Abandoned to the Night (The Brotherhood Series, Book 3)

by Adele Clee

  A light rap on the front door captured their attention.

  “I’ll be but a minute,” Herr Bruhn continued, leaving them alone while he went downstairs.

  They tiptoed into the room. The boys looked just as angelic as the girls. Grace counted three beds.

  Evelyn grabbed her arm. “We must do what we promised,” she said quietly. “We must give Herr Bruhn money to support these children.”

  Grace swallowed down the lump that had formed in her throat. “I agree. You will think I am silly, but I have a feeling we were supposed to come here. Perhaps there is another side to the whole story. Perhaps our husbands have been negligent.”

  Evelyn shook her head. “No. I thought the very same thing when Herr Bruhn regaled the tale of the dissolute peers.” Her expression darkened. “You don’t think … I can’t even form the words without choking back the tears.”

  “I know what you’re thinking,” Grace began. Her heart was racing so fast she thought it might burst from her chest. “But I know neither Elliot nor Alexander would have the heart to abandon a child.”

  The little boy in the nearest bed stretched his tiny arms above his head and yawned. He turned over to face them, mumbled something in his sleep. Grace couldn’t help but stare. His hair was as black as night, the same colour and texture as Elliot’s. She stepped closer until her knees touched the wooden frame. She examined the shape of his mouth, noted his ears had small lobes.

  Evelyn came to stand at her side as they loomed over the boy.

  “How old do you think he is?” Grace asked, part of her wishing the answer would be five, part of her desperately wanting it to be three or four.

  “I’m not sure,” Evelyn whispered. “It’s difficult to tell while he is tucked under the blankets.”

  They heard the creak of a floorboard behind them. “How old is this boy?” Grace whispered directing her question to the man behind her shoulder.

  “Christoph? He is three.”

  They both swung around, alarmed to hear the feminine voice. The goddess standing before them smiled. Her golden hair hung loosely about her shoulders. Grace noted that her eyes were a piercing blue, noted the absence of fangs.

  “He will be four in a few days,” Frau Lockwood said. “Indeed, he looks remarkably like his father, wouldn’t you agree?”

  Chapter 12

  Ivana’s gaze drifted over their stunned faces.

  Perhaps it was wrong of her to scare them so. But she was angry. They had lied to Herr Bruhn, persuaded him to let them into his home. A mere hour ago their husbands had looked upon her with disdain. One of them had been ready to end her life.

  “You do not need to fear me,” she said noting the way the muscles in their cheeks twitched, how they were possessed with a need to swallow continually. “Leo has told me much about you.”

  When she spoke, they could not help but stare at her teeth.

  “Frau Lockwood.” The lady with wide blue eyes and full lips smiled. “I am Evelyn, Alexander’s wife.” She gestured to the flame-haired lady at her side. “And Grace is married to Elliot.”

  Ivana sensed a certain strength of character emanating from both of them, although Evelyn appeared to be the most confident. It took an immense amount of courage to marry a gentleman with such a terrifying affliction. To love such a man took an open mind and a pure heart.

  “Then you must call me Ivana. I have just had the pleasure of meeting your husbands again,” she said, her irate mood mellowing, although she maintained an air of detachment. “Let us just say they were not at all pleased to see me.”

  Grace’s eyes widened. “Did … did you hurt them?”

  Their husbands must have told them gory tales of the night a devil tainted their blood, so she could not blame them for thinking the worst.

  Ivana smiled. “They were alive and well when my carriage passed them on the road heading back to the village.”

  Despite offering reassurance, a look of panic marred their pretty faces.

  Grace glanced at her friend. “They will know we have left the room.”

  “It doesn’t matter,” Evelyn replied. “We have other more important things to think of now.” She turned to Ivana. “Are there any other children here, children younger than Christoph?”

  Ivana knew why she had asked. “No. There are no younger children.”

  A look of disappointment flashed in Evelyn’s eyes.

  “Your husbands, they should not have brought you to Bavaria.” Ivana’s tone rang with an ominous warning. “It is not safe here.”

