Pain of The Marquess: (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book)

by Deborah Wilson

  “But others could be hurting.”

  “I don’t care,” he said.

  Her eyes widened.

  He cupped her cheek. “I know it’s cold of me, Irene, but I will say it again, I need you. If telling me this secret has the power to divide us then I don’t want know it.”

  She gasped. “You can’t be that selfish.”

  He wrapped his other arm around her and dragged her in. “I am. I am very selfish.” Holding her as he did right now was selfish. Praying that he filled her belly with a baby every time they coupled was selfish. He knew no other way to be around her. She was precious gold and he would lock her in a vault if he had to.

  She cupped the back of his neck. “You’re not selfish. You sacrifice so much for me.”

  “You are mine. I’m still selfish.”

  She smiled. “I turn to you for comfort and you never give it to me the way I expect. Yet still, I feel better.” Her next sigh was accompanied by abundant love in her gaze. “Very well. I don’t know if Cecilia's secret will divide us and I will not risk it. I’ll be just as selfish as you. What say you to that?”

  “I say get in bed and go to sleep before I’m tempted to join you and abandon my responsibilities to my friends.”

  She leaned up and bit his lower lip and licked it before she pulled away. “See? You’re not so selfish.”

  His manhood disagreed. He set her away and then stepped toward the door. “To bed.”

  She turned away with a smile and Clive left. In his head, he called himself every foul name he could think of and then allowed himself to think of every way he intended to take his wife when he got the chance.

  He was sober by the time he reached Marley’s office. “What’s the plan?” he asked the moment after the door was closed behind him. Clive looked at Kent. “I notice Garrick is not here.”

  Kent lounged in his favorite place on Marley’s couch. “That’s because Garrick is in Southampton.”

  Southampton was where Crow’s daughter lived.

  Clive’s stomach became unsettled. “What’s he doing there?”

  Kent didn’t reply.

  Clive turned to look at James next. “Tell me you didn’t agree to this plan.”

  James’ black eyes were cold as a midnight storm. “He tried to set fire to my wife and children. The last of my good manners have left me.”

  Clive didn’t blame his anger. Irene could have easily been in danger as well. “But Miss Crow is an innocent.”

  “Is she?” Marley asked. He leaned back in his chair and threw out his arms. “I know nothing about her. Do you?”

  He didn’t. “What is the plan?”

  “Garrick is to go and fetch the woman for us,” Marley said. “He’ll bring her here.”

  Clive crossed his arms. “And then what?”

  “And then we do whatever we have to do,” Kent said.

  Clive’s eyes widened. “Does Lucy agree with that point of view?”

  Kent lifted a brow. “The man tried to kill my family. The girl will be lucky if I don’t—”

  “Don’t finish that statement,” Clive warned as he moved his hand through his hair. Irene wondered if she knew Cecilia. Clive wondered the same about his friends.

  “He’s growing soft,” Kent said to one of the other men.

  James responded, “He’s always been soft where women are concerned. He is right to think our actions are wrong. They are wrong. Doesn’t mean we will stop.”

  Clive looked at them. “I already keep secrets from Irene. I don’t wish to have another.”

  Kent stood. “Then tell her the truth.” His voice was nonchalant. “Won’t change anything.”

  Marley stood. “If you don’t wish to be around when this takes place—”

  “As if I have a choice,” Clive said. “I’m in this just as much as the rest of you. He burned down my house.” He prayed Irene would forgive him. He prayed God forgave them. “Can we not hurt her? Please?”

  “We won’t hurt her,” James said immediately. “No harm will come to her person.”

  “But we might scare her,” Kent said, seemingly wishing to be truthful. “A great deal.”

  “Wonderful,” Clive said sarcastically. “And what if Crow has moved his daughter? What if she isn’t in Southampton?”

  James was staring at his hands. “My man said she was there a few days ago.”

  Clive stiffened. “How long has this been a plan?”

