by Jenn LeBlanc
“No.”
“So, in truth, I never had a chance?”
Gideon laughed, his eyes flashing as he shook his head. “No.”
“Still one word answers, brother?” Perry said wryly.
“Not a chance,” Gideon said, holding up one finger for each word to count them. He leaped from Samson, feeling much invigorated as he strode toward the large, flat rock that sank into the edge of the pool. He pulled his old Hessians off and threw them aside, along with the rest of his clothing. He stood on the rock naked as the day, then dove into the cool water.
Perry watched him curiously as he hit the water, then disrobed and followed.
Gideon launched himself up from the water at the opposite edge of the pool, drawing a strong breath and looking back for his brother, who was nowhere to be seen. The water ran from his form as he stood perfectly still. He waited, patiently scrutinizing the surface for any breaks in tension. He saw a small ripple, followed by several air bubbles breaking the surface to his left, and he realized Perry was already there. Before he could adjust his stance Gideon was submerged in the pool again.
Perry burst through the surface with a triumphant yell, holding his arms out as he gave his battle cry.
Gideon gained his feet on the slippery bottom and stood up, glaring at his little brother. But instead of retaliating he pushed away, swimming calmly back to the flat rock.
Perry examined his brother as Gideon pulled himself up to the rock. He grabbed his shirt and lay back in the sun. “Rox?” Perry swam toward him.
Gideon lifted his head up with a grin. “Yes?”
Perry grunted at the single word answer. “What happened to your, uh, posterior?”
“My wha—” Gideon’s face fell and his head sank back to the rock. “Oh, that.”
“I don’t suppose those marks have anything to do with my ward?” Perry asked as he walked up the bank, reaching for his own shirt.
Gideon groaned as sat up. “Well. I suppose there’s no hiding it.”
“Not stark naked in broad daylight, no,” Perry answered snidely.
“She came to me.”
“She…came to you?”
“Why are you surprised? Am I not a handsome fellow?”
Perry snorted. “Of course, but truly, Rox, I haven’t seen much of this firebrand you claim to have fallen for since I’ve been here. Are you sure there aren’t two women here, somewhere?”
Gideon glared at him. “Quite sure.”
“When did this happen?” Perry yanked his trousers up his wet legs.
“The night the Larrabees arrived,” Gideon said. Perry looked at him, stunned. “After everyone retired, she came to my room.”
“How the hell did she make it to your bed? Honestly, it should have been easy to stop her, don’t you think?”
“Let me think. First, I wasn’t properly dressed to rise—to my feet—and remove her from my chambers. Second, I wasn’t about to call for Ferry and have him do it. Third, it was completely dark.”
“You do sleep in a room as dark as a crypt.”
“And fourth, she’s a woman, and I am quite—eh, quite—”
“Yes?” Perry asked with a smile.
Gideon rolled his eyes. “I cannot refuse this woman. I did, eventually. I did not ruin her, though not without some forceful opposition.”
Perry’s jaw fell, as did the boot he was holding. “She did that, because you were—”
Gideon nodded, then finished the sentence. “Refusing her.”
“Good God, man, couldn’t you have refused her before it got to that point? I mean, what must that have done? I’ve been refused once at such a time, and it doesn’t exactly go well. Quite uncomfortable, I must say, I mean horrible, really. Is it like that for women? Obviously she was strongly opposed to being left…”
“Intact?”
“Yes. Intact.” Perry thought momentarily. “No, not intact. Frustrated.” He enunciated the last word very slowly as he stared down at the boot and then reached to pick it up.
“That I left her intact does not necessarily mean I left her—unfulfilled. It wasn’t just her mouth I kissed.”
Perry looked at him agape. “Indeed! Good God, man.”
Gideon smiled like an unrepentant schoolboy.
Perry cleared his throat. “I am torn. On the one hand, conquests have never been a—”
“She is not a conquest,” Gideon cut in roughly, but Perry waved him off.
