Heaven Scent

by SpursFanatic

  Shaking her head, Tarin looked down at her lap. “No, Kit, he followed me without my knowledge. He feared for my safety.”

  “And I can’t blame him,” she huffed. “I have warned you about roaming the streets at night.”

  Tarin glanced up from her lap when Kitty loosened the grip on her arm.

  “A man who cares enough for your safety to follow you, then indulges your desire for access to the seminar, must be a gem indeed.”

  Tarin refused to acknowledge that comment. It was easier to think Rafe Sutherland a cad.

  “Look,” Kitty said under her breath, “he sees you.”

  Tarin glanced up to see Rafe staring at them from across the way. His eyes searched her face as though he gauged whether to approach.

  Please, Lord, no.

  “Don’t look, but here comes Mr. Pensworthy,” Kitty whined.

  Thank heavens for that cantankerous, old chauvinist. Maybe now Rafe will go away.

  Kitty groaned. “Heavens above, I wish that man would find something to do with his time besides aggravate us every single day we are out here. Why I think he finds pleasure in harassing us.”

  “Good day, Mr. Pensworthy,” Tarin said, with a bright smile.

  The elderly gentleman leaned heavily on his cane. “Good day, ladies.”

  “How are you this fine day?” Tarin asked politely, though she knew what came.

  Pensworthy pointed his cane at the petitions on the table. “Could be better if women remembered their place.”

  Tarin gritted her teeth. Kitty turned away.

  “Remembered their place?” Tarin feigned confusion. The man was no different than most others in Boston. He was just more vocal about it.

  “Yes, this nonsense about man-midwifery has gotten this city in an uproar,” he said, waving his arm. “A man delivered me and my father before me. It’s the way things are done.”

  Tarin had heard the words numerous times before, but they were no less frustrating than the first.

  “You do not feel it is inappropriate for a man to be intimately involved with a woman in that capacity?”

  Frowning, Pensworthy leaned on the table to stare down at her. “Little lady, there is nothing intimate about child birth. It’s an ugly business.”

  Tarin bit the inside of her cheek. “A business that women must go through alone,” she responded calmly. “Don’t you think it would make the difficult process more comfortable for the mother to have a woman beside her?”

  The man straightened to shuffle his feet. He hesitated before saying, “Everyone knows women do not have the strength and stamina to perform the duties of a physician.”

  “If strength is the issue, old man, it sounds to me like you’re the one taking the beating.”

  With a collective gasp, the three of them turned to find Rafe and Isabel standing behind Mr. Pensworthy. Though his grin was smug, Rafe’s eyes were black, fierce. He stood with arms crossed over his chest, his legs apart. A deep breath filled Tarin’s lungs before she exhaled, as though a great weight had been lifted from her. She could not contain her smile.

  “Look here, young man,” Pensworthy said, as he glanced at Isabel, “I was a father long before you were even born.”

  “Congratulations to you, sir,” he replied. “And what did you have – a daughter? A son?”

  The question obviously caught Pensworthy off guard. “A-a daughter.”

  “And I assume you would not abide a man speaking to her in the same manner you’re speaking to these ladies. Am I right?” Rafe looked down on the man with a patient frown.

  The hackles on Pensworthy’s back were up again. “This country is free, and our fifth amendment allows freedom of speech.”

  Rafe nodded. “And our Declaration of Independence allows these ladies, as citizens, to pursue their own happiness. Now, they may disagree with me, but I don’t believe that having a man of your station bellowing at them is a means toward that happiness.”

  Pensworthy did not respond. He simply stared at Rafe with a thunderstruck frown. Tarin could not believe her eyes. Pensworthy was actually speechless.

  “Obviously, you are a man well informed of current events,” Rafe said with a smile, as he clapped him on the back. He turned Mr. Pensworthy towards the street. “What is your view on the acquisition of Texas?” The gentlemen walked a few feet away and continued their conversation.

  “Did you see that?” Kitty asked in a fierce whisper.

  “I was sitting right here,” Tarin replied, her eyes glued to the conversation going on a few feet away.

