Bittersweet Obsession

by Rachel Blake

  He dropped down next to her and puller her into his arms. “Christ, woman, you are as exquisite as I’d imagined. He kissed her forehead. “And trust me I’d been imagining it a lot.”

  Jane smiled as she snuggled into his embrace, once again taking in his intoxicating scent and taking comfort in the strength of his arms. As far as she was concerned, she could go for the rest of her life without another reminder of her past. She’d found her home and happiness and nothing, not even a vicious, plotting stepmother was going to stand in the way of it. Once again her lids felt heavy. Her legs ached and her most private regions felt tender and raw. She’d never felt better in her life.

  CHAPTER 27

  Father stood staring out the massive drawing room window as Angel entered the room. The winter sky was a vivid shade of blue and sunlight poured through the leaded window panes casting an array of patterns across the floor.

  “I can’t understand why we have not seen nor heard word from Baron Rowntree,” Father said, his gaze still riveted to the window as if just speaking about the man would somehow conjure his carriage outside. “He should have left London days ago.”

  Angel sat in the chair near the hearth and lit a cheroot. He took a long draw on it and watched the thin curl of smoke snake up and vanish. “Yes, I’ve been losing a great deal of sleep over his absence myself,” he drawled.

  The old man’s fist hit the top of the pianoforte hard enough that the keys clamored with a discordant sound. “Well, you should be concerned. His visit will mean a great deal of money.”

  “There is enough to keep the manor running and horses in the stables. I have everything I need here.” How untrue this sentiment was just a short time ago, but with Jane in his life he truly needed nothing else.

  Father walked over and sat down hard on the settee. Sweat beaded on his forehead and his chest heaved with strained breaths. The man’s health deteriorated daily. At first Angel had convinced himself that the strain produced by his immoral experiments and concern for keeping the Baron’s interest caused his father’s bouts of illness, but now it seemed that his poor health was here permanently.

  “Perhaps you are satisfied with this pathetic existence, Angel. Perhaps that is my fault. Splendor and fine living died with your lovely mother. I’ve used our fortune badly, but I refuse to continue on like this. I’m tired of rationing handfuls of coal in winter. I’m tired of eating the flesh off of the same game hen for a week. God knows Ellie does her best to make things palatable in that poorly appointed kitchen of hers, but I long for the days of grand feasts, sumptuous deserts, and expensive brandy. Is it too much to ask for an old man to enjoy his final years?”

  “You bring on your own sorrows, Father. You’ve driven yourself to madness with this one quest for immortality, and while I admit you are truly a genius, I believe it has robbed you of enjoyment in your last years.” He looked at his father. The man had aged a decade in the past month.

  “Once Baron Rowntree has arrived, this will all be over. He’ll witness my successes and sign over the sum of money he’s promised. Then I will be free to spend my days drinking fine wine and eating fine pastries.”

  “I’ve already told you I won’t take part in this. You will not use Jane either. The Baron will have to be satisfied with Zander.”

  Father’s face reddened and the veins on the side of his neck bulged over his shirt collar. “The hell you won’t! Rowntree will see Jane and you will tell him that you saw her dead before I brought her to life.”

  Angel’s gaze shot to the doorway. “Lower your voice, old man.” Angel glared at him and his father shrank back.

  “Jane is outside building a snowman with Zander. She can’t hear us.” Father pushed himself off the couch and even standing seemed a chore. “I’m going to lie down. Don’t forget, Angel, this is still my house and Jane and Zander are beneath my roof. I will use them for whatever purpose I need. With or without your assistance.” He shuffled out of the room.

  Angel tossed his half-smoked cheroot into the fire. He still didn’t trust Zander enough to leave Jane alone with him. He headed outside to the yard to keep an eye on her. He’d never felt so protective over anything in his life. On the battlefield it was true that he’d spent far more time watching Edward’s back than his own, and he’d tormented himself for failing in his quest to keep his friend from harm, but with Jane his feelings were so profound he knew that he would go to any length to keep her safe. She was frail and vulnerable and she’d endured so much horror in her life already. He would never forgive himself if she came to harm.

