Page 87 of My Gentleman Spy
Chapter Thirty-Five
Hattie stoodoutside the closed door of her parent's formal drawing room trying without success to calm her breathing. Her knuckles ached from being repeatedlycracked.
She looked down at her dress, there were no more invisible creases to smoothout.
“You look fine my dear,” said Mrs. Little. She patted Hattie gently on theshoulder.
When the door opened and Will stood on the threshold, Mrs. Little gave her an encouraging smile. Will held out hishand.
“Come, Edgar is waiting,” hesaid.
Hattie stepped into the room. The heartfelt speech she had spent the better part of the past day rehearsing sat ready on her lips. Edgar stood hands clasped in front of him by thewindow.
His gaze immediately fell on the still healing deep cut on her forehead and he sighed. The Saunders’ family doctor had done an excellent job of close stitches, but Hattie would always bear ascar.
They both took a tentative step forward toward theother.
“Ed,” she barely managed. He put his arms out, ready to pull her into his embrace, but she stoppedhim.
“I had an encounter with some unpleasant people recently. Much as I would love to wholeheartedly embrace you, it must be a gentle clasping of armstoday.”
He looked toWill.
“What is this? You did not mention that my sister had beeninjured.”
Will walked toward the door. They had agreed that Hattie would tell Edgar the story of what had happened to her at the hands of the Belton Streetthugs.
“I shall leave the two of you alone to get reacquainted,” saidWill.
“It’s alright Edgar. I shall explain. Thank you Will,” shesaid.
Once Will had closed the door behind him. Brother and sister stood several feet apart staring at one another. Neither had hoped for this moment, for this miracle ofreunion.
“Oh H, thank god you are safe. Every day since you left has been a waking nightmare. Miranda has cried herself to sleep so many nights. I have torn myself apart withguilt.”
Hattie stepped forward and gingerly put her arms around him. Edgar held her softly in his, as he would a small child. The tears Hattie had managed to hold back, finally won. Edgar meanwhile ruffled the top of her hair in the same affectionate way he had done when they were children. Hattie sobbed ever harder at every stroke of hisfingers.
When he finally released her, and stepped back, she saw tears shining in his eyes. One of his huge, lopsided grins formed on his lips. She snuffled back the tears andchortled.
“Anyone would think you were pleased to see me,” shesaid.
“You have no idea,” hereplied.
They repaired to the comfort of the big floral couch which sat close to the window. A couch on which they had spent many hours seated side by side in the years before Edgar married and left home. She was grateful that Will had seen fit to keepit.
“How is Miranda? I saw the two of you at St. Paul’s not long after I arrived back in London. Will tells me you have ason.”
Edgar took hold of her hand and held it so tightly in his that Hattie feared he would never let go. Regret over not having sought him out that day at the cathedral brought more tears to hereyes.
“We have been granted two miracles in a year. Long after we had given up hope we were graced with a son. He is the most perfect thing I have ever seen. Miranda cannot wait for you to meet your nephew,” hesaid.
“What was your second miracle?”shereplied.
“You of course. Hattie, we never expected to see youagain.”
Edgar sucked in a deepbreath.
“Sebastian was born the day you sailed for Africa. Miranda and he both nearly died in childbirth. I had received your message and intended to confront papa the morning you were due to leave. But I could not leave Miranda’s side. It was only later that day when my wife and child were both safe, that I was able to finally leave the house in search of you. I rode like a madman to the dockside but your ship had already sailed. I cannot begin to tell you how many tears I wept at the dockside thinking I had lost youforever.”
