Page 122 of A Convenient Fiction

Laura was smiling, too. Alex urged her forward, a swell of pride deepening his voice. “This is my wife. My Laura.”

Justin’s expression softened. “Mrs. Archer. You are very welcome.” He bowed over her hand when she offered it. “My wife, Helena, is very much looking forward to meeting you. She would have accompanied me, but she’s nearing her confinement, and travel is difficult at present.”

Alex’s heart lurched. Justin was going to be a father. The first of them to become so. The four orphan boys who’d never known any love. Any tenderness. He was going to have a child of his own now. It was as if a page had been turned on a dark chapter of their lives, offering a clean slate. A new beginning.

Laura pressed Alex’s arm as she addressed Justin. She seemed to know what he was thinking. She always did. “I’d no idea you were in anticipation of such a happy event.”

“Nor did I,” Tom said, “until Jenny and I returned to Devon.”

Alex didn’t think Justin could have looked any more pleased with himself. “We expect a healthy son or daughter sometime in the new year.”

“It won’t be too much for Lady Helena?” Laura asked. “Hosting all of us so near to her confinement?”

“Not at all,” Justin replied. “She insisted on it. She’s talked of nothing else for months.”

“Jenny is helping her manage the arrangements.” Tom glanced out at the crowd, frowning.

“Is she with you?” Alex asked.

“Jenny? No. She’s at the Abbey with Lady Helena. I’m looking for—” Tom broke off with a grin. “Ah. There he is. And he’s managed to find a porter to see to your luggage. Splendid.”

Alex looked across the platform. The jolt of recognition he’d felt when he saw Justin was nothing to what he felt now.

A strapping fellow with close-cropped blond hair came toward them, a porter and luggage cart at his heels. He was taller than Alex. Taller, even, than Justin, with impossibly broad shoulders, and light blue eyes with a faraway look in them.

It was Neville Cross.

Laura’s hand fell away from Alex’s arm as he moved toward his old friend, first slowly, and then with increasing speed. He caught Neville in a powerful embrace.

“Alex.” Neville hugged him back, nearly crushing him with the strength of his arms. “I knew you’d come home.”

“You knew more than I.” Alex stepped back. “Let me look at you.”

Neville’s cheeks reddened. He thrust his hands into the pockets of his overcoat. “I look different.”

“You don’t. You’re just as I remember you. Only bigger. My God, how did you outgrow the rest of us?”

“Working outside. I take care of the horses for Justin.”

Alex’s smile faded. Tom had said there was nothing wrong with Neville’s mind, but his speech was another matter. He struggled with it, forming each word with visible difficulty. “Are you well?” he asked. “After the fall, I worried for you. I never stopped worrying.”

“It’s…difficult.” Neville’s brow creased. “Frustrating.”

Alex nodded his understanding. “No matter. The four of us could always read each other’s minds, couldn’t we?”

Neville huffed a short laugh. “Yes.”

The others came to join them. Laura was on Justin’s arm, as naturally as if they’d known each other a lifetime.

Alex reached for her. “Come, my love. I want to introduce you to my old friend, Neville Cross. Neville? This is my wife, Laura.”

Laura offered her hand. “Mr. Cross. I’m so pleased to meet you at last.”

Neville’s fingers briefly engulfed hers. “Mrs. Archer.”

“Do call me, Laura. I feel as if I already know you.” Her eyes smiled up at him. “Did you know Alex rescued me, too? I nearly drowned while swimming in the sea at Margate. He saved my life.”

“It’s how I persuaded her to marry me,” Alex said dryly. “A shameless ploy.”