Taming the Wicked Wulfe (The Rogue Agents) (19 page)

Rebekah attempted to tamp down the bitterness that swamped her as she was surrounded by children.
 
She should have been better prepared.
 
Gertie had purposely planned this party so that the children could all be introduced to each other with parents and guardians near.
 
As she heard the twins that arrived in their parents’ arms chattering and saying “Mama” and “Papa” over and over to get their attention, that is when it dawned on her.
 
Yes, she loved her niece and nephew to distraction and would do anything for them, but she ached to be called Mama.
 
And now it would never happen.
 
Pull yourself together
, she commanded herself sternly.
 

They were halfway across the room when she felt her progress halted by her husband.
 
His hand tightened slightly about her upper arm, not bruising, but uncomfortable.
 
She looked up at him and saw his gaze fixed on someone or something across the room.
 
When she looked, she saw a handsome, dark-headed man standing in the doorway.
 
She saw the other man’s eyes flicker just slightly.
 
Unless one had been intensely studying him as she had been, no one would have been the wiser.
 
They continued across the room to begin introductions.
 
Who was that man, and what connection did he have to Wulfe?
 
Did he frequent the
Lady Luck
?
 
If he did, would he tell everyone present about her husband’s business?
 
Mortification swept through her along with a rigidity that would not ease until the night was over.

***

What in bloody hell is McKenzie doing here?
Thorn asked himself.
 
To say he had been shocked to see the man was an understatement.
 
He had been the last man he had expected to be here.
 
How did he know these people?
 
Thorn’s neck and shoulders began to cramp, and he slowly, methodically made himself relax.
 
He had been in worse situations than this.
 
He pasted a jovial grin on his face and transformed himself back into the carefree younger brother of a duke, the part he had been so used to playing for so many years.

He and Rebekah were introduced to the Earl and Countess of Blackburn and their children.
 
The Earl, Derek as he insisted they call him, was English through and through.
 
His wife, Tessa, had a thick Scottish brogue.
 
The Duke and Duchess of Blackerby, Clarissa’s father and step-mother, almost acted as if they were newlyweds, sneaking covert glances at one another when they thought no one was looking.
 
His Grace hugged Rebekah affectionately and for that Thorn was thankful.
 
Rebekah might not believe she had any family that cared about her, but this gathering proved that thought false.
 
He found himself wanting to promise Gertie anything she wished for.
 
Rebekah still appeared somewhat tense, but he hoped she would relax as the party continued.

They met Beverly, the Duchess of Blackerby’s niece next.
 
She did not fit in with the other people present.
 
She had overdressed for the occasion, she flitted about, and flirted with all of the men, single or not.
 
When she was brought to him and Rebekah for introductions, Wulfe made certain that Rebekah stood as close to him as possible in hopes of deterring the other woman.
 
Thorn felt his bride stiffen beside him even more when the woman’s perfume overpowered them all.

“Beverly cannot be a debutante,” he heard Rebekah mutter to herself, a look of irritation on her face.

“She’s not,” Clarissa answered her.
 
“She has been widowed for three years now.
 
In fact, she was a baroness.
 
She has almost run through the money her husband left for her and now she is after a new husband.”

“Why is your step-mother helping her?” Rebekah asked.

“Her sister guilted her into it,” Clarissa sighed.
 
“Now that she is married to my father, her sister has convinced her it was her duty to see that her only niece make a better marriage than her first.”

“Oh, dear.”

“Yes.
 
And Jocelyn is so tenderhearted and compassionate that she couldn’t say no.
 
And Papa is so smitten with Jocelyn he couldn’t refuse.”
 
Clarissa looked at Rebekah as the other woman began to giggle quietly.
 
“I would giggle, too, if I didn’t have to spend so much time in her company.
 
She is always either flirting or complaining.
 
Lord help the man that
does
marry her,” Clarissa said shaking her head.
 
“Secretly I’m glad this other woman is coming, and I hope she gives Beverly a challenge when it comes to Mack.”

“Mack?”

“Oh, I haven’t introduced you yet,” Clarissa said, waving at the man that had startled Wulfe.
 

As he approached the group, Rebekah noticed he was even more handsome the closer he came.
 
Teddy is very lucky I didn't meet this man a few months ago
, she thought wickedly and then quickly chastised herself.
 
You are a married woman!
 
Yes, a married woman that has yet to consummate her marriage.
 
But that is the way you want it, isn’t it?
 
Stop!
she silently shouted at the sparring going on inside her head.

“Mack, I would like to introduce you to my cousin and her husband, Lord and Lady Thorn Wulfe.
 
Rebekah and Thorn, this is Mr. McKenzie, a dear friend to all of us .
 
He is also the Duke of Hawkescliffe’s brother.”

“Please, call me Mack.
 
Everyone does,” he said as he took Rebekah’s hand and kissed the back of it.
 
She vaguely heard her husband clearing his throat.
 
Mack did not affect her like Wulfe, but she found him to be more than pleasant.

“It’s nice to meet you, Mack,” her husband said as he shook the other man’s hand.
 
Did she detect a hint of anger in his voice?
 
