The Wounded Nobleman (The Regimental Heroes)

by Jennifer Conner

  Whisper-soft, his lips touched hers. He smelled of sandalwood, soap, and hay. Sensations swamped her and she closed her eyes. His kiss was so sweet, so unbearably sweet.

  Can it be like this? No. She swore no man would ever hurt her. Touch her. If she let no one in, then no one could. No one had touched her since the night she was attacked. She pushed Ellis away.

  “I am… so utterly sorry.” His face grew dark. “You must think me a complete cad and that I am taking advantage of your injured state to gain a kiss.” He closed his eyes and shook his head. A look of self-disgust etched his face.

  Callie started to tell him she would never think that, but he stood. He didn’t turn as he headed for the stable door. “I’ll fetch help. You should not be out here alone with me.”

  “It would not matter,” she said barely above a whisper. “Thank you for your help.”

  The large brass bell rang outside to call the stable men back.

  ****

  Callie was able to walk on her ankle by the time they reached the house. After much convincing, she’d persuaded Ellis not to fetch the doctor. It was against his better judgment, but he finally gave in. He ordered the maids to find her dry clothes. This wasn’t an easy task; there were no women of his family left in the house. The maids came up with a plain dark wool dress with blue lace cuffs.

  When she arrived back downstairs, he wondered how she managed to look so lovely in such a matronly garment. He ordered a carriage to be brought ‘round and ordered one of the maids to escort her home. He wanted to go with her and make sure she was all right, but he’d caused enough damage for one night.

  One thing was definitely true ; she shouldn’t be alone with him. He wanted her too much. Was this the reason he’d acted like a stallion and not a gentleman? He’d been in the stables too long? Maybe he should be gelded, that would do it. He grimaced at the mere thought.

  Ellis carried a blanket he’d had the kitchen staff fill with heated bricks. He waited until the two women were inside the carriage, then poked his head in and placed the bricks under Callie’s feet. He drew wool blankets over her lap. “Are you sure you are well enough to travel?”

  “Yes. Thank you… for everything, milord.” A blush tinted her cheeks.

  Even the kiss? He closed the carriage door and bid her goodnight. Ellis licked his lower lip and swore under his breath. The taste of her mouth still lingered there. He was trying to figure out why he had kissed her as he wandered back toward the house. He had done many brainless things in his life, such as putting Lady Barimings goats in her attic. But kissing Callie again moved to the top of the list. She was wounded. In his care. In his family’s stables! For God’s sake.

  Ellis stalked to the study and poured half a glass of brandy. He downed it in one gulp.

  After months of recovery in the hospital, he swore when he returned from the war, he would not feel sorry for himself. But, if Callie turned him away when he was virile and strong, what must she think of him now?

  A gunshot sounded behind him and his heart nearly stopped. He grabbed the edge of the piano. Keep your senses, man, it was only a door slamming. Ellis pulled in a shaky breath.

  “Was that Callie Dunning? Our carriages passed while I was on the way in” , a deep voice asked.

  Clarke. How did brothers manage to arrive at the least opportune times? And slam bloody doors when they entered a room?

  “You could have sent ahead and told me you were coming.” He turned and glared at him.

  “Earlier today, I ran into Father. He invited me to dinner. Do I need an engraved invitation? I haven’t seen much of you in the past few months.”

  “How is Adeline?”

  “She’s with child.”

  “Congratulations.”

  “Thank you. Could you pour me some of that brandy you’re hoarding?” Clarke came along side him and took the filled snifter. “You never answered my question. Is Callie Dunning back in your life?”

  “She is helping tame one of my temperamental horses. Nothing more.”

  “You told me you loved her once. Is that still true?” Clarke took a sip from his glass and eyed him over the rim.

  “No,” Ellis said tersely.

  “But you did.”

  “Everything has changed. I wasn’t a cripple when I wished to ask for her hand the first time .”

  “Did she say that? Call you a cripple?”

  “Of course not. But, what else could she think. That damn war. That bloody damn war.” Ellis took his cane and dashed his glass off the sidebar. It crashed against the wall and splintered into a million silver shards.

