Seducing the Ruthless Rogue

by Tammy Jo Burns

  Cassie quickly gripped the wall once more, but felt as if her arms would be ripped out of their sockets a moment later. She looked down to see that Whitney had somehow managed to grab onto her skirt. Cassie tried to pull herself further up on the parapet, but her strength was quickly waning. Her arms were shaking, and her fingers had begun to cramp. If she had only herself to hold on for, she might be able to succeed. She felt herself slide with every little jerk from below. She thought she heard the ripping sound of fabric, but by the time it completely gave way, it would be too late.

  “I love you, Mack,” she whispered just as her hands began the slide across the width of the wall.

  “I’ve got you! Gabe, help!”

  “I’ve died, haven’t I?”

  “Not yet, but I just might murder you when we get home.”

  “Look out, she’s got a gun!” Gabe yelled.

  Cassie did the only thing she could. She kicked back her foot into the fabric of her torn skirt, setting Whitney to swinging. The shot went wild and she heard a satisfying rip followed by a feeling of weightlessness. Then she was lying on her husband’s brawny chest, being squeezed until she couldn’t breathe.

  “Mack, she can’t breathe.”

  “What?”

  “She can’t breathe. Loosen your grip, man!”

  Mack did only so he could kiss her senseless as rain poured down around them. “I love you, and if you ever pull a stunt like that again, I will strangle you. Do you ken? Do you realize how easily you could have died? You are the most stubborn, foolish woman I know, but I can’t live without you. Do you ken?!”

  “Aye, I ken,” she smiled down at him wickedly, despite their audience and kissed him with all the love she had for him.

  “You’re wearing a pair of my pants.”

  “I thought they might come in handy. Imagine if I weren’t wearing them,” she waved at the nonexistent part of her dress.”

  “Lord, help me,” Mack said, looking heavenward. Just then, the rain stopped and the clouds parted revealing sunlight and a beautiful double rainbow.

  “What do you think that means?” Mack nodded to the rainbows arching across the sky.

  “I think it means we are going to be very, very lucky for the rest of our lives.”

  Epilogue

  Eight and a half months later…

  Cassie and Mack sat in the study of their home as they were want to do most evenings. Cassie’s feet lay propped on Mack’s lap, and he rubbed her swollen feet. She winced and shifted.

  “What’s wrong,” he asked anxiously.

  “Nothing,” she waved away his concern and rubbed her huge, swollen belly. “The babe is just restless this evening.”

  “Are you sure that’s all it is?”

  “Yes. Mingzhu says all is fine. Besides, I have that protest to attend tomorrow afternoon.”

  “How do you know you’re fine? Do you even speak Cantonese? And you are not attending any more of those bloody gatherings. Not until long after the babe is here.”

  “Enough, now. Quit worrying. Oh, I have to share something with you.”

  “You’re not going.”

  “A letter came today,” she said, ignoring him. She grabbed the book she was reading and freed the paper inside. “It’s from Sally Forsythe. She is one of the girls I addressed at the Bathurst’s party.”

  “Addressed? More like set down.”

  “Yes, well, do you want to hear it or not?”

  “I must admit, my curiosity is piqued.”

  She began to read, “Dear Mrs. McKenzie,

  My name is Sally Forsythe, and we met at the party given by Lord and Lady Bathurst. Mrs. McKenzie, I write this letter to beg for your forgiveness for my behavior. I have allowed Meredith and Alice to lead me around for much too long. I looked into that ‘karma’ that you mentioned that night. I fear that both Meredith and Alice have already succumbed to its affects. Alice has run away to Gretna Green with a fortune hunter masquerading as an Italian count and Meredith has been sent to stay with a sick aunt for the next year.

