The Pursuit (20 page)

“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 week, 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.”

Anne smiled. “There were times when I wondered what I’d done, but do keep in mind, Lizzy, that Weston is a marvelous person. He’s not spoiled like so many gentlemen. He’s kind and takes delight in the happiness of others.”

“Well, I can see that you’re happy,” Lizzy said, envy filling her heart as she watched Anne with Sarah. She tried to squelch the emotion, but it lingered off and on throughout her entire visit.

During the ride home in the carriage, Lizzy worked to dispel the black cloud coming over her. She wasn’t very successful. Even after she arrived back at Ludlow, she could not drive off the feeling.

Usually Morland heard her arrival and came to greet her. Today he did not. Lizzy was slightly relieved. She was down at the moment and didn’t want to burden her husband with her poor attitude.

Besides
, she told herself,
Morland’s birthday is tomorrow, and the family is coming for supper. You’ve got things to do.

Lizzy learned that this was easier said than done. When her husband finally tracked her down in the small salon, she was trying to concentrate on the menu and making a complete mess of things.

“When did you get back?” Morland asked as he bent to kiss her. Lizzy was at her desk, and Morland took a nearby chair.

“Not long ago.”

“I was in the study. Did you not look for me?”

“No, I thought I should work on this menu for tomorrow night.”

Morland had seen the paper and now watched his wife’s face. There was more going on than his birthday the next day, but he didn’t start there.

“How are Anne and Sarah?”

“They’re fine.” Lizzy’s voice took on a wistful quality. “Sarah must be the loveliest child in all of England.”

“She’s beautiful,” Morland agreed, having seen her on Sunday. “Tell me, Lizzy, did you find me a birthday gift?”

“Yes,” Lizzy answered, looking surprised.

“Are you fearful that I won’t enjoy it?”

“No, I think you will.”

“How about the party? Is it too much for you?”

“It’s only the family,” she said by way of explanation.

“Then what’s wrong?” Morland came out and asked.

Lizzy studied her nails for a moment.

“I was trying to hide it from you,” she finally admitted.

“Hide what and why?”

“I came home from Anne’s in a terrible humor, and I didn’t want you to know.”

“Why is that?”

“Because it’s wrong. I have no reason to be unthankful.”

Morland finally caught on. She wished for a baby of her own. She had spoken of it several times, but he’d forgotten for the moment.

“I was reading in 1 Samuel this morning,” Morland suddenly told her, “the first chapter. I was struck by Elkanah’s words to Hannah when she had no children. He said, ‘Am I not better to thee than ten sons?’”

Lizzy stayed quiet, listening to her husband.

“I was also struck that we know the end of the story. We know that God honored her request and gave her Samuel and other children. We don’t know the end of our own story, Lizzy. We might have children and we might not.