Marius sighed and sat up. “Very well.”
“You aren’t hurt?” Sabrina asked one more time, wanting to make certain.
“Only my pride.” He stood and straightened out his clothing before he studied the room. “Why are there so many crates in here?”
“They are for the soldier’s home,” Julie chirped.
“Soldier’s home?” He directed his question to Ramsey. It was Sabrina who answered.
“Juliet founded a soldier’s home for the men who came back from war but were no longer able to find gainful employment. So that they didn’t have to fend for themselves on the street, she gives them a place to live.” Sabrina gestured to the boxes and crates around the room. “We are taking blankets and scarves to them tonight.”
“Why a soldier’s home?”
“It was for my brother.” Juliet answered. “When he came home to visit once he was outraged by the way men were treated after serving their country. He vowed that when he returned again he would do something about it.” She pursed her lips and blinked a few times. It was a moment before she spoke again. Ramsey gently put an arm around her shoulders in comfort. “He didn’t come back and I established the home in honor of my brother.”
“That is very generous of you, Lady Juliet. I am sure your brother would be well pleased.”
She offered him a grateful smile and turned away.
“We were just about to have the wagons loaded and head over.” Ramsey announced. .“You are more than welcome to join us.”
“Yes, please come,” Lady Juliet added.
He turned to Sabrina. She wanted him to go, but not if it would be out of politeness only. “I would be happy to join you.”
A moment later the servants entered to carry the crates out to the wagon. Marius bent to pick one up but placed it back on the floor so that he could get a better grip. “I didn’t expect blankets to weigh so much.”
Sabrina and Juliet giggled. He frowned at them.
“My husband pretends that I don’t know, and I pretend that I don’t know, that he fills the bottom of each crate with whiskey or brandy.”
* * *
The house itself wasn’t overly large, but was staffed with a number of servants who helped bring in the crates for distribution. All the former soldiers were gathered in the parlor playing cards or reading as they did every night of the year. Their faces brightened when Lady Chester entered. The home had been founded a year before Juliet and Ramsey had married, and they all still referred to her in the manner they had when she was unattached.
Ramsey made the rounds, greeting each man on a first name basis. Along with his greeting, he introduced Marius and Sabrina. Following this, Sabrina helped Juliet unpack and distribute the items to each of the gentlemen. Though they thanked them for each thing, Marius suspected they appreciated the liquor the most.
When they broke into small groups and Juliet visited with each of the men, Sabrina was summoned by an older man who had been sitting in the corner. Marius accompanied her to the man’s side, not willing to relinquish her to any man regardless of age or infirmity.
As Sabrina took a seat next to him, he studied her with faded blue eyes. “You are Lady Sabrina Chester, correct?” The man asked as if he wasn’t sure he had heard correctly.
“Yes,” Sabrina answered with a smile.
“By chance, was your father Jonas Chester?”
Sabrina’s face brightened. “Yes, it was. Did you know him?”
The older man smiled at her in the same manner of a beloved uncle. “We spent some time together. He talked of you often and showed your miniature to everyone.”
Sabrina blushed. “When did you last see my father? How did he look?”
The smile faded from the old soldier’s face. “I was with him the night before. . .” The man trailed off, unable to complete his sentence.
Sabrina’s smile faded as well “Sir, how did my father die? Nobody has ever told me.”
Discomfort passed over the man’s face. Reaching over, he patted Sabrina’s hand. “It is Christmas Eve and not a time for this type of discussion. Perhaps later, after the New Year.”
Sabrina opened her mouth as if to say something but closed it after a thoughtful moment. Marius suspected she wanted to insist on an answer, and he wished he could spare her this. How could she not know how her father died?
The man squeezed her hand one more time before adding, “Remember that your father was a good and brave man and how much he loved you.”
Tears were in her eyes. “He was a wonderful man, and I was blessed to have had him as my father.”
Marius had been concerned the conversation would dampen Sabrina’s spirit, but it hadn’t. As soon as she was engaged in conversation with others and joined in some carols, her dimpled smile returned. Marius only wished he could be at ease as well, but something in the old soldier’s eyes had bothered him. He decided that he would pay a visit right after Christmas to learn how Jonas Chester had died.
After they returned to the house late that evening, Marius requested some time alone with Sabrina.
“Leave the door open,” Ramsey insisted.
Juliet pushed Ramsey toward the stairs. “Have a pleasant evening.”
Marius nodded his head and escorted Sabrina into the parlor. The room was decorated in greenery and bows he hadn’t really noticed before, probably because it was full of crates. It appeared that Lady Juliet embraced the holiday as no one he had ever seen. Sprigs of mistletoe hung in every door and were already missing a few berries. Marius hoped it had been Ramsey and Juliet doing the kissing and not Sabrina and some other man.
As Marius sat on the settee next to Sabrina, he couldn’t help but notice that she moved away from him. Her insistence at this rigid ladylike behavior was beginning to wear on his nerves, and he was going to bring an end to it tonight. For the past weeks he had been on his best behavior and not once attempted any liberties. Not that she had given him a chance. But, enough was enough and if he didn’t kiss her soon, he might go insane.
