“You’ve found Synne’s ring, I see,” Clara said, a hint of humor in her voice.
He gaped, unable to take his eyes from it. “That belonged to Synne?”
“It did.” There was a pause, and then, “Would you like to hold it?”
Before he could refuse—for he felt if he held such an ancient, brittle-looking piece in his rough, too-large hands, he would destroy it—she opened the case and pulled the ring from its velvet bed. In the next instant, she had hold of his hand and was placing the band in his palm.
The metal should have been cool to the touch, but it felt hot against his skin. It filled him up, erased who he had thought he was, grounded him to where he truly belonged. And he saw that what he had thought to be delicate and in need of protection was, in fact, enduring and strong.
Like Lenora. Like his love for her.
His chest ached. “Thank you,” he whispered. He watched with reverence as the ring was placed back on its bed, and soon he was saying farewell with a promise to return.
He mounted up and turned his horse for Seacliff. There was nothing holding him back now. Soon Lenora would know his heart, and he would do everything in his power to make her his.
Chapter 32
Peter!” Lady Tesh exclaimed as he was shown into her sitting room not half an hour later. “You have not returned to Boston.”
His lips quirked as he strode toward her. “Obviously.” And yet, despite the sarcasm in his drawl, he could not help scanning the room. Lenora was not there. Damn and blast, he’d been so certain she would be. But perhaps that was for the best, for if she had been, Redburn was certain to be as well. And he could not stomach the thought of the man just then.
“You’re looking well, Aunt,” he said, bending to kiss her cheek. Freya lifted her head, and he scrubbed at her messy mop with his fingers before seating himself beside Lady Tesh.
Still the viscountess gaped at him. He tried for a mocking smile, though his insides churned with impatience. “I see I have rendered you speechless. One might think you were not happy to see me.”
Lady Tesh seemed to recall herself at once. “Of course I’m happy to see you, my boy. Goodness, but I’ve been lonely. It is good to have you back.”
Uneasiness settled under his skin for a moment. He laughed, but it was strained. “Lonely? I would hardly call having the company of two young ladies a lonely thing.”
To his shock, Lady Tesh appeared stricken. “But you don’t know? Lenora and Margery are no longer here. They’ve been gone several days now.”
He straightened, leaning forward. “Gone? What do you mean, gone?” The dread that had been simmering beneath the surface exploded into a choking fear. “And Redburn?”
She shrugged. “Gone, too. Back to London.”
Shock pulled at him and he slumped back in his seat. There was only one reason for them to return to London: marriage. He was too late. She was lost to him. He ran a hand over his face. To be so close, and still to have lost her.
But the fire of hope was not yet extinguished. She had been gone only a few days. Even if Redburn managed to obtain a special license once they reached the capital, they would be traveling by carriage; if Peter rode hard, he might make up the time.
He surged to his feet. He must have appeared a madman, for Lady Tesh stared at him as if he had lost his mind.
“Peter, what the devil are you about?”
“I have to get to London,” he muttered, hurrying for the door.
“Why?” she cried.
“For Lenora,” he bit out over his shoulder. “She can’t marry Redburn. I have to stop her.”
Nothing on God’s green earth could have stopped him in that moment. Except for the sound of Lady Tesh’s laughter.
He wheeled about, gaping at her. “What is so damned funny?”
“Oh, Peter,” she gasped between guffaws, “you needn’t travel all the way to London for that.”
He frowned. “You make no sense, madam. Speak plainly or let me be off.”
Her laughter fell away, yet her eyes still glinted in amusement. “It is a fool’s errand to go to London for Lenora, because she’s not there. She’s still here, on the Isle.”
