by Vella, Wendy
“Now if that don’t beat all,” the elderly man to her right sucking on his pipe said. “What’s the world coming to when a man wins the plum pudding contest.”
Kate watched Josiah Hemple walk up on the stage and accept his medallion.
“Women will be building houses next.”
“As I helped you build ours, George Beddle, I’d say they will, and with a lot less fuss and more skill!”
“He’s coming round,” Dev said.
“Who?”
Dev’s smile was only small.
“Rory. When exposed to the full onslaught of the Sinclairs and Ravens, a man can only stand apart for so long before we break him down.”
“He will return to France.” Kate hated the lance of pain that thought gave her. But he had not asked for her love, and she’d not given it openly, so he could leave and know nothing of what lay in her heart.
“Maybe, but then maybe not.”
“Which maybe do you believe he will take?”
“Depends, I suppose, on what reason would make him stay.”
“Max and this.” She waved her hand about as Cam choked on a piece of cake. James smacked him hard enough on the back to make Kate wince.
“You’ll have to convince him there’s more reason than just that.”
“Pardon?” She looked at her eldest cousin. Big, quiet, Dev was for the most part the observer of the family. His eyes constantly checked all was well and if he was needed anywhere. Wolf was like him in so many ways.
“I see you watching him.”
“I found him bound and gagged with a bullet hole in his shoulder. Not to mention, he was about to drown on the incoming tide. Of course I watch him.” Kate kept her voice calm.
“That must be it then.”
Kate inhaled and exhaled slowly.
“Why do you think he was there like that, Dev?”
He shrugged. “There are any number of reasons, Kate.”
“Give me one of them.”
“James said there are many smugglers that use that cove.”
“Oh… well, I had not thought of that.”
“We have.”
She looked to Rory, who was still playing with Beth. Was it possible that he was a smuggler and something had gone wrong? The thought was not a happy one, and on that came another. Was he still in danger, and secondly, was the family?
Chapter Fourteen
When he realized his brother’s intent was to stay in the castle on Christmas Eve, Rory had asked Max for the loan of his carriage to take him back to Oak’s Knoll. He’d refused. Rory had then asked James for one of his horses—that too had been refused. He could hardly walk down the mountain himself, especially as snow was just starting to fall and his arm was aching like the devil. He’d endured worse conditions but rarely with a bullet hole in his shoulder. So he stayed. Apparently the castle had enough rooms to sleep a small village. He would just keep his distance from everyone; surely that couldn’t be hard to do.
The hell of it was he didn’t want to leave, and that should have had him running down the mountain and not looking back.
There was Kate Sinclair with her soft lips and lush body. His brothers and sisters, and of course the rest of his family. They all tugged at his heart… even Max, he had to admit. Watching his brother, he knew the man he had become was a good one. Yes, Rory still harbored resentment for what he felt was Max’s desertion—after all, such an emotion could not be eradicated overnight—but he could not fault him for the man he’d formed himself into.
“Excellent. The last of the villagers have gone, and now we can settle in the main hall,” he heard Eden say as they began to head into the castle.
“We decorate the tree now, Uncle Rory.”
The name still gave him a jolt, even though it had been bandied about all day.
“That’s exciting, Luke.”
The hall was warm, with the curtains drawn to ward off the chill.
“Tonight, we celebrate,” Wolf said, moving to Rory’s side. He was quiet, like Lord Sinclair, and Rory had noticed they had the most amazing green eyes. Vibrant was the only word he could use to describe them. Kate’s were lovely, beautiful even, but these were unsettling to look at for long periods. “It is Christmas Eve, so we decorate the tree, then eat. Presents will be exchanged, and then a toast to Alice and Nicholas as they will wed tomorrow.”
“Excellent,” Rory said with more enthusiasm than he felt.
“They are good people.”
“I know that.”
“But you are not used to this.” Wolf swept out a hand.
“No, I’m not.”
Around them, everyone was speaking over the top of the other. Children were squealing with excitement. People sat on chairs and sofas and talked, seemingly oblivious to the chaos.
Bran ran into the room with several dogs on his heels and came to see him and Wolf. While he was greeted, it was to the Sinclair that the dogs looked, all sitting on their heels staring up at him.
“Bran you know, as he’s yours. This is Myrtle, Whiskers, Zeus, and Hep.” Wolf pointed to each, and their ears lifted in response.
“They like you.”
“All animals like him. If you look closely, there will be a few rodents hovering,” Warwick Sinclair said as he passed.
“This environment does take some getting used to, but it grows on you. I would have it no other way now,” Wolf said.
“God’s blood, I have a hunger!”
“You just ate a table of plum cake,” Rory felt the need to point out as Cam wandered in with a niece draped over one shoulder and a nephew under his arm.
“Pffft, that was a nibble here and a nibble there.”
“You ate half of most of those cakes!”
“I’ll call you a liar if you mention this outside these walls, but Mrs. Clackers’s was like eating straw.”
“I should think her husband wouldn’t be happy about that,” Wolf added.
“Exactly why it must not go further than these walls.” Cam turned, swinging his niece and nephew around, making them squeal.