  “Yes, my son is rather defensive of women that are badgered by men.” Isabel stood before them, smiling. Tarin’s heart flipped in her chest. Rafe had actually defended their cause. Had actually fought a demon that had haunted them since the inception of their crusade. It took all of her will not to run and throw her arms around his neck.

  “That was most kind of him,” Tarin told Isabel. “Mr. Pensworthy visits us often to state his view.”

  “Yes, men are rather narrow-minded when it comes to change, aren’t they?” Isabel commented, as she watched the men in deep discussion. “Particularly when that change involves women.”

  A few minutes later, the men approached the table to stand in front of Tarin. She glanced first at Pensworthy, then Rafe. He winked at her with a smile.

  “Well, young lady, where do I sign?” Pensworthy asked, in a gruff voice.

  Kitty stilled. Tarin knew her eyes were like carriage wheels. How did Rafe do it? She searched his gaze for some sign, some clue as to how he had persuaded such a staunch opponent to change his mind.

  “Right here,” she replied, handing Pensworthy the pen and pointing at the next available line on the petition.

  She watched as he scrawled his signature on the form. “Thank you for supporting our cause.”

  “You have this young man to thank,” he replied, handing her the pen and straightening. “He’s made me see things in a new light. No one can accuse me of being set in my ways.”

  Turning around to shake Rafe’s hand, Mr. Pensworthy bid them all a good day and left.

  Tarin stared at Rafe in awe. “I don’t know what to say…”

  He smiled at her. “Thank you would work for me.”

  The man was positively irresistible when he smiled. Tarin clasped her hands behind her back to keep from throwing herself at him.

  “Thank you,” Kitty said, her eyes no less round.

  “You’re welcome,” Rafe replied, smiling at them before turning back to Tarin. “Looks like you owe me, Miss Worthington. Again.”

  Her heart picked up speed until she thought it would jump out of her chest. “Rafe Sutherland, you are not going to try that again.”

  He crossed his arms over his chest. “Try? I thought I’d succeeded rather well last night.”

  Blushing feverishly, Tarin glanced at Isabel, then her friend who stared at her as though she wore drawers on her head.

  “Oh, don’t mind me,” Kitty said with obvious interest. “I’m just listening.”

  Rafe laughed before giving Tarin one of his arrogant grins. He enjoyed making her blush, the brute. He enjoyed making her feel self-conscious in front of her friend. How could a man be so… honorable one moment, and such a scoundrel the next?

  “I don’t recall you signing the petition, son,” Isabel said, pointing at the petition on the table.

  “Yes, Mr. Sutherland,” Tarin chimed in, “your signature is suspiciously absent from our document.”

  Rafe stared at Tarin a long moment, his eyes leisurely perusing her body in that maddening way of his. The air was suddenly stifling, her stomach barely containing the butterflies that had taken flight within it. Why, oh why, couldn’t she control herself?

  “Looks like Miss Worthington wants to run a tab.”

  Rafe’s fingers brushed hers as he took the pen. Tarin snatched her hand away. Just that brief touch caused her mind to flood with memories of his hands caressing her back, his s
oft, coaxing lips on hers, his clean, spicy scent enveloping her.

  In that moment, she vowed to do whatever it took to stay away from Rafe Sutherland. He affected her as no other man before, and at the worst possible time.

  As she watched him scrawl his name on the petition, she couldn’t help but notice the hues of red in his rich, chocolate-colored hair.

  Tarin?! Stop it.

  “Thank you again for what you did with Pensworthy. No one will believe it.”

  “You’re welcome,” he said, tossing the pen on the table. His eyes were serious when they met hers. “Tarin, I - “

  “Rafe Sutherland. Just the man I want to see."

  Tarin turned to find Dr. Randall Kent standing close behind her. He was elegantly dressed, as usual, in a long, blue coat of finest satin, a snowy white cravat and black trousers. He wore a welcoming smile on his face.

  The middle-aged man was like a father to Tarin, having taken over care of her father’s gout since the demise of Dr. Longfellow. He supported her fascination with medicine by allowing her use of his library and answering any questions she had.

