Never Wager Against Love (Kellington Book Three) (26 page)

“Lord Arthur, I see your thoughts are far from here,” said
Sofia as she approached him.  “Or perhaps not so far away,” she said with a
glance toward the wagon where he’d left Vanessa. “Come.  We have much to
discuss and very little time.”

He followed her through the camp to a clearing by the nearby
trees.

“You are troubled,” she said matter-of-factly.

He raised a brow in surprise.  He didn’t realize he’d been
that transparent.  “I would like to marry Vanessa, but know there are obstacles
ahead.”

“Obstacles are not so very big when love is involved,” she
said with a smile.  “And I feel there is much love between you.  On both your
parts.  But, I am sad to say, Arthur, that marriage is the very least of your
problems.”

That wasn’t exactly the reassurance Arthur was looking for. 
“Do you remember your prophesy for me?”

“As if it were yesterday.”

“Is she the woman you spoke of?  The woman I love?”

Sofia nodded. 

Arthur could barely breathe to ask his next question.  “The
danger.  Has it passed?”

For a long moment, it looked like Sofia would not answer him. 
“Why is that important?  A love such as yours is rare.  It should be
cherished.  Worries will only get in the way of that.  Don’t think about what
may happen.  Rejoice in what you have right now.”

“Is she in danger?  Do you still believe she’ll be shot?” 
Arthur could not keep the desperation out of his voice.

Sadly, the older woman nodded.  “I am sorry, Arthur.  I wish
it were not so.  But, if anything, I feel even stronger now that I’ve met her
that this lovely young woman will be in extreme danger one more time.  Do with
that what you will.  I have been wrong before, but not often.  The other
prophesies I made, the ones about your family.  Did they come true?”

Arthur wanted to tell Sofia that she was a fraud, that she
was most assuredly wrong.  But instead he answered truthfully.  “You were right
about Ned.  He did travel over the sea.  He was a spy on the continent, where
he fell in love with a woman he married seven years later.  Lizzie doesn’t have
any children yet, but I wouldn’t put it past her and Riverton to be working on
that even as we speak.  I have no idea of the status of Liam’s love life.  I do
believe you were off on your prophesy about Hal.  He is the last man on earth
to tell people not to drink.  And I want more than anything for you to be wrong
about Vanessa.  I would give my life to protect her.”

“I know you would.  And I sincerely hope it does not come to
that.  But think of how much love there is in that sacrifice.  I cannot tell
for certain what will happen.  But I do know for a surety that both your lives
will be better if you love each other for as long as you have.  Do that Arthur. 
Life is a gamble.  But never wager against love.  It has the power to set us free. 
Now, if you and Vanessa are ready, we should depart.”

The many wagons moved as one as the tribe left their current
camp to move to one somewhere down the line.  They made a quick detour to drop
Arthur, Vanessa and Sir Lawrence back at their carriage, which was still at the
inn.  Sofia came out of her wagon to see them off personally.  She reached up
and kissed Arthur on the cheek.  “God be with you, Arthur.  And peace
throughout your days.”

Arthur could hardly contain the fear inside him.  But fear
did no one any good.  He would simply redouble his efforts to protect Vanessa. 
And he would love her to the end of their days.

CHAPTER TWENTY

It took close to twenty hours, but Dumbarton’s carriage
finally reached London.  It had been a frustrating journey for all three of the
carriage’s occupants, but especially tense for Arthur.  Now that his suspicions
about Sir Lawrence had taken root, he was even more annoyed by the man’s many
complaints.  Since Sir Lawrence needed to put his ankle up on the seat
opposite, Arthur and Vanessa were unable to sit next to each other.  And while
they would not have been able to engage in any intimacies with Sir Lawrence in the
carriage regardless of where they were seated, Arthur wanted to have her at
arm’s reach.

They dropped Sir Lawrence at his bachelor’s quarters first. 
His rooms were in a good neighborhood just beyond Mayfair, a popular area for
many of the
ton’s
young bucks.  Truth be told, the neighborhood was
nicer than the one Arthur lived in.  Arthur helped Sir Lawrence to his rooms,
with Vanessa following.   The valet whose mother had died had not yet returned,
so as Arthur started a fire, Vanessa found fresh water for him.

