All the Things You Never Knew (25 page)

* * *

“Leon!” Rose ran forward and flung her arms around Leon as the battle of Lord Lansing’s men came to an end.
“We’re safe now,” he said, stroking her hair.
“Where do we go now?” she asked, stepping back to look at him.
Leon glanced at Longsword who just shrugs and walk away to let them have their privacy.
“Home, I suppose,” he replied.
Her eyes glimmer in delight. “Your home?”
He smiled and cupped her cheek. “Do you want to?”
“Yes!” she exclaimed. She hadn’t seen it for so long. “I would totally love to!”
Leon smiled and leaned down to kiss her softly on the lips. “Then we’ll go,” he said, taking her hands. “We’ll go drag the priest over and get married.”
“And I’ll be your wife! “ Her heart was filled with pure joy. “Oh, Leon, I’m so bliss!”
“We shouldn’t delay the moment any longer.”
Leon whistled out for Longsword to return and told him of their plan.
“Should I go get Hargate, then?” Longsword asked when they returned to the inn to get their abandon horses. “He wouldn’t want to miss the chance of being your best man.”
“No, Avangelene might take you for an intruder and shoot you,” Leon said.
Longsword gave out a laugh and cleared his throat. “I won’t risk it, then.”
“I’ll go back for him once we get to Bridlington,” said Leon. “I’ll have you both as my best men, though traditionally there’s only one.”
“Well, we’ll be breaking the tradition,” Longsword grinned.
“It’s going to take us a few days to get to Bridlington,” said Leon. “I don’t think Avangelene would mind Hargate staying a bit longer at her hideout.”
“His Grace is pretty charming,” Rose put in as Leon raise her up onto the horse. “Your sister should enjoy having him there. I mean, what lady wouldn’t want to have the company of a charming duke?”
Leon laughed ridiculously at Rose’s comment. “I doubt it. Avange is not like most ladies. She has no interest in men, especially if he’s a duke.”
“How can you be so sure,” said Rose. “Your sister and His Grace could be engaged in a tête-à-tête at this very moment.”
“My love, you have no idea,” Leon chuckled. “But that would be bad. Very bad.”
“What would you do, Heartily, if Hargate becomes your future brother-in-law?” Longsword asked. “Or I, for all that matters. Would you… approve?”
“Are you kidding me? My best friends, you and Hargate, as my brother-in-laws? That would never ever happen. Not if I have anything to say about it.”
“You’re so cruel, Leon,” said Rose. “Even if they’re in love?”
“I warned them before not to mess with my sisters,” Leon said, getting up behind her on the horse. “They should know the outcomes already.”
He winked at Longsword and presses the horse forward.

* * *

“I don’t think I’ve had a breakfast this good since I became responsible for the dukedom,” the Duke of Hargate replied, licking his fingers clean as Avangelene watches him eat. “I’ve been too busy.”

She wouldn’t have known that he was a duke if she had seen him like this without any knowledge of who he was. He’s not acting like a proper duke chewing loudly and licking every last morsel off the dish.