  A large lump of snow had been piled up next to the shoveled path and two rocks had been placed for what Angel could only assume were meant to be snowman eyes. Zander’s booming, deep voice rolled out of the stables.

  Jane stood over a stall door petting Titus’s muzzle while Zander stared in awe at the line of leather bridles hanging from hooks along the wall. John was busy shoveling manure. He looked up and relief washed over his face when he saw Angel. Zander had a tendency to make the boy nervous and for good reason.

  Jane smiled broadly at Angel. “I wish someday you would let me ride your horse,” she said. “I’m a good horsewoman. I remember riding all over the countryside near our home.”

  Angel walked over to her and instantly he had the urge to touch her. His hand reached up to touch the horse but his fingers went instinctively to the soft skin on the back of her hand. “And where was this home?” he asked. One day, he’d decided, he would pay a visit to the wretched woman Jane called stepmother. Just thinking about the witch made his blood boil, and he could not rest easily until he was certain that she would never come after Jane again. He surmised that her obsession with Jane had something to do with an inheritance. And a murderous, greedy woman like that would not give up until she got what she wanted.

  Jane dropped her hand from Titus’s muzzle and Angel took hold of it. “I cannot remember exactly where,” she said quietly, “but it was north of London.” She drifted off in thought a moment. “I remember that father had planted rows of pink roses around the border of the yard.” Her long, black lashes fluttered down and a small pout pursed her soft lips. “They are all gone now though,” she said sadly.

  Angel rubbed his rough thumb over her full bottom lip. “Well, that does not exactly narrow it down too much, but it will come to you.”

  Jane lifted his hand and pressed it against her heart. “Promise me that you will never go there, Angel. She is dangerous and cruel and—”

  “Don’t give it another thought,” Angel said. “It’s a beautiful day. Let’s take a walk over to the gazebo. The view of the sea should be perfect. Besides, I need to get Zander out of here. John needs to work and Zander makes him nervous.”

  Her beautiful face brightened again. “I would love that.” She glanced over at Zander who had set about counting the hooks on the wall. “Zander, let’s take a walk.”

  Zander did not hear her at first and he seemed to be lost in his strange world of solitude. She walked over and placed her hand on his arm. He looked down at her as if he’d forgotten she was there. “Jane,” he said loudly.

  “Yes, it’s me.” She was so small next to him but she never shrank in his presence. She’d seen how dangerous the man could be, but she stood bravely next to him and spoke with confidence. “We’re going on a walk.”

  Zander glanced back at the hooks as if he wasn’t completely convinced that he should leave them but then he nodded and followed Jane out of the stables. He lumbered on ahead and Angel took the opportunity to grab Jane up and kiss her once. Then she wrapped her hands around his arm and they walked toward the pungent scent of the ocean.

  “The sun actually feels warm today,” Jane said as she held tightly to him.

  “I would say in another month the ice and snow will melt and we’ll start seeing signs of life in this stark landscape.” How different the coming spring seemed now. Just a month ago he’d been waiting anxiously for the snow to melt and the roa
ds to free up so he could leave Greystock for good. But now that had all changed.

  Zander raced ahead to the gazebo leaving massive footprints in the snow as he went. By the time Angel and Jane had reached the ornate iron structure, Zander had become mesmerized by the unlit stumps of candles still adorning it. He reached up with thick fingers and touched the wicks gingerly to see if they were still hot.

  “No flames today,” Angel told him.

  His giant shoulders drooped and he trudged out of the gazebo vibrating the wrought iron framework with each heavy step. Once back in the snow, he spotted his own trail of deep footprints and spent the next several minutes counting them.

  Jane braced her hands on the seaside edge of the gazebo and stared out at the endless navy blue water. Angel pressed up behind her, and she rested her head back against his chest. “I would love to journey on a boat one day,” she said. “The world seems so endless, and a voyage seems so romantic.” She twisted around and peered up at him. “Have you traveled on the sea before?” Then a shy grin turned up one corner of her mouth. “I feel I know so much about you and yet I know very little.”

