by Aliyah Burke
“Don’t tell me. Tell your papa.”
She had a hard time getting out the word papa, Lucien noticed.
Bryn jumped over onto his lap and hugged him hard. “Can I go with you, Papa? I will be good and all that other icky stuff Mama makes me promise to do.”
“Yes, you can come with me. Are you going to sleep here tonight?” he asked his son, evading Ciara’s gaze as he tried to stifle a grin at his son’s words.
“That will be fine. Mama and I can share a room.” He looked to his mother for confirmation.
“No, baby. I won’t be staying. It would just be you. I have to go back to Aunt Fi’s.”
Lucien noticed his son withdrawing from him and leaning back toward his mother.
Bryn glanced at her with a scared look. “I don’t want to stay here if you are not going to be here, Mama.”
This was it. Right now, she had a chance to sever all ties with Lucien, make him continue to depend on her. He held his breath, waiting. When she began speaking in a language he didn’t know, his gut plummeted to the ground.
Her son digested whatever she had said and looked at him. Lucien struggled to remain impassive.
“Mama. You said we were only supposed to speak English around Papa, ’cause he couldn’t understand, ’member? You said it was rude.”
“You are right, Bryn. I apologize.” She rose from the couch. “Come give me a hug. I have to go.” Bryn hopped off and ran over to her and wrapped his arms around her neck as she knelt on the floor. “You’ll be fine. Have fun.”
Lucien rose as well. “What about dinner? You said you would have dinner with him. We can have something within a few minutes.” He implored with his gaze.
“Will you stay for dinner, Mama? I am not quite as brave as I thought.” Her son spoke in a hushed tone, but Lucien heard.
“I will stay for dinner. Then you need to go to bed.”
“Will you show him how to tuck me in? He might not do it right.” Bryn spoke as if that were a cardinal sin.
“Your papa is a very smart man. I’m sure he will learn the proper way to tuck in little boys.”
“With your help, Mama, maybe he will learn. It’s just that you’ve done it much longer and I know you do it the proper way.”
Bryn tucked his hand into Lucien’s and led him to the door, chatting about the ‘proper’ way to tuck a boy in.
* * * *
Two hours later Lucien told their son a story, after tucking him in, the proper way, while Ciara stood in the doorway.
“Mama?”
“Yes, baby?” She approached and stood next to Lucien who still sat on the bed.
“I love you, Mama.”
“I love you too, baby. Goodnight. Have fun tomorrow. Mind your father and…”
“Mama. I will.” His lower lip trembled. He spoke with rapid fire to his mother in a language Lucien couldn’t understand, as a tear leaked out of the corner of his eye.
Ciara leaned over and wiped the tear away. Rising, she placed her whiskey gaze on Lucien as she answered in English, “Aye, Bryn. I trust him. I trust him with my life.” Then she leaned over to give her son one more kiss and she was gone.
Lucien said goodnight to his son and as he left the room he comprehended what Bryn had asked his mother. Did she trust him? She’d said yes, which banished the last bit of fear her son had about staying with him.
He strode down the stairs, hoping to catch her. She was swinging up into her saddle when he did.
“Ciara. Wait.”
“What is it, Wolf? I have to go.” Her voice was tight, controlled.
“Thank you for that. You could have taken him from me forever. Instead, you gave him the strength to stay with me.”
“He is your son as well.” She wheeled Artemis around and rode off without a backward glance.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The next day Ciara kept busy. She rode all over the property with Faolan and Kosse. She had never felt so alone. This was the first time she had been separated from her son.
A warning growl from her animals alerted her to a rider coming up. It was Richard. He stopped his horse beside her. It was covered with scars from whippings. Even now it was lathered and blowing hard.
“A word?” His tone didn’t escape her.
“What do you want?” There was no civility in her question, for she didn’t see the need. She didn’t like him and she didn’t trust him.
“I was just wondering why you were allowing your son to be the subject of ridicule?” At her blank look he continued, “I was at the races, where I saw my brother conversing with not one, not two, but three of his old mistresses. He introduced your son, excuse me, his son too, as ‘just a boy’ he was bringing to the races for a day. He even made some assignations.”
He looked as if she should be upset by his claim.
“Why should you care what he does to my son? Isn’t it true that if he claims him, you have even less chance of inheriting the dukedom? So why would I believe you, for all I know you just want him out of the way so you can get your nasty hands on the title?”
Ciara didn’t let him see how those words that he had spoken hurt her. She would deal with Wolf later.
“Your son is still a bastard, since you aren’t married. Not to mention he is just a kid, and children are prone to accidents.” Richard’s attitude raised her protective instincts in an instant.
“I know he is a child, which is why he is well watched. I will know of any harm that would befall him. I will allow nothing, nor anyone, to hurt my son.”
“Are you threatening me?” He seemed almost incredulous.
“No more than you are threatening my son.” Her words spoken laid down the stakes. At his raised eyebrows, she nodded. “Good. I see we understand each other.” She rode off, thinking that the sooner she left this country, the better.
When she got back to her aunt’s house, there was a note from Lucien waiting for her. It read—
Bryn did well, we had a wonderful time. My horses won (in case you wondered).
