^^Above (clockwise from top left): Emily Browning as Arabella "Bella" Burke; Emma Corrin as Lady Violet Eden (pictured as Diana, Princess of Wales in The Crown series 4); Sophie Skelton as Emmeline (pictured as Brianna Fraser in Outlander series 5); Bradley James as Raymond "Ray" Kingsley.^^

Thomas

When I awoke, I was stiff and sore. The rain had gone, and there was sun shining through the windows now. Emmeline's fingers was still locked around my wrist, and my hand was completely numb. The door creaked open, making me sit up. Lucian was coming in with a tray set with tea things.

"How is the girl, milord?" he asked as he set it down and began to pour.

"She slept soundly," I answered through a weary sigh. "That's the important thing."

"Indeed, milord." He turned, holding a cup and saucer. "And you? Did you sleep here last night?"

"She held on to me the entire time. I couldn't leave her." I wanted to give her proper lodgings. The house had many empty bedrooms, after all, with no one to fill them.

"Poor girl." Lucian knelt down next to me, holding the cup out towards me. "Seeing that you only have one hand at the moment, milord."

"Thank you, Lucian." I took a sip, and instantly warmth began to spread into my limbs. It offered some relief.

Emmeline stirred just then, her grip loosening. That allowed me to sit up and have use of both my hands. I rubbed the numb one to get the blood flowing again.

"How are you feeling, Miss Emmeline?" Lucian asked, his brows knitting. "Would you like some tea, perhaps?"

"Tea," she said softly. "Yes."

I took my own cup from him and stood up. Both my knees unbent with a popping sound, and it made me wince to think I was already suffering from stiff joints. I was only two years shy of thirty, far too young for those kinds of aches and pains. But perhaps it was the war that had aged me prematurely, or the strain of the past months.

"I was thinking, Emmeline, that we should give you your own bedroom," I said, when she had her tea in hand and was sipping delicately at it. "How would you feel about that?"

"Alone?" Her hands tightened around the cup.

"Well, of course. What did you–"

"No." She shook her head. "Not alone."

Lucian and I exchanged a look. I set my tea aside and knelt in front of her again, steadying her hands. Her wrist bone was sharp against my palm.

"You will finally have some peace and quiet. It seems you've been through quite an ordeal, have you not? This may give you some time to recover."

She began to shudder, eyes filling with tears again. Vigorously, she shook her head. "Not alone," she whispered.

I released her, letting her curl in on herself. I had to think hard about where I'd seen this before. It'd been with prisoners of war many times – they would shrink in on themselves, shouting at us to keep away, eyes wild with fright. That led me to believe Emmeline had been captured, held hostage, even beaten and tortured by the look of her. Her eyes were hollow and haunted, as though she'd seen and experienced horrible things, unspeakable things.

"Lucian, have my mother's room made up," I said without looking at him. Hers was the closest to my own, and although I once told myself I would preserve it exactly as it was, that was no longer true. Not while we had a guest like Emmeline.

"Yes, milord." He bowed and went out.

"We will keep you comfortable, I promise," I said, giving her my hand. "Come. Let me show you. That may change your mind."

||

While we were busy making sure Emmeline was settled in, Lucian knocked on the bedroom door. I left Mrs Shute to see to the rest while I stood up, straightening my waistcoat.

"What is it, Lucian?"

"Letter for you, milord. From the Radford estate."

That was unusual. Our families had not been particularly close, although Raymond Kingsley, the son and only heir, was an old school friend of mine. And I'd only met his father, Ulysses Kingsley, once.

When I found Lucian out in the hall, he held the letter out to me. I took it, broke the seal, and unfolded it.

My dear friend Thomas, it read. A broad statement of our relationship, indeed. Surely you have heard the news that my father has passed and I am now in full possession of the estate. With that in mind, I have a proposition for you, something I cannot detail in just a letter. If you would be so obliging, I would like to speak with you, face-to-face, at your earliest convenience. You will not regret it, I promise you. Sincerely, Raymond Kingsley, Lord Radford.

I folded the note, marching resolutely towards my bedroom. I would see Ray now, and have done with it. Otherwise he would never leave me be. Even if our circumstances now seemed very similar to each other's.

"Milord!" Lucian called from behind me. "Where are you going?"

