by Kate Pearce
“I’m Lucas,” he replied. He probably should have introduced himself as Lord Darcy, but he wanted something more personal with her. Lucas couldn’t explain it… The girl was lovely and innocent—she seemed special. “What is your name?” She opened her mouth as if in hesitation. Her eyelids fluttered a few times. She might be fighting consciousness. A soft moan filled the air as she tried to move. “Shh,” he said. “I’m here to help you.”
“What’s taking so long?” Edward hissed. “It’s bloody cold out here. Get the girl out so we can find shelter.”
“I don’t understand what’s happening,” the girl said. She might be a little disoriented. “Why does my head hurt so much?”
“You’ve been in an accident. We’re going to help you,” he said as soothingly as possible. He didn’t want to worry the girl if he could help it. “I’m going to lift you up to my friend. Is that all right?”
“Yes,” she replied and then shivered uncontrollably. “I’m so cold.”
Her skin was frigid to the touch. He would have to grab one of the carriage blankets from under the seat and drape it around her. Every inch of her clothing seemed to be soaked through. The sooner they reached Canterbury the better off they all would be. The girl would catch a sickness of some sort if they didn’t warm her soon.
Lucas lifted her up into his arms and then stood on the edge of the seat to hand her up to Edward. The duke took the girl from him and then moved out of the way so Lucas could climb out. Once he was out of the carriage he hopped to the ground and reached to take the girl from his friend. They both walked over to the carriage, and Edward opened the door.
“My valise…” The girl said suddenly. “Please can you retrieve it?”
Lucas glanced at the duke and he grumbled something under his breath. He probably didn’t want to bother with the girl’s luggage. “I’ll go get it. Can’t be too many ladies valise’s in the coach.” Edward stomped off to retrieve her case.
With Edward handling that Lucas helped the young miss inside. He lifted the seat bench and pulled out a blanket and draped it over her. Lucas set her on his side of the carriage across from Lady Marin.
Edward headed back to the carriage after searching for the lady’s valise. Then he came back and placed it with their trunks. He stepped into the carriage and shivered. “Now can we bloody well go to Canterbury? The snow is awful.” He rapped the top of the carriage and it started moving again.
“I hope it doesn’t take too long to reach the town,” Lady Marin said. “I’m starting to see why you were so concerned earlier.”
It shouldn’t have taken the sight of an overturned carriage to give pause to her earlier disregard. As soon as the blizzard had come upon them in full force she should have worried. He didn’t remind Lady Marin of that though. There was no reason to upbraid her for her silliness. “I think we’re closer than I originally believed.” He’d traveled this path a few times when he visited Weston. “We’re on the outskirts of Canterbury now. The carriage was almost to town before it hit an icy patch and the driver lost control.”
The young miss shuddered next to him. “Thank you for saving me.”
Lady Marin stared at her intently. “You seem familiar. Have we met?”
The girl shook her head. “I don’t believe so.”
She didn’t seem to like Lady Marin’s scrutiny. The girl glanced downward not meeting the countess’s gaze. “I don’t socialize.”
“You seem well-educated,” the countess said off handedly. “Your clothing is finely made. You even have the proper social graces. That means you come from a good family. Who are your relations?”
The girl didn’t reply just kept staring down at her lap. She pulled the blanket closer as another bout of trembles wracked her body. Lucas didn’t think it was all from the frigid temperatures. The girl was frightened. Maybe it was a residual effect of being tossed around a tumbling carriage, but he didn’t think that was all of it. “Are you running from something?” His gut instinct told him there wasn’t something right with her. Would she admit it though?
“No,” she said. Her voice as timid as she appeared to be. “I’m traveling to visit my family for Christmastide. My father makes me take the mail coach instead of sending the family carriage.”
“Where were you if you had to travel home?” Lady Marin asked.
“Finishing school,” she answered.
“What one?” Lady Marin inquired immediately.
