She turned to him gratefully. “You’re right. Would you mind going to the Red Lion? It’s not far, and I’m curious to find out if it will seem familiar.”

“You could stay here,” Mrs. Lowell said uncertainly.

“That’s kind of you,” Lucas said, “but you don’t need the extra burden of guests who are virtual strangers.”

“Strangers who are also family,” Mrs. Lowell said wryly. “But it will be easier if you stay elsewhere. I look forward to seeing you in the morning after we’ve had time to sort ourselves out.”

Kendra couldn’t agree more.

CHAPTER 18

CHAPTER 18

It was a relief to get into the carriage for the return to Lower Dauntrey. When Lucas climbed in after Kendra, he moved to take the opposing seat, but she caught his hand and pulled him down beside her. “I think we can both use some mutual handholding,” she said with a weary smile. “How are you feeling?”

He exhaled roughly. “Drained. I’ll be fine tomorrow, but attempting a major healing as we did today leaves me feeling as if a regiment of cavalry has galloped over me. What about you? Today has been shocking even though the news is miraculously good.”

“I never once considered that my daughter might have survived.” Fighting tears, Kendra pressed her free hand to her lower face as she whispered disjointedly, “Even now I have trouble believing it’s true.”

He released her hand and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “But there’s no doubt. She’s the very image of you.”

“And the image of Christopher.” She bit her lip at the thought of her son, then continued, “The most I hoped for was obtaining some kind of certainty about the past, and the chance to say good-bye to my Caitlin. But reality turns out to be so much more complicated. She’s my miracle child—yet I can’t take her home with me.”

“You were right to say that you can’t take Katie away from the woman who has been a mother to her,” Lucas said quietly. “It will take time to build a relationship with Katie and Jane. You might end up more like a favorite aunt than a mother. But you will be part of your daughter’s life, and you’ve acquired other worthy relatives as well. That Maggie knows how to cook!”

She smiled as he’d intended. “We’ll sort things out in time. My next task is to return to London to hear whether Kirkland has discovered any weapons to use against Denshire.”

“Our next task,” he said firmly.

She raised their joined hands and brushed a kiss on his knuckles, then closed her eyes and relaxed back into the seat. That looked like such a good idea that he did the same, and they both dozed for the rest of the journey to the Red Lion. Holding hands all the way.

* * *