The Pursuit (25 page)

They looked a little confused, but Walker continued.

“The Bible is organized into books, chapters, and verses. The book I’ve turned to right now is one of my favorites. It’s called the Book of Proverbs, and I’m in chapter eight of the book. Can I read the sixth verse to you?”

Rather fascinated now, the boys nodded and leaned a bit closer.

“‘Hear; for I will speak of excellent things, and the opening of my lips shall be right things.’ What was the first word I read?”

“‘Hear.’”

“What’s another word for ‘hear’?”

“‘Listen.’” Richard knew right away.

“Very good, Rich. There are many other good words in this verse, but for right now I just want you to memorize, ‘“Hear,” Proverbs 8:6.’ Can you say it with me?”

“‘Hear,’ Proverbs 8:6,” Richard said, but Christopher remained quiet.

“Can you try it, Chris?” his mother asked, watching his small face.

“Is it ‘listen’ or ‘hear’?” he asked.

“Either one,” Walker told him, “because both remind us to stop talking and pay attention.”

Understanding dawned on the little boy’s face, and all at once he became very interested. Walker spent the next ten minutes with the boys, going over the verse and telling them a little bit more about the Bible. Both boys were very receptive.

Niki didn’t have a lot to say, but she had the distinct impression that if she suggested reading to the boys from Genesis before bed, they would be all for it.

Pembroke

The day had run away from them. Tate and Cassandra’s plans to talk had been interrupted time and again. Now Tate climbed the stairs for bed, knowing it would have to wait until morning. Cassandra had retired an hour earlier and was sure to be asleep.

Tate slipped quietly into the bedroom and shut the door, suddenly realizing he was wrong. Sitting with the lantern turned low, a book open on her lap, her hair falling in soft waves around her shoulders, Cassandra sat against the headboard of the bed, quietly reading.

She didn’t hear her husband right away, and Tate, wanting to stand and watch her for a moment, didn’t speak. Several seconds passed before she looked up.

“I didn’t hear you.”

Tate pushed away from the door.

“I thought you would be asleep.”

“I think I did sleep for a bit, but then I woke up and you still weren’t here.”

“Tibby cut her hand in the kitchen. Hastings saw to it, but I had planned to speak to him about the holes in the drive tonight, so I waited.”

“You must be tired,” Cassandra said as he sat on the edge of the bed.

“A little.”

The couple looked at each other.

“I love you,” Tate said after a moment.

“I love you,” Cassandra said.

“Earlier today I asked you to take it easy. I thought I would be able to relax about your activities as long as I knew you were taking this seriously and not taxing yourself, but then I realized that’s rather insulting. You do take this seriously, and you would never do anything foolish to endanger your life or the baby’s.”

“That was a nice compliment.”

“But it’s true, isn’t it, Cassie?”

“Yes. I want this baby very much. If I feel uncomfortable or tired, I’ll tell someone or rest, but I think staying active is very good for both of us, and that’s what I planned to do.”

Tate leaned to kiss her, but he didn’t speak.

“You’re not saying anything.”

“I’m still working it out.”

“What’s to work out?”

“My wanting to worry about this.”

“Well, I won’t get angry at you again,” Cassandra told him. “I’ll do my best to listen.”

“But you’ll move home to Henry if I’m a pest.”

Cassandra smiled and Tate laughed a little. They kissed again, the conversation ending on a light note. Both, however, were still aware that Tate was going to have to work this out in his heart.

Thornton Hall

“How are you?” Marianne greeted Niki as the boys ran off to play with Penny.

“I’m doing well, Marianne. Thank you for asking. And thank you for inviting us. The boys are so excited.”

“It’s our pleasure. Come in and get comfortable.”

“Thank you.”

Niki told herself not to be nervous. Mary, Marianne’s mother, had said that Marianne would be very understanding if she didn’t wish to speak of her circumstances, but Niki worried nonetheless.

“Mama!” Catherine was suddenly at the edge of the room.

“Yes, dear,” her mother said with a smile, seeing that Nanny Sophie was close at hand.

Niki smiled as Catherine spoke several sentences of gibberish, a few intelligible words thrown in for good measure, and then went on her way.

“She’s adorable,” Niki said, laughing in delight.

“She keeps us busy.”

“Is the baby asleep right now?”

“Yes. I’ll probably have to feed him before too long. I hope you won’t mind.”

“Not at all.”

“Was it fun nursing twins?”

Niki smiled. “I don’t know if ‘fun’ is the word I would use to describe it.”

Marianne smiled, liking this grown-up Niki very much. Prior to her visit, she hadn’t seen her in years.

“Mother was telling me that you’ve been moving about a lot lately. Has it been nice to rest at Blackburn for a time?”

“Very nice. Your parents are so warm and gracious. They’re very good at including us but still taking time for themselves.”

“I know they’re enjoying the boys.”

“Your father taught them a verse.”

“Which one?”

Again Niki smiled.

