Leo’s face burned with embarrassment. “What do you mean?”
Ganden narrowed his eyes and grinned. “There would be a threat in your eyes every time I offered to take Wess with me and George anywhere. It was as though you feared I’d take him away from you forever. You seemed to be looking me over as if to determine if you’d win in a fight.”
The embarrassment grew. He had looked Ganden over in such a manner. He’d thought it was simply a part of his nature, already ready for a fight, but Leo knew in his heart there’d been more than that to it.
“George,” Ganden called.
The boy immediately came over. Wess followed and glanced in Leo’s direction before he turned away.
Leo thought it a good time to start building his relationship with his son. He swallowed his fear as he grabbed Wess’ shoulder. With his rifle in his other hand, he led Wess away.
They were quiet as they moved away from the hunting party. Frozen ground and twigs broke underneath their feet.
“Are you cold?” Leo asked.
Wess shook his head.
Leo tried another topic. “Are you excited about the Hunting Ball? I warned you about my grandmother.” Whenever there was such a great shooting party, there was always a ball and a way for the women to keep themselves entertained.
Wess smiled up at him. “I like Lady Serveck.”
“Everyone likes Lady Serveck.”
“She wants me to visit her,” he said. “Can we? I mean… I could go alone…”
“We’ll go together, whenever your studies are complete.”
Wess’ smile grew. It didn’t take much to please him, it seemed.
“Are you happy?” Leo asked. He hadn’t wanted to. He feared the answer, but the desperation to know was killing him.
“I like Uncle Ollie and Uncle Nick,” he said. “And I like Lady Serveck and Lady Madison. I really like Lady Madison.”
“Good.” Do you like me? Do you wish you had better?
Wess looked straight ahead. “I like Edmond too.”
“I’m going to let you hold the gun steady during the hunt,” Leo said in an effort to stop himself from asking if Wess liked anyone else. “You’ll assist me?”
“Really?” Wess’ mouth parted. “The other boys my age are not allowed to shoot during the hunt.” George, who was fifteen, would be allowed to handle his own weapon.
“Yes, it could be dangerous, but I’ve already shown you how to shoot,” Leo said. “And you’re smart. I know you won’t do anything foolish.” And he’d have a hand on the weapon himself to make sure.
Wess glowed under Leo’s words. “Did your father teach you to hunt when you were ten?”
Leo pressed his lips together and let Wess go. “No, it was before that actually.” And he didn’t only hunt for animals.
“Really?” Wess asked with excitement. “What else did he teach you?”
“Things I never should have learned.” Like the sounds a man can make when he stares death in the face. He wished he could take back his offer to let Wess hold the rifle. Was he doing the right thing? Would a good father have allowed this? Likely not if the other boys were only coming to watch.
But it was too late. He couldn’t take it back. Wess would not like it.
He was beginning to panic when Oliver announced they’d made it to their destination. There was a clearing in the forest.
They spent the rest of the morning hunting. Leo worked closely with Wess, finding it easy to direct him as opposed to speaking about present matters. Wess didn’t seem much interested in talking about his feelings for Leo, so Leo didn’t push him to.
Later, when Wess went to speak with the other boys, Leo was introduced to the men in the Order of Good Fellows.
Cassius’ cousin, Mr. Kennicot, was present. Leo had met him a few months ago, which was around the same time that Cassius met him. Cassius came from his own troubled background and Kennicot hadn’t wanted anything to do with his family.
But it seemed that was slowly changing. Like Leo, Cassius’ wife was a woman with a big heart who seemed incapable of letting matters rest when there was tension between people.
Lord Berret was also introduced to him. He was a short and jolly older gentleman with soft features. “Quite the announcement you made the other evening. I didn’t know why everyone was making much ado about it until I learned the truth. So much change in such a short time.” He laughed. “Quite an extraordinary endeavor. Not at all surprised by it. Your grandfather was much the same, never ceasing to amaze us.”
“You mean the old Lord Venmont?” Oliver asked.
Berret thought and then said, “Well, actually both of them. Lord Serveck and Lord Venmont.”
“I hadn’t known both my grandfathers were in the Society,” Leo said.
Berret nodded. “Oh, yes. They’d been friends at one time, but you know how those things go.” Then Berret’s attention was stolen and he moved on.
Leo turned to Oliver. “Did you know?”
Oliver nodded and looked out over the field. The scent of gunpowder clung to the air. “Grandmother told me her husband had been a member.”
“Was our parents’ marriage arranged?” Leo asked.
Oliver turned back to him. “As far as I know, they were in love when they married.”
“And then he changed,” Leo said. The Circle had changed him. That was why Leo planned to destroy it. Maybe then he’d finally manage to destroy his and Oliver’s fears.
“Wess is a good boy,” Oliver said. “You should be proud.”
“I am.” He looked at the boys as they sat around. Wess was talking while the others listened. They’d been amazed that Leo had let him shoot.
“He doesn’t seem to be giving you a hard time about lying to him.”
“Give it time,” Leo said, suspecting that his son was acting like everyone else in his life, indifferent to his trespasses for the sake of keeping him near.
