A Refuge at Highland Hall (3 page)

She met his gaze, taking in his handsome features. “We've been baking nonstop for two days.”

He took a lemon scone. “It all looks delicious.”

“Thank you.” She picked up a cup of tea and followed Jon and Kate to a round table in the center of the tent. Alex sat down across from her.

While the band music continued in the background, the men discussed the latest news from France. Penny sipped her tea and listened to their conversation. Alex seemed well informed and showed an impressive ability to assess the situation and suggest what might happen next.

Kate looked over at Alex. “I hope you'll come to dinner one evening before you return to your training.”

His eyes lit up, but then he gave his head a slight shake. “That's very kind, but I wouldn't want to trouble you.”

“It wouldn't be any trouble at all.” She darted a glance at her husband, then looked back at Alex. “We'd love to have you join us, wouldn't we, Jon?”

“Yes, that's a splendid idea.” Jon set his teacup on the table. “I'm sorry I didn't extend the invitation myself.”

Penny leaned forward. “Oh, I do hope you'll come. I'd love to hear more about your life in India. It must have been thrilling to grow up in such an exotic place.”

Kate sent her a surprised look.

Cheeks warming, Penny added, “I know the children would be delighted to meet a real pilot.” She paused for a moment, thinking of the lively conversations they had around their busy dinner table. “I'm afraid the children will ask you so many questions you may not have time to eat your meal.”

Alex turned to Kate. “How many children do you have?”

“Eight,” Kate said with a slight smile.

Alex blinked, and his mouth dropped open. “Eight?”

“Yes, five girls and three boys. Their ages are four to fifteen.” Kate's eyes twinkled with a merry light as she reported those facts.

Penny ducked her head to hide her smile.

“Come on, now.” Jon lifted his hand. “We shouldn't tease Alex with only half the story.”

“And why not?” Kate's dimples danced. “He seems to enjoy it.”

Alex laughed, and they all joined in. “I do like a good joke or a challenging riddle, but I must confess this one has me stumped. You two seem much too young to be the parents of eight children.”

“The truth is, Kate and I are expecting our first child in early October, but for the last two years we've opened our home to children who have no family to care for them.”

“So the children are orphans?”

Jon nodded. “Most are, but some were abandoned by their parents and ended up living on the street.”

Alex's dark brows dipped, his shadowed gaze fixed on Jon.

“We're connected with a ministry in the East End called Daystar Clinic and Children's Center. I started working at the clinic during my last year of medical school. We took in our first child just a few months after we were married.” Jon nodded toward a girl standing behind the serving table. “Lucy is fifteen now, and she's growing into a fine young woman. After Lucy, we took in three orphaned siblings we met through our work at the clinic. Jack is fourteen, Rose is ten, and Susan is six. The other children came over the next year, and now we have eight.”

Alex sent Kate an appreciative look. “That sounds like quite an undertaking, managing eight children and running your household.”

Kate laid her napkin on the table, her smile revealing her pleasure with his compliment. “I don't do it alone. We have two women who live in, as well as a very competent cook. But with Jon working such long hours at the hospital, I needed more help.” She reached over and laid her hand on Penny's. “So I wrote to my sister and asked her to come to London. She's wonderful with the children. I don't know how I ever managed without her.”

Penny glanced down, a bit embarrassed by her sister's praise. “You and Jon have done a remarkable job. I've been very glad to help.”

Alex shifted his focus to Penny. “Where is your home?”

“Highland Hall, near Fulton, in Berkshire.” Her throat tightened as memories of her family's country estate flashed through her mind. Both her parents had passed away, and her cousin William and his wife, Julia, oversaw Highland now, but she would always consider it home.

“I've never been to Berkshire, but I hear it's quite nice.”

“Oh, it is. Rolling hills, quaint villages, lovely countryside.” She sighed and glanced across the lawn, the vision of Highland Hall fading.

“It sounds like you're missing home.” His voice softened.

Penny glanced back at Alex. “I do miss my family and friends there, but I'm glad to be in London to help Jon and Kate.”

