Dominic's Nemesis (12 page)

“Thank you, Renfred, that will be all for
now.” Dominic strode purposefully for the dinning room as the
butler fell back and returned to his post in the foyer. Dominic
arrived to find the doctor at the sideboard, piling his plate.

“Ethan. This is a surprise.”

“How so?” He arched a brow over his shoulder.
“I said I would return.”

“I wasn
’
t expecting you this morning, is all.” Dominic
procured a plate, and began filling it.

“That much is obvious.” The doctor shot him a
withering glance. “You mind explaining why I arrived to find my
wife snoozing in a parlor like a common doxy?”

Dominic managed to adopt a sheepish mien,
despite his shaded eyes. “Forgive me, Ethan. I blade her wait for
me, meaning to speak with her about the woman, but eh…I was
delayed. There have been some odd goings-on of late—”

“The first of which being your deigning to
host a meal with the interlopers. Shocking indeed.” Satisfied with
his meal choices, the doctor took up a seat at the main dining
table that occupied the central space in the room. “Miss Prescott
will be joining us, will she not?”

“I have no idea. Renfred informed me that she
is presently still abed.”

“At brunch time?” A brow shot heavenward.

Plate in hand, Dom strolled to pull back a
chair opposite his brother. “As I said, there have been some
peculiar happenings recently.”

“Such as?” The doctor inquired just before
the first forkful passed his lips.

Dom shied away from the topic. “How was
London?” He inquired, as if he hadn
’
t been in town just last evening.

The doctor swallowed before he answered. “I
wasn
’
t there on holiday,
Dom. Now then, what
’
s
afoot?
”

“I prefer to delay the particulars until Cael
is present, so I won
’
t
have to repeat myself but you may as well know… a dangerous
situation is brewing. We will have to vacate the women of course.
And be quick about it, I want her and Kathleen prepared to depart
on the morrow. Perhaps the three of you can share a carriage back
to town. I
’
ll astral to
Cael
’
s later and we can
discuss what is to be done then.”

“Whoa, Dom. I thought we agreed it was best
Miss Prescott remained here, under close supervision.”

“Things change.”

Breakfast forgotten, Dominic felt he
brother’s gaze shift to his face and rake over him. “Hmmm…yes, I
see they have. But regardless, she is
my
patient. I will
decide when she is ready to be moved. She has endured too many
sudden upheavals as it is and one more will not help the healing
process.”

“That is out of your realm of expertise. Cael
is the head doctor.”

“She may well harm herself.” His brother
reminded him.

Dom scoffed at this. “Thus far, my estate
hasn
’
t lessened the
calamities that befall her. She has been here a week. During which
time, she nearly drowned in the pond, almost plunged to her death
in the library, and been accosted by a hell-bent lecher on the
grounds.”

“Is
that
what happened while I was
gone?”

“Yes.” He stated, irked anew. “The woman is
prone to disaster. She is no safer here than she would be sheltered
with you and Kathleen in London.”

“She cannot live with Kathleen and I
forever.”

“No more than she can reside
here
indefinitely.” He reasoned.

The doctor looked as if he wished to argue,
but instead said, “Where will she go then? The village? An inn? A
rented house in town?”

Anywhere but here! Dom thought. “I was
thinking an obscure relative of some sort.” He waved a hand
causally as he brought a forkful of eggs to his mouth.

“Relatives will require time to locate.” His
brother argued. “At least delay until we can arrange for proper
relations to see after her. I
’
ll not cast such a fragile creature into the world
alone and unprotected.”

“Fine. She can stay…for now.” He conceded
with a long exhale. He ignored the answering arch in Ethan’s brow,
knowing but beyond caring that his reaction to the girl was obvious
to his perceptive brother. “But begin looking into her ancestry
immediately. From what she told Kathleen, there is, I believe an
English branch of the family.”

“You
’
ll have to take care of it.” He shrugged off the
responsibility like an ill-fitting coat. “I cannot tarry. I just
wanted to check in on Kathleen and Ms. Prescott before I made
headways to the village. There
’
s a patient of mine there and I promised to look in
on how his leg is healing. Bad break.”

