Heaven Scent (30 page)

She thought she had followed her
advice.

When in truth, Rafe was like all of the
others. He did not care about her mind, her wants, or her
interests. He cared about himself and the Worthington
fortune.

“I cannot believe I was such a
fool.”

Rafe grabbed her, his hands like steel
bands around her upper arms. “You are no fool, Tarin. You are one
of the smartest people I know.” He squeezed her. “I love you,
Tarin. In your heart, you know that.”

She shoved away from him. “You lie! Do
you think me a fool twice? That you just happened to fall in love
with the daughter of the one person in Boston that could save your
family and your business?”

Anger shook her to the core, tears
rolling down her cheeks uncontrollably. She slammed her fists
against his chest. “I trusted you, you bastard!”

He gripped her arms again and shook
her. “Tarin, think. If I were the man you accuse me to be, would I
confess all to you now? Wouldn’t I wait until after we were married
to tell you - if at all?”

“Do not try to come off the honorable
man now, Rafe. You are like all of the others. After my money, my
status, and my -”

“You’re what, Tarin?
Your
body
?” He
yanked her to him and crushed her against his chest. He nuzzled the
hair behind her ear. “You’re damned right. The thought of burying
myself deep inside you has kept me up nearly every night since I
met you.”

The deep baritone of his voice
quickened her pulse. She fought the urge to offer her
neck.

“But despite what you think...” He
shoved her out to arms length. “I am an honorable man and will not
hold you to this marriage.” He released her. “You are free,
Tarin.”

He left the room with a slam of the
door.

She had never felt so alone in her
life.

How had he turned the
tables on her? Made
her
feel bad when
he
was the one that had betrayed
her
?

It did not matter. What mattered was
that she was not obligated to marry him. He had saved her the
heartache of marrying without love.

Now, all she had left was the
college.

And, that wasn’t nearly enough
anymore.

#####

Tarin sat alone beneath the elm tree in
the Commons. The same elm tree where she had shared that silly kiss
with Rafe after he asked if she loved Dr. Kent. The same tree where
Rafe asked to court her - for the second time.

The same tree where she had fallen in
love with him.

Rain loomed on the horizon, but Tarin
ignored it. Compared to the hurt she’d lived with for the last
week, the threat of rain on her clothes was nothing. Her father had
showered her with gifts the last several days to make up for his
betrayal. He could buy her more clothes.

The only bright spot in her life lately
was Kit. Her friend could not contain the excitement of starting
school November first. She visited Tarin every day and the two
studied books on midwifery from Dr. Longfellow’s library. The only
question left regarding Dr. Gregory’s school was whether Dr. Kent
would act as an instructor. No one had heard from him in
weeks.

And she had not heard from Rafe.
Despite her heart’s desire, she was glad he had kept his promise to
leave her be. She did not know if she could tolerate his
persistence again, though her heart longed for it.

“Miss, Miss…”

Tarin woke from her reverie to stare up
at the anxious face of an angel. The toddler had gold-spun curls
and bright blue eyes that swirled beneath her lowered brows. She
was adorable and obviously upset.

“What is it, sweetheart?” Tarin asked,
taking her hand.

The girl looked back over her shoulder.
“My mama is sick - please help me…”

Jumping to her feet, Tarin allowed the
little girl to lead her away. Looking around the park, Tarin soon
saw the mother. The blonde woman sat huddled on a bench near the
gardens, clutching her stomach. Tarin ran with the child the rest
of the way.

“Hello. I am Tarin Worthington. Are you
well?” Tarin squatted in front of the woman to look up into her
eyes.

Brows furrowed, the woman shook her
head vigorously. “Please help me to a doctor. I am not sure what is
wrong.”

“Of course,” Tarin said, helping her to
her feet. “The hospital is not far. I will try to flag down a
hack.”

The woman nodded as she called to the
little girl, “Judith, hold onto my hand.”

Eyes wide in her face, the little girl
glanced up at Tarin. Tarin gave the little girl a reassuring smile
as she lead the woman to the walk. “Your mother will be fine. Do
not worry.”

The girl nodded solemnly. Within
minutes, they had flagged down a hack and were safely at the
hospital. Tarin knew the facility well and found help quickly. A
nurse led them to an empty examination room where she helped the
woman onto a bed. With the promise that a physician would be with
them soon, the nurse left, shutting the door behind her.

“Will you stay,” the woman asked Tarin,
her blue eyes swirling with anxiety. “until the physician comes? I
am afraid I will not be able to watch Judith properly.”

Placing a comforting hand on the
woman’s arm, Tarin squeezed lightly. “Of course. Do not worry. I
will be happy to help. Can I get you anything?”

“Would you mind fetching me some tea?
Perhaps, that will settle my stomach.”

“Not at all.” Tarin leaned down to
speak with Judith who sat in a chair against the wall. “Would you
like something to drink as well, little one?”

“No, she is fine,” the woman replied,
though Judith nodded her head.

Tarin thought it odd the woman did not
allow the little girl refreshment, but honored her wishes
nonetheless. Fetching some tea from the kitchens, Tarin realized
she had never learned the woman’s name. She would have to rectify
that as soon as she returned to the room.

“Here you go,” she said, shutting the
door behind her as she returned to the room. “Fresh tea from the
kitchens.”

Gingerly, the woman sat up on the bed
and took the tea from Tarin. She did not drink. “Thank
you.”

Smiling, Tarin stood back from the bed,
her hands folded in front of her. “On my way back to the room, I
realized I never got your name.”

The woman stilled, her eyes meeting
Tarin‘s in a deadpan stare.

