Chapter Seventeen
An hour later
Bellwood stables
“Gerald, are you sure you have to leave?”
Selena asked. She had a bad feeling and couldn’t shake it. The back of her neck prickled—something that always seemed to foretell bad luck.
The two of them were standing in front of Hermes’ stall. The horse was already saddled and waiting.
“Aphrodite might be upset that you aren’t taking her,”
she said, hoping to lighten the conversation.
“It was a hard decision, but Hermes needs to stretch his legs, and I won’t be here for several days.”
He leaned down and kissed her lightly. “Selena, you have to promise me something.”
“Anything…what do you want me to promise you?”
She tried to be positive but couldn’t shake the feeling something would go wrong. Selena had the urge to pull him close, but her mother and Connery were standing behind her, talking. She didn’t want to embarrass Gerald.
“I want you to promise me you won’t ride Azure without two footmen with you. I’d rather you let Joshua exercise Azure while I’m gone. It will just be for a few days. And please don’t go anywhere on the estate grounds without an escort.”
She was very familiar with how long it took to get here from Rose Point. She had ridden for almost two days…freezing and in the rain. She opened her mouth to say something, but closed it, not wanting to sound like a shrew.
“You will be all right, love. We won’t be gone too long,”
he said, pulling her close. “My father will be here, as will Connery. We are taking two of the security details that Wright and Banbury hired, but that will still leave you with plenty of security here—men we’ve hired and those that Wright brought. Plus, from my understanding, the Prince Regent has another security detail on its way from London. They should be checking in here, soon.”
“I’ll be here, too, Lord Lawrence,”
Ben said, coming out of a nearby stall with Dutch right behind him. “I’ll be here protecting your home and the people here.”
The dog barked and Gerald laughed.
“Dutch! You rascal. I know you will be here, too!”
Selena said, laughing. “He’s been very protective of me.”
“Take care of Selena for me, Dutch. I’ll be back soon, boy,”
Gerald said, reaching down and petting the large white dog.
Dutch gave his hand a lick.
“Aye. Dutch is a warrior through and through,”
Connery chuckled.
“Mrs. McDonald and my wife packed some food for your journey, Ben said. “I secured it in the small satchels next to your canteens.”
“That was very thoughtful of them. Thank you,”
Gerald said.
“I think we’re ready to go,”
Wright said.
The men trotted out of the stable and headed for the main road. Gerald lagged behind and turned on his mount.
His eyes met hers and Selena’s breath hitched as she worried about his safety and the others. But couldn’t help the growing feeling that something might go wrong. She stood with Dutch, Connery, her mother, and Ben, and watched the five men ride off. It took everything inside for her not to run after Gerald and beg him not to leave, to stay with her. She knew that wasn’t the kind of man Gerald was. He was honor-bound to find Vern and Grom and bring them to justice. A small tug on her dress caught her attention. Dutch looked up at her, smiling and giving her a gentle reminder of his presence.
“I know you are here, sweet boy. It’ll be all right.”
I’m just a little sad and scared. The hair on the back of her neck prickled again. Each time she felt it, she glanced behind her…but there was nothing there. Was it her instinct or was she overreacting? It wasn’t surprising that she couldn’t trust her own instincts given all that had happened of late.
She recalled that Diana and Lady Bellecote were eager to decorate the manor before Christmas. That would certainly keep her mind occupied while the men were gone. She would be able to count on her mother and Maggie—and Gabby as well.
As she watched her mother drift off towards the gazebo with Connery—her mind turned back to the picnic she and Gerald had shared there, only days ago. It was the most special day she could remember ever having. So romantic. And Gerald had made it special for her. She had thought to go there herself, but not after realizing that it was her mother and Connery’s destination.
Selena loved both of her parents, but her father had been much older than her mother, and towards the end of his life, he had been ill most of the time. Even so, she had never thought about her mother finding someone else after her father’s passing. Connery made her mother smile. Selena wondered if something was blossoming between them, but if there was, she would be happy for her mother. Her mother deserved to be happy.
