by Wendy Vella
“We want you to be happy, Wolf. Whatever that takes.”
“I know, and I am. Mother and my sisters will be here soon, and that will complete my family circle.”
“Excuse me for interrupting, but I have a need to speak with my sister.”
Wolf and Emily looked to the doorway as James appeared with Max.
“That one,” he said, pointing to Emily. “You stay there, sweetheart, and remember to ask Mr. Linues lots of questions,” the duke said to Samantha.
“Something has disturbed him,” Wolf said, getting to his feet with the babe, and helping Em to hers.
“Yes, I saw that also. His eyes get darker when he’s gripped by strong emotion.”
Wolf followed her from the room and found James and Max waiting.
“Is everything all right?”
“Come, you may as well listen to what I have to say. We will be telling the others soon anyway, but I want Em to know first about the note I have just received.”
They made their way to his study.
Wolf handed the babe to Emily as she sat. He stayed standing. Hep had followed and immediately sat on his foot.
“I have been trying to track down my father’s man of affairs, Mr. Breel, for some time. He was a sniveling rodent of a fellow whom I loathed, as did Samantha. He was cut from the same cloth as the late duke and was his henchman; no task was too hard or dirty for him to complete.”
“Then why were you trying to find him?” Wolf asked.
“There were many papers missing when I went through my father’s things. Several years’ worth, and money also. Plus, I had hoped to find the scroll that has details of the original pact signed between our families in 1335, or any documentation from that time.”
“Now that would be something to see,” Wolf agreed.
“Breel was the only suspect to my mind who could have those papers and likely the money, and I have had Mr. Spriggot looking for him. We actually found his son, who also worked for my father.”
“And you uncovered something that disturbed you?”
Max nodded to Emily but stayed silent.
“He was never quite as mean as his father, and Mr. Spriggot found him in Devon. His father we have as yet not tracked down. The son said he and his father no longer converse but he believed him to be here in London.”
Wolf waited as there was more coming, and none of it would be good.
“What did you learn from him?” Emily said as the tension in the room climbed.
“He believes my father married again. A secret wedding, as he saw some papers one day on my father’s desk. When the elder Breel saw him looking at them he flew into a rage, and he never saw them again.”
“Is it possible?” Emily looked as shocked as the others in the room.
“Anything is possible with our father. But what I don’t know is why, and if there were any children from the union. Nor do I know who he married... if indeed he did.”
James’s frustration was obvious.
“Then we must dig further,” Max said. “Until we have the information we need.”
James nodded.
“But of course we already know there are more of us, James,” Emily said. “Max has siblings in France.”
“I have not received word that either have come to London, but I am looking into that,” Max added. “But if there are others, then we will welcome them.”
“I find out one thing about him, and then another arises. We cannot entirely discount that he had more mistresses than we know of either,” James said.
The late duke had been a beast of a man who had not hesitated in bedding his staff, or anyone who took his fancy.
“I just did not consider the fact that he may have married again.” James sighed, looking suddenly older than his years.
“But, brother, had dear departed father not been so free with himself, we would not now have each other.”
Wolf snorted at Emily’s words. It was so unlike her to speak that way, it had them all laughing, and the tension in the room eased.
“Well, should I be of any help, then just ask,” Wolf said.
“I appreciate that, thank you, Wolf.”
He left the house with Hep, leaving the Raven siblings alone to ponder that out there somewhere was possibly one of them they did not know. Wolf had no idea how he would feel if this information reached him. Elated? Perhaps. Confused? Definitely.
“It’s my birthday soon, Wolf!”
He was walking down the path, and the words were shrieked at him from a window above.
“How exciting, Warwick. Do you have plans?”
“Indeed. We are working on them at the moment, and I shall send out invitations.”
“I will wait in anticipation. I am invited, I hope?”
The boy smiled. “Of course, all my family shall be in attendance.”
Why those words made a warm feeling settle in his chest, Wolf had no idea. He’d been part of this family for so long that he knew he was loved and valued. But that simple statement from Warwick touched him deep inside his heart.
His step felt lighter as he headed to the park, deciding on a walk before going home. Wolf let thoughts come and go as he struck out in no particular direction. His days at war he usually pushed aside, but now he let them come. Not all were bad, indeed he’d made friends, and led his men with the best of his abilities.
The loud boom made Wolf jump, and in seconds he was back there. Screams from his men, the blood, it all rushed back with painful clarity. The whimper came from him as he stumbled to the trees. He needed safety, a place to ride it out, a haven where he could be weak.
Chapter 24
Rose heard the loud boom, and had no idea of its source. A gun or perhaps a cannon? But then who would be firing a cannon in such a place?
She was taking the path through the park on her way to Lord Sinclair’s townhouse, as the weather was warm and she had left in plenty of time.
Rose had not seen Captain Sinclair since the theatre and reminded herself again that that was a good thing.
She’d dreamed of him, however. Heated, disturbing dreams that she had no power to stop.
