Someone to Cherish

by Cheryl Holt

  “Fine.” Caleb shrugged, his patience exhausted. “She’s still your fiancée. What of it?”

  “She’s a pristine virgin, Ralston. Pristine!”

  The personal remark made Caleb so angry he nearly reached over and whacked Gregory alongside the head. Blake sidled closer, as if he’d deliver a clout himself.

  “I’m not in the mood to discuss her chastity,” Caleb coldly said. “Let’s finish this.”

  “No, no, hear me out!” Gregory hurried to insist. “What if. . . if. . . you could have my wedding night?”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You could spend my wedding night with her. In fact. . . ah. . . how about this? You could have her for an entire month. Her virginity can be yours—if the price is right.”

  A calculating gleam entered Gregory’s eye, and Caleb was suddenly reconsidering Blake’s suggestion to murder the idiotic swine. He peeked at his brother, and Blake shot back a look that said, I’ll end this however you want. What’s your preference?

  “I can have her,” Caleb said, “in exchange for what?”

  “How about. . . to cover. . . all the losses I’ve incurred from the very beginning?”

  “She’s not worth that much. It wouldn’t be a fair trade.”

  “Then how about a month for a month? You can do whatever you like with her for thirty days, and I shall receive thirty days of cancelled arrears.”

  “No.”

  “Ralston! Don’t be a fool. You know you’d love to fornicate with her. Any fellow would.”

  Blake muttered, “Any fellow but you apparently.”

  “I’ll have the rest of my life to climb into her bed,” Gregory said.

  Caleb studied the prick, wondering how long he’d pondered the foul idea. And who would have put the notion into his sick head? Lucretia Starling perhaps?

  It was common for gamblers to barter over their wives and sisters. A man who was addicted to wagering, a man who had nothing left to lose, would flail as if drowning, as if searching for a rope. Sometimes, a female family member was all he could find.

  Caleb didn’t allow these sorts of stakes in his club, so this was his first experience with such sordid thinking. If Caleb didn’t accept, who might Gregory bargain with next?

  Despite how Gregory negotiated over her, Caroline would never consent to such a wicked scheme, but a corrupt rogue wouldn’t give her a choice. He’d kidnap her out on the lane and force her to supply what Gregory had pledged.

  Should Caleb agree to be the one instead? He’d never follow through, but it would be a way to protect her. Should he?

  Clearly, he had to have Gregory swept up as a debtor. If he was in debtor’s prison, he couldn’t harm her. Not for awhile anyway, so she’d have a bit of breathing room.

  Caleb glanced at Blake again, seeking his brother’s opinion, but Blake simply wanted to kill Gregory and be done with it. Blake shrugged, advising Caleb to handle it as he saw fit.

  “I’ll obtain her virginity from you,” he told Gregory, “but these are the terms.”

  “It’s to be a month for a month,” Gregory said. “That’s what I offered. You get to use her for a month—and I get a month of debts cancelled.”

  “No,” Caleb said. “I get her for a month, starting on your wedding night. She’ll stay with me in town and please me in any fashion I require. For that dubious privilege, we’ll wipe away the amounts that have accrued since I arrived at Grey’s Corner. It’s a substantial sum, and you should be glad I’m willing to go that far merely for the chance to fornicate with your insipid cousin.”

  He voiced the insult blandly, his expression bored, but inside, he was raging. He had to save Caro from the negligent wretch, and he’d need to contemplate the appropriate conclusion. Caleb understood Gregory was reckless, but he hadn’t realized he was incredibly dangerous too.

  Gregory fumed, downed his liquor, fumed some more. “I intended it to be thirty days for thirty days.”

  “Take it or leave it. It doesn’t matter to me. My world is chock full of beautiful women. I can dally with your cousin or not. It’s up to you.”

  “There has to be more in it for me,” Gregory complained.