The distant church bell chimed the four o'clock hour.

Kate sent a hesitant glance toward the serving tables. “I should go see if there's anything else I can do to help.”

Penny rose and reached for her plate. “There's no need. I'll go.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Stay and enjoy your tea.” She glanced at Alex, and his twinkling eyes made her feel a bit daring. “And perhaps you can convince Lieutenant Goodwin to accept our invitation to dinner.”

Alex's smile spread wider. “It's Alex, remember?”

“Yes, of course.”

“And I'd be very happy to join you.” His gaze remained on Penny as he replied.

Penny's stomach fluttered, and she shifted her gaze to his empty plate. “Can I get you anything else? More lemonade or sandwiches?”

“Thank you, but I think I've had more than my share.”

“All right, then. It was very nice to meet you.” Penny turned and started across the tent. Was he watching her? Had she made a good impression?

The memory of her disappointment with Theo came flooding back, sending a warning to her heart. It wouldn't be wise to let her imagination run away with her, to make too much of her encounter with Alex. He was a handsome, charming man who might join the family for dinner one night, but he was on his way to war—and she might never see him after that.

Still, she couldn't help looking over her shoulder and sending him one last smile.

Alex's gaze followed Penny as she crossed the tent and joined the other women preparing to serve the soldiers. He couldn't help admiring her shining blue eyes, wavy auburn hair, and warm smile. Those faint freckles dusting her nose reminded him of cinnamon sprinkled over an apple tart—sweet and delicious.

He looked away.
Hang on, old man. Best take charge of your thoughts.
It was all right to appreciate Penny's beauty and sweetness, but that was as far as he should let it go. A pilot in training with the RNAS had to stay focused. His life depended on it. Getting involved with a woman at this point in his career, even one as appealing as Penny Ramsey, could be a dangerous distraction.

Besides, he had other reasons to put off romance. His jaw tensed and he looked away, trying to banish thoughts of his parents' failed marriage and the painful path their choices had forced him to walk.

He would not make those same mistakes.

But as the soldiers filed past the serving tables, filling their plates, he glanced at Penny again. She stood behind the table, offering each man a smile as she handed him a glass of lemonade or a cup of tea.

Someday he would think about winning a young woman's heart and finding a place to call home. He gave his head a bit of a shake, then he shifted his gaze away from Penny. A sweetheart, a home, and a family…such dreams had to wait. First he must earn his wings and do his part to win this war.

Jon finished his last sandwich and pushed his plate aside. “So, Alex, what happens after you finish your training?”

“I may be stationed on the coast, but I hope they'll send me to France. That's where I'd see the most action.”

Kate rubbed her arms as though trying to banish a chill. “You're certainly brave to want to fly in France.”

Alex grinned again. “Brave or foolish.”

Jon's expression sobered, and he leaned back in his chair. “I've treated a few pilots and heard their stories. Flying with the RNAS sounds like a rather risky assignment.”

“It can be, but the country that rules the air will be the one that wins the war. I want to do all I can to see Britain come out on top.”

A shadow seemed to touch Kate's eyes.

Alex laid his napkin on the table and considered his words. He didn't want to upset Kate, especially in her condition. This was not the time to tell Jon the gruesome stories relayed by his flight instructor or that the life expectancy of pilots on active duty with the RNAS was only three to six weeks.

But his flight instructor said he was a natural aviator. With a few more weeks' practice, he would be a skilled pilot, ready to use everything he'd learned in his training at Upavon, and in India at his father's side, to beat the Germans and keep Britain safe and secure. Then he'd come home and carve out a life for himself—one that would honor his father's memory.

Jon's tone grew more serious. “I know you'll do your duty, but I hope you'll be sensible and not take any unnecessary risks.”

Stories Alex had read in the newspaper and heard from the officers at Upavon flashed through his mind. “If we're going to win this war, it will take brave men who are willing to go above and beyond their duty to defeat the Germans.”

“Of course, and I've no doubt you are one of the bravest…Just don't do anything foolhardy. You have your whole life ahead of you.”

