by Tracy Kay
With indignation and anger, Elizabeth stood and lifted her chin stubbornly. “This is not over. I have made my promise.”
“Then unmake it,” Raven replied sternly.
“I will speak to the Duke about this,” she barked and marched out of the room.
Madeline reached out a trembling hand to him. “Raven?”
Taking her hand in his, Raven sat beside her on the settee and gathered her into his arms. “It is all right, my little one.” Raven stroked her hair and held her close, giving her a mental push of calm and love. He gently rubbed her back, easing some of the tension that he felt in her.
Pushing away from him, she looked down at her lap with tears in her eyes. “Can she make me marry him?”
“No, luv. No matter how much she tries, Brandon and I won’t let her. I promise.” He lifted her chin to meet his dark blue eyes filled with affection. “The right man will come along, luv, and when he does, he will be a man we can all agree upon, except perhaps your mother.” Raven grinned and winked.
Madeline giggled with relief. “She will never approve of anyone that Brandon approves, you can depend upon it.”
“I am sure she won’t, luv.” Raven gave her a tight hug before letting her go. “I came to speak with Brandon, but I gather he isn’t here or I wouldn’t have needed to intervene.”
Madeline nodded. “He went out, but he will be back soon.”
“I can’t wait for him.” Raven stood and took her hand. “Will you tell him I called and to meet me at the Deliverance later this afternoon?”
“I will let him know.” She squeezed his hand. He always seemed to know how to put her at ease, lift her spirits and make her feel so loved. She couldn’t fathom how he did it.
Raven leaned forward and kissed her brow. “You need anything, luv, you let me know.” He tenderly brushed a stray hair off her forehead. “Please eat something. And get some rest, that headache won’t go away until you do.”
“I will, Raven.” She answered, puzzled as she watched him leave the room. She had no idea how he knew she hadn’t eaten or that her headache had returned. Madeline liked Raven a great deal. When she was younger, she had been afraid of him, but now, she was starting to understand him better and his place in her life and Brandon’s. He had some very strange ways and at times seemed very harsh and frightening, but she could not imagine her world without him in it, protecting her and those she cared about. Raven, a man who was wrapped in mystery and magic, was part of her family, and she loved him as much as she did her own brothers.
“You resemble a drowned rat.” Nicholas chuckled as he watched Brandon join him in the study.
Brandon gave Nicholas a wry look as he ran a hand through his wet hair. “I was on the Deliverance meeting with Raven.” Brandon stared out the window. The bright sunny day had turned dismal and the rain was pouring down. It suited his mood. Taking off his damp coat, he draped it over a chair. “Farrington has been taking children from orphanages and off the streets for his own sick purposes. It is an ugly thing.” Brandon was sickened by the whole business and displeased that Cassandra was being dragged into the mess. It was another thing for him to worry about, even though Raven said he was handling the situation and had ordered Brandon to stay out of it and stay focused on his family.
“Anything I can do?” Nicholas frowned. Although not sure of what Brandon was talking about, he didn’t like the idea of children being abused.
“No, Nicholas. Raven is taking care of it. Besides we have more important things to worry about.” Brandon ran a frustrated hand through his wet hair. He wondered when things would go back to normal. Ever since consenting to help Joselyn, their lives had been turned upside down.
“What has happened now?” Nicholas inquired.
“Jonathan and Elizabeth have agreed to a marriage between Madeline and Alfred Farrington.” Brandon was infuriated. He had the same sentiment that Raven had when he told Brandon the news. Madeline would not be marrying a Farrington.
“What?” Nicholas was taken aback. “Madeline can’t marry Lord Alfred. She would be miserable. She hit the man for god’s sake.”
“Yes, well, he apparently liked her enough to make an offer or he liked her money,” Brandon replied with distaste.
Nicholas raised his chin in denial. “She can’t marry him. He is not good enough for her, Brandon.”
“No, he isn’t. And she won’t be marrying him,” Brandon proclaimed confidently.
“I will talk to Father. He can’t . . .”
