At the top of the stairs, I turned right.
Percy cleared his throat.
I sighed.
Yes, you are the master of the house now. You must occupythatsuite.
William’s mother, my father’s first wife, had died forty years ago. My mother had died nearly thirty years ago. My father just eight months ago.
Caroline and William would’ve barely occupied the room—less than four full months before he died of lung fever. And she mere months later.
Likely they all died inthatroom.
I was not a superstitious man. Unlike my major, who believed certain rituals must be completed before each battle.
Myself?
Whatever was going to happen was the way God intended. If I had been meant to die at Waterloo, then I would not be standing here.
And Isabella would be truly alone in the world.
Right.
I pivoted left and headed toward the master suite. I had been in it only a few times over the years.
The hunter-green velvet drapes were secured to the sides of the windows. I moved to the glass and stood, looking over the vast land—all of it belonging to the Hartridges.
To me.
We were at the southernmost edge of the Lake District. Not far beyond my fields of golden wheat and corn lay moors with heather. I hadn’t appreciated the majestic beauty of this land before now.
Land I had never thought to see again when I left for the war on the continent. Dying in France had been my accepted fate.
Except I had not. A stubborn surgeon decided I would not die.
And so I had not.
“Your bath is ready. Perhaps you might want to enjoy it while it is still hot?”
Percy’s approach had gone unnoticed by me. I had been absorbed in thanking God for bringing me home.
You do not really believe in God.
Well, we had a love-hate relationship. He kept saving me from myself, and I kept denying His existence. An interesting way to approach life.
“I require assistance.”
“Of course, my lord.”
Finally, I turned to him. We were alone.
“I wish you to call me Henry when it is just the two of us. I understand that is a breach of decorum. I even believe you might be uncomfortable with it.”
“You know me well.” Still, he chuckled. “I am unclear about your intentions, but I am able to call you Henry when we are alone.” Slowly, he unbuttoned my dusty jacket. “We have moved your clothes into the closet. My bed is there as well. You need only call and I will attend to you.”
Gently, he pulled my jacket off. “We should get your cufflinks changed.”
I cocked my head.
