The Marquess Who Kissed Me: (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book)

by Deborah Wilson

  They slipped past an old wooden door, and Oliver went right in after them. He didn’t plan to hide his presence anymore.

  The building was overrun with children, many of which were curled up on the floor under ragged blankets. The children’s gazes followed him with curiosity or no emotion at all. There was no fear. Their lives were probably far too terrible for them to imagine it any other way.

  A wet moldy smell clung to the walls. Most of the wallpaper had been torn down. Drawings had been etched in the paper’s place. Animals, letters, and symbols seemed to have been drawn by the children.

  Oliver had to step over bodies and then started up the stairs, following Kennicot’s voice.

  “How are you feeling?” Kennicot asked her.

  “Better.” Violet’s voice was quiet.

  “I’ve been looking for you.” Kennicot paused. “Have you delivered any notes in the last few weeks?”

  “Just one.”

  “I’ve brought you some drawings. I want you to tell me if you recognize the man who gave it to you.”

  Oliver stepped into the room just as Violet shook her head. “I’m not to say who gives me the notes.” She rested on a cot in the corner and had a blanket pulled up to her neck. More blankets, a pile a few inches high, covered her body.

  There were other children standing around or sitting in corners. Who ran this place?

  “It’s all right.” Kennicot smiled at Violet. “I promise I won’t tell anyone.”

  Violet shook her head harder. “I can’t say. Please.” She looked up, and her eyes widened at Oliver. Her mouth fell open.

  Kennicot turned, and his eyes flashed before he stood. “What are you doing here?”

  “I followed you.” Oliver stepped forward. He looked down at Violet. “Where are your parents?”

  Violet said nothing.

  Oliver reached into his pocket and pulled out a coin. He tossed it on the girl’s lap. “Where are your parents?”

  “Gone.” Violet took the coin and gave it to a young boy at her side. He put it in his pocket and then stared up at Oliver through empty blue eyes.

  Oliver looked around and then at her again. “Why do you live in these conditions? Who sees to your welfare?”

  “I see to myself.” She coughed. “And everyone else.”

  Oliver prayed she didn’t mean all the children he’d seen in the building. He had a bad suspicion that she did.

  Kennicot said, “She does it all by herself, mostly. Some of the older boys bring in what they can, but Violet is ‘mama’ here. It is why they’ve given her their blankets, to try and make her feel better.”

  The situation was even sadder than he’d thought. He knew Violet made enough money to keep to herself, but if she were trying to feed so many, she’d remain in squalor.

  “Violet,” Kennicot said. “I really need you to tell me who gave you your last note.”

  Violet shook her head.

  Then a blond boy on the other side of the room said, “You can tell him.” He was older than the others. His arms were crossed and he nodded at Oliver. “He’s with Noel.”

  Oliver raised a brow at the fair-headed boy. “You know Noel?”

  He nodded. “I watch the fancy lady’s house at night. I saw you there last night. Noel said you were good.” He was one of the messengers.

  “What’s your name?” Oliver asked.

  “Harry.”

  Oliver bowed his head at Harry.

  “But I’m not supposed to say,” Violet said.

  “He’s dangerous,” Kennicot said. “He’s trying to hurt someone who protects children. You have to help us.”

  “Tell him, Violet,” Harry said.

  Kennicot said, “You don’t have to say a word. Just point your finger, all right?”

  Violet frowned and then sighed. “All right.”

  Kennicot had drawings. He recognized almost every face in the pile. Some were Good Fellow members. Violet pointed at one Oliver recognized, having just met him a few hours ago.

  Oliver picked up the drawing and then asked Violet, “Are you sure?”

  Violet held his gaze and nodded.

  Kennicot held his hand out. “I’ll take care of this. Tell my cousin the murderer has been caught.”

  “And what you plan to do with him?” Oliver asked.

  Kennicot motioned for them to leave.

  Oliver started out of the room, but then stopped at Harry and handed him all the coin he had on hand. “Make sure everyone eats well tonight.”

