A Not So Respectable Gentleman?

by Diane Gaston

  ‘I shall have to demand more interest,’ Carter drawled.

  Kellford kept smiling. ‘Do not fear. I am marrying an heiress in less than three weeks. In four weeks I shall pay you in full.’

  ‘At twenty per cent, Kellford.’

  ‘At twenty per cent.’

  Carter nodded and waved Kellford out of the office like some inconsequential underling.

  Infuriating.

  How he’d like to slice that man in two. No. No. Better to kill him slowly. Flail him with chains. Burn him with hot irons. Unfortunate they did not live in medieval times. Think of the pleasure of placing Carter on a rack and slowly turning the wheel.

  Kellford crossed into the hall and walked out the door. As soon as he stepped onto the street, the skies opened up with rain. Perfect.

  After receiving Carter’s summons, Kellford had taken an ordinary hackney coach to Old Cavendish Street. It would not do for a coach with his crest to be seen waiting in front of a money-lender’s door.

  He was soaked to the skin by the time he reached the line of hacks awaiting riders. ‘Take me to Charles Street, Mayfair,’ he demanded of the first coachman.

  He climbed in and settled back against the cracked leather seat, closing his eyes.

  Only a few weeks more of this degradation. He abhorred kowtowing to a manipulative money lender. When the Covendale chit’s inheritance was in his hands, he’d be free of the man.

  And he’d have plenty of money to spare, which was as it should be. He deserved the luxuries of life.

  And the pleasures.

  She had angered him the previous night, making him look the fool for chasing after her in Vauxhall Gardens. After she had spoken her marriage vows, he would teach her not to make a fool of him.

  Ever.

  Until then, he’d play the devoted future husband. He’d make sure the ton all knew about the dinner he was hosting the next night, the one honouring his prospective bride and her family. Perhaps it would quiet her prickly nerves when he impressed her with the finest delicacies and wines.

  He rubbed his chin. Knowing his betrothed had such spirit made him want to break her like a wild horse.

  Tame her.

  Chapter Six

  Mariel sat at Kellford’s right at the long table laden with every delicacy that might impress. Kellford, at the head of the table, urged his twenty guests to try each dish, and, as if he were a besotted lover, offered a toast to her, calling himself the most fortunate man in the world.

  She inwardly scoffed. If he thought himself the most fortunate, then surely she was the least. The only good fortune he wanted was her inheritance.

  Her mother, happily oblivious to Mariel’s frightful situation—and her husband’s if his misdeed came to light—giddily pronounced everything a delight. Her father’s behaviour proved even more appalling. Gone was the miserable demeanour he’d adopted when confessing all to Mariel; he now laughed appreciatively at Kellford’s attempts at humour and chatted genially to the ladies seated on each side of him.

  The table included some impressive guests, making Mariel wonder how many of these titled men were fooled by Kellford’s gracious facade and how many knew his true nature. Worse, were any of these men like him? Did their wives endure the horrors Leo had described to her?

  Kellford continued to lay on the charm as thick as plaster on a wall. She supposed some would think him a handsome man with his fair hair and pale blue eyes; that is, if they ignored the expression of disdain in those eyes and the hint of cruelty around his mouth. He was paying for this dinner on credit, she would wager. She’d be paying for it out of her inheritance, no doubt.

  Not if she could help it, she vowed.

  Although Mariel tried to avoid looking at him as much as possible, she watched everything else carefully. Impatiently, she looked for the opportunity she needed. The guests were busy talking and eating, the servants, serving. Now was the perfect time.

  Damping down a flutter of nerves, she leaned over to Lord Kellford and spoke in a quiet, confidential voice. ‘Sir, I fear I must use the ladies’ retiring room.’

  He looked perfectly solicitous. ‘Are you ill?’

  ‘No,’ she replied. ‘But it is a matter of some urgency.’

  He glanced around at his guests as if assessing their reaction to their private conversation. The guests paid no attention to them.

