“I want us to be happy, Elisa. You know I never wanted Sarah. It was always you. Sarah was my father’s idea.”
“Did you kill her?” she asked.
“Does it matter? You are to be my wife. I say, it’s best you think well of me.”
Her doubts increased.
“Hungry?” He produced a glass jar. Inside were comfits. The assortment of confections in their bright colors would tempt anyone who didn’t know better.
“No,” she said firmly.
“Are you sure?” he mocked.
“They could be poisonous,” Elisa said.
Alguire laughed and then took one out and placed it in his mouth. He chewed with humor. “Where would I get poisonous candy?”
She almost said, “Gloria,” but managed to restrain herself.
“You should feel lucky that I came for you,” he said. “Your brother Luke nearly had you killed.”
Luke? Luke had died recently. Elisa had never been close to him, but Alguire had. “Why would my brother have killed me?”
“To inherit, of course,” Alguire said. “Your uncle left you everything. It was always the plan, Elisa, since you were young. He spoke to your father about it. He knew his wife couldn’t conceive. Even then you had men falling in love with you.”
Elisa shook her head. “No, that can’t be true. I couldn’t have inherited. Aunt Bethany took everything my uncle possessed a week ago.”
“She took items but not his accounts,” Alguire said. “They are yours and now they will be mine.” He grinned. “Along with the land that’s next to another portion of land that your father has willed to me in faith that we would wed.”
“What land?”
He waved his hand. “Some portion my father sold to your father in an effort to pay off a debt. It was always agreed that I would inherit it and you.”
Elisa began to see light in the situation. “Is that why you wish to marry me? You want the money? The land? I’ll give it to you if you let me go.”
“I’ve no need of your money. I’ve inherited my own along with a title. It was your brother Luke, a spare who needed to make his own claim on the world.” Alguire leaned forward and placed his hands on either side of the bench. “I planned to give your brother the money if he spared you. The only claim I will make is on you, my dear.”
In a twisted way, she was likely staring at the man who was responsible for saving her life. Sadly, she couldn’t find it within her to be grateful.
The carriage lurched, sending them all to the side, but Alguire righted her at the last minute, saving her from hitting her head.
It was likely the nicest thing he’d ever done for her.
“Are you all right?” he asked with true worry, even while he pushed Kate out of the way.
“I—”
The carriage rocked again, but Elisa was holding on this time.
Alguire flew back into his seat. Kate followed with a scream.
There was shouting outside.
A gunshot went off.
Alguire cursed. Rage filled his gaze. “What’s happening?”
The driver shouted, “We’re under attack!” The carriage came to a speedy stop.
Kate started to pray aloud.
Elisa prayed as well but silently. She prayed it was Lord Nicholas, though she doubted it. How would he have caught up with her? How could he take on Alguire’s watchmen and footmen?
Alguire pushed her low in the carriage as shots rang out.
Elisa kept silent and listened to the neighing horses and the trotting of their hooves in the snow. Noise seemed to come from everywhere.
“Put down your weapons,” Nicholas cried.
She smiled.
“Who is that?” Alguire grabbed her chin roughly and pointed her face toward him. “What have you done?” He squeezed until her face ached.
Elisa whimpered, and he let her go.
“Answer me!” he roared.
The carriage door flew open and then Alguire gave a shout and the carriage shook one last time as he was dragged out.
Elisa looked on as Nicholas pulled the marquess into the snow. They seemed to be in the middle of a field. A frozen lake started just a few yards from where the carriage had stopped. Alguire’s driver had had no choice. It was either give in or be driven into a watery death.
A glance around showed a dozen men on horseback. Alguire’s men were on their knees in the snow. Nicholas was the only man who stood amongst the mighty host.
His hat was gone, and his blond curls and open coat dance on the wind’s currents.
His face seemed different from when they’d met in the garden. His every feature was hard. His eyes were lifeless as he gazed down at Alguire. He was dark and majestic. His entire body was fixed in a pose befitting the statue of a Greek warrior, not a simple English lord.
There was nothing simple about the man her brother Avery had sent for her.
“Never seen a more stunning man,” Kate whispered.
Neither had Elisa.
“Unhand me! Have you any clue as to who I am?” Alguire shouted. “I am the Marquess of Alguire.”
Surprised, Nicholas released him. “My apologize, my lord. I had no idea who I was chasing.” His glower was directed at his own thoughts.
Elisa’s heart sank. Would Nicholas hand her over now?
Alguire jumped to his feet and straightened his coat. “I’ve a mind to call you out, sir. What is the meaning of this?”
Nicholas pointed to Elisa. “I’m here for Lady Elisa. She’s betrothed to…” He lifted his eyes, and their gazes caught. His words trailed away. Alguire continued to speak, but neither of them heard him.
Nicholas started toward her.
When Alguire moved to follow, a man on horseback cut him off.
Nick stopped at the door’s opening and rapidly scanned her face. “I apologize for the rough ride. Had there been any other way… Did I cause you injuries?”
“What?” Injuries, pain, it all faded when he looked at her, when he stood close enough for her to feel the heat coming off his body.
