Vision Of Danger

by Wendy Vella

  He grunted something unintelligible.

  “Your wee Scottish lass has you tied in knots.”

  The words held no sarcasm; they were spoken gently, in a very un-Cam-like manner. Because of this they were harder to take, especially as they were the truth.

  He should never have kissed Rose Abernethy. It was bad enough that he knew what she felt like pressed along the length of his body, but now he had the memory of that kiss.

  “I am helping someone who has no one else to do so.”

  “Yes, I believe you’ve already stated as such.”

  “It’s the truth,” Wolf said, sounding defensive.

  “If you say so.”

  He refused to say another word, so he kept walking across the street.

  The clip-clop of hooves alerted him to the fact Apollo had arrived.

  “Didn’t I leave you tied to something?”

  The horse nudged him in the back.

  “Well then, where are you taking me?” Cam said when they’d retrieved his horse.

  “Home.”

  “I distinctly remember a promise of food.”

  “I’ll buy you a ham sandwich.”

  Cam sighed. “Which you will no doubt expect me to eat while riding home.”

  “Why were those men released so soon, Cam?” Wolf’s unease increased as he thought about what Rose had been subjected to.

  “I don’t know, but it’s clear that whoever sent the order was not to be disobeyed.”

  “I read it, and the signature on the bottom, but could not decipher the name.”

  “Curious” was all Cam said as they stopped beside a vendor.

  Wolf purchased ham sandwiches and orange cake, and for Cam eating was a serious business so he left Wolf alone with his thoughts.

  “Are you certain there can be nothing between you and Miss Abernethy?”

  Cam’s words had him jerking on Apollo’s reins. The stallion tossed his head in disgust.

  “No, there is nothing, nor will there ever be.”

  “Why?

  “Don’t be foolish, Cam.” Wolf refused to look at his cousin, and in his stomach the sandwich was now not sitting well. “You very well know why.”

  “Because she is not of our world?”

  “I’m not speaking about this anymore.”

  “I never took you for a snob.”

  “I am not a snob,” Wolf gritted out. “I’m a realist, there is a difference.”

  “True love—”

  “I do not love Rose Abernethy, now shut up!”

  How could he love a woman he didn’t know? He and Rose knew nothing about each other. It was a foolish notion and one he dismissed instantly.

  Yes, he wanted her desperately. He would not lie about that, at least not to himself. He wanted her, and yet he could not have her in any capacity but as a mistress. As head of his family, it was expected that he would marry well. His cousin Dev was a baron, and his connections now suggested he should find a woman who moved in his world. Rose Abernethy did not.

  Looking skyward, he wondered what fates had determined that when he began to feel again it was with a woman like her—Scottish, working class, and totally unsuitable.

  “I’ll leave you to your thoughts and go home to my wife, as she told me this morning that she is sure she is giving birth to an elephant.”

  “Perhaps if I may suggest Mahendra then, if it’s a boy? A corporal in the army I knew had an elephant called that when he lived in India.”

  “Very amusing, however, I will not tell Em that as she’d likely hurl the nearest object my way. Amazing how my gentle wife has turned into a fire-breathing dragon.”

  “I do believe that’s pride I hear in your voice.”

  Cam grunted something unintelligible.

  “Thank you for accompanying me.”

  “I am always there for you, Wolf.”

  “I know.”

  They left it at that, and Wolf made his way along the street to his new house.

  Still brooding, he entered and felt the warmth wrap around him. The mistresses of the Earl of Chartley had certainly left this house feeling like a home. Happiness had lived here; he could feel it. Wolf would never admit it to his cousins, but this house was a far better place to sleep than the rooms he’d been keeping, even if it was on the same street as them.

  “Good day to you, Captain.”

  “Good day, Milton.”

  His butler had served his country for many years and walked with a slight limp.

  “I have put your correspondence beside your chair, Captain, and I will have a tea tray prepared at once.”

  “No hurry, Milton.”

