Signs of Love and Deliverance

by Tracy Kay

  “You don’t know that.” Madeline smiled weakly, feeling guilty that she brought the subject up.

  “I am not marrying. That is a kind of death all on its own,” she complained dramatically.

  Having had this discussion many times in the past, Madeline sighed, knowing nothing she said would change her friend’s mind. “Marriage cannot be that bad, Jos.”

  “I will not allow a man to do those vile things to me,” Joselyn lied and put her hand up to stop Madeline from speaking. “No, I know what you are going to say. And I won’t agree with you. I have seen what a man does to a woman, you have not. You only have your mother’s sugar-coated version of love and kisses so you will not be frightened of the marriage bed and will do your duty.”

  Joselyn had no intentions of ever marrying, allowing a man to control her every action as Madeline’s brothers controlled her and Deirdre. It had nothing to do with intimate relations. She wasn’t particularly fond of the act, but it was a means to getting what she wanted from a man. Some men were gullible enough for her to use, and the others, like the Cathcart men, she avoided. Joselyn had no remorse in the knowledge that Madeline was naive enough to misunderstand her reasons for refusing to marry. Actually, Joselyn enjoyed causing Madeline some nervousness about marriage. She felt powerful inspiring fear in a resilient, vivacious, and prominent woman such as Madeline Cathcart.

  “That is ridiculous . . .” Madeline started to disagree with Joselyn’s opinion on marriage.

  “I don’t wish to speak of it,” Joselyn interrupted to end the bothersome topic. “I have more things to worry about than your naive ideas of marriage. What am I going to do about Farrington?”

  “Perhaps my brothers can help?” Madeline suggested again with a sigh.

  “Even so, I can’t see what they could do,” she bemoaned, not liking the idea of Madeline’s brothers helping her. She had never met Brandon Cathcart and she had only met Nicholas briefly a few times in the past at various dinner parties and the like. From the stories Madeline told her and the gossip that surrounded her brothers, they were not men who were fooled easily and she didn’t want to deal with them.

  “I don’t know what they can do, but maybe they will have a solution,” Madeline said, defending her brothers.

  “I don’t know about this, Maddy. I don’t want anyone else killed,” she clenched her jaw, trying again to dissuade Madeline from getting her brothers involved.

  “You can’t do this alone, Joselyn, and they might be able to help.” Madeline was positive her brothers would know how to help her friend.

  “Fine,” Joselyn reluctantly agreed. “I will talk to them if you will stop badgering me.”

  “Good.” Madeline took her arm and led her to the dining room.

  “Madeline, I want to get this over with. Can’t I see them now?” Joselyn requested, not wanting to sit through a long dinner and make small talk with the Cathcarts.

  “Everyone is waiting for us in the dining room. We will discuss it after dinner,” Madeline asserted resolutely as they entered the dining room.

  Joselyn took note of the large family being seated as she entered a room twice the size and twice as elaborate as her family’s small, simple dining room. She secretly coveted the polished, heavily carved, chestnut dining ensemble which was complimented by three large, matching crystal chandeliers. The table was set with fine, white linen, delicate, white porcelain with only a hint of a pattern, intricate, silver utensils with the Cathcart crest, and crystal goblets. A fresh cut flower arrangement in the center of the table completed the perfection.

  Madeline steered Joselyn towards Nicholas and Brandon, making the formal introductions. She gestured to Nicholas. “My brother, Nicholas, the Earl of Kylington. Nicholas, you remember Lady Joselyn?”

  “Lady Joselyn, it is a pleasure seeing you again.” Nicholas smiled at her as he briefly inclined his head.

  Turning to Brandon, Madeline introduced her half-brother. “Brandon, this is Lady Joselyn Parker. Joselyn, this is my oldest brother, Brandon Cathcart, the Marquess of Kenrik.”

  “Lady Joselyn.” Brandon bowed briefly and took her hand.

  “It is nice meeting you, my lord,” she replied nervously. Unsettled by his touch, Joselyn quickly removed her hand out of his.

  Nicholas pulled her seat out for her. “Shall we be seated?”

