Before Rupert could protest, another arm was slung around him. Carefully, he was led back the way they had come, finding his legs weighted and his steps slow.
“We will have to send for the surgeon,” he heard his brother say. “There is a nasty wound to the back of your head.”
“But Emma – ”
“That can wait,” Preston said, firmly as Rupert tried to speak, tried to say that all was well. “You will come to call this afternoon, Howerton, yes? All three of you?”
“I am well enough to have a conversation,” Rupert said, managing to get the words out through heavy lips. “I am sure – ”
“It will be better for Lady Eleanor, too,” Lord Preston said firmly. “She wants to be present – and Lady Catherine can be also. Do not protest, brother. The conversation can wait a little later, until you are well. Do not worry. It will not be long now.”
“Oh, Rupert!”
Feeling Lady Eleanor’s arms around his neck brought Rupert such happiness, he felt as if he could not contain it, wrapping his arms tightly around her. Lady Catherine scurried past them and into the drawing room, leaving them alone in the hallway.
“I am sorry I could not speak with you this morning,” he murmured in her ear, a gentle scent of lavender teasing his senses. “My brother was most insistent.”
“You were injured.” Leaning back, she searched his face, her eyes worried. “The surgeon came?”
Rupert nodded, letting go of her waist but settling his hands on her face instead. “My darling Eleanor, I am quite well, I assure you. The surgeon visited; he has seen to my head and all will be well.” His smile faded. “This will be a difficult conversation, however.”
“But necessary,” she said, gently. “They are all here, then?”
He nodded. “In the drawing room.”
Lady Eleanor sighed gently, her lips no longer curved in a smile. “My Aunt will return within the hour, she said. Catherine and I must be at the door by that time.”
Rupert nodded. “Your aunt has a great deal of trust in both me and my brother.”
“She believes you both of good character,” Lady Eleanor replied, her hands still around his neck. “Just as Iknowyou to be.”
Rupert could not wait another moment. His touch gentle, he cupped her cheek, then looked deeply into her eyes and held himself there for a breath. The hallway fell silent, as if everything in the world was waiting for them to share this one, long-awaited kiss. Bending his head, Rupert closed his eyes and brushed his lips to hers, hearing her swift snatch of breath. Again, he kissed her, more firmly this time, and she responded in kind. The days and weeks of confusion and upset faded to nothing, their coming together now a promise of love both felt and given. Rupert held her close, certain that he loved her more than he had ever done before, if such a thing were possible.
When they parted reluctantly, her hands still around his neck and his forehead resting upon hers, Lady Eleanor let out a breath that sounded like a release of pain, of doubt and confusion. Her fingers brushed through his hair, then settled at his shoulders.
“There is nothing but happiness awaiting us now, my love,” she breathed, her eyes still closed as Rupert nodded, his heart overflowing. “The past is forgotten, the present is soon to be concluded, and the future is waiting.”
“Waiting with the promise of love and hope and happiness,” he said, as she opened her eyes and smiled at him. “I love you, Eleanor.”
Her hand settled at his heart. “Just as I love you.”
“Thank you for coming,all three of you.” Rupert looked around the room, seeing the white face of his cousin, Emma, looking back at him, though when he caught her gaze, she quickly dropped her head. “I know that this will be a most painful anddifficult conversation, but it must be done… if there is to be an end to it all.”
“An end?” Lord Howerton glanced at his brother, then looked back at Rupert. “I do not understand. What are you speaking of?”
Rupert watched as Lady Eleanor began to pour the tea which he had sent up for herself, Lady Catherine, and Emma, if she should want any. Perhaps sensing his gaze on her, she looked up at him for a moment, her eyes steady and her expression calm. It settled his own nervousness and, with another nod in her direction, he continued.
“I think it best that I start from the beginning,” he said, as Lord Wishart nodded. “You recall that I came to speak with you, Howerton, a short while ago?”
“Yes, I do.” Lord Howerton ran one hand over his chin. “You asked me if I had any enemies or some such thing. There was clearly a concern that there was someone near to us who was going to cause injury in some way.”
“That was the reason that we spoke with you, yes,” Lord Preston said, before Rupert could respond. “You were not able to give us any names or the like.”
“That is because there were none!” Lord Wishart exclaimed, as his brother nodded fervently. “We could not give you a name because we could think of no one near to us who wished us harm or injury.”
Rupert took in a breath before he continued, giving the room a moment to settle itself. The last thing he needed at this present juncture was for his cousins to become upset. “I was – and still am – very glad to hear you say such a thing,” he responded, as his cousins shared a look. “It did not helpus,however, for we were trying to ascertain just who it was that was threatening me.”
Lord Howerton’s eyebrows shot upwards, and Lord Wishart’s face paled. “Threats?” Lord Howerton exclaimed, sounding utterly astonished. “You mean to say that someone was trying to harm you?”
