matter will likely get taken up by someone other than me and I’m sure whoever that is would like to keep a lid on this, can I take that commitment from you to my superiors?

For the time being General. I can tell you that we have a compromise solution to offer, we may discuss that now, between you and I, or we can discuss it at a later date with whoever responds in your stead.

Again the SG had to pause to consider the undertone of where the Barrister was taking the conversation. Mr. Knowles I think it better to wait on that. I have no authority to accept or deny any offer at this time. However, may I have an overview of your offer to prime my superiors with?

Certainly. Walter responded. You may tell your superiors that there will be no contest over the rightful ownership of my client to Moinster, nor any contest to payment, whether real or imagined over past taxations of any kind.

Walter paused for a moment for the SG to get caught up on the notes he was taking.

Further, the Crown will once again confirm the bequest of Moinster to the Cosgrove family, in perpetuity. In exchange for that, my client will submit to taxation of future income from farm operations on the property only. There will be no taxation, of any kind on the gas lease income, and in exchange for that, my client will waive any past due lease payment increases that Royal Gas has failed to pay over the last eighty-odd years, as you know that amounts to over sixty-eight million pounds. Royal Gas will now be expected to pay the current prices due with all future increases to be implemented on schedule, per the original lease agreement.

Again Walter waited while the SG made notes. Walter loved that he could dictate conditions to this stuffed hat political nitwit.

That is our offer Sir; you may accept it or we will take our case to the English people.

The SG was done taking notes, but kept his head down and scribbled on his pad until he could; once again, regain his composure at being dictated to. Mr. Knowles, I will take this information with me. I suspect you will hear from someone soon. I would like to remind you that the items you have in your conference room are highly controlled and illegal for private ownership. I trust you will store them carefully and surrender them at the proper opportunity.

General Sir, I will expect to hear from someone by 5PM tomorrow evening. We have no intent to allow your government any wiggle time to scheme their way out of this embarrassing and outrageous behavior. As far as the hardware, we have documented it and you have documented it, we will surrender it as soon as we have a written agreement endorsed in person by the Queen herself. Otherwise, I’m sure it will make a great news story.

The SG knew that the press was waiting right outside the office doors and that they were there to make a definite statement. He did not say a word; he simply nodded his head, rose and exited Walter’s office.

As soon as he was gone, Walter got on the secure cell phone Archie had given him. Archie Newblad was a spook, now a private investigator spook, but a spook none the less. Archie had been trained in Intelligence and Counter intelligence by the US Army, but had perfected his craft in the years since doing private international security and intelligence work.

Archie was forty-six years old and built like a fire plug. He demeanor and look could easily be mistaken as studious or book like and often he concealed himself posing as a salesman, but the man was hard as rock and deadly with or without weapons.

After the explosion at Moinster, Archie had organized securing the house and began debris removal, and had also organized a sea search that had turned up the dead body, gear and weapons lost by whoever had blown the house.

Archie was expecting the call and answered on the second ring. Yes Walter, how did it go?

Well, he went out of here with steam coming out of his ears, but he clearly knows his side is in serious trouble. Whether the gear and dead guy are his or someone else’s, the government and Crown are in deep Do-Do!

Archie gave a short laugh at Walter’s description. OK, I have an audience scheduled with the German Ambassador to England first thing in the morning. My guys will take all of the hardware evidence now that the SG has seen it and I’ll have them stage it for my meeting, we will work this thing from both sides.

Archie was referring to the knowledge that it was, most certainly, German Special Forces who had invaded Moinster and blown up the house. Mika Cosgrove, the new heir to Moinster, had gone on National television a week and a half earlier and declared Moinster an independent country and declared war on Germany for an incident there that resulted in the death of several unarmed civilians. Mika had felt like he was kidding around with the interviewer, but had been set up to look like a fool for TV ratings by a very unscrupulous reporter.

Walter responded to Archie’s plan. OK my friend, you’re up next, let’s kick some sour-kraut ass!

Archie had to laugh again; he could tell Walter was really getting into this situation where he held all the cards for a change. Walter had seen his father spend his entire career with the Cosgrove’s trying to conceal the fact that Moinster was owned by a single family instead of being some kind of being some Royal Game Preserve, as all of the local citizens had grown to believe. The locals had always assumed that the Cosgrove family was the live in caretaker, rather than sole owners.

When the news had broken that the old caretaker, Martin Cosgrove had taken his own life by jumping off a cliff on the property and the new heir, Mika Cosgrove, was declaring his autonomous ownership, it had caused a local sensation that had grown into a national news story over night.

Archie was grinning when he responded to Walter. You know, Martin always told me you were crazy. I’ll talk to you tomorrow after my meeting, get some rest, you’re going to need it.

Coming from you, I’ll take that as a compliment. Good night Archie, you get some rest too.

