James and Laura went down to him. James sent Laura a helpless glance, then reached out one hand and laid it on his brother’s shoulder. With his other hand, he reached back to take Laura’s. As they stood there, Demosthenes came up to stand with them, leaning his head against Laura’s leg.
James thought of Laura lying in this place, lifeless, and a shiver ran through him. He pressed a kiss against her head. “It’s over now, love. It’s done. You’re safe.”
And he would make sure she always would be.
chapter 45
Laura slipped quietly into James’s study. He stood at the window, staring out. Adelaide’s funeral had been two days ago, and the house was draped in full mourning, gloom hanging in the air. The suddenness, the violence, the madness of it all, had left everyone stunned.
He turned and smiled, and she went to him, sliding her arms around him and leaning against his chest. “How are you? Have you spoken to Claude this morning?”
“I’m well enough. I saw Claude earlier. He’s devastated. Hard as it is for me to fathom, he really loved the woman. He said to me, ‘I never really knew her at all.’ His whole foundation is shaken.”
“He must be in dreadful pain.”
“Now that she’s gone, Netherly broke down and confessed. Adelaide persuaded him to help her do away with me—or, as he puts it, he was ‘so in love I would have moved mountains for her.’ They charged him with only an attempt on my life. I agreed, the stipulation being that he keeps his mouth shut about Adelaide. I won’t let her actions taint Claude and Robbie.”
“Yes, of course. It’s bad enough that they’ve lost the woman they loved, without having the scandal hanging over them all their lives.” She looked down at Demosthenes, who, tail wagging, was trying to edge his massive head between them. Laura smiled. “At least she didn’t kill Dem.”
“No. Fortunately he has a hard head.” He grinned. “And don’t say like his master.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Laura laughed and pulled away from him. “I thought we might get away this afternoon.”
“I would be happy to. What did you have in mind?”
“I thought we might visit Lydcombe. Do you want to see why I visit there so often?”
James eyed her a trifle warily. “I’m not sure. Do I?”
“I think you should.” She knew he could not resist the challenge in her eyes. “Since my visits there have caused you concern.”
“Laura . . . I promise you I don’t doubt you. In any way.”
“I know. But, still, I’d like for you to come. Will you?” She held out a hand to him.
“Of course. Anywhere.”
Laura’s attitude of amused anticipation continued throughout their ride to Lydcombe Hall, rousing James’s curiosity. Once there, she led James upstairs and into a comfortable sitting room, where they found Aunt Mirabelle, knitting and chatting with Abigail.
James glanced around, then back at Laura, confused. “You just came to see Aunt Mirabelle and Lady Montclair?” Abigail laughed, and he looked over at her, abashed. “Not, of course, that the two of you aren’t ample reason to visit.”
His aunt joined in the laughter, rising to greet him. “James, dear boy, I should probably leave you twisting in the wind for that remark, but I will cut you free. Convivial company though Abby and I are, we are not who Laura loves to visit.” Laura immediately began to protest and Mirabelle patted her cheek, smiling fondly. “Believe me, dear, we understand.” She turned toward the door, and her smile grew even brighter. “Ah, here is the one Laura comes to see.”
James turned, expecting Graeme. Instead, to his astonishment, a servant stood in the door, carrying a baby. The child’s eyes were bright blue and her hair a cloud of dark curls, and he realized this must be Abigail’s and Graeme’s child. He had not seen her since she was a red, squirming infant. Now she was a chubby-cheeked girl with dimples and a strawberries-and-cream complexion, old enough to sit up.
He scrabbled to remember how old she was—it must have been five months since he saw her. Six? Worse, what was her name?
The child began to squirm and make babbling noises, reaching out to Laura. Laura took her, settling the baby comfortably on her hip. “Here’s your Cousin James, Anna.”
The baby popped two fingers in her mouth and regarded him assessingly.
“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.” James gave her a bow, feeling something of a fool, but having no idea what else to do.
Fortunately, this seemed to tickle her, for she giggled and blew a few bubbles around her fingers.