by Heather Boyd
“I saw the notice in the paper.”
“My wife’s idea to bring you home.”
“It didn’t work.”
“I could not help but notice that. She will be crushed.”
Oliver was different. Admittedly, ten years had passed since she’d seen him, but he was decidedly more emotional than she remembered. She hoped it was Beth’s influence. She’d always wanted her for a sister. “Where are you living?”
“Romsey Abbey. I’ve taken over our grandmother’s wing and have been prying into every nook and cranny I can find. By the time I’m done, there will be no secrets left uncovered.”
“His Grace should not care for that.”
Oliver grinned impishly. “The boy is four. It is beyond his understanding at present.”
“If he lives to reach his majority.”
Oliver stopped dead in the middle of the street. “Did Leopold not tell you? The boy thrives. There is no chance of peril, save for his own stupidity. I trust Leopold and the family at large can instill some sense into the boy as he ages.”
“If the duchess allows it.”
“My wife will not only allow it but encourage it.” Leopold squeezed her shoulders. “When you meet her you will see the truth and cease your mistrust.”
“You married the Duchess of Romsey? I’ll leave you to suffer the intrigues alone.” She scowled at him. “How could you stoop so low? Surely there’s someone nicer that caught your eye.”
“Mercy was not cast from the same mold as previous duchesses. She is very different.”
Rosemary folded her arms across her chest. She didn’t believe that for a second. “I’m sure you’ll be very happy together.”
Leopold raised a finger. “We will all be very happy together.”
Rosemary immediately understood his meaning and shook her head to end the discussion. “I will never go back.”
“Yes, you will. I am the head of the family and until you marry your place is with us.”
Rosemary pushed past him and started toward the inn. “My place is anywhere I choose. I’m of age and relish my independence.”
She smiled at Mrs. Lamb as she stepped through the inn’s front door. “Would you be willing to feed these gentlemen? They’ve traveled some distance and have a long journey ahead.”
Mrs. Lamb glanced past her and then nodded. When Rosemary turned, Grayling was poised at the door, an odd expression on his face. Tobias loitered in his shadow. She shook off the nagging sensation her brother wanted a private word and made sure her elder brothers were made comfortable.
She took a place at the head of the table. Grayling sat at the far end. Tobias did not join them at all. She looked for him, but her younger brother was nowhere to be found.
As soon as Mrs. Lamb departed, Leopold resumed the discussion. “I left our wives behind with assurances you would come home with us. Will you make me a liar?”
“Hardly my doing when I wasn’t consulted. I’ve no intention of setting one foot upon the estate.” She spread her hands wide. “I do wish everyone the best.”
“Rosemary,” Leopold groaned. “I’ve no wish to fight with you. Not today. Not when we’ve finally discovered you and where our parents rest. Tobias, especially, will want assurances. His memory of the abduction still haunts him, I think. Are you not the least curious about what happened to us all?”
“No.”
They couldn’t have had a harder life than she’d lived. They hadn’t had to sell their body to ease the ache of their empty belly. They couldn’t have wondered whether they would survive the night as she had more times than she could count. “I’m sure you’re all safe and well at Romsey.”
“They chained him,” Leopold growled in a low voice. “Beat his flesh until he was scarred. It’s a miracle he survived to come home to us.”
Rosemary stared at her brothers. “Surely you jest?”
“Take the trouble to ask him for proof yourself rather than turn tail and run. It is Tobias’s story to tell, not mine. I’ve seen the damage done with my own eyes. He can barely tolerate to sit inside a carriage, but as soon as he heard of your location, he forced himself to come and see for himself if you were the woman Grayling had employed.” Leopold’s mouth pursed in disapproval. “We’ve all suffered punishment of some sort at the duke’s command. You’ve become a hard, unfeeling woman, Rosemary Randall, if you think you’re the only one who’s suffered. Mama, God rest her soul, would be ashamed of you for not caring.”
“I’m sure she already is.” It was better that they couldn’t see what she’d become. Her parents had been keen to see her marry well. To be a lady at all times. Rosemary was not that. It pained her that her little brother had been injured. She glanced at Oliver discreetly. He seemed no different than before, but she had to wonder what punishment had been meted out to him and Leopold. Were they like her, scarred deeply beneath the surface and afraid to show how much?
Constantine stood. “Excuse me a moment.”
Rosemary watched him go with a heavy heart. He didn’t appear to be taking the news of her true identity very well.
When he was gone from sight, Leopold was quick to question her. “When did you meet him?”
If she told him the truth, would he leave her in peace and forget this nonsense about returning to Romsey? “He wasn’t the first.”
Her brother glanced down at the table. When his gaze lifted, his expression was bleak. “We’ll remain until you change your mind.”
Leopold stood and leaned over her. When he pressed a fierce kiss to her brow and strode from the dining room with long, determined strides, she hoped she would never see him again. It was best he knew as much of the truth as she could bear to share. She could never be considered clean again. Not wholesome. Not good. She had too much dirty laundry weighing her down to ever be what they wanted or expected of her.
