“Shh, Grace.” Owen enfolded Grace in his arms. He held her against his chest while she cried. His hand rubbed up and down her back. He felt helpless. Grace did not betray him. Someone else betrayed both of them, most likely her father. They would never know for certain because he passed away two years earlier. And now, someone had abducted Grace’s daughter. His daughter.
It sunk in at that very moment, that he had a daughter! He and Grace made a child. A child conceived in love. Alice. His mother’s name was Alice. He’d never met his daughter, Alice. He would find his child, for himself and for her mother. He had no intentions of living his life without either one of them. “I’ll get her back, Grace.” Owen pulled back, and gazed into Grace’s brown eyes. “You are in danger, Grace. You must stay here with us, with me.”
Grace nodded. She felt relieved. She was alone since the day Owen left for Italy. Marston was never a husband to her. He knew Alice was not his and ignored her. Grace was not enthusiastic to Marston’s attentions after they married. After a time, he quit coming to her. She became an adornment to host his social activities when he was in residence in Devon. She’d heard of Marston’s London mistresses over the remaining three years and cared not. No, Grace was alone since the day Owen left for Italy. Until Alice was born. She soon found that every time she looked at Alice, she thought of Owen. Owen had always been in her heart.
“Libby is here, Grace. She is Lady Wincanton now. There is something you should know. These same men, the Brown Coats, took her. They cut her face. It’s a bad cut, Grace, and she’ll probably always have a scar. But she’s alive. I got her back. I’ll get Alice back too.”
“I saw Libby from time to time in Hartford and Bideford. She was always very kind to me and Alice. I am sorry she was hurt, Owen. But she is alive. That is the most important thing.” Grace straightened. She dared to look into Owen’s deep blue eyes.
Owen wanted to kiss her and more; but did not. He couldn’t. He would not leave Grace with a broken heart a second time. He must find Alice first. There was a chance the Knights of the Brown Order wanted him, Harry, Micah, Lyon, Trevan and Luc to show up at the Jasmine Star for a reason. He and the others discussed it earlier that morning. With the top members of the Avalon Society out of the way, the Society would probably fold and cease to exist. The three of them believed the Knights of the Brown Order wanted the six of them dead.
Owen found Libby after leaving Grace in the parlour in the capable hands of Lady Glaston. Grace confessed to him she had not eaten since the day before. Lady Glaston was personally seeing to it Lady Marston ate a good meal. The gentlemen knew of his situation with Grace, but his sister did not.
He found her in the drawing room with Lyon’s wife, Sophia. “Libby, may I talk to you a moment?”
“Of course, Owen.”
“Lady Amesbury, Lady Glaston asked that you join her and Lady Marston in the parlour.”
“Of course.” Sophia smiled as she left Libby and her brother alone.
“How are you feeling, pet?”
“I feel a little tired, but I am much better, Owen.”
He smiled and nodded. “You heard Lady Marston is here?” Owen asked her.
“Yes. Sophia said her daughter was taken and that you believe the Brown Coats are responsible. It is horrible, Owen.”
“Yes. And I will get little Alice back. Pet, do you remember four years ago when I courted Lady Marston?”
“Yes. I do, Owen. I always wondered what happened between the two of you, for you seemed to like her very much.”
“Before I left for Italy, Grace and I, we, well, um, we fell in love, Libby.” Owen ran his hand along his jaw. “We were intimate, Libby. I asked her to marry me and she accepted. We wanted to wait until I returned from Italy to announce our engagement. I stayed in Italy an extra two months. As you know she married Lord Marston before I returned. I thought she betrayed me.”
Owen sighed and continued, “This morning, Grace and I pieced together that her father wanted her to marry Lord Marston. We wrote to one another while I was gone, but neither one of us received the other’s letters. We believe her father kept them from us. There was something very important Grace needed to tell me in her letters. She was with child. She carried my child, Libby. Little Alice is mine; my daughter. I did not know of this until today. When I returned from Italy, I thought I was betrayed, and because Grace never received answers to her letters she thought I had forsaken her. I wanted you to hear this from me, Pet, and not someone else at a later time.”
