The Rogue’s Dangerous Confession: Historical Regency Romance (Dangerous Desires Book 3)

by Ella Edon

  “If she was all right, wouldn’t she be in her rooms at the Hastings’ home?”

  “Fair point.” Lee slung the bag over his shoulder and fished out one of the letters. “Mr. Reyes showed me some letters Carlotta had been exchanging with a secret lover. She was very discreet about it, but Mr. Reyes is certain that his sister went to meet this man the night of the storm.”

  He held out the letter and Alexander took it. The handwriting didn’t look familiar. If anything, it was barely legible. Except for the signature. Alexander had to look at it a couple of times.

  “It’s signed ‘Malcolm’. And he assumed that it was from Anthony Malcolm?”

  “He’s certain about it. I asked Lord Tiverton about them and he was adamant that he’s never exchanged letters with Carlotta.” Lee shook his head with a scowl. “He and Lord Crawley were practically sneering at the thought of even agreeing to meet with a maid for illicit reasons.”

  “I’m not surprised, considering how much they look down on everyone else.”

  If Anthony Malcolm was having an affair with a maid, he certainly wasn’t about to tell his father. Lord Crawley would not approve and would have disinherited him. He might admit it in private, but definitely not in front of his parents.

  “No comment.” Lee tapped the letter in Alexander’s hands. “This is the last letter before the storm. It said to meet at a spot described. I recognize it. There’s a turnstile in the woods just on the other side of the pond. I’m going to go over there and have a look around.”

  “I’ll come with you.” Alexander folded the letter and handed it back. “I need something to do and I don’t feel like going inside right now. Besides, I think I’m going to need a witness to my actions.”

  Lee nodded. “I was going to say that you needed to come with me. Lord and Lady Crawley want you to keep away from Lady Jane, so keeping you close by would be more useful. Plus an extra pair of hands and another set of eyes couldn’t hurt.”

  Alexander sighed. That again. He would happily keep away from Jane until he could get his thoughts in order.

  “There are days when I wish people would stop treating me like I’m unworthy.”

  Lee grunted and spread his hands.

  “Let’s face it, Alexander, you brought it on yourself.”

  Unfortunately, he was right.

  “What’s going on?”

  Alexander turned. Robert had appeared in the doorway and was stepping out into the sun. He was frowning at the two gentlemen, shielding his eyes from the bright sunlight. Alexander glanced at Lee, who gave him a brief nod.

  “Let’s just say we’re going for a long walk, Lord Robert,” Alexander said. “May I ask a favor of you?”

  “Depends on what the favor is?”

  Lee made a noise and Alexander saw him hide a smile. He ignored the Marquess.

  “Could you look after Jane while I’m gone? I want to know that she’s safe.”

  Robert nodded. “Of course. I’ll watch over my sister. She’ll be safe.”

  Alexander gave him a brisk nod in return. Then Lee nudged him and gestured towards the stables.

  “I’d better get my horse. I’m not jogging alongside you and it’s quite a way out.”

  Alexander grunted. He mounted his horse again as Lee headed around the side of the house towards the stables. Robert gave Alexander a slight bow and went back inside. At least one of the family besides Jane wasn’t showing animosity towards him. It was a little refreshing to know that one of them was on his side. Robert had a better sense of judgement towards people than the rest of his family. Although Alexander was sure if he worked a bit more on Anthony Malcolm, then he would come around to see that Alexander wasn’t as bad as he believed. Their late-night conversation had to have been a turning point.

  Alexander knew that these murders had nothing to do with him. Originally, he had started helping Lee out with the investigation just to keep himself busy. Now Alexander felt it was his duty. Something bad was happening, and Jane seemed to be right in the middle of it. She was an innocent, certainly, and Alexander didn’t want to see her sink under the scandal her family had created.

  Innocent. She certainly wasn’t innocent now. Alexander couldn’t help but smile as he remembered their intimate coupling. It wasn’t the best place for him to take her maidenhead, and he should have been a bit more gentlemanly about it, but Alexander hadn’t been able to help himself. Just being so close to Jane, his self-control had snapped. He didn’t regret making love to her, but he did regret that it had been so fast. Jane deserved a gentle seduction, a proper bed and slow lovemaking, not the fumbling they had done by a river on a rock.

  Not that Jane had been complaining. Alexander bit back a groan as he remembered how tight Jane’s body had been wrapped around him. She had been willing and responsive, and she looked so beautiful when she was wrapped up in her pleasure. Alexander wanted to see that look again.

  Alexander had often wondered if any lady would be able to make him fall to his knees. He hadn’t expected it to be an innocent, sweet girl with a fire inside her that just made her even more beautiful.

  He really was in deep.

  There was a clip-clopping of horse’s hooves and Lee reappeared, astride his huge mount, a black stallion that walked along with a long, graceful stride. He nodded at Alexander.

  “Ready when you are.”

