mackenzie family christmas the perfect gift

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A Mackenzie Family Christmas:

The Perfect Gift

by Jennifer Ashley

Book 4.5 of

The Mackenzies

A Mackenzie Family Christmas: The Perfect Gift

Copyright 2012 by Jennifer Ashley

All rights reserved.

Excerpt from The Untamed Mackenzie copyright 2013

by Jennifer Ashley

mash!or"s #"ition$ %icense &otes

This ebook is licensed for yor person!l en"oyment only. All rights !re reserved. #o p!rt of this

book m!y be sed or reprodced in !ny m!nner $h!tsoever $ithot $ritten permission from the

!thor.This book is ! $ork of fiction. The n!mes% ch!r!cters% pl!ces% !nd incidents !re prodcts of the

$riter&s im!gin!tion or h!ve been sed fictitiosly !nd !re not to be constred !s re!l. Anyresembl!nce to persons% living or de!d% !ct!l events% loc!les or org!ni'!tions is entirely

coincident!l.

Books in the Mackenzies eries

(y Jennifer Ashley

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie

Lady Isabella's Scandalous MarriageThe Many Sins of Lord Cameron

The Duke's Perfect ife ! Mackenzie "amily Christmas# The Perfect $ift The Seduction of %lliot Mc&ride

The Untamed Mackenzie

The icked Deeds of Daniel MackenzieAnd more to come)

' ' ' ' '

A Mackenzie Family Christmas:

The Perfect Gift

Cha(ter )ne

December (()

*!n +!cken'ie h!ted fner!ls.,e especi!lly h!ted dor% overly long fner!ls th!t dr!gged f!mily !nd friends ot to the side

of ! d!mp gr!ve in the middle of ! -cottish ecember% $ind coming off the hills to chill the

bone.



The only $!rmth $!s (eth% st!nding !t his side like ! bright fl!me. -he $ore ! d!rk gr!y

frock trimmed $ith bl!ck% in keeping $ith the solemn occ!sion% bt she cold h!ve been dressed

in fiery red for the he!t th!t sffsed *!n. (ec!se of (eth% he $!s !ble to come tod!y !nd p!yhis respects to !n old neighbor.

The minister droned on !bot m!n being ct do$n like ! flo$er in his prime//ridiclos%

bec!se +rs. +cCr!y h!d been ninety. A -!ssen!ch from northern Engl!nd% she&d m!rried thel!ird in the next v!lley% ! crony of *!n&s f!ther. #o$ +rs. +cCr!y !nd her hsb!nd $ere gone%

!nd her sons% t!ll -cots l!ds $ho&d !lre!dy prodced more t!ll -cots l!ds% $old t!ke over the

l!nds.The fner!l ended% somber to the l!st. The +cCr!ys h!d been very stern% very -cots% very

rotest!nt% +rs. +cCr!y "st !s stern !s her hsb!nd. ec!dence strictly forbidden. And the

+!cken'ies% her neighbors% $ere so very dec!dent.

&T$ill be ieter !rond these p!rts $ithot her% th!t&s cert!in% +!c +!cken'ie s!id !s they$!lked b!ck home% (eth close to *!n% +!c !rm in !rm $ith his $ife *s!bell!.

,!rt $!s riding b!ck in his c!rri!ge% the ke of ilmorg!n ever !$!re of his dignity. ,e&d

come !lone% !s Ele!nor% his ne$ bride% $!s too f!r gone $ith their first child to m!ke the "orney

to the chill fner!l.-he never spoke except in ! voice th!t $old sh!tter gl!ss% +!c $ent on. ,e pt on !

f!lsetto. *oland Mackenzie+ ,hen are you going to lea-e off .ainting that trash and settle yourself like a gentleman/ 0ou disgrace yourself+ your family+ and your father1 * c!n still he!r

her% poor $om!n.

-rely she left off !fter yor m!rri!ge trned h!ppy% (eth s!id behind him. And yo prodced ! son !nd heir.

#o% +!c s!id% trning to fl!sh his $ide grin. Th!t $!s l!st $eek.

-he $ent s$iftly% $hich $!s ! mercy% *s!bell! s!id. 4ind stirred the d!rk ble fe!thers in

her h!t% !nd +!c&s reddish h!ir. -he $!s $orking in her g!rden. #ever felt ! thing.Th!t&s ho$ * $!nt to go% +!c s!id. 4!lking pright one moment% fl!t on my nose the

next.

*s!bell! moved ! step closer to him. 5et s not spe!k of it.Aye% C!meron +!cken'ie s!id. A sh!rp gst billo$ed b!ck his long bl!ck co!t% !nd

shoved his h!ir from his sh!rp f!ce. Too m!ny bloody fner!ls in this f!mily !lre!dy.

Ainsley slid !n !rm !rond his $!ist. C!meron% the l!rgest +!cken'ie% bent his he!d !s he plled his $ife to him.

*!n felt (eth close on him !s $ell% her gloved h!nds on his !rm. All thoghts of fner!ls% old

+rs. +cCr!y% !nd cold -cots $inters dissolved. *!n h!d (eth% !nd nothing else m!ttered.

They $!lked do$n the hill to the v!lley th!t held ilmorg!n C!stle. ilmorg!n C!stle $!s !l!rge m!nor hose no$% the old c!stle h!ving been plled do$n ! hndred !nd more ye!rs !go so

th!t ! modern% gig!ntic 6eorgi!n strctre cold be erected in its pl!ce.

*!n% !s !l$!ys% felt lighter !s he beheld the be!tifl symmetry of the hose//for $ings ofidentic!l dimensions rnning b!ck from ! long perpendicl!r $ing. The long $ing $!s

proportion!l to the for shorter $ings by ex!ctly t$o to one% not !n inch ot of pl!ce. The height

of the hose like$ise $!s ple!singly proportion!l to its bre!dth !nd depth. *!n h!d stdied thehose meticlosly over the ye!rs% me!sring it to the l!st fr!ction. ,is f!ther h!d tried to be!t

the obsession ot of him% bt *!n h!d t!ken comfort in the precise c!lcl!tions.



(ehind the hose% form!l g!rdens h!d been l!id ot in the s!me kind of mirrored symmetry.

+!c s!id he fond the entire setp stifling% bt the !stonishing simplicity of the hose !nd

g!rdens h!d helped keep the yong *!n from complete desp!ir. #o$ he sh!red this be!ty $ith (eth . . . he sh!red so m!ny things $ith her.

The hose&s m!ssive front h!ll $elcomed them $ith $!rmth% m!de still more cheerfl by the

greenery !nd ribbons the l!dies of the hose h!d hng here% there% !nd every$here. Like I'm,alking through a bloody ,oods+ ,!rt h!d gro$led% bt $ithot !ny tre r!ncor behind his

$ords.

Crry% *!n&s v!let% met them in the h!ll !nd shered the f!mily into the priv!te dining room%$here $!rm te!% coffee% $hiskey% $ine% !nd plenty of food !$!ited them. Crry% ! Cockney m!n

$ho&d helped *!n throgh the $orst d!ys of the !sylm% considered fner!ls b!d lck% especi!lly

fner!ls of ! l!dy $ho&d trned ! rogh tonge on Crry on more th!n one occ!sion% !nd so h!d

st!yed home.,!rt% h!ving !rrived before them% insisted they lift !t le!st one gl!ss to old +rs. +cCr!y.

+!y she% her hsb!nd% !nd or f!ther be bllying one !nother in the gre!t beyond.

* hope they en"oy it% +!c s!id% lifting his gl!ss. ,is ct cryst!l goblet held te!% not

$hiskey. +!c no$ dr!nk no !lcohol of !ny kind.Confsion to them !ll% C!m s!id% "oining the to!st.

,!rt do$ned his single m!lt in silence% then he left the room% off to seek Ele!nor. The l!diessipped% e!ch en"oying ! $!rm spiced $ine% bt *!n didn&t drink.

-he $!sn&t crel% *!n s!id into the lll.

The others trned to him in srprise% !s they often did $hen *!n !dded to ! convers!tion long!fter th!t convers!tion h!d ce!sed.

#o7 +!c !sked% !n edge of !nger in his voice. -he rged 8!ther to h!ve yo committed

!s ! ln!tic% !nd then told ,!rt he m!de ! mist!ke letting yo ot of the !sylm !g!in.

-he thoght she $!s helping me% *!n s!id. 8!ther $!nted rid of me. There is !difference.

+!c stdied him for ! moment $ith !n nre!d!ble expression% then $ent b!ck to the exotic

te! his v!let kept bre$ed for him. *f yo s!y so% little brother.-he $ere ! right bother% th!t&s for cert!in Crry s!id% !ppro!ching $ith more $hiskey.

8orgive me blntness. (t old +rs. +cCr!y cold be kind too. -he took in rchins% g!ve &em !

$!rm belly !nd ! "ob.*n retrn for ! piece of her mind% +!c s!id.

Aye% th!t&s so. (t $hen yo&re st!rving% yo&re not so choosy. As * kno$.

*!n sipped his $hiskey !nd s!t do$n $ith (eth% no longer interested. +!c l!ghed !t Crry.

9o me!n% the +!cken'ies took yo in% !nd in retrn% yo h!ve to pt p $ith s7#o$% *&d never s!y something like th!t% yor lordship% Crry s!id. ,is eyes t$inkled% !nd

he tipped (eth ! $ink% bt *!n h!d lost the flo$ of the convers!tion. The fner!l% +rs. +cCr!y%

!nd !ll th!t it me!nt% $ere finished.(y the $!y% Crry s!id% coming to *!n $ith the dec!nter. 4hile yo $ere ot% it c!me.

*!n $!ited $hile Crry filled his gl!ss% *!n t!king in the flo$ of the !mber liid% the ex!ct

$!y the droplets spl!shed into the gl!ss !nd spre!d in perfect ripples.4hen Crry finished !nd took ! step b!ck% his $ords% !long $ith (eth&s excited smile%

connected in *!n&s br!in.

*t&s here7 *!n !sked.



Aye% m&lord. 4!iting for yo in the +ing room. 4ith the :ssi!n gentlem!n&s

compliments% his m!n $ho delivered it s!id.

*!n didn&t he!r the l!st. ,e left his se!t% his brothers% their $ives% !nd Crry ! blr !s hestrode ot of the room !nd do$n the enormos corridor% not re!li'ing ntil h!lf$!y th!t he still

cltched ! fll gl!ss of $hiskey% the liid sloshing ot over his h!nd.

;;; ;;; ;;;(eth $!lked ot !fter *!n% her skirts rstling% bt she didn&t hrry. -he kne$ $here her

hsb!nd $!s going !nd $hy.

This smmer% *!n h!d fond !n illstr!tion of ! +ing bo$l in ! book he&d re!d $ith his s!lspeed% !nd nothing $old do bt th!t he !cired s!id bo$l% no m!tter $h!t the cost.

,e&d scored !nties stores in 5ondon% Edinbrgh% !ris% !nd do$n into *t!ly. ,e&d visited

de!lers% $ritten letters% sent telegr!ms% !nd $!ited !nxiosly for the !ns$ers. (ec!se *!n $!s

one of the foremost collectors of +ing bo$ls in 6re!t (rit!in !nd Erope% m!ny c!me for$!rd tos!y they h!d ! bo$l ex!ctly like it% bt *!n h!d !l$!ys kno$n th!t none of them $ere right. It

isn't the same+ he&d tell the dis!ppointed merch!nt or collector.

At long l!st% he&d pinned do$n the crrent o$ner of the bo$l in the book//!n !ristocr!t in

:ssi!. The :ssi!n gentlem!n h!d !greed to the price !nd s!id he&d send the bo$l by corier.*mp!tient *!n h!d thoght of little else from th!t d!y to this.

(eth fond him !t ! t!ble in the middle of the +ing room% his bro!d h!nds te!ring b!ck the p!per !nd str!$ in ! $ooden box. -he p!sed to observe him% her t!ll hsb!nd $ith ! ble !nd

green +!cken'ie kilt hgging his hips% his d!rk form!l co!t stretched !cross his sholders. ,e&d

mssed his close/cropped h!ir% l!mplight brnishing !brn stre!ks in it.,e $orked ickly% g!'e intent on the box. The room !rond him $!s filled floor to ceiling

$ith gl!ssed/in shelves !nd gl!ss c!ses on the floor% e!ch be!ring ! +ing bo$l on ! little st!nd%

e!ch precisely l!beled.

(o$ls only. *!n h!d no interest in v!ses or in porcel!in from !ny other period. ,is e!rly+ing collection% ho$ever% $!s priceless% the envy of !ll other +ing !ficion!dos.

*!n lifted the bo$l from the $r!ppings !nd s$iftly ex!mined it% holding it p to the light !nd

stdying every side. (eth held her bre!th% fe!ring the :ssi!n h!d che!ted him% !nd $ondering$h!t *!n&s re!ction $old be if he h!d.

Then *!n rel!xed into his dev!st!ting smile% his golden g!'e seeking hers. +y (eth% come

!nd see.,e held the bo$l $ith ste!dy fingers !s he $!ited for her. (eth m!rveled th!t his h!nds% so

l!rge !nd strong% cold be so gentle//$ith his +ing bo$ls% on her skin% $hile holding his son !nd

d!ghter.

The bo$l $!s cert!inly be!tifl. *ts thin porcel!in sides $ere covered $ith inter$ovenflo$ers !nd tiny dr!gons in ble% one ob"ect flo$ing into !nother in delic!te strokes. The inside

of the bo$l held more flo$ers d!ncing !rond the rim% !nd on the bottom $!s ! single lots

flo$er. The nderside held ! dr!gon% for cl!$s crled !rond the bo$l&s bottom lip. The ble%the only color% $!s incredible//d!rk !nd intense !cross the centries.

5ovely% (eth bre!thed. * nderst!nd no$ $hy yo hnted for it so h!rd.

*!n kept his g!'e on the bo$l% his f!ce betr!ying "oy he didn&t kno$ ho$ to convey. ,e s!idnothing% bt his look% his h!ppiness% $!s enogh.

The perfect Christm!s gift% (eth s!id. ,o$ on e!rth $ill * find something for yo to

compete $ith it7



Tod!y isn&t Christm!s% *!n s!id in his m!tter/of/f!ct voice% still looking !t the bo$l. *t&s

the t$elfth. And $e give or gifts !t ,ogm!n!y.

#o% * me!nt . . . #ever mind. *!n cold be so very liter!l% !nd thogh he did try tonderst!nd (eth&s little "okes% he didn&t !l$!ys c!tch $hen she me!nt to be fnny. Poor &eth+ she

im!gined him thinking% She doesn't understand a ,ord she's saying .

*!n set the bo$l into her cpped p!lms. ,old it p to the light. The p!ttern is deep. 9o c!nsee the l!yers $hen th& light is behind them.

,e kept hold of her $rists !s he gided her to r!ise her h!nds% holding the bo$l to$!rd the

$!rm yello$ $!ll sconce% $hich dripped $ith long% cle!r cryst!ls.The light nfolded more flo$ers from bet$een the dr!gons !nd vines% sm!ll !nd light ble.

<h% *!n% it&s exisite.

*!n rele!sed her $rists to let her trn the bo$l this $!y !nd th!t% bt he rem!ined behind her%

his $!rmth on her b!ck. ,er bstle crshed !g!inst her legs% *!n&s !rm coming !rond her $!ist.,e le!ned to kiss her neck% the love in the kiss rippling he!t throgh her.

(eth held the bo$l p !g!in% her fingers trembling. -he needed to tell *!n of the otcome of

their nights in bed this !tmn% bt she&d not h!d the ch!nce yet. (t no$ . . .

(eth st!rted to trn% to lo$er the bo$l% to h!nd it b!ck to him.,er shoe c!ght on the edge of the Absson c!rpet% its fringe sn!gging the high heel of her

boot. -he rocked% !nd *!n c!ght her by the elbo$% bt the bo$l slipped from her fingers.-he lnged for it% !nd so did *!n% bt the porcel!in ev!ded their otstretched h!nds.

(eth $!tched in horror !s the ble !nd $hite bo$l fell do$n% do$n% do$n to the $ooden

floor beyond the rg% !nd sm!shed into sho$er of be!tifl% polished bits.

' ' ' ' '

Cha(ter T!o

(eth follo$ed the bo$l do$n% her d!rk skirts spre!ding !s she s!nk to her knees. <h% *!n.

,er bre!th c!ght on ! sob. *!n% * !m so% so sorry.

*!n rem!ined fixed beside her% his polished boots !n inch from her skirts. ,is l!rge h!ndcrled !g!inst the ble !nd green pl!id of his kilt% ! silent sign of his !ngish.

(eth re!ched for the pieces% te!rs in her eyes. 4h!t h!d she done7 4h!t h!d she done/

-he fond *!n on his knees next to her% his h!nds gently lifting hers from the broken sh!rds.9o&ll ct yorself.

,is voice $!s even% !lmost ! monotone. *!n&s g!'e fixed on $h!t $!s left of the bo$l% his

$hiskey/colored eyes t!king in every piece% !s thogh he kne$ ex!ctly $here e!ch of the bits fit

together.4e c!n fix it% (eth s!id ickly. *&ll h!ve Crry find some gle% !nd $e c!n pt it b!ck

together !g!in.

#o. *!n kept hold of (eth&s h!nds.(t $e c!n try.

*!n fin!lly looked !t her% his mesmeri'ing g!'e meeting hers for ! brief inst!nt before it slid

!$!y !g!in. #o% my (eth. *t $on&t be the s!me.Te!rs slid do$n (eth&s cheeks% !nd she re!ched !g!in for the pieces. -he $old g!ther them

p% p!ste the thing b!ck together% try to find its be!ty !g!in.

A bite of p!in m!de her "mp. *!n lifted her h!nd !nd kissed ! spot of blood on her thmb.

-t!y here% he s!id ietly.



,e flo$ed to his feet% le!ther boots cre!king% !nd $!lked s$iftly ot of the room. (eth

$!ited% more te!rs coming% !nd she pt her thmb into her moth to stop the bleeding.

-he coldn&t believe she&d done this% rined the thing *!n h!d $!nted so mch% h!d $orkedso h!rd to find. ,e&d fin!lly $on his he!rt&s desire% !nd (eth h!d broken it.

-he h!d to fix it. -he h!d to. *f she coldn&t rep!ir the bo$l% she&d h!ve to find !nother one.

The :ssi!n gentlem!n might h!ve ! simil!r bo$l% or kno$ someone $ho h!d. -he&d need help//!nd she kne$ "st $hich +!cken'ie she $old recrit to help her. ,!rt cold m!ke the $orld

trn pside do$n !nd sh!ke ot its pockets if he trly $!nted to% !nd (eth $old expl!in th!t he

trly $!nted to. This $!s for *!n. *!n retrned% c!rrying ! broom !nd ! dstp!n. ,e pt ot his h!nd to stop (eth $hen she

tried to climb to her feet% then 5ord *!n +!cken'ie% yongest brother of the ke of ilmorg!n%

s$ept p the tiny sh!rds of porcel!in !nd shoved them into the dstp!n.

4h!t the devil7 Crry r!n into the room% t!king in *!n then (eth on the floor. +&l!dy%$h!t h!ppened7

,e !sked (eth% bec!se Crry kne$ th!t if *!n didn&t choose to !ns$er% he $oldn&t.

* broke the bo$l% (eth s!id% miser!ble.

*!n c!rried the broom !nd dstp!n to Crry. Thro$ the pieces !$!y.Jst like th!t7 Crry ble!ted. Thro, the .ieces a,ay7

*!n g!ve him !n imp!tient look% shoved the dstp!n !nd broom into Crry&s h!nds% !ndtrned for the open door.

4here !re yo going7 (eth c!lled !fter him.

*!n gl!nced b!ck !t (eth bt didn&t meet her g!'e. J!mie !nd (elle $ill be !$!ke from theirn!ps in five mintes.

(ec!se *!n kne$ his son&s !nd d!ghter&s rotines by he!rt% !nd never let !nyone v!ry

them% he $old be right.

(eth didn&t rel!x. Tell them *&ll be p soon% she s!id.*!n nodded once !nd $!lked !$!y.

(eth got to her feet% picking ! minte piece of porcel!in ot of her skirt.

Crry st!red !t her% rond/eyed% still holding the dstp!n. 4h!t h!ppened7* don&t kno$. *t slipped ot of my h!nds. (eth dropped the l!st piece into the dstp!n% her

bre!th hrting !s she spoke. <h% Crry% * feel so very !$fl.

#o% m&l!dy% * me!n% $h!t did &e do7,e . . . fetched ! broom !nd s$ept p the pieces. (t * cold see he $!s pset.

Th!t&s !ll7

* $oldn&t s!y th!t $!s all . ,e h!d troble looking !t me% !nd * kno$ *&ve hrt him. ,e

$!nted th!t bo$l so mch.Crry trned !$!y% l!id the dstp!n next to the opened box% !nd propped the broom !g!inst

the t!ble. &E broke !nother bo$l once% he s!id in ! slo$ voice% !bot ! ye!r before &e first

cl!pped eyes on yo. *t $ere &orrible% m&l!dy. -cre!ming like . . . *&ve never &e!rd ! sond like th!tcome ot of ! &m!n thro!t. +e !nd 5ords +!c !nd C!meron h!d to sit on &im to keep &im from

&rting &isself. &*s 6r!ce $!sn&t &ere//off politicking !t the time//bt &*s 6r!ce h!d to come b!ck

from $herever &e $!s to c!lm 5ord *!n do$n. *t $ere d!ys to get &im to iet% !nd none of sslept ! $ink.

(eth listened% disieted. -he&d seen *!n in $h!t he c!lled his mddles% $hen he lost

control of his r!ge or performed !n !ction over !nd over% desper!tely trying to m!ke sense of

$h!tever h!d h!ppened to set him off. (t he&d not done th!t in ye!rs% not since their m!rri!ge



ceremony in their co'y hose not f!r from here. (eth&s domestic life so f!r h!d been nothing

short of blissfl.

*!n h!d broken (eth&s he!rt the night she&d met him% $hen he&d expl!ined th!t he h!d no!bility to love% h!d no ide! $h!t love felt like.

,e&d since proven he did kno$ ho$ to love//he proved it every d!y.

*!n&s become ite good !t controlling his r!ges% (eth s!id% bt the $ords didn&t come ot$ith the conviction she&d hoped they $old.

Aye% !nd $e !ll bre!the ! sigh of relief% $e do% kno$ing yo&re looking !fter &im. (t this

$ere ! +ing bo$l. +!ybe &e&s "st &olding it in.,e&d never let himself go into one of his mddles in the nrsery. ,e&d never do !nything to

hrt the b!bies. ,er conviction $!s firmer no$.

*f ye rec!ll% &e didn&t !ct!lly s!y &e $ere going to the nrsery. &E only s!id the kiddies $ere

finishing their n!ps.(eth !nd Crry sh!red ! $orried look% then both of them rshed to the door. At the l!st

minte% Crry stepped b!ck to let (eth exit first% then they hrried do$n the h!ll !nd p the long

st!irc!se to the hge nrsery the cosins sh!red $hen the f!mily g!thered.

#!nny 4estlock% $ho considered herself in ch!rge of the rest of the n!nnies% looked p fromher d!rning in srprise !s (eth !nd Crry r!n inside the snny room.

#e!r one of the $ide $indo$s% *!n $!s "st lifting (elle ot of her cot. T$o/!nd/!/h!lfye!r/old J!mie h!d !lre!dy he!ded for the l!rge $ooden rocking horse he&d received from

C!meron for his second birthd!y.

*!n set (elle on the floor !nd held her little h!nds $hile she $!lked e!gerly to$!rd (eth.+!m!) she s!id brightly. *!n slo$ed his gi!nt steps for her% his boots !longside her chbby

legs.

5ook !t me% +!m!) J!mie yelled from the horse. 5ike =ncle C!m.

Excellent% J!mie% (eth s!id. =ncle C!meron s!ys yo h!ve ! good horsem!n&s se!t. -helifted (elle !s (elle dropped *!n&s h!nds !nd r!ised her !rms for her mother.

*!n pt his h!nd on (elle&s b!ck% *!n !l$!ys $orried th!t the little girl $old f!ll. (eth

hgged her close% determined to prove she $oldn&t drop this precios p!ck!ge !t le!st.*!n met (eth&s g!'e !nd g!ve her one of his r!re% fll smiles. #o p!in lingered in his eyes%

only the $!rmth he sho$ed $hen he $!s in the nrsery. The bo$l might never h!ve been

broken.9es% +r. Crry7 #!nny 4estlock s!id !s Crry lingered in the door$!y. +!y * be of

!ssist!nce7

Jst going% +iss 4estlock. 9e rn yor kingdom to yor &e!rt&s content.

+iss 4estlock only g!ve him ! look% bt Crry grinned !t (eth !nd sht the door behindhim.

*!n moved to J!mie !nd st!rted sho$ing him ho$ to hold the reins bet$een his sm!ll

fingers. J!mie $!s !lre!dy t!ll for his !ge !nd robst. ,e&d be ! to$ering +!cken'ie before long.(eth cddled (elle in her !rms !nd $!tched her hsb!nd become !bsorbed in his children.

-he hoped Crry $old t!ke the broken pieces do$nst!irs% bt she&d h!ve to $orry !bot the

bo$l !nd $h!t to do !bot it l!ter.;;; ;;; ;;;

The !t le!st t$enty people in the serv!nts& h!ll listened in horror !nd then srprise !s Crry

rel!ted his t!le. John (ell!my% his blnt fingers $orking ! needle to rep!ir the lining of one of

5ord +!c&s riding co!ts% listened $hile Crry spoke $ith his s!l fl!ir for dr!m!tics. Crry



finished by dmping the contents of the dstp!n !cross the t!ble% $h!t $!s left of ! very

expensive +ing bo$l.

&Er l!dyship $!nts it pt together !g!in% Crry finished. -o &o$ &bot it7The serv!nts !rond the t!ble le!ned for$!rd% $hite c!ps !nd d!rk !nd light he!ds bent !s

h!nds re!ched for the pieces !nd st!rted sorting.

(ell!my st!yed ot of it% his h!nds $ith their ill/he!led broken fingers not good for liftingdelic!te things like sh!rds of porcel!in. A needle !nd thre!d $!s !bot !s nimble !s he cold get.

,e s!lly !sked ! m!id to help him $ith mending 5ord +!c&s clothes% bt there $!s so mch to

do to re!dy the hose for Christm!s th!t he didn&t feel it right to bother them.As he $!tched the others st!rt fitting pieces together !nd !rging !bot $h!t $ent $here% he

!g!in thoght !bot his decision to retire. 5ord +!c shold h!ve ! yonger m!n% one more like

the s!ve +!rcel $ho $!ited on the dke% inste!d of ! broken/do$n former pgilist.

5ord +!c&s l!dy $ife $!s looking !fter him fine no$. #o more did (ell!my need to lift !limp !nd drnken 5ord +!c% ndress him like ! child% !nd pt him to bed.

(ell!my $!s ne!ring forty% !nd he&d been in one too m!ny fights. ,e&d $orked for ! crooked

fight m!n!ger $ho&d st!ged every one of (ell!my&s m!tches% bt th!t didn&t me!n the pnches

h!dn&t been re!l.Time for him to move on. ,e&d rn ! pb% or he&d tr!in yong boxers !nd te!ch them ho$ to

!void $orking for otright thieves.4oldn&t be e!sy to tell 5ord +!c% thogh. 5ord +!c&s feelings $old be hrt% bt (ell!my

kne$ th!t his lordship didn&t trly need him !nymore.

8eeling slightly s!d% (ell!my l!id !side his mending !nd left the h!ll% seeking the b!ck door.,e he!rd the others& excl!m!tions of srprise $hen Crry expl!ined th!t 5ord *!n hadn't h!d one

of his fits $hen the bo$l broke% bt (ell!my $!s not !m!'ed. 5ord *!n h!d been ! ch!nged m!n

since he&d m!rried little +rs. Ackerley.

There $!s !nother re!son (ell!my $!nted to go. ,e $!s lonely.<tside% !ll $!s d!rk% !nd free'ing. The sn h!d gone% night coming s$iftly this f!r north.

(ell!my&s bre!th fogged ot% !nd his feet crnched on the fro'en grond. #o sno$ !t the

moment% bt it $!s coming.,e $!lked !rond the corner of the kitchen $ing% ot of the $ind. ,e he!rd ! g!sp% s!$

!nother fog of bre!th% !nd stopped. At his feet croched ! bndle of clothes. #ot r!gs//the person

inside h!d piled on !s m!ny l!yers !s possible !g!inst the cold.A f!ce inside ! hood st!red p !t (ell!my% terror in her eyes fl!ring !s she took in his height

!nd bre!dth.

le!se% she s!id. on&t m!ke me move on yet. Jst ! $hile longer% ot o& the $ind.

,er !ccent $!sn&t bro!d% bt it pt her from right here in the ,ighl!nds. (ell!my h!d neverseen her before.

4ho !re yo7

(ell!my&s voice c!me ot h!rsh !nd scr!tched. ,is e!st 5ondon !ccent coldn&t bere!ssring either.

The $om!n flinched% bt she held on to her cor!ge. *&m no one. (t ple!se% if yo cold

sp!re ! bit of bre!d before * go.(ell!my re!ched for her. -he cringed !$!y% !s thogh expecting ! blo$% bt (ell!my held

his h!nd to her% p!lm ot. Come $ith me.

The $om!n st!rted to scr!mble to her feet. #o% *&ll move on. * kno$ he&s ! dke !nd !ll. *

never me!nt no h!rm.



(ell!my sei'ed her by the !rm% cl!mping do$n $hen she m!de to "erk !$!y. on&t be d!ft%

$om!n. * me!nt ye need to come inside !nd get $!rm.

-he st!red p !t him in more fe!r% then resign!tion. This poor l!ss prob!bly h!dn&t h!d !$ord of kindness in ! long $hile% !nd $hen she h!d% she&d likely h!d to p!y for it.

(ell!my felt ! bite of !nger !t $hoever h!d m!de her p!y in the p!st. 4ell% she&d nderst!nd

soon enogh th!t not !ll $!s d!rkness. ,e led her into the echoing h!ll behind the kitchens !ndclosed the door !g!inst the night% !ll thoghts of retiring pshed !side for the moment.

;;; ;;; ;;;

Ele!nor% the chess of ilmorg!n% l!y in the $!rm bliss of her bed% $hile her hsb!nd pl!ced !nother slo$ kiss on her s$ollen !bdomen.

This h!d been one of the difficlt d!ys% $hen she&d only been !ble to rise to toddle to the

necess!ry !nd b!ck !g!in. And she h!d to se the necess!ry so often these d!ys. ,er three

sisters/in/l!$ !ssred her this $!s norm!l% bt Ele!nor $orried. -he $!s thirty !nd h!ving herfirst child. -he kne$ there $!s d!nger% !nd ,!rt did too.

The dke kissed her !g!in% !dding ! brsh of tonge. ,e lifted his he!d% ,!rt&s eyes deep

golden in the sh!do$s.

9o !re the most be!tifl thing *&ve ever seen% he s!id in his lo$% rich voice.Eight months of m!rri!ge h!dn&t dimmed ,!rt&s p!ssion. *n f!ct% their m!rri!ge $!s

!$!kening desires he&d kept long bried. Ele!nor le!rned more !bot ,!rt every d!y she lived$ith him.

Ele!nor smiled !s she l!id her h!nd on her belly% feeling ! tiny movement $ithin. * !m very

rotnd.(e!tifl% ,!rt repe!ted firmly% ! sp!rk lighting his eyes. ,e liked to be comm!nding.

C!rrying yor child% she s!id. *&m very h!ppy to.

,!rt slid ! little $!y p the bed !nd toched ! kiss to her e!lly s$ollen bre!sts. They

!ched% bt his kiss soothed.Ele!nor $!s n!ked% srronded by bl!nkets !nd pillo$s% !nd the fire in the $hite !nd gold

stove $!s stoked fll of co!l. -he mst be the $!rmest person in the hose.

,!rt h!d retrned from the fner!l ! little bit !go !nd come to her//cold% disgrntled% hisf!ce h!rd. ,e&d ndressed ne!r the stove% boots% co!t% !nd cr!v!t coming off imp!tiently% shirt

follo$ing them to the floor. ,e&d stripped ot of his nderbreeches% le!ving his kilt in pl!ce% then

climbed p on the bed $ith her% l!ying Ele!nor do$n !nd kissing her before he&d spoken ! $ord.-eeking comfort. Ele!nor $!s h!ppy to give it. ,!rt h!d sffered mch loss in his life% h!d

s!crificed so mch% more th!n !nyone bt Ele!nor nderstood.

,!rt told her !bot the fner!l $hile he l!y !g!inst her% h!ving skimmed off her nightr!il.

,e toched her $ith the possessiveness of ! hsb!nd% the tenderness of ! lover. They&d t!lked%voices lo$% ntil his ble!k look h!d gone. ,!rt h!dn&t been gre!t friends $ith +rs. +cCr!y or

her hsb!nd//f!r from it//bt the fner!l h!d stirred memories of his f!ther !nd the r!ther

horrible m!n he&d been.#ot long no$% Ele!nor s!id% her chbby fingers tr!cing the movement on her !bdomen.

Th!nk he!vens. * look for$!rd to $!lking !bot my o$n hose !g!in. 4ithot the $!ddling.

' ' ' ' '

Cha(ter Three

5!gher tinged ,!rt&s voice. 9o don&t $!ddle.



+!c s!id * looked like ! mother dck. And he is right% bl!st the m!n.

*&ll spe!k to +!c.

on&t bother. * shook my finger !t him. (t the comp!rison $!s !pt. * c!ght sight ofmyself in the mirror. -till% &t$ill be ! nice ,ogm!n!y gift% do yo not think7 A little boy to

d!ndle on yor knee7

<r ! girl.4e&ve h!d this !rgment m!ny ! time. ,e $ill be ! boy.

+!cken'ies do !s they ple!se. -o do :!ms!ys. ,!rt r!n his h!nd !cross her lo$er

!bdomen !nd !rond her n!vel.* kno$ they do. 4hich is ho$ * kno$ he is ! boy. id yo $!ger on ! girl in !niel&s

pool7

,!rt sent her ! gl!nce l!ced $ith he!t. o yo think * $old $!ger on the otcome of my

o$n child7!nny&s become ite the little bookm!ker% h!s he not7 * of corse pt do$n t$enty ponds

on boy.

<nly t$enty7 * thoght yo $ere so sre of the otcome.

*t&s ! frivolos $!ger% !nd one shold not set ! b!d ex!mple. (esides% !niel is dr!$ing !l!rge commission. * !sked $h!t he needed the money for% !nd he s!id he $!s bilding things. *

shdder to im!gine his fl!t in Edinbrgh//lo!ded to the brim $ith mech!nic!l p!rts !nd ge!rs !ndoddities% * sholdn&t $onder.

* don&t kno$. ,e lets no one in. ,!rt skimmed his h!nd do$n to her thigh% his fingers

gentle bt skilled. ,e moved to the foot of the bed !nd knelt there% kilt spre!ding over his l!rgethighs. 5ie b!ck. *&ll rb yor feet.

+mm. Ele!nor $riggled her toes !s ,!rt took her heel in his h!nd. Every princess $!nts

this in her rince Ch!rming. ,e rides p to the c!stle% kisses her !$!ke% !nd rbs her !ching

feet.,!rt pressed soothing circles into the b!ll of Ele!nor&s foot% !nd she hmmed in ple!sre.

Even more so $hen ,!rt le!ned do$n !nd licked !cross her !rch.

,!rt h!d t!ght Ele!nor ple!sres she h!d never he!rd of% !nd she kne$ he&d only tochedpon his v!st kno$ledge. ,e fe!red to shock her or hrt her% bt Ele!nor $!s te!ching him th!t

she $!s m!de of stern stff.

,e&d contined to m!ke love to Ele!nor !s she&d been incre!sing% p ntil the l!st month%$hen everything% inclding $!lking% h!d become p!infl. Even then% ,!rt h!d kno$n ho$ to

m!ke her feel good.

-he&d le!rned this ye!r !bot the erotic toch of silk or fe!thers on skin% ho$ ! blindfold

cold heighten those feelings% ho$ the $hisper of ,!rt&s bre!th in intim!te pl!ces cold renderher body open !nd re!dy for him. ,e&d toched every inch of her $ith light strokes or $ith the

$eight !nd pressre of his h!nds% ntil she $!s coming !p!rt in ple!sre.

,e h!dn&t done mch $ith restr!ints once her body h!d begn thickening% bt ,!rt h!dcontined stirring her excitement by brshing her $ith the tethers of silk !nd le!ther. Ele!nor

shivered no$% thinking on it.

5ie still% ,!rt s!id in ! lo$ voice% bt one th!t held steel. 5et me look !fter yo.Ele!nor forced her body to rel!x. -he re!lly sholdn&t//she h!d ! million things to do to

prep!re the hose for the holid!y celebr!tions% !nd she coldn&t expect Ainsley% *s!bell!% !nd

(eth to do everything for her.



(t ,!rt&s toch% his voice% m!de her sink do$n !mong the pillo$s. ,e lifted !$!y% !nd she

he!rd ! clink of gl!ss on gl!ss% smelled the $!rm perfme of oil. ,!rt ordered oils from !ris%

!nd he&d m!de her choose her f!vorite scents from ! very discreet shop $hen they&d tr!veled to8r!nce in the smmer.

Mmm% v!nill! !nd ! toch of spice. Ele!nor kept her eyes closed !nd inh!led !s ,!rt

smoothed his h!nd !rond her !nkle. ,e slid his fingers p her c!lf !nd behind her knee%kne!ding ! little% before he retrned his !ttention to her right foot.

,e pressed his thmbs into her !rch !nd onto the b!ll of her foot% the oil !nd his toch e!sing

tension. ,e g!ve ple!sre to e!ch of her toes% smoothing them% rbbing% pinching the slightest bit.

