“Heavenly,” he replied with closed eyes. Just heavenly.”
“Rest.”
“Ah’m trying tae but ye keep disturbing me.”
Moments later his breathing changed, and Teagan sighed with relief knowing he slept. She prayed the only thing he got from the ride in the rain was a fever and not a cold, or worse, a lung ailment.
“Are you worried?” Sebastian came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He no longer used the splint on his arm, even though he still favored it. It pleased her to no end having him heal so nicely. And having his arms around her seemed natural, like they’d done it a million times before. Leaning back against his strong, hard chest, she closed her eyes and let herself relax, draining some of the painful tension from her body.
“Aye. Ah wish he’d sent for me when the fever first broke out.”
“Men can be stubborn.”
That brought a smile to her lips. “Ah never noticed.”
“Don’t lie. I prefer my women honest.”
“Have ye had many women?” The thought of him with other women had her chest tightening.
“Honestly—no.” He rubbed his cheek against the top of her head. “I never sowed my wild oats. I don’t have the reputation of being a rake.”
Pivoting around so she rested her cheek against his chest and her arms wrapped around his waist she said, “Ah never thought ye did...but ah thought all young gentlemen of the ton spent their free-time at brothels and their clubs drinking and gambling.”
“Many do. But you see, up until my brother married Emma, we were in debt and there wasn’t money for drinking and gambling. Not that either one of us would have. Not after my father.”
“That’s right. Ah forgot. Ah’m sorry.”
“Don’t start saying sorry.”
“Perhaps...you could do something tae keep me from talking?”
His chest shook with laughter. “As much as I would very much like to kiss you all night long, I won’t disrespect your brother that way.”
“He’s sleeping,” she teased and pouted. Pouted, since when do ah pout? Who have ah become since meeting Sebastian? A woman in love is who. And ‘tis wonderful and frightening at the same time.
“Not here in front of your brother, asleep or not.”
“Bet ah could change yer mind?”
“You could, but you won’t. Except...” their eyes locked, his were dark with desire and her body inflamed the moment he lowered his head and took her mouth in a mind tingling kiss that left her gasping for air when he stepped back and bowed. “I am retiring for the evening. But before I do, do you need anything else? Should I have someone fetch the local doctor?”
“Ohh.” It took a moment for her mind to work. Who knew a kiss could befuddle your brain so. “If his fever hasnae broken by morning, perhaps the physician could be sent for. Until then ah will stay by his bedside.”
“Lachlan is fortunate to have you as his sister. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
The room suddenly dropped in temperature and seemed empty without Sebastian in it. She dragged one of the padded chairs from the fireplace area closer to her brother’s bed. Using a spare blanket from the foot of his bed, she wrapped herself in it, and tried to get comfortable.
Sleep didn’t come. Listening to Lachlan’s uneven breathing and occasional moaning had her concerned. To make him more comfortable and her feel useful, she bathed his face and chest with cool water. He stirred and spoke, but his words were jumbled, only making her more worried. ‘Tis just a fever, ‘tis just a fever she kept telling herself. Yes, but people died of from fevers. Not Lachlan.
At some point in the dead of night she must have dosed off because when she awoke the sun was poking through the curtains illuminating a line across the floor. Another telltale sign was her body was stiff and sore from sleeping sitting up.
“Lachlan, are ye awake?”
“Aye. And ah feel surprisingly good.”
Standing, Teagan stretched her body, then placed her hand on his forehead. “Nothing short of a miracle. Yer fever is completely gone. Do ye still have the aches and pains?”
Lachlan pulled his robe closed with the sash, sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He sat for a moment and then stood, stretching out his muscles. “Nay. Feel good as new. Thankfully, as ah dinnae have time tae wallow in bed sick.”
“Hopefully the duke will be back any day. Meanwhile, sometimes a fever comes back, so my advice tae ye is tae take it easy today. If nothing, then tomorrow ye can go back tae normal.”
“Normal? Ah havenae been normal or done normal things since this whole ordeal began.”
“Well, perhaps ye can go riding or hunting with Northborough, Bridgeton, and Sebastian in the days tae come.”