“Come with us, Rory, we are stringing popcorn to put on the tree.” Samantha grabbed his hand.
“Rory needs to sit now, dear.” Essie arrived. “He must rest.”
“I’m all right.”
A hand touched his cheek, then his forehead.
“No, you’re tired. Sit, and I will bring you a tea to help with the pain,” she said. “Samantha, bring the popcorn to him. There is a large comfortable seat there.” She waved to the tree.
He tried to protest. Of course it was ignored, and soon he was sitting, with his sister perched on the arm of the chair. Rory had been under the command of some fierce men in his time, and yet Essie could rival any one of them.
“Drink it all up.”
He took the cup she handed him with trepidation.
“Be a good boy now and take your medicine,” James teased him.
“It’s vile.”
“I know. The viler it is, apparently the better it is for you.”
Sighing, he drank.
He sat, and yes, strung popcorn. Soon he had the twins on the floor before him, charming young ladies who talked a great deal. Samantha, it seemed, was their equal. Looking around the room, he found Max. He’d kept his distance from Rory today, and he had a theory on that. His brother wanted him to understand just what he had here, and that it was his if he chose to embrace it.
There was little doubt he was wavering. He needed to go back to France and see Maddie, and if she was willing, he’d bring her here with her family. They’d be welcome, of that he had no doubt.
“Are you finished yet?” Isabella stood before him.
“I’m going as fast as I can with a sore arm,” he protested.
“He’s soft,” Dev said from his seat where he was threading what looked to be candied fruit.
“Of course he’s soft, he’s lived in France,” Wolf added.
“The French are a great d
eal tougher than you soft-bellied English noblemen,” Rory said, tying off the ends of his popcorn. He handed it to his niece.
The banter continued, and what surprised Rory was that he participated. Felt the comfort settle around him of being part of this, a family.
Soon they were decorating the tree, and a ladder helped with placement on the higher branches.
“What will we put on the top?” Dorrie looked to the top of the tree. “It should have something up there, surely?”
He’d carried it since Max had carved it for him when he was a babe. It was in his pocket as it always had been. His talisman. Rory had tried to throw it away many times, but never quite managed it. Suddenly the weight felt heavy, and before he could stop himself his hand had touched it, and then he was drawing it out.
“Is that an angel?” Samantha leaned closer to look at what he held.
“It is. I’ve had it since I was a child.”
It was flat and the size of a palm. The paint long worn off.
“You kept it.” Max stood before him.
“I did.” He looked up at his brother, and something passed between them. Understanding, acceptance, whatever it was, it was the beginning of something for them. Rory knew it, just as Max did.
“Did you make this for Rory, Max?” Samantha asked.
“I did. When he was no older than Beth.”
“Then it is the perfect decoration for the top of the tree, if Rory will allow us to keep it?” Emily said the words from behind him, her hands on his shoulders.
“I would like that.” Rory handed it to Max. “It’s had a tough life.”
“As you have.” Max closed the angel inside his hand. “Thank you.” The words were heartfelt. “Are you sure you wish it to stay with us?”
“Yes.” Rory had a need to leave something behind of himself when he left.
“Give it to me, then, and I’ll attach something to hang it with,” Emily said. “Who will climb up there and place it?”
“Me,” Cam said, resigned. “The rest of you are clumsy.”
Grumbles accompanied him a few minutes later as he took the angel and started to climb. Max and Dev steadied the ladder as he leaned out. They did it without a thought; they were simply there for each other. To support in whatever capacity.
Maddie and Rory never had that. He looked around the room and found Kate. She was dancing with Beth in her arms, her smile so sweet it hurt his chest, and it was then he realized. She’d become special to him. How was that possible when he’d barely had a conversation with the woman?
“Gifts!” one of the little girls squealed. Rory had forgotten her name but knew she belonged to Lord and Lady Sinclair.
“Right, let’s all sit then, and we can play,” the duchess said, clapping her hands, then motioning them all to the table where, Rory noted, there were a pile of things in the middle. Some in paper baskets, others in little bags, and yet more decorated with ribbon or flowers.
Luke had coerced Rory into buying a small gift at the fair. He was now glad he had and that it already sat in the pile, again thanks to his nephew.
“Sit.” Lady Sinclair waved him into a seat.
The table was long and soon full of both adults and children. Some on laps, others sharing a chair.
“There is a spare seat beside Kate, Rory,” one of the twins said.
Of course it would be beside her.
He sat and tried to ignore the fact his thigh brushed hers.
“Right. I’ve put all your names in the bag.” James held up a small velvet sack. “Rory can pick the first one out.”
“Have you told him the rules?” Rose asked. “It can be quite confusing.”
“A gift is selected and opened. If it’s liked, it’s kept, if it’s not, it’s swapped for one of the other gifts on the table. Only one swap allowed. The person you take the gift from is then allowed to select another one.”
Rory looked at the duke like he’d grown another head.
“We are not a family who likes to do things simply. You’ll catch on,” James added. “It’s really quite simple.”
“He’s serious?” Rory looked at Kate.
