Xavier would have liked more time, but he’d been afforded room to breathe. “Splendid. Now have your driver stop and let me out. I’m expected for dinner.”
Farrin nodded toward his man who lunged across the carriage and grabbed Xavier around the neck, trying to choke him. Xavier landed a punch to the side of the brute’s head, but it didn’t slow him. He jerked Xavier from the bench and opened the carriage door.
“Wait,” Farrin called. He reached into Xavier’s jacket and withdrew his purse. “Now.”
His henchman shoved Xavier from the moving carriage. He rolled on impact with the cobbled street and scrambled to his feet as another carriage barreled toward him. He dove for the walkway and felt the rush of wind from the Berlin as it flew by without the driver even trying to slow his team.
Gradually, he picked himself up from the deserted walkway and looked down at the hole in the knee of his trousers. Blast and damn! The tailor had charged Xavier a fortune to attire him quickly so he could rejoin Society, and he would require a new wardrobe by the week’s end if he continued at this rate. And he’d lost his hat!
He dusted off his trousers and glanced at his surroundings, trying to determine where he was and how to make his way back to his sister’s home. Farrin had left him in a neighborhood with modest homes and no lights burning in the windows. He set off for home, limping for a bit until the initial pain of impact began to fade.
Xavier felt like he wandered the streets forever before he finally recognized a landmark. It took another half hour to make his way home without the money to hire a hack.
He was going to find that bloody map, and when he did, he would use it as leverage to learn who was responsible for stealing two years of his life. Then he would track down whoever had hired Farrin to retrieve the map and was placing his and Regina’s families in danger. In the end, he would see all of the men dead.
When he walked in the house, Serafine met him at the door. “Where have you been? You missed dinner, and I’ve sent Isaac to look for you.” Her face flushed and her eyes took on a feverish glow as she ran her gaze over him. “Would you look at yourself? Please tell me you are not gambling again.”
He sighed, knowing his appearance wasn’t helping to convince his sister that he had mended his ways. “I wasn’t at a gaming hell. I was at the theatre. Footpads attacked me as I was leaving Covent Garden and took my money.” He opened his jacket and pointed to his empty pocket. “I had to return on foot and I became lost for a while. I’m sorry I missed dinner.”
She bit her bottom lip and her green eyes misted. “I want to believe you. I want your change to be real.”
He captured his sister’s hands between his. “It is real, Sera. I am a different man. Even more than you want to believe in me, I want to be worthy of your faith.” He placed a kiss on her cheek. “Allow me to prove myself, please.”
She took a deep breath and released it slowly. “Of course. I am sorry I assumed the worst. Perhaps I am the one who hasn’t changed.”
“Well, you’ve always been nearly perfect. I don’t believe it is necessary for you to change.”
His sister smiled and hugged him. “I am glad you are back.”
“Me too.”
Fifteen
It was the perfect day for a picnic, and Regina couldn’t imagine any two families getting on better than hers and Mr. Vistoire’s. One might think Aunt Beatrice and Serafine Tucker had been friends forever given the ease with which they had fallen into conversation with one another in the carriage. Regina’s aunt was not always the easiest person for others to tolerate with her propensity for blunt speech, but Mr. Vistoire’s sister seemed to value a direct approach, as she demonstrated the moment she and Regina were left alone.
Mr. Vistoire was escorting Aunt Beatrice and Evangeline on a stroll through Hyde Park, while Sophia had joined Simon and his father at the water’s edge to throw breadcrumbs to the geese.
“I’ve been watching Xavier with you today. I think you are good for him.”
Regina blinked in surprise.
Serafine regarded her with intense green eyes that seemed capable of delving into the most private places of Regina’s psyche, and she was uncertain she liked anyone nosing around there. She turned her attention toward the trio on the bank of the Serpentine.
“I’m not sure I take your meaning.”
