Page 59 of In Want of a Wife
She opened the door and smiled. “Good morning.”
“I’ve news,” Mrs. Davies said, and she clasped her hands together. “Your things have been returned.” She stepped out of the way, revealing Lily’s trunk and bag stacked along the small hallway wall.
Thank goodness.
Lily felt her shoulders drop for the first time in days.
“The constable paid a call early this morning and dropped off your belongings with Rafe.”
Finn ambled down the hallway, pushing past Mrs. Davies and bumping against Lily’s thigh in a big furry hello.
Relief washed over her. “I am very glad to hear that.” Lily quickly glanced behind her, trying to gain her bearings. She had slept so hard. “This morning?” she asked. “What time is it?”
“Oh, it’s almost eleven, dear.”
“I apologize. I never meant to sleep the day away.”
“No, no. You must be exhausted from the journey. There is no need to worry. When you are ready, I have fresh scones and tea. Mari and I are watching Rafe.”
“Watching?”
Mrs. Davies nodded, her eyes bright. “He took out the sailboat this morning and is sailing out in the harbor. Mari is delighted. We haven’t seen him sail in years.”
Lily’s stomach dropped. The stubborn man would only injure himself more. “I am looking forward to watching.”
She dressed, grumbling as she opened her trunk to discover her clothes riffled through. Nothing had been stolen at least. But her telescope hadn’t been with the rest of her belongings. And that was the one thing she could never replace.
Lily quickly pinned up her curls and greeted Finn, who waited outside her door. The small cottage was quiet as she made her way to the kitchen. A cup of tea and a scone were set out for her, as well as something else tied with a bow.
Her telescope.
She gasped, scanning the room for anyone, but she was alone. She pulled the telescope close to her chest and began to sob, so happy to hold it once more. Hers. It was the one possession she had in this world, and without it, she was lost. A small note that had been tucked in with the ribbon fell, fluttering down to land at her feet.
She bent down and unfolded the short missive, smiling as his words filled her heart.
Mari walked in through the kitchen door and waved, bending down to grab the cat before returning outside. Mrs. Davies stood on the cliffside overlooking the beach and gestured for Lily to join her.
“Has everything been returned then?” Mrs. Davies asked once Lily stood beside her.
She clutched the warm tea in her hand, a small smile playing at her lips. “Everything.”
And more.
He presently was sailing around the harbor as if afraid to head out to sea, but even from high above, she saw he wanted to. She could feel it.
“I never thought I’d see him sailing that boat again after the accident.” Rafe’s mother opened a parasol and reclined back into a chair, motioning for Lily to join her. “But there he is.”
“He’s quite good.”
“As was his father. Rafe wished to be a shipbuilder from the moment he learned his father was a naval captain. But the future holds many surprises, and he left us at eleven to be an apprentice on theHMS Hopkingtonwith his father’s friend, Captain Michael Ackerman.”
Lily waited, desperate to discover some truth that might unlock him for her. But Mrs. Davies never finished her thought.
“He was convinced I hated him for what happened with Mari, but that’s a child never understanding the depths of a mother’s love. He believed I had lost her after that day, but I lost him, and I’m not sure he’s realized that yet. I’m thankful that Henry had the sense to have the sailboat salvaged and restored for him. Rafe without the sea is a man robbed of his heart.”
“I can see that now.”
“Rafe and Henry love one another, but it seems they both wish to put more effort into making the other believe it is hate. Henry might be hard on his brother but not half as hard as Rafe is on himself.”
