“He owes you as well?” A man whose name escaped Nick exclaimed. “He’s been up to his neck with me for months. You’d think he would have learned. I wonder how many others he’s duped? You’d think someone who cheated as much as Nick did would have won more often. Though if there had been a duel, we would have heard of it, don’t you think?”
They all nodded, as gossipy as fishwives. “Probably buggered off to France,” Giles said.
They grumbled and shrugged, muttering good riddance to bad rubbish before changing the subject to mistresses. Nick’s cheeks flamed and he gulped his ale to try and cool his anger.
“What does any of that matter?” Milo asked.
“My reputation and good name shouldn’t matter?” Nick’s voice cracked with outrage. Of course a low life like Milo would never understand.
“Sounds like you have neither.” Milo held up a hand to keep him from exploding. “Calm yourself. I only mean with this lot. Why should you care what they think of you when so many other people love and respect you?”
Nick hissed. Love and respect him? He imagined the witches cared for him, much like one would dote on a pet. But why would they respect him? He couldn’t do what they did. Even Ariana was growing tired of him and his uselessness. His life had to be here and now. He wanted it to be, but as he watched his former friends continue their debauchery, he saw how tattered and broken he’d become. He was cowering behind the spell of a man he despised, hiding from men who despised him. Even if he managed to pay everyone back, no one would trust him again. A good marriage was off the table.
He sat there sullenly. As much as he didn’t feel like he belonged with the witches, it seemed his only recourse. If only Milo would leave off haranguing him about his macabre plan, he could probably live quite peacefully with Ariana for the rest of their lives. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to block out the loud talk at the next table. The men were now speaking bawdily about someone’s mistress and her antics. He tried to block them out.
“Ariana loves me,” he said, embarrassed that his thought had slipped out for Milo to hear.
The wretched man snickered and his eyes gleamed. “Oh, certainly.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means, she most certainly does love you. I only found it amusing that your ego has been so battered by those lordlings that you couldn’t remember that. I’m also certain you love her as well.”
Nick grimaced, angry again that Milo had gotten under his skin. “Of course I do.” He knew the nagging to stick to the plan was about to begin and he wanted no part of it.
“It doesn’t bother you at all how devoted she is to that cousin of hers? I mean, he isn’t really her cousin. You know the one— she’s constantly on the scryers to keep an eye on him. I heard she was quite distraught when they lost sight of him.”
“Shut up, Milo.”
“Sorry, didn’t mean to hit a nerve.”
Nick made a slicing motion with his hand. “No, really. Shut up, Milo.” He’d heard another name pop out from the gamblers and his interest in their conversation was once again piqued. He could have sworn he heard them say something about Ashford.
“I’ve heard she’s a wild one,” one of them said.
“Ashford’s new tart?” another asked.
Nick could see that Milo’s eyes were almost wild with glee at this new turn. Was he orchestrating this newest humiliation?
“You didn’t hear the latest, did you?” Giles placed his cards down and settled back to properly tell his story. “This new mistress, some foreigner— American maybe? Oh, you chaps will love this. She actually broke Nick Kerr’s nose!” They all chorused their disbelief and Giles shushed them so he could continue. “On my honor. I was there and saw the bloody aftermath myself. Lillian Aimsley told me he was taking liberties with her and she let him have it.”
“He’s lucky it was just a woman decking him and not Ashford. I hear he’s quite territorial.”
Giles chuckled. “Woman or no, she packed a wallop.”
“I’ll have to thank her should we ever meet.”
They laughed some more while Nick burned with humiliation at the memory. He barely refrained from touching the bridge of his nose, not wanting to give Milo the satisfaction. He already seemed far too satisfied. The serving girl dropped plates of pork cutlets heaped high with potatoes in front of them. The savory aroma did nothing to tempt his shriveled appetite.
Milo dug in, smacking heartily on a mouthful of potatoes. “I’m telling you, none of this matters.” He shrugged in the direction of the men. “You have riches and capabilities at your disposal that they could never imagine. That lot is nothing compared to the powerful men and women you could lead.”
