Chapter 28

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

" S o, they are safe next door at our new property for now?" Bramstone asked.

"They are," Leo said.

"Well done. It was an excellent idea to move them there, nephew."

Cyn had told her story and then listened to them discussing the matter. Each one of them had a voice and the right to be heard. No one was more important than the other in this room. They'd also asked her opinion.

Kenneth had always been the loudest voice in their household, and his word was law.

"I will make enquiries tomorrow," Gray said. "This Wolf has been creating mayhem and needs to be stopped. So far, we have not been able to do that."

"Perhaps you need to try harder," Leo snapped.

"Now there's an idea," Gray drawled.

They teased, laughed, and angered one another, but there was no doubting the love in this room, Cyn thought.

The sound of running feet stopped all conversation, and then the three girls Cyn knew as Frederica, Matilda, and Anna burst into the room. She'd met them at the tea shop, and Meg had talked about them later that day. Last through the door was the youngest Nightingale male, Theo.

"Mr. Douglas just arrived, and the games are tonight!" Anna said, clapping her hands.

All eyes turned to the window.

"It's gray and miserable out there," Alex protested.

"It's always like that." Theo dismissed his brother's words. "They have called them earlier, in case it rains again. Mr. Douglas said it is time, as we have not had them in a while, and everyone needs an uplifting of their spirits."

"He said that, did he?" Bramstone Nightingale asked with a smile for his children.

They'd gone to hell, these Nightingales, but they'd gotten through it and out the other side because of this man and his wife. Together, they'd loved the broken children of the late Lord Seddon and put them back together.

"What is that look for?" Leo asked her.

She wouldn't lie, not to him after everything they had been through over the last few days. He'd done so much for her; she owed him that. "I think you are all very lucky to have one another and this wonderful family."

While around them people rose and talked about the impending Crabbett Close games, which she'd heard much about, Leo kept his eyes steady on Cyn's face.

"More wonderful than I can say," he said. "My aunt and uncle saved us. They taught us the meaning of love and respect. They taught us that with the right people in your life, you can rise above just about anything." That he was speaking so openly to her was humbling.

"I'm so pleased you had them then."

He nodded. "Who do you have, Cyn?"

It was an odd and deep conversation to have surrounded by so many people, and yet, in that moment, she felt alone with Leo.

"I have my family," she lied. Her family had loved her, but they did not understand her in any way because she'd differed from them. And perhaps that was the reason she'd clung so hard to Leo and Ellen. Had they presented a life she'd longed for? A life with two people that could care for her in the way Cyn had always longed for. "And, of course, Meg and Simon. Plus, my friends Charles and Letitia."

His eyes held hers steady, and she could do nothing to pull away.

"Did they hold you when you cried?" His voice was deep.

"No."

"I'm sorry, because it's my belief we all need someone who will do that."

"Come, it is time," Bramstone said, and Cyn tore her eyes from Leo's.

"I shall leave you to your games." Cyn rose.

"Do you have an engagement tonight?" Bramstone asked her.

Cyn shook her head. She had no wish for the small talk and fake smiling she'd get in society tonight. Not with so much turmoil going on in her life right now. The odd thing was, she didn't want solitude either, and she usually craved that when her head was not sitting straight on her shoulders.

"Then come with us, Cyn. Come and laugh and have fun. It will take your mind off your troubles for a while," Bramstone said. "We would be honored if you did so."

"I really don't think I'm good company."

"That's all right. You won't be able to get a word in with this lot," he said, looking at the people in the room, and she saw just how much they all meant to him.

"You have a wonderful family, Bramstone." Cyn felt the need to say the words. "The love you feel for one another is clear for anyone to see."

"Ivy and I had not realized what we were missing until we brought my late brother's children into our family. Then we were complete. Believe me when I say it was no sacrifice. They are very special to us," he said.

"Oh dear." Cyn pressed her fingers to her mouth as she fought back the choking emotion. "That's so wonderful."

His smile was gentle as he patted her arm. "Finding someone to love is wonderful, Cyn. Now I would be honored if you came to our games."

She felt a hand on her back as everyone in the room seemed to move as one to the door, and she knew it was Leo's.

"You will enjoy it, I promise. Perhaps just drink nothing without asking me first," he said.

"What?"

"Come on, there is no way I can describe this. You really have to see it for yourself." He took her hand, and soon she had on her coat and hat again.

