“I’ve killed three men on this journey so far. Two with my gun and one with that fall out the window of the Inn. It weighs on me.”
“You protected Lady St. John. That’s your duty as a gentleman and even more so if you have lost your heart to her. As much as those deaths leave a wound on your soul, losing her forever would be far more devastating.” Michael turned to Theo. “You are a good man, Theodore. Lord Harrow may be your title, but you are a noble man without it. I count it an honor to be your friend.” With that Michael strode off to find the men so they could resume their journey.
~*~
Valeria could tell something weighed heavily on Theo’s heart. She wished he would share with her, but he had not slept during the night. He took his vigil seriously and he performed so efficiently it had taken her breath away. She was as tall as him but when in his arms, she felt petite and protected. It was something she’d never experienced before. She was beginning to believe she could never be content in life without experiencing that on a daily basis. She bit her lip.
The one thing she’d promised never to do certainly happened. She had fallen in love with a member of the aristocracy. The weight of that set as a lead ball in her stomach. If they did not defeat her father-in-law, any chance of happiness between Theo and her was futile. She would always be hunted. She didn’t know what would happen when they arrived at Ashbourne. She only hoped that somehow when Dartanian was safe in her arms again, evil would be vanquished, and she would finally be free to live as she chose. She knew who she would choose to spend her life with.
Theo had stopped mentioning marriage. Not even in a teasing manner. He would gaze at her with longing in his eyes, but a sense of despair enveloped him. Some of that lifted when they’d kissed but he never indicated he desired more. He would not accept her as a mistress. The only thing she could do now was pray.
The rest of the ride was uneventful. Valeria insisted they drive up to Damon’s estate outside Ashbourne and walk in. It was now Dartanian’s inheritance and as his mother she had a right to be there.
Michael and Jared chose to stay hidden in the woods that surrounded the property, but when they broke through to a view of the building itself, they were shocked by the sight before them.
The estate was no longer there.
The carriage pulled up and before Theo could move to let down the stairs, Valeria was out the door in a state of shock. Her home. Dartanian’s home. Gone. All gone. The ashes amongst the shell of stone and brick gave a ghostly appearance. Valeria walked up the front steps and into what used to be the foyer. The marble staircase ascended before her into open sky. She could not step further in to the wreckage due to the layers of brick and stone that had collapsed from the upper floors.
Dartanian was not here. She believed he had not been here when it happened. Weeds were already sprouting up amongst some of the bricks. The Duke must have burned it after she left in revenge for her defection and taking his grandson. She knelt on the ground covered in ashes and cried. She would never miss this as home when the place had been filled with so much evil and hatred. But she grieved for what her son had never really possessed. A home to be loved in. A place to grow and play. Any chance of that was gone.
Theo assisted her as she struggled to rise. She brushed the dirt off her traveling gown, leaving smudges. Black would have been far more practical for a journey of this nature. When all was said and done she would toss out the lavender shades and adopt happier colors. She’d suffered long enough.
“Michael and Jared will do some investigating and join us later. Let us find lodging and decide our next course of action on full stomachs.” Theo helped her down the stairs. When they were in the carriageway he stopped and turned her toward him. He lifted up a thumb to wipe away the remaining tears and pulled out his handkerchief since there was more moisture on her cheeks than a mere thumb could handle. “You will not be homeless. Do not fear that.”
“This place was never home, but it was Dartanian’s inheritance.” She glanced back at the ruins. “In many ways, I’m relieved it is gone. The spectre of the past has been vanquished.”
Marcus drove the carriage back to Ashbourne to find a place for the night, as Jared had commandeered his horse to stay behind and investigate further.
Theo held Valeria close as they drove away from the ruins of the St. John property. The scene faded into the distance with every clip clop of the horses’ hooves.
Valeria soaked in being so close to Theo. “Will you sleep in my room again tonight?” She moved slightly away so she could watch his face.
Theo glanced at her and away. His face gave no hint of his thoughts or feelings. “Perhaps Captain Allendale will. He’s better trained for that sort of thing.”
Valeria shook her head. “No. That will never do. It has to be you, Lord Harrow.” If only she were free to think of more with this noble man. Her son had to be her primary focus, but she didn’t feel safe without Theo close by. When had she ever needed to depend on someone like this? Had she ever met a man so selfless?
His eyes flashed to hers. They were dark steely gray as they met her brown ones. “Why?”
She patted his knee and let her hand rest there. “Because I am only at ease in your presence.”
Theo groaned. His much larger hand came and moved hers off his leg.
Valeria smiled to herself. Her presence did affect him. He didn’t want to be near her because he was fighting his physical attraction to her. She leaned against the corner of the carriage to think. Did she make it easier for him and withdraw her flirting, or did she use that attraction to make it impossible for him to say no?
~*~
The men were in the private room awaiting Lady St. John before dinner was to be delivered.
“What’s our plan? We head to Newcastle-under-Lyme tomorrow morning, but then what? The Black Diamond’s been aggressive in trying to get to Lady St. John. How can we rescue a six-year-old boy and keep her safe at the same time?”
“I will be her guard,” Theo volunteered.
