by Aliyah Burke
“And the kid.” She noticed he didn’t say brat. “Was he an attempt to get money?”
“No. If that was the case, I would have said something when he was born.”
“My son claims to wish to marry you. Regardless of how I feel about this, I can’t and will not have the family name hurt. Soon this will be just another one of his scandals that will blow over. The wedding will take place here. We will show our support.”
That did catch her off guard. “I have not said I would marry your son.”
The duke continued as if she had not spoken. “After the novelty of you wears off, he will be back with his mistress and forget all about you. Perhaps leave you in the country or send you away somewhere. Then we could just forget about you.” The duke leveled a stare at her that shot fire. “He changed, you know. When he came back from your bloody country of upstarts. What did you do to him?”
“Do you even know what your son went through?” Ciara backed off and stood arms crossed as she looked at this old man in front of her.
“He said that he was injured for a bit. Unimportant. I was concerned with the horse he was bringing.”
Ciara shook her head in disbelief. No wonder Lucien was the way he was. “He almost died. Do you realize that? Died. Dead. As in, no more son. Can you comprehend that?”
The duke’s mouth shut with a snap. “What are you talking about? He said he got knocked off a horse. Stupid boy never could ride like he should be able to.” The duke narrowed his eyes at her.
“Aye, he did get knocked off his horse. Because a bear attacked them. When I found him he was being tossed around like a rag doll. He was near death for two weeks.” Indignation rose along with her voice. “You should be ashamed. You are the worst kind of man. Your son almost died. Your own daughter has been tormented in her own home and you allow it. You can’t see past your own face.”
She slapped her hands down on the desk, calling the complete attention of the duke as she lowered her face even to his withered one. “You are a bastard of a man and if I never see you again it will be too soon. Stay away from me. Stay away from my son. This conversation is over.”
Ciara made it to the door when she heard a single word from behind her. “Wait.” She turned back to the duke who looked paler than usual. “Wait. What did you mean? About my daughter?”
“I didn’t speak in tongues. You figure it out. Whatever dislike you have for me, well, I don’t understand it, but I don’t care. Your daughter still loves you even though you have neglected her for her entire life and for some reason your son would love for you to be proud of him. Although why I couldn’t tell you.
“I don’t know what you have against me. You don’t even know me. The only connection we have is through your son and the horse he brought you. My meeting him was an accident, for I am sure that he would never have wished to have been attacked by the bear. I healed him, for that is what I do. Nothing more. I am sorry that you lead such a bitter life. I saw that in your son when he first woke up. You’re right, he did change. He learned what it was like to enjoy life. Good day.” Ciara left before the duke could form a response.
Striding down the hall, she walked to the entrance of the house, trying to imagine what it was like to grow up in a place sans love. Her life had been full of it and she couldn’t even begin to picture what they went through. A shocked gasp caught her attention.
The duchess was coming down the large staircase. “What are you doing here?” the duchess demanded. “Why are you in my home?”
“I’m not. I’m leaving.” She did. Jogging down the steps, she vaulted into her saddle and turned Artemis down the drive and set her off with a touch of her heels. Soon the house and its eerie feel were far behind.
She rode up to her aunt’s house but instead of handing the reins over to the footman, she asked, “Has my son returned yet?”
“No, miss. He is still with the marquess, I mean his father.” The man blushed.
“Thank you.” It was time for him to eat his dinner. She waved goodbye to the footman and, as he raised his hand in return, she grinned.
When she first came, they had looked at her like she was too crazy to pay attention to them. She overcame their reservations with her normal ease and cheer.
Weeks opened the door. “Hello, Weeks. Is my son here?”
“Good afternoon, miss. He is out with his father. I believe they were going to the stables to name the horses.”
“Thank you, Weeks.” Turning, she was brought up short by a soft voice.
“Wait. Miss… Ciara. Do you have a moment?” It was Devonna. She was wearing a light green day dress that enhanced her beauty and yet still she looked sad.
Smiling at the woman, she nodded. “Of course, I was just heading to the stables. Would you care to join me?” Devonna came outside with her and stared at her. Ciara watched as she worked her bottom lip with her teeth. “Maybe a walk to the lake? I could go for stretching my legs after such a long ride.”
“Yes. I would like that.” She gestured for her to walk and fell in beside her. Devonna was quiet as they walked and Ciara waited for her to start.
A large black streak came running up and she bent to say hello to Faolan. She knew that Bryn must know she was here. “Was there something you wished to tell me?” Devonna looked close to tears. Ciara rose and opened her arms and Devonna fell into them as her cries came out of her in a torrent.
Ciara just held her and let her cry. Devonna’s legs began to shake so Ciara led her over to beneath a tree and continued to hold her as she would hold her own child if he was crying like this. Rocking her back and forth, she let her cry it all out, knowing she would speak when she was ready.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Lucien had seen Faolan run off and knew that she was there. Bryn knew it as well. He sent Bryn in for some food and promised to bring his mom to him. “You go in and get some food while I look for your mother.”
“I want to tell her what we did today, Papa.”
That word still made him choke up with tears.
“Fine. You tell her, but first we have to eat. Run inside and tell Cook to get you something.”
