A Grave Inheritance (6 page)

Another footman opened the carriage door, placing a wooden step on the ground beneath it. Henry took my hand to help me onto the step and into the carriage. Sitting on the padded leather bench, I waited for him, my temper seething. He climbed into the carriage and sat on the bench opposite me, his expression unchanged from our first encounter. He stared at me in silence, his face so devoid of emotion I had to bite my lip to keep from yelling. The window shades were drawn against the daylight, plunging us in heavy shadow once the door was closed. The coachman flipped the reins and I swayed when the horses lurched forward.

I took a deep breath to steady my voice. “Henry, I don’t know what you’re playing at, but if you think I came all the way to England—”

His dim outline stirred, shifting in one fluid motion to the seat beside me. His hands found my waist and he pulled me close, pressing me hard against him. The next thing I knew his mouth had found mine and he was kissing me. Startled by the sudden change, I sat dumbfounded, my mind still reeling from his earlier behavior.

My body was experiencing something entirely different as what remained of my power began to stir deep inside me. I ignored it, temporarily blinded by my anger and the need to tell him just why I had come to England. Attempting to push him away, I felt his grip tighten on my waist.

“Please don’t, Selah,” he said, his deep voice making my skin tingle. “Let me kiss you. I’ll go mad if I have to wait any longer.” His mouth reclaimed mine, silencing my next words with a hunger that refused to be denied.

I willingly submitted this time, my need for him erasing all traces of anger.
This is exactly why I came all the way to England, what I have been dreaming of for the past fifteen weeks.
My power came roaring to life, filling my chest and racing along my arms into my fingertips. The warmth played eagerly on the surface as though begging permission to spill over and bare my soul. Reaching up, I put my hands behind his neck, pulling him closer and returning his passion measure for measure. My power flowed into him and he groaned softly, his arms tightening around me.

“I love you, Selah.” His warm breath brushed my cheek. “It was a mistake to leave the Colonies without you. Upon my soul, I shall never be such a fool again.”

His words made my heart soar. “Oh, Henry,” I said, my face wet with tears. “Your behavior had me so confused. Too much more, and I would have thought you no longer cared for me.”
That maybe I had been only a diversion.

“Forgive me, Selah. The last thing I wanted was to hurt you, but there were too many eyes watching. I had to remain completely constrained or risk revealing everything in my heart.”

“And what in your heart is so dreadful that it has to be concealed?”

He buried his face in my neck and I felt the wetness on his own cheek. “Until an hour ago, I feared you were dead.” His voice broke with pure emotion. “Your ship was almost a month overdue and rumors were flying through London of treacherous storms and ships lost at sea. For weeks, I’ve had men stationed at every customs house within ten miles of London, waiting for news of the
Callisto.
When I saw you come up onto the street, it was all I could do not to run over and take you in my arms. Never in my entire life have I been so sorely tested.”

“Then why did you resist?” I laughed. “You’ve kissed me in public before. I know it isn’t ladylike to admit outright, but I would have welcomed your affections.”

Henry settled into the corner of the carriage and pulled me onto his lap. He put his arms around me and I snuggled closer, nestling my head against his chest. “The moment I left you in Philadelphia, I have dreamed of little else than holding you again.” He tightened his arms around me and brushed a light kiss on my cheek. “I had to wait today because I was not the only one with men stationed at the docks. Since I revealed my intentions to marry you, my father and the king have also been awaiting your arrival. The
Callisto
has been the most anticipated ship in London this fall.”

His words should have scared me, and probably would have if I weren’t sitting so snugly on his lap. “James said the king might try to arrest me for treason. I almost believed him until I saw you waiting.”

Henry gave a heavy sigh. “James may have been right. The king threatened so much a week ago when we last spoke.”

This revelation disheartened me. “Then I assume you have not yet been released from your betrothal.”

“I’m afraid not, though the news is not all bad. My father showed considerable understanding when I told him about you, which is most surprising since he was the greatest proponent of my marriage to the princess before I was pressed into service last spring. With his support, I believe the battle is half won.”

