by Darcy Burke
"LePrin and Reynolds? Are you certain? Does he treat her well?" Ella asked, concern for her friend overwhelming her.
"Reynolds treats her like a fragile flower. He dotes on her constantly. She barely has to lift a finger," Devon assured her, but then changed the subject. "As I listened to you talk about your new life, I couldn't help hear the pride in your voice. You like being a baker?" He asked with genuine curiosity and surprise.
"Well, the hours are atrocious, but do I like making my own way? The answer is yes. I make the decisions and there is no one to tell me what I am doing is wrong. It is a good feeling."
"You know, it is possible to depend on someone and not be frightened they would ridicule you."
She turned then and looked up at him. Was he saying he would never ridicule her? "I think it is human nature for a man to always question a woman's decision." They had made their way to the folly that she hadn't realized was overgrown with vines, affording its occupants with complete privacy. He was calculating. She would give him that.
"Two people can have differing views on a topic without ridicule. I have seen it." He helped her sit on the bench, then propped his booted foot on the seat next to her and rested his arm on his raised knee leaning down to face her. "If the two people see each other as equals it can work. Just like two business partners."
"Do you truly feel that marriage is a business venture?" She asked all innocently. She gave him her best card face hoping not to give away the importance of his answer. He studied her face. She knew he guessed his answer couldn't be so simple as a yes or no. After several moments, he attempted to answer.
"Well, I think that any time two individuals are joined in a common goal, that yes, they must treat each other as a partner. I daresay the benefits far outweigh most business ventures. Unfortunately, I can't answer past that, because I have never spent much time considering what a marriage would entail, until now. I am terribly out of my element here. You lived in a home with both parents for some time, what say you?" He had answered her question in such a way that he didn't answer it at all. Blast!
Birds chirped as they jumped among the vines of their haven. The air seemed heavy and warm, more like a summer day than spring. He waited. She knew she couldn't answer him using her own parents, because she would never want what they had. She would not accept anything but a love match. Instead, she spoke of the one example she had. The baker and his wife who took her in when she needed it most.
"I do know something of how a true marriage can work. It was not a Ton marriage. The two people were a team as you said. They worked together every day listening to each other, but it was more than that. You couldn't see it or even explain it, but it was how they looked at each other. How they spoke to one another even when they were disagreeing. I think it was very rare, and possibly unattainable."
He shifted and turned to walk to the other side of the gazebo, leaving a cool breeze in his wake and making her shiver.
"You are talking of a love match?" he asked with his back turned to her. She couldn't read anything in his words.
"Yes, I think that's what it was. It was subtle. Not gloating or intoxicating, but it was there."
"Is that what you want, a love match?" Again, he gave no tell.
If she said yes, she would be giving away too much. Yet, if he didn't love her, that one answer could end this and she would be left alone. The thought further chilled her to the bone and sent a sad shiver to her heart.
"You didn't ask me what I wanted. You asked me what I thought a true marriage was. I explained the only one I have been privy to."
Devon didn't answer right away. He didn't even move. She could tell he had tensed waiting for her answer. She almost expected him to turn and leave her sitting in the gazebo alone. Instead, he turned to face her. "I can't be what you want unless you speak plainly and tell me what that is. If I don't know what your criteria are, how can I meet them?"
"Devon, I don't have criteria. I have no expectations for a husband, because I never wanted one. I saw how a husband could treat his wife like a prisoner. She has no power of her own. Once she agrees to become a man's wife, she gives up her freedoms."
He made his way back to her seat, and sat down next to her. He didn't touch her, but his eyes all but reached out and pulled her in. He studied her face, trying to read her, she knew.
"Women hold more power than they know. It just depends on the woman and how strong she is. You claim you don't have criteria, but the one thing I can promise you is that we will be a partnership. I don't want to own you, Ella. You are my wife. I feel responsible for shielding you from life's hardships. I don't want to control you." He reached up and tucked an errant lock of hair behind her ear. "I know you would not accept anything but a true partnership."
She didn't know what to say. He hadn't spoken of love, but what he did speak of called to her like a siren's song. She wanted to be protected right now to the tips of her toes. Protected from the blackmailers and from him. She just wanted to sink into his arms and never leave. As if he could read her mind, he reached for her, drawing her into him. His embrace was warm and strong. She looked up into a face no longer void of emotion. What she saw, she didn't understand however. She didn't have time to study it further, because he lowered his head to hers and took her lips.
It was not a hungry, greedy kiss this time. This kiss was slow and bone melting. His lips were soft as velvet, but firm. He took only from her what she was willing to give, and heaven help her, the longer he kissed, the more she was willing to give him. She leaned into his chest needing to be closer still. One of her hands wound around his nape and delved into the silkiness that was his hair. He groaned into her mouth, sending shock waves straight to her belly on the vibrations of his voice.
Devon pulled back and she was greedy for more, but held her urge to pull him back to her. She searched the hard plains of his face. They were still unreadable; except for the great effort, she knew it took him to end their embrace.
"We should get you back. Most in the town will be watching to see what transpires."
