by Mari Carr
Feeling a peace he hadn’t known in years, he rose slowly, starting back through the dark woods toward the Grange.
It was after midnight when Ben returned. Alex was waiting at the door as he trudged in wearily.
“I was about to send out the troops,” Alex said.
Ben’s grin turned into a grimace as the cut on his lower lip split open. He imagined Alex’s troops would include Erin and Hayley. He shuddered to think of Tori’s June girls coming to his rescue. No doubt they would be the best backup a man could hope for.
“Tori?” Ben asked, walking straight past Alex to climb the stairs.
“Resting. If you have a moment,” Alex added, causing him to stop and turn at the bottom stair.
“She is well?”
“She’s fine.” Alex gestured for him to follow him to the front parlor. “Doc Jonesbury said the bullet passed straight through her shoulder. She was lucky. Few inches to the right and down and it would have pierced her heart.”
Ben’s blood turned cold at the thought.
“The house has been quite busy since you left.” Stopping outside the closed door to the parlor, Alex murmured to him. “Ben, your father is here. He’s waiting for you.”
“My father? What on earth is he doing here?”
“I gather he’s concerned about you.”
Ben stared at the closed door, torn between entering the room to speak to the father he’d been avoiding for months and rushing to be by Tori’s side. He looked at Alex. “Tell me what the doctor said.”
Alex, understanding his fears, recited the doctor’s diagnosis. “She needed a few stitches in the front and back of her shoulder, and she mustn’t use the arm at all for a few days.”
“Poor thing,” he muttered. “Must have hurt like hell.”
“You wouldn’t have known it the way she was ranting and raving,” Alex added with a grin.
“Ranting and raving?” Ben asked as the door to the parlor opened and he found himself face to face with his father, the Duke.
“Yes,” his father responded in answer to Ben’s question. “That was precisely what she was doing. I’ve never met a more strong-minded woman in my life.”
Entering the front parlor at his father’s bidding, Ben glanced at Alex with a raised eyebrow. Interpreting the gesture correctly, Alex smiled and followed them into the room. He was hoping for moral support and Alex was more than willing to provide it.
“I’m trying to imagine Tori as strong-minded,” Ben said.
“Demanding would perhaps be more accurate,” his father replied.
“Now I am confused.”
“When she woke up, she asked for you.” Alex filled him in on the events of the afternoon and evening. “When Jack explained where you had gone, she went, and I’m using Hayley’s description here, ballistic. Whatever the hell that means. She insisted Jack and I go after you. Erin and Hayley tried everything to calm her down. Twice she tried to get out of the bed to follow you herself.”
“Good God,” Ben exclaimed. “She could have seriously injured herself.”
Ben’s father leaned forward. “It was at that point I arrived. She demanded that as your father I should go out looking for you. Strange chit even suggested that I call the king and demand troops be sent out in the search. Naturally, I was appalled that your ward’s governess would attempt to order me about in such a fashion.”
“Father, perhaps I should explain—”
“Your friends have given me all the explanation needed. They claim you love this imperious girl.”
“I do.” Ben was unable to discern his father’s opinion of his relationship with the woman who had served as his governess for the past two months. Unfortunately, the truth of her background was even more difficult, if not impossible, to explain. “I can assure you Father, that despite what you witnessed this afternoon, Tori is anything, but imperious. She’s kind, patient, intelligent, funny.”
“And in love with you, given her fear for your safety. Notwithstanding the fact she’d been badly injured.”
For the first time since he entered the room, his father smiled. A genuine smile Ben hadn’t seen in many years.
Ben returned it, crossing the room to embrace his father. “And I love her,” Ben added. “It’s good to see you again, father.”
For the first time since his return from the war, he saw the toll his dark moods and depression had taken on his father. Ben spied deep lines of worry creasing the older man’s eyes and forehead.
“Ah, Benjamin,” the duke said after several moments. “I’d quite given up on ever reaching you again. I’ve missed you, son.”
