Page 20 of The Villain’s Vixen (Wanton Wastrels)
CHAPTER 20
A s they left the investigator’s office and entered the carriage, Lexie found herself quite speechless for the first time, possibly in her lifetime. “That was… unexpected,” she murmured.
“Quite,” Dominic returned with a hard line to his lips.
“But I suppose it does reveal why Lord Lindley might resort to violence to protect his secrets.” She winced. “Or rather, the man pretending to be the earl.” She sighed. “I should like to unravel this mystery.”
“As would I,” Dominic said firmly. “It would mean that I might have the chance to put all this nastiness behind us and start anew. Until then, there can be no hope of a union. It is much too dangerous. If something happened to you, I would never forgive myself.”
Lexie’s heart stopped at the thought of not marrying Dominic. Her situation might very well be precarious because they had lain together. She supposed that being sent home in disgrace would certainly gain her father’s attention at long last. And until then, she had claimed not to care for her reputation. She still didn’t, but she did care about the duke .
“It would help if I knew the connection between this Lord Lindley and my aunt.”
“Regarding that,” Dominic said slowly, “I might have a bit of insight.”
Her eyes widened slightly, suddenly more intrigued than before. “Do tell.”
“I told you that I used to have a journal in my possession where several scandals were written. It was something I had gained from my predecessors but some weeks ago, it was stolen out of the safe in my house. I am still puzzling on how that might have occurred.”
“Someone who was skilled at the art of picking locks, I would imagine,” Lexie noted.
“It would appear so,” he returned dryly. “But the point is that while I didn’t study the journal at length, I made it a priority to write down a few things that I thought could be of note and secured a copy. While I’m not in possession of the original and would prefer to have it returned, I thought it would be a good idea to have a duplicate in case something happened to the first one.”
“A good foresight on your part,” she agreed. “Where is the copy?”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is where it gets a bit complicated, I’m afraid.”
She didn’t like the sound of that.
“After the original was stolen, nearly out from underneath my nose, I decided it would be best if I didn’t keep it close at hand. But nor could I trust that it would be safe at the Crown & Sceptre.” He looked at her steadily. “I hid it beneath the interior of the mantel in the parlor at your aunt’s house.”
“Oh.” Her heart couldn’t have fallen further at her feet. But she was quick to rally. “We have to retrieve it, of course, so I will simply go to my aunt?—”
“Not a chance in hell.” She blinked at the vehemence in his tone. “After what she put you through, I would not put it past her to lock you in your room and force the local vicar to wed you to the false earl.”
“But the union wouldn’t be valid without a legitimate bridegroom,” she pointed out. “We have to get it back because it sounds as if that is the only way we have any hope of solving this puzzle and ending this nightmare.”
“Perhaps,” he murmured. “But I will not have you entering that front door without me present. Forgive me, but I do not trust your aunt any more than I trust Lord Lindley.”
She shrugged. “Neither do I, to be honest. For years, I hardly spoke a handful of words to her. My father preferred his estate, and she remained in town. But when I became of age, she decided it was imperative that I have a season and make a suitable match. Had I known the choice was to be solely hers, I would have rusticated in the country.”
“You wound me greatly.”
She rolled her eyes. “I do not refer to our association, naturally. I chose you above the earl. And I knew my instinct was right, as it always has been.”
“Mine as well. Which is why we will have to figure out another way to obtain the copy.”
Lexie thought for a moment, tapping a finger against her lips. Snapping her fingers, she said excitedly. “Every Tuesday afternoon she calls on her friend, Margaret Limewood, and they chatter on about the latest gossip. Perhaps I might gain entry to the townhouse then.”
“It might work,” he said thoughtfully. “As long as she hasn’t already turned her servants against you.”
“I doubt that would be the case, especially with my former ladies’ maid, Jane. We were rather close. She would not betray me.”
“But she is not the only one present,” he remarked. However, since he must have realized that they already had a tentative plan in place, he added, “As luck would have it, tomorrow is Tuesday. We shall bide our time until then and strike at the opportune moment.”
