She laughed and pressed her hands to his chest. “All right. I wish to see this grand hotel and the city.” Her eyes turned hesitant. “But don’t bring her up again.”
“I won’t.” Yet he prayed she would.
Since Remy’s home was not far from the main streets, they all decided to walk to dinner.
He stood by Leo, away from the others. Noel led the way, staying alert for anything he thought dangerous.
Remy had chuckled when he’d seen Noel scare a few kids to the other side of the road.
Vita and Belle were in the middle, being followed by their assigned guards. They spoke in low tones to one another, laughing as they went.
Remy was glad to see Vita having a good time.
And away from Dunst.
The night was brightened by all the gas lamps and businesses that were still open. People moved to and fro through the shops. One of the main stores, a millinery, was brimming with customers.
“Figuring out these families is far harder than I thought,” Leo said. “The flowers and the stars are most confusing. Do you know how many families have a rose in their seal? My eyes ache from staring at endless pages.”
“Maybe you should get spectacles.”
“I dare not. My eyes are my best feature.”
Remy laughed.
Vita looked back, smiled, and then turned away.
They were getting ready to cross the street when Belle stopped suddenly.
A young man leaned against a wall that led into an alley. He’d been calm until Belle approached him.
She said something and he instantly became guarded.
His clothing was old but likely clean. When he began to look aggressive, Remy and Leo moved forward.
“What’s going on?” Remy asked.
“I didn’t do anything,” the boy screamed. “She’s the one bothering me.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean to be a bother,” Belle said. “I only asked if you were hungry.”
“I’m not,” the boy fired back. “So, leave me alone.”
“Well, there’s that.” Leo grabbed Belle’s arm. “Let’s go.”
“Wait.” Belle’s eyes were trained on the boy. “Will you tell me your name?”
The boy crossed his arms and looked at all the people who stood about. He was ten, perhaps, maybe a little older.
He said nothing to Belle.
And her heart visibly broke.
“Belle,” Leo murmured. “Just because you see a boy on the street doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a home or some form of employment. He’s fine. Let’s go to dinner.”
“I’m going to go eat,” Belle said. “But if I bring something out to you, will you take it?”
The boy shrugged. “Maybe.”
It was as good as a yes. He was likely hungry, but he didn’t trust any of them.
Remy helped Vita across the street with his hand under her elbow.
Vita stared straight ahead.
They could not appear to be intimate.
He let her go once they made it to the other side.
Leo joined the party at their table in the front corner of the restaurant. Remy’s men sat at a table not far from them. There were people who recognized Remy and came by to shake his hand. Belle was more popular, and a servant had to shoo her admirers away so they could eat.
Noel had chosen to stay with the guards, which surprised Remy, since he knew the boy had an affection for Belle.
As he watched his nephew, he saw he was in deep discussion with the other men and wondered what it was about.
“Lady Vita,” a voice called.
Remy recognized Mr. Palmer and stepped in front of him right before he could place his hands on Vita and cause a scene. “The lady is eating. You should return to your table.”
“I recognize you.” Palmer was loud. “You kept her all to yourself that evening. No matter how much I tried to cut in, you were there, laughing, joking, touching her as though she were yours.”
“You need to go,” Remy said.
“Make me.”
Remy grabbed Palmer’s arm, spun him, and then cupped his other hand around the man’s throat before he could say another word. “Very well, sir. If that is your wish, allow me to help you to your carriage.”
He heard his name being called as he took Palmer out of the dining room. He heard the shocked gasp that rose around him and the whispers that rose.
He didn’t care.
Palmer had the power to ruin everything.
He took a struggling Palmer through the lobby, easily avoiding the man’s free hand. Palmer tried to kick, but with Remy’s quick pace, he was unable to get balanced enough to do it.
At the front door, in front of the guests who lined the stairs, Remy tossed him out.
Palmer cursed and hotel employees began to swarm.
Remy told them who he was and, using his status as a general and a lord, told them not to let the man back in the building for any reason.
“I’m a guest here,” Palmer shouted with rage. “You peers,” he sneered with venom. “Your end will come. I’ll see to it myself.” He fought the man off who tried to help him and then walked away.
∫ ∫ ∫
5 7
* * *
Vita’s mouth hung open for minutes after Remy walked out of the dining room.
“Well.” Belle was fanning herself. “Have you ever seen such a fine display of virile manhood?”
Moisture pooled between her legs. “Once before. He fought Mr. Palmer at your party.”
“I’d have loved to witness that.”
A second later, their table was surrounded. Gentlemen stepped forward to make certain she and Belle were all right and hadn’t been too traumatized by Mr. Palmer’s display of poor commoner character.
Belle feasted on the attention, lapping it at as though it were sweet cream. Leo pulled out a paper and began to read it to himself. It was likely the list of potential names. Vita thought him rather obsessed with his assignment, but then thought she should likely be just as obsessed if she wished to find the missing boys.
