Chapter Five
Nicholas glanced anxiously out the carriage window as it headed toward Vauxhall Gardens, a small park with lovely lanes and concerts, perfect for taking a loved one for a stroll on a sunny afternoon such as today. But he also knew that it would soon be evening and any members of the ton who were considered good, upstanding citizens left before dark. When darkness fell, the less than desirable members of London society appeared and no one, especially an unmarried young lady was seen after nightfall. Nicholas hoped that Victoria was unaware of this societal clause, because he knew that if she were seen with him at that time of the day, alone, she would be ruined. And then she would belong to him.
"London is so very lovely this time of year," Victoria mused as she gazed outside at the people in the park. "All the wonderful riding costumes that the women wear and the handsome gentlemen." Instantly her mind reverberated back to Tyler. He would never escort her through Hyde park on a warm summer day, he would never dress in the finery as the gentlemen she could see, he would never hold her parasol so that the sun wouldn't damage her delicate white skin. Not if what Nicholas had told her was true. But something that nagged at her inside told her he was still alive. She simply had to convince everyone else.
Nicholas rapped on the carriage ceiling to alert the driver to stop. Victoria looked at him with a confused look on her face. " I thought we were going back to my father's townhouse." "Yes, yes, my dear, all in good time. But first I thought it would be a shame to waste this perfectly lovely afternoon indoors. How about a stroll?" Victoria thought it over for a minute or two, Addie's warnings flashing through her mind. "Make sure you go straight home! "she had said. Victoria had given her her word. But Nicholas was just a friend. And it was a lovely day to sit indoors. They still had a good hour before it was dark and forbidden to be outside. Why shouldn't she stroll throught the gardens? It might even give her a chance to spot Tyler again.
"Certainly, that is a wonderful idea!" she said and held out her hand for him to help her from the carriage. Nicholas grinned his sinister grin and aided Victoria from his carriage. Lord Danbury sat back , his long, well- muscled legs extended and eyes closed while his rented carriage clip-clopped through the busy streets of London. His thoughts drifted to the flaxen-haired girl in the emerald dress and how he wished he could remember from where he knew her. She had looked so damned fetching that it was difficult to let go of that memory.
The carriage suddenly stopped, causing him to open his eyes and peer out the dusty window. They had halted in front of a place Adam had heard called Vauxhall Gardens, a place where couples often frequented. Is this where that Danvers scoundrel had taken the girl? Surely she knew what he intended! Adam instructed his driver to wait for him while he decided to take a look around. Almost immediately, he spotted the man from Gentleman Jackson's and he did indeed have the blond whom he had called Victoria--the same girl Adam remembered from the ball--with him. He quickened his pace so he could catch a bit of their conversation.
" Are you certain he was telling the truth, Nicholas?" Victoria asked. Nicholas nodded in affirmation. "I'm afraid so, darling, why else would he lie about something such as that?" Worry lines creased her face as Victoria listened to his story once more. He did have a point. Why would the man lie? Maybe Tyler was the man's commander and maybe he did try and save his regiment. It definitely sounded like something Tyler would do. But, then again, maybe there were two Lord Hamiltons! Hamilton was such a common name after all. She just wished she could have talked to the man. Tyler had a bit of a Scottish brogue accent left over from his childhood that he slipped into at times. Although his days at Oxford had eliminated most it for those who didn't know him, she could hear it often. Her heart began beating faster at this new possible explanation.
"I know you think me silly, Nicholas, but I cannot give up my search for Tyler until I have exhausted all avenues. I hope you can forgive me." Nicholas stopped at a bench and sat her down, patting her hand reassuringly," Of course, my lovely, of course. But soon you will be able to deal with the fact of his death and move on with your young life. I know it will be very difficult and painful, that is why I am here. Remember, I, too, have just had to deal with the death of my father."
The greedy bastard, Nicholas silently thought. It was a good thing Nicholas taken care of him before he went to the House of Lords with the information he had discovered. That was one death Nicholas had enjoyed watching--slow and painful. It would teach the old bugger to doublecross him. Even though the modest Danvers fortune was entirely his, he wanted more. Victoria nodded understandingly. Nicholas had just lost his father and definitely knew how it felt to lose someone close to you. She just wished she could accept Tyler's death as fact. But she couldn't. Her heart told her otherwise.
Adam watched as the couple sat down on a nearby bench and as Danvers began patting her hand. He wanted to beat the man senseless for the drivel he knew he was filling her ears with. He just hoped that Victoria was intelligent enough to know it when she heard it. And he had heard her mention this Tyler fellow. His heart sank when he thought of her belonging to someone else. Why wouldn't she believe that he was dead? This conversation was definitely too good to walk away from now, so he ducked behind a tree to listen some more. "Victoria, my sweet, there is a real reason why I brought you here today." Nicholas made eye contact with her in order to watch her reaction. She looked up curiously at the tone in his voice that promised something unexpected. "What is it?"
"Well, I have made a decision. I know this will come as a surprise to you with all this Tyler business, but I am afraid that I cannot wait much longer. You see, since the death of my father, I am the last Danvers relative living in England. I have a few distant cousins who traveled to the colonies not so long ago, but they are of little importance. I need to secure myself an heir in case something unexpectedly happens. I must marry, Victoria," Nicholas lied. He knew very well that his uncle Morty and his sons would gain his lands if he died. Victoria watched him, interested in his sudden fervor. "And what does this have to do with me?" she asked.
Nicholas laughed a faux laugh, "Why, my dear, I was certain I had made myself clear. I want to marry you ,Victoria. Please honor me by agreeing to become my wife." She felt the blood drain from her face. Addie had been right! Nicholas did have more than friendship in mind.
Or, maybe, he was trying to do her a favor by asking. Maybe he had heard the rumors that she had to find a husband by the end of the Season or else face spinsterhood. Victoria plastered a smile on her face. "I appreciate what you are trying to do, Nicholas, really, but I am afraid I cannot accept your offer. Not until I find out what happened to Lord Hamilton." Nicholas felt anger begin to course through him. Damn it all! When would the silly chit face reason? Lord Hamilton was dead! At least to everyone that mattered. Hamilton had obviously become mad! Why else would the man sit there like an imbecile while people talked about him? No, Nicholas knew there was something wrong. So, the hired man had failed in killing Hamilton, but, at least, he had taken care of him in a way. "But, Victoria, Tyler isn't coming back. I don't want to see you sit there and waste your life waiting for him."
She smiled. "Nicholas, I won't be wasting my life. Tyler will be back. I will find him, " she vowed.
"But don't you see? That could take months and years!" He gripped her hand tighter. "I need you now. Please marry me." Victoria suddenly felt uncomfortable. "Please, Nicholas, I can't. I would like for you to take me home now."
Nicholas sighed and sat back, discouraged, but not defeated. Victoria would be his. He knew that for certain.