“Vita and I worked it out,” Remy said.
“Ah,” Leo snapped his fingers. “That must be the reason why she’s looked ready to throw you under the carriage all day.”
Oliver laughed. “Come now. If we’ve not made Venmont Hill seem like the happiest place on Earth, you’d have been tucking your tail and heading home.”
“Not so,” Remy declared. “Until I know she is safe, I don’t plan on letting her out of my sight.”
Remy glanced up when he noticed a group of men get up and head for the door. They were talking quickly amongst each other. Their feet moved swiftly.
Others had left as well.
Murmurs were going around the room.
Leo narrowed his gaze at the front door. “I wonder what’s going on outside.”
Remy felt a sudden apprehension.
All three men stood at the same time.
“I’m going to go check on my nephew,” Remy said.
“No, I’ll do it,” Leo said. “Go see how Lady Vita is faring.”
Remy nodded.
He knocked on the door to the facility and called Vita’s name.
When there was no answer, he broke down the door.
The room was empty.
He looked up.
The window was open.
He cursed and ran outside.
∫ ∫ ∫
2 4
* * *
“Noel!” Vita cried as someone pushed her back. “You must stop this.”
Her words were futile.
Noel went on, continuing to fight the man who’d held a gun on her earlier.
She didn’t know where Noel had come from. She was being dragged away under threat to her life if she made a sound when her captor was knocked in the back. Vita had nearly gone down with him but had managed to catch herself on the wall.
The gun had flown from her captor's hand, disappearing behind a giant woodpile. She’d thought to go after it but then had jumped at the sound of a smack.
Noel had been on the man and was pounding his fist into the man’s face.
Finally, stable hands had come over and pulled them apart.
Vita had calmed, thinking they would stop the fight, but instead, that agitated it until it got out of control. They called for a fair fight. A crowd had arrived and shoved her away.
Her cries fell on deaf ears.
She didn’t know what to do.
A part of her wanted to go for Remy, but then she feared her captor getting free, finding his gun and shooting the boy before she made it back in time.
She’d tried to search for the gun, but the sun was falling, and she’d already torn her dress twice and had earned a splinter for her efforts trying to hunt for it.
She held her throbbing hand as she tried to find a place through the crowd where she could see what was happening.
The cheering and other shouts made her nervous.
She looked at the woodpile again and considered giving her search another go when a hand landed on her shoulder.
Oliver stared down at her. She could not look at the man and forget he’d declared himself an assassin.
She felt cold at his touch.
“You’re not supposed to be out here,” the marquess said.
As she took a breath, she reminded herself that he was protecting her and had vowed not to kill her.
“Where is Noel?” he asked.
She pointed at the crowd.
He turned and looked the men over.
“H-he’s fighting.”
Oliver’s eyes widened and then he was walking through the crowd and since he was still holding onto her, it forced her to move as well.
People were less inclined to push the marquess out of the way.
She gasped at the ugly sight.
Noel was bleeding from his face and lip. One eye looked swollen. His jacket had gotten torn open, the buttons likely lost. His shirt was wrinkled, and there was blood.
The other man held a knife and jumped toward Noel.
Who dodged it and managed to connect his fist with her assailant’s face.
It made her attacker stumble back, and the crowd grew more fierce with their shouts, but the man didn’t go down.
Vita turned to Venmont. “You must stop this!”
The marquess frowned. “Why would I ever do that?” Then he grinned and turned his eyes back to the fight.
He thrust his chin, and Vita followed the direction of his gaze.
Leo stood on the other side of the fight. He had one arm poised across his middle, he rested the elbow of his other arm on top of that and idly touched his chin with his fingers as he watched. His expression was pensive.
He gave a quick glance to Oliver, saw Vita, nodded once at his brother in acknowledgment, and then returned his gaze to the fight.
Some of the crowd had produced lanterns to make the fight more visible.
As the fighters circled, Vita got her first true look at her captor’s face and felt all the blood leave her.
He was unrecognizable.
He also had a limp.
Noel was beaten badly but nowhere near as badly as the other man. There was a lightness to the young man’s moves, as though he were flowing over the dirt instead of walking.
Vita wanted it to end and searched the crowd for Remy.
She spotted him instantly.
He stood at an angle that made the three men seem to be standing in a purposeful triangle. His arms were crossed. His expression was angry. “Finish this,” he bellowed.
A tick went off in Noel’s bloodied face, but when his opponent next lunged, Noel grabbed the man’s armed hand and pulled him forward. At the same time, Noel’s elbow went up and knocked the man in the face.
He was down a second later.
The knife fell from his hands.
Vita’s captor didn’t move.
The mighty shout of the crowd made Vita shiver, and the hairs on her arms rose.
“Yes!” Oliver pumped two fists in the air.
A look at Leo proved him to have a soft grin on his face.
Remy’s face lacked all expression, but for some reason, Vita knew he was angry.
This was proven when he walked over to Noel— who was currently grinning at the men who made up his victory circle— grabbed him and marched him away.