Perhaps some jealousy?
 
Was it awful that she hoped he was jealous of her, if only just slightly?

“You as well, Lord Wulfe.”

A balding man with wire-rimmed glasses, and a young, beautiful blonde woman entered the room.

“Cassie, I am so glad you could come and were able to pry your father away from his inventions.”

“It was difficult, but I managed,” the blonde laughed, her voice melodious and pleasant.
 
Introductions were made around the room once more.

The butler rang a bell indicating that supper was ready.
 
The group made their way into the dining room.
 
After all were seated, the first course was served, but before anyone could begin, there was a light tapping against a glass.
 
All eyes turned to the Duke of Blackerby, who sat at the head of the table.

“Before we begin, I would just like to welcome Rebekah and Wulfe back into the folds of our family.
 
Here is to creating new memories and enjoying new relationships.”
 

Everyone raised their glasses in the direction of the couple.
 
Rebekah felt herself blushing at the attention.
 
She felt Thorn take her hand beneath the table and give it a gentle squeeze.
 
She pulled free, refusing to rely on his strength to get her through the evening.
 
Straightening her spine and lifting her head, she reached for her glass and lifted it.
 
“It is good to be back,” she said before taking a sip of her elderberry wine.
 
The others followed suit before tucking into their food.
 
The guests were quite animated during the meal, visiting and laughing.
 

Beverly seemed to try to flirt with all of the men, but spent an exorbitant amount of time attempting to pull Mack into conversation.
 
Gertie had Sir Graham entertain the guests with tales of some of his past inventions.
 
Miss Graham watched her father with pride shining in her eyes.
 
What would it be like to adore your father like that?
Rebekah found herself wondering.
 
She knew that she would never have that sort of admiration towards the Reverend.
 

As the meal continued, Rebekah found herself truly enjoying the group of people that Gertie had gathered.
 
She should have had more faith in her mother’s cousin to know just what she needed and could handle.
 
After dessert had been served, the group left the dining room.
 
They passed the staircase leading to the upper floors of the townhouse.
 
Rebekah felt a chill race up her spine and sweep through her body.
 
Her body acted as if it were attempting to shy away from the memories and the remembered hurt.
 
She recalled the pool of blood.
 

“Rebekah, are you all right?” Thorn asked, gently rubbing her back.
 
She looked as if she were in another place, another time.
 
She also looked like she might break into thousands of tiny pieces.
 
When she did not answer, he tried again to garner her attention, “Rebekah?”
 
He watched her slowly swing her gaze towards him.
 
She blinked at him owlishly, but not before he saw the haunted expression in her eyes.
 
“Perhaps we should go.”

“No,” she said, stepping away from him.

“Darling, I must show you a painting I acquired since your last visit,” Gertie said, breezily siding up to her.
 
She took her arm and steered her away from the stairs and the room the others were disappearing into.
 
The older woman took her into the bowels of the house before clasping her in a tight hug.
 
“My poor dear girl.”

“It was silly.
 
It was just the first time since…”

“Quite,” Gertie stopped her from saying anything more.
 
“We will stay here as long as you need.”

“I am fine,” she said straightening her spine once more.

“I don’t believe you are,” Gertie said, eyeing the younger woman in the dim light.

“Come now, we are missing your party.”

“I worry about you.
 
I always have.
 
You try to be too strong.”
 
The sound of laughter filtered down the hall.

“I want to thank you for my dress.”

“Actually your husband and I conspired against you together.”
 
Gertrude watched Rebekah change before her eyes.
 
“You must let go of this anger.
 
Let him in.
 
Allow him to know what happened, to share in your sorrow.”

“They are having fun without us,” Rebekah turned the woman’s attention, and knew she had temporarily won the battle when Gertie gave an audible sigh.
 
The women made their way to the room where the others were.
 
It had been set up with tables for cards and there was a billiards table as well.
 
When they entered the room, Rebekah sought out Thorn who stood in the far corner of the room deep in conversation with Mr. McKenzie.
 
That’s rather interesting
, she thought curiously.
 
She noted how they did not act as if they had only just met.
 
Then Lord Southerby made his way to them.
 
Mr. McKenzie said something to Lord Southerby causing a look of shock to cross the man’s face before he was able to school his features.

What are they attempting to hide?
she wondered.

“They just cannot seem to relax for even one evening,” Clarissa said at Rebekah’s elbow.

“Hmmm,” Rebekah said in response.

“But in these times, service to King and country often come first, even before family,” she threaded her arm through Rebekah’s and turned her towards a table.
 
“Come and play with us,” she said indicating Beverly and Cassie who already sat at a table.
 
“The game will take your mind off whatever has you so perplexed.”
 

Rebekah found herself going willingly and quite enjoying herself.
 

***

They stayed much later than they ought, especially with two small children in tow.
 
They were not even halfway home before the twins began to nod off.
 

“I believe they had fun,” Thorn said.

“Yes.”

“And did you?
 
After your initial discomfort, that is.”

“Yes.”

“Still kind to everyone but me.
 
One day I will learn your secrets, wife.”

“And what of yours, husband?”

“What do you mean?”