Heart in Hiding (The Six Pearls of Baron Ridlington Book 6)

by Sahara Kelly

  She crossed the room and laid a hand on his sleeve. “At some point in my life, I must. We both know that.”

  He nodded. “Indeed yes, this is true.” He looked out the window. “I have often wondered when the time would come that you no longer needed me.”

  “Oh no, Dal,” Hecate frowned. “I will always need you. I am stronger with you at my side, knowing that I have something so precious as your friendship and support. You are as necessary to me as breathing, and you are part of my family. I could not care for you more if you were, in truth, my brother.”

  At that he turned and looked down at her, his face creasing into a gentle smile, his eyes warm. “I echo your sentiments, dear Miss Hecate. Our lives have been enriched by this knowing of each other, I think.”

  “That is very true, Dal. Although I will say that you have done more enriching than I have. We are somewhat uneven on that scale.”

  “Not so,” he disagreed. “You have treated me with respect. You have trusted me, taken me into your confidence and never, for one moment, did I feel that the colour of my skin or the nature of my upbringing made a jot of difference to you.” He placed his hand over hers. “I would never have received such treatment from anyone else in this country but you, Miss Hecate. Believe me when I say that knowing you has enriched me most fully.”

  She battled tears. Dal’s words came as a complete surprise, but after a few moments, she accepted the truth of them. Dal was Indian through and through, and in the eyes of far too many British, he was not “equal”. It was sad, but he was right…it was indeed the way of the world.

  “We’re lucky we found each other,” she said, taking a rare liberty and leaning her head against his shoulder. “So you won’t mind remaining here while Finn and I go to London?”

  “As long as you promise to take care of yourself, Miss Hecate,” he admonished sternly. “I shall inform Mr. Finn of his duties toward you. You are not to overtax yourself. You are to eat properly…”

  Hecate laughed. “Dear Dal. Thank you for being you. I’m sure that Finn will welcome your words of wisdom.” She paused. “I trust him, Dal. Almost as much as I trust you. He is a caring man; I’ve seen that in his heart. He has been through some terrible times and those fires have strengthened his resolve, I believe.”

  “He is the one, then?”

  Dal was probably the only person who could ask that question using those words. She understood.

  “Yes.” She swallowed, finally accepting the inevitable. “He’s the one.”

  “Then be sure he makes you happy, and go to London with my blessings.” Dal freed his arm and put it around her shoulders, giving her an unexpected and surprising hug.

  It moved her deeply.

  For a moment, neither spoke, then she looked up. “Will you mind Lady Augusta staying?”

  He met her gaze—then grinned. “No, Miss Hecate. I shall not mind Lady Augusta staying. Nor do I believe the lady herself would be averse to my company. And you will ask no further questions on that topic.”

  She grinned back. “I will not. But I will mention that she is, beneath the town bronze, a good woman who has also undergone many difficult trials in her life. Some of her choices were unwise, but we all learn from our mistakes, do we not?”

  “So true.”

  Their private interlude ended with the arrival of Frank Worsnop, who declared that Mr. Finn had put together a possible travel plan and wanted to know if Miss Hecate might care to join him for tea so that they could discuss it?

  She and Dal moved apart, both comfortable now with the directions their lives were taking.

  “Yes,” she answered Frank’s question. “Miss Hecate would be very willing to take tea with Mr. Finn.”

  Very willing indeed.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Finn found himself with an unusual amount of eagerness as he stared over the map in front of him. And when Hecate walked in, he knew his smile was wider than normal.

  “You look inordinately pleased with yourself, Mr. Finn.” She smiled back. “And where is my tea?”

  He turned to the map. “I have no clue. Ask Winnie.” He tapped a long finger on the unfolded sheet. “Here, Hecate. This is how we should go, I believe.”

  She came to his side, slowly and with a slight hitch to her step, but no cane. He’d noticed her leaving it behind more and more, and today especially he breathed a sigh of relief. If he had hurt her last night…

  “Do you see? It is shorter to take this route to Richard’s, and from there we can make it to the next posting house in a day or less, if the weather holds.”