For the first time since they’d left Mr. Martin’s office, Lexie could feel some of her excitement return. “You make it sound so devious.”
She was rewarded by the spark of lust in his dark eyes. As he reached across the carriage to pull her onto his lap, she gave a squeal of delight. “Oh, I intend to be devious with you every single day once we are wed.”
“Why wait?” she teased darkly and ran a finger lightly over the tops of her breasts.
She could almost see the calculations in his head, deciding whether or not he had enough time for a little tete-a-tete in the carriage before they returned to the townhouse. Unfortunately, it didn’t appear to be in her favor as the coach slowed to a halt.
“The worst blasted timing,” Dominic growled. Lexie barely hid a smile as she crawled from his lap and returned to her seat, appearing as a respectable lady by the time the door opened and a footman presented himself to assist her down.
When she was on solid ground, she turned to look over her shoulder at Dominic with a coy look of promise. Instead, something caught her attention out of the corner of her eye.
Sunlight glinting off a pistol.
Dominic saw Lexie’s face turn white before she shoved the footman to the ground, shouted at the driver, and proceeded to dive back into the coach—just as a bullet slammed into the door, just inches from where she’d been standing.
He knew he would recall this moment with vivid clarity and heart-stopping fear at a later time, but right now, he was more concerned about getting Lexie to safety .
He pulled her into the coach as another bullet struck the side of the conveyance. She gave a cry and covered her head with her hands, crouched down on the floor of the vehicle. Dominic covered her body with his own, but made sure to glance out the window to see the cloaked figure across the street fleeing in the opposite direction as the Runner who had been atop the coach began to give chase. A quick glance showed that there was no further threat at the moment, so he hastily went into action. “Let’s go!”
He grabbed hold of Lexie’s hand and pulled her behind him as they flew up the steps to his townhouse and slammed the door behind them before the butler had a chance to react properly.
“Was that gunfire I heard, Your Grace?" the man asked in alarm.
“It was,” Dominic snapped, furious at the situation and even more livid that Lexie could have easily been injured. Or worse. This had to end. “Send for the watch. I will not stand for such daring exploits in front of my blasted house. Something must be done.”
The servant immediately went into action while Dominic hauled Lexie with him to his study. Shutting the door firmly, he led her to the chair in front of his desk and urged her to sit. Then he went over to the sideboard and poured them both a drink which he took back to her. “This should settle your nerves.”
“Thank you,” she murmured. Rather than sip the brandy, she downed the entire glass. She coughed and sputtered from the burn it would have caused, but she didn’t seem as fazed by that as the events of moments before. “It has to be Lindley, doesn’t it?” she asked hoarsely.
“I can’t think of anyone else it could be after what we just learned from Mr. Martin. And it’s apparent he is willing to become more brazen to ensure his secrets are well preserved.”
She leaned back against the chair, her face an expressionless mask .
Dominic set aside his drink and knelt in front of her. “What’s going through your mind right now? No doubt you wish you’d never met me.”
She looked at him steadily and he was glad to see some of the color returning to her cheeks. “Actually, I was wondering if getting shot at was all it took to get you down on one knee, after all.”
Despite everything, Dominic found himself laughing. He didn’t think it could be possible after such a shocking turn, but it was why he knew he had to keep Lexie in his life. She managed to bring out the best in him when he didn’t want to be that good. When Avalon wanted to stand up and cause havoc, she somehow managed to settle him, to maneuver his thoughts from something deadly to a bit milder.
He straightened slightly but ensured that he was still on one knee. “While this isn’t the most romantic of settings for an official proposal, since I’m here, I might as well take a lady’s advice.” Holding her left hand in his, he sobered and added, “Miss Alexandra Givenwald, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife, my duchess, my partner for the rest of my days?”
She swallowed hard, and her eyes filled with moisture that she blinked away as she leaned forward and placed her lips gently against his. With her blue eyes shining almost miraculously, she whispered, “I will.”
