Blood Blade Sisters Series (29 page)

Brynne’s breath caught in her throat and her mind emptied of all thoughts but one.
Yes!

Before she could answer, they were interrupted by a voice Brynne was beginning to think she despised above all others.

“Why Dr. Oliver, how delightful to see you here.” Mrs. Morey’s simpering voice wormed its way under Brynne’s skin, like an itch she couldn’t quite reach.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Morey.”

“You remember my daughter, of course.” She thrust her daughter forward like she was tossing a piece of meat to a starving dog.

Richard smiled, but Brynne knew him well enough now to know it wasn’t genuine. It was polite, but didn’t reach his eyes. “Yes, of course. It is nice to see you again, Miss Morey.”

The poor girl turned beet red, her mouth gaping open like she knew she was supposed to speak but couldn’t quite figure out how. Her mother frowned at her and turned her attention back to Richard.

“We stopped by the clinic earlier to offer our assistance, but your housekeeper said you were out. How fortuitous that we ran into you here.”

Fortuitous my giddy aunt
. Brynne had no doubt the woman had stalked any establishment within a two mile radius of the clinic hoping to arrange just such a chance meeting. And she hadn’t missed the fact that the woman hadn’t so much as looked in her direction the entire time she’d been standing there. For someone so well-bred, it was an incredibly bold stroke of impoliteness.

“That’s very generous of you, Mrs. Morey. However, there really wouldn’t be much for you to do at the clinic I’m afraid. I am fully staffed and Mrs. Forrester has been such an immense help that I don’t think I’d have a single task for you. You are acquainted with Mrs. Forrester, aren’t you?”

Brynne pressed her lips together to keep from smiling. Poor Mrs. Morey now had to acknowledge her. Brynne waited to see if the woman would explode.

Mrs. Morey turned a frosty smirk to Brynne. “Yes, of course. Good afternoon, Mrs. Forrester. I hope you are well.”

“Very well, thank you,” Brynne answered.

“Well, Mrs. Morey, Miss Morey, if you’ll excuse us, we really should be going.” Richard stood and offered Brynne his arm. She tucked her hand through the crook of his elbow, said goodbye as politely as she could muster, and walked away with Richard, Mrs. Morey’s glare burning a hole through her back as they left.

At least one thing had been solved. With the town’s biggest gossip witnessing their cozy tete-a-tete and obvious closeness, trying to decide whether or not to see Richard had become something of a moot point. The gossips would have them engaged by the end of the day. It relieved a little of the stress Brynne had been feeling. Everyone would already believe they were courting. It would be nice to actually be guilty of what the gossips accused her of, for once. And frankly, it was exhausting fighting herself over it. She wanted to see him, right or wrong.

“You never answered my question,” Richard said, startling her with how closely he was attuned to her.

Brynne looked up at him and smiled, feeling suddenly shy. “Yes. I would like to keep seeing you.”

“Then see me you shall, Mrs. Forrester. Brynne.”

“I look forward to it. Richard.”

And she meant it. The guilt was still there. She still felt like she was betraying Jake somehow. But the desire to see Richard was stronger.

For now, she was excited to see where the relationship might go.

Chapter Nine

Brynne put down her pen and stood to stretch her back. They’d been working for two hours without a break and her body was beginning to cramp from hunching over her desk. Richard had found one last file that had needed transcribing, but they’d taken their time about it. Some mornings, they had worked. Others, they’d spent walking through the park, talking and getting to know each other. They often took Coraline with them, letting her scamper on ahead as they conversed. But Richard always found a moment or two to be alone with Brynne.

It was so different from how things had gone with Jake. Jake had been impetuous, spontaneous. He’d ridden into town and swept her off her feet before she’d had two seconds to think about it. With Richard, it was no less exciting, but he took his time. Then again, had he pushed too hard, Brynne would probably have turned tail and run. She was thankful that Richard allowed her the time she needed to get used to the idea of having a new man in her life.

