Love Everlasting (Kingston Novel Book 3), page 36
Masina laughed. “I did give myself away by using the term gory, didn’t I?”
Francis smiled. “You did, but that’s fine. Now, you’ve made me curious.”
Bartley shook his head. “If any of you would rather not hear the details you might want to leave now,” he warned. When none got up to leave, he nodded to his father. “Go ahead.”
Justin started at the beginning.
The room grew quiet when he paused.
“There were four dead bodies in there with her?” Kinsley whispered.
“That’s what the report says.” Justin nodded.
“No wonder she went mad.”
Vance took Alianore’s hand in his. “Tulia was on her way to madness before that, remember? Only someone crazed would bury another person.”
Alianore looked to where Toriana sat on Drake’s lap. “That’s true…and I didn’t forget. I was speaking more of the depth of her madness.”
Vance raised her hand and placed a kiss to it.
Bartley glanced at the letter in his father’s hand. “I’m almost afraid to ask, but what else does the report say?”
“Only that she was talking to her coachman at the time of her arrest. Apparently, she was ordering him to stop the officers from taking her into custody. It also states that Lady Tulia’s blonde hair has turned completely white.”
“Do they think it was from fear?” Masina asked.
Justin shrugged. “Who’s to say? Fear or the madness. It says she was also talking to her grandfather…the one who died several years ago. No one else can see him, but apparently she’s holding long conversations with him inside her cell.”
“As I said before, Tulia and I didn’t like each other, but I would never wish this on her,” Toriana whispered.
Justin refolded the letter and stuck it in the front pocket of his jacket. “We all know what a tender heart you have, my dear,” he said, placing his hand on her arm. “From the sounds of it, Lady Tulia was headed in the direction of insanity whether she had crossed paths with you or not. As Mr. Milton said, it runs in her blood.”
“Inspector Bawle, milord,” Mr. Tadmen stated from the doorway to the dining room.
“I thought you were resting?” Bartley asked, coming to his feet.
“I did and now I’m not,” Tadmen replied with a smile. “Where would you like me to put the Inspector?”
“Show him in,” Kimbra answered before Bartley could. “We’re not done having breakfast.”
Bartley raised a brow at his wife.
“We’re not going to let him know his visit bothers us in the least,” she whispered.
Bartley leaned down until he was nose-to-nose with his wife. “It doesn’t bother us in the least,” he replied, before stealing a kiss from her.
“Behave,” Kimbra scolded even as she kissed him again.
Inspector Bawle entered. His dark green eyes swept over the occupants of the room. “I apologize for the interruption.”
Bartley straightened and met the other man’s gaze. “What can we do for you, Inspector Bawle?”
“I have just a few questions I need answers to.”
“Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“No, thank you.”
Bartley took a seat and waited.
“Last evening, Your Grace, you said you didn’t recognize your rescuer. Is that correct?”
“That is.” Toriana nodded.
“You also thought it might have been The Graveyard Bandit who did the rescuing. Did I misunderstand you?”
“Yes, you most certainly did misunderstand me, Inspector.” Toriana stated, meeting his gaze daringly. “If I remember correctly, which I’m sure all my family can attest to, is that I told you I didn’t know who rescued me. I also told you that whoever he was, was in fact, a hero to me. I believe it was you who wanted my hero to be The Graveyard Bandit, isn’t that right?” she countered.
“I believe you’re done asking my wife questions,” Drake growled out.
Inspector Bawle nodded. “Well, as to that, Lady Henden has given us the identity to The Graveyard Bandit,” he announced. “She said it was he who shut her inside the crypt. She even claims it was Bandit who shot her coachman.”
The room was silent as they waited for him to continue.
“Is there something else we can do for you, Inspector?” Bartley asked when the man continued to stand there in silence.
“Just one more thing.” Inspector Bawle turned his attention to one man in particular. “Lady Henden claims you are The Graveyard Bandit, Lord Standale.”
All eyes turned to Casler.
Toriana’s laughter came bursting out causing everyone’s attention to shift to her. “Oh, my, that is good,” she stated, even as she laughed harder.
“You disagree with her, Your Grace?” Inspector Bawle asked in a cold brittle tone.
Toriana asked Drake to wipe the tears of laughter from her face as she met Bawle’s serious stare. “Indeed I do. The woman has totally lost her mind.”
“I tend to believe her,” Inspector Bawle stated as he looked to where Lord Standale sat glaring at him. “What do you have to say for yourself?”
“I don’t have to say anything,” Casler replied. “Lady Tulia’s mental state says it all.”
“Where were you yesterday?” Bawle asked.
“My father and I rode to The Earl of Stafford’s estates. We received word he had passed away.”
“Why would you go there?”
“It’s called respect,” Casler gritted out. “At the time, I and my sister were engaged to Stafford’s son and daughter.”
“But not any longer?” Bawle asked. “I find that interesting. Exactly who broke these engagements?”
“I don’t think that is any of your bleeding business,” Gregory stated before Casler could.
