.
“Was there something you wished to say, brother?”
Reuben lifted his head from the table, and held himself back from glaring at Castell. It took great effort, but he managed to get out, “No, I don’t believe I’ve anything to add,” without looking over at the Duke of Yall, to see his reaction to Castell’s words. The three were in their usual meeting, with the other twenty-one members of the Order of the Garter Star, replaying the events of the last few days.
It had been decided that Lord Dabney would be buried without history remembering him a traitor, and Lord Fosse had decided to retire to the far parts of the Continent. As predicted, the ton was loath to allow any of their own to carry a foul name, and thus much was shoved under the rug.
“Are you sure… brother?” Castell asked again with a bright smile.
That time, Reuben did look at the duke, and found his face to be growing red, and for once his eyes met no man’s.
“Yes,” Reuben drawled. “I’m quite certain.” If he’d thought the man a nuisance before they’d caught the assassin, Castell had managed to become even more of an bother in the week that passed. Though Reuben wasn’t sure if it was he, or his father, that Castell wished to annoy the most.
Reuben had met with Yall the day after the they’d made arrest at the church, and had been surprised by how civil the man had been. There’d been none of the usual attacks on Reuben’s upbringing, or lack of proficient education.
When the meeting ended, Reuben started towards the door, and ignored the looks he’d gathered. He’d watched plenty compare him to Yall, even his achievements, but Reuben gave his father no credit for all he’d done. That belonged to the family who’d raised him and helped him reach his goals.
Castell caught up to him in the hall. “Well, that went well, don’t you think?”
Reuben made no comment on it, because to do so would likely only encourage him, so instead, he said, “Rose wished to extend an invitation to Lady Amy for the party this evening, but if your father oversees her schedule...” Rachel had asked Reuben to be nice to the prince. So for her, he was willing to give it a go.
“I’ll make sure she comes.” They passed the front doors and entered the open courtyard. The sky was gray, but the day was bright, nonetheless. Castell stared up as he spoke. “She is quite anxious to meet you again, now that she knows the truth.” Then he looked at Reuben and grinned again.
Reuben stopped before his carriage and asked, “You don’t actually like me, do you?”
“You saved my life, so therefore I have no choice.” He paused, but Reuben knew there was more, so he waited. He didn’t have to wait long. “Though, I’m sure you know there are those who wonder if you’re the son he meant to have. A military hero and whatnot.”
Reuben didn’t even wish to entertain that thought. “Your father—”
“Our father,” Castell corrected, a twinkle in his eyes.
“Don’t push it,” Reuben growled. There was still too much between him and the duke, for Reuben to say such a thing aloud. He continued on. “I may think him many things, but the one thing your father isn’t is a fool. He didn’t just ask me to find the assassin. He asked you. He trusted you with the king’s life, because he knew he could. That says enough.” Then deciding the conversation done, he climbed into the carriage.
Castell leaned into the window and said, “Well, that settles it then. I do like you, Reuben. So glad I finally have someone to complain with about our conniption-inducing progenitor. Why, before long, you and I will be old chaps.”
Reuben rolled his eyes. “I’ll tell Rachel how nice we were to one another today.”
“Please do.” He finally stepped away from the carriage, and away Reuben went.
Rachel arrived at Reuben’s home, hours before the party and didn’t wait to be announced, before she strolled into his study, because after all, the house would be hers as well someday soon. A week’s time in fact.
She found her fiancé already dressed. He stood behind the table with the eagles she’d selected, which tied in well with the family crest that hung over the fireplace. His hands rested on the table’s surface and he was leaning over a document. His brow was furrowed in such great concentration, that she decided to see what the matter was, before bothering him with her own concerns.
She moved further into the room, and saw him to be looking at a map. He’d hired a cartographer to make a map of Eastridge, and it seemed the creation had finally arrived.
The land, on paper, looked just as lovely as many of the lords claimed it to be. She became so enthralled with the landscape, the hills and valleys, that she’d not noticed Reuben’s attention had changed, until his lips landed on her shoulder.
His breath was warm. “You look lovely.”
