by Cheryl Holt
His knife! The one Judah had cut off his belt in Africa! Its return raised a thousand questions, but they could wait until later. For now, he was simply thrilled to have it back.
He stared at Sebastian, and his friend said, “A peace offering.”
“Thank you. I didn’t think I’d ever see it again.”
“I’m sorry it took so long to get it to you. The oaf who had it was a bit slow in relinquishing it.”
They shared a blunt look that made Nathan suppose Judah might have suffered an accident and passed away. He didn’t have feelings about it one way or the other, and if Judah was deceased, he wouldn’t necessarily mourn.
Sebastian continued speaking to Nathan. “My brother, Noah, and I would like to talk to you privately about your sister, Sarah Blake Robertson. I’ve come to ask for her hand in marriage, and Noah will act as witness as to my wealth, station, and character.”
Nathan glanced over at Nell. “Would you excuse us?”
“Yes, have your discussion while I settle our guests.” She leaned in and whispered, “Don’t you two muck this up. When everyone’s journeyed such a distance, and Mr. Sinclair has gone to so much trouble, I’m planning to have a wedding at the end.”
“I’m planning on it too, Lady Selby,” Sebastian said.
Nathan studied his old friend, and though it was odd, the rage he’d carried seemed to float off into the sky. He smiled, apprising Sebastian it was over, that he was forgiven, and Sebastian smiled back.
Then Nathan said, “Would you gentlemen please accompany me to my library? I’m eager to hear your proposal, and I hope you can convince me.”
“I’m sure we will,” Noah Sinclair told him. “We’ve already decided that Miss Robertson doesn’t always know what’s best for her, and she can’t make her own choice about it. We men will have to make it for her.”
“I completely agree,” Nathan said.
The three of them spun and went inside.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Sarah strolled out of the garden and climbed onto the verandah, approaching a rear door of the manor. It was Wednesday, the day Nathan had demanded Sebastian travel to Selby to speak with her. She’d tried to ignore the possibility that he might show up, but as the morning had ticked by, she’d grown too unnerved, so she’d taken a long walk.
She’d dawdled for hours, being swamped by the worst sense of dread and eager to wring her brother’s neck for interfering. She’d been struggling to figure out if she wished Sebastian would come or if he wouldn’t. Either path was full of deep holes.
If he didn’t arrive, she’d be crushed. Yet if he did come, how was she to assess his presence? If Nathan’s threats had caused him to break off his engagement to Miss Gordon—if that’s what had been required to end it—would she want him as a husband?
She couldn’t decide.
Would she like to marry into a family with such awful members? What would it be like to have a mother-in-law who hated her? If he tossed over Miss Gordon, his relatives would be incensed. After that snub, how could Sarah ever attach herself to him in a sane way?
And what about Noah and Petunia? What if they were never found? Or what if they were found, but they’d been harmed? Why would she ally herself with such despicable people?
She entered the house, and as she went toward the foyer, the place seemed alive with activity, as if they were suddenly hosting a party. Servants rushed about, food and other supplies being carried to various destinations. When she’d left earlier, it had been quiet as a tomb. What could have occurred to create such havoc?
Nell appeared down the hall and said, “There you are! Where have you been? I’ve been hunting everywhere.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were looking for me.”
“Your brother needs to see you immediately.”
Sarah frowned. “Is something wrong?”
“No. Everything is perfect, and he has a surprise.”
Nell led her to the library, and as Nell shoved her into the room, she said, “I’ve got a thousand chores to manage. I’ll stop back in a bit to check on how you’re faring.”
She pulled the door closed, and Sarah spun to the desk. Nathan was seated in his chair, but to her great relief, Noah was next to him.
“Noah!” she gasped, and she dashed over.
She hugged him and riffled his hair, but he was a boy and didn’t relish displays of affection, so he quickly wiggled out of her embrace. She clasped his arms and turned him side to side, searching for injuries, searching for signs he’d been maltreated.
“Are you all right?’ she asked him. “Even if you’re not, lie to me and claim you’re fine.”
“I’m fine, and I mean it.”
“Is Petunia with you?”
“She’s upstairs settling in. She’s fine too.”
“Where were you? What happened? How did you come to Selby?”
“I’ll tell you about it in a minute, but first, Lord Selby and I would like to discuss a very important topic with you.”
“Yes, Nell told me,” she said. “What is it?”
Nathan raised a brow at Sarah, humored by Noah’s authoritative nature, and he gestured to the chair across from him. “Let’s get more comfortable, shall we?”
She sat as Noah asked, “May I stand, Lord Selby? Would you mind?”
“No, I don’t mind.”
They glanced at each other as if they were involved in some completely inane male jest, and she said, “What are you dying to impart? Don’t keep me in suspense.”
Her brother started. “Noah was anxious to join in this conversation because he feels—through your shared experiences—you’ve developed a significant bond.”
“That’s true,” Sarah said. “We have.”
“He also feels a weighty burden to protect you. As do I.”
She scowled. “You two are being much too serious, and you’re scaring me. Will you just spit it out?”