“I must apologize for my behavior, sir.”
His father waved away his comments. “You have nothing to be sorry for. You’ve survived some difficult times, and I’m extremely proud of the man you’ve become.”
“But, Father,” Ben thought he should explain, but again his father surprised him.
“I know about your work with Bow Street, Benjamin, and I know you’ve been suffering ill effects from that work and from the war.”
“How?”
“I believe,” his father said, “you will find there is very little I don’t know about my children.”
Ben wasn’t particularly surprised by his father’s words. He always knew his father loved him and worried about him.
“I hoped the move to Waterplace, given its close proximity to your friends and its distance from Bow Street, would help you heal. And I knew you took your pledge to care for young Miss Duncan seriously. Although I must admit the governess came as a surprise.”
He laughed at his father’s confession. “She was a bit of a surprise to me as well.”
“Yes, well,” Alex recalled the rest of the afternoon, “even with your father’s arrival, we were at our wit’s end how to reassure her you would be well and that she needed to allow the doctor to treat her wounds.”
“You said Doc Jonesbury put in the stitches,” Ben repeated for reassurance.
“Oh, yes, indeed,” Alex confirmed. “She’s been well-cared for. It was actually Chelsea who convinced Tori to calm down and let the doctor help her.”
“Chelsea?” Once again Ben was surprised by the difference one day had made in the young girl.
“She told Tori she would hold her hand while the doctor took care of her, so she needn’t be afraid.”
“Conniving child,” the duke said with a grin.
“Clever girl,” Ben replied with a painful smile, his lower lip swollen and sore. “I believe I see now. Tori would never allow Chelsea to believe she was afraid of the doctor.”
“You will have your hands full with those two young ladies,” the duke added.
“Looks like we wouldn’t be remiss in calling the doctor back to take a look at you.” Alex took in his disheveled appearance and bloody clothing.
“Be a futile trip,” Ben replied. “Nothing but cuts and bruises.”
“And Frank Prescott?” Alex asked, concern etched on his face.
“Futile trip for him, too,” Ben replied softly.
“So that’s it then,” Alex said. “According to Tori, Frank felt no remorse for killing Chelsea’s family. Said he was most distressed about the fact he hadn’t taken care of the girl in the fire.”
“He was a sick man,” Ben agreed, angry with himself. “Tori sensed it right from the start. She even warned me, but I ignored her fears, dismissed them.”
His father placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “I believe it was Shakespeare who said, ‘All’s well that ends well.’”
Ben laughed. “Funny, but that is the second time in a day I’ve had that quote tossed at me. Only problem is nothing seems well to me.”
“Why is that, son?” the duke asked. “You’ve vanquished your enemy, your young ward is speaking again and you have a lovely, fierce protector awaiting your return.”
“A fierce protector perhaps, but I’ve handled everything so badly with her, Father.”
“Clearly nothing has been done that cannot be undone, Benjamin, or the young lady would not have been so concerned for your welfare.”
“I need to see Tori.” Ben was anxious to reassure himself that her injuries truly weren’t life threatening and desperate to make amends for his actions.
“You may need to get in line,” Alex said with a mysterious smile.
“In line?” Ben asked. “I thought you said she was resting.”
“Oh, she is,” his friend reassured him. “Maybe you should see for yourself.”
He followed Alex and his father upstairs silently and then opened the door to her room. Tori was sleeping peacefully in the middle of the big bed. Chelsea was curled up beside her, also sound asleep. Dozing in the chair was Mrs. Henry.
Surprised, Ben turned, the question in his eyes.
“Mr. and Mrs. Henry arrived shortly after the doctor left,” Alex answered. “Seems Mr. Henry had been knocked unconscious and locked in the tack room of the stable by Mr. Prescott so he couldn’t drive Tori and Chelsea here. The young stable boy didn’t find him until much later when Mr. Henry came around and began banging on the door. They were so concerned for Tori and Chelsea’s welfare they came here as soon as Mr. Henry was able. When Mrs. Henry discovered Tori had been shot, she took over.”