“Okay. See you inside, Papa.”
“I’ll be along soon.” He ruffled his son’s hair. His son. And swallowed back tears when he got a hug.
“Love you, Papa.” Then he was gone, off running with the spirit of a child.
Lucien looked toward the lake and saw Faolan so he headed that direction. What he saw when he arrived was more than he’d ever expected. His sister was sitting in Ciara’s lap like a little child. Her head was tucked up under Ciara’s chin and she was shaking.
Ciara rubbed her back as she began to sing a quiet song. It was not in English but Devonna seemed to understand the feeling of the song. Her sobs slowed until she was almost silent. Ciara didn’t stop, simply continued as if she were doing something ordinary, as if it was normal for her to hold a grown woman in her lap as she cried.
Faolan rose and she followed his gaze to look into the blue eyes of Lucien. One eyebrow rose in silent question. Without stopping her song or the rocking, she gave a slight shake of her head. Lucien nodded as he stepped back
After Lucien had disappeared from sight, Devonna raised her head. Her face was streaked with tears, red and blotchy. She scooted off Ciara’s lap and hung her head in shame. “I am s-so s-sorry,” she stammered. “I don’t know what came over me.”
“Everyone needs a shoulder to cry on from time to time.” There was no censure in her tone, only quiet understanding.
“Why aren’t you asking me what’s wrong? Or telling me to stop crying because a lady never shows her emotions?”
“If you wish to talk about it, you will. And I am the last person that can be telling you what a ‘lady’ would do. I’m wearing pants.”
Ciara turned to Devonna and took one of her hands in her own. She looked her right in the eye and spoke softly. “I am here if you do wish to talk about it. But I will never fo
rce you to do so.”
“I feel so bad about deceiving Rafe. I mean Lord Harrington.”
“Why? What are you deceiving him about? Are you not going to marry him?” Ciara furrowed her brow.
“No. No. Nothing like that. I am so excited about marrying him. I have always had a crush on him.” A girlish smile crossed her face. “No, about him marrying someone who isn’t a virgin.” She blushed at the word virgin.
“Look at you. You blush just saying the word. How can he think you are anything but one?”
“But I lost proof.”
“No. It was taken from you. Devonna, do you trust me?”
“Yes. I’ll admit I don’t know you very well but I think I trust you.” She nodded. “I am sure I trust you.”
“Tell your brother.” The look of horror that crossed her face made Ciara reach out and take hold of her arm to keep her from bolting away. “Listen to me.” She adopted a tone that she used with Bryn when he was being stubborn. It worked like it did with her son. Devonna stayed even though she was nervous.
“Your brother loves you. I have seen the look of pain on his face when you pull away from him. He would never hold that against you. And I don’t believe Rafe would either. He took you away from them seven years ago. In that time, has he ever done anything that would make you think that he would be like Richard?”
“How did you know who?” Her breath came in short gasps.
“I figured it out. Answer me. Has he?” Her tone sharp.
“No. He hasn’t.”
“Then why are you punishing him? All he sees is a sister who can’t stand him. And yet, he still stands by you. He stood up to your father when he wanted you to marry that other man. You trusted him for that, why not with this? He won’t turn his back on you.
“Think about it. In the seven years that you have been here, have you ever felt threatened by him? Has he ever made you uncomfortable? I would bet not. I know that what Richard did was horrible and inexcusable, but that was Richard, not Lucien. Don’t punish the brother that loves you for something the other one did.” She rose.
“I am going to the house to see my son. Think about what I said. I think that you should also tell Rafe. If you wish to tell them, I would be there with you should you desire it. Both your brother and fiancé are good men, don’t forget that. Don’t let Richard win by ruling your life with fear.” She left her then and headed toward her son.
“Mama.” He jumped at her and hugged her. “I missed you today. Where did you go? What did you do? I had fun. I got to name the baby we brought for Papa. Guess what I named him? Guess, Mama!”
She set him down and ruffled his hair. “Give me a minute, Bryn. You are asking too many questions at once. One at a time. I missed you too. Now, what did you name the colt?”
“What fun is that? Guess, Mama.” Hands on hips, he looked affronted that she would dare to take his fun away.
“All right. A guess. Let’s see.”
Ciara chewed on her bottom lip as she pretended to think hard on this question, while Bryn danced from foot to foot with impatience as he chanted, “You’ll never guess.”
Aware that Lucien stood in the doorway to the kitchen and watched the interaction with mother and son, she continued to think hard. “Humm. I think… No, I’m going to say”—she leaned down to his ear and said in a stage whisper—“Storm.”
Astonishment crossed his face, Lucien’s as well. Bryn stamped his foot and demanded as his lower lip stuck out, “How did you know that? Who told you?”
“No one told me, no one had to.” She smiled as she placed a kiss on his scrunched-up face. “I’m your mother. I know all.” She winked at him and rose. “How was he today?” The question was directed to the man in the doorway who took up more space than he had a right to.
Lucien entered the room, making it feel even smaller. “He was a very well-behaved boy. My son did wonderful.” He watched as Bryn darted off to play with Kosse with a wave to them both. “How did you know what he would name the colt?”
