"I have not the faintest idea why you continue to insist that the child does not speak, when he has done nothing else since the moment he set foot here, enquiring with a repetitive stubbornness that is most tiresome, as to when he may finally return home. It does strain the nerves, I must say." The old man rubbed his temple.
Quick little footsteps approached, then a small body lunged at Edmund. He dropped the bear and threw his arms around the child.
"Noni." His lips tried to form more words, but he found himself strangely speechless as he held the child against him.
"I say. I want to go home now, Ned," said a high-pitched little voice in perfectly accented King's English, adding for politeness, "If you please."
"Noni! I say! You can speak!" Edmund dropped to his knees and looked at the child, thunderstruck.
"Can we go?" Noni tugged at his sleeve.
Edmund looked up at Tennbury. "I made a grave mistake. I should never have let him go. I have taken responsibility for this child, and I shall—no, I must—honour that responsibility. You can call in the lawyers if you want, but Noni belongs to me—and to my wife. We'll fight for the right to care for this child if necessary."
"Not so fast, young man. Nobody said anything about lawyers or a fight." Tennbury raised a thin eyebrow. "On the contrary. If you're prepared to take him off my hands, that would be the best news I've had since my son died. My promise to my son was that I would look after Noni. That does not mean I have to do it personally. I see that he has formed a close bond with you. With that in mind, I think it would be best if you formally assumed guardianship."
Edmund nodded curtly. "I intend to adopt him, sir."
The man raised his hand wearily. "Do as you please, as long as you ensure the child is kept safe and happy."
"Thank you, sir. I believe it to be in the best interests of all, the child, myself ... My man of business will be in touch."
The old man waved him off.
Noni tugged at his hand. "Let's go."
Edmund stoodoutside in Hanover Square, looking down at Noni. "Since when can you talk?"
Noni shrugged and hopped from one cobble to the other.
"Surely Ellen will know what to do," Edmund muttered.
Ellen.
A wave of panic swept through him. He opened his pocket watch. The next coach to Bath left in half an hour. He would be able to make it to Charing Cross in time.
"Noni. I'm sure you'll tell me all about it, but first I have to catch Ellen. Can you stay with Jenkins in the meantime?"
Noni nodded solemnly. "I say, I can."
Edmund stared. "Dash it, Noni. You aren't about to end up talking like me, are you?"
Noni grinned.
Edmund called for his carriage from a distance to Jenkins, who was waiting outside his door. He held out his hat and cloak.
Edmund brushed them aside. "I must go to Charing Cross at once."
As luck would have it, there was heavy traffic all along Regent Street due to an accident that had blocked the road. No matter the amount of cursing, cajoling, bribing and praying, the carriage inched its way along the road until it reached the Golden Cross Inn at Charing Cross.
Edmund jumped out of the coach and looked around wildly. It was chaos. Coach after coach was either arriving or leaving the inn. The place was crawling with horses, people and their luggage and more.
He grabbed the coachman's arm. "Where is the coach to Bath?"
"Too late. It left five minutes ago, sir," the coachman replied.
Edmund's shoulders slumped. He'd missed it.
Ellen was gone. A black void opened before him as the impact of his words sank in.
