Hold Your Breath 02 - Unmasking the Marquess (12 page)

“About a week.”

“A week? You have been hiding yourself away from me. Why on earth did you not call or at least leave a card? I would say that I have due right to be upset at you, if I was not so happy to see you. I have been so worried about you. Up at Holloton by yourself,” her nose wrinkled, “is no place to be.”

Reanna relaxed on the chair. It was the first time in more than a fortnight that she had sat without a child in her lap, and the two minutes with Aggie had already lifted her spirits. “You do not know how good it is to see you, Aggie. I apologize for not calling sooner, it has been a frantic week at my aunt’s home since we arrived.”

“Your aunt’s home?” She stopped, eyeing Reanna. “Killian did not come into London with you?”

“No.”

“And you are not staying at his townhouse?”

“There is no reason for me to be.” Reanna’s head went down slightly.

“Is it really that bad between the two of you?”

Reanna looked back up, coldly determined. “It is, but it is of no consequence. Truly. I have put that behind me.”

Aggie frowned. “I am sorry to hear that—for Killian’s sake. But I will not pry.”

“Thank you.”

“Let us change the subject.” Aggie turned bright. “First, please pour some tea for yourself. I would do it, but once I get into the wedges I have ground into this sofa, I have a hard time getting out.”

Reanna laughed and leaned forward to the tea set in front of her. “Would you like a fresh spot?”

“No—yes. It is a blend that is supposed to spur the babe into making an appearance, and I have been drinking copious amounts of it. Too much so, but I am willing to keep trying.”

Reanna handed her the tea, and Aggie moved the book off her round belly and set the cup and saucer in its place.

“So tell me,” Aggie said. “What has been so frantic at your aunt’s home?”

Reanna took a sip of her tea, wondering where to start the tale, and how much too actually share with Aggie.

“It is an odd chain of events, but up at Holloton, I met a little boy, Thomas, when I was out on a ride.”

“You learned to ride? Good for you.”

Reanna smiled. Holloton had been good for many things, she had to admit. “So the boy, Thomas, was poaching from Killian’s land. You can imagine how horrified he was at being caught. But it turned out that his mother had died, and his father was long gone, so that left him to take care of five younger siblings. Can you imagine?”

Aggie shook her head, rubbing her belly below the saucer.

“Yes, and he is only nine years old. So I went back with him to his house, and convinced him to bring his brothers and sisters and stay on the estate. Things just evolved from there, and before I knew it, I was running an orphanage in one of the old hunting cottages on the estate.”

“How fantastic.”

“Yes, it was. Until…” Reanna took another sip of her tea, hiding her eyes.

“Until what?”

Reanna took a deep breath, hedging, and placed her tea-cup and saucer on the small table.

“I do not want to know, do I?” Aggie asked. “So you better tell me right now.”

“Until Killian arrived. He sent me back to London, I had left, and then the next day he had them removed from the estate.”

“He what?” Aggie jerked, sending the cup and saucer to the floor, tea flying, as she clawed her way upright. “He kicked out orphans? Children?”

Aggie’s face flooded bright pink as her feet hit the floor and she leveraged her hands behind her back to move her belly upward. “The bloody ass—really—orphans? I mean Killian can be a bugger—but orphans? That is beyond low. He is going to pay. I am getting Devin.”

Reanna grabbed her wrist. “No, sit, sit down, Aggie. Lie back. It is over and done and we are all right. We are all here in London now, safe and settled—all the children—and I will not be uprooting them again.”

Reanna could see the anger throbbing in Aggie’s neck, and she immediately regretted sharing Killian’s contribution to the story. “Please, sit. It is not worth your energy, and I do not plan to get into trouble with the duke if he were to see you in this state—this upset.”

Aggie sank back onto the sofa. Her face still glowed pink, but the throbbing in her neck lessened. “Fine. I will deal with Southfork at another time. Bastard.” She grabbed a green-tussled pillow and tucked it behind her lower back, punching it in the process. “So you are here with the children at your aunt’s home?”

“Yes. My home now, actually. It was a gift from her after the wedding. The house and a monthly stipend are in a trust for me. I had thought never to need either of them, but she was very right, and I was very wrong.”

“How many are there?”

“Eleven from Holloton, and I am not quite sure how it happened, but we picked up two more on our way through London to my aunt’s home. And another two showed up on our doorstep yesterday.”

“Incredible. Fifteen.”

“Yes. I am going to start trying to place them in homes next week. Which brings me to one of the reasons I am here, aside from visiting with you, of course.”

“Any way I can help, I am yours—as long as I can do it from this couch, of course.”

Reanna smiled, grateful at the blanket generosity from her friend. “First, can you think of any good homes these children might go to? Maybe to a barren couple with good breeding, or to a couple where a solid trade could be learned? They are all such smart children and I have already started lessons with them. I want to be extremely careful with placing them, and I know so few people here in London.”

