He grabbed his carpetbag and stuffed more shirts inside. With his back to her, he said, “Do what you want, Vita. I can’t control you.”
She said nothing.
Since it wasn’t like her, he’d assumed she’d left and told himself not to care. His men were good. They would protect her.
And should she fail to get the information they needed in order to find the boys… There was no way he’d stay in London for the wedding. He needed to get away.
She had such a gentle spirit that part of Remy wondered if she had the power to cure Dunst of his vile nature. A good woman could do it, could lead even the darkest man to the light.
He turned back around and found Vita still standing by the door.
∫ ∫ ∫
5 4
* * *
Vita’s first thought was to run.
Remy had claimed to love her and now he was leaving just when she needed him most. Just like her mother. Perhaps, Vita was only ever destined to be loved for a time, a season. Not forever. Forever was for normal ladies of leisure who knew how to dance without a man gesturing her every move. Women who didn’t announce just how their fish had died.
Vita would never be one of those women. She’d tried and clearly, Holly had seen her flaws.
Yet another voice in her head recalled how much Remy had seemed to enjoy her flaws, how in a single night, she’d found a stronger intimate connection with him than she had any other before him.
She’d gone after him once.
Call her strong or call her a fool, she would do it again.
She took in his rather casual appearance. He was dressed to travel. “You hadn’t planned to say goodbye, had you?”
“I didn’t know when you and Dunst would be done flirting.” His tone was bitter.
“You know I don’t love him.”
“I need to go.”
She was blocking his way.
He still had the carpetbag in his hand.
“I finish this and then I’m done.”
He lowered his brows. “Explain.”
“I’ll go to dinner with Dunst and end the engagement the day after.”
“What about the boys? What about making sure no one else gets hurt?” Remy asked.
She shrugged. “I’m choosing my own happiness over theirs.”
Remy dropped the bag. “You’d never do that.”
He was right, however, she was certain that the information she gathered at Dunst’s dinner would be enough. She could look for the chessboard and then everything would come together. Already, she’d been told that Remy had assigned men to the people Leo thought connected with the figures she’d seen on Dunst’s chessboard.
She thought of the eyes of the bird she’d held in her hand that evening. Onyx.
Had the pieces come from Traver’s rare collection?
She was distracted when Remy crossed the room to her. “I can’t stomach seeing him near you, but… I understand why you’re doing what you’re doing. I just… I can’t bear the thought of him touching you or of you being wedded to him even if only for an hour.”
“An hour?”
Remy frowned. “Do you think I’d allow him to claim you a moment longer than necessary? That I’d let him take you to bed?”
She blinked. “But you said you were leaving.”
“Not forever.” He looked her over. “Did you think I was leaving for good?”
She didn’t respond.
“Vita.” He grabbed the back of her neck. “I could never leave you completely, but I’m not needed here, and I can’t watch you and Dunst together anymore. However, I have every intention of coming back.” He lowered his head to hers. “And then I shall claim what is mine.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist and closed her eyes. “I thought after seeing the kiss you’d never forgive me.”
“I’ve played your role before,” he whispered. “It would be hypocritical of me if I were unable to forgive you.”
She leaned back and smiled at him. She started to cry but wasn’t entirely sure why.
He pulled her against him and held her. “Even when we’re apart, you’ll always have my heart, Vita. I thought you were aware of this.”
She gripped his jacket and kept weeping. She wasn’t aware of anything. She tried to be strong, but the thought of being without Remy hurt worse than losing her mother because, in the end, she’d have known it was her fault. She’d driven him away.
Pulling away again, she said, “I’ll never doubt you again.”
“Good.” He tried to step away, but she wouldn’t let him.
“Don’t go. Stay. Dunst is leaving for business. We can spend time together.”
“What business?”
“I don’t know.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. She was feeling rather romantic at the moment.
If only he’d kiss her, but Remy was far too good to do it. She was engaged according to Society. Therefore, he’d not overstep.
But Vita had no intentions of being Dunst’s wife. Not even for an hour. Not anymore.
She belonged with Remy. They would find another way. Together.
“He didn’t tell you anything about this business he’s left to see about?”
“Remy, I’m trying to have a moment with you.”
He set her aside and went for his carpetbag.
He still planned to leave?
“I had your mother moved,” Remy said. “I’m going to go make sure she’s all right.”
“You think Dunst is going after my mother?”
He met her at the door. “I don’t know, but I wish to be sure.”
“I want to go with you.”
Remy’s eyes widened. ‘You can’t. Dunst likely has eyes on you. If I were him, I’d have a man sending reports to me about you every day.”
“Is that what you planned to have done?” she asked. “You were going to ask someone to send a report about me to you?”
“Of course. I’d have only requested any mention of Dunst not be included.” He kissed her forehead. “I have to go.”
“I want to come.” She wrapped her arms around him again. “We can pretend that I became ill.”
“No. That might have Dunst rushing back and then he’ll discover the truth.”
