The Rakehell Regency Romance Collection Volume 2

by MacMurrough, Sorcha

"Everything in alignment. Fate, the completion of the circle."

  "I don't understand, love. What are you-"

  "Soon. Then I can sleep."

  "Eat something at least."

  He shook his head. "No. Must fast. Soon. I promise."

  Will turned back to his wife and continued to speak to her in a low tone.

  Doc suggested massaging Elizabeth's arms and legs to keep the circulation going, and to move her around in the bed so she would not get bedsores.

  Will rubbed her down with warm oil faithfully three times each day even though his left arm had limited mobility. The only time he ever left the bed was to go hurriedly into the bathroom, and then he insisted on whoever was also helping watch to hold her hand and speaking to her while he was gone.

  "We don't want her to think she's alone," Will said in an earnest tone.

  The doctor or Thomas or one of the other men would help get him into the privy, and try to get him to clean himself up or shave.

  "Come on, old man. If Elizabeth woke up right now, you'd give her an awful fright," Stewart said, brushing his brother in law's greasy hair back from his brow.

  "Soon, I promise. I can't explain it. But soon."

  Then Will would resume his wakeful vigil.

  The summer was now ending, with the equinox only a day away, when Will got out of the bed and asked to speak to Parks alone.

  He hobbled out into the corridor on his friend's arm. "I need you to do something for me."

  "Anything," his friend offered sincerely.

  "I need something from my room back home."

  "Clean clothes, anything."

  "There's a leather pouch, about this big, concealed in the bottom drawer of my dresser. I need you to bring it here to me now."

  "Anything else, books, your Bible?"

  "No, just that."

  "All right," he said in a doubtful tone, but did as he was asked.

  When he was alone with his sister, Will requested, "Can I have beef tonight for supper? A rib roast? Extra rare."

  Vevina gave a glad smile. It was the first time he had shown any interest whatsoever in food since the accident.

  "Of course, you can have anything you like."

  "And we need some flowers for this room. And some shells and stones."

  "Shells? Stones?" she echoed in confusion.

  "Doc says to talk to Elizabeth. We can bring her things to remind her of the outside world."

  She wondered if her brother were losing his reason. But when she asked the doctor about it, he said he couldn't see the harm.

  Will spoke with Stewart as the sun descended toward the horizon, asking him for some wood to bank up the fire.

  "I need some oak, though. There's a large tree on my property, near the edge of that old wall. Can you bring me some, please?"

  "Surely any tree will do?"

  He shook his head. "It needs to be that tree. Please, don't ask me why. We haven't much time. Take my word for it that it must be that tree."

  "All right. I'm going now. But there will only be so much I can carry that far."

  "One log will be more than enough."

  Stewart gave him a long measuring look and departed on his errand.

  He was tempted not to bother, to just bring any old piece of kindling. But something in his brother-in-law's haggard face made him accede to the request, however bizarre it seemed.

  Parks returned with the leather pouch a short time later.

  "You didn't open it?"

  "No. I wouldn't pry."

  "I know." He put one hand on his shoulder. "You've been a good friend. The best. Even as such a young man, you were old beyond your years."

  "But you, Will. You look like you're about a hundred. Get some rest, can you?"

  "Soon. I promise."

  "Do you need anything else?" he asked gently.

  "Not now. When my leg is mended, and Elizabeth is better, I will call on you."

  Parks gave him a long look. "I'll be ready. This time."

  "You were ready last time. Fate ordained what happened. It's all part of the pattern. I didn't see it until now. Until I found the—" He caught himself in time. "Elizabeth."

  "I'm glad. You're meant to be together. You know I never meant for--"

  "I know. You were doing it all for me, and I'm grateful. I only wish I could do as much as you have for me, but I think our fates are going to follow a different path."

  Parks stepped up closer to him. "Does that mean you're giving up? Without clearing your name? Doing your duty?"

  He shook his head. "Not giving up, no. I just have a different duty." His eyes blazed for a moment.

  Parks stepped back, almost fearful for a moment, his friend looked so strange. "Yes, of course. Your wife. Getting her better. Naturally." He paused. "But you won't mind if Monroe and I—"

  "Go ahead. See what you can find. And I think you can take Thomas into your confidence. He'll help, I know he will." He hesitated for only a moment, then said, "Jason is still alive."

  Parks stared, then shook his head. "That's not possible."

  "It is. He's coming. Soon."

  "But who told you—"

  "Elizabeth did."

  Parks looked even more confused. "But how—"

  "Just take my word for it."

  "It's just so incredible, Will. After all this time?"

