by Vella, Wendy
Nathan knew the Duke of Stratton was one of these men, as were the Duke of Rossetter and his brother Lord Ryder; of the rest, he was unsure.
“Tell us everything you have learned,” Geraint said.
“Nathan knows the whole of it; he will speak on our behalf,” Gabe said.
“Today a man called Justin Logan will attempt to assassinate our king.” He went on to outline all he knew. “There will also be a riot on the Westminster Bridge, which we think will simply be a decoy for the greater event. The assassination of King George.”
“Where is the king going today?” someone asked.
“Vauxhall,” Geraint said.
“So, they would block the entry into where he will be? He must not go.”
“I have drawn this to his attention, and he assures me that there are many who have wished him dead and failed. This is no different.” The only sign of Geraint’s displeasure was the tightening of his mouth.
“Then it is our job to stop this Logan,” Zach said.
“Do we have a description of this Logan?”
“My informant has furnished me with one. His most distinguishing characteristic is a scar near his mouth,” Nathan said not wanting to involve the Carlow family.
Gabe produced Valentine’s book and handed it to Geraint.
“May I suggest you tell Mr. Valentine to have more care with this in the future.”
“I will see it is so.” Geraint tucked the book into his jacket. “And now, gentlemen, we have an assassination attempt to foil and a riot to quell.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Beth woke and stretched, then instantly regretted the act. Her body twinged and ached all over. She smiled. Nathan loved her and she loved him; nothing else mattered.
They would ensure the king was not assassinated and then live a wonderful life together. Making love to him had been a revelation. So much emotion and sensation; that too would be part of their future together. And children… Her smile grew.
Climbing out of bed, she tripped and stumbled. Walter grumbled but didn’t wake.
Tears seeped from her eyes. Nathan would have put him in here knowing she could wake remembering the events of last night. He did not want her to be scared.
“Nathan,” she sighed, going to the window. Drawing the curtains, she saw the sun was high in the sky. Clearly, she’d slept for hours.
The king!
Pulling a blanket from the bed, she wrapped it around her shoulders and hurried from the room.
“Good morning, Miss Carlow.” Fairfax, the Deville butler, appeared. “If you will follow me, I will take you to the dining parlor. Lady Carlow and Miss Saint-Bonnard are there.”
“Oh, well…” Looking down at the blanket wrapped round her body, she said, “Are any of the Deville men there?”
“No, Miss Carlow. Mr. Forrest Deville and Miss Ella have gone to the earl’s estate in Sussex.”
“Where is Mr. Deville?”
Fairfax appeared not to hear her and simply walked away.
“Fairfax, where is Mr. Deville?” She hurried to catch him.
“I am unsure, Miss Carlow.” He opened a door and ushered her through.
“Walter is at present sleeping on the floor of my room, Fairfax. I think he possibly needs to be let outside.”
“I will see it done, Miss Carlow.”
“How do you feel?” Her mother came to hug her as she entered. “I have just received word from Mr. Daniel Dillinger that all is well with your father. Lord Raine asked him to go to Reading and check on him.”
“That is wonderful news, Mother.” Beth was relieved, as she too had worried how he was faring. “Good morning, Miss Saint-Bonnard.” Beth curtseyed in her blanket.
“I insist you call me Dimity, as I will be calling you Beth. Now, sit. You need sustenance and a pot of tea. Your mother has just given me some of the details of your ordeal last night. I’m so sorry you have suffered, dear. But pleased it is now in the past.”
“Thank you.”
Dimity wore lavender and looked fresh and pretty, making Beth’s appearance seem even worse, if that was possible. She sat, hiding most of her blanket. Grabbing a piece of cake, she took a huge bite.
“Do you know where Nathan is?” Beth asked Dimity.
“I don’t and have yet to see Gabe,” she replied. “Fairfax, where are the brothers?”
He dropped his eyes. “They are from the house, Miss Carlow.”
