by Meara Platt
Ginny glanced up in surprise. “Excellent, I’ll take it with me to the park and read it there.” She was eager to find out what Lettie had to say, but she had an important question to ask her father. “Did the previous Beresford lords act with valor? Or did our family do the expedient thing?”
“The earls of Beresford remained loyal to the Lancastrian kings, but at great cost. We lost land, saw our families wrenched apart. Don’t judge too harshly what men do when they’re desperate. I would do anything to protect my wife and daughters.”
“Even give up your life?”
“Without hesitation.” He nodded. “Of course. Did I ever give you reason to doubt my love?”
“No.” She threw her arms around him and gave him a hug. “Thank you for being so good to us.”
“Ginny, you’re awfully serious this morning.” Her mother reached over and patted her hand. “Are you fretting over Lord de la Londe? We’ll respect your decision when he offers for your hand, but don’t dismiss him because of something an ancestor of his did hundreds of years ago. We all have disreputable scoundrels somewhere in our bloodlines.”
Her father pursed his lips in thought. “I know you disapprove of the importance he places on wealth and status, but they matter in some degree to most of us. I wouldn’t accept just any man who offered for you. I’d want only the best, a man of honor who had the wherewithal to keep you in comfort.”
“Finances and bloodstock?” She glanced at her mother and smiled. “You chose Mother because you loved her. And you were a penniless earl when you proposed to her.”
“I was in dire straits. It is a far cry from being penniless,” he grumbled. “Aren’t you supposed to call on Frances again today? I’m sure she won’t mind if you barge in early.”
“Yes, she’s expecting me,” Ginny said, smiling at her parents. Love was the answer. It had to be. She simply had to figure out how and where it fit.
She decided to walk to the park before visiting Frances. A quiet stroll was just what she needed to clear her head and think. She had to take Millie with her, of course, but managed to ignore the girl’s idle conversation, most of which did not require response.
She remained lost in thought as she and Millie reached Hyde Park and strolled along the Serpentine. Millie continued to chatter away like a robin in spring and Ginny only needed to nod on occasion to appear as though she were following the conversation.
What was she to do about Simon de la Londe? How could she or Jeremiah ever be happy at the cost of an innocent man’s life? Despite his shortcomings, Simon did not deserve to be a sacrificial lamb.
No, neither she nor Jeremiah would ever agree to being the cause of his death, for they could never build their love on such terms. It would have been different if Simon were fated to die.
She gasped softly. Was he?
If she knew of his impending death, should she do something to prevent it?
“Oh, look, Miss Ginny!” Millie cried, tugging lightly on her arm. “A marionette show.”
Ginny smiled at her. “Why don’t you go and watch it, Millie? It seems to be a lot of fun.” The puppeteer had gathered an audience of children and their governesses as well as several couples out for a leisurely morning walk.
Millie’s eyes rounded in obvious delight, but she shook her head vehemently. “Oh, no. I couldn’t leave you.”
Ginny could be just as insistent. “Indeed, you can. I’ll sit right over there beside the Serpentine and wait for you.”
“I shouldn’t.” But Millie’s eyes were alight and she was obviously eager to watch the show.
Ginny shooed her off. “Nonsense. I’m a grown woman and can take care of myself. Besides, it will give me the chance to read Lettie’s letter. So off you go. All you need to do is turn your head once in a while and you’ll find me seated right over there.” She pointed to a spot on the grass a short distance from where the little theater had been set up.
Millie reluctantly agreed. “But you’re not to stray.”
“I promise.” She breathed a sight of relief as her maid scurried away.
Despite the noisy burst of laughter and squeals of delight from the children engaged in watching the show, Ginny was able to lose herself once again in thoughts of Simon and his fate. But she withdrew Lettie’s letter first because she was eager to read it and know her sister’s thoughts about falling in love with one’s guardian angel. She settled on the grass, tucked her feet under her, and opened the letter.
Lettie’s first words caused her heart to slam against her chest. Repeatedly. Painfully. Who is Jeremiah? How could Lettie ask such a thing? Had she already forgotten the angel who’d brought her and Brynne together? The same had happened to her mother. Jeremiah had warned that Lettie would forget him now that she’d found her true love, but she hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly.
She swiped at her cheeks to dry the tears that began to trickle onto them. She was completely alone in this decision.
“Lady Ginny, are you all right?” She turned and looked up, at first thinking it was Jeremiah who’d spoken to her, but it was Titus de Wolfe who’d called to her. He knelt down beside her when she refused to return his greeting.
Of all days, why today?
And why him? The arrogant duke had been most clear in his intention never to speak to her again. He held out a handkerchief to her. “Care to tell me what’s wrong?”
She took it reluctantly and did not bother to thank him. “No. I wish you’d go away.”
He cleared his throat. “I suppose I deserve your indignation.”
“Indeed, you do. I thought we weren’t on speaking terms. I believe you called me a scheming fortune hunter or something insulting to that effect. So why are you here now? Perhaps you ought to check your pockets and make certain I haven’t filched your watch fob.”
