by Laura Landon
A twinge of guilt stabbed at her, but it wasn’t a feeling she wanted to acknowledge. She didn’t want to recognize how much she owed him, but she couldn’t help herself. She’d more than likely be dead if he hadn’t been here to help her.
She forced her gaze to move from Jonathan who cooed contentedly, to Austin Landwell who stood beside her bed. He still looked down on her as if to assure her she’d be safe. Her heart shifted inside her chest and she knew she was losing her battle to distance herself from him.
“Are you sure you’re all right?” he asked.
She nodded.
He acknowledged her answer with a single nod. “Then I’d like to introduce you to my family.”
The man and lady who’d entered the room stood close enough to the bed that she only had to turn her head to see them.
“Gabe. Liddy. I’d like you to meet Lady Fledgemont, widow of the late Viscount Fledgemont. Lady Fledgemont, this is my sister, Lady Lydia, and her husband, Major Gabriel Talbot.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Fledgemont,” the major said.
Sarah greeted the tall man with a nod, then looked at Austin Landwell’s sister. Lady Lydia didn’t move, but studied Sarah with an unreadable expression on her face. There was no hostility in her gaze, neither was there mistrust, but perhaps…concern. Perhaps…sympathy.
Sarah didn’t want to appear rude, yet she couldn’t help but stare at Austin’s sister. The color of her eyes and hair were similar to her brother’s. The same vibrant blue eyes stared back at her, and wisps of honey-blonde hair framed her face. The woman was as beautiful as her brother was handsome. Sarah felt plain lying on the bed.
“Lady Fledgemont,” Lady Lydia said, moving closer to the bed. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She smiled.
A dozen emotions tumbled within Sarah, each one struggling for control. Alarm, fear, and strangely, gratitude.
Before she could answer, Lady Lydia’s husband placed a chair close to the bed so his wife could sit. The open look of adoration that passed between them spoke volumes.
“Your father-in-law would be the Earl of Penderly then, wouldn’t he?” Lady Lydia said.
Sarah opened her mouth to tell another lie. “Yes.”
“Is this your son?”
“This is, Jonathan.”
Another lie.
Her head ached from the hammer pounding in it.
“He’s adorable.” Lady Lydia lifted Jonathan’s hand. Her touch drew the baby’s attention and Jonathan kicked his feet excitedly. “He looks like he’s five or six months.”
“Five.”
“Yes, he’s about the same age as our daughter, Rachel. She’s nearing five months, too.”
Sarah didn’t want to like Captain Landwell’s sister, but she did. She didn’t want to feel comfortable around her, but she did. She didn’t want to feel a connection to her, because there was a reason she and the major were here and Sarah knew she wouldn’t like whatever that reason was.
“Allow me to offer my condolences on the death of your husband,” Lady Lydia said. “I can’t imagine your loss.”
“Thank you,” Sarah whispered.
She felt like a hypocrite. Landwell’s sister truly sympathized over the death of a man she thought had been Sarah’s husband. From the pain-filled look in her eyes, she couldn’t imagine what it must be like to lose someone you loved as deeply as Collette Flemming was rumored to have loved Viscount Fledgemont.
“I know your marriage was truly a love match. It’s rare to be so fortunate.”
“Yes,” Sarah stumbled. She tried but couldn’t find the right words to sound sincere.
“Have you been ill?” Lady Lydia asked after a short silence.
“Not…exactly.”
Captain Landwell’s sister focused on her brother. “Perhaps you’d care to explain what’s going on, Austin. The note you sent sounded desperate. And when we arrived, the innkeeper informed us that Lady Fledgemont had been in an accident. In what have you involved the lady?”
The major sat in a chair next to his wife and placed his hand over hers. “Now, Liddy. Let’s let Austin explain before we cast blame.”
Landwell shook his head. “She’s right, Gabe. Lady Fledgemont was shot. And the shooting was my fault.”
Lady Lydia’s eyes opened wide. “I might have known,” she said. “How could it be any different when you associate with the people you do?”
