Lords Of Night Street Collection: Books 1-4

by Wendy Vella

  “Quite,” he managed to grit out. He then took control, and eased her up and back down his body. She took over the rhythm, and he made himself take every slow slide of her silken flesh as the tension inside him rose. He felt the tremors of her release start. Gripping her hips, he took control of the last few thrusts, and was rewarded with her shriek as the wave of pleasure consumed her. Leo followed a heartbeat later.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Leo held Beth against his chest while he attempted to rationalize what had just happened between them. The passion that had robbed his reason. The need to have this woman as his own had been a fire in his blood.

  “Are you all right, Beth?”

  “I am. Thank you, Leo.”

  “You have no need to thank me.”

  She pressed a hand to his chest and lifted up so their eyes could meet. Hers were half-closed, the embers of passion still smoldering. She looked like a thoroughly sated woman... his woman, Leo thought with satisfaction—and something else that he was still not ready to identify.

  “You gave me so much then. The realization that I can be with a man and not feel fear.”

  “Not a man, this man.” Leo thumped his chest, feeling a primitive need well up inside him to make her understand that she was now his. There would be no one else for either of them as long as he was breathing.

  She touched his jaw, a soft brush of her fingers.

  “For so long I have believed it better to keep myself away from people, especially men. Part of me knew some were good, but I had never thought... never believed I could have what we just shared.”

  “We will marry now.”

  “No, Leo. This does not—”

  “Yes, it does, and we will.” He wanted her to understand that. That he now needed her at his side. She made him want to be a better person. He wanted to slay her dragons and make her smile. But first, he was going to kill Lloyd.

  “I have no wish to marry you simply because we did that.”

  He held her still as she tried to get off his thighs. “It’s called making love, and yes we are.”

  She huffed out a breath. “I don’t want to marry.”

  “I had no plans to either, but you’ll do,” he teased.

  She slapped his chest hard. “I beg your pardon?”

  He hauled her close and kissed her; she was limp seconds later. “We will be married, Beth,” he whispered into her ear. “Because we have this, and this is a great deal more than many have.”

  “But he... I have been—”

  He placed a hand over her lips, knowing what she was about to say. She thought because of what happened with Lloyd that she was soiled. That he would not want such a woman, when surely what they had just shared showed her he did. Obviously not in the way she thought, however.

  “Let me set a few things straight for you, my sweet.” He framed her face with his hands, urging her eyes to meet his.

  “What happened to you was not your fault, and I will never blame you for it, or think you anything other than the lovely, if slightly annoying, woman I have always believed you to be. I would like to find that bastard and make him pay, which I will do. But never think what happened changes how I see you, Beth. Never believe one man’s act of violence on a sweet, innocent girl can be blamed on you.”

  “Oh, Leo.”

  “Are you going to cry again?” He slipped a hand around her neck, stroking the soft skin.

  “N-no, I do not cry.”

  The words were accompanied by a loud sniff.

  “I don’t mind if you do. I rather like you all weak and pathetic.” It had been just the right thing to say, as her spine straightened.

  “I am not pathetic!”

  “No,” he kissed her, “you are not.”

  “But, Leo, surely we cannot—”

  “We can and will wed.”

  “But we will argue, and both of us are strong-willed.”

  “Yes, and we shall have a great deal of fun making up after those arguments. It is my fondest wish that our daughters inherit your beauty and my even temperament.”

  “Children,” she said in that way woman sometimes did. It was the same with small animals, almost a sigh. “I had not thought to have children.”

  “Well, I insist upon them, so you had better think about them.” Leo kissed her softly.

  “Leo, I don’t think—”

  “Then don’t think.” He kissed her again. “We will discuss this no more now. Now we must dress before you get cold.”

  Surprisingly she did not argue, but he didn’t believe that would last long. Once they were respectable again, he directed the carriage to take her home. Helping her down when it stopped, he then walked Beth to the door.

  “I will call for you tomorrow early, Beth. Be ready by nine o’clock. We will go to Night Street and talk to the others. Don’t leave the house until I come for you, and bring the notes you have received so far.” He saw she was about to argue, so added, “Please.”

  “I don’t want anyone else hurt because of this, Leo.”

  “They won’t be.” He leaned in and kissed her. “Go to bed now, my sweet, and dream of what we did.”

  “Leo, I really think we—”

  He shut her words off by urging her through the door, and closing it. Walking to her carriage, he asked the driver to take him home. Once there he sent out three missives.

  Urgent meeting at Night Street. Be there at 9:00 a.m. Noble.

  He then climbed into his bed and lay there thinking about what that bastard had done to Beth, and how he would be made to pay, if it was he who was blackmailing her. If not, then he would still be made to pay. And pay dearly. Leo would not rest until he had hunted Lloyd down, no matter where in this world he was.

  She was his now. His life, he could say honestly. Love? Yes, he was certain it was that too. But for now he had to deal with the threat that hung over her, and then they would explore the rest of what lay between them.

