A Knight to Dare: (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book)

by Deborah Wilson

  “They don’t even know I’m coming. We can slow.”

  “Where’s the fun in that?” Leo had decided to ride with Remy outside of London and had then mentioned a job he was doing for Belle.

  Over the last few years, Remy had led the Equerry, Cassius’ army, into a fight against the owners of the boys’ fight clubs. And while they’d managed to save countless boys from these fights, many were displaced.

  Only a few had come from actual homes. The others had been homeless, children of recently deceased parents or taken off the street with the promise of a meal should they obey. There were also young men who were traumatized by their experience and were refusing to stay home.

  Belle had discovered the problem and was given permission to instruct a few men on how to respond.

  Leo was apparently one of those men and had asked Remy to aid him in Winchester.

  There, Remy had seen the results of the fights. Leo went and fed the boys he could find and offered them a home with a bed in London.

  Belle was buying houses for the cause. Her popularity had managed to get her more than a few wealthy sponsors. Yet while Leo had used all his charm to try and convince the boys to go back to London with him, they’d all refused.

  They’d been lied to before and the ones who even thought to leave were warned against it by those who remembered the other gentlemen who’d come around and had offered them the same—only to sell them to fight clubs.

  It was a side of Cassius’ organization that Remy knew very little about, and he was glad he’d gone with Leo.

  “What are you going to do now?” Remy asked.

  “Go to another city. Try again,” Leo said. “Every once in a while, I manage to catch one or two boys who are willing. Otherwise, it’s been a struggle. Many of these boys will stay on the street and resort to crime if they already haven’t. Any suggestions on where to go?”

  “Have you been to Bognor? It’s lovely this time of year. I have a house on the beach.”

  “Say no more!” Leo declared.

  Remy smiled and just the feeling of it brought up memories of Vita. He now associated every happy feeling with her. Because of his duties, he thought of little else.

  He asked, “Has Belle tried getting women out on the streets to convince the boys to go indoors?”

  “Belle came out once with a few friends. I escorted them. Then I suggested Cassius ban the woman from doing it again.”

  “Why?”

  “Only some of the fighters were children.” Leo’s gaze was hard. “A few were much larger. Sixteen. Seventeen.”

  Remy remembered. He’d seen a few of them in Winchester. They’d stood around glaring, but they’d not approached him. He imagined they’d have been a threat to small women, of course, especially Belle.

  These other boys were another reason Remy was riding next to Leo with a shotgun in his hands. They’d stopped twice to assist travelers with highwaymen. Hunting for the boys responsible for the theft had taken the better part of the day.

  Many of the boys were growing more violent and more desperate.

  Still, Remy said, “I’m surprised she didn’t fight that order.”

  “She did.” Leo grinned. “So, Cassius threatened to close the homes. The fight that followed was terrible, but in the end, he got his way.”

  Remy shook his head. “I’m glad I wasn’t a witness to that.”

  Leo shivered. “I’m uncertain if Belle has forgiven him for that one, but I see Cassius’ reasoning. Who would champion the children like Belle if something unfortunate happened to her? She’s leading the cause. Her role is too important.”

  Remy understood.

  As they started down the narrow road in a high grass valley, Leo slowed the carriage. Remy’s home came into view.

  Tall thin pine trees created the forest backdrop to the beige-stoned three-story manor. It was built with a curve that seemed to greet guests with open arms.

  Holly and evergreen trees and a few flower bushes stood out front, making the valley home picturesque.

  Leo whistled. “I don’t think I’d leave if I lived in a place like this.”

  Remy hated leaving as well, but he had a duty. Evil slept for no one, therefore neither did Remy.

  He was home very little. That Cassius had given him a fortnight to relax was off his usual schedule. “Stay as long as you like.”

  “Don’t mind if I do.” Leo stopped the carriage in front of the house and Remy’s driver got out. He was shaky on his legs. Remy wasn’t surprised. Leo was a mad driver.

  Remy had just stepped to the ground when there was a shout from inside. He frowned and knew it was his sister’s voice. He started for the door and was surprised again by the voice that answered his sister.

  His nephew was shouting.

  “What’s going on?” Leo asked.

  “I intend to find out.” Remy stormed into the house and went straight toward the sound of raised voices. He found his family in the drawing-room.

  Her nephew stood eye to eye with his mother, Antonia Trouble. When had Noel grown so big? He was only sixteen, yet next to his mother, he looked like a man.

  Antonia reached for Noel’s arm, but the boy grabbed her wrist before she could get close.

  Noel’s voice was deep, and again, Remy wondered where that had come from. “If you ever touch me again…”

  Fear registered in his sister’s face, and Remy snatched Noel by the collar before he did something he regretted.

  Remy yanked the boy around.

  Noel swung.

  Remy clutched his fist just as Noel’s dark eyes registered who was holding him.

  “Uncle Remy? Y-you’re not supposed to be here.”

  A fire burned in the pit of Remy’s stomach. His breathing was hard. Words escaped him for long minutes.

  But Remy had to see to his sister. “Toni, are you hurt?”

  “N-no.” His sister’s voice shook. Her fingers were pressed to her lips. Her wrist was red from where her son had grabbed her.

