by Wendy Vella
“I would do it... for you.”
His hand covered hers on his chest. Through the layers of clothing it felt warm on his skin.
“Rose, I.....” The words died in his throat as her other hand touched his face. Closing his eyes, he concentrated on the light brush of a finger as it glided down his cheek.
“Your touch, Rose, it humbles me.”
“I cannot stop myself,” she whispered. “Such strength and beauty do I see in you.”
“No.”
“Yes.” She pressed her fingers to his lips, silencing him.
He shook with the need to have more of this woman. A need that rocked him to his soul.
“This is wrong,” she whispered, and Wolf was about to disagree when her hand moved and in its place came her lips.
Sweet, so sweet. Her scent teased him; her lush body lured him. Wolf felt the last of his restraint slip. Urging her closer, he deepened the kiss, angling her head so he could take what he wanted.
“Rose,” he whispered against her lips.
“Captain—”
“Wolf,” he whispered. “I want to hear my name on your lips.”
“Wolf.”
She made it sound like sin. He wanted her spread across his bed with all that glorious hair free and her naked body pressed to his. Blood pounded through his body. He was hungry for her as he not been for a woman in a long time.
Moving to her neck, he kissed the pale length, down to her shoulder, licking the satin of her skin, causing her to shudder. Her head fell back, and he pressed his lips to the center.
The rattle of the door they had just walked through had her wrenching out of his arms and stumbling backward.
“Dear Lord! This madness has to stop.”
“Come, we must leave here.” Wolf took her arm and urged her down the hallway so they were not seen. He also needed time to gain control of his body, which raged with lust. “This way. Miss Dodds is in the duke’s box.”
“Pardon?”
“The duke has taken her there.”
“But why?”
“Because I felt you were in some kind of trouble and followed you. James decided that Miss Dodds would enjoy a seat in his box.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“What?”
“Did you think to lure me—”
“Do I look like the type to lure a woman anywhere?” Angry, and yes hurt she would think of him in such a way, Wolf urged her up the stairs.
She shot a look over her shoulder.
“I don’t know what men look like who lure women with nefarious intentions in mind.”
He grabbed her arm, turning her to face him. Their eyes were level, as she was on the step above.
“Yes you do, and you also know me,” he said softly.
The fight left her lovely body. Her hand skimmed the line of his jaw once more.
“Forgive me. I do know that you are a good man, but this cannot continue, Wolf. You must know it, as do I.”
He didn’t want to answer that, so he urged her up the stairs.
“I’m not entirely sure I can take much more of this.”
He heard the pain in her whisper, and his chest burned that he had played a part in putting it there.
“Take a breath, Rose.”
“Distance will make everything right again.”
“You will not walk away from the children again, surely?” Or me?
“I will not, as I have promised.”
Relieved at her words, Wolf ushered her into the Raven box. They found Miss Dodds seated in the front row between the duchess and the duke, looking extremely pleased with herself and not at all uncomfortable.
Wolf urged Rose to a seat as the play was just restarting.
“We must leave, Kitty,” she whispered loudly.
Miss Dodds, he was pleased to note, had gone suddenly deaf and ignored her friend.
“Sit.” He forced her into the seat and took the one next to her. “As you can see, Miss Dodds is doing nothing to disgrace herself, so you can relax.”
“Kitty is a lady and would not disgrace herself,” she whispered back.
“Excellent.” Wolf sat back and tried to relax. Not very easy while his body was still simmering and the woman responsible was seated close by.
“People are staring.”
“Let them look.”
“Hello, Miss Abernethy.”
“Good evening, Mr. Huntington.”
Rose was now twisting the ribbons of her little bag around her fingers.
“Is there a problem, Miss Abernethy?”
“We should not be here, Lord Sinclair.”
Wolf watched Dev smile. It was gentle and understanding. His family could do that when required, be very nice people.
“Where would you like to be?”
Rose shot him a look before returning her gaze to the stage once more. “In our seats, a long way from here.”
“I assure you these are far more comfortable. Indeed, they are some of the best in the house. Were I you, I would relax and enjoy the performance.”
The ribbons got another vicious twist.
“Relax.” Wolf leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “Forget everything but the here and now, Rose. Do as my cousin has suggested and enjoy this experience.”
She turned, and her face was suddenly inches from his. Time stood still as their eyes caught and held. Everything faded but them. Long seconds later she looked away and Wolf was able to breathe again.
“I’m not sure what you expect of me.”
What indeed, Wolf thought, inhaling and filling his head with her scent. His behavior was out of character and he couldn’t seem to rein himself in.
“Are you enjoying your first experience at the theatre?”
“I—yes indeed, thank you for asking, Mr. Huntington.”
Max threw Wolf a look with a raised brow. He ignored it.
“Is everything all right?” Dev mouthed.
He nodded.
“Good grief, Milton Himple has just hurled his drink at someone, and it hit Lady Carlton!”
