Midnight Masquerade (16 page)

Gideon’s tone was low when he asked, “What are you getting at Alastair?”

“I want to take over full protection of her. I want her by my side round the
clock;
I cannot do that from your residence. You both know there are ways to make it work where no one ever needs see her coming and going from my residence. Both times she was attacked, she was alone…it must not happen again. After two failed attempts, our killer will become
increasingly
desperate to kill her. He will keep trying until we find him
, or he succeeds
.
I’m not implying you are not capable;
however,
you two have your own wives and
children
to protect, whereas I have no one but Amelia. Yo
u gentleman
can focus on your family’s
protection and the investigation, and I’ll protect Amelia.”

“
R
ight now it sounds like you’ll have your hands full getting her to go anywhere with
you, let alone get her to move in with you.
” Gideon smiled as he leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.

Nodding, “You might be right my friend,” sighing he ran his hand through his hair and looked to the sky, “your little sister will most likely be the death of me, but what a beautiful way to go.”

Laughing, Luke leaned over and slapped him on the shoulder, “Good luck,
and I’m
fine with handing her over to you. I know
you; out
of any of us
, you
have the best ability to keep her safe. Your house is like a fortress, and all of your staff are ex
-
military, we just cannot let her name get drug through the mud anymore. We’ll have to share the fact she was pushed, and let it float around London so the tides change, right now everyone assumes she was jumping to her death.
”

“Go out tonight,” Alastair stated, “
Take
your wives out,
and take
Hero and Lady Juliet
as well. Go
to whatever event is occurring and have the ladies play it up, soon all of London will be behind Amelia
once they realize
someone was trying to kill her. With the
ladies rank in society, and an
audience who loves all of them, in one night they’ll have the gossip shifting, trust me.”

Nodding Gideon smiled, “You are right, with those ladies they’ll have London rallying behind Amelia and shocked a member of the Ton was accosted at such a high class ball.”

“Works for me, I assume you will stand guard over Amelia tonight?” Luke asked.

“Yes,
tomorrow night, if she’s agreeable I’ll move her to my house. Y
ou’ll need to make sure the ladies tell all they talk to that her ribs are broken and play up why she has not been in public,
or will not be seen for a while in the event she needs more time.
”

“Excellent. I’ll talk to Helena and her mother and sister about it today, I’m sure they’ll have excellent suggestions how to handle the Ton tonight. Leave it to them, shoot, I’m sure they have already came up with their own plan. Those women are too smart for their own good sometimes.” Gideon added, smiling as he drank his tea.

Nodding, “Shall we leave from here? What time?” Luke asked.

“I’ll plan on getting here at eight, if you want to leave after that I’ll take over watch on the house.” Alastair offered, knowing he’d need time at his home to make last minute security changes and get things around to take overseeing Amelia.

Knowing he had no other choice but to be perfectly honest with his friends. The three of them now standing, ready to depart for the day he cleared his throat and admitted what he should have days ago, “Also, although I should have told you
both
the moment I found out the truth myself days ago, Amelia was the notorious widow I had been searching for the entire time. I had no idea until
after
I was engaged to Porsche that your sister was the one I was looking for the entire time.”

Luke’s fist was like
a hammer
, not even trying to move out of the way, he took the punch directly on his jaw.

Gideon stepped in and pushed Luke away, “Jesus Luke…”

Rubbing his fist, “He deserved it, bloody hell his jaw is like steel!” Luke admitted, scowling.

“Yes, and he also didn’t have to tell us Amelia was his Andromeda, and we know he loves her f
or heaven’s sake, honestly Luke
she is twenty-one years old
!
Think of all the shit you had done by that age!
” Gideon added as he stared down his younger brother.

Cracking his neck, Alastair stopped Gideon with a hand in the air, “I did deserve it. I should have shown more caution at that masque ball, and furthermore it should have
never
taken me that long to figure out the true identity of the widow. Amelia has obviously learned far too much from you both, her Scottish accent was impeccable as was her blow to my head so she could escape my interrogation.”

