The rustle of satin skirts filled the room. He cast a glance down at the slender slip of a woman who sidled up to him with a crimson bouquet of poppies wilted in her hands. She'd donned black mourning attire. Again. His heart wrenched in at last setting aside all the grief he'd known these years to confront the tragedy in a woman of her young age wearing these same dark skirts to bury her husband and then father.

"Eloise," he murmured. "What-?"

"I came to pay my respects." As always, she interpreted his unfinished thoughts with an uncanniness that spanned the course of their relationship. "To say goodbye," she added as an afterthought. She set the poppies they'd picked yesterday, yesteryear, a lifetime ago, upon the viscount's chest.

He blamed the exhaustion of their travels and lack of sleep for the swell of emotion that clogged his throat. "I cannot ever repay what you've done." She'd allowed him a small measure, but an important measure, of peace.

Eloise touched her fingers to his cheek. "There is nothing to repay, Lucien. You are my friend," she said simply.

His gut clenched. She'd claimed to love him, to want more of him. Perhaps she'd wisely realized there were any number of more suitable options; all of whom had never lain p.r.o.ne in a hospital bed, wallowing for years in the misery of their lives, and then taken on the work as a servant.

"He was a good man," Eloise said. A sorrowful smile tugged her lips ever so slightly upwards. Her sadness with those words caused a viselike pressure to tighten about his lungs and make it difficult to draw a steady breath. "When we were children and played hide and go seek, he would allow me to hide in his office." She gave him a look and her smile widened. "Most men would have sacked the nursemaid for allowing a child to be underfoot." She lovingly stroked the viscount's cold, lifeless hand folded in front of him. "But then I was always so curious." She had been. About everything. "I would tire of you searching for me and sit in his enormous office chair and ask him a thousand and one questions. All of which he answered." A golden tress fell across her eye. She brushed it back. "Odd how often I spent waiting for you to find me." A shift occurred in their conversation. Her words transcended mere children's games.

Tell her. His father's booming voice bounced around the walls of his mind as clear as if he now spoke before them, so much so that he froze and glanced about.

"What is it?" she asked, following his gaze.

Regardless, this was not the place or time and the words withered on the faint echo of a memory of his father's voice. "It is nothing." The fire cracked and hissed in the hearth. "My father told me what you did, Eloise."

Her narrow shoulders went taut. "What I-?"

He brushed his knuckles along her jaw. Even now she'd not share in the truth of her great sacrifice. "Come, Ellie, you know." For years he'd thought only of himself and his hurts and regrets, and all along Eloise had been there, loving, caring for his wife, his son, his entire family. He was humbled by her selflessness and shamed by his total unworthiness of her. "I refer to what you did for Sara." He braced for all the old hurts at the mention of his wife's name. Hurt that did not come.

Eloise wetted her lips. "You know?" Soft surprise underscored her question.

He nodded once. "I know."

Eloise angled her chin up, as though braced for his criticism. "You would have done the same for me."

Ah, G.o.d, he was undeserving of her faith and devotion. Regret twisted inside him. He clenched and unclenched his jaw. For would he truly have done the same? From the moment the new vicar had entered the village with his winsome daughter, Lucien had not been the friend Eloise deserved-the friend he'd once been. h.e.l.l, he'd not even known her husband's name, how they'd met, any details of the courtship preceding her marriage. Her husband, who'd seen her cared for in his pa.s.sing had been a better, far more worthy man for Eloise than Lucien ever could have been. Perhaps fate had known that. Shame stuck in his throat and made it impossible to speak.

She cleared her throat. "It is late." When had Ellie Gage ever worried about things such as time? She held his gaze and then with infinite slowness moved her eyes over his face as though committing him to memory. "As I said, I came to say my goodbyes."

Lucien caught her hand in his and raised it to his lips. "Not goodbye, Eloise. Good night," he corrected.

A sheen covered her eyes and she blinked rapidly. Then as quick as they'd come, the crystalline drops were gone.

Without another word, Eloise pulled her hand free and left.

He stared after her. She didn't realize that, if she would allow him, there would never be another parting between them.

Chapter 22.