He chuckled, but had the good grace to look contrite. “I owe you a sincere apology. In my own defense, I’ve never met a young lady quite like you. Everyone I meet responds with revulsion to the scar. They all avert their eyes or make up some excuse to hastily walk away. But you didn’t. You just kept staring at me as though I were a grotesque curiosity.”
She inhaled sharply. Is that what he thought she was doing? Now it was her turn to express contrition. No wonder he’d been angry! She quickly wiped the last of the tears off her cheeks. “I never thought you were grotesque. If that is the impression I gave you, then it is I who must apologize to you.”
He nodded, as though accepting it. However, he still regarded her warily but she didn’t mind so much now that she understood the reason for it. “Ginny, why were you looking at me so intently the other day?”
She blushed as she passed the handkerchief back to him. “Because you reminded me of someone I know.”
“Keep it,” he said and shifted closer. “Ah, Jeremiah. He’s the someone you care for very much.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t excuse my actions toward you.” She looked over at the little theater and the crowd still gathered to watch the show. Millie was rapt by the performance. “Your Grace, I think you’re going to find me rude again, but I really need to spend some time alone with my thoughts. I have a talkative maid who’ll return in a couple of minutes and I need to sort through this dilemma before she does. However, I’m pleased we’ve made amends and can now meet again on more pleasant terms.”
“So am I, but I can’t leave you just yet.”
She frowned lightly, not really angry but confused. “Why not? There’s nothing holding you back.”
She bid him good day and turned to gaze in the opposite direction, but he placed his big hand on her shoulder and turned her to face him. “Indeed, there is something holding me back. I just don’t know what it is or why I needed to find you. Ginny, can you see my scar now?”
She tried not to roll her eyes, but couldn’t help herself. “No, my lord. I know it’s there, but for some curious reason I still can’t see it. And I say this only because it’s the truth. I’m not at
tempting to flatter you or steal your fortune.”
“I know. That’s the oddest part. I believe you.” The tender glance he gave her made her heart flutter.
What? A flutter?
She didn’t like this man and he didn’t like her. “Why are you being so agreeable to me now?”
He raked a hand through his hair, the gesture so reminiscent of Jeremiah’s that her heart fluttered again in response. “In truth, I don’t know. I woke up with the strangest sensation and thought of you. Is it possible this odd feeling in my gut is connected to the dilemma you need to solve?”
“I don’t see how it can be.” But she pursed her lips and wondered if it could be true. Had Jeremiah sent him over because Lettie could no longer be of help? Or had he sent the duke to comfort her when Simon died and he took over Simon’s body? No, still too ghoulish to contemplate.
She shivered at the thought. “What would you do if you knew someone was going to die today?”
He arched an eyebrow in obvious surprise. “An acquaintance? Or someone you love?”
“Does it make a difference?”
He nodded. “Yes, Ginny. It makes a big difference.”
She leaned closer to him, now glad that he’d insisted on remaining beside her. She spared a glance at the puppet show that looked to be about to end. “How?”
He rubbed a hand across the nape of his neck and laughed mirthlessly. “I knew there was something different about you. No aimless chatter about the weather or the latest ton party. No, you’re asking about matters of life and death and valor. Do you have the gift of sight?”
Her shoulders sagged. “I don’t know what I have. And now someone might die because of something I inadvertently set in motion. I think I have to do all in my power to stop it. I couldn’t live with myself if I were responsible for an innocent man’s death.”
“Ginny, that’s something quite serious.” His brow furrowed. “Tell me what’s happened.”
“No, you’ll have me carted off to Bedlam if I do. I still haven’t figured out why I can’t see your scar. That alone is frightening.” The sound of applause brought her to attention. In the next moment, Millie returned to her side. She gave the duke a respectful curtsy and then waited dutifully for Ginny to bid him farewell. “Well, I must go. I’m due at my aunt’s home.”
He rose along with her and placed her hand on his arm. “I’ll walk you to wherever you’re going. This conversation isn’t anywhere near over.” He stopped her protest with a warning frown and instructed Millie to keep a discreet distance behind them.
Ginny was dismayed. “Why did you do that?”
“Your maid doesn’t mind. She knows I’m a duke. No doubt she believes I’m interested in courting you.”
Ginny stopped in her tracks and searched his face to determine whether the last was spoken in jest or in earnest. “Are you?”
“No, but not for the reason you believe.”
She pressed lightly on his arm, surprisingly comfortable as they walked out of the park toward the Wolverton townhouse. “For what reason then? You needn’t be polite or fear you’ll overset me. I’m not delicate.”
“But I am. I haven’t quite digested my news yet and I don’t think I’m ready to talk about it.”
Ginny paused and tugged lightly on his arm. “It must be serious. Is there anything I can do to help?”
He tweaked her nose. “Just be yourself. I like that you can’t see my scar and that you’re not one of those supposedly perfect blonde-haired, blue-eyed debutantes who try not to break into tears when they look at my ugly countenance but would marry me anyway if I were to ask simply because I’m a duke.”
She paused again and tugged on his arm. “How ugly are you?”
