Chapter
13

An hour later, Hannah waved to her mother as Nolan clucked the horses into motion. Standing on the porch, her mother gave no response, probably due to the presence of her husband standing rigidly beside her. Hannah shivered. The years had not been kind to Robert Fielding. His brown hair, now mostly gray, along with his sun-wizened skin, gave him the look of a much older man. The perpetual scowl on his face and the thick brows that hovered over his sunken eyes did not help matters.

Seated between Nolan and Molly in the buggy, Hannah breathed a quiet prayer of thanks that matters had transpired so smoothly and that Molly was able to leave with a minimum of upheaval.

After witnessing her stepfather’s harsh reaction to their presence, Hannah had been relieved when Lord Stainsby asked the ladies to leave the men to discuss business alone. Whatever the earl had said to Mr. Fielding in private had finally persuaded him to let Molly leave with them. Perhaps a large sum of money had been involved. That seemed the only possible explanation to have changed her stepfather’s mind. No matter, Hannah was grateful to have Molly safely in her care and away from the dreaded Mr. Elliott.

As the horses lumbered down the road, Hannah fingered the piece of paper in her pocket, slipped to her by her mother upon parting. Mum had actually hugged her, thanked her for helping Molly, and whispered in Hannah’s ear, “If you ever find yourself in trouble, seek out Iris. She will help you.”

Hannah had a vague recollection of a tall, striking woman who’d visited them years ago, before her father died. As soon as Hannah got a moment of privacy, she would read the note and attempt to piece together the connection. Not that Hannah expected to contact the woman. She had to believe that Nolan was right and things would work out in their favor.

It was dark when the carriage pulled up to the Stainsby stables many hours later. Nolan helped Hannah and Molly alight.

“Why don’t you go inside and get Molly settled? We’ll talk later.” The intensity in his eyes made Hannah think there was an underlying message there. He moved a step closer and reached for her left hand. “Remember, we must keep our news to ourselves.” He slipped the metal band off her finger and pressed it to his lips. “I will keep this in a safe place until I can put it back on your finger myself.”

Hannah fought the disappointment that engulfed her as she stared at her now bare finger. With that small gesture, it felt like her marriage had come to an end. She lifted a silent, desperate prayer skyward that such would never be the case.

“Don’t forget,” he said to Molly, “your sister’s and my marriage must remain a secret for now.”

“I won’t.” Molly threw her arms around Nolan in an enthusiastic hug. “Thank you, Nolan. You saved my life.”

Nolan broke out the first real smile Hannah had seen since they had found the earl at her stepfather’s farm. “Welcome to Stainsby Hall, Miss Molly. I hope you’ll be happy here.”

“I’m sure I will.” With the enviable optimism of youth, Molly linked arms with Hannah.

Although she wasn’t entirely comfortable with how things had turned out, having Molly here with her lifted a huge burden from Hannah’s spirit. “Thank you, Nolan. I’ll see you later, I hope.”

He nodded, a shadow of regret in his eyes. “I need to see to these horses.” With that, he turned to open the stable doors.

Hannah let out a small sigh, wishing she was bold enough to give her new husband a kiss right out in the open. It felt too long since they had shared even that small intimacy. Maybe Nolan could sneak up to her room tonight once everyone was asleep. She allowed herself a thrill of anticipation, thinking of the possibility that they would surely share more than a kiss. Perhaps she’d suggest a midnight tryst when she saw him later.

Hannah led Molly into the kitchen through the servants’ entrance.

Mrs. Bridges looked up from the sink, gave a strangled cry, and bustled over to envelop Hannah in a smothering hug.

“My dear girl, you have no idea how worried I’ve been.” She dabbed her apron to her eyes, about to launch into a further explanation when she stopped. “And who do we have here?”

Hannah draped an arm around Molly’s slim shoulders and pulled her forward. “This is my sister. Molly, this is Mrs. Bridges, the head cook and your new supervisor.”

“This is wee Molly? Why, you’re a young lady now.”

Molly giggled and dropped a half curtsy. “Hello, Mrs. Bridges.”

Edna peered over her half-spectacles. “Did you say Molly is working here now?”

“Yes, the earl has given her a position as scullery maid.”

Edna’s brows rose. She gave Hannah a knowing stare. “He has? Well, you’ll have to tell me how all this came about. But first you can show Molly to her room. Miss Hatterley will tell you which one she can take.”

Hannah’s smile faded. How would she explain Molly’s being here? The thought of not being able to tell Edna the whole story didn’t sit well. “Yes. We’ll talk later.”

“Count on it, miss.” Edna gave her a stern stare, then looked pointedly at Hannah’s left hand as though she could see an imprint of the ring that had been there.

With a blush heating her cheeks, Hannah turned away to usher Molly up the stairs.

Through the ever-present gossip mill, Hannah soon heard various servants discussing the fact the earl had given Nolan a whole suite of rooms on the second floor. Of course, the other maids had been quick to tell Hannah how flabbergasted everyone had been that one of their own had risen to new standing as the earl’s son. The girls’ inane chatter only increased Hannah’s unease at the huge secret she kept.

