Dread of The Earl (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book)

by Deborah Wilson

  The endearing term tugged at Kent’s heart and solidified Kent’s promise to the boy.

  He would no longer protect George out of some oath to Lucy but because he had no other choice. George was his.

  * * *

  After leaving Lucy to settle George in bed, he told her where he was headed and left the house. He had much to do and very little time to do it. He’d sent a note to Astlen’s home before he’d gone up to see to Lucy and George, demanding a meeting immediately.

  He was glad to find the other lords there upon entering Astlen’s study.

  Fawley spoke first. “I was just pulled from a very enticing wench’s bed for this, so whatever you have to say better be good.”

  Viscount Coalwater nodded in agreement. He spent so much time at the brothel, Kent wondered if he had his own room there.

  “I’m investing with the Gentlemen’s Society in the morning.” Kent said.

  “That’s a terrible idea.” Astlen said as his anger propelled him to his feet.

  “Why?” Denhallow asked from where he stood by the window.

  “I’ve little choice in the matter.” Kent then explained what had taken place at his house, the entire ugly scene. “Apparently, Lord Maltsby has appointed Mr. Maltsby with guardianship, so legally there is little I can do.”

  “I would rather you give him the boy.” Astlen said.

  Kent felt the first spark of residual anger. “Say it again and I’ll give you the thrashing I wanted to give Mr. Maltsby.”

  Denhallow smiled. “Does the boy mean that much to you?”

  “Yes.” Kent said and hoped the answer left no doubt.

  “Is there no other way?” Fawley asked. “After everything that man’s father has done, I’ve little doubt he wasn’t aware of it.”

  “As do I,” Kent said “so, we must find the evidence to collaborate it.”

  “But Mr. Maltsby has that evidence,” Astlen said as he retook his seat “and he’s likely burned it by now.”

  That was what Kent feared.

  “Can’t we threaten Lord Maltsby?” Fawley asked. “He’s imprisoned. If we slip a guard some coins—”

  The room fell into silence.

  Fawley’s idea had already crossed Kent’s mind. He’d actually thought to do so the day after running into Mr. Maltsby in Hyde Park.

  “It won’t work.” Astlen said. “I’ve tried to have Maltsby killed already.”

  Every head turned to the duke. Kent was speechless. He thought, if anyone was the murdering sort of the group, it was him.

  Then Denhallow said, “I might have…looked into it myself.”

  Another shock.

  “Really?” Fawley asked them both.

  Denhallow’s expression was blasé. “I didn’t like the threat of him still lingering about, especially while I’ve a wife to care for.”

  Kent completely understood.

  “The guards won’t accept bribes of any kind.” Astlen said.

  “Is Lord Maltsby protecting them?” Kent asked. “Because I don’t see how that is possible. All of his money was seized.” Until a full investigation was complete to see just how much Lord Maltsby had stolen, he couldn’t touch his money.

  “Maybe the son,” Astlen said “though I think it may be someone else. There might be yet another involved.”

  “If there is, it’s time to find them.” Denhallow said. “Lucy worked for Lord Maltsby. It was in the bank where I found her. She also lived with him to be close to her nephew, if I’m not mistaken. She might know where the important papers are kept.”

  “I’m not getting my wife involved in this.” Kent said. Lucy had already been through enough.

  Denhallow lifted a hand. “I’d never suggested it. I only mean you should ask her. Perhaps, one of the servants can be employed to search. If not, perhaps we can slip someone else inside.”

  Kent supposed he could ask her. And he already had a few servants who were very good at hiding in plain sight. During the last two years, he’d hired a few to follow the lords in the room. He’d hired men who’d fought in the war but returned home only to find themselves without employment. Kent had asked them to follow the lords, because he’d hoped one of them would lead him to Lucy.

  And now he had her.

  “Who else do you think involved?” Fawley asked.

  Denhallow rubbed his temple. “I wouldn’t even know where to start.”

  This was not the first time they’d had this conversation, but it was the first time Kent had felt comfortable voicing his own suspicions. “My mother might have been involved. She hates me and loves my younger brother. She could have easily wanted my brother to take my place as Lord Ganden.” When no one responded, Kent said, “I’ll have someone find out.”

  He hadn’t wanted to know the truth. He hadn’t thought himself strong enough to handle hearing that his mother might have wished him dead. But now, the thought of knowing didn’t frighten him.

  “Are you sure you wish to do this?” Denhallow said. “I could always have someone look into it. You need not get involved.”

  Kent shook his head. “I can do this.”

  Denhallow nodded.

  The meeting ended with them all deciding to come together again after Kent’s meeting with Mr. Maltsby, all hoping it would give them some insight on who their enemies were. Kent dreaded the results.

  ∫ ∫ ∫

  3 2

  * * *

  Lucy turned when her door opened and Kent walked in. “What did you promise Mr. Maltsby?”

  Kent crossed the room, moved to her side of the bed, and cupped the back of her head. “Later.”

  He kissed the protest from her lips, and every thought from her mind was vanquished.

  It was much, much later that they spoke.

  “What did you promise Mr. Maltby?”

