A Hero Returns Read online

  A Hero Returns

  The Repington Chronicles

  Kelly Anne Bruce

  Contents

  Copyright

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Preview of The Barrister’s Choice

  About Kelly Anne Bruce

  Join Kelly Anne Bruce’s Readers Group

  Also By Kelly Anne Bruce

  Sweet River Publishing

  Copyright

  Copyright 2017, Kelly Anne Bruce

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, electronic or mechanical, without written approval by the author, except for short excerpts used in a book review.

  All characters, places, events, businesses, or references to historical facts are fictitious and products of the author’s imagination. Any references to actual people, places, or events are purely incidental.

  http://www.KellyAnneBruce.com

  Chapter One

  The coach rambled over a rough spot in the road pulling Charles Repington from his thoughts. He had hoped to rest during his journey back home but that was not meant to be. It had been a long time since he had been back, more months than the young man wanted to count.

  Charles shook his head to try to dispel the thoughts that were coming to mind. He had many adventures and had learned many things and met many people. Most did not get that sort of opportunity. However, there was much about his time on the Peninsula that he did not care to remember.

  When it had come time for him to return to England, he had first thought to visit London for a time before heading to Castborough to see his family. A few weeks of gambling and drinking were sure to make his return easier. It was not to be though, as his mother had discovered that he was to return from the Peninsula. Days before he left he had received a strongly worded letter from his father suggesting that his presence at home would be much appreciated sooner, rather than later

  So, here he was almost to Castborough, happy but also quite apprehensive. With a sigh, he looked out to see that the coach had made the final turn on the road, the large stone manor loomed large sitting atop a hill overlooking Surrey. It was good seeing the familiar home, he had not expected that. For the first time, Charles thought coming home may not have been such a poor idea.

  It was not too long before the coach was pulling up in front of the house. He had not even alighted from the coach when the front door flew open.

  "Charles!" His youngest sibling and only sister dashed down the steps.

  "Henrietta!" He called back laughing and then grunted as she flung herself at him hugging him tight.

  "I did not believe Mother and Father when they told me you were coming home."

  "Why not?" He tilted his head to the side and grinned.

  "I have been so worried over you that I would not have believed anyone until I look upon you with my very own eyes."

  Charles stood back spreading out his arms. "Here I am. Safe and well… mostly sound," he quipped with another grin.

  "Hear, hear! The hero has returned."

  Charles turned to see Matthew, the youngest of his brothers, walking slowly down the steps. His words struck a nerve with Charles, he was no hero. He thought to say something but soon saw that it his brother was smiling and had intended no ill will.

  Charles turned to look behind him. "Hero? Me? No. I am just a soldier like everyone else."

  "That is not what we heard from Major Stewart," Matthew said clapping Charles on the shoulder.

  "Ah, I see." Charles shook his head. "Major Stewart is known for his over exaggeration. It is the best to ignore his nonsense."

  Matthew looked to protest but Charles cut him off. "I have traveled all the way from Spain. Is it possible that I may actually go inside? Or am I to stay in this coach for the entirety of my visit?"

  "No, sir," Thomas answered, picking up Charles' valise. "Your rooms have been cleaned and are waiting for you."

  "Thank you, Thomas." Charles walked to the bottom of the steps.

  It was an odd feeling looking up at the house, so much that had stayed the same but it felt quite different for him. It made him wonder how much his time away had changed him. He was not the only one who had changed though, he thought, looking at Henrietta. She had moved to stand next to him and he linked his arm through hers.

  "Sister, dear. What has happened in my absence? Other than you growing up to become a lovely young woman?"

  Henrietta's eyes widened then she smiled. "Oh, so much! I do not know where to start."

  "He does not care about your Season?” Matthew scoffed. “Charles, tell us about what it was like on the Peninsula."

  Charles frowned. He was happy to see Matthew but he did not want to talk about the Peninsula and certainly not in front of Henrietta. Instead of saying so he turned to Henrietta and whispered loudly, "I take it Matthew’s Season has not gone as well."

  Henrietta let out a whoop of laughter and then covered her mouth. Charles laughed as she tried to compose herself.

  First, she glanced over to Matthew and then leaned conspiratorially against Charles’ shoulder. "Truth be told, it has not. Abigail Underwood has caused him great distress."

  "She has not," Matthew retorted.

  Charles nodded with a serious look on his face. "I cannot say for sure, but you seem rather distressed. What do you think, Henrietta?"

  "Oh yes, quite right," Henrietta agreed. “Distressed indeed.”

  "No, I am not distressed. She... Well, I really am not distressed," Matthew stammered and quickly went up the steps to the house.

  After a moment, Henrietta chuckled before resting her head against Charles the shoulder. "I'm so glad you are home."

