Her Reluctant Viscount (Rakes and Rogues) (37 page)

“She is an amazing child. I really did nothing, it was Duchess Haversham and Viscount Wilkes who brought her back to you.”

“Nonsense. If my Vittoria said you saved her then you saved her.” He took her hand in his and squeezed. “What can I give you?”

Jo shook her head. “Nothing. All that is important is she has been returned to you. I do not need, or want anything for this. Just remember she went through hell and never stop telling her how much she is loved.”

Silvano said something to his wife who moved to his side, Vittoria’s hand securely in her own. Carmela hugged her as well and whispered something in her ear Jo did not understand, but got the gist of.

“Are you sure you do not wish to stay a night before heading back?” Trystan asked.

Jo looked at him as he moved up beside her, grateful for his strength and silent support. This was harder than she had expected it to be.

“No, but thank you, Lord Wilkes. For everything. Please thank the Duchess as well.”

“We will make sure she knows. As Jo said, we are just pleased we were able to help you reunite with your daughter.”

Vittoria left her father’s side and approached. Jo bent down so they were face to face. Brushing some hair away from Vittoria’s face, she gave the girl an encouraging smile. “You did great, Vittoria. Your parents will take great care of you.”

The girl reached out and hugged her. “Thank you,” she murmured. “Thank you for not leaving me in that cell.”

Curling her arms around her in return, Jo nodded. Words were hard to come by at that particular moment for her. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she finally found her words. “I never would have left you there. Let me know how you are doing, okay?”

“And you let me know when you are marrying Trystan.”

Vittoria kissed her cheek and moved to hug Tryst before rejoining her parents. Jo thought about Vittoria’s words as she stood with that very man as they watched the trio make their way down to the gangway. All three turned and waved before actually boarding the ship and vanishing from sight.

She did not even argue when Trystan put his arm around her and led her back to the waiting carriage. Nor did she fight him when he sat beside her instead of across from her. Yes, the curtains were down but she was uncaring all the way around. Her heart hurt both from the loss and from the joy that Vittoria had actually found her way back to her family who clearly loved her.

Resting her head on his shoulder, she allowed the tears to fall as they headed back to her house. He did not try to talk her out of it and she was grateful. Wiping her eyes, she exited and walked slowly up to the open front door and on to her room.

She stayed in there until her stomach growled and she made her way down for the evening meal. She had not changed for dinner and, as she sat down, Tryst walked in. He, on the other hand,
had
changed for dinner. She swallowed hard as she took in the dashing figure he cut in his all black attire.

He sat to her left and thanked the servers. “How are you doing?”

She took two spoonfuls of her soup before answering him. “I am fine. I guess I did not think I would be so sorry to see her go. I am very happy she is with her family though.”

“I know you are. And you need to allow yourself some time to grieve. You and Vittoria endured a horrific experience together. You missing her is as natural as us breathing.”

She shrugged and put the spoon down. Her appetite not hungry for food. It leaned more to the man she could see eating on her left. His hair was still damp as if recently washed, and fell free around his shoulders and face. Occasionally it blocked the view of his scar.

“You are not hungry?”

“Just lost in thought,” she admitted. Forcing herself to pick up the utensil, she began to eat a bit more.

“It happens.”

It sure did. She focused on the meal and answering his questions with something more than one word. The meal dragged on and she bolted the moment it had finished, unable to be in his presence any longer. She did not know what was wrong with her, but all she could think about was stripping those fitting clothes from his strong body and taking her time in exploring him.

She hid in the library until he came and found her.

“Jo.”

Clutching the book she currently read tight, she looked up at him. “Yes?”

“You have a visitor.”

She frowned. “Who?”

“Come see for yourself.” He retreated.

It took her a few moments to realize he had not even done anything about the marriage question again. Marking her page in the book, she swung her feet to the floor from the chair she sat in and padded to the door. She could see Trystan waiting for her right outside.

Proceeding as if her heart was not about to punch free of her chest just by being near to him, she walked past him as if he had no effect on her at all. He said nothing, just fell into step behind her.

Clara stood by the receiving door, hands clasped loosely before her. A worried expression on her full features.

“Clara.” She hurried to her friend’s side, reaching for her.

“I am sorry I was not there for you today when Vittoria left.”

She waved aside the apology and reached for one of her hands. “I know you would have been there.” She paused and tilted her head to the side. “What happened?” Clara glanced between her and the man who loomed beside her. “Leave us, Trystan.”

He did without argument and while she felt him leave, she never took her gaze from her friend.

“Can I stay here for the night?” Clara blurted out.

“Of course.” Her response fell without hesitation. “You are always welcome here.” Jo led her friend into the receiving room and to a sofa where they sat side by side. “What is going on?”

