by Platt, Meara
James nodded. “She sang like an angel. I’ve never heard anything so beautiful in all my life.”
“Finn was hurt.”
James nodded again. “Ronan just told me about it. He also mentioned Violet is quite handy with a spear.”
Romulus emitted a long, deep breath. “I’m still shaken by the whole affair. I want to make certain she is truly all right. Having to go on and sing probably helped her. I’m amazed she managed to perform without her voice cracking. But I suppose singing is as natural to her as breathing.”
“Still, it might hit her once everything quiets and she has nothing to distract her.”
He nodded. “This is what worries me most. I want to take her home.”
“Do it. The Braydens, Farthingales, and the Duke of Lotheil can deal with whatever’s left to attend to tonight. Stay with Violet.” He grinned at his brother. “You look ashen. Perhaps you are the one in need of calming.”
He snorted. “I am. I stopped breathing when I saw her wielding that spear and Finn lying motionless on the floor. But I think his wound is superficial, thank goodness.”
“I suppose I would have done the same if I’d seen my Sophie in that situation. But these women, as gentle as they may be, seem able to take care of themselves. Not that we’d ever admit it to them or ourselves. Your Violet is quite special. Look after her, Rom. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” He turned to leave and then clapped him on the shoulder yet again. “I love you, little brother.”
“Love you, too.” He gave him a light punch on the arm.
Romulus cleared his throat and turned to smile at Violet who was now descending the steps of the stage. He reached for her hand. “Never letting go of you,” he muttered.
“Did you say something? Sorry, I can’t hear you over the chatter of the crowd.”
He wanted to laugh. So much for amorous declarations. Violet couldn’t hear a word.
She lightly slapped her palm to her ear. “I think my ears are clogged. The Duke of Lotheil was bellowing his speech, and I couldn’t back away.”
Romulus laughed, loving how unaffected she was by the adoration of the throng. “I’ll figure out something to unclog them.”
She rolled her eyes. “Low brain at work again?”
He was still laughing. “Perhaps.” He took her arm as they began to make their way through the rows of slowly exiting bodies. “Only if you are agreeable, Violet. Surely, you know I would never take advantage. I’m not that much of an oaf to force you into doing something you have no wish to do. You’ve been through a lot today.”
He expected a response from her, not really minding if it was a jovial yes, let’s go at it like rabbits or a more serious no, don’t touch me.
But she said nothing.
Which worried him most.
What was going through her head?
Chapter Twenty
Violet was glad to have Innes with them in the carriage. The boy’s youthful exuberance was a balm for her. His chatter kept Romulus from asking prying questions she did not think she was able to answer yet. What could she say? Perhaps beg his apology for dragging him into this wretched recital. Apologize further for almost getting his cousin killed.
She nibbled her lip, fretting about Finn. What if he did not heal properly? What if he was left with complications from the shooting? Could Romulus or any Brayden ever forgive her?
Now that the recital was over, the impact of what had happened hit her all at once. People could have died because of her foolishness. She’d been so caught up in her love of singing, she had dismissed Romulus’s concerns. It was only luck that neither she nor Innes had taken the tainted tea. It was only luck that Finn had not been shot straight through the heart.
She clasped her hands together as they began to tremble.
In truth, her entire body was trembling.
When they arrived home, she forced herself to smile at Innes and wish him sweet dreams. She kissed him on the forehead.
The boy seemed to float up the staircase, he was so taken by the gesture. Had no one ever kissed this boy goodnight?
“Oh, Romulus. Please see that he’s properly tucked in,” she whispered, her heart aching for this neglected boy.
“I will, love.” He eyed her as though searching for something from her.
She managed another smile.
“I’ll join you in our chamber in a few minutes.” But he was now frowning at her.
She nodded, but kept silent as they climbed the stairs together.
