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

by Deborah Wilson

  “Nick, she loves you, you know,” Sparrow said, as though sensing that Nick needed every reassurance he could get. “Even if she hasn’t told you everything, it doesn’t mean she doesn’t love you.”

  It only meant she didn’t trust him and for Nick, it was more important than love. Love could not be without it.

  Nick grunted. “I suppose I should go then.”

  “Don’t get in her way.” The doctor stood. “You’ll only make the situation worse for yourself. If you ruin Elisa’s plan—”

  “Someone needs to be there to help her when this plan doesn’t work.”

  Sparrow narrowed his eyes. “You still think she’s mad.”

  “I have a room full of paper flowers to prove it, which is how I know that Elisa will fail. I don’t want her getting hurt.”

  “You make it sound as though she plans to climb buildings.”

  Nick moved toward him. “What happens when her brother finds out and decides she should be returned to Bedlam? She told me what those doctors did to her.”

  Sparrow’s expression shifted from anger to apprehension. Yet even as he grimaced, he said, “I believe in what she’s doing. I believe she won’t fail.”

  “She will.”

  “If that is your belief then she was wise to tell you nothing.” Sparrow stepped into his space, his gray eyes hardened. “We don’t need your sort around here, speaking doubt on the situation. Perhaps, you should give Elisa the space she needs to handle this with those who will support her.”

  Was that what it sounded like? That he didn’t support her? “I do support her. It is you who doesn’t.” Nick left on that note, feeling like the only sane man in the room.

  He would not give Elisa an inch of space. He was a fighter and a former Forager, a man who’d collected secrets for decades. He would find out Elisa’s secrets one way or the other.

  And then he would stop her.

  ∫ ∫ ∫

  4 3

  * * *

  As Elisa dressed the next evening, she asked Belle, “Do you think I did the right thing? Perhaps I should have told Nick everything.”

  “Still worried about that, are you?” Belle asked.

  “Of course, I’m worried.”

  “With the way he looks at you when he sees you, you have nothing to fear. His eyes all but followed you around your father’s ballroom like a lost puppy.”

  Yet, Nicholas hadn’t come to visit all day. Avery had been by, though he’d kept his distance. Still, his presence had forced Elisa to remain at Sparrow’s, which hadn’t helped her with her plan.

  The plan had been to go into Gloria’s home while she was at work for the day.

  Tonight, she would look into Gloria’s shop, which was what the soldier in Bedlam had written on the note.

  Gloria was a sweets shop in Mayfair, owned by a woman of the same name. Belle had found a way for Elisa got get in even though the doors were locked.

  Elisa was only beginning to understand the sort of friends Belle kept. It troubled her, but then again, Elisa would not be hypocritical, especially since she was planning to break into a shop.

  Strangely, she was not as worried about what would happen if she were caught. Her mind ran in circles with Nick at the heart of it.

  What if he never came back? What if he didn’t love her anymore?

  As Elisa thought more about it, she realized that Nicholas had never claimed to love her. Not once. He cared for her and he’d made other vows, but he’d not mentioned love.

  “Elisa.” Belle came to stand before her. “You must stop thinking about Nicholas. What you do tonight is dangerous. You’ll need to concentrate on this and this alone.”

  It was easier said than done.

  Belle frowned. Elisa had never been good at hiding how she felt.

  Except for last night when she’d tried to hide just how much Nick’s words had hurt. He was so certain of her madness that she doubted anything would change his mind.

  Again, she was reminded that this was her fault. It had been her plan to drive him away.

  “Elisa, I’m not letting you leave this house if I think your head is elsewhere.”

  “I love him, Belle.”

  “Love is a terrible thing.” Belle rolled her eyes. “I don’t understand why people bother falling into it.”

  “One day you’ll find love and you’ll know.”

  Belle lifted her hands as if to ward off the words. “I pray that day is far, far from now. Perhaps, when I am seventy and can no longer depend on my looks to get me whatever I want.”

  The women smiled at one another.

  Elisa took a great breath. “I’m ready. I can do this.”

  “Excellent. If something goes wrong, you’ll have Astger’s men with you. He said you knew the men and that they were very fond of you.”

  Wade and Charles would be guarding her. Elisa had found them in the study earlier that morning and had teared up at the sight of them reading.

  Wade still struggled, but he had gotten through the letter she’d written him, and she was glad.

  She would write him another.

  Belle led her downstairs. Astger and Sparrow were in the foyer.

  Nicholas’ absence struck her, but then she’d told him to leave, hadn’t she?

  “You could dress like a hag and I’d still be able to recognize you,” Astger said.

  Elisa tugged at her mob cap. “Really? I feel no one would ever know who I was if they didn’t see my hair.”

  “You’re a very pretty woman,” Belle told her. “So, keep your head down. That will ensure you don’t get any unwanted attention.”

  Elisa nodded. Men often thought the working-class woman simply existed to see to their every pleasure.

  Wade stepped forward. “We’ll make sure no unwanted attention comes to her.”

  Charles’ grin was dark. “Any man who dares will regret it.”

  Elisa realized then just how dangerous her plan was. What if they were caught? What if Nick was right?

