by Wendy Vella
“Dev was the one who cared for me the most.”
James thought about that as he stared out at the night sky. With so many siblings he imagined it was not easy to find time with a parent, time to be cuddled or kissed. Not that he'd had either, but he understood not all families were like his.
“I really must get back, as Dev has been calling me.”
“Really? I heard nothing.”
She did not answer him, and he wondered about the communication abilities this family seemed to have. It was almost as if they knew what the others were thinking without words.
“You will not be able to go back into the party, Eden, your hair is down, and as much as I would like to be able to assist you, I cannot play lady’s maid.” James took one of her curls and ran it through his fingers. It felt wonderful against his skin.
“Then why did you take it down?”
“Because it was not aiding your headache.”
“I should thank you for that then.”
“Yes, you should.”
“Thank you.”
He laughed. “Come now, surely you can put a bit more into it.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Again,” James said, enjoying himself.
“Thank you, most noble and kind sir.”
“Duke.”
“Thank you, most noble and kind duke.”
She looked at him, her eyes clearer, yet pain still lingered. He ran his eyes over the delicate arch of her brows, down the small, straight line of her nose, and came to a stop at the sweet bow of her upper lip.
“You really are beautiful.”
“That did not sound like a compliment.”
“Miss Eden Sinclair,” James said in his haughtiest tone. “Allow me to say your beauty eclipses all others.”
She giggled.
“I can see you have said such things before.”
“Often, but rarely have I meant them.”
“James—”
“Come.” James got to his feet, cutting off her words before she said something to irritate him. “I will escort you to my carriage and then I will go and tell your brother what has happened.”
“I do not want to inconvenience you any further, and now I can think clearly once again, I have decided I am still angry with you, especially as you are the reason my head hurts.”
“Be quiet, Eden. For tonight we will call a truce and tomorrow you can begin anew with a scathing attack on my perfidious actions this evening.”
“Oh, yes, well as to that—” She faced him.
He kissed her, just one gentle brush of his lips.
“Oh dear. I do wish you would not do that.”
“So do I, but when you are near I'm afraid it just happens,” James said honestly.
“Then we shall have to keep our distance, as we really do not like each other, and if we were caught—”
“The consequences would please neither of us,” he finished for her.
“Precisely,” she said, and James ignored the niggling voices inside his head that denied her words. He was surprised when she took the hand he held out to her.
“Where are we going? Surely if I do not return there will be questions?”
“You are not that important yet, madam.”
She let him lead her along paths, over cobbles, and soon they were at the front of the house. Walking with her down the row of carriages, he located his and lifted her inside and onto a seat.
“Now wait here and I shall return shortly, after I have located your brother.”
“He will be angry with you.”
“We have already conversed on the matter, and yes he was angry, but I am not easily intimidated, especially by a Sinclair.”
James pulled a blanket from beneath the seat and wrapped it around her. She rested her head and closed her eyes. Still pale, but at least her face was no longer tight with pain.
“I'm sorry if it was my actions that caused you pain, Eden, it was not my intention.”
“I know.”
He left her then, although he wanted to stay to ensure she was safe. In the morning his behavior would seem out of character and he would worry about that, but right now he had more important things to do. He found the eldest Sinclair prowling through the crowd. His face darkened as he saw James approach.
“I'm still angry with you, Raven, and should punch you in the nose, but right now I need to find Eden.”
“You could try,” James said, smiling. It would not do for the people around them to know the two men were passing anything other than pleasantries.
“She, Eden, does not like to be placed in situations she has no control over.”
“No one likes that, Sinclair, however it seems my actions have caused her pain and for that I apologize.” James watched a flicker of unease flash across Devon Sinclair's face. “I found your sister outside, she said her head was sore and that she needed to locate you.”
“Where is she, I will go to her at once!” James held up his hand as Devon tried to brush by him.
“She is safe from harm in my carriage. Her headache has eased but she still needs to go home.”
“I will take her,” Devon said, stalking past James.
James followed a few feet behind, nodding his farewells to people as he went. Sinclair, however, ignored everyone, his intent to reach his sister his only goal. Once outside James caught up with him.
“I should have known when I did not find her. Eden always goes outside when her head is sore.”
“Does it happen often?”
“Not for some time, but tonight....” His words fell away. “It matters not.”
These people had more secrets than he, James thought, following Devon. He wondered which would be the easiest Sinclair to coerce them from. Because one thing James realized was that he wanted to know more about these people who were entwined in his and Samantha's lives.
“I am all right, Dev, don't fuss,” Eden said as her brother entered the carriage.
“I'm sorry, Eden. I should have given them to you as soon as you finished singing. You have had so few headaches over the last few years I had forgotten what noise does to you.”
“It's not your fault, please, Dev. I should have remembered too. But my headache has gone now, and I just want to sleep.”