  The corner of his mouth turned up. ‘Do you need for me to show you the way?’

  ‘Not at all,’ she assured him. ‘I remember where it is.’

  When she and her parents had arrived at Lord Kellford’s town house, her mother requested a tour of the house, so Mariel knew precisely to which room she was headed.

  She stood and addressed the guests. ‘Please excuse me. I will return shortly.’

  Most of them did not even trouble themselves to look up.

  She exited the dining room in some haste and quickly found the room set up as the women’s necessary. She went inside, but only long enough to find a lighted candle. Peeking out to make certain the hallway was empty, she tiptoed to the door of the library.

  Her father had mentioned that Kellford kept the incriminating paper in his safe. Her father’s safe was in the library, so it stood to reason Kellford’s would be, too.

  She opened the library door and stepped inside, closing it behind her.

  Instantly she was seized from behind. She uttered a surprised cry and dropped the candle. Its flame was extinguished by the fall.

  A man’s hand covered her mouth. ‘Be quiet. Do not make a sound.’

  How could she mistake that voice?

  ‘Leo?’ she mumbled beneath his palm.

  He freed her mouth, but still held her. ‘Mariel?’

  ‘What are you doing here?’ she whispered.

  Another man, dressed all in black and his face shrouded by a mask, stood behind the desk. Although there was a small candle in his hand, he almost blended into the shadows.

  Leo’s lips came very close to her ear. ‘We have come for a paper incriminating your father.’

  He knew about the paper? ‘You are mad. The house is filled with people.’

  ‘Perfect time to come.’ His breath was warm against her cheek. ‘Everyone is occupied.’

  The other man turned back to the shelves behind the desk. Mariel’s eyes adjusted to the dim light and she could see the man had found the safe.

  Leo pulled her away from the door to a small alcove.

  He loosened his hold on her. ‘Why are you here? Are there others walking about?’

  ‘They are all dining. I am alone.’ She turned to face him. ‘Why are you searching for the paper? I’ve come for it, as well. What do you know about it? How did you learn of it?’

  He, too, was masked and dressed in black. He held her closer, and the darkness felt like a blanket around them. Her heart skittered.

  He murmured into her ear, ‘You should know why. Never mind how we knew of it. You should not be here. What if Kellford discovers what you are doing?’

  ‘He could hardly do worse to me than what I face after the marriage,’ she retorted. He and his companion were risking far more than she. They would hang if caught. ‘You have obviously broken into the house. You are trespassing, Leo. And stealing. Have your wits gone begging?’

  He held her so close their bodies touched and, in spite of the situation and her anger at him, her senses flamed. Feeling malleable as putty, Mariel found temptation to melt into his embrace become nearly irresistible. He again placed his lips near her ear, and she yearned to turn her head and place her lips upon his.

  ‘I said I would help you,’ he murmured. ‘Leave it to me.’

  Mariel trembled at the whirlwind of emotion and sensation coursing through her. The darkness of the room
fuelled the illusion that they were alone.

  The man at the safe put the candle down on the desk; the sound caused enough distraction to jolt her back to reality.

  She strained against his arms. ‘What will you do with the paper if you find it?’

  He released her, but reached up to cup her face. ‘Give it to you, Mariel. What else?’

  Perhaps it was the darkness or the danger with which they flirted, but he seemed to possess her with his touch, warm her with the sound of his voice. Her body ached to be held by him again.

  ‘Mariel,’ he murmured.

  His hand still rested on her arm; his thumb gently rubbed her skin, creating wonderful sparks that flashed through her.

  He drew her closer, leaning down so that his lips were near to hers. Memories flooded her, memories of stolen kisses, hidden from everyone’s view. The impulse to close the scant distance between them and again taste his lips was hard to resist.

  She forced herself to step away from him, out of the alcove to where she could feel chaperoned by the other man. He seemed to be putting keys in the safe’s lock.