She dismissed her maid, for the medieval gown was easy to slip off, and her hair was already unbound. There were only a few pins to take out. She removed her garments and laid them out across one of the tall chairs, then donned the nightrail set out for her on the bed. She poured water into her basin and scrubbed her hands and face, somehow feeling the need to scrub the dirt of this evening off her.
But as she sank onto the bed and sat atop the covers, she suddenly broke down and cried. What if Romulus hated her forever? How could she bear it? She loved him so much.
She must have been crying too hard to hear him when he entered, only realizing he’d come in when he sank onto the mattress and took her in his arms. “Violet, love. I was afraid of this.”
“I am so abjectly sorry,” she said between tearful gasps of breath.
Romulus lifted her onto his lap and tipped her chin up, forcing her to face him. “You have nothing to apologize for. You are not at fault for any of what happened tonight.”
“Are you mad? I am responsible for all of it.”
He put his arms around her. “You are responsible for loving your mother so much, you wanted to do something to benefit the home where she grew up. Where is the wrong in that?”
“The Foresters used me, knowing how vain I was about my singing.”
He kissed the top of her head. “You have one of the most exquisite voices in the world. Your voice is magic and lightens the heart of all who hear it. If I sang even one-tenth as well as you do, my head would be so enormously swelled, it couldn’t fit through our bedchamber door. If anything, you are ridiculously modest about your talent.”
He put a finger over her mouth when she opened it to protest. “No, love. And don’t you dare blame yourself for Finn. You didn’t shoot him. I’m the one who brought him into the charity affair and demanded he be put in charge of the donations.”
“Still…”
He groaned. “Violet, there is nothing you can do to make me hold you responsible. There is nothing on this earth that will ever stop me from loving you for all the days of my life.”
“Romulus…” She took a deep, shattered breath.
“I mean it, Violet. You overwhelm me. I never expected to love another being as deeply as I love you. I did not think such depth of feeling was possible. But it is. I don’t care what your Book of Love says about developing connections over time. We are connected. Irrevocably. Profoundly. Perhaps across time.”
“But my singing–”
“Was wonderful. You reduced every man to tears with the beauty of your songs. That last one about the selkie was magnificent. I think Innes and I will stand on deck at sundown every evening and blubber like infants as we watch the sun sink into the water. My men will think we are deranged.”
She laughed. “I still feel so badly.”
“I know. But don’t blame yourself for the evil of others. No one else does.”
She nodded, more to placate him than to take his words to heart.
“Let me kiss you, will you, love?” He bent his head to hers and tasted her plump, yielding lips. In short order, his clothes were off as was her nightgown. She stood before him, her beautiful body illuminated in moonlight.
He set her on the bed and settled over her, purposely taking his time to worship her luscious body. Mostly, he worried about how she was feeling. He did not want their coupling to be merely her duty, or her way to compensate for Forester’s betrayal. Sex with her was one thing. An act of beauty. A willing act.
Forgiveness sex was quite another, an act of contrition. Remorse. Sacrifice. Atonement. She had done nothing that required anyone’s forgiveness, least of all his. “Violet, are you all right with this?”
“With me in your arms? With you loving me?” She put her arms around his neck. “Yes, Romulus. I love you. It’s me I don’t care for very much at the moment. I’m still upset with myself.”
Romulus propped up on his elbows, not quite knowing what to do to make her feel better. What concerned him most was that he would be off for Cornwall in a few days and did not want her tormenting herself over this during the months of his absence. “Forester wins if you continue to blame yourself for what is squarely his fault. I’ll take you to see Finn tomorrow.” He hoped his cousin would be in decent enough condition to see them. “Will you believe his assurances?”
“Your Aunt Miranda–”
“Is probably angry she wasn’t in on the fight. We’re a military family, love. The Brayden men are big and fearsome, but we are nothing to the women. Have I told you how Miranda took a fire iron to some very nasty fellows attempting to destroy my cousin Marcus’s wife and her father? Marcus had to haul Miranda off them. She was out for their blood.”
