Lords of Retribution (Lords of Avalon series)

by Richards, K. R.

  Tuesday cocked her head. “What is it, Jack?” she had to ask. He looked so serious.

  “I received my response from your father, Tuesday. He has given me permission to marry you.” He gave her a broad grin.

  “You wrote to my father? Why didn’t you tell me?” Tuesday asked him warily.

  Jack looked at her in confusion. “Tuesday when I arrived here the Duke confronted me at once for he had received a frantic letter from your mother. All here knew we spent the night together unchaperoned. I wrote and asked for your father’s permission to marry you. According to your father’s letter, he left London today and is on his way to Devon where he will collect your mother and sister. They will then travel here for our wedding. They plan to be here Monday. We can marry on Tuesday, Tuesday.”

  Tuesday did not seem happy. She looked angry. Rather cross, if he were to be honest. Bewildered, Jack cocked his head as he watched her.

  “Did you not think to tell me you wrote my family? Did you and the Duke discuss my future without even consulting me?” Tuesday crossed her arms over her chest.

  “Tuesday, your reputation was compromised. You and I both know it was ruined. These affairs are generally handled by the gentlemen. You said you would marry me, I thought…” Jack shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. He sighed heavily.

  His voice softened, “I should have told you, sweeting, please forgive me.” When her expression still did not change, he stepped toward her. “You do plan to marry me, don’t you?”

  “I-I told you I do not want a husband who will be unfaithful to me.”

  “Tuesday, you told me you would marry me!” He pointed at her. “We have made love close to a dozen times and you could very well be carrying my heir.”

  Jack reached out and let his large hand rest against the silken skin of her cheek. His tone was gentle but serious as he said, “I swore to you I will be faithful to you, Tuesday. ‘Tis why I’ve never married before now, because I knew upon taking the vows it would be forever. I never met a woman I felt I could give my heart and soul to for eternity, until you. Even four years ago I knew I had to wait until the time I could come to you and offer marriage and my complete devotion to you.”

  Her expression softened. She looked into his amber eyes. “Do you mean that Jack?” Her eyes narrowed. Oh, he looked sincere. However, he was known to be a silver-tongued devil. At least the London gossips said he was.

  He stepped closer to her. His hands encircled her slim waist. “I do mean every word, sweeting.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “You have enchanted and bewitched me, Tuesday. You have captured my heart and soul. I want no other, and I assure you, I never will. I only want you. Please tell me you believe me. I have never before poured out my heart to a woman. Not once. You are different from all the others Tuesday. You are the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.” He raised her palm to his lips and gave it a lingering kiss.

  Tuesday looked into his eyes. He hadn’t said he loved her, but it was the second time he had admitted that she had an unusual effect on him. Perhaps what they had could turn into love. She remembered her dream and Charlie telling her she could now trust Jack. She thought at that moment she felt a hand on her shoulder, but she couldn’t have, for Jack’s hands were on her waist and there was no one else in the room. Realizing it was sincerity she saw in his golden eyes, she smiled.

  “Tell me again how you feel about me, Jack.” She gave him a sultry smile.

  He grinned. “I adore you, Tuesday.” He kissed her temple.

  “And?” Tuesday raised a brow at him.

  “You have my heart and soul.” He placed a kiss to the corner of her mouth and grinned at her.

  “I believe you said something else?”

  “You have enchanted me.” He stepped closer and pulled her against him. He kissed her lips softly and tenderly.

  “I believe there was something else…” Tuesday ran her palms up his chest to his shoulders.

  “Ah, you have bewitched me.” He took hold of her chin with his fingers and tilted her face upward. He slanted his lips over hers. He encouraged her to open wider to him as his kiss turned demanding and possessive. Tuesday responded eagerly to his kiss. He kissed her until they were both breathless.

  “I want you to be my wife, Tuesday. No other would do. I want only you. I’ve wanted you for four years, sweeting, and I daresay I’ll want you for the rest of my life.” Jack nibbled on her ear and then continued, “So sweeting, say you will marry me.” He pulled back and gazed into her eyes.

  “I will, Jack, but only if you look at me as your equal and promise not to make decisions without consulting me. You may never handle my affairs again without my knowledge. You may not order me about either.”