  Harry nodded solemnly.

  Outside, Kennicot said, “There’s only one punishment suited for such an act. Do you not agree?”

  “And what punishment is that?” Oliver wanted to hear the man say it. He wanted to know what Kennicot was capable of.

  “Death.”

  Oh, yes. I’ll be keeping an eye on you.

  “How did you know to come to Violet in order to find the contractor?” Oliver asked.

  “Van Dero said the assassin had come out of Covent Garden.” Kennicot tucked the drawings into his breast pocket. “Everyone who knows anything about this side of London knows to go to Violet.” He looked at the house. “Now that we’re aware of where she lives, she’ll need to be moved.”

  Oliver had been thinking the same thing. “I’ll take care of it and the lord who tried to have Belle killed.”

  “I sensed there was more to your relationship than simple friendship.” Kennicot sighed. “Very well. I’ll let you handle the man.”

  Oliver looked at the building and then at Kennicot. “Who was your informant to Violet’s whereabouts?”

  Kennicot grinned. “Forgive me, my lord, but that’s none of your business.”

  Oliver nodded respectfully and then watched Kennicot walk away.

  ∫ ∫ ∫

  3 0

  * * *

  Oliver walked to another area of Covent Garden and up to the doors of an orphan home. He knew Belle’s schedule by heart.

  He found her there, sitting in the middle of a room reading to young boys. She used lively voices and added details Oliver knew weren’t there in order to make the children laugh.

  When asked why she focused on boys and not girls, she always said, “Every lady of the ton has a home or school for girls. They’re usually quiet and easily subdued. Boys are harder to love, especially when they’ve been hurt. Therefore, they need me most.”

  Oliver hadn’t liked the idea when he’d first heard about it. He knew how young men could be. Even though she was older, she was vulnerable. It had all taken place right after he’d signed his life over to Gregory.

  She’d been willed her father’s wealth— out of guilt, no doubt— and used it to help others.

  Since Oliver had been given Belle’s body, he decided it was his duty to keep it safe. So, he’d hired guards, vetted the men who were headmasters of the homes and made sure that every worker was trained in techniques to subdue the boys without hurting them. Oliver paid them extra to keep an eye on Belle whenever she was present, but as far as he knew, none of the young men had ever attacked Belle.

  They adored her.

  And in the five years since she’d founded this house, this was Oliver’s first visit while she’d been present.

  When she finished her portion of the book, she looked up and blinked. He saw her confusion and then she smiled. The happy glow in her eyes touched him deeply.

  The children were dismissed to their classrooms and Belle came over to him. Shepard stepped into another room. He was starting to understand his position in all of this.

  “How did you find me?” she asked.

  “I have my ways.”

  Her gaze softened, and Oliver felt his heart surge in her direction. He fought to still himself from moving closer.

  “Have you been following me?” she teased.

  If only she knew.

  “I have some information for you.”

  Though he’d gotten serious, she didn’t. Her brown eyes
still begged him to drop his guard and play with her. Her voice dropped as she whispered, “I’ve something for you as well.”

  Oliver nearly choked. “There are children here.”

  She laughed. “So? Would you not tease your wife with your children in the house?”

  It was a situation he’d not thought of in many years. When last he wanted a wife, it had been Belle he’d dreamed of building his family with. She’d never teased him this way, yet she hadn’t allowed him to be as serious as he usually was.

  “I’m being serious,” he told her.

  “So am I.” She placed a discreet hand on his chest. “I thought of you last night. While I laid in bed, I imagined—”

  “I know who tried to kill you,” he hissed. His breathing was hard. He felt as though he’d fall over.

  Belle dropped her hand. “You do?”

  “I’m on my way to get him. I don’t want you to leave here until I’ve returned.”

  “Who was it?”

  “Lord Peter Urnish. Do you know him?”

  She stiffened. Her face went blank. “Yes.”

  “How?”

  Belle said nothing.

  Oliver worked to slow his breathing. Belle’s expression remained blank, but he knew what went in her mind. Pain. Sadness.

