Sari Robins - [Andersen Hall Orphanage 01]

by One Wicked Night

  “I’ll try to remember that,” Lillian ribbed.

  “Give me details, please.”

  “Well, Nick met me at the prison the afternoon of our little escapade and told Dillon that he was going to do his best to set an innocent man free.”

  “So it’s Nick now?” Fanny raised a brow.

  Ignoring the lure, Lillian continued, “You should have seen Dillon’s face, Fanny. He actually teared up when Nick gave him the news. It was well worth everything.”

  “Hmmm. So Redford is on our side. But how does that bring him to Litchfield Park this night?”

  Lillian pushed a cloud of bubbles around her knee. “Dillon asked for a report. So I let him know where I might be found.”

  “Might be found? Ha! You’ve got yourself a bit of a crush. Not that I blame you, my dear. He has that dark, brooding air that women can’t resist.”

  “I do not have a crush.” Lillian glared. “It was a smart thing to do under the circumstances.”

  “Under the circumstances the smart thing to do was to stay home, safe and dry.”

  Lillian’s face fell. “I know. I feel like a fool.”

  “Well, no harm done. So your servants lost a few coins. Better than their lives.”

  “A highwayman in the heart of Mayfair. I never would have guessed that Kane would go so far.”

  “You believe it was him?”

  “Or his lackeys. One attacked me, a wretched fellow who Nick believes is a gentleman behaving as anything but.”

  “Did you recognize him?”

  “He was disguised. Thankfully, Nick came along just in time. He, at least, realized the possibility of danger.”

  Fanny scrunched her face. “Hmmm. The man came running to your rescue, very interesting.”

  “It was brave, is what it was. You should have seen the way he handled the dastard. Cool as ice, and the man was dispatched, one, two, three.” Lillian snapped her fingers as the stirring image flashed in her mind. “It was really quite…remarkable.”

  “Cool in a fix and handsome as that?” Fanny brushed her hand along her hip, stating throatily, “What a package. No wonder you’re infatuated.”

  “Oh, stop it, Fanny. There is nothing between us.”

  “Then you are out of your wits. Redford is a sharp blade. One of the most stunning men I’ve ever had the good fortune to lay eyes on. And that body! Well, the man’s fine even with his clothes on.”

  “I try not to think of him with his clothes off,” Lillian confessed. “It’s a bit too distracting.”

  “That’s the point,” Fanny declared, popping open her fan and waving it rapidly. “I’m just…well, I just hope Dillon doesn’t find out. Although he should not blame you. No matter the truth of your relationship, men are selfish bastards and don’t like to share.”

  “Well, the possibility of an affair is moot, so drop it. Nick cares naught for me. It is a simple business relationship, nothing more.”

  “I can tell by the way he carries you about and ministers to your delicate body,” Fanny chided in a disbelieving tone.

  “The man swore that he would not touch me if King George himself ordered him to,” she grumbled. “Not exactly a Romeo with his fair Juliet.”

  “Why would he say such a thing?”

  Suddenly finding it vitally important to clean her cuticles, Lillian grabbed the soap and attended to them. “Well, I told him that we could not have anything untoward between us.”

  Fanny flipped her fan closed with a snap. “Have you cracked?”

  Lillian straightened in the tub, defensive. “It’s for the best. Where can a relationship with Redford ever lead? There are a hundred reasons it will never do. I’m a kept woman. The man’s got more principles than ten vicars combined. Besides, I will not marry. And he despises the wedded state as much as me.”

  “You sound perfect for each other.”

  “Perfectly wretched.” She sank back in the tub.

  Fanny’s eyes narrowed. “You’re afraid that you are going to fall in love with him.”

  “I will never suffer that malady.” Lillian examined a pile of suds in her hand. “It’s not an option.”

  “So he’s a free man? You don’t care if he samples other wares?”

  “Beyond the investigation for Dillon, it’s none of my affair what he does.”

