“Come with me,” Regina said. “My next task is to teach you how to defend yourself.”
Regina led her to the large room where she practiced Wing Chun and spent the next half hour teaching Claudine simple moves to ward off an attacker, so she could make a fast escape. She proved to be a quick study.
Since they had no way of knowing how long Claudine would be a guest at Wedmore House, Regina decided it was best to inform Aunt Beatrice about their visitor sooner rather than later. The three women retired to the drawing room to wait for Aunt Beatrice and Sophia to return from the lecture at the British Museum. Evangeline took the time to tell Claudine about their unusual living situation and unconventional kin.
“Your great-aunt sounds delightful,” Claudine said.
When Sophia and Aunt Beatrice returned at half past two that afternoon, Crispin said his good-byes at the door, much to Regina’s relief. She didn’t know how she would explain Claudine’s presence or appearance, and she worried he might accidentally let word slip that the actress was staying as their guest. Aunt Beatrice and Sophia entered the drawing room arm-in-arm.
“I am done in to a cow’s thumb,” Aunt Beatrice declared. “I couldn’t catch a wink the entire lecture with that old man elbowing me in the side every time I nodded off.”
“That wasn’t a man, Auntie. It was Mrs. Walton.”
Aunt Beatrice snorted and waved her hand in the air. “Oh, yes. Margaret Walton née Paulson. The poor dear was one of six daughters, and any one of them could have passed for a boy. If their mother had dressed them in short pants, no one would have been any wiser.”
“Until their wedding nights,” Evangeline said.
Aunt Beatrice frowned. “I suppose I hadn’t considered the moment of consummation, but point well made.”
Regina smiled at Claudine sitting on the settee across from her. “You were warned.”
“We have a guest?” Sophia’s voice held a note of wariness as she studied Claudine’s battered face.
“Allow me to present Claudine Bellerose,” Regina said. “She will be staying with us for a time.”
“She is an actress,” Evangeline added.
Aunt Beatrice gasped, her face alight with pleasure. “Oh, I do love the theatre. How marvelous to have an actress lodging with us. Welcome, Madame Bellerose.”
“Merci, Madame Allred.”
“And she is French.” Aunt Beatrice’s whisper was meant for Sophia’s ears, but it carried in the small room. “Everyone calls me Aunt Beatrice, dear. I insist you do as well. I look forward to visiting over dinner this evening unless you are expected at the theatre.”
Claudine was perched on the edge of the settee with her hands folded in her lap. “No, ma’am. I am not expected on stage this evening.”
“Splendid. Now if you will excuse me, it is time for my afternoon rest.”
Sophia glanced back and forth between Regina, Evangeline, and Claudine with a puzzled wrinkle to her brow. “Let me see you settled above stairs, Auntie.”
Aunt Beatrice continued to chatter as Sophia led her away. “An actress at Wedmore House. Can you imagine? She must have arrived in a hurry. She is still in stage make-up.”
Regina apologized to Claudine. “Our aunt’s eyesight is failing, and she has never been known to censor what she says. We have always loved her forthright manner, but it doesn’t suit everyone.”
Claudine smiled. “She is genuine and gracious. Two fine qualities for a lady to have.”
“She could talk someone into old age,” Evangeline said, “and she will have many questions about the theatre. If you need rescue, mention the weather, and we will intervene.”
“I could discuss the theatre for hours. Perhaps your aunt will need rescuing.”
Regina grudgingly admitted Claudine didn’t fit the image she’d always held of actresses from watching them flirt with gentlemen in the Grand Saloon. The woman was surprisingly humble.
Claudine covered a yawn with her fingertips. “Excuse me. Recent events have taken a toll.”
“If you would like to retire to the guest room, we won’t be offended,” Regina said. She was eager to question Sophia about the lecture, and there were still a few shelves to clear in the library.
Claudine agreed a rest would be appreciated and declined Evangeline’s offer to assist her on the stairs. She and Sophia met at the doorway as Regina’s sister returned from tucking in Aunt Beatrice. The actress exchanged a brief greeting with Sophia before going.