Libby rose and went to Owen. Smiling brightly, she raised up on her toes to kiss his cheek. “I am an aunt. And you are a father, Owen!”
Owen smiled back at her. “Yes, Pet. But let’s keep it to ourselves for awhile. I, uh, I intend to ask for Grace’s hand – but not until I have Alice back. I do not wish to break Grace’s heart twice if something should happen in London. In any case, I feel she is unable to make any decision until her daughter is back where she belongs.”
“So you don’t want me to tell the ladies.”
“That’s correct.”
“Owen, may I tell Micah? I do not want to keep anything from my husband.”
“Of course you may tell your husband, pet. He is family now. Come, Libby. Come with me and see Grace.” Owen smiled.
“Lady Marston, how good to see you.” Libby said happily as she entered the parlour. Lady Marston sat with Rowena and Sophia.
“Congratulations on your marriage, Lady Wincanton.” Grace tried not to stare at the long, jagged scar on Libby’s cheek. She moved her gaze to Libby’s happy, smiling eyes instead.
“Owen told me Alice was taken. I am so sorry. You must be beside yourself with worry.” Libby reached out to her and took her hands in hers. “Owen says he will get her back. We must believe he will.” Libby squeezed Grace’s hands reassuringly.
Grace nodded. She turned to regard Owen. “I have to believe he will.”
“Owen told me you will be staying with us, and traveling to London with us, Lady Marston. I am happy you will be joining our party.”
“Please, call me Grace, Libby. We have known one another all our lives.”
“Of course, Grace.”
The four ladies sat down to tea, while Owen sought out Harry.
Chapter Sixteen
Before going downstairs to dinner, Owen stopped in to see Libby and Micah. Libby grew tired earlier and asked to return to her room. Already in her nightgown, she lay in bed with Micah.
“I’m just checking on you both. If you need anything tonight just call out. Matthias is in the hallway during dinner. We’re going over some things in the library after the ladies retire. I’ll probably be back up late. I’m certain you will be asleep when I return so I will not disturb you. I’ll leave you two to your privacy. Your dinner will be up soon, I’m certain.”
“Goodnight, Owen.”
“Goodnight, pet. Micah.”
“Owen.”
The second Owen closed the door behind him, Micah gathered Libby in his arms. He waited for this moment the entire afternoon. He kissed his wife passionately, something he longed to do for days. He was careful not to hurt her injured face. His hands moved to her bottom. He pulled Libby closer against his hardening cock. His fingers gathered up her nightgown until it was above her waist.
“Dinner will be here soon, Micah,” Libby giggled.
“I’ll hurry, sweetheart. We’ll take our time later tonight, after dinner. I’ve dreamed about this for days. I’ve missed this so much, Libby.”
“But how can you do this without tearing your stitches, Micah?” she asked with concern.
“I can. Turn around so your back is toward my chest. That’s it. Give me that wiggly little bottom.” He grabbed her hips, pulling her against his hard length. He smiled as she giggled.
Micah massaged her until he was certain she was ready for him. She was already wet. He made her wetter. He entered her, groaning as he did. God he missed making love to Libby. She was so
hot. So wet. He was sore, so he moved slowly at first. His fingers moved down across Libby’s belly and lower to her sensitive nub. She moved with him, pushing her hips back when he thrust to take him more deeply. Not wanting to be interrupted by their dinner being delivered before they finished, he quickened his pace. He came quickly, and brought his wife over the edge with him.
“Did you hurt yourself?” Libby turned back to face her husband. She placed a sweet kiss to his lips.
“No, I don’t think so. But I am sore.” Micah gathered her in his arms once again. “Sorry that was so quick, sweetheart. I’ve missed making love to you. After dinner we’ll take our time. I think maybe you’ll have to be on top.” He brushed feathery kisses against her lips then slanted his mouth over hers to kiss her more deeply.
“I’ve missed it too, Micah.”
A knock sounded on the door.
“Perfect timing. There’s dinner.” Micah kissed her temple. He called. “Come in.”
