Once A Soldier Part 25

He was as tall and broad as Will, and he grabbed his visitor in a crushing and very un-English bear hug. His hair was a slightly warmer shade of brown and his eyes were of two different colors, but no one would ever mistake them for anything but brothers. Without another word being spoken, Athena could see the bond between them, and how they had been each other's salvation.

"Easy, Mac, easy!" Will laughed as he hugged his brother back. "I was on my deathbed a few weeks ago, so show some respect for my aging bones!"

"Sorry!" Mackenzie stepped back, alarmed. "Your deathbed?"

"It could have been worse. I'll explain later." Will took Athena's arm and brought her to his side. "Athena, you'll have guessed that this reprobate is my brother, Sir Damian Mackenzie. Mac, meet Athena, Lady Masterson and Contessa de la Alcantara."

Athena braced herself for shock and perhaps disapproval, but Mackenzie beamed at her with real delight. "What a pleasure this is, my new sister-in-law! Justin Ballard wrote that Will might return with a most magnificent woman at his side. I'm glad you got her to the altar before she knew you well enough to escape, Will."

Laughing, Athena offered her hand. "The pleasure is mine, Sir Damian. Will tried to explain his little brother, but he did you less than justice."

"Call me Mac or Mackenzie." Her brother-in-law clasped her hand warmly between both of his. "Will has been trying to explain me for years, but it's an uphill task."

Athena noticed the heavy gold ring Mackenzie wore. She looked closer. "That looks like Will's signet, but there's a black bar across it?"

"The bar sinister, the mark of illegitimacy in heraldry," Mackenzie explained. "Will gave it to me for a birthday present one year. Sort of a private joke."

Athena said thoughtfully, "Perhaps you should have one made for me, Will."

Her husband chuckled. "Isn't the wedding ring I gave you when I recovered sufficient?"

"It is." They smiled at each other in what she suspected was a ridiculously sentimental way.

"My brother Will, you have returned intact from the field of battle!" This voice was female with a very faint musical accent, and belonged to a dark, spectacularly beautiful woman who flowed across the room to give Will a hug.

"You look splendid, Kiri!" After hugging her in return, Will put his hands on her shoulders and studied her. "Clearly, the baby has arrived. A G.o.dson or G.o.ddaughter?"

"A most lovely little girl. Damian dotes on her madly and says that she looks just like me. My brother Adam agrees and says she'll likely be a h.e.l.lion. You shall meet our little Caroline later, but she sleeps now. Pray present me to your fortunate wife!"

"Athena, this is Lady Kiri, my sister-in-law, the perfumer," Will said. "I haven't said much about her because mere words can't do her justice."

Kiri laughed. "Flatterer. Lady Masterson, may I call you Athena since we are now sisters?"

"Of course." Again, Athena offered her hand and the other woman clasped it.

Athena realized how little Will had said about his brother's wife other than that she was adventurous and had interesting ideas. Though not as tall as Athena, Kiri was tall, and she was lovely in an exotic and un-English way, with glossy dark hair and striking green eyes. "Do you prefer Kiri or Lady Kiri?"

"Kiri, please. My father was the Duke of Ashton, my mother a Hindu lady, which is why I am shockingly un-English," she said with a smile. "But come, we were about to sit down to our luncheon. After you have refreshed yourselves, you must join us."

"I see my timing hasn't failed," Will said with a laugh.

Athena studied Kiri thoughtfully. So a duke's daughter had married the illegitimate Mackenzie. No woman would blame her-Will's brother was almost as attractive as Will-but it did explain why Will's att.i.tude to Athena's parentage was so casual.

As Kiri escorted them upstairs to Will's usual rooms, Athena gave thanks that Will had been right that she'd be welcomed by his family. But she couldn't help but wonder how much wider a welcome she would receive.

Over a fine luncheon, Mackenzie said, "Several of the Westerfield Academy old boys and their wives are in town, Will. Shall I invite them for an informal dinner to see you and meet Athena? They'll all want a.s.surance that you've survived the wars intact."

