by Monica Burns
“I have no choice. I cannot allow what happened to Arianna and me happen to Fanny.”
“There has to be another way,” Beatrice snapped. “We need to tell Lionel and Blake. Surely Mr. Rockwood should be told?”
“No,” Rhea said sharply. “There’s nothing they can do. If they interfere, Ruckley will only hurt Fanny. I’m the only one who can save her.”
“But surely—”
“Rhea’s right, Aunt Beatrice. If we allowed Blake, Lord Foxworth, or Mr. Rockwood to interfere, Ruckley would never give Fanny up. He’d kill her rather than give her up.”
“Dear Lord.” Beatrice looked at her nieces in abject horror. “There must be a way out of this. You cannot possibly suggest Rhea go through with this.”
“I’m not suggesting anything,” Arianna said softly. “But I trust Rhea’s instincts to do what’s right, and she’ll not be alone. I intend to go with her.”
“No,” Rhea and Beatrice objected at the very same moment. Arianna met their horrified gazes with a steely resolve that startled Rhea.
“I intend to bring two of Blake’s footmen with us. One of them will see Fanny and Harry to safety once Ruckley turns them over to you. I will wait with the second footman until your business with Ruckley is finished. We will be armed as well.”
Arianna’s voice was strong, steady, and resolved as she met Rhea’s gaze. Suddenly, she realized her sister had guessed what her intentions were where Ruckley was concerned. The support and love in her sister’s eyes made Rhea hug Arianna tightly.
“Do what you must. I’ll bear witness that it was self-defense,” her sister’s whisper was soft enough that Rhea knew their aunt couldn’t hear the reassurance Arianna offered. She pulled back from her sister and nodded. Tonight, she would ensure their freedom forever, or the worst would happen. Either way, at least Arianna and the children would be free. As for her, fate would decide her destiny.
Chapter 17
Rhea opened her eyes and sat up in bed. Arianna had left shortly after Ruckley’s departure to make arrangements for tonight. Her aunt had been ready to put off a visit to an ill friend, but there was little to be done before the evening, and Rhea had urged her aunt to go. In truth, she’d simply wanted to be alone. After her verbal duel with Ruckley and the lack of sleep last night, her exhaustion had driven her to lie down in an attempt to rest.
Although she’d thought it would be impossible to sleep, surprisingly it had not. A glance at the brooch watch lying on the table beside her bed declared there were only three more hours until her final battle with Ruckley. She stared listlessly at the black gown she’d laid out for the evening. The garment was a fitting choice. Not only did it have a pocket for the pistol Arianna would have for her, it also symbolized Ruckley’s impending demise, as well as her own, whether by Ruckley’s hand or the courts.
Arianna’s display of support earlier had been given without realizing what tonight’s outcome would likely be. If her sister had even thought Rhea wouldn’t emerge unscathed from her battle with Ruckley, she would have objected vehemently. Even though she was certain the bastard would be dead by the end of the night, she had no doubt Ruckley would take her to hell with him. Her stomach churned at the thought. The entire time she’d been under Ruckley’s control, she’d fought to survive—fought to see the day when she’d be free of him. Now her fate was tied to the man forever. A knock on the door made Rhea turn her head to see Bessie, the downstairs maid, peek into the room.
“There’s a gentleman caller downstairs, miss. He asked for Mrs. Fremont, but she hasn’t returned, and he asked to speak with you instead.”
“Did he give his name?” she asked with puzzlement.
“I’m sorry, miss, Mr. Bartlett was in the midst of dealing with a small mishap and didn’t say. He simply said he’d seen the gentleman into the parlor and ordered me to come fetch you.”
Rhea frowned. It couldn’t be Percy, he would have asked for her outright. Ruckley? Fear slammed into her chest. The idea of seeing the man again before tonight sickened her. She shook her head. No, Ruckley would never think to reiterate a threat twice. He’d simply act swiftly and brutally if he was crossed. She focused her gaze on the maid.
“Very well, I’ll be down shortly,” Rhea said with a nod.