  Joselyn nodded and took the proffered seat. She was hoping she could sit by Madeline, but she found herself sandwiched between the two large men. She was uncomfortable with the arrangement and it showed.

  As they were being served, Madeline asked Brandon and Nicholas to tell them about their voyage, but Joselyn couldn’t concentrate on the conversation. She laughed when everyone else did at the occasional joke or amusing part in the story, but she was only half listening to the discussion because she found the men sitting beside her distracting. She was uneasy around the two powerful, confident men who would never allow anyone to control them, let alone a woman. They were both devastatingly handsome, yet for brothers they looked nothing alike. Nicholas had eyes the color of the sky on a hot, summer day, and his blond hair was streaked with golden highlights which barely touched his shoulders. His skin was lightly tanned as if he had been kissed by the sun. He was tall, slim, and elegantly graceful. Brandon, two years older, was a bit taller with wide muscular shoulders. His disturbingly green eyes glowed with an inner light, framed with extraordinarily long, sooty lashes. His black, silky hair fell past his shoulders and he defied fashion by allowing it to fall freely in disarray. His dark, good looks were compelling and he had a sexual magnetism about him that was quite unnerving.

  Although both men were admired by many, Brandon and Nicholas snubbed society and did as they pleased. From the rumors that were spread about the brothers, Brandon was the more dangerous and secretive of the two. He rarely attended social gatherings despite the many invitations he received and very few people seemed to know much about him, even Madeline refused to discuss his private life with Joselyn. There was nothing secretive about Nicholas. He and Madeline both admit he was a womanizer and quickly became bored with his mistresses. He enjoyed dabbling in horse racing, spending time at his club, and raising a little hell now and again. Joselyn was sure both men were very aware of their effect on women and used that knowledge to their advantage.

  Joselyn couldn’t understand how Madeline was so at ease with these two men. She seemed so excited to be with her domineering brothers, laughing when Brandon teased her, and asking Nicholas endless questions which he answered all too casually. She had the gift of making everyone part of the conversation, even involving her shy sister, Deirdre, in the discussion. Joselyn would never have the gift of gab or the social graces that Madeline had, particularly while Madeline’s brothers sat beside her.

  Nicholas made her so nervous she became clumsy. With disgust at herself, she had dropped her knife three times, her fork twice, and she had spilled her wine. She was keeping count, and every time Nicholas glanced her way or retrieved one of her utensils, her stomach fluttered as if ill. So much for eating dinner.

  Brandon was another matter altogether. He exuded a predatory sensuality Joselyn didn’t quite understand. Whenever his elbow would casually brush against hers, she simply wanted to jump out of her skin. She thought she would faint when he helped her mop up the spilled wine. His presence was overwhelming enough, let alone having him sit beside her or touch her. These are the men who are supposed to help her, and she didn’t think she could live through it.

  Joselyn sighed with relief when the family finally began to leave the table. Her agony was over, until she remembered that she had yet to tell them of her situation. She didn’t know what these men could do to help her, but Madeline seemed to think they could. If Aunt Beatrice was right about Farrington being who she thought he was, then Joselyn would never be able to deal with him on her own. Although she was selfish and she knew it, Joselyn didn’t want anyone else getting hurt and certainly not because of her, but what c
hoice did she have. She really had none but to ask for help, and Madeline did say her brothers were capable of handling someone like Farrington.

  Joselyn sincerely hoped it wasn’t Aaron Farrington, Lord of Brumley. If Aunt Beatrice was right, he had killed most of her family years ago and now possibly Zachary. The thought of him in her life, destroying everything she held dear, terrified her more than Madeline’s brothers. With her realization, she gathered her courage and nodded to Nicholas when he suggested they go to the study.

  As they entered the study, Brandon walked over to the sideboard and began pouring drinks. “Would you ladies like a drink, sherry perhaps?”

  “Yes, please,” Madeline replied as she settled herself in a wing-back chair.

  Nervously picking at her gown, Joselyn said, “No, thank you.”

  “Please sit down, Joselyn.” Nicholas gestured towards the couch and sat beside her, taking her hands in his when she began picking at her gown again. “Joselyn, Maddy has told us about your situation, but we would like to hear it from you, if you don’t mind.”

