Secrets to a Gentleman's Heart (Uncle Charlie's Angels Book 1)

by Samantha Grace

  The window darkened again, and she shuffled back toward safety. Climbing inside the building proved easier. She lowered to the water closet floor as quietly as possible and pressed her ear to the door. The rooms beyond were silent. She crept into the bedchamber and ascertained she was alone. Xavier had left the lamp burning.

  She raced to collect her slippers, grabbed the sash from her gown to help keep Xavier’s pants from drooping on her hips, and extinguished the lamp. After she shot into the corridor and dashed down the stairs, she burst through the front door of the hotel to the accompaniment of scandalized gasps from people on the walkway, but she couldn’t care less about offending anyone.

  The duke’s carriage was pulling onto the street, becoming swallowed by the flow of traffic. Regina spotted a hackney coach across the way. She darted into the well-traveled thoroughfare, weaving between carriages when they were at a standstill, and reached the opposite walkway without incident.

  “You there,” she called out to the coachman. “I need a coach. It is urgent.”

  A broad-shouldered man stepped in front of the carriage door, blocking her access. He was young with a face that teetered between handsome and average, but his cocky smile brimmed with the confidence of one who thought highly of himself. “Let me see your blunt, miss.” He ogled her attire. “You are a miss, are you not?”

  She huffed. “I haven’t time for nonsense. Step aside.”

  He planted a hand against her shoulder when she tried to push around him. “Not until you tell me how you intend to pay.”

  She sputtered. “I assure you that you will receive compensation when I reach my destination. I give you my word.”

  “Your word means nothing. What else do you have to offer?” His wolfish grin caused her stomach to plunge.

  “Surely, you are not suggesting—” A tap on her shoulder interrupted her line of thought. She turned to discover a veritable giant standing behind her.

  He smiled politely and tipped his battered hat. “Mrs. Vistoire, would you please move aside?”

  “How do you know who I am?” she asked, too shocked to object when he took hold of her shoulders and walked her a few paces away.

  “Mr. Vistoire is my friend.” He returned to the carriage and punched the young man without warning. The poor man dropped on the walkway, holding his nose and moaning.

  “Jamie?” The coachman leaned out of the driver’s box to check on his partner, and the large man with unnaturally purplish-red lips snagged him by the collar and dragged him from his seat. When the coachman protested, the brute kicked him in the backside and sent him sprawling on the ground.

  He held his hand out to her. Regina backed away, her muscles tensing in preparation of running as fast as her legs would carry her.

  “They are going to kill Mr. Vistoire,” he said. “We have to go if we are going to save him.”

  Regina hesitated. It was madness to go anywhere with this stranger, but something inside her urged her to take his hand. Perhaps it was the lack of malice in his eyes, which was in conflict with the violence she’d just witnessed. But she was desperate to reach her husband so she trusted her instincts.

  She scrambled onto the box. The carriage tilted violently with his added weight when he climbed up beside her, and she grabbed for anything to keep from sliding toward him.

  “There was a ducal coach that just left the hotel,” she said. “Did you see which direction it went?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He released the brake and snapped the reins. The team darted onto the street, barely missing the coachman who tried to jump in front to stop them. “They are headed to the docks.”

  “How do you know?”

  She gasped when they almost collided with a Berlin. He maneuvered them through a break in the traffic, and they barreled past two more carriages. She gripped the edge of the seat until her fingers ached.

  “I heard the duke tell his coachman,” the man shouted over the rattle of harnesses and roar of wheels and hooves.

  He drove the team like the madman she had first judged him to be, racing around corners. At one point, she would have sworn they were on two wheels.

  “Who are you?”

  “Benny. Mr. Vistoire is my friend.”

  Benny! Xavier’s gaoler. What had she done?

  He snapped the whip over the horses’ heads, and the team tore down an empty street. Buildings flew by in a blur, and it was too dark to make out landmarks. The wheels hit a hole in the street, bouncing her in the air. Benny shot his arm out and grabbed a handful of her shirt to save her from flying off the box.

  Her hands and legs shook from the close call.

