The Duke's Alliance Book Two: A Dangerous Husband (24 page)

'I didn't, but we can sleep tonight knowing there's no immediate danger. My uncle has positioned men at all the entrances, which I think is unnecessary in the circumstances, but he insisted he wished to keep us safe.'

He scarcely knew what he ate but it was just what he needed. 'You look desperately fatigued, Grey, why don't you retire? I'll finish my supper and then join you.'

The bed was as comfortable as the previous one and he rolled onto his stomach and was asleep instantly.

*

Madeline woke early and was surprised to find her husband still beside her – she'd half-expected him to get up at dawn and resume his search. Quietly she slipped from between the covers and into the shared dressing room. As Lottie had been told not to appear until summoned she would find her own garments. There was sufficient water left in the pitcher for her ablutions and in no time at all she was dressed in a simple pale blue muslin. She scooped her hair up into a loose arrangement at the nape of her neck and fastened it with the pins.

Grey must be allowed to sleep and then take care of his morning preparations without her in the way. Therefore she would put on her boots and spencer and take a stroll around the garden for an hour or so. However, she would carry her footwear until she was safely in the sitting room as she had no wish to disturb him.

The house was already busy with parlourmaids and footmen about their early morning tasks. She reassured them she required nothing and they resumed their work. There was a side door she'd not used before and she was about to unbolt it when she was interrupted.

'Allow me, my lady, them bolts are a mite stiff.' This must be one of the men left to patrol the passageways.

'Thank you. I've not exited through this door before, can you tell me where it leads to?'

'The path leads to the terrace that runs in front of Lady Carshalton's chambers. You'll not disturb her ladyship, she'll have the shutters closed at this time of the day.'

The sun was just rising behind her and it bathed the area in a soft, golden glow. Today was going to be warm again and she would insist that Grey spent time with her walking around the beautiful garden.

She was tempted to turn the other way and avoid the risk of causing offence to the occupant of these rooms, but the other direction looked less appealing as it led towards the dairy and other outbuildings.

If she walked on the very edge of the flagstones and trod softly then she doubted she would be heard from inside. As she rounded the corner she shivered, the sun didn't reach here until mid-morning and it was dark and cold. The terrace looked decidedly uninviting although the view of the parterre and ornamental lake was attractive.

She made her way to the balustrade that edged the terrace intending to keep as far away as she could from the building. The grass looked wet and uninviting – perhaps she would go the other way after all. As she was about to turn back a well-remembered voice called her name.

Lady Carshalton was standing by an open window staring out at her. 'Lady Madeline, what a pleasant surprise. Have you come to visit me so early in the day?'

'My goodness, I do apologise if I've disturbed you…'

'My dear girl, I've been awake this age. If you don't mind seeing me in my disarray, then please come in and keep me company.'

She could hardly refuse. 'I should be delighted but I don't know how to find your apartment if I go inside.'

'Don't worry about that, you are young and fit, surely you can scramble over the windowsill right here?'

Madeline's gown was loose enough to allow her to attempt this extraordinary request. Lady Carshalton never failed to surprise.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Beau read the letter that had just arrived from London a second time and shook his head. This didn't make any sense. The man they had suspected of orchestrating the attempts on Grey's life was living in the colonies somewhere and hadn't been in England for more than three years.

This meant he couldn't be behind the attacks. So who the hell was? His brow creased and he tossed the letter aside. He needed to think and the best place was outside in the fresh air.

As he strode through the house he heard his twin brothers arguing in the drawing room and thought that maybe Perry and Aubrey might be able to offer some sensible explanation for this conundrum.

'I need to talk to you, pay attention and stop bickering like children,' he said as he joined them.

Perry looked up with a laugh but his expression changed when he saw his brother's face. 'What's wrong, Beau?'

He told them the contents of the letter and they were equally mystified. They sat in silence for a few minutes all trying to solve the puzzle of who was threatening members of their family. Then he knew and the knowledge was like a fist in his chest.

'There's only one other person who might wish Grey dead – the man who expected to get his title. My God! How could I have been so stupid as not to realise? Our sister and her husband are in deadly danger at Blakely Hall and believe themselves to be safe.' Beau was on his feet as he spoke. 'We must go to them. If we ride we can be there before midnight.'

There was no need to ask his brothers to accompany him, they were already on their feet looking as grim as he did.

'I'll get Peebles to open the gunroom. Do we want to take extra men? Carshalton will have a dozen or more at his disposal,' Aubrey said. The older twin by five minutes, he was also the most decisive.

