Enticing the Weary Warrior

by Tammy Jo Burns

  “Keeping you from hitting your head.”

  “Oh,” she said. “I’m going to ask you one more thing.”

  “What is that?”

  “Why haven’t you touched me anymore? Why haven’t you made love to me?”

  “That’s two questions.”

  “Basically the same.”

  “I promised myself I wouldn’t touch you again until I could be completely honest with you about everything.”

  “Oh.”

  “Try to relax and get some rest. We have a while before we London.”

  “All right.” Megan leaned against him and enjoyed his warmth. She fell asleep wondering if he now considered himself to be cleansed enough that he could touch her once more.

  Chapter 26

  “What are we doing here?” Megan demanded as she looked out the window to see the house where she had seen Liam with the heavily pregnant blonde.

  “Remember, you said you’d trust me,” he cajoled.

  “You’re right, I did, but that was before I knew you were bringing me here,” she argued.

  “Trust me, please.”

  Megan hesitantly slipped her hand into his. She knew she was being irrational, but regardless of his excuse, she could not get the image of the other woman in his arms out of her mind.

  Liam helped her from the carriage and led the way to the front door of the house. He knocked and waited for the butler to open the door.

  “Lord Brookdale, welcome. I don’t believe Their Graces were expecting you.”

  “No, they weren’t. I really came to see Mingzhu,” he answered.

  “Oh, well, I’ll let Her Grace know that you are here. His Grace is at the office and is not expected home until later.”

  “That would be wonderful, thank you.”

  “Who is Mingzhu again?” Megan asked Liam

  Before he could answer, the butler appeared again and asked them to follow him. They did and entered a room that was familiar to Liam, but not to Megan. The room consisted of bookshelves on almost every wall and dark, heavy furniture. The blonde she had seen in Liam’s arms sat behind a desk, scribbling away. The mewling of an infant came from a cradle beside her.

  “Just a moment,” the woman said. “I have to get this thought down now or I’ll forget it.”

  Liam and Megan stood patiently for several minutes while they waited for the blonde to finish. Megan felt a light, floaty sensation wash over her. Surreptitiously, she slipped an arm through Liam’s. He looked down at her, a look of consternation on his face, but she merely looked up at him and smiled. At least it wasn’t the full blown dizziness that overwhelmed her or caused her to see dots dancing before her eyes.

  “Are you all right?” Liam asked, worry lacing his words.

  “I’m fine,” she patted his arm, thankful when the blonde rose from behind her desk. She stood taller than Megan and had a madonna look about her. She was curvy where Megan was straight and thin. Her blonde hair was pulled back by tortoise shell combs, but then fell straight down her back. Megan felt envious of the woman.

  “Liam, this must be the beautiful bride,” the blonde said as she approached them, a broad smile across her face. “Hello, Megan, isn’t it? I’m Cassie. Liam has told me so much about you that I feel as if I already know you.”

  “He talks about me?” she asked, feeling him squeeze her arm.

  “He rarely talks about anyone else. Though as of late there’s a certain little boy that he seems to be quite smitten with,” Cassie said, winking at Liam. The babe in the bassinet let out an outraged wail. “That would be your goddaughter demanding attention,” Cassie said as she crossed back over to the basket and picked up her fussy daughter to soothe her. The babe quieted down and began to suck her thumb.

  “She’s beautiful,” Megan said huskily, as tears burned the backs of her eyes.

  “Would you like to hold her?” Cassie asked.

  “No,” Megan said quickly. The thought of holding the baby and having a dizzy spell come over her was too much. If she were to drop the bairn or something worse, no, she could not do it.

  “Cassie, please don’t take offense. Megan has been suffering from dizziness. It probably wouldn’t be a good idea for her to hold Leigh Ann.”

  “Dizziness…are you?”

  “No,” Megan answered.

  “Megan was in a riding accident. Ever since she has been dizzy at random times. They do not occur every day, nor are they at the same time.”

