Page 21 of The Villain’s Vixen (Wanton Wastrels)
CHAPTER 21
D ominic didn’t like this. At all.
He knew that Lexie was more than capable of handling herself. Or rather, she believed that she was, but Dominic had dealt with enough bad people over his tenure as the leader of the Blue Boys to understand the game that was required to stay alive. It was only recently that his concentration had begun to slip.
He thought of what she had said about acting as though Avalon was playing a part and realized that she was right. It was best to keep his two worlds separate and allow one of them to slip from existence. If not, he was in danger of losing everything.
His lack of regard toward self-preservation was another reason he needed to secede his position of power in the East End. For so long it had been the one constant in his life, the sole purpose for which he had kept waking every morning and facing each day. He had wanted to make a difference, to find the respect he always felt he’d been denied from his father. But none of that mattered any longer. He just wanted to live in peace and contentment with Lexie, the woman he loved. And hopefully, draw his mother out of the shell she’d retreated into for so long .
As the hired hackney deposited them at the gaming hell, Dominic turned to his lovely companion. “Do not stray from my side for any reason. Is that clear?”
He could tell she had to stop the urge to roll her eyes as if she was a child being reprimanded. “I promise.”
Feeling as though that was the most trustworthy answer he might receive, he stepped to the ground and headed for the front of the establishment. However, when he spied a familiar figure melting into the shadows of the alleyway, he pulled Lexie in that direction.
“I didn’t know you were going to bring company,” Amos noted, his brow lifting above the eyepatch.
“It’s not as if I had much choice in the matter,” Dominic muttered.
“It’s lovely to see you again too,” Lexie said brightly.
Another figure emerged from behind Amos, and Lexie recognized him as the scarred man from the Crown & Sceptre. He didn’t bother with any sort of recognition toward her, but he narrowed his gaze on Dominic. “Avalon.”
“Graden.”
“The other men are assembled and ready for the call when you give the signal.”
Dominic nodded and turned to Lexie. “Shall we?”
She fluttered her lashes at him. “I thought you’d never ask.”
He rolled his eyes and led the way into the establishment. “Is this your first time in a gaming hell?”
She gave him a tolerant look. “I might not look the part of a lady right now, but I can assure you that I was raised as one, so the answer would be yes”
“Then this is likely to be quite a thrilling experience for you,” he muttered.
“Really?” She scrunched up her nose. “I might enjoy it a bit more were we not looking for a possible murderer and charlatan. ”
“Indeed.” He took a quick glance around the assemblage through the heavy cheroot smoke. The scent of spirits was also stronger than usual, giving credence to the fact that they should remain there as little as possible. And considering the open, leering glares that were directed at Lexie, his hand ached to remove a few of them.
He kept a hand possessively about her waist as he headed for a faro table. He generally had good luck overhearing conversations when he joined a current game, so he took a seat and draped Lexie across his lap so that everyone there would know that the lady was taken.
Thankfully, she didn’t seem to mind and as he tossed down a few coins to enter the pot, he acted as though he was nuzzling her neck when in reality he murmured, “See if anything unusual stands out to you, or better yet, if you spot our quarry.”
She gave a breathy sigh as he gently nipped the side of her neck with his teeth. “Anything for you, my love.”
His chest clenched at the endearment, although he told himself she was playing her part and it didn’t mean more than that. But he hoped that someday it would.
As the minutes ticked by, Dominic started to feel the tension of their quest pressing down on him. He was eager to draw Lindley out of hiding and he had actually thought that maybe Lexie’s presence there might help to do just that. But that was on the off chance that he actually decided to pass through the front doors. He could already be halfway to Scotland for all Dominic knew.
“You bastard .”
At the sound of a familiar snarl, Dominic’s lips curved. Then again …
He didn’t even look up to acknowledge the speaker to his left, just kept his focus on the cards in his grasp. “Good evening, Lord Lindley.”
“You have some bloody nerve coming here with Miss Givenwald and—” He paused, as if astonished at what he was seeing. “Making her dress up as your whore!”
