by Lilia Ford
He was all the more annoyed because he’d deliberately tried to come up with a way to ease Genevieve into her new life with the three of them. His wife adored picnics. What could be simpler than for the four of them to recreate that first extraordinary picnic they’d shared the day before the wedding?
He’d invited Donal, who of course instantly agreed, and told him to pass the invitation on to Derek, never imagining that Derek would not appear. Donal smoothed over the awkwardness of Derek’s absence, but Damian could tell Genevieve was bothered by it.
Damian was relieved but not surprised that he and Donal instinctively settled into a mode that respected Genevieve’s needs. It helped immensely that Genevieve’s expressions were so easy to read. The moment they entered the garden he could sense her anxiety, and he quickly guessed the reason. She’d been intimate with Donal here, and now she considered it his domain. It was exactly the same as with the bath.
He could tell that Donal was also careful to keep matters completely nonsexual. He must have sensed the same thing: Genevieve considered this Damian’s time, and she would not welcome advances from Derek or Donal.
Damian knew then that these boundaries would be very important to Genevieve, and though they might eventually be able to take a few liberties, the basic spirit of them must be respected.
Unwilling to give up on his brilliant plan, Damian ordered a second picnic basket from Thomas the next day. He found Donal just before noon. “Where is he?” Damian demanded.
Of course, Donal merely shrugged for an answer. Damian rolled his eyes at his younger brother’s unconquerable aversion to anything that smacked of squealing.
Damian was angry enough, he actually forced himself to enter the main house, which he always avoided at all costs, and wasted half an hour searching through every room, but there was no sign of Derek.
As he carried the picnic basket into the garden, Damian reminded himself that murder was not an option. It was for him to solve this problem, and he must control his temper to do it.
His ruminations were diverted when he got closer to where Genevieve and Donal were sitting. Donal had taken her hand and was saying something. Even from a distance Damian could tell that Donal was deeply disturbed. He’d never seen his brother like this before.
Genevieve was far easier to read: she was shaking her head the way she always did when she was denying the need for an apology.
Damian knew without being told that it must be about the new pianoforte. Donal had been far too cryptic about its purchase. Clearly there was a story behind the instrument—a momentous one. But Donal hadn’t told him, and Damian suspected he might never know the full truth.
Damian permitted himself thirty seconds to indulge his envy. It was clear to him that Donal had become exceptionally close to Genevieve during their days together, and worse, that his brother understood aspects of her character better than Damian did. It wasn’t just the business with the pianoforte. The conversation yesterday had been full of lighthearted remarks about Roderick, cooking lessons, and Sally, which Damian couldn’t entirely follow. These were activities that she would pursue with Donal, not him.
But Damian had learned some hard lessons over the past week, and he forced himself to master these ugly feelings. It helped when he made a discovery that surprised him: Donal was deeply in love with Genevieve.
Just as with Derek, that realization reordered the world for Damian. Donal was not the same man he’d been a week ago. There was a new intensity to him. For all his and Genevieve’s antics, Donal was deeply protective of her, only in a different way. Just that morning, Donal had almost bitten his head off after Damian made a snide remark about Genevieve’s visit with Sally. The message could not be clearer: the friendship was important to Genevieve and Damian must support it.
Damian found it was enough now to remind himself of the vow he’d made at Titania’s Altar to always make Genevieve’s happiness and well-being his priority. Which meant that he must battle his anger at Derek and solve this problem.
It only took Damian another fifteen seconds to realize that he would have to make a very painful sacrifice.
He laughed ruefully that this was the price of leadership. The first rule of a successful command was to know what and when to delegate.
His decision made, he joined the other two and did everything he could to lighten Genevieve’s mood. However, he took a moment when she’d gone to pick some of her beloved mint to say to Donal, “Find him, now. I’ll see both of you in the study in ten minutes.”
Donal could follow orders when he had to and left immediately. Damian went to find Genevieve. “Darling, would it be all right if we all met in your sitting-room in, say, half an hour?”
“Of course,” she answered, clearly surprised that he would ask her.
“It is your domain, darling,” he said simply. “I will not use it without your permission.”
His brothers were waiting in the study when he arrived, as Damian knew they would be. He got immediately to the point. “I have asked Genevieve to meet with us in her sitting room in twenty minutes so we can go over the rules of this household. However, I wished to speak with you first without her present. A few things have become clear over the past few days.”
He explained his observations about her need for boundaries, asking Donal to add his thoughts.
“I believe these boundaries may become more flexible as she grows more comfortable, but until she is less worried about showing a preference or injuring one of us, I expect them to be respected. Especially the bath,” he added with a wry smirk. “I want to hear your opinions, but I will decide when and how they are pushed. I hope it goes without saying that she should not be feeling a moment’s anxiety about us. Even if she screams out someone else’s name during her climax, I expect you both to have her giggling over the mistake within half a minute. Do I need to say more?”
“No,” Donal said, chuckling. Derek shook his head.
“Good. Derek, I have decided that you will be in charge while I am absent.”
