The Exception of an Earl

by Deborah Wilson

  They were shown into Van Dero’s home by a maid.

  It was only then that Morgana stopped talking. She’d done nothing but ask questions during the ride. Anything and everything that came to her mind went out her mouth and she clung to Camilla like a small monkey.

  Strangely, none of it had irritated Camilla.

  But without Morgana’s chattering, Camilla found the house strangely quiet. She knew Lady Ivers was already there and wondered if the servants were elsewhere.

  “Would you like me to take the girl?” the maid asked.

  Camilla looked at the woman and then at Will.

  “She’s safe here,” Will said.

  Camilla nodded. “Please.”

  “Camilla, I want to stay with you. I don’t want to go.” Morgana tightened her hold on her hand. Her eyes were wide and frightened.

  Camilla touched Morgana’s cheek with her other hand. Her fingers trembled. “It will only be for a little while.”

  “There’s a room full of toys upstairs,” the maid said. Then she smiled.

  The woman was very pretty. Her hair was covered with a white cap that matched the collar of the otherwise black grown. The plain appearance only made the woman’s face stand out.

  Her eyes were a pale brown and her thick dark brows were naturally manicured.

  “Only for a little while?” Morgana asked. “And then we’ll be together again?”

  Camilla swallowed and nodded. She gave her sister a soft smile as well.

  Morgana took the woman’s hand and walked away, but her eyes remained on Camilla.

  Camilla watched her sister disappear but was then distracted by Will’s hand on her back.

  “Are you ready?” he asked.

  She nodded and started down the hall.

  No matter what assurances Will gave, she was worried about Morgana. There were so many decisions to make.

  “Do you want to tell me what’s going on with Morgana?” he asked.

  She sighed. “She has no one.” There was more that could have been added to the statement. She could talk about the coldness of the servants and the fact that the girl’s mother was dying and their father was only a father in name.

  But she didn’t want to speak about it, because doing so only made her angry and upset.

  Will stopped her in the hall and turned her to face him. “Let me know if there is anything I can do for you.”

  She shook her head in wonder. Camilla often forgot to count her blessings, Will being one of them. “Just keep loving me.”

  He cupped her face. “You never have to worry about that.” His eyes were warm. “I’ll always love you, Camilla.”

  She tilted her mouth toward him and he closed the distance.

  There was nothing hurried about the tangling of their lips and tongues, but within seconds, a fire was stroked within Camilla. She pulled away, almost fearing she’d go up in smoke if she stood in his arms any longer.

  He smiled. “Let’s go see to this matter so we can leave.” His hands slipped to her hips. “I want you alone.”

  She placed her hands on his chest.

  She loved him. She regretted not saying it before, because now there was a small issue. A five-year-old. “What if... we’re never alone?” Camilla could not leave Morgana out in the cold. If Luke didn’t take her…

  She knew her mother wouldn’t. She wouldn’t dare push the girl on her that way.

  “What if I ended up with Morgana?”

  His fingers danced on her hips. “Is that what you want?”

  She sighed. If he’d asked her that morning, the answer would have been easy to give.

  “We’ll discuss it later.” He took her hand and led her to Van Dero’s office.

  A woman who could have been no one other than Lady Ivers was speaking. “It’s a beautiful place. The buildings themselves are rather Spartan, but it’s very quiet. You can hear your own thoughts.”

  “And you don’t know the direction of the place?” the duke asked. “You don’t know what town Azalea took you to?”

  Lady Ivers shook her head.

  Dr. Christian Sparrow asked, “Might I check your breast?”

  Camilla colored at the question. She couldn’t help it.

  The duke, the duchess, and the doctor were the only people in the room.

  Camilla realized then that Raven was gone.

  Her sudden feeling of loss was strange, especially considering how obnoxious he was.

  Lady Ivers looked back as Will and Camilla came in. Then she looked at Christian. “I… Please, not in front of everyone. I already told you, the lump is gone.”

  The duke introduced Lady Elizabeth Ivers to Will and Camilla and then spoke to the doctor. “Show her to a private room for the examination and then return.”