Regina bounced up from the chair. “Let’s talk in the library while we finish searching the books.”
Her sisters followed in her wake and set to work right away.
Regina climbed the ladder to begin grabbing books from the shelves. “How was the lecture?”
Sophia took up position at the table to fan through the books. “The lecture was surprisingly interesting and well attended. There were at least two dozen members in the audience.”
“Oh, that is a lot of people to remember.”
Sophia lifted a book from the pile on the table and rattled off a long list of names with impressive speed. “I’m not including Margrave, Auntie, and myself.”
“Your recall never ceases to amaze me. How do you do it?”
“I pretend to host a dinner party,” Sophia said with a shrug. “I created a seating chart in my mind. One must be careful when seating guests. I certainly wouldn’t want Lords Corby and Ledbery in close proximity to one another. They chattered the whole lecture and were quite distracting. Oh, I did forget one. Lord Geoffrey was present.”
“How was Margrave?” Evangeline accepted a book from Regina and added it to the stack in her arms.
“As brooding as ever, but I didn’t mind as much since he kept Lord Geoffrey in his place. Margrave claims he is fulfilling his promise to Uncle Charles to keep watch over me this Season.”
“Has he heard from Uncle Charles?” Regina asked.
“No. Apparently, our uncle isn’t writing to anyone. None of his colleagues at the lecture have heard from him either.” Sophia grabbed another book to flip through. “Uncle Charles spoke with Margrave before leaving England, although I don’t know why our uncle would specifically request Margrave watch over me and not all of us.”
With arms laden, Evangeline shuffled toward the table. “Perhaps because it is your first Season, which leads me to believe he had no intention of returning. He is close to discovering something monumental. I know it. All this time searching for a map is a waste of time. Uncle Charles has it with him.” She dropped the books on the table with a bang. “He is seeking evidence of the Black Death’s existence.”
Sophia stuck out her tongue and made a gagging noise. “Every time you mention that name, I think of rats.”
What if Evangeline was correct? This could be a waste of time, and they didn’t have much left.
Regina descended the ladder to join her sisters at the table. “Do you really believe the man who hired Farrin is interested in proving the Black Death is not a myth?”
“Every antiquarian’s dream is to uncover that which everyone else believes is a fantasy.” Evangeline’s wide blue eyes sparkled. “It would be like discovering Atlantis was a real city or finding the Holy Grail. I know others are interested, or they will be once they realize the group is not a myth.”
“How can you be sure?” Sophia asked.
“There were rumors the leader of the Black Death kept a fortress in the mountains. Uncle Charles never named his source, but he was allowed to examine a letter from one of the source’s ancestors. Only one person, a French knight, spoke of having ever seen the stronghold. He said the battlements were barely visible among the clouds, and the castle walls were at least twenty feet thick. In the noble knight’s estimation, the fortress was impenetrable.”
“Do Uncle Charles’s notes indicate which mountains or where to search?”
“The broad area, yes. If he was able to identify the exact mountain, he must have the information with him.�
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Regina tapped the tip of her finger against her chin as she digested the information. Xavier needed a map to use as leverage to find out who was responsible for the threats against their families, and Regina wanted to it removed from Wedmore House. Farrin probably wouldn’t know a fake from the legitimate one. As long as he collected his fee, why should he care where the map led? If it showed a location within the general vicinity of where the group might have settled, it shouldn’t alert the buyer to the map being a forgery either. Although, even if the buyer did recognize it for a fake, perhaps it would achieve what Xavier wanted. It could draw the rat out of hiding.
“I have an idea.”
Twenty-nine
After Xavier settled into his rooms at the hotel, he visited the print shop to order calling cards that reflected his change in residence. And since it was vitally important to give the impression he was permanently entrenched at the Pulteney, he stopped at the closest coffeehouse to engage in discourse with several groups over a two-hour span, dropping his name and telling everyone he’d just taken rooms at the hotel. He was easily the most obnoxious popinjay in the all male crowd, which would ensure at least a few would mention him outside of the establishment.
