Page 41 of His Wicked Embrace
“Lust?” Lawrence was shouting now. “This wasneverabout lust. It was about justice, fairness, compassion, and…andlove.” He spoke the word in quiet reverence, and because the ballroom had fallen silent, everyoneheard.
Avery huffed, which only seemed to harden Lawrence’s resolve. “I swear before God, I will fight you for her if I must. Your authority bedamned.”
Zehra shivered at the frightening duality of a man who could love her so deeply and yet threaten his brother at the sametime.
“Don’t be a romantic fool, Lawrence.” Avery waved at the men behind him. “Six against one. You always were foolish in choosing yourfights.”
“I’d say the odds are more like six to six.” Godric stepped forward, flexing his arms. The rest of the League, Jonathan, Charles, Ashton, and Lucien, all came forward with nods toward Lawrence in a show ofsupport.
“I apologize. I miscounted, Your Grace,” Avery said. “However, I speak for the Crown, and the Crown speaks for the empire. Your titles and privileges cannot protect you in this matter. You will all face charges if you resist. Please do not make thisdifficult.”
Charles laughed. “Sadly, this is not the first time I’ve heard that threat. It did not scare me then, and I cannot say it scares me now. I’m quite content to stand by Lawrence’s side, as will every man here withme.”
One by one the others drew closer together, as if preparing for battle. Zehra couldn’t believe what she was seeing. The League had rallied behind Lawrence. Forher.
“Lawrence, be reasonable.” Avery’s hold on Zehra’s arm softened as he pleaded with his brother. “She was returning home soon regardless. What does it matter if it is today or tomorrow? Don’t make me dothis.”
“This iswrongand you know it,” Lawrencewarned.
Avery’s head dropped. “I am sorry. I never wanted this. But I have my orders, and I cannot disobey them. You don’t understand what is at stakehere.”
“Then what’s it to be, Avery? Your duty, or your family and friends?” Lawrence left the threathanging.
Avery tightened his hold on Zehra’s arm. “You ask me to choose between my family and my country. I think you know what my answer willbe.”
Everything that followed was a frightening blur. Avery shouted at his men to stand their ground as the League and Lawrence rushed them. Avery moved back, keeping Zehra with him as he herded her to the door. The ballroom was full of shouting and chaos as men tradedblows.
“Stay back, I don’t want you hurt.” Avery’s hands were gentle as he shielded her while the League battled the Bow Street Runners. It was fortunate that no one dared to draw any weapons. Each side instead chose to box or wrestle with the other and try to force them to submit. Zehra tried to catch a glimpse of Lawrence. Her heart raced as a wave of panic washed overher.
“This way.” Avery and Zehra reached the door of the ballroom, but Avery was suddenly thrown against the wall beside the open door. Lawrence held him by his throat, pinninghim.
“If you take her from me,” Lawrence hissed, “I will never forgive you.Never.”
Avery’s hold on Zehra’s arm loosened, his fingers slipping free of her as he sighed. His hazel eyes burned with regret. “Take her then, damn you. But youwillface theconsequences.”
Zehra stumbled back, rubbing her wrist. It was only then she realized that others now stood in the doorway of the ballroom mere feet away from her. An elegant red-haired woman and a handsome older man with silver hair. And behind them were Emily and the other women, looking none too pleased at their recentbanishment.
“What in God’s name is going on?” the older woman demanded. Her tone carried across the room with the force of a thunderbolt. The fighting came to an abrupt halt as Avery ordered his men to standdown.
Lawrence let go of Avery and moved to Zehra’s side, clasping her shaking hand in his. “Mother?”
Mother?This was Lawrence’s mother? Zehra couldn’t miss the similarities of their features, of course, but it still came as a shock. The older woman’s eyes slid to Zehra, and her face drained of allcolor.
“No, it cannotbe…”
The voice was not hers, however. The old man beside Lady Russell took a slow step forward, his hands trembling as he reached out to Zehra. She would have retreated from anyone else…but there was something familial about him. He reassured her in a way she could not explain. The man stared at herlocket.
“The Denbruck family crest. By God, it’s really you… But how? I was told…” The man stared at Zehra as though she were some strange mixture of ghost andmiracle.
“Who is she?” Lady Russellasked.
“It is my late daughter’s…daughter. Little Zehra. My desert rose.” His voice broke as he touched herface.
“You…you know of me?” Zehra asked, too afraid to hope the answer he gave her was the one she longed tohear.
“George Lyon, Earl of Denbruck, but more importantly…I’m your grandpapa.” He smiled hesitantly and opened his arms to her. For a moment Zehra couldn’t breathe, and she just stared at him, this man who was her family who waited for her with openarms.
She rushed to him, pressing her face against his chest. He was taller than she had imagined, and his arms were strong as he held her.My grandfather… He’s really here…She shut her eyes tight, blocking the tears that would sooncome.