“Don't worry. I'll be fine. I intend to beat the odds and come home in one piece.” He picked up his glass of lemonade as a slight tremor reached his fingers.

He wasn't afraid to go into battle. He'd always been known for his nerve and daring. But he would be a fool not to realize the danger that awaited him.

Soft, feminine laughter rang out from the other side of the tent. Alex looked up and spotted Penny as she engaged one of the soldiers in conversation. Her dancing eyes and carefree smile stirred a longing in his heart.

He swallowed hard and looked away. He had a duty to perform and a promise to keep. And he wouldn't let anything stand in his way…even his own traitorous heart.

Lydia Chambers released a weary sigh and carried two heavy bags of soiled tablecloths up the front walk of the Fosters' home in Kensington. Dr. Jon walked ahead of her with his wife, Mrs. Kate. Miss Penny lifted her skirt a few inches and followed them up the front steps.

It had been a long day at the zoo. Lydia's shoulders ached and her feet were sore, but that was a small price to pay to show those wounded soldiers how grateful everyone was for their brave sacrifices.

Fifteen-year-old Lucy Wallingford walked beside Lydia, lugging a similar load of tablecloths. “I didn't think we'd be out this late.”

Lydia glanced up at the fading sunset. “Cleaning up the tea tent took longer than we expected.”

Lucy climbed the front steps. “I hope Mrs. Murdock saved us some dinner.”

“Oh, I'm sure she did.”

Jon opened the front door and stood back. “After you, ladies.” He smiled, but even he looked a bit weary from their outing. And it was no wonder. He kept long hours at the hospital, doing rounds, performing surgeries—trying to put wounded men back together. Then he had to watch over his wife, who was expecting their first baby, and keep an eye on all the children they'd taken into their home. It was a good thing he was a God-fearing man, or she wasn't sure how he'd find the strength to do it all.

They stepped into the cool entry hall, and Kate turned to Lydia. “Would you let Mrs. Murdock know we're home and tell her we'll be ready for dinner in twenty minutes.”

Lydia shifted the weight of the bags. “Yes, ma'am.”

Jon frowned slightly and glanced at the bags. “Would you like me to take those down to the laundry room for you?”

“No, sir. It's fine.” Lydia tightened her grip on the handles and glanced at Lucy.

Lucy nodded. “I can manage. I'll just take these down and be back up in a jiffy.”

Kate sent them a tired smile. “Thank you, both. I appreciate your help so much.” She turned and slipped her arm through Penny's. “It's been quite a day, hasn't it?”

“Yes, it has.” Penny patted Kate's arm. “The men enjoyed themselves, and I think all the volunteers did as well.”

The sisters' conversation faded as Lydia made her way down the stone stairs to the servants' quarters. She and Lucy dropped off the bags in the laundry room. Thank goodness Mable came in twice a week to help them tackle that job.

“See you later.” Lucy hurried back upstairs.

Lydia walked into the servants' hall and found her sister, Helen, seated at the long wooden table with her daughter, three-year-old Emily, and little Irene, who was four and the youngest of the orphan children at the house. The other seven children would have dinner upstairs with the Fosters.

When she and Helen came to work here, the doctor and Kate had invited them to eat upstairs, but it didn't seem right. Kate might call them her assistants, but they were still servants. And servants did
not
eat with the family. Lydia and Helen took their meals downstairs with Mrs. Murdock, the cook, and Henry, the gardener-chauffeur.

“How did it go?” Helen asked as she wiped Emily's face with a damp cloth.

“Very well.” Lydia shifted her gaze to Irene and gently touched the girl's shoulder. “How are you, little miss?”

Irene looked up. “Very well, thank you.” She took another bite of potatoes, looking pleased with herself. Irene's curly blond hair, blue eyes, and plump cheeks made her look like a little cherub. Lydia smiled. She shouldn't have favorites, but she couldn't help loving this sweet little one a bit more than the others.

Helen untied Emily's bib. “Did the soldiers enjoy their day at the zoo?”