Voices Deep Inside (Book 1)

Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

The Return of His Eldest Son

The door burst open into Roman's room. His three brothers pounced on him, awakening Roman from the most glorious rest.

"Oh my gosh, you're alive," said Ridge, pounding on his shoulder.

Rupert sat on the bed and threw his arms around Roman, and Reggie took his hand and held on tight. He sat down on the other side.

Roman pulled himself up, and Rupert helped him prop up his pillow behind his head. He winced as he held his side. Reggie poured him a glass of water, which Roman gladly accepted.

Reggie looked at his hands and saw how scratched up and raw the skin looked.

"Did they steal your ring?" asked Reggie.

"No, I gave to a servant girl," said Roman.

"She must be something special for you to part with that ring," said Rupert, knowing how his brother had evaded many a female pursuit during the seasons of winter parties.

"She helped me escape and kept me alive. I owe her," said Roman.

"Where is she?" asked Ridge.

"I left her at the Huntley Estate," said Roman, looking ashamed of himself.

"Did you lead her to believe you would take her with?" asked Rupert.

"Ay, I did, and I'm not proud of it," said Roman.

His brother was the closest to his age and had been with him through many adventures, but when it came to women, Rupert held them in the highest esteem. It was clear in how he treated their mother. The Thanturnam men treated their mother like a queen.

As a result, not one of them was married. No one had measured up to their mother.

Rose Thanturnam raised top-notch gentlemen to respect woman and conduct themselves by always staying true to their word.

Roman climbed out of bed and threw on the nightshirt that Oxford had laid at the foot of his bed. He grabbed his robe and asked Reggie to help him walk to see his parents. Ridge joined them on the other side.

When they reached their parent's door, Rupert stopped everyone. He looked at Roman and said, "Father has not been well. He had lost some weight and looks a peak haggard. Father did not take the news of your death well. Let's take this slow, so we don't upset him."

Rupert opened the door, and his father Gordon was lying in bed and their mother, Rose, was sitting near his bed sewing on a garment. Reggie helped Roman into the room.

Roman sat down on his father's bed and took his hand. His father squeezed back, and tears rolled down his cheeks as he smiled at his son.

Rose stood up and gently placed her arms around Roman. She hugged and cried and smiled as she took his face in her hands.

"Roman, you have come back to us," said his mother.

His father held onto his hand as if drawing energy from his bravery, courage and the sheer will to survive. His father sat up in bed and asked for a glass of water.

The brothers pulled up chairs, and Roman told his family the story of his ordeal and how he survived.

When he explained about Talia, his mother and father were distraught over the concept that he promised her marriage and left her behind.

"Even if she was a serving girl, couldn't you offer her money," asked his mother.

"No, that was her demand. Marriage and to be a lady of the house," said Roman. "And I agreed to the terms, and she helped me to escape. I also gave her my ring to protect her if she tried to escape."

"I do not want anyone traveling near the Huntley Estate," said his father.

"I want to make sure the stable workers know that if a young woman bearing my ring arrives, she is to be allowed through to the house," said Roman. "She may even be riding one of our horses."

Roman assured his family that he had seen their missing herd, and they were safe. He explained his escape route, and the trail he followed to their property. His brothers listened intently as he described his successful escape on horseback.

By then, their mother insisted that Roman go back to bed to rest, and the rest of the boys get to their chores. Reggie helped Roman back to his room, and Ridge helped him into bed. Roman laid in bed in pain from his ordeal. His mother followed the boys into his room and began her vigil to care for her son.

Talia stayed on his mind, and Roman worried the rest of the day if she followed him. He worried for her safety, and he thought about her daring, adventurous spirit. Talia knew what she wanted, and she worked hard every day to achieve it.

Roman admired the girl for her fortitude. He also knew he needed counsel from his mother on fulfilling his promise to marry Talia.

That evening, the entire family, including their father, Gordon, gathered for dinner at the large dining room table. Everyone was dressed for dinner and drank toasts to Roman and his miraculous survival.

Their family cook, Edith fixed a welcome home meal for the family. She served slices of red roast beef with whipped potatoes and gravy. Baskets of freshly made buns and a tray of preserves with fresh butter sat on the table. She placed candied slice carrots on the side, and for dessert, she brought out to the dining room a tray of pumpkin pudding cakes with fresh cream.

It delighted Edith to see Master Thanturnam join the family for a meal. His appetite and coloring looked better this evening. She also fussed over Roman and told him to just eat what he could.

Roman ate for the pure pleasure of eating. Everything tasted so good as he savored the dessert. After suppers, they retired into the parlor for brandy and cigars.

Then, the talk turned serious, as the brothers grew angry at how the Huntleys' had treated Roman. Their parents insisted there would be no revenge taken on the Huntley family.

"We have Roman, and we are together," said their mother. "If the girl shows up, we will welcome her to our home to show our appreciation for the kindness she showed my son."

Then Rose stood up and looked at her sons.

"I do not want my sons to go near that place," said Rose, almost shaking as she spoke. "More violence begets more violence."

Her husband calmed her down and assured her he agreed with her. Rose continued to have the look of fear on her face as she looked at Gordon for support.

"Your mother is right. No revenge," said Gordon. "Hell, Omar Huntley probably doesn't even know that Roman is still alive. Let's keep it that way."

Roman knew his father was right. Talia and her friend, Mick, at the stable are the only two people who knew of his presence. He knew to lie low with winter approaching. He needed to heal and regain the strength he had lost.