  Fanny stood. “Then you won’t mind if I stop by the guestroom and help warm his bath—”

  “Don’t you dare!” Lillian sat up so quickly that the water splashed over the side of the tub and onto the thick Turkish carpet.

  Her old friend eyed her knowingly. “None of your affair, eh?”

  Shock blazed through Lillian at her own violent reaction. She slowly sank back into the bath, realization dawning. Heaven help her, she was growing fond of Nicholas Redford!

  “Oh, Fanny,” she cried. “I cannot…I will not…” Lillian leaned forward, imploring, “Please help me stop it, Fanny.”

  “You really wish to end your feelings?” Fanny inquired, adjusting her emerald skirts and lounging on the divan.

  “Absolutely!”

  Fanny sighed. “Then there is only one thing you can do,” she replied, tapping the closed fan against her painted red lips. “Sleep with Redford.”

  “What?” Lillian shrieked.

  Tossing the fan aside, Fanny wagged a delicate finger. “Fighting the attraction between you will only make it more intense and significantly more difficult for you two to interact. You do wish to work together for Dillon’s sake?”

  “Of course, but I think bedding Nick would be the worst thing for me to do.”

  “If you bed him, then the tension will disappear. You can cease focusing on each other because the pressure has been released, the temptation has been satisfied.”

  Her argument had merit, but it made Lillian uneasy. “I still don’t think that it’s a good idea, Fanny.”

  “You consider love akin to a malady. Yes?”

  Lillian nodded.

  “How do you treat a cold? I will tell you.” She waved her hand in dramatic affect. “You give in to your body’s need. You focus on it, take to bed, rest, and tend to your body’s travails.”

  “Wouldn’t the act of coupling intensify the feelings instead of quelling them?”

  “In the beginning, perhaps. Sometimes it can dampen feelings completely. Like when the sex is bad. When it’s awful, then the feelings can be quashed in an instant.”

  Bad? Nicholas Redford? Lillian crossed her arms, sighing, “If only. Somehow I cannot fathom it being awful after what happened the other night.”

  “Don’t rub it in!” Fanny exclaimed. “I’m having enough difficulty talking about sex as it is.”

  Lillian shook her head. “It just doesn’t seem right, Fanny. Me cavorting with Dillon’s investigator while he withers away in prison.”

  “What on earth does Dillon have to do with it?”

  “What if I distracted Nick?”

  “And you aren’t now?”

  The clock chimed the hour of nine, and Lillian could hear shuffling feet and deep voices in the guestroom next door.

  Fanny slipped off her half boots and wiggled her toes, sighing. “If I were in your shoes, I’d be living every moment as if it were my last.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “With a scoundrel like Kane hovering over my shoulder, the possibility of imminent doom, well, I’d be making every moment last. Passion, hell, just having fun would rise in importance.”

  “As if it’s low on your list of priorities now?” Lillian scoffed, but she heard the logic in her friend’s words.

  “Don’t you agree?”

  “Even if I did wish to follow your advice, Fanny, Nick has sworn not to touch me. So your suggestion is impossible.”

  Fanny smiled mischievously. “Is Redford sleeping here tonight, perchance?”

  “I have invited him to.”

  “Visit him tonight, Lillian. See what happens. Perhaps you can be even more persuas
ive than King George.”

  “Nick?” Lillian tapped lightly on the guestroom door about an hour later. “May I come in?”

  It was still early yet, just after ten, but the servants had retired for the night, as was usual these days. Lillian had not kept them about either, knowing that she might be making a nocturnal call.

  “If I could have a word with you, please?” Silence greeted her. She wrenched nervously on the tie to her dressing gown, wondering if she should tiptoe back to her room. But Fanny’s words had convinced her; if she had the chance for a taste of passion, she should jump on it. And how frequently would the man of her fantasies be sleeping in the next room? “Live every moment as if it’s going to be my last,” she murmured, reaching for the door.

  Her hand was damp with nervous sweat as she slowly turned the brass knob.

