Chapter 15

Excitement bubbled inside Ada as Max’s coach stopped outside the gate to Vauxhall. She perched on the forward-facing seat with Max while Evie and Lucien sat opposite. They’d meet Prudence and Bennet inside.

“I came by boat once,” Evie said. “I should like to do that again. What say you?” She glanced around the coach.

“I’d like that,” Lucien agreed.

Max slid a look toward Ada as his hand brushed against hers. All through the ride to Vauxhall, which wasn’t short, they’d touched intermittently, but this was a silent communication that he understood why a boat ride would not be appealing.

Ada smiled sheepishly. “I’m not terribly fond of boats.”

Evie shook her head, grimacing lightly. “I should think not. My apologies.”

“In truth, I’ve been considering whether I ought to face that fear,” Ada said. “Perhaps we should take a wherry ride down the Thames.”

Evie’s expression brightened. “I’d love to do that with you.”

The door opened, and Og helped Ada from the coach. Seeing him here in town, dressed in old but tidy livery, had been shocking when he’d picked her up earlier.

“Thank you, Og,” Ada said, giving him a warm smile. She wondered if his demeanor had improved since coming to town as it seemed Max’s had.

Evie departed the coach next, then Lucien, and finally Max. Lucien gave Evie his arm, and Ada took Max’s. Once they moved inside, Ada immediately saw Prudence and Bennet a short distance away, whom they’d planned to meet just off the Grand Walk.

The orchestra’s music drifted from the grove, and the glass lanterns glowed in the trees. People of varying ages and status milled about.

Ada smiled. “The first time I came here two years ago, I thought it was so magical. I still do.” She tipped her head up toward Max. “Do you remember your first visit?”

“Not particularly. I think I’d overimbibed that evening. That was a rather common occurrence when I was running around town with Lucien.”

“Then we shall make a new memory for you tonight.” Ada squeezed Max’s arm as they approached Prudence and Bennet.

Ada had seen Prudence earlier in the day and heard her perspective about her interview with Max. She’d come away as positive as Max. Nothing pleased Ada’s optimistic heart more.

After exchanging pleasantries with Prudence and Bennet, they all walked into the grove. The crowd was thicker there, and Ada became aware of the way people stared at Max’s face before quickly looking away. The more she paid attention to this behavior, the more she noticed the people casting him furtive glances also whispered amongst themselves.

“Evening, Lord Lucien,” an older gentleman greeted. The man was in a group of three couples, just as they were. Ada didn’t know any of them. “Warfield?” he asked, his gaze squinting toward Max and then riveting on his scar. “Almost didn’t recognize you with that.”

“Nonsense, it’s clearly him,” another of the gentlemen said with a touch of acid. “Don’t insult a war hero.”

“I meant no insult.” The first man gave a slight nod. “My apologies.”

“We should be thanking you,” the second man said to Max. “I’m glad to see you here in town. It’s an honor.”

Ada couldn’t help smiling. “That’s very kind of you to say.”

Max’s arm stiffened. “We were just on our way to find refreshment.” He barely inclined his head before steering them away.

There had been no mention of refreshment. “Is something wrong?” she asked, sensing he was agitated.

“No.” His clipped answer said the opposite.

“Let’s go for a walk. Alone,” she said quietly. She turned her head toward Prudence. “We’re going to the Grand South Walk. We’ll meet you back here in a bit.” She pulled Max away before anyone could ask questions.

When they were out of the grove, he spoke. “Thank you.” He was still rigid with tension.

“Is that why you rarely leave Stonehill?” she asked, wanting to lash out at everyone who stared and whispered.

“Partly. Being around people is difficult to manage.”

“I’d like to smack every one of them.”

He tossed her a wry glance. “I believe you would if you had the chance.”

“How about we discuss something pleasant, then. I saw Prudence today. She said she enjoyed your time together, that you were surprisingly charming.”

He let out a sharp laugh. “Is she delusional?”

“Not at all. I don’t doubt you were charming. You must accept that you are not always a boor.”

“Hopefully I will avoid being one tomorrow when I meet Lady Peterborough. She’s invited me to call on her at the Duke of Evesham’s house.”

“You’ve been there before, I assume? As a friend of Lucien’s.”

He nodded. “Not in many years. I suppose I shall have to suffer the duke’s appreciation for my military service.” His lip curled.

Ada recalled his reaction to the praise he’d received in the grove. “Why does that bother you?”

They’d just passed under the first arch, and he steered her down a side path where there were fewer lights. Before she could say more, he pulled her off the walk into the trees and kissed her, his hands pulling her roughly against him as he plundered her mouth. Desire flared, and she grasped his coat, holding him tightly.

