by Monica Burns
Chapter 8
“Well, Percy?”
“It’s an unreasonable request,” he snapped.
Patience arched her eyebrows and studied her brother’s handsome features carefully. She’d thrown an obstacle in his path, and he was far from happy with her. She had no doubt he was working on a way to refuse her provision in exchange for her agreement to attend Sebastian’s birthday party. It was also not hard to imagine he was contemplating all the ways to seek brotherly retaliation. The idea filled her with a small amount of satisfaction.
Most of her life, she was the one who always bowed to Percy’s decree. Begrudgingly, she admitted he was rarely wrong in his assessment of any dilemma she encountered. But this time she was the one with insight. Rhea Bennett meant something to her brother, and Patience was certain it wasn’t simply because he possessed a kind and generous heart.
Percy hadn’t shared what he’d seen in his vision at the orphanage. But his expression and headache afterward made her certain the mental images had disturbed him deeply. He was worried about Miss Bennett, and not simply out of the goodness of his heart. This afternoon at lunch she’d seen the way Percy had looked at the woman when he thought no one was watching.
Then there had been Rhea Bennett’s reaction the minute Edgar appeared in the dining room. The woman had been terrified—so much so that she’d thought the woman might faint. Patience knew her brother well, and he’d been ready to do battle the instant he saw the fear on Miss Bennett’s face. His reaction had only strengthened her belief that Rhea Bennett was important to her brother, even if he was unwilling to admit it.
She was also certain Percy had been thinking about Nellie Owens in those few moments when Edgar had posed a threat. The woman’s death still haunted him. He’d never discussed the tragedy with anyone in the family—not even her—but she knew he still blamed himself. After the inquest more than two years ago, Percy had left for the continent and remained there until he’d learned Caleb’s wife had died in childbirth. Percy had returned home to mourn Georgina with the rest of the family. As Caleb’s handsome features filled her head, phantom flames licked across her skin. Patience drew in a quick breath of dismay and forced herself to turn her attention back to the matter at hand.
“You’ve not agreed to my condition, Percy.”
“As I’ve already said, it’s an unreasonable one,” he growled. His irritation almost made her smile. The stipulation she’d made was outright bribery, but if it meant him finding happiness, she was more than willing to resort to it.
“I disagree. No one in the family has mentioned it before, but we all think it’s time you settled down and started a family.” Her declaration caused her husband’s hand to tighten over the curve of her shoulder. She ignored the silent warning.
“Settle—bloody hell. It’s not for any of you to discuss my personal affairs,” Percy snarled as his stony expression gave way to a look of outrage on his handsome face. His gaze traveled across the faces of everyone in the salon. Constance and Aunt Matilda both winced in the face of his anger.
“So your family has no right to express a desire to see you happy? I find that ironic given the wager you made with Constance and Lucien.”
“I’ve already apologized for that,” he growled with a note of regret in his voice.
“Yes, you did. Just like you apologized for bringing Miss Bennett to the orphanage today,” she said wryly. “It seems you have an unbalanced view of when you’re entitled to interfere and when others are not.”
“My personal affairs are my own.”
“What so called personal affairs?” Patience sniffed and rolled her eyes at him.
Percy had always been a popular guest at the Set’s soirées, but ever since Nellie’s untimely demise, he avoided any lasting relationships. There had been the occasional discreet liaison. But the only danger for him there was scandal, and heaven knew the Reckless Rockwoods were not unfamiliar with scandal. For the most part, Percy devoted the majority of his time to the museum’s musty books or traversing the disreputable sections of the city rescuing strays. Animals and wayward souls such as Nellie. The man needed someone to rescue him, and something inside her said Rhea Bennett was her brother’s salvation.
“Perhaps Patience is right, dearest,” Constance said quietly. “We simply want you to be happy.”
“I’m quite happy with things the way they are. Interfering in my personal affairs is unwarranted and unwelcomed.”
