Escape To Love: Banished Saga, Book 6

by Ramona Flightner

  “You meant what you said earlier. That you no longer believe you and Parthena would have suited.” She saw the truth in his gaze. “You truly want me?”

  He smiled at the incredulity he heard in her voice. His grip of her jaw eased as he stroked his fingers over the soft skin of her jaw and neck. “Yes. You. In all of your disgruntled, doubting glory. You. As you are.”

  He beheld her as a wondrous smile bloomed. He pulled her into a tight embrace. “I … I want you, my Vivie. But not tonight. Not when we’re both so raw with the wrong emotions.” He stroked a hand down her back.

  “Come back to our room with me. Hold me. Whisper in my ear as I fall asleep. Let me awaken in your arms,” she murmured in his ear. “I’ve missed that since we disembarked from the train here in Butte.”

  Lucas chuckled and nodded. “Yes, that I can do. Come,” he said as he rose. They left the piano and the basement behind, returning to their room together.

  Chapter 10

  My darling Genevieve,

  I have been very anxious to receive any word from you! Thank you for finally writing. A part of me can’t believe you are in Butte and another realizes Montana is the most logical place for him to have taken you. Have you met his family? I hope they are treating you well.

  How have you adjusted to married life? I hope you are well and wish you were nearer so we could have tea and conversation. I read about you both after Lucas performed in Minneapolis with Perry Hawke. I imagine it was an extraordinary performance. I wish I could have heard such music. I hope you realize how fortunate you are to be able to hear high-caliber musicians with regular frequency.

  As you can imagine, Father was irate when he learned that I had aided in your escape. I was shocked to learn he actually went after you. I’m thankful Lucas had the foresight to have already wed you. Thankfully Morgan was at home when Father stormed into the house, roaring his displeasure and proclaiming he now only has two daughters. (I assume he said the same to you?) Somehow I don’t know that such a proclamation will alter my life in any great way after the past six months. Mr. Carlisle also paid a visit, and again Morgan arrived a few minutes into his tirade. There is something chilling about a man who can speak nonchalantly about my sister as a possession he had been denied. I gave thanks Morgan was here as I fear for what Mr. Carlisle might have done had I been alone.

  As for your ongoing notoriety, there was quite a writeup in the Boston Evening Herald about the precipitously canceled wedding and your romantic escape with the talented Mr. Russell. It was extraordinarily unflattering for Father as someone tipped them off that Father is selling off his daughters like prized heifers. Hopefully that will help protect Eudora and Isabel from any future schemes.

  Father is angriest at the loss of the promised influx of funds. However, now that Mr. Goff has returned from his honeymoon and has reestablished his consulting business, I am hopeful Father’s mismanagement of his finances will end, and this will be deemed of little consequence.

  I hope you are well, dear sister, adjusting to your new circumstances, and are able to return to Boston one day. The scandal remains fresh in many minds, but I would welcome you home at any time. I’d have to do little to convince Morgan to feel the same. He is very fond of you and sends his warmest regards as well.

  I wish you a Happy New Year and blessings for a joyous year to come.

  Your Sister,

  Parthena

  Bright sunlight gleamed on the fresh snow, nearly blinding those who ventured out into the cold. A light wind blew away the mine smoke, allowing the brilliance of the deep blue sky to be seen. In the distance, the mountains rose majestically, shimmering with their fresh coating of snow. A few days after it had been promised, the women had set out to purchase new clothes for Genevieve. They had celebrated the New Year together, and soon the Missoula contingent would depart.

  After a successful shopping spree at Hennessy’s, Fiona and Genevieve walked outside to await Melinda, who had seen a small trinket and was attempting to convince her mother, Savannah, to purchase it for her. As Fiona and Genevieve chatted in front of the grand entrance a moment, Genevieve stilled. She nodded to a man and gripped Fiona’s arm.

  “Ah, Miss Tyler,” Samuel Sanders said with a broad smile. “Imagine my disappointment to discover you missed our meeting last week. I was greatly looking forward to another pleasant interlude in my office.”

