A quiet squeak from behind the sofa table followed by a raspy “Yes” confirmed that she was indeed unharmed. William breathed a sigh of relief, but he did not relax his hold on the earl. “Get up, you bloody bastard,” he growled, easing off of him and hauling him to his feet. Spotting the hole above the sofa where the lead shot had struck, he clenched his jaw, realizing just how close they’d come to absolute disaster. “You almost killed her.”
“Is everything all right? I thought I heard a…Good heavens!”
Turning his head, William found Peterson standing in the doorway staring in bewilderment from one person to the other. “I shall be escorting his lordship out to the constable’s carriage, Peterson. Would you please remain here with Lucy while I do so. I believe she’s had quite a shock.”
“Erm…yes, yes of course,” Peterson muttered as he stepped forward.
William turned to go, but Lucy stopped him. “A moment, if you please.” She walked up to her uncle, who was looking more terrified and helpless by the second. “How could you do such a thing? Have you no conscience at all? My father loved you…I loved you…Yet you betrayed us all in such a cruel and despicable way. It’s beyond comprehension, and, unfortunately for you, it’s beyond forgiveness as well.” She then turned her back on him and walked back to the sofa, sat down, and averted her gaze from the man who’d taken so much from her.
When William returned ten minutes later after escorting the constable and her uncle out, she still hadn’t moved, but the redness around her eyes and the wet streaks upon her cheeks showed visible signs of crying. Given the circumstances, William would not have been the least bit surprised if she would have collapsed in a fit of hysterics. Her parents had been brutally murdered, the man who’d done it had kidnapped her, dragged her across Europe, almost sold her into slavery. As if that wasn’t enough, she’d discovered that the man behind it all was none other than her dear uncle. It was more than anyone should have to endure.
“Is he gone?” she asked, her gaze still focused on something far away in the distance.
“Yes, Lucy, he’s gone.”
She nodded her head and then turned to look at him. “Thank you for everything, William.”
Relief was visible in her bright green eyes—so much so that William found himself catching his breath. He was suddenly afraid to speak, fearing that he would choke on the words, for the emotions that suddenly whirled through him were so powerful that he found himself struggling for control. Rising to her feet, she came to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Let’s go home,” she whispered as she pressed a tender kiss against his lips.
He nodded, drew her closer, and hugged her in a tight embrace. “What an excellent idea,” he murmured, ignoring Peterson’s discreet cough, which he knew was meant as a reminder of his presence. William didn’t care; the only two things that mattered to him at that moment were that Lucy was safe and that she was his.
CHAPTER THIRTY
They had left Hampstead House after promising Peterson that they would return for a visit after the holidays. There would be a lot to see to including a search for another heir to the estate, but for now, Lucy was simply happy to have the matter of her parents’ murder resolved, even though she would have wished for another outcome.
Snow was falling heavier than it had done earlier in the day, and while she still felt the cold, chilling her to the bone, she had to admit that there was no place she’d rather be at that very moment than wrapped in William’s arms as they rolled steadily toward Moorland Manor. William had assured her that they would be home before dark, but the clouds overhead had already blocked out most of the sun, and they had stopped only a couple of miles back to light the lanterns that hung from the sides of the carriage.
“Do you suppose that your brother and sister might be there with their families when we arrive?” Lucy asked, turning her head slightly so she could gaze up into William’s blue eyes. The plan had been for Lord Trenton to fetch Alexandra and their two children, while Ryan, after informing their father about their arrival, was supposed to fetch Mary and baby Vanessa.
“Considering the weather, not to mention the time it will take for them to prepare for a two-week absence from their homes, I don’t believe that we will see any of them before tomorrow at the earliest.”
But as they pulled up to Moorland Manor, they spotted another newly arrived carriage. “Quick, open the door, William.” Lucy hadn’t felt this excited about anything in a long time. She was part of a family again, and she was suddenly very eager to see her sister-in-law who was presently waiting for her to alight with a big grin upon her face.
“Lucy! It’s so good to see you again,” Alexandra exclaimed, handing baby Claire over to her husband so she could wrap her arms around her in a very sisterly hug. “Michael told me about your ordeal. Thank heavens you’re all right. Come, let’s go inside and warm ourselves by the fire.”
“Don’t worry about us,” Lucy heard William call out as she and Alexandra started up the front stairs. “Trenton and I will be right behind you.” She could hear the laughter in his voice and couldn’t help but smile in response to it.
They were barely through the front door when the sound of voices shouting and footsteps scurrying along reached their ears. A moment later, Constance came into view, almost toppling Lucy to the ground in her excitement. “Thank God you’re safe,” she whispered, hugging her so fiercely against her that Lucy felt her lungs constrict. “I’ve been so terribly worried—you cannot possibly imagine. But now you’re home, and that’s all that matters. Come, let’s get both of you inside so you can get some color back in your cheeks.”
