“Mrs Bettencourt,” Denley said to Niki when he interrupted the family at the breakfast table on Monday morning. “There’s someone here who would like to see you.”
Niki rose without question, telling the boys to stay put when they made to follow her, and exited the room. She followed Denley all the way to the foyer and found Gar and Juliana waiting. Their reunion was joyful and tearful all at the same time.
“I’ve missed you so much,” Juliana said, holding onto Niki as though she would never let go.
Gar was next, but his hug was much swifter because he had a question.
“Niki, where are those boys?”
“Come this way,” Niki invited, knowing she would be forgiven for the interruption.
And an interruption it was. The boys would not stop touching or talking to Gar, and Niki could barely make the introductions.
“Please join us for breakfast,” Mary inserted when there was a slight lull, and when at last the guests joined the table, Walker asked Gar if they had moved successfully.
“As a matter of fact, we have not. We’ve been traveling around since we wrote to Niki.”
“What of Kendal-in-the-Forest?” Niki asked.
“We hadn’t the heart to give it up,” Juliana said. “We left a small staff to look after things, but we couldn’t bring ourselves to sell it.”
“I can’t tell you how relieved I am,” Niki said, a hand to her face. “My heart was broken when you said you had to leave.”
“We’re just gypsies right now,” Juliana told her, clearly enjoying the fact.
“Well, I have a good bit of news to tell you,” Niki said. “You won’t have to be gypsies much longer. Unless, of course, you want to.”
“I’ve rather enjoyed it,” Gar stated, not surprising Niki in the least.
The men fell into conversation then, conversation that lasted the rest of the meal. Mary took the boys off to play for a time, and the women sneaked away to Niki’s room so they could talk.
“She was here,” Niki told Juliana when that woman began to question her. “Patrice was here.”
“What happened?”
“I confronted her and sent her away.”
Juliana’s mouth opened. “How did you have the courage to do this?”
Niki wanted to tell her about her belief in Christ but wasn’t sure how to go about it. Edward came to mind instead.
“There’s something I never wrote to you about,” Niki confessed to her friend.
“What is it?”
“Edward Steele lives here in Collingbourne.”
“Edward Steele? The Edward Steele from the ship? The one who made you smile?”
Niki had to laugh. “Yes, the same.”
Niki laughed again when Juliana threw her arms around her and tried to hug the life from her.
“I knew he was the one! You must tell me everything. Do you see him often? Does he notice you? How about the boys? Does he love the boys? He must love the boys!”
Niki could only laugh at her.
“Come along,” Juliana demanded. “Tell me all.”
“Well, yes, I would say he’s noticed me,” Niki said quietly, her eyes a bit dreamy, “and, yes, he does love the boys.”
Juliana stared at her.
“You’re in love with him.”
“I believe I am.”
“And does he love you?”
“It would certainly seem that way.”
Juliana sighed, her romantic heart touched.
“Anyway,” Niki went on. “Edward was with me when she came, as were Aunt Mary and Walker. Patrice was as angry and awful as I expected her to be, but Edward and I stood up to her. If she comes back, she’ll have to answer to the law.”
“Are you afraid?”
“Not like I was.”
“I’m so glad, Niki. What a horrible time it’s been for you and the boys.”
“Not much fun for you either.”
Juliana put a hand on Niki’s arm.
“Never worry after Gar and me, my dear. We love you and the boys. We would do it all over again in an instant.”
Niki put her arms around her friend, so thankful she was there. Juliana hugged her back, completely unaware of the way Niki asked God to give her wisdom and courage to talk about Him.
“Thank you, Walker and Mrs Walker,” Edward said at the end of the evening. “I had a wonderful time.”
“Tell Henry what he missed,” Walker teased a little.
“I will,” Edward smiled, turning next to the Lawtons. “It was very fine meeting you,” he said, bowing to them both.
“We’ll probably see you again,” Gar said kindly, and Juliana smiled at him.
Niki slipped away to walk him to the door, smiling when their eyes met.
“I can see why you like them,” Edward said at the door.
“They’re wonderful. I’m so glad they came.”
Edward took her hand.
“I’m going to keep my distance for a few days,” he told her. “I think the boys need time with Gar and Juliana. It’s not fair of me to be around and make them feel as though they have to choose.”
“That’s sweet of you.”
“I don’t think I’ve been called sweet before.”
Niki only smiled, blushing a little.
“I’ll miss you,” he said quietly, bending to kiss her cheek before slipping out the door.
Niki stood in the same spot for a long time, her heart echoing his words. I’ll miss you too.
“What do we know about this man?” Gar demanded of his wife as soon as they were behind closed doors.
“Edward Steele?”
“Yes, Edward Steele! She clearly loves that man, and I would say he loves her in return.”
“Well, what’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing, as long as we know he’s worthy of her and the boys. Does he know the situation? Will he protect them?”
“Gar,” his wife said patiently. “He’s the one she met on ship. He’s the one who knew she was a woman dressed as a man.”
