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Simon had advised not to do too much whenever they went out. If they did too much or did it every night, they would draw suspicion on themselves. It was best to take it in bits and pieces. Nathan didn’t like it, but Simon was right. He did have a month to find out the answers, although four weeks might be too late for some of the children. Nathan wanted to know that they were safe and well. This was getting less and less optimistic in his mind the longer it went on. Nathan just wanted to know what was happening and stop the people doing it. Children were innocent. They shouldn’t be used like this.
He certainly wanted a few words with Eric Black.
Finally, Nathan knew he couldn’t put it off anymore. He had to go home. Besides, he was hungry, and he really wanted a hot bath that wasn’t one in the middle of a camp with tepid water. That was the only thing he missed about being in London; he could have a long, hot bath in private without having to worry about the next person to use the bath water.
Nathan looked up at the house as he descended from the carriage. Simon had alighted earlier to go to his own house, promising to meet him at the club. Now Nathan was at the home he had grown up in. The place where he had spent his formative years when they weren’t out in the country. The place where his father had died.
Nathan still remembered when he got the news that his father had passed away after a short illness. It had hit him hard. His father had been a good man, and Nathan loved him. He had supported his only son’s decision to go to France and fight Napoleon. No matter what his wife said, the last Earl of Brixton had been on Nathan’s side.
Nathan missed him, even now. He didn’t want the title. He would rather have his father back.
Thanking the driver and giving him a generous tip, Nathan headed up to the front door and turned the handle. It wouldn’t open. Strange. The door was always open during the day, and only locked up when everyone went to bed. Nathan gave the door a sharp nudge, but it didn’t move.
What was his mother up to that she had the door locked?
Nathan used the knocker, slamming it down three times. He had no idea what was going on, but he was going to find out. And locking him out of his own house? Not happening?
It was a little longer than normal before the door opened and the butler Mason was looking out at him. Nathan was shocked to see how the trusted servant had changed in the thirteen months since they had last seen each other. Mason looked greyer, thinner. He looked unwell. Nathan couldn’t help but stare.
Mason was staring back, his eyes widening as horror passed across his face. For a moment, Nathan thought he was going to pass out.
“Are you all right, Mason?”
The horror froze, and then shock and obvious relief replaced it. Mason swayed.
“Captain Reynolds! Oh, my!”
Nathan grabbed at him as the butler’s legs gave way. Helping him inside, Nathan kicked the door shut and urged Mason over to a nearby chair. He leaned his rifle against the wall and dropped his bag to use both hands to gently manhandle the butler. One of the under-footmen came into the hall, only to freeze with wide eyes when he saw Nathan. Him as well? What was going on that people were scared at the sight of him?
“Harrison, get Mason a glass of water.” Nathan undid Mason’s collar. “He nearly passed out.”
Harrison didn’t move. Mason gave the young man a smile.
“It’s all right. Do as Captain Reynolds says, lad.”
“Yes...yes, Mr. Mason.”
Harrison ran off. Mason slumped in the chair. His face was still pale, but he was looking more alert.
“Forgive me, Captain. I didn’t expect to see you.”
“Obviously. I thought Lady Brixton would have warned you of my return.”
“She mentioned it but didn’t say when exactly you would be returning.”
The relief in the butler was evident. Nathan frowned and inspected the older man’s complexion.
“You don’t look well at all, Mason. Are you ill?”
“Just a slight upset with my stomach.” Mason rubbed his belly. “It’s nothing, really.”
“It doesn’t look like nothing. When I’ve cleaned up myself, I’m going to get Doctor Fallowfields to look you over.”
Mason’s expression became pinched. Then he relaxed, and he nodded. “Very well, Captain.”
“Are you sure there’s nothing else? You looked like you’d seen a ghost when you first opened the door.”
“I…” Mason winced and closed his eyes. “Forgive me, Sir. I thought you were someone else.”
