Valentine's Vow (Avenging Lords 3)

“Interrogation?”

“For once in my life I find myself questioning my mother’s honesty. They share a secret,” he said, nodding to the two people still staring. “And I’ll be damned if I’ll leave here before knowing what it is.”

Chapter Eighteen

Valentine stared at the guilt-ridden faces of his mother and Jonathan Kendall as they sat together on the couch. After a moment of celebration, where he informed the pair that Ava had consented to be his wife, he resumed the role of judge and jury.

“You say you owed our father a debt,” Ava said from the chair next to Valentine’s, positioned purely to appear more intimidating. The low table between them acted as a barrier to prevent Valentine from launching forward and throttling Jonathan Kendall.

“A debt it has taken me almost eighteen years to repay,” Honora confirmed.

“May we know what it is?” Valentine asked with some impatience. It was hard to focus on the task when love for the woman at his side filled his thoughts.

Honora turned to Jonathan Kendall. “Trust that Valentine will protect her until we resolve this matter.” When Kendall nodded, she focused her attention on Valentine. “Hamilton Kendall once came to my rescue when your father suffered from his first disturbing episode. We were at a ball, and Hamilton offered his assistance. I told him then that I considered myself in his debt. As the years passed, I never expected he might seek to remind me of my vow.”

A wave of regret swept through Valentine. He would have liked to meet Ava’s father. If only to ask what the hell had happened to Jonathan when it came to inheriting family traits.

“My father came to you when he purchased the house across the street?” Ava asked. “That was the last time he came home before he died.”

Honora smiled. “When Hamilton realised I occupied the house opposite, he paid more than the market value to ensure you would have a home close to friends.”

Ava gave a contented sigh. “He was always thoughtful like that.”

“Hamilton asked me to keep something safe for him. He gave me a sum of money—even though I refused the offer numerous times—and told me that upon news of his death I was to hire an agent to keep a watch on his man of business.”

“Mr Fairfax?” Ava shivered visibly upon mentioning the name.

“Indeed.”

“Father suspected the man had devious intentions that went beyond his designs to marry you,” Jonathan interjected, “and he was not wrong.”

Ava sucked in a breath.

Valentine was thankful Fairfax had perished in the mine else he might have had to track him down and beat him black and blue.

“While I would not wish death upon anyone,” Ava said, “I am rather glad he met his end.”

A look passed between Honora and Jonathan that cast doubt upon the statement.

An icy chill ran the length of Valentine’s spine.

Ava gripped the arms of the chair so tightly it looked as if the bones might pierce the thin skin covering her knuckles.

“Despite the agent’s reassurance, Mr Fairfax did not die in the mine.” Jonathan spoke softly, as though he knew the fact would cause his sister great pain. “Mr Fairfax is alive and well and behaving as deviously as Father predicted.”

“Alive?” Ava gulped. “Oh.”

Valentine attempted to piece together the snippets of information. “Are you saying Hamilton asked you to safeguard something fearing what Mr Fairfax might do?”

Honora straightened. “Just before Hamilton returned to London, he bought another five-year licence to mine in a particular spot on the coast of Greece. Few people are granted permission. I have that licence.” She paused and swallowed deeply. “He also gave me a … a rare ruby on the understanding that I would keep it a secret from his children until such a time as the agent proved that Mr Fairfax was no longer a threat.”

Honora tried to hold Valentine’s gaze, but a flicker of shame flashed in her eyes.

Valentine knew why. “So Hamilton did not sell you the ruby as you claimed?”

“No,” she said, briefly lowering her gaze, “but you understand why it was important that I not mention it to anyone.”

“Not even to your son?”