Finally, the wayahead lay clear. Thea and he would marry. Ash found it difficult to stop at one brief kiss as she lay on the bed. If she’d fully woken, reached for him…he shook his head. Having almost lost her, life had become sweeter, and his passion for her built to fever pitch. She’d been too weary tonight to discuss their future. It was Julia’s plight that still loomed large between them. Tomorrow, they would know if Lady Diana was alive. It seemed so unlikely; he could see them having to cope with a fraught young girl who had to accept the loss of her mother. Would the aunt then agree to take her in? If not, Julia would remain with them until her stepfather was dealt with. They would return to London—Thea to her mother and sister, and he on Farnborough’s trail, while their wedding plans remained on hold.
Ash lay down on the bed. He stretched his legs, kicking off his shoes. Whisky had adopted his grandfather, which brought a smile to his lips. Grandfather loved the animal. No reason the dog couldn’t stay at Meadows. So far, no one had written to claim him.
With a yawn, Ash rolled off the bed. He stripped off his clothes and stood at the washbasin to wash, not caring that the water had grown cold. Then naked, he slipped between the covers.
A good thing he hadn’t advised Tothill their engagement was off. While he no longer suspected Thea’s father of being involved with Farnborough, his association with the man seemed unfitting. Ash would like to learn more about their friendship.
He blew out the candle and closed his eyes. Thea, thank God she was safe. The outcome could have been so very different. At the thought, ice flooded through his veins, along with the fierce determination to find Farnborough and make him pay.
Ash watched Theasleepily gaze at the passing landscape, with Julia beside her. It was just past dawn when they had left Meadows after a hurried breakfast. He had no intention of delaying the trip by spending a night at a coaching inn. With a change of horses and a brief stop for luncheon, they would reach Little Shelford before dark. Some ladies might object to being jostled about a coach for hours nonstop, but Thea was as eager as Julia to reach their destination.
Julia accidentally kicked him in the shin when she jumped up to gaze out the window. Ash implored her to settle down. “We have a long journey ahead.”
Thea’s smile empathized with him. Would it be like this with their children one day? Julia was little more than a child, although Thea had told him how brave she had been, outwitting their assailants. When their coach approached a toll booth, Ash felt uneasy. What would they find in Cambridgeshire? Could Farnborough be waiting for them? Ash folded his arms as the toll was paid, and the coach picked up speed again.
He folded his arms and exchanged a smile with Thea. He saw no sense in voicing his concerns.
Chapter Nineteen
Little Shelford wasa tiny, rustic village with an ancient stone church and a manor house. There was one inn, which Ash entered to get directions. Miss Bannockburn’s modest thatched cottage lay on the outskirts, set in a small walled garden. Beyond it stretched green fields with nothing but grazing cows.
Ash opened the coach door. “Wait here until I make sure it’s safe.”
“No!” Julia attempted to follow him out.
Did Ash think Farnborough was here? Thea gripped Julia’s arm. “Best we do what Ash says. He won’t be long.”
They watched from the coach as he knocked at the door. Moments later, it opened. Ash’s tall frame blocked the person in the doorway from view, but when he turned to beckon them, Thea saw a dark-haired woman on crutches.
Julia pulled away from Thea and left the carriage, running to the door. Thea followed quickly behind her.
Miss Bannockburn introduced herself. “Of course you are Julia,” the lady said breathlessly. “I would have known you anywhere. You are so very like your mother.”
Julia, her chest heaving with sobs, pushed past them into the small entry. “Where is my mother?”
“She is here. Come into the parlor, and I’ll explain.” She held out her hand to the impatient young girl. “Please.”
“How good of you to bring Julia to her,” Miss Bannockburn said after Ash made hasty introductions. She turned to Julia. “Your mother suffered an injury while escaping from her home. She might not be quite as you remember her. But she recovers slowly and seeing you will help her a great deal.”
Julia put her shaky hands to her wet cheeks. “I must see her.”
Miss Bannockburn held out her hand. “Come, Julia.” Turning to Thea and Ash, she smiled. “I won’t be a moment.”
Tears coursed down Thea’s cheeks, and Ash slipped a comforting arm around her waist. “Well,” he said, giving her a squeeze. “I confess I didn’t believe it would end like this.”
Thea sniffed and gazed up at him. “You’re a good man, Ash.”
“Most men would have done the same.” He pulled out his handkerchief and gently wiped away her tears.
Miss Bannockburn came out again, dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. “Please come in. Lady Farnborough is eager to thank you.”
“It’s good to find you here, Lady Farnborough,” Ash said when Miss Bannockburn introduced them.
“I hate that name. Please call me Diana.” She looked older than she was, her face deeply lined and ravaged by pain and distress. But she was unquestionably Julia’s mother, with the same dark hair and eyes as her daughter, who lay on the bed close beside her.
Diana held out her hands. “Bless you both. I prayed for the strength to remove Julia from my husband’s control. I wanted to turn to my brother Robert for help, but I feared Farnborough would kill him.” She gave a deep sigh. “Julia has just told me Robert is indeed dead.” She passed a hand over her eyes. “Such sadness would have surely put me in my grave, but I can bear it now that you have brought Julia to me.”
“What caused your injury?” Ash asked.