“I wouldn’t mind a cup of tea,” Alexandra said as she took the lead and headed toward the parlor.
“Oh, I can do so much better than that,” Constance remarked. “I asked Cook to prepare a large pot of mulled wine for when you arrived. I’ll have it brought in straight away.”
“I hadn’t expected to see you so soon,” Lucy said as she and Constance followed Alexandra. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
Constance served her a secretive smile. “Me too, Lucy. There’s something that I must tell you…”
“Lucy!” A loud voice boomed the instant they set foot inside the parlor. Lucy immediately recognized the voice as belonging to Lord Moorland. He came toward her with a wide smile upon his face, reached for her hand, and placed a gentle kiss upon her knuckles. “It’s good to have you home with us again.”
“Thank you, my lord. It’s a great relief to be back.”
He nodded, and as he smiled, Lucy sensed that it was almost as if he knew precisely how she felt. She wondered how many times he must have gone off to war, fearing that he might not return, and being as relieved as she was now whenever he did. He turned to Alexandra who was standing by Lucy’s side. “It’s good to see you too, Alex. But where are my grandchildren? You didn’t forget to bring them did you?”
“They’re right here,” Trenton said with a chuckle as he and William came into the room. He strode across to his father-in-law and handed baby Claire over to him while Richard ran to hide behind Alexandra’s skirts.
“Please,” Constance swept her arm toward the sofas and armchairs, “won’t you have a seat? We still have so many questions about everything that happened to you, Lucy. You must tell us everything.”
Lucy drew a deep sigh and then turned a pleading gaze on William who stepped forward to claim her arm and escort her toward one of the sofas. “So much has happened, Lady Ridgewood, and it’s been a terrible strain on all of us. Would you mind overly much if we simply enjoy each other’s company for the remainder of the day? I’ll be more than happy to fill you in later.”
“No, of course not,” Constance said, looking quite sorry that she’d broached the topic at all.
Lucy quickly offered her a smile that she hoped would calm away her worries. “Perhaps we could talk about how to celebrate the holidays instead. I imagine that you must have some traditions, and I’d really love to hear about them.”
“What a splendid idea,” Lord Moorland remarked as he gently tickled baby Claire under her chin. The infant responded with a delightful squeal that brought an instant cheer to the room.
“I was thinking that we could fell an evergreen tomorrow. We’ll use the trunk for our Yule Log and the branches to fashion some boughs and wreaths,” William said as a maid entered carrying a tray with cups and a large pot of mulled wine, the cloves and cinnamon filling the air with their rich aromas.
Setting down the tray, the maid proceeded to pour, handing each of them a cup before departing again with a curtsy.
“We usually decorate and light the log on Christmas Eve,” Alexandra said, blowing on her wine before taking a hesitant sip, “and then on Christmas Day, we’ll go to church in the morning and return home for a lovely dinner complete with roast pig and plum pudding.”
“It sounds wonderful,” Lucy said, already eager to set off in search of the evergreen.
“I hope we didn’t miss too much,” came a voice from the doorway. Turning her head, Lucy spotted Ryan and then Mary, who was carrying baby Vanessa in her arms. They both welcomed Lucy back with as much enthusiasm as everyone else had done before taking their seats on one of the sofas next to Constance and Lord Moorland.
“I must admit that I’m mighty relieved that you’ve finally arrived, Ryan,” Lord Moorland said, handing Claire back to her mother. “I wasn’t sure how much longer I would be able to keep this bit of news bottled up inside me.”
“What news?” William asked, setting his cup down on the table and placing his elbows upon his knees as he leaned forward.
Lucy couldn’t help but notice a slight blush rise to her father-in-law’s cheeks and immediately wondered if this had something to do with what Constance had been meaning to tell her earlier.
He hesitated a moment, looked to Constance, returned his gaze to each of his children, and finally said, “You know that I will always love your mother with all my heart. Nobody will ever be able to take her place. But I have also grieved for such a very long time, and, as you know, there were many dark moments when I thought I’d never be capable of going on without her.” Lucy found herself holding her breath as he spoke, his eyes appearing to mist over, though he’d probably deny such a thing. “However, the years have dulled the pain, and after meeting Constance…ahem…Lady Ridgewood, I have discovered that it is possible for me to find not only happiness again but also love. I love her, and I have asked her to be my wife.”
There was only a moment’s silence before Alexandra was out of her seat with Claire once again delivered into Trenton’s arms as she leapt to embrace her father. “I wish you so much happiness, Papa,” she said as she wiped at her own tears.