She leaned away so she could meet Will’s eyes. “You won’t be working for the duke anymore? Not even for the Crown?”
“No. I’m a lord now,” he said begrudgingly. “I’ll tend to my land and sit in my seat in the house.” He made it all sound like a death sentence.
And perhaps for an adventurous man like himself, it was.
“I’m sorry.” But there was a great part of her that had was very pleased this would end soon. She couldn’t imagine going through the rest of her life always worried about his safety.
He watched her and then he leaned forward. “You don’t sound sorry.”
The embarrassment had likely turned her face red, but thankfully, it couldn’t be seen in the dark. “Well… land and politics can’t be all that bad. Besides, there are no hazards there.”
He groaned. “You’d think so, but where there is man there is risk. All men want their way or covet what belongs to another. Let’s not forget that I received my title over a political matter.”
How could she? Someone had attacked the royal family.
No one was safe.
Except she couldn’t believe her thoughts completely, not when Will still had an arm around her. It was hard to feel anything but warm and protected in such a position.
“It’s sweet of you to worry about me,” he said. “That’s who you’d be by the way.”
“What do you mean?”
“As a wife. You’d be exactly who you are right now. Tender and sweet. Those are simply your natural traits. You care for people. That won’t change simply because you hold another name.”
Lady Sencio. Mrs. William Husher.
That was who she’d be if she accepted Will, if she ever managed to tell him how she felt.
But she didn’t care what she was in the end. She didn’t want to be anything but his.
She knew that. She was just scared that the moment she let him know, everything would change.
He was in her arms, but she could easily imagine him in another’s. He was so beautiful. She was certain he’d broken hearts in the past, more than just Annie’s.
He’d been with other women. He’d even had a child.
So in the end, what did she have to give him, really? What would keep him home and in her arms alone?
Love?
What was love?
She supposed there was some evidence of its existence. There was God, but what did love look like in a man?
She smiled as the answer came to her sharply.
God had been a man for a time. Born of a woman, He’d shown the world love.
She thought about Lady Milly’s words about being love.
And then the words Will had thrown at her as they’d stood outside the carriage.
She had to stop looking for examples and simply act. Simply be. Simply love.
What a risk. What an adventure.
She laughed and buried her face in Will’s chest.
He chuckled. “What?”
She shook her head. She wasn’t ready to tell him yet. In fact, she decided she would show him. She’d find a way to show him how she felt.
She’d find a way to show him that she trusted him, trusted his feelings for her and trusted her feelings for him in return.
They both wanted this, so why shouldn’t it work?
“You know, you have another mission,” she said. “I was in the drawing room when Lady Milly gave it to you.”
“Ah yes. Your book.” His fingers cupped her shoulder. “But you’re not writing at the moment.”
“But I will. I will finish it.” Again, she felt the urge.
“I never doubted you would.”
He hadn’t, had he?
Suddenly, she felt an urge. “I need to…” She cleared her throat. “Powder my nose.” She should have used the chamber pot before she’d left home. She’d make a terrible spy.
He laughed and jumped off the carriage. “Come. I’ll take you inside the theatre, but we should hurry. I don’t want to miss anything.”
He paid for her to entrance into the theatre and then positioned himself in the hall.
She returned to him only moments later, feeling very refreshed and slightly shameful.
He said nothing but smirked as he led her back to the foyer
just in time to watch Ruth leave the hall on the other side.
Will grabbed Camilla’s arm.
“There she is,” Camilla said. “Surely, she and Azalea will not meet in the foyer. This is my chance to speak to her before then.” It was a very public place, but there were few people around.
Laughter could be heard coming from beyond the wall. Almost everyone was still watching the performance.
Will groaned and then let her go. “Make it quick.”
Camilla reached Ruth right before she reached the door. “Ruth!”
Ruth spun around and took a deep breath. “Camilla! What are you doing here?” She placed a hand over her necklace. It was a piece Camilla had never seen before. A grand gold leafy piece with diamonds and rubies. Very costly. It stuck out against Ruth’s dark dress.
Ruth glanced around cautiously. “I didn’t know your brother brought you.” She kept rubbing her necklace. Or rather, covering it. “I saw him and Emily earlier.”
“I didn’t come with my brother.”
Ruth frowned. “Did you come with your mother then?”
Camilla shook her head. “No, I…” She looked over her shoulder.
Will was gone. Where had he gone?
It didn’t matter. “Ruth.” She grabbed her friend’s hand. “Where are you going? What is going on?”
“Nothing!”
Camilla stepped closer and lowered her voice. “Ruth, I know you. You’re lying.” She frowned. “What is going on? Surely, you can tell me.”
Ruth’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m in love, Camilla.”
Camilla’s mouth fell open. “With whom?”
Ruth shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. It won’t matter unless I have my father’s approval, and he’ll never give it to me until I am well.”
“Ruth, you’re twenty-three! You don’t need his approval.”
Yet even as she said it, she knew the words were a lie. What girl didn’t want her family’s blessing? Even Camilla hoped one day Will received her father’s blessing… for all the good that would do.