“Ethan…” His brother
’
s name came out a warning rumble.

Ignoring the menace, the doctor
’
s attention refocused on his food,
face as innocent as a newborn babe. “Oh, so tell me, what is this
business with Cael?”

The mention diverted his ire. “Do you recall
that lecture he and I attended some two months back?”

“Certainly. A shame to have missed it.”

“There were some interesting characters in
attendance. One in particular, Matthias Montgomery, Cael took an
instant disliking to. That Professor Greyson did not like him much
either.”

“Who is he?”

“A proprietor for one of those paranormal
asylums…
and
the intruder that accosted Ms. Prescott last
evening. Claimed to be investigating a resident here exhibiting
mental instability of a bizarre nature. This comes on the heels of
Cael
’
s announcement that
Greyson, the paranormal scientist, is interested in
Stephan
’
s abilities. I
do not frequent society. Cael is neither adept nor insane, and you
are…careful. Thus, I believe the someone Montgomery is after is
Stephan.”

“You think Greyson
’
s interest in Stephan inadvertently tipped
off this Montgomery character?”

“That is my theory, yes.”

“This could be a problem.”

“You
’
ve a gift for understatement, Ethan.”

The doctor pondered on these facts a moment,
gazing unseeing at the floral centerpiece cattycorner. “He could be
after you, too…at your uncle’s behest. Recall, you recently
inherited a title and a fortune. And Nonna warned of this.”

“With Montgomery poking around, none of us
are safe. It will not take long to scent blood if he learns of
Greyson
’
s notice of
Stephan. Or for that matter, the reason for the woman
’
s presence here. She is…” He
hesitated, trying to personify Eden in one word. “…unusual. That is
all the provocation witch-hunters need. Even worse, Cael thinks
Stephan is hiding something.”

“All the more reason for you to talk to him,
Dom.”

“Yes, yes.” He moved forward impatiently.
“I
’
d already planned to
invite him for a visit. But now, with this Montgomery person to
contend with…I need to talk to Cael. See what he thinks. Not to
mention he
’
s probably a
little peeved with me.”

“When
isn’t
Cael a little peeved with
you?” Ethan turned a curious gaze on his brother. “Still, you and
he seem chummy these days.”

“Cael is not so bad.” Dom shrugged. “When
he
’
s being my brother
and not my doctor.”

The doctor chuckled at this, as he pushed
back his chair. “Somehow I think I
’
m included in that comment. Alas, patients await. I
must take my leave, but I
’
ll likely be back later in the evening.”

“
Wait.
” Dominic stood as well, not used to playing
the gracious host, but giving the role a try-on for good measure.
“Ahem. Ethan I…congratulations. Please express my regards to your
wife.”

An uncharacteristic blush stole across the
doctor
’
s face. “Yes, I
will. Kathleen and I are very happy, but how did you—”

“I knew as soon as she arrived. Souls, they
do not change fundamentally nor do they age. There could be only
one explanation for the differences I saw in Kathleen
’
s. The child has a beautiful
essence, Ethan. Strong and healthy.”

Eden awoke to a light tapping. Sleep-dazed,
it took several moments to convince herself the noise
wasn
’
t another phantom
lurking in wait to attack her mind with visions of madness. Her
rope-thick plait whipped around to plop on her be-gowned chest as
she flipped the covers back and scooped across the counterpane.
Nell
’
s mousy mien
greeted her at the chamber door.

“Begging your pardon, Miss, but Master
Ambrosi wishes to speak with you in the downstairs study at your
earliest convenience. Would you like me to fetch water for a
bath?”

“Yes, Nell, thank you. And have something
light sent up please.” Eden hadn
’
t been in the mood for her usual bath after the
previous evening’s histrionics and now she wished she had. Then,
she could have donned a serviceable dress, knotted her hair and
been off. As it was, she did not think she
’
d survive the suspense.