  “Are you finished?” Clarke asked. “I think I have my answer. I did need to come.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You just said it, ‘That bloody damned war’.” Clarke sat in one of the high backed brocade chairs and dropped his hands between his knees. “Spencer is starting a group. To… help us with what we are going through since our return.”

  “I’m not going to some candy girls group to cry into…”

  Clarke cut him off, “At first, I had the same feeling you carry. That was before I truly thought it through.” He looked up to meet his gaze. “I still wake up screaming most nights. Half the nightmares are filled with being run through or shot, the other half are filled with my desperate search for my brother.”

  “You have nightmares about me?”

  “You are my only brother, aren’t you?” He gave a weak smile. “Unfortunately, what really happened that day was not a dream. I am sure my mind feeds on what I saw. You took the blow to your leg, but I couldn’t get through the mayhem to reach you. I was with David. By the time I did, you were unconscious with your life’s blood pooled around you. I thought you were dead.”

  “You never told me this.”

  “I also never shared that to save your life I bound your leg with my ripped shirt and carried you half a mile on my back… covered in Adeline’s brother’s blood. The least I expect is that you do something with life and don’t waste it wallowing in self-pity.”

  “I don’t.”

  Clarke closed his eyes. “These are my memories, not yours. I do not know if you suffer the same as I. What I am telling you is if you plan to bring someone you love into your life, you owe it to her. Spencer convinced me, we can’t do this on our own. Tuesday. Spencer’s ‘card club’ will have its first meeting. I think you should be there.” Clarke rose and brushed off his pants. “I must not keep father waiting.” He left the room and shut the door without letting Ellis reply.

  Scrubbing one palm over his face, he blinked and stared at the closed door. His brother saved his life? He didn’t remember that. And, when had he told Spencer he loved Callie? He’d forgotten than too.

  Did he still love her? How could his heart survive rejection twice in one lifetime by the same woman? God… what a mess.

  Chapter 3

  Ellis wished he slept , but there were a million things racing through his mind. When the sun rose, so did he. He bathed, shaved, ate some dry toast—it was all his stomach could handle, and then fretted for another hour on what he should say to Callie.

  How could he apologize after making such a grave error in judgment? He had to start by talking to her. Ellis grabbed a kitchen knife, cut a bouquet of lilies from the garden and had the stable boy bring around a horse. The flowers would be a peace offering. Lilies? They were yellow— her favorite color. He liked tulips better, but they were out of season. Hopefully she would like these.

  He had them bring ‘round a chaise and he drove to her family’s estate. Handing off the reins he moved to the house and then rapped his knuckles on the front door.

  ****

  “Lord Garrison is here to see you,” Chadwick the head of the staff announced.

  Callie was more than a little surprised when Ellis stepped through the door holding the largest bouquet of flowers she had ever seen. He maneuvered his cane to brace his leg and strode to where she sat.
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  “I am sorry to arrive without a proper invitation, but I had to see how your ankle was.” There were dark circles under his eyes. Was it from lack of sleep? She had tossed and turned too thinking of their shared kiss.

  He handed her the flowers.

  “Thank you.” She accepted them and then handed them off to staff to arrange in a vase. “My ankle was fine last night. You knew that when I left.”

  “No, I did not. You still seemed to be in a slight bit of pain. I…I also came,” he dropped his voice, “to apologize.”

  She waved the staff from the room. When the door closed, she turned. “You’re coming to apologize for kissing me?”

  “I should be sorry for that… but I’m not. I still have feeling s for you. I am sorry for frightening you and for acting out of line. I’m apologizing for whatever you need me to apologize for to gain forgiveness.” He stepped forward, took her hand, and looked into her eyes.

  She stopped listening after the first part of the sentence. “You still have feelings for me?”

  “Yes. I have never stopped. But everything has changed. I am no longer the boy who courted you and I have no right to return to the feeling I once carried.”

  She swallowed as his hand solidly clenched hers. “I have no say in this matter?”

