His brother who currently had a hole in his leg thanks to him. Hopefully Lila and Anna would see to him. Lila would do a good job of looking after him. She was that sort of a woman. All heart. She deserved someone better than a man with a weak one.
Chapter Eight
“Where’s Ash?”
Lila glanced at Anna. What could she say to Harris? Your twin brother prefers his bed to being at your bedside?
Lila took his hand and eyed his clammy skin. The morning light had begun to flicker through the thick curtains, spilling tiny streams of light over the bedding. Anna had accompanied Lila for most of the night with the exception of checking on the search party and ensuring their security was tight. No one would get into the house, she assured her.
But Ash had remained in his room. She’d even been so bold as to slip in, fearing for him after going through such a traumatic experience, but he’d been asleep. She could hardly believe it. His brother had been shot, and the man was sleeping. How was it even possible? Fatigue had made her mouth dry and her eyes itchy but there was no chance she could sleep for a moment while Harris was still in a great deal of pain and his future was uncertain.
“He is abed, is he not?” Harris asked with a wry, but slightly pained, smile.
“I believe so,” she replied.
“It does not matter. After all, I have two lovely ladies to take care of me.”
He swung a glance Anna’s way, and Lila noticed the spark of admiration there. If she was not much mistaken, it was possible Anna might be attracted to him too. She would not blame her. These brothers were handsome indeed, and if she had never met Ash, she was certain Harris would be easy to fall for.
“I shall check on him soon,” Lila said. “He was very concerned for you.”
Harris waved a hand. “My brother is the way he is. As soon as anything exciting happens, he vanishes. He’s done it for as long as I can remember. Thankfully I’m not ready to utter my last words yet.”
“That’s a fine job,” Ash’s voice came from the doorway. “I have little intention of hearing them, and no doubt you’d go on forever.”
“I am very well, thank you, brother,” Harris replied with a slight grin.
Lila stood and came to Ash’s side. “Your brother seems to be doing well,” she said. “You are lucky. You should have been here. What if it had been worse?”
He glanced at her, and she noted the redness rimming his eyes. His skin had a sickly cast to it, and his clothes were rumpled. Had he been drinking perhaps? Was that it? He’d drunk himself into a stupor and could not awaken? She swallowed. It was odd, she had not thought him the type to indulge. Turning to alcohol seemed too weak a habit for a man like Ash.
“I am here now,” he said quietly before moving to take up the seat beside his brother’s bed. “Are you still in pain?”
“Not really. Nicely dosed up at present. These ladies can attest to that.”
“I’m sure they can. I hope you remembered to hold your tongue at least a little.”
Harris laughed. “I can hardly be to blame if the laudanum was addling my wits now, can I?”
“If I know you,” Ash said wryly, “you used it as a fine excuse to scandalise them.”
“He’s been fairly well-behaved,” Anna put in though Lila saw the smile tease her lips. The truth was Harris had been rather amusing during the night after taking the laudanum.
“You shall have to stay here for a while,” Ash said. “I hope that is not a problem.” He directed the question to Anna.
“Of course not.”
“Ash, you need to leave. Lila isn’t safe here,” Harris said with a surprising firmness to his voice.
“We cannot leave,” Lila declared. “No, I will not even consider it.”
Ash lifted a hand. “He’s right, Lila. If Newton has discovered you, you’re not safe.”
“My security is excellent,” Anna said stiffly.
“But with so many people coming and going, it would be easy for him to slip in, Anna,” Ash said.
She shifted on her feet and folded her arms. “I know.”
“We must leave.” Ash directed this at Lila this time.
“But—”
His brother nodded in agreement. “I have little intention of dying, Lila. Hopefully by the time this mess is over, I shall be healed and ready to dance with you at your next ball while the killer is behind bars.”
Lila blinked at the two men several times. Why should either of them care for her welfare more than their own? Who were these men? “But—”
“No more buts,” Ash commanded. “We’ll leave as soon as we are ready. We’ll be taking your carriage, Harris.”
He chuckled them winced. “I did not expect anything less. Where are you to go?”
“I thought about the house in Kent. I know Julian is in Warwickshire at present so it will be empty.”
“There might not be any staff in attendance,” Harris warned.
“We won’t need anyone to look after us.”
Lila watched this exchange in a sort of dazed manner. They were to go all the way to Kent to escape a killer while leaving Harris behind? This really was not at all the summer she expected. And she certainly did not anticipate Ash choosing her safety over staying with his brother.
“He’ll be fine,” Ash assured her.
Damn him, how did he know that was what she was thinking?
“I will be, Lila.”
“He’s in good hands,” Anna assured.
Damn them all.
Ash stood and cupped a hand over her shoulder. “I would not leave him if I did not think he wouldn’t be fine or that you were not still in danger,” he said quietly.
“But, Ash, you cannot leave your brother for me.”
“He understands. Now, why do you not pack up the gowns Anna gave you, and I shall have some breakfast sent to your room? We have a long journey ahead.”