Since Derek was resolved to remain a pestilential blight on humanity, he showed no reaction whatsoever to this.
Damian was forced to forge ahead. “I have discussed what happened between you with Genevieve already. She was very open with me about the fact that she does not feel confident setting limits, so it falls to me.” He then succinctly informed Derek of the limits he’d established. “Do you have any problem with that?”
“You set the rules,” Derek said curtly.
In anyone else, that response would be sarcasm. He knew it wasn’t with Derek, but Damian still clenched his fists, forcing down his temper yet again.
Ah the joys of command.
“I have not spoken to Genevieve again about her leaving the house on her own. For now, you will both need to keep an eye on her.”
Both brothers spoke at once. “She promised not to leave,” Derek said harshly, while Donal said, “That won’t be necessary.”
“I explained the situation with the Reavers,” Donal added. “She understands the danger. I also gave her the key that opens the dining room door.”
“You did what?” Derek snapped. “You had no business….” He cut himself off.
For once, Damian completely agreed with Derek about their youngest brother’s compulsive need to break every bloody rule ever set down by god or man. But he was not willing to risk a replay of his quarrel with Genevieve to undo Donal’s gross overstepping of his authority.
He stifled his anger and said mildly, “Well then, I won’t worry about that. That’s all I have to say for now. Meet in the sitting room in five minutes.”
Derek walked off without saying anything.
Donal touched his arm. “It will be okay. She can handle him.”
Damian took a deep breath and decided to trust Donal. For as long as Damian could remember, one of the basic facts of his existence had been that Derek was impossible—why would he expect this to be easy?
When he
arrived in the sitting room, he immediately noticed Genevieve’s disappointed expression and saw that Derek had chosen the farthest possible spot from her.
He counted to twenty.
That done, he smiled warmly and said, “Thank you all for coming. I’ve called this meeting so that we can have everything clear between us. We have seen how destructive conflict can be, and the importance of avoiding it. I will be brief because in fact I have very few rules. I’ll say first that I have discussed all of them with Declan. I invite you in turn to discuss them with me if you have any problem, but unless I say otherwise, I expect them to be obeyed.”
He paused to allow all of them to nod agreement. Poor Genevieve looked like a frightened doe about to be run to ground by wolves. He prayed he’d made the right decision, but there was nothing he could do but continue.
“Excellent,” he said brightly. “First rule: within this house, our relations are out in the open. No one will say or do anything that cannot be repeated to the others. We will not attempt to keep secrets from each other, nor will we expect others to refrain from telling us things to spare our feelings.
“Second rule: if one of you is unhappy for any reason, I expect to be told immediately. If you find it difficult to speak to me, you will speak to Declan. Problems or resentments will not be allowed to fester. I remind my brothers that Genevieve will almost certainly be the one to suffer if they do. I hope that is all I need to say to ensure this rule is obeyed.”
“It is,” Donal said quietly. Derek nodded.
“Good. Third rule: it should go without saying that Genevieve is not a bone to be fought over. I have decided that it will be easiest for her if she need cope with only one male’s attentions at a time. To that end, we will divide the week. I will take three nights, and my brothers will each take two, with the caveat that Genevieve is always free to say she wishes a night off, whether for her bleeding days or any other reason. For the males especially, I expect everyone to be flexible. I will not tolerate quarrels or complaints about the scheduling—and I include myself in that.”
He paused for a moment and then continued. “Fourth rule: physical affection. If it is not your day or night, then you may demonstrate affection, but nothing beyond what you would show a beloved friend. I should be clear that this rule applies to the males only. Declan was adamant that Genevieve must feel at liberty to show affection to any one of us as she wishes, without being made to feel she is showing an unfair preference. When she is spending time with one brother, no matter their activity, it is for her to decide if she wishes to invite another of us to join them or not; whatever her decision, she is never to be made to feel like she is injuring either party.”
His brothers both nodded.
Turning to her, Damian said, “Genevieve, it is crucial that you speak up if you feel overwhelmed by our demands and set limits if need be. I will remind you that this room is your domain. If you wish for privacy, you need only shut the door, and none of us will bother you unless there is a compelling need.”
She laughed nervously and said, “What if I don’t wish for privacy?”
Damian could feel her pain, but he managed to control his features and answer warmly, “You need only speak. I promise you are in no danger of male neglect—quite the opposite. But just to be clear: it is for you to decide how you wish to spend your day and with whom, but unless you say otherwise, we will divide the days as we do the nights.”
She gnawed her lip, which of course made him yearn to take her mouth, but he stayed his course.
“When I am absent, Derek will be in charge, and I expect you and Donal to respect his authority. Genevieve, I have only two rules for you. First, I expect you always to be truthful with me, and second, I expect you to take care of yourself and act in a safe way. These rules are not subject to debate, and if they are violated you will present yourself to Derek in the study for punishment. Is that clear?”
Derek knew how to school his features when he wished, but Damian easily detected his surprise. For once Genevieve was more difficult to read. She was surprised and also aroused by the idea, but most of all he still saw uncertainty.
