A hint of a smile flickered in her eyes. She tugged at the ribbon tucked into the front of her bodice, the sapphire signet that he had recently returned to her belongings attached. “I won.” She turned and walked out of the room with Hawksley, Rockwell, and Peyton trailing behind her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Ring around the rosy
A pocketful of posies
“Ashes, Ashes”
We all fall down.
Persephone chewed on her lower lip as she paced back and forth in front of the massive fireplace. She wished she could hear what was going on in her uncle’s study but all she could hear was the muted pops and crackles of the burning wood.
Hawksley had placed his warm hand on the small of her back, gently escorting her to the sitting room that now belonged to her uncle. He insured that she was seated with a glass of Mediera before he excused himself to search the house further. Leaving her alone with nothing but her thoughts, her ideas challenged since she met Parker. These men whose presence commanded a room, their very size would elicit fear from even the most hardened criminal, turned to gentle beast full of polite power when surrounded by women. The ideas that had been hammered, or beaten, she supposed, into her spirit were all being shredded by these tender giants making her rethink all that she thought she believed.
She found herself needlessly smoothing the skirts of the borrowed navy blue riding habit, nervously wiping her damp palms over the soft material as she waited impatiently.
She knew she should have told him everything. She should have told him of her plans, but she knew he wouldn’t have allowed her to come. Or she had feared he would have pushed her away in revulsion. And the thought of not seeing him again had been agonizing. She wasn’t ready to face that fact. The fact that he could tell her to leave and never come back started the tears pooling in her eyes. She dashed them away. She was frightened of the outcome of tonight’s meeting.
How would he truly take the revelations that had been thrust upon him?
Would he truly not blame her for her past?
Would he truly not run from her repulsed?
Yet he had come for her; she trembled, wringing her hands together. How could she dismiss that he had ridden several hours to follow her? How could she dismiss that he had even known her destination? She could feel her nails biting into her flesh. But he hadn’t known who she was? What she was? Had he?
Now he knew.
Her sins revealed to her angel. Persephone’s heart clenched. Could he offer her forgiveness for her past? Could he redeem her soul? Her mind was full of confusion.
She ran her fingertips over the carved mantle. Her mother’s favorite. How she hated that her uncle had made the fond memories of her childhood home into nightmares of dark dungeons and sadistic men. There were too many evil memories associated with this place now. The familiar bitterness mingled with sadness, and then she brushed the emotions away.
She had escaped. Some were not so lucky. She had come here to face her demons. To face evil incarnate, her uncle, and she had. She felt very proud of herself. Now she could tuck this away where it belonged, in the past. Unfortunately, she had no idea how long that would take.
She looked up when she saw someone approach out of the corner of her eye. Her heart pounded, and her breathing grew shallow, she turned and tried to avoid his piercing blue gaze. Peyton stood by her holding out a glass tumbler a quarter filled with rich amber colored liquid. An uncomfortable feeling lodged in the pit of her stomach, squirming uncomfortably. She wanted to forget that he knew everything and had seen her at her worst.
“Looks like you could use this.”
She turned fully towards him expecting to see disgust clearly visible in his eyes, but saw nothing but kindness not even a hint of judgment. She raised one eyebrow, but didn’t argue. Reaching for the cut crystal glass, she sniffed before taking a tentative sip. The fiery burn of the alcohol heated her from the inside out and distracted her from her depressed thoughts.
“Parker has waited a long time to have this talk, but he’ll be fine.” His voice soft, measured, and soothing.
Persephone couldn’t stop her snort. “Talk?”
“There’s more to this than you know.” Peyton shrugged. “Hell, pardon me, my lady, there’s more to this than even I know.”
“I don’t understand,” she said, her eyes filled with questions she was suddenly too timid to ask, but she knew that she must. “What do you mean?”
