Abandoned to the Night (The Brotherhood Series, Book 3) (26 page)

Shamelessly, she pressed against his wicked hand. Her body ached for him. “No,” she said, her mind becoming hazy, “but you must be quick before someone finds us.”

She did not have to repeat the request. Within a few seconds, he’d unbuttoned his breeches and had anchored her to his hard body. With her palms placed flat on the wall behind his head, she rode him to completion.

“Now you’re a widow, I suggest we marry,” he said as his hands settled on her hips to hold her in place. He was still buried inside her, and she was reluctant to move.

“Are you suggesting it, or are you asking me?” She’d had every intention of broaching the subject, had even considered asking him. Besides, she was not a widow. According to Nikolai they had never married.

He held onto her while he raised his hips and pushed deeper inside. The sensation caused a ripple of desire. “Marry me, Ivana. Say you will be my wife.”

She smiled, bent her head and kissed him. “I love you. I can barely breathe when I think of a life without you. Of course I’ll marry you. It would be an honour to take your name, Leo.”

“Perhaps we should mark the occasion with a toast.” By the glint in his eye, she knew he had salacious thoughts. His gaze fell to her neck. “Perhaps you should lock the door as we wouldn’t want anyone to witness the event.”

The thought of drinking from him caused the muscles in her core to grip his growing manhood. “I would love to quench my thirst but may not stop at just a mouthful.”

He raised an arrogant brow. “You won’t hear me complain.”

After a blissful, lust-fuelled hour spent in the crypt, Ivana and Leo joined the rest of the party in the Great Hall. Ivana was interested to hear the stories of how both brothers had met their wives. Understanding the nature of Grace’s sister’s plight explained why she had readily accepted Elliot’s illegitimate son. Ivana did not tell them about the night Nikolai robbed her of her innocence. She had no desire to speak of him again. Instead, she listened to Leo tell of the night they had stood opposite each other in the rain, when he had threatened her with his mighty sword to avenge his friends.

As soon as the sun peeked up above the horizon, Elliot ventured outside. Based on the quantity of food he had eaten at dinner, Ivana had no doubt the cure had worked. Indeed, Julia informed her that the lord was lying sprawled out on the cobblestoned courtyard, staring up at the blue sky and wearing a grin that stretched from ear to ear.

While Elliot, Alexander, and their wives took the children to play outside, Ivana and Leo hid themselves away in their chamber and played a few games of their own that lasted until sunset.

For obvious reasons, the party chose to depart for England in the evening. Herr Bruhn came out wave them off.

“I cannot feel sad this night,” he said to Ivana. “They all look so happy and will have the security of a loving family.”

Ivana put her arm around his shoulder as she watched Leo hug his brothers. “It is all we ever wanted for them. I have spoken to Leo, and we would like you to think about coming to live in the castle.” It meant she would have to compel them to forget certain things. Julia and Sylvester would care for the old couple during the day, and she could spend time with them in the evening.

“Well, I do not know what to say. Surely when you are married, you will not want to be lumbered with guests.”

“You are like family, and you would have a wing of the castle to yourselves. Julia and Sylvester would relish the company. Oh, say you will consider it.”

The old man nodded numerous times. “Of course, of course.”

After they had all hugged each other too many times to count, Leo came to stand at Ivana’s side. “Now, look after Chambers,” Leo said to Alexander in reference to his coachman. “He is not used to taking instruction from a grumpy lord.”

Alexander smirked. “Have no fear. I am far more content of late and not nearly as irritable.” He inclined his head, but his cheerful countenance became more sorrowful. “We will find a way to be together soon. That is if I can stand to spend another three weeks confined to a carriage.”

Ivana could feel Leo’s pain as they watched the carriages rumble out of the village. She took his hand and held it tight.

Leo gave a heavy sigh. “We shall escort you home, Herr Bruhn.”

Ivana glanced up as she felt the first drop of rain land on her skin. “Quick. You must get inside before you get wet and catch a chill.”

