Disclaimer: I own nothing...don't sue me!
Rating: M/NC-17
Warnings: May contain mention of rape/attempted rape, violence, cursing and explicit sexual scenes.
I originally got this story idea when I read a story by Karen11 entitled "Logan, Duke of Westchester". It took me this long to finally figure out how I could expand on it and make the idea of a AU period-piece my own. I hope you all like it!
James Logan Howlett stepped out of the carriage and removed his top hat to look up at the formidable, sprawling estate that would be his permanent home once again after ten years of absence.
He was the privileged son of the Duke and Duchess of Kendal. His father, James was a distant cousin of Prince Albert's while his mother, Elizabeth, was a loyal friend of Queen Victoria's.
Just one year into their arranged marriage, Elizabeth gave birth to Victor. Less than 18 months later, she gave birth to James Logan. She'd almost died in childbirth with him, and was rumored to have been terrified of becoming pregnant again, so she refused to ever share a bed with her husband again, thus, leading to the Duke's many extramarital affairs.
The family was like many English aristocratic units...distant, but well taken care of. Both boys received the best schooling and were at the top of their social circles. When the two boys hit puberty, Victor began to change. A girl they had been befriended accused Victor of attempting to rape her while another claimed he struck her after she refused to accompany him to a party. It was because of Victor's many problems that Logan bore the unofficial title of favorite son. On his 18th birthday, the queen allowed the Duke to pass on the title of Earl of Kendal to Logan, while Victor legally remained a commoner.
This was a slight break in tradition, since the eldest son was always the first to be given a title.
A decade ago, Logan and Victor left to apprentice for a famous French doctor who was studying infectious diseases in Paris. Victor abandoned his apprenticeship a year in while Logan stayed on and completed his studies.
Four years ago, his father passed. His mother, having always been emotionally detached from her children and family, didn't even bother to send word of her husband's passing to her sons. It wasn't until he ran into a family friend in Paris that he learned of his father's death.
He refused to speak to his mother after that.
Just one month ago, he received correspondence from his family's lawyer, informing him of his mother's death. Victor was no where to be found, so it was on his shoulders to return home to look after his family's estate.
He could have just sold it, but even he didn't have the heart to sell his legacy to the highest bidder. Howlett Manor had been in his family for nearly a hundred years. He loved the place. It was a grand estate situated on beautiful, rolling English hills.
His family had once welcomed Prince Albert and his eldest son for a fox hunt on those very grounds.
Logan allowed a small smile to play across his lips as memories of his childhood home came rushing back. The sound of the carriage driver's voice brought him back to the present, "Would you like me to get your bags down, sir?"
He nodded at the carriage driver, "Yes. Just to the door."
Before he even had the opportunity to walk to the door, it flew open. Nora, his governess since birth, rushed out with open arms to greet him. Those close to him always called him by his middle name since James was also his father's name.
Logan smiled warmly and reciprocated the surprisingly strong embrace the little old lady favored him with. Nora was more of a mother to him than his own biological mother was.
When she finally released him, she took his face in her hands, "My wonderful little Logan! I've missed you so!"
"I've missed you too, Nora. Are you well?"
Nora sighed as she took his arm and led him into the house, "Save for the aches and pains of an aging body, I'm as right as rain. How is Paris?"
"I miss it already, but seeing your smiling face has eased my sorrow."
As they entered the library, they were greeted by another life-long family servant. A graying man named Charles. For the longest, Logan thought Nora and Charles may have been lovers, but when he became an adult, he let go of his childlike obsession with romance and love.
Charles greeted Logan warmly, "Hello, Lord Howlett."
"Now Charles, you need not call me that...even if I now bear the burden of the title..." Logan sighed and got a far off look in his eyes before looking back up at Charles and clearing his throat, "As usual, my friend, please call me Logan...nothing has changed."
"Of course, Logan...let's get your bags up to your room and I'll fetch you a nice pot of tea so you can relax after your journey."
Logan offered a warm smile, "Thank you, Charles."
Minutes later, Nora was pouring his tea while Charles unpacked his bags.
The old lady straightened and pulled an envelope from her apron pocket, "Ah! Before it slips my aged mind...I found this letter when I was packing away your mother's things. It was received just two months ago."
