Legacy Redeemed (Redeemed, Restored, Reclaimed Book 1)

by Aubrey Grayson

  Letitia saw him first, her mouth curving in a cat-in-the-cream sort of way. She knew he was suffering, the wretched woman. But surely her smile meant she thought he might prevail, and he felt a little hope flutter in his heart for the first time since he saw that trunk.

  But that was doused when Susannah turned, her eyes filled with horror. Certainly that was a prosperous beginning. In his panic, inanities crossed his mind. He imagined his grandchildren gathered round his knee as he said, “On the day I proposed, your grandmama’s eyes filled with dismay…”

  He shook himself back to the present and gave a small bow to each woman. “Mrs. Powell. Mrs. Stanhope. Good morning.”

  “Good morning to you, Mr. Daventry!” Letitia called. “It’s about time you showed your face. Susannah has been spouting some nonsense about leaving Seaton, and I’ve been endeavoring to convince her to stay.” The sly smile crept back onto her face. “Perhaps you’ll have something more influential to say.”

  He stared dumbly at her for a moment while he wrestled with his fears that Susannah would leave. God has not given you a spirit of fear. “Quite right.” He attempted a smile but feared he did not succeed, and then he turned his attention to Susannah, quite pink. He began to speak, but no sound came out. He cleared his throat.

  “Mrs. Stanhope…that is, Susannah… Under normal circumstances, I would ask our hostess to leave us, but given her current state… Well, perhaps you would do me the honor of taking a turn with me in the garden?”

  Susannah looked as though she’d rather do anything but. She closed her eyes, looking every bit the martyr going to the lion’s den. A small sigh escaped her lips, and then her eyes opened. She plastered a smile across her face. “Yes, of course, Mr. Daventry. It’s a lovely day for a stroll.”

  As she rose, she threw a look at her friend, who simply smiled traitorously at her. Nick was relieved to know at least Letitia was on his side.

  Neither of them spoke on the way to the garden, which gave Nick a few moments to send fervent prayers to heaven. Once they reached the garden, they both spoke each other’s names at once. She pressed on.

  “Nick, I am leaving Seaton this very day. I cannot allow my past to impact the lovely people I’ve met here.”

  He’d expected it. But the pain of hearing it crashed in nevertheless. “Where will you go?”

  She stopped strolling and turned to face him, her face an unreadable mask. “I plan to go to my sister in Scotland.”

  “He’ll find you.” This gave her pause. He saw a glimmer of fear in her eyes.

  “That may be. He knows I do not speak to her. I’m hoping that and the great distance will delay him long enough.”

  His brow lowered. “Long enough for what?”

  Her eyes widened in surprise, then she shook her head a little. “Oh! Simply long enough to…make a new plan to get away from him.”

  He’d caught her at something, but he didn’t know what. At the moment it didn’t seem worth pursuing. He reached for her hand and held it in both of his. “Susannah, stay here and marry me. We will live happily at Poppledown Park, surrounded by people we love. We will make a new life together. I can help you. I can protect you from him.”

  But if he’d been hoping for tears of joy, he didn’t get them. If he’d expected her to throw herself into his arms, weeping with happiness and relief, he was sorely disappointed. Instead, she stood quite still. She closed her eyes again, and he noticed the wetness gathering in the corners.

  She regained her composure and opened her eyes. Her hand was still in his, and she brought the other one to join it. “As much as it pains me, I cannot accept your kind offer. I must be on my way.”

  As though he’d made her a business offering.

  “Susannah, I cannot think why you would risk returning to him. I can offer my name, my protection, my funds, such as they are. If you marry me, he will never be able to force you into the depravity he has planned for you. Think, think, Susannah, of what your life could be. How horrible if he finds you, and how lovely it could be with me. And with Gabriel.”

  She reacted as though he had slapped her, her head jerking back, eyes widening. “Do you honestly think I haven’t? Would that I could stop thinking of it. That is why I must go. If I stay here, I won’t be able to resist all that you have offered. But my situation has changed. I cannot accept you. I can’t do that to you. Or to your son.”

