Lady gambit, p.20
Lady Gambit, page 20
“Mr Gibbs is still here?”
Thank the Lord! The man drove like wolves chased his heels.
“He’s tasked with protecting you. If there’s one thing I know about Mr Gibbs, the King himself couldn’t deter him from his mission.”
A sudden wave of relief had her tugging Mrs Maloney’s hand. “Come. We should not delay.” She noticed Mrs Maloney was still in her nightdress. “We need to fetch your coat. It’s cold out, and—”
“You’re going alone, dear. This is your battle, not mine.” Mrs Maloney pulled an ornate iron key from her pocket and thrust it into Delphine’s hand. “Take this. Aaron gave it to me in case there was trouble in the bookshop. With luck, you’ll reach Fortune’s Den before he throws the first punch.”
That was wishful thinking.
Dorian’s carriage was parked on the street outside Fortune’s Den, and Briggs was snoozing atop the box. The gaming hell door was locked. The soft glow of candlelight spilled from the window in Aaron’s study, but she peered inside and found the room deserted.
She hammered on the front door and tugged the iron bell pull. Using the key was a last resort. When encountering a figure in the dark corridors, Sigmund was trained to hit first and ask questions later.
Where was their man-of-all work? He was always the last to retire, which meant only one thing. He was in the basement.
Her hand shook as she slipped the key into the lock. Once inside, she hurried through the lavish red hall. The scent of aromatic oils disguised the stench of stale tobacco but did little to settle her nerves.
The basement door was ajar, and Aaron’s devilish taunts echoed from the vast room below.
“I’m impressed, Flynn. Few men manage to land a punch, let alone last a round. The key to success is believing you can win. You certainly have faith in your own ability. I admire that.”
“This is one fight I can’t afford to lose,” Dorian countered.
Her heart skittered upon hearing Dorian’s confident voice. She raced down the stone staircase into the candlelit cellar.
Both men stood in the sunken circular pit resembling a small gladiatorial arena. Their elbows and knees were flexed, their clenched fists raised like human mallets. They had stripped to their trousers. A sheen of sweat coated their foreheads and bare chests. While Dorian’s scars littered his broad back, Aaron’s covered his muscular torso.
Theo and Sigmund were the only spectators. Both sat on a wooden bench, drinking brandy and goading the contenders.
“If he was fighting any other man, I’d put my money on Flynn,” Sigmund said before downing a mouthful of liquor. “Happen if he shifted his stance, he might give Mr Chance a good crack on the chin.”
“Aaron is merely toying with him,” Theo countered.
“Stop this nonsense!” she cried.
All four men looked at her. No one appeared shocked by her sudden arrival. Dorian’s gaze slid over her loose hair and nightclothes, a smile touching his lips.
It was evident she’d been in a hurry to reach him.
When a lady promised to protect a man, she meant it.
She descended the three small steps into the ring, strode over to Aaron and braced her hands on her hips. “Your argument is with me, not Mr Flynn. If you must blame anyone, blame me. I kissed him first.”
“I was a heartbeat away from kissing you,” Dorian replied.
She turned to him, her temper easing as she noted his determined expression and the sheer power emanating from his toned body.
Her chest hurt to think of how much she loved him.
She would lay down her life for him, stand strong and take every blow.
“We were drawn to each other,” she confessed, her arms stretched between the men while she played referee. “I couldn’t have denied myself the pleasure even if I’d tried. If I could return to that moment, I would kiss you on the count of one.”
Dorian grinned. “I wouldn’t bother counting at all.”
That’s when she saw the blood coating his lip.
That’s when her temper escaped like a caged beast and went on a rampage. She flew at Aaron, prodding him in the chest. “If you lay another hand on him, I’ll never forgive you. Do you hear me?”
“So you do care about him?” Aaron said, unperturbed by her threat. “I told Flynn if you loved him, you’d come. And here you are, rushing to his aid.”
“You prize fool! Do you think I would give my virtue to any man?”
“That’s the first time you’ve ever called me a fool.”
“I shall call you one again if you throw another punch.”
