Leo smiled again. “Then my father failed… well, at least with two of his students.” But not Leo. He was exactly who his father had always wanted him to be, which fit, since he’d been given his father’s name even though he was born second.
Lord Leonard Childs never did anything that didn’t serve himself first.
“I’m sorry,” Sparrow said.
Leo sighed and walked to the door. “I would caution you not to pity me. I’ll use it to my advantage one day.”
Sparrow straightened, caught off guard.
“Is the patient ready to give me the answers I want or not?” Leo asked. Because if the man wasn’t ready then Leo would continue to play with him. And the patient would continue to feel pain.
“He’s ready to tell you anything you want.”
“Excellent.” Leo left the medical wing of the Gavellorp Prison and started toward the cells.
The halls were white. It ensured that the maximum amount of sunlight shone through but also made it clear who was roaming the halls.
The prison was not official. It was actually located in the belly of a mining town owned by the Duke of Van Dero. It had been constructed to hold those men who were above the law. Mainly, the wealthy and titled. Criminals of the worst order. Murderers. Child rapists and men who gambled with lives for pleasure.
Leo didn’t take pleasure in torture. He took pleasure in nothing because he refused to crave anything. He ate what was available without tasting a single bite and was willing to do what needed to be done in order to get results.
He was cruel. Calculating but charming. Charm, he’d learned, was his best weapon.
But when that failed, there were always knives.
He was let through the first set of doors by the first guard. He had to walk through yet another to get to the second part of the prison. The smell hit first and Leo pulled in a deep breath, refusing to fight the unpleasant stench. He could have no weaknesses.
He found the man he’d been looking for in the last cell. Lord Dunst began to shake at the sight of Leo.
He had bandages in various places. Dr. Sparrow had covered any damage Leo had inflicted on the man. The cell wasn’t the greatest of sickrooms, but a man like Dunst was lucky to be alive.
“Lord Dunst,” Leo began as he opened his book. “You were a part of the society of men who oversaw fights between young boys to the death. True or false?”
“True.” the man whispered. He couldn’t meet his eyes, but Leo didn’t need eye contact. Dunst wouldn’t be lying to him anymore.
“You tried to have an innocent woman killed. True or false?”
“True.” There was regret in his tone.
“You tried to cause another innocent woman a great deal of pain in what can be described as nothing more than a medieval torture chamber. True or false?”
Dunst sighed. “True.”
“You’ve hired assassins to take the lives of innocent men, women, children—”
“I’m a terrible person,” Dunst said. “Get on with it.” His lips trembled.
Leo crossed his arms. “Very well. You owned a chessboard with play pieces that represented the royal houses of London. True or false?”
“True. It’s true.”
“Half the board was made of men who opposed the Duke of Van Dero. True or false?”
“True.” Dunst looked up. “But they existed long before Cassius.”
Leo thought it interesting that Dunst was offering extra information. He must have hurt him pretty badly. “The Circle. Is that a real group?”
Dunst nodded. “Yes.”
“Why do they exist?” Leo had been chasing The Circle for months.
“To keep order. To make certain the strong ruled and the weak remembered their place.”
Leo stiffened. The words were very similar to those of his own father. Similar but not exactly the same. The Great Nardo believed the strong would survive. Title and wealth were meaningless. It would take selfishness to make it to the end.
Leo pulled himself from his thoughts. “Are you ready to tell me who the people in The Circle are?”
“I don’t know,” Dunst said.
Leo tsked and opened his mouth to threaten him.
But Dunst spoke again. “They never told me. I was a part of a smaller faction, a branch to their tree if you will. The Circle…” He shook his head. “They keep to themselves.”
“You’re not helping me or yourself, Dunst.”
“I can tell you who does know,” he said. “Arland.”
“The viscount?” Leo asked.
Dunst lifted a brow. “You know him?”
“Not personally.” Leo had attended Oxford. He knew the families in power around the area. He’d made friends with a few. Enemies with others, but most of the people he’d known had moved on with their lives. “I believe Arland is dead.”
Dunst’s eyes widened. “How could I forget that? This cell makes be forgetful, reality and my own endless musings get tangled.” He shook his head.
Leo rolled his eyes. The man hadn’t even been imprisoned for a year. He’d get no sympathy from Leo.
Dunst cleared his throat. ”Arland was close to Lord Hivers. He’s dead as well, but their heirs still live. Maybe they know something..”
It was a start.
“Any other names?”
“No.”
“Very well, I’ll be back if I find nothing.” Leo leaned toward him and said, “Usually, I would kill you now, but Cassius has had a change of heart where violence stands. That’s the only reason you are here, so that you’ll have a chance to repent and commune with God.”
Dunst hung his head. “I know. I feel terrible for what I’ve done. So many regrets.”
“Excellent.” Leo leaned away and left. He didn’t know if Dunst was telling the truth and he didn’t care. The man wasn’t going anywhere. If there was anything else to get out of him, Leo would do so.
That was the benefit in keeping their enemies alive.
He got on his horse and rode toward the manor on the other side of town. Away from the dark clouds of the mines, the sky was clear.