Nick wanted to believe it, that the witches loved and respected him like Milo had said. He’d seen their sidelong glances, looks of mild pity, and knew he didn’t really belong with them. But he didn’t belong here anymore, either. Even if his investment panned out, he’d never have the wealth that Ariana had accumulated. It was more than his brother and Ashford combined.
“I just don’t know why you care when you already have everything you could ever want,” Milo said. “When you could have so much more than that.”
More raucous laughter erupted from the next table and Nick clenched his fists, itching to overturn the table and smash each of their faces in turn. He locked eyes with Milo, and finally understood what the horrid little man had been trying to tell him. His ex-compatriots really didn’t matter. Not if he had such a vast fortune under his control. He could do anything he wanted. Destroy the lives of those petty, sniveling men, or benevolently let them go. He liked the idea of himself as a benevolent leader of great and powerful people, everyone in his former life mere dust under his boots.
“Very well,” he said, overcome with exhaustion. “Let’s go back.”
Chapter 10
Dexter reached to shut off the clanging alarm and immediately rolled over to make sure he hadn’t awakened Emma. She could wake up to a gently strumming guitar but he needed a veritable klaxon to get him out of bed. It was usually Emma who got up first to make breakfast, but she’d told him the night before they’d have to survive on cereal because she was going to need the extra sleep to keep from strangling either Dahlia or Ariana.
He smiled at the dark lashes that curled against her pale cheeks, feeling a stab of guilt. He couldn’t help but wonder if it was his presence in their lives that made Dahlia act out. For the most part he thought they got along swimmingly, but every once in a while it was as if a demon stole her body and made her say awful, hurtful things to him and her mother. And now it seemed she’d embarked on a life of crime. He knew he needed to step up, but once again he was at a loss as to how to make Dahlia see how much he cared for her and wished she’d see him as a real father figure.
Emma slowly opened her eyes and frowned at him. “What’s that look for?” she asked in her creaky morning voice he loved so much.
“Did I have a look?” he asked. “I was just admiring how peaceful you seemed.”
She smirked and rolled over to tuck herself against his side. “You looked anything but peaceful. Are you worried Ariana won’t go back?”
Truthfully he hadn’t given Ariana a thought yet that morning, but his mood darkened now that he did. Emma laughed, reaching up to smooth her hands over his face.
“Now you really look tortured. Tell me what’s bothering you so I can cheer you up. I never gave you your anniversary present, you know.”
“I was thinking what a lousy stepfather I’ve been to Dahlia. Do you think I somehow drove her to all this rebellion?”
“You haven’t been lousy, you’ve been marvelous. Dahlia’s a handful is all. We’ll have to tighten the reins now that she’s taken to actually breaking the law, but she’ll come through. I ran off with an Australian surfer when I was only a bit older than her, mind you, and I turned out all right.” She frowned and swallowed hard. “I do hope she doesn’t follow in my foot
steps, though. My road wasn’t exactly an easy one.”
“True, but you did turn out wonderfully,” Dexter said, dropping a kiss on her brow. “Being a single teen mum and still accomplishing all you have. I am in awe of you.”
She rolled her eyes at his gushiness and her frown deepened. “Perhaps we should forget about tightening the reins altogether and just lock her in a barn for the next six or eight years.”
“By barn, I hope you mean her room. And by six or eight years I hope you mean a month or two? What’s the punishment for stealing?” He sighed deeply. “Being a parent is hard. I say we ship her to my mum and dad and take a cruise.”
Emma pulled away from him and raised herself onto her elbow, looking paler than usual and as alarmed as if he’d suggested burning the girl at the stake.
“You’re not having second thoughts are you?” she asked, lip quivering. “About us as a family?”
“What?” he yelped. “Are you serious? Of course not. It’s you, me, and Dahlia forever. What’s got into you to ask such a thing?” It wasn’t like her at all and he felt her forehead to see if she had a fever.
