“Do not apologize for him. Cael meant every word.”
“Tell him the truth.”
“Given the choice I think he’d prefer the illusion. Besides, his knowing will change nothing.”
“But at least then he would understand.”
“Perhaps I prefer he did not know.” Dominic stood abruptly and faced his brother. “Ethan, as a physician it is in your nature to heal, to fix things. Your ability enhances that instinct. You helped to heal my body as much as possible, and whatever fragment of my soul that still remained. Be content. My spirit, however, is lost. Cael will learn that soon enough with no outside help. Then, he will turn his efforts to Stephan where they belong.”
Ethan acquiesced for the moment, but Dominic got the distinct impression that this particular debate wasn’t over.
“Where is Cael? He should have returned by now.”
Dominic frowned, not liking his extended absence either. “I’ll find him.” He closed his eyes to concentrate on his brother’s lifeforce. It took him but a moment to locate him…or rather, them. “Cael is not alone. There is another entangled with him.”
“Who?” Ethan stiffened.
“I don’t know, Ethan. I cannot read minds.”
“What are they doing? Does the other one seem hostile?”
“They are stationary. I doubt if the one with him is hostile. The essence is weak, fleeting almost.” Dominic walked around the back of the couch. “Stay here and wait for me. If I do not reappear in ten minutes, assume something is wrong.” With that, Dominic’s corporal body shimmered from a solid form to a flicking hologram and finally to a two-dimensional likeness of Dominic before he winkled out of existence completely.
Dom reappeared in a crouched position at the edge of the clearing in the grove. Cautious not to expose his unorthodox mode of travel to anyone who might happen along, Dominic stood, glancing about to ensure there were no prying eyes. Once he was standing he spotted Cael. His brother emerged from the pond, sopping wet, with the unknown person in his arms. Dominic approached to help him exit the water.
“Ethan was worried. What happened?”
Cael panted as they placed the limp woman on the ground. Her head lulled to the side. Yards of clinging, algae-covered hair obscured her features. “Isn’t it obvious what happened?”
“It’s obvious you pulled her out of the pond. It is not obvious who she is or what she is doing here. Or how you happened upon her in the first place. This pond is at the south boarder of the property.”
“Later, Dom.” Cael bent over her ruined bodice to listen for a heartbeat. “Weak, but still beating.
“She is not breathing right.” Dom voiced, watching the frail chest sputter like an engine running low of coal. Each breath sounded as if it might very well be her last.
“I am surprised she’s breathing at all. I had a devil of a time fishing her out.” Cael sat up, worry etched on his face. “It’s a long walk back to the house.”
“Ethan’s waiting. I will take the woman with me.” Dominic stood, centered himself and took a long deep breath. “When I tell you to, hand her to me.”
Cael registered surprise, but he did not argue. He bent to lift the woman in his arms once more, and waited for the word from Dominic. He watched as his brother’s continence shimmered and then began to winkle out of sight.
“Cael.”
He stepped forward and released his burden into his brother’s transparent arms and stepped back.
Her head fell forward, burying her face in Dominic’s disappearing chest.
* * *
Dominic shimmered into the study to apprise Ethan of the situation. “Cael is fine. Meet me in my suites.” Satisfied he had imported all necessary information, he shimmered out again.
Breathing heavily, Dominic deposited the woman on the satin counterpane of his bed. Her weight was negligible, but piggybacking with her through the astral realm still took its toll. He began removing her soaking clothing. He went to remove her shoes, only to realize she wasn’t wearing any. Odd. Next, he rolled her on her side to tackle the dress. He had gotten her down to her under-things when the door opened to admit Ethan. His brother had wisely procured several blankets and towels—from one of the servants, he assumed.
“What happened?” Ethan asked as Dominic stepped out of his way and allowed him to take charge.
“You’ll have to ask Cael when he gets here. He fished her out of the marsh in the south grove.”
