She laughed. “I still feel so badly.”
“I know. But don’t blame yourself for the evil of others. No one else does.”
She nodded, more to placate him than to take his words to heart.
“Let me kiss you, will you, love?” He bent his head to hers and tasted her plump, yielding lips. In short order, his clothes were off as was her nightgown. She stood before him, her beautiful body illuminated in moonlight.
He set her on the bed and settled over her, purposely taking his time to worship her luscious body. Mostly, he worried about how she was feeling. He did not want their coupling to be merely her duty, or her way to compensate for Forester’s betrayal. Sex with her was one thing. An act of beauty. A willing act.
Forgiveness sex was quite another, an act of contrition. Remorse. Sacrifice. Atonement. She had done nothing that required anyone’s forgiveness, least of all his. “Violet, are you all right with this?”
“With me in your arms? With you loving me?” She put her arms around his neck. “Yes, Romulus. I love you. It’s me I don’t care for very much at the moment. I’m still upset with myself.”
Romulus propped up on his elbows, not quite knowing what to do to make her feel better. What concerned him most was that he would be off for Cornwall in a few days and did not want her tormenting herself over this during the months of his absence. “Forester wins if you continue to blame yourself for what is squarely his fault. I’ll take you to see Finn tomorrow.” He hoped his cousin would be in decent enough condition to see them. “Will you believe his assurances?”
“Your Aunt Miranda–”
“Is probably angry she wasn’t in on the fight. We’re a military family, love. The Brayden men are big and fearsome, but we are nothing to the women. Have I told you how Miranda took a fire iron to some very nasty fellows attempting to destroy my cousin Marcus’s wife and her father? Marcus had to haul Miranda off them. She was out for their blood.”
Violet’s eyes widened in surprise. “Are you saying this to make me feel better?”
“No, I’m saying it because it’s true. You’ll see for yourself tomorrow.” He kissed her softly on the lips. “Don’t punish yourself. I can’t bear to see you unhappy. Smile for me, Violet. This is how I want to see you in my dreams. Happy. Your eyes aglow. A beautiful smile on your face.”
She nodded.
“And one more thing…Miranda will be jealous as hell when we tell her how you beat off the Foresters with a spear.”
Violet laughed and reached out to draw him down atop her. He felt the shift in her temperament, knew she was letting go of her anguish, for her body was beginning to relax and she was no longer curled inward and erecting walls. He breathed a silent sigh of relief when she responded to his renewed caresses.
When he cupped her breast and began to suckle it, she gasped and clasped her hands to his head so tightly, his nose became buried in her creamy flesh. He meant to breathe through his mouth, but his lips and tongue were also occupied. This was the beauty of a man’s low brain. The low brain would rather starve the man of breath than warn him to peel his mouth off a soft breast.
He kissed a trail to her other breast, licking and suckling it while at the same time stroking his hand downward until his fingers found her slick, intimate core. She moaned softly and whispered his name. “Romulus.”
Their coupling was tender, their bodies hot as they rubbed against each other with every thrust. The feel of her soft skin against his rougher flesh was exciting, igniting. He rolled her atop him and guided her movements, his hands gripping her hips and his eyes practically lolling back in his head with the exquisite pleasure of watching her move.
Her firm breasts were thrust out, their rosy peaks an agonizingly sweet temptation.
Her hair cascaded down her back, reminding him of a waterfall of dark silk.
Everything about her aroused him.
His hands remained clasped on either side of her hips as he guided her to heightened pleasure. He slowed his thrusts. She responded, moaning and moving her hips, urging him to sink deeper inside her until she lost herself in the moment, in the feeling. In her ecstasy.
He felt the heat and shuddering release of her climax, her body so beautiful as it soared toward starlight. Only once she began to calm did he take his own release, and followed her soon after toward that same starlight. “Violet, I love you.”
She fell asleep in his arms, her warm body curling around the hard muscle of his. She awoke the same way in the morning, curled like a kitten against him, her back to his chest and her arms wrapped around one of his.
