***Fitz POV***Despite rescuing my elder brother, again, from the debtors' prison he was uniformly ungrateful. I purchased him a commission in the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards. It took some convincing of the gruff, jolly Captain Sanderson and extortionate payment but I needed a ceremonial regiment that was unlikely to see war. I would hardly be enacting my vow to my mother to save him from one disaster only to send him hurtling towards cannonfire.It means James is now safely ensconced within a disciplined collection of men. To be ill behaved, disreputable might see a swift transfer to a company expecting to ship across to France. The threat of which I hope will keep James in check, at least for the Season."Well then little brother, what godly favours have landed in your lap to furnish me so pleasantly?""The last such furnishing of its type," I bitterly reply."Oh of course. I quite understand you are discharging me from your tender nursing, you only left me in their four months,
The next two weeks saw an endless parade of visitors. Instead of heading out of the house everybody wished to see me. I was holed up in the parlous serving endless rounds of tea, answering the same dozen questions and smiling until my jaw hurt. Edmund believed himself mean by not taking me to every ball and invitation, in reality I was too tired. I had a new physician, Doctor Irwin Mathers. He was of the new school of midwifery, had attended to various royal family members and was a warm, gentle soul. He was from Ireland originally and had the kindest eyes. His patchwork black and grey hair reminded me of a badger which seemed cruel to point out. When he first set to examining me with the stethoscope upon my chest he saw how skittish I was. I did not want to be touched, fondled or exposed in any way. As though calming a nervous horse he simply waited until I was calm. He kept his eyes to the floor, as if aware I felt the gaze of men such as him discomforting. “Your Grace, I am you
Farrers had made a monumental error. In his panic, in allowing every servant to charge into the room with his supplies instead of sending for me, or one trusted valet he had opened himself to the wolves. The gossip pages had him now. /Duke of Tarrick near death. Young, pregnant Duchess distraught/ read the more professional papers. /Dirty Duke! Tarrick is Sick with a pain in his Pr–-/ were some of the less savoury attempts. The accurate images the cartoonists reproduced of his room were uncanny. The week I spent at his bedside reading the latest deliveries saw charcoal drawings of his room covered in pillboxes and medical equipment. Huge quantities of laudanum and other opiates in bottles, as casually as a liquor cabinet. He was found naked on his back, his lesions fully visible to every onlooker. His body was covered in wet, blistering sores, now viciously depicted like an ogre in black and white pamphlets. How he has even been able to attend so many events is beyond me. As r
I had no opportunity to see my mother before the Horseguards Ball. I sent her a quick note back confirming my attendance and assuring her I had nothing but Kitty’s best intentions at heart. I could not confess the horror at seeing such a name. The man paired with Kitty, surely, he could not be who I thought.For her to have fallen in with his deviant, criminal brother with a penchant for gambling would be appalling. Not only for her but it linked Fitz and I together in a way neither of us would want. Edmund would be livid and in his current state there was no way to comprehend what he was capable of.The Ball was set to be a lively affair, military ones always contained more dancing and merriment. “I shall not be dancing,” he muttered grumpily as we climbed into the carriage, clutching his cane tightly. “Of course Your Grace,” I answered timidly, fussing with my fur cape.The fear of him pulling out of this event caused me to be meek and submissive. Looking at me he scowled. “Why are
The evening drew late, I had seen nothing to convince myself of Mr Drake’s worthiness for my sister. Indeed he danced with her a further time, incensing the elderly watchers before switching to a late arrival. Miss Amelia Ginty, a new heiress with a fortune of ten thousand a year from trade had entered the room.I watched, as like a whip crack he fired his charm and wit upon her. Kitty, a mere three thousand a year to her name was much less desirable now. However Miss Ginty had strong relatives. The instant the dance was over, her aunt took her arm and led her away from the dancefloor without a chance of interruption. Mr Drake merely clicked his tongue in irritation, as though he had lost a bet before finding Kitty.I had seen enough. Walking across the room I caught their eye. With a smile I offered my arm. “Mr Drake, would you please be so kind as to accompany me to my carriage. I am fearful of the ice.”“I would be honoured Your Grace,” as Kitty looked on, clasping her hands excite
Time stood still. Fitz was here. Standing right before me. Farrer’s rolled and groaned as he drifted out of consciousness. There was not a single functioning word in my head. The shock of the whole evening was threatening to overwhelm me into fainting.His vile brother, my sister’s desire for infamy, the attempted assault by the drunken, bloodied man on the floor. All of which paled in comparison to seeing his kind, strong face again. The emerald green eyes that haunted my dreams. To my surprise, he stepped backwards, putting distance between us as he quickly looked down at the doctor's bloodied face.“You should leave,” he whispered, though his green eyes never left me for a second. I was in so much shock I could not reply, but when he spun to walk away, I found my voice. He had barely taken two steps when I broke, quickly stepping towards him despite sensible judgement.“Don’t, you cannot leave me like this!” I whispered, my hand finding his in his pocket. His fingers locked betwee
***Fitz POV***How I have dreamed of this moment. Of finding her alone, to myself. Mine to adore and caress. Except she must be terrified of me. This precious treasure of mine has seen me savagely attack another man. I know Edmund has been violent towards her, if she believed me to be cut of the same cloth I would die of shame.Yet she was pressed against my body like a lost soul. Her bump, that incredible, life giving roundness was magical. To feel my child react to my touch left me breathless. It only makes my purpose more real. The baby is coming, in around four months I should expect. June. June is my deadline for ensuring I am prepared. Like a soldier seeing the enemy's flags flying I know exactly what I am driving towards. But right now more pressing matters are at stake.“Vanessa,” stroking the bare nape of her neck as her arms wrapped around my waist. “I swear I am not a violent man by nature. I saw a man attacking a woman and I rushed to help. When I realised it was you…I do
The next week sees me frantically searching the papers for mention of rumour or scandal. Doctor Farrers attack achieved some notoriety, but all the rags pinned the assailant as a recovered victim of one of his schemes. Edmund snickered merrily, “I do wish there had been a drawing, apparently his face was pulp!” as his inner thoughts boomed aloud more frequently.Memories of Fitz taunted me, I found myself walking in the garden more frequently. Partially to convince the watching staff it was a peculiar habit I had acquired, also to hope and pine that I might see those green eyes through the black iron gate once more.Although I avoided any mention, Kitty’s name did make the papers. Although not named directly there was talk of the “Horseguards Favourite pair of Blue Eyes,” pointing out how there only had to be a man in a redcoat in a tearoom for her to attend the function. It suggested her debut had not been a class act. Sadly it could only be my sister.I invited her to lunch with me,