Dominic hovered a few feet away, watching his brother with a mixture of awe and pride. He loved to see Ethan work. Ethan first stripped the woman of the last of her wet clothing, rolling her too and fro to make the task easier for them both. Her breathing did not improve, but grew more ragged and sporadic. By the time Ethan cast the last garment aside, she was twitching like a leaf in the wind. Ethan covered her nakedness with the blankets and rolled her onto her stomach so that her face hung off the edge of the bed.
“She swallowed something more substantial than water.” He declared, as he pulled back the blanket to expose clammy bluish skin. “It’s lodged in her throat.”
Dominic could see the delicate bones of her shoulder blades arch upward as Ethan used his hands to knead the area stiffly, thumping her on the back. A minute or so later, she gave a great rattling gag and coughed up a wad of gray-green moss. It landed with a soggy clunk on the floor. Delicate yet deep breathing sounds resumed, even and unhampered.
“Ahh…much better.” Satisfied, Ethan pulled the blanket back up and shifted her to the middle of the bed. “Now, then, let’s get that hair out of your way.”
Dominic handed him the last of the towels. Ethan wiped and patted her face, removing the wet clumps of hair masking her features, and wrung the length of them with the towel to remove the excess water. Dominic staggered back a step when his gaze fell on her face.
Her ethereal beauty hit him like a punch in the stomach. Her skin was the tone and texture of fine porcelain…no, marble. Her damp hair, now semi-free of mud and algae, was the palest blonde he’s ever seen. Even her fly-a-way brows were ashen. Her cheeks, he noted, grew pink, as if she were somehow aware of his scrutiny. He wondered what color her eyes were. The thought reminded him of his own atrocity and he reached up to make certain his spectacles were in place.
“She is quite insensible.” Ethan, who had been watching his reaction with some interest, turned back to his patient as he spoke. “She could not have seen them even if you hadn’t been wearing the spectacles.”
“The woman will have to be removed to one of the guest chambers immediately.” Dominic averted his gaze from the patient, not sure why he felt so unsettled by her. He’d gazed upon attractive women before. “I’ll not have her stumbling about my private rooms.”
“I was rather curious why you brought her here in the first place.”
Not having a good explanation, Dom did not bother to make up a bad one. “Cael looked a bit winded. I think a few hours delay would be a good idea.”
“I’ll suggest it to him. Though I doubt he will accept my advice. The situation with Stephan needs to be handled straight away.”
“Then demand a detailed explanation about the woman, and make sure you delay him. I would do so myself, but he wouldn’t believe that I had any interest in her well-being.”
He felt his brother’s dubious expression leveled at him. Damn. Dom wondered if his reaction to the woman was that blaring. Cael, he could never fool, but he’d become skilled at sidestepping Ethan.
Chapter 4
The following morning found Dominic closeted off in his study with his grandmother and his late father’s mousey solicitor.
“Conte Ambrosi—”
Dom bristled. “Please. I am either Dominic or Signori Ambrosi.”
“Forgive me, Signori, but the estates may, if you wish, be placed in trust for your heirs, just as your father—”
“There will be no heirs.”
“Yes, but are you certain—” The solicitor p
ersisted. “—absolutely certain that you wish to transfer ownership and deeds to all your father’s lands, the family estates, the vineyards, and the country province to your brother?”
The little toad of a man annoyed him. “Yes, as soon as it can be arranged.” Dominic felt restless to have the business finished. He had other issues on his mind, the sodden beauty lodged in his bedchamber for one. “I have no idea of ever returning to Italy. Gideon was apprised of my wishes regarding our father’s estates. He has agreed to assume all responsibilities. Since my father’s title was set forth in such a way that it is inherited by all male heirs, there is no legal reason why the estates wouldn’t be transferable as well. A portion of the profits from the vineyard and properties will be diverted to me. You may also allot a percentage of revenues into a trust of some kind for any future nieces and nephews, if you like. The rest I leave at Gideon’s discretion.”
Dominic left the man hunched over a desktop awash with papers, while he joined his grandmother by the mantel.
