Pembroke...
They took the main roads this time. Francis laughed most of the way, listening to Angel argue with Geoffrey. She insisted she was well enough to go back to the ball and greet their guests; he demanded that she obey him and stay upstairs. Francis was silently rooting for Angel, and indeed, in the end she won out. Merrie was beginning to awaken and was whimpering but still too groggy to speak.
“Are they all right?” Giles spoke up as they approached the back of the house. “We saw Charles coming back, but I don’t believe he knows we saw him.”
“He knows I saw him,” Francis interrupted, “in the woods. And I’m quite sure he knows I suspected him.” He followed Geoffrey up the servant’s steps and into Angel’s set of rooms to lay Merrie down.
Geoffrey carried his wife into their bedroom to finish dressing her. Then he brought her into her rooms and set her down on the chaise. Zeke was dispatched to guard the room from outside the door, while Hannah came in to sit with Angel and Merrie.
“But I want to go back down and see our guests,” Angel was standing her ground. “Please, Geoffrey—it will seem odd to them if I don’t at least bid them goodnight.”
Geoffrey leaned back, appearing resigned. “You may go down, then. But if you see Charles, don’t goad him as you did at our vows. If you do, you’ll be sorry.”
“I won’t, sir, I promise.”
Francis, however, grinned. “Oh, come on, Geoff. If ever anyone needed goading, it’s Charles.”
* * *
Geoffrey’s returned look, however, was not amused.
“You’re not helping, Francis.” Geoffrey helped Angel to her feet, watching until she seemed steady, and offered her his arm. “Ready, my love?”
“I am,” she insisted.
Slowly, he carried her down the staff staircase, and they entered the ball room from another door.
A few moments went by, and Geoffrey observed Angel greeting guests as if nothing had happened. He was amazed and concerned at the same time. Tomorrow, she would probably realize the gravity of what had happened. Now, however, she seemed a perfectly normal Angel.
“My love,” Geoffrey caught her attention, nodding.
Lady Ashwirth was approaching the door of the ballroom in a huff, her angry voice carrying as she approached.
“You bring me all the way to the ball, Charles, to abandon me. And then you insist we go home this early in the evening? I am greatly disappointed.”
“You’ll get over it, Mother, I assure you.” Charles sounded bored. But his condescending tones succeeded only in angering her further.
“I shall not, I assure you,” she quipped.
Geoffrey glanced down at his bride; she seemed to be trying to stifle a smile and losing. Charles, however, in the midst of his argument with Lady Ashwirth, had not yet seen Angel.
“Don’t,” Geoffrey gave her a warning whisper, “I warn you.”
Angel glanced up at him, but only briefly, before she boldly stepped out into the path of the Ashwirths. Geoffrey and Francis quickly flanked her on both sides.
“Charles,” Angel said, her voice sticky with sweetness, “I’m so glad that you brought Lady Ashwirth to take part in our ball. However, I’m sorry that you could not have spent more time here at Pembroke, enjoying it with us.”
Charles’ head jerked upward at the sound of Angel’s voice as he located her standing near the entrance to the front door. His face blanched, and a nervous tic developed beside his mouth. The sight of her seemed to unnerve him completely. “I’m unsure of your meaning, Lady Angel. But please excuse us. I must see my mother home safely.”
“Indeed?” Giles spoke from behind Charles.
Henson stepped out, on Charles’ other side. “We’ll be happy to escort you toward the coach,” he added. “However, Lady Ashwirth will have to make the trip home with only Zeke as an escort on his horse to assure her safety.”
Giles nodded. “Henson is right. We should also like to question you about the highway robberies that have been occurring between Winchester and Woodstock. It seems a witness has identified you.”
Lady Ashwirth stopped, mid-step, and eyed her son suspiciously. “Charles? What have you done?” She paused long enough to kiss Angel on the cheek and give Geoffrey her hand, before sweeping out the front door toward their carriage. Charles followed silently. Giles walked in step with him on the way out to the foyer; Henson as well, on his other side.
“And I believe, Lady Ashwirth, that we shall find it necessary to require your son’s presence with us in the Shenandoah County jail for a while.”
Lady Ashwirth turned toward Giles. “Thank you, Sheriff Kidd. It is about time my son was held accountable for the shame he has caused his father and I.”
