Always Have Hope (Emerson Book 3) (22 page)

“Out of the question,” said Ridgeway again.

“Colin, be reasonable. I want nothing more than to
put all of this behind me and return to Wiltshire, if you’ll allow me.”

“You know we want you there more than anything.”

“Then let me do this. I need to do this. When I
think about those many times Pierce struck me and I felt powerless…please.”

Alex felt like he’d been kicked in the ribs. He’d
known she’d been beaten, but to hear her speak of it was terrible. He ached
for her. And from the looks on her brothers’ faces, he wasn’t alone in his anguish.

“All right,” said Ridgeway. “But I’m not happy about
this. And you’ll not just have one of us near. You’ll have all of us.”

“But we don’t want to give ourselves away,” said Win.

“All of us,” reiterated her brother.

“Very well,” she said reluctantly. “Thank you. To
all of you.”

She smiled at everyone in the room, but, somehow, when
she turned to him, Alex felt like they were alone.

He had to keep her safe. Then he had to find a way to
marry her.

*

It had been an eventful day,
mused
Ava as she snuggled into her husband’s arms. The charges against Win had been
withdrawn. There would be no need for them to flee to the continent. They
could all go home to Wiltshire once they caught the killer. She was worried
about that rather large part of the equation. But for now, huddled close to
Colin, all she knew was how much she loved him.

They were lying on the settee in the sitting room of
their suite. The room was more elegant than their chamber at home. The
furnishings were more expensive, the fireplace was bigger, the wine which
Heskiss always had waiting for them was more refined. But, while Ava was most
appreciative of the Kellington hospitality, she missed the quiet simplicity of
their home in Wiltshire.

There was a knock on the door.

“Come in,” called Colin, though he moved not an inch.

The heavy door slowly opened and Letty entered.

Ava sat up and moved off her husband, who grudgingly
let her go. “Is everything all right, dear? We kissed you good-night a while
ago.”

Letty nodded, but worried her bottom lip with her
teeth.

“Come sit with us,” said Ava. “We can have a little
coze.”

The girl hesitated. “I’ve come to ask you something,
but I can’t with Colin here.”

Colin furrowed his brow. Ava had learned nothing
worried Colin more than a problem with his family. But he didn’t press the
girl. “If you’d like,” he said gently, “I can leave the room. I’m certain I
can pester James about something.”

“He and Irene retired to their bedchamber,” said
Letty.

“Then I shall be certain to bang on their door and
demand that he come out to talk to me in the hall. I’m quite certain he’ll be
excited to do so.”

“Colin,” admonished Ava. “I’m certain that is quite
unnecessary.”

“But it’d be most fun.”

“Colin doesn’t have to leave,” said Letty. “But maybe
he could go look out the window.”

Now Colin looked truly worried and Ava was growing
alarmed herself. But Colin dutifully moved to the window, while Ava patted the
seat beside her. “Now what would you like to talk about, love?’

Letty sat next to Ava. “I wish to ask you something.”

“You can always ask me anything.”

Letty nodded, but hesitated before continuing. “You
know how Violet has her mama? And even Anna now has her English mama?”

“Yes,” said Ava carefully.

“I’ve never had a mama. Well, I did, but she didn’t
like me.”

“Oh, Letty, I’m certain that’s not true,” said Ava, as
she reached for her hand.

“It’s true, isn’t it, Colin?” asked Letty.

Ava knew her husband well enough to realize his first
instinct was to lie, to shield Letty’s feelings. But, instead, he smiled sadly
at the girl. “Our mother wasn’t very…motherly,” he said from the window. “But
it was nothing you did, Letty. No one who really knew you could keep from
loving you.”

That seemed to make Letty feel better. She took a
deep breath. “Ava, I know you’re Colin’s wife and my sister now. But, well, I
was wondering, if you wouldn’t mind….when we’re not around anyone else, I was
wondering….” The vulnerability on Letty’s face was heartbreaking. “I was
wondering if I could call you Mama. I mean, I know you’ll soon have your own
children and you’ll love them and be their mother, but before that happens,
could I be your daughter?”

