An Unbending Lady for the Desperate Earl: A Historical Regency Romance Novel

by Emma Linfield

  “So, Sir John and Lord Mobberley are not our men?” Christian sounded bitter.

  “I don’t see how they could be. They were both still present at the ball at midnight, and even beyond. And I cannot bear to contemplate the idea that there may be more than two of them, in cahoots on this vile endeavor.” Victoria felt sick, for though there was evidence, they still had no means of progressing in this case. Whomever these kidnappers were, they were careful. They understood how to cover most of their tracks—enough to give nothing of use to investigators such as Victoria.

  He put his hand on her shoulder. A daring gesture that made Victoria turn in alarm, her gaze settling on that confident hand. But he did not remove it. Instead, he stared intently into her eyes, his expression filled with a melee of emotions that were so conflicted that she could not decipher any single one in particular: grief, hope, possibility, guilt, to name but a few.

  With equal daring, she lifted her hand and covered his with hers. She had seen a husband and wife stand this way, as they watched their child lowered into the ground one frosty winter’s afternoon. The earth had been so cold that it had frozen solid, requiring the assistance of an entire neighborhood to dig that agonizingly small trench.

  My heart is not soft enough for this. What should have been a moment of secret comfort, and perhaps an unspoken thrill at his touch, brought nothing but dark memories. Truly, she did not know if she was capable of happiness after everything she had witnessed in this world. Why give one’s heart away, when something could come along and destroy it? Why risk having a heart broken, one way or another, when one could keep their heart safely behind high walls, avoiding such pain by stark prevention?

  “What do we do, Victoria?” he whispered.

  About what? she wanted to say. About this case, or about your hand on my shoulder, and my hand on yours?

  “I do not know,” she replied, for that served both purposes.

  Chapter 16

  Having left the Duchess of Sopworth in the capable hands of her husband, who had returned from his meeting with Lord Marchmont, Christian and Victoria made their way to the office that Victoria shared with Benedict. They had left the bereft mother with hopeful sentiments, though Christian did not know what ideas Victoria had, in order to proceed from this latest turn of events.

  He could still feel the hard contour of her shoulder beneath his palm, if he closed his eyes. He could feel the soft touch of her hand on his, too, if he paused to dwell upon it. He knew it shouldn’t, but it brought a warmth to his heart that he had never experienced before, in all his years. Truthfully, he would have taken her hand again, as they sat together in the carriage, but he’d lost his nerve.

  I am betrothed to another. I am betrothed to a lady who has been captured by villains and may be suffering greatly at this very moment. How despicable a gentleman must I be, to be looking at another with such fond eyes, and warmth in my heart? Yet, every time he stole a glance at Victoria, that warmth spread deeper, like the roots of a tree, burrowing far beneath the surface. In such a short, yet intense, space of time, those roots had buried so deep that, if he were to rid himself of them, he feared the emptiness would destroy him.

  I cannot be without you, Victoria. He kept thinking of life after this mission was over, and it filled him with dread instead of joy. Of course he desired to have Lady Helena restored to her family, alive and well. Nothing would change that. But the idea of marrying her and keeping his promise to his parents… that had changed irrevocably. Before, he had accepted the betrothal with the duty and honor expected of an Earl, and an eldest son. But now? He felt a different, higher power leading his thoughts, urging him toward an alternative course of action. Though only time would tell which path he chose, if and when Lady Helena came back.

  “You seem awfully quiet.” Victoria shattered the silence between them. “Have the London Docks shocked you into becoming a mute?”

  He flinched out of his private reverie. “Pardon?”

  “You have not said a word since we left Mayfair. I thought the sight of how the ordinary folks of London live might have rendered you mute.” She mustered a smile, but it didn’t reach those remarkable eyes of hers. “Or is it simply exhaustion, claiming you at last? I confess, it took many years to acquire the constitution I currently possess. Now, I may go days without rest, but when I first began, I used to curl up in the back of my father’s cart, under a potato sack, and sleep whilst he continued on in his investigations.”

  “You have led, and still lead, an extraordinary existence, Victoria,” he replied, in awe of her tenacity. “I can hardly imagine you as a child. My mother would have called you an ‘old soul.’”

  “Am I to take that as a compliment?” she eyed him suspiciously.

  “It is intended as one,” he said, chuckling.

  Victoria sighed. “In all honesty, I can hardly remember what it was like to be a child. I didn’t have much of a childhood. Then again, most who do not live in privileged society would say the same.”

  “What would you do with your own children, were you to have them?” Christian blurted out, not knowing why.

  Victoria snorted. “I haven’t a single maternal bone in my body.”

  “I hardly believe that.” Christian cleared his throat. “You told me about your discussion with Miss Longacre, remember? How she knew you from the orphanage in Poplar. Your actions there do not sound like the actions of someone without a maternal bone in their body.”

