Anton gestured to the others. “Take all the time you need, but we can’t guarantee our sister will still be available.”
“Does that mean you will help me scare Templeton away?”
“Define help,” Terrance said. “I leave in the morning.”
“Don’t look at me,” Anton said. “Templeton is a swell man, and I need his advice on land management. He’s better informed than my steward.”
Blake sighed. “Very well. I will simply be a one-man army. I will convince Mary that I am the better choice, and I will do it all while avoiding her and Banbury for your mother’s sake.”
“Sounds simple.”
Blake nodded. “I like to keep things as uncomplicated as possible. Goodnight friends. Put in a good word for me once you are completely convinced I’m not a rake.”
When Blake finally mounted his horse, he pushed his hat down and spurred his animal into a hard run. Try as he might, Blake would never be happy again as a bachelor. It didn’t matter how impossible his situation had become. His mother’s long-awaited moment had happened; Blake Gunther was in love.
Chapter 12
Mary expected to say goodbye to Terrance, but she was not ready to say goodbye to her mother too. It had been three days since she’d seen Blake, and Mary needed her mother.
“Can’t we all go with you?” Mary asked. “The girls would love to see their mother as much as I would my sister.”
“Jillian needs quiet and rest,” her mother said. “I realize now that I should not have left you alone during my last trip. Thankfully, Anton will be here for you if you need anything at all.”
Mary threw her arms around her mother and squeezed her tightly. “I shall miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too. Take care of the children.”
“Of course.”
After waving goodbye, Mary made her way to the nursery. Only Opal and Claire were playing with their nurse.
“Where is Gloria?” Mary asked.
“She said she was tired and went and put herself in her bed.”
The children’s sleeping quarters were next door to their playroom. “I hope she is not getting sick,” Mary said. She sat down and played a few games with the younger two, passing the morning away.
When a tea tray came in with a platter of food for the children, Mary stood and arched her back to release the tension from sitting on the floor. “I will check on Gloria to see if she is feeling well enough to eat.”
When she opened the door to the children’s bed chamber, she did not see Gloria. Each little bed was empty. Mary walked into the room and searched every corner to make sure she was not hiding or had not fallen asleep somewhere she shouldn’t.
“Gloria?” Mary called a few times. She hurried back to the nursery. “Gloria is not in her room.”
Hannah’s face puckered in confusion, deepening the wrinkles around her mouth. “Where could she have gone to? I will check outside, and you alert the servants to search the house. Don’t worry yet. Children have a way of wandering off and are generally closer than you think.”
“You are likely right,” Mary said. She could hear a faint echo from that morning when she reassured her mother that she would take care of the children. Mary would do anything to prevent harm from coming to any of the girls. “I’ll ask the other servants.”
An hour later, Mary’s hands clenched and her breathing quickened in pure panic mode. She met Anton in front of the main door. “Any luck?”
“The stable is clear, and I still have servants searching the grounds.”
“Oh, Anton. Jillian will kill me. Wait. This will kill her.”
“Stop it, Mary,” Anton said, putting his hand on her arm. “We’ll find her. We used to run and hide as children. Ask Hannah if they quarreled at all. I bet Gloria was upset by something.”
“I’ll ask right away.” She spun and ran back up the stairs to the nursery. When she made it there, she found Hannah bouncing Opal on her hip.
“Any luck?”
“No, but could you tell me what you remember about this morning? What sort of mood was Gloria in before she put herself to sleep?”
“She’d been particularly sulky, your ladyship.”
“Was there a reason why?”
“I thought she might be missing her parents, what with Lady Crawford leaving and all. Gloria did ask after Mr. Gunther, but I said I didn’t know when we would see him again.”
“Did this upset her further?”
“Yes, she was sad, but she often gets that way when overtired.”
Mary sighed. “Did she say anything more about Mr. Gunther?”
