“Where are we going anyway?” the youngest lad asked.
He and Oliver were sitting on either side of her, squirming so much she couldn’t rest, read or do much of anything but try to stop their constant bickering. While the two oldest boys were seated next to each other, their long legs stretched across the vehicle making the coach almost unbearable. Part of her wondered if this was punishment from Nate himself.
“I know as much as you,” she said, which was not much at all. The blasted man had refused to say where they were headed, merely told her to go pack and dismissed her from his office. She only knew they were traveling south, and that worried her. She’d thought Nate was jesting when he’d said they were going on a holiday. She didn’t feel safe out in the open.
She brushed aside the curtains once more and could see Nate upon his mount, leading the way up the path ahead. It was always the way of things… women were stuffed into carriages without thought, while men were happy to come and go as they pleased.
“Stop kicking me, Oliver!” Charlie swung his arm forward, boxing his brother in the ear.
“Awww!” Oliver launched himself across the carriage toward his big brother, accidently kicking Beth in the shin.
She groaned, grabbing her injured leg. “Boys!”
Charlie shoved Oliver back and they settled in their respective corners, glaring at each other. She knew it was an uneasy truce, as they planned their next attack. Another battle was ripe and ready, and she had a feeling she would be the true loser.
“Shall I stop the carriage so we might walk a bit?” she blurted out.
The boys perked up, interest flashing in their eyes. “Yes!”
“Let’s do!” Oliver said.
“I’ll get Robert!” John reached underneath the seat, pulling out a basket.
“Robert?” Beth stiffened. “I suppose I shall regret asking, but who is Robert?”
John opened the lid of the basket, grinning down at something that was scratching its tiny paws against the whicker. “My pet rat! Found him near the stables.”
Beth screamed, snatching the basket and clasping the lid closed with trembling fingers. A rat? A bloody rat! She could take minnows in her tea, she could take toads in the desk drawer…but rats?
Charlie burst out laughing so hard, he doubled over, holding onto his stomach. The hellion had probably put his brother up to it. Of all of the children, he despised her the most. She’d made little headway with him. Tommy liked her well enough, but followed his eldest brother’s lead. She’d won John over with tales of her brother’s adventures. And Oliver…well, he cared for her most of all. But Charlie…Charlie despised her. Although she didn’t take it personally as he seemed to despise them all.
“I suppose you knew about this?” Beth glared at the oldest lad.
Grinning, he didn’t deny it. “You should see your face.”
She shivered at the sound of the rodent scurrying around the inside of the basket, desperate to escape. “Dear God, I’m surprised he didn’t gnaw his way through.”
She would share a carriage with four boys, she would not share it with four boys and a rat. Beth rapped quickly at the ceiling of the carriage. When it didn’t immediately pull to the side of the road, she knocked harder, louder. She was preparing to open the door and toss the basket outside when the coach finally slowed.
“Don’t hurt him!” John cried, pushing his glasses up his nose, his lower lip trembling with emotion.
“I won’t, but you can’t keep him.” Beth threw open the door even before the footman had time to jump from the back and open it for them. “And no begging will change my mind.”
“What’s wrong?” Nate demanded, appearing on his mount beside her.
“Two things, my lord.” She held out her free hand, helping the boys down. “One, you can’t possibly expect children to sit that long in a small carriage. They need to stretch their legs a bit.”
He frowned as he jumped from his mount and handed the reins to the waiting footman. He didn’t like being told what to do, that was obvious. She was too tired to care.
“And two…your son has a new pet.” She shoved the basket into his hands.
Without explanation, she moved away, hiking through the field toward the creek she could see glistening at the bottom of the hill. She could hear John pleading with his father to no avail. Beth resisted the urge to laugh. Let him deal with his son for a few bloody moments.
“What the hell?” Nate roared, startling a flock of sparrows that burst from the field and took to the gray skies.
