by Wendy Vella
Who had made her cry?
“You have to stop this, James, she is not now, nor will she ever be part of your life.” Feeling better for this bracing talk, he sat back and watched London roll by his window.
Chapter Ten
“Take the carriage back to the stables please, Nolan. Lady Samantha and I will walk back to the house.”
James walked up the steps to the Wynburg townhouse with the sound of his carriage rolling away. His knock was answered instantly and he was ushered inside seconds later.
“If you will follow me, your Grace, the family are expecting you.”
He had been inside the Earl and Countess’s home only once before for a ball. It was plush and grand on a scale he had rarely seen, yet he still felt the warmth reach out and wrap around him as he followed the straight back of the butler down a hall and up several flights of stairs. He smelled the fresh sweet scent of flowers and beeswax. Visions of his youth filtered through his head and James tried to remember if Raven Castle had ever had flowers dotted in vases or bright splashes of color upon the walls, but all he could see was darkness and the heavy weight of silence.
“The Duke of Raven.”
James entered the room after the butler had announced him and came to a halt just inside the door.
“Raven, you are just in time.” Lady Wynburg hurried forward and took his hand. “Come and take a seat as the show is about to begin.”
James allowed her to tow him to a seat, simply because he was incapable of speech or movement himself.
“Doesn’t Samantha look sweet?”
He managed to nod at the countess’s words as he looked at his sister. She stood wrapped in gold satin, a small felt hat on her head. She looked at him, her eyes wide with uncertainty and fear. Dear Lord, she thinks I will put a stop to whatever it is I have walked into. Clearing his throat, he somehow formed a smile, and watched the anxiety fall from her face.
“Are we ready, ladies and gentlemen?”
Eden spoke from behind the piano and James dragged his eyes from Samantha and wished he hadn’t. She sat under a window in a pale lemon dress that the sun had turned to a soft glow. He was relieved that all he could see of her was her neck and shoulder, although she had such a graceful neck and he longed to place his lips right at the base and kiss the soft skin. Muttering something vile beneath his breath, he crossed his legs and forced himself to focus on the children, not the lush temptress playing the piano.
Somer, Dorrie, and Samantha all stood together dressed in various costumes, waiting for Eden to begin playing. Essie stood to one side and began clapping as the music started. The Earl and Countess were obviously the audience and by the tears in the latter’s eyes and the way she clutched her husband’s hand, James realized this was a moment she was cherishing.
He had believed the relationship between the Sinclairs and their aunt and uncle was not a comfortable one, as none of them had seemed particularly happy about coming to London, but the emotion in this room suggested otherwise. What had happened to change things?
James watched as the little girls began a series of dance movements as Eden began to play the piano. Samantha was obviously not as accomplished as the twins, having probably only learned the steps today, yet she had a youthful grace that given time and instruction would blossom. He felt a fierce pull of emotion as she stumbled then righted herself, and identified it as a need to protect her. James tried to make sense of the emotions he felt when he looked at her.
She was his blood. His to care for and love, if he chose to do so. Could he risk loving her? As he sat there watching his sister he realized that there was no choice but to do so. She was a part of him now and his belief that he could keep his distance from this little girl was foolish. He’d thought himself a solitary person, but the thought of not having Samantha in his life made his previous existence now seem bleak.
He knew he had cousins, and one in particular he had once been close with. She had been younger than he, but he remembered that he’d cared for her, because she like he was raised by a monster, but like everything good in his life, his father had eventually driven her away too.
He had vague memories of people calling at Raven Castle and being turned away until finally they had just given up and left him to fend for himself with the beast that the civilized world had called the Duke of Raven. Yet he and Samantha had both survived and now they would begin to heal; he and his sister, together.
“Bravo, bravo!” The Earl roared as the trio finished.
“Now Eden can sing for us!” Dorrie cried as she Samantha and Somer went to have their costumes removed by Essie.
“Oh no, I don’t think that’s—”
“Please, Eden, I have yet to hear you sing, and your mother told me once of the beauty in your voice,” Lady Wynburg begged her niece.
James knew she didn’t want to play in front of him, yet she was torn as her aunt urged her on. Her teeth bit into the plump softness of her bottom lip as she tried to come up with the words to refuse.
“It would be an honor to hear you sing, Eden.”
She threw him a look as he spoke, and he could not read her expression from where he sat, but thought perhaps it would not be pleasant.
“Did you see me dance, James?”
Dragging his gaze from Eden, James looked into the sparkling eyes of his sister. “Indeed I did, and am sure they will be asking you to perform at Covent Garden any day now.”
Her little snuffle made his heart swell, as did the hand she patted on his knee. She then sat in the chair beside him.
“I am to have a pink dress,” she whispered before clasping her hands neatly in her lap.
“Pink is an odd color for a girl, surely?”
She did not answer him, but James saw the smile curl her lips and was happy with that. Looking to the stage as the music began, he watched Eden open her mouth to sing the first note. He was not enamored of this woman—he refused to allow it.
