“But I never expected this,” Mrs. Wimple cried. “I love him! Have you no compassion? Are you as heartless as your Mr. Holmes?”
“You said you could bear it, and I believed you, for you have borne more than most women endure in a lifetime. Moreover, I believe you will survive this blow, as well. Matters could have been worse.”
“How? How could it possibly be worse than what you have described?”
“Charles might have married you before the police arrested him, leaving you to bear his shame. He might have murdered you so he could take your money and escape England to avoid arrest.”
“Dear God, is my whole life to be a nightmare? No…no…you are wrong! I could not have loved the man you describe.”
“You experienced the best of Charles, and no one can take those moments from you. He taught you to allow yourself to love.”
“According to you he seduced me for my money, and has killed to get it.”
“Yes, but most men are not like Charles. Don’t give up on your dreams, Mrs. Wimple. Grieve your loss and move on. This is very much like a death of a loved one and I know such pain intimately. However, you cannot hide in grief. You still have time to reclaim your dreams. You will be in mourning for Edward for at least a year. Use your time to make peace with your past so you can move forward into a new life.”
“But won’t the police declare Edward alive?”
Xavier spoke from the other side of the room. “The police do not know the man in the morgue is not Edward.”
Vic knew that wasn’t true, give Inspector Stone had interviewed Edward since his supposed death. Evidently, Xavier had convinced him to remain silent on this issue.
“So the charges against Charles are not related to the man who died?” Mrs. Wimple asked.
“No,” Xavier said and fell quiet again.
Mrs. Wimple turned back to Victor. “And the police are certain Charles murdered these other four people?”
“They are positive.”
She grabbed Vic’s hands and squeezed them. “I think I need to be alone now to come to terms with what you have told me.”
“I understand. Just promise me you won’t give up on your dreams. You are a wonderful woman and you deserve a good life. I am convinced you can still find it.”
“If only you were a bit older,” she teased, forcing a smile through her pain.
“God be with you.” Victor rose. “We will leave you now. Grieve your losses, but not too long, and remember your life still lies before you. Don’t give it up.”
***
When Xavier and Vic returned to the carriage, the same uncomfortable quiet held between them. Neither spoke until they arrived at Vic’s home.
“You did not need me at all. Your ability to soothe a woman’s broken heart is quite impressive,” Xavier declared as Vic exited the carriage. “However, you might wish to take some of the advice you so wisely gave onto yourself.”
Vic turned to face him. The sadness in his voice tore at her. She opened her mouth to assure him she only needed time, but he rapped on the roof and the carriage pulled away.
She went inside and hid herself in her window seat until Claire came to rescue her from her misery.
“Here now, what is the matter?” Claire crawled up beside her.
“I am in dire risk of losing Xavier.”
“I don’t think it likely. He is very much in love with you.”
“He was…but I have pushed him away and now he says he will go to Lady Anne to relieve his needs.”
Claire stared at her for several moments in stunned silence. “I hardly know where to begin with my questions. So allow me to start at the first and work my way through. You state he ‘was’ in love with you, as if no longer true. I cannot believe it to be the case, for a man such as Xavier does not fall into or out of love so whimsically. The last time he came here for dinner, he loved you with all his heart and unless you can prove otherwise, I will believe it still to be so.”
“He no longer yells at me or calls me ‘impudent pup.’ He is polite and distant now.”
“That could be due to the second part of your sentence. What do you mean you have pushed him away?”
“Before I would crawl into his bed, and cuddle against him when I arrived at five and we would sleep for two more hours.”
“And you stayed over on two occasions,” she added.
Vic nodded. “And I would allow him to hold my hand or sit beside me in the carriage, and early on he kissed me several times…”
“And now?”
“I’ve stepped back,” Vic admitted and stared out the window so she wouldn’t have to see Claire’s disappointment in her.
“Which means exactly what?”
“I’m avoiding all intimacy with him.”
“I see,” Claire said and sighed. “So once he proved to you your gender wasn’t an issue to him or your job, and you learned from me ways to prevent pregnancies and you had no valid reason to shun him—”
“I became overwhelmed with the possibility of falling in love and ran for cover,” Vic admitted.
Claire shook her head. “Vic, your ‘being in love’ is not just a possibility, it is an undeniable truth. The reason you are here in this window crying is because you have gravely injured the man you love and you are terrified your behavior is going to destroy this beautiful once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that stands before you.”
Vic groaned. “I am in hell!”
“Yes, you are, and how you arrived there I haven’t a clue. Why are you so afraid to become Xavier’s lover?”
“Because it will change me,” Vic replied. “Even now he has changed me.”
“Yes, loving someone does that,” she agreed. “And I actually do understand. I resisted falling in love for the same reason. I did not want a lover dominating me, controlling my life in any way.”
“That’s it!” Vic felt relieved someone understood her fear.
“I must tell you in retrospect I find my fear to have been inconsequential compared to the joy and happiness Jonas brings to my life.”
