A Refuge at Highland Hall (7 page)

He scanned the room with the torch beam, spotting three empty beds with their sheets and blankets tossed aside. A pair of shoes, a book, and a doll lay on the rug between the beds. But no little girl.

He frowned and turned around, shining the light in the corners of the room. She
had
to be here somewhere. He bent down and looked under the first bed, but all he saw was a dirty sock and what looked like a broken shoelace.

He checked under the other two beds and in the wardrobe. Nothing. He looked behind the curtains and lifted the window seat, but Irene wasn't there. Pushing the blackout shade aside, he checked the window, but it was locked and there was no balcony or way for her to climb down. With all the frightening noise outside, he doubted she would try.

But she couldn't just disappear.

He returned to the hall and checked the other bedrooms, calling her name as he opened each door, then shone the light around the room. At the end of the hall, he opened the door to find it led to another set of narrow stairs leading up to the next floor, as well as down. More than likely, the servants used these back stairs.

“Irene, are you up there?” He waited, but there was no reply, so he ran up to check the next floor.

A dry, dusty smell greeted him as he opened the door to the upper hallway. There were no blackout curtains on the windows, which led him to believe these rooms were not used by Jon's family or servants. They didn't have a large staff, so perhaps these rooms weren't needed.

He made a quick check of the six empty bedrooms, but Irene wasn't there. He descended the stairs, walked past Irene's room once more, then continued down to the main floor. Where would a little girl hide to feel safe?

He checked the dining room and drawing room, but there was no sign of her. Finally, he strode into the library. His eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and the glow of the fireplace shed light on a good portion of the room. “Irene, are you in here?”

A sniffle sounded off to his left.

He swung around and shone the torchlight in that direction. A little girl with blond curly hair peeked out from behind the settee. Her eyes looked red from crying, and her chin wobbled as she sucked on two fingers, but she seemed to be all right.

He blew out a deep breath and stepped toward her. “I'm so glad I found you.”

She pulled back, obviously frightened by seeing a man she didn't know.

He slowed and knelt in front of her. “It's all right. Dr. and Mrs. Foster sent me to look for you. They're down in the cellar.” He held out his hand.

She pulled out her fingers and hiccupped. “I want Lydia.”

He wasn't sure who Lydia was, but everyone in the house was in the servants' hall. “Come on, let's go find her.”

Irene slowly reached out and took his hand. She wrapped her warm little fingers around his, and his heart melted like butter over a flame. Thankfulness flooded through him.

With the torchlight beam shining on their path, they walked out of the library.

“I found her!” Alex called as he carried Irene down the servants' stairs.

Jon stepped out of the servants' hall and held a lantern high. Kate, Penny, and the children rushed out to the hallway. Penny sent him a warm smile, admiration shining in her eyes.

“Irene!” The younger servant with the cheerful, round face hurried forward and scooped the child out of his arms and into a tight hug. “I've been so worried about you.”

Irene flung her arms around the woman's neck.

So…this must be Lydia.

The maid pulled back and looked the girl over. “Are you all right?”

Irene sniffed and nodded. “The big mirror fell off the wall and broke.”

“Did it hurt you?” Lydia asked.

Irene shook her head.

“Come with me.” Lydia carried Irene into the servants' hall.

Penny moved to Alex's side. “You were gone so long. I was worried.”

He searched her upturned face, and pleasant warmth flowed through him.

“Where did you find her?”

“In the library.” He gave a little chuckle and shook his head. “I searched her room and the upper floors first, but she wasn't there. I finally found her, peeking out from behind the settee. She looked like a little fairy with her blond curls and rosy cheeks.”

Penny laid her hand on his arm. “Thank you, Alex. I'm grateful. We all are.”

His chest swelled as he soaked in her words…like a thirsty soul who'd finally been given a drink of water after a long hike through the desert.

The guns at Woolwich boomed in the distance once more, and they both turned toward the sound.

There was greater danger ahead than a lost child. They faced a strong and skillful enemy who was determined to destroy them. It would take tremendous effort and sacrifice on all their parts to defend their country and win this war.

He looked at Penny, and determination rose in his heart. He would protect her and all those who were counting on him…

No matter the cost.

T
he next morning Penny stifled a yawn as she spread strawberry jam on her toast. Looking around the table, she noted the children's sagging shoulders and pale faces. They hadn't gone back to bed until three o'clock, when the sounds of the air raid had finally faded and calm returned to London.

She looked toward the end of the table where Alex sat, and a small smile lifted the corners of her mouth. He'd been terribly brave last night, going up to search for Irene while they all stayed in the relative safety of the servants' hall. Seeing him walk down the stairs tenderly carrying that little girl in his arms had touched her deeply.