Violet’s eyes widened in surprise. “Are you saying this to make me feel better?”
“No, I’m saying it because it’s true. You’ll see for yourself tomorrow.” He kissed her softly on the lips. “Don’t punish yourself. I can’t bear to see you unhappy. Smile for me, Violet. This is how I want to see you in my dreams. Happy. Your eyes aglow. A beautiful smile on your face.”
She nodded.
“And one more thing…Miranda will be jealous as hell when we tell her how you beat off the Foresters with a spear.”
Violet laughed and reached out to draw him down atop her. He felt the shift in her temperament, knew she was letting go of her anguish, for her body was beginning to relax and she was no longer curled inward and erecting walls. He breathed a silent sigh of relief when she responded to his renewed caresses.
When he cupped her breast and began to suckle it, she gasped and clasped her hands to his head so tightly, his nose became buried in her creamy flesh. He meant to breathe through his mouth, but his lips and tongue were also occupied. This was the beauty of a man’s low brain. The low brain would rather starve the man of breath than warn him to peel his mouth off a soft breast.
He kissed a trail to her other breast, licking and suckling it while at the same time stroking his hand downward until his fingers found her slick, intimate core. She moaned softly and whispered his name. “Romulus.”
Their coupling was tender, their bodies hot as they rubbed against each other with every thrust. The feel of her soft skin against his rougher flesh was exciting, igniting. He rolled her atop him and guided her movements, his hands gripping her hips and his eyes practically lolling back in his head with the exquisite pleasure of watching her move.
Her firm breasts were thrust out, their rosy peaks an agonizingly sweet temptation.
Her hair cascaded down her back, reminding him of a waterfall of dark silk.
Everything about her aroused him.
His hands remained clasped on either side of her hips as he guided her to heightened pleasure. He slowed his thrusts. She responded, moaning and moving her hips, urging him to sink deeper inside her until she lost herself in the moment, in the feeling. In her ecstasy.
He felt the heat and shuddering release of her climax, her body so beautiful as it soared toward starlight. Only once she began to calm did he take his own release, and followed her soon after toward that same starlight. “Violet, I love you.”
She fell asleep in his arms, her warm body curling around the hard muscle of his. She awoke the same way in the morning, curled like a kitten against him, her back to his chest and her arms wrapped around one of his.
Romulus had intended to get up early, but there was something about the way she clung to him, and he felt it was more important to remain in bed. He needed to be beside her when she opened her eyes.
He knew he’d made the right decision when she blinked her eyes open and cast him a glowing smile. “Good morning.”
He rolled onto his side and kissed her. “Good morning, love.”
“Oh, dear. What time is it? I’m sure we’ve overslept.”
He did not stop her when she scrambled out of bed, but merely rose along with her. “Not too late. It’s only eight o’clock.”
“Innes must be awake.”
“Possibly. The Mayhew girls are taking good care of him, I’m sure.” He watched as she tossed on her robe. It hugged her soft curves, the light fabric sensually draping over her breasts. Magnificent breasts. “How do you feel, Violet?”
“About myself?” Her smile faltered. “I’m not sure yet.”
“Then let’s start with an easier question. How do you feel about me?”
She laughed softly and shook her head. “About you? That is an easy one. I’m wildly in love with you, Captain Brayden.”
“Feeling is mutual, Mrs. Brayden.” As tempted as he was to carry Violet back to bed, Romulus knew there was too much to do today. His first task was to get that giant weight of blame off Violet’s slender shoulders.
Next was to prepare for his departure. Lord, this was going to be difficult. He was tempted to take her with him to Cornwall, but dared not suggest it now. There was work to be done first to subdue the emboldened pirates. But once they had chased down the culprit who had burned Erskine’s ship, he expected activity to quiet down.
He would send for Violet then.
