Heaven Scent

by SpursFanatic

  “Do not try to come off the honorable man now, Rafe. You are like all of the others. After my money, my status, and my -”

  “You’re what, Tarin? Your body?” He yanked her to him and crushed her against his chest. He nuzzled the hair behind her ear. “You’re damned right. The thought of burying myself deep inside you has kept me up nearly every night since I met you.”

  The deep baritone of his voice quickened her pulse. She fought the urge to offer her neck.

  “But despite what you think...” He shoved her out to arms length. “I am an honorable man and will not hold you to this marriage.” He released her. “You are free, Tarin.”

  He left the room with a slam of the door.

  She had never felt so alone in her life.

  How had he turned the tables on her? Made her feel bad when he was the one that had betrayed her?

  It did not matter. What mattered was that she was not obligated to marry him. He had saved her the heartache of marrying without love.

  Now, all she had left was the college.

  And, that wasn’t nearly enough anymore.

  #####

  Tarin sat alone beneath the elm tree in the Commons. The same elm tree where she had shared that silly kiss with Rafe after he asked if she loved Dr. Kent. The same tree where Rafe asked to court her - for the second time.

  The same tree where she had fallen in love with him.

  Rain loomed on the horizon, but Tarin ignored it. Compared to the hurt she’d lived with for the last week, the threat of rain on her clothes was nothing. Her father had showered her with gifts the last several days to make up for his betrayal. He could buy her more clothes.

  The only bright spot in her life lately was Kit. Her friend could not contain the excitement of starting school November first. She visited Tarin every day and the two studied books on midwifery from Dr. Longfellow’s library. The only question left regarding Dr. Gregory’s school was whether Dr. Kent would act as an instructor. No one had heard from him in weeks.

  And she had not heard from Rafe. Despite her heart’s desire, she was glad he had kept his promise to leave her be. She did not know if she could tolerate his persistence again, though her heart longed for it.

  “Miss, Miss…”

  Tarin woke from her reverie to stare up at the anxious face of an angel. The toddler had gold-spun curls and bright blue eyes that swirled beneath her lowered brows. She was adorable and obviously upset.

  “What is it, sweetheart?” Tarin asked, taking her hand.

  The girl looked back over her shoulder. “My mama is sick - please help me…”

  Jumping to her feet, Tarin allowed the little girl to lead her away. Looking around the park, Tarin soon saw the mother. The blonde woman sat huddled on a bench near the gardens, clutching her stomach. Tarin ran with the child the rest of the way.

  “Hello. I am Tarin Worthington. Are you well?” Tarin squatted in front of the woman to look up into her eyes.

  Brows furrowed, the woman shook her head vigorously. “Please help me to a doctor. I am not sure what is wrong.”

  “Of course,” Tarin said, helping her to her feet. “The hospital is not far. I will try to flag down a hack.”

  The woman nodded as she called to the little girl, “Judith, hold onto my hand.”

  Eyes wide in her face, the little girl glanced up at Tarin. Tarin gave the little girl a reassuring smile as she lead the woman to the walk. “Your mother will be fine. Do not worry.”

  The girl nodded solemnly. Within minutes, they had flagged down a hack and were safely at the hospital. Tarin knew the facility well and found help quickly. A nurse led them to an empty examination room where she helped the woman onto a bed. With the promise that a physician would be with them soon, the nurse left, shutting the door behind her.

  “Will you stay,” the woman asked Tarin, her blue eyes swirling with anxiety. “until the physician comes? I am afraid I will not be able to watch Judith properly.”

  Placing a comforting hand on the woman’s arm, Tarin squeezed lightly. “Of course. Do not worry. I will be happy to help. Can I get you anything?”

  “Would you mind fetching me some tea? Perhaps, that will settle my stomach.”

  “Not at all.” Tarin leaned down to speak with Judith who sat in a chair against the wall. “Would you like something to drink as well, little one?”

  “No, she is fine,” the woman replied, though Judith nodded her head.

  Tarin thought it odd the woman did not allow the little girl refreshment, but honored her wishes nonetheless. Fetching some tea from the kitchens, Tarin realized she had never learned the woman’s name. She would have to rectify that as soon as she returned to the room.