“Ah, well, it’s just that this little conversation of ours has made me less excited about the anniversary present.” Her cheeks turned crimson. “It’s silly. I shouldn’t make such a big deal about it.”
He sat up, truly alarmed now. “I hope you didn’t spend a massive amount. Especially since we’re saving for a house. Honestly, I know we agreed no presents and I shouldn’t have got you those earrings but they weren’t that expensive. They were only forty quid, Em. If you bought me something outrageous you’ll have to return it.”
“I’m pregnant,” she blurted, face turning the color of a beet. It took him a moment to process the words. He blinked several times and tilted his head to the side as if a change of perspective would help him understand. “It’s awful timing,” she blathered on. “I know we agreed to wait until we were in a house. But…”
“It’s amazing news!” He pulled her into an embrace, dragging her off the bed so he could whirl around the room with her. “Oh my God,” he said, putting her on her feet. “I can’t believe I’m flinging you like a ragdoll in your condition.”
She laughed anxiously. “You’re sure you’re happy about this? You just wanted to flee parenthood on a boat.”
He knew he should feel the gravitas of the situation. Surely a new baby would drive Dahlia to rebel more. Their apartment was far too small for another person. Their savings account was nowhere near full enough to purchase a house anywhere in London. But all he felt was pure and utter joy. Unable to help himself, he picked Emma up again and held her tight.
“I’m ecstatic about it. And babies don’t take up much space. It can bunk with us for at least a year if need be, right? And we’ll give Dahlia more attention, maybe get her into a new sport or hobby. This is the happiest I’ve ever been.” He put her down again, feeling lightheaded. He grabbed his knees and breathed until it passed. “Okay, it’s scary. But seriously, I thought I was pretty happy when you agreed to marry me, but this—” He laughed and wiped away tears he hadn’t noticed gathering in the corners of his eyes.
She sat down on the edge of the bed and wiped her own eyes. “I feel daft for being so nervous about telling you.”
“You should feel daft,” he said, plopping down beside her and taking her hand.
“I guess I was traumatized by Dahlia’s father’s reaction. He tossed a can of cola at a tree when I told him.”
“Well, it’s been proven time and again he’s an idiot of the highest order. I do believe you’re lucky to have found me.”
She punched him playfully in the thigh and sighed. “Annoyingly true. Now I have to get ready if I’m going to take Dahlia to school.” She cast a more serious look at him. “And you have to take Ariana… somewhere.”
He scowled that his parade was getting rained on by his second cousin’s appearance in their lives. “I’m going to show her the very worst of modern society. She’ll be begging to go back by the end of the day.”
“Be kind, Dex,” Emma said. “And do not, I repeat, do not let her know anything about why Tilly and Ashford did what they did. That’s up to them. Just use your amazing parenting skills to get her to go home.”
“I’ll do my best.” He grabbed her for another kiss before she headed into the shower. No, not even Ariana could spoil his good mood.
***
Ariana stood in the middle of a pile of discarded clothing, frowning at herself in the looking glass. “It’s shockingly short,” she said, tugging at the fifth skirt Dahlia offered her. She began to shimmy out of it when Dahlia held up her hand.
“Stop. It’s not shockingly short. It’s a little too short because you’re so much taller than me, but it looks fine.” Her face said otherwise but she shook her head. “If you keep changing we won’t have any time for breakfast and you need your strength to get through whatever torture Dex has planned for you today.”
Ariana gasped, arranging the skirt more firmly around her waist. At least the blouse she’d decided on was long and covered her nearly to her chin. She didn’t mind a good bit of décolletage in her own time, but that was when her legs were covered.
“Torture?” she asked.
Dahlia laughed. “He won’t waterboard you or anything, but get ready to be taken to some pretty unsavory places. I’d bet this ring of yours he’s going to make it so you don’t think too highly of this time.”
