Chapter Six

The Outrage

“Halifax is insufferable, Camille. I’ve never behaved with a lack of etiquette to anyone. I cannot say, but something about the upstart is false.”

Her inexperience with men represented a major flaw. But how was she to gain such knowledge in such a sheltered environment? Again, her thoughts mingled with good behavior and flirtations. Sweet heaven, what would she do if Halifax or any other man attempted to kiss her without her permission? She remembered gossip at the school from some of the older girls in regard to men liking to open kiss. When she asked them to explain, they laughed at her. It was Josette, younger but wiser, her dearest friend, who explained that the man searches for her mouth and if she opens it, he inserts his tongue and they mate. She closed her eyes at the thought. Nothing seemed…sanitary. How could any of that be fanciful, not to mention, she didn’t think it romantic.

She stopped pacing and swirled to Camille. “Will the duke be upset with me? Are they best friends?” Jaclyn paced on the concrete floor of the heated conservatory and shuffled aside leaves from a fallen plant with her pointed leather shoe.

“No, in fact, Halifax is not a favorite of his. He’s young, inexpert, and in love with his image in the mirror, though he is a charmer. The ladies fawn over him, and it feeds his narcissism. Don’t misunderstand. The man is a rake, hell-bent, and will stop at nothing to get his prey. Please don’t be taken with him.”

“Taken with him? I find him repulsive. The way he stared at me, he stripped me of my clothes.” She averted her gaze.

“Jaclyn, there are times when I wonder about the life you had at school. Did you have schoolmasters or schoolmistresses?” She patted for Jaclyn to sit by her.

“We had teachers and nuns, but there was one man…” She lowered her head to hide her face.

Camille reached out to clasp both her hands. “I’m your friend. You can tell me anything, and I will not reveal it. We women must protect ourselves at whatever the cost.”

“The dancing instructor called me out of class and asked me to follow him. I was left no choice but to obey. He said the superior wanted him and me to appear in a special pageant when the bishop came to visit. It would require extra practice so I obeyed.” She inhaled and sobbed at the same time.

“Do you need water, or perhaps a cordial?” Camille softened her tone.

She shook her head. “No. The instructor led me along some corridors, and while I knew almost every path of the school, there was a walkway unfamiliar to me. It led outdoors to a garden so beautiful the flowers kissed the sun. There was a paved floor suitable for a dance. He bowed and took me in his arms and hummed a tune.

We danced a few steps and then he pulled me so close I couldn’t breathe. I attempted to break away, but he only held me closer. Somehow, I managed to slip from his grasp and ran down the path. His footsteps behind me echoed in my ears. I screamed and thought no one heard. I struggled, but he was so close behind me.” She gasped and clutched her hands to her chest.

“Go on, my dear. I am here for you,” Camille whispered.

“A young gardener, massive and strong, appeared as if from the earth, and came between us. He said mother superior had requested my attendance at once. In my mind, that knight in armor saved me. He extended his hand and led me out of the maze. Almost hysterical, his voice calmed me. Outside of the schoolroom, he told me he became suspicious and followed us. He warned me that the dancing instructor was the nephew of the mother superior and the girls realized that it would be best to avoid him at all costs—never to be alone with the man. After that, Josette and I became inseparable. The gardener mentioned the instructor would leave within two weeks. My knight promised to look after me. I believed him and trusted his goodness with all my heart.”

“Poor girl, you were fortunate to find such a noble man.”

Jaclyn whispered, “Camille, my protector was dismissed. I could never find out what happened to him. If they hurt him, I would never forgive myself. I don’t know if I can feel anymore. Everyone I’ve loved is gone. My father is dead. My mother ran off and abandoned me. Too much has happened.”

“Goodness, we should give thanks that you survived. We have Radolf to protect us.” Her face glowed with emotion as she clutched Jaclyn’s hands.

“God must have ordained my rescue because the summons from Wolferton came, and mother superior attended upon me herself. The horrid instructor of the dance left the school. I did not stray far from mother superior, and she recognized my fear. She might have suspected something, but then I was on my way to you and your brother. God favored me, and I am grateful forever.”

Conscious of her nervous perspiration, she removed her hands from Camille’s. Rubbing, twisting, and intertwining them only to press them together in a prayerful manner. Her eyes closed, she relived every fearful moment of those days. Shadows existed where they’d never been before. Corners were approached in trepidation. Sounds magnified like drumbeats. If Josette couldn’t be with her, she’d rush to the chapel, which was always a beehive of activity. Altar cloths needed to be changed. Statues needed dusting. She came to enjoy a high polish on the candlesticks since it took so much time, and she could relax in the serenity of such quiet company with all the young girls at silent work.

“Jaclyn, let’s take comfort in the fact you will never be forced to accept a man for whom you have no affection. I know my brother will want to find the perfect mate for you, and he will allow you to make up your mind as to suitability.”

She sniffled. “Rest assured, it will not be Halifax. He’s most unfavorable.” Jaclyn rested her shoulders to lessen the weight that bore on her emotions.

“It will be a challenge to see how my brother controls Halifax around you. He can be possessive as well as protective because he believes it is his duty to you.” Camille placed her fingers to her forehead and rubbed at her temple.

“Do you have a headache?” Jaclyn asked.

Camille nodded. “Yes, I’ll ring for fresh tea and a cordial. How about you? Think you require both? I confess I do. By now, Radolf has already imbibed his second glass of French cognac. It would not be uncommon for him to challenge the blighter.”

Jaclyn remained in her seat, her hands clasped on her lap as a wave of fatigue rained over her. Yes, it was the memory of the horrid French dancing instructor and his unwanted advances that brought emotions back. Jaclyn exerted every effort to stifle a sob.

At that precise moment, Wolferton walked into the room. Their faces told a story. “From what I can see, there’s been a serious discussion here.” He went toward Jaclyn. “I overheard part of your conversation. There is no need for you to sob. I will never force you into any relationship you do not want. I am your protector in all things.”

“No,” she cried. “I lost one protector. I couldn’t bear to lose you, too.”

He was not prepared for Jaclyn to run into his arms. He splayed his hands across her back. “For anyone to hurt you, Miss Jaclyn, they’d have to conquer me. I assure you it will never happen. I was once told by a dear friend that I had part wolf blood in my veins. Those were your father’s words.” Her vulnerability spoke to him in a manner he understood.

He remembered when another young girl looked at him with frightened eyes for help, as his father flaunted her weakness all those years ago. Isabella. Precious Isabella brought so low by his evil sire. Worst of all, he would always commit to memory his father’s vengeful lesson.

His arms around Jaclyn made him feel, perhaps for the first time in years, there was a part of him decent and good. He wasn’t sure how long he held her, but time was no longer relevant. Her sobs subsided, and she continued to hold him to her. Wolferton rested his head on hers. His voice meant to soothe and comfort, the way he would a wounded doe or a baby wolf. “Cry all you want. Let your fears out so I can capture them, so they’ll never haunt you again.” He swayed with her in his arms, in a slow, vague rhythm. When her tears diminished, he withdrew and led her to the settee next to Camille. He joined her and held her hands. “I can’t protect you if I don’t know who has caused you such grief. Was it Halifax?”

She shook her head and clenched one of his hands so tightly his finger nails bit into his flesh.

“No? So it goes back further to another time and another place?”

Jaclyn nodded. Her wide-eyed, terrified expression made him realize she’d been traumatized by something, or someone else. It was the same look he’d seen on some of his soldiers as they went to battle prepared to face death, or when they returned from an encounter so horrific, it made them want to forfeit their lives at the terror of the sights seen.