The Duke's Alliance Book Two: A Dangerous Husband (23 page)

When he reached out to cup her face she felt him flinch. He wasn't nearly as well as he insisted. 'How could I not fall in love with you? I can't believe you love me too – I'm the luckiest man in Christendom.' He kissed her, not passionately, but tenderly, his lips showing her how much he cared.

This time she was the one to pull away knowing he had important business elsewhere. 'You do realise that if I hadn't jumped to my feet to tell you how much I loved you we'd have been sitting at the table. Our love saved our lives.'

'You’re quite correct, darling. I'm beginning to believe that a higher power is taking care of us. I sincerely hope the good Lord continues to keep watch.'

He released her reluctantly and with one of his devastating smiles strode off. Apart from his carriage being a little stiffer than usual one would hardly know he'd got a dozen stitches in his back.

Her face was sore, but she'd suffered no more than superficial scratches. Unexpectedly her legs became wobbly and she sank into the nearest chair. Was the shock making her unwell? She leaned back and closed her eyes hoping the dizziness would pass. At the moment the last thing she wanted was to eat – should she send word to the kitchen to delay the meal?

She was jerked from her reverie by the noise of heavy footsteps running towards her. Her heart jumped. What disasters had overtaken them now?

Chapter Twenty-Three

Grey followed Smith through narrow passageways and up a variety of uncarpeted stairs until they reached the attic.

'You get on the roof from here, my lord, it's a ladder but not too difficult.'

'I've fought battles with more serious injuries than a few sutures in my back, Smith, so don't attempt to mollycoddle me.'

He emerged through the hatch onto the roof and one look at the face of his other man told him he was about to see something he would dislike.

'You need to hang over the parapet, my lord, and then you'll see what's been going on,' Jenkins said.

Grey did as suggested and his eyes narrowed. 'This was no accident. It's obvious someone has been up here knocking out the mortar so the gargoyles would fall when pushed.'

He straightened and turned to face his men. 'This couldn't have been done in an hour or so, they must have been up here for several nights working on it. They couldn't have achieved this without inside assistance. We were being watched so whoever was here knew when to push the stones.'

If he'd been paying more attention to the danger that surrounded them, had not been so engrossed in his wife, he would have heard the bastards working. No more. From now until this matter was settled he would be a soldier first and a husband second.

His inattention had almost cost him his beloved – without Madeline he would be bereft. Life would have no meaning.

'The perpetrators could still be in the house – although I doubt it. Search the place thoroughly and then question the staff. I'll send Slater to find you. I'll speak to Lady Madeline and then join you.'

They both jumped to attention and saluted. From now on he would be their officer and they must follow his orders without question. He wished he had more men at his disposal but would have to make do with the five he had.

'These men are dangerous; make sure you're armed.'

He returned to the apartment, forgetting his belongings had been moved elsewhere until he burst in and found the rooms all but empty. He cursed under his breath – he needed his sword and pistols and had no idea where they were now located.

Then Slater emerged from the hidden door in the panelling. 'I need you and my weapons and I need them now.'

Whilst his valet conducted him to his new chambers Grey explained what he'd seen on the roof. 'Are you intending to leave her ladyship without protection, my lord? Do you think she's safe here?'

For a moment Grey didn't understand then his blood ran cold. Slater was inferring that his family might be behind the attempted murders. The idea was preposterous – perhaps before he'd met his uncle and cousin he might have harboured doubts about them – but they were good and decent men. He would stake his life on that.

'I'm certain she is. This is nothing to do with my family – although it's possible more than one of the staff have been bribed to help. Which reminds me, the letter from the duke should be here by now – I wonder what the delay is.'

After several minutes running through the servants' passageways he finally arrived at his new rooms. He didn't stop to admire them but opened his trunk where his weapons were stored. Seeing him with his sword buckled around his waist might alarm Madeline, but her sensitivities must be put to one side. Her very life might depend on it.

*

Madeline scarcely had time to scramble to her feet before Mr Carshalton and his son burst in.

