by Vella, Wendy
She found a doll with brown hair like Fleur’s that she would love. She then found the children’s books. Maddie picked up one with fairies on the front. Opening the first page, she studied the drawings, as she couldn’t read the words, and lost herself in the wonder of the pages.
Chapter 10
It was his grandmother’s birthday tomorrow, and Harry always got her a gift because she reminded him to. A note had arrived this morning written in the bold letters of her companion.
It is my birthday; I expect a gift and your presence. There will be cake.
Harry never wandered aimlessly; in fact, rarely did he do anything aimlessly. Purpose or intent drove him to do things, and yet he had neither at the moment.
Bloody Sinclairs! He blamed them for entering his life and muddling his head.
It was annoying that he, the man who could dismiss things he didn’t think were relevant with ease, could not dismiss them. Because they were important. He couldn’t allow them to be, but as yet had not worked out how to achieve that.
Never trust a Sinclair.
He walked into another shop and out again minutes later, no closer to his goal of obtaining a gift. Looking down at the people before him, he saw Rose, Emily, and Kate Sinclair. Coward that he was, he ducked into the closest shop to avoid them seeing him.
“Good day to you, sir.”
“Good day.” He walked past the proprietor and deeper into the long and narrow store. Actually, not a bad place to hide, as there could be something in here for Grandmère. It was one of those shops that had everything from toys to books and small knickknacks.
What are you doing? He was never a coward, and yet here he was avoiding three women who merely wanted to be his friend. One who shared his blood. Three women who had done nothing to him but be nice.
He’d had more headaches lately than he’d had in his lifetime. He was torn, conflicted as to what to do. Loyalty to his father warred with a need to be part of them.
A woman was standing in the book section as he neared that area. Her dress told him she was a lady. Harry looked at the delicate line of her neck as she looked down at the book in her hand. A deep chestnut curl had escaped the confines of her bonnet. The frisson of awareness that ran through had him moving to the left so he could see her face.
She was concentrating, lips moving as her finger moved across the page. Clutched under an arm was a doll.
“Hello, Madeline.”
She turned swiftly, clutching the book. He already knew she was beautiful, but that dress and bonnet enhanced it. Her eyes seemed bigger, set in a face that was now flushed with color.
“Is that for Fleur?” He touched the head of the doll.
“Hers is made of rags, Mr. Sinclair. It is time she had a real one.” Her chin elevated.
“I was not censuring you, Madeline. It was just a question.”
She puffed out a breath. “Forgive me, and yes, it is for Fleur. She will love it.”
Harry had never had a reaction to a woman like he had with this one. Was it simply because of how he’d found her that day? He’d felt protective of her, and that was a foreign emotion for him. Madeline Caron was fragile, even if she fought hard not to show it.
“Fairies, I’m sure, are popular for small girls,” he said, looking at the book she clutched in her hands.
She nodded.
“Were you reading it to check its suitability?”
“I, ah, no.”
“Do you like fairy tales also?”
She looked at the book, then back at him. Her eyes hid something from him.
“It looks like something a young girl would like.”
“How would you know that?” She looked suspicious, and Harry had a feeling this woman did not trust easily. As he was the same, he couldn’t fault her for that.
“It has fairies on it.”
She looked at the book again. “I can’t read.” The words were flat and emotionless.
He was an idiot. Not everyone could read, he knew that, and yet he’d just made her uncomfortable.
“May I?” He pointed to the book, and she handed it to him. Opening it, he positioned it so she could see the pages and began to read. She listened carefully, her eyes following his finger as it moved over the words. This was how his tutor had taught him when he was a boy. When he was done, he closed it and handed it back to her.
“Thank you. I know a few letters and a word or two but have wanted to learn to read for some time. I-I had to make up stories for Fleur.”
“I’m sure in that large family you have joined, someone could teach you, Maddie.”
“Perhaps.”
“But pride stops you from asking?”
“It is my cross to bear.” Her smile was small but genuine. She seemed different today; the tension inside her had eased a little, Harry thought. “Strength was important to me and sometimes to my detriment.”
Her candid reply surprised him.
“Being strong can never be a detriment.”
“If it stops you from taking what is offered it is.”
“I think that is called pride, Maddie.”
Another small smile lit her lovely eyes.
“You look beautiful.”
“Thank you. My sisters and sister-in-law-to-be thought it was time.”
“Time?”
“To no longer wear my old clothes.”
“You were beautiful before, Maddie; this dress simply enhances that.”
Her face was close to his. Their eyes locked and held. He should walk away; it would be the sensible thing to do.
“I need to go,” she whispered.
“I know.” Everything he’d just told himself about her being vulnerable was forgotten as Harry leaned in and took her lips. Brief and so sweet. He wanted to pull her into his arms and take more.
“No.” She backed away. “You should not have done that, and I’m not sure why you would.”
She was right, he shouldn’t have, but it would have taken several men to stop him. He’d been desperate to taste her lips, and now he knew how soft they’d felt beneath his, Harry cursed himself for allowing his impulses to get the better of him.
