Slave to the Night (The Brotherhood Series, Book 2) (22 page)

Grace shook her head. "I know."

The look of sorrow in her eyes was like a spear to his heart. "What do you want me to do, Grace? I can allow you to make the choice for your sister. But I must give Leo the opportunity to do what he feels is right."

While Mrs. Jones tended to the abrasion on Leo's head, they spent the time deciding how best to proceed. Alexander and Evelyn were to take Caroline back to Duke Street. Elliot and Grace would escort Lady Sudley back to Hanover Square to wait for her husband. Joined by Mrs. Jones and Leo, they would explain the circumstances to Lord Sudley and agree to take no further action if the lady finds a way to redeem herself by helping the poor and needy.

"Thank you for doing this." Grace stared into his eyes, and he knew he would do anything in his power to please her. "You have a good heart, Elliot."

It had nothing do with being good or kind. He just couldn't say no to her.

Elliot shrugged. "Based on her reaction, I imagine Lady Sudley would rather spend twenty years in Newgate than face the wrath of her husband."

Grace sighed. "I know what it's like to feel fear at the hands of one's husband. But I know she must pay for what she has done. I'm just thankful we've found Caroline. Do you know if there'll be any lasting effects from the tincture?"

"Once the laudanum has worked its way out of her system, she'll be fine. Caroline's lucky to have you. There are not many siblings who would make the sacrifices you have."

She gave a weak smile. "It's strange, but I do not see it as a sacrifice. I have always been there for her and in the process of scouring the ballrooms of London I've had the opportunity to meet you. Perhaps I should thank her."

Elliot swallowed in a bid to dislodge the boulder-sized lump in his throat. "What will you do now?"

She took a deep breath and her bottom lip quivered. "I … I will need to speak to Caroline. I assume she'll have to come home to Cobham." She stared at a point beyond his shoulder. "Although I'm not sure it will feel like home to me, not anymore."

I love you.

Her words drifted through his mind again, to tempt and to torture him.

"It depends on one's definition of home," he said, his tone melancholic. "Is it the place of one's birth or one's abode? Or is it the place where one's heart belongs?"

He searched her face, her bright blue eyes reminding him of a forget-me-not: wild, vibrant, the emblem of constancy and friendship. He committed the colour to memory, knowing he would never forget her, knowing she was the only woman ever to touch his soul.

A smile touched the corners of her luscious mouth. "Perhaps home has ceased to be a place for me."

He inhaled deeply, calming waves rippling through his body. "Grace, with you—"

"Perhaps I should thank Lady Sudley," Leo said striding into the room to spoil the beauty of the moment. "You know how the ladies love a scar. I think it makes me look more dastardly, more sinfully dangerous."

Elliot forced a chuckle though his mind was distracted with thoughts of Grace. It would always be Grace. "I'm glad to see you've recovered and feel more like your old self."

It suddenly occurred to him that Leo had not noticed the change in
him
.

He supposed it was not evident outwardly. Yet inside he knew he was not the same man who paraded the ballrooms with his brother, looking for licentious ways to keep memories of the devil woman at bay.

He would never be that man again. But who was he now?

It was a question he could not answer, no matter how hard he tried.

Chapter 19

Grace brushed her sister's hair from her brow and straightened the coverlet. "How are you feeling?"

Caroline shuffled up to a sitting position. "Still a little weak, but then I have been in bed for days. It is good of your friends to let me stay here. I couldn't face going back to Arlington Street."

Hours had passed since escorting Lady Sudley home and dawn was fast approaching. Caroline had woken an hour ago and was starting to seem more like her usual self.

"I assume it is Mr. Henshaw who pays the rent on the property?" Grace said.

Caroline nodded. "He did, but Lady Sudley informed me he gave notice before he left for Europe. The blighter didn't even have the decency to tell me. I should have known he could not be trusted."

Could any man really be trusted?

Although the events of the last few days had altered her opinion — she could trust Elliot Markham with her life.

Grace perched on the edge of the bed. "Do you remember what happened on the night you went to Hanover Street?" They had only heard snippets from Mrs. Jones and Lady Sudley. "What prompted you to go there?"

Caroline stared at the pink floral wallpaper. "I received a note. I thought it was from Mark. It had been signed and sealed and having not received one before I had nothing to compare it to. I'd never met him at his home and thought he wanted to talk about the child."

"Was it Lady Sudley who sent you the note asking you to come to Hanover Street?"

Caroline nodded. Grace offered her a drink of tea, but she waved the cup away.

"How was I to know Mark had planned to go abroad?" Caroline pressed the pads of her fingers to her temple and groaned. "Do you know what she said to me? I could hardly believe my ears."

"Lady Sudley wanted you to give her the child you're carrying," Grace said unable to hide the note of sympathy. "So she could raise it as her own."

"Can you believe it? The woman gave such a pitiful display. I couldn't help but sneer at her desperation."

Caroline was not known for her compassion. Yet, under the circumstances, Grace could understand her sister's frustration.

"Sometimes, in trying to please others, people can make the wrong choices." Indeed, Grace had made a similar mistake. "But in the long term, they only end up hurting themselves."

Caroline's eyes widened, but then she winced and touched her fingers to her temple again. "Don't defend her actions, Grace. The woman is downright evil. Indeed, I was in such a rush to get out of there, I tripped over the rug and banged my head on the corner of the side table. I could have died."

"But thankfully you didn't. It's all done with now. Lord Sudley was furious with her and packed her off to the country almost immediately."

Grace swallowed deeply and gave a weak smile as she recalled the look of sheer terror on Lady Sudley's face. It was a look she'd seen in the mirror many times, and it had been painful to watch. Elliot had sensed her sorrow and put his hand to the small of her back. His touch caused all negative feelings to subside, and she'd wanted nothing more than to go home with him and lie in his arms until morning.