“You’ve done a great job so far,” Marcus said. “But sleeping in her room? Theo.” Censure laced his words.
“You slept in Josie’s room when she was injured.” Theo bristled.
“She was injured and bedridden. Once she was up and about I was not there.” Marcus’s jaw was locked tight as he spoke, daring his friend to question his integrity.
“Valeria is a widow. She has more license than a debutante. No one need know.” Theo made eye contact with all four men. “And nothing happened. I slept on the floor.”
Michael stepped forward. “Aren’t you even the least bit tempted, Theo? You’re playing a dangerous game here.”
“If I had not been there last night I might have stopped the man at the door, but never the one trying the window.”
“What if I took that night shift?” Jared offered.
“No,” a female voice interrupted.
All five heads turned to the door where Lady St. John stood. She closed it behind her and walked regally to the circle that opened to include her. “No offense, Captain Allendale, but we are not well acquainted. I want Lord Harrow to stand guard. He has proven himself trustworthy on three occasions thus far.”
Jared put his hands up in surrender. “I concede to the lady’s wishes. I do not want to be in a woman’s bedroom who doesn’t want me.”
Theo glared.
Jared backed up a step. “Theo, what has gotten into you? If you have staked your claim on the fine lady here, then far be it for me to step in.” Jared walked away to the sideboard and poured himself a drink.
The proprietor came in with hot food for the group. The group gathered at the table and Marcus prayed a blessing over the repast.
Theo was seated next to Valeria. He found it hard to focus on his food with the scent of orange blossoms in the air. His mind turned to her in bed, dressed in her nightrail, and her hair spilling in waves across the pillow. Even though he had wrapped his hands in he
r hair while she slept in his arms the previous night, he found something so beautiful and pure about the golden locks that begged for him to touch them. A few strands were loose from her chignon as she sat next to him and he longed to push them behind her ear. He wanted to touch, hold, smell, and taste her. He finally gave up eating and drank the coffee before him hoping it would help him stay alert.
When Lady St. John was ready, Theo escorted her to her room and unlocked the door. He entered the room first.
Her belongings had been strewn about and the bed covers ripped off.
Pain exploded in his skull and darkness descended.
8
Valeria screamed when the figure emerged from behind the door and knocked Theo senseless. She pulled out her revolver and took aim. The noise was deafening in the hallway. The firearm kicked back causing her pain in the still-healing collarbone.
The man looked shocked and stumbled forward.
She reloaded with shaking fingers and fired again.
The man fell and ceased moving.
She loaded a third time and took a step into the room to make sure there were no more intruders. Valeria knelt next to an unconscious Theo. Her fingers found his pulse. She rose as the other men rushed up the stairs to her door.
“What happened?” Marcus asked.
Valeria pulled out Theo’s handkerchief that she had kept and applied it to the dark spot appearing in his light brown hair.
He moaned but didn’t awaken.
Phillip knelt down to check the intruder for a pulse. “He’s dead.” Phillip looked at Valeria. “Good shot, Lady St. John.”
Jared, Michael, and Marcus lifted Theo off the floor and on to her bed.
Valeria pulled off his boots and covered him up. He remained pale and unmoving.
“We’ll get this guy out of here and contact the magistrate. Jared, can you stay and stand guard in case there are any more attempts on Lady St. John?”
“Be glad to,” Captain Allendale checked to be sure his revolver was loaded. “All set.” He pulled up a chair near the fireplace and stirred the embers.
The remaining men dragged the dead body out of the room.
A few minutes later a maid appeared to wash the blood off the floor. The young gal had wide eyes and appeared flighty and nervous but left quickly.
Valeria locked the door and checked the window. She peered down to the yard below. A man couldn’t access the room without a ladder. Satisfied that they were safe for the nonce she returned to Theo and sat on the bed by his side. “Mon cheri, please wake up.”
She picked up his large hand, placed a kiss in the palm, closed his fingers over it, and fought back the tears. She never thought to see this gentle man laid low. It struck her at the risks these men, most especially Theo, were taking to help her rescue Dartanian. She swallowed hard.
A knock at the door had Jared on his feet with his gun drawn. “Who is it?”
“Michael. I brought a doctor for Theodore.”
Jared unlocked the door and allowed the two men in.
Valeria rose and moved to the corner. Still shaken, she did the only thing she could think of and bowed her head in prayer. Jumbled pleas to God for Theo, for Dartanian, for all of them tumbled through her mind.
While the doctor assessed Theo’s condition. Jared and Michael whispered by the fireplace, but she could not make out their words. She was more concerned about Theo lying so still and didn’t think twice about their conversation.
The doctor left, and she returned to Theo’s side to keep vigil over him.
Jared came to her as the night grew late. “I can make up a pallet for you by the fireplace, so you can rest.” His voice was soft and comforting.
“I prefer to remain here, Captain Allendale.”
He sat back by the fireplace and stoked the flames.
Valeria only had eyes for Theo. With startling clarity, her hope of love and joy in the future was wrapped up in this one man. And that love was in jeopardy. She prayed for Dartanian’s safety and for God’s mercy on them all.
