A Knight to Dare: (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book)

by Deborah Wilson

  He was a war hero, a good uncle, and well-liked friend, and the love of her soul.

  She didn’t want to be without him.

  “I don’t understand,” Vita said. “We’ll be married in a matter of days.”

  The man’s gaze turned condescending. “Your friend Mr. Palmer had a very different story to tell last night. Let’s go. We don’t have much time.”

  Vita prayed Remy would show. Her guards were dead. She’d cried over them before Belle had yanked her away, moving her farther from the man with the pistols.

  Belle moved to stand in front of Vita.

  Vita panicked.

  Belle spoke firmly. “You take her, you have to take me.”

  “Or I could kill you,” their assailant said.

  Neither woman was dressed, really. Vita shook in her robe. Why hadn’t she put her blade in it?

  “Now, why would you wish to do a silly thing like that?” Belle strutted over to the vile man without a hint of hesitation her gaze. “Let’s speak in the next room. Alone.” She batted her eyes.

  The man dropped his gun in a heartbeat. His eyes zoned in Belle with pure lust. He even licked his lips as though he could taste her. He smiled. It wasn’t pretty. “All right.” He looked at Vita. “Stay there.” As though she had a choice. There were no windows and the only door was the one he and Belle left through.

  They were gone for but second, just long enough for Vita to panic before the man opened the door and said, “Let’s go.” His hair was slightly mussed, and his breath rushed.

  Belle came back. “I’m going with you.”

  Vita wondered how she’d convinced the man to take her.

  The gunman nodded. “You come, but you be good.”

  “I’m always good.” Belle touched the gunman’s arm. “Unless you want me to be bad.”

  The gunman chuckled.

  Vita was shocked that Belle insisted on going with her.

  “What’s your name, dear?” Belle asked.

  “Kelly.”

  “Excellent.” Belle turned to Vita. “Do everything Mr. Kelly says. Do you understand?” Her expression was no-nonsense.

  Vita nodded and followed them out of the bathhouse.

  The halls were quiet. The gunman had already cleared out the floor when he’d cornered Belle and Vita.

  He rushed them into a carriage and quickly got them away.

  Vita didn’t bother asking about her clothes. She knew he’d never have gone for them.

  Her dagger was in her dress.

  She could die.

  Yet she felt immeasurable pain over the guards. She was so glad Noel hadn’t been with them. She’d never have been able to face Remy again had his nephew been killed.

  “Where are we going?” Vita asked.

  “He won’t tell you,” Belle sighed and then stretched her legs across the bench. Her robe parted at the move and showed a glimpse of her thigh.

  Kelly drooled a little and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand before he chuckled.

  Vita looked at Belle. “You don’t have to do this.”

  “I know.” Belle smiled at her, grabbed her hand, and brought it to her lap. “I don’t have to do anything.”

  Vita was confused until she felt it. There was something hard in Belle’s pocket. A gun? A blade?

  Bell grinned. “I know what I’m doing. So, close your eyes, darling.”

  Vita obeyed.

  * * *

  Almost a half-hour later, Vita was still traumatized by all that had taken place.

  She looked over at Belle as she shook in her robe.

  “Don’t look at me like that,” Belle said. “We didn’t have a choice. You’d have gone with them on your own and though you’re strong, you’d have never pulled off what I just did back there.”

  Belle was right.

  She’d heard a struggle and then the carriage had gone silent. Moments later, Vita screamed at the sound of a gun going off.

  She’d opened her eyes to find a bloody seat with a knife on it and Belle hanging out the window aiming a gun at the driver. Kelly was gone, but Belle had taken his pistol and shot the only other person holding them captive.

  “I can’t believe you did that,” Vita said.

  “Which part?”

  “All of it.”

  They were in the driver’s seat of the carriage, heading back to Bognor. Vita had covered them in blankets so that they’d be more appropriate, but Belle hadn’t seemed to care. Never before had Vita met a woman like her.

  “How did you learn to do that?” Vita asked.