  “I suppose I should start with why I think it is Aaron Farrington, Lord Brumley, who killed my brother.” Joselyn peered at him shyly, wishing he hadn’t become so familiar by dropping her title and holding her hands. He made her feel vulnerable and she didn’t appreciate it. She glanced away to focus on Madeline and took a deep breath before going on. “My brother was on a hunting trip with some of his friends. He is an expert hunter. He was careful, and he always took care of all his guns so they were in perfect condition. His friend Roger Cummings, Viscount of Dunley, before he died, had said there was no way it was an accident.”

  Joselyn stopped to catch her breath and quickly glanced at Nicholas’ then looked back at Madeline before continuing. “Two days ago, we received a note which said: ‘First the brother, next the sister. Comply or she will die,’ and it was signed A. Farrington. At first, I thought maybe someone was playing a cruel joke, but now, I don’t think so.”

  She paused again, and when Nicholas squeezed her hand in encouragement, she stared down at their joined hands nervously. With a deep breath, she explained. “You see when I was a child, my family was massacred the night my parents were giving a ball. The only survivors were my Aunt Beatrice, Zachary, Jeremy, and myself. When my brother died and we received the note, my aunt told me that Farrington, Lord Brumley, had been a suspect in the killings. He had been trying to buy my father’s lands and he wouldn’t sell, but it couldn’t be proved that Farrington was guilty of the killings.”

  She glanced up and met Nicholas’ eyes. “Yesterday, after talking with Madeline, I went through my brother’s study, and I found several letters from Farrington demanding and threatening Zachary to sell our land to him, but he wouldn’t sell. According to Aunt Beatrice, my father had received similar letters like the ones Zachary received, which is why I believe he is behind my brother’s death. The current note never mentioned the land, and I would gladly sell him the land, but I don’t know if that is what he wants. I thought of hiring someone to find out if Farrington actually is behind this, but I don’t know if I can trust a stranger to do this. I simply don’t know what to do,” Joselyn sobbed dramatically, covering her face with her hands.

  Nicholas put his arm around her shoulders and handed her his handkerchief.

  “You will help her, won’t you?” Madeline asked imploringly, gazing up at Brandon who had moved to stand behind her after handing her a glass of sherry.

  Brandon put his hands on her shoulders to reassure her. “We will do what we can, Madeline. But first we need to find out if Farrington is the one threatening Joselyn. I would like to see that note and the letters,” Brandon replied, noticing his brother’s affection towards Joselyn and her show of emotion, which he wasn’t sure was sincere.

  “I will have them sent over right away.” Pulling away from Nicholas, Joselyn simpered weakly and wiped away her tears. “How can I ever repay you? I . . .”

  “Don’t worry about it for now.” Nicholas stood up, bringing her with him and leading her to the door.

  Madeline stood also and quickly gave Brandon and Nicholas a hug. “I knew I could count on you.” She tugged on Joselyn’s arm and headed for the hall.

  As Madeline and Joselyn left the study, Brandon poured them another drink. He handed Nicholas his glass, moved to stand in front of the fireplace, and regarded his brother as he sipped his brandy. “You want her,” he stated bluntly.

  “What?” Nicholas was startled out of his reverie.

  “You want her,” Brandon repeated and swirled the amber liquid in his glass.

  “I do not,” Nicholas stated defensively.

  Brandon raised one sculpted, black eyebrow and grinned knowingly.

  “I do not,” Nicholas denied again and downed his drink in one swallow. He was attracted to the girl and felt sorry for her, but he had no inclination of getting involved with an innocent, particularly one of Madeline’s friends.

  Brandon chuckled at his brother’s blatant denial. “Nicki, I can sense your desire, so give over.”

  “Damn it, Brandon,” Nicholas grumbled, unable to hide his embarrassment or his reddening face. “Damn you, your perception, and your senses,” Nicholas spit out as he went over to pour another drink, uncomfortably aware of his half-brother’s sensuality and cat-like senses. Brandon always seemed to know how he was feeling and when he was attracted to a woman. Nicholas knew his brother could seduce a woman, and a man for that matter, with a mere gaze or simple touch, and his sensuality could make a person uncomfortable. At times, it even made him uneasy and the man was his brother.

