Saving Grace (Victorian Vigilantes Book 1) Read online

  Breaking through Lady Eva’s barriers was no small achievement, but it was only the beginning. Now he had a point to prove. Keeping his hands to himself was going to be difficult, but a promise was a promise. Demonstrating to Lady Eva that she was a sensual woman with a deeply passionate nature was a privilege he had no intention of exploiting for selfish reasons. Jake’s warning rang loud in his ears. Damn it, he was right as usual. She was married, and he must never lose sight of that fact. She belonged to another man and could never be his.

  Isaac sat a little straighter as the nature of his thoughts struck home. Surely his intentions didn’t run that deep? He was merely helping Lady Eva to overcome her personal demons. And yet she had awoken a dormant feeling deep inside of him that transcended the mere physical. Isaac was unable to put a name to that feeling because he had never known anything quite like it before.

  ‘You must place your trust in me, of course.’

  ‘You appear very confident, with just cause, no doubt. I dare say you have achieved success in this field many times before.’ A knowing smile played about her lips, almost as though she already understood the power she wielded over him. ‘However, I am equally confident that you will fail with me. In fact I am so confident that I would suggest a small wager, just to make matters more interesting. However, unlike the rest of my family, I do not enter into wagers unless I can afford to lose.’

  Isaac flexed a brow. ‘But you are absolutely confident you won’t lose.’

  ‘Show me a gamester who isn’t.’

  ‘Very true.’ He paused. ‘Very well, a wager we shall have. I am prepared to bet fifty guineas that I can arouse your passions.’

  ‘Fifty guineas!’ She cast him a look of total astonishment. ‘You are very sure of yourself, my lord.’

  ‘I have a point to prove, my lady.’

  She shook her head. ‘I can’t afford to lose fifty guineas.’

  ‘I am not asking you to match my stake.’

  She looked confused. ‘But I have nothing else to offer in return.’

  Isaac’s chuckle sounded positively wicked, even to his own ears. ‘Madam, all I ask in return is your acknowledgement that I was right about you.’

  ‘An acknowledgement? What madness is this?’ She wrinkled her brow in angry denial. ‘Are you making sport of me?’

  ‘No,’ he said softly, moving closer until almost no space separated them, tracing the line of her cheek with his forefinger, devouring her features with hungry eyes. ‘To have you recognise that you are not dead emotionally would be worth a very great deal more to me than a mere fifty guineas.’

  They gazes clashed and held. Her eyes smouldered with elusive warmth, as though she had learned something else about herself that gave her confidence. Then she lowered her eyes and the spell was broken.

  ‘I hope you can afford to lose.’

  ‘You underestimate my abilities, madam.’

  ‘And you fail to make allowance for a woman’s knowledge of her own body.’

  ***

  Jake’s carriage rattled along cobbled streets slick with rain. Its occupant, in deep contemplation about the developments of the day, barely spared the deterioration in the weather a glance. He had succeeded in drawing Lady Eva in, only for Isaac to scupper his plans. Now that he understood the full particulars of her marriage to Woodstock, Jake wasn’t hard-hearted enough to force her to return to her husband’s establishment. Even so, Isaac’s determination to champion Lady Eva’s cause had presented him with new challenges.

  Accustomed to adapting his plans as he went, Jake hoped the person he was about to call upon would be willing to help him out of this latest difficulty. He managed a brief smile, wondering what difficulties Lady Eva would be prepared to help Isaac overcome. In spite of his warning, Jake suspected Isaac’s interest in their houseguest was more than a transitory affair. Neither of them normally looked at a married lady with anything other than a brief, mutually satisfactory dalliance in mind. Jake sensed it was different with Isaac this time, for which he could hardly blame him. Lady Eva’s combination of beauty and vulnerability had stirred his protective instincts too.

  The carriage stopped outside a small establishment in Chelsea and Jake alighted.

  ‘Call back for me in an hour,’ he told his coachman.

  ‘Very good, m’lord.’