  “This way, my lady.” Christian took the woman from the office.

  Will spoke the moment the door was closed. “Did she share how she got in contact with Azalea?”

  “Apparently, she didn’t.” The duke stood beyond his desk. Milly was in his seat. She smiled at Camilla as her husband continued, “Azalea picks the people she wishes to help. Lady Ivers said her practices are all experimental.”

  “But very successful,” Milly added. “Lady Ivers was gone for a full year. She only recalls one woman dying of illness while at the hospital.”

  “She has a hospital?” Camilla asked as Will showed her to the settee by the window.

  Van Dero answered, “It’s more like an inn. She doesn’t just take in the sick. Apparently, she takes in women who have no other means to get away from their husbands or abusive fathers.”

  Milly said, “I like her.”

  “I’m not surprised,” her husband groaned as he sat on his desk. Van Dero captured Milly’s chin and forced her gaze up to him. “Tell me you’re not sponsoring this woman.”

  “I’m not,” Milly said. “Not yet, at least. I knew there was a reason I urged you not to hurt her. What she’s doing is good.”

  “She’s a murderer.”

  “You were a murderer,” Milly countered. “People can change. Also, there is no evidence that she’s behind the poisonings. Lady Ivers said she never heard anything about that.”

  “I’m sure Azalea didn’t share all her ideas with everyone she took in.”

  Camilla watched a maid place a tray of tea on the table. She hadn’t even heard the woman come in. Camilla turned away, but something about the woman struck her.

  It was her face.

  “Who is watching Morgana?” Camilla asked the maid. It was the same woman who’d greeted them at the door. Surely, she couldn’t serve tea and watch the girl.

  The maid kept her head low. “Lord Ellevear’s nursemaid.”

  That calmed Camilla considerably.

  But then the room fell quiet.

  Van Dero spoke. “Will, close the door.”

  Will moved swiftly.

  The maid turned to leave.

  “You stay,” Van Dero told the woman. “I don’t know you. Who are you?”

  Will blocked the door.

  Camilla’s stomach turned and the maid lifted her gaze to the duke.

  ∫ ∫ ∫

  5 7

  * * *

  There was nothing submissive about the maid’s gaze. She met the duke’s eyes head-on, unlike anyone Camilla had ever seen. “I started here this morning.”

  “Who hired you?” the duke asked.

  “Mrs. May.”

  Milly frowned. “I didn’t know our housekeeper had taken anyone new on.”

  The maid shrugged. Her speech was refined. “Perhaps she forgot to mention it. I imagine it would be difficult to keep up with every servant who comes into the house.”

  “Actually, it isn’t,” Van Dero said. “I know every servant from the lady’s maid all the way down to the scullery. I don’t know you, and there is no way Mrs. May would have hired you without my knowledge. Your name, miss. I’ll have it this minute.”

  The maid stiffe
ned.

  A knock sounded on the door.

  “Who is it?” Will asked.

  “Christian. Open the door.”

  Van Dero nodded.

  The doctor came in. His eyes held excitement. “It’s a miracle. The lump is completely gone. I don’t know how Lady Ivers managed to heal herself, but it’s extraordinary.”

  “I didn’t heal myself.” Lady Ivers resumed her seat. “I told you it was Azalea.”

  Will shifted and blocked the maid from leaving.

  “I’m not done with you,” Van Dero called to the maid’s back. “I said I’ll have your name.”

  The duke’s request sounded as though he were asking for the maid’s soul. Though Camilla knew that wasn’t the case, given his reputation, it sent a shiver down her spine.

  The maid turned to the duke and Lady Ivers gasped. “Azalea?”

  The room went quiet.

  The maid took off her cap. A curtain of dark red hair fell around her face. “You requested to speak to me, Your Grace.” She held out her hands. “Here I am.”

  Azalea. The healer. The murderer.

  “The Queen of Poisons,” Van Dero whispered.

  Milly leaned away and paled. Then she grabbed her husband’s arm. “Send someone to see our son.”