  Thumping his pillow, he turned on his side and smiled into the dark. He loved Miss Elizabeth Whitlow. Holding that thought close, he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Beth was ready when he called at her town house the following morning. Leo walked through the front door to find her standing there dressed in a simple pale blue dress with a chipped bonnet and matching blue ribbons. She looked luscious enough to make his teeth clench.

  “Good morning, my sweet.” Leo walked up to her, not stopping until he was inches away.

  “Good morning,” she said, standing her ground, which pleased him.

  He lowered his head and kissed her gently. Her response surprised him. She placed a palm on his chest and leaned in.

  When he thought they’d given the staff, who were surely watching, enough to keep them gossiping all morning, he eased back, running his knuckles down a soft cheek.

  “You look beautiful.”

  “Thank you.” She gave him a gentle smile. He’d never seen that one before, hers were usually social smiles, but this one was genuine, and for him alone.

  “Come.” Stepping back, he held out a hand. She took it willingly. Seating her in the carriage minutes later, he tapped the roof, and they were soon moving.

  “I wish to discuss the matter of our marriage, Leo. I have given it some thought and am not sure it is the best course for us, therefore, I want you to know that if you change your mind then I will understand.”

  He let the silence settle between them while he kept his eyes steady on her face.

  “This is the last discussion we have on this matter, Beth. I want you to be my wife, and I hope you want me as your husband.”

  She was nervous, and no doubt scared. For so long she had lived with her secret, and now he knew it. They’d made love, decided to marry, and there was also a blackmailer to contend with. Leo marveled at her resilience; most would have taken to bed under the weight of just one of those things.

  “Very well, but we will discuss this furthe
r later.”

  “No we won’t.”

  She huffed out a breath, then surprised him by holding out a hand to him. He took it, slipping her fingers inside his.

  “I’m nervous about this, Leo.”

  “As you have every right to be. But I am here, Beth, and will let nothing and no one hurt you again.

  “You can’t make promises like that.”

  She was looking out the window.

  “I can, love, because you are important to me, and going to be my wife.”

  Her eyes widened at his endearment. “Do you really wish that, Leo?”

  “I wish it, Beth.”

  She looked at him then, and whatever she saw in his eyes made her nod.

  The rest of the journey was conducted in silence. He escorted her inside the Night Street building and into one of the interview rooms when they arrived.

  “I will return shortly. Try not to worry.” Leo brushed a kiss over her lips, and wondered if there would ever come a time when he tired of doing that. Closing the door, he told Perkins to take her tea, before making his way downstairs.

  When the others arrived, he was ready with what needed to be said.

  “Just because you have no woman in your bed is no reason to drag us from ours, Noble.”

  “Sit, we have things to discuss.”

  The tone of his voice had them doing as he asked. All levity was soon gone, replaced by seriousness.

  “Firstly, I must tell you all that Miss Whitlow is upstairs in one of the interview rooms.”

  “Beth here... why?” Nick started to rise, but Leo waved him back into the chair.

  “Hear me out, and then I shall bring her down if you are all happy that she know your identities.”

  They nodded.

  “Since the night I announced our betrothal I have come to realize that something is very wrong with Beth. Last night she told me what it is.”

  “Dear Christ, what?” Nick’s voice was hoarse.

  “She is being blackmailed, but there is a great deal more to it than that.”

  “She told you, but not me!” Nick looked shattered.

  “I guessed,” Leo said. “I came upon her a few times, and her actions alerted me to the fact that something was gravely wrong.”

  “Why did you not tell me of your suspicions?”

  “I did not know if they had any substance, Nick,” Leo said calmly. “Now I do. Plus I had no right to tell you anything until Beth gave me permission to do so.”

  Nick cursed loudly. “My cousin is in trouble and did not tell me. Why?”

  “That is for her to explain,” Leo said.

  “But why she told you before me is something I wish to know. Especially considering that to my knowledge the two of you do not like each other very much. I have admitted I think a union between you would benefit you both, but I did not hold out great hope it would actually happen. What has changed, Leo, that she would confide in you but not me?”

  He’d known this question was coming.

  “I care about her,” Leo said.

  “You love her, Noble,” Jacob said. “I can see it in you.”

  “How can you possibly see something like that?” Leo scoffed. “Marriage is making you soft.”

  “Ah, the man protests,” Marcus said, smiling. “A sure sign he has lost his heart.”

  Leo tried to glare around the table, but he ended up sighing.

  “Have things changed between you and my cousin, Leo?” Nick asked.

  He nodded. “They have, and we will be married.”

  “I could not have picked a better man for Beth. But for now I wish to clear up the matter of this danger she is in.”

  “Are you all happy for her to know your identities?” He looked around the table at his friends. Each nodded, and he released the breath he’d been holding.

  Leo rose and left the room. Beth was pacing when he entered; she hurried to meet him.

  “Are the others here, Leo?”

  “They are, and if you are ready, my colleagues would like to meet you.”

  “They are happy for me to know their identities?”

  Leo moved closer and took her hands in his.

  “They are, and Beth, I need you to know now that Nick is one of them.”

