A/N: Salutations, everyone! :)
Phew, so sorry for the delay. You know...life. Some of it completely awesome, some of it not so much. lol. Anywho, new chapter, yippee! :)
I haven't had time to get around to sending PM's to everyone who reviewed, but I will do that just as soon as I can. I was going to do it before I posted this chapter, but I figured you'd rather have a new chapter and wait a bit longer for responses than having responses but no new chapter lol :)
Oh! I've had a couple people ask me/bring concerns up about the "angsty-ness" of this story. All I can say is, rest assured. I do not do "angst." By "angst", I mean the severely depressing stuff that makes you want to cry and all the stuff that goes with it. The tags for this story are "Drama/Romance". So. It will be "dramatic" in the sense of "serious". However, while there will be some "dramatic" things happening throughout the rest of this story, I like to think that there is an overlying layer of hope and optimism that "angst" does not possess. I read fan fiction and write fan fiction for escapism, so the people I want to end up together will. :) So...yeah, there you go! :)
Anonymous reviewers! :)
anon - Thanks for the review! :) Haha, I'll take that as a compliment ;) Although it does suck for Quinn and Rachel that he's so perceptive lol. And you may be right about Quinn needing to be more cautious where Finn is concerned...But, then again, maybe not ;) Hehe, anywho, thanks again and I hope you like this chapter! :)
Guest (1) - Thank you for the review! Lol, yes, I suppose that would be simple. However, Quinn can't just give him the title. It just doesn't work that way. Also, I highly doubt Finn's greedy ass would stop at just having the title. He'd probably still want Rachel just so he could have even more. AND! Really, do we want to give Finn everything he wants? I don't. lol. Also! The solution you propose would make this story, like, exponentially shorter and anticlimactic, I think, and I'd much rather go through all the loops and twists and turns. Much more interesting, in my humble opinion :) But, in any case, you are correct that that could be a simple solution, if it were possible ;) Thanks again! And I hope you like the new chapter, even though it's not exactly "simple" lol! :D
Guest (2) - Thanks! I'm really glad you're liking the story so much so far! I hope the rest doesn't disappoint :)
jock - First of all, thanks, as always! :) And, haha! Yeah...While Finn might not be as idiotic as he is on the show, he still underestimates Quinn (and Rachel), so he's still dumb in my book lol ;) And yay! I'm glad you're still liking the Faberry :) MUCH more of them in this chapter :) And a little bit of Quinn/Brittany stuff too, so yippee skippee! ;) Anywho, thanks again for your review, and I hope you like the new chapter :)
joey - Thanks for the review! So sorry for not updating in over a month! I hope you like this chapter! :)
**NOTE** The portrayal of Finn/my hatred of him does not reflect my feelings toward Cory Monteith or his drug-induced demise. Although, if you ask me (which no one did), he was a grown man of 31 who knew the terrible mistakes he was making and yet could(would?) not stop, so I'm not sure how badly I can feel for him himself, but it is still sad because he was so young and he had beaten addiction before and had such a promising future. My heart and prayers go out to his family and friends (and fans), who are suffering right now and struggling through this difficult time. In conclusion, the point is that I still hate the character of Finn, and I hope his portrayal doesn't offend anyone due to recent events in real life. I mean no disrespect to Cory Monteith, only Finn Hudson and the so-called "writers" of Glee. :)
Now, without further ado, the chapter! :)
Her brother was suspicious. Quinn could tell by the way Finn looked at her as he crossed the floor to where she and Rachel stood. Finn's "brief" conversation had turned into an hour. It was very shabby behavior of him to leave Rachel so long.
"Please forgive me for being gone so long, my dear," Finn said, taking Rachel's hand. Quinn's instinct was to push him away, to tell him not to lay a finger on her, but Finn was still Rachel's betrothed and any interference from Quinn would only cause trouble. "Something of an urgent nature has arisen and I have to leave."
"Leave?" Rachel echoed, her voice high with surprise and disappointment. And for one foolish moment, Quinn wondered if Rachel was sorry to leave her, or if it was Finn she would miss. "But we just arrived."
