Page 4 of Unseen

But instead of hitting hard wood, I was swept up into a strong pair of arms, and found my head falling against a warm chest.

I squinted through the fog, through the darkness in my vision, and looked up into Azriel’s face.

“Evie, my god.” His voice was strained, cracking with what sounded like genuine concern. “Clear the way! Fetch a doctor!”

The servants erupted in a flurry of activity as Azriel strode out into the hall and towards my room. I protested feebly, not wanting to feel the warmth of his body against mine, barely clothed as I was. It felt obscene, and even in my not-quite-conscious state, revulsion sent goosebumps erupting on my skin. But he ignored my mumbled words, and carried me as though I weighed no more than a feather, down the hall and into my room.

Mary made acceptable exclamations of worry as Azriel deposited me on my bed.

“Madam, oh madam, are you well?”

“She fainted, the grief is too much for her. I’ve told them to call a doctor.” Azriel leaned over me, brushing the hair from my forehead and resting his palm for a moment. “She does not have a fever.”

“I am well,” I said weakly, wishing I could push his hand away. “I promise, I am well. There is no need for a doctor.”

“I insist.” Azriel straightened and crossed his arms over his chest. “You must be seen to. I will hear no protests, stepmother. You have been entrusted to me, and it is my duty to look after you, as a dutiful son.”

Oh god, he was enjoying this.

“My condolences, Mr Az- Mr Caine.” Mary bobbed into a small curtsey. “On the loss of your father.”

“Thank you, Mary.” Azriel looked back at me, concern furrowing his brow. “See to it that your mistress rests, and that the doctor gives her something to help her sleep.”

That thought made me panic. I did not want to be sedated in this house, incapable of controlling my speech and perhaps telling Mary all about what I had done while in a delirium.

“Of course, sir.” Mary gave Azriel a sad smile. “I’ll look after her. You’ve no need to fear.”

“Good.” Azriel ran a hand over my forehead one more time. “I have much to attend to, I will call in on you later.”

“No need, I am quite well, really.” Heavens, I just wanted him as far away from me as possible.

“I insist.” He barked the words at me again, and both Mary and I went very still for a moment. The chill in his tone sent shivers down my spine. His ice blue eyes moved over me for a split second, so fast I almost questioned whether or not it had truly happened, before he turned on his heel and strode out of the room.

2

NO TEARS NOW

Mercifully, the doctor saw no need to sedate me. I was perfectly well by the time he arrived, although Mary almost spoiled everything by questioning whether or not I might be pregnant. This sent the doctor into a flurry of activity, and I swore to all that was holy that if I was indeed carrying Acton’s child (which I certainly knew not to be), I would drink London dry of gin.

An acute sense of relief set in all the same when it was confirmed I was not pregnant, and knowing that Acton’s line would die out brought me far more joy than it should have. For no woman in her right mind would breed with Azriel. I was sure that he had certainly sown himself a little troupe of bastards on his travels, bedding whores and silly girls in every town he wandered through.

A lady of note though? She would be mad to bring the shame of marrying London’s most scandalous bachelor to her family name. The Caines were finished.

Mary drew me a bath, a regular indulgence I insisted on that Acton had chided me for. “Who needs to be so clean?” He’d ask, throwing his gnarled hands with theiryellowed fingernails into the air. “I’m sure not even the Queen bathes this often!”

I didn’t tell him that Queen Victoria didn’t have a husband whose scent and spittle she needed to wash away every day. That every huff of breath he cast over my skin left me feeling as though I had rolled in the mud of the Thames. Every touch of his hands made me heave until I could scrub myself raw in the hot water, replacing the scent of his fetid body odour with the smell of rose oil soap.

And despite all his complaining, he certainly preferred inserting himself into a clean body.

Disgusting old man.

As I lay in the steaming water, I began to plot out the coming weeks. The funeral would need to be planned, and I was of course obliged to attend. Running away now, even under the guise of distress, would arouse suspicion.

Then would come the reading of the will. I already knew what it said - that Acton had left half his lands and assets to me, the remainder to Azriel, and that my family estate would be maintained.

I would, in a few short weeks, be a very wealthy woman.

I gazed around at the walls, at the deep cracks and crevices, where the wind always whistled through. This ancient, awful, crumbling house with its overabundance of cobwebs. I had no interest in keeping Linmere. Azriel could have it, sell it, burn it down, whatever he chose. I did not care.

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