The Viscount's Salvation (Honorable Rogue Book 3)

by Vikki Vaught

  A commotion at the door had all three of them turning their heads. The hackney driver pushed his way inside and demanded, “I needs me fare. Ye told me ye’d only be a moment.”

  “Beg your pardon, my good man.” Cortland felt his cheeks grow hot. He met Mr. Hawks gaze. “I hate to ask, but could you please pay this man?”

  His sister’s husband grinned. “With pleasure.” He reached in his pocket and pulled out a guinea and handed it to the man.

  The driver beamed. “Enjoyed doin’ business wit’ ye.” Then he turned and walked out the door.

  Cortland saw Gerrard place a protective arm around his sister’s shoulder, looking nervous. “Gerrard, Aimee, come. I want you to meet my sister and her…husband. Anissa, these two children are the reason I am returned to you. They saved my life almost three weeks ago. They are now my wards, soon to be my adopted children.”

  Holding hands, Gerrard and Aimee stepped forward, then his brave young savior executed a perfect courtly bow and urged his sister to curtsey, and she did so as prettily as any fine born lady.

  “Bonne soirée, my lady,” he said. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I am Gerrard, Le Comte de Turenne, and this is my sister, Aimee.”

  His sister smiled. “I’m pleased to make your acquaintance. You are welcome in my home. I am forever in your debt. I can never thank you enough for bringing my brother back to me.”

  Alex touched his wife’s shoulder. “Darlin’, I believe our guests are tired from their journey.”

  “Oh, dear, of course,” she replied. “Reynolds, please see that rooms are prepared immediately. Cortland, I’m sure you must be famished. Let us go to the dining room. We were just sitting down to dinner when you arrived.”

  Realizing he was indeed starving and sure the children were as well, he told her, “Lead the way, dear sister.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  London

  Late October 1803

  Mary arrived at Kathleen’s townhouse at four o’clock on Friday. Her maid had secretly brought her new gowns over the day before, so they would be there for the ball. Her friend greeted her as soon as she arrived.

  Kathleen hugged her. “I’m so pleased you convinced your aunt to allow you to come. How did you ever manage it?”

  Mary giggled. “I told her that if she let me come here, then she could attend her house party without having to bring me along.”

  Her friend burst out laughing. Once she recovered from her mirth, she said, “I love it. That was brilliant. Now, let’s discuss the ball. You’re going to have a splendid time tomorrow evening. The gala should definitely be a crush. I believe everyone we sent invitations to have accepted. When the gentlemen see you in your gorgeous ball gown, they will fall at your feet.”

  Kathleen’s exuberance lifted her spirits and gave her hope. Mary prayed some of her friend’s enthusiasm would rub off on her. She desperately needed some of her confidence, and could not afford to fail, too much was at stake. “I truly appreciate this, Kathleen. I only hope our plan, or should I say your plan, is successful.” She giggled. “Although, I have a difficult time imagining men falling at my feet. If they do, I think I will be so stunned I shan’t be able to utter a single word to them.”

  “All you need to do is smile prettily,” her friend assured her, “agree with everything they say, and encourage them to talk about themselves.”

  A swarm of bees buzzed around in her belly and caused her pulse to race. She hoped her friend was correct. As they went upstairs to Kathleen’s sitting room, Mary remembered the real reason for the ball. “Have you enjoyed seeing your family again?”

  Once they reached her friend’s chambers, they entered, and Kathleen rang for refreshments. While they waited for the tea to arrive, they continued chatting. “I have. My newest nephew has grown so much I barely even recognized him.”

  Kathleen stopped speaking when someone knocked on the door, and she bade them enter. A maid came in carrying a tea tray. After she set it on the table, she curtsied and left the room.

  Her friend poured the tea and filled plates with scones, raspberry preserves, and clotted cream, then handed one to Mary. She quickly slathered her scone with the cream and topped it with the jam. Biting into the confection, she had to keep from rolling her eyes as the wonderful flavors titillated her taste buds. Her father’s cook rarely prepared scones, and when she did, they were always so dry. This one was moist and soft inside, yet delightfully crusty on the surface. A true delight to the senses.

