“Perfectly safe, Renna.” Brian’s leather gloved hand covered hers, and he smiled, showing that he read her concern as proof of her love.
She snatched her hand away. “What about the children?” she asked briskly. She would show the concern of a friend. Nothing more.
“They’re fine. Richard is a smart, capable man.”
I’m capable as well! She wanted to scream it. Instead she inhaled deeply.
“Stop fretting, Renna.” Da leaned forward and clapped her knee affectionately.
She couldn’t seem to help it. A spirit of suspicion taunted her. Brian, Da, and Richard knew something and wouldn’t share it. More secrets.
The journey took nearly forty-five minutes, and when they finally arrived, Renna felt chilled. November was doing a good job of making itself known, a mark of winter to be sure. But inside the stately, gray-stone home a cozy fire burned in the parlor’s hearth.
The butler greeted them with a mournful grin. “I’m the only staff member left, sir,” he told Brian. An older man, he was perhaps the same age as Da. He had white hair and well-groomed white whiskers that came down along his jowls. “I’m so sorry for your loss, sir. I shall miss Mrs. Reil greatly. But I never gave up hope on you,” the butler added, his British accent suddenly apparent. “Since your body was never recovered, sir, I just knew you still had to be alive.”
“Thank you, Ramsey.” Brian shook the man’s hand before introducing Renna and her parents. “Ramsey has worked for our family for the past twenty-five years. He’s a trustworthy staff member.”
“I appreciate it, sir.” He paused. “I started gathering up Madam’s things. Her clothes and belongings are packed in wooden crates, sir. I left them upstairs until further notice.”
“Thank you. We’ll give them to charity.”
“Yes, sir.”
Watching the exchange, Renna sensed the butler’s remorse and Brian’s gratitude.
“May I take your coats?” Ramsey offered. Turning to Brian, he held out his arm. “Sir?”
Brian nodded and helped Renna off with her woolen cloak before removing his own. Likewise, Mum and Da handed their winter wear into Ramsey’s waiting arms.
The butler smiled. “It’s good to be of service again.”
“Would you consider coming to work for me, Ramsey?” Brian rubbed his palms together and glanced around the room. “I have a new housekeeper, and I sense I’ll soon have need of a butler as well. Hester is not as, um, experienced as Gretchen was.”
“I appreciate the offer, sir.” He bowed in deference. “I would be honored to work for you.”
“Very good. We’ll talk business later.”
Another bow and Ramsey left the room.
Brian turned his attention to Renna and her parents. “Would you like a tour of my mother’s home?”
Da smiled. “I think we’d all enjoy it.”
“I grew up in this home, and I’d wager it hasn’t changed in years.” He went on to explain. “Aurora was married several times during my upbringing. Each time we moved into a different house. Even so, Aurora never sold this place. She loved it. She called it home, and after her last husband died, she moved back here to stay.”
Brian showed them outside to the back. As he didn’t have to conceal the fact that he could see while in the company of Renna, her folks, and Ramsey, he led the tour. The wide yard gave way to a gently sloping hillside, which led to the sandy shores of Lake Michigan. To the right stood an elaborate stable.
“Aurora loved to ride. Every day at dawn she’d saddle her favorite horse, and with her hair loose and billowing behind her, she’d gallop along the beach.” Brian shook his head over the memory. “She didn’t sit sidesaddle, either. I used to think that if her socialite friends could see her, they’d be aghast! But Aurora didn’t care, and she was an excellent horsewoman. I believe she had my children on a pony by the time they were two years old.”
Listening, Renna looked out along the shores and tried to imagine such a woman. So eccentric, she rode like the wind and insisted that her son and grandchildren call her by her first name.
Renna turned, surveying the yard. Except for another small, gray stone cottage, which was Ramsey’s home, there wasn’t a neighbor for miles. The bustling city seemed so far away with its crowds and clamor.
She noted, then, that evergreens bordered the property, and the terrace looked like a marvelous place for children to play. In the summer, Renna could well imagine moonlit walks along the beach—and, of course, she imagined Brian by her side.
Glancing his way, she caught his gaze. He’d been watching her.
“This home originally belonged to my grandmother, and I hate the thought of parting with it. My grandmother lived with Aurora and me until I was about ten years old. When she died, I missed her terribly. My grandmother was more of a mother to me than Aurora.” Brian paused in momentary reflection. “Only now I realize that she had a strong faith and prayed often. I can recall my grandmother reading the Bible and doing all kinds of charity work. She belonged to a local church, although I can’t remember which one. I do, however, remember attending services with her from time to time. I have very pleasant childhood memories, and they’re a result of my grandmother’s nurturing.
“But then, about two years after she died,” Brian continued, “I started getting into all kinds of mischief. Aurora packed me off to boarding school and remarried. I never lived in this house again.”
In spite of herself, Renna stepped toward him, wondering over his melancholy. But in a flash it vanished.
“Let’s move on, shall we?”
Back inside the house, Renna and her parents toured the first floor—kitchen, dining room, sunroom, parlor, and sitting room. The latter, Brian said, once served as his grandfather’s study.
