Chapter Five
June 1888
Serenity sat upon a low stone garden wall a few hundred feet from what had once been the ruins of Luke’s family home, watching in fascination as her new friend rushed around, arms full of plans, talking earnestly with the workmen. The old rubble had already been cleared and the new foundation was underway. Luke had been staying with her for a few weeks now, and her life had changed just as dramatically.
She no longer had to worry about where her next meal was coming from, as he’d generously stocked the cupboards with the best the nearby town had to offer. He’d had the workmen spend an entire day fixing all the things on the cottage that had needed attention. Though her father still hadn’t returned, Luke had made inquiries about him, and she felt that he would bring him home to her soon.
Luke.
Heat rushed to her cheeks at the thought that she was now on a first-name basis with a man. An earl, no less!
As the weeks had gone by, their relationship had grown into the deepest friendship she’d ever known. She’d learned that even an earl had things in his past that haunted him. She knew his stepfather had been abusive, his mother negligent. He loved his younger brothers and baby sister, but the responsibility he felt for them weighed heavily on his shoulders.
The fact that he’d shared the things that bothered him with her made her feel something she couldn’t quite put a name to. She feared she was beginning to fall in love with him, which terrified her.
Though he’d been incredibly kind and wonderful to her, she couldn’t let herself read too much into it. He was a bloody earl. So far above her in society that she could never, ever expect that anything would become of the sweet romance building between them.
Yet the little cocoon they’d created for themselves at the cottage had made her believe that perhaps the fairytale could come true. Perhaps she could be the one who captured this beautiful man’s heart…
With a sigh, she gazed at him, committing his lithe handsome form to memory as he moved from place to place, gesturing wildly with his hands, his passion for his new home palpable as he tried to illustrate his dreams to the workmen. For just a moment, she let herself imagine what it would be like to live in this beautiful house with him when it was done, to be his countess. He would always be kind and supportive; he could introduce her to so many new and different experiences. Already, they’d spoken of travel and plays and exotic foods. Every conversation she had with him opened her eyes to things she’d never even known existed.
They were on the brink of a new century, and Luke had convinced her this was an exciting time to be alive. Things were changing so rapidly, she could almost believe that something like strict social classes might someday be a thing of the past.
Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice Luke had approached until he jumped up upon the wall beside her, grinning. His forehead glistened with sweat, and he pushed his damp hair out of his eyes. “You brought me lunch?”
She nodded and gestured to the basket near her feet. “I thought you’d like to take a break.”
“I would,” he agreed, his blue eyes dancing. He jumped back down and picked up the basket, pointing up toward the ominous black clouds that had gathered above them while she wasn’t paying attention. “It’s about to rain, and I know a place we can go until the storm has passed.”
She raised an eyebrow, but then smiled and let him lead her through the trees. Truth be told, she was glad to get him alone for a while. She didn’t like the way the workmen looked at her, the speculation in their eyes whenever she came to watch him work. They probably thought the worst of her, and she wasn’t sure they were wrong because she’d committed all sorts of sins with this man in her thoughts and dreams.
They went farther than she expected, and he walked so swiftly she nearly had to run to keep up. By the time he finally slowed down, she had a hitch in her side.
“What do you think?” he asked, gesturing ahead.
In the thick branches of a towering oak sat a lovely wooden structure, with stained glass windows glinting in the dying light. “A treehouse?” she whispered, struck once again by his whimsical nature.
“Only the best accommodations for you, my lady,” he murmured, helping her up the ladder just as the skies opened up above them and the first raindrops hit her cheeks. “I built this a very long time ago. I’ve been meaning to check and see if it was still here ever since I got back, but it looks in fairly good shape, don’t you think?”
“It’s wonderful,” she agreed, stunned that he’d been the one to build it, for it looked as though it had been placed there by fairies. She’d thought she knew every inch of these woods, yet she’d somehow never noticed this place.
He scrambled up quickly, and she followed him in. The space was small, barely large enough for the both of them, but even as a boy, he’d apparently had an interest in architecture, and he’d built it snug. Though the wind and rain howled outside, they would remain warm and dry.
Spreading one of the blankets from the picnic basket over the floor, he sat down and patted the space beside him. “Sit down, angel. Let’s eat.”