Just as quickly as he’d kissed her, he stopped. “Forgive me. I don’t know how much longer that will be possible. Kissing you, I mean.”

“Because you’re leaving London soon?” she asked so quietly that she hoped he heard her.

“Yes. I’m just not…comfortable here. Not in public, anyway. Being alone with you is quite nice.”

Ada felt both giddy and somber. “I wish it wasn’t so difficult for you to be here.”

“It’s better than it was on my last visit. Or perhaps I’m just in an improved frame of mind.” He took her hand and curled it around his arm once more before leading her back along the path toward the outer edge of the gardens. “I appreciate you taking me away from the crowd. This is what I’d hoped tonight would be.”

“The two of us strolling the darkest, most unpopulated walks?”

A smile teased his lips, and she again saw just how devastatingly handsome he could be. “Exactly so.”

They walked in silence for a moment, and Ada simply enjoyed his presence. She’d said they’d create a memory for him, but this was for her too. She’d treasure their stolen moments together always.

“I thought I might do one more thing before leaving town,” Max said, sparking her curiosity.

“I’m breathless with anticipation.”

“Don’t say that unless you want me to drag you from the path again.”

Heat kindled inside her, and she merely nodded. She would promise nothing.

“I discussed the possibility of hiring a valet with Prudence.” He glanced at her in resignation. “You’ve completely ruined me.”

Ada couldn’t help laughing. “That you see a valet as the final piece of your downfall is completely comical.”

“I’m still not entirely sure I want one, but I probably need one. He must be the right sort of person, however.”

She understood what he wasn’t saying. His valet would hear his nightmares. “It might be best, after we find this person, if you are completely honest about what they ought to expect.”

“You said ‘we.’”

“I did. However, I probably shouldn’t assume you want my help.”

“I do, in fact. It’s only fitting since this is your fault.”

She chuckled again. “I will accept the blame and your request for help. But it may take several days.”

“Are you trying to manipulate me into staying? I’m not sure I can withstand the temptation of sleeping with you every night and trying to keep from touching you.”

“We did a rather poor job of that last night.” Ada had awakened before dawn to find herself entwined with Max. In his defense, it had looked like she’d invaded his side of the bed and basically wrapped herself around him.

“You did. I was a model of restraint.”

She loved when he joked with her. He’d come such a long way. “To answer your question, I am not trying to get you to stay, though that would be nice. I can conduct interviews and dispatch a few potential candidates to Stonehill. If you trust me to do that.”

“I trust you implicitly,” he said. “One candidate. You may send one. Only the man you think I should hire. If you aren’t certain, he isn’t right for the position.”

Ada practically floated along the path. Having his trust meant more to her than anything. She wasn’t sure he even trusted himself. “I can do that.” She was determined to find a valet he could rely upon and feel comfortable with—someone he could trust as he did her.

Damn, could she be his valet? She stifled a giggle.

“What amuses you?” he asked.

“I just wondered if I could be your valet, but I’m in no more position to do that than I was to be your steward.”

“Because of your commitment to the Phoenix Club.” He sounded slightly disdainful.

“It’s more than that. It’s a commitment I made to myself, to find my own way and be happy with where I am and the choices I’ve made.”

“Choosing to work for me wouldn’t have made you happy?” Now he sounded upset.

Ada hesitated as she tried to think of how to answer that. She had an important role at a hugely successful club in London. She met all sorts of people, and the potential to keep learning new things was considerable.

But the real truth was that working for him wouldn’t make her happy. She’d already worked in a household and fallen in love with its master, much to her detriment. She had to expect it would be similar if not the same with Max. He wasn’t offering to make her his viscountess. Goodness, she couldn’t even imagine that.

In the end, she said, “I think we both know that my working for you would be an irresistible temptation that is best avoided. Now, let’s go look at the cascade. It’s only open a short time.” She pulled him in the direction of the fake waterfall.

“You’re so managing,” he muttered.

“You like me that way.”

“I do.” His response was low and seductive. She ignored the pulse of lust it sent through her.

When they arrived at the waterfall, they met the rest of their party. While Ada was glad, she was also sorry her time alone with Max had come to an end. Until later. When she slept with him.

She really needed to put a stop to that.

They watched the cascade in motion—sheets of tin accompanied by the sound of roaring water. “This is water I can appreciate,” she said with a laugh.

“Shall we visit the hermitage?” Evie suggested.

Ada slid Max a secretive smile. “Yes, let’s. I have it on good authority that Warfield is inordinately fond of hermitages.”

Max rolled his eyes. “She’s exaggerating.”

“I think we must hear this story,” Lucien said with a laugh.

