Her pointed look at Samuel made him laugh.
“Who? Me? I have no idea what you mean!”
Shaking her head, Esther stood. “If you would like to follow me, gentlemen.”
Leading the way through the house, she congratulated herself on her restraint. She had wanted to fling herself into Samuel’s arms and sob with relief when he had first walked through the door. He had survived and finally returned to her. She had missed him so very much; she had gone to bed aching every night. How someone who was so antagonising had managed to become so important to her, she had no idea, but he had.
The only problem she could see was the inevitable questions that would be asked when Samuel had had time to reflect on her connections to Sophie. Esther presumed Cook would not have told him the story Esther had told her. Cook knew part of the truth about her upbringing and her eventual arrival at her uncle’s home, but not all. Only Sophie knew that.
The three entered Matthew’s chamber. Lydia stood up quickly. She had been sitting on the edge of the bed, talking quietly, and although obviously embarrassed, she did not try to offer an explanation or excuse.
Matthew looked at the doorway, and a smile lit up his face. “Have you been told I am not long for this world?” he asked Miles. “For if that is the reason for your journey, I’m afraid I am going to disappoint you.”
“You always were an awkward being,” Miles said, approaching the bed. “How the devil are you, my friend?”
“Deuced ashamed that I got myself injured again. It’s damned inconvenient and more than a little embarrassing.”
“I think you do it for all the fuss and attention you receive,” Samuel said.
“I would rather not have gone through the days of inactivity I have just experienced. If it weren’t for Miss Bolton, I would be stark raving mad by now.”
“I hear you saw off the rogue who did this to you,” Samuel said.
“Yes. We should have guessed they would post someone somewhere along the road. It was beyond where our own men were positioned,” Matthew said. “It was fortunate there was only one of them, or they could have discovered the servants we had posted on the route from Corless House and guessed what our plan was.”
“By the looks of things, you aren’t going to be moving anywhere soon,” Miles said. Matthew’s features were almost ghostlike he was so pale, apart from the dark rings under his eyes. Both men realised that he had indeed been close to death.
“No. I am as weak as a kitten,” Matthew admitted. He turned his head towards Esther, who had remained near to the door. “I hope there is no hurry for our vacating this house, because I do not think I could face a journey quite yet. I am sorry to be such an inconvenience.”
Esther smiled at the understated words. “There is no hurry whatsoever. My friend will happily have us here for as long as is needed.”
“I think we have tired you out enough for now.” Miles walked around the bed and held out his hand to Matthew, who offered a weak handshake. “I shall not bother you again before I leave, but I will keep enquiring with Jones about your progress. Take care, my friend, and get well. I hope to see you again soon.”
“You too,” Matthew said. His eyes had started to close, but he was trying his hardest to keep them open.
“I think he needs to rest now. Sleep is helping to restore his strength,” Lydia said quietly.
The three visitors returned to the drawing room. Miles turned to Samuel. “You do not need me here any longer, but I presume that you will be remaining in the area?”
“Yes. There are still some things to see to.”
“In that case, I bid you good day. Miss Hardy, it has been an enormous pleasure to meet you, and I look forward to being in your company again soon.”
Esther curtseyed, but she wondered at the words. “My lord, I am sorry you have had such a difficult and unnecessary journey.”
“I found it enlightening,” Miles said with an enigmatic smile, and left the room.
“Buffoon,” Samuel muttered to himself.
“A little unfair, Captain Jones, about the man who has followed you halfway across the country.”
“Which would not have been necessary if a message had been sent.”
“If you think we would go through all that we did only for me to give away our position should your scheme have