But she was interrupted by Letty, who stepped forward. “Please Ava, I have some things to say to Mr. Chilcott.”
Nick held his breath. He’d kill Simon if he made Letty cry. But she raised her chin and began speaking in a calm, clear voice.
“Mr. Chilcott, you are trying to hurt Nick by hurting me. But I won’t let you do that. Nick may not be my brother by blood, but I love him and he loves me. You don’t have to be born into a family to love someone. I love Colin, James, Win, Rose and Anna. But I also love Ava, Irene, Alex and Mr. and Mrs. Stemple. And now I love Kate, too. Nick is my brother the way it counts. In my heart. And he feels the same way about me.”
Here she turned toward Nick. He couldn’t speak because of the lump in his throat. He could only nod and hope she saw the love in his eyes.
She smiled at him, then she became serious once again as she turned back to Simon. “You have been mean to Nick and Kate. I want you to leave this house now. You are not welcome here.”
Then Letty turned her back on Simon and left the room.
There was a moment of stunned silence until Colin finally broke it. “You heard our sister. Get out, Simon. I even have a suggestion for where you can go, but it’s not one I can say in front of the ladies.”
“Go ahead,” said Ava.
“Very well. Go swive yourself, then take yourself off to the devil. You seem determined to hurt Nick. Just know you’re taking us all on if you do so.”
“You’re barely an earl yourself, Ridgeway,” said Simon.
“Yet, I do still hold the title. You have ten seconds to get out before we throw you out. And you shan’t care for that. I do not want you dead, though at the moment, I cannot come up with even one reason why that is so. You should take Grayson’s advice and leave in Nick’s carriage. Bancroft will surely kill you if you don’t go. And one of us will break your blasted nose if you stay here even a moment longer. My bet is it will be James, though he’ll have plenty of help.”
Simon seemed to realize he was moments away from being beaten severely. He summoned what little dignity he had left after being humiliated by a young girl, then left. He hadn’t been gone long when there was a crash in the foyer along with a yelp of pain.
Nick and the others came out to see Simon laid out on the floor rubbing his knee and looking angrily at Stemple, who was holding his hat.
“You tripped me, you monster!”
Stemple didn’t answer the accusation, but looked at Colin, instead. “Pardon me, my lord. I am not yet used to these boots and they are making me quite clumsy.”
Colin could barely keep from laughing. “Yes, well, perhaps Simon should take his leave now before one of my boots finds its way up his arse.”
“You’re a bloody disgrace to the aristocracy,” said Simon as he grabbed his hat, then limped to the door. He was barely outside when Stemple slammed it behind him.
“Pray forgive me, my lord,” said Stemple. “I don’t want my actions to reflect poorly on you. But of all the things I wanted to do to him, tripping seemed to be the least offensive.”
“And it delighted us all, though I wish you would have timed your actions so we could have witnessed it. Next time, Victor. Next time. Now where’s Letty?”
“She retired to the library after her rather magnificent speech.”
“Do you want to speak to her alone?” Colin asked Nick.
“No. You all are welcome to come.” When Kate backed away, he took her hand. “And I’d like you to be there.”
They entered the library to find Letty staring out the window. When she turned, it was obvious she’d been crying. “Oh, my sweet girl,” said Nick. “Please don’t cry.”
“Is it true? Are you really not my brother? I didn’t want to let that horrible Mr. Chilcott see that it bothered me, but is it true?”
Nick wanted to kill Simon for the hurt he’d inflicted on this innocent girl who’d already suffered so much.
“Letty, love, what do you know about the circumstances of your birth?”
Now Letty glanced cautiously at Colin, as if she were afraid that what she said would hurt him. “I know people whisper a bad word about me,” she said, as Nick stiffened. “They say it about Anna, too, and Violet Kellington. I know what it means. It means my parents weren’t married to each other. But I figure that if Anna and Violet and I are all the same, it can’t be that bad.” Then she looked at him. “Did people say that about you, too?”
“They still do.”
“And they say it about me,” said Alex, only to have Win put her head on his shoulder.
“You, too?” asked Letty, as Alex nodded.
“People can say some very mean things,” said Nick. “Especially when it concerns a family like ours. But the important people don’t care who our parents were. I don’t care. And you couldn’t be more my sister if we had the exact same mother and father.”
“Really?” asked Letty, so hopeful it broke his heart. “It doesn’t matter to you that we’re not really related?”
“Of course not! You were right about what you told that arse, Simon. Some families we’re born into. Others we make.” He held her and truly felt like an Emerson.
“Nick?” she asked.
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Do you think Kate will mind being my sister if we’re not really related?”
“Letty,” said Kate, as she went to the girl and hugged her. “I hope you’re not saying you don’t want to be my sister, because I want to be yours very much. I’ve never had any brothers or sisters, or a niece. I was hoping ever so much that you would let me be in your family. I daresay it’s one of the most important parts of being Nick’s wife.”
“Of course, we’ll let you in,” said Letty.
They were interrupted by Ava’s sniffling. “It’s just so beautiful.”
