The Hero Least Likely

by Darcy Burke

  He set the inkwell down and rose from his chair. He grabbed the cane and left the drawing room in time to see Paula coming down the stairs.

  “Did you have a good rest?” he greeted when she reached the last step.

  “I did,” she replied as she came over to him.

  “Are you feeling more tired than usual?” He didn’t recall her needing naps during the day shortly after they married. Even in the grueling ride in the carriage, she’d managed to stay awake. Had she not started her monthly flow that morning, he would have suspected she was with child. But since that wasn’t the case, he wondered what else could be going on.

  “I’ve had a lot on my mind,” she replied. “You know, with the upcoming ball and getting ready to leave for Blackburn. When I lie down for a while, it helps me think more clearly.”

  “You shouldn’t worry about Blackburn. The servants will handle the details on all that. Your things will go with us.”

  She nodded but didn’t say anything.

  “Maybe a nice, long walk will help, too.”

  “You’re probably right.” Smiling, she set her hand on his arm. “I am looking forward to Blackburn.”

  He suspected there was more truth in that statement than she was willing to admit. At least there, her brother wouldn’t be around. “Everything will be all right.” He placed his hand over hers and squeezed it. “You’ll see.” Because one way or another, he was going to take care of her brother.

  Perry hadn’t planned to go to Nate’s the next day, but he needed to clear his head and the best way he could do that was by playing a game of chess. As he sat in the den, he stared at the pawns without really seeing them.

  “Under ordinary circumstances, I’d assume you were stumped on what you should do next, but the endless sighing tells me something else is amiss,” Nate said as he got up to pour brandy into his glass.

  “I didn’t realize I was sighing,” Perry replied, straightening in his chair.

  “You only sigh like that when something’s bothering you.” He took a sip then motioned to him. “Out with it. What’s on your mind? Is it Christopher again?”

  “No, it’s not him. He and Agatha headed out to their country estate, so he’s not around to bother me.”

  “Then what is it?”

  “It’s Paula’s brother. He’s up to something, and it can’t be good.”

  “Are you going to confront him?”

  “I’m going to have to. The question is how to best do it.” Leaning back in the chair, he crossed his legs and tapped the arm of the chair. “I’ve thought about going to his townhouse. I almost did so on my way here.”

  Settling across from him, Nate sipped more of his brandy. “What stopped you?”

  “I’m not sure. On the surface, it seems like a simple matter. I should be able to go up to him and demand what’s going on, but I don’t think he’ll come out and tell me.”

  “Did you ask Paula about it?”

  “No. She doesn’t know I’m aware that something’s going on.”

  With a shake of his head, he said, “I don’t understand you, Perry. You never confront anyone about anything. That’s why Christopher ran rampant through London, getting into countless brawls. You can’t stand by and let everything happen around you. You need to take matters into your own hands and make things happen for you. There’s a big difference between the two.”

  “Sometimes the direct approach isn’t the best one.”

  “That didn’t work for Christopher.”

  “Paula isn’t Christopher. She’s kind and sweet. At times I sense a sadness in her, and while I think a part of it has to do with her brother, something else is at play. But,” he quickly added when he saw Nate open his mouth to protest, “she’d never do me any harm. I know you find it hard to believe a lady who willingly creates a scandal can make a good wife, but she is the best a gentleman can hope for.”

  “In light of the fact that I’m married to Claire, I’ll argue that Paula isn’t the best any gentleman can hope for.”

  Amused that his friend paid Claire such a high compliment, he teased, “And to think when you met Claire, you believed she would doom you to a life of misery.”

  He shrugged. “A slight misunderstanding. I had no idea she didn’t willingly cause a scandal.”

  “It’s nice you figured that out before you made a real mess of things and drove her away.”

  “Hmm… I didn’t think we’d start talking about me all of the sudden.”

  “We’re not. We’re talking about your wife, and I agree that she’s a good one. A little too good for you, perhaps—”

  “May I remind you that you’re in my townhouse, and I can throw you out of here whenever I want?” Nate replied, his tone hinting at his jest.

  “In that case, I remove my comment from this discussion,” Perry consented with a chuckle. Good old Nate. It never failed that whenever something bothered him, he could depend on Nate to make him feel better. “Getting back to Paula’s brother, though,” he shifted in the chair, “I can’t say he’s like Christopher either. While Christopher did get into trouble, I honestly believe he acted on impulse and inexperience. Granted, he says things just to irk me, but it’s harmless. Her brother, on the other hand, is more calculated in his dealings. He plays the part of a gentleman, but I suspect that while he’s pretending to be honest, he’s slipping in something dangerous when he thinks no one is looking.” He rubbed his forehead. “I don’t know how to better explain it than that.”

  “And you think he’s been manipulating Paula to his advantage?”

  Perry hadn’t thought of it that way, but Nate had a good point. “Yes, yes I do.” He recalled how scared Paula had been of her brother when they left for Gretna Green. He’d assured her on several occasions that he would take care of her brother so she wouldn’t have to talk to him. “She said that she and her brother resolved their differences.”

  “But you don’t believe her?”