He’d actually
sought
her out. What did
he want? To apologize? Or scold? Would he bring up the kiss? Try to
marginalize his jaw-dropping vanishing act? Demand she leave? No.
She recoiled from the thought. If he were inclined to put her out,
he would have done so after the library fray. She bathed, dressed,
and ate, her mind aflame with dozens of scenarios.

* * *

Eden entered his study without knocking on
the off chance that he had left off his spectacles and she might at
last catch a glimpse of the closest guarded secret since Louis the
XIV
’
s
man-in-the-iron-mask. No such luck. Even from across the room she
spied the curved silver spectacles tucked behind his ears. The
moody master of the house stood with his back to her, staring out
into the gardens abutting the study
’
s window-ed posterior wall. A hand flung carelessly
over his shoulder bidding she take a seat, was his only
greeting.

Eden surveyed the room as she advanced
inside. Should she sit in the hearth-facing couch, or one of two
straight-backed interrogation chairs opposite the desk, or the
ottoman, standing on wedge legs between the hearth and the couch?
She chose the ottoman, anticipating that he would prefer her in one
of the desk chairs. Still he did not turn to face her.

Without preamble, he spoke. “Tell me about
your early life, your family.”

The odd request did not fit any of her
scenarios. Nervous and skeptical of his motives, Eden fumbled over
her words. “Eh…I…grew up in Boston.”

“Yes, that much became obvious the moment
Ethan dried you off and your natural voice returned.” He cast his
face in profile over his shoulder. “What of your English
relations?”

“I am not well acquainted with the English
branch save for my cousin Millicent and she
’
s…” Eden trailed off, not wishing to
re-visit the painful loss. “My grandparents on my father
’
s side are the Lord and Lady
Prescott of London. I do not know much about them, having only met
them once a very long time ago…”

* * *

Dom relaxed as he listened. Her melodic voice
blew like a cool breeze across his skin, making a larger impression
on him than the words themselves.

“…And then there are
Millie
’
s parents, Uncle Edward and Aunt Margaret I think
is her name. I have a clearer picture of them, as they felt obliged
to do their “duty” visit to the states once every five years. They
always brought my cousin Millie along, and for that I am grateful.
She and I were fast friends. We even kept correspondence.
Naturally, after mama and papa…eh… I sort her out here in England.
Millie has several brothers, but I
have
never met either of them.”

* * *

“Not even at the burial services?” Dominic
turned to face her for the first time, staring from behind shaded
glass. If Eden didn
’
t
know better, she would say that she had shocked him.

“I declined to attend.”

“Why?”

“I saw her take her last breath. I did not
require further proof that she was dead.”

“And yet, you obviously bore your cousin
great affection.” He seemed to find the information
fascinating.

Eden watched him pivot away from the window,
coming forward to partially bridge the gulf between them. Seeing
her opening, she chanced a question of her own. “Are
your
parents living?”

He stopped mid-stride. Eden feared that she
had blind-sided him back into silence. She watched him glide one
powerful sinewy hand unhurried along the lacquered tabletop behind
the couch, deep in contemplation. Eden swallowed hard as she
imagined that same hand roaming down her touch-starved flesh,
fingers spread to increase the expansion of skin he caressed. The
light caress then evolved into a heavy, demanding stroke, blinding
her thought with a frenzy of sensations and…

“No.” His voice broke into her thoughts, “My
father passed recently. Our…relationship did not reflect what ought
to have been between a father and son.” He took a step towards her,
but then thought better, because he walked in another direction
with no great focus of where he was going. “Lucca was
weak…ineffectual. He allowed…things he should have prevented. I
often worry that I am too much like him.”

Eden dogged his meandering steps around the
room with sympathetic eyes. His words and manner telegraphed a
deep-seated…vulnerability, similar but not as heart wrenching as
what she
’
d witnessed the
night before. She longed to enveloped him in a hug, reassure him
with words, but truthfully, she did not know him well enough for
anything she said to hold much weight. Perhaps it would benefit him
to talk about it. So, she did her level best to draw him out into
the open.