  He had taken three steps up before he felt something slither down his spine. It went as fast as it came, but it made him uneasy. Something wasn’t right, Wolf thought, retracing his steps. Perhaps he would visit with his family just to ensure everyone was safe. Shrugging back into his coat, he grabbed his hat and left through the door he’d just entered, hoping it was not Rose in trouble again.

  Chapter 13

  Rose reached the park near the Duke of Raven’s house. The attacks had made her wary, and she constantly looked over her shoulder, but she would not let it stop her doing what she must to survive.

  She’d contemplated not telling Kitty about the second attack, but then she had no wish to lie either, so she’d told her a moderated version. Her friend had proceeded to lambast Rose for her recklessness while extolling the captain’s heroic behavior once again. It had only ceased when Rose had left the house early to go to her lesson with Lady Samantha to avoid strangling her dearest friend.

  Was it a random act, and Rose merely unlucky to have had two such incidents befall her in such a short space?

  Could her cousin really be behind the attacks? Had he found her so fast? And furthermore, why had he not shown himself? Was he such a coward he had used others to do his business, and if so what were his plans for her?

  “Cad!” She would not allow him to cow her. Could not allow it. He had forced her to London and now was threatening her here too. If indeed it is Herbert.

  She hadn’t told Kitty about the kiss in the carriage, but Rose had not been able to forget it. The man had kissed every thought from her head but one: him. Herbert had grabbed her many times and kissed her using force, but she’d felt nothing but revulsion.

  But Captain Sinclair.... Rose refused to sigh.

  Pushing open the gate to the park, Rose decided on a walk before her lesson. The sound of children shrieking had her smiling, and then three young ladies burst out of the trees. The Sinclair twins were running with Lady Samantha, young Master Sinclair on their heels roaring like a lion. She’d met them at Samantha’s last lesson and thought them as delightful as the duke’s sister.

  They circled round and stopped where Rose stood watching them.

  “Hello, Rose!”

  “Good day to you all.”

  “Did you know that Bartolomeo Cristofori invented the piano?”

  “I did not know that, Miss Dorset, but thank you for telling me.”

  “We are all named after places.”

  “Are you really, Miss Somerset? How wonderful to have such original names.”

  “Except Eden, she is named after our home in the country, Oak’s Knoll, as our mother believed it the Garden of Eden.”

  “Also a lovely name,” Rose said.

  “What happened to your face?”

  “I walked into a door, Miss Dorset.”

  “It looks sore.”

  It was, and Rose had only noticed it last night. It was yet another reminder of what she endured at the hands of those two men.

  “Do you speak any other languages, Rose?” Lady Samantha tilted her head to the side as she studied her.

  “I do not, except of course Gaelic.”

  “Oooh, we don’t speak that, can you teach us?” Warwick said, looking excited. “In turn we shall teach you a language you would like to learn.”

  “I
have always wanted to speak French. Perhaps you can teach me a few phrases if there is time one day. And now I think it is time for our lesson, Lady Samantha.”

  “We are having lessons with you also,” Dorrie said. “And Warwick is learning the violin.”

  “Yes, I am looking forward to it.” Rose was excited about the prospect of more work doing what she enjoyed. Perhaps soon she could leave the tea shop and Putt’s Lodging House.

  “You are surely not here alone?”

  “No indeed, my sister, Emily, is here. You met her at my recital, she is about to have a baby. Two maids accompanied us also as our brothers thinks we need watching over, even though we are no longer children.”

  The boy had spoken the words. His face was serious and she saw something of Captain Sinclair in there.

  “Come quickly!”

  Rose looked up as a woman appeared through the trees. She was running and waving her hands about. One of the maids, was Rose’s guess. She looked upset about something.

  “Come.” Rose urged the children at a run to meet the woman.

  “What has happened, Anne?” Somer asked.

  “Mrs. Sinclair, her time has come!”

  “The baby!” Samantha squealed.

  “Yes, you must come at once!”

  “Where is she?”