  Remy shook the boy and growled.

  Noel stiffened.

  “Remy,” Toni called.

  “Has he hurt you before?” Remy asked.

  His sister didn’t answer quick enough.

  ∫ ∫ ∫

  1 6

  * * *

  Something snapped in Remy’s mind.

  He turned and dragged the boy from the room, walking at such a furious pace that Noel was forced to hold onto Remy’s arm and walk on his toes.

  “Remy, don’t hurt him!” Toni shouted at his back.

  “Keep my sister in the drawing-room,” Remy said to Leo when he passed him at the door.

  Leo nodded. His own gaze was cold as he caught Noel’s eyes.

  Remy was furious.

  Had Noel been violent to his mother? Were these fights usual while Remy was away? He’d caught both of them off guard. What secrets had they been hiding from him?

  Noel started to fight by the time Remy took him outside. “Let me go.” His voice still shook with fear, but there was defiance in his eyes.

  Remy let him go and Noel stumbled a few feet away.

  “You put your hands on your mother,” Remy said in a low voice.

  Noel crossed his arms. “She put her hands on me first.”

  Remy clenched his fist, and it took everything within him not to beat a lesson into his nephew.

  But he would not give violence for violence. His nephew clearly wanted a fight. He was begging for it. Now was not the time to respond in the manner Remy’s blood wished.

  He knew there was still a part of Noel that looked up to him. The boy needed to see that sometimes, things could be talked out.

  Even if it pained Remy the entire time.

  He’d noticed Noel’s change after being freed. He’d become withdrawn and quiet, yet Remy had assumed his sister and the staff could handle caring for him while he went to help Cassius free the other boys across England.

  Antonia’s husband ha
d died years ago when Noel was young. She’d lived on her own for years, but after the incident, Remy had insisted she live in his home and she hadn’t fought him on it.

  Remy partly blamed himself for how his nephew was acting at the moment. He should have been home more.

  Yet life experiences were little excuse for a poor character.

  “You went through something,” Remy told him. “So now you’re putting your mother through it. Do you want to see her broken and bruised like you were? Pound your fist into her until she’s helpless and close to death? You want her to feel as you did?”

  Noel frowned and then looked away. “Of course not.”

  “Yet you do it anyway,” Remy said. “You’ve made my house a fight club. If you touch her, you're no better than the men who caged you.”

  Noel’s eyes widened. “I’d never hit her.”

  “Then what was that threat I heard?”

  Noel looked away again. “I just… She never lets me do what I want. I’m sixteen. I’m a man now.”

  Remy had to keep from rolling his eyes. “What’s this new apprenticeship you started?” It was under a banker.

  “I quit.”

  Remy frowned. “Why?”

  Noel shrugged. His gaze refused to meet Remy’s. “I found another way to make more money.”

  “How?” Remy had a feeling this new way was unsavory.

  How had he missed the signs? His nephew was little better than the boys he’d met on the street.

  “I’m a stable hand,” Noel said.

  Stablehand? It was a noble occupation, but it wouldn’t fetch the boy the same living as working for a bank would. “Why the change?”

  Noel shrugged again and Remy thought if he saw the gesture again, the conversation would grow violent. “I don’t know, I just—”

  “Look at me when you talk.”

  Noel jumped and then glared. “I’m helping my friends out, is all.”

  “What friends?”

  Noel shrugged again.

  In an effort to keep his hands to himself, Remy crossed his arms over his chest. It was either that or wring the boy’s neck. “I want names.”

  “James and Peter.” Noel’s eyes were cold. “Can I go now? I’m late for work.”

  “I’ll escort you, give you a ride in the carriage.”

  “I don’t need an escort. I’m taking my horse.”

  “Very well.”

  Noel turned and started toward the side of the house. It would have been faster had he walked through the house, but it seemed he wished to avoid passing his uncle.

  Their conversation was far from over, but Remy would give them both time to cool off.

  He also planned to follow his nephew and see these friends for himself.

  He returned inside to find Leo sitting across from his sister. His charm had seemed to work enough to get her into a chair with a cup of tea, but the worry was still in her eyes. She stood when Remy entered. “What did you say to him?”

  “I gave him something to think about.” At least, Remy hoped he had.

  “He’ll be back, won’t he?” Toni asked.

  Remy lifted a brow. “Does he have some other place to go?”

  “Apparently,” she said. “He’s threatened to leave a few times. I don’t know these friends of his, but I don’t like them.”

  Leo stood. “She’s told me about this Peter and James. What are we going to do about them?”

  Remy was glad Leo had decided to stick around and help. Remy wasn’t sure what he’d do.

  Were this the army, it would be different. There was a lack of honor and pride in one’s country. These boys were… broken.

  There were footsteps, and they turned to see Noel by the door.

  Toni took a step toward him and stopped. Her hands were pressed to her chest. Tears filled her wide eyes. There was fear, but whether she feared Noel or feared for him, Remy wasn’t sure.

  Noel turned away from his mother’s gaze. A pained expression came over him. “Forgive me.”

