Chelynne (26 page)

“Well?” Chad inquired.

“When did the message come to you?”

“A page at Whitehall. Christ, John, you’ve got to be more careful than that!”

“I hadn’t intended that,” John muttered.

“I’ve a night full of good intentions, friend. Take better care. Now, what’s your business?”

“It’s not my business this time, but yours. I was able to uncover something in Browne that I thought you should know.

“I sent someone out there. There was an injury, it seems, that went purposely unnoticed. There was a girl raped and taken poorly. She was badly beaten and abused. Her family kept her quiet and hid her well. She was the lass tending the chapel, the laundry and cleaning. She saw the man who killed the priest. Chad, it was...it was that young Mondeloy...Harry, with the help of Shayburn’s man, Captain Alex.”

Chad’s face turned to stone. Fury flowed in him; the blood of the priest cried out for revenge. Alex was a character with a vile reputation. Shayburn had long ago surrounded himself with protectors, men who had previously earned their bread by robbing others. Alex was the worst of a bad lot. The title of captain was his own idea, for he took charge of the men who served as Shayburn’s guards. And the combination, Mondeloy and Alex...it was beyond his comprehension.

“What does this mean?”

“I’m not altogether sure, Chad. I found that there were others gone to Browne to have a look about. Sent by your father. They learned nothing, of course, just as you learned nothing. I’m nobody.” He smiled, indicating his pauper’s garb. “Simple folk don’t fear talking to me as they do to an earl’s henchman.” John sobered. “I’m sorry about the other news. It comes to you a bit late. Were you aware your father investigated the crime?”

“No.”

“Proof enough he had no hand in it, Chad.”

Chad looked away and nodded. The earl was gone. Chad was relieved to know his father was cleared, but wise enough to know it would have made little difference in the way he left the world. “No matter,” Chad said shortly. “I’m only concerned with what happened and why.”

“Well, the girl was sneaking away when she saw the priest being held. Her parents confided that it was the noble who hurt the girl, though they didn’t know his name. I found that out much later from witnesses and descriptions. It seems Harry amused himself while Alex finished off the priest and the church. I’m not sure that it was Mondeloy’s intention to have so much damage done there, but Alex is the kind of man who can’t stop until he’s done all the damage he can.

“As it is, the girl won’t confess another time and it’s certain she’ll never act as witness against Mondeloy or Alex. The people are sore afraid. The girl was left for dead. It was no simple mischief.”

“What could his intention have been?” Chad asked dully.

“I have no earthly idea. That’s as much as I could find out. I’m going to have to get back to the country but Mondeloy is in London. The rest of his family hasn’t arrived. You’ll see him with the other fops.”

Nothing more needed to be said for Chad to know exactly what to look for. The young gallants roved the streets in droves, done up in lace and ribbons, speaking in the latest French euphemisms, looking more feminine than masculine. “I can’t imagine what he would hope to gain with this,” Chad growled. But he knew about the young gallants. Most of them were small children when Charles was restored and had not lived through revolution and exile. They were bored and spoiled and sometimes for amusement they played havoc on the innocent peasants, doing vandalism and even murder. But did that explain it?

John was reluctant to ask but knew he must, if for no other reason than friendship. “Could this have anything to do with your wife?”

“There is not much goodwill between Chelynne and her cousin.”

“Does she know of your marriage?”

“My father insisted she was innocent of his scheme to see me wed and she acts as if she does not know of Anne or Kevin. She’s never made mention.”

“If she knows, Chad, she would profit by having that record destroyed. Her children would inherit and Kevin would be regarded as a bastard.”

Chad’s eyes were icy slivers of silver and he spoke through clenched teeth. “Only if I were of a mind to allow that. Kevin will be getting his due no matter how I have to assure it.”

“Well,” John sighed. “I think it more likely to expect Mondeloy to seek compensation for his knowledge. Chelynne is terribly young...”

Chad was not listening. He was thinking, deeply. He was not only unsure of Chelynne, he was unsure of himself. He didn’t know what he felt for his young bride. If ever there was a reason to see his marriage to Anne disregarded...

There was a hand on his arm. “Patience, Chad. There’s time enough to learn the truth to this. Don’t fly into a fit. The girl is young—”

“If I could only believe—She alone would have cause—”

“Your memory stirs too much hate in you, Bryant. You’ve got to be objective. You can imagine how Mondeloy abused the girl, you know the type of man we’re seeking. It could be he’s after another prize. It could be the marriage record is for sale. Think about it.”

“I’ll find his cause. I’ll learn his price...”

“There’s another matter. I’ve got to find a way to get word to you better than this. I’ll be back and forth bringing people here and taking some back. I can’t sit still...too much risk in that. Are you still in this with me?”

“Didn’t I give you my word?”

“It’s not your burden.”

“It’s my burden because I make it so. I’ll see Bess. She would be a willing courier between us.”

“I have two sisters in London and I’ve seen them both. I don’t want any more of my family involved in this. The people of Bratonshire await my attack. Anxiously so. I’ve a feeling that if the baron has a brain he’ll seek out my kin to be assured of my whereabouts. He shouldn’t be expecting anything but it won’t take him long before his suspicion is aroused. If there’s any way to get into his house we’ve got to find it.”

Chad raised a brow. “How well known was the animosity between my father and myself?”

“It was the talk of the shire before a prettier matter came along.”

Chelynne. Again. “Shayburn was aware of it but my question is, does he believe it was severe? Since I came home he might assume that there were amends between us. Do you know what I’m thinking?”

“I believe so. One of the earl’s old servants out of work?”

“Exactly. Someone faithful to my father that cannot serve me because of old wounds. I’ll see what I can do.”

