Quiet as a starless night—quiet as a starless night—quiet as a starless night—still as waters deep.

  That bloody poem tortured him, the words driven into his skull like the hammering of a nail.

  Visitors drifted in and out of his room, but he couldn’t tell if they were real or if he was dreaming. He grew hot then cold, and then hot again.

  “We have to do something,” his brother said. His voice was muffled, but Roderick knew it was him.

  “Your Grace, he shouldn’t have stopped. ’Tis inadvisable when a gentleman’s constitution is designed to imbibe. The symptoms would be less traumatic if he reduced his habit slowly, but he should never stop. What is a gentleman to drink if not wine or spirits? Water and tea will not sustain a gentleman. That is for the benefit of women, who are of a weaker constitution.”

  A series of rumbling growls followed this, and Roderick had visions of a large dog with black fur rummaging through his room. Then an angel appeared above him, her halo glowing softly. She put her hand to his forehead.

  “So warm,” she said and shook her head. “I don’t agree with the doctor, but…perhaps a small amount might bring you out of this, and we can start again, little by little.”

  Another face appeared, this of the dog. Roderick flinched, but the angel calmed him.

  “Bloody doctor,” the dog spoke in Weirick’s voice. “He doesn’t know what he’s talking about, Violet. He suggested we bleed him.”

  The angel, whom Roderick now realized was Violet with her hair in disarray, sighed. “No. But we will add some whiskey to his tea and see if that helps. We should have sought proper advice before allowing him to stop drinking.”

  “How were we to know? I wish Sonam here. He’d know a remedy. In fact—” Weirick snapped his fingers. “He left a book of medicine for me.”

  Violet touched his head again and Roderick tried to focus on her eyes.

  “Can you hear us?”

  Roderick licked his lips and mouthed the word yes.

  “We’ll make you better as soon as possible. And then we will have a house party for the girls. That will cheer you up.”

  Anne.

  Why did everything return to Anne? I’m doing this for her, aren’t I? I want to be the man she needs, and this might be the only way. If my drinking offends her, then I will drink no more. But what if it isn’t enough?

  He pressed his eyes closed, and everything around him quieted. He wasn’t sure if they had left him or he’d fallen asleep. His body was heavy, weighted down by blackness, as if he were lost in an abyss of his own creation.

  A sailor entombed by a mermaid’s kiss.

  Anne’s kiss, Anne’s soft silky mouth.

  Tepid tea filled his mouth, followed by the bite of whiskey. He lurched into consciousness.

  “No!”

  Violet and Weirick jumped back.

  “It will help you feel better,” Violet said.

  “I don’t want it.” Roderick shook, the room swam in his vision, and his head felt as heavy as a boulder.

  “You’ll only become sicker,” Weirick said.

  “I don’t care. She doesn’t want a drunkard.”

  “What?” Weirick asked in bewilderment.

  Violet took his hand. “Go fetch the herb we read about in Sonam’s book and have cook make a broth. I’ll speak to him.”

  Weirick tensed his jaw and nodded. Alone with Violet now, the whisky-poisoned tea at a safe distance, Roderick fell back against the pillows.

  “Tell me what she said,” Violet said and then sat on the edge of his bed.

  Roderick turned his face away from her. “She said she wanted a good man.”

  “You are a good man.”

  “No. I’m a drunkard. I can’t live without it.”

  “But you are. It’s been three days, and you haven’t had a drink,” Violet said.

  “And look at me. I’m pathetic, I reek of spirits.”

  “I’m proud of you.” Violet took his hand and squeezed it. “Lesser men would have given up. A lesser man would have not stopped at all. You are strong, Roderick, and you are good man. You helped Weirick see he needed to stay with me, with his family. You are trying to prove yourself to a woman that I... Well, frankly I do not like her overly much. She’s a bit high in the instep—”

  “Don’t speak ill of her,” Roderick said. “I won’t allow it.”