  “Your son is well,” Azalea said. “As is his nursemaid and the young girl who came in.”

  Van Dero turned to Will. “See if there are any servants in the hall.”

  “There aren’t,” Azalea said. “They’ve all been put to sleep.”

  Camilla gasped.

  “I can wake them,” Azalea assured them. “But I had to have some insurance for leaving here alive. Your reputation precedes you.”

  Van Dero narrowed his eyes. “If you touched a single hair on my son’s head—”

  “I didn’t,” Azalea said. “As I stated before—”

  “Husher, grab her.”

  Will moved forward.

  Azalea lifted her chin. “Touch me and your people will die in their sleep.”

  Will stopped and looked at the duke.

  Christian crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at the poisoner. “How can we be sure that you’re not lying? How is any of this even possible? The things that you speak of… the medicine doesn’t exist.”

  She looked at him. “Actually, it does.”

  “You’re lying,” the doctor said.

  “Try me.” Azalea lifted a brow. “Are you willing to bet the lives of nine footmen, eight maids, a cook, a butler, a valet, a lady’s maid, and two watchmen?”

  The duke cursed and slammed his fist on the table. “How is this possible? How did she manage to get past my defenses?”

  Azalea didn’t answer. She kept her defiant gaze, but Camilla had witnessed her jump when the duke slammed his fist on the table. “No harm will come to anyone so long as you allow me to leave in one piece.”

  “How can we trust you?” Milly looked worried.

  Azalea’s expression softened. “I never harm the innocent, my lady. I have never hurt a child.”

  Camilla looked at Will. He was watching her as well.

  Morgana.

  Camilla closed her eyes and prayed.

  “What is it you want?” Van Dero asked.

  “For you to leave me to my work,” the woman said. “Now, what is it you want, Your Grace?”

  “Stop poisoning people.”

  Azalea paused for a beat and then nodded. “Very well. No more murder.”

  The duke nodded. “Now, give us the cure.”

  “You’ll get it once I’m gone.”

  Will shook his head. He didn’t trust her.

  Neither did anyone else.

  Christian asked, “What does the cure consist of?”

  Azalea smiled at him. “I’ll give you a hint. It’s one you’ve prescribed yourself.”

  The doctor frowned in confusion.

  Camilla could take no more. She stood. “I need to see my sister.”

  “Bring Samuel to me.” Milly told her how to get to the nursery.

  Camilla nodded and met Will at the door.

  “I would join you, but…”

  “I know. You must stay here.” With the rest of the house asleep, he was the only protection.

  Will squeezed her hand and then let her go.

  Camilla found the nursery easily enough. And all was just as Azalea promised.

  Morgana was playing with some wooden blocks, building a house for her doll.

  The young earl was awake in the nursemaid’s arms.

  “Lady Van Dero would like her son.”

  The nursemaid stood. “I’m not to hand him to anyone I don’t know. I’ll take the boy to her myself.”

  Camilla took no issue with that. She had to pry Morgana away from the blocks and then they all returned to the office.

  The moment the duke saw them a look of relief washed over his features before he closed his eyes. “Fine.” he finally said. “Leave, but if one of my people die, I will hunt you down.”

  Azalea curtsied. “Good day, Your Grace.”

  Two seconds after she was gone, the duke said, “Follow her.”

  Camilla looked around. There was only one person who could obey that command.

  Will.

  Will bowed to the door and started from the room.

  “Wait.” Camilla met him at the door. Fear had her body starting to go numb. The woman had poisoned the entire house. She could hurt him.

  Will touched her cheek. “I can’t wait. I must go.”

  She cupped his hand. He wouldn’t leave without knowing the truth. “I love you. Come back to me.”

  He smiled. “Always.”

  He was gone a second after that.

  “Where’s the cure?” Van Dero asked. “Azalea must be somewhere in the house.”

  “A cure?” the nursemaid asked. “I spoke with that woman while Lord Ellevear was crying. She spoke about a cure for his teething.”

  “What was that?” Van Dero asked.

