To Love and Protect (19 page)

The Duke of Hamilton looked at Justin and said, “Keep her safe.
 
They’re evil.”

“Yes, sir,” Justin said easing the pressure off the duke.

“Before you go to sleep, drink this.”
 
Clarissa helped ease her father up, so he could drink the foul smelling concoction.
 

“Smells horrible,” the duke grumbled.
 

“Tastes worse,” Matilda replied, “but it’ll help with the fever.
 
Now, ye must sleep.”

“Ris...” he said, drifting off.

“I’ll stay right here, I promise.”
 

Early the next morning, Justin found Clarissa asleep in a chair next to her father’s bed.
 
He nodded to the maid in the room and then walked over and lifted Clarissa out of the chair.
 
She was startled into wakefulness by the feeling of floating.
 
Hard arms held her against an even harder body and she looked up to see Justin.
 
His features were firm and set.

“Let me down.
 
I promised Papa I would stay with him.”

“What good are you going to be to him if you wear yourself out?”

“He needs me.
 
Put…me…down,” she growled

“You don’t frighten me, Lady Hamilton.
 
You have met my grandmother, and she told me to remove you from your father’s room.
 
He needs you healthy.
 
You’re going to bed and no’ leavin’ your room ‘til after the noon hour.”

“Really?
 
And who is going to see that this happens?”

“I’m not afraid of puttin’ armed guards at your door or below your window.
 
Remember, I have a sister and know what extremes one will go to just to get their way.
 
Don’t push me.”
 
She tried to conceal a yawn during his diatribe, but could not hide it.
 
“Grams was right, you’re exhausted.”

“Have you noticed when you’re angry or upset your brogue is thicker?”

“Is it?

“Yes.”

He laid her down on her bed and leaned over to capture her mouth.
 
The kiss was gentle and intense, and when he pulled away, her heart pounded rapidly.
 
“Sleep,” he ordered.

“We’ll see,” she quipped.
 
She watched as he left the room and shut her bedroom door behind him.
 
Within minutes, she slept.

Chapter 9

Clarissa awoke surprisingly refreshed.
 
She had to admit, be it grudgingly, that perhaps she had pushed herself too far.
 
After dressing quickly and pulling back her hair into a long braid, she made her way to her father’s room.
 
She opened the door and saw Matilda beaming over her father.
 
His eyes were open and peering around the room.
 
He looked more alert than he had in days.

“Ris,” he croaked as he saw her enter the room.

“Papa!” she cried, ecstatic that his color looked more normal.
 
She raced over to him and sat on his bed so that she could hug him.
 
“I have been so worried about you.”

“It’ll take a lot more than some ol’ witch to do me in,” he said, on a chuckle that turned into a cough.
 
Clarissa looked up at Matilda, concerned.
 

“Not ta’ worry, lass,” Matilda patted her shoulder as the Duke of Hamilton’s coughing slowly subsided.
 
“He’s not healed, but he’s well on the way.
 
Ye’ must be patient with him.”
 
Clarissa nodded and gulped loudly, fighting back tears.

“Ris, where are we?”

“We are in Dumbarton, Scotland, at the Earl of Southerby’s home.”

“Ahh, Southerby.
 
Good man.”

“Yes, he is.”

“How did we get here?”

“Jus…, I mean, Viscount Southerby, the Earl’s son, brought us by ship after we secured your safety.”

 
“I seem to remember some of the boat, but you weren’t there.”

“No.
 
Evidently, I’m not a good sailor.”

“Sea sick?”

“Horribly.”

“Your mother could not abide boats either,” a small smile touched his lips.
 
Clarissa remained silent not wanting to ruin the moment.
 
There had been too few of these of late.
 
“What day is it?” her father asked, concern lacing his voice.

“Tuesday.”

“No, the date.”

“The twentieth of December.”

“I can’t believe I missed it.”

“We can send a note to your business associate if you would like.”

“That doesn’t matter.
 
I missed your birthday.”

“Papa, your being with me still is all I needed for my birthday.”

“You didn’t even get to enjoy your special day did you?”
 

She reluctantly shook her head.
 
“I was still awaiting word of your arrival in Liverpool.”

“My poor girl,” he pulled her down into a hug.
 
“Here now, what is this?” he asked as he felt dampness seep through the nightshirt someone had placed on him.
 

“I was so afraid I had lost you.”

“In more ways than the obvious?”
 
Clarissa could only nod and cling tighter to the man who was her world.
 
“Listen to me and listen good,” she nodded but refused to look at him.
 
“I made some horrible decisions, and we will deal with them.
 
I was a foolish old man and taken in by tricksters.
 
Right now, I want you to let the Southerby men do what they deem necessary to protect you.
 
Do you understand?
 
As long as we are both alive, we are still in danger.”

“I can take care of myself,” she said stubbornly.

Consternation lined his features.
 
“Lorraine and Franklin have more trickery up their sleeves than you could ever imagine or begin to fight.
 
Ease an old man’s worries and trust Southerby and his son.
 
They are good men.”

“Fine,” she agreed grudgingly.
 

“There’s my little girl.
 
Now go and enjoy yourself and let me rest.”

“Shouldn’t I stay with you?
 
What if you need something?”

“There are enough people running around checking on me.
 
I will be fine.
 
Go.”

“Papa, we need to talk some more.
 
About the…”

“Fine, fine,” he waved her away.
 
“Later,” he said yawning.

She looked back at him from the doorway and watched as he dozed off.
 
Relief flooded her, chasing away the worry that had plagued her for weeks, months even.
 