“My goodness,” the duke added with chagrin. “That woman is a force to be reckoned with. I could have sworn she was the duke given the way she was issuing orders. Benjamin, you really need to take that woman in hand.”
“Actually, I’m wondering where she was during the war against France. We could have used a few generals like her,” Alex joked.
Ben laughed at their apt descriptions of his commanding housekeeper.
“I keep trying to decide whether to throw her out of my house or attempt to hire her away from you,” Alex added.
Turning back to the room and taking in the sight of the three strong females, Ben shook his head. “Sorry,” he said softly. “They are all mine.”
Walking quietly into the room, he lightly shut the door, leaving his father and Alex laughing in the hall. At the sound of the door closing, Mrs. Henry roused.
“Oh, milord,” she whispered, quickly crossing herself. “God be praised, you are back. Your face. You’ve been injured.”
“It’s nothing serious, Mrs. Henry,” he reassured her. “Mr. Henry?” he asked, overwhelmed with concern for the silent man.
“Ach, weel,” Mrs. Henry said with a smirk. “Takes more’n a little lump on the head to stop that man. Always did say he was more hard-headed than a man has a right to be.”
“I’m glad.” He was careful not to smile lest she see him wince.
“Miss Hamilton,” Mrs. Henry pointed to Tori’s sleeping form on the bed. “Isn’t it nice that she’s finally found her memories? Imagine her being a friend to the marchioness and countess all along.”
Ben spotted the wheels in Mrs. Henry’s matchmaking mind churning at a frantic pace. Clearly, with the revelation of Tori’s true identity, Mrs. Henry felt the way was clear for them to have a “happily ever after” ending. He wondered what the woman would say if she knew he not only had to apologize and proclaim his love, but he also had to convince Tori not to crawl back through some tree and return to her life in the future.
“Weel,” Mrs. Henry continued, interrupting his thoughts, “it’s high time this little lady was returned to her own room.” She gestured to Chelsea’s sleeping form. “She was a fierce protector tonight and to hear her sweet, little voice.” Mrs. Henry stopped talking, wiping away a tear as she recalled hearing the child speak for the first time.
Touched by the older woman’s genuine concern and love for his small family, he took her hand, raising it to his lips to press a kiss upon her knuckles. “Mrs. Henry,” he said, looking into the woman’s astonished eyes. “You are a wonder. Thank you.”
Blushing lightly, he remarked that for the first time since he’d met her, Mrs. Henry was truly speechless. With a pleased smile, she nodded before gently lifting Chelsea into her arms. Without another word, she carried her young charge out of the room, closing the door quietly behind her.
Sighing, he approached the bed. Exhaustion had taken over. Moving slowly, he pulled his shirt over his head before sitting in the chair Mrs. Henry had just vacated to pull off his boots and stockings. Finally, he stood and removed his breeches. Reaching out, he lightly brushed a few strands of hair away from Tori’s face, leaning down to press a soft kiss on the dark bruise marring her lovely face.
Then he crawled under the covers, careful not to jar her injured arm. Gently he turned toward her, wrapping her in his arms, smiling at her satisfied sigh as she curled closer to him without waking.
Placing another kiss on the top of her head, Ben fell into a deep and peaceful sleep.
Chapter 26
V is for Victory
“You’re back!” A loud voice shouted in his ear jarring him from sleep.
Glancing next to him, Ben saw the first rays of dawn peeking through the window and shining across the face of his personal diminutive sunray.
“It would appear so,” he answered dryly.
“Your face. You’re hurt.” Tori studied his injuries closely.
He must look worse than he felt, given everyone’s response upon seeing him.
“I’m fine,” he added, suddenly realizing she was sitting up beside him. “Lie down. You’re not to move your arm.”
“It’s fine. Ben, what happened? Did you find Frank Prescott? What happened to your face?” Her gaze was anxious as she questioned him, and he couldn’t help but feel relieved she had forgotten her previous anger toward him.