It was midnight when Owen made his way to Micah’s chamber where he would sleep tonight. He would leave with Gabriel for London the next morning. He noted light coming from beneath the door of Grace’s room. Lady Glaston put her in a room close to Owen so he could be near in case the Brown Coats attacked again. Owen decided to pass by. He stopped and turned when he heard what sounded like a sob beyond her door.
He knocked softly. “Grace, are you well?”
The door clicked open. “I-I, the nights are the hardest for me, Owen. Alice doesn’t like the dark and I wonder…” Grace choked on another sob. “I hope she is not frightened. She doesn’t even have her dolly she slept with.” She held a rag doll in one hand.
“Grace.” Owen breathed as he stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. He reached out and squeezed her arm. “I know it’s hard, Grace. You’ve got to believe we’ll get her back.” He looked into her eyes. Warm, liquid brown.
“I-I want to, Owen. You’re the only hope I have…” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I couldn’t bear it, Owen, if anything happened to Alice. I couldn’t go on living without my baby.”
Grace covered her face with her hands. She moaned softly.
Owen reached out, and quickly enfolded her in the circle of his arms. Grace clutched at his lapels. Her shoulders shook as she gave in to her fear. She cried harder. Owen stroked her back for long minutes. “Shh, sweet. Grace, I’m leaving tomorrow morning for London. Gabriel is coming with me. We’re going to start searching for Alice. Remember I explained to you about Gabriel’s gift at dinner? He wants to try to contact Alice through you early tomorrow morning before we leave. We are hoping to find Alice and get her back before next Tuesday.”
“I’ll go with you, Owen.” Grace looked up into Owen’s dark blue eyes. She swiped at her tear-stained cheek with the back of her hand.
“No, Grace.” Owen kissed her forehead. “You’ll leave Wednesday with Micah and Libby and the others. It will be safer for you in a larger group. They might follow Gabriel and me. They could try to take us out before we reach London, to prevent us from arriving early. They have to know I will try to get my daughter back.”
“Oh!” Grace’s eyes widened. “Owen, I love Alice and I want her back desperately, but I cannot bear for you to be hurt either. Owen, I-“ She faltered and stopped speaking altogether. She cast her eyes downward. She feared he might see into her soul.
“What, Grace? Tell me…” Owen brought his fingers up to caress her jaw. He tilted her face upward and gazed into her mesmerizing brown eyes. He held his breath. He knew what he wanted her to say. He feared what she would say.
Grace stiffened. What if he did not love her any longer? What if he never could? She couldn’t bear to hear such a thing at this moment. Her heart was already broken in two with Alice being taken from her. Grace shook her head, her golden brown waves moving about her shoulders as she did. “I just couldn’t bear it if something happened to you, Owen, or to Alice.”
“I’ll be fine, Grace.” His thumb moved slowly along her jaw. He wanted to kiss her. He lowered his head slightly then stopped himself. Grace’s emotions were in turmoil with their daughter being torn from her. He would not take advantage of her. He knew if he kissed her he might not stop with just that. He’d not leave her alone and with child again in the event his attempt to get Alice back was unsuccessful. Owen knew he’d have to wait to woo Grace. He would bring Alice back to her first. And when he returned, he would kiss Grace for hours on end, make love to her and marry her. The three of them would be a family, as they should have been all along. If Grace would still have him.
Grace gave him a small smile.
“Try and rest, Grace. You need to be well when I bring Alice back to you.” Owen did lower his head again. He allowed himself to kiss her cheek. He smoothed her hair from her face. “I will wake you before we leave tomorrow. It will be early.”
“Very well. Good night, Owen. And thank you.”
“There is no need to thank me, Grace. Alice is our daughter. I want nothing more than to see her and hold her. To know her. And I want to see you smile with joy when I bring her to you.”
Grace nodded. She watched Owen leave her chamber. She felt suddenly cold and alone when he pulled the door closed behind him. She extinguished the lamp and lay down. She curled up with Alice’s dolly and cried herself to sleep.
Before daylight, Grace started awake when a soft knock sounded on her door.
“Grace? Are you awake?”
It was Owen. “Yes, just a moment.” She rose, hastily slipped into her wrapper then hastened to open the door.
