Sylvie Sommerfield - Noah's Woman (31 page)

"It is," Noah said as he sat down opposite Charles. "I want you to know, first, that you are in as much danger as we suspected. But now that we know their plans, we can not only stop them, we can get the whole group . . . if we handle this right."

"But I thought the letters were stolen?"

"That is what they believe as well. You see, I made copies and . . . allowed the others to be taken."

"I don't understand."

"I have decoded the letters, and we could at any time put our hands on the traitors. I . . . I just need a little more time."

"Noah, you know by now that you can ask what you want and I will try to accommodate you. But I think I need to hear the whole story. You say your wife is involved."

"No, not involved; used like an innocent pawn."

"Then we need only go to her and tell her what she has done and"

"No, it's not as simple as that, at least not for me," Noah answered quietly. Brandywine looked closely at him for a minute.

"You see, I want her to tell me of her part in this of her own free will."

"You love her and trust her that much?"

"Yes, I do. She will come to me . . . I have all the faith in the world in that."

"Enough to jeopardize lives?"

"Enough to lay my own life on it, if I must."

"We can still protect ourselves?"

"Now that we know the full scope of their plans,

yes. There is no danger of the threat being completed. I ask only for time."

"Then you have it. I would like to know the names of those involved."

"Of course. Douglas Van Buran is the mastermind, along with Lord Sussex and Lord Mileston, all of whom want you out of the way. They are aided by Gregory Hamilton, and I believe his mother, Glenda Hamilton."

"You have suspected Hamilton all along, haven't you?"

"Yes. I have never liked or trusted him. It was he who involved Charity."

"Let me hear the rest; I'm intrigued."

Noah went on to explain how he had learned that Charity was involved with Gregory. "He meant to use her because"he smiled"she is a wonderful actress and she had learned to be light-fingered. He expected her to bring the letters to him. Then we met and fell in love, and I believe with my whole heart that she changed her mind. I do know she did not deliver the letters to Hamilton."

"Good Lord! You are protecting her, aren't you? Hamilton can be merciless and very unforgiving."

"He will have to get through me before he can get to her . . . I will see him dead before he touches a hair on her head."

"Noah, what if"

"No! Charity will not betray me."

"You are so certain of her love?"

"Yes, I am."

"Then I will put my trust with yours. We will see these plotters confounded."

"Then I will have the time I need?"

"When is this . . . assassination to take place?"

"In twelve days, and do not confide any more in Lord Ferrier."

"He is involved?" Brandywine's tone was shocked.

"No, he's not. But it seems the lovely Anne would like to keep his fortune and position, and rid herself of him. He is to be with you at the dedication where you both are to meet your deaths."

"My God, she is that cold-blooded?"

"She is without a conscience, and she has a lust for wealth and power."

"I would say she has other lusts as well."

"I regret every moment I spent with her, and I cannot help but compare her to Charity. Out of jealousy Anne would see me lose my position at court, perhaps even my life."

"We will follow your plan. I will tell Her Majesty when the right time comes. Until then, I would like to meet this lovely wife of yours. I would see the woman who has captivated Noah Morgan so completely that he will lay his life in her hands."

"She is with Her Majesty right now. Shall we join them? You will soon see just how fortunate I am."

The two left the room and went to join the queen and Charity.

Charity had found herself warming to this small and delightful woman who was queen. She had a charm and a wit that surprised Charity.

While Charity relaxed in her presence, the queen was studying her. Noah was very dear to her, and she wanted to judge for herself the kind of wife he had chosen.

She had long ago thought that he would never marry, for he had had his choice of women and never seemed to give the deepest part of himself to any. Of course, being as involved as he was with Brandywine and the court, she assumed he trusted little and was in fact a bit jaded. But this sweet innocent was so disarming and charming that she could see how she would draw Noah.

''Where did you and Noah meet?"

"At a masked ball given by Lady Ferrier."