He decided that he would stay the night again. I said it would be all right.
If you wish to come over, I have room in my bed for you.
Maybe you could tuck me in properly.
We miss you. Some of us are lonely for your company.
On the chance that you will decline to join me in bed,
The meeting my sister requested is scheduled for ten o’clock.
I will see you then, if not before.
Love,
Your Wolf
Ciara crumpled up the note and threw it into the fire. He was teasing her. He wanted her to rush over there to see her son. She wouldn’t do it. She trusted him. Her son would be safe.
To keep her mind occupied, she spent the night carving a statue. Her uncle had given her some wood and she was making him a statue. Her grandfather and cousin were spending the evening with her so she was not lacking in company. It just wasn’t the company she wanted to be with. If they noticed her agitation, they made no mention of it.
“We will be leaving at the end of the week.” Her grandfather spoke, breaking the silence.
“So soon?”
“We need to get home with the winter coming on. You know you and Bryn are always welcome on the Isle. Come for a visit. Please, the rest of the clan would love to meet you and my great-grandson.” Pride shone in his eyes. “He is a wonderful boy and my boy did a wonderful job of raising you. I am proud of you, Ciara McKay. Don’t ever forget that. And don’t e’er forget that we are family.”
Ciara nodded as she rose to give him a hug. On impulse she gave one to Conar as well, who whooped and grabbed her for a long kiss on the mouth. “Get off me, oaf.”
“Here now, lass. I thought you were coming with me.” The rest of her cousins that were present just laughed. She looked around. There were twelve men present plus her grandfather.
All of them tall and brawny. A good-looking lot. All cousins, all family. All clan. They all bega
n hollering for a kiss and soon she was being handed from one to the next as they claimed their kisses. By the time she was back on solid ground, her aunt and uncle were in the room and they were laughing along with everyone else.
She gave her grandpa a carving of a mountain lion that her father had started and she’d helped with. There were tears in the old man’s eyes as he accepted the gift. She went to bed with a happy heart. It had been a good night.
* * * *
She rode into Heartstone a little before ten. Bryn was waiting on the steps and came running before she had dismounted. He looked so happy.
“Morning, Mama. I am going to take Toka for a ride. Can I bring Faolan and Kosse with me?”
“Of course, baby. Have fun and be mindful of the men riding with you.”
“Bye, Mama. Papa says that you are having a meeting. Are you going to marry him so we can all live together?”
Bryn ran off before she could even think to answer his question. “Yes, Ciara. Are you going to marry his papa so you can be one family?” Lucien asked from the top of the steps, the serious gleam belying the smile on his face.
Yes. I would love to marry you and live with you forever. Her heart spoke one thing. Her mouth said nothing of the sort.
“Good morning, Wolf. Stop putting ideas in his head.” She brushed past him on the stairs and didn’t get more than two steps away before she was pulled back.
“Uh-uh, princess. I need a good-morning kiss.”
He tugged on her shirt, reeling her in a slow, but constant motion. He lightly touched her lips with his before begging entrance to her mouth with his tongue. When she opened, he sucked on her lower lip until she shuddered in his arms. He made a broad sweep of her mouth then pulled back, leaving her wanting. Again.
Grabbing her by the arm, he propelled her into the house.
“They are in the library waiting. Do you know what this is about?”
Lucien was nowhere near as calm as he was portraying. He was as hard as the stone his home was made of. All he had to do was inhale her honey and berry scent and he was as randy as a goat.
Damn her pride. He knew she wanted him—every response he got said as much. She wouldn’t, or couldn’t, let go of needing to go back to America. He was about ready to abduct her and take her to Scotland.
They entered the library to find Devonna fiddling with her hands and Rafe looking as confused as Lucien felt. They waited in silence as the servants brought the tea and Devonna served all present.
After a time, Lucien looked at his sister and said, “Well? Devonna, what is it you have to tell us?”
Devonna had moved and was sitting alone in a chair closest to the door. Rafe sat on a settee facing her. Lucien occupied a tall-backed chair by Rafe and Ciara had claimed the couch with her back to the large windows in the room.
“Devonna. Come sit by me.”
Ciara issued the order and to his surprise Devonna didn’t hesitate but came right over and sat next to her. The woman who owned his heart then turned her gaze to the men. “You two need to hear her out before you say anything and before you judge.” That was also a command. Lucien recognized this Ciara, the protector. He and Rafe nodded their agreement.
With a little additional prodding from Ciara, Devonna began, her voice so low he had to sit up to hear.
“First, I want to start off by saying that I understand that you may wish to cry off from the wedding after you hear this.”
Christ, she’s pregnant.
“I have to thank you, Saint, for taking me with you seven years ago when you left Stokley. I know I didn’t make it easy for you, with flinching from you every time you came near me. I am sorry for that and wish I could take it all back.” Her voice shook with each word she spoke.
“I just feel that it is not fair, especially to Lord Harrington, to marry me under such pretenses. I don’t know how to say this, but…” Her voice faltered.
Lucien looked to Ciara for an explanation but she pinned him with a glare. Obviously, she had meant what she said about hearing her out.