Aggie nodded, enthusiasm replacing her earlier anger. “Yes. Yes. I can think of a few possibilities right off. I will start making a list today. And drafting out introductions for you, since I cannot make them in person. At least not right now.”

Reanna exhaled. “Thank you, that is such a relief.”

“It sounded like you had a second topic you wanted to talk about?”

“I did. I had hoped to ask for some help or guidance, but I did not know you were with child, and I do not want to stress you any more with my problems.”

“Nonsense. My brain has been turned to mush by this pregnancy, so this is a nice diversion. I will actually be happy to be using my brain again.”

Reanna nodded. She didn’t want to admit it, didn’t want to do it, but she had to. She had no other options. “My aunt was generous with the monthly stipend she set up for me, but the trust is tightly monitored and the money only available monthly.”

“And?”

Reanna took a deep breath. “And I made such a mess. I spent it all. I had to pay the men who accompanied us to London. I sent some back up to the nanny at Holloton, and then I had no idea how much money it would take to set up a household, and feed fifteen children, and get them new clothes, and pay the nannies and the maids and the cook. I do not know what I am doing, and I am weeks away from the next installment.”

“Breathe.” Aggie reached out, grabbing her hand. “Come now. Breathe. We can figure this out. I am more than happy to get you whatever funds you need.”

Reanna silently thanked her friend for not mentioning Killian’s name when she explained about the lack of funds available to her. There was supposed to be pin money per the marriage contract, but Reanna had no idea how to access it, or if it even really existed. “Truly? You must believe I would not ask if it was not necessary. And I will be approaching some of my aunt’s acquaintances to see if they would be willing to help out in some fashion.”

“No.”

Reanna blinked hard at Aggie’s outburst. “No?”

“No. I am sorry,” Aggie said. “I did not mean to yell like that. There is no need to ask anyone else for anything. Anything extra you need, please come to me first. I will take care of everything you or the children need.”

“You will? Aggie, that is too generous, but I—”

“No. Just come to me, or the duke. All right?”

Reanna nodded. She had no idea what she did wrong, but it was clear by Aggie’s face she had made some grievous error.

“Good. Now, did you go to anyone else with your request?”

Reanna shrugged. “I did visit with two of my aunt’s friends that live nearby. They managed a bit for me.”

Aggie bit her lip, shaking her head. “No. That will not do. You need to revisit them and let them know that all your needs are being met.”

“I am sorry, did I do something wrong?”

“You did everything right, Reanna. Right by those children. But let us keep it between us for now, is that all right?”

“Yes. I guess that is fine. I am overwhelmed by your generosity. I will try to be very careful with the donation. I have been trying, but I am afraid I am not very good at tracking the money.”

Aggie patted her hand. “Excellent. That is somewhere else I can help. When I had to take care of my family’s estate when my brother was missing, I struggled through the hard documents—the investments—but keeping track of the daily finances, that part was easy. We just need to write down everything coming in and everything going out. It truly is that easy. Know what you are dealing with, and deal with it.”

“Aggie, all your help, are you sure? You have already offered more than enough.”

“Positive. And if I have my way, this will end up very well for all involved.” Aggie smiled. “You have gotten me excited. I am going to draw up some lists right away. And you must come tomorrow. Bring what you know of your finances so we can start on that, and then we will also tackle a list of possible couples.” She rubbed her belly. “Assuming, of course, the babe does not decide to make an appearance. I need to stop drinking that tea.”

Reanna laughed as she stood. “Aggie, truly, a thousand times thank you.” Her voice turned serious. “I was not sure that you…that you would still see me. Still want to be my friend. I know how close Killian is with the duke—”

Aggie wasted no time in interrupting her. “No, not another word. I consider you a good friend, Reanna, and would not let anything or anyone infringe upon that.”

“Thank you, it means much to me. I look forward to tomorrow.” Reanna started to the door of the room.

“Oh, and Reanna, if I may say so…”

She stopped and turned back to Aggie. “You may, whatever.”

“Your husband has been a fool beyond compare, and I am extremely disappointed in his behavior. That is all.”

She smiled, and it warmed Reanna’s heart. She had a friend again.

“This had better be good, Aggie.” Killian strode into the drawing room at the duke’s townhouse. “Dragging me out of the countryside edges on the extreme.”

“It is.” Not glancing up at him, Aggie’s eyes were focused on a set of papers strewn before her on a low table. After a moment, she tore her eyes upward and leaned back on the sofa, ten fingernails scratching her protruding belly in sweeping circles. “Do you think I want to do anything right now in this state?”

Killian’s eyes flashed over the mound of her belly under her shapeless blue dress. She had gotten awkwardly large in the month since he had last seen her.

