The Heiress of Winterwood - By Sarah Ladd Page 0,113

drew her into a tight embrace. Days of pent-up frustration found release as Amelia sobbed against Jane’s shoulder.

“You were right about so many things, Jane.”

“Hush now, dearest. It’s all over.”

Amelia pulled away from Jane and wiped the back of her wet hand across her eyes. “God did just what you said he would. He was faithful.” Amelia sniffed and diverted her gaze. “And you were right about Captain Sterling. Graham.”

She searched for the words that would accurately describe a feeling she didn’t quite understand. “He told me loved me, Jane.” She could barely force her words above a whisper as the depth of their meaning took hold in her heart. “I hadn’t dared think it could be true, but at the dock, when he rescued us, there was something in his voice. In his eyes.” A warmth swelled within her at the memory.

Jane reached forward and wiped Amelia’s hair from her face. “And do you love him in return?”

Amelia pressed her hand to her cheek. A little surge of excitement ran through her as she realized the truth.

“I do, Jane. I love him with all my heart.”

Satisfied that Littleton and Kingston were secure, Graham fell in step next to his brother. A brief rain had rolled in and rolled on, and the clouds parted, allowing the sun to once again shine and reflect off the wet streets. Graham yawned and ran his hand through his hair and down his face. He was exhausted. His body ached. His arm throbbed. Despite the discomfort, anticipation soared within him, increasing his pace.

“Now that we’ve got Lucy, Mrs. Dunne, and Miss Barrett back, we can go home to Darbury and everything will be as it was before,” murmured William, stifling his own yawn. “Everything will be normal.”

Normal? Not a single thing had been normal since Graham had arrived in Darbury, and judging by the changes stretching before him, Graham wondered if he ever would know normality again.

Graham threw William a sideways glance. His older brother looked worse for the wear. Mud and soot darkened his cheek. Blood streaked across his coat. Surely he’d judged William too harshly. Yes, his brother had experienced a serious lapse in judgment—perhaps many lapses. But had not Graham done the same? If God could forgive him, could he not manage to forgive his brother in turn?

And not only that, but Graham had seriously underestimated William’s ability to rise to the occasion when duty called. If the man had failed to take the shot when he had the opportunity, the night before might have turned out quite differently. That relationship, too, had changed and was no longer what it had seemed. William had risked his life to help save another, and there was honor in that action. What kind of brother would he be if he did not respond in kind? “When we get back to Darbury, I’ll talk to Carrington to see what can be done to help with Eastmore’s debt.”

William released a shaky sigh. “I appreciate that.” William cocked his head and straightened his hat, which had, miraculously, managed to survive the night’s chaos.

Graham clapped his brother on the back. “Now that I know you’re such a marksman, I’ll depend upon you to watch over and protect Amelia and Lucy while I am at sea.”

William snorted. “Marksman indeed. It was a lucky shot. I think I’ll stick to dealing with horseflesh in the future.”

Graham laughed, and it felt good. Finally, after weeks of turmoil and uncertainty, after months of holding on to regret, he felt the weight lift from his shoulders. He could barely wait to hold Lucy in his arms, to see Amelia.

“And what of you?” William seemed to know his thoughts. “I trust you are to be a married man in but a day’s time.”

Graham nodded, the very thought sending waves of anticipation through him. “If she will still have me.”

“And your duties. When will you return?”

Graham almost stopped short. After all that had transpired, how could he leave Lucy? Amelia?

Even just a few short weeks ago, the sea had been his world. He breathed by the rise and fall of the tide. Its rules were his rules. But now, another reality was just as real. One of family. Of love.

He was honor-bound to return to his duties and did not have long before his responsibilities called him back to the sea. The thought of separation from Amelia and Lucy made his chest ache. Always before his love of the sea and his sense of duty