Page 53 of Surrender

“Not yet, Ginny.” Vincent’s quiet command made her sag with relief. “The man might have heard you and could come back. And I want to know what you heard.”

Her oldest adopted brother released her and closed the small library’s door. With a gesture, he directed her to sit down in one of the chairs in front of the fireplace. The low-burning fire in the hearth kept the room pleasantly warm, and as Vincent sank down into his chair, he exhaled a harsh breath.

“Tell me,” he commanded in a soft, but unyielding voice.

“He wants to know more about us, the family,” Genevieve signed.

“Fuck,” Vincent exclaimed viciously.

“The next time you think to chastise me for vulgar language, I’m going to remind you of this moment,” she signed in quick, rapid gestures, scowling at him. Vincent’s soft snort indicated he wasn’t the least bit worried about her threat.

“What else?”

“Lady Halliwell is in Count Ansbach’s debt, and Ansbach owes Warrington something. I don’t know who owes what, but Warrington is using the viscountess to learn more about me.” Genevieve paused as she closed her eyes. Vincent’s hand wrapped around hers.

“Tell me. What is it?”

“He’s Ruckley all over again, Vincent. He even sounded just like Ruckley a few moments ago. Not even his accent or his pleasant-sounding words could hide that subtle, but deadly threat of punishment if lady Halliwell doesn’t do what he asked.”

Dark memories pushed their way up out of the deep recesses of her soul, and she buried her face in her hands as one hard shudder after another made her shake in her chair. Desperate not to cry, she fought back the tears as she was pulled up out of her chair and into Vincent’s comforting embrace.

“It will be all right, Ginny. Now that we know what he’s up to, we’ll be prepared.” At his quiet words, Genevieve shook her head and pushed away from him, signing her reply.

“It’s not Warrington. It’s what Ruckley did to us. The bastard took everything from us. He destroyed our lives, and even from the grave, he’s making life unbearable.” Genevieve’s signed words made Vincent’s face darken with anger.

“This is about Theo, isn’t it?” Her brother’s question made her shake her head.

“No…it’s that I was foolish enough to think I could outrun the past. That I could leave all of it behind me because Mama and Papa saved all of us.” Genevieve closed her eyes for a brief moment before she met Vincent’s gaze again. “Ruckley made sure it would never happen, and I deceived myself into believing otherwise. I should have known better.”

Vincent didn’t speak for a long moment, and from his expression, he was lost in thought. When he focused his eyes on her again, alarm streaked through her. There was something in his eyes that said he’d made a decision of some sort, and when Vincent set his mind to something, it was a rare occasion when he failed to accomplish his goal.

“Theo’s in love with you, Ginny. Everyone can see it. He doesn’t stand guard over you because you’re a Rockwood. He does it because he’d give his life to keep you safe.”

“But he doesn’t love me enough, Vincent. Don’t ask me how I know that, but it’s why I know Ruckley has won again, even though he’s dead and buried.” The moment her hand gestures stopped, Vincent rubbed a hand over his face.

“That doesn’t sound like Theo. He’s never cared about our past, Ginny. If anything, he’s been sympathetic and understanding about what all of us have gone through.”

“This isn’t about Theo not caring about my past. This is something altogether different, and he proved that this matters.” Genevieve blinked back the tears welling up in her eyes as Vincent scowled down at her.

“Do you love him, Ginny?” At the question, Genevieve looked away from her brother. “Answer me, Ginny. I know the answer already, we all do, but I want you to confirm it.”

“Yes, I love him. But I know there’s no point to it all. He will come to regret marrying me.”

“You’re as hard-headed as Mama.” The reprimand was filled with irritation. “Father says Mama fought him tooth and nail to get her to marry him. Like Mama, you don’t think you’re worthy of Theo.

“I’m not as strong as Mama. I could never have done what she did, offering herself up to Ruckley to ensure we were free of that devil. She was willing to sacrifice herself to save us.”

“You don’t give yourself enough credit, Ginny. No matter what stands between the two of you, Theo doesn’t give a damn.

“I refuse to argue with you about this anymore. You’re wrong. Theo’s reaction to the truth said everything,” Genevieve signed viciously to emphasize she didn’t like him interfering.

“And I’m saying you don’t trust him enough to accept you for you are. Theo would love you no matter how many scars you have on the inside,” Vincent snapped. “He sees more than your outer beauty, he sees the light shining inside you, too. He knows your heart.”

“This conversation is over. I’m going home,” she signed, her hands stressing her refusal to listen to him any more. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight?” Vincent uttered with fierce incredulity. “Have you lost your goddamn mind?”

“If it makes you feel better, you can see me to the carriage, Martin will ensure I get into the house safe and sound.”