Beaufort had notstayed in Cork. With Annalise gone, there was no reason for him to remain; the city had lost its appeal. In fact, Ireland had lost its call to his soul. Navan had never thought it possible, but he had tired of fighting for a country which did not regularly fight for itself. “I simply wish to live out my days with my family on my land. I am weary of all this drama—all the fighting—all the manipulations—all the betrayal,” he whispered to the water as it rushed towards the riverbank. “I want Annalise at my side. In my bed. Heavy with my children. I want the sacrifice of my parents not to be in vain.”
With a sigh of resignation, he silently promised,I mean to see my grandmother settled, even if she must be presented with a person who will oversee her care and another to manage my grandfather’s property. I will set it all in order and then seek out someone to let the land until one of my sons may inherit it. I have always attempted to care for Grandmam, but I wish for my own family. I promise not to abandon Klare Fields, but I must not fail Annalise.
His mind set, Navan focused on what must be done when he returned to the manor, before whispering one more prayer for his wife’s speedy return to his side. “I am coming back to you, Annalise. Do not abandon what we have shared.”
Some forty andeight hours after leaving Cork City and her beloved Navan behind, Annalise and the Manfrieds took rooms at an inn in Bristol, England. The following morning, they hired a coach and a driver to carry them to London. Three days later, Mr. Manfried set her down before a grand-looking house, which she had only viewed once from the street when Lady Emma Orson had shown her all the homes of Lord Duncan’s sons. At the time, Annalise held the hope of someday knowing Lord Navan Beaufort as her husband, but now, as she stepped down onto the bricked street, she was his wife.
Mr. Manfried led her to the door and used his fist to pound upon it, as the knocker had been removed.
Annalise was considering going around to the kitchen, but, finally, a proper servant cracked the door open only enough to expose his person. “Yes, sir?” the servant said in apparent irritation.
“Mr. Manfried,” the man announced with a bow. “Lord Beaufort has paid me and my wife to deliver Lady Beaufort to her home.”
The butler looked at Annalise and a slight frown formed on hisfeatures before he recaptured it. “We were not expecting Lady Beaufort.”
Annalise took control of the situation. “Your master is still in Ireland. He sent me ahead. He also asked me to give you his written orders and to show you his family ring.” She handed him a signed card from her husband and fished the ring from her reticule to present in her hand for the man to view it.
The butler eyed the ring and glanced at the signature on the card. “Naturally, my lady, come inside out of the chill.”
“Might someone claim my small trunk from the coach?” she instructed.
The man snapped his fingers and a footman darted past her to do her bidding. Annalise slid Navan’s ring back into her purse. From the smaller of the bags the footman carried inside, she drew out the tied sack of coins promised to Mr. Manfried. “In my husband’s name, I thank you and your lady for your kindness.”
Mr. Manfried took the bag and handed his card to her. “Mrs. Manfried and I would be pleased if you called upon us at our bookery.”
“I shall do my best once I am settled properly,” she told the man. Quickly, Mr. Manfried was gone, and she was alone in a strange house and surrounded by people who did not know her, nor did she know them. Her mind, however, announced,Back to the beginning.
