by Wendy Vella
Knocking on Olivia’s door later that day, Will felt anticipation surge through him at seeing her. He would ask them if they needed anything and then suggest that they dine with him in his suite and to hell with how it looked.
“Hello, Phoebe, this is for you from Freddy,” he said, handing her a copy of ‘La Belle Assemblee’ as she opened the door. “May I come in?”
“Hello, my lord. Please thank Mr. Blake for me.”
Alerted by Phoebe’s subdued tone that something was not right, he dragged his eyes from the opening behind her and looked at her face. She was pale and he could tell by her eyes that she had been crying.
“What has happened?”
“Nothing,” she said too quickly.
“Where is Olivia?” Will reached for the edge of the door above her head and gently pushed it.
“Olivia is not feeling well, Lord Ryder. I must insist you leave!”
“No.” Will eased her aside and walked into the room. He found her on the sofa, staring into the fire that was roaring in the grate. Her face was pale and she, too, had been crying. Reaching her side, he dropped to his haunches before her, taking her chilled hands in his.
“Tell me,” he ordered, his words sounding gruff. “What has happened to upset you?” She didn’t speak, just looked at him. “Tell me, Livvy, please. When I left you a few hours ago you were laughing and happy.”
“I… I... there is nothing wrong, my lord, merely a headache,” she said, looking over his shoulder.
“Liar. There is something you’re not telling me and I want to know what it is,” he demanded, taking her chin in one hand and making her look at him. “Your eyes are filled with pain. Let me help you.”
“My head is very sore, my lord, nothing more. I wish only for solitude and sleep.”
“Your eyes tell a different story, Olivia.” Will watched as Phoebe took the seat beside her sister in a show of solidarity.
“Livvy and I wish to return home as we are worried for our sister, Lord Ryder, nothing more than that. We should not have left her and come to London. It was irresponsible,” Phoebe said looking at him, her eyes filled with the identical anguish that clouded her sister’s. “We need to go home tomorrow, my lord, and if you are unable to take us, then we shall organize to catch the stage.”
Will released Livvy’s chin and took the handkerchief out his pocket. Leaning forward he wiped the tears from her face and she made no effort to stop him. Something had happened to these women since he had seen them last and he would find out what.
“Shall I call for a doctor?”
“No, please, Lord Ryder. I have need of nothing but what my sister can provide and I urge you to leave us so I can rest.”
Her eyes were now on the hands she held clenched in her lap.
“Why won’t you trust me enough to help you, Livvy? I am now a rich man and my brother is a Duke. Surely between us we can be of some use to you.”
She looked at him then, and he saw the emotions she was trying to hide.
“Livvy, I cannot stand to see you hurting,” Will begged her.
“Please, Will, say nothing more,” she whispered, placing her fingers over his lips. “Phoebe and I must go home tomorrow and you have already helped us so much.”
They looked at each other for several seconds, both uncaring that Phoebe sat only inches away and then she closed her eyes and Will knew she would say nothing further.
“I will find out your secrets, Olivia Langley.” He gave her fingers a last squeeze before he regained his feet.
“We hide no secrets, my lord. We are merely missing our sister and Livvy has a headache,” Phoebe said.
“Have you ordered your evening meal?” he added, deciding to do some investigating to see if he could find out what had put the Langley sisters into a spin, seeing as neither Phoebe or Olivia was going to tell him anything.
The sisters both shook their heads but remained silent.
“I shall do so and I’ll organize the carriage to take us home in the morning. We shall leave at ten,” he said, pocketing the damp handkerchief.
“We have no wish to inconvenience you further, my lord. Therefore, we can take the stage home to Twoaks.”
He stood looking down at Olivia when she finished speaking. All the fight had gone out of her. She sat huddled against her sister, seeking Phoebe’s comfort and strength and that frightened him the most. Before today he had never seen her cowed. He had seen her feisty and funny, even sad, but never beaten.
“I would never allow you and your sister to return home unescorted, Olivia, especially in your current condition.”
“I will be better tomorrow, my lord. My head is very painful.”
“I’m not a fool, Olivia. Don’t insult me by repeating that lie. However, I will leave you for now as I have no wish to distress you further, but I’ll have the answer to my questions soon. Someone has hurt you and I want to know who that someone is.” He bent and kissed the top of her head and then, brushing a reassuring hand over Phoebe’s, he walked towards the door.
“I must leave the hotel briefly but both Freddy and Luke will be near. Should you need me, ask one of them and they will send for me immediately.”
Phoebe nodded; Olivia looked silently at her hands. Walking away was almost as hard as what he had done five years ago; however, this time he was not leaving. This time he was retreating to think and regroup and gather information. He would be back because Olivia Langley was his now whether she believed it or not.
An hour later, Will walked into his old club. His mood was dark with worry for Olivia. He knew she was safe because Luke would discreetly watch the door to her room until he returned; however, that did not stop him from worrying or wondering. Many scenarios had played through his head since he had seen her and after talking to the porter who had seen Olivia into a carriage that afternoon, his mind was a riot with speculation.