Focused on keeping herself busy, she thought about the baskets she had been working on with Diana. They were almost finished with the Christmas baskets for the tenant farmers, but surely Diana and Lady Bellecote would have other ideas about decorating for the holidays. Selena had a few ideas as well, but she didn’t want to overstep. She was Gerald’s betrothed, but she was not the lady of the manor yet. She would defer to Gerald’s mother and Diana and offer up a suggestion here or there. The point was she wanted to keep her mind occupied. Anything to keep her busy and keep her from dwelling on her worries and her fears. If she allowed that, she would not be able to function.
Walking into the house, she decided to seek out Diana. It was late morning and she thought Diana might be with the babies. She did not know Diana very well, but she had liked her immediately. And those babies were adorable. Selena liked everyone in Gerald’s family. Gabby especially, who reminded her of herself at that age. Lost in thought, she almost bumped into her maid. “Anna, have you seen Diana? I thought I’d see if she’s up for company.”
“Aye miss. The marchioness is in the nursery with her sister and with the wee ones. She mentioned it was feeding time. I just brought her a tray, so she doesn’t get too hungry herself.”
Selena made her way to the nursery and tapped on the door. One of the babies was already asleep in Gabby’s lap, while Diana fed the other.
“Hello, Selena. Join us.”
Diana gave her a welcoming smile as she shifted the baby to her shoulder to burp him. “He’s got a healthy appetite, just like his daddy.”
“You mean he burps like his daddy,”
Gabby said mischievously.
Selena laughed, although she hadn’t thought Lord Banbury ate any more than the other men.
“You seem preoccupied, Selena,”
Diana said as if reading Selena’s thoughts. She reached out and gave Selena’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Don’t worry about Gerald. My brother is not only brave and strong, he’s clever and very resourceful—and when he promises something, he always keeps his promises.”
“That’s true, Selena,”
chimed in Gabby. “Gerald’s been in tough spots before. But he also has Christopher and Wright by his side too.”
“Perhaps I am worrying needlessly. I’ve spent so much time with him lately, that it’s hard to think of him away from Bellwood and possibly in danger.”
She fought back tears that had begun to form. “It’s just that…that I know how cruel and evil Vern is, and he won’t hesitate to kill. He was so arrogant when he thought he’d killed my mother. If not for Maggie and Ben, she probably would have died.” Selena swiped at the tears that were trickling down her cheeks. “It’s just that after all these years, Gerald and I are finally getting to know each other, and I fear that something will happen to change that…”
“Come sit beside me,”
Diana said in a gentle voice. I want to tell you something about Gerald. “You already know Gerald as a very caring person, but perhaps this story might help you know his character even more.” Diana shifted and settled down with the baby once again comfortable at her breast. “I don’t know if you know this, but when Christopher and I met, I had been left blind from a terrible carriage accident.”
Selena gasped. “No, I had no idea, my lady.”
“Please, call me Diana, we are going to be family.”
Selena gave her a tremulous smile.
“It was at the end of my first London Season, and I felt so isolated after the accident. I didn’t want to participate in the following Season but did it to make my mother happy.”
She smiled. “I’m afraid I kept company with the wallflowers. Yet, it was when I met Christopher, but I’ve digressed somewhat.”
“But your sight returned.”
Selena said.
“Yes, it did. But that is rather a long story. I’ll share it with you another time. But what I wanted to tell you about is Gerald and how dedicated he was to me during the most traumatic time of my life. I have a horse—Bandit— that I adore…just as you adore Azure. And when I became blind, I could no longer ride my horse, which was the worst thing I suffered from my accident. Bandit was my very best friend and I missed him terribly.