Colin handed his wife a handkerchief. “She seems to cry quite a bit these days.”
“Perhaps she finally realized she’s stuck with you,” said James to lighten the mood. He was rewarded with a light swat from his wife.
“No, doubt,” said Colin. “But there is actually another reason. Letty, would you like to tell them?”
“Mama and Papa,” she began, before turning to Kate. “Colin and Ava let me call them that since I didn’t really know my parents. But Mama and Papa are going to have a baby!”
The room exploded with shrieks of delight as everyone either gently hugged the expectant mother or pounded the back of the proud, but nervous father.
As everyone congregated around Ava, Nick pulled Colin aside. “Congratulations. You’ll be an excellent father. But now I really shouldn’t have brought my troubles to you.”
“Nonsense,” said Colin. “That’s what family is for.”
Nick turned away to keep his emotions from overflowing. How odd it was that in his darkest hour, love would burn so bright.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
As Kate undressed in the bedchamber she shared with Nick, she thought about dinner that night. She never could have predicted that a meal with two earls and a marquess could be that casual. Ava had asked Lord Grayson to stay for dinner, then Colin had insisted he spend the night. Kate knew all of the Emersons were worried about Lord Grayson riding back to the castle at night. She didn’t want to believe that a father could kill his own son, but the Emersons had been concerned enough that they weren’t taking any chances with their friend’s safety.
Kate hoped Simon had taken their advice to leave the county. But she had met men like him before and predicted his pride would stand in the way of good sense.
“You like them, do you not?” Nick’s deep voice roused her from her musings.
“Your family? I daresay I love them, even though I’ve only known them for a day. How could I not?”
“They are wonderful people.”
“And they love you so. But I find that is an easy thing to do.”
He was wearing only his silk dressing gown, while she was just in the shift she’d
borrowed from Win. He pulled her into his arms and she thought about how wonderful it was to stand with him that way. She could feel the warmth of his body, the beating of his heart.
They felt as one.
He kissed her. “I know you feel uneasy about the responsibilities of being a countess. But there are some advantages to it. The title comes with the Layton jewels. If I remain the earl, we’ll replace your wedding band with a…”
“You’ll do no such thing!” She stepped back from him. “I love my ring. You had it made especially for me. I will not give it up.”
“You can keep it, of course, but wouldn’t you rather wear a larger stone? You’ll have diamonds, emeralds and sapphires to choose from.”
“I already have a sapphire. And no piece of jewelry could be more precious to me. You can save those Layton jewels for our children.”
“There are other pieces,” he said, looking pleased that the ring meant so much to her. “There are necklaces, bracelets, earbobs and any number of things for your hair. Surely, you’d like to wear those from time to time.”
“Perhaps I can compromise and wear some of the other items. But I’ll not trade my wedding ring.”
“Fair enough, love,” he said, as he pulled her to him again. “Do you have any more things you absolutely will or will not do?”
“Dozens for now,” she said between kisses. “And the list will likely grow as we become better acquainted.”
“I would like to get better acquainted with you right now, if you don’t mind.”
She sighed into his kiss as he moved them to the bed. She was still too shy about their intimacy to tell him just how much she was looking forward to lying with him again. But she trusted him to know her feelings without any words.
“Do you enjoy this?” he asked, as he stroked her arms and back.
So much for not having to speak about their lovemaking.
“I love being with you this way,” she said.
“And I love it, too,” he said, as he slowly removed her shift. Every inch he touched became more and more heated.
He was kissing his way down her body like he had a destination in mind for his journey.
“Nick, where are you going?”
“You will soon find out.”
She stopped him at her hips. “Wouldn’t you like to come up here and kiss me, so we can do those things we did last night?”
“While I would always like to kiss you and I very much look forward to doing those things we did last night, I would like to attend to another part of you for now.” He kissed her right hip, then her left. “Love, you’ll need to let go of me if I’m to continue.”
“Very well,” she said, as she released him and he continued moving downward. “But I do not know what…oh!” Kate was overwhelmed by sensation. Even the delights of the previous night couldn’t compare to what she was experiencing now as Nick kissed and laved her most private area. It was both too much and not enough all at once.
She could feel him smiling as he continued to cast a spell on her. It was as if he’d taken possession of her senses. She felt as if every part of her was tied to where he was. She tried to be quiet, but with each sigh and quiet moan he pulled from her, he grew more and more assertive. He was taking her on a ride that she was powerless to resist until finally she cried out as she splintered from pleasure.
He stayed where he was, even as her legs shook. He kissed her thighs, then pulled himself up to lie on her. She pulled him to her and kissed him greedily. She couldn’t get enough of this man who had changed her life so thoroughly. So wonderfully.
While she was kissing him, he was parting her legs. He carefully pressed himself inside her. They fit together so well, as if they’d been made for each other. Destined to meet. Destined to mate for life. He moved slowly and gently at first, but she was still filled with passion from what he’d done earlier. She wrapped her legs around him to pull him deeper inside her, then was rewarded with a groan. After that, he increased his pace, with her matching his every thrust.
