Chapter 33
THIRTY-THREE
I n the morning, after a visit to the local cobbler to fit them into new shoes, Kent and Mo boarded a post-chaise that would take them to Stubbington. Kent’s letter to his father was delivered last night, and therefore the earl should expect them once they arrive. Before the carriage door closed, Kent thanked Mrs Robinson again for everything, and promised to send her reimbursement for troubling her, but she brushed that all away. She was happy to offer her hospitality.
“It’s not every day you hear an extravagant tale like that! And the opportunity to help such a handsome noble like you, my lord, what lady would say no?”
Kent felt his cheeks warm as Mo chuckled, sitting next to him in the carriage. “Thank you again, Mrs Robinson.”
“You’re very welcome, my lord. Safe travels!”
The door closed, and the two went on their way. They were a good three days away from home, and Kent felt guilty that Mo’s first experience in a carriage would be such a long and grueling one. But Mo said he didn’t mind; he liked the further opportunity to sit and rest, especially in such close proximity to Kent the entire time. Mo looked out the window for most of the journey, eager to witness the sights and sounds of the human realm. Kent promised him that they’d explore more soon. He wanted to show him everything and experience the world with his precious fish out of water.
They’d stopped at another public house that night, making sure to eat their fill when there whilst they could, then carried on their journey the next day. The carriage had to stop a few times for the driver to tend to the two horses, letting them rest and eat as well, but they kept moving throughout the day as much as possible until they reached the next town and their final night at another public house, their last stop before reaching Stubbington.
Sooner than Kent anticipated, the post-chaise rolled up to the grounds of Fareham House. The driver opened the door for them and led them out, and Kent had to hold himself back from breaking into a sprint walking down the path of the front gardens, excitement running in his veins that he was finally home. Instead, he strutted a comfortable pace alongside Mo, arm in arm—with the excuse that Mo was injured from swimming and needed stability—and they walked up the steps of the front porch.
The door was opened by his father’s butler. He hung his mouth open in silence—before he shook his head, composing himself.
“Forgive me, Lord Fareham, I shouldn’t act in such a way when we were expecting you. I simply was surprised—I’ve never seen you with a beard, and almost didn’t recognize you, my lord. Welcome back, and welcome to your friend as well.”
Kent chuckled, “All is forgiven, thank you.”
They didn’t even have a chance to leave the entry foyer before his father, and Katherine too, raced down the main hall and met them with frantic, excited expressions.
“Kent!” Herbert panted, adjusting the loose strands of his periwig. “When I received your letter, I almost couldn’t believe what I’d read! Yet here you are—this must be Maurice Richards with you, then.”
Katherine gave them an impish smile as Mo responded, “Y-yes, that would be me.”
“Captured by pirates, both of you!” his father exclaimed. “Well, I cannot even describe to you how relieved I am that you are back here alive. Please, let’s have a seat, make yourselves comfortable.”
Kent didn’t mention in his letter the ransom plot he’d schemed, keeping it simple and only relaying the main points. He figured he could explain that all later, once they’d settled in and the adrenaline of everything fizzled out. The last thing he wanted to hear was animosity from his father during their first encounter back. Kent had already told Mo of this plan to withhold that information when they were at the first public house, and Mo easily understood.
The four of them went to the drawing room and talked more near the fireplace. Kent explained more in depth than he did in his letter of how he and ‘Maurice’ had made their daring escape from the pirate ship as it sank, how Maurice needed a place to stay, and hoped that Herbert didn’t mind him living with them. The earl had no qualms with Kent wishing to help a friend, and accepted Maurice’s presence easily. Kent was overjoyed; he knew that when it came down to it, his father was never truly a cruel man. Whatever disagreements they’d had in the past could be set aside—none of that mattered when the wellbeing of Kent and his friends and family came first.
The earl excused himself as he had business he needed to attend to, and left the three of them alone. Kent suggested they all actually head up to his study, thinking it best if they had privacy when catching up, with how he didn’t need to withhold the truth from his sister. They walked upstairs, Kent assisting Mo with every step he climbed.
There were only two chairs in his modestly small study, and he offered them both to Katherine and Mo as he remained standing and locked the door. Katherine pulled out Kent’s desk chair, while Mo plopped into the spare armchair. Mo took his necklace with the sea crystal out from his frock coat pocket and set it on the desk, assisting in lighting the room with the waning afternoon sun through the window, as Kent lit a candle.
“Ah, finally!” Katherine grinned. “I can speak without worry now. When I read your letter, I knew exactly who you meant when you said ‘Maurice Richards’. Who else could it be—who else would you be bringing home other than your handsome merman lover?” She gave Mo a smirk.
