The Pursuit (34 page)

“I can’t read,” Richard said quietly, bringing the adults’ eyes back to him.

“But you can still believe,” Niki said, feeling sure of herself and her words now. “You can pray and ask God to save you, and He will.”

“Can I pray right now?”

“Yes. Do you want some help?”

The little boy surprised them by shaking his head no. They watched as he closed his eyes. Some time passed before he opened them, and Frederick spoke.

“Do you mind if I ask you a question, Richard?”

“No.”

“What did you say to God?”

“I said that I’m sorry about biting Chris and sinning. I said I want to know Jesus like Mama does.”

“And did you mean it with all of your heart, Richard?”

“Yes.”

“I’m glad to hear that. A wonderful life awaits you, Richard. Not an easy life, but one where you know that God loves you and will never leave you.”

The little boy smiled at him, and Frederick turned to the other little boy.

“What do you think, Christopher?”

“I don’t know. I’m not sure.”

Frederick nodded calmly. “I think you are wise to wait until you are sure, Christopher. Accepting salvation from God is a big step because God takes it very seriously, which means that we must take it seriously too.”

“Did I take it seriously?” Richard asked.

“Well, Richard, time will tell. You won’t do everything right the first time, but when our hearts have been changed, we live differently. Can I tell you something my father told me?”

The little boy nodded.

“When I was young, he took his gold pocket watch out and handed it to me. He asked me this question: Would you take good care of this if it was yours? I answered that I would. I thought he was going to give it to me, but he put it back into his pocket. He said that the gift of salvation from God was more valuable than anything in the universe. And even greater care than I would give a gold watch needed to be given to my salvation. I must never take it for granted or forget what God had given me. If you work hard to remember that in the days and months and even years to come, you’ll know that you’ve taken it seriously, and God will richly bless you.”

“Thank you,” Niki said, still feeling very emotional but not crying.

“You’re very welcome. I’m glad I could help.”

“I think we’ll go home now,” Niki said to her sons. “I find myself a bit weary.”

Niki rose to leave. Judith was still in the back, and Niki smiled when she saw her.

“I forgot that Pastor said you were here,” she apologized.

“That’s all right. Tell me, Mrs Bettencourt, can you join us for supper this evening? We would so love to have the three of you.”

“Please call me Niki, and, yes, I believe we are quite free. What time would you like us?”

“Will six o’clock work?”

“Certainly, and thank you again.”

“The pleasure is all ours.”

Niki wasn’t certain that she could feel her feet on the ground as she and the boys exited the building. Pastor and Judith waved them off and then stood just inside the church doors and looked at each other. Judith couldn’t find any words. She simply wrapped her arms around her husband and held him tight.

Thornton Hall

“Jennings,” his wife called when she heard the door. “Is that you?”

“Yes.”

Marianne came around the corner and met her husband in the middle of the room, where they shared a kissed.

“Are you just back, or did I miss your arrival?”

“I’m just back.”

“You were gone a long time. Did you speak with Niki? Were she and the boys there?”

“They weren’t at Blackburn, but Bertram told me they’d gone to the church. I went there, and they were just coming out.”

“Of the church?”

“Yes.” Jennings smiled. “It seems that the boys were asking some questions about Niki’s faith, and she took them to the church to talk to them. She told me that Richard trusted in Christ.”

Marianne’s pretty mouth swung open.

“That’s marvelous!”

“Yes, it is. I wish you could have seen Niki’s face. She was glowing.”

“What of Christopher? Was he there?”

“Yes, and although he looked happy for his brother, he didn’t say anything.”

“I want to hear the whole story!” Marianne said suddenly. “I think I’ll send word and have them to dinner.”

“Not tonight. They’re going to the manse.”

Marianne smiled. “You already invited them.”

Jennings smiled in return and admitted, “I wanted to hear the whole story too.”

When their children came looking for Jennings a short time later—they wanted him to go riding—Marianne was still chuckling.

Blackburn Manor

Please help me to trust You
, Niki prayed when she woke in the night with another bad dream.
You’ve saved Richard, Lord, and You’ve saved me. I know You love us—I can think the words in my mind—but my heart still pounds with fear.

Niki forced herself not to go to her sons. She knew it had just been a dream. Denley and the other servants were aware of what was going on in the house. If there was an intruder, they would hear.

Continuing to pray and asking God to change her and work in her heart, Niki remained in bed until she fell back to sleep. The boys woke her in the morning when they climbed onto the bed; she had slept in a little. Niki’s pleasure at seeing them was heightened because she’d done the hard work of trusting in the night.

