Secrets to a Gentleman's Heart (Uncle Charlie's Angels Book 1) Page 10

  “I’m sure he is caught up in his work.” Evangeline hopped up to retrieve a sheet of foolscap, inkpot, and a quill from a writing desk in the corner. “I have already composed the advertisement in my head. Let’s get it on the page.”

  Regina offered suggestions for a different word here and there, but overall, Evangeline didn’t need her input. Once her sister sanded the page and folded it, she passed it to Regina.

  “Would you like me to accompany you?” Evangeline asked.

  Regina shook her head. “Go back to your studies. I will have Joy walk with me.”

  It wasn’t ideal to drag their maid away from her duties, but Regina couldn’t go out alone. The Morning Times office was too far away for Aunt Beatrice to walk, and yet, it wasn’t far enough to justify calling for the barouche.

  Regina retrieved Joy from upstairs then collected her bonnet and gloves from the narrow table by the door. As she and the maid reached the front walkway, someone called out, “Good morning, Miss Darlington.”

  She jerked her head up and discovered Mr. Vistoire strolling in their direction with a walking stick in one hand and a blond-haired little boy who was no older than two, if that, snug in the crook of his arm. A young woman dressed in gray fustian trailed close behind.

  The brass handle of Mr. Vistoire’s walking stick glinted in the sunlight, and a sharp click accompanied each strike against the ground. Impractical white trousers skimmed his long legs and complemented the dark blue tailcoat he wore. Every inch of him from his beaver hat to polished black boots revealed his genteel upbringing.

  “Mr. Vistoire.” She eyed him warily as he approached. When he stopped in front of her and flashed his handsome smile, she turned her gaze on the boy. He shared Mr. Vistoire’s rare green eyes, but the bow shape of his sweet little mouth and the serious slant of his dark blond brows marked him as Serafine Tucker’s son—Mr. Vistoire’s nephew. And he was just as adorable as Mr. Vistoire was handsome.

  She crossed her arms to stifle the friendly feelings welling up inside her. “Good morning,” she mumbled. She’d feared he would follow through with his threat to call on her, but she’d hoped for more time to fortify herself.

  The little boy wrapped his arms around Mr. Vistoire’s neck and laid his head on his shoulder. He popped his thumb in his mouth.

  Blast. How was she supposed to remain aloof in the face of such a darling display of familial affection? The man was diabolical.

  As if he could read her thoughts, he nuzzled his nephew’s hair and grinned. “You don’t seem surprised to see me.”

  “Why should I be, sir? You announced your intentions last night.” And then his secret weapon was deployed. The little one gave her a shy smile that melted her heart. “Most suitors bring flowers, Mr. Vistoire. Perhaps you are wiser than most. I do hope you introduce me to this charming young lad.”

  “This is my sister’s boy, Simon. He remarked on the lovely morning over breakfast and thought we should go for a walk. As you can see, his nanny and I are the ones doing the walking. Simon’s legs grew too tired to carry him before we were out of sight of the house.”

  She couldn’t help smiling at the boy, and Mr. Vistoire’s exaggerated accounting of how they’d come to be outside Wedmore House. She highly doubted a child Simon’s age was capable of verbalizing his wants so succinctly. “You are a smart boy, Simon. If I could manage it, I would have Mr. Vistoire carry me, too.”

  Mr. Vistoire’s eyebrows shot up. “Perhaps if you asked nicely...”

  “I meant if I were a child.” Heat swept over her.

  He shrugged as if it made no difference to him that she was grown. “I was under the impression it was impolite to pay calls this early.”

  She savored the sweet taste of victory. He’d passed her the perfect excuse to turn him away. “It is customary to call in the afternoon. Perhaps another day, Mr. Vistoire.”

  “I suppose it is fortunate it wasn’t my intention to call on you this morning. Simon and I are on our way to feed the geese at the park.” He directed his attention toward Simon’s nanny. “Are you still in possession of the bread, Miss Lillywhite?”

  “Yes, sir.” The raven-haired young woman held up a white wicker basket as if inviting Regina to inspect it.