Logan took the envelope and pulled the letter out. It read:
Dearest Lady Elizabeth,
I would, once again, like to extend my sincerest and humblest thanks for inviting me to stay at your estate during my research at Oxford. I am writing this letter to inform you that I will be arriving in London in nine weeks.
I do hope the notice isn't too short.
I greatly look forward to seeing you. My mum tells me that I was just a small girl the last time we met. I pray that I offer better conversation than I did during our first meeting!
Until Spring,
- A.M.
"Do you recognize the name on the envelope?" asked Nora.
He thoughtfully examined it and nodded slowly, "One of my mother's friends from childhood married a man with this last name. She used to come around when we were just children...you might remember them, a D'Ancanto...he was Italian, I believe."
"Well this is quite the welcome home, isn't it?"
Logan scoffed, "A woman...attending Oxford..." Nora held her tongue as he sighed and handed her back the letter, "Well, there isn't much that can be done about it now. This young woman will be here in a matter of days."
"What would you like to do?"
He shrugged as he pulled off his boot, "Have a room made up for her. When she arrives, she can make the decision to leave if she pleases...but my mother extended an invitation to her and I will honor it."
"Very well sir."
As he settled back into his life at the estate, Logan began wondering if he should start his own research. He'd been a highly successful practitioner in France, but now that he'd left that behind, he was in need of a fresh start.
The letter from the young lady gave him the idea to contact the medical college at Oxford.
As he sat, composing his letter, Nora poked her head into the library, "My Lord, a carriage is approaching. I believe it's the young lady."
He stood and pulled his waist coat from the back of his chair before slipping it on and heading to the front entrance.
Logan arrived just in time to see a carriage come to a halt. He began to step forward to open the door, but the occupant opened it, catching him off guard. It was definitely out of the ordinary for a woman in Victorian England to open her own doors
A young lady wearing a traditional hat and Victorian day dress stepped out. She wore a bright, but tired smile, "Oh, hello...I'm here under the invitation of the Duchess."
He stared down at her face and nearly gasped at her beauty. Her face was a work of art...from her deep, chocolate eyes to her perfect, heart shaped lips.
Logan cleared his throat and offered to take her hand before formally bowing, "Good afternoon. I am James Logan Howlett, Earl of Kendal. I...I regret to inform you that your original host...my mother...has passed away recently."
Marie blinked, "Oh dear Lord...I'm terribly sorry. I didn't-"
He held up a hand, "News of my mother's death was not widely known. She may not be here, but I do wish to honor her invitation."
She bit her bottom lip and eyed the man cautiously, "I don't want to impose..."
"Nonsense, there is plenty of room and we've already made the proper preparations."
Marie offered a grateful smile, "Alright. Thank you."
A few minutes later, they were sitting in the library, sipping tea in awkward silence, "I'm sorry, I didn't have the opportunity to catch your full name."
"Oh, my apologies. My full name is Anna Marie D'Ancanto, but my close friends call me Marie."
Logan quirked a brow, "Ah. I see." As he watched her set her tea down, he narrowed his eyes, "What is a woman doing studying at Oxford?"
Marie offered a tight smile, "You don't believe in the equality of the sexes when it comes to the matter of education?"
He stood and walked over to his desk, "I believe women have a natural talent for the arts...dance...music...perhaps the occasional painting...but matters of philosophy, mathematics and science should be left up to men."
"Well, I do find that a bit disheartening to hear. Perhaps my presence will help you change your mind on that matter."
Logan smirked, "Doubtful...sorry to say I'll hardly notice your presence. I'll be much too busy to entertain you with my dazzling intellect. As a host, I'll only be able to offer you food and a room. I'm sure you'll find that to be adequate since you're such a modern woman."
It took everything Marie had in her not to stand up and stomp on his giant feet. He was like so many other Victorian men...infuriating and cocky.
"Well, I find that to be a great relief...since I've already had my fill of your charms."
Logan quirked an eyebrow. She was witty...he liked that. He favored her with a brief nod before leaving. He made sure Nora took care of her and showed her to her room, but he did not see Marie for the remainder of the day.
That night, as he lay in bed with his eyes closed, he struggled to get her smile and the sound of her voice out of his head.
Ok, don't flame me for Logan's chauvinist attitude and my (almost guaranteed) historical inaccuracies. I did some research, but hey...it's not a project, its a fun story and I hope you're going to enjoy it! review please!