,e pressed her heel !g!inst his b!re chest !nd gently rot!ted her foot% holding her toes $hile

he e!sed her s$ollen !nkle. 5o$ering her foot to the m!ttress% ,!rt held it lightly $ith one h!nd

$hile he slid his other h!nd p her leg to her inner thigh.,is fingers lingered "st belo$ the "oin of her legs% his eyes $!rm !s he $!tched her. ,e

stroked his thmb over the inside of her thigh% not toching her more intim!te pl!ces% bt coming

very close. The $hisper of !ir he stirred% the stroke of his oiled fingers% m!de Ele!nor let ot !

slo$ bre!th.-he st!rted to move% lifting to his toch% bt ,!rt pressed her firmly b!ck to the m!ttress.

#o% love. -t!y still. *&ll do everything.Ele!nor let herself s!g !g!in. ifficlt $hen ,!rt&s toch% light yet confident% sent ripples of

hot ple!sre throgh her body.

-he&d le!rned not to fight him. To fight him broght ot his $icked side//the fer!l smile% thelook in his eyes th!t $old frighten ! lesser $om!n. -ometime% $hen she $!s feeling br!ve%

Ele!nor deliber!tely disobeyed him% to see $h!t he&d do.

And the things he&d do . . . ,e&d become firm% no longer tender% tie her $rists $ith ! cr!v!t%

or f!sten her h!nds to the bed% or roll her over !nd ch!stise her b!ckside. *t $old st!rt !s ! g!me%!nd then Ele!nor% $ho prided herself on her presence of mind% $old become ! begging pile of

emotion. -he&d dissolve into pre ple!sre% crying his n!me% ple!ding for him% he!ring his d!rk

l!ghter% the bite of his teeth in her flesh% the sting of his h!nd.,e&d been kind to her% ,!rt s!id% dring her pregn!ncy% bt he promised he $!s storing p

!ll sorts of things for l!ter.

8or no$% his toch $!s light% $!rm% tr!cing ple!sre onto her skin. ,e circled his thmbsover her inner thigh% "st brshing the crls !t the "oin of her legs. <ne finger flicked her

opening% so sensitive no$. -he dr!gged in ! bre!th% then !nother even more sh!rp !s ,!rt le!ned

do$n !nd kissed $here he&d toched.

,is bre!th tickled her skin% hotter th!n his h!nds. The cool of the $edding ring on his lefth!nd contr!sted the he!t% m!king her remember the intoxic!ting moment $hen she&d slid it onto

his finger.

A knock !t the door m!de ,!rt&s body tighten% bt he never roghened his toch on Ele!nor.9or 6r!ce% ! f!int voice c!me throgh the $ood. *t is 4ilfred.

,!rt s!id nothing% bt the soft light left his eyes% !ngry h!rdness filling them. #o one% bt no

one% distrbed the dke $hen he $!s !lone $ith his $ife.oor 4ilfred% Ele!nor s!id. 9o&d better see $h!t he $!nts. ,e $old never dre!m of

bothering yo if the m!tter $eren&t terribly import!nt.



,!rt he!ved ! long sigh. ,e pressed ! kiss to the inside of Ele!nor&s knee% got himself off the

bed $ithot "ostling her% sn!tched p his shirt% !nd dr!gged it on !s he $ent to the door in it !nd

his kilt.,e "erked the door open only enogh to slide ot !nd close it !g!in% never letting 4ilfred

c!tch ! glimpse of Ele!nor in the bed.

Ele!nor rested her h!nd on her !bdomen !s she $!ited imp!tiently. r!t her ncooper!tive body. -he $!s dying to kno$ $h!t 4ilfred h!d to s!y% bt she coldn&t rise from the bed to find

ot.

A long time p!ssed before ,!rt retrned% keeping the door p!rt$!y closed !s he entered. ,etrned the key in the lock% then p!sed to skim off his shirt !nd npin his kilt% letting the pl!id

f!ll to the floor.

#!ked% gloriosly so% ,!rt climbed b!ck onto the bed% !g!in not distrbing Ele!nor% !nd

snggled do$n in the covers next to her.4ell7 Ele!nor !sked $hen he rem!ined silent. Tell me !t once% before * go m!d.

,!rt deliber!tely settled the covers !rond both of them% ending p resting his elbo$ on

Ele!nor&s pillo$% his h!nd on hers on her !bdomen. ,e took !nother minte or so !fter th!t%

simply looking !t her% before he spoke.(eth broke the bo$l.

<h% no. Ele!nor s!t p% or !s pright !s she cold. ,!rt didn&t h!ve to expl!in $hich bo$l.4h!t h!ppened7 *s *!n !ll right7 *s (eth7

App!rently% *!n took it in stride. (eth is more pset% from Crry&s reports.

4ell% she $old be. ,o$ !$fl. Ele!nor st!rted to psh b!ck the sheets. 4e mst m!kesre she&s !ll right.

,!rt stilled her $ith ! strong h!nd. 0ou mst st!y here !nd rest. (eth !nd Crry h!ve things

in h!nd% !nd *!n is $ith his children.

And he&s not . . .,e h!sn&t done !nything !t !ll% 4ilfred s!id. on&t $orry% love. ,!rt pressed ! kiss to her

lips% his body crving !rond hers protectively. 4e&ll $!tch him% !nd m!ke sre !ll is $ell.

4e mst find him ! ne$ bo$l. <ne "st like it.-o (eth s!ys. ,!rt softened enogh to give Ele!nor ! smile. -he !lre!dy told 4ilfred *

!m to !ssist. * he!r !nd obey.

(ec!se yo&re $orried !bot *!n too.9es. ,is smile v!nished. * !m. The l!st time this h!ppened it $!s ! bloody dis!ster% !nd *

$!s no help !t !ll. ,e closed his eyes% shtting ot remembered p!in. * h!ted th!t *!n $oldn&t

respond to me. *&m one of the most po$erfl men in (rit!in% * h!ve foreign princes !fr!id to cross

me% !nd * coldn&t re!ch my o$n brother.Ele!nor stroked her h!nd throgh his h!ir% the $!rm silk of it soothing. -he&d seen his

frstr!tion !nd hrt $hen he looked !t *!n% gre!t $orry% !nd love.

*!n&s mch better no$. ,e h!s (eth.* kno$. ,!rt opened his eyes !g!in% trying to hide his p!in% bt Ele!nor !l$!ys s!$ it.

9o&ll find !nother bo$l% Ele!nor s!id $ith confidence. 9o kno$ so m!ny people% !nd

*&m cert!in they !ll o$e yo f!vors.They do. And * $ill.

!fter yo finish my foot rb.

,!rt&s smile retrned% !nd $ith it% ! glint of $ickedness. 9o&re ! dem!nding thing.



6reedy. Ele!nor r!n her finger do$n his nose !nd t!pped its tip. ,ngry for yo. And

sore.

,!rt pressed ! hot% open/mothed kiss to her lips. *&ll give yo yor foot rb. (t my $!y.,e r!n his h!nd do$n to her thigh% fingers doing their d!nce on her sensitive skin. Ele!nor

le!ned b!ck on the pillo$s !nd g!ve herself over to the very t!lented ministr!tions of her

hsb!nd. ;;; ;;; ;;;

*s!bell! +!cken'ie finished $riting yet !nother letter the next evening% !nd stretched her

!ching fingers. The $indo$s in her priv!te sitting room $ere d!rk% !nd the !ir h!d trned frigid%thogh the co!l stove kept her to!sty $!rm.

l!nning the l!rge holid!y festivities $!s ! long !nd tedios process% bt she% Ainsley% !nd

(eth $ere determined to m!ke ,!rt !nd Ele!nor&s first Christm!s together memor!ble. The

-cots% *s!bell! h!d le!rned from ye!rs of being m!rried to one% didn&t p!y !s mch !ttention toChristm!s Eve !nd !y !s they did ,ogm!n!y//#e$ 9e!r&s. ,o$ever% ,!rt h!d t$o English

sisters/in/l!$ !nd often h!d ! hosefl of English gests $ho expected Christm!s cr!ckers% plm

pdding% !nd fe!sting on Christm!s !y. Therefore% they h!d to pl!n t$o l!rge celebr!tions% one

!t Christm!s% one for ,ogm!n!y% !nd yet !nother for T$elfth #ight.*s!bell! $!nted this Christm!s to be memor!ble for Ele!nor in ! good $!y. -ome p!st

+!cken'ie Christm!ses h!d been ot/!nd/ot dis!sters% most of $hich h!d been c!sed by +!c&sdrnken deb!ches !nd his !nd C!meron&s e!lly deb!ched friends. ,!lf of these friends h!d

ce!sed to be $elcome !t ilmorg!n//!ny +!cken'ie hosehold//!fter they&d decided it !msing

one ye!r to lock *!n into !n !ttic room.*s!bell! shddered !t the memory. ,!rt h!d been livid% !nd he !nd C!meron h!d h!d !

pnch/p% ,!rt bl!ming +!c for the friends& !ntics% C!meron defending +!c% $ho cold b!rely

st!nd p from ! h!ngover. <nly *s!bell!&s pers!sion h!d kept ,!rt from slinging his t$o

brothers ot into the sno$y night.This ye!r% the hose $old be fll of re"oicing. (!bes filled the nrsery% more f!mily !nd

friends $old por in on them soon% !nd the +!cken'ie men $ere . . . $ell% not ex!ctly tamed .

(t !t pe!ce $ith themselves% no longer fighting life.*!n&s broken bo$l $!s on everyone&s mind% ho$ever. ,e&d s!id not ! $ord !bot it%

!ppe!ring !t bre!kf!st $ith (eth !s composed !s ever. (eth&s flshed f!ce !nd little smile told

*s!bell! ho$ (eth might h!ve been soothing him% bt the brothers $ere still $orried.-he felt +!c&s presence behind her before t$o strong !rms c!me !rond her% !nd +!c&s lips

brshed ! $!rm kiss to the crve bet$een her neck !nd sholder. The sc!rf th!t he $ore over his

h!ir $hen he p!inted toched her cheek.

4h!t !re yo doing ot of yor stdio7 *s!bell! !sked. +!c h!d retre!ted there !fter bre!kf!st !nd h!dn&t been seen since. ,e still $ore his p!inting kilt !nd boots% thogh he&d

donned ! shirt. +ost of the time $hen p!inting% he didn&t bother $ith the shirt. ,!s something

h!ppened79es% #!nny 4estlock. Time for the children&s te!. * $!s t!ken to t!sk for not retrning

them to the nrsery% !nd * c!me to yo for comfort.

And !s yo c!n see% *&m s$imming in pl!ns for ,!rt&s Christm!s b!ll !nd #e$ 9e!r&scelebr!tion.

*sn&t th!t $h!t 4ilfred is for7

*s!bell! re!ched for !nother sheet of p!per% +!c&s !rms still !rond her. 4ilfred is ! m!n

!nd $h!t * h!ve in mind needs ! $om!n&s toch. Ele!nor is fr!gile% !nd * like doing this for her.



* kno$ yo do% love. 9o h!ve ! generos he!rt.

,e kissed her !g!in% !nd *s!bell! closed her eyes% moment!rily consigning pl!ns for

Christm!s% ,ogm!n!y% !nd the coming ye!r to oblivion. -he&d foght long !nd h!rd to reconcile$ith +!c. -he $!nted to s!vor every moment she h!d $ith him% to er!se the ye!rs she&d h!d to

do $ithot him.

!niel telegr!phed% +!c s!id. C!m&s ot% so the m!"ordomo h!nded the telegr!m to me.,e&ll be !rriving tonight.

Excellent. *s!bell! opened her eyes% smiling in tre en"oyment. * miss h!ving him

nderfoot. ,e&s !ll gro$n p no$.,e&s ick/$itted% resorcefl% inventive% !nd !s stbbornly obsessive !s !ny of s. >ery

d!ngeros.

And yet% he&ll still be the little boy $ho mistook me for yor f!ncy l!dy the d!y !fter $e

m!rried. oor thing. ,e $!sn&t to kno$ yo&d broght !n innocent miss into yor hose.+!c&s !rms tightened !rond her. 5ove% yo&ll never kno$ ho$ h!rd * fell for yo% my

h!ghty debt!nt% $hen * s!$ yo in the middle of th!t b!llroom% !ll l!ce !nd fineness. 9o

looked !t me% the gre!t +!c +!cken'ie% !nd * kne$ * $!s lo$er th!n $orms.

* $!s !n !rrog!nt little thing% so cert!in * $!s the c!tch of the -e!son. 9o broght medo$n ! peg or t$o. * needed it.

* never me!nt to bring yo !s f!r do$n !s * did. +!c&s voice $ent lo$% !nd *s!bell!remembered the p!in !nd he!rt!che of the first ye!rs of their h!sty m!rri!ge.

4e $ere both yong% imp!tient% !nd selfish% she s!id softly. *t $!s bond to go $rong.

4here!s no$ $e !re old% $ise% !nd st!id7 ,e nibbled her neck. * hope $e h!ve some$ickedness still in s. ,o$ !bot * send (ell!my for some scones !nd te!7

*s!bell! flshed bright red% remembering one !fternoon in her 5ondon hose% $hen she&d

sh!red scones !nd clotted cre!m $ith +!c for the first time since their sep!r!tion. ,er beh!vior

h!d been decidedly un2l!dylike.erh!ps% she s!id% the $ord demre% her g!'e c!st do$n.

+!c gro$led. +y little -!ssen!ch. o ye kno$ ho$ mch * love yo7

-m!ll footsteps interrpted *s!bell!&s intended !ns$er. They trned to see Aimee% their!dopted d!ghter% five going on six% $!tching them solemnly from the c!rpet.

*s!bell! rose% her love for Aimee flooding her. They&d resced the poor girl from ! m!dm!n%

!nd she&d broght *s!bell! !nd +!c closer !g!in.*s!bell! $ent to Aimee !nd lifted her% reflecting s!dly th!t she $!s getting too big for sch

things. -he pl!nted ! kiss on Aimee&s pink f!ce. +!c "oined them% his !rms going !rond his $ife

!nd d!ghter.

4hy !re yo ot of the nrsery7 *s!bell! !sked.9es% +!c s!id. 9o&ll h!ve #!nny 4estlock hnting me% re!dy to pt bckshot into my

b!ckside.

!p!% Aimee s!id repro!chflly. on&t be so silly. #!nny $!nts to find 6!vin!. * told her*&d !sk her $h!t yo&ve done $ith her.

6!vin!7 +!c blinked. -he belongs to C!m. 4hy shold * h!ve done !nything $ith her7

(ec!se she likes to pl!y in the stdio $ith s% !nd Ant Ainsley didn&t retrn her to thenrsery for te!. #!nny thinks yo might h!ve forgotten $here yo left her.

* didn&t le!ve her !ny$here% +!c s!id. *f she&s not $ith Ainsley% she mst be $ith C!m

some$here.

=ncle C!meron h!s gone to the pb. 4old =ncle C!meron h!ve t!ken her to the pb7



#o . . . *s!bell! beg!n% then she stopped. 4ith C!meron% !nything $!s possible. -he

gl!nced ot the d!rk $indo$. *&m sre she&s only follo$ed one of the dogs or f!llen !sleep.

*s!bell! set Aimee on her feet !nd took her h!nd. +!c took Aimee&s other h!nd% his $ink !t*s!bell! telling her they&d contine their discssion !bot scones l!ter. Come !long% Aimee.

5et&s find her.

;;; ;;; ;;;!niel +!cken'ie stepped off the l!st tr!in of the night to ilmorg!n% settling his h!t !s the

tr!in pffed ste!m then chgged slo$ly p the tr!ck to its next destin!tion.

+!ster !niel% the st!tionm!ster s!id. 4elcome b!ck. *f yo $!it ! fe$ moments% myson $ill drive yo p to ilmorg!n C!stle.

*&ll $!lk% !niel s!id. *&ve been sittin& on tr!ins since Edinbrgh% !nd my legs% they need

some stretching. ,!ve the l!d t!ke my c!se% bt *&ll t!ke ! stroll throgh the vill!ge.

o$erfl cold night for ! stroll% l!d.Aye% bt the $!rm pb is bet$een here !nd there. !niel grinned !t the st!tionm!ster%

$ho&d been st!tionm!ster for more th!n the entire eighteen ye!rs of !niel&s life.

The st!tionm!ster chckled% sn!tched p !niel&s one b!g% s!id good night% !nd dis!ppe!red

into the st!tion. !niel plled his gre!tco!t closer !nd $!lked s$iftly to the ro!d th!t led to thevill!ge.

Coming home $!s !l$!ys ! mixed blessing. Christm!ses !t ilmorg!n h!d become mch better since *!n h!d m!rried (eth% even better $ith +!c !nd *s!bell! no$ b!ck to loving e!ch

other% !nd the best since his f!ther h!d done the sensible thing !nd m!rried Ainsley.

#o$ th!t Ele!nor $!s chess of ilmorg!n% m!ybe =ncle ,!rt $old stop beh!ving like !sn!rling be!r. 8rom $h!t C!meron h!d s!id% since the m!rri!ge ,!rt h!d reg!ined the more

pl!yfl% lighthe!rted side of his yoth//$od hel. us all+ !niel&s f!ther h!d conclded.

This homecoming $old be more interesting th!n others% th!t $!s cert!in.

<n the other h!nd% !niel $!s restless% tired of $!iting for life to begin. ,e liked his stdies!t Edinbrgh% bt they didn&t move ickly enogh for him. ,e&d t!ken to slipping !$!y to spend

time $ith ! middle/!ged m!n $ho bilt cr!'y g!dgets in his hose% $hich h!d led to ! fe$

scr!pes th!t !niel hoped h!d not come to the !ttention of his f!ther.The one street throgh ilmorg!n $!s deserted% not srprisingly% bec!se ! cold $ind ct

throgh the hddle of hoses !nd b!ck ot !g!in. #o sno$ yet l!y on the grond% bt it clng to

the mont!ins !nd $!ited to ponce on the v!lleys.4ith relief% !niel opened the door of the pb !nd stepped into its $elcoming $!rmth.

A l!rge m!n holding ! gl!ss of !le in one h!nd !nd ! lit cig!r in the other longed !t ! t!ble

bet$een firepl!ce !nd door. ,e s!t !lone% thogh he&d ct off ! convers!tion he&d been h!ving

$ith t$o men pl!ying c!rds !t ! ne!rby t!ble.The m!n took sever!l long dr!gs of the cig!r% ble$ ot the smoke% !nd s!id% ,ello% son.

' ' ' ' '

Cha(ter Fo*r

!d. !niel lifted his h!nd to the regl!rs in the pblic hose% men he&d kno$n !ll hislife.

5ord C!meron +!cken'ie% next in line for the dkedom ntil Ele!nor bore ! son% s!t

comfort!bly in their midst. The loc!ls h!d never minded C!meron or +!c coming in to drink%



pl!y c!rds or d!rts% !nd "oin in the convers!tion. They didn&t mind *!n either% $ho&d drink !nd sit

in silence the r!re times he&d visited $ith his brothers% thogh ,!rt still m!de them ! bit nervos.

An open box of cig!rs s!t on C!meron&s t!ble% !nd from the !crid scents !rond him% m!nyof the men here h!d dipped into it. !niel&s f!ther $!s generos//these $ere expensive.

!niel took one of the cig!rs% bit off the end% lit the cig!r $ith ! m!tch from ! box on the

t!ble% !nd s!nk do$n !cross from C!meron. ,e smiled over !t the b!rm!id% $ho smiled b!ck !ndst!rted $orking the t!ps.

4!sn&t expecting yo &til next $eek% his f!ther s!id in his rmbling b!ritone.

4!sn&t expecting to come so soon. !niel ble$ ot smoke. (t * thoght it $!s time tole!ve Edinbrgh.

C!meron&s eyes glinted. 9o o$e someone money7

#!$% they o$ed it to me. And !re being b!d/tempered !bot it. (t $hen * cl!im my

clock$ork nmbers m!chine c!n !dd ! string of figres f!ster th!n ! hm!n being% they need to believe me.

Clock$ork nmbers m!chine% eh7 C!meron took ! long dr!$ on his cig!r% follo$ing it

$ith ! s$!llo$ of bitter. 4h!t professor is te!ching yo th!t7

!niel shrgged. #o professor. -omething *&m looking into on me o$n.C!meron emph!si'ed his $ords $ith fingers holding his cig!r. 9o begged me to go to th!t

niversity% !nny. 9o&re t!king the degree.<h% *&ll h!ve it% don&t yo $orry. !niel smiled p !t the b!rm!id !s she set the !le in front

of him. ,o$ !re yo% irsten7 #o girls !s fine !s yo in Edinbrgh% th!t&s the trth.

The b!rm!id irsten h!d very blond h!ir% l!rge ble eyes% ! re!dy smile% !nd ! body th!tstopped ! m!n in his tr!cks. -he $!s ! fe$ ye!rs older th!n !niel% bt h!d been perfectly h!ppy

to te!ch him to kiss once pon ! time. <ch% don&t lie to me% l!d% she s!id good/n!tredly then

moved b!ck to the t!ps nder the $!tchfl eye of her f!ther.

4hy !ren&t yo !t the hose7 !niel !sked. (illing !nd cooing $ith me s$eetstepm!m!7

Ainsley% (eth% !nd *s!bell! !re pl!nning ! gr!nd Christm!s !nd ,ogm!n!y fe!sting.

*nclding ! b!ll or t$o% bonfires% b!nets% !nd nmeros other festivities. There !re decor!tors%extr! serv!nts% spplies coming !t !ll hors% the l!dies m!king lists% rnning !bot% !nd

ch!ttering% !l$!ys ch!ttering.

!niel took ! sip of the !le. #ot the best in the $orld% bt it h!d ! bite th!t told him he $!shome. 9e fled for yor s!nity% did ye7 4ill stepm!m! be h!ppy $hen she finds yo gone7

-he $on&t notice. #ot for ! $hile.

4h!t $ill yo do to esc!pe the m!dness tomorro$7

-ee to the horses. They don&t need to become too soft.!niel smiled to himself. C!meron loved his r!cehorses !nd $old se !ny excse to he!d

for the st!bles or p!ddocks.

(t looking !t him !cross the t!ble% !niel s!$ the ch!nge in his f!ther. ,e still possessedhis h!rd edge !nd ! gr!ting note to his voice% bt ! ne$ light h!d softened his eyes.

C!meron +!cken'ie h!d held himself !$!y from the $orld for ! long time. <h% he c!rosed

!nd $enched $ith the best of them% bt no one got p!st his gr!nite shell. Time $!s% !niel&sf!ther $oldn&t h!ve c!red $h!t ! $om!n $!s doing $ith her time $hen he $!sn&t $ith her//he&d

go !bot his bsiness !nd give no thoght to her !t !ll.



#o$% thogh C!meron smoked !nd dr!nk in this m!scline h!ven% he $!s flly !$!re th!t

he&d go home to Ainsley% th!t she&d give him her bright smile% !nd pll C!meron% ! gre!t be!r of !

m!n% do$n to kiss his cheek.6ood to see his f!ther so h!ppy.

C!meron s!t in comp!nion!ble silence% $hile !niel c!ght p on the loc!l gossip. ,e let

himself be enticed into ! g!me of c!rds% $inning h!nds !nd losing them. ,e $!s sondly be!ten!t d!rts% bec!se he $!sn&t good !t it% $hich he kne$. ,e p!ssed ot the $innings $ith

gr!ciosness% !nd by th!t time% the pblic!n $!s re!dy to close for the night.

!niel $!lked side by side $ith his f!ther% their bre!ths fogging ot in the frosty night% thefirst fl!kes of sno$ f!lling $hen they re!ched the g!tes of ilmorg!n C!stle. They s!id good

night to the g!tekeeper !nd his f!mily !nd bent their he!ds to the $ind for the l!st h!lf mile to the

hose.

ilmorg!n $!s lit from top to bottom. !niel !nd C!meron entered to find ch!ndeliers bl!'ing% the h!ll t!ble filled $ith brning l!mps inste!d of greenery% !nd the m!"ordomo

distribting the l!mps to members of the hosehold. All the serv!nts $ere p% !s $ere !niel&s

ncles !nd !nts% inclding Ele!nor% $ho clng to ! ne$el post !t the top of the st!irs.

4h!t the devil7 C!meron shoted into the noise.,!rt trned to him% eyes bl!'ing !nger. * $!s !bot to send someone to rn for yo.

(efore !niel cold !sk $hy% Ainsley ct throgh the cro$d str!ight for C!meron% themyri!d lights d!ncing on her f!ir h!ir. 6!vin! is gone% she s!id% ! fr!ntic note in her voice. 4e

c!n&t find her !ny$here.

;;; ;;; ;;;C!meron&s $orld stopped !nd n!rro$ed to his $ife% her f!ce smdged $ith dst% her gr!y

eyes $ide $ith fe!r% !nd her $ords? e can't find her any,here1

6!vin!% C!meron&s pretty one/ye!r/old d!ghter $ith h!ir of gold like her mother&s//no% she

coldn&t be trly gone. Ever since she le!rned to $!lk% she&d been le!ding them ! merry d!nce%often dis!ppe!ring% bt she&d !l$!ys been e!sily fond.

The knot in C!meron&s stom!ch $!s nothing to the st!rk terror in Ainsley&s eyes. C!meron

ignored the throng !rond him !nd plled Ainsley into his !rms. The scent of roses toched him!s he closed his !rms !rond her sh!king body.

4e&ll find her% love. ,e kissed her h!ir. -he c!n&t h!ve gone f!r.

(t it&s sno$ing. And so cold.C!meron felt her p!nic. Ainsley h!d lost her first b!by% the poor mite dying !fter only one

d!y. Th!t child h!d been c!lled 6!vin!% !nd so C!m !nd Ainsley h!d n!med their first $ee one

in honor of her.

6!vin! +!cken'ie $!s robst !nd he!lthy% too robst sometimes. (t C!meron nderstoodAinsley&s fe!r !nd sh!red it.

4e&ve looked in !ll the likely pl!ces% ,!rt $!s s!ying. #o$ $e&re combing the hose top

to bottom. Every nook !nd cr!nny//every single one% nderst!nd7 ,e pointed !tgrondskeepers. 9o five !nd me% $e&ll cover the otbildings. 4e !ll meet b!ck here in !n

hor !nd report% sooner if she&s fond% of corse.

The serv!nts !nd hosehold dispersed. +!c% still in his p!inting kilt $ith the red sc!rf overhis h!ir% took *s!bell!&s h!nd !nd led her p !nd p the st!irs to the very top of the hose.

Ainsley slid ot of C!meron&s !rms% te!rs on her f!ce. 6o $ith ,!rt% she s!id% toching

C!m&s chest. 8ind her. le!se.



* $ill% love. C!meron held Ainsley ntil the very l!st minte% then she rshed !$!y !fter

*s!bell! !nd +!c.

!niel gr!bbed ! l!ntern. 4e&ll find her. on&t yo $orry. ,er legs !re short. ifficlt forher to $!lk ! long $!y.

-hort bt very% very f!st. C!meron h!d seen 6!vin! totter do$n ! h!ll $ith the speed of

one of his thoroghbred colts% gone in the blink of !n eye. Ainsley bl!med herself% C!meron s!$th!t.

!nd ,here ,as I/ C!meron thoght grimly. In the bloody .ub1 Like the old days1 3ot

looking after my girl+ 4ust as I didn't look after my boy1,is boy no$ stood beside him% C!meron&s s!me height if not his bre!dth% none the $orse for

C!meron&s f!therly neglect. !niel h!d gone missing regl!rly% C!meron remembered% !t first

$!nting his f!ther to come find him% !nd l!ter $!nting his f!ther not to find him.

!niel h!d been ! lonely% neglected boy. #o one cold s!y th!t 6!vin! $!s neglected in !ny$!y//C!meron h!d been m!king sre of th!t. -he&d $!ndered off% he told himself. -he&d gone

exploring !nd gotten lost.

*n the d!rk% in the cold% $ith the sno$ coming do$n . . .

C!meron $!lked f!ster !nd f!ster% the other men $ith l!nterns f!lling behind him. <nly!niel kept p.

They s!y they !lre!dy looked in the st!bles% !niel s!id. 4here else does she like to go7Every$here% C!meron s!id d!rkly. -he likes the g!rdens. Ainsley&s not fool enogh to let

her go ot there !t night.

*&m thinking stepm!m! did not ex!ctly let her go !ny$here.C!meron gro$led to himself !nd kept $!lking. 6!vin! $!sn&t sed to ilmorg!n//she&d

been here only ! cople of times since her birth% !nd l!st ye!r !t this time she&d been ! tiny thing

in ! cr!dle.

This ye!r% she&d been f!scin!ted by ,!rt&s big hose% by the nrsery she sh!red $ith hercosins% by the decor!tions her mother !nd !nts $ere stre$ing !bot the hose% by the b!ck

h!lls !nd st!irs th!t the serv!nts tr!versed. -he !lso liked the big% form!l g!rdens $ith their

m!'e/like p!ths !nd gig!ntic font!ins. The font!ins $eren&t pl!ying no$% bt she&d liked theone of Apollo&s ch!riot !nd horses. 6!vin! liked !nything to do $ith horses !nd $!sn&t !fr!id of

the be!sts !t !ll.

Damn it1 *f she&d decided to climb p on the horses !t the font!in . . .C!meron broke into ! rn% !niel behind him. They re!ched the Apollo font!in in the

middle of the g!rden $ithin ! minte% C!meron&s he!rt h!mmering.

All $!s iet. C!meron !nd !niel fl!shed their l!nterns% light gle!ming on the icy m!rble

of the horses% on the empty $!ter spigots th!t spoted from bene!th the ch!riot. Apollo the sngod stood pright% never minding the sno$ dsting his he!d !nd sholders.

-he&s not here% C!meron s!id $ith some relief. #o little body lying on the grond !fter

she&d toppled from the slippery horses or the ch!riot. 4hy the devil doesn&t ,!rt destroy thismonstrosity of ! font!in !ny$!y7

(ec!se it&s by (ernini% broght over from :ome% !nd ! m!ster$ork of seventeenth/centry

engineering7-ht it% boy. 4here else7

:est of the g!rdens7 -t!bles7

-t!bles% C!meron s!id. 4e&ll check them !g!in.



-he&s ! +!cken'ie !ll right. !niel s!id it lightly% bt C!meron he!rd the $orry in his

tone.

They m!de their $!y b!ck to the other men. The dogs h!d come to help too% except (en%$ho&d $!lked slo$ly to the bottom of the terr!ce !nd s!t do$n. ,e $!s old% !nd didn&t like the

cold.

The other dogs s$!rmed% t!ils moving% excited !t the hnt. *f !ny of them cold be reliedpon to tr!ck 6!vin!% C!meron $old trn them loose. (t the dogs $ere f!mily pets bec!se

they $eren&t good !t $h!t they&d been bred for//retrieving birds or hnting% or even r!tting in the

c!se of 8ergs. ,!rt refsed to destroy !n !nim!l simply bec!se it $!sn&t sefl% so they bec!mecomp!nions to the f!mily.

C!meron strode for the st!bles% ! v!st line of bildings th!t hosed ,!rt&s horses !nd C!m&s

speci!l r!cers% the t!ck rooms% the c!rri!ge hoses% !nd the grooms& !rters. -e!rching every

corner of the pl!ce $old be !s difficlt !s t!ckling the hose.C!meron% thogh% $ent throgh them% every st!ll% the grooms helping $ith the se!rch. The

little girl $!sn&t in the h!ylofts% or hidden in one of the c!rri!ges% or behind s!ddle trees in ! t!ck

room.

C!meron strode b!ck into the y!rd% scking cold !ir into his lngs. ,e cold b!rely find bre!th% !nd it $!s so cold. 6!vin! coldn&t h!ve been $r!pped p $!rmly@ she might free'e to

de!th before they fond her.$od+ no1 Please1 3o1

4h!t h!d he s!id only yesterd!y morning% $!lking home from the ble!k chrchy!rd7 Too

many bloody funerals in this family already1C!meron h!d stood !t ! gr!veside on !nother cold $inter d!y to bry his first $ife !fter

she&d t!ken her o$n life. ,e&d $!tched his mother go% his f!ther% ,!rt&s $ife !nd little boy.

3ot $a-ina1 3ot her1 *f she died% it $old bre!k Ainsley. Ainsley $old dissolve into grief%

!nd C!meron $oldn&t be !ble to help her. Damn it+ I can't lose them1

,e fond himself bent doble% h!nds on knees% his lngs not $orking. A $!rm h!nd gripped

his sholder.!d. 9e !ll right7

!niel. !niel $!s his const!nt% the one person $ho&d m!de C!meron&s life be!r!ble !ll

these ye!rs. Air pored b!ck into him% !nd C!meron slo$ly stood p. !niel&s eyes% !s golden !sC!meron&s% held fe!r.

*&m !ll right% son. Jst sc!red ot of my mind.

4e&ll find her. 4e $ill.

C!meron shook his he!d. *t&s too bloody cold. There $on&t be time. -he&s so tiny.The $orld $!s spinning !rond% bt !niel $!s there% his h!nd on C!meron&s sholder.

C!meron $old h!ve to go into the hose !nd tell Ainsley% h!ve to $!tch the light go ot of her

eyes.,e coldn&t do it. 4e h!ve to find her.

Aye. !niel&s grip tightened. 4e $ill.

:by% the hond $ho&d t!ken p residence $ith *!n !nd (eth% g!lloped by% follo$ed by *!nhimself% holding ! l!ntern high.

4here is Achilles7 *!n c!lled to them.

Achilles $!s ! setter% or !t le!st% ! p!rti!l one. ,e h!d "et bl!ck fr except for one $hite hind

foot% $hich g!ve him his n!me. C!meron re!li'ed th!t he&d seen only for of the five dogs//



:by% 8ergs% !nd +c#!b rnning !bot% (en $!iting ne!r the terr!ce//bt he h!dn&t p!id mch

!ttention.

* don&t kno$% C!meron sn!pped. *&m more interested in finding my d!ghter.*!n c!me to ! h!lt !nd looked str!ight !t C!meron//he&d become better !t meeting his

brothers& eyes in the l!st fe$ ye!rs% even thogh he sometimes still fond it difficlt. At the

moment% his g!'e held C!meron&s.4e need to look for Achilles.

!mn it% *!n . . .

#o% $!it% !niel s!id. * think =ncle *!n&s got it. * h!ven&t seen Achilles since $e !rrivedhome% !nd 6!vin! likes him. 4h!t&s more% he likes her. !niel&s eyes sp!rkled $ith excitement%

the l!ntern m!king his f!ce sh!rp.

C!meron&s bre!th c!me f!ster !s he r!ised his l!ntern !nd fl!shed it !rond the st!ble y!rd.

Achilles did follo$ 6!vin! $ith devotion% !nd the little girl might h!ve felt s!fe going otside$ith him. 6!vin! might not be !ble to !ns$er their c!lls% bt Achilles $old.

-orry% *!n% C!meron s!id. ,e fond himself s!ying th!t to *!n ite ! bit. * didn&t

nderst!nd.

*!n g!ve him ! f!int nod bt didn&t !ns$er. ,is look told C!meron th!t he kne$ his older brother $!s !n idiot% bt he&d le!rned to pt p $ith it.

,!rt) C!meron moved to c!tch p $ith the blk of the dke !nd expl!in.-oon men $ere bello$ing into the night% !chilles5 here are you+ lad/ The other dogs%

recogni'ing the n!me% st!rted b!rking in e!rnest.

The troble $!s% they no$ $ere m!king so d!mn mch noise th!t C!meron coldn&t he!r ! bl!sted thing. ,e broke !$!y from the m!in grop% !niel close behind him.

C!meron $ent ot into the d!rk% !$!y from the teeming st!ble y!rd. The msty scent of

horses c!me to him on the $ind% the cold of the night ste!ling his bre!th.

The $ind ct ot on the lee$!rd side of the st!bles% the rel!tive $!rmth ! $!ft of relief.8!int !nd f!r!$!y% C!meron he!rd the lod arf arf of the one dog th!t $!sn&t there.

,e stopped% !nd !niel !lmost r!n into him% l!ntern s$inging. They both fro'e% listening.

*t c!me !g!in% the fr!ntic b!rking of ! dog trying $ith !ll its might to get their !ttention.C!meron $!lked s$iftly to$!rd the sond% do$n the length of the b!ck of the st!bles% its

long stone $!ll rising high beside him.

There) !niel s!id% pointing.At the end of the $!ll% bo!rds h!d been n!iled over ! hole to protect the crmbling

fond!tion. 8rom behind it $!s the nmist!k!ble b!rking of Achilles//st!rting lo$ !nd ending

high% in !lmost ! se!k. The more excited Achilles bec!me% the se!kier he sonded.

The high/pitched b!rking esc!l!ted% !ccomp!nied by the noise of p!$s scr!bbling on $ood.C!meron !nd !niel dropped to their knees% l!nterns cl!nking on the grond% both men re!ching

!t the s!me time for the gr!y pieces of bo!rd. T$o p!irs of gloved h!nds% one hge% the other

thinner !nd more $iry% y!nked $ood !$!y from the hole.Achilles& snffling nose c!me into vie$% his body sirming !s his t!il $!gged deep inside

the hole. !niel got his h!nds !rond the dog !nd st!rted plling him ot. C!meron didn&t let

himself think !bot the f!ct th!t Achilles might h!ve become stck do$n here by himself%nothing to do $ith 6!vin!.

!niel fell b!ck% his !rms fll of the d!rk/frred Achilles. Achilles% p!nting in h!ppiness%

licked !niel&s f!ce% then $ent right b!ck into the hole.



' ' ' ' '

Cha(ter Fi+e

!mn yo% dog) !niel shoted !nd gr!bbed for him !g!in.

Achilles filled the hole for ! brief inst!nt% then he see'ed on inside% his hind!rters

$rithing $ith his $!gging t!il.C!meron&s l!ntern fell on ! confsion of ob"ects behind the dog% some sm!ll !nd sirming%

little peeping noises issing from the d!rk. C!meron s!$ the $ide reflective eyes of ! c!t% !nd

beyond th!t% ! fl!sh of pink.-ome$here in the b!ck of his $hirling thoghts% C!meron remembered Angelo% his groom%

friend% !nd v!let% telling him th!t c!ts !l$!ys instinctively soght the $!rmest pl!ces to sleep. If

you seek ,armth+ find a cat1

C!meron y!nked loose !nother bo!rd !nd st!rted to pt his he!d inside the hole. !nielsei'ed him by the sholder.

