Touched By Danger (A Sinclair & Raven Novel Book 3)

by Wendy Vella

  “Sh-she... c-cold,” Max stuttered out.

  “She’s a Sinclair, they have nine lives, brother. Don’t worry.”

  He felt the shackles give, and suddenly he was free and Essie was in his arms. He pressed his cheek to hers, listening as she soothed him.

  “Come, now we will get you up and out of this place,” James said.

  It was not an easy task, as he was a big man, but eventually they managed to get everyone back on the wharf and Max was soon wrapped in several coats.

  “Someone’s coming!”

  The duchess said the words, even though Max heard no voices.

  “Everyone behind that wall,” Devon said, and they hurried to do as he said. In Max’s case, it was more a stumble, with James on one side and Essie on the other, tucked beneath his arm.

  “Rutley,” he managed to say as he heard someone speaking.

  “Essie, Eden, you two stay here with Max.”

  The sisters did not argue, he was pleased to note. However, it did not sit well with Max that he was unable to help. He watched, helpless, as the other men drew their pistols and stepped from behind the wall.

  “L-let me see,” he said.

  They helped him move around the wall, and it was in time to see Rutley raise his pistol. Max’s heart kicked as he saw it was pointed at James.

  “No!”

  Rutley turned at his hoarse cry, and the distraction allowed Edward to fire. Seconds later, Captain Rutley was staggering backward, clutching his chest. He fell into the water below, and his men fled.

  “Ch-check he is dead,” Max said, just before his legs gave out and darkness followed.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  He woke slowly, rolling to his side. Moaning as his tortured muscles protested, Max managed to lever himself upright and swing his legs over the edge of the bed. His first and only thought was for Essie. Where was she? He ached everywhere, but the need to see her surpassed that.

  Enough light filtered into the room to tell him he was not in his own bed. Where was she? As if she’d sensed his thoughts, the door opened and she walked in with a tray in her hands, and Max fought the urge to weep again. His emotions were raw and near the surface, making him vulnerable, but he cared nothing about that, only her.

  “You are awake.” She hurried to place the tray on a small table.

  “Essie.” His voice was weak. “Come here.”

  She did, her steps tentative as she approached him.

  “Are.... Do you hurt, Max?”

  “I ache for you.” He took her hand and pulled her between his legs. Slipping his fingers beneath her hair, he kissed her. Max drank from her lips. He wanted to consume her. She was like a fever in his blood.

  “For so long I needed no one.” He pressed his face into her neck. “But from the first night, you filled my head and heart.”

  “Oh, Max.” Essie cupped his face, kissed every inch. “I was so scared when I realized you had been taken by that man. I love you so much.”

  He took her hips and pulled her closer, needing to feel her body pressed to his.

  “Did you doubt me?”

  He read her guilt, but she did not look away.

  “I did, especially after being betrayed by Tolly. But then, when I allowed myself to think clearly, I knew that you would never leave me. That you were loyal and true, and that I had been wrong to ever doubt you.”

  He sighed as she gently raked her fingers through his hair.

  “I knew then that you had been taken against your will.”

  “I would never leave you.”

  “I know that now. Forgive me for ever doubting you, my love.”

  He didn’t want to let her go, but she insisted he do so.

  “You need to eat now, Max, and let me rub some ointment into your sore muscles.”

  He watched as she walked to the tray, and then back to him. This would be his life now. She would care for him as she did others. The thought was humbling.

  “You kept me alive, Essie. Thinking of you gave me the strength to stand in that water. Had it not been for you, I don’t think I would have cared.”

  She urged him back against the pillows.

  “Death has never worried me before now. But knowing that I could have a life with you urged me to stay alive.”

  “I believe differently, and think you would have fought death, Max. You would not have left those boys, and Edward, and all the people who rely on you.”

  “I-I have done things, Essie.”

  “As have I.”

  “Bad things,” he pressed on, ignoring her words. “My life has been vastly different from yours, and this will make me possessive. I have never had or wanted a home, but now that I do, with you, I will not be an easy husband.”

  “And I would have you no other way, Max. I want you just as you are.”

  He let her settle the tray on his lap.

  “My brothers are men like you. Strong, honorable men.”

  “I am not honorable.” Max needed her to see that.

  “You are!”

  He looked from the tray to her as she snapped at him. Her mouth had firmed and she wasn’t exactly glaring, but it was close. Suddenly he wanted to smile at her ferocity in believing him honorable.

  “You are more honorable than many who bear that title, so I do not want to hear you say another word on the matter.”

  Max wasn’t used to people defending him... even from himself. He found he liked it.

  “Now eat, please.”

  She made him eat coddled eggs, cheese, and lastly a wedge of fruitcake. He chased it all down with tea, and then she removed the tray.

  “Are you up to leaving the bed? James would like to see you, as he has been very worried.”

  “Is that where I am?”

  She nodded. Max needed to touch her, so he took her hand in his.

  “I remember snatches of last night. Him jumping into the water, and then your brother. I remember Rutley. He fell into the water—”

  “My brothers checked. He is now dead, Max. That man will cause you no more pain.”