Without hesitation, she sank down beside him, her heart fluttering a bit at the sweet nickname. “Won’t they be wondering where you’ve gone?”
He laughed and pulled out the sandwiches, biscuits, and jam, then a large jug of cold lemonade. “They’ll be taking cover as well. Besides, they don’t need me. I just like to have my nose in everything.”
“It’s good that you do,” she replied, accepting a sandwich from him gratefully. She’d been starving. “Most men in your position probably don’t oversee work like this.”
“Most men in my position are busy with much more important things,” he mused, and she sensed how conflicted he was. “As I should be. But I’ve juggled things and delegated, just so that I could be here for the beginning of this. It means a lot to me, you know.”
“I know,” she said softly, reaching over to squeeze his knee. She understood all the things he did not say, how much he wanted to have a home again. A place to bring his brothers and rebuild his family. She wanted that for him as well.
“Of course, it won’t be finished this summer. It will be years before it’s done. And I do need to return to London eventually…” He leaned back on his hands, staring out the colorful windows at the rain. “I know this peaceful interlude can’t last forever, but it would be nice if it did.”
He sounded so young, so lost. She blinked back a sudden rush of tears, also wishing that the summer didn’t have to end. The cold weather in the fall would bring a death knoll to the fantasy life they’d created.
They ate quietly after that, listening to the pounding rain and thunder. The storm showed no signs of letting up.
At last, she cleaned up the remains of the meal, shivering a bit as she took the other blanket out of the basket and then closed it up.
“Cold?” he asked.
“A bit,” she admitted.
“Come here,” he urged, taking the blanket and scooting back against the wall.
She settled next to him, and then he drew the blanket over them both before wrapping his arm around her and pulling her even closer. “Might as well get comfortable; we’re going to be here a while.”
Tentatively, she laid her head against his shoulder, warmth suffusing her, both from the heat of his body and the intimacy of being this close to him. She remembered the day they’d first met, when he’d pulled her beneath his cloak and sheltered her from the cold. “Thank you,” she whispered. “You’re always taking such good care of me, Luke.”
His fingertips brushed lightly over her hair. “I like taking care of you.”
His heart thudded beneath her ear, so quickly that she knew he was not unaffected by holding her in his arms. Casting about for ways to change the subject, she gestured to the treehouse. “I still can’t believe you made this.” The place had a feel of permanence, of quality, just like nearly everything else about him.
“I didn’t do it all by myself,” he said, a smile in his voice. “The twins helped. This treehouse was our sanctuary. We spent so much time here; playing, arguing, plotting.”
“I wish I’d had siblings,” she admitted softly. “Mine was a very lonely childhood.”
“I love my brothers,” he told her. “I don’t know what I’d do without them. My mother… well, let’s just say she’s not the most nurturing woman. I don’t see much of my baby sister, Allison, given the strain on the relationship with my mother, and she’s so much younger I feel more like a father to her than a brother. But even with my brothers, I’ve always felt a bit left out. The bond between them, as twins, is something that I’ve never really understood or been able to be a part of.”
She wrapped her arms around his slim waist, getting even closer, thinking of her father and how long it had been now since she’d last seen him. She wished desperately that she had even the small number of people to count on in life that he did. “My mother died before I was ten. It’s only ever been just me and my father.”
He cupped her face in his hand, running his thumb over her jawline with feathery tenderness. “You have me now.”
“Yes,” she breathed, her gaze locked with his, seeing the truth of his words. “Now we have each other.”
His thumb drifted over her bottom lip now, making her catch her breath. “You make me feel like that’s enough, Serenity. That with you in my life, I don’t have to be alone anymore.”
Before she could reply, he slowly leaned forward, giving her every opportunity to pull away. Foolishly, she did not. Instead, she met him halfway, and their lips brushed gently together in the sweetest kiss she could ever have imagined.
Cupping her face with both hands now, he kissed her again, still so gently, a soft moan escaping him. She twisted her hands in the fine fabric of his shirt, overwhelmed, not sure whether she should stop him or press even closer.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, his lips punctuating each word with more tender kisses. “I’ve wanted to do this for so long.”
She gasped, her eyes squeezed tightly closed, letting herself become lost in the moment, in the feel and taste of this wonderful man she’d somehow been lucky enough to find.
