Under His Protection

Chapter 20

Chapter Twenty

Markham House

"You look deep in thought," Oliver said to Cat upon entering the room.

"I have been rethinking all the information we have up to this point," Cat replied. "We now know that poor Lord Plympton was not guilty of treason but we know that Lord Boswell, Lord Penworthy, Graham, Lord Penworthy's valet and Sir Winterwood were. It's the not knowing if others were involved that bothers me along with not knowing where Graham and Winterwood presently are."

"Not knowing where Graham and Winterwood worry me the most," Oliver said to Cat. "I copied several pages from Penworthy's ledger to see if you could decode it, Sir Alec is bringing several more pages with him as well. He is supposed to turn the ledger over to the Foreign Office to see if their decoders could unravel Penworthy's code. I just hope it doesn't mysteriously disappear once it is in their hands."

Oliver reached inside his coat and extracted the copied sheets of the ledger that he had made and handed them to Cat.

"I'll see to them after dinner," Cat replied once she scanned them over.

"So how is our patient doing today?" Oliver asked as he took his unconscious wife's hand in his. "I've worried about her since I left her here under your Grandfather's and Trey's protection but I didn't know of a safer place for her in the condition she is in. I've missed her knowing I couldn't come often to visit incase Penworthy or one of the others had me watched. This dinner tonight is another safe cover for my being here."

"Yes and putting out that Grandfather was once again not feeling well to cover the nurses here and Doctor Banyan's visits to Grandfather's house was a very good idea. Val is doing as well as can be expected according to Doctor Banyan, he has kept her sedated because of the pain, Oliver. But he did warn us he still cannot guarantee her recovery. But I know my friend and she will fight with all her might to make it through this for you and the children. She's called out your name and the children's several times in her delirium earlier today I was told by the nurse on duty at the time."

"I have to thank Devlyn and Amanda for taking the children to their estate and keeping them safe there with them. I know that Richie and Margie are probably having a great time unaware of what's transpired here in London with their mother. I don't want to say anything to them until we are sure Val will pull through this. I have made Devlyn and Amanda aware of what has happened to Val."

"You look tired, Oliver, you need to get some rest or you will not do Val any good if you become ill."

"I cannot seem to sleep without her near me," Oliver replied to his friend. "I don't know what I'll do if I lose her, Cat. I waited so very long for someone like Val to come into my life. For someone to love as much as I love her and I know she loves me with all of my faults. How will I tell the children I didn't protect her as I promised them I would if something happens?"

"I made it through against all odds when Bruce shot me twice in the back and left me for dead. Myles saw me through it and you will see Val through this. Do not give up hope, Oliver."

"Hope is all that seems left to me at this point."

"Are you going to make Sir Alec and Lady Geraldine aware that Val is still alive, most people think she is dead and are wondering why no funeral service has taken place. And I'm surprised that Val's father and mother haven't darkened our doorsteps by now."

"I just wish I knew where Winterwood and Graham were before I start letting it be known Val is still with us. I keep wondering if I do would I once again endanger Val's life. I know that Sir Alec and Geraldine would not pass the information around but still secrets do not last long in London. Give this old friend some sage advice, please," Oliver asked.