  Urnish had touched her.

  He’d kill him. He’d get answers from the man and then he’d kill him.

  Urnish was a member of the Good Fellows. Was there a connection between the two? He’d been the gentleman who’d wanted to know how many lighters Oliver had made. He remembered him from a few of Gregory’s parties, but Oliver had always kept to himself.

  “I’m going to go find him. I want Shepard to take you to Cassius’ house immediately.”

  “Be careful, please.”

  Oliver had stopped caring whether he lived or died a few years ago. Every assassin’s time came eventually. With Nicholas married and after Gregory’s death, he’d began to relax about his own safety. Now he had a new reason to protect himself.

  Belle grabbed him before he departed, a haunted look in her gaze. “Don’t do anything foolish.”

  “I won’t.” Yet Oliver struggled to keep that promise.

  He found Urnish standing outside his townhouse an hour later. It had taken Oliver some time to gain the man’s address and then some time to get to him. The longer it took, the more his anger burned.

  Oliver thought himself fortunate to find the man alone on the steps, already heading somewhere. Lord Urnish didn’t even see Oliver coming.

  This was a man responsible for Belle’s fear. He’d touched her without her permission. He wanted to rip him apart, and he would. This man would see no prison. Urnish’s vile existence ended today. Oliver grabbed him before he could step into the waiting carriage. “You’re coming with me. The duke wants to see you.”

  Urnish paled. His dark blue eyes widened with fear.

  Then a voice from the carriage said, “Under whose authority do you handle this man this way?”

  Oliver glanced inside with a threat readied on his lips… until he noted who the other man was.

  Landcastle narrowed his eyes. “Venmont?” The Earl of Landcastle was the Captain of the Yeomen, which was a ceremonial position as the Queen’s bodyguard. “What are you doing?”

  Oliver dropped his hand and said, “Pardon me.” He looked at Urnish. “We can speak another time.”

  Urnish had already broken out into a sweat. They both knew he was guilty and just the man Oliver had been looking for.

  But now, Landcastle had seen Oliver grab him and had heard him say Van Dero wanted to speak to him. It all but made Urnish untouchable. Landcastle commanded a true army and was a great political power. This meant they’d have to use caution around him, and it was all Oliver’s fault.

  He’d never acted this impulsively before. He’d never allowed anger to cloud his better judgment.

  “Lord Urnish,” Landcastle called. “What’s this about?”

  Urnish licked his lips. “Nothing. Uh, give me a moment.” He stepped away from the carriage and Oliver reluctantly followed. “I see no reason to involve Landcastle in our world.”

  “I agree.” The less the earl knew about the darker parts of London, the better.

  “What can I do for you, my lord?” Urnish asked.

  Oliver frowned. He hadn’t wanted to have this conversation on the street, but now there was no choice. He couldn’t touch Urnish now or in the near future without Landcastle being suspicious later. And the man was known for his suspicions. More than once, he’d tried finding his way into Van Dero’s business.

  “You know why I’m here. Make me spell it out and...”

  Urnish swallowed. “You’ll what?” He glanced at Landcastle with meaning. Even afraid he had courage.

  “Why did you hire an assassin to kill Lady Belle? And don’t play games. I know you did it.”

  Urnish looked down.

  “Do you need help, my lord?” Landcastle called. He looked ready to climb out of the carriage.

  Urnish shook his head rapidly. “No. No. We’re only having a discussion. Lord Van Dero... believes I offended one of his friends... but I didn’t.” He spoke to Oliver. “Please, deliver my deepest apologies.” Then lower, he said, “It was a test. Hiring the assassin was a test. I didn’t want Lady Belle dead. She’s a charming woman, as I’m sure you know.” He grinned.

  He stiffened. “What did you call her?”

  “A charmer.” Urnish grinned. “I didn’t think I had a chance with a creature like her, but when she wants something.” He lifted his brows suggestively. “How is a man to refuse? I absolutely adore her.” Urnish regained some of his confidence. “She was so very sweet.”

