Chapter Twenty-Five
They spent two days at Ridlington Chase, although Hecate had expected to spend only one night with her family. Finn reassured her that all would be well and that the extra day was a chance to meet the little boy that Hugh had become and to cuddle Helen…they grew so fast that she knew her nephew and niece would change drastically before she had chance to see them once more.
And so she set aside her concerns and played Aunt Hecate, the lady who sat and laughed with them, petted the dog—whose name turned out to be Wellington—and generally enjoyed herself.
Rosaline was thrilled to have company, because although she was quite blunt about her devotion to her family, she admitted it was nice to have someone different to talk to for a bit.
Hecate told her about Richard and Cressida and the imminent arrival of the twins.
“And you’re sure all will be well?” Rosaline’s forehead was creased with worry. “I mean two babies at once? God knows one is hard enough…”
Hecate smiled. “Cressy is a strong and capable young woman, not only in mind but also in body. She will give birth without any troubles, Rosaline. I would have known had it been otherwise.”
“Well…yes, if you say so.”
“I do,” emphasized Hecate. “But I love that you worry about all of us. Doesn’t Edmund keep you busy enough?”
That made Rosaline laugh. “Everything keeps me busy, without a doubt. But you know family is family.
Hecate sighed. “Yes, and isn’t it wonderful? What Edmund said about us finding the right way a bit later than expected…that was so true. We might all have become horridly nasty people, Rosaline, given the way our father lived and treated us.” She looked at the other woman. “I think you may have put our footsteps on the right path.”
“Me? Oh no, I don’t think so.”
“Don’t dismiss your impact on us. There we were, free at last from the burden of the old Baron. That was the time when we discovered we could actually live our lives without that shadow hanging over us. It could have been a disaster. But what happened? You marched in, took over control of everything and showed us what the word family really meant. And Edmund…well, we could all see what was happening. How he was changing with you as his wife.”
Rosaline leaned over and hugged her. “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me, Hecate. I wouldn’t have looked at it that way, myself, but thank you. Thank you so much.” She sniffled, wiping away a tear or two. “Oh dear. This will never do.”
Edmund walked in, rolled his eyes at the two of them and paused. “Should I leave? Let you two weep for a bit?”
“Silly brother.” Hecate laughed at him. “I’m trying to persuade Rosaline that she is the most amazing sister-in-law I could ever wish for, and she got emotional.”
Edmund’s brows moved together in a frown. “She’s been like that a lot recently…” his voice tapered away as he stared fixedly at his wife.
“Um…” Rosaline blushed.
“Aha.” Edmund’s exclamation made Hecate jump. “And just when were you planning on telling me, Madam?” He was the picture of outraged fatherhood.
Rosaline’s chin went up. “When I was ready.” She returned his glare. “And that wasn’t supposed to be yet, because I’m not absolutely sure…”
Hecate reached over and rested her hand on Rosaline’s stomach. She closed her eyes and opened the door in her mind. And yes…there it was. Movement, energy—not Rosaline’s, but of Rosaline—the faintest sound of a change beginning.
She moved away, aware that she had both pairs of eyes glued to her face.
All she had to do was nod.
“Oh God,” Edmund stumbled in his haste to reach his wife. “Oh God, Rosaline…really?”
“Yes,” she swallowed. “I would say it’s just been confirmed…” She looked at Hecate. “Is it…”
“Very early,” answered Hecate. “But as of now, all is well.”
“Could we wait a little to mention this, Edmund?” Rosaline clung to his hand as he knelt by her chair. “I’d rather hold off on the announcement for now. Let’s just keep it between us? For another month or so? Christmas would be a wonderful time to tell the family.”
Edmund kissed her cheek. “As you wish, love. It won’t be easy, but I’ll do my best.”
“As will I,” said Hecate, as she rose from her chair. “I must go and find Finn. Since we’re off to London tomorrow, I expect he’s sorting out the details of our trip.”
Her smile broadened as she left the room, thrilled to her toenails that another niece or nephew was on the way. Good Lord, the Ridlingtons were a prolific family. Hugh, Helen, Margaret, and probably Richard’s twins any day now. Five new additions, five links to the future. And now a sixth.
Hecate spared a moment to wonder if or when her turn might come. She had avoided even considering the notion for most of her life, since she was haunted by the loneliness of her own childhood, and the fear she would not know how to be a mother. Then she found Finn, and he looked up with a smile that made her heart dance. She didn’t have to worry about being a parent—because she wouldn’t be handling such matters on her own.
*~~*~~*
Later that afternoon, Edmund and Finn found themselves alone in one of Ridlington’s many rooms, this one containing a rather manly set of leather chairs, a chessboard, and plenty of books that might well amuse a gentleman seeking to enjoy some solitary time.
“Edmund.” Finn looked at the other man. “It has occurred to me that I have been remiss in one duty that I should have performed as soon as we got here.”
Edmund watched him carefully. “Oh?”
“Shall we sit?”
“All right.”
