Of Dukes and Deceptions (9 page)

“I use it on external wounds that don’t heal naturally. I have to ensure they can’t lick it away, though. If they were to ingest even a little, they’d die very painful deaths.”

“Oh, I see.”

Maria appeared to lose interest after that and returned to the subject of the forthcoming party. She lived in expectation of making a favourable impression upon His Grace in her fabulous new ball gown. Was confident that she’d spend half the night dancing with him.

Alicia’s attention was now focused on a badger with a badly injured paw. She didn’t believe Maria stood an earthly chance of achieving that ambition but knew it would be a waste of her breath to say so.

“Any news from the sickroom, Gibson?”

“There ain’t anyone in it.”

Nick frowned. “How can that be?”

“Well, it seems Miss Woodley’s been in her animal hospital most of the afternoon.”

“Blast! I wish I’d known. I urgently need to talk to her.”

“Talk?” Gibson’s expression was openly sceptical.

“Yes, Gibson, talk.” Nick sighed. “She needs to be aware that her accident was no accident.”

“Won’t that overset her?”

“No, I’m persuaded that she’s made of sterner stuff. Besides, no one outside this house has any reason to wish her dead, so it must be one of her family who wants her done away with.” He paced the length of the room in some agitation. “And what better time to try than when the house is crowded with strangers, as it will be tonight?”

“I suppose so. By the way, the word below stairs is that Frederick Woodley’s renewed his addresses and this time Miss Woodley’s agreed to consider them.”

Nick elevated a brow. “Has she indeed! That does surprise me. Even so, it doesn’t change anything. She still ought to know she’s in danger.”

“Where’re you going?”

“To check on the progress of a sick rabbit.”

Nick left the room to the sound of Gibson’s ribald guffaw. He was approaching Alicia’s barn when the door opened and Maria Woodley emerged. Swiftly he concealed himself. If she caught him anywhere near Alicia, inappropriate conclusions would be drawn. He’d already discovered that Maria was given to sulking when she didn’t get her own way, and he had no wish to complicate matters by setting her against him.

He waited some moments to be sure she’d returned to the house, wondering what could have possessed a fastidious creature like Maria to venture into the muddy yard. He didn’t think she was so fond of her cousin that she’d risk ruining her slippers just to enquire after her health. He slipped into Alicia’s domain without pausing to knock. This barn was overlooked by some of the rooms at the back of the house. It wouldn’t do to be seen loitering outside it.

Alicia looked up when she heard the door closing behind him. “Oh, it’s you.”

Nick might have hoped for a warmer greeting but already knew Alicia well enough not to be disappointed. “I came to enquire how you feel.”

“As you see.” She concentrated her attention on the badger cub on her lap. For some reason she didn’t seem to want to look at him.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better. But I’d advise against overexerting yourself.”

“So you seek to prevent me from attending this evening’s party too.” She looked up again and this time fastened her remarkable eyes squarely upon his face. “First my aunt, then Maria, and now you.” She offered him the ghost of a smile. “If I were the sensitive type, I’d be feeling put out by everyone’s determination to exclude me.”

“Without your presence the party will be a dull affair. But I’m willing to sacrifice the pleasure of your company since I’m more concerned for your welfare. You shouldn’t underestimate the effects of concussion, you know. I wouldn’t have you set yourself back for the sake of an evening’s entertainment.”

She returned the badger cub to a pen. “Thank you, Your Grace. I’m grateful for your concern. And talking of gratitude, I believe I owe you my thanks. I understand you came across me and brought me back to the house.”

He bowed. “It was nothing.”

“I disagree. It was a very great deal.” She sighed. “You must find me a dreadful trial. First Matilda almost caused you to have an accident. Then I was responsible for you getting drenched to the skin. And now this.” She offered him an apologetic smile. “I’m not usually so helpless.”

Nick smiled his reassurance. “I hadn’t, for one moment, supposed that you are.”