“I bet Leon and them always get to enjoy a warm, loving breakfast like this in the morning with you around.”
“Not always,” she answered. “I…have businesses of my own to tend.”
And now that he’d mentioned that, she remembered how she was supposed to be staying home to cook for her siblings.
Good, lord! What have they been eating while she’s here cooking for a duke? She had only meant to come here to rest from her duties, not nurse a duke. Oh well, her siblings are smart enough to figure something out.
“Thank you,
Avangelene
, for this wonderful breakfast,” the duke said, getting up and taking his dish over to the wash basin. “I’ll clean up and leave you to your business.”
He’s leaving? But Leon’s not even back yet.
“Sure,” was all she said as she pours herself a cup of tea. What was she to say anyway?
The duke finished doing the dishes and came over to sit back down across from her, pouring himself a cup of tea as well.
“It had been nice staying here even though you didn’t appreciate
my
presence,” he said as he took a sip of his tea. “But I’ll never forget you, and your
kindness
.”
Ha! She almost laughed at his sarcasm.
“Sure,” she answered again, and looked into her cup of tea. “So…you’re leaving, right?”
“Yes. Leon’s not going to come so I will go on my own.”
“What?” Leon wasn’t coming? “Are you sure? You’re hurt. He wouldn’t want you to wander off alone.”
Unfortunately, she doesn’t want him to either. She does have an inch of care for him in her heart after all.
“I will be fine. Less trouble for you so you should be happy,” he winked.
He looks so dazzling when he does that that Avangelene was struck dumb with her tongue tied.
“I guess,” she shrugged.
“Anyhow,” he started. “Would you mind leading me out of this place? I’m not quite sure where the exit is. Is there even a way out? I’m not familiar with this place. What is it called anyway?”
“Haven of Light,” Avangelene answered. That was the name that she had come up with the villagers’ approval.
“Haven of Light? Seriously, tell me what it’s called.”
“Do you not believe me?” she asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
“Haven of Light sounds too fantastical.”
“Well, what do you know? This was a mere wasteland when I first found it.”
“You found this place?”
Great. She wasn’t going to waste her time explaining.
“Shall we go?” she asked, standing up and pushing in her chair. “If you’re ready, that is.”
“On second thought, would you take me on a tour around your
Haven of Light
first?” he asked. “It sounds rather intriguing.”
Seriously? She was hoping he will forget about it.
“I’m busy. Maybe next time,” she answered, though she well knew there’s not going to be a next.
“I doubt it,” he replied. He probably knew that there won’t be a next, too. “But I would love to take a tour if you ever change your mind.”
Avangelene just nodded and headed towards the door. “Are you coming?”
He looked at her for a moment and then followed after her as she steps out.
“
Haven of Light.
It’s quite sunny this morning,” the duke commented. “The name suits it well.”
“Obviously.”
She walks him over to the switch that releases the door to the exit and turned to face him.
“First things first,
Duke
,” she said. “You have to be blindfolded.”
“What?” He looked at her in astonishment. “That’s a jest, right?”

* * *

“Where in the name of God are you guys taking me?” asks a startle footman as he was abducted and thrown inside a carriage.
“Damn, this is a fine ride,” said Edward as he holds down the footman.
“These aristocrats do have some good stuff,” said Jack as he lay back on the seat. “Aide, you better drive nicely,” he called out to Aidan.
“Don’t worry. Just ask for direction,” Aidan called from outside.
Luckily, they found the Marquess of Lansing’s manor in less than an hour since he was well known. Not to mention that he was about to wed their brother’s old flame and has sent out invitation to almost everyone in London and beyond informing them so. They had decided to take his carriage and reined their horses onto it.
“What do you guys want?” asked the footman of Lansing that they had abducted.
“We’re cut-throats,” Edward said, just to intimidate the man. “We just want a few words with you. If you tell us what we wish to hear, then your life would be spare. If not, then you will get your throat slit and be gone to the other realm.”
That seem to have done the trick, for the footman’s eyes widened in fear and he started begging for his life.
Jack feels a tint of guilt for threatening an innocent old man like this but it’s the only option they have to get to their brother.
“Where’s Lord Lansing?” he asked the old man.
“Why is everyone looking for him?” the footman asked, struggling to get free from Edward’s grip. “Just the other day these two men threaten me to take them to him. Now it’s you guys?”
“What did you say?” Edward pulled him up to sit and pointed a pistol at him to stop the struggling.
“You said two men threaten you to take them to him? Whom, may I ask?” said Jack.
“Tell your companion to drop his gun first,” the footman replied. “You young lads never know how fragile an old man like me is. A pistol could scare the heartbeat out of me.”
“Ed, rest your aim,” Jack said, moving towards the old man. “Now speak.”
“I’m not quite sure who,” the footman replied. “But one seems to be a fine lord, though he’s a bit untidy, I don’t know why. The other is less of a lord, more of a commoner. Had on tight fitting clothes. Not much of a fashionable guy, I suppose.”
Hm…Jack wondered who those men might be. He was suspecting one of them to be Leon, but then Leon’s captured. It can’t be him. And the fine lord, who is he? Gareth Coleridge, the Earl of Longsword, or Laguna Black, the Duke of Hargate? It can’t be Laguna. He’s a duke and well known among people. It could be Longsword, but there’s no proof.
“Well,” Edward said. “Just take us to him and your life would be spare. You’ve got to be grateful for that. Cut-throats never let their victims survive.”