“Quit interrogating the girl,” Edward ordered. “She’s had quite the ordeal today. She doesn’t need you pushing her darling.”
Lucas frowned. He didn’t understand why the countess was so concerned about the girl and where she came from, but he now wanted the same answers she did. He wasn’t certain how to go about getting them. The girl hadn’t even offered her name to them. Who was she and why was she being so secretive?
The carriage rolled into Canterbury. They’d find shelter and then he’d have a long talk with the young woman. She needed their help and he’d ensure she received it. While he provided her shelter and a warm meal he’d do a little interrogating of his own. Lady Marin had been a little too abrupt in her questioning. Charm would work much better and put the girl at ease. He’d have her answering whatever he asked without even realizing it. Lucas wasn’t one of London’s biggest rogue’s for nothing.
Chapter 3
Natalia couldn’t believe her luck. First the mail coach had crashed and nearly killed her… It had definitely ended the driver’s life… Now she was being forced to create story—a lie really—to tell the lovely people who’d rescued her. She didn’t want to deceive them, but her very survival made it a necessity. Natalia had to protect herself. She couldn’t tell them the truth and have them send her back to her father. He’d make her marry Comte Foix.
They stopped outside of an inn and Lucas went inside to see if he could secure lodgings for them. He’d been gone an awfully long time and when he came back a frown graced his handsome face. This man who’d saved her seemed kind and in another place or time she’d have liked to have become more acquainted with him. Lucas stepped into the carriage and shook his head. “We are not the only ones stranded by the storm. All the inns are filled to capacity. The innkeeper gave me directions to Klaus House located on the outskirts of town. It’s on Castle Street—they should have rooms to provide us for the night.”
Klaus house? That was an odd name for a place that provided lodging. It wasn’t an inn since Lucas had said all of them were full. What kind of place could it be? The carriage started moving again and stopped shortly after. Natalia glanced out the window of the carriage. Her curiosity got the better of her… The house was large and ornate. There was a quiet elegance to it. The man and lady across from them exited the carriage first. Then Lucas stepped out and assisted Natalia. They all strolled up to the door together not saying a word. Lucas knocked and the door swung open almost immediately. A tall woman with blonde hair and deep blue eyes greeted them. She was wearing a brilliant green turban striped in gold. A gold broach was pinned to the top with three short, snow white feathers. She lifted an expressive eyebrow and said, “May I help you?”
“Pardon our intrusion,” Lucas began. “We’re here to beg for shelter. All the inns are full and the storm has left us stranded.” He gestured toward Natalia. “She’s soaked through and desperately needs to get out of her wet clothing.”
The enigmatic woman stared at Natalia for a brief moment and then opened the door wider. “We’ve become a haven for many stranded travelers this night. We can certainly aid more.”
Lucas kept his arm around Natalia’s waist as they strolled past the woman. The other couple followed behind them. The woman shut the door with a soft click. “I’m Frau Klaus,” she introduced herself. “You may call me Mrs. Klaus.” She waved at the room. “This of course is the foyer of my establishment. Please wait here and I’ll send one of my girls to show you to a room.”
Lucas’s friend’s mouth fell open a
s Mrs. Klaus walked away. “Bloody hell this is a brothel. We can’t stay here.”
Natalia had never been in a house of ill repute before. Though to be fair she shouldn’t be in one now. The man… What had Lucas called him? Weston. He was right. If they cared at all about their reputations they should find someplace else to stay. Though Natalia didn’t give one fig about keeping her innocence intact... If it was up to her father she’d be whoring herself to Comte Foix. She’d use this little prelude from her escape to perhaps gather a bit of an education on the more delectable side of life. Natalia might not ever get another opportunity to learn about passion. She could have a long talk with one of the girls employed by Mrs. Klaus and see if they’d answer whatever questions she might have.
“There is no other place to go,” Lucas reminded Weston. “If we leave we’ll be stuck in a blizzard and probably die from the cold. Get over your indignation. It’s not as if you’ve never been in a brothel before.”
