by Wendy Vella
“That is our story, Captain, but I will say that woman means more to me than anyone else, even family.”
“Your family are here in London, Miss Dodds?” Wolf thought if he showed interest in her, she was more likely to discuss Rose.
“No.” The word was curt and did not invite further enquiry.
“And does Miss Abernethy have family?”
Those blue eyes searched his briefly before looking away.
“It is not my place to say.”
Loyalty was to be admired in a friend, but not if it stopped him knowing more about the woman who had the inhabitants of Ranwich House captivated—and him.
When Miss Dodds left his side, he sat once more. In fact he sat there for an hour listening to the music, and when Rose put down her violin and played the old piano, singing with her friend, he felt the darkness inside him slip away. Both sang well, but Miss Abernethy had an amazing natural talent that had every person in the room sitting straighter.
She did not look his way at any stage of the performance, and Wolf looked nowhere but at her.
The applause as the last note faded was loud and long.
“Thank you,” both women said, sinking into curtsies as if performing before the Prince Regent.
“And now we have tea,” Mrs. Hall declared. “Will you join us, Captain, and enjoy all the wonderful supplies you brought us today?”
“I’m afraid I must decline, Mrs. Hall, but thank you.” He turned his attention once more to Rose. “You play well, Miss Abernethy.” Hearing him, she moved away from the men and to his side. “You are very talented. It was an honor to listen to you and Miss Dodds, and can I add thank you on behalf of the men, who rarely have joy in their lives.”
“Thank you. I like to play.”
“Where did you learn?”
“My aunt taught me.”
Emotion thickened her brogue, and he wanted to touch her, which shocked him. There had been women in his life since his return to London, but none that stirred him as this woman did. A woman he knew nothing of and had known for a short time.
“I understand you give often to the men here at Ranwich House, Captain?”
He nodded.
“Are you a man who moves in elevated circles?”
“Pardon?”
She was focused intently on him now, brows lowered, mouth firmed.
“I have been endeavoring to come up with a way to draw attention to the plight of these men, Captain.”
“Surely you only met them yesterday?”
“I did, but saw immediately they needed my assistance.”
“And you have it to give?”
“I beg your pardon?”
Wolf looked to see if anyone else was listening to them, but Miss Dodds was holding the men’s attention.
“You’ll forgive me for saying so, Miss Abernethy, but I did not believe your circumstances—”
She raised a hand.
“We are not speaking of my circumstances, Captain Sinclair.”
“No, of course, but—”
“My lack of circumstance, as you so indelicately put it, has no bearing on wanting to help these poor men.”
He’d angered her. Her eyes were now shooting fire at him.
“I merely meant to say, Miss Abernethy—”
“I want them to be treated with the respect they deserve. To live as they should, happy and fulfilled. I want them to know warmth and a fully belly. I want people to realize that these men deserve their support after what they gave for their country.”
“I—”
“They have fought for us, Captain, and have been cast aside and forgotten. It is simply not good enough.”
Her passion humbled him, when so many did not care.
“Well as—”
“You have realized they need help and are assisting as you can, but surely you can do more? You were obviously a solider, and perhaps still are—”
Wolf raised a hand. “Miss Abernethy, if I may actually be allowed to form an answer.”
She appeared surprised. “Of course, I wish to hear your opinions.”
“And yet you have not let me voice them.”
She clamped her lips together and waved a hand at him to speak.
“Why did you leave Scotland?”
Her face became shuttered; the passion disappeared.
“That has no bearing on this, Captain Sinclair.”
It didn’t, but Wolf found he wanted to know everything about this woman. Still, he did not ask again.
“As I am a veteran, I too wish to bring the plight of these men and many more to the attention—”
“Then you will help,” she interrupted him again.
“Is there any chance I can complete a sentence?”
“Please continue.” Her mouth firmed again. She did not like him rebuking her.
“I suppose you were allowed to speak your mind often growing up?”
“I beg your pardon?” She blinked those long, gold-tipped lashes.
“I have experience with people like you, Miss Abernethy. My cousins also interrupt me constantly. They were allowed to speak their minds far too freely also.”
She was speechless, a rarity he was sure.
“I know some people who may help,” he continued uninterrupted, “and am endeavoring to garner their support. But as there are many of these houses dotted all over the United Kingdom. Ranwich House is not the only one in need. I am attempting to help where I can, but the task is herculean, I assure you, Miss Abernethy.”
Her face changed again, this time filled with understanding.
“Of course, forgive me. I had no right to question you when quite clearly you are doing what you can.”
She obviously had a passionate nature, and Wolf wondered what it would be like to have all that passion focused on him.
“There are those with money who could do a great deal to ease these soldiers’ plight, and I am attempting to open their eyes to that fact, Miss Abernethy, but it will take time.”
“I wish I could do more, Captain.”
“What you did today helped, Miss Abernethy. These men enjoyed the respite from their suffering, if only for a short interlude.”
“Of course, and we shall return, I promise you.”