  He nodded. "He was taken in by her friends in England, and saved."

  "Do you think he remembers anything?" he asked eagerly. "I mean, not that it matters now, but he was-"

  Will shrugged. "We'll find out when he gets here."

  "When is he coming?"

  "We need to be patient."

  "I can't believe it. It's a miracle," Parks breathed.

  Will smiled tightly. "Miracles do happen. Elizabeth taught me that."

  Parks stared at his friend, and pointed to the leather pouch. "Can you tell me what it is?"

  Will shrugged his good shoulder. "I hardly know myself. Now, go get my sister, and entertain the others downstairs."

  "Easily done. Oh, and I hear there's supposed to be the most spectacular full lunar eclipse tonight. Not long to go in fact. I'll just go find my telescope."

  "Good. Oh, and Geoffrey."

  His brows raised in surprise. He rarely if ever called him by his first name. "Yes, Will?"

  "Don't open this door unless I let you in. No matter what."

  Parks frowned. "I say, Will, you're not--"

  "It will be fine. I promise. Just give me your word, and send Vevina in to me."

  Parks visibly relaxed. "All right. If Viv is here, I won't worry."

  "Thank you, my friend."

  "Don't mention it. Just be well, Will."

  Will nodded, and went back to sit vigil at his wife's bedside.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Vevina came into the sickroom to see her brother a short time later.

  "Did you get the things?" Will asked, sounding almost nervous.

  "Yes." She indicated a small leather pouch at her waist.

  "Has Stewart returned with the oak wood?"

  "He's on his way up."

  "Good. Please hurry and get the beef."

  Stewart came in with a large log, and moved over to the fire.

  "No!"

  Stewart was so startled he dropped it on the hearthstones. "I was just—"

  "It's all right. I'm sorry I yelled. I'll do it myself later. Thank you."

  "Look, Will, you've been under a lot of strain, you haven't eaten, slept…"

  "I'll be fine," he said in a more relaxed tone. "Go downstairs with Parks and the others."

  Stewart shook his head. "I don't want to leave you alone."

  "I won't be. Elizabeth is here." He stroked his unconscious wife's cheek. "Vevina will be back with my dinner in a second."

  "Oh, good then." Stewart visibly relaxed.

  "Thank you for everything."

  "Don't mention it." He patted the young man on the back.


  Stewart waited until his wife returned with a succulent-looking rare piece of beef and some potatoes and carrots.

  "Try to get him to eat as much as he can," he whispered to her.

  "I will." She gave her husband a warm kiss.

  He closed the door behind him as he left.

  She put the tray down, and watched Will as he fiddled about in his wife's jewel box and brought it over to the small table by the side of the bed.

  Then he locked the door. "We need to get ready."

  She looked at him in surprise. "What—"

  "Take off her chemise. Cut it with this knife."

  "Will, I can't—"

  "Do it, please."

  He removed his shirt, trousers and drawers, until he was stark naked.

  Vevina's eyes widened. "Will, what on earth are you—"

  He went over to the dinner plate, and began to mark himself with the blood which was pooling underneath the meat, drawing strange symbols on himself like--

  Vevina's eyes widened even further, this time in horror. "Will, for God's sake! What--"

  "Gods. Exactly. Be still, Vevina. It will be all right. Only a few more minutes to go."

  Vevina felt a warm wave of peace wash over her despite what she had just seen. "Very well. What else do you need me to do?"

  "Take the shells and stones, and put them around her in a circle. Put the flowers into her hands, and stand over by the hearth."

  She did as she was told. When she looked up, she saw her brother had put a gold circlet around his neck. It looked similar to the metal plates the men in the army wore to identify their regiment, but was decorated like no insignia she had ever seen.

  Etched into the gold were five symbols, a rod, a circle, what looked like a huge stewing pot, and a sword, two on either side of an object which looked like an oak tree.

  "It is called a torc, and all ancient Celts wore them. This one is unique. The staff signifies magic, authority, power, the coin wealth and the material world. The cauldron represents love and mercy, the sword conflict and justice. They are equals and opposites, showing the duality of human nature," he explained, touching the golden necklet.

  "I see, Will, but, well, how do you know all this—"

  He seemed to ignore his sister's question.

  "The oak tree represents perfect love, as does the rainbow in Christian thought. It was sentimental to have it made so, I know, but though I am a hardened warrior, and initiated into the darker mysteries of the universe, with all its destructive forces, I would like to believe that love is the highest power."

  "Where could you have had such a thing made, Will?" her sister asked, her brows knitting.