Owen and Gabriel Chynoweth, the Earl of St. Mabyn, entered her chamber. The door was left open.
Gabriel smiled. “I need to take your hand in mine, Lady Marston. Please, sit.” He pulled a chair up near to her. “Just close your eyes and think of your daughter.”
Grace nodded and sat. She offered her right hand to him.
“Do you write with that hand, Lady Marston?”
“Yes.” Grace answered.
Gabriel took her hand in his. He asked her, “What is your daughter’s name?”
“Alice.”
“What do you call her most of the time, Lady Marston? Any pet names?”
“I call her sweeting quite often and Allie sometimes.”
“Very good. Close your eyes. Breathe deeply. Think of your daughter. Imagine the two of you doing what you normally do together.”
Grace fought back the tears that threatened. She took deep breaths. She remembered fondly how she played every morning with Alice in the nursery. How Alice loved her favorite dolly made of cloth.
Gabriel entered the in-between world. He could see a dark-haired little girl with bright blue eyes playing with a doll. The rag doll was dressed in pink. He saw Lady Marston sitting beside little Alice on the floor. They laughed. Lady Marston sang a song to Alice. Alice began to sing along.
Then he heard it. A little voice carried through the void. “Mama! Mama! I’m lost. Want to come home, Mama.”
“Alice?” Gabriel asked her.
“Who are you? A bad man?” A fearful little voice asked him.
“No. I’m a friend of your mama’s, Alice. We are trying to find you. Do you recognize where you are?”
“In a dark room. I have a blankie.”
“What can you hear Alice? What kinds of sounds? Are there any smells you can identify?”
“I hear men shouting and horsies outside. It smells like my goldfish.”
“Look around the room, Alice, let me see what you see.”
Gabriel saw a small, shabby room. One bed, one chair, one window way up high on the wall. One door. There was a chamber pot in the corner.
“I sat on the pot like a big girl!”
“Good girl, Alice. My name is Gabriel. I will be checking on you often, so don’t be frightened of me. I’m going to come find you soon. I will bring you back to your mama.”
“Will my mama be here soon?”
“I, and some oth
er men, will come for you and take you to your Mama. I will talk to you soon, sweeting.”
“Bye. Could you bring my dolly?”
“Yes. If I can, I will bring your dolly. If not I will buy you a new one.”
“Thank you, Mr. Gabe-rell.”
“I’ll see you soon, Alice. I will talk to you often like this, Alice. If you need me, you call out to me. Remember my voice, Alice.”
“Yes.”
The vision faded. Gabriel focused on Lady Marston.
“I heard her voice. I could feel my little Alice.” Grace teared up.
Owen offered his hand to help her to her feet. He rubbed Grace’s shoulder to comfort her.
“Do you by chance have her doll with you, Lady Marston?”
“Yes, my Lord!” Grace walked to the bed and picked up the precious item. She hugged it to her chest before handing it to him.
“We’ll bring it back, Lady Marston, with Alice.” Gabriel nodded and left Owen with Grace. He closed the door behind him.
“I’ll see you soon, Grace.” Owen stepped closer to her.
Grace felt a large lump in her throat. She feared for Owen; she feared for Alice. She wondered if she would see either one of them again. She blinked back tears and could only nod.
Owens’s hands moved to her shoulders. He pulled her close.
Grace began to cry. “Please come back, Owen. Find my baby and come back to me. Please?”
Without thinking, Owen lowered his head and pressed his lips against Grace’s. He kissed her tenderly. He lifted his head and gazed into her liquid brown eyes, “I will, Grace. And when I bring Alice back, we’ve a lot to talk about, you and I. She is my daughter. I want to be her true father.”
Grace gave him a small smile. She nodded through her tears. Of course Owen would want to be a part of Alice’s life, even if he no longer loved her.
“I’ll see you soon, Grace.” Owen released her.
“Yes, Owen. You will.” Grace looked up at him. The idea came to her then. He would see her much sooner than he thought. She had no intentions of remaining behind. She must make certain they found her baby. And that Owen lived so he could truly be Alice’s father. She would follow them! It would not be that difficult, surely.
Lords of Honor Page 27
