by Vella, Wendy
“Shamantha said I was behaving like a child.” Warwick frowned.
“She loves you,” Cambridge said, suddenly serious.
“Utter rot.” Warwick listed sideways.
“Come along, gentlemen.” Beth grabbed Sinclair with her free hand. “Let’s get to the finish line.”
Nathan took one of the still-brimming tankards as it threatened to douse him. Raising it to his lips, he sipped.
“Whisky?” He looked at the men. No wonder they were three sheets to the wind.
“Drink, Deville.” Cambridge made a grand gesture with his hands and fell to his knees, taking his brother with him. Nathan helped him rise.
Surely a sip would not hurt. It may settle the turmoil inside his breeches and head. He drank, enjoying the burn as it traveled down his throat.
“You’re beautiful,” Warwick sang to Beth, who was attempting to keep him upright.
“Thank you, that is very kind of you to say,” she said in a sweet voice that she hadn’t used on him for three years, he thought sourly. He took another mouthful.
“Samantha is a vixen,” Warwick continued.
“I’m sure she’s a lovely woman,” Beth said.
“I met her when we were children. She’s annoyed me every day since,” Warwick said before pitching headfirst into a bush and taking everyone with him.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The next note came as she sat writing to her father. She’d been expecting it, as she’d sent word that she had Mr. Valentine’s book.
“Thank you, Lucas.” She took the paper from him.
It had been two days since Nathan had kissed her breasts in that small shed. Two days, and she still sighed when she thought of the magic his hands and mouth had created. She’d wanted him to take her right then. Wanted it desperately, as she believed there would never be another chance for him to do so.
She still loved him, Beth now acknowledged. Deeper than the love she’d felt for him before. She’d let him see some of the real Bethany Carlow, and he’d not turned from her; instead he’d seemed to enjoy the forthright way she’d spoken.
“You went to that fair without telling me.” Lucas glowered at her.
“Which we have already discussed extensively since. I have explained my actions,” she said lowering the note to the desktop and placing her hand flat on top of it. She knew who it was from and was in no hurry to read it.
“You should not have gone without me.”
“You are here to protect my mother and me, Lucas. I wanted you to watch over her, as I can and did take care of myself.”
“I can do both.”
“I feel better knowing you are here with her.”
His lips tightened. “I am here for you also. I would ask that you do not leave the house without someone at your side, at the very least.”
She didn’t want to lie outright, so she nodded.
He didn’t seem convinced but left the room after a final steady look.
Beth opened the note and read the words.
Bring the book to the Grillion Hotel tonight, Miss Carlow. Room number 17. Your family’s continued good health depends upon it.
What did that mean? Was it a good sign he wanted her to bring the book personally? Did it mean her family would finally be released from the nightmare they’d lived?
Opening the desk drawer, she took out the small blue book that held Mr. Valentine’s writings. Staring at the cover, she wondered just what was inside. What secrets was she putting into this man’s hands? Russian hands, Beth corrected.
Would the people belonging to the names inside this book now be in danger? Was she committing someone to death by doing what she was? But what other choice was there?
Opening the cover, she started to read. After only a few pages, Beth realized that in the wrong hands this was indeed a dangerous thing. In Logan’s hands, which was what she was going to do.
“I must deliver it,” she whispered, frustration welling up inside at the helplessness of her situation.
But perhaps she could do something. Searching through the desk once more she found papers and collected writing materials, then set about copying each page of the book. It would take time, but at least a record of everything in Mr. Valentine’s book would be kept. It was as she reached the end a name leaped off the page at her.
Alexius, The Deville brothers. Beth’s chest tightened, and she forced herself to breathe slowly as she read on. A group that is charged with caring for the monarchy. I serve bene tibi erit. She read the Latin words slowly. She did not understand them well; Latin had never been her strong suit. But she knew now that Nathan also lived a double life, as she now did.
The Duke of Stratton had said something in Latin to Nathan that day at the fair, she was sure of it. Searching the names on the page, she found his too. And other noblemen she knew.
“Dear Lord.” Beth pressed her fingers to her eyes. If she gave this to Logan, she was endangering Nathan’s life. His brothers also, and so many other good and honest noblemen.
“What am I to do?”
She had to hand it over, but she could also give a copy to Nathan. Yes, she’d do that. He’d know what to do with the information she gave him, as he was part of Alexius.
Dare she tell him more? Tell him everything?
Beth had a feeling that tonight would change everything, she just wasn’t sure how. Yes, Valentine’s book had been Logan’s ultimate prize, but Beth also doubted he’d simply thank her for it and let her walk away because he’d said as much.
Why did he want her to deliver the book to the Grillon personally?
Looking down at the paper, she made a decision and began to write. She would ask for this to be delivered into Nathan’s hands first thing tomorrow morning. If anything happened to Beth, he would then have the information from Valentine’s book. Plus, he would protect her mother and father.
Nathan deserved to know the truth, and she knew he would keep their secrets.
