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

by Deborah Wilson

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  3 4

  * * *

  Elisa stared up at the surface of the water and was trying to make out the molding of the ceiling when a pair of arms reached in and dragged her from the tub.

  She gave a cry and met her brother’s worried and angry eyes.

  “What are you doing? You could have killed yourself,” Avery cried. His eyes were wide with a hundred emotions. “Is that what you were trying to do?”

  “No! You nearly killed me,” she shouted back. “I almost swallowed water. What are you doing in my room? Get out.”

  He held her tightly for a moment. Her wet form soaked his clothes and he cursed, but she didn’t think him upset about being wet. A second later, she was wrapped in a sheet. Her brother continued to hold her. “Elisa, the maid said she called to you and you didn’t answer. What I saw… it gave me the worst fright.”

  She clung to the edges of the sheet and moved away from Avery. “I don’t wish for death, Avery. I simply like being under water. It’s quiet there.”

  “Do you hear... voices?”

  She groaned and moved behind the screen on the other side of the room. “No, I don’t hear voices. I just like being under water.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know. Can you please leave?” Her brother’s concern and worry were beginning to make her break. It had been three days since they arrived at the inn on the outskirts of London. They were using false names. She was Margaret and he was Henry.

  “Why didn’t you answer when the maid called you?”

  “Perhaps, because she kept calling for Margaret and my name isn’t Margaret!”

  He shushed her from the other side. “Lower your voice. Do you wish everyone to know who we are?”

  Yes, she did. There was a chance that if someone found out, they would tell Nick and then Nick would come for her.

  Yet at the same time, she didn’t want Nick coming for her. She didn’t want an altercation between him and Avery. Nick and Avery already despised one another.

  And Avery, for all his goodness, had some darkness in him as well. He too had been fighting since he was young, but only because he enjoyed getting his way. He’d gotten into many fights at boarding school. Their father had had to pay extra just to keep him in Eton.

  It had been during his years at Oxford when Avery had stopped. Elisa remembered when he’d come home changed. That had also been around the time his friend Lord Benjamin Lock had died.

  Highwaymen had attacked them. Avery had told everyone he’d tried to fight them, but in the end, he’d lost, returning home with a broken arm and a tragic story.

  Ben had been like a brother to Avery. Such a death would change a man.

  Elisa didn’t want to see Avery and Nick in an altercation. Neither did she wish to be the reason for it.

  “I apologize for frightening you,” Avery said. “Meet me in the drawing-room when you’re ready.”

  There was a receiving room between their bedchambers that kept them connected.

  Elisa would have rather had a room on the other side of the inn.

  “All right,” she told him, knowing there was no other choice.

  She’d tried to find a way to escape, to even write to Nick, but her brother had footmen standing outside her door and the maid had been told her about mental instability. No one would listen to her and every request she made was ignored.

  Avery controlled everything.

  Once she was dressed, she went to the drawing-room. Avery was there, but so was someone else.

  The sight of Lady Cebele Lawrence made Elisa’s heart explode with gladness as they crossed the room to one another.

  They’d been friends since childhood, though they’d lost touch when Elisa was placed in Bedlam. Letters to friends had been forbidden since all Elisa wanted to do was escape and would try and ask her friends for assistance.

  She was certain Cebele, or Belle as Elisa had called her, hadn’t received a single letter from her.

  Yet here was she was.

  “Belle,” Elisa said as she embraced her friend.

  “Avery and I kept in touch. He told me I’d be allowed to see you once you were out of Bedlam.”

  When they pulled away from one another, there were tears in both their eyes. Belle was a short woman whose beauty was enchanting. Large brown eyes and thick blond curls made her doll-like.

  Elisa had always hoped Belle would marry Avery, but the two could never get along, mostly because Belle was a forceful lady and would never bend to the whims of a husband. Belle’s father had left her most of his wealth on his death with no stipulation that she had to wed at all, a thing that was quite uncommon.