Oliver and Leo worked to stop those men that tried to follow from doing so, but Vita went past easily.
She rounded the building just as Remy pushed Noel against the wall.
“What were you thinking?” Remy asked his nephew in a harsh tone. “The man had a blade.”
“Because he was losing,” Noel countered, just as angry as his uncle. “I know what I was doing.”
“If you had tripped,” Remy said. “It would have only taken a single move and you’d be dead. What would you have me say to your mother then?”
“That I died honorably,” Noel said.
Vita was moved by those words and found herself moving closer.
Remy spotted her first. “Vita, stay back.”
She didn’t listen.
She walked right up to Noel and took out one of her earrings. Then she took his hand, placed it inside his, and squeezed the knuckles she knew to be bruised and swollen. “Thank you.” She began to weep as she thought about all the things that could have happened to her had Noel not fought for her.
He grinned. Even with his face covered in blood, he was quite a handsome boy. She felt his hand tighten around the favor she’d given him. “Anytime, my lady.”
She sniffed and still holding his hand, she said, “What you did was very honorable.”
His smile grew.
“But you were showing off,” she told him, now that she realized it. He could have ended the fight long ago. It had taken Remy’s command for him to do it. “Don’t do that. It was reckless.”
His smile fell.
She didn’t like that, so she added, “Who would protect me if you’re not around?”
Noel smi
led again.
“What happened?” Remy asked as he took her elbow and pulled her back from her nephew. “Why are you outside and what is it my nephew did for you?”
Oliver spoke from behind her. “I would like to hear this story as well.”
Leo came next. He dropped something heavy from his hand, and Vita realized it was the body of her captor.
“Is he still alive?” she asked.
“For now,” Leo said without inflection. “But I’m guessing this fight didn’t start over nothing.”
He was right. However, she didn’t feel comfortable telling her story and knowing the man would die because of it. She simply didn’t want his death on her hands.
“I’ll tell you,” Noel said.
“Wait.” Vita lifted her hands. “I’ll tell you, but you must promise to have this man arrested afterward. No one dies tonight.”
“He deserves to die,” Noel declared. Then he turned to Oliver. “Finish him.”
“No!” She looked at Leo and then Remy and Oliver.
Oliver shrugged and then grinned. “One,” he declared. Then he turned to Leo. “You mark it. I’ve spared one life.”
She didn’t understand. “What is going on?”
Remy sighed. “He made a deal with a lady. He’s to excuse the next three assassinations he’s contracted for.”
She shivered, still unused to the idea that a trained killer was watching over her.
“You killed two people last night.”
“A fight is different,” Oliver said. “I was defending myself.” He looked at the man on the ground. “Depending on what he did, this would be his job.”
Vita wished to hear no more. “Swear it, all of you.”
“I’d rather hear the story from Noel,” Remy said.
She looked at her suitor. “Noel doesn’t know everything.”
“I know enough,” Noel said. His eyes were just as blank as his uncle’s.
What had happened to this boy to make him so cold?
Remy looked at his nephew and seemed to have the same question in his mind.
“We’ll give him to the local authorities,” Leo said. “There, are you happy? Now, tell us what took place.”
Though Remy remained silent, Vita told them. “He was at the window. He pointed a gun at me and forced me to climb out. He began to escort me to a carriage that waited for me and asked me questions.”
“What questions?” Remy asked.
“What did I see and who did I tell?” She still had no idea what he meant. “I told him I was confused and that I saw nothing, but before he could get another word out, Noel came and attacked him from behind.” She sighed. “You all saw the rest. They fought.”
“And I won,” Noel said with a crooked grin.
“That’s right, you did,” Oliver said with pride.
“Who taught you to fight like that?” Leo asked, even as his eyes were on Remy.
Vita turned just as Remy moved to pick up Vita’s attacker. The stranger began to stir.
There was a dark look in Remy’s eyes, and Vita prayed she’d done the right thing.
∫ ∫ ∫
2 5
* * *
Remy didn’t bother to play the gentleman as he brought Vita’s attacker to the jail in town.
Once the man was behind bars and the door was closed, he turned to the three men who stood in the room. The protectors of the people.
“I am General Astger, Earl of Bowland. I am turning this man in because he attacked a woman I care for deeply. I don’t know why this man attacked my lady, and I don’t know who he is working for, but what I want you to know is that it doesn’t matter.”
Their expression began to change in different variations of a frown as he went on.
“This man works for someone. That someone might be important. That someone might be powerful and wealthy, but it doesn’t matter. You will not release this man for any reason or for anyone. He shall be tried for his crime, and he shall pay the price.” Hopefully, that price would be severe.
“I don’t know who you think you are,” Mayor Lovely said. “But you’re right. We don’t take bribes from men here. The criminal shall be tried according to the law, my lord.”
Remy understood that the man had convictions, but he could also see that Mayor Lovely had had an easy life up until this moment. Remy didn’t know the man they were dealing with, but whoever he was had to have the strength of Hercules if he was going after someone in Van Dero’s care.
