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

by Sahara Kelly

  “It’s difficult, isn’t it? Leaving one’s home and those one loves…” Finn reached out and touched her knee.

  She nodded. “Yes. It’s the first time Dal and I have been apart in an age. He was there when I recovered consciousness from the accident and he’s been there for me ever since.”

  “A truly good man,” observed Finn.

  “All that and more.”

  She took a breath and looked out the window at the bare countryside, dappled here and there with mounds of snow that hadn’t quite had enough sun to melt them.

  “We will be back before Christmas, Hecate.” Finn spoke firmly. “I promise we’ll be here for Christmas.”

  “I would like that,” she mused. “Our first Christmas together. As a family. Of sorts.” She grinned at him. “Bub isn’t much fond of all the fuss…” Her breath caught. “Oh lord, I shall miss him too…”

  Finn slid from his seat to snuggle in beside her. “We can turn back…”

  She shook her head. “No. We have a task to accomplish.” Turning to Finn, she met his gaze with determination. “There’s a serious wrong that only we can right. I know this course of ours is what we need to pursue, Finn. All my instincts, all my senses are saying yes. We have to show the world what Faversill is, and fix what he has done to the Marchville family.”

  “If you’re sure,” murmured Finn.

  “I’m sure,” she affirmed, leaning her head on his shoulder. “I am now beginning to wonder what Richard will say when he hears our news.”

  “Uh…” Finn gulped. He had no idea either.

  *~~*~~*

  “You’re what?”

  The squawk of surprise seemed to shock everyone, including the one who had uttered it, just moments after seating his guests in the parlour and offering them tea.

  “They said they were engaged to wed, Richard. Did you hear them incorrectly?” Mrs. Cressida Ridlington carefully maneuvered her overlarge belly onto an upholstered chair and stared at her husband.

  “But…but…” Richard stuttered.

  Hecate couldn’t help a giggle, and Cressida shook her head on a sigh.

  “Forgive my husband. He’s usually the most articulate of men. But recently his conversation seems to have descended to much simpler levels.”

  “Don’t give me that look, Richard, you bas… devil.” Finn hastily amended his language. “I am tail over teakettle in love with your sister.” He glared across the table. “So there it is. I’ll make her the best husband you can imagine, so don’t go acting like an outraged father on me.”

  “Don’t worry, Finn dear.” Hecate soothed him. “Richard is only practicing his parental outrage.” She glanced at Cressida. “He’s only a few weeks away from being a father. Of two babies.” She lifted her chin. “Which, brother mine, I believe I tried to tell you about eight months ago. But would you believe me? Of course not.” She smirked.

  Richard dropped into a chair. “Well…this has just taken me completely by surprise. First twins. Then Finn…Finn Casey of all people, arrives at my front door with my baby sister and announces he’s going to marry her. And the twins…” He ran his hand through his hair. “I’m not sure I’ll survive all this.”

  A small furry bundle rushed into the room, sniffed its way around everyone’s feet and ended up sitting on Hecate’s lap. “Hello Zizi, sweetheart.” A few scratches in the right place from clever fingers, and Zizi panted happily as she stretched out over Hecate’s knees.

  “And where’s Dal, I’d like to know?” Richard found his second wind. “Shouldn’t he be here looking after you? And where’s your cane…and…oh God, Hecate. Married? You? You’re too young…” He all but moaned as his shoulders sagged.

  Cressida rolled her eyes. “He’ll be done in a minute.”

  Finn took a tart and munched appreciatively. “We can wait. We may need more tarts…”

  Hecate sipped her tea.

  “I’m trying to be the voice of reason here, you know.” Richard frowned. “And yet what do I get? Mocked. You mock my attempts to guide you along the proper path.” He tried to summon up a glare for Hecate, but failed. “Then again, you always did, so I suppose nothing’s really changed. Except now you’re going to marry a damned fine fellow.”

  He stood, crossed the room and shook hands with Finn, then returned to his seat. “Take care of her or I will personally eviscerate you and wear your guts for garters.”