Looking at her deathly pale face, he was assaulted by a range of emotions he was at a loss to identify. The silence, taut and brittle, lengthened between them. A tiny frown invaded her brow, as though she sensed their relationship had just undergone some fundamental alteration and was struggling to comprehend its nature.

Nick sensed it too. He was overwhelmed with a torrent of protective feelings toward her, silently vowing to keep her safe from further murderous attacks. He wouldn’t leave this place until he could satisfy himself that the danger had passed, which meant identifying the crime’s perpetrator. None of her relations could be trusted to take proper care of her, so that duty would just have to fall to him.

Under normal circumstances he wouldn’t hesitate to use their current situation to his advantage. They were alone in a barn full of the softest, most inviting-looking straw he’d ever seen. It was the perfect opportunity to further his amatory ambitions. But he wouldn’t take it. She might feel she had no choice but to submit because she was in his debt. He shook his head. It was as he’d told her before. She must come to him and put her request into words without any coercion on his part.

“How’s our rabbit?” he asked.

“See for yourself.”

She pointed to an open pen. The rabbit—every bit as scrawny as he recalled—was nibbling away at something green. The pen wasn’t enclosed, but the rabbit showed no desire to escape. Amazingly, the other residents—creatures that would normally be at odds with one another—were also free to roam but didn’t appear to wish their fellow patients any harm.

Alicia had moved to stand beside him. Her close proximity immediately tested Nick’s resolve to keep her at arm’s length. He clenched his fists and concentrated his thoughts upon her cousin Maria. An instant means of quelling his desire.

“She seems to be recovering remarkably quickly,” he said.

“Yes, she’ll be well enough to return to the wild in a week or so.”

“So, sweet Alicia,” he said softly, “it seems I must now claim my position as your guardian, as well as that of the rabbit’s.”

“Nonsense!”

“Oh, but I insist upon your indulging a superstitious man’s whims. I saved your life and so I’m responsible for you until such time as you can return the favour.”

“I can’t imagine that situation ever arising.”

He shrugged. “Then you’ll remain eternally in my debt.”

Slowly he lowered his head and covered her lips with his own. This was madness! Hadn’t he just decided not to put her in a position where she felt under obligation toward him? That was the
only
right and honourable course to take, so why was he doing precisely the opposite?

Nick simply didn’t know what madness drove him. There was just an indefinable something about her that enthralled him. What harm could there be in stealing just one kiss?

He supported her by placing an arm round her waist, careful to avoid contact with her injured arm and the dressing which covered her bruised head. She swayed against him, and he didn’t know if she was overcome with passion or swooning as a result of her injuries.

But he was already past caring. Her lips were agonisingly sweet. Delicate and fragrant. The desire to deepen the kiss was intense but her reaction, or lack of it, brought him to his senses. He released her. He’d come here to warn her that her life was in danger, not seduce her.

“Alicia, I need to warn you that—”

The door opened. “Damn!” Nick swiftly moved away from her.

“Come along, lamb, you’ve been in here for…oh! Excuse me, Your Grace.” Janet dropped a hasty curtsey. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“I came to enquire after Miss Woodley’s health.” He bowed over Alicia’s hand, brushing his lips across her knuckles. “I rejoice to see you on the road to recovery, Miss Woodley, and look forward to seeing you at dinner this evening.”

“Thank you.” She paused. “For everything.”

“You’re entirely welcome.”

“Good day, Your Grace.” She curtsied and smiled simultaneously.

“I need to have a private word with you later,” he said in an undertone as he escorted her to the door, leaving her in Janet’s care.

“How is she?” Gibson held out Nick’s coat and examined it critically for imagined imperfections.

“Weak but insisting upon attending tonight’s party.”

“And how did she take the warning that someone’s trying to kill her?”

“I didn’t actually have the opportunity to broach the subject.”

“Oh, aye.” Gibson eyed Nick askance. “Wot were you talking about then?”

“That’s no concern of yours.” He ignored Gibson’s raucous chuckle. “The only good thing about her attending tonight’s soiree is that I’ll be able to keep her in my sights.”