Will glanced at Athena. "Are you willing? I'd like to see my friends, and they'll all want to meet you. I think they feared I was becoming a dour old bachelor." When she hesitated, he said, "Think of it as getting the worst of London over quickly."

"Of course you must see your friends, but I have nothing suitable to wear," she pointed out, glad she had an excuse. "Even when the rest of our luggage arrives, I have nothing that isn't old and unfashionable."

Kiri leaned forward, her eyes bright. "Athena, I have something of a reputation for making friends look their most beautiful on short notice. Will you allow me to turn you out in style? Though you are taller, we are not dissimilar in build, and I have a gown that will suit you very well, with a few minor modifications. Please?"

"She's not exaggerating," Mackenzie said. "Give Kiri a few hours and you'll be fit for the finest society in London."

Athena hesitated, feeling awkward and out of place. Meet so many of Will's grand friends with no time to prepare mentally? Reminding herself that she could face anything with him at her side, she said, "I shall place myself in your hands, Kiri. It will be interesting to see what you can do with such unpromising material!"

Chapter 36.

Five hours later, Athena stared into the full-length mirror, stunned. "Kiri, you are wasted as a duke's daughter. You could become the most expensive modiste in London if you wished."

Kiri laughed. "I prefer to work with friends. They are less critical than paying customers would be. But you're a very fine advertis.e.m.e.nt for my skills!"

Athena nodded, admiring the rich burgundy brocade of her gown, which brought out the red tones in her hair. No one would guess that the magnificent gold-embroidered band of material that Kiri had added to the hem wasn't part of the original design. Athena's elegantly upswept hair made her even taller, but not too tall for Will. "Thank you, Kiri! Now I have confidence enough for anything."

"The last touch." Kiri handed her a tiny gilded bottle. "One of my perfumes. Wear it if you approve."

Athena opened the bottle and sniffed, then smiled. "Lovely! It makes me think of earth and sunshine."

"I shall blend a custom perfume when I know you better, but I thought this would suit on short notice."

"No wonder your boutique at Damian's does well." Athena dabbed the perfume on her wrists, then behind her ears. "Who will be coming tonight?"

"Mostly cla.s.smates of Will's. My brother Adam, the current Duke of Ashton, and his wife, Mariah. Lord and Lady Kirkland. They both play the piano superbly and I shall try to persuade them to perform for us. The Randalls. Besides being a cla.s.smate of Will's, Randall also served in the same regiment for years."

Kiri c.o.c.ked her head to one side as she considered. "I think that's all, but Will and Damian went out together this afternoon, so I have no idea whom they might bring home. Perhaps they'll find another guest or five."

Athena laughed. "You're very relaxed about that."

"As I said, an informal dinner of friends. What matters is the company." Kiri chuckled. "Though it helps to have a really superior chef, of course."

Athena was about to ask if it was time to go down, when a knock sounded on the door, followed by Will calling, "Are you ready to be admired?"

"Indeed she is," Kiri called back.

The door opened and Will stepped into the dressing room. Athena's jaw dropped at how shockingly handsome and fashionable her husband looked in his dark, superbly tailored evening wear. "You said that a superior valet informed you that a man with your build could never be fashionable! You have proved him wrong."

"It helps when I borrow Mac's clothing," Will explained. "He's much more fashionable than I, and the effect carries over. But look at you, my dear girl! An owl in the finest of feathers!"

Athena blushed. She knew that Will liked her in anything, and best when she wore nothing at all, but the admiration in his gaze was silent proof that he would never be ashamed to have her on his arm.

He came forward and gave her a light kiss before he produced a velvet-covered box. "We visited a jewelry store because Kiri ordered me to buy you garnets. I hope you like garnets? They'll look good with that gown."

Athena opened the box and gasped at the splendor of the intricate necklace and earrings. "These are beautiful!"