A sudden hush descended around the immediate area, and Dominic decided that he could withstand a slight against him but where Lexie was involved, he wasn’t about to stand by and allow such disrespect. She jumped to her feet, as if prepared to defend her own honor when Dominic tossed down his cards and slowly rose to his full height. He had never failed to intimidate his enemies before, and he didn’t appear to fail now, for Lindley acted as though he would move back a step, before he decided against it and stood his ground.
“Tell me, my lord —” he added with intended emphasis. “Where were you this afternoon when an attempt was made on my life?”
The face before him snarled with an almost animalistic rage. He wasn’t trying to hide his outward emotions, a mixture of pure contempt and malice. Dominic no longer had any doubt that this man—whoever he really was—was capable of murder. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t you?” Dominic challenged. He waved a hand toward the closest exit of the club. “If you are so adamant that you are not responsible for any wrongdoing, then why don’t we discuss this outside?”
“Why?” His eyes narrowed in obvious distrust. “Just so you can find a way to dispose of me and have a clear path to Miss Givenwald?”
Dominic had to snort. “That’s the most ludicrous?—”
“Admit it. You’re scared of our connection. That is why you tried to send her away from London.”
The look in his eyes was almost crazed at this point, and he feared that Lindley would do something incredibly foolish. Dominic’s hand slowly moved toward the side of his jacket that concealed his pistol. Unfortunately, Lindley must have garnered his intentions, because he reached out and grabbed Lexie’s wrist and pulled her to him, setting a pistol of his own against the bottom of her chin.
The room exploded with screams and shouts as everyone seemed to understand that a challenge was brewing and didn’t want to get in the middle of it. Within minutes they were the only ones standing in the midst of the once crowded atmosphere.
This is… unfortunate .
Lexie had imagined this evening going much differently, where she and Dominic surprised Lindley and took him down amidst a burst of fanfare and applause. Well, perhaps, not quite to that extent, but she didn’t foresee a circumstance where she was going to be facing down the barrel of a weapon either.
Thankfully, she hadn’t come ill-prepared. She had learned that from Dominic. All she had to do was wait for the opportune moment.
“Let her go. Your quarrel is with me.” The quiet tone in Dominic’s voice sent chills up her spine. It sounded more menacing than if he’d shouted a demand for her release.
“I don’t think I will.”
As Lindley started to drag her backward, she wondered if she should act now or wait. In the end she decided that there was no time like the present.
She removed the knife she’d tucked into the bottom of her corset at the same time she rammed her other elbow into his stomach. He gave a grunt of pain and while he was still recovering, she spun around and lashed out with the blade. She could feel it make contact with something soft, followed by an angry howl, but she didn’t get to see what she’d cut as Dominic grabbed her around the waist and all but hauled her out the door. It nearly shut behind them before a bullet shattered the edge of the frame and sent shards of wood raining down on them .
Once they were in the alley, the shock of what had almost transpired started to sink in. Lexie found that the noise around her started to dim and become suddenly hollow and distant. She could tell that Dominic was yelling orders at someone and there was a flurry of movement as several men rushed back into the club. However, when Dominic came over to ask how she was doing, she couldn’t seem to make sense of her own words.
What was happening to her?
She slowly started to sink, and then she realized that her legs were giving away beneath her. She was going to fall.
Strong hands came up to her shoulders and gave her a gentle shake. It did nothing. Suddenly, a terrible scent came up to her nose and all the sounds around her came rushing back.
She blinked and waved a hand in front of her face as the toxic fumes caused her eyes to water. But at least her legs were steady again.
“Have you never had to use smelling salts before?”
She looked at him curiously. “You are asking me that?” She glanced at the vial before he settled it back in his vest pocket. “My question is why do you have it? Are you prone to fainting spells?”
He snorted. “I keep it handy for damsels in distress.”
She rolled her eyes. “You surely don’t mean me. It must have been for all the ladies that fell at your feet before now, I suppose.”
He looked at her in a tolerant manner. “Let’s just agree it was fortunate I had it with me tonight or I would be scooping you up off of the dirty ground right now.”
She crossed her arms. “At least I would have my dignity.”
“That is not in question,” he stated firmly. “It took courage to act as you did.”