"Ah, Lady Ferrier. She is famous for her balls and parties."

"And for her interest in Noah," Charity replied quietly.

"So you know about that?"

"There is little about Noah that does not interest me. I want to make him happy, and that means understanding him and learning what pleases him."

"Noah is a very lucky man."

"No, Your Majesty, if you will forgive me for contradicting you, it is I who am lucky. You do not know how lucky."

"Perhaps you would like to tell me."

"I am an orphan, Your Majesty. I have never known anyone of my blood. I was not raised to wealth, but in an orphanage. I never even dreamed of finding someone like Noah, and I intend to make him know every day that I am grateful for his love." Charity was

not sure how the truth of her background was going to affect the queen or how it would affect Noah, but she had decided on honesty from this day forward, and talking of her past was the first step.

"How interesting. Noah has not told me of this. I see he has done things in his own unique way again. I will be interested in your lives in the future."

"I am grateful for Your Majesty's interest. I think Noah means more to you than he may realize."

"You are right. I have cared a great deal for the rogue for a long time. I knew his parents well, and loved them."

"I hear"Charity smiled"that Noah's father was a bit of a rogue himself."

"That he was," Victoria laughed. "And he, too, found a remarkable wife in his adventures. Sofia has been a friend since he brought her to court. I think . . . Noah has been just as lucky."

"Thank you. I hope to prove you right."

"Do you intend to start a family soon?"

"I think so. I have been alone most of my life and I would love to gather a family about me. I know Noah would like a son; what man does not?"

"They can be a blessing."

"I am sure."

Before the queen could answer, voices came from behind them, and they turned to see Charles and Noah walking toward them.

"You have completed your affairs, Lord Brandywine?" the queen questioned.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Concluded them in a most interesting way."

"And I am afraid there are some pressing things I must see to for Lord Brandywine, so Charity and I must beg your leave, almost as soon as lunch is over," Noah said.

Lunch was a pleasant affair, for Noah was his most charming and the queen enjoyed seeing the way Charity seemed to hang on his every word. Lord Brandywine watched Charity closely as well, and prayed that what he saw was the truth, for this delicate creature could do Noah more harm than any assassin could.

When Charity and Noah had gone, the queen and Lord Brandywine sat in silence for a while. It was she who spoke first.

"So, Charles, I believe there is something you need to tell me."

"Only in the strictest confidence, Your Majesty, and with the request that you will let me see this thing to the end."

"Is there danger for you?"

"Not only for me, but for Noah as well."

"Then you have our word."

Charles began to explain and watched his sovereign's face go from surprise, to shock, to anger, and then to serious contemplation.

"They seek to assassinate you and Lord Ferrier, and believe I know nothing of their true natures," she said. "How foolish they are. Lord Van Buran takes a great deal on himself to decide who would follow you. I know more of him than he thinks."

"The assassination will never come about. Noah now knows all their plans."

"Then why do you not seize them now? Newgate is too good for them, but they will be hanged soon enough."

"I think, when you hear what I have to say, you will understand why we do not choose to move just yet."

Charles went on to explain, and the queen was silent until he finished. "I see," she said quietly. "Much does rest on waiting."

"Yes, the heart, and the faith, and the future of a man we both care for. Let us allow him to seek his happiness before we do anything. Our assassins will not move yet. I would see Noah get his reward before we end this."

Yes, the queen thought, his reward . . . and I hope that reward is not betrayal.

The next morning, Charity rose and dressed before Noah was awake. She sent for their carriage and left the house. Within an hour she arived at the Round and was welcomed by her friends there, including Tiny and Minnow, who surprised her by the warmth of their welcome. It was a while before she could get Amiee alone to tell her why she had come.

"Amiee, I want you to return the packet of letters I gave you to hide."

"Are you going to destroy them?"

"No, not destroy them. I am going to take them to Noah and tell him the full truth."

"You're not afraid?"