  “Is this because you fear Weatherly will gossip? I will speak to him and let him know he is not to do it. My brother will stand beside me, and together we can provide enough incentive for him to keep quiet. And society already discounts Hector.”

  “No, Nick. Even then, I cannot accept. Again, I thank you for your offer.” She released his hands and turned to walk away.

  He grabbed her shoulder and turned her back, desperate to keep her from leaving. “Then what is it? Susannah, please…please, tell me why you would take this risk?”

  She stared at him a long moment. “Fine. I will tell you so that you know it is not without much thought. You spoke the other day of restoration and forgiveness of sins, and I can tell that you believe them. But some things cannot be undone. Some of the marks of sin stay with one forever.”

  He blinked, not comprehending her. “I don’t understand what you mean.”

  “Nick, you foolish, kind man. I am with child.”

  His world crashed in. He blinked at her.

  And then in the end, he was the one who walked away.

  Chapter 25

  Susannah watched him walk away, and with him, all hope. She sat heavily on a nearby bench, to give herself a moment to restore her composure before she returned to the vicarage.

  She had known he would leave, of course. No man in his right mind would stay to press his affections on a woman who was carrying another man’s child. Still, it seemed a piece of her died when he left. Even though she had believed it to be a lost cause, some small part of her had obviously hoped that all those lovely fantasies he spoke of could still come true. And maybe they would have, if only things were different.

  But she had wished that things might be different ever since her parents had died. Ever since she had discovered that her fate rested in the hands of the worst kind of man.

  And she had begun to hope a little. Spending time with Letitia and Nick and Mr. Robinson, spending time remembering the Scripture that her father had taught her, had made her wish it could be true. To wish there was a God who loved her and was working for her good.

  But this God that Nick and Letitia and kind Mr. Robinson spoke of did not seem to take notice of Susannah Blackmon’s plight. And He certainly didn’t deign to assist her. She understood why Job’s wife told him to just curse God and die.

  Which was part of the reason she couldn’t stay. She couldn’t bear to let her cynicism color those around her. And even though Letitia was sure people would be kind, Nick had just shown her that not everyone would accept her so easily. She wouldn’t stay to watch the same disgust grow on the faces of Mr. Robinson and the good people she had met here in Seaton, as the reality of a single woman and her baseborn child set in.

  So she would go to Scotland. To Amelia and her husband. And she would pray for some small miracle to occur to enable her to find refuge there, at least until her babe was born. She knew the chance was small that Amelia’s husband wouldn’t send word to Hector, but perhaps by the time he did, it would be winter. Scottish winters were brutal, and the child would come in early spring. Perhaps the winter would convince Hector to stay in London until the weather warmed.

  She had remained in the vicarage garden after he left, wishing her situation to be other than it was. But the sun was marching onward in the sky, and she longed to put distance between herself and this place. A bare week ago, she had dared dream of putting her roots here in this gorgeous earth and making a beautiful new life for herself. But now the memory of what had transpired here, the friendships she’d made, the love she’d found, nearly tore her heart in tw
o. She hadn’t been surrounded by so many people who cared for her since her parents died. And she couldn’t bear to be loved any longer.

  She strode into the kitchens of the vicarage and found Amy assisting while chatting with the cook. “Amy, please say your good-byes. We are off as soon as possible. And beg a packed cold luncheon from Cook. I don’t intend to stop, since we’re leaving so late.”

  And within an hour, they were on the road to Axminster in a hired coach, despite pleas by both Letitia and her father that she stay another night and get an early start in the morning. She simply couldn’t bear to stay.

  At first, Amy tried to make conversation, commenting on the scenery and even expressing regret that they were leaving such a nice place as Seaton. Susannah’s replies were grumbled, at best, and Amy soon gave up. But still, she kept giving Susannah questioning, pity-filled glances until Susannah wanted to scream.

  “Mrs. Powell seemed to wish us to stay,” Amy finally ventured.

  “To what purpose, Amy? So that the whole town can know my shame? To heap my shame onto those who would care for us? It won’t be long before it’s obvious to all.”

