The Lady Plays Her Ace (The Langley Sisters) (30 page)

"Let me see to you now," she clucked and hissed as she uncovered the bruises starting to form on his body. He closed his eyes as she placed a kiss on each, and then she was leading him to the bath.

"Soak in there now, Oliver, and I shall bring you something to drink." He grabbed her hand as she prepared to walk away.

"I realized that had something happened to you today then I would have been doomed, Thea." He opened her palm. "My heart sits here, love. You are the keeper of it, and for the rest of our long and happy lives, God willing, I will do everything in my power to ensure that you never have a chance to doubt that, love."

"Oh," she sniffed, then wiped her nose on her sleeve—then yelped.

"Your face is hurting, love, have a care." Oliver smiled into her misty eyes.

"I have never known such rage as when those men set upon you, Oliver. It was hot and consuming and all I could think was that I needed to help you in some way."

"My fierce little warrior."

He washed and got out of the bath, and then when he was dressed, Ace lifted her into his arms and sat on the bed, holding her close. He needed that, needed to have her next to his heart, where she would always be safe.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Christmas day dawned clear and cold, and Thea climbed from the warm bed to push the curtains aside. The ground was blanketed in snow.

"Get back here, woman."

The words were a deep rumble from beneath the covers but she did not join him; instead, she came to his side of the bed and kissed Oliver on the lips.

"Go back to sleep, my love, and I shall return shortly." He mumbled something but soon his breathing was once again steady and Thea knew he slept.

Slipping on a dress, she laced her feet into sturdy boots and pulled on her thick velvet cloak and woolen gloves, then quietly left the room.

The halls were cold so she ran quickly down the stairs, stopping briefly to blow her parents a kiss as their painting sat above the stairs. She heard voices as she reached the front door.

"I tell you my heart nearly stopped, Joe, when I arrived and she was swinging her fists alongside her husband. She looked bloody magnificent, I tell you, and I have never been so scared or proud in my entire life. Of course, we will not be telling her that."

"Too late, I heard you." Thea walked through the open doorway to greet her brothers. Both were wrapped in warm clothes like her, with Will stomping his feet and slapping his gloved hands together.

"Come along, sister, as usual you have kept us waiting," he said, holding out his hand.

Taking it, she then took Joe’s in the other. He held a basket in his free one. They walked over the grass, their feet crunching on the frost, leaving trails that would soon disappear when the sun rose.

"Careful, Thea. The bridge is coated in ice."

"I see that, Will, thank you." Clutching their fingers, she then let them drag her up the hill, which was part of the tradition. Once at the top, they made for their parents’ graves, where Joe rested the basket in his hands. Opening the lid, he then pulled out the bottle of Champagne and three glasses.

Below them, the village of Twoaks was starting to rise. Small plumes of smoke from Chimneys filled the air and soon the church bell would ring and they would all make their way there for the morning service.

Looking around her, she saw the graves of Livvy, Phoebe and Bella’s parents, and below, Luke’s family. Her roots were here in this soil—those that had created her, those that had helped her grow and those that she had befriended.

"To Mother and Father, may they rest in peace." Thea took the glass from Joe and raised it high to join her brothers.

"Mother and Father," she and Will added before drinking.

They’d come here every Christmas they could. For a few years just her and Joe, but one of them always stood here and drank a toast to their parents.

"Father told me a few weeks before his death," Joe said slowly, almost as if he was pulling the words from his memory. "That his wish was for us was to be happy, no matter if that is with a servant or a King, and I lost sight of that for a while, Thea. Please forgive me, as I can see that you love your husband very much."

"You were worried for me, Joe," Thea said, taking the hand he held out to her and squeezing it.

"I like your husband now, sister. Especially knowing that he can protect you and love you as you deserve to be loved, and can I add that I have never been prouder of you and Will than I am standing here at this moment. Both of you have people you love, and who love you back, and I believe our parents would be happy with their three children who stand here this day."

"After a few rough years," Will added. Raising his glass, they all drank to that.

"You are both the best men I have ever known," Thea said softly, "and it was because of you that I struggled to find the man I wished to live my life with. No one, until Oliver, ever compared to either of you. Thank you for raising me and thank you for…well, for just being you."

"Oh, God, are we going to spill our innards?" Will groaned, looking down at the village below.

"Only if you wish it, brother," Joe added. "However, it seems only fear as both Thea and I have just opened a vein."

"Since returning to Twoaks after my time in India, I’ve realized that I’m not happy unless you are both near." Will's voice was deep with emotion now. "Livvy and my son will always be at my side, but I need you both also, it seems, to be happy."

"That is so typical of you to have the best speech," Joe muttered, putting down his glass and grabbing his brother and Thea into his arms and holding on.

"So our pact is that we stay close, a days ride, maybe two upon occasion, but we can reach each other if need be?" Joe said.

"Agreed," they all said.

"And now I must inform my husband that we have to purchase a property in Twoaks, or nearby." Thea wiped her tears on Will’s coat.

"Why do you always do that to me?"

"It annoys you more than Joe," Thea said.

"Do you hear voices?"

Will and Thea followed Joe to the ridge of the hill and looked down.

"Good Lord, how did they know where we were?" Will’s brows rose.

Coming up the hill were Penny, Livvy and Oliver.

