Dom rose and joined her. “Who do you think it could be?”
“I don’t know.” She shook her head. Who indeed? “It was very strange of Paken not to have mentioned his name.”
Another footman hurried up to them holding a calling card. “Mr. Paken said you’d want this, my lord.”
Dom took it, holding it so she could see as well. “Major Robert Cavanaugh. Tom’s father. I thought he wasn’t due back for months.”
“Bring tea and toast, please,” she said to the footman. “I don’t know if he’s broken his fast yet.” Once the footman had gone, she turned to Dom. “He must be worried sick.”
They arrived to find a tall man dressed in the distinctive green uniform of the 95th Rifles pacing the room. When he saw them he bowed. “Lord Merton?”
Dom held out his hand. “Yes, this is Miss Stern, soon to be Lady Merton. You must be Major Cavanaugh. Let me assure you that Tom is fine. He is at my cousin’s house on Berkeley Square for the moment.”
“Thank God.” Major Cavanaugh ran his hands over his face. “Thank God he’s safe. I had a message that my wife was murdered, but that you’d found my son. But how?”
“Major”—Dotty sank onto the small sofa near the fireplace—“please have a seat. Tea will be here in just a moment.”
He perched on the edge of the sofa opposite her. Dom stood behind her, his hands on her shoulders.
“We are extremely happy to see you,” Dom said. “Apparently, your wife made Tom memorize your family details. I’ve attempted, without luck, to contact your family.”
“Yes.” His voice broke, and he stopped for a moment. “With all the traveling we did, she was convinced he might someday . . . That is the reason I was called back from my mission. My older brother died, and my father is not in good health. He wasn’t well before I left, and the death has taken its toll. I must post to Lincolnshire as soon as may be, but first”—he sucked in a breath—“can you tell me what happened to my wife?”
Dotty told him about meeting Tom and what they discovered afterward. When the tea arrived, she poured a cup and added a little extra sugar.
The major took it from her. “Thank you.” He took a sip, then set it down. “We go off and fight for our country”—his voice cracked—“expecting our families to be safe. I never even suspected . . .”
He appeared as if he needed time alone. “Major, Lord Merton and I have a few things to attend to. If you’d like, you may remain here for a while. When we are finished, we shall take you to see Tom.”
“Thank you. You’re very kind.”
Dotty rose, signaling him to remain seated. Once they were out of the study and had closed the door, tears sprang to her eyes. “I need some fresh air. Walk with me?”
Dom held her in his arms. “Whatever you want, my love.” He took her to a parlor in the back of the house that led to the terrace. “I can’t imagine what he’s going through. Losing his wife like that.”
“Senseless greed on the part of Mrs. White and the others.” She forced her thoughts from the major to the gardens. Anything to keep her mind busy. “I think I would like new plantings for next year.”
Dom was quiet for a moment. “It could probably use some refurbishing. Perhaps some statuary as well.”
She nodded briskly, glad he was not making her discuss Tom’s situation. “Yes, maybe an arbor or two.” She wiped a lone tear that had leaked out. “Oh, this isn’t working very well at all.”
“No, I didn’t suppose it would. Shall I just hold you?”
“Yes, I think that would be best.”
They stood in full view of the house while Dotty hugged him as hard as she could. All the time they’d dealt with the ladies and Tom, she had concentrated on making it all better. Now with the major’s grief so new and raw, she had trouble holding back her own tears. Thank the Lord she had Dom and he understood. Long moments later, she said, “I’m all right now. We should send a note to Matt and Grace. Tom will be excited to see his father again.”
At least she could give the major his son.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
During the walk to Stanwood House, Thea and Dom focused their conversation on what Tom had been doing since coming to live at Merton House. She seemed to need to emphasize the happier news, and he hoped the major would agree.
“It was his drawing that enabled me to find Miss Stern when she’d been abducted.” Dom placed his hand over hers. “That information must, of course, be kept among ourselves.”
“Naturally,” Major Cavanaugh responded. “I can’t tell you how thankful I am that you agreed to take him in, my lord.”
“Your gratitude should be directed to Miss Stern. She saw immediately what needed to be done.” Dom suppressed the sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. If he’d had his way, the result didn’t bear thinking of.