  “To what purpose do we leave? Wherever we go, your babe will go with you. Do you think your sister’s husband will not notify Hector of your whereabouts? And then heaven help the child who gets in the way of that man’s evil plots!”

  “Enough! Not another word until we stop for the night. And even then, not another word on the subject. We are going to Scotland. We have no other option, despite what our kind friends wish for us.”

  Amy’s words stung. And worst of all, they had the ring of truth. Was it fair to expose her child to Hector’s whim? And if not, what other choice did she have? He had all legal right to her person, and apart from her friends at Seaton, she knew no one who did not have some connection with him.

  And she just couldn’t go back to Seaton. Over and over, she replayed that awful moment. She almost wished she had not insisted on Amy’s silence. Instead, she had nothing to occupy her mind but the look of disgust and horror on Nick’s face when she revealed her pregnancy. It was as though his affection for her had died at that very moment. And then he walked away without another word.

  Her foulness was too much for him to endure.

  She was greatly relieved when the coachman pulled in to the King’s Head Inn and Amy went to make arrangements for them. Their room was small but tidy, and the innkeeper sent a dinner tray up. Susannah had barely eaten all day. Her stomach had been roiling this morning, and then after she had spoken to Nick, she had been ill for other reasons. She forced herself to eat, then was grateful to turn in early. They had many long, hard days of travel ahead, and she intended to put as many miles behind them as possible each day. Tomorrow she would get up with the sun and put even more distance between her and Seaton, and Poppledown Park, and most importantly, Nick Daventry.

  ***

  Nick strode back to Poppledown Park with murder on his mind. He would find that miscreant cousin and make him pay. All right, perhaps the murder wasn’t literal, but the payment was. Nick would insist that Julian provide for Susannah and her child. Julian’s funds combined with the money that Nick had promised her for helping with the treasure hunt would set her up well.

  Yes, she had rejected him. Yes, she had decided that traveling penniless to Scotland to seek uncertain refuge was preferable to turning to Nick. She really couldn’t be more clear about her feelings toward him.

  But that didn’t mean he would leave her unprotected. Julian Weatherly was blackguard of astronomical proportions. He had used Susannah with no regard to her welfare or reputation. And if Nick didn’t do something about it, Susannah and her child would be the ones to suffer for it.

  Nick slammed open the door of Poppledown Park, calling out to Stokes to ask Mr. Weatherly to meet him in his study.

  “I’m sorry, sir. Mr. Weatherly departed at dawn. Just after you left for your morning ride, sir.”

  That was the first Nick was hearing of it. Of course, he had been rather distracted this morning. “Did Lady Clarissa and her parents depart as well?”

  “No, sir.”

  Nick wasn’t sure what to make of that, but perhaps it would work in his favor. “And where is Lady Clarissa now?”

  “With the earl and countess, sir. They have taken her and her parents for a seaside stroll. Apparently, Lady Clarissa has not seen it before.”

  Just the way things were going for him today. Nothing would come easily. “And when are they due back?”

  “Luncheon, sir.”

  “Thank you, Stokes. Please have a horse readied.”

  He turned many a head on the way to the seashore. A gentleman galloping a horse through town wasn’t an everyday sight in sleepy Seaton. Fortunately, his brother had kept to the main beach instead of taking his guests to explore farther afield, and he spotted the group quickly. He stopped his horse several yards away and dismounted, leaving the animal untethered.

  “Ho there, brother!” called Terence. “Come to join us on our stroll?”

  Nick smiled tightly at the invitation and made his greetings to everyone before he responded. “Actually, I had business of some urgency with Mr. Weatherly. Do you know where I might locate him?”

  Lady Clarissa blushed at this, exchanging uncomfortable glances with her parents. Finally, she spoke. “Mr. Weatherly left us this morning to return to London.”

  Nick’s shoulders fell. London. And according to Stokes, he’d left at dawn. At least a six-hour lead, and that was if Nick left straightaway. “Ah. I see. That was not discussed at last night’s dinner.”

