Mistress of Merrivale (32 page)

She glanced over at the other groups watching the match from different vantage points. Spotting Hannah, she raised her right hand to wave. She froze when she saw the face of the man standing next to her.

Jack Boynton.

As she stared with horror at the man who had caused her so much pain and terror, Hannah turned her head. Their gazes met. Jocelyn couldn’t read Hannah’s expression from this distance, but Boynton’s presence shrieked of mischief.

Chapter Sixteen

Leo hadn’t seen Jocelyn since the end of the cricket match. She wasn’t with the women serving food or those helping to entertain the children.

“Have you seen Jocelyn?” he asked Mrs. Allenby.

“She went to organize more refreshments,” the vicar’s wife said. “It’s been a lovely day, just perfect. I want to thank you for hosting the festival. I know you were reluctant, but everyone has enjoyed the day.”

“You’re welcome.” Ursula had always disappeared during social engagements, usually to meet a lover. But Jocelyn wasn’t missing. She was merely seeing to a domestic matter. “It’s good to see everyone looking happy.”

Could he move on without causing offense? He wanted to find Jocelyn, merely to reassure himself of her good health. He nodded at Mrs. Allenby, relieved when she didn’t attempt to delay him or ask questions about his release from jail. So far the villagers had given him a wide berth unless forced into an exchange of words.

“Are you all right?” Cartwright asked in a gruff voice from behind him.

“I didn’t expect a welcome, but the whispers and averted gazes are disconcerting. No one is brave enough to say anything to my face. They’re worried about their livelihoods.”

“It’s difficult to blame them,” Cartwright said easily.

Leo let out a snort. The flames of the bonfire highlighted the faces of the people sitting around the fire. He couldn’t see Jocelyn and moved on, past the couples dancing. The music of the fiddle rang out, a joyous sound and one he hadn’t heard at Merrivale for too long. It reminded him of his childhood. A happy time spent playing with his cousins and running wild. The idea of his own children playing with Melburn’s offspring brought a spark of happiness. The picture grew to include Jocelyn with a bright smile on her face, her delightful laughter filling the air, the sun striking her hair and turning it into a fiery blaze and her flowery scent. God, he loved her flowers.

He loved her.

The thought sprang into his mind and felt natural, going some way to lighten the tension gripping in his chest. Jocelyn had won him over with her generous nature and determination to make the best of the obstacles life threw her way. He promised himself he’d make love to her at the next opportunity.

The landlord from the village pub stopped him. “Everyone has enjoyed today.”

“Your lady did a good job,” the landlord’s wife piped up.

“Aye,” the landlord agreed. “You have a good one there, not like—” He broke off when his wife elbowed him in the ribs. “The constable let you out of jail then.”

His wife dug him in the ribs again, and he glared at her.

Not like Ursula
. “I thank my cousin for introducing us,” Leo said, pretending he’d missed the interest regarding his release. “I’m very lucky.”

“Rumor says you’re expecting a child,” the landlord’s wife said.

He grinned. “Rumor would be true.” They’d known him since he was a child himself and felt free to ask nosy questions. “We’re pleased. Have you seen my wife? I want to make sure she isn’t overdoing things.”

“Aye,” the landlord said. “She was talking to Hannah.” His brow furrowed. “I noticed because your lady appeared angry when she always has a smile for everyone.”

“Where?” Jocelyn had mentioned Hannah was becoming a friend. Certainly Cassie’s behavior was better without the sulkiness Hannah’s visits had caused in the past.

“She was on the other side of the bonfire,” the landlord said with a wave of his hand.

With a farewell, Leo strode in the direction the landlord had indicated. Cartwright trotted behind him, and Leo paid him no mind. If Jocelyn was arguing with Hannah, something was wrong.

Hannah had arranged Boynton’s visit. In hindsight Jocelyn should have told Leo more about her problems with Boynton, especially after she’d seen the man in Tavistock. Made Leo understand how dangerous and unpredictable the other man was with his nasty moods.

How long had they planned this? Had the face she’d seen in the window belonged to Boynton and not her imagination as she’d convinced herself?