“
Ha, I forgot she knocked you out. That makes
me feel a little better
, honestly Alastair, I’m not mad
,
but she is my sister and you took her virginity without knowing who the hell she was!” Luke added, crossing her arms.

“She’s my sister too Luke and you don’t see me trying to break my hand on his face.” Gideon added, rolling his eyes at Luke’s dramatics, “I understand you’ve watched over her while I was away at war, I missed so many years with her but I know her well enough to know she would have never given herself to Alastair unless she wanted to. Things happen for a reason, it’s obvious he loves her and we all know she is crazy about
him. You’ll have to let go of her Luke, she will marry him and she’ll be a mother someday
,
she isn’t that little girl I left behind so many years ago.”

Rubbing his forehead, Luke looked at him as sighed, “You are my best mate Alastair, she’s my little sister, if you break her heart I will break your legs. I want you both to be happy, so figure it out.”

Grinning, he could tell his friend was having difficult time, “Luke, I promise on my parents’ graves that I will never hurt her. Shit, I even gave her my pistol the day I found out she was the widow and asked her to shoot me
when she refused to consider my suit back then
, thankful
ly she passed on the suggestion and hopefully changes her mind regarding making an honest man out of me.
”

Patting him on the shoulder, Gideon chuckled, “You’ll have your hands full with her, come one, let’s get a start on our day we have a busy schedule and plenty to accomplish before we all reconvene back here tonight.”

Sitting up in her bed, she stretched her arms out above her head and yawned as she tried to lengthen her muscles without sending her ribs into screaming pain.

Evening was upon her and she was quite sick of sitting in this damn bed. She wanted a drink and she wanted to walk. She had never been one for being
confined;
yet, her body wasn’t really ready to make the trip without assistance.

In the
distance of the
vast home she heard the family preparing for the night, they were all going out and she was remaining
behind
. Helena and Gideon had came to talk to her together this afternoon, telling her more of the gossip surrounding her accident, and the need to douse the flames with the truth tonight.

The Ton had always loved to exaggerate and embellish, her family was setting out tonight to
set the record
straight;
she had the utmost confidence in them. Soon she’d be back on her feet and would face society again, but not tonight. She had already said her goodbyes to them as they came up to say goodnight and check on her, Luke and Genevieve had came up as well, and of course there was no stopping Hero. She had a room full of her loved ones and it warmed her heart, they had her laughing, which of course hurt her ribs.

Seeing her in pain, Helena shooed all of them out of the room and assured her she’d be protected tonight in the vast home without them. Sitting in her bed, she no
w pondered what her dear sister-in-law meant. She knew the
staff was expertly trained, but would Gideon and Luke leave her safety to their staff? It seemed very unlike them.

Slowly swinging her legs over the side of the bed she sat up straight and held onto the bed as she sat still, focusing on her breathing. She had learned her limits quickly; if she moved too fast or laughed her ribs would quickly remind her she needed to stop.

“You aren’t planning to go on another one of your solo
adventures
are you my love?”

Turning her head towards the door, his warm voice made her smile as she saw him standing in her doorway
with his hands in his pockets
smiling at her
,
looking so bloody handsome she couldn’t help but get excited. She should have known he’d be the one to watch over her. After their touching moment was so
rudely
interrupted by Luke, she had reflected on how mean she
had been to
Alastair and felt guilt ridden all day because of it. He hadn’t deserved her venom. Pleased that she finally had time alone with him.

“Now that you’re here it appears I have an escort, help me stand please, I am blasted sick of laying in this bed. I need to walk but I know I cannot do it without your help.”

Moving the moment she asked for help, he stood before her and then knelt, putting his hands on her knees, “If you become lightheaded, or the pain is too much, you are to tell me right away Lia, promise me?
Your ribs will cause you pain for a long
time;
even a simple cough or sneeze will be enough to drop you to your knees. Hold your side if you feel that coming on.
”

Nodding
she looked closer at him, “Alastair, what happened to your jaw?”