As though Leo could take it all back. He couldn’t. The facts were the facts.
And Leo knew Wess. The boy had been angry with him before. Yet so far, Leo hadn’t even received a narrowed glance.
“Perhaps he is content,” Oliver said. “Perhaps he’s not pretending. Maybe this was all he wanted.”
“Perhaps.” But Leo found that hard to believe.
∫ ∫ ∫
5 3
* * *
Madison watched Belle and Elisa walk out of the family’s private drawing room. Edmond was in Belle’s arms. They were off to meet with Lady Serveck and the other women about the ball. She smiled and turned back to the paper on the table.
It was currently empty, but as she stared at it, she imagined all the wonderful things she would write and the message that Edmond would be allowed to read when he got older. She’d been inspired Elisa’s journal and her sister-in-law had even allowed her to see her first message to her unborn child.
It had been moving and Madison wondered why she’d never thought to do the same.
Then she’d remembered. Matthew.
He’d planned to take her child away. Who was to say that he’d have ever allowed Edmond to see a letter written by her?
She was startled when the door to the drawing room opened and then even further by who was there.
“I made sure I didn’t approach you while Edmond was near you.”
Madison stood and stared at Matthew. Her anger burned, but its presence no longer consumed her as it had before.
She’d been present for part of the meeting about The Circle and its end last evening. Anson and Matthew had spoken about the state of Oxford since the murders.
The city was in a state of panic. It was likely the authorities would come looking for Leo to ask him further questions about what happened. Van Dero’s people had decided they would share what they knew, but that didn’t mean they would stop hunting the enemy for themselves.
She’d been surprised that she and the other wives had been allowed to listen in. Lady Van Der
o, or Milly as she’d asked to be called, had commented and given her opinion on the matter. She was well-received by her husband and the other men. She was respected nearly as equal.
Many of the men had called Matthew brave for sacrificing himself for the cause.
That had been about the time that Madison had decided to leave.
She was a little surprised that Matthew had come to her. “I thought you would have joined the hunt.”
“Anson and I will be staying in the house under protection,” Matthew said.
“I see… What do you want?”
“To talk.” He took a step forward and stopped. “To smooth things between us. I have great respect for your husband.”
“Whatever Leo does with his own time is none of my concern. If he wishes to befriend you, that is his choice.” She decided she wouldn’t ask her husband to make this man his enemy. Leo was already dealing with so much. It was best she encouraged the finer parts of his character, his kindness being one of them.
Matthew moved closer and stopped a yard away. “I think what’s best for Leo is if we became friends. I spoke with him last night. I learned about Wess. He admitted to me how he was feeling.”
Madison pulled in a breath. “And how is that?”
“He’s scared of rejection,” he said. “I believe he fears we’ll all turn our backs on him eventually, even you.”
“Me?” She shook her head. “No, my husband knows I’ll stand by his side. Always.”
Matthew lifted a brow. “Are you certain?” He closed the distance between them. “Are you certain there is nothing Leo could do that would put him in the same position that I am in?”
She frowned. “Leo would never do the things you did to me.”
“He wasn’t nice to you in the beginning. I know that for myself. My servants told me.” He stood right before her. “Would you leave him if he wronged you? Would all the good he’d done for you vanish from your memory until he became no better than your worst enemy?”
She didn’t like his questions. “You should leave.”
“Why? I thought you forgave me,” he said.
“I…” She sighed. “I did.”
“No, you spoke flowery words, but in your heart you hate me. Can’t you see his fears?”
She lowered her gaze. Her chest burned with indignation. She hated how Matthew always managed to get in her head. She hated that someone so vile could be correct, especially when it benefited him.
She looked up again and met his eyes. He was right. She needed to move past her anger.
Keeping her gaze steady, she took Matthew in and recalled the day he’d first come to her. She’d been weak and he’d taken advantage of that.
She thought of every cruel thing he’d done since then. She thought of the mournful nights and agony her mind and body had suffered. And then... she let it go.
“I forgive you.” She felt the tension leave her body.
His eyes widened. He must have seen it as well. “What made you change your mind? Was it the fact that I gave you money? Is it the knowledge that I could die if Judd’s murderer isn’t caught?”
She pressed a hand to her tightening belly. “No, actually I thought of your cruelty. You’d never earn my forgiveness, Matthew. Neither is there enough pity in the word to equal what you did to me. Instead, my forgiveness is given as a gift.” Just as she’d received so many gifts herself.
She was blessed. She could not forget that.
He got down on his knee and took her hand. He pressed it to his forehead. “Thank you, my lady.” His voice trembled.
“Matthew. Forgiving you doesn’t mean I allow you around Edmond.”
He flinched. “But I thought…” He frowned. “I wanted to do the things I promised you in the beginning. I want to share Judd with him, the Judd I remember. Edmond is my best friend’s son.”
“Choices have consequences.” She took her hand away. “But I no longer feel any anger toward you.”
He stood and his eyes were sorrowful. “I’m sorry.”
She felt the woefulness in his words. He truly meant it.