Finn's shrewd, dark gaze met Quinn's. "There is no need for all of us to leave. I'm sure Quinn wouldn't mind remaining with you and Brittany."
"Of course I wouldn't," Quinn replied, holding her brother's stare. "Do what you must do, brother." Why did everything she and Finn say to each other come out sounding like threats or warnings? It was stupid and childish of them.
"I shall see you tomorrow then, Rachel dear." Finn brushed a quick kiss across Rachel's cheek and Quinn's jealousy rose. Her brother was goading her, she was sure of it. Finn wanted to make her angry. He was telling his sister that she might have the title, but he had Rachel, and that Quinn had better keep her hands to herself where Rachel was concerned.
Not a chance.
"Don't stay out too late," Finn said softly to Rachel. "You know how you get when you're overtired."
Rachel's expression clearly said no, she didn't know how she got when she was "overtired" and that she didn't think Finn knew either, but she didn't press the subject. "I won't. Good night, Finn."
When he was gone, Rachel turned to Quinn. "What do you suppose he's up to?"
"I haven't a clue," Quinn replied honestly. "And I really don't care. All I know is that I can finally tell you how beautiful you look this evening without worrying about my brother overhearing or seeing your reaction."
Her reaction, of course, was a deep, rosy blush. Rachel glanced away. "You really shouldn't say such things."
"Why not? It's true. You are beautiful." Quinn fought the urge to stroke her cheek, but if any of the dancers floating by them, or any of the numerous bystanders, happened to see, it would cause a scandal, and she had no desire to drag her family or Rachel into a scandal just because she couldn't keep her hands to herself.
"Do you really think so?"
Quinn nodded, her heart touched by the uncertainty in the brunette's voice. Did Finn never tell her how lovely she was? Lord, she had gone from girl who had never wanted to marry, to a woman who had found someone she could gladly spend the rest of her life with—and it was all because of Rachel. She was more than just beautiful to the blonde. Rachel was the only person in the world as far as Quinn was concerned. It didn't matter that she was English.
"Dance with me." Quinn didn't bother waiting for her response before leading her by the hand onto the dance floor. It was waltz—the only way Quinn could hold her and not having tongues wagging about it the next day.
Rachel's hand went to her bicep. One of Quinn's hands went to Rachel's waist; the other caught her free hand and lifted it high. Even though she wanted nothing more than to crush Rachel against her, Quinn made sure there were the required twelve inches between their bodies.
Stupid rule.
"I have finished the Byron," she told Rachel once they were caught up in the flood of other dancers.
Her eyes lit up. In the soft light of the chandeliers, they were almost black. "Really? Did you enjoy it?"
"Very much. He's very…passionate." Passionate didn't even begin to describe some of Byron's work, but it certainly stirred the senses.
Another blush. "Yes. Byron is no stranger to the stronger emotions."
Quinn didn't bother to comment that Byron's "stronger emotions" were what had led to his self-exile from England two years ago. Lord Byron was now living somewhere on the eastern side of Europe, indulging in whatever sins he saw fit. Whatever the man chose to do with his personal life was his business. Quinn might not agree with it, but it didn't change the fact that Byron was still a gifted poet.
"I love poetry," Rachel admitted. "Usually, most girls my age can't stand it. They would much rather read one of those 'horrid' novels with young girls being chased by dark and sinister villains." She made a face. "I would much rather read about love than such nonsense."
Quinn smiled. She would have to take the brunette's word for it. She had never read a book like the ones Rachel had described.
"Have you ever ready any poems by Robbie Burns?" As she said the name, Quinn's accent slipped into a more Scottish burr.
Rachel shook her head, smiling. "I don't believe so, but I have heard Brittany mention the name before. I take it he's Scottish?"
Now it was Quinn's turn to blush. "He is, yes."
"Recite something he's written," Rachel pleaded, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Staring down into her dark, fathomless eyes, there was one of Burns' poems that came to mind so quickly that Quinn was almost frightened of it. It was foolish to feel so much for one person so soon after meeting her, but she couldn't help it. She was Rachel's to command.
"'Oh, my Luve is like a red, red rose,/That's newly sprung in June./O, my Luve is like a melodie,/That's sweetly played in tune.'"
