Mark of The Marquess (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book)

by Deborah Wilson

  She gasped and pulled her mouth from his. “You’re here!”

  “Yes.” His lips trailed down her throat. His grip tightened as he groaned. “You smell amazing.”

  She smiled. “You smell of brandy. Have you been drinking?”

  He lifted his black hooded gaze to hers. “Perhaps.” Humor filled his expression. “I’ve had a devil of a time tonight.”

  “Oh?” She smiled, unable to help herself. This was the most fun she’d had all night. Her husband was with her, and she truly didn’t wish to be anywhere but at his side. “What did you do?”

  He rolled his gaze upward and it was only then she realized how positively drunk he was. He was leaning slightly. One of his hands loosened, and Kim managed to wiggle out of his hold. She used her free hand to stroke his jaw and then down his warm throat.

  He looked at her. “I destroyed a mirror today. It belonged to Lord Ganden’s mother.”

  “Was he terribly angry?”

  He shook his head. “His mother still lives and has many a mirror, apparently.”

  Her smile returned. “How fortunate you are.”

  “You’ve no idea.” He kissed her again, and she felt the warmth of it spread down to her toes. “That’s how I got Ganden to meet with me. We destroyed a few more things before leaving his home. Then we went to Lord Fawley’s residence and he forced us to finish his bottle of brandy with him.” James closed his eyes. “Then we came here.”

  “So, you, Ganden, and Fawley are here?” she asked.

  He shook his head and then shook it again, as though trying to get loose of the toxins that held his mind. “No, only I’m here. They are on the other side of town gathering Astlen and doing heaven knows what to gain his trust. They brought me here, so I could see you.” He grinned again. “I came through a side door and prayed you’d be alone when I found you.” He laughed. “God has decided to start answering my prayers.”

  He’d come to see her. She’d thought to not see him until she returned home. His presence was the greatest gift he could have given her. She wanted to tell him how much she’d missed him but thought it silly since they’d just been together hours ago.

  Kim’s other hand came loose, and she used them both to hold his jaw. “Yes. God has been answering both our prayers. I’m so glad you’re here.”

  He frowned. “Have you not been having a wonderful time?” Even while three sheets to the wind, he was able to read her emotions.

  “No, I’ve not.” She tapped his chin. “You were a horrible man, Lord Denhallow. The absolute worst and apparently, everyone is out to prove it with one story or another.”

  His eyes focused before he closed them and cursed. “I hate that you found out who’d I was before… the incident.”

  She wrapped her arms around him. “It’s all right. It’s not who you are now.”

  He lowered his head to rest it against hers. “Yes, but had I never been scarred and forced to run from Society—”

  “We can’t go back,” Kim said. “So, don’t worry about it.”

  “But one must wonder if my change is genuine,” James said.

  “Of course, it is,” Kim said with true emotion. “Don’t think I don’t know that it tore you apart to come to London on my behalf. You came so that I could see the place you love most even while you loathe being here. That was sacrifice and very selfless of you, Lord Denhallow.”

  He smiled slowly. “Remind me of this in the morning.”

  She ran her nose against his gently. “I shall.”

  ∫ ∫ ∫

  3 4

  Kim moved her head to James’ shoulder and closed her eyes as a waltz began to play.

  Instinctively, James began to move, but their feet didn’t leave the ground. It was a rocking motion that told her he knew the steps to the waltz quite well.

  He slipped his arms around her back and brought her closer. “Does that mean you’re not finished with me? I’m sure you heard some truly terrible things about me.”

  She cupped his shoulders, taking full advantage of his nearness. “I’m sorry. I’m a horribly selfish woman, for I never let go of what is mine.” She stilled and glanced up, wondering if she’d revealed too much.

  James stilled as well. When his eyes opened, they were lucid. “Am I yours?” At first, she wondered if he were challenging the statement, but then she noticed the caution in his gaze.