“I’m glad to hear that I can trust you,” Remy said to the man. “But I must warn you that should you fail, it would not please me.”
Lovely narrowed his eyes. “Are you threatening me, my lord?”
“I am.” Remy leaned forward and added, “And so is the Duke of Van Dero.”
Lovely paled and stepped back. “T-the man will be kept here. You have my word.”
“I shall be here in the morning to make certain that you kept your word.” Remy looked down at the man in the stall.
He was asleep. After stirring behind the inn, he’d drifted away and hadn’t returned since.
But he needed to be questioned and Remy planned to do it himself, which meant Vita and the others would have to go on without him.
He didn’t wish to split from her, but he had had no choice. The small town, which lacked a fortress or people with strong ties to Van Dero, was not safe for her.
When he finished making his arrangements to return in the morning, he walked outside.
Vita came from the coach to meet him halfway. “They say you’re staying and that I must go with them.”
He nodded. “Seems you’ll be getting your wish and being rid of me.” There was no malice in his tone, but he had assumed Vita would be made merry at how things had worked out.
Instead, she looked troubled. “I don’t want you here alone.”
“We can’t spare a man. You’re the most important person here.”
“Not to me,” she whispered.
He felt his heart melt. It was so odd that he swayed.
She grabbed his shoulders. “Remy,” she pleaded. “Come with us. Please, don’t stay out here on your own.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ve been alone before.”
Tears built in her eyes, and Remy cupped her face. He couldn’t handle the tears. He tried to quiet her and glanced over her shoulder.
Respectfully, Leo and Oliver turned away.
Noel did not. He was captivated by the scene.
Remy turned so his back was to his nephew, shielding Vita’s face from sight.
“Please, Remy. Don’t stay.” She gripped his shirt. “He had a gun and a knife.”
“I have a gun and a knife, and my knife is bigger.”
She stiffened and then she giggled. Tears began to fall.
“Vita, if you keep this up, I’ll be forced to kiss you and turn your sadness into hunger.”
Her eyes flashed. She swallowed. “Can you not be persuaded to come?” Something fluttered in her eyes.
She moved closer and whispered, “Can I not persuade you to come?”
Remy cursed and covered her mouth this his hand. She had no idea just how provocative her words were, which only made the comment more arousing. “Vita, please be silent. I can’t bear another word.”
She smiled behind his hand. He felt her kiss his palm.
A tingling went through him.
She cupped his neck. “Return to me whole. Swear you will.”
“I vow it.” Though it was a lie. She held his heart. She’d be leaving with that at least, which already left him incomplete.
And yet whole in a very different way.
“May I offer my soldier a favor and kiss him goodbye?” she asked.
He lowered his head and then claimed her harder than he ever had.
Harder than he’d intended.
Her fingers grasped his hair for purchase and her soft pants stoked renewed life into him.
He felt stronger. His min
d felt sharper.
He pulled away. “I’m right behind you.”
“Good,” she whispered. “Because you have someone waiting for you when your duty is over.”
He’d often wondered what that felt like. When other men spoke of the wives and families that waited for them at the end of their journey, Remy had never been able to participate.
He had Toni and Noel, but they’d been a part of their own fold.
Vita would be his.
He’d make sure of that.
* * *
Vita sat by the window in Venmont’s house and sipped her tea. The trees that surrounded the rather ominous mansion blocked most of the view and left most of the house in shadows.
It was dreadful, though she knew it didn’t help that she’d not been able to go outdoors.
“Soon,” Oliver had told her before he’d gathered his supplies and went out. He was going to make the land safe for her. Upon his return, she would be able to explore but only within certain boundaries.
He’d not been dressed like a gentleman when he’d left. His clothing had been dark and ill-fitting, large upon his already large body. He’d worn no hat or jacket and Vita knew that if she’d met him that way, she’d never have believed he was a marquess.
Oliver had a sack over his shoulder as he’d left. She’d heard the clinking of metal and had wondered what rested inside.
That had been five days ago, and she’d not seen him since. Yet as she explored the house yesterday, she’d overheard Leo in the kitchen speaking to a footman about his brother’s whereabouts in the woods.
Oliver was not only setting traps but looking for his dog Elder.
So far, two of Oliver’s men had been found dead. They’d died protecting Vita since she’d come to Venmont Hill. It had pained her to discover this. Leo, who’d caught her snooping, had tried to make her feel better, but he’d been careful of his words and where he spoke them after that.
She wanted to leave. She wanted to do something besides sit around and wait for more unfortunate events to happen.
And then she had other worries.
Remy had yet to come.
He’d said he was right behind her and yet he still hadn’t arrived.
She fretted over his absence even as Leo told her there was nothing to worry about.
She and Leo played cards together some days. She even played with Noel, though the young man was more inclined to go outdoors than anything else.
A Knight to Dare: (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book) Page 12