  “Nick?” she whispered, edging into the room. “May I come in?”

  It was a foolish question, because she was already crossing the threshold. Still, if he sent her on her way, she would respect his wishes. No matter Fanny’s confidence, Lillian still had considerable doubt that Nick would even wish for an affair with her. And in the end, it might be disappointing, but it really might be for the best. Then she would know for certain that her feelings would not be reciprocated, ending them forever. At least she hoped that would be how it worked.

  The fire had burned low to embers; the scent of lavender soap filled the air. The plush carpet sank under her slippers, and she was surprised that there was no sound of movement in the room. Perhaps he was already asleep?

  The bed was empty, its sheets turned down. A tray of food loaded with empty dishes rested on the far table by the high-backed chairs near the hearth.

  That’s when she saw his bare feet, stretched out before him, as if warming by the fire. Just the sight of that moon-pale skin made her breath catch.

  “Nick?”

  She stepped around the chair.

  A low snore emanated from his slightly open mouth. He had fallen asleep sitting up, a goblet of wine still in his hand. His raven hair was loose, just grazing his shoulders, his face relaxed in repose and his eyelids smooth with sleep.

  Her heart softened at seeing him so. The poor man was exhausted. It was likely her fault, and here she was thinking about passionate trysts. Her selfishness mortified her. Raising her hand to her mouth, she realized that she needed to stop thinking of herself and simply be a better friend to this outstanding man. For a start, she would do what she could to see him comfortable this night. She owed him at least that much.

  Carefully she removed the goblet from his grasp and set it on the table. Treading softly over to the bed, she lifted off the coverlet and gently wrapped it around his legs. She felt odd stuffing the bedspread about his waist, but he seemed exhausted beyond being disturbed.

  Hoisting up his feet, she realized that she had not noticed before how long and slender his toes were, with crisp dark hairs dusting them. Slowly, she curled the coverlet under his heels. Still he did not rouse.

  As quietly as she could, she added another log to the fire. Turning, she watched the rise and fall of his chest for a few moments, softly mouthing a prayer that the angels of repose guard him safely until dawn. It was the prayer that her grandmother used to say over her bed every night.

  A feeling of wholeness overcame her. This was how it should be. Nick had helped and comforted her this evening; she would do him the same good turn. He deserved it, after all.

  Turning, she went back to her room.

  Chapter 17

  “I see this investigation as having three fronts,” Nick explained to Lillian the next morning over kippers and eggs. “First, Lady Langham. I believe I am beginning to understand why she might have been the target.”

  “Really?” Lillian set down her fork, too excited to eat.

  “Yes. I questioned her servants, and she had been having an affair.”

  “With whom?”

  “Neither her maids nor footmen seem to know. Whoever the man was, he was very secretive, meeting Lady Langham mostly at a house off of Manchester Street. It’s vacant now, and the agent has conveniently taken off on holiday.”

  Lillian’s hopes slipped downward. “Oh.”

  “But I came across an interesting gent the other day, leaving Lord Kane’s residence.”

  “You went by his house?” Somehow the thought of Nick near Kane brought Lillian a sense of unease. Not that she worried for Nick, but he was going up against the monster of her childhood.

  “It seemed prudent to assess his movements. I have ascertained that he hides out at his club most days. Probably to avoid his creditors. The man is deep in dun territory.”

  “Kane likes to live well.” Her fists clenched as she recalled her mother wearing faded garments with multiple mends while Kane was always dressed in the height of fashion. “Living well is not cheap.”

  “He has failed to pay his man-of-affairs the last three months’ wages.”

  “The gent you met leaving Kane’s residence was Mr. Danneman?”

  “Danneman was fired and apparently took off to Cornwall. This fellow’s name is Stein, and he had just left his notice on Kane’s desk.”

  “What intelligence did Mr. Stein have to offer?”

  “The man was only Kane’s man-of-affairs for a few months, so he was not as helpful as I would have liked. But questioning him revealed that Kane and Lady Langham were involved in a shady investment scheme.”