  “And then to Ridlington…another day and a half perhaps?”

  “Maybe two. But the going should be fair, since we can take the toll roads for a good portion of the way. If any are clear and easily travelled, those will be the ones.”

  She glanced at him. “I think it’s an admirable plan. We can worry about getting to London after reaching Ridlington. Somebody there will know how to go. Probably James.” She noticed his enquiring look. “Sir James FitzArden, my sister Letitia’s husband.”

  “Ah,” he answered with a nod. “Family.” He looked glum. “I will have to meet them, won’t I.”

  It was a statement, not a question.

  Hecate chuckled. “Yes, I’m afraid so. But they don't bite. At least most of ‘em, anyway.”

  “Tea, Ma’am.” Winnie entered bearing the traditional tea tray.

  “Excellent, thank you, Winnie.” Hecate watched as the girl confidently placed the dishes onto the table and added the teapot and other necessary bits and pieces. “How is everything going below stairs, Winnie? Is your Mama getting on all right? And Frank? Settling in, do you think?”

  “Oh yes, Miss.” She beamed. “‘E’s doin’ ever so good.” That was followed by a blush.

  “I’m happy to hear it,” answered Hecate, seating herself. “We must see about making sure you all get a bit of time off. Do remind me…”

  “Oooh, that’d be awful nice, Miss. I’ll remind yer.” She bobbed a quick curtsey and hurried away.

  “Considerate of you, my dear.” Finn strolled to the table, his eyes full of laughter. “Assisting in a romance, are we?”

  Hecate sniffed, and poured tea. “Just giving it a helping hand.” She pushed the cup over to Finn. “I’m happy. I’d like everyone around me to be happy as well.”

  He watched her eyes, bright and shining in all the myriad shades between blue and green. “Are you truly happy, Hecate?”

  She glanced at him. “Yes, Finn. Yes, I am truly happy today.” She sipped, then sighed. “And yes, I have you to thank for it.”

  He gazed at her. “I should be the one thanking you.” He took a small tart and put it on his plate, staring at it for a moment as if trying to guess what it was. “You gave me back my life, and now you’ve given me more joy than I ever had a right to expect.”

  “My goodness,” she chuckled. “All that?”

  “Yes, Hecate. All that.” He kept his voice was tender but serious. “I’m alive because of you. I have my memory back because of you. I have a goal…because of you. And I’ve learned to love because of you.”

  She stilled. “Finn…I…”

  He held up his hand. “Hush, I haven’t finished. There is one thing I have to say about all this, Hecate. About us. One thing that’s become clearer and clearer every day we’re together. And today I realised I need to ask you something.” He took a breath, wondering what the hell had come over him.

  She swallowed. “What’s that?”

  “Will you marry me?”

  “What?” She stared at him.

  “Er…I said will you marry me?”

  She blinked.

  “Hecate?”

  “Uhh…” Her mouth fell open but apparently his proposal had robbed her of the power of speech.

  He sighed. “It’s not a terribly confusing question, sweetheart. Let me put it simply. Will. You. Marry. Me.”

  “You…you want…�
�� she pointed at herself… “me?”

  Taking a breath and trying not to clench his teeth, he nodded. “Yes. I want to marry you.”

  “To marry me?”

  Finn leaned forward and thwacked his forehead on the table three times. Then he straightened. “Yes, dammit.”

  “Then, dammit, the answer is yes.” She leaped from her chair practically into his teacup, stumbled and ended up sprawled across his lap. “Are you sure?” She looked up at him, sliding her arms around his neck.

  “God, yes. But it’s you who needs to be sure, love. I have nothing to offer you…”

  Her eyes shone so brilliantly, it was as if a pure teal blue sun had risen. “You are offering me yourself. What more could there possibly be?” Her gaze dropped to his mouth. “Except this…”

  She kissed him, and as she did so, Finn knew he’d made the right decision, even though the words had popped out unexpectedly.

