Tananguard 02 - To Love a Lord (22 page)

It wasn’t long before
James was guiding Garret Connor’s way.

Garret was grinning as he strode up to Connor.
“Connor! It took you bloody-well long—”

Connor cut him short with a
fist to the face. Three bows sprang up, tightening as arrows were drawn.

“He had it coming,” Connor told them calmly. He smiled as Garret picked himself up from the ground. “It’s good to see you again, Garret.”

“Can’t say the feeling’s mutual anymore,” Garret grumbled. “Lower your bows. Connor’s no harm to anyone.” He rubbed his jaw tenderly. “Except me apparently.”

“Where is she?” Connor asked.

Garret smiled. “I knew you’d come for her.”

“Where is she?” Connor asked again.

“I don’t exactly know.”

Connor stepped toward him dangerously. “Don’t lie to me again, Garret!”

Garret sighed. “I see you have not forgotten. She is my sister, Connor. I thought I was protecting her.”

“And when you discovered she was with child?” Connor demanded. “Why did you not find me then?”

“It was not my decision to make.”

“I should have been told!”

“I can’t undo the past, Connor! You weren’t told, and that is that!” Garret shot back in frustration.

“Then tell me now where she is,” Connor demanded.

“I would if I knew,” Garret replied.

“What
? How do you not know? You’re her brother!”

Garret sighed. The other three men watched them uneasily. It seemed as if they wanted to slip back into the woods unnoticed.

“Where is William? He’ll tell me what I need to know,” Connor growled.

Garret laughed. “William and Kara accompanied Thomas and Maggie to Scotland. I doubt they’ll be back for some time.”

“Scotland…Thomas
and
Maggie?” Connor asked.

“Yes
, we’ve recently had a wedding here,” Garret said with a smile. “Thomas finally found a woman.”

“He married Maggie?” Connor asked in astonishment. “
But she’s with child…Lucas’s child. Why would he do that?”

Garret raised an eyebrow at him. “Have you ever spoken with her?”

Connor shrugged. “Not truly, no.”

“Then do not judge. You do not know her story, and you do not know her. She’s a good person through and through, and I’m not ashamed to admit she’s a lovely thing to look upon
too.” He shook his head. “Needless to say, Thomas fell in love with her, and now they are on their way to Scotland with Kara and William. So you won’t be getting answers from him.”

Connor sighed. “Then how do I find
Soph—Josephine?”

“
That
I can help you with. We received word from my grandparents a week ago that Josephine would be returning with my uncle and aunt on my mother’s side. So you see, Connor. I don’t know where she is. But I do know she should be arriving any day now. They’ve booked rooms in the Black Lion, but it is unclear when they will arrive.”

“She’s coming back?” Connor asked in surprise.

“Yes, and one can only guess why,” Garret replied, motioning toward Connor.

“You think she’s forgiven me then?”

“Forgiven you?” Garret laughed. “I know what happened, Connor. She eventually told me. The real question is: have you forgiven her?”

“I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t,” Connor said solemnly. He had forgiven her long ago
, almost the moment he found her in Lucas’s room. It had been more his pride that had kept him from going to her sooner.

“Those are easy words to say to me, but will you say them to her? How will you treat her, Connor? I cannot bear to see her hurt again. It nearly killed her the first time,” Garret said honestly. “You made a promise once that you wouldn’t hurt her. Will you keep that promise?”

“If given the chance, yes, I will.”

Garret nodded. “
I knew you would.” He gave a sigh, a sigh of frustration and lament. “I should have taken you to her long ago, and I regret that I never did. But this time I will. As soon as she arrives, I will come personally to give you word. That I promise, but until then, all either of us can do is wait.”

Connor nodded. He’d waited five years for her. What was another day or two?

Josephine stared at Tananguard Manor uncertainly. There was something intimidating about it, or perhaps simply the owners of it. How could she face them? She had avoided them after the night she had calmed Connor. Her son had made friends with them, but she could not bring herself to speak with them. They left the camp without so much as a word from her, without an explanation, and they did not demand one either. She remembered catching Lord Tananguard watching her once. He had even tried approaching her, but she panicked and dashed the other direction. She watched from the woods as they took Connor from her. Her son had given them each a loving hug that had brought tears to her eyes, and she didn’t even have the courage to speak to them! Now she was here, hoping they would accept her even if just for the day.

“Josephine, darling, what can we do to make this easier?” her
uncle asked.

“You’re with me. That is enough,” Josephine answered. Her stomach turned. “Come, Garret. The Tananguard’s will be happy to see you.”

The boy beamed. “I told them I would visit. Thank you so much, Mummy, for letting me come,” he said.

She forced a smile.
She had planned to take him to Kara today. She was leery of how she would be received here, and she didn’t want little Garret with her if there was going to be problems. But when the time came, her instincts told her to bring her son…Connor’s son.

“If need be, we will take him to tour the grounds,” her aunt whispered in her ear.

Josephine turned to Christina. “Thank you,” she mouthed.