Herr Bruhn’s eyes widened. “But what of you? You cannot walk back to the castle in this terrible weather.”

Leo glanced at her, a sinful smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “We enjoy walking out at night. Come. We will see you inside and then be on our way.”

Herr Bruhn did not object. Perhaps he sensed their need to be alone. By the time they had reached the path leading up through the forest, their clothes were soaked through.

Leo held her hand tight. “Walking home like this rouses similar feelings of a night spent together.”

“Do you mean the night I lured a licentious rake from the tavern or the night you wanted to kill me?”

“Neither of those,” he said thoughtfully. “I speak of another place, another lifetime. I feel as though I have travelled this path with you before. This is not the first time we have been hopelessly in love. I feel as though this was destined to be.”

Ivana smiled. She, too, felt infinitely part of something much bigger than anything either of them could comprehend. “I have always felt that way. I have no doubt we would have found each other eventually.”

“Having witnessed how all our lives have changed in the last few months, I truly believe that now.” He sighed. “I just wish my brothers did not live so far away.”

Her heart ached for him. “I know. Despite the distance, we must hope that they will come and visit.”

“I have been thinking that perhaps we could go to London. Not now, of course, but in the future. I know our affliction would make the journey difficult, but Elliot and Alexander managed it without incident.”

Ivana did not want to disappoint him. “Perhaps, but we must accept that it might not be possible.”

“No one knows what the future holds. You told me that.” Leo stopped walking and turned to face her. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly, his heated gaze locking with hers. “I am not a man who gives up easily.”

His rich tone caused a tingle down the length of her spine. The rain trickled down their faces; their clothes clung to their skin, but she had not a single care in the world. Her heart was full, her soul sated. Her one true love stood with her, and she would do anything to make him happy.

“I don’t doubt that when you set your mind to something you will not stop until you succeed,” she said. “And you know I will support you in whatever you decide to do.” She glanced up at the canopy of trees, at the thick black clouds peeking through gaps in the foliage, and smiled. “But now it seems that the stars have chosen to shine brightly down upon us.”

A sinful smile touched his lips, but he did not look to the heavens. “Standing beneath such a brilliant blanket can mean only one thing. We might not have played cards in the tavern or supped on Herr Bruhn’s ale, but I think I can manage the other activity you suggested.”

“You do not mind loving me in the rain?”

He glanced back over his shoulder at the sturdy tree trunk. “I’m surprised you even need to ask.”

Epilogue

London, 1822

“Good Lord. How much longer must we stay here?” Alexander complained, exhaling loudly.

Elliot chuckled as he scanned the crowded ballroom. “Have you forgotten that this is your house? As you’re the host and are supposed to be celebrating Aunt Beatrice’s return from India, I estimate all night.”

“Bloody hell,” Alexander muttered. “Remind me to be a little firmer with Evelyn in future.”

Elliot shrugged. “Well, there is one consolation.”

“What is it? I cannot think of any reward great enough to compensate for an evening spent having meaningless conversations with dim-wits.”

“Is not Evelyn’s gratitude reward in itself? I would wager you’re not half as annoyed as you make yourself out to be.”

The corners of Alexander’s mouth twitched in amusement. “Evelyn finds it immensely satisfying to know she has the power to soothe my tortured soul.”

Elliot scanned the sea of heads gracing the dance floor. “I would have a care. That is the second dance she has shared with Mr. Hartwood’s nephew.” Elliot enjoyed teasing his friend. “Perhaps the gentleman is as besotted as you are.”

Alexander’s expression darkened. “It will be the last dance he shares with anyone if he so much as looks at her in an inappropriate way.”

Elliot spotted Grace waltzing with Lord Walton. A dazzling smile illuminated her face; a few fiery red curls brushed against the smooth column of her neck. Damn. Would there ever be a day when he would not be consumed with thoughts of bedding his own wife?

