Samantha gave her a wide smile. “Well…Lord Justice is here, not on a leave, but because of the business. His job is security, which is one of the tells. My guess is that Macklemeyer poses some sort of threat and Lord Justice is here to prove it. But he knows of wrongdoing on Macklemeyer’s part. Hence, Lord Justice’s warning earlier today that you not marry the man.”
“It’s ridiculous how smart you are.” Violet shook her head even as she squeezed Samantha’s hand. “And Lord Justice’s intentions toward me?”
Samantha winced. “He likes you a great deal but…” her voice trailed off.
Her stomach pitched. “He’s not interested in marriage.”
“No,” her cousin confirmed. “I don’t think so. His interest is Macklemeyer.”
Her heart gave a lurch because she was attracted to and curious about him. He made her feel things…. She shook her head, though as she considered what a gift it would be if he were able to prove Macklemeyer was a villain. More specifically, a criminal.
Her eyes drifted closed as she considered the possibility. It wouldn’t matter that Macklemeyer had already given her father money. Not to her and not to her father. He’d considered it one more gift from the world.
Her eyes opened again, and she caught sight of a tall, dark-haired man moving easily through the crowd. A full head taller than the men around him, he was easy to pick out and to follow. “We could,” she started, watching him move. “We could ask him a few more pointed questions.”
“We will,” Samantha assured her. “At the picnic tomorrow.”
“Or we could ask now.” She pointed to the man moving through the crowd.
“He’s heading toward the inn,” Samantha said, now following him with her eyes. “I’m sure your father meant for us to stay amongst the women.”
“I’m sure he did,” she answered. What was following the rules gaining her, really? Absolutely nothing.
In fact, doing as she was told was about to ruin her life. With that in mind, she lifted her skirts and started after Lord Justice. Samantha followed close behind.
Fortunately, he stopped on the outskirts of the crowd, leaning against a brick garden wall as he watched the fighters preparing for the bout.
It took Violet a few minutes to work her way through the crowd, but she finally managed it.
Only, as she approached him, something was…off.
The way he held his shoulders.
The glimpse of his profile.
She stopped a few feet from him. “Lord Justice?”
The man turned and she nearly gasped. Standing before her was someone as broad and tall, with the same dark hair and eyes but this was not the man who made her heart beat wildly in her chest. “You know my brother?” And a grin split his face.
“Brother?” Her eyebrows shot up. Her father hadn’t been jesting when he’d said that all the Whites looked alike. She’d had no idea.
“And who are you?” His smile grew as his gaze flitted over her face. “Justice always did have good taste.”
“I’m…” she swallowed, both disappointed and curious. She needed to speak with Justice but meeting his family…
“She’s none of your concern,” a deep voice bit out from behind her.
Her entire body responded to his nearness, her heartbeat quickening even as she spun about to find Justice standing just behind her.
“What are you doing here, Sayden?” he asked. “You’re supposed to be with our brothers.”
Sayden winked at her. “And let you have all the fun?”
“You can return north,” Justice barked back and then took her hand in his. “Miss Wright,” he softly said, his piercing eyes meeting hers. Her mouth went dry as she looked up at him. No wonder she forgot to ask questions.
“Miss Wright,” Justice’s brother said with a chuckle. “What a pleasure.”
“Sayden,” Justice growled out some sort of warning.
Without thought, she stepped closer to Justice. Even knowing he wasn’t here to court her, she felt the pull toward him. He made her feel safe. “I was hoping…” she tilted up her chin to look up into his face even as he slid his hand up her arm to grasp her elbow and pull her closer. “I was hoping to have a word.”
Justice’s gaze broke from hers as he searched the crowd around them. “I see both your father and Macklemeyer,” he murmured, shifting so that he blocked her from most of the crowd. Tension tingled through her body as her back pressed to the wall. She took a deep breath of relief to be tucked there with his large body blocking out everyone else. “Unfortunately, I have other business to attend to tonight, but I shall see you tomorrow at our picnic.”