Mrs. Lamb bustled over with two overflowing plates and set them down on the table. When she returned, she placed one before Rosemary. The panic she’d felt on seeing the Romsey carriage had subsided enough for her stomach to remember she was ill. The scent wafted to fill her nose and her nausea returned. She breathed through her mouth. Unfortunately, that didn’t help enough. With a strangled cry, she bolted from the table and rushed upstairs to the rented room. She flung herself toward the chamber pot in the nick of time. The tea and scrap of bread she’d consumed earlier reappeared.
She closed her eyes as the spasms passed, willing yet another terrible day to end.
CHAPTER 27
WHEN CONSTANTINE REENTERED the inn after a short walk to clear his head, he discovered he was not the only worried man to grace the dining room. Two of the brothers were in deep conversation on the far side of the room. Several times the elder started for the stairs, but Oliver was quick to call him back.
Mrs. Lamb bustled over with a mug of ale and a plate of food and set them out on the table. “Something to whet your appetite, my lord?”
“Thank you, Mrs. Lamb. You’re very good to me.”
The look she gave him was tinged with distrust. “You returned. If you let her get away, I might not be so kind the next time you stay.”
“Then I shall never let her go, just to keep your good opinion.” Constantine didn’t say it lightly. He’d had enough time to consider that her connections had no bearing whatsoever on his decision to marry Rosemary. The acquiring of her name was not the least bit important in the scheme of things. The woman was. He loved her, no matter what she called herself.
He sat beside Oliver Randall and took a long swallow of ale. The solitude of a short walk had also stirred his compassion. The situation was difficult for all of them. “Where is Rosemary now?”
Oliver pointed toward the staircase. “Upstairs. Tobias followed her to be sure she didn’t run off again while we were eating, but I suppose her condition may hamper any plans for immediate flight. She couldn’t stand the scents wafting up from the plate set before her, so the innkeeper’s wife may be corr
ect. Congratulations.”
“Thank you.” In the sudden rush of discovery, Constantine had managed to push the notion of being a father again to the back of his mind. To his surprise, he was not unduly worried about the birth. He was more worried Rosemary would take care of the matter without telling him and ensure she would never be in any danger.
Constantine picked at the food on his plate. He was almost certain he could convince Rosemary not to run away and to return to Stanton Harold Hall. But avoiding Romsey Abbey and her family was definitely part of her plan. He was torn in two. He had to prevent becoming separated from her again.
He cast a quick glance at Leopold and decided the man needed time to regain his temper before he discussed marrying his sister. Oliver was another matter. He didn’t seem the least perturbed by his sister’s recovery or her expectant condition. Constantine caught Oliver’s gaze. It was almost as if sentimentality had no place in his life. Rosemary was like that at times. “Are you injured?”
A rueful smile flittered over Oliver’s face as he tested his ribs. “Ribs ache, but no lasting damage.”
What a strange response. Constantine set down his fork. “When Mercy and Blythe were young, the most I ever did to them was pull their braids. Did you make a habit of fighting with Rosemary? Is that why she distrusts you all?”
“You have to understand that Rosemary is different than most females. She always wanted to do what her brothers did and if we would not oblige, she found a way to do it anyway.”
Constantine raised a brow. “Boxing?”
“Rosemary doesn’t box. But she was popular with the local lads when she was young, and after one such fellow proved a bit too forward she wanted to know how to protect herself. I taught her without letting anyone know and she excelled at the vigorous activity. Her current fighting style has evolved in a way I never expected. She’s limited, you see. Her shorter stature and the gowns society expects her to wear hamper her movements, so she’s had to adapt.”
“For God’s sake, Oliver. She was supposed to have the education of a lady, not an assassin,” Leopold growled.
Oliver leaned close to Constantine. “He’s just annoyed that I won while he ended up flat on his belly with the wind knocked out of him. Elder brothers always like to be ahead of the rest of us.”
Constantine found that offensive. “Do bear in mind that I’m an elder brother.”
“Exactly. I gather you are completely in sympathy with his feelings.”
Leopold scowled and resumed eating like a man preparing for battle. Rosemary was likely to give him one. Constantine had never seen a woman move as she had. He’d never known a woman to hold her own in a physical fight, either.
Leopold stood. “That’s enough time.”
Oliver pulled his brother back down to his seat. “I know what you intend and it won’t work. She will not come peacefully and deep down, you know it. You cannot fault her for her fears. She needs time to trust us again.”
Leopold looked set to argue but then shook his head. “She’s always been pigheaded. I knew the moment I saw her that she hadn’t changed.”
If only they knew the ways Rosemary had changed, then perhaps they might have more compassion. As it was, only Constantine understood some of what had happened to her. He’d thought he’d have more time to learn the rest and gain her trust. But time and opportunity were fast running out. “Let me talk to her before you do anything rash.”
Oliver shrugged. “It cannot hurt.”
“Thank you.” He nodded to Oliver, avoided eye contact with Leopold in case he had objections, and stood. “There are some things I should say to her in private before I rejoin my daughters at Romsey. I at least need to prepare an explanation for them.”