Beth wrote every detail of what had happened to bring about her leaving him three years ago, and the life they’d been forced to live since. Her parents may not be happy with her actions, but she no longer wanted to hide this from him. When she was finished, she folded the papers and secured them with a ribbon.
She was a traitor to the crown, and innocent men could die because of her. She would do what she could to protect them.
Beth wasn’t sure how long she sat there with thoughts tumbling furiously through her head. Hours, she realized as her eyes went to the window and she saw night had fallen. Finally, she rose and went to see her mother.
Lady Carlow sat in a chair beside the fire, reading.
“Your head is better, Mother?”
“Much, thank you. Are you going out?” Lady Carlow’s brow wrinkled. “I thought we were to stay in.”
“Just to see Mary. She has a few ladies coming to visit, and we are to discuss the latest Captain Broadbent and Lady Nauticus book.” More lies, she thought. But these were for the greater good. If her mother knew she was going to see Logan, she would panic. It was better she knew nothing about Beth’s movements until she was home safe.
Please let me come home safe.
“That sounds like fun.”
Beth accepted the hug, then kissed her mother’s cheek. “Sleep well.”
Returning to her room, she ate the food on the tray she’d requested, and then sat and waited a while longer.
“Has my mother eaten, Ruby?” Beth asked the maid who collected her tray.
“Indeed she has and is now settled in for the night.”
“Thank you.”
After changing into a thick dark dress and sturdy boots, Beth slipped her arms into a long coat. Collecting her reticule, she went to drop the book inside and thought better of it.
This is the only thing I have to bargain with.
Lifting her skirts, Beth placed it inside one of her stockings, then secured it there with the ties. Picking up the bundle of papers she�
�d written earlier, she left the room to search out her butler.
Leonard was overseeing the fire grates being cleaned.
“Leonard, I am going to visit with Miss Blake. Please have these papers delivered as the sun rises tomorrow morning to Mr. Nathan Deville. They must be handed directly to him.”
“I shall see it done myself.”
“It is very important they are handed to him, Leonard.”
He frowned. “Is all well, Miss Carlow?”
“It is.” She swallowed down the panic.
“Shall I call Lucas to accompany you?”
“Th-That will not be necessary. Miss Satterwhite is collecting me.”
“I shall escort you out to the carriage.”
“Also not necessary. I can open a front door, Leonard. Have a nice evening.”
She saw the worry in his eyes but said nothing further. Instead, she hurried from the room. At least if something should happen to her this night, those papers would make their way to Nathan.
Was she being dramatic? Surely she would wake in her bed tomorrow morning. Beth pressed a hand to her stomach, she could not deny her unease as she closed the front door behind her. Hurrying out of sight of her family’s townhouse, she headed to the end of the street and onto a busier one.
She did not wait long for a hackney. Climbing in, she gave the hotel’s address. By the time she’d arrived at her location, she felt ill. Nerves grappled with fear, and her fingers shook as she paid the driver.
Walking up the stairs and into the hotel, Beth ignored the look from the man at reception and made for the stairs that would take her up to the rooms.
Soon she stood outside the door staring at the brass number 17, exhaling slowly to steady herself. Something made her look at the sofa she’d just passed. Hurrying back to it, she lifted her skirts and removed Mr. Valentine’s book. She then reached under the sofa and tore a small corner of the lining, then slid the book inside. She hurried back to the door and knocked.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
“Enter!”
Turning the handle, she stepped inside and faced the man who had tormented her family for three years.
He was not overly tall, but thickset. His gray hair swept back from his forehead, piercing blue eyes steady on her face. But it was the small scar that slashed up from his lip that made her shudder. It made him look perpetually menacing.
“Miss Carlow, how delightful to see you, and alone.” He gave her a mocking bow.
“I could hardly bring someone with me.”
“Do not use anything but respectful tones when speaking with me or you will be sorry.”
The last time they’d met, at the theater, he’d intimidated her, but not this time. She had to make a stand.
“Apologize at once, Bethany.”
“I will not,” she said, battling down the fear.
His eyes narrowed.
“Be careful how you speak to me. Your friend Mary Blake likes to walk in the mornings with just her maid for company, I would hate to have to kidnap her as I did your mother.”
“Leave her alone,” Beth growled. “She is nothing to do with this.”
“She is everything to do with this.” His smile made her shiver. “It is your misfortune that I found those papers declaring your father’s treachery, my dear, because I now control your family, and I will do what it takes to maintain that.”
“No!”
“Yes.” He closed the gap between them, and one hand cupped her cheek. Beth turned away.
“First your father was doing what needed to be done to make those I work for happy, and then he had that unfortunate illness—”
“Brought on by you!” Beth snapped.
“And then you stepped in,” he said as if she had not spoken. “I find you a far more suitable thief, Bethany. Men are blinded by your beauty and seem unaware of what you are capable of. You are indeed an excellent asset.”
“You cannot keep doing this to us.”
