The Secrets of Mia Danvers (28 page)

It was common knowledge that the wealthy did not tend to do well once incarcerated, but he had suspected his brother to be made of sterner stuff. “Is it Drew?”

“No, in fact, in light of last night’s activities, I do believe he’ll be released soon.”

“What activities?” Alex asked.

“There was another attack,” Simon said.

“So Drew is innocent, as he proclaimed himself to be,” Alex said. Relief washed over him just as guilt gnawed at his gut for even the slightest doubt in his brother. “Where was the attack?”

“In the alleyway outside of the opera house.” Simon took a step toward him. “Alex, it was on Juliet Beckinsale.”

The news made his head reel, which brought another wave of nausea. He glanced at the letter still clutched in his hand. “She’s dead?” Then who had sent the message?

“No, not dead. One of the inspectors came across her being attacked and called out and went after the man. He cut her, though, pretty badly, on the face. But she is alive and doing quite well. Though obviously in a bit of shock.”

“Oh, no,” Alex said. He fell into one of his chairs. “How did this happen?” He shook his head. “I received a message from her that she wasn’t feeling well and had left the opera before I’d had a chance to walk her to her carriage.” Then he remembered what Mia had experienced. “The son of bitch was there last night. At the opera. Mia sensed him directly behind her, but he disappeared into the crowd. Clearly he was watching her. Damn it, how did this happen?”

Simon just shook his head. “We have no idea. It does appear Juliet was specifically targeted. Her maid was locked in a closet in the opera house and was unable to escape until someone heard her screaming. And Juliet herself was seen walking away from the carriages around the corner of the opera house,” Simon said. “With a gentleman.”

“Did she tell you who he was? Did she see him?” Alex asked.

“She says she didn’t see his face, that it was too dark in the alleyway,” Simon shook his head, “but I don’t believe her. I think she knows more than she’s letting on. I’ll give her some time to get over the shock of the attack and then question her again.”

Alex finished the conversation with Simon and then was left alone in his study. He had to go to Juliet. Find out why she’d called off their engagement. Maybe she thought that since she’d been attacked he would somehow think her impure, compromised. But he was a man of his word, and though he knew that the circumstances would allow him a clean escape from the betrothal, he wanted to make certain she knew no matter what he would still marry her, make good on his promise.

But first he had to see to Mia’s safety. He went back into the dining room and found his guests seated just as they’d been when he’d left.

“What happened?” Mia asked, coming to her feet.

“Juliet has been attacked. I’ll know more later,” he said. “Edward, if I could have a word.”

Edward followed him out into the corridor. “Juliet was attacked?”

“Yes, by the Ripper. But she got away so she’s alive.” He shook his head. “I need for you to stay here while I go out. Keep Mia safe. Don’t allow her out of your sight.”

Edward nodded.

“Promise me,” Alex said. He tried not to notice the frantic tone of his voice.

Edward grabbed his arm and squeezed. “I will not allow anything to happen to her. She’ll be safe.”

Alex nodded and turned on his heel and left.

Chapter Thirty

Drew sat in what he fondly called “the hole” and waited. It was all he could do. Sit, wait, listen to the other inmates fight or wail or sling curses at one another. It was a wretched existence.

The metal gates down from his cell opened and closed and he heard voices. It was dark in his pit, torches spat and sparked on the walls outside his bars. Footsteps sounded and then his own gate rattled.

“Drew.”

It was Simon. Drew was thankful for the visit. So far the man came once a day, to check in with him and give him reports from the goings-on in London. Drew knew it was to keep things light and he appreciated it, but in the whole scheme of things it wouldn’t matter. Eventually he’d stop visiting. Everyone would and then he would rot in here alone with the rest of London’s criminals.

“Simon,” Drew said. “Smells as if it might rain.”

“Indeed, dark clouds have been rolling in and collecting all day.” There was a pause and Simon got close to the bars. “I need to speak with you. It is of great importance.”

Drew stepped forward. “I’m not going anywhere,” he said with a shrug.

Simon looked over his shoulder, then gripped two of the bars. “I know you didn’t do this. I know you’re not the killer we seek. And we’ve had a situation that will probably prove that to everyone else very soon.”

“What happened?” Drew asked.

“Another attack, this time she survived. That is what will keep you in here a little longer. There are those that believe this wasn’t the same man. But I know it was.”

Drew nodded. “So I might get out. Someday.”

“You will get out. And when you do, I need your help.” Simon paused and again looked behind him. “I know you don’t owe me anything, I’m the one who brought you here. But I think you’re in a unique position to assist in this investigation.”

“What are you asking, Simon?”

