Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5

The next day, Edward and Miles arrived at Lady Langley's home. Miss Pym sat on the sofa, looking as nonchalant as possible, as though she were not in the least impressed that Lord Culpepper was there.

Edward and Miles exchanged glances, and Miles rolled his eyes so that only Edward could see. He really was owed a favor after this, for Miles needed a woman of substance, not a girl just out of the schoolroom.

Miles smoothed his features, bowed to Lady Langley, and settled on the sofa with Miss Pym, placing enough room between them so his reason for being there could not be mistaken for anything but a social call.

"We came to see how you enjoyed your first ball in Lyme, Miss Pym, and to give you, Lady Langley, news of Miss Musgrove."

"And how does she fare?" asked Lady Langley.

"She is much improved. Getting some fresh air for a few minutes every day, and the danger seems to have passed. And she is to be married to Captain Benwick."

"That is splendid news, isn't it, Lady Winthrop?" Lady Langley asked as that lady entered the room .

"Yes, splendid," said Lady Winthrop, looking as though her head ached. Edward would have felt sorry for the woman if he didn't know how she had kept Adelaide cooped up in the house, fetching and carrying and completing others' correspondence, instead of placing her out in society as she should have been.

"Ah, Lady Winthrop," he said. "Just the woman I wished to see."

"What do you want?" the woman growled. Clearly her head ached much more than he thought.

"I am here," said Edward, "to collect Miss Templeton." He looked at Adelaide and her eyes widened in surprise. He smiled at her, trying to reassure her that he had it all in hand but couldn't help but see her glance toward Lady Winthrop who was clearly vexed, and shift a little away from the older woman. She was clearly afraid, and he wished he could reassure her that all would be well.

"I beg your pardon?" Lady Winthrop asked, settling in front of the tea tray, and glaring at him.

"I was in London the other day," he said, "and as you know, Lady Langley, I had the pleasure of speaking your son, and brought him news of how things are here in Lyme."

Lady Langley smiled serenely, and Adelaide wondered when she had spoken to Edward. Something about how her host looked at her made her wonder what was going on.

"Oh yes," said Lady Langley, "I received a letter from my son only yesterday telling me he had met you, and how impressed he was by your forthrightness." The lady looked as though she were going to burst into laughter in a moment and when Adelaide looked at Lord Culpepper, he too seemed highly amused. Lady Winthrop and Miss Pym looked as flummoxed as she felt.

What did Edward mean that he was here to collect her? How would he be able to do so? She wanted to ask but sensed that all would be revealed in time if she waited.

"I also spoke to Lord Winthrop when I was in town," Edward was speaking to Lady Winthrop now. "I have arranged everything with him."

"What does that mean? What have you arranged?"

He reached into his vest and pulled out a letter. "This will explain."

"What are you on about?" She grabbed the letter from him, her eyes flashing.

"Tea, Lady Winthrop?" asked Lady Langley, who was pouring for others in the room.

"Fine," she said, smiling a non-smile as she watched the tea being poured and not meeting anyone's gaze. Adelaide had seen that look before. Lady Winthrop looked calm but underneath she was seething, and she braced herself for a tirade of blame that was sure to be directed toward someone in the room – usually a servant, or herself.

Lady Langley passed the tea to Adelaide, who was sitting between Edward and her cousin, and she held her breath as she set the cup and saucer on the table. She glanced at Edward who was smiling pleasantly. She wanted to believe his plan, whatever it was, would really allow her to leave this place, but he had no idea what Lady Winthrop was capable of, nor what she might do next. She directed her attention back to the lady in question and watched her break the seal of the letter and read the contents. Lady Winthrop's face fell, and her hand began to shake. She crumpled the letter and turned angry eyes on Edward. "You blackguard."

"Thank you," said Edward, as though she had given him the best of compliments. "I will ask the footman to bring Miss Templeton's bags, and her maid's, and we will be on our way."

"You won't get away with this," said Lady Winthrop.

"Are you leaving so soon?" asked Lady Langley as though Lady Winthrop hadn't spoken. "Cook has made some lovely cream cakes."

"I am afraid we have a long way to travel today," he said. "But I would like you to be among the first to wish us happy. Adelaide and I are to be wed. "

"Oh!" said Lady Langley, clapping her hands together. "How wonderful for you, my dears."

"You will not go," said Lady Winthrop. "My son is not in full possession of the facts."

"Oh, I forgot," said Edward, again ignoring the outburst and turning toward Adelaide. He pulled a small box out of his breast pocket and opened it. "This is for you, my love."

"Oh Edward!" she gasped and brought her hands to her face sure she would burst into tears of happiness. "It's my mother's ring. Wherever did you find it?"

"For that, you will have to thank Lord Culpepper. He heard that it had been sold to a jeweler downtown and quickly retrieved it."

"Do you know who sold it?" asked Adelaide noticing Lady Winthrop's face drain of color.

"We do," said Miles, his eyes on Lady Winthrop. "But I am sure that if they haven't left town already, they will soon be long gone."

"Why not tell us who would do such a horrible thing?" said Miss Pym, who had been watching the proceedings from the sofa with fascination.