“No. I explained he lived just over the bridge and, if she was lucky, she might see him this afternoon. Mr. Gunther is never absent from Banbury for any long period of time.”
“Just over Banbury Bridge … ” Mary thought out loud. “I remember telling Gloria where the bridge was. You don’t suppose she tried to walk to Mr. Gunther’s house, do you?”
Hannah pulled Opal closer. “Gloria can be quite headstrong when she gets an idea.”
“Then I must send someone to search along the road.” Mary hiked up her gloves. “Thank you for your help.” She rushed back downstairs.
Anton was pacing in the foyer. “Any ideas?”
“Yes, Gloria might have tried to make it to Blake’s.”
“Over the Oxford Canal?”
“Yes. I’ll fetch my bonnet. You ride along the road in the direction of Grimsbury, and I will take the shortcut. Let’s see if we can find her.”
“I’ll have two horses saddled.” The tail of his coat flipped up as he whirled toward the door.
“Help us, please,” Mary prayed.
***
Blake did not sleep well, and a headache gnawed at the base of his head. Thoughts of how to rebrand his person flitted through his mind. He’d always been a confident man, but now self-doubt seemed to paralyze him. What if Mary didn’t want him? What if her heart already belonged to Lord Templeton?
“Don’t pace in here,” his mother said, from her nearly permanent seat in the drawing room. “If you think to change my mind with this childlike display, you are disillusioned.”
“Oh, pardon me, Mother. I must be sleepwalking. I had no idea I’d even come in here.”
“Why don’t you take that beast of yours out for a ride? It’s too humid for my taste, but you don’t ever seem to care.”
“Maybe I will,” Blake said. He’d have to stay away from Banbury, but it didn’t mean there weren’t other places to ride to.”
“Once I put my foot down, I will not alter my direction,” his mother muttered as Blake walked out.
A stable boy brought his horse out to him, saddled and ready to ride, before Blake could register the passage of time. He really was in his head today. Never had Blake been so strapped for solutions before. He didn’t know the first thing about love, and marriage frightened him worse than any nightmare. There were so many risks … losing Mary and being forever unhappy or winning Mary and then dragging her down with him.
“Blake!”
Blake looked up to see Mary riding towards him. It wasn’t even a daydream. As she came nearer, he could see the lines of concern around her face. “What is it?”
“Gloria is missing. We’ve searched the house and grounds and can’t find her anywhere. Please tell me you’ve seen her.”
“Here? No, I haven’t.”
Mary’s eyes closed briefly, and he could sense the overwhelming worry building inside her. “I don’t know where to look. Hannah mentioned to Gloria where you lived, so I had hoped I would find her here.”
“There are a good three miles between my house and yours, and Gloria is on foot. She could be anywhere.” Blake pulled himself up onto his horse and turned his head to search the landscape. “Where have you looked already?”
Mary filled him in, and then pointed to the road. “Let’s search this end of the road and meet up with Anton. Perhaps he has already found her.” H
er eyes darted across the garden to the tree line and then back to the road.
“Mary,” Blake said, “we will find her.”
She met his gaze, and her tight posture seemed to relax. “Yes, of course.”
There was still several hours of daylight left, which was on their side, but there was also the canal to worry about. Blake nudged his horse, and they started a slow trot down the road. Mary’s hands were tight on her reigns, putting her horse a little on edge. Blake knew he was going to have to keep her talking while they searched, or her worries would build into hysteria.
“Did Terrance and your mother leave already?”
Mary nodded. “They were both gone by first light.”
“How was last night then?”
“Fine.”
Blake really didn’t want to talk about her previous evening, and he regretted bringing it up. He changed tactics and started calling for Gloria. “Gloria!” he yelled. “Gloria, let’s have some sweets together! Come out, wherever you are!”
“That’s brilliant,” Mary said. She began yelling too and promising treats and parties. Her horse did not take well to the noise and threw his head back in irritation.
