Blood Blade Sisters Series (34 page)

Brynne didn’t know how the wicked woman had found out about her marriage to Jake not being legal. Then again, with the right amount of money and time it wouldn’t have been that difficult. Brynne wasn’t even sure she cared. She’d planned to tell Richard everything, and while she knew he might have a difficult time of it, his reaction was much worse than she’d imagined.

Brynne glared at him, anger beginning to replace her fear and sadness. “My marriage to Jake was binding in every way that mattered and my so-called marriage to Leo was annulled, which means by all accounts, legal and religious, it never existed. So really, there was nothing to tell you about. The marriage was never real. Never consummated. It was a sham, a protective measure to help me and my sisters. Once the…situation had been taken care of, our marriage was annulled and we both went on with our lives.”

Richard shook his head. “Brynne, you must understand how…how this all looks. Annulled or not, you were married to your brother-in-law, who is now still your brother-in-law because he’s married to your sister.”

Yes, Brynne could see how it would look to him. She’d only come across one other divorced woman since she’d been in Boston. The poor woman had been completely shunned. No one who was anyone would receive her. Her husband and his pretty new wife fared much better. And if one past husband was enough to taint a woman’s reputation, then Brynne was doubly damned.

Brynne’s anger burned hotter and she tried to wrangle it in. The circumstances that had forced her into a sham marriage with her brother-in-law had been extreme and life-threatening, not only for her but for her sisters and the entire town. Richard had no right to judge her for what she’d done to keep others safe. But she tried to be fair. She could see his side, could understand the shock of what he’d learned.

“Richard, I can understand your feelings on the matter. I can, truly. But you must understand as well. I had no choice in the matter. It was literally a matter of life and death and my future wasn’t the only one in jeopardy. I did what I had to do and I won’t apologize for that. As soon as I could, I ended the marriage, and while we were married, absolutely nothing happened between us.”

“But your first marriage…was it even a marriage? You lived with him as man and wife, but if you weren’t legally married then…”

Yes, what then? Then she was a harlot who’d willingly born the bastard child of a man she’d bedded without the benefit of a pastor. Such a foul and unjust epitaph for what had been a pure and wonderful love.

A lump rose in the back of Brynne’s throat. She wouldn’t apologize for or be made to feel ashamed for her short life with Jake. No one had the right to sully that memory, not even Richard.

“I lived as Jake’s wife for less than a month before he was murdered. Life is different out there, Richard. There isn’t a pastor on every street corner waiting to legally join wayward couples in holy matrimony. We were bound before the eyes of God in the only way we were able and Jake was murdered before all the right papers could be signed.”

Brynne took a deep breath and tried to keep her anger in check. Richard had a right to know what had happened in her past, yes. But no one had the right to tarnish even one memory of her past with her first love. “The only ones who have even a modicum of relevance in what occurred between Jake and I are the Forresters. And if they have no issue with it, certainly no one else has that right.”

Richard sighed and leaned against his desk. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Brynne took a step closer to him. “I would have. Today. Before I accepted your proposal, I was planning on telling you everything.”

Richard’s gaze shot up, and for a moment he looked happy, before the shuttered look reappeared. He frowned. “I’ll admit this has been hard to take in. And I might be able to understand it, but I would like to hear the whole story from you before we proceed further.”

Brynne’s eyes narrowed, but Richard wasn’t done yet.

“The problem, you see, is that Mrs. Morey is the one who brought this little gem from your past to my attention. Which means by dinner tonight, the whole of Boston will be buzzing with it. Even if I am able to look past it, I don’t know that others will.”

Brynne held her breath. “What are you saying, Richard?”

“I don’t know,” he said, rubbing his hand over his face.

“Do you no longer love me?”

Richard’s head jerked up. “Of course I still love you. This hasn’t changed my feelings for you, though I wish I had heard these sordid little details from your lips instead of Mrs. Morey’s.”