  “Which part?”

  “All of it?”

  Belle smiled at her. “I became the companion to the former Lord Van Dero at twelve.”

  “Twelve?” Vita cried. “Don’t tell me he…”

  “He did,” Belle said. “He owned me. I had no choice, but years later, I learned that I could control him if I took charge of our bed sport. I could choose who else he forced into my bed. If I’d been good, it worked. If I was defiant...”

  Vita vomited over the side of the carriage.

  When she was calm enough, she said, “Belle, I’m so sorry.”

  Belle shrugged. “It’s the past. It can’t be changed.”

  Vita had so many questions, but she didn’t dare approach the subject of Lord Gregory again. Just thinking about it made her feel sick. “The blade. Who taught you that?”

  Belle hesitated. “Oliver.”

  “Oliver? You mean Lord Venmont?”

  Belle nodded.

  “I sense great tension between you two.”

  “There wasn’t always tension,” Belle whispered, looking straight ahead.

  There was a story there, but Vita didn’t think herself ready for it.

  And then Belle cursed. “He’s here.”

  “Who?” Vita turned just in time to see another carriage pass them.

  Dunst was looking out the window. Even in the shadows, she recognized his patch.

  Her stomach rolled again.

  “Hold on,” Belle said. A moment later, she whipped the horses and they shot off.

  It took some time for Dunst to turn around, but with his four horses to their two, he was catching up to them quickly.

  Vita knew they wouldn’t make it.

  Belle’s mournful expression said the same. “Can’t say we didn’t try.”

  Vita was consumed with dread.

  Belle stopped the horses long before Dunst’s driver, another man with a gun, even said the words.

  The women were yanked down and shoved into Dunst’s carriage.

  With their blanket gone, Belle’s robe was visible… as was all the blood.

  Dunst looked her over.

  Belle smiled. “I’ve been told I look lovely in red. What say you?”

  Dunst sneered before he turned to Vita. Belle’s charms seemed to work better when she wasn’t covered in blood. “Vita, you lied to me. General Astger was the man you were looking for, wasn’t he?”

  Vita was so busy thinking of what to say that she gasped when Dunst’s hand went around her throat.

  “Answer me.” His fingers dug into her skin. “Not another lie from your lips or I swear…”

  She cried out.

  “Let her go.” Belle began to pummel him with her fist.

  Dunst released Vita… but only so he could swing his hand back. Belle went down.

  Vita screamed.

  “We’re getting married as scheduled,” Dunst said. “You won’t embarrass me in front of Society.” Then he leaned back and straightened his clothes. “I plan to keep you somewhere safe. I’ll keep Lady Cebele as a pawn to make sure Van Dero stays in his place. I’m sure my men will find good use for her.”

  “That would be a mistake.” Vita didn’t know where the strength to speak up had come from, but she wouldn’t allow Belle to be abused. Not another day. “Belle is one of Cassius’ most important people and his real friend. By comparison, I’m no one. He’s only known
me for a few months. If you hurt Belle, Lord Van Dero will make you suffer in ways you’ve not imagined.”

  Dunst looked at Belle with haunting consideration. Perhaps, he regretted hitting her.

  “I’ve heard stories,” she said, feeling the need to make sure he understood his error. “Apparently, there are ways to keep a man alive and in continuous pain for weeks. There are twenty-four hours in a day. Each one of them will be excruciating. You will beg for death.”

  “She can’t mean that much to him,” Dunst said.

  “He favors her,” Vita said. “Don’t hurt her. I will keep my promise.”

  Dunst grabbed her chin and forced her eyes to him. “That you will. Embarrass me and you’ll regret it.” He touched her cheek. “Did your mother have the chance to tell you what her life was like a few years ago?”

  “She barely said a word. She couldn’t wait to get away from me.” Tears rolled down her face and she let them. As brave as she was, she still feared his touch.

  His eyes tracked her tears, and she saw how they softened him.