Brynne got a few satisfying pops out of her spine and straightened to find Richard staring at her. Heat rushed to her cheeks. She’d grown so used to being in his company that she was starting to forget to behave properly around him. She opened her mouth to apologize and snapped it shut again, wondering what in the world she’d apologize for. Saying she was sorry for inappropriately thrusting her breasts into the air as she tried to get comfortable would most likely make matters worse.

Richard stood and grinned, then bent nearly backwards and cracked his own back. “Ah, that does feel better, doesn’t it?”

Brynne felt instantly better. How did he always manage to do that? No matter how awkward or uncomfortable she might be feeling, he always knew the exact right thing to do or say to put her at ease. Richard came around to her side of the desk and half-sat on it. He took her hand and drew her nearer, so close she nearly stood between his legs as he rested against the desk.

“I’ve enjoyed spending these mornings with you,” he said. He softly caressed her hand. Each stroke of his finger along her skin shot straight to her core, sending her normally agile mental facilities into hazy chaos.

The best response she could muster was, “Thank you.”

Richard chuckled. “I hope you have enjoyed them as well?”

Buck up, woman
! Brynne gathered her wits about her. She knew she should probably play coy, or feign disinterest. But frankly, she had never been one to play games. It was tiresome and dishonest. She’d always been one to speak her mind and she saw no reason to stop now, even if admitting how she was starting to feel for the doctor terrified her to the very marrow of her bones.

“I have enjoyed spending time with you. Very much.” There. She’d said it and hadn’t perished on the spot. Bully for her.

Richard smiled and Brynne’s heart nearly jumped from her chest. “Perhaps now that we really have finished these infernal documents, we could celebrate. The annual gala for the Boston Museum is in a few weeks. I’d be honored if you’d allow me to escort you.” He pulled her a fraction closer with each word, until Brynne had to crane her neck to look up at him.

Accompanying him to a society ball? A few carriage rides and walks around the park was one thing, but showing up on his arm at such a well-attended society function was tantamount to announcing their intentions before the world. What exactly were his intentions? With those blue eyes staring into hers, Brynne wasn’t sure she cared.

“That sounds lovely,” Brynne said, her pulse pounding so fiercely her head spun. She tilted her face towards his as he leaned down.

“You are lovely, Brynne,” he said, cupping his hand around the back of her neck. “So very lovely.”

Brynne hesitated for a moment. It had been such a long time since she’d been kissed. The familiar stab of guilt at the memory of the last time she’d been kissed tried to break through the happy haze enveloping her, but this time, Brynne pushed it aside. She would always love Jake, would always miss him. But he’d been gone now for nearly four years. Maybe it was time to at last let him go.

She allowed Richard to wrap her fully in his arms and rose on her toes to meet his lips.

When the library door burst open, Brynne nearly jumped out of her skin. She jerked away from Richard, her face flaming so hotly she was sure it would catch fire.

“Brynne, the most terrible thing has happened! Oh, it’s altogether too horrid, it’s—”

Lucy stopped mid-sentence and looked back and forth between Brynne and Richard. Even through the tears streaming down Lucy’s face Brynne could see the surprise, and approving calculation, in her sister’s eyes.

“I’m sorry,” Lucy said, wiping at her face. “I didn’t mean to interrupt…”

“No, no, you didn’t interrupt anything,” Brynne said, her gaze darting to Richard who had made himself busy gathering up his documents.

“Not at all,” he agreed. “In fact, we’ve finished up for the morning. I really should be on my way.”

Brynne suppressed a rush of disappointment. Lucy was obviously very upset and now that she wasn’t wrapped up in the heat of the moment, Brynne was a little embarrassed at how she’d nearly thrown herself at Richard.

He finished gathering up his things and started toward the door. He gave Lucy a polite nod and then looked at Brynne expectantly.

“I’ll see you out,” she said, warmth spreading through her at the loving gaze he bestowed upon her. “I’ll be right back,” she told Lucy.

