Walsh faced him. “Would you care for a drink?”

  He offered nothing to Rose even though she stood there.

  Kenelm nodded even while devising a way to have his wife included.

  Walsh poured deep red liquid into a glass and handed it over. “Take a seat.”

  Kenelm wanted to sit with Rose, but Walsh dragged her down to the sofa next to him and left Kenelm on the lone chair. Rose’s silence was bothersome. Why hadn’t she said anything about their relationship? Maybe because she was upset with him. How could he get her alone so he could explain?

  “Sir Kennaway, are you still working for Necome?”

  “I am, but—”

  “Nice fellow, he is. I’ve bought fabric from him in the past, at an exorbitant rate, I might add.”

  “Everyone needs to make a profit.”

  “Too true, too true.” He tapped his lip. “But I wondered, would you be willing to work for me. The same arrangement of course, maybe I would need to pay you a little less during the beginning, you know to recoup any losses, but after a few runs I’m sure I could pay you the same amount.”

  Rose tensed as if she were a snake ready to strike. They really should have talked more about her father before their arrival. He blamed himself. She’d tried to tell him but he hadn’t listened. He would not make that mistake again.

  “I fear that would break my contract with Necome and the penalty wouldn’t be worth it.”

  “Oh, of course, of course. Maybe another time.” Walsh studied his glass, his lips tilted downward. Obviously Kenelm hadn’t made him happy. But he didn’t care.

  “There is another matter I wish to discuss.”

  Rose’s posture had relaxed, but now changed again. He hoped the truth would help.

  “Go ahead.” He leaned forward and clasped his hands.

  Kenelm suddenly felt nervous as if a child who had done wrong. His insides churned as if he was on a choppy sea. How did you start a conversation with, I married your daughter without your permission.

  A knock echoed into the room, and he almost breathed a sigh of relief. If they’d waited one more day to wed then he might not have had this problem. Then again, the situation may have been direr. He wasn’t exactly sure that Walsh had been pleased when he said no to the business venture.

  “Excuse me, I need to get that. I allow the butler to open the door for my invited guests.”

  He left the room and Rose muttered, “More likely the butler quit.”

  Kenelm was poised to ask questions but was interrupted, which was becoming an annoyingly regular occurrence.

  “Rose dear, please join me.”

  Kenelm whispered, “Should I come as well?” He felt as awkward as a schoolboy going before the headmaster.

  “Do as you wish.” Her words held a bite, and he realized his mistake. He should have told her everything, and he should have listened to her concerns about visiting her father. If they’d gone on to Odell, regardless of the needed repairs, they could have conducted an official ceremony and invited her father after the fact. In his state of financial decline, he would have hardly shunned a knight or the Kennaway name.

  Rose stood at the entrance to the sitting area, her jaw had dropped as she stared into the hallway. He eased around her shoulder, fear entering his heart. Whomever she gazed upon had left her in a state of shock. Perhaps he didn’t want to look upon them either.

  “Rose, come to your father.”

  She didn’t move, increasing Kenelm’s concern.

  The voice he heard next stopped him dead.

  “Rose, my dearest Rose, I’ve missed you.”

  A tear rolled from her eye and coursed down her freckled cheeks. Her lips trembled. Evander Hudson appeared before her. He swiped the tear away and wrapped her in his arms. Hudson wrapped Kenelm’s wife in his arms.

  “Don’t worry, my love, all is well. My haggard appearance was from looking for you, but now that you’ve returned to my life, everything will be as it should be. I promise.”

  Chapter Four: Business

  Where was Kenelm?

  Evander and Father had led her back to the sitting area, but somehow Kenelm had disappeared. One minute he was breathing on her shoulder, the next gone. He could be in the small office that came off the room, but why? Why would he leave her now? Now of all times.

  Father had chattered incessantly since Evander’s arrival. He hadn’t even noticed Kenelm’s disappearance—probably because he’d said no to the business venture. That always affected how Father viewed a person, which was another reason it was odd that Evander was welcome inside the house.