Three weeks later With the Marquess of Drake's horse returned weeks prior, Lucien, in his brother's carriage now, made the lonely return to London, along the rain splattered streets of the city. After nearly a day's worth of rain, the thick, gray storm clouds had parted. He tugged the curtain back distractedly and peered out at the familiar pa.s.sing scenes and he reflected on Eloise.

Odd, he'd gone years not noticing Eloise and now, he saw her everywhere. Including something as simple as a carriage ride. The memory as she'd been seated across from him, sopping wet from the cold rain, her cheeks wan from the motion of the carriage roused pained regret inside him.

The night Eloise had come to pay her respects and make her goodbyes to his father, the Viscount Hereford, Lucien had failed to realize that he was, in fact, the person she'd bid fare thee well to. And for all the years of having failed to notice Eloise Gage, this keen, awareness of the woman she'd become, had made the loss of her all the greater.

With her parting, he'd been forced to navigate the former relationships he'd once known as brother to men he considered his closest friends and ultimately became strangers by decisions he himself had made. Eloise had opened his eyes to so very much including the realization that for all that had come between him and his family, they were still his family. The years had melted away and despite the grief of their loss, there too had been the a.s.surance in at last knowing one another as friends and brothers. Again, it was because of Eloise. All because of her.

The carriage rocked to a slow halt and he stared out the window at the familiar London townhouse-the place he'd resided, worked, and called home for two years. He'd left this very townhouse angry and furious. Furious at Eloise for her interference. Furious at life for having taken so much from him. Furious with being forced from the one place he'd managed to find a shred of peace after the war.

Now he returned, a changed man. A man who'd been forced to confront the demons in his life and if not destroy, then conquer them enough to live a life devoid of the agonized pain that would have slowly destroyed him.

The driver pulled open the door. Lucien made to step down. He held the edge of the doorway and paused a moment. The reservations crept in, their tentacle-like fingers crept around his brain, reminding him the inferiority of a limbless man amidst a world of glittering perfection.

A flash of sunshine streamed through the thick clouds overhead and spilled light upon the metal lions of the Marquess of Drake's doorknocker. It was time. Time to resume living-fully. Lucien climbed down and strode with purposeful steps up the stairs. He knocked. He turned and stared out momentarily at the quiet London streets, waiting for the man who now held his post and likely would continue to hold his post after he left.

The door opened. The young under butler, Gatwick, opened his mouth to greet him and then blinked. "Mr. Jones," he said slowly. He ran his gaze over Lucien's immaculate, fawn colored breeches and sapphire blue coat, the stark, white cravat. He opened and closed his mouth several times. "Mr. Jones," he repeated again and then scrambled over himself in his haste to allow Lucien entry.

He grinned. "I'm here to speak to the marquess."

Gatwick closed the door. "Of course, of course." He took a step forward and then faltered. "Er..." He scratched his brow as he tried to navigate Lucien's now uncertain role-butler or visitor.

He relieved the other man of his difficulty. "The marquess is...?"

"In his office, Mr. Jones."

Lucien inclined his head. "I shall see to it. As you were, Gatwick."

The younger servant bowed and backed away.

Lucien stared after him a moment. The men and women here had never been a family to him. He'd not allowed himself a connection with anyone after he'd lost Sara and Matthew. Instead, he'd constructed walls about his heart to protect himself, until Eloise had taken them apart in her capable hands one bitter memory at a time. And yet, in this next parting, there was a new loss, a pa.s.sing of a life he'd lived, that second phase of his life, the dark, lonely world he'd embraced all these years.

But it was time. Lucien started through the foyer, footsteps silent upon the white marble floor. It was time to move forward and begin again. He curled his hand at his side. If she would let him. If it wasn't too late. How many opportunities had he had with Eloise and how many times had he ignored and rejected the beautiful offering of her?

He turned right down the corridor and strode along the long, empty hall. What if she rejected him? Which by all intents and purposes, she should do. What was he without her? Lucien paused outside the marquess' office. He'd been a coward long enough. It was time to go to her and offer her all he was capable, all he was, all he had, which in the scheme of what she was worth and ent.i.tled to-was nothing.

He knocked once.

"Enter," the marquess called out.

Lucien stepped inside.