Unbeknownst to me, Gerald took it upon himself to see that Bandit was exercised regularly—and Gerald rode him. He didn’t relegate it to a footman or ostler. Not only did he ride Bandit, but when I came to London the following Season, he brought Bandit here to Bellwood to care for him. You see, Bandit was the first birth that I witnessed, and I raised him. Not being able to see him—or be part of his everyday existence was horrible for the two of us. Gerald, sent me updates on Bandit, telling me everything about his daily life here while was recovering. He described everything in such detail that I felt as though I had been there to witness everything. And that is the kind of man Gerald is. I don’t think I could have gotten through that very dark period if it hadn’t been for Gerald.”
“Oh Diana, I don’t know what to say.”
Selena blinked back her tears. “Thank you for sharing your story with me. And am so glad you are recovered and happy with Lord Bambury and your two lovely babies. “Gerald and Connery took good care of Azure as well when I was ill after my accident. Gerald took good care of me as well. I don’t know what I would have done without his strength.”
“And I can tell Gerald’s got his head in a spin over you, Selena,”
Gabby quipped. Whenever you walk into a room, he forgets we’re all there.”
Selena felt her cheeks suffuse with heat.
“Gabby!”
Diana gently scolded her younger sister. “You’re making Selena blush.”
“But it’s true!”
Gabby said.
“Although I heartily agree with my sister,”
Diana said rolling her eyes at Gabby, “I also know that Gerald will do everything in his power to catch those horrible men and make sure you are safe and protected.”
Selena watched as Diana rocked the baby and wondered how many children, she and Gerald might have one day.
As if reading her thoughts, Diana piped in. “Gerald has always been the best brother, and he is a wonderful uncle. He will make a very loving father, Selena. Oh, of course, he’s sowed his wild oats and strayed at times from what Father wanted him to do, but he’s always been the caring and protective sort. When we were young, he knew how much I wanted to learn to ride. And having a brother like Gerald, who rode all the time, I wanted to be like him—and ride like him, which to me seemed effortless and carefree. It’s so much less restrained than the way women must ride. I hated the way my riding instructors insisted I ride. It was my brother who taught me to ride my horse, Bandit—Gerald taught me to ride astride.”
“Really? Gerald taught you?”
Selena asked, smiling now. “I love to ride astride, as well. That’s why Gerald thought I was a young boy when I first arrived here. I borrowed clothing so I could ride astride and left my dresses at Rose Point.”
“Yes, exactly! And he found the clothes for me to wear—and made me swear I’d keep them hidden when I wasn’t using them,”
Diana said. “Gerald never told anyone of our lessons. My horse and I are very close, and I’ve always believed it was Gerald who helped me achieve that relationship. When he decides to do something, he doesn’t do it halfway and he protects those he loves. It’s a full commitment to do it right. Take this place.”
Diana waved dismissively around the room. “This estate was in a state of total ruination. He and Connery did much of the work—at least in the beginning. He appears very Corinthian, with those broad shoulders and the muscles.”
Diana gave a mischievous laugh. “Christopher must have seen my shock when I noticed my brother’s new appearance because he told me he planned to buy an ax and chop all the firewood for the country estate.”
Selena snorted and laughter filled the air.
“Seriously, I know you are worried, but they will be back. Christopher said they thought Prinny’s men would be ahead of them and anticipated his men may have the situation well in hand by the time they arrived. Gerald’s been in difficult situations. He can take care of himself. As can Christopher and Wright.”
Believing Diana might think her strange, she decided not to share the weird prickly feeling she had, even though it usually served as a warning for her. Instead, she forced a smile.
They spent the next hour talking about the babies and the outfits that Diana and her mother were making for Christmas. Selena found herself fantasizing about the children she might have one day with Gerald. The time with Diana and Gabby was proving to be the diversion she needed, and she found herself laughing and enjoying the funny antics Gabby shared about herself and Gerald.
She silently prayed that Gerald and the other men returned safely…with Vern and Grom in shackles.