She cleared away the huskiness in her throat. "Yes, you are right. I am the talk of the town."
He stood and proffered a hand for her. She accepted the chance and allowed him to lead her out of their hiding place and back to the house. Once inside, they headed for the library only to find Clive and Maddie curled up together on the floor sound asleep. Flick and LePrin were absent from the room. Devon went to find a footman to call for the carriage.
Once the carriage had pulled around, he gently picked Maddie up, kicking Clive with more gusto than necessary as he did so. She liked watching the camaraderie the two men had. Her father never, to her memory, had any friends. Acquaintances yes, but none he would have called friend. She thanked a groggy Clive for a wonderful afternoon and followed Devon out to the waiting carriage. The footman helped Ella into the conveyance and Devon placed Maddie on her mother's lap. He then took the soft lap throw and covered his sleeping daughter.
"Well, I am sure we will see you tomorrow when you come to pick up Maddie. I know my aunts are looking forward to spending the day with her."
"Yes, once I have finished cleaning the kitchen and preparing for the next day, I will arrive."
"Until tomorrow." He bowed and stepped back allowing the carriage to turn down the drive and out of sight.
♥♥♥
Devon watched the carriage disappear. He would stop it and bring it back if he could. He wasn't sure if his estimation of their talk was correct, but could she want a love match? Moreover, could he give it to her? He would take care of her. He would treat her as an equal just as he promised. He would make love to her every day, more if he could manage it, but he couldn't be sure about love. She said that was not her goal, but was she holding something back? He walked through the front door and into the library unseeing or even hearing the footmen closing the doors behind him. Clive had managed to pick himself off the floor and had procured two brandies. He was
in the process of lighting the fire.
"Were you able to learn anything new?" He asked Devon.
"Nothing about the blackmailers. She still doesn't trust me enough."
"So you learned something of the personal nature?" He asked, turning to waggle his eyebrows at his friend.
"I learned that women can speak in circles and probably tongues as well if the need arises."
Clive chuckled. "See, all you had to do was ask and I would have told you that. I had that knowledge when I was eight." Clive loved to impart his vast knowledge of the female being on him.
"Yes, well, whether you offered it or no, it still only stands to make me more adrift. I think she wants a love match."
Again, Clive chuckled. "And the problem with that would be?" he asked.
"The problem with that is I don't know if that is possible," Devon commented. "She doesn't trust me, so even if I tried to convince her I loved her, she wouldn't believe it." Devon sat on the sofa and placed his still booted feet on the small stool. He laid his head back and looked up at the old smoke stained beams.
"She won't believe unless it is true."
"Thank you for the help," Devon stated dryly. Clive finished stirring the fire and walked to his usual seat across from the sofa. He too propped his feet up and took his book from the side table. They fell into a comfortable silence. Clive was lost in his book and Devon in his thoughts.
About an hour had passed when they heard a commotion in the hall. Before either man could rise, the butler came in followed by Ella carrying Maddie. The expression on her face was anything but comforting.
"I need your help."
Chapter 9
Fear, cold and sharp sliced through him. He couldn't see Maddie under the carriage blanket draped over her. At that moment, he understood what being a parent, a true parent, meant. He looked in Ella's eyes as he crossed the floor in three strides. He saw none of the emotions caged in him reflecting in Ella's eyes. That put him at ease on that account.
"What has happened?" He asked with a forced calm. "Is she ill?" He relieved Ella of her burden, folding the child into his arms and moving the blanket to see for himself.
"Maddie is fine. She was a bit shaken, but I calmed her enough and she fell asleep on the ride back here. It is the bakery. Someone vandalized the front window." Her anguish was audible in the tremor of her voice.
Devon felt the rush of relief as strong as the terror of only minutes ago. Maddie was safe. As the thought took shape in his rattled brain, she murmured in her sleep and snuggled deeper into his chest. Devon held her a bit tighter. After he gained equilibrium once again, he stepped next to Ella, wrapped his free arm around her, and led her to the fire. She sat with her shoulders sagging. She kept rubbing her head and Clive had the presence of mind to have the butler get some tea and have a room prepared for his new houseguests.
"How badly is the window damaged?" Devon asked, able to steer the conversation into the correct direction.
"It's— It's shattered. The blackguards hurled a rock through it." Her other hand rose to rub the other temple. Devon noted the slight shake. She was at her wit's end, he could tell.
"Did anyone see anything? You said there was more than one. Did you see them in the act?"
"No, I didn't see them. When I got home, the deed was done," Ella said looking confused by his question.
"You said 'blackguards' as more than one, so I assume you knew there was at least two."
"Oh, ah I don't know why I said that. It's just that, well I would think cowards need friends to help them," she said with true distaste. Devon knew she thought it was the blackmailers, but now was not the time to make her admit her turmoil.
"You are in the middle of the village. The window faces the street. Surely someone saw the blighter or blighters." Devon could feel his anger rising. What would she do if he were not here? Where would she have gone for help and would there have been anyone to help her? He began to pace in front of the fire and Ella while he still cradled a sleeping Maddie. Clive had finished giving orders and was returning with a tray holding glasses. He set it on the table and handed Ella the first glass, then placed one in Devon's hand, taking the last for himself.