Romulus had intended to get up early, but there was something about the way she clung to him, and he felt it was more important to remain in bed. He needed to be beside her when she opened her eyes.
He knew he’d made the right decision when she blinked her eyes open and cast him a glowing smile. “Good morning.”
He rolled onto his side and kissed her. “Good morning, love.”
“Oh, dear. What time is it? I’m sure we’ve overslept.”
He did not stop her when she scrambled out of bed, but merely rose along with her. “Not too late. It’s only eight o’clock.”
“Innes must be awake.”
“Possibly. The Mayhew girls are taking good care of him, I’m sure.” He watched as she tossed on her robe. It hugged her soft curves, the light fabric sensually draping over her breasts. Magnificent breasts. “How do you feel, Violet?”
“About myself?” Her smile faltered. “I’m not sure yet.”
“Then let’s start with an easier question. How do you feel about me?”
She laughed softly and shook her head. “About you? That is an easy one. I’m wildly in love with you, Captain Brayden.”
“Feeling is mutual, Mrs. Brayden.” As tempted as he was to carry Violet back to bed, Romulus knew there was too much to do today. His first task was to get that giant weight of blame off Violet’s slender shoulders.
Next was to prepare for his departure. Lord, this was going to be difficult. He was tempted to take her with him to Cornwall, but dared not suggest it now. There was work to be done first to subdue the emboldened pirates. But once they had chased down the culprit who had burned Erskine’s ship, he expected activity to quiet down.
He would send for Violet then.
After washing and dressing, they walked downstairs together and entered the dining room. Innes was already there, sitting quietly and toying with his eggs. He brightened as soon as he caught sight of Violet and jumped up to politely greet her.
She hugged him as though it was the most natural thing in the world, and then crossed to the buffet to serve herself from the salvers set out upon it.
Romulus smothered a grin as he followed Violet’s lead and helped himself to eggs and slices of cold ham. Innes could not stop staring at Violet. He realized the boy believed she was a selkie, and he was waiting for her to transform back into a seal…or mermaid…or other magical being.
“It’s only a song, Innes. Violet will not shed her skin and disappear into the ocean. She’ll be waiting for us right here when we return to London in another three months.”
The boy seemed disappointed to learn she was not a mythical creature. But he quickly got over it when they told him Charles was waiting for him at the Farthingale residence next door. “To play marbles?”
Violet nodded.
The boy cheered.
Within the hour, they were all ready to walk next door.
Romulus was eager to find out what had happened after he’d taken Violet and Innes home. Sophie and John had remained at the Royal Society and would know. He wanted to ask about the donations as well as learn more about Finn.
Had John received any news from George? It would help Violet’s spirits immensely to hear positive news about Finn’s condition.
Innes went off to play marbles with Charles.
Romulus was relieved, for he preferred the boy to be upstairs playing and not beside V
iolet if she became upset. Although he was optimistic about Finn’s condition, it was possible his injuries were worse than anyone thought.
“How is Belle feeling this morning?” Violet asked when Sophie greeted them and ushered them into John’s study.
Drat, in all the excitement, Romulus had forgotten about Violet’s cousin.
“She’s doing better,” Sophie said, taking a seat and motioning for them to make themselves comfortable. “But still not fully recovered. This London weather isn’t very good for her. George thinks she ought to be fine in another few days, that she only needs another day or two to adjust to it. Eloise has invited us all to tea at her home next Friday.”
Romulus glanced at Violet. “I may be gone by then. I’ll do my best to put off my departure to Saturday. But Violet will attend. I assume Lady Withnall will be there.”
Sophie rolled her eyes. “Yes, they are best friends, although I cannot understand why dear Eloise is friendly with that gossipmonger. Lady Withnall seems to have a nose for scandal. She is always present whenever it is afoot.”
Violet laughed. “Well, I think we’ll be safe enough at Eloise’s tea. Romulus and I are already married. What can possibly happen?”
Romulus and Sophie exchanged glances and then laughed.