  Her friend set her plate on the table and returned to their conversation. “You will never believe what has happened. My sister-in-law’s brother, the one who went missing almost two years ago, well everyone—except Anissa, of course—believed him dead. The man has returned.”

  She almost choked on the bite of her treat she’d just placed in her mouth and quickly swallowed it. “Oh my, what an amazing turn of events. How marvelous for Mrs. Hawks. I didn’t realize she had a brother. I’m sure your sister-in-law is ecstatic. Will he be attending the ball tomorrow evening?”

  “He will,” Kathleen told her, excitement radiating in her voice. “You’ll never guess what else. Captain Wallingford brought two children with him. Evidently, the children rescued him from his captors. He was being tortured by French soldiers, from what I understand. I met Gerrard, Le Comte du Turenne, and his sister, Aimee. I’m quite impressed with them, especially the young lad. And, yes before you ask, the boy is a French count.”

  Mary took a sip of her tea, then set the cup on the table. “Amazing, what brave children. I’m sure Captain Wallingford is eternally grateful to the youngsters. The young count must have an incredible story. I assume they must have lost their parents in the turmoil going on in their country.” As they sipped their tea and nibbled on the delectable scones, Kathleen continued to tell her as much as she knew.

  Mary sighed. “The poor man must have lived through hell.” Her heart went out to him.

  “I met him yesterday,” Kathleen explained. “I must say, I didn’t see much of a resemblance between him and Anissa. Captain Wallingford has overlong, wavy, brown hair and unusual amber eyes. I imagine he will be handsome, once he’s gained some weight. The man’s extremely thin and haggard after his ordeal.”

  “I look forward to meeting him tomorrow night.” Of course the man would be thin after everything he must have endured at the hands of those vile French soldiers. What could her friend be thinking? In the time she had known Kathleen, she realized she sometimes spoke before thinking everything through, but there was no guile in her. She was just a bit impulsive at times.

  “Oh dear,” her friend said, “look at the time. I’m rattling on when you would probably like to go to your rooms and rest before dinner. Don’t worry about getting too dressed up. It will only be the two of us tonight. My husband is attending a contest of fisticuffs with his friends. I shall ring for my housekeeper, and she can show you to your chamber.”

  Later that evening, Mary joined Kathleen for dinner. They discussed the ball and went to the music room after they finished eating. Her friend was a gifted violinist, so she found some music, and they played a duet with Mary playing the pianoforte. Over all, it was a relaxing evening, and it kept her mind from wandering to her dilemma. At ten o’clock, they retired to their rooms.

  Once Ella helped Mary dress for bed, she curtsied and left her alone. Too restless to sleep, she located the novel she had brought with her and attempted to concentrate. Although the heroine was trying to escape her dastardly captor, the book did not capture her attention. After reading the same page twice, she gave up, turned down the lamp, and tried to fall asleep. She kept tossing and turning for a time, but eventually went to sleep.

  Her father twisted her arm behind her back as he forced her to wed the marquess. As soon as the ceremony ended, the detestable lord dragged her upstairs and threw her on his bed, then fell on top of her. He had her trapped under him and tried to kiss her.

  Mary turned her head away to avoi
d his slobbering mouth. His putrid breath was so overpowering, her stomach heaved, and she fought the bile that rose in her throat. He grabbed her bodice and ripped it to her waist and pawed at her breasts, then pushed her skirts up around her waist. While holding her down, he fumbled with his breeches.

  Mary frantically pushed against his shoulders trying to fight him off. Unable to control her panic, she pounded her ineffectually small fists against his back. He reared back and slapped her so hard, her lip split and started bleeding.

  The marquess ripped open the fall on his trousers. The smell of his unwashed body overpowered her to the point that she started gagging. She managed to wiggle enough to pull up her leg and jabbed her knee into the blaggard’s private parts.

  “You stupid bitch. I’ll teach you a lesson.” He swung his fist toward her again.

  She awoke fighting her bed clothes and bathed in sweat.