Leon couldn’t quite seem what to make out of his friends as they rode north to Bridlington. It bothers him again to think that Laguna and

Gareth both might have interest in his sisters. He doesn’t know why but it’s something he didn’t like. They are nice men and all, but he couldn’t accept them as part of the family. Their name would be blackened and their reputation would falter. He doesn’t want them to lose their role in society. If one day they ever decide to get close to his sisters and upgrade their relationship from friends to family, then he is sorry to say that he will do whatever it takes to prevent it, even if it will break their hearts. It’s for the better. They should understand.

“Leon,” Rose said, touching his arm and interrupting his thoughts.
He looks down at her and smiled as she rubbed his arm.
“Are you okay? You’re rather quiet,” she said.
“I’m fine,” he answered, kissing her on the forehead. “Are you tired? I’ll hold you to sleep.”
She smiled and nodded her head, turning sideways to sit on his lap, her arms wrapped around his neck. “I want to savor every moment here with you,” she said, burying her face into his chest.
“We have all the time in the world,” he replied, bringing his arms around her waist. “There may be ups and downs and everything in between, but we will get through them and have our peace.”
“I…wish things were different and not so hard on us,” she answered quietly.
“If only my parents were alive,” said Leon. “If only the enemies hadn’t found us. If only I could stand up to face them at that time and save my parents. Maybe all this wouldn’t have happened. I wouldn’t have left you. Hell, I’m such a useless fool.”
“No,” she said, bringing a hand to his cheek. “You can’t control the things that happened. Don’t blame yourself. You are the best son anyone could ever have. Always working hard, going through hell and tortures to bring justice to the dead. I couldn’t have been more proud if I were your parents.”
“You are truly the light of my world, Rose,” Leon answered, holding her closer. “I’m glad that you’re still here waiting for me and haven’t yet gotten married. I don’t know what I’ll do without you.”
“I had thought about getting married and erasing you from my memories, but it seems no matter what, you’re there. Always here.” She took his hand and placed it on her heart, then to her head. “And everywhere up here. I can’t simply wed a man when you’re all that fills my mind.”
Leon laughed and stroked her hair, soothing her to sleep. He was glad she waited, though she was to wed in less than a week with the Marquess of Lansing. But hell with that. He’s the one wedding Rose and it is to take place as soon as he gets to Bridlington. After that, he will come back to settle everything. As long as his enemy is located, nothing should forestall his return.

* * *

“Seriously, I can’t believe I had to be blindfolded to exit out of your Haven of Light,” said Laguna as he pulls off the cloth that covered his eyes and threw it on the ground.