  But besides being unconventional, she was also known for her large heart and charity work. She knew most of the well-to-do families in London, both titled and working class.

  “I’ve allowed Belle here because she can prepare you for the Season,” Avery said. “But don’t get it in your head that your lives will mirror one another. You will marry Upton upon his return to England.”

  She’d found out who her intended was once she got to the inn.

  Elisa was surprised she hadn’t guessed it to be Upton before. Upton was a good man, but Elisa did not desire to be his wife.

  Belle glared at Avery. “Why are you such a bore?”

  “I don’t have to tolerate your tongue anymore,” Avery told her. “We are not children. This is not my father’s house. I can send you away right now.”

  Belle closed her mouth and turned away. With her back to Avery, she wrinkled her nose so only Elisa could see it.

  Elisa laughed.

  Avery grunted. “Lady Belle is staying for dinner. She’ll catch you up on London life so that you’ll be prepared. I’m going to be next door. I’ll return for dinner. The maid will be around. The footmen are outside the doors and will not move even if you beg it of them.”

  “Precisely when is it that you plan to leave?” Belle asked him mockingly.

  Avery sucked his teeth and then closed the door behind his retreat.

  Elisa gasped. “How did you do that?”

  “I promised him votes for his run for Prime Minister.” Belle smiled. “How else do you think I’ve arranged for you to have a Season to begin with? Were it up to Avery, you’d wait here for Upton’s arrival and never attend a ball at all.”

  Elisa gasped. “That was you?” She’d wondered why her brother was giving her a Season but hadn’t inquired, because she hadn’t wanted it taken from her.

  Belle’s eyes glowed. “I’ve become quite popular in recent years, Elisa. I’ve the power to arrange many things.”

  Elisa wondered if she could arrange for Nick to come to her, but she feared her old friend thinking her crazy as well. They hadn’t seen one another in years.

  “Let’s sit,” Belle said.

  They moved close to the window, upon white chairs with pale blue silk cushions that matched the rest of the room.

  The sky was white with clouds and bright.

  “How are you?” Belle asked.

  Elisa stared out into the day. What could she say to Belle? What couldn’t she?”

  Belle spoke again. “I’m glad Avery has made arrangements for you not to marry Lord Alguire. It’s noble of him to go against your father’s wishes. I admit, it has made me like him more.”

  Elisa gave her friend a small smile. “Enough to marry him?”

  Belle lifted a brow. “There isn’t enough nobility in the world to make me do that, dear.”

  Elisa laughed and shook her head. “You’ve not changed. Did you truly not fall in love with anyone these last five years?”

  “No one,” Belle said. “And you? Have you given your heart to anyone?”

  Elisa laughed. “How could I have? I’ve been in Bedlam for five years. What gentleman could find me there?”

  She could feel Belle’s eyes on her as she spoke. “Oh, I don’t know. Perhaps, a gentleman named Lord Nicholas Childs who has
every man in the country looking for you as we speak.”

  Elisa turned around. “What?” Had Belle just said what she thought she’d heard? “You know Nick?”

  Belle brightened. “I do. I’ve known him for some time. He’s very anxious to get to you. Apparently, no one in Cassius’ organization is allowed to sleep until you are found.”

  Elisa’s mouth fell open. “You know the Duke of Van Dero.”

  She nodded. “I call him Cassius though. Rarely do I address him as duke.” She looked Elisa over and nodded. “Yes, I can see why Nick would adore you. I’m very glad someone has finally managed to break his revered facade. I was beginning to think we’d lost him forever. He was always trying to be so perfect. I tell you, it made the rest of us seem positively wicked. Yet, now he has you, or rather he doesn’t, and his well-trained shell is cracking.” She grinned. “He’s positively deadly now.”

  “Do you think he’ll hurt Avery?”

  “Undoubtedly,” Belle said. “But I will work to prevent that. We’ll simply have to find a way to get everyone together and find some common ground. Upton is a lovely man, but he is not for you.”

