AllFreeNovel
Share Us
There was a knock at the door. Gordon, the butler, came in with the newspapers. He handed them to Jackson then left the room.
Jackson picked up theMorning Chronicle, scanning the headlines. His heart started thumping uncomfortably. On the second page, he found what he was looking for.
Lord Archibald Cardigan yesterday was found guilty of kidnap and battery, but not guilty of attempted murder. The jury deliberated for over an hour. The disgraced baronet has been sentenced to seven years in the colony of North Carolina in the Americas. The solicitor for the prosecution argued that the gentleman deserved the gallows to no avail. Lord Cardigan will sail on the prison ship Gloriana on the tenth of this month to serve his sentence. Police have been unable to locate the whereabouts of the ruffians who helped him with his crimes, and it is believed they are on the run.
Jackson closed his eyes in pure anguish. It was over. He put his head in his hands, as he let that truth sink in. The traitor had been punished. The law had been served. He was getting his just desserts at long last.
There was another soft knock at the door. He stared up at it balefully. He didn’t know if he could deal with any of the servants at the moment.
“Who is it?” he barked.
“Patricia, my love,” called a soft voice on the other side of the door.
His heart seized. He was in such a turmoil of emotion. But then, he stopped himself. This was his beloved wife. The woman who had saved him from Cardigan. The woman who had transformed his life with her love. The woman who had finally put his nightmare to rest.
He was slowly learning that he could be vulnerable, and she would still love him. He could show his demons to her and she would not flinch. And she deserved to share this moment with him, even if he was emotional. He didn’t have to put on a brave face for her. He could just be himself.
“Come in,” he called, standing up.
She entered. His heart flipped over in his chest at the sight of her, just like it always did. He had only last seen her two hours ago at the breakfast table, but it was as if it had been an eternity.
She was dressed in a simple white morning gown, with little adornment, her strawberry blonde hair pulled back into a chignon at the nape of her neck. She looked as fresh faced and lovely as the morning. His beautiful wife.
“What is it?” she cried fearfully, seeing his face. She rushed to his side. “Are you feeling poorly again? I told Godwin you were not fit for business yet…”
“Hush,” he said, kissing her tenderly on the forehead. “I am well enough. Do not fret over it. Business has waited long enough.” He hesitated, gesturing to the newspaper, sprawled on the desk. “I have just read about Cardigan’s sentencing.”
Patricia looked stricken, turning pale. Her amber brown eyes filled with horrified tears.
“Tell me,” she said, raising her chin. “I cannot tell by your face if it is good or bad news.”
He took her hand, gazing into her face. “It is done. He has been convicted of kidnap and battery, but not attempted murder. So he shall not face the gallows.” He paused. “He is being sent to the colonies, for a period of seven years.”
She gasped, shaking her head. “I was certain he would hang,” she whispered in anguish. “How could they not have convicted him of attempted murder? They had Lord Reynolds sworn testimony, backed up by Lord Reading, that it was his intention. Apart from your own testimony.”
He sighed heavily. “He has a very good solicitor, Patricia. One of the best that money can buy. I think we should be grateful that he is being exiled at least. A lot of nobles weasel their way out of any punishment at all for their crimes.”
She leaned heavily against him, twining her arms around his neck. For a moment, they just stood there without speaking. Breathing each other in. Taking comfort from each other.
“Seven years,” she breathed, against his neck. “It is not a lifetime. He may return to England yet…”
“And I shall deal with him if that happens,” he said grimly. “I shall not let him torment our lives again. I vow it to you.”
She nodded, seemingly reassured. She pulled back, gazing up at him. “It is over.”
He nodded. “It is over.” He paused. “In more ways than one. I have signed the papers to release funds from the bank and written to your father. Your sister’s future is secure. You do not have to worry about it any longer.”
She sagged against him again, burying her face into his chest. He put his arms around her. She was trembling with emotion. He knew how deeply this had affected her and how much guilt she still felt about it.
“Thank you,” she whispered fervently. “Thank you.”
He pulled back, lifting her chin, so he could see her face. Her eyes were shining with unshed tears. “You do not need to thank me, my love,” he said softly. “What is mine is yours. All I want is to see you unshed of this burden at last. I want us to put it behind us once and for all. To make that fresh start that we both want.”
She took a deep, ragged breath. “And that is all I want to, Jackson. With my whole heart.” She smiled hesitantly, through her tears. “Have we done it? Are we ready to begin again?”
He nodded slowly. “Yes. I believe we are.” Suddenly, he smiled. “As soon as the letter to your father is sent, we can finally leave London. Godwin will take care of the rest. We can start packing this afternoon for the journey to Thornbury Manor.”
Patricia looked so joyous that his heart seized. This was what it had all been for. All their trials and tribulations. To see this look on her face, their troubles were over, and they could start their life together the way they wanted to.