Simon reached a chubby hand to take his father’s offering of a small chunk of bread, but it slipped through his fingers and landed on the grass. As Simon squatted to pick it up, a goose honked at him. The boy screamed and his father scooped him in his arms, so he could watch the geese feeding from a safer vantage point.
“Xavier has never courted a lady,” Serafine said. “It is a testament to his regard for you.”
“I see.”
The fact he had never courted a lady at his age seemed to confirm he was a rogue just like she’d thought, but he wasn’t behaving like any of the scoundrels that had been bothering her this Season.
For one, in her moment of weakness when her curiosity had overruled common sense and she’d wanted him to kiss her in the garden, he hadn’t accepted her unspoken invitation. Instead, he had proclaimed a desire to court her and arrived on her doorstep with a gift the next day.
In addition, Mr. Vistoire was kind to her family, and he was especially agreeable when it came to Aunt Beatrice. At this very moment, he was allowing Auntie to parade him through the park as if he were a prized stallion. He seemed to take genuine pleasure in her aunt and sisters, and that made him more dangerous than any of the other men set on conquering her. The way to Regina’s heart would always be through her family, and she suspected Mr. Vistoire was privy to this information.
Involving his family, however, perplexed her. She saw no advantage to introducing her to his sister unless his intentions truly were honorable, and that did not match his story about becoming intoxicated and accepting the challenge to seduce her.
“Do you fancy my brother?” Serafine asked. “I don’t want to see him disappointed.”
If Regina were not accustomed to her aunt and Evangeline speaking without restraint, she might be offended by his sister’s direct manner. “I understand. I don’t like to see my sisters disappointed either,” she said, avoiding the question. “I would rather be the injured party than watch either of them suffer.”
Serafine smiled and didn’t press her for an answer. “I will worry about him if he is alone in New Orleans.”
Regina didn’t have a ready response, so she welcomed the sight of her sister returning with Mr. Tucker and Simon.
Mr. Vistoire’s nephew released his papa’s hand as the party neared the blanket and ran toward his mother. His small legs worked with as much grace as he could manage, the uncoordinated motion reminding Regina of a tottering windmill.
He stopped at the edge of the blanket, extended a hand toward Serafine, and crooked his plump fingers to summon her. “Raw?”
“No more rocks,” his mother said and extended her arms. “May I have a hug?”
He grinned and threw himself against her chest. She hugged and kissed him, then tried to settle him on her lap, but it wasn’t long before he wiggled free. This time he appealed to Regina. “Raw?”
“Now, Simon.” Serafine’s attempt at scolding her son fell short with laughter in her voice. “Allow Regina to rest.”
“I don’t mind.” Regina stood, grateful for a chance to move. She’d never been one to rest during the day. In fact, she would have joined Aunt Beatrice, Evangeline, and Mr. Vistoire on their stroll, but they left while she’d been entertaining Simon the first time. The boy loved the water.
She took Simon’s hand and led him back toward the water’s edge for another game of ducks and drakes—which amounted to him flinging small rocks toward the water. Some made their destination and others fell short on the grass.
Simon squealed in excitement as they strolled toward the lake. A persistent warm breeze rippled the Serpentine’s surface and shivered
the leaves on the trees, creating a shushing noise.
As they reached the water, he grinned and sighed with pleasure. Her heart melted.
She searched the shore for small stones, and when she’d gathered several, she handed one to him. He drew his arm over his head and flung the rock approximately a foot.
“More!”
She passed him another, delighting in the knowledge he derived joy from such a simple act. He’d almost depleted his supply when Mr. Vistoire sidled up to her. He was alone. Regina glanced back toward the blanket to where Evangeline and Aunt Beatrice had joined the other picnickers.
“Did you have a nice stroll through the park?” she asked.
“It was enjoyable, thank you. Has Simon kept you at the water’s edge all this time?”
“He allowed me a short reprieve.” Simon thrust out his hand for another rock. “We will need more. I believe he could be at this all afternoon,” she said to Mr. Vistoire.
“Or you could tell him it’s time to return to the picnic.”
