Claimed By Chaos (13 page)

Chapter 23

Where in the world is Alastair?
Giselle wondered as she shielded her eyes from the sun, scanning the stables and the track. She saw Lucien, leaning against a fence watching the horses fly past him but saw no sign of Alastair. She was sure he'd be in the library but it was empty. She was about to cross the yard to ask Lucien when she heard screaming from a barn on the other side of the stables.

It was Alastair. Giselle felt a moment of panic as the sound of his pain and terror filled the air. She saw Lucien turn as she grabbed her skirts and ran toward the barn. Her eyes swept the yard and the small building, looking for anything she could grab as a weapon and counting doors and windows. Finding little that she could improvise with, she hoped there was a pitchfork or a scythe inside. Lucien met her at the opened door and they both rushed in.

They froze, both in shock and unsure as to what they should do next as a figure that they could only assume was Alastair continued to scream hysterically. The height and width was that of Alastair's and it sounded like him but the rest of him was so obscured, it was impossible to be completely sure. Giselle could only blink as she looked to Lucien. He was no longer next to her. She turned to see him running across the yard, toward the house, so fast that she swore smoke was coming from his boots. She looked back at the scene inside the barn.

Mirabelle's head appeared from the loft above and she giggled.

“What did you do?” Giselle gasped as she stared at Alastair.

“I repaid him for all the fish
he
caught and helped place in my bed.” She announced.

“Oh…” Giselle whispered as her eyes swept around the barn. A bucket hung from a rafter above Alastair and the remnants of a sticky substance dripped slowly onto his head. It appeared that half the hay in the loft had rained down upon him as well. She heard Alastair take a deep breath just before he sneezed violently, creating a cloud of hay.

“I'm going to kill her.” Alastair growled. Mirabelle’s smile became wider.

“A war! We haven't had a good one in years!” She laughed as she climbed down the ladder. She got about half way before she jumped and turned to face them. Giselle heard Alastair curse before he stormed out of the barn. She smiled weakly at Mirabelle before she dashed after him.

Instead of heading straight for the house as Giselle expected, Alastair was storming toward the forest. She had to jog to catch up with his longer stride. Even if she hadn't been able to, he was leaving a trail of hay in his wake. And even if he had managed to make it to the forest without shedding hay, all she would have had to do was follow the sound of his sneezes. Giselle could think of nothing helpful to say and was terrified she'd start laughing if she wasn't careful.

“What happened? I mean, aside from this.” She gestured toward him wildly. He snorted.

“I received a message directing me to the barn and she ambushed me.” He shook his head in disbelief. Giselle stopped for a moment, confused.

“Mirabelle summoned you to the barn and you just went?” She couldn't believe he'd make such a mistake. He laughed as they entered a clearing. Giselle saw light shimmering and realized it was water.

“No. It appeared to be from you, that you were waiting for me in the barn.” He stated as he marched toward the lake. “I let my cock lead me straight into her trap.”

“Oh, my.” Giselle said softly as she watched Alastair walk straight into the water until it was up to his waist. He ducked and disappeared beneath the surface. She waited for several moments before he came up for air. Silently, she admired how far he'd gone on one breath and was relieved to see that much of the hay had washed away. He gasped before disappearing again. When Alastair reappeared, he was close to the shore. He stood and shook his head, flinging water in an ark around him before he trudged out of the lake.

Giselle had to take a steadying breath as he approached. His clothing clung to his lean, muscled form and she felt lightheaded. Alastair ran his hands through his hair, slicking it back as he walked past her. She felt her body sway as desire swirled within her. He looked so sleek, yet wild. She shook her wits into place and took off after him.

“What are you going to do?” Giselle asked as she stared at his rigid expression.

“Not a damned thing. Clearly, my sister is a savage.” He muttered. She couldn't help but smile.

“Well… To be fair, it must have been very unpleasant for her to discover her bed full of dead fish.” Giselle offered, hoping to reason with him. He stopped and turned toward her.