  Victoria had regaled Christian with everything that had gone on in Miss Longacre’s chambers, on their journey between that house and his own townhouse, prior to the discovery that Lady Jane had been taken. It had prompted him to see Victoria in a slightly different light—a softer light, that he hadn’t seen before then.

  “I care about the welfare of children, that is true, but I have seen so many of them without anyone to call family. And I have seen so many who have been left to die in the bitterest of winters. And I have seen them battered, and bruised, and hurt until their eyes stare vacantly from the horrors they have endured. How could I have children of my own, when there are so many in this world who need to be loved?” She turned her face away, though not before Christian spotted the tear trickling down her cheek.

  “What would you do, if you could?” Christian encouraged, his heart aching for her.

  She shrugged. “Open an orphanage of my own and bring in as many children as possible. I would feed them, clothe them, teach them, and love them, so they no longer had to feel alone. I would give them the tools necessary to survive in this world. So, perhaps I do have a maternal instinct, but not for any children of my own womb. I couldn’t forgive myself, if I were to bring my own child into this world, knowing there are so many who would better benefit from my care.”

  An idea exploded into Christian’s mind. A way that he could continue to be near Victoria, once this case was finished, even if he could not be with her. It would tear him up inside, not to be able to love her or hold her or show romantic affection toward her, but at least he wouldn’t completely lose her. That was far worse.

  “Once we have located these missing ladies, might I make a proposal?” Christian said shyly.

  She turned, her mouth agape. “What sort of… proposal?”

  Why did she say it like that? That last word held so much weight that it made his heart clatter against his ribcage. Did she feel the same way about him, that he felt about her? Would she relish the thought of marrying him, or would she have snorted in his face, in her derisive manner? Not that it mattered—that was not the sort of proposal he meant. At least, not outwardly.

  “Might I offer you some money, to open this orphanage? I would be your benefactor, and I would be only too happy to aid in the running of it, if you would allow me.”

  Victoria’s mouth gaped wider. “You would… do that?” She paused. “But, will you not be married once this is over? Will you and Lady Helena not retreat to your house in Cornwall, to live out the rest of your
days in marital bliss?”

  “I want to help. I want to… be part of your future endeavors, Victoria.” He swallowed the lump in his throat. “You have opened my eyes to the injustices in this world. I wish to repay you for that, in any way that I can.”

  The carriage came to a halt outside a grim, ramshackle building that perched close to the grimy, browned waters of the Thames. Dirt-streaked dock workers ambled about, laughing and joking with their fellow men. It did not seem, to Christian, like the sort of place that a lady ought to be, but then Victoria was no ordinary lady. He doubted she so much as blinked an eye at this sort of dilapidation.

  “First, we must recover these missing women,” Victoria said softly. “After that… you and I shall talk.”

  Of what? Of you and I? Of the orphanage? Of parting ways? She said nothing more, leaving him to wonder.

  A few minutes later, Christian found himself sitting in a cramped office, opposite the Admiral, who peered at him over an astonishing mountain range of paperwork. Victoria stood by the window, having disappeared for a short time upstairs, only to return in entirely different attire.

  “Do you keep garments here, Victoria?” Christian couldn’t help but ask.

  Victoria glanced over her shoulder at him. “I reside her, Christian.”

  He almost choked on his own gizzard. “You reside here? I thought you resided in Southwark, with your mother?”

  “It is easier for me to be close to my base of operations, and I rather enjoy the independence.” Victoria turned back, putting an end to the conversation.

  She lives here?! Every time he thought she could not surprise him any further, he discovered something like this, and found himself back at the starting line with regards to the story of her life.

  “I’ve tried to get her to return to her mother’s house, indefinitely, but if you know anything of our Victoria by now, you know she’s as stubborn as a donkey.” Benedict chuckled wearily, moving aside a stack of papers so he could see Christian better.

  “What would you do with those rooms if I didn’t reside in them, Ben? Fill them with endless amounts of paperwork, in the hopes it will disappear of its own accord?” Victoria retorted, with a smirk.

  Benedict laughed heartily. “Ah, you’ve figured me out.”

  “I take it you have heard about the capture of Lady Jane?” Victoria switched back to business so swiftly that Christian wondered if the lighthearted chatter had ever happened.

  Benedict nodded. “I have.”

  “Christian and I already investigated the household,” Victoria went on. “There was nothing there of note. Or, I should say, nothing there that we do not already know. Although, at least we can remove some suspects from our list.”

  “You have a list?” Benedict sounded surprised.

  “Christian made one,” Victoria replied.

  Benedict frowned. “And Lord Galbury doesn’t mind you speaking so informally toward him?”

  “I insisted upon it,” Christian cut in. “It only seemed fair, as I had to call her Victoria.”

  “Will wonders never cease?” Benedict muttered. “Anyway, if you did not discover anything new, then what do you suggest we do, going forward? I’m at a loss, as are the rest of Bow Street and the private investigators of London. Believe me, I have borne the brunt of their gripes. But they are running scared, too. No one can understand how this is happening, without a single soul hearing or seeing something. It is as though a ghost is coming into these houses and stealing away daughters. They leave barely any trace.”