Dominic’s heart took flight, soaring above the heavens with a joy so profound, he was certain he had never experienced its equal. He hadn’t realized how much he’d needed to hear those words from her, nor how much he’d actually need to speak them for their promise to each other to become real, but somehow, it did.
“Thank God,” he whispered, and kissed her with a raw abandon that surprised him. It was as if he was baring everything to her: his heart, his soul, even his bruised past. It all belonged to her, and he couldn’t be more grateful.
He wanted to extend this moment, to draw it out as long as possible, but there was a brisk knock at the door and he knew their time had come to an end.
Withdrawing, he stood and braced himself for the barrage of questions that were sure to follow. “Enter.”
As the butler announced “Constable Pierce,” Dominic waited as the man strode forward and bowed sharply. “Your Grace.” He flicked a glance at Lexie, who had risen from her seat.
“This is Miss Givenwald, my future duchess. You may speak freely in front of her.”
“Of course.” His demeanor didn’t change as he inclined his head politely toward her. It meant that he wasn’t interested in the pleasantries and took his job seriously.
After a brief recounting of what had taken place, with Lexie giving most of the descriptions, the constable folded his notepad and pencil and tucked them away. “You realize this gives us very little to go on,” he remarked.
“Perhaps,” Dominic returned. “But what if we were able to give you a suspect and a possible motive for such misdeeds?”
Once Dominic had relayed the information from Mr. Martin, the constable seemed interested, but the frown on his face was one of skepticism. “This is a very serious accusation, Your Grace. And I must discover some significant proof before I can point the finger of judgment at a member of the peerage.”
“I will secure what you require,” Dominic vowed. “I am tired of living in this villain’s shadow while he threatens our very lives.”
“Of course.” Constable Pierce nodded then turned to Lexie with a considering expression. “Are you the same Miss Givenwald who is related to Lady Devonly?”
She nodded. “She is my aunt. ”
“I thought that might be the case.” His mouth thinned in a line before he added, “I am given to understand that she has been overset over your sudden disappearance. She has been in contact with the authorities in the belief you have been absconded with.” He looked back at Dominic. “Although I can see that is not the case.”
“Thank you,” Dominic murmured.
Lexie offered him a smile. “I planned to call upon her tomorrow to reassure her concern.”
Appearing satisfied, the constable tipped his hat and left the room.
Once he was gone, Lexie turned to him. “I suppose it’s inevitable that I go see Aunt Bonnie tomorrow since she has sent the watch after me.”
He reached out and gathered her within the circle of his arms. Resting his chin on the top of her head, he murmured, “Patience will seize the day. We just have to endure until then.”
What he didn’t say was that while the Duke of Cuthbert had to act with propriety, the same did not have to be said for Avalon and the Blue Boys.
Tonight, they would act.
Lexie paced her chamber that evening wearing one of the new nightdresses that Dominic had procured for her. She had rather hoped he might call on her and remove it, but it was past midnight and she had yet to see a shadow beneath her door.
She had made sure to keep the lamp beside the bed burning so he would know that she was up, but… nothing.
Perhaps he believed that the stress of the day had been too much and she needed her rest. If so, he didn’t know her at all. She was restless and spending some time in his arms would go far to alleviate some of her apprehension about the following afternoon when she would return to her aunt’s residence. She nearly expected constables would be lining the streets when she arrived, prepared to take either her or Dominic, into custody.
When did everything become such a mess?
She never imagined that by coming to London, she would uncover so many secrets. And she had the feeling she had barely scratched the surface when it came to all of the intrigue that the city held.
Deciding that she wasn’t going to wait for Dominic to come to her, Lexie threw on her robe and opened her door. She listened for the sound of stirring servants, but hearing no one about, she crept toward the bedchamber of the master of the house. It was the only door at the end of the hall, just down from hers.
She raised her hand to knock, but thought surprise might be the better option, so she tested the handle. It opened to a darkened room and she frowned. Surely, he hadn’t already turned in while she was going crazy such a short distance away.