  Evelyn raised her chin. “But you said we have nothing to fear.”

  “From me,” Ivana clarified. “You have nothing to fear from me. Despite what your husbands have told you, I believed I had a justifiable reason for what I did to them.” She glanced at Christoph stirring in his bed. “We cannot talk here. Let us step outside. Herr Bruhn knows nothing of my affliction, and I do not want to alarm him.”

  Grace glanced back over her shoulder. “Before we leave, just tell me one thing. The boy Christoph, is he Elliot’s child?”

  Ivana knew she should lie. Every terrible deed she’d committed had been done out of love for the children. It was her responsibility to protect them. But things had changed. The Bruhns were growing frailer by the day. Ivana’s life dangled precariously in hands of another. Who would care for the children then?

  She would have to trust her instincts. She would trust Leo’s word that these women were kind, loving and generous.

  “Yes, Grace. The boy is Elliot’s son.”

  Grace’s hands flew up to cover her mouth as her legs buckled beneath her. “I … I cannot believe it of him.” She sucked in a breath, her face growing pale, drawn. “He would not leave a child. I know he would not. He is a good man.”

  Evelyn put her hand to the lady’s elbow, offered words of comfort and helped her to her feet.

  “Elliot does not know he has a son.” Ivana was overcome with the need to soothe the woman’s fears.

  “He … he doesn’t know.” Grace choked on the words as she shook her head. “He doesn't know,” she repeated as she put her hand to her heart, her shoulders sagging with relief.

  Ivana narrowed her gaze. “You seem pleased to discover he is ignorant of the fact.”

  “Oh, I am.”

  “You are not distraught to find your husband has an illegitimate child?”

  “Heavens, no,” Grace said as her countenance brightened. “We all have a past. Some things are forgivable when one considers the circumstances.”

  How interesting. Perhaps Leo did have the measure of these women.

  “Let us leave the children to sleep in peace,” Ivana said as she gestured to the hall.

  They led the way and Ivana followed, closing the bedchamber door gently behind her. They met Herr Bruhn at the bottom of the stairs.

  “I thought I would leave you alone,” he said offering numerous nods. “It is too cramped up there for all of us.” He turned to Ivana. “We missed you this evening. I hope you are well.”

  She offered him a warm smile. “Forgive me. I received some unexpected guests and must return to tend to their needs. Rest assured. I will be here tomorrow to read to them.”

  Ivana could feel Evelyn’s curious gaze.

  “Please, do not worry.” Herr Bruhn turned to the wives of the men she had stripped of their humanity. “She thinks of nothing but the children. God bless her.”

  “We will come tomorrow too,” Evelyn said, casting a dubious glance at Ivana. “We would like to meet the children. We would like to bring some provisions, and a donation to help you care for their needs.”

  Herr Bruhn clasped his hands to his chest. “The Lord has blessed me with three wonderful angels.” He inclined his head. “Thank you.”

  Guilt flared in her chest. Ivana hated deceiving the old man. But to tell him the truth would only rouse fear in his pious heart.

  “Until tomorrow,” Ivana said as she waited for the women to tie
the ribbons on their cloaks.

  Herr Bruhn opened the door. “Until tomorrow.”

  They walked along the street in silence before Grace stopped abruptly. “I want to take Christoph back to England.”

  Ivana knew it was only a matter of time before she asked. “Of course. But I will need your husband to agree before I can even think of broaching the subject with the Bruhns.”

  “He will agree,” she replied confidently.

  Ivana gave a weary sigh. “There is the matter of his affliction to discuss. The boy must not know of his father’s condition. Such a task would make life difficult.”

  “We will find a way to manage.”

  The thought of Christoph moving hundreds of miles away caused Ivana’s heart to ache. But she could not be selfish. “Come to the castle tomorrow evening and we will speak then.” Noticing the faint flicker of apprehension, she added, “Bring your husbands along with you. I fear we all have much to discuss.”

  The ladies stared at each other and then nodded.

  Ivana inclined her head. “Forgive me. I am tired and must return home.”

