She held in a laugh at his outraged expression. “Then you should have knocked on the front door rather than climbing the trees, you ape,” Beth said quietly, keeping an eye on her brother-in-law to check that he wasn’t listening.
She didn’t think it right to tell tales, even to her own family, about the Randall’s past problems. Once Tobias had been unmasked as the troublemaker, the family had grown closer than ever before. And when Oliver was returned, weak but unharmed, everything had almost appeared normal between them.
Tobias clutched his chest dramatically. “Wounded, and by such a tender blow.”
George relaxed his grip on her hand and stood straighter. “Do you still climb the abbey, sir? I’ve not seen you do it and they say you’re a wonder to behold.”
Tobias ruffled his hair. “Sorry, lad, you won’t. My feet are firmly planted on the ground now. There’s no one left to rescue.” Tobias cast a sly glance at Oliver, who’d remained silent on the subject of his adventurous younger brother’s antics.
“There is Rose still to locate,” Oliver said abruptly, a frown forming over his face.
Tobias sighed morosely. “I wish Rose was here. Leopold is going to have no hair left soon. There’ll be just one tuft left at the top that he musses every time another letter arrives with no news of her.”
Beth rubbed her hands up and down her arms as a sudden chill swept her skin. “I miss her, too. But she’s still alive. I am sure of that.”
“But why doesn’t she come?” Tobias grumbled. “Leopold has had an advertisement running in every paper with no success. She’s vanished without a trace.”
“Give her time, Tobias,” Beth murmured gently, concerned by the rising of his voice. “Who knows how far she ran ten years ago? The one thing you should remember is she could look after herself better than any girl I knew. Trust that she’s safe.”
Oliver met her gaze directly. “She might not believe the messages are true.”
Tobias groaned loudly. “You mean she may not even believe we posted them?”
“It’s a possibility I’ve been considering this past week to account for her silence.” Oliver shook his head suddenly. “If I come up with an alternative wording next week I’ll write immediately.”
Tobias fell silent and Beth risked a glance at Oliver. His expression hinted he was far away in his thoughts and she quickly looked elsewhere before she was caught staring.
“Wait,” Tobias said suddenly, waving his arms to draw Oliver’s attention. “What do you mean you will write next week? Next week you’ll still be here.”
Beth steeled herself for pain as Oliver let out a long sigh that could only bode ill news for his brothers. “I received a response today to my enquiry about a passage to cross the channel,” he said. “My ship sails on December second.”
Beth sighed. “A bare day before we sail.”
Tobias glared. “You’re leaving so soon, too?”
Oliver’s attention shifted to her and his stare grew uncomfortable. There was something unusual in his expression that she hadn’t seen before. Disappointment? Sorrow, perhaps. She nodded quickly to dispel the illusion. “I was informed of the date of our departure just before you joined us.”
George clutched her hand again and laid his cheek against her arm. She hugged him quickly. “Looks like we are all bound for adventure within the week. I am so sorry that I will miss your wedding, though, Tobias. I’ll wait and hope for a letter to follow me so I may hear all about it.”
Tobias looked between them. “You’re both mad to think you’ll be happier elsewhere. You’ve spent too much time in the sun.” He threw up his hands and stalked away, heading for the abbey and, Beth guessed, for the likely comfort of his future wife.
She followed Tobias’s progress until he slammed through the terrace doors. When she faced Oliver again, he was watching her intently. He drew closer. “You do not sound excited about America.”
She smiled quickly. “We haven’t had a lot of time to prepare.”
Oliver slued around to study her brother-in-law, his lips pursed. Eventually he huffed, a sound she’d heard from him quite often of late. “And he’s hardly been forthcoming. If you have doubts, you should remain here. There’s plenty of time for George to join his uncle and learn his business, whatever that may be, when he’s grown older.”
She didn’t like that Oliver’s thoughts ran with her own. But what she did with her life wasn’t something he should concern himself over. He hadn’t wanted a say in her life years ago. He’d allowed her to marry someone else. She wouldn’t give up her independence now; no matter how well he made love or how many times he could entice her to share his bed. “There’s no reason not to go now. Do not give our happiness another thought, sir. You must be quite anxious to be on your way, too. After all, it’s everything you’ve dreamed and spoken of your entire life.”
His eyes lowered. “I suppose it was. If you’ll excuse me, I have my own packing to do and a brother to reconcile with the news. Until later.”
He strode toward the house and Beth wrenched her eyes away before they filled with tears. Their time together was almost over and she must prepare for that, too. She would not blubber like a lovesick ninny as his carriage carried him down the drive. She would be strong and wish him well on his adventure. She would wish him every happiness.
She hugged George to her side and then smoothed his hair from his eyes. “We have much to do and a haircut appears to be the first order of business.”
“I don’t want a haircut,” George said petulantly, scrubbing at his head as if her affection was annoying now. “I want to stay with Mr. Randall.”
“He’s leaving, too,” she reminded him gently.