“Yes, young Tommy brings out the boy in him.”
“I was not aware of Thornhill having any children.”
“We adopted young Tommy. He was my savior twice.”
Skye looked towards Ivy in question. She wondered on the story of Tommy. Ivy wandered to the chair by the fire and motioned for Skye to join her. Skye sat in the opposite chair. Ivy poured them each a cup of tea, which had been waiting for them. Skye drank the tea as Ivy described how she met Tommy and how Tommy saved her life not once but twice. Ivy also described her own capture by Shears and how she recovered. Skye at once felt a kinship with the young lady.
Ivy reached across and held Skye’s hand, “I relate to some of your fears my dear, and I will be available to talk whenever you wish. Please take your time to recover and inform me if I can be of any help.”
“I thank you and Thornhill for your generosity. I don’t mean to be a nuisance and as soon as I am able I will be leaving.”
“You must do whatever you believe is best for yourself. I will leave you with these parting words, we are here for you, if you allow us to be. Please join us for meals and consider this house as yours.”
Skye rose and bowed to Ivy, “Thank you, My Lady.”
“Just Ivy, please.”
“Ivy.” Skye smiled at her.
When Ivy left, Skye laid on the divan. She reflected on her time with Ivy. Skye felt a friendship forming with the lady, for Ivy had also been held captive by Shears and was able to escape from any harm. While not as forceful as Skye, she was somebody who Skye could confide in. Skye’s feelings were more settled towards the woman after she witnessed the love Thornhill and his wife shared with each other. Feeling exhausted from the short carriage ride, she covered herself with a blanket and closed her eyes for a short rest.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It was late afternoon when she awoke, noticing the sun was setting. She sat up to take in her unfamiliar surroundings, remembering where she was. She rose to fix her hair and smooth out her dress. It was rude of her to stay in her room. Skye wandered to the windows to calm her nerves. When she looked out she saw Zane sitting on a bench. He looked so lost and alone. She realized she treated him badly and owed him an apology at least. She owed him more than an apology, but it was the only thing she could manage at this time.
Skye decided to visit him and set off to find her way to the garden. As she traveled along the stairs, she hoped to encounter a servant to ask for directions, but none were found. When she wandered through the different rooms, she found no doors leading outside. After a time, she entered what appeared to be a study, going to the doors she was about to exit, when she noticed Zane was no longer alone. He had been joined by Ivy on the bench. Ivy had her hand laying atop his in a familiar fashion. Zane smiled at her lovingly. She felt like an intruder watching them. Zane’s affections were in open display. He still cared deeply for Ivy Thornhill. Skye experienced a deep sense of loss. She had spoken hastily towards him, but as she regarded him now, she had been correct in letting him go. She would never have his total love while he still yearned for another. Her fingers touched the window pane as if she touched him one last time. With a deep sigh she rested her head.
“They are only friends.” A voice from behind her defended them.
“Maybe from your wife’s feelings, but Maxwell’s actions tell another story.”
“At one time, but now his heart lays with another.”
Skye didn’t reply, she disagreed with Thornhill. It didn’t matter anymore.
“I was called away on business and missed luncheon. Would you care to join me for tea?” he asked.
Skye was famished, she slept through luncheon and also missed the meal. She nodded her head and let Thorn lead her near the fire where a tea table sat with a small repast. Little small sandwiches and cookies were arranged on a plate. With needing something to keep her occupied Skye poured the tea and served them refreshments. They ate in silence, each occupied with their own thoughts. Skye’s thoughts couldn’t move pass the two talking out in the garden. Was Thornhill jealous of their exchange and thinking the same thoughts as hers? When she glanced at him, Skye doubted he was. He appeared confident and not the least disturbed by the two.
“I have a few leads on your brother and my men are looking into them. When I hear more news, I will inform you and we can proceed from there. In the meantime, I hope you will accept our generosity in aiding with your recovery. If you require anything, please let Ivy or me know.”
“I need to send word to my family.”