Her voice reached all corners of the room, and in seconds James could not drag his eyes from her. She was an enchantress, weaving some sort of spell around him, and he wanted to throw her over his shoulder and run for the hills, where she would be his alone.
“Eden has a beautiful voice, James.”
Nodding, he squeezed Samantha’s hand while his eyes remained on Eden. He had no idea how long he sat there watching her, the delicate arch of her brow, the high cheekbones and small stubborn chin. Her voice was pure, each note she hit perfect, and it wrapped around him, rolled through him and left him feeling raw and exposed.
For pity’s sake man, gain control. You are a duke, not some simpering, wet behind the ears boy.
“I had no idea you had the voice of an angel,” the Earl of Wynburg said as Eden sang the last note.
“Thank you, Uncle, but I am sure you exaggerate.”
“He doesn’t,” James said, when he had himself under control. “I have rarely heard better.”
“Thank you.”
She accepted his words as she rose from the piano, then moved to the opposite side of the room.
“And now it is supper time and I think we will put off Astley’s until another night if you do not mind, Raven, as the children are still weary from their journey,” Lord Wynburg said.
“Of course,” James said, bowing, unaware that he had decided that tonight was the night they would attend. Finding Somer, he saw her frown.
“We shall go, Somer, but I think it best to wait until everyone has settled.”
Her sigh was loud. “All right, but please make it soon, James.”
“I promise,” he said solemnly.
“I have promised Samantha that she may stay for tea, James, which means you will also stay.”
He wondered how he could extricate himself without appearing rude.
“I’m sure the duke has more important things to do, Aunt—”
“Nonsense, Eden dear.” Lady Wynburg smiled. “Surely he can spare us a moment of his time to share our
table. Is that not right, James?”
It seemed like he, Eden wanted distance between them.
“Please, James.”
Samantha tugged his hand, excited at the thought of taking tea with her new friends. Did she really want to eat with the Sinclairs? he thought, remembering the loud and exuberant meals he had shared with them on their journey to London.
“Give in, Raven,” the Earl said in his booming voice, “they’ll win anyway, they always do.”
“Well then, that’s settled,” Lady Wynburg said, putting an end to any further attempts at evasion by James. “Come along, everything should be ready for us.”
James knew when he was beaten and so gave in gracefully. “If you are sure, my lady,” he said, placing a hand on Samantha’s shoulder. “My sister does tend to eat a great deal. I hope there will be enough for everyone.”
The little girls giggled, as he’d hoped they would. Eden did not make a sound, instead walking from the room, and he could tell by the set of her shoulders that she was as happy as he at Lady Wynburg’s invitation.
Tea was informal with the family all sprawled in chairs. Eden dragged the twins to a couch and beckoned Samantha to join them too. The Duke sat across from her, his long legs stretched out before him.
She’d watched James with Samantha earlier, and there was no doubting they were more comfortable together. While she may feel frustrated, angry, and several other strong words about the Duke, Eden was glad the siblings, who had obviously always been alone, had finally found each other.
“Cherry cake!” Somer squealed, bouncing back out of her seat as the maid started distributing plates loaded with food.
“Did I hear the words cherry cake?”
Eden watched Cam walk into the room. The smile on his lips did not reach his eyes and she knew their father’s betrayal still cut him deeply. She feared for him, because unlike the others in her family, he would take longer to deal with what they had learned. Growing up, he was the one who forgave last and remembered any slight or grievance longest. Plus there was the matter of his excessive drinking habits and overindulgence in any vice he could find. Now he was once again in London, she feared that would only escalate given his state of mind.
“James,” he said, bowing to the Duke who had risen to do the same. “I see you too have heard of my aunt’s legendary supper table.”
“She was very persuasive,” James said, returning to his seat and plate of food.
He looked surprisingly comfortable with the small teacup in one hand and a piece of cake in the other and Eden felt the slow thud of her heartbeat rise as she tried to observe him without him realizing it.
He wore a waistcoat of charcoal and a matching jacket that pulled tight as he bent to replace his cup on its saucer. His necktie was neatly folded, but not as outrageously as Cam’s often was. She saw the outline of his muscular thighs through buff breeches tucked into hessians. Why him? What was it about this man that made her heart race? She’d convinced herself her preoccupation with him was because of the history between their families, but was fooling only herself. This man produced feelings inside Eden she’d never experienced before.
“Where are Dev?” Dorrie said around a mouthful of cake.
“In a meeting, I believe,” Cam said, taking a second piece of cake and balancing it beside the first on his plate before finding himself a seat.
“How have you found your first day back in London, Cambridge?”
“It has been enlightening, James, thank you.”
Eden hadn’t realized she was holding her breath until she released it. Cam often spoke without thought and when he was feeling cornered or angry he was volatile. She had feared he would alert the Duke in some way to their discussions this morning and she had no wish for him to know that anything was wrong with the Sinclair family, especially since he’d questioned her on why she had been crying.
“How so?” the Duke inquired.
“It is always enlightening to learn one’s parent is not quite what one—”
“Cam!”
