Graham stared at his brother without speaking. Looking from one to the other, Anna was shocked to observe for the first time some small familial resemblance between them. There was something in their expressions, in the jut of their jaws and the taut set of their shoulders, that was alike. Shocked, Anna realized that what she was seeing was old Lord Ridley alive again in both of them.
Then it hit her: they truly were brothers. And she realized that, despite the fact that Julian had lived at Srinagar and claimed her as a relative, Anna had never quite believed his claim of kinship to Paul.
She’d thought him a charming rogue of a liar and had fallen in love with him anyway.
When what he truly was was Paul’s older brother—and the rightful Lord Ridley.
Dear God, what was this going to mean to her— to them?
Julian must have felt her eyes upon him because he glanced down at her, where she still stood by his side. His expression was not reassuring. It held anger and a touch of bitterness and some cynicism besides. But perhaps those emotions were there for Graham, and were not meant for her at all. Before she could decide, he had shifted his attention back to Graham.
“It’s time you left,” he said softly.
Graham regarded him for a moment, his mouth twitching. His hands were clenched by his sides, but Anna did not really fear violence: unless he was some kind of fool he would not physically attack Julian. Then Graham’s gaze moved to Anna.
“Are you going to allow yourself to be taken in by this—this charlatan?” he demanded, his voice harsh. “Since you are my sister-in-law, and your daughter my niece, I will give you this one chance to walk away from him and come with me. If not, if you choose to stay, then I warn you I will wash my hands of the both of you henceforth.”
“Good-bye, Graham,” Anna said from the shelter of Julian’s side. Graham stared at her furiously. But with nothing to threaten her with, and Julian clearly prepared to protect her physically, there was nothing he could do. Graham stared balefully from one to the other. Then, without a word, he finally stomped past Julian and out the door.
Anna held her breath as she listened to his footsteps retreating across the veranda. Moments later the sound of carriage wheels crunching down the drive caused her to breathe again. Incredible as it seemed, Graham had gone, and he had not succeeded in causing them harm.
Julian was frowning down at her. “Don’t worry, my offer still stands,” he said bitterly, then before she could reply he headed toward the stairs, which he took two at a time.
Anna, shaken by what she had seen in his eyes, was left alone with Ruby, who was staring after Julian with an expression of awe.
“Blimey,” the other woman breathed, casting Anna a sideways look. “A man like that, and ’im Lord Ridley to boot. Lovey, the day you met ’im must ’ave been the luckiest day of your life!”
XLIX
Now he would never know the truth. With a certain bitterness Julian faced that fact as he stashed the case holding the emeralds in one of the narrow drawers at the bottom of his wardrobe. Or, rather, he would suspect that he did know the truth, and the suspicion would drive him wild.
Of course, now Anna would be willing to marry him. Certainly she would. He was, after all, Lord Ridley, and a great deal of wealth came with the title. She could hardly do better for herself and Chelsea.
The pitiful thing was that, despite his knowledge of her motives, he was still willing to wed her. More than willing, in fact. Even if he was second-best to her, no more than a substitute for the husband who was forever lost to her, he was too besotted to let the knowledge stop him.
When had he turned into such a maudlin fool?
Disgusted with himself, he shut the wardrobe door with a snap and turned away, meaning to head downstairs. From there he would go outside and seek out some hard, physical work. Anything to distract himself from his thoughts.
Then he saw her.
She was standing in the doorway, one hand resting gracefully against the jamb, watching him. Clad in a simple lavender gown that he didn’t remember having seen before, her silvery hair pinned primly atop her head and her green eyes wide and troubled as they met his, she was so beautiful that he wanted to curse. A furious scowl darkened his face. She had made him love her, damn it, to the point of madness. But she refused to love him back in the way he wanted, and he could almost hate her for that.
Almost.
“Come to throw yourself at my feet?” Because he was hurting, he lashed out at her. The sneer in his voice pleased him.
“Yes.”
She was nothing if not surprising, his Anna. He had not expected her to admit it.