“I have already dispatched a rider to carry news of your safety to them.”
“Thank you.”
“It is my pleasure. I understand what you endured aboard Shears’s ship was dramatic. But understand this, you have friends who care for you and want to help. Do not shut yourself off from your emotions.”
“I am a stranger to every one of you.”
“In a way, but we share a kinship with one another. We were instructed to bring Shears to justice. The man got what he deserved. Now his reign of terror has ended, and we can return to our lives, without constantly looking over our shoulders.”
“Easy for you to say, your family is safe. My brother is still missing, a result from Shears’s hands.”
“We will find your brother Skye and when we do, it will be finished. Think of every life we have saved. Think of the safety of our countries. The man nearly succeeded in bringing the war to our shores and without the work everybody did, he almost achieved his goal.”
“I realize what you are saying to be true, but it doesn’t wipe from my memory the terror of being held under his hands.”
“Those memories need time to fade and even then, you won’t forget them. From there on out it will only make you a stronger person than you already are.”
Skye finished her tea as she absorbed his words. What he said spoke truth, but it left her feeling a vulnerability which frightened her. She had not felt this way since her mother passed. It was a feeling she never wanted to experience again.
“Are you going to put the poor chap out of his misery?”
Skye raised her eyebrow in question at Thornhill. She knew who he was referring too, but she was letting him know this conversation was off the table between them.
However, Thorn was determined to have his say, “He cares deeply for you.”
“There are too many lies between us. Neither of us trusts one another and without trust a relationship cannot flourish.”
“But it can rebuild, if the level of trust is open, and honesty is spoken between the two of you.”
Skye rose from her chair and Thornhill followed. Skye dipped into a curtsey, thanked him for the lovely tea, and excused herself from his company. She didn’t bother to reply to his comments, her wounds were too fresh to discuss what she herself didn’t understand.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
“You look like you can use a friend.”
Maxwell rose at those words and offered his arm to Ivy. He led her back to the bench to rest beside her.
“Is it that obvious?”
“Well you appear as if you lost your best friend, and considering I am right here, it must be more ominous.”
Zane chuckled at her light-hearted words. His gloominess was much more dire. He lost the love of his life and didn’t grasp how to win her back. Maybe discussing his misery with Ivy, she could offer a bit of sage advice. He wiped his hand across his face as he sighed.
“Where to begin?”
“Well from the start is usually the best choice, but feel free to share what you will. I am only here to help.”
“Before I ask you for your support and advice, please forgive all the sins I have committed against you and yours these past few months.”
“Zane you are your own worst enemy. We forgave you, and you must learn to forgive yourself. I know I betrayed our friendship, but it was in your best interest for me to tell them about the missing heir.”
“I understand,
and you were correct to do so.”
They sat together, their apologies floating away in the wind. Their friendship was always stronger than their actions. However, the other friend acted, the other always forgave. She laid her hand atop his, gently squeezing his fingers, letting him recognize she was still there for him. Whenever he needed her friendship.
“Will you tell me about her?”
“Skye?”
“Yes, Skye.”
“What do you care to hear, Ivy dear?”
“I want to learn everything on the lady who captured your heart. First start with how you plan to win her back. Because from what I see, she is upset with you.”
“There will be no winning her back, she despises me. The very sight of me, causes her to cringe.”
Ivy laughed, “You fool, the girl is smitten with you.”
“You are the fool and seeing things my dear that are not present,” Zane answered in a harsh laugh.
“Tell me what happened.”
Zane told Ivy how he came to meet Skye and their time together in Scotland. Of course, he left out the moments they spent alone. Those memories were nobody’s business, but his own. Then he preceded to tell her how Skye drugged him, with the help of Raina. When he told her what he witnessed as he rescued her, Ivy shook from the horror. He stopped, only to have Ivy press him to finish. He didn’t want her to relive her own ordeal, but she whispered to him she didn’t experience half the terror Skye did. She wanted to listen, so she could understand how to handle Skye. When Zane stated how Shears practically raped Skye, silent tears flowed along Ivy’s cheeks. Still, she encouraged him to finish the rest of his story. He ended with his talk to Skye and his loss on how to proceed forward.