Her heart broke for him, but her stance remained. “I’m sorry as well.”
She heard great noise in the distance. The hunting party had returned. Barely a minute passed before Leo walked into the drawing room. He’d been grinning until he saw Matthew. Leo looked between them.
Madison gave him a soft smile. “I’ve forgiven Matthew.”
Leo looked relieved. “That’s wonderful. Now…”
“But I still wish to keep Edmond from him.” For now.
Matthew hung his head. His mouth firmed in frustration. He walked out and didn’t say a word.
Madison suspected Leo would try and sway her decision the moment Matthew was gone, but instead, he asked, “Are you all right?”
She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him. “I’m all right.” She hadn’t been afraid of Matthew during their conversation.
And then she didn’t want to think about Matthew at all.
Leo felt warm and solid.
He locked his arms around her back and pulled her closer. “Wess had a great time. I think he’s earned himself a few friends.” He told her about the gun and his indecision on whether it was a good idea.
Not letting him go, Madison angled her head until she could see his eyes and smiled. “I think it’s wonderful what you did. Wess wasn’t calling you father before yesterday, but that didn’t mean you hadn’t been an excellent father to him before. Just continue to do what you’ve been doing.”
“I suppose you’re right,” he said. “If the boy can act as though nothing is wrong then there is no point in me being so anxious.” He touched her cheek. “But he hasn’t called me father.”
“He hasn’t?” she asked. “Not even once?”
He shook his head. “Which is just as well.”
She rubbed her hand over his chest where she knew his heart to be. “I’m sure he’s not avoiding the word to be cruel. Wess doesn’t seem capable of cruel.”
“Which is good, since I’m more than capable of it.” That troubled expression was back in his eyes.
She straightened and thought it time they get their minds off their troubles and on something light. “Let’s play your question game.”
He nodded. “You go first.”
“How many buttons do you suppose are holding my dress closed?”
She watched his eyes grew dark and wild. “Not enough to keep me out.”
His kiss was hungry and far from gentle. He worked at the buttons at the front of her gown. They were undone with haste and then he took his time caressing the exposed skin above her corset. His touch caused need to ripple down between her legs.
She hadn’t meant it to go this far in the drawing room. Anyone could walk in.
Yet she found such naughtiness to be exhilarating.
Leo’s kisses sent her mind spinning. He gentled with his touch. He kissed her lips with care… and then her jaw, and then her throat. He lingered over his humming pulse.
His voice was nearly baritone. “What are you willing to let me do to you?”
She gasped when his teeth grazed her. “Anything.”
Everything.
“Lord Leo. Can I…”
Leo quickly turned Madison so that her back was to the door.
They’d been caught by Wess.
∫ ∫ ∫
5 4
* * *
Madison buried her face in his shoulder. Embarrassment fluttered through her and came out as a laugh. She quickly covered her mouth to suppress it.
“Yes, Wess?” Leo’s voice was clear of the desire that had coated his tone just moments ago. “What can I do for you?”
Madison giggled again.
“I wanted to go to Lady Serveck’s house.” Wess sounded closer.
Madison pulled away from Leo to do up her buttons.
She caught Leo’s eyes and saw the flicker of heat before he turned back
to Wess.
Wess continued, “She told me I could pick out my own room for when I visit. She also told me to call her grandmother. I think I will.”
“I think you should,” Leo said. “She’d like that.”
“Is Lady Madison all right?” the boy inquired.
A properly assembled Madison turned around and grinned at Wess. “I’m quite all right but thank you for your concern. Did you have a good time in the woods?”
The moment the question was out, Wess launched into full detail about his exciting day. As Leo had told him, Wess didn’t call him father. He always called him Lord Leo.
They sat as Madison listened. Wess was enchanting as he spoke about the children she didn’t know and used his hands to demonstrate how he’d caught his first fox. She wished she could preserve this moment forever.
And she decided she would write Wess a letter as well. In it, she would speak about her first impressions of him and how easily she found it to love him.
With Leo’s permission, Wess left to visit his grandmother’s. They’d be back for dinner.
“Do you ever stay at Lady Serveck’s home?” she asked.
“When I came to visit my brother, I often slept at my grandmother’s.” Leo sat close. His leg had brushed her skirts throughout Wess’ story and had distracted her more than once.
He placed an arm on the back of the couch and leaned back. His leg became firmly pressed against hers as he looked around. “I used a guest room in my grandmother’s house whenever I came to Venmont Hill. I didn’t need a room. I never left anything behind and this place…” He turned back to Madison. “I slept outdoors before I slept in this house.”
“You mean, last night was your first time sleeping in this house?” She’d known Leo hadn’t used his assigned room, but she hadn’t thought he’d prefer a bed of leaves to a room.
He smiled. “Don’t worry. Oliver was often with me. He hated sleeping in here just as much as I did.”
“I’m surprised you three didn’t ban together to end your father’s tyranny.”
Leo shrugged and leaned forward. His dark hair haloed his face with the motion.
She wanted to touch him, but she also wanted to listen to him talk. She pressed her hands into her lap and listened.
The Long Awaited Lord Page 26
