Notorious Deception (28 page)

With Diana no longer blocking his path, Derek was able to easily climb through the window. In a moment, he was standing safely inside the room, not certain if he wanted to throttle or embrace his wife.

“I was terrified when I saw you standing out there,” Diana said, throwing herself into his arms. “What ever made you do such a foolish thing?”

He grunted. He was vastly relieved to find Diana here and apparently unharmed. “I have come to rescue you. I was under the mistaken impression you would be pleased to see me.”

“Of course I am happy to see you,” Diana said with a frown. “I was not expecting to see you outside my window. That's all.” She shuddered. “You frightened me, Derek. I was certain you would fall.”

He flashed a smile. “I very well might have fallen if my lovely wife continued helping me.” He pulled away from her embrace, his keen eyes scanning the room. He quickly removed the rope slung over his chest and tied one end to the base of the fireplace mantel. He then tugged vigorously on it, testing its strength.

Diana watched in silent fascination. When he had completed his task, she asked, “What is the rope for, Derek?”

“Climbing.”

“Oh, I see. All your men are going to climb up here, so you can make a surprise attack from within the house. A clever plan.”

Derek raised an eyebrow. “That is a very interesting approach to the problem,” he said casually, checking the rope a final time. “But hardly a practical strategy, Diana. Ten men climbing up the side of the house are sure to be noticed. You and I will climb down. Once you are safely out of the house, I shall confront Marlow.”

Diana froze. “Surely, you are joking, Derek.” She licked her lips nervously when he did not respond. “You cannot possibly expect me to climb out the window, step onto that very narrow ledge, and then climb down the side of the house. I'll break my neck.”

“I will help you,” he said, acting as if he had not heard her protests. He held out his hand expectantly. “Come along, Diana.”

She folded her arms across her chest. “You are not listening to me, Derek. I just told you I cannot go out on the ledge.” She let out her breath in a huff.

“Sweetheart, it is not that difficult. The bricks and mortar are old and I have made numerous toeholds. Plus the rope is here to guide and support you.”

“I don't care if there are steps in the bloody bricks. I am not climbing out on the ledge.”

He threw up his arms in frustration. “Diana, I am not about to debate the point with you.”

“You are right. There is no cause for debate,” Diana said. “If this is your brilliant plan to rescue me, you will have to rethink it. I must admit, Derek, I am sorely disappointed.”

“Diana,” he said.

“I swear to you, I would rather face Marlow alone than climb out the window. You will simply have to come up with an alternative plan.”

“There is no time for an alternative plan,” he said impatiently. “Morgan and Tristan are waiting below for us. We must leave now.”

“I cannot,”

Derek shot her a look of pure annoyance and strode purposefully toward her. Without uttering another word, he picked her up and hoisted her over his shoulder. She would have screamed if she hadn't been taken so completely by surprise. When he began to climb out the window, she again found her voice.

“Derek, wait. Please listen to me first. I have discovered some very important information that will help you formulate a new plan. To rescue me. And capture Marlow.”

“I already have a plan to rescue you,” he said through clenched teeth. “It is a fine plan. A sound plan. And it shall be a successful plan, if you will only cease complaining and allow me to execute it.”

She grew more apprehensive at her husband's words. He was not going to easily give up on this idea, she concluded with dismay. She started speaking again, but lost her voice when Derek straddled the ledge.

Diana thought she was going to faint. Good Lord, he actually was going to carry her down the side of the house. She pulled hard on his coat, desperately trying to get him to listen. “Marlow is expecting you, Derek. He planned for you to find me here.”

Derek paused a moment, and her voice rose with excitement when she realized she had captured his attention.

“I know who Marlow is too. You won't believe it. He is really Rotherby, that foppish dandy. And I found his stupid book. It was hidden in the hunting picture in the drawing room—you know the one with Giles holding a fox. Marlow and Giles were partners in a horrible blackmail scheme. And—”

Derek slowly lowered his wife to her feet, inside the room. He held up his hand for silence. She was starting to babble, and although he was clearly amazed at the array of impressive secrets she revealed, she was starting to confuse him. “Slow down, Diana. You are going too fast for me to make any sense of this.”

Diana took a deep breath, and in the ensuing silence, Derek heard the ominous sound of footsteps approaching. “Someone is coming,” he whispered urgently. “Quick, stand over by the mantel in front of the rope.”

Diana reacted automatically and followed his orders. She gasped loudly as Derek slipped back outside onto the ledge, but her attention was diverted by the opening of the door.

Jonathan Marlow took only three short steps into the room before Derek burst through the window, shattering the top panes of glass as made his daring entrance.