“Let’s walk, Mary. You’re either going to hurt yourself or your horse.”
Mary’s frown deepened. “You’re probably right.”
Blake dismounted and then helped Mary to do the same. He gathered both the reigns to lead the horses as they walked.
“How do you lose a child?” Mary muttered.
“Very easily,” Blake said. “Your brothers and I managed to sneak off more than we were home.”
“Yes, but Gloria is alone. What kind of mother will I make if I cannot keep an eye on a child for a single week?”
He was worried too, but he didn’t want Mary to know it. “Your concern shows how much you care, which is an excellent estimation of what sort of mother you will be. I, for one, think I will make an excellent father.” Blake fluffed his hair and did his best prideful face to tease Mary into a smile.
Mary was in no mood to jest. “You want children? You are not ready for such responsibility. You would have to marry first, heaven forbid.”
“I want to be married. I told you as much the other day.”
“You weren’t being serious then, nor are you now. You can’t fudge this.”
“It’s a new idea for me, but I’m being perfectly serious.”
They stopped for a moment, and Mary peeked around a clump of overgrown juniper bushes. Then she turned back to him. “Didn’t you say the matrons are all against you? Who would you find to marry you?”
Blake wasn’t the overly cautious sort, so perhaps he would put it bluntly. Or was it just his intense desire to let Mary know how he felt? “Couldn’t you marry me?”
Mary didn’t even pause in her step. “Me? Don’t be ridiculous. We both know this is a silly attempt to keep me from losing my mind with worry.”
“Mary, stop!” Blake’s words came out more forceful than he intended. His usual smile slipped from his lips along with his easy confidence. “I like you. I like being with you and the kids. This is how I want to spend my days. I am content and have purpose all at once. Don’t you understand? I’m happy when I am with you.”
“We’ve been playing pretend, Blake. You’ll tire of it soon enough. I know you.”
“You knew the old me, Mary. The young, foolish me. But people change.” How could he explain what he himself didn’t understand? There were new emotions and ideas stealing over his usual rationale. He didn’t just want Mary, he needed her.
“Do people change?” She studied him and then looked away. “I’ve enjoyed our time together. I’ve needed your help, and you’ve been there for me. But we’ll go to London for the Season and a pretty face will turn your head. Then what? Where will that leave me?”
“Do you really think me so shallow … so faithless?”
Mary speared him with a glare. “Do you remember the Duke of Hartley’s ball?”
“The ball at the end of last Season—the one before I left to Miss Bliss’s house party?”
“I presume you don’t remember how many times you danced with me.”
He squinted his eyes for a moment and then shrugged.
“You asked me to dance with you three times. But when you asked the third time, my mother intervened and said no.”
“I remember now.” But Blake didn’t understand what she was getting at. “I love to dance with you. We always have a good time when we are together.”
“Yes, but what does it mean when you ask a girl to dance with you more than twice at a ball?”
Blake finally comprehended her meaning. “Usually such a privilege is taken when engaged to be married.”
“Precisely. Your mannerisms and attentions for weeks made me think you actually cared for me. The next morning after the ball, I heard all about the competition to win Miss Bliss’s hand. I pegged you as lighthearted until this happened. Then, I realized you had trifled with my affections and others without a second thought. There are dozens of men just like you, but I am holding out for someone with more depth.”
Blake cringed, regret turning his stomach. What a fool he had been. “You are right. That was utterly senseless of me. I only let myself think of you as a sister. I’ve always thought you the prettiest of my acquaintance, but I had never let myself imagine or hope for more.”
“You will forget this whole conversation when we return to London.” Mary turned away and started yelling for Gloria again. “Where is that girl?”
Blake searched the trees with his eyes, but he couldn’t let their conversation end like this. “No need to go to London. We can stay here. Or … go anywhere else you want to.”
“I’m too upset right now to think clearly. You’re confusing me.”
