by Wendy Vella
“Good day,” James and Wolf replied.
“What brings you here?”
“Kitty, I’ll explain—”
“I have tickets for the theatre, Miss Dodds. Would you and Miss Abernethy care to attend?” Wolf said once again, speaking without thinking. Clearly he was ailing for something.
Both women wore identical expressions of surprise. Miss Dodds recovered first.
“Oh, we’d be so happy to go, wouldn’t we, Rose?”
“Oh no, really I do not need such generosity.” Rose looked anything but delighted. “We c—”
“Excellent, I shall have them sent round in plenty of time, and send a hackney to collect you on the night.”
“Really, there is no—”
“Good day.” He left while Rose was attempting to come up with an excuse to decline his offer of tickets and followed James down the steps and onto the street. They mounted, and were just about to leave when Wolf remembered something.
“If you will give me a minute, James, I shall return shortly.”
“Of course, just tell your beast to not take a bite out of me.”
“Behave, Apollo.” The horse bared his teeth.
He reentered the Lodging House and knocked on the Putts’ door. Rose and Miss Dodds were luckily no longer downstairs. Rupert Putt opened the door on his second knock.
“Take this for Miss Abernethy’s rent,” Wolf thrust some notes at him, “and if you treat her with anything but respect from this day forth, sir, you will answer to me.”
The man did not look happy, but said nothing further.
“This,” Wolf handed him more money, “is for the roof to be repaired. I will return in two days to ensure that has been done, or at the very least a tradesman has been hired to fix it. If not I will be displeased, sir, and it will not go well for you. I also have no wish for her to know I have given you this money, is that understood?”
He left with the man’s word and was soon mounted on Apollo and heading down the street beside James.
“Did you wake up this morning and state in a loud voice, ‘today I will be impulsive’?”
“I am attempting to change,” Wolf defended himself.
“May I say you have made excellent strides.”
Apollo moved into James’s horse, squashing his leg.
“Good boy,” Wolf said as James cursed.
“That is a horrible place for any person to live, Wolf. I know that there are worse accommodations, and some even live on the streets, but I do not like to think of your Miss Abernethy in such a place.”
“Neither do I.”
“So, Miss Abernethy is coming to the theatre next week. How generous you are, Captain Sinclair.”
“Be quiet,” Wolf said, and the duke proceeded to chuckle the entire journey home.
Chapter 20
Wolf had sent the theatre invitations around to Rose’s house, and today hired a hackney to take both her and Miss Dodds to the theatre. He hoped stubbornness did not stop her from attending.
“How are Emily and little Beth doing?” Wolf asked Eden, who looked beautiful as always.
“Very well. She is still resting often, but seems on the road to full recovery thanks to Lilly. Cam is of course watching her every move.”
“Funny how he has changed so completely with his marriage to Em. Before her his most pressing concern was his next meal.”
“Sinclairs fall hard, Wolf. Be warned,” Eden teased him.
“I will not wed for some time,” he said quickly. Eden’s response was a smile that made him want to wriggle in his seat.
The Duke of Raven’s box at the theatre was, as to be expected, in an exceptional location. The women in their party sat in the front, and behind them their men and Wolf. Gas lighting allowed the guests to shine in all their glory and be seen, which for many was their main reason for attending.
“So, I hear we are to organize a concert for your veterans, and James informs me a certain piano teacher is to perform. He has also told me I am to join him,” Eden said.
Wolf had deliberately seated himself in the second row where he could not lean over and search for Rose constantly. James had been the one to tell him to give her seats down there and not up in his box, as Rose and Miss Dodds would be uncomfortable, even if the Sinclair and Raven party were not. He had been right of course, Wolf knew this, but the hell of it was he’d wanted to look at her.
“Miss Abernethy has forced you out of character, cousin.”
“Pardon?” Wolf dragged his eyes from Lord Hooten, who was gesturing widely about something in the box next door. The man looked ridiculous in his salmon silk jacket and pomaded hair.
“I know you heard,” Dev said.
“Perhaps not, as it is loud in here,” Eden said, hearing every word.
“No, he did.” Dev sat to his right, behind his wife. One large hand rested on her shoulder. They were always touching each other, his family.
“Yes, most intriguing.” Max joined the conversation. “As the observer in this family, I must say I agree. Our stoic and solemn captain has definitely been unsettled by the little pianist.”
“No I have not,” Wolf denied as calmly as he could, because they were right. Rose unsettled him. “I am just showing her some courtesy after what she saw that day when Emily gave birth. It had to be a shock, and I want her to see we are not bad people.”
“How incredibly noble of you to make sure our pristine name and reputation stay intact,” James drawled. “After all, none of us have done a thing to sully it.”
This had everyone laughing loudly, which in turn had the eyes of those in the nearest boxes turning their way.
“No indeed, we should be held up as paragons of—”
“All right, I take your point.” Wolf cut James off.
“The heroic Captain Sinclair,” Eden sighed. “He has saved Miss Abernethy from attacks and fought with his fists to save the honor of her friend. And now….” Eden sighed again, making Wolf want to wrap his hands around her neck and squeeze.