“Something happened a long time ago.” He looked into the fire and took a swallow of his brandy. “Parker tried to protect us from the rumors, but he couldn’t.” He looked up with a half-smile. “There are too many that relish sharing gossip and at the time, this was the juiciest morsel.” He shrugged.
She copied him by taking a large swallow from her glass, sputtering and coughing as the unfamiliar liquid left another fiery trail down her throat.
Peyton grinned, reaching out to remove the offending drink from her hand and set it on top of the mantel.
“If this gets out, it will trump anything else,” Persephone said worriedly. “I cannot imagine that the rumors of him are worse.” She felt the blood drain from her face.
“Once we’ve left this house, you will never hear a word of this breathed again,” Peyton assured her. “You and only you will be in control of who knows of your past.”
“What about your sisters?” Persephone questioned, she felt exposed and vulnerable. “Will you not inform them of my past?” She took a deep breath.
“No,” he replied abruptly. “That’s not my decision to make.” He heard her little sigh of relief. Relief, plain and simple, showed on her face.
Persephone glanced towards the door. “What is taking so long?”
“Parker is furious,” Peyton said by way of explanation. “And this talk has been needed for years.”
Persephone frowned, her stomach knotted and all she could do was wait.
***
“Mayton?” Parker’s tone was quiet and serious. He arched an inquisitive brow, working at restraining his temper. “Was she one of your victims?”
“I’ve already taken care of the fool that killed her,” Granville stated as if it excused his actions. “Her death was unintended. An unfortunate accident.”
“Do you honestly believe that makes all that you’ve done excusable?” Parker’s eyes narrowed. “You’re damn lucky that I’ve already promised that I wouldn’t kill you,” he growled, a grimace contorting his features. “You deserve to die,” he said fiercely, his eyes dark with fury. “A long, painful death.” He ran his hand through his hair, exasperated.
“She’s a whore,” Granville snarled. “I cannot believe that you are expending this much energy on a whore.”
“She. Is. Your. Niece,” he ground out. “The daughter of your only brother.”
“He was a worthless human being,” Granville replied, bitterness edging his voice.
Before Parker realized his intentions, his hands were on Granville’s lapels, clenching the fabric in his fists as he jerked him up and threw him against the nearest wall. “You are the worthless human being, Granville.”
Granville’s shocked, wide green eyes met his as a burst of air left his lungs.
“You are the one who is a waste of my time.” He was in Granville’s face, nose to nose, a killing rage pumping through him. “She was an innocent until she was put under your protection and you betrayed her,” he growled. “You used her for your own sick, twisted pleasure with no concern for her welfare or future.” He gave no quarter. Each of the three blows landed impeccably, the crunch of breaking bones lending some satisfaction to Parker’s actions. Even more so, when his heavy blows, dragged immense grunts of pain from Granville.
He threw Persephone’s uncle away from him with disgust, his fists clenching, the need to do something, anything still raging through him. “You’ve no remorse for taking the lives of innocents?”
Granville staggered back after being tosse
d aside, dizzy after the powerful blows. He swiped his coat sleeve across his mouth and nose to stem the blood that was flowing freely. He turned to Parker, his face a blank slate and cold like a snowstorm in the dead of winter.
Parker’s squeezed his eyes shut, pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. “You feel nothing,” Parker said in a quiet voice. Persephone was finally in safe hands and would never have to worry again. She would never have to come face to face with this monster or this house ever again.
“Not a damn thing,” Granville hissed through his teeth. He sank into his chair, his fists clenching, his muscles trembling, from the fear and fury inside his soul, even though he refused to acknowledge his weakness before Ashford.
Parker shot him a look of disgust. “I’m left with a quandary, Granville.” His eyes flicked over him as he paced back and forth in front of his chair. “Obviously I cannot let you go unpunished.” He stopped in front of Granville. His hand clasped behind his back his feet shoulder width apart. “You’ve hurt, maimed, and even murdered.”
Granville wiped his hand over his face and slumped in his chair once more.
