Chapter 27

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Ryland put his hand on Aurelia's arm and gently pulled her away from the bookshelf. The library was dark behind them, the moon hiding behind a wall of clouds. He could not see her at all, but he was grateful to have found her in such control of her emotions. He hesitated, worried she'd heard him being overprotective. "How long were you standing there?"

"A few minutes."

"And?"

"My brother is here."

"Indeed."

"He is difficult," she whispered, and Ryland felt he could hear the cringe in her tone. It seemed very much like her, to worry more for how her brother's presence affected Ryland than herself. "I am sorry he is in your home, Andrew. Are you well?"

"He will not remain long." Ryland had wanted to throw the man out immediately, but refrained. It was obvious he'd been in some sort of fight by the bruises marring his face. It was better to fully understand why he had come now instead of inviting further trouble later. Ryland intended to marry this woman, which meant Nathaniel would be part of their lives in some way indefinitely.

Oh, how he'd missed her this week.

He tried to clear his mind and focus on the matter at hand. "He played the doting brother when he first arrived. Mentioned he was here because he missed you. But he's clearly been in a recent fight, and it worried me. He admitted he needs something you've taken—which I assume you overheard. Do you know what he's come for?"

"No. I took nothing when I left his house," she whispered. "Nothing but the?—"

"The gun?" Ryland guessed the books she had brought were her own. "I cannot recall exactly what it looked like. Was it very expensive?"

"Not that I am aware of. Shall I fetch it?"

He looked toward the study. Something about the situation didn't feel right, and he wasn't going to leave her alone in this house while her feral brother was nearby. "I will come with you." Reaching through the dark, Ryland felt for her arm. He found it and slid his fingers down until they met with Aurelia's hand. "I will not let him hurt you."

She drew in a quiet breath.

"I meant what I said in there—and I was perfectly aware you were listening. I care about you, Aurelia. Separately from your position and from your care for Edmund. I care for you . I want you in my life."

"If you are attempting to give me a farewell?—"

"No, darling. The opposite. Spending all this wretched time with those men and then seeing your brother, it made me realize how little time I want to spend with anyone who isn't you."

Silence met his pronouncement, and he feared he had gone too far. Would it be the wrong moment to tug her close and kiss her again? It was dark. No one else would know.

"Please," he said quietly. "Speak to me."

Her voice was soft but firm. "Is it a good idea, Andrew? What will everyone say? You might not care for the opinions of Society, but they are relentless."

"I know." He rubbed his thumb over the soft ridges of her knuckles. "I watched the way one small thing ruined Eliza's entire family. But I think my status and title afford me more leniency than most. Even if they didn't, though, I do not care. I have spent the years since Jane's death remaining in Tilton and only seeing people I care to see, and it has been lovely."

"What would your family say? The town?" She pulled away, walking toward the door. He could see the outline of her arms now, shaking like she could push this conversation away. "Everyone would believe I weaseled my way into your life."

Ryland caught up and took her hand again, tugging her back. He put his arms around her, hugging her close, burying his nose in her hair. He waited until she relaxed against his chest before closing his eyes and breathing her in. "This path is not without its challenges. I am willing to traverse it. You are worth it to me. But you need to decide if it is something you could face."

She drew in a shaky breath. "Am I strong enough?"

"I believe you are."

It was silent while they stood together, Ryland breathing in her sweet, familiar scent.

"What about Jane?" she finally said.

He froze. He should have guessed she would think about Jane. He considered everything Wycliffe had wisely shared with him and how deeply it had resonated in his soul. "I have room in my heart for both of you. That is something you have to decide to live with. I will always love Jane, but I love you too."

Aurelia jerked. Her hand found his cheek. "Love?"

He couldn't fight the grin. "Yes. Love. I realized it last week, but I was trying to give you time."

She sucked in a surprised breath, and he met it with his lips. He pulled her in close until he could feel her lungs expanding against his chest, her kiss sweet like ginger biscuits but hungry for him . He was a man who had trudged along for so many years he'd forgotten how it felt to run. He broke the kiss and leaned his forehead against hers. "Marry me, Aurelia."

"Marriage?"

"Become my countess. Become Edmund's mother. Please become my wife."

My wife. The last time he'd used those words with her, they had not contained quite the same feeling. Now his chest felt it was about to explode.