Lord Drake glanced up from his ledgers and stilled. "Jonas," he said, surprise laced the statement.

And staring at the usually unflappable young lord, it occurred to him-the marquess hadn't believed he would return. He'd known. "Captain," he said bowing. Just as the marquess had known how to restore him to the living, so too had he known his time here was at an end.

The marquess surged to his feet. "Come in. Come in." He gestured to the seat across from his desk.

Lucien strolled over, for the first time conscious of his change in status. Even with the remembered proper tones and properly tailored garments, he still was that coa.r.s.e, battle weary soldier who'd first met the other man upon the fields of Europe...and then again within the bleak walls of London Hospital. He sat.

Lord Drake reclaimed his seat. Lucien drummed his fingertips along the side of his boots. The marquess' gaze took in the armband on Lucien's left sleeve. "I'm sorry for the loss of your father," he said quietly. "My condolences."

Lucien stilled his distracted movement. "Thank you." He paused. "And thank you for," forcing "encouraging me to go." Lord Drake was just another he'd be forever indebted to. It had taken a number of people to put together the empty, shattered pieces of Lucien Jonas-Lady Drake, Lord Drake, the nurses at London Hospital. But he would never have been whole again. Not without Eloise. She was the missing piece in his life and at last he was complete. He drew in a breath. If she'd have him... "I considered your offer, my lord. The role of steward."

The marquess arched an eyebrow. "And?"

He held his palm up. "And I believe my role is elsewhere." It was with Eloise. It always had been. It had only taken him a lifetime to realize it. "With my father's pa.s.sing, he deeded me property." And in doing so, had given him a renewed purpose, a sense of independence, and more, placed him in a position where he deserved a lady...or more specifically-a countess. Though there was everything honorable in the work he'd taken on in the marquess' employ, that role would preclude him from having that which he truly wanted. "I am not so naive that I imagine it shall be an easy charge, taking over the running of an estate." He gave a lopsided grin and gestured to the empty place his arm had been. "Then, I imagine with everything I've lost and faced in life, this should be the easier role I've taken on."

They shared a look; two men who'd seen done, and still dreamed and saw horrible things. "I do not disagree with you." Lord Drake sat back in his seat. "Would you be startled were I to tell you that I agree with you?" He folded his arms across his chest. "You belong elsewhere and more importantly, with a particular someone."

He allowed his silence to mark his confirmation.

The marquess shoved back his seat. He angled his head toward the door. "Now, I imagine you've more important things to attend than speaking with me." He held a hand out.

Lucien studied it a moment and then stood. He shook the marquess' hand. "Thank you," he said quietly. For giving him purpose. For thrusting him back into a world he'd sworn to never again be a part of.

The other man gave a slight, imperceptible nod, the meaningful look in his eyes indicating he'd followed Lucien's unspoken thoughts.

With that, he turned on his heel and started from the room, walking from his past and into- Lady Drake stepped around the corner. He collided with the young marchioness. Lucien bit back a curse. "Forgive me, my lady," he said quickly.

She waved off his concern, giving him a gentle smile. "Lieutenant Jones." She took in his fine apparel, the expert lines of his cravat, his gleaming black boots, and then met his eyes. "Why do I imagine your time here is at an end?"

Because it was. He looked to her, this woman who'd distracted him enough to save his life. "Thank you," he said simply, the words wholly inadequate to convey the grat.i.tude for all she'd done. "If you'd not persisted," Her lips quirked at the corners in remembrance of those words he'd once hurled at her angrily from within the confines of his bed at London Hospital. "I'd not be alive now."

She shook her head. "Oh, I don't believe that." Lady Drake continued over him when he opened his mouth to protest. "You wouldn't have..." Killed yourself. She let those sinful words go unspoken. "You had a reason to live, even if you didn't realize it at the time."

He started as she took his hand between her gloved fingers, recalling his attention. "You realize it now and that is what matters."

"It is likely too late," he said, gut clenching. What if it was? What was he without her?

She gave his hand a squeeze. "I know better than anyone else that time really means nothing in the matters of the heart. You know now." A sparkle glimmered in her kind, brown eyes. "I know your Eloise. She knows. Go to her."