  “Then we should be on our way. Good day, Miss Darlington.” He tipped his hat to her.

  “Good day,” Simon echoed in his darling little voice, mashing the words together so they sounded like one.

  Regina gaped after the small party as they continued their journey without a backward glance for her.

  Joy sidled up to her to watch them march away. “I’m sure you could join them if you wanted.”

  “I most certainly will not.” She swallowed to ease the unexpected ache in her throat. “Not without an invitation.”

  “I don’t think the gentleman would complain,” Joy said. “I saw the way he looked at you when he was a guest at Wedmore House.”

  “He wasn’t a guest. He—” She glanced around the street to make sure no one had overheard then lowered her voice even though the street was deserted this early. “I only made his acquaintance last night. Please don’t ever say otherwise.”

  Joy cast down her eyes. “Of course, miss. I was not thinking.”

  Regina sighed. She hadn’t meant to sound scolding. “If it makes you feel better, he has a similar effect on me. I become a blithering idiot every time we meet. In truth, I’m relieved he didn’t come to see me.”

  “I am sure you are, miss.”

  It was a lie. She knew it. Joy knew it. But they entered into a silent agreement to pretend otherwise and set off to complete Regina’s errand.

  Twelve

  Xavier’s step was a little livelier when he returned to Wedmore House that afternoon. The shocked expression on Miss Darlington’s face when he’d told her that he wasn’t there to see her still made laughter build up in his chest. Lady Luck had been with him this morning when Miss Darlington appeared on the walkway just as he was passing. He’d hoped she might catch a glimpse of him when he’d chosen to take that particular route to Hyde Park. An actual encounter was even better.

  She wanted him, but she would never admit it unless her desire for him was greater than her damnable pride. In the short time that he’d known Regina Darlington, he’d discovered a couple of truths about her. She liked to remain in control, which would be difficult for her to accomplish if he refused to play by her rules.

  He’d taken a gamble this morning by pretending he had no interest in seeing her when in reality, she’d stolen his breath. Every time he saw her, she grew more beautiful. He hoped his pretense had unbalanced her and left her less resistant to receiving him.

  Secondly, she was a nurturer. The soft glow of her eyes when she’d looked at Simon only confirmed his opinion. A nurturer would not appreciate a bouquet that would perish in a few days, which was the reason he hadn’t come with flowers. Instead, he had brought a plant.

  Arriving at the double-hung black doors of Wedmore House, he shifted the potted orchid to his other arm and reached for the doorknocker only to snatch his hand back.

  “Sacre bleu!” He blinked, studying the unusual design. For a second, he’d believed he was about to be struck by a serpent, but it was merely a harmless iron reproduction. He grabbed the snake’s tail and knocked.

  Several moments passed without an answer. He was reaching for the knocker again when the door drifted open, and Miss Darlington peeked through the crack.

  “Mr. Vistoire, what are you doing here?”

  He narrowed his eyes. “You are still without a butler. You promised to speak with Lord Margrave.”

  “I have the matter well in hand, not that it is any of your concern.” She kept her body hidden behind the door. Her tongue nervously darted over her lips as her fingers tightened on the edge of the door.

  “What are you doing in there?” He craned his neck to see what or whom she was hiding. If one of those blackguards she’d mentioned last night had sho
ved his way inside, Xavier would toss him out on his bum. “Who is in there with you?”

  “No one. I wasn’t expecting visitors.” She frowned. “Including you. I thought you decided against calling today.”

  “I never said I had changed my mind, Miss Darlington. I was simply waiting for an acceptable time.” He lifted to his toes to peer over her head and into the foyer, unconvinced everything was in order like she said.

  She opened the door wider and pushed her hand against his shoulder. Her amber green eyes sparked with ire. “Stop spying on me. What do you want?”

  Finding the hall behind her empty, he dropped his guard. Tension drained from his body, and an indulgent smile spread across his lips. “You,” he drawled.

  “Me? What about me?” She stepped back and flung the door open. “You might as well come inside. Lingering on the stoop all day is going to set tongues wagging.”

  A shrill bark echoed off the domed ceiling and the rapid click of nails against the marble floor sounded in the room.