Wolf felt it again, that tug of need that had him wanting to close the distance between them. What would those soft, pink lips taste like?
“I must leave now, Miss Abernethy. Thank you for the performance.” Wolf had to walk away from this woman before he gave in to the foolish impulse to ask another question just so he could stand there in her company a few minutes more.
“Of course, forgive me for keeping you.”
“Good day, Miss Abernethy.” He acknowledged the others in the room, and after promising he would return soon, Wolf walked out the door. This time he did not look back.
Chapter 6
Two weeks after he had listened to Rose Abernethy’s dulcet tones, Wolf was lying on his back in bed at Dev’s house. He’d spent the night, as the twins and Warwick had begged him to.
The hour was early, the sun still hiding. The night had followed the same pattern as his disturbed nights always did. He’d tossed and turned, then fallen asleep only to wake bathed in sweat as he dreamed of a sea of blood and screaming men. They were getting fewer and fewer, but still left him tired and scratchy-eyed when the dawn finally came.
Wolf had learned to exist on snatched moments of sleep. Often during the day, he would slip away to his room and nap if his night had been a bad one. This usually sustained him and enabled him to function fully.
A knock sounded on his door.
“Do not enter this room without hot chocolate, if you please!”
A giggle greeted his words, then the door opened, and in walked his cousins. The twins, Dorrie and Somer, came first. Aged thirteen, they were growing rapidly in both stature and attitude, fast becoming young madams who would one day soon set society back on its heels.
Behind them came Warwic
k.
“We have hot chocolate,” Dorrie said, carrying two mugs. “And Warwick has the crumpets for you to burn in the fire.”
“That’s extremely harsh of you, Miss Dorset. I remember you burning them a time or two.”
He got off the bed and went to meet them. This, them coming to his room to toast bread and eat it with honey while drinking hot chocolate, had started when he was injured.
Devon had brought him here upon his return, and here he’d stayed until he was well enough to leave.
He’d been in pain, both in his head and body, and the little Sinclair’s had taken it upon themselves to sit with him, most especially in the morning when they rose. Early risers, they had cajoled their big brother’s cook to prepare what they needed and have it ready to bring to Wolf’s room.
“Set it on the table, Warwick,” Wolf said to the boy. “I shall light the fire, and get the forks.”
Wolf believed that these three had played a large part in helping him heal. Their love and attention had been constant and unwavering, as had that of the rest of their family. They’d sat with him and read stories while he was delirious with pain. He’d felt their kisses and touches and heard the songs they’d sung and remembered that he had to fight, for them.
“You three know what you mean to me, don’t you?”
All had gathered on the rug before the fire, and he settled between them as he always did.
“Your unwavering support gave me strength. I need you to know that.”
He’d never spoken that way before, but these were extremely intelligent, gifted children who had not been raised to live in the shadows, seen and not heard like others of their age.
“We know.” Warwick reached over his sister and patted Wolf’s thigh. “Pass me the honey, Somer.”
They toasted bread and pushed back the curtains and sat there watching the sun rise.
“’Tis a new day, Wolf, full of possibilities.”
“That it is, Dorrie my sweet.”
“Can I have a crumpet?”
They all turned to see Dev walk into the room.
“Can Wolf move back in with us, Dev? Why does he need to be so far away? Sinclairs are meant to live on the same street,” Dorrie said.
A look passed between Wolf and Dev.
“Wolf needs his privacy, sweetheart, so don’t badger him about this again.” He brushed a hand over his little sister’s head. “And now it is time to get dressed. We are to visit James early, and he has promised a breakfast fit for a princess and prince.”
The children clapped, hugged Wolf, then hurried from the room.
“We do miss you, cousin.”
“It’s better this way, Dev.”
“I know, just as I know you are an adult capable of running your business interests and yourself. I have an idea for when your sisters arrive from the country at the end of the year, but we shall discuss it later.”
He did not pursue the matter, as Dev would not speak until he was ready to do so.
“Why are we having breakfast with the duke and duchess?”
“It is the anniversary of your return to us, and Eden thought it should be something we celebrate. I agree.”
“Dev, I’m sorry if you believe I have in some way kept some of myself from you. It was....” Wolf’s words fell away. He had no idea how to finish what he’d begun. His family had suffered a great deal because of him. The man who’d returned on that ship was a far cry from the one who had left.
“For being in pain and unable to share that pain with us? My shame is that I did not realize you still suffered until Essie told me.”
His eyes were a vibrant green when emotion gripped him, just like Wolf’s.
“I did not want you to know. I wanted you all to see me as the man I have always been.”
Silence stretched between them.
“I thought I had you all fooled. Trust Essie to know better.”
“Her strongest sense has always been her ability to tell when someone is in pain.”
“I am all right, Dev.”
“No, not yet. But I feel things are improving and about to get better.”
“Better how?”
His cousin shrugged. “That I don’t know, so let’s see what unfolds.”
With those strange words, Dev left the room. Wolf simply shook his head and prepared himself to have breakfast with the duke and duchess and every other member of his family.