"Thank you," he said, firm resolve underscored his words. "I intend to." Even if she rejected him and called him a fool for having failed to notice her, truly notice her, he needed to tell her. And if she'd allow him, he'd spend the rest of his life loving her, as she'd always deserved.

Lady Emmaline gave a pleased nod and then released him. "Go," she urged.

He looked at her a lingering moment-this woman, her husband, this townhouse a link to his recent, dark, and lonely past. Lucien turned and nodded at Lord Drake as they shared a look that only two men who'd faced down the Devil and survived, might understand. He shifted his attention to Lady Emmaline; the person who'd not allowed him to turn himself over to darkness. How could he ever repay either her or her husband? They'd restored him to the living, and in that, guided him back to Eloise. "I-" He opened and closed his mouth several times. "I-"

A gentle smile turned Lady Drake's lips upwards. "I know." She tipped her chin toward the door. "Go to her."

With a final bow, he shook free the chains of his past and left-ready to embrace his future.

Chapter 23.

A thunderous shout penetrated the walls of Eloise's parlor. With an aggrieved sigh, she set aside the book in her hands. It had been inevitable. Since she'd returned from the viscount's, she'd felt with a confidence she'd have wagered everything she had right to as a widow, that word of her scandalous carriage ride with Lucien and their foray through the field of flowers would inevitably make its way to her brother-in-law. She'd just imagined it would have been weeks ago.

The sharp click of boot steps in the hall, increasing in fervor, paused outside of the parlor.

She shoved herself to her feet just as the butler, opened the door. "The Earl of Sherborne," he intoned, his face an expressionless mask.

Eloise donned her winningest smile. "Why, Lord Sherborne, what a-"

"This is not about pleasantries, Eloise," he snapped. It never was with the new earl.

The butler took his leave, but not before favoring her with a regretful look.

Eloise gestured to the sofa. "Would you care to sit?"

Lips set in a tense, angry line, her brother-in-law stalked over. "I do not care to sit, madam. I care about my reputation, as it is affected by your scandalous actions."

For his ill opinion, she'd venture there wasn't a more scandal-less widow than she.

"I a.s.sure you, I'm everything proper," she said dryly.

The earl either ignored or failed to hear the wry edge to her words. "I've heard whispers amongst my household staff of your carrying on with a Mr. Lucien Jonas." He planted his hands upon his hips and towered over her. "My brother-"

"Your brother would take offense at your storming into my home and scolding me like a recalcitrant child," she shot back. His highhandedness these years had grown tedious.

At her bold reb.u.t.tal, shock stamped the lines of his face. He opened and closed his mouth. "Why, I...I..."

Emboldened by his shock, Eloise took a step forward. "Why do you, indeed, my lord? Why do you believe it is your right to enter my townhouse and chide me for behaviors reported about by gossiping servants?"

"Because it matters to my own reputation," he thundered. His booming voice bounced off the high ceilings. "I am in the market for a countess." The poor woman. She felt the stirring of pity for that unknown lady. "And," he waved his finger in a circle in her general direction. "And as long as mention of you tupping servants is fodder for the gossips, the more you sully the Sherborne t.i.tle."

Eloise's cheeks flamed with a scorching heat at his crude words. His reprehensible charge quelled her tart response.

"Ah, nothing to say?" He made a tsking sound. "Rumors have circulated about your carrying on with the Marquess of Drake's one-armed butler."

She gasped. A red rage descended over her vision, blinding in its intensity. "Remember yourself," she bit out. She'd often said that all the goodness in the Sherborne line had been given to that first-born son, Colin, her husband, leaving none left for this cruel, cowardly, current Earl of Sherborne.

"Remember myself?" His eyes flew wide. "You, my lady, are the one sullying your reputation by spreading your legs for a mere servant."

Eloise cracked her hand across his cheek with such ferocity, her palm imprinted upon his skin.

"By G.o.d! My brother will be turning over in the hereafter with-"

"If I were you, I would allow those words to go unfinished."

Eloise wheeled around. Her pulse thundered madly as Lucien's well-muscled frame filled the entranceway. Her brother-in-law stiffened at the unexpected intrusion.