Regency for all Seasons: A Regency Romance Collection

by Mary Lancaster

  Forester howled.

  Violet gasped.

  Romulus took her in his arms. “Violet, love. Are you hurt at all?”

  “No, just had the wits frightened out of me. Let’s pick up all these donations and put them in the vault where they belong.”

  “I’ll do it. Have a seat, and I’ll pour you a cup of tea. It might help calm you down.”

  “No,” Finn said, his words strained, for he was in obvious pain. “Don’t drink it. I think they put something in it intending to knock you out, Violet. At least, I hope that’s all they intended.” He turned to Romulus. “They were mumbling something about tea, and it all makes sense to me now. They wanted Violet unconscious so they would only have to deal with me.”

  Romulus ran a hand through his hair. “And Innes was here, too. You both might have had that tainted brew. You both might have…”

  His voice trailed off.

  You both might have been killed had it been poisoned.

  George arrived, took one look at Violet standing among these men, and frowned. “John is going to burst his spleen over this. Are you all right, Violet?”

  She nodded. “I’m fine. Finn’s been shot.”

  “I don’t have my medical bag with me. I’ll have to get him to my infirmary.”

  “Take my carriage,” Ian said, having returned with George. “I’ll have it brought around and will instruct my driver to wait so he can deliver you both to your homes once your work is done. In the meantime, I’ll deposit Forester with Lotheil’s men. Dillie and I can ride home with Gabriel and Daisy.”

  He hauled Forester to his feet.

  Forester turned to Violet. “Sorry, Violet. But you know how it is.”

  “I don’t, Jameson. You and Valerie were given every advantage in life. These orphans had nothing. You thought nothing of stealing from them.”

  He tossed back his head and laughed. “Want to know the irony of it? Their roof would not have crumbled. My father intended to give the abbess the funds to have it fixed. That’s what gave me the idea for this recital. Save the orphans. Fix their roof. But we intended to take the proceeds for ourselves all along. Would have worked, too. We had it all arranged to be held up in front of witnesses as I took the donations to the bank.”

  Romulus wanted to strangle the fiend.

  Violet looked ready to grab the spear she had just replaced on its mount and run Forester through with it. “You used me to steal from others. Perhaps destroy my reputation. Who would do such a thing to a friend?”

  “Friend?” His expression turned vicious. “My sister and I hated you and Poppy. You were always the perfect children. Never complaining, always smiling. Sweet as treacle. We both thought it would be great fun to somehow pin the blame for the theft on you. But we really just wanted the donation funds. It wasn’t worth plotting to implicate you. You simply weren’t worth the bother.”

  “But the two of you would have known what you did and laughed about it behind my back.”

  “The plan would have worked if you hadn’t suddenly married Brayden and brought him in on the planning.”

  She put a trembling hand to her throat. “Romulus never trusted you. He sensed you were up to no good. He was right all along.”

  Romulus wrapped an arm around Violet and drew her close, worried she was about to lose her composure. In truth, he was amazed she’d held herself together this long. She shivered against him and looked ashen, but he knew better than to suggest they cancel the recital. Ian had just hauled Forester out when applause began to filter down the hall into the relics room.

  Romulus groaned. “It’s time, Violet. Can you manage it?”

  She wiped a tear off her cheek and nodded. “I’ll be fine once I’m on stage. I’ll sing my heart out. I’m so sorry I dragged you and your family into this mess.”

  He kissed her on the forehead. “No place I’d rather be than beside you, my love.”

  She took a deep breath and nodded.

  The crowd roared as he escorted Violet to the stage. Her accompanist was already seated beside the pianoforte. Romulus scanned the crowd, still tense and worried something else might happen before the recital was over.

  But after several glances around the hall, he eased. All was well in hand. Lotheil and his men were taking care of the culprits. George was treating Finn’s wound. He wasn’t certain whether he should tell Finn’s mother, Lady Miranda.

  No.