“How scandalous,” the lady with Weston said. “I’m intrigued.”
“Darling,” Weston said in a husky tone. “You would be.”
A girl that couldn’t be much older than Natalia came into the foyer. She had strawberry blond hair and pale blue eyes. Her eyes were so light they were bordered on being a shade above the white snow blowing outside. The girl met Natalia’s gaze and frowned. “You poor dear,” she said earnestly. Her Irish accent was thick and lilted. “What an ordeal you’ve gone through.” She placed her hand on Natalia’s arm. “Do not worry, you’re safe here. No one will harm you while you’re at Klaus House.”
She had an ethereal beauty to her. Natalia felt immediately at ease in her presence. When she’d touched her it seemed as if all of her anxiety had melted away and she did indeed feel safe. “Do I know you?”
When the Weston’s traveling companion had asked her the same question her heart had seized inside of her chest. She didn’t like how the woman had stared at her. This girl didn’t seem nonplussed by it at all. “No, we’re not acquainted,” the girl answered. “But I have a feeling we will be friends. My name is Aine.”
“Aine,” Lucas interrupted their bonding moment. “Are you here to show us to our rooms?”
The girl nodded. “My mother has instructed me to see to your needs. I’ll put the ladies in one room, and you gentleman will have the one next to it.” She gestured toward a nearby staircase. “Please follow me.”
“We have trunks in the carriage. Can you have someone bring them up?” Weston asked. “The young miss definitely needs to put something dry on, and I wouldn’t mind a fresh set of clothes myself.”
“I’ll have someone see to it,” she said. Aine stopped in front of a door. “This is the ladies’ room.” She gestured toward a door a little farther down the hall. “And that one is for the gentleman. If you’ll excuse me I’ll see to your trunks. Once you’ve had time to change please join us below in the parlor for some festivities and storytelling. Christmastide is a joyful time here at Klaus House.”
Aine turned and left them alone in the hall. Weston’s lady friend pulled her into the room they were to share. “We haven’t been properly introduced. I’m Lady Marin. You and I have something to discuss.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She was definitely not Weston’s wife then. Was she his mistress? Did her husband know where she was? “What do you wish to speak to me about?”
“First…” She sat on a nearby chair and waved her had dismissively. “Let’s drop the formalities. Please call me Callista.” Lady Marin met her gaze and lifted a brow. “Care to tell me your name now that we’re alone?”
Callista was far too perceptive. She did a wonderful job of acting frivolous around her lover, but she clearly had more intelligence than she let on. The lady seemed to see right through her. Natalia didn’t like it and she had no desire to tell her exactly who she was. She hadn’t run away from home without reason and she would not get caught before she made it to France. “Why are you so interested in who I am?”
“I am curious by nature,” she replied and then shrugged. “But that’s not what you want to hear is it? You’re wondering how I might possibly know who you are.” Lady Marin tapped the arm of the chair. “Truthfully—I don’t. It’s more of a supposition at the moment.”
Natalia played with her locket—the one that she always wore with her mother’s miniature nestled inside. “All right. What do you think you know about me?” She would not give more details about herself than she had to. “And why do you believe it?”
“I should be clear,” Callista began. “I do not know your name or where you hail from, but do think I’m acquainted with your mother.”
Her heart skipped a beat at her words. Natalia had never met her mother since she’d died giving birth to her. She craved any information she could get about her. The wanker that sired her couldn’t be bothered to tell her anything about the woman who’d carried Natalia inside of her for months. All she had was the locket with her miniature. That at least told her she resembled her mother. “And how could you possibly know that with a certainty.”
Callista remained quiet for several moments as she tapped her fingers on the chair. “My mother was French, much like yours. When she died my father brought me here to England. That was perhaps eight years ago now.”
“I don’t understand.” What was the countess trying to tell her? “Is that how you know my mother?”
