by Platt, Meara
John cleared his throat. “I know today is Sunday and the bank is usually closed. However, the Duke of Lotheil happens to be chairman of the bank. He’s offered to open it for you this afternoon since there’s a tidy sum to deposit, and he knows you won’t rest easy until it is delivered to the bank. You may prefer to get it done today. No one will expect it.”
“That’s quite generous of him. Yes, I’d like to have the funds safely deposited as soon as possible,” Romulus said.
By the afternoon, the donations were securely in the bank’s orphanage account, and they were now calling upon Finn. To Violet’s relief, he was seated in Lady Miranda’s library, dressed and seeming quite comfortable while reading a book. Only the sling on his arm gave away his injury.
He rose to greet them, showing little difficulty in his movements. “Ah, the Viking shield maiden has come to visit.”
“More of a spear maiden,” Romulus said with a chuckle, winking at Violet.
“Finn, I–”
Finn raised a hand to interrupt her. “Before you say anything, let me apologize to you. Romulus warned me about the pair, but I did not fully appreciate the danger. I was careless and put you in peril.”
Violet shook her head. “No, it is I who should be begging your forgiveness. I was so swept away by the chance to sing, I believed whatever they told me. I wanted to trust them, even though Romulus instinctively knew the sort of people they were. How do you feel?”
Finn arched an eyebrow. “Truthfully?”
She nodded.
“Pretty damn good. I can now show off my wound and tell all the ladies how I acquired it foiling a robbery. I’ll embellish a little, of course. And I hope you don’t mind if I say nothing about your saving me. Lady Rawley’s aim was dead on. She would have killed me if you hadn’t knocked her arm askew with the spear.”
Violet rolled her yes. “Oh, yes. Do keep me out of your swashbuckling tales.”
Finn took Violet’s hand and raised it to his lips. “Thank you, Violet. I’m sorry for the trouble they caused, and I’m most sorry I had to miss your recital. I heard it was the event of the season. You sang like an angel, my mother said.”
Romulus nodded. “She did. She was magnificent.”
“I look forward to hearing you sing next time. I’ll try my best not to get shot.”
Violet shook her head vehemently. “No, this was a one-time affair. I have no intention of making a spectacle of myself again.”
Romulus frowned. “You were brilliant, Violet. You lightened the hearts of everyone in the audience.” An idea had been taking seed in his mind. He’d said nothing earlier, but decided this might be the right time. “Would you consider giving a recital for the wounded sailors returned from war? They’ve fought around the world for England. Most will never return to sea, never be taken back into the Royal Navy. But the sea is in their blood. Your Song of the Selkie will stir their hearts, give them hope as nothing else will.”
Violet gazed at him in confusion. “You want me to sing?”
He nodded. “Your voice is a gift. Share it however you wish. But you mustn’t hide it.”
She nibbled her lip. “I’ll think about it. But I won’t do another recital on such a grand scale. I felt like a nightingale trapped in a cage.”
“These homes for forgotten seamen are not very big. Even the largest would house no more than fifty.”
“Fifty?”
“Violet, love. I want you to do whatever makes you happy.” He took her in his arms and peered over her head to where Finn stood grinning. “I’m not telling you what to do, but I think this is a perfect solution. The men in these homes as well as the military hospitals are in desperate need of cheering. They would appreciate your recital more than words can say.”
“I like the idea,” Finn said. “These old warriors do need something to look forward to in their difficult lives. You would ease their hearts, Violet.”
“Your reason to be, my love.” Romulus spoke softly.
Her heart lurched. Yes, to use her gift of song to do some good in the world was all she’d ever hoped for. Also, to be able to help out the retired seamen would make her feel closer to Romulus, perhaps ease the pain of their separation. She sighed. “It’s perfect. I’d love to do it.”
Chapter Twenty-One
“Violet, love. I’ll be back in three months,” Romulus said yet again, needing to reassure himself as much as he needed to reassure his wife that their separation would be relatively brief and tolerable. It was Friday, the day of Lady Dayne’s tea party, and they were walking the short distance, two houses down, to the kindly dowager’s residence.
