“Are you truly giving me license to plan the wedding your grandpapa and I would have wanted for you?”
“I am but would hope you limit the size of the ceremony,” Nora answered, hoping she would not regret this decision. Her grandmother enjoyed creating extravagant affairs.
Grandmama clapped her hands in delight. “It would be my pleasure to take Lady Shefford into my confidence. We are old friends. I find it very thoughtful that you asked. I am assuming I have leave to contact her?”
“Yes. Colin told me she is already aware of our engagement.”
“How wonderful.” Her grandmother clasped her hands together excitedly. “You and Lord Shefford will form a good partnership. “And I feel there will be much more to this than a mere social pairing.” The Countess rose and stepped over to her granddaughter’s chair, holding out her hands. “I shall make known to your mother that she and your father should visit soon. I am certain they will be pleased, even with the unconventional offer. The origin of the proposal itself suggests promise. Passion adds spice to a marriage, and to become engaged in a fit of pique is most extraordinary,” she added, smiling and angling her head. “Lord Shefford’s family is reputed to be honest and generous. ’Tis an excellent match.” She sniffed. “And by the way, Dr. Perth is an exceptional choice. He opened his practice in London two years ago and the ton accepts him as a doctor of high regard. I would also like to meet this young man, Benjamin, when we review the rooms.”
“Grandmama,” Nora cried with relief, “how happy it makes me to know you approve! I was worried you would think me too impulsive.”
“Not at all, my dear. I understand your temperament well,” she responded, her eyes crinkling with amusement.
“If I did not know better, Grandmama, I could almost think you had something to do with this…” Nora let the words die. “I apologize. I know not why I said that.”
“Ha! Let me say that if the opportunity had ever presented itself to see my favorite granddaughter married to a man of impeccable reputation and character, I would have tried,” the Countess said, once more wearing a knowing smile.
Nora felt a twinge of something. It was the same feeling which came upon her when she had a forewarning. Did her grandmother know something? No, impossible. If she did, she reasoned, the Countess would never tell.
Nora shook her head, clearing her thoughts. “Grandmama, have you found anything out about the deed to this building?” She still wanted to know the title’s legitimacy, regardless of her promise to Colin.
“I expect to have news soon. My lawyer has quite a few papers to sift through, but he felt it would not take long. I visited his office on my way here, as a matter of fact.”
Nora inclined her head. “Thank you. Now, I might tell you of this latest difficulty.”
“I have been waiting, although it was delightful to hear of your betrothal first. It has quite diverted me!”
Again, that strange feeling surfaced. Nora studied her grandmother for a moment before shaking her head. Impossible. What could she have known I have not told her? Nora took a deep breath and began the tale.
“Lord Shefford and I arrived back after our brief carriage ride. As I mentioned, we were discussing our marriage,” she blurted, glancing at her grandmother’s face. “Shortly afterwards, someone threw a stone through the kitchen window. It was a warning.”
“What kind of warning? Perhaps you should have told me this first—not that your engagement is less important.” The Countess’s voice trembled. “This portends trouble and I shall want to take some measures to further secure your safety. How was the threat conveyed… and what was the threat?”
“A piece of paper covered it. His lordship and Woods went out to check the garden and stable area, and found the Runner seriously injured. Lord Shefford sent for Dr. Perth,” she replied, realizing her response had become more formal.
“Tell me again. What was the threat?”
“My apologies. The paper said, ‘Your children are in danger.’”
“May I see it?”
She noticed her grandmother’s face had suddenly paled. “Colin, I mean, Lord Shefford, took it. He plans to return later.”
“My dear, he is your intended. You may use his given name.” Her grandmother made a dismissive sound with her tongue and then smiled gently at her. “I would like to see the note, when he returns. Tell me about the injured investigator.” Grandmama pressed quietly.
“To my knowledge, he has not yet recalled anything. We have made him comfortable in the storeroom off the kitchen. Incidentally, Woods and Marsh have built some excellent shelving for Mrs. Simpkins. She and I are in awe of their ideas and talent. Thank you, Grandmama.”
“I am glad they are here. For the time being, perhaps they spend less time on the renovations until they have resolved this!”
“Yes, Grandmama. I quite agree.” Nora planned to speak to them as soon as her grandmother left.
“Shall we go upstairs? I would like to look in on the children. They should be readying themselves for bed now. The boys will use the newly refurbished room, which lies across the hall from the other room, for the first night. I love the small cabinet-type beds the men have crafted on the far wall. It makes more space for beds, without making it crowded,” Nora enthused.
“I grew up with a bed similar to those you describe. I would like to see them.”
Together, the two ladies went upstairs and looked over the new furnishings. Nora could not shake the strange feeling that had come over her. She did not like the uncomfortable sensation that events were careening out of her control. With the broken window and the injured Runner, she was feeling more and more anxious. When they reached the new boys’ room, they found Benjamin in the doorway,
