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Chapter thirteen

Cecily and I received a letter from Tobias nearly every week, though its contents were sometimes two weeks behind. It irked me not knowing the details of his doings, whether or not they found the cache, and whether he was safe. Did he have a lead on where his infant nephew resided?

Here at Burtins, our guardians were ever vigilant, even ensuring my kit was properly stocked with supplies to fill my pistol.

They encouraged me to practice with them a few times a week while Cecily baked in the kitchen with Mrs. Fredrickson.

I could see that the men were bored. No intrigues or enemies remained at Burtins since Cummins and Mr. Straight died.

So I hoped. There was little action aside from the mail post arriving. I clung to Tobias’s words

My dearest Tessa,

I remember our discussion in the hall before I left. The way you responded. Note that I will endeavor to do what I stated. I promise you…

He spoke of our embrace. His kiss. His promise to be worthy of me…and again he wrote:

My dearest Tessa,

Whatever gave you the thought that you should leave? I hope you never think I would desire your absence ever again, no matter what happens. I never want you to leave my side...but should you choose to do so…

It would never be so. When would I be brave enough to tell him? His words were always few, but full of the few times we’d all but declared our hearts. My heart would burst before he returned.

We were left to the peaceful quiet of this countryside.

Cecily improved by leaps and bounds. She began to behave like a young woman and not the wild child I’d first met some months ago.

We’d even successfully weaned her from the terrible elixir.

I hoped she would never be trapped by such a drug again.

I was glad the difficulties were out of reach. Cecily needed this kind of peace and quiet. Mr. Mulls became a thorough Uncle, who made her not one but several kites to fly over the unused fields.

The months had passed, and my stack of letters had grown, except of late.

Deliveries ended, I could not guess why.

Autumn pressed in. How much longer would we be left to heal and languish at Burtins?

Might Tobias spare me some information? If not by mail, at least a short visit?

Indeed, there had been no letter last week or this.

Mrs. Fredrickson called the mail service unpredictable.

But I was beginning to worry and my patience wore thin.

Kite weather turned into mid-October’s colorful trees and fierce autumnal gales, and Cecily and I read many a book by a warm fire.

Life was too calm, and the peace I’d felt over the warmer months began to fade into the realization that something was simmering beneath.

My spirit stirred. Something was afoot, and something was very wrong.

I sensed a new tension in the air, though I did not know why.

The maid that Mrs. Fredrickson had trained whistled the same familiar tune as she scrubbed the upper hall floor.

Mr. Ode was gentle enough. While he preferred to work in the fields, he understood the gravity of Tobias’s situation.

He gladly took up the position of steward temporarily. I believed I could trust him.

The tenants had accepted the change—as several of the men reported to Tobias when we’d first arrived, they were wary of the dangers that Cummins had brought to their lives.

As it were, since Cummins’s departure from this life, the gatherings and gambling had ceased.

Their young daughters were safe from the many gentlemen who would ravish them given the chance.

I’d half a mind to train the girls to defend themselves as I had been.

But my first duty was to Cecily. Like as not, the fathers wouldn’t allow it.

Pride would get in the way as they desired to be their daughter's first and only defender until marriage.

One day perhaps fathers would see that they were protecting them by allowing the training.

I squinted against the faint sun peeking through deep gray clouds. A chill scampered across my spine. There was something off about the air beyond the natural decay. I began to fear.

I prayed that God would send Tobias back to us or send for us at the very least. Answers were needed. Tobias was needed.

I’d observed Mrs. Fredrickson as he requested and if she knew anything at all, she kept it well-tucked within.

Maybe she didn’t know much beyond the woman’s work at Burtins.

Her affection for Cecily increased. The granddaughter she never had, she’d told me.

But the woman had grown quieter of late.

I wondered if she felt the same sense of unease that I did.

I was not to wonder long.

I finally received a hastily written message from Tobias.

My love, do what she says. You can trust her. Stay with Cecily. Ever yours, Tobias.

Who was she?

I found out in the middle of the night.

