by Wendy Vella
Eden wanted to lunge at him, scratch his handsome face, and make him pay for the pain he had inflicted on those she loved.
“Are you not curious as to who I am, and why I want to kill your precious Duke?”
She saw it then, the madness that haunted his eyes.
“Why do you want to harm the man I love?” she whispered.
“Because of what he did to my family,” he spat out. “My mother died writhing in agony because of that man.”
“You are James’s half brother,” Eden realized.
“The Ravens are no kin of mine!” he roared. “They forfeited that right when the Duke turned us away when my mother needed help. I will have retribution for her death—I will,” he vowed.
“James is not responsible for his father’s actions. You would make an innocent man pay for a death he had no hand in?”
“He has lived a good life, now it is time for him to die. No other of his blood will be Duke. I will make sure of it.”
His simmering hatred had robbed his mind of all but vengeance, and Eden knew she would never be able to reason with him.
“Y-you will not succeed.”
“Of course I will succeed. Your beloved will ride to your side, and I will kill you before his eyes, and then him.”
“N-no.” She tried to lunge at him, but he simply pushed her back to the seat, and once again she felt her head spin as he placed a cloth over her face.
...
They rode through the night, with a change of horses at each stop. Mr. Brown organized food at each inn or posting house, they ate and drank while standing, and then mounted and rode hard once more.
James could think of nothing but Eden. The thought of never seeing her smile again, or touching her hair and hearing her laugh, was a physical pain inside him. His chest ached as if a hot poker were pressed against it.
“The innkeeper said a carriage and a man of Tolly’s description came through here two hours ago,” Mr. Brown said, stepping outside the inn’s doors. His face wore fatigue, as did they all, his clothes covered in dust and dirt. Behind him came two servants, one carrying a tray with five large pieces of pie, and another with mugs of ale and one of tea.
“The castle is five hours from here; we should arrive as he does, if not just after,” Dev said, shooting James a look.
Nodding, James took a piece of pie and the cup of tea and went to Essie, who had not complained once since the journey began many hours ago. She had sat behind Cam, stoic and composed when he knew inside that his half brother had shattered her heart into tiny pieces. She was slumped on a mounting block, her head lowered, shoulders hunched, fatigue and defeat in every line of her body. Her brothers had tried to protect her as best they could, tried to talk with her, and yet she had remained silent, like he, locked behind a wall of agony.
“Eat this, Essie,” James said, handing her the plate. She shook her head and reached for the tea.
“I will have your brothers hold you and we will feed you this pie one bite at a time if you do not willingly eat it,” he added in a firm voice. “You will do your sister no favors if you faint before we reach her. Should she need you, then you must be strong enough to help, Essie, and when I get my hands on that bastard who has her, I am sure you, like me, will have a few things to say to him.”
The look she sent him was filled with anguish. Her eyes were bloodshot and she suddenly appeared much older than she had yesterday.
“Essie, you will survive this because you have family who love you, family who would give their life for yours. Take their strength and hold it around you and know that you are not alone.”
“I’m so scared, James, scared that I let this man into my heart when he is so evil.”
“He fooled us all, Essie.”
“I am scared that such a man, one so desperate for revenge he took the steps he did to secure it, has my sister. I want her back now, need her here with me.”
“I know, Essie,” James said, reaching for her hand. “I know your fears, for they mirror my own. My last words to Eden were angry bitter ones that I had no right to speak. I hurt the woman I love deeply, Essie, yet I cannot think about that. Only that Eden needs our strength. She needs us to stand up and fight for her and what we have.”
“What do we have, James?” she whispered as the tears once again fell down her pale cheeks.
“Family, Essie. Family and love, and after years of living without either I am not about to lose what I have only just found. So fight with me, Essie.”
She squeezed his hand one last time then took the pie and started eating.
James rose and returned to the men, where he gulped down his ale and then started in on his pie.
“Thank you.”
Mouth full of beef and pastry, both of which tasted like ashes, James turned to look at the eldest Sinclair.
“I spoke the truth.”
“Perhaps,” Dev said, tipping his tankard and downing the last mouthful. “Yet what you said was what she needed to hear. However, from Cam or I it would not have held the same meaning, and for that we are grateful.”
Nodding, James remained silent and kept eating. Was Eden well? Was Tolly treating her badly? Was she scared or hurt? Had she cried out for him? God, it was torture not knowing.
His beautiful Eden was feisty and strong, yet today he knew she had felt fear. She would know her brothers would come for her, but after yesterday did she fear he would not? God, he hoped not.
I’m coming, my love.
“Mount up!”
James took the fresh horse and placed a foot in the stirrup at Dev’s words. He felt no fatigue or pain as he swung into the saddle. His body had gone from ice to a slow burning rage as the miles passed. He would find Tolly and kill him. He felt no remorse for the act he was about to commit. Tolly had dared to harm Samantha yesterday, and now Eden. The two people he loved most in this world. Therefore, he would die, just as he had chosen to kill James. Brothers they may be, but there was nothing but a blood tie between them. Any friendship he had once believed they shared was long since left behind in the glittering ballrooms of London society.
