Love Everlasting (Kingston Novel Book 3), page 35
“Your humor isn’t very amusing,” Gregory muttered.
“I can see that.” Javan sighed. “I believe I’ll leave as well.”
“Maybe we should all call it a night,” Kimbra stated. “I’m sure the staff will be glad to see us all head off to bed.”
Mr. Tadmen and Mr. Hayes appeared at the door as their guest began making their way to the foyer. Before exiting the house, Mr. Hayes handed each of them a basket of food.
“Bed sounds good to me,” Vance said as he stood and assisted Alianore to her feet. “We’ll see you all in the morning.”
Criston and Francis came to their feet. After coming over and placing a kiss to Toriana’s head, they followed Vance and Alianore out of the room.
Logan came forward, kissed Toriana’s head and then took Kinsley’s hand. “Come on, I’ll walk up with you.”
Kinsley pulled free and quickly hugged Toriana, placed a kiss to her cheek, and offered Drake a smile. “I’ll see you both in the morning.”
Justin covered his mouth as he yawned. “Grandmother and I should be leaving as well.”
Bartley turned to his parents. “I had a room made ready for you. It’s too late to leave.”
“That sounded like an order,” Grandmother Masina responded as she slowly stood and held out her hand to Justin. “Good thing for you I’m in the mood to agree, son.”
Kimbra laughed.
Justin came forward and patted Drake’s shoulder. “I had full faith tonight, my boy. You made me proud. As for you, my sweet girl, don’t ever worry me like that again.”
“I love you, too,” Toriana told him.
“When the Season is over your Grandmother and I have decided to come visit you and Drake.” Justin nodded.
“If you don’t mind,” Masina added.
Toriana gave her grandmother a bright smile. “We would love that,” she assured them both.
“It will save me from having to come and get you,” Drake stated. “And I would.”
Justin smiled. “I just might let you,” he replied with a laugh.
Kimbra and Bartley watched as his parents exited the room. “Are you ready to go up?” Kimbra asked her daughter.
“She is.” Drake stood, lifting Toriana in his arms. “I want to thank you both for all you did for me this night.”
Bartley raised a brow.
“I would have gone complete crazed had it not been for all of you. You helped me more than you’ll know and I appreciate it.”
Kimbra touched his arm. “You did just as much for us, Drake. Not only are you part of our family, we’re proud to call you our son-in-law.”
Drake nodded. “Thank you.”
Bartley noticed how tired their daughter looked. “All right, we’ll talk more in the morning. Good night, elf. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Papa.”
“Love you, sweet girl,” Kimbra told her.
“Love you, Momma.”
Drake leaned down so both parents could kiss Toriana good night and then he carried her up the stairs.
“I don’t think I want to sleep just yet,” she whispered.
“Then we won’t.”
“Then why are we going to bed?” she asked.
Drake gave a soft laugh. “So everyone else will.”
“So what are your plans once we reach the bedroom?”
“I’m going to light every lantern…and then I’m going to make love to you.”
“Are you sure that’s wise?”
“Absolutely.”
“In my parent’s house?” she whispered, trying not to laugh.
“We’ll be extra quiet.”
Toriana laid her head on his shoulder. “I’m not sure that’s possible.”
“Would you rather we go home?”
“Tomorrow…tonight I’ll try to be quiet.”
“As will I,” Drake teased her.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Grandfather Justin sat across from his son at the dining room table. Each of them was sipping coffee. The time was nearly ten in the morning, but most of the occupants were just beginning to stir after the events of the previous night.
Bartley was watching his father as he read the letter he had received a short time ago. He figured it had come from whomever his father had enlisted to help him with Lady Tulia’s kidnapping of Toriana…he just wished his father would read a little faster.
“Good morning,” Drake said entering the room.
“Coffee is down here by me,” Justin stated, glancing up from his letter. “I’m doing my best to share it.”
Bartley glanced over to where Mr. Hayes stood. “Will you see about more coffee, please?”
“Yes, milord.”
“Is Mr. Tadmen finally getting some rest?” Drake asked as he took a seat next Grandfather Justin.
“For the moment, but I don’t expect it to last long,” Bartley stated. “How is Toriana this morning?”
“As you might have guessed, she didn’t get much sleep last night,” Drake answered, as he poured himself a cup of coffee. “I made sure one lantern burned all night long.”
Justin looked up from his letter. “As my granddaughter likes to say…you’re a good man.”
Drake offered him a smile. “Thank you. When she finally did fall asleep she was restless. I’ve come to the conclusion that for awhile we’ll be switching night for day. Our staff probably won’t like it, but that can’t be helped. I think Toriana will sleep better during the daylight hours.”
“Sleeping during the day and staying awake all night…how long do you think that will work?”
Drake glanced at Bartley. “As long as it’s necessary.’
Bartley nodded.
“Everything will be fine. She’ll come around on her own,” Justin assured them, as he went back to reading.
Bartley sighed, heavily. “How can you be so sure?”
Justin looked to his son and then to his grandson-in-law. “Do you doubt my words?” he asked Drake.
“Not in the least.”
“There, you see, Drake trusts me.”