  “I’m not all that deep and complicated, I’m afraid. But I have traveled on a ship before, both as a soldier and as a civilian. I’m afraid I must disappoint you. It is not terribly romantic. Uncomfortable, cramped, and unsanitary— yes, romantic— no.” He reached up and smoothed his finger down her small nose. “Of course, several months stuck in cramped quarters with you as my sailing mate— I might be convinced to change my opinion.” He lowered his hand and reached beneath her cloak, his thumb immediately finding its target, her erect nipple. He rubbed a circle over the fabric of her dress and she closed her eyes, grabbed hold of his coat, and pressed against his teasing finger. His face lowered and he nibbled her neck then pressed his mouth to her ear. “In fact, I’m certain I would change my opinion.” A small shiver ran through her, and he wrapped his free arm around her and pulled her belly against the erection bulging in his breeches. “I say we cut this little adventure short, send Zander into the kitchen with Ellie, and take a rest in my bed.”

  She smiled up at him. “But I’m not tired.”

  “Exactly.” His mouth came down over hers, and he kissed her long and deep until a block of snow smacked the back of his head. Zander stood behind them with a ridiculous grin and a pile of snow in his big hand. He heaved it at them and ran, laughing like a mischievous school boy.

  Angel sighed and brushed the chunks of ice from his shoulder. “It looks like someone is not finished playing in the snow yet.”

  Jane plucked some snow from his hair. “I’ll entertain him for awhile until he gets tired.” She hopped up on her tiptoes and kissed him. “Who knows, maybe then I’ll be ready for that rest.” She winked at him and pulled her hood up over her head.

  Angel sat down along the bench of the gazebo and pulled out a cheroot. Jane tossed snow at Zander, and the two ran around chasing each other. Angel could not draw his gaze away from Jane. Her every movement stirred his blood. And Zander was like a tame kitten around her. While Angel never let down his guard when Zander was near, he felt certain that the last thing the simple-minded man wanted was to hurt her.

  Several gulls floated in the blue sky that hung over the ocean, and the constant sea breeze negated the sun’s warmth. Giant puffs of steam shot out of Zander’s mouth as he laughed almost uncontrollably. Jane’s plan was working. It would not be long before he was tired and ready to go inside. Angel dreamt of several scenarios he planned to play out with Jane once they were behind closed doors, and in every one of them she was completely naked and completely his.

  Angel rested his head back and took a long draw on his cheroot. The tobacco was bitter and warm in his throat as he blew out several rings of smoke. Jane’s excited scream filled his ears, and he wished she was lying naked beneath him right there in the gazebo. She screamed again and this time it sounded more urgent. Angel shot up from the bench and his heart nearly leapt from his chest.

  Jane was draped like a sack of flour over Zander’s shoulder. He was laughing hysterically and running pell mell toward the edge of the cliffs.

  Angel shot out of the gazebo and raced after them. His leg was still weak from the wound and it gave way several times as his feet pounded the frozen ground. “Zander, stop!” he yelled but the beast paid no heed to him nor to Jane’s screams. Angel could see Jane’s small fists pounding Zander’s back, but the pummeling didn’t slow his pace.

  Angel closed the gap but there was no way he would reach them before they got to the cliffs. Angel’s heart beat in his throat and blood pulsed in his ears. The nightmare that had unfolded in front of him was so surreal, he momentarily tried to convince himself to wake up. But the bitter wind in his face and Jane’s helpless screams were all too real.

  They neared the edge. Angel was still fifty meters away when, through the pounding of his heart, he heard Jane speak in a loud, authoritative voice.

  “Zander, put me down this instant or you’ll not have any pudding tonight.”

  The giant stopped in his tracks and lowered Jane to the ground. He stared down at his feet like a scolded child. Angel reached them and wondered if he would ever be able to slow his pulse rate back to normal.

  Zander’s face shot up as Angel stepped near them. His eyes bulged in fear, and he took several steps backward.