“No. I do not suppose you do.”

“I already caught Devin’s wrath for going out the other day, which is why you are here, instead of us coming up to Holloton to talk to you.”

“What is so important?”

“Your wife.”

“My wife?” Killian gave her sharp look.

Closing her eyes, Aggie’s palms flattened hard onto her belly, and she swallowed a few shallow breaths.

“Do I need to fetch Devin?”

Aggie shook her head, eyes still closed. After three more deep breaths, she opened her eyes.

“You actually just missed Reanna. She just left here.”

Killian ran to the door.

Aggie’s voice followed him out into the hall. “Her hack is parked two blocks west.”

On the street, Killian immediately spied the back of Reanna’s dark hair pinned up in a heavy chignon. She was walking away, a block and a half in front of him. Killian started to run, willing her to slow down. And then, remarkably she did, almost coming to a stop.

He sped up, and five steps before he reached her, she stepped forward onto the road—right into the path of a pair of horses and curricle barreling down the street.

Killian’s heart stopped. Didn’t she see the carriage bearing down?

The horses veered to avoid her, and Killian bolted. He lunged, catching her arm and jerking her back and off her feet just before the curricle crushed her.

Killian bent over with his hands on his knees, catching his breath as he stared down at her.

Sitting on the ground, she looked up at him from the side of the street, dazed. “Where did you come from?”

The horses reared as the man driving the curricle jerked to a stop and jumped to the street. He ran back to Reanna.

“Miss, I am so sorry.” He reached down and grabbed Reanna’s upper arm and pulled her to her feet. His other hand went to her shoulder, trying to steady her. “My deepest apologies—oh, Miss Halstead, it is you.”

She looked up at him, eyes hazy. “What…”

“Miss Halstead, I am dutifully embarrassed. These new horses of mine are hard to keep on track and when I took the corner—are you all right?”

She looked up at the man, eyes not focusing on him as he inadvertently shook her body during his explanation. She seemed to be concentrating on his flashing front gold tooth. “I—I seem to be fine, sir. Who are…”

The man continued to try to right her, even though she was clearly back on her feet. “Jonathan Nettle. I am an associate of your father’s. We met once at your father’s estate in Suffolk. I did not realize your father sent you to London. He had indicated otherwise.”

Reanna shook her head, eyebrows scrunched as she looked up at him between the shakes.

“I understand the shock. I really am so sorry, Miss Halstead, I knew I never should have taken the horses out in the busy streets until I had right control over them, but they just got away from me—I really do not know how I will be able to make this up to your kind self. I really am so very sorry—”

Killian jerked Reanna back out of the man’s clutches. “You can start by taking your groping hands off my wife.” The growl was more than evident in his voice.

“Your, your…wife?” His eyes darted to Killian, and the sudden flood of whiteness on Nettle’s face contrasted against his front gold tooth.

“Do all of us a favor, leave and get those devil horses off the streets.”

The man backed away. “Again, my deepest apologies, Miss Halstead.”

“Go.” The word from Killian was not to be denied.

The man hustled into his curricle and the horses trotted, now in control, down the street.

Killian’s fingers still tight around her upper arm, he spun Reanna around, shaking her. “What the hell is going on, Reanna—you almost got yourself killed.”

Head rolling at the shake, Reanna steadied herself and looked up at him, blue eyes glassy, then out to the street at the passing carriages. “Oh.”

“You know that man?”

She looked over her shoulder at where the curricle had disappeared, shrugging. Her eyes closed, and after a moment, she shook herself. The blue in her eyes looked clearer when she opened them. “Thank you, my lord. I am surprised you bothered to stop that.”

“Why would I not care whether you got mangled by a carriage, Reanna?”

She closed her eyes again, and Killian watched her features twitch as she took several breaths. She looked gaunt. “Please let me go.” She didn’t try to remove her arms from his grip.

“Reanna, look at me. You need to listen to me.”

She opened her eyes again, and there was a coldness in the blue that matched her voice. “Have you not said enough to me? Have you not done enough to me? Let me go.” She didn’t pull her arms away, just coolly challenged him with her eyes.

Killian let his fingers loosen.

Arm free, she turned from him, looked both ways in the street, and crossed to the waiting hack. Killian watched it amble down the cobblestones.

What the hell was that? And where the hell was she going? For that matter, where the hell was she staying? He knew it wasn’t at his townhouse.

He spun around, setting back to Devin’s townhouse and Aggie.

“What the hell is going on around here, Aggie?” Killian started before his feet were in the drawing room. “Devin sends me an urgent message about me being in financial straits. And then my wife shows up here. What is going on?”

The duchess hadn’t moved from her spot on the sofa, but the strewn papers were now neatly stacked in front of her. “Excellent. You actually want to listen to me now, instead of grumbling at me?”