Brynne’s anger spiked. “There are no sordid details, Richard. This wasn’t some shameful incident to be ashamed of. I did what I needed to do to protect those I cared about. A marriage—to a good, kind, respectable man, mind you—that was never truly a marriage was
annulled
, thereby rendered non-existent, which means there really was nothing to tell. The tittle-tattles can spin this any way they like, but nothing untoward happened, ever.”

“That may be true, Brynne. But the gossip harpies are rarely concerned with the truth.” He took her hands in his. “Perhaps we should take some time and wait for this to pass before we announce anything. Give the rumor mongers time to find something else to feast on.”

“Richard…”

“I’m only concerned about you, Brynne, how this will affect you. And Lucy, and Coraline. The social mills haven’t been too kind to you for lesser infractions than this. No sense in giving them even more meat to chew.”

“Really? Your only concern is for me?” she asked, pulling her hands from his. “You seem more concerned with how everyone else will see this. I’ve told you the truth, Richard. So why does what happened years ago matter now unless you are concerned about your own reputation? Mine wasn’t that great to begin with.”

“Brynne…”

She shook her head, swallowing back her tears. She wouldn’t let him see how badly he’d hurt her. How his “concern” cut through her like a blade. She squared her shoulders and faced him. “I’ll make this easy for you Richard. I am sorry, but I must decline your offer of marriage.”

Richard straightened. “Brynne.” He reached for her, but she stepped back out of his reach.

“No, Richard. You are right. The gossip mongers will be spreading my sordid little tale from one end of Massachusetts to the other. The last thing in the world I want is for my supposed disgraceful past to reflect poorly on you.”

She took another step back. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner, Richard. I really am. But I truly didn’t think it would matter to you. You said you loved me. It honestly didn’t occur to me that something from my past, that by all accounts never happened, would make one hill of beans of a difference to you. I’m sorry to find that I was wrong.”

She needed to get out of there before she lost her composure completely.

“Brynne, wait.”

Brynne shook her head. “Goodbye, Richard.”

She turned and fled, not caring that the tears she could no longer keep at bay were flowing down her cheeks. The bastard had made her care about him only to tear her heart to shreds at the first test. Better she find out now that he wasn’t the man she thought he was. She was better off without him.

She wondered how long it would take before she believed that.

Chapter Fifteen

Brynne didn’t want to give up her time at the clinic, but she wasn’t sure how Richard would react if she still came in. She moped around the house for a week until at last Taggart stepped in.

“Ma’am, if I might make a suggestion?”

“Of course, Taggart.”

“Go back to the clinic.”

Brynne started shaking her head but stopped. Why shouldn’t she? There was nothing for her to do around the house. Lucy and Coraline were still gone. Her in-laws had gone back to Maryland and a series of storms had blown in that kept them put. They’d sent a letter saying they’d return home as soon as the weather and roads permitted and assured Brynne that Coraline was having a grand time on the ranch.

That warmed Brynne’s heart, thinking of her daughter playing with the animals and running about in the clean, fresh air. Perhaps Brynne should take Coraline back to California. Cilla and Leo had a child of their own now. It would be wonderful to see their children playing together, roaming the ranch and riding the horses like Brynne and her sisters had done when they were growing up.

And at least in California, she wouldn’t have to deal with the ridiculous prejudice that she faced in Boston. Prejudice that was about to get much worse. She hadn’t ever been the toast of the party, but at least she’d been tolerated. But since Mrs. Morey’s version of Brynne’s past had been spread around to all and sundry, all invitations to Brynne had ceased.

Perhaps she
should
go back to the clinic. She didn’t necessarily need to see Richard. There were plenty of things she could do that would allow her to help out without bringing her into contact with him. That is, if she could get past the front door.

“What if they won’t let me back?”

“At least you’ll know.”

Brynne pondered that for a second. He was right. No sense in sulking around when there were others with worse difficulties who could use her help.

“Taggart, would you be so kind as to bring me my cloak and tell Charlie to prepare the carriage?”

“Right away, ma’am.”

When Brynne arrived at the clinic, she didn’t allow herself the chance to lose her nerve. She climbed down from the carriage, marched right up the front steps, and opened the door. Mrs. Birch looked at her with surprise and, Brynne was surprised to see, pleasure.

