Page 11 of The Wayward Lady (The Wayward Widows of Willoughby Hall #1)

T he next afternoon, a soft knock at the front door echoed through Kendrick’s study. He looked up from the maps and train schedules spread across his desk. For a moment, he was annoyed at the intrusion, but then he realized there was only one person it could be, and his heart began to race.

“Come in,” he called through the open window behind him, his voice rough from lack of sleep. “I’m in the study.”

The front door opened, and a few moments later, Lavender entered the room, her blue eyes widening as she took in his disheveled appearance. “Kendrick,” she said softly, “you look dreadful. Have you slept at all?”

He shook his head, drinking in the sight of her. She could always make him feel better just by being in his vicinity. She wore a summer dress in different shades of blue that reminded him of that piece of sea glass she’d found. “Sleep has eluded me, I’m afraid. I’ve been up all night planning my trip to Spain.”

Lavender moved closer, concern evident in her delicate features. “I came over to ask if there is anything I can do to help.”

His gaze fell upon Daisy, who lay in the corner, having no idea how much their lives were about to change. “Do you think Daisy could stay at Willoughby Hall while I’m gone?” He hated to leave her, but there wasn’t any way he could take her with him.

“Of course,” Lavender said quickly. “We would love to have her. We’ll take good care of her.”

Her easy reply gave him the courage to ask for an even bigger favor. Kendrick’s heart raced even faster as he met her gaze. “Actually,” he began, hesitating for a moment before plunging ahead, “I was wondering if you might consider... coming with me?”

Surprise flashed across Lavender’s face, followed by a mix of emotions too complex to decipher. “You... want me to go to Spain with you?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded, suddenly feeling foolish for daring to ask such a thing of her, given everything that had happened. But when she had been so sweet last night, he’d dared to hope... “I know it’s a lot to ask, but I... I could use your support. And your help with my daughter.” When she remained silent, he swallowed thickly. “I understand if you don’t want to, especially considering how angry I’m guessing you still are with me.”

Lavender’s cheeks flushed prettily as she considered his request. “I told you that I’m not angry. I... I’m touched that you would ask me,” she said, twisting her hands nervously. “But wouldn’t it be improper? And... I’m afraid I just don’t have the funds for such a journey.”

Kendrick hoped those were really her only reservations. “As a widow, your reputation would remain intact. Besides, who would know except your friends? And you needn’t worry about the cost. I would, of course, pay for everything.” He gave her an imploring look. “I would be forever grateful for your companionship.”

Lavender bit her lip, clearly torn. Kendrick held his breath, afraid to hope.

Finally, she looked up at him, a soft smile gracing her lips. “Yes,” she said, her voice filled with quiet determination. “I will go with you to Spain.”

Relief flooded through him. He reached out, taking Lavender’s hand in his own. “Thank you,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “You have no idea what this means to me.”

As their eyes met, a spark of something more passed between them, full of promise and possibility. He had no idea what the future might hold, and he knew better than to hope for too much, but for so long, Isabella's desertion had brought his life to a standstill. His anger with Isabella for taking their daughter had eclipsed everything else, but he couldn’t help feeling as though she had ruined every chance of happiness he might ever have had with her selfishness. And even from the grave, she’d managed to ruin his budding relationship with Lavender.

He cleared his throat, knowing all that needed to take a backseat to this trip to Spain. But if he could possibly kill two birds with one stone... “Do you think your friends will still watch Daisy?” he asked, trying to focus on the matter at hand.

She nodded quickly. “I am certain they won’t mind. Eden loves dogs, so I am sure she’ll volunteer.”

“Thank you,” he said again, a huge weight lifting from his shoulders at the thought of his beloved dog being well taken care of. Even more so that Lavender would be coming with him.

“When do you want to leave?” she asked, coming around the desk and squeezing his shoulder.

He placed his hand over hers, glad for the comfort her touch provided. Bloody hell, how he would love to simply stretch out on the sofa and put his head in her lap, letting her soothe all his pain and heartache away with that gentle touch of hers. He would like to fall asleep there and wake with a clear head for the first time in weeks. “I would like to go as soon as possible. I was thinking within the next few days.”

She nodded, though her eyes widened. “I can be ready,” she assured him. “I know you don’t want to waste even one more day.”

“Whenever I think of Miranda... in a damn orphanage! She probably thinks I don’t care about her. She must be so alone...” His voice cracked, and he shook his head. “I don’t know what Isabella was thinking.”

She embraced him from behind, pressing her face against his back. “I don’t either. It was a terrible thing to do to her own daughter, especially if she did it just to spite you.”

He tamped down the rage still coiled within him, knowing it was pointless to give in to it no matter how much he might want to. It didn’t matter why she’d done it. All that mattered was getting his daughter back.

“Is there anything in particular I should bring?” she asked when he didn’t reply.

He cleared his throat. “We will probably be gone for at least a week. Longer if... there’s some trouble either in finding her or bringing her home. And I imagine it will be quite warm in Barcelona at this time of year.”

“Barcelona,” she murmured softly, her breath tickling his skin through his shirt, sending a bolt of heat straight to his cock. “I can’t believe I'll be in Barcelona in just a few days.”

“And Paris,” he said, his anger momentarily abating at the sense of wonder in her tone and the sweet heat swelling within him.

“Paris,” she said with a soft laugh, pulling away and shaking her head. “What an adventure!”

He knew he wouldn’t be able to enjoy the journey nearly as much as she would, not with all the unanswered questions and the looming thought that Miranda might hate him, but he was incredibly glad she’d be coming with him. For the first time in longer than he could remember, he wouldn’t be alone.