“I will.” Nathan winked at Noah, then announced, “We’ve received a marriage offer for you, and we have accepted it.”
She wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting, but it wasn’t that.
“What are you talking about?” she asked.
This time, Noah spoke up. “It was too good to disregard, and we agreed that it was best if you wed.”
“There’s been a proposal of…of…marriage?” she stammered. “From who?”
Nathan tsked. “It’s not as if you have a line of suitors. Who do you think it’s from?”
She squirmed uneasily. “Mr. Sinclair is here?”
“Yes,” Nathan said. “He brought Noah and Petunia to us, then he and I conferred about you.”
“Isn’t that precious?” she sarcastically seethed. The notion of them dickering over her like a mare at an auction was infuriating.
Noah chimed in again. “I requested to be present when Lord Selby explained it to you. You don’t always choose the right path, and I wanted to clarify the benefits so you don’t make a mistake.”
“Why would you automatically assume I’d make a mistake?” she asked.
“My Sinclair relatives have been awful to you, and you’re probably very angry.”
“I am angry,” she admitted.
“I felt I ought to mention that Sebastian is a very grand fellow. He’s brave and loyal, and he saved Pet and me from certain disaster. I’ll always be grateful to him.”
“So will I,” she said.
“By his conduct toward us, he’s showed how devoted he can be, and a woman can’t ignore that sort of attribute.”
“You’re correct.”
“He’s rich too,” Noah added, “and a woman shouldn’t ignore that attribute either. Especially not you when you’ve recently been in such dire straits.”
Nathan smirked. “I couldn’t have said it better myself, Noah.” Then he gazed at Sarah. “I’ve been friends with Sebastian since I was seven, and he’s a fine man. I’d be happy to give you to him. I’d never worry about y
ou a single day.”
She began to tremble; she couldn’t help it. They were both grinning, merrily presuming her future was arranged, but Sebastian Sinclair had committed a hundred sins against her.
The small ones were of no account, but the big ones—lying to her, having his mother evict her, seducing her, encouraging her with a false proposal—were massive. She nearly burst into tears whenever she recalled how thoroughly she’d been duped.
Well, she didn’t have to be so gullible. She didn’t have to behave like a ninny. She could buck up and act like the mature, adult female she was. She’d never permit a man to trick her again. She’d never be such a fool.
Before she could comment, the door opened behind her. Nathan and Noah could see who’d entered, and from how their grins widened, she could guess who it was. She shifted in her chair and looked over too. And…?
There he was, Sebastian Sinclair, the dashing cad, the riveting hero, the famous explorer. For the occasion, he’d dressed immaculately: tan trousers, blue frock coat, knee-high black boots. His cravat was snowy white, yards of Belgian lace tied in an intricate knot.
At Hero’s Haven, he’d always donned casual clothes, almost like a laborer, so she couldn’t recollect his ever being so stunningly attired. He was elegant and beautiful. Could a man be beautiful? The answer was undeniably yes.
“It’s about time you slinked in,” Nathan said to him.
“You had to wear down her defenses,” he replied, “so I didn’t think I should rush you. I figured it might take an enormous amount of cajoling.”
Noah told him, “We tried our best. I shared a dozen positive facts about you.”
“Thank you, little brother.”
On hearing the affectionate term, Sarah was perplexed. Had they bonded? Were they fond siblings? When had that happened? How had it happened?
“Let’s go, Noah,” Nathan said. “These two have some important issues to discuss.”
Nathan stood, and they headed out, but as Noah passed Sebastian, he said, “We already informed her that we’ve accepted your offer, so if she’s difficult, please remember it’s all just incidental details.”
They exited, and she and Sebastian were alone. He appeared cocky and confident, but she was spitting mad. The three males had been talking about her as if she wasn’t in the room, as if she was powerless and couldn’t make up her own mind.
Ooh, the gall! It had her even more furious.
She leapt up and whirled to face him. She’d meant to hurl a scathing retort, but found she couldn’t. Words seemed to have escaped her. What would she like to have transpire?
She was as confused as she’d been earlier while walking in the garden. She wanted to marry him. She didn’t want to marry him, and she wouldn’t be pressured into it by Nathan and Noah. She yearned to send him away merely to show them they couldn’t boss her, but that was juvenile behavior.
Hadn’t she just vowed to stop being an idiot?
“Hello, Sarah,” he said, and he started toward her.
He had a ferocious gleam in his eye so he looked like a predator stalking its prey. And there was no doubt about it. She was the prey.
“Hold it right there, you bounder,” she warned.
“No.”
He continued his advance, and for each step he took forward, she took one back. They danced an awkward sort of dance, until finally, she bumped into the wall and could go no farther.
He swooped in and clapped his palms on either side of her, trapping her in his arms.
“You left me!” he accused. “How could you abandon me like that?”
She blanched. He thought he was the wronged party? He thought he had been deceived and abused? Her blood boiled!
“Of course I left,” she fumed. “What was I supposed to do?”
“Stay put? Wait for me?”
“Why would I have waited? You proposed, then you flitted off to Scotland, where—I was apprised—you intended to buy a summer house for your fiancée as her wedding gift.”
