Page 71 of The Lost Lord
The story spilled out in fits and starts as they piled into the gleaming black coach bearing the Northcote crest. Once they had paid duties on their cargo, they move it into the warehouse, which Richard would not be relinquishing after all. He could hardly believe it. The goal he had awaited for weeks was within his grasp.
“Seven weeks is an average voyage,” Miriam said as they bumped and rattled over the cobblestones. “We were lucky to have made it here in four.”
“Would that we had made such good time. It might’ve saved some trouble,” Arthur interjected.
“I doubt it,” Mrs. Kent said dourly. Miriam cast her guardian a quelling but affectionate glare.
“The reason Lizzie pursued you overseas, Mr. Northcote, is that I had resolved to have her committed to an asylum,” Arthur continued. “You see, this isn’t the first time she has pursued an affair and attempted to leverage it into blackmail. Had I known what Lizzie was, I never would have married her. Alas, she can be exceptionally charming when she wishes to be. It’s part of her manipulations.” He sighed heavily. “As the saying goes: marry in haste, repent at leisure.”
“You weren’t the only one taken in by Lizzie,” Miriam replied softly. “I genuinely believed she was my friend. Looking back upon it now, I think she was plotting to steal my inheritance for years. All she needed was a man she could blackmail into doing her bidding.”
“And she found one in me,” Richard said bitterly. “I had nothing to live for, until I met Miriam.”
“That was what she couldn’t understand,” interjected Mrs. Kent.
“I beg your pardon?” he asked stiffly.
“Lizzie was confused when you refused to go along with her plan. You did everything she wanted for months, with only a hint of resistance.” Arthur said with a small, sad smile.
“I am horrified you know this, and that we are discussing this subject in front of my wife.” Richard glanced sidelong, his face flaming with discomfort. Miriam squeezed his hand.
“It’s either that or the truth comes out in front of your family,” retorted Mrs. Kent.
“Fair enough. We’ve nearly arrived. Permit me to get this humiliation over with as quickly as possible.” Richard requested.
“As I said, it’s not the first time Lizzie has attempted something like this. Once she set her sights on your title and Miriam’s fortune, she wasn’t going to stop until she bullied her way into having it for herself. She is utterly indifferent to the effects of her actions upon others,” Arthur said.
“He doesn’t have a title. The Lord is only a courtesy,” Miriam explained with a grin. “See? I am learning.”
“I’m afraid you’ll have to learn it all over again, my love. For I have been made a viscount, by order of the king.” Richard clasped her hand. Mrs. Kent sputtered.
“It’s a good thing I came, then. Who knows what Lizzie would have attempted if she’d found out?”
“Let’s not think of it.” Miriam said with a shudder.
* * *
“Are they sleeping?”Miriam whispered. A floorboard squeaked beneath her foot, and Miriam winced. Two tiny infants slumbered in the arms of Viola and Richard. Lord Darby loomed over Viola and brushed a strand of hair over her shoulder.
“Like babies,” Viola grinned up.
“Are you certain you don’t want one?” Darby asked quietly.
“Without doubt,” Viola whispered as the bundle in her arms fussed. “Although I am an excellent auntie, I am content not to have one of my own ever again.”
“You are without doubt an excellent auntie,” Darby responded softly.
“If you need another of your own, I understand,” Viola replied sotto voce.
“As if he will ever leave you,” scoffed Edward. “No title is worth giving up your dreams.”
“I have an heir,” Darby said mildly. “My nephew, Cameron. The only reason to want another baby is because it would be yours. If you are not so inclined, I shall silence myself on the topic forever.”
Viola clasped his hand and brought it to her lips. “That would be the only reason for me to want one as well. Alas, I couldn’t survive the loss of a child again.”
Miriam stroked one infant’s impossibly soft cheek. With love came loss. Adventure brought pain along with stimulating discovery, and it was impossible to know in advance how much of each she would encounter. Like a ship, she could harness the wind to go where she wanted, but there was no avoiding the storms. Richard was her North star, guiding her home, lighting her way through dark times.
“I hope to have a child one day,” she whispered.