  Her heart raced and her stomach twisted in knots.

  Terror paralyzed her.

  Oh, please Lord, help me.

  I cannot marry that evil man.

  After the nightmare, Mary was afraid to go back to sleep. She lit the lamp and forced herself to read. Fortunately, the heroine was now in so much peril from the evil count, it distracted her from her nightmare. After what must have been a couple of hours, she could no longer fight sleep and slipped into oblivion.

  When Mary awoke the next morning, her maid came into the rooms to pull back the curtains and light the fire in the hearth. Her eyes were so heavy she could barely open them. Then she remembered her nightmare and jerked up. Her eyes rapidly darted around. Not seeing anyone except her maid, she slumped against her pillows. The dream had seemed so real. Once her heartbeat slowed and her breath evened out, she castigated herself for being such a silly goose.

  Ella looked up from the hearth. “Ah, my lady, you’re awake,” her maid’s eyes widened. “Goodness, you’re white as a sheet. Are you all right?”

  Mary inhaled deeply, hoping to calm her overwrought state. “I’m f-fine. I had a horrible nightmare regarding that dreadful marquess, and woke up with a headache.”

  “I’ll pray that Lady Billingsley’s plan will work. Would you like me to bring you a cold compress?” her maid offered. “Perhaps you should try to sleep a bit more.”

  “No, I need to get up. I’m helping Lady Billingsley this morning. Please hand me my robe.” Her maid came over and did as she was asked. Mary slipped her arms into the garment, and she let Ella help her with her toilette. Once she was dressed, she then went downstairs to join Kathleen in the breakfast room.

  She stayed so busy assisting her friend with the ball preparations, she did not have time to dwell on her problems. Although, they did remain just below the surface. Kathleen’s gaiety and chatter helped to distract her, and at five o’clock she went upstairs to get ready for the evening.

  When she entered her chamber, Ella had a bath prepared. The heavenly scent of jasmine wafted around her and the steam rising from the slipper tub called her name. After her maid assisted her into the water she sent her away, telling her to return in thirty minutes.

  As she tried to relax and enjoy the lovely warmth surrounding her, her problems rose up to haunt her. After her nightmare the previous night, she was even more determined to do whatever she could to find a man willing to marry her. She could never wed that horrid marquess. In her naiveté, she realized her dream was probably mild compared to what the man would really do to her, if he had the chance.

  She must succeed, or her life would be a living hell, if she even survived. His last wife had not. Just the thought of Lord Worthington touching her caused bile to rise in her throat and made her skin crawl as if she had lice. God forbid. She trembled at the very thought, and her breathing grew shallow and came out in little pants. She had to find control, or she would never make it through the night.

  Ella entered and held out a large linen towel. Mary took it and wrapped it around her slight form.

  After she dried off and her maid helped her don her undergarments, she took a seat at the dressing table. The young woman asked, “Are you feeling better, my lady? You still look a little paler than normal. If that megrim is still bothering you, I would be happy to get you a tisane.”

  “Thank you for offering, but I no longer have the headache. I’m just a little unsettled over the ball.” Her maid had her confidence, since she had needed her help to get the gowns here. “I need tonight to be a success. It’s my only hope. Please help me look my best tonight. My well-being rides on the outcome of this ball.”

  Ella gave her a tentative smile. “Ah, my lady. Relax. I’ll try the new hairstyle that all the young ladies are wearing this season. I’m sure it will look lovely on you. Just rest your eyes while I get busy. Think of all the handsome young men attending the ball. One of them will be the perfect gentleman for you, I’m sure.”

  Once Ella assisted her into her dress, she moved to the pier glass and gasped. Between the new hairstyle and the aqua gown, she did not recognize herself. Her eyes looked brighter and her complexion looked rosier. Of course her maid had her pinch her cheeks a moment ago, but still there was no denying it, she had never looked this lovely before.

  Mary brushed a trembling hand down the skirt, then stiffened her backbone. She would go downstairs and do exactly what Kathleen had said to do, and she would find a gentleman who would solve all her troubles.

