Chapter Twenty-Eight

 

Edward sat and listened to Annabel relay her story, beginning with the night she left Scarlett Hall. Over half an hour she spoke, and her aunt made no comment, nor did she ask any questions. Rather, she sat stoically waiting for the entire tale to unfold. By the time Annabel finished, Edward could only hope that Lady Lambert saw that he had changed.

“You see, Auntie, I left here a woman in search of happiness, and I returned as such. I cannot imagine the pain you endured, but you must know that I did not wish to harm anyone.” She looked at Edward and smiled. “And although what Lord Wolcott did was wrong, I assure you, he has changed, and very much for the better.”

Lady Lambert drew in a deep breath, her first reaction since they had entered the drawing room. Turning to Edward, she said, “I have questions I wish to ask.”

“Of course,” Edward replied, sitting up straighter as if she was his headmistress and he the pupil. “I will answer whatever you ask, if I am able.”

“Who hired you to do this?”

Edward shook his head. That was the one question for which he could not provide a proper answer. “I swear to you that I do not know. The man who hired me came through numerous channels. When we met, which was only once, he was cloaked and wore a low hat and a scarf around his face to hide his identity.”

The woman studied him for a moment. “I suspect you are hoping for some sort of reward?”

“No,” Edward said without hesitation. “I wanted Annabel returned safe to you.” He reached into the pocket of his coat and produced the letter brought to him by Cecil the week before. “This shows that whoever hired me wants Annabel dead. I refused to follow through on it, although the sender is not aware of that.”

Lady Lambert took the parchment and read it silently. “This person holds great anger for Annabel,” she mused.

When she finished, she folded the letter once again and placed it on a small table beside her. “Forbes has gone to search for you and to find out who is behind this.”

Annabel sniffled and removed a handkerchief from her sleeve to dab at her eyes. “Who, Auntie? Who could have done this?”

“I do not know, but we should know soon enough.” She turned to Edward. “I am in the most peculiar of predicaments concerning you. How do I thank a man for returning the very woman he abducted?”

Edward held back a sigh. How could she, indeed? “I do not believe you can. In fact, I ask not for your thanks but rather for your forgiveness.”

The baroness raised a single eyebrow. “My forgiveness?”

“Yes. Forgiveness for the pain I have caused you and your household. Although I have changed my ways, and Annabel has forgiven me, I find I would like yours, as well.”

Lady Lambert remained silent for several moments, and Edward felt an uneasiness come over him. However, what did he expect? A gushing laud to commemorate the changes he had made in his life?

“You say that you abducted my niece in order to claim a reward to be used in rebuilding your name. Your wish is to one day return to society. Do I understand this correctly?”

“You do.”

“Then why did you return her? I find it difficult to believe that your years of trickery and deceit have changed in such a short amount of time. What if you are merely performing yet another act in order to swindle us?

“Oh, Auntie, I do not believe…”

Lady Lambert raised a hand and Annabel fell quiet.

A sense of defeat fell over Edward. “I must say, I have a great respect for you, for I understand your meaning quite clearly.”

“Edward?” Annabel had a earnestness to her tone.

He turned and smiled at her, sadness filling him. This would be the last time he saw her.

“Your aunt knows that people have the ability to change, but one must remain cautious. In her wisdom, she must protect you. She is correct. I could be performing another charade.”

“Yet you are not,” Annabel insisted. “We have both changed, and for the better.”

Edward nodded and then turned to Lady Lambert. “As to your question, I have the answer you seek. Today I shall leave your home and never return, for that is what would be best for Annabel.”

“No!” Annabel said with a sob, but Edward forced himself to ignore her.

“Then you have my forgiveness,” Lady Lambert replied. “I do hope you have learned from your errors and that one day you can return to society a new man.”

“Thank you for your kind words,” Edward said as he stood. “I will see myself out.” Doing his best to keep his chin high, he walked to the drawing room door, but stopped when Annabel hurried over to him.

Before he could stop her, she threw her arms around him. “This cannot be!” she sobbed. “We are both happy, and now I will be unable to see you. It is so unfair to go through all we did only to be torn apart!”

He inhaled her scent, never wanting to forget it. “Your aunt knows what is best. We must respect her wishes.”

Annabel looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears. “I shall never forget you. I will always remember everything you have taught me and shared with me.”

“As will I,” Edward replied. “And I want you to know that I plan to return to Portsmouth. From there, I will begin making the right decisions again.”

