The Guardian

Chapter Six

"Good evening, Thomas. I wonder if we could impose upon your mistress's hospitality."

The old man at the door let out a low groan, but pushed the door open to allow Nora and Jack entrance in the brick-faced Georgian style home. "The mistress has been expecting you, milady," the old butler announced. "I will go wake her."

"Oh, no, Thomas," Nora said. "It can wait until morning. I do not wish to disturb the whole household."

"I have instructions to wake her when you arrived, milady. I will not go against her wishes, even for you." Thomas peered behind them to the horses on the street. "First, I will have Jacob bring your horses 'round."

"Thomas, about my horse," Nora began.

"I may be getting on in years, but I still have eyes like a fox. Jacob will take care of the insignia," Thomas assured, patting Nora's shoulder.

Jack cocked his head and studied Thomas. He wondered how much the man knew. The phrase "eyes like a Fox," didn't seem to affect Nora at all, but Jack found it quite curious himself. That was the exact phrase Nora used to describe her brother earlier that evening. Jack watched as Thomas slowly made his way out of the room toward the rear of the house.

"Where the hell are we, Nora?" Jack hissed as he followed her into the parlor off the foyer.

"This is the home of Ben's daughter, Sara, but we call her Sally, and her husband Richard. Ben does not care for him overly much," Nora explained, removing her cloak and laying it over her arm. "They have two small children. Ben lost his wife recently and Sara acts as his official hostess. She also accompanies him to events and parties that require his presence." Nora moved to the harpsichord in the corner and laid her cloak over the bench. "Would you like to sit down? You couldn't have rested much at the inn."

Jack looked around the room. Although it was clean, the furniture and pieces showed their age. Though the household had a butler and apparently a stable lad, Jack wondered at the master and mistress' ability to afford them. But that was none of his business. He turned his attention to the staircase in the foyer as a plump young woman with a riot of blonde curls came hurrying down the stairs, carrying a candle for light and wearing a white night dress and bare feet.

"Nora! Oh, you are safe! We have been so worried!" The woman ran across the room, put the candlestick down on a table and hugged Nora fiercely.

"We are," Nora assured. "Have you heard from your father? Is he unharmed?"

"Yes, he is fine, but he was very worried about the two of you," Sally replied. She picked up the candlestick again and turned to Jack. "You are Mr. Justice, I presume."

"Yes, ma'am," Jack nodded. "Sorry to disturb you."

"It is no bother. The children sleep through anything, a trait they inherited from their father," Sally replied. "Come to the kitchens, you must be starving."

"We should not impose," Jack began.

"It is no imposition," Sally waved away and turned to leave the parlor. Nora and Jack followed her through the house. "I am glad you came here. We have been so worried. Father has a message for you."

"I am sick over the way we left, Sally. You are sure he is well?" Nora asked again as they entered the kitchen. Sally moved from a counter to a butcher block to the small table lighting candles and lanterns.

"Yes, Nora, of course," Sally assured. "Father absorbs any situation and moves on to what comes next without batting an eye. What was next was to write out detailed instructions and send them with Jacob. Jacob is here awaiting your arrival so he can return with news of your good health."