The more she thought about Hannah’s traitorous actions, the harder her head ached.

The woman appeared from the direction of the maze, sauntering in a manner that reminded Jocelyn of a stable cat stalking an unwary mouse. When Hannah glided to a stop in front of her, it wasn’t difficult to discern her malice. Hannah had planned this scenario to cause Jocelyn grief.

“I understand you know Boynton,” Hannah purred.

Jocelyn’s mouth compressed while she battled her temper. “Who?”

“Boynton knows you well.” Hannah’s smile turned gloating. “He has fond memories of your…beauty mark.” Hannah’s gaze drifted to Jocelyn’s arse before returning to her face. “Does Leo know you’re a whore?”

Jocelyn’s heart beat so loud it was all she could hear—the roar of thunderous fears crashing through her head. This wasn’t fair. She’d been happy with Leo and now gossip would spread. More gossip. Both she and Leo were offering rare delicacies for the locals to devour and dissect.

Hannah’s gaze drifted to Jocelyn’s belly, her sneer contorting her face into an ugly mask. “That’s not even Leo’s child.”

“The wind might change,” Jocelyn said, pretending a calm she didn’t feel. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to prod Hannah, but she didn’t intend to let the woman walk over her either. “It would be a tragedy for your face to remain in that grotesque grimace.”

“I wonder what Leo would say if he knew you’d been meeting Boynton and entertaining him in your bedroom while Leo was tucked away in jail?”

Jocelyn gasped. “That’s a lie.”

“I saw you meet by the river,” Hannah said. “I should have told Leo about your treachery. I’m shocked you’d entertain a man in your chamber, in your husband’s house. Criminal.” Her eyes gleamed with spiteful enjoyment. The friendship she’d offered during the past weeks a façade while she schemed to remove Jocelyn from Merrivale.

“Leo won’t believe you.” Jocelyn turned away. She didn’t have to listen to Hannah’s fabrications.

Hannah grasped her shoulder, jerking her painfully to halt her departure. Despite Hannah’s slight frame and Jocelyn’s greater height, the woman possessed a strength Jocelyn wouldn’t have suspected. “I mentioned the matter to Peregrine, and I believe he told his friends.”

“How do you know Boynton? He doesn’t have estates down this way.” Jocelyn had to learn how she’d given away her location. She’d felt safe at Merrivale Manor—for a time. Perhaps Boynton—no, as much as she disliked the man and knew him for a bully, the only one he’d wanted to hurt was her. A man’s pride was a fragile thing, and she’d stomped all over Boynton’s when she’d left him. “How did he know where I lived?”

Hannah’s sly chortle raised the hairs at the back of Jocelyn’s neck. “A mere coincidence.”

“How?” Jocelyn had to know.

“I met him at Duxton. One of Sir James’s private parties. He was in his cups, whining about a woman called Jocelyn who managed to escape him. I waited until he was sober, and the next day we conducted an interesting discussion. He knew a Jocelyn. I knew a Jocelyn, and both had red hair.” She cast a disparaging look at Jocelyn’s nose and her glee jumped to new heights. “And a host of freckles. I did Boynton a favor pointing out your location. He was most grateful.”

Hannah tightened her grip until a painful moan escaped Jocelyn.

“Let me go.” She wrenched free only to come face-to-face with Boynton.

“We meet again, my dear.” His husky tone bore none of the brutality she knew lurked beneath his suave surface.

Jocelyn backed up and bumped into Hannah.

“Peregrine wondered if madness ran in your family,” Hannah whispered in her ear.

“I am
not
mad. Leo will see through your lies.”
By St. Bridget!
She glanced left and right, dismay striking her. Without her realizing, they’d managed to maneuver her to a quiet part of the garden.

The strong scent of roses combined with Hannah’s violet perfume to produce a bout of queasiness, and Jocelyn clapped a hand over her mouth. The delicate scent did not suit Hannah’s treacherous personality.

