“Come.” His mother placed her open book on her lap, glanced at him, and smiled. “What a pleasant surprise. I did not expect to see you until dinner.”
He stepped forward and bussed the cheek she offered. “We have found Miss Bywater. I depart for Town tomorrow.” Her sharp turquoise eyes, eyes the same color as his, searched his face. “I shall remain for the Season.”
She nodded in approval. “I am glad you are finally ready. Four years is long enough.”
“It is, but you and I both know it was necessary.” Remembering himself then and looking at himself now, Nate was amazed at how much he’d changed. How much he had needed to change. “When will you leave?”
“In a few days.” She put her book on the small, round cherry table next to her chaise. “I shall plan several entertainments this Season. Possibly even a ball.”
Surmising that this was for his benefit, Nate inclined his head. “Very well. I’ll take the traveling coach, but will send it back for you.”
“Thank you. I might want to purchase my own coach this Season.” It was clear she hoped he’d marry.
“We have plenty of time to discuss that later. I should go back downstairs. I expect Mr. Odell to arrive shortly.”
“I shall see you at dinner.”
“Until then.”
He reached his study shortly before his butler came to announce Odell. The older man appeared to be on tenterhooks, but one could hardly blame him. When Nate waved Odell to take a seat, he took the same chair the runner had occupied. “I take it we’re sure it’s her?”
“Yes. She is at the Whitechapel workhouse under her own name.” Hulatt brought a tea tray and Nate poured. “We should depart early tomorrow morning. I have horses posted along the Great North Road to London.” He handed a cup to Mr. Odell. “The runner said she was very thin. I propose we bring my older traveling coach so that you can ride back in that.”
“No need, my lord. We have our own coach. If you’ll permit me to travel with you, my coach can follow with my wife.”
Nate smiled to himself. The man was a gentleman farmer, thus not gentry, and would not allow himself to be any more beholden to Nate than he had to. “If that will suit you better. There is one other thing.” Mr. Odell glanced up. “There is a child. I do not know the state of its health.”
Odell’s lips pressed together. “I can’t say I’m surprised. If the good Lord hadn’t taken my son so soon, they would’ve been wed before he died. We’ll take them both and be glad for it. The babe is the only thing left of my boy.”
“Meet me here at sunrise.” The faster they reached London, the safer Miss Bywater would be.
The man rose with more energy than he’d had when he’d come in. “That I will.”
Nate came out from behind his desk and offered his hand, which Mr. Odell took and shook heartily. “I’m glad we found her.”
“And we’re more than glad for your help.” Although Odell didn’t smile, his eyes held a spark of hope. “Good country air and food will see them both right.”
“Will you tell Bywater?” The families had been cordial at one time.
“I can’t think of a good reason why I should.” Odell’s jaw jutted out belligerently. “In fact, if Emily will let me, I’ll adopt her. Change her name to Odell. Her and the child both. That’s what my son would have wanted.”
“Yes. I’m convinced you are correct.” From attempting to persuade the local vicar to marry the couple even though the last banns had not been read to obtaining a special license, which they had been denied due to their status, the family had tried everything to see the couple wed before John Odell died. “Until tomorrow.”
“Thank you again, my lord.”
Nate saw him to the front door. A light rain had begun to fall, and he hoped it wouldn’t go on for long. “Give your wife my greetings, and hurry home before you become too wet.”
“I’ll do that.” Odell waved his arm. “No need to worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
Nate watched his neighbor leave the room. Offering to find the girl had been only one of his steps to redemption, and he was glad he’d done it. He did not even want to imagine what Miss Bywater’s life and that of her child would be like if they had not been found.
* * *
The next morning dawned cold but clear. That in itself was a blessing insomuch as it meant the roads wouldn’t be mired in mud. Padraig followed Nate to the door. “I’m sorry, boy, but you can’t come this time.” He rubbed the wiry fur on the dog’s head. “I’ll see you in a few days.” Mr. and Mrs. Odell were waiting for him when Nate stepped outside. “I would have been happy to offer you tea.”
“Don’t I know it, my lord,” Mrs. Odell, a plump, good-hearted woman said. “But we’ve broken our fast, and I packed a flask of tea. You two get on your way, and I’ll follow. I don’t know how far behind you I’ll be, us not having bloodstock like yours, but if you tell me where to meet you, I’ll be there as soon as I can be.”
She’d most likely fall a good distance behind them. But the carriage appeared to be well sprung, and if the horses weren’t matched bays, they were still sweet-goers. “Go to Fotherby House on Grosvenor Street. We’ll meet you there.” Nate wished he could offer a change of cattle at the posting inns, but because only his mother had been making the journey, he wasn’t sure there was more than one team at each stop. “Let’s be off.” He bowed to Mrs. Odell. “If you allow, I’ll arrange for your changes when we stop. It will be faster that way.”
