Sweet Siren: Those Notorious Americans, Book 3 Read online

  "That's kind of you but I don't wish to intrude on your family."

  "You won't. Besides, you are family. No way out of this."

  She narrowed her gaze on him, playful in her grin. "Are you getting your own way by manipulating me?"

  He flinched. "Certainly not. I'm just citing logic. What do you say? Stay."

  Oh, how she wanted to. Tired, exhausted by her anxiety and relieved at the outcome of this discussion with him, she could use a diversion. "I will."

  "Wonderful." He picked up his cup and saucer.

  "There is one more matter," she said, as she sat back and took a sip of her hot, comforting tea. To be quite emphatic about this issue, she should be forthright. And so she put down her cup, clasped her hands and said, "I will work for you for these houses. You buy my services as a decorator. The project is complicated, the houses many and it may require two years or more to complete."

  He nodded once. "But?"

  "Throughout it all, you and I will remain client and consultant. Home owner and decorator."

  "Business associates?" he asked, his face placid.

  Why, oh, why did her heart squeeze tight? "Correct."

  "I agree."

  You do? She forced a smile. "Thank you."

  "My pleasure."

  And why is it not also my own?

  Chapter 8

  “And I’m delighted, Olivia," said Pierce, hoisting a wine glass toward her, "that you've agreed to Father's proposal. I know he's pleased."

  Liv grinned at Killian's son.

  "And if Pierce is pleased," Killian said with a smile wreathing his face, "I know we all will do well."

  "Pierce has become Papa's watch dog," Ada said as she raised her wine glass and lifted it in honor of her older brother.

  "Wise to have two heads on a project," Lily offered gaily, her hands over her large pregnant belly. "Papa always needed a second he could trust. Pierce is that man," she turned to Liv next to her.

  "He's done wonders for me," said Julian. "I would not have considered the threshers at the high price they were if not for Pierce's insights."

  "Now, stop. I'm going to blush," Pierce said with a charming hint of pink to his cheeks. "It's what we're all about, isn't it? Making us all profitable."

  The six sat at a circular table and the butler and footmen had just come in with the brandy for the gentlemen. The ladies did not get up to retire.

  Different from the usual custom of separation of the sexes after dinner, this family practice of remaining together pleased Liv immensely.

  "We ought to make it the ordinary thing to ask you about everything we plan to buy, Pierce." Julian gazed at his brother-in-law with fondness.

  "Provided he has the time," Ada said. "And that he's here and not in Paris or Berlin or Calcutta."

  Pierce shook his head. "No, not Calcutta. I'm out of those negotiations. Decided I won't do the import-export business with Masters Company."

  "Oh?" his father asked. "This is new. Why not?"

  Pierce glanced down the table, his eyes dark. "You must not let this get out."

  Julian said, "Oh, dear. You've gotten hold of a secret. I can tell. What's gone wrong with Bernard Master's shipping line?"

  "I hear they're overextended. They've lost about five to six percent of their China trade to an American line."

  "Ohhhh!" Lily cried. "Oh, oh, no!" She pushed back her chair and struggled to her feet, her horrified gaze on the floor.

  Julian shot up, one hand round her back, another to her wrist. "What's wrong? Sweetheart?"

  "I'm...I'm—"

  Liv looked down at the carpet and knew at once Lily's problem. She rose and took the young woman’s other arm. "You're fine, Lily. This is normal. Your waters have broken. Time to greet your baby."

  Julian scooped his wife into his arms. "Get Perkins. We need to fetch the doctor in Ashford."

  Killian strode to the doors to fling them wide for Julian.

  "I'll get him," Pierce said and pulled the service bell in the corner.

  "Come with me," Lily called over Julian's shoulder to Liv. Before dinner, they'd had a few minutes in the parlor to discuss birthing methods. The discussion cemented a friendship that had begun when they'd met at Marianne and Remy's wedding last October.

  Liv smiled at Lily as she followed them to the hall. "Of course."

  Julian, his handsome brow lined with concern, took the grand staircase with speed.

  Liv ran to keep up. "I saw you picked at your dinner, Lily. Were you not hungry?" She had to know if she should expect Lily to have digestive problems during labor.