She shivered and then turned to look up at him. He was lovely. Handsome and wonderful. She wouldn’t wait to be his wife. They shared a quick kiss before he asked, “What’s the matter?”
“Palmer wishes to strike a deal that would involve building a canal through my lands. What do you think?” And when he asked, he really wished to know her answer.
“Show me.”
He did, and they spent the next hour speaking over the strength and weaknesses of such a move. There were more advantages to the deal than disadvantages.
“Do you like Palmer?” she asked, her back to him, now.
Reuben frowned. “A fine question, if I’m to do business with him.” He wrapped his arms around her and leaned in. “I do know him well.”
His scent and heat engulfed her. She almost found it hard to think. “Then get to know him.” She turned her head and grinned. “Invite him to dinner.”
He took the opportunity to kiss her again, before straightening. “Perhaps, I’ll allow my wife to invite his family in a few weeks.”
She liked that idea, and with that matter done, she said, “I saw Lord Stonewhire on the list of people who said they’d attend. Did you speak with him? Where has he been all this time? Has he been to see Rose?”
Reuben smiled. His arms were still around her, but they moved to her hips. “I’ll just have to wait for the party, won’t you?”
She gasped. “Oh, Reuben, you must tell me! I can’t stand to wait.”
He laughed, and then leaned over and whispered the truth in her ear. A truth that filled her with apprehension and delight, and a very great amount of impatience for the party to begin.
Rachel peeked out the window into the gardens once more. From her position in Reuben’s office, she could see everything quite clearly, and she watched as Rose strolled next to the woman she’d just met only hours ago. Jessamine Byrice. The famed English actress that had once blown London away with her charm and wit had settled in the far countryside of Italy a few years ago and had not heard word about herself being outed as Rose’s mother in the British newspapers until Lord Stonewhire found her.
Reuben had told her it had taken Stonewhire some time to find her, and then longer to convince Jessamine to return to England with him. The actress had felt poorly about abandoning Rose all those years ago for her career, even leaving the country, so she wouldn’t be haunted by what she’d done. But whatever Stonewhire had said had worked, and now Rose was getting to know her mother.
“Spying again,” Reuben whispered, as he approached her from behind.
“Just a little.” Rachel bit her lip.
Reuben turned her away from the window. “No more.”
“Oh, very well.” She slipped past him and moved towards the door.
Reuben spoke again. “And no spying on Lord Stonewhire and Miss Boyd either.”
She stomped her foot and spun around. Her fiancé knew her too well. “I’m simply wishing to make sure everyone is all right.”
He laughed as his arms went about her. “There are times when I think the lion more fitting to you than I. You’re quite protective of those you love.” His gaze softened. “I’m glad to be in that number.” Her arms went around him, and she settled her head against his heart, listening to the strong muscle that gave life to the man she loved most in the world. He had no idea how far she was willing to go to see him unharmed.
And yet he did. Murdering Lord Dabney had left its scar on her mind, but she was healing. “I simply want the next year without the chaos or dramatics. Is that too much to ask?” She felt him go stiff against her and looked up. She narrowed her gaze. “Where have you been?” He, along with his brothers, had disappeared some time after the last guest had left.
Reuben cupped her neck. “Chris and I told Nash who his father is… was.”
Rachel lifted a brow. “Who was Nash’s father?”
“Lord Vinci Wolfgang.”
It took a moment for her to comprehend what Reuben was saying. “You mean, the former Lord Bandell?” There had been whispers that the former earl had been murdered by the brother who now held the title. If Reuben’s words were true, then her hope for an easy year was gone, and now she had new worries.
“If there anything I can do, please let me know.”
Her fiancé grabbed her by the shoulders and said, “There is something you can do.” His green gaze was intent.
She waited patiently for his answer.
“Don’t ever change,” he whispered. “It matters not to me, what you do with your hair or clothes. All I want is Rachel. Forever.”
She leaned forward and kissed him, feeling too emotional for words, but vowed to always be his helpmate, his lioness, and the woman who managed to capture the heart of a soldier.