At Angel’s side, Geoffrey whispered, “And I believe I instructed you not to goad him, young lady,” he said into her ear. They watched as Charles followed his mother to the coach.
Suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, he dropped to the ground, rolled under the coach. He came up on the other side and disappeared into the night.
Isaac, Henson and Giles were right behind him.
Henson’s shout was heard a second later. “Remember the cliffs!”
Geoffrey gathered Angel into his arms in spite of her protests, carrying her upstairs to her rooms as Francis followed at top speed. James handed him a rifle as they took the stairs several at a time and ran into Angel’s rooms.
“I can’t believe he got away.” Angel was grumbling now. “Geoffrey, we mustn’t allow the guests to be in danger.”
“He’s not likely to come back to the house,” Geoffrey said softly. “And they’ll find him. Isaac sees like a cat in the night.”
“But,” she returned his gaze, “we can’t leave our guests unattended. It’s not right. Please? “
“Wives,” Geoffrey muttered. catching Francis’ amused glance. He sent a severe scowl his way.
“What?” Francis returned, “Don’t look at me like that, old friend. I’m a quite contented man.”
Geoffrey raised a brow, stone-faced. “Contented? In a situation such as this, you say you’re contented? I suppose you don’t mind my asking why?”
Francis looked down at Merrie, lying quietly in his arms and grinned.
“Because my little hellion is asleep.”
* * *
It was almost one, when Giles returned with the others. His knock at the door startled them all.
“Giles Kidd,” he said, from the hallway.
Geoffrey opened the door slightly.
“A place we can speak privately, Geoffrey?”
Geoffrey motioned him in. “This is as good as any, Giles. Come in “
“This won’t take long,” Giles nodded. “My lady,” he said, toward Angel, “I wanted to inform you, you need not worry about Charles. Or Elva Grimm either, any longer.”
Angel met his eyes. “You have caught up with him, then?”
“No, my lady. Fate has. He apparently came up on the cliffs in the darkness and plunged head first, over them. Henson found him dead, a hundred feet below, with a broken neck. And as I said downstairs, he has been playing the highwayman; Henson has been doing some inquiries, and has discovered a long trail of sordid dealings and jewel theft at Charles’ feet.”
She gasped, and a hand flew to her mouth. “And Mrs. Grimm?”
“At your husband’s request, I sent Dr. Craig to the cottage to see her,” he said, frowning at her. “When he got there, she had apparently suffered a stroke and died.”
* * *
Angel was shocked, and leaned back into her husband’s arms.
Geoffrey tightened her into his embrace. “If you will stay here, my love, I shall go down and bid our guests goodbye.”
Angel reached up to touch his face. “Please, let me go with you, Geoffrey?” She watched his frown. “Please?”
“Are you sure you are up to it?”
She nodded. “Yes sir. I’m sure.”
“Little liar.”
“Well, all right, then. I feel it’s necessary. If I don’t show my appearance, the town will be discussing it and wondering why.”
He took her face in his hands and kissed her mouth gently. “All right. But if I detect you need—”
“I won’t, Geoffrey.”
He frowned, raising a brow, but spoke after a moment. “It shouldn’t take long, Angel. It’s time for the guests to be departing.”
She nodded. Putting on a brave smile, she allowed him to open the door for her and carry her down the stairs.
Geoffrey was right. People were beginning to call it an evening, and say goodbye to each other. He and Angel moved forward to say goodnight to them as the carriages of their guests were brought forward. James, and several other white-gloved footmen escorted the guests outward toward their various modes of transportation. But there were many, and by the time the last of the guests were gone, Angel had heard many times what a wonderful ball it was.
Louisa paused as she left. “Thank you once again, Lady Angel. I wouldn’t be surprised if the dormitory isn’t full within a week. The new ladies which have moved over from Mrs. Baxter’s boardinghouse all have stories to tell. I just hope Ellie can join us.” She leaned forward. “Did you know the Baxters left for home without her this evening?”
Geoffrey leaned forward. “Then she is to ride back to town in the family coach.”
