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“The feud is over?” Alice asked.
“No, Simon has simply realized how in love we are. I think he still believes I will discard you. So, now it is I that must hope that you will not discard me.”
Alice reached down, taking his hands in hers.
“Silly Duke. Of course I will not. You hurt me. I will not deny it. But, you will have a lifetime to make amends for that. And I for the times that I will hurt you.”
She sat down on the narrow bed, attached to the wall by metal chains, and pulled Harold to her. He buried his face in her stomach, sighing as he felt her arms go around his head, fingers entwining in his hair.
EPILOGUE
Ty Gwyn was revealed to be a rambling house, nestled in the hills overlooking the coast of South Wales, a few miles east of St David’s. The location had come from Charlie Hitch, who had a good memory for the journey he had undertaken all those years before. The house was well named, its stone walls faced with white-painted plaster, in a homage to the style of Renaissance Italy. The Seamaid put into a river mouth and its passengers went ashore in one of two rowboats the ship carried.
A crew member rowed, making short work of the river current and driving the keel of the rowboat into a shore of sand and shingle. Through the trees, the house could be seen gleaming white. They had approached on foot, finding a well-maintained path that began near the river and wound its way through a pleasant woodland, and emerged at the foot of a wide lawn.
Ty Gwyn stood on the far side of that lawn, tree-coated hills rising behind it. Their appearance was quickly noted and a dark-haired gentleman emerged from the house before they were halfway to it. He had pince-nez perched on the bridge of his nose and deep-set eyes. His face bore ingrained lines and was set in a serious expression with a down-turned mouth. He introduced himself as Director Thomas Hendell. On being introduced to Simon Hathway, his dark eyes opened wide and his lips parted in surprise.
“This is most irregular, and quite against the terms of the contract he entered into with your family, my lord,” Hendell said.
“What contract?” Simon asked.
Hendell seemed even more perplexed and looked at each of them in turn.
“Perhaps it would be best if I spoke to Lady Hathway. She is with you?”
“I am Lady Hathway,” Alice said. “You refer, perhaps, to my mother?”
“Yes, I do. It was she that had the contract drawn up. And was quite clear on the consequences to this hospital if we were to break the terms.”
“This is a hospital?” Alice asked.
“Yes. A particular kind, the need for which arose in the last war with the French. We care for those who have lost their sanity as a result of the horrors of war.”
“And our brother, Edward, was brought here,” Simon said.
Hendell clamped his mouth shut, lips compressing. Then said, “I cannot speak of it. To confirm or deny. That would be a breach of…”
“Director Hendell,” Harold said firmly. “There is more at stake here than you know. But the person who drew up the contract with you is dead. These two people now represent the Hathway family. I give my word, as Duke of Redwood, as an officer and a gentleman, that your contract is no longer valid.”
Hendell seemed to goggle at the titles and the oaths sworn. He was clearly taken by surprise.
“We know that our brother was brought here. A member of our household has borne witness to that,” Alice insisted. “What we do not know is why and what became of him. Please, Director Hendell. If there is anything that you can tell us.”
Hendell removed his pince-nez and pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes momentarily.
“I am an administrator and a physician. It is not my place to betray confidences entered into. In fact, my profession would be as naught if we could not keep confidences. Ultimately, it is not up to me. There is another I must speak to. If they agree, then all may be revealed. But only if they agree. If you will excuse me?”
The Director turned without allowing much time for dissent and hurried away. Alice looked around in exasperation.
“To come so far and be halted by bureaucracy!”
Harold smiled, gesturing to a wooden bench beneath an oak tree, some yards from the path.
“Shall we rest ourselves while we wait to find out what will happen next? All will be well.”
Alice followed him, and eventually, Simon too came to the roughhewn seat and perched on the end of it.
“It is a beautiful setting. Such a remarkable house and grounds,” Alice said.