Chapter 10
Sabrina wasn’t sure why he had requested a private moment with her. Nothing good could come from this. Ever since they had arrived in London she had been able to remain in control of her emotions. It wasn’t easy when he was near. Still, he could not fault her behavior and she didn’t seem to aggravate him any longer. She clasped her hands tightly on her lap and waited while Marius seemed to search in his pocket. She wished he would say something.
“Merry Christmas, Sabrina.” Marius handed her the black box, tied with a white ribbon.
Surprised, Sabrina looked into his warm brown eyes. “I can’t accept this. I have nothing for you.” She never dreamed he would have gotten her a gift.
His smile deepened. “We will discuss that after you have opened this.”
It had been years since someone had actually handed her a gift. In the past, Ramsey had remembered her on special occasions, but those had arrived through the post and she hadn’t anyone to share the occasion with. Reluctantly she held out her hand and accepted the box.
When she simply stared at it, Marius prompted her. “You are supposed to open it.”
Her face heated and Sabrina pulled at the ribbon until it came loose and slowly opened the box. Inside lay a delicate string of pearls. She knew it was not proper for a gentleman to give a lady such a gift, but she wasn’t going to refuse his generosity either.
For a moment Sabrina was overcome with emotion. Never had she received such a beautiful or expensive gift. “It is beautiful.” She lifted her eyes, unable to hide the emotions. “Thank you. I only wish I had gotten you something as well.”
Marius stood and offered his hand. “There is but one gift I want for Christmas, Sabrina, and you are the only one who can give it to me.”
Sabrina placed her hand in his and followed as he led her to the door to the foyer and stopped in the center.
Marius looked up at the mistletoe and Sabrina’s eyes followed. Her fa
ce warmed further.
“A kiss,” he whispered.
Sabrina wouldn’t deny the thrill that went through her at that one request. It appeared as if she would get two presents this Christmas. Standing on her toes she placed a chaste kiss on his lips and then stepped back. Inwardly she sighed. That wasn’t so difficult. She had been able to kiss him and keep her composure.
Marius’s eyes narrowed as one hand reached up to pluck a berry from the mistletoe. Another hand snaked around her waist to bring her close to him again. “Perhaps I wasn’t specific enough. I should have said kisses.” He glanced up at the mistletoe again. “At least until the berries are gone.”
Sabrina hastily looked up and counted. There were eight berries. Could she kiss him eight more times without becoming involved? Well, she would certainly give it a try. After all, Marius deserved at least that, after the lovely necklace he had given her.
As she pursed her lips together and started to stand on her toes, Marius stopped her. “Not like the kiss you just gave me.”
She had learned only two ways of kissing. Surely he wasn’t requesting the other.
“I want a kiss like the first ones we shared.”
Sabrina opened her mouth to protest and his lips were on hers and he pulled her against his body before she could respond. At first, he was gentle, molding his lips to hers, tracing his tongue along her lips. It took no time at all for Sabrina to be drowning in a sea of sensations and was soon returning the kiss with the same passion. Marius molded her body to his before he began kissing her cheeks, ear, and neck while one hand massaged her lower back and the other trailed up her side. As he cupped her breast, he brought his lips back to hers, devouring her.
Sabrina had run her hand further up and was clutching his head and hair, needing more as if her very existence depended on what they were sharing. Her legs grew weak and soon she was leaning into him, afraid she couldn’t stand on her own any longer. Her heart was racing and her insides were in turmoil.
Ever so slowly, he pulled away, resting his hands at her waist and taking a step back to look at her. A smile came to his lips as he studied her. The reality of the moment began to intrude on Sabrina’s mind. Horrified at her actions, she stepped back further.
“That was almost the best Christmas gift you could have given me.”
Somewhat stunned, Sabrina studied him. He wasn’t reacting at all like he did the last time she had acted in such a wanton manner. “Why did you want me to kiss you that way when you admitted it’s aggravating?” Why were men so difficult to understand?
Marius chuckled. “Frustrating and it still is.”
Throwing her hands in irritation, she countered. “Aggravation and frustration. I don’t see the difference, and why anyone would want something knowing they would end up feeling that way is beyond me.”
“I hope to be able to explain it all to you one day.” He grinned down at her.
Even if he did explain, Sabrina doubted she would understand. “I don’t understand you, Marius Parker.” She crossed arms over her chest.
Still smiling at her, Marius stepped forward and kissed the top of her head. “I can see you are set to be disagreeable so I will take my leave.”
“I am not disagreeable.” Sabrina blustered.
“I’ll call on you in a few days. Enjoy your Christmas Sabrina, and thank you for the gift.” Reaching above his head, Marius picked every last berry from the mistletoe and placed them in his pocket before he let himself out of the house.
For most of the night Sabrina tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Marius Parker had to be the most aggravating man in the country. To think she had thought him the most charming of all gentlemen. Obviously she had not known him at all. She still didn’t know him. If only she could forget the way it felt when he held and kissed her, she knew she could think more clearly. Unfortunately, her mind kept returning to the kisses and she became warm just from the memories. It was aggravating and wonderful and if she as smart, she wouldn’t allow it to happen again.