“Oh, Letty,” said Ava, as she pulled her into her
arms. “No one has ever made me feel more love in my heart than right now. I’d
be very proud and honored to be your mama forevermore. And don’t worry about
any children I may have. I have more than enough love for all of you.
Besides, I shall need you to give them a proper example of what it’s like to be
my daughter. For they’d just be babies and have no idea.”

Letty giggled, even as she leaned her head against
Ava’s breast. “What if you have sons?”

“Then they shall need a big sister even more because
boys can be an inordinate amount of trouble. Just look at your brothers.”

Letty giggled, but then she turned serious. “I don’t
want Rose and Win to be sad that I’ve chosen you as my mother. They’ve been my
sisters ever since I was born and I love them very much. But I was hoping,
well, I was hoping you’d say yes.”

“I cannot imagine how I would ever say no to such a
beautiful offer. I am not a sapskull, after all.”

“I have one more question,” said Letty. Then she
whispered, “Do you think Colin would ever want to be my papa?”

“With all my heart, love,” said Colin, who could no
longer keep his post at the window. He sat on the other side of Letty and
pulled her into his arms. “My dear girl, I would be so proud to call you my
daughter. Though I have no idea if I will be a good papa.”

“I’m certain you will,” said Letty.

“Thank you for your vote of confidence,” he said, as
he kissed the top of her head. “Fortunately, I can count on your mama to be
responsible and sensible. She’ll make certain you eat enough vegetables, while
I’ll ensure you know how to swim, shoot and ride.”

“I would like that,” said Letty. “Will you also teach
me to play cards and the rules of gaming?”

“I’m not certain that is quite the thing for young
ladies to learn,” said Ava playfully.

“See?” said Colin. “You’ve only had a mama for a few
moments and already there are rules to follow. I’ll just make sure to teach
you those things when your strict mama is not around.”

Letty pulled back to look at them both. “Are you
certain you wish to do this?”

“We couldn’t be more certain of anything,” said
Colin. “Now, would you like us to take you back to bed again?”

“Yes….Papa,” said Letty shyly.

Colin had to pause for a moment to choke back tears. Finally,
he said, “All right, Daughter, let’s put you to bed.”

Colin and Ava walked a tired Letty back to Violet’s
bedchamber. They carefully opened the door so as not to disturb the two
sleeping girls. Anna was in the middle of the bed and Violet on the other
side. Ava tucked Violet’s leg back under the covers as Colin settled Letty in.
He tucked all of the blankets under the mattress.

“I can’t move,” whispered Letty.

“Pray forgive your papa, dearest,” said Ava as she
untucked the blankets to give Letty more room to move. “This is his first day
and I know he wants to do everything right.”

“But it doesn’t have to be all right,” said Letty, as
sleep began to slur her words. “There just has to be love.”

Sleep took her at that moment. Ava and Colin watched
their new daughter sleep for a few moments before stealing out of the
bedchamber and back to their suite.

Finally, when it was just the two of them, Colin took
Ava in his arms. “You didn’t just save me when you agreed to be my wife,” he
said. “You saved this family.”

“No, love. You saved this family and it has nothing
to do with money or title or the future of the Earl of Ridgeway. Colin Emerson
saved us all just by being Colin Emerson.”

Colin was once again on the verge of tears.

“Make love to me, Colin,” whispered Ava. “Let’s see
about giving Letty a brother or sister.”

“You mean another mouth to feed?” asked Colin, as he
immediately set about fulfilling her request.

“Yes, love. Let’s see about adding yet another
Emerson to the dower house.”

“If you insist, Lady Ridgeway. If you insist.”

