Two hours later, standing on the steps, ready to wave them off, Catriona turned as the Dowager came bustling out, lecturing McArdle to the last.
'Once down to the cattle barn and back at least once a day-I will check in my letters to see that you are doing it.'
McArdle's assurance that he wouldn't forget was lost in the clatter as Vane's elegant carriage, drawn by matched greys, came rattling around the house to join the Dowager's carriage and the ducal equipage, both already waiting on the cobbles.
Devil and Honoria had already taken then leave; Richard stood beside Devil as he handed Honoria into their carriage, then, with a last word to Richard, and a last rakish smile and a wave to Catriona, Devil climbed up and Richard shut the door. He paused for a moment, watching Gabriel hand the twins into the Dowager's carriage. His horse tied to the carriage's back, Gabriel would travel with them to Somersham, then escort the twins back to London.
Vane and Patience were heading for London, too, but they would stop at Somersham first to allow Patience to rest before joining Vane's family in the capital. Richard returned Patience's wave as Vane handed her into the carriage; with a salute, Vane followed her in.
A groom shut the door-others scurried around checking straps and harness. Smiling, Richard strolled back to the front steps. He arrived to see Helena release Catriona from one of her extravagant embraces.
'You must promise me you will visit in summer.' Clinging to Catriona's hands, Helena looked into her eyes. 'The Season, I can understand, might be difficult and not to your liking, but in summer, you must come.' She shook Catriona's hands. 'You have not been part of a big family before-there is much you yet need to learn.'
Catriona saw the worry in Helena's fine eyes; smiling serenely, she leaned forward and touched cheeks. 'Of course, we'll come. Exactly when'-she drew one hand free and gestured-'is in the lap of The Lady, but we will come, you may be sure.'
Helena searched her eyes briefly, then beamed. '
Surprised by his wife's promise, Richard masked his concern and suavely offered his arm.
Helena took it, he led her down the steps and over the cobbles to where Gabriel and the twins were waiting. With a last hug, and a last cling, Helena let him go; accepting Gabriel's hand, she climbed into the carriage. Gabriel followed and Richard shut the door. Helena leaned out of the window as Catriona, who had strolled in their wake, linked her arm with Richard's.
'You will not forget!' Helena wagged a finger at Catriona.
Who laughed. 'I won't. June-July-who knows? But sometime in summer.'
'Good.' Helena beamed her brilliant smile and sat back. The coachman cracked his whip.
'Farewell!'
'Safe journey!'
The carriages rolled smoothly out, the ducal carriage in the lead, followed by the Dowager's with Vane and Patience's carriage bringing up the rear. The grooms and outriders rode alongside, all in the ducal livery. It was a scene from a pageant, a sight the vale had never seen before; the manor household lined the courtyard and the drive, waving their unexpected but very welcome visitors on their way.
Catriona watched them go, waving until the drive dipped and they were lost to view, conscious of a sadness of a type she'd never felt before. She didn't try to push it from her-this was one of the things she needed to learn. Pensive, smiling rather mistily, she let Richard turn her; arm in arm, they strolled back to the house.
She felt his gaze on her face as they climbed the steps. At the top, he halted; looking up, she met his gaze and found it serious and concerned.
He hesitated, then asked: 'Did you mean what you said about going to London?'
'Yes.' She smiled reassuringly. 'I don't intend to let Helena down.'
'But…' He frowned. 'I thought you never left the vale-or at least, only under legal edict.'
'Ah, well.' Her smile deepening, she tried to find words in which to explain something he'd never stopped to think about, something he'd known all his life. Even more, to explain that through the evil of his poisoning, good had come-that having his family here had opened many doors into the future. Not just for the vale, but for the two of them, too. Instead, after searching his eyes, she smiled, deliberately enigmatic, raising a hand, she traced his cheek, then stretched on her toes to plant a kiss by the side of his mouth. 'Times change.' Turning, she glanced toward the mouth of the vale, to where a collection of dark specks travelled down the road. And smiled. 'It's time for the lady of the vale to learn about the wider world.'
When the road curved, finally hiding the manor from view, Devil grinned and sat back. An instant later, he reached out an arm, drew his wife to him and kissed her soundly.
'What was that for?' Honoria asked, prepared to be suspicious. She didn't think she'd yet forgiven him for his three-day disappearance, but she couldn't entirely remember what she'd said the night before.
He grinned in unlikely innocence. 'Just because.'
The carriage jolted; he glanced out of the window. 'Well, that's Scandal well settled.'
'Hmmm.' Honoria closed her eyes and settled against his shoulder. 'She's just what he needs.'
Devil gazed at the fields and woods beyond the window, then murmured: 'This place is what he needs, too. She's given him a home, in the right place, at the right time.'
A moment of silence ensued, then, in precisely the same tone, Honoria, her eyes still closed, murmured: 'There are times when I could almost imagine you believed in fate.'
Devil shot her a sideways glance, one she didn't see. Noting her closed eyes, he let his lips curve, then he looked out of the window-and let the question in her words pass unanswered.
Chapter 2O
Together, Catriona and Richard reentered the front hall.
'Excuse me, sir.' Henderson came up. 'Corby was wondering if he could have a word before he goes back to Lower Farm.'
'Of course.' Releasing Catriona, Richard beckoned to Corby, who'd hung back by the wall.
By Richard's side, Catriona hesitated, then quietly glided away. Leaving Richard conferring about the orchard fence, she silently made her way upstairs.
She had unfinished business to attend to.
It had been easy to set aside the question of Richard's poisoner while his family-their family-had been here. In truth, it would have been difficult to deal with the matter appropriately while they'd been about.
But they were gone now.
There wasn't a single person in the vale who did not know who had poisoned Richard. But all her people would, with their usual unwavering confidence, leave the matter in her hands-to be settled as The Lady willed.
Which was as it should be, but she wasn't looking forward to it-to what might have to be.
Reaching the top of the stairs, Catriona looked back, down into the hall to where Richard's dark head was bent as he spoke to Corby. She looked for one long moment, then drew in a deep breath, straightened her spine, straightened her shoulders, and turning, headed for their chamber.
Richard knew the instant she left his side. From the corner of his eye, he saw her climb the stairs, her steps slow and measured, saw her reach the top, hesitate as she looked back at him, then quietly walk away.
The instant he finished with Corby, he followed her.
He opened the door to their room and immediately saw her, standing at the end of the bed, pushing a thick shawl into a saddle bag.
She looked up and saw him, then continued with her packing.
He shut the door and advanced on the bed, on her. 'Where is she?'
Catriona looked up as he halted beside her; she met his gaze, then raised a questioning brow.
Richard's lips thinned. 'Algaria. It's obvious it was she who poisoned me.'
Catriona hesitated, then grimaced. 'We can't say that for certain.'