The four of them walked up the grand stairs to Tananguard Manor
together. Little Garret held her hand while her uncle escorted his wife next to Josephine. They stopped in front of the double doors. Josephine took a deep breath before nodding to her uncle. He moved forward and knocked loudly. Her aunt moved to her side and took her free hand. She squeezed it gently. They knew everything. She had told them everything, needing them to understand how she was feeling and what she could be facing.

“All will be well, Josephine. From what you’ve said, they are good people. They will understand…
he
will understand,” Christina said quietly.

Josephine smiled in thanks to her.

The door to the manor opened. A manservant stared at them expectantly.

“I am Don Carlos Murrieta, and this is my family. We have come to see the lord of the house,” her uncle announced.

The manservant eyed the four of them. “Is Master Tananguard expecting you?”

“We have not had time to inform him of our arrival to the area, but I believe he will take time from his busy schedule to see us. Please, we have traveled far to see him.”

The man nodded, opening the door for them to enter. He led them to a waiting room and left.

Josephine paced nervously. She couldn’t do this! She needed to leave before it was too late
! She stared at the door and felt her face pale as a tall, older gentleman entered. He looked like his son, but older and broader. Josephine swallowed hard as her eyes connected with Lord Marcus Tananguard.

There was surprise in those gray eyes as they took her in. Then they scanned the room for someone, stopping when spott
ing Garret staring out the window. The older man beamed.

“Garret, my boy,” his voice rumbled pleasantly.

Garret whirled around in excitement. “Papa Marcus,” Garret said happily. He ran to Lord Tananguard and was scooped up into loving arms.

Josephine watched it all in pure astonishment. She knew they had bonded, but she didn’t know the depth of it. This man loved her son already. How could she have separated them…ever? Pain filled her at another mistake she had made as a mother
. How could they forgive her?

“Mummy brought me back, and she brought me to see you,” Garret cooed.

“And I am so very pleased she did.” He placed the boy back on the ground and looked at him sternly. “You’ve grown in the past month, haven’t you,” Lord Tananguard accused. He winked at the boy and smiled. “You’re going to be a tall one and strong.”

Garret grinned. “I’m going to be big and strong like you and Uncle William.”

“And you will be wise and brave like your mother,” he said, ruffling the boy’s hair.

“Not like me. I was not wise
or brave,” Josephine said quietly.

He looked at her then. There was an accusing sorrow in his eyes as he did, and she couldn’t help but feel small under his gaze.

“You’ve come here, haven’t you?” he asked kindly. “There is both wisdom and bravery in that.”

She laughed lightly and tears seeped from her eyes. “I wanted to do something right for once.”

Garret frowned and strode to her side. “No more tears, M
omma. You promised. Come here. I will make you better.” He reached up to her, arms wide.

She felt her cheeks redden, but she didn’t ignore her son. She bent and gave him the hug he desired. He squeezed her tight
ly and placed a tiny kiss on her cheek.

He nodded in satisfaction, looking up at her very seriously. “Now be strong and no more tears,” he ordered.

She smiled at him. “Yes, no more tears.”

He stayed by her side, holding her hand.
“Momma came to see you, Papa Marcus,” Garret then announced.

His eyebrows lifted. “And it appears I have others guests as well. Welcome,” he said in a friendly man
ner. “I am Marcus Tananguard, Lord of the manor.”

Carlos nodded. “I am Don Carlos Murrieta and this is my wife Christina
. I apologize for coming unannounced, but we dared not wait until tomorrow. It was important to my niece to see you today.”

Lord Tananguard nodded. “It is fine. I’m quite pleased you’ve come, all of you,” he emphasized, looking directly at Josephine.

“We were never properly introduced, my Lord,” Josephine began. “I am Josephine Meredith.”

“Yes, I know,” he said quietly.
“I knew your father well. He was a good man.”

Josephine swallowed a lump in her throat. She hadn’t known until recently that her father and uncle grew up with Connor’s father. What were the odds of such a coincidence? She tried to comment, but was interrupted before she could.

“Marcus Tananguard, why haven’t you offered our guests something,” a new voice said. Lilly Tananguard entered the room. “I’m Lilly Tananguard,” she said to everyone. She strode right up to Josephine and grabbed her hands in both of hers. “I’m so glad you’ve returned. He hasn’t been the same since we brought him home.”

“Lilly,”
Marcus hushed.

“Oh
, Marcus. It’s true and you know it. Connor needs her,” she said bluntly.

He clenched his jaw
tightly shut and scowled at his wife.

Josephine’s heart was pounding fiercely. “Is he recovered? Did something
further happen with his wound?” she asked.

“He’s fine…physically,” Marcus said quietly.

Josephine could hear the worry in his voice. He thought she was going to hurt him again. “Is Connor here?” she asked boldly.

Lilly sighed sadly. “No. He left two days ago. And we don’t know where he went.”

“What do you mean?” she asked.