  “You need to see Mingzhu.”

  “That’s what I thought as well.”

  “Wait here, I’ll find her.”

  “Well, that was awkward, wasn’t it?” Megan asked.

  “Megan, Cassie truly wants to be your friend.”

  “Is what she said true? Do you really speak of me?”

  “Of course I do. You are my—”

  “Here’s Mingzhu,” Cassie announced as a tiny Oriental woman followed her into the room. “Chang and I have told her everything you just told me. She needs to know where the injury happened.”

  Megan placed a light hand on the spot. The older woman came over speaking gibberish and pushed Megan’s head forward and began to probe the area. “Liam,” Megan said.

  “Shhh, I’m right here,” he said, freeing his arm from her grip and wrapping it around her waist.

  She relaxed in his hold until the old woman began talking once more. “What’s she saying?” Cassie ignored her. Megan looked up and saw the look on the younger woman’s face and felt her insides melt. “She thinks I’m dying doesn’t she? I told you this is how it was going to end. Just as everything had come together, I’m going to lose it all, because I’m not good enough. I’ve never been good enough.”

  “Megan, stop,” Liam pulled her into his arms and held her close. He rubbed her back with his big hand, trying to calm and reassure her.

  “Mingzhu believes there is pressure still pushing against something. She believes she will be able to help you. She just needs to use her pins to coax your body into releasing the pressure,” Cassie explained.

  “What?” Megan wiped her eyes and looked skeptically at the other women.

  “You aren’t going to die,” Cassie said. “Now, come with me and I’ll help you change. Mingzhu wants to begin right away. You will need to have several treatments, of course.”

  Megan followed the blonde chatterbox into the depths of the house. “If it’s all right with you, I am going to hand you over into the care of one of my maids. This little love needs to be fed.”

  “Of course. I’m sorry to have kept you away from your children.”

  “You did nothing of the sort. You know, Megan, you surprise me.”

  “I do?”

  “From everything Liam has told me about you, I would have guessed that you are a much stronger woman.”

  “I am strong.”

  “Physically, perhaps, but emotionally, no. I don’t know what kind of doubts are running about in your mind, but let me clear up at least one or two. That man we just left loves you and is worried about you. He’s also worried he will never be good enough for you. He fears that the things he saw in the wars have forever darkened his soul.”

  “He’s spoken to you about it?”

  “Only in the loosest of terms. And when he did, he was looking for advice from a woman’s point-of-view. You are his everything. He may not have told you that yet, but it’s true. I have found that for men it’s often more difficult for them to speak words that come from the heart than it is for women.”

  Mingzhu entered at that moment. She crossed to a low cabinet and opened a case. The light glinted off hundreds of thin pins. Megan’s heart began to race. “I can’t do this,” Megan said.

  “Would you like me to get Liam?”

  “I just want to leave.”

  “Megan, this will help you. Liam has had it done to him many, many times. He brought you here for a reason. Have faith in him. Have faith in your love for him.”

  “How
did you know?”

  “I remember seeing that look in my own eyes and hoping no one else recognized it for what it was. Now, get ready and I will send Liam up to hold your hand in a few minutes.”

  Megan nodded and allowed the maid to unbutton her dress.

  * * *

  Liam tapped on the door of the room that he normally had his treatments in. He heard a scuffling sound and then Mingzhu stood there and beckoned him inside. He came to a halt when he saw his wife laying on her stomach with not a stitch of clothing on. Was there ever a more beautiful sight in the world? He didn’t think so.

  “Liam, I really hope that’s you, because if it isn’t I’ll be even more mortified than I already am.”

  “It’s me,” he managed to get out. Mingzhu shooed him over to her. He sat down and saw the death grip Megan had on the narrow bed. “You’re too tense.” He rubbed her shoulders, down her arms, to her fingertips. He repeated the action over and over until Megan started to relax. “That’s it,” he said soothingly. “Just relax. You’re doing wonderful,” he said.