“Are you taking her side?” He asked incredulously. She shook her head vigorously.

“Of course not!” She swayed toward him again. He was still furious and for some reason, she found the energy and tension that poured from him extremely arousing. Giselle licked her lips and tilted her head as she closed the distance between them. Alastair frowned as he lowered his head and let her lips brush his. He gave her only a moment before he straightened and stepped away.

“I'm quite miserable. I need a hot bath, soap and dry clothes.” He turned and continued back to the house.

Once inside, Giselle followed Alastair up the stairs and down the hall. He stopped outside of his door.

“You’re not coming in.” He said as he turned to her. She tried pouting but he shook his head. “Far too many people would notice and I intend to soak in peace until the water turns cold while I imagine Mirabelle covered in boils or attacked by bees.” As soon as he said it, he doubled over and sneezed several times. The door across from Alastair’s opened and Lucien's head popped out. He peeked down the hall in both directions before he stepped out.

“Are you alright?” He whispered as he kept his eyes turned toward the stairs. Giselle couldn't help but smile. Alastair narrowed his eyes at Lucien.

“I'll recover, I'm sure. No thanks to you, coward.” He hissed. Lucien grimaced.

“It was already done and there was nothing I could do to help. I did order you a bath though!” He smiled weakly. Alastair rolled his eyes.

“That makes up for everything.” He turned and opened his door. “I'll see the two of you before dinner.” He shut the door and left them both to stare at each other. Giselle bit her lip then looked around the hall awkwardly. Lucien groaned.

“I'm in terrible trouble, aren't I?” He said softly. She nodded and looked at him with pity.

“It does look like it.” She replied as she patted him on the arm. He shrugged and flashed a charming smile.

“Perhaps I can change her mind, if I apologize enough and beg for mercy. I can be quite convincing.” Lucien said as he looked in the direction of the ducal chambers. Giselle pursed her lips for a moment.

“Good luck with that.” She smiled reassuringly before she left him alone to ponder his fate. She heard him curse as she opened the door to her room.

Chapter 24

“How long do you intend to keep her in hiding, Cambroke?” Lady Gasden asked as Gilles crossed the room. He turned and leaned against the mantle of the fireplace. Of the numerous callers they’d entertained at Spencer Place the last two days, she was the only one that concerned him. Lady Gasden had been a close family friend and was a shrewd old dragon. She also carried a lot of weight within the ton. She would not be pacified with vague excuses.

“I assure you, I’m not hiding Lady St. Claire. She’s visiting my sister at Winthorpe. They have been friends for many years.” He kept his expression bland as his eyes monitored The Mothers and Elise. The appeared relaxed and nodded in agreement. Lady Gasden glared.

“The ton has been speculating for decades, no one has ever seen the child and all this time, the Spencers and Havilands have been in contact with her? Balderdash!” She declared. Gilles shrugged casually.

“Lady St. Claire is a very private person. We have only honored her wishes.” He waited as her eyes narrowed.

“Where has she been all this time?” She demanded. Gilles crossed his arms and stared at her.

“Does it really matter, Lady Gasden?” He smiled as she gasped. “You and everyone else will receive her just as happily whether she’s been in Scotland or Wales or on Mount Olympus. She could have spent her entire life hopping all over Britain and The Continent. There isn't a country between here and Russia that she doesn’t have relations in.” He dared her to contradict him. She sighed.

“True. I just don’t understand why it’s such a secret.” Lady Gasden complained. Gilles rested his arm on the mantle and smiled.

“Don’t you?” He asked. “One of her cousins just gained the throne of France and she has family in conflict all over Europe. I wouldn't want to have to answer prying political questions everywhere I went.” He examined his nails as he waited.

“What is your connection with her?” She asked accusatively. Gilles leveled his most sincere gaze at her.

“Her father is a very close friend of mine, I consider her a sister.” Lady Gasden’s eyes narrowed before she started cackling.