"Ooooh, I'm so excited!" Anna was doing a little dance. Leo grabbed her and hugged her close. Placing a loud kiss on her cheek, he let her go. "Well, lead the way then."

Retaking Cyn's hand in his, they then headed out the door behind his family.

"Don't think. Just enjoy," Leo said. "The rest will wait for us after this."

Us, she thought. Would he be in her life now? The thought made hope flutter inside her.

The weather was no better, still gray and miserable, but it did not seem to dampen spirits as they made their way to the middle of the close, where a group of people stood. She noted a trestle table being set up farther down the road.

"What's that for? "

"You'll see," Leo said, tugging her behind him.

"Can you give me a hint on what these games entail? All my children told me was that they were fun and involved activities. I'll be honest, Leo, I'm not entirely sure my body is up to that."

"You only have to do what you can manage."

Which told her precisely nothing.

"Eat nothing pickled or slimy. Leave that to those of us that like them. The alcohol also may taste nice, but it has a kick."

"No slimy or pickled food," Cyn muttered. "Do I want to do this?"

"Change is good, my sweet Cyn." He stopped and pulled her close, placing a soft kiss on her lips.

"Leo!" She looked around them, but only Ellen had seen, and she was smiling.

"What?" he said innocently.

"Your family and others will see."

"Let them. Did I tell you I am excited that I am about to be an uncle?"

"I saw how excited you were."

"Ellen and Gray's baby will be thoroughly spoiled."

"I have no doubt," Cyn said.

They joined the others on the grass.

"No running, no drinking or eating foods that look odd," Cyn overheard Detective Fletcher saying to Ellen.

"For pity's sake, I am with child, not sick," Ellen said with her hands on her hips. "Women have been giving birth in fields for years and then returning to their labors."

"However, not my wife," Gray said. Ellen rolled her eyes.

"Good day to you all, Nightingales and Lord Seddon!"

"Plummy," Leo said from her side.

The man before them was dressed in constable's clothes of a blue tailcoat with armlets, white gloves, and a top hat. He had a thick moustache that twitched as he spoke.

"How is it you always know when the games are on, Plummy?" Gray asked.

"'Tis my job to know the goings on in the streets I protect, Detective Fletcher. Hello, dear Miss Bud," the man then said, a silly smile on his face.

"Bud is our housekeeper," Matilda whispered from Cyn's other side. "Plummy is in love with her."

"Where did you get that?" Alex demanded. Matilda was sucking on something.

"What, this?" Matilda waggled a plum coated in sugar at their brother. He lunged at her, and she leaped back.

"Nancy makes the best sugar plums," Leo said.

"If I can have your attention, please!" A man was standing on a large box, addressing them. It was Mr. Greedy.

"He has the loudest voice," Leo said. "As well as being a fine healer, he is the spokesperson when required for Crabbett Close."

"You live in an exceedingly odd street, Leo." He grinned at her, and it was a glimpse of the man he'd once been.

"It is odd but also wonderful."

"You're a lucky man, aren't you, Leo?"

"I am, and perhaps until now I hadn't realized just how lucky."

"What do you mean?" Cyn asked.

"I will tell you later, but right now, you must pay attention, as teams are about to be named.

"Teams?" Cyn said weakly. He simply squeezed her fingers.

"Are there any new people with us today?" Mr. Greedy asked.

"Aya, I've seen Lady Lowell," Mrs. Varney called from somewhere. Cyn recognized her voice .

"Welcome, my lady," Mr. Greedy called back, as if it were an everyday occurrence for nobility to frequent their games… which it was, as the Nightingales were exactly that.

"Mr. Douglas, Roberta Alvin, who is Mr. and Miss Alvin's second cousin on their father's side and is visiting with them for a spell," Mr. Greedy continued.

"I wonder if, in fact, I'm dreaming," Cyn whispered. A sting on her hand had her looking down. Leo had pinched her.

"How about now?" His eyes were full of laughter.

"I can't believe you pinched me."

"We liked to touch each other, a lot," he said, waggling his eyebrows at her.

"Where has the angry viscount gone?"

"He's in here, but having you and my family close calms me," he said. "For now, that is enough."

Was it enough for now? She missed her children, and they would have loved this, but perhaps Leo was right. In this moment, she could push everything aside and simply enjoy whatever this was. There would be enough time later to return to reality and the fact that the Wolf wanted her scared or worse.