Her Wicked White

by Tammy Andresen

  Justice shrugged. “Used to be. Bare-knuckle boxer. But I gave it up when…” he looked between Dez and Sayden.

  Dez shifted. “They came to work for me.”

  “Horseshit,” Sayden spit. “If anything, you work for me.”

  Ben’s brows lifted. “Someone explain.”

  Sayden spit again. “Christ. You talk like the fucking duke, don’t you? Everyone must obey me instantly.”

  Ben’s jaw clenched. “Dez?”

  Dez let out a short breath. “Satan figured out how to make gunpowder. He’s deadly good at it.”

  Ben scrubbed his jaw. Dez was distributing Sayden’s product. “That’s a dangerous business.”

  Sayden shrugged. “I’ve found ways to make it safer. And Justice here makes certain no one sells or steals our secrets.”

  “Secrets?” he asked, crossing his arms. Were they doing something illegal? Was that why Dez didn’t want Millie involved?

  “Our recipe. We make some of the best product, and so naturally everyone wants it.”

  “Or they want to see us shut down. With a war on, it’s good to be the top producer.”

  Ben scrubbed his neck, relieved it wasn’t more serious.

  “Make no mistake, it’s a dangerous business,” Dez said. “Which is why we’re going to go hear what Mr. Veritas has to say and then these two are going to return from whence they came.”

  “We’re not, though.” Justice said as he pointed at Dez. “We were only in London to keep an eye on your shipment. And from what we hear, we did a much better job than you at keeping the product safe. Our boat is still floating.”

  Dez grimaced as he looked to Ben. “Like I said, we can work out my issues later. Let’s go hear Father’s last wishes and send these two on their merry way.”

  Ben grimaced. “Are you certain? Somehow, what’s happened to you today seems far more pressing and important.”

  “We’re here to secure Millie’s future, correct? Esme’s too?” Dez lifted a brow as he gave Ben’s arm a light punch.

  Ben winced. His brother had a point. He had said that. And he’d meant it, too. Their first priority was taking care of the ladies. But he’d wanted this meeting for his own selfish reasons, too. Reasons that seemed far less important now that he’d found Chloe. “Fair enough.”

  The men headed back toward the music room.

  But the moment he stepped into the room, he knew that something was very wrong.

  Because sitting out on the table were several envelopes.

  Veritas stared down at them as he scrubbed his head, referring back to parchment in his hand. “I’m sorry,” he muttered as Ben came in. “This is very unlike me, but I seem to have made an error.”

  Chloe’s eyes were huge as she stared at Ben.

  Coming to stand next to her, he looked down at the envelopes and quickly realized the problem.

  There was one for him, Dez, Justice, Sayden, Millie, Esme, and Caleb. But an eighth stood at the end closest to Veritas. On it was marked, R. White.

  “What the bloody hell,” he said, far louder than was strictly necessary.

  Chloe stood, taking his hand even as Veritas held up his hands. “He gave me the letters in a sealed envelope with the instructions to gather all his children and his wife. I had no idea…” Veritas trailed off. “But obviously we are short one person and cannot—”

  Sayden reached down and swiped up the letters.

  Veritas, seeing what he was about managed to grab one, the one to R. White. Justice glared, stepping closer. “Hand it over unless you want my fist for fucking lunch.”

  Veritas stood straighter. “I’ll take any hits you want to give but I’ll uphold the law.”

  Ben stepped forward, Dez’s warning ringing in his ears. He should have listened. “No one is hitting anyone.”

  Sayden stepped up in his face. “No one cares what you think. Not in this fucking house. Not out there either.”

  Ben bent closer. “You’ll watch your language.”

  Dez stepped up next to him. “Ben’s right. Watch your mouths and hand out the letters you’ve got.”

  “I must object,” Veritas said but everyone ignored him. When everyone had a note in their hand, Ben looked at his old friend.