Ariana slumped, realizing once again she’d made a mistake. First in running away from her parents, then from running away from her coven. The bitter, childish part of her that seemed to be rapidly fading into the background with every hard life lesson she learned, wanted to flee again. But she knew now that she could never get away from herself. Or the music she’d have to face when she decided which home to go back to. It was clear she wasn’t welcome here. Would she be welcome anywhere after all the messes she’d made?
As they settled at the breakfast table, Dex had his head down, reading one of the tablets everyone was so attached to and sipping on a cup of tea. He nodded to her somewhat grimly at first, but then a smile almost reached his eyes.
“Well, you’ll fit right in, dear,” Emma said, placing her own cup of tea onto the table and slipping into her place across from Dex. “If you decide to stay, though, I think we should go shopping for some things that fit you a little better.”
Dex choked on his tea and seemed about to say something but Emma reached over and patted his hand.
“She runs away and gets to go shopping?” Dahlia asked, pulling a box toward her and pouring cereal into a bowl. “Ugh, do I have to eat this nasty stuff?”
“Thank you for the cereal, Dex,” Emma corrected mildly. “Criminals don’t get to choose from a menu in prison. I daresay they’re thankful for what they get.”
“I bet even prisoners get eggs,” Dahlia muttered.
“You go ahead and continue on as you have been and I’m certain you’ll find out.”
Ariana couldn’t suppress the small giggle at that rejoinder and received a death glare from Dahlia, but also a wink from Dexter. Dahlia saw the wink and scowled.
“You needn’t act as if you’re so mature,” Dahlia mumbled. She slopped some milk on the cereal and continued, angrily taking a big bite and crunching around the words. “An actual mature person wouldn’t have to run away.”
“She’s got you there, Ariana,” Dexter said. It felt like a betrayal and stung worse than any slap.
It emboldened Dahlia. “Nor would you live with some man your parents don’t even know.”
The stunned silence that followed caused Dahlia to blanch. She immediately looked contrite, but Ariana refused to forgive her as she burned with shame at Dexter’s and Emma’s horrified stares.
“What’s this about?” Dexter boomed, sounding alarmingly like her father.
“Come along, Dahlia. Time to leave for school,” Emma said at the same time, tugging on her daughter
’s sleeve. Dahlia dug in, staying rooted to her chair.
Doesn’t want to miss the show, Ariana thought bitterly, fighting tears. “He’s not just any man,” she tried to explain. “We’re betrothed.” She was ashamed of the lie, more ashamed that she was glad it wasn’t true.
Dexter and Emma trained their gazes on her hands. Her ringless hands. She shot a look at Dahlia who immediately wrenched the ruby from her finger and flung it across the table. “I had no idea it was an engagement ring. Who gives away their engagement ring like that?”
With shaking hands, Ariana put the ring back on her finger, unable to look at anything except the beautiful gem. How she hated it. Hated everything at that moment.
“Do you live with him?” Dexter choked.
“Yes. But it’s not like that,” she said. “Not like what you’re thinking.” She burned with embarrassment and self-recrimination. She knew it was wrong, but she’d done it anyway. Why had she done it? For the life of her she didn’t know why. Almost worse than that, she’d bragged about it to impress that little snitch, Dahlia, and now she was paying for it.
“Why don’t you explain what it’s like, then?” Dexter asked. The words were reasonable enough but when she sneaked a peek at him, his jaw was set to the point she feared he might break a tooth.
Without another word, Emma put her hands under Dahlia’s armpits and dragged her from her chair. “School. Now, young lady. Say one more word and you’ll add another month to your punishment.”
“I’m sorry,” Dahlia hissed as she was dragged away. Ariana only shook her head at her.
When she and Dexter were alone, she rallied the only defense she knew. Anger. She stuck out her chin and glared at him. “I can’t say that it’s any of your business what I do. You’re only my cousin and I’m an adult, after all.”
“Adult? You’re seventeen!”
“Old enough to have my parents trying to marry me off this past season.”
Belmary House 6 Page 10
