The bronze heart kenelm.., p.1
The Bronze Heart (Kenelm Chronicles 03),
p.1
The Bronze Heart
The Kenelm Chronicles
Book Three
By
Felicia Rogers
The Bronze Heart
The Kenelm Chronicles, Book Three
Copyright ©2017 by Felicia Rogers
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.
Contact Information:
Website: http://feliciarogersauthor.weebly.com
Email: feliciarogersauthor@yahoo.com
Published by:
Felicia Rogers
Cover Design by For the Muse Designs
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Table of Contents
Other works by Felicia Rogers
Chapter One: Brighton
Chapter Two: Richard
Chapter Three: Introductions
Chapter Four: Business
Chapter Five: Celebration
Chapter Six: Confrontation
Chapter Seven: Leave!
Chapter Eight: Eleanor
Chapter Nine: Renewal
Chapter Ten: Home
Author’s Note
Excerpt from The Ruse
Other works by Felicia Rogers
Stand alone works:
The Holiday Truce
A Month in Cologne
Andrews Brothers
The Ruse
The Rescue
Southern Hearts Series:
Millicent
Amelia
Cora
“Justice” and Miss Quinn Mysteries
The Case of the Missing Cross
The Case of the Puppet Constable
The Case of the Secret Love
The Case of the Chinese Boxes
The Case of the Hidden Treasure
The Case of the Lost Island
The Kenelm Chronicles:
The Golden Goose
The Silver Moon
The Bronze Heart
Meaningful Numbers Series:
One of Forty
One of Twelve
One of Three
The Haywood Brothers Series:
Love of a Businessman (2017)
The Board Series by F. A. Rogers
(novellas are listed in order)
Maralie
Reuben
Vanessa
Simon
Darla
Daniel
Irving
Levi
Francesca
Benjamin
James
The Return to Eden’s Hollow
Chapter One: Brighton
Rose rolled from the berth, pulled a gown over her head, and eased the cabin door open. Kenelm slept peacefully with his hands tucked beneath his cheek. She had no desire to wake him.
Heat consumed her middle as images of her wedding night flooded her mind. Kenelm had promised many more such nights in which he would show how much he loved and desired her. His love for her was more intense than she’d ever anticipated.
A cool breeze struck her flushed skin, and she pulled the wrap tighter around her shoulders. Lights winked close to the horizon. They were too low to be stars.
She swallowed her fear.
Brighton—the town which currently housed her father. He’d moved to their second home upon her disappearance, so Kenelm had said. She hadn’t argued with Kenelm’s assumption that it was because he wanted to be closer to port in case of her return. At first, emotion had allowed her to dream the statement was possibly true, but then reality had set in. Father only did things for his benefit. That even meant living in Brighton and away from London.
What would he say about her match? Would he accept Kenelm as her husband? An annulment was technically unattainable since certain wedding acts had been performed, but she wouldn’t put it past Father to try if another suitor for her would provide more advantageous for him.
She considered requesting they head straight for Odell. It was Kenelm’s family home. She’d heard of its opulence often from Father, mostly in an envious tone. He was enamored with large exorbitant homes.
Very few of Father’s associates knew of his bent for acquiring finer things by any means necessary. They thought him altruistic and friendly to the common man.
Perhaps once Kenelm learned the truth of her family’s success, earned on the backs of others, then he would leave her.
She shivered. Arms wrapped around her from behind and she was drawn back. She knew the chest well and practically melted against his stalwart of protection.
“We will be in Brighton by morning. Does this concern you?”
“Yes.” Maybe she shouldn’t be so honest, but now that she’d shared her true feelings for him she couldn’t seem to stop.
He massaged her shoulders. “What concerns you most?”
It was as if he knew there would be more than one thing. Perhaps he held multiple concerns as well.
“My father’s reaction to my return.”
He turned her to face him. His mouth was spread wide. “He’ll be ecstatic!”
She stepped back and hugged herself. “Forgive me, but you don’t know my father. No doubt, he has capitalized on his false sorrow. My return might ruin that for him.”
“You can’t truly believe that.” His brow furrowed.
“Kenelm,” she cradled his cheek, “I love you, but you must trust me in this. If he is overwhelmingly happy to see me, then it will be because it plays to his advantage—somehow.”
“I never knew you to be so cynical about your father.”
“Eight years in captivity gives one time to think about many things.” Such as Father’s activities, how they came about, whom he disliked, whom he liked.
“Maybe you are remembering events incorrectly. You should at least allow him time to prove himself as false.”
“I will give him plenty of rope for which to hang himself, I promise.”
His gasp made her feel slightly guilty, but she pushed the feeling aside. She wrapped her arm in his and they strolled across the deck. Snores eliminated through the boards from the sleeping crew below. The first watch was still topside, their eyes droopy as they awaited their time of rest.