  When he could breathe again, he held her by the shoulders. “Shouldn’t you be taking the time to think about this, Hecate? I’m serious when I said I don’t have a penny to my name. I owe you the clothes on my back.”

  “Then I reserve the right to remove them tonight. One by one.” The look of sensual wickedness in her eyes took him aback, stunned him, and made his heart thunder beneath his shirt. God, she was amazing.

  “You…destroy me, Hecate. In the best of ways,” he breathed, scared to move lest she vanish. How could this moment be real?

  “But I am serious. I come to you with nothing, no worldly goods to endow you with, no fortune to add to yours. All I can do is pledge my life, my heart…my soul. To you. Always.”

  “Oh Finn,” she whispered, her eyes glittering with unshed tears.

  If Lady Augusta had not arrived at that moment, matters might well have gone another way, but the sound of her clearing her throat brought both Finn and Hecate to their senses.

  With a certain degree of embarrassment, she slid from his lap. “I tripped,” she lied.

  “So I see,” grinned Augusta. “Well caught, sir.” Her smile encompassed Finn.

  Since he was doing his best to hide his natural masculine response to having his woman kissing the breath out of him, Finn was glad for Augusta’s nonchalance. He half rose and blessed the large tablecloth.

  “We have news, Augusta.” Hecate resumed her seat.

  “The trip to London? You have matters in hand already?”

  “We do,” nodded Hecate, glancing at Finn.

  He wondered if she’d mention their brand new engagement, and decided to take his lead from her. After all, they’d only been affianced five minutes ago. It would be precipitous to shout it from the chimney pots this soon, although he’d half a mind to rush up to the attic and try it; such was the level of his excitement. And his arousal.

  “I do hope you will choose to remain here, Augusta.”

  Finn pulled his brains out of his breeches and focused on Hecate’s conversation.

  “You don’t mind?” Lady Augusta helped herself to tea.

  “Actually, I’d feel better.” Hecate bit into a tart with a murmur of pleasure.

  Finn’s brains rocketed downward again as her tongue flicked out to catch an errant morsel of pastry. Oh God, that tongue…

  “With you and Dal in residence, Doireann Vale will continue to function effectively, I know. Now that the Tisdale twins are pretty much living with Mrs. Trimmer’s cousin, and all but next door to their farmers, I do need someone here to keep the fires burning, so to speak.”

  “They’ll be wed before Christmas, I’ll wager,” said Augusta.

  “Huh?” Finn blinked at her. “Who?

  “The Tisdale girls. Digby and Harvey. I’m not sure who’ll end up with which twin, but I’d lay a pony on the outcome.” Augusta raised an eyebrow at him. “Any takers?”

  He grinned at her. “Besides not having sixpence to my name, I never bet on a sure thing.”

  *~~*~~*

  Hecate readied herself for bed, trying not to be aware of her heart beating rapidly. Would he come tonight? And what would happen if he did?

  She’d promised to marry him. Did that mean he’d be sleeping with her from now on?

  So many questions. She didn’t realise she’d been pacing the length of her chamber until Bub, who was sprawled on the bed observing her, made his opinion of the whole business known.

  He gave a cat groan, and yawned, then stretched, his rump high, his front legs gripping the quilt.

  “Am I boring you?” asked Hecate. “I do apologise.”

  She sat down on the bed next to him, smiling as he moved to her side and rested his chin on her leg. Stroking his silky fur always calmed her and within a few moments he was purring, a deep rumble that she could feel vibrating against her skin.

  She felt like purring as well.

  And when the door opened and Finn peered around it, she beckoned him without a second thought.

  “I wondered if you wanted company tonight,” he said, with an inquiring look.

  “I think…” she chose her words carefully. “I think I will always want your company, Finn. Especially at night.”

  Bub opened an eye, took Finn’s measure, and closed it again.

  “I’m glad you feel that way.” Finn sat on the other side of Bub, as if hesitant to disturb him. “I don’t want to spend another night of my life without you next to me, Hecate. I know that’s unreasonable, since we have to maintain the proprieties until we’re wed, but having your warmth beside me…well, somehow it’s just right.”

