Page 29 of Lady Louisa and the Carriage Clock (The Rogue’s Alliance #3)
C ecil slumped onto the coach’s squabs and wiped a dusty hand across his brow. For the last three months, he and Leopold had slowly and methodically tracked down nearly half of the names in Kettering’s RA ledger.
“Are you satisfied that the bodies we found are James and John Yeaman?” Leopold asked from his seat across from Cecil.
Cecil nodded. “Although they have been in that barn for some time, both corpses have the vibrant red hair the brothers were known for.”
Their inquiries had led the two men to a derelict farm in Norfolk. They were near the end of their list of RA members- Bones and his cousin Henry had taken the first half of alphabetized names.
“Only one more name on our list: David Young.” Leopold closed his eyes. “Word has it he is somewhere in Derbyshire.”
Cecil sighed, closing his eyes as well. “We need to rest. Norfolk to Derbyshire is at least a three-day carriage ride. We can be on our way tomorrow morning.”
When his words were merely met with snores, Cecil opened his eyes. Leopold looked grimier than himself as he tended to wade into every situation before Cecil could do so. The men hadn’t discussed Louisa or the future, but Cecil was sure Leopold had some inkling that his companion had an interest in his sister. Cecil had the strangest notion that Leopold was protecting him for Louisa’s sake.
There had been time to reflect on his feelings for Louisa during the many hours he’d traveled the width and breadth of England. He’d discounted the idea that he was interested in the young woman because of their proximity over the last two years. He’d known Ashford’s sister Diana for several years and never felt anything but a sisterly affection for her. And he found Nathaniel’s sister Alica merely tolerable, possibly because of her incessant chatter.
He and Louisa had excellent taste in most things, but it was more than that. They were different- almost outcasts in a way he couldn’t explain. They belonged yet didn’t. Neither suffered fools, nor made friends easily, but when they did they were loyal to a fault.
That thought reminded him of Bones and the apology he’d tried to make to the man.
“Say no more, my lord.” Bones shook Cecil’s proffered hand and flushed to the roots of his hairline. “You’ve been good to me and I hope to join your household again once we have finished with the list.”
The list . Comprised of some 200 names, with at least ten individuals Cecil himself knew had been murdered by the RA during the last season. A few more were thought to have killed themselves after rumors of the list were leaked to the public: a drunken baron drowned in the Thames and a countess fell from a low cliff near Dover. There were no other members of the ton on the list.
Many members were found deceased, possibly loose ends the alliance had tied up. Every once in a while he and Leopold would cross paths with Bones and Henry. The men would discuss their progress but never in great detail. Very few RA members were turned over to the crown. Whether the criminals died fleeing from justice or by other means, Sidmouth asked few questions.
Cecil anticipated returning to London in a sennight, hopeful that Bones and Henry would have completed their list.
And then he would put away the anguish of the last few years and properly grieve for his brother. To take stock of what he’d lost and what he had yet to gain.
“I’m ready,” he whispered.
And he was, for he needn’t feel alone anymore. In addition to good friends, he was hopeful that there was a woman who loved him waiting in Kent and a bright future lay ahead.
* * * * *
C harlotte’s son was born on a Sunday morning in June, a day that was warm and bright, and full of possibility.
“He is perfect,” Edith said two days later as she watched Louisa holding the babe. “His eyes are as blue as his father’s.”
“Many babies have blue eyes when they are born,” Louisa replied softly, with none of her customary abruptness.
“I hope he does inherit Ashford’s dark blue eyes,” Charlotte rejoined from her place in bed. She sat up and groaned.
“You’re not to overdo it, Charlotte,” she told her friend.
Charlotte sighed deeply. “I want to get out of this bed.”
“You promised Ashford one more day,” Edith pointed out.
Louisa looked down into the sleeping face of the infant in her arms. She heard Edith giggle.
“What?” Looking up, she frowned at the other woman.
“I never expected you to be so maternal.”
Louisa glanced at Charlotte who was grinning. “You must admit that over the last several months you’ve changed quite a bit. When you arrived here in Kent I told Edith you’ve become softer.”
Instead of arguing or rolling her eyes, she simply asked Charlotte, “How do you think I’m softer?”
“You’re kinder,” the other girl replied immediately. “Less prickly.”
“And you seem content.” Edith smiled. “More comfortable with yourself.”
Louisa had to agree. A brief visit to her family’s estate last week had been bittersweet. She didn’t feel like a child anymore. She found herself desiring her own home, her own family. Did Lord Wycliffe want the same things? And with her?
“You’re in love,” her mother said out of the blue as the women took a turn around the rose garden. “It’s obvious. There is a glow about you, Louisa.”
“Yes, Mother, but I’m not sure he loves me .”
Her mother replied with a wink, “You are a lovely, bright young woman. I’m sure Lord Wycliffe had no choice.”
She’d been speechless. Her mother had guessed her feelings for Cecil and had no objection to a possible alliance. She’d hugged her parent, feeling closer to her mother than she had in years.
A knock at the open bedchamber door brought her back to the present.
“Where is my boy?” Ashford walked to Louisa and gently took his son from her arms. He moved to stand beside the bed and look down lovingly at Charlotte. “And my lovely wife, how are you?”
Charlotte winced. “Full to bursting. It’s time for his supper.”
“Really?” Ashford wiggled his brows.
“And you’re not staying,” Charlotte replied, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink.
Ashford handed the babe to his mother. “I received a letter from Cecil. He’s at his estate in Yorkshire but hopes to travel to Kent soon.”
Louisa walked to the window in the room and looked down into the gardens below. There was an awkward silence in the bedchamber before Ashford cleared his throat.
“I have some estate business to see to.”
When the women were again alone, she turned from the window to see Charlotte nursing her child.
Edith stood staring at Louisa.
“I’m fine. Lord Wycliffe will arrive soon and then I will ask him a very important question.”
Edith frowned. “What question?”
“Whether he loves me.”