  “No, I don’t. I think her brother is using something against her.” Probably something her brother knew he wouldn’t like. But what could it possibly be?

  “If you’re dealing with a fox, then there’s only one thing you can do.”

  “Oh?”

  “Outfox the fox. Bring him into your hole. Put him in your territory. Make him feel comfortable. Don’t let him know you suspect something is up. Then watch him. Bide your time. Sooner or later, he’ll expose himself, and when he does, you’ll have him exactly where you want him.”

  “So what you’re saying is, I’ve been doing the right thing all along.”

  Nate’s lips curled up. “Perhaps you are. But you haven’t invited him to your home.”

  “I’ll grant you that. I haven’t.”

  His smile grew wider as he moved his chess piece. “Invite him to Blackburn. That’ll leave the fox with nowhere to hide when you catch him.”

  SEVENTEEN

  Paula glanced at the door of Perry’s bedchamber. It was still closed. She was alone. No one was about to witness what she was about to do. Letting out a shaky breath, she sat at his desk and pulled out a drawer. No money. She closed it and opened another one. A small wooden box was in it. She took it out and lifted the lid, surprised it wasn’t locked. And it contained money. That only proved how trusting Perry was.

  Wiping away her tears, she counted twenty pounds then closed the lid and slipped it back into the drawer where it had been before. She shut the door and hurried out of the room. She slammed the door connecting their bedchambers behind her and collapsed on her bed. She never wanted to steal anything from him again.

  If only she came into the marriage with more than the necklace her father gave her, she would have had something else to sell to come up with the money her brother wanted. But everything she had that was worth any value was because of Perry.

  She brushed away more tears. Tomorrow evening was the night of the ball. Then the next day, she and Perry would head out to the country. She didn’t kno
w how, but she’d find a way to make the theft up to him. She’d find a way. Somehow. Someway. Because if she didn’t, she’d never be able to look at herself in the mirror again.

  Paula sat on a bench at Hyde Park, staring off into the distance, barely aware of the people around her. She’d stolen. She’d taken something that belonged to Perry and was giving it to her brother. But did she have a choice? Of course, she did. She could tell Perry everything then ask for his mercy. He’d forgive her for taking the inkwell and money, but would he forgive her for playing the virgin when she hadn’t been one on their wedding night? Did she dare take the risk and find out?

  Swallowing the lump in her throat, she dabbed the handkerchief over her eyes. She was a bundle of nerves. She couldn’t see Perry when she was like this. She had to strengthen her resolve. If only she knew how…

  How foolish she’d been. Why did she assume that by marrying someone she picked, she’d be able to leave the past behind? She should have known her brother would see to it that she’d have no peace. Not when he could benefit from it.

  What was she going to do? She needed twenty pounds. If she could think of another way to get it instead of taking it from Perry’s box—

  “Paula?”

  Stiffening, she looked up at Claire. Good. It wasn’t Stewart or Perry. Relaxing, she cleared her throat and quickly brought the handkerchief back down, wrapping her hands around it to hide it, though Claire had already seen it. But maybe she wouldn’t mention it if Paula distracted her. “Will you be attending the ball tomorrow evening at Lord Rett…Redd…”

  “Lord Reddington’s?”

  Letting out an uneasy laugh, Paula nodded. “I don’t know why, but I can’t remember his title.”

  “It doesn’t flow very well.” She motioned to the bench. “Mind if I sit?”

  “Oh, please do.”

  Claire settled beside her and tucked her shawl around her arms. “Who knows how many nice days we’ll have before it feels like autumn?”

  “Everyone else seems to be thinking the same thing.”

  “There’s a lot of people out here today.” The two sat in awkward silence for a minute before Claire spoke up. “I’m glad I found you.”

  “Are you?”

  “You’re Perry’s wife. Nate and I had hoped Perry would find one, and we couldn’t be more pleased that you’re the one who married him.”

  “That’s very kind of you to say, but…” But what? But Claire and Nate were sorely mistaken if they thought she deserved him? She didn’t dare say such a thing. “There’s nothing special about me.”

  “You’d never know that from the way Perry’s eyes light up when you enter a room. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a gentleman more devoted to a lady than he is to you.”

  That only made Paula feel worse. She averted her gaze from Claire’s and watched the people who strolled by. All of them were laughing and talking as if they didn’t have a care in the world. None of them had the heavy weight of sin pressing down on them.

  “What kind of things do you like to do?” Claire asked, once more bringing her attention to her.

  “Oh, well, not much, really. I like going outside and taking a walk. I like to see the trees and grass and birds.” Claire waited, probably expecting her to add more, but Paula’s life had consisted of little else besides her time outdoors and helping her mother in the cottage until Lord Holloway came into her life. She shrugged and tightened her grip on the handkerchief. “I’m afraid there’s not much else to me.” She forced a smile. “How about you? What do you enjoy?”

  “I also enjoying going out and walking. I don’t enjoy horse riding, though my husband likes to take his horse out a couple times a week, especially when we’re in the country. I’d rather sit in the gazebo and draw.”

  “You draw? Are you any good at it?”