  “How about this? I won’t call in your markers for a year, so you’ll have twelve months to figure out how to square yourself with me.” Caleb smiled a grim smile. “And I won’t beat you to a pulp tonight for being such a horse’s ass. Nor will I have Blake murder you—even though he’s dying to. It’s the limit of what I’ll consider.”

  Caleb finally poured his own whiskey, relishing how it slid down and burned in his belly. The clock seemed to slow, Time dragging as if it had halted.

  Ultimately, Gregory said, “It’s a deal.”

  He extended his hand, as if they’d shake on it, but Caleb simply glared at the dangling limb, and Gregory withdrew it.

  “Will you tell her about this,” Caleb asked, “or will it be a surprise?”

  “I’ll tell her, but not until after the wedding. I won’t give her an excuse to delay the inevitable.”

  Gregory looked at Caleb as if he expected them to continue chatting, but Caleb sat like a statue.

  Gregory picked up the deck of cards and shuffled them. “Let’s play,” he urged. “What do you say?”

  “Get out of here,” was Caleb’s reply.

  “I just shed a ton of debt. There’s no reason we can’t begin again.”

  “There’s every reason,” Caleb said.

  “Name one.”

  “I can’t abide you. I never could.”

  Gregory huffed with offense. “There’s no need to be rude.”

  “I’m not being rude. I’m being brutally honest for a change. Now slither away so I can enjoy my drink in the peace and quiet.”

  Gregory didn’t move, so Blake grabbed him and yanked him to his feet.

  “Goodnight, Mr. Grey. We’ve had enough of you for one evening.”

  Gregory shrugged him away. “It’s my own damn house. You have some gall to order me about in it.”

  “It’s not your house,” Blake said. “It’s your father’s house, and I suggest you skedaddle or I might wake him up and blab some of your secrets.”

  Gregory paled and rushed for the door. When he reached it though, he stopped and peered back. “Ah. . . Ralston?”

  Caleb didn’t bother to turn around. “What?”

  “I hate to mention this, but you have to leave tomorrow. My father has requested it. He thinks you’re a bad influence.”

  “You just wagered away your fiancée’s virginity, but I am the bad influence?”

  “No hard feelings, hm?”

  “Get out of my sight!” Caleb seethed, and Blake lunged toward Gregory as if he’d attack him.

  Gregory dashed away like a frightened rabbit. Caleb and Blake listened as he vanished down the hall, then Blake refilled their glasses and eased into the chair Gregory had vacated. They sipped their liquor, being a tad startled by what had occurred.

  “What a weaselly little prick,” Blake said.

  “That’s the nicest description that can be used on him.”

  “I can’t believe he’d imperil Miss Grey like that. Will you tell her about it? She probably ought to be apprised.”

  “I can’t imagine having that discussion with her. I’d likely die of embarrassment. I’ll warn her to be careful with him, but she’s already figured that out.”

  “She’s not safe with him. Neither is his sister Janet. Should you talk to his father? He might be able to put his foot down.”

  “It’s another discussion I can’t imagine having. The better route might be to demand payment on my promissory notes and have him arrested. If he was in jail, he couldn’t harm them.”

  “Until he was released.”

  “He should be ruined forever. I have
several options that will accomplish it, and I need to settle on the quickest, most ruthless one.”

  “My dearest brother, Caleb,” Blake facetiously said, “you told him you’d give him a year to come up with the money.”

  “I lied.”

  “Like the sinner you are!”

  “We didn’t write down the terms, and you were the only witness.”

  “And I’ve suddenly grown deaf.” Blake snorted with amusement. “You’ve been escalating your games with him, hoping you’d wind up owning Grey’s Corner, and the property doesn’t even belong to him. The trust fund either.”

  “It serves me right for being so greedy,” Caleb said.

  “Will you depart as Samson Grey has requested?”

  “I can hardly stay when I’ve been kicked out, and we are departing. We’ll return to London and let Sybil pamper us. It’s how we should have spent your furlough anyway.”

  “You’ve been kicked out, but that doesn’t necessarily mean I have been too. I think I’ll tarry for a bit.”