  “Fine. But I want to see her fight for you as hard as you’re fighting for her. That is all.”

  “She’s been fighting her whole life, working like a common laborer to ensure her family was cared for. She’s helped raise her sisters from the time she was strong enough to hold an infant. She deserves every luxury I can give her, but her convictions would not allow her to accept the hand of a man like me.”

  “Pride does not fill a stomach,” Violet returned.

  Roderick turned to her. “Would you have married me if Weirick had not changed his mind and left England? What would you have done, Violet?”

  “I would have followed him.”

  “Even though your acceptance of my proposal was witnessed? You would have ruined your reputation.”

  Violet shrugged. “Love is worth any price. I could not have married you. I could not have married anyone but him.”

  “But Anne will not marry just anyone, she will choose the man who can care for her and her family and who will not dishonor her.”

  “You would never dishonor her,” Violet returned heatedly. “You love her. You would do anything for her. You are the man she needs. She just can’t see it yet. But she will. We will make her see.”

  “I—” His throat closed around the words. Am I?

  She leaned over him. “Drink the tea with the whiskey. We must do this slowly and get you out of bed so you can attend the party.”

  “Drinking whiskey seems like a step back.”

  “You called yourself a drunkard, and I agree with that assessment. You have a problem with drink, but you need not face it alone. I will help you, Weirick will help you. We will scale your drinking back slowly, so you will not be sick, but you will grow accustomed to less and less until your habit is more controlled. I believe in you. You can do this.”

  “You’ll have to believe enough for both of us, because I don’t think I can.”

  “I can believe enough for all three of us,” Weirick said as he entered and came to Violet’s side.

  Violet grinned at her husband. “Then we will be victorious.”

  Roderick stared at his brother. “We’ll have to hide all the spirits from me. Only serve me what you think I should have to keep me from feeling ill. I think about it constantly. If I see it, I’ll want it.”

  “I can do that.”

  “I have an idea!” Violet jumped off her perch from Roderick’s bed excitedly. “We’ll enlist Anne and Bernie’s help in keeping you distracted from thinking about drinking! That way Anne will see your progress, and it will be impossible for her to ignore you.”

  Weirick looked between them in confusion. “Why must Anne not ignore him?”

  “Viol—”

  “He’s in love with her,” Violet said, cutting of Roderick’s warning.

  Roderick covered his face with his hands. “You weren’t supposed to tell anyone.”

  “He has to know. How else is he to help?”

  “You’re doing this all for Anne?” Weirick asked aghast.

  “He is,” Violet said with a dreamy sigh. “Isn’t it romantic?”

  “It’s insanity. She hates him.”

  Roderick glared at his brother. “I know that.”

  “Then why do it?”

  Violet slapped Weirick’s arm. “Because he loves her. Why did I challenge you to a duel to get you to marry me? Why did you stay in England? Love. It’s all because of love.”

  “But she doesn’t love him. We were in love when we did those things,” Weirick pointed out.

  “Well…” Violet faced Roderick and raised a brow. “Has she given any sign that she feels something in addition to hatred for you?”

  “In all honesty, I’ve kissed her twice now. At your wedding ball, and again the day you agreed to help me speak to her alone.”

  Violet wagged her finger at him. “You said you weren’t going to try to seduce her.”

  “I lied. She enjoys my kisses and was quite enthralled when I—”

  “That’s enough,” Weirick narrowed his eyes at his brother.

  Violet tossed her head and folded her arms. “You’ve already compromised her. What are we doing trying to convince her when you two should already be engaged?”

  “While she clearly enjoys my attentions, she also made it clear I am the last man she would marry.”

  “Ah, so she’s being stupid.” Violet said.

  “Don’t say that about her,” Roderick ordered.

  “My apologies, but it infuriates me that she has brought you so low, all in an effort to please her, and she can’t face her own obvious feelings. I may not like her very much, but she is no light skirt. She would have not allowed you liberties if she felt nothing for you.”