  “I’m monopolizing the conversation. I just get excited to see two young people who are so in love reunited.”

  She opened her mouth to protest, but Father interjected again.

  “I understand while you were in America you began a new venture.”

  Evander grabbed her hand and squeezed. His body vibrated with excitement.

  “It is an old product—tobacco.”

  Father’s brow furrowed. “Tobacco has been around for centuries. I thought I heard that you had something new.”

  Now they were getting to the crux of why Father had invited Evander. It had nothing to do with her. How could she slip away and find her husband?

  “I’ve been experimenting with different breeds and growth practices. I’ve been told my product has a unique taste. Would you like to try it?”

  “Please.”

  Evander pulled dried leaves from a pouch around his waist and placed them in Father’s pipe. She held no interest in Father’s business seeking. She wanted to announce her wedding, retire to her room, and then escape with Kenelm on the morrow. They would discuss his lack of revelation then. She didn’t approve, but he deserved to be heard out. Her reaction at Evander’s presence would warrant an explanation as well. She only hoped she was afforded the same courtesies.

  Smoke billowed in the air, and Father leaned back. “Ah, divine. I’m glad you came to me. I’ve been looking for new investments for some time now.”

  Evander frowned. “Oh, I’m not seeking investors. I returned to England to gauge the reaction to my product. And when you sent word of Rose, I knew I had to visit.” He faced her and drew her hand to his chest laying it upon his rapidly beating heart. How could she escape now?

  “Long did I search for you! The painting was vague, but I found a guide. I found the spot—the one you painted. It is beautiful. I couldn’t fathom how you’d seen it well enough to craft it so, but still I waited. I settled nearby and made friends. Started growing plants, building a home… our home.” His lips fell. “But you never returned.”

  She felt ill. He’d taken the painting literally and not stripped the paint. But he’d spent all this time searching for her? Had he cared after all? Had he cared purely about her and not the other women he’d fawned upon in her presence? Had she misjudged him?

  ****

  Kenelm laid his forehead against the wall and withheld his groan. Evander was scooting him out again, only this time it was more serious. Rose was his wife!

  Why didn’t she say something? Or at least release his hand?

  And why wasn’t he jumping out of hiding and staking his claim? Like he should have done so many years ago.

  She was speaking.

  He peered through the cracked door of the office.

  “I-I hid clues beneath the paint.”

  “Explain.” Evander’s tone was gruff as if his throat was filled with emotion.

  “Well,” she licked her lips, “I painted a picture of my ship being overrun then I covered it with the landscape. It was never a place I’d visited, just one I made up, rather poorly I thought. It was my worst painting to date. I guess that made me believe someone would notice to remove the top layer.”

  Kenelm’s heart ached for her. Even while trying to escape Evander’s false affections she had had hope that someone would come for her, even him.

  The back of Evander’s head faced him so he missed his expression, but the slump of his shoulders was evident.

  “Does that mean you were never in America?”

  “I fear not. Although Captain Harrow did sail to a variety of places, and I was never certain of my locale.”

  “What’s this?”

  The interrupting Walsh struck again.

  “Where have you been?”

  At least Rose would be allowed to share her story. She needed the release.

  “I was on a ship leaving,” she paused. He could see her nervousness from his hiding spot. He should have been by her side offering comfort instead of hidden away as if a criminal… or a coward.

  “I was leaving India and returning home.”

  The thick glass sailed through the air and shattered against the fireplace. Shards glittered as if winking stars of light struck them.

  Rose jumped to her feet, trembling from head to toe. Kenelm had had enough. He stalked from the office and wrapped his arms around her. She buried her head against his chest and sniffled. He rubbed her back. “It’s all right. I’m here. It’s all right.”