  Jack’s eyes narrowed for a moment, “When it comes to your safety, Tuesday, you will listen to me and do as I say. You must promise me that, at least.”

  Tuesday was quiet a moment. “I promise I will argue with you before I choose to not do as you say,” Tuesday compromised.

  Jack laughed. Yes, that was his Trouble. “I’ll just have to make certain I win all arguments between us.” He dipped his head and nibbled upon the tender skin of her neck before he said, “You have not told me how you feel about me, Trouble. I want to hear it from those beautiful lips that tempt me so.”

  Tuesday grinned, “I adore you, Jack.”

  “And?” His hands skimmed up her sides to cover her breasts.

  “And, I’ve never felt anything as wonderful or as powerful as I have when I’m with you.”

  “How do I make you feel?” He nearly growled in her ear.

  “I am so happy, Jack. I love your touch, your scent, your kisses, your smile, your company. Everything we do, Jack. You make me smile and laugh. You make me feel things I have never felt before. Incredible things.” She slid her arms around his neck.

  “You like my touch? And what does my touch do to you, Trouble?” He asked huskily. He slid his hands from her back slowly downward to rest upon the round globes of her lovely derrière. He lifted her slightly, pressing her against his groin.

  “I’ll tell you that tonight,” she went up on tiptoe and whispered something quite wicked and unladylike into his ear. She moved to kiss him.

  Still grinning after hearing his lady’s whispered promise in his ear, Jack anticipated her move and opened to her. They kissed one another with passion, each one demanding more from the other.

  Jack playfully swatted her bottom. “I must get you back to the parlor, Trouble, for if I don’t I’ll not be able to refrain from lifting your skirts and having you right here on the sofa or the chair,” he said, his voice deep and throaty.

  “One can do such a thing?” Tuesday pulled back and raised a curious brow at him.

  “Oh, yes,” he gave her a particularly wicked grin, full of promise, “I’ll show you tonight, sweeting, when I come to your room.” His cock twitched at the thought of all the things he wanted to do to Tuesday at that moment. He sighed. “I really need to get you back to the parlor. I do not want your parents to be told we were caught fornicating in the small parlour here at Menadue.”

  Tuesday laughed.

  Jack grinned. He liked the sound of Tuesday’s laughter.

  “Come along, I’ve got work to do. I think it best we both keep busy until tonight.” He took her hand and brought her palm to his lips again. “Until dinner, sweeting.” He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and led her from the room.

  When Jack returned to the library, it was to find that Marrek had received a letter from Ruan Menwennick, Lord Ince. Ruan had followed the Reverend Madingly, also known as Isaac Slaughter, to London. Once he reached London, he lost his trail completely.

  “I’m sorry to hear that, Marrek,” Jack said as he took his seat next to Gabriel.

  “As am I. Ruan is working with our superior to see if they can locate him. If they are unsuccessful he will leave London to return to Cornwall the day after tomorrow.”

 
; “I just wish I knew who shot at Tuesday outside Camelford, I would be hunting him down,” Jack commented.

  Marrek nodded. “Trevan sent some men to investigate and all they found were your horses. Unfortunately, the grazing horses had covered up the tracks of your shooter.

  “I received a letter from Deveril Pendarves in London. They still have been unable to locate Amelia Whitely, though they continue to look. Either the former Mrs. Whitely or the Leader of the Knights of the Brown Order have Percy Davitt’s ancestor’s diary and letters. As you well remember, they were always one step ahead of us because of it.” Trevan informed him. He grinned widely, “Well now, Jack, did you speak with your bride-to-be?” Trevan asked.

  “I did.” Jack grinned.

  “Then we’ll have a wedding here in St. Michael’s Chapel on Tuesday next.”

  “We shall.”

  “What are the odds that a woman born on Tuesday and named Tuesday will be married on a Tuesday?” Newt grinned at Jack.

  “The odds are high, because it will happen,” Jack said with confidence. He looked to Trevan. “Is there any chance we could send a couple of men to Dartleigh Castle to pick up the ring for Tuesday? Father and my siblings will not be able to make the trip to Cornwall. My sister, Jane, took a spill from her horse and sprained her ankle. My brother Edward is still recovering from an ague. Father wished to come, but he cannot leave my siblings without protection. With the threat of danger from Brown Coats still looming over our heads, I would not want him to leave any of my siblings at home. He is anxious for me to bring my bride home, as soon as can be.”

