Julie Garwood - The Gift

Jade's eyes widened. "Oh, Caine, I did find her guilty, didn't I? I just assumed… and she didn't defend herself."

"Why should she?"

"She did tell us she was going home. For a woman who claims she just disowned her family… you think she's innocent, don't you?"

"I have only formed one conclusion thus far. Sara loves Nathan. All you have to do is look at the woman to know that. Would she have bothered to come to warn us if she didn't care about your brother, my sweet? Now unhand me, please. I'm going after her."

"You're too late, m'lord," Sterns called out from the foyer. "The hack has already left."

"Why didn't you stop her?" Caine asked as he rushed toward the door.

"I was occupied eavesdropping," the butler admitted. "I also didn't know you wanted me to stop her." He turned his gaze to his mistress. "I hope you don't mind that I gave your sister-in-law a few shillings. Lady Sara was without funds and needed to pay the fare to her next destination."

The pounding on the front door stopped the conversation. Before Sterns or Caine could open it the door was flung wide, and Nathan came striding into the foyer. There were few men who could intimidate Sterns, but the marquess of St. James was one of them. The butler immediately got out of the big man's path.

Nathan acknowledged both men with a brisk nod. "Where's my sister?"

"It's good to see you again, too, Nathan," Caine drawled. "What brings you here today? Have you come to see your godchild? Olivia's sleeping, but I'm certain your bellowing will wake her in no time at all."

"I don't have time to be sociable," Nathan replied. "Olivia's all right, isn't she?"

As if in answer to that inquiry the sound of the infant's wailing came floating down the stairwell. Sterns frowned at the marquess before starting up the steps. "I'll see to the babe," he announced. "She'll be wanting me to rock her back to sleep."

Caine nodded agreement. The butler was far more family than servant and had taken over the care of little Olivia. The two got along extremely well, and Caine wasn't certain who was more firmly wrapped around the other's fingers.

Caine turned to give Nathan a proper set-down for disturbing his daughter's sleep, but when he saw the expression on his brother-in-law's face he changed his mind. It was a look Caine had never seen before on Jade's brother's face. Nathan looked afraid.

"Jade's in the drawing room," he told Nathan.

His sister stood up as soon as her brother came into the drawing room. "Oh, Nathan, thank heavens you're here."

Nathan walked over to stand directly in front of his sister. "Sit down," he ordered.

She immediately complied. Nathan clasped his hands behind his back, then said, "Brace yourself. The Winchesters found out all about our father, and it's only a matter of time before you're properly humiliated. Got that?"

As soon as she nodded he turned and tried to leave.

"Wait," Jade called out. "Nathan, I must talk to you."

"I don't have time," her brother called back.

"You always were a man of few words," Caine said. "Why the hurry?"

"I've got to find my wife," Nathan told him in a near bellow. "She's missing."

He was already out the front door before Caine's announcement caught him. "Your lovely wife was just here."

"Sara was here?"

"For God's sake, Nathan, must you roar every time you open your mouth? Come back inside."

The sound of little Olivia wailing again was followed by the loud slam of a door above the stairs. Sterns was obviously sending them a message to keep their voices down.

Nathan walked back into the foyer. "What was my wife doing here?"

"She wanted to talk to us."

"Why did you let her leave, man? Damn it, where did she go?"

Caine motioned his brother-in-law into the drawing room and pulled the doors closed before giving his answer. "Sara came to warn us. She wasn't quite as blunt as you were," he added dryly.

"Did she tell you where she was going?"

Jade hurried over and grabbed hold of Nathan's hand so he couldn't disappear on her. She started to answer his question, then caught herself when Caine shook his head at her.

"We'll tell you where Sara went after you sit down and talk to us," Caine announced. "For once, Nathan, you're going to be civil. Got that?"

"I don't have time for this. I've got to find Sara. Do I have to break your arm to get the information I need?"

"Sara's safe enough," Caine said. Unless wolves really do eat their young, he qualified to himself. He put his arm around Jade's shoulders and led her back to the settee.

He noticed Nathan wasn't following them. "Sit down," he ordered in a much firmer voice. "I've got a couple of questions to ask you, Nathan, and I'm not telling you where Sara went until I get some answers."

Nathan knew it was pointless to argue. Beating his brother-in-law into a bloody pulp wouldn't do him any good either. Caine would just bloody him up, too. Precious time would be wasted, and when the fight was over Caine would still remain stubborn.

It was just one of several reasons Nathan admired his sister's husband.

"Why the hell can't you be more like Colin?" he asked. He sat down and glared at Caine. "Jade, you married the wrong brother. Colin's a damn sight more agreeable."

His sister smiled. "I didn't fall in love with Colin, Nathan."

She looked up at her husband then. "I don't believe I've ever seen Nathan this upset. Have you?"

"All right," Nathan muttered. "Ask me your questions."

"Tell me how the Winchesters found out about your father."

Nathan shrugged. "It isn't important how the truth was found out."

"The hell it isn't," Caine interjected.

"Do you believe Sara told her family?"

"She probably did," Nathan said.

"Why?" Jade asked.

"Why did she tell or why do I believe she told?" Nathan asked.

"Why do you believe she told?" Jade qualified. "And quit fencing with me, Nathan. I can see you're uncomfortable with this topic. I'm not going to let it go, so you might as well answer directly."

"Sara's a woman," Nathan said.

He realized the foolishness in that statement almost as soon as his sister did.

"I'm a woman," Jade said. "What does that have to do with the issue under discussion?"

"Yes, of course you're a woman," Nathan answered. "But you're different, Jade. You don't behave like one."

She didn't know if she'd just been insulted or complimented. She looked at her husband to judge his reaction.

Caine's expression showed his exasperation. "Nathan, haven't you learned anything about women in all the time you spent with Sara?"

"Caine, I don't condemn her," Nathan argued. "I'm still a little angry with her, but only because she wouldn't admit to me that she had told them. She shouldn't have lied to me. Still," he added, "she probably-"

"Let me guess," Caine interrupted. "She probably couldn't help herself."

"Your views about women are appalling," Jade said. "I had no idea you'd become so misdirected." She realized she'd raised her voice and forced herself to calm down when she asked, "Is it because she's a Winchester that you have so little faith in her?"

Caine let out a snort. "Isn't that a little like the pot calling the kettle black? If Nathan doesn't have any faith in his wife because of her background, she sure as hell shouldn't have any faith in him."

Nathan was becoming more uncomfortable with each question. His family was forcing him to reevaluate beliefs he'd held for years.

"Of course Sara has faith in me," he muttered. "As I said before, I don't condemn her."

"If you say again that she probably couldn't help herself, I do believe I will try to strangle you, Nathan," Jade announced.

Nathan shook his head. "These questions are pointless."

Nathan started to stand up, but Caine's next question stopped him. "What if she's innocent? Nathan, don't you realize what that means?"