  The carriage had disappeared around the corner by the time Jake’s knock was answered by a maid.

  ‘Good evening, my lord,’ she said, opening the door and admitting him to the house.

  Jake handed his hat and gloves to the maid. ‘Is your mistress at home?’

  ‘I’ll enquire, sir, if you would be kind enough to wait in here.’

  A short time later Jake was asked to step into the drawing room. Entering the modestly-sized yet comfortably furnished room, he found his fencing opponent of that morning, Olivia Grantley, reclined on a couch.

  ‘Good evening, Jake.’ She offered him her hand but remained where she was, as only a lady in the presence of a man she considered a friend could get away with doing.

  ‘I trust I am not disturbing you, Olivia,’ he replied, kissing the back of her hand.

  ‘On the contrary. You are saving me from the tedium of my own company. Being notorious sometimes has its drawbacks.’

  Jack chuckled. ‘You were probably invited to half a dozen soirées this evening. You simply chose not to put yourself out.’

  ‘Ah well, you have me there.’ She pouted. ‘You might at least pretend not to know me so well and allow me to retain an air of mystery.’

  Jake offered her a slight bow. ‘I am entirely at your service.’

  Instead of holding his gaze, Olivia looked toward her maid. ‘Whisky for Lord Torbay please, Molly, then you may leave us.’

  The whisky was delivered and the maid withdrew. Olivia finally stirred, giving Jake the opportunity to admire her décolletage, attractively displayed by the tight, low-cut bodice of her silk evening gown. Evidently Olivia wasn’t so stricken by her notoriety that she felt it necessary to moderate her bodices.

  Jake’s eyes lingered and, as always, the spark of desire he experienced whenever in her company ignited. It had been thus between them ever since he had rescued her from the gallows, recruiting her as one of his spies in the process. What it was about her Jake couldn’t have said and he had long since given up looking for an explanation. Some indefinable something existed between them. Olivia must be aware of it but never tried to exploit it, which was perhaps why his interest in her endured.

  ‘With your permission?’

  She nodded. Jake swished the tails of his coat aside with a practised flip of his wrist and seated himself. He was careful to leave enough space between her sofa and the chair he occupied for it not to be easily breached. Jake was not always master of his own actions when in close proximity to Olivia.

  ‘To what do I owe the pleasure?’ she asked. ‘Are you so intent upon keeping society at arm’s length too that you are reduced to seeking my company?’

  Jake smiled. ‘Asked to choose between you and society, you will find me camping out on your doorstep.’

  She returned his smile, moistening her lower lip with the tip of her tongue as she did so. ‘How very gallant of you.’

  ‘I need to talk to you about my current assignment.’

  ‘Ah, so it wasn’t my company that drew you here.’ She set aside the cup of whatever she had been drinking and gave him her full attention. ‘Very well, I am perfectly ready to listen.’

  Jake spoke for ten minutes, telling her everything about the onerous task assigned to him.

  ‘Ah, I vaguely recall Lady Eva. We came out at the same time.’ Olivia’s expression was complimentary. ‘A rare beauty, if memory serves. No one could quite understand why she married that ogre. Now it starts to make sense.’ She sighed. ‘The sacrifices we women are expected to make for our families.’

  Jack nodded, aware that she spoke from bitter experience. ‘Your memory does not play
tricks on you. Isaac is totally enamoured.’

  Olivia fixed him with a sardonic look. ‘And you are not?’

  ‘I have responsibilities.’

  ‘Ah, always thinking of Queen and country. How noble.’

  ‘You have no idea how taxing my sense of duty can sometimes be.’

  ‘On the contrary, I understand better than you think.’

  Jake wondered if that was true. Did she realise if it weren’t for his occupation, he would most likely have propositioned Olivia long before now. He used his duty as an excuse not to muddy the waters, but that was all it was—an excuse. Could it be he sensed Olivia would be more than just a passing fancy and that once he’d had a taste of her sweetness, a dalliance would never be enough for him? She traded on her notoriety but Jake was fairly sure she didn’t take lovers. He was equally sure she would take him. The sexual magnetism that flowed between them was too intense and sometimes, when she let her guard down, he saw something in her expression that hinted at desperate longing.

