Eleanor turned to find the children eating greedily. “Slow down or you will be sick.” All three looked mournfully at the bowls. “I did not say you could not eat your soup. You just need to eat more slowly.”

“Yes, my lady,” the two older ones chorused.

She waited until one of the outriders knocked and entered the room. “I shall see you later.”

Mrs. Parks chose to dine in her room. Eleanor ate a very good dinner of roasted chicken with several removes of vegetables, followed by a slice of warm apple pie and a glass of claret. When tea was served, she asked that Whitmer join her.

He entered the parlor a few minutes later. “My lady.”

“What is the name of the man who is searching for the family and how much danger are they in?”

“Dobbins, my lady. I’d say he’s a bad one. I wouldn’t want him to get his hands on them.”

She sipped her tea as she considered what the outrider said. “We will leave as soon as it is light enough to travel.”

“Yes, my lady. I’ll tell the coachman.”

The next morning, her party broke their fast while it was still dark. The children did not look as worried, and Mrs. Ward’s cheeks were more pink than blue. Eleanor was glad her guest was on the mend. As she watched the family settle themselves in the coach, she felt the hairs rise on the back of her neck and turned around. A man bearing a strong resemblance to a weasel stood across the road, tapping his hand with the broad side of a knife.

That must be Dobbins.

Eleanor met his glare with one of her own until he glanced away. She would not allow Mrs. Ward or her children to be harmed. “Turner, tell everyone to keep an eye out.” Climbing in the coach, she tapped on the roof. “Let us be off.”

April 1821, Worth Market Town

“Eleanor.” Her twin sister nudged her arm. “You will miss the entire service day dreaming.”

“I was thinking about the day I found her.” She glanced at the woman standing before the altar—Mrs. Ward, soon to be Mrs. Johnson—and another image came to Eleanor. One of a sharp-faced man tapping his knife on her hand, trying to stare her down. Dobbins. The children and their mother had been afraid of him. She gave herself a shake. All was well now.

“I knew that.” Alice grinned. “I am your twin.”

As much as they had included Madeline Vivers, their sister-in-law, in all things, the bond Eleanor shared with Alice was closer and more profound and probably always would be. “You are.”

“Pay attention.”

“I now pronounce you man and wife.” The vicar beamed at the newly married couple. “May God bless you with a fruitful marriage.”