The Pursuit (26 page)

Chapter Fourteen

“Your brother is nice,” Niki commented once they were outside. Mary had suggested a walk, but when all was said and done, only Edward and Niki had gone.

“Yes, he is—also full of surprises.”

“How is that?”

“He was just a little more chatty today than I expected. He’s usually rather quiet.”

“Well, we know that doesn’t run in the family,” Niki teased.

“I think I’ve just been told I need to learn the verse.”

Niki only laughed as they continued to walk in the huge backyard at Blackburn Manor.

“The boys seem to be adjusting well,” Edward commented when the silence grew long.

“Yes, I think you’re right. It will be hard when we leave.”

“You sound as though that’s happening rather soon.”

“It’s hard to say, but I’m sure it won’t be too long.”

“Why?”

Niki stopped and looked at him, disappointment filling her that after all this time he still didn’t understand.

“Don’t give me an answer I already know, Niki,” Edward put in before she could speak. “Why do you need to keep on the move?”

“You know the answer to that, Edward,” she said, disappointment swiftly giving way to anger. “I must protect my sons.”

“Protect them, or teach them your fears?”

“What is that supposed to mean? Do you think I’ve made all of this up?”

“Of course not. I mean only that you can’t keep running. You must see that.”

“I have no choice. Mrs Bettencourt will take the boys if she finds them.”

“What will she do, overpower you and Denley or perhaps kill you both?”

Niki stopped and stared at him. She hadn’t let herself ever picture a confrontation with her mother-in-law. That lady held too much power over her emotionally, and Niki had never tried to reason it out.

Without another word Niki continued her stroll, Edward in step beside her. It was embarrassing to be so transparent to Edward, but she wasn’t sure it mattered. He’d already seen her at her worst.

They walked on in silence until they got to the deep grasses of the meadow. Niki stopped and just stared across the field, Edward’s presence beside her forgotten.

Edward knew she was thinking. He had turned completely to look at her, and she hadn’t even noticed. Edward smiled as one finger went to her mouth and she began to nibble on the nail.

Edward reached up and pulled it away, bringing Niki’s surprised eyes to his.

“I don’t recall that Osborne bit his nails,” he teased gently.

“Nail,” Niki corrected, holding up the single digit. “Osborne had more control, but Niki bites this nail.”

Edward smiled at her in a way that had a strong effect on Niki’s heart. She didn’t think he meant anything personal by it, but she suddenly wanted him to touch her. She wanted him to take her hand or hold her in his arms. The thought caused so much emotion to run through her that she felt herself blushing.

As for Edward, all he saw was the way she schooled her features. He was opening his mouth to ask her whether she was all right when he noticed that the skin directly beneath her collarbone had gone quite red. Edward’s gaze went from the blush to Niki’s eyes, but they gave nothing away.

“You’re blushing,” he stated quietly, his eyes studying her face. “I don’t believe I’ve done anything to cause that, so I can’t help but wonder what you’re thinking just now.”

Niki didn’t answer, and at the same time the adults heard the boys approaching. Edward glanced to see the twins running across the yard toward them but quickly looked at Niki.

“What goes on behind that calm face, Niki?” Edward asked before glancing to see that the boys were approaching fast. He looked back into her eyes. “Too bad I don’t have time to find out.”

Anything Niki might have said would have to wait. The boys had covered the ground in good speed, pleased to have their mother and Edward together. They had a plan: Edward could take them to the creek if their mother gave permission.

Laughing at their enthusiasm, Niki granted her permission and even agreed to go with them. Not until they were on their way and she’d found Edward’s eyes on her two different times did she regret her decision.

Richmond

Morland and Lizzy were visiting Morland’s aunt, Penelope Long. Lately she was not in the best of health, wanting visitors only for a short time, but today she was perky and ready for a newsy chat.

“So tell me, Lizzy,” she asked, a twinkle in her old eyes. “Do you enjoy marriage to Morland?”

Lizzy smiled. “Very much, Aunt Penelope.”

“And you, Morland? Does marriage agree with you?”

Morland only smiled at his dearest living relative, earning a chuckle from her.

“You look so well together. I think your babies will be beautiful.”

Not wanting to think about it, Lizzy’s heart dimmed a little, and she hoped her face gave nothing away.

“I have something for you,” Penelope announced, suddenly changing the subject, much to Lizzy’s relief. “Go over there, Morland, to that side board, and bring me that tea caddy.”