‘Excellent idea. We do need more but I'm not sure if we have enough who are competent horsemen. Perry, go to the stables and find out. It's a good thing Giselle is away with her friend for the sennight so I don't have to worry her with this.'

He didn't bother to pull the bell-strap but strode to the door and shouted for attention. His butler appeared at a run. 'Tell the kitchen to prepare food we can carry on horseback. We're going to be away for a few days.' He left his brother to explain the necessity for pistols and headed to his apartment. His valet was efficient and helped him change into his oldest and most comfortable riding gear.

'Shall I put a change of raiment in a saddlebag, your grace?'

A futile suggestion as all such items were kept at the stables. 'No time, I'll manage as I am. You and the other valets can follow with the luggage to Blakely Hall.'

In less than twenty minutes he was mounted on his most powerful horse with his brothers at his side. He had managed to muster five men who could both ride and shoot, and they too were in the saddle and ready to leave.

'We must go across country – I'll lead. Make sure you keep up. We'll stop to rest the animals every two hours.'

He touched his heels to the flanks of his gelding and pushed the beast into a gallop. He prayed they would get there in time.

*

Grey, through half-closed eyes, watched as his beloved wife crept from their bed and made her way in the almost dark room to the shared dressing room. He listened to her moving about as she washed and dressed herself. For the first time since they'd been married he didn't feel the urge to get up in order to protect her from unseen danger.

He was still short of sleep and another few hours' shut-eye would do him good. The matter wasn't settled – but he would wait until he heard from his brother-in-law before he took matters further. She emerged fully clothed and carrying her boots. His lips curved in the darkness when he saw she had ignored convention and wore no bonnet or gloves.

Just as the door was opening he pushed himself up on one elbow intending to call her back. There was something he'd much rather do than sleep. Then he reconsidered, if she wished to walk in the garden on her own, then that was her prerogative. He had no intention of being a dictatorial husband.

When he woke again it was fully light and Slater was standing beside his bed. 'Your shaving water's waiting your attention, my lord, and if you don't get a shifty on you'll miss your breakfast.'

Hardly a suitable comment from one's valet, but Slater was so much more than that. They’d been together for many years and he would trust the man with his life.

Grey sat up, yawned and stretched. The look of incredulity on valet's face stumped him for a moment. Then he remembered he was wearing a borrowed nightshirt.

'I know, my wife thought it best and who am I to argue? I've no need to wash as I took a bath last night.' He stripped off his nightshirt, pleased that he was able to move both arms freely this morning. He was dressed and shaved in no time.

He glanced at his watch shocked to find the time already past ten. 'Slater, have you seen my wife this morning? She went out for a walk before six o'clock and I expected her to return here to wait for me to wake.'

'I've not seen her, sir, but I expect she's with Mr Carshalton and Mr Frederick in the dining room.'

'Stay vigilant, I'm still not convinced there's not an inside man.'

The breakfast room was empty but he was so hungry he decided to eat before going in search of Madeline, or his relatives. All soldiers were able to consume vast quantities of food in double quick time and he was no exception.

He searched the downstairs rooms but there was no sign of them. He was so late coming down they were probably outside somewhere. He would try the stables first.

Smith touched his cap as Grey walked under the arch. 'Morning, sir, nothing untoward to report here.'

'Have you seen Lady Madeline or my relatives?'

The man shook his head. 'I ain't seen her ladyship today, sir, but the gentlemen went out an hour or so ago.'

'Any idea where they went?'

'There's been an accident on one of the farms and they’ve gone to see what needs doing.'

A faint flicker of concern ran through him. If Madeline wasn't with them – where the hell was she? Of course – how stupid of him. She was with his grandmother.

He arrived at the apartment and banged loudly on the door. It was opened immediately, and not by the prune-faced maid.

'Is Lady Madeline within?'

The girl shook her head. 'No, I've not seen her and I've been here since seven o'clock.'

'I wish to speak to my grandmother.' He didn't wait to be invited but stepped around the girl and made his way to the bedchamber. He should have visited her sooner, he was fond of the old lady and she deserved better from him. He would spend a few minutes in her company and then resume his search.

He was about to knock when she called out to him. 'Come in, my boy, I've been hoping you would come.'

She was sitting, looking perfectly well, in an upright chair by the window. He bowed. 'I apologise for not visiting before this. I'm glad to see you looking fully recovered and hope you will be joining us for dinner very soon.'

‘Unfortunately my legs no longer work as well as they used to so I'm confined to my apartment for the moment. Sit down, I want to talk to you.' He picked up a chair and carried it across the room and placed it a few feet from her. 'I gather that your prompt action saved my life. I thank you for that.'