He pulled out his handkerchief to hand over to Ivy. She thanked him and dried her tears. Then she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him. Laying her head on his chest she rested there, comforting him. He wrapped a friendly arm around her, thankful for the comfort she offered. Ivy had always been present for him as a friend. Why he risked their friendship over a kiss, he had no clue. For he never thought about Ivy the way he feels towards Skye. The different emotions were worlds apart from each other.
She patted his breast pocket, “You must woo her.”
Zane sat back, holding Ivy apart from him, his hands on her arms, “Woo her?”
“Yes, woo her, sweep her off her feet,” Ivy laughed.
“Did you not hear one word I have spoken to you, she wants nothing to do with me.”
“That’s where you are wrong my friend. Trust me, I know different.”
“How do you woo a lady who wishes for me to disappear?”
“Well for one thing you don’t begin by holding another man’s wife in his garden, for anybody to witness.”
Zane jumped at the sound of Thorn’s voice. He felt guilt as he put distance between him and Ivy. She only laughed, jumping from the bench and ran into Thorn’s arms. Thorn lowered his head to give her a kiss.
“I am sorry, it was only in...” Zane began to explain.
“I am not the one you need to apologize to.”
“Do you mean…” Zane looked up to the window he was sitting under, searching for any sign of Skye. When he viewed the rustling of the curtains, he realized he screwed up again.
“Yes,” Thorn replied before Zane was finished.
“Damn.”
“It will be all right Zane, I can explain to her,” offered Ivy.
“I already tried,” said Thorn.
Zane paced back and forth across the garden path. He only seemed to dig himself in deeper. If he was not digging, he was sinking. He didn’t recognize which he preferred. Either one wasn’t getting him any closer to her, but further apart.
“As for an answer to your question, before we were so rudely interrupted.” Ivy winked at Thorn.
“Yes?”
“You are the master charmer of the ton. Every lady swoons when you are nearby. There hasn't been a lady I have ever encountered you haven't charmed. So, turn your charm on her.”
“She is immune to my charm.”
Ivy laughed, “No woman is immune to charm, my dear man.” Grabbing a hold of Thorn’s hand, she drew him away.
Zane remained in the garden contemplating Ivy’s words. Woo. Charm. Skye. Could it be done? He stood staring at the window. He thought he saw a shadow of her, peering out watching him. Zane smiled and bowed to her. Yes, an idea was coming to him. Woo her, he would. Charm her, he would. Seduce her, yes definitely he would. Love her, most certainly for the rest of their lives.
Chapter Fifteen
SIMS CARRIED A SALVER with invitations and mail into the parlor, proceeding to Ivy’s side. Ivy smiled and thanked him, taking the correspondences. As she sat at her desk, she rifled through sorting the mail into piles. When she came across the familiar letter they received daily for the last few weeks she set it to the side, smiling slyly. Ivy glanced up to study the young lady in the room staring out into the garden. There was a light rain this morning which kept them indoors. She held a sadness as she gazed at the raindrops dripping upon the petals. With a deep sigh the young lady turned, pasting a smile on her face as she noticed Ivy watching her. Skye walked over to sit on the settee, she poured a cup of tea and offered Ivy a cup. Ivy declined but grabbed the letter and joined her on the couch.
“Your admirer has written again,” she said offering the letter to Skye.
Skye blushed as she reached for the letter. The same scrawl and stamp adorned the missive as the earlier letters she received from him. Her fingers traced the stamp, rubbing his crest back and forth across her fingertips. She didn’t open the letter, instead she slid the note inside her pocket.
“Are you going to remove the poor fellow from his misery and write back this time?”
“Well, he isn’t actually in misery, is he?”
“You don’t believe the gossip you heard during tea yesterday, do you?”
“He is making his rounds again, is he not?”