She scrunched her nose at him. “Have you seen how adorable he is? One imploring look from those big green eyes, and I’m putty in his hands.”
“Is that so? At last, I’ve discovered your weakness.” He winked, and it dawned on her that he and his nephew shared the same gorgeous green eyes.
She ducked her head as warmth stole into her cheeks. “I’ll gather more rocks.”
“More raw?” The boy’s sweet voice was just as dangerous as his soulful eyes. He might run her ragged all afternoon, and she would be powerless to refuse him.
“I am looking,” she said.
“I have one.” Mr. Vistoire pulled a stone from his pocket, and his nephew snatched it from his palm. “Thank you for entertaining Simon this afternoon.”
She bent forward to pick up a rock and glanced in his direction. “Thank you for entertaining Aunt Beatrice. I know she can be trying at times.”
“Trying in what way? It was a pleasure escorting your aunt and sister around the park.”
Regina returned with her bounty. Mr. Vistoire took the stones from her to form a pile at Simon’s feet.
“I’ve overheard complaints that she talks too much,” Regina said. “I believe Lady Lovelace is responsible for the moniker Babbling Beatrice.”
“Lady Lovelace sounds like a shrew. I consider myself fortunate never to have made her acquaintance.”
Regina smiled at his candidness. “Well, don’t count your blessings too soon. The widow is quick to set her cap for every new bachelor joining Society. I’m certain it is just a matter of time.”
“That is a problem easily solved.”
“How so?”
He swayed toward her, their shoulders brushing, and he twined his fingers with hers. “You could changed my status from bachelor to husband,” he said softly in her ear, his warm breath creating a pleasing tingle across her skin.
Regina’s heart lodged in her throat. Her glaze flicked toward him and he smiled. “It’s only a suggestion, but if you care about protecting me from Lady Lovelace and those of her ilk...”
Regina released the breath she’d been holding and chuckled. “I’m certain you can manage ladies like Celeste Lovelace without my assistance.”
“I know, but you could protect me with those fancy Wang Fu moves you do.” He released her hand to playfully spar with her.
Laughing, she blocked his exaggerated, sluggish moves. “It’s Wing Chun, and I only employ my skills to discourage annoying men.”
“Ouch!” He covered his heart and staggered as if she’d plunged a dagger into his chest. “You’ve mortally wounded me, Miss Darlington.”
She rolled her eyes. “I wasn’t referring to you.”
He abandoned the pretense and gifted her with his handsome smile. “Are you saying you don’t find me annoying?”
“Only a little.”
His smile grew. “You like me, don’t you, Regina Darlington? Admit it.”
“I do not.”
“Yes, you do.” He reached for her hand, drawing her closer. “Regina likes Xavier,” he said in a teasing singsong.
They were standing much too close for the park, so close she could feel his body heat and detect the faintest shadow of whiskers on his jaw.
“I don’t like you,” she murmured, her eyes drifting to half-mast, revealing her lie. “Only a little.”
His thumb drew an arc on her inner wrist, against her bare skin. “If we were alone, I might kiss you.”
“If we were alone, I might allow you.”
A loud splash caused them to jump apart.
“Simon!” Mr. Vistoire’s panicked voice sent her heart on a tear, but they both seemed to spot him at the same time.
“Oh, thank heavens,” she said.
The boy was busy wrestling a large rock from the dirt close to the water’s edge, and when he pried it loose, he wobbled a couple of steps and dropped it in the lake. Water shot up and drenched his shoes. He slapped his hands together to dust off the dirt.
“That’s enough rocks.” Mr. Vistoire swept the boy off his feet to toss him in the air and catch him under the arms.
Simon squealed with laughter and demanded more. Mr. Vistoire complied several times, stopping to throw his nephew and catch him as they made their way back toward Simon’s parents. He wrestled with the boy a few more minutes before surrendering him to Serafine.
His mother wrapped him in her arms then frowned at his wet shoes. “Did you walk in the lake?”
