Hunting the Hero (The Wild Randalls 4)

“Mama and Papa. Over by the wall.” Rosemary moved off toward a headstone and the three brothers followed like obedient puppies, probably to be sure she didn’t get away.

Constantine followed at a distance, wondering how hard the brothers would be to convince to let him speak to her alone. They appeared rather protective. Constantine had grown used to being with Rosemary whenever he wanted.

She stopped before a simple headstone and wrapped her arms about her chest. “They buried them here, the day after they were shot.”

Oliver set his arm about his younger brother’s shoulders while Leopold knelt. “Finding where our parents were buried is the last piece of the puzzle I never thought to have.”

Rosemary stood alone, staring down at the grave silently.

Constantine waited until the brothers raised their heads from their study of the headstone and then he shrugged out of his coat. Rosemary would be cold. She was always cold. He advanced into the group and, ignoring their suspicious expressions, he wrapped Rosemary up. “You rushed out without even a coat.”

Her smile was watery. “I had someplace I needed to be. Thank you.”

“Anytime.”

She stuck her arms into the sleeves and her hands into the pockets before lifting her chin to the heavens. “At least it is not raining today. I do hate to say goodbye when it rains.”

Leopold caught his sister’s face and turned her toward him. “If you are finished beating your brothers up, perhaps we could go back to the inn where it’s warm. I’m anticipating Tobias will complain that he’s hungry any minute.”

A hesitant smile crossed her face and she looked away.

“Tobias was always hungry. Some things never change, I see. I’m sure Mrs. Lamb can find enough to fill him and the rest of you before you go.”

Rosemary caught up her skirts and headed for the lych-gate. Before she’d gone too many steps, she had a brother on each side, the younger trailing behind. No doubt making sure every avenue of escape was denied her. Constantine stared after them. Anxiety filled him. She wasn’t coming back with them. No matter what her brothers hoped, Rosemary intended to remain apart from the Randalls.

But where d

id that leave him and his daughters, and the child she was expecting?

~ * ~

Rosemary struggled against the vise-like grip Leopold had on one arm, determined to break free and stand on her own two feet. The stern face at her side made her heart ache so badly that she blinked back tears. Leopold looked so much like their father that she expected to hear his voice telling her to behave as a proper lady would. But the days when such a feat might be possible were far behind and could never be recaptured. She was what she was. Her brother didn’t need to know just how far she’d fallen. “I see you haven’t outgrown your bossy tendencies.”

“I see you haven’t been tamed.”

“Hardly.” Rosemary looked ahead toward the inn. She forced a sunny smile to her face. “Where would be the fun in behaving against my nature?”

His grip tightened. “None of us have enjoyed the past years. In fact, some of us were lucky to survive the duke’s abduction to return.”

Rosemary’s pulse raced as Oliver moved closer. The sensation of being hemmed in was making her rather nervous of her brothers. One on one she could undoubtedly hold her own. But they’d grown to be rather tall and formidable opponents. She wouldn’t be able to escape all three if they worked together against her. “Unless you are prepared to fight me again, I suggest you stop crowding me. I don’t much care for the sensation. Or are you planning on abducting me, too?”

Leopold released her immediately. Oliver slipped his arm through hers. “Come now, Terror. You cannot fault us for giving you the greeting, the fight, you intended to have. I see you have improved your technique.”

Rosemary tilted her chin to look up at Oliver. He’d grown so old. What had happened to him? He was pale and thin, his brown hair now as gray as Papa’s had been before his death. At first, she’d feared fighting him. But after he deflected her first strike, she’d discovered her brother was deceptively strong. She looked ahead to the inn. “I had considerable incentive to remember your lessons. I won’t run.”

He laughed. “Elizabeth has suggested I should interact with people more often. See how well I’m doing, escorting my sister about on my arm? I am glad we cut our journey short or else I might have missed you. We eloped, you know. Is that not romantic?”

“I saw the notice in the paper.”

“My wife’s idea to bring you home.”

“It didn’t work.”

“I could not help but notice that. She will be crushed.”

Oliver was different. Admittedly, ten years had passed since she’d seen him, but he was decidedly more emotional than she remembered. She hoped it was Beth’s influence. She’d always wanted her for a sister. “Where are you living?”

“Romsey Abbey. I’ve taken over our grandmother’s wing and have been prying into every nook and cranny I can find. By the time I’m done, there will be no secrets left uncovered.”