What were they talking about? James wondered, moving into the doorway. What had Devon not given his sister?
“I shall get the others and we will leave at once.”
“No, please just come home when they are ready. Aunt and Uncle left early as Aunt was feeling unwell, so they will be there by now, and the Duke will drop me off, then I will simply fall into bed and sleep the night away. You know what I'm like after a turn.”
The siblings were whispering to each other, so James moved closer.
“It is not right for you to be alone in this carriage with the duke, Eden. At least let me get Essie.”
“And ruin her night? No, I do not wish that. I will not be seen, and you know the Duke will cause me no harm. I shall simply slip inside the house quietly and go straight to my room.”
“All right, but we will follow as soon as I gather everyone together. I will have Essie check on you before she retires, and I will call upon you in the morning.”
James looked in the door as Devon placed a gentle kiss on his sister's forehead. The gesture held both love and affection and James called himself every kind of fool for the jealousy he felt at their obvious bond. Stepping aside, he made room for Sinclair to climb out of the carriage, and was impaled with a hard stare.
“Do not speak in a loud voice and make sure to place her in the hands of her maid before you leave.”
“Of course,” James said immediately.
“She is fragile after one of her turns and—”
“I can see she is weakened, Devon, there is no need for this.”
“Yet you have never cared for anyone but yourself, Raven, therefore I reserve the right to tell you how to care for one of m
y own, as I have been doing since her birth.”
James did not show how much the words affected him. He more than anyone was aware of his solitary existence before Samantha entered his life.
“Dev, don't be mean. The Duke has done nothing wrong, and in fact believed he was doing me a favor by suggesting I play.” Eden's words were softly spoken yet both men heard them.
Devon exhaled loudly then stuck out his hand.
“Forgive me, Raven, I had no right to speak to you thus. My sister is right, please accept my apologies. I fear that I am overly protective—or so my family tell me—where they are concerned, and most especially with Eden.”
James took the hand, surprised at the apology.
“You people have more mood swings than changes of clothes.”
“We are volatile, Raven; some say that is the sign of a healthy mind.”
“I would like to meet the person who says that.”
Devon snorted. “Forgive me if my earlier words were insulting.”
“Pay it no mind, Sinclair; I am beginning to realize what having a family entails.”
Devonshire Sinclair gave him a rueful smile. “Yes, and in time your little sister will test you constantly as do mine.”
“I heard that.”
“As you were meant to, sister. Please let no one see you, James, as my sister's reputation is at stake.”
“Of course.” James climbed into the carriage as Devon walked away. He took the seat opposite Eden and soon they were on their way.
“How does your head feel?”
“Better, thank you.” She had not opened her eyes. “And please allow me to thank you for whatever it is you have done for Cam.”
“You and Devon have a very strong bond, don't you?” James ignored her words in favor of his own.
“He was the only one I felt safe with.”
Her words were whispered and James could see she was struggling to stay awake.
“Safe from what?”
“Him.”
“Who?”
She chose not to answer and James did not push her. Leaning back into the shadows as the carriage rolled through London toward their homes, he watched as she struggled to keep her eyes open. Her lashes fluttered several times before finally succumbing. He could see only the tiny sleeves of her dress and the long white gloves; the rest of her was covered with a blanket.
He mulled over her words. What or who could possibly have threatened her, especially growing up in such a large family surrounded by loving parents and siblings? James could come up with nothing so he pushed the thought to the back of his head, like several other things that he would find out about this complex family.
There was something peaceful about sitting in a carriage with her, probably because she wasn't attacking him. However even now she was not completely relaxed; her hands were clenched and a small frown marred her brow. She flinched as someone shouted outside the carriage window and he wondered how she had heard it in her sleep. He fought the impulse to take the seat next to her and pull her into his arms. They had declared a truce for the evening and James was sure that did not include him taking advantage of her while she slept. And of course there was the promise he had made to her brother to keep her safe. So he just sat and watched her, the gentle curve of her cheeks, the tumbled curls, and the small circle her mouth formed as she slept, until finally the carriage stopped outside the Wynburg residence. James didn't bother to wake Eden, instead he lifted her into his arms and stepped from the carriage.
“Have Miss Eden's maid summoned at once,” James told the Wynburg butler as the door opened.
“Your Grace, is the young miss unwell?”
“Lower you voice,” James whispered. Eden twitched but remained asleep. “Direct me to Miss Eden's rooms.”
“Of course, please follow me, and shall I summon a doctor?”
“No, she just needs her maid and rest.”
Pulling her closer, James climbed the stairs. Eden turned her face into his chest but didn't wake. She had the longest eyelashes; they fanned over her pale cheeks. Lifting his head, James directed himself to stop staring at her or he could miss a step.
“This way please, your Grace.” Pennyroll opened a door after they had traversed the length of the hallway.
