Skyjackers - Episode 3: The Winds of Justice (Skyjackers: Season One) by J.C. Staudt

Lydia had been sent home on bed rest
a few days prior. Off the record, the doctor told him she was from the village
of Leiford, not twenty miles from where Jonathan had grown up in Falstead.
    Since the doctor was unable to divulge Lydia’s surname due to
confidentiality rules, Jonathan made the trek to Leiford and asked around until
he found a bookseller who knew her. The shop was called Chapter’s End, and the
curly-haired proprietor introduced herself as Claire Delmarva.
    “If it’s Lydia Lambert you’re after, I do happen to know her,
yes,” said Claire. “I was so sorry to hear the dreadful news. She used to come
in here quite often. As a matter of fact, she’s had a volume on back order for
some time now, and it’s just come in. If you’re on your way to see her, why
don’t you bring it along with you? I’m sure she’ll be aching for a good read
about now, what with the bed rest and all.”
    “I would be glad to,” Jonathan said.
    Claire handed him a book wrapped in brown paper and twine,
and gave him directions to Lydia’s house. Jonathan thanked her and sped off in
the red motorcar.
    In a field of wildflowers, backed by an oak forest, Jonathan
found the tiny stone cottage Claire had described. He parked the car at the end
of a long dusty driveway and knocked on the door. A moment passed before a
short man in his late fifties opened it.
    “Hello, sir. My name is Jonathan Thorpe. I’m here to see
Lydia.”
    “Is it you? Are you—are you him?”
    “Well, I don’t know. I mean… I suppose so, yes.”
    “Come in, come in.”
    Jonathan stepped into a large room that was part den and part
kitchen. To the right was a short hallway with doors on either side. Jonathan
glanced out the kitchen window to see a rear yard lined with flower beds, roses
and hydrangeas and carnations of every color imaginable.
    “Oh, how rude of me,” said the man, extending a hand.
“Phillip Lambert.”
    “Pleased to meet you.”
    “And you as well. I’ve heard a lot about you, though it’s
mostly the same things over and over. I expect you’ll be wanting to see her
now. Please, this way.”
    Mr. Lambert opened the first hall door and led Jonathan into
a meager room decorated in flowered wallpaper. Lydia lay in a single bed
frilled with yellow skirts, beside which sat a wheelchair and a pair of
crutches. When she saw Jonathan, Lydia’s reaction was not what he expected.
    “Who is he? Father, who is this man?”
    “Don’t you know him, Lyddie?” asked Mr. Lambert, confused.
“This is Captain Thorpe. Or at least, he claims to be…”
    Lydia’s expression eased. “Jonathan?”
    “Hello, Lydia.”
    “Jonathan, is that you? You don’t look the same.”
    “Perhaps it’s my clothing,” he said. “I’m far less regal
without my reds on.”
    She smiled. “Ah, the uniform. That must be it. I apologize…
you startled me for a moment.”
    “The apology is all mine, madam. I did not mean to frighten
you.”
    “Say nothing of it. I really am so happy to see you.”
    Jonathan cleared his throat. “I’ve brought you this. From the
bookshop. Mrs. Delmarva said you’d been waiting on it.”
    “My novel,” she said, brightening. She undid the twine and
tore away the paper to reveal a bound hardcover entitled The Amorous
Adventures of Mary McGuire , by M.T. Pritchard.
    “Looks like a real eye-opener,” said Jonathan.
    Lydia blushed. “It’s a bit of a guilty pleasure, I’m afraid.”
She set the book on her nightstand. “Father, will you let Jonathan take me for
a walk in my rolling chair?”
    “Go easy, now, Lyddie. You don’t want to overtax yourself
before you’re ready.”
    “Nonsense. I’m quite ready. And quite tired of this stale
bedroom. I should like some fresh air. Besides, Jonathan will see me back
safely. Won’t you, Jonathan?”
    “Uh, well—”
    “If you’re up for it, Captain Thorpe,” said Mr. Lambert. “I
suppose a short stroll wouldn’t be out of the question.”
    The fields were