Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

F leur paced the bedchamber. Something was making her restless. It was as if a dark premonition had taken hold that told her something bad was about to occur.

She wished that Drake would have told her where he was headed so that she could ease her mind if he didn't return by dawn. At least she would know where to begin the search.

Instead, she was left to walk anxiously about the room and tell herself that her instincts were wrong, that she was being unreasonable.

Nevertheless, she couldn't dare try to sleep, so she lit a candle and headed downstairs. If she couldn't sleep, then she would raid the larder and see if cook had made any of those delicious sweet honey biscuits that she couldn't seem to get enough of. If Fleur wasn't careful, she was going to find all those new gowns Drake had bought for her start becoming a little snug.

She stopped suddenly, wondering if that might be the only reason they wouldn't fit. She sucked in a breath as she put a hand to her abdomen. Drake had told her that he'd always been careful when it came to sex, but thus far, things had been progressing as nature intended. She knew she was playing with fire, daring to tempt fate in such a fashion, but being with him felt so right that she hadn't been thinking of tomorrow, although she should probably start doing so. She didn't think Drake was eager to start a family any time soon. He hadn't gone so far as to mention a more permanent situation between them, so that told her enough about their current relationship.

Walking into the kitchen, the light from the flame in her grasp flickered slightly. She shivered, the earlier sense of unease prickling over her skin once more. She set down the candle on the counter and searched the larder. With a pleased smile, she found what she was looking for and eagerly snatched one of the biscuits from the metal tray.

Finishing her first satisfied bite, she licked the crumbs from her lips.

She ate a second and a third before she shoved the tray back where it belonged. She knew it was nerves that was causing her to react like this, but until Drake returned and she could be assured that all was well, she would find little relief.

With little else to do but be consumed by her own concerns, Fleur headed for Drake's study. She hoped it might offer some distraction before she forced herself to return to their chamber.

Their chamber. It was unsettling how quickly she was starting to imagine them as a couple, rather than a man and his mistress.

She hoped she might find a book to read to keep her mind off every bad scenario that was crashing through her mind. She was worried that the individual responsible for setting flame to his other residence might do the same—while Drake was there. The note had been brief, but it had set fear inside her heart when she'd read his masculine hand sweeping across the page. She realized that he had lived this long without her guidance but perhaps it was time that changed. If nothing else, Fleur admitted that she was starting to care for him. She didn't want to see him injured—or worse. She could have assisted him tonight if he'd only confided in her. She appreciated that he wanted to keep her safe, that the less she embroiled herself in his life the better off she was, but she was finding it impossible to ignore the dangers that swarmed him constantly.

Sitting in a chair by the mantel, Fleur laid her head back against the cushions of the chair and stared into the dying flames. They were little more than glowing coals and she would have discounted them entirely if it wasn't for the slight flutter of a white bit of paper.

Curious, she straightened and wondered why it had been tossed into the fire at all. Unless, of course, it was something that no one else was meant to see.

She carefully reached into the ashes and pulled out the charred scrap. Most of it had burned beyond recognition, but there was enough that she could tell it was a few smudged names on a list. One in particular standing out more than the rest.

…vian…

An icy chill crawled up her spine. Was Drake so distrusting of Flavian? And what sort of list was this? Was it connected to the fire that had sent his house up in flames? Granted, Flavian had more motivation to cause Drake harm than anyone else she could think of at the moment, considering his hatred in spite of her, but Drake himself had explained he had made several enemies through the years.

The only person she knew that Drake had ever hesitated around was Avalon. Was he also considered a suspect?

Tossing the paper back into the fire, Fleur's mind began to race. She was starting to wonder if she could really trust Drake if he wanted to paint her brother as such a villain. Perhaps instead of Avalon, Drake was the one she needed to fear. Sometimes the most obvious choice was the correct one.

It was certainly something to ponder as she waited for Drake to return.

As the ormolu clock noted the two o'clock hour, she curled her legs beneath her and hugged herself and prayed she was wrong.

Where are you?

* * *

Not wanting to give away his identity just yet, Drake hung to the back of the entertainment as Avalon and Flavian moved forward. The crowd of people parted for them as if Avalon was Moses commanding the Red Sea. Drake wasn't surprised, for if there was anyone that held a fiercer reputation than Drake, it was the king of the Blue Boys.

"Do you have room for my good friend?" Avalon clapped Flavian on the back and urged him forward. "He tells me he has what it takes to take home tonight's winnings."

There were a few chuckles that resounded, and then a burly man with unruly red hair kicked out a chair toward them. "By all means, I could learn a thing or two about the game."

Flavian sat down and Drake could almost see him salivating as the cards were slid in his direction. Next to him, Avalon set down a small coin purse that clanked with awareness as he moved away from the table.

Drake moved forward swiftly. Now was the time for him to learn what Avalon's deeper purpose was for Fleur's errant brother.