Parker stood, arms crossed over his broad chest, a scowl etched on his face as his eyes rested on Granville. He watched as the man, the coward, shivered at the merciless look in his eyes.
They both looked towards the door at the quick knock, before Hawksley sauntered in, obvious disdain etched deeply into his features. He lifted his right brow. “You’re one sick bastard, Granville.” He shot Parker a pointed look.
Parker watched as Granville cringed at Hawksley’s observation. “Did you believe you were above the law?” Parker asked quietly his eyes dark shards of midnight blue. Satisfaction washed through him as he saw Granville’s pulse spike in the hollow of his throat and beads of perspiration multiply on his forehead and upper lip.
The punishment had to be done.
“I’ve got it from here, Ash,” Hawksley murmured, his face as grim as Parkers. “I believe you have more important matters to attend.”
He closed his eyes and nodded. Hawksley was right.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Goosey Goosey Gander where shall I wander,
Upstairs, downstairs and in my lady’s chamber
There I met an old man who wouldn’t say his prayer’s
I took him by the left leg and threw him down the stairs.
Parker stood outside the sitting room door, his eyes closed, and took a few moments to calm himself. He shook. His hands balled into fists at his sides. He was drained both physically and emotionally.
How could he make up for something like this?
How do you remove those memories from someone’s mind?
He turned the knob.
Persephone stiffened when she heard the sound of the door slowly opening, turning at the sound. She knew it was Parker, but she didn’t lift her gaze to look him fully in the eyes. She knew if she saw the disgust in his eyes she would cry. And tears wouldn’t help anything. She felt lost.
“I will give you some privacy.” Peyton touched her arm before he bowed, struggling to suppress his smile.
Parker gave him a speaking look.
Peyton touched his arm as he passed. “We will speak later.” Parker nodded, his brow furrowed; his eyes following his brother until he left the room.
“Why are you here?” She looked up and closed her eyes in frustration and fear.
He waited until he heard the door latch, then he prowled towards her. “You left,” he offered as an excuse in a flat voice halting a mere two feet away. “You wounded me with your heartless disregard for my feelings.” Hurt filled his eyes.
She froze, her eyes filled with sadness and shame. “That was not my intention,” she said, gulping back a sob, feeling like a child being reprimanded by her father.
“What was your intention, to play me like a fool?” he demanded his voice gruff, his lips stretched tight. “Was it your intention to take advantage of my hospitality and then run away in the dark of night without so much as a by your leave?”
She forced herself not to flinch at his anger. “No,” her reply a mere whisper, she fought to still the trembling of her lips.
“Bullshit.”
She gasped.
“I will not mince words with you.” Haunting shadows flashed in his gaze, then in two long strides he was in front of her. “What if something had happened to you?” His throat worked convulsively as he swallowed. “What if we had not arrived in time?” He touched her cheek, his heart softening at the sight of her tears.
Impatience flashed across her face. “My uncle would have done nothing more to harm me,” she argued, albeit a little weakly, as if she didn’t quite believe her own words.
He shot her a quelling look. “These men have killed before, Persephone, and for far less.” He gripped her upper arms, jerking her close, his head lowered, his nose nearly touching hers; anger flowed from him like waves of heat. “What makes you think that they would not have killed you?” he growled. “You’ve made them appear fools.” He pinned her with a baffled expression.
She huffed impatiently, and worked at pushing him aside, he released her reluctantly, freeing her arms from his firm grip. If his intention was to frighten her, then he was doing an excellent job. “I know because I hold something of great value that belongs to him.” She eyed him steadily.
He regarded her for a moment, at the challenge and determination in her eyes. “Are you speaking of the signet?” he asked incredulously.
Persephone remained silent, but nodded, flushing under his scrutiny, her hands curling into her skirts.
“The one that you have so flagrantly flashed in front of his face?” he pointed out. “The one that he could have easily ripped from your body after you were dead?”
She paled.