Bartley gave his father and annoyed look before turning to Drake. “Why don’t you doubt him?”
“He’s my grandfather and my friend.”
“So?”
Drake smiled. “You should have more faith in your father. I’m sure if asked, Logan would have given the same answer if asked the question about you.”
Bartley sat back in his chair and studied Drake’s smiling face. “Perhaps, but Logan has known me all his life. You, on the other hand, haven’t been acquainted long a’tall with your new grandfather.”
Justin lowered the letter. His smile turned into laughter and he even slapped the table with his merriment grew.
Drake’s smile widened.
Bartley rolled his eyes. He couldn’t help but grin over his father’s antics. “Fine. I put my own foot into it, didn’t I? Yes, I have faith in you, so stop cackling like an old woman. As to doubting your words, I was more curious than doubtful.”
Justin dabbed his eyes with the napkin from the table. “Just give me a little bit of time and I’ll show you what I mean.”
Bartley held his silence as Mr. Hayes brought in two more pots of coffee and placed them on the table. “Thank you, Hamby.”
“I got two more I’ll bring out and put on the sideboard.”
“You’re doing an excellent job and we appreciate all that you’ve done for us.”
“No thanks needed, milord.” Hamby nodded and then went back into the kitchen.
Bartley poured some fresh coffee into his cup. “So, are you going to tell us about the letter you’re reading?”
“It’s the report on Lady Tulia Henden. It seems that Inspector Bawle didn’t give us all the details about finding her. It says she and her coachman weren’t the only ones inside the crypt.”
Bartley glanced at Drake before asking the most obvious question. “Who else was in there with them?”
“Apparently two men of the criminal class. It’s assumed they are the men who helped kidnap Toriana. They also were dead. A single bullet to their heads. The coachman, Willis, had a gunshot to his heart. There was also another body in there with them. He was identified as a footman who worked for Lady Tulia. Drummond was the chap’s name. It would seem he had been dead for several days.”
“Bloody hell!” Bartley muttered. “Do they know who shot who?”
“They assume Willis shot the two hired criminals and that Lady Tulia shot him.”
“And then decided to make love to his dead body?” Drake raised a brow.
“It doesn’t make sense, even if she is mad.” Bartley shook his head.
“You know, I never liked Tulia much, but I would never wish this madness upon her,” Toriana stated from the doorway to the dining room.
Drake stood and made his way toward her. Kimbra was standing at her side and offered him a smile as he joined them.
“I’ll turn her over to you now,” Kimbra told him before making her way toward Bartley.
“I thought you were resting,” Drake whispered as he brushed his fingers across her cheek.
“I promise to rest later,” Toriana told him, slipping her arms around him and laying her head against his chest.
“How do your hands feel this morning?”
“Actually, they feel much better. They barely pain me at all. I’m hoping Dr. Stone will take the bandages off or at least not make them so cumbersome.”
“Would you like some breakfast?”
“Just a cup of coffee for now.”
Placing his arm around her, he led her over to the table and then sat down and pulled her onto his lap.
“We have plenty of chairs,” Bartley pointed out.
“She can’t hold her cup,” Kimbra replied before Drake or Toriana could. “He has to help her.”
“Oh, well then, ignore me,” Bartley muttered.
“Good morning, Papa.” Toriana smiled at him.
“Good morning, my sweet girl.”
Toriana smiled at her grandfather. “Good morning.”
“Morning, sweet,” Justin replied with a wink as he folded the letter he was holding. “You look very beautiful this morning.”
“Thank you. Please continue with your conversation.”
Justin shook his head. “Not fit for talk at the breakfast table.”
Drake poured her a cup of coffee and held it to her lips. He wanted to shake his head over how ridiculous that statement was, but knew Toriana would do it for him.
“Thank you,” she told him before turning her attention back to her grandfather. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t this the same table it was just a few minutes ago?”
Kimbra couldn’t help but laugh at that.
“You must be feeling better if you’re up to bantering words this early in the morning,” Logan commented as he stood in nearly the same spot as Toriana had stood just moments before.
Bartley raised a brow when he noticed Gregory and Casler Cavendish standing behind his son.
“As Grandfather Justin stated, she looks beautiful.” Casler playfully pushed Logan out of his way and entered the room.
Lord Birchill laughed and followed his son into the dining room.
“What brings the two of you here so early?” Bartley asked.
“You aren’t being inhospitable, are you Norbury?” Gregory asked and then laughed. “I came to talk to you about marriage.”
“You know you’re always welcome and as you know…I’m already married.”
Gregory laughed and took a seat at the table. “I like your humor.”
“If you’re hungry help yourself.” Bartley waved his hand toward the sideboard. “We usually serve ourselves in the morning. Coffee is on the table and there are extra cups here as well.”
Thank you.” Gregory gave a nod. “Just some coffee for now will do me.”
Casler took a seat next to his father and poured them both a cup of coffee. “How are you feeling today, Toriana?”
Toriana smiled. “I’m feeling much better. Thank you for asking.”
“I would have had nightmares,” Gregory commented absently and then blushed when he received several glares. “Well, I would have. You have strong daughters, Norbury, and that’s a fact.”