Beth grinned. So, he felt the same aversion toward rats that she did. John, on the other hand, did not find fault with the rodents. It was time for Lord Brimley to get to know his own children. He’d ignored them for far too long, and they were all suffering because of his lack of attention.
“Mrs. Church!” Oliver raced after her. “Do you think you should stray this far from the carriage?”
She rested her hand atop his head, brushing his hair back. Ever since the attack he’d stuck by her side. She was surprised to find she actually had a protector out of the boy. Surprised and touched in a way she didn’t want to think about. Yes, she wanted the boys to respect her, but to care for her? No, she couldn’t form attachments here. They would all only be heart-broken in the end.
“I’m fine, dear. The carriage is still close by.” They both glanced over their shoulders. The coach rested alongside the road, but the area was in an uproar. The three other children surrounded Nate, jumping and arguing about poor Robert. Unfortunately Nate’s back was to her and she couldn’t see his expression, which she had no doubt would provide hours of amusement. “Is your father angry about the rat?”
Oliver grinned. “Aye, he hates them.”
John had somehow managed to get the basket away and was running across the field in a desperate attempt to save his pet. Charlie was merely standing there yelling, urging his brother on, while Nate fumed. Beth bit her lower lip and turned away to keep from laughing out loud. It really was quite despicable of her to leave him with the rat and children. She wasn’t sure which was worse. But she’d let him suffer just a little longer.
She found the creek and knelt, dipping her handkerchief into the cold water, her fingertips going numb. Only a moment…she needed a mere moment to relax and not the gray clouds, or rumble of thunder in the distance would change her mind. She rubbed her neck and face, reveling in the feel of the cool water against her sweaty skin. If only her head would stop throbbing. She hadn’t had one of her headaches in weeks. But then it was only natural with the stress she’d endured the last few days.
“Had you ever seen anyone die before?” Oliver asked, startling her. He settled upon a fallen log and picked up a stone, throwing it into the creek. He didn’t seem upset, merely curious.
Lord, how did she answer? Beth settled next to him, wondering what was going through that young mind. She took in a deep, trembling breath as Allen’s face flashed before her. “Yes.”
For a brief moment she closed her eyes. She’d killed a man. Shot him dead. As much as she tried not to think about it, the image of Allen’s face haunted her nights, at times morphing into her husband and sending her jerking from sleep and bolting out of bed in terror.
“I hadn’t.” He tossed another pebble into the creek.
In the distance they could hear the other children shouting, but neither of them paid heed. She was worried about Oliver, worried about such a young child witnessing such a horrific crime. She wondered if Oliver, too, had seen the wolf change into a man. Hopefully, he’d left before the transformation. She could barely remember the moment herself. Everything was a jumble of confusing moments.
Werewolf.
After going over the incident again and again, she’d come to the conclusion that it was the only explanation. As a child, she’d heard stories of men changing into wolves, but had never truly believed them. Mere superstitions, or so she’d thought. She shivered, her rational mind rejecti
ng the idea. But she knew…she knew. The question was how much did Nate know about the myth and how was he connected?
“They brought Mother’s body back after the accident,” he said softly. “But I don’t really remember. Charlie does, though.”
“Accident?”
“Aye. She and father had a terrible row. I snuck downstairs to find some of cook’s lemon tarts and I heard them. She was scared, crying.” He nudged the toe of his boot into the dirt. “Called father a monster.”
A cold whisper of unease tip-toed over her. She should stop him. Was none of her business, but she found she couldn’t speak. Half of her didn’t want to hear what he had to say, but the other half, a half far stronger, was desperate to know.
“Charlie found me right before she raced outside, and left us. I would have gone after her, but he wouldn’t let me.” He rubbed his nose with the back of his hand, then picked up a stick and dug into the dirt. “But her carriage wheel broke and she was injured.”
Beth took in a deep shuddering breath and dipped her handkerchief into the creek again. What had the married couple fought about? She turned toward Oliver and swiped at his sweaty face with the damp cloth. “Does that feel good?”
