A Refuge at Highland Hall (36 page)

She planted her feet, and the slack rope tightened.

Siegfried spun around. His eyes flashed and he jerked the rope. “You'll do as I say.”

“I'm not going in there.”

He whipped the knife from his belt and pointed it at her. “Yes, you are!”

Alex rubbed the small piece of coral fabric between his fingers and searched the road ahead. Surely there was another. Donald spotted the first one at the side of the road about an hour out. Alex thought he remembered Penny wearing a dress that color the day she brought the children to Northcote to sing for the men, and it gave him hope they were on the right trail.

Andrew found the second piece about thirty minutes later, and a surge of gratitude flowed through Alex. Penny was marking the trail and praying someone would follow and find her.

Watch over her, Lord. Lead us on the right path.

He glanced down at the fabric, and his shoulders tensed. “Keep your eyes on those hoofprints,” he called, then urged his horse forward at a quick trot.

Donald rode slightly ahead, with Alex following on his left and Andrew on his right, their gazes focused on the ground. Donald slowed and led his horse to the side of the road.

Andrew trotted ahead and then circled back. “The tracks stop here.”

Alex reined in his horse and scanned the woods. A breeze ruffled the leaves overhead, and a bird called from the trees on his left. He turned and noticed a small moss-covered path leading off through the woods.

“Let's check that trail.” He lifted the reins and moved ahead, ducking under a low branch. Andrew and Donald fell in line behind him. He searched the thick moss covering the path, but he saw nothing to mark Penny's trail.

“Look up there.” Andrew pointed down the path ahead.

Alex rode closer. A clump of moss was turned over, and the dirt beneath it was still moist and dark brown. They all climbed down and examined the chunk of moss and the area around it. A swipe of mud coated the moss just beyond the overturned moss.

“Let's walk a bit and see if we can find anything else.”

They continued down the path and found two more clumps of moss turned over and a few broken branches. Could it be a coincidence? They had no other lead to follow, so they pressed on.

About five minutes down the path, an old stone building came into view. It looked like an abandoned hunting lodge or a woodsman's cottage.

Alex held out his hand and motioned the boys to stop. He turned and lowered his voice. “Stay here. Keep the horses quiet.” He handed his reins to Andrew.

“We want to go with you,” Andrew whispered, and Donald added his eager nod.

“Let me check things out. Keep watch here. I'll signal when I want you to come.”

Andrew's brow creased, but he gave a reluctant nod. Donald did the same.

Alex crept through the trees, all his senses on alert. He didn't hear any sounds in the lodge, and no smoke rose from the chimney. He circled around, staying about twenty yards out, hidden in the undergrowth. When he reached the far side, his heart lurched. A large black horse stood tied to a tree not far from the back of the lodge. The horse looked up at Alex, then lowered his head and munched on the grass at his feet.

With careful, quiet steps, Alex moved closer to the back of the lodge. A thick tangle of vines climbed the gray stones, partially covering the small window. The pane was broken, and jagged glass still hung from the top. He slipped to the side of the window, then leaned over and looked inside.

His breath choked off, and he gripped the vine.

Penny sat in an old wooden chair, a rope around her waist and wrists and her eyes fixed on the man who stood with his back to the window. Siegfried Schultz. It had to be. Penny's face was pale, and her auburn hair had come loose and flowed down over her shoulders. She watched Schultz with a tense, guarded expression.

The man reached out and fingered a strand of her hair. “I always liked women with red hair.”

Boiling anger surged though Alex. He wanted to break through that window and choke those words from the man's throat. He blinked hard.
Stay focused!
He couldn't let anger control him. He had to get Penny out of there.

Now.

He pulled his revolver from his belt and dashed around to the front of the house. “Siegfried Schultz! This is Lieutenant Goodwin. You have no way of escape. Surrender Miss Ramsey and come out with your hands in the air!”

A clatter sounded in the house, and a second later Siegfried looked out the broken front window.

Alex aimed toward the window, but Schultz dodged back, shouting curses.

Alex held the revolver steady. A second ticked past, then another. The front door flew open and banged on the wall behind. Schultz stepped out, holding Penny in front of him, a knife to her throat. “Throw down your gun, Lieutenant, unless you want to see me use this knife on her again.”