“I just hope it doesn’t cause any lasting damage.”
“I do,” he replied uncharitably. “He threatened you. That is enough for me. But considering the slash you gave him was along his cheekbone, the only thing he will suffer is some wounded pride. At least, until he is tried for the murder of the true Lord Lindley.”
She gave a slight shiver. “Do you really think he was responsible for the earl’s death?”
“Unless someone else has a better motive.” He put an arm around her shoulders as Amos returned to join them in the alley. “Graden and the others have Lindley subdued. Do you want us to… question him here or take him to Bow Street?”
Dominic shook his head. “Bow Street can deal with him.” He glanced at her. “We’ve done what we needed to do tonight. I’m going home and sleeping next to my lovely betrothed. Tomorrow, we finish this.”
By the time they returned to his townhouse, Dominic was feeling the effects of an exhaustive night. But at least he could rest a bit easier knowing that Lindley would soon be in irons and Lexie was safe.
His heart had stuttered in his chest when he’d seen her reach for the back of her corset and when she’d brought up and knife and moved with such skill and precision—he hadn’t known whether to be horrified or impressed by her fearlessness. She was everything he hadn’t known he’d wanted in a partner. In a wife. But she was the perfect fit for him.
As they returned to his townhouse and made their way through the back entrance and trudged up the stairs, Lexie started to part ways at her chamber, but he wasn’t having it. He kept a firm hold on her and said, “I meant what I said about us not being apart tonight.”
She didn’t resist but went willingly.
When they entered his chamber, she glanced around. “I didn’t get a chance to appreciate the sheer enormity of this room earlier.” She looked at him over her shoulder with a coy lift of her brow. “Quite impressive.”
And just like that, all the weariness he’d been feeling faded into glorious oblivion. “Come here.” He reached out and pulled her against his chest. “This nightmare will be over soon and then we can truly look forward to a future together in harmony.”
She laughed lightly. “Do you truly think so?”
He looked down into her tempting face and curved his lips with amusement. “I suppose ‘harmony’ isn’t the most accurate description of what life will be like married to you.”
She wound her arms around his neck. “Harmony is entirely overrated. I love these adventures with you.” She paused and seemed to reconsider her statement before she amended it. “Not entirely, perhaps, but when it comes to walking through East End pubs in a nun habit, that was rather interesting.”
He laughed and it felt wonderfully good to do so. “Not a single day will ever be dull with you by my side, I’m sure of it.” He kissed her lightly on the lips and then tapped her playfully on the tip of her nose with his finger. “Let’s get out of these annoying clothes, shall we?”
“That sounds lovely.” She turned her back to him. “Would you mind helping me with my laces?”
He trailed a gentle finger along the top where her black chemise laid low on her shoulders. “It shall be like opening a package on Christmas,” he mused aloud. “And the gift of you is the best thing I shall ever receive.”
She sighed as the laces started to loosen. “I quite like being compared to a present.”
“Christmas isn’t the only holiday where I can enjoy unwrapping you,” he murmured huskily. He started to place a line of kisses from one side of her neck to the other and all along her exposed skin. With each kiss he made a list. “There is Boxing Day… my birthday… Saint Valentine’s Day… Easter…Saint Patrick’s Day… ”
She gave a throaty chuckle that shot straight to his groin and hardened his cock even further than it already was. “I don’t recall gifts on Easter and certainly not Saint Patrick’s Day.”
“Then we shall begin a new tradition. Rest assured, my lady…” he murmured as he started to lick and tease her way across her skin. “We will enjoy many new things.”
A feminine shriek awoke Lexie the next morning. She cracked open an eye to see a horrified housemaid quickly turn away from the naked couple wrapped in each other’s arms in the bed. Thankfully, nothing was showing but a tangle of limbs, but it was enough to cause a scandalous reaction. “I’m terribly sorry… Your Grace… but I was just intending to… refresh the fire…” She wrung her hands in front of her and seemed unable to move.
“Thank you, Bessie. You may go,” a husky voice said from behind Lexie.
As if a fire had suddenly been struck beneath her heels, the servant left the room like her very life depended upon it.