  He nodded, relieved.

  “I want to stay in this room with you, my love.”

  “As do I, but my brothers will soon appear and track me down if I am not where they can see me.”

  “They have a right to be worried, as all I can think about is ravishing you.”

  She snorted. “You do not have the strength.”

  “I’ll always have the strength for that.” He made to grab her, but she stepped out of his reach. “Up now, and here is a robe, as you are not up to dressing yet.”

  “Surely I can manage my breeches?”

  She held out the robe.

  “Are you to be the tyrant in our marriage then, love?” Max stepped into the robe. “Not that I mind. I have never had another watch over me.”

  “I had to be forceful, surely you see that, considering who I was raised with.”

  He snorted. “Yes, I can see it would be sink or swim in your family.”

  “You shall fare well.” She tied the belt for him. “You are made the same way as us.”

  He wrapped his arms around her, ignoring the pain in his shoulders in favor of holding her. Resting his head on hers, he pressed her to his chest.

  “I can’t believe you picked those locks to free me.”

  “There is a great deal you do not yet know about me.” Her words were muffled.

  “Will you tell me then?”

  She pulled away, suddenly nervous.

  “Come, they are waiting for us.”

  “Essie.” He tried to stop her, but she simply kept walking out the door. He followed more slowly; his legs were stiff and sore. She entered another room, and he followed, this time into the duke’s study.

  The ceiling was high, with the farthest wall holding floor-to-ceiling windows that made it seem as if she were stepping into the sunlight. Books lined two walls, high enough that a ladder would be needed to reach the top ones. The
furnishings were of rich, deep reds and blues with woven patterned rugs scattered on the polished wooden floors. It was alive with a feast of color and light, and he had a feeling the duke spent a great deal of time here.

  Standing behind his desk, his brother’s was watching him. Brother. The word felt easier inside his head. Essie had done this to him with her love. She’d made him more accepting.

  “Thank you for rescuing me.”

  “It was my wife who actually located you. Will you sit, and I will tell you what happened.”

  He took the chair in front of the desk, beside Essie.

  “How do you feel?”

  “Stiff and sore, but surprisingly better than I thought,” Max said honestly.

  “Do you remember anything about what happened?”

  Max nodded. “Most of it, the end is a bit hazy however. But Essie assures me Rutley is dead.”

  She gave him a gentle smile, and Max felt the ridiculous urge to sigh. What the hell was happening to him? First he’d wept, and now sighing. Love, he realized, was a wonderful thing.

  “Dev and Cam went to your house to tear you apart, as they rightfully believed you had hurt their sister.”

  “But he did not, I was wrong,” Essie quickly said.

  “Reasoning is not a Sinclair strength,” the duke drawled.

  “No.” Essie shook her head. “We’re not entirely rational when it comes to people we love.”

  “Edward was at your house when the Sinclair brothers arrived. They demanded to know where you were, and he produced the note you’d left. He also said he believed you had met with trouble, because you had finished the note with M. C. R. Huntington.”

  Edward had picked up his clue.

  “To Edward, this was a strange way for you to sign the note. It did not take him long to work out what the C. R. meant.”

  “He is a very smart man,” Max rasped.

  “Call for tea, James, his throat is very sore.”

  “I’m all right, love.” He reached into Essie’s lap and took her hand in his.

  James smiled at the gesture, and Max was pleased to see it was genuine.

  “The Sinclair brothers then calmed down enough to allow Edward to speak. Essie, Eden, and Lilly arrived, and the rest is history. It was my wife who heard you calling.”

  “Care to tell me how she heard?”

  “And that is my cue.”

  Max turned to watch Devon and Cam Sinclair walk into the room with Eden.

  “You’re holding my sister’s hand, Huntington.”

  “Yes,” Max said, tightening the grip on her slender fingers.

  The eldest Sinclair looked like an avenging angel as he glared down at Max, but he wasn’t intimidated easily, having lived the life he had, so he simply glared back.

  “You will call upon me tomorrow, Huntington.”

  “I will.”

  “Do you love her?”

  “Eden!” Essie sounded horrified.

  “More than I can ever say,” Max said without hesitation.

  “And will you marry her?”

  “Is today too soon?”

  Several Sinclairs huffed; the elder one sighed.

  “Very well, but you hurt her and we’ll kill you.”

  “Eden!” Essie looked outraged.

  “No, love, she’s right.” Max looked at her. “If I ever hurt you, I will deserve whatever punishment your brothers mete out.”

  Max heard groans from the men and sighs from the women.

  “Cut that out right now, Huntington. You’ll make us look bad,” Sinclair snapped. Stepping forward, he held out his hand, and Max took it. “Welcome to the family.”

  “Just like that?”

  “Oh, you and I will have a talk tomorrow, but my sister will likely not speak to me again if I don’t let her marry you. We are unorthodox, perhaps we should have told you that first.”

  Max shook his head. “Nothing would change my mind about marrying your sister, Sinclair.”

  “Hold that thought,” Cambridge Sinclair said.

  “We are different, Max.”

  “That I already knew.” He smiled at Essie.