She swung her gaze between all three of them and realised yet again, she had little choice but to go along with their plans. Once again, she was at the whim of others.
“Very well then.” Lila spun away and stomped back to her room.
She gathered up the few gowns she’d borrowed and paused to peer out of the window at the new day. There was no sign of the shooter. Sunlight streamed through the oak trees lining the land, flickering and glinting through the leaves. This day would prove a beautiful one it seemed. How odd that God would see fit to bestow a lovely day upon them when there was a killer out there who had injured Harris and wanted to kill her.
Somehow she had managed not to think on that night, on how close she had been to dying. But slowly, the beautiful field became a dark park. The sunlight no longer welcomed, but shadows lurked and a man’s scream split the air.
“Lila?”
She whirled.
Ash strode forward and clasped her arms. “You’re shaking.”
Glancing down at her hands, she realised she was indeed shaking. “Will you never knock?” she demanded unsteadily.
“I swore I would protect you, and I will,” he vowed, ignoring her scolding. “Don’t be afraid.”
She swallowed, tempted to deny it. Had she not always been afraid? Afraid of not fulfilling her family’s expectations? Afraid of failing at every turn? And yet, with Ash, she had not been afraid. There had been no fear of speaking her mind or behaving awfully unladylike. And she’d felt utterly safe with him until last night. But even then he had thrown her to the ground and prevented anything from happening to her. She really did trust this man with her life.
“I will be well,” she assured him as his concerned gaze searched her face. “You should be with your brother.”
“My brother is too busy flirting with Anna to notice my presence. I will see him before we leave. Are you sure you are well? Shall I get some tea sent up? Your food should be here shortly.”
She nodded. “Will you eat with me?”
He shifted on his feet a little. He’d done his best to avoid
time alone with her before their kiss, and it seemed he would do the same now. But why? He had spoken some of the most charming words she had ever heard last night. Of course she had received compliments aplenty during her time in London but none had been as genuine.
“What are you afraid of?”
His brow furrowed, and he dropped back a little. “Nothing.”
“I am afraid of everything,” she said softly.
“I told you—”
“I didn’t mean the killer.”
“What could you possibly have to fear, Lila?”
She squeezed her hands together. Why did it feel necessary to tell him these things? Because it might open him up? Perhaps. But why was it so important to her to understand the man?
“Failing. There are a lot of expectations upon me.”
“You mean marriage.” His eyes dulled slightly.
“Yes.”
He gave a tiny laugh. “Lila, you will never fail there. No doubt when we return to London, all eligible men will be clamouring to offer for your hand. You forget, I have seen how men react to you.”
“To me...” she said softly. “But that is the thing. It is not me. I’m not sure they see the real me. It is all manners and etiquette.”
He nodded slowly. “Everyone puts on a front, Lila.”
“Even you?”
“Even me. But underneath those manners and that charming smile is a bold, courageous, intelligent woman and any man who does not see worth in that is a fool.”
Her chest warmed a little and she took a step forward. “What sort of front do you put on?”
Ash backed away and disappointment weighted her chest when his expression shuttered. “My charming manners, of course,” he said dryly. “Why do you not freshen up, and I shall see what has happened to the morning meal?”
He spun on a heel and left, shutting the door behind him. She stared at it for a while and traced the gilded square pattern of the panels with her gaze over and over. What was that man hiding? He really was a riddle.
Further disappointment made her stomach feel as though it was filled with stones when he failed to join her again for breakfast. She picked at the tray of food and drank a little tea, extra sweet in an attempt to wake her up, but hunger evaded her in spite of the long night. By the time she had given up completely, the girl who had helped her dress the past couple of days arrived to assist in tidying her hair.
Lila sat on the stool and peered into the mirror as Beth set to work.
“You should be a lady’s maid,” Lila commented and then slapped a hand over her mouth. Had she just offended the beautiful, red-haired young woman? “I did not mean—”
Beth smiled her understanding. “I was once. But my husband was a horrible man and told my employer I had been stealing for him when I refused to...well...”
“Forgive me.”
Beth shrugged. “These things happen. Miss Anna offered me shelter and work. I do very well for myself here, and we are looked after, unlike we would be on the streets of London.” She gave a shudder. “After the Ripper and other things, I’m grateful to be in a place like this. Just like you are grateful to Lord Ashton I imagine.”
Lila did not respond and used her fingers to trace circle patterns on the vanity table.
“I think Miss Anna likes him very well.”
She snapped her gaze up to meet Beth’s gaze in the mirror. “She does?”
“Oh yes. I do not blame her though everyone says he is too lazy for the likes of her. Miss Anna works all hours, but Lord Ashton cannot even be counted on to climb out of bed for most social events. At least that is what they say.”
Lazy? Was that what he was? Would he really have opted just to sleep rather than tend to his brother? She had assumed drink, but she would not say as much to Beth. And did Anna really like him? There had been a few moments where they had seemed close but she had not had the chance to question their relationship. What if his reticence was because he really had feelings for Anna and had never intended to kiss her?