  Mr. Walsh took to his feet, his body shaking as well. “A knight you may be sir, but she is my daughter. I didn’t give her permission to sail to India and lay up with her lover! I forbade their relationship! This she knew. She will pay for her direct defiance!”

  Evander rose to his full height blocking them from Mr. Walsh’s view. “You forbade it! I’m the Earl of Warwick! Your daughter could hardly make a better match than me!”

  Mr. Walsh pointed his finger at Evander. “You could have had her had you agreed to my business proposition, even though by then she didn’t want you. You duped every woman, but not my Rose, she knew the truth.”

  The men had moved dangerously close to one another. Their hands were fisted, and Kenelm feared they would soon come to blows. He wasn’t sure he wanted to stop the confrontation. They’d both insulted Rose and treated her as a person without consequence. He should have listened to her and gone straight to Odell. He wouldn’t make that mistake again.

  He looked away from the two that circled each other as if cocky roosters. He cupped Rose’s cheek. “Darling, perhaps we should take our leave.”

  She nodded. “I tried to warn you.”

  “Indeed. I have learned my lesson, my dear. I will listen to you in all things from now own.”

  “See that you do.” She did offer a faint smile.

  “Now how do we extradite ourselves from this fray?” He was talking to himself, but spoke aloud.

  “Kenelm?”

  Evander must have just recognized him. He did appear slightly different from when they had last met. His hair was shorter, the lines around his eyes deeper.

  “Aye.” Might as well own up to his identity.

  “Kenelm!” Evander pulled him apart from Rose and clutched him tightly, before stepping back. “I heard you were captaining a ship again. H-how are you here… with Miss Walsh?”

  “Perhaps if you would give her lenience to share her story, then you would understand.” He shot Walsh a questioning glance as well and although he still seemed visibly upset, the elder lifted his palm as a signal to continue.

  Rose moved back to his side and he gladly placed an arm around her waist. Evander wiggled and batted his eyelids. So the action hadn’t gone unnoticed. Good.

  She drew in a deep breath, she was stalling.

  “Go ahead, dearest, I’m here. Everything will be all right.”

  She nodded. “On my way home from India, my vessel was boarded by pirates. I-I dressed as a cabin boy for eight years watching Captain Harrow raid ship after ship. Secretly I painted the painting and placed it aboard a ship that Harrow decided to leave behind.”

  “So it didn’t arrive on your fleeing vessel?” Evander scrunched his face in an expression of confusion.

  “Nay.” She paused. “For eight long years I waited for someone brave to stand up to Harrow and rescue me. Then Kenelm was there.” She faced him, a smile tilting her lush lips.

  He kissed the back of her hand. Could she see the fire in his eyes? The pride that she had claimed him?

  “He rescued everyone Harrow had kidnapped and kept us safe through storms, losing ships, and drug-possessed body stealers, until we could arrive safely home.”

  The love in her eyes threatened to take his breath. No matter what had occurred between her and Evander in the past, now she belonged to him.

  Walsh clutched her arm and dragged her from Kenelm’s loose grasp. “Wonderful. Now you’ve delivered her home. Since neither of you have enough sense to invest wisely, you can both leave.”

  Kenelm crossed his arms. He wasn’t going anywhere.

  Walsh must have recognized the stance for the stubborn defiance it was because he called for help. “Amos!”

  “Yes, sir?” The Scotsman must have been close by because he was there in seconds.

  “Please escort these intruders off my property.”

  “B-but, Mr. Walsh if I do that how will I park the carriages?”

  Walsh dropped his egregious hold on Rose and raced to the window. As if a schoolchild, he bounced on the balls of his feet and clapped his hands. “Oh they are here! Here! Already!” He paced. “Amos, park the conveyances along the street. Ask the neighbors’ permission, of course, and invite them as well. Then have Tobias open up the gardens. Direct everyone there. I’ll have the maids serve drinks while cook is preparing the food.” He laughed, the sound deep and foreboding. “It is a great night for business.”