Again?
Alex scanned Penny, seeing her torn hem, the red-stained fabric wrapped around her arm. Her wide blue eyes shimmered with a mix of fear and longing that hit him so hard he could barely stand his ground. He clenched his jaw, fighting to stay in control.

“I said, throw down your gun!”

“Let Miss Ramsey go. I won't stop you from leaving.”

Schultz barked out a laugh. “You think I'm a fool? She's my ticket out of here.” He took a step to the side, pulling Penny with him.

“Wait!” Alex stepped forward. “You can have the gun. I'll go with you. Just let Miss Ramsey go.”

A fiendish grin slipped across Schultz's face. “Now, why would I want to take you when I have a pretty lady like this?”

A sickening wave rose in Alex's throat. “You'd have the gun, a hostage, and an extra horse.”

Schultz narrowed his eyes, studying Alex. “All right. I'll make a trade. Put the gun down on the ground.”

Would Schultz truly accept his offer to go with him in exchange for Penny, or was this a trick?

Penny's eyes widened and darted to the side. What had she seen? Was it Andrew or Donald? He didn't dare look or he might alert Schultz that the boys were nearby.

“Let Miss Ramsey go first.” Alex turned the gun around and held it out.

“No! You drop the gun now, or I'll give her another taste of this knife.”

Alex took two steps forward and lowered the gun to the ground. Schultz loosened his hold on Penny and reached down to pick up the revolver.

This was his chance. Alex shot a swift hard kick toward Schultz's hand and knocked the knife away.

Schultz cried out and stumbled back. Penny jerked away from the man, and Alex lunged and grabbed the gun off the ground.

Andrew yelled as he ran forward and jumped on Schultz's back. Donald kicked the knife farther away and piled on top of Schultz from the other direction. The boys wrestled him to the ground.

Alex snagged the knife, rushed to Penny, and guided her a few feet away from Schultz and the boys. “Did he hurt you?”

“Just my arm.” She trembled as she looked up at him, but strength shone in her beautiful blue eyes.

He untied her wrists, his anger flaring when he saw the red, raw skin beneath.

“Ow! Get these kids off me!”

Alex shifted his gaze from Penny to Schultz and the boys.

Andrew knelt on Schultz's back, wearing a broad grin as he held him down. “Don't worry. We've got him!”

“We sure do.” Donald wore a matching grin as he sat on the man's legs.

“Good job, boys. Hold him right there.” Alex turned to Penny. “Are you sure you're all right?” He looked her over again.

She sent him a tremulous smile. “I am now.”

He slipped his arms around her and pulled her toward him. She melted against him and rested her face against his chest. He held her for a moment, relief flooding through him.

She was safe. He hadn't lost her.

It took a moment for his breathing to calm, then he stepped back.

She leaned toward him again and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for coming after me.”

Alex's eyes burned and he shook his head, his throat so tight he could barely push out his voice. “You're never going to get rid of me.”

She laughed softly, then sniffed and smiled as she slipped her hand into his. “Whatever made you think I'd want to?”

L
ydia rested her chin on her hand and gazed out the window in the servants' hall. The golden moon was so big it looked like a dinner plate, rising above the dark outline of the trees. What a day this had been. Thank heaven Miss Penny was home and Siegfried Schultz was behind bars.

Helen walked in and sat down on the bench beside her. “Are you writing to Marius?”

Lydia nodded and glanced down at the letter she'd just started. “I want to tell him everything that happened.”

Helen sent Lydia a wry smile. “That's going to be a long letter.”

“I suppose so, but he needs to know what Siegfried did and how things turned out for him.”

Helen shook her head. “That man is in a lot of trouble. I wouldn't want to be in his shoes.”

“Yes, they'll probably lock him up for a long time, at least until the war is over.”

A slight frown creased Helen's forehead. “How long do you think that will be?”

“I don't know. It could be months or maybe even years before the fighting ends. But however long it is, I'll be writing to Marius and waiting for him.”

Helen laid her hand over Lydia's. “Are you sure about that?”

“Yes, very sure.”

“Then I'm happy for you, and I'll pray it won't be long.”

“Thank you.” Lydia leaned toward Helen and gave her a hug. “It's a comfort having you and Emily here. I know it's not been easy for you…but I'm grateful.”

“I'm the one who should be thanking you. Without your help, and Dr. Jon's and Mrs. Kate's, who knows where Emily and I would be.”