Lila thanked Beth and gave her a quick embrace before she took her scant belongings downstairs. Beth had not been as she had expected. Neither had Anna really, but the woman, in spite of sharing a sleepless night with her, was extremely private. Was it possible she was in love with Ash? And how did he feel for her?
Her stomach bunched, and she pressed a fist to it as she stopped by Harris’ room. Surprisingly, Anna had remained at his bedside. Lila would have thought the woman had too much to attend to if what Beth said was correct. From what she had seen of her, the owner of Stourbridge worked every moment to run this empire of hers. There was certainly something to be admired about that. Anna was her own woman, doing whatever she pleased, and Lila certainly envied her freedom.
Harris grinned when he saw her. “Leaving me already?”
“You gave me little choice if I recall.”
“Your safety is our priority,” he intoned.
Rolling her eyes, she bent to give him a kiss on the cheek. “Get better quickly, Harris. Then I can tell all the ladies how dashing you were when you saved my life.”
“I believe my brother was mostly responsible for that. I simply managed to get in the way.”
“Well, you’re a hero to me.” She glanced up at Anna. “Thank you for letting me stay here. I am sorry to have brought you trouble.”
The raven-haired woman lifted a shoulder. “Trouble finds me all the time. It is nothing I can’t handle. I hope they catch this killer soon so you can return to London.”
Lila didn’t know what to say. The thought of returning had lost its appeal over the past few days, somehow. The thought of all the balls, the artificial smiles and the fake compliments made her feel weary. Or perhaps that was simply her sleepless night doing that. Yes, it must be. After all, she’d spent most of her life looking forward to the day she could step out in London.
“Look after Ash for us,” Anna said softly. “He’s a good man.”
She eyed Anna and tried to establish exactly what she meant, but she was too hard to read. She knew Ash was a good man, whether he was lazy or a habitual drinker. To her, he was simply the man who would do anything to protect her.
Most of the guests were abed when she descended the stairs and her footsteps echoed across the marble. She found Ash loading her few borrowed gowns onto the carriage.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes. Are you sure about this?” She put a hand to his arm.
“Harris agrees your safety is a priority. I’d trust Anna with my life so I am trusting her with my brother's.”
There it was again, the ache in her belly. “You shall miss them I suppose.”
He scowled. “We might be twins, but we’re not boys anymore. We hardly spend every hour together. I’m sure he won’t miss me anymore than I’ll miss him. Besides, he has far too much fine company for me to feel any sympathy for him.”
“Yes, Anna is very lovely.”
His scowl deepened. “He’d better not do anything to hurt her.”
“I’m sure he won’t.”
“He can be a damned blackguard at times.”
“I am not sure Anna will let him hurt her. I imagine her affection lies elsewhere.”
He lifted a brow. “You do?”
That convinced her. He was clueless as to any gossip about them or Anna’s maybe feelings toward him. Something she had discovered since coming to London was men could be incredibly foolish when it came to feelings. Ash was no different, it seemed.
“I believe she likes you very much,” Lila said softly. Why she was pushing this, she did not know. If he reciprocated, it would be painful. It shouldn’t be, but it would.
Both brows rose, and he glanced up at the house then at her. “We are good friends. Nothing more. Come, we best get a move on. I do not like having you out in the open.”
Lila allowed him to hand her up into the carriage. Though the weight had lifted a little, she almost wished he would tell her without doubt tha
t he had no feelings for Anna. Then she could...
She could what? Fall in love with him? Marry him? He had expressed no interest in such things, and that was what she needed, was it not? A good marriage, and well, really, she had hoped for love too.
Ash settled next to her, and she grew aware of his hard thigh next to hers. Though the thickness of the skirts prevented her from feeling much, when the carriage moved off, they jostled together, their shoulders brushing and his thigh pressing harder through the layers. She swallowed hard and twined her gloved hands together.
This was not how she had expected it to be—attraction. She had thought she would want the gentleman concerned to sweep her off her feet. Press delicate kisses to her lips and perhaps quote sonnets to her. Even ask for a lock of her hair.
But no.
It seemed she liked intense stares and stilted compliments. Brooding looks and a hard body accidentally brushing hers. There was no hint of flirtation in his manners, and she adored it.
“We shall leave the carriage at Reading station,” Ash told her. “We’ll travel straight to Canterbury and change there for Whitstable. That’s where the house is.”
“Will we not be tracked there?”
“The house was my mother’s. She used it when we were young as a retreat from...well, everything. It’s not widely known it belongs to us.”
Lila nodded. At present, she was beyond arguing with him. She was too confused to do anything but be meek and mild and go along with whatever he thought best. If he wanted them to traverse half the country to escape this madman, then so be it.
Reading proved to be a busy station, and they hardly had to wait at all for a train. Weariness seeped into her from her night-time vigil and her head had begun to hurt. They ended up sharing a carriage with several other ladies and gentleman so Ash sat close to her, being his usual quietly protective self. Thankfully none of the travellers seemed in a talkative mood so she allowed herself to rest against his shoulder and soon sleep claimed her.
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