  Brandon chuckled at his brother’s discomfort and tossed down the rest of his brandy.

  As Nicholas refilled Brandon’s glass, he said, “She is Madeline’s friend for god’s sake.”

  “And?”

  “And she is frightened of me. She shakes every time I touch her.”

  “I frighten her. You make her nervous,” Brandon disclosed frankly. “There is a difference.”

  “Nervous?” Nicholas asked, puzzled.

  “Yes, she wants you too,” he explained. “Only she doesn’t know it yet.”

  “That is ridiculous,” Nicholas rejected the notion, refusing to consider it.

  “Is it?” Brandon raised an eyebrow.

  “How would I know? Besides, she is an innocent.”

  “No, she isn’t.” Brandon recognized an innocent when he met one, and Joselyn Parker, perhaps innocent in love, was very experienced in the ways of sex. She may be able to deceive others, but she could not deceive him.

  “She lost her brother recently. She is in mourning,” Nicholas argued, trying to deny the attraction he had for his sister’s friend.

  “This is true. But she also needs a decisive man with a firm hand, even though she doesn’t recognize that need. I think Joselyn has had her way for too long. She enjoys manipulating people weaker than she. She has Madeline where she wants her,” he said in exasperation at his naive sister. “Joselyn needs a man who can curb her unscrupulous ways and reign her in a bit. She needs a man like you, Nick, and given a little time and the right persuasion, you will have her in your bed and under control.”

  “Perhaps,” Nicholas replied, peering into his glass and hating that his brother was right about Joselyn. He was always right about things like this. Changing the subject, he asked, “What about Farrington?”

  “I will worry about Farrington.” Brandon grimaced. He was not looking forward to dealing with the man. “You worry about keeping Joselyn and her brother safe.”

  “Yes, I will do that, but I won’t let you deal with Farrington alone,” Nicholas stated.

  “You don’t need . . .”

  Nicholas interrupted him. “She asked both of us, remember?”

  “If that is what you want,” Brandon placated, having no intention of allowing his brother to get involved with Farrington.

  Unaware that Brandon was humoring him, Nicholas sat down. �
��I will have Joselyn and Jeremy move in tomorrow. That will keep them close where we can keep an eye on them. Madeline will love that. Stephen will be home in the next day or two and there will be three of us protecting them.”

  “We should send Madeline to the country estate with Jared and Deirdre. It may keep her out of mischief,” Brandon mused, wanting his sister safe and out of danger.

  “That is right. Our parents and the children are leaving tomorrow. I completely forgot. But you know Madeline isn’t going to leave. She hates the country. She finds it too lonely, even with the children to keep her company. Besides, it is in the middle of the season. She won’t want to miss any of it.”

  “I suppose you are right,” Brandon sighed in resignation. “She would only find a way to return and get herself into trouble. Now that I think on it, I would rather have Madeline, Jared, and Deirdre close so I can keep an eye on them.

  “That seems best.” Nicholas nodded before adding, “I wish Madeline was more like the other children.” Nicholas thought that perhaps if she tried to be more like Deirdre, shy, demure and obedient, she would have a happier life.

  “You do realize, Nick, that Jared and Deirdre are no longer children,” Brandon commented, changing the subject. He hated it when Nicholas compared the spirited Madeline to Deirdre.

  “They are barely out of the cradle,” Nicholas scoffed. He would never see Jared and Deirdre as a young man and a young woman coming into their own.

  “They are eighteen and sixteen, Nick. You can’t ignore that they are growing up. Deirdre will have her coming out soon,” Brandon explained, having a hard time himself seeing his little sister all grown up.

  Nicholas groaned at the prospect. “Great, as if I don’t have enough problems dealing with Maddy’s beaus.”

  “That many?” Brandon smirked, knowing exactly how many beaus Madeline had and who they were. He knew of all the callers his brothers and sisters received. Brandon made it a point to be aware of their friends and associates and of the things they did. If he didn’t approve, he would step in and take care of the situation, using any means necessary.