Emilia began to calm down, remembering the snug little house in the flower-filled courtyard. “She would feel safe there?”
“She would, because there’s a bolt-hole.” Emilia started, and Nick’s grip tightened on her hand. “It’s merely a concealed cupboard, but Charlotte told me she found it comforting, to have a place where she could hide if she grew frightened. You already know I left her a disabled pistol. The hiding place was another thing I didn’t know how to refuse. I understand she kept a toy animal in there when she was younger, with a blanket and a pillow, her own safe refuge.”
Emilia let out her breath. “Do you really think that’s where they are?”
“I do.” He put his arm around her, and Emilia let herself be gathered to his side. “I own that court, and the house that was hers has been empty since she came to live with us. I wouldn’t be surprised if she has a key.”
The carriage slowed and turned. When it stopped, James jumped down to open the door.
It was the same courtyard she remembered. The house to the left was dark, but Nick walked up to the door and tried it. It opened under his hand, and he pushed it all the way open and gestured for Emilia. James jogged over with a pair of lit lanterns. Nick took one and sent him to scout the courtyard. “Let’s go,” he told Emilia, and led the way.
The little house was very dark; all the shutters were closed, so no moonlight crept in. Emilia instinctively kept close to Nick, who raised the lantern high. “Charlotte?” he called.
They went up the stairs, peeking into the rooms on each floor and calling the girls’ names. When they reached the bedrooms, a faint creak sounded. Nick walked into one room and went around the bed frame, holding the lantern higher, and Emilia saw the thin opening of a cupboard door.
“Charlotte?” she cried. “Lucy? Are you here? It’s us.”
The door opened all the way. Lucy’s pale face peered out. “Millie?”
“Yes,” she said, collapsing to her knees and opening her arms. Lucy scrambled out of the cupboard and into her lap, and Emilia bent over her.
“I didn’t want that man to get Lucy.” Charlotte crawled out, too, and Nick put his arms around her. “I heard the cries of fire, and I thought he’d set the house on fire to chase us out where he could snatch her.”
“That was very brave,” murmured Nick. He pressed a kiss to his sister’s temple. “But you gave Miss Greene a dreadful fright.”
Charlotte looked anxiously at Emilia.
“No,” said Emilia before Charlotte could speak. “Iam sorry that I frightenedyou. I’m so, so sorry...” Her voice broke and she hugged Lucy tighter in speechless relief.
“Is he gone?” Lucy had her arms around Emilia’s neck, but she didn’t sound quite as frightened now.
Emilia smoothed back her hair. “Yes, dear, he is. You don’t have anything to fear from him any longer.”
Lucy’s apprehensive eyes studied her. “Never? Charlotte said he is my guardian and that he would cause soldiers to come and take me away from you.”
Her heart twisted. “Never,” she swore.
“Never, Lucy,” added Nick. “I give you my word.”
After a long moment, Lucy nodded and tightened her arms around Emilia’s neck. “Good.”
Emilia buried her face in Lucy’s hair. How she loved this child.
Nick cleared his throat. “There is something else I want to tell you, and this seems an opportune moment. I have persuaded Miss Greene to marry me.”
Charlotte gasped. Lucy lurched upright. Emilia raised her head and gaped at Nick.
He gave her a wink, that faint, mischievous smile on his lips. There was no trace of the terrifying blankness he had showed when she told him his sister had disappeared; it was as if that moment had never happened.
“Truly?” Charlotte clapped her hands together. “Oh, Nicky! How brilliant!” She flung her arms around him before whirling to Emilia. “Now we will be sisters!”
“Really, Millie?” asked Lucy hopefully. Emilia knew the rest of her question:Will you be my new mama?
Will you always protect me and love me?
Will we be a family?
Throat tight, she nodded.
