Ghost of Christmas Past

by King, Rebecca

  “Quite,” Rupert said with a firm nod. “You should feel free to live wherever makes you happy, Thea, with whoever makes you happy.”

  She turned her head to look at him and he gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “You really must start to accept that you are not alone, Thea. We are here and more than happy to give you any help and support you need.” Rupert sensed rather than saw John’s nod of agreement.

  “Thank you. I had no idea about Weatherby,” she whispered, too choked with emotion to say much more. She wondered what she had done in life to deserve two such wonderful men in her life and could only thank heaven that they were a part of her life.

  “I want you to consider moving out of the hunting lodge, Thea,” John sighed and hoped that Rupert would understand.

  “I like the little hunting lodge in Leicestershire. It may be a bit remote but it gives me the chance to enjoy walks in the countryside and has been a home to me. It has been the first home I have ever had really.”

  “I know that it was your haven at a time when you needed peace and solitude to aid your recovery, but you cannot remain there forevermore, you know that.”

  “What do you mean?” Her stomach began to knot with sickening dread at the thought that he was going to ask her to leave.

  “I mean that at some point you need to re-join society, if only to prove to everyone that you are fully recovered and just as beautiful as ever,” John replied softly.

  “You want me to move to Mayfair?” she asked incredulously already shaking her head in disbelief. The thought of re-joining the whirl of balls and routs filled her with horror and she glanced at Rupert in panic. It was something that she had never thought she would ever need to think about. Now that her uncle mentioned it though, Rupert was a Samuels and, at some point, when his work with the Star Elite was over, he would most probably want to re-join the social whirl.

  “I would like you to stay here for a while and enjoy the sights and sounds of London with me when I am up and about,” John suggested with a wry smile. “I am sure when Rupert’s work is done he wouldn’t mind accompanying us.”

  Rupert smiled. “I should love to show you London, Thea. However I warn you now that I have no intention of joining the Ton again, so absolutely refuse here and now to escort you to any balls or musicals. I am a completely different person to the man I was back then and am not interested in any of the narcissistic social endeavours most of high society consider acceptable.”

  Thea almost wept with relief and visibly slumped before she jerked back to look up at him. “I should like to go to the theatre though, and I only had a few short hours to pack. I have forgotten a few things so need to do some shopping at some point.”

  Rupert sighed and rolled his eyes but did so with amused patience. He loved the familiar way she was behaving and at that moment knew that he could deny her nothing. “While you draw up your list of things that you would like to do, I will take my place on watch and we can leave your uncle to get some sleep. By the sound of it, he will need as much rest as he can get.”

  “I do need to go shopping though,” Thea persisted. “I know that you said I should remain indoors for the time being but I was a little panic stricken when I was packing and didn’t bring everything I need.”

  Now that she had managed to get her emotions under control the thought of being able to experience the theatre, and see the River Thames, made her excitement grow.

  Rupert studied her for several moments, aware that she was plotting all of the things she would like to do. If he was honest, he wanted to be the one to show her everything, not John. In that moment he felt his frustration grow at the slow pace of the investigation into Fornier. He wanted to hurry it along a little and bring it to a conclusion so that he could get on with the rest of his life. He now knew that his future didn’t include the Star Elite, but was very firmly linked with the woman who was now by his side. He had lost her once. A cruel twist of fate had driven them apart for four long years. It was surreal to think that another cruel twist of fate had brought them back together again.

  This time though nothing, and nobody, was going to drive them apart.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Later that morning, Thea sat at the desk in her uncle’s study and began to write a list of things she needed from the shops. There were many things on there that in all conscience she couldn’t ask Rupert to get for her and, as she wrote, she found herself filled with enthusiasm to go out and venture into the world to find what she needed.

  “What are you doing?” Rupert asked quietly from the doorway. He had just completed a tour of the house and was happy that everything was secure. Lucas was on watch at the rear of the house and Jacob was out front somewhere, only heaven only knew where. The rest of the Star Elite were searching the docklands for sign of the carriage. For now, there was very little for Rupert to do.

  She turned toward him with a smile. “I am just making a list of things that I need from the shops.”

  Rupert moved toward the desk and propped his hips against the highly polished surface while he scanned the sheaf of papers that contained several other lists.

  “Theatre, the Thames, the Piccadilly Arcade?” He lifted his brows and grinned at her rather sheepish look.

  “I am just curious,” she defended.

  “You will be off shopping for life,” he replied dryly and dropped the lists back on the table.

  “I have drawn up a list of things I need but I am not sure where I should go for them.”

  “Regent Street,” he replied. “There are lots of shops there which should be able to provide you with anything you need.”

  She moved in her seat and winced as her legs protested.

  “Are you alright?”

  “I am used to taking a daily walk in the country.”

  “To get out and enjoy the fresh air,” he added gently.

  “Being able to walk around by myself was a major achievement, so I took to walking short distances to begin with but then gradually built it up. I am just a little stiff because I haven’t been able to take my daily walk.”

