by Vella, Wendy
“What the hell just happened?” Nathan asked anyone listening, which just happened to be him alone.
Inhaling several deep breaths of cool night air, he waited for his body to calm down before following Beth, replaying everything that had just occurred between them as he walked.
Was she unwell? Was that part of why he’d found her as he had? Why had she said that her departure back then was nothing to do with him or their love? And even though he’d said she was lying to him, why now did he believe her? She still wanted him, that was no longer in doubt.
Pinching the bridge of his nose, he slowly made his way back to his brother’s box. Everyone was seated as the second act was about to begin.
“Why do you look like someone stole your new pistol?” Michael whispered as he took the seat beside him.
Nathan waved his words away, his eyes going to the royal box where Beth was seated beside Valentine. It was as he watched the king’s adviser raise her hand to his lips that he remembered the conversation he’d overheard.
“I will do no more until you promise that this will be the end,” the woman had said. Beth, he was sure of it now. But whom had she spoken to, and why? “If you wish for your poor sick father to stay out of prison, or worse, then do what I direct you to,” a man had said.
What trouble was she in? Who was the man? Was Lord Carlow unwell? More questions he had no answers to.
There was absolutely nothing to smile about—clearly something was very wrong with Beth and her family—and yet he did smile, because she’d kicked him. She’d always seemed too innocent and too unaware of the dangers in the world for a young woman. She’d accepted everyone, and if someone had been nasty to her, she’d simply smiled and taken it. It was the reason he’d felt a need to watch over her, protect her from anyone who might upset her.
It seemed that too had changed. She’d yelled at him, then kicked him in the shins. He hated that circumstance had stripped her innocence but was happy she no longer took a step back when one forward was better.
“That is a licentious smile, brother. Care to share who put it there?” Michael whispered.
Nathan ignored him and kept his eyes on the stage for the remainder of the performance while his thoughts stayed with Beth. She was in trouble, he was sure of that now, and he would find out what. Only then would he explore what could be between them once more.
Chapter Eighteen
“I will take Walter for a walk, Fairfax,” Nathan said the following morning after he’d spent the hours since rising wandering aimlessly around the house.
“Very well, Mr. Deville. I shall inform anyone who rises where you have gone.”
“It’s unlikely they will leave their beds before midday. They’re a notoriously lazy household after an evening’s entertainments.”
Fairfax smiled but did not comment.
“Fairfax?”
“Mr. Deville.”
“Is there a woman in your life? I feel I should know this and yet don’t.”
The butler was dusting the hideous painting that Gabe had placed in the front entrance. The family had been debating its suitability for years.
“I was married, sir, but my wife passed ten years ago.”
“You have my condolences, late though they are.”
“Thank you. I am to take Miss Harris to the moving theatre later.”
“Phantasmagoria?” Nathan asked “I’ve heard of it. So, you are taking our new housekeeper?”
“Phantasmagoria. I wonder if Lady Abigail has an understanding of that word?”
“I’m unsure, but if you wish help with what it means, I could make it easy for you and simply give you the definition?”
Fairfax actually gasped. Walter, who was sitting on Nathan’s foot and thereby turning it numb made a grumbling sound.
“I could never do that, Mr. Deville. Why, that’s considered dishonest.”
“Of course it is. Forgive my foolishness for suggesting it.”
“Hello!”
Turning to the top of the stairs, they found Ella.
“Hello. Would you like to come for a walk with me?”
The nanny who appeared behind her looked harried even though the day was not that advanced. Surely the child had not created mayhem already?
“I’ll take her, Mrs. Jenkins,” Nathan said, dropping Walter’s lead, well aware the dog would not move a muscle. In fact, if given the option, he would simply seek sunny spots about the house all day and lounge in them. Not a bad existence, it had to be noted.
Climbing the stairs, he took the hand Ella held out to him. Once the maid had disappeared, he bent down to look into the bright, mischievous eyes of his niece.
“Ready?”
She nodded, and the large floppy yellow bow tied around the ends of her hair fluttered.
“Right then.”
Nathan lifted Ella onto the bannister, then climbed on behind her. He slid them both slowly down it while she giggled. Stopping at the bottom, he handed the little girl to Fairfax and dismounted. Then taking her hand and Walter’s lead, he headed out the door the butler held open.
He’d slept as though his bed was made of hair as thoughts of Beth tumbled round and round inside his head. His eyes were scratchy, and he’d been in better shape, but right in that moment with his niece chattering about nothing he understood and Walter sniffing every post, tree, and anything else that smelled good, Nathan had to say he felt a measure of peace. But only a measure.
This could have been his life. His and Beth’s child and pet.
The day was crisp and clear, just how he liked it. There were plenty about the place, but no one who wanted to bother him. He started singing a nursery rhyme, and soon Ella joined in with her high squeaky voice. They walked at a slow pace for her little legs, and Walter seemed happy also to oblige the little girl.
“Do you have food, Uncle Nathan?”
“No, and don’t try and fool me. I know you would already have eaten, and likely more than once.”
She sighed, then swung his hand a few times.
“Peppermint sticks are my favorite.”
