The King's Courtesan (19 page)

He’d certainly enjoyed their first visit…for the most part.

Watching her spinning glass, her thril at the tales surrounding the city and Sherwood Forest… He’d never real y understood how their argument had begun. Somehow he’d offended her, and she’d offended him.

“I will tell you how many men I have fucked if you tell me
how many you have killed.”

Ah, yes. There was that. Three, she’d said. It was shocking only for its moderation. But she’d be shocked if she knew his answer, or what he did in London now, sitting in a secluded alcove in this Russel Street coffee house with its stink of tobacco and frantic bustle of overstimulated fools, waiting for Wil iam de Veres.

Robert disliked asking help from any man, particularly regarding a matter of personal honor, but it was a necessary evil. This wasn’t only about vengeance or redemption. For the first time in a long time there was something to protect. Harris was dangerous, and he had disappeared. So…highwayman, spy, whatever de Veres’s previous hobbies, hopeful y he had something of note to impart, because after two fruitless weeks, al Robert wanted was to be done with his business and go home.

A buzz of excited conversation drew his attention. He laid down his drink and looked to the entrance as a tal , elegant-looking gentleman strode through the door. De Veres doffed a rakish feathered hat and bowed to the room, exchanging a few sal ies and nodding politely to a beefy mutton-chopped gentleman who stood near the door.

Robert recognized him as Joshua Greathead, a country squire who had fought in the civil war under Cromwel and had also led a company of his own. He wondered what acquaintance he might have with de Veres, as the king’s favorite poet sauntered over to join him in the corner.

“Good evening, Lord Newport.” The poet rested his booted feet upon the table and folded his hands across his lap.

“My, what a great big sword you’ve got. It’s hard to believe the lovely Drury Lane angel could have tired of you so soon after seeing that. Or won’t you let her touch it?”

“Cal me Captain Nichols…or Robert if you must. One hopes you’re not as foppish as you look. My enemies fight with swords, de Veres, not words.”

Wil iam grinned in appreciation.

“‘On men disarmed how can one gal ant prove? And I was long ago disarmed by love.’”

“For God’s sake, man. Must you speak in rhyme? It grows damned annoying.”

“My apologies, Captain, if my flights of fancy tax your brain.” He spoke the words slowly, enunciating clearly.

“You sent me a message to meet you here, Lord Rivers.

Why?”

“You made enquiries about Lord Harris. Why?” Robert leaned back in his chair, drawing lazy circles on the battered tabletop, and didn’t answer.

“Perhaps Lizzy is right and I may grow to like you. You could certainly use some friends. You have many enemies, Captain. It’s very hard to fathom given your gentle nature.

Fortunately for you, I am adept with both pen
and
sword. I know you dislike me, but I do love Lizzy, and I did so long before you ever knew her. If I endangered her it was by accident, and I cannot regret it, for it brought us together again. But you had a part to play. You kept her safe and cared for her. I know you did it for her and not for me, but I am indebted to you nonetheless. I sent you a message because I thought you should know that Lord Harris has been making enquiries about
you
.” Robert’s hand stil ed, and he lifted his head to look Wil iam straight in the eyes. “That’s interesting.”

“I thought so.”

“What do you know of him?” Robert’s tone was mild.

“He is sadistic, vicious, a murderer, but a dab hand at racing and cards. He cal s himself Colonel, though he was cashiered from the army a decade ago. He’s been twice charged with rape, and once with assault, though he’s scampered away unscathed from each charge.” scampered away unscathed from each charge.”
I should have killed him years ago. Who else has he
harmed because of my failure?
“Is there some reason Charles would want to reward him?”

“Perhaps. I’m not as close to His Majesty as I once was.

Charles is rather indolent when it comes to paperwork. The devil is in the details. Literal y in this case. I doubt he knows anything about the man’s crimes or he’d never be welcomed at court. Harris is wealthy, owns several brothels and has vast properties in Lancashire and Scotland. He’s wel connected and wel protected as he’s owed significant sums of money by significant men. He has made several generous contributions to His Majesty’s cause. What’s real y curious is why he should have any interest in you.” Robert nodded. His fingers unconsciously stroked the hilt of his sword. “You’ve been very helpful, Lord Rivers. You have my thanks. Do you know where I might find him?”