“I had Drake to keep all the nightmares at bay,” Toriana told him even as she gave him a smile.
“Good. I’m glad. It would break my heart to think they bothered you any.”
Toriana eyes misted with tears. “Thank you, Lord Birchill.”
“Don’t turn weepy on me,” he grumbled.
Drake pulled his wife close and placed a kiss to her head.
“I thought I heard more voices,” Vance commented as he and Alianore entered the room. “Missed us already, Casler?”
“Not so much you, Surrey,” Casler jested. “Besides, I spent more time here than at home growing up, so this feels like my home.”
“I thought the two of you would still be asleep,” Logan stated as he made his way to the sideboard.
Vance laughed at that while Alianore blushed.
“Logan, behave,” Kimbra scolded.
“Dare I ask what this morning’s topic of conversation is?” Vance asked, taking a seat and reaching for the coffee pot.
“The letter Grandfather received about Lady Tulia,” Toriana answered, staring at her grandfather.
“Bloody hell!” Vance muttered. “Is it too early for a glass of brandy?”
“Not for me it isn’t,” Justin replied and then laughed.
Toriana continued to stare at her grandfather until his light blue eyes met hers. “Please continue with the conversation you were having with Drake and father before I came in.”
“What conversation?” Kinsley asked joining them. She did her best not to look in Casler’s direction overly long. “I can’t believe everyone came downstairs and no one came to get me.”
“I thought you were still sleeping,” Kimbra replied.
Kinsley shook her head. “I didn’t get much sleep last night.”
“Seems there was a lot of that going on,” Logan responded. “I didn’t sleep much either.”
“Why don’t we talk about why Lord Birchill is here,” Justin suggested. “He did say he wanted to talk marriage. Exactly who’s marriage are you speaking of?”
“It can wait until later,” Gregory mumbled.
“Might as well speak up,” Justin replied with a laugh. “You know we’ll all find out about it anyway.”
“Bloody rotten way to be.”
Justin shrugged.
“I’m thinking about asking Lady Milison to marry me. Let me stress the words thinking about. I haven’t made any definite plans as of yet. Now let’s get back to the letter you got about Lady Tulia.”
Justin gave a heavy sigh as he looked at those in the room. “If we’re going to have this conversation, which apparently we are, then we might as well wait for Masina and your other grandparents to join us as well. No sense in going over it twice. I really don’t think I would care to do that.”
“Grandfather Criston and Grandmother Francis should be down in a moment. I was going to wait on them, but they told me not to,” Kinsley stated, taking a seat next to Drake and Toriana.
“Masina should be here any moment as well,” Justin nodded. “She was in the front parlor writing a letter when I came in here to have my morning coffee.”
“Writing messages already?” Drake asked with a smile.
Grandfather Justin laughed. “Just for some things to be taken care of back at home…like her things moved into my bedchamber,” he stated with a wink. “We’re also having a small cottage on the estates made ready for Mr. Milton. If all works out, he should be able to take up residence within a week.”
“I thank you both,” Toriana stated. “Mr. Milton was very kind and most helpful.”
“How are you today?” Kinsley asked Toriana.
Leaning to the side, Toriana placed a kiss to Kinsley’s cheek. “Much better. You look beautiful…as does Alianore.”
“And what of me?” Logan asked, glancing over his shoulder at her.
“Always so handsome,” Toriana called out.
“I guess Lord Richwood will be looking for another heiress to cast his eyes upon,” Alianore said as she joined Logan at the sideboard to make her and Vance and plate of food.
Logan brushed a kiss to her head and then carried his plate over to the table. “I don’t care where the man looks as long as he keeps his eyes off Kinsley.”
Kinsley blushed and avoided looking in Casler’s direction. “I have no interest in Lord Richwood, so you need not threaten the man,” she told him as she reached over and stole a piece of toast from his plate.
“’Tis a good thing,” Logan replied with a wink and then handed her a piece of sausage to go with the toast.
Toriana took another sip of coffee as Drake held it to her lips. She was trying to be patient as she waited for her grandfather to finish telling her, or them, what was in the letter, but if her other grandparents didn’t hurry and join them she was going to send Drake to find them. Just then her eyes met Drake’s over the rim of the coffee cup and he smiled.
“Can you read my mind now?” she whispered, a blush stained her cheeks.
“Can you read mine?” he countered.
Her blush turned warmer. “I don’t need to read your mind. I can tell exactly what’s on your mind.”
“And I can tell exactly what’s on yours and I’m not dragging your grandparents in here,” he told her as his smile widened. “Besides, I can hear your Langston grandparents coming down the stairs now.”
“I know we’re late, but I hope we didn’t miss breakfast,” Grandmother Francis stated as she and Grandfather Criston entered the room.
“It looks to be a bit crowded this morning,” Criston observed as he led Francis down to where Kimbra sat.
“You probably should have a tray sent up to your room, Francis,” Masina commented as she entered behind them. “Our granddaughter is determined to hear the gory details of the letter Justin received this morning pertaining to Lady Henden.”
“Gory, you say? Well, get on with the telling,” Francis stated. “Apparently, Masina already knows what’s in the letter.”