  “No… I mean yes.” Ellis pulled in a deep breath. “I spoke to your father and asked if I could escort you on a picnic in the country. He agreed to let you come unescorted which was a bit of a surprise.”

  Callie knew she should say no. No respectable woman would travel unescorted, but she was already marked. Accused of being virtue-less by her family, so would it matter? “Yes… I would love to.”

  After Callie instructed the kitchen staff to pack cold meat, cheese, and bread. Ellis had his carriage brought around and pressed the packed food into a leather pouch in the chaise. The chaise carriage barely offered enough room for both of them and Ellis mentally chastised himself again. He should have taken the time to bring a full size carriage with a driver. But he did it for selfish reasons. He wanted to be alone with Callie.

  He steered the horse toward his family’s land, which presented many beautiful spots for picnics and close enough to reach in an hour’s time. Would she remember how they played in the fields as children? In the last few weeks since she’d been back in his life, he recalled every moment he’d spent with Callie over the years.

  Callie was warm and soft pressed against him and the sweet smell of her freshly washed hair drove him insane. Lavender and vanilla. He tried not to look at the side of her head, but he was fascinated by the myriad of tiny pin s holding her silky blonde hair in place. How long would it take to pull each pin loose and let all that luxurious hair fall free , preferably over the pale flesh of bare breasts?

  God save me, he had to stop. If he became aroused, riding this close, there would be no disguising it in his britches. He had to think of something other than her. Callie’s Aunt Agnes, the one with the large hairy mole on the side of her cheek.

  “Agnes.” He tried focusing his attention on his disgusted memories of the mole.

  “My aunt? Or are you thinking of someone else?” she asked.

  Had he said that aloud? Ellis cleared his throat. “How is your aunt?”

  “She’s fine.” She gave him a questioning look. “She’s in France trying to get a handle on her gout. The flowers you brought me this morning were beautiful.” She smiled and changed the subject back to them. So much for Agnes

  “I know you like tulips, but...” he never had a chance to finish his sentence.

  There was a sudden rustle in the tall grass, and a young man leapt out in the horse’s path. There was a second man in the bushes. The horse startled and Callie’s body tensed. One of the men cracked a leather whip in the air. It sounded like a gunshot and Ellis’ body nearly turned liquid. With a sheer act of will, he tamped back the bile in his throat. He didn’t have the luxury of falling apart.

  “Get out of the carriage!” the blonde one yelled, dropped the whip and pulled a pistol from the waistband of his trousers.

  “There is no reason for violence,” Ellis said as calmly as he could muster. “I have a few shillings you can happily have.” He grabbed his cane and pulled himself out leaving Callie in the chaise. There was a pistol within arm’s reach in his bag, but could he risk making a move to retrieve it?

  “Bring the woman out,” the man demanded.

  Ellis reached for Callie’s hand. She shook her head violently. “It’s alright. We need to do as they ask. Give me your hand.” He could feel the tremble in her fingers when they wrapped around his. After a long moment, and her eyes clenched tightly closed, she finally obeyed.

  He didn’t have a clear look at the second man, but both attackers couldn’t be over twenty years of age.

  As the blonde stepped closer, Ellis pushed Callie behind him. The man leveled his gun at Ellis. Callie drew in a breath and then a choked sob. When he glanced over, her eyes were so wide the whites around the irises were visible.

  In battle, he wasn’t afraid of death. He wasn’t afraid now, but at this moment there was something to live for… Callie. His mind raced with how he could get to his gun. The blonde took a step toward Callie.

  “No! Stay away from me!” She screamed. Not just any scream. It was a scream that chilled Ellis’ blood to ice. Pure terror. Tears streamed down her face. She frantically waved a hand in front of her as if it would ward him away. “Please, don’t hurt me again.”

  Again? She knew these highway men? But, did she realize what she was saying? No. Her eyes were blank, as she screamed again until her voice grew hoarse.

  Doubt clouded the blonde man’s face. “Jesus- settle down, lass. I wasn’t going to hurt ya. I just want your necklace.” He looked back at his partner.