“No, no, let me finish. On the one hand, I’m your brother and this type of discussion is suitable indeed. On the other hand, I am her guardian and you should be admonished. To be blunt, I believe I should call you out. But in truth I simply want to shake your hand. How have you mastered her so well that she comes to your room and demands you ruin her? The virgins I meet are all so tedious and frightened.” Perry grimaced. “Really, not much sport at all.”
Gideon glanced at him as he pulled his trousers back on. “I’m not so sure that she is the one who’s been mastered,” he said quietly. “I stopped because I found she was intact. I stopped—to protect her. I was unsure. The way she acted, the way she came to me, I thought she’d already been ruined. I thought Hepplewort had taken her maidenhead, and I had the thought to cuckold the bastard. But I realized I was terribly mistaken—and I couldn’t ruin her. I am the one who is mastered.” He inspected one of his topboots.
Perry sat beside him on the rock. “I don’t think that’s the case, either, Rox. Honestly, to see the two of you, it’s mesmerizing. It makes me want something more.” Perry paused. “Which is preposterous, because I’ve been having entirely too much fun in London keeping up with the rumors of my virility.”
“Rumors?” Gideon said through his teeth
“All right, so they aren’t entirely rumors. That is, there is truth to them. The point is,” he said, looking at his brother, “I happen to enjoy that particular freedom. A great deal. I find it unimaginable to want to be with one person for the rest of my days, but then, when I am in the company of the two of you, that notion seems real, and entirely too…palatable.”
Gideon smiled warily. “I have reached the point at which I don’t know what I would do, were I to lose her. It is a very real pain that I have in my chest when I consider what could happen.”
Perry leaned over to Gideon, elbowing him. “So, how did Ferry like your battle scars?”
Gideon laughed. “Do you know that dealing with him was my greatest fear that morning? To figure out how I was to get away with him not seeing them? They aren’t too horrible now, are they?” he asked, wrenching his neck to try to see his shoulders.
“No, not too terrible,” Perry answered. “Though your backside is still a bit shocking.”
“You can’t imagine how uncomfortable I was that day. And there was so much sitting that had to be done. You know, I believe Ferry has decided I’ve lost my wits. I have him shave me while I bathe.”
Perry laughed. “Ferry should have no say in the marks on your person. You shouldn’t go to such trouble. He is the most dedicated man I’ve ever met. No doubt he has seen past your ruse as it is and he’s choosing to protect you.”
Gideon grunted.
“Really, Rox, I can’t even hire a valet. They are all so entirely inclined to gossip, my reputation as a rake would be ruined. Now, if I had Ferry…”
“Never.”
Perry laughed, clapping his brother on the shoulder.
“What of you and the wards?” Gideon asked, changing the subject.
Perry’s face fell, his demeanor changing instantly. “I don’t know about this, Rox. I’m not sure I will survive. How am I supposed to champion two young girls while I spend my nights running around London, determined to be the ruination of the very same?”
“Maybe you have reached the point where you will change.”
Perry shook his head. “I don’t want to. Not yet. I was very much looking forward to this Season. With you there to gossip about and terrify the prospects, I was su
re to have a most triumphant year in under their skirts.”
“Yes, well, I won’t be there,” Roxleigh said. “And must you be so crass?”
“I mean it all in good humor. Need I remind you that I am not the one with red welts across my backside from raucous coupling?”
“I wouldn’t call it raucous. Or coupling...quite.”
“Oh no? How would you characterize it, then?”
Gideon thought about the night of passion, how she had taken him, and how, in turn, he had taken—or at first attempted to take—her. “Actually, raucous would be…sufficient.”
“I should say so, and bravo for it.”
Perry stood, putting his jacket back on and turning to the horses as Gideon finished dressing. “To the manor?” Perry asked as he gave Gideon another devious grin, then launched himself astride Zeus.
Gideon grabbed his other boot, yanking at it, then grabbed his jacket and ran at Samson. He jumped on the horse, which was already moving toward the forest path in anticipation. “To the manor!” Gideon yelled after him.