The girl nodded then disappeared, leaving Rhea to quickly repair her appearance. The image in the mirror showed she looked more haggard than before she’d left the house this morning. It wasn’t all that surprising given everything that had transpired this afternoon. The emotional resolution she faced tonight had only added to her pale countenance. With a sigh, she made her way down to the salon.
If she’d been thinking clearly she would’ve told Bessie to send the man away. As the thought filtered its way through her head, it further emphasized how draining the events of the last few days had been for her. Percy’s marriage proposal, his sister’s visit to Green Hill House, her realization that she loved Percy, and then there was Ruckley. It had all taken its toll, and she had little reserves left for polite behaviors. As she entered the salon, Rhea’s heart skipped a beat as her gaze met Percy’s. She quickly gulped down the flood of emotions rising inside her.
“I was told someone wanted to speak with my aunt,” she said in what she could only hope was a voice devoid of all the emotions assaulting her at the moment.
“I asked to see Mrs. Fremont,” he said quietly. “I was fairly certain you would refuse to see me, and I thought your aunt would petition my cause with you.”
“Why are you here, Percy?” She looked away from him. The determined expression on his strong, handsome features made her realize she might not have the strength to refuse him anything if he were to ask it of her.
“I think you know why. Did you really think I would let your letter go unanswered?”
“I had hoped,” she said softly, unable to deny that his persistence warmed her heart.
The memory of how difficult it had been for her to write her note filled her head. Although she’d already made plans to take Peter to Green Hill House, she’d been grateful for any excuse to leave London. She now realized the real reason she’d been grateful to put distance between them was because she wanted nothing more than to give way to him. If she’d seen him prior to Ruckley’s visit today, she knew she would have agreed to his marriage proposal. But the threat Ruckley presented to all those she loved, including Percy, made that impossible now. Almost as if he could read her mind, he walked toward her. With less than a foot between them, he lightly touched her cheek.
“We could be happy together, Rhea.”
The quiet entreaty in his voice twisted her heart in a way that made her chest physically ache. Everything would change in a few short hours. At that point marriage would be out of the question. Percy could never marry a murderer. She would never embroil him in the scandal unfolding around her now. Loving him as she did made it impossible for her to do anything that might harm him in any way. Rhea averted her gaze.
“You ask too much of me, Percy,” she said as a tremor rocked her body.
“No, you simply believe you’re unworthy of being anything else other than my mistress,” he bit out angrily.
She stared at him in shock. Was that the truth? Had she offered her own arrangement because she thought herself unworthy of him? No, that wasn’t why. She’d simply been terrified of being trapped in a prison of her own making. She shook her head.
“I don’t feel unworthy of you, Percy. You’ve demonstrated time and again that I’m not what Ruckley tried to turn me in to. With you, there have been times when I’ve been able to forget my past for an hour or more. I’m grateful to you for that.”
“I don’t want your god damn gratitude. I want you to marry me.”
“Did it ever occur to you that I might view marriage as another kind of prison?” she snapped.
“Fuck. I’m not Ruckley. Do not ever judge me by that bastard’s behavior.” The explosive response made her flinch. As she met his harsh, cen
sorious gaze she realized how badly she’d insulted him. Remorse swept through her. He could never be anything remotely like Ruckley, and for her to make him think she believe such a thing pained her.
“I could never judge you like that,” she exclaimed softly as she caught his hand and pressed her lips into the heart of his palm. The familiar scent of him swept over her senses as he pulled her into his arms. Gently, he tipped her head so he could look into her eyes.
“Then how can you doubt me when I say I’ll never treat you like a possession? I don’t want to own you, Rhea. I want to keep you safe, make you happy, be there when you need someone to lean on and when you don’t.” Indecision crossed his features, and she saw his throat bob. “I want to marry you because I love you.”
The declaration made her heart slam into her chest. He loved her. The knowledge wrapped itself around her like a warm cloak. Rhea closed her eyes as joy spiraled through her. The sound of him clearing his throat made her look at him again. There was a questioning look on his face that made her stiffen with fear.