“I believe you. And do you know what else?” Her voice lowered and Gilles raised a brow. “I know what Aldous St. Claire was. I never believed for a minute that you were in India, Gilles.” She sat back as she watched him. Gilles remained perfectly still, calm. He willed Elise and The Mothers to appear unaffected. After a moment he crossed the room and took the seat opposite hers and reclined. He wanted to keep her focus on him.

“As I said, we consider Lady St. Claire a member of our family. She is very protective of her privacy and we will continue to do what we can to shield her. If you wish to gain her acquaintance, I would encourage you to be mindful of that.” He tried to keep the statement from sounding like a threat. Lady Gasden’s mouth fell open and her eyes clouded.

“Aldous is dead, isn’t he?” She whispered. Gilles held her gaze and gave nothing away. She frowned as she nodded her head. “He is and I think you’ve been helping that girl hide for years.”

“We have always helped her in any way she required.” He said softly. Lady Gasden looked around the room and The Mothers met her gaze directly and nodded in agreement. Elise smiled serenely as she lifted her teacup to her lips. Lady Gasden swung back to Gilles.

“She must be one and twenty? Two and twenty?” She asked.

“She is two and twenty.” He supplied.

“Why appear now?” She waited expectantly. Gilles crossed his legs casually and shrugged. She smiled deviously. “Do you know, I am probably the only one among the ton that’s noticed that Alastair has been missing.” He let his eyes flick to maman and she waited until Lady Gasden looked in her direction to smile. Gilles sighed.

“Alastair has been busy.” He allowed a hint of a smile and her eyes lit up.

“That sly fellow!” She started to wheeze. “All these years he’s let everyone think he wasn’t eligible while he’s been waiting for her. That’s what this is, isn’t it? The two of them have an understanding and she’s coming to Town so that it can be announced.” Lady Gasden looked from face to face but everyone remained casual, sipping their tea and smiling placidly.

“You don’t really expect any of us to discuss Lady St. Claire or Alastair’s private affairs, do you?” Madeline replied. Lady Gasden narrowed her eyes as she looked to Maman.

“I can’t believe you never mentioned anything about any of this, Celine!” She scolded. Maman looked at her sternly.

“I consider the trust of those I care for to be priceless. When I am given a secret to keep, I take it very seriously. I’m sure you can appreciate that, Patrice.” She held her gaze for several moments. Gilles frowned.
What is going on here?
He wondered. Lady Gasden nodded.

“Yes. You’ve always been a good friend.” She sighed as she finished her tea. “Tell me, is she anything like her mother?” She asked. Gilles smiled. He knew what she was hinting at.

“I have been told that she is very much like her mother.” He watched as her expression softened and she laughed gently.

“This shall be a pleasure to watch, then. Alastair is going to have his hands full and the ton isn’t going to be pleased that he was able to steal a march on the incomparable of the decade.” Lady Gasden waited for him to confirm or deny her statement but he remained passive. “I’m not certain that I would consider Mirabelle Haviland a suitable chaperone.” She announced as she gathered her shawl around her.

“Why would Lady St. Claire need a chaperone? She’s with my sister and her husband. Who would imagine there would be any likelihood of something scandalous happening?” Gilles asked with an impossibly straight face. Lady Gasden laughed.

“Anyone acquainted with your sister. You needn’t worry, I won’t say anything about you or your brother and Lady St. Claire.” She tried to rise and Gilles stood to help her to her feet. She patted his hand. “You have good children, even that Lucien.” Lady Gasden said softly as The Mothers leaned in to kiss her cheek. They saw her to the door as Gilles took the seat next to Elise. She leaned against him and he wrapped his arm around her.

“I think that went remarkably well!” Maman announced as she returned and settled into her seat. Madeline nodded as she sat next to her. Gilles pretended not to notice that Madeline took Maman’s hand and squeezed it.

“Thank you.” She whispered. Maman leaned affectionately against her for a moment.

