For instance, no one could deny that she’d saved her sisters from a sound thrashing on numerous occasions and it could be argued that her actions had deterred those thugs on Christmas Day. In truth she had surprised herself by her quick thinking. Mayhap her opportunity to shine had not yet appeared.
Unexpected shrieks interrupted her musings and she focused on Patience currently being sat on by Chastity who was busy tucking snow down her collar. Involuntarily she smiled. Despite her frustration with her eccentric family, she could not deny that the feeling of belonging was a wondrous thing. What did it matter if she remained unwed? She had her family around her and despite ofttimes longing for solitude, she knew that her older sisters would never see her destitute or alone.
‘It’s Faith and Roan,’ shouted Prudence suddenly pointing at a distant carriage making its way up the manicured drive towards the house.
Immediately the picnic type atmosphere fled as Nicholas wasted no time in climbing to his feet while the ladies packed away their cold collection. Hope watched anxiously as the Duke nodded to the Viscount.
Their light-hearted sojourn was over.
∞∞∞
The whole party arrived just as Faith and Roan were alighting from their carriage. ‘Zooks, I think my rear end is about to fall off,’ complained Faith as she climbed down with a groan. Then glancing around, her eyes lit up as she spied her twin. Seconds later they were hugging, the laughter interspersed with some tears. ‘Truly I have missed you,’ Faith murmured vehemently.
‘What, is married life not suiting you after all?’ asked Hope mischievously. Faith chuckled and tucked her arm into her sister’s. ‘Married life is wonderful,’ she enthused with a wink, ‘but I cannot deny I’ve missed your no-nonsense council.’ Before Hope could respond, she glanced round and whispered, ‘Who is the handsome gentleman currently being introduced to my husband? Is he perchance a possible suitor for my practical, sensible twin?’
Against her will, Hope’s cheeks reddened causing Faith to laugh delightedly.
‘I don’t know about you lot, but I’m entirely done with frolicking around in the deuced cold. If I stay outside much longer, I will no longer be able to vouch for my extremities.’ The Reverend’s grumble cut short their conversation and hurriedly the party made their way inside.
The staff had returned from visiting their families and there was a roaring fire in the entrance hall where Adam’s butler waited with a tray of hot chocolate.
‘Jamieson, you really are a treasure,’ commented Temperance wrapping her icy hands around the steaming cup.
‘Could you show Mr and Mrs Carew to their room?’ Adam requested of the hovering footman. Then he turned to the rest of the party.
‘I think now would be a good time for everyone to freshen up before we reconvene in the drawing room… in an hour?’
Faith frowned and looked over at her husband. She felt as though she was being summarily dismissed which wasn’t the usual way of things at Ravenstone. She opened her mouth to protest that she did not need to freshen up but caught the sudden tension and closed it again. What was going on? Clearly something had happened. She glanced over at Hope in time to catch her sister looking towards the newcomer.
Whatever was happening, it undoubtedly had something to do with the handsome stranger.
By the time the party reunited in the drawing room, the candles had been lit and a cheerful fire burned in the hearth. The younger siblings had been ushered for an early supper in the nursery, much to their disgust - all except Patience who had decided she was old enough to listen in.
It was full dark by the time Roan and Faith had been appraised of the events of the last few days and though Gabriel had recognised the wisdom of seeking the former sea captain’s council, he was nevertheless grateful to see no censure in the man’s regard, but a compassion that caused a lump in his throat.
‘Naturally we must seek to reinstate the Viscount’s Seat but more importantly our aim must be to ensure his continued wellbeing.’ Roan nodded at the Duke’s words.
‘You have my sympathy Northwood,’ was all he commented with a slight bend of his head. ‘Truly I know how it feels to be entirely alone in the world with no one to aid you.’ He turned to Nicholas. ‘Henry Atwood is known to me though only vaguely. There were rumours that his father paid a considerable amount of money to ensure his son’s command, but it wasn’t common knowledge, and no one really questioned it. Of course, Admiral Atwood is extremely well respected in naval circles and has more connections than most. So why would he seek the death of his only nephew? Mayhap he covets the Northwood title, but it seems a little extreme to go to such lengths to secure it.’
‘My thoughts exactly,’ responded Gabriel. ‘My cousin has always detested me, but I put it down to family rivalry. If as you say, my uncle paid a substantial sum to further Henry’s career, we can also assume at least some of that was to cover up the scandal of our duel. If it became known that my cousin cheated, he would be barred from everywhere that mattered to him. In truth, the opinions of his peers have always been more important to him than to me.’ He frowned. ‘My uncle’s reputation too would have been ruined had Henry’s stupidity become common knowledge.’
‘So, his determination to see you joining Davy Jones’ locker could be either that he fears you will not keep his son’s indiscretions a secret or he needs the blunt,’ stated the Reverend matter of factly.
‘Last I heard, the Admiral’s share of prize money was enough to see him well into his dotage,’ commented Roan, ‘so it’s possible this is more about the title.’ He frowned. ‘Unless he had expenditures we know nothing about.
‘Did your uncle ever indicate a desire for your title?’ he asked Gabriel.
‘Not to my knowledge,’ answered the Viscount. ‘I believed him close to my father, and he was always a dedicated military man. Of course, there were whispers that Benjamin Atwood would have been a better choice for Northwood and in all honesty, I can’t disagree given that my father’s main concern was always the next wager.’ He shook his head ruefully. ‘Atwood never seemed to pay any attention to the rumours - simply laughed them off.’
‘Did the Admiral have anything to do with you joining the Navy?’ asked Adam with interest.
‘Everything,’ answered Gabriel simply. ‘He was the one I looked up to as I was growing up. Without his influence, I would likely have spent my formative years drinking and gambling along with my peers.’
‘Was he even then hoping you might not live to inherit?’ the Earl continued.
Gabriel frowned. ‘It’s possible I suppose but I always believed him very fond of me. In truth when I was younger, I spent more time with my uncle than did his own son.’
‘Forgive me gentlemen but all this speculation is getting us nowhere,’ intervened Nicholas. ‘The truth remains that Gabriel’s cousin tried to murder him in cold blood. Although he declared it was at the behest of his father, we have only his word for that. The whys and wherefores are not our main concern. Our main concern is to ensure Gabriel’s continued safety and to do that we must bring the miscreants to justice.’
