A Knight of Vengeance: (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book)

by Deborah Wilson

  Nick had given her odd looks throughout the meal. Astger had been grinning. The soldiers had enjoyed it, because they’d been waiting to share a meal with Elisa, and because Nick had given everyone enough brandy to not feel the cold.

  And once again, she’d dragged him outdoors, not caring how the weather was. Perhaps, it was the feeling of being locked away that she wished to avoid.

  When Nick had first asked to marry her, she’d thought it would feel like a prison. With him thinking her insane, why wouldn’t he lock her away? The wife who couldn’t be trusted.

  Even now she was ultimately at his mercy, yet he’d done nothing to dominate her as the doctors at Bedlam had. She was free with him… even if he thought her odd.

  It wasn’t the worst situation to be in, she thought. And she loved him. Perhaps, her love combined with his compassion could work for them. Perhaps, he could give her the happiness she desired.

  “I wish to do this in the spring,” she told him. “But also now, as you promised after my kiss.”

  Nick grunted, but his eyes held a wicked gleam. “I don’t recall this kiss. Perhaps, I should have another.”

  Elisa turned back to the river. “After I catch my first fish.”

  He groaned. “My dear, you will not be catching a fish this day. It took long days and hours before I caught mine.”

  “Then I shall have to practice—”

  “We shall do this until I think your fingers are too cold and then return inside.”

  She looked at him and saw his no-nonsense expression. He truly did care for her. She sighed. “I suppose you’re right. It makes no sense to let my fingers fall off.”

  “Yes, especially since I’ll need the one to put your ring on.”

  Her eyes widened. “You’re going to give me a ring?”

  He nodded. “Once we’re in London, I shall purchase one for you.”

  She hadn’t expected such a gift. A part of her still worried he’d become ashamed of her. “Thank you.”

  He studied her. “I shall purchase you many gifts. There will be pearls for your exquisite hair and diamonds for your ears. This ring will only be the first.”

  Her cheeks grew hot. “You don’t have to do any of that.”

  “But I want to. I want to give you everything.”

  But would that change?

  “Tell me your thoughts,” he said. He was quite a perceptive man.

  “Promise me you won’t change,” she whispered. “Promise you’ll want me forever.”

  In a blink, the expression that greeted her was one she recalled from the first day they’d met, when he’d told her to close her eyes and trust him. She could see everything in that glance. He was letting her in.

  She no longer required the words.

  Yet he said them anyway. “There will never come a day when I will not want you, where I will not wish to be where you are. I vow to provide you with everything you could ever want or need. Should you leave, I would follow to the ends of the Earth.”

  She began to weep, and Nick gathered her close.

  “You’re cold,” he told her. “Can we please go inside?”

  She nodded against his chest and a second later, she was up in his arms. Carrying her was unnecessary, but she said nothing. Instead, she clung to her love, her future, her entire world.

  She breathed him in and thought his scent a complement to God’s precious air.

  She was happy.

  And sad.

  Sad for the woman she’d been and for the years she’d not had him. She wanted him so much she not only wanted her future but to rewrite her past and put him in everything. She was odd in her thinking. As Astger said, she would never be like normal ladies.

  Too much had happened.

  He didn’t put her down as they walked over the bridge, nor when they made it to the courtyard.

  “We didn’t fish,” she told him.

  “Spring,” he said. “I shall show you everything in spring.”

  “I wish to sleep under the stars as you did.” He’d shared more about his childhood. He’d had hard times, but he’d told her of the pleasant memories as well. Though he didn’t say it aloud, he adored his father even if the man allowed fear to control him.

  “Spring,” Nick said again. “We’ll do everything in spring.”

  Once in the house, he put her down and removed her coat and hat himself, handing them to the butler as though she were a child. As he removed her gloves, he kissed every one of her frozen fingers.

  She laughed when he frowned.

  “You didn’t even touch the water and they’re frozen,” he told her. “Come. Let’s have tea.”

  She allowed him to lead her where he pleased. She was without a care. She might as well have been floating down the hall.

  She began to dance, like an Italian ballerina on pointed toe.

  “Why are you doing that?”

  “Doing what?”

  “That?”

  “What?”

  He chuckled. “That walk, Elisa.”

  “I’m floating,” she told him.

  “Floating?” he asked. “I thought you needed the toilet,” he murmured.

  She laughed and gasped. “What an ungentlemanly thing to say! You’re not to mention such things in a lady’s presence. You aren’t even to know we use such things.”

  He smiled. “I don’t believe I would have ever said that to any woman but you.”

  That made her happy. More than vows and promises, he’d just proven that the intimacy she felt with him was real. Barely a fortnight together and Elisa was certain he was the one.

  “I’m floating, like a ballerina. You make me feel like a princess in a ballet.”

  “Am I the prince in the story?” he asked.

  She closed her eyes and walked, trusting him not to lead her into a wall. “Perhaps.”

  “It better not be anyone else.”

  He turned them and still, she kept her eyes closed. “What would you do if it were?”

  “Slit his throat.”

  She stopped at the entrance to the drawing-room and turned to him. Her heart raced. “You wouldn’t actually—”

  “I would.” He grabbed her chin. They were no longer playing a game. “Are you mine?”