Finn cleared his throat. “As head of the Ridlington family, it is only correct that I apply to you for permission to wed Hecate. My circumstances are limited at best, and I will freely admit I don’t have the resources to support her at this time. But I have a brain in my head and I can work. I will devote my life to keeping her happy and comfortable. I’m not sure how yet, since I’ve been a soldier as long as I can remember. But I’ll do anything in the world for that woman.” He paused. “So there it is. That’s why I’m asking your permission, sir.”
There was dead silence for a few moments, which Finn found a bit disconcerting.
Then he saw Edmund’s mouth begin to curve upward, and moments later the Baron was curled up in his chair almost howling with laughter.
“What?” asked Finn, frowning. “What on earth did I say that was so funny? You expected this, Edmund. You told me yourself that it looked as though I was going to be family…”
Edmund laughed even more.
Finn sighed, stood and ambled over to the side of the room where a small rolling stand held what looked like a snifter of whiskey. He poured two healthy glasses and returned to Edmund, who was down to a low chuckle and a hiccup.
“Drink this.” He held out one of the glasses.
Edmund accepted it, they clinked in a toast and both men took a hefty swallow.
Finn coughed. “By God, that’s strong stuff.” He stared at the glass, realising it was some kind of rum instead of the whiskey he'd been expecting.
“You’ll need it if you’re planning on marrying Hecate,” smirked Edmund, stretching his legs out in front of him and crossing them at the ankles. "And yes, it's real rum. The sort real sailors drink."
Finn sat. “So does this mean you grant your permission? Do we have your blessing?”
“Good lord, man. Do you have any idea what Hecate would have done to me if I’d refused?” He shook his head and chuckled. “That’s what made me laugh. She might not have turned me into a toad, but I wouldn’t even bet against that.” He took another drink. “D’you know, when she was very young, she discovered she could make us all itch?”
“What?” Finn gaped at the other man. “Itch?”
Edmund nodded. “I believe she was barely four years old, but if she was upset or irritated, all of a sudden we were the sufferers, punished for whatever we’d done that had made her angry.” He shrugged. “And yes, we did tease her. She was the youngest.”
“But…itch?”
“The nurse spent hours trying to understand why five of her charges had suddenly been afflicted with rashes. Ones that disappeared early in the evening. Which was, of course, when Hecate went to bed.”
“I had no idea…” said Finn.
“That’s why I laughed. Firstly, at the thought of what revenge she would exact on me—it would be unbearable so of course you have my blessings, and secondly at the memory of our nurse’s face when she saw our matching rashes.”
“She is quite something, isn’t she?” Finn allowed himself a grin.
Edmund nodded and put his glass aside. “She is unique. One of a kind. She used to be an innocent but that bastard ripped her that away from her. She suffered too, more than any of us could imagine. But to our surprise, she emerged from that experience not changed…just more mature.”
“No more itches?”
The Baron grinned. “No more itches. But the gifts are still there, Finn. You’re going to marry a woman the likes of which you’ll not find anywhere else, or possibly even in this lifetime. Do you understand that?”
“I do, Edmund. I could not love Hecate the way I do if I didn’t accept that unusual part of who she is. I may never fully comprehend it, but I am not afraid of it. She saved my life with it. Did she tell you that?”
Edmund shook his head. “No. She hasn’t mentioned it at all.”
Finn finished his whiskey. “I was dying. Wait, let me correct that. I was not only dying, I was ready to let it happen. The circumstances are hazy, but that night, when I had prayed to God to take me and end it all, she came to me in some strange way, taking my hand, talking to me and telling me it wasn’t time for me to leave.” He stared at the empty glass in his hand, turning it around, wondering how to explain the inexplicable.
“Go on,” encouraged Edmund.
“To this day I do not know how or where, but her voice, her words…it was enough to draw me back down into my body. I thought it was an angel talking to me.” He looked up and smiled. “Now, I’m sure it was.”
“You’ll take care of her?”
“Always.” Finn sighed. “And before you ask, I will love her until at least five minutes after I’m dead.”
“A brother could not ask for more than that from the man who will marry his sister.” Edmund stood and held out his hand. “Welcome to the family, Finn Casey.”
They shook, Finn with the sensation of a large weight lifted off his shoulders, and Edmund with a warm smile.
“One thing, Finn.” Edmund crossed the room to a small bureau and opened the drawer, returning to his seat with a small box. “This belonged to Hecate’s mother. Rosaline found it a few months ago, and we’ve kept it until she returned. I think now would be a good time to give it to her, and I think you would be the right person to do so.”
Finn took the box and opened it. Inside was a ring, but not just any ring. The stone was almost square with slightly rounded corners, a good size, and the deepest blue-green shade he’d ever seen. “How…magnificent,” he breathed, staring at it. “It’s like her eyes.”
“Hecate’s? Yes, I suppose it is,” replied Edmund.
“No, I meant Moira’s.”
Edmund frowned. “Moira? Hecate’s mother? You knew her?”
“She came to look after us when I was a wee thing.” Finn smiled as Edmund’s jaw dropped. “I could never forget Miss Moira’s eyes.”
Edmund simply stared. “Rosaline will never believe this.”