An hour later Wolf watched his cousins haggle over the last piece of cake. The one made to celebrate his return from hell.
“That cake is mine,” Eden said, glaring at Cam.
“Have it then, and I shall have another plate brought and eat the lot.” Cambridge Sinclair returned the glare with a menacing scowl that held little substance. “Besides, you need to keep your mind sharp for the next article, and all that sugar will not only widen your hips, but also dull your wits.”
Wolf braced for the explosion from Eden. It never came; instead a sly smile formed on her lips.
“Perhaps I shall approach another paper.”
Cam let out a loud bark of laughter. “No you won’t, you love me too much.”
“Drat,” Eden retorted.
The families were seated in the Duke and Duchess of Raven’s parlor, eating and bickering—something they excelled at. The duke had laid an ample table at breakfast, but still cake had arrived.
“Thank you all for my celebration,” Wolf said, feeling so full he was sure his shirt buttons were about to burst.
“You are welcome, and your return to us was something we waited weeks for,” James said.
As the Duke of Raven and highest-ranking member of the family, outsiders assumed he was respected and treated with deference. This was not the case; he was teased and taunted like they all were.
“Your family felt your pain, Wolf, and worry gnawed at them until they knew you were drawing closer.”
“Even in pain I knew you would be there waiting for me on that dock,” Wolf said softly, “and I cannot thank you enough for that.”
They had not spoken of that day often, but today was perhaps a day they should. He had known, even wracked by fever and pain, that they were waiting for him as the ship docked.
“That doesn’t mean he gets the cake, does it?” Emily said. She was resting beside James, her brother, looking tired but happy.
“Perhaps, seeing as it is his celebration, Wolf should have the cake?” Essie gave him a sweet smile. She was the third-eldest Sinclair, and the gentlest. The healer in the family, her strong sense was taste, and it had been she who had spent hours tending to Wolf when he returned.
“What? Why should he get it?” Cam said, as usual at the forefront of any food discussion.
“Because Wolf is not arguing for it, therefore perhaps he should have it.”
“That made no sense, my love,” Max Huntington said. A big man from humble beginnings, he was Essie’s husband and part of this unusual clan, and they were stronger for his presence. In his arms was their little boy, Luke. Not yet a year old, he was showing signs of having his mother’s temperament. Max, like Emily, was an illegitimate child of the late Duke of Raven.
“What she actually meant was that he’s still not back to the man he was and won’t fight us for it, so we should feel sorry and give him the cake,” Lilly, Dev’s wife, said.
Lilly had been a shock to Wolf, as he’d believed only Sinclairs had heightened senses. Yet years ago a Sinclair had dallied with a Raven, and as a result Lilly had the heightened sense of touch. She could heal using her hands. It was the most amazing thing he’d ever seen; when she’d touched him, he’d felt the heat, and then his leg had begun to heal.
“Not happening,” Cam said, staring at the cake.
“It’s true, I would like it,” Wolf said, trying to look pathetic. “After all, I was wounded and am still suffering, whereas you are all fit and healthy. Surely the nourishment in that cake will go a long way to restoring my spirits.”
Stunned silence settled around him. Looking at the faces, he wondered at their reaction; after all, this was the way they communicated.
“What?”
Dev cleared his throat. “You have not participated in any bickering or food bartering since your return, Wolf. In fact, when we gather you just sit and listen. The shock we are all experiencing is that for the first time in so long, you are attempting to be humorous.”
Had he really sunk that low? Surely not. He was just a different man now. He’d grown up and shouldered responsibilities, no longer the innocent he’d once been.
“We all change given time and responsibility,” he said, because nothing else came to mind.
“Of course, but not usually our personalities,” Eden said.
“I’ve changed that much?”
His family all nodded solemnly.
“I’m sorry,” he managed to get out around the lump in his throat. “My head, it sometimes....” He struggled to explain what he was going through.
“We know,” Dev said softly.
And likely they did, yet no one spoke about it to him.
Wolf exhaled slowly. Was he changing again? There was still darkness, and in a matter of seconds he could be back there, reliving the battle and the pain all around him. But perhaps he was taking a small step into the light. He hoped so.
Wolf had coped by becoming a man who showed little emotion. A man others likely saw as stuffy. Rose had thrown that word at him.
“He’s still not having that cake,” Cam said, which made everyone laugh.
There followed a chorus of no’s, and the bickering resumed.
“So how is your latest acquisition going, Wolf?”
“Well, thank you, Cam.”
From the corner of his eye Wolf watched Warwick swoop in and pick up the cake.
“Hey!” Cam roared.
The boy sprinted from the room with Dorrie and Somer on his heels.
“We taught them well,” Dev said, smiling.
Cam shrugged, then looked at Wolf. “When do your sisters arrive?”
“Not for a few months. Mother will come, and then they will start the whirl of buying clothing and things in preparation for their first season.”
“They can’t live with you in those rooms you rent.”