  Charles smiled down at her. "As am I."

  Chapter Two

  Beatrice looked up from her book, she thought she had heard voices in the hall. The door to the drawing room remained closed and after a moment she shrugged and turned her gaze back to the pages.

  She had still not gotten used to the activity at Castborough. The noise still disturbed her concentration when she was reading. Her family home was much quieter as it was only she and her mother much of the time.

  Thinking of her mother she looked down at the book on her lap and laughed. Beatrice was quite sure that her mother would be rather angry that not only was she reading, but that she was also reading an adventure tale.

  It made little sense to her that she would find so much enjoyment in doing something that would anger her mother. Beatrice Taltham had always been careful to follow her mother's instructions to the letter. It had been harder as of late since it seemed no matter what Beatrice did her mother had been upset with her anyway. Perhaps that was why she found such great amusement in her harmless but wayward pursuit.

  It had been a stroke of good luck for Beatrice that prompted her stay at Castborough. Martha Taltham had needed to go back to their country home but did not want Beatrice to miss social events in the middle of the Season. Henrietta had spoken to Lady Castborough about Beatrice staying with them. Her mother had been quite happy to allow it if only to brag that her daughter had been personally invited to stay at Castborough. The w
oman had been doing everything she could to make Beatrice more popular with the social elite, much to Beatrice’s chagrin.

  Thinking about her mother made her suddenly feel restless. She set the book on the settee beside her before getting up to walk to the windows. She had barely reached the window when the door to the drawing room opened and the room seemed filled with people.

  Beatrice smiled at the few people she recognized. Henrietta came in next, her arm linked through the arm of a man Beatrice had never seen before. It was clear that he was related to Henrietta’s brother, Matthew, but that is where the resemblance ended. He was much taller than Matthew and where Henrietta’s eldest brothers had blonde hair this man had darker hair. It was a bit longer that what was fashionable but Beatrice thought it suited him. She wondered if perhaps he was an uncle or a cousin.

  Henrietta led the man straight to Beatrice. "Beatrice, you will never guess who has arrived," Henrietta said.

  Beatrice shook her head smiling at her friend. "I could not even begin to guess."

  Henrietta laughed. "This is my brother, Charles Repington."

  "Oh!" Beatrice exclaimed remembering Henrietta talking about how worried she had been while he was fighting the war on the Peninsula. It seemed to explain a lot to her as well as he had the appearance of a young man but his demeanor was much more mature. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant. Henrietta has spoken of you often."

  Charles grimaced and then glanced over at Henrietta. "I am unsure if I should be flattered or not."

  Henrietta gasped in mock horror. "I have no idea of what you are speaking."

  "I assure you," Beatrice spoke up quickly. "Your sister has spoken quite highly of you."

  "That is a relief. I would hate to think that you thought ill of me upon our first meeting."

  He was smiling down at her and Beatrice had to collect herself in order to reply. "Of course not, Lieutenant. Welcome home."

  "Thank you," he said with a slight nod. "That is quite kind of you, um, Miss..."

  “Where are my manners?” Henrietta gasped, her hand flying to cover her mouth. “Charles, this is my dear friend, Beatrice Taltham. She has been staying with us while her mother has gone to tend to their home in London.”

  Charles raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Miss Beatrice Taltham, it is indeed a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

  Beatrice was trying to think of something else to say that did not sound silly when a deep voice interrupted her thoughts. "Charles!"

  They all turned to see that Lord and Lady Castborough had joined them in the drawing room.

  "Mother, you look as lovely as ever." Charles crossed the room and embraced his mother.

  His mother dabbed at her eyes with her handkerchief. "Charles dear, you are being too kind. I am merely happy that you are here."

  "Of course, Mother where else would I be?"

  "Yes, indeed," his father said with a raised eyebrow. He smiled quickly, though. "Welcome home, Charles, my boy."

  Beatrice watched as several emotions seemed to flicker across Charles' face. He shook Lord Castborough's hand and appeared most sincere when he said, "I am quite happy to be back. Thank you."

  Beatrice could almost appreciate Charles' conflicting emotions. While watching Henrietta and her family she was happy but also rather envious of their large family and how close they were. She, herself, had two older brothers that she hardly knew, born to her father's first wife.

  She rarely saw her father and when she did it was awkward and uncomfortable. He and Mother no longer got along and much of their time together was spent arguing. She had long wished for a family like Henrietta had and regretted, even more, the fact that soon she will be forced to return to London and face her mother once more.

  Chapter Three

  "I cannot tell you how glad I will be when this is over," Charles said straightening his cravat.

  Matthew stood in the hall waiting for Charles to join him. He laughed out loud at his brother’s words.