“You don’t have to worry. As I told you downstairs, my offer still stands.”
Those damnable green eyes were wide and grave as they met his. “I would have accepted by the pool if you’d stayed around a little longer.”
“I’m sure you would have.”
“I love you, Julian.” The soft words stabbed him like a spear through the heart. “I’ll be pleased and proud to marry you.”
“Don’t you mean Lord Ridley?” There was a satisfying bite to his voice that covered the pain in his heart. Lying bitch, he wanted to rage but didn’t. He was afraid to reveal too much of how he felt about her. If she ever realized how truly head over heels he was, she’d have the power to make his life a bloody hell.
“I mean you, whatever your name is. I love you.”
“Stop saying that!”
“Why should I? It’s the truth.” She came away from the door, walking determinedly toward him. When she was no more than a hand’s breadth away, she stopped and tilted her head back so that she could look him full in the eyes. “Julian, if you think I only want to marry you because I’ve discovered you have a title, and all the wealth and privilege that goes with it, then I have a suggestion for you.”
“What’s that?” It was all he could do not to grab her and throw her down on the bed and make love to her until they were both exhausted. Maybe then he’d manage to find some ease for his bruised pride and aching heart. They were good in bed together. Fantastic, in fact. Maybe he was a fool to want anything more. What could be sweeter than that hot explosion of passion that wiped away the world and everything in it? Her breath-stopping body was his for the taking. What the hell ailed him that he must continually hanker after her heart?
“Let Graham keep it.”
“What?” Either his mind was as befuddled as his emotions or she wasn’t making any sense.
“Why don’t we just stay here and forget about England and titles and family estates? Do you really want to be Lord Ridley and live in baronial splendor at Gordon Hall? The place is huge, and freezing cold in the winter, and the roof leaks. There’s the responsibility of the land, and the tenants, and the lord and his family must set a good example. Think how wearing! While here—here we can do as we please, you and me and Chelsea. There’s money enough, not as much as comes with being Lord Ridley, but if the new tea fields work out there should be substantially more someday. Besides, I’ve never been rich, and I don’t care about it. So if you want to be sure I’m marrying Julian Chase, and not Lord Ridley, then leave Lord Ridley to Graham, and you be my own dear Julian. Please.”
She had managed to surprise him yet again. Julian, frowning, stared down at the delicate face turned so pleadingly up to his. To just forget about being Lora Ridley—the notion was mind-boggling. All his life he had yearned for the title, with its connotations of legitimacy and worthiness and being somebody at last. As a despised gypsy boy, he had been so ashamed of the Rachminov family name that he had plucked Chase out of the air to please himself. The Traverne family name had seemed so far above him that he had not even considered using that. Now the name was his, rightfully his, and the title too—and Anna was suggesting that he just turn his back on it?
And on Gordon Hall, with its vast acres and wealth and respect? In favor of his despised half-brother Graham, with whom he had had a lifelong, bitter
rivalry?
A rivalry in which he had now triumphed, hands down?
But he had to admit, the long-anticipated triumph had left a bitter taste in his mouth. This afternoon, when he had confronted Graham with the truth, had been the culmination of every daydream of revenge he’d ever had. But now that he had what he wanted, he suddenly found that it wasn’t enough.
His legitimacy, the title, and all that went with it meant little to him if Anna didn’t come with it. And not just her body. What he wanted from Anna was uncontested possession of her heart and mind and soul as well. He wanted her to love him, Julian Rachminov or Julian Chase or even Julian Traverne, Lord Ridley. But him. No one else. And without reservations.
“Well?” She was watching him intently.
Julian stared down at her for a moment longer.
“You must be joking,” he said at last, pulling her into his arms and grinning ruefully at his own avariciousness over the top of her head. But after all, why should he give up anything when he could have it all, and Anna too, if only he could drive the demon of jealousy from his heart? Which for both their sakes he meant to make a Herculean effort to do.
As she had said, Paul was dead, while he himself was alive, with a lifetime to win out over his rival. And as he had learned today, victory after a protracted battle tasted doubly sweet.