  “You’re inebriated. You could have gone anywhere tonight, but you came to me.” She smiled. “Of course, you are mine, as I am yours.”

  His eyes softened, but then he straightened, which forced her hands to drop to her side. “We might retrieve Lord Coalwater next.”

  “And where is the viscount?” Kim asked while ignoring the feeling of rejection that came over her. He’d not responded to her words. Or rather, his response had been to pull away.

  “A brothel.”

  Kim stiffened. “You’re going to a brothel?”

  He frowned. “Don’t worry. I will not be tempted in the least.” His gaze stroked over Kim. “Only you tempt me, my wife.”

  She grinned, noticing the possessive edge in his words. She wanted to comment that she clearly didn’t tempt him enough, since he’d yet to make his physical claim on her, but she decided now wasn’t the time.

  They were having such a happy and light moment. He’d come to her and had risked being seen. It was enough.

  It was more than enough. It was almost a declaration that he’d missed her just as much as she’d missed him.

  * * *

  James had missed her. His time with the other men had woken a craving within him, and he’d realized just how lucky a man he truly was. Though he was still more comfortable not being seen, he was also more comfortable with admitting to himself what he wanted most.

  He was close to abandoning the other men and spending the rest of the evening with Kim, but he knew that would not do. This meeting that would take place, this coming together, was because of him. He’d started this and now, he had to complete it.

  “I must go,” he told her.

  Kim’s lips thinned. “Be careful.”

  He cupped the back of her head. “Are you still worried about the brothel? If you are, I won’t go inside.”

  Her eyes widened. “You won’t go inside if I ask you not to?”

  Her astonishment forced a laugh from his thought. She was clearly unaware of her power over him. He’d end the night entirely if she asked, though he knew she wouldn’t. She’d wanted the men to come together more than he had. He was only starting to see the benefit of it.

  “No, Kim,” he said. “I won’t go inside if you do not wish it.”

  “Then don’t,” she said immediately. Somehow, her hands had found their way to his jacket and she was gripping the fabric tightly, as though begging him to stay. “Don’t go inside.”

  “I won’t.”

  Her eyes flashed again and then she tilted her head. “Truly?” She looked him over and then met his eyes again. “I believe I’ve wed the very best man in all of England.”

  He grinned and leaned against the door once again. If he stayed another second, he’d be late to meet the others. But James didn’t care. “You mean, I’m not the best man in the entire world?”

  “The entire world,” she said, correcting herself. Then she drew herself onto her toes and kissed him fully on the lips before leaning away again. Her eyes had a dream-like haze over them. “The very best.”

  James struggled to breathe. He wanted to tell her that he loved her, but he’d been drinking and didn’t want her to think the brandy had had anything to do with his confession. He’d wait. They had time. He had all the time in the world.

  Time had seemed like such a prison before Kim, but now he thought every moment precious. Every laugh and every smile from her lips was like a new gift. He wanted to remain where he stood for the rest of the night.

  She was clearly thinking the same. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could simply throw away our
obligations and simply spend the rest of the night together?”

  Did she truly enjoy him over what London had to offer?

  He had to think about what his time in the city had been like before the scars and then he nodded. “It would be wonderful, yes.” He was having much more fun as Kim’s husband than at any London attraction he’d ever been to before.

  But they both had obligations. “They’ll be wondering where you’ve gone, Lady Denhallow.”

  She sighed and then straightened his jacket. “I suppose.” She lowered her gaze as she let him go. “Good night.”

  He tilted her chin up and stole one last and thorough kiss before urging her from the room.

  James waited a few moments after she left and then started from the house the same way he’d come. He was glad to not have run into anyone.

  He found a hackney easily. The shadows of the night did a wonderful job at concealing his face. His hat cast it into blackness so that all the driver saw was a well-to-do gentleman.

  The ride to the brothel was spent thinking about Kim and every word and expression of their stolen moments. He arrived before he was ready to end his musing and found the other lords just as they strolled from the brothel.