5et me% !d. 9o&ll get stck.

C!meron% the l!rgest +!cken'ie% h!d to concede. ,e moved ot of the $!y bt st!yed on his

h!nds !nd knees $hile !niel got himself on his stom!ch !nd slithered inside.C!m he!rd ! lo$ miao, then !niel&s voice !s he spoke to dog !nd c!t. !niel inched his

$!y b!ck% his kilt c!tching on the icy stones !nd exposing his thighs% bt he didn&t rele!se the bndle he c!rried $ith him.

*n ! ne$ pink dress her Ant Ele!nor h!d given her% topped $ith the tiniest r!bbit fr co!t

C!meron h!d ever seen% 6!vin! $!s "st opening her gr!y eyes% her f!ce flshed $ith sleep.Achilles scr!mbled ot behind her !nd r!n to greet the other dogs coming p $ith the rest of the

men% led by *!n !nd ,!rt.

!niel s!t b!ck% lifted 6!vin! to his l!p% !nd ble$ ot his bre!th. -he&s lovely $!rm.

rob!bly st!yed $!rmer th!n !ny of s tonight.6!vin! blinked sleepy eyes !t her stepbrother !nd f!ther% then lifted her !rms. !bby% she

s!id.

*&m here% s$eetie. C!meron scooped p 6!vin! $ith his gi!nt h!nds !nd cr!dled her!g!inst his chest% brshing the top of her he!d $ith his sh!king lips. ,er body $!s indeed $!rm%

her bre!th milk s$eet !s she trned her f!ce p to kiss his cheek.

-he $!s t!lking to me% !niel s!id beside him. -he s!id Danny.C!meron shook his he!d. #o% she s!id Daddy1

8!ther !nd son sh!red ! stbborn look. 6!vin! plled !$!y from C!meron !nd re!ched for

!niel% her little h!nds opening !nd closing. C!meron relinished her% !nd !niel s$ng her p

over his he!d% m!king her l!gh.4ho&s the s$eetest little sister ! l!d ever h!d% eh7 !niel s!id. 4h!t $ere yo doing ot

here% $orrying s !ll to de!th7

itties. 6!vin! pointed b!ck nder the st!bles. The mother c!t !nd kittens% perfectly h!ppy$here they $ere% looked ot !t the sdden inflx of -cottish men !nd dogs $ith mild criosity.

C!meron he!ved himself to his feet% t!king 6!vin! from !niel !nd holding her close. ,is

he!rt $oldn&t stop h!mmering.!niel le!ned the bo!rds b!ck over the hole% !nd Achilles d!nced in tight circles !rond first

C!meron then !niel. ,e r!n to the other dogs% p!sed to toch noses $ith :by% !nd le!pt b!ck

to C!meron !g!in.

,!rt lifted his l!ntern% the relief on his f!ce ndisgised. 9o&ve got her% then.



-he&s !ll right% C!meron s!id% b!rely !ble to form the $ords. -he&s !ll right.

*!n $!s next to ,!rt% looking over C!meron% 6!vin!% !niel% !nd the no$/covered hole.

Achilles r!n to *!n% circling his legs.*!n bent do$n !nd stroked the bl!ck fr. 6ood dog% he s!id.

;;; ;;; ;;;

9o&ve fond her7 *s!bell! le!ned over the st!ir r!ilings% (eth beside her% !s the men !nddogs s$!rmed b!ck into the front h!ll.

C!meron held p ! bndle of pink !nd fr% !nd 6!vin! se!led $ith l!ghter. *s!bell!

cltched the r!iling% relief m!king her knees $e!k. (eth let ot ! sh!ky bre!th. Th!nk 6od% she$hispered.

Ainsley c!me ot of the opposite $ing% lifting her skirts !s she fle$ do$n the st!irs to$!rd

her hsb!nd !nd child. -he $!s $eeping !s C!meron c!ght her p% crshing 6!vin! !nd

Ainsley into ! hg. !niel pt his !rm !rond his f!ther% le!ning his forehe!d on C!meron&ssholder. *s!bell!&s eyes stng !s she $!tched the f!mily pll into itself% the for of them

comforting !nd re"oicing together.

+!c c!me do$n the st!irs% t$o !t ! time% re!ching (eth !nd *s!bell!. ,e h!dn&t t!ken the

time to ch!nge ot of his p!inting things% $hich $!s fine $ith *s!bell!. ,e looped one !rm!rond (eth !nd the other !rond *s!bell!% kissing his $ife&s cheek.

All is $ell% then% he s!id.9es% th!nk he!vens. *s!bell! le!ned into +!c&s embr!ce% loving th!t she cold no$ be $ith

him in relief. oor Ainsley. 4e shold give her some te!% perh!ps $ith $hiskey.

-plendid ide!% (eth s!id% thogh her g!'e $!s !ll for *!n% coming in $ith the rest of thedogs behind ,!rt.

#o% ye l!dies c!n le!ve her !lone to C!m !nd her b!be% +!c s!id. !nny $ill t!ke c!re of

them.

,!rt% belo$% directed the hosekeeper +rs. esmond to t!ke everyone $ho&d se!rched to thedining room $here they cold en"oy $hiskey !nd ! light rep!st. Ever the generos host% ,!rt

shered them do$n the corridor himself. ,e looked imp!tient% thogh% $!nting to retrn to

Ele!nor.*!n didn&t follo$ the others% bt c!me str!ight pst!irs to (eth. #ot looking !t +!c% *!n

brshed his brother ot of the $!y !nd c!ght (eth in !n embr!ce.

4h!t h!ppened7 *s!bell! !sked him. 4here did yo find her7*!n directed his !ns$er to (eth. =nder the st!bles. 4ith ! c!t. Achilles kept her s!fe.

Th!nk 6od for or misbeh!ving !nd seless dogs% +!c s!id. ,o$ on e!rth did she get

nder the st!bles7

Th!t% *&m sre $ill be the estion% *s!bell! s!id.(elo$ them% C!meron !nd Ainsley held e!ch other% 6!vin! bet$een them. !niel rested his

h!nds on their sholders% spe!king in ! lo$ voice.

4e shold le!ve them to it% (eth s!id. * for one% h!ve the gre!test desire to check !g!inon my children.

*ndeed% *s!bell! s!id.

The t$o men didn&t !rge. The for monted the st!irs to the nrsery% to find #!nny4estlock% !lre!dy informed of 6!vin!&s retrn% m!king sre the girl&s bed $!s re!dy. +iss

4estlock pressed ! firm finger to her lips $hen the t$o coples c!me inside% indic!ting the

sleeping children.



*s!bell! plled ! bl!nket ! little str!ighter over Aimee% then smiled do$n !t the d!rk red

he!ds of Eileen !nd :obert% sng in their cots. +!c le!ned do$n !nd pressed ! kiss to !ll three

children in trn% then led *s!bell! ot.*!n $oldn&t le!ve% to #!nny 4estlock&s distress% !nd +!c l!ghed softly !s he !nd *s!bell!

$ent b!ck to their $ing of the hose.

Trst *!n to st!nd g!rd. +!c stopped on ! sh!do$y l!nding !nd closed ! comforting !rm!rond *s!bell!. ,e smelled of p!int !nd trpentine% !nd the he!dy scent of himself. *s!bell! s!nk

into his $!rmth% her body shddering in re!ction. -he&d sh!red Ainsley&s fe!r% kno$ing $h!t

she&d feel if one of her o$n b!bies $ent missing.+!c r!n his finger nder her chin% le!ning do$n to kiss her. ,e t!sted of spice !nd oolong

te!% s$e!t !nd $orry. (t his stillness c!lmed her% !s only +!c cold.

Their lips met% !nd met !g!in. 8!r !$!y% the sonds of the hosehold h!d trned "oyos%

l!ghter !nd r!cos voices repl!cing the bo$string tension.+!c&s $!rmth flo$ed throgh his kiss% do$n throgh *s!bell!&s body% loosening every limb.

*s!bell! needed him% the re!ssr!nce th!t he $!s here !nd solid% protecting her !nd her children

from h!rm.

+!c skimmed his fingertips over her cheek. 5et&s seek somepl!ce ! bit more comfort!ble%eh% l!ss7

*s!bell! smiled% loving his lo$ voice !nd the promise in it. ,e pt his !rm !rond her $!ist%h!nd cpping% !nd led her on to their $ing of the hose.

:elief m!de *s!bell! giddy% $ild need for +!c $!rming her blood. *nste!d of trning in !t

their bedch!mber% !s ! decoros m!rried $om!n oght% *s!bell! broke loose from +!c&s hold !ndr!n on p !nother flight of st!irs to his stdio.

*n the e!rly d!ys of their m!rri!ge//!nd !g!in $hen they&d first been renited//they&d m!de

love in +!c&s stdio% sh!melessly n!ked on the coch% or on drop cloths on the floor. 9ong%

innocent *s!bell! h!d le!rned to be $icked !nd $!nton $ith the dec!dent +!c +!cken'ie% !ndshe $!nted th!t $ickedness tonight.

+!c v!lted p!st her% boots thmping% !nd pt himself bet$een *s!bell! !nd the stdio door.

4here !re yo going7*s!bell! toched ! p!int splotch on his cheek. * thoght $e cold reminisce. 9o kno$%

!bot old times.

+!c st!rted to smile. ,e loved reliving their first d!ys together% $hen he&d stolen her fromher debt b!ll !t her f!ther&s hose% eloped $ith her th!t very night% !nd h!d her in his bed before

d!$n.

,e deliber!tely er!sed the grin !nd pressed his b!ck to the stdio door. <r bedch!mber&s

$!rmer% my love.9or stdio $ill be plenty $!rm% if (ell!my h!s h!d his $!y. +!c sed to gro$ too

!bsorbed in p!inting to feed the fire% bt *s!bell! h!d pt in pl!ce instrctions for (ell!my to

check it !nd stoke it if necess!ry.(ell!my $ill h!ve gone to bed by no$% +!c s!id. <r "oined in the rep!st. * im!gine he&s

exh!sted.

*s!bell!&s eyes n!rro$ed. ,e $!s spe!king ! bit too glibly. +!c% $hy don&t yo $!nt me togo inside7

(ec!se * think the bedroom $ill be more comfort!ble% love% th!t&s !ll. 4e&ll $!nt to sleep

!fter% cddle nder $!rm bl!nkets. #ot be stiff !nd cold in the stdio. ,e le!ned his !rm on the

doorfr!me% blocking it.



9o !re ! b!d li!r% +!c +!cken'ie.

*s!bell! d!rted nder his !rm% going for the doorknob !nd the key in the doorpl!te. +!c h!d

his h!nds on her !rms% $hirling her !rond !nd pinning her to the $!ll next to the door beforeshe s!$ him st!rt to move.

,e le!ned to her% copper/colored eyes d!rk in the sh!do$s. A li!r% !m *7 Thoght * $!s !

roge.,e pressed *s!bell! !g!inst the $!ll% her bstle s!shing !g!inst the molded trim of the

$!inscoting. +!c brshed her h!ir from her f!ce $ith his thmb% then he dre$ b!ck !nd g!ve her

! slo$ smile% his eyes h!lf closing.*&ve smdged p!int on yo. ,e brshed ! kiss to her cheek% $!rming $ith his bre!th.

:emember% $hen yo first c!me to my stdio7 4e h!d p!int p !nd do$n yor !rms% !nd fond

some on ! very interesting pl!ce on my b!ckside.

At or hose !t +ont -treet% *s!bell! s!id. +!c&s stdio h!d been !t the very top of thehose% their !erie !$!y from the $orld. * loved th!t room.

As did *% l!ss. +!c toched !nother kiss belo$ the p!int sme!r then to her lips.

The kiss trned long% d!rk% p!ssion!te. Tonges flickered% lips met. +!c slid his h!nd p her

$!ist to rest over her corseted bre!st.*s!bell! $r!pped one !rm !rond her hsb!nd% p!lm going to his kilt/covered b!ckside. ,e

h!d sch be!ty% firm m!le flesh over ! body of honed mscle. -he loved to $!tch him p!int%$hen he&d b!re himself in !ll bt his kilt !nd p!int/speckled boots. ,is !thletic body $old move

!s he $orked% snlight kissing his skin !nd the f!ded pl!id of his kilt. ,e&d p!se% !rm $iping

s$e!t from his forehe!d% sme!rs of p!int decor!ting his f!ce.As she kissed him% *s!bell! let her other h!nd tr!vel !long the cool $!ll% $!lking $ith her

fingers ntil she fond the key in the door&s lock.

' ' ' ' '

Cha(ter i,

A strong grip sei'ed her !nd y!nked the key ot of her gr!sp. +!c took ! step b!ck% holdingp the key% his smile trimph!nt.

#o% ye don&t% -!ssen!ch.

*s!bell! pt her h!nds on her hips !nd let ot !n ex!sper!ted bre!th. * $ent insideyesterd!y.

* $!s re!dy for ye then. +!c b!cked !$!y% holding the key ot of her re!ch. *&ll let yo in

!g!in $hen *&m done.

,er criosity gre$. 4h!t is it% +!c7 4h!t !re yo hiding7*t&s ! srprise.

9o kno$ * love srprises. Tell me no$.

+!c l!ghed% the velvety sond she&d f!llen in love $ith. *f * tell ye% it $on&t be ! srprise%$ill it7 9o&ll find ot. Come Christm!s.

A Christm!s present% is it7

-he $!lked to$!rd him% h!nds behind her b!ck% s$!ying ! little. +!c stdied her !s shec!me% g!'e r!king from her pshed/for$!rd bre!sts to her moving hips.

Aye. The perfect gift% *&m thinking.

4h!t is it7

C!n&t tell yo.



*s!bell! lnged for him. +!c $hirled !$!y% still cltching the key. ,e r!n do$n the st!irs%

*s!bell! !fter him% then he m!de for ! t!ll $indo$ on the l!nding !nd tcked the key on top of

the cloth/covered cornice% $ell ot of *s!bell!&s re!ch.-he h!lted% her bre!th coming f!st. 9o kno$ * c!n !l$!ys !sk +rs. esmond for the key.

(t yo $on&t. +!c stepped to her !g!in% slipping one h!nd !rond her $!ist !nd plling

her !g!inst him. 9o&ll s!ve it for Christm!s.*&ll consider it.

9o $ill. +!c&s f!ce $!s !n inch from hers% soft in the sh!do$s. ,e g!ve her ! slo$ kiss%

fll of desire.9o&re highh!nded.

* !m% $ife.

,is moth c!me to hers !g!in% brshing fire. *s!bell! opened her lips for his% seeking him%

$!nting him. +!c h!d been !ble to m!ke her cr!'ed $ith need since the night she&d met him%$hen he&d strode so c!s!lly throgh the cro$d !t the b!ll in her honor% $here he&d not been

invited. 4ild% d!ring +!c h!d trned her $orld pside do$n from th!t night to this.

,e slid his h!nd to the n!pe of her neck% holding her% $hile he thoroghly kissed her moth.

,e stepped into her% boot ndging bet$een her high/heeled l!ce/p shoes.*s!bell! hng on to him% her body pli!nt% kno$ing he&d never let her f!ll. #ever. Even $hen

they&d been !p!rt% those horrible ye!rs $hen they didn&t spe!k to e!ch other% +!c h!d been there%from !f!r% m!king sre she $!s !ll right.

,e broke the kiss% his bre!th he!ting her skin. *s!bell! l!ced her fingers throgh his !nd

tgged him !long the h!ll to their bedch!mber. -he kissed him !g!in !s they ne!rly fell inside thedoor to the $!rm !nd $elcoming room !nd its $ide% embr!cing bed.

;;; ;;; ;;;

Ainsley rested her h!nd on 6!vin!&s b!ck% the b!ssinet on its st!nd plled ne!r the big bed.

-he le!ned her hip !g!inst the bed&s m!ttress% n!ble to move from her d!ghter to get into the bed !s C!meron h!d ordered her to.

,er d!ghter% her be!tifl d!ghter% h!d ne!rly been lost. 6!vin! l!y on her tmmy in the

b!ssinet% her he!d trned to$!rd her mother% eyes closed in exh!sted sleep. Ainsley re!ched ot!nd smoothed one of the golden crls th!t tmbled over 6!vin!&s cheek.

C!meron strode into the bedch!mber $ith his s!l energy% bt he closed the door softly% not

$!king 6!vin!. C!meron&s h!ir $!s d!mp% !nd he smelled of so!p !nd !lso $!rmth nder thedressing go$n th!t covered him from neck to slippers.

Ainsley. The m!ttress s!gged !s C!meron le!ned on it next to her% his !rm ste!ling !rond

her% smoothing her nightgo$n. 5et #!nny 4estlock t!ke her. 9o need yor sleep% little

mose.* shold h!ve been $!tching her% Ainsley s!id% the p!in of th!t $elling like ! fresh ct. *

sholdn&t h!ve t!ken my eyes off her for one moment.

C!meron $!s silent. ,is l!rge body g!ve her comfort even throgh her sickening fe!r. ,e$!s the m!n $ho&d gone into the night !nd broght 6!vin! home.

* h!d my h!nds fll $ith this stpid Christm!s celebr!tion% Ainsley s!id. #ot noticing th!t

my o$n d!ghter h!d gone missing% ntil it $!s too l!te.* $!s the one !t the pb% C!meron s!id% his $ords he!vy. Thro$ing b!ck ! pint !t the

loc!l $!s more import!nt th!n looking !fter my f!mily.

Ainsley g!ve him ! srprised look. This $!sn&t yor f!lt.



4hy7 (ec!se f!thers !re spposed to be do$ning !le $hile the $omenfolk c!rry on !t

home7 (!lls to th!t. * r!ised !nny on my o$n//* shold kno$ better th!n !nyone th!t b!bies

need yor eyes on them !ll the time.Ainsley he!rd the p!in in his voice% the self/repro!ch. * $!s !rging $ith +rs. esmond

!bot the color of the t!blecloths% $hen #!nny 4estlock sent do$n $ord she didn&t h!ve 6!vin!.

The color of the tablecloths1 4hen my d!ghter . . . Ainsley broke off% pressing ! tremblingh!nd to her moth.

Come here. C!meron plled her !g!inst him% letting her he!d rest on his sholder. ,is

gre!t strength c!me to her throgh his toch% !nd the he!t bene!th the dressing go$n told her he$!s b!re inside it. 9e c!n&t c!stig!te yorself% love. ,!rt h!s !n entire hosehold of serv!nts !nd

n!nnies $ho $ere spposed to be looking !fter the children% not to mention my three brothers%

their $ives% !nd their serv!nts. -omeone shold h!ve seen her go% bt none did. !nny&s the only

one giltless in this//he $!s on the tr!in.(t *&m her mother+ Ainsley s!id. A b!d mother.

-top. C!meron rmpled her h!ir. 9o&re hrting% love% * kno$% !nd not only !bot this.

C!meron kne$ her so $ell. ,e !l$!ys h!d% even $hen he&d pl!yed the r!kehell trying lre

her//one $om!n ot of m!ny//into his bed. C!meron h!d nderstood $hen she&d told him !botlosing her first d!ghter. ,e&d been the only person in the $orld $ith $hom Ainsley h!d been

!ble to t!lk !bot th!t 6!vin!% the only one $ho&d held her ntil the p!in lessened enogh for herto be!r.

,er terrible dre!d tonight $!s th!t !ny child given to her $old come to h!rm% th!t 6od&s

pl!n for Ainsley didn&t inclde her being ! mother. Ainsley $!sn&t ! stoic enogh -cots to !cceptsch ! thing. -he brned $ith fe!r% kno$ing th!t losing this 6!vin! $old open ! $ond from

$hich she might never recover.

* c!n&t stop thinking !bot her . . . ot there !lone . . . cold. Te!rs $et the soft velvet of

C!meron&s dressing go$n.-he $!sn&t cold% !nd she $!sn&t !lone. -he h!dn&t $!ndered !imlessly% she&d fixed on !

prpose% ! stbborn prpose% like the +!cken'ie she is. Achilles $ent $ith her !nd protected her.

,e&s going to be spoiled rotten !fter this . . .Ainsley h!d to smile !s she looked !cross the c!rpet to the dog crled p by the fire.

Everyone h!d cert!inly m!de ! big fss of Achilles $hen !niel expl!ined to !ll $h!t h!d

h!ppened. Achilles $!s the hero of the hor% !nd !niel sggested they f!shion some kind ofmed!l for him. The dog h!d been given ! roy!l fe!st in the kitchen% bt he&d follo$ed Ainsley

!nd 6!vin! b!ck to C!meron&s bedch!mber% still g!rding 6!vin!.

C!meron&s !rms c!me !rond Ainsley !g!in% holding her close. ,sh no$% he s!id% his

voice gentle. ,sh% little mose.,e&d c!lled her th!t since the night he&d fond her hiding in his bedch!mber//this very one.

Ainsley h!d been there for ! perfectly good re!son% in her opinion% nothing to do $ith C!meron.

C!meron h!d c!ght her% gro$led !t her% te!sed her% confsed her% sedced her% then protectedher !nd m!de her f!ll $ildly in love $ith him.

6!vin! $!s their love too% the little girl s$eet !nd $hole.

As mch !s yo&re trying to m!ke me feel better% Ainsley s!id. * $on&t ce!se to bl!memyself.

4e&re both to bl!me. C!meron&s chest rmbled $ith his $ords. The poor l!ss is crsed

$ith s !s p!rents. (t it trned ot !ll right% !nd $e&ll !ll three go on. -he&s t!ght s ho$

diligent $e need to be.



Ainsley r!ised her he!d. +e!ning she&ll try it !g!in. And !g!in.

<f corse she $ill. -he belongs to this f!mily. C!meron tgged ! lock of h!ir !t his

forehe!d. 9e see these gr!y str!nds7 Th!t&s !ll !niel% th!t is. ,!d them before * $!s t$enty/five.

Ainsley h!d to smile. * im!gine he $!s ! h!ndfl.

A h!ndfl% ! fistfl% !n !rmfl% !n e!rfl. Th!nk 6od * h!d brothers to help me !nd th!t theyst!rted getting m!rried. *&ve been ! rotten f!ther% bt !nny&s mddled throgh.

9o&re not ! rotten f!ther. Ainsley slid her h!nds to his sholders. !niel h!s become !

rem!rk!ble yong m!n.6ood 6od% don&t tell him th!t.

on&t tell me $h!t7 !niel s$ng the door open !nd $!lked inside% his $ide smile

bro!dc!sting th!t he&d he!rd the l!st. Are yo crying% de!rest stepm!m!7 #o need. 4e&re !ll

here% !nd s!fe.9o $!lk into ! bedch!mber $ithot knocking% !niel +!cken'ie7 Ainsley s!id%

pretending indign!tion. <ne $ith yor father in it7

* kne$ there $!s no d!nger of emb!rr!ssing yo !s long !s 6!vin! $!s here% not to

mention the snoring dog. * c!me to fetch my b!by sister% by the $!y. #!nny 4estlock isdem!nding her retrn to the nrsery% $here she belongs. ,er $ords% not mine. * offered to come

do$n for her% so yo $oldn&t h!ve to f!ce the $r!th of ! n!nny $hose schedle h!s beendisreg!rded. 9o m!y th!nk me $ith !n extr! helping of pd !t Christm!s dinner.

!niel re!ched for the b!ssinet% $hich lifted from its st!nd by $icker h!ndles.

erh!ps she shold st!y here for the night% Ainsley s!id.!niel r!ised his bro$s. <h% so ye $!nt to bre!k that ne$s to +iss 4estlock% do yo7 -he&s

in ! r!re temper !s it is% bl!ming herself for losing tr!ck of 6!vin!. Every one of the m!ids !nd

!ll the footmen !re be!ting themselves ble for it too. The m!"ordomo !nd +rs. esmond !re

e!ch trying to otdo e!ch other in self/bl!me% bec!se they&re responsible for !ll the rest of theserv!nts. The only one sleeping $ell tonight is 6!vin!. And Achilles. And m!ybe Ele!nor. -he

!lmost dropped in her tr!cks from exh!stion% !nd ,!rt c!rried her p to bed. ,!rt&s very !ngry%

yo c!n be sre. <h% he bl!mes himself too.C!meron le!ned to the b!ssinet to kiss his d!ghter&s cheek. 9e&ve m!n!ged to h!ve the

hose in pro!r% h!ven&t yo% love7 he !sked her softly. Jst like yor brother sed to. ,e

tickled 6!vin!&s cheek% !nd 6!vin! stirred bt didn&t $!ke.Ainsley dre$ ! bre!th. 9o&re right% !niel. T!ke her p to bed. * sppose she&ll be s!fe

enogh in her cot. -he $on&t get ot of th!t.

Act!lly% * sed to . . . !niel broke off. Ah. #ever mind. <ff to bed yo go% my s$eet

little sister. 6ood night% stepm!m!. ,e le!ned !rond C!meron !nd g!ve Ainsley ! noisy kisson her cheek.

o stop c!lling me th!t% !nny.

:ight yo !re. 6ood night% 8!ther.,e $ent ot $ith his s!l energy. Achilles% !$!kened% trotted !fter them% t!il moving.

!niel closed the door behind them% !nd iet fell.

C!meron g!thered Ainsley into his !rms !g!in. ,is he!t c!me to her% !nd she he!rd the firm be!ting of his he!rt.

An ordin!ry m!n might s!y% Come to bed+ lo-e1 %-erything ,ill be fine in the morning1 (t

C!meron $!sn&t ordin!ry. -he kne$ she $oldn&t love him so mch if he $ere.

Ainsley r!ised her he!d !nd kissed him.



,is lips firmed !g!inst hers% the $orry !nd fe!r in him ch!nging to desper!tion. Ainsley

t!sted his hnger% the terror he&d sh!red $ith her.

Their child $!s s!fe% nh!rmed. This $!s ! time to celebr!te% not $eep.Ainsley $r!pped her fingers !rond the l!pels of his soft dressing go$n !nd plled it open.

-he fond him b!re inside% !s she&d sspected% $!rm !nd still d!mp from his b!th.

-he skimmed her h!nds do$n his torso% his he!rtbe!t ickening. ,is tight !bdomen met hertoch% his $!ist n!rro$ing to his hips !nd the thickness of his cock.

on&t. C!meron r!ised his he!d% gold gle!ming from bet$een h!lf/closed eyelids. ,e

sei'ed her $rist% fingers sh!king !s he kept himself from gripping too h!rd. on&t% nless yo$!nt me to . . .

-he&s s!fe% Ainsley $hispered. * $!nt to re"oice.

C!meron smoothed her h!ir% his toch strengthening !s he cr!dled her he!d in his h!nd.

Then $e $ill% he s!id% voice r!sping.,e dr!gged her to him% his next kiss !nything bt tender. C!meron opened her moth%

pressing her b!ck. Ainsley t!sted the need in him% the desire to hold on.

,er hsb!nd lifted her into his !rms !nd l!id her !cross the bed% coming do$n on top of her.

A m!d light gle!med in his eyes.Too confonded m!ny bttons% he gro$led before he ripped her nightgo$n open from

neck to $!ist.Ainsley delved inside his dressing go$n% $!nting his skin toching hers. -he loved the

$eight of his body on hers% comforting% protecting. #ever hrting her. C!meron never $old.

C!meron shed his dressing go$n in imp!tient "erks !nd frro$ed her h!ir $ith his h!nd.lling her he!d b!ck% he kissed her//h!rd//!nd !t the s!me time entered her.

,is h!nds on her body $ere strong% kisses on her lips% her flesh% !s strong. ,e loved her $ith

firm% sre strokes% Ainsley opening to him% body rising to his.

C!meron loved her in silence tonight% spe!king only $ith his body% his kisses% nips% toches.,e stirred fire deep inside her to $!sh ot the p!in% the fe!r% the $orry of everything to come.

,e loved her ntil they $ere both crying ot% pe!king together% then f!lling !g!in to the

v!lley of pe!ce% $!rmth% ietde. C!meron kissed her $ith the slo$ kisses of !fterglo$% their bodies s$e!ting in the $!rm room.

* love yo% little mose% C!meron s!id softly.

Then he g!ve her the s$eetest gift he h!d to give//he crled p !rond her% plled the coversover them% !nd $ent e!sily to sleep $ith her.

;;; ;;; ;;;

*!n entered the sitting room of the site he sh!red $ith (eth% looking for$!rd to his $!rm

bed !nd his $ife in his !rms. This l!st $eek $ith its ch!os of prep!r!tions% the hose s$!rming%!nd more !nd more people !rriving h!d kept him nnerved. *!n h!d go$n better !t de!ling $ith

people !rond him% bt th!t didn&t me!n he liked it.

oor 6!vin! going missing tonight h!d given him something pr!ctic!l to do% ! problem tosolve. *!n $!s mch better !t th!t. 8inding Achilles% her f!vorite dog% h!d seemed the obvios

thing to do.

C!meron h!d looked intensely relieved $hen she $!s fond% !nd in this inst!nce% *!n fondemp!thy. *f one of his children h!d dis!ppe!red% *!n $old h!ve been fr!ntic. Any thoght of

h!rm to J!mie or (elle m!de him physic!lly ill. *!n h!d spent the l!st hor p in the nrsery%

$!tching his little boy !nd girl% ntil #!nny 4estlock !nd !niel% c!rrying in 6!vin!% h!d

ch!sed him ot.



#o m!tter. *!n $old see the b!bies tomorro$. *f the $e!ther $!s fine% he&d t!ke them ot

riding. J!mie $!s !lre!dy ! good rider% !nd (elle $!s le!rning ickly.

,is thoghts dissolved $hen he beheld (eth sitting on the c!rved old/f!shioned sof!% ! bookin her l!p. The ble s!tin go$n she&d $orn for dinner $!s no$ rmpled !nd dst/st!ined% bt it

hgged her $!ist !nd b!red !n enticing glimpse of bosom. The bstle m!de her sit on the edge of

the sof!% her s!tin skirts ne!rly hidden by the l!rge book.*!n recogni'ed one of his texts on +ing bo$ls. ,e remembered the broken bo$l !nd felt !

p!ng of loss. *t h!d been be!tifl% !nd he&d only been !ble to hold it ! fe$ short moments.

(t the bo$l $!s no$here ne!r !s be!tifl !s his $ife% $ho looked p !t him $ith sens!l ble eyes% !nd s!id% <h. * didn&t see yo come in.

4hich m!de no sense to *!n. <f corse she h!dn&t seen him//she&d been looking !t the book.

-he might h!ve heard him come in@ seen him% no.

* $ill t!ke the b!bies riding tomorro$% *!n s!id% sitting do$n close to her. ,er scent%f!mili!r to him no$% !nd so de!r% beg!n e!sing him% !nd his thoghts cle!red. Come $ith s. A

ride to the folly high on the hill% $inter snshine% his $ife !nd children snggling !t his side . . .

*&d love to. (eth&s f!ce softened. (t * c!n&t% yo kno$. There is so mch to do% more

gests !rriving% the mens to be sorted. -ince Chef h!s left for 8r!nce% Cook is h!ving hysterics by the hor. -he&s terrified she $on&t be !ble to m!n!ge% even $ith the extr! help $e&ve hired.

(eth rbbed her temples. *t is becoming ite !n orde!l.*!n sensed her nh!ppiness% bt he rel!xed% bec!se he kne$ ex!ctly ho$ to m!ke her feel

better. Th!t $!s !nother thing he cold do th!t didn&t involve cro$ds% or nderst!nding ho$ to

!ns$er people correctly% or looking into their eyes.,e st!rted to lift the book from (eth&s l!p% kissing her cheek !t the s!me time. (eth gr!bbed

the book !nd plled it b!ck.

4!it. * $!nted to sho$ yo. -he pointed to ! pictre% ! colored illstr!tion% protected by !

le!f of thin p!per. 4h!t do yo think of this one7 *t&s very like the one * broke% isn&t it7 -!mesort of vines !nd dr!gons% bt in green !nd gr!y% inste!d of ble. The book s!ys it&s o$ned by !

gentlem!n in 8r!nce. * cold $rite him.

*!n gl!nced !t the pictre% t!king in every n!nce of the bo$l in t$o seconds fl!t. ,o$ coldshe think it $!s like the one the :ssi!n h!d7 Cle!rly it $!s not% or *!n $old h!ve prch!sed

this bo$l in the first pl!ce.

(t he&d le!rned% to his !m!'ement% th!t most people coldn&t tell one +ing bo$l from theother. The f!n!tics $ho sh!red his p!ssion cold% !nd they $ere the fe$ hm!n beings $ith

$hom *!n cold spe!k !t length !nd nderst!nd in retrn//!t le!st% !s long !s they rem!ined on

the topic of +ing pottery. ,!rt h!d expl!ined th!t ! person either h!d the gift or did not% !nd *!n

needed to sho$ comp!ssion to$!rd those $ho didn&t.#o% *!n s!id% trying to soften the $ord. *t sonded h!rsh !ll the s!me% f!lling fl!t !g!inst

the thick velvet dr!pes !t the $indo$s. *t&s not the s!me.

(t look. (eth tr!ced the line of vine $ith her finger. -rely the p!ttern is identic!l. *checked it !g!inst the book in $hich yo fond the first one . . .

*!n lifted the tome !$!y !g!in% !nd this time% (eth let him. *t isn&t ble% he s!id.

4ell% * kno$ it isn&t e6actly the s!me% bt . . .*!n closed the book !nd c!rried it to ! t!ble% t!king ! moment to line p its edges ex!ctly

$ith those of the $ood. <nce he $!s s!tisfied th!t the symmetry $!s perfect% he retrned to the

gly sof! !nd s!nk do$n next to (eth. ,e s!t sholder to sholder $ith her% hip to hip.



* st!rted collecting the bo$ls ! ye!r !nd for months !fter * c!me home from the !sylm%

he s!id.

(eth looked !t him to listen% her g!'e c!tching his. ,er eyes $ere sch ! lovely color% ble$ith flecks of gold% like snshine on ! pond. *!n got lost in looking !t her eyes ! moment%

forgetting $h!t he&d been s!ying.

9o beg!n collecting ! ye!r or so !fter yo c!me home . . . (eth prompted.*!n&s mind picked p the thoght !nd retrned to th!t ge!r. * $ent into !n !nties shop

$ith *s!bell!% in !ris.

*!n stopped !g!in% remembering ho$ terrified he&d been to le!ve +!c&s hired to$nhose%ho$ soothing *s!bell!&s presence h!d been $hen she&d pers!ded him to !ccomp!ny her. ,is

sister/in/l!$ h!d kno$n ho$ to spe!k into *!n&s p!nicked silences% ho$ to c!lm him $ith !

smile% ho$ to !sk his opinion !nd then give it for him% so th!t str!ngers $oldn&t think him odder

th!n he $!s.,e remembered th!t his brothers h!d been p''led !nd !ngry th!t *!n h!d let *s!bell! l!y !

h!nd on his !rm or give him ! ick kiss on the cheek% $hen he refsed to let the rest of his

f!mily toch him.

*!n h!d thoght his brothers fools !bot th!t. *f they coldn&t nderst!nd the difference bet$een three overbe!ring -cotsmen $ho smelled of smoke !nd $hiskey% !nd ! lovely yong

$om!n scented $ith !tt!r of roses% he coldn&t help them.*!n7

*!n h!d lost tr!ck !g!in. ,e looked into (eth&s f!ce//the $om!n $ho&d s!ved him from

himself !nd $ho loved him in spite of his m!ny% m!ny shortcomings//!nd the $ords $ent ot of*!n&s he!d. #othing he&d been s!ying cold be !s import!nt.

*s!bell! likes to shop% yes% (eth s!id% $!tching him expect!ntly. And she took yo into !n

!nties shop. id yo see ! +ing bo$l there7

(eth !l$!ys insisted *!n tell the end of ! story% no m!tter th!t% in his he!d% he&d finished $iththe sb"ect !nd moved on.

*t $!s be!tifl. *!n forced the memories to retrn. Tr!nslcent $hite !nd brilli!nt ble.

The lines $ere perfect. Chrys!nthemms !nd dr!gons% ! lots flo$er on its bottom. * coldn&tstop looking !t it.

,e remembered his yonger self st!nding in the center of the shop% st!ring !t the bo$l%

riveted in pl!ce. *s!bell! telling him it $!s time to le!ve% !nd *!n refsing to go. ,is $orld h!d been so he!vily gr!y% !nd the inc!ndescent colors of the bo$l h!d stood ot like ! be!con of

hope.

*s!bell! told me not to by it% bt she didn&t nderst!nd. *!n $!nted to l!gh !t the

memory. *s!bell! h!d been be$ildered% so sre ,!rt $old shot !t her for letting *!n spend somch. * h!d my o$n money. Crry $rote ot the chee for me% !nd * took the bo$l home. *

$!s only !t e!se in my mind $hen looking !t it. -o *s!bell! fond !nother one for me. Th!t one

$!sn&t right% bt the next one she sho$ed me $!s. After th!t% * looked for them myself.<nly bo$ls. (eth smiled the $!rm smile th!t h!d cr!shed over him like ! $!ve of

snshine the first time he&d seen it. * remember $hen yo told me th!t.

*!n looked !$!y !nd stdied the floor !bot ! foot in front of his boot% n!ble to concentr!te$ith her be!ty flooding him. * like the sh!pe. ,e didn&t by the bo$ls for their v!le% thogh

he kne$ to the f!rthing $h!t e!ch $!s $orth. ,e $old completely ignore ! perfect specimen

th!t cost ! fortne if he didn&t like it. 4hen * s!$ the one from :ssi!% * kne$ it $!s speci!l.



(eth&s fingers crled into her p!lms. *!n% yo !re bre!king my he!rt. * didn&t me!n to drop

it.

*!n% plled b!ck to her% pt his h!nd on her sm!ll ones !nd looked p into her f!ce. Th!t bo$l $!s speci!l bec!se of the ble. *t ex!ctly m!tched yor eyes.