“Thank you, I believe that will do.” Wolf had to at least try to shut them up, no matter how futile his attempt would be.
“Leave him alone, after all it has been a long while since our Wolf has been happy, or indeed outspoken. I for one will do nothing to change that.”
Wolf smiled at Essie, his champion, the gentle member of their clan.
“I’m sorry that I have not been myself.”
“Completely understandable,” Dev said, squeezing his shoulder. “We don’t know what you saw or endured while away fighting, but the look in your eyes that day you returned told me it had scarred you.”
“Yes,” Wolf said. “I sometimes wonder how deep.”
“That you can talk openly to us is a start, cousin. Previously you would not acknowledge that you suffered.”
“I am better… at least I am getting better.”
He could see by their faces they were happy with his response. No one said anything more on the subject, and for that he was grateful.
They were soon moving from subject to subject, and he sat and listened and thought about the man he was becoming. It would not be the man he once was, but a better one. The old Wolf was devil-may-care, but he was gone. However, he was determined that in his place would be someone who could laugh and enjoy life.
“Do you know, I think most of these people come here to talk to each other and be seen rather than actually watch the performance,” Max said, looking disgruntled. “The noise is deafening.”
“It is the way of things, darling.” Essie patted his arm. “Being seen is everything. A lot of these people would love to visit us for a chat or to be seen in the company of a Raven or Sinclair, so brace yourself, I’m sure we shall soon have callers.”
“Ah, but not just any Raven and Sinclair, my sweet. The Duke and Duchess of Raven and Lord and Lady Sinclair, to be precise,” Max added.
“And Captain Sinclair,” Essie said. “He is quite the catch accordi
ng to several of the young ladies who have befriended me so I can introduce him.”
“Wolf has no wish for an empty-headed twit as a wife,” Eden scoffed. “He’d be bored in days.”
“They are surely not all empty-headed, sister?” Dev asked.
“Most, but my point is he needs a woman of intellect and backbone.”
“You do realize I’m sitting right here, don’t you?” Wolf said. “And as I have no wish to pursue any woman, perhaps we can leave that subject alone for now.”
“Just for now?”
“What is it with you people? Because you all live in wedded bliss therefore I must?”
“Of course,” they said as one, making themselves laugh and Wolf roll his eyes.
“Miss Abernethy and Miss Dodds have arrived. Both are seated and look excited,” Dev said as he leaned over the railing to look down below. Wolf battled the urge to join him.
“How kind you are to have allowed this for them,” Essie said.
“So kind,” Dev mimicked. “With no ulterior motive. My hero,” he sighed.
“I wouldn’t stand too close to the edge, cousin. One would hate to see you fall,” Wolf muttered.
“Sit now, Dev, the show is about to begin and I wish to watch.”
He did as his wife suggested and seconds later the curtain rose, and Wolf forced himself to focus. His vision allowed him to see so much more than anyone else, the expressions on the faces of the actors—just as he would Rose’s if he was looking down at her.
“Wolf.”
Essie whispered his name. Looking her way, she motioned him closer.
“Stand up, we shall swap seats,” Dev said from beside him.
Wolf had little choice, and seconds later he’d pulled his chair closer to Essie, which allowed him to see below.
“What did you want, Essie?”
“Are you sleeping well?”
“You want to discuss this now?”
“You cannot go anywhere here, whereas when I try to discuss this matter any other time, you simply walk away making excuses.”
“I am sleeping.”
“That’s not really true, is it?”
“Leave it for now, Essie, please. I am a great deal better than I was. My leg is also healing and I barely feel pain now thanks to you.”
“But sleep is healing, Wolf.”
“I know, and I am sleeping more nights than I was. Will that make you happy for now?”
“Some, but I will broach the matter again soon.”
Wolf looked to Dev, but his cousin waved him to stay where he was. He fought the need to look for her, but it was no good; in minutes he was searching the crowds.
Something heavy settled in his chest as he found her lovely face lit with excitement. The long, slender column of her throat was exposed as she turned to the right to watch the performance. Switching his eyes back to the stage, he watched an actor move to the edge. He stopped, stumbled, then righted himself. His eyes were focused on Rose; Wolf was sure of it.
Shocked marred his features, and while he struggled to continue with his performance, there was little doubting he was unsettled. His eyes shot in Rose’s direction and away again several more times.
“Dev, who is that man staring at?”
Wolf heard Lilly’s whisper, but he did not move his eyes from Rose. She looked uncomfortable, which confirmed his suspicions. Miss Dodds was whispering something in her ear that had her nodding.
“It is hard to say exactly, but I’d say Miss Abernethy by the expression on her face.”
“I wonder why?”
“Perhaps they know each other?” Dev suggested.
Wolf felt a whisper of unease, but couldn’t find the source. Looking at his cousins he saw they were calm and enjoying the performance.
As the first act drew to a close, he allowed himself to look at Rose again, let his eyes rest on the soft, pale skin exposed above the bodice of her gray dress. She wore long white gloves, and her hair was pinned in some elaborate creation on her head.
Exquisite.
“Well I for one am thirsty,” James said as the act ended. “Will we promenade, family?”
