What the Earl Desires (27 page)

Francesca Kelly, Countess Valewood.

His ex-fiancée.

“Franny,” he said coolly.

Her light brown eyes narrowed slightly.
I forgot she hates that name.
He’d always thought he could never forget her beauty and yet, right here, right now, staring at her she was remarkably…unmemorable.

“You are looking good. I heard about your father and brothers. Sorry for your loss.”

He inclined his head by way of thanks.

“May I?” she asked waving a gloved hand before her.

“Sure.” He took a drink.

Francesca pulled out a chair and sat while removing her kid-leather gloves. She placed them on the table.

“You seem different,” she said pouring herself a drink from the bottle on the table.

Colin sat forward and braced his arms on the smooth wood. “People change when years pass. What do you want?”

She sipped slowly and cast a glance around the place. He knew people watched them, for her jilting him was a well known fact. If it showed up in a betting book at a gaming hell he wouldn’t be the least bit surprised.

When she deigned to look at him again he saw the slyness in her gaze and his guards solidified. “I made a mistake you know,” she commented offhandedly.

He had already grown bored with this exchange. “Really.” It wasn’t a question.

“I thought Vale would make me happy.” Her thin face showed distaste. “He is a vile man.”

“Why do you think I give a damn about your marriage, Franny? You made the choice.
You
left me for him, his name, and his money.”

He watched her expression and knew she was less than pleased with the direction of their encounter. There was no remorse in him for her or what her life had become.

“I miss you. How it felt to be in your arms.” She reached across the table and dragged her fingers down the back of his hand and rested one finger upon his.

Her touch used to excite him. Hell, everything about her did. Not anymore. He felt nothing but antipathy for her.

Colin broke their contact and peered at his timepiece. Time to go. “Then that is your problem.” He rose. “Good bye, Lady Valewood.” Coat on he left Almack’s without a glance back. He took his carriage to see his mother before he returned home to do some more work.

Another message waited for him when he got home.

Y
our time is coming.

He swore and shoved it into a lower drawer. Sending for Pug, he sat the boy across from him at the chessboard. It had become their ritual and he was really beginning to enjoy it. Pug had no one and had melded into the house with ease. Except for the occasional refusal to bathe.

“I have some questions for you, Pug, and I want the truth.”

The boy nodded and tugged on his starched collar. Pug wore the clothes a boy would wear if he were Colin’s son and not an urchin off the street. Colin didn’t care, he liked having Pug around.

“Who paid you to get me the message?”

“A man who works for Mr. Mitch. I took it to yer house but the stuffy man said you were here.”

Stuffy man. Had to be Abel. Colin moved his knight. “So you rode here. Did you recognize the man who attacked you?”

“No. He was a big bloke. Smelly. Had a beard wot covered up his face. Scar down one eye.” He drug a finger over his left eye as he moved a pawn.

“How did you get away?”

Pug grinned, a sparkle highlighting his eyes. “’E was big, not too fast.”

The boy was smart and quick on his feet. “What about your family?” he asked moving another piece.

A small shrug. “Got none.”

I must be getting soft.
“You are welcome to stay here.”

Shrewd eyes met his. “I thought you not like that.”

Colin frowned. “What?”

“One of those men who likes little bo--”

“Oh, God no. No. No. No!” He held out his hands, appalled Pug would have even the knowledge of such things. “I meant no such thing as that. I mean you stay here and get some schooling.”

“Why?”

“You are a smart lad who is fearless.”

Pug cocked his head to the side. “We wagerin’, guv?”

Colin put all his attention on the boy. “No. No wager. No deals. Just the offer. If you want to live with me here and in the country, you can. If not, Berry will take you back to where you came from.”

“None o’ that funny business?”

The way Pug kept going back to that made him wonder if something had not happened to him in the past. “My preference runs to women much older than you,” he stated bluntly.

Pug never missed a beat. “Like that Miss Najja? You stared at her like a hungry man after food.”

Colin slid his queen along the board. “Like her.”

Pug countered with his knight. The boy was quick. Extremely analytical. He’d picked up this game in no time. “Do I have to call you, my lord?”

Colin chuckled. “No. Colin is fine.” He repositioned his bishop to the square he wanted. “Checkmate. You are getting good at this game, Pug. If you remember anything else about the one who attacked you, let me know.” He got to his feet and smiled at the boy who frowned at the board before him. “I will see you later.”

He made it to the door before Pug’s question stopped him.

“So you will protect me?”

Lowering his hand from where it rested on the knob, Colin rotated slowly back to face Pug. Gone was the arrogant boy who pretended nothing could scare him. From the final remnants of the bruise to the uncertainty in his blue eyes, the boy screamed trepidation.

“No one will hurt you again,” he vowed. “They would first have to get through me.”

Pug brushed some hair back from his face and nodded in understanding. A nod that Colin returned before he departed the room. Berry met him in the entrance hall.

“My lord, the boy--”

“Stays. Have a more suitable room readied for him. And employ a tutor.”

A pleased grin lifted Berry’s lips. “The paperwork?”

“Yes. Take care of it for me, Berry.”

“Right away, my lord. Also, Captain Bottomley arrived.” Colin opened his mouth only to snap it shut when Berry continued, “I put him in your study with food and drink.”

He clapped Berry on the back. “What would I do without you?”