  Miranda was a hellion. A riot would break out.

  He would tell her after the recital, for this was Violet’s night to shine, and he was not going to allow anyone to ruin it. Miranda would be angry with him, but better she take it out on him. It wasn’t in her nature to stay angry for very long. Besides, Finn was a grown man. He did not need his mother getting in the way of whatever George had to do to treat his wound.

  He turned back to the stage and stared at Violet, unable to look away.

  So achingly beautiful.

  Truly an angel.

  This was her moment, and he was so proud of her.

  He forced himself to return his attention to the crowd, for he had to remain vigilant. As his gaze drifted over the lords and ladies filling the hall, he saw Innes seated up front between Dillie and Daisy. These Farthingale sisters were quite beautiful, but the lad had his eyes fixed to the stage and the enchantress who now captured everyone’s attention.

  Violet started out with a medieval ballad that every Englishman knew. She then sang a Scottish ballad that had every Scot in the crowd wiping the tears from his eyes. Then a religious hymn, no doubt in honor of the abbess who ran the orphanage. She ended with another popular English madrigal about a brave medieval king and his knights who went off to fight for their kingdom.

  The crowd would not stop cheering.

  They wanted more.

  Apparently, Violet had prepared for this. She sang another madrigal and then another ballad. When she finished the last, she stepped forward and raised her hands for quiet. After a moment, the audience hushed. “This last song is dedicated to my husband, Captain Romulus Brayden, and all the valiant sailors who serve in the Royal Navy. It is known as the Song of the Selkie.”

  Every seaman knew of this song and had heard it before, but never like this. Violet had a spectacular voice, yet this rendition of the popular Celtic legend left Romulus breathless.

  Everyone felt the power of it.

  The vast hall was as quiet as a tomb, the ethereal notes seeming to cast a spell over all of them.

  No one dared breathe.

  It was as though her voice rose from the depths of the ocean. Sad. Plaintive. Beautiful. It was a fairy song. The words were wistful. The refrain haunting.

  Romulus felt himself transported to a rocky shore on the edge of the ocean. He imagined himself looking out on the windswept waters, blinking in disbelief as the other-worldly selkie of legend appeared before him and changed into the form of a woman…Violet.

  For him, it would always be Violet, for only she had the power to steal his soul.

  This was the lore of the selkie.

  No man could look upon her and not fall hopelessly in love.

  Romulus closed his eyes and allowed Violet’s song to surround him, to carry him into the sea. His heart now beat to the rhythm of the waves as they swelled and ebbed, as they washed upon the shore with a soft whoosh and then drew back with the strong tug of the tide.

  Romulus felt this ensorcelling tug, it drew all of him in and he was helpless to resist. It drew his soul into the watery depths. He was no longer in the Royal Society’s grand hall but on that rocky beach. With each refrain, he heard the lapping waves, caught the salty scent of the sea filling his lungs, heard the cries of gulls and plovers who flew along the coast.

  Her music continued to surround him. He saw his frigate with its sails unfurled, catching the wind and cutting across the water like a sleek, powerful dolphin, and the sun sinking over the horizon, turning the distant sky and sea waters a fiery gold.

&n
bsp; Her song.

  Her song.

  Everything about it was magical.

  She was magical.

  He opened his eyes, surprised to find even himself tearing up. He feared to blink the tears away, afraid to somehow lose her. In this moment, she was the selkie who would one day slip back into the ocean, never to be seen again.

  When the song ended, no one moved for the longest moment.

  Men were sniffling, some were openly sobbing.

  Then in one wave swell, everyone rose and began cheering.

  Violet looked upon the audience in confusion, genuinely unaware of the profound impact of her song. She blushed and gave a quick bow, obviously wanting to hurry off the stage. But the Duke of Lotheil was not about to allow this night of brilliant triumph to pass without speeches. This grand hall had been named in his honor since he’d paid for its construction. He was on the board of the Royal Society.