“Again, I ask why?”

“I have business of a private nature with him, and it would seem he also has business with me.”

“There can be no good business with him, Nichols.” Wil iam eyed Robert’s sword pointedly. “And the king is dead set against dueling. You have your lands and you have the king’s gratitude and goodwil . And the girl…she is charming, is she not?”

Robert gave him a sharp look.

“Mmm. Yes, I thought so. I refer, of course, to her winning nature. She was far too selective and overchaste to make a convincing courtesan. You have stumbled upon a prize there, Captain. If there is something personal between you and Harris I suggest you let it go and enjoy the bounty fate has sent you, lest you anger our dear Charles and lose it al .”

Elizabeth trusts this man.
“There is something
very
personal between us, Rivers. A debt that must be paid.

Even if I wished to let it go I cannot. I spent years tracking him only to lose him in Europe. Now he is back and a danger to me and mine. It was he who was meant to have Cressly. He asked the king for it specifical y. He can’t be sure I know it was him. He can’t be sure I know he’s back. I need to put him dow— I need to deal with him before he does.”

Wil iam smiled and leaned back in his chair. “Lizzy made me promise to act with discretion and maturity, and to try and dissuade you from impulsive acts. You are my witness that I did. But intrigue, espionage, danger… I am married, Captain, not dead.”

“You discussed my message to you with Elizabeth?”

“Of course I did. I tel her everything. There is nothing you can do at the moment. Your quarry is in Scotland.

Surrounded by armed men. He left right after you did, supposedly to raise monies for His Majesty’s ambitions abroad. By the time you reach his holdings he’l likely be on his way back to London. Go home. Be patient. I wil be your eyes and ears. Rest assured I’l keep you informed of al you need to know and help in any way I can.”

“I thank you for the offer, de Veres….” Pride, one of his staunchest al ies over the years, made a halfhearted effort to refuse, but it was no match for a sudden vision of a sooty-faced enchantress. It was his duty to take care of her, after al . A thing he could hardly do from miles away. “Your help is much appreciated. And please, give Elizabeth my best regards.”

“
De rien,
Captain. I always pay my debts. Besides, it should prove entertaining.”

Robert set out for home with a sense of anticipation he hadn’t felt in years. In the short time he’d known her, Hope had become so much a part of his life it seemed she’d always been there. For the first time in a long time it felt like there was something to go home to.

“‘ONE FOR SORROW,

Two for mirth,

Three for a wedding,

Four for a birth.’

“Me ma taught me that one,” Lucy said proudly. “Magpies know things.”

“Everyone’s mother told them that,” Patience said with a disdainful sniff.

“Wel , I’ve never heard it before.” Hope stood, her head crooked to one side, as two of Sergeant Oakes’s rather burly footmen repositioned a painting yet again. “I wish I’d known that before
my
wedding.”

Everyone laughed, even Mrs. Overton, who couldn’t help but add, “The master is a good man. Magpies three was good luck for you, my lady.”

As they worked, they al vied to impress their new city mistress with hard-won country wisdom, which in turn led to stories of dastardly deeds and neighborhood ghosts and hauntings. Fortunately Sergeant Oakes stepped in before stories got started about Cressly. Hope stil heard noises that made her jump, and the cry of hunting birds at night sometimes alarmed her.

There was a thirst among the staff to bring the neglected house back to life. Underneath the humming and singing, laughter and joking, there was pride. For the past few weeks, since she’d returned from her shopping, al the staff had lent a hand working together, and it showed. Day by day, in remarkably short order, the house had taken on a new life and bril iance. Plaster wal s were whitewashed, panels and floors polished, and light streamed through windows and danced along the hal s.

Now they embarked on decorating: hanging paintings and tapestries, removing dusty sheets and laying down rugs.

She hadn’t needed to purchase as much as she’d expected after raiding the treasure trove of furniture, paintings and hangings packed in storage. She asked Mrs.

Overton, over tea, why so much had been put away.

