True Nobility

by Lori Bates Wright

  Just as Tori was about to launch into a lesson on the evils of stealing, the woman who had been so exceptionally rude the night before set out another freshly baked pie and again the smell of it mercilessly attacked her senses.

  “Do you think you can shoot this?” Hickory held out his slingshot in one hand and some round pebbles in the other.

  “Certainly.” After all, how hard could it be?

  “Good, ’cause I can run faster than you.”

  Tori slanted a glance his way.

  “I’ll go unlatch the gate, then all you gotta do is shoot this and hit one of those pigs. It’ll squeal so loud, all the others will stampede the gate trying to get out,” he explained in loud whispers.

  Tori looked from one hand to the other. Rock, slingshot, pig. Seemed simple enough.

  “Then,” Hickory continued, “when the big lady comes out to see about the ruckus, she’ll see all her pigs running loose. That’ll keep her busy while I run around there and snatch us a pie.”

  Lord help her, Tori didn’t think twice before agreeing. She was too hungry to argue.

  “Ready?” Hickory waited for her approval.

  She lifted the slingshot to peer at it through one eye, gathering her aim.

  “You gotta put a rock in it.” He gave her an annoyed look. “And pull it back like this. Now, remember to wait ’til I open the gate.” Hickory leapt over the shrubbery.

  Quiet as a mouse, he bowed low, deftly making his way over to the fence and unwound the wire from a peg holding the gate shut. He waved Tori on as soon as it was open.

  As instructed, Tori came through the brush and took aim at the largest hog in the yard. With a dainty pinkie finger lifted, Tori pulled back and let the pebble fly.

  It completely missed the intended hog, bouncing off of one wall and then one more, to hit another unsuspecting pig square on its head. The ensuing squeal could be heard for miles. Just as Hickory had said they would, the other pigs joined the protest and stormed the gate.

  “Pa!” A yell came from inside the dwelling. “Those blasted pigs are loose again.”

  Tori held her breath, looking around for the white-whiskered old man to appear with his shotgun. He never did.

  Instead, it was the woman who eventually came waddling down the steps to investigate, wiping her hands on her apron. “Do I have to do everything around here? Just once I’d like to see …” Her complaint faded as she moved farther away to corral the wayward pigs.

  Hickory was around the side in an instant, lifting a delicious-smelling pie from the windowsill. He slipped back, undetected, to where Tori stood waiting.

  Just as they were turning to leave with their prize in hand, the woman’s shrill voice could be heard once more. “Pa! Where in tarnation are you?”

  Without thinking, Tori raised the slingshot once more. The woman, bent over trying to restrain a stubborn piglet, was sent squealing across the yard.

  Tori immediately felt contrite as she met Hickory’s wide-eyed gaze. Lifting one shoulder higher than the other, she whispered, “Oops.”

  The pain of parting is nothing to the joy of meeting again.

  ~ Charles Dickens

  Thirty-Three

  They rode fast and hard to make Crested Bluff in an hour’s time. Nicholas was fierce with intent. Turning off the main road that led down to the trading post and pier, he immediately became alarmed by a commotion coming from below.

  Nicholas leapt from his horse and made his way through the thick greenery, careful to keep the element of surprise in his favor. He pushed back a heavy vine to find a woman chasing pigs around the yard. Not the view he’d hoped.

  Dropping the vine, he resumed his search. But then something else caught his eye. A movement up near the window. Taking his captain’s spy glass from his pocket, he decided it was worth a closer look.

  Nicholas smiled as he spotted a small boy, helping himself to a pie. Grinning from ear to ear, the kid turned and waved to the bushes on the other side.

  Scanning the scope to where the boy was waving, Nicholas froze as he came upon a half-dressed woman that looked suspiciously like—

  Victoria!

  Beckoning the boy with both hands to hurry him along, she kept one eye on the dumbfounded woman. Hair in wild disarray, she hugged the child as he made it safely back over to where she stood.

