Soldier of Fortune: The King's Courtesan (Rakes and Rogues of the Retoration Book 2) (34 page)

He was more than fond of her. Much more. He’d been struck by an epiphany in the middle of a tavern with his enemy at his mercy, the tip of his sword at the breast of a lad who looked as lost and angry as he had once been, and the wife he loved walking out the door. From the moment she danced in the park he’d known her as his.
She had lent him her laughter, her passion, her trust, and for the first time in years life was worth the living.

There was nothing in his world more important than her. She’d stood by him as he relived his darkest hours and she was right when she said it was his turn to stand by her. And so he had abandoned his revenge. Hope was more important. The boy was more important. But Harris was a threat, more-so now, and the decision was not without its dangers....

“Well…Charlie hasn’t seen her yet or I would know it. Does she want to be found, Captain?”

“Eh? What? Oh.... Perhaps not.” Robert shifted uncomfortably. “She has reason to be annoyed with me. I doubt she’s expecting me. She was greatly disturbed when I decided to go after Harris rather than accompany her.”

“That was not well played, my friend. You have arrived in time to redeem yourself, though, but what if it’s Charlie she wants?”

“It isn’t.”

“So you have you managed to capture the heart of one of London’s most charming beauties?”

“Her heart and her hand are both mine.” At least he hoped so. “I mean to bring her home.”

“Safe from our sovereign’s greedy reach. I understand. But what to do about Harris? It’s unfortunate you weren’t able to finish him off. A wounded beast is a dangerous one.”

“I know. I would have had to kill his boy. The lad was innocent.”

William nodded. “It wasn’t I who sent you the note, by the way.”

“I know. I suspected it for a trap immediately, but as I was already there…” He shrugged.

“Fortunately the trap is not yet sprung. It was baited of course, to capture larger prey. He hoped to lure you there to make you seem a part of it, then play the role of informant and savior in front of his grateful king. You fought for Cromwell. A rumor here and there and next you are a Puritan. An old association found and
voilà,
a Fifth Monarchist incensed at a king who would make you a cuckold. People will believe what they hear on very little evidence, because though it may be a sin to believe evil of others, it is seldom a mistake.”

“And what do you suggest de Veres? You seem to keep abreast of many things.”

“I suggest we do to him what he meant to do to you. He’s already placed himself in Farnley. Several men can claim to see him there, including one of His Majesty’s paid informers, Joshua Greathead. It’s a simple matter to put him in the midst of the plot. Yes, he was a Royalist, but then a Parliamentarian, and then back he goes to a Royalist once more. Who can trust such a man or guess what he might do? Particularly when the king humiliated him in front of all London by promising a reward for returning to the fold only to snatch it away to give to a lowly baronet. A great many people owe him large sums of money. They will be glad to believe it and glad to see him gone.”

Robert tilted his head and regarded William through narrowed eyes. “Just what
do
you do for the king? Besides writing scurrilous verse?”

“Oh, a bit of this and a bit of that. Only on occasion and when I’m in the mood, but I’ve always found it useful to know useful things. Hopefully you
were circumspect?”

“I am always.”

“At the tavern, too?”

“Only Harris is alive, knows who I am, and could place me there.”

“The boy? He might ask questions or have something to say.”

“A necessary risk. A tolerable one. Leave him out of it.”

“None will notice if a minnow escapes the net. It will have to be drawn tight immediately though, so no one else does. It would be best you were innocently asleep with your wife when it happens. “

The silence that followed was interrupted by a muffled burst of laughter and the soft strains of a fiddle from the room below.

“It doesn’t seem honorable.” Robert sighed and unsheathed the longsword, laying it across his lap. It glittered blue and orange, reflecting flames from the hearth. “This was meant for him.”

“He is rapist and murderer and I promise you, he
does
dabble at treason. He doesn’t deserve any kind of honorable death.”

Robert looked him in the eyes, his gaze direct. “He murdered someone I loved several years ago. I’ve waited a long time for this. His death should be my responsibility, William.”

