Valentine's Vow (Avenging Lords 3)

Martin Maguire came marching into the room. He held Raja in his ar

ms as if the primate were a child in need of coddling. Caesar growled and bounded over to its master.

Connor Maguire raised his hand to quieten the animal. “Milligan will show you all out. In future, keep the lady on a leash.”

Ava might have protested, but she knew to bite her tongue.

They sidled past the monkey, taking care not to startle the creature, and were shown out through the arena where men were wagering on the next bout. Milligan waited until they had exited onto Duck Lane and then he slammed the wooden doors behind them.

Ava placed her pistol back in her coat pocket and exhaled deeply to release the tense breath she’d been holding for hours.

“My carriage is waiting on Orchard Street.” Valentine’s voice was thick with barely contained anger.

“I shall walk,” Jonathan said, no doubt wishing to avoid another lecture.

“Like hell you will.” Lord Valentine gritted his teeth. “I’ll not rest until I have seen you to your damn door.”

Ava blinked in shock at his sudden outburst.

Anger no longer radiated from Mr Drake’s countenance. Indeed, he seemed to find the current situation somewhat amusing.

Lord Valentine cupped Ava’s elbow and propelled her forward. Mr Drake shadowed her brother, and they all marched to the end of Duck Lane.

“Thank you,” Ava whispered in the hope it might help to lighten the lord’s mood. “I shall visit the bank in the morning and withdraw the necessary funds.”

“I shall pay the debt, Miss Kendall.” He did not look at her but kept his gaze focused on the carriage parked a little further along Orchard Street. “I gave my word as a gentleman.”

Now was not the time to argue. She would wait until Valentine’s mood settled.

“The watch—was it very valuable?” she asked as she jogged to keep up with his long strides. She wondered if losing the watch was the cause of his discontent.

“The watch belonged to my father, given to me on the day he died.”

Oh, heavens! No wonder he was so angry.

Ava came to an abrupt halt, forcing him to stop, too. “Then we must go back. I cannot let you give away something so valuable.” It hurt her heart to think of him parted from such a prized possession.

Lord Valentine’s eyes flashed icy blue. “I don’t give a damn about the watch. But you, my dear Miss Kendall, will stop this nonsense once and for all. You, Miss Kendall, will explain what the hell you think you were doing dressed in gentlemen’s clothes whilst visiting the Westminster Pit.”

Chapter Eleven

A burning rage flowed through Valentine’s veins, so hot he struggled to fill his lungs no matter how many times he drew breath. Miss Kendall remained quiet at his side until they reached his carriage.

“Is there room for us all?” she asked, her tone conveying nerves mingled with mild irritation.

“Mr Kendall will sit with Sprocket.” Valentine refused to gaze into the fool’s pitiful face. “Else I fear I might wrap my hands around his scrawny neck and throttle the damn life out of him.”

“Must you curse?” Miss Kendall countered. “It is unlike you to deviate from your usual moral stance.”

“Moral stance?” Valentine mocked. “Madam, you pulled a pistol on a notorious rogue. Your brother almost got us all killed tonight. Forgive me if I appear somewhat unsettled.” Valentine yanked open the carriage door. He could not recall the last time his blood boiled, the last time he lost complete control. “Please, get inside before the Maguires change their minds.”

Miss Kendall huffed, but she obeyed his command and climbed into the conveyance.

“I shall sit atop, too, my lord,” the white-haired butler said. “If there’s room.”

“As you wish. Someone must keep an eye on Mr Kendall though I doubt he can cause mischief from up there.”

“Look, Valentine,” Jonathan Kendall began, “I didn’t know my sister would come to the Pit tonight. I didn’t—”