The splash of water splashing on the brick floor made the maid's answer inaudible. Standing still, Torcia was absorbed in this exhilaration, her back pricked with warm needles gently, her lungs filling with heat. The door clicked open, and a bar of soap and a sponge were brought in for her. She soaped her hair and body and turned in slow circles, her face up, her eyes and mouth closed. Hot water slid all over her body, over her breasts and stomach, down her thighs, between her toes. It was an amazingly pleasurable experience, making her feel exhausted and relaxed at the same time. She wanted to stand there for hours. However, the water starts to cool very quickly. With a sigh of regret, Torcia stepped out of the water before she became completely frozen."The water's cold now," she called to Hariet, who had shut the valve on the outside of the door before handing her a towel warmed on the hot water pipe.Shivering in the cold air, Torcia dried her face and hair, then wrapped the towel
Since a wedding to Lord Warren had etched into Torcia's nightmares for years, she came to the ceremony with suspicion and fear. She was thus compensated, as the ritual in the civil registry office turned out to be quick and efficient, including signing, exchanging obligatory vows, and paying fees. There were no kisses, no loving glances, no trace of emotion to color the romantic atmosphere of pragmatism, and she was grateful for that. However, she didn't feel like she was married when she left the registry office, no more than when she entered.She had just married a man who didn't love her at all and probably couldn't have those feelings. And by marrying him, she had also eliminated all possibility of finding a love for herself.However, in this union there is still consolation, the greatest consolation is that she has escaped Lord Warren. And proven fact, Kai Reeves is an attractive companion. He didn't bother to cover up his mistakes when everyone else did, but instead he bragged a
"I'll try to be interesting," he whispered with a loving smile. As he straightened up, the light danced in his ebony-black hair and raised silver streaks at the sides of his temples.Reeves' face was as cold as stone as he rose to shake hands with his brother-in-law. "Sir Grant said he wanted to see you," he said without preamble. "What are you planning, Cannon?""We'll discuss that later. I want to get to know your brave bride first?"Torcia laughed at Sir Ross' implication – that any woman would have to be brave to marry someone as notorious as Kai Reeves. She bowed slightly as the former judge walked around the table to her. Taking her hands in his big warm ones, sir Ross spoke with gentle grace. "Welcome to the family, Mrs. Reeves. Rest assured that if you need any help, just ask. I'm yours."When their eyes met, Torcia instinctively knew his words were serious. "Thank you, Mr. Ross. I regret the obligation to keep our relationship a secret, for I would be proud to announce that y
"Torcia, my dear," Sophia said with a gentle determination that revealed the strength beneath her fragile appearance. "How many years did you study at Doren?""Six years," Torcia said, casting a wary glance at her husband's tough figure."If Doren's reputation remains the same, for those six years she has undergone an education that includes rigorous training in manners, gestures, the art of elegant speech, management skills. House management and spending, fashion and high taste, rituals of morning visits and after-dinner gatherings...thousands of little details of etiquette that distinguish first rank and other social ladders. musical instruments, speak French and perhaps even German....are you wrong?""You're right," said Torcia curtly, hating the feeling of suddenly becoming part of a trap set around Reeves. He was being forced to become something he didn't want to be, and she understood his feelings very well.Nodding satisfied, Sophia turned to her brother who was glaring. "Torci
Torcia walked up the stairs with him, her hand clenched in his, her legs feeling but rubber when they finally reached his bedroom.The curtains were drawn up, letting in a soft gray light through the windows. If it were darkness, she would have liked it much more. The thought of lying naked in the merciless light of day made her shiver from head to toe."Calm down," Kai whispered, coming to stand behind her. Her hands were slightly closed on her arms. His voice was lower and hoarse than usual. "I'll be careful. I'll make it comfortable for you, if...""If?""If you trust me."Both were silent and motionless. Torcia licked her lips, thinking that she hadn't trusted anyone all these years. And to put her faith in Kai Reeves...the most unscrupulous man she had ever met...was no longer folly, but madness. "Yes," she said, surprised to herself. "Yes, I will believe you."He let out a soft sound, as if the words had broken through his defenses.His hand slowly slid up her chest, using gentl
"I'm sorry," he interrupted, wrapping his arms around her waist, pulling her into the shelter of his body, her back snug against his hairy chest. "I didn't mean to anger you. Here, lean on me." He rubbed his face against the golden glow of her hair. "What a hot-tempered girl.""I'm not hot-tempered," Torcia protested, for that personality hardly befits a graduate of Lady Doren's training school."Yes." His hands cupped her hips possessively. "I knew that from the moment we met. It's one of the reasons I wanted you.""I said I only want you for convenience.""Well, I did," he said with a grin, and immediately reacted when she nudged him. "But actually, utility has nothing to do with this. I want you more than any woman I've ever met.""Why do you insist on getting married, when I ask to be your mistress?""Because being a mistress won't do you any good." He paused before adding quietly, "you deserve everything I can give you, including my name."A serious thought clouded Torcia's pleas