“Delphine,” Dorian said, a pleading tone to his voice. “You’ll never be mine if I can’t show Aaron I can protect you. This is about more than me breaking my oath. I need to pay my dues. I need to prove I’m worthy of your esteem.”
“Of course you’re worthy. This is absurd.”
“It’s what men do,” Theo called.
“Then you should all be in Bethlem. Nora Adkins’ cell is empty.”
“Flynn lied to me.” Aaron drew his hand across his damp brow and resumed a fighting stance. “He ruined any trust I had in him. He’ll go three rounds if he wants to make amends.”
“What poppycock!” She threw up her hands in protest but knew nothing would dissuade Aaron from proving a point. He had learned hard lessons while surviving in the rookeries. Trust was worth more to him than all the gold in the King’s vault.
Still, she’d be damned if she’d sit idly and watch the men fight.
That’s when an idea struck her.
When she realised there was only one way to disarm Aaron.
“So be it,” she said, marching towards the stairs. She had a weapon in her arsenal and wasn’t afraid to use it. “I’ll be in my bedchamber. Come find me once you’ve settled your differences.”
She did not go to her bedchamber but hurried across the street and knocked on the door of The Burnished Jade. Candlelight in the upper window brought a wave of hope.
It took Miss Lovelace no time to answer. “Miss Chance?” Her gaze dipped to Delphine’s nightclothes, and she peered out into the street. “Good Lord. Is everything all right?”
Delphine suppressed a triumphant grin. Miss Lovelace’s golden curls hung in glorious waves over her shoulders. The lady’s silk dressing gown clung to her womanly curves. One look at the delightful Miss Scrumptious would bring Aaron crashing to his knees.
“Forgive me. I know it’s late, but I need your help. Aaron won’t listen.” She pointed to Fortune’s Den. “I’m in love with Mr Flynn, and Aaron means to test his worth in the fighting pit.” She grasped the lady’s hands. “Please come before someone gets hurt.”
Miss Lovelace glanced at Fortune’s Den like it was the entrance to the netherworld. “What can I do? He never listens to me, either.”
“You’re the only person who unnerves him.”
“I am?” A mix of confusion and pride flashed in Miss Lovelace’s pretty blue eyes. “Well, if you think I can help, I’ll be glad of an opportunity to try. Come inside while I fetch my boots and coat.”
“There’s no time. They have fought one round already.” Delphine tugged the lady’s hand. Aaron needed to see her looking like the goddess Venus. “A punch from Aaron can be deadly. I can’t lose Mr Flynn.”
“Very well. At least let me lock the door.”
Miss Lovelace secured the premises. She raised the hem of her nightwear and tiptoed barefoot over the cobblestones.
Mr Gibbs watched with a curious frown from atop his box.
“This way. They’re in the basement.” Delphine led the lady through the club. “Please. Make him see that violence is not the answer.”
Miss Lovelace sighed like she knew it was an impossible task. “I shall do my best. However, I find it difficult to control my temper around him. Mr Chance is a strain upon my sanity. I told myself it’s best to stay away.”
No!
Little did the lady know, but she was the key to Aaron’s future happiness. No one affected him the way she did. No one!
The second Aaron saw Miss Lovelace descending the stairs into the basement, he froze. He stood like a stone statue hit by Medusa’s deadly glare, except his nemesis was beauty personified.
All eyes were upon them as they reached the ring.
“Good grief! You didn’t tell me he was practically naked,” the lady whispered through gritted teeth. “He’ll be furious.”
“Yes, but he will listen to you. I’m sure of it.”
With a doubtful nod, the lady marched into the ring. “Good evening, Mr Chance. Or should I say good morning? I believe we’re approaching the witching hour.”
Aaron’s gaze moved slowly over her loose hair. His eyes closed briefly and swayed like the sight of her left him a little drunk. “Go home, madame. This is none of your concern.”
“I was invited here.”
“I’m uninviting you.”
“You’re frightening your sister.” Through stormy blue eyes, she scanned Aaron’s muscled torso and gulped. “Judging by the scars littering your chest, perhaps you’re looking to add another to your collection.”