He began losing control, so he quickly put his hand on her and began to stroke. That was all she needed to once again lose herself to passion. He cried out a moment later.
As they lay together, still joined, she realized they’d moved into a future where only one thing was certain: their love for each other.
Then they both fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.
* * *
Rose quietly opened her bedchamber door, then looked out into the hall. Her heart was pounding and she wasn’t certain she could go through with what she’d been planning ever since Nate had agreed to spend the night. But her mission was too important to let cowardice overtake her now.
She quickly ran across the hall to one of the guest bedchambers. She’d decided to knock – it was only common courtesy – then quickly enter before Nate had time to ask who it was and deny her entrance. She stood before the door and took a deep breath. She knocked, then entered, only to find Nate in bed reading.
He wore spectacles. She never would have guessed that.
He wasn’t wearing a shirt. That she should have expected.
He quickly removed his spectacles, placing them on the night stand. “What are you doing here?” he asked. “You’ll pardon me if I don’t get up, but since I hadn’t planned to spend the night, I didn’t bring nightclothes.”
If Rose had been nervous before, it was nothing compared to now when she knew he was unclothed in bed. “I’m certain one of my brothers would have lent you nightclothes.”
“I didn’t think I’d need them,” he said. “I hadn’t anticipated company.” The look he gave her was one of curiosity, mixed with something darker. Almost dangerous. “Why are you here?”
“I wanted to ask you some questions.”
“You could have asked me at dinner.”
“I didn’t want my brothers to hear.”
His gaze turned even darker. She could almost feel it. “If it is something they should not hear, perhaps I shouldn’t, either.”
“Did your father steal those papers out of your desk?”
From his startled expression, it was clear he hadn’t been expecting that question. He quickly schooled his features. “Whatever gave you that idea?”
“Because the desk in your London flat is from the estate. It has an intricate set of locked drawers and was imported from France. I believe your father gave it to you upon your graduation from university.”
“How the devil would you know that?”
“The same way I know so much about you, Nate. I listened. I know you think I’m Colin, James and Nick’s silly young sister. But I’m not. I have watched you and listened to you for my entire life, it seems.”
He was watching her with intense interest now.
She continued. “I know there was only one man who could’ve broken into your desk that quickly. You believe your father is somehow involved in the blackmail and murders and that is what brought you to Bancroft Castle after avoiding it for so long. I believe you plan to force the truth out of him and I am worried you’ll be in danger. Before you tell me I have a wild imagination, I’d like you to accord me the respect of my figuring this out, when it appears even my brothers – your closest friends – have not. Well, Nate? Talk to me.”
* * *
Bloody hell. In all his years working for the Home Office, Nate had fooled countless people, including ruthless criminals who were suspicious of everyone. But Rose had figured it out. Young, sweet Rose. Well, not so young anymore – though too young for him. She was still sweet, but there was a sensuality to her which he’d had the pleasure of experiencing first-hand with their devastating kiss.
And now she was standing in his bedchamber, covered to the neck in prim nightclothes and as alluring as the most skilled seductress. She wasn’t even trying to attract him, yet he felt powerless to resist her. The only reason he hadn’t pulled her into his arms was because he’d have to get out of bed to do so, exposing his arousal which was
achingly hard.
He hadn’t gone back to Bancroft Castle that night because it would’ve been the perfect opportunity for his father to ambush him, blaming his death on highwaymen. But there’d been a second reason he’d stayed. He wanted to be close to Rose, though they’d barely said a dozen words to each other.
He’d escorted her into dinner and just taking her arm had sent waves of desire through him. He’d been unable to fall asleep, knowing she was just across the hall. Then she’d appeared, looking like an angel with whom he’d very much like to misbehave. But then she’d spoken to him of his mission.
It was just like her to have figured things out. She was smart. He’d always known that. He didn’t want to lie to her. But he had to protect her.
“Rose, sweetheart…”
“Don’t ‘sweetheart’ me, Nathaniel. I want the truth.” She stood resolutely at the door.
He tried to think of a plausible lie, but it was hard to think when he wanted her so much. And he had a feeling she’d only keep seeking the truth if he didn’t tell her. “You cannot repeat this to anyone. Not even to your brothers.”
She hesitated a moment. “If you are in trouble, they’ll want to help.”
“Rose, this is serious business.”
“I didn’t think it was otherwise.”
“At least promise me you won’t do anything foolish. If I accord you the respect you deserve by confiding in you, I’ll expect the same from you. We can work on this together. Mind you, I only mean we can discuss things together. You’re not to do anything. Am I understood?”
“Yes.”
He sighed. “Very well. I have been working for the Home Office for several years. I appear to be the wastrel rake to get information.”
“I must say you do the wastrel rake portion of your duties quite well,” she said rather primly.
“I’ll give you a demonstration of my raking ability if you come a bit closer, love.”
Her eyes widened and she stood rooted to the spot. Good. She should have some idea of how close she was to being pulled onto the bed, then given a thorough demonstration of his rakish nature.
Always Believe in Love (Emerson Book 4) Page 22
