Owen’s hand flew up, covering his mouth.
“And then there was the time we sent that letter to the rector’s wife.” Mr. Lynnwood’s fury raised the roof in the foyer.
Rebecca’s gaze went to the duke, her eyebrows lifted, and found herself distracted to see Ryleigh’s face tinged inpink.
“And don’t forget about Damian Bellamy—”
The duke’s face shifted from embarrassed to pale and biting. This wasn’t a story he was willing to share and Rebecca found herself reluctant in letting Lynnwood spout a story that obviously bothered the duke so greatly. “Thank you for the enlightenment, sir, but as I understand it, you berate Owen regarding his speech impediment. Perhaps that is why—”
Ryleigh was staring at her as if she’d sprouted a second head.
Rebecca ignored him and gathered her courage, threw back her shoulders, and confronted them both. “Perhaps that is why Owen ran and Oliver followed.” Rebecca slipped an arm around each child. “Ifound your sons, Mr. Lynnwood, in London. A lucky thing it was, too.” She shuddered with the images that had haunted her nights since Oliver told her they’d made their way to Ascot then Vauxhall.
“Oh, Sebastian, you’re home—Rebecca? You made it.” Gabby appeared at the top of the stairs dressed to the nines. She hurried down. “Thomas has been here for three days. The twins are miss—oh, good, you found them, Sebastian.”
Ryleigh, apparently choosing not to speak, pressing his lips in a tight line.
His message was received. Rebecca would indeed be forced to endure another scolding.
Mr. Lynnwood took a step towards the boys, but Rebecca stepped back, taking them with her. Surprise covered his face and he stopped and looked at Oliver. “You have something you need to say to…LadyRebecca, son?” He was furious, but not at her, it appeared.
It began to seep in that Oliver—she recalled Owen’s tiny, almost imperceptible nod—and Owen might not have been so forthright with her. “Oliver?” She narrowed her eyes on his brother. “Owen?”
Their shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry, Ma—milady,” Oliver said.
Rebecca’s heart clenched. “So, your father didn’t—”
Oliver shook his head. “It was me. I taunted Owen. And when he ran away, then, well, I-I had to follow. It was me that talked him into going to the races.”
Her foot began to tap. “I… see.”
“The races! Dear God. You made it to Ascot?” Mr. Lynnwood’s voice thundered through the hall. Again.
Rebecca winced, but she wasn’t allowing Oliver the least bit of leeway. “And Vauxhall.”
Their father’s face paled and his hand flew to his chest. He fell to his knees and swept Owen in a smothering hug. After a moment, he pulled back and shook him slightly. “What the devil are you wearing?” His words were but a whisper.
“The only things my butler could locate in my attic,” she said, answering for the boys. “I believe they belonged to my father when he was a lad. If I may, sir, I desire a word with my charges before I turn them over to you. Please accept my apologies. I had no right to accuse you of such misconduct before learning the absolute truth of the matter.”
Mr. Lynnwood’s demeanor instantly morphed into that of a gentleman. He rose to his feet and offered her a short bow. “Of course, Lady Rebecca. I am forever in your debt for returning them home.”
Gabby pointed to the open door of the chamber from which Mr. Lynnwood had recently appeared. “Use the drawing room, Rebecca,” she said.
Ryleigh’s jaw tensed.
Rebecca ignored them all, feeling their stares between the blades of her shoulders, and keeping a firm grip on the boys’ hands. They entered a formal parlour that’s size was twice that of hers and Papa’s back in London. The dark tones gave it a decided masculine semblance. She marched them to the nearest settee. “So, I have you, Oliver, to thank for making me look the grand fool. It’s not a good look for me either.”
His head hung low. “I’m sorry, my lady.”
“Your father is not the reprobate you led me to believe?”
He shook his head.
“Lying isnotacceptable, Oliver. Do you realize how close to being lost forever you and your brother were?”
Silence.
“And that man could still be after you.” Though she didn’t think that likely this far from London, but putting the fear of God in them was not beyond her.