Everyone surged to their feet at Eden’s words and moved to the side, forgetting the performance taking place on stage. Wolf took Rose with him as she seemed stuck to her seat.
“Unhand me.”
“Do you not want to see what is happening?”
“That’s it, Lady Carlton, but take off your glove, the impact will be more effective!”
Rose gasped at Eden’s words, while Wolf and the others laughed. Even Miss Dodds was enjoying the performance, calling out her encouragement. Rose however, was mortified.
They laughed, talked, and watched the play in between, and when it was finished, Wolf was more than ready to rise and move away from Rose. He had been aware of every breath she drew and twitch she made.
One thing Wolf had realized as he sat there in the dark at her side, with her soft scent wrapping around him, was that he either had to forget her or do something about his fixation with her.
“We shall take you home, as I have my carriage,” Wolf said as the party arrived in the foyer.
“That is not necessary, as you paid for the one that brought us here, Captain Sinclair. Miss Dodds has a friend, Thomas, who is a driver, and he will take us home. I shall see if he is here.”
“I will go with you,” Wolf said.
“There is no need.”
“You are not walking about on your own.”
She ignored him and walked off alone.
“She is a woman who knows her own mind, it would seem,” Dev said, moving to Wolf’s side. “Just like a few of the other ladies in our lives.”
“She is at that. Rose goes about things in her own way,” Miss Dodds said. “That’s why we became friends, as I am the same. Although I admit to having fear for her over this strange business.”
“Strange business?” Wolf tracked Rose as she walked. As long as he could see her, she was safe.
“First there were the incidents with those m
en you rescued her from, Captain Sinclair. My thanks for that.”
Wolf nodded.
“Then a man approached her in the tea shop stating he wanted her to be a companion to his sister. Apparently a friend of Rose’s recommended her.”
“That’s extremely odd,” Dev said.
“Yes, especially as Rose has no friends in London, firstly, and secondly, why would anyone employ her without references? It makes no sense when there are agencies for such things.”
“Yes, references would be vital for a position like this,” James added. It was never possible in this family to just speak with one member at a time.
He could still see Rose, some distance from where he stood. It would take Wolf a matter of seconds to reach her if need be.
“I understand you don’t know the way of things, if you’ll pardon me for saying so, your Grace. But for people like us, we do not get work without references. Especially this kind of work, which incidentally Rose has no experience of.”
“That’s put me in my place.”
“No offence intended.”
“None taken, I assure you, Miss Dodds.”
“’Tis a right joy to be with nobles that are actually good folks.”
“Are they not usually?” Eden enquired.
Miss Dodds’s laugh held little humor, but left them all in little doubt that nobles were indeed not always good people.
Rose had stopped and appeared to be speaking with a woman. They seemed to know each other.
“That actor who was looking strangely at Rose during the performance lured her backstage,” Wolf said softly so Miss Dodds did not overhear. “Then accused her of being the daughter of Lavinia Smyth, an actress who passed way.”
Dev whistled softly.
“Apparently she has the same coloring, and they share a birthmark.”
“She told you about the birthmark?”
Wolf nodded and saw the mark again—and the pale flesh surrounding it.
“It does sound a bit smoky,” Essie said, joining the conversation. “And I feel as if Rose is important to us now as the children and Wolf like her so much.”
“I do not like her so much.”
“Of course you do,” Dev scoffed.
“She has no one else to watch over her, so I am attempting to do so until she is settled in London.”
“Why?”
“I’ve just told you why.”
“It seems a great deal of trouble to go to for a woman you have no interest in. Especially as you dragged Cam to that Watch House.”
“I didn’t drag him, I lured him there with food.”
“That’ll always work, to be fair.”
“The point here is, James, that Wolf does not do this to everyone who crosses his path. And let us not forget the rescuing,” Dev added.
“True, it’s hard to believe she’s not a Raven,” Max said. “James said there is no Scottish line.”
“Yes, that will do, thank you. This discussion will cease as Rose is returning and I have no wish for her to overhear.”
His family fell silent, if only briefly.
“Mrs. Timms is here, Kitty, and offered to share a hackney home with us,” Rose said, reaching them. “Good evening.” She sank into a curtsey and then said each of their names in perfect order. “Thank you very much for the wonderful evening.”
She didn’t look at Wolf again, and soon he was watching her walk away with Miss Dodds, feeling frustrated, like a cat with his fur stroked the wrong way.
Chapter 23
Wolf entered the small nursery at Cam and Emily’s house with Hep on his heels. Needing company, as he no longer wanted his own, he’d chosen to visit the newest member of their family.
He’d spent the night tossing and turning again, but this time it had not been visions of death and blood that had woken him. No, it was that bloody woman and her soft skin and kissable lips. Rose Abernethy disturbed him when she was near, but when she wasn’t he fared little better.
In the three days since he’d last seen her, he knew she’d worked in the tea shop, given the twins a piano lesson, and visited Ranwich House. Wolf knew because he’d employed someone to follow her. If his cousins ever found this piece of information out he was doomed.