No one had ever given her jewelry before. She tilted her head up and gave Will a kiss that was a good deal more than casual. "You are the best of husbands. Will you fasten the necklace for me?"

"With pleasure." Will moved behind her and fastened the catch while she removed the simple gold hoops from her ears, then inserted the lovely dangly garnet earrings. Sliding his hands to her shoulders, he gazed into the mirror as she studied her reflection. "My friends will be dazzled by my good fortune."

"I'll settle for their not being shocked by your error of judgment," Athena said wryly. "And now into battle, my comrades!"

Laughing, Kiri led the way downstairs to where Mackenzie was greeting guests. Introductions were made over sherry gla.s.ses, and Will's friends were as welcoming as he'd promised. She knew that not everyone would approve of her heritage, but good friends like these would be enough.

All were profoundly happy to have Will home and safe, and they greeted Athena with enthusiasm. Kiri's brother, Ashton, shared her exotic, mixed-blood good looks, but his wife, Mariah, was a warm and charming English blonde. Lord Kirkland was dark and contained, but clearly delighted to greet Will, and his blond wife had a quiet warmth that made Athena want to purr like a cat.

Last to arrive were the Randalls. He was a tall blond man who matched Will in military bearing, while his wife was a pet.i.te brunette who made Athena think of Sofia, though she was older and she radiated calm serenity rather than Sofia's bright charm. With the couple was a handsome dark-haired man who looked like he might be Mrs. Randall's brother.

Mackenzie escorted the newcomers over. Randall caught Will's hand in a hard grip, saying, "There were times I thought we'd never both leave the Peninsula alive!"

"I thought the same," Will said with a laugh. "And quite recently, too!"

As the two men drifted off to talk privately, Mackenzie added, "Athena, this is Lady Julia Randall and her brother."

Another highborn lady, and this one was staring at Athena with disquieting intensity. Perhaps not all of Will's friends would approve of her?

Lady Julia said, tension vibrating in her voice, "Forgive me, Lady Masterson, but was your father the Duke of Castleton?"

Athena flinched back, shocked. How could this woman possibly know . . . ?

Understanding came in an instant. Lady Julia and her brother looked like Athena. The shape of the features, the coloring, were reflections of what Athena saw in the mirror every morning. She swallowed hard, then nodded numbly. "I was never, ever supposed to tell anyone of the connection."

"How very like him!" Lady Julia said with exasperation as she reached out to clasp Athena's hand. "I'm so happy to meet you. I've always wanted a sister, and from what Will wrote about you, you've led a fascinating life."

Athena's eyes filled with tears. "You don't despise me?" she whispered.

"Why on earth would we want to do that?" her brother said as he offered his hand. "It's more likely that you would want to give us the cut. My father died several months ago and he was a most difficult man. I'm Castleton now and I learned of the existence of a half sister when I met with my father's lawyers." The new duke shook his head. "He treated you abominably! I hope you won't hold his behavior against Julia and me."

Dazed, Athena said, "I shall forgive the sins of your father if you'll do the same for the sins of my mother. I'm sure she was no blameless innocent in their affair."

"Then we are free to become friends." He gave her a warm smile very like his sister's. "I'm quite fond of the sister I knew about, so I welcome having another one."

"I never had a brother, but I seem to be acquiring several, your grace!" She nodded toward Mackenzie, who was watching with quiet satisfaction.

"Please call me Anthony," her brother said. "Since you're family."

"You're being so kind!" Athena lost the battle with her tears and gratefully accepted the handkerchief Mackenzie handed her.

"That's because we take after our mother, who was a very kind woman," Julia said with a laugh. "You must resemble your mother also, since Will never would have married a woman who had a temperament like that of my late father." She touched Athena's hand. "I must talk to Kiri because I want to see the baby, but may Anthony and I call again tomorrow? We have so much to learn about each other!"

Athena whispered, "I look forward to your call. I hope I don't prove disappointing on further acquaintance."

"You won't," Anthony said confidently before he followed his sister and brother-in-law across the room.