But Ruth had a wonderful family who loved one another and loved her deeply.
Her father didn’t want Ruth to get pregnant, because he didn’t think she’d survive labor.
His love was both bitter and sweet.
“I must get well,” Ruth told her.
“Ruth.” Camila lowered her voice. “I know what you’re doing, and I know who you plan to meet.”
Ruth’s eyes widened, and she shook her head. “I… don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“The Duke of Van Dero is looking for her,” Camilla said. “He won’t hurt her, but Azalea should—”
“Please, don’t say her name,” Ruth whispered. She’d paled at the mention of the duke. She glanced around again. “If she knows I’m talking about her, she’ll never approach me.” Just as quickly, Ruth straightened and make herself appear calm. She even smiled at Camilla. “I know what I’m doing,” she said tightly.
“The woman is a murderer.”
“She doesn’t kill women.” Ruth sighed. “I must go.”
“Ruth!”
“Lady Ivers came back. She healed Lady Ivers.”
“Who is Lady Ivers?” Camilla was lost.
Ruth moved in close to her. “Camilla, let me go. I swear I’ll return, but I must go. I wish to be well.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I wish to breathe just as easily as you do and walk in the high grass like everyone else. Please. I wish to marry the man I love, but in order to do that, I must go.”
All the pieces in Camilla’s mind came together. “She’s not stealing you. You’re going with her.”
Ruth nodded and smiled. “I’
ll be back. I promise.”
“Ruth?” A voice called her from the hall.
Her friend’s eyes went wide. “I must go.” She kissed Camilla’s cheek. “I must go now. Goodbye.”
Camilla didn’t want to, but she let Ruth go.
Ruth’s father appeared right after Ruth slipped out the door.
Lord Powerton approached Camilla and frowned. “Camilla, I just saw your brother. He said you didn’t accompany him tonight. Is your father here?”
Camilla swallowed. “I came with my… grandmother.” She hated lying.
But it calmed Lord Powerton quickly. Then his blue eyes warmed. “I’m sure you saw Ruth? She went to the powder room some time ago, but I knocked on the door and she was not in there.”
Camilla didn’t want to lie again.
She especially didn’t want to lie to Lord Powerton.
He’d always been kind to her. One of her father’s more honorable friends, he’d always treated Camilla like another daughter.
“I… don’t know where she went.”
Powerton gave an absent look a disapproval and then said, “You should go find your seat, Camilla. You shouldn’t be out here alone. I’ll check the other hall for Ruth and see you later.” He walked over in search of the daughter he’d not find.
Camilla prayed she’d made the right decision.
The moment Powerton was out of the room, Will came at her quickly.
∫ ∫ ∫
5 3
* * *
“Let’s go.” Will grabbed Camilla and shuffled her out of the building.
He’d wanted to follow right after Ruth, but he hadn’t known the gentleman speaking to Camilla. So, he’d waited.
Now, he could only hope others had eyes on Ruth.
In the courtyard, they looked around at the crowds.
“You didn’t manage to stop her, did you?” Will asked Camilla.
From his hidden position behind a planted palm, he’d been unable to hear their conversation, but he’d watched it grow with heat before he dissipated into some sort of agreement.
“No, I let her go.” But her tone didn’t sound like one of failure. “She said Azalea only kills men.”
“She’s still a murderer.” Will studied her. “Are you truly all right with your friend being dragged away to her doom?”
“She isn’t being dragged anywhere.” She took a deep breath. “She is going willingly.”
Ruth was going willingly? How many other women had gone willingly? The moment the question entered Will’s mind he knew the answer.
All of them.
No wonder the men hadn’t told the authorities about it. Their women were running away.
Was Azalea taking the women in?
Will walked them back to the carriages and spoke with one of the duke’s watchmen.
No one had seen Ruth come that way.
Will sent the man to Raven.
Some time passed before Raven approached Will. “What’s going on?
“Ruth came out.”
“She did?” Raven’s eyes widened. “No one saw her.”
“What?” That was impossible. His men were better than that. “She was just here. I know her dress was dark, but—”
“Dark?” Raven asked. “My informants said she came wearing white.”
“She wasn’t in white,” Camilla said. “I saw her before she stepped outside. She was wearing black.”
Raven cursed. “That’s how she slipped by. She must have changed inside.
“Her father said she went to powder her nose. Maybe she had another dress,” Camilla said.
Raven waved a soldier over and told him to go check the women’s lounge.
But there was no point in searching the courtyard again. Too much time had passed.
They were gone.
Camilla apologized a moment after she sat down. “If I’d seen to my needs before I left the house…”
“It’s all right,” Will told her. “No one knew Ruth would go willingly.”
“No one knew that was how she took her victims,” Raven said. “We learned something tonight.”
“Ruth wasn’t a victim. She’s a patient.”
“Azalea is a woman,” Raven said.
Camilla crossed her arms. “What is that supposed to mean, Lord Nyeport?” He was Lord Nyeport now. No more Raven.
Raven was unbothered by her sudden coolness. He’d always had his opinion that women were best seen and not heard.