* * *
Two days later Marius met Ramsey outside the soldiers’ home. They had agreed to find out how Jonas Chester had died together. Unfortunately, upon their arrival they learned the man they came to speak with had died earlier that morning, apparently from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The servants were still waiting for the authorities to come and collect the body.
Why would the man kill himself after he had told Sabrina he would talk to her again? Was the truth so horrible that he didn’t want to have to face her? If that were the case, the man could have simply refused. Something wasn’t right and Marius had an odd feeling with unanswered questions. After glancing at Ramsey to see if the situation disturbed him more than it normally would, Marius requested to see the body. A nod of Ramsey’s head indicated his agreement and the two men followed the servant up the stairs.
The servant explained as he opened the door that after the body had been discovered, nobody had gone in the room. Marius walked in followed by Ramsey. The old man lay on his bed, definitely dead and Marius averted his eyes from the man’s head, trying to forget the gory sight. The man’s right hand was hanging off the bed. Below it, on the floor lay a pistol. To any observer, it would appear that after shooting himself, the arm had simply fallen and the pistol from the hand. The man’s left hand rested on his upper chest, the palm facing out.
Marius walked to the side of the bed and studied the man’s posture and gestured Ramsey to his side. Pointing to the left hand, “If you were going off into eternal rest, wouldn’t you place your hand, palm down over your heart?”
“One would think” Ramsey nodded in agreement.
Marius squatted and studied the man from the level of the bed, something wasn’t right. Standing once again, he walked around to the other side. Still, it didn’t come to him. Studying the room and the body on the bed, Marius was sure eventually he would remember what wasn’t fitting with the picture. For the moment, it eluded him.
Thanking the servant, he and Ramsey left the house and hailed a hackney. Together they traveled to Whites. Neither was anxious to return and inform Sabrina that the man who held her answers was dead.
As they both took a seat after asking for coffee to be brought, Marius asked Ramsey what his thoughts were regarding the death.
“Something about the entire situation bothers me.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Marius agreed, looking off into the distance. Something was very wrong with the scene they had viewed, but for the life of him, he didn’t know what it was.
“Would you like me to break the news to Sabrina or will you?” Ramsey asked.
Though it was another chance to see her, Marius didn’t relish having to tell her. Still, if everything went as he had planned, they shared a future of good and bad news and he might as well begin to deal with them now. “I will. After all, it was my idea to find out the answers before Sabrina did.”
Ramsey sat back into his chair as if relieved that the duty didn’t fall to him. “Speaking of Sabrina,” he began.
Marius raised his eyes to Ramsey, immediately interested in anything having to do with her. “Yes?”
“By chance did you two argue the other night or did you do anything to upset her?”
Marius’s eyebrows drew together, confused. “No. Why do you ask?”
Sighing, Ramsey slumped further into his seat. “It must be a womanly thing then.”
By now Marius’s interest was amplified and he wasn’t about to let this conversation lapse. “Why?”
“Oh, nothing really I suppose. Yesterday morning she rose late and when she did appear, Sabrina certainly wasn’t her best. Ever since, she has been irritable and claiming she hadn’t been sleeping well.”
Marius bit the inside of his cheek trying to keep his expression impassive while he waited for Ramsey to continue.
“As you are not the cause, I suppose this mood will pass soon enough.”
So, that made two of them that hadn’t slept
well Christmas Eve. It was the best news he had received that day.
* * *
Sabrina hadn’t expected Marius to call on her so soon. His visits were usually three days apart and scheduled in advance. She willed her stomach to quit fluttering at the announcement of his name.
Marius made light conversation as the tea was delivered. It wasn’t until the maid had left that he became serious. Sabrina noticed his change in expression and wondered what could possibly be wrong. Had he regretted the other night? If so, it was his own fault since he was the one who had insisted.
“Sabrina, there is something I need to tell you.”
Sabrina braced herself, though not certain what to expect from him this time.
“I went to visit the older man you spoke with on Christmas Eve today.”
“The one who knew my father?” Her interest rose.
“Yes. I thought if I found out how your father had died, I could help you deal with it better.”
“Marius, that was not necessary. My father died a number of years ago and I was able to deal with the loss on my own. I can certainly handle the manner in which he died just as well.”
“I am aware of that. However, there was something about the man’s manner that bothered me and I thought to protect you from or help you deal with the pain his information would cause.”
“I do not need you to protect me.” Sabrina’s voice rose with agitation. “This is the second instance that you have made a decision that directly involved me, without consulting me first.”
“I knew you would be angry, but try to understand why I did this.” Hopefully one day soon she would learn to let him take care of her or at least the more unpleasant tasks.
“I understand perfectly. Being a gentleman you didn’t think I could face the harsh truths of reality. You are mistaken.”
“I never thought you couldn’t handle the truth. I was concerned and wished to help.”
His Contrary Bride (A Gentleman's Guide to One Upon a Time - Book 2) Page 9