She rose onto her toes and kissed his cheek before he could stop her. “Goodbye, Edward,” she whispered as she stepped back from him.

“Goodbye.” He glanced at Lady Lambert. “Thank you for raising a woman with the ability to change a man.”

With one last look at Annabel, he turned and with heavy steps made his way to the front door. Although Lady Lambert had forgiven him, he felt a crushing weight against his heart at the thought of never again seeing the woman for whom he had come to care so deeply.

Once outside, he considered his next destination, a place of torment he would confront in order to start down a new path. It had been his dream to return to his former life, and although it was but a dream, he now believed he could realize it. The fact Annabel would not be at his side did not surprise him, but it did sadden him.

As Edward stepped off the portico, a man walked up from the direction of the stables.

The man mumbled a greeting. “You appear lost. Are you searching for something?” the man asked.

“No. I am afraid I was deep in thought,” Edward said. He glanced up at the blue sky. “It is a fine day for dreaming.” His mind returned to Annabel. With time, perhaps her aunt would see they belonged together. Sadly though, Annabel would have another suitor soon enough. As long as it was not the man she did not wish to marry. Lord Agar, that was his name, was it not?

The man snorted. “Dreaming is for fools and beggars,” he growled before hurrying into the house.

Edward shook his head and headed to the waiting carriage. “I have been both,” he whispered.

Once inside the vehicle, he peered through the window one last time at the jutting parapets and grand towers of Scarlett Hall. “And because of Annabel, I will continue to dream.”

Sighing, he leaned back as the carriage pulled away. Although his heart was heavy for the loss of Annabel, a tiny itch in the back of his brain made him shift in his seat. A tiny memory that attempted to enter his consciousness, yet he could not place what from where that prickle came.

It was not until they had reached the end of the long drive that the realization hit him.

“Annabel!” he whispered before pounding on the roof of the carriage to alert the driver.

***

Annabel had never felt more torn in all her life. The man for whom she held a great admiration was gone, and she would never see him again. Although she understood the decision her aunt had made, it still caused her heart to clench.

Wiping tears from her eyes, she said, “I am so sorry for all the trouble I caused you. Can you ever find it in your heart to forgive me?”

Her aunt pulled her into her arms. “Oh, my sweet Annabel. You did nothing wrong. Why would I need to forgive you?”

“If I had not sneaked out of the house that night,” Annabel replied, “I would not have been taken in the first place. And then none of this would have happened.

“Perhaps,” her aunt said. “However, it may have happened regardless. I would like to discuss Lord Wolcott later but I believe you should rest first.”

Annabel nodded and a glimmer of hope rose inside her. Would her aunt wish to learn more about Edward and how he had changed? And if so, did that mean there was a chance that she would allow him to call on her again?

The sound of hurried footsteps in the hall made them both turn.

The door opened and Annabel’s father entered. A look of relief crossed his face, and he hurried over to Annabel. “There you are!”

“Oh, Father!” Annabel said and quickly hugged him. “I am here, and safe. There is no need to worry.”

However, rather than return the embrace, her father pushed her away. “Was the ransom paid?” he asked her aunt. “I thought she was not to be returned until that was settled.”

“No,” her aunt replied, “the ransom has not yet been paid.”

“You fool woman!” he shouted, his face a bright red. “Do you not realize that this will happen again? And next time they may very well kill her!”

Annabel hated to see her father when he was angry, and now he was angrier than she had ever seen him. “Father, I am safe. Are you not happy to see me?” As many times in her life, he walked past her as if she was not standing there. He did not even look her way.

“You must pay the money tonight,” he insisted. “I am leaving for Paris tomorrow and do not wish to return to find my daughter missing again!”

“Paris?” Annabel whispered. “You are taking another holiday? After all that has happened?”

The thought made her stomach roil. Why would her parents plan a journey while she was missing? Yet, the truth that she had already known hit her. Her parents cared nothing for her. Her kidnapping had been nothing more than an inconvenience to them, something that would have kept them from their lovely plans.

“Annabel is safe now,” Aunt Eleanor said. “Do you not wish to console her? Look at her! She is distraught while you speak only of your upcoming journey.”

Her father turned to Annabel. “Your mother has been worried sick,” he said. He wore a mask of anguish, but Annabel could see that it was only that—a mask. “I do not know how you were spirited away, but you should be ashamed of yourself for what you have done to this family and the pain you have caused.”

