Chapter 37
After purchasing a small gig later that morning, they headed for home, taking their time, talking, laughing, and stopping for meals along the way. They spent the night in the best inn they could find and made love again as if they might be separated at any moment, their vows to one another endless and sincere. Nothing would come between them again.
Late in the day, Drew drove the rig up in front of the manor. No sooner had he stepped down, handed the reins to the stable boy, and turned to help Marianne out than the front door swung open.
“Papa! Mama!” Andrea, a smile on her face as bright as the sun, headed toward them but, before she could run down the stairs, her grandmama swept the child into her arms.
“Let’s go down the steps together, little one. It would not do for you to fall on such an important day.” Margaret started down the steps quickly followed by her husband, George.
Drew set Marianne’s feet upon the ground just in time for her mother and daughter to crush his wife with hugs. Moments later he, too, received the same level of attention.
George hugged and kissed Marianne then turned to him with hand outstretched. “Thank you, my boy, for bringing my daughter back safe and sound. I can never repay you or thank you enough.”
After a firm hand shake, Drew replied, “No need, sir. She’s my wife and there’s no doubt I would have traveled to the ends of the earth to find her and bring her home. But tell me, how did you get here? Is Chase back?”
The small happy group turned to the house and headed up the stairs as his father-in-law explained. “Chase stopped by our house on his way out of London and told us of the misadventures taking place with that scoundrel Robert Gentilly. Margaret and I could hardly believe it. The nerve of the man. He is no gentleman, my lord.”
“No, he is not. But we should have no need to worry further of him now as we left him aboard the ship and he should be well out to sea. Have you heard from Chase?”
Wellingford stood at the open door to greet them. “We are most happy to have you and your ladyship home safely, my lord. Chef Jacques has prepared a fine dinner and you are just in time to enjoy it if all of you would retire to the dining room.”
Drew couldn’t control himself. He smiled broadly and slapped the staid butler on the back. “It truly is good to be home. And I’m as relieved as you to have the countess back under our roof. Thank you for looking after her parents in the interim.”
“My pleasure, my lord.” Wellingford closed the door behind them.
Jane descended the main staircase. “So glad to see you, my lady, your lordship. We were so very worried. I do hope there will be no serious repercussions and that you are both well.” She reached the foyer and approached. “I’ll take Lady Andrea, my lady.”
“No, Mama! No, Papa! I stay!” Andrea clasped her little arms even more tightly around her mother’s neck, as if fearing some unseen force would abscond with her once again.
Marianne hugged her daughter close. “I think she shall dine with us this evening, Jane. Why don’t we bring her up after our meal? His lordship and I have missed her terribly.”
“As you wish, my lady. Practice at the dinner table is an excellent lesson.” Jane gave a pert curtsy, then retired through the baize door.
Wellingford led the way to the dining room and, after getting each of them comfortably settled into the appropriate chair, left to supervise the serving of the meal.
Throughout dinner, Marianne and Drew explained all that had happened, what Gentilly had done, how Drew had found them, and any other tidbits that might entertain but also soothe Margaret and George’s sensibilities; obviously, they were still shaken. Margaret sat next to her daughter and kept reaching over to squeeze her hand as if to make sure she was really there.
Andrea, on her best behavior, evidently realized what a very special treat it was to eat with the adults. But, still, her curiosity seemed to know no bounds and would not be held at bay. “Was it a big boat, mama?”
Marianne glanced over to her. “Quite big, little one. It had one main large white sail and was filled with sailors to take it on its way.”
“I want to go on a big ship someday. Papa, will you take me? Please?” Andrea looked over to her father as if he could drag the moon and the stars out of the sky if she wished it so.
“Well, little one, we’ll have to wait until you get older but we can take a sea voyage if mama wants us to. For now, you best finish your dinner so we can have dessert and Jane can take you up for a bedtime story. It’s getting very late, you know.”
“I know, Papa.” She dug into the remnants of her meal.
Dessert was just being served when the door flew open and Chase ran in. Without hesitation, he strode over to Marianne and extracted her from her chair, wrapping his arms around her in a warm embrace. “I thought I’d lost you. There were practically no ships in Liverpool. They’d left only a day or two before I arrived. I thought Drew and I would soon be searching the seven seas. I came back expecting we’d be making arrangements for the next part of our quest. Thank God you’re all right.”
Waving to Wellingford who had hurried in after his brother-in-law, Drew said, “I’ll wager you’ve not eaten in at least twelve hours, maybe longer.”
Wellingford nodded and with his usual instant understanding went to fetch a plate and utensils for the new arrival.
“Chase, I can’t breathe.” Marianne gently pushed her brother away. “I’m fine. Drew found me and extracted me from the clutches of that evil man. How could I not recognize the terrible and vindictive side of Robert? I am so happy it’s all over.”
Chase let her go and settled in front of the newly placed table setting Wellingford laid out. “Well, I do believe it surprised all of us a great deal. I never would have thought he’d have it in him. He seemed like such a milksop and namby-pamby. But at least it’s over. We can all recuperate and get on with our lives.”
George finally chimed in. “I guess we should be heading back to London. We could probably be ready day after tomorrow.”
It was Marianne who took Margaret’s hand this time. “Why don’t you stay for a while? There is an endless amount of room.” She turned to Andrea. “Shall we have Grandmama and Grandpapa stay?”
Andrea lit up with the pleasure of being part of the adult conversation. She would not miss the chance to share her opinion. “Yes. Yes! Stay. Please stay. We’ll play in the garden and have tea and . . .”
Margaret laughed. “Well, who could resist such a heartfelt and charming invitation? I guess it would not hurt to stay for a week or two. What say you, George? Chase, is anything, or anyone, calling you back to town?” She gave her son a sly look.
George patted his mouth with his napkin before answering his wife. “I believe the business is under control, my dear. We can remain if you so desire.”
Chase, very busy catching up on the meal’s courses, had made it through the soup but now tucked into the main dish. “I’ve no commitments and I wouldn’t mind tasting a few more of Chef Jacques’s dishes and desserts.” He looked hopefully over to Wellingford who, standing officiously by the door to the kitchen and pantry, nodded in acknowledgement.
“It’s settled.” Drew raised his glass of wine for a toast. “To family. Thank God we are together again.”
Andrea raised her cup of milk. “To famly!”
Everyone laughed then sipped their drinks.
The door next to Wellingford swung wide. The butler caught it as Chef Jacques made a decorous entrance. Carrying a tray with one large straight sided bowl on it, he placed it next to Drew. “Milord, soufflé au chocolat. Tres magnifique!”
As the ensemble drew in a breath, Chase said, “Am I glad I’m staying.”
“Me first!” Andrea waved her little hands in the air, the big pink bow in her hair flopping from side to side.
“Little one.” Marianne turned to her. “Manners. We must have manners.”
Properly reprimanded, Andrea pouted briefly before she tried again. “Me first. Please!” She beamed as if she had deciphered the Rosetta Stone.
Everyone, including Chef Jacques, laughed. With seeming delight, he punctured the confection and, after it deflated, served everyone a healthy portion making sure Lady Andrea received the very first slice.