  Please, Mrs. McKenzie, I beg your and Director McKenzie’s forgiveness. My family has spent all of the money we have left on my Season in hopes of me finding a good match and saving the family from financial ruin. I have four sisters, all younger than me, that I must think of. I sat with each of them and told them the importance of speaking kindly about people and never believing gossip and rumors. We deserved everything you said that night. We were naught but twittery chits with nothing more to think of than what ribbon best complimented our dress. It was only after that incident, when my mother found out, that I discovered the true hopelessness of my family’s situation.

  My family does not know I am writing this letter. They now believe that all is a lost cause, and we will shortly be in the poorhouse. I have a glimmer of hope, Mrs. McKenzie, for I believe that you are a truly generous woman, otherwise our punishment might have been much harsher. Thank you for showing me that there is more than my small world. I hope this letter finds you and your loved ones well.

  Sincerely,

  Sally Forsythe”

  “And what did you do?”

  “I wrote her back and told her all was forgiven. I even suggested I could introduce her to Mr. Preston.”

  “You didn’t!”

  “Why not? He’s the youngest son of a marquess and has a bright future ahead of him.”

  “I can’t believe you, Cassie.”

  “I heard from Abby Thompson as well. I’m afraid she has not fared so well.”

  “Oh?”

  “She had the babe. Unfortunately, it was stillborn. She has been suffering from melancholy. It seems the old woman she is a companion for has been quite a help to her through all this. Her health has improved and she acts almost as a doting grandmother to Jemma. She has also helped Abby through her difficult time and loss. She also said she didn’t know how long they would be staying there, as the woman’s grandson is rumored to be returning.” She caught Mack’s thoughtful, worried look. “The babe and I will be fine. Abby was malnourished for so long. And remember, Mingzhu is now part of our household.” She reached over and took his hand squeezing it. “Mikala stopped by,” she said, changing the subject. “She said that rumor has it that Penelope Presley is headed to Yorkshire.”

  “Aye.” Ever since her sister had tried to kill Cassie, the Presley family had been watched very carefully.

  “Poor girl. Perhaps it won’t be as bad as she believes.” Silence. “Let’s go to bed. I find I’m tired.”

  “It’s early yet, not even eight.”

  “I know.” She grinned wickedly, holding her hand out to her husband.

  ***

  Cassie woke that night needing to make use of the water closet. Her body felt sluggish. “Mack, help me up.”

  “What?”

  “I need to use the water closet.” Mack got up and came around to help her up. Halfway across the floor she felt a gush and turned back to look at Mack. He was already nodding off, sitting on the side of the bed, waiting for her return. “Mack, I think you need to get Mingzhu.”

  “Why?”

  “If I’m not mistaken, the babe is coming.”

  ***

  Six hours later

  “Mack, I cannot and will not do it.”

  “Do what?” Mack asked, stopping his pacing in the study.

  “I cannot stay in that room a moment longer. Do you know what that woman is doing to your wife? She’s driving needles into her! And Cassie is just letting her. It is inhumane, and I will not watch it happen a moment longer.”

  “But someone has to be with her.”

  “I’m not going,” Gabe said.

  He heard his name yelled from up above and knew he had to go. He took the stairs two at a time, and entered the room to see his wife straining to push their child into the world. Thin needles did indeed dot her skin in places.

  “Cassie darlin’, how do you feel?”

  “I’ve been better,”
she laughed huskily. “I know Mikala couldn’t take it anymore, but the needles help the pain.”

  “Whatever you need, sweetheart.”

  “Oh,” she moaned.

  “Another one?” She nodded. Mack was unsure what to do, so he perched behind her and helped her sit while she pushed. Mingzhu stood at the end of the bed shaking her head and jabbering. “What is she saying?”

  “She wants me to move to the chair. Says the baby will come easier. Mack, I’m so tired.”

  “Then we move you to the chair. You’ve been at this for hours. How long have you been pushing?”

  “I don’t know,” she shook her head.

  “Then we put our faith in Mingzhu.” He helped her out of the bed and halfway to the chair another contraction overtook her. “Don’t push here.”

