Wounds of A Viscount: (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book)

by Deborah Wilson

  He’d been certain he’d never be a husband. It would disappoint his heir, whatever cousin that was, to know he would not only wed but bear his own heir.

  And he and Nora would have children. They’d make love enough times to make it so.

  “Come,” she said. “George and Nora are in the garden with Liz, but I don’t think the nursemaid can watch them and baby Alvin all on her own.”

  “You believe George and Miriam need watching?”

  You were a boy of twelve once. What do you think?”

  The answer came to mind quick enough. “Let’s go to the garden.”

  ∫ ∫ ∫

  3 4

  * * *

  “Are you happy that George has returned?” Nora asked Miriam that night as she braided her hair.

  “Oh, yes. I’m so happy.” Miriam brushed Monica’s hair. This had been their ritual since Miriam had been given the doll, but it had slowly faded when George came into her life. Nora wondered how long before Miriam would be putting the doll back on the shelf. “Now we’ll all be together,” her daughter went on.

  “What do you mean?” Nora asked.

  “I mean, now that George is here and Papa Garrick lives here, we’ll all be together.”

  Garrick had moved out days ago. Did Miriam think he would come back? “Miriam, tomorrow, you and I will move to Garrick’s house. We won’t live here anymore.”

  Miriam turned to Nora. Her blue eyes were hard. “I don’t want to leave. George is here.”

  “Garrick does not live far, and you will see George enough. Now that Garrick is your father, you will make more friends.” Miriam had already been the daughter of a lord and the granddaughter of an earl but having a viscount as a guardian would help lift Miriam’s status in Society even further.

  “I don’t need more friends. I have George.” From her expression, Nora knew it would be hard to convince Miriam against that opinion for the moment. She was a sweet girl but had a strong will. “I don’t want to leave.”

  “Miriam, you’ll have a large room at Garrick’s house.” Nora wasn’t actually certain if that would be true. She didn’t even know what her own room would look like.

  “But I like my room here.” The rest of that went unsaid. She liked her room, because George’s was not far away.

  Nora sighed and thought of what best to say. “I understand George is important to you but staying here is not possible.”

  Miriam opened her mouth to argue.

  Nora cut her off. “I’m sorry.”

  Miriam’s eyes watered, but she quickly turned away and continued to brush Monica’s hair, slightly rougher than before.

  When she was finished, Nora kissed her child and was heading toward her own room when Lucy came to get her.

  “Your brother is here to see you.”

  Nora frowned. “My brother?” She wondered why he would come, but then recalled the announcement in the paper. It made sense he would come.

  “I was going to send a servant for you,” Lucy went on. “But I decided to come and get you myself.” There were questions in Lucy’s eyes. They rarely discussed Meri. Nora had always changed the subject before.

  “Garrick is in the drawing room as well,” Lucy said as they started down the hall. “I believe your brother offered Garrick a dowry. By appearances, your brother seems so well-to-do. Why is it that you came to work for me when your brother seems more than capable to provide for you?”

  “I simply felt more… comfortable here. My brother and I hadn’t spoken in many years.”

  “Yes, he told us,” Lucy said. “He said your husband kept you two apart. You always speak so highly of Lord Nathan; I can’t imagine Lord Thinbrook’s words to be true.”

  “Nathan had his reasons.” Mainly Nora’s pleading.

  Lucy smiled. “Well, he seemed amiable. I hope you’re both able to work out whatever it is that remains between you. Kent hopes so as well.”

  Nora would understand Kent’s views. He was close to his own brother. In fact, Kent’s brother Colby—who’d never given up on Kent no matter how much Kent had tried to push him away in the past— was the only member of his family that Kent spoke to.

  But Meri and Colby were nothing alike.

  They entered the drawing room, and Nora’s stomach rolled at the sight of Meri. She nearly vomited at his smile and when he pulled her into a hug, yet somehow, she hid her reaction well enough behind a smile.

  “Rah Rah.”

