by Aria Norton
She flipped over onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. Light was pouring through the windows now, making it hard to fall asleep. Letting out a heavy sigh, she closed her eyes and tried to calm her mind. There would be a lot of questions to answer later on that morning. The constable would want to know what had happened. Then there would be her mother's histrionics to deal with.
Depending on the doctor's recommendation, they would likely have to stay at the cottage for a few days until Thomas was healed enough to head back to London. If only she could avoid talking to him for those few days to sort out her thoughts.
Chapter 38
Thomas sat in the drawing-room. The parlour had been completely destroyed, along with any chances of being with Abigail. The look in her eye as she had gone off to bed had gutted him. Did she feel that he was not worth the trouble he had caused her? What he needed to figure out was how he was going to win her back.
There had been so many misunderstandings between them. Abigail believed that he was still in love with Sarah. While he still cared about what happened to Sarah, he was not in love with her. Had he ever been? Or was he just a lonely young man longing for a family again? Sarah had been the convenient choice, an expedient answer to what he was yearning for.
Ever since his parents had passed away, his loneliness had become like a great anaconda about to squeeze the life out of him. He had wanted so badly to have someone to spend his life with that he didn't realise that Sarah's heart was not in their courtship. This whole ordeal was as much his fault as it was hers.
Now everything was in shambles. He had ruined things with Abigail. She would likely never trust him again. And why should she? He had proven that it was dangerous to be around him. He had put her life in danger on more than one occasion. Filmore had almost succeeded in taking her from him. Thomas could no sooner live without Abigail than without air or sunshine.
He stood, needing to change positions. His ribs ached, and his head throbbed. However, even with all of this, he could not sleep. Light poured through the windows while birds sang in the treetops outside.
A knock sounded at the door as he was gazing out at the beautiful landscape. "I'm sorry to disturb you, My Lord," the hall boy said, "but the constable is here. He wanted to get your side of the story before he took Sir Filmore away."
Thomas nodded, turning away from the pretty scene. "Of course. I'll come…"
"No, sir. He says he will see you in here, if that is agreeable. He knows you were injured quite badly during the scuffle." The hall boy went out to retrieve the constable before Thomas had a chance to argue. The man came into the drawing-room, flanked by Aunt Beatrice and Mrs. Staton. Beatrice wore a kindly expression, asking how he was feeling.
"I am well, thank you, a little sore."
"Do sit down, Lord Brampton," she offered and then turned to the constable. "Procure a chair for the constable," she instructed the hall boy.
"No, thank you, madam. I find that I am better able to breathe standing up." Thomas stuck out his hand to the constable and shook it.
"I am Constable Neweather. I just have a few questions for you, My Lord."
"Of course," Thomas nodded for him to begin.
"From what the hall boy told me, there was a break-in?” Constable Neweather asked, looking over at the boy.
"Yes, sir. Sir Filmore and two of his friends broke in here at about two in the morning. They snuck into Miss Abigail and Lady Sarah's room and tried to abduct them. I heard their screams for help and went to their aide."
"And Lady Sarah is Filmore's wife, is that correct?"
"Yes, sir. Mrs. Filmore complained of suffering abuse at his hand and Miss Abigail and I endeavored to rescue her from his hand. He must have followed me out from London."
Constable Neweather cleared his throat. "It is his right to come after his wife and defend her, I suppose. But you say he was abusing her? Physically? Verbally?"
"Both, I believe. By what Mrs. Filmore told us, he was very cruel. She asked for my help and Miss Abigail kindly offered to help as well. Mrs. Filmore plans to file for a separation as soon as she returns to London."
Mrs. Staton and her sister both sucked in a breath. "A divorce?" It was unheard of for a woman to ask for a divorce. And very few divorces were ever granted. Thomas knew that Sarah would spend the rest of her life as a social outcast if the divorce was granted. However, it was better than living under the same roof of a man who cared nothing for her and with the risk of her life coming to a violent end.
"Yes, Mrs. Staton. There is something else you should know, Constable. We believe that Sir Filmore is not who he says he is. We believe he has been operating under an alias for the last few years. Rumour has it that he is a con-man whose real name is Jedediah Graham."
The constable perked up at this news. "The same Jedediah Graham who hails from Bath?"
"I don't know." Thomas breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps it was not just a rumour. This would help cement Sarah's case for a separation.
"If it is the same man, we have been looking for him for a long time." He stood. "That will be for the London judge to decide though. I'll take him away now. He was howling up a storm when I went in to get his side of the story. Reeked of booze like you wouldn't believe. Don't know how he ever rode a horse all the out here in the dead of night. You're lucky you escaped with your life, sir, if that is Jedediah Graham."
