“Did you hit the man’s head?” Gabe asked his brother.
“Never laid a hand on his head. Can’t say the same for other parts of him, but I distinctly recall never touching his head.”
“There is nothing wrong with my head. But I’m starting to doubt the soundness of your minds,” York accused.
The bloke had gumption. Too bad Gabe didn’t give a damn what potential redeeming qualities the idiot might or might not have.
“If that is so, how is it you believe my very paternal daughter could be yours?”
The situation was beyond ridiculous. Gabe wanted to be done with it all. Besides, his wet clothes were beginning to chafe certain areas he was particularly fond of.
He supposed he should humor the insane bastard. “Fine. Let’s—for argument’s sake—say Phoebe is your daughter. Would you care to explain who her mother is and how Phoebe came to be on my front step?” Perhaps if he gave the man enough rope, he’d hang himself.
York eyed Gabe warily, then launched into a story that could be the basis of most boyhood fantasies. “I meet Cecilia shortly after I came to London. I’ve never seen anyone so beautiful.”
Cecelia? His Cecelia?
York confirmed it as he revealed more. “The first time I saw her on stage I knew I would marry Cecilia Fairchild. I hadn’t the money to show my affection with trinkets and flowers but I didn’t need any. She loved me for myself. She never asked for anything but my affection in return.”
Gabe wanted to interrupt but his ability was lost at York’s description of Cecelia. How could the woman York spoke of be the same who that betrayed him?
“That doesn’t explain your claim to Phoebe,” Nate pressed. Thankfully his brother hadn’t lost the capacity to speak.
York’s eyes narrowed. “I was about to.”
Far from intimidated, Nate replied, “Well, get there faster.”
“Our devotion mutual, my courtship developed swiftly and before long, Cecelia was with child. I offered to marry her but she refused. Said I was too good for her. I wouldn’t accept that. I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.” York assumed a sad demeanor. “One day when I went to ask her yet again, she was gone. Just like that. It took me over three years to find her.”
He paused dramatically before he continued, “By then it was too late. She had died in an accident. Our love was never meant to be. Knowing our daughter hadn’t perished as well was all that kept me going. I made it my sole purpose to find her and bring her home.”
The look he directed at Gabe sent a chill up his back. “Before I could locate her, I received a letter informing me my daughter had been claimed by the Duke of Wesbrook. Which is what led me to you. The letter confirmed what I already knew. I had been Cecilia’s only lover. Phoebe is mine. So, you see, Your Grace, you have my daughter and I want her back.”
When York fell silent, Gabe could only stare at the poor bastard. Not because he believed the story and thus became overwhelmed with emotion that York had enjoyed a relationship with Cecilia. But because the pitiful fool had been duped by a master of manipulation. The same woman who had sworn her undying love to Gabe, all the while being paid handsomely by his deceased father’s solicitor.
Good to know Cecilia’s deceitful capabilities had no limit. As comforting as it was to learn he hadn’t been the only one lured by her false nature, it didn’t remove the sting of the truth that he’d been enough of an idiot to succumb.
Gabe knew in his gut the letter Charles York had received was from none other than his own tormentor and blackmailer. The very man intent on finding a way to destroy Gabe’s life.
He raked his hand through his hair as he tried to think of a way to break the unfortunate news. Phoebe was not and never would be Charles York’s daughter.
“You, my man, have been hoodwinked,” Nate said, deadpan. Apparently, he had no qualms about squashing a young man’s final hope. “My niece is not your daughter.”
York opened his mouth to speak but Nate cut him off with a slash of his hand. “I know what you are going to say, but you are not in possession of all the facts. Let me reveal a simple few. One, you were far from Cecilia’s first. In fact, not long before you, she was warming my brother’s bed.”
York gave a deep growl and lunged at Nate. “You lie!”
This time it was Gabe who stepped in. Before this night concluded, someone would no doubt be sporting a bloody nose.
Nate must not have seen the man as a threat because he continued as if York was nothing more than an annoying ankle-biting dog instead of an enraged menace. “No need to be rash, because truth is, Gabe was far from the first to have her flat on her back.”
York struggled against Gabe’s hold. Nate’s choice of words wasn’t exactly diffusing the situation. Gabe would have told him to cease, but the twinkle in his brother’s eyes said how much Nate was enjoying himself. Besides, he wasn’t relaying anything Gabe wouldn’t have taken pleasure in pointing out.
“Cecilia didn’t have an honest bone in her body. She was too enamored of herself to love anyone. Why else would she throw away the chance to marry a duke for a few extra pounds?”
It was Gabe’s turn to gape at his brother. How the hell had Nate known Cecilia had been paid off to be his lover? He’d told no one. Not even Elizabeth.
How had he found out?
“Maybe she never loved him,” York mumbled, without much conviction.
“Has that ever stopped a woman before? I think it is more commonplace women don’t marry for love but for money and position. However, in Cecilia’s case she had wanted both sides of the stick. She wanted the prestige of marrying a duke, but she was too greedy to say no to the underhanded dealings of our father.”