Once he was satisfied he’d done his best to advertise his whereabouts, he made his way back to Wedmore House to check the progress on finding the map. He’d also promised to inform Regina of what had transpired with Claudine earlier, although he expected she’d gathered the story from the actress already.
Cupid greeted him at the door, his sharp yipping muffled by the thick wood. When no one answered his repeated knocks, he let himself inside and snatched the dog in his arms before the little rogue had a chance to defile his trouser leg. “You are a scamp and an incompetent butler, my friend. I think you would allow anyone to walk in the door.”
As a precaution, Xavier turned the lock and went in search of the ladies of Wedmore House. He found Regina and Sophia huddled around Evangeline at the table in the library. Their aunt and Claudine were missing, and he suspected both ladies were resting above stairs.
Sophia tapped her finger to the paper in front of Evangeline. “There is a sandy plain here, and then the mountain range runs toward the west and south coasts.”
His pulse skipped. “Did you find the map?”
The women startled and whipped their heads around to gawk at him.
“Xavier Vistoire.” Regina wrinkled her nose at him. “You scared us.”
“My apologies. No one came to the door when I knocked, except my little friend here. You really should remember to lock the door.”
“Mrs. Cox and Cook have gone to the market,” Sophia said.
He set Cupid on a chair by the window and approached the table so he could look over Evangeline’s shoulder. As he’d hoped, the Darlington sisters were discussing a map, but the quill in Evangeline’s hand puzzled him. “What do you have happening here? Are you altering the map? Where did you find it?”
Regina’s smile was much too sweet. “I will tell you all about it. Just one moment, please. Was there anything else, Sophia?”
Her sister shook her head. “We’ve captured everything. I am certain.”
“Very good. Please proceed Evangeline.”
Regina’s sister sanded the paper and waved her hand over the top with a dramatic flourish. “I give you Uncle Charles’s map.” She pushed from the table and stood, allowing Xavier a better view of the drawing.
He scrunched his brow as he read the title scrawled across the top of the roughly drawn map. “Sinai Peninsula.”
Regina handed him the map. “Evangeline has perfected our uncle’s hand, so even if Farrin’s buyer is familiar with Uncle Charles, he won’t guess it is a forgery.”
“What are you suggesting?” He dropped the map on the table and crossed his arms.
She imitated him, crossing her own arms and notching her chin. “I’m suggesting a solution to keep my family safe. We have searched every hiding spot in Wedmore House and found nothing. Only three days remain to uncover something that isn’t here. It is time to alter our strategy.”
Sophia linked arms with Evangeline. “Perhaps we should give the two of you a moment alone.” Before he or Regina could respond, the ladies hurried for the library door.
Color had risen in Regina’s face, and her eyes had assumed the feverish gleam that came when she was agitated or excited. “I want Farrin to call off his men, so we have to make him believe the map is not at Wedmore House. This is a business venture for Farrin. As long as he produces a map for his buyer, he will receive his reward. He has no way to know it is a fake, and we doubt the buyer does either.”
“You don’t know that for certain.”
“It is a gamble, but I see no other choice. You can withhold the forgery for information just as well as the real one.”
Xavier pinched the bridge of his nose to stem the pressure building behind his eyes. Perhaps she was right about Farrin not knowing details about the map, but he would know what area of the world it should depict. If the blackguard realized he was being duped, he wouldn’t hesitate to kill every one of them.
“How do you know the Sinai Peninsula is the right place?”
She explained Evangeline’s belief that someone else wanted access to the map Charles Wedmore was using to pinpoint the location of his next big discovery. “Uncle Charles’s notes indicate the Black Death originated in Egypt. He has reliable evidence they had a fortress in the mountains of Sinai. He has done extensive study, and Uncle Charles is rarely wrong about these sorts of things. Sophia saw a map of the Third Crusade at a lecture today. Our map might not lead anyone to the Black Death, but it is an accurate depiction of the area. There are no mistakes.”