“But he cannot dominate you…”
“Oh, he could, just as I could dominate you if I had a will to do so, just as Gregory frequently dominates us both. It is a right we give to those we love. All Jonas has to do is provide a good reason for his request, and I will do it.”
“But what has he ever asked you to do?” Vic challenged.
“He asked me to remain in mourning for at least two years so he will be spared the worry of my being seduced and stolen away from him,” Claire replied.
“That is not a particular hardship,” Vic grumbled.
“Says the young gentleman having the time of his life. I do not like the color black, and the idea of wearing it for two years is not agreeable to me, at all. But if it gives Jonas peace of mind, I will do so, because I love him. What frightens you is the power of love.”
Vic nodded in agreement.
“Now explain the next part of your statement—about Xavier going to Lady Anne to relieve his needs.”
“His attraction to me has created physical repercussions.”
“No, I mean who is Lady Anne?”
“She is part of a case we are currently working, so you cannot repeat this to anyone.”
Claire nodded.
“She is reputed to be a beautiful young lady, very accomplished and apparently irresistible.” Vic told her of the Lady Anne’s misfortunes. “Her guardian arranged for her marriage to an ancient old man, whose man of affairs abused her and gave her too little to maintain the estate. In desperation, she sought help from Lord Chesterfield who convinced her to open her mansion as a gentleman’s club in which she would play mistress.”
“Mistress as in…”
“As in ‘whore,’ but an elegant, ladylike one.” Vic sighed. “All the men in the club thought themselves homosexuals, and she was only to be a shill so they could get together without having their true activities discovered. Yet, she did offer
herself to them and several of them, including an Earl and our client, the new Marquis, have fallen completely in love with her.”
“And Xavier now plans to join this club?” Claire asked.
“Yes.”
“Have you considered it might be only to solve the case?”
Vic pressed her clenched fist to the sides of her temple. “No! He is not needed there to solve the case. He is going because I will no longer assist him in relieving his need, and he evidently cannot do it on his own.”
Claire blinked several times. “You were assisting?”
“Yes, before…when we snuggled, I would reach around and stroke him,” Vic admitted.
“And you believe because you have left him hurt and vulnerable, instead of only obtaining release, he will fall in love with this beautiful young woman.”
“I am certain of it, for she will give him love, in which he is presently in great need of.”
“You could be correct. And quite frankly, if you don’t want him, you should hope she is successful.”
“No! He’s mine. I love him…I just need more time.”
Claire threw up her hands in exasperation. “More time for what? What progress have you made other than causing both of you pain? Your retreat is cowardly, Vic, and not at all like you. I don’t understand it. In all probability, this is your one chance for love. Why do you not step forward and take hold? You did not lack courage when you declared you wished to be a boy instead of a girl. Where has this fear come from?”
“I was too young to know fear. And I had Aunt Maddy and Gregory to aid me on my path. I have no one to help me now.”
“You have more people to support you now than ever.”
Vic shook her head. “I cannot go to Gregory about matters of the heart.”
“Why would you waste such a very valuable resource? You would be hard put to ever find a man who has been more in love.”
Her memories still did not want to come to terms with the possibility Gregory had been in love with Aunt Maddy.
“And you have me, and I’ll have you know I am very knowledgeable on the subject of sex. I expect I know a great deal more about it than even Lady Anne does.” Claire stroked Vic’s hair as if she were a distressed kitten. “And you have Xavier. I have no doubt he will be most supportive as you travel this new road. To be honest Vic, most young ladies go into their marriages with far less assistance, and I find your stance completely irrational.” She climbed from the window. “However, it is your life, and you are the only one who can decide what to do. I will support you and love you, regardless of how foolish you behave.”
“Calling me a fool is hardly being supportive,” she grumbled.
“I am respectfully honoring you with the truth.” She leaned in and kissed Vic. “Dinner is no doubt being held for us. Will you come down and eat?”
Vic nodded and they walked downstairs hand in hand.
Chapter 31
The next morning, when Vic arrived at work, she had intended to join Xavier in his bed and put matters to right between them. It did not mean she’d lost her fear, for she had not. However, she’d strengthened her courage and knew their love was worth the risks.
When she opened the door to his bedroom, it took her a full minute to comprehend what lay before her. The bed was empty. Nor did it appear he had recently occupied it. Her heart rose into her throat as she considered what it meant.
Xavier has gone to Lady Anne.
Feeling anger both at herself for taking so long to act and at Xavier for not having more patience, she stormed into the kitchen and heated water for her tea. She was on her third cup when Davy entered and sat on the bench across from her. “What’s wrong, Victor?”
“Nothing,” she insisted.
“Your face says otherwise.”
“I’m just sad.” Realizing Davy didn’t intend to leave her alone, she added, “I miss Aunt Maddy.” She did miss her aunt, but felt a little guilty about using the grand woman as an excuse. Her aunt would not be pleased to see her or Claire weep and cry over her absence.
“’Course you do. She was a fine woman.”
Vic forgot her misery and stared at Davy. “You knew her?”
He nodded. “She always brought me a sweet roll when she came to visit. She said people weren’t meant to live on a single meal a day.”