Yet, she felt frustrated that she could not talk to him yet about the will.
 
Clarissa walked down the stairs, feeling younger than she had in months, when she came across Megan sitting dejectedly on the landing.
 
She gingerly sat next to the other girl, tucking her dress around her feet.

“What are you doing spending your day sitting here?”

Before Megan could answer, footsteps shook the stairs they were sitting on.
 
Clarissa looked up and over her shoulder and heard Megan moan.
 
A pompous looking man made his way down the stairs, a cross look on his face.

“You just wait, you little brat.
 
Once your parents hear what you’ve done they will want to send you to the nearest nunnery.”

“I don’t think that is necessary,” Clarissa defended Megan who looked worse by the minute.

“Do you know what she has been doing?”

“No, but could it be that terrible?”

“I see she has pulled you into her web of lies and deceit.”

“She has done no such thing.
 
I think you should leave now.”

“Not before I talk to her parents.”

“That will not be necessary,” Justin’s deep voice interrupted the argument.

“Excuse me?” The man turned his wrathful gaze on Justin.

“You may leave anytime you wish.
 
I will convey to my parents that you no longer desire to work with my sister.”

“But my wages,” he interrupted.

“Leave your address with the butler, and I will see they are delivered within the hour.
 
As for a recommendation letter, I would not hold my breath since you are leaving on your own.”

“Well, I never,” he huffed.

“Would you like me to escort you to the door?”

“I will see myself out, thank you.”

For the first time since Justin entered the conversation, Clarissa noticed Megan’s shoulders shaking.
 
“Megan, this is not the time to laugh,” Justin admonished his sister.

“I’m not,” she argued, lifting her face with tears streaming down her face.

“What did he do to you?” he demanded.
 
Clarissa wrapped an arm around Megan and pulled her close to her side.
 
Megan leaned her head against Clarissa’s shoulder, and Clarissa couldn’t help thinking this is what it would have been like to have a little sister.

“He didn’t do anything.
 
He’s right, I’m horrid.
 
If Mamma and Da’ find out, they will send me away, but I can’t help it Justin.”

“What can’t you help?” Clarissa asked, brushing Megan’s hair back from her face.

“I hate all the finishing and elocution lessons.
 
I don’t care about coming out in society.
 
I have purposefully seen myself thrown out of all those finishing schools.”

“What do you care about?” Clarissa queried, curious as to what could so intrigue a woman other than society and its machinations.

“Horses,” Megan answered without hesitation.

“Megan,” Justin began, but he stopped when Clarissa shot him a warning glance.

“I’m going to guess you want to breed horses?”

“Yes, race horses and hunters.”

“I hate to admit, but she has a good eye.”

“But your parents want otherwise?”

“Yes,” she sniffed.
 
“I hate this,” she stamped her foot on the step below.
 
“I never cry.
 
I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

“Perhaps if you finally acted your age and did the things they asked of you, Mamma and Da’ might listen to you.”

“Justin, stop.
 
I have an idea,” Clarissa said after a thoughtful moment.

“What?” Megan looked a bit hopeful.

“You are sitting in the presence of someone who has had all the formal training necessary for a lifetime of seasons.”
 
Megan looked at her, eyes rounded.

“Do you know what you are volunteering for?
 
I mean, you have met my sister, correct?”

“Justin, that is a horrible thing to say,” Clarissa admonished him softly.
 
She turned and looked at Megan, grabbing her by either shoulder so that she now sat fully upright.
 
“What do you say Megan?
 
How about giving me a try, and in return, you can teach me how to have fun?
 
My life has been sorely lacking fun for a very long time.”

“Truly?”

“Truly.
 
I don’t know how long we will be in Scotland, but I would love to do something while I’m here and be of help to someone.”

“I don’t know about this,” Justin interjected.

“It is too late.
 
I have already offered my time and services.
 
Megan what do you say?”

“I would love it,” she threw her arms around Clarissa.

“I’ll break the news to Mamma and let her tell Da’.”

“That is probably a good idea,” Megan agreed wholeheartedly.

“I thought you would say that,” he teased her.
 
“Well, since this has been decided, and I get to break the news, you get to start your lessons.”

“Now?”

“Brat, do you want me to bring in someone worse than that supercilious man that just left?”
 
Silence answered him.
 
“All right then.
 
If you want this to work and earn time to work with your horses you will start now and with a smile on your face.”

“Come,” Clarissa stood pulling Megan to her feet.
 
“I know just the thing to start with.”

“Really, what?”

“You are going to tell me everything you know about the finer points of society.”

“Everything?”

“Everything.”

“Before we start the lessons, you should know that my focus is not totally on horses.
 
I only said that because Justin was there.”

“A boy?”

“Hardly,” Megan scoffed.
 
“Liam is a man full-grown and used to be Justin’s best friend.
 
It is a long story for another time, I just thought I should be totally honest with you since you are willing to help me.”

“I appreciate that.
 
Now, let’s begin, shall we?”

Two hours later, Clarissa wondered if this had been such a good idea.
 
“Enough,” she stopped Megan’s rambling.
 
“So you know quite a bit already.
 
What keeps getting you dismissed from the finishing schools?”

“Are you sure you want to know?”

“I’m dying to know.”

“One of the stable lads said I couldn’t sit a horse as well as he did.
 
I challenged him to a race and won.
 
Unfortunately, when we came into the yard, the headmistress stood there with the biggest tattletale standing smugly beside her.
 
Being the oldest at a finishing school is not pleasant, especially when the girls know you are there because you had been kicked out of all the others.
 
I just didn’t want to be there.”