Secrets 03 - Shattered Secrets Read online

  The girl he’d known had become a beautiful woman. Her blonde ringlets had darkened slightly but still framed her face in a familiar way. Her green eyes were large and her lashes long. Brows a shade darker than her hair with a slight arch in the center gave her beauty an edge of intelligence, which fit her perfectly. Her cheeks held a healthy glow that spoke of an active life. While her simple gown didn’t seem to be on the cutting edge of fashion, it still showed her curves to an advantage.

  She was no longer the sweet girl of sixteen whom he’d kissed, nor the girl who’d so passionately declared her love for him shortly after the accident.

  Instead, she was a woman-in-full, whose expression was much more difficult to discern.

  Surely she was married with children of her own by now. Odd how the thought caused his stomach to tighten in an uncomfortable way.

  What was she doing here?

  CHAPTER TWO

  Moira had thought she’d prepared herself while upstairs readying the girls. But she’d been wrong. Longing pierced through her, swift and sharp at the sight below. The man standing beside Mrs. Tollers was familiar yet so different.

  Demanding immediate attention was his black eye patch. She’d seen him briefly after the terrible accident at university. He’d had a bandage covering his head, including his eye, but she hadn’t realized he’d damaged or lost it permanently.

  His brown hair was overly long and his skin far darker than it once was. The way he held himself, so tall and straight, the set of his shoulders, the tilt of his head, were much how she remembered. But the similarities ended there.

  His features had matured and sharpened, holding a solemn cast she didn’t care for. He seemed bigger and broader than when she’d last seen him. He’d been fit as a young man, but now he appeared massive, making her wonder what he’d been doing in Brazil.

  He made no move to come forward nor did he call out a greeting as he had so often in the past. That left Moira to assume he was less than pleased to see her. Much as she’d expected, she reminded herself, despite the hurt filling her.

  She straightened and made certain she appeared composed, hoping she could make it through the next few minutes. A touch on the girls’ shoulders prodded them to continue slowly down the stairs with her close behind.

  Determination filling her, she decided to treat Lucas the same as she’d treated his brother—with a polite, professional demeanor. In reality, she was more a member of the staff than an old family friend. She would explain the unfortunate situation then leave the girls in his hands. He might have his own preferences for a governess.

  Her concern shifted to the twins. To them, this man was a stranger. Never mind that she felt much the same way. The closer they drew, the slower their pace until Moira had to nudge them yet again.

  When they stepped down into the foyer, she bent beside them. “Amelia, Addie, this is your Uncle Lucas.” Though she knew she should address him by his proper title, he now held the title their father had, which might confuse them.

  A glance showed Lucas frowning as he studied the pair.

  Moira bit her tongue. Couldn’t he at least spare a kind word for them?

  Addie scowled right back, not saying a word, but meeting his gaze. Despite Moira’s attempts to tidy her appearance, already the ribbon at the top of her dress was askew and her braid was half undone.

  Amelia, her dark brown hair curling loosely about her shoulders just as Moira had arranged it, tilted her head to the side. “If you’re our uncle, why have we never met you?”

  “I’ve been living in Brazil.”

  “Why?” Amelia’s question held a hint of accusation.

  “That’s my home.”

  “Not anymore,” Addie pointed out. The girl argued whenever possible. Not even her father had managed to break her of the habit.

  “Is that true?” Amelia asked. “Aunt Moira said you’d be living with us since our mummy and daddy are in heaven.”

  If Moira didn’t know him so well, she might’ve missed the tightening in his expression. For the barest of moments, his gaze held hers, his beautiful smoky blue eye making her mourn the loss of the other one. Markus hadn’t mentioned that Lucas had incurred permanent damage from the accident. But then she knew they’d never been close and had little contact after Lucas left for Brazil.

  “I’d like a word with you,” he advised Moira in a cool voice.

  That was it? No words of comfort for the girls? No expression of sympathy or reassurance for their future? Never mind that he hadn’t bothered to greet her after all these years.

  Swallowing her hurt, she said, “Of course. Wait here with Mrs. Tollers, girls.” She led the way into the drawing room. Rather than bothering to take a seat, she stalked to the middle of the room and turned to face him.

  “Why would you tell—” he began.

  “Hello, Lucas. Welcome back. Your kind words meant so much to the girls. Thank you for making them feel at ease in your company.” Her acid tone belied the cordial words. She couldn’t help the anger that stormed through her.

  How dare he? Amelia and Addie were now orphans and despite the fact that he was their sole relative, he couldn’t be bothered to utter a few words of comfort?

  He stared at her nonplused as though he didn’t understand her outburst. That only made her angrier.

  “In case you’ve forgotten, those girls recently lost their father. Is there some reason you can’t greet them with civility at the very least? They are your nieces, for heaven’s sake.”

  “I’m a stranger. They don’t know me. What difference does it make what I say to them?”

  Moira could hardly contain her astonishment. “They know you’re their uncle. They know you travelled all the way from South America to be with them. Why did you bother if you have so little interest in them?”

  Something flashed across his face that looked like pain, but then she realized she must’ve imagined it. His gaze shifted to the top of her head then around her shoulders. Anywhere but directly at her.