  Chapter Five: Celebration

  Rose was whisked upstairs and forced to clean and dress in a white gown with gold accents. Silken gloves reached to her elbows, and her hair was pulled back and up with only a few tendrils left free.

  “You’re beautiful, miss.”

  She couldn’t remember the maid’s name, but she thanked her for the compliment.

  “I wish I had a father like yours, so doting. He has planned this celebration since the day he heard Captain Harrow’s tale on the docks.”

  Rose couldn’t breathe. What was the maid saying?

  “Harrow didn’t realize you were a woman or your identity until he ran aground in the same place as you. Of course, when he arrived in England he informed Mr. Walsh immediately. He paid handsomely for the information, but your father, decent man that he is, was happy to know of your survival.”

  If Father paid for the information that might mean that Harrow wasn’t under his employ. Although she wouldn’t put anything past her father in the ways of business. She could have been aboard a pirate ship run by her father this entire time!

  “Not only do you have a great father, but you also have a long line of suitors!”

  Rose paused in patting her hair. “A line?”

  “It starts with the two downstairs, but your father, I mean Mr. Walsh, has been procuring offers for months. Most of those who expressed interest have been renting in the square.”

  Father’s order that the staff invite everyone in the square came rushing back to her. It was because he was inviting those vying for her hand! But her hand was taken!

  The maid continued to speak. She was too talkative for her position, even if it served Rose’s current purpose.

  “Where are the two gentlemen from downstairs?”

  The maid balked. “I-I believe Sir Kennaway retired to his room to change, and Lord Warwick took a hackney to his hotel with the goal of returning.”

  Yes, this young lady’s information was invaluable. Father had tried to throw both of the men in her life out, but it had done little good, they weren’t leaving. For which she was delighted. How else would she defend herself against the massive onslaught that Father had created?

  The maid stepped back and gave a nod of approval. “I declare you perfect. Mr. Walsh will be up shortly to escort you to the gardens.”

  Rose stood and clasped her hands as the maid left. Once the door was shut, she studied her surroundings. The room was largely as she’d left it. Pale yellow curtains, spread, and pillows decorated the room. The white dresser still housed the one wooden chair, chipped where she’d scooted it too hard. The paintings she’d created in the garden when she was just learning, dominated the largest wall. Mother had hung them before her passing and they’d never been moved. Mother had been the only person able to temper Father, but she’d been gone for a long time, too long.

  Rose wasn’t a fool. The gentleman who agreed to finance or co-finance one of Father’s ideas would win her hand. She needed to be in the same room as him long enough to share her secret. How was she going to make that happen before he tried to marry her off to another?

  ****

  Kenelm strolled into the gardens amidst a flurry of activity. Maids served wine that several in attendance considered substandard. He might have been inclined to assist his father-in-law, if current circumstances hadn’t left him furious. Walsh was trying to sell his daughter—Kenelm’s wife—to the highest bidder. If he weren’t already married to Rose, he would still be indignant.

  A side gate opened. Evander, clothed in a dark gray greatcoat, crisp blouse, and gray breeches, strutted into the garden. Behind him were black-and-red liveried servants carrying trays of cheese, meats, and wine, lots and lots of wine. Evander’s wine would not be substandard, of that he could guarantee.

  “In honor of my love’s return, I come bearing gifts.”

  Gasps ran through the visitors. They obviously hadn’t expected a suitor to be already attached so thoroughly.

  A cynical half smile tugged at Kenelm’s lips. Wait until they meet me.

  Jaws dropped, and he faced the direction of the stares. Rose had emerged from the rear entrance on the arm of her father. Her bronzed skin glowed against the white of her gown. The golden accents on the hemline matched the golden highlights in her brown hair.

  She was breathtaking. Everyone in the garden obviously agreed with his assessment.

  Walsh lifted his hand. “Welcome, all, to my daughter’s glorious homecoming.”

  Cheers echoed.