The Runaway Heiress

by Brenda Hiatt

  "I should like that, as I am sorely out of practice. But do you really think it wise to mention any of this to your parents?"

  He smiled down at her to hide the ache he felt over what she had endured as a child. "I truly don't think they'll mind, but we needn't say anything to them if you prefer it."

  "Thank you. For now, I believe I would rather not— though if I can use the gymnasium during the day without their knowledge, I should like to do that."

  "That should be simple enough, as neither of them frequent that part of the house," he said as they reached the top of the stairs. "But now, we had best change into more conventional clothing. I've promised to take Violet out to the kennels today to see the new pups. If you'd like to see them as well, I recommend you wear shoes that can stand up to a stable yard."

  Her sudden smile hit him with the force of a blow, turning him light-headed. "I would like that very much. I love dogs."

  With that, she disappeared into her room and Thor continued on to his. The more he learned about Dina, the more he felt drawn to her —and the less he wanted to resist that draw. He tried to recall all of the reasons why such an attraction was unwise, but at the moment they seemed vague and unimportant. All that really seemed to matter was getting her to smile at him again.

  Dina felt almost dizzy with relief as she stripped off her gray fustian and had Francine help her into her blue day dress. She'd been extremely worried that Thor would be disgusted or scandalized when he learned about her physical training program, but though he was undeniably surprised, he hadn't seemed particularly upset.

  She grinned, remembering the look on his face when she'd begun chinning herself on the horizontal bar. Surely, that was a far cry from the liaison he'd apparently imagined her carrying on last night? Then she sobered. He'd apologized for his suspicions, but it still hurt that he could think such a thing of her.

  "Ouch. Please, be careful of that shoulder, Francine. It's rather sore."

  When she had realized that the visit to the gymnasium was a test of sorts, she had pushed herself to her limits to prove to Thor that she was adept on all of the equipment there —and now she was paying the price. She would doubtless ache all over by tonight, which would likely hamper her dancing at the ball. Clearly, pride was not a purely masculine failing.

  She doubted that Thor would suffer any such effects. Though she'd limited herself to a few surreptitious glances while he exercised on the rings, she could not help feeling a touch of awe—and nervousness —at the easy power he evinced, and the noticeable rippling of his massive muscles. The idea of sparring with him was laughable —as he clearly knew. She would hurt her fists if she punched him, and he would probably not even feel it.

  And if he landed a blow on her, she would doubtless be sent flying across the room. But while Silas might do such a thing to prove his superiority, she doubted Thor would. Still, that display of his strength had reminded her why she'd wanted their marriage to be completely platonic, even while a part of her longed to explore that magnificent physique more intimately.

  Francine was just putting the finishing touches on her hair, which had been in need of extensive repair, when a tap came at her door.

  "Almost ready?" Thor called.

  Rising, she opened the door. "Yes, I'm ready. Where is Violet?"

  "Here," came Violet's voice from the direction of the stairs. "What on earth has been keeping you two? I thought we were going to go out to see the puppies an hour ago."

  Dina joined Thor in the hallway to see her sister-in-law's eyes bright with curiosity. She answered Violet's unspoken question with a quick shake of her head.

  Over the past fortnight, Violet had hinted repeatedly that she expected their marriage to progress beyond the formalities once Thor returned. No doubt she'd be most disappointed to learn that they'd merely been exercising in the gymnasium —not that Dina intended to tell her. Though her intentions were always good, Violet seemed incapable of keeping a secret. Indeed, it was amazing that she'd been able to pull off an elopement.

  They all trooped out to the kennels, where both girls oohed and aahed over Princess's litter. Now three weeks old, the pups' eyes were open and they tumbled over each other in their eagerness to nibble on the ladies' fingers with their tiny teeth.

  One of the puppies caught a claw in Dina's woven cloak and let out a series of panicked yips that brought Princess to her feet in concern.

  "Oh, poor thing," Dina exclaimed. "He won't stop wiggling long enough for me to unsnag him."