  Kent groaned from where he laid on her bed. “Tomorrow.”

  “No, tell me now.” She sat at her vanity and tried to untangle her hair. She was not at all annoyed by the job, especially when she thought about just how her hair had come to its current state of dishevelment. She even grinned as her comb came to yet another snarl in her long locks.

  Kent sat up. His magnificent chest drew her attention. So much so, in fact, that she didn’t hear a word he’d said.

  “What?” she asked.

  He smirked and then he threw back his head and laughed.

  Lucy turned around and watched him in stunned disbelief. “You’ve never laughed before.”

  “I laugh all the time.” he countered. Then he thought again and said, “I laugh with George.”

  She smiled, though she was a little jealous that George had heard him laugh before she had. But she pushed the envy away and was glad her men were bonding so well. “What did you promise—”

  “I’m placing my money back into his bank.” Kent said. All the humor had drained from his face.

  Lucy gasped and put down her comb. “What? His father stole from you!”

  “I know.” Kent said.

  “Kent, he knew what was going on.” Lucy said against her better judgment. She’d already told him that she didn’t know that anyone else had been aware of Lord Maltsby’s crime, but she wanted to protect him.

  Kent sighed. “I suspected Mr. Maltsby knew, but I need proof of it.”

  Lucy stared at him. “You wish to look for the proof?”

  “Unless you know something or someone else who was involved.” Kent said. “Do you know where he’d keep it? I have a meeting with him tomorrow. I can force him to come here and have my men search his home and office without him any the wiser.”

  “Your men?” Lucy asked.

  “I had men searching for you.” Kent said. “They’d appreciate another assignment.”

  “I could look.” Lucy said. “I know the layout of both the office and the house—”

  “You are never to go there again.” Kent hadn’t shouted the words, but she knew they were a command.

  “
Kent, it would be a waste of time to send anyone else there when I...”

  He was out of the bed—sadly, he’d put his smallclothes back on, so he wasn’t nearly as naked as she wished—and crossing the room in seconds.

  He knelt before her and only proved just how large a man he was. He still managed to look down at her while she sat in a chair. He placed his hands on her silk-covered hips. The night rail and robe were new.

  His eyes glowed like gems from the light of the lamp on her vanity. She ran her hands down one of his cheeks and wondered how she’d missed his beauty at first sight. She’d thought the angles of his face far too hard and masculine, but now there was no one she desired more. Other men could not compare.

  “You wish us to be happy?” Kent asked.

  “Yes.” she whispered.

  He kissed her palm. “Then do as I say.”

  She chuckled. “That is not how happiness works.”

  “I don’t agree. It would make me very, very happy.”

  She touched his forehead and swept his dark hair back. “I actually doubt it. No one wishes to hear yes all the time.”

  He lifted a brow. “Let us try it for a month and then we may reconvene and come up with a fair answer.”

  She laughed and then leaned forward and kissed him. “Let me help you.”

  He shook his head. “I’m your husband. It is my duty to protect you. You are safer here.”

  “No one will hurt me there.” she said. “Especially if Mr. Maltsby is here.”

  He placed his head against hers and held her eyes as his hands on her tightened. “I can’t take that risk.”

  A pain pierced her chest and Lucy mentally shouted at her heart, warning it from accepting his words for more than they were.

  He didn’t love her. He’d told her that he couldn’t. Therefore, it would be unwise for her to allow such emotions to grow within herself.

  She wanted two things in life: George’s safety and Kent’s peace.

  So, she said nothing more about it, because she refused to lie and tell Kent that she wouldn’t search Mr. Maltsby’s home or office. She would, because she couldn’t afford him finding out the truth about his mother’s infidelity and his conception. Neither could she allow him to find the man who knew that truth.

  She only hoped Mr. Maltsby hadn’t read those papers, because if he had…

  “I don’t want you to meet with Mr. Maltsby.” she said. “Perhaps, there is another way.”

  “What other way is there?” Kent asked honestly. “I will gladly take other suggestions.”

  “We could leave.”

  He frowned. “Not an option.”

  “I meant all of us. You, me, and George.” She was being silly, but she didn’t care. “We could move to America.” Where she hoped Kent’s truth would never reach them.

  Kent’s face relaxed. His arms went all the way around her. “I don’t run from men.”

  Of course, he didn’t. What had she been thinking? He’d fought Mr. Goody, and he’d been chained while doing so. Maltsby was a fool to threaten him, to tempt such a creature as Kent. Even in a suit and cravat, the man was deadly.

  “I don’t want you near him.” she said.

  “That’s endearing, but I’ve no choice if we wish to keep George.” He kissed her head and then moved away before picking up the comb. Then he motioned for her to turn around.

  “Have you done this before?” Lucy asked once she gave him her back.

  “Only on myself.” He began to move the brush through her hair with gentle motions. “I see why you’re having difficulties with this thing. It’s made of wood. You need one made of metal.”

  Her brush and comb were ones she’d had for years. “Metal?”

  “Silver with a matching brush.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I don’t know if you seriously believe those things to be better, or if you’re only trying to spend money on me.”

  He leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “Can’t it be both?”