  “I can’t help it,” she growled, holding onto him. “Ah!” she groaned.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked fearfully.

  “I feel like all my insides fell.” Mingzhu bent down and started clapping. “She sees the top of the head.”

  “Do you want to stay where you are?”

  “I can’t, too tired.” He helped her to moved to the birthing chair that had a gaping whole in the seat. “Mack, I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  He stood behind her and let her brace herself against him as she continued the arduous task of bringing their child into the world. Less than ten minutes later, the baby slipped into the hands of the old Cantonese woman with just a whimper. She bundled the babe and passed it over to Cassie. Cassie pulled back the blanket and studied her son with her husband looking over her shoulder.

  “He’s beautiful,” Cassie whispered, running the back of her finger down the baby’s downy soft cheek.

  “Aye,” Mack responded, choked.

  “Other than the length of time that passed, that was rather easy. I think maybe we should have some more of these.”

  “Maybe you should allow me time to recover first,” he teased and kissed her.

  “You? Who did all the work?”

  “And I thank you for that and for still being here,” he kissed her softly.

  Mingzhu worked in the background. She had removed all the tiny needles from Cassie’s skin. She kept walking over to Cassie and frowning. When she had done this for the third time, Mack began to truly worry.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “The afterbirth has not delivered yet. She wants me to see if the baby will nurse. Sometimes that helps.” Just as Cassie undid the lower buttons on Mack’s shirt she wore, a pain ripped through her more powerful than she had ever felt in her life. “Take the babe,” she managed to say, fearing she would drop her son. She could not keep the scream at bay. Mingzhu moved to her and began pressing on her abdomen in different areas and speaking and gesticulating all at once.

  “Cassie, what’s wrong?” Mack asked. “Talk to me.”

  “I don’t know,” Cassie wailed, caught up in the pain. The needles had worked some sort of magic earlier and she had felt hardly any pain at all, but now she felt as if she would be ripped in two. “Promise me if I die, you’ll marry again. Our baby needs a mother.”

  “You’re not going to die, dammit!”

  “Is the baby here?” Mikala asked, rushing into the room.

  “Aye, but something’s wrong with Cassie. Take the bairn.”

  Another pain ripped through Cassie, this one worse and more intense than the last. She gripped Mack’s arms and her nails dug in, drawing blood. Mingzhu knelt in front of Cassie and her eyes grew big. Between the pain and the speed of her chattering Cassie could not understand a word the woman said. “Get Chang,” Cassie panted.

  “Chang!” Mikala stood outside the bedroom door, holding the baby and yelling for the little man until he made an appearance. “They need to know what Mingzhu is saying.”

  “I no go in there.”

  “Then stand at the door, but something’s wrong.”

  He listened intently to the woman inside and paled at her words. “Another baby. Feet first. Missy Cassie no push. Breathe instead.”

  “Oh, Lord help us all,” Mikala said.

  “What is it?” Mack demanded.

  “Cassie, there’s another babe.”

  “What?!”

  “It’s feet first. You must not push, whatever you do. She says breathe instead.”

  “Pins,” Cassie begged.

  More Cantonese passed between Mingzhu and Chang.

  “Not enough time. She focus on you and babe.”

  Cassie whimpered as another pain tore through her body and she wanted desperately to push, to end her torment. Mingzhu made panting noises and Cassie followed what she did. Thirty excruciating minutes later, their daughter entered the world, announcing her presence with a loud wail.

  ***

  Later that morning Cassie awoke in their soft bed to find her husband propped up on his side intently watching her, playing with strands of her hair.

  “How are you?”

  “Still alive,” she said with a smile.

  “Aye, and I’m so very glad. I love you, Cassie,” he leaned over and kissed her.

  “And I love you.”

  “How do you feel?”

  “Sore, but I’ll recover,” she looked down towards her stomach and frowned, “and still fat.”