“Liddy, I—”
“No, Austin. Just last week I received a letter from Harrison informing me that he hadn’t seen you in weeks. Then, I read an article in The London Times, describing the most gruesome details of a group of disreputable lowlifes who ran a smuggling ring. Several were killed in a knife fight and your name was mentioned as the investigator who apprehended them. The article said you narrowly escaped with your life.”
“Pure exaggeration, Liddy. It was a minor skirmish. That’s all.”
“I swear, you have no concern for your welfare. Or for your family’s feelings. If you did—”
Sarah was sure Austin’s sister was about to say more, but Mrs. Pollock arrived with a tray.
“Ah,” the major said, rising. “The tea has arrived.”
The major made room for the tray on a small table, then lifted the whiskey bottle from the tray and poured a small amount into two glasses. “Please, pour the tea, Liddy,” the major said with a smile on his face. “Austin and I will have a glass of the inn’s fine whiskey. After your dressing down he more than likely needs one.”
Lady Lydia shot her husband a serious look. “That wasn’t a dressing down. That was concern, I worry about him and so do you. You said as much on the way here.”
“Nothing is going to happen to me, Liddy. I’m not the one who’s in danger.”
The minute the words left his mouth, everyone’s focus turned to her.
“Is that why you asked us to come?” the major asked.
Austin nodded once. “Did you bring everything?”
“Yes. Mrs. Pollock showed Rachel’s nurse to a room close by. She’s unpacking right now.”
“Nurse?” Sarah’s gaze shot to where Austin sat next to her. “Jonathan doesn’t need a nurse. I’ll be fine in a few days. I’ll take care of him myself.”
The look Landwell and his sister exchanged sent a wave of terror racing through her. “Jonathan doesn’t need anyone to take care of him,” she repeated. “He has me.”
“Lady Fledgemont—”
Sarah held Jonathan closer. “I want to sit up.” Sarah struggled to rise. One sharp pain and then another stabbed her shoulder and she sagged back against the mattress.
The pain was excruciating, but she was desperate to sit. She was unable to fight him lying on her back. And she had to fight him. Or she’d lose Jonathan.
Before she could make another attempt to rise, he was at her side. “Shh,” he whispered, brushing the back of his fingers down her cheek. “No one is going to hurt your son. And we’re not going to take him from you. He’s fine. We’ll keep him safe. Now, put your arm around my neck and I’ll help you sit.”
Sarah shifted Jonathan to her lap, then wrapped her free arm around Austin’s neck. When she was upright he propped several pillows behind her back, then sat beside her on the bed.
He placed his hand over hers and held it. “I sent Gabe a note after you were shot. We need his help.”
With his hand still resting on hers, he turned to face his sister and brother-in-law. “Lady Fledgemont was shot when she threw herself in front of her son to protect him.”
The major’s reaction was visible. He stiffened in his chair and clenched his hands.
Lady Lydia clasped her hands over her mouth.
“Are you saying someone tried to kill the babe?” the major asked.
Landwell nodded. “This wasn’t the first attempt. Lady Fledgemont fought off the first attacker while she was still at Wakemoor, then fled with her son and maid. The maid was ill and did not survive the trip, and Lady
Fledgemont has been on her own since.”
Austin’s sister reached for her husband’s hand and he took it.
“Do you know who might want the boy dead?” the major asked.
Austin didn’t speak at first, but Sarah couldn’t remain silent. Even if he refused to admit who the murderer was, she knew.
“I’m convinced it’s the Earl of Penderly,” she said. She made sure her voice contained every bit of the certainty she felt.
A long stretch of silence filled the room. Major Talbot was the first to speak. “Penderly? But the boy would be his grandson. The heir to an English peerage.”
“And the son of an actress.”
Major Talbot rose. “I’ve met Penderly,” he said, looking down on her from the foot of the bed. “In fact, he was monumental in helping get several military reform bills passed in the House.” His gaze shifted to Captain Landwell. “Wasn’t his youngest son with you in France?”
Austin’s hand still rested on hers, but at the mention of Penderly’s son, his grip tightened.