The conversation was short and sweet. It wouldn’t do for them to leave together even though the possibility of their being recognized was slim, especially in this area of the city. Chad set out, bound to see a young woman of simple means who he knew he could trust.

Chad had hired an unobtrusive hell cart that left him at the door of fashionable new lodgings in the city. He rapped impatiently on the door and the landlady was a long time in coming. He knew her from other visits here. When she opened the door a crack and recognized him, she stammered and stuttered. It wasn’t often that people of quality visited her house.

“Cap’n Daniels is not about, m’lord.”

Chad smiled leisurely. “I’ve not come to see Daniels. Is my Bess here?”

“Aye, m’lord. To ‘er rooms, she is.”

“Is she...” He cleared his throat and started again, more determined. “Is she occupied?”

“No, m’lord. She sleeps. I seen to ‘er beddin’ meself, sir. The lass is done in from the day, she is.”

“It’s not as if I would disturb her slumber,” he chuckled. “Would you mind asking her if she’s up to company?”

“Come in then, m’lord. I’ll go up.”

Chad stood inside the door. He knew Bess kept apartments on the second floor but he was not inclined to go barging in on her. They had a strange relationship that he did not ponder very deeply, but he had an unpledged respect for her privacy.

It was a few years ago that he first met Bess. She was a youngster then and mistress to a hired sea captain he employed. Daniels was no lad, he was a swarthy old dog, but generous and good-hearted. He had a wife and a brood of children in London. Daniels was paid fairly and got his share of the plunder if they took a Spanish ship, but he was hardly rich. Chad was surprised to learn he had a wench in keeping and doubly so to learn how well kept and lovely she was.

Chad had never intended to abuse a friendship and had only gently pursued Bess when he was invited in. That was when he learned the most desirable things about this lass. She had no eye on power or fortune, never troubled him with questions or requests. He never darkened her door if Daniels was in port and rewarded her handsomely for his brief and infrequent visits. He had taken her out to dinner in a tavern a couple of years before and she had charmed both him and John with her simple gaiety.

He had learned since that time that she was one of the few women he could trust. She was closemouthed and had no traffic with the nobility. She befriended Chad only because she wanted to, not because of his generosity with her. She was in love with him and had no ambitions beyond having him occasionally come to her. And now, he was eager to enlist her aid. Second, he relished the fact that Daniels was conveniently out of port.

The landlady returned and said nothing, simply handing Chad a candle to light his way up to Bess. When he entered the room he saw that she had risen and was brushing out her long blond hair. She was wearing a sheer dressing gown and was the best sight he had seen in a long time. He threw his hat into a chair and moved toward her. She rose and met him halfway, their mouths coming together hungrily. The need within him ached so violently he didn’t know if he could spare the time to woo her at all. His hands found the buttons and roved over her eagerly. Then suddenly he broke away and placed a hand over the slightly rounded stomach, chuckling softly. Their eyes met and she nodded.

“Again,” she confirmed to the unasked question.

“This will be the third child,” he commented. “Does he do nothing to prevent it?”

“He intends but forgets. He’s good to the children and I’ve no cause to complain.”

“You’re not far along?”

“Not to my discomfort.”

“I’ve come to talk. I wouldn’t press you.”

“I know that. It’s all right.”

“Bess,” he groaned, pulling her into his arms again. “I’ve needed my Bess.”

“I know, love. I know.” She took him by the hand and led him to her bed. It would be swift and silent from then; she knew the routine well. She loved him in a way she could never admit to him or anyone else. It was less painful to be his convenience than to have him know how she truly felt. He was gentle and kind with her, thoughtful and a marvelous lover.

But he came to her only like this. Like a man long at sea, starved for the ease of this need. They never talked beforehand, and talked afterward only because he was conscious of the need to treat her humanly. It was the same, rushing in, throwing his clothes aside, and having it done. Then he would relax with his head at her breast and sometimes talk to her. Yet in his eyes she had always seen the reflection of another woman, one he had truly loved, and one he seemed to search for in her. To have even this much of him was enough for her.

She stroked his hair affectionately, just as she often did with her babes when they had satisfied their hunger at her breast. He handled this as he would any call from nature, accomplishing it because he had to. Once done he was grateful, thankful, and he turned to her to love her again, this time not so urgently.

He whispered sweet lover’s words as if she were the only person alive, the only woman he had ever longed for. He took care with his caresses, moving against her gently and sensing her moment perfectly. Then he let it end again, falling against her in happy exhaustion. Beautiful. The ease. The wondrous softness of having the burden partly gone. A great weight had been lifted. At last, at last...he felt a certain peace.

“My lord,” she beckoned softly. He turned to look at her. “An earl now, I’m told. But why, my lord? Why? Does she bring you no pleasure?”

Chad turned away from her. Bess was often in the ‘Change and tiring rooms. She would have learned of his new status and marriage. He couldn’t answer her. Bess knew men well, especially those who had been without a woman for a long period of time.

“I have seen her,” Bess said softly. “I was out about shopping and John pointed her out to me. She is lovely and kind. She spoke to me over the ribbons...” She sighed wistfully. “She made me feel old. I hardly remember when I was that young.” Her voice took on a sudden, purposefully happy note. “I was so happy for you, that you should be gifted with one so lovely and kind, but you still—”

“She is beautiful,” he relented, not much appreciating the memory at a time like this. It brought to mind the fact that Bess was far less so. She was older, fuller, and her golden hair was beautiful only when he was in need. Sated, he saw it had a dullness he didn’t find attractive. And being with her when she was full with another man’s child was not particularly appetizing, but at least he did not worry about leaving her with one of his own.

“But still you have a woman you cannot love? After so long?”

“I could love her,” he said, rolling over onto his back.