Max complied. “After seeing the folly at Stonehill, she asked if that’s where I’d been hiding the past few years.”

“That is not what I said!” Ada laughed. “Not exactly, anyway.”

They strolled to the far corner where the relatively new hermitage stood. Once there, they could turn onto the Dark Walk, though Ada didn’t see the excitement in that now that she and Max were no longer alone.

Suddenly, a boom sounded, followed by lights in the sky.

“The fireworks!” Prudence exclaimed, turning her head up.

Another boom and more lights.

Ada grinned into the heavens. “I love fireworks, don’t you?” She looked to Max, but he was not gazing upward like the rest of them.

He stared straight ahead, his face pale in the faint illumination from the lanterns and the lights dazzling the sky. She watched his features as another loud crack filled the air. He flinched, and she thought he might run.

“Max,” she whispered, moving close to him and taking his hand. “Are you all right?”

“We need to find cover.” He looked about, his wild gaze landing on Lucien. “Lucien! Get the women down!”

Lucien came toward him quickly, his expression distressed. “It’s all right, Max. It’s just fireworks.” He touched Max’s arm, but Max threw him off.

“It’s not all right! We need to get out of here!”

“Yes, we should.” Lucien spoke calmly, then looked over to Glastonbury. “Give me a hand?”

Ada didn’t see this going well. Instinct told her she had to be the one to help him. She moved between them and Max, putting her body in front of him so her back touched his chest. “Don’t come closer.” She turned to face Max, lifting her hand to his cheek. “Max, let’s go. You can protect me.”

Someone gently grabbed her elbow. She looked over her shoulder to see it was Lucien.

“Ada, he thinks we’re in the war,” he whispered.

She’d assumed as much. “He’ll be fine. Just follow us.”

Taking Max’s hand, she quickly walked the way they’d come.

“No! We need to hide.” Max pulled her into the trees and crouched down, tugging her with him.

“Yes, this is safer.” She hated the fear in his gaze, the coiled tension in his body. She worried that at any moment, he might explode. If he did, she’d no idea what would happen.

They crouched like that while the fireworks blazed overhead. The rest of their party remained on the path, and though Ada couldn’t see their faces, she could feel their concern.

Her thighs burned as they stayed low to the ground, but she didn’t dare move or speak. At last, the fireworks stopped. Silence filled the air.

Ada watched Max’s face—his features remained taut, but the terror in his eyes had lessened. “Is it safe now?” she asked.

“I’ll check.” He stood. “Stay here.”

Rising, Ada rubbed her aching thighs through her gown. Max went out onto the path where Lucien met him. A moment later, he returned for her. “Lucien says it’s clear now.”

“Good.” She smiled, unsure what to do once they were on the path. Go back to the club, she supposed. This was not how she’d envisioned tonight.

When they were back on the walk, Max blinked. He looked around, his gaze fixing on Ada and then the others until he finally settled on Lucien. Opening his mouth, he seemed about to speak, his brow creased in befuddlement. He snapped his lips closed and scowled.

Ada pressed herself against his side, thinking he might just have realized where he was. “Shall we go?”

Max wiped his hand over his eyes. “I’m sorry.” The apology was a ragged whisper. “That hasn’t happened in a long time. I thought I was past that, except for the nightmares.”

He’d kept his voice low, so Ada didn’t think the others had heard. Still, she didn’t want to take the chance that they would. She motioned at Lucien to go ahead and did the same to Prudence, who nodded in response.

The other two couples started along the path back toward the front gate while Ada walked a bit behind them with Max, her hands curled around his right arm.

“I’ve embarrassed you,” he said.

The self-loathing in his tone made her want to weep. “Not at all. I didn’t realize the fireworks would upset you. I should have known.”

“Why would you? They’re pretty and entertaining. I’m an aberration.”

“You are not!”

He withdrew from her. “I need a moment.” He walked to the outer wall, covered by shrubbery, and put his back to her.

Ada longed to go to him, to comfort him, but she wouldn’t intrude. She looked to her left to see the other two couples were now several yards ahead of them—already past the next walk where the cascade was located.

A trio of young men approached. They talked loudly and weaved as they walked. Ada could practically smell the gin from where she stood. She stepped back, nearly to the trees to give them a wide berth.

“What’s this?” one of them said, moving close to her. “All by your lonesome, sweeting?” His gin-soaked breath filled the air, and Ada brought her hand up to her nose.

“I’m not,” she said firmly.

“Not anymore, love,” another of them said as they encircled her. “Give us a kiss now.” He reached for her.

Before Ada could cry out, before she could call for Max, he was there.

And he brought the darkness with him.