"Have Thor brought round, Lucian," I said over my shoulder. "There's been a change of plans. I'm to the Radford estate."

My horse, Thor, was saddled and ready when I emerged outside, pulling on my gloves. The stable-boy, Josiah, held him, but barely. Thor was a tall horse, nearly seventeen hands at his withers. But he was sturdy, and a swift runner. I swung myself into the saddle, and Josiah had barely handed over the reins when Thor jumped forward, throwing up gravel behind him. I stood up in the stirrups and leaned over his withers, letting him run. His hooves thundered over the ground, living up to the god he was named for.

The Radford estate was a little over fifteen miles away, but Thor hardly tired. He ran with the wind at his back, urging him forward. The estate appeared over the next hill, emerging out of a stand of trees. It was surrounded by sprawling gardens, now at the beginning of spring just beginning to show their first signs of colour.

Finally, as we reached the long gravel drive, Thor slowed to a trot. Tall thin trees lined the path, and behind them ran a hedge. I'd long admired the Kingsleys' taste. Their men had an appetite for hearty food, their women, the most current styles of the day and the latest gossip. The son, Raymond Kingsley, was one that, in school, gave the outward appearance of being the most upright and proper around the professors. But among his fellow students, he was as much of a rascal as any of the boys.

"Thomas Haywood!" He gave me an exaggerated salute as I rode up, and pulled me into a shoulder-clapping embrace when I dismounted. "How wonderful to see you again, my friend."

"The same to you, Ray." I clasped his upper arm and met his gaze. He had the light grey eyes of an Air-Elemental; as long as I could remember, that was all they'd ever been, the Kingsleys.

"Come in, come in." He grinned and revealed a set of perfect teeth not yellowed by tea or tobacco. "I'd like you to meet my betrothed."

"Your betrothed?" I echoed. "I hope you won't rush into things too quickly, Ray. I know how you tend to."

"Nonsense. She's a wonderful young woman, Tom. A perfect lady." He smiled as he guided me inside. "I've no reason to believe we are not a perfect match."

"As you should." We had a distinct personality difference between us, a spectre of the war following me everywhere. His manner had a certain lightness to it by contrast, as though a flame burned within him. It was one that I believed had been extinguished long ago in me.

The two women seated on the settee near the fireplace raised their heads when we entered the drawing room. The younger resembled the elder in nearly every way, from the fairness of her complexion to the colour of her hair — a buffed bronze — and the soft grey of her eyes. Perhaps the only difference was that her mother greeted us with a scowl, while the daughter's face broke into a radiant smile.

"Hello, my love," Ray kissed her cheek as she embraced him, and then he stepped back to address me. "Violet, this is my good friend and former schoolmate, Captain Thomas Haywood, Earl Dorchester. Tom, this is Violet Eden, my wife-to-be, and her mother, Lady Eden."

"How do you do, Miss Eden." I gave her hand a kiss when she offered it to me with a curtsey.

"Very well, Captain Haywood." Her eyes brightened. "You fought in the war, didn't you? That's what Ray has told me."

"Yes, milady, I did." I did not want to talk about the war. I expected many fellow soldiers felt the same.

"Was it very frightening? I believe I would be terrified." She fanned her face, cheeks flushed.

"It was, milady," I answered, before Ray caught my elbow and began to pull me away.

"Come now, darling, he doesn't want to revisit that right now." To me, he said, "My sincere apologies, Tom. She kept asking me about you. And about...that."

"You were right to tell her. It is not exactly a secret."

We migrated back into the corridor, panelled with dark wood and lined with portraits of past family members. Ray led me to the window on the opposite wall and let go.

"Tom, I've been thinking...we Elementals have no protections in national laws. My father was in Parliament in his younger days, and he informed me we are not governed, managed, or protected by anything."

"Is it necessary?" Elementals were hardy by nature, springing up again even when trampled down. Like weeds in an overgrown garden. "Surely there is something."

"Other countries do have something, yes. Even those French." Ray furrowed his brow and shook his head, seemingly baffled.

"Lord knows what will happen there," I said. Reading the papers whenever I was in town gave me a pretty clear idea of what was going on. Spies and turncoats were cropping up in multitudes, faster than the government could handle. "Headed to Hell in a hand-cart, most likely."

