Page 75 of The Earl and His Lady

Her eyes went to the driveway again, to the chestnut trees that looked rather like they were holding up a sky full of gray clouds.

Would he ever return? Was Phillip right, and they ought to go and search him out?

Virginia thought she knew why he left. She knew it must be her fault, somehow. She had to have said or done something terrible to discourage him so. That morning, at the churchyard, everything had changed. Or had it been before that?

She didn’t know and she didn’t care, though the outcome left her wondering how she might repair the damage done.

A flash of color appeared from between the chestnut trees—a dash of deep blue against the browns and greens of nature. She took in a deep breath and leaned closer to the window, her nose touching the glass.

But no. Even from this distance, she knew it could not be Lucas. The rider had dark hair and hunched over his mount in a way she had never seen Lucas sit. Who could it be?

Virginia stepped away from the window, folding her letter. She dropped it atop the desk, noting Edward’s ever-growing pile of sketches waiting for Lucas’s return. Edward had asked to post his artwork to his new papa, but Virginia convinced him it would be a greater surprise for Lucas to have them all waiting upon his return.

Why hadn’t she recognized that she needed the same thing as her children? Edward had been quick to embrace Lucas in his life, to depend upon him for protection and care. Phillip, though he’d been slower to accept Lucas, hadn’t hesitated because he didn’t want to be loved by his stepfather, but because he didn’t know if he would be loved in return. Lucas proved himself to Phillip by not giving up and allowing the boy to come around in his own time.

Virginia had held herself apart. Yes, she still missed Charles. She would always miss Charles. He was a part of her, the father of her sons, the man she had loved for several precious years and who would always hold a place in her heart.

But Charles had also been the man who would tell her now, with a tenderness she could feel within her heart, that he would want her to be happy, to find someone to care for her as he had.

Walking to the front door, preparing to greet the unknown visitor, Virginia became distracted by a sound on the stair. She looked up and saw Phillip and Edward, their faces looking over the rail. She smiled, realizing Edward would be on his toes to manage it.

“Is it Papa?” Edward asked.

Had they been watching the windows too? Her heart sunk. When would Lucas return?

“I’m afraid not. But stay just there and your curiosity will be satisfied shortly.” She smiled up at them, listening for the knock that would come—

The door burst open upon its hinges. Virginia whirled about, her mouth opening in a shout of surprise. Who would dare—?

Gerard Macon rushed in, wild-eyed, and came directly for her. She readied a scream but stopped when she saw his hand waving at her, gripping a pistol.

“Where are the boys?” he demanded, his voice a hiss that carried through the entry hall and blew up the staircase.

Dear God, let them keep still, she prayed, even as she started shaking her head. “What are you doing here?” Her voice trembled but the words came out strongly. She lifted her chin and stood straighter. “Take that gun out of my house.” Only her sons’ safety could make her so bold as to demand such a thing.

He laughed, an angry, sharp sound. “Your rank doesn’t scare me, Virginia. I want the boys. Now.”

“Why?” she asked. He must be out of his mind. His eyes were bloodshot, his face bright red, sweat shone on his forehead. What devil had possessed him to take up arms against a woman and two children?

“Now,” he said, his voice becoming shrill. He raised the pistol and pointed it at the center of her chest. “Or I shoot you and find them myself.”

Virginia’s mind had been spinning even as she spoke, going through what must be done to protect her sons from their obviously insane uncle. How could this be happening? She could not doubt the reality of her situation, though she wished it was but a nightmare from which she could wake.

The boys on the stairs hadn’t made a sound, but they might if they believed her to be in danger. Surely a servant had heard the commotion. Help would come, but would it be soon enough?

She needed to ensure the safety of her sons and the household.

Time. She needed to stall for time.

“Outside. It hasn’t been raining. They will be in their tree castle.” She lifted her chin. “By the lake.”

He took a step to her, and another. “Lead the way.”

Heart racing, Virginia nodded and went to the front door. She had to get him out of the house. Had to protect the boys. They would go for help, or they would hide.

She lifted her eyes slightly, looking over her shoulder, to see if Edward and Phillip were still at the rail. She saw no sign of them. Good.

“Eyes ahead,” Mr. Macon said, his voice cold.