"Because I made a promise that it would be dealt with discreetly," said Miles.

"But, if the information is required in future," said Edward, looking around the room and then at Lady Winthrop, "we can share it then."

"Yes, it is best that we put this behind us. The ring has been returned and the thief is well aware that should this happen again there will be consequences." said Lady Langley.

Edward nodded in agreement and then turned back toward Lady Winthrop, who sat like a cornered mouse watching an approaching cat.

"I almost forgot." Edward reached into his pocket again and handed Lady Winthrop an envelope.

"Your son asked me to give you this as well. It is a ticket to London. I understand he would like you to visit. "

"But I still don't understand. Who is this person?" asked Miss Pym again, enthralled by the drama. "Why won't you say?"

"It is of no consequence, for I don't believe you will ever see them again," said Miles, "am I correct Lady Langley?"

"Yes, I would imagine not," said Lady Langley. "Don't you agree, Lady Winthrop? For someone who would come to my house and remove an item belonging to my guest, is no longer welcome. This is a satisfying end to a bad business, is it not? Though I will miss you, Miss Templeton."

"Yes, though I'm afraid the rest of your stay may be rather dull," said Miles, "with all your guests gone."

There was a ring at the door, and a footman brought in an armful of flowers addressed to Miss Pym, as well as a letter for Lady Langley.

"I stand corrected. Congratulations on your success last evening, Miss Pym."

"Thank you," said Miss Pym, as calmly as she could, though it was clear to all that she was so excited she could burst.

"Shall we go?" asked Edward rising and turning to help Adelaide to her feet.

"Yes," said Adelaide, taking his hand and smiling up at him, the weight of worry about Lady Winthrop's reprisal slipping away. As she turned to take her leave of Lady Langley and Miss Pym, she felt light, free. They were leaving and all Lady Winthrop could do was growl and inform them that she would be upstairs packing.

"Oh, it won't take long," said Lady Langley, looking up from the letter she had just received.

"Sally and the other maids have been working diligently for the past hour to ensure all is ready to go. Any of your items still in my house in Bath, will be forwarded in due course."

"And if you hurry," said Miles, "I can take you to catch the mail coach in my carriage."

Lady Winthrop rose, her considerable height seeming much diminished.

"Thank you for your company," said Lady Langley. "Though it seems my house will not be empty long, for Viscount Langley will be visiting soon for the holiday season." She waved her letter a little.

They all soon left the house, the betrothed pair entering a rented carriage as the woman who had fallen from grace climbed into the carriage bearing the Culpepper crest.

Edward sat beside Adelaide and squeezed her hand. "I imagine Lady Winthrop will be pleased that it is only a short ride. Miles is livid that she would steal your ring and sell it."

"He didn't seem so."

"No, and that is his manner."

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"You will see. But," he reassured her, "I guarantee you will like your destination."

"You promised to tell me everything. No more secrets." She glanced at the ring that was now sitting on her finger where it belonged. "Though surprises like this may be forgiven."

"I promised you no more secrets once we are wed," he said playfully. "Indulge me this one last time. Meanwhile, we have several hours of travel ahead of us. Perhaps we could talk a little about wedding plans." He settled back on the squabs just as the door to the carriage opened to welcome the last passenger.

"Well done, Sally," he said. "I'm afraid we gave you extra work today."

"Thank you, Captain." She chuckled. "It was my pleasure."

They stayed in rooms at an inn that evening and traveled most of the following day, until Adelaide became aware of familiar terrain.

"You are taking me to visit Eloise!" she said. "Perhaps we can meet her fiancé as well."

"We are to stay with my parents and Eloise until we are married," he said, "but before we get there, I have something else to show you. "

As the carriage rocked along, Adelaide drifted off to sleep and awakened just as the sun was settling onto the horizon. The carriage stopped again.

She looked out the window at a familiar carriage house.

"Where are we?" she asked, and noticed Sally's quick grin as she climbed out ahead of them. Edward stepped down next and turned to hand her out.

Still a little groggy from sleep, Adelaide stood on the top step of the carriage and scanned the view in front of her. A tear of happiness slipped down her cheek. "I never thought to see it again, Edward. Thank you for bringing me," she said.

"Come," he said, urging her to come down the stairs. She took one step and began to fall.

But Edward was quick to scoop her up in his arms.

"Oh, my," said Adelaide, flustered at being swept off her feet and held so tightly to his chest.

He strode up the steps of Stonehurst. The assembled servants nodded to her as they passed, some of them unfamiliar faces and others the faces of people she had known and loved when she was growing up.

"You can't carry me up the stairs. What will people think?"

"What is wrong with carrying you up the steps to our own house?"

"Our own house?"

"Yes," he said, striding across the threshold. "I purchased it so we can fulfill your father's dream of breeding horses—and plan new dreams of our own."

"Oh, Edward, I am so glad Lady Winthrop was wrong."

"About what?" asked Edward.

"She said I couldn't depend on a man to catch me."

He grinned as he set her on the floor. Then he took her in his arms and kissed her thoroughly, without a care for who was watching.

And she kissed him back, knowing that she could count on this man to catch her for the rest of her life.