by Brenna Lyons
“Okay,” he began, his mind working fast. “We’ll wrap the girls in blankets and take them inside as fast as we can. I’ll come back for—”
The front door opened, and three of his brothers marched out, supporting a tarp between them. When they’d created an overhang from the car to the house, Alec knocked on the passenger window. “Get them inside,” he shouted over the howling wind.
Beth nodded, unbuckling her seatbelt and turning with James. They each took a baby, wrapping them in blankets. James soothed Michelle when she fought the process, and she settled down for the trip.
“Ready?” he asked.
Beth nodded, then launched out under the tarp, recoiling from the force of the storm as the wind whipped the rain sideways under it. Alec and Brad tilted the tarp down to act as a windbreak for her upper body, leaving Connor with the shit duty of the top edge.
Alec reached for her waist, hesitated, then urged her forward with a hand between her shoulder blades. “Straight ahead,” he instructed.
She lurched toward the door, and James followed.
“Nice save,” he complimented Alec as he breezed by. It would have been a shame to have to sock him in the jaw for laying hands on the wrong woman.
“Where are their things?”
“Back seat floor.”
“Go. We’ll get them.”
James nodded and rushed inside, thanking Ani for his brothers’ overactive sense of duty to the women and children of the household.
“Isn’t she the sweetest thing?” Ben crooned to Melissa, cuddling her to his chest.
Nearby, Georgia helped Beth out of her sopping jacket, offering a towel for her hair. “Thank goodness you made it,” his mother exclaimed. “James, get that soaking blanket off of Michelle.”
He nodded, tossing it into the corner with Melissa’s blanket and Beth’s jacket. Michelle blinked her eyes at the sudden brightness. Rachel reached for her, and James resisted.
“You’re wet, James,” his sister-in-law reminded him.
He handed Michelle over with a grumbled ‘thanks,’ peeling off his jacket and hanging it to dry on the hook board.
“James,” Alec shouted out.
“What is it?”
“We have the babies’ gear. Where is Beth’s?”
“She didn’t bring any.”
Beth darkened at that, berating herself for it, he was sure.
The door closed, and silence fell around them save his brothers removing their jackets and boots.
Georgia glanced around. “Are the babies dry and warm?”
Ben nodded. “Melissa is fine.”
“Michelle, too,” Rachel concurred.
“Good. Boys, go change.”
His brothers scattered, proof positive of decades of heeding their mother’s orders. James remained. His place was with Beth and the girls.
“Rachel,” Georgia continued. “Helen is about Beth’s size. Have her choose a dress for our guest, please.”
James winced. Saying any of the women was about Beth’s size was a stretch. A dress was necessary; no one could lend her jeans.
“Right away,” Rachel called back, heading up the stairs behind Alec and the other men.
Georgia steered Beth toward the stairs. “You’re shivering. We’ll set you up with a hot bath, tea, and dry clothes.”
Beth shook her head, seemingly mortified for some reason. “The clothes are fine. I really shouldn’t—”
“Nonsense,” Ben interrupted her. “The girls will be fine with us for a few minutes. You need to take care of yourself, Beth.”
She looked as if she’d like to argue the point, but she didn’t.
* * * *
Beth straightened the dress nervously. It was loose but not outrageously oversized. The problem was, it wasn’t a style she would normally choose. The dress was cut low in front, panels of silky fabric creating a vee over her chest. Layers of skirt overlapped to create a ragged knee-length. She was wearing an evening gown...and in bare feet.
She took a calming breath and left the bathroom, heading down the stairs. The sounds of talking and laughing led her to the single largest room in the manor, the dining room. Conversations quieted.
Beth searched out her girls first. Melissa sat on Tim’s lap on the floor, chewing on his wooden weapon again. Michelle stood between Ben’s knees, marching her feet in place in preparation for walking, her hands fisted on the inner seams of his jeans. Without conscious plan, she looked for James next.
He hardly seemed to breathe. Beth was equally breathless as he rose and strode to her.
James cupped his hands around her shoulders, planting a soft kiss at the corner of her lips. “You’re beautiful,” he whispered.
Her face heated. “It’s the dress—” she began.
“Not the dress. You are beautiful.”
Beth smiled. It had been far too long since someone had said things like that to her.
“Do you feel better, Beth?” Georgia asked.
“Yes. Thank you.” Beth’s smile faltered at the sight of the crowd of people, easily three times as many as she’d met the last time they visited, and every eye was on her. She smoothed the dress self-consciously.
James turned her to his relatives, drawing her forward. “As you can see, most of the family is home for the holidays.”
“Most?” she asked in dismay. Good God, there were more?
“We don’t usually have this many, but—”
The one who’d helped her inside laughed heartily. “Big brother finally brings a woman home for dinner,” he drawled. “Only beasts running wild could have kept us away. Oh, that’s why Doug and Tina aren’t here.”
“On trail?” James asked.
“Unfortunately. He sends his regrets at missing you, Beth.” His smile widened. “I’m Alec, by the way. Son number two.” He nodded to the slight brunette beside him, nursing an infant. “My wife, Helen.”
