Page 74 of The Heir's Fortune
“They are building an attachment onto the stable.”
“Whatever for?”
“We are going to need more room, once you begin your equine training.”
Madeline’s jaw dropped as her eyes began to burn with the tears that threatened her.
“You—you are building me a place to train horses?”
“Yes,” he said, turning to her, wiping away the solitary tear that had escaped. “This is what you wanted, is it not? To be able to train your own horses, you said?”
“Yes, but I hardly thought you would remember, let alone do anything about it. It is very untoward?—”
He leaned down and kissed her, stopping her words.
“If there is anything I have learned in the past year, it is not to be concerned about what other people might think. I want you to be happy, and if this will make you happy, then have whatever you please. I thought I would also invite a trainer to come work with you until you are comfortable training yourself, if you would like that?”
“I would love that,” she said, melting into him. “Thank you, Gideon. Not only for this but in loving me for exactly who I am.”
Gideon was pleased that the smile didn’t fall from her face as they returned to the house until they came close enough to hear a shout and they quickened their steps when they saw Anderson awaiting them.
“Anderson?” Gideon said, his heart beginning to pound with concern that something had happened to his father. “Is all well?”
“Yes, my lord,” Anderson said, a smile broadening on his face. “More than well.”
Gideon waited, lifting a brow.
“I have received word from my relatives. The treasure arrived safely back in Peru.”
“Wonderful,” Gideon said, relieved. He had been worried that they should have heard something by now. “Were Lord and Lady Ferrington well?”
“They were,” Anderson confirmed.
Once Anderson had arranged for the treasure to be returned, only one problem remained – they were not sure who they could trust to see it there safely. That’s when Ferrington and Faith decided that they had enjoyed their first adventure to Spain so much that they would like to sail together once more. They were set to return shortly.
“There is something else,” Anderson said, and Gideon became wary once more.
“Yes?”
“They said they sent something back with Lord and Lady Ferrington.”
“What is it?”
“A few pieces of the treasure – to remember this all by, and to thank you for what you have done.”
Gideon and Madeline exchanged a look.
“What doesa few piecesmean?” he asked.
“From the sounds of it, perhaps a trunk.”
Gideon’s jaw dropped open as Madeline’s grip on his arm tightened. “Do you know what this means?” he asked her, finding that her eyes were as wide as his own.
“It means that everything you have wanted – for the estate, for your people – can come true right away, and not in time. You can give back to all those who helped you along the way.”
“Is that fair for us to take, though?” he asked, scratching his head. “It doesn’t belong to us.”
“To return it would be to insult the gesture they have made for you,” Anderson said. “It’s yours.”