“Welcome back, Mrs. Forrester. We’re a bit busy this morning. We could use your help in the infirmary if you’d be willing to lend a hand.”

“I’d be happy to, Mrs. Birch, thank you.”

The woman gave her a small smile and went back to her work. Brynne was nearly speechless that the woman hadn’t thrown her right out on her ear, but she certainly wasn’t going to question it. She hung up her cloak and got straight to work.

…

Richard went about his work, his mood growing more foul by the hour. He’d been a fool to let Brynne go. Yes, she’d kept her past from him, but she hadn’t deceived him, not really. She was right…what had happened wasn’t nearly as bad as Mrs. Morey had made out. He’d been a fool to let the old biddy color his opinions. But he’d been so taken aback by her revelations that he hadn’t known what to think. And now it was too late.

He could still see the stricken look on Brynne’s face when she’d walked out of his office. He’d do anything to take it back, make it right between them. Every day that passed without seeing her was a torture he couldn’t bear.
A self-inflicted torture
, he reminded himself.

He’d almost decided to march over to her house and demand that she see him when he entered the infirmary and saw her in the back making up a bed. He froze, not sure what to do. He was afraid that if he made any sudden movements he would spook her and she’d be off again.

Richard knew the moment she realized he was in the room. Her body stiffened and she darted a glance at him. Their gazes locked for a moment and he would have given anything to have her run across the room and throw herself into his arms.

But he’d destroyed any chance of that happening. Perhaps he should go to her. He took a step in her direction, but Brynne shook her head. It was a slight, almost imperceptible motion, but glaringly obvious nonetheless.

She’d come back to the clinic, not to him.

He turned around before she could see the smile that spread across his lips. She might not be willing to forgive him yet, but she had come back. Back to his clinic, his home. It was only a matter of time, he hoped, before she’d come back to him as well. And he was going to do everything in his power to make sure she did.

When his messenger boy came running in, it took a second for Richard to realize what the boy was saying.

“What? What did you say? Slow down, boy.”

“Your warehouse, sir. It’s burning. The fire brigade is trying to stop it, but it looks bad.”

Richard stormed into the foyer and grabbed his coat from the hook. If that warehouse burned, it could ruin him. He housed much of his family’s heirlooms there, treasures and antiques that he’d cleared out of the house in order to make room for his clinic. The truly valuable stuff was kept at the bank or in the vault in his bedroom, but to lose the warehouse would be a tragedy of epic proportions, as well as a sizable blow to his assets.

He hurried out the door after the lad, catching Brynne’s eye as he did. He had no doubt she would be right on his heels.

Again it struck him how much he had truly missed her. How wonderful it had been to always have her at his back, no matter what the situation. He needed her, in the good times and the bad.

He was going to get her back. But first, he had to find out how much of his future had gone up in flames.

Richard watched bleakly as the fire brigade did their best to extinguish the flames tearing through his warehouse. Luckily, they had been alerted quickly and had lost no time in getting to the scene. The last thing anyone wanted was for the flames to spread to other buildings. The whole city could be ablaze in a matter of minutes. But Richard’s warehouse stood near the water in a space all on its own so the dangers of the fire spreading were slim. And the fire hadn’t been large to begin with.

In fact, by the time Richard and Brynne had arrived, the flames had been mostly contained. Apparently, Richard’s enemies wanted to merely warn him instead of decimating him. Which made sense, Richard thought as he looked at the note in his hand. A boy had delivered the note while the flames devoured a large chunk of his family’s wealth. If the bastard thieves had reduced his fortune too much, he wouldn’t be able to pay the exorbitant amount of money they wanted in exchange for the medical supplies they’d stolen.

They were giving him one last chance to make good on the deal they’d made before, the one he hadn’t needed to keep because of Brynne. They had the rest of his supplies, and for double the price, he could have what remained of the shipment. Or, should he choose not to accept and make good on their original, now slightly altered deal, he could expect worse retribution.