  “Never say that, you are beautiful and I don’t think we should have anymore children. Two are plenty, and I thought Grace was going to kill you.” The sound of whimpering got their attention. “I’ll get them.” When he returned with their son she had managed to push herself up. He straightened the pillows behind her with one hand, then handed her Collin once she was settled. Then he gathered up their daughter and carried her over as well.

  “Aren’t they beautiful?” she asked once they were all settled on the bed.

  “Aye.”

  “I wish Papa were here to see them.” Before she could become too maudlin, she quickly continued, “Do you know that I have an idea when these two were made?”

  “The double rainbows,” he said, grinning at her mischievously, glad they had both survived the horribleness of that day.

  She grinned back at him, remembering the loving they shared that night in celebration of life. “Promise me something, Mack.”

  “Anything.”

  “Next time, the needles stay in until we know all the babies have arrived.”

  “I said no more, but I will never doubt Mingzhu again.”

  “Oh, there’ll be more babies,” she said ruefully, giving him a wicked smile. She quickly slipped buttons free to feed Collin.

  Mack felt his throat constrict as he watched his wife feed their bairns, first Collin then a fussy Grace. “I wonder where I would be if you had not come into my life and flipped me head over heels.”

  “You would be bored, my darling Director. I love you, Mack,” she said. “I don’t think I can say it enough. I never imagined myself being a wife and mother, but now I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  “And I thought no one would accept who I am.” He took Collin, burped him, and gently laid him back in the bassinet after changing his nappy.

  “You gave me no choice, remember?” she asked, seeing to Grace’s needs now.

  “You always had a choice. I decided to let you go, that it was the best thing for you,” Mack said.

  “When?”

  “It doesn’t matter anymore, because now we are both different. We have changed, grown, and become comfortable with who we both are at last. These beautiful children are my life, but you, Cassie, you are my world. I love you more and more every day and could not imagine my life without you.” They kissed gently, lovingly over their child’s heads. Mack took his fussy daughter from his wife’s arms and began pacing the room, holding her against his shoulder and gently patting her back. Collin had already fallen back asleep.

  “You look like a professional at that,” Cassie commented.

  “With all the bairns surroundi
ng us, I’ve had enough practice.”

  “I’m going to rest just a minute and then you are taking me to that meeting,” she said, closing her eyes. “Oh, we are going to have to tell Prinny that he has not one, but two new godchildren as well.”

  “Yes, he will love that,” he told her before turning back to Grace. “Your mother is a stubborn woman and I fear she is going to teach the two of you everything she knows. But, my darling daughter, even if you grow up to be half the woman she is, some man will be very lucky to have you. He must pass all my tests, mind you, which will be hard to do.” He hummed to the fussy infant. It seemed like of the two babes, Grace was going to be the trouble-maker.

  Cassie lifted her lips in a tired smile as she eavesdropped on the conversation between father and daughter. The woman who steals our son’s heart will have to pass some tests, too, she grinned sleepily. Perhaps the next cause could wait for another day, she thought as she yawned. Who would have thought the hero of my imagination would have walked off the pages of my story and into my life, stealing my heart?

  “Thank you, Papa,” she whispered softly, a lone tear escaping as she remembered how her father had dictated she would marry this Scottish brute.

  “What?” Mack asked.

  “I’m going to take a nap.”

  “Good,” Mack said. “I’ll take care of the bairns.”

  “I know you will.” It didn’t take long for Cassie to be lulled to sleep by the sweet humming of her ruthless rogue.

  About the Author

  I grew up in the Panhandle of Texas, but have always been fascinated with the land of my forefathers – England, Scotland, and Ireland. I also classify myself as a true romantic, and find I frequently dream of greater than life heroes that leave me thinking – that is what love should be like. So, I work on creating love stories with strong women and stronger men, and let the battle of wills ensue. I am currently busy writing my fourth book in my little cottage in the woods of North Texas with my cat, Ajax, to keep me company.