His Adam’s apple bobbed. “What if I am?”
“Punching this gentleman won’t settle your dispute.” Her gaze dipped to his rippling abdominal muscles, and she struggled to form the next word. “W-w-would it not be better to sit and discuss the problem like grown men? You have an intelligent mind. Why not use it?”
“I am. My intelligent mind is the only thing stopping me from throwing you over my shoulder and carrying you back to The Burnished Jade. Leave, madam, before you’re mauled by a monster.”
“It would seem violence is the only thing you know.”
“These fists are the reason I’m alive.” He inhaled deeply, though must have caught a whiff of the lady’s scent because he shook his head and muttered a curse. “Don’t come here looking like you’ve fallen from heaven and expect me to abide by your command.”
Miss Lovelace stared at him. “What did you just say?”
He groaned. “I said these fists—”
“No, the part about heaven.”
Realising his error, he jerked as if reeling from a punch but gathered himself quickly. “Only a fool goads the devil.”
“You’re not the devil. I saw you carrying Mrs Maloney into your carriage two weeks ago when she hurt her ankle.”
“Are you spying on me?”
“I live across the street. It’s hardly spying.” The lady arched a challenging brow. “You moved your desk so you could watch my premises.”
If Aaron was shocked that she’d noticed, one could not tell. “I’m observing my competitor. It’s considered good business acumen.”
“You were at the window long after my club closed.” The lady smiled before offering another damning piece of evidence. “When that drunken buffoon hammered on my door last Friday, you were there in seconds, dragging him away by the scruff of his coat.”
Annoyed his secret had been exposed to all, Aaron captured Miss Lovelace by the elbow. “We’ll resume the last round in a moment, Flynn,” he said, guiding the lady towards the stairs. “Once Miss Lovelace has learned I’m not as patient when I’m half-naked.”
Delphine would apologise to Miss Lovelace tomorrow.
For now, she took advantage of the distraction to inspect the cut on Dorian’s lip. She hoped to steal a kiss, but fate had other plans.
Mr Gibbs appeared at the top of the stairs, blocking Aaron’s retreat. “You’ve a trespasser. I caught her slinking through the darkness like a wraith.” He dragged a woman forward by her arm. “She says she’s here to see Caterina. Says she ain’t leaving until she does.”
“Get off me, you brute.” The white-haired woman tried to wrestle her scrawny arm free while muttering gibberish. “Caterina!”
Dorian slid a comforting arm around Delphine’s waist and pulled her close. “There’s no need to look for Nora Adkins. It appears she has found us.”
Chapter Eighteen
Delphine stared at the thin, emaciated woman dwarfed by Mr Gibbs. Nora’s lank white hair covered half of her face, but not the ugly gash on her forehead. Her dress hung off her bony shoulders like it belonged to someone twice her size.
Like the day she visited Bethlem with Aramis, Nora’s eyes found Delphine’s in the crowd. “Caterina!” she called, the cry disturbing in its desperation. “Oh, Caterina! I’ve found you.”
Dorian firmed his grip on her waist. “Proceed with caution until we establish her motive. Remember, if she was sane when she entered Bethlem, she may be deranged now.”
“Most people are insane to some degree. You’d know if you’d ever tried to steal a biscuit from Aramis.” She tore her gaze from Nora and looked into Dorian’s warm brown eyes before noticing the cut on his lip. “I’m sorry Aaron did this to you. There’s no excuse for his brutish behaviour.”
“Aaron did what any protective brother would do under the circumstances.” He brushed the backs of his fingers softly over her cheek. “He’s not the enemy.”
She breathed a sigh. “I know.”
Nora’s screech stole their attention. In a dazed fit, the absconder tried to tug her arm free from Mr Gibbs before kicking his shin.
“I’m not sure I want to hear what Nora has to say.” How could she trust the woman’s word? “I’m not sure I can bear more bad news.”
“The truth is never easy to hear, but it may set you free.”