Gar looked affronted.
“No one ever tells me anything,” he said gruffly, ruthlessly pulling at the buttons on his shirt.
“I’m sorry.” Juliana was very contrite, even though she wanted to laugh. She expected Gar to turn and smile at her in complete forgiveness, but that didn’t happen. His agitated movements told her he was still upset.
“Gar.” Juliana called his name and waited.
Gar didn’t immediately turn to her. When he did, his face was not open and kind as it usually was. Juliana could not keep the concern from her voice.
“Edgar, what is it? What’s really troubling you?”
Gar looked her in the eye, betrayal covering every feature.
“If she marries this man, she won’t come back to us. I’ll not have the boys anymore.”
Juliana went and put her arms around him. She hugged him close and was hugged in return. After a moment, she stepped back to look at his face.
“This is going to happen. They’re very much in love, and I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before he asks her to marry him. But there are ways around this. We don’t have to live all year at Kendal. We can find a place closer to Collingbourne and spend part of our year here.”
The idea had not occurred to Gar. His features relaxed in comprehension, and he pulled his wife back into his arms. Juliana stood quietly and let him hold her for as long as he needed. She had known that he was missing the boys, but she’d not counted on the depth of Gar’s loss. She missed them too, but it was somehow different for Gar.
She didn’t know what the following days and weeks would look like, but knowing how her husband felt meant everything to her. She kissed him gently and told him not to worry anymore. Gar kissed her back and then held onto her almost fiercely. Juliana was certain that in his heart, he was really holding onto those two little boys.
Chapter Twenty-One
“You go to church?” Gar questioned Nik
i, not sure he’d heard her right.
“Yes, and because we’re going tomorrow morning, I wanted to make sure you knew you could join us.”
Her friends looked at her as she thought they might. She felt her courage draining and asked the Lord to remind her that eternity was at stake.
“You don’t have to come,” Niki felt she must add, “but I’d like it if you would.”
“Do the boys go with you?” Gar asked.
“Yes.”
“Why do you go, Niki?” Juliana spoke for the first time.
“Some time ago I made a decision to include God in my life. I believed in Him to save me, but I had not learned anything since. Then when I came here, my Aunt Mary and I began talking about spiritual issues. She’s helped me to see how much God has for me and how studying the Bible can change me.”
“Are you talking about Christianity?” Gar asked.
“Yes.”
“But I didn’t think that Christians could do the things you do.”
“Like what for instance?”
“Like going about dressed as a man and deceiving people.”
“I don’t have all the answers, Gar,” Niki admitted, hoping she wasn’t in over her head. “I’m not sure how I should have handled my situation. I know it’s my job to take care of my sons, but I don’t always know exactly what that looks like.”
“Gar wasn’t judging you, Niki,” Juliana felt she must put in.
“Of course not,” Gar said, wanting there to be no misunderstanding.
“I didn’t think that, Gar. You may ask me anything you wish.”
Gar looked at her and nodded. “I don’t have any questions right now, Niki. I’m not even sure why I said what I did.”
“Well, if you do, just ask me,” Niki replied, waiting. But her friends didn’t speak. “So will you come to church?” she prompted.
“No,” Gar said kindly but with finality. “It would be hypocrisy if I did. Juliana might wish to, but I’ve never felt a need for God, and I’m not going to pretend I do.”
Niki nodded, not at all surprised to hear this. He’d said, however, that Juliana could go.
“How about it, Juliana?” Niki asked. “Do you wish to join us?”
“I think I will,” the lady responded. “You’re certain you don’t mind, Gar?”
“Not at all,” he said, meaning it.
“All right then,” Juliana offered with a smile. “I’ll go with you in the morning, Niki.”
“We leave after breakfast,” Niki told her, glad that at least one of them was going.
“We’ve made a decision,” Gar suddenly said.
“About what?” Niki queried.
“On Monday we’ll be heading back to Kendal, but in the near future we’ll be looking for a second home in or near Collingbourne.”
Niki couldn’t help herself. She jumped to her feet and threw her arms about Gar, giving him a great hug before turning to Juliana. The women hugged for a long time.
“Well, Gar,” Juliana said, an arm still around Niki, “I think she likes the idea. You worried for nothing.”
Gar’s laughter filled the room. Niki and Juliana laughed with him. Juliana was just happy that they would not have to be separated again, at least not for long. Niki was happy because she never dreamed that God would do this. She had prayed for her friends and believed that God could reach them, but this idea had never come to mind.
With a final laugh, this one at herself, Niki found herself thankful that she wasn’t the one in charge.
Newcomb Park
Edward ate his meal without comment, but it wasn’t easy. Something was on Henry’s mind, but he wasn’t sharing. Edward could feel his gaze on him almost constantly, but when asked about it, Henry only shook his head and didn’t speak.
Edward knew that if he gave Henry enough time, he would spout, but in truth he wanted to get to Blackburn as soon as he could.
“How are you feeling about Niki these days?” Henry suddenly asked.
