by Ella Edon
Nathan regarded her. How was it someone like Eleanor Heavenly had been put aside by everyone else to be unmarried at her age? She would be a diamond to anyone. Clearly, no one had noticed.
“You’re the only woman I know who addresses me by the title I want,” Nathan said. “Since I’ve been back, I can count on one hand who calls me Captain instead of Lord Brixton, and that’s not including the male servants.”
“I saw the way you flinched whenever your mother called you Brixton. You wanted to be addressed as such, so I will respect your decision. Besides,” Eleanor added with that lovely smile of hers, “Captain Reynolds sounds better than Lord Brixton.”
“I’m glad you think so.” Nathan looked at the table. Why did this suddenly feel harder to get out? “The army is my life, Lady Eleanor. I will be returning. Certainly, until the war with France is wrapped up.”
“If that’s what you want to do, I won’t stop you.” Eleanor raised her eyebrows. “As long as you respond to my letters to let me know you’re still alive and guide me on what I need to do as a countess. I don’t want you to forget that you have a wife.”
“Of course.”
That Nathan could do. It was the least he could do if he wasn’t going to be around. While leaving Eleanor to society on her own didn’t sit well with him, he wasn’t about to shirk his duty when he was needed at the line more.
“And as long as you let me do my activities that I’m currently doing as well,” Eleanor went on, “I won’t sway on that once we’re married.”
“Your activities?” Then Nathan remembered. “You mean working with the children at the orphanage?”
“Yes.” Eleanor didn’t blink. “Someone needs to look after them, and they look to me. I’m not going to get married and then forget them because my status has elevated to wife.”
Nathan frowned. It had surprised him when Eleanor had started talking about her work with orphans in her spare time. Even Vanity had been bewildered. But it was clear from the way she talked about what she did and how fondly she spoke of the children that Eleanor loved what she did. However, when she said where the orphanage was, near her home, Nathan found himself wishing she didn’t go. It was a rough area of London, and it certainly wasn’t safe.
That and the fact that people were stealing children meant Eleanor could end up in the crossfire. If the gang were taking children from the orphanage itself, Eleanor might have seen something. If they found out she was married to the man investigating the disappearances, she could be used as a pawn. Nathan wasn’t about to let that happen.
“I don’t like the fact you’re involved with all that, Lady Eleanor.” He fixed her with a stare. “You shouldn’t be doing anything like that at all.”
“What am I supposed to do, then, Captain? Sit at home twiddling my thumbs and looking pretty for guests?” Eleanor snorted. “I can’t do that even on my best days.”
“I wasn’t…”
“Ladies of society do charitable work, don’t they? Then I’ll carry on doing it. Giving something to the community.” Eleanor lifted her chin defiantly. “You want to stop me, you’re going to have to shackle me to the bed. I…” Then her face went bright red. “I mean…”
“I know what you meant.” Although Nathan was having a hard time wiping away the image of Eleanor shackled to her bed. He cleared his throat. “Your father let you have too much freedom.”
“He let me do what was right.”
“There are a lot of dangerous people in that area of London. Someone could easily accost you, either on your own or when you’re with the children. You could end up injured or worse.”
Eleanor’s jaw tightened. “I carry a knife. I know how to use it. I’m not abandoning the children. A lot of them have had that happen already with their parents. I won’t do the same.”
“Eleanor…”
“Those boys and girls need a safe place, and that is not on the street. The nuns at the orphanage provide that. Better than the foundling hospital. I want to be the person they see as safe.”
She was really determined on this. Nathan found himself regarding her in a different light. An improved one. Eleanor had found something to focus her attention on, something to believe in. Not many women in society would do what she was doing, if any of them.
If the circumstances were different, Nathan would happily let her carry on. It was a good thing to do, and he understood her reasoning. But there was a lot going on, and children were being exploited. What happened if Eleanor got in the way? Nathan knew he wouldn’t be able to cope with that. While he wouldn’t be in love with her, losing a wife he respected was going to be just as devastating. Nathan couldn’t get the sight of Eleanor lying in the street bleeding out of his head.
No. She couldn’t.
“Disapprove all you want, Captain Reynolds,” Eleanor went on sharply, “but you’re not going to get me to stop.”
He had a feeling that he wouldn’t. But maybe he could until he had finished his investigation. Could he? Eleanor was stubborn. She might find out what he was doing and declare she was going to help. Nathan couldn’t have that.
He rubbed his hands over his face. This was not how he wanted to spend his first meeting with his future bride. “I’m sure we can discuss this at a different occasion.”
Eleanor shook her head. “No discussion, Captain. I’m doing it, whether you like it or not.” She rose to her feet. “You want to go off to war and get yourself shot for your country? I’ll go and look after the children. They need someone, and I’m not likely to get killed. It’s not reckless, unlike something you’re desiring to get back to.”