  Evelyn raised her chin. “You said you passed Alexander and Elliot on the way down to the village. What of Leo?”

  The mere mention of his name sent a flurry of excitement coursing through her. “He is waiting at the castle for my return.”

  “Is he your prisoner?” Grace asked apprehensively.

  “No. He is there of his own free will. But I shall leave it to your husbands to explain. At this time of year, I visit the children at nine and shall be ready to receive you after ten. Until tomorrow.”

  Ivana turned and walked solemnly towards her carriage.

  What a difference a few days could make to one’s life. She did not like the uncertainty that came with change. But after reuniting with Leo, she knew nothing would ever be the same again. If Elliot proved worthy, Ivana would explain the circumstances to Herr Bruhn and let them take the boy. She would let them take Leo, too. He could not stay in Bavaria. They could not be together as she wished. It crossed her mind to go with him. But she could not travel further than ten miles from the castle.

  Nikolai had seen to that.

  Nikolai had seen to everything.

  Grace stared at the cloaked figure walking along the quiet street. The rain had eased a little, the misty mizzle coating everything in a glistening sheen. The wind whipped Ivana’s golden tresses about her face, but she did not raise her hood. The woman had the inherent beauty of a temptress but certainly not the heart of a devil.

  “I am still struggling to absorb all that I have seen and heard this evening.” Grace sighed. “Elliot has a son. I cannot believe it. Though I knew the truth the moment I laid eyes on him.”

  “I know.” Evelyn smiled sympathetically. “I cannot believe we have met the golden-haired devil from Bavaria and are still standing to tell the tale. She was not as terrifying as I imagined.”

  “No,” Grace replied dreamily. “Despite her confidence and the obvious strength that emanates from her, I think she looks sad, so very sad and lonely.”

  They walked towards the tavern.

  “Did you see the expression on her face when you asked about Leo?” Grace continued.

  “I recall seeing a similar expression on your face,” Evelyn said with a chuckle. “The day we left the apothecary, and you said you would just call around to see Elliot but were gone all afternoon.”

  The memory of the time spent in Elliot’s bedchamber came flooding back to warm her cold bones.

  “It was rather a special afternoon,” Grace said feeling the heat touch her cheeks. “I don’t know how I am going to find the courage to tell him about the child.”

  “All things happen as they are intended to. I am a firm believer in that. You will know what to say when the time comes. I wonder if—” Evelyn stopped abruptly, her attention distracted as Alexander came charging out of the tavern door.

  Grace gasped. “I don’t think I have ever seen him look so cross.”

  “Leave this to me,” Evelyn whispered. “He is always rather amorous when he is angry.”

  “How the hell did you manage to leave your room?” Alexander yelled as he stopped directly in front of them. “Where the hell have you been?”

  Evelyn stepped forward and placed her palm on his chest which worked to soothe his ragged breathing. “We’re fine. There is nothing to worry about.” She held her arms open and twirled around. “See. But I am tired and would like to go to our room and lie down.”

  A look passed between them. His heated gaze devoured her and she gave a coy smile in response. The passion they shared shone from them like the brightest beacon, and Grace was thankful she could not hear the salacious nature of their thoughts.

  “I suspect Elliot is just as angry,” she said, feeling a sudden urge to race to her room, to soothe him, to take him into her eager body in a bid to delay the pain her revelation would cause.

  “Angry does not even begin to describe how he feels.” Alexander’s sombre expression did not worry her. She had seen a similar look many times before.

  “I should go to him.”

  A loud crashing caused them all to jump back as a candlestick came hurtling out of a bedchamber window. It landed with a clunk on the cobbled walkway, along with shards of broken glass.

  “Good heavens!” Evelyn gasped as she clutched Alexander’s arm.

  A few men came running out of the tavern, tiptoed around the debris as they stared at the strange object on the ground.

  “Elliot has completely lost his mind,” Alexander said. “It has taken me the best part of an hour to calm him down and then when he came back to find you’d gone.” He shook his head as though the event was too distressing to recount.