  Alexander turned his horse around and they set off across the grounds. The Crawley estate was bigger than Alexander expected. It was mostly a massive expanse of trees with a bit of swamp area, but what there was to access was beautiful. Someone had the huge and unenviable task of keeping most of it looking stunning.

  They headed into the woods and trotted along the path, Alexander’s horse managing to keep up with Lee’s, which covered a huge amount of ground in one step.

  Soon, they reached the edge of the Crawley estate, which was lined by a long stone wall. On the other side there was a path that followed the wall, heading off into the woods and away from the estate. It looked very idyllic and very private around here. Alexander could see it being the perfect place to have a secret rendezvous. Nobody would know you were out here. Plenty of places to commit a romantic liaison.

  He shook himself. He had sex on his mind now, and Jane was in the center of those thoughts. Not good. He needed to get himself under control. It was going to be humiliating if Lee looked over and saw his manhood stretching his trousers in a way they shouldn’t.

  They slowed by the wall and were about to dismount when Lee stilled and waved for Alexander to stop.

  “Wait. I can hear something.”

  Alexander paused and listened. Then he heard it. Someone was breathing and there was a rustling close by. He scanned the area, his eyes snagging on a huge oak tree, the branches and leaves spreading up above them and blocking out the sun, casting a cool green light across the ground. Then he saw a flash of white behind the trunk.

  Someone else was here.

  Dismounting, Alexander urged his horse to stay put and slowly approached the tree. There was a series of snapping twigs, which had Alexander slowing again. He held up his hands.

  “It’s all right. We’re not going to hurt you. You can come out.”

  There was silence. Alexander was about to speak again when a young woman stepped out into view. She was wearing a simple white dress with a dark brown cloak. Her blonde hair was pinned up on her head, revealing a smooth, creamy-white neck. Her features were small to match her petite figure, her blue eyes fixed on Alexander with a nervous expression. Before he had come to Surrey, Alexander might have considered her someone to seduce and take to bed, but now there was nothing. He found he could appreciate her beauty without thinking about what to do with it.

  There it was. He was ruined for anyone else.

  Lee dismounted and slowly approached them. The girl flinched and darted backwards, but Alexander waved for Lee to stop.

  “It’s all right. He’s not going to hurt you. You don’t nee
d to be scared.”

  “I…” The girl swallowed, fixing her gaze on him. “Who are you?”

  “My name is Alexander Harrison. This,” Alexander gestured at Lee, “is Lee Wilkes, Marquess of Surrey and the local magistrate. What’s your name?”

  “I…” She licked her lips. “I’m Stephanie. Stephanie Cooper. I work at the tavern in Crawley.”

  “Miss Cooper.” Alexander glanced at Lee as if to say he would lead this. “What are you doing on Lord Crawley’s land?”

  “I was told to come out here.” Stephanie’s hands were twisting in front of her. “I’ve been writing to someone who says he works in the household. We had arranged to meet here.”

  “And who were you meant to be meeting.”

  “His name is Bert.”

  Alexander glanced at Lee. The Marquess shook his head.

  “There isn’t anyone called Bert in the Crawley household.”

  Stephanie’s eyes widened. “There isn’t?”

  “I’m afraid not.”

  Stephanie closed her eyes with a heavy sigh. She sounded resigned.

  “I’ve been led on, haven’t I? Someone wanted to make a fool of me.” She opened her eyes, a flash of annoyance coming out. “And it worked.”

  “It happens to the best of us,” Alexander said. He knew that all too well. “Do you want an escort to the main road? We can make sure you’re not harmed.”

  Lee was staring at him, but Alexander ignored him. Normally, he wouldn’t walk someone like Stephanie home - he got his servants to do that - but with the deaths on the estate recently, Alexander wanted to make sure they didn’t end up with another body. It would give him peace of mind knowing that Stephanie had made it home safely.

  Stephanie pursed her lips. She looked undecided. Then she sighed and nodded.

  “All right. It’s quicker to the main road if we go over the wall.” She gestured towards a nearby turnstile. “I can sneak in the tavern through the back before Father realizes where I’ve gone.”

  Alexander nodded. They could leave the horses here for now. Tying up both his horse and Lee’s to a nearby branch, he led Stephanie over to the turnstile, where Lee was already waiting. Lee was scowling at Alexander.

  “And to think I’m a Marquess,” he muttered.

  Alexander grinned as he vaulted the turnstile.

  “The title never means anything at the end of the day.” He held out a hand to Stephanie. “Come on over.”

  Stephanie took his hand and allowed him to help her over.

  “Is he really a Marquess?” she whispered, looking over her shoulder at Lee.

  “He is.” Alexander chuckled at her stunned expression. “He’s more a gentleman than he’s making himself out to be. I promise.”

  Stephanie was still staring at Lee as the Marquess made his way over the turnstile. Alexander could see why. Lee Wilkes was certainly a sight to behold, and he did move like a prowling animal. Any woman with a pulse would look at him. Although from the way a certain woman back at the house had been watching him, a woman Lee had also been surreptitiously watching when he thought no one was looking, Alexander had a feeling that Lee wouldn’t notice anyone else around him.