  “Through here.”

  They all ran after the maid, and soon they reached the heavily pregnant woman. She was leaning on the trunk of a tree.

  “Emily!” Samantha ran to her side and took her hand.

  “I am well, my sweet.”

  The words were accompanied by a soft moan and several pants.

  “Hello, Mrs. Sinclair, I’m unsure if you remember me, but my name is Rose Abernethy and I am Samantha’s piano teacher.”

  “I do.”

  “If you will allow me, I shall help you.”

  The woman nodded, then gripped the hand Rose offered.

  “All right, then let us start on our way. But first, Warwick, and you, Anne,” Rose waved to the maid now wringing her hands, “I want you and the girls to run back to the house and tell them what is happening and find two men to come here at once.”

  “I don’t want to leave Emily,” Samantha protested.

  “She can st-stay,” Emily gritted out.

  “Go now.” Rose shooed the others away.

  “Miss Abernethy, I must squeeze your hand hard, please forgive me.”

  “My name is Rose, and I want you to know that I have spent a great deal of time assisting my aunt, who was a midwife.” Reassurance was important at this stage for any expectant woman.

  “Oh thank God you are here then.”

  “If you will let me, Mrs. Sinclair, I should like to touch your stomach.”

  “Yesssss.”

  Rose gently placed her hand on the stomach. It felt hard and tight, and the baby was sitting low. The woman would give birth right here in the park if they did not get her back to the house soon.

  “When the next contraction grips you, Mrs. Sinclair, I want you to tell us when it is finished. Samantha, you will then count slowly until the next one begins. It will be quite the task but I think you can manage it.”

  “I will.”

  “Excellent. For now we are going to start walking.” Rose looked at the other maid. “What is your name?”

  “Jenny.”

  “Jenny, I need you to assist Mrs. Sinclair from the other side, please.”

  They made a slow procession walking carefully to the gate. Mrs. Sinclair was sweating now, and struggling to stay strong for her little sister, who in turn was pale with worry but trying not to show it.

  “How many months along are you, Mrs. Sinclair?” Rose knew this, but wanted to keep the woman talking.

  “Eight. Surely it is too early?”

  “Not at all,” Rose assured her. “I have helped deliver babies earlier than that into the world, and all were born healthy.”

  The woman exhaled slowly.

  “I-I don’t k-know what fates put you h-here at this exact time, Miss Abernethy, but thank you.”

  “Please call me Rose.”

  “And I am Emily. Good God, it’s another contraction!”

  Rose braced herself in front of Emily so the woman could lean on her.

  “Pant if you wish, Mrs. Sinclair, and you may grab me as hard as you feel necessary. Please tell us when it finishes.”

  “Now!”

  Samantha started counting out loud.

  “Excellent, things are progressing perfectly,” Rose said calmly. Her aunt was always calm, even if things were dire.

  “Now we walk again. Walking is very good while in labor, contrary to what doctors would have you think. It helps with the birth and keeps the blood flowing.”

  She kept up a steady stream of conversation until Emily stopped suddenly and leaned in to whisper in Rose’s ear.

  “I believe my waters have broken, as it feels as if I have wet myself.”

  “It is all simply part of the process, Mrs. Sinclair—”

  “Emily!”

  “Emily,” Rose soothed. “Do not fret now, and we shall have you inside and changed shortly.”

  They reached the gate and started back up the street.

  “They are coming!” Samantha cried in relief.

  Rose looked along the road and saw a group of people running down it toward them. They were still some distance away, but she found the familiar figure of Captain Sinclair among them.

  “Excellent timing,” Rose said, squeezing Emily’s hand gently. “Now we shall get you to the house and see about delivering this baby.”

  “You are coming, aren’t you?”

  “Oh, I’m sure there is already someone to look after you.”

  “No! I want you and Essie!” Emily declared loudly.

  Women, she’d often noted, were quite determined when in labor. Those who were timid often became tigers.

  “Oh well... I’m sure—”

  “Please don’t leave me!”