"Believe me, I smelled the booze. I am grateful for you coming out here so early, Constable Neweather. Please do let me know if you need anything else."
Thomas watched as the constable ushered Filmore out of the front door. He turned and uttered a string of curses at Thomas, spittle flying from his mouth. Thomas felt someone watching him from behind, and when he turned, he saw that Sarah had got out of bed. Filmore noticed her then and turned a cold gaze on her. "You will pay for this," he said, almost inaudibly. Thomas saw her shiver, and he went to place an arm around her shoulders.
"He cannot hurt you now, Sarah," he said softly.
"In body, no. He cannot hurt me more. But in mind, I shall never forget what he has done to me in the past. I don't know how I will get over it." She shook her head and let the tears fall over her cheeks. Thomas let her go, watching her travel back down the hall to the guest room she and Abigail were sharing. How he wished he could talk to Abigail, to know what she was thinking!
He followed Sarah to the room and knocked softly. She opened the door and gave him a questioning look. "I'm sorry to disturb you. I know you both must be exhausted."
Sarah looked back into the room, at Abigail, he assumed, and then turned her attention back to him.
"Is Miss Abigail awake?" Thomas waited. Sarah let her gaze fall - a sure sign that she was about to lie to him.
"I'm sorry," she whispered. "She is still asleep. I'm sure she will speak with you when she wakes up."
Thomas nodded, hurt filling his eyes. Sarah knew he had spotted the lie, but obviously, Abigail had asked her not to tell him she was still awake. "Yes, I hope so. Is she alright? I only want to make sure she is well. I know this night has not been easy."
"She is well. Only very tired."
"Good. Will you tell her that I asked after her... when she wakes up?" Thomas hoped Abigail could sense all the love he had for her in his tone.
"I will." Sarah smiled sadly and closed the door. Thomas stood outside the door, listening. He could hear Abigail and Sarah whispering to each other but could not make out clearly what they were saying. Was Sarah vouching for him? Or was she telling her to run as far away as she could? His heart ached.
Returning to the drawing-room, he settled down in the chair again. What he would not give for a soft bed at that moment. He arched his back slightly, finding that it helped him breathe easier when he was sitting. He leaned his head against the back of the chair and closed his eyes.
His mind traveled back to the night he had held Abigail in his arms in his study. He wanted so badly to kiss her, to taste the sweetness of her l
ips. However, that was what had got him into trouble in the first place. His swirling thoughts finally quieted, and he drifted off to sleep, his chin resting on his chest.
***
"Lord Brampton? By God, what are you doing here?"
Thomas woke up with a start and cringed as he sat up too quickly. His ribs screamed at him and his back complained, stiff and sore from the hours spent sleeping in the chair. He blinked several times to clear his vision. He stood slowly and greeted Joshua, who was scowling at him. "Hello, Mr. Staton. So good to see you again. How was the campaign trail?"
Thomas walked a few steps, trying to take slow, steady breaths.
"It has all ended in ruin, if you must know. But I am sure my sister already told you that. I hear from my mother that you almost got my sister killed!" Joshua was fuming, and he had every right to be angry.
"Filmore broke in here last night. There was a fight, but he did not win. And your sister is unharmed, I assure you."
"Apart from the fact that I forbade her from ever seeing you again!" Joshua waved his arms around like a madman, furious that his sister had again disobeyed his wishes.
"You are angry with me. I understand that, Joshua. But I pushed Abigail into meeting with me. I cannot go a day without seeing her." Thomas explained as best he could, lowering his voice should Abigail's aunt or mother be listening at the door.
Joshua halted. "Why?" He could see that Joshua still did not trust him.
"My good man. I am sorry for all the trouble I have brought upon you with my revenge schemes. I assure you, I will do everything in my power to make amends. Abigail has told me that you wish to join the church? Is that correct?"
Joshua baulked, his mouth hanging slightly agape. "Why, yes. That is, I had planned to join the church when I was young before my father pushed me into politics."
"Please allow me to help you procure a parish. I think you would make a wonderful reverend." Thomas smiled, placing a hand on Joshua's shoulder even though it sent painful pricks up and down his side. Joshua's face broke into a smile.
"You would do that for me after the way I've behaved?" Joshua lowered his gaze, embarrassed that he had stormed into the drawing-room looking for a fight.
"Of course. It is the least I can do. However, I have one matter to discuss with you." Thomas glanced towards the door and saw the shadow of a woman on the opposite wall. "May we go for a walk so we can talk in private?”