Which still left the other half. “And the king?” I asked.

“His majesty was very displeased when he heard that I had chosen a lady from the Colonies over his daughter. He has refused to act until after you arrived.”

My heart fluttered nervously. “Why should my arrival have any bearing on his decision? Is he so concerned that I’ll prove an embarrassment to the crown?”

“I’ve no idea what the king is thinking,” Henry said. “For the time being, I’ve been commanded to honor the betrothal with Amelia, and notified that any actions to the contrary would be considered an insult to the house of Hanover. His spies arrived at the docks shortly after me, I presume under orders to witness our first encounter. If I had done as my heart bid and publicly shown my preference for you, I believe the king would have taken action. Rather than risk my father’s anger by arresting his only son and heir, he would have had you arrested instead.”

I sat up a little straighter. “But Henry, what if we’re being followed? Surely they saw us get into the carriage together.”

“What I do in private is my own affair.” He laughed bitterly. “As a matter of fact, the king has even encouraged it. I would never insult you by sharing such vulgar notions, but I believe you deserve the entire truth. The king suggested that I marry the princess and keep you for my mistress.”

I pulled in a sharp breath. James was a bloody soothsayer! Or else he was exceptionally good at guessing the king’s mind. Whichever, the man had been uncanny in detailing what would happen once I arrived. I felt a twinge of guilt for even asking my next question. “And what do you think of the king’s idea?”

Henry stiffened behind me. “I think my uncle is a damned fool, and if he were any other man I would have challenged him to a duel right then and there.”

“Are you insane?” I cried, trying to twist my head around to look at him. He was holding me so tightly, my movement accomplished very little other than bringing my cheek closer to his own. “You might have died! And then where would you have been, with me stuck in the middle of the Atlantic too far away to help?”

Henry was undeterred by the rhetorical nature of my question. “Dead, I guess.” He laughed, his deep voice tickling my ear. “Don’t worry, Selah, there is not a man in England who can stand against my sword, the king included.”

Cocky bugger.
I would have laughed except for the severity of the situation. “I thought dueling was illegal in England.”

“Only for those careless enough to get caught. Otherwise it’s perfectly acceptable.”

“And if one happens to be careless?”

“Fines for the most part unless a death occurs. Then it’s considered murder and tried accordingly.”

I swallowed hard, grateful I hadn’t yet shared James’s thoughts on my being a mistress. Best friend or not, I had a bad feeling that Henry would feel compelled to act on the insult. “Others are sure to disapprove of me and may even share the king’s opinion. You must promise never to duel on my account.”

“I’ll not stand by and let people make a mockery of our love.”

“Good heavens, Henry! What will it matter if you are dead?”

“You’re here now, my guardian angel, come to keep me safe.” He buried his face in my hair and inhaled deeply. “I’ve missed the way you smell. It’s so different from other women, sweet like violets, with something wild mixed in.”

“Be serious. If you get hanged for murder there will be nothing I can do but stand by and watch it happen.” He nuzzled my neck, sending warm tremors all over my skin. “Stop that,” I said, pulling away. “Unless you promise not to duel, I’ll sail back to the Colonies this very evening. Some conceited dolt is sure to insult me, and I’ll not live in fear of losing you. I would rather you marry Amelia than die protecting your stupid honor.”

“You don’t mean it.”

“Yes, I do, so you best let me know right now whether or not I should seek passage.”

Henry laughed again. “I would lock you in the Tower myself if I thought you would really try to leave. All the same, I solemnly pledge not to duel without good cause.”

“You’re jesting! You might as well swear not to breathe for all the good it will do. I assure you, someone is going to insult me before this is done. I almost think you’re hoping for a fight.”

“How about profound cause? Will that suffice?”

“Hardly,” I huffed, resting back against him. “I’ve promised you my heart, yet you refuse to do the same in return. Maybe you should marry Amelia after all if satisfying your pride means more than my love.”

“Merciless woman,” he said, in between nibbling my ear. Then he took my hand and placed it over his heart. “Can you feel that?”

I closed my eyes, pressing my hand flat against him. “Yes, I feel it.”