  “I don’t think you will. Why would you consider it?”

  “I’ve been flirting with Janet Grey.”

  “Well, stop it.”

  Caleb glowered at his brother, but Blake smirked. “I don’t want to stop. I’m having too much fun.”

  “Why would Janet Grey participate in a dalliance with you? Doesn’t she hate all men?”

  “I’m changing her mind.”

  “You are not. You’re working to lift her skirt. At least be honest about it.”

  “It might end up being a benefit.”

  Caleb was aggravated and alarmed by Blake’s flippant attitude. “I could have sworn—after I saved your sorry hide from a swift court martial—that you promised you were finished being reckless.”

  “I’ve been innocent as a choirboy.”

  “If you keep telling such whopping falsehoods, you’ll be struck by lightning.”

  “Besides,” Blake said, “that nonsense with the navy involved commerce to help my chums. This is romance. It’s entirely different.”

  “Oh, Lord, spare me. . .”

  Caleb glared at his brother, but his stern expression had no effect. Blake would act however he pleased. They were lucky some angry father hadn’t already dragged him to the altar.

  “I can’t have you stirring a pot with Janet Grey,” Caleb said. “After we leave in the morning, we shouldn’t have any further dealings with any of them.”

  “What about Caroline Grey’s wedding night? If I remember correctly, she has to supply you with thirty nights of unending debauchery.”

  Caleb’s blood boiled. “If you ever mention that ridiculous wager again, I will gut you like a fish.”

  “I notice you jumped at the bet plenty quick when Gregory offered her.”

  “I did it to protect her from him. I was afraid—if I didn’t accept—he’d rush to town and hand her over to some other cretin.”

  “If she ever learns about your grand gesture, do you suppose she’ll be grateful?”

  “We’re never telling her.” Caleb’s tone was scolding. “It may take some shrewd plotting, but I’ll yank Gregory out of her life.”

  “We could sell him into the Merchant Marines. A dissolute ship’s captain could make off with him, and he’d never be seen in England again.”

  “It’s definitely a thought.”

  “I could still kill him,” Blake said.

  “No.” Caleb chuckled. “You’d like it too much.”

  “You could be right.”

  Caleb stood, and he motioned for Blake to stand too, but he didn’t.

  “It’s late,” Caleb said, “and we should get some sleep. I want to be riding down the road by nine.”

  “May we eat breakfast first? Since Samson Grey has evicted us, I’d like to gorge on some of his food before we slink away.”

  “We can have breakfast, but we’re not dawdling.”

  “I have to say goodbye to Janet.”

  “Where would this goodbye occur? In her bedchamber?”

  Blake grinned a cocky grin. “Maybe.”

  “Absolutely not! You are not to sneak in there. I’m serious about this. Stay away from her.”

  “I will—immediately after I bid her farewell.”

  “If you provoke a scandal with her, Gregory Grey won’t be the only man facing death in this house.”

  “You would never murder me,” Blake said. “If I passed away, you’d be all alone in the world, and I’m your favorite person.”

  “Your luster is fading.”

  Blake finally stood too. They headed out together, went to the front foyer, and climbed the stairs, but when Caleb wasn’t paying attention, Blake vanished down a dark hall. Caleb wasn’t about to call out or chase after him. Everyone was in bed, and he wouldn’t cause a ruckus.

  He loafed on the landing, listening as the silence settled in. Suddenly, he realized he was very lonely. He couldn’t imagine fleeing Grey’s Corner without talking to Caro one last time. He wouldn’t ever confide about the bet, but he’d like her to have some idea of how much he’d enjoyed meeting her.

  If he’d been a different sort of man—a marrying sort of man—he’d have carried her away when he left, but he wasn’t Prince Charming. He wasn’t a knight in shining armor, and he wouldn’t pretend to be.

  Might she still be awake? Might she be glad to see him? He’d warned Blake to keep away from Janet, but Blake had ignored him. Apparently, Caleb wouldn’t behave any better than his wastrel brother. They were both Miles Ralston’s sons and that tainted blood made them reckless and ridiculous.

