Mrs. Burkard swallowed slowly. “He was.”
Colin paused, letting her words sink in. “Do you know what battalion he fought in?” he demanded.
She named his own unit, and added, “He was exceptionally proud of it.”
Colin stared at the woman in disbelief, finding it hard to formulate words. “I have been looking for you, Mrs. Burkard.”
She looked unsure. “May I ask why?”
“Your husband saved my life,” Colin shared. “He gave up his own to ensure I had time to escape.”
Tears came to Mrs. Burkard’s eyes. “That sounds like my Sam. He was always looking out for other people.”
Colin took a step closer to her. “It is my turn to return the favor,” he said. “I want you to pack your belongings and I will send a coach to retrieve you.”
“But where will we go?” Mrs. Burkard asked.
“You shall reside with me until we find you a more suitable place to live,” Colin said.
“We can’t possibly intrude—” Mrs. Burkard started.
“I’m afraid I won’t take no for an answer,” Colin asserted, holding up his hand. “You are now under my protection, and I refuse to let you live in squalor.”
Peter grabbed his mother’s arm. “Can you believe this is happening to us?”
Tears streamed down Mrs. Burkard’s face. “I can scarcely believe it.”
“You will not want for anything,” Colin remarked. “I can promise you that.”
“But, why?” Mrs. Burkard said. “You don’t know us.”
“No, but I knew Sam, and I know he would have wanted this for you and your son,” Colin stated. “It is the least I can do for the man who gave his life for mine.”
Mrs. Burkard nodded slowly. “I cannot thank you enough, milord.”
“It is I who should be thanking you,” Colin said, his voice growing emotional. “Now pack your things, or don’t. It is entirely up to you, but a coach will be by shortly.”
Colin glanced over at Arabella and gestured towards the door. “Shall we?”
As they exited the cottage, Arabella said, “That was rather unexpected.”
“I have been looking for Sam Burkard’s family since I arrived home,” he explained as they walked towards the woodlands to collect their horses. “I just didn’t expect to find them living right under my very nose.”
With mirth in her eyes, she said, “You would have discovered them earlier if you had heeded my advice and become acquainted with your tenants.”
Colin lifted his brow. “Are you truly gloating at a time like this?”
“I am,” she replied. “Is there ever a bad time to gloat?”
He chuckled. “I suppose not.”
“For whatever it is worth, I am glad that you found them,” she said.
“As am I.”
* * *
The afternoon sunwarmed his back as Colin penned a letter to the investigator. He felt as if a great weight had lifted off his shoulders now that he had found Sam Burkard’s family. He would do whatever it took to ensure that he honored Sam’s memory.