The pace was relentless, if possible even more so now they neared their destination. They all had the same goal. Eden would be saved. James would allow himself to think of no other outcome, except perhaps of his own death. He would sacrifice himself for her if there was no other option. He felt no qualms about this.
Looking to his left, he saw the determination on the Sinclairs’ faces. Even Mr. Brown, Joseph, as they had come to know him over the miles they had ridden, was determined.
“The cliffs!”
James saw them rise before him as Cam called out. The rugged beauty of the rock face and whitecaps of the waters below failed to stir him as they usually did. He saw the gulls swooping and diving, seeking their prey, and memories of the night he had first met Eden rose inside him. From the start she had shown him the kind of person she was. The selfless woman who loved him.
Following the line of rock, they veered right and headed for the small town of Crunston Cliff. Thundering through, they acknowledged no one as people ran to see who rode through their village in haste. Passing Oak’s Knoll, James spared a glance at the castle that loomed above them before drawing to a halt.
“We will ride to the first rise and then walk to the church, as I have no wish for Tolly to hear us arrive,” James said.
The ride took just minutes and James dismounted and tethered his horse. The others followed. The hill formed two tiers—the first held the church and graveyard where his ancestors lay, and on the level above sat the castle. James knew she was near; the pain in his chest had increased. Pushing aside branches, he kept close to the mountain, slowly circling the hill to reach the church.
“Eden, love, I am here with your brothers. We are coming for you, be brave.” James spoke as loud as he dared.
“She will have heard our horses, James.” Devon Sinclair moved to his side. “In fact, if she has removed her e
arplugs she probably heard us riding up the mountain, unless Tolly was speaking.”
They climbed and finally the church was before them. On their bellies they studied the small building.
“Joseph, stay at the back with Essie,” Dev ordered. “Should Tolly escape, shoot him.”
“Very well, my lord.”
Crouching, James, Dev, and Cam moved closer. The three men held guns, all ready to use them without hesitation to ensure Eden’s safe return.
The church sat near the edge. Built of stone, its foundations had formed part of this hill for hundreds of years. Ravens had been wed and buried here, children had been baptized, and until his father became Duke, villagers had also used it. James vowed they would do so again. Shafts of sunlight pushed through the clouds and touched the weathered honey-colored stone.
James wondered if the peace and beauty before him was about to be tarnished with his death.
His home loomed above like an elderly grandfather overseeing its grandchild. He had never hated this place, only the man who had lived in it.
“He is inside,” Dev whispered from beside him. “I see him.”
“Eden?”
“She is there. Her color is strong.”
James’s heart thudded in his chest as relief pumped through him.
“I’m here, love.”
“Something does not smell right,” Cam said, moving forward, his nose in the air. “Dev, grip my hand.”
James watched the brothers, Dev’s pupils huge and Cam with his head thrown back.
“I smell poison in there. Poison and fear.”
“Why would he need poison?” Dev looked at his brother.
“My first thought is he wants to make sure my death is slow and painful,” James said.
“We shall try not to let that happen,” Dev gritted out.
“You two circle the outside. There is a small door at the rear that is always left open. I will go in through the front and distract him, as it is me he wants,” James said calmly.
“It is highly dangerous for you to do so, yet I can come up with no other plan,” Dev whispered. “If he tries to shoot, then for pity’s sake duck. Keep him talking as long as you can, which will allow us time to get inside. I believe from their position they are at the altar, and as Eden is not moving I think he has her tied to something.”
“Take no risks with Eden, I want her out of there before you save me.” James needed the brothers to understand that she was their main concern.
“We will save you both, Raven,” Cam looked fierce.
“She is more important than me,” James said. “I—I must have your word that you get her to safety before you—”
“She is our sister, Raven, we are aware of her importance,” Dev hissed. “Yet we are also aware of your importance to us and her. Therefore, brother, we will save you both.”
James looked at Dev for long seconds, then with one curt nod he turned and walked toward the church. He was aware of the sound his boots made upon the narrow drive and then as they hit the stone floor at the entrance. Gripping the handle, he felt the strength of his ancestors flow through him, and wrenched it open.
“You have come, brother, how kind!”
Light from a round stained-glass window high in the wall at the back of the church lit the altar. James blinked to adjust his vision and searched for Eden. She was standing tied to the large cross beneath it. Tolly stood beside her. In one hand he held a vial of liquid, the other a gun.
“Let her go, Tolly, it is me you want.”
“If only life were that simple, brother,” the man said, chuckling.
“I am sorry your mother suffered because our father would not help her, Tolly. But Eden is not responsible for his deeds, just as I am not,” James said, moving slowly forward.
“With you dead his precious untainted bloodline will be snuffed out, Raven, and only then will my vengeance be complete.”
“Let Eden go.”
“Ah, now there I am afraid I cannot oblige you, brother.”
James wondered how he had been so fooled by the man. This madman before him now bore only a physical resemblance to the Lord Laurent he and society knew. Gone was the perpetual smile and charm, replaced by narrowed eyes behind which James could see madness.