Morland did as he was told and returned with an unusual object.

“Now this,” Penelope said as she took a pear-shaped tea caddy from his hands, “was a wedding gift. You see the ornate brass
L?
Well, that stands for Long of course, but we’ll just pretend that it stands for Lizzy. I want you to have it, Lizzy. It’s actually made out of pear wood.”

“Thank you,” the bride said with pleasure. “It’s beautiful. I’ll treasure it.”

“How is Cassandra enjoying marriage?” Penelope asked, and Lizzy went with the change in subject yet again.

Penelope had several questions for Morland, but nearly everything had been directed at his wife. Babies and children had been mentioned several times, but Penelope had not pressed the point. Morland, however, checked with his wife the moment they left in their carriage.

“Are you all right?”

“Yes.”

“Are you quite sure?”

Lizzy looked over at him.

“Everyone assumes we’ll have children.”

“Don’t you?”

“Not since I’ve started to worry about it.”

“Worry won’t help us conceive. In fact, it will probably have the opposite effect, not to mention it’s wrong.”

Lizzy nodded, knowing how right he was. She did not want to be weak in this area and worked to remember that God was in control. If He had a baby for them, it would happen. She needed to be thankful for all His provisions and not worry about things out of her control.

Lizzy worked this out in her mind and then looked over to find Morland’s eyes on her.

“What are you thinking about?”

“That pretty nightgown you had on last night.”

“I don’t recall that you said anything last night.”

“I should have.”

Lizzy smiled a little.

“Do you want me to wear it tonight?”

Morland grinned and Lizzy laughed.

Even sharing the same seat, Morland felt she was too far away. He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her for the remainder of the ride.

Tipton

Frank and Lydia Palmer sat in the small salon in their home, their children around them. The oldest was Frank—then Walt, Emma, Lizzy, and Oliver, ages 15, 13, 10, 7, and 21 months respectively. There was family news to be shared, and even though Oliver was too young to take it in, the children always wanted to include him.

“We’re going to take a trip together,” Palmer announced without introduction and then waited for everyone to calm down.

“Where?” Walt got in. “Where are we going?”

“Well, the Jenningses have had such fun at Weston-super-Mare that we are going to give it a try.”

“Sea bathing?”

“All of us?”

“I can’t swim.”

“When do we leave?”

“I don’t have a bathing costume!”

Palmer found order again and calmly explained. “We’ll go this summer—July or August—when the weather is warmer, and all details will be worked out, sea bathing and all.”

This brought a smile to everyone’s face, and Palmer and Lydia grinned at each other, pleased that the children were so excited.

“Are the Jenningses going to be with us?” Emma wished to know.

“I don’t think so,” Palmer answered.

“We could ask them,” Lizzy suggested, shifting Oliver in her lap. “Penny loves to sea bathe. I know they would want to come.”

Palmer and Lydia looked at each other. It was a fun idea, but they hadn’t thought of it. They looked back to find all of the children smiling at them. The children knew that when their parents didn’t answer right away and exchanged a look, they were at least considering the possibility.

“I think they’re onto us,” Palmer said, not bothering to whisper.

Lydia could only laugh, and the children laughed with her.

Blackburn Manor

“Did you say Edward is here?” Niki asked Mary to repeat herself.

“Yes, he’s come with Henry.”

Niki nodded, telling her heart to calm down. She hadn’t seen him since Sunday and didn’t expect to see him until the following Sunday. Having him arrive midweek was exciting and unsettling.

“Did he come to see the boys?” she asked.

“What do you think?” Mary asked, her mouth smiling a little.

“I don’t want to think about it at all,” Niki admitted. “What should I do?”

Mary ducked her head and looked out the window to the backyard.

“I think you should go out and see if the boys are behaving themselves.”

Niki smiled.

“Is he out there with them?”

“Did I say that?” Mary asked, doing her best to look innocent.

Niki only laughed, sent for her wrap, and headed that way. She told herself it was only normal to check on the boys; after all, she was their mother. But in truth, Denley had been seeing to that for her at the moment. The boys were, nevertheless, pleased to see her, and Edward smiled in his warm way, causing Niki to calm a little.

“I didn’t know you were returning today,” Niki said after the boys had been reminded about their verse.

“Well, Henry was coming.” Edward sounded calmer than he felt. “And the boys were disappointed on Sunday not to see my boots.”