“Inspector Bawle,” Toriana stated as she removed herself from her husband’s lap. “Were you aware that my grandfather received a very informative letter this morning? He just got done reading us. It goes into great detail about how Tulia was talking to her dead lover. It also mentions that her dead grandfather apparently is visiting her in her cell…and yet you want to believe her when she points her crazed finger at an innocent man and claims him to be someone he is not?”
“How do you know he’s innocent?” Inspector Bawle asked with a raised brow.
“Let me tell you this, Inspector, had it been The Graveyard Bandit who did indeed rescue me from the awful grave and had that man been Casler, I would have known him in an instant. Casler has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Do you think I wouldn’t recognize him had he been the one who pulled me from the grave?”
“All the more reason to protect him, wouldn’t you say?” Inspector Bawle countered.
“What I say, is that you are an arse, sir. You are being led around by your self importance trying to prove yourself among the rest of your comrades,” Toriana stated not botherin to hide her anger. “You are no less calling me a liar. From this moment on I will answer no more of your questions. I can’t say what goes on here, but don’t you dare show your face at me and Drake’s home or I’ll be sure to have them toss you out on your arrogant arse.”
Bartley stood. “That goes for here, as well. Leave, Inspector Bawle and don’t bother coming back. The doors to my houses will be slammed shut in your face.”
“Good day.” Inspector Bawle tipped his head and then turned to leave.
“I’ll bring charges up against you if you so much as slander me and my family’s name with these lies,” Gregory shouted to the man’s back.
The room fell silent as they waited for the sound of the front door to be closed indicating the Inspector’s departure.
“Bloody hell! What nerve!” Gregory mumbled.
“So, are you The Graveyard Bandit?” Logan asked just before he started laughing.
Casler shook his head. “Yes, I just love playing around cemeteries,” he remarked sarcastically.
“So, is he?” Vance asked Toriana.
Toriana sat back down on Drake’s lap. “No. Casler is not The Graveyard Bandit, but wouldn’t that be exciting if he was?” she asked, winking at Casler.
Casler laughed. “Exciting? I can think of other things to do other than digging up dead bodies.”
“Or live ones,” Toriana stated. “The Graveyard Bandit identity matters not at all. I’m just so glad, and thankful, he was there when I needed him.”
“Well, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I could use some food now,” Justin stated, patting his stomach.
“I’ll fix you plate,” Drake told him.
Bartley shook his head. “I’ll do it. You fix you and Toriana one.”
“You know, breakfast is going to be so quiet when Alianore and Toriana go home today,” Kimbra stated suddenly.
“You’ll still have me and Logan,” Kinsley told her, smiling.
“Casler will come over and have breakfast with us, won’t you?”
“If I’m not too busy in the graveyards,” he teased.
That brought on around of laughter from the occupants of the room.
“And you still have Grandfather Criston and Grandmother Francis here with you.” Alianore pointed out.
“Me and Justin can come over and share breakfast with you as well,” Masina told her.
“And we’ll be in and out throughout the day, I promise,” Drake stated.
“Do any of you care to stay another night?” Kimbra asked in a hopeful tone.
Vance shook his head. “We’ll be staying at our house tonight.”
“As will Drake and I,” Toriana replied. “I think for a time I would rather stay awake at night and sleep some during the day. Just for awhile.”
Kimbra nodded.
“Your mother will be fine.” Bartley smiled as he placed a kiss to Kimbra’s head. “I’ll keep her occupied…upstairs.”
“Oh, go on with you,” Kimbra scolded, smiling.
Chapter Thirty-Six
“Are you glad to be back in our home?”
“I am,” Toriana answered, smiling at Drake.
“And are you glad to be back in our bed?”
She laughed as her husband loomed over her as he asked the question. “Most definitely. Though we have only been married a few days, I have gotten quite fond of watching you walk around our room naked…it’s most thrilling, primitive, and sexy.”
“You like watching my arse.”
“I do…among other things.”
“All the doors are locked…walk naked around the room for me,” Drake stated, smiling.
She knew he was teasing her. He thought her too prim and proper. With her bandaged hands it wasn’t easy, but she managed to toss back the covers and climb from their bed. Tossing her hair over her shoulder, she smiled at him and then slowly walked across the room. She paused, looked over her shoulder, and then started laughing when she spotted her husband leaning on his elbow watching her every movement.
He winked at her and motioned her back toward him.
What a rogue…and a handsome one at that!
Turning about, she headed back toward him. She stopped about halfway to the bed. Pretending she had a dancing partner, she began performing the steps to the waltz. She only managed to do about one set before Drake was there, wrapping his arms around her…and dancing with her.
“You’re right…walking around naked is thrilling, primitive, and you’re bloody sexy when you dance like this,” he murmured, as he twirled her around their bedroom floor.
“I love being home with you.”
Drake scooped her up into his arms and headed back to the bed. “Are you sure you want try sleep this night? We could stay awake and sleep come daylight.”
“I’m fine now…really.”
Grandfather Justin had been right. Of course when he made his prediction he hadn’t told any of them about the gift he was going to give his youngest granddaughter…a beautiful hand crafted leather sheath to wear under her skirts, upper thigh to be exact, or the knife that went along with it.