Nate’s blue eyes held a touch of pity amongst the blaze of loathing also apparent. It hit Gabe hard to realize his brother knew everything. Knew what his father had done. Yet instead of shame, Gabe felt relieved. If anyone would understand the depths of his father’s depraved soul, it would be Nate.
Turning to the man still struggling to get past Gabe, Nate pointed out the most obvious. “Lastly, Phoebe is the spitting image of my brother. No one would dispute that. I challenge even you to discredit it.”
He softened, stepping past Gabe, grabbing York by the shoulders. “Listen to me, boy. I could give you more facts than you would care to listen to regarding your beloved Cecilia. But we both know you don’t want to hear the sordid details. It is time to let this go.”
Charles York’s shoulders slumped, and acceptance seemed to engulf him right before deep sobs shook his entire body.
Since Nate had effectively crushed all final hope of having something that would connect him to the woman who unfairly held his heart, Gabe saw it as his duty to put the sad fool back together. The irony that a moment ago he’d been ready to rip the same man limb from limb didn’t escape him.
“See here. You need to be strong. In the end you never lost anything since Phoebe had never been yours. She is with me and I promise I’ll love and protect her always.”
“I’m sorry,” York choked out. “I thought she was my daughter. I would never have harmed her.”
“I know,” Gabe said and was amazed to realize he wasn’t lying.
As far as finding the ability to forgive all the hell York had put his daughter and Elizabeth through, Gabe wasn’t nearly that generous. But what to do with him? There was plenty of justification for filing kidnapping charges, as well as a few other crimes.
“What are you going to do with him?” Nate asked as if reading his mind.
Instead of answering his brother, Gabe addressed the man who was starting to become a nuisance. “Do you have family, Charles?”
“No, Your Grace,” he said with tears still in his eyes. At least the major blubbering had ceased.
�
��How about a job?”
“No.”
“A place to live?” Gabe already predicted the answer to be no.
“I do not.”
Gabe felt as if he’d kicked a puppy. The man had just found out he held no claim to the child he’d thought his, and had no life to return to.
Hoping he wouldn’t come to regret it, Gabe made up his mind. “If I have your word you will never come near my daughter again, I have an offer for you.”
York eyed him skeptically. Even Nate lifted a brow. Neither reaction derailed Gabe from his course.
“I’ll have your word before I go any farther.”
“I make no claim to her. You have my word.” The man’s voice was strong.
Again, despite his better judgment, Gabe took the man’s words as genuine.
“That being the case, I have a job and place for you to stay. After becoming better acquainted with the Wesbrook holdings, I’ve come to discover I’m in need of an assistant to the head groom at my estate in Cumberland. If you like, the job is yours.”
Gabe wasn’t sure but it was possible Nate’s jaw had dropped further than Charles York’s.
“Are you certain?” he asked.
Nate’s dubious reaction followed quickly. “Yes, Gabe, are you certain?”
“You must have forgotten, I’m the Duke of Wesbrook and I’m nothing if not certain. Besides, I have complete confidence the head groomsman will keep you too busy to cause trouble.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“How about a ‘thank you and I promise to never see you again.’” Gabe might have sprouted a compassionate side sometime during the last few weeks, but that didn’t mean he needed to cross paths with the man who had tried to take his future away from him.
All decided, Gabe pulled the bell for Wilkes, made arrangements for a dry set of clothes for the young man, and had one of his conveyances readied for the immediate departure of Charles York.
The moment he vacated the room with Wilkes, after expressing additional gratitude, Nate turned silently. He crossed his arms and pinned Gabe with a look of utter incredulity.
Not about to be baited by his little brother, Gabe shouldered past Nate and retrieved his drink. In one smooth motion he raised the glass to his lips and downed the contents. Once the tumbler was void of its last drop, Gabe addressed his brother.
“You think I’m a fool.”
Nate’s lips curved slightly. “I’ve always thought you a fool. But in this, no, you are not a fool. The boy was more misguided dolt than villain. I don’t think you will live to regret your decision.”
“Then why the look?”
“Because, dear brother, I’m amazed the rakish Duke of Wesbrook knew he even held property in Cumberland. Since when did you become so engrossed with duty and responsibility?” Nate seemed to fight against keeping his smirk from turning into a full smile.
Damn his brother for latching onto the smallest details.
“Over the last few days I’ve come to realize having an active hand in running the estates might not be as atrocious as I’d once thought,” Gabe mused.
“Mind if I help myself?” Nate inclined his head to the bottles. “I’m as cold as a mistress after her latest paramour has left her bed.”
“Is that where you have been? Warming someone’s bed? Does that mean you didn’t discover anything about the blackmailer? Damn, I knew I should have gone.”
Nate’s drink never reached his lips. He gave Gabe a heavy look that caused the hair on his neck to rise.
“Out with it,” he growled. He probably wouldn’t want to hear whatever Nate was obviously hesitant to tell him.
“You’re not going to like this.”
“You don’t say.”
