“I overheard a conversation when I went to draw water. There was concern I was going to reveal that Hugh is not really your stepson. I gathered up the children and we came here.” Abigail smiled up at the farmer’s wife. “Mrs. Blackmore brings food to the church for the poor so I knew I could count on her charity.”
Louisa cupped her hand around one of the mugs of coffee. “Thank goodness she had you, Mrs. Blackmore.”
Barbara’s cheeks reddened, and she waved the cloth in her hand. “Oh, shush. I was only doing what any good Christian woman would do.”
Knight peered at Abigail. “Did you leave the letter for us?”
She nodded. “I was not certain you would come back, but I suspected you needed me after overhearing their conversation.”
“Where did you learn to write in code?” he enquired.
Abigail looked down at the table. “I was a nurse in France before I married Hugh. That was how we met, I tended to him after he was injured in battle.” Her smile turned sad. “I had a knack for writing so one of the officers taught me so I could aid with communications. I knew no one else would be able to read it, but you are a military man, are you not?”
Knight supposed all the scars were evidence in itself, but he could not help be surprised by Abigail’s intelligence. How did someone like her end up desolate and poor with a bastard for a husband? She was clearly an innocent in all of this.
Knight nodded in response.
“Eli admitted they were to help pretend Hugh is my stepson,” Louisa explained. “If anyone asked about him, they were to cover for him.”
Abigail’s expression dropped. “So he really was not planning on returning for us.”
No one said anything. Knight shifted in his chair.
“You know, Hugh received a letter not long ago.” Abigail’s brow puckered. “He asked the vicar to read it for him and seemed terribly excited. I didn’t understand why he did not ask me, but when I asked about it, he got angry, so I didn’t ask about it again. It was then that his behavior changed completely. He kept sneaking away.” She grimaced. “I thought he was whoring but perhaps it was something to do with your stepson.”
Louisa looked Knight’s way. “Perhaps there was some sort of confusion at the war office. Did you know my stepson during your time as a nurse?”
Abigail shook her head. “Hugh mentioned him. He said he was missing and presumed dead in the same battle in which Hugh was harmed. Hugh was known to be his friend so maybe they sent whatever it was to him in the hopes he might pass it on to Ralph’s family.”
Knight nodded. “That sounds a reasonable assumption.”
The baby in Abigail’s arms began to rouse. She looked down at the baby then at Knight, her brow creased with worry. “What do I do now?”
“You could confront him,” Knight suggested.
Louisa rolled her eyes. “What Knight means, is we need to reveal his ruse. We cannot let him get away with this.”
Abigail bit down on her bottom lip. “I-I’m not sure I can. He is my husband.”
“If he were my husband,” said Barbara, “he’d suffer a lot more than a mere confrontation.”
Samuel nodded and chuckled. “Don’t I know it. He’s left you and the babies to fend for yourselves, Mrs. Stanton. And if what you tell us is correct, he intends to take this woman’s livelihood.”
Abigail released her bottom lip and sighed. “I will help you. I feel awful. I should have known what he was doing.”
“You are not the keeper of your husband, Abigail,” Louisa assured her. “If you can help me ensure his claim to my inn is rejected, I will do whatever I can to make sure you and the children are looked after.”
Knight could not help but smile to himself. Louisa could be hard-nosed when she wanted but she loved to take in waifs and strays, including his sister. Though he had offered to aid Julianna when he discovered she was in Cornwall, she’d insisted on looking after herself, and Louisa had been instrumental in ensuring his sister had a place to live and an honest wage.
“When do we leave?” Abigail asked. “And what on earth do I do with all the children?”
“We can take the older ones,” suggested Barbara. “Can we not, Samuel?” She looked to her husband, who quickly hid his panicked expression.
“Oh yes, yes, of course. Just until your business is completed.” He gave a tense smile.
Knight leaned into Louisa. “If you take the carriage home and accompany Abigail, you can have this settled promptly.”
Louisa considered this for a moment and shook her head slowly. “I’m coming with you.”
“No.” He uttered the single syllable before he had quite registered what she had said.
“I’m accompanying you to Northumberland. Your wound is not yet healed. I saw you wincing this morning.”
“No,” he repeated.
“You need someone to tend to it and ensure you do not injure yourself further.” She set her jaw, and Knight grimaced.
“No.”
“You can try to force me into the carriage but you will not succeed.”
“You are injured, Mr. Knight?” Abigail asked. “Was it those men?”
“No.” God, he seemed to be saying that a lot recently.
“But he had to fight them off yesterday, and I think he opened up the wound,” Louisa told Mrs. Stanton as if he were not there.
“It could get infected,” Abigail mused.
“Precisely.” Louisa thrust a finger at him. “I am not having you dying of infection. I shall never forgive myself.”
Knight swung his gaze between the two women and lifted a brow. How on earth did he find himself in such a situation? Being bullied by two petite women who had far more pressing things to worry about?
“You are meant to return home,” Knight reminded Louisa in undertones. “There was a deadline remember.”