“And that will happen no longer,” Rose vowed, as if she actually had a say in what happened when she slumbered.
So far no one had attempted to harm her again, which was pleasing, especially as next time she could not be sure the handsome captain would be close by. Not that she needed him to save her... well, perhaps she had, but next time, God willing there wasn’t one, but if there was, she would be prepared. Rose now carried a knife in her boot.
“You stab anyone who comes too close, Rose,” Kitty had told her. It felt reassuring pressed to her ankle, but she hoped she never had to actually use it.
Taking off her bonnet, she enjoyed the sun on her head. It mattered to no one but her if her complexion freckled, so why not enjoy the weather while it lasted?
Was she Lavinia Smyth’s daughter?
Could her aunt have lied to her? This thought had churned over and over in her head. Rose had loved her aunt deeply, and to think she’d lived a lie her entire life was deeply disturbing. The only person who could possibly tell her the truth was Herbert, and she would never ask that weasel. Besides, he was not that much older than her, so in all likelihood he did not know either.
Humming as she swung her bonnet, Rose contemplated her next step.
She had to admit that Captain Sinclair’s touch had been exquisite. She’d touched him also, and enjoyed the moment far more than she should. Rose had never been exposed to passion, and indeed why should she have been? A young woman like her had no cause to do so. Yet now she knew what it was to be kissed and held in a man’s arms. The feelings he’d created inside her could not be forgotten.
The boom sounded again, making her jump. What fool was doing that? Rounding the path, she took off her gloves and touched the leaves of a nearby tree. Stopping to pluck a few, she crushed them in her hands, the fresh scent filling the air.
A snuffling noise had her looking down. The ugly, little, black dog that Samantha had told her was named Hep, after the god Hephaestus, sat there staring at her. Captain Sinclair’s dog.
“What are you doing here?” She crouched to pat him. The dog took her fingers in his mouth. He didn’t bite, his touch gentle. He then started backing into the trees, still holding them.
“What do you want from me, Hep?”
He kept tugging.
“I can’t go in there.”
The dog yapped at her, then turned two quick circles. He ran into the trees, back out to look at her, then back in again.
“Oh very well, but if I appear at Lord Sinclair’s house looking unkempt, I shall blame you entirely.”
Was there something under there that Hep wanted her to retrieve? She lifted her skirts and pushed her way through the branches, closing her eyes so they did not poke her eyes. A yip had her opening them as she broke free. She was inside a circle of trees. Sunlight filtering through from above made it light enough to see, and yet secluded.
“It’s very nice in here, Hep, but I’m not sure why I’m....” Her words fell away as she saw him. Captain Sinclair was standing, his back pressed to the trunk of a tree, eyes closed.
“Captain Sinclair?” He did not respond. “Are you hurt in some way?” Rose hurried to his side.
His breathing was rapid; too rapid. Touching one pale cheek, she noted he felt cold. She took one of his clenched fists in hers.
“Wolf, it is I, Rose. Will you open your eyes for me?”
Just then there was another boom, and his eyes sprang open. The terror in the green depths told her how he suffered.
“Oh, Wolf,” she whispered, cupping his cheek. “I am here, look at me now.”
He did, but she doubted he saw her.
“Does this remind you of what you lived through? Do the memories still haunt you?”
“Yes.” The word was ripped from him.
His hands gripped her shoulders, biting into the soft flesh, and then she was dragged into his arms and held in a hard embrace. Rose felt the rapid beat of his heart.
“It’s all right now, Wolf. Rest easy, you are safe here with me.”
His face was pressed to her neck, and it was instinctive for Rose to wrap her arms around his waist, holding him close.
She didn’t know how long they stood there. Minutes, perhaps thirty of them, but she would not move, not now; this man was suffering deep inside, and he needed to know that right now he was not alone. They were out of sight; no one passing would see them if they did not look under the trees. There was safety in their small, dark bower. His pride would be hurt, she knew, were anyone to see him this way.
Rose talked softly about everything and nothing until the fierce grip he had on her eased and his breathing softened.
“Rose.”
He lifted his head and looked at her. The words were gruff, as if he had cried a hundred tears, and yet his cheeks were dry.
“Wolf.” She touched his cheek. “Are you all right?”
“I am now.” He wrapped a hand around the back of her head and eased her closer. “God help me, I am so much better now you are here.”
His kiss was hard this time, and yet he did not hurt her, and Rose took everything he gave her. Every touch of his hand on her body, and kiss. Her earlier thoughts were banished. She could not resist this man.
His hands roamed her body, touching, then moving on. Tracing the length of her spine, then resting on the swell of her buttocks. Where one kiss stopped another started. His tongue invaded, marauded, and Rose wanted more. She felt her bodice give, and then his hand was there, cupping a breast.
“So good,” he rasped against her lips. “I want you.”
“Yes.” The word came out on a hiss as he rolled her aching nipple between his fingers.
Another loud boom had him shuddering. Rose pulled him closer; placing a hand on his head, she held him tight.
“I’m all right.”