  “Since you said we couldn’t scare Irene,” Kent admitted.

  “You didn’t tell me?” Clive asked.

  Marley crossed his arms. “You didn’t tell us the truth about the hairpin.”

  Clive shook his head and began to pace. “Decided to hold that against me, did you?”

  “We managed to let it go,” Kent said.

  So what now? We wait?”

  “We wait,” James said.

  ∫ ∫ ∫

  5 0

  * * *

  “You’re pulling out flowers, Clive.”

  “I am not, Irene,” he growled as he grabbed hold of the stem of the weed and yanked it from the ground.

  “Clive.” Irene’s hands covered his, stopping him and forcing his eyes to hers. Her dark gaze was assessing. “What is going on? You’ve been acting strange for the last two days. Worse today.”

  That was because it had been two days since Garrick had left and if his mission had been a success, he would return any minute now.

  He was nervous, not because what the men had planned was wrong, but because if Irene found out… She had delicate sensibilities. He’d been working very hard to position himself in the best light where she was concerned. She had a clear understanding of right and wrong. Even when she bent it for him, she knew her heart. It was righteous.

  She’d not like their plans for Miss Crow. Would she leave him? There were already a million reasons she should, and if she tried, he would be finished. He could never tell her that he loved her, he could never give her that much power over him, but he’d already admitted the truth to himself. It was enough to make him sick.

  “I don’t want to pull weeds,” he said.

  She frowned. “What would you like to do?” They were at Marley’s home, kneeling in a bed of flowers. George and Miriam had asked Clive to toss daggers again, but he’d known his mind to be far too occupied. It was a dangerous time for such a game.

  Clive looked Irene over. Her confused expression made her extremely adorable. He thought he fell for her more every day. “Can’t we just go back to our room and have sex?”

  Irene blinked. “But, don’t you prefer to garden?”

  Was she being serious?

  She wasn’t.

  He noticed the teasing glitter in her eyes right before the corners of her mouth lifted into a smile. Her smile made him smile. It eased and soothed him.

  It was a beautiful day. The woman beside him glowed in the heat of the sun. Her straw bonnet— one she’d bought yesterday— cast a soft shadow on her face, but not enough to hide her brilliance.

  As she knelt in the bed of pale pink peonies, with that soft affectionate smile on her face, Clive thought it the perfect moment to tell her that he loved her.

  The very thought of confessing seemed a bit freeing. She would enjoy hearing it again. He imagined how her expression would change. Then he’d take her to bed and watch pleasure shatter over her features over and over again.

  Desire traced its way down his spine.

  “Irene,” he whispered.

  She continued to smile, and he saw the hope that filled her eyes. “Yes?”

  She knew. It was right there on his tongue, the words that would complete them and make them whole, the words that would transform them. Transform him.

  “I…”

  “Clive,” James called.

  Clive turned to see him standing on the terrace, his expression dark.

  “Time to go,” the marquess said before returning inside.

  Clive looked a
t Irene and noticed her frown. Her hand was still over his, and she tightened her hold.

  “I have to go,” he said.

  She leaned toward him and whispered, “I thought you wanted to have sex.”

  He grabbed the back of her neck and dragged her forward so their lips could touch. Then he groaned, “How you tempt me, minx.” He left to the sounds of her laughter. It was fresh and mixed with the call of birds and the warm winds. It soothed him.

  But all thoughts of Irene vanished when Clive walked into Marley’s drawing room to find a weeping woman there. She sat in a chair with her face buried in her hands.

  Clive’s eyes cut to Garrick, who was standing above her. What had Garrick done to her?”

  “She came willingly,” Garrick told the men.

  Miss Crow lifted her face and looking around the room. Clive couldn’t see Crow in her except for the eyes. She looked young. Pretty. Her face had an eternal youthfulness to it. Her features were soft. With swollen red eyes, she looked around the room. “I’m terribly sorry for what my father has done. I wish to help any way that I can.”

