“A bit,” she mumbled. “How did you know I was here?”
“Fate stepped in,” he smiled, kissing her forehead, then glancing back at the desk he shook his head. “That man, he has big problems,” he muttered, and on an impulse he stood up and strode to the desk.
Picking up the cane, he studied it for a moment, then snapping it in two, he marched it over to the fireplace, throwing into the blazing flames, following suit with the rope and ball gag.
Alfred, having helped Robson to his feet and taken him into the front reception room to lie on a couch, appeared at the door and stared across the room in disbelief.
“That should have been burned long ago,” he muttered. “If you hadn’t thrown that bloody thing in there, I would have.”
“Where’s your friend?” Dominic asked, moving quickly back to Vivien.
“Still catching his breath, but, uh, what can I do?” he asked tentatively.
“You’re going to be our chauffeur,” Dominic declared, “and when you get back here, you’ll tell that sorry excuse for a man exactly what will happen if anything, and I mean anything, should happen to Vivien again, or me for that matter. Make sure he understands.”
“Ah, yes, right,” Alfred nodded. “I’ll make sure of it.”
“Are you ready to go?” Dominic softly asked, putting his arm around Vivien’s shoulder.
“God yes,” she muttered. “I want to get out of here and never come back.”
“I’ll, uh, just let Robson know I’m leaving,” Alfred said hastily. “I’ll meet you at the car.”
“You do that, but hurry up,” Dominic quipped.
With an arm around her waist, he led Vivien outside and into Alfred’s Rover, and she curled up into his lap. Alfred came running out after them, and as he settled behind the steering wheel, he glanced in the rearview mirror.
“I would never have let him do it,” he said firmly. “I promise you, I’d never have let him.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
On the drive back to Vivien’s flat, Dominic had Alfred stop at a chemist so he could pick up some ointment and gauze so he could treat Vivien’s rope burns, and once back in the flat, he moved straight to the bathroom and ran her a warm bath.
“Take your time, soak, and when you are out, I will make tea and take care of your wrists.”
She hugged him as she waited for the tub to fill, not wanting to leave the safety of his arms. He’d been warm and comforting, but as he left her and moved to the kitchen, his mind was spinning with a worried curiosity.
Did you break your promise and meet him? Did he snatch you? Did you go to the house to get something, thinking he wasn’t there? Where was the staff? A house like that is never empty of staff.
He put the kettle on to boil, spooned tea leaves into the teapot, and searched out the cups in the overhead cabinets, and as he waited for the water to boil, his concern grew. The kettle finally whistled, and just as he’d finished filling the pot, he saw her standing in the doorway. She was in her slippers and a robe, her hair pulled back in a pony tail.
“That was quick,” he said softly, moving over to her.
“I couldn’t relax. I need to tell you what happened.”
“Oui, I must know,” he nodded, walking her back to the table.
Haltingly and red-faced, she relayed the entire story, starting with the phone call. She told him how she had argued with herself about going to Robson’s house, the way she’d faked her way through Robson’s chloroform attempt, and then held her wrists apart when he’d tied her up.
“I was trying to open the window to escape when you came in. If you’d arrived three minutes earlier, you would have seen a completely different picture,” she sighed.
Dominic waited until she’d finished talking, then applied the soothing salve around her grazed wrists, and gently wrapped the wounds.
“You are very lucky. Fate was kind to us today,” he remarked, standing up to pour the tea. “How are you feeling now?”
“Okay, I guess, embarrassed, still a bit shell-shocked. What about you? Did you get hurt in the scuffle?”
“My ribs a bit, nothing serious,” he replied, bringing the tea cups to the table.
“I’m terribly sorry, Dominic,” she said softly. “I can tell you’re angry with me, and you have every right to be.”
Sitting next to her, he took her hand and kissed it gently, then looked at her intently.
“I am not angry, Vivien, I am confused, and maybe disappointed, but I’m not angry. What did he tell you that made you go to his house? You didn’t even let me know. Was that because you knew I’d tell not to go?”
Vivien swallowed, trying to push away the lump at the back of her throat.
“He was so sincere, so warm and sweet on the phone, and I thought you’d misjudged him,” she confessed. “He said he wanted to say goodbye properly. I know you said he had some kind of history, but don’t we all?”
“Perhaps I made a mistake not showing you what I have.”
“What is it?”
“His history,” Dominic replied, and moving into the living room, he picked up the satchel, and retrieved the manila envelope.
“This will bother you, so prepare yourself,” he warned, walking back to the table and sitting down. “I’ll be brief. A few years ago Robson had a prostitute at his house and he found her stealing. This is how he dealt with his anger.”
Vivien slowly opened it, and as she pulled out the ugly photographs, she began to feel sick to her stomach.
“Oh, my, God.”
“It was Alfred Montrose who made sure this girl was taken care of, both medically and financially.”
“I can’t believe it,” she breathed, shaking her head. “I shared my life with this, this, vicious man. I almost married him.”
“It is very hard to discover bad things about a person you once cared for,” he said gently, “but yes, he can be vicious. What he was going to do to you today was vicious, and what is even more scary, there is no way to know how far he would have gone.”