  No, it was that thought alone that forced her feet toward the door. She couldn’t allow doubt to enter her mind now. She had to remember why she was doing this.

  Freedom.

  And there was also the matter of justice for the life Alguire stole.

  “Are you certain we can’t get a hackney for her?” Sparrow asked Astger. “I don’t like the idea of her walking the streets at this hour.”

  Elisa smiled at his thoughtfulness. He made her feel as though she had yet another older brother.

  “Oh, yes, because most maids can afford a hackney, can’t they?” Belle mocked. “Also, it would be suspicious for a maid to be taking a hackney from your house. We don’t know if Avery has people watching outside—”

  “He does,” Astger said. “I had to search, but they were there.”

  Elisa’s heart flipped.

  “You’ll be fine,” Belle said. “You’ll go through the back just as I did.” They’d taken every precaution so it would seem as though Elisa, Dr. Sparrow, and his staff were the only ones in the house.

  Astger looked more like a butler than a general. A dangerous butler. The scar over his eye would always make him seem more callous than he actually was.

  Belle was dressed as another maid, her uniform matching Elisa’s. She moved around in it as though used to a disguise, and based on what Elisa was learning, she wouldn’t put it past Belle at all. “Let’s go.”

  They all moved to the back door. Only Wade and Charles left with her.

  Astger handed her a basket with a cloth over it, which was part of the costume. “Keep your head down.”

  She tucked her chin and left.

  The night was a chilly one. She walked quickly in order to keep her limbs warm.

  They were not the only ones out that night. Carriages lined the roads in front of other wealthy homes. Dr. Sparrow lived in a very influential neighborhood.

  With the night as dark as it was, she was thankful for the pockets of cr
owds they passed. No one stopped her or recognized her. She was simply another maid, her guards footmen.

  They made it to a street that had less noise. Closed shops lined the roads. Her destination was close.

  “Let’s cut through here,” Wade said, taking them on a different route through the Mayfair streets.

  Elisa frowned and wondered why they were off the path.

  She heard only breathing and footsteps for a while after that.

  Charles fell back a block later. “Keep going. I’ll catch up.”

  Wade moved to walk by her side and Elisa asked, “Where is he going?”

  “We’re being followed. Don’t stop walking.”

  If he’d not instructed her to do so, she’d have stopped right then and there.

  They were caught. Avery knew.

  She felt a shadow come up on her other side. She thought it was Charles until she heard another familiar voice.

  “Take the lead,” Nicholas instructed. “I’ll walk with Elisa.” He was the one who’d been following them.

  ∫ ∫ ∫

  4 4

  * * *

  Elisa stopped walking. “What are you doing here?” In truth, she was glad to see him. She’d been worried that he was done with her. She’d thought she’d pushed too far last night, though she wouldn’t take back what was said.

  What she did tonight had to be done.

  “I’m making sure you don’t get yourself in trouble,” Nicholas said.

  “I was instructed to stay close to her,” Wade said. “Where’s Charles?”

  Nick spoke to the man even as he put an arm around Elisa’s shoulders. “Charles is now a block behind, making certain that no one followed me. You both are standing by Elisa like the guards that you are, making your purpose very obvious.”

  Wade frowned in the light of the streetlamp. “And just how would you have us act?”

  “It’s your time off and your masters are not about. Surely, you’ve seen servants in such a state. You should relax.” Nick pulled Elisa closer. “He more casual with your stance, but stay alert.”

  Wade dropped his shoulders and tried to take on a more relaxed pose.

  “You’re not supposed to be here,” Elisa said even as she stayed under Nicholas’ solid arm. His scent, that thing she craved all over her body and in her nose was pulling her in. He smelled much better than the streets. He smelled better than any fragrance her senses had ever experienced.

  Also, he was warm.

  Nick bent his head. “You didn’t think I’d actually allow you to go about this plan on your own, did you?”

  “If you’re here to stop me, you can leave.”

  He tightened his hold. There wasn’t enough light to make out his eyes, but his features hardened. “I want to stop you.” He leaned in even closer and whispered in her ear, “I want to do many things.”

  Elisa’s spine stiffened, and heat flooded her lower body.

  He turned to Charles. “Go. I’ll keep her safe.”

  Charles nodded. “I’ll go ahead and see if our lock master arrived.” He went on and moved quickly.

  “Lockmaster?” Nick asked. “Why do you need a lockmaster? Where are you breaking into?” He groaned. “I knew this was an unsavory plan.”

  “You can leave if you wish.”

  “If I leave, you leave,” he said. He stepped forward.

  Elisa didn’t move with him.

  He turned to her. “If you plan to go wherever you’re going, you’ll have to lead the way. I still have no idea what’s going on.”

  She frowned. “You’re not here to drag me back home?”

  “If I were to drag you to any home, it would be mine.” He took her hand. “But I won’t. Instead, I’m going to allow you to do as you please. All the while. I will do as I please.”

  “And what is it that you wish to do? If it is to complain or try and convince me to give up—”

  He yanked her forward. When her body landed against his, he wrapped his arms around her and dipped his head to her throat. The kiss he gave her melted her heart and made her toes curl. She latched onto his shirt to stay upright.