  Thor knelt down next to her. "Here, let me." With hands remarkably gentle for their size, he cradled the puppy, stroking its head with his thumb while deftly unhooking its claw from the cloak.

  "There you go, Champ." He handed the puppy back to its anxious mother, who began nosing it all over to make certain it was still in one piece.

  Watching his gentle care for the pup —for all of his dogs— Dina saw Thor with new eyes. She'd already known he was a good man, an honorable man, but now she realized that he was also kind and tender —and loved animals. No wonder he'd looked horrified when she'd related some of her childhood experiences. Thor was as far removed from a bully as a man could be, despite his size.

  Her earlier misgivings about trusting herself to his strength in physical intimacy gave way to sudden longing. Almost as though he felt it, he looked up at her just then, an unspoken question in his eyes.

  Confused, she dropped to her knees to pick up another puppy, this time taking care not to let it tangle itself in her cloak.

  Violet set down the pup she'd been holding and stood, offering a welcome distraction to Dina's confused feelings. "I promised Mother I wouldn't stay out here long, but I may visit with the pups again, Grant, may I not?"

  "Yes, the more they are handled the better, actually," he said. "Particularly at this age. It will make them easier to train later on."

  "Oh, then I'll be out here every day—and Dina, too, I imagine."

  Dina nodded, pleased at the prospect of spending time with the dogs. With a smile, Violet left them, so quickly that it was apparent she intended them to remain behind. Dina wondered whether Lady Rumble had suggested just that. Not unlikely.

  "So, you like dogs, do you?" Thor asked before the silence could become awkward.

  "Yes, I always have, though I have only ever had one, and that briefly." She swallowed against the memory, stroking the puppy she held.

  Thor gazed down at her, sensing more than she said aloud. He felt a sudden need to understand —to know as much as he could about his wife. "Why only briefly?"

  "I was about fourteen at the time, and one of the local farmers' wives offered me a pup from a litter they had. I brought it home, delighted to have a pet of my own. Mother even agreed to let me keep it in my room. Unfortunately, Silas had just been sent down from school for some offense or other and was in a foul mood."

  "He didn't hurt the pup, did he?" Any man, even as a schoolboy, who would—

  But Dina shook her head. "No, I wouldn't let him, of course, though he did threaten to drown it, saying it looked more like a rat than a dog. Then he convinced my father to ban it from the house, claiming it would soil the carpets. I feared I couldn't keep it safe from him if it lived out in the stables, so after a few days I returned it to the farmer's family." She sighed.

  "This, in addition to locking you in cupboards." The more Thor heard about Silas Moore, the more he disliked the man. "What other unpleasant things did your brother do to you?"

  She carefully set the puppy down with its littermates and stood. "Mostly, it was just schoolboy mischief," she said defensively. "As I said, he never really hurt me—at least, not intentionally. In fact, as I grew older, he seemed quite proud of my ability to defend myself against his friends, and to outrun them. I remember he once offered any of them a kiss from me, for a shilling —if they could catch me. But none of them could."

  Though Dina grinned, Thor was outraged that any brother would put his sister in such a position
. "He should have been defending your honor, not trying to compromise it," he said severely. "How old were you at the time?"

  Clearly startled by his tone, she sobered. "Thirteen or fourteen, I believe —and faster than any of his school chums."

  "Then he would have been what, fifteen? Sixteen? Old enough to know better, certainly."

  "Perhaps, but as I said, he has always felt a need to show off for his friends. No doubt that is how he ended up so deeply in debt."

  But Thor was in no mood to hear excuses. Dusting off his hands, he led her out of the kennels and along the path toward the house. "And once in debt, he was again willing to sacrifice you to save his own neck. I begin to wish he had challenged me after all."

  Dina glanced up at him with alarm that seemed to be tinged with amusement. "Then I suppose it is fortunate that you are not likely to see him again for some time." They had now reached the back gardens of the house.