Leopold’s dark eyes bored into his. “If you hurt her, I’ll never forgive you.”
Now was hardly the appropriate time to become protective of Rosemary’s feelings. “I never intended to.”
Constantine climbed the stairs to Rosemary’s room at the inn with a heavy heart. What could he possibly say to convince her she should trust him? She’d had good reason to run in the beginning, but her past, whatever that might entail, was sufficient to make her wary. He would have to make it plain that whatever she chose would be supported.
Tobias stood poised in the hall, hands in his pockets and a troubled expression on his face. Constantine approached. “Is she in there?”
“Yes, Rosemary is still with us, but I fear not for long.”
He grasped the man by the shoulder. “If Rosemary will not remain, let me assure you her other personas are just as charming and challenging. Did she have a talent for the stage when she was young?”
“No. She is the same as she ever was.” Tobias frowned. “You don’t seem too concerned that she lied about her identity.”
“I’ve known from the first time we spoke that she was not who she claimed to be. Your sister is a remarkably honest liar. Aside from the truth of her name and connections, I’ve always known her character. She’s rather remarkable.”
“You’re in love with her?”
“Since the moment we met.” He grinned. It felt very good to say that out loud and to a member of her family. Now he had to convince her that it was true still. “Are you the brother who smashed her toes during dancing lessons when she was young?”
Tobias scratched his head. “I’d hoped she would have forgotten that.”
“I don’t imagine she’s forgotten very much of anything, and that may be the whole problem.” He grinned at the other man’s discomfort. “Excuse me. I should check that her stomach has settled now.”
Tobias caught his arm. “Will you stand by her no matter what?”
“I’m still here, aren’t I?”
Constantine moved toward the door. Although he knocked several times, Rosemary didn’t answer him. When he tested the handle, he found the door was unlocked. He let himself inside, prepared for Rosemary to have disappeared through the window. A small lump was curled up on the floor beside the chamber pot. He rushed across the room and eased Rosemary into a sitting position.
“That’s no place for a lady to be.”
Discontented eyes glared at him. “I’m not a lady.”
“Are you sure? Because you have all the necessary parts in your possession. In fact, I’m very fond of seeing them in my bed.”
After a moment, Rosemary spared him a reluctant grin. “I do enjoy your sense of humor, Constantine. All right, help me up so I might find my dignity.”
Since she weighed next to nothing, she was on her feet in a moment. Constantine encircled her waist carefully. “The floor is no place for a woman in your condition.”
She frowned. “I never expected to fall so soon, but as we discussed, it’s not your concern.”
“It is if that’s my child in your belly.”
She set her hands to her hips. “Of course it’s yours.”
“Then I get to talk about the fact.” He brushed the back of his fingers across the front of her gown. “How long have you been feeling ill?”
She grabbed the hand skimming her belly and held it out of the way. “Today.”
“Then I haven’t missed much.” He smiled. “I promised to take care of you and I fully intend to be at your side every moment of every day.”
Rosemary moved away from him and sat on the edge of the bed. “There is nothing for you to worry about.”
“I will always worry. It’s in my nature.” He shifted to sit on the edge of the bed and took her hand lightly in his. Her knuckles were red and likely tender. “So you are Rosemary Randall?”
“I haven’t been Rosemary Randall for some time. That young girl is long gone.”
He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed each tender knuckle. “I feel sorry for your brothers then.”
“Oh?”
He cupped her cold fingers between his hands and blew a warm breath across her skin. “They will miss getting to know how wonderful you are.”
Ros
emary snatched her hand back. “It’s best that they don’t. They know enough already and I cannot bear to see their opinion of me brought lower. In time, they will understand and accept my absence. They can stop placing those plaintive advertisements in the paper and get on with their lives.”
“That first day you brought my daughters to my study, you saw the notice begging you to come home. How long have you known your brothers were searching for you?”
Rose shrugged. “Months. Long before we ever met.”
“So you did not care to answer them?”
“I never said I didn’t care. I tried to write once.”
He shook his head at her stubbornness. “That’s not what Leopold believes. I’ve never seen a more shattered man. You’re breaking his heart.”
“The duchess will console him,” Rosemary said bitterly.
“Not in this. There are limits to even my sister’s ability to divert one’s attention. He will regret this day all his life. Can you live with that? Can you walk away, knowing it was you who hurt them so badly?”
Rosemary flung herself off the bed and stalked to the window. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. You barely know my brothers.”
“That’s true. But I know a little about you and I would be the poorer should we never have met. Are you afraid?”
Rosemary stilled. Her hands clenched into fists. She spun about. “I am not afraid.”
“I see that despite the discovery of your name and connections, some things never change. You really do have a dreadfully short temper. I do enjoy the fire in your eyes.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I’m no different and that is the problem.”
He sighed and stood, stopping close enough to set his hands on her arms. “If it’s any consolation, I will be at your side every moment should you return to Romsey. If they have a problem with you, then we can leave together.”
“Why would you do such a thing? She’s your sister.”