He shook his head and laughed. “I don’t know. I think I was fairly good looking at one time, but the war took care of that. A French soldier shot me in the face during one of the Peninsular battles. The wound wasn’t so bad, it was the infection afterward that did most of the damage.”
“I’m so sorry.” She shook her head and sighed. “Were you a duke at the time? Couldn’t you have bought your way out?”
“Yes, but I wasn’t about to pay someone to fight in my place. I come from a long line of de Wolfe warriors. We don’t hide behind our elegant walls and let others do our dirty work for us. Not that defending king and country is dirty work by any means. It’s our duty. An honorable one.” He caught her by the hand and drew her back as they were about to cross the street, for a fancy gent in his phaeton charged past them without slowing his horses and would have struck her if she’d stepped out. “Careful, Ginny. They’ve blocked off more streets today causing a mass of obstructions and flared tempers.”
Her heart caught in her throat and her mumbled words of appreciation sounded raspy to her own ears. Goodness, had it not been for Titus de Wolfe, hers would have been the life sacrificed today! That wasn’t the intended plan, was it? Jeremiah had been sure it was Simon whose life would soon end.
She shivered in earnest. Or had he only said that to protect her from knowing her own fate? No, he would have told her the truth.
“I’ll see you to your aunt’s door,” Titus said, his voice commanding but gentle and so much like Jeremiah’s that it made her heart yearn.
“It’s quite unnecessary. I’ll be careful walking across. I think I can manage that.” Also, she’d noticed Simon’s carriage pulling up to the Wolverton townhouse and didn’t wish to cause a scene by entering on the arm of one of Simon’s enemies. Not that the two men were enemies in the way their ancestors had been. Nothing close to that, but there was enough bad blood between the de Wolfe and de la Londe families that she wasn’t certain what either man would do.
Simon stiffened as he descended his glossy black carriage and noticed her standing on the opposite corner with her hand resting on Titus’ arm. She drew it away and then chided herself for doing so since she’d done nothing wrong. Titus had been a gentleman and there was nothing between them other than good conversation.
She placed her hand back on his arm.
Titus stiffened the moment he noticed Simon, his muscle rippling beneath her palm, reminiscent of the brrrk, brrrk of Jeremiah’s ruffled wing feathers. “You’re not going to marry that churl, are you?”
“He isn’t a churl. And what business is it of yours? You’ve made it clear that you have no interest in marrying me.” She wasn’t offended by his lack of interest, but by the manner in which he’d referred to Simon. Mostly it was the fact that she knew Simon was going to die because of her and she simply couldn’t bear it. “I’m late. My aunt will worry if I delay any longer.”
He grabbed her arm and held her back gently when she turned to run across the street, her only thought to get away from both of these men and to the sanctuary of the Wolverton residence. “I never said I wasn’t interested in you.”
She shook her head in confusion. “What are you talking about? You said you didn’t want to marry me.”
“I said that I wouldn’t. It isn’t the same as not wanting to.”
Now she was more confused than ever. “Are you married? A secret wife that no one is aware of?”
“No.” He sighed as he released her. “It isn’t important. Just don’t marry that man. You deserve someone who will make you happy for the rest of your days, someone who will admire and protect you.”
Her head began to spin. This was the same thing Jeremiah had said to her before the start of this season. “What?”
“Most important, find someone who will love you more than he loves your family wealth and connections. Someone who loves you beyond anything on this earth. Someone who will die for you without a moment’s hesitation.”
What was happening?
Suddenly, it became clear to her. It wasn’t Simon. He was never meant for her. It was Titus. But his kinship to Jeremiah didn’t make his death any more bearable for her. These were two innocent men. No, three. Jeremiah had endured the wrath of the heavens to be with her.
Who knew what else he’d sacrificed and not revealed to her, but his bloodied wounds and the pain of his injured wings were telling.
She burst into tears and broke free of Titus’ loose grasp to run away.
“Ginny, look out!” Simon and Titus cried out at the same time, but when she froze in the middle of the street, it was Titus who leaped forward and pushed her out of the way of the large carriage drawn by four speeding horses that was coming straight at her. And Titus whose body was trampled under their massive hooves and the heavy carriage wheels.
He’d pushed her onto the soft grass so that she landed without harm and was able to quickly scramble to her feet. Millie was screaming. Simon was still standing by his carriage, watching in horror as the scene unfolded. Damn him. He hadn’t moved a muscle to rescue either of them.
“Simon, fetch a doctor!” she cried and raced toward Titus who now lay unconscious and dying in the middle of the street. The culprit had taken off without so much as slowing down, but a few incensed gentlemen were now giving chase.
A small crowd gathered around his bruised and battered body. Ginny elbowed her way through the gawking spectators and fell to her knees beside Titus. “It was you all along. You risked your life to save me.”
He blinked open his eyes. “I’m no hero, Ginny.”
Still alive, thank goodness! “Yes, you are. You’re the–”
He frowned and there was something in his manner that stilled her voice. “I don’t have much time,” he said in a strained whisper, his body beginning to spam and shudder beneath her hands which were splayed across his chest. “This was mean to happen, wasn’t it?”
She didn’t know whether to nod or protest so she just kept silent and wept.