This matter with Derek must be resolved.
More gently he added, “I wish to make it clear before everyone that I do not expect blanket obedience on other topics. You are not accountable to me for how you choose to spend your time. Arguments, debates, even defiance are all to be expected, and no one should punish you for that. Discipline that occurs during bedroom play is also not my concern—I have made clear the limits I expect you and Derek to observe, and Derek has promised that he will abide by them. I speak only of examples such as what happened with the riding. If one of us tells you to stop an activity because it is dangerous, I need to know that you will obey, darling.”
She frowned and said, “What about climbing a tree? Donal didn’t think it dangerous. I don’t want to be treated like some fragile flower.”
Damian chuckled. “I understand, darling, truly. Can we leave it like this—you promise to abide by the spirit of this rule, and I promise I will ask Donal to referee when we honestly disagree about how risky an activity is?”
“Yes, I think that’s fair,” she answered.
“Excellent. Does anyone wish to say anything at the moment?” When no one spoke, he took Genevieve’s hand. “Darling, I am positive I speak for all three of us when I say that our first priority at all times is your happiness and comfort.” He shot Derek an unmistakable look. “I hate that you worry about us, and I would command you not to if I thought it could possibly work. I can only hope that when you understand how much joy you have brought to this house, to all of us, you will realize how ridiculous these fears are.”
He forced himself to abide by his own rule and kissed the top of her head.
Now came the test.
He said lightly, “Tragically, I must depart this evening to visit my abominable troops, so we will begin our new schedule today. Derek, you will take the first two weeknights, and Donal the second.”
“What?” Genevieve cried, looking terrified.
Damian swallowed down his instinctive response and pressed forward with his plan. “I am afraid so, darling. I will return Friday, and I promise I will be counting every minute.”
Derek was obviously close to rage. Damian gave his brother a look that contained the full weight of his authority in this house. “Derek, I presume you will wish to use the main bedroom.”
For once, Derek’s temperament worked to Damian’s advantage. Derek forced himself to acknowledge the silent command with a grim nod. It was the best he would get.
So Damian loosed his final bolt.
He smiled dangerously at Genevieve, and then said to Derek, “I will not ask it of Donal, but Derek, I would be grateful if you would see to it that Genevieve sleeps chained to the bed. I think it would be good for her, and I will find the thought comforting on those nights I must spend alone, away from all of you.”
It was up to the two of them now.
Chapter Thirty-one
Damian’s announcement did away with any remaining anxiousness about the new pianoforte and Donal’s unexpected explosion. Genevieve hardly noticed as both Donal and Damian kissed her cheek and vanished, leaving her alone with Derek.
Suddenly her enormous sitting room felt far too stuffy and confining. “Can we walk in the garden?” she said breathlessly. Derek scowled but followed her outside. They walked for a few minutes in silence, Genevieve hating that she felt so awkward with him. Finally, she asked lamely, “How have you been?”
“Well enough,” he said curtly.
Genevieve was divided between the impulse to burst into tears and smack his face. How on earth was she to share a bed with him?
Derek, as if reading her thoughts, said, “If you ask to skip your nights with me, I won’t make trouble.”
“And what happens if I don’t ask?” she snapped out, the desire to smack him triumphing for the moment. He gave her one of his glares. H
ow could she get through to him? “I need to be able to live with you,” she tried. “I can’t be constantly afraid.”
He actually looked horrified at this.
She gave him an exasperated sigh. “Afraid of hurting you, afraid that you’re unhappy.”
At first Derek looked as if she were speaking some incomprehensible gobbledygook; then his expression hardened into outright anger. “Why on earth would you think something so lunatic? Weren’t you just listening to Damian? I should spank you just for saying that.” He was not joking.
“You’ll do nothing of the kind until we’ve resolved this!” she astonished herself by crying out. She forced down her temper and said quietly, “Derek, do you want this… this… with me?”
“Yes.” One short word, but with Derek it contained so much.
There was nothing for it. Declan had told her she must set limits, and the time had come to set one with Derek. “Then I want something from you—I have not asked this of your brothers, but I ask it of you.”
“What?”
“I want four hours in which you do not tyrannize over me, in which I choose what we do, and you cooperate with me. If you wish something from me, you can phrase it as a request or a suggestion instead of as a command.”
Again his expression suggested she’d spoken in some ancient lost tongue instead of perfectly clear English.
“I’ve had no time with you, Derek. I am not asking you to go to the dressmaker’s or bake pies or visit Sally, only that you spend some time with me.”
Derek made a noncommittal shrug. She forced herself not to be hurt and said with excessive cheer, “Do you like lavender? It’s one of my favorite flowers—did you know that? I’d like to have a bouquet for our bedroom. You are planning to stay there, are you not?” She almost added, “Now that Damian specifically asked you to keep me chained to the bed.” She strongly suspected Derek would be far stricter about enforcing that “rule” than Damian—as Damian well knew. She started walking towards the back wall, calling over her shoulder, “Why don’t you help me?”