  “I don’t believe Mr. Weatherly intended to leave as of last night.” Alice’s father spoke this time. He cleared his throat before continuing. “Unfortunately, we realized this morning that it was not appropriate for my daughter to honor her engagement to him.”

  Nick’s eyes shot to Lady Clarissa. “Did he dishonor you?”

  “No. He only made me feel…uncomfortable. After I spoke with you last night, I realized I had been feeling that something was amiss for a long time. In fact, I was very much afraid of spending any amount of time alone with him.” She smiled wryly and added, “Not a good way to start off a marriage, I’m sure you’ll agree. I shared my feelings with Papa. He agreed that the wisest course was to call off the betrothal. It was very kind of him.”

  Her father shook his head. “I hope you still feel that way when we return to London. The scandal sheets are never kind about broken betrothals.”

  “Better a scandal that blows over in a few months than an entire lifetime of misery,” Nick said. “While I confess I have never had any particular fondness for my cousin, I have only recently discovered that Mr. Weatherly is more scoundrel than even I had previously believed. You are well rid of him.”

  Clarissa only nodded, her expression somber, as though she recognized the weight of what her life as Mrs. Weatherly would have been.

  Alice put her arm around her cousin’s shoulder, then said to Nick, “Yet here you are, seeking him out. Why?”

  “As I said, I have urgent business with him.” He grimaced. “And apparently, now I must hie myself to London to finish it.”

  His brother raised an eyebrow. “Is there anything I can assist you with?”

  Nick considered. Having the weight of an earl carried its benefits. “Not as yet. If I need your help, I will call on you.”

  His brother still looked concerned, but he gave Nick a nod. He cast a glance at the sun, directly overhead. “London is a two-day ride, but almost three by carriage, which is how Weatherly travels. Do you think you will catch up to him?”

  Nick shook his head. “Not likely. And although my business is urgent, it is not best done on the side of the road. Still, I will leave this afternoon.” He turned to Alice. “Will you be staying here for a few days longer? I think Gabriel will be happiest if you do.”

  Alice smiled. “Certainly. Charlie will be thrilled. I believe we will bring the ch
ildren on our next excursion to the beach.”

  Nick made a brief bow. “Speaking of excursions, I will leave you to yours. I had best go and prepare for my journey. I will see you when you return.”

  After spending an hour overseeing his packing, he joined the others for luncheon. Better to eat now and have the strength to ride longer without stopping. Fortunately for Nick, it appeared that everyone was slightly subdued after Julian’s swift departure, and Nick was not required to endure a lively conversation. As they were leaving the dining room, his brother gestured him into the study.

  “All ready for your journey?” he asked.

  “Almost. I need to say my good-byes to Gabriel.” He was not looking forward to it. It meant he had to say Susannah’s good-byes to the boy as well.

  Terence nodded. “I must say that I was not disappointed to hear that the betrothal was broken off. I have always liked Clarissa and feared very much for her happiness.”

  “To her credit, it appeared she was wise enough to realize the danger, and her father was wise enough to listen to his daughter.”

  His brother smiled smugly. “Well, after seeing his niece so blissfully married, he can hardly wish for less for his own daughter.”

  Nick rolled his eyes heavenward, just as his brother wished him to do. “Indeed.”

  “Speaking of blissful unions, what news of yours? When you planned to invite the mysterious Mrs. Stanhope to dine with us, I’d hoped you’d made progress on that front.”

  Nick smiled wanly. “I’d hoped so too, but it appears I was wrong. Indeed, when I spoke to her this morning, she had planned to leave this very day to go to her sister in Scotland.”

  Terence raised an eyebrow. “Then perhaps you should follow.”

  If only he could. If the situation were simpler, he would simply chase her down and kiss her senseless until she agreed to marry him. And if she didn’t agree, he’d follow her to Scotland and profess to her brother-in-law that he had fathered her child. And then he’d love her until she finally gave in and forgave him for stooping to such brute tactics. But she’d made her feelings clear. And frankly, he didn’t want her to marry him solely to avoid devastation. He’d press Julian to settle funds on her and collect his own funds from Mr. Brown. Then once she was a woman of independent means, perhaps he could convince her of his own merit.