The Charlotte Series: Book 3: The Pretender's Gold

13

Chapter 13

He made his way back to the library on the off chance that anyone was still up. Millicent was there, and James. They were quietly absorbed in their own books and there was something peaceful about seeing the two of them separate, but together. He cleared his throat as neither seemed to notice his arrival.

"Stu?" Millicent was on her feet at once. "What is it? What's happened?"

"My mother has died. Em is alone."

"I'll ring for my carriage to be ready at once." James was on his feet at once. "Is there anything else that we can do?"

"James, Dear." Millicent put in, "tell them to hitch the Yankees."

"Of course." Turning to his friend, James explained. "Abe and Andrew* are a matched pair and they are the fastest team we have."

"Thank you." Stu answered staring at the letter in his hand.

He'd not read past the second sentence. He should, but he couldn't bring himself to. Anyway, each time he tried, his vision blurred again, like it was doing now. His heart was broken, but his poor little Em must be in a bad way...to have been there all alone...

A gentle hand on his arm drew his attention.

"Come Stu. Let me help you pack your things. We can pack enough for a day or two and then we shall send the other things on to you in a day or two when they can be cleaned, pressed, and packed properly."

"Thank you Mills." He said before he realized what he was about.

"It's the very least I can do for a man that once risked his life to save my husband."

"Thank you, your grace." He spoke softly, as his voice was not quite working properly. "I cannot tell you what it means that you and his grace..."

"James." The duke said stepping behind his friend and resting a hand on Stu's shoulder. "We've been through hell and back, my dear friend. Please, call me James."

"Mr. Jim." Stu said with a sad smile.

"Mr. Jim." James smiled as he recalled a much younger Stu being introduced to him by a very proud Thomas Windes.

"Your Grace?"

"Dudley-"

James diverted his attention to arrange the carriage and the horses. Millicent quietly led Stu back to his suite of rooms in the family wing. Stu sat numbly on the edge of the bed as Millicent pulled the bell and began setting aside items from the wardrobe.

"Yes-oh, your grace."

"Janet. Please fetch a carpet bag and send Dudley with a decanter of brandy and two glasses."

Stu let himself be shuffled into the carriage and was quite lost to his thoughts as James had words with the driver before they set off. He must have slept and he probably had eaten, but he didn't recall it as the door opened two days later and the footman called to him.

"Captain Windes?"

"What?" he looked about and recognized Dovesdale Manor.

"Oh. Thank you." He climbed out and nearly stumbled on stiff legs. "I need...I need..."

"Yes sir. I will give your bag to Jackson and tell him you will be in directly. Is there anything else you should require of me before I return to Westmoore, sir?"

"No. Thank you."

Stu was pleased he'd managed to be civil. He needed to stretch his legs and regain his wits before he faced his sister. He decided a short walk to the stables and a brief visit with Artemis would do. Artemis was actually Artemis II but he was very much like his sire. Without human friends, Artemis I had filled an empty space in a lonely boy's heart.