The whispers climbed as Remy strolled back into the room.
He was power on legs. So virile and dark.
His presence forced the other men back and as he took his seat, they fled.
Vita found herself trembling, though she wasn’t sure why.
“Are you all right?” he asked her.
“Y-yes.” She licked her lips and his eyes focused on her mouth.
“Remy, dear,” Belle called. “I was thinking Noel could take some bread out to my little friend.” She snatched the paper from Leo. “You should go as well. Give the list a break. Nothing has changed since you last wrote in it.”
Leo ran a hand through his hair and then stood. “Very well.”
He took the food Belle offered him and went to speak to Noel.
Vita turned to the window.
The lamp post made it easy to see what would happen. “Do you think he’ll take it?”
“I hope so.” Belle watched nervously.
Leo handed the bread to Noel but stopped him and said something before he crossed the street. Noel nodded and left.
He approached the boy who was still standing against the wall. The boy took it.
“Yes,” Belle shouted.
Vita waited for Noel to walk away, but instead, he said something that the boy answered with his mouth full.
“What is he saying? What is he saying?” Belle asked anxiously. “Oh, I wish I could hear.”
“Hm.” Remy stood and moved to stand by the window, watching. His men joined him.
Tensions were high.
Vita felt nervous. Was Noel trying to convince the boy to take shelter in one of Belle’s homes? She was certain it was what Belle was hoping for.
Suddenly, Noel waved Leo over.
“Did he call for me?” Belle stood.
Remy put a hand on her shoulder and put her back in her chair. “Not you, Mother Superior. H
e called for Leo.”
Belle frowned.
Vita laughed.
Leo approached the boys.
Noel placed a hand on his shoulder, turned and said something to the younger boy, and then…
Vita gasped.
“Oh!” Belle cried.
Remy froze. “He…”
Leo clutched his stomach and went down.
Noel was smiling down at him.
He’d punched him in the gut.
Noel patted Leo on the back.
The young boy laughed.
Noel continued to speak to him as Leo tried to get himself together. He seemed to be in great pain as he struggled to his feet.
“Do you think Leo will hit him back?” Belle asked.
“I don’t think so,” Remy whispered.
The boy turned to Leo and stuck out his hand.
Leo, who was still crouched over, grabbed it and gave it a firm shake. Then he turned to the window and gave them a thumbs up.
“Oh!” Belle said. “We got him! He’s coming with us.”
“We’ll celebrate then.” Remy turned to a server and asked for his favorite wine.
Leo and Noel returned to the room and Belle covered them both in kisses, but this time, she avoided mouths.
“Oh, thank you,” she said to them.
Noel was beet red. “Ronald, he’s eleven, said he’ll come with us whenever we’re ready to leave the city. He said there are some other boys who might want to come as well. He was part of the fights. That’s what I was talking to him about.”
Belle looked ready to faint with her happiness.
Remy clapped Noel on the back. “Excellent work, but why did you punch Leo?”
Noel shrugged. “So Ronald wouldn’t fear him. I figured if he saw me hit Leo and Leo didn’t hit me back, he’d be fine.”
“You’re a genius,” Vita told him.
“Does that get me another favor?” Noel asked with a teasing look at his uncle.
“Don’t even think about it,” Remy laughed.
Noel joined in and so did Vita.
She enjoyed seeing Noel and Remy’s connection. She enjoyed the connection between everyone who surrounded their table.
Her mother might have rejected her, but here were people who accepted her. She felt loved and loved them in return. It was a bond forged with a set goal; works for good. How could blood ever compare?
∫ ∫ ∫
5 8
* * *
Remy lifted his head out of the water when he thought he heard someone call for him.
It came again in the shadowy night. The lights by the house told him the direction of the shore.
He swam closer, and the voice that called for him became clear.
Vita.
What was she doing up at this hour? He prayed she was not in the water. It was dangerous to swim at night, even for a man who’d been doing it his whole life.
He could make her out just as he got to the shore. Someone stood behind her. He recognized his man. The guard left as Remy drew closer.
Vita met him as he stood. “They said you were out here.” She reached out and grabbed his arm, likely a gesture to orient herself in the shadows.
The wind was cold on his thin clothes, but her hand was warm. He wore a shirt and pants. They clung to him.
The town was likely asleep by now. Remy hadn’t been able to sleep, so he’d come out. All was quiet. He hadn’t seen another soul in the last hour. “Vita, what are you doing out here, much less up at all?”
“I wanted to talk to you about something before I forgot.”
He moved around her and picked up his towel. He began to dry himself. “What is it?”
She was quiet. He couldn’t see her eyes. Could she see him? Likely. Her back was to the light, which left him in it.
“Remy.”
“What’s wrong?”
Her voice was quiet. Reverent. “Nothing. It’s just… You’re beautiful.”
He’d been called that with his clothes off before.