  "I had those contractions you said were false. But they were strong. So I couldn't think of food, Liv."

  "That's fine. Good, in fact. When did you last eat a full meal?" The young woman needed strength for the hours ahead.

  "Luncheon."

  "Good. Ah, you go, Julian. Get her comfortable. I need a few things. I'll be right up." She ran back down the stairs right up to Killian.

  He stood, his face white, staring up at the stairs.

  She put her hands to his chest and clutched the satin of his waistcoat. Beneath her fingers, his heart beat strong and fast. "Killian, she'll be fine. We'll make her comfortable and wait for the doctor."

  "But if she delivers before he gets here—"

  "She won't. Killian—" She put her fingertips to his cheek. His flesh was warm, his smoothly shaven jaw silk under her skin. "Look at me. She's safe and warm and in her own bed. She has her husband with her and all her family close to cheer her on."

  His silver eyes flashed in pain. "But it's her first, Liv. You know all the things that can go wrong."

  "Darling, listen to me. She's young and healthy. And you know these things take hours. Hours. We'll get the doctor here. And by tomorrow morning, you'll have your first grandchild. Think of that."

  He caught her hand and squeezed hard. Then with gratitude in his gaze, he raised her fist and kissed it.

  "Now where is that bottle of brandy?" she asked him with a grin. "Get it, Killian. Drink, will you? But first, show me the way to the kitchen."

  The sun split the dark of night from the horizon as Killian spun to the sound of Liv's footsteps. She walked toward Julian who sat, his head in his hands, in the hall chair. Ada had gone to bed hours ago. Pierce had stretched out on the settee in the parlor downstairs, his only companion a pot of coffee. Killian had stayed with Julian, pacing before the hall window countless times tonight.

  Liv's sun-fire hair was down, her pins long since fallen or pulled out in her long vigil over Lily. Somewhere she'd found a ribbon and fashioned the wealth of it to stream down her back. The overall effect made her appear like a nymph from the sea. A tired nymph. For the duty she'd eagerly taken up to attend Lily in her first labor, she wore a huge white apron, loaned to her by the family cook. Her face seemed peaceful, her gaze steady with whatever she was about to impart.

  Julian stared up at her. "News?"

  "What?" Killian asked her, incapable of more.

  "It won't be long now." She told Julian and said to Killian, "I can see the head of the baby."

  "Oh, Liv," Julian groaned. "She sounds like she's splitting in two."

  Liv went to her knees before him and squeezed his hands. "It's normal, Julian. She's doing well. You don't see her in between contractions but she's really strong and brave. Eager to see her baby, too."

  "If only we had the doctor," he complained.

  "I know. But we can't help that Elanna and Carbury summoned him first."

  Killian could scarcely believe that Elanna had gone into labor with her child on the very night that Lily did. Pierce had taken a horse from the stables and ridden over to Carbury's house when the butler returned from town to say that the countess had requested the doctor hours before. When Pierce returned, he'd been white as sheets and Killian could only surmise he was afraid for Elanna, but also disturbed by Carbury. The two men had never gotten on. Carbury, wise in few things when it came to
people, had long seen the attraction that Pierce had to Elanna. The earl was an irritable man, quick to anger, eager to judge, bent on ridicule. No wonder Elanna had become bitter, irrational.

  "Listen to me, Julian," Liv beseeched him. "The baby comes. Soon. I don't know when but Lily's close to delivery."

  "If he gets stuck. That happens to women. If she can't push him—"

  "Julian, Julian. She's not frail. She's not petite. I know it's painful to sit out here and wait for news."

  "Damn right. I'm going in." Eyes wild, he shot to his feet. "To hell with convention."

  Off he marched and Liv staggered a step backward.

  Killian caught her around the waist and let her rest against him. The feel of her in his arms was intoxicating. "Let him go. Might do them both good." He turned her around gently, lifted her chin and brushed tendrils of hair from her cheeks. "You're exhausted. But doing such a wonderful job."

  She let her head hang back and she looked up at him through half-lidded, weary eyes. "Thank you, dear sir."

