by Dawn Brower
“Why are you so adamant about staying?” He had to know what she wanted. If he did, he could work with it. Maybe make sure she left sooner rather than later. The first chance he could manage, he planned on calling Trenton. There was more to Regina’s story than she was telling him. He needed information if he hoped to beat her at her own game. Maybe if he was lucky enough Trenton would retrieve her and take her away from Weston Manor. That was the most optimal outcome.
“I have many reasons for being here.” She walked over to his brandy decanter and poured herself a glass. She took a sip of the amber liquid and then turned to face him. “There are two things you need to know.”
“Those are?” he raised an eyebrow.
“One, I am my father’s business liaison. I’ll be negotiating the contracts for the software merger you are working on.” She grinned. “I’ve brought the documents with me for you to look over.”
“Are you even qualified to do that? What experience do you have with contracts or business?” Paul Dewitt was damned good at business. How could he allow his flighty unorganized daughter anywhere near it?
She laughed. “You have so little faith in me. But to answer your question—yes, I am. I’ve been learning about Dewitt Enterprises since I was a child on my father’s knee. There is no one more qualified than I am. Well,” she tilted her head to the side and said, “other than my father that is.”
Bradford gritted his teeth. He would concede her point. Paul Dewitt had to groom someone to take over the company. With Alys studying to be a doctor prior to her disappearance, Regina was the logical choice. He hadn’t considered the possibility because of her unreliable nature. “You don’t seem the type to enjoy business.”
“I don’t,” she agreed. She reached inside a bag and pulled out a file. Regina crossed the room and handed it to him. “But I am good at it. Father needed my help, and as I’m at a crossroad in my life, I volunteered. Take a look at the contracts. Let me know if you’d like to make any changes. If not sign them and return them to me. I’ll make sure they are sent to my father either way—for changes or not.”
The contract was important to him. It would help to build one of the divisions in his company sorely in need of growth. Bradford couldn’t afford to alienate Paul Kendall. He’d have to play nice, at least for a little while. It sat like a bitter pill at the bottom of his stomach, but he could handle it. He still didn’t understand Regina’s motives, but he’d let it go for the moment. “What is your other purpose?”
“I intend to find out exactly what happened to my sister while I’m here.”
Great. She was never leaving.
CHAPTER THREE
Regina settled into her room at Weston Manor. Had it really been over a year ago she’d last been on the estate? It was all still fresh in her mind. She recalled that day with almost perfect clarity. Alys helping her find her lost shoes and preparing to marry Trenton. It had been a fairy tale ending without the happily ever after.
“Oh, Alys, what happened to you?” She stared out the window and the cliffs in the distance. “I’ll find you. I promise.” It was one she intended to keep. Even if she had to deal with the prickly owner of the lovely home she now resided in. “No matter how long it takes.”
Her sister was and always would be important to her. Regina had some rather selfish moments in her life, but Alys never seemed to hold them against her. No matter what, they’d supported and loved each other. If she needed someone to talk to or hell, anything, she always ran to her sister first. Alys was the voice of reason when there didn’t seem like there was any to be found.
Right now she could use some of Alys’s sisterly advice where the resident duke was concerned. Maybe she should have talked to her about it on her wedding day instead of dismissing her feelings so lightly. The resulting chaos may have been avoided, and perhaps Alys would never have disappeared. She bit her lip as a small tear fell from the corner of her eye. Damn it, why did everything seem so reasonable when she looked back on it? She couldn’t change the past, and it was best she accept it. All she could do was move forward and continue her search. As far as her feelings for Bradford and how to handle him—she’d figure that out herself too.
Bradford was acting like a veritable beast. She wasn’t sure if it was because he knew of the dissolution of her marriage to his brother or if he hated the sight of her. Either way it hadn’t been a pleasant arrival. Not once had he mentioned Trenton. She had no idea what was going on through his brain. Maybe he didn’t know any more than she did. Perhaps he wasn’t aware of the status of her relationship with his brother. He was rather adamant about her leaving at first—it had been borderline rude. Hell, it wasn’t even that...he’d been a complete ass. At least she had some leverage to deal with him. It had been her father’s idea for her to deliver the contracts in person, so he must have known Bradford would be difficult. Her father had amazing insight to what made a person tick. She’d been at Weston Manor a week now and had found little to no progress on either front.
Bad decisions... She’d made more than her fair share in her short lifetime. This was her time for redemption and to prove to herself, and the world, that she was more than a pretty face. Without her sister to fall back on she was lost. Never had she been so alone in her life. Why did life have to be so complicated?
She took the stairs two at a time and headed toward the library. It had a massive amount of books. Alys would be in heaven. Regina smiled at the thought. Her sister loved books—something she’d never fully understood. What she expected to find in this particular room she didn’t know, but she had to start somewhere. She stared at the numerous bookshelves and frowned. Where to start? A bookcase filled with old, worn-out, leather-bound tomes called to her. Before she realized it, she was standing in front of them, skimming each one with her fingers. A Bible at the end of the shelf caught her eye. Regina yanked it free and carried it over to a nearby settee. Once she was settled, she flipped open the cover and read the names inscribed.