  Oliver pressed the edge of a blade to Urnish’s gut. “Say one more word like that and not even Landcastle can stop me.”

  The fear returned. “You’d go to jail. You’d hang if you kill me.”

  “And you’ll still be dead.”

  Urnish lifted his hands. “It was only a test.”

  Oliver held his hand still. His mind scattered. He could barely think. Hardly concentrate. Had it been Urnish who Belle had an affair with? He was married.

  So much for her beliefs on holy matrimony.

  He fought and then managed to right his thoughts. “Who was the test for?” Was he trying to see how Van Dero’s men would react? How they protected those they cared for?

  “To test Husher’s loyalty to the duke,” Urnish admitted. “Now we know.”

  “Who is we?” Oliver asked.

  Urnish’s eyes flashed. “I... I mean, I know. There is no we. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

  Oliver blocked his way. “You couldn’t have known Husher wouldn’t kill her.”

  Urnish straightened and met his eyes. “But now I do. I won’t be hiring anyone else to kill her. As I said, I don’t want her dead.”

  But he wouldn’t be hiring Husher now either. Word would likely spread that Husher remained loyal to the duke. How would that affect Husher?

  Oliver had no choice but to let Urnish go after that. He watched the carriage roll away. Landcastle’s eyes remained on Oliver until neither could see each other anymore.

  ∫ ∫ ∫

  3 1

  * * *

  “It shouldn’t take this long,” Belle said as she paced with the young Earl of Ellevear in her arms. Cassius’ heir was asleep. He’d grown shockingly large within the last month. Rocking him to sleep had been a wonderful distraction from her troubles, but now that he was asleep...

  Milly asked, “When did you become so worried about Oliver?” She smiled over her teacup.

  Vita kept her head down and focused on her drawing, a small smile on her face.

  Ellevear made a fussing sound so Belle sat down in a chair and cuddled him closer. He quieted immediately. It was strange how one was supposed to comfort a baby yet could draw comfort from the baby in return.

  What would Urnish say when Oliver talked
to him? She worried about that as well. Urnish had been a friend to Gregory. She’d been forced to seduce him and extract his secrets while all the while, Gregory was making Urnish pay for his time with her.

  Urnish hadn’t been special. He’d been like many of Gregory’s other close acquaintances.

  But she feared Oliver’s encounter with him.

  “Well, Oliver is out there on my behalf, isn’t he?” It had been over an hour since she’d arrived at the house.

  “I’m sure he has reasons to stay more alert,” Vita said, her lips twitching.

  Milly narrowed her eyes at Vita, as if trying to pry her meaning from her mind.

  Belle heard the front door open and her belly dropped.

  Oliver walked in and Belle released a breath that had been burning in her chest. He glanced at Belle before he turned to Milly. “Where’s Cassius?”

  “I’m here.” Cassius walked in with Remy. “Where’s Lord Urnish?”

  Oliver’s kept his eyes averted from Belle as he spoke. His expression reflected anger but little else. “I couldn’t get him. He was with Landcastle. The earl saw me grab him. He can’t be touched now.”

  Remy sighed. “Did you get a chance to speak to him?”

  “I did.” He glanced at Belle and then the other women before he said, “Let’s go to your office.” To Belle, he said, “He won’t be coming after you again. You’re safe.” He left and Cassius and Remy followed.

  The women were not invited. Not even Belle.

  The way he’d looked at her seemed different as well.

  Belle stood and gave the baby to Milly.

  “Well, at least you’re safe,” Milly said with a smile.

  Belle didn’t respond. She walked to Cassius’ office and knocked.

  “Come in,” Cassius called.

  She stepped in and the room fell silent. “What’s going on?”

  “We have a problem, but it has nothing to do with you,” Oliver said. “I’ll have Shepard take you home.”

  She frowned. “I want to know what happened.”

  “As I already stated, I failed. However, you’re safe.”

  He’d failed? But how could he have failed if she were safe?

  “Can I have the entire story?” Belle asked.