  Rupert nodded his understanding. There was no accusation or regret in her voice, really just mild acceptance and he could only wonder at her strength and good nature that would not allow even a little bitterness over her injuries.

  He quickly came to a decision and rapped his knuckles on her lists. “Get your cloak. I think we could both do with a bit of fresh air.”

  “Now?” Hope filled her face with such speed that he felt a wave of tenderness sweep through him. She looked like a little girl who had just been given a new toy. “Can we? I mean, is it safe?”

  “Thea, there are men out front and back keeping watch. We won’t go far. There is a small park directly opposite that we can walk around. As long as you don’t do anything stupid and wander off by yourself there should be very little risk.” He didn’t add that the park was accessed only by the owners of the houses that surrounded it. It was usually kept under lock and key and protected by high walls and thick bushes that prevented anyone looking in from the road. It wasn’t all that big, and was by no means able to match a long walk in the country, but at least it was somewhere she could walk without the threat of danger.

  While Thea went to fetch her cloak, Rupert took the opportunity to tell the startled butler where they were going and reported to Marcus, who merely nodded and told him to enjoy himself. By the time Thea made her way carefully down stairs he was beside the front door waiting for her.

  In spite of the relaxed nature of their outing, she went tense as soon as the door opened, but she couldn’t see outside at first because Rupert was in the way. She realised that he was just doing his job and ensuring that they were safe, but a small part of her wanted to nudge him out of the way so she could close the door. Still, she remained quiet and allowed him to do his job, and only followed him out of the house when he gave her a nod to say that it was safe.

  It felt strange to walk the short distance to the p
ark arm in arm with him. They passed a tall gentleman whose cane tap-tapped on the pavement as he walked toward them but neither of them paid him much attention, they were too busy enjoying the rare treat. As she walked, her legs trembled a little at the lack of exercise but nothing in the world was going to stop her from enjoying this time with Rupert. He shortened his gait to accommodate her shorter legs and, if his deep sigh of contentment was any indication, seemed to be enjoying the outing as much as she was.

  Once in the park he closed the gate behind them but, rather than holding his elbow out, he took her hand in his and ambled along beside her.

  “Have you found the owner of the carriage last night?” She kept her voice low in case anyone overheard them but there was nobody else in the small rectangle of parkland. The edges of the area were festooned with laurel bushes, roses and trees and blocked them from view of anyone who may be walking the paths on the other sides. As they circuited the grass she began to relax and sighed as the sunlight basked her face. In spite of the cool air that bit her cheeks, she began to grow warm.

  He smiled down at her and drew her closer to his side. “The men are trying to find it as we speak. It is confirmed that the driver is the same man who shot your uncle and we firmly believe that it is the French spy we are trying to find. Just let us deal with it, Thea. We have spent a long time on this and have never failed in catching our man yet.”

  “I know, I wasn’t prying, I just wondered if my fear the other night was just me being a silly goose that’s all.”

  Rupert drew her to a stop and turned to study her. “No it wasn’t you, Thea. Your instincts were accurate and you were right to call for help. I just didn’t realise that he was still in the area. The men on watch outside did see him and followed, but lost in him around Regent’s park. The carriage was black, without markings, and at some point he must have changed his top hat with something else because he just vanished into the main flow of traffic. We know which area of London he calls home though. It is just a case of now of finding him and getting the men into place.”

  “What will you do then? I mean, what comes after that? Do you go on to another mission or are there more murderous Frenchmen out there?”

  Rupert knew that she wanted to know if they had a future together and resolved to do whatever it took to make sure she knew just how precious she was to him.

  “The war is coming to an end, you know that. The broadsheets are all full of it. I am pleased to say that the Star Elite have rounded up all but one of the French spies, and someone who is their financier. We know who they are and where to find them, it is just a matter of making sure that we find out whom all of their contacts are so nothing like this ever happens again. However, once the country is rid of French spies, the Star Elite will move on to work in other areas. There are already men working on several projects involving criminal gangs of pickpockets and thieves, and someone else who is up to other crimes. Our work will continue for many years yet, but as for me,” he sighed and studied the carriage that rumbled past. The huge gold crest that adorned the door assured him that Lord Falconer posed no risk, and he turned his attention back to Thea. “I think it is about time that I made a long awaited journey home to Bainbridge. My father has sent many requests for me to pay a visit, and I must say that I am curious to see him again. I also have a few questions about what happened four years ago, and I am sure you do too.”

  Thea frowned at that, not entirely sure that she did. After all, she had no idea how much pressure had been exerted on him to get him to agree to the wedding in the first place. “I don’t know really, I think that you should make your father a happy man and go home. Whatever plans he and Uncle John made between them, they did it with the best of intentions.”

  Rupert nodded. “I think that I need to lay a few ghosts of my own at rest now,” he sighed. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Star Elite. I know it sounds bizarre because it has been fraught with danger, exhausting, and often relentless, but I am glad that I have had the chance to experience it. I am a much stronger man who has learnt a lot during my time a way. There are parts of it that I wished I didn’t know but, nevertheless, I am much more confident with who I am and much more definite about what I want.” The intent in his words made his voice husky and he looked at her steadily to make sure that there was no misunderstanding.