Beth nodded. “Thank you for the loan.”
“Anytime,” she replied cheerfully.
“Connor,” another intoned.
Beth managed not to wince at the memory of hanging up on him.
He shot a look of amusement at James. “It’s nice to finally meet you after talking to you that morning.”
James cleared his throat, his expression one of warning for his relative.
Connor’s smile widened. “Son number five.” He hugged the redhead on his lap. “Aimee.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Beth grumbled. Since he hadn’t mentioned her hanging up on him, she wasn’t going to either. She’d find a time to apologize for it later. “I’ve met Brad and Rachel. Does that make Doug number four?”
“Sure does,” James replied. He started pointing out his other relatives, firing off one name and relationship after another.
Beth nodded numbly, feeling as if she was on display, as if she was on trial. How would she fare? Would they think she was good enough for James? Or would they see the ragged, wet woman who had to borrow a dress?
Finally, Georgia called everyone to the tables for dinner.
To Beth’s surprise, the women situated themselves and the children, sending the older ones to the secondary table—a monstrous table that would fill most formal dining rooms, a full three-quarters the length and width of the main table. The younger ones were settled at the main table with their mothers, strapped into highchairs when necessary, and babies in arms placed into one of the two playpens at the head of the table.
The older men took their places at the main table, and the young men and teen boys marched into the kitchen.
James got Beth seated, then strapped Melissa into a highchair at her right while Ben strapped Michelle into a second, on the other side of her sister instead of Beth. Taking the time to kiss Beth on the cheek, James disappeared into the kitchen with the other men.
Then they started streaming back in, carrying huge platters of food. Beth gaped at the turkey that had to weigh thirty pounds, the massive ham; bowls of potato
es, stuffing, gravy, and vegetables; trays of olives, cranberries, and pickles; boards of bread, cheese, and assorted butters. She stared in disbelief as people started filling plates, men passing them off to children as often as women did.
Alec settled a plate in front of Helen, grasping it and forcing it back to the table when she tried to pass it along to a young boy. He whispered something to her, his expression pleading. Helen blushed, then nodded, releasing the plate. Alec immediately started filling another, handing it to the boy in question while she ate the first. The third plate he filled, Beth assumed, was for himself.
“Beth?” James asked.
She glanced at him, noting the plate of minced food in front of him, blushing in the realization that she’d been so intent on her surroundings that she’d forgotten her children.
“Is this all right?” he asked.
Beth reached for the stuffing and added a spoonful to the plate. “A bit of this. They can eat the diced turkey and stuffing while I feed them the mashed potatoes and carrots.”
James turned to the girls, nodding as he scraped the turkey and stuffing into piles on their trays. He raised a spoonful of potatoes to Michelle’s mouth.
“You should eat,” Beth protested, reaching for the plate.
He shot her the same pleading look Alec had used with Helen. “You need to care for yourself, Beth.”
“But, my girls—”
“Let me do this,” he whispered. “I want to do it, and my family expects that I will. Let me care for all of you...tonight.”
Beth sucked in her breath at the double meaning of his words. She nodded, turning back to her plate, filling it slowly. She glanced at James often, noting his solicitous care in confusion.
* * * *
James laughed around a mouthful of turkey, feeling his cheeks burning. “Come on, Alec. You know I didn’t want to marry her,” he protested.
Connor laughed heartily. “Well, certainly not after she spent all night—”
“Connor,” Aimee and Georgia warned together.
He glanced at the children listening in from their table. “Um...getting to know Kord Maher,” he finished tactfully.
“Not before,” James insisted. “Julia Farmer was too unsettled and wild for my tastes. And...she didn’t do much for me, in all honesty. The right one should make you crazy.”
Beth coughed on a mouthful of milk, her eyes wide.
He rubbed her back, watching her color return to normal. “Better?” he asked.
She nodded, though a fine tremor passed through her. Her gaze darted about, then settled on the playpen where the girls played. “They’re getting tired,” she noted, clearly hinting at more.
“The smaller nursery isn’t in use,” Georgia offered. “The girls can sleep there.”
Beth gasped lightly. “You mean... Surely, you don’t have room for us. We should head home...when James is done, of course.”
Carrick leaned toward her, putting on his most endearing ‘I’m being nice, but I am Lord’ expression. “I’m afraid the roads are far too slick to travel tonight, and the storm surge is washing the bridge.”
“Do you have room for us?” she repeated. “Any couch or bed will do. Even a playpen for the girls. I don’t want to put anyone out.”
James felt as if ice had settled in his stomach. He pushed the food around his plate, no longer hungry. It was obvious that Beth had no intention of sharing his bed...or even of admitting that they’d shared one in the past.
The room went silent. His brothers avoided meeting his eyes, and Connor winced. His parents stared at him, questioning James silently.
He didn’t answer that question. He couldn’t pressure Beth. He wouldn’t convince her to willingness. If she chose to distance herself, James had to let her do it.
“If that’s what you want, dear,” his mother assured her. “The small bedroom next to the nursery is available.”
Beth nodded, visibly relieved.
James forced his hand to unfist, allowing his fork to slide to the tabletop.
