Never Less Than A Lady | Herophine

Chapter Sixteen

Josephine

Josephine found her return to Rose Cottage anticlimactic. She knocked at the door several times with no response, and the door was locked when she tried to open it. During her years in Hartley, the cottage had rarely been locked.

"Probably Faith Samuels is just out for a few hours," Hero said.

"I hope you're right." Josephine moved to her left and felt under the sill of the parlour window. Good, the key was still there. She unlocked the door and stepped inside, then gave a sigh of relief. "All looks well."

The house was neat and felt lived in. Josephine could see bread rising in a bowl back in the kitchen. She smiled when her tabby cat appeared and stropped her ankles. Scooping up the cat, she asked, "How are you, Snowball?"

"It doesn't look as if he's missed many meals," Jack observed. The cottage looked very small with two large men in it.

"Life goes on, and Faith and Snowball seem to have adjusted to my departure." The relief was huge.

"Is it strange being back here?" Hero asked.

"Yes." Josephine frowned as she thought about her reaction. "Everything looks the same, but my life has been turned upside down. I was Mrs Thomas for so many years, useful and safe. Now Mrs Thomas is gone forever."

"She never really existed," he said quietly.

"I suppose not." But Mrs Thomas had felt very real for years. "Will it take long for you to collect your belongings?" he asked.

Josephine shook her head. Few things from her career as a midwife would be needed in her new life. "By the time I've finished, Faith and Bea should be back from wherever they've gone so I can reassure them, and say goodbye."

Hero hesitated. "I need to go up to Hartley Manor. Everyone there will want to know that you're safe, and I need to be sure that Grand Turk was returned properly. But I don't want to leave you alone."

They'd all been watchful on the drive between Carlisle and Hartley. Though there had been no sign of Arthur or his men, Josephine could see that Hero was still wary.

"I'll stay with Lady Josephine," Jack said. "I won't let her out of my sight."

Hero relaxed. "Good. On the way back through the village, I'll book us rooms at the inn. I won't be gone long."

"I'll be fine," Josephine reassured him. "No need to worry."

"Probably not," he admitted. "But Hartley is the one place Arthur can watch where there's a good chance you will return."

Jack looked hopeful. "I wouldn't mind a bit of excitement."

Josephine shuddered. "I much prefer boredom."

Hero grinned. "I shall attempt to make our marriage as boring as possible."

As Jack laughed, Hero kissed Josephine's cheek lightly and left. As the carriage rattled away, Josephine asked, "Would you like a cup of tea or a draft of my ginger beer, Mr Anderson?"

"The ginger beer would be pleasant." Jack strolled into the kitchen after her. She poured a tall flagon of the fragrant, slightly bubbly brew. When he tasted it, he said, "Excellent. If you ever run away from FT to start a new life, you could become a brewer."

Josephine winced as she poured herself a small glass. "I can't really joke about that."

"Sorry. My sense of humour is deplorable." His voice turned serious. "But I assure You, Hero is nothing like Xander."