“Yes.” He smiled up at her and her heart tugged a little. But as she lowered her hand, taking her handkerchief with her, his smile fell once more. In the distance the shouts of the children could be heard, mingling with the gurgle of the creek. “Charlie blames father.”
Beth struggled over what to say to the lad, knew she was getting into dangerous territory, and close to hearing things she didn’t want to hear. “It must be difficult for both of them.”
Oliver shrugged. “Don’t know.”
“Mrs. Church!” Nate snapped out from directly behind them.
Startled she jumped and spun around, teetering back a step. She would have fallen into the creek if Oliver hadn’t latched onto her hand.
“Yes, my lord?”
The man glared down at her, the basket in hand. She prayed he hadn’t overheard Oliver practically condemning him.
“Kindly do your job and get rid of this bloody rat!”
****
The woman actually shrugged, as if what his children did was of no concern to her. “Nowhere in my job description did it mention taking care of rats, my lord.”
“I’ll take him,” Oliver said, stepping between them, as if to protect the stubborn governess. As if she needed anyone to protect her. No, she’d proven quite well that she could protect herself.
“Oliver, go to your brothers.”
He grabbed the basket. “But—”
“Go!”
The boy scampered away but not before glancing worriedly at Beth. Nate stood there, furious. Furious that she’d left him with the bloody rat. Furious because he had heard her discussion with Oliver. But worst of all, furious at himself because he cared what she thought.
“Charlie blames father.”
He’d known, hadn’t he? But hearing the words made them real. Perhaps because deep down he blamed himself as well. Perhaps because Charlie was the only child that was of his flesh and blood. And maybe, just maybe he didn’t want Beth to think of him as a monster.
The governess crossed her arms over her chest and glared up at him. “You certainly didn’t need to yell at Oliver. It wasn’t his fault.”
“Mrs. Church,” he snapped. “If I were you, I’d—”
“Father, father, I think he’s hungry.” John came to a skidding halt beside them and opened the basket. The rat, seeing his chance for freedom, jumped, landing within the tall weeds, and scurrying away. “Robert!”
“Oh dear,” Beth said, lifting her skirts and scampering after his son.
Nate froze, momentarily stunned by her slim ankles, and shapely calves. She’d gained a little weight since being at his home and it only added to her appeal. An image of those long legs wrapped around him flashed to mind.
He shook his head, bemused. Had she truly just dismissed him so readily? Hell, he’d been a captain in the war, men obeyed his every command. He was stronger, more threatening than any other beast in England. But this woman…this stubborn, amazing woman wasn’t afraid of him in the least. Would she change her tune if she knew the truth?
“Best go after them, before they fall into the creek,” Charlie said, coming to a stop beside him, and grinning. His eldest son found the situation entirely too amusing.
“It’s a bloody rat!” With a growl, Nate tore after the twosome who were headed directly toward the creek. What the hell had happened to his carefully constructed life? Beth had happened, that’s what. A woman who shot wolves, a woman who chased after rats.
“Robert!” John cried out, stumbling down the bank, and fully intending to jump into the water after the rodent.
“No!” Beth grabbed onto the boy’s shirt and jerked him back right before he delved into the creek. “You’ll drown!”
“So will Robert!”
“Unbelievable,” Nate muttered. “Chasing a rat.” He paused next to them on the bank. “Everyone back to the carriage.”
But the governess ignored him and snatched the basket from John.
“Mrs. Church, what the hell are you doing?”
“Saving a rat, of course.”
Before he could demand she stay put, the insane woman jumped onto a fallen log. She teetered, her arms wavering as she attempted to regain her balance over the rushing water. Nate groaned, fully expecting her to fall headlong into the creek. Instead, she somehow managed to move along the log.
“Don’t you dare try to escape.” Leaning down, she scooped up the little furry beast who had managed to latch onto a reed to keep from drowning. “Perfect!”
“Did you catch him?” John asked, surging forward.