“It’s fun. Just watch, even you’ll get it.”
“Even me?” She was teasing him, and he liked it. Liked that she felt comfortable enough around him to do so, especially after that kiss they’d shared under the tree.
“Well, you have lived most of your life in France….” Her eyes twinkled.
“To be fair, she has a point,” Essie said.
“No, she doesn’t. If anything, my time in France has given me a superior edge over you backward Englishmen… and women.”
His words were greeted by howls of outrage. Cam lobbed a sprig of greenery from the centerpiece at him. Rory caught it and tucked it into his lapel.
The first name he pulled out was Lord Sinclair, who selected a gift that turned out to be an embroidered handkerchief. This he had to keep, unless it was taken by another.
Rory watched the mayhem unfold around him as more gifts were selected.
Cam stole Lord Braithwaite’s toffee, which he’d tried to hide under his chair, and Dorrie stole Samantha’s book, which was the latest adventures of Miss Vessy and Captain Lark. She was not pleased.
“I think that’s entirely too shabby of you!” Samantha declared.
“Oh please, you’ll read it after me anyway,” Dorrie said, unperturbed. “Stop being dramatic.”
“Are you enjoying the spectacle?”
Rory dragged his eyes from Cam, who was now attempting to defend his toffee from Warwick, to look at Kate. He’d been aware of her beside him the entire time. Known when she moved and laughed.
“It’s interesting.”
“They are all part of you.” Her eyes were suddenly solemn. “Surely you see that you belong here.”
“It’s not that simple. I have a life in France.”
She looked at him as if she could read every thought in his head. See his turmoil and indecision.
“But perhaps one day you could live here with us… me.”
He could lose himself in those eyes. She felt something for him, just as he did her.
“Kate, I—”
“It is your turn, Rory.”
James dragged his attention from Kate. Rory reached for the gift closest to him, a small, red silk bag. Opening it, he found a small sampler. Taking it out, he unrolled it and read the words. His throat went dry.
“Read them out loud, Uncle Rory!” Isabella called from down the table.
Dear God!
“Go on, it can’t be that bad,” Cam urged him.
“Ah.” He had to clear his throat. “Having someone to love is family. Having somewhere to go is home. Having both is a blessing.”
“Oh now, that’s lovely,” the duchess said. “I wonder who could have made it.”
But Rory knew, because he heard her gasp when he’d picked up the present. Kate had done this, and he’d received it.
“Rory, I—”
“I will return shortly.” Pushing back his chair, Rory headed for the door.
“All is well, brother?” Max intercepted him.
“Of course. Excuse me.”
He took a large, steadying breath as he closed the door behind him.
Too much emotion. It was all so foreign to him. The love, support, and friendship. Almost overwhelming. He needed some time alone to think, and yes, make decisions. The words on that sampler had been intended for a member of her family, but he’d selected that gift out of all the others on the table.
Why?
He walked until he found some stairs that took him up.
He’d believed his life would always follow a certain path. Spent it fighting for everything he had. When he’d lost Max, it had taken time to adjust, but he had adjusted and focused on Maddie. Now he had this… and Kate.
Walking along the hall, he climbed again. Reaching the next floor, he opened a door at the end of the hall, where he knew there w
as access to the tower. James had told him to come here and view this, as it had some of the oldest treasures in the castle. His ancestors’ treasures.
Opening the door at the top, he entered.
“You’re alive!”
Before he could retreat, the two men were on him. Grabbing his arms, wrenching the injured one.
“What the hell are you two doing here!” Rory looked into the faces of the men who had left him for dead.
“The question is, why are you?”
Manton was the leader, and he’d lured Rory in to help him on the trip to England. He’d said he’d needed a deckhand, but what he’d needed was someone to help him smuggle goods. Rory had refused and ended up shot and left for dead.
“These people saved me.”
“Well now, that’s handy, as you can help us haul their stuff down and into the dungeons.”
“There’s a route there out to the cliffs,” the other man, Berger, said. He was a simple soul who just did whatever Manton wanted him to.
“I don’t understand how you got in here. I thought you’d gone back to France.”
He had to get them out of the castle before someone came looking for him… which they would, and soon. Rory couldn’t allow any of his family to be hurt. His family.
“We ran into trouble just around the coast. The boat hit rocks and got stranded.” Manton glared at Berger. “A fisherman took us aboard and bought us here. We heard about the fair and decided it may be a good time to visit a castle and get something to sell to help with the repairs and get us back to France.”
“You’ll be caught, this place is full of people.”
“All eating in that fancy room. Even the servants are there. We’ll steal a few things, then slip away. And now you’ll be coming with us. You can carry, and then we’ll finish what we started.”
“We have to move with haste, they will come looking for me. Grab what you want and let’s go.” The thought of one of the children trying to find him made Rory’s blood run cold. He had to keep everyone safe.
“That’s the spirit. I may even take you back to France with us, no hard feelings over what happened.”
“Of course,” Rory gritted out. The man was an idiot if he thought Rory wouldn’t extract retribution, but not now. Now he had to do what they wanted and get them out of Raven Castle.