She tried to think quickly. “What if Belle and I decided to take a trip? And what if that trip just so happened to require you for a guard?”
Remy lifted his brow and then grinned. “That could work.”
He cupped her chin. “But you must vow to do as I say. If I tell you do run, hide, or move, you don’t ask questions. Is that understood?”
“Yes, General,” she purred.
He stroked her cheek before he dropped his hand. His eyes were shimmering dark pools of need. “I pray you’re this sassy once this farce is done.”
“Why?”
“You’ll see.”
Her body went from warm to scorching hot in seconds. She was excited about their trip and more importantly, their future.
∫ ∫ ∫
5 5
* * *
“How is it that you’ve been here and managed to leave? I don’t think I would,” Vita asked as she and Belle stood facing the sea. Their feet were deep in the sand. A wave washed up just past Vita’s ankle. The cool water felt wonderful against her body.
It was a very warm and sunny day. She’d never been to Bognor Regis before. Her governess was always afraid of Vita gaining too much color and ruining the one part of her that was perfect. Her skin.
She pointed her face to the sky in defiance. “I’d stay here forever if I could.”
Belle sighed. “It is a lovely place. It holds many memories for me.” The words didn’t seem to ring with happiness.
Vita looked at her. “What happened here?”
Belle smiled. “Nothing that I’ve not overcome, but I’m glad to be back.”
They’d just gotten out of the carriage an hour ago and while Vita was tired from the long jo
urney, the moment she’d seen the water, she knew a nap would have to wait.
Remy had gone to see to her mother.
She looked back toward the house that sat not far from the shore. It belonged to Remy. Noel sat on the back porch, watching.
There were two other men about, not even pretending that they’d only come to enjoy the water. Dressed in the jackets of Van Dero’s army, they were clearly guards.
Leo was somewhere in the house, stilling going over the list Vita had given him. At the mention of a trip, he’d declared he was going. It seemed he grew restless staying in one place for too long. He’d been ready to say goodbye to London.
“Do you ever get used to always being watched?” Vita asked.
“No, It’s terribly inconvenient,” Belle said. “I’m never quite sure what they’ll report to Van Dero and even I would enjoy keeping my secrets.”
“Van Dero spies on you?”
“Not intentionally,” Belle said. “He’s just trying to protect me.” She looked down at the sand.
“You seem very capable of taking care of yourself.”
She lifted her head and smiled. “I am, but he’ll never listen. At first, he said I was far too valuable to be lost, but now I think he does it because he cares.”
A month ago, Vita would have thought it impossible for Cassius to care for anyone but Milly and his heir, but Vita now knew otherwise.
“When did you start the homes for boys?” Vita asked.
“It’s been five years now.”
“That’s amazing. How did it come about?”
Belle’s brown eyes turned to the sea and the descending sun. They had many hours yet before it actually set. “I’d done something nice for a young boy on the street once. A pickpocket, actually. I’d stepped in when he was about to get hit.” She looked at Vita. “I was punished for it.”
Vita’s belly tightened. She wanted to know who’d punished Belle. A governess? Her father? She didn’t say.
Belle smiled. “Not long after, I saw him again and he did something for me.” Again, she avoided details. “He didn’t have to do what he did for me, so I asked him why’d he done it. He said I was the nicest lady he’d ever met. He wanted to be nice too.” There were tears in her eyes. “I realized then that while caring for others won’t change everyone, it could change many. Love is a gift that keeps giving.” She exhaled slowly. “And our world could use more of that, don’t you think?”
A noise made Vita turned to the house. She was glad for the distraction. She’d been moved by Belle’s story. She did think the world could use a little more love and smiled as her love started toward her.
If a stranger were to look at Remy, they’d think him angry. He had a natural brooding expression.
It added to his dangerous appearance and with his powerful strides and the dark locks that blew in the wind, Vita could do nothing but shiver with need.
He stopped a yard away from her. She wanted him to touch her, but he would never do so in such an open space. Even with the beach being private, there was the possibility that she was being watched.
“I like it here,” Vita said.
He placed his hands in his pockets and she watched them fist. “Do you?”
“I wish to come back another time… without a chaperone.”
He chuckled.
“I believe this is my cue to leave.” Belle gathered her skirts and waved goodbye.
Remy stayed just above where the waves watched. “Do you want to know how your mother is doing?”
“Not in particular.” She’d told him before they’d left that she didn’t wish to see Lady Holly. However, she was glad the woman was alive. Even angry, she couldn’t wish death on her mother.
“Well, she is fine. She also wanted to know how you were doing,” Remy said.
“You should take off your boots and put your feet in the water.”
“I might swim later tonight.”
Her eyes widened. “Isn’t that dangerous?”
He shrugged.
She smiled. “Can I join you?”
“Perhaps, on your return to Bognor.” When her engagement to Dunst had passed and they would finally be together. “Do you want to know what I said to your mother?”
“Not in particular.”
