“You’ve been working too hard these last few months. First, organizing your family papers, and now finding this.” Helen gestured toward the book by Emily’s side. “Perhaps Mr. George can take your mind off things. He arrived a few minutes ago.”
“Are those Helen’s scones I smell?” George Hughes entered the room, his bold strides making fast work of the distance from the door to Emily’s chair.
Emily watched as he took a deep breath, inhaling the buttery aroma.
“Ah, there they are. Emily, you’re not keeping those scones all for yourself. What need I do to get one?” He took her hand, kissed it, winking at Helen as she left the room.
“You, young man, can have one just for asking,” Emily said as she poured his tea.
He sat across from her, politely spooning cream onto the small cake.
Emily smiled, remembering a younger George sitting in the same chair scooping all the cream out of the saucer and onto his scone, leaving the dish empty, his resulting mustache the only sign there had been any cream at all.
She looked now at a fine young man in his late thirties, tall with a muscular build and dark, loosely waved rich brown hair with a slight touch of gray at the temples.
There was mischief in his blue eyes as he wiped the last of the crumbs from his mouth with the large damask napkin. “I’ve brought you a birthday present.”
“A birthday present? Is it my birthday already?” Emily teased him innocently.
He put the napkin down, went to her and took her hand. “Come. Let me give you your present before dinner.” He helped her up from the chair, tucked her arm in the crook of his and led her downstairs.
“What’ve you been up to?”
“You’ll see.” He opened the door to the library. An easel holding a large wrapped frame stood next to the fireplace, flanked by Helen and Charles, the butler. Charles stood at attention, holding a tray of glasses filled with Emily’s favorite champagne.
“What is this? I stopped celebrating my birthday years ago.” She was girlishly excited that her closest confidants had not let the day go by unnoticed.
“I think you’ll be pleased. I took the old painting you found in the attic and had it cleaned and repaired. The restoration proved challenging for the art historian. He couldn’t identify the picture’s subject. It was mucked up so badly.”
He gently sat her in a chair. With a brisk step, he walked to the easel. Standing in front of the painting, he removed the wrapping and stepped to the side for Emily to see the full picture all at once.
She gasped and brought her trembling hand to her throat. “George, the picture is exactly as described in the journal.”
“Yes. Here we thought all the family portraits were hanging upstairs in the Grand Gallery. I’ve no idea why some were tossed in the attic. The historian dated this portrait to the late 1500s or early 1600s, making the time correct. Your research appears to substantiate that this portrait is Lord Arik with his brother and two nieces.”
Emily sat without moving for some time, mesmerized by the picture. No, by Lord Arik. “For months I’ve been studying him, trying to imagine what he looked like. This is a wonderful gift. Thank you so much.”
“I’m glad you like it.” George took two glasses of champagne and handed one to Emily. He turned to Helen and Charles. “Please join us.” He faced the painting and lifted his glass in salute. “Lord Arik has returned!” He gave a respectful nod and lifted his glass higher. “M’lord.”
Emily sat in silence, drinking in the painting.
“If there is nothing else, Lady Emily, Helen and I will see to dinner.”
“Thank you, Charles.” Finishing her champagne, she turned to George. “Did you bring the papers? I’d like to sign them before dinner.”
“Yes, I have them here.”
“You have everything documented. There will be no doubt. You will find her, George.” She sat forward. Concern fixed on her face. “Promise me you will find her.”
He took her hand and patted it gently. “Everything is as we discussed. There will be no doubt. Locating her won’t be easy and may take some time. We’ve so little to go on. But yes, I promise I’ll find her and personally see to your wishes.” He placed her hand on the arm of the chair and took the papers out of his briefcase that stood nearby.
Emily noticed how easily he slipped into his business persona. He would do his father proud. Relaxing, she reviewed her will with her solicitor for the next hour. They completed their business just as Charles knocked and opened the library door.
“Lady Emily, dinner is served.”
“Very good. Come, George. I can’t wait to see what Helen has planned for my birthday.” She turned to her butler. “Charles, in the morning please have Lord Arik’s portrait hung in the Grand Gallery.”
Emily looked at the picture. Was his lordship looking directly at her, his blue-green eyes twinkling? With a gracious nod and heartfelt smile, she addressed the picture in a quiet tone. “Good eve, m’lord. ’Tis good to have you home.”
Also by Ruth A. Casie
Medieval Romances
THE DRUID KNIGHT SERIES
Knight of Runes
Knight of Rapture
Knight of Remorse — Coming Soon
The Red Slippers — A Short Story
The Druid Knight Tale I — A Short Story—Expanded
The Druid Knight Tale II — A Short Story
THE STELTON LEGACY
The Guardian’s Witch
The Highlander’s English Woman
The Maxwell Ghost
The Pirate’s Jewel
The Pirate’s Redemption
Hugh (Sons of Sagamore)
Graham (Sons of Sagamore)
Donald (Sons of Sagamore)
Forever Equals — A Short Story — Coming Soon
The Guardian’s Sword — Coming Soon
Contemporary Novellas
HAVENPORT
Happily Ever After
The Witching Hour
Never Say Never
Echoes of Betrayal
How to Marry a Stuart Brother
Heart of the Matter
About Ruth A. Casie
RUTH A. CASIE is a USA Today bestselling author of historical swashbuckling action-adventures and contemporary romance with enough action to keep you turning pages. Her stories