He placed the towel in front of his groin in order to hide his growing erection. He could hardly see her, yet her voice alone was arousing.
“It was quite something, watching you toss Palmer out.” She squeezed his arm and he could feel her looking him over as though he were some stallion she was thinking to purchase.
She’d be happy to know that he was already owned by her.
“Would you like me to help you dry off?”
Remy spasmed with need. The water had cooled him, but Vita had far more control over his body.
She reached for the towel.
“No.” His harsh tone had her dropping her hand.
“Vita, if I let you dry me, I’ll end up spreading this towel out on the sand with you on it. Is that what you want?”
She released a heavy breath. “I think so.”
He turned away and squeezed his eyes closed, begging God above for aid.
“All right, I’ll be good.” There was teasing in her voice.
He turned back to her. “I didn’t expect anyone to see me. Why are you awake?”
“I want to know what my mother said to you when you went to visit her.”
Was their conversation from earlier troubling her?
Remy took a deep breath. He knew this moment meant a great deal and would have an effect on the rest of their lives. “What you saw the night your mother left was accurate. She was scared.”
“Of my father finding out?”
“Yes.”
“So, not of where she was going.” The disdain was clear.
“Not at first,” he said. “But she didn’t want your father to be dragged into what she’d already gotten herself into.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your mother made a mistake. It cost her her children.”
“What does that mean? I’m right here. She rejected me.”
“Because of Husher’s presence?” This was the part Remy hadn’t been aware of. “Apparently, Husher, at one point, had worked for an organization very different from Van Dero’s. Your mother recognized him, though they hadn’t met until the day she was brought to you.”
“Did Husher recognize her?”
“No, but at one point, they’d been in the same room.” And Remy would have to tell the others when they got to London. Was Husher playing both sides? Could it truly be all about the money?
“She was trying to protect you,” Remy said. “To make it appear as though she didn’t care for you and therefore wouldn’t share information with Van Dero.”
He couldn’t see her reaction, but he could see her fingers visibly trembling.
“But you said she works for Van Dero,” Vita said.
“She didn’t know that until I told her this morning.” Remy grabbed Vita’s hand. “It’s a long story and truly, it’s not mine to tell. You should talk to her.”
He was very glad when she didn’t pull away, but he didn’t like the quiet either. To be sure the choice was her own, he remained silent.
“You can bring her here?” Vita asked.
“Yes.” His heart raced. “Dinner?”
“No, just tea. I’m not sure I’ll be able to stomach much of anything while she’s around.”
He thought her confused. Perhaps she was even lost. “I can be there if you want. I can stay. I can go. Whatever you need from me, I will give you.”
“I want you there.”
“All right.” He tightened his hold on her hand.
“But I might ask you to leave soon after.”
“That’s fine.”
“I just don’t want her to… turn you against me.” She laughed lightly. “Oh, this is so much easier in the dark. We should do this more often. We’ll put out the lamps and I’ll tell you everything. Now that I know she works for Van Dero, I have this strange fear that you’ll turn your backs on me.”
Remy tried to imagine a life where Holly could turn him against Vita and knew it impossible. �
�Vita, me choosing anyone over you will never happen.” He dropped his towel in favor of her other hand. “You must know that.”
“I would never wish to put you in a position where you’d have to choose.”
He wondered if she’d ever stop amazing him. “That is yet another reason I love you.” She would not try to make discord between him and his work or the people he worked with. She was truly extraordinary.
“I’ll meet her,” Vita said.
“I’ll arrange everything. You have nothing to fear.”
He was still telling her that the next morning when he walked her into the drawing-room.
Holly would arrive soon, and Vita was far more fearful than the first time she’d met her mother and she had reason to be.
Remy had wanted to hurt Holly after what she’d done to Vita. The woman had all but driven Vita into Dunst’s arms. Vita had shut him out and now, thanks to last night and the decision they’d made at has home a few days ago, he understood why.
How could Vita think he’d ever turn his back on her?
“What if she doesn’t come?” Vita said. They still had five minutes before Holly was set to arrive.
The Bognor house was a small property and the colors were pale. It had come furnished years ago, and he’d never had the heart or time to do anything to it.
Any light that spilled into the room made everything glow.
He wrapped his hand around the back of Vita’s throat and gently stroked over her pulse.
She blushed and soon her color returned.
“She’ll come.” Only death would stop Holly from doing so.
She’d told him that herself.
During his visit to the rooms he’d purchased for her just down the road, he’d been angry, yet before he could give her an ear-full of his rage, Holly had broken down and told him everything.
He’d been the one to piece everything together for her and hopefully, he’d be able to piece Holly and Vita back together, God willing.
“It’s been fifteen years,” Vita said. “What’s changed in that time? What’s changed since I last spoke to her? Why speak to me now?” She straightened her spine and pressed her lips into a firm line.
She was putting up a wall.
A Knight to Dare: (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book) Page 28