On Wednesday morning the barouche was loaded with a team of four, plus Samson and Delilah in tow, and then they were on their way to London. Gideon decided to make the trip primarily by carriage, as parts of the northern rail lines were under repair. The outriders preceded them, making sure their stays at the local inns were announced, holding rooms ahead of their arrival, and ensuring the innkeepers cleaned and prepared the staff to attend the duke’s traveling party.
There were moments that Francine enjoyed, particularly the afternoons when Gideon would allow her to ride Delilah with him ahead of the carriage while he rode Samson. Carole sat up front at Grover’s side to chaperone. Mostly they rode in silence, simply enjoying the countryside and one another’s presence.
Francine did try conversation since her voice was growing stronger, but Gideon continued to frown upon her attempts, explaining that he wanted her voice fully recovered. She taught him more signs, and their leisurely ride provided the ability to use their hands in communication.
Gideon had really become quite adept at signing. She decided Shaw must have been privately tutoring him, because he knew things she hadn’t taught him. It excited her. Signs were meant to be fairly inherent, but some of them could be a bit odd. She made up a game, like Twenty Questions, to teach him the more complex signs. He’s a fast learner, she thought, and quite talented with his hands. She blushed and turned away. But I already knew that.
Perry decided to ride with Gideon one morning, taking one of the outrider’s horses and relegating the servant to a perch on the carriage.
“Perry, I’ve decided, after talking with Shaw and Mrs. Weston, and I suppose I am asking you, but I would like— Well.”
Perry glared at him. “Out with it, man.”
Gideon cleared his throat. “I would like to restore the duchess’ chamber for Francine.”
“Of course, I would have it no other way,” Perry answered without pause.
Gideon was a bit surprised. “You—you wouldn’t—”
“Of course not. I’ve no actual memories of that room, but others, including you, do. And I believe it would serve to provide a place to remember her happiness. I think it’s needed. Have you discussed this with Francine yet?”
Gideon shook his head. “Not yet, but I do plan to speak with her soon.”
“You might want to do that, as it occurs to me she might not appreciate you making plans without her.”
“I— Yes, of course, but I believe we have an understanding.”
“Gideon, if there is one thing I know about women, it’s that there is no understanding to be had, unless you have spoken of it explicitly.”
“Yes, she is…different. I want everything done properly. There’s one other thing.”
“Yes?”
“I would like to give her the sapphires,” he said quietly.
Perry stopped his mount. Gideon pulled up short, allowing the carriage to gain some ground on them. “I’ve never actually seen them,” Perry said. “Father spoke of them, but I never— Mrs. Weston found them in her room?”
Gideon nodded.
“I would like to see them, Rox. I was so preoccupied with the box of trinkets that I never looked at the rest of it. By all means, give them to Francine. They should be hers, but I would like to see them first.”
“Of course. Actually, I need to have them cleaned and repaired. Perhaps you could take them for me?”
“Sure. There are what, four pieces?”
“Were.” Gideon paused. “She didn’t find the bracelet. Only the other three.”
“No matter. I’ll see to it.”
The carriage gained on them and the brothers nudged their mounts ahead once again.
“The rubies should be taken in as well. I realize you won’t have use of them for some time, but... Well, you could be prepared.”
Perry’s eyes narrowed but never shifted from the road ahead. “As you wish.”
Gideon grinned.
They arrived at Roxleigh House on Grosvenor late Sunday after leaving Shaw at his flat so he could work undisturbed. The brothers considered having Francine and Carole stay at Perry’s town house, but it was smaller, and not at all set up for company. The guest rooms were sparsely appointed: they had beds, but no linens, and no other furniture. The women would have to stay in Gideon’s town house until other arrangements were made. The footmen unloaded the carriage, hauling trunks and cases to several different suites.