  Elisa let her body relax. “Oh, Belle I’m so glad to have someone I can talk to about this. Avery won’t listen to me. He thinks I’m mad for loving Nick despite everything I hear about him.”

  “Avery’s a man. He cannot see Nick as we women see him.” Belle batted her eyes.

  Elisa laughed and then she thought of something. “You know the duke. Do you know about what he does? What his men did to Avery?”

  “I do, but they didn’t know Avery was Avery at the time. They thought him just another man they could use for their benefit. Don’t believe everything you hear about Cassius. He is a good man. Not one for tradition when it gets in his way, but he cares for people, Elisa. Really.”

  “And Nick? Avery said he’s dangerous.”

  “He is.” Belle took her hand. “I’ve never seen him this upset, Elisa. I shall write to him and tell him that I’ve seen you. Perhaps that will calm him for now.”

  “Does he truly want me?” She’d worried about it on and off for the last few days. She believed that once he was rid of her, he might change his mind and let her go. The paper flowers that she’d scattered throughout his office had been her final act of madness, to see if he would run.

  He hadn’t.

  But what if…

  “If Upton marries you before he can, you’ll find yourself widowed before the year is over.”

  Elisa’s eyes widened. “I don’t want Upton killed.”

  Belle squeezed her hand and lowered her voice just as the maid came in with tea. “That is what we will work to avoid.”

  Elisa had to wait until the tea was served and the maid was away before she could speak again. “Can’t you simply take me from here and take me to Nick?”

  Belle shook her head. “Not without causing a scene. Your brother would get between my men and his. I can’t guarantee he wouldn’t get hurt. No, it’s best we wait until next week when the Season starts. There will be plenty of occasions to get lost in crowds or at parties.”

  “When is Lord Upton set to arrive?” Elisa asked.

  “A few days,” Belle said. “But don’t worry. It will all work out.”

  Elisa hugged Belle again. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” Belle laughed. “Now, let me tell you about all the gossip you’ve missed.”

  Elisa laughed and then listened as her friend regaled her with one tale after another.

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  * * *

  “I’m so glad to have my children with me again,” Lord Reddington said. He was beginning to look his years. He’d had his children late in life. Elisa’s mother had been more than a decade younger than him.

  The duke squeezed Elisa’s hand over the breakfast table, and she blinked back her tears at just how fragile his hand felt.

  Reddington’s eyes were warm. “It is so good to see you again, Elisa. It seems everyone I know is vanishing. First Lord Ayers, then your mother, then Luke.” He sighed and turned to Avery. “I know you’ll take care of everything when I’m gone.”

  “You’re not gone yet,” Avery said from their father’s other side. “I’ll hear no more of that sort of talk, Father.”

  Reddington laughed softly and turned to Elisa. “You hear that, my dear? He’s already beginning to sound like a duke.”

  Elisa kept silent as she thought of all the changes she’d witnessed in her brother since she’d last seen him. He was acting rather like a duke. Their house in London was different. The staff addressed him far more than they did the actual Duke of Reddington and whenever the duke made a decision they looked at Avery to confirm it.

  Avery controlled everything.

  He’d always liked control. It didn’t make him a terrible person, but as Nick had pointed out, he had the tendency to do anything to get his way.

  Even as they sat with their father, Avery was plotting to defy him by marrying Elisa to his friend and not the man their father had chosen.

  That, Elisa was thankful for, but she did wish she’d had her own choice.

  A servant came into the breakfast room and delivered a note on a tray.

  The missive was from Belle.

  I shall arrive within a few hours to help you ready for the ball.

  The rest of this missive is from a friend.

  A friend?

  Elisa stilled. Her stomach tumbled.

  I’m coming for you.

  That was it.

  It was all she needed. Her blood rushed, seeming to rise in her head and make her dizzy. She smiled and had to fight not to press the paper to her bosom. She didn’t wish for Avery to know that Nick had sent her a message.