  “Meri.” She took a step away. “I’m sorry I didn’t write to tell you about the engagement.” She’d never intended to write her brother.

  Meri smiled. “That’s all right. At least I was able to see you before you became Lady Coalwater.”

  Nora looked around for the man who would be giving her the title. He was not hard to find. He stood only a foot back from her.

  Lucy moved to stand by Kent. “Oh, good. The tea has arrived. Lord Thinbrook, how do you take it?”

  “Cream and sugar,” her brother said as he turned to Lucy.

  Garrick moved closer. “Are you all right?”

  The smile Nora put on began to burn. “Yes.” She turned back to notice her brother watching her.

  “I didn’t know you knew the manual language,” Meri said.

  “I learned.”

  “How wise of you. Perhaps, I should learn, too. Maybe you could teach me. Lady Lucy has said great things about your work with young Master George. I am certain that with you at my side, I could learn many things.”

  Nora felt the sickness attack again but managed to keep it back. “How kind of you to say, Meri.”

  Garrick led her to a chair and then took the seat next to her. His positioning made it impossible for Meri to get close to her again. Was her fiancé simply being overprotective again, or could he see past Nora’s smile? Perhaps, it was a little bit of both.

  “Of course,” her brother prompted as he sat in a chair not far from her. “There was never any need for you to work.”

  “There are so few choices for women. Being a widow gave me the opportunity to try something new. I enjoyed my time here with George.” She reached for her own cup and took a sip then.

  Meri pressed his lips together and looked ready to argue, but instead, he turned to Garrick. “I am glad to see my sister will be settled once more. What time is the ceremony?” He didn’t ask if he’d been invited to be a witness. He simply assumed.

  Nora didn’t want him there, but now there was no getting out of inviting him. To ignore his question would be rude.

  This was the other side of Meri, the one he gave the members of the ton, the impression that he was sane, an elegant and charming gentleman.

  “I don’t know,” Garrick signed to him. Kent translated for him in Andreas’ absence. “I will send a note by you when the time comes.”

  “I wait until then.” Meri stood. “And now, I shall take my leave.”

  Everyone else stood as well.

  Meri asked Nora, “Can I speak with you alone for a moment?” He didn’t bother to ask anyone’s permission but hers. She was no longer a servant and she was not yet Lady Garrick, but she did give everyone a smile before placing her hand on her brother’s arm. “I’ll see you out.”

  They stopped a few feet away from the door, aware of both the servants who hovered to see the earl on his way and the room where Garrick and the others still convened.

  Meri’s eyes shifted and turned wild before he smiled. “Congratulations, Rah Rah. If I were any happier for you, I would burst into a thousand pieces.”

  Nora worked to slow her breathing before she took her hand from his arm. “Thank you, Meri.”

  “Are you happy with the match?”

  “I am,” she assured him.

  He nodded. Then his gaze sobered, or at least it tried to, but his eyes still held the spirit or something frightening and unbalanced. “Unfortunately, your marriage is not the reason I’ve come to visit. I thought you would come to see me yourself yesterday.”


  “You did?” Nora asked.

  “Yes, to explain.”

  She frowned. “Explain? What are you talking about?”

  Meri tilted her head. “You came home the other night.”

  Nora’s blood ran cold. She parted her lips, but no sound came out. How had Meri found out?

  He smiled deviously. “Thought I would never find out the truth, did you? Well, I did. I know you, Nora. I know everything about you, except for Garrick. I didn’t know how serious your affection for one another had grown until I read the paper this morning and again, I thought you would come and explain what I’d read. You can’t imagine how terribly this reflects on me as your brother. How could I not have known about my own sister? Why did you come to the house, by the way? You never said.”

  “To see you,” she said immediately and prayed he would not grow suspicious of her. “I wanted to tell you about Garrick and that I’m happy.” She swallowed and looked away. “After our last conversation, when you mentioned that you didn’t enjoy me working, I thought you’d be pleased to know that I would become a viscountess.”

