Page 22 of The Villain’s Vixen (Wanton Wastrels)
CHAPTER 22
T he timing was regrettable, but for what Dominic needed to discuss with his solicitor was far from it. He had to ensure that if something were to happen to him, Lexie would not suffer any ill effects from associating with a known criminal in the London underworld. He couldn’t do much until after they were wed, but he could alter his wishes where she would have continual protection so long as the funds in his will might allow it.
At least he wouldn’t have to worry about any more banns being read. He had managed to procure a special license just that morning which would give him leave to marry Lexie any time they so chose. He would have her as his wife today if she might allow it, but with the turmoil of retrieving the copy of the journal from her aunt’s townhouse, he knew she was apprehensive.
He hoped that the copy was still where he’d carefully tucked it out of sight the night he’d met her father at dinner, and that it would shed some light on why Lexie’s aunt and the false Lord Lindley were so closely entwined. He was eager to make his way there now, the time moving much too slowly for his tastes, whereas the night before, he couldn’t have captured enough hours to hold Lexie in his arms.
He slid a hand down his face and thought of when he’d said he’d loved her. Just as their engagement hadn’t been full of flowery prose, neither had his grand declaration. It had slipped out before he’d had a chance to think better of the poor timing. The look of shock on her face hadn’t been completely unexpected and he was confident she was about to return the sentiment before they were interrupted.
He intended to do it all over again, just as he’d gotten down on one knee in front of her in this very room and amended his proposal, he would ensure that his love was showered upon her with jewels or roses. Not thrust upon her or shouted in the throes of passion as some men of his acquaintance mentioned they were wont to do. Dominic had never thought such declarations seemed sincere when clutched in such lustful abandon. He had certainly never claimed such a strong emotion when he’d lain with any other woman. However, he had considered it when he’d looked into Lexie’s enchanting blue eyes and saw her light hair spread across the pillow beneath him. He had wanted to say so many things in that moment, but all that he could think of was how beautiful she had appeared. And that is what he’d said. At least the words had rung true.
“Your Grace.”
Dominic turned at the sound of the solicitor’s voice. He was an older man, having handled the Cuthbert estate for a number of years, even before the death of Dominic’s father.
He inclined his head. “Mr. Michaels. It’s good of you to come on such short notice.”
“You mentioned in your missive that it was of the utmost importance.” The other man bowed respectfully in turn. “And I dare not ignore such a summons from Your Grace.”
Dominic smiled tightly. This was one of the reasons he had chosen to create the persona of Avalon. He wanted to be respected for more than just a title, and although it had taken some time and effort, he had managed to do so. His men respected him, of that he had no doubt. And he was also confident that Amos would be the best leader to ensure the same ethics that Dominic had tried to build were put into place. The Blue Boys were forced to have a strict reputation in which to gain order, and Amos was fearsome for the appearance of his eyepatch alone. Many people speculated on where he’d received the injury and although Dominic was aware of the fight that had taken one-half of his sight, Amos did not let the affliction deter him in any way. He was still the best man for the position.
He sat down at his desk and waved a hand for the solicitor to take a seat before him. “Shall we get started?”
It didn’t take as long as Dominic had thought to take care of the few issues that had been a concern. He was fortunate for that since it was nearly time to intrude on Lady Devonly’s house.
He made his way to his chamber and was temporarily distracted by the neatly made bed that had not been nearly so smoothly put together a few hours before. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to think of Lexie and how much she had changed him in such a short amount of time. He’d wanted to relinquish his identity as Avalon, but he hadn’t yet released his heart. That was all due to her tenacity and wit.
When he went to her room to collect her, he was relieved to see the same, spirited woman he had first met. The uncertainty she’d worn that morning had concerned him greatly, but it appeared she had rallied and was, yet again, ready to take on the whole of London. She was wearing a deep plum gown with cream lace adornment about the bodice and hem. She looked entirely too delectable to let out of the house. He considered just escorting her back to his chamber, but he knew they would never rest soundly until this intrigue had concluded .
“Shall we?” He held out his arm to her and she cocked a brow at him.
“How gallant, Your Grace. I should be delighted.”
As they headed down the stairs, she slipped on her cloak while he donned his greatcoat. A glance outside earlier had not shown rain, but the heavy autumn clouds did not look very promising.
As they entered his coach, they headed across Mayfair to her aunt’s house. He noted that she continued to seem calm, but he wanted to ensure all was well, so he noted, “It won’t be long now.”