“How would you like to do some work for me? Secret work,” Simon said. “For whatever reason, the Ripper used you to take the fall for his crimes.”

“You believe he framed me?” Drew asked.

Simon nodded. “He likes to toy with people. He likes to toy with the police. What better way to send us off after the wrong man. But I believe because he picked you, you were obviously in the same places he was. Perhaps you even know him. You could be quite useful in this investigation.”

“So you essentially want me to become a spy for you. For the Yard,” Drew said.

“I do. I know this is a lot to consider so I shall give you time. I merely wanted to speak with you first, before you’re released.”

“I don’t need any time,” Drew said.

“I should hope you would reconsider—”

“I’ll do it,” Drew said, interrupting Simon.

“Oh . . . excellent.” Simon tapped a finger on the bars. “In the meantime I shall work on getting you released.

“You do that. The food here is terrible.”

***

Alex stood in the entryway to the Beckinsales’ London townhome. The butler had reluctantly taken his calling card when Alex had refused to leave despite being told repeatedly that they were not receiving visitors today.

The butler reappeared with the lady of the house bustling behind him. “Your Grace, I believe you were told that we are not receiving visitors.” She wrung her hands as she spoke, but tried her best to give him a tight smile. “I know you shall understand under the circumstances.”

“What I understand is that my fiancée was attacked last night and then I received a letter from her this morning. I would like to speak with her. Now, if you don’t mind,” Alex said. His patience was wearing quite thin.

“What did that letter say, Your Grace?” Juliet’s mother nearly bristled and it appeared she’d grown taller. She tilted her head to meet his gaze, unwaveringly. “I don’t believe she wishes to see you. I’m fairly certain she made that perfectly clear. I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but my daughter has made her wishes known.”

It was on his tongue to brush past the woman and search for Juliet himself, but he tempered his inclination. He took a steadying breath. “I can understand your need to protect your daughter, but I am not here to mock or ridicule her, I merely would like to have a conversation with her. I am not so easily turned away from a commitment; I will not accept her letter without first speaking to her. I do believe this was a union you and my mother agreed upon. Certainly you are not so eager to rid yourself of a Carrington man when you would have married Juliet to any one of us.”

Her mother opened her mouth to argue, but instead it was Juliet’s soft voice that came out. “That will be all, Mother, thank you. I shall speak with His Grace in the front parlor.” She walked past him and into the double doors to his left.

He followed behind her. He would not walk away from this engagement without knowing precisely why. This had been an agreement between their two families, something his father had wanted long before he died. Plus he was concerned for Juliet’s welfare. He might not love the girl, but he was not completely heartless.

She entered the room quietly and walked straight to a chair and lowered herself into it. He waited until she was seated before he took a chair opposite hers. A large bandage covered nearly the entire right side of her face; still she met his gaze with courage.

“I thought my note would have explained everything quite sufficiently,” she said quietly. “I should like to bow out of our agreement.”

“Your words were, in fact, quite clear. But why, might I ask?” Alex inquired.

“Isn’t it obvious?” She motioned to her face. “I am no longer the girl you proposed to,” she said bitterly. “I am no longer that girl,” she repeated softly.

“Certainly you don’t believe me to be such a cruel man that I would wish to be released from our engagement simply because you were attacked. I know your virtue remains intact. I spoke to the lead investigator. And I offered the constable who rescued you a reward, though he declined to take it,” Alex said.

“You’re very kind, Alex. But this . . .” She reached up and removed her bandage, revealing an angry slash pulled together with too many stitches to count. “This is not going away,” she flinched with her words. She was obviously in a great deal of pain. It would be an ugly scar; there was no denying that. It would permanently alter her face.

“It must have been a terrifying ordeal.” He thought about that first night when Mia had entered his house to tell him about the attack she’d witnessed, how full of fear she’d been. And now Juliet. “I’m glad you’re safe. And I care not a whit about that scar,” he said, pointing. “I proposed to you because I believe we are a good match. I still believe that.” Though part of him wondered why he was fighting for her when more than anything he wished to be with Mia. Still he’d made a promise to this woman and what kind of man would he be if he begged off simply because her appearance had changed?

“You proposed to me because our families had an agreement. Even before I was born, I believe, they’d decided a Carrington/Beckinsale match would be just the thing,” she said.

He inclined his head. “Yes, that is true, as well, but I certainly think our parents were wise in their decision.”

“I suppose we are a good match. I was raised specifically to become some man’s wife. A man like you, or your brother, titled and wealthy.”

“But my brother never bothered to court you,” Alex said.

“No, he did not. His interests lay with another woman,” she said.