“How do you think I feel?”
“I think you’re in love with her.”
“You’re right, I am.”
“Then why have you not asked her to marry you?”
“The Lawtons have only just left, Henry. When have I been able to see Niki alone?”
Henry did not look understanding. Clearly he wanted the matter settled, and that was the end of it. Edward wanted to laugh but didn’t. Henry’s face was too serious to risk mirth.
“How will you go about it?” Henry asked.
Edward looked astonished.
“I can’t believe you asked me that.”
“Go ahead,” this new Henry demanded. “Tell me.”
Edward stared at him, not able to keep the smile from his face.
“I think you should go for a walk,” Henry went on. “Niki seems to like the out-of-doors.”
Unable to believe his ears, Edward sat back, his meal forgotten.
“Although if you do that and can’t find a place for Niki to sit, you’ll be far below her when you go down on one knee.”
“You think I should go down on one knee?”
In another uncharacteristic move, Henry rolled his eyes.
“What else would you do?”
“I could just ask her.”
Henry shook his head. “That won’t work at all. Years from now the children, especially your daughters, will want to know how you asked their mother to marry you. It’s got to be something memorable, something special.”
“Henry,” Edward said quietly, “I do believe you are a romantic.”
“You doubted?”
Edward’s head went back as he laughed. Henry had used his dry, almost sarcastic tone, and it never failed to be Edward’s undoing. Henry was smiling a little himself, but he was also serious.
“Are you going to Blackburn this morning?”
“Yes.”
“Do it today.”
The two brothers stared at each other.
“Why, Henry? Why today?”
“Don’t you want to?”
“Yes, but I want to know why you want it to be today.”
“Because it’s time. You’ve discussed every issue you can think of; your sisters adore her; you know you have my blessing; and on top of that, she needs you.”
Edward told himself to breathe deeply. Henry’s words had a strange effect on his heart. It was probably true that Niki did need him, but he also needed her—more than he could say.
“All right, Henry. I’ll see if I can talk to her today.”
“And you’ll make it special?”
Edward hid a smile. “If I can.”
Henry nodded in satisfaction and stood. He made his way down to Edward’s end of the table and placed a hand on his shoulder. He didn’t speak but looked down at his brother for several seconds, patted Edward’s shoulder, and exited the room.
Edward thought he could become very emotional just then but fought off the temptation. He had a special lady to see and a special question to ask. And only a short time to figure out a way in which to do it.
Blackburn Manor
Niki was in the small parlor when Edward arrived. Bertram took him directly there, and he slipped in quietly to find Niki sitting very still.
“Good morning,” he said, sitting on the sofa with her. “How are you?”
“I’m very well. How are you?”
Just happy to be near you, he thought, but said, “I’m well, thank you. Did the Lawtons get on their way?”
“Yes. It was so good to see them.”
“I certainly enjoyed meeting them. Gar is fascinating.”
“Yes, he is,” Niki said with a smile.
“Did Juliana say anything about the church service?”
“No, but they’ll be back, and maybe I can ask her about it then.”
Not until that moment did Edward see a letter in Niki’s lap.
“Have you had news?” Edward asked, indicating the paper.
Niki
’s smile was wry as she said, “Patrice is trying a new tactic.”
“How many letters does this make?”
“Well, let’s see.” Niki cocked her head a little. “The first letter threatened to get a lawyer, the second letter was contrite, so this would be the third.”
“What does she want this time?”
Niki’s eyes went back to the letter. She spoke as she scanned.
“I’m to contact the authorities and say it was all a mistake, that she would be no threat to anyone. She would then be free to move to England to be near the boys.”
“That’s quite a plan.”
“But that’s not the end of it. She would want me to live in London because she couldn’t possibly be made comfortable in a small town like Collingbourne. She’s sure I’ll understand.”
Edward had to laugh. The woman was remarkable. He’d never known such gall.
“What will you do?”
“Nothing right now. I hadn’t even answered her second letter, and now this has come.”
“You don’t want her living close, do you?”
“Positively not. The woman is a threat and can’t be trusted.”
“You’ll probably have to write that very thing to her.”
“She won’t like it,” Niki said ruefully.
“She’s made her choices.”
Niki nodded, her eyes on some distant spot. Edward studied her profile, smiling at what he saw. Niki suddenly felt his eyes on her and turned.
“I love you,” Edward said, not for the first time.
“I love you,” Niki told him, gladly giving her hand when he reached for it.
“Will you go for a walk with me?”
“Certainly.”
“Shall I tell the boys?”
Edward smiled.
“I think this time it might be nice to go on our own.”
Niki smiled, liking the sound of that and letting Denley know as they slipped outside on this warm June morning.
For a time they walked in silence, Blackburn’s flowers making the world smell like a garden. Edward tried to relax and enjoy it, but he felt almost tense, wishing that Henry had not been so vocal this morning. Suddenly Edward wanted to laugh. His brother was such a quiet, reserved man. Having him give instructions on how to propose had been nothing short of preposterous.