“Where is Devin? He was the one that sent word that I am in financial straits?”

“He is at the shipping company’s offices. But he did not send word. I mean, he did, but he did so at my request. I actually know why you are in financial straits. And Devin wanted me to explain.”

Killian shook his head, trying to follow the madcap logic. “You do? And?”

“You are not in financial straits. Not really. Do not worry on that. But the gossips will be wagging soon. People are speculating you have lost your fortune.”

“What? Why?”

“Killian, sit. You are making me nervous standing there agitated like that.” She waved her hand at the wingback chair next to him.

The last thing he wanted to do was sit, but he also wanted to rush Aggie along. He bent to the edge of the chair.

“Thank you. First off, your fortune. It is one of the two things I need to tell you about your wife.”

“My wife?”

“Yes, your wife. She called on me several days ago and mentioned she had approached several acquaintances of her aunt’s for donations to support the orphan home she has set up at her aunt’s residence.”

Killian jumped up. “She what? Dammit. She brought them here?”

“Yes. You heard me. And then asked for donations. She did it discreetly, approached only ladies, but it happened nonetheless. I know I do not have to tell you what that is doing to your reputation. And the last thing you need is people gossiping about how the Marquess of Southfork cannot afford to feed a few stray mouths.”

“Bloody hell.” Killian slammed a fist into his thigh.

“Yes, well, it is your own doing, so I would cap that misplaced anger you are displaying right now. I had her re-approach the ladies to tell them the finances were all worked out and that she had been mistaken. So this should fade soon enough.”

Aggie paused, rubbing her forehead, and then she looked him straight on, her green eyes cutting to his soul. “Did you truly kick her out of Holloton with the children, Killian?”

Killian’s jaw clamped closed. He had. And Aggie knew about it.

It was all she needed to see, and she rubbed her forehead again, hissing a disappointed sigh with the shake of her head.

“Two things. You said two things, Aggie. What is the second?”

Aggie avoided looking at him, and he could see she didn’t want to continue.

“What is it, Aggie?”

“She is in pain.”

“Pain? What?”

“I am not sure. But she has been here several days in a row, and when she stands, she tries to hide it, but I see it. It is physical pain. I have hidden a lot of pain in my day, so I know what it looks like. Something is not right in how she is moving. Walking.”

“Hell.”

“I do not want to ask this, Killian, but did you do something to her?”

Killian sighed, his eyes going to the front window of the drawing room. A clock in the corner ticked seconds by. Aggie was going to wait this one out.

Killian shook his head. “No…yes. Not what you are thinking, though. I did not touch her.”

“What did you do?”

“I sent her from Holloton on her own.”

“And?”

“With the orphans. And a cart and a mule.”

“You what?” Aggie heaved herself forward, starting to move to her feet, then sat back down, eyes closed, hands on her belly once more. Her eyes clamped closed. “She didn’t tell me that. Hell, Killian. Anything could have happened to her, you know.”

“I am aware. She was not supposed to come to London. She was not to make it far from Holloton. I thought it a lesson for her rudeness.”

“
Her
rudeness? Do I even need to counter that statement?”

Killian shook his head. “I have been scouring the countryside trying to find her and the kids since she left. I never imagined she would actually make it five miles, much less to London.”

Aggie cracked her eyes open at him. “A cart and a mule?”

“My stable master overrode me and gave her a horse instead of a mule.”

“That matters?”

Killian shrugged. “But how in the hell did she get from Holloton to London with all those children?”

Aggie closed her eyes again, shaking her head. “Reanna has depths you have no idea exist, Killian. Depths you cannot even imagine.”

Killian stood, silent, head bent, properly chagrinned.

“Did you see her outside?”

“Yes.”

“And?”

“She hates me.”

“Understandable. She has every right to that notion. Really, Killian? Booting orphans? That is the lowest thing I can even imagine. It is a wonder that I do not hate you.”

The hands rubbing her belly sped up. “You are only lucky that Devin still believes in you, because without him, I would have given you up for a deep hell a long time ago. He has hope for you, and as he is not always the most optimistic type, I am going along with it for now. But you had better damn well start fixing this mess, Killian.”

“Why do you think I am here?”

She took a deep breath, nodding. “Excellent. I am not up for one of our ‘discussions.’ You have been aimless for months, now. And I was getting worried. Devin as well. You need to make this right, Killian.”

“I do not know if I can. I am pretty sure it is too late.”

“No. You can.” Her voice softened. “It is never too late.”

“How? I have done the unforgivable. Things you know nothing of. There is no path to recover.”

“Nonsense.” Aggie waved a hand. “You beg forgiveness, and then you rebuild her. Moment by moment. Word by word. Make this right, Killian. Make this right.”