Violet placed her arm in his. “Belle and Honey are here for the season to keep me company, and my parents will return shortly. Until then, the Mayhew nieces and our other household retainers will take care of me. Not to mention Uncle John and Aunt Sophie live right next door and will look in on me every day. I’m sure your family will come by often as well.” She smiled up at him. “I doubt I’ll be alone for a moment. Indeed, I’ll be glad when you and Innes return so I may finally have peace in the house.”
He and Innes were to leave first thing tomorrow morning, but for the moment, the boy was hopping beside them, happy to be anywhere near Violet. “Innes,” she said, “I’ll pack three tins of ginger cake for you to take on your journey. They are for you, and you needn’t share them with anyone, not even my husband.”
His eyes widened, and he cast Romulus a questioning glance. He released the breath he had been holding when Romulus nodded his approval. Innes turned to Violet. “Thank you, Mrs. Brayden!”
She laughed lightly, the sound a sweet, melodic trill that warmed Romulus’s heart. “But you mustn’t devour the cakes all at once. They’ll last for a while in their tins.”
The boy nodded and skipped ahead, for Lady Dayne had also invited Charles and his bag of marbles to the tea. Innes and Charles had become good friends. Romulus knew the pair would duck out of the parlor and ensconce themselves somewhere out of the way to play with their aggies and mibs.
He glanced at Violet, noticed she was nipping her lower lip, and wondered what she was thinking of now. “Are you all right, love?”
She nodded. “I gave The Book of Love to Belle this morning.”
“Ah, the magical tome notorious for bringing reluctant bachelors to heel.” He shook his head and laughed. “Does something more need to be done? Now that Belle has it, some poor sod is going to fall hard.”
“It is gaining a reputation, isn’t it?” She shook her head. “I acted on impulse, and now I’m worried that I ought to have given it to Honey instead. She’s the elder. Belle is my age, and Honey is two years older. Did I make a mistake in handing it to Belle first?”
“Does it feel like a mistake?”
“In truth, it doesn’t. Now that I am so spectacularly happy and have married the man of my dreams…” She paused to cast him an impish grin. “I know the book needs to be given over to someone else. Belle or Honey, of course. Logically, it should have been Honey. But my heart told me to give it to Belle.”
“Then don’t fret. You made the right choice.”
Romulus held her back a moment and gave her a soft kiss on the lips, not particularly caring who saw them. Violet was his wife, and he was a besotted fool when it came to her. He never imagined marriage could feel so good. “Go with your heart, love. After all, it led you to me.”
She nodded. “What do your instincts tell you?”
“Oh, no. Don’t get me involved in your matchmaking schemes.” He laughed and raked his fingers through his hair. “My instincts are telling me to forget the tea and carry you back to our bedchamber where I can explore your delectable body for uninterrupted hours on end. You’re frowning at me, so I see that I have spoken out of turn. Well, you asked me. I can’t help it if my beautiful wife stirs my low brain lust.”
“Belle,” she quietly blurted as they were about to walk into Lady Dayne’s parlor and mingle with her other
guests. “It must be Belle.”
“You’re suddenly certain?”
“The feeling just came over me.” She scanned the crowd in search of her cousin but did not see her. “Oh, Romulus. Something’s going to happen. My body’s tingling, and the air feels charged.”
“Here? Now?” He grinned. “I could make another stupid comment about my low brain and carry you home. Just say the word.”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, I see Lady Withnall.”
He gave a mock sigh. “Ah, there she is, eyeing us both with her beady, weasel eyes from across the room.”
Violet slapped him lightly on the shoulder and laughed. “Be nice to her, you wicked man! Oh, there’s your cousin, Finn. I’m so glad he accepted Lady Dayne’s invitation. He looks well, doesn’t he? He isn’t even wearing a sling on his arm. I’m so relieved.”
Romulus escorted her through the crowded parlor. “Let’s greet our hostess and then we can chat with Finn. Unless you’d rather find your cousins first.” He looked around the room. “I see Honey, but I don’t see Belle.”
