Nora looked away. “It was Lord Ganden who saved him.” He’d paid a heavy sum to become George’s guardian.
“But had you not fought long enough for us to arrive and find out what Mr. Maltsby was up to, who knows what would have taken place.” Lucy took her hand. “You will never understand how much that kindness meant to me. Do you think I don’t know how scared you were?”
Nora kept her gaze lowered. That old fear still lingered. Maltsby was a powerful man. His father had owned a bank. He’d controlled a great portion of the wealth in London. She’d been nothing but a servant and a woman. She’d had no right to hold George away as long as she had. She turned to Lucy. “I would never let any harm come to George.”
Lucy smiled. “Both Kent and I were convinced that you belonged after that. You are our friend, Nora. Never forget that.”
Nora supposed she’d been useful that day, but it did little to kill the guilt of putting Lucy in danger of attracting her brother’s attention.
You have the prettiest friends.
She was only glad that Lucy and Kent would be leaving soon. While they were gone, Nora would find evidence to put Meri away before they returned.
Lucy pulled away when the tea came in.
Nora fought her skirts as Lucy accepted a cup from the maid.
She found a way to spread the skirt onto the chair and propped the pistol up on the cushion away from Lucy. Satisfied, she took her own tea. Now, if she simply stayed still, no one would be the wiser.
She’d barely taken a sip when a man walked into the room.
Nora nearly dropped her tea at the sight of Garrick.
Even when he brooded, it was hard to deny his beauty. Nora often found it hard to define. His eyes were like living water. They almost always dragged her in if she stared for too long. Just like last night.
Was he thinking about last night? The kiss?
She prayed they’d be able to pretend it never took place. She wanted to go back to the way things had been before the party.
Before last night, she’d rarely spoken to him. She’d rarely had need to, but they had shared a few words in the past. It had mainly been her who’d talked. She’d shared her sympathy for what he’d gone through at Mr. Goody’s hands and whenever she thought him being left out, she made some comment if only to make him appear less alone.
But they weren’t friends. Her station didn’t allow that.
Not that anyone close to Kent seemed to allowed Society to dictate their lives.
Speaking of the earl...
The Duke of Astlen, the Marquess of Fawley, the Marquess of Denhallow, and the Earl of Ganden followed Garrick in.
They were all looking at her.
Was this about the kiss?
No, that made no sense.
Then it had to be...
Nora put her tea down and tried to ignore the anxiety that prickled all over her skin. She’d worn a cloak the other night. There was no chance Garrick had known it was her. There was no way. He’d said nothing about it at the party.
“Lady Nora,” Kent said. “We have a few questions for you that we’d like answered.”
She felt the blood leave her face. Her head suddenly felt light.
“Kent, what’s the matter?” Lucy asked as she moved closer to Nora. It was a protective gesture. Lucy would protect her from her own husband? Nora loved these people. She truly did.
“Nora was in Covent Garden a few nights ago,” Kent said. “It was not in the respectable plaza, mind you. Garrick saw her and helped her to a hackney.”
Nora closed her eyes. He’d figured her out. How?
“Nora?” Lucy asked him. “Are you certain?”
Garrick lifted his hands and began to make gestures. Then he looked at Nora.
Clive turned to Lucy. “Look at Nora’s face,” he translated. There was an accusation in his voice.
∫ ∫ ∫
0 7
* * *
Nora felt Lucy turn to her. “Nora, why were you in Covent Garden?”
Nora said nothing.
She’d taken a risk going there. She should have known better. Now, she would suffer the consequences.
She opened her eyes and stood, and the gun hit her leg as it fell. The weight was as heavy as her guilt. “I’ll go pack my trunks. Miriam and I will leave within the hour.”
“No, you will not.” Lucy stood. “You will tell us what is wrong so we can help you.”
“You can’t… I mean…” Nora pressed her lips together and shook with anger as tears began to burn her eyes. She didn’t want to cry in front of these people. “I…”
“Is someone threatening you?” Clive asked.
Nora shook her head. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” She kept her head down and started for the door. She couldn’t meet their eyes. If she did, she would weep and disgrace herself further. She knew she’d hurt them, maybe Lucy more than anyone else. She’d betrayed their trust when she’d gone to Covent Garden. She could no longer stay here.
“Nora,” Lucy called.
“I’m sorry.” Her voice broke.
A man blocked the door, and Nora could tell just by his build who it was. She’d recognized his body from last evening. This morning, he wore a dark blue coat that would surely bring out the blue-green tone of his eyes.
“Please, step aside,” she whispered.
His arms were folded, but he uncrossed them and held out a paper to her.
She wanted to dismiss the note but knew it was his clearest form of communication. It would be unfair for her to listen to everyone else and completely ignore him.
She took it.
“Read it.” His voice went off like a shot.
It startled her. Tears slipped from her face. She wiped them away and then opened his missive.
We know you’re innocent of a crime.
She jerked her head back and met his eyes. How could he possibly assume such a thing? Perhaps, their kiss was influencing him.
Garrick stared at her and then nodded down to the note again.