She gifted him with a rare full-blown smile. “Like I said, I am his mother and I know.”
He crossed over to her, immune to, or perhaps it was uncaring of, the kitchen staff that watched them with amazement and drew her into his arms.
“Tell me then, ‘mother who knows all’, what am I going to do?”
His voice was throaty and sent shivers flying all through her. His passion-filled stare ran over her body with hunger.
Ciara’s own body flared in response as her tone deepened with desire. “Kiss me.” A plead? A wish? Who knew?
“As my princess commands.”
Growling low in his throat, he did just that. Melting into his embrace, Ciara forgot where she was, who she was. Forgot everything except the feel of his lips on hers, his body pressed intimately against hers.
A low whistle brought them both back to the present. Lucien raised his head to look at the kitchen staff that was trying not to smile, and failing. Ciara tried to pull away, but his arms locked around her like chains, holding her prisoner. A willing prisoner.
“Let me go, Wolf.” She spoke in a soft tone.
“Never.” The word so quiet she wasn’t sure she had heard correct. He opened his arms so she could step back. His gaze belied his motion. They agreed with the single word he spoke. They heard childish laughter and saw Bryn and Devonna standing in the doorway watching them.
Devonna raised an eyebrow in perfect imitation of her brother. Which caused Bryn to laugh even harder.
“You two look like you got caught doing something bad.” His voice was full of joy.
“Bryn.”
The warning came from his mother. He ran off, trying not to laugh, knowing that his mother wasn’t really angry with him at all.
“Saint?”
“Yes, Devonna?”
“Can you arrange for a meeting with Lord Harrington two days from now? I wish to speak to the both of you.”
“About what?”
“Please. In two days. Can you do that?”
“Yes. I will send a note today.”
“Ciara, will you be there as well, please?”
“Aye.”
As his sister left, Lucien turned to Ciara and asked, “What did you do today?”
He settled his hand on the small of her back as they walked out of the kitchens and to a sitting room.
“Nothing important. Just answered a letter.”
“From whom?” He felt a wave of jealousy hit him.
“Don’t worry about it. I have to get back. It will be time for Bryn to find his bed soon. Thank you for keeping him today.”
“There is no need to thank me for watching my own son, Ciara.”
He settled her on a small couch then sat beside her. Draping his arm over the back and also her shoulders, he accepted the silence just enjoying being with her.
After a bit he asked, “How did you know what he named the colt?”
Leaning her head against his shoulder, she chuckled.
“The night the colt was born, a wild storm raged through the mountains. When Bryn saw him the next day for the first time, he asked me if the storm had left him the baby to play with. I knew from that day on he would always think of the colt as Storm.”
“Was he disappointed that he didn’t get the colt?”
“No. He had Toka, and since he was allowed to play with all of them, it never occurred to him to want the colt. He loves horses and is very good with them.”
“I know. I was amazed the first time I saw him on that horse. He handles him like a pro.”
“He wants to race them. Maybe if you helped him then I wouldn’t feel so nervous about it. Or talked him out of it. From what I remember, the races can get very nasty at times. When it’s just the two of us, I don’t worry ’cause we are just racing for fun. Not money.”
“You let him race? Are you crazy, woman? He is too young to be racing.”
“He has been on horseback since before he was born.
Toka would never hurt him, nor would any of the other horses I’ve put him on. Don’t you think that I would be the first one to tell him no if I thought he would be in danger? Look, life in the mountains is dangerous. He needed to know how to ride. Besides, a growing boy likes adventure.”
“All right. You’re right. You wouldn’t put him danger. I could take him to a race with me tomorrow. I have two horses racing. You could come as well.” A family outing.
“No. I need to get away from people for a while. If you are sure you wish to have him with and he agrees, then I see no problem with it.”
“We can ask him.” Pulling her back when she rose, he tucked her in along his side again. “When he comes in. I don’t want to share you right now. Just let me hold you.”
She relaxed against him and he watched as the sun started to set.
“Mama. Mama.” The childish yell reached her long before the child did.
“Brenden Kumi. What have I told you about yelling inside?”
“Not to do it. Sorry, Mama.” He looked only a little put out as he climbed up onto her lap. “I’m hungry. When do we eat?”
Lucien shook with silent laughter. Always hungry. What a kid. “Dinner will be served in three hours.”
“That long? I’m hungry now.”
“Bryn, that is when the adults eat. You will be sleeping.” Ciara’s words were soft.
“Mama, why can’t I eat with you? I miss eating with you.”
“I miss eating with you too, baby. Normally I would have eaten with you, but you were here, remember? I will have dinner with you tonight, but we should go now.”
“Why don’t you eat here? That way Bryn can spend the night and we can leave in the morning?”
The words were out of Lucien’s mouth before he knew he’d spoken them. He blanched at the look on her face.
“Where are we going in the morning, Mama?” The promise of an adventure overrode the immediate need for sustenance.
“Your father wanted to take you with him to a horse race. He has two horses entered. What do you think? Would you like to go?”
If bouncing was any indication that he did, he was ready now. She stilled him with a touch as he repeated, “Yes. Yes. Yes.” Over and over.