  “Absolutely, I will send three men. It is a family heirloom then?”

  “Yes. The Drayton Diamond,” Jack provided.

  “Ah yes, I’ve heard of it. You’ve told us the tale before. The Drayton Diamond was given by a Templar Knight to the Lady of Dartleigh Castle whom he worshipped from afar.” Trevan recalled.

  “That’s the one. It was Sir Fitzwulf Sergeaux. He bestowed the diamond he brought back with him from Jerusalem upon the Lady of Dartleigh Castle. The diamond was believed to come from Solomon’s Temple, which Sir Fitzwulf is reputed to have seen when he was in Jerusalem. Stories say the Lady of Dartleigh Castle, was Lady Artemise, a widow. As Sergeaux had taken vows of celibacy, he could only worship his ladylove from afar. He gave her what was then called Solomon’s Star to her as a token of his undying love and as a symbol of his protection.”

  “Solomon’s Star! It’s real? I thought it to be a myth,” Marrek raised an interested eyebrow.

  “Most people do. Which is why we refer to it as the Drayton Diamond,” Jack provided. “We wish to keep treasure hunters and myth seekers from our ancestral estate and our family members.”

  “And does it possess the magical powers associated with the myths of Solomon’s Star?” Marrek asked.

  Jack shrugged. “I’ve never heard stories of any powers being associated with it in the last several hundred years or so. There are old tales of it certainly. Mostly that it protects the women who wear it from evil. I suppose we may find out after I give it to Tuesday on our wedding day.” Jack smiled.

  “If you should suffer misfortune after your wedding, we will know why.” Lucien Saintmaur, Baron Wyldhurst winked and laughed boisterously.

  Jack made a show of pummeling his fist into Wyldhurst’s large, muscular arm. “Watch it Wyldhurst. Don’t forget, you plan to marry soon, or so you say.”

  Luc frowned. He sighed heavily. “I think I will break my courtship with Miss India Edens who waits at home in Bath. Her letters bore me to tears.” He shook his head and said in a flat tone, “I haven’t the fondness for her I once had.”

  “If you feel that way, you should end the courtship. You must marry someone who captivates you every minute of every day,” Jack offered with a genuine smile.

  Harry, Micah, Owen, and Lyon agreed.

  The corners of Marrek’s lips turned up slightly. He gave Jack a small nod of agreement. Yes, his wife captivated him every moment of every day.

  “I will write her tonight and tell her I cannot court her for I have taken the vow of celibacy, therefore I cannot marry. Thank you for sharing the story of Sir Fitzwulf Sergeaux, Jack. It gave me the idea,” Lucien Saintmaur, Lord Wyldhurst grinned devilishly as he gave Jack a wink.

  Lyon turned to regard Luc. “That would be a lie, Wyldhurst! You are not now, nor will you ever be celibate!”

  Lyon’s comment brought snorts of laughter from all around.

  “Oh, it is mostly a lie. I must confess that being in Cornwall, where damn near every woman across the land is a relation to Trevan or Gabriel, I do feel rather like I am practicing celibacy. I’ve only found one woman at a little tavern in the next village who is not one of their relations and the woman is so unattractive I just couldn’t bring myself to sample her, uh, charms,” Wyldhurst said with a grimace.

  “Would that be my third cousin on my mother’s side, Bess? At the Crown?” Marrek said trying to hide a teasing grin.

  Trevan and Tremayne chuckled. Tristan snorted.

  “Oh.” Luc frowned. “I am sorry, Marrek,” he shrugged. “So I am doomed to celibacy. It is no longer a lie.”

  “You’re sorry for what, Luc? That Bess is unattractive or that she is my cousin?” Marrek struggled to keep his laughter in check.

  “Both.” Wyldhurst’s blunt answer was followed by hoots of laughter from many of his colleagues. “And I’m sorry that there are no women with which to have a dalliance in all of Cornwall, for if they are not related to the Chynoweths they’re probably related to you or the Trevelyans. Trevan has often said he is related to most of the inhabitants of Cornwall. I believe it now.”

