Chapter Twenty-Two
The plans were made, the route they would take was carefully mapped out, and all the associated details had been finalized.
Hecate and Finn were ready to embark on their trip, having sent a message to Richard and Cressida to expect them within a few days.
Finn found himself unusually nervous at the thought of meeting Hecate’s family, but at least Richard was a known quantity, so he was going to begin with the easiest part of it all. And he blessed the brief glimpses of a wintery sun that shone intermittently on the morning of their departure.
Dal, Augusta, Winnie and Frank had gathered on the front steps to see them off in the travelling carriage that would take them to Branscombe Magna. From there they would procure another one for the next leg of their journey—to Ridlington Chase.
“You’re sure you have everything, Hecate?” Augusta looked concerned. “You don’t have many bags…”
Hecate grinned. “I don’t need many bags. Just the basics for me. This isn’t an extended round of winter visits, Augusta. My family knows me well enough not to care about the number of my dresses, and we shouldn’t be in London for too long.”
“Well, if you’re sure…” Augusta gave her a hug. “Thank you, Hecate.”
“For what?” Hecate blinked in surprise.
“For giving me a life that I never hoped to have. You may not realise it, but you helped me step out of the person I was, and into the person I should have been. I can never thank you enough for that.”
“You did it yourself, Augusta.” Hecate shot a quick glance at Dal as he buckled the final straps over the bags on the back of the carriage. “Don’t stop now. You’ve found your heart. Follow it.”
“I will,” grinned the older woman. “I certainly will.”
“We’re ready,” called Finn, holding the carriage door open.
Hecate went down the steps to Dal’s side, briefly touching his arm. “I will miss my companion. But I shall be content knowing that he has all that I care about in his charge.” She looked up to the top of the steps, where Bub had come out to sit tall and enigmatically next to Augusta.
“There they are, Dal. My house, my cat and everyone in it is now under your control.”
“I shall attempt to keep it all in good heart, Miss Hecate.”
“Keep yourself in good heart too, Dal. You might even share a little of your heart. I believe it would be welcomed.”
“I will keep that thought in mind. Please take care of yourself and come back to us soon.”
She moved to the carriage and let Finn help her inside, following her to sit opposite as soon as she was settled. Dal closed the door, and she reached out once again to lay her hand on his where it rested on the rim of the window. “Stay well, my dearest friend. We will send word if we can.”
Dal nodded, his eyes dark and filled with emotion. “Safe travels.” He stepped back and nodded at the driver.
And they were off.
Hecate was surprised that tears filled her eyes as they drove away from Doireann Vale.
“It’s difficult, isn’t it? Leaving one’s home and those one loves…” Finn reached out and touched her knee.
She nodded. “Yes. It’s the first time Dal and I have been apart in an age. He was there when I recovered consciousness from the accident and he’s been there for me ever since.”
“A truly good man,” observed Finn.
“All that and more.”
She took a breath and looked out the window at the bare countryside, dappled here and there with mounds of snow that hadn’t quite had enough sun to melt them.
“We will be back before Christmas, Hecate.” Finn spoke firmly. “I promise we’ll be here for Christmas.”
“I would like that,” she mused. “Our first Christmas together. As a family. Of sorts.” She grinned at him. “Bub isn’t much fond of all the fuss…” Her breath caught. “Oh lord, I shall miss him too…”
Finn slid from his seat to snuggle in beside her. “We can turn back…”
She shook her head. “No. We have a task to accomplish.” Turning to Finn, she met his gaze with determination. “There’s a serious wrong that only we can right. I know this course of ours is what we need to pursue, Finn. All my instincts, all my senses are saying yes. We have to show the world what Faversill is, and fix what he has done to the Marchville family.”
“If you’re sure,” murmured Finn.
“I’m sure,” she affirmed, leaning her head on his shoulder. “I am now beginning to wonder what Richard will say when he hears our news.”
“Uh…” Finn gulped. He had no idea either.
*~~*~~*
“You’re what?”
The squawk of surprise seemed to shock everyone, including the one who had uttered it, just moments after seating his guests in the parlour and offering them tea.
“They said they were engaged to wed, Richard. Did you hear them incorrectly?” Mrs. Cressida Ridlington carefully maneuvered her overlarge belly onto an upholstered chair and stared at her husband.
“But…but…” Richard stuttered.
Hecate couldn’t help a giggle, and Cressida shook her head on a sigh.
“Forgive my husband. He’s usually the most articulate of men. But recently his conversation seems to have descended to much simpler levels.”
“Don’t give me that look, Richard, you bas… devil.” Finn hastily amended his language. “I am tail over teakettle in love with your sister.” He glared across the table. “So there it is. I’ll make her the best husband you can imagine, so don’t go acting like an outraged father on me.”
“Don’t worry, Finn dear.” Hecate soothed him. “Richard is only practicing his parental outrage.” She glanced at Cressida. “He’s only a few weeks away from being a father. Of two babies.” She lifted her chin. “Which, brother mine, I believe I tried to tell you about eight months ago. But would you believe me? Of course not.” She smirked.