  One of many people he shouldn’t have cut ties with. “I’m sorry, Jacob. I know you’re trying to do your job, but we’re not waiting. For everyone’s sake, it’s best some of us part ways after this meeting.”

  No one answered as they began tearing open their letters.

  For a few seconds it was silent.

  “Fuck.” Justice yelled.

  At nearly the same moment, Sayden groaned, “Shit.”

  “He must have been jesting.” Esme finished.

  Ben looked down at his letter.

  * * *

  Dear Benedict,

  By now you know I’m gone, and you’ve become the next Duke of Whitehaven. I’m sure you’ve also surmised that I did nearly all of it wrong. I tried in my way, but I know I failed. Nothing makes that clearer than the fact that all my children have left me.

  I won’t make excuses, but my father was a brutal man, his father worse, and I did little to break that cycle, despite my best attempts. It’s up to you now.

  I’ve tried to get you started on the path. If you’re reading this, you’ve collected all your siblings and discovered one of my most sinful secrets.

  Keep them close. I won’t lie to you. I still think the legacy of the dukedom is more important than any one person in this family, but I’ve known since you were a boy that you had your mother’s heart, and you’ll want to put them first.

  My ancestors have created a stronghold of wealth and power, and each generation has spread misery throughout the family. I’ve been the worst of the lot. Not only have I failed my children but I leave the dukedom worse for my stewardship. Perhaps it’s time to try it your way.

  In terms of your inheritance, I’m leaving you my personal stallion. He’s the best in England and he’ll further the stock you already have, your legacy beyond the dukedom.

  I know you wanted your mother’s house. But I’m leaving it for all of you to share. Don’t make the same mistakes I did.

  * * *

  Your father,

  Whitehaven

  * * *

  “Bloody bullocks,” he muttered.

  Chloe touched his arm. “Ben?”

  He threaded his fingers into hers. Undo the mistakes of the past? How could he even begin to accomplish such a task?

  “What did your letter say?” Justice asked.

  “What did yours say?” he returned.

  But Sayden was already crossing to the low fire burning in the hearth as he tossed his letter into the fire. “That’s what I think about mine.”

  Veritas coughed. “You realize I have several copies, don’t you?”

  Justice dropped his. “That’s it.” And he flew toward the barrister fist raised.

  Ben leaped forward as one of the women screamed. It was a White family reunion all right.

  Epilogue

  Two weeks later…

  * * *

  Chloe stood just outside the church next to Dez. He’d agreed to give her away at her wedding. Just inside, Ben waited for her, the ceremony about to begin.

  Justice and Sayden were inside as well, though likely sitting in the far back of the church.

  The brawl with Mr. Veritas wasn’t the last. Since Justice and Sayden had arrived, a fight of some sort seemed to break out every day.

  But thus far the family had stayed together.

  Chloe still didn’t know what was written in each of the letters that had made everyone stay. Even Ben had been a bit vague about the contents of his, though, to be fair, whenever they were alone to discuss such matters, they ended up toppling into bed.

  But she knew his father had apologized and that he’d asked Ben to keep the family together.

  Ben hadn’t really told her how he felt about the request. The cl
osest answer she’d gotten was that he was still considering.

  She knew that the two younger brothers would return to wherever they had come from after the ceremony. They had a business to run.

  But the family was coming together again, and something within their letters had prompted them to do so. She could confess to being very curious.

  But today was not the day for that mystery.

  Today was about her wedding and her feelings for Ben. Their love.

  Her breath caught as the doors opened. Millie and Esme sat in the front along with Mr. Veritas. And Ben stood next to the priest, his eyes warm as he watched her come toward him.

  He reached out a hand and she fitted her fingers into his, a tingling spreading through her at his touch.

  The candles softly flickered as they said their vows. She dimly heard the murmurs of the guests, their voices hushed and happy, but she only had eyes for Ben.

  And when his lips swooped down to claim a kiss, sealing their commitment to one another, Chloe knew that she was exactly where she belonged.