  ‘Do you have a key that will fit the lock?’ she asked Leo.

  ‘Not a key. A set of lock picks.’ He still spoke in whispers. ‘How did you intend to open the safe?’

  ‘I would have used a hairpin.’

  He smiled for a moment, then sobered. ‘You must go back, Mariel. Someone might come looking for you, then we will all be in danger.’ He took her arm and led her back to the door. ‘Meet me in the park at eleven tomorrow. The same place where we talked the other day. I will give you the paper then.’

  ‘Yes.’ Her heart gladdened. It would be over by tomorrow. She would be free. Impulsively she flung her arms around him.

  He held her very tight, so tight she could feel the length of his body against hers. The ache grew stronger.

  He released her and, his gloved hand firmly on her arm, walked her over to the door. Opening it a crack, he peeked out. ‘It is safe to leave.’

  She hesitated. ‘The candle I dropped—’

  He put his hand on her back, urging her on. ‘We will take care of it. Go now.’

  She slipped out and hurried down the hallway back to the dining room.

  * * *

  Leo stared at the closed door as if it would give him one more glimpse of her. Her appearance in the room had shocked him. Holding her in his arms, feeling her body against his, had sent his senses reeling. His desire for her was unabated, even if he had ruined long ago any chance of spending the rest of his life with her, loving her each night, waking beside her each morning.

  The wrenching pain he thought he’d buried deep inside him burst forth anew. He felt doubled over with it.

  And it was only worsened by the knowledge that he could have prevented it.

  He glanced over at Walker, who was trying one pick after another. This escapade of theirs was fraught with danger, but Leo would do anything to save Mariel from Kellford.

  Walker tried another pick. ‘That’s it,’ he whispered. The safe door opened.

  Leo walked over to him. ‘Let us have a look inside and be quick about it.’

  His hopes rose. Kellford’s garrulous valet had told Walker about the paper. They were moments from discovering it.

  Mariel would be free. She would be safe.

  * * *

  The next day Mariel told her mother she was taking Penny with her to shop for wedding clothes. Her mother detested shopping, but cooed with excitement at

  Mariel’s apparent interest in the wedding.

  ‘Purchase anything you desire,’ her mother said.

  Her poor mother. Had not the sale of her jewellery taught her she must practise economy?

  As Mariel left the house, she turned to Penny, ‘Let us hurry.’

  ‘Yes, miss.’ Penny sounded puzzled.

  Mariel usually stretched out her time away from the town house for as long as possible.

  When they reached Oxford Street, she turned left instead of heading towards Bond Street.

  Penny looked around in confusion. ‘Where are we bound?’

  ‘To the park.’

  Penny faltered. ‘We are not going to the shops?’

  Mariel waited for her to catch up. ‘I must beg you say nothing of this. I am meeting someone. The...the man I met before.’ She looked down on Penny. ‘It is of great importance.’

  Penny’s eyes widened. ‘Yes, miss.’

  They walked through the Cumberland gate and down the same path where Leo had led them before. When they reached the alcove with the bench, Leo was already there, pacing back and forth. Her heart quickened at the sight of him, tall and powerful. The memory of his body against hers returned, filling her with a unique excitement. He did, indeed, look as if he could perform impossible feats such as saving her from Kellford.

  He turned and caught sight of her, but did not smile. ‘Mariel.’

  A frisson of anxiety ran up her back. She spoke to Penny. ‘Would you mind standing where you did before?’

  Staring at Leo, the maid nodded and stepped away from the alcove.

  ‘We must speak quietly, Leo. I do not wish her to hear.’ She walked with him to the bench, but did not sit. ‘Do you have the paper?’

  His frown deepened. ‘I do not.’

  Trepidation replaced hope. ‘You did not bring it? You promised me, Leo.’

  He put his hand to his forehead. ‘We did not find it, Mariel. There was no bank draft in the safe. No paper showing your father’s name. It was not there. We searched the desk. It was not there, either.’