  However, his hand at the small of her back caused an uncomfortable shiver to run through her. She took a step aside.

  “Randall,” Isabel cried, as she came forward to kiss his cheek. “It’s good to see you.”

  “Isabel,” he replied, holding her hands out in front of him. “What a pleasure. How are you?”

  She glanced at Rafe then back at Dr. Kent. “Well, now that Rafe is up and about, we have fallen into a household routine. With my sons keeping a strict work schedule, this is the first chance I‘ve had to attend one of the seminars.”

  Dr. Kent looked to Rafe as he released Isabel’s hands. “Work is just what I’d like to speak with you about, Rafe. I’ve got a business proposition for you and Patrick.”

  “We’re not interested,” Rafe said over Tarin’s head, his tone brisk.

  The smile disappeared from Dr. Kent’s face. Tarin glanced at Rafe, then back at Dr. Kent. Tension radiated from them like the heat of a violent fire.

  “You have not heard it yet. How can you make such a decision?” Dr. Kent’s brows furrowed.

  “I’ve heard rumor and we’re not interested,” Rafe replied, looking away from Kent. “Tarin, I‘d like to speak with you a moment.”

  “Rafe…” Isabel interjected, her tone questioning.

  Rafe stared at Tarin as he spoke. “Worthington told us of Kent’s intentions. We’re not interested.” He held out his hand to Tarin. “Tarin, a moment…”

  “Of, of course,” she replied, moving to step around the table. What could he possibly have to speak with her about? And didn’t she just vow to stay away from him?

  Dr. Kent stopped her with a hand on her arm, his eyes dark, dilated. “You need to collect petition signatures.”

  Tarin swallowed hard. “Yes, I realize that - “

  “It won’t take long,” Rafe interrupted, his eyes bouncing off of Dr. Kent’s grip before shooting to his face.

  Rafe’s clenched jaw and glittering eyes were intimidating in a man so large. Dr. Kent, ever relaxed, was more anxious than she had ever seen him.

  “Tarin knows what is required of her to become a student of Dr. Gregory’s college.” His grip grew firm. “Perhaps, another time.”

  Tarin clenched and unclenched her fists. Was that a threat? Did Dr. Kent just inform her that if she left to speak with Rafe, she would jeopardize her position with Dr. Gregory? Tarin knew Dr. Kent had great influence with Samuel Gregory. She could not risk it.

  Tarin’s eyes pleaded with Rafe, who’s thunderous expression worried her. He knew how important this was to her. Surely, he would not insist.

  “Rafe, perhaps we - “

  Suddenly, a swarm of women descended upon them. Rafe and Isabel were caught up in a maelstrom of introductions, though he continued to glance her way. It was only once Dr. Kent had left her side that he lost interest.

  Seeing Rafe knee-deep in feminine wiles reared that green facet of Tarin’s personality that had been non-existent until she met the rogue. He was surrounded by women of all ages gushing over him as though he were Isabel’s newborn babe seen for the first time.

  “You have a lot of explaining to do, Miss Worthington,” Kitty leaned in and whispered in her ear.

  She wasn’t the only one.

  What was going on between Dr. Kent and Rafe? And what could he have to speak with her about?

  Chapter 6

  “So, are you going to tell me what that was all about?”

  Rafe knew his mother referred to his animosity towards Kent. His mother idolized the doctor, having known him as a friend of his father’s, and the physician that treated him prior to his death.

  Rafe, on the other hand, had felt an instant dislike for the man, although he had been in no shape to argue the matter when he first returned to Boston. And now that Kent had actually put his hands on Tarin and threatened her position with Dr. Gregory, Rafe simply wanted to kill him. Slowly.

  “Kent wants to buy the business.” Rafe maneuvered the horses down Templar, away from the hall. Rather than riding inside the carriage, his mother had opted to sit beside him in the seat. Interrogation was so much more effective face-to-face.

  “That explains much.” She turned towards Rafe. “What would a doctor want with a shipping business?”

  Rafe didn’t want to tell his mother that opium was big business these days. From the look of Kent’s wardrobe, he was definitely bringing in more money than a mere doctor made.