“Yes.” She exhaled heavily, the first indication since he’d collected her that perhaps she wasn’t quite as composed as she would like him to believe. “I daresay I nearly paced a hole in the carpet waiting, but now that we are moving, I am a bit more at ease.”
The coach paused on the opposite side of the street as they had initially agreed, and together they descended upon Lady Devonly’s townhouse.
Lexie was feeling a bit of trepidation, but she was feeling determined to unfold this mystery and expose the charlatan for who Lindley truly was. If her aunt was part of this intrigue then she would be forced to do the same to her, regardless of the guilt that was starting to rise and suffocate her. Her father had paid for her time in London, but Aunt Bonnie had been the chaperone she’d required in order to make the journey to begin with. She would not forget that kindness, but neither would she forget how her aunt had tried to browbeat her into accepting a man who wasn’t even who he claimed to be. She had to know why.
At the door, they were greeted by one of the footmen. Of course, he recognized her as it hadn’t been so long since she’d been staying there. “Miss Givenwald, I fear your aunt is not here?—”
“I am aware,” she said, swiftly moving past him. “I need to… grab a few things I forgot in my haste to depart the other day.”
She started for the stairs and looked at Dominic, who gave a helpless shrug and muttered. “Women.” He rolled his eyes and headed for the front parlor. “I’ll just wait for her in here.”
The servant was still gaping with his mouth open as they parted ways, effectively descending on the household with nary a care.
Lexie waited at the top of the stairs for the footman to depart and then she quickly retracted her steps and headed for the parlor where Dominic was just removing something from inside the chimney. “Is it still there?” she whispered urgently.
He wiped off the leather-bound journal but held up the item in question. “It is. Shall we see if we can discover something interesting?”
She eagerly made her way to his side and together they began to flip through the pages. With her heart pounding, Lexie could hear every tick of the clock as each page turned to reveal… nothing. She was starting to lose hope that Dominic might not have recorded the lost scandal, but then there it was in stark black and white.
For an instant, Lexie wasn’t sure she was actually reading what she thought she was. But there was no denying the facts when they were in plain sight. “Oh, my God. The earl had an elder son who was illegitimate.”
“It would appear so,” Dominic noted evenly. “Bonnie had an affair with the mad earl, apparently before he was struck with his affliction. It doesn’t say who the mother is, but I think that is no secret now.”
“George is the rightful heir to the Lindley estate. Henry promised me that on his deathbed.” Lexie glanced up to see her aunt standing in the middle of the room, a pistol held in her grasp. She shook her head almost sadly. “You should have been a biddable gel and did as I asked and none of this would have happened.”
“You wished me to marry my cousin? A man I did not love?” Lexie demanded harshly as Dominic shut the journal and moved slightly in front of her.
Her aunt shrugged. “I married my husband for advantageous reasons, and a cousin is no bother. Many in society do the same. He carried on with other women outside of our marriage bed, and I did the same with Henry.” She sighed. “It was regrettable that he started to lose his mind, because we had a mutual affection for one another. I bore his son and passed it off as that of the gardener to save his marriage. Besides, my husband would have never believed George was his. It had been months since we’d shared a bed. Everything might have been perfect, but then Henry’s wife started increasing with that brat of his, and I knew George didn’t stand a chance. Until recently.” She waved her pistol, and Dominic stiffened.
Lexie saw him slowly reach for something hidden beneath his jacket, but she placed a steady hand on his arm and gave a gentle squeeze. He stilled. “What happened?”
“After Henry’s brat was confined to the same asylum as his father, I knew my opportunity had finally arrived. I intended to give George the life he’d been denied for so many years. Once I learned the heir was to be freed after Henry’s death, I knew it would be easy enough for him and my son to trade places.” She frowned. “It was going well enough, but then I heard that the cretin had taken a lover and had a miniature done of his likeness. While he shared certain characteristics as my George, the features were different enough they could be identified. That is why I had to dispense with the traitor once and for all.”
Lexie gasped. “You killed the earl?”
“I killed an imposter, a lunatic who should have remained where he was while my son inherited everything in his stead.” Her aunt narrowed her eyes on Lexie. “I had picked the perfect bride for him too. I knew your father had planned a pretty dowry for you and George’s future would be secure at the match. But you had to be so disagreeable when George did everything perfectly to win your hand.”
Lexie saw her aunt’s finger twitch near the trigger of the weapon and knew she wouldn’t hesitate to kill either one of them. She’d done it before. She would certainly have no qualms about doing it again with such a singular mindset.
It was time she was disillusioned from her imaginary fairy tale ending. “Your son is at the Tower awaiting sentencing.”
