He didn’t deserve her, but he could cherish her.
And he would protect her with his very life whether she liked the idea or not.
His anger began to return as he recalled the way Valiant had held her arm.
The only reason he wouldn’t shoot Mr. Goody on sight was because he’d left no mark.
Still, he’d make certain that it never happened again.
He hadn’t liked the fear in her eyes.
His wife would fear nothing and no one.
The carriage stopped before the Goody residence, and Anthony bounded out with the intent of getting to Mr. Goody no matter what got in his way.
But he was surprised to find Lady Goody weeping over a trunk once he entered the foyer.
The lady looked at him and her expression of relief disturbed him.
“You must stop him,” Lady Goody said. “He’s leaving.”
“I’ll return in time for the party,” Mr. Goody said as he entered the foyer. He stared at Anthony and said, “I can see you’ve spoken to Lady Beaumont? Please, ask her again for my forgiveness. I had no intention of upsetting her. I simply wished to understand the circumstances of the rumors.”
Lady Goody pulled in a breath and stared at her son in wonder. “What did you do to Lady Beaumont?”
“Mama…” The young man closed his eyes and pulled in a calming breath before he opened his eyes again and looked at his mother. “I shall return in a matter of days.”
Lady Goody turned to Anthony. “Stop him. Please.”
A footman picked up Mr. Goody’s trunks and moved them outside.
Though Mr. Goody claimed he would return, Anthony understood what the woman feared. She feared this to truly be the last time she saw her son.
It amazed him how much the lady could care for a man who seemed to only care for himself.
Anthony wanted to comfort her, but his own selfishness won out. He hoped Mr. Goody did not return and knew it would be best if he didn’t—even for Lady Goody herself.
“He’s a grown man,” he told the woman. “You must let him be.”
Her face crumbled at his betrayal.
“Good day,” Mr. Goody said as he left the house.
“I don’t understand it,” Lady Goody said. “His father has given him no money. How will he survive? How has he survived on his own?”
It was a wonderful question. One Anthony had yet to ask the younger man.
He followed Mr. Goody out to the carriage and stared at him through the window. “Your mother wishes me to stop you, but I won’t.”
Mr. Goody’s arms were crossed. He said nothing.
Anthony went on, “If you can’t return and be civil, do not return at all.”
Mr. Goody’s flat expression shifted to one Anthony hadn’t expected. He grinned and said, “Oh, I plan to return. Then we shall see who everyone believes the uncivilized person to be.”
He thumped the carriage and the transport took off down the road.
Anthony watched it go and admitted there was something terrible about Mr. Goody’s smile.
And while it didn’t cause fear in Anthony’s blood, it did make him wonder.
What had the man been doing for the last seven years?
∫ ∫ ∫
3 5
Anthony watched as Valiant moved and tried to keep the possession out of his gaze but couldn’t. Very soon, he planned to have her completely alone. He was only counting the minutes until they should slip from the ballroom unnoticed. Which would likely be hard considering the event was in Anthony’s honor.
He could use a distraction right about now
His gaze locked on Valiant as she introduced Lady Goody to a group of renowned ladies and couldn’t help but notice how different the other woman appeared. The change had nothing to do with her costume—a flattering color of jade—but there seemed to be a light and graceful air about Lady Goody that Anthony approved of.
He was delighted to note that while Lady Goody was visibly nervous, anyone else would have simply attributed it as excitement at having her son safely returned to her.
On his side of the ballroom, Anthony found himself amongst a group of men who were congratulating him on his efforts for finding Mr. Goody.
Lord Colby Harris asked, “When do you plan to set out and search for my brother?” He was still under the impression that the Earl of Ganden had been kidnapped and was not simply traveling on another continent.
Anthony didn’t want to tell the young man that he was considering giving up the search for everyone except Lord Denhallow. And he’d only search for the marquess because the man meant something to the family he planned to join soon.
Benedict placed a supportive hand on Anthony’s shoulder. “Let us just be glad that one was found.”
“Yes,” Lord Payton, an older gentleman of great influence, chimed in. “But we must find those lords who actually matter.” His sentiments were ones that rang through the room. While everyone seemed impressed with Anthony’s efforts, very few had spoken to Mr. Goody in a corner of the ballroom. He was with Asher, Hero, and Lore, yet no one had actually spoken to the young man for the past hour.
Anthony would not have been surprised to learn that Mr. Goody had said something offensive that made people wish to keep clear of him.
He was dressed very well in a dark jacket and buckskin breeches, yet no amount of gold could make up for his sour attitude.
Their gazes met, and Anthony noticed the young man grin before he looked away.
Anthony didn’t like him but had decided to leave him be since he’d not approached Valiant once since the evening had begun.
The music changed, and Anthony excused himself and cut across the room toward Valiant.
It was their turn to dance.
She turned to him as though she, too, had been waiting in anticipation for this moment.
He barely said a word before he took her hand and led her onto the floor.
And he realized then how significant this dance was.
“This is our first time together, is it not?” Valiant asked.
Anthony smiled.