  Nicholas slowly lowered the scope. He had a hard time believing his eyes and had to resist the urge to rub them. Lifting the scope again, he watched her disappear into the woods with the boy.

  Nicholas was quick to move, until it occurred to him that the hoyden he’d just seen may be the other girl, the product of the earl’s first marriage.

  He refocused the glass just as she lifted her weapon. Nicholas’s heart stopped in his chest. In her brief moment of concentration, there, just to the side of her pursed lips, the quick flash of an exuberant little dimple confirmed her identity. It was Victoria. There was no denying it. And his prim, oh-so-proper wife had just waylaid the postmaster’s wife with a slingshot in her underclothes, no less.

  Ian, beside him with his own scope raised, had apparently seen everything. And much to Nicholas’s aggravation, he was making no effort at all to contain his amusement.

  Nicholas dropped the vine and made his way back through the brush, anxious to find Victoria and see the whole ordeal resolved.

  “Who should we rescue first, big brother? Your wife or the postmaster’s wife?” Ian laughed as they made their way to the thickly wooded ridge.

  “I’m not positive it was my wife. It could easily be the other female.” Nicholas took unwavering steps.

  “Well, now. If it is, I surely want to meet her.” Ian smiled, not at all affected by his brother’s scowl.

  Tori and Hickory sat upon the stump devouring their blackberry pie with the same gusto they would a four-course meal. It tasted divine.

  Without the benefit of utensils, they used their fingers, so that by the time they were close to the bottom of the plate they were completely covered in the rich juice and laughing at one another.

  Josie glowered at them from her pallet, nibbling her own small piece of the bounty. Though drained of strength, she still refused Tori’s help in sitting up.

  All at once, the bushes rustled behind them.

  Tori dropped her pie and went to Josie’s side, whispering for Hickory to make ready to run if need be. If the merchant’s wife had come seeking vengeance, she would not allow her to take it out on the child, nor on one too ill to defend herself.

  Fully prepared for battle, Tori shielded her charges like a mother hen.

  Her breath escaped her in a rush as the thick underbrush parted and Nicholas burst through into the clearing.

  She was transfixed, half-afraid to believe her eyes, yet unable to look away.

  His glossy black hair ruffled in the breeze as he strode in her direction. Even as her heart soared, her mind screamed caution. This must be an illusion. Nicholas, her Nicholas, could not possibly be less than six feet away.

  Nearing, Nicholas smiled and held out a hand to her. “Pardon me, ma’am. I was looking for my wife. Have you seen her by chance?”

  The sound of his voice sent shivers down her spine, and his smile nearly brought her to her knees. She was in his arms in an instant, covering his face with blue-tinted kisses. Joy bubbled in her laugh and as a cry of relief broke through her lips. He had come for her. By some merciful act of heaven he had actually come for her.

  Nicholas lifted her feet off of the ground as he caught her up and spun her around, burying his face in the thick tangle of her hair. “I’ll never let you out of my sight again.” His breath teased against her ear.

  Jubilant tears filled her eyes as Tori shook her head in absolute agreement. The sound of his deep voice flowed over her like a soothing balm.

  “Nicholas, I believe you’re being called out.” A smile played about Ian’s lips as he came to his brother’s side. “Shall I stand as your second?”

 
Tori followed his gaze and had to cover her smile. Hickory stood with his slingshot poised, ready to defend her from the stranger. “Hickory, this is the man I was telling you about. This is my husband, Captain Saberton.”

  Even as she said it, she searched Nicholas’s beloved face, but he was focused on the boy.

  Hickory wavered briefly, before he finally lowered his arm. In a flash the child took off in a full run, darting into a copse of trees before Tori could stop him.

  “Hickory! Come back.” Tori called after him to no avail. “I promised to have a talk with your mother.”

  He left as fast as he’d appeared. Her little angel in overalls was gone without a trace.

  “Hello again, sister.” Ian greeted Tori with a kiss to her cheek.