When John joined them, he and Sophie told them what had happened at the Royal Society after they’d left. “After securing the donations, Ian and Gabriel went off with the Duke of Lotheil to deal with the Foresters and Lady Felicia. All three are well-connected. They won’t be put in prison, of course. Lady Rawley’s husband will deal with her. Lord Forester’s father will deal with him. Unfortunately, Lady Felicia is independent and answers to no one.”
Violet frowned. “She’s an odious woman. Is there anything we can do about her?”
“The Duke of Lotheil will deal with her,” John said. “I would not be surprised if she suddenly left town on an extended voyage.”
“Good riddance,” Romulus muttered.
Violet clasped her hands together and took a deep breath. “What about Finn?”
Her uncle smiled. “George stopped by after dropping him off at Lady Miranda’s house. He’s fine. That is, he will fully recover. The shot grazed his shoulder, tearing mostly through flesh.”
“But you’ll see for yourself when you visit him,” Sophie added. “Would you mind if Innes stayed here? He and Charles play so nicely together.”
“Thank you, Aunt Sophie. It would be very helpful.” She nodded toward Romulus. “We ought to stop by the Royal Society to pick up the donations. Finn was going to take care of it, but I’m sure he is in no condition to do it now.”
Romulus took hold of Violet’s hand. “We’ll take care of it tomorrow once the bank opens. I’ll bring Ronan and Joshua along with me. No one is likely to take on three Brayden men. But you and I can look in on Finn today.”
John cleared his throat. “I know today is Sunday and the bank is usually closed. However, the Duke of Lotheil happens to be chairman of the bank. He’s offered to open it for you this afternoon since there’s a tidy sum to deposit, and he knows you won’t rest easy until it is delivered to the bank. You may prefer to get it done today. No one will expect it.”
“That’s quite generous of him. Yes, I’d like to have the funds safely deposited as soon as possible,” Romulus said.
By the afternoon, the donations were securely in the bank’s orphanage account, and they were now calling upon Finn. To Violet’s relief, he was seated in Lady Miranda’s library, dressed and seeming quite comfortable while reading a book. Only the sling on his arm gave away his injury.
He rose to greet them, showing little difficulty in his movements. “Ah, the Viking shield maiden has come to visit.”
“More of a spear maiden,” Romulus said with a chuckle, winking at Violet.
“Finn, I–”
Finn raised a hand to interrupt her. “Before you say anything, let me apologize to you. Romulus warned me about the pair, but I did not fully appreciate the danger. I was careless and put you in peril.”
Violet shook her head. “No, it is I who should be begging your forgiveness. I was so swept away by the chance to sing, I believed whatever they told me. I wanted to trust them, even though Romulus instinctively knew the sort of people they were. How do you feel?”
Finn arched an eyebrow. “Truthfully?”
She nodded.
“Pretty damn good. I can now show off my wound and tell all the ladies how I acquired it foiling a robbery. I’ll embellish a little, of course. And I hope you don’t mind if I say nothing about your saving me. Lady Rawley’s aim was dead on. She would have killed me if you hadn’t knocked her arm askew with the spear.”
Violet rolled her yes. “Oh, yes. Do keep me out of your swashbuckling tales.”
Finn took Violet’s hand and raised it to his lips. “Thank you, Violet. I’m sorry for the trouble they caused, and I’m most sorry I had to miss your recital. I heard it was the event of the season. You sang like an angel, my mother said.”
Romulus nodded. “She did. She was magnificent.”
“I look forward to hearing you sing next time. I’ll try my best not to get shot.”
Violet shook her head vehemently. “No, this was a one-time affair. I have no intention of making a spectacle of myself again.”
Romulus frowned. “You were brilliant, Violet. You lightened the hearts of everyone in the audience.” An idea had been taking seed in his mind. He’d said nothing earlier, but decided this might be the right time. “Would you consider giving a recital for the wounded sailors returned from war? They’ve fought around the world for England. Most will never return to sea, never be taken back into the Royal Navy. But the sea is in their blood. Your Song of the Selkie will stir their hearts, give them hope as nothing else will.”
