DefeatedbyLove (18 page)

Harry stopped kissing him, but he didn’t let him go. “Why?”
Daniel just shook his head. “If you don’t tell me, how can I make it all
right?”

Daniel laughed and it was shaky. “I don’t think you can.” He
didn’t say anything for a moment and Harry let him stay silent. He just held
him and rubbed his thigh. “Forever is a very long time,” Daniel finally said.

Harry secretly rejoiced. He’d been listening, then, to
Harry’s love words while they fucked. “Yes it is.”

“That sort of thing will change a man’s life.”

“Yes. Yes it will. It has.” Harry didn’t need to remind him
that he’d given up everything—the life he’d worked so hard to build in
America—to win Daniel again.

“You left me once.” The words seemed to be pulled out of
Daniel painfully. Harry knew this sort of thing, this kind of passionate
exchange and talk of feelings and forever, made Daniel uncomfortable.

“I did.”

“I don’t know, if I let myself give in, if I could survive
that again.” He said it so low that Harry had to strain to hear it.

He hugged Daniel and then slowly lowered him until he lay
beside Harry. “You won’t have to. I won’t do it. Ever.”

Daniel didn’t say anything and they lay like that a long
time. Harry had started to doze off when Daniel moved under his arm, trying to
slide off the bed.

“Where are you going?” he asked sleepily, holding on to
Daniel’s arm.

“I should go,” Daniel said, not looking at him.

“No you shouldn’t,” he said. “I won’t let you.” He pulled
Daniel back and unbuttoned his jacket and waistcoat. Daniel didn’t protest, he
just watched Harry’s hands as they worked the buttons. He pulled Daniel up to
sit beside him and pushed his clothes down and off Daniel’s arms. “Stay,” he
whispered. He reached for Daniel’s cravat and tugged it loose, tossing it
aside. Then he slowly drew Daniel’s shirt over his head. Daniel raised his arms
and then let them fall to his side when he was finally naked. Harry gently
pushed him back down and then took him into his arms, snuggling up behind him,
cock to buttocks. He kissed the nape of Daniel’s neck. “Sleep,” he said softly.
Daniel closed his eyes and relaxed in his arms and Harry drifted off with a
smile on his face.

“Well, we’re both very quiet this morning.”

Christy’s lackluster comment fell into the silence over the
breakfast table and hovered there a moment, making Daniel uncomfortable. He
didn’t want to enter into a discussion about why he wasn’t talking. He’d slunk
out of Harry’s room this morning with nothing but his pants on while Harry
still slept. He was not in the mood for conversation.

“Aren’t you wondering where Simon is?” she asked, trying
again.

“I’m sure he’ll show up when it suits him,” Daniel mumbled,
turning an unread page in
The
Times
.

“He was very formal with me last night,” she said unhappily.

“Good. It was the polite thing to do under the
circumstances.”

“I suppose so.”

He desperately hoped that was the end of that. After
yesterday’s discussion with Harry, Daniel suspected that Simon had taken
Harry’s warning to heart and was pulling away from Christy. It wasn’t a
surprise. Daniel hadn’t for a moment thought Simon’s interest in her was more
than a passing fancy. It simply wasn’t in him to love anyone, not anymore.
Which was really a tragedy of epic proportions if Daniel let himself think
about it too long. Simon had learned to muddle along as best as he could, and
Daniel supposed he ought to be glad for it.

Harry came briskly into the room and looked as though he had
something to say but he stopped abruptly when he saw Christy sitting there.
“Good morning,” he said crisply, sitting down across from her, on Daniel’s
right. “How are you both this morning?”

“Fine,” Christy said despondently. She leaned her cheek on
her hand and swirled her fork through her meat pie with a decided lack of
interest.

“You don’t look or sound fine,” Harry said bluntly. “What’s
given you the sad face, my dear?”

“Simon isn’t here,” Daniel told him, raising the paper in
front of him so he couldn’t see Harry. He’d gotten a little thrill when he’d
sat down there as if it was his chair. It could be his chair. But Daniel wasn’t
entirely sure he’d earned it yet.

“I don’t need Simon here,” Christy said quietly. Daniel
peeked over his paper. She had a mulish look on her face. “I can have breakfast
without him. What a silly thing to say, Daniel.”

“Of course you can,” Harry agreed. “You just need a fresh
plate.” He waved at Matheson, who was hovering behind Christy’s chair like a
worried mother. Instantly the butler snapped at the footman and new plate was
produced. Matheson swept her old one away and placed the warm, fresh food
before her with a rare smile. “There now,” Harry said, pushing the plate closer
to her. “Say thank you to Matheson and eat. The little one must be starving.”

“Thank you, Matheson,” she mumbled. She settled in and began
to eat as if she were on a mission. There wasn’t much enjoyment in it, but she
had clearly decided to prove she didn’t need Simon to eat. Good for her.