  “What do you mean?” Megan demanded. “She hasn’t even begun.”

  “Love, she’s over halfway finished,” Liam said.

  “What?!”

  “Stay still, that’s it. Your body is very receptive to the pins, which is good.”

  “How long am I going to have to stay like this?”

  “The longer you can allow them to work, the better. Have I told you lately how proud I am of you?”

  “Why should you be proud of me? I’m a horrible person. I didn’t trust my husband and followed him to London. Then I jumped to conclusions, which turned out to be completely and utterly false. Next, I raced a horse in a race that I had no business being in and along the way I got Legend killed and very nearly myself. Oh, and let’s not forget there is a lunatic that wants me dead. So remind me why you should be proud of me?”

  “Well, when you put it that way,” Liam said, laughter in his voice. “Megan, I’m proud of you because you keep going. Most women would have thrown up their hands in a fit of hysterics, but not you.”

  “And you find that to be a redeeming part of my character?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “I find that hard to believe.”

  “You’re beautiful.”

  “You tell me this when I look like a human pincushion?”

  “Can’t you just accept a compliment without questioning me?”

  “See, and you were waxing poetic about my charms, my bravery, and my beauty when in reality I am as stubborn as they come.”

  “That is true,” Liam concurred.

  “Oh, you—” She started to push up and give Liam a withering look when she felt a small, leathery hand push her down followed by indecipherable chattering.

  “I think you are meant to stay put,” Liam said. “You can chastise me later.”

  “I guarantee you I will.”

  “And I’m looking forward to it.”

  A while later Liam let himself out of the room and retraced his steps back to the library. He entered to see not only Cassie, but Mack as well. He crossed the room and shook the man’s hand.

  “Cassie sent word you and your bride were here. I had to meet the woman brave enough to marry Liam McTavish.”

  “She’s asleep at the moment, playing the part of ‘human pincushion’ as she calls it. I’m glad that you’re here, Mack. I need your help.”

  “What is it?”

  “Someone’s trying to kill my wife, and I need to find out who it is before they succeed.”

  “Oh, dear,” Cassie said. She tugged Mack down beside her on the leather divan and locked their fingers together.

  That’s what I want with Megan, Liam thought. I want us to be able and gather strength from each other by merely entwining our fingers. To sit and share the days events, to talk—

  “Sit down and tell us everything,” Cassie broke into Liam’s runaway thoughts.

  Liam sat in one of the chairs and quickly told them all. He included the near rape he interrupted, the stable fire, the gunshot that Lord Dervish took, and the racing accident. “It could be several people. I’m just not certain where to begin looking. She does not appreciate the extra security I have surrounding her, either.”

  “I can understand that. She’s a rather independent woman from all that you’ve told me. It would be difficult to have to constantly be followed when you’re used to going about on your own,” Cassie tried to make him see how Megan felt.

  “But it’s for her own good.”

  “I understand that and she will in time. But for the onset, it’s a bit disconcerting. Trust me, I have been in her position,” Cassie followed up.

  “However, I agree with Liam, she needs to be watched. Perhaps your house does as well. She is close to the horse trainer, isn’t she?” Mack asked.

  “Yes.”

  “And now you have a son to consider as well,” Cassie interjected.

  “Bloody hell, and I left them there. Jack told me to bring Paddy with us, but I listened to Megan and let her talk me out of it.”

  “Is this Jack trustworthy?” Mack asked.

  “She seems to be.”

  “She?” Mack asked, shocked.

  “Yes. She’s the local healer and is very protective of Megan and their friendship.”

  “Hmmm,” Mack leaned back, staring off as he contemplated something.

  “Mack, darling, you don’t think this woman had anything to do with it, do you?” Cassie asked her husband.

  “Cassie, a woman very nearly ended your life, if you will remember. I’m merely suggesting you leave no one out. Everyone is a suspect until the true culprit is found.”