“Your face. It’s marked. Did the carriage ride cause it?” Nicholas asked. “Tell me it did. Tell me Lord Alguire didn’t harm your face.” He braced his hands on either side of the opening. His expression was serious. “I need you to tell me I’m not looking at finger marks around your jaw.”
Elisa said nothing. She was enthralled by his eyes, not just because they were the most beautiful she’d ever seen but because they were changing, glowering.
“My lady,” Nicholas called again.
“Elisa,” she said.
“Elisa.” From his lips, her name seemed like a song.
“You didn’t do this to me,” she said.
“Did Lord Alguire hurt you or was it someone else? Was it a footman?” he asked with hope.
Why did he so desperately wish it were someone else?
“It was Lord Alguire,” she said.
His expression darkened. He turned to Kate. “Are you all right?”
Kate’s eyes widened in surprise. She glanced at Elisa before turning to Nicholas again. “Yes, my lord.”
He nodded.
Most people ignored servants. That he’d thought to ask after Kate showed true kindness.
He turned back to Elisa and his eyes softened, the expression stealing her breath. “Stay in the carriage.” He touched her cheek gently. His hands were cold. They felt wonderful against her bruises. “Will you do that for me? Will you stay?”
“Yes.” She put her every emotion into the word.
“Very good.” His fingers drifted over her face and then drew down her lids. Obediently, she closed them. “Keep them closed,” he commanded. “Don’t look until I tell you to do so.” His fingers brushed dangerously close to her mouth before they retreated.
∫ ∫ ∫
0 6
* * *
Elisa’s lips parted. She wanted Nicholas’ touch. When was the last time anyone had touched he
r? She kept her eyes closed even though what she truly wanted was to open them.
Nicholas brought his mouth to her ear, his breath a shock against her neck. “Do you wish to take the girl with us?”
Elisa was lost in the sound of his voice. It took her a moment to put his words together. “No.” Kate worked for Alguire. “But don’t… hurt her.”
“Never.” He pulled away. She listened as Nicholas’ steps retreated.
“Up,” Nicholas commanded. “All of you.” Since it had only been Alguire’s men on the ground, Elisa supposed he was speaking to them.
“Strip,” he commanded next. “You, too.” Who was he speaking to?
Elisa was certain she’d heard him incorrectly.
“Oh, my,” Kate said.
“What?” Alguire cried.
“I said disrobe. You and all your men.” Nicholas’ voice was cold and callous. “Either that or I shoot you where you stand.”
“You can’t do that!” Alguire cried.
“I can and I will. You’ve hurt the daughter of the Duke of Reddington. So, either I hurt you or you strip down to your small clothes at once.”
“But she is my bride!” Alguire cried. “This is not your place—”
“I’ve been informed otherwise. You are not married to the woman,” Nicholas said. “Therefore, I shall champion her, just as I’m sure her brother Lord Goldstone would wish.”
Avery would have wished this. Elisa could not believe she’d sworn to keep her eyes closed. Only Avery had ever defended her in such a manner. She adored her eldest brother. She was beginning to adore Lord Nicholas as well.
She analyzed that thought and wondered if the emotions she felt for him were only present because he was saving her. Perhaps, once they went their separate ways, she would feel differently about this entire situation, about him.
Even as she thought it, she knew it wouldn’t be true. There was a living connection between her and Lord Nicholas. She was drawn to him in a way that didn’t exist outside of romantic books and songs.
And he was saving her. He was kind. What was there not to adore about the man?
The ring of metal clinking in the wind had her stiffen.
“I won’t say it again,” Nicholas said.
Alguire cursed. “You will regret this.”
“Perhaps,” her champion said dryly. “But I doubt it.”
Elisa heard the shedding of clothing. More than one man removed his things.
“My lady,” Kate whispered. “They’re actually disrobing, even the marquess.” There was no reason for Kate to close her eyes. As a maid, she’d likely seen naked men more than a few times.
Nicholas called to another man, “Take their clothes. Dump them in the lake.”
“What?” Alguire’s voice shook. “You’re sending us to our deaths.”
“I’m sure if you all stick together, you’ll find a way to keep warm. Be glad I allowed you to keep your small clothes. Sadly, it is the only mercy I plan on giving you.”
More footsteps and then Elisa could feel Nicholas close to her again. Even with her eyes closed, she knew it was him and no other.
“Elisa, I’m going to take you out of here and place you in my carriage. Since I don’t wish to embarrass you, you must promise to keep your eyes closed.”
“I trust you,” she told him as she lifted her hands.
One of Nicholas’ arms went around her back and pulled her up. Then he swung her legs went over his other arm. Not even a grunt left him through the maneuver. She settled against his chest and then he was marching across the snow.
“Detach his horses,” Nicholas shouted to another man. “Give one to the maid with a few coins. Drive the other horses into the hills.”
“Yes, my lord,” one of the men answered.
Elisa buried her face in his cravat, telling herself it was to avoid the cold. All she really wanted was to be closer to this man.
Was it possible to fall in love in a day? If it were, she believed it was happening to her.
He placed her inside his coach and then closed the door. “You can open your eyes now.”