  ‘No!’ Tears stung her eyes. ‘Then Kellford is still able to threaten my family? I am still in his clutches?’

  He stepped forwards and enfolded her in his arms. ‘No, Mariel. I will find another way. I promise you.’

  The sensations of the previous evening when he had held her returned with full force. His arms enveloped her; his masculine scent filled her nostrils; his hard, muscular body pressed against her. Worse, she almost fell under his spell. She almost believed him.

  The memory of how deeply she had once believed in him, trusted him, known in her soul that they would be partners for life, flooded her. How wrong she’d been! He’d walked away from her when she’d never have done so to him. She would have followed him anywhere, given up anything, even the inheritance that had now become an albatross around her neck. She’d believed they could face any trial, any tribulation, as long as they were together.

  And he had abandoned her without a word.

  Her spirits plummeted to rock-hard ground and she pushed him away. ‘It is no use.’

  ‘Miss! Miss!’ Penny ran back into the alcove. ‘There is a man in the bushes. He is eavesdropping!’

  ‘Oh, no!’ If anyone saw them together—heard them—it could make matters much worse. They might make enquiries about her father. Or tell Kellford—

  Leo caught her arm. ‘Do not fear. He is with me.’ He turned. ‘Walker!’

  The man emerged from the shrubbery.

  Mariel swung back to Leo. ‘You had someone spying on me?’

  ‘Not spying.’ His gaze was earnest. ‘Protecting. Walker was looking out in case you were followed. Or in case someone strolled nearby.’

  She glanced away. She’d gone from believing the best to believing the worst of him and she could not seem to help herself.

  Leo’s companion bowed. ‘Miss Covendale, ma’am.’

  ‘Walker is my valet,’ Leo explained.

  ‘Your valet?’ Her suspicions returned. This man did not have the appearance of a valet. On the contrary, he was nearly as tall as Leo and even more muscular. His face had the battered look of a pugilist and there was nothing servile in the way he carried himself.

 
; Leo cocked his head. ‘For want of any other description, I call him my valet. I suppose if we had been in the army, he’d be called my batman.’

  It suddenly dawned on her who the man was. ‘Did we almost meet last night, Mr Walker?’

  He gave a deferential nod. ‘Very perceptive of you, miss.’

  She returned the courtesy. ‘You were the other man.’ The man who had picks to open a safe’s lock.

  Walker’s gaze drifted to Penny and held for a moment before he turned back to Leo. ‘Did you tell her of your plan?’

  Mariel’s hope stirred. ‘You have another plan?’

  Leo gestured towards Penny. ‘Do you wish your maid to hear this discussion?’

  Mariel lifted a shoulder. ‘She knows enough of this ugly business already. She may hear whatever you have to say.’

  Leo waved a hand. ‘The plan Walker refers to poses too much of a risk. You need not concern yourself about it.’

  Mariel’s eyes narrowed. ‘It is my life that is at stake. And that of my family.’ She lifted her chin. ‘Tell me the plan, Leo.’

  ‘Mariel.’ Leo shook his head. ‘The plan requires too much of you. It puts you in danger.’

  She put her hands on her hips. ‘Am I not in danger already? Do me the courtesy of including me in any discussion of what might save me from Kellford.’

  His eyes flashed at her words. ‘It is not a good plan. Too much can go wrong.’

  ‘I thought it was a good plan,’ Walker chimed in.

  Mariel fixed Leo with a glare. ‘Tell me of it and let me decide.’

  ‘You might as well tell her, Fitz,’ Walker said.

  Leo flashed him an annoyed look, before facing Mariel again. ‘The idea is for you to confront Kellford. Tell him you do not believe that there is a forged banknote. Ask him to produce it for you or you will refuse to marry him. Then you coordinate with Walker and me the time you arrange to meet him. We’ll know Kellford has the paper and we will take it from him.’