  He brushed his knuckles along her cheek as he looked down into her eyes. “Hello, wife.”

  “Husband,” she replied back with a smile. “Your Grace.”

  “Your Grace.” He chuckled as he brushed his lips over her forehead. “My love.”

  Heat infused her cheeks as he tucked an arm around her waist turning toward the aisle. Everyone rose as they clapped, even Justice and Sayden appeared softer. Or perhaps that was just her.

  They made their way out of the church and into the waiting carriage where they’d return to Cliffside for their wedding breakfast.

  “Are you disappointed? That the house won’t be yours?”

  He shook his head. “No, actually. It should belong to all my siblings.”

  She looked at him then, her hand coming to his cheek. “What happened to the man I first met?”

  He smiled, and a tenderness crept into his eyes along with the love inside him shining through. “He met a beautiful woman who reminded him about the type of man he ought to be.”

  She leaned up then, pressing her mouth to his in a kiss that was full of both passion and affection.

  When she leaned back, he stared softly back at her. “I’ve come to another conclusion, as well.”

  “What’s that?”

  “In the fall we’ll travel to London. Millie will need time to finish mourning and then we’ll both help her to find her future.”

  She kissed him again.

  Had she ever wondered what type of man he was? He was all heart. And what was more, he was all hers.

  * * *

  Want to read more? This is the first in a brand new series!

  Up next…

  Her Willful White

  His Wallflower White

  Her Wanton White

  Her Wild White

  His Wedded White

  His White Wager

  * * *

  Continue reading for a sneak peek of Her Willful White!

  Her Willful White

  Dark Duke’s Legacy

  Chapter 1

  A thick fog rolled over the docks making the night air eerily calm. Lord Destrian White moved through swirling clouds, his footsteps muted against the wood.

  It was the sort of night where the world seemed sinister.

  His friend, and second in command, William Parricide, moved next to him. “We’ll not discover a thing in this fog.”

  Dez grunted in reply. Will was right but he hated to admit it now. A week had passed since his ship had been destroyed and he grew increasingly agitated with the investigation. His business meant everything to him, and he needed to know it was safe. “Tell me again what we know.”

  Will sighed. “Must we?” He’d been over the details with Dez at least a half dozen times but each time they reviewed the facts, Dez learned something new.

  Will had been on the boat that night while Dez had been with his brother, the Duke of Whitehaven. Family matters involving his father’s death had pulled him away. Dez’s chest tightened. Would it have been different if he’d been here rather than there?

  Incidents like this were why he hated leaving his vessels. He clenched and unclenched his fists, his irritation making him restless.

  “We were anchored out from shore.”

  “Why?” Dez asked, stopping to listen as the fog settled about them.

  “There were no docking slips available.”

  Dez gave a terse nod. He’d had two ships in his fleet that moved his product, the gunpowder his brothers produced in a quiet village in the north. Once it had been manufactured, they brought it south. The first stop was Dover where some of the powder was unloaded on other Naval ships and sent straight to the front lines in France.

  The rest was sent to London where it was stored for future use.

  It wasn’t uncommon for the boats to tie off together and directly load and unload without fully docking in the harbor. It was not Dez’s preferred method, cargo could be lost that way, but it was sometimes necessary. “Go on.”

  “The night was also foggy but not as thick as tonight.”

  Dez said nothing, allowing the man to continue. Rushing him would do little good and he needed Will to focus and fill in any missing details. For Dez, nothing was more important than his business. He’d built it with his own hands when he’d barely been able to rub two shillings together. Despite being the son of a duke, he’d struck out on his own, made his way in the world without help of any kind and this business wasn’t just his life, it had been his savior. Building it had given him focus and drive when his anger at his father could have bubbled over into self-destruction.

  “We’d unloaded part of the cargo onto the Anna Maria when a fire broke out.”

  “How?” Dez asked, though he knew the answer Will would give. The other man didn’t know.