Even though Diana had just informed him of Marlow's identity, Derek was shocked to see the fawning dandy he knew as Rotherby standing before him. His moment's hesitation afforded Marlow time to reach for a pistol hidden in his coat pocket. When Derek saw the weapon, he instantly lunged for Marlow and they struggled briefly for the pistol.

Marlow would not relinquish his grip, and as they rolled on the ground, Derek could feel Marlow's hand tighten on the trigger. He was able to push the gun away from his chest and toward Marlow, just as the other man released the trigger.

The noise was deafening. The smell of smoke and blood instantly assaulted Derek's nostrils. He felt Marlow's body slump limply, heavily, on his own and knew the other man was dead.

“Derek,” Diana said. “My God, are you injured?”

He looked calmly at Diana's horrified face bending over him. “I am fine, sweetheart.” He shoved Marlow's body off his chest. At her shocked gasp, he glanced down at his blood-soaked shirt and jacket. “'Tis Marlow's blood, Diana. I fear he is dead.”

“I am glad.”

Derek looked at his wife. Despite her bloodthirsty response he knew she was terrified. He wanted to hold her close and comfort her, but he could not, not while his body was covered in Marlow's blood. Instead, he comforted her with gentle words. “It is all over, Diana. Marlow can never hurt you. And the secrets he carried about Giles are gone too.”

Diana smiled faintly. “It is over,” she repeated quietly. “It is truly over.” She closed her eyes. “Thank you, Derek.”

“I love you very much, Diana,” he said softly as he rose to his feet.

The door unexpectedly thrust open and Morgan appeared, pistols drawn in each hand. Derek shoved Diana instinctively behind him, but grinned with relief when he saw the duke.

“Are you hurt?” Morgan asked, his eyes resting on Derek's bloodstained chest.

He shook his head. “We are both unharmed. Marlow, or should I say Rotherby, is dead.”

“Rotherby?” Tristan asked as he joined his brother in the doorway. He too had his weapons drawn.

“Hard to believe,” Derek said dryly, nudging Marlow's inert form with the tip of his boot. “He very cleverly fooled us all.”

Diana gingerly removed the black leather book from the pocket of her gown. “I imagine there are numerous people who will be pleased to learn of his death.”

Derek took the book with interest. “You said something before about blackmail, Diana?”

“Yes. Marlow told me the book contains numerous bits of sordid information he and Giles used to extort funds from members of society and the government. I attempted to read the book when I first found it, but could not understand the citations. It must be written in some sort of code.”

Derek fanned the pages of the small book with fascination before handing it over to Tristan. “I trust you will keep this safe. We shall no doubt spend many hours trying to decipher this code, Tris. After we have determined exactly what information we have discovered, we will decide what to do with the book.”

“Fine.” Tristan turned to his brother. “I believe the house is secure, but Morgan and I shall check the rest of the rooms to be certain. We will wait for you outside.”

After they left, Derek placed a comforting arm around Diana's shoulders. He could feel her trembling.

“Thank God, you are safe,” he said softly. “I nearly went out of my mind when I returned home and discovered Marlow had kidnapped you.”

“He was waiting in the front hall.” Diana shuddered. “I had just discovered the book hidden in the back of the painting and was rushing to tell Mr. Ramsey.” She stopped abruptly and searched through the pocket of her gown. “Wait, there is something else. In all the confusion, I forgot about it.” She pulled out a sheet of paper and carefully unfolded it.

“What is that?” Derek asked.

“I found it with the book,” Diana said. “It is the missing church register page. The only existing proof of my marriage to Giles.”

Silently, Derek took the paper his wife held out to him. “We were right. Giles must have stolen this soon after your wedding.”

Hand in hand Derek and Diana walked to the fireplace. Only a small flame flickered in the grate, but it was sufficient. Ceremonially, Derek tossed the paper into the fire. It caught immediately, bursting into flames.

“Now that we have discovered the truth about Marlow, I strongly suspect we will find your property deeds among Rotherby's papers.” His voice deepened with emotion. “It will bring me great pleasure to turn over the stolen deeds to you, my dear.”

“Thank you, Derek.” She kissed his cheek softly. “I am finally free,” she whispered softly.

“It is a glorious relief for both of us, my love,” he whispered. Seeking to lighten the mood, he flashed her a devilish grin. “And the very best part of all, my dear, is I won't have to make you climb out that damn window!”

The musicians were poised, their instruments ready, and Morgan, holding his wife close to his chest, waited until the hushed whispers died down before nodding his head. At his command, the strains of a lovely waltz echoed through the vast ballroom, and the musicians played enthusiastically while the crush of elegantly clad guests joined in the dance.