Cringing at her question, he rubbed the bruise
on his jaw
as he sheepishly answered, “Ah, Luke’s
iron
fist is what h
appened to my jaw Lia. I’m fine, forget it.
”

Crossing her arms, she looked down at him as he knelt before her, “Can you tell me why my brother felt
the need to hit his best mate
?”

“
Ah, a
fter my meeting with them this morning I
had to be forthcoming with
your brothers
regarding the true identity of the
widow, Luke in his typical
overdramatic protection of you
dealt me this stinger as my punishment for deflowering his sister.
I couldn’t lie to them anymore Lia.
”

Groaning with embarrassment, “I’m sorry, he is a tad touchy when it comes to me.”

Shaking his head, he grinned, “Lia, it is okay. I deserved it, honestly. We are good, Gideon laughed and scolded Luke, but I truly deserved it.
If I had a little sister, I would have probably done worse if I were in Luke’s shoes.
”

Running her hand under his jaw, she drew him close and kissed the dark bruise softly, “I suppose you should consider yourself lucky, I think any other man would have been shot dead on sight if they confessed that to either of my brothers.”

Turning his face into her hand he shut his eyes, “Oh I’m lucky Amelia, lucky that I finally found you.”

Kissing his forehead, “
Stop being so charming you brute.
I’m glad you are here, help me
up
please I need to get out of this room before I go daft.”

Standing
up, he quickly took off his black jacket and tossed it on her chair and rolled up his crisp white sleeves while looking at her. Feeling a blush creep upon her face as he eyed her, she took the time to admire his fine frame.

Holding out his hands for hers, “Ready my love?”

Taking his
warm
hands, he helped her slowly stand up. Wobbly, she was thankful for his strong arms that
gently wrapped around her waist
holding her steady as she tested her legs. Running her hands up his chest, she grabbed a fist full of his shirt with both hands and buried her head into his chest as she tried to deal with the pain shooting down her side of broken ribs.

Feeling him kiss the top of her head, she felt so loved. All day she wanted to call him back up here and apologize, she missed him. Craving his attention, she let go of his shirt and ran her hands around his back and squeezed as much as her body would allow.

“I’m sorry for the way I treated you
this morning Alastair, I’ve fe
l
t
horrible about it all day,” looking up at him, “I’m glad you’re here with me.”

“There is no where else in this world I’d rather be Lia. This morning was emotional; if someone told me to do something I’d probably have the same reaction. I want you to marry me because you want to, not because you’re told to.”

“
You’re really not engaged anymore?”

Smiling down at her, “No. I told you it was only temporary, I wasn’t going to let that witles
s blonde become my duchess. Now, if there was only some young lady who truly cared about
me
not my title, a wo
man who has a heart of gold that actually loved me and wanted to be mine for the rest of time, do you happen to know of any
ladies who might fit that bill?”

Unable to contain her grin, “I think I might, but her heart is a tad broken right now. Maybe if he helps piece her back together they could find their forever.”

“Whatever it takes, Lia.” His deep voice rumbled, running a hand up her back he leaned down and softly kissed her. The tenderness and emotion she felt from the tips of her toes to her head.
She needed him like air, she had missed him like mad today.

“Can we take a walk outside I really would like some fresh air Alastair, and to walk in the moonlight with you, I like that it is just you and I tonight.”

“Lets get you suitably dressed love, and then yes, I’ll gladly walk in the moonlight with my beautiful angel, I would imagine that a drink might help with the pain so we should stop in your brother’s library and knick his bottle of
scotch
.”

“Perfect.” Standing in her cotton white nightgown, she could think of nothing better to liven up her spirits than spending the evening in Alastair’s company tonight. She had thought long and hard about her future this morning, remembering how sick she felt when she refused to speak up and watched Alastair slip through her hands she had promised herself that she would fight for him. He had once asked her if he was worthy of
fighting for, and he was. Unable to deny what her heart had been telling her for ages, she had decided she wouldn’t let him get away.

