“Yes.” She smiled back, unable to help herself.
Cassandra’s hands moved from his chest to his face, her small hands warm against his cheeks as they kissed. “I’m glad you don’t have a headache,” she said after a time, her heart too tender to bear a grudge.
“I shouldn’t have done that, but you never play for me, and I do enjoy it.”
Cassandra made a face. Tate shook his head.
“I’m never going to convince you, am I? I like the way you play, Cassie.”
“I’ll work on it,” she granted for the moment, but he could see that her heart was not in it.
Tate didn’t comment before kissing her again. In the midst of their embrace, Cassandra thought he might be using the wrong tactic: If he promised to hold and kiss her, she just might want to play.
Newcomb Park
“What did you find?” Henry asked of Edward as soon as he arrived home from town.
“I’ll show you,” Edward said, leading the way to the round table that sat in the middle of the foyer. Pushing the flower arrangement aside, he set a wooden box down, flipped the catch, and opened it to reveal a geologist’s kit.
Henry bent over the box and inspected the rocks, guide book, and various tools. It appeared to be a very complete and well-made set.
“Do you think he’ll like it?” the younger brother asked.
“Yes, very much,” Henry said, his eyes still on the items in the box. “Even Lizzy will like it,” he added, referring to the sister who had married Thomas Morland less than a year before.
Edward looked pleased. He had spent a generous amount but knew the gift could be from both of them.
“I think I’ll ask Cassie to wrap it. She’s good at that.”
“That’s a good idea; then you can check on her too.”
“Why would I need to do that?”
Henry’s brows rose.
“Did I not mention to you that I thought she looked pale and tired on Sunday?”
“No, you didn’t.”
Henry frowned again. He was not a man who spoke every thought—he knew there was no need—but at times communication was important. This was just such a time. For several days his youngest sister, Cassandra, had been in his thoughts, but he’d not mentioned it to Edward when he meant to.
“I’ll go and see her and Tate later today,” Edward filled in, feeling as though Henry needed to be rescued. “Don’t give it another thought.”
Henry nodded. “When I take my ride in the morning, I may head to Pembroke too, but do let me know if you see Cassie.”
Edward agreed and watched Henry move on his way. He was a different man from a year ago. Henry Steele, the oldest of the family, had always cared about his family, but no one had been able to tell. Now he was much more verbal, and all of his family knew of his deep love for them.
Still reflecting on his brother’s positive changes, Edward tucked the geologist’s kit into a safe place and went in search of lunch. Ready to relax with the newspaper, he would take his time over the meal, but he’d head to Pembroke as soon as he was done.
Pembroke
“Did I just see Edward leaving?” Tate asked Cassandra as he joined her in the garden that afternoon.
“Yes. He came by to say hello.”
Tate studied his wife’s face.
“Is everything all right?”
“I think so.” Cassandra looked a little confused. “He confessed to being concerned about me.”
“In what way?”
“My health. He wondered if I was feeling all right.”
“And are you?”
“Yes, I’m fine. I’m just not certain what Henry might be seeing.”
“How did Henry get into this?”
Cassandra explained the conversation her brothers had shared earlier that day. Tate looked surprised but also watchful. His wife’s brothers had known her a good deal longer than he had. It was true that they no longer lived with her, but as her husband he’d be foolish to ignore something they might have seen.
“What’s this?” Tate asked, spotting the wooden box at her feet.
“Oh, a gift for Morland’s birthday. Edward asked me to wrap it.”
“I’ll take it inside for you.”
“Thank you.”
Tate went on his way with a smile from his wife. Cassandra went back to the flowers she was inspecting, but her heart wasn’t in it. Edward’s visit had been kind but also unsettling. Cassandra moved among the flowers for a while longer but soon gave up, went inside, and tried to bury herself in a book.
Thornton Hall
Marianne Jennings shifted the infant at her breast, bouncing him slightly so he would go back to eating, her eyes studying his dark hair and soft, beautiful skin.
William Jennings II was one month old. Arriving on time and with little fuss, he was nothing short of miraculous to his parents and greatly loved by his four older siblings. The three oldest children in the family were not technically his siblings; they were wards of her husband, William Jennings I, but from her heart’s standpoint, Thomas, James, and Penny had never been anything but family.
Catherine Anne Jennings, who would enjoy her second birthday during the summer, was William’s full sister. Talking nonstop and dropping to her stomach to take the stairs at lightning speed, she often seemed to be in two places at once, and when she wasn’t making them laugh, she was making them tired.
With five children in a 16-year age range, life was busy. Marianne looked forward to times when she could feed little William just to gain a few minutes of peace and quiet.
This afternoon he was done all too soon. Marianne had no more put him back in his cradle when Thomas came looking for her. He wanted to go riding with friends, and Catherine, who had trailed him, wished to go along as well. Thomas reached down to take her in his arms.
“If you go with me, who will be here to play with William when he wakes up?”
Catherine looked at him with wide eyes.
“You’d better stay and help with the baby,” Thomas suggested.