  The hand gripping hers nearly cut off her circulation. Rose had found also that when woman were in labor, often they had the strength of ten men.

  “Another one!” Emily moaned.

  “I counted to 545,” Samantha said.

  “Well done for not losing focus halfway through as I would have done.”

  She held Emily as she moaned in pain, her fingers digging into Rose’s shoulders as the thunder of feet grew closer.

  Chapter 14

  “It’s too early.” Cam’s words were laced with fear. “Surely the babe cannot come yet?”

  “Only a few weeks,” Essie reassured him. “Not too early at all. And do not let her see your panic, Cam. She needs calm now.”

  Wolf had known something was about to happen as he approached the road leading to the park. His tension had spiked, seeing his family all together. Somer had run to him, face anguished.

  “It’s the baby, Wolf.”

  Taking her hand, he’d run with her at his side.

  “And it will arrive safely like all the others,” he had reassured her, as he did Dorrie, who took his other hand.

  Wolf was relieved to see Lilly here; should she be needed to save either the babe or Emily, she would, even though it cost her a great deal.

  “Who is that with Emily?” Essie said as they ran.

  “Miss Abernethy, the piano teacher. You met her at Samantha’s recital. Wolf has rescued her twice, and defended both her and her friend’s honor,” Dev said, throwing Wolf a look he ignored. “Amazing how she of all people is assisting Em.”

  “Not amazing, considering she is Samantha’s piano teacher,” Wolf stated, ignoring the knowing look.

  They stopped, forming a circle around Emily, who was leaning heavily on Rose.

  “If you will assist your wife, Mr. Sinclair, I think the walk may be taxing on her.”

  Wolf watched Cam lean in and say something to Emily. Picking her up, he then held her as if she was made of the finest gl
ass.

  “Rose is coming!”

  “But, Em, we have Essie,” Cam said.

  “She is the niece of a midwife and been to many births. I like her, therefore I want her and Essie!”

  “Oh no—”

  “You promised!”

  Rose didn’t flinch at Em’s words, nor the tone they were delivered in. She looked calm and sweet enough to make Wolf’s teeth clench, in a simple gray dress with a thin lavender ribbon tied beneath her breasts. His eyes found the dark bruise on her jaw and he felt the sting of anger.

  “How wonderful, I should love for Rose to assist me,” Essie said in her usual calm manner, moving to the piano teacher’s side. “Come along, my dear, you can tell me all about your aunt’s midwifery days.”

  Wolf fell in behind, simply there in case he should be needed. The twins were now running back to the house with Warwick, no doubt to ensure everything was in readiness. This was how his family worked. They were always there for each other. They’d certainly spent plenty of time nursing and caring for him; for that he owed them a great deal.

  “I have no wish to force you to come, Rose, but would be grateful if you did so,” Essie added.

  “Of course, if you wish it.”

  He could hear her reservation and moved to her side when Essie joined Cam and Emily.

  “Did you get that when those men attacked you?”

  “Pardon?” She looked at Wolf as he placed a hand on her back, urging her forward. Her spine stiffened and she tried to pull away, but he kept pace with her.

  “The bruise here.” He touched her jaw, but she pulled away quickly.

  “’Tis nothing, and almost gone now.”

  Wolf did not mention it again as he was sure her mind was on Emily now, as his should be.

  “Emily is special to us, and her wish at this time is to have you with her, Rose. I understand it is asking much of you, but—”

  “I will of course do as Mrs. Sinclair wishes, but I do not want to get in the way or be where I am not needed.”

  “You are the niece of a midwife. I am unsure who is more qualified than you.”

  “Be that as it may—”

  “I’ve found nothing good follows those words.” Wolf interrupted her this time.

  “Be that as it may,” she said in a more forceful voice that made him smile. Rose Abernethy was not one to shy away from anything. “I have no wish to get in the way, and as Mrs. Sinclair does not know me, I also have no wish to make her uncomfortable.”