"Good," Caroline said, breaking her reverie. "I hope she rots for what she has done to me. I still can't believe you let her get away with it."

Oh, the pain of disappointment, of regret, of feeling unworthy, was far more damning than any physical means of punishment.

"What are your plans now?" Grace asked ignoring her sister's irate glare.

"Mark is not interested in the child, though I do so want to keep it, Grace." She gave a weary sigh. "I do love him, you know, despite his callous ways. Although I would never have chosen this life had it not been forced upon me. But I am tired, poor and have no one to offer support here."

For a moment, Grace contemplated offering to stay in London. She could find work as a governess or a paid companion. As a widow, she would not suffer the same fate she feared had befallen Caroline. And she would be free to see Elliot. If he so wished.

"I've decided to return to Cobham," Caroline continued. "I need my family around me." She reached out and took Grace's hand. "I need you with me, Grace. You're so organised and fastidious in your efforts to care for me. If it hadn't been for you, I would still be locked in the attic dosed up on laudanum."

Grace forced a smile, but inside her stomach churned.

"But what of your condition? People may be unkind," Grace said, feeling an urgent need to persuade her sister to change her mind. "How will you cope with it?"

Caroline tutted. "I've been parading about as a courtesan these last six months or more. People have been more than unkind. Besides, I'll have you to fight my battles. My champion warrior. The only person upon whom I can depend."

Guilt and responsibility weighed heavily in her heart. "I shall be sad to leave."

Caroline sat up, a look of fear flashing in her eyes. "You've made some good friends by all accounts. But it is not the same as family. You're to be an aunt, and you've always been so good with children. Don't abandon me, Grace. Not in my greatest hour of need."

What could she say to that?

"When do you wish to return?"

"As soon as possible. I have a few items to collect from Arlington Street. I'm taking all of the jewels and the clothes, whether Henshaw likes it or not."

Grace nodded. "We could return to Arlington Street tomorrow. Mrs. Whitman will call in on her way back to Cobham. She still believes you're a paid companion. We'll tell her your mistress has gone abroad and won't need your services for a month."

Even though the words were pouring out of her mouth, her mind was only engaged with thoughts of Elliot Markham. She would grieve for the loss; she would grieve until she took her last breath.

"Unless you wish to leave sooner." Grace wanted to punch herself on the arm for making the suggestion.

"Sooner?"

"We could ask Elliot — I mean we could ask Lord Markham for the use of his carriage."

Caroline narrowed her gaze. "Whatever he's said to you, it is all lies. It is all a game to win you over. Markham is a man ruled by his voracious appetites. He is crude and vulgar and excels in the art of manipulation. You cannot trust him, Grace." She sighed. "Thank goodness you found me when you did. Perhaps now it's my turn to save you. No. We will return to Arlington Street in the morning and travel with Mrs. Whitman."

Grace had a burning desire to come to Elliot's defence. Caroline was wrong about him. But she knew her sister well enough to know she would never be convinced.

"Very well," Grace said. "I shall go and inform Lady Hale of our intentions. You rest now. You'll need your strength for the journey. Is there anything you need in the meantime?"

Caroline pondered the question. "Perhaps a bath, some perfume, lip rouge and a hot meal. Oh, and a sweet pastry or the like."

Grace forced a smile, although inside her heart was breaking. "I'll see what I can do?" she said before heading downstairs to talk to Evelyn.

Evelyn appeared a little shocked at the sudden decision to depart. "We are happy to delay our return to Stony Cross if you would rather stay in London a while longer. I am sure Elliot would welcome the opportunity to spend more time with you."

"That's extremely kind of you, but trust me, after a full day spent in Caroline's company you'll be shooing us out the door."

Evelyn gave a sad pout. "Does Elliot know of your plans?"

"No." Grace felt a pang of sadness in her chest at the thought of telling him. "I should call around. I told him I would let him know how Caroline fares."

What would she say?

Would he make her an alternative offer or simply accept her decision? Either way, saying goodbye would be like wrenching her heart out.

"Look," Evelyn said. "I have no plans for the day. I may try to catch a few hours sleep but nothing more. You go and spend some time with Elliot. I shall take care of Caroline in your absence."

Grace shook her head. Evelyn had already done more for her than anyone else her whole life. "I can't ask you to do that."

"You didn't ask. I offered. Now be gone. Elliot won't care if you turn up unannounced."

"If you're sure. I'll wait until after breakfast. It will be safer, and the walk will do me good."

"Katie will accompany you. You can send her back in a hackney."

Evelyn stepped forward and took her hands. "Leo said that when you were in the room with Lord Barrington, you told Elliot you loved him. Leo said it worked to calm him, that he believes you spoke the truth."

Grace gripped Evelyn's hands for dear life as she could feel the tears welling. "It's true. I did tell him. But it is an impossible situation. Caroline needs me more than ever. I must see her settled before I can think of anything else." Grace sniffed. "Besides, he made no reply. I have no idea what he thinks or feels."

"He loves you. It is obvious to those who know him. But he is set in his ways. No doubt, he is struggling with the strange emotion. Go to him. Tell him again," Evelyn urged.

Grace nodded, but she knew she could not commit to him. Not while she had Caroline's problems to deal with. If Elliot truly cared for her, he would wait.

One way or another, and with a heavy heart, she would be forced to leave him.

Chapter 20

As the sun rose higher in the morning sky, Grace knew she would find Elliot sheltered in his bedchamber. Whithers left her waiting in the hall while he announced her arrival and she was shown upstairs to the only place she'd ever felt truly happy.