There was a knock at the door and a footman appeared. “Mr.
Hannibal Ashbury and Mr. Theobald Ashbury to see Mr. Ashbury, sir.”

Christy’s fork clattered to her plate. “Oh no,” she
whispered fearfully.

Daniel patted her hand. “No worries. They are here in my
house. I doubt they came intending mischief. They probably just heard that
Harry was back in England and have come to see for themselves.” He didn’t like
it, either, though. How had they found Harry here?

Harry wiped his mouth and set his napkin down. “Let’s go see
what the pater wants,” Harry said with a smile and a wink for Christy. “At
least we made him come to us.”

When they entered the drawing room Daniel didn’t let his
surprise show. Harry’s father was much shorter than he was, and bald. There
wasn’t even a shadow of Harry in his features. His cousin, however, was almost
the spitting image of his uncle. Daniel suspected he knew why Ashbury favored
Theobald over Harry. What a Greek tragedy Harry’s family was.

“Father,” Harry said jovially, his hand outstretched. “You
look well.”

Mr. Ashbury ignored his hand and frowned at him. “What the
hell are you doing back here?”

“Now, don’t get all sentimental over my return,” Harry said
drily, looking pointedly at his hand still waiting in the air. He let it drop
to his side. “I came home to see to Christy, of course. In her condition, I
could hardly leave her alone to fend for herself.”

Daniel rolled his eyes. Harry was deliberately baiting them.
Not once had his father or cousin looked at Daniel or Christy. At that moment
he turned and glared at them both, but the look he gave Daniel was particularly
hate filled. So he knew of Harry’s disposition then and clearly disapproved.

“That slut,” his cousin said, pointing at Christy, “is a
disgrace to your father and this family. Everyone knows that child is not an
Ashbury.” He took a deep breath and adjusted his lapels as if getting his
temper under control. His clothes were an example of the finest haberdashery
London had to offer and Daniel was slightly jealous. He’d ask where he got
them, but it didn’t seem appropriate at the time. Too bad he was so unlikable.
“It would be appropriate if you were to denounce her and the child she carries
so as not to tarnish the Ashbury name.”

“’Not to tarnish the Ashbury name’?” Harry repeated with an
incredulous expression. “Did you really just have the gall to say that?”

“What does that mean?” his father demanded. “Theo stayed
here and helped to run the business while you ran off and played in America.
He’s been the son to me that you never could be.”

“Ah, and there it is,” Harry said. He checked the clock on
the mantel. “It only took five minutes for that old argument to rear its head.
Well, Father dear,” he continued as he took a seat near the door, creasing his
trousers precisely as he did so, “you and Theo can go to hell. Beg your pardon,
Christy,” he said with a polite bow of his head to her.

“No offence taken, Harry,” she said from Daniel’s side. She
was clutching his arm so tightly he wanted to object, but to all outward
appearances she was cool and aloof and he didn’t want to ruin her performance.

“You shut your mouth,” Harry’s father growled at her. He
spun back to Harry. “I will take legal measures to make sure that you, she and
that bastard she carries do not inherit anything.”

Harry gave that threat the attention it deserved. “Go
ahead,” he said, completely unconcerned. “I don’t need your money. I’m wealthy
in my own right and, to be fair, I’ve already taken legal measures to ensure
that you never see a penny of my money should I meet an untimely demise. As a
matter of fact, Christy and the baby are my heirs.”

This was news to Daniel. He wondered if it was true, or if
Harry was bluffing.

“You are a disgrace to this family,” Theo Ashbury hissed.
“You desert your father and he receives not a word from you in almost ten
years, and when you do return you don’t even bother to contact him. You have
never appreciated all that he did for you, buying a commission, trying to save
you from yourself. But he obviously failed, much to his eternal regret and
mine. It’s clear your unnatural desires still rule your life. Everyone knows
that’s why you ran away to America, so that you could fornicate with men at
your leisure.”

Harry stood up, his expression dark and threatening. “Watch
your tongue, you little toady,” he told his cousin. “You always had your nose
so far up his arse it’s a wonder you could see straight. I can see that hasn’t
changed. I learned how to protect what’s mine while I was gone. You’d best
remember that unless you want to be gutted like a pig, which is what I did to
the man who took my eye.”

His father immediately stepped in front of his cousin as if
to protect him. “You are a demon spawned from hell,” he said dramatically. “She
was practically bred to wed you, and you tossed her away! For what? This?” He
pointed to Daniel. “You make me sick. Your mother’s turning over in her grave.”

“My mother hastened her exit to the grave to escape you,”
Harry replied calmly, “so I wouldn’t call on her heavenly assistance now.”

“You have been a disappointment to me since the day you were
born,” his father spit out.

“I’m sure I was,” Harry observed. Any sane man would hear
the barely restrained fury in his voice. “Did she ever tell you who my real
father was?”