  “What does Belle say?” Avery was watching her.

  “She’ll be here later to help me get ready.”

  “I’m so glad you’re overseeing the ball,” Reddington said to Avery. “It was likely time that you hosted anyway. It is a tradition I hope you will see to once I’m gone. The Reddington Ball marks the start of the Season.”

  It had been the case since Elisa could remember. The most important people in Society were always invited. Dukes, marquesses, and the like. Elisa had met the former Van Dero once. Most of the horror she knew about him had been stories Belle had told her while growing up.

  Now she knew how Belle had known the duke. She’d worked for him.

  But she’d never seemed happy, which made Elisa wonder why Belle had gotten involved with the duke at all.

  “I shall keep with the tradition,” Avery told their father. “As Prime Minister, people will expect me to host.”

  “And marry,” Reddington said.

  Avery’s smile was tight. “One day.”

  Reddington frowned. “I wish that day was today. I would have liked to see the future heir.”

  “Live forever and you will,” Avery countered with a smile.

  The two men shared a quiet warm look. For all their faults, both men had always found family important. Elisa had never felt unloved, at least not by Avery or father. Only Luke had been questionable.

  “Speaking of marriage,” Reddington said. “Lord Alguire is coming to the party. It is time he and Elisa were seen together.”

  “Father,” Elisa began.

  Avery cut her off. “Wonderful idea, Father. I know Elisa is looking forward to seeing Alguire again.” Her brother cut a look at her.

  Elisa ignored it. She was glad that she would not be marrying Alguire, but she didn’t want Upton either. She wanted Nick. Only Nick. Perhaps she could get her father to see that. “Father, that arrangement with Lord Alguire was made so long ago. Why can’t I have the Season to find love and happi—”

  Reddington shook his head. “Elisa, you’re not like other girls. You need someone who can attend to you properly. Alguire has sworn to me that he is that man.”

  “Alguire has hurt me,” Elisa said.
<
br />   Avery cursed.

  Reddington’s eyes widened. The wrinkles around his eyes deepened. “What? When did this happen?”

  “A few weeks ago.” She couldn’t stay silent. She had to get her father to understand. “He came to Bedlam to get me.”

  Reddington tensed. “Not so. Alguire has been here in the city all winter. He’s come to see me often enough. You’re making up stories, my dear, but not to worry. I know you do not mean to. It is…” He sighed, as though tired. “Just in your nature, I suppose, but I must warn you, speaking ill of your future husband will do you no good.” He placed a hand on his chest and began to rub. His breathing became labored and he winced.

  “Father?” Elisa stood.

  “My chest feels tight.”

  Avery stood as well. “Let’s get you to bed. You’ve done enough for now. You’ll rest until the party.” Avery moved to assist his father from his seat to a wheelchair. The look he gave Elisa was foul.

  Shame heated her cheeks. Avery had warned her that her father was weak. Worry was not good for him. Her eyes burned as the feeling of despair came over her.

  A footman took their father way.

  “Are you happy?” Avery asked her the moment they were alone. “I warned you—”

  “I know.” Elisa broke into tears.

  Avery wrapped her in his arms. His voice softened. “It’s all right, Elisa. Everything will be fine.”

  “He’s dying,” she whispered. She could see it now. “I nearly killed him with my woes.”

  “No, he’ll survive this.”

  She buried her face in his chest, and he rubbed her back as the tears continued to fall. Her last remaining parent would be leaving her soon and though Elisa hadn’t lived with him for years, she would miss him.

  Her father was concerned for her. Everyone was.

  “I’m sorry,” she told Avery.

  He pulled her face back and wiped at her tears. “Calm yourself, Elisa. Father will rest and likely be full of energy when the evening begins.” He gave her a weak smile and then lowered his voice. “But don’t bring up marriage with him again. All right?”

  She nodded.