“I wish you would’ve let us stop one more time for a meal,
Kellington,” sniffed Sir Lawrence.  “My landlady shan’t like it when I ring her
for food at this hour.  Put another shovel of coal in there, will you chap? 
Don’t want to be a skinflint with the heat.”

Arthur added coal to the fire, steeling himself with
patience.  He’d been hungry himself as they’d approached that last inn, but had
decided that prolonging his time with Sir Lawrence by even twenty minutes would
have resulted in grave bodily harm to the agent.

“Kellington,” said Sir Lawrence, clearly unaware of how much
Arthur wanted to leave, “do be so good as to lay out my clothes for tomorrow. 
With my man gone, it will be ever so hard for me to dress myself properly.”

“Lawrence,” said Vanessa wearily, “I don’t think it is
appropriate to ask Lord Arthur to work as your valet.  I’m sure your landlady
can find someone to help you dress in the morning.  And it is, after all, only
a sprained ankle.  Surely you can muddle through on your own.”

Both Arthur and Sir Lawrence looked at her in surprise. 

She faced both of them.  “I’m tired, it has been a long
journey and I simply want to go home and find my bed.”

“An excellent suggestion,” said Arthur.  “Sir Lawrence, it
was an interesting adventure.”

“It was, indeed,” muttered an offended Sir Lawrence.  But
then he suddenly brightened.  “Say, it would be my pleasure to meet with his
grace and report on our mission.”

“I’m sure it would,” said Arthur.  “But I’m not so sure it
would please him.   Good night, Sir Lawrence, I hope you feel better soon.”

With that, Arthur ushered Vanessa out of Sir Lawrence’s
rooms and back to the carriage.  He helped her in, gave instructions to the
coachman, then joined her inside.

He sat next to her and folded her into his arms.  He kissed
her lightly on the lips.  “I’ve wanted to do that ever since we left the Gypsy
camp.”

She smiled up at him and kissed him back.  They were both
tired.  Weary to the bone from the long trip and the events of the past few
weeks.  They kept their caresses light, but there was a connection between the
two that was even more restorative than sleep.  Somehow being with each other made
them both feel lighter.  Made them both connect in a way neither had
experienced before.

Then the carriage drew to a halt. 

Vanessa had been so caught up in Arthur’s kisses that she
had no idea where they’d gone.  The view outside her window drew her up short. 
“Is that….”

“Lynwood House,” said Arthur as he opened the door, then
turned to help her down.  “Specifically, we are at the mews behind Lynwood
House.”  He motioned for her to join him.

She didn’t move.  “I shall find a hack to take me home.”

“No, you will not,” said Arthur, beckoning once again.

“Will the carriage take me?” asked Vanessa, afraid of what she
thought he had in mind.  “No, the poor carriage men need to find their beds.” 
She could see a handful of sleepy grooms coming out from the stables.  One of
them was already unharnessing the horses.  Arthur stepped away to give
instructions to the head groom, as well as to thank their driver.

He returned to her.  “Love, you will prevent these good men
from returning to their beds if you don’t come with me now.”  He gently pulled
her from the carriage, then reached in and grabbed her saddlebag and valise. 
“You will feel much better after a long sleep, then we can discuss further
plans in the morning.  Or, early afternoon, since there is the distinct
possibility I shall sleep most of the day.”

With her hand in his, he began walking across the drive to
the back garden.

“But you don’t imagine I can stay here!” she said.

“You shall have your own room and with my sister in
residence it won’t be improper in the least.”

“But of course it will,” she whispered.  “I am not of a rank
to be considered a guest in your home.”

“You weren’t worried about that when you crashed the
Riverton house party.”  He guided her through the tall pine trees which
bordered the garden. 

“I was on a mission and had no choice,” she said.  “And I
felt bad about deceiving the marquess and his family.  I have a home here in
London.  I can go back to my rooms…”

“No,” said Arthur.

“No?” said Vanessa in somewhat of a panic because they were
rapidly approaching the house.

“No.  I believe you to be in grave danger.  I will not allow
you to go back to your rooms tonight.”

“I’m an agent of the Crown.  I am used to being in danger,”
she said.

