by Wendy Vella
“Why can’t she know that you’re involved?” Jacob said.
“Because she is too proud to accept something like this unless she feels she has earned it,” Marcus said.
“That makes an odd kind of sense, especially as she’s a woman who has obviously lived by her wits and very little funds since leaving her father,” Jacob added.
“I think if you tell her the truth, your Miss Radley will see reason,” Leo said, shrugging. “The house is empty. She is desperate and out of choices, so I think she will take it. Surely she cannot afford to do otherwise.”
Marcus didn’t want to dwell on the fact that Charlotte was desperate because it made his chest hurt.
“She is not my Miss Radley.”
“Slip of the tongue, old boy,” Leo said, slapping him on the back, but Marcus didn’t like the look in his friend’s eyes. He let it pass as they began to discuss how to proceed with the investigation.
Marcus arrived home to find Fred sliding down his banister.
“Lord Needly,” Chadley said, with enough force to carry to the boy and the footman catching him.
Everyone grew still and turned to look at him.
“I used to do that,” Marcus said. “My brother, sister, and I used to get Chadley to count to see who came down the quickest.”
“Were you the quickest?” Fred questioned, looking less frightened.
“Actually no, my sister always beat me.”
He didn’t precisely smile, but Marcus thought his eyes may have.
“Carry on,” he then said, waving a hand at them. “All is well, Chadley?”
“Yes, my lord. Mr. Dandy and the boy have been clothed and fed.”
“And Miss Radley?”
“Miss Radley left early, alone, to see what lodgings she could secure. Had I been aware of her intentions, my lord, I would have ensured she had company, but as she was gone as the sun rose, there was little I could do to stop her.”
Marcus said something foul beneath his breath. “She is in no fit state to be traipsing around London, no doubt on foot. Her lungs inhaled a great deal of smoke last night, her hands are damaged, and then there is the small matter of someone attempting to take her life.” And I should have thought of all those things before I made love to her.
Chadley nodded.
Marcus wanted to walk back out the door and track her down; however, as he had no idea where she had gone, his search would be fruitless. He would have plenty to say to the reckless Miss Radley when she returned. He’d thought she was in bed when he left the house, the bed they’d shared until dawn, when instead she was up and gone early.
“Lord Needly.” The elderly gentleman named Dandy approached him. “We are grateful to you for allowing us into your home.”
Marcus waved the words aside. “Are you comfortable, is there anything you need?”
“No indeed, everyone has been very kind.”
“Excellent,” Marcus said, feeling uncomfortable about the fact that he had always had so much and this man so little. “I shall be in my study, Chadley. Please send Miss Radley there upon her return, and then send in tea.”
Marcus tried to concentrate on the papers on his desk, but he didn’t feel his shoulders relax until he heard her knock on his door.
“Enter!” It was a bark, as his spleen was now well and truly boiled.
“You wished to see me, Lord Needly?”
She wore an ugly brown dress that was too big and hung in folds around her slender body. Her hair was pinned to the top of her head. Marcus wondered if she even had a bonnet, and realized she probably did not. On her feet were boots that looked like they had belonged to a man or boy. She was pale and had dark smudges beneath her eyes, and he realized she probably had no coat either. Why this thought enraged him, he had no idea, as it was hardly her fault. But as he had so much and had always taken that fact for granted, his anger was now fueled by guilt also. Then there was the small matter of the bolt of lust he’d felt when he’d first seen her, which was ridiculous, considering how she looked.
“Please take a seat.” He rose and waved her to the one opposite his.
She didn’t meet his eyes, and he knew she was as uncomfortable as he was after what they had shared. He wondered how that was possible, when last night he had felt like she was a part of him.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Charlotte battled the wave of color that heated her cheeks as she looked at the man who had made her feel so much last night. He had taken her to the stars and back and given her more than she ever believed she would experience in her life. He’d touched her soul, and looking into that hard, closed face, she knew the feelings had been hers alone.
When she walked away from him for the last time, she would at least have her memories, and while that should make her happy, it did not. Because now she knew what would be missing in her life for the rest of her days. Charlotte may have been innocent, but she knew that only this man could make her feel the passion and ecstasy she had felt last night. Because as she walked around the streets of London today, she had come to the realization that what she felt for Marcus was now a great deal more than something as simple as respect.
She’d woken to an empty bed and felt foolish at her disappointment. He was a viscount, she the bastard child of a duke. There was no future for them, even though for a brief moment last night, she had thought there may be.
“I believe Dandy told you the fire was deliberately lit, Charlotte.”
“Yes, my lord, it was.” She had called him Marcus last night, but he did not ask her to do so now. There was no gentle lover evident in any of the hard planes of his face. Was he regretting last night? Had she been a disappointment to him?
“And did someone attempt to abduct you off the street not long ago?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“And it’s your belief you have more than one enemy out there somewhere?”
“I—ah, yes.” She wasn’t sure where these questions were leading, but the anger in his tone suggested they would get there soon.
