A Knight to Dare: (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book)
Page 25
“Many members of Society have chosen a side in this fight even if they are unaware of it, but there are others with power who are not peers.” The middle-class was cutting their way through the upper-class and establishing their place at the top of Society.
Such things like gaslighting had taken over most cities in the last year. It allowed business to run later at night and was keeping London alive at impossible hours.
Which was causing more trouble.
“What would the world do without people like you?” she said.
“You mean like us.” He took her hand. “I’m sure you understand the magnitude of what you’re doing. You could be helping many.” If there was some way to protect her, he would.
“I’m going to Vauxhall Garden this evening. Dunst will be there,” she said.
“You made plans with him?”
“How else was I to make sure he was out of the house? Now, someone can go in and look for the chessboard.”
She was clever.
She reached out and ran a hand through his hair. “Do you know who my guards will be?”
“It will not be me,” he said, even as he leaned into her hand. “Belle will take you, I imagine. I’ll be there as well, but you won’t see me.” He’d make certain his men were doing their jobs.
“Give me Noel,” she said.
“Why?”
“Perhaps, we’ll learn Dunst’s intentions for him,” Vita said.
Remy realized he couldn’t think with her touching him, so he pulled away.
She placed her hands on her lap and waited.
“Very well,” he said. “But you’ll have two others as well.”
She smiled.
“Also this.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a leather-sheathed blade.
Vita’s chest rose and fell swiftly before she took it.
“Let no one see it,” he said. “Never pull it out to threaten anyone. It won’t work. You're smaller and weaker than any man who would think to take you.” She narrowed her eyes at that, but he went on, “When you do pull it out, it must be done with intent.”
He moved closer to her. “Don’t aim for the face or the throat. Instead, aim for the chest and hit as hard as you can.” He placed his hand on her stomach and felt the corset underneath. “This portion of the body is larger and would be harder to miss.”
“What if they grab me from behind?”
“Aim for the thigh and then run as fast as you can.”
“And if they catch me again?”
“I wouldn’t let that happen.” He’d be close enough. “This is only in an emergency. Now that we know why Dunst hid the chessboard, it could get dangerous for you. Part of his reasons for wedding you could have been to silence you.” He was certain of that.
He stood and then helped her rise. “Once we start looking into the families you’ve led us to, a few cages will be rattled. If Dunst believes you’ve spoken…”
Her eyes widened. “I hadn’t even thought this a possibility.”
He cupped her chin. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
“And I’ll see what I can find out.”
He tightened his hold. “No. Vita, you are not trained to do such a thing. He will grow suspicious if you ask too many questions.”
“But I’m his fiancée.” She batted her eyes. “Shouldn’t I be getting to know the man I’ll soon wed?”
He dropped his hand. “It’s not a game. Dunst came after you before. His men were willing to kill in order to get to you.”
That sobered her. “We don’t have much time.”
“Leave the investigating to the people who know what they’re doing.”
She said nothing.
“Vita, swear you’ll do nothing but play the role of his pleasant fiancée.”
Vita looked down at the chessboard. “Is it wrong to ask him who his friends are?”
“Vita.”
She looked at him. “I thought about going over to his home again. I could probably find the board. He would probably show it to me.”
“No.” He grabbed her around the waist and pulled her in. “You are never to step foot in that man’s house again.”
She wrapped his arms around his shoulders. “I won’t. It was only a thought, but you’re right. He could be dangerous, though I doubt he’d hurt me.”
“He might.” And how would Remy live without her? “I’m not willing to take that risk.”
As their gazes held, he said, “I love you.”
Vita froze in his grasp.
His arms locked around her. “I wanted to tell you at Lady Douglas’, but I needed to make certain you believed it when you heard it. I didn’t want the pain of your mother’s disregard for you to lead to you questioning it.”
Her mouth split into a wide smile.
“I love you. I will always love you.” Then he kissed her head. “Add that to your memories.”
∫ ∫ ∫
5 0
* * *
Vita thought the Pleasure Gardens the most magical place in the world. The air was warm from the earlier heat of the day and perfumed with a verdant scent. She adored the lights that hung from the trees and the music that came from the boxes.
It was different than a party. There was so much open space. One could be part of a group or not. There was freedom.
As a young girl, she’d waited for a fairy or some other mythical creature to jump out of the bushes.
Now, as a woman, she looked around for far more sinister things.
She’d been surprised when people she’d met at Van Dero’s party waved her in their direction. She was soon surrounded by a group of people whose conversations were just as odd as her. They didn’t speak about mundane issues. Instead, they whispered secrets and challenged one another to spy on a certain lady or gentleman.
They were mostly Foragers in the box where she sat, the people in Van Dero’s organization who were paid to collect secrets. She was finding that most Foragers were beautiful, and Jeremy was one of them.
“I can’t believe you’re doing this,” he said as he pulled her away from the group. “I can’t believe you’re working for the duke.”
“I’m not working for Van Dero,” she whispered. “I’m doing this to stop people from getting hurt.”
