Guarding the Spoils (The Wild Randalls 3)

“Tobias, do share the joke,” Blythe huffed.

After a moment, he held out his hand to Beth. “You’re not going to believe your luck. Come and see what the important cargo is.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

OLIVER’S PULSE SETTLED to an easy rhythm as Beth emerged from the Romsey carriage with Tobias’s assistance. She sobbed when she saw her son. George ran to her, wrapping himself tightly about her as if he’d never let her go. Oliver smiled as the happy pair clung to each other in joy. He would have been content to view their affection all day, but after a time he grew aware that Leopold was glaring at him.

“How did you come to have George Turner?” he demanded. “And why the hell are you not already on your ship?”

How indeed? He’d been mulling over that very circumstance on the return trip and was no closer to a logical answer. First the wind had prevented him from sailing that morning, turning him back the way he had come, and then their carriage had been stopped on the road. Maybe Eamon had been right. Maybe he was not meant to leave after all. “Fate showed me another path.”

Leopold’s eyes narrowed. “Fate did?”

“That, and an overturned cart blocking our way.” Eamon grinned, rubbing his hands as he warmed to the tale. “Oliver’s got damn sharp eyes and saw young George being pulled into a seedy tavern and his mother was not with him. Had a little chat with Beth’s brother-in-law and came to a satisfactory agreement.”

“Eamon,” Leopold groaned, scolding for the implied outcome.

His friend held up his hands. “None of the negations were my doing.”

“It was Oliver,” George piped up. “He made Uncle Henry give me up.”

Beth hugged George to her again and then knelt to examine his bruised face. Her brow creased in concern and Oliver wanted nothing more than to reassure her that there would be no lasting harm.

Leopold’s frown grew. “How exactly did you do change his mind? Did you bribe him with your funds for the trip?”

Oliver had thought little of his lost funds or his trip since his first sighting of George being dragged into the inn. He really should have alerted the captain that they wouldn’t be joining him for the trip, but getting the boy back to his mother was much more important than any travel plans. “The patrons of the inn where George was being held were very appreciative of my contribution,” Oliver murmured eventually. “But Henry Turner will not show his face again.”

When Leopold continued to stare, Eamon drew him aside but spoke loud enough to be heard by all. “If I can make a suggestion, sir, it’s not in anyone’s best interests to make him angry again. You won’t like it. Trust me on this.”

“Oliver.” Leopold spun around, ignoring Eamon’s warning. “What the devil did you do? You didn’t murder Turner, did you?”

George started to giggle. “He made him soil his trousers in front of everyone.”

“Oliver,” Elizabeth chided. “That wasn’t very nice.”

Now that she had noticed him, Oliver strolled toward her. His hands itched to touch her skin and never let her go. “He wasn’t a very nice man to begin with. Never did like him and even more so when I saw what he’d done to you and George. We returned as fast as we could.”

“Thank you. I’m forever in your debt for rescuing my son.”

He touched her cheek gently. “There is no debt between us to be repaid. It was my pleasure.”

Elizabeth’s frown grew as she drew back. “Your trip?”

“Will still be there when I want to go.” He gestured to his carriage, hoping she would travel with him so they might talk privately. “Shall we return to Romsey?”

“You’re coming home with us?” Beth appeared shocked. “Surely there is another ship that might take you another day. There’s money in our carriage should you require reimbursement. I’m sure your brother will repay you for the inconvenience we’ve caused and I can repay him later when I can.”

“There’s no inconvenience involved.” He smiled, a little puzzled that she did not appear keen to have him go home with them. “It’s not money I need.”

Her skin pinked and she took a further step back, increasing the distance so he’d either have to shout or follow. “Thank you for returning George to me.”

George squawked a protest as he was pulled away to the other carriage. Oliver followed Elizabeth’s retreat in confusion. What had he said wrong this time?

Eamon clapped him on the shoulder. “Remember what you said you’d do before. Let her go for now.”

Although he didn’t want to, he had little choice but to return to his carriage without the two people that mattered most to him. He sat in glum silence as the carriage got underway. Because they faced the right direction, their carriage went first, but he called out to the driver to wait and allow the other to lead the way. At least this way he would know exactly where they were and occasionally catch sight of their carriage at any curve in the road.

They rattled through Romsey’s gates hours later and drew up before the house, which was cloaked in darkness. Oliver was quick to get out but was too late. Elizabeth had already disappeared inside the abbey, taking with George with