“Take your time,” Lucy said, managing to aim a teasing smirk at Brynne even through her tears.

Brynne shot Lucy a warning glance and accompanied Richard to the front door.

“I am sorry we were interrupted,” he said, aiming that heart-melting smile at her again.

Brynne blushed but looked him in the eye. “As am I.”

“I do hope your sister is all right.”

“I’m sure she is. She’s at that age where she’ll pitch a fit over everything.”

Richard chuckled. Then he leaned forward and brushed his lips across her cheek. Brynne sucked in her breath. She desperately wanted to pull him closer, feel the lips that caressed her cheek press against her own. Instead, she reached out with a trembling hand and opened the door.

“I will see you tomorrow, Brynne.”

“Goodbye, Richard.”

Brynne watched him until he had climbed into his carriage. Then she closed the door, leaning her forehead against the cool wood. Blazes, what was she getting herself into?

When she’d composed herself enough to go and deal with whatever crisis Lucy was experiencing, she turned and found Mrs. Krause standing in the hall, her sour face puckered with disapproval.

Criminy
! How long had the old bat been standing there? From the look on her face, long enough to see Richard kiss her, though a peck on the cheek hardly counted in her book. Mrs. Krause’s demeanor made it obvious she wouldn’t agree.

Well, it was none of the housekeeper’s business what Brynne did or who she did it with, so she could keep her sourpuss attitude to herself. Nothing was going to ruin the tentative happiness beginning to course through her.

“Mrs. Krause, could we have some tea and perhaps a few of those cookies Lucy likes so much sent to the library? Lucy appears to need a little cheering up.”

The housekeeper gave Brynne a sharp nod and spun on her heels. She sighed. If she had any other options, she’d send the woman packing. But finding good help was hard, and for her, nearly impossible. Mrs. Krause would have to do.

For now, Brynne had bigger worries. Lucy was usually level-headed, not prone to hysterics. For her to be this upset, something truly terrible must have happened.

By the time she re-entered the library, Lucy was pacing the rug, her tears evaporated into fury.

“What’s happened?”

“That, that arrogant, spineless, lying boot-licker told everyone that I…that I let him…that we…ahhh!” Lucy spun on her heels and started pacing again, her face flushed with frustrated fury.

“Lucy. Take a deep breath and calm down. You aren’t making any sense and I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s going on.”

Lucy flounced onto the sofa and buried her face in her hands. Brynne gave her a moment to compose herself.

Once she calmed, she tried asking again. “Now. Let’s try this again. Who exactly is an arrogant, spineless…”

“Lying bastard! Steven Bartlett, that’s who. I tell you, if we were back home, I’d have him hog-tied and strung up in the barn while I introduced him to the gelding shears.”

“Lucy!” Brynne tried to keep her voice stern though it was all she could do not to laugh. Lucy was normally a fairly sweet soul. But she was not someone you wanted to rile up. Brynne almost felt sorry for Mr. Bartlett, despite what he’d done to upset her sister.

“You don’t know what he did!”

“And I never will if you don’t calm down and tell me.”

Lucy flounced back onto the sofa, her lips trembling as her rage abated somewhat. “I was at Sarah Messer’s. I was so excited. I’d finally been invited to one of her super social afternoon teas.” Lucy rolled her eyes. “I was so stupid. I think they only invited me to have someone to poke fun at.”

Mixed in with Lucy’s anger was a sort of hurt bewilderment that made Brynne’s blood boil. She looked like an eager puppy who’d been kicked for being too friendly and couldn’t figure out what she’d done wrong. Brynne held her tongue through sheer power of will. She didn’t want to interrupt Lucy or she might never get the whole story.

“There was a whole group in attendance. Sarah, and her usual flock of followers, and several of the young men. They wanted to play a silly game. You know the one, where you hang a sheet and put a candle behind it and then disguise yourself as you walk behind it and see if the others can guess who you are. I can’t help that I’m better at it than the other girls. I suspect that they play dumb to protect the boys’ fragile opinions of themselves.