Now, while helping Edna with the evening chores, Hannah braced for the woman’s inevitable questions, praying she could find a way to explain how Nolan and Lord Stainsby had ended up at her mother’s farm.

“You two ran off together, didn’t you?” Edna’s question jarred Hannah from her thoughts. “That’s why his lordship had me tell him where Ann lived. What other reason could there be?” The woman fisted a hand on her ample waist.

Hannah kept her focus on the dish in her hand. “Before Mrs. Price took ill, Nolan promised to help me get Molly away from our stepfather and his marriage schemes. When the earl realized we were both gone, he jumped to a different conclusion about our absence.” There, not quite a lie. The truth cloaked in innuendo.

“I still don’t understand how Molly came to be here.” Edna swished the water in the sink.

“Nolan agreed to come back and take his position as the earl’s son if his lordship gave Molly a position here.”

Edna gave her a suspicious look. “That doesn’t explain where you both were for two days before the earl left.”

“I’m sorry. I really can’t talk about that.” Heat flooded Hannah’s neck and cheeks. She ducked to place a bowl in a low cupboard.

Deafening silence filled the kitchen.

“Excuse me,” Edna said stiffly. “I need to check the larder for tomorrow’s meals.” She shuffled toward the back door, leaving Hannah with a bucket load of guilt. She’d hurt the only person other than Nolan who’d ever cared about her well-being.

Forgive me, Edna. I promise to make it up to you one day.

Molly came into the kitchen, her apron filled with potatoes. “What’s the matter with Mrs. Bridges? She about bit my head off.” Molly dumped the vegetables into a large wooden bowl on the table.

“She’s just tired. She’ll be in better humor tomorrow. Come and help me finish up here.”

The evening shadows shrouded the room as she and Molly washed the remaining dishes. Molly seemed to sense Hannah’s need for quiet, and they worked in silence.

A few minutes later, the sound of heavy boot steps descending the back staircase had Hannah’s heart racing. She turned to see Nolan’s broad shoulders filling the opening from the stairs.

Her hands fluttered to her apron. “Nolan. How are you? Have you eaten?” They’d arrived past the supper hour, but Mrs. Bridges had given her and Molly some bread and cheese.

“Yes. I ate with my . . . with the earl.” He nodded in Molly’s direction and gave her a smile. “How are you settling in, Molly?”

“Very well, thank you.”

“I’m glad.” He gave her a distracted smile, then turned to Hannah. “May I have a word with you in private?”

Was it her imagination, or did he already sound different? More like an upper-class gentleman than a servant? “Of course.” She untied the apron and pulled it off. Anticipation quickened her pulse.

“Let’s talk outside.” He moved to the back entrance and held the door for her.

Hannah’s stomach dipped at the grim line of his mouth and the tension in his shoulders. Gone were his easy grin and the teasing glint in his eyes.

She stepped out into the cool night air and followed him to a wooden bench beside the door. He gestured for her to sit.

“Nolan, has the earl done something to upset you?” She searched his face for a clue to his odd mood.

He reached over to take one of her hands in his. The warmth of his fingers helped ease the chill that had invaded her heart. “No more than usual. I wanted to see how you were faring with Edna. Did she question you?”

“Of course she did. I told her you were helping me with Molly, and that the earl jumped to a wrong conclusion.” She sighed. “I fear I hurt her feelings when I wouldn’t explain further.”

“I’m sorry. I know this is difficult for you.”

“I’ll manage.” She smiled. “Knowing Molly is safe and happy more than makes up for it.”

His callused thumb rubbed circles over her palm. “This isn’t how we planned to start our married life, and I’m truly sorry for that. But I do feel an obligation to try to get to know my father.” He tipped her chin up to look into her eyes. “Giving Edward this one concession will work in our favor. It will give him time to adjust to our marriage, and perhaps if we cooperate with him, he will do the same for us.”

It was only natural that Nolan would want to forge some sort of relationship with his father. Hannah could never deny him that. She gave his fingers a squeeze. “I understand. I can surely wait four weeks to resume our marriage. It’s the least I can do after all you’ve done for Molly.”

“Thank you, Hannah.” He heaved out a great gust of air. “You have no idea how much I hate having to be apart from you. Please do not doubt my feelings. Nothing has changed that.”

His arms came around her then, and he pulled her tight to his chest.

Her heart thrilled as his lips came down on hers in a lingering kiss.

“Oh, Nolan.” She raised a hand to his jaw, the stubble pricking her palm. “I will miss you, now that I’ve gotten used to sharing”—she flushed—“so much time with you.”

“So will I, my love,” he said in a husky voice. “But it won’t be for long. I promise.”

Hannah prayed he was right. “When will I see you again?”

“I’ll try to meet you at the elm tree for your afternoon break. Maybe we can steal a few moments together then.” He kissed her again. “For now, I’m afraid that will have to do.”