Rachel's smile grew. Whether it was because of the poem or the thickness of Quinn's accent, the blonde wasn't sure. "That's lovely."
"There's more," Quinn said before she lost her nerve. "'As fair art thou, my bonie lass/So deep in love am I,/And I will love you still, my dear,/Till a' the seas gang dry.'"
Rachel's forehead creased into a frown. "What is he saying? What do 'bonny' and 'gang' mean?"
Quinn cleared her throat. "Bonny means beautiful and gang means go. He is telling her how beautiful he thinks she is and that he will love her until all the seas go dry."
Eyes wide, Rachel stared at her. "Oh. Oh, that's beautiful!"
Quinn couldn't kiss her, couldn't touch her outside of the movements dictated by the dance, so Quinn had to content herself with tightening her fingers around Rachel's hand and pulling her a little bit closer. As it was, there was still a good six inches between them.
"That's the way it should be, don't you think?" Quinn asked, her throat tight with emotion as their gazes held. "Love should last forever."
Rachel's fingers tightened on the blonde's arm as a delicate pink crept up her neck and cheeks. "Yes," she murmured, her voice barely audible above the music. "Till all the seas go dry."
It was hardly a declaration, but Quinn felt as though it was. She was certain that Rachel felt the same way for her that she did for the brunette. Rachel wasn't the kind of girl who would kiss someone she didn't care deeply for. In fact, she would wager that aside from Finn, she was the only person Rachel had ever kissed. And she would be willing to go a step further and bet that Finn hadn't kissed her the way she had.
Quinn hadn't kissed anyone the way she had kissed Rachel either, for that matter—with such intense emotion, with her heart.
It was easy to imagine herself and Rachel spending evenings by the fire at Castle Fabray, reading poetry aloud or simply talking—and kissing. She could see Rachel working beside her to restore the castle to its former splendor. And she could imagine getting old with her, even raising a family.
Rachel scared the sense right out of her and Quinn didn't mind one bit. Either this was true love or she was going mad. Either way, she didn't care.
They danced once more that evening and that was all.
Any more would have been improper and fodder for the gossip mill. Still, it was frustrating not being able to do what they wanted, not being able to let on that they wanted each other.
Even more frustrating was watching Rachel dance with other people. Did it bother her watching Quinn dance with other people? The blonde couldn't imagine her having anything to be jealous about. The few girls she danced with, when she wasn't keeping an eye on Brittany, spent more time giggling than talking. Her cousin Santana would probably like them better than she did.
Finally, it was time to leave, and Quinn was glad for it. At least in the carriage she could have Rachel almost entirely to herself. Brittany looked so exhausted that Quinn doubted she would even stay awake for the drive home. It wasn't the same as being truly alone with Rachel, but it would do. It would have to.
They left the ballroom ahead of most of the others and managed to get their wraps before the rush. It might be June, almost the end of the Season, but no gentleman or lady would dream of attending a social function without the ladies wearing an outer garment of some kind and the gentlemen in top hats.
Even without the wait for their garments, though, they had to weave their way through a crowd gathering in the foyer, out the door, and down the steps to where the carriage sat waiting.
Quinn made sure the carriage driver handed both Brittany and Rachel up then step first and then Quinn, although it was customary for the woman of highest rank to be seated first. When Quinn climbed into the carriage, she found the other two girls sitting on one side, leaving the other for her. Blast! The blonde had stupidly thought that Rachel would sit with her, but Brittany would definitely take notice of such a thing. Or at least she might if she could keep her eyes open.
It was slow going for the first fifteen minutes as the carriage got behind a few others as it crept down the drive.
"Did you have a good time?" Quinn asked her sister.
"I did," she replied with a tired smile. "My feet are sore from dancing."
Quinn grinned. "I suspect the house will be overrun with suitors fighting for your attention tomorrow."
"I doubt it." Her sister stifled a yawn behind one gloved hand. "I'm so sleepy, it shan't matter anyway. One look at the bags under my eyes and they will all run screaming for their mamas."
"Why don't you stretch out?" Rachel suggested. "At this rate, it's going to be a while before we arrive home. I can sit beside the duchess and you can nap until you get home."