“This isn’t an easy thing for me to talk about.” She sighed. “I adored my mother. She was the most loving, kind person you would ever meet. There was only one person her equal. That was your mother—Ines Martin, her twin sister, and you’re a near replica of them.” She gestured toward Natalia’s locket. “And that was Aunt Ines’s locket. If I had any doubts they disappeared when you caressed it.”
“That would mean…” Natalia swallowed hard unable to handle the information Callista had given her.
“That we’re related?” Callista lifted a brow. “Yes, we would be cousins, if I’m correct. Now are you ready to tell me who you are?”
Natalia never thought she’d find family on her escape from her father’s plans for her. Callista knew her mother’s name. The only thing she knew about her other than what she looked like. “How well did you know my mother?”
“As well as a five year old girl can. She was always sweet to me and brought me presents.” Callista took a deep breath. “I’m sure you have many questions and I’ll answer them if I can. But first why don’t you answer mine.”
“You want me to tell you my name?” Natalia considered her options. She supposed it was the least she could do. Callista had trusted her first. “My name is Lia.” She could only extend her trust so far.
“Was that so difficult?” Callista smiled. “Now that the formalities are out of the way there is something more important I need from you.”
Natalia didn’t want to know what that possibly could be. She didn’t have any inheritance or anything of value Callista could possibly want. “What is that?”
A knock echoed through the room. They both turned to the open doorway and found a man standing there with a trunk. “I’ve brought ye belongings up from the carriage.”
“Where’s my valise?” Weston had found it—hadn’t he?
“I didn’t see one when I grabbed this trunk,” the man said apologetically. “I’ll take another look.”
“Set my trunk over here.” Callista pointed to a place on the floor. “and please ensure that my dear cousin’s belongings are found.”
The man set the trunk where Callista indicated and exited the room. Callista went to the door and shut it with a soft click. “Now that we’re alone again,” she began. “I need you to distract Darcy. Edward and I need some time—alone.”
“Darcy?” Who the hell was that? Edward must be Weston’s given name. That would mean… “You mean Lucas.”
“Is that how the rascal introduced himself.” She chuckled lightly. “He must be even more smitten with you t
han I realized. “That’s not important though. Will you agree to spend some time with him and leave this room for me and Edward to use?”
Natalia nibbled on her bottom lip. She shouldn’t be alone with Lucas. He was a temptation she didn’t need. “I need to change first…” What if her valise was missing? Everything she owned, besides what she currently wore, was inside of it.
“Say no more,” she said. Callista went over to her trunk and pulled out a few things. One was a scarlet dress made of the finest silk. “I am willing to bet we have similar measurements.” She held up the dress. “I’ll even act as your lady’s maid. Come here and I’ll undo your laces. I have everything here for you to be dry and warm—and what the clothing doesn’t provide your Lucas gladly will.”
Natalia swallowed hard. “I…”
“Don’t think too hard darling,” Callista teased. “Darcy won’t do anything you don’t want him to. As far as the dress—consider it a gift. It is Christmastide after all and I’m feeling generous.”
Natalia nodded and took off her drenched cloak then hung it on a hook. Then she went to Callista and turned her back. The countess—her cousin, worked fast in undoing the wet laces. Then helped her put on the dry items. All she had to do now was go to the room Weston was supposed to share with Lucas and convince him…of what she didn’t quite know. “Wish me luck,” she said to Callista. “I’ll send your Edward to you posthaste.”
“You don’t need luck darling.” Callista’s lips tilted upward into a coy smile. “You have the Martin beauty and innocence. Use it to your advantage.”
Callista had more self-assurance than Natalia would ever have. Maybe it was the benefit of having her mother raise her most of her life, or perhaps her father had actually loved her. Natalia didn’t know for sure, but she did understand one thing. She might be her cousin, but trusting her would not come easy, and she did wish to spend the evening with Lucas. He’d saved her when he could have left her at the side of the road to die. At the very least she wanted to thank him. If that meant keeping him company while Callista and Edward had privacy—she’d do it.