“And why is that?” Patience met her brother’s fierce glare with one of her own. You’ve never hesitated to interfere in our personal affairs if you thought it was in our best interest. I see no reason why we shouldn’t express our love and concern for you in equal fashion.”
Percy had the decency to look chagrined at her angry reminder. With an abrupt nod, he frowned darkly.
“I have no doubt you believe you’re acting in my best interests. However, I’ll settle down when I’m ready, and not before.”
“And when might that be? The next time you’re shot?” Patience snapped. The man was being completely unreasonable. She glared at him. “Which, I might point out is a very distinct possibility given your proclivity for spending time in some of the more deplorable parts of London. You seem to have forgotten we almost lost you last summer.”
“The incident at the Museum was an unusual event,” he said with cold anger. “There was no need for me to have concern for my safety that night.”
“Perhaps, but it’s a perfect example of what could happen if you continue frequenting places that are far less reputable. Can you blame us for worrying about you when you visit the docks and the East End looking for your latest stray?”
The memory of Percy’s assault and subsequent hospitalization was still fresh in the minds of the entire family. The recklessness of his visits into the East End and down to the docks at all hours of the day and night frightened her. In some small way, she was certain his reckless behavior was due to Nellie’s death. A misguided means of atonement for an event he bore no blame for.
“If you’re suggesting I’ve easily forgotten what it’s like to be shot, you’re mistaken.” Sharp, staccato beats, his words indicated his anger was on the verge of getting the best of his tongue.
“Mo leannan, this is no’—”
“It is the time and place,” Patience snapped as she cut off her husband’s protest. “If he insists on making me face my fears then it’s high time he faced his own.”
“And what fears might those be, Patience?” The sarcasm in Percy’s voice made her wince. It was only when he was furious with her that Percy ever addressed her so coldly. It didn’t matter. She’d already started down this path and refused to stop now.
“I’m referring to the fact that you blame yourself for Nellie’s death.”
The silence in the salon stretched out for a long moment, and she struggled not to squirm in her seat as Percy’s gaze pinned her to her chair. It wasn’t just her brother who was upset with her. She could feel the weight of her family’s censure weighing down on her shoulders.
While the family had discussed the matter out of earshot from Percy, no one had dared to express their concerns directly to her brother. But if anyone were to do so it was logical to assume she should be the one to confront him. The two of them had always shared a special bond, and she knew he would listen to her more than anyone else in the family. Although she was certain Rhea Bennett would be a good influence on him, she was certain the woman’s past was a troublesome one if she knew Edgar. That fact alone made it imperative he understand safety for both himself and Miss Bennett could not be discounted. Patience had no idea what connected Percy and Rhea, but she knew there was more to their relationship than a simple interest on Percy’s part and Rhea’s as well.
It was another reason why she’d insisted Rhea Bennett come to dinner this evening. She wanted Constance and Aunt Matilda to witness Percy’s interaction with the woman. Now, as she met Percy’s hard gaze, Julian’s other
hand came to rest on her opposite shoulder and squeezed it tightly. This time there was no mistaking the unspoken message. Her husband was telling her to be quiet. But when a Rockwood was being reckless, they were rarely quiet, and never unwilling to accept a challenge or offer one.
“Have you nothing to say, Percy?” she asked quietly.
For a long moment her brother simply stared at her before he took a small step forward. His anger might have been frightening if she didn’t know how much he loved her. But his expression made her wonder if she’d gone too far. Was it possible he might not forgive her for pushing him in this manner? The thought was like a worrisome bee buzzing around her head.
“You go too far, Patience.” There was a menacing tone in his voice that made her hesitate before she shook her head.
“I’ve gone no further than you did every time you told me to return to Julian. I should have taken your advice long before I returned to Crianlarich, and I firmly believe I am offering the same type of wisdom you offered me.” She stood up and moved to stand in front of her brother taking one of his hands in hers. “You’re not responsible for Nellie’s death. No matter how many times you try to tell yourself you are, it’s not true. Until you accept that fact, true happiness will be outside your grasp. And none of us want that for you.”
