she slept, wondering what he would find out when he returned. Had Lynnette truly fled with a lover or had something else sent her away? What role did Barth play in this mystery?
He would soon know.
Garrett sighed aloud, more weary than he’d imagined. The trip took three times the usual length due to Madeleine’s injuries. He’d refused to leave her behind, not wanting her out of his sight for a moment. He hadn’t even wanted to return in a cart, knowing the bumps along the road from London would be too many to count.
Instead, he’d walked Ebony all the way home, never allowing the horse to break into a trot. He’d embraced Madeleine carefully, watching for every pothole in their path. He cherished every moment of her closeness—the subtle scent of lavender that rose as a cloud to tickle his nose, the feel of her new velvet tunic against his hands. He’d remembered how she had said she loved the feel of velvet. He certainly liked the feel of her in it.
He stopped Ebony and stared at his home. Madeleine turned slightly and faced him. Before she could speak, he gave her a reassuring smile and a slow, lingering kiss.
“How do you feel?” he asked. “Tired?”
Her deep, rich laugh bubbled up. “Breathless.” She smiled at him with love and a warm glow filled Garrett.
“I love you,” he whispered, stroking her hair. He felt complete in her presence and utterly lost without her. He thanked God in His heaven that Madeleine had come into his life.
“Our journey was a bit different from the last one we took on this road,” she said, her eyes misty with tears.
“Yes.” He took her hand in his and brought it to his lips for a tender kiss. “You know if it were possible, I would have made you Lady Montayne back in London.” He grinned. “Then I could have traveled with her both ways on the road to and from London.”
“You are impossible.” Her smile melted his heart.
“Are you ready for what lies ahead?” he asked.
She nodded. “Are you?”
In response, he flicked Ebony’s reins and they began the last few miles of their long journey.
Cheers greeted them as they entered the lower bailey just after midday. He’d written Ashby and his mother more than once while he and Madeleine remained in London. Both waited for them now, along with Lyssa.
Ashby reached up and gently removed Madeleine from the saddle. “It’s good to see you home,” he told her, a smile lighting his face. “We’ve missed you.”
Garrett dismounted and tossed his reins to a groom. “Enough of that, Ash.” He slapped his friend on the back.
Lyssa ran toward them, Edith following closely behind. “Papa! Papa!” She captured his waist and hugged him tightly.
Garrett kissed her soundly. “I’m very happy to see you, Lyssa.”
He leaned over and kissed his mother’s cheek. “Hello, Mother.”
His letters to her told that Madeleine would be coming home with him. He’d not given his mother all of the details but he made it clear that, as soon as possible, he planned to wed Madeleine. He didn’t know if what he learned this day would impact that decision or if he’d still need to wait for the bishop to act on his petition. Still, he wanted his mother to know that Madeleine was in his life to stay. He wondered briefly how accepting Edith would be because she had been very close to Lynnette.
He needn’t have worried. She embraced Madeleine carefully but warmly. “My dear, it’s so good to have you return to Stanbury.”
Madeleine blushed. “I’m afraid I left rather hurriedly.”
Before she could continue, Edith stopped her. “No harm in that.” She smiled at her son. “It’s rather romantic how Garrett raced off after you. I wish I had known such love.” Her expression grew wistful for a moment then she brightened. “Mayhap you could turn it into a ballad.”
Ashby laughed. “That, I’d like to hear. Garrett, the love-struck fool, pining away. Madeleine, the heartbreaker, who makes him dance to her tune.”
“Enough!” Garrett cried, laughter in his voice. “Let us adjourn inside and remove ourselves from this cold wind.”
He draped an arm about Madeleine’s shoulders and found Lyssa between them, clinging to Madeleine’s skirts.
“You look funny, Madeleine. Your face has all different colors on it. Ashby said you fell. Did it hurt? I fell one time. Annie told me I was black and blue. I don’t think I turned any colors at all.”
“I did have a bad fall, but your papa took special