Page 3

Chapter three

We packed with all haste, the work taking the remainder of the day. How much did a girl of eleven years of age need? We made our best guess. As we worked, the threat loomed. Someone was out to see the Chinworth name ground into the dust.

It very nearly had been. We bundled Cecily into the carriage while it was still dark and embarked on our journey to Burtins Hall. If the roads were good and the horses didn’t go lame, we’d arrive by nightfall.

Angelic Cecily had fallen asleep against my shoulder; her feet curled beneath a blanket though it was a warm day. She took the news of our departure with unexpected enthusiasm. I daresay her adventurous spirit was ready to see what lay outside the walls of Mayfield.

“You managed to hit the targets well, Tessa.” Tobias nodded with approval.

I’d been shaky at first, but regained composure with the very real thought that my training had come into good use, and may yet again.

“Almost as good as me.” He snickered. “I take it you own a pistol?” He pointed his chin to the pouch I’d slipped behind a cushion.

“Not a double barrel. Indeed.” One more befitting a woman’s hand.

He stroked his chin and shook his head. “I’ve got a bluestocking for a governess.”

The two words stung. Bluestocking and governess. I was neither. “Is it progressive for a woman to be able to defend herself?”

“I think—” He quirked his lips. “I think that men ought to be at all times protectors of women. A woman should never have to be her own savior.”

“High thinking indeed.”

He leaned forward. “It doesn’t follow that all men have that honor, does it?

I didn’t. At one time. Not that I’ve ever harmed a lady.

Not in that way.” He shifted in his seat, uncomfortable.

“What I’m trying to say is that men should do better.

Be better.” He smiled. “Having said that, I am glad you saved me. You’ll have to show me that trick with the knees. ”

Not a hard one. “Spend a few weeks at Joseph’s estate. Will be worth the effort.”

“I may do just that.” He tapped his fingers on his knee. “But do tell.” His voice softened. “I pray you weren’t present at your husband’s demise?”

Of course he’d be curious. I didn’t blame him for it. Not when I’d been rather mysterious about the whole affair. I answered him. “No.”

Tobias’s brow rose at my lack of information. Joseph had been the one to find my husband in the shipyard. He'd been at the wrong place at the wrong time. Patrick had gone to collect a payment for his employer. Joseph found my husband’s lifeless body propped beneath the deck.

I shut my eyes against the memory I’d imagined time and again.

The memory of Joseph banging down my door, of the men that had followed him.

Of the fight that ensued. How I’d been useless when Joseph needed help and was knocked cold.

My hands had been tied as the men searched my home, taking anything and everything valuable along with papers from Patrick's office. They left with a threat.

Tobias touched my hand and I startled. “What harm has come to you?” Real concern lit his expression.

I’d almost been taken advantage of. Almost. Joseph woke. And so did his fury.

I swallowed. “Joseph handled it. Before…before…” I couldn’t say the words.

“That is why he trained you. I surmised as much.” He loosened his cravat. “I am sorry that happened to you. More than I can say.”

I don’t know why, but I wanted to cry just then. The man I was trying not to love, caring this much. I’d never told anyone the whole truth of what had happened that day. Only Joseph knew. Was safer that way.

“How long ago did your tragedy occur?”

I’d been but nineteen. “Nearly six years ago.”

“Has your heart healed?”

My heart? To love again? Would that it had not.

“I will always regard my departed husband with a loving memory. I cannot help but do so. I have reconciled myself with his death, yes.” But my heart?

My heart had become vulnerable within days of Tobias’s own tragedy and change.

The walls I’d put up had fallen with great ease.

I could indeed protect myself. My heart? This remained to be seen.

Tobias had more questions. “The name you’ve taken…Smith, I believe you said this is to protect you from the people that killed your husband?”

“And perhaps his employer. We are certain he was involved, but there was little evidence. A very little.” There were things we knew but couldn’t tangibly confirm or provide to the law.

“One cannot be too careful.”

I shrugged. “Joseph put me to work looking after Emmaline. I was still in London, but very much secluded. We did not socialize at all. Before, when I was married, I moved about the lower social circles. I wasn’t widely known, truth be told.” At least that’s what I told myself.

I’d married for love, to a man that chose to work. He despised the idle life of a gentleman. I’d been included in card parties out of regard for my beloved deceased parents.

“But your surname? I suppose it recognizable or you would not need to borrow such a common one.”