  Grace did not wait to hear any more. She raced into the tavern, pushed past those eager to step outside to witness the commotion, tripped on the stairs in her hurry to reach her husband.

  The door to their chamber was wide open. Elliot was sitting on the edge of the bed, slumped forward, holding his head in his hands.

  “Elliot.”

  “I asked you not to leave.”

  Grace closed the door and came to sit by his side. “I’m sorry if I went against your wishes.” She placed her hand on his back. “I did not mean to hurt you or make you angry. That’s the last thing I would ever want.”

  When he looked up at her, it wasn’t anger she saw in his eyes. She saw pain and anguish. “It seems I cannot trust anyone anymore.” Bitterness infused his words. “It seems Leo couldn’t wait to betray me. After everything I have done for him.”

  “But Leo worships you,” she said incredulously. “He hangs on your every word. What has he done to warrant your contempt?”

  Elliot’s mouth curled up in disdain. “He has taken the golden-haired devil to his bed. Apparently, they formed an attachment when she turned him. Conveniently, he had forgotten all about it.”

  After noting the look of longing on Ivana’s face at the mere mention of his name, Grace was not surprised. “What did Leo have to say about it?”

  Elliot shrugged. “Nothing worthy of my attention. Oh, he followed me, tried to explain, but I’ll be damned before I give him a chance to justify what he’s done.” He jumped up suddenly, thrust his hand through the mop of ebony hair as he paced the room. “God, it makes me retch just to think of them drinking each other’s blood.”

  “They drank from each other?” While it might sound horrifying to some, Grace found the idea rather erotic. “Is Leo in love with her?” He must have developed a deep attachment if he had forgiven her for taking his humanity.

  “Love?” Elliot mocked. “Neither of them would know the meaning of the word. Leo thinks with his cock.” Upon hearing her gasp, he said, “Forgive me. I’m just so damn angry with him.”

  “I know what she did to you, and I do not blame you for despising her. But I do not think Ivana is the devil you make her out to be.”

  Elliot stopped abrupt
ly, gazed at her beneath hooded lids. “Ivana? I did not tell you that was her name.”

  Grace swallowed. She would not lie to him. “We met Ivana at Herr Bruhn’s house when she came to visit the children.”

  “You met her?” Elliot took a step closer, his wide eyes scanning every inch of her body. “If she laid a hand on you then—”

  “We spoke to her. That is all. Herr Bruhn said—”

  “Who the blazes is Herr Bruhn? And how the hell did you manage to leave this room?”

  Grace wasn’t sure which question to address first. “I used wax in my ears, tried to ignore the sound of your voice.”

  “Wax? Why? You knew I would be frantic with worry if I came back to find you gone. Anything could have happened to you. She could have sunk her fangs into your neck. She could have—”

  “But she didn’t.”

  “If I cannot trust you to do what I ask—”

  “You know you can trust me,” she cried, rushing to him and taking his hand.

  “Can I?” he sneered. “You left this room when I specifically asked you not to.”

  “You did not ask me, Elliot. You compelled me. It is not the same thing at all.” Grace gave a frustrated groan. “If anything, I should be the one with a gripe. You forced me to do something against my will. Why would you do such a thing?”

  He sucked in a breath, grasped her upper arms. “Because I love you,” he blurted. “I cannot bear the thought of losing you. Without you, I have nothing. You are my world, Grace. Nothing else matters. Nothing.”

  The depth of emotion in his voice made her heart swell. He pulled her close, enveloped her in a warm embrace.

  “I love you.” She looked up and brushed her lips across his. She hated seeing him distraught. During their time in Yorkshire, he had been so happy, so carefree and she wished she could close her eyes and transport them back to that magical time and place.

  But things were different now.

  How was she to break the news to him that he had a son?

  She pushed the thought aside for the moment. Elliot needed her to ease his fears, and she needed him too. Without another word, she pushed his coat from his shoulders, fumbled with the buttons on his waistcoat. Understanding her silent plea, they undressed each other with an urgency that expressed the raging passion they shared.