  “Hello, Ian.” Tori crossed her arms at her middle, pulling the slight coat closer around her. “I shall thank you to turn your head.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Ian obediently turned around, looking suspiciously like he wanted to laugh.

  Nicholas held her out by the shoulders to look her over. “Are you all right?” Then, he eyed Josie where she coughed on the ground. “I suppose she’s the one responsible for all of this?”

  Tori knew she’d better start explaining before he followed through with the threat in his eyes. “Yes, but you mustn’t upset her, Nicholas.”

  Nicholas looked at her as if she’d just grown another head.

  “Please. She’s very ill. She’s become much too weak to take care of herself.”

  “Let me guess. She needs you.” Nicholas shook his head when Tori slowly nodded in answer.

  Weak or not, Josie spat an impertinent curse at him.

  “You really shouldn’t make her expend her strength like that, Nicholas.” Tori admonished quietly.

  Ian laughed at the impervious look on Nicholas’s face.

  Tori rushed forward to rest her hand on his arm. “She’ll need it for the trip back home. You see, she’ll be staying with us awhile.”

  “Now, just a minute.”

  He needn’t have bothered, Tori’s jaw jutted a notch higher. “Just until she’s well enough to travel. To reclaim her rightful place at Wrenbrooke.”

  “I’m taking you home.” Nicholas’s patience had obviously worn thin.

  “She didn’t mean to do me any harm.” Tori’s voice rose as she struggled to make her point amidst the overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

  “Yes, I did.” Josie replied in a weak tone. Thankfully she lapsed into a coughing spell before she could completely destroy Tori’s argument.

  Glancing up at Nicholas, Tori gave a sheepish shrug. “She doesn’t mean it. It’s the fever.” Quickly, Tori turned from his doubtful scowl. “Besides,” she rushed on, “she’s the only one who can lead us to my father.”

  Nicholas relaxed his stance.

  Tori saw what looked like pity cloud his features. Finally, he held out an arm, enfolding her once again as she moved into his reach. “Has something terrible happened to Father?”

  “Princess, there’s something you should know.” His voice grew quiet and Tori was instantly apprehensive. “Your father is home. He’s in Savannah safe and sound. He was never abducted.”

  She pulled back to study his face, trying to understand what he was saying. “He concocted this kidnapping scheme to force us to marry. Unfortunately, he didn’t consider the repercussions and heartache you might suffer at such a foolhardy move.”

  “No. Why?” Pain gripped her heart and she was unable to say any more.

  Her father’s questionable motives had once again wreaked havoc on the lives of those who loved him. Nonetheless, relief washed over her just hearing he was safe.

  There would be plenty of time to confront her father later.

  Right now, the sheer euphoria she felt in her husband’s arms, knowing he’d searched high and low to find her, gave new meaning to the word contentment. Here, next to his heart, she’d finally found a place she truly belonged.

  “The budding rose becomes the rose full bloom.”

  ~ William Wordsworth

  Thirty-Four

  Nicholas settled back into his favorite leather chair, relaxing in his master’s chamber, taking in his wife’s beauty from across the room. She sat at a dressing table with her back to him where she was determined to master the art of braiding.

  Holding the heavy rope of hair out to one side, she plaited and unraveled several times until she finally reached the end of the braid. A smile of satisfaction played about her lips as she wound it into a roll on the back of her head and set it with pearl studded pins.

  Victoria was an enchanting woman. And she’d never looked lovelier than when he’ had pushed aside the vines and found her covered from head to foot in blackberries. Relieved beyond words, there wasn’t anything he would have denied her at that moment.

  Once again, he noticed the angry bruise just above her eye. Upon closer inspection, he noticed numerous cuts and scratches crisscrossing her delicate skin, and his heart ached at the puffy red slashes marring her back. He could only imagine the suffering she had endured in the past week.

  Since their return to Savannah, she’d said little about the experience. She was much more concerned with caring for the female reprobate she’d taken under her wing.