“A married woman, and we both know how that turned out for him.”

“So you are the obedient brother. The new Duke who followed through on his father’s plans.” She put the bandage back in place. “I know precisely how to run a household such as yours. I know how to sit quietly next to a man while he discusses important matters such as finances or politics. I know how to appear to have an opinion and when that’s appropriate. I was raised to be the perfect wife.”

“Yes,” Alex agreed. “And you were to be my perfect duchess.”

She released a bitter laugh. “You know I used to think the worst thing that could happen to me was to be a twenty-one-year-old spinster. Now I know differently, I see the world differently.”

She was angry, probably still in shock from her attack, and it would take time for her to heal, both her face and her sense of security.

“You could be that girl again, Juliet, the injuries will heal,” he said.

“I will never be that girl again,” she said quietly.

There was something about her today that seemed true, as if in this moment he was finally seeing the authentic Juliet. “What is it that you want, Juliet?” Alex asked.

“I don’t want to marry you.” She met his gaze and her own was steady, unwavering. “The truth is I never wanted to marry you.” She paused a moment as if gauging his reaction, then continued. “You’re a fine man, Alex. Kind and handsome and any woman would be proud to be your wife.” She gave a weak smile. “But despite my upbringing, I don’t want to be the perfect wife. I don’t want to simply sit somewhere and wait until I’m supposed to talk or smile or eat. And I want love. I want a man that I love and one who loves me in return.” The words came out in a flood as if she’d waited a lifetime to say them. “I doubt that will happen now, but I at least want the opportunity. Or to not have to enter into a marriage that will no doubt make both of us miserable.”

“I should think we could be very happy,” Alex said, then added, “as happy as any other marriage in London, which perhaps isn’t saying much.”

“But don’t you want more?” Her eyes searched his face, her expression earnest. “What of that woman from the opera, the one staying with you? I saw the way you looked at her, the concern in your features. You care for her.”

Could other people see his affection for Mia blatantly in his expression? He schooled his features. “She has endured a lot. Much like yourself. I merely have been concerned about her welfare, and she has no one else to care for her.”

“But there is something more with her,” she said. “There is no need to apologize, nor explain. We both knew that ours was not a love match.”

“And you’re certain that ending the engagement is what you truly want?” he asked.

“It is. I want you to be happy, Alex.”

“But I cannot make you happy,” he said.

“No, I don’t suppose you can.”

***

As
soon as Alex had left the breakfast room, Mia had known precisely what had to be done. It was time for her to leave Danbridge. It was long past time that she exit Alex’s life and this morning’s note confirmed everything. She’d made a royal mess of not only her life but Alex’s as well.

She wasn’t certain how Juliet could have found out about their tryst, but Mia knew servants talked. Or perhaps Alex’s mother had let another of their secrets out simply to see what sort of scandal she could dish out. That would be perfect, wouldn’t it? Reveal that the missing Danvers girl was still alive, reintroduce her into Society and then tell everyone how she’d been thoroughly ruined by the Duke of Carrington. Mia doubted that the older woman would have guessed it would end her son’s engagement.

Mia had felt around in the armoire in her room for her old woolen dresses. They’d serviced her for years and there was no need for fancy gowns in a quiet country life. Her fingers brushed against the dresses hanging all in a row. She imagined them to be in a rainbow of colors, each hue deeper and more vibrant than the next. She could feel the luxuriousness of their fabrics and ornamentations. She let her hand fall to her side.

Last night, before Alex had walked out, she’d nearly told him about her feelings for him, not to be selfish, but merely to tell him. It was her experience that one should hear they were loved as much as possible because people weren’t always so forthcoming with the expression.

In many ways she wished she’d uttered the words as she’d never said them aloud before, not to a man, in any case. She did love him. Thoroughly and completely, it was nearly consuming.

It was most assuredly time for her to leave.

Thankfully, Rachel and Edward’s engagement provided her the perfect opportunity. The roles were reversing and she was going to be able to pay Rachel back for the years of loyalty and friendship. Now she could play companion to her friend and Edward would provide some protection for Mia until the killer was caught. There would be no more need to rely on Alex’s hospitality. He would be free to marry Juliet or any other woman he so chose and Mia wouldn’t have to stand by while it happened.

Besides, he didn’t want her. Had he not proved that last night? He’d taken her, then as soon as she’d mentioned having a more permanent arrangement, he’d fled. She’d been nothing more than a convenient diversion for him. Mia should have known better.

Staying at Edward’s country estate and getting back to her sculpting would help. Not to mention she and Rachel had a wedding to plan. There was much to do, things where she could be of use and not be idle.