Catherine nodded in compliance and wanted down. When she toddled on ahead of them, Marianne looked to Thomas with amused eyes.
“That was swift thinking.”
Thomas, tall now and very grown-up, grinned at her before heading downstairs. Catherine’s nanny, Sophie, had followed after her young charge, but Marianne still followed everyone down to the main floor, wanting to check on James’ and Penny’s plans for the afternoon.
A conversation with Jennings from the night before suddenly came to mind. He’d asked why she seemed tired lately. Marianne smiled and thought that he’d have to follow her around someday to find out.
Sunday morning saw Henry and Edward in the carriage headed to church. Henry’s eyes were trained out the window on this sunny March morning, but Edward was studying his Bible.
At times Henry glanced at his brother and wondered whether he was memorizing a verse. The younger Steele would study a page and then look away. He did it all the way to the church building and even in the pew before the sermon began. Henry, who was very happy with quiet and his own thoughts, didn’t think to ask him about it until after the service was over.
Edward explained, “I’m working on some verses in Ephesians.”
“Have you got them down yet?” Henry asked as the men walked outside.
“Just about. I enjoyed the fact that Pastor Hurst referred to Ephesians 6:13.”
“Which verse was that?”
“It ends with ‘having done all, to stand.’ That verse is the one right before Paul lists the armor of God.”
“I recall it now.”
The men were well onto the gravel yard that spread out in front of the church. They squinted against the sunlight and heard small voices.
“It’s Edward!”
Leaving Henry for the moment, Edward walked toward the voices, smiling hugely when he saw Christopher and Richard coming his way, both dressed up for church but not in matching
outfits.
“Hello, Christopher; hello, Richard. How are you?”
“You’re not wearing your boots,” Christopher mentioned, his brow furrowed a bit.
“No, not today. Shall I wear them tomorrow?”
Both boys nodded, thinking this a grand idea.
“We still don’t have any,” Richard told him, his face showing his woe.
“You have a nice suit of clothing on today, though,” Edward encouraged, and watched Richard look down at his jacket as though seeing himself for the first time.
Christopher launched into the fun things they were enjoying at Blackburn Manor, James Walker’s home, telling Edward about rides with the pony, reading with Aunt Mary, and playing on the veranda when it rained. Edward was laughing over their descriptions when the boys’ mother approached. Edward looked up and saw Niki, everything inside of him freezing for long seconds and making him breathless.
“Mama!” the boys began at once. “It’s Edward. He has Hessian boots like we want.”
“He didn’t wear them!”
“Boys,” Niki said in a soft voice that wasn’t nearly as deep as he remembered. “We’re speaking English today.”
“We forgot” were the next words from them, and Edward stood by, unable to stop staring at this woman.
This was not a Niki Bettencourt he’d ever imagined. This Niki was soft and feminine, and her hair was blond and beautiful, just like the boys’. Edward was still staring like an idiot when the boys took off, leaving them on their own.
“Your sons?” he asked quietly.
“Yes.”
Edward nodded but couldn’t speak. How was she old enough to have five-year-olds?
“Does this answer a few of your questions?” Niki asked.
“Yes, but it begs a thousand more.”
A small smile came to Niki’s mouth as she nodded in understanding.
“You smiled,” Edward said, his own mouth lifting at the corners.
“Niki does,” she stated simply. “Osborne doesn’t.”
“Are you all right?” Edward asked, his voice unable to conceal the concern he felt.
Niki nodded, finding her heart oddly touched.
“And Denley?”
“He’s very well.”
“Is he here?”
“At Blackburn Manor, yes.”
“I don’t believe the Walkers have ever spoken of a relative named Niki.”
“It’s a rather distant relation; Aunt Mary and I cheat a little with the aunt and niece part.”
Edward studied her, unable to help himself.
“The royal air is gone,” Edward said, a bit of wonder in his voice.
Niki laughed a little. “Osborne is rather full of himself. It just comes naturally with that suit of clothing.”
“Which one is the wig?”
Still smiling, she said, “Osborne wears a wig.”
Edward nodded, his lungs still searching for air. “Your children are beautiful.”
Edward was unprepared for this smile. Niki Bettencourt looked as though she’d been handed the moon.
“I certainly think so,” she admitted, her eyes soft as she glanced around to find them.
“Where is Mr Bettencourt?” Edward asked before he could stop himself.
Niki’s eyes came back to his.
“He’s dead.”
“I’m sorry,” Edward returned most sincerely, wondering how recent it might be.
Silence fell for a moment, but then Edward realized he needed to know one more thing.
“Are you with Walkers for a time?” he asked just as the boys arrived back. They didn’t interrupt, but even with a glance Edward could tell they had something on their young minds.
“That’s the plan,” Niki suddenly said, and Edward nodded, wondering if he could wait until midweek to have his questions answered.
“Mama,” Richard tried.
“Just a moment, Rich,” she said to him before turning back to Edward.
“My brother meets with Walker most weeks,” Edward supplied. “I may tag along.”
“Maybe I’ll see you,” Niki said, her eyes kind, her demeanor calm.