Percy slowly pulled his hand from hers, and Patience’s heart sank at the unforgiving expression on his face. Her brother’s reaction was far more chilling than she’d expected. Had she erred so badly that he might never forgive her? He stepped back from her and gave her a small bow.
“Since you saw fit to persuade Miss Bennett to come to dinner, I must fetch her. However, I’m warning each of you not to put her under the microscope or you’ll have me to deal with,” he said coldly as he turned to leave the room.
“And what of my condition?”
Behind her, Patience heard Julian release a low growl before he muttered something incoherent. Percy slowly turned his head to glare at her, but she saw the resignation in her brother’s gaze.
“I’ll find a way to convince Rhea to attend Sebastian’s party, so I suggest you be prepared to make an appearance Saturday evening.”
Without another word, Percy strode out of the salon. A moment later the front door slammed shut. Patience sagged slightly as the tension that had been holding her hostage ebbed from her body. Slowly, Patience turned to face her family. Disapproval was visible on each of their faces, and she sighed. With what she knew was great restraint, Julian circled the couch to stand in front of her. As she met her husband’s fierce gaze, the Scotsman shook his head, his expression stern.
“You are no’ to meddle in your brother’s affairs again, Patience MacTavish.” The outrage in his voice made her touch his arm in a placating gesture. As he glared down at her, she smiled.
“I don’t think any of us will need to meddle in Percy’s affairs in the future,” Patience said softly as she went up on tiptoe to kiss her husband’s cheek. “I think Miss Bennett is going to occupy Percy’s attention for some time to come. In fact, I think his life is about to change forever.”
Julian scowled at her before he released a growl of disgusted resignation. It was clear he’d have more to say when they were alone. But for now he was willing to drop the matter.
“Have ye been touched by the an dara sealladh where Percy is concerned, lass?” Aunt Matilda asked. Curiosity mixed with concern running beneath the inquisitive burr of the Scotswoman’s voice.
Beside her, Julian stiffened, and she touched his hand in a small gesture of reassurance. Since the fire, she’d experienced the an dara sealladh only a few times. Julian knew how her gift of the sight sometimes proved disturbing, but the visions she’d had were of minor incidents.
“I didn’t need the an dara sealladh to tell me Percy’s interest in Miss Bennett is far more complicated than he’s willing to admit,” Patience said with a shake of her head.
“So you think his interest is one of a romantic nature?” Constance asked with a smile of satisfaction as Patience nodded her head and returned her sister’s smile with a conspiratorial one of her of own.
“Yes, it’s why I persuaded Miss Bennett to come to dinner this evening. I wanted someone else to confirm my suspicions.”
“Have you no’ heard a word I’ve said, Patience MacTavish?” Julian bit out with exasperation. “You’re no’ to interfere in your brother’s affairs.”
“And I’m not,” Patience said firmly. “I simply want to know if I’m right about Rhea Bennett being the woman who can make Percy happy.”
Her words made Julian mumble an oath as he exhaled a deep breath of exasperation. When Patience smiled up at him, he glowered at her severely, which only made her laugh. Before he could chastise her again, the sound of feet pounding down the main stairs announced the arrival of the children. Braxton was the first one to barrel into the salon. The boy was the spitting image of his father when Caleb had been the same age. Her nephew raced straight for her.
“Aunt Patience, tell Alma to stop saying Papa died,” the six-year-old demanded belligerently. “You said he’s in heaven.”
Patience opened her arms to the little boy who leapt up into her embrace. Hugging the child close, she sank down onto the couch with the boy and looked up at Julian with a sense of helplessness. Ever since the first anniversary of the fire at Westbrook Farms, Alma had been fixated on her father’s death and had taken to tormenting her younger brother with the details of that terrible night.