She did.
And he was there.
Her bench faced away from everything that was going on. She felt safe, but she worried about Alguire’s men. “You’re not actually sentencing Alguire and his men to their deaths, are you?”
He gave her a weighted expression. “Any man who allows such treatment of a woman doesn’t deserve to live. Nevertheless, they’ll not die. I’ll leave them the carriage and the ability to build a fire. They’ll likely have to wait for someone who is passing by and willing to take them to a nearby inn. They won’t suffer more than embarrassment and frostbite.”
“Oh. Good.” She grinned.
He smiled. “Wait here.”
He closed the door, and Elisa sighed dreamily.
There was more shouting and cursing from Alguire. Elisa felt her trunks being loaded on the coach and a short time later, a man dressed in a deep purple coat and tan buckskins climbed in. He was not Nicholas, not in any way.
A scar went through his left brow and down his eye to the high cheekbone. That his eye itself had been spared was a blessing. His eyes were dark, much like his hair, with a touch of gray at the temples. His expression was remote.
The coach pulled away before Elisa could ask a question.
“I’m General Astger. I’m to escort you to Lord Nicholas’ property. There you will stay until your brother can get you. If you have need of anything during your time there, you need only ask.”
More questions came to mind.
She looked General Astger’s uniform over. This jacket was lined with gold buttons that complemented the blood color well. He wore a golden star with a tassel on his left breast. A roaring lion was at the center.
She’d seen many lords and ladies dress their servants in the finest fashion, but she was impressed with the design of the general’s clothes. Combined with his straight features and quiet eyes, he looked capable of anything and more.
“Where is Lord Nicholas?” she asked.
“He is riding with the Equerry.” Annoyance shifted over Aster’s face. “I’ve been commanded to watch you.” Equerry. She thought it an odd term to use for a band of footmen.
That was all they were, wasn’t it?
“You gained your title in the army?” she asked.
He nodded.
She suspected that the general would rather be with his men at the moment. So, why wasn’t Nicholas watching her? To avoid being a further nuisance, she decided to not ask after Nicholas again. “Where is my brother?”
“You will see him later, I imagine. For now, you are to remain at the property.”
“Where is the property?” she asked.
“Kent.”
Her eyes widened. It was in a completely different direction than Mayfair. If she allowed Nicholas and his men to lead her to Kent, it would take her days to get to London… and that was only if he let her go.
She couldn’t stay silent on this matter. “I need to speak to Lord Nicholas.”
“Once we change horses—”
“No, I need to speak to him now.” She moved to the window and looked out. Another man stood by the door. He was not Nicholas either. The soldier was dressed in a coat like the general’s, only less adorned. He was leading his horse and looking ahead. His gaze was focused on the distance.
She glanced at the faces of the other riders she could see, but the one she searched for was nowhere in sight.
“We must stop. I must speak to Nicholas.”
“My lady, our journey—”
“I need to go to London. Take me to my father’s house.”
“That’s not possible.” He frowned. “If you would only relax.”
She couldn’t. There was a murderer out there… possibly. She doubted the cold would delay Alguire from coming after her. It was only a matter of time before he found her and then…
A memory came to mind. N
icholas had mentioned a betrothal, one different from the one that bound her to Lord Alguire.
What was going on?
“Stop the carriage,” she demanded.
The general looked her right in the eye. “No.”
Elisa stuck her head out the window and shouted to the driver, “Stop the carriage! Stop at once!”
“Don’t!” Astger said with a curse. Under his breath, he said, “I did not agree to any of this.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “And precisely what is this you speak of? Protecting a madwoman?” She grabbed the door and flung it open.
“Stop!” The general moved to grab her.
“Don’t touch me!” Elisa cried, dodging his hands as the carriage shook over the unsteady road. “No!”
“Stop the carriage!” The call came from a distance. The voice belonged to Nicholas.
∫ ∫ ∫
0 7
* * *
Nick’s plan had been a simple one. After his and Elisa’s moment in the carriage—where he’d began to cross the line—he’d decided he would stay as far away from her as possible.
Something was happening, something that had been easier to deny when they’d met in the frozen gardens of Bedlam.
It had started when she’d called to him as Lord Alguire’s men had stuffed her into their carriage. The hope that continued to shine in her eyes, the trust and belief in him, affected him on a personal level.
Mainly because, while Nick’s wife had loved him, she’d never trusted him. She’d been suspicious of the world. Her inability to listen to anyone but herself had been her downfall.
Never once had Maria given in to anything Nick requested, not even when he’d proposed.
He’d been young when he’d married her. Wooing had been half the fun, but her death had made Nick believe one very important thing.
He could not be trusted, not with a life at least. How could he be when he’d taken so many? He’d grown up fighting for his life. As a young man, he’d been pitted against other young men to compete at the pleasure of onlookers.
Nick learned swiftly that the fastest way to avoid injury had been to cripple his opponents at the first chance. His fights had only been enjoyable for the men who enjoyed true violence. The screams of the boys he’d broken still resounded in his head, but Nick had convinced himself it had all been for the best.
A Knight of Vengeance: (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book) Page 4