Silent Deception (9 page)

The mare shied away as the cliff edge appeared only yards away. Her heart pounding in her ears, Minnie turned the horse sharply to the left. “Come, lovely. Please.”

Why had she not paid attention?

The mare jittered beneath her, hooves slipping on the muddy grass. “No!” Minnie closed her eyes.

“I have you.” Gideon’s firm voice beside her made her blink.

She clung to the saddle as he grabbed the reins, steering both horses away from the void. Her body shaking, teeth clattering, her mind went numb.

“No, no, no.” A strong arm grabbed her around the waist as the horses slowed to a halt. In an instant, he’d dismounted and scooped her into his arms, cradling her against his warm chest. He crouched to the floor, holding her tight, raining kisses on her head. “I have you.”

Her head slumped onto his shoulder, her body relishing his heat. Slowly, her heartbeat calmed.

Memories flooded back. “Leave me alone,” she whispered, trying to push away from him.

“No, I won’t.” He didn’t broker disobedience, clutching her hands in his. “You’re in shock.”

Minnie snorted. “I am indeed. That’s why–”

“It’s not as it looked, Minnie.”

“
Miss Goodridge
to you, Lord Drake.” She glared at him.

The edges of his mouth quirked. “Miss Goodridge it is. But you have nothing to worry about.”

“Who says I worry?” Her fighting spirit returned. “We are merely acquaintances. You can do as you please.”

“Is that so?” He pulled her even closer. “I’m grateful you allow me to do as I please.” He kissed her forehead, his fingers caressing her wrists.

A fluttering of sensations ran through her body. No! “I’ll reveal it all.”

“Will you?” He raised an eyebrow.

“The truth about Hettie and your grandfather.”

His gaze hardened. “That would be unwise. I was meaning to discuss this with you when–”

“When your mistress distracted you?” She stared out over the cliff’s edge. Suddenly, she understood Hettie’s desperation. She was in love, too. With a man she could never have.

Gideon shook his head. “Emmaline hasn’t been my mistress since I broke it off three months ago. I didn’t realize she was so…”

“Attached?”

His face sombre, he nodded. “I guess so. I’d–mistakenly–hoped she’d have found another man by now, one who’d marry her.”

Minnie straightened, trying to wriggle out of his embrace, to no avail. “She wanted to marry you…and you didn’t?” He was a rake after all. She closed her eyes as tears threatened to burst to the surface, misery suffusing her.

“I made it clear from the start that I’m not interested in marriage. After almost a year, I suspected she’d wanted just that, so I ended it.”

“The gallant knight.”

“No. Not at all.” The cynical tone made her look at him. Sadness clouded his face. And guilt, perhaps? He deserved it.

I’m not interested in marriage.
His blunt statement hurt.

“As I’m recovered now, you can let me go. I wish to go home. If you could send the papers and diary this afternoon, I’ll write a letter to the papers.”

“No.” He didn’t move.

“No?” Who did he think he was?

“No, I won’t send you the papers today; and no, I won’t let you go,
Miss Goodridge
.”

Impatience nagged her. “We can hardly sit here all afternoon.”

“Why not?” He smiled. “We have much to talk about.”

Minnie shook her head. “I can’t think of anything I’d wish to discuss with you. The truth will be revealed and–“

“Marry me, Minnie.”

She shook her head again. The ride must have affected her hearing. “I must go.”

His thumb stroked her cheek, turning her to face him. “I mean it. Marry me.”

“I can’t!” Why couldn’t he see?

“Why ever not? Admittedly, we barely know each other, yet we already have a strong bond.”

A strong bond? “It’s impossible. You’re an earl and I’m…”

“A beautiful woman I want to spend my life with.”

Her mouth went dry. “You have a mistress.” She’d never be able to share the man she loved. She’d rather not marry.

“I told you I finished with her three months ago. It was final.”

“But...you said you’re not interested in marriage.” Her voice hiccuped. He was teasing her, surely.

“Past tense. I did indeed say I wasn’t interested.” His gaze met hers. “I am now.”

“It’s...” Her vision blurred as she ran out of excuses, and Gideon gently wiped away the tears.

“You can’t deny it.” His lips caressed her forehead. “We’re meant to be together.”

“Meant to be? Because of this story we uncovered?”

“No, silly.” His kiss was soft, gentle, making her lips tingle. “Because I’ve fallen in love with you.” His mouth covered hers again.

Her heart leapt into her throat. He loved her? A wave of happiness engulfed her.

“And I have a sneaking suspicion you return my feelings.”

Heat flooded her cheeks.

Gideon smiled. “I knew it.”

He lowered his head for another kiss as Minnie’s heart sang.

Chapter Nine

Gideon knocked briefly, before he entered the parlor at Trekellis Manor two days later. “Good morning, sweetheart.”

“Good morning.” A becoming flush graced Minnie’s cheeks as she beamed at him. A simple, cream gown with ruched sleeves contrasted enticingly with the dark hair she wore loosely tied back. His heartbeat roared to life at the sight. For once in his life, he did the right thing.

He waved her to remain seated when she rose from the settee. “Stay, darling. I’ve a surprise for you.”