He tasted of lemonade and smelled liked fresh wood and something spicy and exotic she couldn’t name. She’d never imagined that a man’s lips could be so soft, so warm and tender. When he deepened the kiss, letting his tongue tangle with hers, she was at first shocked, but it felt so good, so sweet and dear, that she didn’t protest. Instead, she just pressed closer, letting her hands roam through his hair and then drift over the muscular contours of his chest and back.
For endless moments, they drifted together in a beautiful haze of discovery. The entire world fell away, and nothing existed but the two of them in their warm little bubble of intimacy.
At last, he drew away, his big body trembling as he raked his hand through his hair, looking adorably confused, passion shimmering off him in tangible waves. “That was… God, I don’t even know how to describe it.”
She laughed nervously, biting her lip, knowing her face must be flaming. She had no words to articulate what his kiss had made her feel either, so she said nothing.
“There’s nothing I’d like better than to continue kissing you like that, but I’m afraid if we go much further…” He broke off and averted his gaze from her, struggling to gain his composure. “I have so much respect for you, Serenity. I don’t want to take more from you than you’re willing to give.”
She wanted to tell him that she’d give him anything, everything, if only he’d keep touching her with such tenderness, but she knew they were playing with fire. She scooted a bit farther away, putting some space between them. Hugging her knees to her chest, she gazed at him, knowing her heart was in her eyes.
“That was my first kiss,” she admitted. “It was everything I ever imagined it could be. Thank you for that, Luke. Thank you for being such a… gentleman.”
A bashful smile tilted his beautiful full lips, the lips that had just been on hers. “I am glad you gave me that honor, Serenity. I’ll do everything in my power to ensure that you don’t regret it.”
She couldn’t imagine any situation where she’d ever be anything but completely grateful for this day.
* * *
Nearly two weeks later, Serenity was back on the wall, watching Luke work. She pressed her fingertips to her lips, her face heating with embarrassment and pleasure. They’d kissed several more times since the afternoon in the treehouse, and last night, they’d sat upon the sofa for nearly an hour, gazing into each other’s eyes and sharing mind-numbing passion. It had been very hard to part and go to their respective rooms alone. The fact that he had not pressed her for more had left her both relieved and disappointed. She did not think she could tell him no, but she was afraid of what going further might mean.
Luke turned and caught her staring, and his blue eyes sparkled with a teasing light. He pressed his fingers to his lips and blew her a saucy kiss, and she realized too late that she still had hers to her mouth.
Blushing, she dropped her hand and looked away but couldn’t control the small smile that tilted her lips.
Incorrigible man.
Her pleasant thoughts were derailed by the sight of the town constable dismounting his horse where the front drive had once been. He stood for a moment, gazing at what Luke had already had his men accomplish, then noticed Luke in the scaffolding and started toward him.
Serenity shrunk back against the stone, a bad feeling taking root in the pit of her stomach. Something had happened.
As though to confirm it, both men turned toward her. They were still more than fifty meters away, but she could see the grim set of their faces.
She shook her head, trembling, as Luke climbed down from the scaffolding and both men headed in her direction.
“Miss Pratt,” the constable said when he stopped before her. “We’ve had news of your father.”
She bit her lip and then took a deep breath, readying herself for what was to come.
“I’m afraid he’s passed away, Miss,” the constable continued, a pitying expression on his somber face.
Luke reached up and took her hand, staring deep into her eyes. “He’s not coming back, angel. I’m so sorry.”
A wave of denial crashed over her, and she jerked her hand back, shaking her head again. “No,” she whispered. “I don’t believe it.”
“He was found in the next county,” the constable informed her morosely. “He’d been at a pub and when he was leaving, he somehow fell down a steep hillside. We’re not sure exactly what did him in, but he laid there for quite some time before a farmer found him.”
A hysterical laugh bubbled up inside her, and she forced it down. Drink. Drink had killed him, and they all knew that.
“Thank you,” she said, numb and still disbelieving, even though she’d thought she’d prepared herself well for this inevitable outcome. “I appreciate you coming out here to tell me.”
The constable nodded, looking uncomfortable.