'My dear girl, we came as soon as we heard. Thank the good Lord you're both unhurt by this terrible accident. I can't begin to apologise that something so dreadful should happen to you whilst you are under my roof.'

Her cousin rushed to her side and his expression was as concerned as his father's. 'Lady Madeline, I don't understand how you and my cousin were not killed. Could you tell us exactly what transpired?'

She gestured that they be seated despite the fact that they were mud-spattered from their gallop to Blakely Hall. She quickly explained how she and Grey had avoided plunging to their death and they listened with close attention.

Her uncle-in-law shook his head. 'It's a miracle you weren't killed. What a dreadful coincidence that the gargoyles should fall at precisely the same moment you were sitting on the balcony.'

'It shouldn't have happened. Although I didn't examine the gargoyles in depth, I did a thorough inspection of the property when Papa inherited it last year. There was nothing amiss then and I can't believe…' He stopped and she saw the colour drain from his cheeks.

What had upset him? Why was he looking so appalled? She looked at his father but he was in a chair with his head sunk in his hands. There was something very wrong and she couldn't think what it could be.

'Cousin Frederick, please tell me what you realised about this incident?'

'I think this to have been a deliberate attempt to kill you both – it's the only way it makes sense.' He grasped his father by the shoulder and shook him vigorously which she thought was most disrespectful.

‘Papa, whoever is trying to kill Lady Madeline and my cousin is here – has been hiding in this house for the past week. We are to blame for this near disaster.'

Mr Carshalton groaned but didn't look up. 'I know; we should have taken better care of them. I should have got rid of the old staff and employed my own people and then this wouldn't have happened.' Finally he raised his head and wiped his eyes on his sleeve. 'I've allowed myself to be trampled over by my mother long enough. The staff here must have turned a blind eye to these men and that's tantamount to aiding and abetting.'

He stood up, a militant look in his eye, making him look much more like Cousin Frederick and Grey. There was a knock on the door and two footmen came in carrying the food she'd ordered. She no longer had any appetite and doubted that her husband would either.

‘Put the tray over there.' She pointed to a sideboard and they hurriedly did as she bid and then left as quietly as they'd arrived.

Before she could offer to share the meal she heard another set of heavy footsteps running towards the room. She was unsurprised when her husband shouldered his way in. She scarcely recognised him, he had metamorphosed back into a soldier and she was glad of it.

His uncle and cousin greeted him enthusiastically and before she had time to interact with her beloved husband he snatched up a meat pasty, gulped down a cup of coffee and was ready to leave. His uncle and cousin were to help him root out the assassins.

She thought he would go without speaking directly to her but at the last minute he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. His lips were hard, demanding, and she responded to his passion. He raised his head and his eyes shone down into hers. 'It will end today. I intend to apprehend the villains and from them obtain the name of the man orchestrating this. The house and immediate area will be thoroughly searched before we leave so I know you'll be safe in my absence.'

His uncle nodded. 'There are half a dozen men who came with me from my estate, my dear, and two of them will remain to guard you. I'm sure it's unnecessary – but it's better to take no chances.'

'Grey, my love, take care. Don't worry about me. I'll be safe waiting here. I never thought I'd be put in the position of a soldier's wife, but now I know how they must feel every time their husband goes into battle.'

He raised her hand and kissed her palm and then he was gone. It was going to be a long afternoon. The smell of the food made her nauseous and she decided to vacate the chamber and go in search of her new abode.

This apartment was more than adequate and, although it had only the one bedchamber, it had a large dressing room and a delightful sitting room which overlooked the meadows at the back of the house.

Her maid greeted her cheerily. 'Only one more trunk to unpack and then it's done. Mr Slater said he'll sort out his lordship's belongings tonight. I can't think why he's gone off like this, his job is to take care of his master's things not to be gallivanting about the place.'

Madeline thought it better not to discuss Slater's whereabouts with her maid so just smiled at her remark. 'As you've almost finished with my things, Lottie, could you and the girls unpack for his lordship as well? Also Lord Carshalton will need to bathe when he returns this evening so make sure this too is arranged.'