She quickly turned her attention back to the little boy. Tenderly, she brushed the dark brown hair that was so much like Caleb’s out of his eyes. His silky dark hair and brown eyes he’d inherited from his father, but his sweet manner had come from his mother, Georgina. The memory of her brother and sister-in-law made Patience’s heart ache for the little boy and his sisters.
“Well, Alma is partly correct. Your papa did die, but he died saving you because he loved you so much.” She squeezed Braxton’s hand. “He saved you and all your cousins, which is why he went to heaven. Your papa was a very brave man, and God wants all of us to be brave in our own way.”
“Like you were brave?” Braxton reached out to touch the scars on her cheek.
There was a look of awe on his face that made Patience’s heart skip a beat. A strong hand gripped her shoulder in a silent message of love and reassurance. It wasn’t the first time Braxton had expressed interest in her scars. He’d often asked her if she’d been on a pirate ship, which had in some odd way always struck her as funny. It had also reinforced Julian’s and other family members’ comments that her scars were not as bad as she had once believed them to be.
“Precisely, laddie,” Julian’s voice was gruff with emotion. “Your Aunt Patience is the bravest woman I’ve ever known.”
A small chorus of agreement whispered through the room as Constance and Aunt Matilda softly echoed Julian’s sentiments. Her gaze flitted upward to her husband’s strong features. The emotion darkening his face made her heart ache. It was clear he was remembering not only the fire, but the pain they’d both endured in the months that followed.
“Does this mean you’ll go to heaven?”
“Sweet heavens, laddie,” Aunt Matilda exclaimed in horror. “All this talk of death. Your Aunt Patience isn’t going anywhere.”
“Alma says we’ll all be dead someday, but she says we don’t have to be scared. She says we’ll just be ghosts then,” Braxton said with all the cockiness of a six-year-old. The words made Patience look at her sister and Aunt Matilda. The maternal figure of the Rockwood family shook her head and shrugged slightly.
“The child has no’ mentioned having the ability, but I would no’ be surprised if she does,” the burr in her aunt’s voice seemed to soften the blow of comprehension reeling through her.
Patience suddenly understood Constance better than she ever had. Her sister’s acceptance of Jamie’s gift could not have been easy, particularly when her nephew’s abilities were extraordinaril
y powerful. Although her sister seemed to have come to terms with her son’s ability as well as her own, Patience knew it still troubled her sister.
The raucous chatter of children floated into the salon, barely giving Patience a moment to contemplate the idea that Alma might have inherited the Rockwood gift of sight. A moment later, the girl walked through the salon doorway. Greer’s hand was locked in hers, while Imogene followed her into the salon with Aiden balanced on her hip.
Involved in an animated discussion, Jamie and Theo walked into the room followed by the rest of the Rockwood offspring being herded forward by Louisa and Helen. What had been a fairly quiet room became rowdy with laughter. Most evening meals were like this when the Rockwood clan gathered at Melton House or Callendar, their aunt’s Scottish estate.
In most households, it was unusual for children to eat dinner with the adults. But Patience and her siblings dispensed with society’s customary practice when the fire had taken so much from them. They’d witnessed first-hand how quickly the future of the Rockwood clan could have been wrenched from them. The sound of deep voices in the foyer announced the arrival of the Rockwood clan’s patriarch, Sebastian, and Lucien, the Earl of Lyndham, Constance’s husband.
If not for Caleb and Devin, things would have been quite different tonight. In the back of her head, Patience heard Julian’s voice reminding her that she’d been a part of saving the children that horrible night. But she knew her sacrifice wasn’t of the same magnitude as her brother’s or Devin’s.
With Greer toddling slightly behind her, Alma stopped in front of Patience and leaned forward to kiss her scarred cheek. It had become a ritual with the girl. Even when Patience’s scarred features were turned away from Alma, the child always made an effort to kiss the burnt flesh. Despite her age of seven years, the girl had always been a quiet child, but she seemed to have become even more solemn since the anniversary of the fire. Patience smiled at her as she caressed her niece’s cheek.