his ways.”
“I do not doubt it. Many a man has met the Almighty in the wilderness.”
“I see the regret in his eyes, and he has seen mine. I told him about your father, and it appeared to give him some relief to know I was kindly treated these many years.”
“I remember.”
“He was a good man. I miss him. You know that, don’t you?”
“Yes. There hasn’t been a day gone by that I have not seen it in you.”
She dipped a cloth into water, wrung it, and bathed Hayward’s face. “We have forgiven each other. He can rest now. It won’t be long before he is gone, too. You must call Darcy and bring her to him. And I must reconcile with my daughter.”
As Eliza spoke, and while he observed her tender care for Hayward and the urgency in her face to see Darcy, his worry for his beloved nagged him. And how would Eliza react when he told her what had happened at Havendale and that Darcy had gone?
He touched Eliza’s shoulder and turned her to him. “You should rest awhile.”
“I cannot.” Eliza’s eyes glinted with tears. “Reverend Reed gave Hayward last rites.”
“I am sorry.”
A light smile touched her lips as she brushed the tears from off her cheeks. “It is all right, Ethan. I realize he has loved me despite his anger toward me. He would not have bothered to make the journey and seek me out if he did not.”
“My father would have thought well of Mr. Morgan’s efforts, as well as your compassion for him.”
“Yes. He would have urged me to forgive him.” She paused, and then looked up with sudden concern. “I am anxious about Darcy.” She stood. “Would it be better if I were to go to her alone? Which room is she in?”
He stopped her with a touch of his hand on hers. “She is not here.”
Eliza grabbed his sleeve. “Not here? Why? What has happened?”
“I rode to Havendale. Langbourne met me outside. He said she went away.”
“Away! To where?”
“He would not tell me.”
“You must find out.”
“I intend to.” He raked his fingers through his loose hair and paced. Then he explained to Eliza how he insisted Langbourne allow him inside to see for himself Darcy had gone, and how in reply, Langbourne drew his pistol and threatened to shoot him. “If I had not removed myself, I am certain he would have made good on his threat.”
Eliza’s eyes were wide. “He is lying.”
Ethan paused. “She would have come out to me if she were there, unless …”
“He prevented her somehow.”
“I should have resisted.” Ethan shook his head, feeling ashamed. “I have to go back. But I cannot leave you now in such a desperate time. What can I do to help? I can find the doctor.”
“A doctor cannot help my husband now.” Eliza reached up and touched his cheek. “Hayward hasn’t much time. He needs his daughter. You must leave first thing in the morning and find her.”
31
Wind drove across the moors and ruffled the gorse grass. Clouds swept in from the east, their long shadows crossing the land, embracing the moon, and darkening the streams into deep blue ribbons. Havendale was far behind them, and the carriage rolled past hamlets, crumbling walls of stone, and square-towered churches. Darcy wished the driver would stop so she could go inside one of those sanctuaries, kneel in a pew and pray. But the whip lashed and the horses plodded on.
She looked over at her grandmother and worried how much Madeline could take. And for this reason, she told herself again and again, she could not have let her make the journey alone, even with Mrs. Burke to accompany her, who was also aged and frail. Darcy had no idea what kind of place Meadlow was or how Madeline would be treated there. She had to see to it she’d be well cared for before taking the next step of getting away to Fairview.
She turned her eyes to the window. The landscape seemed to blur together now with little change. Her hood lay across her shoulders, and she drew it up over her hair with gloved hands, remembering a time when her locks were soaked with the river and how Ethan caressed them back from her face.
The carriage dipped and sprung back to the road. The jolt woke Madeline and she let out a little moan. Darcy knew her grandmother’s inner strength to endure had crumbled. If only Langbourne had listened to her and considered how