“She must be somewhere around. I know she’s here. Probably in a quiet corner. She’s shy. I would have heard if she wasn’t feeling well and had decided to stay home. She was in the pink of health when I saw her this morning. Looking quite lovely, actually.”
They greeted Lady Dayne and Lady Withnall.
Romulus stifled a grin as Violet impulsively reached out and gave the tiny termagant a sincere hug. “Thank you again, Lady Withnall,” she whispered. “Thank you again and again with all my heart.”
To his surprise, the old woman’s features crumbled, and she appeared genuinely touched, almost as though she was about to cry. “I’m glad to see you both so happy, my dear. But it is the bees who must be thanked for bringing you and your scandalously gorgeous husband together.”
Whatever Violet meant to say was cut short when Charles and Innes tore into the room. “Captain Brayden,” Innes said breathlessly, his eyes once again wide. “Something’s happened.”
The boy tugged at his hand, but Romulus held him back a moment. “What is it, Innes?”
“It’s your cousin, Finn, and Mrs. Brayden’s cousin, Belle.”
He groaned. “Oh, no. What happened?”
No, no, no. It can’t be. It’s just a book.
He cast a glance at Violet who clearly looked confused, horrified, and perhaps gleeful. Was that a matchmaking glint in her eyes?
By this time, the boys were gathering a crowd. Mostly Farthingales, but there were other guests present. Lady Withnall’s nose was twitching like a rabbit’s and her ears were wiggling. This could not be good. “Innes. Charles. You ought to tell me what happened in private.”
“There isn’t time,” young Charles said, hopping on one leg. “They’re in the garden. Belle touched him like this…” Charles slid his hand up and down himself, directly over his little crotch.
John Farthingale had just taken a sip of his tea and now sprayed it out of his mouth. His wife pounded him on his back as he began to cough. “Oh, John. Surely, it’s all an innocent misunderstanding,” Sophie crooned, but her words did nothing to soothe John’s mounting ire.
“Then Finn grabbed her in his arms, because she started making strange sounds,” Innes added unhelpfully.
“What sounds?” Violet asked before Romulus could stop her. Despite being married to him, a low brain cad who could not get enough of her in a primal, carnal way, she was still remarkably innocent.
“Um, she was breathing heavily,” Innes replied.
“This kind of sound.” Charles began to moan.
“More like this,” Innes corrected and made suggestive sounding gasps.
“Brayden, I’m going to kill your cousin,” John muttered.
“Boys, there must be some mistake.” Blessed saints! Was Finn…what the hell was he doing to Belle?
Lady Withnall’s nose was now madly twitching.
Romulus had to get to his cousin before anyone saw whatever the idiot was doing to Belle. Only Finn wasn’t an idiot. He was one of the smartest men in London, but perhaps not when it came to women. “Where are they?”
“In the garden,” Innes said. “They toppled on the grass. She was still moaning when we ran inside to tell you.”
Romulus tore out of the house, Violet on his heels. “Finn! Are you insane?” His cousin had his hand on Belle’s chest and was pressing down on it. At the same time, he had his mouth on Belle’s mouth. There was a logical explanation, of course.
The damn Book of Love.
Finn looked up, shocked to see the crowd gathering around them. “She can’t catch her breath. Where’s her sister? She’ll know what to do.”
As Honey raced forward, Romulus drew Violet back. “This explains her heavy breathing. But…why was she touching him?”
Violet’s eyes were still wide in horror, confusion, and yes, glee. “I don’t know.” She turned in dismay to Lady Withnall who was now hovering close to Finn as he took guidance from Belle’s sister while he lifted Belle into his arms.
“Why are your pants wet?” Lady Withnall asked Finn. “Did you spill tea all over yourself?”
Finn merely scowled at the incorrigible snoop.
Belle appeared to be over the worst of her attack, her breathing less erratic now.
“Put your arms around my neck,” Finn told her, now carrying her toward Lady Dayne’s parlor.
Romulus remained in the garden with Violet as the small crowd followed Finn back inside. “Did you have to give her that book before the tea?”