Sayden chortled behind him. “You, of all people, are going on a picnic?”
Violet raised her brows as she attempted to peek around Justice. She didn’t appreciate Justice’s brother attempting to dissuade him. It wasn’t just that she wanted to be with Justice. She had too many questions. “What is wrong with picnics?”
“Nothing if you’re a dandy,” Sayden answered. “You’re turning into Ben or Dez,” he laughed. “You’ll be one of the sheep soon enough.”
“What is wrong with sheep?” Samantha asked.
Violet blinked, having nearly forgotten her cousin was there.
“Nothing, if you like being one of the masses, herded along for slaughter,” Sayden said.
“Crude,” Samantha muttered.
The crowd gave a cheer and Violet realized the fight had begun.
Justice ignored his brother. “Has something happened?”
She gave a terse nod. She’d never in her life been so bold but she lifted her hand and touched her fingertips to the hard ridges along his chest. “It’s Macklemeyer…he’s paid a bride price.”
He stiffened under her touch. “The wedding isn’t going to happen.”
Relief washed through her. She trusted him and if he said he’d stop the wedding, he would. Deep down, she realized, there was nothing he couldn’t do.
Several yells punctuated the air. “What’s happened?” he asked Sayden.
“Knock out,” Sayden responded. “I knew Cristley was no match for James.”
Justice frowned. “The men will be returning to the square soon. You should go before your father sees you. Come on, I’ll walk you back.”
“You’ll tell me more tomorrow? What you know about him.” she asked, not wanting to leave the comfort of his side.
“Yes,” he answered simply, and then his arm was around her back, guiding her back toward the square.
Chapter Seven
Justice snapped the reigns of the sociable as he made his way to the Viscount of Smithfield’s home.
He wished he’d stayed at the dance last night, but he’d other matters to attend to. Once he’d realized that Macklemeyer would be in attendance, he’d decided to search the tunnels under the castle for any goods. The problem was, Macklemeyer wasn’t the only smuggler who knew about them. And the British Army used them, as well.
He hadn’t found any wine, which had been Macklemeyer’s product of choice when he’d used Dez’s boats for smuggling. Unfortunately, he hadn’t found any telltale signs that pointed to Macklemeyer either.
Worse, he’d left Sayden to follow Macklemeyer and Sayden had managed to lose the man in the crowd. Justice had wasted his time…again. And he’d abandoned Violet to Macklemeyer’s company for nothing. The entire thing grated on his nerves.
Sayden lounged beside him, grinning like an idiot. In fact, the man had been enjoying himself far too much, teasing Justice mercilessly.
No matter how many times Justice explained that he’d only been escorting Violet as a means of gaining access to Macklemeyer, Sayden had refused to relent. He knew Justice too well and his brother had sniffed out his developing feelings for the woman in no time. Feelings he’d not admit to, and certainly not act on. He had no intention of changing his path no matter how tempting the woman was.
Sayden slapped Justice’s arms as the house came
into view. “There it is. The home of the future Lady White.”
He growled. “Tell me again why you’re not at the manufacturing site?”
Sayden chuckled. “The war is over. Treaties have been signed and from what I hear, Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo. We’ve got enough powder to sell as we figure out the next phase of the business. Our brothers thought I’d be more of an asset to you here than there. They assumed, since you’d yet to come north, that you were on Parricide’s scent. Obviously, they were right.”
“They’re punishing me by sending you here,” he muttered, snapping the reigns again. “Which one of them did you piss off?”
“Both of them,” Sayden answered without missing a beat. “But that’s not why I’m here.”
“I don’t need your help. They just sent you here so that you can annoy me.”
“Everyone needs help sometimes,” Sayden replied, sounding far more serious than normal. “Even fighters who hate their fathers.”
“You don’t hate him?” he asked, looking over at Sayden.