  “Is that a blessing?” Finn quirked an eyebrow at Hecate.

  “It’s as close as we’re going to get, I think,” she grinned back. Then turned to Richard and Cressida. “Now. Can we tell you why we’re travelling? Why we need to get to London?”

  “Please do,” said Cressida. “I cannot wait to hear this tale. It must be something quite important to drag you both halfway across England at this time of year.”

  Finn sobered. “It is. And what I’m about to tell you must remain confidential, if you please. At least until we’ve accomplished our goal.”

  An hour later, both Richard and Cressida were aghast at the tale Finn had related.

  “I’d heard something about that Prussian mess. I’d love to know which idiot was to blame for that,” growled Richard. “I’ll wager heads rolled in the aftermath. Thank God you weren’t involved, Finn.”

  “I was involved in too much of it, my friend. Colour Sergeant or not, I fought alongside so many brave lads that day. Only the Lord knows why I was spared when so many others fell.”

  Hecate touched his arm in sympathy. “We cannot continue to re-fight the battle, Finn. Our job now is to bring a criminal to justice.”

  “She’s right,” sighed Cressida. “But all the same…”

  “Yes, all the same…” Richard closed his eyes.

  Waterloo had touched almost everyone in England in one way or another. Hecate realised the truth of that statement as silence fell.

  Finally, Richard stood. “You’ll stay the night?”

  “If we may,” nodded Hecate. “But just the night. We’d like to reach Ridlington as soon as maybe, and then to London.”

  “How are you going to make Faversill confess?” Cressida looked at both Finn and Hecate. “I can’t imagine he’s the sort of man who would just stand up and say oh, gosh, yes, I did actually shoot Marchville in the back. You don’t mind, do you?”

  Hecate couldn’t help a chuckle at Cressida’s dry tone. “No, we’re not expecting him to do that. Both Finn and I have some thoughts on how to encourage him to confess to his crimes. Finn is all for using the basic method…”

  “Fists and feet?” Richard lifted an eyebrow.

  “More or less,” Finn grinned back.

  “I might be thinking along slightly different lines, however.” Hecate narrowed her eyes, focusing inward for a few moments. “But the plan isn’t quite solidified in my head yet.”

  Richard and Finn exchanged glances.

  “She’s at her most dangerous when she gets that look, you know…” Richard warned.

  “Or her most intriguing,” responded Finn.

  Cressida chuckled, and then groaned as she pushed herself out of the chair. “And that’s why these two will have a very happy marriage.” She glanced at Richard. “I have to excuse myself. Quickly. Where’s the damn chamber pot?”

  *~~*~~*

  That night, Hecate rose from her bed. Finn was next door, since Richard completely refused to countenance them sharing a chamber, no matter what the status of their impending union. She was alone.

  Although she missed Finn dreadfully, her solitude did give her a chance to think more about the idea germinating in her mind.

  Moving to the fireplace and putting another log on the embers, she sat in the chair on one side and quietly cleared her mind of all extraneous thoughts as the wood caught and flames brightened the room.

  The night was still and silent, the air comfortable and her body calm; her breathing slow and regular as she drifted into that ‘other’ place within.

  A foot rest l
ay near the hearth, something embroidered with flowers, as befitted a lady’s chamber.

  Hecate stared at it, focused on it and imagined something else entirely.

  Moments later, a vase of roses stood where the foot rest had been. And a few more moments after that…the foot rest returned to its former position.

  Hecate trembled, swayed a little, and took a deep breath, trying to calm her shaking hands.

  She was drained, but elated at the same time. She'd proved one very important thing.

  Her plan could work.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  “I wish you could stay longer,” said Cressida the following morning.

  “As do I,” said Hecate, gently giving her as much of a hug as she could, around the protrusion of babies. “It won’t be long now, dear. And all will be well.” She put her hands on the bulge. “They’re healthy, growing and almost ready to be born.”

  “Oh God,” whispered Cressida. “I’m scared.”

  “Don’t be,” soothed Hecate. “You’re as healthy as can be, and it will be an easy birthing. Believe me.”