  He shrugged. “Who knows. Either way, Patrick and I are not interested in selling.”

  Nodding, her voice turned soft. “Your father would be proud of you.”

  Rafe wanted to laugh aloud, but saved his mother the anguish. His father had found fault in everything Rafe did, no matter how honorable and forthright it might have been. Rafe had quickly learned that he could never win with Colin Sutherland, so he quit trying at an early age.

  However, in doing so, he had caused his mother constant distress. And in that, he hoped to make it up to her.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you.”

  Isabel rubbed Rafe’s shoulder. “I’m just thankful you are here now, and well.”

  Rafe glanced at her with a small grin. “So am I. I forgot how much I missed chauffeuring my mother around.”

  Isabel feigned outrage. “Do not act like I forced this on you. I see now you had an ulterior motive for taking me to that seminar.”

  Rafe laughed into his mother’s sparkling eyes. It was good to see her smile. “And what motive might that be? My yearning to rescue damsels in distress from cantankerous old men?”

  “There were two, quite lovely damsels at that petition table, son. Your penchant for beautiful women has not dulled in the least.”

  Sobering, Rafe knew he had to broach the subject of marriage with his mother. Like it or not, he was now in a position where he had to make something happen with Tarin. If not for all of the obvious reasons, just to keep Kent away from her. He was a threat, a serious one, and far more dangerous than anyone around him realized.

  That’s why Rafe had to be careful with the legal document he drew up for Henry. While he wanted to protect his rights in this blackmail scheme, he also didn’t want to scare him off. The deal was a godsend, no doubt, but it came with more baggage than the noon train.

  “I have to admit, some recent events have made me start thinking about… marriage.” He turned to her with a small grin.

  Her eyes glowed with excitement. “Oh Rafe, there are so many wonderful, marriageable girls in the Brahmin. You will have your pick.”

  “Actually,” he said, turning onto Chestnut Street, “I’ve got my eye on Tarin Worthington.”

  Shoulders sagging, Isabel shook her head. “Oh Rafe, you never could make anything easy for yourself.” She sighed. “I could see the attraction between you two right away and frankly, it shocked me.”

  His gut twisted in
sick confirmation. “You don’t think she could tolerate someone that looks like me?”

  “No,” she cried, her sympathetic eyes shooting to his. “Not because of your scars, Rafe. She has never wanted to marry. Many men have asked to court her, including Patrick, but she has refused them all.” She squeezed his hand where it held the reins. “You have been hurt enough in this life. I don’t want to see you endure more.”

  If Rafe had learned one thing, it was that preparation for the worst made the worst far less devastating when it happened. He knew what he was getting into with Worthington. He also knew the risks, and the rewards, should he succeed.

  What ate at him was that Tarin wouldn’t get that advantage. If he succeeded, she would marry a man that repulsed her, a man that had entered into a blackmail bargain for her hand in order to save his family.

  She would be cheated out of so many things. And all for the selfish motives of her father and Rafe.

  “Can you live with a wife that wants to be a doctor? It’s very unorthodox.”

  “Mother,” he replied, “I’ve lived an unorthodox life for the last ten years. I can handle an ambitious wife.”

  “I know. I just want you to marry for love, Rafe. To be happy as I was with your father.”

  Rafe stilled. “You were happy with father?”

  Sighing, Isabel’s smile was sad. “I loved him madly, Rafe. Wasn’t it obvious?”

  All Rafe remembered was Colin’s drinking and womanizing. Had his mother really been blind to it all? Or was she the type of wife that looked the other way?

  “I miss him so much, Rafe.” She dabbed at her eyes with her pinky. “Did you know,” she said with a watery smile, “that he was looking for a house in Atlanta for us? I traveled with him on one of his trips down the coast and instantly fell in love with the city. We had hoped to keep a winter home there.” She paused, taking a deep breath. “But he died before he could find one that suited us.”

  What the hell? His father had a house in Atlanta, along with a wife and young daughter. What was he thinking? To keep both wives in the same city? Or, had he met his new wife while he spent time in Atlanta searching? That would explain why he never presented it to Isabel.