“Look at me, Charlotte.”
She hadn’t even realized she’d looked away.
“You left the protection of my house this morning, alone, knowing there are people out there who wish you dead. Again your actions are irresponsible and foolish.” His words were clipped.
“I needed to secure lodgings, Lord Needly, and I could not do so from my bed.” She felt her anger rise. Did he think she was not aware of the danger, had not wondered if one day whoever intended her harm would succeed? Unlike him, she did not have money or possessions to fall back on. She’d had to leave the house.
“I told you last night I would help you.”
“We have inconvenienced you enough, and this is my problem, and these are my people. Therefore, I will handle it.” She rose to her feet, wanting to get away from him and his cold, dismissive attitude. Charlotte had her pride, and she would not remain in the room to be lectured by a man who last night had held her as if she were his most treasured possession. She would not show him that her heart was now lying broken and bleeding at his noble feet.
He promised you nothing, Charlotte, she reminded herself.
“You will not leave this house without an escort again, Charlotte.”
“I will not hide simply because someone wants me dead. Now, if that is all, I shall leave you.” She had reached the door before he stopped her.
“That is not all, so dismissing me like a child will not work.”
He turned her and suddenly her back was against the door and he loomed over her, his body pressed to hers.
“You little fool, have you no regard for your safety?”
“Release me, Lord Needly.”
“Never.” His lips punished hers and in seconds, Charlotte felt the flood of wicked heat begin to fill her body, but this time, she fought against it, pushing at his shoulders for release.
“Don’t fight me,” he breathed against her lips, and she felt her knees buckle.
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“We cannot have this… Do that again.”
“Yes.” One of his hands stole up her body to cup a breast, and she felt the flesh yield and swell to meet his touch. “We can and will.”
“I must go,” she whispered, even as one of her hands curled around his neck.
“You are not going back out there.”
She felt his fingers on her bodice, easing the buttons open, his lips followed, licking, kissing the tops of her breasts, and she felt her resistance flee.
“I will give you money and a house. Let me protect you, Charlotte, let me give you more of what we shared last night.”
“No!” Charlotte found the strength to push him backward as his words doused her passion.
“I want you safe and happy. Will you not let me help you achieve that state? Will you not let me give you what you have never had, Charlotte?”
It would be so easy for her to say yes, she thought, looking into the eyes of the man she loved. If Charlotte agreed, then they could be together… but for how long? What would happen when he married? Surely it would be too painful to bear, knowing he would have children with another woman and share his home with her when Charlotte could have nothing more than a few snatched hours of shame?
“You are offering me something I can never take,” Charlotte whispered. “I will never be a mistress like my mother.” Wrenching open the door, she ran from the room. Picking up her skirts, she headed for the stairs, reaching the room she had slept in last night. She shut and locked the door.
I have to leave here now, or he will wear me down and I will eventually yield, simply because I can no longer resist him. If that happens, then I will grow to loathe Marcus almost as much as I would come to loathe myself.
She was composed when Fred knocked on her door. He looked happy and healthy, and the clothes he wore were too big, but they were clean.
“I slid down the banister, and the footman caught me, Charlotte.”
“What wonderful fun.” Charlotte forced a smile onto her face.
He lowered his head briefly before looking at her again, and she knew the signs. He wanted to ask her something that he thought she would not want to hear.
“Tell me,” she said.
“They offered me a position here, but I don’t want to leave you.”
Charlotte wanted to rub the pain his words had caused from her chest. Instead, she smiled as widely as she could, and then stood to hug him.
“But you must take it if you want it, Fred. I shall settle nearby, and we will see each other every day, and you can call for tea on your days off. We shall have grand fun exploring London and all the places we have not yet seen.”
“Really? Do you promise?” He looked up at her, eyes hopeful.
“Of course,” she lied. “This is a wonderful opportunity for you, and you must take it.”
“They offered Dandy a place in the kitchens too.”
Dear Lord, she was losing them both.
“Now my day is complete,” she cried, hugging him once more when inside she wanted to cry.
He left her then, happy with her words and unaware she was raw and aching inside. Washing her face, she composed herself before she left the room.
“Can I be of service to you, Miss Radley?”
The butler approached her as she reached the front door.
“No, thank you, Chadley, I have a few errands that need my attention, and will return in time for the evening meal.”
“I shall have a maid accompany you.”
“No, I have no need of company, but thank you.” Charlotte smiled as he opened the door for her and didn’t start running until she had walked out the gates and into the street.
She would visit her old home first, see if anything was left behind after the fire. Perhaps something could be salvaged? Something hidden in the charred remains of the life she had led for so many years? Thimble Lane may not have been the most desirable location in London, but it had been her first home, and she would miss it.
With no money for a hackney, Charlotte walked, and as she did, thoughts tumbled through her head. Visions of last night, visions of Fred and Dandy and the times they had shared together. Nothing stayed the same, she knew that, but she’d wanted it to just this once. She would miss them dearly.