  She smiled, but her next thoughts made them go away. She wanted to ask him something, thought not to, but then decided she must. “Have you ever tried…buying your mother a present?”

  “Bought, made, picked, it didn’t matter. She threw everything I ever gave her away. I likely wrecked this house just to get her things out of it.”

  “I’m sorry I asked.”

  He moved her hair to the side and wrapped his arms around her before resting his head on her shoulder. “You can ask me anything.”

  She tried to turn to him, but he had her locked in place.

  “Like this.” he said. “I don’t want you tempted to hug me right now. Just…ask whatever it is you wish to know.”

  He knew her well. She did want to hold him while they spoke, but clearly, he couldn’t handle it. So…

  “Tell me about how your father trained you for the military,” she said.

  She could feel his heart beating its way into her back.

  His breathing was rough. “You mean you wish to know which methods he used? How he tortured me in the guise of training to be some great military leader?”

  She wasn’t able to move much, but she lifted her hand to take hold of his forearm.

  He pressed his forehead into her shoulder blade. “I was never sure which season I hated more. Winter or spring. My father trained me to be able to withstand the elements. He’d set me outside for hours. On a few occasions, I would be outside for more than a day.”

  “In the snow?” Lucy cried.

  “Don’t worry.” he said. “I was bundled up and it usually didn’t last for more than a night. I was forced to come in whenever they had company, which was often. My parents were favored by the ton; my mother still is.”

  “That’s terrible.” she whispered. She managed to turn her head enough to look at him.

  He chuckled, but his eyes were empty. Distant. He was right there, and she felt like she couldn’t reach him. She hated that she’d taken him there. “Don’t worry. I only grew ill once. I never made that mistake again.”

  “How old were you?” she asked.

  “I was four when the lessons began.” he said. “I remember it was right after Colby was born. Once my parents had their golden child, I was made to feel less than nothing.”

  She shook her head. “I’m so sorry, Kent.” No wonder he was so angry. He had reason to hate nature, a place that brought many peace. He even had the right to hate his own brother, but she didn’t think he did. It didn’t sound like his father wished for him to survive, much less join the military. In fact, it was just as he’d implied. Torture. His father had been trying to kill him.

  “Any other questions?” he asked her with a voice as plain as his gaze.

  “Let me go.” she whispered.

  He released her. “I can understand if you don’t wish for my touch anymore. Don’t think I’ve not grown used to—”

  She wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close. “Pretend it is me who needs this.” She knew he’d forbidden her from hugging him, but she couldn’t help it. She wanted him to know he was no longer alone. He had her and George. “Let me hold you, Kent. Please.”

  “Lucy…” His arms crushed her, and he buried his face in her throat. “Have you no mercy?”

  She had no clue what he was speaking of but refused to let him go.

  He lifted his head and met her eyes. His visage was no longer blank but tormented. “Why do you do this? What more do you want of me?”

  She touched his cheeks. “I don’t understand.”

  He narrowed his gaze. “I have promised you and George my protection. I have given you endless credit in the city. I have vowed to try and find happiness with you, but why this? Why are you doing this? Why pretend to care for me? What more do you hope to gain?”

  “There is nothing I seek but your peace.” she whispered, though her heart hissed at her lie. She did seek something more, but it was not something she wished to think about at the moment. “I don
’t pretend to care for you. I do care for you.”

  “I will never love you.” he said. “Do you understand that? I don’t have it to give to you.”

  His words crippled her heart, making it trip and miss one beat after another. Her breathing was rushed. “I’m not asking you to love me.”

  A lie, but one she wanted to be true.

  How could she want this wild man’s love? It was one thing to let him into her bed, but into her heart?

  Yet he was so good to George and today…he’d been so good to her.

  And tomorrow he was giving a portion of his soul to see her and George well.

  How could her heart not begin to feel for him?

  “Let me help you find peace.” she whispered.

  “I have peace when I’m with you.” He picked her up.

  Lucy’s legs instinctively went around him. She knew that what they did in bed was only a temporary fix to the problem, but she could not deny him nor herself what they both needed.

  ∫ ∫ ∫

  3 3

  * * *

  “I’m glad you’ve come to your senses on this matter.” Mr. Maltsby said as he entered Kent’s office the next day. “And make no mistake, if you are planning any funny business, I’ll drag George right out the door and we’ll be gone before our tea has a chance to grow cold.”

  Mrs. Barton glared at the man as she set the tray down and then made a hasty retreat.

  Kent was sitting on the other side of the tea table. Nervousness, for the first time in a long time, managed to suppress his anger. Lucy had been gone when he’d woke up in her bed, and no one knew where. Kent hoped she’d listened and hadn’t gone to Mr. Maltsby’s home or office.

  Other than that, he also hoped the men he’d hired would manage to find something before his meeting with Maltsby had a chance to come to an end.

  To give his team the best chance, he’d have to drag his feet about signing the papers Mr. Maltsby had brought.

  Movement in the corner of the room caught Mr. Maltsby’s attention and he was surprised to see they were not alone. Kent had invited his brother to be part of the negotiations. Since Colby was already studying law, Kent thought it would be good practice for him.