“I lived like an animal,” Leo continued. “Afraid to find civilization for fear the men would recognize me. So Akshay and I stayed in the jungle.”
“And…and when you weren’t in the jungle?”
He turned slowly to look at her. “I was captured. For two years, I was a slave in the household of a wealthy merchant.”
And with his memories, she flinched, feeling the pain of lashes across her back. Dear God, the scars. She tried to calm her racing heart, afraid she’d faint. He caught her gaze and held it. For some reason, the strength in his eyes helped her remain calm.
“With Akshay’s assistance, I escaped, and we went back to the jungle. I was an animal, Ella. Nothing more than an animal.” He looked away. “Perhaps I still am.”
She leaned forward and cupped the sides of his face, the scruff on his cheeks rough against her palms. “No, Leo. You are wonderful.” Before he could protest, Ella pressed her lips to his. It was a soft caress. She put her heart into the touch and prayed to heal his soul. She felt his shock, and his surprise almost made her smile.
When she pulled away from him, she took his hands in hers. “I want to help, Leo. Any way I can.”
His fingers tightened around hers. “The best you can do is pretend to teach me while I search.”
She nodded. “But if you need anything else…anything…I will help.”
His fingers tightened around hers. “I won’t put you in danger, Ella. You are already—”
“I’ll be fine.” She pulled back and dropped her gaze, worried he’d send her away for her safety. “Now, about the men on the list—”
He stood.
“Where are you going?”
“To find the first man.”
She scampered to her feet. “Leo, no. You can’t go alone.”
Fear sliced through her, and she had to resist the urge to cling to him. She worried what would happen to him, but most of all she feared what he may do to himself. “Leo, it doesn’t have to be difficult and dangerous. Let’s wait and contact the constable.”
Leo kissed her, a quick kiss that left her wanting more. But the moment his lips touched hers, her mind clouded, making her forget everything but his presence. He pulled back, and she stood there, her mind buzzing in sensual confusion. What had she been saying? Leo started down the trail.
“Leo, wait!” Picking up her skirts, she rushed after him. “Leo!”
With a loud sigh, he turned and quirked his brow in question.
Ella’s shoulders slumped. “Just…be careful.”
He gave her a nod and disappeared into the trees.
It wasn’t him. Short and portly, the man leaving the modest stone cottage didn’t resemble the murderer he searched for in the least.
More ghost than man, Leo slipped out of the shade of the tree and made his way toward the thin trail that weaved through the woods. Of the six names on the list, only this man had been home. Still, he was a step closer to his discovery. He’d been able to scratch one man from the list. Only five remained.
Not a twig snapped as he followed the dirt path to the tree where his horse was tethered. He’d learned early on to step quietly. He’d learned much in the jungle, and he supposed for that he should be grateful. Most importantly, he learned to trust his instincts.
There was no doubt in his mind he would find the man from the ball. Even if he must find him alone. He mounted his horse and nudged the beast toward the road.
Ella’s face flashed to mind, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. I want to help, Leo. Any way I can.
And he knew she would. Sweet Ella…so noble, so innocent. He didn’t want her involved in his sordid life. He didn’t want her ensconced with his tainted family, yet what could he do? Why hadn’t he frightened her from the house the moment she’d arrived? Because he realized he could use her to further his goals. And because…damn it all, those wide blue eyes had pulled him under. Now, it was too late. She was too deeply embroiled in his wretched life.
The road split, and he drew back on the reins. If he went left, he’d go home. To the right was the cottage where Ella’s friend lived. The one link to Ella’s past, a woman who may provide answers as to the mystery of Ella Finch. Akshay had taken Charlie to her home while Leo had escorted Ella back to the castle. He’d never met the woman, and should check on Charlie. He had the perfect excuse to go there now.
Clenching his jaw, Leo nudged his mount right.