  “Hang on, ma’am. I took an oath to protect Mr. Vistoire’s loved ones, and he is smitten with you.”

  Against her better judgment, she clung to him. She wanted to ask how he knew anything about her relationship with Xavier, but instead she asked, “What oath? Xavier never mentioned you pledging an oath to him.”

  Benny grinned, revealing gaps where he was missing a few teeth. “He doesn’t know about it. I said it when I was watching over his family. Can’t be seen or Tommy will have me flayed.”

  Regina’s eyes widened. Surely, he was exaggerating. “Who is Tommy?”

  “My brother, and he gets real angry when I forget to call him by his new name, so don’t say anything when we get to the docks.”

  An alarm sounded in Regina’s mind. “Why would your brother be at the docks? What does he have to do with the duke?”

  “I don’t have all that sorted out, ma’am, but I followed my brother last night after he met with Mr. Vistoire.”

  “Your brother is Farrin?” Regina’s head began to spin and pins of light danced in her vision.

  Benny glanced at her. “You don’t look well. Are you going to faint?” Before she could say she was all right, he palmed the back of her head and thrust it between her knees. “Keep down until it goes away.”

  She flailed her arm, trying to knock his meaty hand away, but she couldn’t reach it and slapping his shins had no effect. Oddly, the dizziness receded, and she realized he was still talking.

  “I kept a watch on my brother all night. He met the duke’s son this morning in the park. They were talking about the duke and Mr. Vistoire.”

  “Let me up,” she commanded. “I am not going to faint.”

  He released her, and she sat up slowly, pushing her hair away from her face.

  “How were you able to eavesdrop at the park? What are you, a spy?”

  He flashed his gap-toothed smile. “No, ma’am. Truth is, no one pays attention to an idiot. And I wore a disguise.”

  She didn’t even want to know what disguise a man of his size could possibly wear to go unnoticed. “What did they say?”

  “They want to kill the duke and blame Mr. Vistoire. The duke’s son will shoot Mr. Vistoire and say he was defending his father. But if I know Tommy, he probably plans to kill all three.”

  “That is not reassuring, Benny. Not reassuring at all.”

  He shrugged. “We will stop him. They aren’t far ahead of us now.”

  With their wild race through the streets, she wouldn’t be surprised if they arrived at the docks first. “How are we going to stop them? They have pistols.”

  “We will think of something together.”

  “Together,” she mumbled. “Once this is behind us, would you talk to my husband about togetherness? He is unfamiliar with the word.”

  “Whatever you want, ma’am.”

  She smiled at his agreeableness. “In the park, did either man mention a map?”

  “The one that leads to the assassin group? Aye, then Tommy told the duke’s son to shut his mouth or he’d cut out his tongue.” Benny slowed the team and pointed ahead. “See, I told you we would catch them. That is Tommy up ahead.”

  Regina squinted at the indistinct carriage in the distance. “How can you tell?”

  “The back wheel of his town carriage wobbles.”

  Now tha
t they were no longer careening down the streets, she released Benny’s arm and scooted to create a little distance between them. “Are you telling the truth about wanting to help my husband? You were his gaoler.”

  She didn’t exactly expect honesty from him, but she needed to ask.

  “Yes, ma’am. I am real sorry for what I did. I was lonely and Tommy said he would kill me if I set him free, but it was wrong to keep him from his family. I owe Mr. Vistoire. I will die for him, or you.”

  Thirty-three

  An eerie creaking carried on the night air as Xavier was forced to walk ahead of Stanhurst and his son at gunpoint. Water slapped against the sides of the ships, and the flow of the River Thames created a constant rushing sound.

  The stench of dead fish assaulted his sensibilities. He covered his nose and mouth. Darkness blanketed the area, making it difficult to see anything besides the dark bulks of the ships moored along the quay, which would aid him once he escaped.

  He glanced at the river and discarded it as an option. Even if he managed to swim out of range of their pistols—which would be a difficult feat fully attired—he would likely contract dysentery.

  “You said you know where Claudine is,” Stanhurst snapped. “The docks are deserted.”

