Page 64 of A Lady's Past
The moment when one world disintegrates and another is born is both beautiful and catastrophic. Jacques’s beliefs about what his life would be crashed down around his ears. A cacophony of wind, rustling trees and beating snow marked the moment, while peace, security and love settled in the spaces left empty for so many years. She hadn’t said she loved him, but Diana would not marry for any other reason. “You have made me very happy.”
She studied him. “You don’t look happy. You look a bit… I’m not really sure how to describe that look.” She ran her hand along the side of his face.
Leaning into her warm palm, he turned his head and kissed her bare wrist. “I probably look as surprised as I feel. It is a dream to imagine you beside me for a lifetime.”
Worry tugged at the corners of her mouth and dimmed the light in her eyes. “I hope you will not be disappointed.”
“Never.”
Impossibly, the snow came down even harder.
Diana made no move to seek shelter beyond his embrace, but he had to get her inside before they were found in spring by the garden wall. “Come, before we are frozen to death standing here.”
* * *
Two days later the snow finally stopped, and the sun came out.
Sebastian rushed into the breakfast room winded and soaked. “Pardon my appearance.” He bowed to Diana and Honoria.
Standing, Alex tossed his napkin on the corner of the table. “What’s wrong? Did you find him?”
“No. Not yet, but William Farmer has been found.” Sebastian gave his coat to Mr. Bates, who handed the Horseman a towel and a hot beverage.
“Where, when?” Alex narrowed his eyes.
Sebastian drank from the steaming mug and collapsed into a chair at the far end of the table. “Westow. He and his cart were left in a barnyard.”
Jacques’s stomach tightened on the eggs and sausage he’d just finished. “Dead?”
Gesturing with the hand holding the towel, he cut a line across his throat from ear to ear. “I apologize, ladies.”
Diana paled and placed her napkin on the table next to her plate. “Poor man. He had no idea who he was dealing with.”
“Probably not.” Alex rounded the table. “Mr. Farmer’s fate is unfortunate, but it probably means that Caron will make his move very soon. We must all remain vigilant in keeping watch for signs of him.”
Mr. Bates returned and took the towel from Sebastian. He placed a plate filled with food on the table and retreated.
Sebastian must have been out all night with the searchers, because he dived into the food. Dark rings circled his eyes and he ate as if starved. “I received a letter from London. The map Miss MacLeod drew was quite accurate. The army has discovered two storehouses of munitions along the route to Porto. They have been confiscated.”
Alex raised an eyebrow. “Excellent news for us and the Portuguese.”
Standing, Diana frowned. “I’m glad it was helpful. One never knows after so much time if a plan like that will still be in place. I’m afraid all these dramatics have left me tired. I’ll just take myself back to bed unless you require me to do something this morning, Mr. Lynds?”
“We shall give Caron some time to stew and worry. I will alert you when we are ready to go forward with our plan.”
With a quick curtsy, Diana strode from the room.”
* * *
It was another day before they could get out of the castle grounds and visit the small village of Scrayingham. Preparations were being made for the Christmas holiday, keeping the town hopping with residents gathering provisions.
Jacques and Diana strolled through town in full view, as if they had not a care in the world. On their right, a charming stone church, complete with cemetery, gave him a chill. All he wanted was to protect Diana and here he was, leading her into danger.
Knowing that Preston and the Horsemen watched gave Jacques little comfort. Even though he knew he had to free her from Victor’s terror, he hated this plan.
The only thing Jacques was certain of was that Victor was watching. The hair on the back of his neck stood up as soon as they’d entered the village.
Children tossed snowballs at each other and laughed. It was easy to scoot around them and continue to act the courting couple, as that was precisely what they were. Even walking with Diana for the sake of luring a maniac into public was still time well spent with her and time he cherished.