  “Nick, my cousin?” she whispered.

  Leo nodded. “We are all noblemen, and have been investigating cases for some time now. After returning from the war, we needed to do something with our skills. This worked well for us.”

  “I can scarcely believe it. Nick and you,” Beth said. “I have heard of the Lords of Night Street, of course, but I had no idea you were all actually noblemen. I’m guessing that Lord Hatherton and Lord Needly are involved also?”

  “They are. Are you ready to meet with them now?”

  She took the hand he held out to her, and let him lead her from the room. They walked down the stairs, and when Nick saw her, he got to his feet and came forward.

  “Beth, are you all right?”

  She nodded, and fell into his arms. The cousins hugged, and Leo heard Nick talking to her, asking her why she had not come to him.

  “I’m sorry, Nick. In the beginning I told no one but my aunt, but now... since the letters, I have come to realize I cannot deal with the blackmailer alone. I sent word to Night Street, and it was Leo who came to meet me.”

  “Come and take a seat now.” Leo took her arm, and led her to where Jacob held out a chair. Leo stayed standing; he needed to pace.

  “You know everyone here,” he said, acknowledging his friends. She nodded.

  “Do you wish to tell the story, or shall I, Beth?”

  “You tell it.”

  He felt her tension again, and this time it was matched by her cousin’s.

  He talked, telling them all he knew. He did not elaborate on the incident with Lloyd, stating only that he had behaved badly toward Beth.

  “You should have told me!” The words exploded from Nick. His face was tight with anger.

  “When, Nick? We were not close,” Beth said with a calm Leo was proud of.

  “Later, when we were, you should have told me then, Beth. I would have killed the bastard!”

  “Perhaps, but then I had no wish to live through that again. I believed the past was better left alone, and it would have stayed that way had the letters not started.”

  Leo fought the urge to pluck her out of her seat and resettle her in his lap. He wondered if she would ever acknowledge her strength. To have faced her fears and put back the pieces of her shattered life the best way she could took a strong will many would not have had.

  “All right, I will not pursue this point as you are now seeking help,” Nick added. “But will you tell me now if you believe it was this Mr. Lloyd who killed your father?”

  “I do. They dismissed it as a hunting accident, but I knew better. I told Aunt, but she thought it best to stay silent on the matter, as who would have believed me? A distraught daughter, who had spent a few days with this man, and all who attended that house party could attest to the fact I liked Lloyd. So I just kept it inside until I told Leo last night.”

  “She had no right to make you stay silent. Christ, the man should have been tried for murder!” Nick said.

  “He left for France soon after, and there I believe he stayed... until now, if it is he who is doing this to me.”

  “I’m going to kill this Lloyd!” Nick got to his feet and started pacing.

  “Stand in line,” Leo said, watching him.

  “We need to trap him,” Jacob said calmly. “Find a way to lure him out, then grab him. Whoever it is will not stop until we make him, Miss Whitlow.”

  She nodded. “Please call me Beth.”

  “And we are Marcus and Jacob.”

  She smiled. It was strained, but a smile nonetheless.

  “We will start investigating. Someone will know if Lloyd is back in London, then we need to locate him,” Nick said.

  “I could be used to lure him out.�
�

  “Absolutely not!” Leo and Nick stated together.

  “But don’t you see, there is no one else who can do this. Searching for him will take time. However, if he sends word again, then surely it is best I do as he states, and you can step in when he comes to collect the money.”

  “I forbid it!” Leo said, still pacing.

  “Actually, it’s the perfect plan,” Jacob said. “And we will all be there watching over her, so there is no danger.”

  “There is always danger!”

  “Think about this clearly, Leo. Put emotion aside, and understand that to catch this man we must use Beth to lure him out,” Marcus said. “It is the fastest way, and we will ensure she stays safe.”

  “I am the only one who knows what he looks like, too.”

  “We are not even sure it is him. Besides, you saw him that day and couldn’t positively identify him,” Leo said.

  “He is older, as am I, and his face was in the shadows. Were I to see him clearly, I would know for certain.”

  “Christ.” Nick ran a hand through his hair, leaving it standing on end. “My cousin has been living in terror, and I knew nothing.”

  “Nick, you couldn’t know if I chose not to tell you.”

  Leo watched Beth reach across the table for her cousin’s hand. Nick gripped it hard.

  “I’m sorry, Beth, for the distance I allowed between us for so long.”

  “No, I am as much to blame, and this is no more your fault than mine, Nick.”

  Beth sent Leo a look. “I know that now, and I know that I want whoever is doing this stopped, so I can move on with my life.”

  “With me,” Leo growled, making his friends smile.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Beth was in her garden when Leo arrived the following afternoon. She felt him, which was ridiculous, but something made her turn, and there he was, stalking down the grass toward her. She’d sent him word that she’d received another note from the blackmailer.

  Beth took a moment to enjoy his body in motion. Hat in a large hand, body clothed immaculately. No one wore clothes quite like Leo. The memory of her hands on his bare chest made color fill her cheeks.