"Here, this will help. It will burn like hell, but after that, all will be well." Clive said with a crooked smile as only he could.
Ella smiled weakly at his use of improper language, and then threw back the entire swallow. To her credit, she coughed only once then cleared her throat. "Thank you," she said and put the glass back on the tray. As if she was all of a sudden aware of her surroundings, she looked up and saw Maddie cuddled up asleep. "Oh, she must be heavy, here let me–"
"No, she's fine. Sit," Devon said in a tone not meant to be questioned. He wasn't giving Maddie up just yet. In his arms, she was safe. He still hadn't been able to quell the fear when he thought her harmed. He was beginning to think it would never leave him. "So, no one saw anything?"
"I don't think so. When we got there, no one was about. The window was smashed in and the huge rock lay in the middle of my floor." She took a deep shaking breath. "It was Sunday. Most villagers don't venture out after the afternoon. I would doubt they were in fear of being caught." She covered her face with her hands, and as Devon stood watching, her shoulders began to shake. She was crying. Before he could turn to find a safe place for Maddie, Clive was there taking the limp warm lump of dark curls. Devon knelt and rested his elbows on Ella's knees. Damn, he had never had to console a woman. What was the protocol?
"It will be fine. I will make it so." Devon pulled her hands from her face to reveal shining eyes with tear tracks streaking her face. "I promise I will fix this. I told you when we first made our deal that I wouldn't leave you in the lurch and I won't."
He waited for that to sink in. He had made no promises of taking care of her. None of his responsibility. He wanted her to understand what he said. If this were the life she would choose instead of him, damn it, she would be the happiest baker in all of Scotland. When he was sure she understood, he continued as he wiped a tear away from her nose. "I will see you and Maddie to your room, and then Clive and I will take some men and materials to the village and cover the window for now. You will have another window as soon as I can dispatch the order. I will find out who did this and have a discussion about how to treat what doesn't belong to oneself. All will be well."
"Oh, well, I am sure it was just some village boys playing a prank. That is it I am sure," she stammered. That only helped to solidify her blackmailers as the culprits.
"Well, then I will have a talk with their parents. Right now, you need to rest. I promise it will be business as usual on the morrow. Your front room might not be as bright as it would be, but I am sure your business won't suffer for it." He would rebuild the entire building if it would make her stop crying.
He rose and tugged her out of the chair. She nodded vacantly and allowed him to lead her toward the door. Clive had followed ready to hand his bundle back over to Devon. He melted a bit more, when Maddie again, snuggled in close and started sucking her thumb. He didn't think he would ever have enough of the feeling of her in his arms. As he made his way behind the butler leading them to the second floor, he couldn't help but realize this was his first true act as the head of a family.
He had a family.
The idea took light and continued to warm him, while at the same time, a slow burning fury began to swell directed toward the men who were attempting to hurt either of them. Regardless of how Ella decided to live, she would always be his wife and Maddie always his daughter. As much as Ella would like to think it, she didn't have a decision to make because he would never again let her do anything without his help or protection.
His thoughts were so all consuming, he hadn't realized they had made their way to the end of the second floor east wing, and the butler was standing next to an open door. As Devon walked past the man, he acknowledged him. "Thank you, Hector, you have done some quick work."
"Anythi
ng for Mrs. R.— Lord Renwick," responded the butler. Devon made eye contact and the butler nodded once with eyes that softened. He then stepped back and headed down the hall. So much for keeping our secret from everyone. He got the feeling, however, that not a soul would find out any gossip from the butler.
"All right, here we are. The fire is a warm blaze, and I see that Clive has a night rail from one of his sisters laid out for you." He watched Ella wander into the room allowing the fatigue to win out. He crossed to the large bed and put Maddie on the soft mattress. He glanced at Ella and saw she was beginning to undress, unaware of her surroundings or guests. He left her in her own thoughts as he began undressing Maddie.
Once divested of her coat, dress, stockings, and half boots with only her slip left, Devon decided she was not a child, but a china doll all creamy porcelain and fragile pieces. Her little feet fit in the palm of his hand. He took a minute to count her toes. He wasn't sure why, but he was terribly proud to find she had five perfectly formed toes on each foot. Only when she shivered and curled into a ball, did he cover her, hiding her within the bulk of the bedding. Ella sat staring at the fire. He knew she wouldn't sleep for a while yet, but he also knew he had to get down to Clive who had been calling for their horses and some workmen.
"You need to sleep." He knelt next to the chair so she wouldn't have to crane her neck to see him. "Would you like a room made up for you?" He wasn't sure if she would want to sleep in the same bed with Maddie. He was sure his mother would have refused such an inconvenience.
"No, Maddie would wake not knowing where she was. Besides, we share our bed at the bakery. She has never slept without Penny or me. I will be fine. Will you please come and tell me if you find anything?" She asked with tired, but beseeching eyes.