"Penny knew," Joe said softly, a slow smile forming on his face as he went to meet her. Will reached Livvy first, sweeping her into his arms and kissing her soundly. Oliver kept walking until he was inches away from her; he then cupped her face in his hands.

"Hello, wife." His kiss was soft and achingly sweet and her toes curled into her boots.

"H-hello, husband," she breathed against his lips.

"Can I share your toast?"

She didn’t speak because something was blocking her throat, so she simply nodded, then took his hand and led him to her parents’ graves. Her brothers and their wives followed.

Oliver walked to the graves and placed a hand on the headstones of her father and mother and said a few silent words.

They then laughed—they toasted their family and friends who were buried here, and they widened the bonds of love that had surrounded Thea’s family for so long. Change had brought these three wonderful people into their lives, and in doing so had strengthened what had always been.

"To us!!" Joe toasted, and they all raised their glasses.

THE END

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DUCHESS BY CHANCE – available now

"Good morning, your Grace."

"Lord Kelkirk." Eva nodded as Daniel opened the carriage and held out his hand to help her inside. Once they were all settled, the carriage started down the driveway.

"Why must I go to church when it is you that Mrs. Potter wants to see, Daniel?"

Eva watched Simon scowl across the carriage at the duke who was seated opposite her, his long legs and large feet taking up most of the space. She couldn’t look at him directly, as memories of last night filled her head, so instead she chose to study the scenery.

"Because if I must attend, then so must you," Daniel said.

"We are not children, Stratton. That rule no longer applies."

"Is this a new rule? Because correct me if I’m wrong, but a few months ago you had to visit your Uncle Horatio and you made me go with you because - and I quote - he terrifies me spitless," Daniel drawled.

Eva could feel his eyes on her but hers remained out the window. She had never had to deal with anything like this before. The man seated across from her had seen her naked, he had done things to her that Eva had never imagined and she was struggling to not blush fiery red at the thought. She could see his hands – fingers splayed - resting on his beige breeches, and remembered how they had felt upon her body.

"For some unfathomable reason, that mean-spirited old reprobate - excuse me, Eva - " Simon nodded to her "- likes you. Something to do with similar personality traits, I believe."

"I’m fairly certain that was a compliment, Kelkirk, and if not, I will take it as such."

Daniel watched the flush slowly bloom in Eva’s checks as she caught his eye before once again looking out the window. She knew he was thinking about last night, and damn him for a randy fool, but he had thought about nothing else since leaving her at dawn.

She looked mouthwatering today, the darker blue pelisse caressing her beautiful breasts and fastened to the neck, the small buttons begging to be undone. Her bonnet was ruched velvet with a small brim, and several curls peeked from beneath. Daniel mentally shook his head, wondering how he had ever thought her plain. He had entered her room last night knowing she was an innocent and believing he would leave having done his duty. Instead, he had left shaken to his soul. His wife had responded to him like no other. Her innocence had caught him, her touch ensnared him, and when he had taken her, he had never wanted a woman more

Should a man lust after his wife?

He could never have imagined she would respond so eagerly to his touch. How could he, when each day she walked around carrying the burden of fear and pain that were the remnants of life with her family?

"I could simply wait in the carriage for you to return, Daniel, or there is a nice little pub -"

Daniel reached for the door as they stopped. "Think of it as cleansing your black soul, Kelkirk." He took Eva’s hand while helping her down, then placed it on his arm.

"Yours is blacker than mine, Stratton, and in need of a thorough sluicing, if you ask me. Forgive me, Eva," Simon added.

"Lord Kelkirk, Simon."

"Yes, Eva?"

Daniel watched as Eva thought about her words. She rarely just rattled out whatever came into head, possibly because the consequences had not always been pleasant.

"I was brought up by three brothers and a father who spoke in whatever manner they chose, regardless of whether I was present or not. Therefore, I will not take offense if you and Daniel, in the course of your bickering, throw in a few insults or cusses."

"Bickering!" Daniel protested. "Men do not bicker, wife - we debate."

"I’m far too mature to bicker, Eva," Simon assured her. "Although I can’t vouch for your husband."

Eva laughed but said nothing further as they headed toward the church. Daniel enjoyed the feel of her small hand on his arm and the occasional brush of her body as they walked. They passed small cottages with neat gardens, the crack of sheets flapping in the gentle breeze telling him that for many families it was wash day. Several children squealed as they ran past in their Sunday best.

People were gathered outside chatting as they arrived at the tall, cream-stone church. A large, round stained glass window gleamed in the morning light, casting shadows on the steps below.

Everyone stopped talking and cleared a path for them to walk through as they drew closer. Daniel noted that like he, Simon took it in his stride - smiling left and right, nodding and then entering the church. Eva was not quite so comfortable. Her fingers now gripped his sleeve.

"What?" Daniel questioned her as he helped her into the narrow front pew.

"Those people outside…"

"You’re a duchess, Eva. That will happen if you are here or in London," he said, watching her fiddle with her gloves. "It comes with your title and in time you will get used to it. Is that not right, Kelkirk?" Daniel added, turning to his left to try and accommodate his long legs in the small space.

"I don’t make a habit of agreeing with your husband, Eva, but in this case he is correct." Simon’s jaw dropped as he glanced back down the aisle. "Dear Lord, don’t look now but Mrs. Potter has something live draped around her head."