“Not everything is your responsibility, Captain. This man is also a danger to Charles. He has to be dealt with in any case. If you’ll allow someone else to bring him to justice, I can promise you it will be done. A belated wedding gift, if you will. What matters most to you, Robert? Revenge? Pride? Or your woman? It seems to me you have two choices, trust me to handle it with due diligence whilst you see to your lady, or take the risk of losing her and handle it yourself.”

“You know the choice is already made.”

“Then I have something else to tell you. His Majesty meets with your beloved within the hour.”

“Be damned you say! Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I have just done so, but I advise you to approach with caution lest you find yourself barking orders at drunken recruits in Tangier.”

Hope Nichols, Lady Newport, had wandered for three days after her arrival in London at a loss as to what to do. No one recognized this obscure country countess, though she drew several admiring glances from the gentlemen she passed. Her house in Pall Mall was occupied by a diplomat from France and when she gave her summons to the harried chamberlain at the palace he glanced at it quickly and told her he’d fix an appointment but it might take several days.

She took some rooms in an inn facing the park and settled down to wait. Apparently, despite the stress and upheaval it had brought to her life, her summons had been an afterthought to Charles. She had no place to call home, no desire to speak with Charles, and the last she’d seen of her husband he’d had his sword pointed at a young boy’s chest. When His Majesty called for her at last her temper was short and her nerves severely frayed.

He rose to greet her the moment she entered the room, arms outstretched and a warm smile on his face. “By God, madam! How is it possible? You are more lovely than I remembered!”

She avoided his hug, stepping in to a proper curtsey. “Your Majesty wished to see me?” She stood stiffly, refusing a proffered chair.

“You are annoyed with me. You feel I left you in the country too long.”

“You called me from my home at the busiest time of year, and then left me waiting at an inn.”

“You never answered my letters.”

“Because I had nothing left to say to you, Charles.”

“Come now, love. I told you it was temporary. You are a lady now. I’ll have a suite prepared and—”

“I won’t be staying. I don’t have feelings for you anymore, other than the honor and respect I owe my king.”

“I am certain I can convince you otherwise, sweet—”

The door burst open and a black-clad giant strode through the room with a clutch of armed men scrambling to catch up behind him. He removed his hat and bowed low. “Your pardon, Majesty, for the late arrival. I had a spot of trouble on the road.”

Hope felt a thrill of excitement. He was troubled. He was dangerous. He was here!

The king waved his guards away. “Captain Nichols! Or should I say Lord Newport. What a pleasant surprise.”

“Surprise? I am confused, Your Majesty. Did you not recently summon my wife and I to court?

Charles lips twisted in annoyance. “So I did. Though it was my understanding you might be too
ill
to make the journey. In future you must not feel obliged to come every time your wife is summoned. I will be assigning her duties for my queen and expect to see her here often.”

“Your Majesty is most kind to concern himself with my health, but I assure you it’s not necessary. I am of a hardy nature and any afflictions that ail me are only temporary.”

“We are most pleased to hear it. Fortuitous news, indeed.” The king put a companionable arm around Robert’s shoulders. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you about a commission. You mentioned your interest before. We are growing concerned with these blasted Dutch incursions on our trade routes. Your experience and skills could be most helpful, and present you with some very lucrative opportunities abroad.”

At least it’s not drilling soldiers in Tangier
. “Again, I must thank you for your thoughtfulness, Majesty. You do me great honor, but surely that is a job best suited to a seaman and I regret to say I’ve no skill as a mariner, sire. I am content to have served England as a soldier, but now that I am married I look forward to the life of a quiet country gentleman. Besides, surely a man’s place is by his wife’s side, particularly when she’s as trusting and enticing as mine.”

“You are growing impertinent, sir. I dare say it is not me you have served but yourself. And at my table,” the king snapped.

“With all due respect, Your Majesty, my wife is not your dinner.” The challenge echoed through the room.

“No, I am not!” Hope was sick of it. “And I am not yours, either, Captain Nichols. I am tired of others deciding my life for me. Dismissing my concerns. Discussing me as if I were not there. Assuming their wishes must be my own without even bothering to ask. I am quite capable of managing my own life. I am no man’s slave. I am a free English woman trapped in a bargain both of you have made. Well, gentlemen, here is some news. The only agreement I will honor is one agreed to by me and to the devil with you both!”