“Do you think we might head to Odell? After a brief, very brief, stay with my father? The flowers are beautiful at this time of year.” And the absence of Father makes them all the sweeter.
“What about your formal wedding?”
“We can marry at Odell. In the gardens. I loved visiting there with…” She stopped. Why had she brought him up?
****
Why had she brought Evander into their conversation? They hadn’t been married twenty-four hours, and he was already intruding.
Kenelm released her and clasped his hands behind his back. “Perhaps you should return to our quarters. I believe I’ll assist the second watch.”
She clutched his arm. “We should talk about this.”
He placed his finger over her lips. They weren’t dry or cracked as before, now they were rosy and full, the way he remembered them from their first meeting. However, they were different. They were slightly puffy from their night of lovemaking. The sight brought memories he would love to repeat.
He moved his hand to the back of her neck and tilted her head upward. Their lips touched and fire burned through his middle. He tightened his grasp and increased the pressure of the kiss. He would never get enough of her.
She withdrew first and pulled in a deep breath. She licked her lips, leaving a layer of moisture over what he considered one of her best features.
He hated feeling jealous of her affections. He knew she’d meant nothing by her statement, but he had no desire to discuss Evander after the things they had just enjoyed together.
“Just return to bed.”
She sighed.
“Morning will come soon, and if what you say is true, I need to prepare to defend my actions.” He gave her a slight push toward their quarters. “I’ll be along shortly. Warm my side for me.”
She giggled behind her hand even as the door closed.
Kenelm relieved the sleepiest looking crew member. He settled against the main mast and watched the lights on shore grow larger.
In the morning, he would meet with his father-in-law. He’d met Richard Walsh on a few occasions. He’d had fiery red hair that never laid down in an orderly fashion. His temper was rumored to match his unruly appearance. Business dealings with the elder Walsh were notorious for failure. How he’d continued to maintain his wealth and social standing was often a topic of conversation among the ton. He’d often wondered if Rose knew of the way others viewed her father. It seemed she had some inkling.
Her request to visit Odell posthaste was probably one of the better ideas he’d heard. Perhaps considering her proposal would be wise. Surely, after seven years the damage done by the fire had been repaired.
A bell rang. They would arrive in Brighton sooner than he’d thought. His life was about to take a drastic turn. He hoped he was ready.
Chapter Two: Richard
Kenelm ordered a hackney as soon as they disembarked from the ship. Trunks were loaded, but Rose hadn’t entered the conveyance. She continued to pace the dock.
“Is she going to leave?” Jon
“She dreads meeting her father.”
“That I gathered after hours of her muttering.”
“I’ll get her.” Kenelm lowered his hat on his head and strolled toward Rose. She stopped pacing when he drew close.
“Let’s get this over with.” She stalked past him and climbed into the hackney without him speaking a word.
He was glad he’d not had to berate her behavior, but wished she’d have moved a little quicker. Now it appeared he followed her as if a lost pup. Which wasn’t completely untrue. He would follow her however and whenever she wished.
“I’ll never understand women.”
He agreed with Jones. He entered the hackney behind his wife and sat beside Rose. She’d chosen the dusty rose gown with no real embellishments. No jewelry decorated her throat, ears, or hands. He would need to order her a ring as soon as time allowed.
She laced her fingers together and squeezed. He put his hand over hers, and she finally stopped fidgeting. He wished he could take her anxiety away.
“I know you’re worried, but we’ll get through this—together.” It was the best he could offer.
She nodded.
“After we speak with your father, it will be time to face my mother.” He’d failed to even think about Eleanor Kennaway over the last couple of months. He’d seen her at least once a year over the last seven years and every time, she asked if he had found someone. She would be happy when she heard. He hoped.
She grabbed his hands and squeezed. “Forgive me. I didn’t even consider…”
“No need to apologize, I’m sure Mother will love you. Maybe too much. Her first conversation will likely revolve around when she is having her first grandchild.”
Red stained her cheeks. He thought about relieving her fears somewhat. Mother wouldn’t be too pushy, at least not with her; he was an entirely different story. But the hackney jerked to a halt.
The two story brick home was flat with no window flowerboxes, not even a stoop or a covering over the front door. No bushes or greenery decorated the front lawn. The place seemed almost lifeless. He couldn’t imagine Rose ever living in such a dreary place.
“I can’t do this. I can’t go in.” She backed into a corner and wrapped her arms around her middle.
While Rose had packed her personal items, he’d sent word by messenger to Richard. Giving the elderly gentleman the shock of his life hadn’t seemed safe. Now he wasn’t so sure that he’d made the best decision.