She leaned into him. “He is not who he says he is. I can prove that at any time. And Abigail will be safe in Red’s carriage. If you write to Red, I am certain he will ensure she and the little ones are looked after.”
Damn. Her logic was impeccable. And his wound hurt like the devil. He doubted he’d drop dead from a small slice but it was in such a position that he’d have a hell of a time cleaning it on the almost week-long journey to Northumberland.
He met Samuel’s gaze, who just gave an amused shrug. Even he would not argue with these stubborn women.
“Fine. You can accompany me.”
Her triumphant grin had his stomach sinking. It was going to be even harder to keep distance between them once they returned to his home. He could only hope his business would be settled quickly and Louisa did not attempt to pry into his past. Knowing the persistent woman, he doubted he’d be lucky enough for that to happen, however.
Chapter Sixteen
Twining her hands in her lap, Louisa kept her gaze fixed on the passing countryside. She chuckled to herself. The carriage moved swiftly along roads that were dry compared to those in Bristol. It seemed it had not rained in this part of the country.
She caught Knight frowning at her. “What’s wrong?”
“I was wondering what amused you.” He looked a little sheepish as though he had not wanted to be caught watching her.
“I was just thinking that I could have grown used to riding in the earl’s carriage.” She smiled. “I have turned into a pampered lady already.”
“Unfortunately hired coaches are not nearly so comfortable as Red’s.”
She nodded and tried not to recall the aches in her muscles. Beneath her, the seat was hardly padded, and every time she rested back, she was jolted about thanks to the carriage not being nearly so new or well-sprung as Red’s. As a result, she was forced to keep herself upright and her muscles were aching from the exertion.
“We will have to change carriages at Nottingham.” He hefted out an audible breath. “You would be more comfortable resting against me.” The suggestion stumbled out of his mouth reluctantly.
; Louisa hesitated. They had been on the road several hours and having so much time to dwell on things meant the memories of their night together were still fresh—too fresh. She was not sure she trusted herself to be in his arms again.
She winced when they hit a rut and was knocked into the side of the carriage. Knight offered a hand. “I will not do anything untoward, if that is your concern.”
Giving him a tilted smile, she took his hand and settled next to him, allowing him to wrap an arm around her shoulders and act as a cradle against the jarring movement of the vehicle. For all of Knight’s rough moments, he had never been anything but a gentleman toward her.
“I hope Abigail will be well,” she murmured.
“The driver and footmen will ensure she is, and I have left specific instructions with them to give to Red. He will make sure she and the children are safe.”
Louisa grimaced at the memory of packing Abigail and her three youngest children into the carriage. Perhaps she should have gone with them, but how could she leave Knight after all he had done for her?
She mused on Knight’s comments. Red was no ordinary earl. That mere fact he insisted on being called by his nickname rather than his title was something. He’d never used his station for anything other than good, and Louisa had always appreciated that about him.
“How did you meet Red? He’s never said.” She peered up at him.
His body tensed briefly then released in what she supposed was surrender. “I stole from him.”
Louisa blinked. “You stole?”
He nodded. “I was working with...some rather unsavory men in London. I helped take some stuff from one of his ships. Red tracked me down somehow and was impressed with my skills, so offered me work.”
“That was after you left the Army?”
His body tightened again. “Yes.”
“Why—?”
“You should have returned home,” he said sharply, cutting her off.
Drawing in a lengthy breath, she felt her cheeks heat at the obvious chastisement. “I was not trying to pry.”
“Could have fooled me,” he muttered.
She tried to pull out of his arms, but he did not let her, holding her effectively captive. “Knight, let me go,” she protested.
“Damn it, Louisa, any fool could see you were uncomfortable sitting there.” He relaxed his hold on her slightly. “I just...I do not wish to speak of the war, that is all.”
Louisa relented, easing back into his hold and staring at the frayed fabric of the chair opposite. She understood him not wanting to speak of the experience, really she did, but silly fool that she was, she’d thought he might trust her enough to open up a little.
They drove past a small farmhouse and a cluster of estate buildings. A grand house could be seen on the horizon, past a thick length of tall trees. It was hard to imagine Knight living in such a house, even as a young man, let alone owning one. Returning home after such a long time would be hard for him, no matter what he said, so she ought to be patient with him. After all, he’d helped her out enormously. She stared at her hands. Without him, she might have been killed.
“What is the matter?”
His voice rumbled in his chest, vibrating through her in a strangely comforting way.
She kept her gaze on her hands. “I was just thinking how close I came to losing the inn.” She inhaled. “I do not know what I would do without it.”
“You have done well to run such an establishment alone.”
She curved her lips. “My husband did not think I was up to the task.”
“Your husband did not know you.”
She snapped her gaze up to find him looking down at her. “Because of my youth, he did not always believe me capable. Even when his health began to fail and I took charge of it, I knew he wished Ralph were alive to take it over.” Her throat tightened.
“A man expects to pass things on to his son. I do not believe that was a judgement on your abilities.”
