Page 78 of The Earl and His Lady

Lucas finally lowered his weapon and turned to her, his heart in his eyes again. This man loved her, had done nothing but put her and her sons first in his thoughts since they met. She had only been a widow six months. But how could she dictate to her heart that it must wait, when he stood before her ready to give her everything?

Spots appeared before her eyes and she sucked in a sharp breath, nearly whimpering.

“You’re hurt.” He turned and gestured for another man to come take his weapon. Gerard was climbing down the ladder with one pistol trained on him already. Lucas took off his coat and wrapped it around her shoulders. It had turned cold, hadn’t it? Virginia opened her mouth to thank him, but then his arms were around her and he dipped down to hook one around her knees. He lifted her up, cradling her in his arms.

“I came as soon as I could,” a familiar voice said. Virginia turned her startled gaze to Thomas Gilbert, sitting astride a fine bay horse. “I was riding this direction when your man spotted me. What can I do?”

“Give me use of your horse and keep an eye on Macon until the magistrate comes.”

Thomas swung down from his horse and held it steady. Lucas lifted her up first and she gripped the front of the saddle, still addled. An instant later, Lucas was behind her, his arms around her again. She sighed and leaned against his chest, tucking herself against him.

“You’re safe now,” Lucas said, pulling the horse around and taking her back up the hill to the house. “The boys are in the passageway. I’ll take care of you, Virginia.”

She closed her eyes and smiled. “I know.” She felt his lips press gently against the top of her head, near what must be a rather impressive bump by this time. “I’m glad you’re home,” she whispered. His arms tightened around her and they said nothing more until they reached the house.

The first person she saw when Lucas led her into the front door was a harried looking footman, who was obviously relieved to see her. His wig was askew and his shirt untucked. Gresham would not be pleased.

But then Lucas took her up the stairs and she saw Gresham standing in the gallery hall, a shotgun in his hands. His posture was perfect, his old face the proper mask of a butler. He bowed when he saw them. “Welcome home, my lord. My lady, I am pleased to see you are safe. Shall I put this away then?”

“Yes Gresham. And when everyone has returned, see to it all the men get a good, strong drink and whatever food they need.” Lucas met her shocked expression and grinned. “He’s very loyal.”

“I know.” She kept moving and saw Nurse Smythe stick her head around a doorway.

“Oh, thank the Lord,” the nurse said, then disappeared. Virginia hurried forward and entered the music room just as the panel concealing the secret passage slid aside and her sons tumbled out. “It’s all right, boys. Your mother and father are back.”

Virginia dropped to her knees and opened her arms, tears burning behind her eyes. The boys came out, shaking and talking all at once, running into her embrace. Virginia looked up at Lucas.

His eyes were shining and as she watched, tears escaped. He knelt next to them, hesitating, asking her for permission with the look on his face. Virginia nodded, offering him what must’ve been a tremulous smile. Lucas’s long arms opened and he wrapped them around them all, holding the boys, holding her.

“Papa’s back,” Edward whispered loudly into her ear. “Did he save you?”

“Yes, darling.” She met Lucas’s gaze over the children’s heads. “Again.”

He chuckled and shook his head, holding them all tighter.

“Next time you go to London, you better take us with you,” Phillip said, his voice muffled as his face was still pressed into Virginia’s shoulder.

“I won’t leave you behind anymore,” Lucas said firmly.

The walls around her heart had been crumbling for weeks, but now they fell to the ground at last. Lucas was a man of his word. He wouldn’t leave again. And finally, she would have the chance to tell him what she could never have put in a letter.

Chapter Twenty-nine

“Papa?” At Edward’s quiet greeting, Lucas looked up from his desk, a smile already on his face. “May we come in?” Edward had put his face around the door, an earnest look in his eyes.

“Please, do.” Putting his pen down, Lucas stood. Edward pushed the door open and came in, Phillip directly behind him.

“How are you this morning, Phillip? Edward?” Lucas gestured to the chairs on the other side of his desk. “And does Nurse know you’re here?”

“Yes, Papa,” they chorused, taking their seats before him.

“I have wanted to speak to you both since yesterday. It was a very hectic afternoon, wasn’t it?”

They nodded and Phillip started talking rapidly. “I was frightened for Mother, but I knew she wouldn’t want us to make a sound.” After the initial heightened emotion began to wear down, Lucas had received a full account of all that had happened from everyone.

No one had heard Macon enter the house aside from Virginia and the boys. The servants had all been called to their hall for special instruction. Gresham had been most apologetic, though no fault could be laid at his feet. Phillip had pulled Edward away from the rails when he heard his mother’s fright and listened to everything, then took Edward to the secret passage before running to find the servants. He told them what he heard and Gresham took over like a general. Two maids escorted Phillip to the secret passage, then told Nurse what had happened. Lucas had been astounded by Virginia’s quick thinking to lead the villain away from the house, but she had not allowed a single compliment to be given. She insisted she did what any mother would, and that was to lead danger away from her children.

It could have gone terribly wrong when Macon realized her trickery. Lucas tried not to think on it, afraid of what he might do, what acts he might commit against the man for threatening his family.