“He packed a bag and left. That’s all we know,” Marcus told her.

“I see.” Josephine wept within. He’d slipped away from her.

“But you’re here, and you brought your son,” Lilly beamed. “Marcus has told me much of you, young man.”

Garret smiled up at her. “I’m Garret, named after my uncle Garret. He’s not tall like Papa Marcus, but he’s strong and brave. I want to be just like him, but tall and big.”

Lilly laughed in pleasure. “Oh
, and I am certain you will be, young man. I believe it runs in your family.”

Josephine was shocked at how kind these people were. They were nothing like the Lords and Ladies of London. They were accepting of her son in all ways.

“Please,” Lilly began, “you must stay for tea. I don’t get enough visitors lately. They all believe I need rest with the new baby, but I’ve a need for company.” She smiled warmly to Christina who smiled in return.

“Yes, you must
stay,” Lord Tananguard said. Both he and Lilly were looking at Christina for an answer.

“Forgive my wife. She speaks very little English,” Carlos explained. “But we accept your offer gratefully.”

“Wonderful!” Lilly clapped.

They were led to a comfortable parlor, and in the corner of that room, stood a beautiful pianoforte. Josephine hadn’t played in years, not since she left Connor. Her grandparents had a pianoforte, but she didn’t have the heart to play in Spain. The Tananguard’s sang to her, though, begging her to play it. She eyed it longingly, but did not approach it.

Tea was pleasant. Josephine said little. Her uncle and Lilly did most of the talking, with Garret entertaining
Papa Marcus
. Josephine wondered about the title her son had given his grandfather. Did Lord Tananguard tell Garret to call him that, or did Garret simply decide to do it? He was a clever child, but Lord Tananguard doted on him. Either could have conjured the name.

“Mummy,” Garret said excitedly, interrupting her thoughts. “Papa Marcus is going to take me to see his hounds.”

She looked at Lord Tananguard in surprise.

“With your permission, that is,” he said to her.

“Of course he may go. He is in fine hands with you, sir,” she added.

He studied her a moment.
He looked as if he had something he wished to address with her, but instead he said, “Thank you for your trust.” He turned his attention to her uncle. “Murrieta? Care to join us?”

Carlos smiled. “I’d enjoy that very much.”

The room seemed empty when the men left. Josephine felt apart. Lilly and Christina were working on Christina’s English, both laughing at the difficulty she was having. Josephine smiled. Then her eyes sought out the beautiful instrument that sat in the corner. She stared at it before unconsciously going to it. She ran her gloved fingers over the solid wood. Her hands ached to touch the keys.

“Do you play?” Lilly’s voice asked.

Josephine turned to her in surprise. “It’s been a very long time, but yes, I do.”

Lilly looked surprised. “Please, play something for us.”

Josephine studied her. The surprised look bothered her. Did she doubt her? Lilly knew she was a commoner. It was like a slap in the face. Josephine was not their equal, and Lilly knew it. Her prideful side edged itself forward, making her want to prove her skill. She removed her gloves and placed them aside before taking the seat in front of the pianoforte. And then she began to play.

*

Marcus laughed buoyantly as his grandson squealed in delight
at the sight of the hounds. Young Garret was such a blessing to him, his grandson he never knew existed. He yearned for the years he had missed with him, but he was grateful to have discovered him when he did.

Marcus
saw the young boy at William’s camp the day after Connor’s fitful night. He remembered staring at him in disbelief, believing his eyes were tricking him. Then Allana approached.

“He is what you think,” she said quietly. “He’s Connor’s.”

She had just been in the hut alone with Josephine. Perhaps the young woman confessed something to Allana. Marcus didn’t know, but he knew she was right. Young Garret was Connor’s son. There was no mistaking that. But how? And why had Connor allowed Josephine to raise the boy on her own?

Marcus approached the boy, knowing he would have to wait for the answers he sought but also knowing he could not leave th
e place without visiting with his grandson. The boy was quick witted, and he was intuitive. They formed a bond almost instantly. Marcus spent as much time with him in William’s camp as he could spare between seeing to Lilly’s needs and checking on Connor, but he did spend time with him. He insisted the moment they introduced themselves that Garret call him Papa Marcus. Marcus didn’t tell him why, but the boy was wise.

“Are you my grandpapa?” he
asked.

Marcus
was so stunned he could only laugh in reply. Finally he said, “It is possible, and I would like it to be.” It was enough for the boy, and he called him Papa Marcus since.

Marcus sighed at the memory.
Theirs was a tragic story. It had to be. Connor would not speak of it, but the pain was clear upon his face. Josephine looked desolate. And little Garret was trapped in the middle without any knowledge as to what was happening around him.

Movement from the corner of his eye caught Marcus’s attention. A rider was approaching the stables a good hundred meters away. Marcus’s eyes widen
ed. It was Connor. It had to be! Marcus looked at the boy. No, he couldn’t bring him inside just yet. What would Connor do? How much did he know, and how angry was he? Did he know Josephine was here?