  “You’d betray your father for us?” Kent asked.

  Miss Crow frowned and then sneered. “My father is a monster.”

  “When did you realize this?” James asked.

  Miss Crow looked away. “I read the papers a few weeks ago. I read the story about the shipyard and heard about the search for my father. I can’t believe he’s done what he has. He deserves to be punished for his crimes.”

  The words were cold and hard for Clive to accept. This was Crow’s daughter. Irene had worked to cling to a good image of her father. It had taken time for her to realize the image was a lie.

  Clive watched her as the men asked her one question after another.

  James stood against the far wall, making her whip her head around to look at him. “When last did you speak to him?”

  “A few weeks ago,” she said. “A throne was delivered to my house.”

  “A throne?” James asked.

  Anxiety made Clive’s skin tighten.

  Miss Crow nodded. “I had no idea who it was for. Then my father came, inspected it, and then left quite angrily. When I asked him when he would be taking the item, he told me to sell it.”

  Garrick signed, “I looked the throne over. There was no book. However, there was a slit through the cushion. A sewn opening, but it was empty.”

  A look of defeat passed through the men. They’d been right. The book had been in the throne, but now it was gone. Who had it now? From Miss Crow’s account of her father’s visit, it hadn’t been there. Miss Crow watched them suspiciously. She couldn’t understand Garrick.

  “Do you know where your father might be?” Marley asked.

  “Perhaps,” she replied.

  Garrick signed, “She’s given me a list of place he might be.” He looked troubled. Garrick usually had trouble speaking in front of strangers and in stressful situations.

  “We’ll send men to each of those locations,” Kent said. “But I plan to do some hunting myself.”

  “As will I,” James said.

  Marley looked at Clive. “You, me, and Garrick should stay here with the families.”

  Clive nodded. Staying alert meant he couldn’t retreat to his rooms with his wife. He’d have to stay on guard. They’d hired what amounted to an army to watch the house. They had men spread throughout the park, yet the men were beginning to trust few others.

  Clive asked, “Do you know the names of the men who delivered the throne?”

  She shook her head and flushed. “I rarely pay attention to servicemen.”

  Clive admitted that until recently he’d been much the same. Servants came and went, and he’d rarely been able to tell one apart from another unless they did something to stand out and that could either be very good or very bad.

  “Thank you for your cooperation, Miss Crow,” Marley said.

  “Alice, please call me Alice, Your Grace,” she said with a smile. There was also a certain look in her eyes as she stared at the duke. Longing. It was subtle, but there. She wouldn’t be the first woman to try and charm Marley. The man had a heavy title, was wealthy, and one of the most handsome gentlemen in the realm. Clive had seen women try and throw themselves upon him, usually with discretion.

  Clive narrowed his eyes. Alice would have to be watched.

  Marley nodded his acknowledgement. “Perhaps you’d like to meet our wives? I’m sure the women will find a way to keep you entertained.”

  Alice blinked back her displeasure and covered it with a smile. She had a terrible gaming face. Clive could read her rather well and decided he didn’t trust her.

  Using his hands, he shared his thoughts with the room. “I don’t trust her.”

  “Why not?” James asked.

  “She’s hiding something.” Clive could feel it in his bones. A liar recognized a liar.

  Garrick nodded. “I had my own suspicions. She came far too willingly. She has no clue who I am.”

  “You’re a lord,” Marley said. “For some women, that’s enough.” Though his expression was neutral, it was clear he was annoyed by Alice’s attempt to flirt earlier.

  And in a room of other men no less. Did she not care for her reputation? Clive wondered how old the woman was. She looked young, but there was something in her eyes that said she was much older. She was pretty. Why hadn’t she wed?

  Alice continued to grin as she looked from one man to the other. “Am I being spoken of?”

  “No, we’re just strategizing,” Marley said. Then he held out his hand toward the door. “My housekeeper will take you to the receiving room where my wife is.”