“Forgive me; I should not have done that. Your beauty captivated me.”
“I am beautiful now I have a new dress and hat?” Her brows were nearly joined in the middle as she frowned at him.
“No, you were beautiful before, as I believe I have already stated.”
“When?”
“What do you mean, when?”
“We barely know each other, Mr. Sinclair, and I was certainly not beautiful when I arrived in Calais dirty and weary with a child in my arms. I fail to see how you could believe otherwise.”
“Maddie—”
“I will not be toyed with because I am a widow.”
“I beg your pardon?” Where the hell had that come from?
“I have met men like you before.” She was angry now.
“I have no idea what you are alluding to, but as it sounds unflattering, I assure you that stopping now is your best course.”
“Don’t threaten me.”
“It was a simple kiss.” Which had nothing simple about it.
“And do you do that often, simply kiss strange women?”
“Of course I don’t kiss strange women!”
“Then don’t do it with me ever again.”
“I’m sorry, but you did not seem overly upset with my actions at the time. In fact, you leaned into me. Had you pulled away, then I would not have kissed you.”
“So it’s my fault?”
Harry sighed, as it seemed to fit the moment.
“I-I am not a loose woman.”
“I don’t believe I mentioned you were, and you are overreacting to a simple kiss, which I assure you I now regret.”
“I have nothing further to say to you.” She walked away from him.
He followed because it was the only way out of the shop and he wanted to. She was fighting with the ties of her reticule, att
empting to open it when he arrived. Harry wrestled the little bag from her and untied the knot, then handed it back.
“I could have done that.”
“Possibly, but as the proprietor does not have all day, I expedited matters for him.”
She shot him a look that would drop any man to his knees, then muttered something that he thought may have been thank you but also could have been an insult, as it was not clear.
The proprietor told her how much the doll and book were, and she looked blankly at the notes now in her hands. Harry took two out and handed them to the man.
“Thank you.”
With the package now under her arm, she left the shop. He followed.
“I bet that tasted sour on the way out of your mouth?”
“Manners are important, and sometimes all we have to differentiate us from animals.”
“Are you suggesting I’m an animal, Madeline?”
“Go away, Mr. Sinclair.”
“But I find you are such good company.”
“Harry!”
He tensed as his eyes fell on the three women he’d been hoping to avoid. One of them had called to him. Placing a hand on Maddie’s back, he escorted her to them, as he could no longer avoid the meeting. Her spine was so stiff, it was likely to shatter. She increased her pace to escape his touch.
“You can go now,” she said out of those lush lips that had tasted of nectar. “Before we reach the others.”
“I will say hello.” Which he’d tried to avoid not long before. “It would be rude not to.”
“Yes, let’s not be rude.”
“Stop being petty, Maddie.” He nudged her the last few feet.
“Madeline,” she snapped.
“I like Maddie,” he said to be perverse.
“Harry.” Kate looked pleased to see him, which should not make him feel warm all over.
Emily and Rose were at her side and looked equally as happy. They rushed forward, and he was greeted by each. Hands patted his arm and his cheek was kissed as if they had been doing this to him for many years.
Their brothers and husbands must be treated to this daily. He refused to be jealous.
“What has you out here, Harry, walking along Bond Street?”
“I have business nearby.”
Maddie stood back slightly now, clearly uncomfortable after their kiss.
He watched two men cross beside her. They raised their hats, and Maddie was completely oblivious. He felt the ridiculous urge to smile.
She has your colors. He frowned instead.
“We have just ordered new dresses and clothes. It has been a happy morning, Harry, and now we are going to the offices to see how the renovations are going, and then tea.”
“Offices?”
“Come, we will show you,” Kate said.
He saw the horse rear from the corner of his eye, and in seconds he had Maddie in his arms, pulling her to safety before the animal could land on her.
“Control that beast!” he roared at the man who rode it.
Apologies were quickly uttered, and Rose, Kate, and Emily let the man know they were not impressed with his negligent behavior.
“Are you all right, Maddie?” He could feel the rapid beat of her heart against his chest; it matched his own. Their eyes met, and Harry felt it again, the savage bite of need he had when she was near.
“I am, thank you. It seems you are always saving me.”
All we need now is for Harry to save Maddie.
Christ! He released her and moved away. “Perhaps you should be more aware of your surroundings in the future, Mrs. Caron.”
Her eyes told him she was surprised by his words, but Harry’s only defense against her was to put distance between them mow.
“How was I to know that horse would rear?”
“Yes, well, had I not been watching, you would have been trampled.”
“Which is hardly my fault, as I cannot control what others do!” She was frowning again.
“Well now, that was unsettling, but no harm done.” Kate slipped her arm through Harry’s before he could escape. Rose and Emily fussed around their sister.
“Let’s go,” Kate added.
“That man will be more careful going forward, I vow,” Rose said.