Richard dropped into a chair. “Well…this has just taken me completely by surprise. First twins. Then Finn…Finn Casey of all people, arrives at my front door with my baby sister and announces he’s going to marry her. And the twins…” He ran his hand through his hair. “I’m not sure I’ll survive all this.”
A small furry bundle rushed into the room, sniffed its way around everyone’s feet and ended up sitting on Hecate’s lap. “Hello Zizi, sweetheart.” A few scratches in the right place from clever fingers, and Zizi panted happily as she stretched out over Hecate’s knees.
“And where’s Dal, I’d like to know?” Richard found his second wind. “Shouldn’t he be here looking after you? And where’s your cane…and…oh God, Hecate. Married? You? You’re too young…” He all but moaned as his shoulders sagged.
Cressida rolled her eyes. “He’ll be done in a minute.”
Finn took a tart and munched appreciatively. “We can wait. We may need more tarts…”
Hecate sipped her tea.
“I’m trying to be the voice of reason here, you know.” Richard frowned. “And yet what do I get? Mocked. You mock my attempts to guide you along the proper path.” He tried to summon up a glare for Hecate, but failed. “Then again, you always did, so I suppose nothing’s really changed. Except now you’re going to marry a damned fine fellow.”
He stood, crossed the room and shook hands with Finn, then returned to his seat. “Take care of her or I will personally eviscerate you and wear your guts for garters.”
“Is that a blessing?” Finn quirked an eyebrow at Hecate.
“It’s as close as we’re going to get, I think,” she grinned back. Then turned to Richard and Cressida. “Now. Can we tell you why we’re travelling? Why we need to get to London?”
“Please do,” said Cressida. “I cannot wait to hear this tale. It must be something quite important to drag you both halfway across England at this time of year.”
Finn sobered. “It is. And what I’m about to tell you must remain confidential, if you please. At least until we’ve accomplished our goal.”
An hour later, both Richard and Cressida were aghast at the tale Finn had related.
“I’d heard something about that Prussian mess. I’d love to know which idiot was to blame for that,” growled Richard. “I’ll wager heads rolled in the aftermath. Thank God you weren’t involved, Finn.”
“I was involved in too much of it, my friend. Colour Sergeant or not, I fought alongside so many brave lads that day. Only the Lord knows why I was spared when so many others fell.”
Hecate touched his arm in sympathy. “We cannot continue to re-fight the battle, Finn. Our job now is to bring a criminal to justice.”
“She’s right,” sighed Cressida. “But all the same…”
“Yes, all the same…” Richard closed his eyes.
Waterloo had touched almost everyone in England in one way or another. Hecate realised the truth of that statement as silence fell.
Finally, Richard stood. “You’ll stay the night?”
“If we may,” nodded Hecate. “But just the night. We’d like to reach Ridlington as soon as maybe, and then to London.”
“How are you going to make Faversill confess?” Cressida looked at both Finn and Hecate. “I can’t imagine he’s the sort of man who would just stand up and say oh, gosh, yes, I did actually shoot Marchville in the back. You don’t mind, do you?”
Hecate couldn’t help a chuckle at Cressida’s dry tone. “No, we’re not expecting him to do that. Both Finn and I have some thoughts on how to encourage him to confess to his crimes. Finn is all for using the basic method…”
“Fists and feet?” Richard lifted an eyebrow.
“More or less,” Finn grinned back.
“I might be thinking along slightly different lines, however.” Hecate narrowed her eyes, focusing inward for a few moments. “But the plan isn’t quite solidified in my head yet.”
Richard and Finn exchanged glances.
“She’s at her most dangerous when she gets that look, you know…” Richard warned.
“Or her most intriguing,” responded Finn.
Cressida chuckled, and then groaned as she pushed herself out of the chair. “And that’s why these two will have a very happy marriage.” She glanced at Richard. “I have to excuse myself. Quickly. Where’s the damn chamber pot?”
*~~*~~*
That night, Hecate rose from her bed. Finn was next door, since Richard completely refused to countenance them sharing a chamber, no matter what the status of their impending union. She was alone.
Although she missed Finn dreadfully, her solitude did give her a chance to think more about the idea germinating in her mind.
Moving to the fireplace and putting another log on the embers, she sat in the chair on one side and quietly cleared her mind of all extraneous thoughts as the wood caught and flames brightened the room.
The night was still and silent, the air comfortable and her body calm; her breathing slow and regular as she drifted into that ‘other’ place within.
A foot rest lay near the hearth, something embroidered with flowers, as befitted a lady’s chamber.
Hecate stared at it, focused on it and imagined something else entirely.
Moments later, a vase of roses stood where the foot rest had been. And a few more moments after that…the foot rest returned to its former position.
Hecate trembled, swayed a little, and took a deep breath, trying to calm her shaking hands.
She was drained, but elated at the same time. She'd proved one very important thing.
Her plan could work.