“Aah,” he mused. “I was wondering how they convinced you.”
“You also swore to me that you were not engaged. You swore you weren’t! Yet I had to stand in that accursed cottage at the Haven as your betrothed waved her engagement ring in my face.”
“She was wearing a ring?”
“Yes!”
“I was never engaged to her,” he claimed.
“That’s not what your mother told me. That’s not what your fiancée told me.”
She scooted under his arm and hurried across the room, using the desk as a barrier to keep him at bay, but he simply marched around it, approaching until they were toe to toe. He leaned in, pinning her to it.
“Move!” she said.
“No.”
She placed her hands on his chest and shoved him, but pushing him was like pushing a boulder. He wouldn’t budge.
“Would you like to hear why I raced off to Scotland?” he asked.
“Your mother explained it for you. You had to manage some family business, and you’d be gone for weeks. You had her evict me when you were away because you were too much of a coward to kick me out yourself.”
He rolled his eyes. “Do you really believe I would treat you that way?”
“How would I know? We’re practically strangers, and I’m still trying to ascertain what possessed me to become involved with you. Why was I so ridiculously besotted? I must have been temporarily insane.”
He grinned. “So was I. You drove me quite mad.”
“If you’re mad, it’s not my fault. In my view, you’ve always been a lunatic.”
He ignored her jibe. “I went to Scotland because my sister eloped with Judah Barnett.”
“Ooh, I never liked that man. What was she thinking?”
“She wasn’t thinking; that was the problem. My mother begged me to chase after them and stop them if I could.”
“Were you able to?”
“Yes, and she’s home safe and sound.”
“What about Judah? How will you keep him away from her in the future? He’s the kind of fellow who would strike again merely to prove you can’t thwart him.”
“It was my feeling exactly.” He shrugged. “He’ll never bother her again.”
He appeared positive the matter was concluded, and she struggled to deduce his message. Had he made Mr. Barnett vanish? How, precisely, would he have accomplished it? With how determined he could be, she wouldn’t be surprised to learn he’d murdered the stupid oaf. Would he have? Might he have been that intent on protecting his sister?
Sarah wouldn’t consider the notion. It was too preposterous. Instead, she asked, “And your sister? She must have been rattled by the ordeal. Is she recovering?”
“She’d doing well. In fact, she traveled here with me.”
Sarah scowled. “Weren’t Noah and Pet with you too? How was she persuaded to be civil?”
“Since her foolish escapade ended, she’s had a change of heart on many issues. She’s grown up a bit too. She was incensed by my mother’s conduct toward Noah and Petunia, and it’s tamped down much of her snobbery.”
“What did your mother do to them? Noah didn’t have a chance to tell me.”
“She had sold them into indenture.”
Sarah gasped. “She what?”
“They were bound for America. Ophelia and I caught them at the docks just in time.”
“Oh, my goodness.”
She was afraid her knees might give out, and she staggered over to a chair and sank down. She stared at the floor, assessing the dreadful news. What sort of person behaved so despicably? In a detached manner, Gertrude Sinclair was their grandmother. What sort of fiend would imperil her grandchildren so egregiously?
“Indenture!” she eventually murmured. “What if you hadn’t located them? What if the ship had sailed before you arrived?”
“I’ve been asking myself the same question.”
Tears flooded her eyes, and she worried she might simply b
reak down and weep. She gazed at him and inquired, “Are they safe from her? Will I constantly have to fret that she might sneak up and kidnap them again?”
“She’ll never have another opportunity to harm them.”
“How can you be sure?”
“For the next year, I’ve locked her in a convent.”
“You didn’t!”
“I did,” he blithely admitted. “While I was trying to figure out where she’d hidden Noah and Pet, I learned that several other of my father’s natural children had shown up in the past. It seemed to occur when my father was out of the country, so she had to deal with the situation herself. She sent numerous of my half-siblings into a life of indenture.”
Sarah blew out a heavy breath. “I realize she’s your mother, but may I say she’s a witch of the highest order?”
“You can say it because it’s true. When she’s released in a year, she’ll be transported to America to live with some cousins. I deemed it fitting that she be forced to head off to a foreign land and start over among strangers.”
“That’s positively diabolical.” Sarah beamed with delight.
“I thought so, and it means Noah and Pet are protected from her.”
“Good.”
“Now…as to you and me,” he said.
She scoffed. “There is no you and me. You’re engaged, remember?”
“I’m not engaged. Must I summon Nathan and my sister to verify it?”
“Miss Gordon was quite certain. I think a girl would know if she was betrothed or not.”
“Miss Gordon has left too.”
“Left for where?”
“I conveyed her to her mother in the country—in disgrace—and she won’t be allowed in London for three years.”
“Three years? Why so long?”
“She has a large dowry, and I won’t have her entice some poor boy with it until she’s matured a bit.”
“That’s very wise,” she said.
“So my mother is gone, and Veronica is gone. I’ve punished them for hurting you, and they’re out of our life forever.”
“You keep talking as if we’re together. We’re not.”