The clink of Dimity’s cup as she lowered it to its saucer had Beth looking at her. She in turn was studying the butler.
“You did not tell me they had left the house. I was led to believe they were still resting after the night’s events.”
“I—ah, I don’t believe you asked.” The butler was clearly uncomfortable now.
“Where have they gone, Fairfax?” Dimity rose and went to stand before him, thereby blocking his exit.
“I am uncertain, Miss Saint-Bonnard.”
“When did they leave?”
He looked in pain now.
“When, Fairfax?”
“Just two hours ago.”
“That fiend!” Beth got to her feet. “I asked him to let me go with him to find Logan. I can identify him; no one else can.” Beth paced the room. “I have more invested in this than anyone.”
“You are a woman, Bethany. This is not for you to do,” her mother protested. “I have furnished Nathan with a description of Justin Logan.”
“And yet it was for me to steal and lie? It was all right for me to watch as my family suffered at the hands of that man! I have a right to be there.”
“Are you saying they all left the house, Fairfax?” Dimity asked.
The butler nodded, looking miserable.
“Wearing black cloaks?”
He nodded.
“The book!” Beth got out of her chair. “We need to find that or the papers I wrote with everything inside Mr. Valentine’s book. There may be an entry in there about the king’s movements today.”
“The king’s adviser?”
“Yes. I stole it.”
“Excellent. Gabe’s desk, I think.” Dimity got out of her chair, not even flinching over what Beth had done. “The brothers keep everything of importance in there.”
“I’m not sure that is wise, Miss Saint-Bonnard.”
“Fairfax, I am always wise.” Dimity and Beth hurried from the room.
The desk wasn’t open, but Dimity knew where the key was, so Beth didn’t have to pick the lock. She searched through each drawer.
“That’s it.” Beth pointed to the bundle of papers.
Lowering them to the desk, they searched for any entries that would indicate the King’s movements today.
“Vauxhall Gardens,” Dimity said, ushering Beth back to the dining parlor. “Come, we must eat, then attempt to repair your appearance if we are to get there in time.”
“I really can’t allow you to come, Dimity. This could be dangerous, and I know Nathan will be angry that I am going against his wishes to attend, but Lord Raine will be incensed if you do also.”
“You are not going alone,” Dimity said.
“I feel suddenly ill,” Lady Carlow said. “But if you are going, then so am I. I do have an invite, after all.”
“Only if you wish it,” Dimity said. “I will be with your daughter.” She had a fierce look in her eyes. “And ensure she falls into no trouble. We will simply mingle with other guests, and she will cast her eyes about and check for that fiend Logan’s location.”
The parlor door opened, and in walked Abbey carrying Toby. Behind her were two maids.
“Two maids?” Dimity rose and came to take the babe and hug him.
“It’s best; then I won’t worry. Now, after you have smothered him with kisses, he needs a sleep.”
“Look at that fine little fellow.” Beth watched her mother rush to see the baby. “May I hold him?”
“Of course. And then I want explanations, please. Why is Miss Carlow at my bro
thers’ table wrapped in a blanket, with a bruised face?” she said, as if now just noticing Beth.
“I do not know all of it,” Dimity said, handing the baby to Beth’s mother. “But I think there is just enough time get through the explanation.”
“Daniel sent me a hastily worded, evasive note that he had to leave town on business and would return soon. It was all very odd and cloak-and-dagger. Something told me my brothers are involved.”
“There I can help with information,” Lady Carlow said. “He and Mr. Oliver Dillinger went to my husband’s estate to check on him.”
“I’m sure there is a great deal more to that, but I shall be having words with him for his evasiveness,” Abby declared.
“Shall I accompany the maids to settle Toby?” Lady Carlow said hopefully. “He seems happy in my arms.”
“If you do not mind, I would be grateful.” Abby kissed her son, then sat. As soon as the door closed, she leveled Beth with a stare. “I have a feeling I should no longer loathe you. Care to tell me why?”
The story was told once more.