' ' ' ' 'Cha(ter e+en

(eth stopped. ,er lips p!rted !nd ! te!r dropped to her cheek. <h% *!n.*!n st!red !t her in srprise% p!in toching his he!rt. ,e h!dn&t me!nt to m!ke her cry. ,e&d

intended to expl!in $hy she sholdn&t bother trying to repl!ce the bo$l for him% so she $old

stop $orrying !bot it.

As he $!tched the te!rs stre!k her cheeks% old d!rk !nger bilt inside him% the one th!tm!nifested $hen *!n coldn&t nderst!nd $h!t he&d done. The !ngry be!st told *!n th!t he $!s

m!d% n$orthy of her% !nd $old lose her in the end.

*!n kicked !t the d!rkness% $hich he h!dn&t felt in ! long time% $illing it to recede. ,e

cpped his h!nds !rond (eth&s f!ce% brshing !$!y her te!rs.4hy !re yo crying7 ,e felt the desper!tion rise% the need to nderst!nd.

(ec!se it $!s speci!l to yo. And * rined it.4ords deserted him. ,e s!$ only (eth&s te!rs% her ble eyes $et. ,e coldn&t find the $!y

to expl!in% to stop her $eeping.

,e gro$led in frstr!tion !s he tilted her f!ce to his !nd kissed her lips.The toch of her moth $!s like ! b!lm% soothing hrt. *!n let himself be lost in the $!rmth

of her moth% the t!ste of her bre!th.

,e needed to toch her% to be srronded by her $!rmth. ,e&d t!ke her to bed !nd kiss !$!y

her te!rs% give her ple!sre so deep she&d forget !bot the confonded bo$l.*!n h!d le!rned !ll !bot physic!l ple!sre long !go% ho$ to give it% ho$ to en"oy it. ,e&d

h!d troble $ith emotions//$ith m!stering them% or !t times% even feeling them. (t physic!l "oy

he nderstood. ,e&d soght it to repl!ce the more profond emotions he kne$ he&d neverexperience.

(eth h!d t!ght him other$ise. The m!rri!ge of the physic!l $ith the love she&d !$!kened

h!d opened !n entire $orld to *!n% one more !m!'ing th!n he&d ever im!gined.,e slid his !rms !rond her% (eth m!king ! noise in her thro!t !s his kisses l!nded on the

exposed skin of her sholders !nd bre!sts.

As he reveled in the t!ste of her% her scent of cinn!mon% s$e!t% dst% the b!ck of his mind

beg!n to $ork.(eth liked it $hen *!n did things for J!mie !nd (elle. 4hen the children $ere ple!sed by his

gifts or his !ttention% (eth l!ghed% she hgged *!n implsively% she&d even kiss him in front of

people% (eth $ho $!s so modest in pblic.*!n remembered something he&d discovered !ccident!lly one evening $hile idling !$!y time

$!iting for his brothers. ,e&d tcked the ide! !nd its be!tifl precision into the recesses of his

br!in to be ex!mined !t !nother time% bt no$ he broght it forth. (elle might not nderst!nd beyond the !msement of it% bt J!mie $old be delighted. ,e liked precision !lmost !s mch !s

his f!ther did.

The ide! c!ght !t *!n so !brptly th!t he broke the kiss.

(eth toched his f!ce. 4h!t is it7 4h!t&s $rong7



,e decided not to tell her. 4hen he&d srprised (eth in the p!st $ith gifts% her !stonishment

h!d incre!sed her delight% !nd (eth $!s !t her most be!tifl $hen she $!s delighted.

,e&d tell no one. *!n coldn&t trst +!c% C!m% ,!rt% or !niel not to give !$!y his secrets.,e $!nted to keep it speci!l !nd priv!te for his children% for (eth. The perfect Christm!s gift.

*!n felt ! smile spre!d !cross his f!ce before he cold stop it. Joy of "oys% (eth smiled too%

no more te!rs% thogh her l!shes $ere still $et.*!n kissed her !g!in% !nd she responded% her moth softening for him% h!nds seeking his

body. ,e nf!stened the intric!te bttons of her bodice% then *!n let himself gro$ lost in the

be!ty of her% sorro$ forgotten.;;; ;;; ;;;

A rssi!n prince $!s one of the hosegests th!t ye!r% !nd he !rrived in splendor $ith his

entor!ge ! fe$ !fternoons l!ter. ,!rt h!d invited him% first bec!se the m!n $!s ! longtime

friend% !nd second% bec!se ,!rt $!s still ne!sy !bot ho$ 6erm!ny $!s bilding p indstry%inclding !rms m!nf!ctring. ,is princely friend $!s in the position to kno$ m!ny things% !nd

,!rt intended to se his visit to le!rn those things !nd p!ss them on to those $ho cold !ct on the

kno$ledge.

,!rt stood $ith rince 6eorg in the long pst!irs g!llery% $hich $!s filled $ith p!intings ofdor +!cken'ie !ncestors% interspersed $ith bright l!ndsc!pes by +!c or his portr!its of

+!cken'ie dogs p!st !nd present. The t$o men indlged in cig!rs !s they looked ot the long$indo$s !t the thin l!yer of pristine sno$ covering the +!cken'ie l!nds% trees on dist!nt hills

otlined in silver.

The convers!tion h!d trned to ,!rt delic!tely probing for inform!tion !bot !n !rm!mentsf!ctory% $hen (eth rshed to$!rd them in ! s$irl of rst/colored poplin.

,!rt% there yo !re. * need to spe!k $ith yo. -he p!ssed the t$o gentlemen bt looked

b!ck% her eyes $ide% $hen ,!rt didn&t move. =rgently. * beg yor p!rdon% 9or ,ighness.

6eorg smiled//the h!ndsome% blond prince !l$!ys h!d !n eye for the l!dies.(eth contined $!lking !t ! r!pid p!ce to$!rd ,!rt&s priv!te $ing. 7uite rgently% she

s!id over her sholder.

,!rt let ot ! bre!th. * need to follo$ her. ,e l!id his cig!r into ! bo$l on ! c!rved 5ois> t!ble. +y !pologies.

#ot !t !ll. 6eorg&s smile indic!ted he kne$ d!mn $ell th!t ,!rt h!d broght him here to

mine him for inform!tion. erh!ps * $ill t!ke ! stroll in yor lovely g!rden.*f yo prefer ! $!rmer !ctivity% !n e!rly dinner is being l!id on in the dining room. *&ll

retrn !s soon !s *&m !ble.

<f corse. 6eorg chckled. Les femmes% eh7 ,e !l$!ys sed 8rench $hen spe!king

!bot $omen.,!rt st!rted !fter (eth do$n the g!llery. ,is sister/in/l!$ kept ! s$ift p!ce% !nd ,!rt $!s

striding f!st by the time he re!ched the entr!nce to his $ing of the hose.

(eth m!de for Ele!nor&s bedch!mber !nd $!lked in $ithot knocking. ,!rt entered thech!mber to see his $ife sitting p in bed% ! $riting desk on the m!ttress next to her% ! she!f of

p!pers srronding her. +ens% ,!rt s!$ $hen he !ppro!ched. And se!ting pl!ns% !nd lists% so

m!ny lists. #ext ye!r% ,!rt $old rent ! cott!ge in the middle of the ,ighl!nds for himself% Ele!nor%

!nd their ne$ b!by% !nd spend Christm!s !nd #e$ 9e!r&s in glorios priv!cy. #o p!rties% no

$eeks of pl!nning% no dining room fll of too d!mned m!ny people.



' ' ' ' '

Cha(ter #i-ht

*!n he!rd the knocking on the door% bt !s thogh from f!r !$!y. ,e $!s on his h!nds !nd

knees behind ! desk% $orking on ! tricky bit. ,is fingers $ere ste!dy !s he set e!ch ob"ect into

pl!ce.>ectors% momentm% resist!nce% !cceler!tion% velocity//nmbers !nd e!tions s$!m in his

he!d% !nd he spoke softly to himself !s he $orked.

The !ngle shold be this% not this. ! not &1 !mn it.,e dropped one% $hich cold h!ve been ! c!t!strophe% bt he kne$ ex!ctly $here to pll

!nother ot of line. -till crsing nder his bre!th% he set the pieces in pl!ce !g!in.

The knocking trned to b!nging. *!n% open the door.

The stentori!n tones of ,!rt c!me rolling throgh the $ood. *!n p!id no !ttention. ,!rt likedto tell the $orld $h!t to do% bt *!n h!d le!rned long !go ho$ to ignore him.

8Ian18 The shot trned to ! ro!r.

Another r!pid knock. Come on% gv. 9o&ve got s $orried something po$erfl.

*!n took !nother piece from the box !nd set it c!reflly into its pl!ce. 4hy% $hen ! m!n$!nted to retre!t !nd do something sefl% something interesting% did the entire f!mily h!ve to

blster their $!y in7 *!n h!d le!rned to follo$ cert!in conventions so his brothers $oldn&t $orrytoo mch !bot him//le!ving ! note $hen he slipped !$!y for ! fe$ d!ys to fish% for ex!mple%

inste!d of simply dis!ppe!ring.

#ot th!t *!n $!s good !t expl!ining or remembering to le!ve notes% bt he&d le!rned th!tthese things kept his f!mily c!lm. *!n $!s ! perfectly he!lthy !nd strong m!n% yet ,!rt cold fss

so $henever *!n $ent for ! long $!lk.

*!n h!d bolted the door% bec!se if !nyone opened it% not only $old they rin the srprise%

they&d let the bloody dogs in. That $old be ! dis!ster.*!n) ,!rt&s voice rose like b!ttering thnder. <pen the door before * h!ve (ell!my fetch

!n !xe.

,!rt% *!n s!id% r!ising his voice !nd spe!king c!reflly so there&d be no misnderst!nding.6o. A$!y.

Ainsley% he he!rd ,!rt rmble.

* c!n h!rdly pick ! lock if there is no lock to pick% c!me Ainsley&s crisp% cle!r tones. The bolt&s on the inside. 9o overestim!te my skills.

Then $e go for the !xe. +!c% get (ell!my.

on&t yo d!re b!sh ! hole into *!n&s stdy door% (eth s!id. 6ood girl//she&d pt ,!rt in his

pl!ce. *t $ill be $eeks before $e c!n get ! bilder !t this time of ye!r% !nd * refse to live $ith !door th!t is so mch fire$ood.

ers!sion is doing nothing% ,!rt s!id% !ngry. Even yors.

-top it% both of yo% Ainsley broke in. 5et me try.*!n he!rd the lock of the door click//they&d h!ve fond ! key for the m!in lock% $hich $!s

$hy he&d h!d ! bolt inst!lled on his priv!te stdy long !go. 4hen he did m!them!tics e!tions

th!t took his entire concentr!tion% he didn&t $!nt ! m!id% footm!n% or his brothers inv!ding theroom !nd distr!cting him.

As they $ere doing no$. A f!int scratch+ scratch sonded% Ainsley setting to $ork.



At le!st they&d stopped b!nging. *!n opened !nother p!rcel !nd reflected th!t he needed

more% mch more. ,e&d h!ve to send to *nverness% m!ybe f!rther. ,o$ long for ! p!ck!ge to

!rrive from Edinbrgh or 6l!sgo$//in time for him to finish for Christm!s7The voices otside the door lo$ered to norm!l tones% !nd *!n pt them ot of his he!d.

4hen he finished for the d!y% he&d t!ke (eth !nd the children for ! $!lk% or sho$ (eth ho$ $ell

they $ere progressing $ith riding.4h!t !re yo !ll doing7 !niel&s voice flo!ted over the others. is!ssembling doors no$%

!re $e7

The others expl!ined r!pidly% *!n trying to sht ot the voices. !niel $!s clever//if !nyonecold get the door open% it $!s *!n&s ick/$itted nephe$. !niel h!d blossomed in the l!st ye!r%

$ith lightning/s$ift thoghts% !n !bility to think of ten soltions to !ny problem% !nd ! kn!ck for

bilding str!nge bt sefl g!dgets. ,e even t!lked !bot he!vier/th!n/!ir flight% !bot $ind% !ir

m!ss% !nd fixed $ings. Any m!chine% from ste!m to electric to the for!ys into combstionengines% f!scin!ted !niel.

,ere% let me try this% !niel s!id. -omething snicked !g!inst the door $ith ! more decisive

sond. *&ve fond it sefl prying b!ck bolts on hotel room doors.

And $hy% son% $ere ye prying b!ck bolts on hotel room doors7 C!meron&s gro$l sondedin he!vily !ccented -cots.

!niel&s !ns$er $!s innocent. <h% niversity high "inks. r!nks. 9o kno$.Ainsley s!id% *f it involved l!dies% do not tell me.

!niel snorted ! l!gh. >ery $ell% stepm!m!. Ah% * h!ve it.

The bolt slid b!ck !nd the door h!ndle moved. *!n $!s !lre!dy p !nd le!ping !cross theroom% kno$ing ex!ctly $here to pt his feet so he $oldn&t rin $h!t he $!s bilding.

,e re!ched the door !nd sl!mmed his h!nd !g!inst it "st !s !niel s$ng it open.

83o+8 *!n s!id. -t!y ot.

!niel&s he!d c!me !rond the door% Ainsley&s f!ir one belo$ it. 6ood he!vens% *!n% $h!t!re yo doing7 Ainsley !sked.

5et me in% ,!rt s!id in ! h!rsh voice.

*!n felt the door give% !nd he shoved b!ck. !niel% keep him ot. on&t let (eth see.on&t let (eth see $h!t7 c!me (eth&s !nxios voice.

,!rt broght his fists do$n on the door !nd sholdered his $!y p!st !niel. ,e s!$ the

st!te of the room !nd stopped. 4h!t the devil7!niel&s ick gl!nce took in everything% !nd his eyes st!rted to sp!rkle. ,!rt&s bro$s c!me

do$n% his !nger not !b!ted. Come ot of there% *!n% ,!rt s!id. 9o&re $orrying (eth.

4hen *&m finished% *!n s!id.

,!rt st!rted to !rge% bt !niel stepped into the room !nd held p his h!nd. #o% no $!it. *think * kno$ $h!t he&s doing. ,e sc!nned $h!t *!n h!d set p. (loody m!rvelos.

4h!t7 (eth !sked. +ove% ,!rt% * $!nt to see.

!niel $hirled% kilt spinning% !nd spre!d his !rms. *!n&s right. Everyone ot% or yo&ll rinit. (eth% it&s ! srprise. 9o&ll like it. * promise.

,!rt rem!ined fixed in pl!ce. !niel didn&t move% !nd *!n kept his h!nd on the door% re!dy to

sl!m it sht.*&ll st!y !nd help *!n% =ncle ,!rt. (t yo !ll h!ve to go. And le!ve him !lone. *&ll look

!fter him.

,!rt&s expression $!s mrderos. Ainsley shook her he!d !nd $ithdre$.



Th!nk yo% !nny. (eth&s voice c!me from the h!ll% bt she rem!ined $ithot !nd didn&t

try to psh her $!y in. Come !long% ,!rt. *f !niel s!ys it&s !ll right% it mst be.

9es% let&s go h!ve some te!% Ainsley s!id. Ele!nor $ill be dying to he!r $h!t ish!ppening. (esides% don&t yo need to pry secrets ot of ! rssi!n prince7

,!rt didn&t !ns$er either of the l!dies. ,e held *!n&s g!'e% !nd *!n didn&t let himself look

!$!y. ,e kne$ th!t ,!rt $!s re!ssred $hen *!n looked into ,!rt&s eyes% t!king it !s ! sign th!t*!n h!dn&t slipped b!ck into m!dness. 6!'ing into (eth&s eyes $!s e!sy//they $ere so be!tifl@

she $!s so be!tifl//bt *!n still $!sn&t !l$!ys comfort!ble sh!ring so intim!te ! gl!nce $ith

!nyone else.(t he&d le!rned th!t he cold look !t his brothers if he $!nted to. And if it me!nt they $ent

a,ay !nd left him in pe!ce% so mch the better.

,!rt !t l!st g!ve *!n ! nod% trned !rond% !nd st!lked !$!y% !s thogh going h!d been his

ide!. *!n he!rd (eth !nd Ainsley begin t!lking !t once% C!meron&s gro$l% less edgy th!n before%!nd Crry&s ex!sper!ted excl!m!tion th!t looking !fter *!n $!s ptting lines on his f!ce.

!niel closed the door !nd be!med ! $ide smile. 4h!t ! setp. 8or (eth% yo s!y7

8or J!mie !nd (elle. *!n liked th!t !niel moved c!reflly% not distrbing $h!t *!n h!d

pt into pl!ce. 4hich $ill m!ke (eth h!ppy !g!in.9o&re !m!'ing% =ncle *!n. The only m!n in -cotl!nd $ho c!n pt !n entire hose in !n

pro!r by locking ! door.* didn&t $!nt the dogs in.

6ood thinking. #o$. !niel pt his h!nds on his kilt/cl!d hips. * h!ve ! fe$ g!dgets *

cold !dd//clock$ork figres% clock$ork noisem!king m!chines% !nd . . . clocks. 4ill yo letme7

*!n im!gined it% the timing% speeds% !nd events. 9es% he s!id.

Another thing *!n liked !bot !niel $!s th!t he didn&t need long expl!n!tions !nd

re!ssr!nce. ,e only l!ghed !nd rbbed his h!nds.:ight% !niel s!id. 5et&s get to it.

;;; ;;; ;;;

!vid 8leming $!lked into C!stle ilmorg!n !nd m!de ! rde gestre to the +!cken'ie!ncestors gl!ring do$n from the $!lls !t him. !vid $!s connected to these people% !s his gre!t/

gre!t !nt% onn!g 8leming% h!d been d!ft enogh to m!rry ! +!cken'ie. !vid $!s descended

from onn!g&s brother% !nd th!t $!s !s close !s he $!nted to become to being ! +!cken'ie.The !ntity of $hiskey sloshing !rond inside him didn&t help $hen looking p !t !ll these

people. #or did the long "orney !nd l!ck of sleep.

At le!st ,!rt h!d comfort!ble beds% !vid thoght. ,e kne$ he shold be !t home

m!n!ging his o$n est!te% bt th!t seemed boringly tedios% !nd too mch like the life his f!therh!d $!nted him to le!d. ,ence his e!ger !ccept!nce of ,!rt&s Christm!s invit!tion.

I'll be a staid lord of the manor ,hen I can't stand u. anymore1

There $!s one dr!$b!ck !bot st!ying in ,!rt&s hose% ho$ever. 4hen the footm!n took!vid&s $r!ps% he informed him th!t ,is 6r!ce $!s $!iting for !vid in ! ch!mber in the dke&s

priv!te $ing.

Ah% $ell% best to get it over $ith. !vid str!ightened his cr!v!t in front of ! mirror on thesecond l!nding% brshed b!ck his d!rk h!ir% !nd tried to convince himself th!t his eyes $eren&t !s

bloodshot !s they felt.



At le!st his v!let h!d stffed him into ! ne$ sit. ,!rt $old h!ve him in ! kilt for the rest

of the visit% bt !vid $!s h!ppy he&d been !ble to m!ke the dr!fty tr!in "orney $ith his legs

covered.,e knocked on ! door ne!r the end of the corridor !s directed by ! helpfl m!id dsting in

the h!ll. #ot ,!rt&s bedch!mber. ,o$ever% he kne$ th!t ,!rt h!d ch!nged his bedch!mber !fter

his m!rri!ge% decl!ring he $oldn&t sleep in the monment dedic!ted to his f!ther !ny longer. #ot th!t !vid bl!med him% bt th!t me!nt he $!s being directed to . . .

A m!id opened the door from the inside% g!ve !vid ! deferenti!l smile% then slipped !$!y%

c!rrying ot $h!tever tr!y she&d come here to remove.,!rt +!cken'ie% the ke of (loody ilmorg!n% s!t on ! gilded ch!ir from the l!st centry%

rining its finish by rocking b!ck on the ch!ir&s legs !nd resting his feet on the l!rge bed beside

him.

*n th!t bed% like ! een on her throne% reposed Ele!nor% chess of ilmorg!n% formerly5!dy Ele!nor :!ms!y% the $om!n $hom !vid% once pon ! time% h!d f!llen m!dly in love

$ith.

Tonight she l!y in ! modest dressing go$n% pillo$s behind her% covers plled p nder her

!rms. #othing cold hide the l!rge blge of her !bdomen% the symbol of her love for !vid&soldest friend% ,!rt +!cken'ie.

' ' ' ' '

Cha(ter &ine

!vid. ,!rt broght his legs do$n !nd s$ng p !nd ot of the ch!ir% sonding geninely

gl!d to see him. 4elcome.

,is h!ndsh!ke $!s $!rm !nd strong% ,!rt&s cl!p on !vid&s sholder !s h!rd !s ever.

8orgive me for not rising% Ele!nor s!id% her smile !s lovely !s he remembered. 8orobvios re!sons. * h!d !n !$fl morning% !nd * $!s told neivoc!lly th!t * needed to rest. -he

gl!nced !t ,!rt% $ho p!id no !ttention. *t&s good to see yo% !vid. Come !nd give me ! kiss.

9h Lord1 !vid p!sted on ! smile !s he crossed the room% took Ele!nor&s otstretched h!nds%!nd le!ned do$n to kiss her cheek. -he smelled of honey !nd l!vender% !nd she $!s still

be!tifl% even $ith% or perh!ps bec!se of% her f!ce !nd h!nds plmp $ith her pregn!ncy.

*&m so gl!d yo&ve come% Ele!nor s!id softly. #o f!lse politeness. -he me!nt it.

!vid didn&t deceive himself% ho$ever. ,e&d !l$!ys kno$n he h!dn&t stood ! ch!nce $ith

Ele!nor% no m!tter ho$ besotted he&d become. Ele!nor h!d refsed !vid ye!rs !go% !fter

Ele!nor !nd ,!rt&s very pblic bre!kp% !nd she&d never m!rried !t !ll ntil she h!d ! ch!nce!g!in $ith ,!rt. *t h!d !l$!ys been ,!rt $ith her.

(etter th!n me rotting !t home !lone !t Christm!s% !vid s!id in ! "ovi!l voice. A

Christm!s cr!cker isn&t mch fn to pll open on yor o$n.Ele!nor $inked !t him !s she rele!sed his h!nds. There $ill be plenty of people to bre!k

them $ith here. Especi!lly ! fe$ yong l!dies.

!vid b!cked !$!y from the bed !nd dropped into ! ch!ir. e!r 6od% even the decor!tivefrnitre in this room $!s comfort!ble.

#o m!tchm!king% El% !vid s!id. on&t yo d!re. *&m ! drnken sot% !nd the $omen $ho

like me !re not the sort *&d introdce to my mother. * prefer it th!t $!y.



,!rt h!d resmed his ch!ir% observing the exch!nge in his e!gle/eyed $!y. ,e didn&t hover

!nd gro$l like ! "e!los hsb!nd% bt the $!tchflness $!s there.

8oolish m!n. Ele!nor $!s m!dly in love $ith ,!rt% the 5ord only kne$ $hy. ,!rt h!d beenthe very definition of the dec!dent r!ke in his yonger d!ys% $ith !vid his !vid disciple% thogh

sometimes his ttor.

* feel cert!in there is someone ot there for yo% Ele!nor s!id. *t&s only ! m!tter ofn!rro$ing do$n possibilities !nd presenting opportnities.

#o% !vid s!id emph!tic!lly. ,e hooked his !nkle !rond ! footstool !nd dr!gged it to

him% settling his dirty boots on it. Exh!stion $!s be!ting on him% m!king his eyelids s!ndy.5e!ve him be% El. ,e&s or gest. ,mm. 4!s th!t ,!rt +!cken'ie being so kind !nd

nderst!nding7

Tre% Ele!nor s!id. And there&s the m!tter of the little t!sk $e need him to do.

!h ha1 ,!rt $!s never kind $ithot ! re!son.-o yo c!lled me here to $ork% did yo7 !vid !sked. And !ll * thoght $!s th!t *&d t!ke

!dv!nt!ge of yor soft beds !nd excellent food.

And yo $ill% Ele!nor s!id% smiling th!t smile th!t me!nt she $!s p to something. 4e

need it done before Christm!s Eve% !nd then yo c!n sit b!ck !nd fe!st !s mch !s yo $ish.6ood. !vid&s eyes n!rro$ed. 4h!t is this t!sk for $hich yo need my expertise7

(l!ckm!il the E!rl of 6l!stonby% Ele!nor s!id.-he spoke in ! m!tter/of/f!ct voice% !s thogh she comm!nded her hsb!nd&s friends to

bl!ckm!il ! gentlem!n every morning% t$o !fter te!time.

6l!stonby7 !vid&s tiredness ebbed !s interest took over. rdy reston th!t $!s7 ,e $!she!d l!d !t school% he expl!ined to Ele!nor. :e!dy to ponce !s soon !s yo even looked !s

thogh yo thoght !bot bre!king ! rle. -till th!t $!y. 4h!t h!s he done to be bl!ckm!iled by

you% Ele!nor7

#othing yet% ,!rt s!id ietly.#o$% this sonds more intriging. !vid re!ched for the fl!sk inside his co!t !nd took !

drink of $hiskey. * believe * t!ke yor me!ning. 9o $ish me to go!d 6l!stonby into !

compromising position% !nd then thre!ten to tell the $orld !bot it% nless he gives me . . .$h!t7

A +ing bo$l% ,!rt s!id.

A +ing . . . 9o&ve lost me.8or *!n% Ele!nor s!id. -he&d pl!ced her h!nds on her !bdomen% !nd her f!ce took on !

f!r!$!y expression% ! mother lost in the contempl!tion of her child.

!in like ! poisoned d!rt st!bbed !vid&s he!rt. ,e did not so mch $ish !nymore th!t

Ele!nor $old c!rry his child% bt he envied ,!rt for h!ving ! be!tifl $ife% thick $ith hisfirstborn% so in love $ith her hsb!nd th!t she&d help him !sk his friend to do ! spot of bl!ckm!il

for him.

!vid shifted ncomfort!bly% $ishing the p!in $old go !$!y. *!n collects +ing bo$ls%yes% he s!id. And yo !re s!ying 6l!stonby h!s one. The estion * !sk myself is% $hy do yo

not simply prch!se the bo$l from 6l!stonby7

,e $on&t sell% ,!rt s!id. *&ve spent the l!st $eek !nd ! h!lf tr!cking do$n ! bo$l !lmostex!ctly like one of *!n&s th!t $!s broken//! ble one. The design h!s to be ble% (eth s!ys.

6l!stonby h!s the closest * c!n find. * m!de ! l!rge offer for it% $hich he promptly trned do$n.

4on&t sell to ! +!cken'ie% he s!id. #ot to me% not to *!n% not to !ny of or $ives. 4e !re t!inted

!nd don&t deserve to possess sch be!ty.



-onds like something rdy reston $old s!y.

Bite vexing of him% Ele!nor s!id. Ainsley offered to ste!l it% le!ving ! sbst!nti!l

p!yment for it% of corse% bt ,!rt&s ide! is better. 9o c!n obt!in the bo$l for s !nd pt yorrdy reston in his pl!ce !t the s!me time.

-he looked so smg% so confident !s she plotted 6l!stonby&s doom. The m!n didn&t st!nd !

ch!nce.!vid took !nother sip of $hiskey. 9or $ife is d!ngeros% ,!rt. o yo kno$ th!t7

Aye% so *&ve le!rned. ,!rt&s solemn tone m!de !vid $!nt to l!gh. The gre!t +!cken'ie%

fe!red by men !nd !dored by $omen% h!d been broght to his knees by ble eyes% ! $ide smile%!nd ! bloody devios mind.

And therefore% !vid s!id% yo c!lled in the expert on !ll things perfidios% yor old

friend% !vid 8leming.

9o&ll do it7 Ele!nor !sked. Excellent.<f corse * $ill do it. *&d do !nything for yo% El% !nd yo kne$ th!t% $hich is $hy yo h!d

yor serv!nt send me p here. 4h!t h!d yo pl!nned to offer me !s ! re$!rd7

Ele!nor shrgged. -oft beds% ! fe!st !t Christm!s !nd ,ogm!n!y.

All very t!me !nd domestic. *&ll do this% bt $e&ll discss my price l!ter. Th!t $ill give metime to think of something otr!geos//

A soft t!p on the door ct off !vid&s speech% follo$ed by the door opening% !nd thecre!king 4ilfred ptting his he!d !rond the doorfr!me. 9or 6r!ce. There is the m!tter of

letters to sign before * dep!rt for ent. 4ilfred&s tone $!s less !pologetic th!n repro!chfl.

,!rt rose !t once. Tamed by his ,ife+ tamed by his secretary1 Amsing.!vid&s !msement f!ded $hen ,!rt le!ned do$n !nd g!ve Ele!nor ! kiss. The kiss trned

from ! brief good/bye to something more p!ssion!te% more intim!te% more priv!te.

The look Ele!nor g!ve ,!rt $hen he lifted !$!y sh!ttered !ny illsion !vid might h!ve

h!rbored th!t Ele!nor ever h!d been torn bet$een the t$o men. -he looked !t ,!rt $ith prelove% nothing less.

T!lk to El for ! moment% ,!rt s!id% follo$ing 4ilfred. on&t pset her. The fl!sh in his

eyes told !vid th!t !ll the $!rs of the $orld $old be nothing to ,!rt&s r!ge if Ele!nor $!spset.

!vid s!lted $ith his free h!nd. ,e took !nother pll of $hiskey !s ,!rt closed the door%

then tcked the fl!sk b!ck into his pocket.,o$ !re yo% Ele!nor7 Trly. 9o c!n tell Cosin !vid.

Trly $onderfl. :nning sch ! l!rge hosehold h!s its difficlties% bt $e !re

$e!thering.

Even h!ving to rn it $hile yo&re l!id p7 !vid g!'ed !t her distended belly nder thecovers. <nce pon ! time% *&d hoped th!t . . . ,e g!ve the nborn +!cken'ie ! nod. (t it

$!sn&t me!nt to be% * sppose.

#o% it $!sn&t. *&m sorry% !vid% if * ever hrt yo.,rt me7 9o ripped ot my he!rt !nd kicked it !bot ! mile% bt no m!tter% de!r l!dy. *&m

m!de of resilient stff. !vid decided to stop being selfish for t$o seconds in his life. ,e let his

voice gro$ gentle. 9o&re m!dly in love% El. *t sho$s on yo% !nd it sho$s $ell. And it isobvios th!t ,!rt is m!dly in love $ith yo in retrn. ,e !l$!ys h!s been.

Ele!nor&s glorios smile spre!d !cross her f!ce. * believe he is% thogh $hen * $hen * $!s

yonger% * $!s too d!ft to nderst!nd th!t.



And * h!ve never forgiven ,!rt for the $!y he tre!ted yo. !vid got to his feet% !l!rmed

$hen his legs s$!yed nder him. ,e deserves to be thr!shed sondly. Althogh he p!id for his

mist!kes% * $old s!y. !vid le!ned his fists on the bed% more to ste!dy himself th!n !nythingelse% !nd le!ned do$n to kiss her cheek. * !m h!ppy for yo% El. And for ,!rt% the bl!ckg!rd.

*&m not so mch of ! b!st!rd th!t *&d $ish yo !ny nh!ppiness.

And yo&ll !l$!ys be de!r to s% !vid.!vid snorted ! l!gh !s he stood p% or tried to. The nips from the fl!sk h!d been ! mist!ke.

on&t gro$ sentiment!l. *&m only dear to ,!rt $hen he $!nts something. !vid does his dirty

deeds.This one is in ! good c!se.

8or b!by brother *!n7 9es% * sppose it is. And if yo think * lo!the to go to the E!rl of

6l!stonby !nd thre!ten dire things% yo&re $rong. *&m looking for$!rd to it. ,e le!ned do$n !nd

kissed Ele!nor !g!in% bec!se $h!t fool $oldn&t $hen he h!d the ch!nce7!vid. ,!rt&s voice rmbled behind him. le!se t!ke yor h!nds off my $ife.

!vid c!reflly str!ightened p% sho$ing th!t he toched Ele!nor only in friendship. 4ell%

he didn&t $!nt to% bt he&d keep it cordi!l.

5e!ve me !lone% yo lcky b!st!rd% !vid s!id. *f he $eren&t so drnk !nd exh!sted% he&d be more restr!ined% bt if he didn&t find ! bed soon% he $!s going to die. ,e sed ,!rt&s !rms to

ste!dy himself !s he p!ssed him. *f yo m!ke her nh!ppy for ! single second% my friend% * $illshoot yo.

+y v!let is $!iting otside to help yo. -leep it off. ,!rt p!tted !vid on the sholder.

The p!t $!s friendly% bt h!rd% !nd !vid h!d to strggle to keep to his feet. !vid ble$ !mischievos kiss to Ele!nor% then s$!yed ot the door !nd h!ppily let the v!let h!ve his $!y

$ith him.

;;; ;;; ;;;

There% gv. ,o$&s th!t7*!n% dressing in the d!rk morning% p!sed imp!tiently. ,e $!nted to fetch his children% meet

C!meron !nd 6!vin! for their e!rly ride% !nd then get b!ck to his t!sk in the sitting room.

Christm!s $!s ne!ring% !nd he !nd !niel $eren&t finished. #o$ Crry h!d trned from the $!rdrobe in *!n&s dressing room !nd f!ced *!n $ith

something resting on his sm!ll p!lms.

*t $!s ! +ing bo$l% or $h!t looked like one% bt cr!cked !nd cr!'ed $ith bits missing. *!nst!red !t it ! moment% then losing interest% $ent b!ck to bttoning his riding co!t.

*t&s yor bo$l% Crry s!id. The one yo boght from the :ssi!n. +e !nd the others

belo$ st!irs% $e stck it b!ck together for yo.

*!n looked !t the bo$l !g!in. ,e kne$ fll $ell th!t it $!s the bo$l (eth h!d broken% $ithits ple!sing lines of dr!gon !nd vine% !nd the lovely ble. 4hen *!n h!d first t!ken it ot of the

box% it h!d sng like ! symphony. #o$ it $!s broken% like ! violin th!t $old never m!ke msic

!g!in.#o need% *!n s!id. *t&s rined.

Crry lo$ered his h!nds% his bro$s dr!$ing do$n% th!t look on his f!ce th!t me!nt *!n h!d

dis!ppointed him someho$. 9o kno$% $orking for yo c!n be bloody p!infl% my lord.*!n str!ightened his coll!r. -o Crry h!d s!id before. *!n never h!d !ny ide! ho$ to respond

to th!t.

This took s ! long time% gv. And some of the bits h!d been broken to po$der% so of

corse it c!n&t be !ll there !g!in.



,e sonded ex!sper!ted. (t then% Crry often did. Crry h!d done so mch for *!n%

ho$ever% one const!nt in *!n&s s$irling m!dness. Crry h!d c!red for *!n $hen no one else h!d%

$hen the m!n cold h!ve $!lked !$!y !nd let *!n dro$n in his o$n confsion.Crry% *!n s!id. Th!nk yo.

<h% pr!ise from me m!ster. o yo $!nt the bo$l% or not7

*!n gl!nced !t it !g!in% bt the bo$l no longer s!ng% no longer e!sed his "!ngled $orld. 9okeep it.

Crry&s eyes $idened. 9o&d give me ! priceless +ing bo$l7

#ot priceless !nymore. <r thro$ it !$!y% !s yo like. *&ll by yo ! better present.Crry looked do$n !t it% !n nre!d!ble expression on his f!ce. *&ll keep it if ye don&t mind.

A sovenir. *t reminds me of yo% this thing does.

*!n h!d no ide! $hy th!t shold be% bt he nodded% gl!d the discssion $!s over.

,e plled on his riding boots !nd took p his h!t% forgetting !bot Crry !nd bo$ls% brokenor other$ise% !s his thoghts moved for$!rd to spending ! delightfl hor $ith his children.

;;; ;;; ;;;

As Christm!s ne!red% the hose filled. (eth $!s kept so bsy she didn&t h!ve mch time to

$orry !bot *!n% bt the thoghts $ere there% niggling !t her. ,!rt h!d !ssred her he&d h!ve !ne$ bo$l for her to give to *!n by Christm!s% !nd (eth $!s $!rmly gr!tefl to him !nd Ele!nor

for their efforts.Ainsley&s for brothers% the +c(rides% !rrived en m!sse% Ainsley crying ot like ! girl !s she

fle$ do$n the st!irs to fling herself first !t one% then the next. -teven +c(ride% the yongest

brother% c!me in his regiment!ls% !ble to obt!in only ! fe$ $eeks& le!ve. ,e $!s t$enty/nine%h!ndsome% t!nned from foreign sns% !nd inst!ntly the center of the fem!le gests& !ttentions.

#ext c!me -incl!ir% the t!llest of them $ith ! booming% deep voice//the b!rrister% $ho lived

mostly in 5ondon. The -cots +!chine% Ainsley h!d s!id his fello$ b!rristers c!lled him% for his

ten!cios grilling of $itnesses !t the <ld (!iley. ,e r!rely f!iled to get his conviction.,e might be ! m!chine in cort% bt -incl!ir $!s !lso ! h!r!ssed f!ther $ith t$o children//

Andre$ !nd C!trion!//$ho immedi!tely trned the nrsery into ! circs% complete $ith tents !nd

tightrope $!lking. #!nny 4estlock&s f!ce h!d been tight since their !rriv!l.Elliot +c(ride% ! former soldier $ho h!d been kept ne!rly ! ye!r in ! terrible prison in

*ndi!% !rrived $ith his ne$ $ife% Jli!n!. Elliot h!d sc!rs on his f!ce !nd kept his h!ir shorn% bt

he&d softened some$h!t from the l!st time (eth h!d seen him. +!rried life looked $ell on him.!trick $!s the eldest% fifteen or so ye!rs older th!n the other +c(rides. ,e&d been f!ther to

them $hen they&d lost their p!rents% r!ising the three boys !nd Ainsley the best he cold. Ainsley

clng to him for ! long time% !nd then to !trick&s $ife% :on!.

