Page 21 of Lady Gambit
Having spent a lifetime deprived of affection, a man built walls to keep people out. He convinced himself love was like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. A thing of fancy that did not exist. The only thing accomplished from forming deep connections was a wealth of misery and pain.
She moved closer and touched his upper arm, the contact awakening something primitive inside him. “Please, Mr Flynn. Don’t dismiss me. Don’t push me aside because I’m a woman. I shall be no trouble. You’ll not know I’m here.”
He almost chuckled at her last remark.
She’d not left him since the moment they’d met.
“This is a pointless discussion. I’m certain your brothers will want Theodore moved to Fortune’s Den.” He stepped back, her hand slipping from his arm, bringing temporary relief. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must send word to Daventry while we await the physician.”
He left the room and closed the door, though remained on the landing, inhaling deeply and pinching the bridge of his nose.
The sooner Aaron Chance arrived, the better. There would be raised voices, vile threats, and maybe punches thrown. Displays of aggression and violence were an everyday occurrence. Only kind words, warm brown eyes and a gentle touch could bring Dorian crashing to his knees.
Chapter Five
Delphine gazed at the ominous clouds looming in the distance. Tension charged the air. There would be a storm. The heavens would grieve. Angry raindrops would lash the ground like her plump tears.
She felt the same intense sorrow.
The same need to unleash an inner fury.
She hugged herself as a mother would, with the reassurance all would be well. Except she didn’t know her mother and could not recall feeling the comfort of a parent’s unconditional love.
She turned from the window and looked at Theo asleep in the comfortable tester bed. Nausea roiled in her stomach. Nothing would ever be the same again. Soon, Aaron would arrive needing someone to blame. She could cope with his curses and angry outbursts but not the cold dread of fear in his eyes. Not the pained grimace that said his worst nightmare had come to fruition.
“Forgive me,” she whispered.
You trusted your secret to a stranger?
You should have told me.
Theo’s words entered her mind.
Guilt was the punishment for her deceit.
“I love you.” Sniffing back tears, she sat beside her brother on the bed and drew the coverlet a little higher over his injured shoulder. “You were right. I should have told you.”
Fond memories of Theo surfaced. Him running errands for one of Mrs Maloney’s customers so he could buy her new ribbons. He would pass notes to her under the table. Comforting words to help her cope with Aaron’s gruff temper. In those early days, when Aaron was fighting in the pits to put food on the table, Theo would read her stories at night to keep the thoughts of faceless monsters at bay.
He did not deserve to be shot in the street like a feral dog. Dr Skinner said he was lucky to be alive.
The sudden creak of the door drew her gaze from the bed to the plush seating area. Mr Flynn appeared, dressed in a smart black coat and grey waistcoat. He’d shaved, and his hair was damp at the ends.
He took one look at her and froze, his dominant stance faltering. “Forgive me. I didn’t mean to disturb you. Mrs James said you went to lie down. I came to check on your brother.”
He’d been avoiding her since she insisted on staying.
She managed a smile. “It’s hard to rest when there’s a storm brewing. And I cannot banish the thought of impending doom.”
“Perhaps keeping busy is the answer. Miss Darrow is making broth. A family recipe handed down that’s said to aid healing. She is most keen to help.”
The stilted conversation was far removed from the honest way they’d spoken in Miss Darrow’s yard. He didn’t want her here, disrupting his life and disturbing his peace—a fact he had made abundantly clear.
“Like me, Miss Darrow feels guilty for deceiving my brother.” She stood, conscious her hair was a little wild and unkempt, andthat spots of dried blood stained her bodice. Her cheeks were red and blotchy from the copious tears she had shed. “I suppose I should bathe. Hopefully, Aaron will bring clean clothes when he arrives.”
Mr Flynn drew his gold watch from his fob pocket and peered at the face before tucking it away. “I doubt there’s time. Daventry and your brother will be here shortly. I can ask Mrs James for soap and a brush if you’d like to wash your face and tidy your hair.”
She tucked a stray lock behind her ear. “Before today, I would rather die than let a man see me in this sorry state. Now it hardly matters.” With Mr Flynn, she didn’t have to hide behind a facade.