  He used his other hand to wipe at them and then closed his eye. “Vita, why did you do this? Why did you lie? We could have had something good, something special. Now, I have to kill General Astger.”

  “No.” She stiffened.

  He opened his eyes again. “Don’t worry. No one will know I did it when it happens, and I’ll make sure you never say a word. And to think, I thought it was the younger man you liked. He seemed very fond of you. I had plans for him, death but in a very creative way.”

  Vita couldn’t bother to lie. “I hate you.”

  He pinched her chin until it ached. “Don’t speak that way to me. You brought this on yourself.”

  Vita cried out and he released her savagely.

  She pressed herself into the bench and prayed he didn’t touch her again.

  She settled her hand on the bench and felt something heavy. She wrapped her hand around it and realized it was Belle’s blade. She slipped it into her pocket when Dunst turned to speak to his driver.

  But was she strong enough to use it?

  A great part of her doubted it.

  ∫ ∫ ∫

  6 2

  * * *

  Remy stormed into Cassius’ office.

  Cassius and Dunst stood on the other side of a line of footmen.

  He’d searched for Vita for an entire day, but when no one could find her, he’d ridden to London. If Dunst wanted war, he would get war. He’d vowed he’d search the world for the earl who’d taken not only the love of his life but his friend, Lady Belle.

  Strangely, it was Dunst who’d informed him via messenger to meet him at Van Dero’s house.

  Dunst grinned… until he saw the line of men who followed Remy in. General Astger hadn’t been lying when he’d declared his men loyal to him. They’d rip Dunst apart of he asked them to and take down any man who got in their way.

  “Let’s avoid bloodshed,” Cass said evenly.

  Remy would cause a massacre if Vita was hurt in any way. All Remy could see was red. His shoulders were bunched and corded. The tension created by stress, worry, and anger begged for release. “Where’s Vita?”

  “We should all settle down,” Cassius said. “Let’s sit. Call off your men.”

  Remy understood Cassius was trying to be diplomatic. Knowing the duke, perhaps he had another plan up his sleeve.

  But Remy didn’t care.

  He looked up as though he could see through walls. “Is she here?”

  “You’re not to touch her,” Dunst cried. “She is mine unless I say otherwise!”

  “She is mine, actually,” Cassius said. “Until she marries or her father returns, she is mine.”

  Remy was willing to challenge that.

  Movement to his right made him turn. The motion was almost too quick to see. A blur whipped past him and then a bang shook the room. Oliver had Dunst up in his grasp with a hand around his throat. The wall behind Dunst’s head had splintered and cracked.

  “Any man who steps forward shall die,” Oliver growled. His blue gaze held a wild hunger for blood.

  The footmen who had moved paused. Few wished to take on the assassin.

  Dunst gasped for air and clawed at Oliver’s arm.

  “Put him down,” Cassius said, worry in his tone.

  “No,” Remy said. “Vita first.” He’d like to watch Dunst die.

  “Vita and Belle first,” Oliver said. “I see Belle, and I’ll let him go.” He leaned into Dunst. “And she better be just as I left her.”

  Dunst was turning red and blue. His eyes watered.

  Cassius sighed heavily and turned to one of his footmen. “Go get the women. Quickly.”

  The servant left.

  “Belle is here,” Cassius said. “I have seen her myself. Let Dunst go.”

  Oliver didn’t.

  Cassius frowned but said no more.

  Remy crossed his arms and watched Dunst struggle without any remorse. He’d believed he could hide behind Cassius’ authority, but what the man didn’t understand was while the duke was the head, the organization itself worked as a team. Oliver oversaw his men just as Remy did his own.

  To fear Cassius was to fear death and few of his men did. That’s what made them who they were.

  And at the moment, it was two against one in favor of Dunst’s demise.

  Dunst went lifeless.

  Belle appeared.

  “Drop him,” Cassius said.

  Dunst breathed deeply as he struggled for air. His feet were on the floor. Oliver kept him pinned to the wall with a hand on the earl’s chest, but the marquess’s eyes were on Belle.