Elizabeth Regina Evelyn Kendall born 5 September 1816
Christian William James Kendall born 28 June 1818
Nicholas Edward Paul Kendall born 28 June 1818
Regina’s fingers floated across the names. The first name had both her mother’s name as well as hers in it. It was weird... She didn’t know why, but she felt a connection to these people. They’d been born almost two centuries ago. Why would she believe she knew them? Elizabeth had been born on the day her sister disappeared, albeit almost two hundred years earlier... What did she know? Nothing. “A little girl born September 5, 1816 didn’t mean a damn thing.” She tilted her head back and closed her eyes. It helped her concentrate.
“Are you sure about that, lass?”
Regina jerked her head toward the sound of the Irish lilt. “You. Why are you here?”
Eve floated through the room as if walking on air. Her golden red hair floated down her back. Regina frowned as she studied the woman. When she’d seen her on the plane, she hadn’t paid much attention to her attire. Now though, she couldn’t help but notice it. She was draped in an ice-blue gown that almost matched her eyes—it was ancient. Nothing like any modern woman would have worn. Eve stopped and looked outside the window. Her gaze fell toward the cliffs in the distance. She didn’t answer Regina’s question. Did she even hear her?
“The cliffs are beautiful. I’ve always thought so.”
Regina frowned. She wasn’t much for heights and avoided the cliffs. That and her sister’s disappearance had been enough for her to steer clear. Someone had mentioned seeing her sister heading toward the cliffs. Then she had not been seen since. She may have fallen off... Regina didn’t know either way, but it was enough to make her uneasy. “I don’t especially like them.”
Eve turned, her eerie eyes filled with sadness. “I understand more than you realize.”
“You didn’t answer me.” Regina reminded her. “What did you mean? Why are you here?”
Her soft pink lips ti
tled upward. The smile didn’t reach her eyes. She radiated sorrow that spilled over onto Regina. “The names in the Bible. They do relate to you.”
“I don’t see how...”
“You will in time.” Eve’s head jerked toward the window. “I can’t stay. Did you give him my message?”
“Who?” Regina asked, puzzled.
“Please tell him. I need... Time to go.” She faded before Regina’s eyes.
Regina jerked forward. A bead of sweat trickled down her forehead as pain shot forward above her eyes. She winced and held her head to help stabilize the ache. What the hell was happening to her? Why did she keep having visions of that woman? She didn’t know her and didn’t want to. Was she right though? Did the names she’d read in the Bible have something to do with her? If so, what?
“What are you doing with my family’s Bible?” Bradford snatched it from her hands.
She hadn’t even heard him enter the room. Showed how much pain she was in that she failed to recognize his presence. Regina lifted her hand and tapped the Bible. “I found some of the names interesting.”
“This is a priceless antique. It belonged to the fifth Duke of Weston. His wife wrote down the names.” Bradford frowned. “They didn’t keep up with the tradition. I’m not sure why.”
Of course it was his ancestors. The Bible had been in the Weston library. Who else could they have been? That meant the children couldn’t possibly have anything to do with Regina. It was a coincidence, nothing more. Why did she listen to the figment of her imagination? Eve, or whoever she was, didn’t know what she was talking about. Regina started to laugh hysterically. She was losing her fucking mind.
“I don’t understand what you find so hilarious.” He glared at her and then headed over to the shelf she’d found the Bible on. “Stop laughing. Don’t touch the books on this shelf again.”
Regina wiped the tears from her eyes and shook her head. He didn’t understand because nothing made sense. She wasn’t about to explain it to him either. No doubt he’d help them lock her away with the insane. “Tell me about the fifth Duke.”
He turned to study her. “I don’t know much. I wasn’t one to study my family’s history.”
Regina sighed. Why was he being so difficult? “I think there might be a clue in your history that will explain what happened to Alys.” And Trenton’s ex-girlfriend. She wasn’t going to divulge that part yet. She wasn’t sure how much Trenton had told Bradford. Eve’s hints were enough to make her wonder and search more. She’d not have thought about doing so without the woman’s weird clues. What did the names in the Bible mean and how could they possibly be connected to her? She hadn’t given her much to go on. So she’d have to dig in other ways in hope of finding the answer. It seemed rather silly to consider a few children’s names in a Bible might be important to her. They were born almost a couple centuries ago. For the life of her, Regina couldn’t fathom how discovering more about them would help her find Alys. She didn’t have much to go on though. So why not dig deeper and to discover for herself it they were the lead she’d been hoping to find? It wouldn’t hurt and Regina was desperate for answers.
Bradford didn’t say a word. He continued to stare at her as if she’d lost her mind. He didn’t know how close he was in that assumption. Regina fully believed she was going crazy. Why else was she dreaming about a woman dressed as if she belonged in the eighteenth century? Eve kept saying to tell him. When would she realize she didn’t know what man she spoke of? The only male she was around was Bradford. Did she mean to tell the duke? That didn’t seem right, but she couldn’t explain why. She’d hold it to herself until she was certain what the eerie Irish woman wanted. It was better if she didn’t come off as a lunatic without having full knowledge to deliver to the mysterious him. Although, in Regina’s opinion, the woman should know she couldn’t depend on a man to save her. She’d need to do that herself. Men were too unreliable.