“You were right all along,” she gulped. “I feel so stupid.”
“You’re not stupid. Look how clever you were to outsmart him? It was a stupid thing to go to his house, especially after I warned you, but you’re not stupid. Your biggest crime was trusting him, and of course, breaking your promise.”
“I won’t do it again. I mean, I will listen to you from now on, and keep my promises. I will, I swear.”
“Vivien, I think there is something else, something you’re not telling me,” he said firmly. “I don’t believe you would have gone to his house because he was polite on the phone. What was the magnet that took you to him?”
“I’m too embarrassed,” she mumbled.
“What is so embarrassing?” he frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“You’ll think I’m…greedy.”
“Ah, so he offered you something. It would not be money. What did he promise you? Did he tell you he was going to give you some jewelry?”
Dropping her head between her hands, she hid her face as she nodded.
“No, no hiding,” he insisted, carefully taking her hands and pulling them away. “Tell me everything.”
“He has a big collection,” she stammered, staring at the table, “and one of my favorite pieces was this sapphire and diamond pendant and earrings. He said he wanted to give them to me as a goodbye present. He was so sincere, Dominic,” she whimpered, finally looking up at him, “and I thought it was a really lovely gesture on his part. I didn’t call you because I thought you were wrong about him, and I didn’t want you to tell me I shouldn’t go.”
“If he hadn’t offered you the necklace, if he’d just said, let’s have a coffee and have a proper goodbye, would you have gone to see him? Think about that for a minute before you answer, and tell me the truth.”
Dropping her eyes, she sighed heavily, then shook her head.
“No,” she admitted, “probably not.”
&nbs
p; “So, what do you think about that?” he asked quietly, reaching for his tea cup and taking a drink.
“I’d rather know what you think about it,” she murmured, glancing back at him.
“I think, in your heart, you knew going to see him was a mistake, but you wanted his present, so you ignored your instinct, and you broke your promise to me.”
“Yes,” she whispered, “you’re right. Saying it like that, it sounds so bad.”
“Well, it isn’t good,” he said quietly.
“It doesn’t change anything with us, does it?” she asked, feeling an unexpected, cold fear. “Please, tell me it doesn’t change anything.”
“Vivien, my feelings for you remain the same,” he assured her, running his hand down her arm. “They’re not going to change because you did something unwise, but I think, maybe, your idea about going home and having a break is a good one.”
“You want me to go away?” she bleated, feeling her eyes brimming with fresh tears.
“I don’t want you to go away, I want you to take a short break from your crazy life. You were planning on this trip, and I think you should go right away,” he said solemnly.
“Why? Can’t we spend a few days together first? Go to your cottage like you said? Something has changed, I can feel it.”
“No, my feelings have not changed. You must take that into your heart,” he said firmly.
“Then, why-”
“Because,” he interrupted, “you have thinking to do, thinking by yourself. You had a romance, almost married, but you knew it wasn’t real. You knew it, deep down, didn’t you?”
“Yes,” she sighed, “I did.”
“You were in it because of all the many things around you. Being engaged to a Viscount was glamorous.”
“Uh-huh,” she nodded. “It was. It was, sort of, hypnotizing.”
“You weren’t with him because you were crazy in love, you were with him because of what he was, and his life. Then you met me, and I made you feel things, special things. Your heart stirred, and you saw the truth, but what happened? The temptation of some expensive baubles made you break a very important promise to me, and ignore your own sense of being safe. Am I saying this correctly?”
“Yes, and I’m a terrible person,” she whimpered as the tears broke and began spilling down her face.
“No, no, Vivien, you are a wonderful person, and I adore you, but this is why you need to go and be on your farm, and with your mother, and the animals there. There are dogs and horses on your farm, yes?”
“Yes, they’re wonderful,” she sniffled, “especially Rusty, my golden retriever. I miss him a lot.”
“He makes you feel better? When you look at him you feel better?”
“I do,” she nodded.
“This is what you need. You need to be better, to heal yourself. Do you understand? You need to be sure about what you want from your life. You were born with many gifts, but they give you many choices. You must be sure what you want so you can make the right one. I think, when you go home, you will find your answers. Is this making proper sense?”
“Uh-huh,” she replied, the tears flowing freely, “and you’re right again. I’m all over the place. I guess the whole thing with Robson turned my head around.”
Shuffling his chair closer to her, he pulled her into his arms.
“It will be okay, Vivien. It will.”
“I don’t deserve you,” she sobbed.
“Mon Dieu, stop that, you deserve everything good.”
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course, you can ask me anything.”
“Are you going to punish me for what happened today?”
Dominic closed his eyes, and holding her tightly, he let out a very long sigh.
“No,” he breathed, “I believe fate spanked you, and I don’t need to. When you come back from your trip home, if you want to pick things up with us, and you need me to, I will.”
“If,” she exclaimed, pulling away and staring at him,”if! Of course I will. How can you think, for even a minute, a second, that I won’t!”