Brandon interrupted him. “I will deal with it, Nicholas. I won’t allow the marriage, and once I point out my objections to our father, he will agree. I find it unlikely he is aware that Alfred is unsuitable or if he is even aware of the match. This is Elizabeth’s doing.” Brandon was furious at Elizabeth and her propensity to hurt Madeline. She had gone too far this time and had over-stepped her authority. Like it or not, he was head of this family and he had the final word, not her.
Nicholas nodded his head. “Yes, it sounds like Mother. She is desperate to get Madeline married. I can talk to Madeline and perhaps have her think about her options. There are a few men who would be good for her. Simon Malany and Garner Collins have both shown interest. Either of them would be good choices. It is time she marries, and once she is settled, Mother will be satisfied.”
Brandon looked at his brother in annoyance. “Leave Maddy alone, Nicholas. She will marry when the time is right and to the right man. I am not going to force her to make a choice until she is ready.” Brandon studied his brother for a moment. “Why are you anxious for her to marry, Nick? I thought you agreed with me that Madeline could wait a bit longer.” He was not going to permit his brother to force Madeline to marry, particularly now that Raven had gotten involved. Raven was exerting his own authority and wasn’t going to allow Madeline to marry anyone without his approval. Brandon had argued the point, but Raven stood firm on his decision. Since the shooting, Raven had become overly protective of Madeline along with the rest of his siblings, including him much to his chagrin.
“I am not anxious, but I would like to see her settled, all things considered,” Nicholas replied.
Brandon was perplexed. He didn’t understand how the current threats on Madeline’s life would cause a change of opinion. In fact, it only made him more cautious regarding Madeline’s suitors. Farrington, or someone else, wanted his Madeline dead and he wasn’t about to take any chances with her life. “What things?”
“Mother, for one. She is becoming more difficult regarding Madeline, and Madeline’s age for another. She has had several seasons now and most women her age are settled.”
“Madeline isn’t most women, Nicholas.” Brandon frowned, not pleased.
“That is true, but she does have some suitors interested that I think we can both agree upon,” Nicholas pushed. He believed Madeline would be happier if she married and was settled into her own home away from their mother.
“I will think on it,” Brandon sighed, capitulating for the moment. “Anything else, Nicholas?”
“I have news of my own. Happy news, good news I think, and I want Madeline to have the same happy news.” Nicholas smiled with self-satisfaction.
“What news?” Something told Brandon his day just got worse.
“I have decided to marry Joselyn and she agreed. It is not a love match, but I think it is a good match.” Nicholas waited for Brandon’s reaction, sure that he would be happy for him and Joselyn. Their marriage was a perfect solution for them both. Yes, she had a sordid past, but he was certainly no angel, and he could overlook her indiscretions. She was beautiful and he thought they would do well together. Joselyn wanted a husband with wealth and a title, and he believed this was as good a time as any to settle down and start a family of his own.
“What the hell do you mean you are going to marry Joselyn?” Brandon stared in astonishment at his brother’s announcement.
“I am going to marry Joselyn, Brandon,” Nicholas stated deter
minedly, disappointed with Brandon’s reaction. He knew Brandon would be surprised, but not this angry.
“I told you to take her to bed, not marry the wench,” Brandon responded cruelly. His concern and surprise were the cause of his quick temper. If he had some warning, he might have reacted more calmly, but he was stunned. He didn’t want his brother making a mistake and he didn’t feel that Joselyn was a good match for him. Actually, he didn’t trust or like the girl or the way she treated Madeline. She was manipulative, conniving, self-centered, and not good enough for his brother.
“So you did, but I decided to marry her.” Nicholas glared at his brother with annoyance. He didn’t understand Brandon’s response to his news.
“She is a whore, Nicholas,” Brandon countered bluntly. He was being harsh, but he was hoping to make his brother understand that Joselyn wasn’t suitable.
“No worse than you,” Nicholas accused. He couldn’t believe his brother had called her that.
“What?” Brandon was taken aback.
“Oh, really, Brandon. I know the truth,” Nicholas lashed out. He was angry and hurt that his brother didn’t approve of Joselyn. He had thought Brandon would understand.
“What truth?” Brandon had no idea to what his brother was referring.