“Your father told me when I went to beg him to help my mother that I was not fit for him to step on, and she was nothing but a whore who had spread her legs for any man. Therefore, how was he to know if indeed I was his son.”
James clenched his fists. He had thought he could not hate his father more—it seemed that he was wrong.
“I was told that you were his heir, a fine specimen of untainted pure blood, and that his precious line would live long through your pure well-bred children.”
“I am not my father, Tolly, as you very well know.”
“Yet you will pay for his sins, brother, because he is not here to do so.”
“Emily is worried about you,” James said, looking at Eden. He saw the fear etched in every line of her body, and also the anger that matched his. She struggled to break her bonds. A gag kept her quiet and James struggled to see through the red haze of rage as he saw a streak of blood on her lip. Taking a deep breath, he pushed it down once more. He would not help her if he did not remain focused.
“Stay still, my love, I will get you out of here safely.” She must have heard his whispered words, because her struggles instantly ceased.
“Stay away from her. I will care for my sister!”
“I have no wish to harm your sister, Tolly. I wish only for Eden’s safety,” James said, moving steadily forward. “In fact, I would like to help both you and your sister, see that you are comfortable.”
“I would not have needed to take your beloved had I succeeded in my attempts to take your sister, yet you and the bloody Sinclairs foiled that.”
“My sister is a child, Tolly!”
“As was I when I approached your father.”
“Let me help you and Emily. Let me give you money, a house, anything you want,” James said, trying to remain calm.
“We need nothing from a Raven!” Tolly spat. “Now move forward slowly and kneel before your precious Miss Sinclair.”
He did as he was asked. Slowly and steadily he walked until he stood before her.
“Be strong, my love,” he whispered.
“Down!” Tolly screeched, using the butt of his gun to hit James in the back of the head.
He heard her groan, but he did not flinch, merely did as he was directed. The second hit made him grunt, and she fought furiously against her bonds.
“I’m all right, Eden. Stay calm, love.”
“Do you know what is in this vial, Raven?” Tolly said, shaking it before James’s eyes. “‘Tis poison. Your last vision will be of your beloved as she drinks it. You will die knowing she will suffer an agonizing death while you lie bleeding at her feet.”
“No!” James heard the rattle of the back door, and knew he had been wrong. It was locked. He struggled to stand, lurching toward the vial. The gun fired, and he felt a burning in his arm. It knocked him backward.
“Drink it now or I shoot him dead before your eyes!”
James reached his knees as Tolly wrenched the gag from her mouth.
“James, be still!” she cried as he got to his feet. He saw Tolly had another pistol now in his hand.
“Don’t drink it, Eden, he will kill me anyway!” He kept his eyes on her, begging her to listen to him.
“Drink it or I shoot him dead, now, with you watching.”
“No, Eden!” James lunged at her as she opened her mouth, but Tolly had already lifted the vial. He dove to the floor at her feet as the gun discharged, but this time he felt no pain, the shot had missed him.
The thud of feet told James the brothers had arrived. Tolly took a bullet in the chest, and the impact threw him backward, his body hitting the wall then slumping motionless to the floor, the vial shattering at his feet.
“
The bastard locked the back door!” Cam roared. “Christ, he shot you!” He reached for James as Dev reached for his sister.
“Poison!” James rasped. “He made her drink poison,” he said, staggering to his feet and reaching for Eden as Dev freed the last of her bonds.
“Essie!” Dev roared.
“Eden, God, love.” James shuddered, crushing her against him.
“I-I had to take it,” she whispered. “I could not live if you died.”
“Nor can I! Damn you, Eden, you will not leave me!” James roared as he felt her body grow limp.
“L-love you,” she whispered.
“It’s white arsenic!” Cam yelled, sniffing the bottle. “A large dose!”
“James, stick your fingers down her throat!” Essie screamed, running into the church. “We need to purge her of the poison,” she added, ignoring the lifeless form of the man she had loved to drop to her knees beside her sister.
Rolling Eden onto her side, Dev pried her mouth open and James stuck two fingers inside. She retched and retched, but it took several attempts before anything came out.
“Cam, take me to Oak’s Knoll now. I will find the herbs we need to rid her system of the rest of it,” Essie said, throwing her sister one last agonized look before she ran from the church. “Follow us, Dev, quickly!” she cried over her shoulder, and then she was gone.
Ignoring the fire burning through his arm, James picked Eden up and followed her siblings. She lay limp against him as he rode toward her home, no life in her body, no fire in her eyes. “Stay with me, Eden. Please, love, hold on.”
One of the brothers who served the Sinclair family awaited them on the steps of Oak’s Knoll, his face lined with worry as they rode up. Taking Eden from James, he ran into the house with James and Dev following. They placed her on a bed.
“How is her color, Dev?” Essie asked from her place beside the fire.
“Pale.”
“What does that mean, pale?” James demanded.
“She is weak,” Essie said, carrying a small cup to the bed. “Dev, open her mouth for me. James, hold her head.”
Between them they managed to force down the contents of the cup by massaging her throat between sips. Her cough was weak, and her eyes were now only half open.