  Violet’s words actually bolstered Roderick. Anne was an innocent. If she truly loathed him, she wouldn’t succumb so easily. Both times he’d kissed her, she had returned his enthusiasm.

  She wanted him. She just needed more convincing.

  “I think you’re right, Violet,” Roderick said. “Hand me the tea cup. The sooner I’m on my feet, the quicker we can have the house party, and Anne won’t be able to avoid me.”

  Weirick folded his arms. “This plan is dangerous.”

  Violet grinned at him. “You love danger.”

  Chapter 17

  August 9th, 1825 Selbourne Castle

  All nine sisters lined up before the dowager duchess the day they arrived for the house party. Anne was reluctant to leave her mother and father alone to care for the estate, but her mother assured her that now with her father home, he was up to the task for a short time.

  The dowager walked the line of girls with a smile as she greeted each of them.

  “Willa, my how you’ve grown into such a beauty. Odette and Nicolette, so lovely the lord made two of you at once. Lunette, you’re more beautiful than the moon itself. Josette,” the dowager duchess said with a smile, “I have a new book for you that I know you won’t be able to put down, but do try so one of these lucky gentlemen may fall in love with you. Jeanette, I hope you’ll grace us with your lovely voice one evening and Georgette, I’m hoping you will play for us too. Bernadette and Anne.” She paused, her eyes growing misty. “I so look forward to spoiling you while you are here.” She stopped at Anne and took Anne’s hand. “I’ve enlisted the help of a few maids to act as ladies’ maids for all of you. For two weeks, I want you to think of this castle as your home. We’ve many eligible gentlemen arriving later today. There will be hunting and picnics, walks along the beach, dancing after dinner, parlor games…”

  Anne’s mind wandered as the dowager duchess continued her list of activities. Her sisters were more than eager to participate, but though her nausea had subsided, Anne was more self-conscious than ever about her body. Her breasts had ballooned in size, and her face was definitely fuller. Bernie was sure her pregnancy was obvious, but none of their other sisters had said anything, including their mother, who was already rather obviously pregnant. Her father and sisters embraced the idea of a new baby, not that they had any choice. Her father was ecstatic, preening like a peacock over the display of his virility. Her mother was less enthused, but she only could shrug, smile, and say, “What’s one more?” To Anne it was one more mouth. The only saving grace was if the babe was a boy. A boy would change everything. They would have an heir to the estate, and their cousin couldn’t take it from them. But after nine daughters, Anne did not have much hope the babe was a boy. As for her own baby, well, she had begun to feel strange fluttering low in her stomach. She wasn’t sure what it could be, but in her heart, she hoped it was the movement of her little baby, a sign of health and vigor. As terrified as she was of the future, those little flutters always brought a smile to her lips.

  She caught sight of Roderick, slipping through a door and entering the Queen’s drawing room quietly.

  He looked different, his eyes brighter, his movements more languid but also steadier. More confident and sure. He’d always had the swagger of a rake, but his stride now was more confident, almost predatory, like a prowling animal that knew every step was familiar and sure.

  His hair shone in the light, and his eyes caught the flicker of each candle that lit the room.

  She swallowed, a pleasant warmth spreading through her. Another symptom she’d come to notice with her advancing pregnancy was vivid erotic dreams, and they all featured him. Her body seemed to hum with arousal, and Anne feared he could sense it. The way he’d always been able to notice her presence in the room, even when she tried to hide behind others out of his sight.

  The hair on the back of her neck stood erect. Just as she predicted, his gaze moved to her, capturing her, causing all her nerve endings to tingle at once. Her body reacted wantonly, and all she could think about were his hands on her body, and the way she wanted to melt against him again.

  His stare held hers, glowing with something wild. Her heartbeat kicked into a gallop, and heat prickled over her skin. She was blushing, she was sure of it. Everyone around them must have noticed by now, but then the dowager duchess was ushering her sisters away, and Violet appeared before her, arm linked with Bernie’s.