  “Oh, no!” Miss Darlington grabbed Xavier by the front of his waistcoat and ineffectively tugged. “Hurry! He’s coming.”

  Her panicked tone spurred him into action. He slipped inside Wedmore House, and she slammed the door just as Cupid launched himself at them. The dog crashed into Xavier’s shins and fell on his side with a yelp, but he was back on his feet in no time. Hopping on his hind legs, Cupid clawed at Xavier’s new trousers. The little dog’s pink tongue flopped from the side of his mouth and saliva dripped onto Xavier’s boots.

  “Cupid, no!” Miss Darlington grabbed for the poodle, but he skittered out of her reach. “Blast!”

  She straightened and her hands landed on her hips. “Mind your manners, you little beast.”

  Cupid barked several times as if defending his actions before returning to jump up on Xavier and drown his boots in drool. A rancid odor assaulted Xavier’s sensibilities. He covered his mouth and nose to block the smell. “Good Lord! What is that stench?”

  “I’m not sure. Cupid either rolled in the neighbor’s freshly fertilized flower beds or found something dead.” Miss Darlington wrinkled her nose. “Perhaps both. I was preparing to give him a b-a-t-h before you arrived.”

  “Give him two baths. He smells disgusting.”

  The dog ceased trying to climb Xavier’s legs. His ears flattened, and a deep-throated growl came from the bundle of black curls.

  “Splendid. Now I’ll never get him in the b-a-t-h.”

  “Why are you spelling bath?”

  Cupid snarled and snapped. Xavier leapt back in surprise, bumping into the door at his back.

  “Because Cupid knows that word and hates what it means. He’s a devil to catch if he knows what is in store for him.” She lunged for the dog and collapsed on her hands and knees when he shot out of her grasp. Cupid tore down the narrow corridor leading to the back of the house. The housekeeper was exiting a room as he zipped past, and she screeched.

  “So sorry, Mrs. Cox,” Miss Darlington called.

  The woman pursed her lips, but said nothing as she moved on with her bucket and mop.

  Miss Darlington sighed. “It is no use. We’ll have to tolerate the smell until Aunt Beatrice returns.”

  “How long will that be?”

  She sat on her haunches. “She and Sophia are attending Lady Chattington’s garden party. I suppose it depends on how much Sophia is enjoying herself.”

  If the layout of the house matched the drawing he’d received, the library was located toward the back of the house. He knew how he was going to search for the map.

  “That is entirely too long.” He offered his hand, juggling the plant to keep it from being crushed between them as he pulled her to her feet. Once she’d gained her balance, he held out his gift. “For you. Perhaps you could find a safe place for it while I give chase.”

  She accepted the potted orchid with a smirk. “Good luck. I’ll be in the drawing room when you have discovered it is a hopeless cause.”

  “Nothing is hopeless, my dear.”

  After two years of captivity, he was a free man. Hope had gotten him this far, and he didn’t intend to abandon it now.

  He deposited his hat and gloves on the table in the foyer and strolled along the corridor, whistling for the dog in order to hide the fact he was actually snooping around Wedmore House. Multicolored woven carpets laid end to end muffled his footsteps as he moved deeper into the house. Sunlight spilled through the massive leaded window at the end of the passage, making navigation easy.

  The first doorway he reached opened to another passageway. He’d likely find Lord Wedmore’s study if he followed it. If there was time, he could search the earl’s private space next, but he would start with the library.

  “Cupid,” he called absently while taking in as many details about the house as possible. Although he hoped for more opportunities to search for the map during the daytime, he needed to be prepared in case he had no other option besides breaking in again.

  As he neared an open door at the end of the corridor, an oddly familiar and pleasing musty smell infused the air. Inside, floor to ceiling shelves lined the walls, and each shelf was crammed with leather bound books. A vacant table dominated the center of the room, and a bow window with stained glass panels projected trapezoids in shades of green and blue onto the hardwood floor. Charles Wedmore’s personal library was one of the most impressive Xavier had ever seen. The earl must have collected thousands of books.