  "Have you eaten?" The butler had ordered a full meal of beef and potatoes for everyone about three this morning. He'd delivered a heaping tray into Lily's chamber. The rest he placed in the dining room. None ate it. It cooled on the dining room table when Ada, Julian and Killian abandoned it to return back up the stairs to wait in the hall.

  Liv closed her eyes and shook her head.

  "I can have cook bring you anything you wish. Eggs. Bacon."

  "Hot oats with cream." She inhaled deeply. "Coffee."

  He could not resist. He drew her against his chest and buried his fingers up into the silken mass of hair at the crown of her head.

  She sighed against him, her cheek to his chest like a long-lost friend. His first thought was that she trusted herself into his care. A shock. A delight. His second thought was how funny it was that his daughter was giving birth in a bed in that room beyond, and despite his own fatigue, all he could think of was getting this woman out of her clothes and into his own bed.

  She burrowed against him. "I'll sleep for a week after this baby's born."

  He dropped a kiss to her forehead. "Stay here and sleep."

  She raised her face and smiled at him dreamily. "I may do just that."

  And will you call me 'darling' again? "I hope you will."

  The far door to Lily's suite fell open. "Liv! Liv! Come quickly!"

  Chapter 9

  “Oh, Killian," Liv whispered as she glided toward him minutes later with a bundle of blankets and baby in her arms. "Come greet your grandson."

  Words abandoned him. This dark-haired writhing little cherub stared blankly up at him and waved his tiny little arms. Killian put out a finger to touch his eiderdown skin. My God, thank you.

  "Lily did so well."

  "No problems?" he asked recalling how Aileen had bled profusely after Ada's birth. They'd had a scare they might lose her, but once the doctor had delivered the placenta, she was well. That had not been so years later when Aileen and her next baby died in childbirth.

  "None. She's laughing. Julian is beside himself."

  "I'm sure. I remember."

  "So do I. Such a joyous event, a new child in the family."

  The baby fussed and she bounced up and down with him. "You can go in. She wants all of you to come in and tell her what a splendid job she did."

  "Just like my girl to seek praise!" He chuckled, though his throat was clogged with emotion. "I'll give the new parents time alone together. They'll have less of it from now on."

  She laughed. "They will indeed. Lily says I'm to return just as soon as I introduce all of you to Garrett Quentin William Ash."

  "How do you do, Garrett," Killian said with pride.

  "I'll go find Pierce, if he's still awake." She made to leave.

  "No, you won't. You'll sit in this chair. I'll get him. Ada too." He steered Liv to the wing chair he'd occupied all through the night.

  She sank to it like a stone. "Thank you."

  "And you need that breakfast."

  "Not yet." She shook her head and smiled down at Garrett. "Lily wants to put him to the breast. We talked about it while she was in labor. She hates the idea that another woman would hold her child and share such intimacy with him. I don't blame her. The custom of a wet nurse is...well...cold."

  "Whatever she wants, she should have. This is her child."

  "I've done it and know its challenges. I promised I'd help her."

  His heart swelled with gratitude to this woman whom he barely knew, save for his instincts that declared he must know her intricately. "That's so good of you. If her mother were alive, she'd be here to advise her. A servant wouldn't do. Thank you, Liv."

  "You're welcome. I'm happy to do this for her. And you. Aside from all else, we are friends." She tipped her head and grinned. "I've called you Killian."

  You've called me more than that.

  Her gaze lingered in his and he wondered if she searched her memory for her endearment.

  Garrett let out a long loud cry.

  "Oh, my," she said, laughing. "Get Pierce, will you, please? Ada, too, if you think she'll come quickly. This child is hungry and needs his mother."

  The clock in the hall downstairs in the foyer chimed noon before Liv emerged from Lily's bedchamber with Ashford's elderly doctor by her side. Killian, Pierce and Ada rose from their chairs to hear his prognosis.

  "I'm happy to tell you, Misters Hanniford and Miss Hanniford, what I told His Grace. Her Grace is in excellent health. She is tired, as you might imagine, but she shows all signs of a quick and uncomplicated recovery. No need to worry on any count. The child is hale and hearty, feeds instinctively and can insist quite loudly when he wishes. You'll have a handful with that little fellow."

