“I hope you’re right.” She reached forward, trying to find the edge of the bed, but Teddy was there, leading her to the chair Nathan had mentioned.
“I’ll leave you two up here with Daniel,” Nathan said. “I have some errands to attend to, and Daniel is in good hands with you both here at his side. The doctor will be back this evening to check in on his patient.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“You know that no thanks are necessary. I’ll see you both later.”
When the door opened and shut, she turned to Teddy. “I want to make it clear that my focus here is my brother. I can’t thank either you or your brother enough for everything you’ve done for me so far, and I’ll always be indebted to you for that.”
“Nonsense. And we’re far from done. I know this isn’t the time or place to discuss our relationship, but we will have that discussion soon. I’ll let you spend some time with your brother.” He took her hand and placed it around her brother’s hand. “His knuckles are a bit bruised, but I think you’re okay to hold his hand if it gives you any comfort. I’ll leave you here awhile and have tea brought up in an hour or so if that is to your liking.”
“It is. Thank you.”
When Teddy left, Rosa sat in the chair, still carefully holding on to her brother’s hand.
“What have you gotten yourself into, Danny?” She knew he couldn’t answer, but it helped to talk to him. They hadn’t had a conversation since she’d left home and while she was worried and afraid for him, she was also nervous about what she would say to him when he finally woke.
THE TEA HAD COME AND gone hours ago and she needed to freshen up and get her things in order for her stay here. Daniel hadn’t woken once since her arrival and she was afraid to miss a chance to speak with him.
A few minutes to herself would do her good, though, so she got up from her chair and picked up her walking stick and went in search of the door.
“Amy?”
She froze, her hand tightening so much around the handle of the door she thought she’d snap it off. Her back stiffened beneath the boning of her corset, and her shoulders bunched up a bit with the nickname, which was a shortened form of her given name. There were only two people in all the world who called her Amy, and one had died broken in her arms on a cold rainy night. Despite the memories it gave her, it felt good to hear the old nickname coming from her brother’s lips.
With a deep, relieved breath, she turned around, her brother’s name but a whisper from her lips. “Oh, Danny.”
A sob caught her in throat as she rushed back toward the bed. He grasped her hands before she had to search for him and guided her around the side of his bed where she could sit on the edge of the mattress.
“It’s been too long, sister.”
She pulled one hand free of his and wiped the dew from her cheek with the handkerchief Teddy had given her. “I wish we could have met under better conditions.”
“Now is as good a time as any.” He squeezed her hand. “It’s my own cowardly fault. You know Father said I couldn’t see you. It was foolish of me to take the earl’s word that he’d do us further damage should I contact you. He couldn’t ruin our father more than he did.”
The Earl of Warwick was Michael’s father. The earl had also been the one to insist she be banished and tossed out into the street. And while her father had tried to persuade the man that it was the wrong path to take, the earl held more power than her father ever had.
She nodded. “I know.”
“The earl died last month.”
One of the first things Rosa had done to make peace with her past was forgive the grieving father for having her banished. While elements of that fateful night still haunted her to this day, she had refused to let her heart be ruled by hatred for how her life had turned out, and how the earl had had the biggest hand in her ruin.
“Does the earl have something to do with your injuries?”
“I can’t remember much. I was at a den ...” Her brother stammered on his words, as though embarrassed by what he almost admitted to.
“You needn’t fear I’ll reprimand you for your actions. I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors of what became of my life.”
“You did what you needed to do to survive. I love you no matter the outcome of our lives and would never judge you for the hard decisions you were forced to make, Amy.”
She wished his words didn’t cut so deep. After all this time, he was going to accept her with open arms? She’d missed him so much, and her father, too.
She dashed away more tears. “I go by Rosa now.”
There was a pause. “Do you prefer that I call you Rosa?”
“Yes. I buried the past after Michael died. I had to, if I wanted to keep going on.”
He rubbed his hand along her arm. “All right. Rosa it is.”
“What of our father?” she asked.
“Father’s not well. His mind is going and he hasn’t been able to walk for a little over a year now.”
She felt like her life was falling apart all over again. Life was cruel to give her back her father, only to give her a man broken over the years. But would he welcome her or treat her the way he had the night he’d tossed her to the curb and declared her a harlot?
“The earl made sure that Papa was all but destitute. Had I not found my own way, I might have ended up in squalor, too. I send him what money I can, not that it does him much good with all the medicines the doctors have prescribed.”
When she could only sniffle in response, Daniel added, “Papa has been talking about giving you the Érard piano that the Austrian princess gifted to you.”
“He should keep it.” Her answer was instantaneous. That piano had reminded her of better times with her father at her side. She could not have one without the other.
“His hands are so swollen and sore with arthritis that he can’t play anymore.”
“Why didn’t he come to me sooner if he wanted me to have it?”
Her brother sighed, the sound pained. “The earl was harsh on him. With you gone, the source of our money—your tours—dried up. Papa could find no other means of income. The earl made sure that no one would hire him on as a music tutor. I think the earl was mighty pleased to slowly destroy what was left of our father’s spirit. Papa is but a shell of the man he once was, and has been since you left.”