“Where's Dr. Foster?” Donald laid his knife across the edge of his plate and looked across at Kate.

“He…had some things he needed to attend to this morning. I'm sure he'll be back soon.” Kate looked away from Donald's curious gaze.

Penny shifted in her seat and glanced at Kate. Jon always ate breakfast with them, then read the Bible and prayed for the family before he left for the hospital and the older children left for school. But today was Saturday, and Jon was not scheduled to work at the hospital. Where had he gone?

Rose leaned forward in her chair. “Are we going to the park this morning?” They usually went each Saturday if the weather was agreeable, and they all looked forward to the outing.

Kate hesitated. “Let's wait until Dr. Foster returns to make our plans. But there's no reason we can't enjoy ourselves at home this morning.” At Kate's forced cheerfulness, the older children exchanged questioning glances.

What was going on?

“Good morning, everyone.” Jon walked into the dining room.

Relief flashed across Kate's face. She rose and greeted him with a kiss on the cheek. “I'm glad you're home.”

“What did you learn?” Alex's expression grew taut.

Jon looked at his friend, and Penny thought she saw some kind of message in his eyes. Then he glanced around the table. “I'm sorry I'm late for breakfast. I see you're all nearly done.” He walked to the buffet and helped himself to eggs, toast, mushrooms, and a broiled tomato.

A frown creased Alex's brows, and he glanced at Penny. She returned the question with her eyes. Apparently, Jon didn't want to discuss where he'd been or what he'd learned in front of the children.

Jon carried his plate to the table, took a seat, and bowed his head for a silent prayer. When he lifted his head, the children's conversation returned to normal while they finished their meal.

Finally, Jon looked around the table. “All right, children. You may be excused. Let's gather in the library at ten. Until then, please find something to read or play quietly indoors.”

Jack frowned. “Can't we go out to the garden?”

“Not this morning.”

“But Donald and I—”

“Jack, please don't argue.” Jon's voice was much more stern than usual, and the boys all straightened. “I need you all to do as I ask, and I'll explain more when we gather at ten.”

“All right.” Jack quietly laid his napkin on the table.

The children rose and filed out of the dining room.

“Close the door, Lucy,” Jon called.

The girl's lips pressed into a worried line as she pulled the dining room door shut.

“What is it, Jon?” Kate lowered her voice. “What did you learn?”

“The damage from the bombing is much worse than I'd imagined. They're still searching through the debris, looking for those who are injured or missing. But we know this much: almost a hundred bombs were dropped. At least seven people were killed.”

Penny pulled in a sharp breath and lifted her hand to her mouth.
How terrible!

“The destruction to homes and businesses is…unbelievable.”

Alex's face turned ruddy and his dark eyebrows drew together.

Jon continued, “I'll be going to the hospital as soon as things are settled here.”

Kate's face paled. “Of course. It sounds like they'll need every doctor on hand.”

Penny's heart clenched as she thought of the families who'd lost loved ones. “What can we do to help?”

Jon turned his sober gaze toward her. “I want you to pack your trunks and return to Highland as soon as possible.”

Penny blinked and stared at him. “What?”

Jon's gaze shifted to Kate. “It's not safe for you and the children to stay in London. The risks are too great. I've telegraphed William and explained what has happened. I've asked him to allow you to stay with them until it's safe for you to return.”

“But what about you?” Kate's gaze locked on Jon.

“I must stay. The Army requires my services at St. George's. And even if they didn't, I wouldn't feel right fleeing to the countryside when so many wounded men are in need of medical care.”

“Yes, but what about the children? How will I manage without you?”

“I know it will be difficult, Kate, but you'll have Penny, and I hope Lydia and Helen will go with you. Perhaps Mrs. Murdock might even agree to move to Highland to help with the extra cooking.”

Tears flooded Kate's eyes. “But I don't want to be separated from you.”

Jon's serious expression eased. “Please, darling, I must be sure you're safe. That's what is most important.”

Penny's throat tightened. It would be very hard on Kate to leave Jon here, knowing he would be in danger.

“But what if William doesn't want us to come?” Penny asked, though she couldn't imagine William and Julia turning family members away, especially not in wartime.

“Then I'll make some other arrangements.” His gaze remained steady. “You can't stay in London.”

Kate tried to blink back her tears, but it did no good. She rose and hurried out of the dining room.

Jon closed his eyes and sagged back against his chair.

“She'll be all right,” Penny said softly. “Just give her a little time to adjust to the idea.”

“I hate to upset her, but this is the only sensible plan. It's not as though we won't see each other. I can take the train out for a visit when I have a day off.”

Alex had watched the interaction between husband and wife with respectful silence. Now he laid his napkin on the table and turned to Jon. “Can you tell us any more about what you saw this morning?”