"I thought you were more inclined to play Hazard rather than Faro," Drake murmured dryly next to Avalon.

The dark-haired man smiled before he turned his head to peer at Drake. "I do. But I agreed to introduce young Mr. Davies to some of the more delightful clubs this fair city has to offer."

"Is that so? Are you sure you weren't coerced by Miss Wilson for some other reason?"

Avalon looked at him with the same crooked smile, but his dark eyes foretold that Drake was wading in deeper waters. "Let's have a drink, shall we?"

He led the way over to a table and two chairs at the edge of the room. While the rest of the pub was rather crowded that evening, they were served with two pints of ale as soon as they sat down. "Such service," Avalon complimented the wench as she offered a sly wink and strode off. He took a drink, and then peered firmly at Drake. "I have the feeling you are accusing me of something rather unsavory. I am not sure that I approve."

Drake shrugged. "Take it as you will, but you must be aware that Miss Davies is very protective of her brother. And it surely can't be a secret that it is Flavian's penchant for gambling that set them on the path to London in the first place. I know you are well informed about anything of interest that takes place in the city."

"That I am," Avalon said evenly. "But in this regard, I did not know about Mr. Davies weakness for the tables. I was merely trying to perform a good deed."

Drake narrowed his eyes, not believing a word that the man uttered. "I find that difficult to believe. I feel that there is some sort of understanding between you and Miss Wilson you wish to keep silent."

"If that were true, then surely you can't expect me to confide in you." He tilted his head to the side. "Unless, of course, you are willing to make a trade. Mr. Davies for your lovely Fleur."

His hands clenching into fists beneath the table, Drake uttered a soft growl of warning, "I fear the lady is not up for bargaining."

"Pity." Avalon sighed heavily. "I was rather hoping to deepen our acquaintance. Instead, it could be that young Flavian is beholden to me."

"So, it's come to this. An ultimatum." Drake shook his head. He should have seen this coming but he had imagined Avalon interested in more than Miss Davies.

"That is such a crass definition," the other man murmured as he took a long draught of his ale. "I prefer to think of it as more of a mutual understanding. I fear that Harriette is already tiring of her latest plaything. It's the least I can do to see he isn't forced to beg on the streets."

"I can accommodate him at any number of places," Drake countered.

Avalon tapped a finger on his chin thoughtfully. "And yet, I was under the impression that you were two less than your previous holdings. How many does that leave?"

"More than enough," Drake snapped.

A pair of dark brows lifted. "I didn't mean to cause offense. It is all that everyone has been discussing of late. They wonder if you are still the same Mr. Porter you've always been, or if you have become… weak."

It was all Drake could do not to pound the scarred wood of the table with both of his fists. "I would dare any man to test my patience and they shall quickly find out which is true." Deciding he'd had enough baiting for one evening, he got up and drained the nearly full glass of ale before he slammed the empty tankard down. He leaned toward Avalon and said in a smooth, deep voice, "Fleur is mine. Flavian is not to be harmed. And if any further holdings are damaged following our conversation, I shall personally see to it that there is another body being pulled out of the Thames."

"Threatening murder? Really, Mr. Porter. That is rather unsporting of you."

But it was the slight flash of uncertainty in Avalon's dark eyes that made Drake go in for the lethal strike. "It is a promise. Whoever has been responsible for my latest run of bad luck will soon be quite unfortunate as well."

With that, Drake turned on his heel and left the pub.

* * *

Fleur jerked awake, immediately on the alert, but when she spied the silhouetted figure walking into the study, she was comforted by the sight of Drake. The last dregs of her restless slumber faded quickly as she jumped to her feet and confronted him as he strode purposefully toward the sideboard.

"Where have you been all night?" she demanded. "I have been worried sick!"

She heard the sound of liquid being splashed into a glass. "That brings me such solace," he sneered.

She blinked, confused by the cruel note of his tone. "What happened tonight? Why are you acting like this?"

He slammed down the tumbler and almost shouted, "Must you pummel me with questions the moment I arrive? You are not my wife, and I am not beholden to explain anything to you."

This time, a gasp escaped her. Clenching her fists, she returned brusquely, "Very well. If that is how you feel then I shall not bother you any longer. However, I would ensure your cot is in proper working order because you will not be sharing a bed with me again!"

She stalked toward the door but it was slammed in her face before she could cross the threshold. Drake's arm blocked her way and he exhaled heavily, as if he had run a great distance rather than sprinted across the room. "Forgive me. I fear I am not myself this evening." His hand slid down the frame. "Leave, if you wish. It is probably for the best if you do so."

As he moved away, Fleur hesitated. She ought to go but something compelled her to stay. Perhaps it was the defeated manner in which he returned to the sideboard, his stiff stance as he stood there, as if contemplating his entire life.

Fleur walked softly across the room and laid a hand on his arm. Giving him a gentle squeeze, she whispered, "Talk to me. Tell me what happened that has upset you so. Was there another fire?"