He’d drive Paul from her mind and heart if it took the rest of his life. And make her trust in his love for her, too.
“You mean you won’t give it up?” Anna pulled back from his embrace. Her eyes were wide as they searched his face, and there was disappointment in her voice.
“I’m many things, my love, but not, I hope, a fool. Only a fool would give up that kind of inheritance. But I appreciate the fact that you were willing for me to do so, and I apologize for my behavior by the pool. I seem to be of a somewhat hasty bent where you’re concerned.”
“You’ve no need to doubt me, Julian. It’s you I love, rich or poor, lord or gypsy, and no one else.”
“Yes, well.…” He took a deep breath, let her go, moved around her to close the bedroom door, then came back to her and caught her hand. Anna, puzzled, was frowning at him as he led her to the giltwood chair on which she had perched once before, and pushed her down upon it.
“What … ?” she began blankly even as he sank to one knee before her and took one of her hands in both of his.
“I behaved so badly earlier that I feel I owe you amends. Behold me, on my knees, most properly beseeching you for your hand and heart.”
Torn between surprise and laughter, Anna could only stare at him. He was smiling, his expression whimsical. His attitude, as he pressed her hand theatrically over his heart, was ridiculous in the extreme. But the gesture touched her, too. Julian was not a man to humble himself easily.
“In other words, my love, I am asking you to marry me.”
For brief seconds she made him wait, while her eyes ran over him, affixing this moment forever in her memory. She had a feeling that she would not often see Julian on his knees asking for anything. What he wanted from life—and from her—he was far more likely to take.
“Well?” His brows had twitched together as he waited, Anna smiled at him. The hand that he had not imprisoned came out to touch his cheek.
“Of course I’ll marry you,” she answered softly. Then, leaning forward, she pressed a tender kiss to his hard mouth.
“My Anna.” If there was a certain huskiness to his tone, there was fierce possession too. He rose to his feet, drawing her up with him, into his embrace. Anna melted against him, her arms going up to link behind his head, her lips coming up for his kiss. When he lifted her to carry her to bed, she made no objection, although it was still the middle of the day with servants roaming all over the house and Chelsea liable to come searching for her mama at any moment. But what did any of that matter against the necessity of convincing Julian that she loved him with all her heart? Because she knew, as surely as if he had spoken the words aloud, that he still doubted.
It was possible that he would always doubt. But she meant to love him long and well and always, and perhaps that would be enough to ease the pangs of insecurity that ate at his soul.
As it happened, they were not interrupted. They loved each other passionately, cuddled, murmured soft words of endearment, then loved each other again. Finally, exhausted, they slept. When they awoke it was, from the look of the moon floating high outside the uncurtained windows, near midnight.
Julian stretched luxuriously, wrapped her in his arms, and rolled over with her to kiss her. Instead of responding in kind, Anna wriggled restively in his embrace.
“Julian.”
He loosened his arms, frowning down at her. “What?”
“I’m hungry.” It was a plaintive moan. He chuckled and rolled off her, sitting up and flexing his bare shoulders. Anna, no longer self-conscious about being naked in his presence, sat up too.
“You mean you prefer food to me? For shame!” But he was grinning at her. “Ah, well, I confess I’m hungry, too. Why don’t you wait here while I go foraging?”
“I’ll come with you.” She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up. Julian eyed her backside appreciatively as she bent over, gathering up her clothes.
Then, all of a sudden, she straightened and sniffed.
“Do you smell something?” she asked in a very different tone than she had used before.
Julian sniffed the air too. Then he shot up off the bed and grabbed for his breeches.
“What is it?” Anna asked, alarmed at the abruptness of his response.
Julian didn’t even stop to look at her as he yanked on his breeches.
“Smoke.”
L
The house was on fire. Even as Anna, having dressed almost as hastily as Julian, followed him into the hall she saw thin gray wisps of smoke feathering up the stairs. Below, the air looked hazy. The smell of burning was much stronger here, and she thought she could hear a distant crackle.