  He viewed this as his moment to shine as much as Violet’s.

  He meant to bask in all its glory.

  Violet politely stood and smiled at his side.

  As the duke spoke, Gabriel and Ian collected more donations.

  Romulus had not been far off the mark when he’d told Violet the donors would be tossing wads of pound notes at the stage.

  Five new orphanages could be built from the proceeds collected. He and Violet would speak with the abbess of St. Aubrey’s about what to do with this bounty. The donations were sufficient to keep the place solvent for decades, allowing Sister Ursula to take in more children. Perhaps she would be open to acquiring a place in London to house the older children who now had to make their own way in the world.

  Well, all this was for a later time.

  Right now, Romulus wanted to take Violet and Innes home and see them comfortably settled before he rode to George’s infirmary to make certain Finn was all right. He wouldn’t leave Violet if she was too shaken, but he also had to tell Miranda that her son had been shot. He dared not put it off much longer.

  He intended to do it before they left the Royal Society. It wasn’t fair to keep her in the dark. Since Finn would likely be taken back to her home, Romulus hoped she would go straight there and prepare a bedchamber for Finn instead of running off like a crazed mother hen to George’s infirmary.

  He would have a lot of explaining to do to his family.

  He would deal with it all tomorrow.

  Right now, all he wanted to do was take Violet in his arms and never let her go.

  His brother limped up to him and clapped him on the shoulder. “John and Sophie warned me these Farthingale girls were dangerous. I did not appreciate just how much.” He clapped Romulus on the shoulder again, his grin now fading. “Seriously, are you all right, little brother? I heard there was some trouble.”

  “Yes, not a scratch on me. Violet, as you may have noticed, is also fine.”

  James nodded. “She sang like an angel. I’ve never heard anything so beautiful in all my life.”

  “Finn was hurt.”

  James nodded again. “Ronan just told me about it. He also mentioned Violet is quite handy with a spear.”

  Romulus emitted a long, deep breath. “I’m still shaken by the whole affair. I want to make certain she is truly all right. Having to go on and sing probably helped her. I’m amazed she managed to perform without her voice cracking. But I suppose singing is as natural to her as breathing.”

  “Still, it might hit her once everything quiets and she has nothing to distract her.”

  He nodded. “This is what worries me most. I want to take her home.”

  “Do it. The Braydens, Farthingales, and the Duke of Lotheil can deal with whatever’s left to attend to tonight. Stay with Violet.” He grinned at his brother. “You look ashen. Perhaps you are the one in need of calming.”

  He snorted. “I am. I stopped breathing when I saw her wielding that spear and Finn lying motionless on the floor. But I think his wound is superficial, thank goodness.”

  “I suppose I would have done the same if I’d seen my Sophie in that situation. But these women, as gentle as they may be, seem able to take care of themselves. Not that we’d ever admit it to them or ourselves. Your Violet is quite special. Look after her, Rom. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” He turned to leave and then clapped him on the shoulder yet again. “I love you, little brother.”

  “Love you, too.” He gave him a light punch on the arm.

  Romulus cleared his throat and turned to smile at Violet who was now descending the steps of the stage. He reached for her hand. “Never letting go of you,” he muttered.

  “Did you say something? Sorry, I can’t hear you over the chatter of the crowd.”

  He wanted to laugh. So much for amorous declarations. Violet couldn’t hear a word.

  She lightly slapped her palm to her ear. “I think my ears are clogged. The Duke of Lotheil was bellowing his speech, and I couldn’t back away.”

  Romulus laughed, loving how unaffected she was by the adoration of the throng. “I’ll figure out something to unclog them.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Low brain at work again?”

  He was still laughing. “Perhaps.” He took her arm as they began to make their way through the rows of slowly exiting bodies. “Only if you are agreeable, Violet. Surely, you know I would never take advantage. I’m not that much of an oaf to force you into doing something you have no wish to do. You’ve been through a lot today.”