The light in the carriage was so dim that Quinn couldn't tell if Rachel was blushing or not, and she didn't care. Quinn could kiss her for being so sneaky!
"Do you mind?" Brittany asked, turning to her sister.
"Certainly not," she replied, hoping she didn't sound as eager as she felt. "You go ahead and rest. There is plenty of room for the both of us over here."
Smiling her thanks, Brittany lifted her feet onto the seat as Rachel stood. Within seconds, Brittany was curled up against the padded cushions with her eyes closed and Rachel was settling in beside Quinn. Unlike the trip to the ball, when Quinn had taken pains to make sure her legs didn't brush Rachel's, the blonde made no effort to keep from touching her.
Their legs pressed together from hip to ankle and their arms from wrist to shoulder. With a discreet flip of her shawl, Quinn was able to cover their hands as she entwined her fingers with Rachel's.
Her heart hammered in her chest, her mouth was dry, and a mixture of joy and anxiety danced in her stomach. It was thrilling, this daring secrecy between them. Quinn felt as though every hair on her body was standing on end while a thousand pinpricks of excitement dotted her skin. Unable to do anything else for fear that Brittany might open her eyes and see them, Quinn contented herself with stroking Rachel's fingers. Rubbing Rachel's palm with the pad of her thumb, Quinn caressed the length of her hand, which fit so perfectly in her own.
They sat in silence as the carriage rolled along the cobblestone streets. They didn't dare even to glance at each other. In fact, anyone looking at them wouldn't think that they even noticed each other, except that beneath Quinn's shawl, their hands and fingers were indulging in the slow, soft kisses their lips couldn't dare share.
All too soon they pulled up the drive to Rachel's house.
Their gazes locked as their fingers slid apart. Funny how Quinn felt the loss of Rachel's touch almost as keenly as if she had lost something precious and dear.
"Thank you for seeing me home," Rachel said, her voice soft.
"I'll walk you to the door," Quinn whispered so as not to wake her slumbering sister.
After the driver opened the door and helped Quinn out and into the cool night, Quinn held out her hand to assist Rachel down from the carriage. Aware of the coachman watching, Quinn instructed him to take the carriage farther up the lane and turn around so they wouldn't have to do it as they were leaving.
With the driver gone, there was no one to see Quinn pull Rachel into the shadows and kiss her until they were both breathless and dizzy.
"I have been wanting to do that all evening," Quinn confessed, releasing the brunette.
Rachel's eyes fluttered open and she smiled. "I am so very glad you got what you wanted."
Quinn brushed a tendril of chestnut hair back from Rachel's face with her fingers. Her cheek was as soft as velvet. Was it just Rachel who had skin so delicate? "Will I see you tomorrow?"
She ran a hand down the buttons of the blonde's blouse. Rachel seemed as eager to touch her as Quinn was to touch the brunette. How could Quinn not be eager? No one had ever felt as good as Rachel did. "Carole has invited Mama and I for luncheon."
Quinn smiled. Even the idea of spending more than an hour in the company of Shelby Berry couldn't dim the joy at the prospect of seeing Rachel again.
"I shall count the minutes," the blonde teased as she reluctantly drew back into the moonlight. "Pleasant dreams."
Her smile was bright and warm. "I will be dreaming of you."
That she even said such a daring thing made Quinn's heart slam against her ribs with joy. "Good night, then."
"Good night."
Quinn watched as Rachel entered the house and closed the door, and then she walked back into the lane to wait for the carriage. She saw the coachman's light in the near distance and heard the horses' hooves as it drew nearer.
Suddenly, something struck her from behind. Pain exploded behind her eyes, knocking her to her hands and knees on the gravel. Before she could stagger to her feet, a kick to her stomach sent her sprawling to the ground, gasping for breath.
"Get 'er up," a man's voice commanded above her head. "We 'aven't much time."
There were two of them that she knew of. One grabbed each of her arms and hauled her to her feet. Quinn lunged at one, striking him in the face with her elbow. The man reeled back, releasing Quinn's arm. Quinn drew back a fist to strike out at her other assailant, but she was caught by a blow to the jaw that made her head snap back like a broken twig. Another blow caught her in the eye.
