Cinders and Ashes (Cavendish Mysteries 2)

“I’ll be damned if you are going riding around the countryside on your own, woman,” Dominic snapped, running a hand through his hair in frustration. He already knew they were sunk, but felt for the sake of mankind he had to protest anyway. His wife usually got her own way in the end.

“I won’t be on my own. Amelia will be with me, won’t you?”

“Of course I will,” Amelia replied firmly, a defiant glint in her own eye.

“Neither of you are going anywhere. Sebastian, say something.” Dominic spun to face his brother beseechingly. He was fairly certain that a night with Isobel could ensure she was too tired to get up early in the morning to accompany them, but he needed Sebastian to do his bit with Amelia. Otherwise, both ladies were definitely coming with them. He watched nonplussed as Sebastian studied Amelia, assessing for a few moments.

“It seems to me that the ladies have already made their minds up.” He turned to Amelia and spoke directly to her, for the first time since their altercation in the bedroom. “Do you really want to come?”

Amelia’s gaze locked with his warily, and she nodded. “I do.” She waited for the argument. His masculine scorn at her ability to face the journey perhaps, or an arrogant declaration that a woman’s place was at home. What she hadn’t expected was the slight dip of his head as he accepted her request.

“Then I think it is best if you and Isobel took the carriage.” He ignored Dominic’s protest, and looked directly at Amelia. “As it has been some time since you last rode, then I think you would be more comfortable in the carriage, but it means we will have to stay overnight. Make sure that the maids pack an overnight back for you both.” He ignored Isobel’s look of delight, and smiled softly for a moment at a shocked Amelia, before turning to an equally surprised Dominic.

“Amelia saved my life, and put her own into considerable danger by doing so. She dragged my half-dead carcass across the countryside to safety. All by herself. In the middle of one of the worst storms ever to hit England.”

Silence descended upon the room for several moments. Amelia felt all eyes turn towards her with renewed respect.

“Not only will both ladies be safer with us, but if Amelia wants to be involved in the capture of Ballantyne, and given everything she has sacrificed to save my life, I think as long as she is kept safe and doesn’t do anything stupid, I can see no reason why she should not investigate with us. She has earned the right.” Sebastian didn’t add that he wanted her with him for every possible moment while she was under his roof. He needed to take every chance available to persuade her that her place

in life was beside him.

Besides, if he left her behind, she would have time to write to Sir Hubert and request a reference. At least with him, she wouldn’t be given the time or opportunity to write letters. He made a mental note to speak to Hodgkiss to monitor the post.

One thing had come across loud and clear during the exchange earlier. She didn’t appreciate his making decisions for her, and didn’t believe she belonged with him. If he had any chance of convincing her to take up the mantle of his wife, he had to give her free rein to make her own decisions. As long as she didn’t put herself into danger or do anything that would remove her from his life entirely, then he had to accommodate her request. No matter how much it aggravated his masculine nerves to have her at risk.

He had to gain her trust enough for her to tell him about her past. To do that he had to show her he trusted her ability to make her own decisions, and make them wisely.

“Have you lost your mind?” Dominic demanded, shaking his head at just how easily his brother had buckled under feminine persistence. He understood in that moment, just how much Sebastian must love the woman before him.

“The ladies can travel ahead in the carriage and we can go cross-country. With a couple of the stable hands as outriders, and one of us alongside, there is no danger to them. Peter and Edward can ride ahead and open up. There is no point in taking servants; we will just have to rough it overnight,” Sebastian said. He knew that, given the poverty Amelia had been living in, Benedict’s cold and empty house would still be a luxurious haven.

Isobel had lived life on the streets and was not unfamiliar with living rough herself, so wouldn’t be swooning at having to live with the barest essentials.

“That’s settled then,” Isobel announced, feeling somewhat wary at the ease of their success.

Amelia shook her head, unsure what exactly had just happened, but knew that it was wise not to ask too many questions in case Sebastian changed his mind.

The following morning, Amelia found herself leaving Tingdale with Isobel. The difference in departure from her leaving Glendowie was striking. Everyone had taken sumptuous breakfast in their rooms, after which Amelia, dressed in one of Isobel’s warm travelling dresses, was informed the carriage was ready to leave when she was ready.

Moments later, Amelia left the house with a small smile of thanks to a startled, yet clearly besotted Hodgkiss. Sebastian and Dominic were chatting amiably next to a resplendent carriage led by four matching bays.

“Morning.” Sebastian smiled when Amelia stared at his horse in something akin to horror. “That’s Bramble, he won’t hurt you.”

“Bramble?” she queried, with an astonished quirk of her brow. “He’s huge,” Amelia exclaimed, not knowing much about horses other than this one simply glistened with good health. By the way it was dancing around; it was positively bursting with energy. Suddenly she was so very glad Sebastian had suggested they should take the carriage.

“Peter and Edward have gone ahead to light the fires and open the rooms up for us. You have the food,” Sebastian added, dropping the step to hand the ladies into the carriage. “Dominic and I will ride alongside you.”

“Won’t that slow you down?” Amelia knew it would take several hours more in the carriage than it would on horseback. She noted the look Sebastian shared with Dominic.

“Go ahead, we can ramble at our own pace and meet you there.” She could sense the indecision between the two men.

“It’s alright; we can meet the others later.” Dominic shifted, clearly itching to get going, yet reluctant to leave the ladies.

“Go. Leave us alone. We will be fine. If you ride fast, you may be able to catch Peter and Edward.” Isobel pecked her husband on the cheek quickly, before jumping aboard the carriage. “Come on, Amelia, let’s go.”

Amelia fought the urge to smile as she climbed aboard, leaving the men standing looking somewhat befuddled.

As the carriage began to rumble down the long driveway, Amelia glanced out of the carriage and saw Dominic and Sebastian trotting alongside. Mounted, both men looked the epitome of arrogant masculinity, and very imposing.