  He expected a response from her, not really minding if it was a jovial yes, let’s go at it like rabbits or a more serious no, don’t touch me.

  But she said nothing.

  Which worried him most.

  What was going through her head?

  Chapter Twenty

  Violet was glad to have Innes with them in the carriage. The boy’s youthful exuberance was a balm for her. His chatter kept Romulus from asking prying questions she did not think she was able to answer yet. What could she say? Perhaps beg his apology for dragging him into this wretched recital. Apologize further for almost getting his cousin killed.

  She nibbled her lip, fretting about Finn. What if he did not heal properly? What if he was left with complications from the shooting? Could Romulus or any Brayden ever forgive her?

  Now that the recital was over, the impact of what had happened hit her all at once. People could have died because of her foolishness. She’d been so caught up in her love of singing, she had dismissed Romulus’s concerns. It was only luck that neither she nor Innes had taken the tainted tea. It was only luck that Finn had not been shot straight through the heart.

  She clasped her hands together as they began to tremble.

  In truth, her entire body was trembling.

  When they arrived home, she forced herself to smile at Innes and wish him sweet dreams. She kissed him on the forehead.

  The boy seemed to float up the staircase, he was so taken by the gesture. Had no one ever kissed this boy goodnight?

  “Oh, Romulus. Please see that he’s properly tucked in,” she whispered, her heart aching for this neglected boy.

  “I will, love.” He eyed her as though searching for something from her.

  She managed another smile.

  “I’ll join you in our chamber in a few minutes.” But he was now frowning at her.

  She nodded, but kept silent as they climbed the stairs together.

  She dismissed her maid, for the medieval gown was easy to slip off, and her hair was already unbound. There were only a few pins to take out. She removed her garments and laid them out across one of the tall chairs, then donned the nightrail set out for her on the bed. She poured water into her basin and scrubbed her hands and face, somehow feeling the need to scrub the dirt of this evening off her.

  But as she sank onto the bed and sat atop the covers, she suddenly broke down and cried. What if Romulus hated her forever? How could she bear it? She loved him so much.

  She must have been crying too hard to hear him when he entered
, only realizing he’d come in when he sank onto the mattress and took her in his arms. “Violet, love. I was afraid of this.”

  “I am so abjectly sorry,” she said between tearful gasps of breath.

  Romulus lifted her onto his lap and tipped her chin up, forcing her to face him. “You have nothing to apologize for. You are not at fault for any of what happened tonight.”

  “Are you mad? I am responsible for all of it.”

  He put his arms around her. “You are responsible for loving your mother so much, you wanted to do something to benefit the home where she grew up. Where is the wrong in that?”

  “The Foresters used me, knowing how vain I was about my singing.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “You have one of the most exquisite voices in the world. Your voice is magic and lightens the heart of all who hear it. If I sang even one-tenth as well as you do, my head would be so enormously swelled, it couldn’t fit through our bedchamber door. If anything, you are ridiculously modest about your talent.”

  He put a finger over her mouth when she opened it to protest. “No, love. And don’t you dare blame yourself for Finn. You didn’t shoot him. I’m the one who brought him into the charity affair and demanded he be put in charge of the donations.”

  “Still…”

  He groaned. “Violet, there is nothing you can do to make me hold you responsible. There is nothing on this earth that will ever stop me from loving you for all the days of my life.”

  “Romulus…” She took a deep, shattered breath.

  “I mean it, Violet. You overwhelm me. I never expected to love another being as deeply as I love you. I did not think such depth of feeling was possible. But it is. I don’t care what your Book of Love says about developing connections over time. We are connected. Irrevocably. Profoundly. Perhaps across time.”

  “But my singing–”

  “Was wonderful. You reduced every man to tears with the beauty of your songs. That last one about the selkie was magnificent. I think Innes and I will stand on deck at sundown every evening and blubber like infants as we watch the sun sink into the water. My men will think we are deranged.”