  Charles fell into step next to him. "Did Mother send you to check on me?"

  "Yes, she certainly did," Matthew admitted. "She was somewhat concerned that you would disappear again."

  "Again?" Charles asked. Although he knew exactly what she was talking about. Over the last week, he had taken to slipping out one of the many doors and to go on long walks in and around Castborough. He then continued, not wanting to hear any sort of explanation from Matthew. "I told Mother that I would be here. She has no need to worry."

  "I know, and I am sure that she knows too," Matthew told him. "She is extremely pleased you are here and wants everything to go well tonight."

  Charles nodded knowing that his brother was correct. "I tried to tell her that a party was not necessary, but she told me to be quiet."

  Matthew laughed and then paused turning to face Charles. "Mother has been talking about throwing a ball in your honour since you left for the Peninsula. I think it may have been what kept her from worrying over you too much while you were gone."

  Charles had not thought his family would be distressed by his time away. When he had acquired his commission, they had been quite proud.

  "I will endeavour to not disappoint her," Charles said continuing down the hall once more.

  Charles had spent most of the last hour with his parents greeting guests that had arrived for the ball. It had been fairly tiring and he highly doubted that he would remember many of the names of the people who had been presented to him.

  The room was filled with people and music had already filled the ballroom when he entered. He was glad of it too. It gave him the opportunity to move about the room and observe everyone without really being seen. He had just found a good spot at the far end of the ballroom when he spotted one of his elder brothers entering the ballroom with a lovely woman on his arm. She could only be James’ new bride. Charles had gotten word that James was to marry but the letter had been delayed by several weeks.

  Charles had been somewhat surprised by the news as James had never been much interested in participating in the events of the Season. The last time Charles had seen James, he had been much too busy here at Castborough. He had actually thought he had misread the letter and that it was Philip, their eldest brother, who was planning to marry.

  "Charles," James said reaching up to shake his hand. "Glad to see you survived your time on the Peninsula."

  "Thank you," Charles replied. He looked from James to the woman on his arm. "And it looks as though you survived the Season rather well."

  A wide smile broke out on James’ face. "Yes, absolutely. Please meet Elizabeth, my wife."

  Charles took her hand and bowed slightly. "I am honoured to meet you."

  "Thank you," she said. "I am pleased to meet you as well."

  "And congratulations on your recent nuptials. My deepest apologies that I was unable to attend."

  "Please do not worry over that," Elizabeth said quickly. "While it is true that your presence was desired and missed, we understand your duties as an officer were far more pressing."

  "Thank you." He smiled broadly at her and then turned to James with a smirk." She is quite understanding, am I to understand that this is one of the reasons that she agreed to marry you?"

  James looked over fondly at his new wife who had laughed at Charles' question. "Yes, I believe it did. Why else would she agree to marry such a stuffy codger?"

  Before Charles could come comment further Elizabeth spoke up. "I suppose that is a weakness of mine, being so very kind to the less fortunate."

  Charles marveled at the serious face she was able to keep.

  "Charity? That is what it has come down to?" James shook his head sadly before smiling once more as he turned to Elizabeth. "And I will ever be grateful for your kindness," James told her dropping a sweet kiss at her temple.

  "Yes, of course," Elizabeth said with a sweet smile. "Dear Charles, we must leave you. Lady Haddington is beckoning us over."

  James began to protest a
nd Elizabeth patted his hand effectively quieting him. "You can stand beside me and say nothing, dear."

  They had barely walked away when Charles saw an old schoolmate walking towards him. It suddenly occurred to him that he had not seen Peter Humphries in over five years.

  "Repington, good to see you. Glad to be back, I imagine." The shorter man said to him as they shook hands.

  "Yes, it is always good to come home to Castborough," Charles agreed. "How are you, Humphries?"

  It was then that he noticed the women waiting patiently behind his old friend. A young raven haired woman and an older woman he assumed to be her mother. Charles smiled at them cordially.

  Humphries stepped aside. "Lieutenant Charles Repington, let me introduce Lady Colchester and her daughter Lady Judith."

  "I am very pleased to meet you,” Charles said nodding at them both. “I hope that you are enjoying yourselves."

  "Oh yes," Lady Judith said with a smile looking out over at the dance floor. "The music is quite nice."

  It was then that Charles remembered his manners. "Yes, it is. Would you honour me with the next dance?"

  "Why yes," Lady Judith replied her smile triumphant.

  Charles had thought her extremely beautiful but he was quickly reminded of how calculating some of the young ladies could be during the Season. He wondered again if being home from the Peninsula was a good thing or not.

  Chapter Four

  "Beatrice, are you ill?" Henrietta asked.