Chapter 69
Three days later
Tallyrand Hepburn, second son of the third Earl St. Lucy, wasn’t buried at King’s Head cemetery with his ancestors, but in the graveyard beside the St. Lucy church.
Cam knew this decision broke Vereker’s heart, but there was really no choice, Tally’s betrayal was too great.
There were many in attendance, for all had known Tally, and now the townspeople stood silent and still at the grave site, a solid wall of support for Vereker and his family.
If gossip and speculation were rife, they didn’t hear it that day.
All King’s Head staff and tenant farmers stood behind the family, all in somber black.
Graham pressed Cam closer to his side, protecting her against the stiff winds that blew in from the Channel.
He whispered against her ear, “Despite our letters to your father and to Ryder, I know they will come. Actually, I expected them to be here sooner.” He paused, said, “I hope Ryder is able to come. I-I need him.”
She squeezed his gloved hand, leaned up and breathed in the clean, sweet scent of her husband, and realized she too wanted her father to be here, knew she needed him. “They’ll come, you’ll see. Will we have to tell my father about my sleeping for three days?”
“He will hear all about that, count on it, so no choice.” He paused. “I imagine he will want to see the wound over your temple, just to make sure you’re all right again.”
Toward the end of the service, both Lord Whitsonby and Ryder Sherbrooke arrived together and moved through the crowd to stand beside Cam and Graham.
When her father’s arm came around her, Cam leaned into him, felt his warmth, his love.
She felt immense gratitude for him, always there for her.
She saw Ryder Sherbrooke stood close to Graham, his hand on his shoulder.
Both men were rocks. She saw Vereker nod to them.
And somehow, their presence lessened the bite of the bitter winds that blew through the graveyard. If Vicar Piercebridge’s words didn’t comfort, though he tried, they at least put an end to it.
Her father did indeed examine the wound over her temple.