  Lord Fawley was leaning heavy on Ganden, an arm swung around the large man’s shoulders. A bottle rested in his other hand. Both Lord Fawley and Lord Coalwater’s expressions were muted.

  Coalwater’s clothes hung from his form in the telling signs of a man who’d not been wearing them just moments ago. He was also missing a jacket, which didn’t seem to bother him in the least.

  It seemed all the men had sought to deal with their grief one way or another, and he couldn’t help but think that Kim had been right again.

  There was a round of greetings before Ganden said, “Where are we going?”

  Astlen said, “I don’t care. So long as it is not Lady Dorsh’s residence. I can’t thank you enough for that rescue.” The Countess of Dorsh was the mother of Lady Selina Blue, the woman Astlen had supposedly gotten with child before his kidnapping.

  James wanted to know how Astlen and Lady Selina were getting along but didn’t press for an answer right there on the street. He took a moment to look the other four men over. The Lost Lords. The last time they’d been together was in the home of Mr. Goody. James’ face had been in bandages and the others had been chained to a dining table that looked ready to host the king.

  The London papers would have enjoyed hearing that they were together. They needed to move and quickly.

  Ganden adjusted Fawley’s position on his arm. “We can go to my residence.” He looked around, clearly feeling just as exposed as James.

  James lifted a brow. “Is there a room that hasn’t been wrecked in there?”

  Ganden’s silence was answer enough.

  “I’m only renting a small room in the city,” Astlen said. “It wouldn’t fit all of us, but I’m sure the chap who owns the brothel wouldn’t mind us using one of the sitting rooms.”

  Coalwater turned in a way that announced he liked the idea of returning to the brothel’s interior, though likely not for the reason James had gathered them all.

  “No,” James said. “We’ll choose a place with less distractions.” He’d not break his promise to Kim.

  Coalwater turned back around with only slight annoyance embedded in his features.

  “I’m staying with Lord Ayers,” James said. “And I’d rather not bother his house with this matter.” Though he was sure Ayers wouldn’t mind. In fact, he could easily imagine all the Curbain men trying to crowd in on the conversation. They were irritatingly helpful.

  “We can go to Coalwater’s,” Fawley announced as he lifted his head slightly. “He’s never there, but he lets me have his brandy.” Everyone knew his title was impoverished. James had wondered where Fawley had gotten the brandy. Now he knew.

  James turned to Coalwater. “Can we go to your place?”

  Coalwater took one deep breath after another then said, “Yes.”

  James realized then it was the first time he’d heard the viscount's voice.

  Fawley directed the carriages, his mind still sharp even in his deeply drunken state. They arrived within minutes to Coalwater’s townhouse and moved their small party into the drawing room.

  Fawley turned to the maid who hovered in the room, continuously glancing at James. It was only after Fawley had directed the lady to bring them tea that James understood why she’d stared at him.

  He’d forgotten about his scars. Being with Kim had purged them from existence in his mind. He could still recall her moans of pleasure as he kissed her and the feel of her soft giving body as she’d pressed against his erect member. He’d been a fool to leave her. Between her willing legs would have been a much better experience than this.

  “What are you thinking about?” the Duke of Astlen asked, watching him studiously. He’d sat beside him on the couch by the fireplace.

  James cleared his throat and straightened. “My… wife.”

  The Marquess of Fawley smiled and fell into another couch, propping his feet onto the chair. “I saw the announcement of your wedding in the paper. You have my congratulations.”

  Coalwater knocked Fawley’s feet off the chair and took a heavy seat. He leaned forward on his elbow and gave James a single nod of acknowledgment.

  Ganden stood by the window. “They love each other.” He’d said it with the same disbelief that one would say that Almack’s was serving wine… which never happened.

  Fawley’s eyes widened as though trying to fight his inebriation. “Truly? Is she beautiful?”