“This is good to hear,” he smiled, “and I hope so, but maybe you will still want to be with someone very rich. I am not poor, but-”
“My head may be turned around about some stupid things,” she interrupted, “but it’s not turned around about you, Mr. Dubois, I can promise you that.”
“Ah, suddenly such a fired up vixen I have on my hands. A woman who knows her mind. You sound better already,” he declared.
“You know, Dominic, I do feel better,” she frowned, realizing it. “Just thinking about home has made me feel better.”
“This is good, and after a few days it will all come clear, I am sure.”
“Fate did step in today, and it did punish me, and I get it, and I do need to go home…” she paused, staring at him, “and I just realized something.”
“What is that?”
“The person I was when I left the farm, would not have fallen into an engagement with someone because of what they had. I don’t even know how it happened.”
“I believe you, and I am very proud of you, Vivien McKay,” he purred. “Let’s go and have a lay down and a cuddle, yes? Then you can call the airline and your mama.”
“You,” she sighed, “are the most amazing man.”
“I just take care of the people I care about,” he smiled. “Come, we must cuddle now.”
Taking her hand he walked with her down the hallway, and though it was it the middle of the day, with the city bustling outside the window, when they crawled between the sheets, her head fell against his chest, his arms wrapped lovingly around her, and they slept.
Before returning to Robson, Alfred had stopped at his house to make several urgent telephone calls. Once he had confirmation that everything was in place, he hurried to his car and sped back to his friend.
Alfred had hated leaving him, but getting Vivien and Dominic home had to be the priority, and he’d assumed that once Robson crawled out of his fetal position, he’d probably just start drinking.
When he entered Robson’s house he went straight into the reception room where he’d left him; it was empty. Moving quickly across the foyer he opened the doors to the study, and found Robson in a chair staring into the fire.
“Robson, are you all right?”
“It’s been cremated,” Robson muttered. “The Beast, it’s been cremated.”
“I know.”
“They burned it, they threw it in the fire and fucking burned it. That bitch, it’s all her fault.”
“We need to talk,” Alfred said firmly, walking towards him.
“Right, yes,” Robson frowned, nodding his head. “We need to plan our revenge.”
“Um, not exactly,” Alfred said, standing in front of him.
“What do you mean, not exactly?” Robson demanded, looking up at him.
For a moment, Alfred thought Robson’s face was covered in sweat, but when he looked more closely, he could see his eyes were red.
“Have you been crying?”
“What if I have?” Robson snapped.
“I have something very important to tell you,” Alfred said solemnly, ignoring Robson’s nasty retort.
“Go on then, get it over with. Tell me what a fuck-up I am.”
“I don’t see you as a fuck-up, I never have,” Alfred began. “You’ve achieved so much. Look around you. You single-handedly saved your family from ruin, but, I, uh, I think you need some help. This rage that you have-”
“Oh, shut up! Rage! What the hell, of course I’m bloody pissed off.”
“I love you like a brother, more than a brother,” Alfred continued, forcing himself to stay calm, “and that’s why I going to say this. The thing is, I’ve arranged for you to have a month at a very special place in Cornwall.”
“What are you talking about?” Robson frowned.
“You have these terrible, destructive moods, and I can’t watch it anymore. This place in
Cornwall, it can help you. I’ve paid for everything, they’re expecting you. All you have to do is pack a bag.”
“You have? I don’t understand. What do you mean, help me?”
“I know you’ve always been the one to take the lead with us, but this time I’m taking charge. It’s about a five hour drive, we can be there by dinner time, but it’s up to you!” he said, then taking a deep breath, he added, “either come with me now, and deal with your demons, or…”
“Or what?” Robson asked, his voice suddenly quiet.
“Or I can’t be around you anymore. It’s just too damn painful.”
Robson stared at him, the frown growing deeper.
“No booze there I suppose.”
“No, Robson, no booze.”
Robson looked back at the fire, then leaned closer, staring at the flames.
“The Beast is dead,” he sighed.
“I think it’s time to burn all your beasts,” Alfred said softly.
“Maybe you’re right,” Robson mumbled, then taking a deep breath he rose to his feet. “Maybe it’s time to burn an effigy of fucking Nanny Bridges as well, maybe that’s what I should have done the day I came back here and she was gone.”
“Are you saying, you’ll come with me?” Alfred asked, thrilled but surprised at his friend’s acquiescence. “You’ll come with me to Cornwall?”
“Yes, I’ll come with you. Bloody hell, I need a holiday, and Cornwall is as good a place as any.”
EPILOGUE
The following morning as they stirred from sleep, Dominic sat up, leaned back against the headboard, and ordered Vivien across his knee.
“I just woke up,” she complained.
“You will be busy packing all morning, so I must spank you now,” he decreed, and spank her he did, delivering the swats slowly, landing each with a significant degree of force.
“So I will be with you on the plane,” he declared, “so you will behave and remember what happens to naughty girls, so you will skype me on time when we make the arrangements.”
“Okay,” she wriggled, “I will, please, no more.”
“I will say when there’s to be no more,” he replied sternly.
A Promise of Passion Page 17