“It was for your safety,” laughed Avangelene as she fell on the grass.
Laguna strip off his shirt and shook the water out of his pants.
“Safety, my arse. Look at me. I’m all soaked. My stitches could have gotten infected. Was it really necessary for us to cross through a river?”
His stitches, she had totally forgotten. Oh well.
“It was part of the exit,” Avangelene answered.
“Then why aren’t you wet?”
Avangelene shrugged and lay down on the grass, savoring the warmth of the sun. “I took the stepping stones, of course. It was easier to guide you through.”
“I could have used the stepping stones.”
“No, you might fall off and drown while being blindfolded,” Avangelene teased, though she knows he could probably swim to his safety.
“Why did I have to be blindfolded?” Laguna asked her again.
“Because you’re a duke,” she answered gleefully.
“Or is it because you don’t want me to know where to enter into your Haven of Light?”
Well, Avangelene was surprise. She has got to admit that this duke has much more of a brain than most duke of her association.
“Maybe,” Avangelene answered with a smile. But really there are two separate tunnels to enter and exit out of the place so it was not really a concern to her. The exit is different from the entrance.
“And why is that?” asked the duke.
“The answer is obvious,” she answered, spreading her arms out on the grass. “You should know already.”
“You don’t want me to return.”
Really intelligent of him to say.
“You have no reasons to,” she said, sighing as she sat back up. “I think you better get going, I mean, you do have a place to go to, right?
“Perhaps,” the duke nodded. “Since your brother is not coming.”
“What do you mean by he’s not coming?” Could Leon possibly be in danger? She has to know.
“He probably went back to save Lady Rose. The marquess captured her,” he told her.
“Lady Rose, his…”
“His bride-to-be.”
Avangelene almost couldn’t believe it.
“Leon’s getting married?”
“Apparently so, after everything’s over.”
Everything. With the marquess she presumed.
Avangelene was filled with sudden excitements and joy. Her brother’s going to get married. The first wedding in the family. It sounded incredulous.
“You are not jesting, are you?” she asked, just to make sure.
“Were you jesting when you said I had to be blindfolded? No, I am not jesting.”
“Good. Where do you think Leon is at the moment?” She will go help her brother if it meant he was going to wed after this marquess deal.
“Islington, I would think,” he said. “It’s possible that Lansing still has Lady Rose captive somewhere down there.”
“We should go there, then,” Avangelene suggested. “If he’s not coming back for you, then he might be in danger.”
“I don’t think Leon would want you to go there.”
He was right on that. Jack and them hadn’t wanted her to go either. She wonders how they’re doing on their quest to finding Leon. She had wanted to go with them, but good thing she didn’t, otherwise she will be wasting her time. Although she does want to know if they have crossed path with Leon.
“Well, Leon’s not here to disapprove,
Duke
. We
could
go.”
The duke merely stared at her speechless. She was going to make him take her no matter what.
“Are you that afraid of Leon?” she asked, just to pinch his pride a little. “You
are
a
Duke
.”
“Me being a duke has nothing to do with it,” he countered. “It’s mainly...”
“It’s all right,
Duke
,” Avangelene interjected. She must be getting on his nerve at the moment. “Leon won’t bite your head off or anything.”
“I know he…Never mind. We could go,” the Duke said, giving in. “But first, you’ve got to stop calling me
Duke
. I dislike it.”
“You don’t like it?” Avangelene chuckled and stood up on her feet. “Whatever you wish.” And just to annoy him one last time, she added, “
Duke
.”
“I’m serious,” he said, his eyes darkening at her.
She just laughed and smiled at him.
Minx
, Laguna thought as he watches Avangelene pull back her hair and secured it with a yellow ribbon. She was not wearing one of the ridiculous wigs he had seen in the past. In fact, she hadn’t been wearing any in his presence. He hadn’t seen any of them anywhere in the house. She looked more feminine without it, though her clothing isn’t that of a lady’s fashion. She wore a casual green waistcoat over a simple white blouse and dark male pantaloons with hessian boots.
He had never seen any woman in men’s garment besides her. She actually matched them. Her clothing fits her well and rather illustrated her features nicely.
“What are you looking at?” she asked, fretting him out of his observation.
“Nothing,” he answered, stroking his hair back. “Are you ready to go?”
“Of course,” she answered, walking over to him. “Don’t tell me you’re changing your mind on this,
Duke
.”
There she goes again.
He wished he hadn’t spoken a word about it.
“I might if you keep on calling me
Duke
.”
“I apologize then,
Your Grace
.”
Great. She’s going to use all the aristocratic terms of address on him.
“Just Laguna,” he said. “If we’re to go on a mission together to help your brother, we’ll have to throw away the formality.”
“Whatever you say.”
Laguna feel a hot part of his temper rise. It seems as if she’s taking everything he say as a joke. It’s really pointless to argue with her. She’s just going to ruin the mood. He just hopes that their trip would be one at peace.