“Really?” Sebastian skewered the vicar with his eyes. “Were you the one in charge of this little plot, or do you answer to another man? Engle was nothing more than a pawn, was he? And Billings.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Hacker dropped his spoon. “Really!”
“You’re lying.” Sebastian leaned over the table. “You know exactly what’s going on with this disease. The only question not determined is whether you’re the brains behind the plot or whether you’re simply another disposable pawn, like the teacher and headmaster.”
“I’m in charge,” the vicar yelled. “I’m nobody’s pawn, you fool.” Quicker than a snake, he’d pulled a pistol from under his cassock and aimed it at Minnie’s head. “Those fools knew nothing—their deaths were just a diversion, so you wouldn’t keep asking questions around here. But you couldn’t do that, could you? And now I have a hostage. Bring me the girl and I’ll let the mother live.”
“No.” Minnie looked into the eyes she’d always thought kind. Why hadn’t she seen the insanity behind them until now? She turned to lock eyes with Sebastian. “Take care of Ivy. That’s all that matters.”
“The hell it is.” Sebastian drew his own pistol. “Let her go, Reverend, or you die, here and now.”
“Oh, I expect I will,” the vicar cackled. “But my work will live on. My partner will see to that. Still, there’s a chance to save this little harlot. All I want is the girl. I need to discover why she survived. She’s living proof that my creation can work. I’ll be able to save humanity—I’ll be the most famous scientist who ever lived.”
“Your bacteria?” Wink stepped forward, also holding a gun in her hand, but it wasn’t a normal pistol. “I can tell you that Ivy’s survival had everything to do with herself and nothing to do with your pathetic excuse at biological engineering. You’ll never be lauded as a savior. You’re nothing but a murderer—even worse, a killer of children.”
“No, it will work!” Hacker screeched and moved the gun closer to Minnie. “I’m a serious scholar of natural science. Far better than that idiot Darwin, who thinks he’s the greatest mind who ever lived. I will prevail. And my Deborah will live! She hasn’t got much longer. It has to work soon. I must have the girl!”
“Too late.” Minnie lunged out of her chair, driving her dagger into Hacker’s bony rib cage.
A bullet sounded so close it deafened her, but she didn’t feel any pain. Not until the chair tipped and she landed on the ground beneath Hacker’s twitching body. Her head hit the floor hard, and the world spun for a moment as pain seared through her skull. Once again, she lay pinned beneath a bleeding assailant. All the old fear and horror rushed through her, and Minnie moaned, unable to summon the strength to even push him away.
Finally someone yanked the weight off her and Sebastian lifted her, holding her tightly in his arms. “Minerva! Are you hurt?”
She tried to shake her head, but it made her dizzy so she laid her cheek against his broad shoulder. “Hit my head a little. All right, though. Reverend Hacker?” She found she didn’t really care if she’d killed him, not after what he’d done. She’d have no nightmares about this incident—not since it ended with Ivy safe and Minnie in Sebastian’s arms.
“Dead, but not by your hand. The duke had a clear shot as soon as you leaped. You were magnificent, darling. You, clever, brave, wonderful girl.” He kissed her, right there in front of everyone.
* * *
Seb paced his parlor floor, waiting for Dr. Grant to emerge from Minerva’s bedroom. Finally the physician did, smiling at Seb as he descended the stairs. “Just a bump on the head, my lad. Nothing to worry about. If she starts to get dizzy or nauseous, give me a call. Otherwise, just let her rest until she feels better.”
“Thank you.” He saw the doctor out, assured the Claypooles that all was well and took the stairs two at a time up to see Minerva.
Mrs. C had helped her change into a nightgown before the doctor arrived, and helped wash away all the traces of Hacker’s blood. She gave Seb a nervous smile from her position against the pillows. “Hullo, Sebastian.”
“You look better,” he blurted. “Not so hurt or terrified.”
“I am.” She sighed. “Just a bump, like I told you. I’ll be able to move back to my flat and find a new job in no time. Wink said she was sure she could help me find a good situation.”
“About that.” He moved forward until he could reach her hand. Then he picked it up and sat beside her on the bed. “You could stay here. You and Ivy. There’s always the possibility that Hacker really did have a mastermind or partner or benefactor behind him. We can’t be utterly sure that you’ll be safe.”
Minerva’s eyes filled with tears. She scooted up until she was sitting against the headboard, but didn’t pull her hand from his. “That’s sweet, but you know we can’t. It just wouldn’t be proper. I couldn’t do that to Ivy, or to you. We’ll just move away—change our names again. Your friends have connections all over the country.”
Seb shook his head. Damn his inability to articulate his thoughts. “That’s not what I meant. I just want you to stay. After having you here, I don’t want to be alone anymore.”