  “Come on, Miss Cooper.” Alexander crooked an arm at her. “Let’s get you back to your father.”

  “You’re not going to tell him that I was out here, are you?”

  “That’s up to you. I won’t say anything if you don’t want me to.”

  Stephanie smiled in relief. Her hand slipped into the crook of his elbow. “Thank you.”

  With Lee just behind them, Alexander started to lead her down the path. Stephanie stopped a moment later with a sudden gasp. She was staring off into the woods to their left. Alexander slowed.

  “Miss Cooper? What’s wrong?”

  “I…” Stephanie’s face had gone white. Her hand was shaking as she pointed. “Don’t you see that?”

  Alexander looked. He heard a gasp from Lee before he saw it himself. A woman was leaning against a tree further into the woods. She was only visible from where they were standing, the trees so densely put together. And she wasn’t moving. Her head was tilted to the side, her eyes closed with her mouth open. Her dark hair was hanging limp, half-clinging to her face.

  Even from where they were, Alexander could tell she was dead.

  Jane sat beside Rachel’s bed and watched as her friend slept. She had barely regained consciousness when she was being moved into her bed, but then she passed out again. The physician had seen to her, and he said that Rachel needed a lot of rest and someone to watch over her. She had been badly beaten and it would be a long wait before they would know if it had left any lasting damage.

  That had scared Jane. Even with their argument earlier over Alexander, Rachel was her closest friend. She couldn’t die like this. Now Jane felt guilty. Her last words to Rachel had been spoken in anger, and she didn’t want it to end like that. Hopefully, Rachel would be awake soon and Jane would be able to lay it all to rest.

  What had she been doing out there? Jane had sneaked out of the house, as had Alexander. Perhaps Rachel had done the same. Had Rachel seen her and Alexander together? She hadn’t been that far away from the river. If Rachel had seen them together, she would have run off to tell someone about it. What if someone else had been watching them and knew that Rachel was there? They could have attacked her to keep her quiet.

  But that didn’t make any sense. Why would anyone attack Rachel to keep Alexander and Jane’s indiscretions a secret? And who would be watching over them?

  Jane had thought they were alone. Knowing that one person, possibly two, had witnessed her lose her innocence to Alexander Harrison didn’t sit well.

  The day passed slowly, and Jane refused to leave Rachel’s side. All of her meals were brought in, and Jane sat beside the bed reading. She wanted to be there when Rachel woke up. It might help for her to see a friendly face. Jane just wanted to know that Rachel was going to be fine.

  Outside, the sun made its way across the sky and lowered below the horizon. Claire came into the room and lit the fire as well as the candles. Jane didn’t move, still engrossed in her book. The fantasy of the story seemed a better place to be than her current situation. Although several of the authors she read would love to have this mess as a plot. Chances were, they would know who the murderer was already. Jane wished she did. She hated not knowing.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  A hand touched her shoulder, and Jane looked up to see Claire standing over her. Her maid gave her a gentle smile. “How is she?”

  “She’s still sleeping.” Jane swallowed. “She only came around once when she first came back, but that was hours ago.”

  “Her body’s simply fighting what happened to her. It’s perfectly normal.” Claire squeezed her shoulder. “Miss Preston is going to be fine.”

  Jane didn’t respond. She hoped that Rachel would recover, but right now it could go either way. Jane didn’t want to think too much about it right now.

  “My Lady, go and get some sleep,” Claire urged. “I’ll take over and sit here with Miss Preston.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure.” Claire took Jane’s arm and helped her to stand. “You go. You need to rest yourself.”

  Jane swayed a little. She had been sitting for so long that her legs had forgotten how to hold her weight. Taking slow steps, Jane headed towards the door. She turned back as she reached it, watching as Claire settled into the chair she had just vacated. Rachel hadn’t stirred, and the harsh light from the candles made her face look even worse. Jane’s stomach tightened at the sight. Someone had really gone at her. They had to have been planning on killing her or beating her so much that Rachel would die of her injuries.

  Jane could only hope that this wouldn’t happen.

  She made her way along the hallway towards her room. Even though she had been in Rachel’s room for most of the day, Jane was exhausted. Her head hurt from trying to think about what was goi
ng on. Even engrossed in her book, Jane couldn’t stop thinking about the mess that was surrounding the house and her family. Someone had a grudge against the family, that much Jane was sure. But against which member of the family or why was eluding her. Jane had no idea what her family could have done to anger anyone. They were somewhat reclusive. Lord and Lady Crawley stayed in their estate, and while Anthony and Robert travelled to and from London on a regular basis, they weren’t ones to go and spend their evenings drinking and playing cards or dancing. They preferred to keep to themselves, much like their parents.

  It was little wonder that both of them were still bachelors well into their forties if they refused to go out and meet people. Jane was surprised that Elizabeth had managed to get a marriage at all. But that had been Ian Harrison.