  Alice stood. “Shouldn’t I stay and help you find my father? I feel I’d be of greater help near one of you.”

  Marley gave her his most charming grin. “We know exactly where you are if we need you.”

  Clive opened the door and a maid was waiting. Alice looked back at the men before she left, trailing behind the maid.

  “She’s up to something,” Clive said as he closed the door.

  “We’ll keep a footman on her,” Kent said. “But for now, she’s our best hope of finding Crow.”

  Clive still wasn’t sure. He still didn’t like the plan, but he was outnumbered.

  Yet the nagging wouldn’t leave him. Something told him that they’d just let a snake in the garden.

  ∫ ∫ ∫

  5 1

  * * *

  “He’s gorgeous!” Alice cried as she plucked Alvin off the floor. The boy began to cry immediately, yet Alice seemed very determined to make the young lord like her. She cooed and laughed and tossed him, but Alvin liked none of it.

  Eventually, Lucy went over and saved her son. “He’s likely hungry. He gets this way when he’s hungry,” she said in order to not embarrass Miss Crow.

  “I could feed him,” Alice shouted over Alvin’s tears. “I love children. They’re wonderful little creatures.”

  Lucy’s smile was tight. “Perhaps another time.” She gave Alvin to a maid and instructed the woman to take him from the room.

  Irene felt Clive’s fingers tighten on her shoulder and looked over at him. He’d been by her side since his meeting a few hours ago with the men. After finishing the garden, Irene had cleaned herself in her room, changed into a fresh pink muslin dress, and went to seek out the other women.

  She’d found them in Selena’s receiving room. She’d been surprised to find Alice there.

  Alice, recognizing her, had jumped up and rushed across the room to give her a hug. Then the woman had wept in her arms and apologized for her father’s behavior. It was been an odd moment. Irene didn’t know Alice that well yet couldn’t deny how much they were alike. They’d both had fathers who’d been heinous.

  Irene had barely begun to comfort Alice when the woman suddenly recovered from her hysterics and begged her to join the group of women who were taking tea. It had become Irene’s job to help Alice feel welco
med, since she was the only one who knew her.

  Alice led most of the conversation after that. She admired everything and everyone. There was a kind thing to be said about the walls, the decor, the children, and even the women around her. She adored the deep green of Kim’s eyes and the honey gold of Lucy’s hair. She clapped the loudest when Selena had finished a turn at the piano and had made a hundred comments about Irene’s hairpin.

  She wore the silver rabbit with blue gem eyes today. It was one of the many Clive had bought her over the years as an apology for taking the bird. Thankfully, she’d taken them all with her to Bath. They were her most valuable possessions in the world.

  After the first hour, Clive joined them. He’d been crowding her ever sense.

  “Thank you for your hospitality,” Alice said to Selena for what seemed like the tenth time. “I’ve always wanted to come to Regent Park. This was my first invitation.”

  “I’m glad you like it,” Selena told her.

  Alice looked out the window. “The sun is setting. I bet it’s beautiful here.”

  Selena stood. “Shall we go outside and watch it in silence?”

  The ‘in silence’ had Irene’s lips twitching. She ducked her head as she stood with the others.

  “A marvelous idea,” Alice said. “You are marvelous. Such a fine lady. A wonderful duchess.” She followed Selena from the room, rambling on as she went.

  Irene purposefully lagged behind the others. Once the others were a good distance away, she turned to Clive, “What are you doing?”

  “Escorting you outside.” He took her hand, placed it on his arm, and began to rush them to catch up with the others.

  “Why?” Irene asked.

  “I can’t be with my wife if I wish to?”

  “Do you wish to?”

  He smirked. “Always.”

  Irene felt her body flush and wondered if there would come a day when she’d be able to accept her husband’s outlandish comments without coming undone. Yet, she’d not be distracted by his words. “There is something wrong. What did James call you away for?”

  “To meet Miss Crow.” He lifted a brow as they stepped outside. “How do you feel about her?”