He changed into dry clothing, opened his valise, and located the items he’d require for his tasks.
His first missive was intended for the War Office. If Naomi Gilcrest truly was as alone as he suspected, it would be vital that she received Gil’s pension. The pension could not be sent to her unless the cogs of the military knew of her whereabouts.
And her existence. Gil had often been casual about filing reports. Luke hoped his friend hadn’t treated this administrative requirement as lightly.
The second letter was addressed to his brother. Blackheart would have heard that Luke was on leave and he and their younger sisters would be expecting him any day. Although Black likely had already been apprised of Gil’s death, Luke nonetheless, relayed the most general of details in his missive. Tempest, Black, Gil, and Luke had been each other’s first chums, after all.
Careful in his wording, Luke explained the circumstances in which Gil had left his wife. There was no need for him to write anything else. Blackheart would read between the lines and take matters into his own hands. After sealing both envelopes, Luke posted them downstairs and arranged to keep the room indefinitely.
And the following morning, for the third day in a row, Luke found himself yet again approaching the poorly maintained house where Gil had planned to make his home with Naomi. Luke had managed a few hours’ sleep and, along with the purpose he’d laid out for himself, felt slightly better than he had for weeks.
She must have heard his horse because, before he was even fifty feet from the house, she burst out the front door and came running down the steps. She was smiling brightly in greeting but then halted suddenly and her shoulders fell.
Ah, hell. She’d seen the uniform and assumed…
Ah, hell.
She raised a hand to shade her eyes, and there was no mistaking the look of not just disappointment but devastation as he drew his horse to a halt.
“Did you forget something, Major?” Her voice sounded defeated. It was possible she’d forever remember him as the bearer of the worst news she’d ever received. He didn’t blame her.
“As a matter of fact.” Luke dismounted. He’d pretend he didn’t know that she’d imagined he was Gil returning home to her. He removed the pack he’d forgotten about and then stepped forward to hand it to her.
She hesitated a moment before taking it from him.
“I meant to give it to you before.”
She nodded slowly. “Where is he buried?”
He’d guessed she’d eventually ask for more details. “We couldn’t recover...” He gestured toward the bag. “This is everything.” It was all the insurgents had sent back. They’d kept Gil’s sword, his pistol, and of course, his horse. Luke had inspected the few contents left over to represent a man’s life. Not much but they were some of the last items Gil had touched.
She hugged the bag close. “Thank you.” It was as though today she’d built a barrier around her emotions.
“The thing is, Nao—Mrs. Gilcrest…” Luke rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m not going anywhere until I receive word from the War Office and I’ll be fit for Bedlam without anything productive to do. I’d be grateful if you’d put me to work.”
For the first time since two days ago, the look she sent him wasn’t filled with abject sorrow, resentment, or even polite devastation. For the flash of an instant, he spied a glimmer of the girl he’d met last spring.
“Arthur asked you to look out for me.” Her eyes were sad, but there was also a hint of resigned exasperation in those stormy depths.
“He would have done the same for me.” It was true. Only no one had been waiting for Luke to return, no one who needed him anyhow. “We were like brothers.”
She dipped her chin and her slate-colored gaze perused the land around them. “I know.” And then she sighed. “Arthur has such grand ideas for this cottage… Had. He managed a few repairs before he left, but…” She grimaced and lifted her hand to point at some trim hanging from the porch roof. “He isn’t as skilled a carpenter as we had hoped.”
At this, Luke chuckled. “I’m not surprised. Luckily, he had other valuable skills. He was a master at reading and drawing up maps. Did you know that?”
“He might have bragged about that just a little. Perhaps the first time we met.”
“At the Willoughby Ball?”
She nodded. “I’m certain that if my parents could undo one thing in their lives, it would be allowing that introduction.”
“I can’t say that I blame them.” Luke nearly bit his tongue after the admission. As far as he knew, Gil had been loyal to his wife. Luke would allow Gil the benefit of the doubt and believe that marriage had changed him.
Of course, it had changed him. What man wouldn’t be faithful to the woman standing before him? “Perhaps they will change their minds once they’ve met their grandchild.”
“My mother, sister, and brother have all been forbidden to write to me. All my life, I’ve thought I would have my family’s unwavering support. I thought that was what love was about.” She offered the information easily.
“Do you regret it?”
