The Lady Who Saw Too Much (14 page)

She hadn’t spoken her brothers’ names aloud in years. And yet, it felt so natural to speak them now. To Landen. “My parents loved those boys to distraction. Unfortunately, I was spared such adoration.” She shrugged, feigning a smile. “Enduring disparity is a common fate for daughters.”

“And for sons from first marriages.”

Gia stared, surprised by his candor. Was he confiding in her? She tilted her head, intrigued by this unpredictable man and the childhood ghosts that had haunted him.
I am the product of my father’s first marriage
, he’d told Gia on the day they had met.

“My stepmother was a good woman,” he said. “And yet…”

“When she looked at you, there was something missing in her eyes. Something that was present when she looked at your siblings.”

He gauged her intently. “Yes.”

She nodded. “It must have been difficult adjusting to your father’s second marriage. Seeing him with a woman other than your mother.”

His face tightened. “My mother was ill for most of her life. Too ill to care for me as a mother should.”

“And your father?”

“He had his hands full with my mother.” He straightened. “At any rate, the course of events resulted in Alice and Alex. And for this, I am grateful.”

“You never felt envious of them?”

He blinked at her bluntness, shaking his head.

“Did you?” she pressed.

The affronted look on his face faded as he considered her query. “At times.”

Like a soothing balm, his reluctant admission helped lessen the sting of her festering guilt. While she’d loved her brothers with all her heart, she still hated herself for coveting what they’d had.

“I wouldn’t have thought it possible,” she said, fiddling with her hands.

“Wouldn’t have thought what possible?”

“That you and I might have something in common.”

This garnered a smile. “Nor I,” he said, turning his attention back to driving.

The moonlit road stretched between the tall pines. Fireflies blinked all around them.

“Speaking of siblings, I’ve received a letter from my brother. He’ll be arriving in Misty Lake soon.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful. Alice must be thrilled. She talks so fondly of him. I’m surprised she hasn’t mentioned it.”

“I haven’t told her yet,” Landen said. “My brother is not the most dependable man. I wanted to be sure his plans were set before I told her.”

“Well, I look forward to meeting him.”

“And we’ll all have the pleasure of meeting his latest mistake.”

“What do you mean?”

“It seems my brother is in love. Again.”

She sighed at his disheartening cynicism. “And you assume this is a mistake?”

He frowned, turning to face her. “You don’t know Alex.” He turned back to the road, his tense profile relaxing. “He intends to marry this woman,” he said. “At least he’s promised, this time, to let me meet her before he does anything rash.”

“Such as?”

“Such as he’s prone to do.”

“I see,” she said, suppressing a smile. Landen’s frustration with his brother was obvious, and she could hardly wait now to meet the man who’d managed to rankle him so.

“The young woman’s cousin will be accompanying them.”

“Will they all be staying at the house?”

“Bea is due back from Saratoga this week, so the house will be full. Alex’s guests will stay at the hotel in town.”

“Will they arrive in time for the Westcott Ball?”

“The following weekend.”

“That’s too bad. I’m certain Alice would feel more comfortable among such a large crowd with Alex in attendance. According to Aunt Clara, this ball is the highlight of the season.” A cool breeze brushed Gia’s cheeks, and she tightened the shawl around her shoulders.

The vision commenced with the usual warning. Gia stiffened in dread. Landen sat only inches away, but the deafening buzz in her head disregarded the unfortunate timing. Her pulse quickened. Helpless to stop the inevitable, she closed her eyes. Darkness ascended like a stage curtain introducing a scene.

Beneath a crystal chandelier, Alice danced, whirling through a crowded ballroom in the arms of a man. The pink gown she wore matched the ribbons flowing from her hair and the pretty blush in her cheeks. Gia’s spirit soared on the melody of the orchestra and the sight of Alice’s beaming smile. Then, just as suddenly as the vision had appeared, it was gone.

Gia slumped back in her seat. Recuperating in a warm glow of elation, she smiled. She’d become so accustomed to the ominous visions, she’d almost forgotten the joyful promise in the good ones. Strangely, this happy vision had come from out of nowhere. She’d held nothing in her hands to inspire—and then she remembered she’d donned Alice’s wrap.