  “I do!” Toni rushed to say even as her feet carried her to Noel and into his arms. She cradled his head, bringing him down to hold him as though he were still a little boy. “Oh, Noel, I love you so much. I…”

  Noel pulled away. “I’ll be back when I’m done.”

  “What time is that?” Remy asked.

  “I don’t know,” Noel said. “Whenever the work is done. May I go now?”

  Remy nodded, glad the boy had found some respect.

  Noel left.

  Toni turned to Remy. “You have to help him.”

  “I will.” Noel had just become his main priority. Even if the duke called, he’d have to wait until Remy knew what was going on and set his family on the right path.

  He looked at Leo. “Ready to go?”

  Leo kissed the back of Toni’s hand. “Good day, ma’am.”

  Toni’s breath was stolen, and her cheeks turned pink.

  The men strolled from the house.

  Remy said, “Ever met a lady you didn’t flirt with?”

  “One or two, but think of it this way, at least the woman has something else to think about while we’re gone.” Leo grinned.

  Remy shook his head, but his lips twitched.

  ∫ ∫ ∫

  1 7

  * * *

  Vita tried to hide her trembling as she stepped into Van Dero’s office a fortnight later.

  Milly walked at her side. Vita twisted her hands together and gave them a squeeze, praying the news the duke had to give would be good, but she knew it would not be so.

  She’d smelled her latest gift even before she’d entered. The scent of dead fish was in the air. She’d been threatened every day for the last week. The first attack had been at her father’s home. Her name had been written in blood on her door.

  Thankfully, she hadn’t been there to see it herself. Everything had been told to her in order to find out who was behind it.

  After the bloody name on the door, gifts had started to arrive. Dead animals. More threats. Papers littered in the streets. People in Mayfair had begun to see one gruesome thing after another. Van Dero’s men had begun to watch the house around the clock, but they could never manage to catch the person doing the ugly work.

  Who was doing this to her? Was it Lord Dunn? She’d not seen him in a fortnight. Since the party, she’d not heard a word from him. She’d spoken to Mr. Carson again, but the man had told her that no one by the name of Dunn was registered as a passenger.

  Had it been a false name?

  She’d told Milly and Van Dero about him. She’d had to. Even though she didn’t think he’d done it, hearing that someone had killed a dog and then used his blood to write her name on her father’s home was enough to make her confess anything.

  She’d also spoken about her visit to Lord Dunst’s home and their conversation.

  At the time, Belle and another man had been in the office with Van Dero. A red-headed giant who introduced himself as the Marquess of Venmont.

  The marquess had been destined to leave the city, but Van Dero had delayed his departure.

  The group had all shared a look after Vita confessed what she’d done and how foolish she’d been to go and hunt for the man she’d met at the party.

  She feared a forced marriage to Lord Dunst. Though Van Dero wasn’t her father, he was acting as her guardian and had been given permission to find her a husband.

  Though her father had asked that the engagement be long enough so that he could return for the ceremony.

  Thankfully, Belle had squashed any fears that she would become Lady Dunst.

  She would not allow it, and after she stood up for Vita, the duke had agreed.

  But when Van Dero’s men continued to fail, a new thought had begun to shove its way to the front of Vita’s mind.

  What if Van Dero was the one causing the attacks? What if he were behind it?

  Though she didn’t understand the dramatics, a few of the gifts had eve
n pointed to the duke.

  She’d heard two servant boys speaking about the gifts that had been left inside the dead animals, a detail that the duke hasn’t shared with her. Coins that bore Van Dero’s initials were inside the carcasses.

  She’d seen the copper coins before. They were used as invitations when the duke had very special parties.

  She was no fool. As a guest in his home, there was only so much about the duke that could be hidden from her.

  The men and women who brought the coins gave them over when they had something of importance to share with the duke or when they owed him something.

  Vita swallowed.

  “Milly and I have been speaking,” Van Dero said. “We think it would be best if you left London.”

  She looked at Milly and then the duke. “Alone?”

  “No. A friend is in town. He has a place you can stay. The attacks should stop if the person behind them knows you are no longer here,” Van Dero said. “It’s for your own safety.”

  Or perhaps, he planned to kill her.

  Milly reached out for her and Vita backed away.

  Pain entered Milly’s eyes. “Your father left you with us because he knew you’d be safe. This is what is best for you.”

  Vita didn’t trust them anymore. She didn’t know who their friend was, but she certainly didn’t trust them either.

  The door behind her opened and Lord Venmont stepped in. He looked at Vita. His blue eyes were blank in a face that was all hard lines. “Are you ready to go?” he asked.

  Vita didn’t know what to do.

  “You’ll be all right,” Milly said. “If you wish, we could send Belle with you—”

  “Absolutely not.” Venmont turned. “Your lady’s maid and I will be in the foyer.”

  There was tension between Venmont and Lady Belle. Vita assumed it was Belle’s inability to conform to ladylike standards that rubbed the marquess wrong.

  At least Vita’s lady’s maid would be going with her.

  Venmont. Something about the name seemed familiar to her, but she couldn’t say what.

  She looked back at Lord and Lady Van Dero.

  Milly gave her a small smile. “Don’t worry. We’ll make this right.”