“Silas!” her aunt said in her commanding tone. “You will stop this instant!”

Her father turned and grabbed Aunt Eleanor by the arm. “Do not speak to me as an equal,” he growled. “You talk above yourself.”

Aunt Eleanor grimaced in pain, and Annabel pulled at her father’s coat. “Let go of her!” she shouted, but the man was strong and shoved her back as easily as if she were a child, sending Annabel to the floor.

“Where is the money, Eleanor?” he shouted. “I will pay the ransom myself tonight!”

“You will pay yourself?”

Annabel turned to the voice and gasped, for in the doorway stood Edward, his face filled with anger. The tension in the room was palpable, threatening to choke Annabel. What did Edward mean by his words?

“This is a family matter,” her father barked. “Leave us!”

Edward took two strides toward Annabel’s father. “You will remove your hand from the lady, or I will remove it for you.”

To Annabel’s surprise, her father released Aunt Eleanor, and she hurried to her aunt’s side.

“I have released her,” her father said, narrowing his eyes at the man. “You may leave us, whoever you are.”

Edward’s laugh held no mirth. “I will do no such thing,” he said in a dark menacing tone. “I did not recognize you without your hat and scarf, but I would know that voice anywhere.” He turned to Annabel. “Is this your father?”

Annabel nodded. What was going on?

“He is the man who hired me.”

“No!” Annabel cried. “This cannot be. Father, tell him that he is wrong.”

“Of course he is,” her father said. “I do not know this man, nor have we ever met.” He took a step toward Edward and pointed a finger at him. “I would be careful with your words if I were you.” He turned to her aunt. “Get this man out of my family home before I remove him myself.”

Her aunt lifted her chin and gave him a defiant look. “No, Silas, he will remain. It is you who will leave. I know without a shadow of a doubt that it was you who sent the letters.”

Her father screeched as he leapt toward them, but Aunt Eleanor pulled Annabel out of his way.

“Silas!” All eyes turned to find Forbes entering the room, his face drawn with exhaustion and his clothing travel-worn. “Back away from the women this instance!”

“And what makes you think you may speak to me in such a manner?” her father demanded.

The butler lifted a fist. “I know it was you. It was not the vicar and the rest are dead. That leaves only you.”

“And I have the directions you gave me,” Edward interjected. “I assume you wrote them yourself?” He pulled a creased parchment from his coat pocket and handed it to Aunt Eleanor, who read over it.

“Never again will you step foot on Scarlett Hall property,” her aunt said. “You will leave at once and never return.”

Annabel’s father snorted and reached for Annabel. However, it was her aunt who stepped between them. “Annabel will remain here with me. As it should have always been.”

“Joanna and I are leaving for Paris and have no plans to return.” When her aunt made no comment, he turned to Annabel. “Your name will be ruined! I will tell everyone of the secrets your aunt keeps. Now, give me the money!”

Annabel stared at the man. “What secrets?” She found her legs unable to support her. “Why do you and Mother hate me? Why would you wish me dead?”

Her aunt dropped down beside her and pulled her into her arms. “Shh,” she whispered. “Everything will be all right.”

“I have no idea of what secret you speak, but I can promise you one thing. If I learn that you have spread any falsehoods, or even truths that hurt either Lady Lambert or Annabel, so help me, I will travel to Paris myself and hunt you down. And if you return to England, the same fate will await you here.”

Her father laughed, an evil sound that made Annabel shiver with fright. “And what fate is that?”

Edward moved to stand directly in front of Annabel’s father, their noses within inches of each other. “That your last breath will be in my presence.”

A flash of fear filled her father’s eyes, only for a moment before he pushed past Edward and hurried to the door, Forbes following behind.

Annabel sobbed into her aunt’s shoulder. Never had she ever felt so betrayed, so despised. So dispirited. She had always known her parents did not want her, but to the point of having her murdered?

“Am I such a horrible daughter that my parents would wish me dead?” she asked. “What have I done that is so wrong?”

Her aunt brushed a thumb across her cheek. “It is nothing you have done, I assure you. Do you understand? Nothing.”

The words were meant to comfort, but Annabel could not push away the despondency that filled her. Her entire life crumbled around her, and she feared the weight would crush her. To have her fears realized, to learn that what she believed for so long was true, was more than she could bear, and she clung to her aunt and wept until she had no tears left to cry.