  And while fire on a ship could be accidental, they’d been transferring goods at the low tide when the water was calm. It had been the middle of the night. That allowed them to catch the high tide in the morning, but it also meant they’d needed many lanterns to see the job done.

  Still, the fire had some oddities.

  It had started at the back of the boat, well away from the cargo and sailors. It had meant no one was hurt but it had also ensured that no one discovered the blaze until it was too late. And why was any sailor back there during an unload?

  “I’ve interviewed every crew member on the boat and not one of them admits to being in the aft. I’ve wracked my brain attempting to remember if anyone was missing for any period of time while we worked…” Will cleared his throat, wincing.

  Dez gave a frustrated grumble as he removed his hat, scrubbed his hair then jammed the top hat back on his head. When the blaze had been discovered, they’d uncoupled the two ships and his crew had loaded onto the other ship and left his boat as it went up in flames. They’d made their way into the harbor as his ship had exploded when the gunpowder within had finally ignited. They were lucky to have survived. “And the woman you saw?”

  Will grimaced. “It was dark. I already told you.”

  “Tell me again anyhow,” he said, crossing his arms as he straightened.

  “You’re a fucking prick, you know that, don’t you?” Will grumbled as he glared at Dez.

  “I’ve been told,” he answered without pause or malice. He knew Will was tired of going over the details but Dez didn’t care. Will might have overlooked something, forgotten some small detail. And Dez was not a man to be denied when he was on a mission. “Now tell me again about the woman?”

  He was only interested in her from an investigative perspective. After all, he had no plans to marry, start a family. Working was his entire life, his soul focus.

  “The sun was just beginning to rise as we reached the docks. She stood on the end of the dock watching the ship burn.”

  A lone woman on the docks at sunrise was suspicious at best. “You said she was French?”

&nbs
p; “I think so. One of the men yelled, ‘Who goes there?’ Her response was in French.”

  “And she said?”

  “Sacre bleu.”

  A blonde French woman on the docks of Dover. His only lead and the reason he was here tonight. “What happened next?”

  “She ran.”

  Dez resumed walking. He was a head taller than Will and a great deal broader and he led the way now, Will falling in step behind him.

  He looked back at the man, not fooled by his size. Will was as strong as anyone Dez knew. Hell, the man had saved his life a year ago when he’d been attacked in a tavern. It was the event that had convinced Dez to promote Will to his second.

  “Is it even possible that a woman made it on a ship full of men, lit a fire, and then rowed herself back in without being discovered?”

  Will shook his head. “Seems unlikely but what else have we got?”

  “Nothing.” He growled, slapping his outer leg. That was the infuriating part. He needed a plan. And more information. And he needed them both quickly.

  “We’ve got that new ship from your brother arriving tomorrow night,” Will said as they walked.

  Dez grimaced. He hated that he’d taken charity from his brother, Ben, even if the man was now the duke and filthy rich. “I know.” He’d sent his other two brothers, Justice and Sayden, to prepare the next shipment of the gunpowder themselves. He hardly trusted anyone else.

  He had a contract to fill for the crown and he didn’t want the business going to another provider. Sayden produced the powder, and his product was excellent, which was why Dez had the contract. But if Dez couldn’t fill the need on the front lines then any gun powder was better than no powder at all.

  “I could have gone with them,” Will said quietly. “With only one boat, I’m hardly doing anything here. Put me to work, Dez.”

  Dez turned back to look at Will. He’d pressed this issue several times in the past few days. Was he feeling guilty that the ship had been lost on his watch? Dez couldn’t blame his friend there. “You’re helping me investigate. Finding the culprit is more critical than fulfilling the contract. People will buy our product provided it hasn’t been destroyed.” The fog was beginning to thin, and he looked out over the harbor. “I can only hope that the problem is specific to this harbor. Someone here in Dover wishes us ill. Because if it’s a larger problem…”