  ‘How disappointing to be such an open book.’

  ‘Tell me how I can help you to save this ostentatious diamond.’

  Olivia leaned toward him, giving Jake another clear view of her cleavage, but whether by accident or design he could not have said. Not that he was complaining precisely. He found the view entirely to his liking and was aware of his cock stirring in anticipation.

  ‘I received a report from Franklin just before I left home this evening. Woodstock knows his wife was living in Whitechapel and by now will know she doesn’t intend to return there. He’s desperate to get her back and has told her daughter’s nursemaid to start taking the child to the park again from tomorrow—’

  ‘In the hope Lady Eva will hear of the arrangement and attempt to see her daughter?’

  ‘Precisely. Naturally I won’t allow her anywhere near her little girl.’

  ‘But you would like me to befriend the nursemaid?’

  Jake offered her one of his most charming smiles. ‘As always, you have anticipated me.’

  ‘I shall be happy to oblige you. My notoriety will work in my favour and anyone watching will recognise me immediately.’ She wrinkled her brow. ‘But how will that help? You already have Franklin inside the house, giving you reports.’

  ‘He isn’t privy to everything that occurs.’

  ‘You wish me to take my son to the park, I suppose. He would be useful cover since he is about the same age as Lady Eva’s daughter. The children will play and it will be perfectly natural for me to fall into conversation with the nursemaid. What do you wish me to tell her?’

  ‘Absolutely nothing about Lady Eva. Woodstock will want to know what you spoke about. Your connection to me isn’t known—’

  ‘How could it be?’ She spoke so softly he almost didn’t hear her but was fairly sure there was a note of mild censure in her tone.

  ‘If Woodstock’s connection within the government is as high up as I imagine, he will know I have been set to catch Woodstock and will have warned him about me. If anyone connected to me is seen speaking to his servants, he will know where to look for his wife.’

  ‘Yes, presumably so.’

  ‘I need you to gain the nursemaid’s trust and see what she tells you. There is more going on in that household than Franklin is privy to. Let’s see what the female employees have to say.’

  ‘I shall do my humble best.’

  Jake smiled and stood up. ‘We both know there is absolutely nothing humble about you, Olivia. Come to the house in the morning before your excursion to the park, and meet Lady Eva. I believe you will like her.’

  ‘Very well.’

  Olivia stood as well and held out her hand. Jake took it and kissed the back of it, ignoring the sparks that flew between them at the simple contact.

  ‘Until tomorrow then.’

  ***

  ‘Are you absolutely sure you wish to risk fifty guineas?’ Eva asked.

  Lord Isaac’s blue eyes came alight with amusement. ‘Actually, without wishing to sound conceited, when I set my mind on a particular purpose, I have an annoying habit of achieving it.’ He paused and locked gazes with her, the corners of his lips lifting into a glamorous smile. ‘And in your case there isn’t an inch of room for doubt about your passionate nature so it is you who will be taking all the risks.’

  ‘You know nothing about me so I fail to see how you can be so positive.’

  ‘I hesitate to disagree with a lady.’

  She sent him a rueful smile. ‘Even so, you are about to do so.’

  ‘Alas, I cannot seem to help myself. My desire to be of service to you supersedes good manners.’

  He sounded disgustingly self-assured but Eva couldn’t bring herself to chastise him. Besides, since she had known him less than a day and had already agreed to his highly questionable challenge, she supposed he had good reason to feel so self-assured. Perdition, had she lost her senses, behaving little better than a trollop? As though sensing her hesitation, Lord Isaac’s gaze locked on her face. There was hunger in his eyes that she found oddly empowering. At the same time she was ashamed of her awareness of him, of the need she felt for his approval, at the surging tide of emotions she experienced as she withstood the dark weight of his gaze.

  Oh, for goodness sake!