“Let me start out by saying everything I did was to discover the truth.” Nate visibly struggled to get the rest out. Finally he admitted, “I visited Mary’s family.”
Chapter 44
Elizabeth couldn’t decide if it was the hot bath or the warm drink her aunt had given her that eventually thawed her body. She’d started to think nothing would chase the chill away. Unfortunately a little heat couldn’t fix the emptiness in her chest.
The nightgown and blankets were cozy against her skin; then again, anything was an improvement from her waterlogged skirt. Drowsiness floated through her and she fought to stay awake.
“Are you sure you are warm enough, dear?” It had to be the hundredth time her aunt had asked the question.
“Plenty.” Elizabeth barely got the word out before a deep yawn overtook her.
Her aunt stopped adjusting the coverlet and took a seat on the end of the bed.
“Don’t worry, dear. That is the elixir at work. You will be of sound body tomorrow. You caused me quite a fright. I swear you and your brother will be the death of me.”
Elizabeth took hold of her aunt’s hand. “Aunt Millie, you will survive us all.”
“One can only hope.” Her aunt patted her hand. “Words cannot express how relieved I was when you walked into the house with Gabe and Phoebe, all safe and sound.”
“Probably about as relieved as I was when I realized Gabe had managed to save us. How is Phoebe?”
“She is fast asleep the way God intended. Not before she told Jane all about her altercation with a real pirate. I still can’t believe that man had the audacity to steal away with my niece and a sweet child. He had better hope I’m satisfied with Gabe’s choice of punishment or I may have to intervene.”
Elizabeth loved her aunt, and when she acted with fierce protection, it was with the same conviction as her own mother would have expressed. The same devotion Elizabeth felt for Phoebe.
“Enough of that bounder. With everything that has gone on, I haven’t had the opportunity to inquire as to your progress with Gabe. Have you managed to break through the walls erected around his heart?”
Elizabeth pulled her hand from beneath her aunt’s. Millie might be supportive of a relationship between Elizabeth and Gabe, but in no manner would she approve of how far the relations had actually escalated.
There was also the fact that sometime during Gabe’s rescue, Elizabeth had decided to return to London. When he’d first appeared, her heart had practically burst with love. Shortly after, the possibility he might never love her in return had almost caused it to stop mid-beat.
She needed to accept the truth and learn to live without Gabe and Phoebe in her life. It might rip the heart from her chest, but in the end, it would be better than Gabe someday realizing his one true love would always be Cecilia.
Of course she’d eventually have to leave London. There were too many places she would encounter him. She didn’t have the strength to see him and proceed as if she didn’t know how it felt to have his arms wrapped around her naked body.
To go on as if her fingers didn’t intimately know the feel of his hard flesh. To act as if her body wasn’t weeping for a simple stroke of his hand. To brazen it out and pretend he wouldn’t forever hold her heart.
There was nothing for it; she would need to leave London.
Aunt Millie sat in silence as Elizabeth mulled over how much to relay to her aunt. A place deep in her mind kept whispering to speak of the letters.
With a shaky voice Elizabeth burst out, “I think he loves someone else.”
“Nonsense. Pure rubbish. During my time, I’ve seen a few men in love and that boy loves you.”
“I’m not so sure.”
“And why is that? Has something happened?”
Elizabeth sighed heavily. “When I returned to the attic to retrieve more dresses for Phoebe, I found letters from the child’s mother to Gabe. I didn’t mean to read them but I needed to know. Now I wish I hadn’t.”
“What did you learn, dear?�
��
“Theirs was a love match. He planned to marry her,” Elizabeth finished, on the verge of tears. “That kind of love doesn’t just go away. I should know. Nothing would ever kill the love I have for Gabe.”
“My precious child,” Aunt Millie exclaimed right before she wrapped Elizabeth in her hold. Her aunt whispered close to Elizabeth’s ear, “You should have come to me sooner.”
The woman who had so wonderfully taken over the role of her mother sat back but didn’t fully release her. “Oh, how your heart must have ceased when you read those. But, you mustn’t allow this to break you. Not all are as fortunate as you and find someone to love on their first time out. We all have to kiss a few frogs—and every so often a toad—before we find our prince.”
Unable to restrain herself, Elizabeth let out an indelicate snort thinking of the dandies of the ton as frogs.
“The same can be said for our counterparts. Men can be swayed by a pretty face as easily as we can be with a few bouquets of flowers and a sweet word here and there.”
Once again her aunt offered sound advice. Even so, how could a man, as set in his convictions as Gabe, ever confuse lust with love? If he loved someone, he would honestly love them. No confusion involved.
“Besides, you can’t overlook one very important detail. Gabe never married the woman. If he’d loved her, as I believe he loves you, he wouldn’t have walked away without securing her in his life.”
Obviously her aunt misunderstood the Duke of Wesbrook. Gabe had had no difficulty professing his love to Elizabeth in one breath, then going on to say he couldn’t marry her in the next. He had been willing to marry Phoebe’s mother, but he found himself incapable of doing the same with Elizabeth.
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