Page 67 of The Gift of Patience
“Let us hope he knows what he’s doing.”
CHAPTER 17
It was always difficult being left behind, but Patience was well aware she could not jaunt off to London on her own and visit a gentlemen’s club. A dangerous, depraved one at that. It did not stop her from wondering what they were doing, and if they were any closer to finding out who the leader of the thieves was. By all accounts, it was someone very powerful and well-connected, else this elite unit would not have been called in.
It was hard not to be excited and worried at the same time. However, before, Patience had not been concerned that one of them would be executed for standing in this person’s way. She knew she would not rest easy until they were returned safely. How long would that be?
Patience stared at the canopy and realized it was late in the morning. It had been hours before she had finally fallen asleep, having tossed and turned worrying about whether Major Stuart and Manners had met with a bad end at that awful club.
“Xander!” She shot up out of bed and realized he wasn’t there. She must have slept through someone else letting him out, bless them. Quickly, she dressed without calling for a maidand hurried downstairs. Everyone else was breakfasting by the sounds of laughter coming from the dining room.
Xander was not there, not that she expected him to be. Likely, Peter had walked him and kept him out in the yard so she could sleep.
“Good morning,” she called as she went to the table and was promptly served her usual cup of coffee with cream and sugar.
“It is not like you to sleep so late, Patience,” Grace remarked with concern.
“I did not sleep well,” she mumbled. Everyone appeared to be down except for Rotham and Hope and Westwood and Faith.
“Worried about the gentlemen?” her sister asked knowingly.
Of course, Grace would be worried, too.
“Hopefully, we will hear something soon.” She reached over and squeezed Grace’s hand with more reassurance than she felt.
“Who wants to go for a ride this morning?” Mr. Cunningham asked. “One last, long ride before we leave for London the day after.”
Patience looked at Joy, whose mulish expression told her what she thought of them leaving. Mr. Cunningham had become her bosom beau, and though they often fought like siblings, she was never as happy as when he was around.
“I think a ride would be good for all of us to keep us occupied,” Montford stated. Patience was surprised anyone else might be as concerned as she.
“Perhaps a ride would be a good diversion.” Miss Cunningham agreed.
Patience was the first downstairs after changing into riding gear, so she went to look for Xander to say good morning. However, when she found him, she could not have been more surprised. He was in the stall with Freddy and her kittens, snuggled up amongst them as if he were one of the family. She stood there, mouth gaping. Xander looked up at her andthumped his tail proudly, but did not move from his spot where one of the kittens was nuzzled against him.
“Well, I’ll be,” she whispered. Perhaps he would not be hers to keep, after all. It’s saddened her a little, but Xander had been a gift from Mr. Cunningham to Joy, after all. Maybe she could have a pup from the next litter. She reached down and scratched his ears then let him be.
When she left the barn, everyone had gathered at the stables, and the grooms were leading out the horses.
“Are you certain you have to leave?” Grace was asking Miss Cunningham.
“Monty and Freddy think it’s best to leave the new parents to themselves for a while. Why do you all not come to London with us?”
“I do not think the Dowager would wish to leave the baby.”
“Then I am certain you could stay with us,” Vivienne offered. “I know my mother would not mind. It is not so grand as Westwood House, but we have room, nonetheless.”
“I will speak to Joy and Patience about it.”
Patience had heard. “I was already planning on joining Hope there. I’m certain she would not mind all of us going.”
Joy had heard and whipped her head around and was listening intently. She did not look pleased, but by what, Patience couldn’t say. She would speak to her later, but she knew Joy vastly preferred the country.
Joy quickly mounted and took off, which was a bad habit she had when she was not happy or defiant. It was what had led to her accident the previous summer.
Mr. Cunningham practically leapt onto his own mount and was giving chase. Patience could only smile at his protectiveness.
No one else in the party seemed overly bothered and let the two go before mounting at their own leisure and riding off in the same direction.