  It came to Ellis in a split second. He didn’t need his gun- he just needed a gun. He grabbed the young man, twisted the weapon from his hand and pulled him in front of him and Callie as a human shield. The military had taught him something.

  Ellis put the barrel to the blonde’s head. The feel of the gun in his hand caused war memories to flood his mind. Beads of sweat broke out on his forehead and a tremble raced up his arm. He steeled himself. Keep it together man, you are not in battle-Callie needs you. He cocked the hammer.

  The other young man moved farther out of the bushes. He was gaunt and dressed in worn, dirty clothes. “Don’t shoot him. He’s my brother!”

  “I will shoot him if I…” Ellis’ voice trailed as he saw the other boy didn’t have a gun. His gaze narrowed to take a longer look at the other man. “McRey. What the bloody hell are you doing here and how does this woman know you?” He flipped his head Callie’s direction.

  The kid looked like he was about to vomit. “Ahhh…. Jesus….”

  “You know each other?” the man in his arms asked as he struggled to break free. “Who is he, Fredric?”

  “I wouldn’t try my patience,” Ellis warned as he pushed the barrel tighter against the blonde’s temple and looked down at Callie. She stopped screaming but was now on the ground sitting in a puddle of water. She stared blankly and rocked back and forth. He saw this in battle. She was in shock due to extreme trauma. This must be resolve d quickly so he could attend to her.

  He could shoot them, but he hated the sound of gunfire.

  “Garrison was my captain in the Crimean.” McRey told his brother and looked like he would cry. “Ahhhh… Jesus,” he repeated in a thick Scottish accent. “We will hang for sure. Why did I listen to you?”

  “Why did you listen to him?” Ellis asked. “But more important, why did the woman say ‘don’t hurt me again?’ Has she had a run in with you or your brother before?”

  “No! I have never seen the lass. I swear to you on our mother’s grave. I didn’t mean to scare her so bad…” The boy looked worried as he watched her rock. “What’s wrong with her?”

  “You were robbing us, you ass,” Ellis’s voice was hard.
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br />   “We were hungry. My brother and I just needed food. Since I came home from the war, I haven’t been able to find work. We’ve walked for days. It was my brother’s idea to steal jewelry from a rich woman so we could sell it. You have to believe me. We had no intentions of hurting you, sir, or your misses, I swear,” he pleaded. He was crying now.

  “She’s not my…” this wasn’t the time for explanations. Callie’s face grew paler— if that was possible. Ellis shoved the blonde man until he tumbled to the ground in front of him and pointed the gun at the man’s midsection. He wanted to pull the trigger but waited a beat. He drew in a long breath not taking his eyes off the man on the ground as he spoke to the one he knew. “McRey, you were a fine soldier in my unit. For that, I owe you something, but I am only giving you one chance. You and your brother need to leave England. I don’t care where you go… but, if I ever see you again, you will not have another chance at life. I must have your word.”

  McRey grabbed his brother by the arm and pulled him to his feet. “Yes, sir… captain. We will leave today. I promise sir, you will never see me or my brother again. For the rest of our days, we will go and live with my grandmother in Scotland.”

  Ellis stepped forward and both the men’s eyes widened. He reached into the leather bag in the chaise and yanked out the picnic food. He shoved it towards McRey who took the package. “This food is payment for your brother’s pistol. Now leave!” He barked.

  The two young men jumped a foot then hurried off down the road practically falling over one another in their haste. When they were out of pistol range, they broke into a full run.

  Ellis quickly turned, fell to his knees and drew Callie into his arms. God…she was cold and shaking. He ripped off his coat and wrapped it around her. The accelerated beat of her heart pounded through his fingertips as he drew the waistcoat closed across her chest. “Callie.” There was no response. He repeated her name in a louder tone and shook her slightly, “Callie!”

  She looked up. Her blue eyes were beginning to focus on his face. “Ellis, why are you here… the men. They… he was going to rape me… he…” Tears streamed down her cheeks, as another shudder shook her.