“He was one of the soldiers who didn’t survive, wasn’t he?” the major asked.
Austin’s head jerked a sharp nod and his fingers tightened even more.
Sarah took note of his drawn features, of the lack of color to his face. The major must have noticed it, too. A frown deepened on his forehead as he studied his friend.
Austin’s reaction when talking about Penderly’s son told her a great deal. Something unpleasant had happened in France. Something that involved Penderly’s son. Something so horrible that the captain kept it deeply buried and refused to let it come to the forefront.
The slight sheen of perspiration on his forehead confirmed her suspicion.
The major directed his next question to Captain Landwell. “I take it you don’t think Penderly is involved in the attempt on the infant’s life?”
“No.”
The major lowered his gaze to where Austin clutched her hand and frowned. “After you release your death grip on Lady Fledgemont’s fingers, would you mind telling me why?”
Austin looked down and jerked his hand from hers. “Ah, hell!”
The breath he released rushed out as if it had been held captive too long and was eager to escape. “I apologize, my lady. I didn’t mean to—”
Sarah wasn’t sure what came over her, and knew she’d regret it later. But without thinking, she took his hand again and squeezed his fingers. Perhaps she needed to comfort him as he’d comforted her. Perhaps she missed the feel of his flesh warming hers. Perhaps because when she held his hand she was able to glimpse the hurt he was so adept at hiding. And no matter how much she tried to tell herself she didn’t care about him, she did. And she wanted to help ease his pain.
She quickly released him, but not before the look in his eyes told her he understood her message.
And that he was grateful.
He turned back to his brother-in-law. “I’ve talked to Penderly on more than one occasion. I heard the heartache in his voice. I’m convinced he regrets the threats he made and wants to make amends.”
“You forget, Captain Landwell. I also heard the threats he made the night we eloped,” Sarah lied. “Words that violent don’t go away in so short a time. There is no doubt in my mind that he will do everything in his power to rid himself of the heir whose mother was an actress.”
She prayed her words were convincing enough. She hadn’t heard Lord Penderly herself. She only knew what Lady Fledgemont had told her. Only heard the desperation in the poor woman’s voice when she begged Sarah to protect her son from his grandfather.
“If you had heard him say how much he hated Coll— me for destroying his family, you wouldn’t doubt what I’m saying.”
“Which is the reason I sent for Gabe,” he said.
He rose from the bed and lifted his body to his full height. The determined look in his eyes raised a terror in her that would not be quieted.
“Why can’t you simply take my word that Penderly wants the child dead?” she said. “Aren’t two attempts on an infant’s life enough proof for you?”
“I’ll agree that someone wants the child dead, but I can’t believe that person is Penderly. And until you hear—”
“No!” Sarah said, loud enough to gain everyone’s attention. “I’ve already heard Penderly’s threats. I’ve already heard his words of contempt. I don’t need to hear him again. Or see him!”
A deafening silence filled the room. Lady Lydia’s expression revealed a certain sympathy for Sarah. Major Talbot’s frown indicated a lack of understanding. And the flat line of Austin’s lips combined with the angry glare in his gaze said he had tired of this argument, that he was finished trying to peaceably coax Sarah into agreeing to meet with Penderly. His next words confirmed it.
“I’m afraid, Lady Fledgemont, that you don’t have a choice in what is going to happen. Your son is the heir to an English peerage. The Earl of Penderly deserves to know he has a grandson to inherit his title. And your son deserves to have the advantages that come with his title. You owe your son that much. To deny him his birthright would be a—”
A knock at the door stopped him from finishing, but Sarah could insert several words to finish his sentence. To deny Jonathan his birthright would be a mistake; a travesty; a…sin.
Sarah’s cheeks turned warm and she lowered her gaze to the babe lying on her lap. She couldn’t be wrong. Lady Fledgemont had been so exact in her warnings. She’d made Sarah promise more than once to protect Jonathan from Lord Penderly.