So now she knew that there were more than two attackers.
A feminine shriek pierced the air. Quinn and her assailants froze. It was Brittany. With her one good eye, Quinn could see her hanging out the carriage window, screaming at the men to leave her sister alone. God love her, she looked more angry than scared.
It that wasn't enough to frighten off her attackers, the sight of the Pierce coachman waving a pistol in one hand and a whip in the other was. The man still holding Quinn gave her a sharp shove and took off running.
How Quinn managed to remain standing she didn't know. What she did know was that Brittany had jumped out of the carriage and was pounding on the door of the Berry home. Any minute Rachel and her parents would see her in all her battered glory. She didn't want Rachel to see her like this.
But she wasn't certain she wanted to return home either—if for no other reason than the niggling suspicion that the person responsible for this violence was her own brother.
"Did you see their faces?" Rachel asked as she wrung water from a cloth into a basin.
Quinn winced as Rachel applied the cloth to the gash on the back of her head. "No. It was too dark and I'm afraid I was too busy trying to keep them from killing me to notice what they looked like."
Rachel's hands shook as she cleaned the wound. Thank heavens it wasn't deep. Still, it had bled quite a bit and the sight of Quinn being held up by the coachman, all that blood on the back of her head, matting her blonde hair, had scared her senseless. In that split second Rachel realized that her life would be completely empty without Quinn in it. How had the blonde come to mean so much to her in such a short time?
Rachel was loathe to rouse any of the servants, and her mother hadn't the stomach to nurse such injuries, so that left Rachel to tend to Quinn.
She stood between the blonde's knees as Quinn sat on the drawing room sofa. Her forehead pressed against Rachel's ribs as she dabbed salve on the top and back of Quinn's head. They were alone in the room and Rachel rubbed Quinn's back with her free hand. Even through the layers of clothing, Quinn felt strong and warm against her palm.
"What do you think they wanted?" she asked as the blonde lifted her head. "Money?"
Quinn shook her head, then grimaced as though the simple movement hurt. "I don't know. If they simply wanted money, why not take your jewelry as well?" She raised her eyes to Rachel's. "They said they didn't have much time. I think they were sent to hurt—possibly even abduct—me."
Rachel scowled. "Who would do such an awful thing?"
Quinn looked at her as though she thought the answer were obvious. "Who do you know who wants me out of his way?"
Rachel was horrified. No. Quinn had to be wrong. "Surely you don't think Finn was behind this!"
Quinn caught the brunette around the waist before she could pull away. "I don't want to believe that he could be capable of such evil, but don't you find it rather convenient that I should be attacked in your drive when the only person who knew I was taking you home left the ball hours before we did? He had ample time to set it up."
Rachel slumped into the blonde's lap, too shocked and tired to care how improper her behavior was. "I can't believe it, but it makes perfect sense." She stared at Quinn, not caring if her fear was written all over her face. "Quinn, you have to go back to Scotland."
Her jaw dropped. "I beg your pardon?"
Twisting herself to face the blonde, Rachel gripped her shoulders with both hands. "You're not safe here." Quinn wasn't safe and neither was she—not if Finn was as mad as Quinn suspected. "You must leave."
"Oh no." Her tone was firm. "I'm not leaving you here alone with him."
"But he's not trying to kill me!" Rachel shook her as hard as she could. Didn't Quinn understand the danger she was in? Finn wouldn't dare hurt her—not while he still needed her—but Quinn stood between him and something he desperately wanted.
The thought of Finn harming Quinn made her rigid with fear. And what would happen if Finn succeeded in getting rid of his sister? Would he decide his fiancé was just as expendable?
Quinn smiled. She couldn't possibly find this amusing! Reaching up, Quinn caught the brunette's wrists in her hands and eased them from her shoulders. "And we don't know for sure if he is trying to kill me either. It's quite possible that he's just trying to scare me. For what reason, I'm not sure, but I intend to find out."
Rachel shook her head, her fear rapidly becoming panic. "No, you can't confront him. That will only make things worse!"
Quinn raised a brow. "I'm not afraid of him. I refuse to run."
