Avery had been watching her oddly since they got into his carriage and sped away from the castle. When he’d arrived, she’d been surprised yet happy to see him, but when he’d told her it was time to go, she’d refused and expressed her wish to marry Nick.
Far too happy about the match and working to convince her brother of her choice, she’d gone on and on about how happy Nick made her and her hopes for their future. He’d listened in silence.
Then finally, he’d stopped her rambling by smiling and saying, “I am happy for you, Elisa. Truly, but Father is ill. The journey here was hard on him, so I left him at the inn in town. I fear… the journey and Uncle Beau’s death might have been too hard on him.”
Elisa hadn’t thought of much after that. Avery had guided her into the carriage, promising her that a servant would find Nick and tell him where she’d gone.
Her father.
She had to see him. What if something happened to him before she got to him? What if she never saw him alive again?
Avery glanced out the window and then sighed. “Father is fine.”
“How can you be so sure?” she asked. “You said he was ill. He sounds heartbroken over Uncle Beau.”
“He is, but…” Avery shook his head and then looked at her. Her brother was a classically handsome man. Blue-eyed and blond. She remembered all the many years she’d wished she’d looked like him. Now, she was glad to be herself.
“Father is in London,” Avery said.
“London? But we’re days away from there.” Elisa looked out the window and saw nothing but the lone road they traveled and trees. The castle was gone. She turned to Avery. “You said he was in town.”
“I lied.” Avery’s eyes were blank. “I knew you would not go with me otherwise.”
He’d lied.
Which meant…
Elisa leaned back slowly until her back hit the cushion. She stared at her brother and tried to make sense of her circumstances. She was in a carriage miles away from Nick. She was getting married tomorrow.
Or was she?
“Avery, we have to go back.”
“We can’t,” Avery said. “This is the only way I can be certain that you’re safe.”
She tried to stay calm. “I was safe. I’m safe with Nicholas.”
“You’re not, not with any of them. I only asked the duke’s help to get you out of Bedlam. I couldn’t let you marry Lord Alguire, but I’ll go to my grave before I let you marry into that organization.” Avery glared. “You have no idea who Lord Nicholas Childs is.”
She did. She remembered him mentioning something about slitting the throat of anyone who came between them. Surely, he didn’t mean it. Surely, he wouldn’t kill her brother. “Avery, I must go back. I love him.”
“His men beat me!” Avery shouted. “They were going to kill me. My mouth was so battered, I couldn’t even cry for my own life. Nicholas and his friend Lord Sirius Hayes were going to kill me and let me bleed out on the Duke of Van Dero’s Persian rug and the duke was going to watch. Is that the sort of man you wish to marry?”
It wasn’t. Elisa didn’t want to believe a word Avery said, but she noticed a wound on his chin that looked recently stitched together. There was another by his hairline.
And when he’d arrived, she’d noticed the slightest of limps in his steps. Even now, he was working his jaw as though talking ailed him.
Had Nick done that to her brother?
“Why?” she asked. “Why would Van Dero—”
“Because he thought I’d tried to kill him and his wife.” Avery looked upset. “Our brother Luke had asked that I go and speak to the duke on his behalf. Luke was in trouble for something. He always needed something. We weren’t close, hadn’t been since we were children.” Avery waved a hand in the air. “You know how he was.”
Yes, she did. Luke was one of the most selfish people Elisa had ever met.
“But when your brother needs you, really needs you, you go.” Avery shook his head. “I went with some of Luke’s men to Van Dero’s home. They opened fire once we got close, shooting at him through the window.” Avery cursed and then lifted his hand. “Excuse my language. The duke was hit by one of the bullets. So was Sirius. Thankfully, the others, including his wife, were spared.”
Elisa wanted to cover her ears and tell her brother to say no more. She didn’t want the images he was creating in her head.
But Avery didn’t relent, and she didn’t stop him, though she stayed aware of just how far they continued to travel from the castle.
“Then they knocked me from my horse and rode away. I was left to die at Luke’s orders. They wanted the duke to kill me.” His fists tightened, and Elisa could only imagine what her brother would have known if he’d been prepared. Avery had only in the last decade learned to not use his fists to solve problems.
Elisa’s eyes widened as she thought about her brother’s tale. “That can’t be true. Why would he—”
“The title.” Avery lowered his voice. “He wanted to be marquess and one day, duke.”
It sounded like something Elisa’s brother would have wanted.
“I believe it was Lady Van Dero who had my life spared.” Avery looked away and frowned. “Van Dero would be worse than the devil if he didn’t have her. I’ve spent some time with them both, between visiting Father in London.” He looked at her again. “She’s sweet and gentle. He’s smart and dangerous, and I’ve heard about Nick. I heard what he did to the guards at Bedlam.”
“The guards?” She’d heard nothing about that.
“They said it was a touch,” Avery whispered. “Just a touch and they were down.”
Her eyes widened. “Dead?”
“No, they woke hours later, but if he’d wished…” Avery shrugged.
Elisa didn’t know what the appropriate thing to say was, but she knew what was in her heart. “I still want to marry him.”