*s!bell! !nd (eth% by t!cit consent% took over ! fe$ of Ainsley&s t!sks to !llo$ Ainsley tospend time $ith her beloved f!mily. -till more t!sks $hen Ele!nor&s f!ther% E!rl :!ms!y%

!rrived% so th!t Ele!nor cold fss over him.

*!n% despite his !void!nce of cro$ds% seemed to t!ke the filling hose in stride. 4hen he$!sn&t t!king his children ot for $!lks or riding $ith C!meron !nd 6!vin!% he spent it closeted

in the sitting room $ith !niel. ,e&d occ!sion!lly p!ss ! l!te evening in the billi!rds room $ith

the +c(ride brothers. (eth $old look in !nd see *!n !nd Elliot smoking in silence $hile-incl!ir !nd -teven did most of the pl!ying !nd t!lking. *!n !lso ietly $on mch money from

the other three.

!niel $!s the +!cken'ie $ho g!ve (eth the most concern. ,e&d become !s obsessed !s *!n

over $h!tever they $ere doing in the sitting room% bolting do$n the st!irs $henever mysterios



p!ck!ges !rrived !t the door. *n f!ct% $hile *!n $old emerge from the room from time to time%

!niel rem!ined behind. There $!s no estion of nlocking the door !nd t!king ! peek on the

r!re occ!sion both left the room% bec!se !niel h!d sent for p!rts for ! ne$ lock !nd inst!lled ithimself//!nd he kept the only key.

Three d!ys before Christm!s% (eth c!me pon !niel !nd (ell!my f!cing e!ch other in !

dim b!ck corridor. (ell!my !nd !niel both h!d fists r!ised% !nd !niel sported ! l!rge !ndmlticolored brise from his forehe!d to his "!$.

' ' ' ' '

Cha(ter Ten

!niel) 4h!t on e!rth7

(ell!my lo$ered his fists !nd stepped !$!y from !niel% his stoic expression in pl!ce.<h% hello% Antie% !niel s!id $ith his s!l brisk cheerflness. (ell!my&s giving me !

fe$ lessons in boxing. * need them% !s yo c!n see.

* do see. (ell!my didn&t give yo that % did he7

(ell!my looked f!intly !l!rmed% bt !niel l!ghed. #!e% not (ell!my. 5!d do$n the pb.The b!rm!id&s been me m!te for ye!rs% bt her ne$ intended didn&t see it th!t $!y.

(!rm!id. (eth&s m!id !tie h!d rel!ted the gossip !bot $h!t h!d h!ppened in the vill!gesince their l!st visit. Ah% yes. -he&s m!rrying the bl!cksmith&s boy.

Aye% biggest l!d in to$n. 4e $ent ! rond or t$o before he knocked me do$n. (est boxer

* ever f!ced. * c!me home !nd !sked (ell!my to sho$ me $h!t * did $rong.And $h!t did he do $rong7 (eth !sked (ell!my.

idn&t g!rd right. (ell!my stepped for$!rd% the serv!nt dis!ppe!ring% the fighter

emerging. ,e held p his fists% !rms slightly bent% knckles loose. *n fighting like th!t% if yor

h!nds !re too close to yor f!ce% yor opponent c!n shove yor fist right b!ck into yor o$n eye%!nd then get nder yor re!ch $hile yo&re trying to decide $h!t h!ppened.

,e demonstr!ted by slo$ly thrsting his beefy fist !t !niel&s pr!ised one% pshing !niel&s

b!ck !t him. Then (ell!my follo$ed $ith his other fist% nderne!th to !niel&s f!ce% right $herethe brise $!s.

!niel sighed in resign!tion. 8!ir point. Th!nk yo% (ell!my. ,ello% !d.

C!meron c!me do$n the h!ll like !n !ngry be!r% the pictre softened some$h!t by hisd!ghter riding on his sholders. 6!vin! s!$ !niel% se!led in delight% !nd held ot her !rms.

!niel c!ght her !s she tried to dive off the t!ller C!meron% then !niel s$ng her !rond%

m!king her se!l !ll the more.

(r!$ling in the pb7 C!meron felt himself torn bet$een ex!sper!tion !nd $orry% !nd !lsothe p!ng of re!li'!tion th!t his son h!d gro$n p. C!meron h!d been br!$ling in pbs !t sixteen%

ch!sing b!rm!ids% fighting for their f!vors. !nny h!d gone from b!be in !rms to t!ll niversity

l!d so ickly. 6!vin! $old gro$ !s ickly% gone before he kne$ it.#ot in the pb% !niel $!s s!ying. *n the y!rd behind. #o one $!s hrt//only the pride of

!niel +!cken'ie.

* he!rd% C!meron s!id% ret!ining his f!therly gro$l. (l!cksmith $!s $orried *&d fetch !const!ble to !rrest his son for ponding yo. * told him it $!s no more th!n yo deserved. 9o

le!ve the loc!l b!rm!id !lone% !nny. Troble only comes of th!t. 9e don&t piss in yor o$n

nest. (eg p!rdon% (eth.



(eth% sed to +!cken'ie men forgetting to mitig!te their $ords !rond the l!dies of the

f!mily% only nodded.

!niel s$ng 6!vin! p on his sholder. *&m m!tes $ith irsten% th!t&s !ll. 4e&ve kno$ne!ch other from b!byhood. *&ll go sh!ke h!nds !nd m!ke pe!ce% !ll right7

C!meron h!d no dobt th!t !niel cold restore everyone into !dmiring him !g!in. ,e h!d

the kn!ck for m!king people like him//his mother h!d h!d th!t ch!rm% thogh hers h!d hidden !fol n!tre. !niel&s n!tre $!s snny% th!nk 6od. 5e!ve them !lone for ! bit. 9o c!n be !

$hirl$ind.

!niel shrgged% not offended. 8!ir enogh. After Christm!s then.And le!rn to fight better% C!meron s!id. !niel m!de friends% yes% bt he !lso tended to

defend those $ho coldn&t defend themselves !nd sometimes got be!ten for his trobles. ,ere%

look.

,e f!ced (ell!my% fists r!ised. (oxing $ithin the rles $!s !ll very $ell% bt street fighting$!s !nother m!tter. At !niel&s !ge% C!meron h!d been ! formid!ble b!re/fist fighter.

(ell!my% !l$!ys the profession!l% r!ised his h!nds !nd defended. 9o keep yor fists p%

not do$n% C!meron s!id. Th!t $!y $hen yo pnch% yor !rm t$ists $ith the for$!rd thrst%

giving it th!t mch more momentm.,e broght his fist for$!rd in slo$ motion% str!ight !t (ell!my&s "!$. (ell!my blocked $ith

his !rm% s$inging his o$n fist str!ight p$!rd% nder C!meron&s re!ch.And th!t% C!meron s!id% d!ncing b!ck ot of the $!y% is $hy defensive moves !re

sometimes better th!n offensive. 9o $!tch $h!t yor opponent does% find his $e!kness% !nd

then strike.C!meron spn !$!y from (ell!my&s hit% c!me b!ck% !nd "!bbed his fist behind (ell!my&s

e!r. (ell!my% the experienced fighter% blocked th!t too% bt only "st.

!niel $!tched% ! grin on his f!ce. *&ll think on th!t% !nd h!ve (ell!my give me more

lessons. (t *&ve h!d ! spect!cl!r ide! "st no$.!niel&s spect!cl!r ide!s sometimes left them !ll bre!thless% or frnitre broken. 4h!t7

(eth !sked% sonding $orried. 4ise $om!n.

A boxing m!tch% !niel s!id. (et$een !d !nd (ell!my. 9o kno$% for (oxing !y.(eth l!ghed. !nny% it&s not c!lled (oxing !y bec!se of boxing.

* kno$ th!t. (t it $old be ! good pn. ,o$ !bot it% (ell!my7 Everyone $old be

!llo$ed to $!tch//gests% serv!nts% gests of serv!nts. 9o !nd !d cold sho$ ho$ ! m!tch isre!lly done.

Color st!ined (ell!my&s cheeks% bt he didn&t !ns$er. ,e $!nted to% C!meron cold see th!t.

(ell!my h!d once been celebr!ted throghot (rit!in then chcked ot by his tr!iner $hen the

tr!iner s!$ no more se for him. *n his l!st fight% (ell!my $!s spposed to h!ve t!ken ! f!ll% thsg!ining his tr!iner !nd cronies mch money% bt (ell!my h!d $!nted to go ot $inning. ,e h!d

$on the bot% to the "oy of (ell!my&s follo$ers.

The tr!iner% on the other h!nd% frios !nd in debt to d!ngeros men% h!d (ell!my follo$edhome !nd be!ten. They&d h!ve be!ten him to de!th h!d not +!c !nd C!meron% $ho&d been !t the

m!tch% come pon the fight.

They h!d sent off the thgs% then +!c h!d t!ken (ell!my home !nd sent for ! srgeon to p!tch him p. (ec!se (ell!my h!d no$here to go% !nd no "ob !ny longer% +!c hired him.

(ell!my h!d p!id +!c b!ck for th!t kindness $ith his loy!lty ever since.



Ainsley $old like it if C!meron let (ell!my% ! reserved !nd some$h!t shy m!n% shine in

front of the others. Ainsley re$!rded kindness $ith ! smile% ! delighted kiss% ! nibble on the e!r .

. .Aye% it might be ! tre!t for !ll% C!meron s!id. C!meron cold $in still more pr!ise from

Ainsley if he let (ell!my trimph. (ell!my h!d become smitten% Crry h!d s!id% $ith the m!id

c!lled Esme% $ho&d come to the door looking for ch!rity% !nd h!d been hired on by +rs.esmond !nd *s!bell! to help $ith the fr!ntic prep!r!tions for Christm!s. (ell!my $old

$elcome ! ch!nce to sho$ off in front of her% !nd Ainsley $old en"oy the f!ct th!t C!meron

h!d pl!yed m!tchm!ker.And perh!ps Ainsley $old retre!t from her terrible $orry !bot 6!vin!% $ho $!s% !t the

moment% tgging !niel&s h!ir !nd l!ghing. !niel% in spite of his tendency to$!rd troble% h!d

trned ot r!ther $ell. (et$een the three of them% 6!vin! shold be !ll right.

9or =ncle ,!rt might not !pprove% yo kno$% (eth $!s s!ying. *t is his hose !fter !ll%!nny.

<h% th!t&s no troble. !niel grinned !nd $!ved !$!y his formid!ble =ncle ,!rt. ,e&s

bsy looking !fter Ant Ele!nor% !nd * $!sn&t going to bother mentioning it to him.

;;; ;;; ;;; 9o&d love it here% +!ggie% -incl!ir +c(ride s!id nder his bre!th. ,e g!'ed ot of the

v!st% empty libr!ry to the v!st% empty g!rden% dsted no$ $ith sno$% glittering like di!mondsnder ! brief visit from the sn. -ch be!ty. And iet.

+!ggie% $hom he&d c!lled !isy in intim!te moments% h!d been gone from him five ye!rs

no$. And still the p!in $!s !s sh!rp !s on the d!y she&d died.<t$!rdly% the -cots +!chine rolled on//(!sher +c(ride//the crimin!ls c!lled him. Cool%

sticking to f!cts% proving beyond ! dobt th!t the m!n or $om!n in the dock h!d committed the

!bomin!ble mrder% r!pe% or b!ttering !nd deserved to be pnished. Jries $!rmed to him% the

f!mily m!n $ho $!nted to protect his children !nd theirs from h!rm. #ot th!t -incl!ir coldn&t be kind. A first/time yong thief $ho&d stolen !n !pple to feed his

mother $old $in the (!sher&s comp!ssion% !nd he&d !rge for leniency. The "ries liked th!t

too% even if the "dges did not.*n$!rdly% -incl!ir !ched. ,is he!rt h!d stopped be!ting $hen +!ggie&s h!d% !nd he $!sn&t

cert!in it h!d ever st!rted !g!in.

-he&d h!ve loved the gig!ntic +!cken'ie hose% $ith its horde of splendid rooms !nd spre!dof gronds% !ll m!de be!tifl for Christm!s. +!ggie h!d loved Christm!s. These d!ys% the only

interest in the holid!y -incl!ir cold mster $!s to slip ! chnk of money to his v!let !nd

instrct the m!n to by !ll the toys Andre$ !nd C!trion! cold $!nt.

(egging yor p!rdon% +r. +c(ride.-incl!ir trned relct!ntly from the $indo$ !t #!nny 4estlock&s interrption. ,e s!$ the

look on her f!ce !nd held p his h!nd to forest!ll her $ords. 4h!t h!ve they done no$7

-t!rted ! fire. <n ! bed. They might h!ve t!ken do$n the entire nrsery.-incl!ir smothered ! sigh. Andre$% no dobt. C!trion! $old h!ve $!tched the m!yhem

$ith her s!l iet det!chment. Andre$ $oldn&t h!ve me!nt to st!rt the fire. ,e $!sn&t !n evil

l!d% "st mischievos% reckless% !nd too crios for his o$n good.+y !pologies% +iss 4estlock. *&ll spe!k to Andre$.

* h!ve !lre!dy de!lt $ith the m!tter% sir. (y the pinching of her lips% Andre$ mst h!ve

foght long !nd h!rd !g!inst being de!lt $ith. (t * mst recommend th!t these children be

t!ken in h!nd.



4ell% of corse. And if -incl!ir h!d been c!p!ble of t!king them in h!nd% he !lre!dy $old

h!ve. Ag!in% * !pologi'e for Andre$&s beh!vior% -incl!ir s!id. +y $ife took c!re of these

things% yo see.+!ggie% $ith her l!ghter% the *rish lilt to her voice//every T ! precise stop $ith her lovely

tonge behind her teeth% h!d been !ble to do !nything $ith her children. -he&d been so be!tifl%

bl!ck *rish% she $!s c!lled% $ith d!rk h!ir !nd d!rk l!shes fr!ming deep ble eyes. C!trion! h!dher coloring% $hile Andre$ $!s pre blond -cots% like his f!ther.

A good n!nny c!n do $onders% sir. * g!ther yor children h!ve no n!nny !t !ll7

#ot !t present% -incl!ir !ns$ered. E!ch one * hire never l!sts more th!n ! d!y. erh!psyo cold recommend someone% !s c!p!ble !s yor good self7

+iss 4estlock&s lips thinned. * $ill send yo ! list% sir. * $ill !lso sggest th!t they !re

gro$ing old enogh to need ! competent governess% especi!lly yor d!ghter.

-incl!ir !ckno$ledged this $ith ! nod. Andre$ $old be sent off to school in de time% btC!trion! . . . -incl!ir $!nted her home.

Th!nk yo% +iss 4estlock.

+iss 4estlock% $ith the !ir of ! $om!n h!ving done her dty% closed the door !nd

$ithdre$.-incl!ir trned to the $indo$. +!ggie% love% he s!id softly. 9o !l$!ys told me to h!ve

f!ith% bt *&m lost.-ilence met him. The co!l fire on the he!rth m!de little noise% !nd $ind ble$ otside%

bringing b!ck the clods% bt the thick p!nes kept ot the sond.

-incl!ir sighed% one of his bl!ck moods descending !nd bringing ! he!d!che $ith it.T!lking to yo does m!ke me feel better% !isy. (t * ,ish for once% yo&d !ns$er me.

;;; ;;; ;;;

5ois!) c!me ! delighted cry.

5!dy 5ois! -cr!nton looked p the st!irs% ! smile spre!ding !cross her f!ce !s herexber!nt sister *s!bell! r!n do$n to her. *n ! moment% *s!bell! $!s folding 5ois! into her

!rms. 5ois! retrned the embr!ce% so!king p the $!rmth !nd fr!gr!nce of her sister. ,er ha..y

sister.-o good to see yo% *''y.

+!m!. *s!bell! left 5ois! to g!ther p the $om!n in bl!ck bomb!'ine% $ho&d come in

behind 5ois!. ,o$ !re yo7 *s!bell! kissed the do$!ger contess& cheek. ,o$ $!s the "orney7

*f yo mst kno$% d!rling% long !nd some$h!t tedios. Their mother retrned the kiss.

(t !ll the better for seeing yo.

*s!bell! relinished her to the c!re of sever!l serv!nts//the do$!ger contess loved to belooked !fter by serv!nts//then *s!bell! linked !rms $ith 5ois! to $!lk her pst!irs to the

bedch!mber prep!red for her.

*s!bell! ch!ttered bree'ily !bot the hose% the holid!y prep!r!tions% !bot $h!t ! $onderfltime they $old !ll h!ve. 5ois! m!de the reisite responses% $ishing she cold let *s!bell!&s

"oy r!ise her spirits. (t 5ois! recently h!d !ssessed her life% her mother&s life% !nd their ftre%

!nd h!d m!de her decision.As *s!bell! $ent on in exber!nce% 5ois! gl!nced !bot !t the h!nging decor!tions th!t

$ent !ll the $!y p the m!rvelos st!irc!se% the greenery !nd stre!mers $!rming the cold m!rble

!nd p!neling. -he looked do$n over the r!ilings to !dmire the gi!nt v!se of yello$ mms pl!ced

on the t!ble on the grond floor.



A m!n in bl!ck strode into the open h!ll belo$. A +!cken'ie% 5ois! thoght% then her chest

constricted% !nd her moth $ent dry.

,e $!s ! +!cken'ie% !nd he $!sn&t. 5loyd 8ello$s% the detective inspector% $!s very like,!rt +!cken'ie $hen vie$ed from !f!r% $ith the s!me comm!nding !ir% t!ll body% !nd d!rk h!ir

brshed $ith red $hen the light $!s right. ,e !lso h!d h!'el eyes th!t missed nothing% ! sh!rp

f!ce% !nd ! biting $it.The l!st time 5ois! h!d seen +r. 8ello$s h!d been !t ,!rt !nd Ele!nor&s $edding% $hen

she&d br!'enly kissed him.

5ois! remembered the firmness of his lips% the scent of cig!r th!t clng to his clothes% thet!ste of $hiskey !nd spice in his moth. A strong m!n% c!p!ble% n!fr!id of $ork !nd h!rdship%

bt his h!nd h!d sh!ken ! little !s he&d brshed b!ck 5ois!&s h!ir.

As thogh he felt 5ois!&s g!'e on him% 8ello$s looked p% throgh the greenery !nd the

r!ilings% !nd their g!'es locked.5ois!&s f!ce flooded $ith he!t% bt she $old not let herself look !$!y. 9es% she h!d kissed

him. -he&d been filled $ith the "oy of the $edding% even $ith its complic!tions% !nd ! s!dness

th!t she&d likely never h!ve sch ! $edding herself. -he&d fond this h!ndsome m!n% !s s!d !nd

!lone !s she $!s% !nd she&d $!nted his $!rmth.8ello$s h!lted% his f!ce still% his only !ckno$ledgment of her ! f!int nod. 5ois! tried to nod

b!ck% bt her neck $!s too stiff to bend. -he !nd *s!bell! re!ched the l!nding on the secondfloor% *s!bell! plled her !rond ! corner% !nd +r. 8ello$s $!s lost to sight.

,ere $e !re% *s!bell! s!id% shering 5ois! into ! l!rge% smptos bedch!mber. *t $!s !

hge room% l!rger even th!n her ch!mber h!d been $hen 5ois! h!d lived in the m!in hose onher f!ther&s est!te. ,er bedroom in the do$er hose $!s ite sm!ll% ! corner room nder the

e!ves.

*t&s ench!nting% 5ois! s!id. *''y% * need to tell yo. *&ve decided something.

*s!bell! trned !rond% s!$ 5ois!&s f!ce% !nd ietly told the pst!irs m!id $ho $!snp!cking 5ois!&s c!ses to le!ve them !nd retrn l!ter. The m!id crtseyed !nd retre!ted%

thogh she g!ve 5ois! ! crios -cots st!re before she left.

*s!bell! took 5ois!&s h!nds. 4h!t is it% d!rling75ois! took ! moment to reflect ho$ be!tifl her beloved sister h!d become. *s!bell!&s h!ir

$!s ! rich red% her eyes the perfect green in contr!st% her skin p!le bt not the ch!lk $hite of too

delic!te ! complexion.*s!bell! kne$ ho$ to dress $ell% her green go$n $ith bl!ck piping neither too m!tronly nor

too frivolos% her bstle ! m!n!ge!ble si'e in !n !ge $here they !ll mst $e!r the eiv!lent of

kitchen shelves on the b!cks of their go$ns. T!stefl% eleg!nt% lovely. The st!rk nh!ppiness h!d

gone from *s!bell!&s eyes% to be repl!ced by the contentment of ! $om!n $ho $!s $ell loved.*&ve decided * need to get m!rried% 5ois! s!id.

*s!bell! see'ed 5ois!&s h!nds !nd st!rted to smile% then the smile f!ded. * $!s !bot to

!sk $ho $!s the lcky gentlem!n% bt sddenly *&m not sre $h!t yo me!n.* me!n th!t it is time for me to m!rry. *&ve been of m!rri!ge!ble !ge for ye!rs no$% !nd !m

!ct!lly !lre!dy on the shelf. * !m reg!rded $ith pity% despite the f!ct th!t *&m !n e!rl&s d!ghter%

bec!se p!p! died in disgr!ce !nd poverty. *&m not mch of ! prospect% !m *7 (t there !re menof fortne $illing to seek ! pedigree% !nd * do !t le!st h!ve th!t.

!rling% yo don&t need ! fortne. +!c !nd * $ill t!ke c!re of yo !nd +!m!% yo kno$

th!t. 9o never h!ve to $orry.



9es% !nd yo both !re very kind. 5ois! $ithdre$ her h!nds from her sister&s gr!sp. (t *

,ant to m!rry. * $!nt my o$n hosehold% children. * do not $ish to be the spinster sister living

on ch!rity the rest of my life. *f * m!rry $ell% not only $ill yo h!ve me off yor h!nds% * c!nhelp restore the rept!tion of the -cr!ntons% $hich is ! bit d!m!ged% yo mst !dmit. * c!n he!r

the gossips no$% if * do this// :er father died in terrible debt+ her sister's scandalous elo.ement

,as .layed out in the ne,s.a.ers+ but at least the younger sister married into a good family15ois!. *s!bell! dropped her distressed look !nd spoke gently. * love yo de!rly. * do

nderst!nd//yo $!nt yor dignity b!ck. (t ple!se% * beg of yo% do not m!rry !g!inst yor

he!rt. * $old be ple!sed beyond belief to see yo settled !nd filling yor nrsery% bt only ifyo&re in love. *&ve $itnessed m!ny ! loveless m!rri!ge% !nd both p!rties live in misery% believe

me. * follo$ed my he!rt% !s mch troble !s it c!sed% !nd fond tre h!ppiness. * h!ve !

$onderfl hsb!nd $ho !dores me% !nd * love him !nd my three children $ith every bre!th.

9es% she did. +!c $!s besotted $ith *s!bell!% !nd she $ith him. (t *s!bell!&s h!ppiness h!d been ! long time in the m!king.

Th!t&s !ll very $ell% 5ois! s!id imp!tiently. (t $hen yo r!n off $ith +!c% it $!s !

complete mess% !nd yo kno$ it. * don&t $ish to be nkind% *''y% bt !s * observed before% yo

m!de things r!ther difficlt for those of s left behind. 9o follo$ed yor he!rt% bt yo spentm!ny nh!ppy ye!rs before yo !nd +!c sorted it !ll ot.

* kno$. The fl!sh of p!in in *s!bell!&s eyes told 5ois! "st ho$ nh!ppy those ye!rs h!d been. (t life is ! complic!ted thing. #ot e!sily pt right $ith this m!rri!ge or th!t//! m!n of

fortne% ! $om!n of line!ge. The ne$sp!pers $ill like it if yo m!ke sch ! m!tch% bt yo

$on&t.4h!t choice do * h!ve7 5ois! s$ng to her c!ses !nd st!rted lifting ot go$ns//*s!bell!

h!d prch!sed every one of them for her. * !m the poor rel!tion% * !m left off invit!tion lists

bec!se *&ve been ot sever!l se!sons no$% !nd no one h!s sho$n interest in m!rrying me. * $!nt

to ch!nge th!t. This spring% * $ill set ot to find ! hsb!nd. * $ill h!ve to borro$ money fromyo for ! ne$ $!rdrobe% bt * $ill p!y yo b!ck $hen * c!n.

*s!bell!&s competent h!nds lifted ! skirt !nd shook it ot. 4h!t !bsolte nonsense. <f

corse% yo sh!ll h!ve yor $!rdrobe% !nd the most glorios -e!son !ny yong l!dy cold $ish.The debs $ill be green $ith envy. *f yo $!nt ! hsb!nd% yo sh!ll h!ve one.

5ois! recogni'ed the determin!tion in her sister% ! determin!tion th!t cold fl!tten forests.

le!se do not m!tch/m!ke for me% *s!bell!. * kno$ the eligible gentlemen in 5ondon !nd thech!nces * h!ve $ith e!ch. *&ve m!de it my stdy. * $ill do this on my o$n. -he let ot her

bre!th% softening. Thogh * do !ppreci!te yor help% *'. 9o kno$ th!t. And +!m! $ill

cert!inly en"oy herself. -he !dores going ot% !nd she $ill !ccomp!ny me every$here.

As $ill *% $hen * c!n% *s!bell! s!id. 9o kno$ th!t 5ondon dring the -e!son is myterritory% !nd *&ll be presenting !nother !rtist !nd ne$ violinist !t my little g!therings. 9o sh!ll

of corse be there to hostess $ith me.

As yor nm!rried sister.As my brilli!nt little sister $ho $old m!ke !ny gentlem!n invited to my hose ! good

$ife. #ot to $orry% 5ois!. This $ill !ll trn ot $ell.

5ois! let *s!bell! dre!m !nd scheme !s they trned to np!cking. 5ois! $old crb*s!bell!&s enthsi!sm $hen the time c!me% bt for no$% she cold !llo$ *s!bell! her en"oyment.

5ois!&s tre!cheros thoghts retrned to +r. 8ello$s% !nd the glitter of his +!cken'ie eyes

!s he looked !t her !cross the empty sp!ce in the st!irc!se h!ll.



+r. 8ello$s% ! $orking/cl!ss m!n $ith sc!nd!los connections !nd illegitim!te birth% $!s !

most ineligible b!chelor. (t he kissed like fire% !nd he&d stirred ! longing in 5ois!&s he!rt she&d

never forgotten.;;; ;;; ;;;

Christm!s Eve !rrived% !nd $ith it% !vid% bt $ithot the precios +ing bo$l.

on&t gro$l !t me% ,!rt% !vid s!id% $hen he reported in. 6l!stonby&s ! togh nt% !nd*&m cr!cking him. (t it t!kes time.

' ' ' ' '

Cha(ter #le+en

4h!t !m * to tell (eth7 ,!rt did not $!nt to expl!in to her th!t his ide! of sending !vid

to coerce the bo$l ot of 6l!stonby h!d f!iled.!vid shrgged. Tell her th!t * !m $orking h!rd !nd ne!ring the go!l. (t 6l!stonby h!s

become the consmm!te f!mily m!n for Christm!s% so * thoght *&d retrn to -cotl!nd !nd en"oy

mine.

,!rt pored $hiskey into ct/cryst!l gl!sses !nd h!nded one to !vid% reflecting th!t !vid!l$!ys looked better $hen he h!d his teeth snk into something. ,is eyes lost their red/rimmed%

bloodshot !ppe!r!nce% his pffy f!ce retrned to le!n lines% !nd his voice $!s ste!dy !nd $hole.,!rt kept the !mont of $hiskey in the gl!ss sm!ll% !nd noticed th!t !vid sipped it r!ther th!n

do$ned it in ! single s$!llo$.

*&ll le!ve !fter (oxing !y !nd retrn $ith the bo$l before #e$ 9e!r&s. romise. (eth c!ngive it to *!n !s ! ,ogm!n!y present. !vid broke into ! grin. (elieve it or not% yo&ll o$e

some of my sccess to ! vic!r.

,!rt selected t$o cig!rs from his hmidor !nd h!nded one to !vid. ,o$ so7

Ah% th!nk yo. !vid lit the cig!r $ith ! m!tch !nd spent ! moment scking in smoke.9o kno$% * m!int!in my friendship $ith yo bec!se yo !l$!ys stock the finest. The vic!r&s

!n old friend//$ell% old f!mily friend. ,e&s !l$!ys kept !n eye ot for me% sort of ! sbstitte

f!ther% bec!se mine $!s rbbish% !s $!s yors. Any$!y% he kno$s 6l!stonby% !greed th!t them!n $!s ! hypocrite% !nd s!id he&d help me% !s long !s 6l!stonby&s $ife !nd d!ghters never find

ot !nd !ren&t hrt by it. 6l!stonby deserves to be sh!med% not his f!mily% !nd * !gree. The m!n

insists on keeping me to the str!ight !nd n!rro$.,!rt took ! pll of the cig!r !nd ch!sed it $ith ! sip of $hiskey. ,e s!vored the

combin!tion% !s he !l$!ys did% finding en"oyment in every corner of life he cold. ,e&d le!rned

to do so !t !n e!rly !ge. *f it $orks. * need th!t bo$l.

<h% it $ill $ork% my friend. (t for no$. !vid s!nk into !n !rmch!ir !nd stretched othis long legs. *&ll dro$n in dec!dence for the next t$o d!ys% then retrn to $ork.

(y #e$ 9e!r&s% ,!rt s!id in ! firm voice. !vid $!s loy!l% bt too e!sily distr!cted.

(y #e$ 9e!r&s. !vid s!lted ,!rt $ith the gl!ss% then g!ve p moder!tion !nd poredthe $hiskey do$n his thro!t.

;;; ;;; ;;;

+!c h!d est!blished% the first Christm!s ilmorg!n C!stle h!d seen the ne$ brood of+!cken'ie children% th!t the f!mily spent Christm!s morning in the nrsery giving gifts to the

children% before the !dlts p!rtook of the more form!l dinner $ith gests do$nst!irs. ,ogm!n!y

$old be only f!mily !nd very -cottish% $ith bonfires% (l!ck (n% more presents% the 8irst

8ooter% !nother fe!st% !nd mch celebr!tion.



(eth loved the tr!ditions. Christm!s !y dring her childhood h!d been the s!me !s !ny

other% except in the $orkhose% $hen they&d he!rd ! sermon !nd h!d ! sm!ll second helping of

bre!d. #e$ 9e!r&s h!d come !nd gone $ithot mch !ckno$ledgment.-he&d never experienced childish "oy !t beholding !rmfls of gifts c!rried in by the men of

the f!mily% ! Christm!s tree he!vy $ith decor!tions m!de by the l!dies !nd children !nd l!ced

$ith popcorn g!rl!nds% or the cr!ckers th!t b!nged $hen plled open to reve!l little toys inside.-oon the children $ere bried in tisse !nd ribbons% the !dlts !nd !niel helping them open the

gifts. The only t$o of the f!mily missing $ere ,!rt% $ho h!dn&t yet !rrived% !nd Ele!nor% $ho

$!s keeping to her bed to rest% pl!nning to "oin the fe!st !t dinner.The +c(ride children $ere inclded in the festivities this ye!r. Andre$ $hooped !s he

d!shed !bot $ith ! stick hobbyhorse th!t h!d ! re!l m!ne. C!trion! s!t ietly $ith the l!rge

doll th!t never left her side% contempl!ting ! doll/si'ed silk te! go$n% exisitely m!de in the

l!test f!shion. The dress h!d been cr!fted by ! dressm!ker !nd h!d been !s perfectly $roght !s!ny go$n for ! l!dy. Ainsley expl!ined th!t -incl!ir h!d one m!de every ye!r for C!trion!&s doll.

,o$ lovely% (eth s!id% sitting do$n beside C!t. -h!ll $e dress olly in it7

,er n!me is !isy% C!trion! s!id% $ith the scorn only ! nine/ye!r/old cold mster. 5ike

my m!m!. And she doesn&t $!nt to $e!r the dress right no$.4ell% th!t&s !ll right. (eth !ddressed the doll. *t trly is be!tifl% !isy. -ch fine

$orkm!nship. A lovely gift.+!ybe l!ter% C!t s!id. -he hgged !isy close% brying her f!ce in the doll&s golden h!ir.

-incl!ir shook his he!d !s (eth rose. * give her ! go$n every ye!r% he s!id in ! lo$ voice.

C!t tells me the doll likes it bt prefers not to $e!r it. ,er mother g!ve her the doll% yo see% theChristm!s before she p!ssed. -o * don&t insist.

(eth nderstood. The l!st thing C!t&s mother h!d given her $old be precios% not to be

toched. (eth&s mother h!d given her ! h!ir ribbon ! month before she&d p!ssed% for $hich she&d

s!ved p her $!ges. (eth h!d kept it s!fely $r!pped in p!per ever !fter. -he still h!d it.-he didn&t miss the fl!sh of p!in in -incl!ir&s eyes. The de!th of +rs. +c(ride h!d ct this

f!mily deeply.

*!n s!t ! little !p!rt from the children% $!tching them l!gh !nd se!l !s they plled tissefrom their gifts. #one of the boxes to J!mie !nd (elle h!d come from him% thogh (eth h!d

!ssred them th!t the ne$ sc!rves% h!ts% gloves% tin soldiers% !nd dolls h!d come from both +!m!

!nd !p!.*!n only s!t% !rms on knees% !nd $!tched. As (eth st!rted for him% one of the footmen flng

open the door to !dmit ,!rt% $ho strode in like ! king% his !rms lo!ded $ith boxes. The six

+!cken'ie children !nd Andre$ +c(ride s$!rmed him% !nd even C!trion! looked p in

interest.<ne !t ! time% ,!rt ro!red. The children p!id no !ttention. They gr!bbed on to his co!t or

hem of his kilt% !nd h!lf follo$ed% h!lf dr!gged him into the room.

,!rt deposited the boxes onto ! l!rge t!ble% s!nk into !n empty ch!ir mch too sm!ll forhim% !nd lifted the three sm!llest +!cken'ies//6!vin!% :obert% !nd (elle//to his l!p. The others

g!thered !rond% t!lking !t once% re!ching for the boxes. ,!rt&s visit to the nrsery $!s !l$!ys

An Event.Ainsley% (eth% !nd *s!bell! distribted the gifts% $hile the other gentlemen retired $ith

!niel to the side of the room !nd m!de $h!t they spposed $ere sotto voce rem!rks.

,e looks like ! p!p! be!r $ith !ll his cbs% doesn&t he7 +!c !sked.

A d!ncing be!r% C!meron s!id.



!niel plled ! key from his pocket% trned it in the lock% !nd very slo$ly s$ng open the

door. (eth took ! step for$!rd% bt both *!n !nd !niel moved to block her p!th.

C!refl% Ant (eth. <ne pff of !ir c!n set it off.-et ,hat off7 4h!t h!ve yo t$o been doing7

+ove% *!n s!id to !niel.

!niel stepped !side% !nd *!n c!rried J!mie inside. J!mie looked !rond in !$e% then st!rtedto l!gh. (eth pshed to the door$!y% feeling the others press behind her.

-he fin!lly s!$ $h!t $!s inside the room !nd stopped in !stonishment. *!n% $h!t on

e!rth7*!n set J!mie c!reflly on his feet. The other children c!n come in% bt they mst st!y ne!r

the door.

They&d !lre!dy bstled for$!rd. Andre$ $!s stopped from d!rting inside !nd rining

everything by the strong h!nds of his f!ther !nd C!meron.J!mie% *!n s!id. Toch the first one "st there.

J!mie% $ide/eyed% pt his finger on the very first domino% !nd gently pshed.

The room $!s covered $ith the things. :o$s pon ro$s of bl!ck !nd $hite dominos stood

pright on end% sp!ced evenly !p!rt. They $ere on the floor% the frnitre% $indo$ ledges% ch!irr!il% every sp!ce ! domino cold be set. They $ere interspersed $ith other things (eth coldn&t

identify% bt dominos $ere prev!lent.-he s!$ this !ll in ! split second% !nd then $onder took over.

The first domino knocked !g!inst the next% sending it into the next !nd so on. The

momentm of f!lling dominos bec!me ! stre!m% !nd then ! p!ttern th!t s$irled !rond !nd!rond the floor.

The line climbed p ! little r!mp to rn !cross the desk !nd do$n ! set of books piled like

st!ir steps on the other side. (!ck to the floor to divide into t$o p!tterns% e!ch ex!ctly mirroring

the other% resembling the c!reflly trimmed hedges in the g!rden belo$. #ext% the dominos r!n p to the $indo$ ledge !nd ! colorfl box there. A domino hit ! lever

before the next ones r!n !rond the sill% !nd ot popped ! "!ck/in/the/box. (elle l!ghed !nd

cl!pped her h!nds.The domino stre!m r!n !cross ! ledge !nd p onto the next $indo$sill. Ag!in one hit !

lever% !nd ot of this box popped ! clock$ork eleph!nt th!t lifted its trnk !nd trmpeted before

it s!nk b!ck into the box.The !dlts $!tched% !s entr!nced !s the children% !s the line of dominos sped b!ck to the

floor. *t r!n in more p!tterns% then split !g!in. <ne domino in the second p!ttern tripped ! s$itch%

shooting ! toy tr!in ot from the sh!do$s on its tr!ck. The tr!in $histled !nd ble$ re!l smoke !s

it r!ced !rond to the end of its rn% incident!lly knocking do$n the next domino in the ch!in.This stre!m broke into three% e!ch he!ding ! different direction. <ne stre!m 'oomed !cross

the floor str!ight !t J!mie before veering !side !t the l!st second. Another $hirled into crlices%

like flo$er pet!ls opening on the floor. The third $ent p ! series of r!mps% to cl!tter !cross the pictre r!il nder the cornice.

The l!st domino on the r!il fell to l!nd !g!inst !nother on the $indo$ se!t. This stre!m r!n

to !nother box th!t spr!ng open in !n explosion of slfr/smelling smoke.Th!t&s !nny% C!meron s!id% sonding !s delighted !s the children. ,e&s !l$!ys loved

blo$ing things p.