Her eyes widened. “A surprise? First, you disappear on a mysterious errand, and then you return with a surprise?”

Sitting down next to her, he pulled the leather bound bundle from under his arm. “Yes, dearest. I apologize for my absence. It won’t happen again.” He grinned, relieved at the twinkling in her eyes.

“No?” She was teasing him.

With a flourish, he planted a kiss on the tip of her nose. “No.”

Gideon leaned back. “After ensuring Emmaline enjoyed a quiet night at Eaton Hall before her return journey to London whilst I sampled the warm hospitality of the Deer’s Head, I also had an important meeting yesterday morning in Truro with a man who helped me write up the story.”

“The story?” Minnie stared at the copy of the Royal Cornwall Gazette he pulled from the file.

“Yes, Hettie and Rufus’ story, sweetheart. They’ve made the front page.” He spread the paper between them, so she could read the article, but instead she looked at him.

“You…you’ve written…? But how?” A hint of suspicion clouded her gaze.

His hand covered hers and he stroked the delicate skin. “Strictly speaking, I didn’t write it. The editor of the Gazette did. I also sent a copy of the article to a friend who works at The Times in London. Soon, everyone will know the truth.”

She held her breath. “The truth?”

“Read for yourself.” He pushed the article onto her lap.

“
Murder mystery solved. Local landowner exonerated.
”
Minnie’s whispered words barely reached him, but her face shone with happiness. “You told them about Walker?”

“Of course. Mother won’t be pleased with the revelations about my grandfather’s involvement–I’ve sent a courier with a letter and a copy of the paper to her–but people will find their story romantic. Once the initial scandal has settled, I’ve no doubt we hear voices of support.”

The smile Minnie sent him made his head spin. He didn’t deserve her, yet he couldn’t imagine living without her, another piece of information he had imparted in the letter to his mother.

His betrothed leaned forward and kissed him. “Thank you.” The sweet taste of her lips lingered on whilst Minnie held up the paper.

He watched her, his heart swelling with affection, as she read aloud, her voice firmer now. “
Forty-seven years after his suicide, Mr. Bartholomew Walker, owner of Trekellis Manor, has been proven not guilty of murder following documents discovered in a secret compartment in his study. Mr. Walker’s great niece and heiress, Miss Minerva Goodridge, spotted the hiding place after a painting fell off during a recent thunderstorm. Surprised at her find, she shared the revelations with Lord Gideon Drake, 8th Earl of Rothdale, at present staying at Eaton Hall.”

Her laughter echoed through the parlor. “You rascal. A clever way of omitting your part in the discovery. But why did you not claim it?”

Gideon shook his head. “No, love. It’s your manor, your ancestor’s papers. You’re the one who solved the puzzle.”

The corners of her mouth quirked. “
The papers revealed the truth about the mysterious night Mrs. Henrietta Walker disappeared. When her shawl was found on a beach near Trekellis Manor, authorities immediately suspected her husband’s involvement. Known locally as a harsh man, Mr. Walker was questioned repeatedly before the case was heard at Truro Crown Court. Dismissed after lack of evidence–no body had ever been discovered–Walker later took his own life after a night spent drinking.

“Now the Royal Cornwall Gazette can reveal that Mrs. Walker was, in fact, alive. She left her husband after an attack on her person, fearing for her life, and found shelter with a widower she knew prior to her marriage, Lord Rufus Drake, 6th Earl of Rothdale. Most likely, so the current earl suggests, Mrs. Walker was hiding at the family’s country estate in Kent while he remained in London. Only several months after Mr. Walker’s suicide did Lord Rufus Drake apply for a special marriage license, and the happy couple moved to France to avoid a scandal.

“Having presented the evidence to local police, Lord Gideon Drake has been assured Mr. Bartholomew Walker’s name would be cleared, much to the relief of Miss Goodridge who intends to reside permanently at Trekellis Manor following her upcoming marriage to Lord Drake. Thus, the mystery at Trekellis has finally been resolved, and the manor will return to its former glory as home to the Earl and Countess of Rothdale.
”

Minnie folded the paper and met his gaze, wide eyed. “Thank you.” Her voice shook. “I’m sure Bartholomew can now rest in peace.”

“I sincerely hope so.” He’d forgotten about the voice, uncertain now how real it had been. “Or have you heard the whispers again?”

“No.” She shook her head. “It’s been quiet. But getting back to the article, what of the gossips?”

“Leave them to me. My family survived worse scandals. You’d be surprised. In fact,” his fingers played with a loose curl, tickling her cheek, “the only issue you should fret about is what you’re going to wear on our wedding night.”

“Oh, I have an idea…” She caught his fingers and kissed them one by one. His body reacted instantly, the blood surging through his veins.

“You do?” He leaned forward.

“Oh, yes.”

Her breath hot on his skin, his mouth sought hers for a deep kiss.

He couldn’t wait.

THE END

If you have enjoyed reading
Silent Deception
, try Cathie Dunn’s other releases.

Highland Arms
is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and The Wild Rose Press.

Dark Deceit
is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords.

Discover Cathie Dunn’s books at
www.cathiedunn.com
!