Page 31 of A Lady's Heart Deceived
“Thank you for your valuable information, kind sir. We shall go and see if there is anyone home at number fifteen. Good day to you,” said Piers.
“You are welcome. And if Robert is home, tell him he needs to get his hands dirty and pull up some weeds. His garden is an utter disgrace.”
Crossing the street, Maggie kept a firm hold of Piers’s arm, too afraid to let go.
Please. Please let the old man be mistaken.
Piers stopped and turned to face her. “Are you alright Maggie? If you want us to go home, we can. I will understand if that is your decision.”
Maggie was tempted but she had come to Coventry seeking answers. No matter how painful, she was determined to discover the truth.
“I have to do this, Piers. I have to know.”
Cow Lane was mercifully short, with only a handful of houses situated along the right-hand side of the street. They walked past the first few before Piers suddenly stopped in front of a dilapidated house. He deftly placed a hand around her waist, steadying Maggie as she stumbled to a halt.
“It’s alright. I’m here. I will protect you,” he said.
She sensed he was referring to more than just her anxiety attacks. Whatever they discovered at the Taylor residence, he would be there for her.
It was strange, but in the short time that she and Piers had spent in each other’s company, an easy connection of minds had somehow been established. Both seemed able to perceive what the other was thinking without the need for words. She had never before shared such a close bond with another person, not even Robert.
“I could come back here on my own if you like,” he offered.
It would be all too easy to say yes, to spare herself from what she might find, but Maggie had learned enough about herself over the past few years to know that fear had to be faced. It was the only way to conquer it.
She drew out of Piers’s hold. Straightening her shoulders, she took a deep breath, determined that fear wouldn’t get the better of her.
“I have come this far to get answers. I am not going to take a step back at the last,” she replied. She cursed the tremble in her voice.
They entered in through the front gate, passing the tangled knots of weeds which had overtaken much of the garden. The front of the house was as the old man had described—poorly maintained and badly in need of a coat of paint. A nail or two also wouldn’t go astray.
Piers rapped politely on the door.
No answer.
He tried again but still, no one came. “They must be out. We could leave a note, but I think it better that we come back later.”
Cow Lane wasn’t all that far from Jonathan and Elizabeth’s house. It would be easy enough for them to pay the Taylors another visit.
Besides, if they did leave a note, what on earth would they write?
Pardon the intrusion, but we came looking for a person whose life was apparently a lie. We will call again when it is convenient.
Maggie was secretly relieved that the Taylor family wasn’t at home. Going back to St. Mary’s Street meant she would have time to gather the reserves of her courage. To compose her response if … no, she wouldn’t even consider that as being any sort of possibility.
Because if it was, then her life for the better part of the last three years would have been a tragic farce.
“Piers let’s leave. It’s clear that no one is at home, so we shouldn’t waste any more of our time. I would dearly love a cup of tea and some peaceful solitude,” she said.
They headed back the way they had come. At the crossroad, they turned left once more into Little Park Street. Soon they would be back at Jonathan and Elizabeth’s home.
Thank heavens.
A sense of relief slowly settled in her mind.
“We could wait until tomorrow to come back. Perhaps visit earlier in the day,” suggested Piers.
Maggie nodded absentmindedly. Her gaze had drifted to the other side of the street, settling on a young couple approaching down the hill.