He’d never have thought to ask her before. Like the many other daughters of the ton, she’d been out of his reach since the night he murdered his father. He’d known better than to provoke the ire of her father, the Duke of Ayers. Then she’d married and that had been another reason to stay away.
Their little bet two years ago had made it painfully difficult, but Anthony had sworn off married women.
But now she was his. “This may be our first dance,” he said. “But not our last.”
Valiant smiled and tucked her chin as the waltz began.
She wore a soft beige that reminded him of the color of champagne. It glittered like the bubbly beverage, matching the warm spirit in her eyes, her beauty intoxicating.
“How goes it with Lady Goody?” he asked.
“All she needed was a helping hand,” Valiant said. “Or a forceful one. Everly took over refining the woman. It may take time before the lady has the strength that Everly does, but it may very well come in time.”
“Good.”
“Are you enjoying your party?” she asked on a turn.
“How could I not when you are in my arms?” he asked, knowing it was a rather silly thing to say, but unable to help but notice it was true. “You make everything better.”
Her eyes widened, and tears rimmed her eyes. “Anthony…” Words seemed to hang from her parted lips.
Anthony knew what she would say.
That tender gaze.
The tremor of nerves on that delicate mouth.
Her heart was in her eyes, open to him.
His own heart raced, ready to devour the one thing he’d longed to hear from her. H
e wished they were alone. He wasn’t certain how he’d react to a confession of love.
He could barely breathe. He’d lost the rhythm of the dance.
She smiled. “I love…” She stiffened a
s a great gasp plunged the room into silence.
Anthony turned and watched a man push his way through the crowd.
A woman swooned.
Others screamed.
And as Anthony stared at the man’s face, he understood what had caused the great commotion.
The man looked monstrous. His face was split with reddened gashes that had been sewn together until his features were twisted into a vicious sneer.
He was frightening to look at.
Anthony placed Valiant at his back to keep her from seeing the creature.
The rest of the gentleman was in tatters as well. His shirt and pants, which had likely at one time been pristine, now hung from him with rips and patches.
His eyes, or at least the one that hadn’t been shut by bruises, glanced around the room until it fell on Anthony. “You!” A hand came up and pointed at him right before the beast set off at a run.
Anthony pushed Valiant away.
Lore caught her.
“Anthony!” she cried right as the thing attacked him.
∫ ∫ ∫
3 6
Valiant tried to fight out of her brother’s hold as Anthony and the deranged animal went down to the floor. The entire ballroom was in chaos as lords tried to escort fainting and screaming ladies from the room. Other men didn’t dare move. Their ravenous gazes were locked onto the fight.
The animal’s fist came down on Anthony’s head. Once. Twice. A third time.
She saw no more as Lore turned her away. “No! We can’t leave.” She struggled in his hold.
“Valiant,” Lore hissed. “This is not for a lady to see.”
“Let me go, Lore! Please!” She began to fight in earnest.
Her knee accidentally caught him between the legs and with a wince, he let her go.
She paused, ready to say she was sorry, but then the fight regained her attention, and she noticed that Anthony was on top now. His gloves were soaked with blood as he smashed his fist into the other man’s already ruined face.
The man on the floor laughed, his mouth filling with blood. “Now, they see you for who you truly are.”
That voice.
That laugh.
Valiant recognized them both.
Anthony’s next hit landed in the assailant’s stomach.
Lore pushed Valiant out of the way and shouted, “Stop!”
Anthony’s fists stopped flying, but then his hand was around the man’s throat. His eyes were wild. His dark hair had fallen to his forehead. He was breathing hard and squeezing the life out of the other man.
“Anthony,” Valiant whispered. Her head began to spin. She saw spots and then another pair of arms were around her.
She’d nearly fainted.
“Stop!” Lore shouted again. “It’s James! It’s James!”
Anthony turned his head to Lore. Already his face was reddening in spots. He’d be black and blue come morning. “James?”
“Denhallow!” Lore shouted as he pushed Anthony off the beaten man.
The moment the man on the ground found his throat released, he pulled in a long breath and then another.
Anthony sat on the floor. Lore’s arms locked around him, but Anthony seemed far too dazed to attack again.
Was it really Denhallow?”
Vaillant couldn’t tell. His face was ruined, worse than when he’d first come into the room. She nearly gagged at the sight.
The assailant’s head lulled and then it turned, and their gazes caught. He smiled. “Lady Beaumont. I can nearly see up your skirt from down here.”
“Oh.” Valiant’s hands went to her chest. “It is you.” Only Denhallow would say such a thing to her. She tried to move forward, but the hands that had caught her stiffened. She looked up to see Hero gazing at the scene.
“What is the meaning of this?” Hero said. “What the devil happened to your face?”
“Oh, yes.” Denhallow struggled to breathe. “The devil is exactly what happened to my face.” His eyes—eye—moved to Anthony. “Didn’t think I’d survive to tell them, did you?”
Anthony said nothing as he continued to stare at the marquess.
“Lord Cartelle did this to you?” Lore asked him.
Denhallow’s one eye became hooded. “He tried to have me killed… just as he ordered the murders of the other lords.”