“Always, Maddy.” She said softly.

Gilles wasn’t sure what had just passed between them but he felt Elise soften and she sighed silently.

Chapter 25

“I have money.” Giselle knew her words were slurring. LeVan smiled and pointed at her horse.

“Show me.” He ordered. She didn't want to turn away from him, she was sure that he would shoot her as soon as she did but there was nothing she could do. She had been so focused on staying upright in the saddle, then dismounting and not falling on her face that she hadn't even grabbed a knife before she walked toward him. Giselle cursed herself for being so stupid. She was totally unarmed, she had no business being there.

The only thing she could do was try to reach her horse before he could fire. The rain worked in her favor but if LeVan was responsible for killing so many operatives, he was probably smart enough to take it into account as well.

Giselle turned to run. She felt the sand and the weight of her wet clothes pulling at her, slowing her down and she tensed in expectation. He should have fired by now. She never got more than a few steps away before she heard the crack and felt herself thrown onto the sand. She blinked and looked at the beach and then up at the sky. The rain had stopped and the waves had receded. She turned and screamed as Alastair raised his arm and fired a pistol directly at her chest. Giselle reached for him as she felt herself fly backward.

She sat up, gasping as her heart pounded in her chest. She was warm and dry, in Alastair’s bed. Giselle looked at the window and saw that it was open and the curtains fluttered gently. She reached to her left and felt empty bed beside her before she heard movement.

She turned her head and opened her mouth to yell but nothing came out as LeVan raised a pistol and stepped into the weak moonlight. He looked as he did when she saw him last. His skin was gone and his chest and abdomen hung open. Blood and fluids poured down his legs and he swayed drunkenly. He smiled as the end of the muzzle flashed and thunder exploded in the room.

Giselle felt her body jump as her eyes snapped open. Her chest heaved and she was shaking. Alastair's arms closed tightly around her and he pressed her head against his chest as he made a shushing sound.

“You're alright. I won't let anything happen to you.” He whispered. She felt the tension leaving her body and she pushed the fear away.
Just dreams.
She thought as she breathed deep, pulling his warmth and scent into her. Alastair's eyes, as they had been on the beach, haunted her. They were empty and cold. Giselle squeezed her eyes shut and waited until they faded. His hand stroked her back, soothing her. “What was it?” He asked softly. She hesitated, not wanting to put words to what she had seen. “Was it the night you were shot?” She nodded and pushed away to sit up.

Giselle looked at the door. She felt cold and afraid, she needed to get out. She swallowed and tried to think of a reason she could give him to leave. Alastair sat up and stroked her hair as he leaned close. The temptation to lean against him was so strong but she was too scared. More scared of how good it would feel to let him comfort her than she was of the memory of that night or the dreams. His lips caressed her shoulder and panic rippled through her. She had never allowed herself to fear a man but suddenly, she was terrified.

“Giselle?” Alastair must have felt her tense. He turned her to face him and brushed her hair from her face. His hand cradled her cheek as his eyes searched her face. “Tell me what happened.” His voice was hard but it was a plea. Giselle shivered at the thought of thinking and speaking about it but he stared so intently, with such concern that she couldn't deny him.

