Her Wanton Wager (35 page)

Trembling, Percy rose. "I understand you will not hear me on this, Mama. And I'm sorry I've never been the proper, sensible daughter you wanted. I'm sorry I'm such a disappointment." She blinked back the tears that threatened to spill over. "But I will not yield on this: I love Mr. Hunt."

"Blasted novels." Shaking her head, Mama sighed and went on, "You're misguided, but I never said you were a disappointment."

"You don't have to. I
know
I am. I'm prone to disaster and free of accomplishments." The crack in Percy's heart widened. "And you went on vacation to get away from me."

Mama's brow furrowed. "I wanted to have a break from my routine. Not from you." 

"You're ashamed of me."

"That's not true, Persephone."

"Don't deny it," Percy said, her throat swelling. "We've been locking horns for ages, and I don't blame you for it one bit. Nor Papa for being too busy for me."

"What has your father to do with this?"

The dam within Percy burst open, releasing a flood of words that seemed to come from nowhere. "I'm not the daughter the two of you wanted. If I was, Papa would have wanted to spend time with me. And you would not be upset with me all the time."

Sudden, racking sobs took over. Arms enfolded her, holding her tight. She clung to her mother's embrace as the storm raged through her.

"How could think such nonsense, Percy?" Mama's voice chided her gently. "You know I love you, you silly girl."

"Because you have to," Percy wailed. "You haven't any choice in the matter. You're saddled with me."

"You were the apple of your father's eye as well. Don't you remember the nights when he did come home early and the first thing he asked for was his little poppet?"

Sniffling, Percy said, "Perhaps if I had been good at something, had something worthwhile to show him ..."

"Oh, Percy. You're old enough to understand that while Papa loved you—loved us all—he had another love as well."

"You can't mean Papa ... had a mistress?" Percy's moorings shook loose again. It couldn't be true. He'd adored Mama.

"Heavens, no. Not a human one at any rate. I'm talking about his work, which indeed was more demanding than any lady of the night." Hearing the pain in Mama's voice, Percy snuggled closer, this time offering as well as taking comfort. "It took me many years to recognize that no matter what I did, I would always play second fiddle to the company. Your father could not tame his ambition." She took Percy firmly by the shoulders and looked her in the eye. "But that was not my failing—and most definitely not yours."

Until that moment, Percy had not recognized how much she needed to hear these words.  "I'm sorry you had to come second, Mama," she whispered, "and I wish I might have been more of a comfort. More like the proper daughter you deserved."

"Goodness, to hear you talk. You haven't any idea do you?"

"Any idea of what?" Percy said.

Her mother snorted. "Do you know what your Grandmama said to me after her visit with us last summer?"

Percy shook her head.

"'
Well, Anna, you have finally gotten what you deserved. How I enjoy seeing that gel of yours give you a taste of your own medicine. She's just like you were at her age.'
"

"You mean ... you were like
me
?" Percy said, stunned.

"I'd say it is the opposite way around," Mama replied dryly. "Either way, we are much alike you and I. Why do you think I've kept such a close eye on you all these years? It takes a hoyden to know one."

Mama ... a hoyden!

"But you're so perfect," Percy blurted. "You do everything right."

"No one does
everything
right, my dear. I daresay I did grow up during my marriage," her mother said with a twinkle in her eye, "and you will, too, once you find the right husband."

With the newfound intimacy between them, Percy said, "Oh, Mama, I think I already
have
."

Mama gave her a stern look. "There's to be no more of that Mr. Hunt nonsense. Trust me, with time your feelings will fade. Until you come to your senses, however, you will not go anywhere without my permission. I shall have that window of yours bolted from the outside if necessary."

"Yes, Mama." Deciding not to stir the pot further for now, Percy said, "May I at least call upon Nick and Helena? I should dearly like to see them and the twins."

 "As a matter of fact, the Hartefords are coming over this afternoon." Mama's expression softened. "Lisbett has been bustling about all morning preparing a special collation."

Perfect. Percy would take the opportunity to talk privately with Nick. If she could figure out how to free Gavin from the past, perhaps there might be hope for the future. Because she wouldn't give up on him—on them—without a fight.