  Stung, she realized he couldn’t be bothered to look at her. After all the years they’d known each other, his indifference hurt. She understood they would never again be friends, but that did not mean he could treat her so rudely.

  She set aside her feelings, reminding herself once again that this situation wasn’t about her. “The girls are lost right now. They miss their father terribly. They need you. They need to know you’re here to stay.”

  “I am not here to replace Markus. You of all people should realize how impossible that would be.”

  Surprised he’d said such a personal thing, she hesitated. She well knew his father and brother had thought Lucas less than qualified for much of anything. As Lucas had grown older, he’d gone out of his way to make that true. But Moira had always known they were wrong. Surely Lucas knew that as well.

  He turned away for a moment. “I am only here long enough to ensure the girls will be properly cared for and make the necessary arrangements for their future.”

  “Their future? What about now? What about today?”

  He frowned. “What needs could five-year-old girls have? They seem fine.”

  “How can you possibly think that? You haven’t even spoken with them. They need you. And someone needs to fulfill the duties of earl.”

  “I have no desire to serve as earl. I intend to pass the title to whoever is next in line.” He held himself stiffly as though uncomfortable with the whole situation.

  Moira was speechless as she studied him, unable to imagine what he might be thinking. “You would allow your cousin Daniel to take all that is yours? Including the girls? In case you’ve forgotten during your time in Brazil, doing whatever it was that you were doing, Daniel is a greedy, scheming imbecile.”

  Lucas cocked his brow. “Surely he’s changed from the annoying youth I knew.”

  “He’s grown worse. Far worse. But I’m certain he’ll descend upon you soon once he learns of your arrival. You can judge for your
self.”

  He stared at her for a long moment. “Why are you here?”

  Moira felt her face heat. Which answer should she give him? That Markus had needed help with the girls when they’d lost their long-time nanny several years ago? That no man had offered marriage to her so she had nothing better to do? That fate seemed to have tied her to Traverston Manor whether she wished it or not? All of them were true. “Certainly not waiting for you.”

  When he frowned, she shook her head, disappointed with herself. Just because he was being less than civil didn’t mean she should. Her father would tell her to turn the other cheek. “My apologies. That was rude. I am here only until arrangements can be made for a governess for the girls. Unfortunately, their behavior has been a bit unsettling since their father’s death. This has led to the last few governesses leaving.”

  “Unsettling in what way?” He appeared more interested in her comment than she would’ve liked.

  “Childish pranks taken a bit too far.” She waved her hand in dismissal of the topic. Details were unnecessary. She didn’t want him to see the girls in an unfavorable light. “Now that you’re here, I will place their care with you.”

  “So you’re leaving them, just as everyone else has.”

  She jerked back at his accusation. How dare he try to turn this back on her. “I am not a governess nor a relative. I was only here temporarily. Since you’ve arrived, I’m no longer needed.”

  “But I told you I am not staying.”

  “So you did.” Did he think she would make this easy for him? Oh, no. It was time for him to take responsibility, and as far as she was concerned, that began with the girls. “I’m sure you’ll be able to make suitable arrangements. I would suggest you communicate clearly with Addie and Amelia, so they understand the situation. That will help to allay their worries.” And perhaps make sure they behaved themselves.

  He looked rather confounded at the suggestion, as though he had no idea how to talk to young girls. He’d figure it out soon enough.

  “I’d be happy to return each day for a few hours for the rest of the week. That should provide a suitable transition period for both you and the girls. You’ll have a better chance to get to know each other without me underfoot.”

  “You’re leaving now?” He stepped forward as though concerned at the idea.

  “I don’t live here. You do. So yes, I’m leaving. As you may remember, my home is just across the meadow.”

  His gaze narrowed at her thinly veiled barb.

  “Shall I send in the girls so you can tell them of your plans?”

  “No. I—”

  “Nonsense. There’s no time like the present, especially if you’re in such a hurry to return to Brazil.” She moved to step around him, but he caught her arm.

  “Moira.”

  Her name on his lips made her stomach tremble. The heat of his hand on her sleeve caused tingles to run along her spine. Why, oh why, did he still have this affect on her? She shifted to meet his gaze. “Yes?”

  “Never mind.” He released her and stepped back.

  She told herself it didn’t matter what he’d been about to say no matter how desperately she wanted to know. Besides, she didn’t care for this new version of Lucas. If only her heart believed her. “I’ll inform Addie and Amelia you’ll see them now.”

  *

  Lucas rubbed a hand across his aching forehead in an attempt to alleviate the pounding there. In the depths of his soul was an unwelcome longing to draw Moira into his arms and hold her tight. To tell her everything. Why he’d kissed her all those years ago, why he’d had no choice but to reject her declaration of love, and why he’d left for Brazil.

  Yet how could he? He was broken, unable to risk emotional entanglements of any sort. The outward symbol of the damage was his damned eye patch. When people stared at that, it reminded him to keep his distance. That included staying away from Moira. Especially Moira.

  He’d tried to stop the morbid auras. Many times. Despite all his efforts, the ability he’d gained that night ten long years ago couldn’t be halted. Lord knew he’d tried.