"So you're just going to let him send his henchmen after you until they beat you to death, is that it?" She tried to stand, but Quinn held her firmly.
"Rachel, Rachel," she shushed in a soothing tone. "I cannot believe that my own brother wants me dead. I think he simply wants to scare me, force me to run so he can make it look like I had something to hide and try to prove my parents' marriage false."
Could she possibly be so trusting? "Quinn, he's your heir! If anything happens to you, Finn inherits the title! I'd say he has every reason to want you dead."
Quinn's expression hardened, her jaw taking on a very stubborn set. "I can't believe he would go that far. I would much rather believe that he suspects there is something going on between us and wants to warn me away from you."
Rachel didn't particularly find one possibility more comforting than the other. "Then we will have to avoid each other as much as possible. We have to stop caring about each other." Yes, that was it. She could do it if it would keep Quinn safe.
Quinn looked at her with eyes so warm and loving she wanted to cry. "You might as well ask the sun not to rise." Raising her tan hands to her mouth, Quinn kissed her knuckles. "Rachel, I'm not going to give in to Finn, no matter what his intentions are—if it's even him behind this attack." She squeezed her fingers. "I would really rather you supported me than fought me on this. I need you."
Rachel's heart melted at her words. How could she refuse her? In truth, Rachel thought it would be difficult to refuse her anything. If Quinn said she wanted the world on a platter, Rachel would try to get it for her.
Rachel loved her. Loved her so completely, intensely. It was the most incredible thing—to realize it so clearly as she had. And even though it set her nerves on edge and made it difficult for her to sleep at night, Rachel wouldn't trade her life now for anything in the world.
Rachel pulled one hand free of her grip and pushed her golden hair back from her forehead. "Promise me you won't do anything foolish."
Quinn's expression was one of such surprise she almost laughed. "Me? Do something foolish?" She paused as if in thought. "I've never done anything foolish in my life. Well, hardly anything," she said, looking at Rachel meaningfully.
Rachel moved into her arms, not caring that it would be scandalous if they were caught in such a position. She loved being able to feel Quinn's warmth against her, loved being so close she could feel the rise and fall of Quinn's chest. She seemed so delicate and yet so strong. Quinn made her feel safe and capable of anything just by being near.
"Were you really worried about me?" Quinn slid her free hand around Rachel's hip to cradle her back, lifting the smaller girl higher on her lap.
Rachel's gaze snapped up to hers. "Of course. I was terrified."
She smiled. "Good."
She swatted the blonde on the shoulder.
"Ow!" Quinn cried.
Rachel's heart jumped into her throat. "Oh no! I'm so sorry. Did I hurt you?"
"No." Quinn grinned. "I just wanted to make you feel bad."
Rachel couldn't help laughing. "You're awful!"
"Kiss me," Quinn commanded, her voice whisper soft and full of laughter.
Rachel did kiss her. Sitting up, she lowered her head to Quinn's. It felt odd to have the blonde's face beneath hers rather than above, almost as if she was in control of how their lips touched and Quinn was at her mercy. Quinn's mouth was warm beneath hers, both demanding and gentle, and Rachel kissed her with all of the love she had in her heart and then some.
The choice was made. She didn't even have to think about it. There was no contest. Quinn was the one she wanted. Quinn was the one she loved. It remained only for Rachel to find the right way to tell her. But first they had to deal with Finn.
Quinn's hand rubbed her back, pulling her closer. Eyes closed, Rachel gave herself up to the sensations the kiss offered. Nothing else existed when Quinn held her in her arms. She wished they could stay like this forever.
The sound of her mother's voice sent her wish up in a puff of smoke. She jerked out of Quinn's arms and just managed to jump to her feet before the door flew open to reveal her mother's thin, nightcapped form.
"Aren't you finished yet?" Shelby demanded, eyes averted. The only reason she had left them alone was because neither she nor Brittany could stand the sight of blood. "I have tried to keep Lady Brittany company, but the poor girl's falling asleep on the sofa."
"I'm done now, Mama," Rachel replied, surprised that her voice wasn't shaking. "You can have the duchess' carriage summoned."