Violet gazed at him in confusion. “You want me to sing?”
He nodded. “Your voice is a gift. Share it however you wish. But you mustn’t hide it.”
She nibbled her lip. “I’ll think about it. But I won’t do another recital on such a grand scale. I felt like a nightingale trapped in a cage.”
“These homes for forgotten seamen are not very big. Even the largest would house no more than fifty.”
“Fifty?”
“Violet, love. I want you to do whatever makes you happy.” He took her in his arms and peered over her head to where Finn stood grinning. “I’m not telling you what to do, but I think this is a perfect solution. The men in these homes as well as the military hospitals are in desperate need of cheering. They would appreciate your recital more than words can say.”
“I like the idea,” Finn said. “These old warriors do need something to look forward to in their difficult lives. You would ease their hearts, Violet.”
“Your reason to be, my love.” Romulus spoke softly.
Her heart lurched. Yes, to use her gift of song to do some good in the world was all she’d ever hoped for. Also, to be able to help out the retired seamen would make her feel closer to Romulus, perhaps ease the pain of their separation. She sighed. “It’s perfect. I’d love to do it.”
Chapter Twenty-One
“Violet, love. I’ll be back in three months,” Romulus said yet again, needing to reassure himself as much as he needed to reassure his wife that their separation would be relatively brief and tolerable. It was Friday, the day of Lady Dayne’s tea party, and they were walking the short distance, two houses down, to the kindly dowager’s residence.
Violet placed her arm in his. “Belle and Honey are here for the season to keep me company, and my parents will return shortly. Until then, the Mayhew nieces and our other household retainers will take care of me. Not to mention Uncle John and Aunt Sophie live right next door and will look in on me every day. I’m sure your family will come by often as well.” She smiled up at him. “I doubt I’ll be alone for a moment. Indeed, I’ll be glad when you and Innes return so I may finally have peace in the house.”
; He and Innes were to leave first thing tomorrow morning, but for the moment, the boy was hopping beside them, happy to be anywhere near Violet. “Innes,” she said, “I’ll pack three tins of ginger cake for you to take on your journey. They are for you, and you needn’t share them with anyone, not even my husband.”
His eyes widened, and he cast Romulus a questioning glance. He released the breath he had been holding when Romulus nodded his approval. Innes turned to Violet. “Thank you, Mrs. Brayden!”
She laughed lightly, the sound a sweet, melodic trill that warmed Romulus’s heart. “But you mustn’t devour the cakes all at once. They’ll last for a while in their tins.”
The boy nodded and skipped ahead, for Lady Dayne had also invited Charles and his bag of marbles to the tea. Innes and Charles had become good friends. Romulus knew the pair would duck out of the parlor and ensconce themselves somewhere out of the way to play with their aggies and mibs.
He glanced at Violet, noticed she was nipping her lower lip, and wondered what she was thinking of now. “Are you all right, love?”
She nodded. “I gave The Book of Love to Belle this morning.”
“Ah, the magical tome notorious for bringing reluctant bachelors to heel.” He shook his head and laughed. “Does something more need to be done? Now that Belle has it, some poor sod is going to fall hard.”
“It is gaining a reputation, isn’t it?” She shook her head. “I acted on impulse, and now I’m worried that I ought to have given it to Honey instead. She’s the elder. Belle is my age, and Honey is two years older. Did I make a mistake in handing it to Belle first?”
“Does it feel like a mistake?”
“In truth, it doesn’t. Now that I am so spectacularly happy and have married the man of my dreams…” She paused to cast him an impish grin. “I know the book needs to be given over to someone else. Belle or Honey, of course. Logically, it should have been Honey. But my heart told me to give it to Belle.”
“Then don’t fret. You made the right choice.”
Romulus held her back a moment and gave her a soft kiss on the lips, not particularly caring who saw them. Violet was his wife, and he was a besotted fool when it came to her. He never imagined marriage could feel so good. “Go with your heart, love. After all, it led you to me.”
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