"Which is why I believe we should do something," Ray said fiercely. "We will be headed the same way as the French if we do not. Anarchy and destruction."

"Then what do you suggest?" I was not completely surprised by this topic; Ray was a constant advocate of Elemental welfare, just as his father had been. Not, as one might think, because he cared about all Elementals. Only those who survived long enough to carry on his bloodline.

He laid it out for me. An organisation for Elementals, to give them protections and to mete out justice for those who misbehaved. And to address threats, especially the kind that only endangered those like us. He was implying Essence — the force that twined with our souls that gave us our abilities. My father talked about it too, saying that if it was spoiled, there would be more people like Francis. He'd seen things he couldn't understand, and it had driven him mad.

"So what do you say, Tom? Will you consider this venture with me?" Ray put out his hand.

"I do not have the money to start it, Ray." That seemed an excuse I used often these days. My estate was limping along, but I knew it wouldn't hold on forever if something did not change.

"Not to worry, Tom, you leave the financial backing to me." He smiled, and it was genuine. "But I know your aptitude with a quill. Could you perhaps draft a statement, for when it does happen?"

I took his hand and grasped it firmly. "Certainly, Ray. I will try my best."

||

When I returned home, Mrs Shute and Lucian were waiting for me on the steps. They both wore matching expressions of distress, which meant something bad had happened while I was away.

"What is it?" I asked, once I dismounted. I heard the worry in my own voice as well. "What happened?"

"It's Miss Emmeline, milord," Lucian said. "Won't let us leave her alone. Peggy's with her now, but she was asking for you."

"I will go to her straightaway, then. Where is she?"

"In the drawing room, milord. Seems to like it there."

I took off my hat and gloves as I entered, and it occurred to me why she was agitated. I'd rushed off so quickly, without even thinking to tell her where I was going. It was difficult to readjust, after living alone for such a long time.

Peggy was sitting with her near the empty fireplace when I found them. The girl was curled in on herself, arms wrapped tightly around her knees. Peggy had her own arms around her, holding her tightly.

"How is she?" I set my hat down and then shed my overcoat, throwing it on top.

"In a bad way, milord." Peggy looked up at me, eyes helpless. "Been this way since you left."

"You've done well, Peggy." I knelt down next to her. "I can see to it from here."

Reluctantly, Peggy released Emmeline. Without making any sudden movements, she stood and backed away. I took her place, sitting down cross-legged next to Emmeline.

"Emmeline?" I said, keeping my voice as low and monotone as possible.

Her head turned, and as soon as our eyes met her brow furrowed. "You left," she said, barely above a whisper.

"Yes, I did, and I apologise. It was urgent." That wasn't the excuse when I'd gone, but now that I was back, speaking to a girl with Fire-Elemental in her and was terrified to boot, it was. "A summons, of sorts."

She said nothing, only took in a few ragged breaths. The late morning light slanted in through the window and lit her from behind, touching her auburn hair with gold. Now that it was dry, I could see its natural curls, tangled together at the ends.

"Emmeline." I tried again. "It won't happen again. I won't leave without telling you where I'm going first."

At first she didn't react. But eventually, she nodded. That was progress. "Promise?"

"Yes.  I promise." Gently I laid my hand on her arm. She didn't flinch at all. "Now do you feel up for something to eat? You must be famished."

I sat with her while she ate, although I had nothing myself. She was hesitant, and took small bites, stopping occasionally to look at me. It crossed my mind that she was thinking I was going to snatch it away from her, and that was what made me wonder about her captor.

"There is one thing I've been meaning to ask you," I said after a considerable amount of silence. "Who did this to you?"

She began trembling, shaking her head. Her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles went white. But she didn't answer.

"You're safe here, Emmeline, I can assure you." It would take patience to convince her of it, that was evident. I nearly took her hand in mine, but it was closed so tightly I couldn't even if I wanted to.

"No," she whispered, hunching her shoulders in.

"I promised I would not lay a finger on you, Emmeline. No harm will come to you here." Ray's idea was beginning to seem much more feasible. Any human being who struck terror into another this way was most certainly a danger to the rest.

"Him," she said finally, and something unreadable sparked in her eyes. "He did it."