Both Eden and Essie stopped him. Thankfully their younger siblings had heard nothing as they were in conversation with their aunt and uncle, who also seemed oblivious to the undercurrents in the room, but it would not take long before they did so, if Cam continued.
“Believed whilst growing up,” Cam added, finishing his sentence as if his sisters had not spoken.
Eden watched the Duke look first at Cam then to Essie and Eden.
“I’m sure your childhood was more pleasant than mine, Sinclair.”
She knew that he didn’t say the words to garner sympathy, they were just a statement of fact, and her heart ached for the boy he had been.
“You know nothing of our childhood, Raven,” Cam snarled. At least he was aware that their little sisters were in the room because he was speaking softly.
Eden glared at her brother. “That is enough, Cam.”
“Don’t tell me that is enough, Eden. I am an adult and able to speak my mind without you two shrews interfering,” her brother hissed, his face twisted with malice.
“Adult?” Eden scoffed. “Perhaps if you behaved like one occasionally we would not be forced to censure you constantly.”
Cam regained his feet, glared at his sisters, and in seconds had stormed from the room. Essie started to rise but Eden motioned her back down with a shake of her head.
“You cannot help him, Essie, leave him be.”
Eden felt the Duke’s eyes on her, but refused to look his way, knowing they would be full of questions she could not answer.
“Samantha told me she is to have a pink dress, Essex. I cannot thank you and Eden enough for coming to my aid. I fear I would have failed miserably had my sister’s clothing choices been left to me.”
Eden was relieved when the Duke changed the subject; she did not wish to discuss Cam’s petulant behavior with him.
“We are more than happy to help you anytime,” Essie replied.
Soon they were discussing what else Samantha would need, and to his credit the Duke appeared to be listening and even asked a few questions. He was changing, Eden realized. He was becoming a big brother and the thought was a pleasing one, even if she wanted to shake him at the same time for making her realize the joy in a simple kiss.
She was relieved when he finally rose and signaled to Samantha they were to leave.
“Thank you once again for your help with Samantha.”
He bowed to Essie and then Eden. She did not meet his eyes as he looked at her, and she inhaled her first deep breath when he had left the room.
...
Life for the Sinclairs changed dramatically living under the roof of their aunt and uncle. Since the day they had discovered their father’s perfidy, everyone but Cam had worked hard at strengthening the bond with their aunt and uncle.
Essie and Eden spent most mornings shopping and being fitted for their new clothes and the afternoons were put aside for dance instruction and learning what would be required upon entering society. Dev was often called upon to be a partner, as was their uncle; of Cam however there was no sign.
“I have not seen Cam for four days, Dev,” Eden said as he waltzed her around her aunt and uncle’s ballroom.
“I cannot talk here,” Dev said, easing them to a halt as the music finished, “but there is something I must tell both you and Essie about Cam.”
“Well, my dears, I do believe you are both coming along very well. By the time of your first social gathering you shall be quite proficient in all aspects.”
“Thank you, Aunt, and if you are finished with us for the day Dev wishes to take Essie and me for a drive in the park.”
“Lovely, of course, my dear, and I shall go and see how the children are faring.”
“Come, Essie.” Eden grabbed her sister’s arm. “Dev, we shall meet you in the carriage shortly.”
Hurrying to their rooms, she told Essie what Dev had said, and in minutes both had pulled on their bonnets
and gloves and were running back down the stairs and out the front door to join Dev in the carriage. No one spoke until it had rolled out the drive.
“Tell us what has happened to Cam, Dev?” Eden asked.
“He is going out every evening to drink and gamble. I have no idea how he is paying for it and fear he must owe someone a vast amount of money.”
Eden felt her stomach clench at the devastated look on her brother’s face.
“He feels betrayed and hurt by what father did to us and is attempting to numb the pain by drinking himself into a stupor every night. He stumbles home as the sun rises, then falls into bed to sleep until he is ready to rise, bathe, eat, and start the entire process once more.”
“Dear Lord, that selfish idiot!” Eden snapped. “We are all suffering yet it is always he that must make a production out of everything.”
“I can’t get through to him, and I fear if we don’t stop him he will not live to see the end of the year.”
Eden and Essie looked at Dev as he slumped back on the seat. He was exhausted, his eyes bloodshot and defeated, and the pallor of his cheeks suggested his sleep had been little better than his errant younger brother’s. Both sisters had hoped that once they arrived in London and were under their aunt and uncle’s roof Dev would feel less burdened by his family. They wanted him to fall in love, laugh, and enjoy life now the responsibility had been lifted from his shoulders. Cam, however, made that difficult. Damn their brother and his selfish ways.
“Do you go out at night and try to find him, Dev? Is this why you look so tired?” Eden asked.
“I shadow him as best I can, but if he sees me he flies into a rage.” Dev ran a tired hand over his face. “I knocked him unconscious one night and carried him to the carriage then home, but I fear I cannot do that every night.”
“You should have told us, Dev!” Essie cried.