Page 41 of How to Seduce a Viscount
It was difficult to tell if Grandfather agreed with him on the impact of those miracles. His grandfather sat for a long while in silence, letting those three wordsStepan is alivehang in the air, while the fire flickered and popped in the study at Sandmore on a cold February afternoon.
This room had been a part of the most important events of his life. He and his brothers had taken lessons in here on occasion growing up. It was where Grandfather had solemnly invited each of them into his network as Horsemen when they’d come of age. He and his brothers had joked between themselves that some grandfathers gave their grandsons watches when they entered adulthood but their grandfather had given them a calling. Despite the joking, Luce remembered being feverishly jealous of the three brothers who’d gone before him. How he’d coveted the day he’d been taken in and given his place alongside those brothers. After years of trying to catch up, he was finally one of them. This had also been the room in which Grandfather had shared the news of their titles—the latest milestone to be passed here.
‘I felt such news should be delivered in person,’ Luce gently broke in when the silence showed no sign of ending. ‘We came straight from Southend-on-Sea.’
His grandfather turned his dark gaze in Luce’s direction, his eyes bright with unshed tears. ‘It should, my boy. You were right to bring it in person. Forgive me my silence. So profound is my relief, so overwhelmed am I at your news. I had hoped, of course, but hope can be dangerous and disappointing. Especially at my age.’ He reached for a handkerchief with a hand that trembled just the slightest.
His age was showing. Some would say at last. One did not attain almost eighty-nine years of life without acquiring some wear. Wren had been right about that. He looked tired. There were bags at his eyes that no amount of sleep would cure and hewas thin. A tea tray had been brought but he’d only eaten a small sandwich.
‘Are you upset that I could not bring him back?’ That one failure had burdened his heart the entire trip.
Grandfather shook his head. Despite his weakness a moment ago, his voice was strong now, his mind clear. ‘No. For the network, it is unfortunate. The Horsemen need him. We can help him recall his memories, get him fully healed. All of it would be easier if he were here. His family needs him but this news will definitely suffice. It will mean everything to your parents, your brothers and sister. You were right to leave him money and to tell him we’ll send men. We have to trust now that Stepan will come when he’s ready.’ Grandfather reached for his hand. ‘My boy, you did it. You brought him back to us as best you could. We know he is alive and for now that is enough, more than enough.’
It was. Luce had come to accept that on the journey. Wren had helped, though, reminding him of what truly mattered. Happiness, contentment, were not to be taken lightly but enjoyed. Stepan deserved that as well. ‘I didn’t do it alone,’ Luce cautiously broached the next miracle he wanted to share. ‘Wren was an enormous part of this.’
‘As she should have been.’ Grandfather was stern. ‘She was not to have told you at all. I shall have to have words with her. You were not to be worried in case it was a goose chase.’
‘No, you will not have words with her over it,’ Luce said protectively, although he doubted Wren would appreciate the defence if she was in the room. After greeting Grandfather, Wren had insisted this interview be conducted between just the two of them and had taken herself off to refresh herself. ‘As you know, I can be quite persuasive.’
Grandfather gave him a sharp eye. ‘Exactly how persuasive, my boy? You know she is to retire, leave the game. I have it all arranged.’
Luce gathered his courage. Even at thirty-two, it was hard to stare down his grandfather. ‘Those plans have changed. We plan to marry.’
Again, the long silence. He’d managed to overwhelm his grandfather twice in the span of an hour. Luce waited. His grandfather gave a slow smile, his eye twinkling. ‘You aren’t going toaskfor her hand? You’re just going to take it?’ His tone suggested he wasn’t entirely displeased and it suggested something else Luce wasn’t quite sure he understood yet.
‘I am not taking anything.’ Luce chuckled. ‘You know Wren. No one takes a thing from her. This was our decision. Together. We have decided to wed.’
Grandfather seemed to think it over. ‘She understands what this means? No retirement, likely ever.’
Luce nodded. ‘She never wanted that. She said you wanted to see her protected. She couldn’t bear to disagree with you after all you’ve done for her. If protection was your goal, you have succeeded in that. I will be there.’
‘So you will.’ Grandfather’s gaze was steady. ‘That pleases me greatly. More than you know. She told you how we met on Audley Street? I was in town for the first time since your grandmother had passed. I had my work as always and the war kept me busy, but my heart was empty. You boys were grown, off to school in your case and Stepan’s, off to the Continent with the other two. My heart needed to be filled and there she was, the prettiest, most fragile-looking child I’d ever seen. Most unique, too, after being surrounded with all the dark-haired, dark-eyed Parkhursts. I’d never seen hair like that. She was an angel with her hand in my pocket. The universe moved at that moment and I knew I should care for her, take her from the streets. It was easy to see what would become of her if she stayed.’
His grandfather leaned forward. ‘I’ve never told anyone this, not even Wren. I felt as if your grandmother was with me, hervoice in my ear saying,Henry, save the child. Let her fill your heart.And so I did. The only time I’ve ever done anything so rash.’
Luce thought that was debatable but at least now he knew Wren was the only orphan he’d taken in. He needn’t worry on that account.
‘Now, she will truly be a part of our family. You are both dear to me. This fills me with wordless joy, Lucien. The circle is complete.’ Grandfather smiled contentedly.
The circlewascomplete. That elusive something Luce had not been able to put his finger on immediately became clear. Why, the old schemer… ‘You planned this,’ Luce posited his burgeoning hypothesis.
Grandfather gave him a sly look. ‘One cannot plan anything, really. One can only put events in motion and let nature take its course. I did not plan for her to be chased and stabbed. That note sent fear through me, to think she’d been harmed. But I knew she was in good hands with you. Nor did I plan for Gerlitz’s men to come after you so soon, but her injury worked against me there. Gerlitz had time to regroup.’
‘But you did plan on her telling me about Stepan, despite your words to the contrary to her and again just now to me.’ Luce caught his grandfather out.
‘I counted on you persuading her,’ Grandfather admitted.
‘Just as you counted on us falling in love? How could you have been so sure so little time would have been enough to make the connection?’ But he knew how. Wren’s words came back to him: Parkhursts fell fast and hard.
‘Count on nothing, my boy. You know that.’ Grandfather admonished. ‘Assumptions are dangerous, but I did want to give you a chance to meet when the time was right.’ It had been right. Luce could see that now in hindsight. He was facing a matrimonial deadline and Wren had been facing thedanger of being recognised. She needed protection, more than Grandfather could offer her. But Luce could provide it. In lieu of that, disappearance would have to do.
‘Wren suspects nothing,’ Luce said.
‘Neither did you.’
‘We worried about your approval,’ Luce scolded. That had been another burden he’d carried on the journey.
‘I always approve of love, my boy. Kieran’s wedding should have proven that.’ Grandfather rubbed his hands on his thighs. ‘Now, when’s the wedding to be and where? I’d like it to be here at the bride’s home, at Sandmore, as soon as possible—which means as soon as the family can gather.’
