Nick looked down at the chair. “Cassius is a different man than Gregory. He doesn’t need more assassins.” He looked at Sirius again. “Though I admit, I was nervous when he asked you to collect the sons of his enemies.”
Sirius had been nervous as well, not for the boys, since he was certain Cassius wouldn’t have killed any of them, but because one wrong move could lead their friend down a road that few came back from unscarred. “Had Milly not come when she had—”
“We’ve have had to deal with Cassius,” Nick finished.
Sirius looked at the flames that burned low in the furnace but didn’t see the fire. What he saw was Cassius’ eyes after realizing how close he’d come to losing Milly. “We might have been able to convince him otherwise, you and me.”
“Perhaps.” Nick didn’t sound convinced.
Sirius looked at him again. “Me alone wouldn’t have been enough. You know how much I enjoy this game. He needs you.”
“And he has me as his man of business,” Nick said.
Sirius chuckled. “You think you can stand with one foot on either side of the line? You’re in this whether you realize it or not.”
Nick moved to the sideboard and poured a drink. “As Cassius’ friend, I will do my best to advise him on the best actions. Just as I would with you.” He turned around with his glass in hand. “I’m glad you’ve decided to tell Pia the truth. I want to know about this journey you plan to take her on.”
Sirius put the book down on the table next to his chair and then crossed his fingers before settling them across his middle. “I’m going to take her to the place it all began, the storehouse.” He would never forget that day. His brother hadn’t seen him, hadn’t known who he’d been bargaining with, hadn’t known that the children he wished to sell were Adam’s own nieces.
Adam hadn’t even seen the girls, but he’d known he would never let it happen.
He’d paid a heavy price to save those girls. Gregory had never made anything easy.
Both his brothers were gone, leaving a bastard to rise above men who’d looked down on him his entire life. “I figure, if she wishes to leave me after I reveal the truth, as least her trunks would already be packed. I’d let her go.”
“You think she’ll leave you?” Nick asked.
Sirius shrugged. “I’ve lied to her over and over again. I watched her suffer in pain over a death that never took place.”
“She’ll be upset,” Nick said. “But I’ve faith you’ll get through it.”
Sirius smiled. “Aren’t you the expert on love?”
Nick shrugged. “I have been married before. Lest we forget.”
Nick’s marriage was likely one of the shortest to ever exist. His wife had been pretty and mad and had died senselessly. Yet, for the few days that it had lasted, they’d been happy.
“We will not forget,” Sirius vowed.
Nick smiled to himself and then they both turned when a knock came to the door.
Sirius stood as two footmen escorted the Marquess of Goldstone into the room.
There was certainly no mistaking the man’s identity now. Except for a cut through his brow that was making him look rather savage, he was dressed impressively in a black suit.
“Black,” Sirius said. “For your brother?”
Lord Avery Seys glared. “I pray the devil stokes the fires just for him.”
To say the marquess detested his dead brother was an understatement. The man had apparently been trying to lead Goldstone to his death, hoping to become marquess and ultimately the Duke of Reddington one day. “I just thought the black would look good on me.” He looked Sirius over. “You could say I was inspired.”
“Always willing to inspire another man,” Sirius said blandly. “Business first, then we’ll discuss my wife.” Sirius was glad the man had kept his word and returned, but he wasn’t happy that he’d soiled Pia’s name where Cassius’ people were concerned.
“Lady Gordie is innocent.” Goldstone reached into his pocket and pulled out a paper. “Here. What I promised. Everyone inside of the duke’s organization with questionable allegiance.”
Nick took the paper and read it. “Not too many. Is this all of them?”
“Those are the ones I know. Are we done here?”
“No,” Sirius said. “You’re still the duke’s prisoner.”
Goldstone growled at the footman who stepped forward. “Touch me and I’ll kill you.”
“Oh,” Nick said with some excitement. He grinned. “You know, I’m still amazed at how you managed to escape. I would love to hear the tale.”
“A man can’t reveal all his secrets.” The marquess eyed the footman once more then turned to Sirius. “Pia had no choice. I held a blade to her throat—”
Sirius didn’t realize he’d flown across the room until he and Goldstone were on the floor, their fists beating the other. Sirius took one to his jaw and delivered one to Goldstone’s stomach.
“Stop this at once!” a voice cried from the doorway.
Sirius looked up. It was Pia. She looked mortified. Milly stood at her side and placed a hand on Pia’s shoulder while she gave Sirius an apologetic look.
“Sorry,” Milly said. “She doesn’t know that this is the way you men communicate. Do continue.”
“No!” Pia moved forward. “Sirius, you must stop.”
“Stop?” Sirius was more winded than he’d have liked to admit. He and Goldstone both held the other by the collar, neither relinquishing their hold. “Did the man hold a blade to your throat?”
Pia twisted her mouth and nodded.
“Then this is my right.”
“No.” Cassius stepped into the room. “I need Goldstone whole. My wife was wise to advise I not kill him.”
Pia paled, but Cassius went on unbothered. This was his life.