Sayden shrugged. “I have the least reason to hate him of all of us. He was so busy with everyone else, he hardly paid attention to me.”
A muscle in Justice’s jaw ticked as he considered those words. Was neglect better or worse than what he’d experienced? He’d been his father’s favorite punching bag for years until the rage had finally exploded inside him. As a sixteen-year-old, he’d nearly killed another man with his own fists. That’s when he’d fled his father’s home and found solace and direction in the ring. A channel for his anger. He’d hated his childhood. But Sayden’s youth had held a different sort of pain. “Sayden.”
Sayden flashed his ready grin. “Don’t feel sorry for me now. I was free. Free to get in trouble, free to pursue my passions, chase danger.”
Justice grimaced. Sayden certainly lived the most dangerously of them all. He’d found ways to make gunpowder manufacturing as safe as he could but there was no discounting the risks. “What do you want next? Something as thrilling or less so?”
Sayden’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Perhaps I’ll settle down with a nice woman. Get married. Make a few babies. All my brothers are doing it.”
Justice knew the other man was teasing, but he didn’t like it. It was of vital importance that he never settle down. He couldn’t be trusted with something as beautiful and delicate as Violet. “Fuck off.”
“Finally, a swear word from your mouth. I’d thought you’d forgotten how.”
“If you’re implying that I’m being domesticated, you’re wrong. I’ve been nothing but clear with Violet—”
“Miss Wright,” Sayden corrected with a wicked cackle.
“That I am only interested in helping her by catching Macklemeyer. It’s in our mutual interest.”
“So, you wouldn’t mind if I pursued her?” Sayden punched his arm.
The idea of his brother touching her… He glared and pushed his face right into Sayden’s. “Touch her and I’ll kill you.”
“That’s what I thought.” Sayden winked then. “Don’t worry, brother. I’ll escort that willow of a woman, Violet’s cousin, so that you can pump,” he added influence to the word by making a crude gesture with his hand, “Violet for information.”
And now he wanted to hit Sayden for another reason. He’d disrespected Violet which made Justice incredibly angry. Jesus. He was in trouble.
The brothers never fought over women. It was an unwritten rule. On the rare occasion they were both interested in the same lady, one of them would step back. For Justice’s part, he always assumed someone of equal interest would present themselves but with Violet… no one could compare.
They reached the front of the house and left the carriage to collect the women. But it wasn’t just Violet and Samantha who met them. Lord Smithfield stood to Violet’s right looking bleary-eyed and irritated.
He openly frowned as he glanced from Justice to Sayden. “You Whites are multiplying.”
“That’s what our father said, too,” Sayden said by way of an answer with a devilish wink. Then he bowed. “Miss Wright. Miss Longnook.”
Lord Smithfield harrumphed.
Violet gave him a beaming smile, though panic seemed to tinge the edges of it, her hands clasping and unclasping. “We’re so glad you’ve come, Lord Sayden. Aren’t we, Samantha?”
Samantha frowned as she looked at Sayden. “Exceedingly,” she replied drily, her eyes drifting upwards.
“The pleasure is all mine,” Sayden said, the devil-may-care tone dropping into a low rumble of irritation.
Lord Smithfield relaxed, his shoulders dropping, his gaze travelling from Sayden to Samantha. “I see.” He cleared his throat. “Well, in that case, carry on. Have fun. Don’t forget we have plans this evening.”
Violet gave a terse nod to her father as she slipped her hand into Justice’s elbow. He could feel the flutter of her fingers against his skin as he escorted her outside and helped her into the sociable. Sayden did the same with Samantha, though Justice noted they neither Sayden nor Samantha spoke or looked at one another.
“What was that about with your father?” Justice asked the moment they started down the drive.
“My father wasn’t going to allow me to attend. With the courtship…” she looked down at her lap. “But I told him Lord Sayden had expressed an interest in Samantha. A fact he is relatively pleased with.”