“Go ahead, Devonna. Tell them.”
She offered her hand and Devonna latched on to it. Lucien noticed Ciara’s wince.
“I’m not a virgin.” She never raised her voice but they all heard.
“What!” Lucien roared.
Devonna cringed as tears began to fall. He spun on Rafe who had the same look on his face, so Lucien knew his friend hadn’t done it.
“Who did it? Damn it, Devonna, who? Quit cringing. Tell me who did this.”
He stood, flexing his hands, longing to hurt someone. Since his direction was focused on Devonna, she shrank back even farther. The marquess had returned in full form.
“Enough. Sit down. Let her finish,” Ciara interjected and Lucien ignored her words but not her intrusion.
“Keep out of this. It is not your business.”
He was so mad. How could Devonna have done this?
“How could you have done this? Were they right when they called you a slut?”
“Enough, Luc. I will still marry her. It doesn’t matter to me. There is no need to put her through this,” Rafe said.
“Of course you will. You would never go back on your word. But, Devonna, how could you? With who? Damn you, tell me!”
Lucien watched his sister flinch back and try to hide behind Ciara.
“Luc, enough. Leave her alone.”
Rafe had risen as well, facing off with Lucien.
“I will get to the bottom of this, Rafe. Stay out of this.”
“That is my future wife you are yelling at. I have every right to be in it.”
“She behaved like a whore. She gave herself to someone knowing that she should go to marriage a virgin,” Lucien grated out, with an accusing finger jabbing at his sister.
“Enough! Sit down both of you and keep your mouths shut.”
Ciara had risen and was in full fury. Lucien looked at her as. She narrowed her eyes, pointing at the chairs they’d vacated, and snapped, “Sit!”
He did and in his periphery noticed that Rafe had as well. She pinned them each with a glare that froze him to their seats. “Both of you promised to hear her out. So listen.”
Lucien shook his head. “Emma was right. She called her a slut. She just—”
“Shut up, St. Martin. Listen to your sister.” Ciara’s tone and words made him take notice. She never called him St. Martin.
Devonna amended her last statement. “Ciara says I still am a virgin since…since it was not given away freely. I am sorry that I had to put you through this.” She sank to the couch and covered her face with her trembling hands. “I can’t do this, Ciara. Will you tell them?”
Ciara rounded on him and Rafe. “Don’t the two of you realize what she is saying? She isn’t a virgin anymore but it wasn’t by choice.” Pinning a glare on Lucien, she snarled, “Your sister was raped. Since she was sixteen until you took her away. That was why she cringed from you. For if one brother would do it, why not the other? It’s not like her father helped her.”
“I’ll kill him,” Rafe growled.
“Not before I will.” Lucien echoed his friend’s growl. It all made sense. I have been so blind. How could I not have known?
He looked at Ciara. “Have you always known?” His tone was tortured.
“I figured it out.”
“How?” He begged to be told how he could have missed this.
Ciara swallowed. “Like recognizes like. I knew the signs.”
Her meaning sank in. His heart broke anew. “That is why your parents? Oh god, princess, I am so sorry.” He reached for her, but she waved him off.
“Tend to your own. I will leave you all alone for a while.”
Ciara offered a tiny smile to Devonna before she left. Lucien enfolded his sister in the first hug he’d received since she came to live with him.
They would deal with Richard after.
* * * *
Ciara called for her horse and rode out to
find her son. She caught up to them deep in the woods. He was trying to get the footman to race. She sent them on their way and spoke to her son.
“We need to go to Auntie Fi’s. We can race on the way there.”
“Why, Mama?”
“Your great-grandfather and all the cousins are leaving. We need to say goodbye.”
“Will we see them again?” He fell in beside her as they rode through the woods.
“Aye. We could go visit them in Ireland. Would you like that?”
“Could Papa come?”
Ciara looked around for Faolan and Kosse as she got control of her emotions. “We’ll see.” They were slinking through the shadows of the trees, present but hidden.
“Mama? Can I ask a question?”
“Of course, baby? What is it?”
“Well, I know that Auntie Dev is getting married to Uncle Rafe. They say that if people are to be a family, the parents should be married. When I was at the races with Papa, he had lots of women coming up to him asking when he would marry them. They sent me evil looks. Why aren’t you and Papa married? Auntie Fi loves Uncle Trent and Auntie Dev says she loves Uncle Rafe. Do you not love Papa? Is that why we aren’t a family?”
Bryn had stopped the horse and was looking at his mother with a sadness that tore her heart out of her chest.
“It’s not that simple, Bryn. Your papa and I have some things to work out between us.”
“I want to be a family. Like you always talked about. Is it me?”
“No. Never think that. England is different than back home. Your papa is a very wealthy man and over here there are certain rules about who he should marry. I will talk to him, all right? I think it is time the two of us had a chat.”
“Okay, Mama. You look sad. I didn’t mean to make you sad. Please don’t be sad.”
“I’m not sad. Just thinking. Have you thought of what you would like to give Auntie Dev as a gift for her wedding?”
“No. I don’t have anything. Maybe you could carve something from the both of us.” He sounded so hopeful all she could do was laugh.