“What about tomorrow, though?”

“What indeed?” Nick shrugged. “I can hardly tell her in a room full of her relations that one of them might be trying to kill her, but she
does
need to know. I shall need your help to get her alone.”

“All right. Wot do you have in mind?” Gibson asked. Nick told him. “Blimey, you don’t ask much, do you.”

“Nevertheless, it’s necessary.”

“I suppose it is.” Gibson offered up a martyred sigh. “Leave it to me then, guv’nor, and I’ll see wot I can do.” He paused. “Shall I start packing afterwards? I assume we’ll be on our way tomorrow.”

“No, I still haven’t got to the bottom of this business with the stud. The accounts have yet to be produced. And I can’t leave Miss Woodley until I’m satisfied she’ll be safe.”

“There’s no reason why the accounts should be delayed. It’s a ploy to keep you here, if you ask me. And if we stay much longer, it’ll raise expectations. You’re spending a deal of time with Maria Woodley. If you’re not careful, yer actions’ll be taken the wrong way.”

“I’m not spending time with her, Gibson.” Nick glowered. “It’s she who’s pursuing me.”

“Well, I know that, obviously, but it ain’t how it looks to outsiders. The minx is determined to have you and she’s uncommonly crafty about it, if you ask me. It wouldn’t surprise me if she arranged for her cousin to be attacked just to keep you here.”

“Warning heeded.” Nick grimly headed for the door.

He was curious to meet Woodley’s guests. This was prime horse country and he might learn something useful about the stud to substantiate Dawson’s claims. He was introduced to one dreary middle-class neighbour after another. None of their names were familiar to him since he didn’t usually mix in such lowly circles. Why in the name of Hades did Woodley suppose these people would interest him? But one thing struck him as exceedingly odd. Woodley was surrounded by horse breeders and hadn’t invited a single one to join them this evening.

He was trying to decide if that was significant when Alicia appeared. She was wearing the same emerald gown he’d so admired on his first evening here. Her hair had been fashioned to conceal the dressing on her temple. She looked pale but composed as she glided into the room. Frederick Woodley materialised and took up a place beside her, staking a claim.

Nick grinned behind his hand. He’d never knowingly backed down from a challenge and wasn’t about to start now.

He excused himself from the matron and her tiresome daughter who were attempting to engage him in conversation and crossed the room to join Alicia.

“Miss Woodley, may I enquire how you’re feeling?”

“Thank you, Your Grace. Apart from an injured arm and sore head I’m entirely recovered.”

“I’m gratified to hear you say so.”

“I believe I owe you my thanks. I understand that you came to my rescue.”

“Actually, it was Jasper,” he said, offering her a smile that pointedly excluded Frederick Woodley. She appeared anxious to create the impression that they hadn’t already held this conversation in private and he was happy to go along with that charade.

“Yes, and he’s already been rewarded.”

Nick wanted to ask what reward she had in mind for him. He left the words unspoken, making do with a significant smile that caused her to blush. Woodley was shuffling awkwardly at Alicia’s side, clearly wanting rid of him. Nick’s own time with her would come later, if Gibson played his part right, but out of sheer devilment he lingered. He was curious to see if Alicia was forming an attachment to her cousin or if the servants had, for once, got it wrong.

“It’s always gratifying to have a tame lap dog by one’s side, Miss Woodley.”

His eyes lingered upon Frederick Woodley as he spoke. His meaning couldn’t have been clearer. When Alicia was compelled to stifle a giggle, Nick knew Woodley’s suit was doomed to failure. He strolled away from them and condescended to be introduced to a few of the latecomers. Suddenly he was in a very good mood and treated the awestruck guests with a greater degree of civility than they had any right to expect.