  “I was detained,” Genevieve murmured, her grip tightening on Fiona as she shivered.

  His gaze became rapier sharp. “I suspected you were. By your husband.” His gaze roved over Genevieve before focusing on Fiona. “I doubt you can envision the depths of my disappointment when I learned of your deception.” He continued to watch Fiona. “Although I’ve learned that is a trait shared by all women.”

  He leaned forward, and his scent wafted over them. “How is my darling Rose?”

  “She isn’t your darling anything.” Fiona’s cheeks were flushed, and her body shook as she regarded Samuel with unconcealed hatred.

  “Oh, I love a woman’s naivety. It’s one of life’s great joys.” He reached forward to stroke Fiona’s cheek, and she jerked away from his touch. “I will spend time with her. Someday she will be with me. She will be mine.”

  Fiona paled at the promise in his gaze.

  Genevieve stepped toward Samuel, taking him off guard and forcing him back a step. “I’d suggest you leave us alone.”

  “Oh, how little you understand, Mrs. Russell,” he said with a laugh. His taunting smile transferred to Savannah and Melinda as they joined them from the store. Melinda’s chattering ceased the moment Savannah squeezed her hand.

  “Thank you for waiting for us,” Savannah said to the two ladies. “I’m most distressed you had to suffer such wretched company.” She glared at Samuel Sanders, known to her husband as his cousin, Henry Masterson, and turned to leave.

  “Please inform your husband how terribly eager I am to spend time with little Rose,” Samuel taunted Fiona as they walked away from him. His mocking laugh followed them as they marched down the street.

  “Come,” Savannah said, turning them into a tea parlor. “Let’s have something to drink. You need to sit down before you fall over,” she said to Fiona, who continued to tremble.

  They settled in a corner, far from other patrons and any interested ears, and awaited the arrival of tea and cakes. After she’d poured them cups of tea, Savannah gave Fiona a gentle nudge with her foot in an attempt to ease her from her stupor. “Fee?”

  “He’ll take Rose from me. One day,” she whispered.

  “No, he won’t. It’s not legal,” Savannah snapped, wincing when Fiona flinched at Savannah’s harsh tone. “Fee, look at me. He has no legal right. He can’t have Rose.”

  “Do you think a man like that spends much time worrying on the legality of anything?” Fiona’s accent thickened with her concern, and her jaw quivered.

  “Forgive me,” Genevieve whispered to Fiona. At Fiona’s confused stare, Genevieve said, “If I hadn’t visited him …”

  Fiona gave a humorless snort. “He would’ve bothered me all the same. A man like that has no compunction when it comes to getting what he wants.” She rubbed at her eyes. “Your visit had nothing to do with today.”

  Savannah looked at Genevieve worriedly. “Except he knows you’re related to us. And with Lucas’s plan to remain in Butte, it could have some effect on you.”

  Genevieve considered the trio of worried women around her and shook her head with frustration. “Come. I think we need to return to Fiona’s home to tell everyone else what has happened. I doubt Fiona will be at peace until she holds Rose in her arms.”

  Fiona smiled gratefully at Genevieve, who squeezed her hand.

  After the short walk to Fiona and Patrick’s house, they trooped into the foyer. After taking off their outerwear, they wandered into the living room to find Colin and Lucas sprawled on the floor, playing with the children.

  Lucas looked up, and a broad smil
e spread at the sight of his wife. He pushed himself up and kissed her on the cheek. “No bags? No parcels? I fear today wasn’t as successful as I’d hoped,” he teased.

  “Everything is being delivered to the hotel, along with a trunk,” Genevieve said with a flush. “Where are Patrick, Jeremy, and Gabriel?”

  “Suffering through Clarissa’s instructions as they work in the kitchen.” He winked at his sister as she laughed. “Believe it or not, I’ve been told she’s a proficient cook now.”

  “Mama no longer poisons us!” Billy called out from the floor.

  “Hush, Billy!” Clarissa said as she waddled in from the kitchen. She stilled when she met Savannah’s gaze. “What happened?” She sighed with contentment as Gabriel wrapped his arms around her and pulled her up tight against him.