“I think it may be too—”
“Rose!” The front door jerked open. Richard Walsh, red shock of hair and all, reached in and pulled Rose from the bench. Her eyes were wide with panic. Kenelm was helpless to assist her.
No matter what happened, he would be by her side—as long as Richard didn’t kick him out on his ear. He was really starting to regret his choices.
****
Rose tried to control her rising panic. Father had dragged her from the hackney and Kenelm. He held her two feet off the ground in a tight bear hug. His strength hadn’t diminished with age. Why didn’t she find that comforting?
He set her on her feet and held her hands in his. “When I received word, I couldn’t believe it. But here you are, well, alive, whole!” He tugged her against his chest, his arms around her once more.
She expected to feel bones on sallow skin, but he was the perfect picture of health. Broad shoulders filled out his gray greatcoat. The paunch of most elderly men was absent. His hair was still unruly and all red with only a few notable strands of gray.
He moved her to his side, laid his arm over her shoulders, and began to guide her to the front entrance.
“Father, we need to—”
“Have a celebration! Of course! I’ll make arrangements posthaste. We’ll invite everyone I know. Business contacts, and of course your old suitors. You aren’t getting any younger. Twenty-eight and still roaming around unattached. Of course men will want proof of your ordeal so we’ll need to devise a plausible story.”
He opened the door and they entered the foyer. The dark paneling had been painted a light gray color. The curtains had been pulled back so that the light could enter. The polished marble floors shone beneath the vibrant sun, but none of it meant anything. He is inviting old suitors!
“Please take your old room. It has been aired out and cleaned. I must speak to the cook, the steward, the…”
His words trailed off as he disappeared along a narrow hallway headed toward the kitchens off the back of the house.
A hand touched her upper arm, and she jumped.
“The driver needs to know where to take our belongings.”
She’d almost forgotten that Kenelm was following her. Dealing with Father always made it harder to concentrate.
She swallowed. She hadn’t even told Father she was married. If she put their trunks in the same room, he might have serious questions.
Oh, why had they come here instead of going to Odell? Next time she would try harder to convince Kenelm. After this, he was sure to listen to her with more interest.
Chapter Three: Introductions
The trunks were hauled into the foyer. Father returned, accompanied by a burly Scottish gentleman.
“This is my stablehand, Amos. He’ll take your things upstairs.” He shot a glance a Kenelm, his brow cocked.
“Father, I’d like you to meet Ke—”
“Sir Kennaway! It has been too long.”
Kenelm shook Father’s hand. She watched the movement in a daze. Father knew Kenelm? When had they met? If it had been a bad business dealing, she would die right there on the floor!
Why hadn’t Kenelm mentioned knowing her father? He hadn’t really lied, other than by omission. But if he hadn’t revealed that bit of information, what more could he be hiding from her?
“Mr. Walsh, where should I secure the trunks?”
“Which is yours, dear?”
She pointed to the one with the least scars. She felt like she should be saying more, but she was too tired and too worried. The homecoming wasn’t anywhere as she’d hoped. It was so much worse.
Father said, “Take that one to the room at the top of the stairs then take the other to the end of the hall. Oh, and have Mrs. Reece air out that room. Have her air out all the rooms! The house will be filled with excitement this evening. My Rose has returned!”
What had she done?
****
Kenelm allowed the elder Walsh to escort him to a sitting area. The information that his trunk was being delivered to a room other than his wife’s was disconcerting but easily rectified. He’d reveal his identity and move the trunk himself if necessary. He had no intention of being away from Rose, now or later.
“Mr. Walsh, it is a pleasure to see you again, of course, but—”
“Yes it is, yes it is. I heard about the fire at Odell.”
Rose gasped. He should have told her about it when she mentioned the castle. He realized his mistake. His two omissions had been exposed within minutes of one another, and the signs of them were showing on her face.
“I’m sure repairs have—”
“No, no, no. The fire revealed a structural issue. The castle has been abandoned for, um, at least two years. Mrs. Kennaway is fairing quite well in London, or so I’ve heard. She even has suitors.”
Mother?
Mr. Walsh tugged a red braided rope that hug from the ceiling. Three young girls arrayed in black and white dresses scurried in and curtseyed.
“Renee, you will be Rose’s lady’s maid. You two will be responsible for visiting and inviting every household in the square for a soirée in honor of my daughter’s unexpected return. Once you’ve finished, rush to the market. I’m sure cook will have a long list of supplies for you to purchase for tonight.
“But sir, the credit—”
“Never you mind that. Go. Do as I say.”
Kenelm had heard what Walsh tried to hide—his credit was at its limit. Somehow, he believed Rose’s return would rectify the situation, but how? It was the only explanation for going out of his way.