Jon met Alex's gaze. “All right, but prepare yourself.”

Alex nodded. “Go on.”

“I took a taxi across town to Woolwich. Much of the area is blocked off, but I told them I was a doctor, and they let me through. Police and teams of soldiers were everywhere, trying to restore order and help those whose homes were damaged. People were frantic, searching for missing loved ones or trying to salvage a few items out of their homes. It was heartbreaking. I attended one young man who had suffered terrible burns from the fire. I had to send him on to St. George's for further treatment.”

Penny's stomach lurched, and she pushed her plate away.
Oh, Father, help that young man.
And what about the others? What would people do now that their homes had been destroyed? Did they have relatives in the country?

She turned to Jon. “You think the Germans will bomb London again?”

“I'm afraid so.”

Penny shifted her gaze to Alex. “And you agree?”

He gave a slight nod. “London has always been their target. Now that they've had a successful run, they'll be back. Sending the family to the countryside is a sensible decision.”

Jon sent Penny a direct look. “I know it's asking a lot of William and Julia to take in my whole household, but my parents' cottage is much too small, and I'm not sure whom else to turn to.”

Penny clutched the napkin in her lap. “It will be difficult for everyone, but I'm sure they'll agree.”

Jon and Kate's cook, Mrs. Murdock, had a very strong personality, and so did Highland's Chef Lagarde. Putting them together in the same kitchen was sure to cause some fireworks. And that wouldn't be the only problem they would face.

The six older children would have to attend a new school, and almost everything about their lives would change. No more visits to Wiltshire Park or the zoo—but most of all, they would miss Jon and his leadership in the family. How would the children react to the move? What would happen when their daily routine was thrown to the wind?

Penny pulled in a calming breath and sent off a silent prayer. Her sister needed her help, now more than ever, and she must not let her down.

Lydia tugged the trunk down the hall toward the top of the stairs. With no footmen in the house, she and Helen would have to carry all the trunks down to the entrance hall. Soon the bags and trunks would be loaded on a truck and taken to the train station, while the family and servants rode there in cars.

Helen huffed as she pushed from the other end. “How many more trunks are there?”

“Three. Then we must get the bags in our room.”

“Right. We don't want to leave those behind.”

Lydia stopped at the top of the stairs and wiped her forehead. The last twenty-four hours had been a mad scramble, sorting and packing clothing for themselves and all the children. The older ones had helped before they were called down to the kitchen by Mrs. Murdock to carry up hampers of food. No use leaving good food behind, not when there were shortages of so many things.

Thank goodness Kate and Penny had packed their own bags. Lydia wasn't sure she and Helen could've finished the job in one day without their help.

Helen grabbed the leather handle on her end of the trunk. “Ready?”

Lydia nodded and took hold on the other side. They lifted the heavy trunk, then slowly started down the stairs.

Lydia had been surprised to hear they were going back to the country, but she was glad of it. She'd hardly slept a wink since the air raid. And with the threat of more bombs falling on their heads, it wasn't safe to stay in town.

She'd be glad to get back to Highland. With more staff around to help, she might not have to work quite so hard. But bringing the children meant she'd be taking most of her workload with her.

They stopped on the first landing to rest, and she glanced at Helen. How would things go for her sister at Highland? Sir William and his wife, Julia, were good people. They treated their staff well. But Helen was bringing her three-year-old daughter Emily along. She hoped people would understand and not be hard on her.

Kate said their salary and duties would be the same, but who would be in charge? Would it be Julia, the former governess who had married Sir William and who she must now call Lady Julia, or would it still be Mrs. Kate? And what about Highland's housekeeper, Mrs. Dalton? She'd been in charge when Lydia left Highland to come to London with Kate. Would Lydia be answering to them all?

Just thinking about it made her head spin.

She took hold and lifted the trunk again. It would all be sorted out in time. Everyone had to do their bit to keep things running. That was the only way to show the Germans that the English would not be beaten.

Conversation rose from the entrance hall, and Lydia looked over the banister.

Miss Penny, Lieutenant Goodwin, and Dr. Jon stood together at the bottom of the stairs. Nearby, Donald gave Jack a playful shove, and Jack pushed him back.

“Settle down, boys.” Dr. Jon sent them a serious look. “This is neither the time nor the place to roughhouse.”

Alex looked up and saw Lydia and Helen. “Wait a minute, ladies.” He turned to Donald and Jack. “Come on, lads, let's give them a hand.”

Donald scowled. “Do we have to?”

Alex clasped the older boy's shoulder. “Men don't stand by and let ladies carry heavy trunks down the stairs.”

Donald grimaced, but he and Jack followed Alex up to meet Lydia and Helen.

Alex reached for the trunk. “We'd be glad to take this down for you, wouldn't we, Donald?”