  Thea felt herself blush and a wild thrill of anticipation swept through her at the intent look in his eyes. She didn’t object when he drew them to a stop and turned her to face him. In spite of the fact that they were standing in full view of anyone who entered the park, he drew her into his arms.

  “I think that it would be entirely foolish of me to take this wonderful opportunity we have been given for granted a second time. One thing that I have learned in the last four years is that time is very precious indeed and circumstances can often spiral out of your control in ways that you don’t expect. If you don’t appreciate your life and the people in it then you can spend your days regretting your arrogance. That’s what I have done each and every day that we have been apart Thea. I have bitterly regretted the way that things were between us. If only we had talked we could have cleared up the misunderstandings between us and you wouldn’t have felt the need to run from me when you suffered your horrendous injuries.”

  “I was injured but thought that you wanted Barbara.”

  “I couldn’t believe that you would climb into my bed. I wanted you to,” he smiled ruefully at her. “You were beautiful, and a lady and I wanted you desperately. In my defence though, I seriously considered that such wanton behaviour was out of character for you and just assumed that it was Barbara. She had been less than happy that I had told her our association was at an end and she was definitely the type of person who wouldn’t hesitate to do such a thing just to prove she had a hold on me.”

  “It’s all been a terrible misunderstanding,” she whispered and with a thrill of anticipation, watched his head lower towards hers.

  The first brush of his lips against hers felt terribly wanton, especially given that they were outside, in full view of anyone who might be passing. Still, at that moment she didn’t care one bit what anyone thought. The warm brush of his lips felt petal soft, and the now familiar warmth of anticipation begin to unfurl deep within her.

  “Thea,” he growled and tried desperately to remember where they were. The urge to draw her into his arms was so strong that he found himself leaning forward until she had to tip her head back.

  “Ahem.”

  Thea jumped. Rupert’s head jerked up and he glanced at the elderly gent whose tap-tapping of the cane he carried had done little to break the sensual hold that had settled over both Thea and Rupert. He lifted his head and muttered an apology only to stare at the man as he wandered past. As he drew close to Rupert, he gave his colleague a wink.

  Rupert bit his lip but couldn’t contain the grin as he nodded once to Jacob who, with a nod at Thea, ambled past without a care in the world.

  When Thea opened her mouth to speak, Rupert sensed her question but didn’t want to answer it in the middle of the park. Instead he held his elbow out to her and nodded toward Ridings.

  “I don’t know about you but I think that we should head back.” It felt good to know that at least one of his associates within the Star Elite was within close range. Jacob was known to be good with disguises but Rupert had to admit that he didn’t see through the elderly gent attire his colleague had adopted. If Jacob hadn’t made his presence known, Rupert would never have given the elderly man a second glance, but then his attention had been more than adequately diverted to the woman by his side.

  “I think that a warm cup of hot chocolate by the fire sounds wonderful right now,” Thea sighed feeling a little dazed by what had just happened. She felt as though she was floating on a cloud as she wandered back across the park with Rupert by her side and didn’t want the moment to end. It was more than she had ever dreamed of, and she felt infinitely safer and more protect
ed than she had ever felt taking her regular walks around the countryside.

  As they crossed the road and turned into the narrow path that led to Ridings front door the steady clip-clop of hooves drew his attention. The now familiar coachman, complete with top hat, turned into the road. Rupert didn’t want to scare Thea or break the relaxed atmosphere the walk had created, and instead glanced at Jacob who was heading out of the park gate closest to them. Rupert looked from Jacob to the coachman and back to Jacob and knew that his signal had been received. That was their target. Memories of the night John was shot swam in Rupert’s mind and he hurried up the stone steps after Thea.

  With Thea safely in the hall, Rupert didn’t close the door completely and left it open an inch so that he could peer through the narrow gap and watch the carriage roll past. The coachman looked at the house and Rupert knew in that instant that it wasn’t Fornier driving. It was someone who worked for Fornier. Whether he was the coachman who had been in Leicestershire, and outside the other night, had yet to be discovered, but it was irrelevant really. He knew that Luke lay in wait further down the road and would follow the carriage doggedly until he found out where it was kept and just who was driving.

  Satisfied that the investigation was progressing nicely, Rupert closed the door and went in search of Thea and some hot chocolate.

  Later that night, Rupert watched the carriage disappear out of the yard. Men from the Star Elite were on horseback and ready to follow where it went, but it wasn’t the carriage that kept his interest, it was the rather small man who had just had a long conversation with the coachman. He had no doubt that he was looking at the Frenchman they were after: Fornier. Although he had been too far away to hear what had been discussed, it was of little consequence. The Frenchman had been found and could now be followed. Once the Star Elite had information on where he was using as a base, they could take steps to remove him from being any kind of threat to anyone, and then get on with their lives.