“And you trust her memory?”
“Explicitly when it comes to matters like this. You would as well if you’d grown up with her. She never forgets anything she sees.”
“I understand your desire to protect your family,” he said. “I want it as well, but there are three more days to search. Couldn’t we give ourselves at least one more day to be certain?”
“No. Lord Margrave arrived with our special license this morning, and he arranged for a vicar to come at nine o’clock tomorrow. We could reschedule, but I’m afraid I don’t want to wait.”
He blinked. A smile eased across his face as he realized her meaning.
She plopped into the chair her sister had vacated and gazed up at him with a look of misery that made his heart ache. “I’m sorry about what I said about the gold coin and post coach. I didn’t mean—”
“I know what you meant, Regina.” He snagged a chair to sit close and playfully squeezed her knee. “And I’m certain there will be some days when you will want to be rid of me. That seems to be a common sentiment among those who know me.”
Her throat convulsed as she swallowed. She turned her palms toward his to link fingers. “I don’t want to be rid of you. Quite the opposite. I was afraid if I admitted to loving you, perhaps I would never have the chance to tell you again.”
“I will never leave you. I don’t have the willpower.” He leaned toward her. The faint notes of her citrus and spice soap teased him. “You have become part of me. I cannot walk away without losing a piece of myself, even though I know you don’t deserve the burdens that come with marrying me.”
“Your burdens are mine and mine are yours. That is how it is with marriage. Farrin and Stanhurst are temporary complications.” One side of her mouth twitched as if she might smile. “You, on the other hand, will be saddled with my kin forever.”
He opened his arms to her. “I adore your family.”
She left her chair to sit on his lap and laid her head on his shoulder. She sank against him with a sweet little sigh. He wrapped his arms around her to savor the soft feel of her body curled against his and touched his lips to her hair.
“I adore you, Regina. A lifetime together will never be enough, but I will take whatever gift I’m given. I want t
o hold you like this forever. I want to wake to your smile and spend our days verbally sparring with one another, or physically if you wish it—although I will need lessons if I hope to hold my own.”
She lifted her head. “Lessons in bantering or Wing Chun?”
“I suspect both.” He kissed her forehead then rested his cheek on the top of her head when she laid it against his shoulder again.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about fatherhood today,” he said. “I will be a better father to our children than my own was to me. I want to be part of their lives from the beginning. I want to cradle them against my chest while they drift to sleep, secure in the knowledge they are loved. I’ll teach our children to skip rocks on the lake, how to sit a horse, to hunt and fish—”
“You would teach our daughters these things, too?”
“Of course! Why wouldn’t I? If my wife knows hand-to-hand combat, her daughters are more than capable of mastering each of these tasks and more.”
“I do love you,” she murmured and wiggled even closer, the heat of her skin penetrating the barrier of clothes between them. “I love you so very much.”
He hadn’t realized what a balm those words would be to his soul, but now that she’d said them, he wanted to hear them again and again.
“I think Uncle Charles will heartily approve of you.”
“He has my gratitude, as does Aunt Beatrice. I credit them for the courageous woman you are. I want our daughters to be like you.”
She shook her head, her hair making a shushing noise against his jacket. “I’m not courageous.”
“You are the bravest person I know.”
“I am afraid,” she said.
Xavier urged her to sit up to allow him to look into her face. “What frightens you? No one is going to hurt you. I promise.”
“It is a promise you cannot keep. Love can only end in heartbreak. This is the lesson I learned from my parents. One day, everything can be perfect, and the next the ones you love are never coming back. I’ve managed to keep everyone else at a distance, because it is safer. But I can’t do it with you. I love you, Xavier, and I am frightened of losing you.”
Secrets to a Gentleman's Heart (Uncle Charlie's Angels Book 1) Page 22