The Disappearing Duchess (22 page)

‘No! That is foolish talk. How could anyone pay such a sum? The duke will not pay. He will set agents to find us—and when he does you will be arrested. I fear that you will hang, sir, unless you relent and allow me to leave now. If you do so, I shall be silent and allow you to evade the law.’

‘You will not escape so easily. Your husband would see me dead if he could for daring to blackmail you. Avonlea is a proud man and he will not allow me to escape—but if I have money I can go beyond his reach.’

‘I beg you to reconsider, sir. If you will but allow me to return home, I shall find the ten thousand pounds your uncle demanded and say nothing of this affair to my husband.’

‘You waste your breath, Duchess.’ Royston laughed unpleasantly. ‘I imagine Avonlea is searching high and low for you—but he will never think of looking here, for he does not know this place belongs to me. I shall leave him to fret for a while. When he is desperate enough he will pay my price.’

‘I fear you will be sadly disappointed. My husband will not pay.’

‘Then you will never leave this house alive,’ Royston said. His eyes glittered in the lantern’s glow and Lucinda shivered. ‘If I am to die, then you shall lead the way, Duchess. I promise that I would put a ball through your head rather than let you go without payment.’

Lucinda swallowed hard. ‘You must lower your price. No one could pay so much for a ransom.’

‘Your husband is wealthy beyond most men’s dreams. He will find it somehow,’ Royston said. ‘I wish you sweet dreams, Duchess. Do not think of jumping from the window. You would not like the consequences.’

‘I am hungry—do you intend to starve me?’

‘I have no food here. The plan presented itself when I saw you walking alone and acted on impulse. I shall bring food in the morning if you behave. Again, I bid you good-night.’

He went and closed the door behind him. Lucinda retreated to the bed. The moon had gone behind the
clouds completely and the room was in darkness. She felt her way round the wall until her knees touched the bed and then sat down, wrapping her arms about her body.

Royston was ruthless. She was certain he meant exactly what he said. He would see her dead rather than let her go—unless Justin paid the price.

How could anyone find that much money at a moment’s notice? It was impossible. Even his estate could not be worth such a fabulous sum, could it?

Cold, tired, hungry, her head aching, Lucinda lay down on the bed. She could not escape tonight, but perhaps in the morning when he brought her some food…

* * *

‘She has been gone all night,’ Justin said. He ran his fingers through his thick locks with an air of desperation. ‘I said nothing yesterday, because I still hoped she might return—but now I must ask if you know anything, Andrew? Did she say she was leaving me? Did she confide in you or Jane?’

‘She was a little quiet when we left her,’ Jane replied for her brother who was frowning. ‘I think she was in some distress, but she said nothing to us. What makes you think she might have left you?’

‘She knew I was enquiring about a school for her child and I think she did not wish to part with her.’

‘It would distress her to part with the child, but I know she would not leave you—unless, has the child gone, too?’

‘No, she is in the nursery, which is why I fear that
she may have been abducted. I’ve had men searching the grounds all day in case there has been an accident.’

‘Abducted?’ Jane was startled. ‘Who would do such a thing?’

‘Royston.’ Andrew looked grim. ‘This may be my fault. I intended to settle this business, but I believe I’ve made things worse, Justin. Forgive me. We must search for her in your woods and I’ll send for the agents we used last time—but I fear Royston is out for revenge.’

‘Will he be content with a ransom do you think?’

‘He is a scoundrel and a wastrel, but I do not think he would harm her—unless he feared for his life.’

‘He must already know that his life is forfeit. He was ruined when he fired at you before the count ended—but abduction is a hanging matter. If the law takes him, he will die at the rope’s end.’

‘Then he has nothing to lose and that makes him more dangerous. You must arm yourself, Justin, and if you get the chance shoot to kill. I shall certainly do so.’

‘Your shoulder must still pain you,’ Justin said with a quick frown. ‘I beg you not to put yourself out over this, Andrew. I came in the hope that Jane might know something, not to ask you to join the search.’

‘My shoulder is stiff, but it was little more than a flesh wound after all. I should never forgive myself if I sat at home while you searched alone. I believe I may have pushed Royston to this desperate act. I acted without sufficient thought.’