Sirius looked at Goldstone and both men let go at the same time. Sirius stood and moved to Pia. She wrapped her arms around his middle, and he tried to hide his discomfort. It didn’t work. She glared at him. He waited for her to ask if he were all right, but she didn’t, which he was thankful for.
He didn’t wish to appear weak in front of Goldstone.
Goldstone took his time gaining his feet. He glowered at the room in open contempt. “I believe my business here is finished.”
“Not so fast,” Cassius said. He had the note that Nick had collected in his hand. “You keep your life because you did not try and shoot my family. If these names check out, then I can guarantee you that no physical harm will come your way.” He glanced at Sirius and then at Goldstone. “Unless it is of your own provoking.”
Goldstone crossed his arms. “I’m not afraid of you.”
Milly went to Cassius and grabbed his arm.
Cassius’ jaw twitched. “You were in the wrong place at the wrong time. You trusted the wrong man.”
“I trusted my brother. He sent me to talk on his behalf. He claimed you had a falling out. I had no idea he’d set me up to take the fall for killing you.”
Cassius tucked the note in his pocket. “Either way, a debt is still owed.”
“I owe you nothing. Since that list will check out, I suspect you will be a man of your word and I can leave without being met with another fight.” He looked around the room for clarity.
“Just because I don’t draw blood doesn’t mean you won’t feel pain. I could have you locked in Newgate for the threat you made to my home or in Bedlam. It can’t be hard to make one appear insane.”
Pia gasped.
Milly grimaced, but she said nothing to interfere with her husband’s business. If she had any comments, they would be made after Goldstone left.
Yet, instead of the reaction they’d expected, Goldstone’s expression cleared. “You can put people in Bedlam? Can you get them out?”
Cassius lifted a brow. “I would imagine it is simple enough. There are guards there who owe me debts that could not be paid with coin.”
Goldstone stepped forward. “I say we
make a different bargain. I need a favor from you. If you do me this favor, I will owe you anything you ask for.”
Nick whistled.
Sirius closed his eyes and groaned. More foolish words had never been said. It was dangerous to give the duke ‘anything.’ Most men were never willing to pay that debt later.
“Let’s go to my office,” Cassius said. Then he turned to his wife. “Are you coming?” Milly had her choice of just how involved she wished to be. She was his greatest counsel.
“No.” She let him go. “I’m getting tired. I think I might rest. Do be good while I sleep. I believe we’ve reached our threatening people quota for today.”
Cassius smiled and touched her cheek. “Rest well.”
Milly was escorted from the room by her footman.
Cassius’ face blanked when he turned to Goldstone. “After you, my lord.” He started out the door and then turned to Nick. “You come as well.”
“Me?” Nick asked. “For what?”
“You’re my man of business. This is business.” Cassius left.
Nick cursed and followed.
Sirius chuckled.
∫ ∫ ∫
5 9
* * *
“What just happened?” Pia asked the moment they were alone.
“A fair amount of things just happened,” Sirius replied. “Would you like me to explain everything to you?”
“Is it always this way?” she asked.
“What way?” He tucked her hand into his arm and led her out of the room.
Pia tried to find the words to describe what she’d witnessed. “Cold. Calculating. Brutal.”
He nodded. “Mostly.”
She studied her husband and saw a dash of red on his chin. She wondered if it would color. She couldn’t stand the thought of his beauty being ruined. “Thank you for defending my honor.”
“You’re welcome. How have you been feeling?”
“Good.”
They moved toward the sound of the piano in the distance. Adalina was an excellent player.
He stopped them outside of the music room. “The doctor says we can travel whenever you’re ready. This business doesn’t need me at the moment. Shall we leave tomorrow?”
A nervous flutter took off in her belly. She’d wanted to ask Sirius more questions about Adam but had decided that Adam could answer all she needed to know when she saw him. Had he married? Did he have children? Why must the world think him gone? “Yes, I’ll be ready tomorrow.”
* * *
“I chased him all the way to Paris.”
“No,” Pia gasped as she pressed closer to her husband’s side.
Sirius pulled up the sheets. “I did. We ran across the city and rooftops.”
Pia was amazed and impressed. “Did you catch him?”
“Hm.” His arms tightened around her. His grin was devious. “Have you forgotten? I always get what I want.”
Pia’s body was prepared for the kiss that followed those words, but her mind was not. There were no more barriers between them. She crumbled the moment his lips touched her, her only thought being how she could get closer to this man.
He’d brought out a rapacity within her she hadn’t known was there, and she would not stop until she was full of him.
His mouth was soft. She’d spent the better part of the evening kissing him and he’d kissed her nearly everywhere. Her teeth sunk into his lower lip, and Sirius rolled on top of her. His body was warm against hers and nothing rested between them.
He broke the kiss suddenly and looked down at her. There was that tenderness again. He’d been giving her that look for days. It was quiet with a mixture of love and happiness that swelled her heart.
“I love you,” she told him. She didn’t know how many times she’d said it, but there were times when nothing else seemed to fit the moment. The confession of her heart worked in nearly every situation.
She vowed she would learn to say it even when she was angry or upset. Never again would she allow anything to break their bond.