"You realize my brother is on the other side of that wall attempting something nefarious, yes? You want to shackle yourself to a member of his family?"

"I want you," Ryland whispered. "Together, we can deal with Nathaniel and send him on his way. Agree to it now, if you please."

She was so still for a moment, Ryland worried he had said the wrong thing. But she made a quiet squeal and threw her arms around him, burying her face in his neck. "Yes."

Joy erupted in Ryland's chest. He pulled her in for another kiss, when she laughed quietly and pushed against his chest. "Nathaniel might be rifling through your drawers."

He was disappointed but rallied. "I would be shocked if he wasn't."

She started to untangle herself. "Then we ought to hurry. I will fetch the pistol?—"

"I am coming with you. Something is not adding up. We need to figure out what he's after." Ryland took her hand and pulled her toward the door. They slipped down the corridor toward the servants' staircase, climbing the flights of stairs to the top. When they reached the floor with Aurelia's room, they opened the door from the stairwell to Ruth standing right in front of them.

"There you are. I was beginning to worry." Her eyes dropped to their hands, still entwined, and her eyebrows went up. "This is a new development. Shall I welcome you to the family now, or is it meant to be a secret?"

"We have other things to worry about first. Save your welcome for later," Ryland muttered, pushing past his sister toward Aurelia's room.

Aurelia let go of his hand and went into her chamber, returning a moment later with the gun. She placed it in Ryland's hand. "Can you see what he might be after? It does not look valuable to me. I only took it because it was small enough to fit in my reticule."

"It might not be the gun at all," Ryland said, turning the piece of steel over in his hands. It looked like a typical ornate pistol—no additional jewels or anything which might set it apart. "Where did you find it in Nathaniel's house?"

"In his room."

Ryland glanced up, looking between Ruth and Aurelia. "That might indicate that he wanted to keep it close, but why?"

"Did you not say your brother was in prison for stealing a ring?" Ruth asked.

Ryland looked at her. "How big was the ring?"

Aurelia chewed on her bottom lip. "I never saw it. The ring was never found, so he was released. But it was mentioned to have a large ruby."

"And his debts?" Ruth asked.

"Paid, according to his lawyer. I'm not sure who paid them."

Ryland turned over the gun again, looking to see if it was loaded and glad to find it empty. "You should give this to Nathaniel. We will see if he is relieved or frustrated—that will tell us if it is the item he is after." He handed Aurelia the gun and she held it between her hands, looking down at the handle. She rubbed her fingers over the decorative steel.

"What then?" she asked, still examining the pistol.

"Then we send him away." Ryland tried to soften his words with a smile, but he meant them. He didn't trust Nathaniel, especially not when the man came running to retrieve something from Aurelia fresh from a beating. His bruised face spoke volumes to the situation he was presently in. "Mrs. Leeks makes a delicious dinner at the inn. He will be better off there."

"That is fair," Aurelia breathed, looking at the gun.

"I'm coming with you," Ruth said. "You do not need to do this alone."

Ryland balked. "Your father is downstairs, Ruthy. He might not like?—"

"I'm coming," she said again, putting her arm through Aurelia's. "We are to be sisters soon, are we not? I will stand beside you."

Aurelia looked at Ryland, a pained expression in her eyes. She did not argue the point, so Ryland let it be. He opened the door to the servants' staircase and preceded them down the stairs. When they reached the first floor, they could hear the men playing cards. Pike was there pouring the drinks, and Ryland relied on him to know when it was time to close the cabinet and lock it for the night. If not, Wycliffe certainly would keep the men from growing too rowdy.

When Ryland reached the study, he glanced back to find that the women were not right behind him. He waited, almost ready to go in search of them when they rounded the corner, their arms linked and faces flushed. "Are you ready?" he asked.

Aurelia nodded resolutely.

Ryland pushed the door open and strode inside. Nathaniel stood at the bookshelf, looking at the titles lined up there. "You were gone a long time," he said defensively, before his gaze slid past Ryland and fell on Aurelia and the pistol in her hands. "You have it," he said, a smile on his lips.

Since the first words out of Nathaniel's mouth were not joy at seeing his sister again, Ryland allowed himself permission to despise the man fully. "She needed a way to protect herself on her journey here, and with good reason, too. Her entire family had abandoned her."