I bit the side of my cheek. Smith was the easiest option. Patrick’s death had made the papers. I had no reason not to tell him. Twas old news. Those events had happened long enough ago. “My name was Contessa Auldlington.”

Tobias startled. “You were married to Patrick Auldlington?”

A small alarm ran within. “Did you know him?”

He shook his head in a slow motion. “No. I did not.”

I don’t know why that relieved me so. But why had he startled? Cecily awakened, ending that particular conversation. The remainder of the journey consisted of her incessant chattering and questions about Burtins. I’d not seen her so animated, so enthused since I’d come to know her.

Tobias offered me a smile. Smiles bespoke hope. He might not recognize it yet but hope was returning to his soul—or rather—finding a home there for the first time. I smiled back.

I knew from experience that difficulties were temporary. We’d much to live for, much joy to accumulate in our futures, despite the shocking events that played out last month.

If I could do anything, it would be to give Tobias and Cecily joy.

We arrived just as the sun splayed its final rays upon the earth, indeed, the splendor that belonged to Derbyshire quite took my breath.

This was truly a change of scenery. We pulled through ancient stone gates to Burtins Hall, built of the same.

Thick and grey, tall and narrow. A quarter of Mayfield Manor’s size.

But one window gleamed with candlelight.

“The housekeeper will be none too pleased that I did not warn her of our arrival.” He smiled. “But not for long.”

A young boy ran toward the horses—his eyes were wide with surprise at our arrival, and then an aged caretaker stumbled through the front door and toward the carriage. The man was drunk, and as we disembarked, another shadow of a horse and rider fled into the distance.

“Entertaining this eve, are we, Cummins? Tobias stood more than a head taller than the weaving, stooped man.

“Eh? Master Chinworth? Naught but cards. Join me, man? See if you’ll besht me this night? Ye can tosh yer mistress fer later, ye ken.”

My face flamed.

Tobias shoved him. “This lady is no mistress, you wretch. She is a lady and must be treated as such.”

The man swiped his hat from his balding head. “Pardon…pardon, ma’am. He ain’t never took a mistress, don’t rightly know why, mind ye. Thought he come to ‘is manhood finally.” A laugh followed a belch.

“Sleep it off, we shall have words in the morning.” Tobias shoved him away from us. “To the stables with you, man!”

Cummins tipped his hat again and wove his way toward the stables.

Tobias was angry. “Tessa—that was inexcusable. I will dismiss him in the morning. Please forgive me.”

Cecily jumped from the carriage step. “Tobias? Is it safe here?”

“Come—” he gathered his sister in his arms. “We are safe. Cummins didn’t know we were coming and had too much to drink. But I will set him straight. No fear.” We shared a look. While he’d reassured his sister, both of us were yet wary.

A berobed woman of some years flew from the doorway bearing a lantern. “Master Chinworth!” She smiled wide, come in, lad! And who do ye have with ye? Can this be the wee babe grown?” Cecily shrank behind us.

“Lucky for you I have drinking chocolate.” She winked at Cecily. “Do come have some, will you? The cocoa was a gift from the good vicar.”

“Brilliant, Mrs. Fredrickson. Sounds just the thing.”

“I’ll have the lads bring in your trunks. I take it Cummins was in the cups again?” She shook her head. “Man won’t heed my warning. And between you and me, I don’t like the company he keeps of late.”

“Mrs. Smith,” He gestured to me, “Burtins’ housekeeper extraordinaire. Place would be in shambles without her.”

The woman offered me a kind smile. “You the governess for the child?”

Tobias took my hand and placed it in the crook of his arm. “Both a generous companion and a lady, mind you. She will be treated as such.”

Fredrickson curtsied. “At your service, Miss. I will heat the chocolate then set about readying your rooms.”

Indeed, the woman emanated goodness itself. I could not help but instantly like her.

Tobias led me through a low arched door that led into a dark foyer, and through another arched door. A dingy hall, miniscule compared to Mayfield Manor’s, with furnishings that seemed of an ancient make. He had warned me Burtin’s to be a rustic place.

Cecily dashed about, peering into the swiftly darkening rooms. Plaster had thinned to the point that stone peeked through.

A coat of arms, one I did not recognize, hung above the fireplace.

Three dogs were represented, looking much like the Irish wolfhounds we’d left at Mayfield.

“Loyalty, faithfulness, protection…” the words lux vitae carved below the fierce heads.

Light of life… much nuance in the two simple words placed together, and seemingly in the darkest corner.