“It belongs to you, Selah. I gave it freely and have no intention of taking it back. You are the only woman I love and the only woman who will ever bear my name. The king may bluster and threaten all he wants and I promise to behave myself on your behalf. As for any other man who is fool enough to insult my future wife, I’ll be hard pressed to show the same patience. But for you, I will do my utmost to seek other recourse before submitting to a duel.” He bent his head down and kissed me again, his warm mouth emphasizing the point. My hand was still over his heart, its rhythmic thump beating softly in my own chest.

“Very well,” I said, near breathless when he had finished. “That seems the best I can expect and so I must trust in your sensibility.” Finding his hand, I laced our fingers together. He flinched unexpectedly.

“What is the matter?”

“Nothing much, just a small cut from this morning.”

My power had grown so sluggish, for the past week now it seemed insufficient to heal even a hangnail. But then Henry had kissed me, bringing up a reserve I thought long spent while sailing on the
Callisto.

“Take off your glove,” I said, eager to see if I was up to the task.

“You must be tired. It can wait until later.”

“Take it off or I shall heal it right through the leather.”

“Very well,” he laughed, pulling off the glove. “There is a nice gash in between my thumb and index finger.”

Even in the heavy shadow, I could make out the blood stained bandage that had been hastily tied in place. “How did it happen?”

He paused before answering. “I cut it on your father’s pocket watch.”

Loosening the knot, I gently pulled the bandage away and squinted at the wound. It was deep all right, cutting almost to the bone from what I could tell. “I never knew a watch could be so dangerous.”

“Usually they’re not. Mine just happened to be in my hand when the messenger arrived with news of your ship. I expected the worst at first and inadvertently tightened my hand into a fist. The glass facing broke before I realized what I was doing. A goldsmith should be able to fix the damage.”

“I am more concerned about your hand,” I said as Brigid’s fire stirred inside me. It was a fraction of what I had felt while kissing Henry, but certainly enough to heal such a simple wound. With some prodding, the warmth moved down my arms into my fingers before suddenly receding back to my core.

“Are you too tired?” Henry asked.

I shook my head. “My power is just being stubborn.”

Renewing my concentration, I focused directly on the gash. More power stirred this time and I willed it up to my fingertips. The carriage had grown uncomfortably warm while I worked, causing a thin coat of sweat to form on my forehead. Feeling the power begin to pull back, I snapped my eyes shut and forced it from my hands.

The moment it flowed into Henry, my insides prickled unpleasantly. The sensation lasted only a few seconds while I mended the various layers of tissue and rethreaded the nerves and vessels. Once done, I opened my eyes to inspect his hand. The blood still needed to be cleaned up, but the skin looked good as new.

Henry flexed his hand several times. “That is amazing. Thank you, Selah.”

“My pleasure,” I said, which was partly the truth. The other part was more than I wanted to consider at the moment. The carriage wheels clattered along the cobblestones, reminiscent of a clock ticking down the seconds. “Are we near Lansbury House?”

“I’ve arranged for different accommodations with a young widow by the name of Lady Catherine Dinley. She’s a dear friend and a well-known favorite at court. If she likes you, she may even be willing to help with our cause.”

“And if she doesn’t like me?” I couldn’t help asking.

“How could she not?” Henry laughed. “My judgment is impeccable.”

“Just with women or in every aspect of your life?”

“In everything,” he said, kissing my neck playfully. “But especially in women.”

The carriage slowed to a stop, and I scooted off of his lap to straighten my skirts. Henry smoothed the wrinkles from his own clothing. “I sent word of your arrival before I left for the docks so she is expecting you.”

My heart filled with dread for what lay ahead. “Will you be treating me like before once we are in public?”

He reached over and took my hand, pressing it in his own. “Seeing you today nearly undid me after so long apart. But now that I’ve been...reassured of your safety, I needn’t employ such extreme measures to keep my emotions in check. We may act as any friends, and hopefully even that charade will soon end once the king meets you and the betrothal is canceled with Amelia.” He pressed my hand again. “Are you ready?”