Gasps and whispers filled the room. Valiant lifted her head and noticed that most of the ballroom still overflowed with guests.
Lore moved away from Anthony and rose to his feet. Glaring at Anthony, he asked, “Is it true?”
Valiant waited for Anthony to speak, but the other man simply continued to stare at Denhallow with a dazed expression.
“Of course, it’s not true,” Valiant said, loud enough for the room to hear.
“Let’s go,” Hero said as he pulled her from the room.
“No, Hero!” Valiant tried to fight his hold. “I must stay with him.” Her heart lurched. Anthony would be alone in a room of people who were ready to accuse him of the worst. He needed her now more than ever. “Please, I must remain with him. Anthony!”
Anthony’s head whipped to her, but still, he didn’t speak. That same dazed expression remained in his eyes.
“Anthony!” she tried again. “Defend yourself. Tell them it wasn’t you!”
Hero pulled her out in the hall. “Valiant.”
She moved in an effort to get away from him.
Hero pressed her shoulders into the wall. “Valiant!”
She stiffened and widened her eyes. Hero had never shouted at her.
His face was menacing. “Until we learn what has taken place, you must keep your distance from Cartelle.”
“No,” she said immediately. “I can’t leave him alone. I’ll never—”
“If he is found guilty for this, he will hang,” he said. “And you can be nowhere near him when that happens.”
“He is not guilty!” Valiant shouted. “How could you think he is?”
“Did you not just hear Denhallow?” Hero asked. “Did you not see his face?”
Valiant withdrew into herself at the memory of Denhallow’s ruined visage. He’d never be the same after this. She mourned for both men. “Anthony didn’t do this.”
“Stay away from him,” Hero told her. Then his gaze turned tender. “I’d hate to make you, but I will.”
She blinked. “What does that mean?”
“I’ve no trouble locking you in this house until Cartelle’s final trial. You’ve already exposed how intimately you know him by shouting his given name throughout the ballroom. Your reputation will be ruined once this matter is over.”
She cared nothing for her reputation. All she cared about was Anthony. She touched Hero’s arms. “Hero, you must help him.”
Hero’s expression became one full of pity. For her. “Valiant—”
“No!” She shook him, or at least she tried, but he was like a mountain. Unmovable. “If anyone can help him, you can. You found Napoleon. Surely, you can find the truth in this.”
When he looked ready to fight her again, she said, “Please. For me. I love him.”
Hero remained silent for a moment and then gave a simple nod. “I will get to the bottom of this matter, but only if you swear to not seek him out until I deem it all right for you to approach him.”
She nodded readily and smiled. “You’ll see he’s innocent, Hero.” She knew it to be so.
“Valiant,” Hero went on. “Break this vow to me and I swear I will do everything in my power to see him hang.”
Her blood ran cold. She almost thought to take back her request for her brother’s assistance, but he was the best person to handle the matter. Besides that, she understood her brother was trying to protect her. “I will not break this vow.” Anthony was innocent. It was all that mattered.
“On your name,” Hero said.
She nodded again. “I will keep my word.” It would hurt, but she would do it.
“Go to your room,” h
e instructed. “I will send Beatrix to you later.” Then he left her in the hall to return to the ballroom.
∫ ∫ ∫
3 7
Anthony paced the drawing room as he waited for Lore and Hero to arrive. He knew Asher watched him, his eyes following him without expression, but he didn’t let that worry him. He was only glad the man hadn’t asked him any questions, since Anthony didn’t know where to begin answering them.
What he did know was that the authorities had been called for and, in all likeliness, Anthony would be spending the night in Newgate.
He went over the scene with Denhallow in his mind a hundred times and still could not understand why the man would accuse him. He would like to believe this to be the marquess’ twisted way of getting back to him after the embarrassment at the club, but there were two things severely wrong with that possibility.
The first was Denhallow’s face. Whatever had been done to him had not been done as a joke. This was a serious matter.
The second flaw was that Denhallow did not easily embarrass, therefore, there would have been little reason for the man to seek revenge.
Anthony remembered the night at the club. The man had left with a smile on his face. Anthony had always thought him mad, but truly, the marquess was especially mad today.
The door finally opened, and Lore and Hero stepped inside. Then it closed.
“Where’s Denhallow?” Anthony asked.
“We’ve spoken to him,” Hero said as he moved along the outer walls, circling Anthony. “He has gone home.”
“Did he say why he has accused me of this?” Anthony asked.
Lore remained by the door. His arms were crossed. “Does that mean you claim to be innocent?”
Anthony frowned. His heart beat rapidly. “Of course, I’m innocent. I shall speak to him at once.”
Hero shook his head. “You’ll not make it there. The authorities are here to see you to Newgate until this matter is handled.”
Anthony drew himself up. He’d known the possibility to be strong, but still, the reality of it was a surprise. And made him nervous. “I can’t go there. I must be free to clear my name. No one else will be able to find the truth. No one will search as hard as me.”
The Last Duke (The Valiant Love Regency Romance) (A Historical Romance Book) Page 19