  He used his tongue over her skin. Her blood rushed from her brain. She almost forgot why she was outside.

  “Nick,” she begged. She wanted him to stop. She wanted him to keep going. She wanted him to do as he’d suggested and drag her to his home. She was done living without him.

  Finally, he lifted his head. They’d changed positions. She could see him in the streetlamp. His blue eyes reminded her of their time together at his castle. Life had almost been perfect there.

  Except for the fact that he didn’t believe she possessed the usual faculties women did.

  He cupped her face. “I don’t think your goals well thought out, but I will not stop you. Instead, I will do my best to protect you and should you fail, I will be there to help you any way I can.”

  She glared at him and pushed him away before she marched on. “Go home, my lord.” She wasn’t even hurt by his words anymore, only annoyed.

  “My lord?” He followed close behind, enough to tease the small of her back and graze her hips. “I thought I was your Nickie.”

  She turned around a beat his hands away. “Would you stop that? We are on the street.”

  “Have you ever seen the way working class men treat the women they desire?” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and started them in the direction she’d started. There was a swagger in his step now. He had the gait of a man who’d had few too many cups of wine. “The working class are far more free to display their affections for one another than we upper class.”

  She supposed he was right. She had witnessed bakers, miners, and the like publicly embrace their wives.

  She looked at Nick’s clothes. “You are dressed like the lord that you are.” He wore a fine black jacket and matching trousers. His shirt and cravat were white, the style usual for a man who planned to spend the evening in drawing rooms.

  Yet there was nothing usual about the man who wore the costume. How many hearts had he stolen with nothing more than a glance?

  He grinned against her ear. His lips tingled and she laughed as he said, “I will be the lord and you will be the maid. Anyone who sees us will assume I’m trying to get you to join me in my bed, which I must confess to be my goal.”

  She smiled. “Well, this maid is happily betrothed.”

  He leaned away. His expression was serious. “To who?”

  She laughed, amazed at her ability to trouble his mind. She was glad to know she could, especially since he troubled hers all the time. “My fiancé is quite handsome. The most handsome man I’ve ever seen.”

  Nicholas relaxed, catching on to her words. “Describe him,” he demanded.

  They walked slowly, leisurely with his arm still around her shoulder and Elisa couldn’t help but take note of how wonderful it was to have him in reach again. “He’s tall.”

  “Blond?” he asked.

  “Oh, yes,” she said. “Angelic in looks, but I’m afraid his nature to be something else entirely.”

  He squeezed her shoulder. “Surely, he cannot be that terrible.”

  “The worst.”

  “Then come away with me,” he murmured against her ear.

  “I’ve a feeling that would be a terrible idea.” They were finally at the shop. Their little act would soon come to an end. “There it is,” she said, pointing to the dark brick building with Gloria written in delicate write letters across the glass. “That’s my destination.”

  Nick stopped her and turned her to face him. “I shall stay out here and make certain no one enters.” He bent and touched his lips to hers.

  When he pulled away, Elisa said, “Thank you for walking me, my lord.”

  He grinned. “It was one of the best walks of my life.”

  She wondered if they were still playing or if he was being serious.

  She didn’t ask, though she thought the same. It had been wonderful just b
eing around him again. She always felt as though she belonged when she was around him. There was never a question, not when he touched her or looked at her the way he did.

  She watched him walk away and turned down a corner before she moved to the shop’s door.

  The street was quiet. There were only a few people about now. She didn’t see Charles or Wade, yet as she turned the knob, she found the door open and went inside.

  The scent of sugar, citrus, and flowers greeted her.

  A lamp hung from Charles’ hand. The windows to the shop were covered by thick curtains, which would block most of the light from being seen from the street.

  Charles stood in the center of the confection shop.

  Long glass casing lined the walls and displayed Gloria’s well-kept treats.

  Elisa knew that what she sought would not be in the main room. “Have all the doors been opened?”

  Charles nodded. “There are only three.”

  Elisa had been to Gloria’s a few times in her life. The woman who owned it made the best treats every year. Her marzipan were sold across England and given as gifts around the holidays or simply because.

  The first room was the office. It was just as neat and organized at the front of the shop. “Could you brighten the light for me?”

  The lamp illuminated the space and Elisa began to move around the room, searching papers for anything that had Alguire’s name or was dated around the time of Sarah Saxon’s death.

  “My lady, what is it you seek? Perhaps, I can help.”

  She shook her head. “Honestly, Charles, I don’t know what it is I’m looking for.”

  When Lady Saxon died, there had been a striped confection by her, a gift from Alguire. She’d witnessed him give it to her. When the doctor came to try and save Sarah, the confection was gone, and Alguire stood close to where it had been.

  Elisa doubted a confession of the day would have been written.

  She quickly gave up on the papers and left the room. If Gloria had in fact helped Lord Alguire kill Lady Saxon as the solider in Bedlam suggested then she wouldn’t have written it down, would she?

  But how would Alguire had known to come to Gloria? Had she done this sort of thing before?