He stopped and turned to face her.  “But I shall never grow
used to it.  I fear for your safety and I’ll be damned if I simply let you fall
victim to anything.”   He continued on the last few steps to the French doors
at the rear parlor.  “I’d rather not wake the servants, since they have to get
up in a few hours.  But I don’t suppose we’ll be lucky enough to find these
doors unlatched.  They were our favorite escape route when I was growing up.” 
He tried the handle and it opened.  “It looks like fortune smiles on us
tonight.”

Vanessa hesitated before entering, somehow knowing her life
would change if she did.  But Arthur’s hand at her back gently pushed her into
the house. 

She could see only enough to know that whatever room they
were in was quite large.  Arthur lit a candle at the flint box by the
fireplace, then led her through the dark house.  Once they reached the
staircase, he escorted her up past a landing, then on to the next floor.  They
walked through a series of hallways until they reached a door.

“This is your room,” whispered Arthur.  “You can pick another
tomorrow if you choose, but this one is always at the ready for unexpected
guests.”

“Arthur,” she whispered.  “I shall certainly not stay
another night.  I will go home in the morning.  Indeed, I would like to go right
now.”

“Out of the question!” Arthur raised his voice just a bit,
then took it down to a whisper again.  “You will stay in this house until we
learn who the Judas is.  And do not think to sneak away in the night, for my
old bed chamber is next door.  I shall hear you and the consequences will not
be to your liking.”

“You’ve brought me to the family wing!” whispered Vanessa
furiously.  “It was bad enough when I was just to be a guest.  But to be in the
family wing is most irregular.”

“What is really most irregular,” drawled a voice from the
end of the hall, “is why a whisper carries so much further than the normal
spoken voice.  Good evening, Miss Gans – Arthur told us your real name when he
wrote his letter from the road.  Welcome home, Arthur.”

Vanessa wanted to curl up in shame.  “Good evening, your
grace,” she said, making her curtsey to the Duke of Lynwood.  He was exactly as
she remembered from the house party.  A tall man – though not quite as tall as
Arthur – with a commanding presence.  Even in his dressing gown, with his black
hair mussed from sleep, he had the dignity and carriage of a duke.

“Thank God you’re here, Liam,” said Arthur.

Lynwood raised his brows in question.  “Where else would you
expect me to be?  Indeed, you’re the one who insisted on moving out of the
house into your own rooms.”

“Yes, well, I need the use of my old room temporarily, if I
may,” he said.  “And one for Miss Gans, too.  Hallo, Hal.” 

His younger brother Hal had just emerged from his room.  He
was as handsome as his brothers, and was by far the most rakish of them all. 
He smiled at Vanessa.  “What a pleasure to see you again, Miss Gans.  I can
hardly think of a better way to be awakened.”

“Hal,” growled Arthur in warning.

“This is why I moved to the country,” said a man Vanessa
didn’t know.  But he looked like a Kellington, and as he escorted his pregnant
wife out of their room, Vanessa realized they were Ned and Jane.  “The only
noises I have to put up with in the middle of the night are a few owls and
wolves.”  But the smile he turned on his brother and Vanessa took the sting out
of his words.

“Ned!” said Arthur as he and his brother embraced.  “I hadn’t
expected to see you.”  Then he bent to give his sister-in-law a brotherly
kiss.  “Jane, you look even more beautiful than the last time I saw you.  Your
condition becomes you.”

She smiled up at him and patted his arm.  Jane Wetherby
Kellington was blonde, with light brown eyes and warmth that radiated from
her.  Vanessa had been curious about this woman who worked as a surgeon in the
village of Marston Vale.   One thing was clear from how close Jane and Ned
stood to each other, how their fingers touched while they spoke to others:  theirs
was a love match.

Jane turned to her.  “Since none of these rag-mannered men
will introduce us, I feel I must.  I’m Jane Kellington,” she said with a bright
smile, holding out her hand to Vanessa.

Vanessa couldn’t help but instantly like the woman.  She
touched fingers with her as she curtsied.  “I am Vanessa Gans.  I’m pleased to
meet you, my lady.”

“Miss Gans!” said Jane excitedly.  “Liam, Hal and Lizzie
have all been telling us about you.  Are you really an agent for the Crown? 
You must tell us all about it.”

At that moment, a sleepy little girl emerged from a room
that was adjoining Ned and Jane’s.  She had dark hair and green eyes.  “Papa,
why is everyone in the hall?”