Nick wasn’t surprised when dinner was announced and he was obliged to escort Maria in. Alicia was seated as far away from him as the expanse of the mahogany table could geographically place her. Predictably, Frederick Woodley was dancing attendance upon her. There were in excess of thirty people at table. More were expected afterward for the dancing, but Alicia had indicated that her injuries precluded her from taking to the floor. Maria would be disappointed to discover that Nick was similarly minded. He’d heeded Gibson’s warning and wouldn’t invite further speculation by dancing with the chit. Or any other lady for that matter. Except one.

And that dance would be conducted in private.

The musicians were tuning up. Alicia adored dancing but even if she’d been well enough to participate she suspected Frederick would cling, just as he had all the evening. That would make it impossible for her to dance with anyone else and raise more speculation about her intentions. Perhaps she’d slip quietly away now. In this crush she’d never be missed. She was about to leave the room when a footman approached her.

“Janet needs to see you urgently, miss.”

Alicia stood up, vaguely alarmed, wondering if her maid was unwell. Why else would she have disturbed her at such a moment? “I’ll come at once. Where is she?”

The footman led her across the chequered floor of the vestibule, through a small salon and into the conservatory. Alicia’s aunt had added it to the house almost as soon as she took possession. In spite of the ostentatious marble columns and ghastly gargoyles that adorned the walls, Alicia enjoyed its light spaciousness and the fact that it was filled, virtually year round, with the fragrant scent of miniature roses. A riot of greenery competed for space at one end of the room, and a small pond bursting with goldfish dominated its centre. She often sat here alone in the evenings, having one-sided conversations with the fish about her aspirations. Alicia looked about her, wondering where Janet was.

“Thank you.” Alicia dismissed the footman. “Janet, are you there?”

“Miss Woodley.” The duke stepped out from behind one of the columns Alicia so disliked, causing her to start violently.

“Your Grace, what are you doing here? I understood my maid had need of me.”

“A small deception on my part to get you here alone. I need to talk to you.”

“I hardly think it appropriate that—”

“Your maid is immediately outside the door which, as you can see, I’ve left partially open.” Janet popped her head round the door, smiled and withdrew. “Besides,” he added with a somnolent smile that caused her insides to dissolve, “you forget that I saved your life, which means you’re obliged to do as I ask.”

“Nonsense!”

“But it’s true. I’m a very superstitious man, Alicia. I’d never invite misfortune by ignoring such legends.”

“But I’ve already absolved you from responsibility for me.”

“Ah, but that decision isn’t yours to make.” He smiled directly into her eyes and held her gaze.

“I believe you’re making this all up,” she said crossly. “However, since you insist, I shall hear what you have to say.”

Alicia, who still felt debilitated if she stood for too long, seated herself on a chaise longue. The duke asked permission to sit beside her and she waved her ascent.

He whipped the tails of his coat aside with a practised flip of his wrist. “I don’t consider you’re likely to swoon if you receive bad tidings so I’ll be frank.”

“All to the good. I believe this is a situation which calls for frankness and brevity.”

Alicia stole a glance at his noble profile. She was deeply aware of his aura of smooth sophistication. Of the indefinable something that hung in the air between them. The spacious conservatory suddenly seemed dwarfed by his presence. Profoundly sensual emotions assailed her from all sides as she considered the dangers, the inadvisability, of being here alone with him.

Since the interlude in the barn that afternoon, she’d vowed to keep her distance from him lest temptation got the better of common sense. She’d made a conscious effort to banish to the back of her mind his invitation to dip her toe into forbidden waters. But it continued to intrude upon her thoughts, testing her resolve. She’d been safe enough when he displayed the face of arrogant invincibility which so angered her. But she thought she’d seen glimpses of the real man beneath all that pomposity once or twice over the past two days. As a result she was now oscillating wildly.

Especially since he’d kissed her.

That changed everything. Other gentlemen had sought to steal a kiss over the years but she’d experienced no difficulties in rebuffing their advances. But the duke was altogether another matter and she could no longer deny his attractiveness. At least, not to herself. The pull of some invisible thread drew her toward him almost against her will.

Almost.