“Nonna, you could have handled this yourself and sent the final papers by messenger for my signature.” Although Dominic preferred to avoid all matters Ambrosi, particularly ones that involved him traveling to the family estates in Italy, he admired his grandmothers’ shrewdness. He oft times wished his father and uncle had inherited the trait.
“Si’.” She agreed without hesitation. “But then I would not have had the pleasure of seeing my favorite grandson.”
Nonna was not given to tender emotions. “And?” He prompted.
“Always such an intuitive child, you were.” She smiled as if he pleased her in some small way. The smile faded, and she spoke next in a hushed tone. “A warning, Dominic. Fausto was quite put out at having his title and lands revoked by the Consulta Araldica. He’s been up to some mischief of late. I cannot be certain this tirade of his will not extend to you. You are, after all, your father’s son. Fausto’s envy of Lucca knows no bounds…even in death. Like Cain and Abel, they are.”
Dominic agreed with her on the last point. “I once heard Nonno say, ‘If Lucca died tomorrow, Fausto will undoubtedly be livid because death would be just another deed his brother accomplished that he could not’.”
“Aye.” Nonna Ambrosi looked even more imposing than usual bedecked in the traditional mourner’s bombazine and black crape. Black eyes, much like his father’s, narrowed on him with intent. “Dominic, it is unwise to stay squirreled away in your English countryside. You are needed at home. Gabriel is…ill again…and Gideon is beside himself. It is your duty as both the eldest son and the firstborn grandchild. The family is fragmented, vulnerable. Lillian saw to that with her ceaseless philandering. All will never be right with the Ambrosi legacy unless you take your rightful place at the head of the family.”
“Gideon is Conte Ambrosi. Given the proper encouragement the tenants will learn to respect him as such. Very soon he will hold the legal and financial rights to the legacy. He is more than capable of rebuilding therefore I suggest you champion him as your savior.”
“It is not his place. He merely assumes it in your absence.”
“I will not return to Italy, Nonna.” Dominic spoke with finality. “I did not return to bury the old Conte, and I will not return to become the new one.”
“You could make up a bit for your mother’s…peculiarities.” Her taunt features reeked of distaste. “She spread her legs far and wide, daring to put the Ambrosi name to her ill-gotten brats.”
Dominic’s eyes hardened behind the spectacles. He met his grandmother’s accusation without flinching. “She is not the first, nor the last, woman to ‘spread her legs’ far and wide…and they have nothing like her excuse to absolve them.”
“Stubborn Ox.” She shrugged her age-bowed shoulders, conceding a momentary defeat. Ever the gracious loser, she put on a polite showing. “How are the…others? I hear from Gideon that the youngest lad is finishing up at University this year.”
“Yes, Stephan is quite academic.” Dominic cut off any further discussion with a curt ‘ahem’. “Forgive me, Nonna, but there is a matter which demands my attention. I leave the finer points to you and the Signori.”
Dominic bowed his respects and exited the room.
* * *
Eden awakened little by little, becoming aware of the rawness in her throat. She swallowed once to dislodge it, only to have the ache worsen. A cough formed deep in her throat and erupted from her chest, leaving a horrible throbbing sensation in its wake. Breathing was agony. Each breath seemed to trigger the start of a new coughing sensation, which worsened the throbbing in her chest. Muffled voices reached her through the haze of coughing, throbbing and breathing. She wondered to whom they belonged.
An intense wave of coughs seized her, jarring her awake…and rolling her over onto her side. A moment later, she felt cool hands on her cheek and arms restraining her with gentle pressure. After the worse had passed, the hands helped ease her into a sitting position with well-placed pillow-props.
“Thank you.” Eden almost did not recognize the frail croak as her own voice. She blinked at the hovering gentleman, before taking quick stock of her surroundings. The nightshirt she wore was not her own, and from what she could tell was made for an above-average sized male. The great circular bed she occupied was not her own back in Boston nor was it the guest room at Reginald and Millie’s. The room beyond seemed to blink back at her, equally curious at its unknown occupant. A large pine wardrobe loomed in one corner, while a paw-footed tub waited for an introduction on the opposite side of the room. The bed dipped as the dark-haired gentleman sat. She was glad not to have to crane her neck.