He smiled at that, bringing her fingers to his mouth. "I would like anyone but Warren as a husband - I've made that pretty clear."Torcia smiled, discreetly thinking that by marrying Kai, she had ended up with a husband far from her expectations. "What will you do tomorrow?" she asked, recalling this morning's confrontation with Sir Ross. She was sure that Kai would give up his post on Bow Street without a word of protest.Letting go of her hand, Kai frowned. "I'm going to visit Morgan.""Do you think he will side with you against Sir Ross?""There's no chance. But at least I'll have the satisfaction of telling Morgan what a rotten traitor he is."Torcia reached forward to touch the lapel of his robe. "Have you considered the possibility that those two are doing what they think is best for you? Could it be in your own interest to reinstate the title?""How can that be? God, I'm going to live in a cage painted with vermilion and gold.""I'll be in there with you."He stared at her, see
“Something pale yellow, I think,” Sophia said grimly, sitting among the many fabrics spread out as if a rainbow had exploded in the room."Yellow," Torcia repeated, biting her lower lip. "I don't think it will flatter my skin tone."Since this was at least the tenth suggestion that Torcia had rejected, Sophia sighed and shook her head with a smile. She had specially used the room behind the tailor shop on Oxford Street to order Torcia's wedding dress."I'm sorry, Torcia said sincerely. "I don't mean to be difficult. You obviously have very little experience with these things." She was never allowed to choose the style or color of her dresses herself.At Lord Warren's orders, she always wore virtuous styles in colors. Unfortunately now it's hard to picture myself in vibrant colors like blue, or yellow, and, god help her, pink, and the thought of exposing most of my upper chest. The public was so terrified that she cringe at the stylish illustrations in the book Sophia held out to her.S
"Very well done, ma'am," said Sir Grant. "Can I convince you to answer a few more questions?""Tomorrow" Kai said gruffly. "She's been through a lot today. She needs a break.""I feel very pleased to tell you all the relevant details," Torcia replied to Sir Grant. "If you will bring a doctor to take care of Lord Sydney's hand, as well as take care of our servant."The judge's blue eyes narrowed. "We'll send Dr. Linley right away.""I'll go find him." Sayer volunteered and quickly left the office."Wonderful," Morgan commented, his eyes returning to Kai. "And while we wait for Linley, sir, perhaps you could explain to me the circumstances that led to your wound... and why you look and smell like you've just wandered around. via Fleet Ditch."Much later, as they lay in bed in their home and talked for what seemed like an hour, Kai told Torcia of his thoughts in the moment of distress, when he thought he was going to die in the barn. there. As Torcia listened, she snuggled into his folde
Torcia didn't really regain her senses until she found herself being half-pulled and half-carried to Lord Warren's London home. Her head was smashed maliciously, and her throat ached as she struggled against his merciless grip. Somewhere beneath her fear and anger, she was acutely aware that Ellie had been released. Her sister was safe, and now all the boiling anger would pour down her head, which was what Lotiie had always known would happen, between her and the man who had dominated most of her life. her life. Although Lotiie was aware of several screams from nearby servants, none of them dared to stop them. They were all afraid of Warren, and they wouldn't lift a finger to get in the way of what he wanted to do. She had foreseen what he was going to do when he brought her here. His London home was the first to be investigated when it was discovered that she was missing. She was sure that he had taken her to another place where it would be difficult for anyone to find her.Warren dr
He stomped again, the destructive power of his foot sending a blinding explosion of pain through Kai's arm. Follard's shoe was once again raised for the boon shot."Daddy," Kai panted and grabbed Follard by the ankle, pulling hard.With a shrill scream, Follard tumbled off the beams, his body falling over two floors and landing with fatal force.Kai didn't dare look down. He focused his whole mind on climbing the beam. Unfortunately, his strength was drained, and his left hand was crippled. Writhing like a worm caught in a hook, he leaned forward helplessly from the fatal fall.Doubtful, he realized he was about to die.*****The paper trembled in Torcia's hand as she read it again.TorciaPlease save me. Mama says Lord Warren is coming to take me away. I didn't want to go anywhere with him, but Mom and Papa made me do. They locked me in my room until he arrived. I beg you not to let that happen, Torcia, because you are my only hope.My dear sisterEllieA boy from the village brought