“Neither do I, Sebastian, but for how long? It could be days, or years, before we find out if there was another madman, let alone capture him. In the meanwhile, Ivy and I would be living in limbo—neither guest nor servant nor anything respectable. You know that isn’t possible. We have to get on with our lives.”
Seb gripped the post of her bed. “You’re not listening. I don’t want you to be my mistress, or a guest, and sure as hell not a damned servant. Marry me, Minerva. To hell with our possible mastermind. You’ll be safe with me. You know I can protect you both.”
“Protect us, yes.” She choked on her words but held his gaze with courage and grace. “But how long would it be before you resented a match made out of obligation? I won’t do that to you. I care for you too much for that, Sebastian. And I have too much respect for myself to be such a low creature as a forced wife. I promise you, Ivy and I will be somewhere safe, but we simply can’t stay here.”
“But...I care for you too. Both of you, though not the same way, of course.” He forced his voice to keep working. He absolutely could not let himself cry like an infant. “That’s why I want to get married. Then we can live here together, the three of us a family. That’s what I want, mastermind or no. I just don’t want you to go away.”
Tears leaked from her eyes. “You’re serious? This isn’t about the criminal?”
He shrugged and raked his hair with his free hand. “I know the Order would take care of you, find you someplace safe. The thing is, I’d miss you. Both of you. This place has finally started to feel like a home, for the first time since I was a boy. I’ll accept any conditions you ask for, settlements, all of that. Even if you wanted a marriage of convenience, that would be all right. That is, I’d do my best not to bother you.” He wasn’t entirely sure he could keep that promise, but he would try if it convinced her to stay. He was in desperate straits.
“Oh, Sebastian. That’s not it at all.” She caught his other hand in hers and squeezed. “I’d be foolish to deny the passion we could have between us. But that’s not enough to make a marriage. Plus, I’m still afraid you’re asking out of pity. I don’t want to be your lifelong charity case.”
“Not pity.” He leaned over and kissed her. He kept it gentler than the night before, but the effect on him was no less intense. When it was done she looked up at him with watery eyes and swollen lips. His heart soared at the hope in her expression.
“Never pity.” He cleared his throat. “Not at all. I just need you.”
“I love you, Sebastian.” She held his gaze with hers. “I love you with all my heart. Knowing that, are you still willing to have me?”
Something lodged in his own throat. Unable to speak, he merely nodded.
She smiled brilliantly, making him feel as if the sun had come out after years of fo
g. “Then yes. I’ll marry you, as long as you’re willing to be a father to Ivy.”
He swallowed hard and croaked out, “Of course.” Then, “And any others that come along, perhaps?”
“Perhaps.” Minerva looked down at their hands. “I may be too old, you know. Or we may just...not. That isn’t something I can promise you.”
“I know. It doesn’t matter. We’ll take that as it comes, like everyone else. But I wouldn’t mind giving Ivy some brothers or sisters.” Either way, he’d have her and Ivy, which was still enough of a family for anyone. Seb’s heart was full enough to burst. He squeezed his eyes shut. “I love you too, Minerva.”
She leaned forward and into his arms. “I know, Sebastian. I know.”
Epilogue
They buried Jane the following day, with several of Sebastian’s friends in attendance to lend support. It was cold but unseasonably sunny, as if the angels smiled down on them. Minnie shed a few tears, but the worst had been the night before. With Sebastian’s tender care, Minnie finally allowed herself to grieve the loss of her sister of the heart.
Unlike Cathleen, Jane rested in a pretty cemetery, with a modest but heartfelt stone, while Cathleen was somewhere in an unmarked pauper’s grave. To assuage Minnie’s regret about that, Sebastian had arranged a second stone, for Ivy’s natural mother. Someday, when Ivy was older, Minnie would bring her here and tell her about Cathleen. Blinking in the sunshine, with Sebastian’s arm around her waist, Minnie laid bright bouquets of hothouse flowers beside both stones. A Chapter of Minnie’s life was closed, but she didn’t fall into despair. Other chapters were just beginning.
By contrast, Minnie’s wedding day was dark and rainy, but she didn’t care. Three weeks after Hacker’s death, she and Sebastian stood before a different reverend and said their vows in the neighborhood church near his home.
The duke gave Minnie away and Wink acted as matron of honor, with Liam as best man. Ivy scattered rose petals as she led her mother up the aisle. Minnie and Ivy wore gowns of palest blue, made by Minnie’s own hands, and Sebastian was more handsome than ever in his formal morning suit. His snooty cousin looked down his nose from the front row, but they ignored him. Sebastian’s friends from the Order and his police coworkers filled the pews of the small chapel, along with neighbors, Minnie’s former coworkers and Ivy’s former teachers. Miss Meg, the missionary’s daughter, had somehow managed to convince the new vicar to let her stay on as headmistress. She’d also recommended a friend, a young woman of African descent, who was now installed as Ivy’s governess in the third floor of Sebastian’s house. Ivy was in alt at having a room of her own, as well as about gaining a father. That she and Sebastian clearly adored each other was something that warmed Minnie’s heart on a daily basis.