Nathan begged to differ on that. He watched as Eleanor adjusted her skirts and checked her hair was in place. Her fire had gone and now she was the cool, calm persona she had brought down earlier. Nathan wanted to see that fire again.
“I think I’m going to go back inside, Captain Reynolds,” Eleanor said crisply. “Miss Laurie is probably needing to be rescued from your mother.”
With a smooth turn, she went back into the house. Nathan watched her go. She could switch from her true self to a mask that settled down when she was backed into a corner. That wasn’t how anyone should live, having to watch what you said or did. Those few moments when they were talking, Nathan thought he could see the real Eleanor come through. Someone who had a desire to help others, do the right thing even if it wasn’t correct in society. She was dedicated.
And that made Nathan wonder what hole in her heart she was trying to fill.
Eric hovered near the orphanage, keeping himself in the alley to watch the main door. One of his new charges would be coming out of there soon. They had been easily tempted by the suggestion that they would be able to earn lots of money while working for him. As soon as Eric had the child’s trust, he would get them carted off to someone else who had a better use for them. The young lad won’t know what hit him, and by the time he realized that he had been duped, it would be too late.
Children were so gullible. It was easy to tempt them with a better life. None of them wanted to be in an orphanage. Getting them from the underfunded and terrible foundling hospital was much easier than this, especially with the wardens Eric could bribe, but finding children from the orphanage, run by the dedicated and steadfast nuns, was a challenge. It was one he excelled at.
The one where Reynolds’ future bride worked was extra special.
Eric was surprised to know that the woman he had met that night was Baron Heavenly’s daughter. He should have realized; there were many similarities between the two of them, but Eric had been shocked that Eleanor was not only charitable and compassionate, but she was lovely. A little over medium height with raven-black hair that was pinned back but that couldn’t hide the natural curls. She had a grace about her even when her eyes flashed fire. It was a surprise that she was still unmarried, and she would be approaching thirty in a little over a year.
She would be perfect. A beautiful spinster to draw Reynolds in, and th
en he would be so distracted that he wouldn’t realize he’s in danger. Eric was looking forward to seeing the look in the man’s eyes as he ran a dagger through his heart. Then he would take Reynolds’ place and Eleanor Heavenly wouldn’t even notice the difference.
This made taking Reynolds’ place and wife much easier with Eleanor being as pretty as she was. That worked in her favour. Eric wouldn’t kill her before the wedding. She wouldn’t know it wasn’t the man she married. Chances are, she would be expecting just a few intimate moments and that would be it.
Eric had an idea how to change that.
As if conjured up by his thoughts, Eleanor Heavenly appeared on the street. A footman was close behind her and they seemed to be in conversation. At least she was being sensible with her safety this time. Eric wondered how Heavenly could let his daughter walk around without an escort. He had to be mad. A pretty woman like her could get accosted at any time.
“Eleanor.”
Eleanor turned, and Eric saw her smile fading. A man was walking towards her and she was scowling at him. Eric ducked back a little as the newcomer passed by the alley, but he didn’t appear to notice that there was anyone watching them; the young man was focused on Eleanor.
Eleanor had stiffened, her face contorting into a scowl. Eric had seen hatred and anger like that before. This man was not desirable to her. Maybe he should help her out on that.
Eric reached for his dagger, strapped to his waist and concealed under his coat. Then he heard Eleanor’s voice.
“What do you want, Leyton?”
The footman stepped slightly in front of her, putting his arm in front of Eleanor. He looked ready for a fight. Leyton slowed, stopping just out of reach. He huffed at the sight of the servant.
“Is that really necessary?”
“I think it is. Now answer the question, Leyton, and go away.”
“I just wanted to talk to you. I was on the way to your house.”
Eleanor snorted. “You wouldn’t have been able to get past the front door. You know Father won’t have you on the premises.”
At least Heavenly had some sense. What was this man to Eleanor? A previous lover? A potential suitor? Clearly one who had left a nasty taste in Eleanor’s mouth. She was looking at Leyton like she wanted to do him harm.
Curious, Eric took his hand away from his dagger and listened. This might be useful to him.
Chapter Fourteen
“What are you doing here, Eleanor?” Leyton asked. “I wouldn’t have thought this would be a safe route for you to go walking.”
“I’m not going walking.” Eleanor gestured at the orphanage building. She was steps away from the front door. “I help out here.”
“You what? You help…” Leyton sounded shocked. “You help here with all those snotty brats?”
Eleanor let out a barely contained snarl that had even Eric jumping.
“Those snotty brats don’t have anyone to look after them. I help them because someone should give children some love.”
Leyton snorted. “You shouldn’t be getting your hands dirty with them.” He sneered.
“Well, it’s a good thing you don’t have a say in my life.” Eleanor sneered back. “Now, go away. Jonathan, would you open the door for me, please?”