Lydia smiled. Thank heaven Helen finally seemed to realize how blessed she was for the kindness the Fosters and Ramseys had shown her. “They've given us both a good place to live and a chance to learn things that will help us step up in the world.”

“You think so?” Helen cocked her head.

“Of course. And I'm not just talking about cleaning or caring for children. I'm thinking of the way they love and care for each other. Someday we'll have our own homes and families, and we'll remember that.”

“Now that's a fine dream.” Helen gazed toward the window with a smile.

The servants' bell rang in the hall, and Lydia started to rise.

Helen laid her hand on Lydia's again. “You stay and finish your letter to Marius. I'll go up.”

Warmth rose and filled Lydia's chest. “Thank you, Helen.”

“You're a dear sister, and I owe you more than I can say.” Helen's eyes glistened, and she sent Lydia a smile, then she walked out to answer the bell.

Lydia watched her sister go, thankfulness filling her heart again. Then she picked up her pen to continue her letter to Marius.

Flames leaped and crackled in the fireplace, casting a cozy glow around the drawing room at Highland. Penny released a soft sigh and leaned back on the settee next to Alex. He'd barely left her side since they'd returned to the house late that afternoon. He'd stayed with her when Dr. Foster treated her injured arm and later held her hand when the police arrived and questioned her.

She'd never forget what Alex had done for her today. A powerful wave of love and gratitude flooded her heart, then her gaze traveled around the room, taking in each one gathered there.

They all meant so much to her.

William and Julia sat close together near the fireplace, their hands entwined. Julia wore a peaceful, contented smile as she looked across the room at Jon and Kate and the twins. Her eyes reflected her happiness for them and the hope that she would soon hold a baby of her own. William leaned toward Julia and whispered something to her. Julia smiled and nodded.

Across the room, Jon sat next to Kate, holding their infant son, looking completely at ease, while Kate held their little daughter. Since the arrival of the twins, Jon had been eager to help Kate. He had always been a kind and caring husband and a wonderful father to the children they had taken in. Penny felt certain the twins would grow up surrounded by love and be a wonderful addition to their family.

Penny's gaze traveled to Dr. and Mrs. Foster, seated next to Jon and Kate. They watched their son and daughter-in-law hold the twins, obviously delighted to be grandparents and treasuring these special moments.

Jon looked up. “We've decided on names for the babies.” He turned to Kate. “Why don't you tell them, my dear?”

Kate looked down at their daughter with a tender expression. “This is Eden Penelope Foster, after our mother and my dear sister.”

Penny lifted her hand to her heart. “That's wonderful. I'm so pleased.”

Alex squeezed her hand, and they exchanged smiles.

“We're so thankful for your safe return,” Kate said, “and I know little Eden will enjoy a very special relationship with her aunt Penny.”

Penny nodded, her throat too tight to speak.

Kate glanced at the other twin. “We named our son Phillip Jonathan Foster.” She looked at her father-in-law, gratitude glowing in her eyes. “We wanted to name him after you, because you mean so much to both of us.”

“My goodness…I don't know what to say.” Dr. Foster smiled and clasped his wife's hand. “Thank you both. That's quite an honor.”

“Well, I'm glad you finally named them.” Aunt Agatha sniffed and sent the babies a cautious look of interest. “They seem to be quite healthy from all the cries I've heard today.”

Sarah lifted her hand to cover her smile. Then she cleared her throat and lowered her hand. “They are wonderfully healthy. We're certainly grateful for that.”

Penny's heart felt full to overflowing. What a gift to be part of a family where love and faith bound them together with strong and lasting ties that could not be broken.

She looked toward the other side of the room where Andrew, Donald, and the children sat huddled together. The two older boys shared the piano bench as they took turns retelling the story of following Penny's trail and capturing Siegfried Schultz.

Penny turned toward Alex and lowered her voice. “It looks as though Andrew and Donald's rivalry is finally fading.”

Alex studied them a moment. “I think their teaming up today to accomplish something so important was the final step in bridging that gap.”

“Do you think it will last?”

“I hope so.” He glanced toward the window, then leaned closer until his shoulder touched hers. “There's a beautiful moon out tonight. Would you like to go out on the veranda and take a look?”

A delightful shiver raced along her arms. “That sounds lovely.”

He rose and offered her his hand, and they quietly slipped out the side door.