The horse ambled up to the small cottage that sat on a grassy cliff. A quaint place surrounded by wildflowers. Ella could be happy here. In the distance, he could hear the soft roar of the ocean. Yes, he could picture her here, trimming the wildflowers that ran along the stone fence and up along the cottage. Picture her sitting on that small bench and sipping tea. She would be content here. So why then, did the thought make his heart ache?
Wrapping the reins around the gate handle, he started up the trail to the bright blue door. Hesitating only a moment, he knocked. No one answered. Ella’s friend was sickly and weak, and Charlie was a dangerous animal. What if she’d tried to pet the animal? Hell, Ella acted as if Charlie was a babe; why wouldn’t her friend? Worry overtook manners, and he pushed open the door. The house lay silent.
He ducked underneath the overhang and stepped inside. A small sitting room was neatly furnished with a settee and chair. He moved further into a kitchen. The place smelled like freshly baked bread and warm cookies, tempting and homey. He placed his hand on the teapot in the middle of the table. Still warm. Someone was nearby. He nudged aside the lace curtains and peered into the backyard. He could just barely see Charlie pacing inside his cage.
With a frown, he pushed the back door wide and moved across the garden. The cat gave a low rumble of greeting.
Leo slipped his fingers through the bars. “How are you, Charlie?”
The cat rubbed his head against Leo’s hand.
“He’s well taken care of, my lord,” a soft, feminine voice said.
Leo turned. He barely noticed Ella’s friend, sitting there under a blanket. Her red hair peeked above the wrap, but she didn’t move. He’d think her dead if she hadn’t spoken. Miss Francine Cass pulled the blanket down and peeked over the edge. Her large, brown eyes wide and watchful.
She started to stand. “Tea and biscuits?”
“No, stay seated.” Leo settled in the iron chair across from her. Her gaze swept over him with curiosity and wariness. Had she heard the rumors, even here?
“What brings you ’ere, my lord?” Her features were narrow and pale, the complete opposite of Ella’s round, rosy face. Yet there was something fragile about Ella’s friend that tugged at his heartstrings. No wonder Ella would sacrifice her own reputation for the woman.
“To make sure”—Hell, what was he doing here?—“you and Charlie are well taken care of.”
She smiled, and her face lit up. “Aye, never been more taken care of in my life. Feel downright lazy, I do.”
Leo smiled, her honesty only adding to her appeal. She leaned forward and lifted her teacup from the small table.
“Do you like it here, then? The cottage is to your satisfaction?”
She wrapped her small hands around the cup and grinned. “Rightly perfect, it is. Feel like I’m dreaming.”
“You aren’t dreaming. This place is yours, for as long as you like.”
She frowned, her gaze growing leery once more. Obviously, she knew about the six-month agreement. Did she know anything else? How much had Ella told her friend?
“No, I promise, it’s yours.”
Tears shimmered in her eyes. “I know Ella thinks she’s doing this for me, but God’s truth, she needs this too. She deserves to be ’appy.”
Leo nodded. “She does, and she will.”
“Will she?” she said softly, her gaze boring into his.
“I will give her all I can, but I suppose her happiness is up to her, isn’t it?” He shifted, suddenly uncomfortable under the scrutiny of a woman who looked no more t
han five and ten.
“Sometimes we can’t help who we fall in love with.”
Leo stiffened in surprise. “What do you mean?”
“What I mean is if Ella falls in love with you, will she end up ’appy in the end, my lord?”
He forced a laugh from his lips. “I highly doubt you need worry about that. I hardly constitute the ideal husband.”
Miss Cass slipped her hand beneath her cover and pulled out a letter. “I received this only today.” Clearing her throat, she read, “‘Leo is not at all what I expected. The man is loyal, almost to a fault. He is arrogant, rude and many times only thinks of ’imself.’”
The words were true, yet stung all the same. “Well then, there you have it.”
“‘Still,’” she continued to read, “‘there is something about him. Perhaps it is his unwavering loyalty to those he cares for. Recently, he came to my defense. Dare I think he cares? Part of me wants ’im to, Fran, and that frightens me for I know in the end I will only be ’urt.’” She slipped the paper back under her covers and stared directly at him.