Richard risked a glance at her. She stood staring at his building, her face set in an expression he was beginning to know well. He’d shared the note with her. No reason not to since, for better or worse, she had become involved with the knaves who’d done this. Brynne turned to meet his gaze.

“Don’t worry, Richard. This time, I won’t leave them anything to bargain with.”

“You are not going after them again, Brynne.”

“Why ever not?” she asked, seeming truly astonished.

“They are dangerous.”

“Oh, bosh,” she snorted and turned her attention back to the warehouse, but Richard grasped her arms and turned her back to him.

“I mean it, Brynne. I don’t want you anywhere near these men.”

“Richard, I appreciate your concern—”

“My concern? Damn it all, woman. I love you! No matter what has passed between us of late, nothing has changed that. I will
not
let you risk your neck over this.”

Brynne’s face softened and she reached up to caress his cheek. “I love you too, Richard. Which gives me even more reason to help you when I can. You need those supplies. It’s my fault for leaving so much behind the first time. I’ll get them for you. There is no way I’m going to allow you to pay for something that is already yours, especially after this,” she said, waving a hand at his smoking warehouse.

“Brynne—”

“It isn’t as dangerous as you are thinking it is. The last time it was almost too easy. I won’t be in any danger.”

“Last time was different,” he said, pulling her away from the other spectators. “They’ll be waiting for you this time.”

“Despite what you think, I don’t simply traipse in on a lick and a promise. I’m a little more fond of my life than that. Give me some credit, Richard. I’ve been doing this a long time. I know how to deal with people like this.”

For a moment, he was confused. Then he remembered. Ah yes, her days riding with her sister the bandit. He still had a hard time envisioning the woman before him duded up like a notorious outlaw.

He studied the stubborn set of her chin, the determination flashing in her eyes, and knew there would be no talking her out of it. “Fine. Then I’m going with you.”

“Oh no, you’re not.”

“I have every right to go, Brynne. It’s my money, my supplies, my vendetta. And I am
not
going to let you go alone.”

“I won’t be alone. I have someone who will help me.”

“Who?”

“That doesn’t matter. It’s someone I trust who has helped me before.”

Richard frowned. “I’m coming, Brynne.”

“You’ll only be in the way. You don’t know the first thing about…” Her eyes darted about the crowd and she leaned in to whisper, “This sort of thing.”

“Then I guess you’ll have to teach me, because you are
not
going without me.”

“Excuse me, sir.” A police officer approached them, looking between them with a wary look in his eye. “Is everything all right here?” He addressed that remark to Brynne with a pointed look at where Richard was grasping her arm.

“We are fine, sir, thank you. Merely a very difficult night.”

“Yes, of course. Regarding that, Dr. Oliver, I have been assured that the flames have been completely extinguished and most of your property was salvaged, though there may be some smoke and water damage. The fire was set in an empty corner of the warehouse. We believe it may have been set by a squatter trying to find shelter or some such miscreant who’d perhaps been trying to warm themselves. Most of the damage was contained to a small area of the building.”

Richard nodded. “I’m sure that’s all it was. Thank you so much, Officer.”

The policeman tipped his hat to them and went back to his men.

The moment his back was turned, Richard turned his attention back to Brynne. But she was gone.

“Damn that woman,” Richard muttered. He wasn’t going to let her get away with her crazy scheme. At least, not without him. He searched through the crowd for a few minutes but didn’t see any sign of her. He had no idea how she’d disappeared so quickly, but he had no delusions about where she’d gone. He climbed in his carriage and told the driver to go to Brynne’s house. He wasn’t sure where she’d be going that night, but he was relatively sure she wouldn’t be able to gad about thieving in her full skirts and bonnet. She’d need a change of clothing first. And he’d be waiting when she left her house again.

She was faster than he had assumed she’d be. He’d only been hiding in the shadows in front of her house for about ten minutes before he spotted a dark-clothed figure leading a horse from the stables. Before she could mount, Richard stepped from his hiding place. Brynne gasped and shoved a hand against her mouth to keep from screaming.

Before Richard could say a word, he found himself flat on his back, a blade pressed to his throat.

His adventure into banditry was off to a fine start.