The Daring Miss Darcy (Lost Ladies of London 4)

Fighting with men in dark alleys had given him a tremendous amount of upper body strength. “At the time, we were rushing to rescue my sister,” Vane said. “Panic does that to a man.”

Estelle sat silently beside him, staring at the dot of land on the horizon. Her countenance grew more subdued with each stroke of the oars. When the island came into full view, she sighed.

“It looks beautiful here.”

Vane had been so enraged the day he’d first come to the island, he’d failed to notice the true magnificence of the landscape. The sun shone down upon hills of flourishing green vegetation. Gulls swooped in the sky. The water sparkled. The fresh, briny scent of the sea air calmed the mind.

“It truly is a haven away from the world.” He turned to Estelle and noticed a tear running down her cheek. Without saying a word, he simply held her hand.

“Not long until we reach the dock,” Mackenzie said. “Happen we’ll find the men hanging from the top-sail just to get a wee look at you.”

There were a handful of sailors on the dock. Amongst them Vane saw Fabian standing with his arm wrapped around Lillian, holding her close. Vane’s heart swelled at the sight of his sister. She looked so happy, so carefree, and for that he owed Fabian a debt so huge it could never be repaid.

They drew alongside the landing pier. Mackenzie threw a line and one sailor rushed forward, tied a knot and slipped it over the piling.

Vane climbed out onto the wooden walkway. He held out his hand and brought Estelle up to join him. For a few seconds, Fabian and Estelle just looked at each other and then she picked up her skirts and ran. Fabian took flight, too, the thud of his boots on the planks obliterating the squawks of the gulls.

Estelle jumped into her brother’s arms and he hugged her tightly. They both dropped to their knees, still hugging, and yet laughing at the same time.

While the pair held each other close, Vane met Lillian’s gaze. She smiled and hurried towards him, took his hands and squeezed.

“I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to see you.” She released one hand and touched his cheek tenderly. “I cannot tell you how much this means to Fabian.”

“It seems your husband was right all along.” And Vane was the blind fool who refused to listen.

“Love brings hope does it not?”

“Indeed.”

“How on earth did you find her?” Lillian’s eyes widened in her eagerness to hear the tale.

“I didn’t.” Vane couldn’t help but smile. Even Mr Joseph had struggled to locate her. “She found me. I would like to take the credit, but it was purely accidental.”

“Or perhaps Fate played a part,” Lillian said.

He didn’t know how things happened as they did. Occasionally, he wondered if one’s destiny was already decided. If all events, good and bad, were merely lessons in one’s development. Perhaps one couldn’t understand the lesson because it was part of an infinitely bigger picture.

“When Estelle left, I lost my faith in life, in love, in everything. So I’m inclined to think you’re right. I’ve lived without faith and I’ve learnt to trust in it again.”

Lillian searched his face. “You seem different. Have you and Estelle reconciled your differences?”

“We have.” Vane nodded. Oh, they had done so much more than that. “I love her, Lillian, and she feels the same way.”

Lillian gave a contented sigh. “It is what I have always known. It is what I have prayed for.”

Behind them Fabian took Estelle’s hand. He placed it in the crook of his arm and escorted her away from the dock to the path leading up to the castle.

Estelle glanced back over her shoulder and Vane’s heart lurched. The look she gave him conveyed the depth of her devotion. He smiled back and hoped she would understand what he had to do.

Mackenzie dabbed his eyes as he prepared to climb out of the small vessel. “Och, it’s a sight to behold. I can tell you that. The drink will flow tonight.”

“Wait.” Vane held up his hand to prevent Mackenzie from climbing up onto the landing pier. “Do not disembark yet.”

Lillian frowned. “Is something wrong?” S

he looked at Vane and then at the boat. “Why do you want Mackenzie to remain in the boat?”

Vane’s tongue grew thick in his mouth as he struggled to find the right words.