He grabbed one of her hands and locked their fingers together. “We have a long journey tomorrow.” He brought her hand to his mouth and bit her gently. “I must make certain I have enough of you to last me a few hours.”
Pia’s heart raced. Words she’d debated on saying sprang to the front of her tongue. “We don’t have to go.”
Sirius stopped moving and even seemed to stop breathing. “What?”
“I don’t want to go,” she told him. “I want to stay here with you and the girls.”
Sirius looked nearly furious. “But it’s Adam. You love Adam. You don’t want to go see him?”
She shook her head. “No, if he wishes to visit us, he can, but I won’t go chasing him across the countryside. I’ve other things to see to, like you, Adalina, and Babbette.”
When Sirius still looked confused, Pia sighed, “You said Adam was healthy. You tell Adam that he can come see us. I’m just happy to know he’s well.”
Sirius’ breathing changed and then he sat up. “I don’t understand. You love Adam.”
She followed her husband and settled between his thighs. “I do love Adam.”
“I… thought you wanted to be with him.”
“With him?” Pia frowned. “No, I want to be with you. I’ll always be fond of the memories Adam and I made together, but… Sirius, you can’t honestly believe I’d prefer the memory of a boy over you.”
He said nothing, but Pia saw her answer in the way he refused to meet her eyes.
She wrapped her arms around Sirius. “You’re my husband. There is no one else I want more than you, Sirius Hayes.”
“And if I’m not Sirius Hayes?” His eyes returned to her. “How would you feel if I were someone else?”
It was the oddest questions she’d ever been asked. “I would love you no matter who you were, because of who you are here.” She reached up and touched his heart. “You’re the most beautiful man I know. So sweet and kind. Gentle when you wish, not when it’s required. Do you love me?”
“Of course, I love you. I’ll always love you.” He pressed her hand flat against his heart. “I’m just… I’m not Sirius Hayes.”
Pia looked into her husband blue eyes and then lifted a brow. “Who are you? Lord Gordie?”
He nodded. “I am that, but I’m also someone else.”
“My husband?”
He smiled. “That is the greatest title to have ever been bestowed upon me.”
She smiled.
“Pia.” He took a breath. “I’m Adam.”
Pia’s mouth fell open. “What?”
Sirius colored and his other hand grabbed the back of his neck, a sign of embarrassment.
An act Adam had been known to do.
“Oh!” Pia flung away from Sirius… Adam… Sirius. She didn’t know what to call him. She didn’t know what to think. “What? Sirius, please do not lie to me. I cannot bear it.” She got out of bed and hastily dressed in her night rail.
Sirius came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her arms. She was held hostage in his grasp. “It’s me, Pia. It’s always been me.”
“No!” she shouted, fighting him. “You are lying. You’re a liar.”
He spun her around. “Pia, Look at me. You knew. From the moment you saw me, you knew.”
She had, yet he’d convinced her otherwise. Over and over again, until she’d believe she was mad, until she believed her memories false. “Your hair is black.”
“My valet dyes it nearly every day. I cover the smell, so people don’t notice.”
She closed her eyes and shook her head. “You’re Sirius.”
“The hair on the rest of my body is blond.”
Her eyes flung open. “That’s not common for males?”
“I’m actually not sure, but I would suspect not.”
Pia’s eyes filled with tears. ‘You’ve been Adam this whole time?”
He nodded. “I’ve always been Adam. I’m the man who
helped you from the mail coach and the one who has seen after you this entire time.”
“Does Georgiana know?”
Sirius gave her a condescending look. “You think I could fool my own mother?”
Of course not.
“You fooled me,” she whispered. “I was such a fool.”
“You weren’t a fool. You were presented false information from more than one person. I lied to you. I told the others to continue to lie to you. Don’t blame them for this.”
She didn’t. She blamed no one but Sirius… Adam… “I don’t even know what to call you.”
“Call me Sirius,” he warned. “People must think Adam is dead.”
She tried to get away. “I don’t understand. I don’t know what to believe. Let me go.”
* * *
Sirius released her at once.
Pia turned away and grabbed her robe. He heard her choke on her tears.
He’d known this would happen. It was likely all a shock to her. “Pia, I’m sorry.”
“Get dressed. I can’t speak to you while you’re… like that.”
He turned toward his trousers. More than anything, he was glad she still thought to speak to him. Once dressed, he turned to her.
“Please, sit,” she begged. “Explain this to me.”
He walked over to the table slowly. “I want to tell you everything. No more secrets.”
She took her own chair. “I doubt you could be hiding anything bigger than this.”
“I’m not.” He settled down.
“What happened to you?” she asked. “Really? When did this start? Right after you left?”
He shook his head and realized there were other things he’d kept from her. “Do you remember the bruises you always saw on me?”
She blinked and sighed. “I’m sorry. It’s going to take me some time to see you as anyone other than Sirius.” She took another breath. “All right, Adam. I’m listening.”
She said his name as though it weren’t truly his name. Did she still have doubts? “I always told you it wasn’t my brothers who caused me pain. I fought for pay, Pia. It was my way of saving money so that I could provide for my mother. I continued to fight after I left you.”
The Secret Pleasures of an Earl: (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book) Page 28