Francine stood in front of the home, excited for her next adventure. She’d always wanted to visit London. Granted, she hadn’t considered Victorian era London, but she thought it romantic. To see monuments like Big Ben when it was relatively new as well as Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace, not to mention the infamous Tower of London. The popularity of Queen Victoria would be ever on the rise, and there were many exciting celebrations, as well as tragedies, on the horizon.
She stared at the grand façade of the town house. It dwarfed the others nearby; she could see it was the biggest on the square. She wondered if any of these homes were still standing, and felt a twinge of sadness. She tried to recall more of London’s history. She was hopeful the more she saw the more she’d remember, but she’d been a business major—not a history major—and hadn’t learned much more than the required world history. She once again wished she’d paid more attention in school.
She walked into the entry, smiling at the long row of servants as Gideon spoke with them. Ferry traveled with him, as did Grover, Smyth, and Riband, who’d stepped in as outrider while Gentry was away to retrieve the sisters. Francine appreciated having familiar faces around.
Gideon was speaking with a man who, she assumed by his dress and demeanor, must be butler of this residence. He seemed very severe, and she hoped she wouldn’t offend him. She had studied her book of manners, but nothing was simple. There were so many rules, and she didn’t think it would be a good idea to cross him. She suddenly missed Mrs. Weston a great deal.
Gideon approached her with a concerned look on his face. “Is everything all right, my lady?”
She nodded and glanced at the butler.
Gideon followed her gaze. “Oh, Sanders. He is an ominous presence but dedicated. Don’t let him frighten you.”
She looked into Gideon’s warm gaze and relaxed a bit as he continued. “As late as it is, Cook has prepared a small supper. It can be served in the main dining room, if you would care to join me.” He looked at Carole. “Of course, you could also join us, as chaperone.”
Carole blushed and looked down. Francine knew Carole was a lower servant, certain never to be more than a lady’s maid, and her station required that she be both unheard and unseen. Francine could see she wasn’t comfortable being pushed into this situation.
Francine glanced at him. “Your Grace,” she whispered.
His skin reacted to her voice, immediately flushing with the anticipation of her words. “Please don’t strain yourself.”
“I’m doing fine,” she whispered. “I think, after such a long trip, dinner in my room would be better. While I would very much appreciate your company, I am tired, and a formal dinner really doesn’t sound very enticing.”
He nodded, placing a finger across her lips to silence her.
She glanced at Sanders, who was peering down his long, straight nose at her proximity to the duke with a disapproving glint in his eye. She cleared her throat and spoke softly enough that she believed nobody else would hear her.
“Thank you for understanding, Gideon.” She kissed the finger at her lips and smiled up at him.
“Not at all, my lady. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow,” he said, and she proffered her hand. He took it firmly, gently kissing the exposed flesh of her wrist between her sleeve and her glove.
She sighed silently, her skin prickling as he straightened and turned, barking orders to no one in particular.
“Send a tray for Lady Francine—and Carole—to her room.”
Carole curtseyed and they turned to follow one of the housemaids upstairs as Gideon continued to command. “I shall also take my supper in my suite. Trumbull?” He searched for his brother. “Trumbull!” he yelled. “Where the devil’s he gone off to?” he said under his breath.
“Here, Your Grace,” Perry replied, walking from the study. “You yelled?”
Gideon rolled his eyes as the servants scattered. “I trust the handling of your ward is thus far satisfactory?”
“Of course.” Perry grinned. “Mind if I join you for supper? I’m fairly certain that my household won’t have anything prepared since they weren’t expecting me, and I’m usually not in for supper at any rate. They’re far more adept at breakfasts and luncheons.” He studied his fingernails.
Gideon grimaced. “Not at all. Sanders!” he bellowed before realizing the butler was just behind him.
“Supper for two in the study, Your Grace?”
Gideon nodded.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Gideon’s skin tingled and he looked up the stairs just in time to see Francine disappear around the corner to the first floor suites. He and Perry retired to the study, Gideon filling two snifters with brandy and sitting at his desk. “How long are we to put off the inevitable?” Gideon asked, warming the brandy between his palms.