Lexie put a hand over her eyes and had to laugh. “No doubt our escapades will be the talk of the household this morning.”
“I don’t rightly care.” Dominic pulled her back against him, and she couldn’t resist snuggling into his masculine warmth.
She was surprised how awake she was considering it didn’t seem to be much later than dawn and she had passed a rather vigorous night with the duke. She sighed in contentment and breathed in his virile scent, the one she had come to associate with the aristocrat and the East End villain. Both were impossible for her to ignore. She might have thought she was torn between two lovers, but thankfully, Avalon and Dominic were one in the same. And after last night, she considered herself a very lucky woman, indeed.
But with the dawn’s light, so came the reminder return of their plans for the day. As much as she hated to go, she murmured, “I should be getting back to my chamber.”
“Because you are worried about Bessie?”
She smiled. “No. Because I should prepare myself if I happen to face Aunt Bonnie again.”
At that, Dominic turned her around to face him. If it were possible, he was even more handsome this morning with his hair in disarray and his dark eyes smoldering as they lit on her. He no longer attempted to conceal his innermost thoughts from her. She could read the love and adoration there if he hadn’t yet spoken the words aloud. “You will not be alone today.”
“I know,” she admitted. “But it is still causing me no end of qualms. Especially if what we find in the journal is as damning as I’m afraid it might be.”
“Then we will deal with that revelation. Together. I won’t allow you to face what scandal might arise.”
She leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the mouth. “You will just allow me the scandal that might arise from our time together in this bed without the benefits of marriage vows, is that it?”
He glanced down between them. “Oh, there is something arising, but it’s not scandal at the moment.”
She rolled her eyes and pushed away from him as she rose from the bed. If she didn’t force herself to do so, she had the feeling they wouldn’t get anything accomplished today. Her body protested, of course, urging her to return to the man who had propped his head on his hand and looked at her with seductive intent, the gleam in his eye particularly tempting, but she tied her robe about her waist. “Good day, Your Grace.”
As Lexie returned to her room, she was thankful that her maid had not yet chosen to appear. She needed a few moments to compose herself after such a blissful night spent with Dominic. She feared that her happiness would soon be ripped away, half expected it, and yet she couldn’t say why. Perhaps it was because for the first time in her life she was truly content and eager to live the rest of her life with Dominic, when before, she had been anticipating a temporary ruination filled with a lifetime of melancholy memories.
When she felt as though she could properly comport herself without either blushing or bursting into tears, she rang for a bath. Taking a breakfast tray in her room, she finally left the confines of her bed chamber when it was nearly the noon hour. When she inquired after the duke, she found Dominic in his study. She offered a light knock and entered the room at his summons.
He glanced up from his desk and instead of a smile, he wore a look of concern. He set aside his pen and offered his undivided attention. “I was starting to wonder if you were avoiding me.”
She shook her head. “Not you.” She closed her eyes to brace herself. “I just want today to be over.”
He got up and moved toward her. She told herself she didn’t need the comfort that his arms surrounding her provided, nor the warmth that his strong chest created, but together they were the safe haven she was starting to rely on. He gave her the strength she didn’t know she had needed before now. “It will be over soon,” he whispered into her upswept hair.
She leaned back and wiped at her eyes. “I don’t know when I started to turn into a despicable watering pot, but here we are.”
He grasped her chin lightly. “I love you no matter what you are.”
Lexie gasped. There it was. The three words she’d been waiting so desperately to hear and he spoke them as if he’d said them a hundred times before. She wondered if he realized he’d even done so, but she could see the truth shining in his gaze.
“I—”
“Your Grace. There is—er… forgive the intrusion.” The butler cleared his throat as Lexie was released .
The duke took a respectable step back and addressed the servant with a mixture of tolerance and patience. “What is it?”
“Your solicitor, Your Grace. He said you were expecting him.”
“And indeed, I was. Send him in if you please.” He glanced down at Lexie as the servant departed. “Forgive me.”
She waved a hand. “I’m better now. All is well.” She wanted to reassure him although her heart was still anxious about the encounter to come.
He hesitated but gave a reluctant sigh. “I’ll collect you when it’s time to depart.”