‘Why?’ Mariah was looking at them from the doorway,
having overheard them. ‘What did you do that was ill considered?’

‘Were you listening at the door?’ Justin frowned at her. ‘I thought you had grown out of that trick, Mariah.’

‘It is just as well I haven’t,’ she said. ‘If you are looking for a place that Royston may have taken Lucinda to, I may be able to help you.’

Three pairs of eyes looked at her in surprise and she smiled, looking like a cat that had devoured the cream.

‘That odious man was accustomed to paying me attention before I was married—well, I happen to know that he has an old derelict house not far from here. It belonged to an elderly aunt of his. Royston inherited it, but the house was in such terrible repair that he never bothered to open it up after she died. He cannot sell it as it is and it would cost a fortune to put right.’

‘How do you know this?’ Justin demanded.

‘You know I am always curious about old houses,’ Mariah said. ‘I came across the property when out riding some years ago and could not resist having a look round. It had been empty for two years or so then and the doors were not locked, some of them hanging from their hinges. I went in to have a look and Royston found me there. He tried to take advantage, but I struck him across the face with my riding crop and escaped. I think he has never quite forgiven me, though he afterwards spoke of it as a jest and begged my pardon.’

‘You should have told me at the time. I would have thrashed him,’ Justin said. ‘Where is the house?’

‘It is Lady Ridley’s old house. You must know it, Andrew?’

‘Good God, yes!’ Andrew looked struck. ‘Royston asked my father if he would buy it years ago. It lies between our estates, Justin, in that piece of no man’s land that neither of us wants. There is a large garden, but no other land. Father told him he was not interested.’

‘We should go there immediately,’ Justin said and then recollected himself. ‘If you are certain you feel up to it?’

‘Yes, of course. I shall show you the way. Allow me to put on my coat and fetch my pistols. Jane, pray ask the groom to saddle my horse.’

‘And a horse for me,’ Mariah said. ‘I shall come with you. I am as good a shot as any of you.’

‘You most certainly will not,’ Justin told her. ‘We shall take two of your grooms, Andrew. Royston will undoubtedly make a fight of it.’

‘And who will he shoot first? I imagine it might be Lucinda,’ Mariah said, her words bringing a dreadful silence. ‘He will not suspect me. Allow me to try something. I am very fond of Lucinda and I think in this case guile might win out over brute force.’

‘I think you should listen to her,’ Jane said. ‘Mariah is not a fool—if she has an idea that might help, you should at least listen…’

* * *

Hearing a door slam downstairs, Lucinda ran to the window and looked out. She saw Royston leave and a moment or two later he mounted his horse and rode off,
presumably in search of some food for them both. Looking about her, Lucinda sought a weapon. She must be ready to attack him when he returned. Her gaze moved over the chest, bed and chair, finding nothing so handy as a candlestick with which to strike him. She picked up the chair, but knew that it was too heavy for her to wield as a club. Holding it by the back, she smashed it against the wall and heard a cracking sound. One of the legs had cracked, but not broken. It took her three efforts before she was able to wrench the stout wooden leg free, but she looked at it with satisfaction when it was finally in her hand. Now she had something to protect herself with.

When he entered the room with her food she must run at him from behind the door and strike him. He was much stronger than she so her plan would only work if she had the element of surprise. She ran to the bed, arranging the bolster under the cover to look as if someone were lying there.

Now she was ready.

* * *

A short while later she heard a door open below and stiffened, her nerves tingling as she waited for Royston to climb the stairs to her door. Hearing sounds, she knew he was outside now. He was trying the door, but it did not open. She heard an exclamation of annoyance and then a voice called out.

‘Lucinda, are you in there?’

It was a woman’s voice. Mariah’s voice! Lucinda’s heart leapt with excitement.

‘Yes, I’m here. Royston has gone for some food. Be careful. He may return at any moment.’

‘Stand back. I’m going to shoot the lock out.’

‘Yes, all right. I’m out of the way.’

The noise of the shot was terrifying, but the lock shattered and was pushed wide as Mariah rushed in.

She saw Lucinda and the weapon she held and laughed, her eyes bright with excitement.

‘I might have known you would not give in tamely,’ she cried. ‘Justin and Andrew are outside. I persuaded them to let me come in first, because I thought Royston might shoot you if they burst in here fully armed.’

