Page 37 of Redemption

Chapter 8

“Well, Percy?”

“It’s an unreasonable request,” he snapped.

Patience arched her eyebrows and studied her brother’s handsome features carefully. She’d thrown an obstacle in his path, and he was far from happy with her. She had no doubt he was working on a way to refuse her provision in exchange for her agreement to attend Sebastian’s birthday party. It was also not hard to imagine he was contemplating all the ways to seek brotherly retaliation. The idea filled her with a small amount of satisfaction.

Most of her life, she was the one who always bowed to Percy’s decree. Begrudgingly, she admitted he was rarely wrong in his assessment of any dilemma she encountered. But this time she was the one with insight. Rhea Bennett meant something to her brother, and Patience was certain it wasn’t simply because he possessed a kind and generous heart.

Percy hadn’t shared what he’d seen in his vision at the orphanage. But his expression and headache afterward made her certain the mental images had disturbed him deeply. He was worried about Miss Bennett, and not simply out of the goodness of his heart. This afternoon at lunch she’d seen the way Percy had looked at the woman when he thought no one was watching.

Then there had been Rhea Bennett’s reaction the minute Edgar appeared in the dining room. The woman had been terrified—so much so that she’d thought the woman might faint. Patience knew her brother well, and he’d been ready to do battle the instant he saw the fear on Miss Bennett’s face. His reaction had only strengthened her belief that Rhea Bennett was important to her brother, even if he was unwilling to admit it.

She was also certain Percy had been thinking about Nellie Owens in those few moments when Edgar had posed a threat. The woman’s death still haunted him. He’d never discussed the tragedy with anyone in the family—not even her—but she knew he still blamed himself. After the inquest more than two years ago, Percy had left for the continent and remained there until he’d learned Caleb’s wife had died in childbirth. Percy had returned home to mourn Georgina with the rest of the family. As Caleb’s handsome features filled her head, phantom flames licked across her skin. Patience drew in a quick breath of dismay and forced herself to turn her attention back to the matter at hand.

“You’ve not agreed to my condition, Percy.”

“As I’ve already said, it’s an unreasonable one,” he growled. His irritation almost made her smile. The stipulation she’d made was outright bribery, but if it meant him finding happiness, she was more than willing to resort to it.

“I disagree. No one in the family has mentioned it before, but we all think it’s time you settled down and started a family.” Her declaration caused her husband’s hand to tighten over the curve of her shoulder. She ignored the silent warning.

“Settle—bloody hell. It’s not for any of you to discuss my personal affairs,” Percy snarled as his stony expression gave way to a look of outrage on his handsome face. His gaze traveled across the faces of everyone in the salon. Constance and Aunt Matilda both winced in the face of his anger.

“So your family has no right to express a desire to see you happy? I find that ironic given the wager you made with Constance and Lucien.”

“I’ve already apologized for that,” he growled with a note of regret in his voice.

“Yes, you did. Just like you apologized for bringing Miss Bennett to the orphanage today,” she said wryly. “It seems you have an unbalanced view of when you’re entitled to interfere and when others are not.”

“My personal affairs are my own.”

“What so called personal affairs?” Patience sniffed and rolled her eyes at him.

Percy had always been a popular guest at the Set’s soirées, but ever since Nellie’s untimely demise, he avoided any lasting relationships. There had been the occasional discreet liaison. But the only danger for him there was scandal, and heaven knew the Reckless Rockwoods were not unfamiliar with scandal. For the most part, Percy devoted the majority of his time to the museum’s musty books or traversing the disreputable sections of the city rescuing strays. Animals and wayward souls such as Nellie. The man needed someone to rescue him, and something inside her said Rhea Bennett was her brother’s salvation.

“Perhaps Patience is right, dearest,” Constance said quietly. “We simply want you to be happy.”

“I’m quite happy with things the way they are. Interfering in my personal affairs is unwarranted and unwelcomed.”

“And why is that?” Patience met her brother’s fierce glare with one of her own. You’ve never hesitated to interfere in our personal affairs if you thought it was in our best interest. I see no reason why we shouldn’t express our love and concern for you in equal fashion.”

Percy had the decency to look chagrined at her angry reminder. With an abrupt nod, he frowned darkly.

“I have no doubt you believe you’re acting in my best interests. However, I’ll settle down when I’m ready, and not before.”

“And when might that be? The next time you’re shot?” Patience snapped. The man was being completely unreasonable. She glared at him. “Which, I might point out is a very distinct possibility given your proclivity for spending time in some of the more deplorable parts of London. You seem to have forgotten we almost lost you last summer.”

“The incident at the Museum was an unusual event,” he said with cold anger. “There was no need for me to have concern for my safety that night.”

“Perhaps, but it’s a perfect example of what could happen if you continue frequenting places that are far less reputable. Can you blame us for worrying about you when you visit the docks and the East End looking for your latest stray?”

The memory of Percy’s assault and subsequent hospitalization was still fresh in the minds of the entire family. The recklessness of his visits into the East End and down to the docks at all hours of the day and night frightened her. In some small way, she was certain his reckless behavior was due to Nellie’s death. A misguided means of atonement for an event he bore no blame for.

“If you’re suggesting I’ve easily forgotten what it’s like to be shot, you’re mistaken.” Sharp, staccato beats, his words indicated his anger was on the verge of getting the best of his tongue.

“Mo leannan, this is no’—”

“It is the time and place,” Patience snapped as she cut off her husband’s protest. “If he insists on making me face my fears then it’s high time he faced his own.”