“Have no fear. The lass will understand. I knew the moment you stormed into the castle with a pair of duelling pistols that you were a man who followed his heart no matter the cost.”
“I’m not entirely sure whether I’m following my heart or my conscience.”
“If you’re doing it for the lass, then it’s your heart for sure.”
Vane nodded. “I’ve not had an opportunity to thank you.”
Mackenzie chuckled. “We’re not on dry land yet. I may still dive overboard and take a dip if the urge takes me.”
“I mean for having the sense to notice that the woman in Paris bore a striking resemblance to Miss Darcy. Had you pushed it from your mind we would not be here today.”
Fate again, Vane thought.
“His lordship always brought her picture out whenever his mind was hazy with drink. And a good job he did, too. The lass’ image is ingrained in my memory.”
“Then we’ll drink to that when I return. Make sure the men save at least one cask of ale for me.”
Mackenzie shook his head. “For you, I’d promise most things, but I cannot promise that.”
“What made you want to purchase a castle?” Estelle gripped her brother’s hand as he led her through the bailey and into the great hall. She stared up at the array of weapons on the wall, at the long table stretching the length of the dais. “I can’t help but feel as though I have been transported back in time.”
“It suits me to live here with the men,” Fabian said. “And I cannot abide the hypocrisy of London Society.” He sighed. “I’m grateful Lillian loves it here, too.”
Estelle glanced back over her shoulder, wondering when Ross and Lillian would appear. She supposed they had plenty to discuss. At some point he would have to tell her about the depth of their father’s betrayal.
“Ross said you married for love. I cannot tell you how happy I am for you, Fabian.”
“Lillian is a remarkable woman. She is everything I ever wanted.” Fabian brought Estelle’s hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “You cannot know how it warms my heart to know you’re alive and well. After learning of the sighting from Mackenzie I had to search for you. I still have men in France.”
“It was wrong of me to stay away.” There were so many things to tell him. No doubt he had many questions of his own. “We must find somewhere quiet where we can sit and I can tell you all that has occurred these last eight years.”
Having told Ross everything about her time away, telling Fabian would prove somewhat easier. She glanced back over her shoulder again, looking for the man she loved with all her heart.
“Shall we eat first?” Fabian said. “You must be famished after the long journey.”
“We stopped numerous times en route. And Mrs Erstwhile prepared a basket and we’ve been nibbling on the contents since we left.” Oh, how she wished the Erstwhiles were here, to meet her brother, to see the castle, to give their support.
“So, you’re familiar with Vane’s staff?” There was another question hidden behind Fabian’s words. Surely he knew that it was too late to worry about her virtue or reputation.
“The Erstwhiles own an apothecary shop and I worked as their assistant.”
“You worked for them?” He turned to her and cupped her cheek. “Come, perhaps you should explain everything now. For I fear the rest of the day will be spent with me besieging you with questions.”
Fabian led her up to the top of the keep. The weather was warm, the sky clear and she could see the surrounding heathland, could even make out a small boat in the distance.
They remained up there for three hours.
Estelle told him everything about her time with the smugglers, about Faucheux’s threats to find her, even about her terrible time at the hands of Philipe Robard.
“You’re telling me this Hungerford fellow drugged you, and that if Vane hadn’t arrived in time you would be living with a lunatic in Bath?”
“Yes,” she said, aware that her poor brother suffered greatly from hearing her stories because he’d not been there to help her. “But must you call him that?”
“Forgive me, Estelle, but any man who attempts to abduct a woman is most definitely not of sound mind.”
Estelle sighed. “I am not speaking about Mr Hungerford. I am speaking about Ross.”
Fabian frowned. “You don’t like the name Vane?”