Page 13 of Surrender

Aunt Constance seemed to have the strongest gift of sight with her ability to speak with those who’d crossed over. The only other person who could match the strength of her gift was Jamie. As a child, Theo’s experience with the an dara sealladh had always made him uneasy and unsettled.

But at the moment, he would have gladly dealt with any discomfort for a chance to talk to Peter right now. Theo’s friend had possessed the kind of wisdom one might expect in someone many years older. It had been an astuteness acquired from his years surviving the streets of the East End. And at the moment, he was in desperate need of his friend’s wisdom when it came to Genevieve.

Everything had changed the moment he’d learned of Peter’s murder. His friend’s death had left a large void in his life, and Theo was certain things would have been vastly different if his friend had revealed the truth about himself and Genevieve. If he’d known the two of them worked for the Secret Intelligence Service, Theo might have been able to save his friend’s life. Even if he’d failed to do that, it was unlikely Genevieve would have been attacked, because she wouldn’t have gone into the East End without him.

But this afternoon his lack of control had made things even more complicated than he’d ever dreamed possible. As pleasurable as it had been, making love to Genevieve had been a mistake.

If Peter were still alive, the man would have beaten him senseless for bedding Genevieve. Theo wouldn’t have even tried to ward off his friend’s blows, because he knew he’d taken advantage of Genevieve, whether she’d been willing or not.

Worse, his error was compounded by having promised Peter he would watch over her if anything happened to his friend. This afternoon illustrated how difficult a task that would be. The woman had aroused unmitigated lust and desire inside him, while making him want to throttle her at the same time.

It wasn’t the first time he’d experienced the sensation where Genevieve was concerned. There wasn’t anything about the woman that didn’t twist him into knots whenever she was near. It was a constant state of feeling off-balance. He’d never particularly cared for the sensation any more than he’d understood what it meant. He had cared even less for the theory Peter had thrown at Theo several days before his death.

Staring out at the moors, the landscape in front of Theo faded until the past took hold of his thoughts as if it were yesterday. A week before Peter had been killed, the two of them had gone to Melton House for the weekly gathering of the Rockwoods.

The family dinner was a ritual that had been established soon after the tragedy at Westbrook Farms. The loss of two family members in that terrible blaze had emphasized to the Rockwoods how fleeting life was. The realization had prompted the older members of the family to make a concerted effort to spend more time together.

At least once a week, and sometimes more, everyone in the family who was in town, from the youngest to the oldest, was seated around the table. The main topic over dinner that evening was the offer of marriage Genevieve had received earlier in the day from Viscount Brockham.

With her parents still in the country, Genevieve had been staying with Theo’s parents at Melton House. The moment he’d heard the news, Theo had experienced a number of emotions, none of which had been pleasure. He knew Brockham, and the man was less than suitable in his opinion.

Not only was the viscount boring, but the man had a tendency toward condescension where women were concerned. The only outcome their marriage ensured was that either Brockman would become a lap dog or Genevieve would be miserable with the man, more than likely, both outcomes would occur.

Excitement at the prospect of a wedding had the younger members of the family chattering like magpies at the table. Theo had studied Genevieve throughout the meal, and she’d appeared oblivious and unaffected by the lively questions and speculation. The cacophony had made even Theo wince once or twice, but Genevieve’s expression had remained serene, even uninterested in the discussion.

Theo wasn’t the only one who’d noted her blasé demeanor, and he’d seen looks of concern exchanged between his aunts. When Aunt Louisa had asked if Genevieve intended to accept Brockham’s offer, she’d shrugged and stated she hadn’t decided. But Theo had seen an odd look flitting across her beautiful face. It was such a brief flash of emotion crossing Genevieve’s stoic expression that he wasn’t certain what it was. But to him it had looked as if the question horrified her.

He and Peter had remained at Melton House for a few hours more before hailing a hackney cab to go home. On their way back to their townhouse, Peter had exploded with an anger unlike anything Theo had ever witnessed in his friend.

“I hope you’re happy, Selbourne.” Peter’s anger made Theo start as he jerked his head toward his best friend in bewildered amazement.

“Happy? About what?”

“Are you truly that blind, man?”

“Apparently I am when it comes to whatever has you so outraged.”

“Christ Jesus, you really don’t see it, do you?” The look of disbelief on Peter’s face made Theo frown in puzzlement.

“Exactly what am I missing in this conversation?”

“God help me,” Peter exclaimed with deep frustration. “You need to have your head examined, Selbourne. If you don’t do something, she might actually marry that half-wit.”

“What the devil are you talking about?” Theo asked with growing irritation. “Do you mean Brockham’s proposal to Genevieve?”

“Yes, Brockham’s proposal. How can you stand by and let Ginny marry that imbecile when you’re in love with her?”

Stunned, Theo stared at his friend in open-mouthed disbelief. Deep inside, a voice shouted out an agreement with Peter’s accusation. He crushed the sound. What he felt for Genevieve was lust, nothing more. It was a physical desire that had been a part of him ever since that fateful day at the pond on Aunt Matilda’s estate in Scotland. With a firm shake of his head, Theo denied the charge.

“I’m fond of Genevieve, but I’m not in love with her, Peter.” Lust, yes, but not love.

“Do you honestly expect me to believe that?” his friend bit out fiercely. “I know better. I remember how you looked at her that day at the pond.”

This time, Peter’s assertion sent a bolt of shock and humiliation blasting through him. Theo met his friend’s fierce gaze for a moment before he jerked his gaze away to stare out at the street. Peter had never mentioned that day at the pond before, and he’d always assumed his behavior had been missed by him and Genevieve.

Now, the thought of his best friend having witnessed his arousal made Theo’s gut knot up with a sickening twist. That day had been the last time he’d ever agreed to let Genevieve trail after the two of them like a puppy following the bigger dogs. As was their habit on summer holidays, he and Peter had set off to explore the Abbey’s estate, and the heat had driven them to the pond. Genevieve had swum with them many times before, in fact, he and Peter had taught her how to swim.

They’d not been in the pond for long when Theo had climbed out, preparing to launch himself back into the pond as if he were a human cannonball. When he’d turned around, he’d frozen in his tracks as Genevieve rose up out of the water with a sylph-like grace. It was the first time Theo had thought of her as a desirable young woman, not Uncle Percy’s ward or his cousin.