“Duval House,” he said immediately. “Simon told me to treat the house as my own, and I intend to take full advantage of the invitation. Not that I think Simon or Suzanne would object to sheltering a child in need. It would only be for a few days.”

“And there are a cat and a dog to keep him company. He’d like that. Does Duval House have a guest room Christopher and I can share? He needs to have me near him for now. And I need it, too.”

“There’s a good-sized room in the attic that would work. Shall we take him over? I can get a small closed carriage and take it to the mews behind the house.”

Kendra nodded decisively. “Yes, please do. I have some of his clothing. It was a wishful hope that I’d find him before he completely outgrew his current clothes.”

He slid his arms under her and neatly transferred her to the sofa beside him so he could stand. “I’ll go to Duval House to make sure that Simon and Suzanne don’t object to having guests. Simon has the right kind of carriage as well. I’ll borrow it and return here. I should be back in one to two hours.”

She rose also. “I’ll pack a few things for Christopher and myself and be ready when you return.”

Lucas put a finger under her chin and gave her a swift kiss. “Now that we have him back, we won’t lose him again.”

As soon as he left Thorsay House, Kendra began making preparations for a few days away. When she entered her room, Christopher was still sleeping like a hibernating bear. Like a boy who had been frightened and exhausted and who knew that he was now safe and loved.

She changed from her fencing costume to one of her usual black gowns, then swiftly packed a small canvas bag for both of them. When she was done, she took the bag downstairs and cleared the tea things from the drawing room. Then she left a note for the Browns, saying that she was visiting friends for a few days and would be back soon.

Finally, she waited, and tried not to think of all the things that could go wrong with a crazed ex-husband nearby.

* * *

Lucas returned in just under an hour. When he entered the drawing room, he said, “I acquired a driver. Simon is waiting in the mews behind the house. Time to collect Christopher and be off before the Browns return.”

She nodded and led the way up to her room. Christopher was still deeply asleep. Lucas said, “I’ll carry him out to the carriage.”

Kendra wanted to say that was her job, but her son was getting too heavy for her to carry easily, especially down a staircase. “Wrap him in the blanket so he doesn’t get cold outside.”