  Meri stared blankly at her and then slowly his smile returned. “Of course. That must be it.”

  Nora released the breath she’d been holding and laughed through her nervousness. “I’m very happy, Meri. Very.”

  Meri nodded a few times. “Then I am happy for you. I suppose we’re both growing up.”

  Nora wondered if he were hinting at his own engagement but said nothing to prompt any information from him. She was certain the name Johanna had given her was correct and would find the lady on her own.

  “Well, good night.” Meri bowed and left.

  Nora took a few more breaths before she returned to the drawing room. She had a ready smile on her face. “I’m very tired. I will see you all in the morning. Please, excuse me.”

  Near her door some moments later, she was not at all surprised when Garrick caught up with her.

  He blocked her entrance into her room. “You don’t like him.”

  She thought to lie but then thought of the repercussions for doing so. “No, not really. So please, once the wedding is over, don’t extend him any invitations to our home.”

  Garrick nodded. “Does he make you uncomfortable?”

  She nodded.

  “Shall I deal with him for you?”

  Deal with him?

  Whatever did that entail?

  As would happen on occasion, she found herself staring at Garrick and wondered if she were staring at a veil that sometimes blew if the wind was right to reveal what laid behind. And whatever was behind it was something dark. Not dark enough to hurt Nora but holding a maliciousness that gave her caution just as much as it was her solace.

  “No,” she whispered. “Leave Meri alone.” She would deal with him on her own. She smiled. “Thank you.”

  He nodded and touched her cheek. “Good night.” His voice was deep and warm.

  She stared at him and thought if all went well for their future, he would never again stand outside her door and tell her goodnight. He’d be far too exhausted to stand at all. Her cheeks heated and she slipped into her room.

  What was happening to her? She wasn’t even the man’s wife yet and already she was becoming as much of a wanton as him.

  ∫ ∫ ∫

  3 5

  * * *

  As Garrett stared down at his future wife as the clergyman went through the final parts of the ceremony, he couldn’t help the deep need that hit him at the pleased and greatly relieved expression that was in Nora’s eyes, her mouth, and her posture.

  The wedding had taken place in Kent’s parlor.

  She’d been tense from the beginning, but once the vows had come, the part that made him nervous since he’d been forced to say, “I will,” and had prayed he’d not stutter through it— he hadn’t, thankfully—Nora’s emotions had reflected the very opposite of his. She’d calmed and then her smile had become real.

  She was pleased as she stared down at where their hands were joined. Their rings. Or more appropriately, it was his ring that pleased her. Though not every married gentleman wore one, some did. It had been a last-minute decision on his part as he’d gone to the jewelers yesterday. In the end, he’d believed Nora would appreciate the gesture and from the shine in her eyes, he was right.

  When all was done, their close friends, her brother, and the children congratulated them.

  Lord Thinbrook didn’t stay for the meal, but he did leave his sister’s dowry, and Garrick took it only because of his own social standing. He could not act in a way that would reflect poorly on his wife or daughter.

  He had to be mindful of Society’s rules.

  At least he would appear to be.

  His plans for Lord Van Dero had been placed to the side.

  At least for the evening.

  Unfortunately, he’d also have to wait in order to take his wife to bed. They’d been invited to a party that evening and Nora was anxious to attend, a fact that had surprised him greatly. From what he remembered of Nora, in the past it had always seemed like Lucy had forced her to attend parties and dinners. Nora had appeared shy around the ton, though now that Garrick thought back, Nora had only appeared to be shy, but in reality, it was something else. Her nervousness hadn’t anything to do with the crowd. Instead, she’d been looking for someone. Either waiting for someone to appear or avoiding someone entirely.

  He hadn’t watched her too closely before now. She’d been off limits. Now, there was no part of her that he didn’t plan to take.

  But it would all come in time.