“Of course I can, unless you wish for me to hand those papers over to the authorities. Your father will be tried for treason, you and your mother will be shunned, and the good name of the Carlow family will be sullied forever. How will your poor dear mother cope?”
“I hate you.” Beth glared at him.
He trailed a hand down her arm.
“If you were nicer to me, then I may go easier on you.”
“I would never do that with you!”
The fingers tightened, and she winced.
“We shall leave that for now, but I am nothing if not patient. Now where is my book?”
“It is safe. But I will not hand it over until you assure me this is done with.” Beth swallowed to ease the sudden tightness in her throat.
“You are bargaining with me when I have just told you I control your family? Told you I will harm your friend?” His words had a hard edge to them that made her knees start shaking.
She should have told Nathan sooner; he would have helped her. Kept her family and friends safe.
“We have done everything you wanted, and you have given us nothing in return.” Beth rushed to add.
His fingers were around her throat, squeezing in seconds.
“You dare to bargain with me!”
Beth clawed at his hand for release.
“Where is the book?” His hand eased slightly, and Beth sucked in air.
“I-I don’t have it on m-me.”
“Where is it?” He squeezed again, and Beth fought against him.
“Where is the book?” He hissed out the words like the venomous snake he was.
She clamped her lips shut.
He released her, then slapped her hard enough that her head snapped sideways.
“I will kill your friend!”
“No!” Beth launched herself at him, scratching her nails down his face before he could stop her. She grabbed a fistful of his hair and tugged it hard, then raised her knee and jammed it into his groin as Lucas had shown her.
“Andrei!” He roared the name, and suddenly a huge man appeared before her as she turned to run to the door. His arm wrapped around her waist as she went to pass him, lifting her off her feet.
“Bitch.” Logan stalked to where she stood struggling. Once again, he gripped her throat. “You and your family are nothing but my puppets!” He growled the words into her face, then drew back his hand and slapped her hard.
“Bastard!” She spat out the blood at his feet.
“I would have gone easy on you had you been nicer, Bethany.” He pushed his face into hers. “But now I find you no longer appeal to me. Andrei, however, would love to spend some time alone with you.”
She struggled to get free, but it was hopeless.
“You would have been a fiery mistress in my bed.” His hand grabbed her breast and squeezed.
“There is another copy!” She wheezed out the words.
“What?” His face was suddenly inches from hers again.
“I made a copy of Mr. Valentine’s book, and it will be delivered to someone if I do not return home safe.”
He laughed at her. “You are not that brave or wise, Bethany. I doubt you would have thought of doing such a thing.”
“And yet I just told you I did.” His shocked expression told her he understood her meaning.
“Andrei, take her somewhere and do what you need to, to find out where the book is and if she has made a copy, then dump her body.”
“No!” Beth struggled for freedom.
“But we need her,” the man who held her said. His voice was heavily laced with an accent.
“We have the mother. She can be groomed. This one is no longer any use, as she has become volatile.” He sneered at her.
“I will live, and you will regret you crossed me!” Beth screamed at him.
He laughed, now back in control.
“I want that book and the information before the sun rises, Andrei. Make sure you get it. Now leave. The lords are due to arrive, and I have men to inc
ite.” He leaned closer, pushing his face into Beth’s. “I am going to assassinate your king tomorrow and cause riots in the streets. Westminster Bridge will see carnage like never before. I will then destroy those called Alexius. And you will go to your grave knowing you have aided me and those I work for.”
Beth fought with everything she had, but it was no use. Whoever stood behind her grabbed her arms and bound them behind her back. She was thrown over a broad shoulder, then something was tossed over her, plunging her into darkness. They left the room and soon were descending stairs. Beth felt the air change as they stepped outside. Where was he taking her?
Panic clawed at her, tightening her chest so she could hardly draw air through her abused throat. She was going to die, and her family would be at the mercy of that man. Nathan and his brothers would be targeted. The king assassinated. She could do nothing to save them.
Nathan! He would get the information she sent him in the morning. He would know what to do.
Hopeless desperation had tears slipping down her cheeks as she thought about never seeing him again. Her one true love. She’d laughed when Mary had said that, but it was true. She could never love anyone like she did him.
She was lowered to her feet but could see nothing, only hear the scraping of something moving over the ground. Beth tried to move, but simply fell. The man laughed and picked her up.
“Let’s have some fun,” he said taking off whatever was covering her.
He then lifted her, lowering her through the opening, and then she was falling, landing hard on her bottom on the dark, wet floor. He followed after closing the grate.
It smelled putrid down here, the stench making her nostrils flare. His hands were rough as he dragged Beth to her feet. The gag was torn from her mouth, so she screamed.
“No one will hear you.” He laughed. “Scream all you want. Now tell me where the book is or I’ll have my way with you, then carve you up like slab of mutton until you are begging me to kill you.”
Beth tried to run, but he caught her and dragged her back.
She had to escape, but how?
“Untie me, and I’ll do what you want,” she whispered, letting the fight go out of her body. “Anything.”