The girl curtsied. 'Yes, my lady. Is there anything else you want before I unpack for his lordship?'

'No, I'm going to sit quietly next door and read. I noticed that my books are already on the shelves.' Heaven knows what the staff would think of having to provide hot water for so many baths.

*

It took Grey an hour to search the house thoroughly even with the help of his uncle and cousin. The staff had been questioned but they all gave the same story – even the ones that were recently employed and held no loyalty to the old regime. Everyone denied having seen any strangers around the place and he was forced to accept the men who had tried to kill him and Madeline were even cleverer than he'd thought.

'Uncle Richard, you take three of the men and search to the north of your estate and Frederick must come with me. I need to have someone who knows the area in my party.'

'Very well, we should be able to cover the entire area by nightfall.'

Despite a thorough search and stopping to question any villagers, or labourers, they encountered, Grey found no sign of the men he sought.

'Wherever they might be, Cousin, they're no longer on our land. Therefore there can be no further attacks on you or Lady Madeline,' Frederick said as they concluded yet another fruitless search of a deserted building.

'I agree – time to return.' His back was on fire and every muscle ached after being in the saddle for so long after his unpleasant experience that morning. 'It will be dark soon – I've no idea how far we are from Blakely Hall. Will we be able to get there whilst it's light enough to see?'

'We’re no more than a mile away and will be back in good time. I cancelled dinner tonight, supper trays will be sent up to us when we want them.'

Grey pulled his horse in behind his cousin glad he didn't have to find his way through the fading light. He dozed in the saddle, something he'd done many times before, knowing his mount was as tired as he was and would be eager for his stall.

They clattered into the yard where the stable hands were expecting them. He saw that his uncle had already returned and he was glad of that. Presumably he too had had no luck. He tossed his reins to a waiting boy and rolled from the saddle. His knees almost gave way beneath him and he was forced to steady himself before setting off for the house. 'Slater, take care of yourself, you've done more than enough today.'

What he needed was a square meal, and a hot bath, and for the first time since he was married his mind wasn't on bedroom sport. He hoped Madeline would understand.

The house was quiet, only the sconces on the stairs and in the grand hall were still alight. The clock in the drawing room struck eight. He hadn't eaten a full meal since yesterday and was sharp-set. He hoped the promised tray was waiting for him.

He turned to his relatives. 'Thank you for your assistance today, I wish our search had been successful. I'm damned if I know where to look next.'

'It's the least we could do, my boy, and you can go to your bed secure in the knowledge you and your lovely wife are safe. Goodnight and God bless you both.'

Frederick arrived at his side. 'Do you need a hand, old man? You look done in.'

'I'll manage, thank you. But I've forgotten in which direction to go and would be grateful if you led me there.'

He thanked his cousin and bid him goodnight outside his chambers. He was forced to lean against the door frame as he stepped into the room. He'd expected it to be empty despite the earliness of the hour, but his darling girl was waiting for him.

Immediately he straightened, but too late. She was on her feet and at his side before he could phrase a reassuring comment.

'Let me help you, I've been waiting. There's a bath next door and I've dismissed my maid so you won't be disturbed.'

'I can manage on my own, I don't expect you to be my servant.'

She ignored his protest and he was too tired to argue. He rather liked having her ministering to him instead of Slater. Her hands were more gentle but she was equally professional. The bath was perfect and although he couldn't stretch out, the warmth of the water unknotted his muscles and eased the pain in his back.

'I'll clean your injury whilst you're in here and put on a fresh dressing when you get out.' She was obviously unbothered by what she saw so he relaxed and enjoyed the process.

Eventually the water cooled and he emerged feeling a new man. She handed him a large bath sheet then stood aside to allow him to dry himself. He sat in silence whilst she took care of his wound and didn't protest when she handed him a voluminous nightshirt.

'I don't think you need a bedrobe, my love, it's still warm. Supper is waiting next door and we shall eat together. There's no need for you to tell me what happened as obviously you didn't find the men you were searching for.'