He puffed out his chest. “Throw raw.”
Serafine threatened to send Simon and her brother to bed with no dinner, but Regina could tell from the twinkle in her eyes she wasn’t angry. When the picnic ended, Mr. Vistoire insisted on escorting Regina and her family to Wedmore House. Aunt Beatrice and her sisters dispersed the moment they arrived home, leaving Regina alone with her gentleman caller, as Aunt Beatrice had been referring to him all day.
She and Mr. Vistoire stood in the foyer facing one another. His flirting at the picnic seemed more in line with what she expected from a libertine, and as much as it galled her to admit, she’d enjoyed it. Perhaps if she invited him to kiss her now, he wouldn’t be quite the gentleman he was attempting to portray.
She cleared her throat and raised her eyebrows.
“Yes, Miss Darlington? How may I be of service?”
“We are alone, Mr. Vistoire.”
A sinful smile spread across his lips. “You want that kiss, no?”
“Yes.” She tipped up her face, challenging him to show his true character.
He placed his hands on her waist to draw her to him. His touch was gentle and not at all demanding. He kept distance between their bodies. Their only contact was his hands curled around her waist, but it was enough to shower her with tingles everywhere. He didn’t try to kiss her, which made her crave him even more.
“Mr. Vistoire?”
“Xavier,” he whispered and leaned his forehead against hers. “Call me Xavier.”
His scent filled her with longing, but she had no experience with men other than deflecting unwanted advances. She wanted this—him.
“Is something wrong? Aren’t you going to kiss me?”
His smile was like a caress. “No, darling. I am not.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I said I am not going to kiss you.”
She pulled away and her hands landed on her hips. “Why not? You said you would kiss me if we were alone.”
“I said I might, and I have decided it would be improper since you have not yet agreed to marry me.”
She issued a small cry of outrage. “What is your game, Mr. Vistoire? I know you cannot truly be interested in marriage.”
“You are wrong. I am only interested in marriage.”
There was a small tic at his jaw. She pointed at it. “You are lying. I could see it in your face. You don’t want to walk away without kissing me, so what is stopping you?”
“Hope.”
His response stole her momentum. “Hope? I don’t understand.”
“At one time, I was a drunk, a wastrel, and a philanderer just as you think. I will never look back, Regina, because when I am with you, I see the happy future we could have together.” His green gaze held her captive. “My hope is you will come to see it, too, but that won’t happen if I prove myself unworthy of you.”
A lump had formed in her throat, and she swallowed around it. Too many thoughts raced through her mind to grasp on to one. She needed time to sort through his revelation—to make sense of everything—but if she didn’t make some overture in return, he might decide courting her was pointless. She wasn’t ready to see him walk away.
She cleared her throat. “Lady Ellis is hosting a ball tomorrow evening. I think you should come. The countess has taken a liking to Sophia. I’m sure my sister could procure an invitation for you. Perhaps we could start again and forget what we believe we know about one another.”
His smile caused her heart to batter her ribs. “I would like that very much. Would you allow me to claim the supper dance?”
“I suppose I could save the supper dance for you. I did say I like you a little.”
“That is progress.” He winked. “Enjoy your evening, Miss Darlington. I look forward to meeting you for the first time again at Lady Ellis’s ball tomorrow.”
“I hope you make a better impression this time,” she teased.
“As do I.”
Sixteen
Late the next afternoon Regina and Sophia sought out Evangeline in the library. As usual, their sister had Uncle Charles’s papers spread across the table, but her attention was squarely on a thin, leather bound notebook open in front of her.
“What have you found now?” Regina asked.
“It is one of Uncle Charles’s expedition logs.” Evangeline held up a small piece of ripped foolscap. “I found this tucked inside.”
Regina came up behind her to read over her sister’s shoulder and recognized Uncle Charles’s messy handwriting. “It looks like gibberish to me.”
Secrets to a Gentleman's Heart (Gentlemen of Intrigue Book 1) Page 13