Win took a deep breath from the comfort of the Duke of
Lynwood’s carriage. She was parked outside her house and it was time to go
in. It wasn’t her first trip back to the house since Pierce’s murder, of
course. But it was the first one where she’d have to face his family, one of
whom was likely a killer.

She was there for the reading of the will and the
disposition of the estate. Her brothers and Rose had wanted to accompany her,
but it was better they weren’t there. She didn’t want anything to frighten off
the murderer.

Her brothers weren’t there, but she was hardly alone.

“Are you certain you wish to do this?” asked Alex. He
was seated across from her. “We can find another way.”

“I must do this. But I realize I have yet to thank
you for everything you’ve done for me. Everything you continue to do. And I
fear it is at great cost to yourself. You haven’t told me how you convinced
Sir Wilfred to get the charges withdrawn. I believe my great good fortune will
be your undoing.”

“Do not worry about that, my lady.”

“Please call me Win. I believe it will give me the
confidence I lack at the moment.”

“Very well, Win.”

He tentatively reached for her hand. She gave it to
him gladly. His warmth traveled from their joined hands straight to her heart.

She smiled. “Shall we?”

“As you wish.”

He helped her out of the carriage, then escorted her
up the stairs. Win looked at her house with fresh eyes, now that she was no
longer a prisoner of it. She was truly sorry two people were dead, but she
couldn’t regret being free of her marriage.

Just as Alex was about to knock, Havers opened the
door. From the sour look on his face, he was obviously expecting her.

Win entered her home, or at least the house where she
used to live. It wasn’t her home now. Home was the estate in Wiltshire where
she’d go when this matter was finally settled. This house was simply a means
to an end.

“Havers, are the others gathered?” asked Win as the
butler took her cloak.

“Yes, madam. They are in the study along with the
rather odd solicitor.”

“Mr. Olson is my friend, Havers. That will be the
last unkind word you say about him,” said Win, who rather enjoyed the butler’s
astonishment to be spoken to so sternly. When Pierce had been alive, he’d
punished Win whenever she was too assertive with the staff.

But Pierce was no longer there.

“I will escort Mr. Lewis to the sitting room while you
are in the study,” said Havers.

“Actually, you won’t. He’ll be accompanying me.”

That also surprised the butler and Win realized she
enjoyed provoking him. It was the tiniest bit wicked of her, but, perhaps, it
was time to be wicked.

“Shall we, my lady?” asked Alex, who looked like he
was rather enjoying himself, as well.

They entered the study to find Clive, Emmeline and
Horace already seated. Poor Mr. Olson looked like he’d been on the receiving
end of quite the scold. But Win had confidence the man had the fortitude to
survive it. He’d probably learned a great deal about Pierce’s family while
enduring it.

“Mr. Olson,” she said, “thank you for coming. I hope
I’ve not kept you waiting long.”

“Not at all, my lady. I’ve been having a very
interesting conversation with your late husband’s family.” The twinkle in his
eyes said he cared for them as little as she.

“This is outside of enough!” said Emmeline. “To think
my brother’s murderer is free to come and go in his house and that we – good
Christians that we are – should have to be in the same room with her. It’s a
disgrace.”

Win turned to her. “Emmeline, good Christian that you
are, I am certain you know Christ Himself used to minister to all sorts, while
never judging any of them. I didn’t murder Clarence. Even the Crown knows
that now. Horace, Clive, I hope you are well.”

Horace, as always, looked terrified of offending his
wife. Clive, as usual, looked half foxed.

“Lady Winifred, if you are ready, I can proceed with
the reading of the will, now,” said Olson.

“I still don’t know why this man is reading the will,”
said Emmeline. “He’s not Clarence’s solicitor. Nor do I know why that man is
here at all.” She pointed to Alex.

“Both of these gentlemen are here at my request.
Clarence’s solicitor is not the most reputable man and Mr. Lewis is here
because he’s still interested in finding my husband’s killer. A goal I’m
certain we all share.”