“I’m a reckless Rockwood, sweetheart, and I’m usually quite good at weighing the outcome of my actions,” he said with a trace of misgiving. “Was I wrong in my calculations that you care for me, if even just a little?”
Rhea opened her mouth to reassure him when the image of Ruckley flashed through her head. The memory of Ruckley standing in the salon earlier today threatening Percy made her stomach lurch. How could she admit she loved him knowing they could never be together? The hopelessness of the situation made her release a soft cry, and she burrowed her body into his, one cheek pressed against the soft wool of his jacket. She wanted the world to fall away and simply stay in his arms forever.
It was a pointless wish. Ruckley had to be dealt with, and if Percy knew the truth, he’d insist on dealing with Ruckley himself, but that would be a terrible mistake. She knew exactly what Ruckley would do if she didn’t present herself at the tavern tonight. Fanny would be sacrificed because of her. She could never allow that to happen. If anything, Percy’s words of love only strengthened her resolve to deal with Ruckley on her own terms.
She’d made her deal with the devil, and all that mattered was keeping Percy safe. Clinging to him, she shuddered as Percy’s embrace tightened around her. He pressed his mouth against the top of her head in a tender gesture.
I know you’re afraid, sweetheart, but I know you have the strength and courage to overcome your fear. Don’t let fear keep you—us from having the happiness we both deserve.”
The conviction in his voice made her heart ache painfully. If only things had been different. Rhea lifted her head to look at him. She studied him closely, memorizing his face in the event the worst happened tonight. If Ruckley killed her, she wanted the last thing she saw to be Percy’s strong, patrician features. The instant a tear slid down her cheek, Percy muttered something beneath his breath and wiped the salty drop off her skin. The futility of it all made her draw in a deep breath.
“Why are you crying, my darling?”
“I don’t know,” she lied forcing a watery smile to her lips. His mouth curved slightly.
“I’ll assume it’s because you’re happy.”
With a nod, Rhea pulled his head down and kissed him gently. The strength of him was as comforting as it was enticing. His mouth moved against hers as he deepened their kiss. Visceral and powerful, an abrupt escalation of need tightened her body with wild sensations until it created a pleasurable ache throughout her. Percy’s mouth left hers to blaze a trail of white-hot heat across her cheek and down the side of her throat. Passion pulsed its way through her and increased the fiery sensations taking control of her. She spiked her fingers through his hair, and nipped at his ear with her lips.
“Make love to me, Percy. Make love to me right here—right now. I need you.” At her request, Percy stiffened and jerked his head up to stare down at her.
“Christ Jesus,” he rasped. “I’m beginning to think you truly are more reckless than any Rockwood. It’s madness. If someone were to come—”
The sound of the front door opening made Rhea’s heart sink. Her aunt had returned. If Percy were to say he’d proposed, Aunt Beatrice would insist on Rhea telling him everything. A groan escaped him followed by a low chuckle.
“Your aunt has impeccable timing, especially since you’ve not answered my proposal.”
“Tomorrow,” she whispered. “It’s all so new. I don’t want to share our happiness with anyone just yet.”
It was a lie. There would be no announcement, and certainly not any happiness. The knowledge sliced into her painfully like a blade. Percy eyed her with puzzlement for a brief second then with a nod, he smiled and kissed her quickly.
“Why do I think I’m going to have a difficult time saying no to you for the rest of our lives?”
The wry comment made her smile slightly while her heart split in two. As if sensing something was wrong, he frowned. Fearing he might question her again about her answer to his proposal, Rhea tugged his head down to kiss him. He murmured something against her lips before he quickly set her away from him as Beatrice Fremont’s footsteps announced her approach. Relief rushed through Rhea as she turned to greet her aunt. The older woman smiled with pleasure as she entered the salon.
“Mr. Rockwood, what an unexpected but delightful surprise.”
“Mrs. Fremont,” Percy said with a bow in the woman’s direction as Rhea crossed the floor to kiss the woman’s cheek.