“I’m afraid we’ve no option but to dance with our wives,” Elliot said feeling a desperate need to hold Grace in his arms. “I once overheard a gentleman telling his partner that dancing is a prelude to seduction. I suggest you use the opportunity to brush up your skills.”

Alexander raised an arrogant brow. “There is nothing wrong with—”

A commotion at the far end of the room captured their attention, the excited chatter audible above the music filling the air.

Elliot tutted. “There is always someone who deliberately arrives late in a bid to command attention.” He patted Alexander on the upper arm. “As the host, you should go and greet them.”

“Shush,” Alexander said with an irate glare. “I’ve no desire to spend another moment feigning interest in feathers and fripperies.”

Elliot craned his neck, hoping to direct the new arrivals his way. Well, he had to find some way to amuse himself. Watching Alexander squirm always proved entertaining.

As he watched an array of heads part to make a pathway through the throng, a strange feeling of familiarity flooded his chest. As soon as he caught a glimpse of the lady’s golden locks and the gentleman’s brown hair, his heart skipped a beat.

Elliot narrowed his gaze.

Leo?

His friend’s face filled his field of vision. Elliot’s mind told him it was impossible, that his eyes were seeing a glittering mirage concocted by his wild imagination.

“Good Lord,” he gasped, blinking rapidly out of fear he had made a mistake. “Leo is here.”

“Don’t be absurd,” Alexander said, turning to scan the room. “They’d not travel all the way—”

As the couple broke through the crowd, Leo and Ivana were suddenly standing before them. Elliot’s heart almost leapt through his mouth. Without another word he raced over, embraced his brother, brought his sister’s hand to his lips and kissed it. Alexander came to join them, his cries of joy attracting attention.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Elliot struggled to contain his excitement. The blood rushed through his body so quickly he could hear it vibrating in his ears.

Leo grinned. “We’ve come to rescue you from the evil clutches of a room full of bores.”

Ivana tapped Leo playfully on the arm. “We have come to stay for a while.”

Alexander cleared his throat. “Having braved the three-week journey, you’ll need to stay for a month to recuperate.”

Ivana glanced at Leo and smiled. “I think we plan to stay a little longer than that.”

Ignoring the gapes and stares, they bombarded the new arrivals with questions. As soon as the dance ended, Evelyn and Grace hurried over, and they spent another few minutes embracing.

“And so now you are a marchioness,” Evelyn said affectionately.

“As I have just been reminded by those who stopped to greet us,” Ivana replied. “You know what it is like at the castle. No one pays any notice to such things.”

Leo raised a brow. “From your most recent letter, I understand we have two new nephews.”

All four of them tried to answer at once, but then stopped, laughed and gestured for Elliot to continue. “Our sons are both six months old.”

“Louis is our son.” Grace beamed with pride.

“And Theo is ours,” Evelyn added.

“And what of the other children,” Ivana asked eagerly. “Are they well? Are they thriving?”

Elliot nodded. “They are all doing remarkably well. Come to Portman Square tomorrow evening.” He had almost invited them for dinner but thankfully remembered that they still suffered from the affliction. “We will all gather there and wait until you’re able to venture out.”

Ivana smiled. “That would be wonderful. I cannot wait to see their smiling faces.”

“How … how are the Bruhns?” Evelyn asked hesitantly.

“They are living up at the castle,” Leo informed. “Herr Bruhn has taken to carving wooden figures. He has made one for each of the children.”

“Come,” Alexander said. “Let us go and find somewhere quiet to talk, where there are not twenty pairs of ears all listening out for a juicy piece of gossip.”

As they made their way through the ballroom in a bid to reach Alexander’s study before being pounced upon by another nosey guest, Elliot gave a contented sigh. It felt good to be together again. In his wildest dreams, he would never have thought the golden-haired devil would become like a sister to him. It seemed that life had a way of delivering the unexpected. Even in the darkest times, he now knew one must always have faith.