“People will always hurt others.”
“Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to stop it.”
He smiled. “Had I known you’d become so enchanting, I’d have proposed years ago.”
She laughed.
“Dunst is here,” Noel said at her back. His eyes were narrowed at Jeremy.
Jeremy backed away with his hands lifted. “I’m a lover, not a fighter. Mostly.” He gave Noel a narrowed look before he walked away.
At the mention of Dunst, the conversation in the box shifted with extraordinary smoothness. Vita left and met Dunst on the pathway.
“My lady. You grow more beautiful by the minute.” He kissed her hand and straightened. He wore a smile, but his eyes were hard. He glanced around in suspicion and lowered his voice. “Let’s go somewhere quiet.”
Noel stood a yard away and had likely not heard Dunst’s suggestion.
Vita’s heart thundered in her chest, and she wondered if he knew. “Why?”
He looked at her with his one eye. “I don’t like being out, Vita. I don’t like being stared at. As you can imagine, I only came to see you.”
His eye. He was only concerned about his eye. He wore his patch, but even that would be distracting for people, she supposed.
She swallowed and took his arm. When her blood calmed enough, she said, “I had a cat with a missing ear once.”
He looked down at her as they began to stroll. Couples and groups who moved faster than them went around. They were not alone, and the path was so well lit that Vita felt no fear.
“You must like broken things,” Dunst said.
“Why would you say that?”
“Do you remember the night we m
et? I asked you to describe the gentleman you were looking for, the one with the cut through his eye.” He glanced back in Noel’s direction. “I’ve been trying to find that man, but I can’t. For a moment, I thought you meant the general?”
“Astger?” Her blood began to rush once more.
“I know no other gentleman who matches the description, but then again, I’m sure he wasn’t him.”
“It wasn’t,” Vita said hastily. “Astger is…” Wonderful. Kind. Smart.
“Old,” Dunst said. “Also, you’d have clearly known him. He works for Van Dero, after all, and you live with the duke.”
She smiled. “Right.” Dunst didn’t need to know that Remy had been away on an assignment when she’d first moved into the duke’s house.
“But to have run after a man with a scar and to have not been bothered by my own appearance, I believe it says something.”
Vita didn’t know if it did, but it was something to think about.
“Have you a disfigured member in your family?” he asked. “Someone you're close with that has gained your sympathy?”
“No.” But her family was disfigured, broken in a way. She was glad her father had found happiness. She had to keep believing she would one day have the same. “And what of your friends?” She squeezed his arm.
“I have very few.”
She licked her lips and was surprised when his eye followed the gesture. She hadn’t done it to tempt him, only because she was nervous. “Do I know any of them?”
“I would think not.” He was still staring at her mouth. “They… are not close to Van Dero.” His dark eye flickered back to hers and he smiled. “You’ll meet them soon.”
“When?”
“Why so anxious?”
Her heart flipped, and she pressed her side against his. “I’m getting married, my lord. I wish to know who it is I’m marrying. You say your family is gone.” He shared that with her in the last week. “Who else knows you better?”
“Don’t pretend you are not asking these questions for Van Dero.” His expression was gentle. “What does he wish to know about me?”
Vita froze and tears burned in her eyes. She’d ruined it. He was on to her. He touched her chin with a gloved finger. She was trembling.
“Don’t fear me,” he whispered. “I have no wish to hurt you.”
Allowing her true fear to show, she whispered, “It is not you I fear. It’s Van Dero.” A tear escaped.
His eyes widened, and he wiped her tear away before he lowered his hand. “You don’t like the duke?”
“I’ve never met a man with more strength. He’s surrounded by powerful allies. Even after we wed, I fear he’ll still control me.” She shut her mouth before her lie grew too ridiculous.
“Don’t fear that. My allies are stronger and far more numerous than his.”
Were they?
She pressed indecently close. “You’ll protect me?”
“It will be my reason to live.”
She smiled.
He watched her. “I don’t understand it. Your father left you with him. Surely, he can’t be that bad.”
“My father told me not to trust him before he left.” That was sort of the truth. “He just wanted me safe.”
Dunst sighed with what seemed like relief. “Yes, your father was right to warn you.” He looked around.
Vita did the same. They were far from the ears of others.
“I would wed you this night if Van Dero allowed it,” he said.
She cringed at the thought and her nearness meant he’d likely felt it.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She put distance between them and then started to walk. “I just wish I knew you better. I don’t want to have a marriage like my parents.”
“Oh, yes. Tragedy that.” He caught up. “I remember my father speaking about the runaway countess.”
Intrigued, she asked, “What did he say?”
Dunst shrugged. “Just what everyone else was saying. How much a fool Lady Bush was to run off with a man like Fontaine. A commoner is a commoner, even if he’s wealthy.”
“Fontaine had money?” Dunst seemed to know more about him than Vita did.
“He was from a wealthy family but had disappointed his father by pursuing a career in art.”