“Here,” he cupped the back of her head and put a mug to her lips. “Take a sip. Your throat is on fire.”
Eden wondered how he knew that, as she allowed herself several soothing swallows of the spicy-sweet elixir.
“How do you feel?” The dark-haired gentleman asked.
“Groggy, I-”
Eden stared to answer when something stirred. Her eyes collided first with a floor-mounted avian roost adjacent the window. Then, she gasped as the olive-skinned Adonis uncoiled from the window seat into her line of sight. The gentleman at her side might as well have vanished, so arresting was the other’s presence. His attire, complete with coat, matching waistcoat and trousers, conveyed a stiff formality belied by his lithe movements and unruly wavy locks. He remained silent, seeming content to impress upon her the knowledge of his existence. Tinted glasses obscured his eyes, but Eden still felt their piercing stare. Though she was sure she had never met the man, he was the one thing in the room acutely familiar to her.
“What is your name?”
Eden snapped back to the man at her side. “What?”
“Your name, do you remember it?”
“Yes.” Her eyes darted back to the window seat before she identified herself. “Eden Prescott.”
He smiled back at her with eyes that reminded her of warm chocolate. “Good to make your acquaintance Miss…or is it Lady Prescott?”
“Lady, however, I prefer Miss. I am American and unmarried.” The silent one stirred at this revelation, but he neither spoke nor moved from his perch.
“Dr. Ethan Raine, and that is my brother Dominic Ambrosi. Aside from the sore throat and lead chest, how do you feel?”
Making a concerted effort to keep her eyes from straying, Eden did her best to describe the rung out feeling in her limbs. A well-placed growl from her stomach announced her hunger. When she glanced down at her hands, she was embarrassed to find them wrinkly and pale from her ‘swim’…more pale than normal even for her.
She hadn’t gained her weight back from the three-month bout of seasickness from the crossing and now she had nearly drowned. Cringing, she realized she must look ghastly. No wonder the silent one stared at her so. He probably had never seen a more pathetic creature in all his life.
* * *
His spectacles in place and the length of the room between them, D
ominic watched Ethan tend to the woman. His thoughts ranged from the perverse to the profane. Despite the visceral reaction her presence claimed on his senses, even she was a welcome reprieve from his grandmother’s dominating ways. Ahhh, hazel. Her eyes were hazel, he realized with a burning satisfaction he did not understand. If she knew the true direction of his thoughts then she would probably cringe.
* * *
“Do not worry.” The doctor was saying. “I have already sent for a light soup. Now then, can you remember what happened? Were you alone? How did you land here?”
Her throat felt better, less scratchy, when she spoke. “Where is here?”
“My brother’s country estate.”
One quick glance, then Eden took a deep breath and launched into her story, her lungs not so heavy anymore. “I went for a walk on my cousin’s grounds back of the house. I suppose it must border this estate. Perhaps you know him, Reginald St. James, Marquis of Linley. My cousin is…” She trailed off, not able to finish.
“I am familiar with the family name, yes. The wife recently died in childbirth. A physician friend of mine attended the…birth.” The doctor paused awkwardly as if just realizing something. “Please allow me to convey my condolences on your loss.”
“Thank you.”
He eyed her, brow arched for her to continue.
“Eh…” Eden faltered, not sure how far she wanted to take her explanation. She wasn’t sure she knew what happened to her at the pond or why she’d jumped in. “I, eh…lost my way and then dusk began to settle. The clearing seemed a god sent, but then I saw…a woman, in the water. She was drowning, I think.”
The doctor exchanged a glance with the other one. Eden didn’t know what to make of it since she saw neither man’s expression. “I leapt in on impulse to save her.”
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