With a light step, he strode to his waiting friend. Captain Royce Bottomley and he had become friends during some battles. Royce was in the army and had been transported with his regiment on Colin’s ship. Their instant bond had only grown. He had not seen Royce in a few years.

Opening the door, he said, “Royce!”

“Colin,” the response came, the voice more rasped than before. “It has been a while.”

“Too long.”

He walked briskly toward the man who rose from the chair and faced him. The change in the man so great he almost missed a step. Gone was the stalwart man who appeared capable of battling--and defeating--the devil himself. In his place stood one who had seen too much and lost even more. Sunken in brown eyes overflowed with pain, gaunt features, and a body that had been undernourished. Royce’s cloak hung off his frame, almost engulfing him.

Colin embraced his friend and felt one hand tentatively on his back in return before the men broke apart. Needing a moment, Colin went and poured himself a drink. Then he turned and proceeded to a chair by the fire where he sat. Royce followed suit.

“What is going on, Royce?” he asked concerned for his friend. “No offense, but you look like hell.”

“Not much use for an ex-Army officer with only one arm.” His remark fell with disturbing eeriness.

“Damn. When?”

“Africa. A few years ago. Look, I know you have your own things with your recent familial losses but you always said to come to you if…” He trailed off and hung his head. “I feel disgusted with myself for even thinking of asking.” Royce got to his feet. “I will see myself out.”

“Royce, sit down. I meant what I said and if you are looking for work I could use your help. It would not be here in London but in the country. Some of my shipments have been getting hijacked. You know strategy and could teach some men to better defend themselves.”

Hope sparked in those otherwise lost eyes. “I have three other men from my old regiment.” It was almost a question.

Colin didn’t even hesitate. “Of course. I will send a carriage for them. Once they arrive, we can discuss things in more detail.”

Gratitude filled Royce’s eyes and they shone with unshed tears. He never said a word just inclined his head.

Archer had Royce relaxing in a room while a coach went out to gather his other three men. While that happened, Colin sat in his study and thought about his business in Huntingdonshire. Royce and his men could be just the answer he sought.

Late that night, Berry tracked him down. Colin sat alone before the fire and glanced up when Berry sat opposite him. No words were spoken as Berry poured himself a drink and swallowed it quickly.

“Captain and his men are all settled in,” Berry said after a while.

“Excellent.”

Berry rolled his shoulders and shifted in the chair. “They had been living on the streets.” Berry shook his head and stretched out, his own eyes drifted closed. “I do not understand, Commander. These men fought for the Crown. How are they treated like this?”

Exactly what he’d been thinking. “I have no idea, Berry. But it makes me think there is a good chance there are more ex-soldiers and naval men who have fallen on difficult times. We might be able to help some.”

“Hard to see men in such a situation, especially ones you have fought alongside.”

Colin agreed. “Tomorrow we can see if there is more we can do.”

“Aye, Commander,” Berry said getting to his feet and leaving. His limp even more pronounced than usual.

Where would Berry be now had he not come with him? Would he be on the street not knowing where his next meal would come from? Or
if
it would come at all.

Colin stared into the flames, drifting off. He jumped when a hand touched his shoulder. He peered up to see Berry there.

“The men will be up soon, my lord. Thought you might like to bathe before you meet them over breakfast.”

He’d fallen asleep in front of the fire. With a groan, he got to his feet and stretched. “Lead the way.”

Time passed and he fell into bed exhausted each night only to rise and do it all over again the following day. Pug had settled and things were shaping up for Captain Royce and his men to head out to begin working for him. In fact they would be leaving at the latest in two days time. All was ready, he just kept putting it off. He wanted to go along but he needed to ensure he kept his promise to Najja and check on Jo daily. At the same time he wished to accompany the men and settle them in.

A knock at the door had him call out. “Enter.”

Archer approached with a sealed note on the silver platter. “Message for you, my lord.”

“Thank you, Archer.” He found himself hesitating a second before reaching for it. Breaking the wax seal he unfolded the paper and read.

Thank you for watching over them

Najja. She had returned. He almost rose to go see her, the need that strong. Forcing it down, he slid the note into a drawer and locked it then pocketed the key. Momentarily, he hesitated but knew he no longer had to put off leaving. Najja, delight that she was, would have to wait. He strode from the room calling out orders. Within an hour, he was in his carriage with Salvage tied to the back and another coach following that carried Royce and his men. His country estate their destination.

Chapter Thirteen

The smell of hay and horse permeated her nose as she stepped into the stall and wrapped her arms around a horse the color of polished ebony. His small, refined head dipped down and seemed to return her given affection.

“I have missed you, old friend,” Najja whispered. She would miss him even more when she left. He had to remain behind for Father knew how attached she was to him. It would break her heart to leave him here but at least he would remain alive.

Fineas whickered and she blinked away tears. His warm body warded off the bitter cold.

“Shall we?”

Jo’s query caused her to open her eyes. Her friend held the reins of her own mount. With a silent nod, Najja led Fineas out and swung up on her stallion. Jo did the same and soon after they were headed off into the early afternoon.

“Is everything okay, Najja?” Jo asked after they’d rode a while in companionable quietness. “You have been withdrawn ever since you and Papa returned. What happened?”

The trip to Cornwall had been a tense one. If possible she felt more on edge than before. They’d located his long lost love, Elizabeth. She had been cold and reserved but had sworn she had not given Hayworth a thought in years. As for the bracelet, she’d claimed having sold it years past. Hayworth had been appeased.