  Victoria sighed. “You ought to try telling me something I do not know.”

  “Already, I have heard of families retreating to their country homes.” Benedict ignored Victoria’s comment.

  “Surely, that is a prudent thing?” Victoria began to pace. “If these daughters are no longer in London, then perhaps the kidnappings will stop. Then, at least, we will not have to worry about more occurring whilst we seek to recover the ladies who are already lost to us.”

  “Or they may continue regardless, spreading the field of crime beyond our jurisdiction. It is difficult enough, trying to keep pace with this case within London itself. If kidnappings begin to occur further away, we’ll be run ragged.” Benedict yawned and stretched out his arms.

  “Are we keeping you awake, Ben?” Victoria remarked, though not without some affection. It was obvious to Christian how deeply Victoria cared for the Admiral, who had become something of a surrogate father to her, after her real father’s passing.

  Benedict chuckled. “This entire case is keeping me awake, lass. I fear I won’t sleep again until these wretches are caught.”

  “Then, it is time for greater action,” Victoria said, halting in her pacing. “We must do something drastic, or we will continue to follow these ludicrous breadcrumbs, and still come up with naught to show for it.”

  “Drastic?” Christian interjected, that word sending a sudden shiver through him.

  Victoria nodded. “Bear with me.” She took a deep breath. “Christian and I have already sown some seeds that may prove useful to us. At the ball last night, I was introduced as his cousin, Lady Laura. The only people who know that to be a falsehood are the three of us, the Duchess of Sopworth, and Miss Longacre. Both of whom have been sworn to secrecy.”

  Victoria had ensured that the Duchess didn’t even tell her husband of her true nature, convincing her that it was the best way to help her missing daughter. The Duchess had been hesitant at first but, by the time they departed, even Christian was sure that the Duchess wouldn’t breathe a word. And, from what Victoria had said about Miss Longacre, her discretion could be relied upon, as well.

  “I don’t see how this helps us?” Benedict said bluntly.

  “That is because I have yet to finish,” Victoria shot back. “This may make your head explode, Ben, so I suggest you hold onto your seat. Here is my suggestion—I will continue to pose as Lady Laura and make myself present at every single soiree and party that is taking place from now until… well, the plan works. In addition, we will use the Duchess, Miss Longacre, and Christian’s connections to bolster my esteem. I must be the name on every tongue in the ton, so that the kidnappers cannot ignore me. By doing this, I will make myself a target, in order to get to the bottom of this. Even if I am captured, I will be able to do more from within than from without.”

  Christian blinked in disbelief, whilst Benedict said nothing, staring in abject horror at his surrogate daughter. Evidently, they shared the same initial thoughts on this radical, absurd plan.

  She has taken leave of her senses. She has gone quite mad. How can she even suggest such a thing? The thoughts rattled around in Christian’s mind, but he could not muster the consciousness to actually speak them aloud. His mouth had frozen in shock, unable to form words.

  “Ah, so you are both entirely in agreement that this is a superb idea, then?” Victoria glanced at the two men in visibly anxious anticipation.

  “You’re not serious?” Benedict spoke first.

  Victoria tilted her chin up. “I assure you; I am deadly serious.”

  “That is tantamount to suicide, Victoria.” Benedict shook his head. “That is not going to happen. You can give me all the reasons and assurances you like; I won’t agree to you doing this. I’m not going to put you in harm’s way for the sake of this case.”

  “Aren’t I always in harm’s way, Ben? Is that not the very nature of this employment—to put oneself in whatever situation is necessary, in order to save the lives of those who are in danger?” Victoria replied. “I am at no greater risk from doing this than I would be, say, chasing a band of robbers through Whitechapel with nothing but a pistol to protect me. And it would certainly be safer than striding into the terrace of a known brute who beats his wife half to death, which I have done more times than I care to count.”

  “No,” Benedict said simply.

  “No?” Victoria arched a haughty eyebrow. “You have been as a father to me, Ben, but you a
re not my father. If I choose to do this, you cannot stop me. But you can help me. And, I assure you, this will all work much more smoothly if you do give me your assistance.”

  Christian stood abruptly. “The Admiral is right. This is too dangerous, Victoria. I know you dine upon danger for your luncheon, but this is too risky by far. These kidnappers are stealthy, and they are clever. They have outsmarted everyone, thus far, and they would not hesitate to punish you, in any manner of despicable way, if they were to uncover who you really were after you had been captured. Which, I might add, I whole heartedly don’t like the idea of one bit. You are not being used as bait.”

  Do not make me lose you, too. I will not be able to bear it. For, though he still couldn’t admit it to himself, he knew that if Victoria were to be taken, then the kidnappers really would have stolen away the woman he loved. Or could love, if she would permit him to break down the walls surrounding her heart, and he found the courage to overcome the obstacles of the societal barriers that had been placed on him since birth.