A second knock echoed in the room and the major rose to see who was there. When he stepped back, a middle aged woman with big round eyes and rosy red cheeks entered. She looked at Sarah, then lowered her gaze to where Jonathan lay on her lap. Her face lit with joy when she saw him.
Major Talbot stepped beside her and made the introductions. “Lady Fledgemont, I’d like to introduce you to Mrs. Bellamy. My wife swears Rachel is such a good baby because Mrs. Bellamy has a magical touch.”
Sarah wanted to rant at the nurse the major had brought. She wanted to order the intruder out of the room and tell her to never come near Jonathan again. But it wasn’t the stranger’s fault she’d been thrust into this difficult situation.
Sarah released a sigh of resignation and looked at the woman’s friendly face. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Bellamy.”
“The pleasure’s mine, my lady. And what a darling babe you’ve got yourself. His name’s Jonathan, I hear.”
Sarah nodded.
“Well, it’s a fitting name for such a fine lad.”
“Is the room ready for the babe, Mrs. Bellamy?” Lady Lydia asked.
“Yes, my lady. That nice Mrs. Pollock brought up some milk already warmed, and the infant’s bed is ready to tuck him into.”
“I can care for him,” Sarah argued, looking to where Jonathan cooed and pedaled his arms and legs in her lap. He’d just woken up and she knew he’d be hungry soon and need to be fed. She knew she wouldn’t be able to manage. But she didn’t want him out of her sight. “If someone will just—”
She moved to turn the babe in her lap and another sharp pain shot through her shoulder. She sucked in a quick gasp and held her breath until the ache lessened.
“You’re not capable of caring for yourself yet, let alone an infant,” Captain Landwell said in the same voice she was sure he used to reprimand his men. “And Gabe brought guards to protect both of you.”
Sarah looked across the room and for the first time noticed the two burly men who stood by the door. Their size alone would intimidate anyone foolish enough to approach them. And if Major Talbot considered them adequate enough to protect Jonathan, she knew she should, too. The thought, however, of allowing Jonathan out of her sight frightened her to death.
“Mrs. Bellamy can care for him here. This is where he’s used to being.”
Austin’s facial muscles tightened, his anger still visible. “And when do you intend to rest, Lady Fledgemont?
Jonathan’s an agreeable child, true, but even you have to admit he has a temper that gets the better of him when he’s tired and hungry and wet. And, he’s got a healthy set of lungs on him for someone so small. How much sleep do you think you’ll get when he cries?”
“I’ll manage,” she argued.
“No, you won’t. Nor will you be ready to travel when we—”
Lady Lydia interrupted her brother with a lift of her hand. “Enough, Austin. The lady has endured as much of your badgering as she can tolerate at the moment. Why don’t you take my husband below? I’ll stay with Lady Fledgemont for a while.”
Captain Landwell raked his fingers through his hair then let his hand drop to his side. “You’re right, Liddy.” He shifted his gaze in Sarah’s direction and her heart squeezed uncomfortably. “I owe you an apology, my lady,” he said. “You haven’t recovered nearly enough to withstand the arguments I force upon you.” He turned to his brother-in-law. “Come on, Gabe. I’m sure Mrs. Pollock can find something in her kitchen for us to eat. She’s a fine cook. And bring that bottle with you. It’s a shame to waste such excellent whiskey.”
Major Talbot followed Captain Landwell across the room. He stopped when he reached the door. “Don’t wait up for me, sweetheart. I doubt I’ll be back anytime soon.”
The major’s wife gave her husband a smile that said she understood, then the two men left the room. When they were gone, she filled a glass with water and handed it to Sarah. “Here,” she said. “Drink this.”
Sarah took a sip of the water, then leaned her head back against the headboard. Mrs. Bellamy and the two guards stood silently at the far side of the room. Sarah knew they would wait until she couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer, then leave with Jonathan. She was nearing exhaustion and her shoulder ached so badly she feared she might become ill.
“You know taking the babe where he won’t disturb you is the wisest thing to do, don’t you?” Lady Lydia said, not as a question, but more as a statement she wanted Sarah to agree with.