  When Mary entered the drawing room, quite a few people had already arrived. Kathleen motioned her over. “Lady Mary, you remember Mr. Effinger and Lord Blythe?”

  She curtsied to the viscount and offered her hand to the other gentleman. Mr. Effinger raised it and kissed the air above her gloved fingers. “Good evening, Lady Mary. It’s a pleasure to see you. I look forward to our dance later.”

  Then Lord Blythe also kissed her hand. “I too, look forward to our dance. Your radiance has stolen my breath, my lady.”

  Mary drew on an inner strength she did not realize she had and spoke with more confidence than she felt. “Thank you, my lord. I look forward to it as well.”

  Kathleen interjected, “Gentlemen, if you will excuse us, I want to introduce Lady Mary to my other brother, Captain Hawks. This is the first time she has had the opportunity to do so.” Linking her arm with Mary, she added, “Let us proceed to the fireplace, so you can meet John.”

  Once they had moved out of hearing, Mary whispered, “Thank you, Kathleen. I didn’t know what else to say to those gentlemen. I felt so tongue tied.” Her determination slipped a bit. “Oh, this is never going to work.”

  “Yes, it is,” she told her. “Remember, just smile and agree with them. Feed their vanity. Now, let me introduce you to my brother.”

  They approached a tall man with the same sun-kissed, dark blond hair as Kathleen, and he also had her green eyes. When they stopped in front of him, he bowed. “Ah, you must be my sister’s friend, Lady Mary. It’s a pleasure to meet you this evening. I hope you have room for me on your dance card?”

  Mary met his laughing green eyes and relaxed. Kathleen’s brother looked so much like her friend, she felt as comfortable around him as she would one of her brothers. “I do, Captain Hawks. I look forward to it.”

  The butler entered and announced dinner, and the captain offered her his arm. “May I escort you into dinner?”

  Mary smiled and murmured, “That would be lovely.” She slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow, and they followed everyone into the dining room. Relief swept through her when she discovered the captain was seated next to her, and the kind Mr. Effinger was her other dinner partner. Captain Hawks told her several amusing stories concerning his adventures at sea. By the end of the meal, she felt even more relaxed around him, and the other gentleman as well.

  Kathleen arose and deferred to the Duchess of Barrington, the highest-ranking female in the room. All the ladies followed Kathleen and the duchess to the drawing room, leaving the gentlemen to their port and cigars.

  A short t
ime later, the men rejoined the ladies. Then their party made their way to the ballroom. Soon after, the rest of the guests began to arrive. Since Mary had met Her Grace on numerous occasions, the kind woman and Kathleen’s sister-in-law invited her to join their circle as they waited for everyone to assemble.

  As Mrs. Hawks and the duchess conversed about their children, Mary allowed her eyes to roam. The Duke of Barrington and Kathleen’s eldest brother were talking to a third gentleman, who held himself as a military man would.

  He had to be Mrs. Hawks’ brother, Captain Wallingford. Obviously he’d had a chance to have his wavy brown hair cut since Kathleen met him the other day, since it was now neatly trimmed. The duke and her friend’s brother towered over the man she believed was the captain’s brother-in-law, not that the man was short. It was just that the other two men were much taller than average.

  The captain held a champagne glass in his slim hand, and he did not look at ease. His eyes kept darting around the room as if he expected someone to assault him. Mary imagined it must be difficult for him to be around a crowd after spending so much time in captivity. Part of her wanted to go to him and try to put him at ease, but that was silly. How could she do that when she could not even put herself at ease?

  At last, the receiving line resolved, and the baron signaled for the orchestra to begin. Mr. Effinger approached, since he was her first dance partner, and they took their place in line for the first cotillion. She tried to make idle conversation with her partner, but she kept looking for the gentleman she suspected was Captain Wallingford. The man intrigued her, and she hoped she would have the chance to meet him before the evening was over.

  When the dance ended, Mr. Effinger bowed, and her next partner took his place. This went on for the next hour. Mary had never danced so many sets in a row before, and was out of breath. Thank goodness the orchestra was taking a break. She doubted she could have made it through another dance without passing out.