THIRTY-FOUR

The Hartefords arrived at half-past three. Mama ushered them into the parlor where Lisbett had laid out a scrumptious side board. Given his lack of table manners, Fitzwell had been banned from the occasion.

"Helena and Nick, 'tis so good to see you," Percy exclaimed as soon as they were all seated. "Where are the twins?"

The marchioness smiled ruefully. "We thought we'd spare you the holy terrors this afternoon. Nurse has taken them to the park instead." With concern glowing in her lovely hazel eyes, she asked, "How are you, dear?"

 "I'm well," Percy said. More truthfully, she added, "But clearly not as well as you. Why, you've got a glow about you, Helena. Time away from London must have agreed with you."

Though the other lady was always fashionable, today Helena looked especially splendid in a flounced carriage dress of deep green, which complimented her glossy russet curls and porcelain skin. Pink entered the marchioness' smooth cheeks, and she exchanged a glance with her husband. A silent message passed between them; Nicholas gave her a faint nod, his large hand covering her small one.

"The vacation was lovely, but the truth is"—Helena's blush deepened—"we are expecting a new addition to our family. Next spring."

"Oh my dears, how wonderful!" Mama beamed at the couple. "A full nursery is a blessed thing indeed. The twins must be so excited."

"We haven't told Jeremiah and Thomas as yet," Nicholas said.

"You saw how they were during our travels, Anna. With the questions." Helena sighed.

Mama chuckled as she passed around the tea cups. "I don't believe I've heard the word
why
used so many times in a single sentence." She slid at look at Percy. "At least, not since this one was in her leading strings. She was the most inquisitive poppet."

Percy rolled her eyes.

"You do encourage the boys, my love," Nicholas reminded his marchioness. Picking up his cup, he said, "Helena claims curiosity is a hallmark of intelligence." 

"They are such clever little fellows, and I should hate to dampen their natural interest in the world," Helena admitted. "Well, I shan't worry about it. When the boys want to know where babies come from,"—she aimed a sweet smile at her husband—"Harteford will handle it brilliantly, I'm sure."

Nicholas choked on his tea. "Why me?"      

"Because you are such a wonderful papa. The boys believe everything you say." Helena's eyelashes lowered demurely. "Besides, I'd say the matter falls under your expertise."

A flush crept over Nicholas' jaw at his wife's teasing. Percy exchanged amused glances with her mama. In truth, marriage had done wonders for Nicholas. He'd gone from a stoic, somber sort to one who showed his emotions more freely. He smiled and laughed more often, and there was no doubting his devotion toward his marchioness and their brood.

Of course, this made Percy think of Gavin. It fueled her hope: love
could
change a man for the better. If Nicholas could overcome the horrors of his past, then why couldn't Gavin?

"Nick, could I speak to you? In the garden?" Percy blurted.

The laughter fled his eyes. His grey gaze grew wary, and his shoulders stiffened, as if he had been expecting this. "Of course," he said.

"Now, Percy, do not go pestering Nicholas—" Mama began.

"'Tis fine, Anna." This came from Helena, who gave Percy an encouraging nod. "We came so that Harteford might speak with Percy. And while they are busy, I was hoping you might help me with selecting colors for the new nursery ..."

Percy led the way out into the garden. The sun was out, showcasing her mother's prized rose bushes in their rainbow glory. Beside her, Nick walked silently, hands clasped behind his back.

Plucking up her courage, Percy said, "I have questions I want to ask you, Nick. I am afraid they are personal."

"After the events of two nights ago, I don't have many secrets left," he said.

"I know how you value your privacy, and I am so sorry to pry into your past." She bit her lip. "But the thing of it is, Gavin is not as wicked as he seems. He believes he was wronged, and I think if he understood the true circumstances of that night, he would relinquish his desire for revenge."
And give our love a chance.

"Hunt
was
wronged. I left him there. Left him, when I should taken him with me from that hell hole," Nicholas said in stark tones.

Poor Nick. How long has he carried the weight of that guilt?

"You were just a boy. You could hardly fend for yourself let alone another," Percy said.

Though his gaze remained bleak, he replied, "Helena said you would think that."