Someone had hurt her and the only person that someone could be was her cousin. Will’s first instincts had been to simply confront the man and beat the truth out of him, but something had stopped him. He needed to know what he was dealing with so he had to get Freddy to start investigating and when he was armed with all the facts, then Will would deal with Lord Langley as he saw fit. For now, it would be enough to get the Langley sisters out of his reach and safely home.
Taking a deep breath, he inhaled scents of brandy and cigars as memories of the last time he was here washed over him. Some were good, others made his toes curl inside his shoes as he remembered his callous behavior. The hum of voices was not overly loud as most of the members were still from town; however, the gentle rumble was not unpleasant.
“May I help you, my lord?”
“I have arranged to meet Lord Levermarch here,” Will said to the footman, and was then led to a wood-paneled room where his friend was seated before the fire. The carpets had been replaced but not much else had changed. Various pictures and plaques hung on the walls of the male bastion and newspapers and ashtrays were sitting on the surfaces.
“Will, take a seat. I have taken the liberty of ordering you a brandy. Bloody chilly out there.”
He and the Marques of Levermarch had disliked each other intensely before Will left England. An unsmiling, serious man known to be ruthless in business and boring in play, Finn was the opposite of what Will had once been.
“My thanks, Finn.” He took the seat beside him. “I’d forgotten how this cold seeps into your bones and stays there,” he added, picking up the glass of amber liquid on the table before him and taking a sip.
“Did you find a town house that was to your liking?”
“I did, actually—Freddy will negotiate the price tomorrow while I return to Twoaks.”
“So soon?” the Marques said, raising one black eyebrow.
As big as he, Finn had hair black as midnight, liberally laced with silver, and eyes so blue they were piercing in their intensity.
“I am to escort two old friends who need to return h
ome immediately.”
“Old friends? Why do I sense there are women involved?”
The Marques had come across Will in India when he was attempting to educate a thief not to steal from him. The thief had had friends and Will had only Luke so they were outnumbered. Finn had evened the odds. They had then shared a drink to nurse their bruises and talked, and when Finn realized that Will was no longer the spoiled nobleman that had left England, he had stayed with him and they had become friends.
“Sisters who grew up not far from my home,” Will added, staring hard at the fire. How was she? He should be there watching over her.
“I sense there is more to this story, my friend.”
“What do you know of Lord Langley?” Will asked
Finn snorted. “More than I want to. He’s a man with licentious hobbies and very little sense. I have heard rumors of late that he is rapidly running through his inheritance and incurring debts all over town.”
“I am friends with his cousins and they are the ladies I am to escort home,” Will said. “It was their father who was the previous Lord Langley.”
Finn gave him a steady look before he spoke; however, he did not ask the questions Will saw in his eyes and for that he was grateful.
“Supposedly he has redecorated his house with lewd paintings and statues and throws wild parties for his friends when they are in town. Apparently, these parties are orgies with many of the women in attendance being young enough to be his daughter.”
“Does he live in London all year?” Will questioned.
“Yes, they say life in the country does not suit his carnal appetites; however, he has been known to attend a house party or two, especially when the entertainments suit his needs.”
The thought of Olivia under the same roof as the man Finn described made Will feel ill. Is this why she was upset: had Langley done something to her?
“I’ve heard rumors that he is marrying soon; however, no one seems to know the bride’s identity,” Finn mused.
Marry! Will would kill the man before he reached the church if he attempted to marry one of the Langley sisters.
“So, why the interest in Lord Langley? Don’t tell me a woman has finally captured your interest.”
Will’s instinctive response was to deny it but instead he said, “Perhaps.”
“About time you returned to us, William!”
A bell clanged in Will’s head as two men appeared before him and Finn. Round two, he thought. Of course, he had known that he would eventually run into the men he had befriended in his rebellious years; he had just thought it would be during the season.
“Lord Rathbourne, Sir Humphrey,” Will said, gaining his feet and bowing to the men. Rathbourne slapped him on the back and then pumped his hand.
“Rathbourne, Sir Humphrey, you know Lord Levermarch,” Will said, making the introductions.
Frowning, Rathbourne gave Finn a short bow to which Finn nodded but did not reciprocate. Sensing the animosity, Will said, “What are you two doing in town?”
Neither had changed. Both were dressed as Viscount Marshall had been at the docks earlier that day.
“Got bored in the country so we came to town for a spot of gambling and a visit with Madam Genevie, and now you are here you can join us. It will be like old times,” Sir Humphrey said. “Plenty of whores looking for excitement at this time of the year, Will.”
Confronting one’s past, especially his, was never going to be easy but Will hadn’t thought his shame would cut quite as deep as this when he did. He had been a wastrel, intent only on indulging himself, just like the men before him.
“Thank you, but no, I am to dine with my friend here and then in the morning I’m returning home to my family.”
Silence followed Will’s statement and then Rathbourne glared down at Finn.
“He is no friend of ours. Now come, enough of this nonsense,” Rathbourne said. “We need to get you back in shape. All this extra weight will scare off the ladies. You need a reminder on how things were and then all shall once again be as it was.”