  “Here you go,” she said, shutting the door behind her as she returned to the room. “Fresh tea from the kitchens.”

  Gingerly, the woman sat up on the bed and took the tea from Tarin. She did not drink. “Thank you.”

  Smiling, Tarin stood back from the bed, her hands folded in front of her. “On my way back to the room, I realized I never got your name.”

  The woman stilled, her eyes meeting Tarin‘s in a deadpan stare.

  “Her name is Emily,” came a menacing, male voice from behind the screen. “Emily… Kent.”

  #####

  “Master Rafe, Miss Katherine Hamilton and a Mr. Hobbs to see you, sir.”

  Rafe stopped his pen mid-stride on the contract. Did he say Kit and - Hobbs?

  Oh hell…

  “Show them in.” Rafe jumped up from his chair and came around the desk. He met them halfway to the study door.

  “Rafe,” Kit said, ignoring all civilities and clutching his hand in desperation. “We cannot find Tarin. She has been gone for hours.”

  His heart stopped dead in his chest. “What do you mean? When was the last time you saw her?”

  “Lady Worthington left for the park early this morning, but never returned to make her appointment with Miss Hamilton,” Hobbs chimed in. “I have sent word to Lord Worthington, but he is out of the city at the Emerson estate. I thought it best we come to you.”

  Rafe gave a brief nod. “Good man.”

  Rafe’s gut told him Kent was involved. He must be back in town. Dammit.

  “Hobbs, take Miss Hamilton back to the Worthington house in case Tarin returns,” he said, running to the door. “I’m going to grab Patrick and Beau.” He stopped, his hand on the door jamb. “Don’t worry. I won’t return without her.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to split up?”

  Patrick rode on Rafe’s left, his stallion struggling to keep up with Ruthless as they made their way to Kent‘s house. Beau rode on his right in silence.

  Rafe knew they could be heading into a dangerous situation. He hoped like hell they weren’t. But if they found themselves facing a murderer, Rafe wanted the upper hand. He also wanted someone there to care for Tarin in case something happened to him.

  If Kent hurt Tarin in any way, either he or Kent would end this day dead.

  “I need someone there to take care of Tarin in case I… can’t.”

  Out of the corner of his eye, Rafe saw Patrick whipped his head around. He said nothing.

  Reaching Kent’s house, Rafe reigned in Ruthless. Jumping off the horse, he ran up the steps to Kent’s door. Beau went right, to the back of the house, as Patrick followed on the left. The house still looked closed up, as it had that morning and every morning he had ridden by to check on Kent.

  “Rafe!”

  Starting, Rafe ran around to the back of the house. Beau pointed at the open, kitchen door. A stout, gray-haired woman stood just inside, her eyes wide with fright. Rafe shoved the door back against the wall and stormed in.

  “Is Kent here?” He loomed over the woman, hoping his glare would frighten her into speaking.

  Backing around the work table, she shook her head. “No, they left an hour or so ago.”

  Sonuvabitch. He was back.

  “They?” Rafe ques
tioned, crossing his arms over his chest. “Who is with him?”

  “The woman and child. The three of them arrived late last night with the stage.”

  “Who are they?” Beau asked, from behind.

  She shook her head, her eyes darting to Beau then back to Rafe. “I don’t know.”

  Blowing out a frustrated breath, Rafe’s patience - and time - ran thin. “Where did they go?” He marched towards her, his boots echoing off the dirty, wood floor. He needed answers now.

  “I don’t know! I don’t know!” She fell back onto a bench and held her apron in front of her. “Please don’t hurt me.”

  “I’m not going to hurt you,” he mumbled, blowing out a frustrated breath.

  Damn. A dead end.

  Rafe headed towards the door. At least he knew Kent was back and had company. But with the knowledge came more urgency than ever and he had no clues.

  “They are not staying,” the woman cried from where she sat.

  Standing on the threshold, Rafe whipped his head back around.

  “They didn’t unpack when they arrived last night. The three of them plan to leave again today. Dr. Kent had me send their trunks to the Hunter docks this morning.”