“The reason you are called Cat,” he challenged.
“What are you getting at, Nicholas?” Brandon looked at him in puzzlement.
“You were a catamite as a boy,” Nicholas stated boldly, confronting his brother with the suspicions he had over the years, but never had the courage to ask. He was positive his brother’s unusual sensuality was due to him having been a man’s sexual companion or possibly a prostitute in his adolescence. No other reason made sense to him.
Brandon laughed at his brother’s ridiculous accusation. His upbringing had been unconventional, but he had never been any man’s sexual partner as a boy or as a man. However, he was aware that men were attracted to him, and at times, he had used that to his advantage. “I hate to disillusion you, Nicholas, but I have never had a taste for that type of pleasure, not as a boy and certainly not now.”
“Then why do your friends call you Cat?” Nicholas demanded, sure that Brandon was lying.
“I believe I explained the reason for that horrid name in the past, but I will explain again.” Brandon dug deep for patience. He couldn’t believe he had to defend his nickname again. Obviously, his brother hadn’t believed his first explanation and he wished Nicholas had confronted him sooner with his suspicions. “Years ago, when I was barely a man, a friend mentioned I resembled a cat, and with my surname beginning with c-a-t, the name stuck. It is that simple.”
“I don’t believe you,” Nicholas snarled, certain Brandon wasn’t telling the truth.
Out of patience, Brandon poured himself a drink. “Believe what you wish, Nicholas.”
“I never see you with whores.” Nicholas knew his brother didn’t frequent brothels and neither had he taken on any mistresses over the years. Naturally, Brandon was now too old to be a catamite, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t partaking in similar pleasures. He knew his brother was always very discreet about his activities, which was why Nicholas believed the way he did.
“I don’t have much of a taste for whores, either.” Brandon watched his brother closely, wondering why Nicholas was bringing this up now. He understood that Nicholas was angry at him for disapproving of his match with Joselyn, but this accusation was ridiculous.
“And ladies?”
Brandon sighed. This interrogation was becoming tedious. “I happen to be involved with a woman who wishes our relationship to remain secret, and I am honoring her wish.”
“You are lying,” Nicholas accused, infuriated his brother wouldn’t admit to his jaded tastes.
“No, he isn’t.” Jeremy entered the room and both men stared at him in surprise. Jeremy had heard the raised voices, and out of curiosity, he had eavesdropped.
“What would you know, whelp?” Nicholas asked irritably.
“Nicholas,” Brandon reprimanded, astounded his brother would treat the boy that way.
Jeremy shrugged. “I am a good observer.”
Brandon flashed him a grin and raised an eyebrow. “Hmm, I will have to be more careful.” Brandon believed the boy. He had noticed how observant Jeremy was when no one was paying attention to him, which seemed to be too often in Brandon’s estimation.
Nicholas, however, did not believe Jeremy. “You are defending him needlessly.”
“I am not defending him,” Jeremy denied simply. “I saw him and the lady together in a very compromising position.” Brandon studied the boy, wondering when he had the chance to observe him with Cassandra.
“Then tell me the woman’s name,” Nicholas demanded.
“No.” Jeremy decided to be stubborn. He wasn’t going to disrespect Brandon, a man he had come to admire over the past few weeks. “I am not going to destroy the lady’s reputation to appease your curiosity. If Brandon wants you to know, he will tell you.”
“Then I will have to figure it out on my own,” he grouched. He didn’t like that this boy knew a secret of Brandon’s and he didn’t.
“Leave it be, Nicholas,” Brandon ordered. “You have other things to concern yourself with than my private affairs.”
“I am still unconvinced about this woman. She could be a decoy for your other depraved activities.” Nicholas wasn’t willing to let his assumptions go. He knew Brandon was a very sensual man and he had a way of causing women and men to desire him. It didn’t make sense to him that Brandon would only be with one woman, or man if the case may be.