  “She is onboard one of the ships, the Eleanor. I don’t know where it is moored. We will have to look for it.”

  Xavier set his sights on the rows of warehouses standing in the distance. They would provide places to hide and perhaps he’d find a weapon. He just needed to create a distraction, so he could make a run for shelter then find his way back to Regina.

  The burning in his gut returned as he recalled the moment Stanhurst had jerked open the water closet door. Xavier had been terrified the duke would mistake Regina for his mistress and discharge his weapon, but she had saved herself. Stanhurst hadn’t noticed the open window, or if he had, apparently it hadn’t occurred to the duke that a woman would use it to escape. A sour taste rose in the back of Xavier’s throat. Had she climbed back inside safely?

  They were nearing the warehouses and his means of escape. He glanced back over his shoulder. “I suppose it didn’t occur to you to bring the carriage lamp. It would make finding the ship easier.”

  The duke growled in frustration. “Retrieve it,” he barked at Lord Geoffrey. “The whore is going to pay for her betrayal.”

  A low chuckle from behind them caused Xavier’s hair to stand on end. He knew that laugh.

  “Isn’t shagging you punishment enough?”

  Stanhurst spun toward Farrin. “What the devil are you doing here? You are a traitor to the King. This man is a spy, and you allowed him to go free.”

  The night hid Farrin’s face, but Xavier could hear the sneer in his tone. “You are a liar and coward. You don’t even have the liver to do your own killing.”

  Xavier eased toward the warehouses, his muscles tensing to run.

  “Did you find the map?” Farrin asked Lord Geoffrey.

  “It wasn’t at the hotel. Maybe he hid it at his sister’s house.”

  “What bloody map?” Stanhurst swung toward his son, and Xavier sprinted for the warehouses.

  Farrin cursed. “You take care of him and I’ll give chase.”

  A shot echoed on the air.

  Xavier ducked, but when he realized he wasn’t hit, he kept running. Reaching the first warehouse, he darted for the back of the buildings. A second shot rang out, which definitely wasn’t meant for him. He didn’t slow his pace. Tripping in the dark was preferable to a lead ball through the back.

  “Xavier!” He thought he heard Regina calling his name, but that was impossible.

  Footsteps pounded after him, heavy and approaching fast. Xavier darted between two warehouses, trying to lose his pursuer. The man followed.

  Xavier spotted a door on the right. Reaching it, he tugged on the handle. It was unlocked. A strong hand snagged the back of his jacket. Xavier twisted toward his opponent and nailed him with a left uppercut to the gut.

  The man released him and doubled over. Xavier drew his fist back and slammed it into the thug’s jaw. He followed with a left hook. His opponent crumbled on the ground.

  “Xavier!”

  He startled, turning in the direction of his wife’s voice. “Regina!”

  “Xavier, where are you?” She sounded close, but he couldn’t see her.

  “I am here.”

  “Where?”

  He stepped over the man and followed her voice toward the back of the warehouses. She appeared in the opening between the two buildings. Xavier intercepted her, gathering her close and burying his face in her hair.

  “Thank God, you are all right,” he said. “Come on. We have to go.”

  He captured her hand to pull her along behind him. She was slower than he had anticipated given how fleet of foot she had been when he’d chased her around the hotel.

  “Farrin is here,” he said. “We must hurry.”

  “I know. Where is Benny? He was trying to catch you to tell you we’d come for you. We have a coach waiting.”

  Merde! He skidded to a stop. “That was Benny? What are you doing with him?”

  “He appeared from nowhere outside the hotel. He said he would help me rescue you.”

  Xavier didn’t know how to make sense of this news. Benny had always been his opposition. He was Farrin’s henchman. Xavier gently took her by the shoulders. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

  “No, of course not. He cannot drive a team worth a pence, but he got us here in one piece.”

  “I see.” Xavier dragged his fingers through his hair. “He is lying by the warehouse door. I didn’t know who was grabbing me.”

  Regina gasped. “What do you mean he is lying by the door? Is he hurt?”

