And she remained in his arms far longer than she usually could, unable to unstitch herself, or comprehend that what they’d just shared wasn’t a dream, but instead the realest thing she’d ever known; all whilst he stroked her, and murmured nothings in her ear, and placed kisses in her hair, and they listened to the waves, and the gulls, and the sea.
Chapter Twenty
By the time their carriage was bumping its way back up the road towards Gadmin Hall’s drive, Thorn had decided that purchasing anewcarriage had made its way to the top of theurgent things to spend money onlist. No carriage would ever offer an entirely smooth ride—especially not given the state of some roads—and this carriage had admittedly served them well thus far.
That being said, the next time they rode in this carriage together, and wished to cuddle, Hypatia neatly tucked into his side as he held her tight, he didn’t want it to become an exercise in avoiding her skull hitting his chin, or vice-versa, or anything else of the sort, because their carriage shook them as though they were in a barrel floating on a bouncing river.
It shall be my own fancy; my one extravagance. Mayhaps I shall have pigs painted on the doors, or ask they be integrated into the Gadmin coat of arms. I don’t think the old earl would’ve minded; quite the contrary.
And in all honesty, he didn’t think Ian would mind something nicer either; just as he likely wouldn’t mind a younger lad to share his knowledge with, and quite literally pass the reins to.
Yes, Thorn was in a supremely good mood. And not merely because of the rather spectacular wake-up Hypatia had treated him to this morning. He was in a good mood, because he wasdamned and bloody wellhappy. His life was far from perfect, and as before, he knew struggles and turmoil lay ahead—they always did—but it was good. Full of everything he’d ever wanted—some of which he never thought he’d have again—and he could now see a future not simply of toil, of duty, of responsibility, partnership, and friendship, but one where he could share his life with someone he loved. He could see himself growing old with Hypatia, here, at Gadmin Hall, and in their oldest years, still going down to bathe in the stream. He could see being happy for many decades to come, and that was not something he’d expected. Not something he’d even thought he’d have the heart for.
Even his life as a farmer, as an earl, he was beginning to see, or beginning to accept, just all the happiness, purpose, and satisfaction it could bring. He’d thought at the start of this whole adventure—or ordeal, as he’d considered it then—that he would have to become something so far from himself, he’d never be satisfied. Now, he saw he was more himself than he’d ever been, and though he missed some aspects of his former life and profession, he didn’t miss them enough to not see the boon with which he’d been bestowed.
How strange life is…
‘I’ve been thinking, about the old earl,’ Hypatia said, staring out the window, at a rather awkward angle considering her head still rested—or bounced—on his shoulder.
‘Have you now.’
‘I’ve been thinking how we merely call himthe old earl. I don’t think I know his name, or even where he’s buried. I feel… I don’t like saying that I feel sorry for someone, there’s a sense to it, a tone, I don’t know, I don’t like it, but I do feel sorry for him. Being ill, being so alone here, being much as you were, left with mountains of debt, and tasked with doing better, and being so right about so many things, yet everyone thinking he was mad,or old, when I think in many ways, he was just as lost as we were.’
‘I think of him often too,’ Thorn nodded, gazing out at passing trees and fields which were so familiar now, as though they’d been etched into his heart upon birth, then covered with dust until it was time to come home. ‘Not only because he was some distant relative I never knew of. He was as much a stranger to me as anyone else, but perhaps, I suppose, I imagined he didn’t have to be. I asked the solicitors about him, but they didn’t really have much to say. All I know, is that he was called Ford Harris, and inherited the earldom from his father, who’d tried to restore it from ruin after his grandfather drove it there. He was buried in London, at Tindal’s. I went there, and planted some myrtle. I like to believe, that somehow, he knows his pigs are taken care of now. His people too. I think he was trying to save this place, and simply couldn’t find the path, so took some others. And lest we forget, Warren played his part.’
‘If we ever do win a prize, or fully succeed in making this work… I hope it’ll change how people saw him.’
‘As do I.’
‘We should… I would like to get to know him better too. Perhaps Langton, Henry and Ian would care to share stories some time. Or something.’
‘Yes. We’ll speak to them.’ Sighing contentedly, Thorn turned slightly to kiss the top of her head, just as Ian took the turn onto the drive, so it resulted in him squashing against her somewhat. ‘Sorry.’
‘Ian takes some of these turns, and I think we shall surely tip over,’ she chuckled. ‘Or fall apart.’
‘Don’t worry, a new carriage has, after this journey, made it to the very top of our list of expensive priorities.’
‘How very irresponsible, my Lord Gadmin.’
‘I know, my Lady Gadmin. However, I have decided we should become extravagant, like the aristocrats we are.’
‘I suppose we can allow ourselves some extravagance, and a new carriage is an investment, after all. Besides, until autumn, we should be fine with what workers we have, and no one at the house seems to want us to hire anyone else. I offered Henry some help—maybe another footman or a valet—and he seemed very reluctant. Then again, I promised no matter how many staff we had, he would never have to share a room, and he seemedlessreluctant.’
‘Perhaps we should just promote him to butler,’ Thorn suggested, and Hypatia nodded against him. ‘He deserves it, and he might be more comfortable in those downstairs quarters. I suppose it is a testament to their sense of duty and position that he and Langton stayed where they were supposedlymeantto.’
‘I don’t think they wanted any excuses for a dismissal. I don’t know what Langton’s past is, but I don’t suspect it was all innocence and roses, and Henry is Henry. I can’t see many accepting him in grand houses, unless for some other purpose, or for sport, which is repugnant.’
‘Indeed. I think old Ford was rather fond of giving people chances or opportunities others might not.’
‘I hope we’ve continued that tradition too, by taking on people like Mary—who is the best housekeeper I’ve ever known, and Niamh will be a tyrant if ever she decides to go into the profession.’
‘Quite,’ Thorn chuckled as the carriage slowed, and came to a stop before the hall. Hypatia straightened, andthishe decided, was the moment, now that they were home. ‘Hypatia, I—’
‘My lord, my lady, thank goodness you’re back,’ Henry said in one breath, tearing open the carriage door before Thorn could finish any romantic declarations.
Both he and Hypatia straightened, the alarm and sheer terror in Henry’s eyes making both their hearts skip a beat.
‘Is someone injured?’ Thorn asked, and Henry shook his head.