"He didn't," Sayer said cheerfully. "He wants me to interrogate his old associates and send him a message. I'd rather go and arrest Follard in person."Kai couldn't help but laugh at that, knowing exactly how Morgan's reaction would be to the news. "If you succeed, Morgan will skin you for such a damn stupid show.""Yes...and then he'll kiss my bony ass for getting a fugitive back. And I'll be on the front page of the Times, with dozens of women begging for my attention."Kai's smile turned grim. "It's not as interesting as you think," he informs his friend."No? Well, I want to try anyway." Sayer raised an eyebrow expectantly. "Are you participating?"Kai nodded with a sigh. "Where do you want to start looking?""It is said that Follard was seen in the slum between Hanging Ax Alley and Dead Man's Lane. It was like an anthill with holes in the walls and interlaced tunnels -""Yes, I know the place." Kai kept his face impassive, though he was aware of a cold distaste curling up in his
The contours of his body changed, sagging in a kind of wretched patience. He leaned one shoulder against the wall, part of his face bent away from her, his gaze fixed on some distant spot on the floor."I was sent to prison because I was responsible for the death of a man. I was fourteen years old. I joined a gang of road robbers, and an old man died when we robbed the carriage. Soon after, the whole gang was tried and convicted. He was too embarrassed to tell anyone who he was - he simply called himself John Sidney. Four of the group were arrested. hanged quickly, but because he was young, the judge gave him a lighter sentence. Ten months on the Scarborough.""Sir Ross is the judge who sentenced you," Torcia whispered, remembering what Sophia had told her.A bitter smile squeezed his mouth. "None of us expected that one day you would become brothers-in-law." He slumped more heavily against the wall. "As soon as he set foot on the ship, he knew he wouldn't live a month there. A quick
"Yes," Torcia muttered, letting him take her hand. Sir Ross examined his bruised wrist with a frown. His face was hidden, and his gray eyes were so kind and worried that Torcia wondered how she could have ever thought of him as aloof. She remembered his compassion for women and children she had heard about—a highlight of his career as a judge, Sophia had told her.Sir Ross' mouth curled up in a gentle and reassuring smile. "This won't happen again - I can promise you that.""Great party," Kai sarcastically. "Can you tell us who the hell put Lord Warren on the guest list?""Kai," Torcia conciliated, "it's all right, I'm sure sir Ross doesn't—""Absolutely not okay," sir Ross protested quietly. "I'm in charge of this party, and I bow my head to your forgiveness, Torcia. Lord Warren is certainly not on the guest list I've approved, but I'll find out how. he won the invitation." His brow furrowed as he continued."Lord Warren's behavior tonight is absurd and reprehensible...it demonstrate
Samantha's face hardened with understanding. "They won't be mad at you forever, dear." She spoke with a realism that offered more consolation than sympathy. "If your husband is only half as rich as rumors reveal, the Sette family will end up being more than happy to announce him as son-in-law."The three talked for a while longer, eager to get to know each other again and planning to contact each other soon. Torcia didn't notice the passage of time until she heard the band start playing a recently popular waltz called. "Spring Flowers," a tune that immediately ignites the eager crowd to pair up to begin spinning through the room. Wondering if Kai would remember to dance the first waltz with her, Torcia decided to look for him across the room. Apologizing to her two friends, she walked along the downstairs balcony corridors, separated from the dance floor by carved wooden railings and pink and blue rose bushes. A few couples were engrossed in private stories, somewhat obscured by the d
“Something pale yellow, I think,” Sophia said grimly, sitting among the many fabrics spread out as if a rainbow had exploded in the room."Yellow," Torcia repeated, biting her lower lip. "I don't think it will flatter my skin tone."Since this was at least the tenth suggestion that Torcia had rejected, Sophia sighed and shook her head with a smile. She had specially used the room behind the tailor shop on Oxford Street to order Torcia's wedding dress."I'm sorry, Torcia said sincerely. "I don't mean to be difficult. You obviously have very little experience with these things." She was never allowed to choose the style or color of her dresses herself.At Lord Warren's orders, she always wore virtuous styles in colors. Unfortunately now it's hard to picture myself in vibrant colors like blue, or yellow, and, god help her, pink, and the thought of exposing most of my upper chest. The public was so terrified that she cringe at the stylish illustrations in the book Sophia held out to her.S
He smiled at that, bringing her fingers to his mouth. "I would like anyone but Warren as a husband - I've made that pretty clear."Torcia smiled, discreetly thinking that by marrying Kai, she had ended up with a husband far from her expectations. "What will you do tomorrow?" she asked, recalling this morning's confrontation with Sir Ross. She was sure that Kai would give up his post on Bow Street without a word of protest.Letting go of her hand, Kai frowned. "I'm going to visit Morgan.""Do you think he will side with you against Sir Ross?""There's no chance. But at least I'll have the satisfaction of telling Morgan what a rotten traitor he is."Torcia reached forward to touch the lapel of his robe. "Have you considered the possibility that those two are doing what they think is best for you? Could it be in your own interest to reinstate the title?""How can that be? God, I'm going to live in a cage painted with vermilion and gold.""I'll be in there with you."He stared at her, see