  "The word ‘druid' means someone with ‘oak knowledge.' Perhaps that is the ultimate any druid can hope to understand. Love. If that is true, then I shall be a wonderful wizard, with my beloved here by my side," he said, before bowing to Vevina.

  "Will, what are you talking about!" Vevina gasped in terror.

  "Now go over to the hearth. Pick up the oak stump, and when I tell you to, throw it onto the fire and step out of the way quickly."

  "But-"

  "Do it!"

  "What are you doing? What are those?" she gasped.

  Will had opened the box and now took out two objects which were even more blindingly bright than the gold torc around his neck. He slipped one bracelet on his wife's arm, and told his sister, "Get ready."

  She gripped the log because she really didn't know what else to do, and placed it nearer the fire.

  Will slipped the second bracelet on his wife's wrist, then grasped the large rib from the roast and hung it suspended over her naked body and began to murmur.

  Then he looked at his sister. "Now."

  Vevina heaved the log into the fire and jumped back. She tumbled to the floor on her hands and knees with the blast which rocked the chamber.

  The room trembled and the flames shot straight out of the hearth, setting the entire bed on fire.

  "Will! My God, Will!"

  She could not see Elizabeth at all as the footboard of the bed and the curtains were engulfed. Hard as she tried, she could not crawl across the room toward them.

  She could see Will's form flickering like a flame for an instant, but the light was so bright she had to shield her eyes.

  The fire was almost blinding, the roar deafening. The room was now almost black apart from the burning bed, the moonlight which had streaked the floor only seconds before now eclipsed.

  Then she opened her eyes once more, and all was still. Still, normal, silent, almost untouched....

  She crawled to the bed with agonising slowness, and saw at last her brother and Elizabeth.

  She gasped in terror, "My God, Will, what have you done!"

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Will smiled at her as if nothing unusual in the least had just happened.

  "It's all right. Help me get the bed changed before anyone comes up."

  Elizabeth was looking at both of them, her eyes open. Will gently pulled out the food tube, and Elizabeth gagged and spat onto the scorched sheets.

  "It's all right, love. We'll get you all tidied in a minute," he said gently.

  He lifted her despite having only one good arm, and walked across the room despite his broken leg. He carried her into the bathroom and sat her in the tub. Then he checked the temperature of the water, and let the tub fill as his wife lay there with her head resting against the back of it.

  Vevina was already stripping the sheets off the bed, and stuffed them and the cut chemise into the fire. She looked at the footboard, the mattress, the bed curtains. There was not so much as a blister of burnt paint, a mark on the fabric.

  No, apart from the sheets and the fact that Elizabeth was now awake, the only other thing that had changed in the room was Will.

  "My God, Will, what have you done?" she asked again more gently, though her violet eyes were still wide with disbelief.

  She stared at his hair, as silver as moonglow, his face as unmarked and undamaged as it had been before the war.

  "It's all right. I'm fine. We're all fine. Come, help me get this cast off my leg."

  "But it's broken!"

  "Take it off, please."

  She unwrapped the bandages holding the splints in place. He put his weight on the leg and stood. He took a few paces forward to test it and nodded. Then he said, "The shoulder next."

  She removed the gauze and started with fright. His shoulder was as unblemished as a newborn's.

  "Now come help me wash Elizabeth. The tub will be just about full."

  She followed Will into the room. Together they scrubbed her from head to toe. Vevina would have taken off the odd gold bracelets her brother had put on his wife but he insisted, "No. Leave them."

  She nodded, and turned her attention to the girl's hair. She was in two minds about touching her head, and looked more closely at the stubble. It was then she noticed there was no hole any longer from the doctor's surgery.

  She lathered Elizabeth's scalp carefully, noting two silvery streaks extending from her brows toward the back of her head. But her hair had been jet black, had it not?

  Once she was rinsed, Will lifted Elizabeth out of the tub and held her on his lap as they dried her.

  "Can you fetch her a clean gown, please? Something with green in it if you can find it."

  Vevina went through the dresser and found a lovely nightgown embroidered with a vine leaf pattern. She shivered as she recalled the trellis.

  She brought the gown into the bathroom and put it over Elizabeth's head. She thrust her arms through the long sleeves, and then Will lifted his wife and tucked her into the freshly-made bed.

  "You need to get cleaned up too," she said quietly, staring at her naked, blood-smeared brother. "Someone might come in."

  She had nursed him before, seen things during the war which she had dealt with head-on. But now she was almost afraid of him and felt shy, reserved, as if she had seen something truly too pri
vate.