“Come, my dear,” Mrs. Turrill insisted. “You heard the magistrate. You’re free to go. It’s all in the past.”
“Is it?”
“Well, that’s for you to decide, isn’t it?”
Behind them, the door opened. Nervous, Hannah glanced back and saw James Lowden step outside. James met her gaze, his mouth drawn tight, eyes intense. Hannah was uncertain what else she saw in his expression, but it wasn’t good. He looked away first.
He did not approach her. Instead, he crossed the drive, signaling a groom to bring the carriages back around.
The others came out, Sir John and Marianna, followed by a trio of sheepish Parrishes.
Sir John saw her with Mrs. Turrill and broke away from the others with the help of his cane. “Miss Rogers. Where are you going?”
Hannah was aware of the others ceasing their own conversations and turning to watch them. “To Mrs. Turrill’s. For now.”
He opened his mouth, thought the better of whatever he’d been about to say, and pressed his lips together, making do with a terse nod. He clasped his hands, cane and all, behind his back as though they were tied. And indeed, they were.
Hannah swallowed. “And are you and ... Lady Mayfield ... going home?”
He winced. “Yes. To Clifton for now and then back to Bristol. I shall endeavor to forgive her with God’s help. To do my duty by her, though I don’t pretend it shall be easy. Especially after today.”
Tears pricked Hannah’s eyes. She whispered, “You are doing the right thing.”
He grimaced. “I hope so. But if you need anything—”
Hannah interrupted him gently, “I appreciate you defending me so gallantly. I do. But that’s an end to it. It’s time I was out on my own.”
She half expected him to ask,“On your own, or with James?”But he did not. His gaze flickered to the solicitor, who watched them from a distance.
Mrs. Turrill spoke up. “She’ll be in good hands, Sir John. Her and Danny both. Never you worry.”
Again, that pained terse nod. “Thank you, Mrs. Turrill.”
A few minutes later, Hannah walked side by side with her former housekeeper to the yellow cottage at the bottom of Countisbury Hill. It had been their parents’ home, Mrs. Turrill explained, which she and her sister had inherited together—and now shared when not employed elsewhere.
Inside, Hannah warmly greeted Martha Parrish, a spinster, and thanked her for her hospitality. The woman was gracious, though a bit more reserved than her sister.
In the small sitting room, they drank weak tea together, and took turns cuddling Danny and assuring Becky that all was well.
Was it?Hannah silently asked herself. Inwardly, she was not as confident as she tried to appear.Almighty God, what should I do now?
Chapter26
James Lowden watched Hannah walk away with the housekeeper. Seeing them together reminded him of Hannah’s change in status. At one time, she had seemed far above him as “Lady Mayfield.” Then she’d descended closer to his social equal as a clergyman’s daughter. And now? Side by side with a housekeeper. Was she even lower than that? Fallen woman that she was, and nearly a criminal? Perhaps he should feel relieved to be parted from her and take advantage of the jarring turn of events to sever all ties. A part of him thought it would be wisest to do just that.
Another part of him longed to run after her, regardless of who was looking. Beg her to marry him, to allow him to care for her and provide for her. Remorse filled him. He felt embarrassed—weak—when he thought of how he’d sat there, silent, while Sir John spoke up so nobly and effectively on her behalf and gained her release. James was the solicitor, after all. Should it not have been him? But he had not said a word.
Even now, James was hesitant to speak. To make known the information he had learned while in Bristol. He had set out to uncover evidence of Marianna Mayfield’s fate and affair, and instead he’d found so much more. Was he obligated to makeit known? He had planned to. After all, he had even brought along a witness to his astounding claim. He doubted anyone would believe him otherwise.
But seeing the impassioned plea Sir John had made on Hannah’s behalf, and her obvious gratitude afterward, almost made him wish he had not been so hasty in bringing the fellow along.
It was too late now. He hoped he wouldn’t live to regret what he was about to do.
James waited until the Mayfields and Parrishes departed in cart and gig—a silent, somber party—before making his way to Lord Shirwell’s stable yard to reclaim his own horse. And his guest.
Arriving at Clifton House a short while later, James left the horses in the stables, and asked his guest to wait outside for a few minutes.
Then James trudged with leaden legs toward the house.