“I told her that we were in love and that you would be Lady Bowland once Dunst was out of the way.”
Vita’s stomach flipped. “You told her all that? Why?” She didn’t want her mother knowing anything about her. The woman didn’t deserve to know. “Isn’t it dangerous for an outsider to know our intentions?”
Remy smiled. “She’s not an outsider. She works for Van Dero.”
“What? How?”
Remy chuckled. “I listened to her story. She’s going to share it with us tonight at dinner.”
“No.” Vita retreated. She was so confused that she let her dress fall and water rushed to soak the material. She hastily picked up her skirts and moved away from the sea… and from Remy. “Why have you invited her?”
“Because she’s your mother. You should talk to her.”
Vita placed a hand over her aching heart. “You didn’t ask me if I wished to speak to her. Either way, you knew the answer. I told you before I came that I wanted nothing to do with her..” The very thought of having another conversation with Holly put fear in her blood. Everything—aside from her situation with Dunst—was going well.
She and Remy were happy. She had friends. She was more confident. Holly would ruin that. “Why would you invite her without telling me?”
Remy’s smile fell. “Vita, you should listen to what she has to say.”
“No.”
He called her name when she spun away.
He caught up with her in seconds and matched her stride. “Come into the house.”
“No.” She knew what would happen there. He’d touch her. Out here, she was safe and could be just as upset as she wished to be. He couldn’t control her emotions, cool her temper, or turn her rage into desire.
Out here, he was nothing more than her guard.
Her very annoying guard.
“Vita, come inside.”
She stopped. “I’m not stepping foot inside that house until you cancel this dinner.”
He crossed his arms. “Aren’t you at all intrigued? What if our assumption of her is wrong?”
“It isn’t.” She felt so much pain inside, she thought she might faint. “You heard her. She couldn’t wait to be away from me. She might as well have been talking to a pile of dung for all the love she showed me.”
“Darling,” he begged. “Please, come inside.” He stepped closer yet his arms still rested at his sides. “Please.”
She shook her head. “I know you. I know what you’re trying to do. I won’t go in there.”
“So, you plan to sleep out here?” he challenged.
She looked around and shrugged. “If I must.” That was how much she didn’t wish to be around her mother. “Please, don’t let her come here.” She didn’t even want Remy or Belle around her. She didn’t want them to turn away from her as well, be swayed under her mother’s influence.
Remy only stared at her.
Vita groaned and spun away. “You never listen to me. You always force my hand.”
His voice was at her ear. “I’ll tell her not to come. I will cancel the dinner.”
She looked at him. “You will?
“Yes, if that’s what you want.” But she could see he didn’t agree with the decision. “You’re right. I do try and force you repeatedly. I do not wish to make that a habit between us. You will not be one of my soldiers. You will be my wife and though I will always want what I believe is best for you, as often as possible, I will let you have a choice.”
She took a breath. “Thank you.”
His stare seemed troubled. “Will you come inside now?”
She looked back at the sea.
The mention of her mother had ruined her mood. She was no longer
enchanted by the sight. Now, all she saw was endless water. “Very well.”
∫ ∫ ∫
5 6
* * *
Remy led her inside. The moment the door closed behind them, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her to his chest. “I’m sorry. I had no right to invite her without asking you.” He’d not explain himself. Vita was not listening.
Still, he should have consulted her. He should have given her a few days to decide. Instead, he’d rashly made a decision for her.
He did not wish to be one of those husbands who lorded over their wives, who treated them little better than servants and addressed them as children.
He wanted a happy wife. He never wanted Vita to fear him or regret sharing her feelings with him.
He wanted every part of her, her thoughts, hopes, fears, and dreams.
Vita tilted her head and rested it on his bicep. She wrapped her fingers around his arms. She didn’t pull away. “I know you mean well, Remy.”
“I only want you to be happy.”
She pressed more firmly into his arm and released a breath. “Since you know she’s well and that Dunst has not attacked her, we can leave now. Tomorrow at the latest.”
From her tone, he could tell she was still upset. He wanted to urge her to stay, but were it a choice between keeping his connection with Vita and trying to create one between her and her mother…
She was hurting. Though she pretended otherwise, the precious woman in his arms was in pain.
“I thought you liked Bognor.”
“I did.”
He didn’t have to ask what changed her mind.
“I might not be able to enjoy it with you the way I wish, but the resort here is beautiful. We could enjoy a meal at one of the extravagant hotels.” The summer was a busy time for Bognor. The wealthy and even royals came to see and be seen. “It’s a wonderful place. Even young Princess Victoria comes. There is also the bathhouse. You and Belle can go tomorrow if you wish. Or you can bathe in the sea where I can look upon you.”
Vita turned to face him. She was smiling. “You’ll sit with us at the hotel? We’d share a table?”
“Every night. I may be your servant, but I am also the Earl of Bowland.” He pulled her close and whispered in her ear, “But I do enjoy serving you.”
A Knight to Dare: (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book) Page 27