Leo gave the reins of his horse to a servant and then went inside the house. His boots clapped against the polished marble. Gavellorp’s mansion had been designed with luxury in mind. Everything was covered in gold and gleamed as it should.
He went straight to Van Dero’s office and knocked.
Van Dero sat behind his desk. “Any news?”
“I’ve a few names to look into.” Leo moved forward and used the duke’s pen and ink without asking. There were so many names in his head this was the only way to keep track. “Do you want me to do this or…?”
Cassius shook his head. “No, I have no other pressing matters for you. I want you dealing with this one. I know you’re passionate about it. Where are you going in case your brothers ask?”
“Oxford.” Leo put down the pen.
Van Dero’s gold eyes followed his movement. When people thought of a duke, they didn’t think of a fit man in his thirties, but that was Cassius. Young and slightly dangerous. “Are you planning to join your family at Venmont for Twelfth Night?” The holiday was just around the corner.
“I’m not allowed on Oliver’s land.” Oliver was his eldest brother and the current Marquess of Venmont. “He doesn’t want me snooping around.” A few months ago, his brother had told him of a cave and the people who he’d been harboring there since the death of Gregory, the former Duke of Van Dero.
Gregory had been more or less a stain on society. He’s had more money than any man should and more power than many thought possible. He’d killed easily, both the guilty and the innocent. The dark alleys of London had been overrun with blood during his reign.
But since Cassius had taken over, things had changed. Cassius was learning to rule with love.
Leo laughed at the thought, knowing it was only a matter of time before Cassius forgot his humanity and killed half the population. Cassius’ wife
had made her husband soft, but if anything were to happen to her, they’d all be doomed.
“You’re very dedicated to this hunt for answers,” Cassius said. “Thank you.”
Leo nodded and turned, ready to leave.
“Why do you do it?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Why are you so dedicated to finding The Circle? You still believe your father was involved in it?”
Leo shrugged. “I’m not sure. Oliver doesn’t believe he was. I suppose we’ll find out.” There was a chance that if the group was evil then his father knew something about it. Even Leo, who was unattached to people, knew it was wrong to hurt children.
But honestly, he didn’t know why he did the work. He just… did it. What else was there to do?
“What would you do with my power?” Cassius asked suddenly.
Leo lifted a brow. “You mean what would I do with books that contained half the secrets of London and enough money to buy everyone in it?” Oh, he’d do many, many, terrible things.
Cassius stared at him and then shook his head. “Never mind. Forget I asked.”
Leo couldn’t. “Thinking of stepping down?”
“I’m thinking of who should rule should anything happen to me and my son not be old enough to take over.”
“That’s easy,” Leo said. “Milly would rule.”
“My wife?” Cassius frowned. “She couldn’t.”
Leo scoffed. “She already does.” The prison had been her idea. Her child. She’d built it behind her husband’s back in order to stop the murdering. She’d directed Cassius to be more benevolent, showing mercy where he could, yet she knew when to step back and let Cassius take control.
Sometimes, one had to get their hands dirty to get things done.
Cassius stared at Leo. “You’re right. Milly could rule.” Then a second later, he said, “Don’t tell anyone we had this discussion.”
“It never happened, Your Grace.” Leo took no pleasure in gossip and Cassius knew that.
The duke nodded and the meeting was done.
∫ ∫ ∫
0 6
* * *
Madison heard the laughter from the drawing room as she passed the entrance on the way to the front door. It surprised her that Matthew was up this early. The sun had barely risen and he usually slept until noon.
“Maddie!”
She turned back and stepped over the threshold. She put a smile on even as she was immediately struck with disappointment at Matthew’s attire.
He wore the same clothes he’d had on before his lecture last evening.
She turned to the other man. The stranger wore a smile and, at a glance, she decided she didn’t like him. There was something false about him. He was trying too hard. His eyes didn’t quite match his expression.
His eyes reminded her of Matthew’s, actually. From where she stood, the color was similar. As was the hidden emptiness.
It was a feeling she did not get often, but in the past few months, she had grown suspicious of everyone.
“Lady Hivers, come meet my guest, Lord Leonard Childs. He is brother to the Marquess of Venmont.”
Madison thought quickly and recalled Venmont being mentioned within the last year. It only took a moment for the memory to come to her. Judd and his friends had wanted to go hunting at Venmont Hill, but the marquess was apparently very selective about the gentlemen he allowed on his land.
It was no wonder Matthew was so very pleased to have the man in his home. He was one step closer to getting his wish. That explained his presence, she supposed.
“Leo will do.” The stranger bowed. His dark hair fell with him. It was long in the front. He swept it back as he straightened. The action was charming.
Her dislike returned.
She curtsied and looked around the room. “I’ll have a maid bring tea.” She started to leave.
“Where are you going?” Matthew asked.
She swallowed. “To see my mother.”
“Not today. It’s far too windy outside. We can’t take our chances with the child. You’ll stay home. Come into the room.”
Madison bit down her urge to weep. Her belly tightened, and it took great concentration for her to relax enough to move forward. With every step, she was reminded of the foolish choice she’d made three months ago.