“Gia? Did you hear me?”

“Hmm?”

“Are you cold?” Landen asked.

Before she could respond, he pulled on the reins and the wagon rolled to a halt. He reached beneath the seat and produced a blanket. “Here.” He draped the blanket around her, ensconcing her inside the soft wool.

Nestling into the blanket, she gazed into his face, his eyes gleaming in the moonlight. She swallowed, looking forward to the warmth of their bed and all the wonderful things that awaited her there.

He closed the blanket beneath her chin, and she shivered again, but not from the chill. Her breath hitched as he touched his thumb to her jaw, caressing the corner of her mouth. The rapt yearning in his eyes made her insides flitter as he traced a light path across her bottom lip. She trembled, felt her tongue brush his finger as he dragged it so slowly, so exquisitely over her lip.

He drew the blanket gently toward him, then kissed her. Right there in the wagon. In the moonlight. In the middle of the road.

It was heaven.

She sank against his mouth, the familiar taste and smell of him, and a spark fanned to flames in her belly. The fiery yearning blazed between them as always, and yet, something was different. Perhaps her perception had been skewed by the emotional day and their prior exchange, but there was something more than lust behind the press of his lips.

Or perhaps the feeling was more hopeful than true. Either way, they shared childhood demons, and this mutual part of their pasts made her feel closer to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, wanting more. Deepening the kiss, he moaned, that sinfully delightful sound that curled her toes, as he melded his tongue against hers.

He drew away, breaking the kiss much too soon. Disappointment tempered the race of her heart.

“We should be going. I want to get home.” He readjusted the blanket around her shoulders. “And into bed.”

She smiled at his lusty words. “That makes two things we have in common.”

He laughed, turning back to the reins.

Feeling daring, she scooted toward him, then rested her head against his firm shoulder. Half expecting he might shrug her away, she savored the spicy scent of him for as long as she could. To her relief, he remained as he was, and she smiled contently as they rode toward home.

* * * *

The sound of Gia’s distress jolted Landen from sleep. He shot upright, the scene beside him rousing him fully awake. Gia writhed in her sleep, limbs flailing in the midst of a dream. He poked her shoulder. “Wake up.”

To his surprise, his touch made her more frantic. She let out a shriek that could wake the whole house. Kicking free of the sheets, she gasped, spewing feral sounds more beastlike than human. She clawed at the air.

Grasping her shoulders, he shook her hard. She struggled, shaking her head and gasping some more. His alarm heightened to fear. He’d never seen anyone in such a state while asleep. The memory of his mother’s violent fits hit full force. “Gia!”

She lashed at him, and he winced as her nails raked his neck. His heart thundered. Dodging the onslaught, he shook her harder. “Wake up!”

Her eyes flashed open.

“Wake up!”

Terror filled her wide stare. Her chest heaved as she struggled to catch her breath. Disorientated, she blinked several times, her gaze darting around.

“Calm yourself. It was a dream.”

She shook her head as though she didn’t believe him.

“A dream,” he said firmly.

“I’m sorry.” Her voice quaked. “I-I…”

“Shh.” He gathered her damp body into his arms. She clung to him, trembling against his shoulder. “Shh.” He petted her disheveled hair, the citrus scent of her calming his own racing heart.

Easing from her grip, he endeavored to rise. “I’ll get you some brandy.”

“No!”

He flinched at the vehemence of her outburst.

“I don’t want a drink.”

He nodded, settling back on the bed. “Do you want to tell me about the dream?”

“I… It was awful.”

“So I gather.” His attempt at humor went unnoticed as she seemed miles away.

“I was drowning.”

He nodded in understanding. “You’d been talking about your brothers today. It’s only natural—”

“I was with them when they drowned.”

He blinked, uncertain he’d heard her correctly. Absorbing her words, he stared, dumbstruck by the horror of what she’d witnessed. No wonder she’d had a nightmare. He thought of Alice and Alex and could barely draw breath through the vise of pain that gripped him at the mere thought of losing them.

The same pain Gia lived with each day.

In a pitiful attempt to console her, he reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze.