Her brother squeezed her hand with the pronouncement. His breathing was wheezy and ragged, and she wanted to hug him but was afraid to hurt him.
“Why are you telling me this now, Daniel?”
“I wanted to come to you after the earl died. I had every intention of coming to you in London. But I don’t know what happened after the funeral in Sussex. I was at the earl’s funeral, visited with Father for a few hours, then went to Missy’s Den. That’s where my memories of what happened just end.”
“I don’t understand how you ended up at the duke’s estate, of all places.”
“You’re not the only one baffled.” Daniel yawned.
“You’re tired, and I’ve kept you talking too long.”
“I don’t mind, but I think I’ll sleep a bit.”
“I’ll be here when you wake.”
His hands went slack in hers and she knew he was already asleep. It must have pained him a great deal to talk at length with her. But she was thankful for the time they’d had.
She tucked the blankets back up around him and left him to sleep. She’d hurry with freshening up and getting a snack so she could stay with him through the night. She’d also arrange to have broth prepared for him, he’d be hungry eventually, and she’d help him while he was on the mend for as long as he needed her. They had so many things to catch up on.
For the first time since she’d realized her brother was missing, she felt her world coming together just a little.
ROSA HAD AVOIDED TEDDY FOR two days. And while Teddy respected the fact that she had a lot to catch up on with her brother back in her life, that didn’t give her th
e right to completely ignore him. He’d been so lost in the final touches of his concerto that he hadn’t looked up at the clock until nearly eleven on their second night there. It was far too late to see Rosa; she tended to be in bed before ten, as she liked early mornings with a cup of tea next to the piano. That didn’t mean Daniel wouldn’t be up, and it was high time he spoke with the man and introduced himself.
He rapped softly on the door, thinking perhaps it was too late, but he’d heard Rosa’s brother talking to the chambermaid last night at a pretty late hour.
“Come in,” Daniel called.
Daniel was sitting up in the bed when he entered, and he looked a lot better than he had on his and Rosa’s arrival.
“It’s good to see you looking better,” Teddy noted.
“You’re the younger de Burgh, aren’t you?” When Teddy nodded, Daniel invited him to sit in the chair next to his bed. “Won’t you join me for a spell? I’ve just woken from a long sleep and I’m wide awake, despite the hour.”
Teddy took a seat in the chair and watched as Daniel pulled a deck of cards from under his pillow and took out various numbers before he shuffled the stack. “Hope you don’t mind a game of piquet to pass the hour. I’m supposed to stay in bed for a few days, or so the doctor insists.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve played piquet, so you’ll trump me in no time at all.”
“Ah, it’s not so hard. The question is: What do we wager?”
Teddy wanted to say he was surprised that a bet should be brought up at all, but from what Rosa had told him of Daniel, it made sense that he would wager even when he’d been close to his deathbed.
“I haven’t a clue.”
“What do you want if I lose?”
Teddy didn’t want money, or any other assets. He would not put this man in more trouble than he could handle. “You’ll answer a few questions about your sister.”
“A dangerous game, that. But you probably know her better than I do.”
“Almost nothing before her accident,” Teddy admitted. And he wanted to know everything there was to know about her.
“Deal. And if I should win, why don’t you tell me exactly what your relationship is with my sister, so I know if I need to hunt you down and teach you a lesson about how to properly treat a lady.”
Teddy nearly grinned. If life was as easy as saying what he wanted and having it ... Rosa was many things to him, but it was her choice how they moved forward. Of course he wouldn’t be able to give Daniel the answer he probably wanted to hear.
“Your sister is the better party to answer those questions,” he tossed back at the man.
“Ah, but I’m asking you.”
Daniel had a point. “We have a deal.”
“I like a man of chance, de Burgh.”
“I’m not one to take risks. Speaking of ...”
“I have no idea of how I got here. Rosa has been persistent in uncovering every detail from my last memory.”
“Who was the last person you saw?”
“I saw a lot of people who were both friend and foe at the funeral.”
“Rosa mentioned the Earl of Warwick’s passing at lunch yesterday.” That had been the only time he’d spent with her, and unfortunately, Nathan had been on hand and Teddy hadn’t been able to talk to her.
“Is that all she said?”
“She explained the history she had with that man. The history your family has.”
And that was how the night went on, vague discussions about Daniel and Rosa’s childhood and Teddy skirting around the truth of his feelings, as he didn’t want to put Rosa on the spot with her brother later on. Teddy won two games. Of how many, he couldn’t say, but it was well past two in the morning before he made it to his own bed.
“ROSA,” TEDDY CALLED AS HE made his way down the corridor.
She stopped, but seemed reluctant to turn around. He’d given her time alone with her brother over the past few days. But he was done waiting, especially since he knew she was intentionally avoiding him.
“Good afternoon, Teddy. I was just in the kitchen asking for a heartier meal to be prepared for Daniel. He’s improving every hour, and it’s time he got some real food in his stomach.”