  ‘Let us talk of happier times, of the pursuits that gave you pleasure before your unfortunate marriage,’ he suggested with a raffish smile. ‘I imagine you looked forward to your season with great anticipation.’

  Eva shot him a wry look. ‘If you are implying that I harboured romantic notions about being swept off my feet by some dashing hero—’

  ‘Can you honestly say you did not?’ He appeared astonished by that possibility. ‘Upon being introduced to the questionable pleasures of society, most young ladies think of little else. And they, I have good reason to know, are not fortunate enough to enjoy your beauty, charm and impeccable breeding.’

  ‘You make me sound like a horse.’

  Lord Isaac laughed aloud. ‘If you refer to a sleek thoroughbred, wild, spirited and untamed, then the analogy is not misplaced.’

  ‘And yet I am the most boring, domesticated creature on God’s earth.’

  ‘So you say.’

  ‘You clearly don’t believe me, but you should. And as to your previous question, I can honestly say I harboured no such aspirations.’ She sighed. ‘You forget about my family’s perilous financial situation.’

  ‘Good God!’ Lord Isaac looked astounded, and rather indignant. ‘Do you mean to tell me that even before Woodstock came along, your family had impressed upon you the need to marry for their financial benefit instead of following your own heart?’

  Eva was surprised that he appeared so incensed and lifted her shoulders in a casual shrug. ‘Is that so very unusual?’

  ‘In your case it’s a criminal offence.’

  She smiled abstractedly. ‘Hardly that.’

  ‘You are not opening your mind to me, Lady Eva. Forget all the rules, close your eyes and relax.’ Lord Isaac’s voice was hypnotic, deeply persuasive and her eyelids obediently fluttered to a close. ‘Let your mind wander and your heart fly free. There must be some memories from your youth that give you pleasure.’

  ‘There’s one. There was a stream at the bottom of our land,’ she replied after a short pause, picturing the scene clearly inside her head. ‘I used to go there whenever I could, remove my stockings and shoes and paddle my feet in the cool water. Then I sat on a rock for as long as I could escape my governess and simply enjoyed the feel of sunshine on my face.’

  ‘Such a modest pleasure,’ he said softly.

  Eva felt something light tracing the column of her neck and shivered in response, but not because she was cold.

  ‘Very modest,’ she agreed. ‘Until the year before my coming out, one of my brother’s friends found me there and tried to…well, it doesn’t matter what he tried to do. It spoiled my private place and I never went there again.’
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  ‘But you’re there now, and you have taken me with you. I feel very privileged.’

  ‘Hmm.’

  Eva threw her head back and took a deep, calming breath, wondering how the sound of a rich male voice could affect her quite so comprehensively. And she was affected by it, even if she wasn’t yet prepared to tell him so. Being affected was very different to being aroused so technically he had not won their wager. She was excited by his complete attention but no longer understood her body, which appeared to be reacting without taking into consideration the instructions issued by her brain. She wondered what Lord Isaac really wanted from her but didn’t allow herself to dwell upon his motives for fear of breaking this rare mood of deep inner peace.

  ‘What did you dream of, that first season of yours, Eva?’ His use of her name seemed more natural than presumptuous. Whatever tickled her appeared to have worked its way to her silk-covered bodice, or was she imagining the delicate touch and her instinctive response to it? It didn’t matter; this wasn’t real. She had to be dreaming.

  ‘I wanted to marry someone who would be kind to me and take me away from my family.’ She shook her head, eyes still closed. ‘I had a romantic nature then, you see, even though I knew my wishes could never come to fruition.’

  ‘And you have never done anything spontaneous in your life?’ The sympathy in his voice was almost her undoing. She kept her eyes closed to prevent herself from seeing it reflected in his eyes, wondering why he found it necessary to pity her for her lack of spontaneity.

  She shook her head. ‘Not since I stopped dreaming and confronted the real world,’ she replied crisply.

  ‘You are going to be more of a challenge than I anticipated.’

  Eva elevated a brow. ‘Conceding defeat already?’