'I'm glad I could be of service to you, Grandmamma. No doubt you heard about the near disaster with the balcony – we've searched the entire estate and found no sign of the men who did it.'

'Well, I'm glad that you are both safe.'

'I intend to make sure it stays that way. Forgive me, my lady, but I must go. I'm looking for my wife. I don't suppose she came to see you this morning?'

'I've not seen her since you arrived and would dearly like to. However, my maid mentioned she saw her walking in the garden earlier today.'

'Did she say in which direction she was going? I fear she might have met with a mishap and be in need of my assistance.'

'Towards the folly, if I recall.'

He bowed a second time and promised to return and visit her with Madeline later in the day. He left the room as if he hadn't a care in the world but as soon as the door closed behind him he broke into a run. Something was wrong – his beloved must have met with an accident or would have returned by now.

The quickest way to the hideous marble monstrosity on the far side of the lake was by the path that bordered the woods. When it had been built the land around it had been cut away so the ruins appeared to be on a hill and the artificial moat could be filled from the lake by winding up a metal plate beneath the water.

He covered the distance at a run looking from side to side, searching for a clue. The building was correctly named – it was certainly a folly – his cousin had told him that it had been built at the express desire of his grandmother. It had been constructed to resemble a crumbling castle in miniature and had a tower, ramparts, and a selection of artistically ruined walls including a deep moat.

Why it had been done in pink marble he'd no idea – it looked ridiculous. He wasn't surprised Madeline had wanted to investigate more closely. He began to call her name as he got closer, but there was no response.

He skidded to a halt in front of the folly. He shouted again hoping she would respond this time. A faint call from inside made him forget his caution and he rushed in not waiting for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. There was a sound behind him and then a searing pain at the back of his head and his world went black.

*

Madeline had given up her attempts to climb out of the slippery pit she'd been tossed into. The marble walls had no crevasses or edges upon which she could gain a fingerhold. She still couldn't quite believe that Lady Carshalton was behind the assassination attempts. The old woman was obviously insane.

She'd no idea how long she'd been down here and little light filtered in from the window slits high above her in the make-believe tower. Then she heard Grey calling her name. He'd come to find her as she knew he would.

'I'm here. Inside, in the pit.' She was about to yell again when there was a slight scuffle. Before she could react her husband plunged into the pit landing in a heap beside her.

He was horribly still. Had he broken his neck in the fall? It was no more than three yards to the top – surely he couldn't have received a fatal injury dropping from so small a distance?

'Grey, can you hear me? Have you broken anything?' Even as she spoke she thought how silly her questions were but could think of nothing else to say. She wriggled until she could get onto her knees and thus examine him more carefully.

The pit they were trapped in had several inches of water in the bottom and already she was soaked to the waist and her extremities were numb. She ran her fingers over his face and was relieved to find it warm. He was alive – thank the good Lord for that.

He mustn't remain slumped in the water. She must somehow get him upright and pray he had no serious injuries that would be made worse by her moving him. It was difficult to push him so his back was against the wall, but somehow she managed.

After a few moments he groaned and his eyes flickered open but they were unfocused and he didn't respond to her questions. As soon as he was recovered he would have a plan to get them out. They would be missed and his men would probably be searching for them at this very moment. All she had to do was remain calm.

Slowly her heart stopped thumping as if it wished to escape from her bodice. Although wet, cold and uncomfortable they were in no immediate danger. Grey stirred and she gently shook his shoulder. This time his eyes stayed open and his senses returned.

She was about to explain that his grandmother was behind the murderous attempts when a hideous screeching noise filled their prison. What was it?

He understood immediately. 'God dammit! The bastards have opened the sluice gate. This space will fill with water. Can you swim?'

'I can't – I've never liked being immersed in water.'

'Don't worry – I'll keep you safe.' He pushed himself to his feet and hooked his boots off. 'You need to remove your skirts – they will weigh you down disastrously.'

By the time he'd finished speaking the water had flooded up to their knees. Her hands were so cold her fingers refused to answer her command. He pushed them aside and tore her skirts from the waistband leaving her in her bodice and petticoat.

The water was now up to their waists.

He discarded his topcoat and then turned her around so her back was to him. 'Lean against me, sweetheart; whatever you do don't struggle. I'll keep us afloat until we reach the top of this shaft and can get out.'

As the water reached their shoulders he kicked against the floor and they were floating. She tried to remain relaxed in his embrace but being surrounded by icy water and now out of her depth was too much for her. She tried to turn and clutch onto his neck and took them both down.

The water closed over her head and she opened her mouth to scream and swallowed a choking mouthful. She was going to die and her struggles increased as her desperation grew.