“How could I hate you for loving both my brothers? It’s easily done.”
Her answer was so logical, Serena saw, at last, Cecily truly was her mother’s daughter.
“But it’s all right. Your undying affecting for Blackwood is stronger than Long’s rakish appeal,” Cecily finished with a dramatic sigh.
“In all honesty I must tell you rakes, your brother or any other, have never held any attraction for me. Perhaps in a novel it’s so, but I believe most of us are drawn to other attributes. After all, Lord Kendall is not a rake, is he?”
“Lord Kendall is marvelous! So brave, so gallant, so handsome … so…” Her eyes wide, Cecily obviously searched for more apt descriptions of her heart’s desire. “…so absent,” she finally concluded. “Serena, when will Kendall return? I don’t know how much more I can bear.”
Not being so poor-spirited to spoil Cecily’s dramatic posture by reminding her she bore the loss of her husband, Serena patted the slumped shoulder. “We must be brave for just a while longer. These dreadful wars will end soon. And with that, Lord Kendall will return … and Blackwood, also.”
But Serena was proved wrong. For at the Season’s end there was no happy news. She went to Avalon Landing after securing promises that any news would be sent straight through to her. The summer came and went. Fall promised a bountiful harvest, and the village was full of praise for the lady of the manor.
She returned to London, where the duke and duchess had stayed on so the Prince Regent’s physician could attend His Grace, who continued failing.
It had been so long since word of Blackwood that when a letter finally arrived in October, both Cecily and the duchess demanded she read it aloud straightaway.
Dear Serena, we have finally arrived at Chesapeake Bay only to find chaos. The stores are inadequate, the accommodations worse. It’s a low blow to the men after our difficult sea voyage. Sergeant Major Higgens is trying to rouse the men’s lowered spirits while Jeffries assists Kendall and myself in procuring better equipment. Our orders are to march on their capital city, Washington it is called, and burn it if necessary. This does not sit well with the men or with me. Kendall sends his regards and as always I send my deep affection to all of you.
Blackwood
It was so vastly different from his other letters, which had been full of glory and valor, that they all stared at one another silently. Serena saw something flicker in the depths of the duchess’s eyes. Perhaps she, too, had noticed the lack of personal affection or any whimsical reference to their chrysanthemum plant.
A few weeks later the duchess, pale-faced and without her usual grace, entered the conservatory, where Serena was fussing at the chrysanthemum, her thoughts, as always, centered on Blackwood.
“Serena, word has arrived from the War Office.”
Something in the duchess’s face brought her to her feet. Fear, greater than anything she had ever known, froze her into immobility.
Taking Serena’s suddenly frozen hands, Her Grace squeezed them, bringing back life and warmth. “There has been a defeat at the bombardment of Fort McHenry. Matthew has been seriously injured and will be on the next boat home.”
It took a few moments for the words to penetrate Serena’s fear-numbed mind. She forced herself to speak calmly. “How serious are his injuries?”
Tears welled in Her Grace’s eyes. “The dispatch didn’t say. But he lives, Serena, and shall be returned to us.”
“Yes.” She nodded, unable to feel anything at this moment. “Kendall and Jeffries will bring him safely home.”
Now the tears did slide down Her Grace’s pale cheeks. “Jeffries was killed trying to get Matthew to safety after he fell.”
Without words, Serena went into her arms, each knowing what this loss must mean to Blackwood.
The news catapulted the entire household into action to prepare for Blackwood’s arrival. Longford outfitted a carriage and drove to the coast. When the ship arrived he would immediately send a message with outriders so that all could be in readiness.
Before Blackwood was returned to her, another letter came. Obviously arriving on the same ship he had, it beat him to town. She opened it with trembling fingers and saw at once it was dated several weeks before.
Serena, the bombardment of Fort McHenry began this morning and still continues with no end in sight. Sergeant Major Higgens fell today in a vain attempt to lead the men from utter defeat. His death serves no purpose, for word has been received we are negotiating peace, but we must fight on until it is settled. He could have been spared. My men’s lives could have been spared, for this is all for naught. I know not what this night will bring. Tell my mother I now fully understand Shelly’s words. “No man has a right to do an evil thing that good might come.” Farewell. Blackwood