“I think we did find Clarence’s killer,” drawled
Clive. “But perhaps you found a way to convince Lewis he was mistaken.”

Alex took a menacing step forward, but Win put her
hand on his arm to stop him. “Thank you. Mr. Lewis, but I can handle Clive.”
She was amazed to realize that was true. She’d been bullied by so many people
in that house. But everything was different now. And it wasn’t just the strong
man by her side who gave her courage – though that certainly didn’t hurt. She
felt her own strength. She turned to her brother-in-law. “No, Clive. In this
case, it was a simple matter of justice prevailing. Now, Mr. Olson, do be so
kind as to read the will.”

“Of course, Lady Winifred.” Olson picked up the
document on top of the desk. “The Last Will and Testament of Clarence S.
Pierce. Without reservation or coercion, I hereby bequeath the following….”
Here, Olson paused. “Lady Winifred, the first portion may be difficult for you
to hear. Would you like me to read it to you in private?”

“No, sir. Pray continue.”

Olson cleared his throat, then began reading once
more. “I leave the sum of one hundred pounds to each of the whores at Madame
Thurmond’s brothel, including the madame herself. They have serviced me well
these many years and I wish them good fortune.”

“That is outrageous!” said Emmeline. “Surely we can
get that part of the will invalidated.”

“If for no other reason than the whores at Madame
Thurmond’s are hardly worth even a tenth of that amount,” said Clive. “Isn’t
that right, Horace?”

“I’m certain I don’t know what you mean,” Horace said
quickly.

“Sorry, old boy,” said Clive. “Didn’t mean to get you
in trouble with the missus.” Though, of course, he had.

“This will be easier without further interruptions,”
said Olson, before continuing. “To Havers, I leave the sum of ten pounds, my
silver pen and my sincerest thanks for being such a toplofty bastard. You would’ve
received more, but I knew what you really thought of me. To Tawny….” Here
Olson paused again, with an apologetic look at Win.

“Do not fear my reaction sir. I can only imagine what
comes next. Pray continue.”

“To Tawny, a magnificent…uh, maid, fifteen pounds and
a thank you for never giving me the pox. To my brother Clive, I bequeath my
collection of port. Most of which you’ve probably already drunk. To Emmeline
and Horace, I give you all the books in my library you care to read.”

Emmeline sputtered in her shock. “I don’t read!”

“And to my wife Winifred, who gave me so much pleasure
over the years from the many beatings I dispensed, I leave all my other worldly
possessions, including the house.”

There was one moment of silence. Winifred was rather
stunned to learn she was the prime beneficiary of the will though she knew it
would all have to be sold to pay off creditors. Apparently she wasn’t the only
one who was surprised, for Emmeline’s shriek soon pierced the silence.

“That will is a forgery!” she said. “It cannot be
possible that Clarence would have done that to us – his own flesh and blood –
and left everything to the whores and his murdering wife.”

“Well, to be fair, Emmeline,” said her brother,
“Clarence didn’t realize she was a murderess at the time. But, yes, it is an
outrageous injustice.”

Alex could barely calm himself to speak. “Actually,
what is truly an outrageous injustice is the fact Lady Winifred was ever charged
with the crime. She didn’t murder her husband. And the next person who says
she did will be the subject of a slander suit…or worse.”

“What business is it of yours, Lewis?” asked Horace.
“Shouldn’t you be out looking for the real killer, since you’re so certain it
isn’t Winifred?”

“I plan to catch the real killer,” said Alex. “But in
the meantime, I’m here to assist Lady Winifred with her next order of
business.”

“Which business will that be?” asked Emmeline.
“Unless it is to kill the rest of us in our sleep.”

