“It was Reggie and Ned.” Reese pulled the tank top over her head.
“Those vile beasts. Let me look at you in the light.” Frowning, Ellen lifted the lamp. “Did they strike you here as well?” She touched Reese’s forehead, and she winced.
“No, I did that when I broke Reggie’s nose.” She gave a dark chuckle. “But how can I explain these?” Reese held up her arms to show the bruises in the shape of fingers.
“And this.” Ellen touched Reese’s shoulder.
“Ow.” She shifted to try to see it in the mirror. Ellen brought over the candle, and they examined the large bruise that was developing.
“That must have happened when Reggie knocked me to the ground.”
“Oh, Clarisse.” Ellen sagged into the chair by the dressing table. “I am so sorry.”
“That’s what your brother said.” Reese picked up her nightgown. “I just want to go to bed.”
“After I soak these bruises,” Ellen said.
“Fine.” Reese glanced at the clock. It would be a short night. Regardless of any bruising, she had a baby to check on in the morning.
While she eased into the hot water of her bath, the images of the two men kept returning. Every move she made that hurt brought back the feel of the blows. She had to stop it.
Reese closed her eyes against the tears and, instead, remembered the feel of Jem’s hand flying over her shoulder to strike Reggie, the feel of Jem’s arms around her. He had come. How had he known?
***
Following the Earl, Jem still shook a little with excess adrenaline. The sense of urgency that had driven him to Kellworth had increased the closer he’d gotten to his destination. He’d finally resorted to a full gallop and risked a possible fall. All he knew was that he had to get there, had to get to Reese.
He didn’t understand what had happened, but he’d been right. Or whatever had pushed him had been. Could it have been the magic? His lordship had arrived only a minute later and would have stopped the men.
Why, then, had Jem been drawn so forcefully to Reese? The closest comparison was to that incredible force that had ripped them into the past. Had the magic called him to her? But that didn’t make sense. From his chats with Nellie, he’d thought of it as his adversary, that he had to fight against it. Was it not his enemy after all?
“This is your room,” the Earl said, indicating a door. “I will have my man send you some clothing. I believe we are close enough to the same size.”
“Thank you, my lord.” Jem bowed.
“I would have a word with you first.” His lordship’s tone of voice had an edge to it, indicating he wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Jem hadn’t missed the Earl’s solicitous behavior toward Reese, or the proprietary way he’d looked at her. He definitely hadn’t appreciated Jem’s attentions—or her response. The thought almost made him smile, but he stayed in character.
“All right, my lord.”
“I wish to be private.”
“It’s your house.” Jem pointed to the door to the bedroom he’d just been assigned. “In here, or would you prefer somewhere else, my lord?” He was getting really sick of using that title.
The Earl nodded toward the door, so Jem led the way inside. He only gave it a cursory glance, enough to recognize the quality of the furnishings. Not that Nellie’s wasn’t, but hers were kind of extreme in the Gothic style. These were not.
“How can I help you, my lord?” Jem asked.
The Earl put his hands behind his back and began pacing the room. He seemed to be considering his words, so Jem leaned against the door jamb and waited.
“You Americans,” his lordship finally said, stopping in front of Jem.
“You say that like it’s an accusation.”
“It is. Look at you, with your casual demeanor. Any reasonable Englishman would not dare to take a stance like yours before a Peer of the realm.”
This wasn’t quite the response Jem had expected. Something else was going on that he didn’t get.
“I’m not an Englishman,” he said, “and you’re a man, just like me.”
The Earl straightened, his expression dangerous.
“Are you really venting your spleen at me,” Jem said as understanding struck him, “or at Reese, um, Miss Clarisse?”
The anger fled from the other man’s face, and his shoulders slumped.
“I have never met a woman like her before. She is—” The Earl’s mouth worked, but he couldn’t seem to come up with the right word.
“Exactly,” Jem agreed, and the two men nodded in understanding.