“Ah, my dear. That’s where you’re wrong.” Boynton grasped her arm and forcibly propelled her deeper into the shadows. “You won’t have an opportunity to tell your husband anything because you’re running off with me. We’re going to create gossip that will do the rounds for years.”

“No!”

He chuckled, the rich sound contrasting with the roughness of his grip. His blunt nails dug into her flesh. She struggled, called out, but he was quick. He covered her mouth, muffling her cries.

“Can you deal with her?” Hannah asked.

“With pleasure,” Boynton replied.

Jocelyn swallowed her fear and wrapped herself in unconcern. A façade when terror danced a jig through her mind. She knew the atrocities Boynton was capable of, had experienced his attentions before.

Leo couldn’t find Jocelyn, and worry hastened his pace. Maybe she’d felt ill and had retired indoors for a brief respite. He retraced his steps to ask Woodley and Tilly.

“Is something wrong?” Cartwright asked.

“I can’t find Jocelyn. She knows not to wander off with a murderer on the loose.”

Cartwright’s bushy brows drew together. “Do you think someone has grabbed her?”

“No, I—maybe,” he said, addressing his concerns. “I’d feel better if I could locate her.”

“Leo.” Jaego forced Leo to come to an abrupt halt.

“I thought I made it clear our friendship was over when I found you fucking my wife,” Leo snapped.

“But Hannah said you’d softened, that you’d be amenable to reconciliation.”

“Hannah.” Leo snorted. “You put stock in anything she says?”

Jaego paused in clear confusion. “She lied?”

“Of course she did. You were my best friend. I didn’t expect betrayal and nothing will make me forgive you. Is that clear enough for you?”

“Please, Leo, you must forgive me. Ursula…she…she bewitched me.”

Leo bit off a laugh. “One thing we have in common. She drew me in like a siren, snaring me before I knew better. The woman was poison, and I’m well rid of her. I’d like to thank the person who freed me of the viperous bitch.”

Jaego’s expression froze in a comical mask. “You…you didn’t strangle her?”

Leo barked out a humorless laugh. “I didn’t have that pleasure. Jaego, Hannah lied to you. I have no interest in renewing our friendship. If you’re wise you’ll leave now before I decide my daughter bears a distressing likeness to you.” Leo turned away, but Jaego stilled him with a hand on the shoulder. At the end of his patience, Leo lashed out with his fist, putting every bit of his grief and fury into the punch.

One second Jaego was standing. The next, he lay sprawled at Leo’s feet. Leo shook his hand, ignoring the throb and stalked away from his past without looking back.

“I bet that felt good,” Cartwright said.

“Instead of trailing me, why don’t you help me search for Jocelyn?” Leo snapped. A tight band of worry constricted his chest, making each breath difficult. Where the devil was she?

“Of course,” Cartwright said. “I’ll search the bonfire and refreshment area.”

“I’ll start with the gardens and meet you there.” Leo found Woodley and Tilly enjoying the music and watching the dancers. “Have you seen Jocelyn?”

“Not since the feast.” Tilly’s brow wrinkled. “Is something amiss?”

“I don’t think so.” He thought of Hannah’s machinations. “Maybe. I’d rest easier if I could check she isn’t overdoing things.”

“Good grief,” Woodley said, looking past Leo. “What is wrong with Miss Hannah?”

Leo swung around. Locks of Hannah’s hair hung around her face in disarray. A green leaf clung to one side of her head while the hem of her black gown bore splotches of dirt. Her chest heaved as she gasped for air. “Leo, thank goodness I’ve found you.”

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

“Oh, dear. I don’t know if I should tell you this.” Indecision rode her and the silence grew until Leo wanted to shake words from her.

“Have you seen Jocelyn?”

“Yes. I don’t like to be the bearer of bad news…”

“Spit it out.” He didn’t have time for this. “Where is she?”

Woodley and Tilly stood, flanking him, united in their concern for Jocelyn.

“Is something wrong with her?” Woodley asked.

“Where is she?” Tilly demanded. “Tell me so I can go to her.”

“This is rather embarrassing,” Hannah said.

“Hannah.” Leo’s hands bunched. “If you know where my wife is, tell me now.”