What if the truth was a poison in the water, destroying everything in its wake? What if it ate away at her, and all she felt was bitter regret?
“I’m not sure Nora has a grasp on reality. How can I trust her to tell me who I am and why she was locked in Bethlem?”
Aaron intervened then. “I assume you’re Nora Adkins.” He stood at the bottom of the stairs like a human shield.
Nora’s eyes bulged as she scanned his physique. “Well, ain’t you a fine gent? It’s been an age since I’ve seen a man without his shirt.”
“What do you want with my sister?”
“Sister?” Nora hopped from one foot to the other as if standing on hot coals. “Caterina is an only child. She’s like a precious pearl found in the ocean. That’s what her mother used to say when she tucked her up in bed at night and sang her a sweet lullaby.”
The vision brought a sharp pain to Delphine’s throat, a deep ache to her heart. She hugged herself to stop a tidal wave of emotions surfacing. “How do you know my mother?”
“I’m cold to my bones, and the rumble in my belly ain’t thunder. I’ll need a plate full of sustenance and somewhere warm to sit. Be quick now. It won’t be long before them beggars find me.”
“How did you find us?” Aaron said, his words laden with suspicion.
“I pecked and pecked and followed the crumbs.” Nora chuckled and said, “He told me where to come. Happen he was tired of my squawking.”
Aaron gritted his teeth. “Who told you?”
Nora rubbed her belly. “I’ll be grateful for your hospitality first.”
Aaron began barking orders. He had Sigmund race upstairs and secure the premises. He demanded Miss Lovelace stay until they’d established a few facts. As Cook had left for the night, Theo was sent to the kitchen to prepare a cold platter.
Aaron mounted the stairs, beckoning them to follow. “We’ll retire to my study. The fire is lit there.”
Delphine would have been hot on Aaron’s heels, but Dorian caught her arm to stall her. He leant closer and whispered, “From the few words Nora said, I suspect Powell released her and gave her your direction. It’s evident he doesn’t want us prying into his affairs.”
“I agree. Mr Powell must have helped her abscond.” Neither of them believed Nora had escaped of her own volition.
They moved to follow everyone upstairs.
Dorian stopped to grab his shirt off the bench. He winced as he dragged the garment over his head. “Your brother delivered a punishing blow to my ribs. The man is as swift as a bolting steed.”
Keen to touch him, she helped pull the fine lawn down over his torso.
Their eyes met.
Desire coiled low in her belly.
Just like it had hours earlier when he moved deep inside her.
But something else held her enthralled. A feeling too strong to contain.
“I love you.” She slipped her fingers under his shirt to touch his bare skin. “I’m so in love with you, Dorian. I don’t care to hear what Nora has to say. I’m yours. I’ll leave with you tonight. We could run away somewhere. A place no one would find us.”
He cradled her throat and kissed her, his tongue skimming her open lips before plunging deep into her mouth. The hunger, the sheer dominance of the action, made her want to tear off his shirt and rain kisses over his magnificent body.
“I love you,” he growled, tearing his mouth from hers. “I’m so in love with you, I’d travel to the ends of the earth to please you.”
She sensed his hesitation. “But?”
He grasped her cheeks and kissed her again as if unable to stop. “I’ve spent my whole life relegated to the shadows. A nobody. One of the misbegotten. A person whose feelings don’t matter.”
“They matter to me.”
Her reply earned her another kiss.
“From the moment we met, I’ve been unable to refuse you anything. Don’t ask me to hide away like I should be ashamed. I want the world to know what we mean to each other.”
By world, he meant his father.
The man who could ruin everything.
Fear crept into her heart.
Run, run, my darling!
What if her life was meant to be marred by tragedy? What if happiness was never part of the plan? Now that she understood the power of love, did fate have other cruel lessons in store?
“We could go far from here where the truth cannot hurt us,” she said. “Leave the demons of the past behind.”
He entwined his fingers with hers as if nothing could tear them apart. “We must face the truth together. I shall be beside you every step of the way. I’ll help you cope with every harrowing detail. Even if it takes a lifetime.”