Walter hung up the phone and sat in his office reveling in the victory today had brought, but his thoughts were hijacked by the remembrance of Martin Cosgrove. Walter had always looked up to Martin like an older brother. Walter’s dad would often take him to Moinster when he was just a kid, and Martin, then in his early twenties, would entertain and teach Walter woodsmanship, star gazing and later on, shooting. Martin had only been dead for a little over two weeks and Walter was certainly not over his loss yet.

Walter didn’t know it then, and would not know it for years, but his influence from Martin was not over.

Chapter Two:

Mika Cosgrove was standing on the second floor of Martin Manor. He and his new girlfriend, Margret Shay had decided to name the manor home Martin Manor in Martin Cosgrove’s belated honor. Mika was amazed at how quickly Archie’s crews had cleaned up all of the debris lying around the yard including all of the debris that had fallen back down into the upper floor of the house.

Two days earlier, Mika had witnessed the entire roof being blown off the four hundred and fifty year old home. The house and grounds had been a gift from the Earl of Landsdown to his French Princess wife. Since the Earl was never home, the Missus had taken up with one of the farm hands and produced four children the Earl had always thought were his. That is up till he was being considered to ascend to the Crown. The discovery that none of the Earl’s heirs were really his caused quite a stir and embarrassment for the then young and dying King Edward VI.

Margret walked up behind her new sweetheart. It looks dreadful, doesn’t it?

Mika stood with his hands on his hips looking at the sky. Yes it does, although we were pretty lucky, the exterior stone bearing walls are still pretty well intact. That should make installing the new roof structure quite a bit easier.

The crew working to remove debris upstairs had most of the stuff lying on the floors already cut up, picked up and hauled down the waiting trash receptacles. Part of the roof structure over the front corner of the house, above the Library, was still intact and the crew was assembling scaffolding in preparation to cut it down too. One of the demolition laborers started hollering.

Sir, come quickly, we’ve found a treasure chest in the attic!

Mika and Margret were pretty well beyond the ability to be surprised anymore, so they edged toward where the laborer was making all of the commotion without too much haste. What did you find guys? Mika asked as he walked into the front upper bedroom.

Two laborers were in the process of lowering, what indeed looked like a treasure chest. It was actually a nineteenth century steamer trunk, about a foot and a half deep, two feet wide and two feet tall. The wooden chest was laced with metal straps and had reinforced corners and a domed lid with a double latch on the front side.

That’s not a treasure chest fella’s, that an old steamer trunk. Margret corrected as she walked up behind Mika. They used those back in the eighteen hundreds to ship belongings; much like what we use a suitcase for today.

One of the laborer’s, who was grunting under the heavy load, spewed between deep breaths. Well ma’am, whatever kind of chest it is, its god awful heavy!

The laborer’s gently lowered the chest down to the floor level where Mika could get to it. Let’s see if she’s locked. Mike pushed on the latches and was rewarded with a solid rebound of a locked or seriously rusted latch. We’re going to need a screw driver, or a pry bar; anyone got something like that?

I’ve got both, which would you prefer? One of the other workmen was coming up from behind Mika and offering up a large screwdriver and a small J shaped wrecking bar.

Well. Mika said standing back upright. Why don’t we try the screwdriver first; I’d like to not damage the chest anymore than necessary; I’ve already tore up enough family heirlooms around here.

The laborer stuck the large screwdriver behind one of the latches and gave it a gentle prying action. When the first gentle prying did not produce any results, the laborer gave the second pry with a little more oomph; with that the entire latch pulled out of the old wood, screws and all. Sorry Sir, so much for trying to not damage it.

Well, don’t worry too much, at least the screw holes can be filled and maybe the latch can be reattached. It doesn’t look like the latch was damaged at all.

The laborer went ahead and pried on the second latch with the same result as the first. Sir I think this old wood is just too fragile. We better be careful picking it up any more, it may fall completely apart.

I think you’re right. Here, let’s see if we can just empty it here, then it won’t be so dog gone heavy. Mika stepped up and opened the chest and found it completely full of papers and documents. As he began to read through the first several that came off the top, he came to the abrupt realization that he was looking at all of the family history dating back for a very long time. Margret, look at this, my god, this stuff is incredible.

Margret had moved up alongside of Mika, and was reading at the same time. I wonder how long this stuff has been up here, some of this is dated from the fifteen and sixteen hundreds.

Mika and Margret had the same revelation at the same instant and just looked up at each other with astonished looks on their faces. This is all the family history documents that have been missing for so many years! They said in tandem.

* * * * * * * *

As Archie’s car pulled up in front of the German Consulate in London, he could see the German Ambassador and his staff waiting for him on the sidewalk. This is good, they’re anxious. Archie thought as his car came to a halt. Archie’s driver who was also one of his best protégé’s vaulted from the driver’s seat came around and opened Archie’s door for him.

Mr. Newblad how nice to see you again; you simply must come by more often. Archie and Kermit Schein had had know each other for several years, well before Kermit had become Ambassador to England. They had been involved in several other incidents over the