Chapter Eleven
Beth looked out the window at the pouring rain, her mind spinning. Marriage? She hadn’t considered what she’d do if James offered to marry her.
Melissa sighed in her sleep, and Beth echoed it. Why wouldn’t she marry him?
It wasn’t the money. If anything, she was afraid his family would think she was marrying him for the financial stability he offered. Still, that wasn’t her reason for shying away.
She’d proven her solvency to them already. There was little question of that. Though she hadn’t packed clothing for herself, what she’d carted along for the girls would prove she wasn’t completely destitute. But, they might still think she wanted the extras, the frivolous things like that lovely engagement ring.
Beth didn’t doubt that she loved James. She loved spending time with him, laughing with him, making love with him. She enjoyed just talking to him over dinner and watching him play with the girls.
Neither did she doubt that he loved her, that he doted on both her and the girls. James would do anything for them, place his life on the line at the first sign of threat. Giving her heart to such a man would be all too easy for her.
Maybe that was what scared her so much. Beth had given her heart once and lost everything. True, he’d died and not left her. Had he lived, Beth couldn’t believe that Ethan would have ever left her.
But, James had a dangerous job. What would happen if he died? What would happen if he tired of her? Somehow, she doubted that enforcing a divorce settlement on a vampire hunter would be all that easy.
Then there was family. Ethan’s family couldn’t even be bothered with his children. They’d never wanted him to marry Beth. She’d never been good enough for their only son. Worse, they’d blamed Beth for his death and refused to acknowledge their grandchildren.
Beth pushed away from the window and ambled down the hall to the stairs. Maybe a cup of tea would make her feel better and clear her head. It might even take her mind off Ethan’s parents.
Think logically! James’s family confused her. She couldn’t seem to decide how they felt about her. Most of the time, she’d swear they were happy to see her with James. Then there were those odd tense moments. When she’d asked if they had room for her, for example. Their reactions had indicated that she’d done something wrong, but for the life of her, Beth couldn’t figure out what that wrong thing might have been.
She walked into the kitchen, lost in thought.
“Good evening, Beth,” Georgia called out brightly. “Is there anything wrong?”
She managed a strained smile. “Full mind,” she admitted. “I thought I might get some tea to calm myself.”
“Sit down. I’ll—”
“No. Really... I mean, I don’t want to be any trouble.”
The older woman shook her head and took Beth’s hand, tugging her toward the table. “James has been remiss. I can tell.”
“Remiss?” she asked, sinking into a chair.
Georgia collected another cup from the cabinet, pouring tea from the pot already set on the table. For a moment, Beth wondered if James’s mother had known she was coming down.
How could she? “Remiss?” she asked again. “How has James been remiss?”
“Has he asked you to be his bride yet?” she countered.
Beth felt her cheeks darken. She took a sip of the tea, trying to organize her thoughts.
Georgia smiled and patted her hand. “I will assume he has.”
She nodded.
“Good. Now, what is it that has you so afraid to marry him?”
“I shouldn’t—”
“Pish! It’s my job to put new brides at ease when their boneheaded males forget to explain the state of affairs to them. I’ve heard them all. With four daughters married into this family, there isn’t much I haven’t heard. I’ll assume your sexual relationship is healthy. It always is.”
Beth choked on a mouthful of tea, clapping a hand over h
er mouth to stifle her gasp of surprise.
Georgia rolled her eyes. “Good gods! James has been intent on you for almost a month. If he hadn’t bedded you by now, he’d be stark raving mad.”
“He’d what?” She lowered her hand, realizing how garbled that must have sounded, and tried again.
She sighed. “When I find that son of mine... And I thought Connor left Aimee in the dark. James has to be the worst—”
“Georgia?” The woman seemed positively livid about something, so much so that Beth was strangely relieved that it wasn’t her that Georgia was angry with.
“Warriors require sexual release often. I was stunned that you requested a separate room.”
“Oh.”
“You weren’t afraid of my reaction, were you?” She seemed amused by the prospect.
“I suppose I was. In light of the facts, that almost seems laughable. You all knew we were...” She motioned her hand, even now uncomfortable with stating it.
“Of course. It’s the usual way. Warriors have fierce drives.”
Beth drank down another mouthful of the tea, considering this new information about him.
“They also mate for life.”
Beth gaped at her. “They...never—”
“Divorce?” She shook her head. “When a Warrior takes a wife, he is biologically tied to her. Even if she dies, he never marries again. He’s incapable of it. If you left him tonight...” She grimaced. “It wouldn’t be pretty. It could drive him mad to lose you. You see... The ties have already started to form.”
“How do you know?”
“I’m a Warrior wife and I’m watching my fifth son print. James is far gone.” She smiled. “The fact that he’s asked you tells me all I need to know. Considering your past, he would have put that step off as long as he could, giving you time to come to terms with a new man in your life.”
Beth nodded, dumbstruck at the concept. “James...mentioned that he thought that would be a problem for me, when he asked me to marry him.”
“Is it a problem?” It wasn’t a demand for information. She seemed honestly concerned, but for Beth or for James, she didn’t know.