“What are your intentions toward my sister?”
“I have no intentions toward Lady Ellen,” Jem said. “She’s a lovely girl and has shown herself to be a good friend to Clarisse.”
“You cannot tell me that you are ignorant of her interest in you.” The Earl’s eyes narrowed, and he looked threatening again.
“Until recently, when Aunt Nellie brought it to my attention, I was not.” Jem shrugged. “My emotions are otherwise engaged.”
His lordship pinned him with a hard glare, daring Jem to name her.
“Yes, my lord. Clarisse.”
“Your cousin.”
“It’s a courtesy title only.”
“I could make her a countess.”
Jem chuckled. “You’ve known her, what, three days maybe? Do you really think she cares about being a countess?” He really hoped she wasn’t tempted by it. “I’ve known her since we were children.”
The Earl regarded him with pinched lips. Then his expression turned shrewd, and he grinned. All of Jem’s doubts returned, and he had to fight to stay in character.
“May the best man win, then,” Jem said.
“I intend to.” His lordship turned toward the door but looked over his shoulder. “You must not forget to bathe that hand. I do not wish Clarisse troubled should it become infected.”
When the man had left, Jem let out a deep breath. His hands were shaking again from another adrenaline rush. All the verbal sparring he’d done back home hadn’t prepared him for this guy.
Someone tapped on the door.
“Enter,” Jem said.
A manservant entered the room with a jug of hot water and a bar of the harsh soap they used at the tenant village. Jem looked at the cut on his palm. This was going to sting.
Chapter 21
THE NEXT MORNING, REESE FELT a little bemused when she rose. Still bruised and battered, both physically and emotionally, she found herself anxious and lighthearted at the same time. The warring emotions didn’t make for good companions.
If that sweet newborn was an Rh baby, there was nothing she could do to save him. She’d had more than one dream of arriving at the home this morning to find the severely jaundiced child dead in his mother’s arms. Reese blinked against the stinging in her eyes. She couldn’t dwell on that.
Her dreams had also included Jem and when he had come to her. The memory of the happiness of that moment dimmed a little of her worry about the baby.
“Your bath is ready, miss.” Lulu stepped forward and gasped. “Good heavens, what happened to you?”
Reese rose from the bed and groaned. Everything seemed to hurt.
“Gareth’s horrible guests happened to me.” As soon as the words came out, Reese remembered the Earl didn’t want the servants to know. “That’s between you and me only.”
“And I suppose this was why I was kept from your room last night,” Lulu said, the muscles on her jaws working, “and why Lady Ellen insisted on waiting on you. As if I would speak of this to anyone but Aunt Nellie.” The maid held out a steadying hand as Reese stepped into the tub.
“That’s why his guests left in such a hurry last night.” Reese sighed as she leaned back. “Do you have any of your special tonics that would get rid of the bruises on my face? And probably my wrists.” She held up her arms.
“I do have something that will help, miss, but you must not rely on it.” Lulu
went into her room and returned with a small bottle. “I will apply this when you’ve finished with your bath.”
“Thank you. I’m anxious to get going this morning.” Reese had taken for granted that Nellie could solve the most severe health problems. The English might be more enlightened and not burn witches anymore, but Reese didn’t want to do anything to compromise her status.
By the time Reese was dressed for the day and her hair had been done, the bruising had faded significantly. It might even be gone by tomorrow. One less thing to worry about.
When she came down to the wagon, both Gareth and Ellen were already there, directing the servants. Proof positive that the guests had departed.
“How are you this morning?” Jem said softly from behind her.
Reese turned to him, and he searched her face. “I expected much worse, considering how bad you looked last night. Does your maid have cosmetics?”
“A Nellie tonic,” Reese whispered back. “How’s your hand?”
“I gave it a thorough scrubbing,” he arched a brow and raised his gloved hand, “but I may borrow some tonic from you.”