‘Oh, Mariah,’ Lucinda said. ‘How reckless of you. Royston is quite lost to all sense of decency and would not hesitate to shoot either of us if cornered. We must go quickly before he comes and finds that you have found me.’

‘I am not frightened of that little rat,’ Mariah said. ‘Besides, I have the pistol left to me by Winston. I would as soon shoot him as look at him.’

Lucinda shook her head. ‘You might not think it such an adventure had you been hit over the head and locked up all night with nothing to eat. Really, we must go.’

She went ahead of Mariah out of the room down the landing to the head of the stairs. However, before she was halfway down them Royston entered through the door Mariah had left wide open. His pistol was in his hand and he pointed it at Lucinda.

‘So your husband has found you. Where is he?’
Royston demanded with a snarl. ‘He may think himself clever, but you will not leave here alive.’

Lucinda saw his finger move on the hammer and knew that he was preparing to fire. She screamed just as two men rushed in at the door and then, hearing Mariah’s warning shout from behind, dropped down to crouch on the stairs. Two shots rang out. Royston’s body jerked as both found their mark—one through his forehead and the other into his back.

Glancing round, she saw that Mariah was holding a small pistol with a silver handle, its barrel still smoking. Andrew Lanchester had also fired, his ball hitting Royston squarely in his back. Shivering, Lucinda struggled to her feet and walked unsteadily down the stairs past Royston’s slumped body to the bottom, where she stood swaying until Justin ran to take her into his arms.

‘Is—is he dead?’ she asked in a faint voice as Andrew examined Royston’s body.

‘Perfectly.’ Andrew said from behind her. ‘I’m not sure whether it was my shot or Mariah’s that did him, but he will certainly not trouble you again, Duchess.’

‘Thank you,’ Lucinda whispered, looking at Justin with tears hovering on her lashes. ‘Take me home, please. I cannot but pity him, though there is no doubt he was a hateful man. I believe this will come as a terrible shock to Lady Morgan. We must think of some story to tell her that will not reveal the depth of his infamy.’

‘Do not distress yourself,’ Justin told her with a gentle smile. ‘You may leave all this to me. Mr Royston would most certainly have been hanged had Andrew not shot him. Mariah’s name must be kept out of it for the sake of propriety.’

‘Oh, nonsense,’ Mariah said, coming down the stairs, her eyes bright with excitement. ‘I am certain it was my shot that stopped him shooting you, Lucinda. I do not give a damn whether it was improper or not. I’m a damned fine shot and I do not care who knows it.’

‘You certainly are,’ Andrew agreed and laughed. ‘I would give you the credit, Mariah, but I think Justin is right on this one. Best not to involve you. I may have to appear before the beak for murder, you know.’

‘No such thing,’ Justin said. ‘I have friends who will know how to handle this discreetly. You saved my wife’s life. I am more grateful to both of you than I can express. I shall vouch for you, Andrew—and as for you, Mariah, I am merely thinking of your good name.’

‘I think you should attend to Justin,’ Lucinda said, gave a little sigh and fainted.

* * *

When she opened her eyes, Lucinda was lying on a
chaise longue
in her parlour and Justin was sitting by her side, waving a burnt feather under her nose.

‘Oh, that is horrid,’ she said and pushed his hand away. ‘Please desist, Justin. I am quite recovered.’

‘Are you, my dearest one? I am relieved to hear it. We were beginning to worry about you.’

‘Have they all gone?’

‘Yes, I managed to send them off, though Mariah wanted to stay and nurse you. I told her it was merely a faint and you would be perfectly fine when you had recovered your senses—you are, aren’t you?’

‘Perfectly. It was merely a little faint. I am sorry to have made you anxious, Justin, but I am famished. I ate nothing after breakfast yesterday and I suddenly felt very weak.’

‘My poor love. You have been treated shamefully and not just by Royston.’ Justin reached for her hand, taking it in his own. ‘Do you think you can forgive me for my unkindness? I must tell you at once that I have decided against sending Angela to school. She will stay here with us and I shall employ a governess to teach her, her lessons. When she is older she may go to a finishing school for a year or so, but this will be her home. I shall make a settlement on her so that she will have her own marriage portion and we must hope that she will make a good marriage one day.’