Nathan snorted. “Well, the shop is not far, so shall we visit it?”
Walter understood the words “peppermint” and “sticks,” so he was happy with the direction they took.
Is Beth well this morning? He’d spent the night thinking about her. Worrying about her. In the early hours of the morning, he’d conjured up all kinds of danger for the Carlow family.
“Nathan!” Turning, he found Forrest waving from behind.
“Your father is nearly upon us, which may or may not end our little trip to purchase peppermint sticks.” His cousin had a long-legged, easy gait like Gabe and reached them in seconds.
“Good morning.” He bent to kiss his daughter. “Walter.” He patted the large head, then nodded to Nathan.
“Papa, we are going to get peppermint sticks, but now we can’t.”
“You weren’t meant to tell him, sweetheart.” Nathan sighed.
“Then lead on. There is surely nothing better than a peppermint stick,” Forrest said, taking Ella’s other hand.
“Who are you, and what have you done with my serious-minded cousin?”
Forrest tilted his head slightly just like Michael did and studied him.
“I am not always serious-minded, you know. Ella has made me so, and losing Sarah.”
“I’m sorry you lost your wife, Forrest.”
“We did not have an undying love, Nathan, but we did respect each other, and for me that was enough.”
Forrest did not often talk about his wife, only that she died of a fever, leaving him with Ella to care for. In fact, he did not often speak of his time in India, and Nathan had a feeling he, like many, carried deep scars.
“Enough of me. Tell me why you did not sleep well last night, cousin?”
“Is it written all over my face?”
“Yes.” Forrest rarely used two words when one would suffice. “You look tired
.”
Nathan sighed, lifting his face to feel the weak rays of morning sun dusting his skin.
“I know there was a woman called Bethany Carlow, as I was there when you saw her at the ball. Is she the reason for your restless night?”
“She is, and it’s complicated.”
“Most things that matter are.”
“She did matter once, and I fear still does.” Seeing her hurting last night had caused a searing pain in his chest. “I don’t understand why she left the way she did, Forrest, and last night I overheard something that makes me believe there is more to her departure.”
“You received a note, as I heard it? Then the family was gone from London in short order.”
“Yes.”
They walked, unspeaking, with Ella chatting to Walter about what she saw.
“So while you still hurt deep inside, you can now think with some clarity about her and that time?”
“I’m not entirely sure I would call it clarity.” Nathan laughed. “But I thank you for the ear, cousin. My brothers are not always the easiest to discuss the matter with.”
“Because they love you,” Forrest said.
He knew that too. His brothers would have his back no matter what he did or how foolish his actions were.
“If you believe there is more to her departure and you still love her, Nathan, then you owe it to both of you to find the truth.”
“I know.”
“Excellent. Well, I am at your disposal should you require it.”
“Many thanks, cousin.
“Do you see the shop, Ella?” Nathan swung her hand.
“Yes!” she squealed with ear-piercing clarity.
They all wandered into the little store. Walter was allowed as Mr. Jinks liked him, because he was apparently polite, which baffled the Deville brothers as he was rarely polite in their company.
“Ah, there she is, my little ray of sunshine,” Mr. Jinks said from behind the counter. Unlike his wife, who had a face that could stop a runaway carriage, her husband had a ruddy face and white curls that capped his head. He had a loud, booming laugh and was rarely without a smile.
As luck would have it, only he was behind the counter.
“It is the morning for my favorite customers, it seems,” Mr. Jinks said, looking right.
Nathan followed his gaze and saw the shapely posterior of a woman. She straightened, and he knew instantly who it was.
“Miss Carlow also cannot survive a full day without my peppermint sticks.”
She turned quickly, and he thought she may run from the shop when she saw him, but instead she stood her ground, looking uncertain.
“I fear for us when we are married, Nathan. We will eat peppermint sticks for all our meals and have to be rolled from the house as our girths expand.”
She’d said those words to him one day while he took her driving in the park. He’d stopped to buy them the sweet treats beforehand. It was one of the many things they had in common.
She wore white today, a simple dress with embroidered rose knots all over it. Her pelisse was pink, as were the ribbons on her bonnet. A dress any young lady would wear, and yet on Beth its simplicity enhanced her beauty.
“Good day to you. I am Mr. Forrest Deville, the cousin.” Before he could speak, or drag his eyes from her, Forrest had stepped around him, holding out his hand. “I am a lover of peppermints sticks also.”
“Good day to you.” Beth dropped into a curtsey.
Nathan looked around them for her companion. He saw no sign of her mother or a maid. And there had not been one outside, either.
“This is my daughter, Ella.”
“Hello,” Ella said with her eyes on the treats in the cabinet. “Do you like peppermint sticks too?”
“Very much,” Beth said.
Nathan moved slightly and saw Beth offer a genuine smile to Ella.
“My name is Beth.” She held out her hand, and his niece took it.
“Are you well now?” Nathan stepped closer. “Your breathing, I mean?”
She managed a jerky nod. “Hello, Walter,” she said to the large hound who was crunching on something Mr. Jinks had given him. “It is lovely to see you again.” She dropped down to a crouch before the dog and rubbed his ears. “He sounds like he’s purring.”