“Mary, I swear to you, I will be a loyal husband. These rumors, they are only that. I admit, I’ve kissed a few girls for sport, but no more. I’ve never loved anyone before. Never knew it was in me to even feel this way. I have never wanted what my parents have, that is for sure. But being with you could never be that way. It would be like this.”
Mary laughed lightly. “Us arguing and searching for a lost child. Not exactly an ideal scenario.”
“No, us worrying and working together. We’ll hash out all our problems and make things work.” He knew she was listening, so he pressed on. “I promise, I’m a changed man. I want a family now, where before the thought scared me to death. And … you. I want you.”
She looked at him now, like she actually might believe he was in earnest. A sort of bewilderment crossed her face. She finally stopped walking again. “I don’t know what to say.”
Hope leaped inside of him. He could see her eyes softening. This was his chance. “Say you love me too.”
Something in her expression darkened. “Everyone knows I’ve loved you since we were children.”
“Impossible. If everyone knew, then I would know.”
“Don’t tease me.” Her tone clipped her words.
She was serious. Mary loved him? Had always loved him? Sure there had been a big brother type worship from her, but not real love. “You’re telling me you’ve loved me all this time?” His breath grew short, and he couldn’t hold back a triumphant grin. Not Lord Templeton … but him!
Mary turned and started walking again. “Don’t let it go to your head.”
Blake hurried to her and grabbed her hand. Energy surged from their connection. They both stared at their hands enclosed for a long moment. He stroked his thumb against the back of her glove, his heart pounding. “Too late. My head is so inflated with joy I could fly.” He took in her green eyes, brewing with emotion. “Now that I know you love me, nothing can keep us apart!”
She gave him a sad smile. “Blake, you haven’t been listening. How can I possibly know if you really love me? I can’t start a family with someone who is as passionate as you are about life. You’ll tire of me and move on to something new and excitin
g.”
“No one is more passionate than you, Mary darling.” He liked being able to call her that. “Come now, what are you saying?”
Mary sputtered, “You could flirt with a broomstick.”
“So we won’t keep house with any brooms. Easy fix.”
Mary pressed her hand her to eyes.
He released her hand so he could uncover her eyes. “Let me prove myself to you. Will you let me kiss you?” She loved him. She really loved him. The powers of heaven seemed to pull him toward her. One kiss, and he was sure to convince her.
She stepped backward. “No! You will have to earn such a privilege.”
Blake felt his cheeks heat. He never blushed, but he felt the shame of his past catch up with him. He had been too eager to turn girls’ heads in the past. He’d used them to satisfy this emptiness inside of him. He would never take advantage of Mary, though—not intentionally—not ever again.
“I will,” Blake said softly. “And I will be patient until you feel you can trust me.”
“Help me find Gloria for starters.”
“Yes, of course.” His timing was terrible. Could he do nothing right? He was supposed to have a knack for all things romantic. Now he felt like he didn’t even know how to speak to a woman.
He started calling for Gloria again. This little girl did mean the world to him, even if Mary couldn’t see it.
Ahead of them, Blake saw two horses with riders coming up the road.
“It’s Anton,” Blake said.
“And Lord Templeton. Look! They have Gloria!” Mary picked up her skirts and started running toward them.
Blake squinted, and sure enough, he caught a flash of yellow hair. Relief surged through him. He didn’t even care that Lord Templeton was part of the search team. Mary met up with the other two, and Blake walked steadily toward them, allowing Mary to have time to smother Gloria with hugs and kisses.
When he got to them, Blake stuck out his arms, and Gloria leaped into them. She buried her head against him and started crying. “I just wanted to play dragons and princesses. I didn’t mean to get lost!”
He rubbed her back and held her tight. “Didn’t you hear us?” Blake whispered into her ear. “There is a princess party at the castle right now with tea and cakes. But you have to dress your best and promise to never run away again.”
Lady Mary Contrary: Regency Ever After book 2 Page 6