Mrs. Fredrickson.

“Come lasses, and come quick. They are upon us and must not find you here. I beg you to wake up and gather a few belongings.”

“What is the meaning of this?” I asked her, my hand crept towards my pistol laying ready. Of late, I’d taken to remaining dressed. The unease had put me on edge. I felt I needed to be ready for anything.

She too, was dressed in a cloak with a bundle as though she did not intend to stay. “I mean you no harm, but they arrive this night—men who mustn’t be here, devil take them. We have little time.”

“How do you know this?”

“Mr. Chinworth.”

“Older or younger?” I'd not forgotten Tobias's request that I observe her. I'd found nothing to be concerned about, only kindness.

“Master Tobias, of course. None else do I trust. Come, gather the child. I’ll not see you being harmed for anything.”

“Where do we go? Should we not take Mr. Mulls with us?”

“Believe me, I tried. Mulls won’t be persuaded.

He’ll stay where they'll expect him to be. If he leaves they will wonder at his departure. No, I’m to see my elderly sick mother and Mr. Mulls will keep an eye on things.

” She must have seen the concern on my face.

She took my hand and squeezed it. “The young master provided him with a pistol. He will defend himself if need be.”

“What about the guards?”

She grinned a wide, toothy smile. “They await you under the portico. Horses are saddled.” Her eyes shimmered with a tear.

“You must trust me young lass. The note from Master Tobias is true.” She stuffed a few of Cecily’s things into a sack.

“The guards have been warned. They’ll not leave yours and Cecily’s side. ”

“Where are we to go?”

“Not far, but far enough.”

“Our guardians know?”

Again, she smiled. “Tobias told me to look out for you both. I’m doing the best I can. But you need to hurry. You carry the child, I’ll get your bags.”

I had to toss my doubts aside. I didn’t really know if I could trust Mrs. Fredrickson this far.

I hoped I could but in this vulnerable moment?

I shoved a stack of clean handkerchiefs into my reticule, trying to think clearly.

Regardless of the situation, I could trust the men Joseph had sent to help.

Seemed I had no other choice. Tobias would want me to leave—isn’t that what he’d meant by the hasty message?

To “do what she says?” He’d not specified who, and that concerned. Why hadn’t he been more direct?

A question plunged a very real possibility.

Had I not received letters because they’d been stolen?

He had to be careful not to mention names.

Indeed, he was careful in all of his messages as was I, aside from the few affectionate remarks.

He was in danger and we would be too if we did not leave with all haste.

Fear surged as we made our way down the stairs and to the waiting men. They were alert, glancing about the grounds, jaws tight. The one named Thomas offered a nod. “Miss Smith, we are at your service. We must require cooperation from you and the girl if we are to adequately protect you.”

“I understand.” Did they, too, sense what I had over the past days?

Had they received a message too? I wanted to ask, to sort out what little information we had between us.

Especially of Mrs. Fredrickson. She gave us each a kiss on the cheek and patted mine with her gloved hand.

“Tell Master Tobias that I will return when…” She swallowed at her own emotion. “When he cleans house.”

I knew what she meant. “Thank you. For everything.”

She spoke to the guards. “Go before it’s too late.”

Unfortunately, we had to share riding the horses. Cecily grumbled at being woken, but I told her we must and she did not argue. Her trust in me was unwavering. I hoped not futile.

The wind whistled among the trees surrounding the grounds.

The guard’s jaws were set with purpose. We climbed into our saddles.

The one named Thomas pulled me behind him and off we went, along the sides of the main road, nearest the trees and hedges.

I prayed unceasingly as we went, being as vigilant as Joseph had taught me.

If we were in true danger, I must be ready to help Cecily—with my life, if need be.

The few hours of travel were mercifully uneventful. Just before dawn, the guards pulled the horses close together and consulted on directions that I had more than once wished they would share with me. A few minutes later, we rode down a long private lane shadowed by arches of great maple trees.

Soon, I stood in a grand foyer and next, in Tobias Chinworth’s arms.