  “I suppose you’re right,” Cassie said. “I believe I’ll go and check on your lovely bride while you men hatch your scheme.”

  * * *

  Megan heard a light tapping on the door. Her body was pin free once more, and she had a sheet wrapped around her. “Who is it?” Megan called out, half hoping it would be Liam, but fully expecting the maid that had helped her disrobe.

  “Cassie. May I come in?”

  “I suppose,” Megan said and the door opened to allow Cassie to enter.

  “How do you feel?”

  “Odd,” Megan answered honestly. “It doesn’t hurt, but there’s this warmth spreading throughout my body.”

  “That’s the energy the pins release. I know that some people think this is crazy, but having been raised around this type of belief, well, it tends to rub off on you a bit. Would you care for some help getting dressed?”

  “That would be appreciated,” Megan conceded. “Where’s Liam?” She attempted to sound casual in asking.

  “He’s with my husband, and they are plotting as to how to catch the person who’s threatening your life.”

  “He told you?”

  “Yes. He’s very worried about you, Megan. I hope I can call you Megan. I would like to believe that we’re going to be great friends.”

  “Until my sister-in-law, I’ve never had a female friend. Now, I have Jacqueline and I suppose you. I won’t know what to do with myself.”

  “Well, if you are thinking that I am a female of the proper variety, you’d be absolutely wrong. In fact, if anyone ever found out my true identity, it would rather damage your reputation to be associated with me. You would not be invited to musicales and soirees, and you could just forget about balls and house parties.”

  “Thank goodness,” Megan said. “I survived one ball, but I don’t know that I would want to do that too many times.”

  “And we have another major one coming up in London shortly to be presented to the ton.”

  “I’m not looking forward to that one,” Megan said. “Tell me, how’s your husband dealing with his new title? Liam told me that they were all gifted one.”

  “Yes, Mack’s a bit of a rebel. He has yet to attend a meeting at Parliament. He claims that the War Office keeps him much too busy to deal with government
meetings.”

  “Oh,” Megan said softly as she moved behind the screen to slip on her chemise.

  “I’m guessing that is not the answer you were hoping for.”

  “I don’t want to sound as if I’m a jealous wife, but perhaps I am. It just seems that Liam spends more time here, in London,” she clarified, “than he does at Brookdale Manor with me and Paddy.”

  “I think your husband is still attempting to find his way in the world. Mack has told me about some of his agents and the things they’ve been through. He has had several commit suicide because they couldn’t live with all they had previously been through, or the couldn’t successfully acclimate to civilian life. Some of the things they saw pushed them over the edge. He also has several former agents that are patients in Bedlam. Mack fears they’ll never be part of society again. That haunts him every day.”

  “How awful.”

  “These men and women that he recruits sign up thinking it is going to be some sort of glamorous life, when in reality it’s a matter of survival. Those that survive come home different. The ones that I know seem to have survived well, but they were not in it very long. Except perhaps Wulfe.”

  “Wolf?”

  “W. U. L. F. E. Wulfe. He was your husband’s partner when they first began. He was the one that for all intents and purposes murdered Liam that night in the alleyway.”

  “You know about that?”

  “Yes. I think that bothered Mack more than he thought it would. Everyone involved knew it had to be done. You see they had to bring this man into the group, because they believed there was a plot to kill Prinny and he held the key.”

  “Oh.” Megan let those words sink in a bit. “And were they correct?”

  “Yes. They unraveled it on the night of Prinny’s birthday celebration. But the only way to bring the man into the fold was to open a spot.”

  “And that’s why they faked Liam’s death.”

  “Yes. And it gave him the opportunity to go deeper into Napoleon’s organization.”

  “Why do you know more about this than I do?” Megan asked as she stepped around the screen. She presented her back to Cassie and let the other woman button up her dress. “I mean, Liam is my husband, and I don’t know half of what you do.”