The problem was, he had no rights to this woman, and likely never would, but he could no longer deny his need for her.
“Wolf!”
“Hello, Em.” He entered the room and touched heads as he passed his younger cousins, making his way to where Emily sat with a baby in her arms. Hep was happy to lap up the attention from the children, making little snuffling noises of joy.
“Mr. Linues is due to arrive shortly, and we are to discuss the Tibetan Empire,” Dorrie told him.
“That should be interesting. I believe once a Dalai Lama dies, his successor is found rather than chosen, as he has the power to choose what body he will be reincarnated into.”
“I didn’t know that,” Warwick said, frowning.
“Neither did we,” the twins added.
“You are naughty, Wolf. Poor Mr. Linues will be inundated with questions now,” Emily said as he dropped into the seat beside her to inspect Beth.
In no way could she be termed beautiful, with her wrinkled pink skin, but she was sweet.
“Can I hold her, Em?”
“Of course.”
He took the precious offering, examining her closely, holding out a finger for her to grip. Leaning closer, he inhaled her scent.
“Babies smell wonderful, don’t you think?”
“Yes.”
“How has she been?”
“She is a very good little girl,” Emily said. “However, she has her father’s lungs and feeding habits.”
“Oh dear.”
“Yes, we must hope the newspaper stays a success, as we shall need money to support our household if we are blessed with more children.”
“I shall have Cook parcel up some food for you.”
“I would be grateful.”
Emily and Wolf had become friends since he returned home injured. She was quiet, sincere, and when he was around her he felt calm. An oasis of tranquility in the fiery Sinclair and Raven clan.
“I heard all about the two attempted attacks on Miss Abernethy. How terrifying they must have been for her, Wolf.”
“Yes it was, but there appear to have been no further attempts since.”
“’Tis quite odd, don’t you think? I mean, why Miss Abernethy, and who wants her, especially when you add to it this business with someone wanting to employ her with no references.”
It no longer surprised him that news spread through his family like fire.
“Very odd and worrying. The woman shows no concern for her welfare either, walking about unescorted.”
“How do you know that?”
He wasn’t sure how to reply to that without giving too much away.
“Just a guess, knowing her personality.”
“Do you?”
He blew softly into Beth’s neck. “Do I what?”
“Know her.”
“We all know her... well, those of us who have spent time with her.”
“Have you someone watching over her, Wolf?”
Christ.
“Why do you ask that?”
“Have you?”
“Perhaps.”
He felt her eyes on him as he looked at the babe.
“You are a good man, and I like her, if that matters.”
“I’m not sure why it would?” Wolf avoided Em’s eyes.
“You like her a great deal, Wolf, we have all seen it.”
He began to shake his head, but knew there was little point. He had shown in many ways why he liked Rose Abernethy.
“It matters not as there can be nothing between us.”
“Why?” The word was spoken softly.
“We are not from the same world, Em, as you very well know.”
“Max and I are hardly ones to talk.”
It alw
ays amazed him that such a gentle woman had ended up with the most outspoken of the Sinclair family. Of course, her start in life had gone some way to dictating that. The bastard unwanted daughter to the late Duke of Raven. Ravens marry Sinclairs... mostly, Wolf added.
“Your father was a duke.”
“I had not thought you a snob, Wolf.”
“I am not, as you very well know, but there is also the small matter that I have no wish to wed, Em, even if I wanted to.”
“Because of what you suffered?”
He could only manage a nod, as lately he too had been thinking that the right woman could make him want to change his stance on marriage. Not that Rose was the right woman... she couldn’t be. She touched his hand briefly.
“If you find someone who loves you, then they will understand whatever it is that worries you. Don’t turn away from what is important to you, Wolf. Be strong enough to reach for it.”
Silence settled between them. Not an uncomfortable one, even considering what they’d been discussing. It was hard to be uncomfortable in the presence of Emily.
“I heard about the concert for the veterans. It is a wonderful idea.”
“Yes, and likely you also heard I did not ask James first, as nothing remains a secret in this family.”
“Good day to you all.” Mr. Linues walked in. Still looking far younger than his years, the man was a scholar and had the patience of a saint. He had been with the Sinclair siblings for many years and seemed able to cope with whatever they threw at him.
Everyone greeted him.
“James believes you decided on the concert because you wanted to impress Miss Abernethy, or more delicately, as Max suggested, you want to aid her cause in helping the veterans.”
Wolf ran a finger down the nose of the now slumbering infant.
“She is different,” he said honestly. “And not from our world, Em, as I have just said.”
“You saved her.”
“She is not a Raven.”
“Perhaps, but the link need be only weak and distant. It could be in there somewhere.”
“No, it couldn’t. And I will not live my life dictated to by something that happened many years ago.”
“Quite a few of us said those exact words.”
“I’m sure, but in my case I am serious.”
Emily smiled, looking tired but happy. The look of a woman who had everything she wanted in her life.