Everyone agreed to stretching their legs. Wolf did not look down as he followed them from the box. But he wanted to, just to see her again.
“That actor very clearly was shocked to see Miss Abernethy, Wolf. I think you need to go down and see if all is well with her and her friend, considering you purchased those tickets.”
“What? Why?” He shot James a frustrated look.
“I have told you why. Come, I shall accompany you.”
“You’re a duke.”
“And therefore unable to go downstairs and mix with non-dukes?”
“You’re putting words into my mouth,” Wolf muttered.
“I wouldn’t have to if you put them there. Now come along. We shall return shortly.”
“He’s doing what he does best, Wolf,” Eden said. “Duking.”
“That’s not a word, my love.”
“It should be, as you are very good at it.” Her eyes twinkled.
“Come along, Wolf.”
“I am not a pet, James, nor one of your minions.”
The duke stopped.
“It is excellent to see you are getting more forceful daily. I wonder why it is happening suddenly?”
He knew his family had latched on to the fact that Rose meant something to him. He also knew they held her responsible for any changes they saw in him. That wasn’t the case at all, but purely coincidence. In fact, he’d been already changing before Rose entered his life… he was sure of it.
“Duke, Captain Sinclair!”
“God save me,” Wolf moaned.
“Lady Winslow, how lovely to see you.” James smiled with far more relish than required.
Wolf wondered why his family got so much enjoyment out of seeing him in awkward situations.
“Captain Sinclair and I were just stating how much we are enjoying the performance, is that not right?” James looked at Wolf, who was dragging his feet forward to stand at the duke’s side.
“The exact words.”
Lady Winslow had a daughter who had tried to lure Wolf into a library at a social gathering with the sole intention of seducing him. He’d since run fast in the opposite direction whenever she was near.
“Oh, Captain Sinclair, you must come and watch the remainder of the performance with us, we have quite the view!”
Lydia Winslow tended to speak in exclamation points, and, if that was the only thing that annoyed Wolf, he could have tolerated her company, but she was a woman who had her eyes on the highest matrimonial prize. As there were no dukes available at the moment, and earls and viscounts were also thin on the ground, she’d focused on Wolf. This, he’d come to realize, was because he was connected to a duke and a baron and had money of his own.
“Thank you for the invitation, but my family wish for my company this evening, Miss Winslow.”
Wolf moved slightly to the right, crowding James to ensure he did not dispute this comment. The duke remained silent.
Miss Winslow pouted, then made a simpering noise that had Wolf’s teeth gnashing.
“But surely”—she moved closer, leaning forward to touch his arm, and allow him a full view of her breasts in the indecently low-cut gown she wore. Wolf kept his eyes on her face— “you would rather my company.”
“I’m sorry, but we must leave. My wife, you understand. She had a headache and is in need of refreshment,” James said.
“But surely Captain Sinclair is not needed to—”
“Good evening,” Wolf said, following James.
“Her mother should reprimand that girl and lock her in her room,” the duke said as they reached the stairs. “If Samantha or Isabella ever display those tendencies I will be taking them to Raven Castle and locking them in the dungeons.”
“May I remind you it was not me who wanted to stop and talk.”
“I know, and I apologize.”
Wolf grunted something and followed the duke down the stairs, his thoughts returning to the woman he would hopefully see soon. Rose Abernethy, someone as different as night was to day from Miss Winslow.
Chapter 21
Rose could not stop staring. She wanted to absorb every sight and sound, take in the decor and the brightly colored patrons. So many people from so many differing walks of life were attending.
The hackney Captain Sinclair ordered had arrived just as she and Kitty had stepped outside the front door. The driver asked her if she was Miss Abernethy, as he was to take her to the theatre. She wanted to be annoyed by his high-handed behavior, but couldn’t. This experience was something she could never replicate for herself and Kitty, and for that she was grateful.
“Pride has its place, Rose, but not to the point of stupidity,” Kitty had said, and so she’d shut up and climbed into the hackney, feeling, if only for one evening, as if this was their right.
Rose wore her best dress. A plain gray shift, fitted at the bodice with a matching satin band, it had been her aunt’s favorite on her due to the color of her hair. Kitty wore sky blue, with a deeper trim on the hem and bodice. Their hair had taken time and was decorated with fresh flowers Kitty had brought home. Rose hadn’t questioned where they’d come from, as she was sure they’d been picked from someone’s garden.
“I cannot believe the carry-on down there.”
Rose looked to where Kitty was pointing. People were shouting and laughing, some flirting; it was almost as entertaining to watch as the show.
“It’s worse than the streets of an evening.”
“It’s certainly noisy. But are you enjoying the performance, Kitty?”
“Oh yes, it’s wonderful. But what do you make of that carry-on with the actor staring at you, Rose?”
It had been odd. The man had seemed to stop as he saw her, his eyes wide with shock.
“I think it was a case of mistaken identity, Kitty, as I have never been to the theatre before.”
“Yes, you are likely right, and Mr. Trent said he was sure that was the case.”
“Mr. Trent?”
“Him.” Kitty pointed to the man beside her.
