The earl went outside, stopped briefly to assure Zeus his wait was nearly ended, and walked along the drive in the direction of the small stable yard. On horseback, one could ride up to the front, but any wheeled vehicles were forced to use the less steep approach to the side of the house. He watched as his carriage rumbled into sight. It jerked to a stop and his wife all but tumbled out the door. She ran to them, skirts flying and hair tumbling from its pins.
Frances threw her arms around them both, tears of relief and joyous laughter bubbling forth. “Richard! And my dear, sweet Flora!” She cradled the child close, rocking her in the motherly motion that seemed inborn to women. “Oh, Flora,” she whispered.
“Mama squish,” Flora said as she tried to wiggle free. Laughing, Frances held her up and brushed her nose to Flora’s.
“Mama did squish, pet. I missed you so much I couldn’t help but squish you just a little.”
Flora wound her arms around Frances’ neck. “Miss Mama,” she whispered, and nestled contentedly against her mother.
Frances turned to Halcombe and gasped. “You are hurt! Dear heaven.” She touched his swollen lip. “Are you injured anywhere else?”
“Nothing major.”
“What happened? Did you…? Frances abruptly shook her head. “No, it can wait.”
She leaned on him and Richard buried his face in her hair. They both stood very still for a few minutes. He was hardly able to accept they were all together, and unharmed.
“I must see to Nancy,” Frances said eventually, apparently as reluctant to move as he was. “The sun is hot, and I suspect Flora needs attention” She sniffed the air. “Yes, she definitely needs some attention.”
The carriage squeaked to a stop behind them, and Frances started. “Oh, my, I completely forgot about Rose!”
Mrs. Blount exited the coach and rushed to join them. “Lord Halcombe! Oh, I am so glad to see that Lady Flora is safe. And what of Nancy? Is she…?”
“Nancy is inside, Mrs. Blount. Please, go to her. She will be happy to see you,” Halcombe said. “We will be along in a few minutes.” The housekeeper bestowed a relieved smile on them and rushed away.
“Nancy will be pleased to have Rose here,” Frances said softly. “They are rather fond of each other.”
“Nancy will certainly need her,” Halcombe said. “She has been through a lot in the past two days.” Keeping a firm hold on his wife, he urged her slowly toward the house.
Summerton met them at the door, a broad grin on his face. “A happy reunion, I see.”
Frances beamed. “With your help. Thank you, Colin. Without you…”
“It was little enough.” He gave them a sweeping bow. “Do come in to this humble abode. I can offer you water…or water…or quite possibly some water, should you be so inclined.”
They laughed. “I believe we will have water,” Halcombe said.
“There are a few provisions in the coach,” Frances said. “But water would be welcome, if only for this little lady.” She touched Flora’s head, and then looked at her husband. “There are infant cloths and a change of clothing in the coach as well, Richard.”
Summerton led the way inside. He gestured to an open doorway and stepped aside to allow them entrance. “Nancy is in here, as is a kitten, for some unfathomable reason.”
Mrs. Blount rose from her crouch by the cot where Nancy lay. “I think a good sleep will do her more good than anything, my lady. I will stay with her once I’ve collected the clothes and food from the coach—and a blanket for Lady Flora.” She gave Halcombe a puzzled look. “What is to be done with the kitten, my lord? Nancy appears rather attached to it.”
The earl looked from the kitten curled up beside Nancy to Summerton, who held up his hands.
“I haven’t the faintest idea how it came to be here, Richard,” he said, with some amusement, “but I have a feeling the Manor is about to acquire another cat.”
“No doubt,” Halcombe said dryly. He shrugged. “Keep it here for now, Mrs. Blount, if its presence comforts Nancy. She was probably awake all night taking care of Flora and needs to rest.”
“We owe her a great deal,” Frances said quietly. “Thank you, Rose. We will use another chamber.” She sighed and went to a smaller room at the front of the house.
“This was your schoolroom,” Halcombe said, arching a brow. His tone was full of amusement and meant to remind her of the first time they had met.
