"Regina, have you completely taken leave of your senses? You have more than enough staff in London, and at the country house." Cedric gaped at her. "I was about to offer to place Quimby with one of my associates."
"He wouldn't have accepted it," she informed him flatly. "Mr. Quimby may be lacking in a good many things, but he's obviously a man of strong principles. He'd be completely out of place working for one of your friends."
"And he won't be with your staff in London?" Cedric questioned.
"Not at all. For you see, if any of my people say a word against Mr. Quimby, they'll find themselves immediately discharged," Regina announced firmly. Then her voice softened.
"I value a man with a courageous heart more than all the finely spoken words in the world. He risked his life to save my granddaughter. That's all I need to know about him."
"You're a remarkable woman." Cedric enfolded her hand in his.
"No," she answered simply. "It's just that I understand what it is like to live in a place like this. What future would a girl like Katy have here? And Mr. Quimby? God knows how the man lives. These people gave me back my granddaughter. Now I want to give them something, a chance at life."
Cedric took her hand in his. There was a spark of the Regina he remembered in her eyes. "You're right, of course."
"Thank you," she murmured. Slowly drawing her hand from his, she laid her palm lovingly against his cheek. "Thank you for being my friend."
She turned and climbed the stairs, wanting to be with her granddaughter. She needed family about her to ease the ache of the grieving that had only just begun.
* * *
Mr. Quist tipped his hat, the sharp wind rustling his thin hair. "We're all ready, your ladyship."
Regina nodded and drew her cloak around her to block the wind.
Their few bags were already loaded in the boot of the coach. The innkeeper had been paid handsomely for his hospitality, farewells had been made, and Mr. Quimby sat atop the coach.
He quickly scrambled down. Cutting off Mr. Quist, he bowed low, sweeping his woolen cap from a balding head in a grand gesture of respect as he moved to open the coach door.
Cedric assisted Regina into the coach, settling himself across from her in the warm protective interior. Katy beamed at her from the corner in which she was carefully cradling Elyse. After the door was firmly latched, the coach dipped slightly under Quimby's weight as he climbed atop. Mr. Quist followed and, seizing the reins, gave a shrill whistle, and snapped leather just over their heads.
Regina pulled the heavy velvet curtain back from the window. Rain had begun to fall. How she hated this place, longed to be away from it. Her pain eased as her gaze went to her granddaughter. There was no doubt in her mind as she looked at the sleeping child. The eyes, the shape of her face, the curve of her mouth were her father's. But her fair skin, finely shaped brows, dark hair, and small, straight nose were definitely Anne's. She was a treasure, a mixture of the parents who'd loved her so.
Glancing out the window at the bleak coastline, Regina tapped on the roof. The coach rolled to a stop.
Cedric watched silently as she gazed out the window at the churning ocean that still raged against the forbidding coastline.
A tear slipped down Regina's cheek. Somewhere out in that vast darkness, two souls she loved had been lost. Somehow, by some miracle or act of God, the tiny child nestled in Katy's arms had escaped.
What had she endured? What fears and pain were locked deep inside her? She seemed to remember nothing of the storm or the loss of her parents. Whatever memories she had were tucked away, perhaps never to emerge.
James’ or Anne's name brought no response. She was unafraid, not a hysterical child, but it was as if the life she'd known before the accident was a slate wiped clean. She had no memory of her mother or father.
The child stirred, yawning softly and rubbing her eyes before she sat up. She smiled first at Cedric, who had become an immediate favorite, then at Katy, who tucked a woolen coat about her shoulders.
"Why have we stopped?" Elyse's small mouth curved almost into the shape of a bow. "Is he here?"
It was the same question she'd asked when she'd first regained consciousness. Regina gave Cedric a startled look. She reached out to Elyse, stroking her sable curls.
"You've been dreaming again, sweetheart."
Elyse glanced expectantly to the door, intelligence burning in her large blue eyes. "He promised he would come back for me. He promised."
Regina gathered her granddaughter against her side, tears filling her eyes. "It's all right sweetheart. He'll come back for you," she said soothingly.
Elyse turned her face up to her grandmother. "But when?"
"Not now, but one day he will come to you," she promised, thinking of James and believing with all her heart that somehow loving bonds did survive death. She smiled lovingly down at Elyse.