“They’ll have to say it for you.”

And with that, Niki’s hesitancy fell away. The two talked like old friends. Memories of when they’d been together as children came rushing back, and in little time they were laughing about days and incidents from long ago.

Niki felt herself relaxing more as each minute passed, realizing that she’d worried over nothing.

“Are you pleased that Walker invited us to lunch?” Henry asked his brother on the way to Blackburn. The church service had been over for nearly 30 minutes.

“Yes. Why do you ask?”

Henry looked across the carriage at him, his gaze steady but his look unreadable.

“What is it, Henry?”

“You’re going to marry Mrs Bettencourt. I hope you realize that.”

Edward had all he could do to keep his mouth closed. He was utterly flabbergasted that his staid, seemingly unemotional, unromantic brother had said such a thing.

“I’ve shocked you,” Henry said mildly.

“To say the least! Why would you say such a thing, Henry?”

“Because something changed in you this week, and then again in the last few days. You were interested in Mrs Bettencourt’s being here, but you didn’t let your guard down until I told you what Walker said about her believing some years ago. And that was all before this morning.”

“What happened this morning?”

Henry’s brows rose as if to say it was more than obvious.

“You could barely keep your eyes off of her.”

Edward gazed out the window. There was little sunshine but still plenty of light to see the passing landscape. Edward tried to concentrate on it, but all he could see was how lovely Niki had looked that morning in a light blue dress that accentuated her hair and eyes.

No other words were spoken, and before Edward was ready, the coach arrived at Blackburn Manor and Henry went in to join Walker. Edward feared that he would feel awkward, but he hadn’t counted on the boys.

“It’s Edward!” they exclaimed, throwing themselves at him in delight, words pouring out of them the moment he hunkered down to their level.

“Your verse, boys,” Niki said when she came on the scene, causing the boys to grow silent.

Edward glanced up at her and then back at the twins.

“Have you learned a Bible verse?” Edward asked.

They both nodded.

“Say it for me.”

“Listen” came from Christopher. Richard said, “Hear.”

“Just the one word?”

“Yes.”

“Very good. What’s the reference?”

The boys knew that as well, and Edward smiled at them in approval. Bertram appeared, signaling for lunch to be served, and Edward let the boys lead him toward the dining room. Five minutes later they were all seated. Walker prayed, thanking God for the meal.

What followed was astounding to Edward, as he listened to his brother take charge of the conversation. Edward did little more than sit and observe.

“I haven’t been to France in some time, Mrs Bettencourt. In what part did you live?”

“I lived in Abbeville and also outside of Paris.”

“It’s beautiful country.”

“Yes, it is.”

“I know your husband was French, but I don’t think I’ve heard why you have a French given name.”

Niki smiled.

“My parents loved France and the language. They lived in England but visited all the time. I was actually born in Paris, so they thought it was only fitting that I should be Nicola.”

“What if you had been a boy?”

“Armand.”

Henry smiled at her, and Niki smiled back.

“Why don’t you tell Henry your salvation story, Niki,” Walker suggested. “I’m sure he would enjoy it.”

“It’s not very long.” She sounded apologetic.

“That won’t matter.”

Niki nodded, feeling somewhat embarrassed, but she was able to begin by not looking at anyone.

“I was expecting the boys. Louis and I lived on a quaint street in Abbeville. We had a neighbor who was kind, an older woman. She came to visit me every week, and something about her was special. I never asked her about it, but one day she asked me if I had peace with God.

“Louis and I had just quarreled, and I felt wretched with the twins so near. I can’t say that I had peace with anyone at that moment, and out of superstitious fear that my children would be harmed by my anger, I listened to her.

“I had not been raised in church but had been taught to respect all religions and beliefs. I’m not sure I was fully listening to her until she spoke of forgiveness. I wanted forgiveness, and she said Jesus Christ would forgive me if I repented. This wasn’t easy for me, but she graciously taught me, and I prayed with her. I meant it with all my heart, but I saw very little of her after the boys were born, and I’ve had no chance to learn about the Bible since.” Niki stopped but swiftly added, “I don’t blame anyone but myself for that. I haven’t taken the time to learn.”

“How has it been for you here?” Henry asked. “Have you learned some things since arriving in Collingbourne?”

“Yes, thank you for asking. The sermons have been most enlightening, and I’ve studied with Aunt Mary and Walker too.”

“The boys have learned a verse,” Mary put in.

“Did you learn a verse?” Henry asked them.

“Yes.”

“May I hear it?”

Christopher and Richard gave their own version of the verse and looked at Henry.

“I don’t think I know that verse,” Henry said when he realized it was only one word. “Can you tell me where it’s found?”

“Proverbs 8:6.”

“Very good,” he said, smiling at them before the meal continued.

At the moment Henry happened to find his brother’s eyes on him. That Edward was surprised by his talkative mood was only too obvious. The older Steele shocked his brother again when he smiled gently at Edward and went back to his meal.