“Her name is Emily,” came a menacing,
male voice from behind the screen. “Emily… Kent.”

#####

“Master Rafe, Miss Katherine Hamilton
and a Mr. Hobbs to see you, sir.”

Rafe stopped his pen mid-stride on the
contract. Did he say Kit and - Hobbs?

Oh hell…

“Show them in.” Rafe jumped up from his
chair and came around the desk. He met them halfway to the study
door.

“Rafe,” Kit said, ignoring all
civilities and clutching his hand in desperation. “We cannot find
Tarin. She has been gone for hours.”

His heart stopped dead in his chest.
“What do you mean? When was the last time you saw her?”

“Lady Worthington left for the park
early this morning, but never returned to make her appointment with
Miss Hamilton,” Hobbs chimed in. “I have sent word to Lord
Worthington, but he is out of the city at the Emerson estate. I
thought it best we come to you.”

Rafe gave a brief nod. “Good
man.”

Rafe’s gut told him Kent was involved.
He must be back in town. Dammit.

“Hobbs, take Miss Hamilton back to the
Worthington house in case Tarin returns,” he said, running to the
door. “I’m going to grab Patrick and Beau.” He stopped, his hand on
the door jamb. “Don’t worry. I won’t return without
her.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to split
up?”

Patrick rode on Rafe’s left, his
stallion struggling to keep up with Ruthless as they made their way
to Kent‘s house. Beau rode on his right in silence.

Rafe knew they could be heading into a
dangerous situation. He hoped like hell they weren’t. But if they
found themselves facing a murderer, Rafe wanted the upper hand. He
also wanted someone there to care for Tarin in case something
happened to him.

If Kent hurt Tarin in any way, either
he or Kent would end this day dead.

“I need someone there to take care of
Tarin in case I… can’t.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Rafe saw
Patrick whipped his head around. He said nothing.

Reaching Kent’s house, Rafe reigned in
Ruthless. Jumping off the horse, he ran up the steps to Kent’s
door. Beau went right, to the back of the house, as Patrick
followed on the left. The house still looked closed up, as it had
that morning and every morning he had ridden by to check on
Kent.

“Rafe!”

Starting, Rafe ran around to the back
of the house. Beau pointed at the open, kitchen door. A stout,
gray-haired woman stood just inside, her eyes wide with fright.
Rafe shoved the door back against the wall and stormed
in.

“Is Kent here?” He loomed over the
woman, hoping his glare would frighten her into
speaking.

Backing around the work table, she
shook her head. “No, they left an hour or so ago.”

Sonuvabitch
. He
was
back.

“They
?” Rafe questioned, crossing his arms over his chest. “Who is
with him?”

“The woman and child. The three of them
arrived late last night with the stage.”

“Who are they?” Beau asked, from
behind.

She shook her head, her eyes darting to
Beau then back to Rafe. “I don’t know.”

Blowing out a frustrated breath, Rafe’s
patience - and time - ran thin. “Where did they go?” He marched
towards her, his boots echoing off the dirty, wood floor. He needed
answers now.

“I don’t know! I don’t know!” She fell
back onto a bench and held her apron in front of her. “Please don’t
hurt me.”

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he
mumbled, blowing out a frustrated breath.

Damn. A dead end.

Rafe headed towards the door. At least
he knew Kent was back and had company. But with the knowledge came
more urgency than ever and he had no clues.

“They are not staying,” the woman cried
from where she sat.

Standing on the threshold, Rafe whipped
his head back around.

“They didn’t unpack when they arrived
last night. The three of them plan to leave again today. Dr. Kent
had me send their trunks to the Hunter docks this
morning.”

Oh hell
. He gave the woman a brief nod. “Thank you.”

Shoving open the back door, Beau and
Patrick fell in step beside Rafe as they ran to the
horses.

“What the hell, Rafe?“ Patrick said, as
he climbed onto his horse. “Why would Kent come back to Boston just
to leave again?”

Rafe knew why. And if he didn’t find
Tarin fast, he would never see her again. “For Tarin.” His gut
clenched tighter with each word spoken. “He wants
Tarin.”

Hunter was more than happy to cooperate
with Rafe once he found out about Duncan and Kent’s shipping
methods. He agreed to conduct business as usual for appearances
sake, while Rafe, Beau and Patrick searched the ship. Rafe knew the
ship sailed within the hour, so time grew short.

“Beau, you take the lower decks,” Rafe
said, as he nodded towards the opening to the bowels of the ship.
“Patrick, you take the -”

Patrick backhanded Rafe in the chest.
“Rafe, look.”

Glancing over his shoulder,
Rafe zeroed in on a woman and small girl rushing up the
plank
to board the ship.
“Kent’s companions?”

“No.” Patrick shook his head. “That is
father’s other wife and child.”

Rafe’s eyes widened as he turned back
to Patrick. “The hell you say…”

“Yes, that’s her.” Patrick looked at
Beau then Rafe, his face going white. “Unless…”

Oh hell
.

Rafe’s fists clenched at his sides. It
all fit. Kent had been playing them since Colin’s death. Kent and
this woman had taken money from them in an attempt to ruin the
Sutherland name. Colin had wanted out of his opium deal with Kent,
so Kent killed Rafe’s father and set out to destroy the
family.

Rafe was going to kill the
bastard.

Marching to the edge of the ship, the
three of them met the woman at the top of the plank. She started
when they blocked her path. Her eyes widened when they landed on
Patrick.

“He made me do it,” she cried, pulling
the girl into her skirts protectively. “He is obsessed with
riches.” Her gaze glanced between the three of them. “Please do not
hurt us.”