There was more.
We know you’re innocent of a crime.
Let us help you.
Nora shook her head.
“Nora,” James called. The marquess said no more until she turned and looked at him. He was a scarred man. His face had been abused by his captor, cut to ribbons and then sewn back together by a doctor who likely should have been a tailor. For the most part, James’ face was normal. It was only the impressions of the old slashes that remained. “Let us help you. Is it debt?”
Debt?
She wished it were that simple. “I can’t say. I’m sorry, but I can’t speak of it.” She turned to Kent. “I’m sorry I’ve betrayed your trust. If you wish me to leave, I will.”
“That isn’t necessary, Nora. Neither does anyone wish you to leave.” Kent took Lucy’s hand as she came to stand by him. Nora wouldn’t look at her. She was weeping. “We know you’d never hurt George or any of us. Whatever is going on, we only wish to help.”
Nora swallowed. “Thank you for your confidence in me. I love George. I would never put him in danger.”
“You don’t have to tell us,” James said. “We’re only worried about you.”
“We really just have one question.” Clive stepped forward. “Are you or Miriam in danger?”
She glanced at everyone and then took a deep breath. “No.” Though perhaps it wasn’t a complete lie. She was safe so long as she remained in Ganden’s home.
Kent nodded. “Then we will leave you to your day.” He motioned for the men to leave.
Garrick remained at the door as the others passed, holding her gaze with his.
Nora struggled to breathe but didn’t look away.
“The truth,” he quietly demanded.
Nora looked over to see Lucy was watching them, but then her friend and employer turned away. Nora righted herself. “I’m fine. I swear.”
Movement at the door caught both their attention.
Not wishing to be overheard, she stepped closer. “I can’t believe you told them.” She was very upset with him. “Is this revenge for the other night?”
He placed her hand on his chest, and he began to breathe hard. His jaw clenched, and his heart beat like a drum underneath her hand. He was struggling to say something. Thankfully, her back blocked their hands.
Not wishing to embarrass him, she stepped into the hall. She doubted anyone would care. She was only Lucy’s… What was she?
Garrick closed the door behind him and stepped very close. “I’m… wo…” He blew out a frustrated breath.
She placed a hand on his arm. “Lord Coalwater, you must slow down.”
He closed his eyes and shook his head.
“You’re making this into more than is there,” she said. “Can’t you see that? There was no need to tell the others what took place. I… knew what I was doing.”
He opened his eyes and took her hand and pressed it to his heart.
Her lungs tightened painfully, but she concentrated. He was gesturing to something. This was what Coalwater did whenever he didn’t have a pen nearby. She had to see past what it looked like and focus on his meaning.
But it was hard. As she stared at his face, she couldn’t help but think of what such a move could mean. His hand engulfed her own. It was the first time he’d ever touched her that way.
His brows drew low over his eyes. “I’m worried.”
“You’re worried?” she asked, drawing closer. She was unable to keep herself from doing it. She simply couldn’t keep away.
His brows cleared, and he nodded.
“Is this about the kiss?” she asked, unable to understand why the viscount would bother to worry about her.
“Forget the kiss. Nothing I am doing is because of it.”
Her stomach dropped, and she covered his hands. He’d done exactly as she’d asked him to do. He’d forgotten the kiss. She hadn’t known it would be this soon, however. It would take her longer. Far longer. “Don’t worry.” She tried for a smile. “I’m all right. Miriam is all right.” The weight of the gun was comforting. She could defend herself if need be.
“Lie,” he insisted.
She stiffened. “Can’t you simply let it go?” She tried to take her hand back, but his hold was hard. She didn’t understand why he cared so much. Wasn’t he a busy man? Surely, he was.
“No.” He switched their hands. Now he was holding her once more.
Nora struggled to think. No? He wouldn’t let it go.
She didn’t have time for this. “I won’t go to that part of Covent Garden again.” Which meant she wouldn’t be getting her second gun. But perhaps two was too much. “Does that make you feel better?”
He nodded and finally let her go.
Her fingers slipped from his, and she couldn’t help but notice that her hand felt different. Cold.
Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out another missive.
She took it and fought the smile that tried to take over her face.
I’m sorry I told on you.
Forgive me.
She looked up and smiled at him. With the paper still in her hand, she gestured, “I forgive you.”
Garrick looked surprised. His expression softened. She wished she could sign more. She wanted to impress him, but she could hardly control her racing heart, much less her trembling fingers. So, she switched to speaking. “If you knew it was me the other night, why didn’t you say so at the party?”
The door opened, and Lady Ebba Blanc stuck out her head.
Nora slipped the note into her pocket that had the gun and then smiled at the woman.
“Garrick, I meant to tell you that Papa hopes you’ll join us for dinner next week.” Lady Ebba was Garrick’s cousin.
Garrick nodded.
“Wonderful. I shall let him know.” Ebba’s eyes moved over to Nora and something flashed in her gaze. Something Nora did not like. “Lady Honora, are you joining us?”
“For dinner?” she asked, confused.
