JEMINA—RUNAWAY
Ihad my daughter in my arms, and we’d ridden about two miles in the dark. The clouds had shifted. I stopped under a tree to rest, to catch my breath, to think through what to do.
“Pa-Papa was right. Ladies can ride horses sitting.”
“He’s right about a lot of things.”
“Where is Pa-Papa? Why didn’t he come?”
Holding on to Hope, I wasn’t prepared to whisper lies. “He’ll be with us when he can. He’ll find us.”
“When we go home, Mama? I want Mrs. Feebs. Left her in carriage. My new horsey, too.”
“Hope, what about an adventure, just the two of us?”
“No Pa-Papa?”
She grew quiet. Tears fell on my wrist.
“Baby, please don’t cry.”
Thechubble,chubble, trouble at Finchely had to be because of me. It was dire. Daniel sacrificed himself. Then I ran.
“Mama, don’t cry too. Pa-Papa fix. He always fixes. That’s what Aunty says.”
Lady Shrewsbury, she’ll know what to do. “Hope—”
Loud, happy barking surrounded us.
My heart slowed. Those yelps weren’t meant for chase. They were our pug.
“Max. Mama, Max has come. He’s come.”
The galloping closed in. I turned my horse around and saw Daniel flying fast, almost standing in his seat.
Max loped near and ran around us.
Daniel pulled to my side.
“Pa-Papa, you came! We can go now.”
“No need to run. All is well, Hope. Jemina, I answered the Lord Mayor’s and Mosey’s questions. The law continues to think I am a dull and boring man with the best daughter and wife. They don’t know my secret, ladies. My family is strong and whole.”
He leaned over and reached for me. It was a quick hug, too quick. I reached for him, but he’d circled with his mount.
“Family, let’s go home.” He took Hope onto his saddle. “Max, lead the way to Finchely.”
His horse moved six feet away when he stopped. “My invitation is for all of us. I’ve sent the evil away. Under my protection, you’re safe. No more running, Jemina.”
“It’s home, Daniel. Isn’t it?”
He made his mount come to mine. “Hope, your Mama’s still scared. Let’s tell her we love her and we understand why she left.”
“Yes, Mama. Love, love, love.” My daughter yawned. “Mrs. Feebs needs us home.”
Daniel reached for my reins. I nodded and let him seize the strap. He led us through the dark, all the way to Finchely’s torches.
“Lady Ashbrook, we have a yawner. We need to put this one to bed.”