“Perhaps.”
Teagan couldn’t help herself, she yawned.
“Please go tae yer room and sleep. Ah’m fine and ‘tis still early. Nobody but the servants will be up and about for several hours still.”
She kissed her brother on his cheek and made her way to her room. Finding her bed, she climbed beneath the covers fully clothed. Too exhausted to undress or ring for Gretchen’s assistance.
Chapter Thirteen
Not much changed for a sennight. Until one afternoon, as the family gathered in the drawing room enjoying tea and biscuits, there was a ruckus at the door. Sebastian, finally walking without aide of his cane hurried as much as he could into the foyer and was pulled into a big hug by Wentworth.
“It is so good to see you,” Wentworth said as he looked him over from head to toe. “I see you’re mending well.”
“Yes, indeed. Thanks to Teagan and Lachlan Murray.”
“So Smythe has told me. Spencer and I seriously need to clean up, and Penelope as well. But I think everyone’s anxiety will be appeased if we join you for tea.”
It was then that Sebastian looked over his brother’s shoulder to where Spencer and Penelope stood looking exhausted from their travels.
“Hello.” He bowed. “I’m Sebastian, your brother. Welcome to Stony Cross Manor.”
Before she could say anything Wentworth took over the introductions. “Penelope this is our brother, Sebastian. Sebastian this is Penelope.
She curtsied. “Nice to meet you, Lord Sebastian.”
“No need to call me lord. Sebastian will do.”
“Thank you, kindly.”
“Mother must be eager to see us. Let us proceed into the drawing room.”
Sebastian stood and watched Wentworth introduce Penelope to the family. She seemed shy, but that was to be expected considering the circumstances surrounding her birth. She resembled Amelia in coloring and height. Mother was being gracious, which couldn’t be easy. Albeit, he didn’t except anything less from her. She didn’t blame the girl for the circumstances of her birth.
Wentworth shared some private words with Lachlan, and Wentworth’s eyes never left Sebastian’s while Lachlan spoke. Sebastian could only imagine what was being said. Several times his brother winced and his lips moved, no doubt cursing.
Coming his way now, Sebastian braced himself for a tongue-lashing, not that he’d done anything wrong. And he was wrong about the tongue-lashing as Wentworth hugged him close again, surprising him.
“Lachlan filled me in. Bloody hell, you’re lucky to be alive...twice. Twice you were beaten. When all is taken care of we will find those highwaymen and Lachlan’s brother and string them up.”
“Easy brother,” Sebastian said. Even though deep down inside he too wished they could string them up. “We can find them but let the authorities deal with their punishment. Didn’t you learn anything when Emma was kidnapped by her father’s barrister? Rotting in Newgate is a fate worse than death. Just ask Bridgeton, since he spent some time there.”
“Yes, well,” Wentworth stuttered. “I’d rather not remind Bridgeton of his time in Newgate. We have a rather good relationship now.”
“Will you send word to the prince on behalf of the M
urrays?”
“First thing in the morning. Also, I want everyone ready to travel to London day after tomorrow.” Wentworth glanced across the room, looking directly at Teagan. “Lachlan tells me his sister has fallen for you. Please tell me you have feelings for her and are not just toying with her?”
“Christ, get right to the point, why don’t you.” Toying with Teagan? Yes, but not toying and stalling. Toying because he couldn’t help himself. When they arrived in London and Lachlan had his say to the prince, he would approach Lachlan with his intentions. Which were?
“Sebastian, you didn’t answer me.” His brother’s voice broke into to his reverie.
“No. I’m not toying with her. I think she may be the one.”
His brother squeezed his shoulder. “I’m glad. She seems like a lovely woman. And from what Lachlan’s told me, she’ll keep you on your toes. No meek and biddable woman for you. You would get bored. I hear she hunted the highwaymen alongside her brother. I admire a woman not afraid to act.”
“She has much to be admired for. Her compassion, healing skills, and sense of humor for starts.”
“Since we’ve been talking she hasn’t taken her eyes off you. Don’t mess this up.”