  The nursemaid frowned. “Patience.”

  Barely an hour later, the first of the servants began to wait.

  Camilla stayed because she needed to know that everyone was all right. She wouldn’t have been able to sleep that night otherwise.

  Christian cursed. “Of course. Rest. Patience. That’s what I tell most of my patients. How could I have been so foolish as to think there was some sort of ‘awakening’ drug? As I said, the medical science she spoke of doesn’t exist. Putting people to sleep is one thing. I suppose there are herbs capable of it. But then to wake them up? That sort of thing only happens in fairy tales.”

  The duke sat in his own chair now. His son slept on his chest. “It seems she pulled one over on us all.”

  Milly sat by Camilla. Morgana was between them, showing off her doll.

  Camilla told the woman who Morgana was and Milly didn’t flinch at offering the child a smile.

  “We must protect the innocent,” was all the duchess said.

  Camilla wished there were more people like Milly in the world.

  She prayed to one day be one of them. To exist in the state of pure love.

  Morgana would need that.

  Emily arrived sometime later. “Your mother sent me to get you.” Camilla had written home to tell her mother all that had happened. She was not surprised her mother hadn’t come. She likely abhorred the thought of riding in the carriage with Morgana.

  Emily looked at Morgana and her eyes widened. Apparently, her mother hadn’t told her.

  Milly spoke to Camilla. “Go speak to her. I’ll keep Morgana here.”

  “Thank you.” There was so much Camilla wanted to say to Emily.

  But when she met Emily on the other side of the room, she recalled all the other things she could never say. Keeping her brother’s secret was taking its toll.

  Emily frowned around Camilla’s shoulder at Morgana and then looked at Camilla. Quietly, she asked, “Why is that child here?”


  “Her mother is dying. My father is unwell as well.” Camilla closed her eyes and groaned. “I should have asked Azalea about that.”

  “Who?”

  Camilla shook her head. “Never mind.” She’d speak to Will once he returned. Will would know where Azalea went and he’d return to her. He had to. “She has nowhere else to go.” She told Emily everything.

  Emily looked sad. She gave Morgana held a note of sympathy. She had a good heart. “Poor girl. I feel sorry for her, but I also feel sorry for you as well. You shouldn’t have to bear this. You’re unwed.”

  “Will you take her?”

  Emily’s lips parted and her eyes fluttered. “Oh, I don’t know. I mean… It’s not an easy decision to make.”

  “I understand.” Camilla truly did.

  “No, I mean…” Emily smiled. “I believe I'm going to have a baby.”

  Camilla’s mouth fell open and then she smiled. “That’s wonderful, Emily. Does Luke know?” Just mentioning her brother’s name infuriated her. How could Luke do this to Emily?

  “Not yet, but he must know something is the matter.” She blushed.

  Camilla frowned and leaned closer. “What is it?”

  Emily shook her head and straightened. “I shouldn’t say. I do adore talking to you, but some matters… Well, they’re not for innocent ears.”

  Camilla understood.

  She remembered what her brother had told her on the street and the many things he’d insinuated. It was none of her business, but if it would help Emily’s marriage… “Em?”

  “Hm?”

  Camilla swallowed. “Do you remember the night we all went to the theatre? Do you remember watching William and I and how you said it made you… respond?”

  Emily covered her cheeks. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry.” She took Camilla’s hand. “Please, don’t tell anyone. Don’t mention it to your brother either.”

  “I won’t.”

  “I acted like a wanton. It shocked him.” She cringed.

  Camilla’s squeezed her hand. She hesitated, but then pushed forward. “Did he hate it?”

  “What?”

  “Did he… detest you for your… urges?” Camilla asked. “I believe I’ll be engaged to Will soon. So I want to know for myself.” That was only partly true, but it had mostly been said to open Emily up.

  Emily smiled. “Oh, that’s lovely. I knew you’d eventually fall in love with him.” She looked away and blinked. “Well, this conversation would be best had with your mother, but considering…” Emily cleared her throat. “He didn’t detest it. In fact, I think he liked it.”