~*~
The pain in his head made him want to retch. He hadn’t been drinking, he was sure of it. His chest felt heavy, as if there was a weight on it. He slowly opened his eyes to a dark room, but a light from outside and the breaking dawn illuminated golden hair and a face he had come to hold dear. Valeria’s upper body was draped across his chest while she somehow was seated on the edge of the bed with her feet over the edge. She could not be comfortable.
He tried to talk but it took too much effort and the noise in his head was deafening. He wasn’t sure he would hear himself, her, or anything else. He gazed at the roughhewn beams above trying to remember how he came to be here. He remembered comforting Valeria when they’d discovered the estate burned to the ground. Dinner. Walking her to her room and opening the door. He reached a hand up to feel the back of his head and discovered the source of his pain when his fingers touched a large bump there. He glanced over to the fireplace and spied Jared. He must have made a noise because the stealthy spy was by his side in only a few steps. “How do you fare, Theo?”
“I’ve had better days.” He gave a grin to his friend.
“You took quite a hit to the head. The man used a broken ax to whack you with. Fortunately, he used the blunt end.”
“That would explain the log splitting going on in my brain.” Theo winced. “The intruder?”
“Lady St. John dispatched him before we could arrive.” Jared raised his eyebrows at the sleeping woman. “She has refused to leave your side, Theo. You are a lucky man.” He stepped back as Valeria moved. “Rest now, unless you need some assistance?”
Theo shook his head.
Jared nodded and returned to his post by the fire.
Theo closed his eyes, but his fingers wound through silky strands as if holding onto a safety rope.
~*~
Morning came too early. Lady St. John stirred so Theo released his grip on her hair. He opened his eyes slightly as she raised her head and stretched without realizing he watched her. Even rumpled she was beautiful. Would he ever tire of looking at her? Despite his head pounding he found pleasure in gazing at this woman. He must be insane. Or perhaps buffleheaded.
She moved further up by his side and placed a hand on his chest.
Theo’s heart beat grew stronger and he opened his eyes fully to look at her.
Her eyes widened. Her hair was loose around her shoulders, begging to be touched again. He resisted the urge.
“My lord,” her eyes searched his.
“I would be yours if you would let me.” Theo grinned.
She sat up and her eyes narrowed. “You must be better if you are thinking of such things.” She patted his chest playfully.
His hand came up and held hers firm against him. “There is a stampede of horses running through my head and the only way I can stand it is to look at you.”
She tried to pull her hand away.
Theo reached up to touch her cheek but the moment was disturbed by a cough. Theo glanced over at Jared. He’d forgotten they were not alone. He dropped his hand.
Valeria grinned at him.
He let his eyes close with her image embedded on his retinas. Such beauty. It brought him peace. The stampede faded into the distance.
~*~
Valeria stood to the side as the men all entered the room and convened by the fireplace. Theo still slept. She grinned as she remembered the way he flirted with her when he’d opened his eyes earlier. But now what were they to do? They needed to rescue Dartanian and they couldn’t leave Theo here alone, but he was not up for traveling and the day was quickly slipping by. To make things even more difficult, it rained again reducing the roads to mud, dangerous for the horses and problematic for the carriage.
“I say we leave Theo here and head out,” Michael suggested.
“No. That will never do. Theo is Lady St. John’s protector, we cannot take the one without the other,” Marcus said.
Pro
tector? That sounded so, scandaleux. Valeria turned to glance at Theo only to find he was awake and following the conversation.
He grinned and winked at her. He understood how it had sounded.
Drat the man! He was too injured, or she would punch him in that muscular bicep that was exposed as he tried to raise himself to a sitting position. She tried to keep from blushing as his covers slid down his broad chest.
Jared had removed Theo’s clothes after the doctor came and while she believed he still wore his smallclothes, he was naked from the waist up. The sight made her heart beat faster. Damon had been soft in comparison. Even Michael was far more fit than her husband had ever been. Damon had been round all over. She glanced at Theo and his eyebrows rose. She waved her hand and listened to the conversation.
“I would say that Theo is the one in need of protection,” Phillip stated, but realizing how horrible it sounded, he backtracked. “Pardon me, Lady St. John. I had no desire to cast aspersions on your character.”
Heat rose in Valeria’s cheeks again. He was not far from the truth if she were honest. The more time she spent in Lord Harrow’s company the harder it was to restrain herself from touching him or doing even more. That did not honor God, and yet she was even loathe to pray for protection from the temptation that the man beside her presented.
“Lord Harrow cannot be left behind and neither can I. I suggest we wait for the storm to end and set out in the morning.” Valeria sat down in a chair next to the bed and folded her arms across her chest. She had handed Dartanian’s safety to God despite her fears, and as far as she was concerned, the matter was settled.
Jared walked to the window. “The lady has a point. I would be loath to slough through the mud with any horse and Theo’s carriage would likely get stuck. Better to wait until tomorrow.”
“But what about Dartanian?” Michael asked.
“We will pray for his safety. The delay cannot be helped,” Marcus conceded, and then glanced over to Theo. “Put a shirt on, there is a lady present.”
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