Grant rose to pour them another drink.“I hope your journey will grow tiresome and we see you back herebefore too long,” he said when he returned. “It’s never dull whenyou’re around, Jack.”
“Only because I drag youaway from your beloved library and your fusty oldtomes.”
Grant smiled. “I’m not sure if dangeris attracted to you, or you’re attracted to danger. But I take somecomfort in the fact that you know how to deal with mostsituations.”
Ruefully, Jack touched the graze fromRenard’s ball on his upper arm, which still stung. “Notalways.”
“Here’s to a safe journey.”Grant raised his glass of claret.
“Thank you. I’ll endeavorto write when I reach Ireland.” Jack grinned. “Good luck on themarriage mart.”
Grant shook his head with a wry twistof his lips.
The next day as Jack prepared toleave, a letter arrived from Ashley. He resisted reading it,tucking the missive into his kit. After a final word to his staff,he rode along the Holyhead road toward Wales.
Some hours later, he stopped for thenight beneath an oak tree because the weather was warm and theskies clear. He tended to Arian’s needs, then rolled out hisbedding beneath the graceful branches of the towering tree. Heleaned against the trunk, enjoying the quiet while breathing in thesmells of damp grass and earth, and the scents of wild rose,chamomile, beechwood and bramble carried on the breeze.
He took out Ashley’s letter and readit before the gathering dusk obliterated the words. He’d beenafraid if he read it sooner he might weaken and go toher.
There was gratitude andregret in every line. Ashely was pleased to be home in Oxfordshireonce more with her dog and spent her time repotting some neglectedplants. Jack would be in her thoughts every day and every lonelynight.You are a very brave man, JackRyder,she wrote.But are you brave enough to defy convention? I love you with all myheart, my darling. Whilst I while away the days and months, I shallwait in hope you’ll return to me.
Jack sighed. He wished he could bethere with her. But it wouldn’t do. Any day now, a whippet pupwould be delivered to Ashley, with Jack’s request for her to namehim. Grant had volunteered to make the journey. He would hand herJack’s letter containing his promise that he would be back beforethe year was out and would call to see how they bothfared.
Jack tucked her letter away with a sadtug at his heart. He would think of her every day and night untilthey met again.
EPILOGUE
Seven monthslater…
Jack returned to London from hisjourney, which took him first to Ireland to view the place wherehis mother lived and died, and thence to his businesses and hissmall estate in northern England. And though he had enjoyed specialmoments of quiet pleasure, and meeting interesting people along theway, all the while he was pulled home, in his heart andmind.
When Devon returned from Albany towork for him, he had considered Jack’s beard a worthy challenge,which he dealt with efficiently. “You’ll feel a good deal lighter,Captain,” he’d observed as he neatened Jack’s side whiskers and cutinches from his hair, leaving it short and wavy. Dressed as agentleman again, Jack left the city and drove his phaeton toBurford in Oxfordshire.
He was nervous, uncomfortably like aneager youth when he finally guided his horses along the drivewaytoward the Elizabethan manor house built of Cotswoldstone.
Jack tossed the reins to a footman whorushed out to greet him. “Tell a groom to see to the horses,there’s a good fellow.” He went to speak to the butler who waitedat the door.
“Captain Ryder, sir. To seeLady Ashley.” Jack handed the dour fellow his card.
“Ah, yes, Captain Ryder,we’ve been expecting you, her ladyship advised me that you mightcall.”
“Oh, and when wasthat?”
“More than a month agonow.”
Jack grinned. “Then I’m late. Am I introuble?”
A smile flickered across the butler’sface. “I shouldn’t like to say, Captain Ryder. If you will take aseat in the drawing room, I shall inform her ladyship that you havearrived.”
Jack smoothed his hair with a hand.“Where is her ladyship?”
The butler looked taken aback. “Ibelieve Lady Ashley is in the orangery.”
“Please direct methere.”
The butler hesitated then straightenedhis shoulders. “Very well, Captain. Please come thisway.”
Jack followed the upright fellow alonga long corridor toward the rear of the house. They left the houseand crossed a terrace toward the glassed-in orangery. As heapproached, two dogs rushed out to greet him with joyous barks. Theliver-spotted spaniel held back, but the frisky whippet dancedaround his legs.