“I believe you just insulted my friend, Rathbourne, and I do not take kindly to such a slight.”
Will’s words had not been loud yet their intent was very clear—apologize, or there would be retribution.
“You have changed!”
“For the better, I believe,” Will said softly. “Now apologize and then leave the club.”
“Think you’re better than us now, Lord Ryder? All that time spent with savages has obviously made you forget how to be a gentleman!” Sir Humphrey sneered.
“You believe you are better than I when the only way you know how to live is off other people?” Will questioned softly. “Neither of you have experienced a day that wasn’t self-indulgent in your life and simply live like leeches off your family. I no longer wish to drink and gamble my days away and whore through the nights. If that makes me better than you, then so be it.”
“You’ll be sorry for those words!”
“I’m sorry I ever thought of either of you as a friend,” Will said, meaning every word. “Now apologize and leave the club. I have no wish to look upon either of you again this evening.”
“I will never apologize to him!” Rathbourne stated, glaring down at Finn.
Sighing, Will began to take of his coat. Behind him, the Marques was laughing softly.
“Wh—what are you doing?”
“I have no wish to get your blood on my new coat.”
Apologies were muttered hastily before he could even pull out an arm, and then the two men fled from the room. Taking his chair again, Will downed the last of his brandy.
“Thank you. However, it was unnecessary, I assure you. I have been insulted by far worse than those two,” Finn drawled.
Will looked at his friend and then the glass in his hand.
“Do you know, Finn, it is never pleasant to be faced with one’s failings. Yet today, I have been faced with mine twice. I cannot believe what a self-indulgent boy I was. It is a wonder my brother didn’t beat me frequently to knock some sense into my thick skull.”
“Had you been mine, I would have.”
Will snorted.
“Now tell me what troubles you, my friend. I can see it is a woman, because I have never seen that particular look in your eyes before.”
“No, I think not, Finn. I’m not sure what the hell is going on yet. However, if I need your assistance then you may be sure I’ll ask for it.”
“Fair enough,” Finn said. “And as my brothers are away and I have business your way I shall take up your invitation to stay with your family for Christmas, if it is still open? I’m looking forward to this Derby you have told me so much about.”
“Of course it’s still open, and you are welcome anytime.”
Will started going over business and soon Finn was as immersed as he and the remainder of the evening was spent discussing this while he tried to keep Olivia’s pale face out of his head.
Arriving at the Grillion two hours later, Will summoned both Freddy and Luke to his rooms.
“No one has come in or out of the Langley sisters’ room,” Luke stated after Will questioned him.
“Pay one of the hotel staff to watch the door ‘til morning, then both of you get some sleep as Luke will be driving us home tomorrow while you stay in London, Freddy. Organize the purchase of the town house and then find out everything you can about Lord Langley, his associates and the previous Lord Langley, Olivia’s father,” Will said. “In fact, I want to know everything about the Langley family even if it appears unimportant.”
“Is something wrong?” Luke questioned, looking worried. “I’ve known the Langleys my entire life and would not wish them any harm.”
Will loosened his necktie and motioned for his friends to seat themselves on the sofa across from him. They were all comfortable with each other, having spent the last five years together.
“The truth is I don’t know, Luke. But it is my belief that all i
s not as it should be with them, plus I think something has happened here in London and that it has something to do with the current Lord Langley.” Will went on to explain what he had seen when he visited Phoebe and Olivia and found them in tears.
“Well, I’d say something is definitely amiss then, my lord.” Freddy looked worried, his usually happy face solemn. “As those two were not in that a state when I saw them earlier.”
“And that is why you will dig deep, Freddy, and when you are done in London come back to Twoaks and start there.”
“As shall I, Will,” Luke said, regaining his feet. “I’ll just go and make sure everything is in readiness for the morning now.”
Freddy followed Luke out the door and Will was left alone. Stripping off his clothes, he climbed into bed. He was tired, but his head was filled with Olivia. What the hell was going on with that woman? Whatever it was he would fix it because one thing was for certain, he would not lose her now, not when he finally understood what she truly meant to him.
***
They left early the following morning and the first part of the journey was carried out in silence. The sisters had seated themselves opposite Will and proceeded to stare out the window, rarely looking his way. Every time he tried to engage them in conversation, they answered briefly and then resumed their contemplation of the winter landscape. Livvy was pale and drawn. She gnawed her lip and picked at the end of her gloves and occasionally sighed, and he knew she was totally unaware of doing so. Will was not one to speak without something to say and enjoyed silence as much as the next man, but the weight of this was heavy and oppressive and steadily driving his frustration and anger to a head. Seeing Olivia like this was making him feel helpless and he had no idea how to get her to tell him what worried her. Perhaps he should make her forget her problems for a while.
“Perhaps Major Buntley has the right of it, Olivia. If a little head ache can lay you low, surely you will never be able to manage to ride in the Derby with all those strong healthy men to compete against.”
“I beg your pardon!” She looked at him in stunned surprise.