  “I have a very important favor to ask of you while you are here, Miss Marsden.”

  “Please call me Anne. I’d be happy to help with anything you require.” Was her rapid breathing as obvious to the others as it was to her?

  “Wonderful, Anne. You see Roderick here.” Violet waved him closer.

  Anne’s internal temperature shot up another few degrees. She yanked her gaze away from him and focused on Violet once more.

  “He is determined to quit the consumption of spirits and needs our help in distracting him.”

  “What?” Anne’s attention went back to him as Violet continued speaking.

  “We don’t want to make it obvious, but during the party it can’t be helped that the other gentleman in attendance will wish to indulge. Roderick has decided to only imbibe what is served to him with meals, and otherwise we will all do our best to keep his mind off spirits and on something more entertaining.”

  Anne switched her focus to Violet. “Entertaining?”

  “We have lots of festivities planned. It should be easy.”

  “What a marvelous change, Roderick.” Bernie said. “I would love to help.”

  “Thank you,” Roderick said.

  Anne couldn’t breathe. He is trying to stop drinking? Is it for her? It couldn’t be, could it?

  No, he wouldn’t do that. He was not the type of man who would make such a drastic change purely for a woman. Anne turned away, giving Violet a noncommittal nod. She didn’t know what to think or what to believe. Roderick had always been a man who enjoyed overindulging. He lived his life that way. She’d never seen him without a drink in his hand or heard him share a story that didn’t involve outrageous things like phaeton races, extravagant bets, or parties with numerous opera dancers in attendance. Anne never lingered to overhear those conversations. She didn’t want to know about his women.

  Now I am one of his women.

  She’d leave the helping to Bernie and focus on her purpose for being here, which was to convince one of these gentlemen to marry her.

  She strolled away from the group, her face flushed as she pretended to admire an arrangement of flowers. Her courage was deserting her, and worse, she was losing control of her emotions, much as her mother used to do when pregnant. She would not be able to stand being so close to him. It was absurd to think she could come here and attract one his friends with her fleshy chest and round face. Bernie was right. This idea was ludicrous, and it was too late. One look at her and no one would want to marry her.

  “Come, Anne. We’re going to settle into our room and then meet on the terrace for tea.” Bernie came to Anne’s side. She whispered, “Are you all right?”

  “I think I should go home,” Anne said quietly.

  Bernie linked their arms. Roderick was already gone when Anne faced the room again, and the others were heading out of the drawing room.

  “You can’t leave. We’re the guests of honor.”

  “There are nine of us. I won’t be missed.”

  “You’re the most important.”

  Anne pulled Bernie to a halt, and they stepped into an alcove. “It’s too late. Look at me. My breasts are huge, my face is the size of the moon, and I want to cry, laugh, and eat all at the same time.”

  Bernie giggled. “Really?”

  “And it’s worse than that. I find myself…aroused at odd times.” Especially when looking at Roderick, or thinking of Roderick, or dreaming of Roderick.

  Bernie broke out in laughter, and then Chester appeared.

  “What is so amusing?”

  Bernie instantly sobered. “What business is it of yours?” she snapped at him. “I’m here with Anne. Can I not have a private conversation with my sister?”

  He folded his arms. “I was simply—”

  “Checking up on me. The bachelors are not here yet, and frankly, I don’t know why you were invited at all. You’re not going to marry one of us, are you?” She pinned him with a stare.

  He blushed. Anne had never seen Chester blush. She’d seen him angry but not blushing.

  “Most of the gentlemen attending are friends of mine. In fact, I helped in choosing which of them to invite.”

  “Wonderful, I’m sure they will bore me to tears now.”

  “You need boring. You’re enough trouble all by yourself.”

  “You think I’m trouble? You have no idea what I’m dealing with at present.”