  Angel put up his hand to stop his retreat. “It’s all right, Zander, I’m not mad.” He motioned with his fingers. “Come, Brother. Let’s back away from the cliff and go back to the house.”

  Zander looked around nervously then without warning he ran toward the edge and jumped.

  Jane screamed and collapsed to her knees, covering her face with her hands. Angel ran to the edge and forced himself to look down. Zander’s massive body lay lifeless on the rocks below. A wave curled up over his legs and pulled him from the perch. Angel watched in disbelief as the man, his father’s creature once brought to life from death, floated away to his permanent watery grave.

  Jane was still kneeling in the snow when Angel reached her. Her shoulder’s bounced in silent sobs as she cried into her hands. He leaned down and picked her up. She pressed her face against his coat and cried as he carried her all the way back to the house.

  Ellie’s uncanny instincts had already brought her to the back steps. She looked at Angel and Jane then looked past them for Zander. Her mouth fell open and her ruddy skin paled. “What has happened?” she asked weakly. She quickly ran to open the door for Angel. He carried Jane straight up to her room.

  Ellie helped remove Jane’s cloak and shoes and they tucked her beneath her bed quilts. “I will bring her some tea,” Ellie said with no further inquiries. The woman seemed to sense that the worst had happened.

  “Put some of Father’s brandy in it,” Angel called to Ellie.

  Ellie stood at the door and looked back at him for a long moment then left. Angel followed her into the hall and took hold of her arm. Ellie looked up at him with cloudy eyes that were glassy from tears.

  “I’m sorry, Ellie. Zander jumped from the sea cliffs.”

  Ellie’s face dropped and she stared down at the floor. “Stupid, stupid man,” she said with a waver in her tone. She picked up the end of her apron and wiped her eyes. “I’ll get that tea.”

  Angel walked back into Jane’s bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed. Jane pushed back the quilts and climbed into his lap. “Why did he do it?” she asked between cries. “Why would he jump to his death?”

  Angel thought back to the few times he’d contemplated the very same fatal jump. The nightmares of war had plagued him endlessly, and his father’s bizarre lifestyle had only added to the darkness. He rubbed his chin over the top of Jane’s head. All seemed lost to the blackness that had invaded his soul until the girl he held now in his arms had lifted it and replaced it with her own unique brand of light. “I don’t think he did it intentionally. He seemed worried that he was in trouble, and it seemed he ran towa
rd the cliff without understanding the consequences.”

  Jane gulped in a loud breath. “That poor, poor man.” She pressed her face into his shirt and he could feel her warm tears soak through the fabric and wet his skin. He squeezed her against him.

  “I’m certain his death was instantaneous. At least, in that, we can take comfort that he didn’t suffer,” Angel said.

  Ellie knocked lightly and pushed open the door. The cup of steaming tea had the aroma of brandy. Jane held the cup in shaky fingers and sipped. She scrunched up her nose and pursed her lips at the taste of alcohol.

  “Too much brandy?” Ellie asked. “I could make a new cup.”

  Jane shook her head and took a longer sip. “No, it’s perfect, Ellie.” The rims of Ellie’s eyes were swollen, and her nose was swollen as well. “Oh, Ellie, I’m so sorry. I know how much Zander meant to you.” The last word rolled out on a sob.

  “The crazy lout—” Ellie pulled a handkerchief from her apron pocket, turned away, and blew her nose loudly. She swallowed and took a deep breath. “It’ll be awfully lonely in that kitchen without him.” She placed her arm on Angel. “I know the boy didn’t have any family to speak of but you must break the news to your father. I’m afraid he’s doing very poorly this afternoon. I worry how this will affect him.”

  “I’ll let him know directly, Ellie.”

  Jane drained the tea cup and the soothing qualities of the brandy seemed to have already taken effect. Her eyes drifted shut. Angel laid her back against her pillows and drew the quilt up around her. He put his arm around Ellie’s shoulder and walked her out of the room.

  “You might mix yourself up one of those magical cups of tea as well. I know I’ll be heading down to the liquor cabinet before I face Father. I, too, worry how he will take the news.”