“Dear Lord, Charlotte, you are a fool,” she whispered, turning into Thimble Lane. “Surely by now you have realized that happily ever after is not something that happens to you.”
The smell of smoke was strong, and the lane, which was usually filled with people and noise, was quiet today. Lifting a hand as she saw one of the girls who had often spent time in her house, she moved on, and minutes later, she stood before the charred remains of her home.
It had not been much, but it had been hers and hers alone. Charlotte was proud of what she’d achieved there, and while she’d lived there no one had had control over her. Her decisions had been hers alone.
Lifting her skirts, she placed a foot on the blackened remains, but before she took another, a hand had gripped her arm, and Charlotte could do nothing to stop the cloth covering her mouth.
Marcus was still in his study four hours later, simply because he did not want to see Charlotte, coward that he was. He had not meant his proposal to sound as if he were asking her to be his mistress, but in hindsight realized it had sounded exactly like that. Considering her mother had been her father’s mistress, he knew he had insulted her.
He wanted to protect her and nothing more. Wanted her to finally have some security in her life, and instead, he had hurt her. She did not deserve that from him. Charlotte had given herself to him last night and he had shown her how much that meant to him by yelling at her and then offering her an insulting proposition. One moment he felt like he was standing on his head, the next his feet when he was with her. He had no idea how to communicate to Charlotte how he felt.
“What the hell do I do with her now?” Marcus said to the empty room.
What do you want to do?
He didn’t want to let her go, he realized in a rush of honesty. The thought of never seeing Charlotte again terrified him. Not having her anger turned on him, seeing the sparks of irritation in her eyes or having that sweet mouth under his was not something he ever wanted to contemplate.
“I will talk to her,” Marcus muttered, getting to his feet. Before he could open the door, a knocked sounded. Hoping that Charlotte would be standing there, he opened it quickly.
“Fred has just informed me that Miss Radley has not returned, my Lord, and he and Mr. Dandy fear she has met some trouble.”
“How long has she been gone?” Marcus felt his body go cold as he looked into the solemn face of the boy.
“Many hours, my lord.”
“Why did you not inform me sooner, Fred?” He hadn’t meant to raise his voice but saw the boy flinch. “Forgive me, I did not mean to upset you.”
“No, ’tis all right.” The boy swallowed. “But I was in the stables helping out and learning my new position.”
Marcus nodded. It was Chadley who had approached him about taking on the boy and Dandy, but he had not spoken with Charlotte yet about the matter.
“And you have looked in her room, and questioned the staff, Chadley? No one has seen Miss Radley?”
“They have not, my lord.” His butler looked grave.
Going back to his desk, Marcus dashed off three notes and handed them to the butler. “Deliver these to the Lords of Night Street, and then have my horse saddled.”
“I shall head out now,” Fred said, preparing to leave.
“Not alone, you won’t.” Marcus stopped him and the boy turned and gave him a steady look.
“I lived on the streets for many years before Charlotte took me in, my lord. I know them better than most.”
“She will kill me if I let anything happen to you,” Marcus said. “So you can come with me.”
Someone knocked on his front door, and Chadley hurried to open it. All of them hoped that Charlott
e would be waiting when he did so, and Marcus would be the first to yell at her for scaring him.
“Dolly!” Fred hurried to stand beside Chadley when he saw the woman who stood there.
“Oh, Freddy, something terrible has happened to Miss Radley.”
“What has happened?” Marcus spoke the words over Fred’s head, his eyes fastened on the woman.
“A man, he drugged her and took her away before any of us could stop him.”
Marcus listened as the woman explained what she had seen.
“I’m going with Dolly,” Fred said, but before he could step out the door, Marcus had stopped him.
“If you go with Dolly, you’ll take one of my footmen with you.”
The boy nodded reluctantly.
Selecting the youngest and fastest of his staff, he sent him with Fred and Dolly.
“I need a jacket, Chadley,” Marcus said, running back into his office, where he pulled out his pistol and a bag of money before returning to the entrance. Seconds later, he was on his horse, galloping through the streets of London.
He arrived in Night Street as Leo and Jacob did. Nick was already there.
“Charlotte has been abducted,” Marcus said. “She was drugged and taken before anyone could intercede.”
“From your house? Jacob asked.
“No, Thimble Lane. A woman who lives there saw it happen but could not get there quick enough to help.”
“All right, let’s work out what we know and go from there.”
“We don’t know anything!” Marcus roared in response to Jacob’s words. “She left the house four hours ago after we argued, and no one even realized she had not returned.” He started to pace as the fear gripped him. His chest felt tight, palms sweaty.
“Argued?” Leo looked at him, and Marcus turned away, wishing he’d kept his mouth closed about that. Ignoring him, he said, “Fred, the boy who lived with Charlotte, has gone looking for her, with the woman who alerted us to her kidnapping, and one of my footmen is accompanying him.”