“Yes, Lady Eleanor.”
Jonathan stepped between Leyton and his mistress and opened the front door, blocking Leyton as he tried to reach for Eleanor, but Eleanor ducked into the orphanage. Leyton huffed and scowled at Jonathan, the young man not even moving.
“All right, fine. I’ll go away.” Leyton sounded very sulky. He bent and shouted under Jonathan’s arm. “But we will be talking, Eleanor.”
Eric didn’t hear Eleanor’s response from inside, but he could imagine what she had said. From what he could tell, Leyton had a fancy for Eleanor, and it wasn’t reciprocated. She was angry at him, and it was clear that Leyton wasn’t getting the message.
This was going to make things difficult with Eleanor and Reynolds attempting to court for their arranged marriage. Leyton was going to keep turning up. Then again, maybe that could be used to Eric’s advantage. Maybe he wouldn’t need to worry about Reynolds’ wife once he was done with Reynolds himself.
He could make himself be the hero in it all. Once Reynolds was dead, of course. Have Eleanor so indebted to him that she would do anything. That could work.
Jonathan had gone into the orphanage, the door slamming behind him. Leyton let out a frustrated growl and kicked at the door. Then he stormed back the way he had come, going past Eric. Knowing that his disguise of long dark hair, hair pulled down over the brim and a thick beard would hide him, Eric sidled out of the shadows.
“She’s a fiery little lady, isn’t she?”
Leyton stumbled as he spun around, almost ending up on the cobbles. He righted himself, cleared his throat, and glared at Eric. “Were you spying on us?”
“It was difficult not to, seeing as you were loud enough for everyone several streets over to hear you.” Eric raised his eyebrows. “Former lover?”
“I wish she had been my lover. Then we would be married by now.”
Married by now. Had Leyton been spurned by Eleanor before? Heavenly had said that Eleanor had never taken any interest in a man, her focus being the orphanage and looking after him.
Eric frowned. “You knew her before?”
“When we were starting out in society.” Leyton narrowed his eyes. “Why do you want to know? You’re not after her affections as well, are you?”
“Of course not. My wife would have a fit if I gave my affections to another woman.” Eric shrugged. “I’m just curious, that’s all.”
Leyton looked at him like he was trying to figure out what Eric’s angle was. Then he squared his shoulders, glancing over his shoulder to give the orphanage a wistful look.
“I love her. Always have.” The sadness in his voice was evident. “But she won’t give in to what we have between us. It got to the point where she humiliated me in public years ago.”
Eric raised his eyebrows. Interesting.
“I think that would say to anyone that she doesn’t want anything to do with you.”
“I know she does. I’ve seen the way she looks at me.” Leyton’s lip curled in a snarl. There was a slightly crazed look in his eye. “That woman is a tease. I’m better now, and I want her as my wife. I won’t settle for anyone less.”
He was better now? Had he been committed to a madhouse? He looked like he couldn’t take rejection at all. Even then, he wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted. Eric was beginning to see why Eleanor didn’t want anything to do with him. The man gave off the appearance that he was not of stable mind. There was a veneer of calm, but that kept slipping all over the place.
Eleanor had a deranged man following her around. That was going to be difficult to deal with. Or maybe Eric could use it. If he, as the Earl, could kill Leyton, Eleanor would always be indebted to him. And if Leyton got the inclination that Eleanor was wanting to be with him…
Eric had time to play around with people. And those who were unstable were much more fun to play with.
“You really think that’s going to happen this time?” he asked. “From what I’ve heard society, Lady Eleanor is due to get married.”
“What?” Leyton’s eyes widened. “To whom? I’ll rip their heads off if they touch her.”
“Calm yourself. I doubt it’s going to happen. She’s too fiery even for her future husband.”
Although from what Eric had heard about Nathan Reynolds, he didn’t want someone who was superficial and saw only his title. He wanted a genuine person as his wife, if that ever happened. Eleanor was as genuine as they could get. Eric had to admire that about the woman.
“How do you know all this?” Leyton frowned at him. “I thought you didn’t know her.”
“I know of her. You know about everyone if you’re in society. I know her future husband.” As well as I can. Eric grinned. “I tell you what, we both wa
nt something. How about working with me on this?”
“Working on what?”
Leyton sounded suspicious, but Eric could see his mind working. He was interested. Eric surmised that a man of unstable mind would do anything to get what he wanted, especially if it was offered up to him. He planned to do just that.
This fish would be so easy to reel in.
Eleanor felt numb. She stared at the letter in her hand. It was from Sister Cecilia, and it came with bad news.
A child was dead. It had been nearly two months since the young girl had run away, they wondered if Clarice went after her, and now she had turned up that morning. Her body had been taken to the local morgue, and a contact for Sister Cecilia’s had notified her.