  He went up to the next floor and wound down the deserted halls until he came to her room. He paused for a moment and inhaled a deep breath, needing to calm himself, needing to be sure he should proceed.

  Why not?

  Why not sneak in? Why not have a poignant parting?

  His way clear, he reached for the knob, spun it as quietly as he could, and. . . ?

  The door was locked.

  He gaped at it for an eternity, wondering if he dared knock, if he dared murmur her name, but the manor was filled with guests. The rooms surrounding hers were occupied by people who might peek out to discover who was there.

  Was this a sign that their relationship wasn’t meant to be? Was it a sign that they’d been destined to cross paths, but that Fate had no plan beyond that? It hadn’t occurred to him that he wouldn’t be able to slip in. He’d thought she’d be up and staring out at the stars, an insomniac waiting for a visitor.

  He smirked with regret. He was an idiot, and the lock had saved him from doing something stupid. For he had no doubt, had he entered, he would have engaged in conduct he shouldn’t have.

  He crept away and returned to his own bedchamber. He pulled a chair over to the window, and he gazed out at the sky, watching the moon glide toward the horizon, counting the minutes until morning arrived and he could leave Grey’s Corner forever.

  Janet woke with a start. She’d been fast asleep and a noise had roused her. Her heart was pounding, and she stared into the dark, overwhelmed by the strongest sense that she wasn’t alone.

  “Who’s there?” she whispered.

  “It’s me,” Blake whispered back.

  She blew out a heavy sigh. “You scared the life out of me.”

  He came over and rested a hip on the edge of the mattress, then he leaned down and kissed her.

  “What are you thinking?” she asked, feeling a tad irked at his brazenly entering her bedchamber. “What if someone saw you?”

  “The halls are empty, and everyone is in bed but me.”

  She yawned and sat up, and with her wearing just her nightgown, the air was chilly. She shivered and pulled the blankets up to cover her bosom. She didn’t want to seem too prim and proper to him,
but she was prim and proper.

  “Why are you still up?” she inquired.

  “Your brother and mine were gambling. I was there to guarantee there wouldn’t be any trouble.”

  “What kind of trouble might there have been?”

  “I could tell you stories that would make you faint.”

  “Did Gregory lose again?”

  “He lost plenty, but then, he’s awful at wagering.”

  “I wish I had the power to stop him, but he’d never listen to me.”

  “Have you ever wondered if you’re safe around him?”

  She scowled. “Safe? What do you mean?”

  “He’s so reckless. He owes Caleb a fortune, and Caleb is tired of fussing with him, so he plans to call in Gregory’s markers. Gregory could never pay even a small portion of what’s due, so he’ll probably end up in debtor’s prison.”

  She snorted out a laugh. “Will I sound like a horrid sister if I say I don’t care if he’s arrested? It would serve him right for being so stupid.” Blake had a strange look on his face, and she asked, “Why are you warning me about him? Why are you so worried?”

  “A man like your brother—one who’s trapped and has nothing left—can be very dangerous.”

  “Other than frittering away all our money, how could he imperil me?”

  Blake pondered what to reveal and finally settled on, “I’d rather not provide any details. Just watch yourself with him. Don’t trust him and don’t believe him.”

  She scoffed. “I figured that out on my own.”

  “I’m glad to hear it.”

  Their conversation dwindled, and she smiled at him, riveted by how handsome he was. There was a hint of moonlight shining in the window, casting him in a silver halo. He was like an angel sent down to Earth to tempt mortal women.

  She was definitely tempted, and he was spurring her to consider conduct she shouldn’t be considering. She hadn’t thought she would ever wed, but when she gazed at him, her modern ideas flew out the window. She caught herself contemplating how marriage to him would be perfectly lovely.

  “There’s a reason I snuck in to talk to you” he said. “It couldn’t wait until morning.”

  “Why not?”