“Chelsea!”
“Get her, and I’ll rouse the others.” Julian headed in the opposite direction from the one Anna took, throwing open the doors and shouting “Fire!”
Flying along the corridor, Anna threw open the door to the nursery and was relieved to find her daughter snugly asleep in her bed.
“Wake up, chicken!” Anna said urgently, wrapping the child in a quilt and scooping her up in her arms without waiting to see if her words had penetrated. Thank goodness Chelsea was a featherweight! Although Anna was not very large herself, she could still carry the child with scarcely any difficulty.
“Mama?” Chelsea blinked owlishly at her mother even as Anna hurried with her to arouse Kirti.
“It’s all right, sweetheart. I’ve got you safe.” Even as Anna uttered the reassurance, she was bent over Kirti, shaking her shoulder. The ayah started up with a gasp. Her eyes widened.
“The house is on fire. We’ve got to get out. Hurry!” Anna barely waited to see the old woman swing her legs out of bed before hurrying from the room with Chelsea. There was Ruby to rouse, and Jim, although she supposed Julian had taken care of awakening one or both of them. The smell of burning was stronger now. There wasn’t much time.
“Anna!” Julian was shouting from the hallway.
“Here!” She emerged to find Julian barreling toward her, Ruby in his wake.
“Thank God!” he said as he saw her, and scooped Chelsea from her arms. Grabbing Anna’s hand, he hauled her toward the stairs, which were now oozing smoke.
“Where’s Jim?” She panted as she half ran in Julian’s wake. Ruby was right behind her in a surprisingly prim nightdress, while Kirti, still in her sleeping shift, had emerged from the nursery and was running toward them.
“He’s not in the house. I set him to keep an eye on Graham, just in case.” At the head of the stairs, he turned back to bark directions. “Anna, take Ruby’s hand. Ruby, hold on to Kirti. Don’t let go. The smoke’s liable to be thick until we ca
n make it. out the door.”
“Uncle Julie, I’m scared!”
“Nothing to be scared of. Just shut your eyes, press your face against my shoulder, and we’ll all be out of here in a few minutes. That’s a good girl.” Chelsea, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck, did as Julian said. Then he looked back at the others, who were lined up behind him, tightened his grip on Anna’s hand, said “Come on!” and headed down the stairs.
Toward the back of the house, the fire was already roaring. Smoke billowed through the downstairs hall, to be drawn up the stairs as if it were a chimney. As they reached the bottom of the stairs the air grew increasingly more difficult to breathe. Anna coughed, choking. The others were coughing, too, and Chelsea was clinging to Julian for dear life. Her eyes were watering, making it difficult to see, but Julian was leading them surely toward the front door. From the corner of her eye Anna noticed as they passed the front parlor. Just a few more feet to go.… He had his hand on the knob but drew it quickly back, swearing as the metal burned his palm. Then, using the tail of Chelsea’s nightgown to protect his hand, he tried again, this time pulling the door open. Smoke billowed through this new opening even as Anna, gasping for fresh air, crowded behind Julian, who seemed, inexplicably, to have stopped dead no more than one step onto the veranda.
“God in heaven!”
He sounded so horrified that Anna, eyes streaming, forced herself to focus on whatever it was that had drawn such a reaction from him.
“Would you look at that!”
“Oh-ay!”
Behind Anna, Ruby and Kirti also saw the menacing figures moving toward them through the smoke-filled night, even before Anna was sure that what she was seeing was real.
An army of islanders was spread out across the lawn in single file, shoulder to shoulder, chanting as they marched toward the house: islanders in horrific costumes consisting of conical hats, metal breastplates and belts, and multilayered sarongs in shades of saffron and gold. Dozens of silver bracelets and anklets caught and reflected the moonlight as they moved. Their very skin seemed to bristle threateningly. As they drew closer, the moonlight suddenly brightened enough for Anna to see that all of them had pierced their cheeks, arms, and even their thighs with tiny spears. Each carried a huge, razor-tipped spear, which they shook menacingly in time to their chants.
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