And hopefully, by this time next week, Miranda would be back home with him where she belonged.

L avender’s heart raced as she made her way to Willoughby Hall’s drawing room, her mind still reeling from her decision to accompany Kendrick to Spain. The gravity of her choice weighed heavily upon her, a mix of exhilaration and trepidation coursing through her veins.

As she entered the room, her friends’ chatter ceased, and their eyes turned to her with curiosity. “You look flustered,” Genevieve said, looking up from her embroidery with a frown. “Have you been over at Mr. Wycliffe’s house again?”

Lavender took a deep breath, fidgeting with the lace on her sleeve. “I... I have news,” she began, her voice quavering slightly. “I am going to Spain.”

Genevieve’s brow furrowed immediately, concern etching deep lines across her forehead. “Spain? Did that man ask you to go with him to get his daughter?” She shook her head. “I’m already regretting getting involved.”

“No good deed goes unpunished,” Daphne agreed flippantly, but her blue eyes were also concerned.

Lavender’s cheeks flushed as she explained, “Miranda is just a child. She probably doesn’t even remember him. She could use a motherly figure to look over her as they get to know each other again.”

“Oh, Lavender,” Genevieve sighed, her eyes clouding with worry. “Are you certain this is wise? It is a long journey, and you barely know the man.”

Eden, always her champion, placed a comforting hand on Lavender’s arm. “Perhaps this is exactly what Lavender needs,” she offered gently. “A chance for a new adventure, to spread her wings.”

Lavender felt a surge of gratitude toward Eden, her words bolstering her resolve. “I know it seems impulsive,” she admitted, “but I feel... I feel as though this is something I must do.”

Daphne suddenly broke into a mischievous grin. She sauntered over to Lavender, giving her a conspiratorial wink. “Well, I say you should enjoy every moment of the journey, my dear,” she purred. “Who knows what... opportunities might arise?”

The heat in Lavender’s cheeks intensified. “It’s not like that,” she protested weakly, though a part of her was thrilled at the possibility of finally making their relationship physical. She had loved the few moments of passion they’d shared on the cliff that day. And he had been a widow all along, just like her. Why shouldn’t they be together in that way? If they both wanted it and no one got hurt? “Also, would it be all right if his sweet spaniel Daisy stays here while we’re gone?”

Genevieve laughed and shrugged her shoulders. “Why not?”

“Thank you,” Lavender said with relief. She knew how much it meant to him that Daisy be well cared for while they were gone.

As her friends continued to discuss the impending journey, Lavender’s thoughts drifted. Was she truly ready for such an adventure? And what did it mean for her future, for her heart? Could she separate her passion for him from her poor, wounded heart? Was she strong enough to have the sort of no-strings-attached fling with him that Daphne was referring to? She didn’t know if she was the sort of person who could take a lover and not fall madly in love with him. Truth be told, she feared she might have already fallen. How else to explain the sorrow she’d felt during the last few weeks without him?

L ater that night, Lavender stood in the center of her bedroom, her gaze tracing her open portmanteau as if it were a portal to an unknown world. In a way, it was. She had never left England, never been more than a few hours outside London, if truth be told.

The soft morning light spilled through the window, casting a golden glow on the pile of clothing she had set aside for her journey. Each garment was chosen with care: modest enough not to draw unwanted attention but sturdy enough to withstand the rigors of travel. A sensible hat, a shawl for the cool Spanish evenings, and gloves lay atop the growing pile.

With each fold, a quiet determination to make the most of this opportunity she had been given settled into Lavender’s bones. She packed not only clothing but also practical necessities—a small sewing kit, some writing supplies, her journal, and her sketchbook to capture everything she saw along the way. She wanted to be prepared for every eventuality.

Although she knew Genevieve wasn’t too happy about her going to Spain with Kendrick, she’d pressed a hundred pounds into her hand after the other women had left the room. “Just in case something happens along the way, and you need to come back on your own.”

Lavender had tried to give the money back, but Genevieve would not hear of it. In the end, Lavender had kept it, extremely grateful to have an emergency fund if she needed it. She trusted Kendrick, but she would be foolish to leave the country without a backup plan.

Biting her lip, she put the money in a small hidden pocket of her silk reticule. She’d make certain not to let it out of her sight.

She lingered over the trousers but in the end, she put them back in a drawer. As much as she wanted the comfort they would provide, she knew that she couldn’t do anything to jeopardize her reputation during her travels with Kendrick. Her status as a widow could only protect her to a certain extent. Plus, she needed to set a good example for Miranda.

Miranda... She envisioned a lovely little waif with Kendrick’s dark hair and eyes. Her heart was already filled with love with the girl, and she couldn’t wait to meet her and shower her with affection. She hated the thought of Kendrick’s child languishing in some horrid orphanage all this time when she could have been frolicking with Daisy along the beach at Seacrest.

When she’d finally finished packing, she sank into the chair near the empty fireplace, reflecting on the magnitude of what lay ahead. Spain was so far removed from the demure gardens and hushed drawing rooms she knew. Yet, even amidst the swirling apprehension, an undercurrent of excitement simmered. She had never done anything so daring. All her girlhood dreams of travel and adventure seemed to finally be coming true.

The fact that Kendrick had asked her to come with him had to mean something. She had to believe he cared for her at least a little bit.

She didn’t know what the journey might bring, but once again, she dared to hope that the future might hold more for her than years of loneliness and yearning.