  “Sit, love,” he murmured. “Jer! Pat!” he called out. Soon they’d all congregated in the living room. “What’s happened?” Gabriel asked. He kept a hand on Clarissa’s shoulder as he studied the four women who had gone shopping.

  “We ran into your cousin today,” Genevieve said. “He was most unpleasant, which I’ve since learned is his normal way of acting.”

  Patrick approached Fiona and ran a hand down her arm. “You’re safe, Fee,” he murmured. She turned into his embrace and allowed him to hold her a few moments.

  “What did he want?” Jeremy asked. His gaze moved between Savannah and Melinda as though ensuring they were healthy and secure beside him.

  “He wants Rose,” Fiona breathed. She met the shocked silence of the room with a resigned expression.

  “Not even when I’m dead and gone,” Patrick hissed. “She is our daughter, and no bastard will harm her.”

  “Why does someone want Rosie?” Billy asked, now seated at his mother’s and father’s feet. “Is someone coming to take us away?” He raised fearful eyes to his parents.

  “No, my little darling, you’re stuck with us,” Clarissa teased. As Araminta entered from a back room—where she’d rocked Rose to sleep after a teething crying frenzy—Clarissa nodded with appreciation as Araminta enticed the children into the spare bedroom to play a game of hide-and-seek.

  “What more did he say?” Jeremy demanded. He now held one of Melinda’s and Savannah’s hands with each of his.

  “He knows who I am,” Genevieve said. She shared a chagrined smile with Lucas. “He figured it out and called me by my married name.”

  “I shudder to think what could have happened to you had you been reckless enough to attend that second meeting,” Gabriel said.

  “The immediate threat is to Fiona and Rose,” Lucas said. “Rose can’t ever be out of someone’s sight.” They all nodded.

  Colin cleared his throat. “I know that’s what you want to believe, Lucas, as you don’t want anyone endangering the safety of your wife. However, he’s a man who hates all of us, simply because we are in some way related to the McLeods. I’d safeguard Genevieve as she’s a target now too, especially as you plan to remain in Butte.”

  Lucas slipped an arm around Genevieve’s shoulder and pulled her tight against his side. “I’m afraid as long as he is here among us, we must all be vigilant.”

  Chapter 11

  Their heels clicked on the wooden floors as they wandered the empty house. Genevieve attempted to envision the large home with furniture, a fresh coat of paint, and draperies but failed. “What do you think?” she asked Lucas, as she leaned against a window frame. She stretched her aching feet in her shoes.

  “This is the last one to look at, Vivie. And you didn’t like the first four.” He spun around the room, his smile as wide as his arms. “I want to know what you think.”

  “Why do you wish to remain in Butte? I’d think you’d live in Missoula to be near your sister.” She arched her back and gave a sigh of relief. Lucas noted her actions and motioned for her to sit one hip on the window frame. He gently kneaded her sore feet, earning a groan of relief from her.

  “I’ll give you a proper massage when we return to the hotel,” he whispered as he dropped her feet, kissing her on her nape and settling behind her. She leaned backward against his chest, into his embrace, with one of his arms slung around her waist.

  “This is heaven,” she murmured.

  “We’ve been married one month,” he murmured near her ear. “Happy anniversary, my Vivie.” He felt her sigh and relax further into him.

  “I like this house, Vivie. I can see where I’d put the piano. I can imagine the dinners we’d have with family and friends. This would be a good home for us,” he said, nuzzling her neck.

  “I worry about the cost,” she whispered. “It seems extravagant to purchase a home. Why not rent something?”

  “We can afford it. I’ve become a rich man off my music.” He pulled her closer to him. “Although I appreciate your concern.”

  She turned her head and kissed his jaw. “I don’t want you to feel pressured to write more music or to leave on tour because of a house or a standard of living you believe I want.”

  He released her and allowed her to move so they were facing each other. “What do you desire, Vivie?” He ran a hand over her shoulder and down an arm.