"Who?" Yes, a man, of course. No woman would do this to another.

"No face." She twisted her fingers together. "Never saw."

"Did he give you a name?" At least then, we could attempt to track him down.

She shook her head again, pressing knuckles to her lips. "No."

No name. That made things difficult, but then again, nobody had told me this would be easy. "Did he ever speak to you? Address you?"

Another head shake. She dropped her hands, the sleeves falling over them.

"How long were you there? Did you have any indication of time at all?"

Emmeline bit down on her lip, her brow furrowing as she held my gaze. "I don't know. I don't think so."

I didn't pursue it anymore. Clearly she'd been traumatised by the experience and couldn't talk about it. I stayed away from the subject for days, instead busying myself with drafting the statement Ray requested when I wasn't working on the grounds. Now that spring was nearly here, and it was getting warmer outside, I began taking stock of the state of the surrounding area. The meadow beyond the field was overgrown, and so was the garden. Many of the hedges and paths needed weeding and taming. I tackled that task to distract myself.

I was wrestling with last year's growth of vines over a trellis one early April day, and wishing for a sharp blade of some kind, when running feet on the garden path interrupted me. It was Mrs Shute, red-faced and out of breath. I wiped the sweat off my forehead with my sleeve as I turned towards her.

"What is it, Mrs Shute? Did you run all the way here?"

"Yes, milord..." She could barely speak, she was breathing so hard. "Got an Arabella Burke to see you..."

"Take me to her," I said, snatching up my waistcoat and pulling it on. I was not in a state to receive visitors, but this was Arabella. She would not mind.

Arabella was waiting in the drawing room, lingering by the window. She was still dressed in black, but it was beginning to show signs of wear. Their family, unlike mine, was truly poor. Food was scarce, and the money even scarcer now that she was a widow with five growing children.

"Mrs Burke?" I said as I entered, and as soon as Mrs Shute closed the door behind me, I dropped the formal address. "Bella?"

She raised her head, revealing her face. Her gentle brown eyes shone with tears, and my heart ached for the sadness I saw there. "Tom..."

"What brings you here?" I joined her at the window, taking in the view briefly. It overlooked the terrace and the fountain, which was crumbling and dry at the moment.

"Din't want to ask this of you, Tom, but...my children..." She took a ragged breath in, letting it out slowly. "Since John died, I...the children...can't care for'm properly, you see...and little Bella...only two an' never knew 'er father..."

I placed a hand on her lower back lightly, and felt her lean into it instantly. "Whatever you need, Bella, I will be happy to help."

"They need a godfather, Tom...if somethin' happens to me...couldn't bear t' think of 'em bein' sent away..." She swallowed a sob and pressed the back of her hand to her lips. "John wouldn't'a wanted it neither..."

"Yes," I said, without thinking. "They will come here, and I will raise them as my own. That would be in everyone's best interest."

She covered her face and began to sob again. I pulled her into my arms, holding her against me. John Burke's death still plagued me to this day. I saw the bayonet plunge into his chest when I let my mind slip, and I heard his desperate plea with his dying breaths as he clung to me.

Tell Bella, Tom.

"I miss 'im, Tom..." Her hands clutched at my waistcoat. "Every day...when I wake and he en't there..."

"So do I," I said, resting my chin on her hair as she stayed pressed against me. Her body felt thin and fragile, as delicate as glass. "It is an ache that will never be gone."

"Thank 'ee, Tom..." She took my jaw in her hands, palms as rough and callused as mine. Her pretty face was streaked with tears. "Thank 'ee..."

Before I could reply, she pressed a brief rough kiss to my lips, tasting of salt. Then she pulled back, releasing me and snatching up her hat on her way out. She nearly collided with Emmeline and Mrs Shute in the hallway, apologising profusely before hurrying away.

"Is there something you're not telling us, milord?" Mrs Shute asked, and I realised she'd seen the entire thing.

"No, Mrs Shute. I swear to you, there is nothing between us. Only I was the last to see her husband alive." I raked my fingers through my hair. Bella's re-entry into my life was perplexing and flustering. "She asked me to be godfather to her children."

Even as I said it, I caught Emmeline's expression. It was deeply troubled, and it would not be until much later that I would discover the reason.