However, while her eyes were still adjusting, she caught sight of movement just before her mouth was covered with a strong hand. “What are you doing here?”
Dominic slowly removed his hand and as she glanced at him, she noticed that he was dressed in finery, from the red waistcoat and the crisp white cravat, to the black jacket and trousers. Her mouth went slack. “I think the question is where are you going?”
He set his jaw but must have decided he couldn’t withhold the truth from her, or wouldn’t do so, because he gave a heavy sigh and said, “I am going back to the gaming hell to see if I can’t find Lindley?—”
She gasped and grabbed hold of his jacket lapels. “Are you completely mad ? He nearly succeeded in killing us both today!”
His dark eyes held a hard glint. “But he didn’t, and by the time I get through with him, he will wish he had.”
She glared at him. “You were just going to leave and not tell me? Keeping me ignorant of such foolish actions? ”
“I am better prepared this time.” He moved his jacket aside so she could see the pistol tucked into his waistband. “And Amos is gathering the Blue Boys at this very moment.”
“Is that wise? They don’t know who you really are.”
She could see the muscle working in his jaw. “Then it’s time they did. I’m tired of concealing who I am and worrying that my sins will find me out. The only way I can move forward, that we can move forward, is for everything to be revealed. I see that now.”
She was already shaking her head. “That is not a good idea at all. You are opening the door to more trouble if you do that. Now if Avalon decided to masquerade as a peer, that is something else entirely and would be a much better option than laying yourself bare.” She could see that he wasn’t convinced, so she added, “If you are concerned that I won’t respect you because you chose to keep those two worlds from colliding, trust me when I say I understand the reasons completely. You did as well. I don’t know what’s changed.”
Some of the tension visibly left his broad shoulders. “I’ve changed and I just want it all to be over.”
Her heart went out to him. She knew this was a vulnerable side to him that he rarely let anyone see. But he was trusting her with his weakness. It was humbling. “So do I, but not like this.” She moved back slightly. “You are not going there alone. Like it or not, we are in this together now, and from now on.”
He snorted. “You are the one who is speaking madness now. As if I would allow you anywhere near that place.”
She crossed her arms. “I’m afraid that is the price you must pay unless you want me to scream and wake this entire household from their slumber. By the time we explain what is transpiring, dawn will likely be making its way over the horizon and then it will be too late to do anything.” She made a show of glancing at the clock on the mantel, although she couldn’t possibly read it in such dim lighting. But the effect achieved what she’d intended. “ And the longer we stand here and argue the matter, the more precious time is being lost.”
He stared hard at her. “You are the most infuriating woman I’ve ever known.”
She merely lifted a brow and waited.
It took a handful of seconds before he snapped, “Fine. Get dressed.”
She wanted to smile in victory, but she kept her expression carefully bland as she started to walk away. Before she did, he grasped her arm and said, “You will have to dress the part. We are not going to afternoon tea.”
She catalogued the new gowns she had in her wardrobe. “I think I have something that will work.”
He released her and said, “I will be waiting by the back door. If you haven’t joined me in ten minutes, I’m leaving.”
Lexie wasn’t surprised that he gave her an ultimatum, and she didn’t intend to take any longer than necessary to don the black chemise and the red corset, although it did take a bit of maneuvering to lace it and then properly attach it in the front.
Slipping on a pair of black boots and leaving her hair to flow freely around her shoulders, she tiptoed down the back stairs. When Dominic spied her, his gaze narrowed. “Where on earth did you get that?”
“The modiste.” She offered a mock curtsy. “It was meant to be a seductive surprise after we married since you seemed to like my nun habit so much, but I’m forced to spoil it tonight.”
His nostrils flared and his focus seemed to be homed in on her full breasts. “It isn’t spoiled because you will wear it again when we are alone. But sadly, at that time, it won’t be on for long.”
Lexie’s cheeks warmed at the promise in his tone, and together, they headed out into the chilly autumn night.