He didn’t know what to say. Merda, if his body didn’t warm to those words. But most of him was sick. Literally sick to think she cared…sick to think she might fall for him. It wasn’t how it was supposed to be. This wasn’t supposed to happen.
“Like I said, sometimes we can’t ’elp who we fall in love with.”
His fear turned to irritation. “She didn’t say she was in love.”
“If she isn’t, she will be soon.”
Leo stood and raked his hands through his hair. “And what do you suggest I do to prevent that?”
“Stop dallying with ’er, for one.”
Shock made Leo stiffen. “She told you that?”
Fran chuckled. “No. She’d never speak of it. But you just answered for me. You get ’er with child, I’ll ’ave your ’ead on a platter, I will.”
“That will not happen.”
She lifted her teacup and took a sip. “See that it doesn’t, my lord.”
Leo trudged up the steps, wanting to be anywhere but at this blasted castle in England. Merda, he’d rather be in the jungle than here right now. What the hell would he do with Ella? She cared. Damn it all, why couldn’t he stop thinking about that? Because deep down the thought thrilled him as much as it terrified him.
He raked back his long locks as he stepped into the hall.
“Leo!” And there she was, sweeping toward him, her face flushed and her eyes bright.
He fought the urge to go back out the door and leave the damn estate for good…He fought the urge to sweep her up into his arms and show her what it could truly be like between them.
“Leo,” she said, more softly this time. She took his hands, then darted a glance at the doors to the study. “They’re here.”
He jerked his hands away, her touch too intimate. “Who?”
The soft murmur of voices finally penetrated his mind. Male voices.
“The men, from the list. I spoke with your grandfather, and he was able to gather them here, in the house, together, for a supposed discussion on crops. Now you can go in and identify the man.”
Leo looked at the doors, and he swore his heart stilled. In that room could be the answers he searched for, the end of his destiny.
Ella clutched his hand once more. “Leo, please listen to me. That man could be in there. The man who murdered your parents. Be careful. Don’t do anything rash. Let the constable handle—”
He pulled his hand away and started toward the doors.
“Leo!” she called out but he ignored her plea.
He threw the doors wide, and the voices stopped. The small group of men turned to face him, their smiles fading.
“Well, well, look who has made an entrance, as usual,” Henry mumbled and took a sip of his drink.
“Leo,” his grandfather called out from near the windows, pasting a smile upon his weathered face. “Come in, meet our neighbors.”
Leo’s gaze jumped from man to man, and disappointment made him want to slam his fist into the wall. Not one resembled the man who had betrayed them, who had been at that ball only yesterday. Merda, perhaps he’d imagined him. Perhaps he was insane.
Numbly, he took the drink his grandfather pushed into his hand. The liquid burned down his throat, the pain welcome for it made him forget for a blessed second about the pain of disappointment. Conversation started again, a low buzz that made his head ache. Anxiety clawed its way into his throat, sucking the breath from his lungs. He had to get out…he had to leave. The glass slipped from his hand and fell to the floor and shattered.
“Leo?” he heard his grandfather call out.
Leo turned to leave. He couldn’t stop…had to keep going. To make it to the doors…to make it to fresh air.
The butler appeared in the door, blocking his exit. “A Mr. Convey,” he announced to the room and then stepped aside.
A man stood in the open doors as if dropped there by God. Leo stopped in his tracks, his heart thumping in his ears. Suddenly, he was twelve again, back in the jungle, the shadows looming against the tent walls.
Go, Leo, now, hurry, his mother cried out over and over again in his mind.
“Leo?” his grandfather’s voice was muffled, as if from far away. He blinked the old man into focus. “Leo, did you see him?”
The man named Convey had moved toward Henry, and they were laughing as they discussed some subject. In his crazed mind, he imagined them laughing over his parents’ death.
“Leo? Which one is he?”
Leo didn’t answer, but started toward Henry.