He frequently succeeded in rousing her to anger for no apparent reason, which was most peculiar. Alicia had learned the wisdom of patience since her father’s demise. She
never
lost her temper unless confronted by an exceptionally vicious example of animal cruelty. But His Grace effortlessly seemed to engender wild mood swings in her. He agitated dormant passions she was unaware she possessed, rousing her curiosity about forbidden activities.

“What do you wish to say to me?” She folded her hands decorously in her lap and kept her eyes focused on them.

“I don’t mean to distress you,” he said gently, “but you should be aware that your accident yesterday was no accident.”

She gasped. “Whatever do you mean?”

“What I mean is that someone deliberately attempted to kill you.”

“No, I don’t believe it!” Alicia experienced no alarm. His Grace must have got it wrong. “Whoever would wish to kill me?”

“That’s what I was hoping you’d be able to tell me.”

“But my death would benefit no one. I might have ruffled a few feathers amongst the villagers over the years by interrupting their poaching activities, I suppose. But I’m not aware of anyone who holds me in sufficient dislike to want to do away with me.”

“There must be a good reason for it. If you doubt that it was a deliberate attack, just consider the circumstances for a moment. Have you ever known the local poachers to use firearms before?”

“No,” she confessed with a slow shake of her head, “I suppose I never have.”

“And do you regularly take that cart track to go to the village?”

“Yes, it reduces the distance by a good two miles.”

“And anyone would know that.”

“Yes, if they were interested enough in my routine to keep me under observation. But I still don’t see—”

“But yesterday you left earlier than usual in order to avoid me.”

Alicia felt her temper flare at this latest display of arrogance. He couldn’t possibly know that his assertion was correct. She made to protest but he silenced her with a wave of his hand.

“Had you followed your normal routine, you would still have been in the thick woods when the gunman struck. You’d have been moving at walking pace because of the narrowness of the lane. The gunman would have been able to conceal himself easily until you were directly in his line of sight.”

“Possibly, but I still don’t understand—”

“He’d have been hard-pressed to miss his target, Alicia.” He spoke with infinite gentleness, taking her hand and clasping it firmly in his. She was too stunned to prevent him. His assertion had to be untrue, of course, even if to an outsider it seemed logical. “By leaving early yesterday you undoubtedly saved your own life.”

“Oh!” She lifted a trembling hand to cover her mouth. “But who, I mean, why—”

“Your inheritance, perhaps? Forgive me for speaking bluntly about matters that don’t concern me, but I can’t help thinking it’s at the root of it all. I believe it’s the money your mother brought to her marriage which has been settled upon you.”

“Yes, but we’re not talking about a vast sum. Certainly not one worth committing murder for.”

“Are you entirely certain?”

“Absolutely. I own nothing but that small legacy and Fabian.”

“Then it must be something we haven’t considered. Forgive me again, I know this is impertinent, but your cousin Frederick—”

She let out a long breath. “Is there anything you don’t know about my business?”

“I wouldn’t mention it again, except that he has proposed to you, you’ve very properly rejected him and then someone tried to kill you. Are the two events somehow connected?”

She shook her head. “Hardly.”

“Were you aware of your cousin’s regard for you?”

“No, I own that it came as a complete shock.”

“But I understand he’s renewed his addresses and you’re reconsidering.”

She eyed him censoriously. “Listening to gossip again, Your Grace.”

“Oh, yes.” He seemed entirely at his ease, not the slightest bit discomposed by her caustic tone. “Gibson continues to regale me with the latest
on-dits
from the servants’ hall. I doubt if I could prevent him from doing so even if I wished to, which I most decidedly do not.”

She was very angry with him and resolved not to allow his compelling charm to influence her. But annoyingly a smile seemed determined to tug at her lips. In the end she gave up trying to contain it. “I dare say.”

“What I wished to discuss with you was your uncle’s desire to involve me in the stud. He needs to purchase another stallion from the continent.”

“I didn’t know that.” She paused. “I did wonder, of course.”

“Wondered what, Alicia?”