Page 38 of Redemption

“And what fears might those be, Patience?” The sarcasm in Percy’s voice made her wince. It was only when he was furious with her that Percy ever addressed her so coldly. It didn’t matter. She’d already started down this path and refused to stop now.

“I’m referring to the fact that you blame yourself for Nellie’s death.”

The silence in the salon stretched out for a long moment, and she struggled not to squirm in her seat as Percy’s gaze pinned her to her chair. It wasn’t just her brother who was upset with her. She could feel the weight of her family’s censure weighing down on her shoulders.

While the family had discussed the matter out of earshot from Percy, no one had dared to express their concerns directly to her brother. But if anyone were to do so it was logical to assume she should be the one to confront him. The two of them had always shared a special bond, and she knew he would listen to her more than anyone else in the family. Although she was certain Rhea Bennett would be a good influence on him, she was certain the woman’s past was a troublesome one if she knew Edgar. That fact alone made it imperative he understand safety for both himself and Miss Bennett could not be discounted. Patience had no idea what connected Percy and Rhea, but she knew there was more to their relationship than a simple interest on Percy’s part and Rhea’s as well.

It was another reason why she’d insisted Rhea Bennett come to dinner this evening. She wanted Constance and Aunt Matilda to witness Percy’s interaction with the woman. Now, as she met Percy’s hard gaze, Julian’s other hand came to rest on her opposite shoulder and squeezed it tightly. This time there was no mistaking the unspoken message. Her husband was telling her to be quiet. But when a Rockwood was being reckless, they were rarely quiet, and never unwilling to accept a challenge or offer one.

“Have you nothing to say, Percy?” she asked quietly.

For a long moment her brother simply stared at her before he took a small step forward. His anger might have been frightening if she didn’t know how much he loved her. But his expression made her wonder if she’d gone too far. Was it possible he might not forgive her for pushing him in this manner? The thought was like a worrisome bee buzzing around her head.

“You go too far, Patience.” There was a menacing tone in his voice that made her hesitate before she shook her head.

“I’ve gone no further than you did every time you told me to return to Julian. I should have taken your advice long before I returned to Crianlarich, and I firmly believe I am offering the same type of wisdom you offered me.” She stood up and moved to stand in front of her brother taking one of his hands in hers. “You’re not responsible for Nellie’s death. No matter how many times you try to tell yourself you are, it’s not true. Until you accept that fact, true happiness will be outside your grasp. And none of us want that for you.”

Percy slowly pulled his hand from hers, and Patience’s heart sank at the unforgiving expression on his face. Her brother’s reaction was far more chilling than she’d expected. Had she erred so badly that he might never forgive her? He stepped back from her and gave her a small bow.

“Since you saw fit to persuade Miss Bennett to come to dinner, I must fetch her. However, I’m warning each of you not to put her under the microscope or you’ll have me to deal with,” he said coldly as he turned to leave the room.

“And what of my condition?”

Behind her, Patience heard Julian release a low growl before he muttered something incoherent. Percy slowly turned his head to glare at her, but she saw the resignation in her brother’s gaze.

“I’ll find a way to convince Rhea to attend Sebastian’s party, so I suggest you be prepared to make an appearance Saturday evening.”

Without another word, Percy strode out of the salon. A moment later the front door slammed shut. Patience sagged slightly as the tension that had been holding her hostage ebbed from her body. Slowly, Patience turned to face her family. Disapproval was visible on each of their faces, and she sighed. With what she knew was great restraint, Julian circled the couch to stand in front of her. As she met her husband’s fierce gaze, the Scotsman shook his head, his expression stern.

“You are no’ to meddle in your brother’s affairs again, Patience MacTavish.” The outrage in his voice made her touch his arm in a placating gesture. As he glared down at her, she smiled.

“I don’t think any of us will need to meddle in Percy’s affairs in the future,” Patience said softly as she went up on tiptoe to kiss her husband’s cheek. “I think Miss Bennett is going to occupy Percy’s attention for some time to come. In fact, I think his life is about to change forever.”

Julian scowled at her before he released a growl of disgusted resignation. It was clear he’d have more to say when they were alone. But for now he was willing to drop the matter.

“Have ye been touched by the an dara sealladh where Percy is concerned, lass?” Aunt Matilda asked. Curiosity mixed with concern running beneath the inquisitive burr of the Scotswoman’s voice.

Beside her, Julian stiffened, and she touched his hand in a small gesture of reassurance. Since the fire, she’d experienced the an dara sealladh only a few times. Julian knew how her gift of the sight sometimes proved disturbing, but the visions she’d had were of minor incidents.

“I didn’t need the an dara sealladh to tell me Percy’s interest in Miss Bennett is far more complicated than he’s willing to admit,” Patience said with a shake of her head.

“So you think his interest is one of a romantic nature?” Constance asked with a smile of satisfaction as Patience nodded her head and returned her sister’s smile with a conspiratorial one of her of own.

“Yes, it’s why I persuaded Miss Bennett to come to dinner this evening. I wanted someone else to confirm my suspicions.”

“Have you no’ heard a word I’ve said, Patience MacTavish?” Julian bit out with exasperation. “You’re no’ to interfere in your brother’s affairs.”

“And I’m not,” Patience said firmly. “I simply want to know if I’m right about Rhea Bennett being the woman who can make Percy happy.”

Her words made Julian mumble an oath as he exhaled a deep breath of exasperation. When Patience smiled up at him, he glowered at her severely, which only made her laugh. Before he could chastise her again, the sound of feet pounding down the main stairs announced the arrival of the children. Braxton was the first one to barrel into the salon. The boy was the spitting image of his father when Caleb had been the same age. Her nephew raced straight for her.

“Aunt Patience, tell Alma to stop saying Papa died,” the six-year-old demanded belligerently. “You said he’s in heaven.”

Patience opened her arms to the little boy who leapt up into her embrace. Hugging the child close, she sank down onto the couch with the boy and looked up at Julian with a sense of helplessness. Ever since the first anniversary of the fire at Westbrook Farms, Alma had been fixated on her father’s death and had taken to tormenting her younger brother with the details of that terrible night.

She quickly turned her attention back to the little boy. Tenderly, she brushed the dark brown hair that was so much like Caleb’s out of his eyes. His silky dark hair and brown eyes he’d inherited from his father, but his sweet manner had come from his mother, Georgina. The memory of her brother and sister-in-law made Patience’s heart ache for the little boy and his sisters.

“Well, Alma is partly correct. Your papa did die, but he died saving you because he loved you so much.” She squeezed Braxton’s hand. “He saved you and all your cousins, which is why he went to heaven. Your papa was a very brave man, and God wants all of us to be brave in our own way.”