She stormed from the room leaving both men openmouthed with surprise behind her.

“Hope! Wait. We need to talk.” She flipped an angry hand in her husband’s direction and kept on walking.

“We are not done here, Lady Newport! Return at once. I have not given you permission…” Charles voice trailed off as she rounded a corner and disappeared from sight.

“Well?” The king gave Robert a sharp poke. “You crow that she is yours. Find her, Captain. And don’t think of leaving London without bringing her back.

But quick as that she had disappeared, and he had no idea where to look.

Hope walked down the street, heading toward the theater district, uncertain of everything except that she was truly done with Charles. She’d said the words to his face. Beyond wariness and mild resentment, the sight of him had stirred no feelings. He was her king. That was all. Robert was different. The sight of him brought every nerve in her body pulsing to life. When he’d strode into the king’s chamber five days ago like some conqueror of old coming to claim what was his, her heart had skipped several beats and she’d had to remind herself to breathe. He had kept his promise after all.

But what she’d said to both of them was true. All her life other people had tried to manage her, direct her, mold her to their own purpose. She had been claimed and owned, bought and sold, and though her heart and spirit had remained free, it was the decisions of others that had mapped the major turnings of her life. This time she was not going to be pushed. What she wanted, what she dreamed of, was too important. It had to be her decision. There was so much more to Robert than she’d ever imagined. Layer upon layer of dark and light. He’d opened a door and she’d entered, not knowing she stepped into a whirlwind. She needed time to absorb it. She needed time to think.

Unfortunately, deep thinking and paying attention to where she was going had never been her strong suit and as she rounded the corner she quite literally bumped in to an old friend, the red-headed gap-toothed actress Peg Hughes.

“Watch the bloody hell where you’re going with that aristocratic arse! You’re as blind as my granny and smell like… Od’s fish! Hope? Hope Mathews, is that you?” Peg gave her a hug that almost crushed her ribs, and then hauled her into the closest Tavern for beef pies and beer.

“Well, ain’t you looking the fine lady now!” she said, once they were seated. We all wondered where you disappeared.”

“I got married, Peg. And went to live in the country.”

“Lost the king but gained a husband, did you? Now that’s a very nice play, indeed. Keep you secure in your old age, that will. Is he poor but young and handsome or a rich old toad?”

“He is rich enough and devilish handsome, Peg. Taller than the king. As tall as Prince Rupert. The kind who makes women swoon.”

“Pah!” Peg spit on the floor. “What’s got into your head? You never marry one like that. Soon as they’ve gambled away all your money they’re out running after whores.”

“Not my husband. The only whore he wants is me. He leaves the rest alone.” They both broke into laughter and Peg reached over to pinch her cheek. “Yep. You’re real. And still making up fairy tales. I swear you left the stage too soon. There’s two companies of royal players now. The king’s and the duke’s. They’d be glad to have you back. People will always come to see one of Charlie’s girls.”

“I’m done with him, Peg.”

“But if he sent you away and now he’s brought you back it seems he’s not done with you.”

They chatted and drank Rhenish for the rest of the afternoon. Hope hadn’t realized how lonely she was until she’d run in to Peg. She missed Rose and Daisy, even Mrs. Overton. But most of all she missed the man whose touch sent shivers through her body. Who told her stories when she was hurting and taught her how to use a sword. Their last night together, before he’d left for Yorkshire, had introduced her to pleasures her body still ached for and—

“Hope?” Peg banged the table with her mug until she was sure she had her attention. “There you are, back again. You certainly can’t hold your liquor like your mum.” Peg filled her in on all the London gossip. Most of it centered on the usual protagonists—the king, his friends and now his little queen.

Bored, Hope’s thoughts drifted back to Robert. Did you leave a man like that, knowing that you loved him? Did you stay, knowing the dark thing that claimed him? Knowing it might always mean more to him than you?
And how can you return when he told you to go?