Vic smiled at the thought of Aunt Maddy bringing food for Davy and no doubt scolding Xavier for his ridiculous stance on meals. “Xavier does have some very foolish notions.”
“Seems we all have.” Davy rose and lifted the kettle. “You want me to fix you more tea?”
“No, I’ve had three cups. Any more and I’ll float away,” she said and hurried downstairs.
An envelope lay on her desk. She opened it with trepidation and read.
Victor,
I will be away for an unknown length of time. Open the office promptly at eight, but do not schedule any appointments requiring my attendance for the remainder of the week. Tell our clients I have locked myself up in my office, working on a case. Feel free to perform first interviews and take on any cases you believe you can handle. Please use your good judgment and take Davy with you wherever you go. If any messages arrive for me, I trust you will be so bold as to read them and respond in my name if possible. By these orders, you will no doubt realize the great confidence I place in your abilities. Try not to allow your head to swell too much, for you are quite impossible as is.
Your employer, X
Vic read the letter several times. It gave her hope. First, she did not believe for a moment that he would stay at Lady Anne’s for a week, so he must be on his secret case for the government. If her machine no longer resided in his office, she would know for certain. Secondly, his compliment and teasing at the end proved he had not given up on her yet, which meant she still had time to set matters right between them. Also in the envelope was a key to his office. Xavier truly did trust her.
Davy eyed her as he sat in the corner and sipped his coffee.
“I’ll be at Xavier’s desk. If anyone arrives while I’m in there, come get me. We are to make everyone believe he is inside.”
“It’s locked,” Davy warned her.
She smiled and presented her key.
“You pinched his key?” Davy exclaimed in horror.
Vic laughed. “No, I found it in the note he left for me along with permission to take on any cases I can solve on my own and the right to read and answer any messages he receives.” Given Davy’s scowl, she gathered he didn’t believe her, so she handed him the note.
He read it slowly then returned it. “You did catch the part where I must be with you?”
Vic smiled. “I wouldn’t think of going without you,” she promised and left him in the outer room while she locked herself inside Xavier’s office. First, she verified that her tracking machine was indeed missing. Once she had confirmed the box gone, she happily typed up his notes, filing them in the proper case files.
In the absence of Xavier’s constant interruptions, she finished her work in record time, but she missed him and would gladly give up the added efficiency to hear his ridiculous chidings every five minutes. She had filed the last typed sheet of notes when Davy knocked on the door. She grew excited thinking she might have a client. However, when she opened the door, all she received was the morning paper. She took it and locked herself back inside the office. Normally, Xavier would mark the paper as to which articles he wished cut and placed in the files.
She had no doubt he would want to read these papers when he returned, so she left them intact and retyped any information relating to their outstanding cases. She marked the front-page article about Charles Kingsley. No mention of Mrs. Wimple or Edward appeared in the article. On the gossip page, there were several comments about the Earl of Carlington and Mr. Hart. The writer suggested they might fare better in hunting for brides without the wit and charm of Albert Finn. She laughed in agreement, remembering the man’s anger towards her.
The message came from Winston Black. He had posted it just before he set sail to France with Lady Anne’s horses. According to Xavier’s file-notes, the horses were some of the finest in England. It had been necessary to remove them because Lady Anne had sold them to her brother, and her brother had sold them to a Lord Chesterfield, who was the ‘friend’ who had convinced Lady Anne to establish the gentleman’s club. If he were willing to turn his ‘friend’ into a whore and destroy her reputation he would have no qualms using her horses to blackmail Lady Anne into continuing a life of thinly veiled prostitution.
Vic filed the note and locked up the office.
She and Davy enjoyed a nice, quiet lunch, and while she appreciated the lack of interruptions while eating, she missed Xavier’s complaints about their tendency to idleness the moment he took his eyes off them. She truly hoped Xavier would resolve his current case before the week ended, because without his ridiculous ad hoc requests she didn’t have enough work to do.
***
The next morning Vic arrived earlier than normal, hoping her boss had returned.
To all appearances, he had not, nor had he slept in his bed. Precisely at eight, a messenger arrived. As always, the boy insisted upon giving it directly to Mr. Thorn, but Davy yanked it from his small hand and shooed him out. Just to be safe, Vic unlocked Xavier’s office and went inside to read it.
The note was from Mr. Hart.
Our suspicions of the lady’s friend were correct. He had sold the assets to RC. I revealed my acquisition of same to RC and he was most unhappy. I expect TC to be called from the country to account for his fraudulent sale.
Vic considered his message. So Lord Chesterfield had sold Lady Anne’s horses to Lord Conrad, just as Xavier had predicted.
Aaron’s admission he had bought the horses from the legal owner and currently held them in France worried her. She wished Xavier had taken better notes concerning their plans so she could understand the purpose of his disclosure. One thing was for certain, it would prod Lord Conrad into action. She only hoped Aaron Hart wouldn’t be the target of his retribution.
The Troublesome Apprentice (The Adventures of Xavier & Vic Book 1) Page 23