Will materialized beside her and slipped his arm around her waist. "Am I permitted to say 'I told you so' about your welcome by my friends?"

She laughed. "You're permitted. I never could have imagined that my father's other children would actually welcome me! How did that come to pa.s.s?"

"Justin saw the resemblance, and from what we knew of the late Castleton, the story was a good fit," Will explained. "I wrote Randall and asked him to discuss your possible relationship with Julia. She and her brother had already learned that they had a half sister, so they were delighted to locate you. Neither of them has much reason to be fond of their father, and I've noticed that difficult parents tend to make the children draw closer together."

"How very wise you are." She tilted her head against his, sure that his friends would forgive the impropriety of the gesture on the grounds that she and Will were newlyweds. "Wise and kind and handsome and very, very patient! Have I mentioned lately how much I love you?"

Will caught his breath. "No, I don't believe you have."

Startled, she looked into his eyes and realized that in her fear and defensiveness, she'd never actually said that she loved him. "I'm sorry it has taken me so long to find the words, beloved," she whispered. "I love you, body and soul, now and forever, till death do us part. And may that be at least fifty years in the future!"

Will gave her a smile that took her breath away. "Welcome home, my darling little owl. Finally you are where you belong."

And with a flagrant lack of propriety, he kissed her.

Author's Note.

Several years ago, I cruised the Douro River in Northern Portugal from Porto on the Atlantic Coast to the border with Spain, plus an excursion to Salamanca, the great Spanish university town. I saw the terraced vineyards stepping down the steep hills to the river, and was walloped with the impact of concentrated port wine scents when we visited a wine shipper warehouse in Gaia, on the opposite bank of the Douro River from Porto.

This part of the country was heavily involved in the Peninsular Wars, with French, Portuguese, British, and Spanish troops engaging. I learned of the bridge of boats catastrophe when the French invaded Porto, and I stood in the picturesque ruins of Castelo Rodrigo, a medieval hill fortress that has been restored as a market for arts and crafts. The guide on our cruise knew I was a historical writer, and she pointed down the hill and said, "That building is a convent. Wellington used it as a hospital for his men after the battle." Is it any wonder that I've wanted to set a story in that part of the world?

The hero had to be Will Masterson, who was in my Lost Lords series from the beginning, but as a serving officer in the Peninsula, he was usually off stage and he only made appearances in Loving a Lost Lord and his half brother's book, Nowhere Near Respectable.

But in April 1814, Napoleon abdicated and the long wars were over. (Or so everyone thought. The emperor's escape from Elba and his hundred days of ruling France, culminating in the Battle of Waterloo, were in the future.) Will was ready to go home, and I was ready to complicate his life enormously.

The very small kingdom of San Gabriel is fictional, and I deliberately gave it language and characteristics from both Portugal and Spain. Interestingly, there was a real microstate called Couto Misto on the border between those two countries, and it lasted until the Treaty of Lisbon in 1864 divided the land between Spain and Portugal.

I couldn't use Couto Mis...o...b..cause it had its own history, and also because it was on the northern border of Portugal while I needed a setting on the eastern border. But I did borrow the country's myth of the fugitive pregnant princess (Saint) Ilduara Eriz, who found refuge in Couto Misto and gave birth to (Saint) Rudesind Guterrie. What a great backstory for my fictional San Gabriel!

None of the events in Once a Soldier happened. But perhaps they could have.

If you've enjoyed this first novel in Mary Jo Putney's Rogues Redeemed series, be sure to watch for ONCE A REBEL, coming next October!.

The enigmatic Gordon, known as the Westerfield Academy's only failure, has traveled long and twisted paths before reaching a measure of respectability. Then a perilous mission into the heart of Britain's war with the fledgling United States brings him face to face with all the dangers-and hopes-of his past.

You are cordially invited-to fall in love at.

THE LAST CHANCE CHRISTMAS BALL Available in paperback this October!.

Mary Jo Putney.