“Dear Lord! What has happened?”
A maid hurried forward as James lowered Eden to the bed and then stepped back, taking one last lingering look.
“She suffered a headache tonight. I offered my carriage to bring her home; her family will follow shortly.”
Bobbing a curtsey, the maid looked at James expectantly.
“Right... I'll—I'll leave you to assist her.”
Nodding to the maid, James followed the butler back through the silent house, down the stairs and out to his carriage. Staring at the toes of his polished shoes, he tried to find the rational side of his nature. The cold unemotional side that would have felt nothing carrying a woman and hugging a small girl child. But you would never have done those things before, James reminded himself. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he realized that life as he knew it was changing, and the small kernel of warmth uncurling inside his chest told him that perhaps it was not a bad thing.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“My feet have blisters on blisters.” Eden sighed as she slumped into the chair beside her sister. “I fear I am about to fall flat on my face and start snoring right here in the Tittmore ballroom.”
“Well, you do insist on rising early to go riding, dear, therefore you have only yourself to blame for your tiredness.”
Life for the elder Sinclair siblings had become extremely busy now the season had started in earnest. Most days were spent paying morning calls or shopping. Driving or walking in the park, or entertaining Somer, Dorrie, and Warwick. Dev and Cam were busy, the former with his uncle learning things about business and increasing the family coffers.
“Are you not tired, Essie?” Eden looked at her sister, but could see nothing but a sweet smile.
“I am of course, but....”
“But?”
“I met a man, Eden.” The smile that accompanied the words was dazzling.
“And what is this man's name?”
“Lord Laurent.”
“The Frenchman?”
Essie nodded.
“Are you blushing?” Eden leaned closer and saw the color filling her sister's cheeks.
“Of course not. It is just a trifle stuffy in Lady Tittmore's ballroom with so many people in attendance.”
“Trifle stuffy.” Eden rolled her eyes. “You sound as if you have been in society for years when you say words like that.”
“Don't be snooty because you are out of sorts.”
“Am I? Out of sorts, I mean?”
Her sister continued to study the dancers.
“It appears that way.”
“What gave me away, because I have been trying very hard to be the perfect debutante.”
Essie nudged Eden gently. Unlike her, Essie did most things gently.
“Your smile is not wide and never reaches your eyes. You have yet to raise your voice, or for that matter deliver something devilishly cutting to one of your brothers that will make them snarl. Then there is the small matter of a large duke.”
“I told Cam he was beef-witted just this morning!”
“I noticed you did not mention the Duke?”
Eden waved her hand about, for no other reason than it looked dismissive.
“He is of no consequence.”
“Now who sounds like a society miss?”
“I have no wish to discuss him further. However, I wish to discuss a certain Frenchman who has garnered your interest.”
“Oh, Eden. He is kind and sweet-natured, and yes, handsome, there is also the small matter of his wonderful accent.”
Eden released her breath when Essie took the conversational lure she had dangled.
“Actually, I agree with you. The few times we have danced he seems ver
y nice, but he is far too sweet-natured to be of interest to me.”
To her detriment, she liked aloof dukes, who occasionally betrayed their true nature by carrying a sleeping woman into her house.
“Many men are paying you attention, Eden. If not the Duke, then surely there is one who interests you?”
“Why do you keep mentioning the Duke?” Eden let her exasperation show.
“Because I have never seen you react with any man the way you do with him.”
Glaring at her siblings had never worked.
“I have no interest in any duke, and I have no wish to discuss the matter further.”
“I believe someone mentioned the word duke?”
Eden looked into the eyes of the Duke of Raven and prayed he had heard nothing more than his title spill from her lips.
“James, how wonderful to see you,” Essie said with a great deal of enthusiasm, which hopefully hid the color flaming Eden's cheeks.
Eden had not seen him since the musical evening, which considering what had transpired that night, was a very good thing. Still, she had thought of him constantly.
His evening jacket was black, and his waistcoat the same with a thin silver stripe, necktie perfectly tied with a small gold pin through the folds. Lord, he was a good-looking man.
“Miss Sinclair, may I have this dance?”
Lord Laurent, the handsome fair-haired Frenchman, appeared beside James, and Essie got to her feet so quickly she nearly tumbled into the man.
“I should love to dance, my lord.”
“Will you dance with me also, Eden?”
She looked at the arm James held out to her, and thought seriously about refusing, but instead found herself getting to her feet.
Of course it was a waltz, Eden thought as James placed a hand on her back and took her fingers in his. It seemed her theory that time and distance would lessen the impact this man had on her was false.
“Is all well with Samantha, James? The twins ask after her constantly.”
She had wanted to ask Cam where James was, yet did not want to sound like she cared. Now, however, she had the perfect opportunity to find out why he had not attended any social gatherings for two weeks.