Another cr!ck !nd pff !ns$ered the rem!rk !s the dominos s$!rmed do$n the $indo$

se!t. The next device they triggered rele!sed ! string of pppets d!ncing on ! $ire% ! msic box



belo$ them pl!ying ! merry tne. The dominos r!n on% tripping ! lever on ! clock they r!n p!st.

The clock chimed% !nd from its top issed ! line of figres th!t bo$ed% d!nced% or t!pped drms

in front of them% before they dis!ppe!red b!ck into the clock.6lockenspiel% !niel s!id to J!mie&s $ide/eyed st!re. 8riend !nd * m!de it.

The stre!m no$ met p $ith the t$o others th!t h!d been fl!shing !rond the room. The

dominos r!n side by side% three !bre!st% then knocked into others th!t gre$ the stre!m into for!nd five% then six !nd seven !cross. The dominos p!rted !nd flo$ed into ! di!mond/p!tterned

design% meeting precisely !t the end% the stre!ms dissolving b!ck into three before picking p

!g!in for the next di!mond.The di!monds finished% redced the dominos to t$o stre!ms !g!in% then one% $hich

'ig'!gged p r!mps to the ceiling fixtre% its f!cets removed. The dominos r!ced !rond the rim

then fell like ! $!terf!ll into ! pile belo$. <ne knocked into the next ro$% $hich tripped !nother

box.<t popped ! clock$ork bird% $hich took $ing !nd fl!pped !rond the room. ominos

g!thered into ! $ild s$irl% tripping more !nd more% ntil they !ll fell do$n in the middle of the

circle.

A fin!l lever tripped% !nd ! box brst open $ith ! pff of smoke !nd ! b!ll of glittering p!per% $hich exploded over the room.

Confetti r!ined do$n in ! gentle sho$er% the l!st domino fell% !nd !ll $!s silence.+!c let ot ! $ild $hoop% st!rtling (eth ot of her stnned stillness. -he h!d to open !nd

close her moth ! fe$ times% her voice not $orking% !s the others b!thed *!n in $ild !ppl!se.

*!n% yo did !ll this7 +!c !sked.!niel pt in the clock$orks% *!n s!id ietly% lifting the first domino to st!nd it pright

!g!in.

*t $!s !ll =ncle *!n&s ide!% !niel s!id. (orn in th!t m!them!tic!l br!in of his. ,e c!me

p $ith the designs !nd ho$ to m!ke them $ork. * "st pt together the clock$orks. =ncle *!n&s! bloody genis.

*!n s!id nothing. ,e sho$ed J!mie ho$ to set p the dominos !g!in. J!mie let him get to

five before he knocked them do$n !nd shoted h!ppily.The rest of the f!mily s$!rmed in% !dlts !nd children !like% ex!mining the f!llen dominos

!nd !nny&s devices% excl!iming in excitement. ,!rt h!d plled off his p!per cro$n% bt he bent

over the p!tterns !s e!gerly.9o&ll h!ve to set them !ll p !g!in% ,!rt s!id. * $!nt Ele!nor to see this.

=ncle% !niel s!id in dism!y. *t took s $eeks to do this lot.

T!ke more $eeks% ,!rt s!id% $ithot symp!thy. #ot Ele!nor&s f!lt she&s !bed. -he&ll

$!nt to see it $hen she&s better.Tre. !niel brightened% $ith his s!l lightning/s$ift ch!nge of mood. Antie El

sholdn&t miss it. ,ere% J!mie% help me $ith these.

,e led J!mie to !nother stre!m% !nd *!n rose !nd c!me to (eth.!niel&s right% (eth s!id to him. 9o !re ! bloody genis. And here * $!s !fr!id . . .

*!n g!ve her ! p''led look. Afr!id of $h!t7 *t $!s for J!mie. 8or Christm!s.

(eth flng her !rms !rond her hsb!nd !nd plled his t!ll body do$n to her. *!n% * loveyo so very mch.

*!n&s strong !rms c!me !rond her% his $!rmth filling his embr!ce. * love yo% my (eth% he

$hispered !g!inst her h!ir. Are yo h!ppy7

<f corse * !m. *t $!s ! fine thing to do. -omething only yo $old think of.



*!n r!ised his he!d to give her ! long kiss% then he bried his f!ce in her neck% his !rms

tightening on her b!ck. Everything&s !ll right then% he s!id.

;;; ;;; ;;;+y love% yo $ill not believe $h!t *!n did.

,!rt stretched ot on the bed next to Ele!nor% his eyes sp!rkling% thogh his f!ce $!s too

p!le. ,e needed sleep.Ele!nor listened $hile ,!rt described the dominos *!n !nd !niel h!d set p. -he l!ghed%

even thogh l!ghter broght ! t$inge of p!in. They needn&t bother $ith it !g!in. *t mst h!ve

been mch l!bor.9es% they do need to bother. *t $ill be ! nice tre!t for yo !fter !ll this. 9o deserve it.

Ele!nor didn&t !rge. 4hen ,!rt $!nted to blly someone% especi!lly !bot something

concerning her% little cold stop him.

4ell% *&m gl!d *!n did something so good for the children. And !ll of yo% if * re!d theexcitement in yor voice right. *t m!kes me feel light% $hich $ill be good for $hen * go do$n to

spper.

El. The smile left ,!rt&s f!ce% !nd he bec!me the $orried hsb!nd !g!in. The o-er /$orried

hsb!nd. #o one $ill think less of yo if yo st!y !nd rest. They kno$ the b!by is comingsoon.

Ele!nor sighed. -ometimes * think he&s not coming !t !ll. * $!ke in the morning% so sre it$ill be tod!y% !nd go to sleep !s he!vy !s ever. -tbborn little ch!p. -o like ! +!cken'ie.

*t&s Christm!s. erh!ps it $ill be tod!y.

,!rt cold be optimistic% bt then he $!sn&t lying here like ! blo!ted b!lloon.,!rt dre$ ! sm!ll p!cket from his pocket !nd l!id it on the covers over her bosom. +erry

Christm!s% love.

Ele!nor toched the p!ck!ge in srprise. 4h!t&s this7 * thoght yo $ere too -cottish to

give presents !ny time bt #e$ 9e!r&s.* didn&t $!nt to $!it.

,e spoke c!lmly% !lmost offh!nd% bt Ele!nor he!rd the need in him% !nd the fe!r. ,e

$!nted to m!ke cert!in she received the gift% in c!se something h!ppened.oor ,!rt. Ele!nor tried to re!ssre him th!t she $!s not fr!gile !nd fr!il like his first $ife%

bt he $!s too !$!re of the d!nger. Ele!nor $!s !$!re of it too% bt they cold only $!it !nd see

$h!t h!ppened.-he n$r!pped the tisse !rond the gift% reve!ling !nother $r!pping of silk. -he opened

this !s $ell then g!'ed in r!ptre !t the e!rrings th!t l!y on the ble f!bric. -oft gold geometric

sh!pes stdded $ith ble stones hng from $ires so fine ! bre!th might displ!ce them.

<h% ,!rt. Ele!nor lifted one e!rring% her eyes $ide. This is !stonishing. The gold $!s sothin it cold h!ve been p!per% bt he!vy enogh to h!ve sbst!nce.

They&re from Egypt. ,!rt slid closer !nd rested his he!d on her sholder. ,e toched the

d!ngling gold. An Egypti!n een $ore these.Trly7 ,er f!scin!tion incre!sed. ,o$ old !re they7

Ancient. +!de sever!l thos!nd ye!rs before Christ $!s born.

They&re be!tifl. (t $here did yo get them7 id yo slip off to Egypt sometime $hen *$!sn&t looking7

* intercepted them on their $!y to the (ritish +sem.

Ele!nor very c!reflly lo$ered the e!rring. Then perh!ps $e shold let them be displ!yed

in the msem.



:ot th!t. They $ere destined for ! box in ! b!sement% prob!bly to be bried for eternity. *

pers!ded them to let me h!ve ch!rge of them.

,!rt&s pers!sion cold be !ggressive. * see. Then ple!se tell the gentlemen !t the msem *$ill t!ke very good c!re of them.

They kno$.

Ele!nor slipped one into her e!rlobe% then smiled !t ,!rt. There. -h!ll * $e!r them tospper7

,!rt slid his !rm behind her% trning her to f!ce him. ,is lips met hers in ! slo$% s!voring

kiss% his finger ste!ling to the e!rring !nd then dr!$ing do$n her neck% tr!cing fire.*t $old be ! $hile% Ele!nor reflected% sinking into his embr!ce% before they thoght of

going do$n to spper.

;;; ;;; ;;;

5loyd 8ello$s still h!dn&t become comfort!ble $ith his $elcome into the +!cken'ie f!mily.9e!rs of !nimosity% on both sides% took time to f!de.

The $omen of the hosehold//those l!dies m!d enogh to m!rry +!cken'ies//!l$!ys

greeted 8ello$s $!rmly. ,e h!d to !dmit th!t visits to the dke&s gr!nd m!nsion $ere m!de

e!sier by the soft embr!ces !nd friendly kisses of the for l!dies. The gentlemen still eyed him!sk!nce% !lthogh *!n% of !ll people% !ccepted 8ello$s $ithot r!ncor.

Even so% sitting !t the long t!ble in the gr!nd dining room% !midst ,!rt +!cken'ie&shighborn gests% $!s nnerving. Those not of the f!mily st!red !t him in open criosity. They

$ere !m!'ed by the f!ct th!t the lofty +!cken'ies h!d not only !ckno$ledged 8ello$s&s birth%

bt !ccepted him !s e!l to the +!cken'ie brothers. 8ello$s $!s ! lo$ly policem!n% r!ised inthe slms of 5ondon. ,e oght to be t!king his dinner belo$ st!irs. And yet he s!t !t the high

t!ble% next to the dchess herself% $ho&d risen from her bed to preside over the me!l.

+ore nnerving to 8ello$s th!n the gests& gl!nces !nd $hispers% ho$ever% $!s the

presence of 5!dy 5ois! -cr!nton% sister to 5!dy *s!bell!% se!ted right next to him.

' ' ' ' '

Cha(ter T!el+e

Except for the gl!nce they&d exch!nged over the st!ir r!ilings ! fe$ d!ys !go% 8ello$s h!d

not seen 5!dy 5ois! since his !rriv!l. ,e&d thoght himself s!fe from !ny !$k$!rd meeting$ith her ntil this !fternoon% $hen he&d entered the dining room to find th!t she&d been se!ted !t

his side.

5ois! smiled !t him% tterly composed% !s thogh they&d not met on top of ! stepl!dder in

this very hose l!st April% !s thogh she h!dn&t le!ned for$!rd !nd kissed his lips. And then toldhim she&d contempl!ted doing so for some time.

Tod!y 5ois! $!s like ! bright !ngel% dressed in bottle green% $ith ! pl!id ribbon pinned to

her bodice to indic!te her honor!ry connection $ith the +!cken'ie cl!n. ,er red/gold h!ir h!d been dr!$n p into complic!ted crls on top of her he!d% $ith delic!te $isps brshing her

forehe!d. Tiny di!monds d!ngled from her e!rlobes% !nd ! silver pend!nt rested on her chest.

-he $!s yonger th!n 8ello$s% from !n !ristocr!tic f!mily% lovely !nd gr!cefl% her m!nners polished. Thogh her f!ther h!d lost every bit of c!pit!l he&d h!d% !nd more he&d never o$ned% in

5ois!&s $orld birth !nd breeding conted for more th!n money. -he $!s so f!r sperior to

8ello$s th!t she might !s $ell be so!ring like ! lofty kite $hile he stmbled !long the grond%

too slo$ to follo$.



5ois! $!s perfectly polite to him !ll throgh the me!l. #o indic!tion th!t she remembered

their kiss//their fiery% hot% m!gic!l kiss. ,er f!scin!tion $ith him% !nd the kiss% h!d prob!bly

been ! $him% long forgotten. *f the incident emb!rr!ssed her% she m!de no sign.After the me!l $!s over !nd cle!red% ! gr!nd procession entered the dining room. The btler

led it prodly% c!rrying ! m!sterpiece of ! plm pdding% fl!ming $ith br!ndy% the lights lo$ered

to highlight the effect.8ello$s cold he!r his mother&s Cockney voice no$//4h!t&s the point of lighting food on

fire7 8ood&s too precios to $!ste m!king it into ! piece of !rt. *t&s for e!ting% innit7

,is mother $!s !t her sister&s !s s!l% en"oying her Christm!s me!l $ith her nieces%nephe$s% !nd no$ gr!ndnieces !nd gr!ndnephe$s. 4hen Ele!nor&s letter $ith the invit!tion to

her first Christm!s dinner !s chess of ilmorg!n h!d !rrived% +rs. 8ello$s h!d bid him go.

*t&s $here yo oght to be% she&d s!id. 9o&re !s good !s !ny dke. 9o go !nd sho$ &em.

8ello$s% listening to the others excl!im over the plm pdding% thoght he&d be better off !this !nt&s hose% boncing his cosins& children on his knees.

A sl!b of pdding% stdded $ith frit !nd smelling of spices% l!nded on his pl!te. 8ello$s

nodded his th!nks to the footm!n $ho&d served it.

C!refl% 5ois! s!id !s 8ello$s scooped ! chnk of c!ke onto his fork. 9o might h!ve !sixpence.

8ello$s did en"oy the English tr!dition of coins or little trinkets stirred into the Christm!s pdding% !t le!st he h!d $hen he $!s yonger. ,is !nt s!lly pt in f!rthings or tiny toys for

the children% bt he&d !l$!ys im!gined the +!cken'ies pt in gold gine!s.

*f they did% none h!d ended p in his sh!re of the pdding. ,e t!sted tre!cle% r!isins% nts%cloves% !nd br!ndy% pls the cre!my rm fl!vor of the h!rd s!ce% bt no silver or gold. 5ois!

!te in d!inty bites% inclding 8ello$s in her convers!tion or "oining in $ith others ne!r her. These

gests $ere more !ristocr!ts ,!rt $!nted to keep $ell t!med in c!se he $!nted to se them

!g!in. 5ois! $!s very good !t ptting people !t e!se% he s!$% !s $!s Ele!nor% $ho ch!tted!mic!bly from the foot of the t!ble% her pregn!ncy $ell hidden bene!th her dress !nd the

t!blecloth.

<h% 5ois! excl!imed% then she smiled !s she removed ! silver bit from her spoon. *&vefond ! sixpence.

Excellent% Ele!nor s!id. -he&d b!rely e!ten !ny of the pdding% bt she&d torn it !p!rt to see

$hether she&d received !ny coins. 9o&ll h!ve good lck !ll the ye!r% my de!r.The sixpence !lso me!nt prosperity% 8ello$s kne$% thogh he !ssmed the dchess $!s

being delic!te in not implying th!t 5ois! needed !ssr!nces of money.

5ois! cle!ned the sixpence on her n!pkin then her smile deepened !s she held the coin ot

to 8ello$s. 9o t!ke it% *nspector. *t $!s on the edge of my piece% so it likely $!s very ne!rly inyors.

8ello$s eyed the glinting silver% then 5ois!. #o% indeed% he s!id. *t $!s in yor slice. *&d

h!rdly t!ke ! sixpence !$!y from ! l!dy.*t&s for lck. 5ois! still smiled% bt her eyes $ere $!tchfl. And ! memento of the

occ!sion.

-omething to remember her by. 9es% he $!nted th!t. And she $!nted it. erh!ps. <r shemight be te!sing him. 8ello$s h!d no ide!% !nd his s$iftly be!ting he!rt didn&t c!re.

*t $old be ngr!cios to refse ! gift from ! l!dy. 8ello$s bo$ed% held ot his h!nd% !nd

let her drop the sixpence into it. ,e noted th!t she $!s very c!refl not to toch him.



Those !rond them $!tched the exch!nge% p''led !nd crios bt too polite to !sk. They

did% ho$ever% begin to specl!te on the things sixpence cold by% things even !n inspector of

-cotl!nd 9!rd cold !fford% they s!id $ithot !ct!lly s!ying th!t.*t didn&t m!tter. 5ois! smiled !t him% !ll he needed to m!ke him forget silly g!mes $ith

pdding !nd thinly veiled inslts. 5et them fire !t him. 5ois!&s smile took !ll the sting !$!y.

;;; ;;; ;;;+!c% * c!n&t see $here *&m going if yor h!nds !re over my eyes.

Almost there. +!c $!s $!rm behind her% his fingers gentle on *s!bell!&s f!ce.

4e oght to be do$nst!irs% she s!id. The b!ll&s !bot to st!rt.Tre% bt this h!s been the only time !ll d!y *&ve been !ble to bring yo p here. +!c led

her into the room% !nd *s!bell! he!rd him kick the door closed behind them. 9o m!y look

no$.

+!c slid his h!nds from *s!bell!&s eyes !nd trned her to f!ce $h!t he $!nted her to see.They $ere in +!c&s stdio. A p!inting h!d been propped on !n e!sel !t one end of the room%

the pictre $!iting to dry !nd be fr!med. +!c h!d set the lights so th!t the pictre $!s

illmin!ted% the rest of the room sh!do$ed. *s!bell! s!$ th!t he&d !lre!dy pt into se the brsh

holder stdded $ith semiprecios stones she&d given him this morning% bt her !ttention $!s !llfor the ne$ p!inting.

The pictre sho$ed Aimee in ! pretty $hite dress% the skirt plled b!ck over ! tiny bstle%her plmp legs enc!sed in $hite stockings !nd little bl!ck high/btton shoes. -he le!ned c!s!lly

on ! ch!ir !nd looked do$n !t the fiery/h!ired Eileen% $ho $!s se!ted on it% her !rms !rond her

b!by brother :obbie. Eileen grinned ot of the pictre% !nd :obbie g!'ed !t the p!inter//hisf!ther//$ith criosity !nd good hmor.

Achilles% the heroic dog% l!y $ith he!d p in front of the ch!ir% on $!tch. 8ergs% the little

$hite terrier% h!d his feet on the ch!ir% moth lolling in ! smile !t the children.

* h!dn&t me!nt to p!int in the dogs% +!c s!id. (t $hen * $!s doing the prelimin!rydr!$ings% the bloody !nim!ls $oldn&t le!ve.

,e&d depicted them in ! g!rden% thogh *s!bell! kne$ he&d likely done !ll the sittings right

here. The pictre $!s fll of bright smmer flo$ers !nd t$ining vines% the l!ndsc!pe flo$inginto recogni'!ble mont!ins% the ones ne!r ilmorg!n.

The colors $ere vivid% !nd ! l!rge pitcher on the grond held ! boet of yello$ roses. The

yello$ roses shoted Mac .ainted this+ even over the c!s!lly scr!$led Mackenzie in the bottomcorner.

*s!bell! pressed her h!nds together% eyes blrring $ith te!rs. ,er children% t$o she&d h!d

$ith +!c% one !dopted to s!ve from ! $retched life% $ere bright !nd be!tifl on the c!nv!s.

+!c h!d c!ptred them !s only +!c cold% not stiffly posed% bt l!ghing !nd pl!ying !s theyloved to.

<h% +!c% it&s the most be!tifl thing *&ve ever seen.

A bit sl!pd!sh% +!c s!id in his c!reless $!y. <r children do not like sitting still. Thedogs $ere better beh!ved.

*s!bell! trned in his !rms% even if it me!nt she h!d to look !$!y from the $onderfl

p!inting.on&t yo d!re belittle th!t pictre. *t is be!tifl% the best thing yo&ve ever done.

* don&t kno$. There $!s ! >eneti!n vie$ th!t * thoght trned ot r!ther $ell//

*s!bell! pl!ced her fingers over +!c&s moth. -top.

,e grinned% eyes shining. * $!s te!sing. The >eneti!n p!intings $ere bloody !$fl.



-hsh% *s!bell! s!id% her voice softer.

-he lifted her fingers !$!y !nd repl!ced them $ith her lips. * love yo% +!c +!cken'ie.

-he kissed him !g!in. Th!nk yo. *t&s ! m!rvelos gift. <ne str!ight from his he!rt.+!c slid his !rms !rond her. The b!ll is beginning% he reminded her% bt his voice $!s

lo$% co!xing% his smile hot.

(other the b!ll% *s!bell! s!id% !nd dre$ her hsb!nd close once more.;;; ;;; ;;;

C!meron d!nced $ell% 5ois! observed from $here she s!t !g!inst the gilded $!ll next to

her mother. ,e s$ng Ainsley !rond in exber!nce% her go$n billo$ing% his kilt pressing herlegs. ,e d!nced closer th!n decorm decreed% even bet$een hsb!nd !nd $ife//especi!lly

bet$een hsb!nd !nd $ife these d!ys. ,sb!nds $ere me!nt to le!ve their b!ser needs to their

mistresses.

>ery silly% 5ois! thoght. -he&d seen ho$ h!ppy *s!bell! h!d gro$n nder +!c&s r!therindecoros !ttentions. Anytime *s!bell! $!s c!ght kissing her hsb!nd% she blshed rosy pink%

bt not $ith sh!me.

Come to think of it% *s!bell! !nd +!c $eren&t in the b!llroom !t !ll. *!n !nd (eth st!yed in !

corner% (eth conversing $ith Elliot +c(ride !nd his $ife% *!n drinking $hiskey !nd pretendingto converse. 5ois! cr!ned to look !rond the room. Ainsley !nd C!meron d!nced% ,!rt strolled

!bot% t!lking to gests !lone% Ele!nor h!ving retre!ted !g!in to her bedch!mber. !niel . . .!nce $ith me% 5ois!.

!niel didn&t give 5ois! mch ch!nce to refse. ,e plled her to her feet !nd s$ng her

into the $!lt' in the sp!ce of ! bre!th.,e d!nced $ith the exber!nce of his f!ther% bt $ith the vigor of ! boy. 5ois! spn !rond

!nd !rond% !nd she beg!n to l!gh.

id yo feel sorry for me7 5ois! !sked. The poor $!llflo$er7 4!llflo$ers $ere !ble

to observe mch% ho$ever% sch !s $hich gentlemen might be eligible !t the m!rri!ge m!rt comespring.

#o% * s!$ ! be!tifl $om!n $ho shold d!nce. Ah% 5ois!% if * $ere ! $ee bit older . . .

9o $old still not be re!dy for corting% 5ois! finished.!niel l!ghed. Aye% th!t&s so. * h!ve ! fe$ $ild o!ts to so$ yet.

5ois! l!ghed $ith him. *t $!s impossible not to like !nny. #ot the most compliment!ry

thing to tell ! yong $om!n $ho&s condescended to d!nce $ith yo.#o% bt yo&re f!mily. * h!ve no secrets from yo.

*&m not sre $hether to be fl!ttered or frightened.

8l!ttered% love. *t&s not everyone gets to be $elcomed into this f!mily. +ost rn f!r from s

or refse to like s. C!n&t think $hy.9o&re ridiclos% !niel +!cken'ie.

Ah% she cts me to the ick. 9o !re lovely% 5ois!. :emember th!t. 4orthy of !ny

gentlem!n $ho chooses yo. And the +!cken'ie f!mily embr!ces yo $ith open !rms.5ois!&s eyes n!rro$ed. -he $ondered $hether *s!bell! h!d spre!d the ne$s th!t 5ois!

$!nted to m!rry% bt she selched the thoght. *s!bell! $!sn&t one to betr!y confidences from

her sister. #o% she $!sn&t sre $h!t !niel h!d in mind. -he !lso noticed he&d d!nced her to the f!r end

of the b!llroom% ne!r the open doors to the corridor beyond. The msic ce!sed% the d!ncers

!ppl!ded the msici!ns% !nd they drifted from the floor to $!it for the next set% prob!bly !

-cottish reel 5ois! still h!dn&t le!rned.



-h!ll * fetch yo !n ice7 !niel !sked. 4!lk ye b!ck to yor mother7 iss yo in the

corridor7 The mistletoe is "st there% see7 ,e pointed to the sprig h!nging do$n from the

ch!ndelier in the middle of the deserted h!ll.#o% th!nk yo% to !ny of those% 5ois! s!id. * he!r the fiddles going for ! -cottish tne%

$hich yo might $!nt to rn off !nd "oin.

!niel stood t!ll !nd looked do$n his nose !t her. A gentlem!n does not desert ! l!dy.This l!dy prefers to $!lk in the cool h!ll ! moment% !lone. 9o do r!ther d!nce one&s bre!th

!$!y% !nny.

!niel exected ! deep bo$% rining his dignified look by bre!king into ! $ide grin. +&he!rt sh!tters th!t yo send me !$!y% bt never let it be s!id * pshed my !ttentions onto !n

n$illing l!dy. 6ood evening% de!r Ant/in/l!$.

-o s!ying he $hirled% kilt s$inging% !nd r!n b!ck for the b!llroom% n!rro$ly missing !

footm!n c!rrying ! tr!y of ch!mp!gne.5ois! $!lked on do$n the h!ll% trying to slo$ her bre!thing. -he&d sent !niel !$!y not

only bec!se she $!nted to recover from the d!nce% bt bec!se she&d glimpsed ! m!n in bl!ck

dis!ppe!r do$n this h!ll% one $ho looked like ! +!cken'ie !nd not !t the s!me time.

(t he&d v!nished% to her dis!ppointment. Ah% $ell. rob!bly for the best. (t it $old h!ve been nice to spe!k to him one l!st time before she !nd +!m! dep!rted for 5ondon to prep!re for

the -e!son.erh!ps he&d gone into the sitting room !t the end of the short h!ll% beckoning $ith its open

doors. -he !voided the pl!ce $here the mistletoe hng !nd m!de for the sitting room% s!tin skirts

in h!nd.The room $!s empty. A fire h!d been lit here for the gests% bt the gests rem!ined in the

colorfl b!llroom. The h!ll bent beyond the sitting room% she s!$% ending in ! flight of d!rk steps

le!ding p$!rd.

5ois! hid ! sigh. 5ikely +r. 8ello$s h!d gone pst!irs% retiring to his ch!mber. -he kne$th!t he felt ! bit ot of pl!ce !mong the +!cken'ie gests% !s 5ois! sometimes did herself.

-he trned firmly !$!y% re!dy to retrn to her mother !nd pt the m!n ot of her mind . . .

!nd r!n str!ight into +r. 8ello$s.<h. The $ord esc!ped 5ois!&s moth before she cold stop it. * me!n% good evening%

+r. 8ello$s.

8ello$s took ! step b!ck% then he bo$ed% the bo$ stiff% !s thogh he forced himself toremember convention!l politeness. 5!dy 5ois!.

*t&s . . . $ell . . . * . . . At spper she&d been !ble to be gr!cios !nd decoros% bt no$ her

polish !nd tr!ining deserted her. -he roved her g!'e over him% trying fr!ntic!lly to think of

something to s!y% then she looked !g!in. 9o&re $e!ring ! kilt.+r. 8ello$s spoke in his s!l dry tone. ,!rt +!cken'ie&s gift to me.

9o $eren&t $e!ring it !t spper.

,is $ife pers!ded me to don it for the b!llroom. ,o$ever * dobt there $ill be !ny-cottish d!ncing for me.

#or for me. * h!ven&t yet m!stered the steps.

+r. 8ello$s cle!red his thro!t. Then perh!ps yo $old like to sit7,e gestred to the ch!irs pl!ced !bot inside the sitting room% e!ch of them ! polite dist!nce

from the others.

+r. 8ello$s did not $!nt to sit do$n $ith 5ois!. -he s!$ th!t in his st!nce% in the tightness

!rond his eyes% in the $!y he $oldn&t look directly into her f!ce.



5ois! rem!ined $here she $!s in the door$!y. -ch ! sh!me th!t yo mst retrn to

5ondon tomorro$. Th!t yo c!nnot spend #e$ 9e!r&s $ith s.

=nfortn!tely% the crimin!ls of 5ondon do not stop for the holid!ys. * h!ve ! contininginvestig!tion for $hich my governor $!nts ! reslt before the ne$ ye!r.

erh!ps $e sh!ll see yo in 5ondon in J!n!ry% then. +!m! !nd * $ill be spending the

-e!son there. 4ith *s!bell! !nd +!c.erh!ps% 8ello$s s!id% his voice going still more dry. =nlikely th!t ! -cotl!nd 9!rd

inspector $old cross p!ths $ith ! society miss. ,e kne$ this% !s did she.

9es% $ell. 5ois! fell silent% !nd he $ent iet !s $ell. :o, foolish+ 5ois!&s r!pid thoghts $ent. T,o gro,nu. .eo.le ,ith connections to the

same family+ standing and staring at each other1 Surely ,e can s.eak of the ,eather if nothing

else1

(t no sond c!me from her thro!t. 5ois! kne$ th!t $hen +r. 8ello$s $!lked !$!y% $henhe left the hose e!rly in the morning to begin his "orney soth% she $old not see him !g!in.

#ot for ! long time% !nd then only !t f!mily g!therings $here they&d !g!in be !$k$!rd !nd

overly polite.

A brst of song c!me do$n the h!ll//fiddles !nd pipes% the be!t of ! drm. 6ests l!ghed!nd cl!pped. 5ois! shold retrn% shold sit $ith her mother% d!nce $ith other gentlemen% m!ke

herself !gree!ble.-he coldn&t move. 5ois! opened her moth to m!ke !n in!ne rem!rk to +r. 8ello$s%

!nything to keep the convers!tion going% !nd fond him looking p !t the door$!y in $hich they

stood.-omeone h!d hng mistletoe in it. 5ois! h!d m!de ! $ide berth !rond the sprig th!t hng

in the h!ll% bt in her est to find +r. 8ello$s% she&d not seen this one.

,e looked !t her for ! fro'en moment. 5ois!&s $ords died% every lesson th!t governesses

!nd finishing school h!d ponded into her ev!por!ting.-he only kne$ th!t ! strong m!n stood $ith her% different from !ny gentlem!n she&d ever

met. A cshion of msic flo!ted p the h!ll% c!nceling !ll other sond.

5ois! h!d kissed him before. -he remembered the pressre of his moth% the t!ste of hislips. -he% the for$!rd thing% h!d coerced him into kissing her.

5ois! gr!sped the l!pels of his co!t% rose on her tiptoes% !nd c!ght his moth in !nother

kiss. +r. 8ello$s stiffened nder her toch% re!dy to pll !$!y.Then something in him ch!nged. ,is moth formed to hers% responding% !nd his !rms flo$ed

!rond her.

,e t!sted of $hiskey !nd the !crid bite of smoke. ,!rd !rms enfolded her% crshing her

!g!inst the fl!t pl!nes of his body. #o hesit!nt kisses of ! gentlem!n $!nting to cort ! l!dy//8ello$s kissed her in hnger% in need.

esper!tion flttered in 5ois!&s he!rt. ,is moth opened hers% pressing inside her%

dem!nding% $!nting.-he hng on to him% her fingers crling into his co!t% te!rs $etting the corners of her eyes.

,e kissed like ! m!dm!n% $ith hot desire% ! forbidden t!ste of $h!t she cold never h!ve.

,e rele!sed her% his eyes glittering $ith !nger% bt not !t her. 5ois!% he $hispered.5ois! tightened her grip on his co!t% $!nting to come !g!inst him !g!in% needing to feel his

strong body !g!inst hers. ,e slid ! h!nd nder her h!ir . . .



A cro$d of l!ghing% flshed d!ncers pored from the b!llroom !nd he!ded do$n the h!ll

for the mistletoe in the middle. !niel&s voice rose over the others//on&t !ll rsh !t once. *t&s

only ! little $!ger.8ello$s rele!sed 5ois! !nd f!ded from her. <ne moment% she s!$ him in the sh!do$s of

the st!irc!se% the next% he $!s gone.

5ois! pt her h!nd to her h!ir !nd glped deep bre!ths. The imprint of his moth lingeredon her lips% the bite of his fingers on her b!ck. -he cold b!rely st!nd% her legs $e!k !nd hot.

(t the others $ere coming. 5ois! p!sted on ! smile !nd moved on sh!king legs to meld

$ith the cro$d !nd pretend she&d been p!rt of it !ll !long.;;; ;;; ;;;

on&t dis!ppoint me% !d% !niel s!id the next d!y.

C!meron shot his son ! h!lf/te!sing% h!lf/!nnoyed look !nd moved to the middle of the

b!llroom.6!rl!nds still hng the $!lls% dr!ped the $indo$s% !nd dripped from the ch!ndeliers. 6one

$ere the orchestr!% d!ncers& finery% !nd footmen circl!ting $ith ch!mp!gne@ in their pl!ce $ere

men in kilts% $omen in pl!id go$ns% the English gests in c!s!l clothes th!t indic!ted they&d

next t!ke ! tr!mp in the g!rden. The footmen% $ho h!d the d!y off% longed $ith the m!ids onthe other side of the room% !nd te!% coffee% !nd ch!mp!gne h!d been set p on ! long t!ble for the

gests to serve themselves.Ainsley pressed her h!nds together !nd tried not to obviosly ogle her hsb!nd. C!meron

h!d stripped do$n to shirtsleeves% kilt% $ool socks% !nd soft shoes. (ell!my $ore the s!me

except he h!d close/fitting breeches r!ther th!n ! kilt.C!meron% $ith his !thletic% t!ll body% $!s ! fine specimen% !nd Ainsley tried not to think too

h!rd !bot $h!t th!t body looked like nder his clothing. <ther l!dies of the p!rty c!st gl!nces !t

the men !nd $hispered% C!meron dr!$ing !s m!ny g!'es !s (ell!my.

At one time% Ainsley $old h!ve brned $ith "e!losy. C!meron h!d m!de it kno$n%ho$ever% th!t his r!kehell d!ys $ere over. #o more mistresses% ! different one every six/month%

no more trysts $ith other men&s $ives. ,e $!s m!rried% !nd h!ppily so. (esides% Ele!nor% in

ch!rge of the gest lists% h!d the good t!ste not to invite !ny l!dies $ho&d once sh!red ! bed $ithC!meron +!cken'ie.

C!meron&s Christm!s gift to her reve!led his more thoghtfl side//! be!tifl ebony !nd

mother/of/pe!rl box in $hich to keep Ainsley&s embroidery things. C!m h!d expressed p''lement !t first th!t Ainsley made things $hen she cold !fford to by them% bt he&d come to

nderst!nd th!t the !ct of embroidering $!s speci!l to her. ,e&d been e!lly ple!sed $ith the

gift she&d given him//! horse bl!nket she&d se$n herself for his f!vorite horse% J!smine. Their

priv!te exch!nge of gifts h!d been ! most s!tisfying occ!sion.!vid 8leming h!d !greed to referee the m!tch before he retrned to Engl!nd in prsit of

*!n&s +ing bo$l. !niel $!s bsy coordin!ting the m!ny $!gers% $hich he&d g!thered $ith

rthless efficiency. ,!rt% $hen he&d !greed th!t (ell!my !nd C!meron cold h!ve the m!tch% h!dstipl!ted th!t it shold be for !msement only% no $!gering.

,!rt mst h!ve kno$n everyone $old ignore him. Ainsley h!d pl!ced ! nice sm on her

hsb!nd% bt she kne$ the serv!nts h!d bet he!vily on (ell!my.erh!ps too he!vily. -ome of them looked $orried !s they $!ited !nxiosly for the event to

begin.

(ell!my% ho$ever% $!s in fine form. Thogh he&d not foght in ye!rs% he&d m!n!ged to keep

his strength !nd ste!diness. Ag!inst ! skilled opponent !niel&s !ge% (ell!my might come to



grief% bt he !nd C!meron% both in their thirties% both honed from exercise% !nd both experienced%

$ere $ell m!tched.

6entlemen% !vid s!id% st!nding bet$een them. 9o&ll box ntil * c!ll time in e!ch rond.Then yo&ll bre!k !p!rt ntil * c!ll time !g!in. *f ! m!n f!lls !nd st!ys do$n for ! cont of ten% he

$ill be considered defe!ted. -h!ke h!nds% m!ke it ! f!ir fight.

C!meron !nd (ell!my shook% e!ch confident% e!ch $ishing the other $ell. Then they broke!p!rt.

>ery $ell% then% !vid s!id. 6entlemen. 8ight.

' ' ' ' '

Cha(ter Thirteen

The room exploded $ith noise.The t$o men beg!n by circling e!ch other% looking for ! $e!kness% ! ch!nce to get in the

first hit.

Ainsley held her bre!th% sddenly nervos. *t $!s one thing to im!gine her hsb!nd in !

splendid fight% !nother to $!it for !n e!lly l!rge m!n to strike him.(ell!my pnched first. ,e did it $ith ick efficiency% bt C!meron $!s re!dy !nd blocked

the blo$. C!meron sidestepped !nd c!me b!ck into pl!ce% thro$ing ! sdden "!b !t (ell!my&s "!$. (ell!my blocked th!t !nd contered% $hich C!meron blocked in trn.

They stepped !p!rt bt s$iftly c!me together !g!in% e!ch h!ving the me!sre of the other.

The pnches beg!n in e!rnest% (ell!my $ith ! po$erfl% str!ight fist% C!meron moving nder hisg!rd !nd getting in ! ick "!b. -hoting esc!l!ted !s the m!tch moved from polite

entert!inment to serios comb!t.

Ainsley cold see (ell!my&s profession!lism//his emotionless expression% his $!tchflness%

the $!y he !voided $h!t looked like e!sy openings. C!meron didn&t h!ve !s mch experience inthe ring% bt he&d t!ken lessons from profession!l tr!iners% !s m!ny gentlemen did% !nd he&d

foght !t niversity !nd in imprompt m!tches in Engl!nd% -cotl!nd% 8r!nce% !nd other p!rts of

the Continent.-teven +c(ride stood !t Ainsley&s elbo$. ,er yongest brother h!d seen mch tre fighting

in the !rmy% in bloody b!ttles in *ndi! !nd the +iddle E!st. All Ainsley&s brothers s!ve !trick

h!d spent time in the !rmy% sh!ped by their ye!rs f!r from home. Elliot h!d left the !rmy to rn ! bsiness in *ndi! before his c!ptre% -incl!ir h!d sold his commission to m!rry !nd t!ke p !

profession% bt -teven $old likely be ! c!reer officer.