“We call it grumbling,” Ella said, wrapping an arm around the dog’s neck. “He sleeps on my bed sometimes.” She shot her father a quick look, realizing he was likely unaware of that fact. Forrest merely smiled.
“Come, Ella, we will purchase your peppermint sticks, but you will eat only one before returning to the house.”
Nathan heard Ella debating as they moved to the counter.
“Where is your companion?”
“I am due to meet Mary.” She kept her eyes on Walter, who in turn had his closed, as Beth was scratching him in the exact position behind his large ear he liked.
“But you have a carriage?”
“No, I walked.”
“You are not serious? A lady does not walk about London unescorted at any time of day.”
“I am no longer your concern, Nathan,” she said calmly. Too calmly.
“Clearly someone needs to take you in hand if you are taking such foolish risks.” Only she could make him feel irrational now. Before, he’d frequently been irrational, but no longer—until she walked back into his life and turned it on its head.
“I need no chaperone, as I am to meet Mary, as I have already explained. The day is young. I doubt the cutthroats and thieves are out of bed yet. I am quite safe, I assure you.”
“Don’t mock me,” he growled. “And who was that man you were speaking to at the theatre, Beth?”
“What man?”
“The one you spoke to alone when you left the royal box. The one who sounded like he was threatening you. The one who said your father was sick.”
Shock held her silent.
“Tell me who he was, Beth. Tell me of the trouble you are in. Let me help.”
“I-I asked you to not question me further, Nathan. Please respect my wishes.” She tried to back away, but he followed.
“Is that why you left London?”
All color had leached from her face.
“Lord, attempting to leave the house without a thousand questions is quite exhausting!” Mary Blake entered the shop.
“Mary!” Beth hurried to her friend and away from Nathan. He felt like gnashing his teeth in frustration. He would call at the Carlow townhouse later today, and he would not leave without answers.
“Your Miss Carlow seems nice,” Forrest said, coming to his side with Ella.
“I have no idea what she is anymore.” Nathan watched Beth slip her arm through her friend’s, thereby anchoring Mary to her side. “I thought I did. Now I don’t.”
“But I have no wish to leave without purchasing several bags of sugar-laden treats,” Mary protested as Beth dragged her to the door.
“I’m thinking of your teeth. If they fall out, no man will have you.”
“I don’t want a man. I want sugar,” Mary said.
Beth won, and they were soon walking out the open door. Walter followed, sniffing at their skirts.
“Excuse me, Forrest, I need to ensure Walter does not follow them.” Nathan headed for the door.
“Of course you do,” his cousin drawled.
Beth and Mary were having what appeared to be a heated discussion further down the street. Walter sat on his haunches studying them.
Something made him look right, to the entrance of a small lane. A niggle of unease, a shiver of awareness—he couldn’t name it, but suddenly something felt off. Turning back to the women, he watched Mary walk away from Beth, shaking her head. Returning his gaze to the lane, he saw the barrel.
“Drop to the ground!” Nathan roared the words as he ran. Seconds later, the gun fired. He dived and reached Beth, pulling her beneath him.
Chapter Nineteen
“Beth, are you hurt?”
&nb
sp; “No,” she was breathless from Nathan’s large weight pinning her to the ground, but not hurt. “Mary?”
“I am well, but now I definitely want a sugary treat!”
“Is everyone all right? I heard a gunshot?”
Nathan and Beth looked up and found a man seated on a huge black horse.
“The shooter was down that lane, Captain Sinclair,” Nathan said, holding Beth down as she attempted to ease out from under him.
“I will check he has gone.”
“Let me up, Nathan.” Beth pushed against him as Captain Sinclair galloped away.
“When I know it’s safe. Stay down also, Miss Blake.”
“Oh, very well, but when I stand, I am going back into that shop,” Mary muttered.
“Are you sure you are unharmed, Beth?” His face was close to hers now. Jaw clenched, eyes hard and dark.
“I am well.” She touched his cheek because she wanted to comfort him.
“He has gone.” Captain Sinclair returned. Dismounting, he went to help Mary to her feet.
Nathan rose and lifted Beth. Her knees felt wobbly and unsteady. She hurried to her friend.
“Why would someone be shooting here at this time of day? It makes no sense,” Captain Sinclair said. “Oh dear,” he added softly.
“What?” Beth followed his gaze and saw his horse standing over the still form of Walter.
“He has been shot in the side,” Captain Sinclair said, running.
Nathan and Beth were there in seconds, as was Mary. All dropped down beside the prone dog. Blood was coming from the wound in his side.
“His name is Walter,” Nathan told Captain Sinclair. The hand that brushed the large head was steady and soothing. “And he will not die.”
“Walter!” Ella shrieked. Seconds later she and her father arrived.
“He will be all right, Atticus,” Captain Sinclair said to his horse, whose head was lowered, mouth resting on Walter’s nose. “Move back now and let us help him.”
Beth watched Atticus snort, then ease back a few steps.
“It’s almost like he understands you,” Forrest said.
