Chapter 18

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

T he carriage trundled up the gravel drive as Daniel stood on the estate steps, his posture military-straight. The carriage door burst open and laughter rang across the grounds. Since Mr. Barnaby had announced that his cousin and wife would be arriving, Daniel had been able to get used to the idea of having family around again.

Adam jumped down from the carriage and extended his hand to his wife, and Emily's eyes met his. Emily's eyes were bright and her smile was warm. At the first sight of his cousin Adam and his wife, Emily, the past before the war was brought immediately to the surface. There was a time when he was always in the company of the earl and his wife. They had all grown up together.

Daniel blinked, focusing on the next person exiting the carriage. It was a young boy with round eyes like his mother's and dark hair like his father's.

A crease formed between Emily's eyes, and Daniel realized he'd been scowling. He remedied that by forcing his lips into a smile as he walked down the steps to greet them.

"Uncle Daniel!" his nephew called, his younger sister in tow behind him. They scampered towards him, petticoats and coat-tails flying.

"Hello, Henry." Daniel's stern expression softened as he scooped up the youngest, a rosy-cheeked girl of four. "Hello there, little Charlotte. You look just like your mama."

"I should hope so. It would do her no favors if she took after me," said a jovial male voice. Daniel looked up to see his cousin, Adam, approaching, a wide grin splitting his handsome face. He shook Adam's hand, and Adam immediately pulled him into a hug. "It's good to see you, Daniel."

"I'm glad you're here," Daniel said. "I'm glad all of you are here."

"Daniel, it's wonderful to see you." Emily embraced him, mindful of little Charlotte still perched on his hip. "The children have talked of nothing else for days."

As if on cue, six-year-old Henry tugged at Daniel's coattails. "Uncle Daniel, will you play soldiers with me? Papa said you were the best soldier in the entire regiment! "

Daniel's throat tightened. The horror and chaos of battle flashed through his mind. Then he looked down at Henry's eager face, so innocent and untouched by the brutalities of the world. He forced a smile. "I'm sure your papa is exaggerating. But I'd be happy to play with you."

Setting Charlotte down, Daniel dropped to one knee before Henry and gave a crisp salute. "Captain Henry, permission to join your ranks, sir!"

Henry giggled and returned the salute. "Permission granted!"

"What is the first thing we should do, Captain Henry?" Daniel asked.

Henry looked around. "We must build a fort."

"An excellent idea. I believe there are a few large trees that would shelter us back this way," Daniel said, pointing toward the back of his estate.

"There is a seaport back that way?" Henry asked.

"My estate borders the coast," he said.

Henry nodded. "We must hurry."

Daniel looked to his parents for permission, and when Adam and Emily both nodded, he held Henry and Charlotte's hands as they walked toward the gardens, their parents following behind.