  “Merde,” he muttered. That meant there were thousands of places to hide a map. Where should he even begin? The small writing desk by the bow window seemed the most obvious place to search, and therefore, the most unlikely place to hide something one didn’t want found. Still, it was a start.

  He walked toward it, knowing he didn’t have time to waste.

  “Are you looking for Cupid?”

  Xavier startled and spun toward the sound. Evangeline Darlington was tucked into a corner, high up on a ladder with a book in her hand. His good fortune had run out.

  He offered a friendly smile. “Oui. Your sister said he is in need of a b-a-t-h.”

  “Very badly in need of one. Let me shelve this, then I can help you search.” She stretched across the shelf, standing on her toes and grasping the ladder with one hand as she slid the book into an empty spot.

  “Did he come in here?” Xavier winced as she scrambled down the ladder and nearly fell. She caught herself and made it to the ground unharmed.

  “I didn’t see him, but I know how to lure him from wherever he’s hiding.” She pulled a couple of books from a shelf and withdrew a small tin that had been hidden behind them. “Biscuits,” she announced then shook the container.

  Cupid heard the rattle and darted out from under the desk to claim a treat. She scooped him into her arms before feeding him a biscuit. Scratching his head, she made a face. “The stink has gotten worse, if that’s even possible.” She thrust the poodle into his arms. “Hold tightly to him, or he will break free. He is famous for his daring escapes.”

  Xavier smiled. “Another thing we have in common,” he said under his breath. He wouldn’t be searching the library today. God only knew how he’d ever find an excuse to search Lord Wedmore’s study or chambers above stairs. He nodded toward the books. “Your uncle keeps an impressive library. I’ve had no access to a good library for some time, and I miss reading.”

  “You are welcome to return and select a book whenever you like. Uncle Charles wouldn’t mind.”

  Perhaps his luck hadn’t abandoned him after all. “Merci. I accept your kind invitation and will return soon. For now, however, your sister needs my assistance.”

  Tucking the dog under his arm, he bade her good-bye and headed back to the drawing room. Miss Darlington glanced up from her place on the settee. Her jaw dropped. “How did you catch him?”

  “A man must keep some secrets. Where are you planning to do the deed?”

  “I set up a small tub on the veran
da.” She pushed up from the settee and came to hold her arms out for Cupid. “I’ll take him. Thank you.”

  “I have him.” Xavier hugged the dog and nearly gagged from the stench, but he refused to relinquish his captive. “Show me the way, and I will stay to assist.”

  “Absolutely not. I don’t require your help.”

  He lifted the little dog as evidence to the contrary, and Cupid’s wet tongue swiped across his cheek. “Either show me to the veranda, or I will find it myself.”

  She crossed her arms, her chin lifting an inch.

  “Very well.” Turning on his heel, he stalked from the drawing room.

  “Wait.” The patter of her slippers told him she trailed behind.

  He didn’t stop. Her refusal suited his mission, although it vexed him greatly. Taking the other corridor he’d found earlier would allow him to explore the house further.

  “Mr. Vistoire, would you please slow your step?”

  He gave no indication he heard her and entered the passageway. The first door he encountered was closed, but the second stood ajar and revealed a small sitting room with another bow window draped in luxurious green brocade with gold fringe. He was guessing Lord Wedmore’s study rested behind the closed door.

  “Mr. Vistoire, please.” Miss Darlington’s desperate plea caused him to draw up short. She closed the distance between them and rested her hand on his forearm. Her touch sent a jolt racing up his arm. “You will ruin your clothes if you insist on helping me.”

  Oui. That was likely to be the outcome, but the harder she tried to push him away, the more determined he was to stay by her side.

  He leaned closer to whisper into her ear. “I’m happy to remove as many articles as necessary to alleviate your worry, darling.”

  The soft intake of her breath made him smile. “Perhaps only your coat and cravat.”

  Thirteen

  Regina concentrated on lathering Cupid’s fur as best as she could, all the while mindful of Mr. Vistoire’s bare forearms. His muslin shirt had become translucent and plastered to his chest after the dog nearly escaped from the washtub.