“I’m sorry, Beth, really.” Abby took her hand. “For so much, but also for what you endured last night. I can see the marks on your face.”
“It’s all right, Abby. You believed what we needed you to.” She’d always liked this woman, and it had hurt when she’d turned from her. “I told Nathan I wanted to go with him to find Logan. I know what he and his men look like. I wanted to be a part of this. I deserve to be,” Beth’s voice rose.
Abby tapped the spoon on her saucer as she looked at Beth. “So the king will be at Vauxhall today?”
“Yes.”
“Then we will attend,” Abby said.
“I have already decided we will,” Dimity said.
“I will not put either of you in danger,” Beth rushed to add. “Your brothers would not be pleased if that were to happen.”
Abby rolled her eyes. “My bothers would have the women in their lives locked in a country house with access outside for only an hour a day to get some air. They are fiercely protective, ridiculously so.”
“It pays to start off as you mean to go on,” Dimity added. “Be rebellious, and let them know you will stand with them, not behind them.”
“Exactly.” Abby nodded her approval, and Beth felt a flicker of excitement that these two women were now likely to be in her life forever—if she forgave Nathan, that was. Also if she was not locked in a jail cell for her traitorous actions.
“We still have two hours,” Dimity said. “I wish for you to tell me everything, Beth. Leave nothing out, and most of all the description of this fellow I now loathe.”
…
She wore cream satin with an overskirt of sky-blue embroidered lace that fell in a straight line from bodice to the hem. The back had a small train. Puffed sleeves, cream gloves and slippers, and she felt as ready as she could ever be. Her hair was pinned and curled, and a small amount of powder had been applied to her face, but nothing could completely disguise the bruises.
“We shall say you had a fall,” Dimity said from the seat across from her in the carriage, glamorous in ivory satin.
“Down the stairs,” Abby added. She wore pale mint green.
Dimity flipped up her skirts, and Beth saw her pistol.
“Good. I’m carrying mine also,” Abby said. “What about you, Beth?”
She nodded.
“My brothers taught me to fire a gun,” Abby said.
“I’m not entirely sure what will happen or even if we will find Logan,” Beth said, feeling nervous now her anger had eased. “Your brothers…” She shot Abby a look.
“We know about this secret thing they do, just not all the details.”
“King and country.” Dimity smiled.
They traveled the rest of the way in silence, and as they drew closer to Westminster Bridge, the tension in the carriage climbed.
Dimity looked out at window. “There are groups of men gathered,” she said. “They are shouting something, but I cannot make out what.”
Their carriage slowed, and they heard the driver speaking with someone. Then they began to move once more and slowly rolled over the bridge. Soon they had arrived at their destination.
“Please be careful,” Beth said, reaching across the carriage to take their hands.
“We will be all right. It’s you I’m worried about. You can’t let these men who tried to hurt you see you here, Beth,” Abby said.
“I will be careful.”
“We shall walk,” Abby said, taking an arm of each of them when they’d stepped from the carriage, and Beth felt better for the support.
“How will we find anyone?” she whispered. “Your brothers, Logan and his men. They could be anywhere.”
“If the king has arrived, then that’s where we start.”
“He arrives by boat usually, and due to the riots, I would say he definitely will today,” Abby added.
“We will start there. Come along,” Dimity said, heading down a path.
They ignored the shocked looks from people who saw Beth’s face and the quizzical ones from people who knew that last time they were seen in public, Abby had been sending Beth dark looks.
Guests mingled and lined paths, making their movements slow but they were safe while in a crowd.
“Even more will be here due to the monarch,” Dimity muttered. “Make haste,” she said to three young men dawdling. They shot her a look, then moved to one side.
Where was Nathan?
“Excuse me, Lady Sinclair, I wonder if you could tell me if the king has arrived?” Abby said to a woman watching the boats arrive.
“Any moment, I believe. We are all standing here awaiting his magnificence,” she said with a twinkle in her lovely eyes. Dressed in deep oyster silk, she was beautiful.