Nathaniel looked up, scowling. His blond hair was combed to the side, his clothing impeccable. For a man imprisoned because of debts and stealing, he certainly did not seem at a loss for funds.

Aurelia lifted the pistol and turned it over. "What is special about this, Nathaniel?"

"Nothing," he said quickly. "It is mine, and I'd like it back."

She looked at it closely. "It does not appear overly valuable."

"Because it is not," he said through his teeth.

Aurelia held his gaze. Her voice was firm. "If I return it to you, do you promise to leave immediately?"

Nathaniel had the audacity to look stunned.

"You have a horse, do you not?" she asked. "I imagine you did not walk."

He swallowed. "I have a horse. I assumed your benefactor?—"

"Lord Ryland is not my benefactor. He is my employer. You will leave when I return this, or I will not return it. Do we have a deal?"

Nathaniel worked the muscle in his jaw. "You are my sister."

There was a beat of deafening silence before Aurelia straightened her shoulders and spoke. "You cannot pretend to care for familial bonds now. How many letters have you written to me since this whole ordeal began? How many of my letters have you deigned to reply to? It is the simplest thing, Nathaniel, replying to a letter. You were in prison , so I cannot understand why you did not have the time for even so much as a measly line about your wellbeing." Aurelia's voice seemed to grow steadier as she spoke, her eyes brighter. She was standing up for herself, and Ryland could not be more proud. "I came to live with you and be your housekeeper. Then, when you went to Newgate, I found a barrister and paid him to fight for your freedom. I have done as much as I could for you, and now I am choosing to walk away because none of my care has been returned. I will give you the gun I took, but you need to promise to leave. You may not contact me again."

Ryland stepped up behind Aurelia to add his support. The boundary she had set around herself could not have been easy, but she had done it with such grace and steadiness of character. He had a niggling concern she'd made this choice on his behalf, but the light in her eyes made him feel confident this was something she had chosen to say for herself.

"Very well," Nathaniel said, reaching for the pistol. "We have a deal."

Aurelia stepped forward, crossing the room with purpose, and put the gun in his hands.

He visibly relaxed. "This was lovely, but I will see myself out."

"Nathaniel, wait," Aurelia said. "Have you paid Mr. Larson the remainder of his fee?"

He gave her a disgusted grunt, shook his head, and strode from the room.

Ryland looked at his desk, to the things he'd left atop it. He smiled at Aurelia, who sat on one of the chairs, Ruth taking the seat beside her. "I will return shortly. I want to see him off."

Aurelia nodded.

Ryland gave his sister a look that she seemed to interpret if her wide eyes were any indication—she would look after Aurelia.

He had a score to settle of his own.

He hurried into the corridor, nearly bumping into Wycliffe on his way from the study. "Did you see Nathaniel? Has he gone?"

Wycliffe pointed toward the entryway. "He's on his way outside."

"Good." Ryland strode to the door and outside, his stepfather on his heels.

As he suspected, Nathaniel stood on the front steps, cursing. He swung toward him. "Where is it?"

"What, exactly?" Ryland clasped his hands behind his back, rocking on his heels. His stepfather remained hidden in the shadows of the door. "If you refer to the ring you stole, I had imagined you hid it in the gun, but we could not find where. It was likely taken before Aurelia used the pistol as protection."

Nathaniel began to bluster.

Ryland cut him off. "If you are referencing the brooch I left on my desk that you stole while I was upstairs fetching your sister and your gun, then I imagine it is just now in your inside pocket."

Nathaniel's mouth snapped shut.

Ryland gave his hardest, coldest stare. He had spent his entire life being an earl, and Nathaniel's childish pranks had hardened him further. He had been primed for this very moment. His voice, when he spoke, was icy. "You will climb into your saddle and leave Hampshire tonight. I am certain that brooch will fetch enough to pay off whoever you coerced into paying your debts?—"

"It was an agreement," he spat. "The ring was meant to pay them handsomely and provide for my future."

"The brooch will do that well enough. But if you ever return, if I hear so much as a whisper that you have attempted to contact your sister again, I will report my missing brooch to the authorities immediately. Newgate will be the last thing you ever see."

Nathaniel scoffed. "You cannot prove?—"

"Wycliffe?"