“No, I suppose not. Though, your father did not wish to pass anything on to you, did he?”
“My father was a sadistic bastard.” His lips twisted. “He took pleasure in cutting me off with little care as to his legacy. He cared only about himself.”
“What of your legacy? Do you not wish to save it?”
“And do what with it?” He grunted. “I have no sons to pass anything on to and an estate without money is no good to anyone. I will sell anything I can to settle my father’s inevitable debts and rent it out, and good riddance to it.”
Louisa frowned. “Surely his debts cannot be that great?”
He smirked. “They were already huge when I left. I think cutting me off was one of his ways of saving money for himself. Anything other than what was entailed to me will be long gone, and he’s had plenty of years to accrue more. You would be surprised what a lavish lifestyle can cost.”
“I am sorry he treated you so poorly.”
He shrugged. “My only regret was leaving Julianna behind. He treated her well usually. I never thought he would sell her into a marriage.”
“Well, you put a stop to that.”
“With the help of Drake.” He added that with a scowl.
Though Knight had accepted the marriage between the flirtatious captain and his sister, especially after Drake had saved Julianna’s life, she supposed there were not many men who would want their sisters married to such a rake. However, Drake was a devoted husband and could give Knight little cause for complaint now.
“They have a good marriage and at least she is happy now,” she said wistfully.
Sometimes it seemed as though there were happy couples all around her. As busy as she was, it was hard not to notice that the three founding members of Red’s crew were married now.
“Yes, he is a good husband,” he admitted, reluctance edging his voice. “Was your...that is, did Jack treat you well?”
“Jack was a good husband—well as good as I could expect. He was much older than me but a decent man. He wanted a wife to aid him in the running of the inn, and I needed a husband.” She lifted her shoulders. “There is not much more to tell.”
“So you did not, er, love him?”
She shook her head. “I was fond of him. It was about as much as I could expect. I cannot complain too much. I did end up with the inn, after all.”
The carriage halted abruptly, sending Louisa rocking forward. Knight grabbed her, wrapping an arm about her front like a shield. The feel of his muscled arm against her breasts sent heat whirling through her body, and she remembered gripping those arms all too well.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and noticed his jaw working. “Thank you.”
He nodded before thrusting his head out of the window. “Just got to water the horses,” she heard the driver say.
“Do you wish to stretch your legs?” he asked Louisa.
“Yes.” She stretched and winced. “Make that certainly yes.”
They disembarked the carriage, and Knight pressed a hand to his back. Louisa eyed him, and he removed his hand hastily. No doubt all this travelling was taking a toll on his body too but the stubborn man would never admit as much.
“Should I take a look at your wound?”
He waved a hand. “It is well enough.” He spotted her raised brow and added, “Besides, there is little you can do here.”
Louisa paused to eye the countryside. The horses refreshed themselves from a water trough sitting in front of a mile-marker so she could not make out where they were. Not that it mattered. She knew even less about this part of the country than she did Bristol, but the countryside was wild, tinged with yellows and purples and extravagantly beautiful. All it needed was a touch of ocean and she’d almost feel as though she was home.
She strolled along the road toward the steep edge of the hill that sliced down into the rock and overlooked a shallow valley. Wind whipped through the curls around her face and she shoved them back, aware of Knight’s gaze fixed upon her. He had
yet to move from where he had disembarked and yet she could sense him, even if she did not look at him.
Blowing out a breath, she wrapped her arms about herself and shut her eyes, tilting her head to clear skies. Sun danced over her face, casting shadows behind her closed lids. The fresh air filled her lungs, and she let the sensation wash over her until her neck prickled. She opened her eyes and turned to find Knight closer now. He shifted his gaze swiftly, but she caught it in his gaze—the longing.
That same longing she felt. And as much as she’d like to tell herself she’d only come here to tend to this wound, there was more to it than that.
Stupidly, foolishly, she hoped for more. More moments together. Another mistaken night perhaps. Even if it led to nothing.
Chapter Seventeen
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Louisa’s mouth drop open. He fixed his gaze on the carriage interior behind her. His heart pounded hard in his chest, but he could not bring himself to look at the approach to the house.
His house.
It had been a long, long time, but it would be the same. The long road lined with old oak trees, the thick columns, the tall sash windows, the generous stables to the side that had been built out of the same stone as the house when his father expanded the building to fit in a new ballroom and drawing rooms.
Nothing had changed and nothing would change. Once everything was settled, he would return to what he did best—skirting on the edge of the law and using his brawn for whatever was needed.
“It’s beautiful, Knight,” Louisa breathed.
He could not help himself. He leaned to peer out of the window to watch the approach. Just as he’d thought, it was all the same with the exception of a new fountain in front of the house, which had likely cost a sizeable fortune. It was not running today and apparently no one had noticed his approach as there were no servants waiting to greet him. Not that he anticipated anyone cared much, but he knew his father always expected as much from the staff.
What's a Rogue Got To Do With It (Rogues of Redmere Book 4) Page 11