He laughed and stroked her hair, leaning in to kiss her.
After luncheon, they decided to take a ride to Westmore. Lady Raymonde had settled in well, and they left her in the parlor with coffee and Lady Hartfield as they took a ride to visit Emilia and Luke.
“When Luke hears about what has happened, he’ll know how to proceed,” Hal said, turning in the saddle to face her. “He’ll not let him get away with this.”
“No, he won’t,” Hestony agreed. “I’ll be so pleased to see Emilia again, too. I wonder how she is?” Emilia would be a month closer to having her child. Hestony felt a tingle of excitement for her, mixed with a stab of worry.
“I’m sure she’s well,” Hal replied, sensing her concern.
When they arrived, Hestony went upstairs to the parlor with Emilia, leaving Hal in the study to discuss matters with Luke. When he came out, he looked at peace. Hestony stood as he entered the parlor, itching to hear what he had to say.
“Cousin Emilia.” Hal bowed to Emilia with a friendly smile. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to borrow Madam Hestony a moment?”
“Yes, of course,” Emilia replied. “Congratulations.”
Hestony felt joy flow through her as Emilia grinned at them both. Her reaction of wonder had been priceless when Hestony told her. It was a surprise that her mother had revealed nothing to Emilia, giving her the chance to deliver the news. Then she’d burst into tears, kissing and congratulating her. Hestony could not have asked for a truer friend, or a better reaction.
Hestony hurried to follow Hal out to the garden. When they were there, he turned around to kiss her.
“Oh Hestony! It couldn’t be better news.”
“What happened?”
“Lord Osburne has left town. Nobody knows where he’s gone, but my father returned yesterday and he brought this to Luke. He found it on the doormat.”
“What is it?” Hestony asked. She took the paper from Hal and read it. Her eyes widened.
“He’s given it back?” she asked, staring at Hal.
“All of it,” Hal nodded. “Your money, and mine. All he asks in return is that we promise never to approach the authorities and tell of what he has done. Nor to try and find him.”
“He means it?” Hestony asked nervously.
“It would be worth his while,” Hal said slowly. “I can’t imagine he’d lie. We’ll wait a week to confirm the news with Mr. Lewis and with my accountant, too. Though I still feel this is too good for him.” His face hardened.
Hestony nodded slowly. “We will wait. But, Hal…”
He sighed. “I know. It’s not my place to wish him dead for what he did to you, though I have to admit, I’d relish at least fighting him in a fair fight.” His expression darkened.
“I understand,” Hestony murmured. “I feel that mayhap, matters will resolve themselves. A gentleman such as he is will not live a good life…all that hate and suspicion can bring no good to anyone.”
“I suppose so,” Hal agreed, though she could see he was halfhearted. She knew he’d long to take his own revenge, no matter how clear it was for her that Lord Osburne would make his own downfall.
A week went by, and they waited for the reply from London. Ten days later, a note arrived. It was from Mr. Lewis, addressed to Hestony.
“To the Honorable Mrs. Ellington,” she recited. “It has come to my notice that a sum of money has been deposited in your accounts. It matches the sum which was mislaid a month ago. The name of the donor was not filled out, but we have reason to believe it is from the source you mentioned in the note you sent a week ago. In addition, after discussion with a fellow accountant, it came to my knowledge that the aforementioned “source” is implicated in fraud. With the help of my fellow accountant, we have sent summons to his home, to appear in court. He will answer for his wrongs, at least in this respect. If all is as it should be, please confirm it by letter at your earliest convenience. Yours faithfully, T. S. Lewis.”
Hestony let out a gasp of joy and wrapped her arms around Hal, who lifted her up gently and kissed her, laughing as she giggled happily.
“Oh, Hal,” she sighed. “It’s alright! It’s all well again.”
“It is,” Hal agreed, and set her down gently. “Oh, you are a marvelous lady.”
“You are a wonderful gentleman,” she whispered against his hair.
“I don’t mean to interrupt,” Lady Raymonde’s voice said from behind them, making them both turn around sharply, “but when is it going to be dinner? Dowager Lady Hartfield and I are starving.”
Hestony and Hal looked at each other and both laughed.
“Let’s go down to dinner,” Hestony said softly.
“Yes, let’s,” Hal agreed.
Together, arm in arm, they followed Raymonde down to the hall. For dinner.
Word came from London again, a week later. The summons had been sent, and the Prince Regent himself had been appealed to by the Duke, seeking to avoid the case. Despite Lord Osburne’s belief that the Prince Regent would let him off with only a reprimand, his answer had been to threaten to strip him of his title, should he not set right all the wrongs he had done. The last they heard of Lord Osburne was that he was departing to the Continent, in disgrace.
“So,” Hal said. “You were right, dearest. A heart as black as his can bring no good to anyone – not even to himself.”
“It seems fitting, somehow.” Hestony looked up from her embroidery, feeling oddly neutral about the matter. Lord Osburne had ceased to matter to her as soon as she knew she was safe from him. This was simply a distant story in the Gazette, seeming like it had relevance to another life, lived years ago.
“It does,” Hal agreed. “I wouldn’t have minded giving him a bloody nose.”
“I’m sure he knew you wanted to.” Hestony smiled up at Hal’s rueful grin.
“I hope so,” Hal said. “In any case, should we go down for tea now?”
“Yes, Hal, dear. Let’s go down.”
Together, they went down to the parlor for tea.
Hestony settled herself on the chaise-lounge, smiling at her mother, who smiled back.
“It looks like rain later, are you still planning to ride to Alton?”
“It does,” Hestony agreed. “I think we’ll stay here.” She reached over to pour herself a cup of tea, feeling her heart lift as her mother smiled at her. It seemed as if they had never been so close, and she glanced across at Hal, feeling joy that her love had brought so much good to her life.