The Rakehell Regency Romance Collection Volume 2(148)

"I am most glad to hear it," Marcus Fitzsimmons said, taking the pony lead from her hand. "Perhaps that is why you are so fascinating a companion. That flash of fire, those hidden depths of yours I can see in the spark of your eyes."



She stepped away from him, suddenly alarmed by his nearness and his suggestive remarks. Really, it was one thing when they were alone, another entirely when they were surrounded by strangers and neighbors.



"I beg your pardon, Sir Wilfred, but I think I should go see if I can help your sister with anything."



Will scowled at Fitzsimmons as he dropped the lead, and would have gone after them if the children had not come first. Their safety was of course paramount, and there was no one else nearby to help.



Monroe and Francis Baines looked over some time later, and came to relieve him.



"I say, you should have given us a shout, old man."



"The children are fine. I'm fine."



"You don't look fine. Mad enough to spit, more like," Baines said in his thick Cork brogue.



"Aye. That man Fitzsimmons is appalling, is he not."



Will shrugged. "His conversation is somewhat objectionable, I will own, but he is Stewart's cousin, and therefore kin. I've met worse."



"And would like to meet better," Baines said, grimacing.



Will sighed. "I never did like him, the times we ever crossed paths in the past ten years. I'm glad it's not just me, then. I was beginning to think I had been bitten by the green-eyed monster."



"Not that we would blame you one iota if you were," Monroe said.



"It's absurd. Why look at me when she could have Parks?" Will grumbled.



"Because she likes him but does not admire him. Could not love and respect him," the brown haired ADC replied promptly.



Will laughed. "What is there not to like? Handsome, dashing, brave…"



"As are you," Monroe said patiently.



"Young and carefree, then."



"As you could be again if you just let go of the past. Dwelling on it won't change what happened."



"Oh, Duncan, I'm trying to let go. Elizabeth gives me a whole new reason to hope, to try to be a better man. It just seems like I get nothing but constant reminders of the past."



"It is hard, but you need to try, and can't let yourself get distracted. If you like the girl, tell her so. Get some sort of understanding with her one way or the other, and get on with your job."



Will's face closed up as Monroe reminded him of the task at hand. He should be working on his long list of duties, not swanning about making moon-eyes at Elizabeth.



"You're right, of course. My duty."



"What about Lady Elizabeth?" Baines asked.



He shook his head and sighed. "I can't. It wouldn't be fair. Look at me. Scarred as I am, inside and out."



"Parks has his fair share too, you know," Monroe pointed out.



"I know. But mine run deeper. There are more of them, and they weren't all caused by the war."



Baines said, "Vevina has managed to put it behind her. So have I, come to that. Even I've killed, poor humble secretary though I was until I met Samuel Fitzgerald. He made me do things I burn with shame to recall. If I had been any more polluted by him, I would have killed your own sister. Possibly even you too."



Will looked over at his smiling sister. "Viv has flourished, it's true. But she has a rare love with Stewart that's helped her win through against the darkness. Elizabeth is too delicate to ever understand what I've endured, what I've done."



Monroe shook his head. "I think you're underestimating her. She's young and lovely, but strong too. There's sorrow there. I know Stewart mentioned some very serious family trouble two years ago which only resolved itself in the spring. Something about a lost sister and niece. If anyone is capable of understanding you, not judging your past, I believe it's Elizabeth Eltham."



Will ran his fingers through his hair and shrugged. "Well, only time will tell. She has the opportunity to pick one of us, or even none of us. We shall just have to wait and see. I'm going to head back home. I have to check on the new roof. Leave the workers here alone for a second and they slack off." He gave the two men a meaning look, and left them with the children and ponies.



He strode up to Vevina and Elizabeth and made his apologies.



"But you will come for dinner at four?" Elizabeth asked quickly.



"Well...."



"Oh do, please."



"Shall I dress?



"Yes, we're all going to dress and perform some of She Stoops to Conquer. The four of us were in it last year at Brimley and we can still recall all our lines and thought it might amuse."