Frances’ eyes lit with laughter. “A fateful day indeed, sir,” she said as she passed Flora to him. “She needs changing, poor thing.”
The housekeeper appeared in the doorway. Frances took the bag of provisions from her. “Thank you. We can manage for ourselves now. Please look after Nancy.”
Halcombe laid Flora on the blanket Frances had spread out and then glanced at the door. Should he go assist Colin and get things in order? The question was answered as quickly as it entered his head. No. He wanted to be nowhere else but here, with his wife and daughter. Summerton was quite capable.
“Richard.”
He looked down at his kneeling wife and drowsy daughter. Yes, here was where he needed to be. Easing himself carefully onto the floor, he braced his back on the wall, and when Frances was finished changing Flora, gathered her close.
“Let us go home,” she said, lightly brushing a finger along his jaw.
There were fresh horses to obtain, repairs to Clifftop to order, and someone should be sent to ensure Jensen was truly gone, but all these things could wait. For now, he was content to simply drink in the sweet warmth of his wife’s warm body so trustingly curled against him.
“We will go home, and soon, but unfortunately I’ve some additional arrangements to make,” the earl said some time later. He tipped up her chin and kissed her, allowing his bruised lips to linger on hers for a brief moment. “Stay with Flora. I won’t be long.”
Frances nodded. The muted cheerfulness he had observed earlier slipped away and she averted her gaze. She fretted with the fabric of her skirt and then turned back to him, cupping his face with her hands. “If I had lost you…either of you…” Her voice broke and tears spilled from her eyes. “I love you so very much. I want to be with you…for all the days of our lives, if you are willing.”
Halcombe shifted her onto his lap. “I’m afraid you are stuck with me for the next fifty years or so.” He wiped the tears from her cheeks, kissed the corners of her eyes. “Goose. If you have a grain of sense you must know how much I love you, Lady Halcombe. My lady.” He gave her a hug and then raised his brows. “A lady who apparently is determined to spend the night on this wretchedly uncomfortable floor.”
Frances blinked. “But I am not on the floor, sir,” she said sweetly. “I assure you that I am quite comfortable.” She peered slyly at him through her eyelashes and he chuckled.
“That, my dear, can be remedied.” He playfully rolled her onto a small patch of the blanket and then got stiffly to his feet. He was feeling every one of Jensen’s punches now and knew he’d feel even worse tomorrow. “I’m sorry to leave you, but I need to speak to Summerton and the other men.”
Frances looked reproachfully at him as she sat up, but her eyes held a merry gleam. “Go, my lord, and tend to your duties. Your ladies will be waiting for you.”
Halcombe left the room while he still had the fortitude. As he walked outside, reality set in once again. His ladies. If they had lost Flora… He cut off the horrific train of thought. He would have nightmares enough without allowing his imagination to run wild while he was awake!
Zeus was no longer at the gate, which meant either Jim or Mathew had taken him around to the stable; an assumption that was confirmed when Summerton emerged from the house minutes later.
“Your coachman has already taken your horse in hand, if that’s what you are wondering. Mathew has gone for Shadow, and Jim went to follow Jensen to insure that he has indeed hared off as ordered.”
“He will be on board a ship, if he knows what’s good for him,�
� Halcombe said harshly. He looked at Summerton then, and raised his brows. “It appears you have taken care of everything, Colin, and left nothing for me.” He clapped a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “We are in your debt, my friend. I know the hike up that cliff was not easy. Without your help…”
Summerton frowned and shook his head. “Don’t be an ass, Richard. We both know you’d do the same for me. Besides, it’s good to get a little action now and then.” He grinned. “But next time, I get to beat up the villain. You can’t have all the fun.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Halcombe gingerly dabbed at the cut on his lip with his handkerchief, attempted a grin and swore. “Damn, that stings.” He stuffed the handkerchief back into his pocket, the brief bit of humour fading from his eyes. He wished he was able to express how much he valued Colin’s friendship, but Summerton’s disinterested stare made it clear that there was nothing more to be said. Instead, he turned and gestured at the gaping window of the house. “That is rather a mess. I’d best see about having it boarded over until repairs can be made.”