  Oh hell. He gave the woman a brief nod. “Thank you.”

  Shoving open the back door, Beau and Patrick fell in step beside Rafe as they ran to the horses.

  “What the hell, Rafe?“ Patrick said, as he climbed onto his horse. “Why would Kent come back to Boston just to leave again?”

  Rafe knew why. And if he didn’t find Tarin fast, he would never see her again. “For Tarin.” His gut clenched tighter with each word spoken. “He wants Tarin.”

  Hunter was more than happy to cooperate with Rafe once he found out about Duncan and Kent’s shipping methods. He agreed to conduct business as usual for appearances sake, while Rafe, Beau and Patrick searched the ship. Rafe knew the ship sailed within the hour, so time grew short.

  “Beau, you take the lower decks,” Rafe said, as he nodded towards the opening to the bowels of the ship. “Patrick, you take the -”

  Patrick backhanded Rafe in the chest. “Rafe, look.”

  Glancing over his shoulder, Rafe zeroed in on a woman and small girl rushing up the plank to board the ship. “Kent’s companions?”

  “No.” Patrick shook his head. “That is father’s other wife and child.”

  Rafe’s eyes widened as he turned back to Patrick. “The hell you say…”

  “Yes, that’s her.” Patrick looked at Beau then Rafe, his face going white. “Unless…”

  Oh hell.

  Rafe’s fists clenched at his sides. It all fit. Kent had been playing them since Colin’s death. Kent and this woman had taken money from them in an attempt to ruin the Sutherland name. Colin had wanted out of his opium deal with Kent, so Kent killed Rafe’s father and set out to destroy the family.

  Rafe was going to kill the bastard.

  Marching to the edge of the ship, the three of them met the woman at the top of the plank. She started when they blocked her path. Her eyes widened when they landed on Patrick.

  “He made me do it,” she cried, pulling the girl into her skirts protectively. “He is obsessed with riches.” Her gaze glanced between the three of them. “Please do not hurt us.”

  “We’re not going to hurt you,“ Beau interjected.

  “Where has he taken Lady Worthington?”

  “Lady?” she cried, her eyes wide. “He did not tell me she was a lady.” Squeezing her eyes shut, she added, “Randall has lost all sense.”

  In Rafe’s opinion, Kent never had a sane mind.

  “Where is she?” Rafe demanded, standing over her, his shoulders hunched.

  Wincing, the little girl backed further into the woman’s skirts.

  “I expect he is here on the ship. Randall is supposed to meet us here before we sail. That is all I know.”

  Taking her by the arm, Rafe handed the woman over to Patrick. “Go with my brother to the shipping office. Tell him everything you know. Perhaps, the police will be lenient.”

  “Police?!” She looked up at Patrick, her eyes wide with fright.

  “Damn right,” Patrick muttered, hauling her away.

  Beau ran to the lower deck, while Rafe rushed to the middle deck, his temper growing with each step he took.

  The scent of roses assailed him as soon as he stepped into the passenger hall. He breathed a sigh of relief. Tarin was here, somewhere. Thank God, he had found her.

  All of the cabin doors were open down either side of the hall. The worn, wooden floors and narrow passage made stealth-like movement awkward for Rafe, but he managed. He looked inside each door as he passed, but all of the cabins were empty. Hunter had said they usually didn’t have many passengers on this route. The fact should make this rescue quick and easy.

  Suddenly, a rustling sound reached his ear. Rafe stilled, mid-step. It came again, from the far end of the hall. Trotting on his toes, he reached the door and peered inside. Kent had his back to the door as he laid Tarin on top of the bed blankets. She lay limp, unmoving. Rafe’s heart stopped. Please God, let her be alive.

  Cocking his gun, Rafe held it out in front of him and pointed it at Kent’s back. “Get away from her, you sonuvabitch.”

  Stiffening, Kent turned around slowly. A superior grin lit his face while his eyes blazed with anger. “You’re too late, Rafe.”

  Rafe refused to believe it. He gritted his teeth. “I said, get away from her.”