After washing and dressing, they walked downstairs together and entered the dining room. Innes was already there, sitting quietly and toying with his eggs. He brightened as soon as he caught sight of Violet and jumped up to politely greet her.
She hugged him as though it was the most natural thing in the world, and then crossed to the buffet to serve herself from the salvers set out upon it.
Romulus smothered a grin as he followed Violet’s lead and helped himself to eggs and slices of cold ham. Innes could not stop staring at Violet. He realized the boy believed she was a selkie, and he was waiting for her to transform back into a seal…or mermaid…or other magical being.
“It’s only a song, Innes. Violet will not shed her skin and disappear into the ocean. She’ll be waiting for us right here when we return to London in another three months.”
The boy seemed disappointed to learn she was not a mythical creature. But he quickly got over it when they told him Charles was waiting for him at the Farthingale residence next door. “To play marbles?”
Violet nodded.
The boy cheered.
Within the hour, they were all ready to walk next door.
Romulus was eager to find out what had happened after he’d taken Violet and Innes home. Sophie and John had remained at the Royal Society and would know. He wanted to ask about the donations as well as learn more about Finn.
Had John received any news from George? It would help Violet’s spirits immensely to hear positive news about Finn’s condition.
Innes went off to play marbles with Charles.
Romulus was relieved, for he preferred the boy to be upstairs playing and not beside Violet if she became upset. Although he was optimistic about Finn’s condition, it was possible his injuries were worse than anyone thought.
“How is Belle feeling this morning?” Violet asked when Sophie greeted them and ushered them into John’s study.
Drat, in all the excitement, Romulus had forgotten about Violet’s cousin.
“She’s doing better,” Sophie said, taking a seat and motioning for them to make themselves comfortable. “But still not fully recovered. This London weather isn’t very good for her. George thinks she ought to be fine in another few days, that she only needs another day or two to adjust to it. Eloise has invited us all to tea at her home next Friday.”
Romulus glanced at Violet. “I may be gone by then
. I’ll do my best to put off my departure to Saturday. But Violet will attend. I assume Lady Withnall will be there.”
Sophie rolled her eyes. “Yes, they are best friends, although I cannot understand why dear Eloise is friendly with that gossipmonger. Lady Withnall seems to have a nose for scandal. She is always present whenever it is afoot.”
Violet laughed. “Well, I think we’ll be safe enough at Eloise’s tea. Romulus and I are already married. What can possibly happen?”
Romulus and Sophie exchanged glances and then laughed.
When John joined them, he and Sophie told them what had happened at the Royal Society after they’d left. “After securing the donations, Ian and Gabriel went off with the Duke of Lotheil to deal with the Foresters and Lady Felicia. All three are well-connected. They won’t be put in prison, of course. Lady Rawley’s husband will deal with her. Lord Forester’s father will deal with him. Unfortunately, Lady Felicia is independent and answers to no one.”
Violet frowned. “She’s an odious woman. Is there anything we can do about her?”
“The Duke of Lotheil will deal with her,” John said. “I would not be surprised if she suddenly left town on an extended voyage.”
“Good riddance,” Romulus muttered.
Violet clasped her hands together and took a deep breath. “What about Finn?”
Her uncle smiled. “George stopped by after dropping him off at Lady Miranda’s house. He’s fine. That is, he will fully recover. The shot grazed his shoulder, tearing mostly through flesh.”
“But you’ll see for yourself when you visit him,” Sophie added. “Would you mind if Innes stayed here? He and Charles play so nicely together.”
“Thank you, Aunt Sophie. It would be very helpful.” She nodded toward Romulus. “We ought to stop by the Royal Society to pick up the donations. Finn was going to take care of it, but I’m sure he is in no condition to do it now.”
Romulus took hold of Violet’s hand. “We’ll take care of it tomorrow once the bank opens. I’ll bring Ronan and Joshua along with me. No one is likely to take on three Brayden men. But you and I can look in on Finn today.”