A Treacherous Proposition. Patricia Frances Rowell
“Anything at all I can do…” Sudbury leaned to kiss the hand she extended as he approached her.
“Thank you. I appreciate your kindness.”
St. Edmunds cleared his throat. “Of course. If I may render any service at all, you have but to send word.” He glared at Vincent. “Your servant, Lady Diana…my lord… Sudbury.”
With a nod at Vincent, Sudbury followed St. Edmunds out the door.
When Vincent sat rather than follow them, Diana sent him a startled glance. With an effort he dredged up his crooked half smile. “I have persuaded Lord St. Edmunds to let me assist you with your future plans.”
The look of relief which rewarded that statement flickered after a moment and one of wariness replaced it. Not quite knowing how to reassure her, Vincent glanced down at the floor, only to see a cockroach emerge from under his chair. With an oath, he brought his boot down on it.
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Once again color flooded Diana’s cheeks. “I cannot get rid of the creatures, no matter how much I clean. I find them everywhere.”
“And little wonder, in this hole.” Vincent stood and walked to where she sat, and stood looking down at her, forcing down the anger that rose in him. “My lady, you are not to blame for the roaches any more than you are to blame for the unpaid rent. I knew Wyn. I knew him well, and my heart is sore for the loss of him. But I also know his nature. He should never have brought you to this.” He glared around the room. He’d be damned if he would leave her here. “And I see no reason for you to stay here another minute. You are not even safe in this neighborhood. And with a dead body in the next room, the cockroaches and rats will… You cannot stay. Go and gather up what you need for yourself and the children, and I will take you to a hotel.”
“That’s…that’s very kind, my lord, but not necessary. I have survived here very—”
“Diana, spare me.” Vincent glowered in her direction. “You have survived, but only that. The moment that hag of a landlady spreads the word that you are now alone, you will cease to have any security at all.” He softened his tone. “I understand your pride, but you must remove yourself and your children from these quarters. Now go and collect what you need. I promise you will be safe with me.”
And from him, more was the pity.
She sat for a moment more with eyes closed and one hand pressed to her mouth. At last she drew in a deep breath and stood. “You are correct, of course. For months I have slept with a pistol by my hand. I will go with you. My concern must be for Selena and Bytham. If you will wait, it will take only a few moments.”
Vincent watched her through the door and began to pace the small room. Why had Wynmond Corby done this to her, to his children, to himself? Vincent shuddered. He had been so close to following the same path, so close to bringing himself to utter ruin. And he still wasn’t sure why.
Nor exactly why he had mended his ways, for that matter.
“I believe this will do for a day or two.” Diana came into the room dragging two small valises. “Now I must get the children up and dress them.”
“May I help?” Vincent moved toward the bedroom. “I know very little about youngsters, but perhaps I can assist.”
The first smile he had seen since he had helped carry a bleeding Wynmond Corby home softened her face. “It is not that difficult. Perhaps you can get Bytham into his clothes. He is such a heavy sleeper—it will be a struggle.”
His brief smile answered hers. “Surely I will prove equal to stuffing a small boy into his britches.”
Her eyes twinkled for an instant. “We shall see.”
He had done surprisingly well with it, Diana thought as the hackney turned into St. James and headed toward Fenton’s Hotel, even if his lordship’s previously crisp neckcloth did now hang around his neck in crumpled folds. Thank heaven he had been willing to help her. She felt completely unequal to the task of wrestling with a cross, half-asleep, small boy. Getting Selena, now sleeping, slumped between them on the seat, dressed had almost proved more than she could do. When had she last enjoyed a sound night’s sleep? Diana could not remember. She roused herself when she realized his lordship was speaking to her.
“I desired the doctor to have the body prepared for the funeral. If you will tell me what you want, I will convey your wishes to him.”
“Oh, thank you.” Diana struggled to focus. “You are very kind. Right now I am not sure…” She rubbed at the pain in her temple.
“You needn’t think of it now. Tomorrow is time enough for that.” Vincent shifted slightly to move the dozing Selena away from his pocket, retrieved his overworked purse once again, and settled the child back against him, holding her upright. He removed a few coins and handed the purse to Diana. “There should be enough here to provide for any services you need tonight and in the morning. I had rather not be seen handing it to you.”
How thoughtful of him, even though Diana had little doubt that his championship of her would soon be all over London—with the attendant gossip. She should not take any more money from him. She really should not. But the pittance she had in her purse would hardly cover a night at Fenton’s, let alone meals for the children. Once more she must bite her tongue and swallow a large chunk of her pride with it. “Thank you, my lord. I will repay you as soon as I am able.”
He stared at her for a moment with sharp black eyes, and Diana experienced a twinge of alarm. Then he shrugged slightly. “Of course. In the meantime, until you have made your plans, I will settle with Fenton’s.”
The carriage drew to a stop and Vincent opened the door. He took Bytham from Diana and helped her down, then gave the boy back to her, lifted her daughter into his own arms and paid the driver. As they made their way into the hotel, Selena snuggled her face against his neck.
Diana collapsed onto the nearest sofa while her escort approached the desk. In a matter of minutes, the child draped limply across his shoulder, he had arranged for rooms with a parlor, turned the luggage over to the porter, instructed a maid to assist Diana with the children and seen the three of them upstairs.
And in a few more minutes he had invited her to send for him if she needed him, promised to call on her on the morrow and bowed himself out of the room, no doubt relieved to be rid of the three of them.
Diana fell into bed in a blur of fatigue.
Chapter Two
There was nothing for it.
He would have to ask for her help. And God! How he hated to do it.
Hadn’t he caused enough trouble for her in the past? Vincent trotted up the stairs of the town house and lifted the knocker. A dull booming on the other side of the door rewarded this effort and immediately thereafter a startled face appeared in the portal.
“Why, Lord Lonsdale! We haven’t seen you this age.” The tall, white-haired butler stepped back and bowed Vincent into a small but elegant entry.
“Good morning, Feetham.” Vincent nodded at the butler and handed his hat and gloves to a footman. “Is Lady Litton in?”
“I’m not sure, my lord, but I will inquire.” Feetham nodded at the footman who disappeared up the stairs.
Vincent carefully schooled his face to show no expression. What the butler meant was, of course, that he did not know if his mistress was willing to see Vincent. The footman reappeared in a matter of minutes.
“Her ladyship is in the morning room,” he reported. “She asks that you come up.”
Vincent nodded to Feetham and followed the footman back up the stairs and into a cheerful chamber, bright with sunlight.
The dark-haired lady on the sofa, a lady only a few years Vincent’s senior, smiled warmly and held out a hand. “Vincent! What brings you here?”