Thus an hour or so later, all four of them set off to locate, and thank, Hecate Ridlington.
The driver knew the area quite well, so it wasn’t much later that they found themselves in the general area that both Emmeline and Prudence said looked quite familiar.
Disembarking from the carriage, they asked the driver to wait while they walked up one or two of the smaller lanes nearby. Not averse to taking instructions from Young Mr. Chillendale, who was known to be a generous man, the driver nodded, and pulled a pipe from an inside pocket.
The foursome took off on foot, with Prudence drawing on her memory to point out various landmarks—a tree with a fallen branch, and a strangely shaped root protruding into the lane.
Then, after about fifteen minutes or so, she grabbed Reid’s arm. “There. Look, there’s the entrance.”
“Yes, oh yes. That’s quite right. Well done, Prudence.” Emmeline beamed at her.
“Very well,” said Brent. “Time to go and thank the lady herself.”
They walked up to the small brick columns that marked the entrance to the drive and stopped dead.
There was a drive, but it was overgrown and muddy, sheltered as it was by the thick firs.
There was a house, but it was dark as night, and with the windows empty. It was, for all intents and purposes, deserted. And it looked as if it had been that way for many years.
“I-I…” Prudence was at a loss for words, her mouth open, her eyes wide.
“It’s not possible,” whispered Emmeline, clutching Brent’s hand.
“This is completely absurd,” he answered, but he too stared at the dark and shuttered house.
“It’s a mystery indeed,” said Reid. “Perhaps it’s a Christmas miracle? Or perhaps this is the wrong house?”
Prudence whirled on him. “Don’t be an ass, Reid. Both Emmeline and I remember those pillars.”
He grinned. “All right. So it’s magic. I don’t know what else to say. And you know something? I am so happy that we’re together again and that you’re not hurt or lying in a ditch, that I’m quite all right with that outlandish idea.”
It took a moment, but she relaxed and smiled at him. “I think that is the best way to look at this. Although some day I want to find out what really happened.”
“Perhaps we all will,” said Brent. “But for now, we have things to talk about. And I have a call to pay.” He gazed lovingly at Emmeline. “To your father.”
She beamed back at him. “I can’t wait, Brent. Truly. I can’t wait.”