  “She is,” Ganden offered. “I slipped into the Reddington party just to see her myself. She’s gorgeous.”

  James’ hands fisted. He hadn’t known that when Ganden had dropped him off he’d also slipped into the house. He didn’t like the idea of anyone seeking his wife out.

  “Really?” Astlen asked in the same astonishment.

  Even Coalwater looked surprised. He lifted a brow and looked at Ganden. Then he lifted his hands and began to move them in a way that James understood. He was asking for the shape of his wife.

  Ganden replied in kind, lifting his hands and stroking the air as though it were Kim herself. “A dark-haired beauty, she is.”

  Fawley whistled in appreciation.

  Astlen straightened and let out a forceful, “Really?”

  Coalwater looked at James and thrust his chin up before he grinned.

  James growled. “That’s enough!”

  ∫ ∫ ∫

  3 5

  The maid at the door gasped and nearly dropped the china. She paled as she stared at James, which only made his anger grow.

  “Put it on the table and then leave,” Fawley told the woman in a clipped voice.

  The woman did as he’d instructed and then fled the room.

  James noticed Fawley had taken the position of Coalwater’s voice, since the viscount didn’t seem inclined to speak if he didn’t have to.

  Coalwater was likely the youngest in the room. Perhaps twenty now. His arms and legs still seemed long, as though the rest of him had yet to grow into them. His dark hair and blue eyes were stark against his coloring. Except for the missing jacket, he looked to have been taking care of himself. He was handsome, and James imagined he was popular at the brothel. If not for his looks than his money.

  It surprised him that Coalwater would allow Fawley, a lord who’d been called a thief, have free rein in his home. Yet from the looks of the place, nothing was out of place… on the surface.

  Fawley was likely only a few years older than Coalwater. James guessed the man to be no more than twenty-three. He had blond locks and eyes that were a far paler blue than Coalwater’s. They’d have looked quite frosty if the man didn’t always appear to be sporting a grin even while irritated.

  James recalled how often young ladies had made comment of wanting Fawley for themselves, if only he wasn’t poor. He’d been fawned over non
etheless… until he’d been labeled a thief.

  Then there was the Duke of Astlen. No man had likely been fawned over more. Not only was he a duke, but he had the bearing most people thought a man of his station should have. He’d been called perfect with his dark hair and brown eyes. He’d had charm and poise and had managed to take a few hearts with him when he’d gone missing… even after it was announced he’d run after getting an innocent lady with child.

  Ganden had the least amount of charm in the room. He’d been called a brute before his disappearance and now his home made that claim believable. The green-eyed giant turned to James and asked, “Now that we are all here, what is it you wanted to say?”

  James used his cup of tea to clear his throat and then said, “It’s clear we’ve all been hurt by what took place two years ago. I thought it a good idea that we come together and discuss any issues we might be having.” Actually, it had been Kim’s idea, but he had no wish to introduce his wife back as a matter of conversation amongst these men.

  Fawley shrugged as he leaned on the arm of the couch. “Honestly, I can’t say the kidnapping was completely terrible. The food was better than I’d been having before that point in my life, anyway. Being poor, titled or not, was not enjoyable. Honestly, I don’t know why they hanged the man. He wasn’t that bad a chap.”

  Everyone stared silently at Fawley, every different shade of menacing there was directed to the corner where the marquess sat.

  Fawley looked around then shrugged. “What? I was simply sharing my own feelings. I mean, perhaps the chains were a little much.”

  “Too much?” Astlen said, leaning forward. His hands gripped the chairs. “That man had me for three years! Three years of hearing him complain about the outside world while trying desperately to pretend he fit in. Three years of praising him and telling him how fine a gentleman he was, while being chained with our hands behind our backs to a table and forced to eat from our bowls like animals! Three years of sleeping with my arms and legs stretched out, in and out of an opiate coma. I should be dead for all the times he poisoned me. We all should be.”