Page 42 of His Wicked Embrace
Lawrence’s mother recovered more quickly than the others gathered around them. Emily and the other ladies joined her at the door. “Someone had better explain to me what is going on. Lawrence, Avery, why are you fighting again? For that matter, why waseveryonefighting? I demand answers, and by God Iwillgetthem.”
The Duchess of Essex now came to Lady Russell’s side. “If you please, Lady Russell.” She whispered something in the matriarch’s ear. The older woman nodded, and then she and Emily exited the room together, though she gave a glare at her sons that indicated this matter was far fromover.
Zehra’s throat tightened as she turned to face her grandfather. “May I have a minute alone to speak with you, my lord?” she asked, fresh nerves jolting throughher.
“Of course. Anything for you,” Lord Denbruck said,smiling.
Lucien nodded to the League and remaining ladies. “We will clear out. Avery, take your men and go home, unless it is your intention to ship the granddaughter of a peer toPersia?”
“No. Of course not,” Avery said, his tonehard.
Denbruck curled an arm around Zehra’s shoulders protectively. “What’sthis?”
“It appears there has been a misunderstanding at play, my lord,” said Avery. “Had someone bothered to inform me, we never would have…” He trailed off, his eyes softening as he cast an apologetic glance toward Zehra. “My lady, had I had known you were related to Lord Denbruck, I swear I would have had this matter resolved far sooner and far more amicably. Please forgiveme.”
Zehra gave a little nod. She understood, perhaps better than Lawrence did. He was keeping the peace between nations. Her father had faced similar hard decisions. Sometimes doing what was right was not the same as doing what had to be done. But she feared it would cost the brothers their relationship, all because ofher.
Avery called for his men to leave. Everyone else had vacated the room now, but Lawrence refused togo.
She took his hands into hers. “Lawrence, please, wait outside forme.”
His eyes searched her face. “I’m afraid you’ll vanish if I close my eyes. You won’t, will you? I can’t lose you,Zehra.”
His words made her tremble with fear and hope in equal measure. “No. I won’t go anywhere,” she promised. She felt the same about him, as though the moment he stepped through the door, he might disappear. He glanced at Denbruck and nodded, and then the two were at lastalone.
“My lord,” she addressed the olderman.
“Grandpapa, or George, please. I insist. We arefamily.”
“Grandpapa.” She tested the word, and it felt right. “My mother and father are…gone.”
“I know,child.”
Shock rooted her to the floor. “Youdo?”
“Yes. I heard a few daysago.”
“But…how?”
He sighed heavily. “Long ago, I hired a friend to watch over your mother and father. I felt bad for breaking apart my family and not giving your parents’ union my blessing. I was a proud man, still am, but time heals old wounds as they say, and I cared more about her happiness and safety. I knew the moment you were born, heard tales of your childhood, your accomplishments… It has been my dream to meet you. I only wish”—his voice became rough again—“it had been under happier circumstances. Tell me, how did you come to England? My friend Michael believed you had perished. He said that a man named Samir Al-Zahrani had helped another shah take over the palace and killed thoseinside.”
She braced herself, knowing the truth had to come out. She wished only for honesty betweenthem.
“My parents trusted Al Zahrani, but he betrayed us all and took me for his concubine. I escaped, only to be kidnapped by slavers and sold to an Englishbrothel.”
George gasped. “My God. Zehra, are you all right? Did anyone hurtyou?”
“Yes, I’m fine,” she reassured him. “Lawrence Russell was my savior. He was there, helping to stop the auction, and he bought me in order to protect me. I was too afraid to tell him about you. Al Zahrani was still looking for me, and I heard him threaten to kill anyone who stood in his way.” She hesitated and blushed. “I feared it would put your life in danger if I tried to find you. And…” Again, she struggled for the right words. “I feared you would want nothing to do withme.”
Tears rolled down her grandfather’s cheeks. “Had I known, I could have spared you heartache, my child. When Michael told me he heard you were coming to London, I had every intention of finding you and meeting you. I wanteverythingto do with you. I only regret your mother will never know how happy I am to have found you at last. You must come home with metonight.”
“But the man who kidnapped me, Al-Zahrani, he is still out there. You won’t be safe, not so long as I am withyou.”
“Did you say Al-Zahrani?” A voice from the doorway made Zehra tense. Avery stood in the doorway, watching them. Lawrence was just behind him, glaring at hisbrother.
“Er…yes,” Denbruck said. “My granddaughter said he kidnapped her and that he’s threatened to kill anyone to get toher.”
“What?” Lawrence focused on Zehra now, his eyes wide. “Why didn’t you tell me?” He moved past his brother and came over to her, clutching her hands in his. Lord Denbruck stared at their joined hands with mutecuriosity.