“Should you ever find yourself away from your husband’s protection, never again will you have to use your hands in order to free yourself from any unseen danger,” Justin said. “When your hands are healed, Drake will train you in how to use this.”
“Your grandfather is a wise man.”
Toriana shook her head. “His gift was wonderful, but that’s not what makes me feel safe. You are. I know that no matter what happens you will always see to my protection…you will always find me.”
“Always,” Drake stated fiercely.
She gave him a kiss to calm him. “When the bandages are removed I still want you to teach me to handle the knife Grandfather Justin gave me, but not for my protection…but for yours. Should the need ever arise, I want to be able to protect you also.”
“I’ll also teach you some self defense moves.”
“I would like that. You can teach me while you teach Logan.”
“We have to put our fears of what happened aside and start living. I’m not going to let Tulia win…not in this. We’ve waited too long to be together. Our happiness, our love, depends on us and not what happened. We survived it and we’re stronger for it.”
“Wise and beautiful,” Drake murmured, as he positioned her on top of him. “At least here in our own home you can be as loud as you want while I make love to you.”
“Me? Loud?”
“You weren’t very quiet last night,” he teased. “You’re most undisciplined, wife. Your parents will never want us to stay with them again.”
Toriana buried her face against his chest. “Do you really think they heard us?”
Drake laughed. “I’m only teasing. We were very quiet.”
“Are you sure?”
“How could anyone hear us over the noise coming from Vance and Alianore’s room?”
Toriana laughed. “I didn’t hear a thing.”
“See?”
“There’s a part of you that doesn’t like Vance much, isn’t there?”
Drake thought over her words for a moment. “I like him, but I don’t care for the way he was badgering you, last night or this morning. He was much like Inspector Bawle. He wanted you to tell him everything.”
“And you’re wondering why I didn’t share all the details with my family that I shared with you.”
“No.” Drake shook his head. “Love, we are one. Every thing we do in life will be done together. You love all your family, including your brother-in-law, the adopted brothers, and all the extended members you claim…but to tell them what you told me could very well put your rescuer’s life in danger. We can’t do that. We owe him more than that.”
Toriana hugged him as tight as she could. “Thank you for helping to protect him.”
“Thank you for trusting me.”
“I trust you more than anyone else. Never will I keep secrets from you.”
“Nor I you,” he promised as his hands moved over her lush form.
Toriana sighed as she closed her eyes. “I’ll be so glad to get these bandages off so I can touch you.”
“And what are you doing if not toughing me,” he asked, smiling. “You’re lying on top of me, wife.”
“And it’s a very nice position.” She grinned.
“Later, I’ll show you some other positions you’ll like just as much, if not more,” he promised as he arranged her so that she straddled his hips.
A soft moan sighed from her when his large hands cupped her breasts. “Wait,” she whispered.
“What?”
“I want us to attend the Dymond party tomorrow night.”
“You want to talk about this now?”
Toriana laughed. “I wanted to ask before I forgot.”
He shook his head. “No. It’s too soon.”
“I need to be there for Kinsley.”
Drake sighed. “I can deny you nothing. We’ll go.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t take this wrong, but I’ll be glad when this Season is over…or when Kinsley gets married. I hate London. I can’t wait to take you to Hertworth Hall. I want you to see your new home. I hope you like it.”
“I’m going to love it,” Toriana assured him. “It’s there where our children will be born and where together we’ll watch them grow up into fine adults.”
“Let’s not rush the years by too fast.”
Toriana shook her head even as she leaned down and placed a kiss to the center of his chest. “As for Kinsley, I don’t think we have much longer to wait. She’ll be married soon.”
“Because Casler is no longer engaged?”
“Exactly.”
“Are you sure he’s the man for her?”
Toriana nodded. “He’s the perfect man for her…just as you are the perfect man for me.”
Drake pulled her down so he could kiss her. “Perfect, yes. But we are more.”
“Yes,” she whispered against his lips. “We are so much more…we are Love Everlasting.”
Preview of:
Kansas Widow
A Spitfire Novel Book 7
Peaceful, Colorado
1876
“We heard you were dead.”
Cassidy Wilbanks tried to absorb those words into his tired mind as he stood in the tight embrace of his cousin, retired U.S. Marshal Derrick Treborn.
Cassidy had enough time to walk down the porch steps and then suddenly he was embraced in a hug meant to break his ribs. Well, that’s the way it felt anyway.
There was only one particular reason for Derrick, along with his wife, Lissa, and their three children, Devlan, Lyndsey, and Laney, to be visiting the Sander/Ingham ranch and that was to see their oldest daughter, Friday.
The Sander/Ingham ranch was like none other Cassidy had ever known. Though it was made up of a bunch of hard working cowpunchers, it was a family held together by one mean mouth, spitfire of a boss lady, Billy Jo and her husband Dwayne Ingham.
Just moments before, he and the rest of the cowpunchers had been visiting on the front porch to Billy Jo and Dwayne’s house. It was something they did most every night if the weather permitted. After a hard day’s work and a filling supper, it was nice to gather on the porch for an hour or so and just relax, talk, and laugh.