  "Fortunate indeed. If Moore were to cross my path just now, I'm not sure I could be answerable for the consequences."

  Her eyes widened. "I feel moved to echo Violet's words from the morning we first met, and say, 'How medieval of you.' I thank you for your concern, but it is all in the past now."

  Thor did not reply, still feeling the need to punch something —an unusual sensation, and one he did not much care for. He'd never been a violent man, but in recent weeks, it seemed that his disposition was changing —or something.

  Uncomfortable thoughts, which made him just as glad when Violet appeared at the door leading out onto the back terrace —until he saw who was with her.

  "Look, Dina, who has come for tonight's ball, and to spend Christmas with us," she exclaimed. "Is it not a wonderful surprise? Mother and I agreed to say nothing, though I must admit it was terribly difficult not to tell you, once he accepted our invitation."

  "Happy Christmas, Dina," said Silas Moore, stepping forward to kiss his sister on the cheek. "You're looking well. Happy Christmas, Turpin."

  "Happy Christmas, Moore."

  Thor had to fight to keep his voice level, his expression bland, when he was itching to plant his fist in his visitor's face after what he'd just learned about him. Surely Moore wouldn't have the impudence to stay long? If he did, Thor wasn't certain he could answer for the consequences.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Dina returned Silas's kiss, carefully keeping herself between him and Thor. "What a nice surprise," she said with determined cheerfulness. "And Violet, I take back what I said to you before about not being able to keep a secret, for I had no idea."

  Violet preened, smiling up at Silas in a way that told Dina that surprising her was not the only reason for his invitation. A glance at Thor showed him watching his sister with a gathering frown. Apparently he'd come to the same conclusion.

  "Nice place you have here, Turpin," Silas said then, seemingly oblivious to any undercurrents. "My sister's done quite well for herself."

  "Thank you," Thor grated, "but it's not mine yet, nor do I wish it to be for quite some time." Then, catching Violet's suprised stare, he forced a smile. "Welcome to Plumrose."

  Dina cringed inwardly as her brother's expression changed from relaxed to wary. Silas could be exceedingly charming when in a good mood, but he could be equally unpleasant when he was not. She hoped Thor would not antagonize him into rudeness. After a tense moment, however, Silas nodded.

  "Thank you. And thank you, Miss Turpin, for your hospitality. Ashcombe would have been dull indeed over Christmas, with Dina gone away. I was delighted to receive your invitation."

  Violet sent Thor a warning look, then turned back to her guest with a smile. "Come, let me give you a tour of the grounds, as we are already outside. Then, when we return, I can show you the house. By then, your things will have been moved into your room so that you can change if you wish."

  Silas agreed, and the two went off arm in arm, Violet fairly sparkling as she chattered nonstop. The moment they were out of earshot, Thor turned to Dina.

  "Perhaps you should tell Violet the same things you've told me. I'd rather she not develop a tendre for your brother, given everything I've learned about him."

  Dina had already been considering how she could discreetly put Violet on her guard, but at Thor's censorious tone, she instinctively bristled. "All of those things happened years ago. Silas has matured since then. I can't imagine that Violet is in the least bit of danger from him."

  Thor's jaw tightened visibly. "I'm not concerned that he'll shut her into a cupboard or put her up a tree. But you and I both know how poor his prospects are at present, with debts still hanging over his head and his estate still mortgaged."

  "Between us, we have remedied much of that," she pointed out, though without much conviction.

  "Do you really believe he doesn't want more? Violet nearly fell prey to one fortune-hunter."

  "And you think Silas is another." Though she suspected the same thing, having Thor put it into words was rather different. "My brother is not good enough for your sister —is that what you are saying?"

  "I wasn't going to put it quite so bluntly as that, but . . . yes. I think Violet can do better, and not only with respect to fortune —which I know would never be a consideration for her."

  "As it was for me?" Dina wasn't sure why she felt so angry, or so determined to defend her brother, who certainly didn't deserve it. "It could be said that I married you for money, even if it was my own."