“My parents kicked me out.”

“What?” Rage swelled immediately.

“They refused to let me marry Royce and told me if I did I would be cut off. I told them I loved him and they told me to leave.” She slumped her shoulders in defeat.

Bastards. “What about your things?”

“Not mine. They paid for them so they are keeping them.”

“Does Royce know?”

She shook her head. “He knew there was tension already for my father has already told him not to come by looking for me.”

Jo blew out a breath and tried to calm down. Being blind with fury would not help her friend. “You need to send him a note. We will leave off the bit where you came here at night, alone.”

“I had nowhere else to go.” Clara’s voice sounded so small and helpless. “I do not know what I will do.”

“That is easy. You will stay here until the wedding. You know it is not a problem.”

The trembling started and she knew Clara would not last much longer without crying.

“Would you like something to eat?”

“No.”

“Let me help you to a room.”

Together they walked to the stairs. Clara’s head down while emitting slight whimpers. Jo found Trystan leaning against a wall not too far away. He arched an eyebrow at her but did not say anything.

It did not take her to long to get Clara stripped out of her dress and in the bed wearing her undergarments. They would have to have some things ordered for her tomorrow. Or would they?

“Sleep, Clara.”

“Thank you for being my friend, Jo.”

With a smile, she snuffed the candle and walked out leaving her friend to her silent tears. Closing the door behind her, she felt the anger surface again. Finding the housekeeper, she told her to give Miss Fields whatever she wanted and that she would be back soon. Then she went to find Trystan.

He stood in her father’s study near the window staring out at something only he could see.

“Everything okay with Clara?”

Apparently, he knew she was there however. “‘No. You need to come with me.”

He pivoted and stared at her. “Where would we be going?”

“To Clara’s house to get some of her things.”

His expression displayed his confusion. “You know it is dangerous for her to be here.”

“I know I am not letting my friend sleep on the street or become some whore merely because her family does not approve of her marrying Royce.”

His blue eyes narrowed. “Why the hell do they not approve of him?”

“I have no answer for that. All I know is they told her if she was going to marry him, she was no longer their daughter. She loves him.”

He grabbed her arm and propelled her to the door. “We will discuss this on the way.”

One of the things she loved about him so much was the way he would help people. Often without needing to know all the details. Like now. She shook off the feeling, love did not matter when it came to her and Trystan.

Tryst called for the carriage to be brought around and soon they were riding the short distance to Clara’s house. They walked to the door together and she watched him in her periphery.

How did any one man manage to move with such coiled power and grace? She did not know, all she knew was he was a pleasure to watch. Tryst reached out and knocked.

The butler opened the door and glanced at them both. “Yes?”

“Viscount Wilkes to see Viscount Field.” He handed over a card.

The butler seemed slightly taken aback but recovered quickly. “I will see if he is home.”

“Do that.”

“Let me do the talking, Jo,” Tryst whispered.

She held her tongue, well aware she would not keep her mouth shut. Clara was her friend and this was insanely wrong how they were treating her.

“He will see you.”

She began to walk after him but Tryst grabbed her arm and drew her back near to him.

“I mean it, Jo.”

She was sure he did. Made no difference to her. As they were led through the older home, she met the nosy stares of the other offspring who were still around. Why they were not at their own homes, she had no idea. Clara was, after all, the youngest of the four Field children.

At the end of the hall, she spied Clara’s mother, Prudence, watching them. “I will be out here,” Jo informed the man with her.

All he did was give her a small squeeze on the arm before walking after the butler into the study. She turned her attention to the woman standing there. Unsure she would be able to be calm she tried taking several deep breaths as she approached Prudence.

“I am here for Clara’s things.”

“She has no things.” The pinch-faced woman stared down her pointy nose.

“She has clothing and some personal items.”

“Which were provided for her before she shamed us.”

Huh. Look at that, she was going to have a hard time if she were to be able to control herself. Stepping closer to Prudence, she glared at the woman.

“Listen to me you stodgy upstart. I am taking some of her things so when she wakes up in the morning she will have something clean to wear. I know there are a few things she wants from her room which have sentimental value to her.”

“So she found a place to stay then?”

“Yes. Not that you would care, she is with me tonight then will most likely be staying with our friend, Duchess Haversham.” She gave a light shrug. “Not sure yet if she wants to stay there.”

“D…Duchess Haversham?”

“Oh yes, she is a lovely woman. Clara and I have spent many hours at her house. She is also a great admirer of Captain Bottomley, I am sure she will be disappointed to know that your family does not think him worthy.”

Prudence’s mouth moved but nothing came out. Jo leaned closer and pressed a finger into her chest.