“Skye, he cares only for you. He hasn’t spent time with another lady since he met you. These ladies are vicious gossip whores. They rip you apart because that is what they do well. You are a threat to them. So, if they can place doubt in your mind about Zane they will. Talk with him, he is miserable without you.”
“It would be of no use. We have no future with one another.”
“Why not?”
“It is complicated.”
Ivy reached for Skye’s hand and Skye didn’t pull away. Over the last few weeks, they grew to be close friends. Ivy told Skye her story of being held captive on Shears’s ship and it helped for Skye to open her mind and work through her terror. Her nightmares seized to exist, and she was no longer terrified of another person’s touch.
“Nothing is too complicated to work through. You two are meant to be together. If you would only open yourself to him.”
“I am not ready yet.”
Ivy patted her hand in understanding and rose.
“Well if he keeps to his timing, he should arrive any moment now. Do you want to retire to your bedchamber while I accept him in the Rose Room for tea?”
Skye knew she acted childish in refusing to receive or write back to him. She was nervous to be alone with him and insecure. The ladies of the ton who wanted him were stunning, and she felt so plain and awkward compared to them.
She nodded her head to Ivy and left the room. She barely made it along the hallway when she heard Maxwell in the foyer. Skye peeked her head around the corner, watching him as he gave his hat and cane to Sims. Then he followed Sims to join Ivy in the Rose Room. He paused, glancing over his shoulder like he searched for her. Skye withdrew her head and pressed herself against the wall. He almost caught her spying on him. She listened as his footsteps followed the butler. She shook her head at her silliness and continued to her bedchamber.
He held a lost look about him. When she heard him with Sims his voice was quiet and withdrawn. Were his actions due to her? Shou
ld she give him another chance? When she slipped into her room, she slid his letter out of her pocket. As she turned it over and over in her hand, she thought she might reply to his letter. Ivy wasn’t aware, but she read the letters he sent her every day. Most of them inquired on her welfare. This last week they turned more personal, practically begging to have a word with her. Then yesterday, he expressed his feelings. Her fingers trembled to open the letter, and it was this fear which remained the reason she didn’t want to see him today.
It wasn’t only his letters he sent. He arrived every day, hoping to call on her. On these visits he always brought her a gift. Small things: flowers, candy, or books. Then yesterday, he sent her a drawing. He wrapped and rolled up the present, leaving it with Ivy as he did all the other gifts. He brought the gifts hoping to give them to her, but as always Ivy was the one who presented them to her. The drawing was haunting. It showed two lovers being separated by a storm out of their control. Skye didn’t recognize the artist. Did the painting portray them? The picture expressed her own emotions towards Zane. Did his regards follow the same path? Therefore, she sat alone in her room wondering what he brought her today.
Skye’s fingernail dug under the seal, opening the letter to her eyes. She didn’t read the words yet. Afraid. Her fingers traced his letters written upon the parchment. She wandered to the divan and laid back as she closed her eyes to calm her breathing. Opening her eyes, she began to read:
My dearest Skye,
I hope the phrase does not offend you, because you are my dearest. I hope this letter finds you well. Ivy informs me you are healing nicely. I am lighthearted at this news. Once again, I am below awaiting your presence. I know you won’t join us, but that doesn’t deter me. For one day I believe you will. You give me hope every day. You ask yourself, how do I give this fool hope, when I have never answered his letters or thanked him for his gifts. Because my dear, you have never sent the letters or gifts back or told Ivy to send me away. While you do not grace me with the sight of your loveliness, I can feel you nearby. If your near presence is all you can gift me, then I will accept it for now. And I mean for now because I won’t lie to you anymore Skye. While I am a patient man, I am finding I am not where you are concerned. I will come for you. When I chase you, my dear, you shall discover every desire and need I hold in my heart for you. I won’t leave a doubt in your lovely head. So, enjoy my present Ivy will deliver to you today. I hope it brings a desire to see me. Take care my love and I wait until the day when we meet again.
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