  Belle looked anxious.

  Remy was about to call for Vita when she arrived.

  It took two steps to reach her. His arms went around her. She held him just as tightly as he held her.

  “Remy,” Cassius called.

  “No.” He wouldn’t let her go this time. This time, he was keeping her. He looked up at Vita. “I love you. Marry me.”

  Vita’s eyes widened.

  “We’ll find another way to save the people Dunst has,” Remy promised. “But I won’t let him have you.”

  Vita nodded. “All right.”

  Remy stilled. “You’ll marry me?”

  She nodded again. “Yes.”

  He wondered what had changed.

  Then Belle turned to Dunst. “Have you make your decision?”

  Oliver had moved away from Dunst and was making his way to Belle, but he froze when she spoke to Dunst.

  Dunst nodded and glared at Vita as he spoke. “I have.” Then he shifted toward Cassius.

  “What’s going on?” Oliver asked.

  Cassius lifted his hand and pressed against the wall behind him. It opened. “Go,” he told Dunst.

  Dunst didn’t wait a second. Cassius’ footmen moved to block the sealed entrance once he was gone.

  Oliver moved to go after him but then stopped. He stood in the middle of the room and looked at Belle again. “What’s going on?” There was heat in his voice. “What is this decision he’s made?”

  “I’m going to marry him,” Belle said. “I have stronger ties to Cassius. It should have always been me.”

  “No. I won’t allow it. After everything you’ve been through? How could you even agree to this?” Oliver looked at Cassius. “How could you allow this?”

  “I already asked her not to do it,” Cassius said.

  “Asked?” Oliver said, as though the word were foreign to him.

  “Yes, asked,” Belle spat. “I make my own decisions, Oliver. I know what I’m doing. He’ll not hurt me again. I’ll see to that.”

  Oliver lifted a brow. “Again?” He shook his head. “No. I won’t allow it.”

  “Stop me, and I’ll make certain you regret it,” she whispered.

  Vita took Remy’s hand. “We should go.”

  Remy agreed. Though he was concerned about what was taking place, he though
t Oliver and Belle needed privacy. Though he didn’t like Dunst, Remy knew Belle was not a weak woman.

  They’d have to work that out on their own.

  When they reached the foyer, Remy asked Vita, “What changed your mind about marrying me? Dunst?”

  She shook her head. “You. I’d already decided I wouldn’t marry him when his men came after me.” She grabbed Remy’s hand. “I know you’re more than capable of finding the boys and defeating Dunst. I have no worry of that. In fact, I choose to not let fear rule my mind. Instead, I choose love. I choose you.”

  “I love you,” he told her, wrapping his arms around her waist. “I’ll love you until the day my heart ceases beating.”

  She placed a hand on his chest. “Let us pray that day is very, very far away.”

  “I won’t wait more than a day,” Remy said. “Say you’ll marry me as soon as I can get a special license.”

  She laughed. “Yes. I will. I love you.”

  The doors to Cassius’ office swung open, and Oliver stormed out. He didn’t say a word to anyone, and every servant in the area made sure to clear out of his path.

  Remy frowned. He didn’t understand what was going on between Belle and Oliver, but he hoped it all worked itself out.

  “She’ll be fine,” Vita said. “It will all work out.”

  Remy looked at her. “How can you be so confident?”

  “Because Belle and I spoke,” Vita said. “She has become one of my dearest friends. I won’t let anything happen to her. She’s tougher than me. I had a blade and couldn’t use it against Dunst. Thankfully, once I learned I was coming here, I didn’t have to. But Belle wouldn’t have hesitated. She’s an extraordinary person.”

  But what about Oliver? “What did she tell you?”

  Vita wrapped her arms around Remy’s neck. “May I kiss the soldier I intend to marry?”

  He smiled. “Trying to distract me, are you?”

  Her blue eyes warmed. “Definitely.”

  He couldn’t resist.

  “Well, then declare me distracted,” he growled right before he kissed his future wife.