Page 36 of The Lady and the Lion (Victorian Outcasts #9)

thirty-three

A t the end of the wedding breakfast, Vivienne’s body was sore, and her conversation with Samuel hadn’t gone as planned.

She’d lacked the courage to ask him if he meant to visit her at night, sleep in her bed, and have children one day.

But maybe she should make sure her health was good before making any proposals.

Father hugged her for a long minute when he was about to leave after the reception ended. “I’m sorry about your mother. She loves you. You know that, don’t you?”

“I do.”

He kissed her forehead. “Don’t hate her. Please.”

“I don’t.”

“I wish you all the happiness you deserve.” He turned serious. “Something peculiar happened today. If a maid finds my pocket watch by any chance, will you send it to me?”

“Did you lose your pocket watch?”

“I can’t find it.” He patted his jacket. “I had it outside of the church, and I checked it in the carriage. So it must be?—”

“Here.” Captain Jackson, just returned from yet another errand, handed the gold pocket watch to Father. “We found it on the floor, Huntington.”

Father hesitated before taking it. “Thank you.”

“Thank you for being here.” The captain stretched out his hand, and Father shook it.

“We care about the same people, Captain, and I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for my daughter.” Father slid the watch in his pocket. “I asked the police superintendent to send news to both of us.”

The captain gave another nod.

William scowled as he held the door open for Father. “My lord.”

The captain shook his head at him. “William.”

“Captain.” The footman shoved his hands into his pockets.

“Is something the matter?” she asked, glancing from one to another.

The captain smiled. “Nothing you should worry about. I suggest a nap before dinner.”

Halfway to the stairs, she paused to catch her breath. The sensation of being about to die had been real; it tormented her even now, but knowing the fatigue wouldn’t last changed everything. Now she had hope.

Samuel stopped next to her. “Tired?”

“A little.”

“Allow me.” He opened his arms, and she went to him without hesitation.

He gathered her up and carried her up the stairs. She pressed her ear to his chest, hearing the steady beat of his heart.

“Aren’t you tired?” she asked.

He made a noise deep in his throat.

She tilted her head up. “So? Are you?”

He smiled and put her down on the landing. “I can’t answer when my hands aren’t free.”

Warmth of shame flooded her face. “Yes, of course. I shouldn’t have asked. How embarrassing.”

He kept smiling and shrugged. Holding her hand, he led her to her bedroom. Bernard placed a large glass of tonic on her nightstand before checking the curtains of the four-poster bed.

“Good afternoon, Bernard,” she said, only to remember too late the butler wouldn’t understand her unless he was facing her.

She rubbed her forehead, feeling like an idiot.

Samuel took her chin gently and shook his head.

Bernard was surprised when he turned around and found them there. He bowed from the waist and signed at first with one hand, making gestures she didn’t follow. Then he started again with both hands.

“Lady Vivienne, would you like a cup of tea later, after you rest?”

“Yes, please.” At least she remembered to stare at him.

Bernard bowed again and left.

She sat on the edge of the bed. “Heavens. I’m a disaster.”

He caressed her shoulder. “No.”

“Bernard and you sometimes use strange sign language.”

“American Sign Language. It can be signed with only one hand, while the British Sign Language requires two hands. Two different systems.”

“I’ll need to learn the American one. You really went far. King of gold and knowing multiple languages.”

“Without you, I wouldn’t have gone anywhere.

If you had just freed me without teaching me how to read, I wouldn’t have become who I am today.

I owe you my life and that of all the people who work here for me.

Good luck had a role, but I wouldn’t have seized a successful opportunity without your teaching. ”

A lump swelled in her throat for no reason. His success and all the good he’d done moved her to tears. He’d accomplished so much in a few years.

“I’m so proud of you.” Her voice cracked with emotion.

He sat next to her and wiped a tear with his thumb. “I’m proud of you, too.”

She wiped her face with a handkerchief. “Me? I didn’t do anything aside from getting poisoned.”

“As I said, without your help, Bernard would still live on the streets. Mrs. Foster would still work in a show where the spectators made fun of her, Richard and Potter might beg for a coin in the street.”

“That would be a shame. I can’t speak for your valet, Richard, but you always look impeccable. However, Potter’s food is delicious. So good. Dinner is going to be another masterpiece.”

“And you need to rest.” He rose and kissed the top of her head. “Later.”

Dobkins entered the room, discreetly clearing her voice. “Do you need help, my lady?”

“Yes, please.”

Samuel kissed Vivienne’s cheek again before leaving.

He lingered on the threshold to smile at her as if she’d given him a gift. It was the other way around.

Samuel left Vivienne’s bedroom and paused in the corridor behind the closed door.

Another moment of panic gripped him like a cold vine. The fear of Dr. Tucker hurting her made him dizzy. Maybe he should hire guards to protect her.

“Samuel.” Captain Jackson jolted him. “We need to talk.”

He followed the captain to the study.

“Let’s start with the easy news. The crucifix has been returned, and William has been thoroughly scolded.” The captain poured two cups of tea.

“The not-so-easy news?”

“A message has just arrived from the police. The superintendent said there wasn’t enough evidence to prosecute Dr. Tucker. The few people he interrogated about the doctor’s behaviour had sworn by him, claiming he was a genius.”

He sat at his desk. Vivienne was more important. “I need to protect Vivienne until we can find enough evidence to lock Tucker away for good. We need to convince the police superintendent to press the matter further.”

“We will. But in the meantime, on my way here from the church, I went to Harley Street. There’s a practice registered to a Dr. Lawrence Tucker up and running. He’s still in business.”

“I don’t understand. How much money can he make by selling remedies that make people worse?”

Captain Jackson scratched his chin. “He became the favourite physician of the most prestigious families in London. Many still swear by him. What we can find depends on how many people he’s swindling. We need to take a closer look at his office, at his files, and at his patients.”

Samuel had been around the captain for quite a long time to understand what he didn’t say. “By closer look, you mean breaking into his office.”

“Yes, and we know the perfect person for the job.”