“Goodbye, boys,” Edward said, nodding to Niki, and moving on his way.
Henry was already at the coach. He hadn’t missed Edward’s long conversation with Niki Bettencourt, but neither did he question him during the ride home. He waited until they arrived back at Newcomb Park and sat down for lunch.
Chapter Eleven
The Manse
“Did you see her twins?” Judith Hurst asked of her husband. Their youngest, Robert, rested in her arms. “I’m worn out with one baby. What would two be like?”
“Twice the fun?” Pastor suggested, his brows rising in humor.
Judith laughed but also shook her head, not sure she agreed.
“They’re beautiful children and seem very sweet, but I can’t imagine being widowed so young.”
“Can you imagine being widowed now?”
Judith looked at her husband and pastor.
“You always say things that make me think, Frederick.”
“Isn’t that good?” He was smiling a little.
“That all depends on how tired I am.”
“And with a newborn, you’re weary all the time.”
“I fear so,” Judith said, smiling at Frederick before looking back to the tiny person in her arms.
Pastor moved into the dining room, Judith slowly following, to find their four older children all waiting in their places for lunch.
“May I hold Robert?” Jane, the oldest girl, asked hopefully, but her mother encouraged her to eat first.
The Hursts spoke of the morning and the different families in the congregation. The children had some interesting insights on their father’s sermon, and as always, Pastor was all ears.
“Father,” Jeffrey, the oldest child, asked in the midst of much discussion, “is it hard to concentrate when Mrs Sheridan’s baby cries during a main point?”
“No, because he cries each week, but when the unexpected happens—like John falling from the pew about two weeks ago—that sets me back.”
The whole family laughed at this memory, and John looked shy and embarrassed. His father winked at him, and he smiled a little.
Margaret had a question about the sermon, and the conversation shifted to that topic. Happy for the diversion, young John went back to his meal, hoping he would never fall from the pew again.
Newcomb Park
“You seemed rather preoccupied on the ride home, Edward,” Henry commented. “Did I see you speaking to Walker’s niece?”
Edward looked at his older brother, his mind still trying to comprehend that Niki had shown up in Collingbourne of all places. He had been certain he would never see her again.
“Don’t wish to speak of it?” Henry guessed when Edward stayed quiet for a moment. Henry’s words seemed to release him.
“I have the most amazing story to tell you, Henry. I know I can count on your discretion.”
“Why, Edward,” Henry teased, “you know what a chatterbox I can be.”
Edward laughed as he began, never dreaming that Henry would interrupt, but not long into his story the oldest Steele stopped his brother.
“You can’t mean to tell me that Mrs Bettencourt was hidden in her disguise?”
“That’s exactly what I mean to tell you.”
Henry shook his head in disbelief. “I may not be overly distracted by women in general, Edward, but not even I can miss how attractive and feminine she is. However did she pass unnoticed?”
“Easily. I was the only one who seemed to give her a second glance.”
“But what of her needs and privacy? What did she do?”
“I don’t know exactly. We never shared a room.”
Henry took a moment to process this.
“Where were her children?”
“I don’t know, but I’m hoping to find out. If you’re headed to meet with Walker this we
ek, I’d like to go along.”
“And you think she’ll answer your questions?”
“Yes, I do. I mentioned joining you, and she was gracious about the possibility.”
Henry’s mind tried to conjure up a masculine image of Niki Bettencourt, but he couldn’t manage it.
Edward smiled as he watched him.
“Are you certain about all of this?”
Edward laughed. “I will admit that at times I felt as though I was dreaming, but it was all very real.”
“And is she all right?”
“She said she was.”
“Edward.” Henry suddenly became very stern. “Do you have feelings for this woman?”
Looking stunned, Edward asked, “As in romantic feelings?”
“Precisely.”
“No, not at all.”
“I watched you stare at her,” Henry argued. “As did half the church, I might add.”
Edward laughed. “If you could have seen her the way I last saw her, you would understand.”
Henry sat back in relief. They did not know enough about this woman for Edward to fall for her. Henry was utterly relieved to learn that Edward had kept his head about him.
“So are you going to Blackburn this week?” Edward asked.
“Wednesday. Want to come along?”
“You know I do.”
“On one condition,” Henry surprised him by saying.
“Name it.”
“That you tell me what she says.”
Edward’s head went back when he laughed. It was not like Henry to be overly busy, but clearly this had fascinated him. Edward, hoping only that he would learn the whole story himself, was happy to agree.
Brown Manor
Anne Weston and Lizzy Morland laughed as Anne’s daughter, seven-month-old Sarah Weston, crawled between them, happy to give smiles and wet kisses to either woman.
“She’s always so happy,” Anne stated with pride. “She doesn’t even fuss at nap time.”
“That’s amazing,” Lizzy said dryly. “Even I fuss at nap time.”
Anne laughed before asking how she liked being married.
“It’s wonderful to be married to and living with the man you love,” Lizzy told her, and she meant it. “I can’t imagine starting as you did, Anne. It amazes me.”