“I excused myself to get a bit of air. I only stepped out into the garden for a moment. But Steven followed me. I tried to go back inside but…he…he tried to kiss me.”

Brynne’s anger went from boiling to raging. “He did what?”

“I clouted him. It made him angry. He said I had no business putting on airs, that everyone knew what kind of women we both were, growing up wild like we did, and living with a heathen like we do.” Lucy stuck her chin in the air with a satisfied grin. “So I struck him again.”

“Lucy,” Brynne said, forcing a note of disapproval into her voice. Truth be told, she’d rather cheer. Lying bastard indeed. Brynne would like to give the miserable little snorter a good slogging herself.

“He had it coming.”

Brynne agreed but didn’t voice it. “Then what happened?”

Lucy took a deep breath, her anger dissolving into hurt again. “He went back to the group. I decided I wanted to go home, so I found a maid to get my things and waited in the foyer. But before I could leave, Sarah came out. She was furious, said I was trying to steal Steven from her but that my…my whorish ways wouldn’t work. He’d told everyone that I’d let him…let him…take liberties with me while we were gone. And they believed him. I’m ruined! No one will ever believe I didn’t do it. I won’t be accepted anywhere, no one will ever want to court me, let alone marry me. It didn’t matter what I said, they believed him. And he just stood there, leaning against the doorframe, looking smug.”

Lucy dissolved into tears and Brynne wrapped her in her arms, her heart breaking for her sister. She was right. That vicious bastard had ruined her, even if everything he said was a lie. And Brynne had no idea how to help her. No one would listen to her either.

“Mrs. Forrester, I’m sorry to interrupt…”

Brynne looked up to see Taggart standing in the doorway holding a tray with the tea she had ordered. Her mouth dropped open. Sweet heaven, he’d probably heard everything. By now the rumor had surely spread through half the households in Boston, so it hardly mattered.

She gathered her wits and nodded. “Please set it on the table.”

He did as she directed, but instead of leaving once he’d finished, he hovered for a moment.

“Was there something else, Taggart?”

He hesitated for a second, then squared his shoulders. “Yes, ma’am. I believe I can help with the…situation Miss Lucy has found herself in.”

Lucy’s eyes shot to Taggart. “How?”

“I’d…rather not go into too much detail, miss. Let’s just say that I can help expose the gentleman’s true nature.”

Brynne and Lucy exchanged a glance and before Brynne could say a word, Lucy stood. “I’d appreciate any help you could provide, Mr. Taggart.”

His lips pulled into a slight smile and he nodded his head. “It will be my pleasure, Miss.”

He turned to leave, but Lucy stopped him. “Mr. Taggart, I want you to know that I didn’t do what he’s accusing me of. I’m not the kind of girl he says I am.”

“I know that, Miss Lucy,” he said, his gaze lingering on her before he bowed and excused himself.

Brynne frowned. It felt like there was more going on between her butler and her sister, but she’d never seen anything inappropriate between them. She might have to keep a closer eye on the two.

…

Two days later, Taggart brought Brynne the morning paper, already folded open to the society pages. There was a story about the son of a prominent lawyer in town who had been caught in an extremely compromising position. He’d been found with two prostitutes in the back room of a gambling hall, so insensible with opium that he’d had to be dragged out. His name wasn’t included in the article, nor was there any information about what had happened afterward.

“Steven Bartlett?”

“Yes, ma’am. It seems that his father received an anonymous note informing him of his son’s preferred pastimes along with the address of where he was most likely to be found. It just so happened that a distinguished member of the press was nearby when this all occurred and was a witness to everything.”

Brynne’s lips twitched. Taggart hadn’t been exaggerating about his ability to help.

“And what will happen to poor Mr. Bartlett now?”

“His father has decided a trip abroad might do the boy some good. His passage has already been arranged.”