  Thor looked startled. "This isn't about you and me. You were placed in a difficult position —by your brother."

  "That makes my motives no less mercenary, does it?"

  "I never said—"

  "You didn't have to. Your import was quite clear." She felt tears threatening, though she couldn't say why. Determined that he not see them, she turned toward the house, but he reached out and grasped her shoulder with one large hand, stopping her.

  "Dina, listen to me." His voice was gentle, as was his grip, though she could feel the power behind it. "I'm angry at your brother, yes— for everything he did to you. A man who would do such things to his own sister is not a man I want spending time with mine. I won't allow him to harm Violet in any way."

  She swallowed, willing her tears back to their source. What would it be like to have a brother like this, caring and protective as a matter of course? She had never had— and would never have —the kind of relationship with Silas that Violet enjoyed with Thor, painful as that was to admit.

  "I don't want Violet hurt any more than you do. She has already become quite dear to me. But truly, I don't think you need worry. She is impulsive but not stupid."

  "Still, I want her warned away from him. She is such a romantic that—"

  "—that forbidding her to spend time with Silas may make her even more eager to do just that," Dina finished. "But I'll attempt to speak to her, if you think it will help."

  He squeezed her shoulder, then released it. "Thank you. That would make me feel better, yes. In return, I'll promise to be civil to your brother, as far as it is within my power."

  "It is a bargain. And as long as Silas is here, he will have no opportunity to add to his debts, at least," she added wryly. It was the only real advantage to his visit she could think of.

  "There is that, I suppose. Which only underscores why Violet must be warned away from him. If you don't do it, Dina, I will."

  Dina nodded as they reentered the house, but she continued to worry. Could Thor have such a low opinion of Silas without also believing ill of her? They had been raised in the same household, after all. And Silas's debts had already cost Thor quite a lot of money, cutting substantially into the fortune Dina had brought with her.

  Perhaps that was why she'd felt a need—an unworthy need—to lash out when he seemed to be insulting Silas, and, by extension, herself, as Silas's only family. Never before had she felt a need to justify Silas's behavior to others.

  But never before had anyone's opinion mattered so much to her.

  "Well
, here you are at last," Lady Rumble greeted them as they reached the front hall. "Did you see Violet when she went back outdoors?" Her eyes fairly danced with suppressed excitement.

  "Yes, indeed, and my brother, too." Despite her emotional turmoil, Dina had to smile, Lady Rumble's delight was so infectious. "How clever of you both to keep his arrival a secret."

  "That was Violet's idea, but I agreed with her that it would be great fun to surprise you, especially as it is nearly Christmas. I presume Violet has taken Mr. Moore on a tour of the estate, as the weather is so fine?"

  Thor nodded. "She has, but I was thinking that perhaps I should go after them and play chaperone."

  Lady Rumble waved away that concern with a beringed hand. "Oh, tut. He is family. No one will think anything of Violet showing her new brother-in-law about the place, I'm sure. Come up and have some tea and a bite to eat, as the rest of us have already done."

  Though Dina could see that Thor would rather go after his sister, he assented and they followed Lady Rumble upstairs to the parlor, where the remains of an unusually elegant tea were laid out—in honor of Silas's arrival, Dina presumed. Suddenly realizing that she was indeed hungry, she helped herself without protest to a few small sandwiches and a variety of biscuits.

  Lady Rumble left them, and for a few minutes they ate and drank in silence. Then, glancing up, Dina found Thor watching her with a strangely intent gaze.

  "What? Have I jam on my face?"

  Smiling, he shook his head. "Not at all. I was just thinking how refreshing it is to see a woman evince a healthy appetite —well deserved, after so much physical activity this morning. I'm glad you don't put on those die-away airs so common to young ladies these days."

  She set down the sandwich she'd just picked up with a blush, suddenly feeling awkward and unfeminine. He must think her a complete hoyden, for all he'd couched his comment as a compliment. "I'm sorry. I suppose I was rather wolfing down your mother's dainties."