“I said that I had money in my bag, I needed to get to it so I could get to my knives or pistols. LeVan told me to go to it. I saw it in his eyes, I knew he was going to try to kill me but all I could do was try to get to my bag first. I couldn't do that without turning my back to him. As soon as I did, I heard him fire and was thrown forward onto the sand.” Alastair closed his eyes and his head fell forward. She could barely breath and her palms felt slick. Giselle took a deep breath and continued. “The pain was tremendous. I couldn't move. I heard him approach and I did my best to remain as still as I could and prayed he didn't shoot me again to make sure I was truly dead. By then, the tide had reached me and I was soaked and becoming numb. He stepped over me and searched my bag. He found nothing and kicked sand in my face as he passed on his way back to his horse. I watched the water around me turn pink and then red as I listened and waited for him to mount and ride off. I waited for a few minutes before I slowly began to move and carefully looked to see if he was gone. As soon as I was sure it was safe, I pulled the shawl from around my neck and tied it around my chest as tight as I could to try and stop the bleeding. I knew I had lost a lot of blood and didn't have the strength to get back on my horse. Then, I heard a rider in the distance. I thought he was coming back to make sure I was dead. I slipped out of my cloak, it was already too heavy. I had no choice but to swim.” Alastair gasped. “I crawled out as far as I could and let go of my cloak hoping he'd see it and think I was under it. I pulled myself into the tide and let the current carry me, it was strong and the water was freezing. At first, everything hurt, I was nothing but pain and I couldn't pull in enough air whenever I could get my face out of the water. The numbness took over quickly and I tried so hard to fight off the drowsiness. I've never felt so weak, so tired. I don't know how long I hung on, every moment felt like an eternity. All I could hear was my heartbeat as I drifted. It became so slow, I would forget how long it had been since I had heard it last. When I finally felt myself slipping away, I was certain I was dying.”

“I think that it might have been the freezing water that saved you.” Alastair said softly. “From the location of your wound, you probably would have bled to death before Gilles reached you.” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, tentatively as their bodies connected. Giselle felt him relax and he pulled her tighter. She felt safe yet exposed. The urge to cry was overwhelming. She clenched her jaw and squeezed her eyes shut as she waited for it to pass. When she trusted her voice she pulled away.

“I dreamt that LeVan was in the room. You weren’t here and he shot me.” Her voice wavered as she recalled the rest of the dream. She couldn't tell him. His brows pulled together and he frowned.

“Are you worried that he's still alive and he’ll come after you?” His voice was a deep rumble as he rubbed a strand of her hair between his fingers. Giselle shook her head and he looked up, into her eyes. Part of her didn't want Alastair to know how much hatred and violence she was capable of while the rest of her felt that he deserved to know exactly what she was. She needed Alastair to see how beneath him she was, that she would never be suitable. Giselle couldn't make the mistake of hoping he would truly want to marry her. If she started hoping, she would start wanting and this life wasn't meant for her.

“There is no way LeVan is alive. I kept him on the verge of death for three days until I was sure he had given me everything and I was satisfied he had suffered enough.” Giselle waited for his disappointment or disapproval. Instead, he nodded.

“What did you do to him?” His expression was curious, understanding.
It won't last, not once he knows everything.
She thought. She had never felt shame or regret for the things she had done for her country but for once, Giselle wished there was less to tell. She couldn't spare him, it was better for both of them if he knew it all. She sighed as she leaned forward and kissed him briefly. One last time, while he still thought she was human. She let her lips cling for a moment before she pulled away and looked down at her hands.
Will they look different to him after this?
She wondered.

“I flayed him. Strip after strip of his flesh for every agent he killed until he could tell me nothing more. Then, I cut him open so he could feel my hands pulling his insides out. I ripped his heart from his chest and he watched it beat for a few seconds before he died. I threw it in the fire and watched it burn. He was living on a small farm. When I was done, I left the door opened so the pigs could have him.” When Giselle looked up she didn't find anything she expected. Instead, Alastair was thoughtful and pleased. She blinked in surprise as he pulled her to him and buried his face in the corner of her neck as he pulled her with him to the pillows.

“Good. I was worried he didn't die as he deserved.” He said as he kissed her forehead. Giselle pressed her face to his chest to hide her frown. She saw Alastair raise the pistol and fire and she shut her eyes. Fear bloomed within her. It was just a dream but she couldn't help but be afraid that Alastair was going to kill her. Not as he had in her dream. He wouldn't use a gun, he would destroy the person she had been and make her want everything she couldn't have. Once more, Giselle cleared her mind. She shut the fear and longing out and wallowed in blankness until she fell asleep.