The case had been concluded, with no evidence to indicate another mastermind. Sebastian still wasn’t sure, but there was no way to know. They’d found Hacker’s laboratory up in the attic over the church. They’d also found out he’d lost a granddaughter to black lung the same year his wife died from cancer. Evidently the two tragedies together had pushed him over the edge. Order scientists would study his microbes and see if eventually, anything good could be done with them.
When the ceremony ended, and Sebastian gazed at her with passion and deepest tenderness, she grew hot inside. Tonight Ivy would stay with the Hadrians, and all the servants had the night off. Minnie and Sebastian would be alone in the house, to finally consummate their relationship. Blast Sebastian’s stubbornness, but he’d insisted upon waiting until after the ceremony. Although she understood it was to show his respect for her, Minnie was past all patience. She couldn’t wait until the wedding supper was over and she could get him alone.
As she and Sebastian waited at the church door to greet their guests, Minnie struggled to identify them all. She suddenly had such a wide circle of acquaintances. The last to leave was a woman of perhaps thirty, with deep blue eyes and dark gold hair. Her arm was held tightly in the hand of a rather ordinary-looking man, with round gold spectacles and an out-of-fashion suit.
Minnie looked into the eyes of the other woman and seventeen years fell away. “Diana?”
Diana nodded. “Oh, Minnie, it really is you.” Weeping, she flung herself into Minnie’s arms.
Later, at the wedding supper, Diana explained. “Your Sebastian found me. I live in the Midlands now. I sold all of Father’s businesses when he died—I wanted nothing to do with him. Half the money is still put away in your name. But I could never find any trace of a Minerva Sheridan.”
“She used Shepherd, and Shaw,” Sebastian said. “I had to do some digging to come up with Sheridan. I owe Wink for using her analytical engines to find that out. Minerva, dearest, your sister has been looking for you for years.”
“Really?” Minnie blinked back tears of her own as she hugged her sister again. “You’ve no idea how I dreamed of seeing you again. Look at us now, all grown up.”
“I know.” Diana grinned. “And we’re even more spectacular than we were as the young Miss Sheridans.”
Minnie grinned. “Agreed. Today we’re the two loveliest matrons in London.” Diana might be the beauty of the two, but Minnie didn’t care. She had Sebastian, although Diana’s husband, Nigel, a farmer of all things, seemed perfectly nice. They had three children, all at school, Diana had said. Finally, she and Nigel took their leave, after promising long visits later. The other guests followed, and soon, Sebastian lifted Minnie in his arms and carried her up the stairs.
Much later, Minnie lay in her new husband’s arms, limp, sweaty and replete with happiness. “Thank you.”
He ran his hand down her arm and chuckled. “For the lovemaking? Anytime, my dear.”
“For that too—more than I can say. But also for Diana. You couldn’t have given me a better wedding gift. It’s so good to know how she has thrived.”
“I’m sorry about your parents.” He grunted. “That they’re dead, that is. Even if they were asses.”
“I lost them a long time ago. It’s all right.” Trying not to laugh at his awkward logic, she kissed him, knowing it really was fine. All the misery in her past had brought her here, to Sebastian’s arms, which she wouldn’t trade for the world. “I’m quite content with the family I have now. You. Ivy. Diana. Even your elevated friends and your stuffy cousin. And the Claypooles.”
“I’ve never been happier, my darling. I love you.” He kissed her gently, and her body, which she’d assumed was utterly spent, began to stir all over again.
“I love you too, husband.” She shifted to straddle him and licked her lips. “Let me show you.”
* * * * *
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Author of more than forty popular books and novellas in paranormal, historical and erotic romance, Cindy Spencer Pape is an avid reader of romance, fantasy, mystery and even more romance. According to The Romance Studio, her plots are “full of twist and turns that keep the reader poised at the edge of their seat.” Joyfully Reviewed said her “colorful characters and plot building surprises kept me spellbound,” and Romantic Times magazine says her “characters are appealing, and passionate sex leads to a satisfying romance.”
Cindy firmly believes in happily ever after. Married for more than twenty-five years to her own, sometimes-kilted hero, she lives in southern Michigan with him and two college-age sons, along with an ever-changing menagerie of pets. Cindy has been, among other things, a banker, a teacher and an elected politician, but mostly an environmental educator, though now she is lucky enough to write full-time. Her degrees in zoology and animal behavior almost help her comprehend the three male humans who share her household.
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