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  “Then anyone who comes between me and you must be stopped. Don’t you agree?”

  She grabbed his hand. “No one will come between us.” She smiled. “They couldn’t if they tried. You can feel it, can’t you?”

  He shook his head. “Yes, though it makes no sense.”

  “It’s rare then,” she said. She also thought a lord like Nicholas Childs was rare. “Have you ever… cut someone?”

  He nodded. “But you’ll never need to fear me. I would never hurt you or allow anyone else to ever again.”

  “I promise the same.”

  He smiled softly. “That’s very noble of you, but unfortunately, with my line of work, it is not something you can always guarantee.”

  “What do you mean? I thought you were but the duke’s man of business.”

  “Yet, look at what I am doing now for you and your brother. My job isn’t always as clean as other professionals.”

  Elisa thought. “Am I the first woman you rescued for the duke?”

  He nodded, but she sensed him hiding something. “I was, however, married once. It was many years ago. She died.”

  Elisa’s heart gave. “I’m sorry. How did she die?”

  “She ran in front of a moving carriage.” He gave her a discouraging look. “I tried to stop her. It was a very traumatic thing to have witnessed.”

  Or to have lived through, she thought. “What was her name?”

  “Maria.” His eyes softened.

  She smiled. “Am I anything like her?”

  He tilted his head and stared at her. “No, you’re nothing like her.”

  She thought that answer odd. Surely, there were similarities. But she didn’t inquir
e. Not now. It didn’t seem appropriate. “Were you happy?”

  He thought and nodded. “For a time.”

  “Then I’m glad for every happy moment you ever had.”

  He shook his head and then cupped her cheeks. Then he simply stared at her and said nothing. Elisa allowed it and took the time to look at him as well.

  “Tea,” he declared with finality before he let go of her face and grabbed her hand. “Then I’ll allow you to check on your students.”

  She followed him and though her eyes were open this time, she realized how blind she was about their future. Tomorrow would call for more trust, just as every day before it had. She was ready.

  ∫ ∫ ∫

  3 1

  * * *

  The duke arrived the day before the wedding. He brought his wife Milly and their mutual friend Sirius’ wife, Lady Pia, the Countess of Gordie.

  “She would not allow me to come alone,” Cassius said. “Otherwise, I would have been here yesterday.”

  Lady Van Dero’s gray eyes glowed with happiness. “I must meet her immediately. Oh, Nick, I’m so happy for you.”

  After greeting both women warmly, Nick asked, “You read my letter?” He was speaking to Milly but looking at Cassius.

  “You know there are few secrets between my wife and me.” Cass had yet to congratulate him or say anything about the reason he’d come. He did tell Milly many things, but Nick knew they would speak alone.

  “Well?” Pia said with a smile that reached her amethyst-colored eyes. The violet shade was so rare that many in London knew who she was before she even said her name. “Where is this woman you plan to steal and make your bride?”

  “Upstairs in the music room teaching some of the soldiers how to read,” Nick said.

  Cassius’ brows jerked up. His golden eyes flickered wide before they settled down.

  Pia and Milly gasped and sighed with adoration, just as Nick suspected they would. He was very proud to claim Elisa… even if she found small ways to make him think of drinking during the day, but at least they were both sleeping at night. There had been no more disturbances since she’d made her promise.

  The last two nights had been some of the best of his life, which made the days worth it. He only imagined the evenings getting better once they were wed.

  “You can wait for her in the drawing-room,” Nick said. “I’ll send word for her to join you when she’s done.” He turned to Cassius. “Shall we meet now?”

  “Let’s have tea first,” Cassius said. “Then Lady Elisa can join us when she’s done.”

  Tea was pleasant enough, but Nick was restless about what was to be. He would hate for something like this to come between him and Cassius.

  As if sensing his agitation, Cassius stood. “Let’s go have our meeting.”

  Nick got to his feet. “We can meet in my cabinet.”

  “The office is better. It’s closer to Milly just in case she has need of me.”

  “I’ll not have need of you.” Milly put a hand on her husband’s arm. “I’m perfectly fine.”

  “Still, I’ll not go four stories away and leave you down here.” He frowned. “I should have forced Sparrow to come with us. I shouldn’t have let you send him away.”

  “One of the ladies in town was gravely ill,” his wife reminded him.

  Cassius blinked. “I don’t understand what that has to do with anything.” All Cassius was able to see was his wife and her needs. All else fell to the wayside. She was first, second, and third in his life. The rest of the world had to wait in line.

  Milly sighed and turned to Nick. “Don’t forget to tell her we are here.”

  Nick frowned as he and Cass left the room. “Are you certain we can’t go to my cabinet?”

  Cassius just stared at him.

  Nick sucked his teeth. “All, right. Come on, then.” He led the way and then opened the door.

  Cass hesitated before he crossed the threshold. Then he looked around the room. It took him some time to comment.

  “Are you redecorating?”

  “Not me.” Nick crossed his arms. “Elisa.”

