not found a truly selfish child in the bunch .
I wish Thomas could be here to see this.
****
Later in the afternoon, after the last of the children left, Grace asked, "Still no word from Thomas?"
Rupert shook his head and said, "I've sent an official inquiry to London. I don't know it will do any good, but I thought it couldn't hurt, especially if it will give you some peace of mind."
"I can't imagine the officials in London would know where he is without his being able to write to us." She saw the slightest shadow pass across Rupert's face and asked, "Can you?"
"If Thomas is injured somewhere and unable to write, the War Office might know his location and status."
I hadn't thought of that. It's not quite the reassurance I was hoping for.
Not happy with the implication, Grace asked, "What prompted Thomas to rush to Wellington's aid? I don't think I'd realized he knew the duke or had any military experience."
"Thomas did some work with Wellington before Napoleon was last captured. He learned of Napoleon's escape from Elba two days before he found himself betrothed to you and decided to volunteer his services."
Ruefully, Grace said, "Perfect timing for a man who wished to escape from a wife he'd felt trapped into marrying." After a moment, she asked, "You can't tell me what his role is in Wellington's army?" When Rupert shook his head, Grace frowned but didn't press him. Thomas would be home one day, and he would answer the many questions she had, she was sure of it.
I don't actually care if he answers any of them as long as he comes home.
When she lingered, Rupert asked, "Was there anything else?"
Grace winced and pulled her lower lip between her teeth for a moment before saying, "Sometimes I think I've heard his voice, but when I look, no one is there."
Rupert's eyes were thoughtful, his voice soothing as he said, "It's good that you miss him."
"Is something wrong with me?"
Her words were met with a confident shake of the head. "I've seen it before, but usually with the men serving far from home. I've never stopped to wonder if the family left behind has similar issues. It just means you love and miss him, that you wish he were here. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you."
Grace blinked several times to fight the sudden pressure of tears. She quickly said, "Thank you," and turned away from Rupert, intent on finding a few minutes to herself.
I'm glad I spoke up. No reason to be needlessly overwrought about it. Besides, I already have enough to worry about.
Lord, please keep Thomas safe…
Chapter Thirteen
Less than a week later, the vicar arrived at Castle Felton winded and exuberant. "We've won! We've won!"
While waiting for the man to catch his breath so he could continue, Grace snatched the newspaper he was waving around in the air. "We've won," she said to the gathering crowd of household staff.
"Won what, Your Grace?" Mr. Pembroke asked.
"According to the June twenty-second issue of the London Gazette, Wellington defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo on the nineteenth. Napoleon will be sent into exile again, but at a more secure location. It appears the war is over."
Exuberant cheers filled the foyer of Castle Felton. "A rider brought the newspaper into town to share the news. I came as soon as I read it," Vicar Renner finally got out.
Grace cast a worried glance at Rupert. Why haven't we heard from Thomas? Her concern for her husband had steadily increased. Whether it was the pregnancy or the isolation of Northumberland playing tricks on her mind, she continued to hear his voice at times, usually as she was drifting off to sleep. Positive Thomas had spoken to her, she would sit up to find she was alone in her chamber. She hadn't told anyone but Rupert of her imaginings.
I don't want everyone to look at me with pity. Or worse, compare me to Thomas's great aunt who was sent here after losing her mind.
While everyone around her cheered in celebration of the war's end, Grace worried her
I wish Thomas could be here to see this.
****
Later in the afternoon, after the last of the children left, Grace asked, "Still no word from Thomas?"
Rupert shook his head and said, "I've sent an official inquiry to London. I don't know it will do any good, but I thought it couldn't hurt, especially if it will give you some peace of mind."
"I can't imagine the officials in London would know where he is without his being able to write to us." She saw the slightest shadow pass across Rupert's face and asked, "Can you?"
"If Thomas is injured somewhere and unable to write, the War Office might know his location and status."
I hadn't thought of that. It's not quite the reassurance I was hoping for.
Not happy with the implication, Grace asked, "What prompted Thomas to rush to Wellington's aid? I don't think I'd realized he knew the duke or had any military experience."
"Thomas did some work with Wellington before Napoleon was last captured. He learned of Napoleon's escape from Elba two days before he found himself betrothed to you and decided to volunteer his services."
Ruefully, Grace said, "Perfect timing for a man who wished to escape from a wife he'd felt trapped into marrying." After a moment, she asked, "You can't tell me what his role is in Wellington's army?" When Rupert shook his head, Grace frowned but didn't press him. Thomas would be home one day, and he would answer the many questions she had, she was sure of it.
I don't actually care if he answers any of them as long as he comes home.
When she lingered, Rupert asked, "Was there anything else?"
Grace winced and pulled her lower lip between her teeth for a moment before saying, "Sometimes I think I've heard his voice, but when I look, no one is there."
Rupert's eyes were thoughtful, his voice soothing as he said, "It's good that you miss him."
"Is something wrong with me?"
Her words were met with a confident shake of the head. "I've seen it before, but usually with the men serving far from home. I've never stopped to wonder if the family left behind has similar issues. It just means you love and miss him, that you wish he were here. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you."
Grace blinked several times to fight the sudden pressure of tears. She quickly said, "Thank you," and turned away from Rupert, intent on finding a few minutes to herself.
I'm glad I spoke up. No reason to be needlessly overwrought about it. Besides, I already have enough to worry about.
Lord, please keep Thomas safe…
Chapter Thirteen
Less than a week later, the vicar arrived at Castle Felton winded and exuberant. "We've won! We've won!"
While waiting for the man to catch his breath so he could continue, Grace snatched the newspaper he was waving around in the air. "We've won," she said to the gathering crowd of household staff.
"Won what, Your Grace?" Mr. Pembroke asked.
"According to the June twenty-second issue of the London Gazette, Wellington defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo on the nineteenth. Napoleon will be sent into exile again, but at a more secure location. It appears the war is over."
Exuberant cheers filled the foyer of Castle Felton. "A rider brought the newspaper into town to share the news. I came as soon as I read it," Vicar Renner finally got out.
Grace cast a worried glance at Rupert. Why haven't we heard from Thomas? Her concern for her husband had steadily increased. Whether it was the pregnancy or the isolation of Northumberland playing tricks on her mind, she continued to hear his voice at times, usually as she was drifting off to sleep. Positive Thomas had spoken to her, she would sit up to find she was alone in her chamber. She hadn't told anyone but Rupert of her imaginings.
I don't want everyone to look at me with pity. Or worse, compare me to Thomas's great aunt who was sent here after losing her mind.
While everyone around her cheered in celebration of the war's end, Grace worried her
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