“I’ll try not to.” And he would. He couldn’t imagine not being with Teagan on a daily basis. His life would have no purpose without her in it.
***
Teagan didn’t know what to think about Wentworth. He may share Sebastian’s coloring and eyes, but the similarities ended there. The duke appeared most serious, where Sebastian seldom did. She presumed that came with being raised to be a duke. Much like her brother had been by their mother. But not by their father. Why had they never noticed that? And try as she might she could not be angry at her mother for keeping the truth from them. She was only looking out for their future. Because, undoubtedly, she want Lachlan to inherit.
The young lady who entered the room with them, the long-lost sister, resembled Amelia in hair and eye color. How nervous she must be. The gentleman with them must be the one they called Spencer. Bridgeton’s cousin as she understood. There was a stark resemblance between the two of them.
All the gentlemen, her brother included, excused themselves, no doubt they were going to meet in the duke’s study.
Penelope, looking tired and disheveled left with the dowager. What must the dowager be thinking upon meeting this child her late husband sired with another woman? Once again she was astonished by the Seabrook family’s big hearts.
“She is beautiful and terribly shy. The poor thing must feel lost,” Emma said as she poured herself more tea. “Much like I did when I first arrived.”
“She looks like Amelia,” Bella added.
“A much younger me. She can’t be more than ten and six.”
“We need to start planning her first Season,” Amelia said with a smile. “She will cause quite a stir I believe.”
“The Seabrook family is familiar with causing scandal,” Bella said.
“I didn’t mean scandal, I mean shock the members of the ton when we introduce another sister,” Amelia clarified with a smile. “I will never forgive some of the beau monde for snubbing my husband. But witnessing them grovel now that the real murderer of his brother and sister-in-law was found is entertaining. Of course, he could care less what people think about him. But I want Olivia, and...” she blushed and placed her hand on her belly. “Promise me you can keep a secret, I haven’t even told William. Tonight I will. But meanwhile, I can hardly wait to share, I’m expecting. Near to two months as best I can calculate.”
Cheers erupted around her. “Shh, I don’t want the men running down the hall thinking we’re being attacked.”
Amelia received hugs and kisses from Emma, Bella, and Teagan.
“Once again our children will be close in age,” Emma said with a hand on her own burgeoning belly. Perhaps we will both have sons. A spare for me and an heir for Bridgeton. Wait until he and Olivia find out. They will be thrilled.”
“Especially William. He is a wonderful stepfather to Olivia, but he is anxious to have a son or daughter of his own,” Amelia said then became quiet.
“Are you not feeling well?” Emma asked. Are you experiencing morning sickness?’
“No. I was just remembering everything William and I have been through.”
“It does no good to dwell on the past. All that matters is now. You two are happy, healthy, in love, and have Olivia and another on the way,” Bella said. “I can’t wait until the day comes when I can tell Myles we’re having a baby. He still misses both his father and sister since their deaths, and a baby would bring the sparkle back into his life.”
“Any chance you could be now?” Amelia asked a she rubbed her stomach. “It would be wonderful if the three of us were expecting together.”
“No. I have my courses. But it can’t be long if Myles keeps up with his appetite.” Bella blushed. “I can’t believe I said that, especially in front of Teagan.
“Why,” Teagan asked, having found the conversation interesting to say the least.
“Because you are unmarried and don’t have intimate knowledge of the marriage bed,” explained Bella.”
Now it was Teagan’s turn to blush as her cheeks heated. “Weel, actually, my maw told me everything. Ah might nae have experienced it firsthand, but ah ken what happens.”
“If your mother said it was a chore to submit to a man’s attentions, don’t believe it,” said Emma. “Not that I had a mother to explain such things to me, but I have heard stories others have told me. When you find the right man for you, you will welcome his advances. You won’t have to close your eyes and think happy thoughts as you succumb to his inept fumbling’s in the bed if you love each other.”
“Has Sebastian,” Bella asked with a mischief twinkle in her eyes.
“Bella,” Amelia admonished. “I can’t believe you asked that?”