“Be nice,” her larger, handsome husband said from her side. “He is our king.”
Beth, Dimity, and Abby stood with the couple and looked around them.
Stay safe, Nathan. The thought of him anywhere near Justin Logan terrified her.
“Do you see anything, Beth?” Dimity whispered.
“What is it you are seeking, Miss Carlow?” Lord Sinclair asked.
“Any of the Deville brothers,” Abby answered for her.
“And Mr. Logan,” Beth added, in case Lord Sinclair knew him. He turned his eyes on her, bright and vivid green.
“I know what the Deville brothers look like, but not Mr. Logan. If you furnish me with a description, perhaps, as I’m taller than you, I may see him.”
“Gray hair, but of course he will likely be wearing a hat. He has a scar that runs up from the corner of his mouth.” Lord Sinclair kept his eyes on her as she spoke. “It is unlikely he will be alone.”
“Something tells me this is not a man you like, Miss Carlow.”
“He is an acquaintance of my father’s,” she said, not answering his question directly.
His eyes lingered on her a while longer.
“That is a nasty bruise you have on your chin, and under your eyes. May I ask how you came by them, Miss Carlow?”
“A fall, Lord Sinclair, down several stairs.”
His eyes suddenly changed, and the pupils seemed huge.
“A little healing and you will feel better,” he said, looking at his wife.
“They do look sore,” Lady Sinclair said, stepping closer as she pulled off a glove. She then lifted Beth’s face and ran a thumb along her chin. “We shall send Essex over with some salve for you tomorrow.”
Beth felt a tingling sensation, and then the ache in her jaw eased.
“Thank you, I would be grateful,” she whispered, unsure what had just happened.
“Do you see anything, Dev?” Lady Sinclair asked her husband as she pulled on her gloves.
“Not yet, my love.”
Beth shot Dimity and Abby a look. Both shrugged and continued searching the faces around them.
“I see two Devilles, but not your one, Miss C
arlow. They are on the water’s edge that way.” He pointed right. “Two Devilles, plus a couple of lords I know. Intriguing, they appear to be staring intently at the water. I wonder what they are searching for?”
Beth stood on her toes to look but saw nothing. She moved closer to the water, eyes going left and right. She could feel it; trouble was coming.
Where is Nathan?
The king’s boat, colorful with flags fluttering, floated down the river toward them. People cheered and waved, but still, she did not see Nathan.
“Where are you?” Her eyes went to a boat on the opposite bank. A shiver of unease traversed her spine. And then she saw Nathan.
Chapter Thirty-Three
He’d told his brothers and the others of Alexius he would take the opposite side of the river, and that had been where he found Logan. He knew it was him because of Lady Carlow’s description. The scar slashing up from his mouth gave him away.
Looking through his telescope, he studied him, taking in the scratch marks on the faces of Logan and another. Beth had given them those while they’d terrorized her.
His instinct was to run at them, shoot whomever he could and kill the others with his hands. Of course, the flaw in that plan was they could shoot him first, and he had too much to live for to allow that to happen.
But retribution was strong motivation.
Think with your head, Nathan.
Moving his telescope, he searched the guests lining the edges of the water awaiting the king’s arrival. People walked and chatted. Women in bright dresses with elaborate bonnets. Men in bright and somber waistcoats, all oblivious to the danger that lurked nearby.
He found two of his brothers, Gabe and Zach. Standing slightly back and apart, eyes searching the water and banks. Michael would be in his position along the walk the king would take into the gardens, with the other men of Alexius. Swinging slowly back past the guests to his brothers once more, he stopped.
Surely not?
His heart started thudding hard in his chest. There, with Abby, were Dimity and Beth. His Beth.
What the hell were they doing here? He’d told her he wanted her safe, not standing where Logan could see her. He’d shoot her if he saw her; Nathan was sure of that. The man would not have liked that she’d gotten the better of him and escaped, taking Valentine’s book with her.