Finally, Bradford sighed and nodded. “What do you want to know?”
“Whatever you can think of.” Her eyes rested on a chessboard on the other side of the room. It gave her an idea. He was on edge and perhaps a game would help ease some of the tension. “Do you play chess?” She gestured toward the game.
His gaze followed her movements. Bradford shook his head. “I’ve some experience. I didn’t take you for the chess type.” Then he tilted his head and stared at her. “On second thought, it is something you’d excel at. You can be quite clever at times.”
Unsure how to take that statement, Regina chose to take it as a compliment. “Thanks. So do you want to play?”
“Why not.” He waved his hand toward the board. “We can discuss some things as we play.”
That had been her thoughts exactly. She stood and strolled over to the set and sat in the chair across from the white pieces. “You don’t mind do you? I always liked the white ones.” It reminded her of the games she’d played with her father growing up. She didn’t know why, but they’d always chosen the same color. It was more of a habit than anything. Regina had learned strategy by watching her father play. She didn’t need to use the white chest pieces to play, but she’d prefer to do so. A small part of her was also superstitious and believed she’d play better if she used them. It was silly, but considering how things had gone in the past year, she didn’t like taking anything for chance.
“Not at all.” He grinned. “I look forward to watching you play.”
He probably thought he’d beat her. Regina grinned. “Likewise.” She moved one of her pawns on the board. “Now, about the fifth duke and his family.”
“It’s funny you asked about them.” He made his move and glanced up at her. “I may have mentioned them somewhat to your sister on your wedding day.”
Regina stopped short. She’d been about to pick up a rook and slide it over, but stopped when he spoke. “What do you mean?” The chess game was already forgotten before it had even begun. “Why would you mention them to Alys?”
When had Bradford and Alys been alone long enough to have a detailed conversation about his family? A small sting of jealousy filled her and she couldn’t brush it away so easily. The only time she’d ever seen them talk was when they headed toward the church before her wedding. They had stood up together for her and Trenton. Alys hadn’t seemed to like Bradford much, but looks could be deceiving. Maybe they got on a lot better than she’d thought.
Bradford sat back in his chair. “I didn’t in so many words. She reminded me of someone in one of the portraits in the family gallery. As we walked to the church, I asked if she’d seen any of them.”
How odd. What did it mean? “And that related to the fifth Duke?” Her forehead creased.
“His wife, actually.” He shrugged. “Are you going to move?” He gestured toward the board.
She gritted her teeth and glared at him. He seemed more intent on focusing on the game than telling her what he’d discussed with her sister. It was rather irritating, but when wasn’t the damn man frustrating her? Regina completed her turn. “What was her name?”
“Whom?” Bradford studied the board. “Oh, the fifth Duchess of Weston. After meeting your sister, I got a little curious. Not right away, mind you. It was sometime after your wedding I looked into it.”
“Meeting my sister made you look into your family history?” Regina raised a brow. “Kind of lazy of you not to be curious before then.”
Bradford smiled. “I’ve found other ways to amuse myself.”
Regina bet he did. His smile was pure sin. If she wanted to, she could reach out and wipe it off his face. Whatever was making him skittish around her was frustrating. Gazing at him now though, she believed he was completely capable of making her forget everything with one touch.
“So what did you discover?” Regina asked again, a little breathlessly. “What was the Duchess’s name?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “I hit a snag. The information I sought was taken by one of my other ancestors when she marri
ed.”
“Why would she do that?” It seemed a little odd to Regina. What reason could his ancestor possibly have for taking the information with her? “Is that normal?”
Bradford ignored her and continued to study the chessboard. After a moment he made his move and looked up at her with a victorious grin. “Checkmate.”
Her gaze flew to the board. Damn it. He’d managed to fully block her king in from all angles. How had she allowed that to happen? Regina grimaced and conceded the win. “We’ll have to do a rematch later when I’m not so distracted.” She hated losing.
He leaned back in his chair and smirked at her. “Why bother? You will lose no matter what you try.”
She rolled her eyes and bit back the retort about to roll off her tongue. Volleying digs back and forth wouldn’t get her the answers she sought. She had this niggling feeling the duchess’s name was important. Why else was it so hard to obtain? She wasn’t sure what it would lead to, and it may be nothing, but she wanted the information so she could decide for herself. So she ignored his arrogant grin and said, “You never answered me.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t realize you asked anything worth responding to.”
Conceited prick. “Why would your ancestor take the information about the fifth Duchess?”
“Oh, that.” He waved it off. “She was the last of my family to be married in the vicarage on the estate. They decided to hold weddings in more prestigious locales, but kept the vicarage intact.” Bradford stared at her with a hint of distain. “Your marriage to Trenton doesn’t count. He’s not a Kendall.”
Ignoring his pointed barbs was proving to be more and more difficult the more he opened his damned mouth. She clenched the side of the table and shook off the need to punch him in the nose. “Did no one plan on marrying there after her? Is that why she took the record book?”