  “If she isn’t dead already, she will be soon.” Kent’s shoulders were tense, his body poised to pounce.

  A resounding roar shot from Rafe’s throat as he charged Kent, knocking him into the far wall. They fell to the floor, Rafe crouched over him.

  As he pummeled Kent’s face, all Rafe could think about was Tarin‘s limp body lying on the bed.

  She couldn’t be dead. She couldn’t.

  The blows to Kent’s face got easier as Rafe’s anger grew, until blood ran thick and his grunts went silent. Rafe let his unconscious body sprawl on the floor.

  Jumping up, Rafe ran across the room and dropped down on his knees beside the bed. He grabbed Tarin’s wrist and felt for her pulse, releasing a sharp cry of relief when he found her faint heartbeat. Brushing the hair back from her forehead, he kissed her there.

  “I love you, Tarin Worthington,” he whispered.

  “Rafe!”

  Beau’s shout from the hall broke the still silence of the cabin.

  “Down here,” Rafe returned, standing to lift Tarin into his arms.

  Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced his shoulder, causing Rafe to stumble and brace himself on the bed. Another came a second later, lower, causing Rafe to drop a knee on the bed. A third came instantly, before it clicked in his muddled head that Kent had stabbed him in the back.

  Cowardly bastard.

  Whipping around, Rafe stumbled over his own foot, Kent’s bloody face spinning with the room.

  “You’re going to die, Rafe,” Kent said, the knife in his hand dripping with blood. “And she will live - with me.”

  “Don’t bet on it,” Beau growled, before he fired two shots.

  Kent dropped to the floor at Rafe’s feet. Glancing up, Rafe squinted as he tried to focus on Beau’s face. “Thank y - ”

  Rafe’s knees buckled. He fell face first to the floor. “Help Tarin, Beau. It’s too late for me.”

  Chapter 17

  Tarin didn’t know if it was the aftereffects of the opium or her continual tears that made her head feel like cotton. While uncomfortable, it did distract her from the pain in her wrists and the raw soreness in the corners of her mouth. It had been several hours since she woke from the opium coma Dr. Kent and his wife had forced on her. To think they’d had hopes of kidnapping her for ransom from the Duke of Tarinworth astounded her.

  Rafe had saved her only to lose his own life.

  Sitting beside his hospital bed, Tarin couldn’t take her eyes from him. He lay on his
stomach facing her, his tanned skin pasty white, his bare torso wrapped to protect the sutured wounds on his back. Though he still had breath in his body, the doctor warned them it was only a matter of time before he passed.

  Tears flooded Tarin’s eyes once again. No. She refused to believe it. Rafe would not leave her like this. And she trusted him more than anyone.

  She sifted her fingers through his hair. Peculiar how reality became clearer when tragedy struck. With Rafe’s fatal condition came the destruction of her pride. She knew in her heart he had gone into the agreement with her father to save his family, not for position and excessive financial gain. He had professed his love for her and had supported her quest to become a physician from the beginning.

  She had found the man her mother told her to seek.

  And today, she could tell him goodbye.

  Rafe had suffered more than the worst of men deserved yet, he hadn’t died. Not thus far.

  He still had fight left within.

  However, if anyone deserved eternal happiness it was Rafe. It would be selfish to want anything less for him.

  “Tarin, Isabel needs to walk,” Kit whispered, as she came up to rub Tarin’s back. “I am going to take her for a stroll around the hospital. Rosa is still outside waiting for Patrick and Beau to return from the police station.” She squatted down to stare into Tarin’s eyes. “You will be well until your father returns with Father Finnegan?”

  Tarin nodded as she squeezed Kit’s hand. Father Finnegan was supposed to marry them days ago.

  In moments, he would arrive to give Rafe last rites.

  “Thank you for taking care of Isabel. She is so upset.”

  Kit nodded, her gaze searching Tarin’s face. “You are exhausted, Tarin. You need to rest.”

  “I do not want to miss a moment with him.” She looked back at Rafe’s still form. “I can sleep later.”

  “He is a fighter,” Kit said, as she squeezed her hand again. “You must believe.”