Joshua followed his gaze and rolled his eyes. "Of course. Shall we go for a stroll along the cliffs?"
"That would be wonderful," Thomas said. He could use the fresh air. Perhaps filling his lungs with the salt sea air would help repair the damage done by Filmore and his men.
"What is it you wanted to discuss?" Joshua asked as they made their way out to the cliffs.
Thomas put his hands in his pockets, a chill breeze blowing up from the sea. He looked over at Joshua and tried to gauge what his answer would be before he even asked. "I wanted to discuss your sister."
Chapter 39
Abigail watched her brother and Lord Brampton walk out of the back door and towards the sea. She had heard her brother come in, railing against Thomas. When their voices had quieted, she had thrown back the covers and gone to the small window. They were talking, and her brother seemed to have calmed down. She dressed slowly and went out to the drawing-room.
"Well, I hope you are happy with what you've done. Your brother says that his career is over and it's all Lord Brampton's fault. What are we going to do now? You cannot live with your aunt and me. There is no room!"
"We may have to, Mother. For a little while, anyway." Abigail did not feel up to a fight. She felt raw like someone had clawed at her heart.
"Impossible! There is only one spare bedroom and…"
"Well, then I will have to share with you until we can make other arrangements," Abigail snapped. "Mother, I do not think you have grasped the desperateness of our situation. Joshua has quit the political game. We have no money. Joshua will need to vacate his London home just so we have food to eat." How could her mother be so callous towards her own children? "I know you do not want us here. I shall find a job somewhere. Perhaps I can be a housemaid or something of the like. However, until that time, you will have to get used to the idea of us being here."
She stood and stomped out of the room, knowing that she would be unable to hide her tears. She also knew that her mother would most likely start lecturing her about finding a husband. Abigail's heart was too shredded for any talk of that kind, though.
Making her way out into the garden, she wrapped her arms around herself to ward off the chill breeze. The bleakness of her future spread out before her like a monotone painting. If only her father had not put a stipulation on her dowry, she would be able to save Joshua from financial ruin. However, she would only gain access to her dowry when and if she married. And then, of course, it would all go to her husband.
"I hope I'm not intruding," she heard Thomas clear his throat behind her.
She spun around, surprised by his sudden appearance. Her brother smiled at his side and made an excuse to leave them alone for a moment. "I should return to my mother." Abigail tried to brush past him, but he grasped her forearm gently and pleaded with her to stay.
Waiting for him to continue, she gazed up into his mesmerising blue eyes. "I've been speaking with Joshua. I have something very important to ask you," he began. He let go of her arm and offered him instead. She took it reluctantly, not knowing where this was headed. Joshua had made it very clear that he did not like or trust Lord Brampton. Had they made amends as they had talked out by the cliff side?
"I know that I've hurt you, Abigail. I want to assure you that it was not consciously done." Abigail closed her eyes. He was going to tell her that he wanted Sarah, not her. She braced herself for the blow. Thomas turned her to face him and cupped her cheek on his hands. "I love you."
Her eyes flew open, and she felt all the breath go out of her lungs. "What? How…?" She stammered for a moment, unsure that she had heard him clearly.
He laughed softly. "Yes, I love you, Abigail. You and only you." He brushed his thumb across her cheek, and she thought she might faint away. She gazed up into his eyes and knew that tears were spilling down her cheeks.
"But Sarah…"
He released her and turned away for a moment. "I care about Sarah, to be sure. We grew up together and that is a tie that is not easily severed. But I love you, Abigail. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
Abigail's breath caught. Was he about to propose? She wanted to tell him how she felt, let all the pent up emotions spill out of her. There were so many questions still barraging her mind. Would his peers accept her as his wife? Would she ever really fit in his social circles? Sarah was so much more beautiful than she was, and she had been raised in the life of a noblewoman. "Thomas, I'm just not sure I am the right woman for you. I am not a lady. I wasn't brought up to your way of life..."
He took her hand and lifted her chin. "Nonsense. You are the perfect woman for me…"
"Thomas!" He and Abigail turned at the same time, watching as Sarah joined them in the garden. Abigail took a step back from him, and he straightened. She could feel a blush spreading up her cheeks at being caught in such an intimate embrace. "There you are."
They waited for her to join them beneath an oak tree. Abigail tried not to let her annoyance show.
"How are you feeling?" she asked Thomas. He glanced at Abigail, clearly frustrated with the interruption.
"I am fine, thank you."
"Are you well enough to make the journey back to London?"
Abigail's heart dropped. Of course, Sarah would want to get back as soon as she could. Now that Filmore was in jail, she would like to make sure her money, or what was left of it, would come to her.