“Am I the only White he objects to?” Justice rumbled despite himself.
Violet looked at him. “What does that matter?”
It didn’t. He had no interest in marrying so it shouldn’t matter if her father approved or not. He was a man who liked a good fight. Perhaps Violet simply represented an excellent one. But then again, that didn’t explain his jealousy over his own brother. Or the way she made him tense with excitement at the smallest touch. “So, we’re allowed to see one another on the condition that Sayden is interested in Samantha? That won’t last long. I’ve never met two more opposite people.”
“We may as well make the most of this meeting then,” she said, leaning closer into his side. It felt so right to have her there.
“Might as well,” he answered. “Macklemeyer worked for my brother. He went by Parricide then.” He wrapped an arm about her. “To my knowledge he has never owned his own shipping business.”
She gasped, pressing into his side. “But my father said he has so much money and…” she trailed off, her cheek coming to rest on his chest.
He placed his chin on the top her head, wishing to comfort her now. “He’s a smuggler, Violet. I haven’t even shared that with your uncle, but I know it for certain and I will either catch him or run him off long before he has the chance to marry you.”
She shivered and burrowed deeper into his side.
He could feel her unhappiness, but he didn’t ask more as they reached the cliffs where they’d picnic. Rather than go down on the beach, he’d thought to remain above where they might find a spot under a tree.
He needed a chance to talk with Violet and so he sent a glaring Sayden with Samantha to help find a spot for them to set up the blanket.
Sayden mumbled something about domesticated men as he shuffled off with Samantha perched stiffly on his arm.
“It upset you, what I told you,” Justice said as he pulled the basket from the shelf tucked between the wheels.
She watched Sayden and Samantha walking toward a cluster of trees. “It will only bother me if I’m his wife. Now, it makes me feel better to know he’s a criminal because there is a chance that the law catches him and—”
“Violet,” he said straightening as he moved closer to her. He caught her light floral scent as his gaze caught on the full pout of her lips. A few tendrils of her hair danced in the breeze blowing off the water. He wished to catch one. Touch the fire that infused her hair. “I will catch him. He will pay and you won’t have to marry him.”
“Thank you,’ she softly whispered. “That does make me feel bet
ter.”
“I’m glad.”
He grudgingly stepped away, holding out his elbow. “You should be able to choose a husband you want to wed, not one you have to.”
One of her shoulders lifted. “Unlikely. Which I’ve mostly accepted that reality. Just so long as it’s not him, though, I shall be content.”
Justice winced. His sister had once told him that women lived in a cage. Until she’d said it, he’d never considered it, but Millie had been right. And as he looked at Violet, he realized that she, more than any person he knew, was trapped by her father. Both by love and by position, but she was powerless to break free.
And that was something he could absolutely understand. Anger bubbled inside him to think of her being nothing more than a bartering tool.
He winced to know that he had the power she needed to escape. He could fight…for her. But in the end was he more dangerous to her than Parricide? He thought of the tension that always simmered under his surface. The way he’d lost control, just like his father. He wasn’t meant to be domesticated. It would be a mistake.
“Lord Justice,” she murmured. “I’ve no right to ask a favor of you but may I request a small one?”
“What’s that?” he said, stopping to look at her.
“Would you,” she paused, pressing closer and turning to face him. Her full lips trembled as her gaze met his, soft and pleading. “Would you kiss me? Just this once?”
His heart slammed against his ribs as he looked down at her. How could he resist?
Violet needed this kiss.
Last night, she’d spent an hour at the dance with Macklemeyer. An hour on his arm, submitting to his touch. And when he’d pulled her into a dark alley, he’d kissed her, whispering about how she belonged to him.
It had taken every ounce of her control not to vomit. Or scream.
She didn’t belong to him.
And her worries about her father diminished by the day.
Not that he was better off. In fact, she was certain he was worse.
Her Wanton White: Dark Duke’s Legacy Page 6