It took a moment for her aunt to react. When she did, her eyes blinked rapidly and then she appeared confused. “No. That’s not possible. I taught George what to do, how to act. He would never make such a grave error when we are so close to victory.”
“It’s true.” Dominic’s commanding voice interceded for the first time, gaining her aunt’s full attention. “We were at one of his favorite gaming hells last night, and there was a confrontation.”
“Stop it!” The lady put her hands over her ears, temporarily moving the pistol barrel away from her intended victims. Dominic swiftly retrieved the item from inside his jacket pocket and held it securely at his side. It was a dagger.
Lexie thought she might be sick, imagining the way events could play out this day.
“My George would not allow himself to be caught out in the open in such a way!”
“If you don’t believe us,” Dominic returned evenly. “Then call the watch and inquire for yourself.”
She recovered enough to aim her gun directly at Dominic. “You would like that wouldn’t you? To be able to declare victory over a poor, helpless man like George! It was bad enough that you stole Alexandra from him and the money she would bring to their union. You are nothing but a selfish, useless waste of society.” She cocked the hammer back on the pistol. “ Avalon .”
Dominic froze, his entire body tensing. “What did you say?”
“You heard me,” Lady Devonly nearly spat. “I was the one who bribed your housemaid to gain access to your safe and remove the journal. I knew all about it, of course. I’d heard the rumors for years from George. He might not have grown up in my care, but I ensured that I became a part of his life. He spent a lot of time in the East End and made several acquaintances. He was the one who recognized you as the Duke of Cuthbert.” Her smile was almost cruel. “But I dispensed with that horrid journal, and together we tried to do the same to you, but you just wouldn’t die .”
“I understand the frustrations,” Dominic muttered dryly. “I am quite determined to stay alive that way.”
“Apparently,” she snapped. “But no longer. If what you say about my George is true, then it doesn’t seem as though I have anything left to lose anymore. I am nothing without my boy.”
Dominic saw her intent to fire the weapon in time. He released the dagger he’d held at his side and let it fly. The handle neatly knocked the pistol out of Lady Devonly’s grasp and gave him enough time to run across the room and tackle her to the ground. She tried to retrieve the weapon, but his strength and weight were no match for her own, and Dominic overpowered her easily enough.
Lexie was quick to react as well and threw open the doors to the parlor as she shouted for help. Two footmen soon appeared in the doorway and blinked in surprise at the sight of their mistress being pinned to the floor by the Duke of Cuthbert.
She hastily explained the situation, and they gathered Lady Devonly from the floor and took her out of the room and outside to Dominic’s coach. He turned to Lexie. “It would be best if you didn’t come with us. The horrors of the Tower are something I would spare you from. I will hail a hackney for you. ”
He could tell she considered arguing with him, but she slowly gave a nod. “Very well. In truth, I could use a drink.”
His mouth kicked up in a grin when he would have imagined it impossible to do so. “I daresay I could do with the same. Pour a brandy for me, and I will join you at home shortly.”
As he escorted a scowling and sour-faced Lady Devonly all the way to the Tower, he followed that up with a stop to the palace to see the king. If he had any hope of ensuring that the two people responsible for all his turmoil would be properly reprimanded, he needed the backing of the Crown.
Once that task was over, Dominic sat in the coach and let his head fall back against the velvet squabs. For the second day in a row, weariness like he’d seldom known stole over him, but the instant he walked into the townhouse and spied Lexie, he was cured from any ill that might have afflicted him before then. She was a sight to behold, and he still couldn’t believe his fortune that he had managed to secure the hand of such a remarkable woman.
While it hadn’t been the first thing he’d intended to say to her, he walked into his study where she held out a drink to him, he said, “I would marry you this instant if you were agreeable.”
She sipped from her drink and appeared to consider the prospect for a moment and then shrugged. “Very well.”
He sputtered on his drink, the fire coursing down his throat enough to rival that of the twitching cock in his trousers. “Pardon?”
She set down her glass and wound her arms around him. “It has been a day that I should like to forget for all eternity. But the prospect of becoming your wife makes it a bit more bearable.” She sighed. “And while I would be glad to drag some poor, hapless vicar here to perform the ceremony, I think I should like to leave London, for good, if possible, and live in boring contentment at your estate for the rest of our days. A new start with the man I love. ”
Dominic had been listening intently to her, until the very last. “What did you say?”
She scrunched up her nose. “You heard me. Now truly, take me home.”
“I’ll be glad to do just that.” He nuzzled the side of her neck. “But there’s one more thing I have to do first.”