Red hot anger rushed through his body even as his stomach flipped and churned. Seeing him coming their way, perhaps noticing his facial expression, Henry’s eyes widened, and he stepped back. Convey slowly turned, his curious gaze flickering over Leo. When Leo didn’t stop, the man’s eyes widened. But it was too late. Leo’s fist lashed out, slamming into his hard face. Pain radiated up his arm, and Convey yelled, falling to the floor. Leo bent down and slammed his fist into the man’s face once more.
Images flashed through Leo’s mind…a shadowed arm holding a dagger…his mother’s pale, lifeless face. He was barely aware of the roar of shock that waved through the room. Blood splattered across his clothing, reminding him of the blood pooled around his parents’ bodies.
Fingers dug into his arms, pulling at him…pulling him away from his prey. He struggled to break free, a growl of denial escaping his lips. Hands clawed at him; still he tried to break free, tried to get to the man who had destroyed his life.
“Leo!” he heard his name spoken in a sweet voice from far away. For a moment, he thought the angels called to him. Suddenly, a woman stood in his line of vision, her large blue eyes pleading with him, for what? Her lips moved, but he couldn’t hear the words. She reached out, and he stiffened. Her warm hands rested on the sides of his face, soft, comforting.
“Leo, stop, please,” she said softly.
Ella, he realized with a start, his rational mind working once more. He blinked, his gaze traveling the room. His grandfather cowered against the settee, his face pale, his mouth hanging open. Leo jerked away from the men who held him and spun around. All five of them stood there with wide, shocked eyes.
“It’s him!” he cried out, pointing to the man who hid in the corner of the room. “He killed my family.”
“Leo,” Henry hissed, stepping closer. His cousin’s usually neat appearance was mussed from the shuffle. “Mr. Convey has lived in this area his entire life. He’s never traveled abroad. I know him quite well.”
“It was him!” Leo roared. His entire body trembled, and he had to do everything in his power not to rush after the man once more.
“What the hell is going on?” Convey demanded, using his shirt sleeve to swipe at his bloody nose.
Leo’s hands curled. “You killed my family.”
The man shook his head, his brows drawn together. “I’ve never killed anyone.
”
“Liar!” Leo roared. “You were in India that day—you killed my family!”
“I’ve never been out of England,” the man cried, slinking back. “Ask my family, ask anyone.”
“You lie.”
“Leo, this is ridiculous,” Henry snapped.
Leo spun around to face his cousin. “I can prove it. He had a large birthmark across his back.”
“Bloody insane,” the man gasped. “You expect me to undress, and in front of a lady?”
Ella’s face turned red, and she scurried from the room. Leo’s hands reached out as he resisted the urge to hold her there with him. Why was it that her presence eased his troubled mind?
“Leo,” Henry snapped, stepping closer to him. “You are embarrassing a fine member of our community and once again our family name.”
“He will take off his shirt.”
The other men in the room grumbled their objections.
“Fine,” Convey snapped. He tossed his jacket to the settee. “Utterly ridiculous.” His fingers moved down the buttons of his shirt.
Leo held his breath as the man slipped the material from his bulky arms. Slowly, Convey turned.
Nothing. Not one mark marred the man’s back.
Leo shook his head, panic clutching at his chest. “No. It’s him, I swear it.”
The group fell silent. Leo’s attention jumped around the room, looking for someone…anyone to believe him. Henry sneered, a look of disgust upon his face. His grandfather’s reaction was worse. He looked disappointed.
“No,” Leo repeated. “I swear it’s trickery.” He started toward the man, but Henry stepped in front of him.
“Enough.”
Leo pushed him out of the way, and his cousin stumbled to the side.
But before he could reach Convey, his grandfather was there. “Enough, Leo.”
Leo’s jaw clenched. He didn’t believe him. No one did. Suddenly, there wasn’t enough air in the room. He stumbled back from the group, their eyes watching him, judging him insane. Gasping for air, he spun around and raced into the hall.
“Leo?” Ella jumped up from her position on the stairs. “What happened?”
He couldn’t stand to see the disappointment on her face. Without a word, he rushed out the front door.