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Alice nodded. “I do. And you are right. If there is no place for Teddy there, then it means we were lied to about his interment there with the rest of the family. That alone will confirm if there is more mystery to be solved.”
She took a breath and let it out slowly, as she let herself rest against Harold. He held her close, ignoring the discomfort. She needed comfort more than he needed relief from the pain of his injuries. He would endure that pain to give her the succor that she needed.
“If the mystery deepens when we have paid our macabre visit…you mentioned Wales. The south or the north?” Harold asked.
“I do not know, to be honest. By the coast. I did not think to ask which coast. Why?”
“It does not matter. Our route would be the same. I have ships in Bristol that trade with the United States. Whether or not we need to investigate this place in Wales that your brother was taken to, I could show you my ships.”
Alice’s head came up, a light in her eyes. Despite everything, she still yearned for adventure and travel. Even the thought of seeing ships bound for far-off lands was enough to excite her. Harold smiled fondly.
“And if Simon cannot be persuaded to give his blessing to our marriage. Well, there is no reason why it must take place in England. Is there?” Harold asked.
Alice laughed. “None whatsoever. Are you saying that we could be married in…in Egypt? Or India?”
“Or Brazil or Africa or an island in the Pacific Ocean. Anywhere,” Harold replied.
CHAPTER47
The Trinity Church of Ardle Heath was a square, Norman construction with buttresses and a bell tower topped with crenelations. It resembled a small fortress rather than a place of worship. Alice and Harold walked up the newly paved path, between ancient graves, towards the church. The paving had been paid for by Simon, acting the part of the wealthy benefactor to the hilt. Alice could not fault him for it, Simon had always had a strong sense of duty.
Knowing that the wealth Simon had found had been extorted from Harold, using the threat of disgrace to her name, did make her resent every step. The white evenly laid paving was evidence in stone of Simon’s hatred and willingness to debase himself in pursuit of vengeance. Harold walked beside her, leaning heavily on a cane. Earlier in the day, they had fallen asleep in each other’s arms, to be woken gently by a servant in time for lunch.
Harold had eaten heartily and pronounced that the rest and repast had done him the world of good.
He exaggerates so as to placate me. I would have waited to make this inspection. Or gone alone. He wishes neither. A speedy resolution to the mystery and the evidence presented to Simon that Harold is not the nemesis he has always believed him to be.
She cast a secretive glance at Harold, not wanting him to know that she was keeping an eye on him for any sign of needing rest. He walked upright and seemed to be putting as little weight as he could on the stick. His face was tight with pain though, try as he might to hide it. His free hand remained at his side, though more than once he lifted it as though to hold his side, before remembering.
And brought about by my brother. In defense of my honor, as Simon sees it anyway.
“I am well. I will not fall flat on my face,” Harold said without looking at her.
Alice looked away, blushing. When she looked back, he was looking at her, smiling.
“If you expect me not to worry about you when you are hurt, then do not marry me. I will always do it, more so as your wife,” Alice told him.
“And I will complain that you mother me and that I am stronger than I actually am. There are parts of this world where weakness must not be shown.”
“A very wise statement, sir. One I have found to be true,” said a man stepping out of the door leading into the church’s cool, dark interior.
He wore the attire of a vicar, was tall, and bore a shock of white hair and a patrician face.
“Reverend Archer. It is good to see you,” Alice said. “I hope you are well.”
Archer smiled, inclining his head. “Praise be, I remain in better health than a man my age and with my responsibilities has a right to expect. Better, I wager, than your friend.”
“May I introduce, His Grace, the Duke of Redwood,” Alice said.
Bushy white eyebrows were raised. “Indeed? There is much gossip in the village about the age-old feud between Lindley and Redwood.”
“Nonsense,” Harold said abruptly. “A reason not to listen to gossip.”
“There is no truth to it, Reverend. I can vouch for that,” Alice said.
“There is truth to the rumor that your father was an ally of the old Viscount. That they parted in enmity and the Hathway family suffered greatly as a result.”
“Am I to be punished for the sins of my father?” Harold demanded, angrily.