  Killian thanked the man.

  Ada sighed. "Wonderful."

  But Pierce—his eyes weary, his black hair mussed and his clothes rumpled—jammed his fists in his trouser pockets. He'd had a hard night. On the day his mother died when he was just a lad of fourteen, he'd cried his heart out. "You're sure our Lily's well?"

  This concern, Killian suspected, came from the comparable news the doctor had given them of the condition of Elanna, the Countess of Carbury, after the delivery of her own son. The countess had survived a very long labor of twenty-one hours. The baby had been breech and at first, had not breathed at all until the doctor cleared his mouth and nose. Whereas, Garrett had come without complications. Lily was eating well, had napped already and had nursed her baby boy twice to contentment on both their parts.

  "I am, sir, confident that Her Grace will be up and about in two or three weeks." The frail little doctor glanced at Killian and Liv.

  Killian sensed the man did not wish to speak overly much about the horrendous scene he'd witnessed at the Carburys’.

  Pierce frowned down at the doctor. "So Lily is not bleeding?"

  "No, sir."

  "Not hysterical?"

  Killian winced.

  Liv dropped her gaze to the floor.

  The physician had told them of Elanna's and her baby's health immediately upon his arrival an hour ago. His statement—diplomatically worded as it had been—of Elanna's condition had given them all a start. The young mother, upon hearing that her son breathed, had sent him away to the nursery with the wet nurse she'd hired. She also refused to see her husband and had even banned him from her chambers.

  "No, sir. Her Grace is chipper."

  "Not like the countess?"

  The doctor examined Pierce.

  Killian saw the man was mystified by Pierce's continued interest in Elanna.

  "Not like the countess, sir," the doctor said. "I did attempt to reassure His Grace as to his sister's condition. He told me he will ride over to visit her later this afternoon."

  "But you said she told you she'd receive no one but the wet nurse," Pierce pressed him.

  "That's true, sir. But I do believe that once she hears her brother wishes to greet her, she will relent.
"

  "You don't know her," Pierce said between thin lips.

  The doctor bristled. "Since she was a child, sir, I have known her ladyship to be charming and bright. She has, we all do know it, a few challenges at home. I have faith she will come round."

  Killian had heard enough about the Carburys. Meanwhile, Pierce must get some sleep, clear his head and set his priorities on his sister. "Thank you for your attentions, Doctor. I'm sure my son-in-law has expressed his gratitude."

  "He has, Mister Hanniford. My regret is that I was not available to you earlier, but with the challenges with the countess and her child, I feared the worst for both. Her Grace is in much better health and in all ways, too. However, you were very fortunate to have Lady Savage in attendance on her." The old man smiled at her ear-to-ear. "Nothing like a happy delivery, mother and child. Thank you, ma'am."

  She inclined her head. "My joy to help."

  "I will look in on Her Grace tomorrow. And now, if you will excuse me, please?"

  "Of course." Killian stepped aside and the four of them watched him gingerly descend the stairs.

  Ada said, "Well, my dears, this is my notice that I am going to take a long, long nap. See you at dinner."

  Pierce took a look at Lily's bedchamber door. "I think I'll go for a ride."

  Killian glared at him. "Be careful," was all he dared to say. Don't go near Carbury Manor. Don't expect to be shown into Elanna's presence. Don't hope for anything from a married woman who's just given birth to a child she doesn't want by a husband she doesn't love.

  "I will. You needn't worry. I caught your concern, Father. I know when I'm about to make a fool of myself."

  Only once had Pierce ever done an idiotic thing. He had forever regretted it and vowed never again to be so brash. This fascination with Elanna was becoming one he could not seem to end.

  "And if you don't mind," Liv said with an air of relief, "I am off to the kitchen to eat a feast fit for the queen."

  "Good idea," Killian said as he offered her his arm. "I've a need for part of that feast myself."

  Killian and Liv sat in the servants hall at their long oak table to eat. As they dined on cold chicken, bread and lettuces from the kitchen garden, they imparted the most recent news of the doctor, mother and child to the cook and the two kitchen maids. A footman wandered in to listen, then the butler.