Emma huddled in her seat, but she slowly opened her eyes. Both Miss Wetherby and Agnes were turned toward her, fussing over her, trying to ensure that she was all right and knew that she would be safe here.
Well, I’m hardly needed.
He hated to leave the room, but his sister was more than capable of caring for Emma, and he thought Agnes was probably right about keeping anger away from her. And he didn’t trust himself to let go of the volatile feelings he was currently experiencing.
He had not expected Miss Wetherby to get under his skin this much. Everything she said seemed to agitate him, and he wasn’t sure what he could do about that.
He strode out of the room, intent on spending the rest of the evening in his study unless anyone called for him for any reason. But from the way things had been going since he’d found Emma at the orphanage, he was fairly certain no one would.
CHAPTER 10
Gareth Barton, Earl of Loxby and brother of Reeves’ late wife, was known for the stubborn set of his jaw and the way his dark eyes penetrated those of whomever he was facing. He could be deeply intimidating when he wanted to—it was the reason his business ventures always seemed to succeed.
But he wasn’t fixing Reeves with that look right now. Instead, the expression on his face was full of care and sympathy. “I’m glad she’s back home,” he said. “I came over as soon as I heard the news.”
The two men were sitting in Reeves’ study. Reeves had spent all of last night and most of this morning in this room, stepping out only briefly to find a footman and request that some breakfast be brought to him. He hated spending time away from Emma after everything they’d been through. But the way she had looked at him last night during his argument with Miss Wetherby, the fear he had seen on her face, had been enough to encourage him to give her some time. He trusted everyone in this house. Shewould be all right. And she knew where she could find him if she needed him.
Which she won’t, because she has Miss Wetherby to tend to her.
Reeves tried to shake off his resentment about that. Now that they were home, he recognized that a part of him had hoped Emma would settle in quickly and that he would be able to send Miss Wetherby back to her orphanage. That didn’t seem to be happening, though.
“Thank you for coming,” he said. “I’m glad to have her back, too.” That went without saying, but it was such a powerful feeling that he almost had to say it. He had to let it out somehow. Keeping his relief and joy at his daughter’s safe return bottled up was all but impossible.
The trouble was, he couldn’t relax and revel in it. He couldn’t simply be at peace. Not while he knew her captor was still out there. And in spite of all his questioning, she still hadn’t been able to tell him anything about what had happened.
“So, has Emma told you anything about what happened?” Gareth asked, cutting right to the chase.
Reeves shook his head. “Whatever it was, it gave her an awful shock. She hardly speaks. She’s said two things to me since I got her back, and neither one gave me any answers, unfortunately. I wish I could get something out of her.”
Gareth sat back in his seat. “It’s probably best not to push her, given everything she’s been through.”
“Yes, that’s what Miss Wetherby says,” Reeves said gloomily.
“Who?”
“The woman from the orphanage. She came back with us to help care for Emma. Emma seems strangely bonded to her, and I couldn’t bring myself to separate the two of them. At least, not yet.”
Gareth folded his hands on top of the desk. “Do the two of you need anything?” he asked. “What can I do?”
“We don’t need anything,” Reeves said. “I’m just glad she’s home.”
“So am I, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need anything.” Gareth pressed his lips together. “You know, I might not be that close to you, Reeves, but I’ve known you for some time now. You’re like a brother to me. In my opinion, we ought to spend much more time together.”
“You’ve never shown any interest in that before,” Reeves said. “I thought you didn’t like me that much.” It wasn’t a thought that had bothered him. He had never exactly disliked his late wife’s brother, but he hadn’t felt anything much for the man at all. Gareth was right to say they hadn’t known one another well, and after Rosalie’s death, he hadn’t been surprised when thedistance between them had grown. If it hadn’t been for Emma, whom Gareth did seem to take an interest in, he was sure the man would have receded from his life entirely.
“Well, I think this kidnapping business woke me up a bit,” Gareth admitted. “Wearefamily, you know. I’d like to be more involved in Emma’s life.”
“It’s kind of you to offer,” Reeves murmured.
“Of course I’m going to offer. I’ll do anything I can for her. That’s Rosalie’s daughter, after all. My niece. My sister’s only child.” Gareth leaned forward. “You should never hesitate to ask me for anything when it comes to her, Reeves. I hope you know that. From now on, you have only to ask.”
“I know,” Reeves sighed. “I know she means the world to you, too.” Gareth’s parents were deceased, and now that Rosalie was gone, Emma was his only blood relation. Even in his darkest moments, Reeves had been hopeful that, someday, the two of them might have a good relationship with one another. But it was difficult sometimes. Gareth was a reminder, every time he showed his face, of Rosalie. Rosalie had been such a fine woman, and Reeves had had such a short time with her, that he didn’t think he would ever get over what had happened.
“So, tell me how she’s doing,” Gareth encouraged.
“She seems all right,” Reeves said. “Physically, at least, there isn’t anything wrong with her that a little rest and recuperation won’t fix.” He ground his teeth at the thought of the bruise thatdarkened his daughter’s cheek, but he didn’t tell Gareth about it. It was good to have an ally, but too many people were already clued in to what was going on with Emma, and it was making him feel uncomfortable. “I’m just glad she’s home.”
“What are you going to do now?” Gareth wanted to know.