She felt Quinn rise to her feet behind her. "Thank you very much for your kind hospitality, Mrs. Berry. I'm in your debt."
Even her mother wasn't a hard enough person to withstand that charming tone of Quinn's, especially when she let her accent deepen to a softer, huskier Scottish timbre. Rachel much preferred it when Quinn spoke in her native burr. In fact, she had a sneaking suspicion that Quinn tried to sound more English in order to fit in.
"You're welcome, Your Grace. I am glad your injuries weren't serious."
It was all Rachel could do to keep her mouth from falling open. Her mother actually sounded sincere! Was it possible she was warming up to Quinn? Or did she also suspect Finn's involvement and didn't approve of such tactics? Rachel couldn't be certain. And honestly, she didn't care so long as her mother continued to show Quinn the respect she deserved.
She walked Quinn and Brittany to the door. Poor Brittany could hardly keep her eyes open, but she clung to her sister as though she were afraid someone might try to take Quinn from her. Poor thing. Did Quinn have any idea how she filled that empty spot in Brittany's life? She looked so much like their father, and being older, and so reliable, Quinn readily stepped into the void left by their father's death.
Rachel couldn't help wondering if Carole and Brittany didn't fill an emptiness inside Quinn as well. Quinn smiled at her sleepy sister, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders to keep her upright.
"Thank you for everything, Miss Berry," she said, back to pretending there was nothing between them. "We look forward to seeing you again tomorrow."
Rachel smiled, the perfect picture of ladylike composure. The perfect fake. "I'm afraid it is tomorrow already, Your Grace. I shall see you again in a mere few hours."
Warmth flared briefly in Quinn's gaze. "I shall count the minutes."
Rachel smiled. It was all she could do not to grin like an idiot. "Good night, Brittany. Good night, Your Grace."
Closing the door behind them as they left, Rachel slipped the bolt into place and prepared to extinguish the wall lamp.
"I certainly hope you're not being foolish enough to fall in love with her," her mother remarked from behind her.
Rachel whirled around, her heart pounding. But instead of panic, she felt joy. Pure, sweet happiness that neither her mother nor Finn could destroy. "No, Mama. I'm not falling in love with her."
I already am in love with her.
"Idiots!"
Pacing the length of his room, Finn crumpled the note in his hand. The men he'd hired had failed. Not only had they failed to abduct his sister, but they had also beaten her—something Finn hadn't at all intended. All he wanted was Quinn out of the way. All he wanted was for his sister to give him the title.
He had thought that maybe a few threats would do the trick. All he had planned to do was threaten Quinn's precious Scottish kinsmen, forcing his honorable, disgustingly loyal sister to do whatever Finn wanted.
Or at least that's what Finn had been stupid enough to believe. Now he realized stronger methods would have to be used. But what?
He would have to be more careful next time. Poor Brittany had been there. She could have been hurt, and Finn would never forgive himself if anything happened to his sister. Nor would he ever forgive himself if anything ever happened to Rachel. He might not love her, nor she him, but he cared for her and—
Quinn loved her.
He froze in the middle of the floor. Of course! Why hadn't he thought of it before?
Quinn was only human and Rachel was a lovely young woman—not as lovely as the oldest daughter of Lady Markby's, but pretty all the same. And she had that same annoying love of poetry that his sister possessed. It was only natural that Quinn would be attracted to her.
In fact, Quinn was probably the only person who could truly appreciate all those things about Rachel that Finn didn't. In a perfect world, were it not for the fact that Finn himself needed Rachel and her money, he would be tempted to say that Quinn actually deserved someone like Rachel.
But she did not deserve to be the Duchess of Brahm. She hadn't worked as hard for it as Finn had.
Therefore, Finn saw nothing wrong with using Rachel to get to his sister. Oh yes, Quinn would do whatever he wanted if Finn threatened Rachel.
A/N: Ooooo, what is Finn going to do? How will he threaten Rachel? Will he get away with yet another scheme? But, awww...Rachel's in love :) Find out how our heroines handle this sticky situation next time on All That's Best! hehehe
I hope you guys liked this chapter! I'll be back with chapter 9 just as soon as I can, I promise! :)