His father’s sharp intake of breath and the guilt on his
face confirmed Daniel’s suspicions. “No,” his father told him. “I wish she had.
I’d have delivered you to him long ago.” He gazed hatefully at Harry. “I wish
you had died in America. I hope your luck runs out here. Soon.”

Christy was trembling and Harry looked as if he was going to
reach for his knife soon. Daniel intervened.

“Good afternoon,” he said sharply. He waved at Matheson.
“Show them out. We are not at home to them from now on.”

“Don’t worry,” Mr. Ashbury said furiously as he marched out
of the room. “I have no desire to see any of you again.”

When the door closed behind them Christy collapsed into the
nearest chair. “Harry,” she said in a trembling voice, “they mean to kill you.
That’s what he meant, isn’t it?”

“Don’t be silly, Christy,” he told her, visibly reining in
his temper. He walked over and kneeled on one knee before her, taking her hands
in his. “Nothing will happen to me or you or the baby.” He looked over at
Daniel. “Isn’t that right?”

“Of course,” Daniel said for her benefit, though he agreed
with her.

“You don’t know them,” she said. “Not like I do.” She
sniffed and pulled a handkerchief out of her pocket. “You’ve been gone for ten
years, and you were hardly home for years before that, what with school and the
war.” She blew her nose. “You don’t know what they’re capable of.” She jumped
up and began to pace around the room. “I lived with your father for a year
after you left.”

“What?” Harry exclaimed.

She threw her hands up helplessly. “What was I to do? He
came to fetch me when he heard you were gone. He said he thought it was the
right thing to do. And Theo, he was awful. Always trying to catch me alone. He
acted as if I was a present from your father.” She shuddered. “I didn’t tell
you because I didn’t want you to feel guilty.” She paused and blew out a
frustrated breath. “All right, I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to
know how weak I was. And foolish. I was frightened to be on my own. I thought I
could just let him sort of take over and take care of me and it would all work
itself out. And once I got there I wasn’t sure how to leave.”

There was a knock on the open door. “Leave where?” Simon
asked as he walked in. “Here? You’re leaving?” His voice was very carefully
neutral.

“No,” Harry said firmly. “She’s telling us about what she
did when I was gone.”

“I lived with Harry’s family for a year.”

Simon shuddered. “That must have been awful.”

“You don’t know,” Christy said fervently. “I finally got the
courage to leave when I heard them talking about killing someone. I didn’t want
to be involved in that in any way. And so I ran to Surrey where Harry left me.
I contacted the solicitor, set up house, and never left Surrey. They never came
looking for me, I suppose because I didn’t make any trouble.”

“What?” Harry said rather loudly. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Yes, and while we’re at it, why didn’t you tell us?” Daniel
asked, equally annoyed with her.

“What was the point?” she asked, looking genuinely confused
at their anger. “I already told you he tried to kill me. Did you need more
proof?”

Simon sat down on the arm of the chair by the door,
maintaining his distance. “No, my dear. But it would have made tracking down
some of their misdeeds a little easier, perhaps. More ammunition to protect you
with.”

“I should think if they knew I’d overheard that conversation
they’d be more determined to do away with me,” Christy logically pointed out.

“True enough,” Simon agreed. “I think they’re just a little
put out that you didn’t share everything.”

Daniel and Harry shared a commiserating look and Harry put
his hand up and massaged his temples. “It would seem you’re lucky you survived
this long, Christy, with my dastardly family running loose.”

“Well, if they had tried anything back then I daresay I
would have had the common sense to find Daniel. I found him this time when they
tried to kill me, didn’t I?”

“You are a very practical and sensible woman,” Daniel complimented
her sincerely. “So yes, I think you would have.”

She smiled happily at him. “Thank you.”

“That being the case, I think it’s time I took over.”

Simon jumped to his feet in alarm, shaking his head. “Now,
now,” he said. “Let’s not be hasty. If something were to happen to them now
you’d surely be questioned in relation to it, if not outright accused.”

“Why?” Christy asked, puzzled.

“I make a habit of taking care of bad people,” Daniel said
mildly. “It’s a hobby of sorts.”

“Taking care of?” Christy cautiously asked.

“Doing away with them,” Harry supplied. “He was always good
at it during the war.”

“You two can’t afford the kind of problems that might arise
from dispatching Harry’s despicable family. They’ve already threatened to
expose your, shall we say, unusual habits? Suspicion and scrutiny are not what
we need right now.”

Christy paled slightly and swallowed. “Perhaps we ought to
think about it.”

“You are a bloodthirsty wench,” Simon said, staring at her
in surprise.

“Well, have you a better idea?” she snapped. “I’ve no wish
to be looking over my shoulder for the rest of my days.”

“We should send for your Galahad.” Simon turned and looked
out the window, up and down the street. “He is a constable, after all.”

“Robert?” Daniel asked. “He’s made no headway in the case.
There’s no evidence linking them to Christy’s kidnapping.”