  “Listen now, Huntington, and don’t interrupt,” Cambridge said. “This is a story that takes some believing.”

  Essie tried to ease her fingers from Max’s. Fear that he would turn from her when he learned what the Sinclairs were capable of had her withdrawing. Max had other ideas. He tightened his grip.

  “We have heightened senses. Mine is sight, Eden’s is hearing, Cam’s is smell, and Essie’s is taste. Warwick, Somer, and Dorrie also have them.”

  Essie could not make herself look at Max as Dev continued to speak. Would his eyes be filled with horror?

  “I’m not sure I understand?”

  “And likely you never well. Even we still struggle to grasp it,” Cam drawled.

  “In 1335, Baron Sinclair saved the powerful Duke of Raven from death, and from that day onward, we, the Sinclairs have been protectors of the Raven family. Our heightened senses are, we believe, a result of that day.” Eden spoke now.

  Essie made herself look at Max. His eyes met hers, but she saw no disbelief, only curiosity.

  “He, our ancestor, was given the title, and land at the base of Raven Mountain so the Sinclairs could watch over the Ravens,” Dev continued. “You see, Huntington, your family are notoriously reckless with their lives, and needed us to ensure their line did not become extinct.”

  “Which they will never fail to remind you of.”

  Max’s eyes swung to James after these words.

  “They saved you?”

  “Yes, Eden rescued me from drowning, and Dev when we were away fighting for our country. He then saved Lilly, who is my cousin, but also has a connection to the Sinclairs from many centuries back. Hence she has a heightened sense of touch.”

  “She does?” Max spun back to look at her.

  “It is a lot to take in,” Dev said.

  Essie nodded. The breath seemed to have lodged in her throat. “D-do you believe us?” She had to ask.

  “Of course. I know you would not lie to me, and yet it seems almost too much to believe.”

  “It takes some time to understand, brother, but you will,” James said. “And there is no family I would rather be aligned with than this one.”

  “So I have a duke for a brother, and now a betrothed with heightened senses? I wonder what next week will bring?”

  Essie felt the tension inside her slip away as Max gave her a gentle smile.

  “Nothing would change the way I feel about you, my love. This only makes you even more special.”

  “Huntington, you will need to stop this right now. You are making us look bad in front of our wives.”

  Max ignored Dev’s words, and simply looked at Essie. She saw the love he felt for her, and knew it was matched in her own eyes.

  “James, can we come in now?”

  Everyone turned as Samantha and Emily entered the room. The little girl looked excited, the elder nervous. Essie watched as Max got to his feet to greet them.

  “Hello, Max.”

  “Hello, Samantha.”

  He held a hand out to her, and she ran across the room to wrap her arms around his waist. Essie could not stop the tears falling as Max bent to put his around her.

  “You’re my brother now.”

  “I know, are you happy about that?”

  “I am. Big brothers are wonderful.” She sighed.

  “Then I shall try to live up to expectation.”

  Essie watched as he kissed the top of her head before straightening. His body must be sore, muscles pulling, and yet he showed no sign of it. He held a hand on Samantha’s shoulder as he looked at Emily.

  “Hello, Emily. Do you mind very much if I share you with James?”

  The words were perfect, as Emily’s shoulders relaxed slightly, and she walked forward.

  “I don’t mind. We’re glad to have you in our family, aren’t we, James?”r />
  Max leaned forward to kiss Emily’s cheek.

  “We are indeed,” James said, coming to join the group. “We are now four Raven siblings. We only need to find three more, and we shall rival these bloody Sinclairs.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY- EIGHT

  The Sinclair and Raven families had retired to Crunston Cliff for the births of Eden’s and Lilly’s babies. Everyone was staying at Raven Castle, except for Max and Essie, who were at Oak’s Knoll.

  Their marriage had been a quiet one in the church on Raven Mountain, with only family and a few of Max’s employees to attend.

  The days since had been spent getting to know this wonderful and complex man she was now married to. He had the energy of ten men, and worked tirelessly on his interests. Except now, when she was settled in his lap in the room he had set up as his office that overlooked her garden.

  “You are a distraction, Mrs. Huntington.”

  “You need distracting.” She kissed his chin and then her mouth found his lips, and it was several heated minutes later that they broke apart.

  “I never thought I would want to be part of a marriage or family, but I find myself wondering how I survived so long alone, my love.”

  His kiss was gentle, and left her head reeling.

  “Someone has arrived.”

  “Ignore them.” He ran a finger around the edge of her bodice, but she slapped his hands aside.

  “Someone could be hurt.”

  “I’m hurting,” Max muttered, but he stood her gently on her feet.

  Essie opened the door to Bertie’s knock.

  “A note has arrived from the castle.”

  She read it quickly. “Dear Lord, the babies are coming.”

  “What, both of them?” Max came to her side, his hand settling on her shoulder, calming her.

  “W-we must go, Max. I—”

  “It will be all right, my love. Take a deep breath now, and we shall gather what you need and go to the castle.”

  They left ten minutes later, she sitting before Max on his horse.

  “What if something goes wrong?” She said the words that had been riding her since she had read that note.

  “It won’t.”