“A small price to pay for having Lady Flora and her nursemaid safely returned to you,” Colin said quietly.
“So it is,” Halcombe replied with seeming ease, but the horror of the past twenty-four hours gripped him still.
Colin looked sharply at him and put a hand on his arm. “It’s over, Richard. Don’t dwell on what might have happened. Go forward. You and Frances have had some difficult years. Now you have a chance for happiness.” He punctuated his quiet words with a light punch on Halcombe’s shoulder.
Halcombe looked pointedly at Colin’s fist, but the corners of his mouth tipped up. “I don’t need any more bruises today, thank you,” he said. “But if you want some of mine…”
Summerton grinned and backed up a few paces. “I would not think of it.”
“I had a feeling you might say that.” The earl started walking and Summerton fell into step beside him. “I’m going to have a word with the steward before I go in. Frances will be concerned about leaving the house in this condition—and rightly so—but I want to leave for home as soon as possible. Will you be returning to the Manor with us? I know you never intended to be from Town this long.” He frowned. “And you don’t even have a French spy to show for it, since my reported stranger turned out to be none other than the nefarious Mr. Jensen.”
“Ah, but you provided a grand adventure!” Colin said with a grin. “My agent may turn up yet. So, if you will, please continue to keep an ear out for any rumours…although I think even the local smugglers will avoid this area for a time.” He looked at his clothes and brushed at his breeches. “It seems I’ve collected almost as much dust as you are wearing. Since neither service nor food is among Clifftop’s amenities at the moment, I think I will go today. I must get back to Town as soon as possible. There are decent accommodations within reach where I can eat and get a little sleep.
Halcombe glanced at the sun. “Better to leave now, if you hope to make it before dark.”
“I intend to arrive before dark,” Summerton said. “Shadow still has a few more hours in him and will be fresh again in the morning.” He touched Halcombe’s arm. “Take your people home. I’ll be in touch.”
“Good luck,” Halcombe called as the viscount departed, “and thank you.”
He was not sure Colin heard him, and, in any case, he did not expect an answer. Summerton often walked a lonely, private road but perhaps someday he, too, would find happiness. Halcombe paused and sent a silent prayer of thanksgiving heavenward for his wonderful daughter and lovely wife. With a vow to be ever mindful of his own good fortune, he went to join his family.
***
Halcombe Manor, several weeks later.
Languid after their lovemaking, Frances slid closer to her husband and idly ran her fingers through his hair. “I do hope Mary is safe and well,” she said. “Even though Colin’s letter said he was going to Dunnleigh and would aid her in any way possible, I worry.”
“We can trust Colin to care for her,” Richard said firmly. “There is nothing we can do except stand ready to help if they ask. You have other people to think about now.”
Frances rose up on one arm and smiled mischievously. “Do I? Let’s see… I have you and Flora and…”
“This little sprout,” he said, patting her belly, for they were almost certain that she was with child. “And then, of course, there is me.”
Frances tilted her head and widened her eyes. “I believe I already mentioned you,” she teased.
“Ahh, but I count for at least two.”
“Does that mean double the trouble?” she purred, laying a row of kisses along the length of his jaw.
He grinned and then rolled her onto her back, her laughter singing brightly around them. “Indeed it does,” he said as he lowered his mouth to hers. “Indeed it does.”
***
Thank you for choosing my book. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed sharing Richard and Frances’ story with you. “A Love Laid Bare” is the first of a four book series. Originally I intended it to be the beginning of a trilogy, but at times secondary characters develop to the point that they need a book of their own and another story is born. The books are linked, loosely, and while each can ‘stand-alone’, some of the main characters make an appearance in all the stories.
“Trusting Lord Summerton” is scheduled for publication early next year. This is Colin’s story, and all of his considerable patience, fortitude and experience will be needed to successfully navigate the unexpected twists and turns of his sometimes dark and difficult path.
Please visit my website to learn more about both forthcoming and previous titles. If you choose to leave your email address, I will keep you informed of future releases. Thank you!
http://www.constancehussey.com
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