“Not quite a merman anymore,” said Mo. “Well, let me be more specific. I suppose I’m still a merman by blood, and could regain my previous form if I wished, but now I have a human body.”
“How did it happen?” asked Katherine. “Last time we’d spoken, you had no idea how to make the change.”
“It required a deep connection within ourselves,” said Kent, and then he gazed into Mo’s eyes with a smile. “Needless to say, we fell in love. And our love was what connected us to make the shift happen.”
Mo smiled back at him. “Yes. Now, I can live on land with you all. I’ve always wished to live among humans, even when I was little, so this is my biggest wish come true.”
Katherine put one hand over her bosom and fanned her face with the other. “You’re going to make my teeth rot with how sweet you are. So, Mo—or should I say Maurice —how is it having legs? It must feel so strange when you were used to having a tail all your life.”
Mo chuckled. “It is strange, and there’s this lingering pain I feel, especially if I exert myself too much. But I’m getting used to it. Just an adjustment I have to make, and I’m more than willing.”
“Of course.” Katherine nodded. “Then the whole story of how you swam away from the pirate ship. What happened? What’s the real story there? Maurice wasn’t already a human then, was he?”
“You can still call me Mo, if you’d prefer,” said Mo, and then he looked at Kent. They’d discussed on the way here that since Katherine already knew so much, it was only fair to tell her the entire truth. “Shall I tell her or would you like to?”
“I’ll do it.” Kent gulped, then focused his gaze on his sister. “Mo was still a merman, and used the Siren’s Song to sink the pirate ship. We fell into the water, and he swam us both to shore.”
“Wait. Wait, wait, wait.” Katherine jerked her head toward Mo. “The Siren’s Song ? Are you telling me this man here is a siren ? A vicious killer of the seas, and you just brought him here to live with us?!”
Mo’s jaw hung open, absolutely speechless, and Kent had to step in. He waved his hands frantically and it snapped his sister’s attention back on him. “Yes, he’s a siren, but do not fret! He used the Song to save me. Those pirates were… they were being absolutely horrible to me, violating me. They’d also restrained Mo, so singing the Song was the only thing he could do to stop them. You must understand how much I appreciate him saving my life. Mo promised not to use his power again unless he absolutely had to. I believe him most certainly, and I ask that you will too, Kathy.”
His sister’s brows shot up high on her forehead, lips parted in surprise. “Oh, oh Kent…” She swallowed, then licked her lips. “I’m sorry. Kent, I’m so sorry that happened to you. This information just comes as a shock, you know. With every story I’ve heard of sirens, how cruel they are, you wouldn’t think—I mean, Mo seems so kind! And he is, of course. He did save your life. Oh, I’m making a fool of myself.”
“No, please, you are fine.” Kent leant over and put a hand on his sister’s shoulder. “I was shocked by it all, too. But please trust me, to know you can trust Mo as well. Why else would he become human and come here with me if we didn’t love and trust each other with all our hearts?” He looked at Mo, giving him a reassuring smile, and he saw how Mo’s shoulders slumped in relief.
Kent pulled his hand away. And then, Katherine sighed, shaking her head. She smiled as well. “I see. Yes, you’re right.”
“Kent speaks the truth: I promise to not use the Song again,” said Mo, addressing Katherine. “Not unless I have to, if any of you need my protection. But then again, I’m unsure if I can even use the Song at all whilst in human form, so… there’s that.”
“I see, I see.” Katherine nodded. “I apologize, I believe you. Thank you for trusting me with this, as it is a rather important secret.”
“You’re welcome, and you’re fine,” said Mo.
“Of course,” said Kent.
Katherine covered her mouth as she giggled, then looked at Kent. “So now, Mo is going to be staying here indefinitely. And—I’d actually thought of an idea, since I knew that a merman wouldn’t have any prospects for a human job right away, you know. When you’d left for your trip on The Sterling Mer , Turner left for work elsewhere, leaving you without a valet whenever you’d return home. I wasn’t sure if you’d hire someone new once you came back, but now that Mo is here…”
A light flickered in Kent’s head. “Oh, I see what you’re getting at. Well, all right, Mo,” he said, “So, I used to have someone work for me as a personal servant. Now, I understand if you wouldn’t want to work in a servant’s position, but?—”
“Kent, as your most beloved, I already devote my entire life to serving you.” Mo reached for Kent’s hand and took it in his. “So doing it as a paid job is only a bonus. I would love to work for you.”
Kent’s heart soared at Mo’s wonderful words. “I still would love to see you try painting, so even if you do work for me, please, don’t give up that passion.”
Mo smiled so sweetly. “Oh no, I would never give that up.”