As if a dam breaking, the tears now flowed. Louisa threw her arms around her father’s waist as he gathered her close. “I’m so sorry, Louisa. Can you ever forgive me?”
“I already have,” Louisa said, her voice muffled in his coat. “For you’ve always been—and will always remain—my father. And for that, I’m thankful.”
When they joined Louisa’s mother and Sir Aaron outside, they did so arm in arm. Louisa’s father helped her mother into the carriage, leaving Louisa a moment alone with Sir Aaron.
“I’ll write to you tomorrow,” he said. “And every day after until you’re returned to me.”
She waited for him to mount his horse, the sword returned to his waist. “I cannot wait. And you’ll take care of Patch, won’t you?”
“I shall. And I’ll even allow him to continue sleeping in my study.”
This made them both laugh.
Once Sir Aaron was gone, Louisa turned to her parents, who waited in the carriage. “May I say good-bye to my friends?”
“Yes,” her father replied. “But don’t be long.” This time his words were not a sharp command.
Louisa nodded and walked over to the great oak tree where the last two remaining people waited.
“Ruth,” Louisa said as she stood before her friend, “I did not expect to see you again.”
Ruth smiled. “I wanted to give you my congratulations. You’ve done well for yourself. I’ll miss you.”
Louisa smiled. “You’re my Sister, and I’m thankful for every moment we shared together.”
“Every moment?” Ruth asked, her eyes twinkling with their usual mischief.
“Indeed. Every moment. Even those that were less pleasant.”
Ruth grinned and hugged Louisa. “We’ll see one another again soon enough. I’m sure of it.” Then she returned to the school, leaving Louisa and her headmistress alone.
For a moment, Louisa was unsure what to say. How did one thank a woman who had been a surrogate mother as well as a friend? Who had taken in a nosy girl and would now send her off as a proper young lady?
“Mrs. Rutley, I don’t have the words to thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”
Her headmistress smiled and wrapped her arms around Louisa. “Sometimes there is no need for words.”
Louisa could only nod, for no truer statement had ever been said.
“Now,” Mrs. Rutley said when the embrace ended, “your parents are waiting. It’s time for you to begin the next stage of your life.”
Wiping her eyes, Louisa joined her parents, and soon the carriage moved forward. From the portico, Mrs. Shepherd and Ruth waved, and as the vehicle moved past the oak tree, her headmistress did so as well.
Mrs. Rutley had been correct, for the woman’s smile had said everything that needed to be said. And Louisa would never forget that message for as long as she lived.
ChapterThirty-Eight
Pleasant Grove, Bexley, Northampton, 1809
Lady Louisa Kirkwood gave her two-year-old son a quick kiss on his chubby cheek before handing him over to Mrs. Poplar, the nanny. A middle-aged widow with silver-streaked chestnut hair and a plump, matronly air about her, the woman had been a blessed addition to the staff.
“Be sure Timothy doesn’t get in the way,” Louisa said. “I had to chase after him three times already today when he was nearly trampled by one of the footmen.”
“I’ll see he’s well taken care of,” the nanny said. She lifted the boy, so his legs were hanging. “And you, young sir, will be far too busy to get in anyone’s way. How about we chase butterflies? Would you like that?”
“Buttafly!” Timothy cried, clapping his hands together with the eagerness of one his age ready for exploration.
A sudden yelp made everyone turn to see a white spotted dog leap out of the way.