  Marrek flashed Luc a rare, white-toothed grin. “It is true. Our relations are spread far and wide throughout Kernow.”

  The men settled back into their work.

  Gabriel was relieved to see Senny sitting up in her bed when he returned to her room. There appeared to be more color in her cheeks.

  The gentlemen left the library to get ready for dinner. Gabriel intended to stay with Senny.

  “It looks as though you are feeling better,” Gabriel said with a smile as Senny greeted him.

  “I am. Thank you.”

  “How are you feeling, Wenna?” Gabriel asked.

  Wenna rose from the chair beside Senny’s bed. “I am feeling so much better I shall come down for dinner tonight. Will you be coming down?” Wenna asked Gabriel.

  He shook his head. “I already spoke to Aunt Morva. I’m taking my meal with Zenny.” He gave Senny a wink. The brilliant smile she gave him gladdened his heart. Her smiles always did. He thanked God and Archangel Michael again at that moment for sparing her life.

  Trevan entered a few minutes later to collect Wenna.

  “Since you insist on going downstairs for dinner, your maid just told me your bath is ready. You don’t want it to get cold, do you?”

  “No. I do not want a cold bath.” Wenna rose and bent to kiss her sister’s cheek.

  Trevan opened the door for Wenna.

  Wenna whispered, “I’ll dismiss my maid for the next forty five minutes.” She arched a brow at him.

  Trevan grinned. He ushered her out and looked to Gabriel.

  “Gabriel may I speak to you for a moment?”

  “Certainly, cousin. Zenny, I will return promptly.”

  They stepped away from the door.

  “Gabriel, I am going to ask Wenna if she will consent to be married on Tuesday, when Jack and Lady Tuesday take their vows. I was wondering how things are progressing with you and Zenny.”

  Gabriel smiled, “She has agreed to marry me, Trevan. Yes, I want to marry her, as soon as can be, otherwise we may have to wait months until this business with the Knights of the Brown Order is over. I will ask her, but we have to see how much improvement she makes by Monday. I can’t ask her to marry me on Tuesday if she can barely stand on her own.”

  Trevan nodded. “I’ll ask Wenna. You ask Z
enny. We’ll talk about it tonight in the library after dinner. If they both agree, we’ll talk to Robert, though I know we already have his approval.”

  “Agreed.”

  Trevan walked across the hall. He stopped before Wenna’s door. He turned to Gabriel and grinned devilishly, then opened her door and slid inside.

  Gabriel was actually grinning himself when he entered Senny’s room. He wanted to marry her as soon as Tuesday, but he didn’t know if she would be ready. She might need more time to heal and to get used to the idea.

  “Zenny?” He smiled when he entered. The happiness that shone in her eyes made his heart constrict.

  “Yes?”

  Gabriel walked around and sat on the edge of the bed. He took her hand in his. “Lord Elveston and Lady Tuesday are marrying on Tuesday in St. Michael’s Chapel, here at Menadue. Trevan and I were talking in the corridor. He is going to ask Wenna if she would like to have their wedding on Tuesday. If it is too soon for you, we can wait longer, but I was hoping we could also marry on Tuesday. Unless of course, you are not well enough or you would like more time.” He watched her for any sign that she might become overwhelmed. When she gave him a bright smile, it gave him hope.

  “I would like us to be married on Tuesday,” Senny said happily.

  “Are you certain, love?” Gabriel reached out and caressed her cheek. “I want you to be comfortable with the idea of marrying me.”

  “I am.” She nodded and smiled. Then she frowned. “Except I don’t know anything about the, ah, m-marriage b-bed.” She blushed.

  Gabriel smiled. “You have no need to worry about that, love. I’ll explain everything as we go along on our wedding night, I promise.” The corners of his mouth turned up as he dipped his head and kissed her. It had been more than three weeks since he had given her more than a chaste kiss.

  He tried to keep the kiss sweet and tender, but Senny opened to him and responded with just as much passion as she had before he left for London. God help him he had to taste her. He’d come so close to losing her. There had been a short amount of time he feared he might never have this chance again. He feasted. He supped at her mouth like a man long starved. She tasted so sweet. Senny was everything good and pure in his world.