He didn't speak for several moments. However, Fleur was grateful that he was no longer so cold, nor did he shrug her off. She hoped that meant he was considering confiding in her.

"I lied to you about where I was going tonight."

At first, Fleur was taken aback. "Oh."

He finally turned to face her directly. "I went to see if Flavian would actually make his way to the gaming tables."

She didn't want to ask. "Did he?"

"Yes."

She swallowed hard. "I see." This time, she was the one who turned away. She had been under the illusion that he might change his mind after their conversation at Vauxhall. She should have known that nothing would change.

She sat back down in the chair she'd vacated earlier. Clasping her hands together she tried to keep her eyes from stinging.

"Drink this."

She blinked back the moisture as she reached out and accepted the drink in Drake's hand. "Thank you," she murmured, and then tipped up the glass and downed it in one burning swallow. Her breath caught and she coughed as the liquid blazed a path down to her stomach. He returned with another and she drank it as well.

Slowly, the heat that swirled in her stomach started to flow out to her limbs and her upset started to fade.

He must have noticed she had calmed slightly, because he moved to the mantel. Leaning against it, he looked at her with that intent silver stare. "There's more."

She sighed. "There generally is."

"He was there with Avalon."

This revelation caused her to frown. "What were they doing together? I imagined Flavian would still have been hanging on Harriette."

"I am under the impression that her enthusiasm for him is starting to wane."

"So, she thrusts Flavian off on a criminal of the underground?" Fleur burst out of her chair and paced the room angrily. "I could strangle that woman with my bare hands for the punishment she has put us through. I believed that I was going to incur sympathy from that woman. Instead, all I received was more misery." She stopped and put a hand to her forehead. "I shall never forgive myself for this mess. Not only have I ruined myself, but I have ruined Flavian as well. I can't believe I was so na?ve to allow my trust to fully rest on her!"

Her breath started to come in deep, heaving gulps. The drink that had calmed her was now swirling inside of her like a snake, infecting her with its poison.

Drake soon stood in front of her. "You were doing what you thought was necessary. You had no way of knowing that sort of person you were dealing with. We have all made that error at one point or another."

She pinned him with a hard stare. "Have you?"

Drake's face was wiped of any emotion when he replied, "Her name was Elina Waters."

She stilled.

"I fancied myself in love with her but when I was injured, I discovered how deep her feelings for me went." His voice contained more than a touch of bitterness. "I called out to her, believing I was breathing my last, and she left me, bleeding, in the middle of an alley and returned to her lover. If it wasn't for Amos, I wouldn't be here today." His nostrils flared. "It is human nature to want to love but I learned the hard way what that can do to you."

"Which is why you won't open your heart to me." Fleur hadn't meant for those words to escape, but now that they had, she couldn't recant them.

His eyes glittered. "I can make no promises to you for they would undoubtedly be broken. All I can do is say something is… different when you are near. But I can't say whether or not I can allow that much trust again."

She wanted to be hurt, to be angry and rail at him. Instead, she said softly, "I will not ask for more than what you are willing to give me. Whatever that may be."

He reached out and cupped her cheek with his hand. "I will not allow Flavian to be drawn into the underground. I will do everything in my power to ensure that doesn't happen. But it might take some time."

She nodded. "Fine. And while I understand it is difficult for you to trust anyone, please don't keep secrets from me. I can bear anything but blatant lies."

He put his forehead against hers. "Agreed."

She pulled back and looked at him steadily. "If something involves my brother again, I'm going with you."

He sighed heavily. "Fleur?—"

"I won't accept no on this. He's not just the last of my family. He is my twin . There is a connection there that can't be denied. I knew something was wrong tonight. I could feel it. It is why I stayed here and waited for your return. If he is in true danger, I want to be there. I am the only person who has ever been able to make him see reason, even if I've failed in that regard lately."

He pinched the bridge of his nose but he gave a curt incline of his head. "Very well. But you will have to don the shroud. I won't have Avalon targeting you instead."

She echoed his earlier sentiment. "Agreed."

He withdrew and said, "Come. Let's get to bed. I'm exhausted and no doubt you are the same."

Fleur wasn't sure about that. Her mind was still racing with what she'd been told. But there was nothing further she could do tonight. More than likely the damage had already been done.

Tomorrow would tell the tale of how deep Flavian had dug his own hole.

After Drake had divested himself of his clothes, he climbed into bed. Fleur kept on her nightdress and proceeded to do the same.

"No." Drake's voice was firm. "I want to feel your skin against mine."

She complied, withdrawing the garment from her and tossing it the edge of the bed. Climbing in next to him, he held her close, her back to his front. She could feel the pressure of his cock against her upper thigh, but she was thankful that he ignored the urgency of his member. Neither of them seemed to be in the proper state of mind to engage in such an intimate activity.

As Fleur's lids grew heavy, she realized that she hadn't yet talked to Drake about protection. She promised herself that would be the first topic of the morning.