Her brother rolled her eyes. “I know. It was love at first sight. You told me. Listen, Elisa, your… mind works differently than others. You can’t trust your wants.”
She couldn’t trust her wants?
How easily she forgot that her family thought her mad as well.
“You won’t let me marry Lord Alguire because you think him violent.”
“He was Luke’s friend,” Avery said. “That is reason enough to not want him anywhere near you.”
“Yet, you still don’t believe him capable of the murder I accused him of?” she asked. “Even after what Luke, your own brother, did to you?”
Avery’s eyes flickered as though putting her words together.
She prayed and hoped to finally gain an ally.
But then Avery turned away. “You should rest. It’ll be good for you.”
How similar the words were to those Nick had said to her a few weeks ago.
“Please, Avery.” Her voice broke. “I have asked for very little. Please, let me marry Lord Nicholas. Take me back to him. Please, I beg you.” She wanted to scream and shout, but she knew hysterics would get her nowhere with her brother. She’d never felt so trapped in her life or so helpless.
Did Nick think she’d left him on purpose?
He placed a hand on hers. “Rest, Elisa. It will be all right.”
Elisa finally understood that she could not escape her prison, because it was embedded in her mind and her reputation.
She was mad.
There had never been any hope for her in the end.
∫ ∫ ∫
3 3
* * *
Nick stormed into Cassius’ office.
He was in a meeting with someone.
Nick didn’t care.
He stood in the door and said nothing.
Cassius turned to his visitor. “I’m sorry, but I have another meeting. Please, go to the drawing-room. I will have a footman escort you back when I am free.”
“Very well,” the visitor drawled. The gentleman, who happened to be well dressed, stood and looked rather i
nsulted as he started for the door.
Then his eyes caught Nick’s and he straightened. His face turned white and he swallowed. “My lord.” He bowed on his way out and didn’t dare look in Nick’s direction again.
“Does that man know who I am?” Nick asked.
“No, but he doesn’t need to with the way you’re glaring at everyone,” Van Dero said. “He knows you’re deadly and that I surround myself with deadly men. That’s enough to frighten most wise men.” Cassius leaned forward. “Do you know who that man was?”
“Does it look like I care?”
“You should start caring about politics,” Cassius said. “All your years of trying to be the perfect lord, I’m surprised you’ve not tried before.”
“Have you any word?” he asked, ignoring Cassius’ words.
Cassius’ expression turned pained. He was not a man who showed expression often. It meant something to Nick but not enough. “I’m sorry, but my men have been unable to find her. They are watching the docks though. We’ll know when Lord Upton steps foot on English soil.”
“I want that information as well.”
“And as I said before, you’re not to kill Lord Upton.” Cassius’ expression shifted. “He is a good man. We need more of those in England.”
Nick wanted to agree, but he couldn’t. Anyone who came between him and Elisa was the enemy.
He was struggling to not see Cassius as one, but in the end, Nick supposed it was partly his fault. He’d made it very clear he’d not marry again.
He’d been so unprepared for Elisa’s arrival into his life. He’d had all her many paper flowers put into a room with heavy drapes to preserve their color.
Her trunks had been taken when Avery got her, but he’d had the rest of her belongings moved to the sacred room that had now become a shrine to the woman who owned his heart.
A maid had found the letter she’d written to him all those weeks ago, right after their disastrous carriage ride.
Nick had read it.
There had only been one line.
My heart aches, and I can only think it my fault. I loved you too soon.
She’d fallen for him the day they’d met.
But according to Nick, she still hadn’t loved him soon enough. Where was she when he’d gone through so much in life? He’d needed her.
He kept the letter on him. Even though it was sad, it was her. It was her thoughts.
“I would never wish this pain on anyone,” Cassius said softly. “I can’t imagine what I would do if it were Milly.”
Nick could. He ran Cassius’ businesses. Few people were aware of just how many things the duke’s hands were in. He was far too powerful. With a word, he could break the infrastructure of life in London. The rest of the country would be affected later, the cities collapsing one after another.
Nick and Sirius had helped him become that powerful. Sirius knew numbers. Nick knew business.
And how to kill a man in over a hundred different ways.
“Your talk of Milly isn’t helping,” Nick said. “You have your wife. I have nothing.”
Another man would have reminded Nicholas of his wealth and skills, but Cass had changed since he’d fallen in love.
The duke nodded in agreement.
Nick had gone out to look for her the first few days after Elisa left. He’d checked the places he suspected she’d have turned up, but in the end, he’d known it was better to wait and get word from Van Dero. The man controlled an army and had that army looking for Elisa as they spoke.
Lord Alguire had visited while Nick was gone. The man was lucky Nick hadn’t been there to greet him. He needed someone to take his anger out on.
“Tell me about the favor,” Nick said. “What are you going to ask Avery for?”
Cassius narrowed his eyes. “Close the door. I’ve been debating on whether I should tell you. I would hate for you to get in the way.”
Nicholas’ eyes widened, but he closed the door and crossed the room. “Me? Get in the way of what? What’s going on?”
Cassius went into his drawer and pulled out something shiny.
Nicholas walked over and his heart gave out. The gold was tarnished. A few of its coins were missing, but he recognized it.