  “Come then.” She stood and slipped out of her robe, moving up the bed and pushing back the quilt.

  He did the same thing on the other side.

  Together, they eased themselves onto the bed, trying not to disturb the heavy, warm and purring lump of fur that now took up at least a third of Hecate’s side.

  “I’ll have to wiggle around him a bit,” she sighed, moving into Finn’s arms.

  He stroked her, much as she’d stroked Bub, a gentle petting that soothed and comforted. “Any second thoughts, sweetheart?”

  “About what?”

  “Marrying a penniless Irishman…”

  She sighed. “I know it will take you some time, Finn, but I do wish you would stop worrying about that. I would never marry anyone for money. I know it is important…I’m not a fool. But it does not measure your worth as a man. And as a man—I have no second thoughts about marrying you.”

  His arms tightened and he pulled her on top of him. “You are an extraordinary woman, Hecate Ridlington. In more ways than I have yet discovered…” His hands slid down and he began to tug her nightgown up and over her backside. “Also, to return your compliment, you have an amazing bottom as well.”

  She giggled and slithered around, managing to extricate herself completely from her nightgown. “I’m so glad you think so, sir. May I say I believe you to have some amazing parts of your own…one of which deserves more attention, I’m thinking…”

  A few minutes later, Bub uncoiled himself, glanced at the moving figures that were disturbing his rest, and jumped down to the floor, stalking off to find a more peaceful place to sleep.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The plans were made, the route they would take was carefully mapped out, and all the associated details had been finalized.

  Hecate and Finn were ready to embark on their trip, having sent a message to Richard and Cressida to expect them within a few days.

  Finn found himself unusually nervous at the thought of meeting Hecate’s family, but at least Richard was a known quantity, so he was going to begin with the easiest part of it all. And he blessed the brief glimpses of a wintery sun that shone intermittently on the morning of their departure.

  Dal, Augusta, Winnie and Frank had gathered on the front steps to see them off in the travelling carriage that would take them to Branscombe Magna. From there they would procure another one for the next leg of their journey—to Ridlington Chase.

  “You
’re sure you have everything, Hecate?” Augusta looked concerned. “You don’t have many bags…”

  Hecate grinned. “I don’t need many bags. Just the basics for me. This isn’t an extended round of winter visits, Augusta. My family knows me well enough not to care about the number of my dresses, and we shouldn’t be in London for too long.”

  “Well, if you’re sure…” Augusta gave her a hug. “Thank you, Hecate.”

  “For what?” Hecate blinked in surprise.

  “For giving me a life that I never hoped to have. You may not realise it, but you helped me step out of the person I was, and into the person I should have been. I can never thank you enough for that.”

  “You did it yourself, Augusta.” Hecate shot a quick glance at Dal as he buckled the final straps over the bags on the back of the carriage. “Don’t stop now. You’ve found your heart. Follow it.”

  “I will,” grinned the older woman. “I certainly will.”

  “We’re ready,” called Finn, holding the carriage door open.

  Hecate went down the steps to Dal’s side, briefly touching his arm. “I will miss my companion. But I shall be content knowing that he has all that I care about in his charge.” She looked up to the top of the steps, where Bub had come out to sit tall and enigmatically next to Augusta.

  “There they are, Dal. My house, my cat and everyone in it is now under your control.”

  “I shall attempt to keep it all in good heart, Miss Hecate.”

  “Keep yourself in good heart too, Dal. You might even share a little of your heart. I believe it would be welcomed.”

  “I will keep that thought in mind. Please take care of yourself and come back to us soon.”

  She moved to the carriage and let Finn help her inside, following her to sit opposite as soon as she was settled. Dal closed the door, and she reached out once again to lay her hand on his where it rested on the rim of the window. “Stay well, my dearest friend. We will send word if we can.”

  Dal nodded, his eyes dark and filled with emotion. “Safe travels.” He stepped back and nodded at the driver.

  And they were off.

  Hecate was surprised that tears filled her eyes as they drove away from Doireann Vale.