“It was first put there for safekeeping, during the war, my lady. The master was hardly ever home. It was just me and the servants. He was gone for seven years with just one visit. When he final y came home he didn’t seem to have much interest. Then Mr. Oakes said the house was going to someone else and we’d al be moving to town so we packed up more. It does my heart good, ma’am, to see it shining like it is. I never thought I’d see it this way again.” Hope had been careful to mend relations with the housekeeper. The woman’s experience and expertise were invaluable, and she had no interest in taking over her duties. “My goodness, Mrs. Overton! You managed this place by yourself for seven years? That must have been an enormous task. What would the captain have done without you?”

“I don’t know, my lady, and that’s the truth. The sergeant wasn’t here neither. I suspect it would have gone to ruin, and himself not even notice.”

“Wel , thank the lord you were able to preserve it. Between us we’l return her to her former glory and see if he notices that.”

The housekeeper grinned. “Aye, ma’am. I daresay he might. At least once he gets the bil s.” Hope’s heart leapt when a coach arrived from London two days later, but it was just her plate and silverware, not the captain returning home. She flung a note from Charles in the fire without opening it. It was a private note, not a royal missive, and she felt no obligation to treat it differently than one from any other man. She hadn’t expected to miss the captain quite so much, but the wild night he’d taken her during the storm had changed things between them, even if he’d left for London before she could understand how.

She couldn’t cal what happened between them making love. It was far too rough, too urgent, too angry, on both their parts. But there had been passion, attraction, lust and delirious pleasure. Even though he’d said it mustn’t happen again, she felt as if he’d branded her, claiming every part of her, even her thoughts.

She hadn’t known he had been so close to losing his home.

Had he been in debt? It didn’t seem so. Was it because he fought for parliament? Perhaps. In any case, it helped explain what he meant when he said he’d not married her for a title. He’d said other things, too.

It’s not you who haunts my dreams.

That meant someone else did. He refused to talk of his family or past, and he rarely laughed or smiled, but even when he did there was a haunted look in his eyes. A man who looked like he did could not have spent his life alone.

She wasn’t the only woman who’d watched him hungrily in London. Was there a lost love? A broken heart? A tragedy in his past? Who
did
he dream of? Even if it wasn’t her, she wanted him to come home.

Despite his prohibition, she turned her attention to the garden. Not the large overgrown jungles that surrounded the house. They had been scavenged for blooms to brighten the dining room and landings, but otherwise left alone. But the hidden garden behind the magical little room seemed to cal out to her so loud she couldn’t refuse. It was beautiful in its own wild glory and she didn’t seek to tame it.

She pruned a bit and weeded, loosened packed earth and cleared away dead leaves. Sergeant Oakes came to help her with the fountain and she took the time to thank him for finding her such a lovely room.

“That wasn’t me, lass,” he replied. “The captain was very clear he wanted you to have it. He said you’d like the brightness and the view.”

“He did?”
He thought of my comfort even as we were
quarrelling?
The fountain was hot work, and she poured the sergeant a healthy mug of wine from the jug she’d brought to the garden.

“Oh, aye, ma’am. ‘She’s a fey little thing, Oakes,’ says he.

‘She’s bound to find it gloomy here. Give her the sunny one over the river, and fil it with al the plants you can find.’”

“Wel , that was very thoughtful of him. He never said a thing.”

“He wouldn’t, ma’am.” The wine was making the sergeant loquacious and she made sure to keep his cup ful . “He’s good at taking care of people, but not much of a one for talking. Maggie claims his old nurse said he was more sociable so to speak, as a child, but ever since I’ve known him, and that’d be nigh on twenty years, he’s had a tendency to keep his thoughts mostly to himself.”

“Real y?”

“Aye. Shut tight as a clam, he is. He was made lieutenant at sixteen. I didn’t much like the thought of having a green boy as an officer, and neither did the other men. But even then he weren’t no boy. I swear we al thought he was born old.

There was something dark about him. He never laughed or smiled and he was always business. Not one to sit and have a beer with the boys. Myself, I thought the lad had demons, but if he did he kept them to himself.”

“Demons?” She had noticed something dark about him, but that was not how she’d describe it.