  Cressy hung onto Hecate’s hands. “I want to believe you. You have no idea how much I want to believe you,” she confessed.

  “Richard will stand by you, love. Let him be there. Let him see his children take their first breaths. It’s important, you know.”

  “Really?” Cressy raised her eyebrows. “I thought men were supposed to pace and drink brandy and do other manly things during their wives’ childbirth.”

  “Nonsense,” grinned Hecate. “All men should watch the moment their child opens its eyes for the first time. Such an experience will also gain the mother a lot more respect.”

  “I’ll tell him that.”

  “Do. And remember, all will be well. I know it.”

  “When she says that, I have to confess to feeling a lot better about it all,” said Richard, overhearing Hecate’s words. “She’s always right, damn her.” He hugged his sister hard. “I could wish you were able to stay as well, but I understand.”

  Finn came back up the steps. “The carriage is ready. Thanks for the help in getting it here so quickly, Richard.”

  “Don’t mention it,” he answered.

  “All right. I won’t.” Finn grinned.

  “I think we should leave, otherwise these two will be at it again,” said Hecate turning to descend the steps.

  “This way, my Lady.” Finn held out his arm. It had rained overnight and the marble slabs were slippery.

  Sure enough, Hecate’s boot caught on the top step, but before she could topple, Finn swept her off her feet and hurried down the last of the steps. He plopped her down inside the carriage with little fanfare, then glanced back at Richard and Cressida who were wide-eyed on the top step.

  “See? You can trust her to me, Richard. I will always catch her…”

  “Make sure you do, old chap. God speed, and let us know what happens in town.”

  Finn jumped in to the carriage. “We will.”

  Waves were exchanged as the carriage pulled away, beginning the next leg of their journey which would take them to Ridlington.

  “I think they’re pleased with us,” said Finn, settling back against the squabs with a satisfied grin on his face.

  “I think so too.” Hecate rearranged her skirts and pulled off her gloves, making herself as comfortable as possible. “There’ll be an increase in the residents before too long. I doubt Cressida has more than two or three weeks to go before the babes arrive.”

  Finn blinked. “But I thought they said another month? Right around Christmas?”

  “They did. Which is all well and good but has nothing to do with what the babes themselves decide.”

  “Oh.”

  She leaned over and rubbed her hand on his. “Don’t worry about it, Finn. All will be well for them. Cressida is going to be a wonderful mother and Richard will spoil them to bits.”

  “No troubles then? Giving birth to two?”

  “None.” Hecate smiled confidently. “The Ridlington family might have been one of the most complicated and neglected group of misfit siblings, suffering under the abysmally despotic hand of our father, but we’re survivors. We make our own happiness, it seems. Find our own way to a new life. And we’re pretty strong too. Richard will be there for Cressy every step of the way, and she’s a strong woman in her own right. It will be painful, but within moments of those first cries—the pain fades into a distant memory.”

  Finn raised an eyebrow. “And you know this how?”

  “I read it in a book,” she chuckled.

  “Do you want children, Hecate?” Finn tilted his head to one side.

  She stayed silent for a minute or two, thinking over his question. Finally, she nodded. “Yes, I believe I would like a child, Finn.” She bit her lip. “But I have to be realistic. My injuries after the accident were serious. Edmund once referred to them as severe. My hope is that only my bones were involved. But there’s always a chance that I cannot bear a child because of it. I don’t know.”

  “You cannot see what lies ahead for yourself?”

  “In this instance, no.” She sighed.

  “And yet you knew that you and I would…be together…” He smiled that wicked smile she adored.

  She couldn’t help but smile back. “Yes, I knew that.”

  “But you cannot see the future…for just yourself?”

  Hecate shrugged. “Finn, it’s so hard for me to explain any of it, especially when it comes to looking ahead. I feel things. I see things. I sense something is coming or about to happen. My gifts have magnified everything that you or others might call intuition. And some of my other skills have nothing to do with any of that. I still don’t know the full scope of what I can do.” She gazed at him, willing him to understand the inexplicable.