As they ambled about, Renna observed that each room opened to the next, save for the sitting room, which opened only to the foyer. This made the sitting room more private but allowed for easy access to and from the other rooms. The floor plan seemed homey to Renna, and though it was a larger home than her own, it wasn’t too different from the one she’d known all her life.
At last the tour concluded, and they ended up back in the parlor. Ramsey prepared hot tea, which he served by the fire. Only then did Brian excuse himself to talk business with his newly acquired butler.
They sipped from the dainty porcelain cups as an awkward silence fell. Finally Mum spoke up. “Renna, your father tells me that you have asked to leave Milwaukee on Monday, and I fear your decision might be partly our fault. Please don’t be angry with your father and me. We never meant to keep secrets from you.”
“That’s right, my little wren.” Da looked pained. “We thought we were helping matters.”
“And what matters would those happen to be?” Renna stared into the fire, refusing to meet their eyes.
Da let out a slow breath. “Renna, we’d like to see you marry Brian. He has a good heart. A blemished past, yes, but a good heart. He’s sensitive to God’s Spirit and wants to do the right thing.” Da sat forward. “He needs a devoted wife and loving mother for his children.”
Renna chafed.
“You’d be set for life, dear,” Mum added.
“Marriage and money.” Renna stood and walked to the hearth, inspecting the collection of wooden horse figures. Some were brightly painted. “What about love and happiness?” She spun on her heel, giving her parents a glare. “And trust? What about that?”
“Renna . . . ” Da spoke her name on a remorseful sigh.
“As Christians we are to forgive one another.” Mum’s eyes clouded. “Can’t you find it in your heart to forgive your father and me? We only want the best for you.”
“Of course I forgive you. Both of you.” Renna crossed her arms. “And Brian too.” She lifted her chin. “But you’d best know that Brian has not proposed. He’s only asked that I be patient.” She paused, regretting her reply. “I gave him my promise that I’d do so.”
&nb
sp; “Reasonable.” Da gave an approving nod.
“Yes,” Mum agreed. “Now don’t you agree that patience is best exercised in close proximity? We’ve only just arrived in Milwaukee. You’ve had a trying few days, what with meeting the children, finding out about Brian’s sight, and attending that reception, not to mention these threats from a madman. This is hardly the time to be packing up to go. And what would the children think? Have you thought of them?”
“Of course!” Renna had thought of how she didn’t want to break their hearts if their father decided she wasn’t suited to be his wife. She’d all but decided it would be better if she made the break swift and clean. But her head and her heart both told her now that her parents were right. While her pride and insecurity told her to flee, love and common courtesy told her to stay.
She lifted her hands helplessly. “All right. I’ll stay at least a week longer. But no more talk of marriage. With all due respect to you both, that is for Brian and me to decide, not you.”
Slowly she turned back to the hearth. Little did they know her promise had enslaved her. It was becoming very clear that her pirate hadn’t changed much at all. And her parents were too dazzled by his wealth and charm to see straight. To them he could do no wrong.
She picked up a metal poker and jabbed at the dying fire. Brian’s children she could live with and love. His wealth and social status and mansion she could tolerate. But his manipulations and connivings to get his own way at the expense of everyone around him—never.
TWENTY-SIX
The wind picked up off the lake, and the carriage rocked, at times precariously, as they rode home from the late Aurora Reil’s estate. Living in Chicago, Renna was accustomed to the gusts. However, she never realized how much the tall buildings in the city broke the force of the wind. Now, with the road running parallel to the shoreline, there was often nothing to shield them from the gale. It felt a bit unsettling, even for a Chicagoan like herself.
“I hope we get home soon.” Mum appeared worried.
“Don’t fret, dear lady,” Brian said. “The wind will die down when the sun sets.”
“Is there a storm approaching?” Mum nervously held on to the green felt hat she wore.
“I think not.” Brian turned his head and glanced out the conveyance’s pane. “It’s just nature’s way of ridding the trees of their leaves in preparation for winter.”
“I marvel at your sense of meteorology,” Da said. “Quite a gift from God, I’d say.”
“You think so?”
Renna looked in time to see an expression of pleasure spreading across Brian’s face.
“A gift from God. How I relish it more now because I know Him.”
A smile pulled at Renna’s mouth.
“And speaking of the sun setting.” Brian cleared his throat. “I just remembered . . . last night at the reception I was invited to a party tonight. I accepted the invitation, and Renna, I’d like you to accompany me.”
Parting her lips, she prepared to reply with a resounding, “No, thank you!” But Brian clutched her hand before she could speak.
“Please, Renna. It’s important to me.”
“We’re happy to watch the children and get the girls washed up and into bed.” Mum smiled and gave Renna a hopeful glance.
“You should know that I’ve invited Richard and Sarah along.” Brian pulled his dark gaze away and looked toward Mum and Da. “Please don’t mention this yet, but I plan to ask Richard to be my business partner. He’s been like a brother to me.”
“How generous of you, Brian.” Da looked both surprised and impressed.
But Renna crossed her arms and focused on the passing view outside. More manipulation—this time designed to make Richard stay. “Richard wants to be a farmer,” she finally muttered.