“Ah, Mr. Taylor, are you seeing us off?” Gareth suddenly appeared at her side, offering his arm to her.
“I’m coming,” Jem said. “I worked yesterday too.”
“Did you?” Reese hadn’t been imagining it then. “Thank you.”
The Earl placed her hand on the crook of his arm and something flashed between the two men. It reminded Reese of something but she couldn’t quite capture the memory. Had they had words last night about Ellen?
“I believe you wanted to say something to my sister.” The Earl didn’t wait for Jem’s response but guided Reese to the wagon.
“I must apologize for what happened to you last night. I am partly responsible for allowing them in my home.” Gareth’s expression turned grim. “I should have called them both out.”
“No!” Reese’s voice squeaked, remembering that conversation with Jem and Cyrus. It seemed like a lifetime ago. “Promise me you won’t do that. It’s outdated anyway. I only worry that by not bringing charges against them that they might victimize other women.”
“I may be able to do something about that too,” he said.
Reese almost said it would be hypocritical but stopped herself. The Earl’s shock had been too sincere for him to have forced himself on a woman in the past. He might have his lady-birds, but she believed they came to him of their own free will.
“My lord, everything is ready,” his valet called.
“Very good.” Gareth turned to Reese. “I’m happy to see you looking so well.”
“Thank you. I don’t want to live through an experience like that again.”
He extended his hand to help her into the wagon, and she accepted his help. Nellie’s potion might have faded her bruises, but her muscles were still stiff.
“You’ll be surprised how much work has been done, Ellen,” Reese said when she was seated beside the girl. There wasn’t room for Jem on the wagon seat, and he sat in back with the groom. She shot him a sympathetic glance, and he smiled. Reese turned back to Ellen. “Today they should finish that horrible ditch, and I think the new latrine system is well on its way.”
“I have been wishing to see it,” Ellen said. “I have considered what could be done with that large field at the end of the village. The little gathering area at Aunt Nellie’s was such a charming place, although ours does not have lovely shade trees nearby. It would take time for some to grow if we planted a few.”
“I wonder if a community garden would work there,” Reese said, thinking of the one in her neighborhood on property owned by the local hospital. “Everyone could work the entire area or divvy up patches of it for personal gardens. I think the majority of the food from the land the cottiers farm goes to the estate as their rent.” She shot the Earl a sidelong glance, and he gave a small grunt. “It doesn’t leave much for them. They’d only need to have help the first year with seeds. From there on out, they would have seeds from their plants.”
“Yeah, no patented seeds here,” Jem muttered behind her.
“That is a very good idea, Clarisse,” Gareth said.
Ellen’s head jerked up, and she stared at her brother. He arched a brow at her, with such a why-look-so-surprised expression, that Reese had to bite back a laugh. His sister simply smiled and pulled a piece of paper and a pencil from her reticule.
“I agree with Gareth,” Ellen said. “I fear it will be too late in the season for a good crop this year, but I believe there might still be some vegetables that can be harvested to help them this winter.”
“We need a good source of protein for them too,” Reese said. “I know cows and chicken need expensive grain, but they provide milk, eggs, and meat. What about pigs? Don’t they eat just about anything? Oh, could your staff set aside the cast-off food that’s not fit for humans to eat?”
“That would create more work for my staff.” The Earl shrugged.
“At least in the beginning, it would help them a lot,” Jem said. “Once they’re established and doing well, it might not be needed anymore.”
“Exactly,” Reese said, excited.
“I believe it can be done.” Gareth shot a dark look at Jem, but said to Reese, “I will ask around. I should have people working for me who can help with this.”
When they came around the curve to the village, Ellen gasped. “It is much improved. I almost do not recognize it. This is wonderful.”
Gareth pulled up the wagon, jumped out, and came around to Reese’s side. Jem was already there.
“Cousin.” He lifted her from the wagon before she could argue that she didn’t need help, leaving the Earl to assist his sister.