Violet’s mouth gaped open. “I’m so sorry, Romulus. It was just sitting there on our bureau, and I suddenly felt compelled to bring it over to Belle.” She stared at him. “Do you think…?”
“No. It can’t be.” Even though he had been thinking the same thing himself only a moment ago. “It’s just a damn book. An old book. Faded red cover.” He ran a hand through his hair in consternation. “Lady Withnall saw it all.”
Violet gave a laughing groan. “There’s also the Chipping Way curse. Poor Finn. He didn’t stand a chance. If the book didn’t get him, the bachelor curse of this street did. I’ll talk to Lady Withnall. I’ll explain about Belle’s difficulty breathing. Those attacks can be frightening when they occur, and there’s rarely any warning when they do. Should we follow them in? Finn might need your help.”
“No, love. Too late. Nothing to do but hope they’ll be as happy as we are in wedded bliss.” He took Violet in his arms. “Lord, I’m going to miss you. The lavender scent of your body. The silky warmth of your skin. Your spectacular violet eyes.”
“My singing,” she teased.
“I love your voice. I love you, my beautiful songbird.” He scooped her into his arms.
She gasped. “What are you doing? People are watching.”
“No, they’re not. All eyes are on my addle-pated cousin. Oh, Lady Miranda will be happy as a lark when she learns Finn’s going to marry.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Belle will not agree to it.”
“You weren’t inclined either. Look where it got you?” He kissed her on the lips. “Got you into my bed, that’s for sure. And I’m not complaining.” He started to carry her out of the garden.
“Romulus! We can’t leave.”
“Of course we can, love. No one gives a rat’s arse about us now. But I care. I’m going to enjoy my wife until the moment I have to leave for Cornwall. Your aunt will bring Innes home once the tea is over. You’ll have all day tomorrow to find out what happened after we left. I love you, Violet. Don’t deprive me of the pleasure of having you in my arms.”
She sighed and rested her head against his shoulder. “I won’t, my love.”
He kissed her again. “Bollocks, I’m going to miss you.”
Violet did not think it was possible to already miss someone when that person was still beside her, but she did. “I’ll miss you desperately, too.”
She was going to miss young Innes as well. The
boy absorbed affection like a sponge, but it twisted her heart to know how badly he’d been deprived of it. He could have done with a little more time in a loving home. Perhaps this would be one of her next projects, learning more about the Duke of Buchan and his feelings for his son.
However, she set aside thoughts of everyone but Romulus as her spectacularly gorgeous husband carried her upstairs to make scandalous love to her in the afternoon.
Good heavens, he was naughty!
But she supposed, when it came to Romulus, so was she.
Chapter Twenty-Two
London, England
September 1820
Violet was hosting a tea party at home when Romulus and Innes surprised everyone by tromping into the parlor to the cheers and greetings of the guests. They looked travel-worn and dusty, but Violet was too happy to see them to care about ruining her gown with their road dirt. She set down her teacup and ran into Romulus’s outstretched arms. “Romulus!” she shouted for joy, her heart ready to burst with happiness.
“It’s good to be home, love.” He swept her into his arms and kissed her thoroughly, his rough growth of beard scratching her cheek as they embraced each other. He reluctantly released her, no doubt realizing friends and family were coughing and giggling at his show of affection.
Blushing, Violet turned to greet Innes.
“We didn’t expect you until tomorrow,” she said, giving the boy a heartfelt hug and ruffling his hair. “Look how big you’ve grown.” The lad was as tall as she was now. “Did you enjoy your time at sea?”
Innes nodded. “Mostly it was quiet, but sometimes we fought pirates.”
Violet studied both of them closely, relieved they appeared unharmed. She would learn more from Romulus later. “Innes, I’m glad you came a day early. There’s someone here who would like to see you. I know you must be tired and hungry, but indulge me a moment and go wait for me in the study.”
He nodded. “Is it Charles? Is he here?”
“Yes, he’s here, and you shall see him in a moment. But there’s someone else I’d like you to see first.”