Nate reached out, latched onto his collar and jerked him back. “Don’t even think about it,” Not that the boy noticed. He only had eyes for Beth and his pet rat. He certainly couldn’t blame his son. Beth was a veritable angel, standing there with the gentle wind tugging at her skirts, her brilliant hair falling down in disarray around her shoulders.
“Hooray!” She turned, grinning at him. “I’ve got Robert!”
Her smile was like a kick to the gut. Nate merely stood there staring like an imbecile. He’d never seen something so pure, so utterly beautiful. How could he ever have thought her plain? She practically glowed. The very sun on a dark and dreary day.
She snapped the lid in place and tossed the basket to John. “Now, go release the animal!”
Happy and content, he spun around. “Yes, miss.”
The boy was so relieved to have his pet safe, he scurried away without argument. Beth released a sigh of relief, drawing Nate’s attention back to her. She was amazing. Bloody amazing, and he wasn’t sure how to feel about that. Hell, he was attracted to her. He liked her. But worst of all…he respected her. They could be friends, he realized, with some bemusement. He wanted to be friends with her.
Yes, he wanted to take her to bed, taste every inch of her body, but he also wanted to sit with her near the fire while sharing a drink. Wanted to see her eyes heat with anger when he said something she didn’t agree with. Wanted to see her smile like she had just moments before…forever.
Other than Eliza and Millie, he’d never had much use for female friends. And Eliza was more of a tolerance, a memory from his past, than an actual friend he trusted. While Millie was more Grayson’s friend. Yes, he could imagine sitting by the fire and having heated, interesting discussions with Beth. What he couldn’t imagine was growing bored of her, and that terrified him. Hell, he didn’t know what he bloody well wanted anymore.
She started back. “You could have helped, you know.”
A chill wind whipped down the field, sending her wavering back and forth off balance.
“Helped? Why would I? It’s a bloody rat,” he muttered, crossing his arms and refusing to assist her ashore. Shite, if he touched her, he might not have the strength to release the w
oman.
She frowned as she moved along the log. “To you, but to John it’s a living pet. Something he loved.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Nathan muttered. “Love a rat?”
“Why not?” She said with an overly-sweet grin. “Even your mother loved you, I presume.”
Nate’s gaze narrowed as he resisted the urge to growl. The woman needed a good spanking. Or maybe a kiss…maybe both.
“Father,” Charlie strolled down the hill, pausing next to him. The boy would be tall. Probably as tall as him. “Can’t we stop at an Inn? I’m bloody tired of being in a coach.”
“No, and watch your language.”
The boy glared up at Nate. “I’m old enough to say what I want.”
Nate gritted his teeth. His children were getting out of hand. Charlie might blame him for his troubles, but he would act respectful. He started to turn toward the lad and explain to him exactly who was in charge, when a loud splash rent the air. Startled, he and Charlie jerked their gazes toward the creek.
Beth was floating with the current, her skirts a big balloon that pulled her down the creek like a bloody sail.
“Hell.” Nate tore off his jacket and tossed it to Charlie, then jumped in the water after her. Knowing the woman, she’d probably hurried in her haste to break up Nate and Charlie’s argument and had slipped. Perhaps she’d even jumped in the creek on purpose. “Damn it all!”
“Father, we’re not supposed to curse!”
Nate splashed into the water, ignoring his son’s mocking comment. The chill creek filled his boots, weighing him down, but at least he could stand. Unfortunately the same couldn’t be said of Beth, as she flopped around on her back. Although the creek was shallow, coming only to his thighs, the current was quick.
Nate delved in after her, barely noticing the frigid temperature. “Mrs. Church! Beth! Reach for my hand!”
She managed to turn. Her cold, damp fingers found his. Nate gripped her hard. He wasn’t about to lose another governess. He wasn’t about to lose Beth. His boys, most of them anyway, actually liked her. He jerked her close, holding her tightly to his body as the water rushed around them. For a brief moment he merely hugged her close. He liked her.