“All Granville need do is brand you a thief,” Parker pointed out simply. “He is a peer of the realm, one of the highest rank. Essentially he is beyond touch to those that matter,” he reminded. “You are but a mere woman. A woman who absconded in the night with something of his that holds great significance.”
She stared at him, her heart hammering in her chest. Why was he being so cruel?
“How far do you believe you would have gotten?” He eyed her steadily.
She blanched at his truth.
“Do you know all of the Devil’s identities?”
She nodded, unable to speak. She tried to swallow, but the saliva stuck in her throat. Her nails bit into her palms.
Cold, cold eyes, like blue ice met hers. “Do you realize the power their names alone wield?”
She nodded again. “I-I…” She fidgeted under the coldness of his stare and then some of her bravado slipped.
“You would have disappeared just as all the others have.” He loomed over her as if to intimidate. “Would there have been someone to look for you? Someone who cared? Someone who would have even noticed you were gone now that your parents have died?” He gazed at her assessing.
She tried to swallow. “No.” She felt her lips quiver.
“Wrong.” He didn’t yell; his voice stayed level, but she could see anger burned in his blue depths and she shrunk back. Her mouth dropped open; she choked as emotion overwhelmed her.
“I care.” He got into her face and gripped her shoulders. “My aunt cares.” Anger flashed hot in his gaze. “Tillie cares.”
“I didn’t think…”she said quietly, her chin quivered as she fought the tide of emotion his heartfelt words wrought. She knew that the minute she was safely ensconced in Rosebriar’s warmth, she had slowly been coming back to life.
“You matter to me, goddamn it.” His lips tightened. “How dare you make me feel the stirrings of happiness and then just pull the rug right from underneath me with only a note.”
A sob welled from deep inside her and wrenched out past her constricted throat as she heard the pain in his voice. “I didn’t have a choice,” she said plainly, her voice deceptively
calm even though she was shaking.
“Everyone has a choice, Persephone,” Parker retorted with a curse, unable to control the frustration in his voice. “You. Had. Me.” He punctuated each word with a jab at his chest. “You could have trusted me.” He cleared the gravel from his throat. “I gave you free reign of everything I have. I gave you myself. I trusted you with all that I hold most dear.”
Fear slammed through her. “I do trust you,” she managed, her plaintive voice pulled at his heart.
“You have one hell of a way of showing it,” he muttered. His eyes searched her eyes and she dropped her gaze as his words tore through her. She closed her eyes unable to look at him any longer. Knowing that he was right and she had been a fool.
“Then why didn’t you tell me?” The look in Persephone’s eyes before she closed them nearly choked him. “Why didn’t you trust me enough to share your pain? To help you heal?”
“I was afraid.” She swallowed hard as a single tear spilled down her cheek. She opened her eyes and took a deep breath as she drowned in his penetrating blue gaze.
Parker dragged a hand over his hair, looked away and then back at her, shaking his head. “Have I ever given you a reason to fear me?”
“I’m not afraid of you.” She shook her head as she clarified. “I was afraid of what you would think of me if you knew the truth,” she said, voice tight and barely audible. Her heart lodged in her throat waiting for his rejection, his repugnance, his disgust.
“How can I hold you responsible for something that someone did to you?” His voice liberally laced with disbelief, his jaw locked. “You bear no fault in their actions.” His face creased into lines of concern. “Do you think me so callous?”
”You can’t possibly want me now.” She hung her head in shame, her voice thickened with unshed tears, with the horror of the terrors she had been subjected to. “I cannot even voice aloud all that was done to me,” she choked, backing from him in retreat.
With one hand he reached out and stroked her cheek with his fingertips, until she closed her eyes and leaned her face into his hand. “I love you, Persephone.” With the other he found her fist unclenching her fingers one by one until her hand lay flat in his and she opened her eyes. His gaze met hers and she thought she saw a glint of tears in his eyes, but none fell.
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