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Chapter seventeen

I was grateful to see dear Emmaline again.

Cecily was a changed girl and I thought twas good for Emmaline to see the healing that had taken place.

Cecily had wept at the news of her father’s death.

A few hours later, she admitted to praying that the angels would take him to heaven where he wouldn’t have to be sorry any longer.

Miraculously, the young girl was at peace, though she clung to her brother’s neck tightly as he hugged her before she fell asleep.

That night, Emmaline returned with Joseph to the Sherborne’s estate and Tobias and I wandered the halls as though on a walk. Since the night Tobias was shot upon, I’d not stopped wearing my dagger. I was hard-pressed to leave my pistol hidden in my room.

And I could not stop thinking about the many threats upon his life.

His name had been on Cummin’s and Lord Bennington’s list—merely because he was a Chinworth and in the way.

When that came to an end, we thought all threats were gone.

We hadn’t been surprised to find Mr. Chinworth a target after his dealings—and yet—I could not let go of the thought that Tobias’s life might still be in danger.

My skin crawled betimes. Was he being watched?

Was he within the sites of an aim? I couldn’t shake the feeling. Was well that I did not.

“Tobias—what did you do with the message—the one that required us to leave for Burtins?”

“I tossed it, why?”

“Do you think it still might be of import?” Had this not been the reason for our initial escape? I felt as though it had been forgotten under the weight of everything else that had happened. I could not conceive losing him. Not now. Not ever.

“Sherborne and I believe the note was a trick of Father’s to get me away to Burtins. It worked. I’ll never know the depths of his manipulations.” A sob filled his throat. “I loved him despite all.”

I squeezed his hand.

If what he and Sherborne suggested were true, twas a cruel trick to play upon a son. What had the note said? “The Chinworth name will fall in the rubble of its stone. Not one will remain. Pay or die.”

Pay or die? Pay or die. “Tobias? Have you made payments to anyone? Apart from Lord Camden blackmailing you for your nephew, has he required payment perhaps?”

“No. I tried to offer him money in exchange for the babe—but he couldn’t be bribed. Said the fortune coming to him was far greater than I offered.”

I repeated the words aloud of the threat made.

“Tessa, I see that you are still concerned. I believe all threats are gone—done for. My gamekeeper hasn’t noted anything since the night he was attacked.”

“Is this the same gamekeeper who was present for the cache smuggling?” He was but one man.

“He is not. I hired him just when Father left…but the man came well recommended.” He put an arm around my shoulder.

“Please don’t worry any longer. I beg you.

Sherborne sends a few men to come walk the property a few times each week.

Again, nothing. No more activity is occurring. We can be at ease.”

I wished I could trust his answer—and Lord Sherborne’s. I hadn’t known we were being “looked after” again—for at least a few days of the week.

“You are certain, Tobias?” I looked into his eyes, filled with both peace and grief all at once. “I don’t want to lose you too.”

He paused our steps and turned me to face him.

He lifted his hand and cupped my cheek. “I wish I could promise you every tomorrow that will ever exist, but I can only give you the tomorrows that are promised to me by God himself. He numbers my days, my love. And yours. Even if the worst shall happen, know that my heart has only truly been yours, whether I die tomorrow or when I’m one hundred and three.

” He smirked. “You probably won’t want me when I’m that old. ”

I laughed. “You are impossible.”

“Impossibly in love with you, Tessa.”

A maid walked by with an ash bucket. Off to clean out my fireplace to rekindle a new one.

“Unfortunately, the village is beginning to gossip about our relationship.”

Gossip could be evil.

“Shall we marry soon and do away with their wicked minds?”

He smiled. “I believe we shall.” We made our way to the cozy library downstairs. “The bans have been read—weeks ago. The vicar is ready as soon as we are.”

“I’d marry you this night if it were possible.”

“Tessa…” The warmth in his eyes heightened. “We’ll bury my father first—and then—”

I wrapped my arms fully around his waist as he held me. Burying a parent was a most difficult, emotional task.

“We won’t be able to go on a honeymoon tour…”

“I don’t need a honeymoon. I just want to be with you.”

“Pardon me, sir.” The butler bowed. “Miss Smith.” He held a silver tray bearing a message. “The boy Matthew Dawes just delivered this. From Goodwyn Abbey.”

Tobias plucked the note from the tray. “Thank you. Have tea sent, will you?”

“Yes, sir.”

He opened the missive. “Oh my.” His face paled. “Do you remember my telling you about one Jane Hartford of Chillham?”

“Lord Camden’s niece or some such?”

“The very same. Sherborne has informed me that attempts have been made on her life—and she is very much in danger. She must flee Butterton Hall. The solicitor aims to help her—as does Dr. Rillian.”

“The danger hasn’t left Butterton—but shifted to Butterton Hall…” I looked at Tobias for answers. “But why?”

“Lord Camden is a schemer like my father. I must go to Goodwyn Abbey. It seems I owe them some information.”

“What do you know, Tobias?”

“These last several weeks, as I’ve taken note of every transaction, every letter saved, I found some messages I did not expect. I thought them moot since the girl’s father is dead and gone.”

“Jane’s father?”

“Yes.”

“But what does he have to do with Banbury?”

Tobias looked me straight in the eye. “That’s the thing. Her father wouldn’t have anything to do with him. The vicar wouldn’t be manipulated or tempted by fortune.”

“Then why is Jane in danger?” I did not think women to be involved, but that was foolish thinking.

“She shouldn’t be. Not at all.” He reached into his pocket that was forever bulging with important papers he dared not lose from sight. “I found these letters—that might explain it. Some, at any rate. Perhaps she can fill in the blanks. All I know is, this woman has no reason to be in danger.”

He began to pace. “Unless she heard something. Or was in the wrong place at the wrong time—or worse. Accepted the bribe that her father would not.”

“Lord Sherborne knows of this?”

“He does. He asks me to come by sunrise.” He grasped my hands. “I must apologize to the woman, Tessa. She will hate me on sight, I expect. I am prepared for it.”

“Shall I go with you?”

“My dearest love, I will go alone, and I will be safe. You will stay with Cecily? Her heart will be sore when she remembers Father’s death.” He grimaced. “I hate leaving her at a time like this, but Miss Hartford’s life is at stake. I will do what little I can.”

“Of course.” I hugged him again.

We drank a cup of tea, prayed, and made our way to our rooms. I couldn’t sleep a wink, nor shrug the fear that the danger to Jane was the same for Tobias.

When I saw him next, it was as though a great burden had rolled from his shoulders. He rode back that evening, and came straight to my side. Peace flooded his expression. “It is good to right wrongs. The right way.” His smile was gentle. “Miss Hartford forgave me—and my information explained much.”

“It helped then. Good.”

“Jane Hartford is to marry the solicitor who came to her aid. A Mr. Stevens. They wed in the morning—and after, we will bury my father.”

“New beginnings and endings—all at once.”

“Yes. But I was hoping that while the vicar is dressed for one wedding, that he might officiate two?” He bit his bottom lip as he posed the question. “What do you say?”

“We have already been long delayed, I feel.”

“You consent?”

“Absolutely. I cannot wait another moment to be your wife.”

He leaned his head against mine. “I’ve been rather sudden.”

“No more than our entire story has been.” I laughed.