  “He is unconscious.”

  “For heaven’s sake, did you render him unconscious?” She tugged her hand free. “He is here to help us.” She started to go back the way they had come, but he captured her wrist.

  “Benny is too large to move. Please, let’s get you to safety, and I will come back for him.”

  She jerked free again. “We are staying together. I would rather be in danger with you than frightened out of my wits wondering what has happened to you.”

  Xavier considered her position and agreed not knowing her fate earlier had been a special type of hell. He nodded sharply. “When there is no more danger, we will come back for him.”

  They heard the scuff of a boot at the same time. Their heads snapped in the direction of the sound.

  “Mr. Vistoire,” Farrin called from the darkness. “My generosity is at an end. I want the map.”

  Xavier and Regina broke into a run. Farrin cursed and chased after them. Xavier guided Regina down a narrow passage between warehouses. At the end of the building, she cut right. “This way. The carriage.”

  Xavier followed her. They sprinted alongside the water. A carriage light flickered in the distance. Just a little further past the warehouses, and they would be on the street.

  Farrin burst onto the quay in front of them, and they froze. He lunged for Xavier. Regina shot out her leg, kicking Farrin in the chest. He caught her foot and flipped her to the ground. With a guttural growl, Xavier tackled him. The impact rattled his teeth. He scrambled for position with Farrin trapped beneath him. He drew back his fist. Farrin blocked his punch and slammed him in the nose in a move Xavier would have expected from Regina. He held his nose and stood, staggering. Farrin used his leg to sweep Xavier’s legs out from under him. He fell on his side with an oof.

  Regina jumped between him and Farrin. She blocked three strikes and almost managed to land a hit to his eye, but Farrin was fast. He seemed to know what Regina was going to do before she did. Crouching low, she twirled and tried to kick him off his feet. He leapt over her leg and sprang forward to grab her by the hair. She cried out, clawing at his hand.

  Xavier bounded from the ground and raised his fists, but Farrin was using Regina as a shield. “Rel
ease her!”

  Farrin shoved her into Xavier and they both fell. His body cushioned hers.

  “Enough of this child’s play,” Farrin snapped and pulled a knife from his boot. He brandished it; moonlight glinted dully off the blade. “I am going to carve up the wench and make you watch.”

  He took a step toward them. Regina slammed her foot into his knee. A loud crack preceded his howl. He hopped on his uninjured leg, shouting obscenities.

  Xavier climbed to his feet and hauled Regina up beside him. Farrin grasped the blade, drawing his arm back to hurl it. Xavier shoved Regina behind him. A bellow came from between the warehouses—much like a warrior’s cry as he rode into battle. Farrin jerked toward the sound. A large man streaked across the quay and took a flying leap at Farrin. They crashed into the water.

  “Benny!” Regina hurried to the edge of the quay. “Where are they? I don’t see them.”

  She shouted Benny’s name.

  Xavier joined her in searching the inky water, but the men had disappeared. He couldn’t even tell where they had sunk below the surface.

  “Oh, Xavier.” Regina clutched his arm. “Is there nothing we can do?”

  He tucked her against his side, offering comfort. She was trembling. “I am sorry, love, but there is nothing when it is so dark.”

  They stood at the edge of the quay, staring into the water longer than any man should be able to hold his breath.

  “Benny said he would give his life for you,” Regina murmured. “I wish it hadn’t come to that.”

  Xavier hugged her close to kiss her temple. “Let’s get you to the carriage, and I will come back to see to the duke and his son. I suspect they will both require an undertaker’s services, but I want to be certain.”

  “Farrin and Lord Geoffrey planned to shoot you both and blame you for the duke’s death.”

  As he and Regina turned away, a splash and loud gasp came from the water. Regina rushed to peer over the side. “It is Benny. Find a rope or pole.”

  In an act of ungodly strength, Benny slapped the quay, hooked his fingers over the edge, and hauled himself from the water until he could brace with his palms. When he kicked his leg over the side, Xavier grabbed him and helped pull him onto the quay. He flopped on his back, panting like Cupid after a run.