Megan watched the couple before her in a haze of pain and anger. When was the last time they had talked? Two dark-haired children toddled out of the house and onto the patio as well. When they saw Liam, they squealed with delight, raced across the area, and flung themselves into his waiting arms. He laughed and showered the equal amount of affection on each one.
The children, a boy and a girl, were chattering animatedly, each one trying to turn his face in their direction so they knew they had his full, and undivided, attention. Megan felt an ache unlike any she had known before. Were those his children? And who was that woman? Had all of his tales of the torture he suffered been false? And why hadn’t he fought against the wedding if he already had a family? She stood and walked towards her horse, preparing herself to join the group and demand answers to the questions spinning through her mind.
When she looked up after reaching her horse, the sight that greeted her had her knees buckling. If it weren’t for the horse’s saddle, she would have collapsed in a heap. “No, it can’t be,” she whispered as she swiped away the tears that blurred her vision. But there was the proof in front of her. Liam had his arms wrapped around the beautiful blonde, and she could hear him calling to the children.
“Come inside. You’re going to meet your new brother or sister very soon.”
A rage unlike any she had ever known before washed over her. She swung herself into the horse’s saddle and spurred it in the direction of the group about to disappear inside the house.
* * *
Liam’s pleasant visit changed in the space of seconds. He had been visiting with Mack and Cassie’s children, who now referred to him as “Unca Lee”, and the next moment he felt a punishing grip on his forearm. He followed with his eyes the hand and arm of the woman it belonged to all the way up until he saw her face.
“Cassie, what’s wrong?”
“I think the baby’s coming. Now,” she managed.
“What?”
“I think it’s been coming for a while, but this is really it.”
“How long is a while?” Liam asked cautiously, hoping that the woman was mistaken.
“Since last night?” she shrugged and winced as she was gripped by another pain.
“And you didn’t tell Mack?!”
She bit her lip and shook her head. “Don’t yell at me! Help me inside.”
Liam quickly lowered the children to the ground and moved to Cassie’s side to help her stand. “Come inside. You’re going to meet your new brother or sister very soon.” The children squealed in delight and ran into the house ahead of the adults.
Halfway across the veranda, several things happened. Cassie gave out a yelp and almost went to her knees before Liam caught her up in his arms. And Megan, his Megan, who should have been at Brookdale Manor preparing for the upcoming race was sitting astride a horse looking beautifully angry. He thought that if she knew how to make it happen, her eyes might shoot fire.
“Megan?”
“I hope you and your whore will be happy,” she spat. “You lying bastard!” She turned the horse down the street and quickly disappeared.
“Your wife?” Cassie asked, catching her breath.
“Yes.”
“She’s beautiful.”
“Yes, and in a snit.”
“I would say that was more than a snit,” Cassie groaned.
“How am I ever going to explain this?”
“Take me inside and then you can go after her,” she gritted out. Liam did as she asked, depositing her in her bedroom and into the care of Mingzhu who was chatting away in her native tongue. On his way out, Cassie called out to him, “Get Mack, please.” He saw the tears hovering on her lashes and knew his problems would wait.
He ran out of the house to the mews and helped the men saddle his horse, then he was off, riding hard and fast to the War Office. Halfway there, he saw a familiar face, and waved him down. “I swear you are in town more than—”
“Cassie needs you!” Liam cut Mack off.
Mack turned pale and urged his horse on. The two weaved in and out of traffic and made it to the house in record time. They ran into the townhouse and Liam stood at the bottom of the stairs as he watched Mack run to his wife.
“Cassie!” Mack shouted.
Liam heard a long, low feminine growl. Total silence reigned for several heartbeats, then the sound of a baby’s outraged wail filled the air, and Liam let out a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding. He shakily lowered himself onto one of the steps and rested his head in his hands and his elbows on his knees. Megan had done that alone to bring their child into the world. A child whose life had been flushed out too quickly. No wonder she hated him. How long he stayed like that, he didn’t know, but he was still like that when he heard heavy steps descending the stairs. He looked behind him and saw Mack smiling and carrying a squirming, mewling bundle of blankets.
“Would you like to meet your goddaughter?”
“What?”
“Cassie and I have been discussing it ever since you came back, and today clinches it. Cassie can be stubborn to a fault and…well let me just say that I appreciate you being here for her and coming to get me. I just thank God that something made me want to come home early today.”
“I second that.”
“Now, hold out your arms.”
“No, I can’t…I don’t know how.”
“I thought the same thing when the twins were born, but it comes pretty easy. Now, your goddaughter would like to meet you.” Mack slipped the baby into Liam’s arms, coaching him.
“She’s so little.”
“She’ll grow.”
“What’s her name?”
“Leigh Ann. We thought whatever it was, boy or girl, should be named after you. Leigh Ann was the closest we could come to Liam for a girl.”
“Thank you,” Liam said huskily, and quickly blinked at the haze of tears. He dropped a kiss on the little girl’s forehead before passing her back to her father. “Mack, I have to go. Megan came and saw Cassie in my arms. I have to find her and explain.”
“Maybe you should tell her you love her. That might help matters.”