  Having come so close to losing her, Nicholas was determined that she would never be put in harm’s way again. And if that meant bringing harm home with them in order to keep a better eye on it … well, so be it.

  From first glance, it was plain to see Hickory was completely enamored with Victoria. The boy obviously had good taste. Though her concern for him was admirable, he, like so many others along the river roads, had been raised to live off the fertile land. They were heartier than most and had no problem taking care of themselves.

  For the ride home, Nicholas had paid the postmaster an overly generous sum for a mangy buckboard while Victoria had seen to it that Josie rested in the back.

  Each time the conversation turned toward the events of the past few days, Victoria had been quick to direct his attention to something else. He still had no idea how she’d come to be in the state she was in. One day she would talk about it, but he decided not to press her until she was ready.

  A newfound maturity had carried her through all this. Her resolve to see her feral half-sister taken care of was done with no thought to social implications. From what he could tell, her decision had been solely for the good of the one involved, with not a single thought given to appearances.

  Quite a change, indeed.

  Nicholas smiled at the memory of her dirty little chin set at such an angle as not to accept any argument. She’d sat ramrod straight, perched next to him on the buckboard, face smudged, hair full of grass and twigs, and covered only by a borrowed coat. Even so, she was a perfect example of ladylike elegance down to her frilly drawers.

  Watching her now, Nicholas was nearly overcome by his feelings for the beautiful lady in the mirror.

  The doctor had been called immediately upon their return and Victoria had not left the ailing woman’s side. The physician eventually emerged from the room with a grim diagnosis, Josie Haverwood had the consumption. The infection had advanced, and her inflamed lungs were more than half full of fluid.

  In hushed tones, they’d been informed she needed rest. A sedative had been administered to help her sleep and now it was just a matter of time.

  In the wake of the fire, when he’d originally found Victoria missing, he’d ridden hard through the night, terrified she might be lost to him forever. Eventually he’d made a promise, to himself and to her Maker. If she was returned to him, he would hold her above all else in his heart and always make certain she knew it.

  Drawn to where she sat, he came from behind to help her place a jeweled comb atop her carefully wound braid.

  “Thank you.” Tori turned her head to the side to look over the new style. “I was beginning to think my only recourse would be taking a good pair of shears to it.
”

  Nicholas lifted a disapproving brow at that remark, taking her hand and raising her to her feet. She melted into his embrace. “Nothing could take away from your loveliness, princess.”

  “Nicholas?” Her voice became quiet as she snuggled into his arms “I’ve quite decided to keep you.”

  Nicholas let his fingers slide over her arm gently, a smile on his lips. She smiled back when he caught her watching him in the mirror. “I’m afraid you’re stuck with me for a long, long time.”

  “I look forward to it.” He placed a kiss on the top of her head.

  “I do love you so.” She spoke softly.

  “And I love you, princess.”

  Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

  ~ Matthew 5:7

  Thirty-Five

  Rolling up the familiar drive to the Haverwood house, heavily lined in azalea bushes blooming in vivid pink, made Tori’s homecoming complete. Oh how she’d missed Aurora and Aunt Charlotte.

  And especially her father.

  Even Aunt Charlotte’s garish green couch would be a most welcome sight.

  Gabe appeared in the doorway. “Mrs. Charlotte, ma’am, you have guests. Shall I show ’em in?”

  “Tori!” Aurora bounded from the parlor. Her squeal resounded throughout the marbled vestibule.

  Meeting Aurora’s animated embrace with equal enthusiasm, Tori was nearly swept off her feet when Aunt Charlotte joined the exuberant hug. “Oh, my poor, sweet darlin’.”

  It didn’t escape Tori’s notice that her father chose to watch from the parlor doorway rather than greet her himself.

  After releasing her niece, Aunt Charlotte homed in on Nicholas. “And you. Zach was just telling us about how you came about finding our precious Tori. Lord have mercy!”

  “When we discovered you were gone ….” Aurora spoke through barely controlled sobs. “We thought you were lost forever.”