The moment her aunt met her gaze, Rhea’s body tensed with fear. There was a look in the older woman’s eyes that said Beatrice was debating whether or not to mention Ruckley. The thought of putting Percy in harm’s way frightened her more than the thought of what she intended to do tonight. With a forced smile, she touched her aunt’s arm.
“Percy came to invite me to a small party Viscount and Viscountess Compton are hosting this evening.” Not waiting for her aunt to reply, Rhea turned to Percy. “I’ll be ready at a quarter before nine.”
Percy smiled at her and as he moved to stand in front of her, he carried her hand to his mouth. His lips lingered, and the look in his eyes made her want to cling to him once more. The thought she might never see him again filled her with an anguish that tore at every fiber of her being. Impulsively, she kissed his cheek, and he arched his eyebrows at her in a perplexed look. He paused for a brief moment as if to say something then released her hand, bowed in her aunt’s direction and was gone. At the sound of the front door closing, Rhea went limp with relief.
“You didn’t tell him,” Beatrice Fremont said with a sigh.
“No there was little point,” Rhea shook her head in resignation. “I’m doing what’s necessary to protect him and others. I know Ruckley better than anyone else. If I give him what he wants, he’ll honor his word, something I find ironic in someone so vile.”
“But—”
“Please, Aunt Beatrice, don’t argue with me on this. I know what I’m doing.”
Beatrice nodded slowly with obvious displeasure, but didn’t argue any further.
“It will be all right, Aunt Beatrice. I promise.”
Rhea gave her aunt a hug then left the salon to make her way upstairs to change. It would be all right. She was certain of it. Everything would be different tomorrow. Everyone she loved would be far beyond Ruckley’s reach because the man would be dead. She would see to it that Ruckley could never again hurt anyone she loved. It was all that mattered to her. It would be her redemption.
§ § §
Sebastian took a sip of cognac, his gaze never leaving Percy’s face. The intensity of his brother’s look made Percy feel as if he was a boy again having been caught in the act of some misdeed. Sebastian cocked his head slightly.
“I understand from Patience you’ve asked Miss Bennett to marry you.”
“Yes. It’s why I asked to speak with you,” Percy met his brother’s gaze steadily. “I would like to present Rhea with one of the family rings on the occasio
n of our engagement.”
“I see.” Sebastian’s detached tone of voice made Percy frown.
“It sounds as though Patience has told you about Rhea’s involvement in my assault last year.”
“Yes,” Sebastian said quietly.
“Clearly you disapprove.” He glared at his older brother, disappointed Sebastian appeared to have been so easily swayed in his judgment of Rhea. His brother generally questioned every vision anyone in the family had. In this case it appeared Sebastian had chosen to believe Patience. His older brother gently moved his hand to make the cognac in his glass swirl lazily against the glass surface inside the snifter.
“Actually, I’m not sure what to think.” The reply startled Percy, and his anger ebbed somewhat.
“And why is that?” he asked quietly. One of the things Percy admired about his brother was Sebastian’s analytical skills. The earl had the mind of a military strategist.
“Because your Miss Bennett reminds me of Helen.”
Sebastian’s word made Percy grow rigid. The family knew everything about how the countess had been abused by her uncle and how Sebastian had rescued his wife from a brothel before they were married. Unwilling to confirm his brother’s suspicions as to Rhea’s past, Percy remained silent. When he didn’t speak, Sebastian nodded and a small smile touched his lips.
“Restraint, Percy? I noticed it all through dinner. You never rose to take the bait whenever one of our sisters attempted to hook you. If Miss Bennett is responsible for this new discretionary behavior, I approve.” Sebastian’s smile broadened a bit more. “Would mother’s sapphire ring be satisfactory?”
“It would,” Percy said as relief swept through him. He’d always looked up to his brother, and Sebastian’s approval was important to him. “Thank you.”
“I propose a toast to your Miss Bennett. And your engagement.” Sebastian nodded and raised his globe-shaped glass of cognac. At his brother’s words, Percy grinned and reached for his untouched drink and raised it into the air.