“It might,” Liam replied, straight-faced. “Take care of your wife and Leigh Ann,” he said the name softly with a smile hovering on his lips. “She’ll tell me if you aren’t giving her all that she deserves. She’s my goddaughter, after all.”
* * *
Megan slipped from her horse and crossed to the little hut. She leaned heavily against the door as she raised her fist to knock, but before she could make contact she felt herself tumbling through the air into a pair of strong arms. “Grayson?”
Chapter 23
Megan sat in the corner of Jacqueline’s little house, observing her new friend arguing with a man that looked suspiciously like Grayson, but adamantly denied being him or knowing anything about him. The two things that made her believe he told the truth was he wore an eye patch over his left eye, making him appear very much like a pirate, and his right eye was a sparkling emerald green.
“I put her horse up,” the man said, his voice slightly deeper than Grayson’s.
“At least you’ve put yourself to use. Now, go back to London and leave me be, Mr. Grantham.”
“I can’t do that. I told you, I’ve been hired—”
“I don’t care what you have to say.”
“As I said, I haven’t been allowed to—.”
“And I told you that I’m done with you. Now, leave my house.”
“I’ll be back.”
“Good luck finding me again.”
The door slammed shut and the bolt slid home.
“It sounds like both of us are facing some issues,” Megan said.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for you to hear all that.” She rubbed her hand along her brow and collapsed onto a chair across from Megan. “You look awful,” Jacqueline observed honestly.
“You don’t look much better.”
“I just can’t
believe he isn’t Grayson. They could be twins, except the eye color and the patch. It’s so very strange.”
“I think this Grayson is better off not knowing that stubborn arse,” Jack argued.
“Well, now that we have that out of the way, what brought you here?”
“I don’t really know how I ended up here. I…I rode here straight from London.”
“London?!”
“Aye. I saw something…awful.” She licked her dry lips.
“Why didn’t you go home?”
“I couldn’t, because then he would find me. I guess that’s why I ended up here. I need to hide from my husband, for just a few days. I need to decide what I’m going to do.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” Jack asked.
“No. I just want it to all go away.”
* * *
“Megan!” Liam called upon entering Brookdale Manor.
The only answer came from Paddy, who came running down the stairs at hearing Liam’s voice. “Papa!” the little boy launched himself into Liam’s arms from the last few rungs of the staircase. “I’ve missed you. Where’s Mama?”
“I’ve missed you, too.” He hugged the boy tightly and carried him back up the stairs to what he had begun to call the family room, but others would refer to it as the library or study. He liked the family room because he envisioned them spending their evenings and rainy days here. “You haven’t seen your Mama?”
“No,” the little boy shook his head. “She isn’t with you?”
“No,” Liam answered honestly. “Are you feeling better?” Paddy nodded his head. “Good,” Liam said. They sat together for a long while, Liam rested his chin on Paddy’s head.
“Papa,” Paddy said, softly.
“What is it, son?”
“I miss Mama.”
“I do, too, son,” Liam replied. He delivered Paddy to Annie, and then retraced his steps downstairs. He walked outside, gathered Draco, and led him down to the stables. “Hamrick, you haven’t seen Megan, have you?”
“Not since she left here, determined to follow you. You look like hell. I guess that means it didn’t go well.”
“You could say that.”
“I told her not to do it. I told her it was a bad idea, but you know how headstrong and stubborn the lass can be. She was sure you had a mistress or some such fool idea.” Hamrick squinted and looked up at Liam when he remained silent. “Boy, I’ll unman you right now if you’ve hurt that girl.”
“I haven’t,” Liam denied, taking a step back from the old man who had a sinister looking knife in his hand.
“Then what’s the problem?”
“I’m afraid she saw something and misinterpreted it, but you have to know, I would never do anything to intentionally hurt Megan.”
“Tell her that.”
“I will as soon as I find her.”
“Good luck with that, son.”
* * *
Two days came and went with no sign from Megan. Paddy would hardly eat, was temperamental during the day, and cried himself to sleep at night, often in Liam’s arms. Liam sat up all night, looking out the window, just in case she slipped up to the house or the stable during the night. He was surly and snapped at anyone who approached.
The morning of the race was overcast and gloomy, an apt reflection of the people living in Brookdale Manor. Liam readied for the race and the confrontation he knew would follow, for there was no way Megan would miss one of Legend’s races.
When he arrived at the race track, there was the typical flurry of activity. Stablehands milled about as did the jockeys and trainers. A light drizzle had begun to fall, making the day even more gloomy. Liam strode over to the stall where Legend was temporarily housed.
“Have you seen Lady Brookdale?” he asked the jockey, who had his back to him.
“No,” the young man said gruffly.
“Is something wrong with your voice?”
“Ague,” he replied.
“Are you well enough to race?”
“Yes, m’lord.”
“Well, if you see her, send someone to find me, but don’t let her know you’re doing it. Understand?”
“Aye.”
“Have a good race,” he said before turning and walking away. Where is she?