Winifred smiled politely. “You can rest in your bed,
Emmeline. And I do mean your own bed. I’m here to tell you all to vacate my
home immediately and have my belongings returned forthwith. I noticed there
were several paintings missing, as well as vases and other items. And that was
simply a cursory examination of the main floor. You may keep any family
portraits, but everything else will be returned. If they aren’t, I’ll have
warrants sworn out from Bow Street. You are familiar with Bow Street, aren’t
you? You have a day in which to put everything to rights, though I do want you
to return to your own homes with all due haste.”

Her pronouncements were met with a satisfying
silence.

“But Win, dear,” said Emmeline, “we only took family
items of great emotional value.”

“So, if I were to take an inventory of my jewelry, it
would all be there?”

There was another satisfying silence.

“Not exactly,” said Emmeline.

“Then remedy that, posthaste,” said Alex. “Lady
Winifred, I shall check back with you on the morrow to see if I need to serve
any warrants.”

“Lady Winifred,” said Mr. Olson, who was packing up
his papers. “I shall take my leave of you, now, unless you need anything
further.”

“Actually, Mr. Olson, I was hoping you’d return those
ledgers to Lord Grayson’s suite.”

Clive, Emmeline and Horace turned as one to look at
the two ledgers Olson was putting into his satchel.

“Is that the ledger Lewis removed from the secret
compartment in Clarence’s desk?” asked Clive.

“Yes,” said Win. “We couldn’t make any sense of them,
but Lord Grayson has always liked puzzles. He’s going to see if there’s
anything of value in them. Mayhap, there is more money to the estate, after
all.”

“I’ll go to Grayson’s with you, Olson,” said Alex.

Havers entered the room. Perhaps sensing his
employment was at stake – rightly so – he politely announced, “My lady, the
Countess of Ridgeway is here, along with Lady Rosemary and a Miss Wallace.”

“Thank you, Havers. Please show them to the sitting
room. Mr. Pierce, and Mr. and Mrs. Warren are to pack and be gone within the
hour. Do be so good as to assist them in their efforts.”

“Of course, my lady,” said Havers, who then bowed
himself out of the room.

“Win, are you quite certain you want all of us to
leave?” asked Clive. “This must be quite overwhelming. You need a man to help
you.”

“Horace will do it,” said Emmeline.

“My brothers will help me if I need assistance. Please
be gone within the hour. Good day.”

It was hard not to have a final word with Alex before
he left the house, but Win couldn’t risk having the others take note of their
friendship. As far as they knew, Alex was there in an official capacity only.
But Win couldn’t stop thinking about him as she went down the hall to the
sitting room.

She entered the room to find her lovely sisters
waiting for her.

“I would dearly love to tell your in-laws what I think
of them,” said Rose. “It was everything Ava and Irene could do to keep me in
here.”

“I appreciate your righteous anger, dear,” said Win as
she put her arm around Rose’s waist, “but it is in everyone’s best interest to
get them out of the house as soon as possible.”

“And are Mr. Lewis and Mr. Olson on their way to
Grayson’s?” asked Ava.

“Yes. Mr. Olson said he would go on his own, but Alex
– Mr. Lewis – and I thought it might be dangerous. I’m also worried about
Grayson’s safety. Are we certain he’ll be protected?”

Rose nodded. “I was assured that with Stemple hiding
at Grayson’s, and Sergeant Fisk and his men outside the building, he’ll be
safe. I’m more concerned about you. Are you certain we cannot stay here with
you?”

“Rose, you know our brothers would never allow it. It
was hard enough to convince them to allow Mr. Lewis to sneak back into the
house through the tunnels.” And she hated thinking of him doing that, knowing
how much it would bother him. “No, as soon as the others have gone, I’m afraid
you’ll have to leave me alone here. I don’t even know if they’ll come after
me, now that everyone knows the ledger will be at Grayson’s. But we must make
it appear that I’m unguarded, just in case the killer wishes to make a move.”

“Are you scared, Win?” asked Irene.

“I am. But, more than that, I’m anxious to start my
life over in Wiltshire.”