  “I have a scrying bowl that shows me glimpses of what may lie ahead. Sometimes my dreams foretell events, and sometimes it’s as simple as touching something and knowing, just like that.”

  “Simple is not a word I’d use in connection with your gifts, as you call them, sweetheart. They saved my life.”

  “Do they bother you, Finn? Are you not worried at the thought of having a wife that others might well call a witch?”

  He grinned, and reached down, lifting her leg up onto the seat beside him. One hand slid to her calf, and he massaged it. “Not at all. You’re my witch.” His hand slid a little higher. “I like having my personal and private witch near me. Letting me touch her and touching me in her turn. I like it very much indeed…”

  His hand slipped even higher, and Hecate sighed. “So do I.”

  *~~*~~*

  They reached Ridlington Chase just as the snow began, late in the afternoon. There seemed to be lights everywhere as the carriage made its way up the drive to the front door, and Hecate hung from the window, ignoring the fat snowflakes, eager to see the Chase once again.

  Finn couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm, even though his mouth was dry and his palms damp at the prospect of facing the Baron—head of the Ridlington family.

  The front door opened just as the horses drew to a halt and a stately figure walked out onto the top step.

  “Chidwell,” shrieked Hecate. “Oh Chidwell…” She scrambled out, ignoring Finn’s attempt to help her, and walked quickly up the steps to administer a huge hug on the awe-inspiring gentleman standing there.

  “There now, Miss Hecate. Some decorum if you please.”

  Finn observed his face, however, which had warmed into a smile, and was followed by a quick hug as he disentangled himself from Hecate’s warm embrace.

  “Put the butler down, youngster,” came a voice from behind Chidwell.

  “Edmund,” she said, “Edmund.”

  More hugs followed, and Finn observed the tall gentleman with the most imposing set of eyebrows he’d yet to encounter.

  “My turn. Let go, Edmund. It’s my turn…” A beautiful woman sailed up to the happy group, mana
ging to hug Hecate. “Welcome, lovey. I am so glad to see you here. We’ve missed you…” She looked up. “And this must be Mr. Casey.” She released Hecate. “Won’t you both come inside? It’s just begun to snow, so your arrival is most timely…”

  She smiled at Finn. “I’m Rosaline. And I’d hazard a guess that you’ll be family before too long, so Rosaline is how you will address me.”

  Finn bowed. “As you wish, Ma’am.”

  She raised an eyebrow. While not as impressive as her husband’s, it got the point across.

  “Er…Rosaline.”

  “Better.” She tugged Hecate inside, leaving Edmund and Finn staring at each other.

  “Well then.” Edmund cleared his throat.

  “Ah, yes. Um…very good of you to have us, my Lord.”

  Edmund sighed and rolled his eyes. “Come on in. And it’s Edmund, lad. Hecate wouldn’t have brought you if you weren’t someone special in her life. So let’s start as we mean to go on.” He held out his hand. “Welcome to Ridlington Chase, Finn Casey. And I hope you’re ready for the chaos within.”

  Finn, fighting the cowardly urge to turn tail and run back to Doireann Vale, nodded his thanks. “I survived Waterloo. What could be worse?”

  “Good point,” answered Edmund, leading him through an impressive hall.

  A yell, a thundering of feet on the grand staircase and a yelp as a puppy arrived at the bottom, skidding on the tiles, closely followed by a young lad, obviously the source of the yell.

  Behind him came a little girl, yelling just as loudly, and waving a wooden sword. “I caught, you Hugh. You my pwisoner.”

  “Am not,” insisted Hugh. “My trusty wizard turned you into a sheep before you picked up your sword.”

  “Don’t want to be a sheep. Sheep smell nasty.”

  “But then again,” observed the Baron as he calmly watched the trio gallop away into another room, “children are a unique battle all their own.”

  All Finn could do was nod and follow his host.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “I’m not sure confronting him is the best way, Finn.” Edmund stroked his chin in thought as he leaned away from the table.