Ebba laughed. “No, I meant in the room.” She gestured behind her. “But you may come to dinner as well. I will send you an invitation.”
Nora blushed. “Good day, Lord Coalwater.” She didn’t look at Garrick as she made her escape. Her only hope was that the day didn’t get any worse.
∫ ∫ ∫
0 8
* * *
“So? Did she tell you what’s going on?” Clive asked once Garrick made it back to the study.
Garrick shook his head and turned to Andreas, who stood in the corner. His assistant stepped farther into the room. Andreas was a young fellow with blond curls and pale green eyes and handsome enough to make people forget his lack of authority when he spoke on Garrick’s behalf. Garrick was glad he’d asked the man to come today. Signing saved him the time that writing took.
“Nora knows how to sign?” he asked the assistant. He kept his back to the others so that they wouldn’t see.
“She has been learning along with Miriam and George. She also sits in when Lady Ganden is learning. In addition to that, she has requested that I teach her personally so that she can reinforce the lessons of the children. George mostly.”
Garrick thought the information about Nora interesting.
Garrick signed.
Kent’s green eyes moved busily, and he spoke Garrick’s words before Andreas could. “He says she’s hiding something?” He guessed at the last.
Andreas nodded at Kent. “Very good, my lord.”
Kent took a moment to be proud of himself. Garrick was proud as well. Eventually, he wouldn’t need to bring Andreas to the homes of his friends, only to parties and other places where signing wasn’t used frequently.
“I could have told you that,” James said from the window. He enjoyed standing by them, Garrick discovered, as though always expecting something terrible would come and needed to have the advantage. His scars were silver in the sunlight. He turned to the men in the room. “What do you think it is?”
Kent sighed and ran his hands through his hair. “I don’t know, but I don’t feel comfortable leaving for Berkshire with this going on. George was really looking forward to the trip.”
“You have to go.” Clive moved forward and took the chair in front of Kent’s desk. “There are more than enough of us to see to whatever is going on with Nora. Garrick and I aren’t doing anything. We’ll look into it.”
Garrick pressed his lips together. Technically, he did have things to do. Aside from running a brothel, he’d been looking into other matters from the past. But Nora’s situation took priority.
Kent turned to Garrick and leaned over the desk. “You’ll look after her and Miriam while I’m gone?”
Garrick nodded.
Kent returned the gesture. “If it turns out that anyone is trying to hurt Miriam...”
“I’ll not let that happen,” James said.
“I’ll kill anyone who tries to hurt her,” Ganden said without any inflection in his tone. It was a simple fact.
These were not the sort of conversations that took place in gentlemen’s clubs, so the men Society claimed far less tamed than the rest had been forced to make their own club of sorts. All that seemed to be required was a history of pain and a need for blood and vengeance.
They’d been called uncivilized. It was times like this that Garrick thought the gossip spot on.
“What of her brother?” Garrick asked. He’d been wondering about the brother for a while now. “Why does he allow her to work?”
Kent shrugged. “When Nora came to work for me, I inquired the same. She said she and her brother did not have the best relationship, but I spoke with Lord Thinbrook myself and he says otherwise. He doesn’t like that his sister works, but as far as I know, No
ra avoids him.”
“Is there a reason?”
Kent shrugged. “I don’t know. I didn’t inquire further. I know how difficult family relationships can be.”
Marley crossed his arms from where he sat on the couch. His dark eyes were contemplative before he said, “I didn’t want to bring it up before, but… Selena and Nora share a past.” Selena was Marley’s wife. “They were friends once upon a time, but then Nora ended the relationship and apparently, she was very unkind about it.”
“You mean Nora was harsh with her?” Clive asked. “I can’t see that.”
Neither could Garrick.
Marley shrugged. “Selena didn’t want to talk about it and begged me to let the matter go, but now… I wonder.”
Garrick signed again.
This time, it was James who read his signing. “Do you think... Selena will tell us the truth now that... this is happening?”
Andreas couldn’t help but applaud, likely for his own teaching as much as James’ learned skills.
James blushed.
“Perhaps,” Marley said. “She’d right upstairs with the others.”
* * *
She’s still watching me.
Nora glanced in Ebba’s direction and found the woman focused on her, staring with an expression that spoke of trouble. Could this day get any worse?
Selena approached where Nora stood by the piano. “You look tense. Should I play you something?” Selena lifted a delicate dark blond brow as she took a seat in front of the piano. The women by the couches were looking over a fashion magazine. All except for Ebba, who was still watching Nora with a knowing look. Her eyes were mischievous.
There was nothing to know! Nora wanted to shout that at her.
But then she remembered the kiss.
The kiss had been nothing. Garrick had already forgotten it.
With a sigh, Nora turned and smiled at her old friend. “I missed when you used to do that, play for me whenever I felt troubled.” Which had been often. Selena had been one of the only joys in Nora’s life.
Selena’s sky blue eyes glittered. “We did have fun in those days.”
Nora knew it was only her heightened emotions that made her say, “They were the best days of my life.”
Wounds of A Viscount: (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book) Page 5