  After being intrigued by a book’s vivid description of Brazil, he’d decided if a cure could be found, it would be there. Its distance from England had also been appealing.

  He’d pursued his interest in both botany and geology, hoping to find a way to repair his mind. The plants in the country’s jungles were odd and mysterious. He’d discovered flowers that ate insects, vines that grew several feet in a day and could strangle a man if he wasn’t watching, and plants that altered the mind, but only temporarily. Brazil’s rocks and minerals were unique as well, some even had the ability to conduct electric currents.

  He’d been certain that if a cure for his…illness could be found, Brazil would provide it.

  But no.

  Still he saw the blasted auras of people. Some were quite beautiful, like Moira’s golden hue. Those weren’t the ones that concerned him. It was the dark ones that stole his soul in bits and pieces. Seeing a person’s impending death was unbearable. He feared the ability was slowly driving him mad.

  Such a curse was impossible to live with and was the reason he’d fled England after the accident. How could he have stayed here, watching his mother, his father, his brother, his friends, even Moira, waiting to see that dark gray creep over them, knowing there was nothing he could do to stop it?

  He paced to the end of the room, turning to find the girls standing in the doorway. The faint, light glow of their auras reassured him, but he knew that could change.

  Everyone had to die sometime, but he didn’t want to know it was coming. Especially not when it involved someone he loved.

  “Aunt Moira left,” one of the girls said.

  “That doesn’t make us happy,” the other added as she eyed him warily.

  Lucas raised a brow. Obviously the two were far too used to having their own way. Discipline was the key to— He stopped himself. Now he sounded like his father. The very thought made him cringe.

  Moira was right. The least he could do while he was here was be civil. With their big eyes and round faces, how could anyone look at them and not be kind? The mess in which he found himself was not their fault.

  “I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced.”

  The one with the untidy braid stepped forward and curtsied. “I am Addie.”

  “I am Amelia. We are pleased to meet you, Uncle.” She curtsied as well, her big brown eyes staring at him as though weighing his worth and finding him lacking. Perhaps it was the eye patch.

  “Aunt Moira says she’s not certain you’ll be staying. If that’s true, why did you come? Brazil is far, far away.”

  “So it is.” He stepped forward and knelt on one knee before them, as he’d seen Moira do. At the very least, they deserved an explanation. “It would probably be best for everyone if I returned to Brazil. But I want to make certain you’re taken care of.”

  “But if you’re in Brazil, how can you make certain of that?” Addie pursed her lips to the side, something Markus used to do as a boy. He’d nearly forgotten that.

  “I intend to find someone I can trust to help.”

  “Well, if you’re not going to do it, the next best person would be Aunt Moira,” Amelia said, obviously the practical one.

  “Yes. We want Aunt Moira, not a governess,” Addie agreed.

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” He still didn’t understand why Moira was helping with the twins rather than raising her own children. Yet she’d worn no wedding ring. How could she have possibly remained unmarried?

  “Who is that man who came with you?”

  “Tiago is a…friend. I’ll introduce you when he returns.” He studied their expressions, far too somber for children. “I’m very sorry you lost your father.”

  “Thank you,” Addie said.

  “We miss him very much.”

  “There are lots of bad people in London. That’s where he was killed. You should never go t
here,” Addie advised.

  “I hope to avoid it at all costs.” He intended to have his brother’s death investigated further, but that did not require his presence in London. Venturing to such a crowded place held no appeal.

  They shared a look with each other that seemed to be one of relief.

  He hesitated on how best to proceed as he had no experience with children. Though he planned to keep his distance, he wanted to know them a little better. Surely that was necessary in order to make the best arrangements for their care. “Shall we have tea together later this afternoon? Perhaps Tiago will join us.” His friend had taken to the custom of having tea each day with great enthusiasm. He’d even managed to arrange for tea while they’d been on the ship. The man was nothing if not resourceful.

  “That would be lovely.”

  “Yes, quite. Thank you.”

  Amazed at their good manners, Lucas rose. Already he could feel his heart softening toward them. Yet how could he see to their well being without spending some time with them? “Excellent. I look forward to this afternoon then.”

  He couldn’t imagine why several governesses had left the girls. While Moira had mentioned their behavior, what he’d seen thus far was above reproach. Finding a new governess shouldn’t take long. He’d be back on his way to Brazil in little time at all. Odd that he didn’t feel relieved at the thought.

  CHAPTER THREE

  “Amelia! Addie! Come here this instant!” Lucas could hardly believe he’d resorted to bellowing like a fishmonger. Yet as he stared at the mess in the library, the one room in this house he’d claimed as his own, he felt the urge to yell even louder.

  Mrs. Tollers came to the door. “Is something amiss, my—oh, dear. What happened?”

  “That is exactly what I would like to know. When I left this room earlier, it was in perfect order.”

  He stared at the papers strewn about, books taken from their shelves, and—

  “Ack! I saw a mouse,” Mrs. Tollers screamed. “There’s another.” The stout woman hopped up on the library chair as agilely as a ballerina, staring all around her as though fearful the mice might join her on her perch.