Milly was the exception.
“She’s being called a healer, but I would imagine she is something more like a nanny or even a nurse. She wouldn’t have any patients on her own. Clearly, she works for someone else.”
Did she? It was possible, but that had never occurred to Will.
He had a higher opinion of women. Always had.
Poison was usually a woman's method of murder. It could be done from a safe distance. A man who used poison was a coward.
Camilla sat stiffly in her seat but said nothing. But it was clear there was a great deal on her mind.
Raven grinned. Him being an earl made it impossible for Camilla to speak her mind against him. Unless Raven gave his permission. Which he did. “Have you any thoughts, my lady?”
She took the bait. “Why is it that a woman can’t be a doctor? And don’t bother to tell me that it’s a matter of education. We women have been educating ourselves for thousands of years. Ever since men decided they didn’t want the competition.”
Will howled with laughter.
As did Raven. “Competition? There’s no competition. Women would be dead if it weren’t for men and I don’t just mean in the field of medicine. We’re stronger, Camilla.”
“Yes,” she agreed. “But clearly, all the strength is to make up for what you lack in other areas.”
Will knew what she’d meant, but it didn’t stop him from laughing all the harder.
Raven didn’t find anything about her innocent innuendo funny. The rage in his face made Will’s side ache from just how hilarious it was.
And sweet Cammie had no clue what she’d just insinuated.
Raven spoke. “Actually—”
“That’s enough.” Will cut in. He’d not have his innocent bride-to-be taught the lesson of measuring a man’s girth. She didn’t need to know anything about it, because she’d only ever know Will.
The carriage rolled right into Regent Park. It was only then that Camilla realized they were not taking her home immediately.
There was too much to discuss with Van Dero.
“I’m not going home?” she asked Will.
“I’ll take you myself later,” he said. “But I have to speak to the duke first.”
Van Dero was awake. His son, now a year old, was awake as well. The young Earl of Ellevear sat perched in his father’s arm and watched Will, Raven, and Camilla step into the office.
“Why is Lady Camilla here?” the duke asked.
Camilla shifted closer to Will and bit her lip.
Her fear distracted Will so much that it was Raven who had to answer.
“Our target was to meet with a woman who is… was close to Lady Camilla.”
“Is.” Camilla’s chin went up. “Lady Ruth will return.” The fear was gone.
“So we didn’t catch the poisoner?” Van Dero asked.
“It was my fault,” Will said. “But we learned something of value. The women are going with her of their own free will.”
“They are?” Dr. Christian Sparrow walked into the room and looked the occupants over. He was surprised to see Lady Camilla.
The duke introduced them.
“Azalea is a healer,” Camilla said to the duke the moment she finished her curtsey. “Ruth has gone to be healed.”
“Of what?” Christian asked.
Camilla turned to him and blinked. “I… don’t know.”
“Did the woman have a sore finger? Did she give into fainting spells? Otherwise, I can’t think of a reason anyone would turn
to a woman. Unless, of course, Lady Ruth was with child.”
Christian was only slightly less condescending than Raven.
It wasn’t that he didn’t think a woman could be a doctor. He simply thought no doctor better than him. It baffled him that people would seek a woman out before coming to him.
He was known throughout England as a sort of miracle worker. He went above and beyond for his patients and was willing to try new therapies in order to find success.
He didn’t believe in traditions for the sake of traditions. He believed in proof.
And for Christian, there had been no proof of Azalea being better than him.
Camilla crossed her arms. “You have no idea what that woman is capable of.”
“Oh, and you do?” the doctor challenged.
Raven sighed and whispered to Will, “That one will never know her place. I warn you. Her father should have never let her become a writer. Give them an inch...”
Will rolled his eyes and looked at Camilla… who had her own narrowed at Raven.
Her eyes burned like metal. “I can hear you.”
Raven pretended surprise. “Can you?” He was clearly still smarting from the carriage ride.
Camilla breathed rapidly but said nothing. She was smart and creative, but above all else, she was a proper lady and would not speak what pressed upon her heart unless given permission.
Will looked at Raven. “Next time you start something with this woman, be prepared for me to finish it.” He’d not allow his friend to tease his lady.
Raven looked shocked and then impressed. Then he bowed. “My apologies. I did not mean to offend.”
Yet he had.
They were alike in many ways. Like a child who picked up a stick to poke the lion at the menagerie, they tested their fate. Will had been the same way before he found Camilla. He’d pushed both Mr. Hennison and Noel in the woods and he’d pushed Van Dero and Christian after, even while he’d been injured.
Now he was more cautious.
How strange that he hadn’t noticed the change in himself until now.
“Thank you, Will.” Camilla smiled at him. Then she narrowed her eyes at Raven and turned away. She murmured something far too low for anyone to hear.
“What was that?” Raven teased again. “Have you any more tricks, my lady?”
Camilla’s loud sigh ended whatever Will had prepared to say. “A trick?” she inquired coolly. “I’m not surprised you’d ask for one. Little boys tend to enjoy them.”
The Exception of an Earl Page 27