“Yes, thank you,” Lucien told him, sounding every inch the earl. “I’ll be in touch to make all the arrangements. If you’ll excuse us.” As he turned to escort the man back toward his horse, the truth of what had happened crashed over Serenity, and the need to flee overwhelmed her. Luke would comfort her, she knew that, but right now all she wanted was to get away. To run so far and fast that no one would ever find her until the storm of grief inside her had abated.
Always fleet of foot, she dropped off the wall and took off into the woods.
Behind her, she heard Luke calling her name, but the tears had already started, blinding her, and she didn’t stop. She veered left off the path, deeper into the trees.
Her father was dead, and now she was all alone in the world.
* * *
Luke followed Serenity through the forest, his heart pounding in his chest as he lost her time and again. She was surprisingly fast and knew these woods better than he did. Perhaps he should just let her go, grieve for her father the way she obviously wanted to, but she’d become very dear to him, and he couldn’t bear to let her go through this alone.
He wanted to protect her, to hold her in his arms and assure her that everything would be all right. He’d take care of her, make sure she never wanted for anything, if only she’d let him. Unfortunately, she’d proved remarkably stubborn on that front, wanting so desperately to remain self-sufficient. After a lifetime of fending off women who wanted him for his money and title, Serenity was so refreshing. Perhaps that was why she’d captured his heart and mind the way no one else ever had.
At last, he entered a small clearing and found her, collapsed against a tree, tears streaming helplessly down her lovely face. Her chest heaved with exhaustion, but she made no sound, and her silent grief struck him to the core.
Approaching quietly, he slid down beside her and pulled her into his arms, stroking her hair as she buried her face against his chest. He didn’t know how long they sat there, hours at least, but at last the storm within her subsided, and she lay quietly against him.
He pressed his lips hesitantly to her temple, not knowing what to say. Even though his own father had been gone for nearly a decade, the loss affected him to this day. He wasn’t hypocrite enough to tell her that she’d be all right.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice hoarse. “I’m sorry I ran off like that. You didn’t have to follow me… but I’m glad you did.”
“I didn’t want you to be alone.” The words seemed utterly inadequate.
She gave a shuddering sigh. “I am alone now. My father was all I had.”
“No,” he said fiercely. “You have me, angel. Remember? You’ll always have me.”
“Will I?” she whispered, sounding doubtful. “You’ve been so good to me, Luke. I could never have even imagined having a friend like you. But I can’t stay here now that my father is truly gone. Already the gossips will be talking, realizing that he hasn’t been here in quite some time.”
“Who cares what they think?” he asked, furious on her behalf. He’d ruin anyone who said a single negative word about the lady in his arms. She did that to him. Made him want to slay dragons on her behalf.
“You have no idea,” she said, sudden anger filling her voice as she pulled away and stared up at him with tragic, tear-filled eyes. “You’re a bloody earl! You can bend the rules all you want, and no one will ever say a word against you. It’s not like that for me. I must find a job, a way to take care of myself. Even a hint of scandal will ruin me forever.”
He ran a hand through his hair, knowing he was going about this the wrong way. Her pride would never allow her to take his charity, and he wasn’t yet ready to consider his other options. Part of him wanted to throw caution to the wind, bind her to him with words and deeds, spend the rest of his life with her. But that seemed foolhardy, given that he’d only known her a handful of weeks. This certainly wasn’t the time to be discussing such things, anyway.
“What if I were to get you a companion?” he asked, a plan forming in his mind as he desperately tried to come up with a way for her to stay. “I’ll send for someone from my London house. I have a distant cousin who could come. Gemma Cross. She would give our situation the respectability you need.”
She shook her head, disbelief in her tear-filled eyes. “Why would you do that for me? It makes no sense. And I don’t think I should let you. I have nothing to offer you, no way to pay you for your kindness. My father left me with nothing except a mountain of debts.”
“I’m not asking for payment,” he muttered in frustration. “Wouldn’t you do this for me, if you could? Simply because we are friends? Because you care for me?”
A frown twisted her lips, but he knew he’d finally said the right thing. “You know I would.”
“Then please, just let me help you. At least for a while, until you can come up with another plan. Just give yourself a little time, angel. That’s all I’m asking.”
She suddenly nodded, relief flooding her features. “All right,” she said softly. “But only until I can decide what to do.”