<h% good move% -teven s!id $hen C!meron l!nded ! pnch on (ell!my&s "!$. #ice

feint.Come on then% (ell!my% Crry&s voice rose over the noise. *&ve got me Christm!s $!ges

on yo. &E&s only ! lordship. 9e c!n t!ke &im.

After him% !d) !niel yelled. id ye n!e see th!t coming7 (lock. &lock1The c!cophony rose% the f!mily !nd gests yelling for C!meron% the serv!nts for (ell!my.

#ot !ll the gests shoted for C!m% Ainsley noted. -ome h!d bet on the sre thing of the

profession!l pgilist.Ainsley he!rd herself shoting right !long $ith everyone else% boncing on her toes !s her

hsb!nd l!nded pnch !fter pnch% driving (ell!my !cross the room. C!meron p!id for it !s soon

!s (ell!my recovered !nd ret!li!ted. C!meron d!nced b!ck on light feet% (ell!my follo$ing him%

fists flying.



The dke&s gr!nd b!llroom//the very room in $hich Ele!nor !nd ,!rt h!d m!rried//bec!me

! b!ck/street boxing ring% the gests !b!ndoning their politeness% the -cots serv!nts shoting

inslts !t their m!sters $ith good/n!tred vigor.#o$% then% yor lordship% !re yo going to let yorself be be!t by ! -!ssen!ch7 Aye% he&s

good $ith ! horse% bt not $ith ! fist. 4e&re conting on yo% (ell!my% even if ye !re ! bloody

Englishm!n.C!meron $ore ! slight smile !s he foght. ,e loved this% Ainsley s!$. ,e $!s ! physic!l

m!n% le!ving the thinking problems like m!them!tics !nd bsiness to *!n !nd ,!rt. ,e loved

horses% $omen% fighting% g!mbling. And no$ Ainsley !nd his d!ghter//$ith !ll his might.C!meron didn&t hold b!ck on !nything.

4h!t&s he doing7 -teven s!id in her e!r.

Ainsley stdied C!meron% $ho $!s bsily !voiding (ell!my&s blo$s. 4h!t do yo me!n7

,e&s . . . it&s !s if he&s trying to lose.Ainsley didn&t nderst!nd $h!t -teven s!$% bt -teven mst kno$ $h!t he $!s t!lking

!bot. To Ainsley% C!meron $!s blocking !nd pnching% $heeling !nd d!ncing% "st !s (ell!my

$!s.

!vid c!lled time for the first rond% !nd the t$o broke !p!rt. !niel sped in to give hisf!ther ! sip of $!ter% ! cloth for his f!ce. The rest period didn&t l!st long% !nd the fight resmed.

Ag!in% Ainsley s!$ nothing bt t$o men doing their best to pmmel e!ch other% bt -teventold her differently. Ah% ! fine hit. 5ooks like C!m $!s $!iting for th!t opening. 6ood m!n. (t

he cold h!ve ended it "st then% !nd he didn&t.

erh!ps he $!nts s to h!ve ! good sho$% Ainsley s!id.+!ybe he&s $orried !bot the serv!nts losing their p!y p!ckets.

Tre. (oth serv!nts !nd gests h!d st!rted betting thick !nd f!st !s soon !s the fight $!s

!nnonced.

*t $old be "st like C!meron to let (ell!my $in the fight !nd sp!re the serv!nts losing their$!ges. ,!rt&s gests cold st!nd the loss% bt the serv!nts% some of $hom contribted their

p!ckets to l!rge f!milies% cold not. C!meron $old think it fitting to provide entert!inment !nd

m!ke sre ,!rt&s st!ff took money from the dke&s gests.C!m $!s ! generos m!n bene!th his h!rd exterior% something Ainsley h!d nderstood soon

!fter she&d come to kno$ him. ,e never bo!sted% !nd $!s often nderh!nded or reckless in his

generosity% bt his big he!rt encomp!ssed !ll. I lo-e you+ Cameron Mackenzie1 ,e&d sho$ed ! side of himself to Ainsley th!t no one else

kne$ !bot. Their secret.

(ell!my be!t C!meron !cross the floor !g!in% the serv!nts scre!ming for their f!vorite.

Ainsley cpped her h!nds !rond her moth !nd shoted% C!m) * love yo)C!meron&s grin $idened% bt the !ckno$ledgment cost him ! blo$. (ell!my l!nded one on

his f!ce% !nd C!meron tripped. The cro$d on his side of the room gro!ned.

C!meron reg!ined his feet $ithot f!lling !nd contered $ith ! pnch to (ell!my&s "!$.(ell!my&s he!d sn!pped b!ck% !nd no$ the serv!nts gro!ned.

C!meron $!ited% fists re!dy% for (ell!my to come !t him !g!in% bt (ell!my st!ggered.

Ainsley $!tched him in srprise. The pnch h!dn&t been h!rd% C!meron still trying to find his b!l!nce. Ainsley h!d seen th!t even $ithot -teven&s confirm!tion.

(ell!my took ! step b!ck% f!ltered% took !nother step to c!tch himself% !nd then he fell

b!ck$!rd% his eyes rolling p into his he!d. As the shoting rose% (ell!my l!nded on the p!ret

floor $ith ! lod ,hum.1



Aye% m!ybe * sed to. (ell!my&s togh. *&ll stick to horses.

-teven grinned% pressed ! kiss to Ainsley&s cheek% !nd moved off. C!meron plled Ainsley

!g!inst him !g!in. o yo think they&ll notice if the reigning ch!mpion slinks off to his soft bedto recover7

* think yo might be forgiven.

C!meron&s g!'e he!ted. (ell!my took ! f!ll to $in ! $om!n. 4h!t sh!ll * h!ve to do79o&ve !lre!dy $on her% Ainsley s!id. -he l!id her h!nd on his chest. ,o$ever% perh!ps *

shold don my #e$ 9e!r&s frock !nd see ho$ yo like it. The bodice h!s ever so m!ny bttons.

4icked. C!meron brshed ! kiss to her lips. +mph. Even kissing is p!infl. * believe *&llneed my $ife&s he!ling toch.

9es% indeed% Ainsley s!id% !nd she led her hsb!nd !$!y% p to their bedch!mber% $here

!ll $!s iet% !nd bliss.

;;; ;;; ;;;!vid 8leming dep!rted soon !fter the fight !nd didn&t retrn ntil the thirtieth of ecember.

(y th!t time% !ll gests bt f!mily h!d gone% m!king the hose p!rty sm!ller bt no less lod.

rep!r!tions $ent on for the ,ogm!n!y celebr!tion% $hich $old inclde !nother fe!st% bonfires%

!nd ! $!lk to the vill!ge to "oin in the celebr!tions there. (eth% Ainsley% !nd *s!bell! visited theless fortn!te $ith b!skets he!ped $ith food% bl!nkets% !nd clothing. Ele!nor fretted th!t she

coldn&t be p!rt of the good $orks% bt she cold !t le!st help fill the b!skets !s she $!ited forher child to be born.

!vid $!s $ell into inebri!tion !s he rolled ot of the c!rri!ge th!t h!d been sent to fetch

him from the tr!in. ,!rt met him in the foyer% !nd !vid thrst ! box into ,!rt&s $!iting h!nds !ssoon !s he $!lked in the front door.

!vid&s f!ce $!s dr!$n% his eyes he!vy $ith f!tige. ,!rt steered him into his do$nst!irs

stdy !nd closed the door.

9o look like hell% ,!rt s!id.9o $old too !fter the fe$ d!ys *&ve h!d. Th!t is to s!y% nights. !vid gl!nced !t the

$hiskey dec!nter% !l$!ys kept fll% !nd shddered.

*&ve sent for coffee. ,!rt toched the box on his desk. This is it7The very one. !vid s!nk into ! ch!ir. e!rly boght.

,!rt let his voice $!rm. 4ell done.

!vid blinked. r!ise from ,!rt +!cken'ie7 * mst m!ke ! note in my di!ry.iss my fnd!ment% ,!rt s!id dryly. ,o$ did yo m!n!ge it7 ,e le!ned !g!inst his desk

!nd crossed his !nkles. * !dmit% *&m crios.

!vid st!rted to l!gh. (efore he cold !ns$er% ! footm!n entered $ith ! silver coffee pot

!nd porcel!in cps on ! tr!y% $hich he pl!ced on ! t!ble !t !vid&s elbo$% !nd then dep!rted.!vid&s l!ghter t!pered off !s he pored himself ! cp of ste!ming bl!ck liid.

The e!rl loves the l!dies% !vid s!id% lifting the cp.

4e !ll do.Ah% bt he loves them in ! speci!l $!y. !vid ble$ ste!m from the srf!ce of the coffee

!nd took ! sip. 4!s ! $hile before * t$igged. All sggestions% sbtle or bl!t!nt% th!t $e !v!il

lovely $omen of or skills in bed $!s met $ith cold dis!pprov!l. =ntil * re!li'ed th!t $h!trdy reston likes is not to toch% bt to $!tch.

,!rt listened in srprise. ,e&s ! voyer7 ,e&d met more th!n one gentlem!n in his lifetime

$ho g!ined ple!sre by $!tching others find it% bt he&d never sspected it of the prim !nd

proper E!rl of 6l!stonby.



!vid chckled !nd took !nother sip of coffee. The t!le gro$s more intriging. ,e&s not

interested in $!tching ! bloke !nd his l!dylove h!ving ! go. ,e en"oys $!tching l!dies $ith e!ch

other. ,e closed his eyes. <h% it $!s delicios to discover th!t.,!rt didn&t !sk ho$ !vid h!d convinced 6l!stonby to tell him//!vid $!s f!mos for

$inno$ing ot of people things they didn&t $!nt others to kno$.

<nce * discovered his gilty secret% it $!s e!sy to orchestr!te !n enconter for him% !vid$ent on. * kne$ t$o yong l!dies $ho $ere !ll too e!ger to help. 9esterd!y !fternoon% *

escorted 6l!stonby to ! hose $here the l!dies pt on ite ! sho$ for him. * r!ther en"oyed it.

,e $oldn&t toch them//oh% no//he thinks himself too good for the likes of $omen sch !s they.(t he let them perform. 5!pped it p% sh!ll $e s!y. Another sip% !vid beginning to rel!x.

6l!stonby $!s ex!ctly the sort of m!n ,!rt lo!thed//one $ho detested the s!me $omen he

sed to g!in his ple!sre. 4hen ,!rt h!d lived in his o$n person!l b!$dy hose% he&d t!ken

plenty of ple!sre in the yong $omen $ho lived there $ith him% thogh ,!rt recogni'ed no$th!t he&d never let do$n his g!rd% never not been in ch!rge of every move in the bed.

(t he&d never despised the $omen in his hose for being p!id cortes!ns% or sbmissive to

him. ,!rt h!d recogni'ed th!t they $ere people in their o$n right% $ith hopes !nd trobles%

desp!ir !nd delights. The yong $omen h!d often !sked his !dvice !bot $h!tever concernedthem//or !bot life itself//!nd $hen they $!nted to le!ve% ,!rt $old send them off $ith enogh

money to ensre their srviv!l.4h!t did yo do to him7 ,!rt !sked. -omething n!sty% * hope.

<f corse% old friend. !vid sent him ! smile th!t did not bode $ell for the E!rl of

6l!stonby. 4h!t shold h!ppen !s $e $ere t!king or rest% the yong l!dies still intert$ined inthe dr!$ing room% bt th!t ! vic!r shold h!ppen to c!ll% $ith every intent of reforming s!id

yong $omen7 This vic!r beheld% to his shock% the pright E!rl of 6l!stonby $ith his trosers

ndone% the e!rl% $hose $ife le!ds so m!ny reform committees. -tifling my l!ghter $!s p!infl%

* !ssre yo.This vic!r $!s yor old friend7

All too gl!d to expose ! sinner. r. ierson h!s ! fine sense of hmor% * !m h!ppy to s!y. A

trly good m!n//there !ren&t m!ny. (y the $!y% yo o$e him five hndred gine!s for his chrchroof fnd. They&ll be !ble to st!rt their rep!irs th!nks to yor generos//!nd !nonymos//

don!tion.

*&ll h!ve 4ilfred dr!$ him ! chee $hen he retrns% ,!rt s!id $ithot ch!ngingexpression.

* told 6l!stonby * cold s!re it $ith the vic!r to keep silent% especi!lly to his $ife !nd the

e!rl&s pright friends. +y price% one +ing bo$l. 6l!stonby took me to his hose !nd ne!rly

thre$ the bo$l !t me. *&ll never be received in his home !g!in. !vid l!ghed in delight. Th!nk6od.

,!rt rel!xed. The ever/reli!ble !vid h!d done his "ob. 9o&re ! devios sn!ke% ,!rt s!id.

*ndeed% !vid g!ve him ! modest nod. * $!s t!ght by the m!ster//5ord ,!rt +!cken'ie%no$ the lofty ke of ilmorg!n. 9o might kno$ him. ,e dr!ined the l!st of the coffee from

the cp !nd rose. -h!ll $e deliver the gift to (eth7 5et me h!nd it to her. I $!nt her kiss of

gr!titde.;;; ;;; ;;;

*!n removed the first l!yer of p!per then of str!$% feeling (eth&s bre!th on his cheek. The

$!rmth of it m!de him $!nt to psh the box !side !nd le!d her !$!y from !ll the people $ho&d



g!thered in the dining room. 4hy did they hover !s thogh $h!tever ,ogm!n!y gift (eth

$!nted to give him $!s !ny of their bsiness7

,e c!reflly lifted ot !nother l!yer of str!$ !nd set it !side. ,is brothers% their $ives%!niel% !vid% 5ois!% the +c(rides% !nd (eth% le!ned for$!rd.

*nside the $ooden box% nestled on !nother l!yer of str!$% l!y ! +ing bo$l. *!n lifted it ot

$ith gentle fingers//one never kne$ $ith porcel!in ho$ brittle it h!d become over the ye!rs.*t $!s ! decent specimen% ! bit sm!ll% bt $ith finely p!inted dr!gons flo$ing !mong vine

le!ves. A chrys!nthemm decor!ted the bottom of the otside. The ble $!s good% not !s

brilli!nt !s the :ssi!n gentlem!n&s bo$l% bt ! simil!r sh!de.This $!s the E!rl of 6l!stonby&s% *!n s!id% trning the bo$l in his h!nds. ,e sniffed the

porcel!in//it $!s !thentic. -ome !ristocr!ts in need of money h!d copies of their !nties m!de

before they sold the origin!ls% then forgot to mention th!t $h!t they o$ned $!s the copy. *!n h!d

seen this bo$l before% $hen 6l!stonby h!d opened his home to sho$ his collection% to r!isemoney for one of his $ife&s ch!rit!ble $orks. ,e refsed to sell it to me.

* kno$% !vid 8leming s!id. rying it ot of him $!s !n oneros chore% bt one * h!ppily

performed.

*t $!sn&t necess!ry% *!n s!id. *t&s not !s good !s m!ny of my others.(eth le!ned to him% distr!cting him !g!in $ith the toch of her bre!th% her voice like !n !lto

flte% the softness of her bre!sts !g!inst his sholder. o yo not like it7-he $ore the expression *!n h!d come to nderst!nd me!nt she $!s $orried !nd trying not

to sho$ it. 4orried !bot $h!t7 Th!t he didn&t $!nt the bo$l7 <f corse% he $!nted it. +ing

bo$ls $ere his p!ssion.* $ill !dd it to my collection.

*!n thoght his !ns$er $old close the m!tter% bt his f!mily rem!ined st!ring !t him% !nd

(eth&s expression gre$ more !nxios. *t is like the one * broke. -he toched the design. 4ith

the dr!gons% !nd the flo$ers% !nd the ble.4h!t $!s she t!lking !bot7 This bo$l $!s nothing like th!t one//perh!ps it $!s simil!r in

design !nd color% bt $ith ! completely different ch!r!cter !nd !ge.

*t isn&t the s!me% *!n s!id% trying to m!ke (eth nderst!nd. The le!ves on the vines !redifferent% !nd !t the bottom is ! mm% not ! dr!gon. This bo$l is !bot fifty ye!rs ne$er th!n the

other. ,e c!reflly retrned it to the str!$. ,e&d h!ve to re!rr!nge the collection ! little to fit it

in% bt no m!tter.,!rt broke in. *&m sorry% *!n. +y f!lt. * thoght it $old sffice.

-ffice for $h!t7 A ne$ bo$l $!s !l$!ys $elcome% !nd the f!ct th!t (eth h!d tried to by

him one $!rmed him.

Are yo s!ying this is not the one yo $!nted7 !vid !sked% his voice too lod for *!n&st!ste. #ot th!t * didn&t en"oy my t!sk% bt !re yo not the le!st bit h!ppy $e $rested ! pri'ed

possession from 6l!stonby7 #o$ yo h!ve it% !nd he doesn&t.

4ords beg!n to knock together in *!n&s he!d. ,e coldn&t follo$ the ndercrrents of theconvers!tion% !nd his old frstr!tion st!rted to rise.

*f *&d $!nted 6l!stonby&s bo$l% * $old h!ve h!d it% *!n s!id.

!vid slid ! fl!sk from his pocket !nd took ! drink. (t yo "st s!id he $oldn&t sell it toyo.

,e $old h!ve. Event!lly. *f *&d $!nted him to.

*!n trned to (eth% re!dy for his f!mily to go !nd le!ve them !lone. ,e stopped% his

confsion esc!l!ting% $hen he s!$ the te!rs in her ble eyes.



,is brothers h!d drilled into him th!t% $hen someone g!ve him ! present% *!n shold

!ckno$ledge it. erh!ps th!t&s $h!t she $!s $!iting for.

Th!nk yo% my (eth.(eth s$!llo$ed% more te!rs moistening her eyes. 9o&re $elcome% *!n.

*!n closed the box. End of the m!tter.

*!n. +!c l!id ! he!vy h!nd on *!n&s sholder. A $ord $ith yo% if yo don&t mind.Alone.

' ' ' ' '

Cha(ter Fo*rteen

*!n tried to ignore him. ,e didn&t $!nt to le!ve (eth% $ho $!s still crying. ,e $!nted to kiss

!$!y her te!rs% to feel the moistre on her l!shes brshing his lips. ,e needed to discover $h!t$!s the m!tter% to m!ke her h!ppy !g!in. ,e&d thoght he&d done so $ith J!mie&s Christm!s gift%

bt he&d been $rong.

+!c&s h!nd firmed. #o$.

*!n smothered ! sigh% pshed the box !$!y% rose from the t!ble% !nd let +!c le!d him otinto the h!ll. The others closed on (eth//if they didn&t le!ve her !lone% they&d sffoc!te her.

*!n. +!c sht the door% ctting off *!n&s vie$ of (eth. -ometimes% my little brother% yoc!n be incomp!r!bly crel.

4h!t !re yo t!lking !bot7 This $!s $h!t h!ppened $hen his f!mily $oldn&t let *!n !nd

(eth be !lone. 4hen *!n cold $r!p himself in (eth&s presence% he $!s !t pe!ce% in ! blissfl pl!ce $here !ll $!s stillness. #o$ there $!s trmoil% te!rs. * s!id &th!nk yo&.

,o$ c!n * expl!in this7 (eth feels terrible th!t she broke yor bl!sted bo$l. -he&s been

hnting every$here for one like it% ,!rt bllied h!lf the contry ntil he loc!ted ! +ing bo$l

$ith ble dr!gons on it% !nd he sent 8leming to lre 6l!stonby into ! compromising position so6l!stonby $old h!nd it over. 8leming rshed it to ,!rt% $ho rshed it to (eth% $ho rshed it to

yo. -he $!nted to m!ke p for $h!t she&d done. o yo see7

(t the bo$l $!s irrepl!ce!ble% *!n s!id. erh!ps if he spoke slo$ly% he cold m!kehimself cle!r. *t $!s very r!re. 6l!stonby&s is not !s good.

#ot the point. (eth $!s very nh!ppy th!t she broke the bo$l. -he kne$ ho$ mch it

me!nt to yo. ,ell% for months yo $oldn&t t!lk !bot !nything else. And then she broke it. The$om!n $ho loves yo broke it. ,o$ do yo think th!t m!de her feel7

* kno$ (eth $!s pset. * told her it $!s !ll right.

+!c scr!ped his h!nds throgh his h!ir. 9es% yes% yo told her. (t every time she thoght

of ! $!y to m!ke p for it% yo s!id she never cold. 9o told Crry he needn&t h!ve botheredsticking the d!mn thing b!ck together% !s (eth !sked him to. And no$% she goes to the troble of

finding yo !nother bo$l% !nd yo tell her it isn&t good enogh.

*t isn&t !s good. (t * s!id *&d keep it . . .And * $!nt to bre!k the bloody thing over yor he!d. 8ocs% *!n. 5ook !t me.

*!n shifted his g!'e% $hich still rested on the door th!t blocked him from (eth% to +!c&s

copper/colored eyes.(eth is hrting% +!c s!id. (ec!se she thinks she hrt you.

(e$ildering. -he didn&t.

(t she doesn&t kno$ th!t.



*!n coldn&t look !$!y from +!c !s his thoghts spn !rond !nd the events str!ightened

ot in his he!d. A m!them!tic!l problem. ! 6 !nd & y@ if ! ; & C % then C 6 D y1

-he thinks she hrt me bec!se she broke the bo$l% *!n s!id.9es) +!c thre$ p his h!nds. *!n $ins the r!ce.

4h!t r!ce7

#ever mind. 8orget !bot r!ces. 5et&s retrn to (eth being pset. 9o love yor bo$ls% !nd(eth destroyed something yo love. ! ; & < C1 Except th!t ! $!s fl!$ed.

* don&t love the bo$ls.

9o&re overly fond of them then.#o. *!n thoght ! moment. They ple!se me. =niform% their gentle sh!pe% the intric!cy of

the designs.

8ine. (eth destroyed something th!t ple!sed yo. Therefore% she is nh!ppy.

*!n did not like (eth being nh!ppy. ,er sorro$ $!s his@ he !ched $hen he s!$ her te!rs.*!n looked !g!in !t +!c% his nrly% te!sing brother% the one he nderstood le!st. +!c $!s

the opposite of *!n//he $!s impetos% reckless% vol!tile% $ild% $here!s *!n needed his life to be

ne!t !nd ex!ct% his rotine nbroken nless !bsoltely necess!ry. +!c&s !rtistic t!lent h!d e!rned

their f!ther&s $r!th% !nd he&d rn !$!y from the cloying hosehold !t ! yong !ge. *!n&sex!ctness h!d !lso e!rned his f!ther&s $r!th% the old dke believing *!n m!d% !nd pnishing him

for it.4h!t do * do7 *!n !sked. ,e $!s s$imming% ncert!in% trying to find the crrent.

Tell (eth yo&re not pset !t her for bre!king the bo$l. -imple !s th!t.

(t * told her.Tell her !g!in. And !g!in. As m!ny times !s it t!kes for her to believe yo. %6.lain $hy

yo !re not pset. *n gre!t det!il//yo !re good !t det!ils.

The dining room door $!s beckoning to him% bec!se behind it l!y (eth. All the bo$ls in

the $orld cold crmble to dst% !nd it $oldn&t m!tter% bec!se he cold le!n do$n !nd kiss(eth&s cheek% smoother th!n !ny porcel!in.

T!lking to (eth $!s !n excellent ide!. T!lking to her !lone% !n even better one.

,e trned !$!y from +!c% $ho let ot !nother long sigh% !nd opened the door.(eth looked p from the circle of f!mily $ho $ere trying to comfort her. *!n $ent to her%

ignoring !ll in his $!y% s$ept p the $ooden box $ith the bo$l in it% took (eth&s h!nd% !nd

tgged her b!ck to$!rd the door. ,!rt st!rted to follo$.#o% *!n s!id. <nly (eth.

,!rt% the m!n $ho&d helped *!n throgh his $orst moments% g!ve him ! h!rd look. +!c

stepped in front of ,!rt% blocking his $!y. 5et him go.

*!n never broke stride. ,e took (eth do$n the h!ll% !rond the corner to their priv!te $ing%!nd p the st!irs to the +ing room. :by% $ho&d been n!pping on the snny l!nding% climbed

noisily to her feet !nd follo$ed them inside. All the dogs kne$ they $ere !llo$ed only ! foot or

so inside the +ing room% so :by l!y do$n !g!in% blocking *!n&s !bility to close the door. #o m!tter. The entire $ing $!s theirs% !nd he !nd (eth $ere !lone.

*!n moved to ! c!binet in the middle of the room% in $hich !nother bo$l reposed% !nd set the

box on top of it. 4e&ll pt the ne$ bo$l here. This one $ill move to th!t sp!ce% !nd that onethere. ,e pointed.

,o$ do yo decide $here to pt them7 (eth !sked. -he still h!d te!rs on her f!ce% bt she

spoke n$!veringly.

-i'e% color% ye!r. *!n toched the box. This one belongs here1



*!n. (eth stood close enogh to him th!t he cold bre!the in her fr!gr!nce% bt she didn&t

toch him. *f yo don&t $!nt the bo$l% * $ill h!ve ,!rt retrn it to the e!rl.

*!n didn&t !ns$er. ,e let his g!'e tr!vel over the bo$ls in their c!ses% e!ch perfect% exisite%their presence like ! ripple of cool $!ter.

:emember $hen * told yo $hy * st!rted collecting the bo$ls7

(eth nodded. 9o s!$ the first one in !ris% !nd it ench!nted yo.The $orld $!s ! confsing pl!ce. *s ! confsing pl!ce. * look !t the bo$ls% !nd the

confsion goes !$!y. *t gives me . . . silence.

Th!t&s $hy * feel so !$fl% *!n. * took th!t !$!y from yo.*!n tr!ced ! p!ttern on the box. 8ocsing on the bo$ls helped blot ot the d!rkness. * cold

sit here% * cold look !t them% !nd the d!rkness $ent !$!y. 8or ! little $hile. ,e looked p !t

(eth. And then * met yo.

-he g!ve him ! $!tery smile. o not tell me the d!rkness $ent !$!y the moment yo s!$me. 8l!ttering% bt * kno$ th!t is not tre.

*t flo$ed !$!y like !n !v!l!nche. *!n focsed on her eyes% the ble he&d seen the night he&d

met her. ,e&d kno$n inst!ntly th!t he needed this $om!n in his life% th!t she&d come to him like !

gift from 6od. And it&s never retrned. #ot like before.(eth&s voice $ent soft. * hope * h!ve helped yo. * love yo. * ,ant to help yo.

-he still $!sn&t nderst!nding. * don&t need the bo$ls to give me pe!ce !nymore% *!n s!id.* h!ve yo. And J!mie% !nd (elle. *f !ll the +ing bo$ls in the $orld $ere sm!shed% *&d still

h!ve yo. ,e took her h!nd% the one $ith the gold ring !nd b!nd of s!pphires he&d boght to

repl!ce the simple gold ring he&d slipped onto her finger $hen he&d m!rried her in the !risi!n pension. -he still $ore the simple gold $ith the more expensive one% !nd *!n kissed them both.

9o broke the bo$l% !nd it is gone. (t you !re here% !nd $hole. #othing else m!tters.

<h.

*!n once more let himself get lost in the ble of her eyes% the sh!pe of her red lips% the $!ythe moistre behind her lo$er lip m!de him $!nt to lick her there. ,e&d kissed her m!ny times

since th!t first night !t the oper!% !nd he never gre$ tired of it.

,e le!ned do$n to kiss her no$% bt (eth pt her fingers over his lips.Are yo telling me th!t yo don&t c!re th!t * broke yor bo$l7 she !sked.

*!n h!d thoght they $ere finished $ith the discssion. 9es% he s!id.

(t . . . it took so long for yo to find it !nd cost so very mch money.*!n slid his h!nds to the crve of her $!ist. * $!nted to h!ve it% bec!se it reminded me of

yo% he s!id. (t *&d r!ther h!ve yo.

The ncert!inty in (eth&s eyes cle!red% thogh they !g!in s$!m $ith te!rs. -he t$ined her

!rms !rond his neck. *!n% * love yo so mch.This $!s better. +ch better. The d!rkness th!t h!d st!rted to grip *!n% the one th!t told him

he&d never le!rn ho$ to m!ke her h!ppy% flo$ed !$!y to nothing.

+y (eth. *!n looked str!ight into her eyes% letting himself be lost% not fighting it.(eth kissed him% her lips sh!king bt $!rm% t!sting of honey !nd her spice.

*!n opened her moth $ith his% re!dy to t!ste her frther% bt she s!id% * need to tell yo

something. *&ve me!nt to% bt it never seemed the right time.*!n $!ited% not !sking. (eth $old tell him% or she $old not. -ometimes% she took ! $hile

to s!y $h!t she needed to.



-he $et her lips% m!king them !ll the more kiss!ble. >ery soon% yo&ll h!ve something else

to remember me by. And to love. -he le!ned close% her voice dropping to ! s$eet $hisper. *&m

going to h!ve !nother b!by.That+ *!n nderstood. ,e $ent still% !nd the $orld stopped $ith him. Then ! $!ve of "oy

pored over him% s$eeping !$!y everything except (eth% her smile% !nd the $ords th!t she&d "st

spoken.*!n picked her p off her feet !nd spn !rond $ith her. ,e felt his moth stretching into !

smile he coldn&t stop% !s he $hirled his l!ghing $ife !rond !nd !rond.

*!n !t l!st set her do$n% (eth&s f!ce pink% her smile be!tifl. The $orried pcker bet$eenher bro$s $!s gone% (eth !g!in in love $ith *!n.

*!n thoght !bot the gestres !niel m!de $hen he $!s excited. <ne seemed !ppropri!te

no$.

*!n thre$ his !rms str!ight p% his fists b!lling% !nd ro!red? 80es58 :by scr!mbled to her feet% b!rking% !nd the h!lf/open door b!nged into the $!ll. ,!rt $!s

there% filling the sp!ce. !mn it% *!n. 4h!t h!ppened7

,!rt% the interfering p!in in the b!ckside% h!d broght the $hole f!mily. Even Ele!nor $!s

there% behind ,!rt% le!ning he!vily on !niel&s !rm. #o m!tter. *!n $!nted to shot it to the $orld. *&m going to be ! f!ther)

Ag!in% (eth !dded ietly.The tense silence brst into noise !nd l!ghter. The f!mily pored in% :by s$!rming

!mong them $ith her l!rge body% her t!il $!ving.

The l!dies rshed to hg (eth@ the +!cken'ie brothers% !niel% the +c(rides% !nd !vid8leming to cl!p *!n on the sholders !nd sh!ke him h!rd. 4hy good ne$s involved the m!n

being ponded% *!n h!d never nderstood% bt he kne$ th!t the gestres m!de +!c% C!m% !nd

,!rt h!ppy. *!n stood ietly !nd took their h!nd cl!sps% !rms !rond his sholders% liking th!t

he $!s p!rt of them% brothers $ho h!d never deserted him.The shoting $ond do$n to excited t!lking !nd l!ghter% still !s noisy !s only *!n&s f!mily

cold be. (eth h!d dis!ppe!red into ! clod of l!dies& skirts% bstles% !nd l!ghter% !nd he he!rd

!niel s!y% The $!gering $ill open !s soon !s * fetch my books. #o side betting% ple!se%gentlemen% !nd C!meron&s $!rning% 8Danny18

*&ll pt yo do$n for ! hndred then% sh!ll *% !d7 (oy or girl7

*!n. Ele!nor h!d broken from the feminine circle to pll *!n !side for ! kiss. -he h!d tose his !rm to ste!dy herself% bt she $!s smiling !nd pink. (eth told me $hy yo $eren&t pset

!bot the broken bo$l. 9o re!lly !re the most rom!ntic m!n in the $orld% do yo kno$ th!t7

9o oght to give yor brothers lessons.

* c!n he!r yo% El% ,!rt s!id from her other side.9es% * kno$. oes th!t me!n% *!n% th!t * cold bre!k !nother bo$l% !nd it $oldn&t m!tter7

-he re!ched to$!rd ! gl!ss c!se% !nd *!n c!ght her $rist in sdden p!nic. #o)

Ele!nor l!ghed. * !m te!sing yo.*!n&s he!rt thmped !s he rele!sed her. ,e didn&t mind so mch &eth bre!king the stpid

bo$l% bt no one else cold. ,e g!ve p trying to m!ke sense of them !ll% retrning his thoghts

to (eth !nd the brother or sister he $old get to sho$ J!mie !nd (elle.9o kno$ *&d never toch yor exisite bo$ls% *!n% Ele!nor s!id. They !re yors% !nd *

c!n be ! bit clmsy% !nd . . . Ah. Ele!nor&s g!'e bec!me fixed% her f!ce dr!ining of color.

,!rt stepped for$!rd !nd ste!died her. * kne$ this $!s ! b!d ide!% he gro$led. (!ck to

bed $ith yo.



#o$ th!t he&d pt the clock ot of commission% ,!rt h!d to check his $!tch for time% $hich

he fond himself doing every five mintes. Another hor cr!$led by% !nd !nother.

,!rt told *!n to go% bt *!n stbbornly rem!ined. Even $hen (eth entered% smdges ofexh!stion on her f!ce% !nd embr!ced *!n% *!n did not offer to le!ve.

,!rt coldn&t m!ke his lips move to form estions to (eth% or his legs nbend to rise from

the sof!. (eth c!me to ,!rt% s!t next to him% !nd took his h!nd. Al$!ys ! b!d sign% $hen !$om!n did th!t.

Ele!nor is very strong% (eth s!id.

4h!t does th!t me!n7 ,!rt sn!pped. ,e he!rd the r!ge !nd imp!tience in his voice% bt hecoldn&t t!ke the time to !pologi'e.

The b!by is re!dy to come% bt Ele!nor&s body is being slo$ to m!ke the p!ss!ge $ide

enogh. *t h!ppens. The mid$ife is cert!in she&ll come throgh it% !nd the b!by $ill be born

$ithot troble. *t&s "st t!king time.Tell me $h!t it re!lly me!ns. *f she c!n&t birth n!tr!lly . . .

Then $e send for ! srgeon. (t it&s e!rly d!ys% yet.

,!rt&s body $ent nmb. ,e coldn&t feel% coldn&t move. *f they h!ve to ct the b!by ot% El

cold die.-rgery h!s progressed in the l!st ye!rs% !nd yo h!ve the best srgeon in the ,ighl!nds

$!iting to be sent for if needed. -he&ll be in good h!nds.(t srgery $!s !l$!ys risky% bec!se thogh the srgeon might do ! fine "ob% the $ond

cold become infected% or Ele!nor cold lose so mch blood th!t she $oldn&t be strong enogh

to live.Ele!nor $old die.

The thoght $hirled !rond in ,!rt&s he!d !nd throgh his stom!ch% sloshing $ith $hiskey

!nd $h!t little he&d m!n!ged to e!t% !nd m!de him sick.

,!rt stood p !brptly% thro$ing off (eth&s helpfl cl!sp% !nd r!n ot of the room. ,is old bedch!mber smelled stffy !nd cloying% bt the b!throom th!t opened from it h!d ! $orking

cistern. ,ere ,!rt lost !ll the $hiskey !nd dinner +!rcel h!d broght to the bo$els of the hose.

,e rinsed his moth% d!bbing his lips $ith ! to$el. 4hen he left the b!throom% he fond *!n$!iting for him in the bedroom.

4here&s (eth7 ,!rt !sked him.

(!ck to Ele!nor.9o don&t h!ve to st!y $ith me. ,!rt looked !rond his old bedch!mber $ith its

monstrosly high ceiling% p!intings of gods !nd horses !rond the frie'e% !nd its old !nd chnky

frnitre. This h!d been his f!ther&s bedch!mber//the dkes of ilmorg!n h!d slept here since

the hose h!d been bilt.*!n% if * lose her. ,!rt $!ndered to the bed he&d !b!ndoned months !go to move into

Ele!nor&s co'ier bedch!mber do$n the h!ll. 5osing -!r!h !nd my boy $!s the h!rdest thing *&ve

ever lived throgh. (t even then% yo see% * kne$ th!t Ele!nor $!s $ith me. *f not here% then !tle!st in the $orld% $here * cold find her. * cold think of her living in th!t old hose $ith her

f!ther% * cold $rite to her if * chose. -he $!s the !nchor in my $orld% no m!tter ho$ f!r * $!s

from her. (t if * lose her . . . *!n% * lose myself. * c!n&t live. #ot $ithot Ele!nor.*!n listened $ith his s!l expression//focsed% bro$s slightly dr!$n% moth str!ight//

s!ying nothing. 4hether he follo$ed ,!rt&s $ords or not% ,!rt didn&t kno$. ,e never kne$% $ith

*!n.



,e looked p !t the ceiling. 6od% * h!te this room. *&m removing !ll frnitre to the scr!p

he!p !nd te!ring ot those bloody !$fl p!intings. After . . .

*!n held ot his l!rge h!nd to ,!rt. Come $ith me.Come $ith yo $here7 ,!rt $!sn&t in the mood for expeditions.

*!n s!id nothing. ,e never expl!ined. ,e simply expected ,!rt to trst him.

,!rt g!ve p !nd follo$ed his brother ot of the room. *!n didn&t go f!r. ,e led ,!rt do$nthe h!ll to the ch!mber in $hich Ele!nor l!y !nd pshed open the door $ithot knocking.

,!rt smelled closeness% he!t% the bite of the co!l fire% too m!ny people in ! room $ith no

fresh !ir% !nd blood. The room $!s too d!rk% too stffy.A m!id s$ng !rond% !l!rm in her eyes. 9o c!n&t be in here% 9or 6r!ce. 9or lordship.

The room teemed $ith $omen% m!ids in c!ps !nd !prons% the plmp mid$ife% the $et nrse

$ith her o$n b!by% $!iting to t!ke Ele!nor&s. (eth s!t on ! ch!ir on one side of the bed% holding

Ele!nor&s h!nd.Ele!nor l!y on her b!ck% the covers bnched !rond her to form ! kind of nest. ,er !rms%

sholders% !nd bre!sts $ere covered $ith her dressing go$n% the rest of her exposed. ,er knees

$ere p% her skin dripping $ith s$e!t% her eyes closed in ! p!le f!ce.