"Of course I'm afraid, but I cannot go on like this.

Noah is so . . . so wonderful. He does not deserve a wife why is lying to him. I might have the answers to more than I know. Amiee, I have heard so much of Gregory since I have gone from the Round. I was very wrong in what I did. I need to face Noah."

"I am happy to hear you say that. I was going to come to you. I have heard a few unsavory things myself and I was afraid for you."

"I'll be fine . . . if Noah forgives me."

"I'm sure, the way he loves you, he can forgive many things."

"I must go now, while I still have my courage."

"I'll get the packet." Amiee left the room, and returned with the packet in her hand. "Charity, if . . . if the worst happens, I want you to know that you can always come here."

"Thank you, Amiee, but I cannot allow myself to think that way or it will defeat me. This is going to be the hardest thing I have ever done."

Amiee handed her the packet, then embraced her. "Good luck."

Charity left the Round and was walking toward her carriage when she was surprised by someone quietly calling her name. She turned to face a shadowed alley and saw Charles Brentwood, with a smile of satisfaction on his face.

"Hello, Charity. It's nice to see you again. We have some unfinished business, I believe."

"None that I know of. You tried to attack me and I ran. You don't believe I'll let you intimidate me again?"

"I do not want to intimidate you. I want only to

congratulate you on your marriage. I hear Lord Morgan is quite wealthy and powerful. You have my admiration. How useful he can be."

"You think I married Noah for wealth and power?"

"I think you are very clever. Too clever not to listen to me. I would not want to tell him that I shared your bed before he did. I don't think he would understand."

"You wouldn't tell such a lie!" Charity's face grew pale, and Charles smiled in satisfaction.

"Oh, but I would."

"Why? I have done you no harm."

"I wanted to give you everything, Charity, and you rejected me. I would be very pleased to have you come to me and say how sorry you are . . . and show me how repentant you can be."

"Never!"

"Will you not?"

"No."

"Even if it means your new and loving husband will learn of your promiscuity?"

"He won't believe you."

"I have proof that you lived beneath my roof. Don't you think I can convince him that you were . . . receptive? Even if I tell him of that sweet little heart of a birthmark you have on your lovely bottom?"

"I ran from you."

"Only because I would no longer pay your demands. And to speak of demands, you've come here for something that some friends of mine are very interested in. You have a packet of letters in your possession now . . . I want them."

"You know"

"Yes, I know. I will have them . . . and I will have you, wherever and whenever I want you."

Charity glared at him, and his smile faded before her anger. He meant to have her, to punish her, and eventually to return her to Noah, soiled and shamed . . . then spread the word of her indiscretion. It would destroy both her and her husband.

Slowly Charity removed the letters from her reticule and handed them to Charles, who put them in his coat pocket.

"Excellent. And now, Charity, about you and me."

"Why can you not just take the letters and go?"

"Because I want you and I mean to have you. Now, will you comply . . . or must I speak to your husband?"

Charity looked beaten, and Charles felt triumphant. He would have her, he would enjoy her . . . oh, he would enjoy her.

"When?" she asked in a soft and heartbroken voice.

"Tomorrow night. You will come to me." He was almost licking his lips.

"This is blackmail."

"Very effective blackmail, you will admit. I mean to enjoy you many times, my sweet, for all the nights I dreamed of having you. I mean to take you as often as I choose. You will gratify me . . . or you will regret it."

"I will hate you."

"Hate can be an interesting passion. You will hate more every time I possess you. And I will take my

pleasure both in the having of you and in your hatred. It will make you more exciting."

"Charles, please" Her voice faltered.

"Say that again, Charity."

"Please?"

"I would hear you say it when I take you in my arms. I would hear you say
please
then. All this could have been avoided if you had not run from me."

"You meant to make me your mistress."

"Yes, and now I will. Jessica is dead, so there is nothing to stop me from enjoying you as often as I wish."