Page 81 of A Proposition for the Comte
‘I spent six years being told what to do by Harland and before that I was the property of my father but I am free now and the bravery that you spoke of last night is a precious gift I never want to lose hold of again. If you take me with you I won’t be sitting here and worrying and I promise to do everything you ask.’
‘It may not be easy, Violet. I don’t intend to just walk into their lair and give myself up.’
‘I didn’t think you would.’
‘Mountford may not be the man we imagine him, either.’
‘But if I can talk to him and tell him all that has happened to me he might think twice.’
‘What was his relationship with your mother?’
‘He loved her and when she asked him to be my godfather he was happy for the duty. I saw many of Harland’s associates personally over the time he was tampering with the gold so I might be able to identify them, as well.’
‘You didn’t know any of the ones who kidnapped you.’
‘Please, Aurelian. Please let me come.’
He looked at her and saw in her eyes the hope that might save her. Save them. If only he could keep her alive.
When she smiled he knew he was in trouble and when she crossed the room and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him hard on the mouth he knew he was in even more.
They left Sussex in the very early morning of the next day and with as little fanfare as they could manage. The first carriage had gone on ahead last evening with Eli Tucker and two of the guards.
It was a strategic decision. If anyone was watching Compton Park then they could split the opposition before they reached London. Lian had asked Shay if they could use the Luxford town house even as the others went on to Portman Square.
Keep them guessing was a mantra he had employed from the first but he knew he had to flush out all those who were responsible for Violet’s kidnapping and he did not mean to do it kindly.
They would pay for their mistakes. A part of him hoped Mountford was not involved as he owed a debt to the man after his warning about Violet’s being in danger in the park.
He had organised to have a groom sit with the driver as well as the safety of another guard at the back. There were two shotguns and a pistol within reach inside the carriage. It never paid to be underprepared.
Violet looked tense and worried as they finally met the main road which at this time of the day was a busy one and for that Aurelian was grateful. Anyone meaning to waylay them would probably think twice with all the onlookers, though their daring at Lackington’s had rattled him.
Shay was travelling up to give his thoughts to the commission and for that extra weapon in his armoury Aurelian was glad. Celeste had come to see him, too, quietly impressing upon him the importance of protecting Violet.
‘She is scared, Aurelian, and lonely but she is also brave. If you know what is good for you, you will not let her slip through your fingers and any woman should have the benefit of doubt in refusing a marriage proposal once.’
‘You are an unlikely champion for Violet, Celeste.’
‘I think she has as many demons as I had before I married Summer but she needs to understand that a good man can heal a chequered past. Did she kill the husband?’
‘No, but she is protecting the one who did.’
‘For a good reason?’
He swallowed and answered curtly, ‘A very good one.’
‘Harland Addington had few friends from what I have heard of him and more than enough enemies.’
‘And...’
‘She was in exile up on the Addington estate for years it seems and when she arrived in London last year there were many who were more than keen to court her. She made it very plain that she was not interested in finding a husband again.’
‘Once bitten, twice shy?’
‘The stir she created was most abhorrent to her. She did not encourage a single suitor until you.’
He laughed. ‘What is it you are saying, Celeste?’
‘Ask her to marry you again, Aurelian, but this time mention the wordlove.’
‘How do you know I didn’t last time?’
‘Because if you had I think she would have accepted you.’