Slowly walking with him towards her wardrobe she took her time as she walked into the long closet with him.

“The purple linen gown will work, it’s easy to put on. Can you grab it for me?” She asked, pointing at the
soft gown that hung on her right.

Letting go of her hand Alastair took the gown off the hanger and turned back to her, “You’ll have to take off your
adorable puritan
nightgown Lia.”

Slightly embarrassed, she could feel her cheeks turning red as she sl
owly put her hands in the air, “Ah,
yes, not my usual attire but I had the entire household visiting me today. I couldn’t wear my normal lace numbers you like so well.
Ugh, this is rather embarrassing but
I think
I’ll need your assistance
getting this thing off, I can’t get it off without pain, I tried earlier.
”

Chuckling, he tossed the gown on
the large tufted settee and lowered himself to her ankles, slipping his hands underneath the edge of her very puritan nightgown and ran his fingers up the length of her body as he lifted the fabric along with them.

Sucking in her breath at his soft hands lighting grazing over her sensitive skin, she bit her lip and reminded herself that she had sex with this man twice, being naked in front of him should not embarrass her so.

Lifting her nightgown over her hips, he
slowly stood
as he pulled the entire thing off her frame and over her arms, tossing it to the very back of her wardrobe.
Standing directly before her, he looked down her body and ran his hand over her shoulder and down to her breast, “This is probably the finest j
ob I’ve ever been asked to do,” he grinned, his face changing instantly when he spied the large bruises on her ribs where she had broken them. “Oh Lia…” He whispered, running a tentative finger down her purple ribcage before stepping closer to her. Sinking to his knees he held her naked hips as he kissed her bruises softly.

“Alastair…” She whimpered, digging her fingers into his hair she closed her eyes and tried to pretend she wasn’t completely naked and alone with the man she desired most in this world.

Looking up at her, “I am so sorry Amelia.”

Pulling him back up to his feet, “Shhhh, it wasn’t your fault. Now get back up here and
help me get dressed before I ravage you.”

“Ravage me, hmmm, I like the sound of that. You look amazing without anything on, maybe we should just stay in here all night.”

Swatting him, she grinned and rolled her eyes as he grabbed the gown.

“Any camisole or undergarment love?”

Shaking her head, “I have my seamstress sew a silk lining into all my gowns so I don’t have to worry about it, that one is a favorite as it slips over my head and ties in the back so I can usually dress myself without need of a maid.”

Picking up the purple gown, he made sure he had the front facing him as he slipped it over her head and shimmi
ed it down her body until it fel
l around her feet.

“Purple is my one of my favorite colors on you Lia.” He whispered, reaching behind her and tying the dress securely.

“What is your favorite color on me?”

“Red.”

Reaching out, she grabbed him by the waistband and tugged him closer, “
Red, I should have known.
Thank you, now how about that drink?”

Chuckling, he bowed to her and held out his hand, “If you’ll come with me, I shall give you everything your heart desires and more.”

Unable to contain her delight, it felt good to smile and laugh with him again. She had so missed the days were sexual tension and jealousy hadn’t made the
m go for each other’s throats.
Taking his hand he lead her out of her wardrobe and out of her roo
m.

It took them a decent amount of time to traverse from her room to the library where a roaring fire was waiting for her. By the time Alastair helped her sit down on the couch, she was ready for a few drinks to numb the pain in her side.

Hissing,
as she got comfortable she muttered, “I cannot believe I let you dress me like a wee babe, I need a drink.”

Chuckling at her, he stood before her with crossed arms and leaned down and kissed her softly, “
It wasn’t that bad, and I was a complete gentleman,” standing up he walked over to Gideon’s
liquor cabinet and pulled out a large crystal decanter of amber colored liquid, and two glasses.

Pulling her feet underneath her skirt, she watched him cross the large room and sit down the glasses and fill both half way, handing her one he sat down beside her and stretched out his long legs, putting his arm around the back of the couch behind her, “Cheers my love.”