Page 84 of Charming Artemis

“Not long before her eldest sister married. Artemis moved away after that.”

Mater stood, her eyes darting about in that frantic look one got when pieces of an overwhelming puzzle were beginning to fall into place. “Everyone is out on the back lawn, I believe.”

“I think so.” He watched her, unsure what had her so quickly flustered.

“Give me a moment, Charlie. I will be back.” She moved toward the door.

“Where are you going?” he called after her, twisting a bit to look at her.

“I believe I know the identity of her Papa.” She disappeared on that declaration.

Charlie had moved enough that Artemis awoke. Sleep hung heavy on her, but she sat up, looking around in confusion.

“I’m sorry I woke you,” he said. “I didn’t mean to.”

“Is something the matter? You seem overset.”

“I—There was—” What ought he to say? If he told her of Mater’s suspicion, but in the end, Mater was wrong and she didn’t know who Papa was, Artemis would be heartbroken all over again. Perhaps she would be upset that he had shared her history at all, even with someone as dependable as Mater. “I told Mater that I was grateful you had something of a mother figure in her now, a role she is anxious to take up if you will allow it.”

“Of course I will.” She watched him, brows drawn. “Why should that upset you?”

He shook his head. “It doesn’t. But she and I discussed our sorrow that you haven’t someone to take on a fatherly role in your life, which began a slightly different discussion.”

Artemis stiffened. “Did you tell her about... ?”

“Your Papa.” He nodded. “I did.”

“Did she—?” Artemis dropped her gaze to her hands, her fingers fussing with each other. “Did she laugh at me?”

He reached out and set his hand gently on her cheek. “Not at all, Artie. She asked a great many questions, clearly attempting to learn all she could so she could help us identify him.”

“Do you suppose she would help?”

“My dear.” He scooted closer and dropped his hands to her shoulders, then slid them to hold her hands. “She left here on the declaration that she believes she knows who he is.”

“Truly?” The word emerged quiet and broken.

“Truly.” He lifted their entwined hands so they rested against his heart. “I cannot promise that she is correct. Her suspicions may prove incorrect.”

She nodded. “I will try not to let my hopes soar too high.”

“But they will, won’t they?” He hated the thought of causing her more sorrow in an area of her life that already weighed on her heart.

Mater returned in that moment, holding fast to the hand of Mr. Layton.

“I thought it might be him,” Artemis whispered.

She kept one hand in Charlie’s as she sat forward on the sofa. Mr. Layton moved another chair to where Mater’s still sat.

“I’ve brought Mr. Digby because he can confirm if my suspicions are correct,” Mater said, as much to Charlie as to Artemis. She then turned to her companion. “Artemis grew up in Shropshire. When she was very little, she met a gentleman there, one she believed was merely passing through, though he did so more than once. She came to call him Papa, and he called her—”

“‘Princess,’” Mr. Digby finished, understanding dawning in his features. “Oh mercy.”

“She has to be that little girl, don’t you think?” Mater pressed.

Mr. Digby studied Artemis. “Golden curls. Green eyes. Likely quieter then than she is now. And to have produced the names Papa and Princess. That cannot be a coincidence.”

“And she last saw him in 1805,” Mater said. “I remember perfectly well in which year the Duke of Kielder invited us to his wedding.”

---