Louisa nodded. “I shall tell her. Oh, and Letty has already been approached by several ladies in town asking about private lessons for their children. I thought you’d like to know. And Miss Ellie and Miss Nora have offered reading and writing and English classes to anyone in town who wishes to come. Araminta has just moved in today, and Priscilla and Marie have become good friends. See, Lady Angel, what you’ve done for Shenandoah County already?” Her smile was relaxed.
“Thank you. But you all have done it.” Angel hugged the ladies goodnight with sincere thanks.
Father Michael brought up the last of the guests. Taking Angel’s hands in his after speaking to Geoffrey, he looked down into her face.
“My children,” he said, grinning, “You have brought healing to this community for more people than I can count. I am hearing from my parishioners that they are so pleased with the dormitory; it provides a new life and new opportunities for the Ladies here who were before trapped in boarding houses with limited chances. The brothel is gone, and young women no longer need to feel the fear of being stalked. I have also had parishioners—and a few men, who have asked if I thought you would allow them to come to some of the classes in reading and English; I told them I would ask.”
“Oh, Father Michael,” Angel was beaming. “The first classes begin tomorrow— but yes--we would love to have anyone come who wishes to learn. We plan to meet in the dining room at the dormitory where there is a table to write upon.”
“Let me first give you an opportunity to meet in the church hall, my child. It would give more room, and it will be available to you all day on Saturdays if you need it.”
Angel looked up at Geoffrey, who was grinning broadly, and nodded eagerly. “That will be a wonderful place to meet, Father. Thank you.”
Father Michael looked from one to the other. “And I wish to congratulate you both. I understand that you may have another little Wellington coming in the future? No, please don’t ask where I heard it, for I’m not at liberty to say. But you have my delighted congratulations.”
Geoffrey and Angel looked at each other, baffled. “Thank you—but we have told no one.”
Father Michael threw up his hands. “The world is a small place,” was all he said. He moved toward the door, and turned back after a few steps. “Small, but growing.”
He left them there, staring after him.
“Oh my…” Angelica felt Geoffrey lift her into his arms, and looked up at him. “Geoffrey, did you hear? It’s amazing...” her voice trailed, and she looked up uncertainly.
Geoffrey began to kiss her, but she pushed him away.
“Angel?” he said, worried, “You are ill, my love?”
She nodded desperately, and he ran as quickly as possible with her to the nearest bath.
* * *
He sat with her for over an hour that evening, leaning against the chaise and holding her. “I believe, Angel, I had a glimpse into my mother’s heart this evening.”
She leaned against his chest quietly for a moment. “What do you mean?”
“The letters she added after her signatures did indeed mean something.”
She tilted her chin, meeting his gaze. “Please tell me? What did they mean?”
“The one of me with Clyde, holding his tail. The G, I believe, was what you suggested. G for Geoffrey. And the one of Mollie praying at the table was likely prayer for her young mothers.”
“But,” she breathed, “the letter was an N.”
“Yes. Her name may be Mollie, but at heart she is, and always has been, a nurse.”
Angel’s mouth opened as she nodded. “Of course.”
He smiled. “And the adorable little girl with the red ringlets tied into ribbon all dressed in white, standing in the garden of hollyhocks? It’s you, Angel.”
She stared, and blinked. “But I didn’t know her…”
“No,” he said softly, “but somehow she knew you. And she loved you.”
She shivered, leaning against him for comfort. Geoffrey wrapped his arms around her tightly. “The two paintings of the three little girls which hang at the dormitory,” he added, “remain a mystery. And I suspect the only one who can unravel it may be Louisa.”
Angel’s eyes were enormous now. “Perhaps that’s why they have an L behind her signature.”
“Yes.”
“Then that leaves only the one of the little cabin which is so frightening.”
“Yes. I can only tell you, my darling, that when I approached the cabin where you were kept captive, I heard the most ungodly sounds. When I approached it, what I saw was the cabin, the very same one my mother had painted all those years ago. What I heard when I approached could only be described as a battle between heaven and hell. But the closer I got, the forest opened up for me. She was there and so were you, although you were held captive. You could do nothing but witness it despite being unconscious.”
Angel stared up at him. “And the G and the E?”
“Good, my love. And evil. The good won out in the end, there to protect you. And evil lost. I witnessed it with my own eyes.”
“So now,” she said softly.
“Yes, my love. Now, we know.”