"'Tis what anyone would think," Percy insisted. "The true villain was not you, but Grimes. Grimes and whoever set the house on fire. And that is the question I have been mulling over. If you didn't start the fire, who did?"

Nicholas ran a hand through his dark hair. "I have been asking myself the same question. 'Twas nearly twenty years ago, Percy, and for so long I have tried to block it all out."

"Can you recall who else was in the house that night?" she asked.

"There were a dozen boys at least. Nameless, broken wretches Grimes kept chained like slaves." Nick's jaw looked harder than granite. "Pathetic as it sounds, I doubt any of them would have set their only home aflame."

"Did Grimes have any enemies? Perhaps one of them seized the opportunity to destroy his place once and for all," Percy mused.

"Any number of men wanted Grimes dead." His brows drawn, Nicholas hesitated before saying, "When I was discussing this with Helena, I did recall one man in particular. A rival cutthroat whose feud with Grimes had caused bloodshed on both sides."

"What was his name?" Percy said eagerly.

The sun glinted off the silver at Nick's temples as he shook his head in frustration. "I never knew his name. He went by Jack Spades."

"That's not his real name?" Percy asked.

"'Twas a common moniker used in the stews to describe a one-eyed man." At her puzzled look, Nicholas explained, "In a deck of cards, the Jack of Spades has a side profile, so only one of his eyes is seen."

"So it's possible this man would want to burn down the flash house?"

Nick gave a terse nod. "Especially with Grimes' body in it. You see, Grimes was the one who'd cut out Spades' eye. In a street brawl ... I witnessed it." Swallowing, he added, "Grimes always vowed to get the other one, too."

Percy couldn't suppress a shudder.

"None of this is fit for your ears," Nicholas said suddenly, "nor will the past change the present situation. Heed me on this, Percy: Gavin Hunt is a dangerous man. You must stay away from him."

"Gavin wouldn't hurt me," she protested.

"He meant to ruin you and to destroy Paul. Simply to get to me."

"He wanted to marry me. And he protected Paul from falling deeper into debt. He can be tender and kind and ... I
know
he isn't a bad man," Percy pleaded. "If we can sort out together what really happened the night of the fire, perhaps he can let go—"

"Hunt has built his life on rage and a need for revenge. I can understand why; I also know that such a man will not change. The rookery and the hulks have made him who he is," Nicholas said flatly.

"But look at you! You've changed. You've risen above your origins."

"I got out earlier than Hunt did. And I had a helping hand from your father." Nicholas took her by the shoulders. "Percy, I owe my life to your family, and I will not stand by and watch you get hurt because of my past. Promise me you'll steer clear of Hunt."

Percy shook free. "First Mama, now you. Why won't anyone treat me like a grown woman capable of making her own decisions? I don't want to lie to you, Nicholas—I ... I have feelings for Gavin. Real ones. And I will not give up on him so easily."

"Then you leave me no choice. Until I've settled this business with Hunt, you will be under the watch of Mr. Kent and his men. You will go nowhere without them."

"You might as well toss me in Newgate and throw away the key!"

"Trust me, I considered a similar option," Nicholas said. "Helena dissuaded me."

"From what?" With a hand shading her eyes from the sun, Helena ambled toward them, an inquisitive smile upon her face. "Apologies for interrupting, but Lisbett's rolls are ready, and you know how she likes to serve them hot."

Percy ran toward her. "You must take my side," she pleaded. "Tell Nicholas I am not to be treated like a prisoner."

"Oh." Helena cleared her throat. "This is about Mr. Kent's protection, I take?"

Percy gave a vigorous nod.

"The thing is, dear, the state of affairs is precarious, and Harteford simply wishes for your well-being," the marchioness said. "Besides, having Mr. Kent and his men for company is surely better than being locked up on our country estate."

"You were
serious
about that?" Percy turned disbelieving eyes upon Nicholas.

"It is my responsibility to keep you safe," he said, his jaw taut.

"Helena," Percy begged, "say something."

"I already did. That is why you're not being banished to Hertfordshire. I know you will hate hearing this, but Percy," Helena said apologetically, "'tis for your own good."