  “Sadly, no. But Catherine is. We should have invited you to take a stroll through here a week ago. From time to time, we come out here and draw what we see. I like to draw flowers. She prefers to draw buildings and people. Next year when we return, we should come here and you can see how good she is. Do you draw at all?”

  “No. I haven’t had the need to.”

  “So you might be good at it and not even know it. That’s how it was for Catherine.”

  Maybe she could draw well. Maybe she couldn’t. Either way, she didn’t think Claire would invite her to go with her and Catherine if Perry found out about her past and cast her away in the country so he wouldn’t have to bear the shame of being in London with her.

  “Are you and Perry leaving for the country soon?” Claire asked.

  “Yes. After tomorrow. We’ll attend the ball first.”

  “Nate and I had planned to leave already, but he wants to discuss a few investment ideas with a gentleman. Once he finishes up with business, we’ll be leaving.”

  “Are the others already gone?”

  “You mean Christopher, Agatha, Catherine, and Ethan?”

  Paula nodded.

  “Yes.” She chuckled. “Between you and me, I think Christopher wants to have Agatha all to himself.”

  “That’s sweet.”

  “It is, isn’t it?”

  “Speaking of Christopher, do you think he’s changed? Perry said he used to get into trouble a lot.” She hesitated to add that Perry still thought he had a wicked streak in him despite all outward appearances.

  “Christopher’s motives have always been good, even if he didn’t know how to best act on them. I think people look at Christopher and only see what’s on the surface. There’s much more to him than what appears. He’s probably more honorable than a lot of us imagine.”

  She had suspected as much. “So his past hasn’t destroyed his future?”

  “I should say not. He and Agatha are happy, and in the end, that’s all that matters.”

  “Agatha must be an understanding person.”

  “Either that or a part of her enjoys the slightly mischievous side in her husband.”

  “Perry doesn’t though.”

  “I suspect that’s because Christopher finds ways to irritate him on purpose. But he loves him. He may never say it, but he’s shown it in his actions. He took Christopher in when Christopher was young and he always did what was best for him. I think it’s because Perry didn’t give up on him that Christopher didn’t become a rake. He might have wanted others to believe he was a rake, but he wasn’t. Like I said, what you see isn’t what you get. Sometimes people surprise you.” She stood up and gestured to the path that curved around some trees. “Would you like to walk with me?”

  Paula rose to her feet. “Yes. Tell me about Agatha, Catherine, and Ethan.”

  As Claire did, the two headed for the trees.

  When Paula returned to the townhouse, she went to her bedchamber and opened the reticule resting on her vanity. She pulled out the twenty pounds and stared at it. She didn’t have to resort to stealing anymore. There had to be another way she could satisfy her brother’s demands.

  Steadying her breath, she put the reticule back on the vanity then walked over to the door that connected her bedchamber with Perry’s. She pressed her ear to it and waited. Nothing. It was silent. Good. Maybe he hadn’t returned from White’s yet.

  Just to be sure he wasn’t in, she knocked on the door. No response. She slowly turned the knob and nudged the door open. With a glance around the bedchamber, she saw that she was alone. Relieved, she opened the door all the way and stepped into the room. All she had to do was put the money back into the box.

  Maybe she’d take one of the necklaces Perry bought her and sell it to that merchant. Even if he didn’t give her the full amount for it, she could easily get the extra twenty. Yes. That was a much better plan. Then she’d be selling her own things to pay her brother off instead of stealing from Perry.

  She made it to the desk and placed the money in the box. Just as she shut the lid, the door to his bedchamber opened and she stilled. Maybe it would be the valet who came to
get Perry’s clothes ready for dinner. But she didn’t have any such luck, not when she heard the familiar sound of a cane tapping the floor. She shoved the box into the drawer and tried to be quiet about shutting it before he could see her.

  “Paula, what are you doing here?” he asked.

  She couldn’t tell if he sounded bewildered or not but hoped that was the case since she didn’t want to think he was angry with her. “Perry, I can explain,” she replied, struggling to think of something—anything—she might say that would make sense as to why she was right by his desk. Nothing came to mind. She was guilty. And worse than that, she’d been caught.

  He waited for her to continue, his eyes patient, his expression open to whatever she had to say.

  She released her breath and ventured, “I needed twenty pounds.” There. It was the truth. Maybe not the complete truth, but it was better than an outright lie.

  He went over to the desk and took the box out of the drawer. “We’re married. Anything I have belongs to you.” He pulled out twenty pounds and held it out to her. “You have nothing to fear. It’s yours to take.”

  She stared at the money for a long moment, hardly believing her ears. “You want me to take it after I came in here and stole it?”

  His eyebrows furrowed, he counted the money in the box. “The full amount is here.”

  “I took the twenty pounds out this morning after you left for White’s.”

  “So you came in here to return it?”

  She shifted from one foot to another and nodded. Might as well admit that part, too.

  “It’s all right,” he softly told her. “You can come in here any time you want and take whatever you need. We could even get you a box to put money in so you don’t have to come here. Here.” He indicated to the twenty pounds. “Take it.”

  Despite her hesitation, she accepted it. “Thank you.”