* * *
Megan didn’t relax until Liam left the stable and was several yards away, searching the crowd. She snuck a look over her shoulder to make certain he was walking in the opposite direction. Now, she had to slip away before Hamrick returned, because she knew this was one thing the old man would not approve of or want any part of. Megan turned to leave and saw Hamrick talking to some other trainers, blocking her way. She ran back and ended up climbing over the stall. She slipped out the back and grabbed a gray horse blanket on her way.
Megan swung the horse blanket around her shoulders and milled about, trying to remain hidden among the crowd. She only began to relax as the race drew closer. Several times she ducked behind a tall gentleman in order not to be detected. Soon a man announced the race would begin shortly. Megan made her way to starting area. By the time she reached Legend’s side, all the other jockeys had mounted their horses.
“Where’ve ye been, boy?”
Megan shrugged and tossed the blanket at Hamrick, keeping her back to him. She stepped into his cupped palms and was propelled onto Legend’s back. He shimmied sideways until she leaned over his neck and whispered in his ear.
“Good luck, lad,” Hamrick said, just as rain began to fall.
Megan nodded, and then he was gone. Her body relaxed, and she continued to coo to Legend, who’s ears flicked back towards her.
“Are you ready for this boy? This is the last one before the big one. You are a champion,” she whispered and patted his neck tenderly. She heard the command to get ready, shortly followed by the gun shot, and someone yelling at her. Megan ignored everything except the wind in her face and giving Legend his head to do what he did best—win. Megan leaned low over his neck, and they easily pulled ahead of the rest of the field.
First they were merely a nose ahead, but it quickly advanced into one length, then two. As they rounded the last turn, Megan felt an awkward shift in the saddle. She attempted to right herself, but something gave. The saddle turned. Megan used her knees and pressed tightly against Legend’s side, to lift herself and let the saddle fall to the ground. But then the worst possible thing that could happen, did. Legend stumbled and soon the ground was coming towards her at an exceptionally fast rate.
* * *
Liam settled in to watch the race. He eyed the crowd, looking for his errant wife. He noticed Legend was quickly pulling ahead of the rest of the horses. Liam felt a quick tug on his arm and looked down to see a frantic Hamrick.
“What’s wrong?”
“Not here, lad.” The old man pulled Liam away from the crowd. “The lass is riding.”
“What?!”
“The lass is out there,” Hamrick repeated.
“I’m going to kill her.” Liam fought his way back through the crowd just in time to see disaster strike. He held his breath as he watched his wife perform some sort of acrobatic feat and allowed the saddle to slip to the ground without her following it. Just as he started to let his held breath escape, tragedy truly struck. He gripped the wooden rail, not feeling the splinters that dug into his palms through his gloves. Legend’s back hooves became tangled in the saddle’s trailing leather straps. In an attempt to free himself he bucked, and the slick track caused the saddle to slide and Legend to go airborne.
The horse started falling. Megan somehow threw herself sideways, but her hat flew off and her head rammed into the rail. She lay incredibly still. Before he thought twice about it, Liam vaulted over the top rail and raced across the track. He jumped one more railing before he ran across the infield. A horrible squealing sound reached his ears before he reached the halfway point.
He looked up to see the horses racing past, trying to avoid the fallen horse and r
ider. He watched Legend squirming and knew the horse was in pain and knew it wasn’t good. Liam picked up his speed and jumped the last set of railing keeping him away from the woman he loved. He slid to her side, mud covering his pants and boots.
“Meg, love.” To his consternation, she remained still, too still. She lay face down on the track and he gently felt her neck. From what he could ascertain, she had no broken bones there. He gently turned her head. He relaxed some when he felt her breath moisten his hand. He tried to ignore the pitiful squealing coming from the horse behind him. “Meg, wake up, love,” he begged. He cupped her head and felt a wetness there. He pulled his hand away and looked in horror at the amount of blood covering his fingers.
“How’s the lass?” Hamrick asked as he rushed over to Liam.
“She’s alive. Legend?”
“Broken leg,” Hamrick replied sadly.
“Do what you must. I’m taking Megan home.”
* * *
Megan roused several times, only to fall back into unconsciousness. Liam cursed himself for not having brought the coach. He ignored the people ogling them and the whispers. Her long, brown hair hung freely, clearly indicating it had not been a man racing Legend. When the gunshot reached his ears as he crossed the halfway mark in the infield, Megan flinched in his arms as if she knew what happened, even though she was unconscious at the time. An eery silence hung over the track. He dreaded telling her.
When they arrived home, Liam slipped from his horse and took his wife’s slight frame back in his arms. She moaned at the movement, but he was glad to hear anything come from her. He strode to the door and kicked it several times before the butler opened it. The look on the servant’s face went from insolent to shocked in a matter of seconds.
“Send for a doctor,” Liam barked out.
“But, m’lord, there isn’t one in the area.”
“Not even for the bloody race?”
“I don’t know, m’lord. I’ve never been. I wouldn’t—”
“Just get someone here that can help her,” he ordered and marched up the stairs with his burden. Annie peeked over the banister, her mouth falling open at what she saw. “Keep Paddy in the nursery. I can’t deal with both of them right now.”
Enticing the Weary Warrior Page 27