She clasped his fingers, and the slight gesture gave him hope that he’d helped in some way. She’d been through so much, and he so wanted to help. But just as he’d thought her ordeal couldn’t have been worse, she stunned him again.

“I fell through the ice too.”

His sharp intake of air nearly choked him. His mind spun in disbelief—in the images he could not force from his head. Gia plunging into the freezing-cold water. Gia flailing for her life. He swallowed, feeling sick to his stomach. And angry as hell at the cruel unfairness of it all.

The despair on her lovely face tore his insides to shreds. He gazed at her, lost for words but desperate for something to say. “Christ, Gia,” he uttered lamely.

She lowered her head, and tears rolled down her cheeks.

Unable to bear the sight of her misery for one moment more, he pulled her into his arms once again. She had no one—no parents or siblings—only him. Cradling her in his tight embrace, he vowed to himself to protect her with his life from this moment on.

“It’s all right,” he cooed in her ear. “You’re all right.”

She shook her head against his chest. The anguish in her muffled words sent a chill down his spine.

“I will never be right.”

The Westcott Ball was a grand affair, crowded with more people than Gia had encountered in one place in years. She stepped inside the beautiful ballroom and into her memories of Boston and all the familiar sights and sounds of a lifetime ago.

The sound of music and exuberant conversation wafted through the splendid room beneath sparkling chandeliers. Gia smiled through a flood of introductions and requests for dances. By the time Landen led them to the chairs lined up against the wall, her dance card was fairly filled.

Settling into her seat between Clara and Alice, Gia watched as Landen departed to join a group of men who’d invited him for cigars out on the patio. The urge to keep him in sight was so strong she could barely resist abandoning her seat—and Alice—to follow him. There were so many people in attendance, and the person who wanted to hurt Landen might very well be among them.

“Several of the guests are summer residents,” Clara said. “Very affluent people from the city.” She fanned her face. “Of course, many year-round residents are here as well. The Westcott Ball is a public affair, always has been for as long as I can remember.”

“The Westcotts seem like nice people,” Gia said of the couple who’d greeted them at the door.

“They are dear friends,” Clara said. “I’ve known Virginia and August for years. Not a bad bone in their bodies.”

“Good evening, Clara.”

“Speaking of bad bones,” Clara murmured as a tall woman approached. “Good evening, Maude.” Clara waited until Maude was seated, then lifted a hand toward Gia. “I don’t believe you’ve had the pleasure of meeting my nephew’s new bride.” Clara smiled graciously, presenting Gia to the stylish woman. “Maude Devenshire, this is Gianna.”

Maude pursed her lips, her tone as frosty as the look in her eyes. “How do you do?”

The polite smile Gia offered did nothing to sweeten Maude’s sour disposition. “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said, wondering what she might have done to earn this woman’s obvious dislike.

“Maude is Charlotte Filkins’ mother,” Clara said.

Mystery solved.

Landen’s sudden marriage to Gia had hurt Charlotte, which in turn, had hurt Maude. Understandable, given Charlotte’s relationship with Landen prior to Gia’s arrival in town. Gia’s feelings as interloper between the couple returned full-force as Maude appraised her intently.

“My daughter told me your last residence was the Troy Female Seminary. Is that true?”

Something in her question was meant to intimidate Gia, but she refused to be cowed. Gia had worked hard at the school, and her position there was nothing to be ashamed of. She lifted her chin. “I was employed there, yes.”

“My Charlotte spent several years at the Female Seminary,” Maude said. “As a student, of course.” She turned to Clara. “You must be greatly relieved your nephew is finally settling down. Despite the circumstances,” she muttered.

Clara’s smile conveyed no reaction to Maude’s snide remark. “The circumstances are trivial when they produce results such as this. They’re a fine match, don’t you agree?”

Gia cringed.

Maude straightened her spine. “I suppose I must take your word for it,” she said.

“Yes, I suppose you must.” Clara’s triumphant smile broadened. “We all look forward to their blissful future together,” she said with an affectionate pat to Gia’s hand.

“Let’s hope you may one day celebrate a blissful future for your niece as well.” Shaking her head in a pitying gesture, Maude glanced to Alice in the corner. “Such a shame.”