“Let me accompany you back upstairs. There was something I wanted to ask.” It was minute, but he noticed the tension that raised her shoulders defensively. “You can’t avoid me forever, even if you’ve done a good job of it since we arrived.”
Her brows drew together. “I have been busy with Daniel.”
“More busy, I think, than you need to be.” He exhaled heavily. He had no right to be treating her this way when she was going through a difficult time. “I’m sorry, I’ve missed you and it’s driving me mad that I haven’t had a chance to get you alone.”
“I haven’t spared a thought for even myself since we came here.”
And didn’t that make him feel like a jackass.
He caressed her arms, feeling so much calmer now that he had touched her again. “Did Daniel tell you that I sat with him last night? We played a few hands of cards.”
“He mentioned it. Did he tell you anything that might give us a clue as to what happened to him while he was gone?”
“Nothing. His memory seems to be gone since his departure from Sussex.”
He watched her chew contemplatively at her lower lip. “Something doesn’t add up here. I wish I could help him figure this out.”
“The doctor said his head took quite a blow, and in time his memory will come back.” He gathered her in his arms, wanting nothing more than to comfort her.
“I want to believe the doctor,” she said, “but time might not be on our side for this. You saw the shape he was in on our arrival.”
“I can’t tell you how glad I am that you couldn’t be witness to that.” Teddy rubbed his hand down her back, needing to touch her and make up for their time apart.
“That’s not the point. The point is, someone went to great lengths to hurt him. What if they come back to finish what they started?” She turned her cheek to rest it over his heart. Teddy was just thankful that she took comfort in his embrace. “It scares me that Daniel can’t remember. I even asked about Johnson, but nothing is ringing a bell for him.”
“We’ll figure this out.” His arms tightened around her. “I miss you, Rosa, even when I catch a glimpse of you every day, I miss you. I long for the time when we were in London.”
She lifted her head from his chest and started to pull away as though she just realized what she’d allowed. “It’ll be a fond memory for the rest of my days, Teddy.”
“There’s nothing to stop us from creating more memories together.”
His arms loosened, though he wasn’t ready to let her go yet. He pressed a light kiss to her forehead and leaned down so he could reach her lips.
He kissed her finger instead. “I’ve explained my stance where we are concerned.”
“Yes, you silly woman.” He let her go because he couldn’t keep her against her will. He had to believe that she would eventually come back to him. “It’s absurd and endearing that you fear for my reputation.”
“It’s not something I take lightly.”
He gathered her hands in his and kissed her knuckles. “And I understand that. But please, stop avoiding me.”
She sighed heavily. “You need to head back to London.”
“You won’t be able to get rid of me so easily.”
He turned them around and headed up the stairs toward her brother’s room. Time was going to be the only way to persuade Rosa that he wasn’t going anywhere. He’d have to discuss Daniel’s predicament with Nathan and see if there was something they could do to help the siblings sort out the mess of their lives. Once Daniel was in a better position, Teddy would feel less guilt in pursuing Rosa. And pursue her he would.
“HIS GRACE’S INTENTIONS ARE GOOD. You can’t fault him in thinking he knows what’s best for you. It’s in his nature to look out for those he loves,
” Mary said. “Now stop moving about so I can pin this braid.”
Rosa clutched the edge of the vanity and clamped her mouth shut. She couldn’t believe they were doing something so reckless. Or that she’d agreed to go along with the plan.
The duke had invited Johnson over to see if it triggered any of Daniel’s memories. What would happen if Johnson had been involved with her brother’s disappearance? What would happen if Daniel suddenly remembered everything and they were in a room full of guests?
That wasn’t the worst part of all this. She knew why Daniel had asked so many questions about her relationship with the de Burghs and more specifically Teddy. And this couldn’t be a more inappropriate time for Nathan and Daniel to interfere and play matchmaker like a pair of old society ladies. And Johnson ... What if he should approach her like he had so many times in the past? How would Teddy and Daniel handle that?
What irritated her most about this was that Teddy was still in Maidstone. While neither of them had expected to stay on for nearly a week, Teddy should have headed back to London after the second or third day. In reality, he should be in London setting up his orchestra for rehearsal.
Something was shoved into the elaborate bun Mary had created—probably a feather or a flower—whatever it was, Rosa didn’t ask, she was too irritated with the train of her thoughts. Mary used a comb to tuck in some of the strands, then her maid stepped back and made a sound that told Rosa she was admiring her handiwork. “You’ll be courted by everyone present. Now, what shall you wear this evening?”
“Something to remind those fools that I’m not some miss in need of a shining, heroic knight. Let my dress leave no doubt as to what I am.”
“And what of Lord de Burgh?”
“He has more important things to deal with right now than chasing down the likes of me.” Not that that would stop him. How did she deter him once and for all?
Standing, she let Mary cinch her corset, then walked over to the armoire. When a knock came on her door, she turned her head in the direction of the sound.
“I’m sure it’s the duke.”
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