“I found him. He won’t bother you or Chelsea again.”
“How can you be so sure? Where is he? Was he arrested? Is he in jail?”
“No, Vee.” He gently helped her lie back down on the bed. She struggled only briefly before allowing him to cover her with the soft quilt. “Prescott is dead.”
“Oh,” she whispered. “You killed him. Ben.” She rose up again caressing his face with her uninjured hand. “I’m so sorry.”
Touched by her concern and understanding, Ben struggled to speak. Only she would truly realize what it had cost him to go after Frank. To kill him in order to protect his family. To seek vengeance for Ian Duncan and his wife. He wasn’t surprised to see a tear fall down her face.
“You did what you had to do,” she said, obviously thinking he needed her consolation. “He was a madman. Nothing, short of death, would have stopped him.”
Smiling, he slowly pulled her into his embrace. “I know that, sunshine. I’m fine, truly. Now that I’m here with you, everything will be okay.”
Snuggling closer, he could feel the strong beat of her heart against his own chest.
“I love you, Victoria Hamilton.”
Pulling away, she looked into his eyes through the tears misting her long lashes.
“I love you, too,” she replied. “But Ben—”
“I believe you,” he added before she could finish her statement. “I believe everything you’ve ever told me. I don’t know what force of nature or act of fate or magical power brought you to me. I only know that I cannot live without you. You saved my life.
Blushing, she shook her head. “I didn’t do anything.”
Gently placing his hands on her arms, he waited until she raised her eyes to his. “You did, Vee. Make no mistake. I wouldn’t be here without you. Chelsea wouldn’t be speaking. Hell, Waterplace would probably still be a shambles.”
“Well,” she said teasingly, “I must admit your home does look lovely, except for that damned dark study, of course.”
He laughed. “I like my study just the way it is. However, perhaps, in time, I may be persuaded to redecorate it. Mind you, it may take a lot of time and a great deal of persuasion.”
“Oh,” she answered, grinning. “About how much time do you think it would take to persuade you to brighten that room up?”
“A lifetime?”
“You and me and Chelsea and, hopefully, a whole brood of our own children. I know I could never hope to be deserving of your love, but I swear to you I will spend every day of my life trying to make you as happy as you’ve made me. Stay here. Marry me. Please.”
Crying in earnest now, she sniffled before nodding. “Yes. I would love to marry you.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, feeling the need to make sure she wouldn’t regret her decision later. “Jack’s told me a bit about the future. It sounds like a remarkable time. Are you sure you don’t want to return? Because make no mistake, if you choose to stay and we marry and have a family, I’ll never let you go.”
For Tori, the answer was simple. She would stay. For the first time in her life, she felt like she truly belonged. Growing up in the shadow of her parents’ tremendous accomplishments, dealing with their seeming lack of affection, and struggling to find her own niche in a world where she never quite fit in had taken its toll.
Quite frankly, she preferred the simplicity of life in the nineteenth century. She enjoyed the slow pace of each day and the kindness of the people around her. She was drawn to the simple pleasures to be found in a world devoid of traffic, pollution, and noisy crowds. She craved nights of quiet reading and talking without the interruption of television. She was relieved not to have to stress over makeup and blow dryers every morning, and she was delighted to be reunited with Hayley and Erin. Why return to the future when the best parts of her life were here plus so much more?
Most of all, she loved her new family. Mr. and Mrs. Henry had taken her under their wing and cared for her in a way her parents never had. She’d come to think of Chelsea as her own daughter, and she would gladly risk her life every day for the tiny child who had claimed a large part of her heart.
And Ben. If she lived to be a hundred years old, she would never get enough of the way he was looking at her right this moment. His eyes were filled with love mixed with desire and lust and understanding. He found her beautiful, just as she was—clumsy, shy, awkward, chubby. He loved all of those things about her, and he didn’t seek to change a single thing.