Vita remembered Fontaine had been hired to teach her mother how to paint. She hadn’t known anything else about him.
“I imagine your mother is sitting in some French garden somewhere, enjoying life as an adulterer.” He frowned down at her. “I hope you never fall prey to such nonsense.”
She took his arm. “I won’t. Besides, my mother isn’t in anyone’s French garden. She’s a laborer.” And Vita was angry enough to be glad for that.
His gaze had been where she touched him. She knew he liked it when she touched him, yet at her words, he looked up. “A laborer? You’ve seen her since her departure?”
∫ ∫ ∫
5 1
* * *
Vita’s mind took her back to the moment her mother had walked into her bedchamber at Lady Douglas’ home. She’d expected rejoicing. Hugs. She’d expected love, but all she’d got was rejection.
Vita would never do such a thing to her own children. She’d love them unconditionally. It would be everlasting, just as it should be.
“Yes,” she said in answer to Dunst’s question. “I saw her.” And she prayed never to see her again.
Dunst stopped them. “What did she say?”
Vita looked at him. “What?”
“Surely, she had a reason for leaving you? What did she say?” His expression was hard.
She smiled. “There’s no need to feel anger on my behalf. I’m done with her.”
Dunst stared at her. “Vita, when did you see your mother? How did you find her?”
She frowned up at him. “I… saw her a week ago.”
“Where?”
“Why?”
Dunst covered the hand she had resting on his arm with her own. His grip was tight. “I need to know where she is.”
“Why? What has she done?” What could be worse than leaving her family behind and being responsible for her son’s death? It seemed Lady Holly had wronged more than just her family.
“Vita, cease with your senseless questions and just tell me what I wish to know,” he growled, his fingers crushing hers.
Vita pulled away from him and took a step back. What was wrong with Dunst?
Noel came forward. “Are you all right?”
“She’s fine, boy. Leave us,” Dunst commanded.
Noel lifted a brow at Dunst, and Vita knew that look said bad things. Noel was only slightly tamed and was every bit his surname. His earring glowed in the lanterns overhead.
“Mr. Trouble,” Vita called.
Noel didn’t even look at her. His deadly gaze challenged Dunst’s.
“Noel,” she hissed.
He turned his head.
“We’re fine.” Vita’s heart was thumping like a mad elephant in her chest, but she wished to finish her conversation with the earl. “I’ll call you when I need you.”
Noel straightened and stepped back into the shadows.
Vita tried to think of something to say in the silence, something to put them back on the right road, but she was angry.
Senseless questions?
She was driven into silence.
“Forgive me,” Dunst said. “My temper is despicable at times.”
She knew she was supposed to forgive him, but...
He offered his hand and she simply stared at it. She was angry and scared. He’d been so pleasant before. Remy had been right. He couldn’t be trusted. The feel of the heavy blade in her pocket gave her some comfort.
“I’m sorry if I frightened you.” He took her hand when she did not give it. “I just hate what your mother did to you. She should be punished and held accountable for her sins. If you tell me where to find her, I’ll be sure to see to it myself.”
What was Dunst’s connection to her mother?
She remembered the fear her mother had when Dunst’s name was mentioned.
But had it been fear? Vita wouldn’t even try to remember. She’d been wrong about her mother before. She was likely wrong now. “She’s in Venmont Hill.”
Dunst murmured to himself. “Of course.” Then he smiled at Vita. “I’ll take care of her.”
“You’re not going to actually hurt her, are you?” This time, she was the one who stopped walking. “You promised no more violence.”
“And so I did.” He urged her forward again. “I won’t hurt her if that’s what you want.”
“I’ll ask you to never hurt anyone… including me.”
He observed her. “You’re such an innocent lady. I like that. I like you very much, Vita. I’m truly sorry. I vow to work on my temper. You’ll never suffer from it again.”
Even with his words of reassurance, Vita didn’t believe he’d stop hurting people. Why would Dunst go after her mother at all? Was he truly mad on Vita’s behalf?
They stopped when Belle appeared just up ahead. She was walking on Remy’s arm, and they were heading in her direction.
“Pleasant evening?” Belle took one look at Vita, and her eyes widened. “Well, I hate to end it, but it’s time to go.”
“So soon?” Dunst asked. “But we’ve been here for but an hour.” He turned to her. “Surely, you’re not ready to leave.”
“I should obey my chaperone.” Vita pulled from Dunst’s grasp and controlled the urge to throw herself into Belle’s arms and kiss the woman. She was definitely ready to go.
She curtsied. “Good evening, Lord Dunst.”
Dunst could not hide his displeasure. “Until tomorrow, my lady.” He turned and stomped away.
Vita turned to Belle. “He’s—”
“Shh.” Belle started them in another direction. “Say nothing for now.” She smiled. “You never know who’s listening.”
∫ ∫ ∫
5 2
* * *
Vita’s throat burned the entire way to the carriage. When they were all inside, she finally spoke. “He’s going after my mother, but I don’t know why.” She told Belle and Remy about their conversation.