  Lillian leaned forward. “What kind of scheme?”

  “One that’s been around for years because it is effective at playing on people’s greed.”

  “That would do well in London,” she remarked, nodding. “How does it work?”

  “Some scoundrels set up a false venture opportunity. The first investors reap handsome rewards. They usually reinvest and attract other shareholders. They even work to solicit many of the new backers with tidings of their great gains. The original scoundrels take what they want, covering their thefts with the new deposits. But eventually the money dries up.”

  “Then what happens?” she entreated, fascinated.

  “Everyone is left with empty pockets except for the thieves, who are usually long gone.”

  “Lady Langham was one of the thieves?”

  “Yes, she and Kane were in on it together. Apparently the investors were starting to wake up and suspect the scandal.”

  If this could be proven, then Kane would be locked up for his crimes. She tempered her hopes. It sounded too good to be true. “Is there proof of Kane’s involvement? Would Stein be willing to testify?”

  “Kane has covered his tracks well. At this point it would be Stein’s word against his. But I’ll unearth the evidence. Nothing can remain hidden for long.”

  Her spirits rose at the conviction she heard in his voice. She had no doubt that Nick would do as he said. The man was probably one of the most capable she had come across in her lifetime. “But if Lady Langham was in partnership with Kane, then why kill her?”

  “Remember the note that Dagwood has on Lady Langham’s stationery where she threatens to tell her husband all?”

  “It did not have an address or salutation!”

  “Exactly.” He tilted his head approvingly.

  “And it may have been referring to the scheme!”

  “You might make an enquiry agent yourself, Lady Janus.”

  She felt her blush down to her toes. “Lillian, please.”

  Cocoa brown eyes met hers, and she felt drawn into dark, heady pools. Her lips parted, as she felt suddenly breathless, lost in his smoldering gaze. The world fell away, leaving only the delicious heat simmering between her and this dark Adonis. She had to fight the compelling desire to reach across the table and touch him.

  He coughed into his hand and looked away, breaking the spell. “I’m curious, do you wear lily perfume because of your name?”

  Stealing a small sigh, she reminded herself that this was the man who had sworn never to t
ouch her. It was time to stop acting like an infatuated lass, since Nick, at least, was keeping this relationship on a businesslike plane.

  “It was Fanny’s idea,” she offered. “I prefer other scents—lavender, vanilla—but I’ve grown accustomed to it now.”

  “Hmmm.” He shook his head as if to dispel a thought. “So, onto the second front: Beaumont. About his secret—”

  Alarm shot through her. “You cannot tell anyone what you know!”

  Holding up his hand, Nick shook his head. Despite the closed doorway, he lowered his voice. “I assure you, it is not my intention to save a man by ruining him.”

  Her shoulders sagged, relieved.

  “Besides, it would do little good,” he added. “What I need to know is where and what he was doing on the night of Lady Langham’s murder. He lied to me. Sent me on a wild-goose chase, wasting some of the precious little time we have. I need to confront him. To tell him that I know his secret so he need not hide anything.”

  Lillian swallowed, miserable. “If you do that, then he will know that I broke my promise to him.”

  Nick extended his hand as if trying to soften the blow. “If you came with me, then it might help assure him that I would not breach his confidences.”

  She did not answer, knowing what she needed to do but not looking forward to the conversation.

  “It’s important, Lillian.” He looked grim. “Or I would not ask.”

  “I suppose we can go this morning, if that suits you,” she sighed.

  “The sooner, the better. I will have to find witnesses to confirm his whereabouts. No one necessarily needs to know what he was doing with others, so long as there are people who can say where he was at the time of the murder.”

  “What is the third front?”

  His face hardened. “Kane.”

  A surprising thrill shot up her middle at the force she heard in his voice. Kane had always been her own personal monster, and she had never had someone willing to challenge him. Nick’s eagerness could make a girl swoon.