#ot re!lly the pl!ce for yo% 9or 6r!ce% the mid$ife s!id% $ithot trning from the footof the bed. 4e&ll let yo men folk kno$ $hen the time is right.

Ele!nor opened her eyes. ,!rt thoght she might c!ll to him% bt her f!ce distorted% !nd sheemitted ! long $!il th!t ended in ! scre!m. ,er body !rched% sp!sms $r!cking it.

-he fell b!ck to the bed% bre!thless. (eth stroked her h!nd% her !ttention !ll for Ele!nor.

Ele!nor g!sped for ! fe$ seconds% then she $!iled !g!in.,!rt $!s !cross the room% pshing !side the m!ids% re!ching for Ele!nor. Ele!nor mo!ned

!g!in% her he!d moving on the pillo$% bt she gr!sped ,!rt&s otstretched h!nd !nd held it h!rd.

+ore th!n h!rd. -he see'ed it to the bone.

-he fell b!ck !g!in% spent. ,!rt.*&m here% El.

:e!lly% 9or 6r!ce. *t&s not fitting. The mid$ife% ! l!rge -cots$om!n $ith fire/red h!ir%

pt her h!nds on her hips. ,!rt might be ! dke% bt this $!s her demesne.le!se% let him st!y% Ele!nor s!id. le!se.

,!rt re!d the p!in in her ble eyes% the fe!r% the hope. ,e kissed her fingers% her h!nds so

pitiflly s$ollen.(eth s!ys it sholdn&t be long no$% Ele!nor $hispered.

,!rt s!$% ot of the corner of his eye% the mid$ife !nd (eth exch!nge ! gl!nce. They&d lied

to soothe her.

6ood% ,!rt s!id. Th!t&s good.*!n% s!ying nothing% c!me !rond the bed% dr!gged ! ch!ir next to (eth&s% !nd s!t do$n. ,e

took (eth&s h!nd in his% le!ned b!ck% !nd closed his eyes.

,!rt kne$ Ele!nor&s fe!rs !nd sh!red them. -he $!s thirty/three% this $!s her first child% !ndfirst children cold be difficlt. Ele!nor $!s mch more robst th!n ,!rt&s first $ife h!d been%

bt childbirth $!s d!ngeros in !ny c!se.

,!rt h!d t!ken f!r too long to find Ele!nor !g!in. They&d h!d less th!n ! ye!r together% !ndhe might lose her tonight.

Ele!nor see'ed his h!nd% this time gently. Are yo !ll right% my love7 9o look ! bit

green.



4hich is $hy hsb!nds shold $!it otside% the mid$ife s!id. They&re not good $ith

$h!t ! $om!n c!n t!ke in her stride.

*&m fine% ,!rt sn!rled. * . . . ,e s$!llo$ed% forcing the bile do$n. *&m fine% love.6ood% Ele!nor s!id. *&m fine too. -he closed her eyes% dr!$ing ! deep bre!th% !nd then

her body $ent sl!ck.

4h!t&s the m!tter $ith her7 ,!rt !sked in !l!rm.The mid$ife looked h!r!ssed% bt (eth !ns$ered. -he&s only !sleep. -he&s been drifting off

from time to time. *t&s !ll right. -leep is good for her. 6ives her some pe!ce.

(t Ele!nor looked too $!n% her f!ce too $!xen for ,!rt&s comfort.The night $ore on. There $!s !nother confonded clock in here% ticking% ticking. Ele!nor

$oke p% gro!ning in p!in% bt the mid$ife still shook her he!d. #ot yet.

Ele!nor drifted off !g!in% mo!ning ! little in her sleep. *!n st!yed $ith (eth% holding her

h!nd !s he do'ed.,!rt stroked Ele!nor&s h!nd% $ishing he cold t!ke !ll the p!in !$!y. *n the d!ys before his

m!rri!ge to Ele!nor% he&d spent time $ith $omen $ho liked ,!rt to inflict p!in on them//to bind

them !nd comm!nd them% !nd to se the p!in% binding% !nd $ords to drive them to ple!sre. ,e&d

been good !t it. ,!rt h!d m!stered the technie of see'ing ! $om!n&s thro!t "st enogh soth!t $hen !ir ct off% her clim!x $!s th!t mch more robst. A d!ngeros pr!ctice% bt ,!rt h!d

h!d the toch.(t he&d !l$!ys been the m!ster. ,e cold t$ist !nd t!ke% bt $hen it $!s time to stop !nd

soothe !$!y the hrt% ,!rt h!d done it. ,e&d been excellent !t th!t !s $ell.

,e looked !t the $om!n he loved most in the $orld% kno$ing he coldn&t t!ke !$!y herhrt% coldn&t help her% !nd it killed him. ,!rt +!cken'ie% the speci!list in ltim!te control !nd

exisite ple!sres% cold do nothing to relieve his $ife.

#ot tre% he re!li'ed//he cold do ! fe$ things. 4hen Ele!nor s$!m !g!in to $!keflness%

he got p onto the bed beside her% $here he cold sn!ke his h!nds behind her b!ck !nd gentlyrb it. ,e m!ss!ged there then $orked his $!y p to kne!d her neck% !nd then her sc!lp.

,!rt kne$ ho$ to soothe% ho$ to bring ! $om!n do$n from nbe!r!ble ecst!sy. ,e sed

the s!me movements !s he glided his h!nds to her $rists% then to her !nkles !nd b!ck p herc!lves% trying to t!ke !$!y p!in.

Ele!nor% $ho kne$ $h!t he $!s doing% smiled !t him% her eyes he!vy lidded. * love being

m!rried to ! $icked hsb!nd.,!rt gently kissed her lips. ,e&d spent m!ny ye!rs m!stering the !rt of crelty% bt then he

cold trn !rond !nd be kindness itself. #o$ he $!nted to help his $ife the only $!y he cold%

to let her kno$ he $!s $ith her% !nd $old be ntil the l!st.

* love yo% El% he $hispered.-he smiled f!intly. And * love yo% ,!rt. 9o shold sleep. *t might be ! $hile yet.

*&m not le!ving yo.

#o7 ,er red bro$s climbed in her too/$hite f!ce. 6ood thing the bed is nice !nd $ide.*t&s or bed.

9es% * kno$. -he lightly p!tted the m!ttress. Althogh * !dmit% *&m gro$ing ! bit tired of

it !t the moment.This $ill soon be over% ,!rt s!id. And $e&ll snggle do$n !g!in% like !n old m!rried

cople.

o hsh. And sleep. 9o&re cross !s ! be!r $hen yo don&t get yor sleep.

,!rt softly kissed her !g!in then l!id his he!d on the pillo$ next to her.



,e h!d no intention of sleeping% only of resting crled in her $!rmth% bt the next thing he

kne$% Ele!nor $!s crying ot !g!in% !nd the mid$ife bstled !rond% ! smile on her f!ce.

*t&s no$% 9or 6r!ce% the mid$ife s!id. * believe the little gentlem!n is coming. Time foryo !nd his lordship to go.

,!rt smoothed Ele!nor&s h!ir. *&m not le!ving.

The mid$ife m!de !n imp!tient noise. 9or 6r!ce . . .5et him st!y% Ele!nor s!id. *f he f!ints% it $ill be his o$n f!lt. +!ke cert!in yo f!ll ot

of the $!y on the c!rpet% my love.

The mid$ife looked nh!ppy% bt she sbsided.*!n like$ise st!yed. ,e rem!ined on his ch!ir $hile (eth rose excitedly to help.

,!rt $!s srprised ho$ mch *!n&s silent presence comforted him. ,is vol!tile little brother%

$ho&d needed so mch help in the p!st% $!s no$ ! rock in the roiling stre!m of ,!rt&s $orld.

I can al,ays find you+ *!n h!d told him once. ,e&d me!nt th!t he&d kno$ $hen ,!rt neededhim% $old be there% no m!tter $h!t.

Ele!nor scre!med. -he sei'ed ,!rt&s h!nd !nd hng on.

-he crshed his fingers $ith !m!'ing strength. ,!rt gritted his teeth% holding her ste!dy%

$hile her body tightened% her f!ce be!ding $ith s$e!t.The mid$ife !nd m!id helped bend Ele!nor&s legs% settling her knees% covering her modestly.

Ele!nor shoved the sheets !side imp!tiently% her bre!sts str!ining !g!inst her dressing go$n !sshe !rched.

sh% 9or 6r!ce% the mid$ife s!id. 5ike * expl!ined to yo. 6ive the little fello$ !

shove.Ele!nor&s f!ce t$isted !s she obeyed% te!rs le!king from the corners of her eyes. ,!rt kissed

her fingers% still tight !rond his. 9o&re strong% love% he s!id. 9o&re so strong.

Ele!nor $!iled in p!in. -he clenched ,!rt&s h!nd even h!rder% her other fist bnching the

sheets.,e&s coming% 9or 6r!ce% the mid$ife s!id. #ot mch longer.

* see him. (eth s!id% her smile $ide. El% * see his little he!d.

<r hers% ,!rt s!id. *t might be ! her.Ele!nor opened her eyes !nd looked !t him% the ble s$imming $ith te!rs. 4h!t do yo

kno$% ,!rt +!cken'ie7 ,e&s ! . . . -he tr!iled off into !nother $!il.

,e&s coming% the mid$ife s!id. ,ere. Bickly.A m!id $!s there $ith bl!nkets% (eth st!nding $ith fingers steepled !g!inst her lips% the

mid$ife fro$ning in concentr!tion.

Ele!nor g!ve one fin!l% !goni'ed he!ve% !nd the mid$ife cried ot in trimph.

-he bent over the bl!nket the m!id held% !nd !fter ! long% bre!th/stopping moment% the firstshrieks//lod !nd !ngry//of ! ne$ +!cken'ie r!ng ot.

4elcome to the $orld% yor lordship% the mid$ife s!id.

-he lifted the bl!nket% the b!by glistening !nd red% still !tt!ched !t his tmmy to his mother.A she!f of d!rk h!ir sproted from his he!d% his tiny f!ce scre$ed p% !nd he ro!red.

,!rt s!t p% te!rs blrring the $ondros sight. ,e toched ! bro!d finger to his child&s f!ce.

,e&s be!tifl% ,!rt $hispered. El% he&s be!tifl.Ele!nor $!s l!ghing% te!rs spilling do$n her f!ce. -he re!ched for her b!by% !nd the

mid$ife gently pt him into her !rms.

4e&ll get him !ll cle!ned p !nd fed for yo% 9or 6r!ce.

*n ! moment% El s!id% her voice $e!k bt r!pt. *n ! moment.



,!rt kissed Ele!nor&s forehe!d !nd dre$ her close% his fingertips resting gently on his son%

his h!nd !lmost !s l!rge !s the l!d&s little body. The b!by $!ved his fists% his cries !nnoncing to

the $orld th!t he&d !rrived% !nd he $!s hngry.,!rt $!nted to bre!k do$n !nd $eep@ he $!nted this moment to never end.

El toched the boy&s cheek. ,ello% Alec. -he smiled !t him then sl!nted ! sly look !t ,!rt.

A $ee little l!d. * told yo.*&ll never dobt yo !g!in% ,!rt s!id. Then his te!rs c!me% !nd he didn&t bother to stop

them.

;;; ;;; ;;;,o$&s the f!mily% then7 *s!bell! entered the room !n hor l!ter% bringing in the f!mily th!t

h!d been kept ot. *!n $!tched them from the sof! !cross the room% $here he s!t $ith (eth.

+!c c!me behind *s!bell!% then Ainsley !nd C!m% Ele!nor&s f!ther% !nd !niel% !nd $ith

them the +!cken'ie children. *!n rose to t!ke (elle from !niel&s !rms. ,e kissed his d!ghter%remembering every det!il of his $orry the night (eth h!d broght her into the $orld% !nd before

th!t% $hen J!mie h!d come. ,!rt h!d "st gone throgh the s!me orde!l.

,!rt s!t on the bed% his b!ck !g!inst the he!dbo!rd% his !rm !rond Ele!nor. The mid$ife

h!d finished the rest of the birthing !nd $!shed the child% !nd the $et nrse h!d given him hisfirst me!l. *!n !nd ,!rt h!d been pers!ded to step otside for the procedres% !nd once he&d

$!lked ot of the room% ,!rt&s legs h!d bckled% !nd he&d ne!rly f!llen to the floor.*!n h!d c!ght him% holding his older brother pright in his !rms% ntil ,!rt h!d reg!ined his

strength.

!rkness still prev!iled otside% bt bonfires broke the bl!ckness% the vill!gers gettingst!rted on the ,ogm!n!y celebr!tions. *nside ,!rt !nd Ele!nor&s bedch!mber% !ll the l!mps

glo$ed% !nd the fire brned high% lighting p the scene.

,!rt Alec 6r!h!m +!cken'ie% Ele!nor&s f!ther% Alec :!ms!y% $!s s!ying. ,e tickled the

b!by&s cheek. 4h!t ! splendid n!me for ! splendid little fello$.They&d c!ll him Alec in the f!mily% ,!rt h!d s!id% in honor of Ele!nor&s f!ther. -m!ll Alec

$!s no$ do'ing in his mother&s !rms% bre!thing $ell% procl!imed he!lthy !nd strong by the

mid$ife !nd the doctor $ho&d visited !fter the messiest bit $!s finished.,!rt looked !s thogh someone h!d kicked him repe!tedly. Exh!stion st!ined his f!ce% his

eyes red/rimmed% bt his smile $!s strong !nd !s !rrog!nt !s ever% !s thogh he&d "st done

something ncommonly clever.*!n&s brothers sh!red ,!rt&s pride% holding p their o$n children so they cold greet their

ne$ cosin.

,e&s very sm!ll% J!mie informed *!n. ,e $on&t be !ble to ride his pony.

,e&ll gro$. (eth rmpled her son&s h!ir. *n ! fe$ ye!rs% yo&ll be r!cing him.J!mie looked dobtfl. ,e&s even sm!ller th!n (elle.

#ot for long% * $!ger% !niel s!id in his deep voice. +!cken'ie men gro$ t!ll. ,e

pressed ! fist to his chest !nd l!ghed do$n !t J!mie.(ell!my !nd Crry c!rried in tr!ys of $ine% $hiskey% !nd ch!mp!gne. ,!rt gr!bbed ! gl!ss

!nd dr!nk he!vily% this time keeping it do$n.

The others r!ised gl!sses in ! to!st. To the ne$est !ddition to the f!mily% +!c s!id. 6odhelp him.

,e&s or 8irst 8ooter% *s!bell! s!id% lifting her ch!mp!gne gl!ss. The first into the hose

for the #e$ 9e!r.



To the 8irst 8ooter) +!c !nd !niel shoted. 6l!sses clinked% !nd ch!mp!gne

dis!ppe!red.

9o&ve lost yor bet% =ncle ,!rt% !niel s!id. 8orty gine!s yo o$e me% * think.,!rt% yo roge% Ele!nor excl!imed. 9o told me yo didn&t think it $!s proper to $!ger

on yor o$n child.

,!rt shrgged. * thoght * h!d ! good ch!nce. *&ll m!ke good on my bet.4ell% I'-e $on ite ! p!cket. ,!ven&t *% !nny7

9e h!ve% Antie. As h!ve *. * !l$!ys trst the mother.

+other. Ele!nor held Alec close. Th!t sonds nice. And here is !p!.-he h!nded the b!by to ,!rt. ,!rt took him% his expression softening to $onder% everything

h!rd in him sddenly gone.

The others r!ised gl!sses once more. *!n pt his !rm !rond (eth !nd s!nk into her $!rmth%

hefting his d!ghter in one !rm% $hile his son s!t h!ppily in his mother&s. This time next ye!r%their little f!mily $old be l!rger% !nd *!n&s h!ppiness $old exp!nd yet !g!in.

They ch!nge yo% *!n s!id to ,!rt. 4e&re not the s!me no$.

(loody good thing% C!meron rmbled.

Aye% ,!rt s!id. ,e le!ned to his $ife. Th!nk yo% El% for s!ving my life.Ele!nor $inked !t *!n !s she met ,!rt&s kiss. 9o !re most $elcome% love.

;;; ;;; ;;;o yo feel yo&ve ch!nged th!t mch7 (eth !sked *!n mch l!ter.

The d!y $!s st!rting% the ,ogm!n!y celebr!tions $old commence soon% bt *!n !nd (eth

l!y in their bedch!mber% ent$ined !nd b!re% the covers keeping them from the cold $orld.J!mie !nd (elle h!d been t!ken b!ck to the nrsery for their bre!kf!sts% both ch!ttering

!bot Alec !nd #e$ 9e!r&s% !nd the ns!l excitement in the hose. #!nny 4estlock h!d t!ken

ch!rge% !nd *!n h!d led (eth% exh!sted thogh she $oldn&t !dmit it% b!ck to bed.

*!n h!d g!thered (eth into his !rms% !nd they&d celebr!ted $ith p!ssion!te% $!rmlovem!king. *!n&s desire !nd love t!ngled inside him% blotting ot !ll th!t $!s terrible !nd brt!l

in the $orld. #o$% he tr!iled open/mothed kisses do$n (eth&s body% loving her softness.

*!n7 (eth prompted% her voice lo$ !nd sleep/filled.*nste!d of !ns$ering% *!n re!ched into the dr!$er in the bedside t!ble !nd plled ot the

tisse/$r!pped p!ck!ge he&d been s!ving to give (eth for ,ogm!n!y. ,e l!id it on her b!re chest

!nd pressed ! kiss to her bre!st.9o didn&t h!ve to get me !nything% (eth excl!imed% thogh her f!ce softened in ple!sre.

9o did so mch $ith th!t $ondros srprise for J!mie.

<pen it% *!n s!id.

(eth ndid the $r!pping% $hich fell to the sheets% !nd dre$ ! ick bre!th $hen she s!$$h!t l!y inside. A locket of he!vy silver rested in her h!nd. (eth pried open the locket% her eyes

shining.

*nside $ere pictres% dr!$n !nd colored by +!c% of the t$o children% J!mie on the left% !nd(elle on the right. The pictres $ere tiny% yet +!c h!d exected them in fine det!il.

*!n% it&s perfect.

The locket $!s my mother&s.<h. (eth&s expression $ent iet. -he closed the locket !nd held it close. Then *&ll

tre!sre it !ll the more.

*!n h!d very little from his mother% bt he&d !l$!ys kept the locket s!fe. (t (eth shold

h!ve it. ,is mother $old h!ve liked th!t.



(eth l!id it !nd the $r!ppings c!reflly on the bedside t!ble. Th!nk yo% *!n.

+mm. *!n lo$ered his he!d b!ck to her bre!st% licked !rond her s!tin !reol!% !nd dre$ it

into his moth.9o didn&t !ns$er before% (eth s!id% her voice going soft. o yo feel yo&ve ch!nged7

(eing ! hsb!nd !nd ! f!ther7

<f corse he h!d. -he kne$ th!t//$hy did she need to !sk7 *t&s better no$% *!n s!id. ,elicked her nipple ntil it stood p in ! fine point. +ch better.

*&m inclined to !gree $ith yo.

*!n&s thoghts $ent b!ck to the fner!l they&d !ttended the d!y (eth h!d broken the bo$l.e!th% sorro$% the loss of something he tre!sred. *nste!d of sinking into d!rkness !nd desp!ir%

*!n h!d $!lked for$!rd% moving to $h!t h!d been import!nt//(eth% J!mie% (elle.

(eth h!d let him do th!t. ,e&d never h!ve been !ble to sort ot his thoghts or focs on $h!t

$!s vit!l in his life $ithot her.+ch better% *!n repe!ted. ,e kissed bet$een her bre!sts !nd moved to her lips% sliding

over her body to enter her !g!in. Th!nk yo% my (eth% he s!id% echoing ,!rt&s $ords to

Ele!nor.

(eth&s be!tifl smile spre!d over her f!ce !s *!n looked str!ight into her eyes. 9o&re$elcome% *!n +!cken'ie.

#n"

ant more Mackenzies/

:e!d on for ! previe$ of


(ook .

of the +!cken'ies F ,ighl!nd le!sres series<n s!le no$)

' ' ' ' '


+!cken'ies

(ook .

by Jennifer Ashley

Cha(ter )ne

!.ril ((=

5ondon $!s 5loyd 8ello$s& home. ,e kne$ every street from 4hiteh!ll to the E!st End%

from the -tr!nd to +!rylebone !nd !ll points in bet$een. ,e&d kno$n them !s ! boy living in -t.



4!ller tried to m!sk his bre!thing% bt the he!vy int!ke of it $!s too thick to hide. The

scttle of r!t&s cl!$s on the cobbles !lso c!me to 8ello$s% !s $ell !s the cl!tter of c!rts on the

streets otside% the $ind poring bet$een bildings. 8ello$s pinpointed e!ch sond% identifying!nd c!t!loging it !s he moved to the sorce of the bre!thing.

The !tt!ck c!me s$iftly. 8ello$s sensed the first s$ing of ! m!ssive fist !nd dcked. ,e

rose% bringing p his elbo$ to sl!m the m!n in the di!phr!gm.8ello$s $!s re$!rded $ith ! blo$ to the he!d% one th!t d!rkened his $orld ! moment. ,e

dr!gged in ! bre!th% trying to find his eilibrim% before !nother pnch to his skll sent him to

his knees. 4!ller didn&t $!ste bre!th l!ghing or glo!ting. ,e sl!mmed his !rm !rond 8ello$s&neck !nd st!rted to choke him.

8ello$s shoved himself to his feet !nd thre$ his $eight for$!rd. 4!ller grnted !nd his

hold loosened. 8ello$s dg his h!nds into the m!n&s sholders !nd contined the momentm of

the thro$% ending p sl!mming 4!ller !g!inst the $!ll of the n!rro$ p!ss!ge.4!ller grnted !nd stmbled bt s$iftly reg!ined his feet. ,e c!me !t 8ello$s% ro!ring% no

longer trying to be srreptitios. The const!bles pored do$n the st!irs from the other end%

!g!inst orders% their clbs re!dy.

8ello$s !nd 4!ller foght% close !nd desper!te% in the confined sp!ce. (older/like fistssl!mmed !t 8ello$s& f!ce. 8ello$s dcked nder the m!n&s re!ch% c!me p !brptly% !nd sm!shed

his fist into 4!ller&s "!$. The "!$ broke% !nd 4!ller fell% scre!ming.,e gr!bbed 8ello$s on the $!y do$n% !nd 8ello$s felt the prick of ! knife nder his !rm.

,e "erked !$!y !nd pnched 4!ller fll in the f!ce.

And kept on pnching. 8ello$s& r!ge $!s high% $ith ! $hite/hot fry th!t blotted ot !llre!son. ,e coldn&t see or he!r//he only kne$ th!t this m!n h!d c!sed terror !nd de!th% !nd

h!dn&t held b!ck from hrting h!rmless children.

-ir% one of the const!bles s!id. ,e&s do$n.

8ello$s kept on pnching. 4!ller $!s me$ling% broken h!nds crled !rond himself. (lood pored from his nose !nd moth to st!in the !lre!dy/grimy cobbles.

-ir7 <ne of the yonger const!bles d!red sei'e 8ello$s& !rm. The toch dr!gged 8ello$s

b!ck from the d!rk pl!ce he&d gone% !nd his !$!reness slo$ly retrned.4!ller l!y still% ho!rse sonds coming from his moth. The yong const!ble $!s eyeing

8ello$s nervosly% h!nd still on his !rm. The boy b!rely h!d $hiskers to sh!ve% !nd yet they&d

sent him ot to ch!se ! m!dm!n. The const!ble !t the moment looked !s thogh he $!sn&t cert!in$ho $!s more d!ngeros//the killer or 8ello$s. 8ello$s felt ! srge of fer!l delight.

,e dre$ b!ck his s!re/toed boot !nd kicked 4!ller s!rely in the ribs. Th!t&s for the

little l!d% he s!id. ,e str!ightened p% $iping his moth. Arrest this filth !nd get him !$!y

from me% he told the const!bles. 4e&re finished here.8ello$s trned !$!y from ! killer $ho&d sl!in !t le!st five people !nd regl!rly be!t his $ife

!nd children% fond his h!t% pt it on% !nd $!lked b!ck onto his streets.

;;; ;;; ;;;(efore 8ello$s retrned to the 9!rd% he $ent b!ck to 4!ller&s fl!t to tell his $ife 4!ller h!d

been c!ght !nd !rrested. ,e&d $!ited to see the m!n secrely locked into the police v!n !nd

trndled !$!y to f!ce ! m!gistr!te before he&d gone.+rs. 4!ller% 8ello$s kne$% h!d nothing to do $ith the mrders@ she $!s ! victim !s mch

!s !ny of the people her hsb!nd h!d killed. -he&d been the one $ho&d s!ved the children% not

4!ller. 8ello$s $ent to tell her she $!s no$ s!fe from her hsb!nd.



The residents of the !re! did not like policemen. They h!dn&t mch liked 4!ller% the

+!rylebone iller% bt even so% they&d been closemothed $hen 8ello$s h!d estioned them.

#o$ the men !nd $omen on these streets stopped $h!t they $ere doing to $!tch 8ello$s p!ss.8ello$s kne$ his f!ce $!s brised !nd bloody% bt his $!lk !nd his grim look $old tell the

others $ho&d $on the fight.

+rs. 4!ller $!s pset% confsed% grieved% !nd relieved !t the s!me time. -he promised she&dlook !fter the children !nd keep them $ell% !nd 8ello$s believed her.

The rooms she lived in $eren&t ! hovel% bt they $eren&t ! p!l!ce either. 8ello$s h!nded her

! fe$ coins before he left. ,e !lso stopped !nd h!d ! $ord $ith her l!ndlord% s!ying he&d be b!ckif the l!ndlord trfed ot +rs. 4!ller bec!se her hsb!nd h!d been ! mrdering b!st!rd. -he

needed help% not bl!me.

8ello$s left% he!ring mttered $ords behind him. (t he h!dn&t come here to m!ke friends.

,e&d come to stop ! killer !nd s!ve ! f!mily% !nd th!t he&d done. #o$ he needed ! b!th% ! thick pint of beer% !nd ! good night&s sleep.

(t it $!sn&t me!nt to be. 8irst he&d h!ve to report to his speriors then spend the rest of the

d!y !nd into the night $riting p ! concise docment!tion of the investig!tion !nd !rrest. The

re$!rd for his v!lor $old be p!per$ork.8ello$s $!lked into his office to cheers. 4ord h!d !lre!dy gotten !rond ho$ he&d l!nded

the +!rylebone iller% embellished% no dobt% by the const!bles $ho&d been on the scene.4ell done% sir) etective -erge!nt ierce s!ng ot !s 8ello$s entered his inner office.

8oght yor $!y throgh three men% single/h!nded% did yo% sir7 And then dr!gged ot or

killer by the h!ir% him begging for mercy7Ex!ctly% 8ello$s s!id% !nd ierce l!ghed.

8ello$s coll!psed to the ch!ir behind his desk% dre$ ot ! cle!n h!ndkerchief% !nd d!bbed !t

the $onds on his f!ce.

on&t get too comfort!ble% sir% -erge!nt ierce s!id% !nnoyingly cheerfl. <ne&s comeover the $ire from :ichmond. Asking for yo specific!lly% Chief.

&loody hell+ ,hat no,/ *&m on le!ve% -erge!nt. -t!rting immedi!tely. Th!t is% !fter * spend

!ll night $riting ! boring report.-orry% sir. ierce didn&t look one bit sorry% the sod. etective Chief -per $!nts yo to

t!ke this. olice in :ichmond telegr!phed. A bishop dropped de!d !t ! f!ncy g!rden p!rty in the

middle of ! lo!d of toffs. They think it&s fol pl!y% !nd they $!nt ! detective from the 9!rd. They$!nt it h!ndled $ith kid gloves% !nd they specific!lly $!nt yo.

8ello$s scrbbed his h!nd throgh his h!ir% finding it stiff $ith blood. *f they $!nt kid

gloves% $hy do they $!nt me7

* sspect &c!se yo&re rel!ted to ! toff//! dke% no less.-ince the d!y it h!d come ot th!t 8ello$s $!s in f!ct the illegitim!te son of the ke of

ilmorg!n% he&d gotten hell from his colle!ges. They either looked !t him $ith contempt or

$ent so f!r !s to bo$ to him mockingly in the h!lls. 5!ghter $!s !l$!ys present.8ello$s decided he cold either pl!y sperior officer !nd ell them% or he cold look the

other $!y. ,e&d g!ined b!ck his respect by m!king ! rde gestre $hen he bothered to notice the

"ibes% then completely ignoring them. 8ello$s !lso $orked h!rd to sho$ he $!s d!mn good !t his "ob% better th!n most% !nd did not let his !ccident!l !ristocr!tic blood h!mper him.

-erge!nt ierce $ent on% * sspect th!t if $e do h!ve to !rrest one of the nobs% the

:ichmond boys $old r!ther it be one of s $ho does it. They h!ve to go on living there $hile

$e c!n scttle b!ck to To$n.



They $!nt s to do the dirty $ork% in other $ords.

ierce grinned. <n the nose% sir.

A "!nt to :ichmond to cle!r p ! problem !mong the pper cl!sses $!s not $h!t 8ello$s$!nted !t the moment. ,e&d me!nt to finish his report% go home% b!the% sleep% p!ck% drop in !t his

mother&s to s!y hello !nd good/bye% !nd then bo!rd ! tr!in. ,e h!d ! $eek&s le!ve coming. ,is

h!lf brother% C!meron +!cken'ie% h!d sggested 8ello$s stop in !t the r!ces !t #e$m!rket next$eek. 8ello$s% thogh still ncomfort!ble $ith his ne$fond f!mily% didn&t mind the horse r!ces.

Any m!n might en"oy himself !t ! r!cecorse. ,e&d pl!nned to go to the se!side !nd st!re !t the

$!ter ! $hile% then m!ke his leisrely $!y to #e$m!rket for the r!cing meet next +ond!y.(t he $!s ! policem!n first% !nd if he h!d to postpone his trip% then he did. olicemen didn&t

get d!ys off.

8ello$s rbbed his h!ir !g!in. ,is f!ce $!s !lre!dy d!rk $ith ne$ be!rd% !nd then there $!s

the blood !ll over him. ,e didn&t feel in !ny $!y fit to f!ce ! hose p!rty of people convinced !m!n $ho&d died of overe!ting !nd !poplexy h!d been mrdered.

(t there $!s nothing for it. 4e go% 8ello$s s!id in ! h!rd voice. *t&s or "ob.

-erge!nt ierce lost his grin. 4e7

*&ll need my dtifl serge!nt for this one. 5et me go $!sh my f!ce% !nd $e&ll be off. 8etchyor h!t.

8ello$s took some grim s!tisf!ction from -erge!nt ierce&s crestf!llen look !s he he!ded offto the $!shroom to m!ke himself present!ble.

;;; ;;; ;;;

,e&s de!d% !ll right% -erge!nt ierce s!id !n hor or so l!ter.,e !nd 8ello$s knelt next to the body $hile ! doctor c!lled -ir :ich!rd C!v!n!gh stood

ne!rby !nd g!ve them his medic!l opinion in the most condescending $!y possible.

,istotoxic hypoxi!% -ir :ich!rd s!id. -ee his ble coloring7 rssic !cid% most likely. *n

the te!% * $old think% ! f!t!l dose. 4old h!ve been ick. <nly ! fe$ moments from ingestionto de!th.

8ello$s disliked !rrog!nt doctors $ho presmed !he!d of the f!cts% bt in this c!se% the m!n

$!s prob!bly right. 8ello$s h!d seen de!th by prssic/!cid poisoning before. -till% he preferredto he!r conclsions from the coroner !fter ! thorogh postmortem% not to mention ! testing of

food !nd drink the victim h!d t!ken% th!n specl!tions by ! doctor to the elite.

8ello$s ordered ierce to g!ther p $h!t $!s left of the broken te!cp $ith the liidinside% !nd !lso the fll te!cp th!t stood next to the pot on the t!ble. ,e h!d ierce por off the

te! still in the pot into ! vi!l for more testing. 8ello$s scr!ped p cre!m from ! p!stry th!t h!d

been sm!shed on the grond% !nd the rem!ins of the pl!te th!t h!d held it% h!nding !ll to ierce.

,e left ierce se!ling p the vi!ls $ith $!x !nd h!d ! look !rond the te! tent.=nfortn!tely too m!ny people h!d tr!mpled in here@ the pl!ce $!s ! mess. The gr!ss $!s filled

$ith footprints//l!dies& high heels% gentlemen&s boots% serv!nts& strdy shoes//!ll overl!pping one

!nother.The loc!l police serge!nt stood $ell otside the tent !s thogh $!shing his h!nds of the

!ff!ir. 8ello$s !ppro!ched him !ny$!y. The f!ct th!t the loc!l police h!d sent no one higher

th!n ! serge!nt me!nt the chief const!ble $!nted to keep $ell ot of the $!y. ,e $ondered $hy.9or thoghts% -erge!nt7 8ello$s !sked the loc!l m!n.

The serge!nt shrgged% bt the m!n h!d ! keen eye !nd didn&t look in the le!st bit stpid.

The doc s!ys poison in the te!% !nd * don&t dis!gree. The yong l!dy they think did it is in the

hose//my const!ble&s on the lookot p there. -he&s !n !risto&s d!ghter% thogh% so the l!dy of



the hose didn&t $!nt the likes of s estioning her. -!ys $e h!d to $!it for yo. The serge!nt

g!ve 8ello$s ! d!rk nod. (etter yo th!n me% if yo don&t mind me s!ying so% gv.

,e me!nt better "ello,s lost his "ob for !rresting ! rich m!n&s spoiled d!ghter% $hich $!sex!ctly $h!t cold h!ppen. 8ello$s& +!cken'ie connections might be !ble to s!ve him from !

l!$sit by the girl&s f!ther% bt his c!reer cold be over.

#ot th!t 8ello$s $!nted to go begging% h!t in h!nd% to his h!lf brothers for their ch!rity. Aninvit!tion to the r!ces $!s one thing. <$ing ! monment!l oblig!tion to ,!rt +!cken'ie $!s

!nother.

6o help -erge!nt ierce% 8ello$s gro$led !t the m!n. *&ll need st!tements from everyone.4ho $!s $here !nd $h!t they s!$//in minte det!il. =nderst!nd7

The serge!nt did not look h!ppy% bt he s!lted !nd s!id% 9es% sir.

8ello$s left him behind !nd m!de for the hose !nd the !ristocr!t&s d!ghter. ,e reflected !s

he !ppro!ched the l!rge hose th!t rnning do$n ! killer six feet three !nd $eighing eighteenstone $!s mch more s!tisfying th!n h!ving to f!ce ! silly girl $ho prob!bly didn&t nderst!nd

$h!t ex!ctly she&d done. -he likely felt herself perfectly "stified in poisoning ! m!n $ho&d

!nnoyed her. -he&d be highly strng !nd more th!n ! little m!d% or else too stpid to re!li'e the

conseences of her !ctions.8ello$s looked p !t the gi!nt brick hose trimmed in $hite% str!tegic!lly positioned for !

vie$ to the river !t the bottom of ! me!do$. The very rich lived here% the sort $ho existed intheir o$n $orld% $ith their o$n rles@ no otsiders need enter.

,e climbed the m!rble steps !t the re!r of the hose !nd stepped into the dim coolness of its

interior. +rs. 5eigh/4!ters% the l!dy of the hose% hrried to$!rd him from the front h!ll. -he$!s ! l!rge/bosomed $om!n $ith h!ir pressed into tight% nn!tr!l crls% !nd $!s g!rbed in !

gr!y bstle go$n th!t m!de her look ! bit like ! pigeon.

*&m so gl!d yo&ve come% Chief *nspector% she gshed. They&ve !l$!ys spoken highly of

yo% $hich is $hy * told the chief const!ble to telegr!ph yo. The loc!l const!bles c!n be ! bit . . . h!sty . . . !nd she needs ! bit of symp!thy% doesn&t she7

<f corse% 8ello$s s!id% forcing his tone to be polite. * $ill keep the intervie$ brief.

Th!nk yo. +rs. 5eigh/4!ters sonded relieved. *&m cert!in she $ill th!nk yo too.-he led 8ello$s throgh the cool% high/ceilinged h!ll $hose dr!ped $indo$ !t the end ct

ot most of the light. +rs. 5eigh/4!ters t!pped on ! door h!lf$!y !long !nd opened it to !

sitting room $ith b!ck $indo$s overlooking the g!rden !nd the vie$.T$o $omen rose from the sof! to f!ce him. 8ello$s h!lted three steps inside the room%

n!ble to move.

The fe!tres of the t$o red/h!ired $omen $ere he!rtbre!kingly simil!r% the yonger ! little

t!ller th!n the older. The older $ore ! go$n of bottle green $ith bl!ck bttons p its bodice. Theyonger $om!n&s go$n h!d ! ble !nd bro$n striped nderskirt% the ble overskirt folded b!ck

to reve!l ! lining of ble !nd bro$n checks. ,er bodice $!s bttoned to her chin $ith bro$n

cloth/covered bttons. 8ello$s noted every det!il even !s his g!'e fixed to her f!ce.The older sister% 5!dy *s!bell!% $!s m!rried to 5ord +!c +!cken'ie% one of 8ello$s& h!lf

brothers. The yonger sister% 5!dy 5ois! -cr!nton% h!d pet!l/soft skin% lips th!t cold kiss $ith

he!t% !nd ! smile th!t h!d been h!nting 8ello$s& dre!ms since the d!y he&d met her.5ois! st!red b!ck !t him% !s fro'en !s he% her lips slightly p!rted.

*s!bell! nlinked herself from 5ois! !nd c!me for$!rd. Th!nk he!vens yo&re here%

*s!bell! s!id to 8ello$s% both relief !nd $orry in her voice. They&re cl!iming Louisa did this%

c!n yo im!gine7 9o&ll cle!r this p !nd tell them she didn&t% $on&t yo7

mackenzie family christmas the perfect gift

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