  Did her need to attend the party have anything to do with him? Was she avoiding the inevitable? He would bed her thoroughly as soon as they arrived home. It would not matter the hour. She was no virgin. He would not have to handle her with a great amount of tenderness. Nora, from past encounters, didn’t seem as though she wished him to go slow at all. That pleased him greatly.

  “We’ll keep Miriam for the week and allow you and Nora to have some time alone,” Kent said as he settled down in a seat next to Garrick. “Lucy is telling Nora now. It’s not exactly a honeymoon, but you can always take a trip later.”

  It was raining outside, but the interior air seemed jovial for some odd reason, odd because he and Nora were not in love. This was a marriage of convenience. He’d kissed her publicly, therefore he had to wed her, but no one seemed to care for the union’s reason. They’d received nothing but well wishes and teasing from their friends. Everyone pretended as though it were a love match and neither Nora nor Garrick seemed willing to argue against the point.

  “Thank you.”

  “There’s no need,” Kent said. “She wishes to spend time with George and George… He returned for her.”

  Garrick turned to him. “George came back for Miriam? Not Lucy or you?”

  Kent shrugged. “I’m sure the boy loves his aunt and me, but I think it was Miriam who swayed his final decision. I watched him write to her every night. He grew more troubled the closer we got to Eton and the farther we were from London.”

  Garrick looked and found George and Miriam playing chess in the corner and sharing quiet smiles that spoke of feelings far deeper than friendship. Garrick frowned. He had a daughter. A beautiful one. How many young men would Garrick have to kill in order to keep her safe? Already, he was beginning to sweat at the idea. He pulled on his collar lightly. “I don’t like this.”

  “I understand. It’s not easy raising children. George is handsome and even worse.” Kent lowered his voice and whispered, “Lord Maltsby left him everything upon his death.”

  Garrick’s eyes flashed. “Everything?” He recalled that in the end, Lord Maltsby had felt great guilt where his son was concerned. Lord Maltby had been in love with Lucy’s sister Jessica, but Jessica had died while giving birth to George and Lord Maltby had never let the boy forget that… until the end. Somehow, Lord Maltby had had a change of heart and had seen George as his last
piece of Jessica.

  A year later, Lord Maltsby and his true heir, George’s elder brother, had been put to death for their crimes. Once the Maltsbys were dead, Garrick hadn’t cared where the Maltsby fortune had ended up. “He left him everything?”

  “Everything that wasn’t entitled, including the bank.” Kent’s eyes were hard. “Lucy and I feared he’d be treated poorly because he is illegitimate, but once the ton gets word of his wealth…”

  It would matter very little whether George’s parents had been wed when they died. His father, in death, had acknowledged him and had made him richer than quite a few titled men.

  “Who else knows?” Garrick asked, surprised he was just finding out.

  “I have a man overseeing George’s properties and the bank, but it’s only a matter of time before they realize just who owns one of the largest banks in London.”

  “He’ll be preyed upon,” Garrick said, thinking of the ton mamas who would naturally see past George’s faults and encourage their daughters to see his fortune. They would hardly care for the boy himself. The very thought sickened him.

  “If we have any luck,” Kent said, “George and Miriam will become engaged and neither of us will have anything to worry about.”

  Garrick settled. The very thought gave him great relief. Then he had another thought. “Why not settle this matter now?”

  Kent lifted a brow. “You mean arrange the marriage?”

  “Why not? They are already in love. They wouldn’t mind the arrangement.” And then Garrick wouldn’t have to kill anyone.

  Kent grinned slowly.

  Then suddenly, Lucy and Nora were there, standing before the men and blocking their sight of the children.

  Lucy narrowed her eyes at Garrick. “Your wife managed to translate your hands for me.” She looked at Kent. “I know what you’re up to, and I will not allow you to take away the children’s choices.”

  Garrick glanced at Nora and found her hands on her hips. “She’s been your daughter for five minutes and already you’re trying to marry her off.”

  “It’s for the best. Look at her. She’s too beautiful to be unattached. I’d go mad trying to protect her.”