Collingbourne

Edmond Ellenborough stepped down from the carriage, his eyes taking in every detail with very little effort. He planned his arrival for a weekday, hoping the town would be busy. His hunch was correct. On this Wednesday morning the streets were teeming with people, horses, and carriages. Ellenborough, looking for all the world like a man without purpose, turned toward The Owl, intent on finding a room. His mission would be a little tricky if none were to be had, but that wouldn’t stop him. Nothing ever did.

With barely a glance to one side or the other, Ellenborough moved on his way, thinking this might be one of the easiest trips he’d ever made. Even if nothing turned up concerning Nicola Bettencourt, an old friend lived nearby. The last time he and Henry Steele had talked, he’d invited Ellenborough to visit, should he ever be in the area. Never a man to enjoy much leisure, the relentless agent planned to make an exception in this case.

Pembroke

“Well, now,” Edward said softly when he and Niki had their first moment alone in the evening. “This is a nice surprise.”

Niki’s eyes turned teasing.

“Yes, it is. I didn’t know that the Tates would be serving beef. I love beef.”

With all he could do not to take her in his arms, Edward laughed. It didn’t release the tension of wanting to touch her, but it let him hear her laugh, and for the moment that was enough.

“Edward.” Christopher was suddenly at his side. “Did you see my rock?”

“I don’t think I did. Do you have it with you?”

“Mama made me leave it in the carriage.” He sounded disgruntled.

“Does it not fit in your pocket?”

“It does.”

Edward raised amused eyes to Niki and found hers trying to be stern. He knew he could get himself in trouble if he didn’t step carefully here.

“Well, maybe you can show it to me later,” Edward suggested.

“All right,” the little boy agreed, clearly not thrilled with this idea.

“Remember what we talked about, Chris—about what’s important and what’s not?” his mother reminded him.

Christopher nodded and moved on his way.

“I need to thank you,” Niki said suddenly.

“For what?”

“For not mentioning Rich’s salvation in front of Chris. We were at the manse on Tuesday night and at Thornton Hall last night. Naturally everyone is excited, but I think he needs more time. And if Rich continues to draw as much attention as he has already, I’m afraid that Chris will try to make a commitment before he’s ready.”

“Well, I did speak to Rich, but I kept it private.”

“I’m glad. Chris was the one who had the original questions. I know he’s thinking about it, but I don’t want to rush him.”

“He’s too bright not to catch on, Niki. We’ll all keep praying for him. He’ll come.”

Niki looked up into Edward’s confident eyes. He was the kindest man she’d ever known, and her feelings for him grew stronger every day. Niki kept looking—their height difference was only a few inches—so this wasn’t hard to do. Looking away was the hard part. Edward’s kiss from the week before came rushing back to her, and Niki wanted nothing more than to be alone with this man.

“I want you to know,” Edward said, suddenly breaking into her thoughts. They weren’t going to be alone for long, so he kept his voice low. “That those kisses were not without feeling.”

“I didn’t think they were.”

“Then we need to talk very soon.”

Niki nodded her agreement just before Tate and Cassandra approached.

“We’ve been talking to your sons,” Tate informed Niki, a huge smile on his face. “Something about a runaway pony and some mud.”

Niki’s fingers came to her lips as she fought laughter. It had been on her mind to tell the boys not to mention that episode, but she’d never gotten around to it.

“Do tell,” Edward said, his voice full of teasing.

“I don’t have to tell,” Niki informed the three of them. “A contrary pony and a mud puddle. Your imagination will do the rest.”

“Was anyone hurt?” Cassandra asked.

“A few bruises,” Niki said quietly and suddenly found Edward’s gaze intent.

The Tates did not miss his attention.

“We have a game we told the boys about,” Tate said smoothly. “We’ll go and start it with them. Join us whenever you’d like.”

“Thank you,” Niki said, not looking at Edward as their hosts walked toward the boys, who were looking at books on the drawing room floor.

“Are you all right?” Edward asked almost immediately.

“Yes,” Niki said, but her eyes did not come up and her collarbone began to grow pink.

“What happened?”

“Never mind.”

“I don’t want to never mind. I want to love and take care of you.”

Niki could hardly breathe. He’d said the word that she’d tried not to think or ever hope to hear. She glanced at him, meeting his eyes and finding them full of purpose and caring, but still managed to look away.