“Yes, I thought so too. Until I tore up our contract from this summer and released him from my employ. Richard told me he’d missed the business and added that in my absence he discovered he enjoyed being in charge and making important decisions.” Brian shifted. “In any case, I shall make the offer. It’s up to Richard whether to accept it or not.”
“No strings attached?” The question flew off Renna’s tongue before she could think better of it. She turned to look at him.
Brian met her gaze. “No strings attached. On my honor as a Christian man.”
In spite of herself she believed him.
“Will you attend the party with me tonight?”
“Yes.” Her heart had replied because apparently her common sense had blown away on the last hearty gust of wind.
•••
Brian heard the rustling of skirts and made a subtle glance toward the door. The sight of Renna standing there in an elegant black velvet dress rendered him momentarily senseless. She looked captivating, and Brian decided it was a good thing that Renna had never realized how beautiful she was. If she had, she might have become another Fayre Waterford!
Johanna Fields stepped forward. “Captain Sinclair, did you hear me?”
He lifted Rachel, who had been sitting on his lap, and stood politely. “Mrs. Fields, I apologize. My thoughts were elsewhere. What did you say?”
“I said, Renna is here and ready for the party tonight. I’ll take the baby from you, although Rachel is hardly a baby anymore . . . are you, darling?”
“Nope, I’m a big girl like Libby.” She turned adoring eyes on Brian. “Right, Daddy?”
“Right, kitten.” He bent to kiss her rounded cheek.
Johanna took his daughter’s hand, and Brian turned his attention to Renna again. The only word to describe the way he felt was enthralled.
“Renna, I must say you’re stunning.”
She walked toward him, and Brian’s heart beat a little faster. A teasing gleam entered her green eyes. “Perhaps you really are blind.”
He narrowed his gaze at the quip. But she could go ahead with her self-deprecation. At least Brian wouldn’t have to worry about her flirting with every man at the party tonight. But he suspected Renna didn’t have a disloyal bone in her body anyway.
“I suppose you two should be off.” Wendell gave Brian a friendly slap on the back.
His thoughts immediately returned to the present, and Wendell gave him a knowing grin. For the first time in years, Brian felt embarrassed. Why, he’d been gawking like a schoolboy, and no doubt Wendell had noticed.
What in the world was wrong with him?
Brian cleared his throat, hoping to conceal his discomfort. “Yes, I suppose we should leave since Richard and Sarah went on ahead in another of my carriages.”
Wendell chuckled. “I dare say the newlyweds are eager to spend every minute they can alone with each other.”
Brian’s eyes lingered on Renna, and he could imagine being so much in love.
At long last he tore his gaze away. “Thank you both for agreeing to watch the children tonight.”
“Oh, we’re seasoned grandparents, aren’t we, Johanna?”
“Indeed.”
He smiled. “Very well. Renna and I shall take our leave, then.” After donning his outerwear, Brian put on his dark glasses. Then he offered his arm. “Ready?”
“No. I refuse to play this game a moment longer!”
Brian nearly grinned at the stubborn tilt to her lovely chin. “If it means life or death, will you play along then?”
“Life or death?” She wetted her lips in indecision, and Brian longed to kiss her. “You know I’d do anything to protect you.”
“Renna,” Da said, “Brian’s assailant must believe he’s blind.”
“Is it Matt Benchley?” Her eyes begged for the truth.
Still, Brian didn’t want to tell her. He preferred she stay in blissful ignorance. However, he began to realize Renna was smarter than that.
He gave in. “Yes, it’s Benchley, although I can’t prove it. Not yet. But I still suspect him.”
Her features brightened. “Thank you, Brian. Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me the t
ruth.” With that, Renna slid her gloved hand around his elbow.
Something of a thrill passed through him. God, if this isn’t love, I don’t know what is.
They walked out to the carriage, and their driver saw them comfortably settled inside. A slap of the reins, and they were off.
Sitting beside her, Brian lifted her hand and held it between his two palms. “Thank you, Renna.”
“For what?”
“For accompanying me tonight. I know it’s asking a lot of you to attend a social event two evenings in a row.”
She stiffened, and immediately he knew he’d said the wrong thing. “Well, I did make you a promise, and I intend to keep it.”
So now she was throwing her promise in his face, letting him know that she was there not on her own account but because he had coerced her. Was there ever such an exasperating woman as this?
“So you’re only here out of a sense of duty, is that it?”
“Or something like it.”
“You’re wrong—and I’ll prove it.” Brian gathered her into his arms. His lips sought hers gently—so very gently. He had a point to make.
He glimpsed her eyes fluttering closed as he kissed her. Her willing, even enthusiastic response caused him to pull away and grin.
He straightened. “Just duty, eh?”
Reality seemed to slap her. “You’re despicable!”
Brian sat back against the leather bench, smiling. “Renna, you’re as much of a liar as I am.”
“What?” She stiffened.
“You love me. Admit it.”
“I’ll do no such thing.” Only then did she snatch her hand from his and give him a mild shove. “And I’ll thank you to mind your manners, Captain.”
He laughed. And God help him! He couldn’t keep from smiling for the next few blocks until they reached the Carpenters’ home.
•••
Unexpected Love Page 23