She looked into his eyes as he lifted his head, and saw the green was clear now, the color bright once more.
“W-we have to stop this, Wolf.” She eased back and touched his lips with fingers that trembled. “It is no good for either of us.”
“I know.” He removed her fingers from his jacket and kissed each one, the gesture so tender she felt it through her entire body. He then straightened the bodice of her dress. “I can’t seem to resist you.”
“And yet we must.”
“I know,” he said again, but his hands lingered on her hips now.
“W-was it the loud boom that disturbed you?”
He nodded, his eyes running over her face.
“Should you not speak to someone about this, if it still affects you?”
“I am better, it is just a matter of time to let whatever this is inside me run its course.”
“Surely you know it is not that simple. You were hiding here, Wolf. Hurting and in pain emotionally. What if that happens again and no one is there to be with you?”
He shrugged. “I am dealing with it.”
“This is you dealing with it?”
“This is the first time in months something like this has happened. I have no wish to worry my cousins.”
“Do they even know how much you suffer?”
He lowered his eyes.
“Do you have dreams that torture you also?”
He did not answer but she read the truth.
“There is no need to be dramatic, Rose.”
“This, finding you trembling like a dog left out in the rain, is reason to be dramatic, Wolf.”
“Rose, please, there—”
“If one of your veterans suffered like this, would you want to help,” she cut off his words, “or ask them to live with it?”
“That is not the same.”
She grabbed his lapels. “It is the same. You are suffering, and need help. You have a family who will provide that help, so tell them.”
“No. This is my problem, not theirs. Besides, there is no help, I must let it run its course.”
“It is not a disease, Wolf. Mrs. Huntington could help in some way, I am sure. Can you not tell them how you are suffering?”
He shrugged. “I’m sure they have guessed, as we often feel each other’s distress.”
“You acknowledge it as distress, so why is it so hard to ask for help?”
“I want you.”
Everything stilled inside her.
“I know, but—”
“Let me look after you.”
Rose stiffened.
“Let me take care of you, always. You are like a fever in my blood. I have not had a moment’s peace since you entered my life.”
She stumbled out of his arms.
“What exactly do you mean by that?”
“I want you in my life.”
“But what do you mean?” she asked again as everything inside her began to tremble.
“I had not believed I would feel like this for a woman. I am barely thinking straight anymore, and it is because of you. I want to see you comfortable and settled. I don’t want you to struggle or know fear anymore. I don’t want you living in that damp, disgusting place. We could—”
“No, do not say anything further... please!”
“Spend time with me, Rose.”
“I will be no man’s mistress!”
“What?” He looked confused, but Rose was thinking clearly now.
“You would have me as your mistress because I am not good enough for you?”
“No! You are putting words into my mouth.”
She backed further away, glaring at him.
“And yet we both know there can be nothing else between us but that. I have a great deal more respect for myself and my aunt than to ever shame her by being someone’s mistress!”
She turned and ran through the trees, back out to the path, ignoring Wolf’s roar. She found two Sinclairs coming toward her.
“Hell
o, Rose.”
“Mr. Sinclair, Mrs. Huntington.”
“I wonder if you have seen Wolf. We had a feeling all was not well with him, but as yet have been unable to locate him.”
“He is under there.” She pointed to the tree. “He suffers from his days fighting, and the loud boom forced him back there in his head. He also suffers during his sleep, and in other ways, but is too pigheaded to tell you all, so I am doing so. Good day.”
Rose stormed past the openmouthed siblings, and her anger held until she reached the gate that would take her from the park. The tears fell then, and she gave in to a hearty bout of weeping. Once that was done, she wiped her eyes, blew her nose, and went to give Lord Sinclair’s brother his first violin lesson. If, inside her chest, her heart bore a large rent down the center, only she would ever know.
Determined to be smiling when she saw Warwick, Rose walked right instead of left, taking the longer route to the Sinclairs’ house. She needed the few extra minutes to ensure her smile did not look brittle. It was as she glanced left to cross the street that she saw the man running toward her. Head down, he had yet to see her. Something about him seemed familiar. When he was just a few feet away he looked up and saw her. The shock on his face could only be recognition.
“Good day.”
He nodded and walked right past her. Rose followed.
“Have we met?”
“Pardon?” He shot a desperate look over his shoulder, and the trickle of unease grew.
“I said, have we met.”
“No.” He kept walking.
“Excuse me, please stop while I am trying to converse with you.”
“I have no time.”
“Have you been following me? Because I’m sure I’ve seen you several times over the last few days. In fact, now I think about it more, I’m sure of it. Do you intend to harm me?”
Drat, she should be holding her knife.
He was well dressed, but more in the manner of a man of business than a lord.
“No!” He was shaking his head frantically, and Rose believed him.
“Then why are you following me?”
“Me? F-follow you? Not sure why I’d have cause to.”
“I insist you stop!” she said as he picked up his pace. Reaching down, she pulled out her knife. Running round him, she stopped in front of him and pointed it at him.