“Yes, we certainly told him.” Emily giggled. She then took Maddie’s and Rose’s arms and fell in behind.
“I think it best I get on,” Harry protested. His efforts were futile, as Kate simply kept walking.
“Oh, but it is so lovely to see you again, Harry. We missed you.”
“You don’t know me.”
“And yet we want to.”
He gave up. “I shall escort you there and then leave.” This would be the absolute last time he spent in the company of a Sinclair. “What are the offices for?”
“Warwick, Dorrie, and Somer are going to start an investigative service.”
Harry stopped walking. He got a prod in the back from Rose, so he continued on.
“Pardon?”
“They have had a few friends they’ve helped out, and have decided that with their senses they can help many more people. Nothing dangerous, as Dev would have conniptions, but they are going to have this office so people will know where to go for help.”
“Surely that is not safe? You say they will not take on dangerous cases, but how can you be sure, and couldn’t any investigative enquiry turn dangerous?”
“They will be watched, believe me. You do know who their brothers and sisters are, after all. There are also the Ravens and plenty of cousins,” Kate said.
“Apparently there are many peers in need of investigative services for various things,” Emily said. “Dev has a contact at the Watch who will work closely with them also. Plus, there is Mr. Spriggot, who has an investigative business the families use often. He has promised to send a few of the easier cases their way.”
Harry actually shook his head. “I cannot believe—”
“And here we are,” Kate said stopping before a narrow brick building. “In you go, Harry.”
“I will leave now, Kate.” He had seen who was waiting in the offices and had no wish to encounter yet more Sinclairs.
“I never took you for a coward, Harry.”
“You don’t know me,” he said again.
“I do, as you are exactly like Wolf and Dev. Hard to move when set on a course. I would even dare to say obstinate.” Kate kissed his cheek and then disappeared into the building.
“I am not obstinate,” he muttered.
“In you go, Harry.” Rose prodded him in the back again, which had him turning to face her. Maddie was looking at the building and avoiding his eyes.
“How is Ruben?”
Her smile was sweet. “He is much better, thank you, and stop changing the subject.”
“I don’t believe we were discussing anything.”
“The twins would love for you to come and join us inside, Harry. Please think about it.”
“I will come shortly,” he lied. In fact, he wanted to run in the opposite direction.
“I hope you do,” Emily said, passing him to enter the building.
“There may be cream cakes up there, Harry,” Rose said. “Come on, Maddie.”
“I should get back to Fleur.”
“The carriage will arrive soon, but until then there is no way to return, so come and have a look.”
“There is always walking,” Maddie said, not moving an inch. “And that is something I am used to.”
“I understand that, but as there is a carriage coming, there is no need. Fleur is having fun with her uncles, and you are having fun with us. Now come along.” Rose waved Maddie to follow behind her as she entered the building.
Harry would go inside, say hello, and then leave and not return. He turned to face Maddie. She was frowning again.
“If I promise not to kiss you again unless you ask, will you stop frowning, Maddie?”
“That will never happen. I am a widow, an
d it is not right to do so.”
“Kiss or stop frowning?”
“Both.” Her eyes were still on the building.
“Just so I’m clear. Because you are a widow, you will never again kiss a man, especially me?”
“I have a daughter.”
“And still I don’t understand.”
“You don’t need to,” she snapped.
“Very well.” He wasn’t going to push her, as he’d already come to the decision that kissing this woman again would be foolhardy in the extreme. “In you go, before they come looking for you.”
“If I must, then so must you.”
“I’m not sure where that is written or why you want me to when you just asked me to keep my distance.”
“Well, certainly not anywhere I have read, as you know,” she said, passing him. “And as I will never ask you to kiss me, I think I am safe.”
“I do believe that was humor, Maddie.”
“I am not cast in stone, Mr. Sinclair.”
“Harry.”
She had a stillness about her that he hadn’t seen in the other women she accompanied. Madeline Caron never spoke unless necessary—or unless he’d kissed her. And then she had plenty to say.
She walked with a straight back, hands at her sides. Controlled and contained. Once they reached the top of the steps, they entered a room filled with people.
“Do you ever do anything singly?” he found himself asking. “Or are there always at least two of you wherever you venture?”
“Harry, how wonderful,” Cam said. “And with Maddie, of all people.”
“Safety in numbers,” Warwick said.
“It is extremely lucky Harry was with Maddie today, as he saved her from—”
“There is no need—”
“A horse trampling her,” Kate said, looking entirely too pleased.
“Saved Maddie, you say?” Cambridge stroked his chin like he was deep in thought and had a beard, when in fact he was clean shaven. Harry thought about punching him so he’d have good reason to cradle it. “Now that’s an interesting turn of events.”
The door was just inches from where he stood, so once again he left, rudely, without saying goodbye. Well, not entirely true—he did grunt a universal goodbye. The problem was, he turned, and the only person his eyes connected with was her, Madeline Caron, and the small smile on her face told him she knew he was running, possibly because she’d been running too not long ago. He just didn’t know why.