  Paper flowers in an assortment of different colors were scattered everywhere. Elisa had said the room was too plain this morning. He didn’t know where she’d found the paint for the paper or had found the time to cut the blooms out, but they littered his entire office, hanging from the walls and covering his desk and furniture like garland.

  It was strangely beautiful and reminded him of her. Not that he needed reminders. She was always on his mind.

  She’d been calm for many days. The paper flowers, the day before their wedding, seemed like some sort of gift or announcement of what was to come. To him, the room felt more like what was inside Elisa’s soul, a menagerie of colors and beauty.

  “It looks like a confectionary shop vomited in your office,” Cassius said and smirked. “The woman you wish to marry did this?”

  Nick nodded slowly.

  “And you’re not taking it down?”

  Nick shook his head. “I dared to bring up the idea and she looked ready to throw herself onto the floor and weep.”

  Cass looked stunned. “Are you sure you wish to marry her?”

  “Very sure.” In between all the madness there were shared jokes, laughs, the hottest kisses and caresses Nick had ever experienced.

  Cass cursed. “Tell me you don’t care for her.”

  “There is no one above her,” Nick said to make his point. “I… she’s everything.”

  Cass cursed again and ran a hand down his face. Nick couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen his friend so troubled. “I’d hoped not. I thought this was some way to keep her away from Alguire. It is why I’ve come. He’s bringing the London circuit judge with him.”

  Sir Theodore Burrows was one of the few powerful men in England who had no secrets to turn to blackmail and didn’t owe Cassius a shilling.

  Nick was surprised. His brother’s worst suggestion was coming true. “Are you planning to get in my way of having her?” Because there would be no stopping him. He’d run through any man who got in his way.

  Cassius’ face twisted. “That’s just it. I already have.” He started from the room.

  Nick followed. A foreboding feeling came over him. “What do you mean?”

  “Where was she when you last saw her?” Cass asked him in the hall.

  Nick didn’t say a word. He simply climbed the stairs two at a time. The door to the music room was open. The soldiers were there, sitting at a round table with their heads bent. They looked up when Nick and Cass entered. “Where’s Elisa?”

  “She’s gone,” Wade said. “Her brother came for her a few minutes ago. We let her go, because...”

  Nick didn’t hear the rest. He was running through the house and toward the front door. “Elisa!”

  His shouts caught the attention of everyone, including Milly and Pia.

  Nick looked out. He could see nothing, not even in the distance, yet there were tracks of a carriage that had recently left. He turned to Cassius who stood on the steps. “What have you done?”

  “I didn’t know how you felt.”

  “What’s going on?” Milly asked. “Where’s Elisa?”

  “I had Goldstone follow us. He wanted to take his sister without Nick being aware of his presence,” Cassius said. “I allowed it.”

  “You allowed a man in my house without my permission?” Nick asked. “You’ve overstepped.”

  “My deepest apologies.” Though Cassius didn’t look very apologetic, he rarely said sorry to begin with. Nick knew he meant it.

  Sadly, he had no time to explain to Cassius just how many boundaries he’d stepped over.

  “Where is she heading?” Nick asked. “I can meet her there.” He’d go and get her back.

  Cassius shook his head. “I don’t know. I didn’t inquire. I didn’t see the need to, but he mentioned it would be someplace she’d be safe until the Season and her… new suitor arrives.
”

  “Arrives?” Pia asked.

  “Lord Michael Upton returns to the Continent in time for the Season. He is an old friend of Goldstone’s. I asked the marquess about him. I’m told he’s a good man. They’re to meet at the Season.”

  Nick didn’t care if the man could hang stars. Lord Upton wasn’t him. Therefore, he was not for Elisa.

  Nick looked back into the distance. Then he turned to his footman. “Send the soldiers on the outer wall out to search for Goldstone’s carriage.” He turned to another servant who stood in a group of staff. “And someone get me a horse. Now.”

  They all ran away.

  “They’re long gone,” Cassius said.

  “How could you do this?” Nick cried. “Without telling me?”

  Cassius frowned. “Last time we spoke, you made it very clear that you did not wish to marry. How was I to know you’d changed your mind? Either way… I’d not have done anything differently. I need Goldstone’s favor.”

  Milly gasped. She looked hurt, but it was nothing compared to what Nick was feeling. “You’d choose a favor over your friend’s happiness?”

  “There are things you don’t understand,” he told her. “This had to be done.”

  Nick had heard enough. He didn’t know what this meant for him and Cassius, but he could not bear to look at the duke another moment. The horse came and he’d barely mounted before he had the animal moving, his hooves beating hard into the ground, thundering over the bridge, and off the main road. He rode straight toward the tallest hill and prayed he’d see something moving on any of the roads in the distance.

  He searched the horizon.

  Nothing.

  She was gone.

  Nick felt ill. His heart stuttered and came to a stop once or twice, but it wouldn’t let him die.

  The thought of living without her was far too daunting, so he decided he’d not think of it. He’d find her. He would not give up.

  Elisa was his and his alone.

  ∫ ∫ ∫

  3 2

  * * *

  “How was father’s health before the journey here?” Elisa asked with tears in her eyes. “You don’t think he’ll… go before I get there, do you?”