Moonlight bathed the parkland in silvery light, and a thousand stars winked back at them from a blue-velvet sky.

“It's beautiful,” she said softly.

He took her hand again, lifted it to his lips, and kissed her fingers. “Yes, beautiful.” But his gaze rested on Penny, rather than the night sky.

Her gaze traveled over his face, and the scars and eye patch faded from view. His handsome features were striking and seemed even more so as she contemplated the man he was inside, the man she'd grown to love.

He shifted away and leaned on the balustrade.

“Please don't turn away, Alex.”

He gave an embarrassed chuckle, but she could hear the pain behind it. “I know what I look like now.”

She leaned closer and looked up at him. “You are the most handsome man in the world to me.”

His brow furrowed, and he shook his head. “You don't have to say that.”

“It's true. When I see your scars, they remind me of how brave you are and how far you were willing to go to protect and defend those you love…including me and my family.”

A muscle in his jaw flickered, and he stared across the parkland.

“And today, you proved your bravery again.”

“The boys were the ones who tackled Schultz and took him down, not me.”

“Yes, but you searched for me until you found me, and you were willing to take my place so I could go free, and that's…just the most amazing example of love I've ever seen.” Her voice choked off, and she tightened her hold on his hand. “Thank you, Alex.”

He turned toward her. The moonlight highlighted his dark eyebrows and strong jaw. “I'd do anything to protect you.”

“I know you would, and that's why I love you.” She swallowed and held his gaze. “I know it's not ladylike or proper for me to be the first one to say it, but I do love you, Alex Goodwin, and there is nothing you can say that will talk me out of it.”

He stilled, looking into her eyes. “You love me?”

“Yes, so very much! And I can't believe you're making me say it first.”

He grinned, a teasing light flickering in his eye. “Well, that's good news.”

He was dear to her, so very dear. She reached up and gently ran her finger over the scar crossing his face. “Every time I see this, I'll remember today and the way you rescued me.”

His teasing smile faded, and a look of tenderness filled his face. “This morning, when I realized you were missing and Schultz had probably kidnapped you, it nearly killed me.” He took both her hands in his. “I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you.”

His sweet words melted her heart.

“I love you, Penny, so very much.”

Joyful warmth curled through her.

“You're kind and caring, and you never gave up on me, even when I was at my lowest and pushing everyone away.” His smile returned. “You pushed back, and you helped me see my life could still have meaning and purpose. Your faith in God and in me made me believe in a future with hope and possibilities, and there's no one I'd rather share that future with than you.” He stopped and pulled in a deep breath. “Will you…” A slight tremor shook his voice. He clasped her hands more tightly. “Would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

She pulled in a soft gasp. “Really?”

“Yes.” His smile spread wider. “I've spoken to William, and he's in favor of it.”

“Oh, Alex! Yes!” Her heart felt like it would burst with joy, and she threw her arms around his neck.

He wrapped her in his embrace, then kissed her tenderly, sealing his words with a promise.

On the twenty-third of October, Alex stood in the doorway to the grand ballroom at Buckingham Palace and glanced over his shoulder. Twenty-seven men lined up behind him, waiting to receive medals at the investiture ceremony.

He brushed his hand down his sleeve. Penny had insisted he order a new uniform so he'd look his best. She'd even helped him with his tie this morning. He smiled at the memory, then glanced down at his jacket to make sure everything was still in order.

The military band marched in, playing the first notes of the British national anthem, “God Save the King.” The audience rose to their feet and sang along.

By the time they reached the second verse, Alex's throat grew tight, but he sang on, lifting the song as a prayer for his country.

“O Lord and God arise,

Scatter his enemies

And make them fall.

Confound their politics,

Frustrate their knavish tricks,

On Thee our hopes we fix.

God save the King.”

He looked to the right as he sang the final verse, scanning the rows of guests standing in the ballroom. He'd been allowed to invite only three people, so he'd chosen Penny, Jon, and his sister, Lindy. He spotted them in the front row, near the center aisle.

Penny had encouraged him to contact his mother and stepfather, explain the limit on the number of guests, and ask if he and Penny might visit them after the ceremony. His mother replied, saying she'd welcome their visit. He had no idea if he'd see his stepfather, but having Penny at his side would ease the situation. It was time to let go of the past and rebuild his relationship with his mother and stepfather, as much as possible.