  “You to be here with me. I want to build a life with you,” she whispered, her gaze downcast. At his prolonged silence she raised her eyes.

  “I will go on tour again, Vivie. Something inside me propels me to travel and perform. Nothing will calm that need until I’ve been onstage and played my compositions, over and over again. And then that desire fades, and I’ll want a place to return home to.” He gripped her hand. “If you wanted to travel with me, it would make the time I’m not onstage wonderful, rather than bearable.”

  “You’d want me to travel with you?” Her eyes shone with luminous wonder.

  He smiled as he leaned forward and kissed her. “Yes, my love. Yes.”

  She beamed at him before finally breaking away from his gaze and looking around the vacant house. “Why do you prefer this house?”

  “It’s large, filled with light, and I have this sense it will be a wonderful home for us. There are plenty of bedrooms for when my family visits, so that they don’t have to stay in a hotel but can stay here with us.” He smiled wickedly at her. “Until we have children to fill those rooms.” She blushed and swatted at his hands that pulled her tightly to him again.

  His voice was lighthearted as he spoke, holding her against his chest once more. “To answer your original question, I choose to remain in Butte because I believe I can find musical inspiration here. I’ll be able to add something different to my compositions.”

  “They’ll call it your ‘Western Interlude’ when they discuss your pieces in later years,” she teased.

  He laughed. “That they might, but I don’t care. As long as I’m creating music I enjoy and I’m proud of, that’s all that matters.” He sighed into her hair. “A man made music with a bow and a carpenter’s saw the other night in the pub. And then I heard a man playing lively pick-up music on the piano. I want to learn more about less formal music, like when I was younger.” He smiled, kissed her cheek. “When I was a teenager, I would sneak into Scollay Square to learn from the performers there, rather than the opera houses. I wanted to learn everything I could from every type of musician. As you can imagine, my family wasn’t overly pleased when they discovered my antics.”

  “What changed for you?” she whispered.

  “I wrote a composition in a more classical style than anything else. It became popular, and I liked the success it brought me because it meant financial freedom. I no longer had to work at my father’s store. I could leave Boston and travel. I wanted to have continued success, so I’ve written music in the same vein for years.”

  She stroked a hand down his arm. “Yet now you yearn for something different.”

  He hugged her closer at her understanding. “I’ll always compose classical music. It’s a compulsion, and I love it. But I want to try something new. I think I can do that here.”
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br />   She twisted around to kiss him on his neck. “Whatever you attempt, you will be successful. I have belief in that. In you.” She snuggled closer. “Let’s buy this house. I want you to have your time here, Lucas. Near family and near the music that intrigues you.”

  He backed away, his eyes lit with an incandescent joy. “Thank you, Vivie.” He kissed her softly before releasing her. “Let’s find the agent.” They clasped hands and departed their new home.

  Genevieve laid on her stomach as Lucas massaged her bare back. She groaned with pleasure as he worked on a tight muscle, feeling lassitude enter her body. Right as she felt herself slip into sleep, he tickled her on her side, and she shrieked, curving away from him. She bucked, knocking him to the side, and kicked out, even though he’d stopped tickling her.

  “That’s mean,” she gasped around an instinctive giggle.

  He smiled as he ran a finger over her collarbone. “You were falling asleep on me. It’s too early for that.”

  She yawned widely. “A little nap never hurt anyone.” She stilled when he watched her with ardent intensity.

  His hand moved from her collarbone, down to her belly, and then back again. “I want you, Vivie. I’ve wanted you for the longest time.” His whispered voice provoked an all-body flush. He traced the furrow in her brow before leaning forward to kiss it. “Don’t be afraid. Not of me.”

  “I can’t help it,” she whispered.

  “I can’t promise it won’t hurt,” he whispered as he kissed her on her cheeks. “I can promise to make it as enjoyable as possible.” He leaned away, his hand continuing to roam over her. “Do you want me, Vivie?”

  She paled as he tensed in preparation for her rejection. “I do.” She reached a hand out and traced the lines of his face, smiling when he turned his face into her palm, kissing it. “I love you,” she whispered.