Reese exchanged glances with Ellen, who looked resigned about something.
As Gareth set his sister on the ground, the cottiers swarmed around them. They didn’t hold back today but hurried over to bow and curtsy to them and then shake his hand. Everyone wanted to touch him. Many cried out, “Bless you, my lord, my lady. Bless you.”
Reese searched for Lily. When she didn’t see the girl among the throng, Reese’s stomach knotted. A hand fell upon her shoulder, and she looked up into Gareth’s dark, sympathetic eyes.
“I will come with you,” he said softly. “I don’t know what you expect, but I think you should not face this alone.”
She took his arm gratefully. He patted her hand as they walked to the last cottage on the left. Reese took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
Lily opened it again, as shy as before. She bobbed a nice little curtsy and didn’t stumble at all.
“Well done,” Reese whispered to her, and the little girl grinned before ducking her head.
“Mum is waiting for you, miss. Your lordship.” She held open the door and stepped out of the way.
“Good morning.” Reese approached the bed. “How are you both today?”
“Thank you for the extra food, miss,” Sarah said. “My milk has come in fine now, and he’s eating well.” She held up the baby, who was sleeping.
Reese’s hands shook a little as she carried the bundle out the door, grateful for the good weather. Gareth was at her side and put a hand on her shoulder. She pulled back the blanket.
“Would you like me to help with him again?” the Earl asked.
“Please.”
He took the baby and held him in the best light. Reese pressed against his skin, looking for an increase in the yellow, for the swelling that she had read accompanied an Rh baby. But the infant’s skin looked pinker today. She pulled back the baby’s eyelids. It was definitely better today. She looked up, met Gareth’s anxious gaze, and grinned.
He whooped and raised the baby in the air.
“What is wrong?” Sarah cried from inside the cottage.
“Nothing is wrong, good woman.” Gareth strode inside and brought the now-screaming baby to its mother. “You have a fine son here, and Miss Clarisse believes he will be healthy.”
He looked to Reese for confirmation, and she nodded.
“I think Lily should continue to sit with him in filtered sunlight for another couple of days,” Reese said with a sniff. She wanted to run outside and dance in the street. “Be sure to keep nursing him often.”
“I will, miss, and thank you. Thank you, my lord.”
Reese could barely contain herself as she walked with the Earl past Lily and out on the street. Once the door had closed, Reese turned and threw her arms around his neck. She cried with happiness.
Chapter 22
JEM STOOD BY, NOT SURE what to do next about Reese. Something had been bothering her that morning. With Kellworth acting like an irritating mosquito that Jem couldn’t shake off, he hadn’t had a chance to talk to her.
He was, however, aware of Ellen standing next to him. In his preoccupation with Reese, he’d almost forgotten Nellie’s warning. And Kellworth’s. This might be the time to explain things, but Jem wasn’t sure how to bring it up. People’s expectations were so different here, and what if the fae woman and the Earl were wrong about her ladyship’s interest in him?
“Would you mind accompanying me?” Ellen asked softly, her voice hesitant.
“I would be happy to assist in any way I can.” He couldn’t stop his gaze from following Reese as she walked on the Earl’s arm to that house they had visited yesterday. Jem’s eyes narrowed.
“I wonder . . .”
Jem glanced at Ellen and found her watching them too. “Wonder what?”
She lifted shrewd gray eyes to meet his, and the corners of her mouth lifted in a sad smile. “Do Americans marry their cousins?”
Jem understood why Reese liked the girl so much.
“I’m terribly sorry if I’ve led you to believe something that wasn’t true. I shouldn’t have let Aunt Nellie spread that story around,” he said. “Friends would be a better description. Miss Clarisse and I are not related.”
Ellen let out a deep breath. “And you are in love with her.”
“I am.” Jem searched his mind for the appropriate expression. “I came on this trip to fix my interest with her.”
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