“Oh come now,” Emma chimed in. “We both know Bella sometimes speaks before she thinks.”
“Well?” Bella stated again.”
To her own shock Teagan found herself admitting to being kissed. “Sebastian and ah have...kissed more than once.”
“Our brother is known for being decent, kind, generous, and un-rakish. I think you two will suit very well.” Amelia nibbled on a biscuit. “And after all, you did save his life.”
“He doesnae owe me anything. He equally saved mine as weel so we are even.”
“Don’t you want him beholden to you?” asked Bella
“Nay. Ah want his feelings for me tae have nothing tae do with my saving his life. Besides, ah am betrothed tae a beast of a mon back in Scotland by the name of MacPherson.”
“You are?” all of the women said at once.
Teagan hated to even think of Scotland and what befell her and Lachlan there. “Well, my paw betrothed me tae a neighbor, but ah would rather die than surrender tae his ministrations. He already tried tae rape me once...”
Gasps echoed around the room. “What happened?” Bella asked.
Three sets of equally shocked and curious eyes landed on her, making her self-conscious and wishing she’d said nothing. “‘Twas the night we escaped for our lives. He tried tae rape me, but ah believe, in his mind, that is how he procreates. The poor women he’s been with, and the poor wife he will eventually take because it willnae be me.”
“Fortunately for us,” Amelia began. “Wentworth believes in love and would never have forced us into marrying for less.” She paused then continued. “Except for that time he betrothed me to the Duke of Yarmouth. Although I had agreed. Who knew the man was a degenerate. Thankfully William found us in the gardens as he tried to force his attentions on me.”
“Some men can be brutal. Thank God not ours,” Emma said. “Although when I first met Wentworth I truly didn’t like him. I resented him and thought him stuffy and overbearing. Secretly, I couldn’t take my young, innocent eyes off him and thought I could make that scowl disappear off his face. Wh
o knew I really could. Of course, Myles traveled with us and we flirted shamelessly. As the ship got closer and closer to England, I thought steam would come out of Thomas’s ears. He was so bad tempered he actually growled at us numerous times during the crossing.” Emma paused to take a sip of her tea.
“Of course I didn’t realize Myles was flirting to get over Sophia LeFluer from New Orleans, who he believed he’d fallen in love with and dueled with her affianced...I’m sorry Bella. I should not have said that.”
Teagan’s head spun with all these revelations. “Ah dinnae understand.”
Bella shrugged her shoulders. “When my brother traveled to America to get Emma, Myles accompanied him. They spent the year getting Emma’s father’s affairs in order. Well, my brother did. Myles traveled the country. He met a French woman on a paddleboat on the Mississippi River and became enamored with her. He dueled her intended and unbeknownst to him the man died shortly after from infection. She traveled two years later to enact her revenge on Myles. Sophia married Myles’s cousin, Gerard, and they schemed to kill him so Gerard could inherit as he was next in line. One night they tried to poison me, for fear I carried the heir.” Bella’s eyes watered. “They killed Myles’s sister, Catherine, by mistake.”
“Oh my God. How tragic.” Teagan gasped. So she wasn’t the only family with scheming relatives who had no morals.
“It was. Then they poisoned Myles but miscalculated the dose and he, thank God, survived. Sophia died from rat poison as well, thanks to Gerard, who is rotting in Newgate.”
“And ah thought my family has been through quite a bit,” Teagan said.
“You have,” Bella said, with Amelia and Emma agreeing. “But look at us now? We have persevered, married the men of our dreams and heart. You will too.”
Teagan wasn’t convinced just yet that her dreams would come true. And what were her dreams? Did she love Sebastian and hope for her very own happy-ever-after as her new found friends had? Her heart did a little leap inside her chest.
Perhaps when things got settled with her family. Thinking about Lachlan pained her so. He should be living a carefree, bachelor life. Instead he was running for his life. Father should have sent him to court, he should have had a London Season, danced at balls and soirees, and attended Almack’s. Instead he was forced to remain in Scotland at their father’s beck and call. Not their real father. She had to keep remembering that.
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