His stepfather came out of the shadow of the door. "He has witnesses, son. Your best move is to accept the deal and leave."

Nathaniel breathed heavily, looking from one man to another.

Ryland sneered. "Who will they believe? A thief or a well-respected earl?"

Nathaniel spit on the ground and turned away, stomping toward the horse he'd left tied to the gate. Once he had obtained the saddle and was on his way, Ryland nearly slumped, his shoulders falling.

Wycliffe stepped forward, clapping him on the back. "You handled that well."

"Did I?" Ryland was already worried he'd made the wrong choice, but Aurelia had set the boundary. All he did was help enforce it.

"Most men would not have sent him with funds," Wycliffe said.

"It was a brooch Jane's aunt had left her. Valuable, yes, but hideous. She never wore the thing."

Wycliffe chuckled. "I think Jane would have liked to think her ugly brooch bought your new wife freedom from her overbearing brother."

It was true. Jane would have loved the plan and fully supported it. He closed his eyes and breathed out. "She agreed to marry me."

Wycliffe clapped him on the back. "That is wonderful news. I like the young woman. She will make a fine addition to our family."

Ryland smiled. "I need to find a way to tell Edmund."

"If Edmund is anything like Ruth was as a girl, he will be glad for the new mama."

He let his stepfather lead him back into the house and down toward the study. It was true. When Ryland's mother had married Wycliffe, Ruth had been overjoyed for the new family members. Ryland had looked forward to the blend of their families as well, but he didn't think he'd ever said so aloud. Ruth had said it enough for all of them. He paused outside the study and waited until he had his stepfather's attention. "Thank you, Wycliffe, for everything."

"Of course." Wycliffe's eyes were suspiciously shiny. "I love you, son."

Emotion billowed in Ryland's chest. "I love you, too."

When they returned, they found Ruth and Aurelia bent over something in her lap. The women lifted their heads, and Aurelia stood, raising a large, ruby-studded ring between her fingers.

Ryland stopped, stunned. "Where did you find it?"

"In a compartment in the handle. Ruth and I found it when we were bringing the gun down to Nathaniel." She looked up, concerned. "Is he gone?"

"Yes, and he will not be returning."

She worried her lip. "When he finds this missing?—"

"He's already discovered that."

"Ryland led him to believe it had gone missing before you took the pistol," Wycliffe said.

"I thought it was the truth," Ryland muttered.

"Do not worry, dear," Wycliffe said, "your brother will not be returning."

Ruth looked between them. "What will you do with the ring, then?"

Aurelia lifted her gaze, her eyes bright. "We'll return it to the rightful owners, of course. Perhaps we can engage Mr. Larson to help us so we might remain anonymous."

"I suppose we are going to London, then," Ryland said. "Shall we make our way to Town before or after the wedding?"

"After," Ruth said decisively. "I would like to come, and Aurelia can then be my chaperone."

"You would still take Pimm," her father cut in. "But it hardly matters, because you will not be joining your brother on his honeymoon."

Ruth's nose wrinkled.

Ryland looked at Aurelia, hope bursting in his chest.

"How will you return the ring without implicating Nathaniel?" Ruth asked.

"I thought to ask his barrister to help us," Aurelia said. "We need to see he is paid, anyway. He can deliver the ring to the Wingates and tell the family it was anonymously left with him. They will likely see through it, but it will end the ordeal."

"It seems a good plan to me," Ryland agreed.

Judging by the warm way Aurelia looked at him now, he very much hoped he had gauged the situation accurately, that she was satisfied with the way everything had played out. He reached for her hand, curling his fingers around hers.

"It will not be real," she said quietly, "until you have spoken to Edmund."

His throat grew thick, but he nodded. He should have known that her hesitation would be for his son.

"Oh, the boys!" Ruth said. "Poor Tilly has been up with them this entire time, no doubt watching their wretched play over and over again. Papa, we really must be heading home. Tom will be a beast tomorrow if we do not put him to bed soon."

Aurelia put the ring into Ryland's hand. "Keep it safe?"

He nodded, squeezing her hand once and watching her walk from the room behind his family. Ryland looked at the ring and sighed. When Jane died, he didn't know if he would ever be this happy again. He removed the pocket watch and slid his thumb over the back, closing his eyes.

Thank you .