The Earl of Harrowby was not among those on the dance floor. He was trying to persuade his beautiful wife be his partner, but Diana continually rejected his advances.

“Diana, you are being very foolish about this,” Derek said.

She grimaced at him and sank back farther into her chair. “For pity's sake, Derek,” she said, “stop badgering me. I have no intention of parading about the dance floor in my condition. Now leave me alone.”

“Are you feeling unwell?”

She shook her head. She didn't dare tell him the truth. Despite his outward calmness, she instinctively knew he would overreact. Visions of Derek lifting her up in his arms and carrying her out of the ballroom filled her head. What a spectacle! “I feel fine, Derek. Just a bit conspicuous, that is all.”

Derek eyed her rounded belly. “Even being eight and a half months pregnant, you are the most beautiful and desirable woman in attendance tonight, Diana. Come, dance with met.”

She could not help the smile that tugged at her lips. “You are fast learning how to flatter me, my lord.”

Derek grinned charmingly. “I am getting rather good at it, aren't I?”

“Getting good at what?” Caroline asked, joining them.

“Having his own way,” Diana said, glancing with envy at Caroline's slim waist. “I presume you were upstairs in the nursery again. How is young Richard this evening?”

Caroline's face took on a radiant glow of happiness. “My son is absolute perfection. Everyone agrees he is advanced well beyond his three months of age. He and his youngest cousin, Victoria, were screaming down the nursery with hunger cries. Alyssa and I have just come from feeding them. Now that they have both gorged themselves like little piglets, they are sleeping soundly. It is a heartwarming sight.”

“Quiet, slumbering infants are indeed a heartwarming sight,” Tristan said, walking up to his wife. “I do take exception, however, to my handsome son and dainty niece being referred to as piglets, Caroline.”

Caroline laughed. “The truth is not always easy to accept, Tristan. When it comes to his meals, our Richard is a greedy little boy.”

Tristan glanced boldly at his wife's breasts. “As long as the lad leaves some for his father, I shall not quibble,” he said with a lecherous grin.

“Tris!” Caroline colored noticeably.

“Yes, love?”

“I think you had better lead me out on the dance floor,” Caroline said. She squeezed his arm forcefully, then turned to Derek and said, “Why are you not dancing with your lovely wife?”

“I have been trying to persuade her, but she continues to rebuff me,” Derek said with mocking regret.

Three pairs of eyes regarded Diana thoughtfully. She glanced ruefully down at her protruding belly. She was starting to feel a little better, yet she hesitated, slightly embarrassed. “What will people say?”

“They will probably remark, with great envy, on the astonishing fertility of the Ashton family,” Tristan said kindly. “Three babies in one year. We surely are blessed.”

Diana could see he was sincere. “You are right,” she said suddenly, dismissing her earlier misgivings.

Derek held out his hand to assist her from her chair. Once they were on the dance floor, Diana began to relax. Being held so lovingly in Derek's arms always had a soothing effect on her.

“Feeling better, sweetheart?”

She looked up at him. “I'm sorry I am being so difficult, Derek.”

Derek smiled down at her. “You aren't being difficult, Diana. Just very pregnant. Take heart, Diana. This shall all be over soon.”

She merely smiled at her husband, as another cramp gripped her belly. It would be over sooner than he knew, she thought smugly. Her labor pains had begun an hour ago, but she knew it would be many long hours before the child was actually born. There was no pressing need to inform Derek of that.

The annual winter ball held at Ramsgate Castle, Morgan and Alyssa's home, would provide the perfect distraction until her pains became more severe, Diana decided. She gave her husband another enchanting grin and took a deep breath. It was going to be a lovely evening.

 

At dawn, Diana delivered a small, but healthy baby girl. She lay back against the pillows and listened with pure joy to the lusty cries of her newborn daughter. She felt relief, exhaustion, and euphoria simultaneously.

Derek cuddled his new daughter lovingly, and Diana knew it had been almost unbearable for him to watch her struggle-through the last few hours of intense labor. But now that the baby had been born, his face reflected his immense relief.

“Derek?”

“Yes, love.” He sat on the edge of the bed, gingerly holding the infant in his arms.

She looked up at her husband, and her eyes filled with tears. “She is rather tiny, our new little girl.”

“She is magnificent,” he said in a strong voice. The baby opened her small mouth and yawned delicately. Turning to Diana with a teasing grin he said, “Morgan and I have decided to share the costs of constructing a convent.”

“A convent?”

“A convent. For all of our daughters. So we can adequately protect them from the world's irresistible scoundrels.”

“You mean men like their fathers,” Diana said with a mischievous smile.

Derek laughed. “Tristan was correct, my love,” he said, leaning over to kiss her damp brow. “We are truly blessed.”