“Is this yours?” Cassius asked.
“I lost it almost fifteen years ago.” Nick picked it up and examined it. “Where did you find it?”
“I didn’t. Lord Jeremy Bush did. You killed his son the night you lost it.”
Nick remembered that fight, but only because he’d lost the ringlet. How many other boys had he killed? He also recognized the name Bush. “How did his son—”
“His wife took the boy and entered him into the fight. She was trying to earn money to flee with her lover. Instead, she lost her son. To you.”
Nicholas shook his head. “I don’t understand.”
“Lord Bush knows it belongs to you. He found out a week before Avery presented his favor.”
“How?”
“Your brother is doing a job for him and showed his own anklet to Lord Bush.”
“Oliver?” Nick asked.
Cassius frowned. “No. Leo.”
Leo. He hadn’t seen Leo in some time, but it seemed little had changed. Leo’s lips moved faster than his mind once he was drunk.
“Leo showed Lord Bush our golden anklet?”
“He did more than show it. He went on and on about what your father said about it and how all three of you have it.” Cassius pointed at that anklet. “Lord Bush had made it to the fight just in time to see his son die. He kept the anklet, always hoping he’d find the young man it belonged to and make him suffer. That anklet was about to be your doom.”
Nick tucked the object into his pocket and sighed. “How did you find out?”
“A Forager told me.” Cassius had ears everywhere. “I wrote Bush before he could do something foolish like go to a magistrate. It would have been hard to get you out of this mess if I hadn’t found out when I did.”
“You did this for me?” Nick asked. “Why didn’t you just kill—”
“Lord Bush is—”
“A good man,” Nick finished for him.
“Hm,” the duke said. “You’re a quick one to call for someone’s head these days. Usually, you’re telling me that I murder before I ask questions far too often.”
“Times have changed.” There was a possibility that Nick would die alone. Before Elisa, it had been all he’d wanted. Now, he knew exactly what he’d be missing.
“Lord Bush had an unfaithful wife and he lost his only heir. Still, he fights for the impoverished and weak. He doesn’t deserve to die.”
Nick crossed his arms. “So what did you do?”
“Lord Bush and I came to a compromise.” Cassius crossed his fingers and placed them on the table. “I get Avery to not run for prime minister as he is planning, which will mean Lord Bush wins the race, and you get to keep your secret.”
Nick blinked and finally agreed that he should know something about what was going on in the House of Lords. “Avery is running for prime minister?”
“He would win if he ran,” Cassius said. “Everyone loves him, enjoys his young energy but traditional ways.”
Nick grunted.
“Do not go near him.” Cass sounded like he was begging. “Please, for your own sake.”
“You did this for me.”
“You’re my friend. It is what friends do.”
“I should give you the coin back,” Nick said.
“No, keep it. I’ve been thinking it good that I owe someone, someone I can trust.” Cass looked down at his desk. The small book was open. Someone’s darkest secrets were scrolled across the page. Nick didn’t get close enough to read it. He’d never wanted Cassius’ power or responsibilities.
Nick cursed and looked down at the anklet. “I hate politics. It’s what drove my father to his madness. He claimed everyone was plotting against him.” The old Marquess of Venmont had been Prime Mini
ster once upon a time.
He’d spoken about secret clubs and murders, things much darker than anything Cassius did.
“I am not a fan of politics either. Voting is a rather trying procedure. I like things done immediately. But just in case you don’t understand what is going on, I had to let Avery take Elisa. Is was part of our deal. You find her, you free her, and she goes to her brother. That was the deal. Now, he owes me.”
And Nick owed Cassius. He couldn’t believe this had all been about him to begin with. How would he have responded if Cassius had told him the truth in the beginning?
He’d have likely killed a good man. This way, the long and complex way, meant everyone lived.
Though Nick would likely suffer.
Cassius was always thinking five steps ahead of everyone else.
“And I am free to go after Elisa?” Nick asked for clarity.
“Yes,” Cassius said. “But you can’t kill Upton, because you are connected to me and because it would upset Avery. If Avery becomes upset at us, he might not listen to me when I call in his debt and tell him not to run for prime minister. He might, in fact, try to use his new position to see to our downfall. I will not have the blood of another good man on my hands.” He would have to kill Avery for his disobedience and the man did seem the sort to disobey.
Nick closed his eyes. “Not to mention Elisa would be made upset by her brother’s death.”
Cassius leaned back. “You just might have to convince Avery to like you and give her to you instead.”
“Or I kidnap her,” Nick said.
Cassius nodded slowly. “Again, he might not like it, but I think I can convince him of the love match much easier if his friend lives on.”
Nick agreed as well. “Again, why can’t I kill Bush?”
Cassius rolled his eyes.
But in reality, Nick felt pain for the man. He would have to find a way to make things right with Bush, outside of the favor Cassius was doing on his behalf. The man had lost a son and it was Nick’s fault.
Even if Nick hadn’t wanted to fight, the results were what they were.
But what could he give a man who’d lost so much? You couldn’t replace a child.
A Knight of Vengeance: (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book) Page 15
