stay the night.” Cora sent Sebastian a cross look. “We cannot be certain the danger has passed.”
“For me, it has,” Catherine said. “Cochran and Silas are dead, and Lord Somerton is aware of my ruse. My unique services are of no further use to anyone. Now, if you’ll excuse me—”
“Bastian! You’re back.” A whirlwind of fluttering furbelows and bouncing curls charged into the room and slammed into Sebastian. Thin arms enfolded his middle, and Sophie buried her face into the soft fabric of his waistcoat.
Stunned by the child’s enthusiastic greeting, Sebastian stood rigidly in the center of the study, with his arms aloft. He glanced at Catherine for guidance and found her eyes misted with tears. Then she lifted her watery gaze up to his, and Sebastian felt his heart rip in half.
Sophie peered up at him. “What took you so long, Bastian? Ethan said you would be along soon, but that was hours ago.”
He rested a hand on top of her head. “Ethan, is it?”
She gave him a broad grin, one that conveyed she already knew how to wrap a man around her little finger. Then her smile dimmed. “Did you take the bad men to the con-stable?”
Sebastian froze, his gaze seeking Catherine’s again. This time, she nodded.
“Constable, pumpkin.”
“Didn’t I say that, Mama?”
Sebastian crouched down. “You don’t ever have to worry about the bad men again.”
She leaned into him and toyed with his collar. “Do you promise?”
He tapped his finger beneath her chin. “Promise.”
“Brilliant! That’s what I told, Mama. That you would always protect us.” Her voice lowered into a stage whisper. “She was crying when she returned, and I wanted to make her feel better.”
“You were quite right to do so.”
She shook her head and tears cracked her voice. “She cried harder, Bastian.”
Sebastian clenched his teeth so tight that he was certain they would shatter from the pressure. He fought to keep his attention centered on Sophie and not her mother, because if he saw the truth of the girl’s words on her mother’s face his control would crumble to the ground. “We will have to convince her, won’t we?”
Sophie’s head bobbed. In a normal voice, she proclaimed, “Teddy has a big bump on his head.”
Sebastian blinked at her change of topic. “A badge of courage.”
“When my head hurts, Guinevere always makes it feel better.” Her gaze turned earnest. “Imagine what a whole stable full of horses could do for Teddy’s pain.”
He chuckled. “Indeed, sprite. You should talk to Ethan about visiting them tomorrow morning. He loves showing off my stables.” In typical Danforth fashion, he was more interested in the swirling contents of his glass than the poignant conversation. “Isn’t that right, Ethan?”
“What?” The viscount glanced between Sebastian to Sophie. “Uh, yes. That’s correct.”
“Oh, Ethan!” Sophie skipped across the room and crawled up into Danforth’s lap. “Teddy will be so happy.”
From the look on Danforth’s face, one would think that an enormous spider was crawling across his legs. Slouched down in his chair, Danforth was nose-to-nose with the girl as she nattered on about all the horses she’d seen earlier that day. The viscount sent Sebastian a distressed look, making it impossible for Sebastian to contain his smile.
Sebastian gave in to the impulse and glanced at Catherine. The smile she gave him was warm and appreciative, but coated with a brittle edge. She would survive this just as she had survived her father’s death and her husband’s murder, standing against a village full of opportunistic shopkeepers and matrons who sought to place Ashcroft’s abandonment on her shoulders.
She would survive the end of their affaire, as would he. One minute at a time, one day at a time, one month at a time. Because surviving was what they both did, no matter the personal sacrifice.
“Sophie.” Catherine held out her hand. “Allow Lord Danforth to catch his breath. It’s time for us to go.”
Cora stepped forward. “Please reconsider. There’s plenty of room.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea—”
“Cora’s right,” Sebastian heard himself say. “You’re welcome to stay. The cloud cover remains thick, making for a treacherous journey.”
Sophie vibrated with excitement. “Oh, please, Mama. Can we stay with Bastian?”
Catherine’s face softened. “Would you like that?”
“Yes!”
“Very well,” she said. “But you must turn in early. You’ve had a busy day.”
Sophie nodded her agreement. “I’ll get lots of sleep, so Ethan and I can help Jasper feed the horses in the morning.
Danforth groaned and murmured, “God, help me.”
Twenty-eight
In her borrowed dressing gown, Catherine paced the length of her bedchamber, knowing she would