Brandon raised an eyebrow in irritation and mild amusement. He had been accused of many things, but a catamite? He would have to make a point to tell Raven. The man could use a good laugh. After all, Raven was the one to give him the ridiculous name. “Nicholas, I have never been a catamite nor am I a homosexual. Put an end to it, Nicholas. You are angry because I disapprove of your marriage to Joselyn. I will concede that I may have overreacted and said some things that were uncalled for. I sincerely apologize. However, that being said, I don’t think Joselyn will make a good wife for you, and I am concerned. I only have your best interests at heart, Nicholas. Give me that at least.”
“My mind is made up. I am marrying her.” Nicholas was determined to marry Joselyn and he wasn’t going to let Brandon’s disapproval change his plans.
“You do realize she is a whore, don’t you?” Jeremy questioned, repeating Brandon’s earlier comment.
“What the hell would you know about it?” Nicholas snarled, taking a step forward, ready to attack the boy. She wasn’t a whore for god’s sake.
“More than you, I would wager,” Jeremy countered.
“Boy, you are asking for a beating.” Nicholas took another menacing step towards Jeremy.
Undaunted, Jeremy faced Nicholas. “Why, because I state the truth? She is my sister. I know her better than most. Married or not, she will use you if you let her, like she has used countless men before you. She can’t help herself, don’t you know. It is in her nature.”
Nicholas ran a frustrated hand through his hair. He hadn’t realized he would have such difficulty with his brother, and now, with Joselyn’s brother. “Jeremy, she is growing up, changing and she regrets her past. I am willing to forgive her for her transgressions.”
“Then you are a fool,” Jeremy stated bluntly.
“I am not listening to this. My mind is made up.” Nicholas stormed out.
Sighing, Brandon let his brother go. Once Nicholas got something in his mind, it was hard to change it. Now, he had a new issue to deal with: Jeremy. His day simply wasn’t getting any easier. He gave Jeremy a long look. “You want to tell me why you know things you shouldn’t, Jeremy?”
Jeremy shrugged and sat down, absently trailing his finger along the sofa’s leather upholstery. “No one ever listened to me so I stopped talking and started watching and listening. No one ever realized I was the
re to hear their secrets.”
“Know a few secrets, huh?” Brandon raised an eyebrow, a bit amused that this boy had the savvy to know so much.
“Yeah.”
“Know all about me?” Brandon cocked his head to the side to meet Jeremey’s sad eyes.
“Mostly about you, Cassandra, Raven, Conrad, and Damon. I have seen signs of things. I know what you do and that it is too important for me to interfere.”
“How long have you known?” Brandon sat down across from Jeremy, watching him intently and becoming alarmed. They had worked hard to keep their secrets and it was disconcerting that this boy had figured it out.
Jeremy studied Brandon a moment, making up his mind to tell the truth. “I suspected something was going on a couple of years ago when some street kids I ran with disappeared. I started digging around, and then the more I found out, the more I needed to know. I kept listening and watching and I stared to piece it together. What I found was signs of one large group of people helping others and you were one of them behind it. When I moved in here, I learned the rest. It was easy. I followed you around and those you talked to.”
“Jeremy, you must never tell anyone what you know,” Brandon admonished. He was sure that Jeremy was smart enough to keep it to himself, but it wouldn’t hurt to emphasize the importance of his silence. “You could jeopardize a lot of people’s lives.”
“I know. I will keep it to myself. What you do is a good thing. Sometimes, I wish . . .” Jeremey trailed off wistfully.
“You wish what, son?” Brandon prompted, moving to sit next to the boy.
“I wish I was one of those people you saved,” he glanced away quickly, wiping away a tear.
Brandon put an arm around his shoulders. “You are Jeremy, you are.” Jeremy had spent his life believing no one loved him. Endless years doing things he shouldn’t and learning secrets. Brandon understood Jeremy’s feelings all too well. He needed to give the boy a distraction. Brandon held him by the shoulders. “Jeremy, you are not alone anymore.” When Jeremy turned his head to hide the tears, Brandon, with a firm grip on his chin, turned Jeremy’s head to look at him. Brandon wiped away the tears that rolled down Jeremy’s face. “I am here for you, son. Whenever you need me.” Clearing his throat of his own emotion, Brandon made a decision. “Jeremy, I need your help with something.”