She’d always regret the day she’d let Matthew take her from the safety of her home and into his. He’d waited a week before he’d shed his false pleasantness and revealed the monster within.
She could not leave now, or she’d be ruined. Her family had seen her off. The entire town knew she was Hiver’s wife, or at least they believed she was, since she was living in his home.
She’d thought he’d wanted to protect her, but that was far from the truth. All Matthew wanted was the baby.
She didn’t know what happened between Matthew and Judd, but it was clear that Matthew had been hiding a great amount of malice toward his deceased friend. Matthew was planning to make her child Lord Hivers, thus ending the Arland line with Judd’s death.
Madison had tried to fight him on the decision, but Matthew had made up his mind.
He and her father hadn’t run into one another by accident in town on the day her father went for the doctor. Matthew had been stalking him and trying to find a way to get to Madison.
And then he discovered Madison was pregnant.
It had taken him less than an hour to come up with his scheme, less than an hour to decide he would ruin her life and extract the last of his revenge on his former friend.
That was all she was to him—revenge on a man who’d once loved her.
She stood in front of the chair next to Matthew and they all sat down. She could smell the tavern on his skin. Madison didn’t bother to smile anymore. He’d denied her the sight of her mother. Therefore, she’d deny him the show of them seeming to be on good terms.
There was little he could do to her now. She had little to live for.
He frowned once he took note of her blank expression. “The baby is giving her a hard time,” he told Lord Leo. “But the midwife says it will only be a matter of days before the child makes his arrival into the world. Then she won’t have to worry anymore.” He sneered the last words.
Madison’s stomach dipped in despair. She took a deep breath and waited for the pain to go away. A week after she’d moved in, he’d made the entirety of his plans known to her. Matthew not only planned to keep the baby as his own, but he would send Madison away.
She’d never get the chance to see her child. Not once.
For the first month, she’d made every plan she could to keep the baby. She would run and hide. She was even willing to try and win Matthew over. And in a moment of great weakness, she’d thought to try and kill him.
But it was all impossible. She wasn’t allowed around sharp objects or in the kitchen where she could poison him. The servants pretended not to hear her weeping. Only at her parents’ house did she feel safe enough to be herself. Yet Matthew had three of his men with her at all times while she was there, and they’d been instructed to hurt her parents if she tried anything.
Madison had discovered early there was little she could do. She’d had weeks to adjust to the fact that the child inside her womb would never know her. She’d had time to detach herself from loving it, which involved forgetting her love for Judd.
She’d stopped smiling whenever she felt the baby kick. She’d stopped talking to him. She hadn’t even bothered to try and come up with a name. Instead, she’d trained herself to despise him and his father just as much as she despised Hiver. This child was the cause of all her pain and misery. Loving Judd had been the biggest mistake of her life, and she’d be glad when she never had to see Matthew again.
Thankfully, because of the scare a few months ago, Matthew hadn’t tried to act on his husbandly rights. He didn’t touch her and since they were not on good terms, he never took her to the social events he attended so no one would see th
e hate she harbored in her eyes.
Leo was watching her. “Is it painful?”
Her heart raced. “What?”
“Carrying a child. It looks uncomfortable,” he said. “Is it?”
She lifted a brow. No man had ever asked her that before. In fact, men were supposed to ignore a woman’s state of child-bearing completely.
She looked at Matthew to see if she was allowed to answer. She knew her gesture pleased him when his eyes softened with his nod. His eyes were red, and he was slightly leaning in his seat. He’d stayed out until late last evening. The result of his excess was evident in his sunken features. He was tired and expected her to entertain his guest.
Madison turned back to Leo. “Carrying a child can be quite uncomfortable, but I am currently not in pain.”
Leo sighed and smiled at Matthew. “Yet another reason we should be glad we are men.”
Matthew’s laugh lacked humor. “Yes, well...” He looked at Madison. “Lord Leo will be our guest for a few days. Make yourself graciously available to him.”
She understood him well. She was not to be as rude to Leo as she was to Matthew.
Madison was too amazed by the circumstances to comment. Matthew never allowed anyone in the house, much less to stay. Why was Lord Leo here?
Were they friends? She’d never seen him before. Leo was older, but she supposed he would fit into Matthew and Judd’s group. He was handsome and seemed to have an athletic build.
She took a moment to look him over. His pale blue jacket matched his eyes. His shirt was white. His breeches were tan. He was not only the most beautiful thing in the room but also the brightest.
Everything about Hiver’s home was dreadful. The colors were dark. When she’d allowed herself to mourn over her lost love months ago, she’d thought the design fitting. Hivers had not allowed her to wear black, but the house wore it for her.
She met Leo’s eyes again and found his were blank.
She lowered her gaze to her lap as her cheeks heated. She’d been caught staring.
∫ ∫ ∫
0 7
* * *
She’d been staring at him. There had not been direct heat in Lady Hiver’s gaze, but Leo had taken note of the interest and decided he would use that later.
The Long Awaited Lord Page 3