Engaging the Enemy (The Wild Randalls 1)

He stroked his hand down Mercy’s arm to reassure her. “I remember him visiting with us infrequently. He was on good terms with my mother, too.”

Mercy set her hands to her hips. “I still find it odd that a groom should be stationed so close to us. There are other servants in the abbey that have served the family for far longer than Allen.”

But none that Leopold could trust to be completely loyal and place themselves between the duke and danger. But how to phrase that without revealing the facts around his illegitimate birth?

“Don’t even think of lying to me again. I simply won’t stand for it, Leopold.”

Leopold ground his teeth. Damn this was awkward. “I trust Allen because he has good reason to help me and your son. That will have to be enough to satisfy you, Your Grace.”

Mercy stepped close, her hand landing on his chest, fingers spread wide. Leopold quaked as she pushed at him. “Just be aware that every time you lie to me, or withhold your confidences from me, that you give me pain.”

Leopold licked his lips. “Some secrets cannot be shared without causing pain.”

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“I’m stronger than you think, Leopold. There is nothing you cannot tell me that I do not want to hear from your lips. When will you believe that I am not your enemy?”

But she was. She was the embodiment of everything he had wanted and lost. She roused in him such feelings of possessiveness that he struggled to hide how he felt. She had come to mean the world to him and he could never tell her the truth. She would hate him for his part in Edwin’s making and he was not prepared for that day to come just yet.

Her hands slid around his chest, under his coat. “Let go of your fears and tell me.”

Leopold swallowed. “There is nothing to tell.”

“Liar.” Mercy drew back.

What could he say to that? Every word he’d spoken to her was calculated to spare her discomfort, pain, and embarrassment. He couldn’t admit to the truth.

“I’m not done with you, Leopold Randall. I shall never be.”

She turned away toward her son and Leopold was profoundly grateful. If she’d pushed much harder against his resolve he would have ruined what little happiness he had. He’d been moments away from confessing everything. He wiped his hands over his face as weariness tugged at his senses. He stumbled, fell, into a nearby chair and set his head to the plush back. He hadn’t slept properly in days and couldn’t afford to now. Not with the danger circling them. He watched Edwin at play, sure that the boy’s noise would keep his attention.

Edwin was a very lucky boy.

He was loved unconditionally.

~ * ~

“I’ll be right back,” Mercy whispered to Blythe as she eased Edwin’s head down onto the blanket.

Blythe stirred from her doze. “Where are you going?”

“I need to speak to Leopold.”

She glanced toward the playroom door. “Do you think he’s awake already?”

Mercy pushed a strand of hair behind her sister’s ear and smiled gently at her sleepy state. “I don’t know. He’s been so quiet. But I wanted to check on him, too.”

Although Blythe frowned, she didn’t prevent Mercy from leaving. Mercy quietly crossed the room and slipped into the play room where Leopold had fallen asleep earlier. He lay exactly as she had left him, sprawled across the narrow settee that was far too small for his large body. She’d been half afraid he’d tumble off while he slept.

She smiled at how still he was. Just like Edwin. He didn’t twitch when she passed him to sit on a nearby chair. He didn’t snore at all. But Mercy was aware of every breath he took, the rise and fall of his wide chest, the look of peace about him as exhaustion held him in a tight grip. How long had it been since he’d slept a full night?

Part of his exhaustion was her fault and, although she smiled at the memory of sharing a bed with him, she did feel a little guilty. He needed someone to look after him as much as she needed the same. She would do better by him as soon as he agreed to their marriage.

She leaned back in her comfortable chair, prepared to wait for him to wake. Edwin would sleep a while yet, but Mercy had not liked to leave Leopold alone as if he was of no importance. He was in just as much danger as they. She should never have allowed Blythe to move them to the next chamber when Leopold had fallen asleep so suddenly two hours ago. They should have remained together while the two most important men in her life slept.

Leopold’s chest rose suddenly as he drew in a larger breath and his eyes opened. He sat up and looked around wildly. When his gaze settled on her, his breath hitched and he relaxed. “Is everything all right? Where is Edwin?”

She loved that his first thought was of their son. “Edwin is in the next room. We didn’t want him to wake you.”