After Dr. Langdon completed his work, he donned his coat and hat. “I shall check your progress, tomorrow, around noon.” He retrieved his black bag and, to Dalton, stated, “If there is any change in her condition, send for me, at once. Otherwise, I expect it to take a full two months for Mrs. Randolph’s complete recovery, but I shall monitor her closely, every day, for a sennight.”
“May I bathe?” How she longed for a hot soak with her husband.
“Yes.” The doctor pointed for emphasis. “But do not submerge the wound or wet the bandages.”
A half hour later, despite her pleas, she could not coax her suddenly shy husband into the water, but he washed her as if she were a porcelain doll. And once he had tucked her beneath the covers, he fed her a light repast.
When Mrs. Jones collected the dishes, she shed a few tears. “My dear, it does my heart good to see you looking better. Hicks and I thought we had lost you, and we could not bear it. And Mr. Anderson, the constable, is just arrived from Portsmouth. He wants to interview you, about the events.”
“That will be fine, Mrs. Jones.” Dalton wrapped a shawl about Daphne’s shoulders. “But first I would have a word with you and Hicks.”
“Yes, sir.” The housekeeper curtseyed.
“Is something wrong?” Daphne studied her brooding husband. “You have been awfully quiet since Dr. Langdon departed.”
“When the constable questions you, give him honest replies, save your brother’s involvement with Allen.” It had not escaped her notice that he evaded her query. “Do not temper your responses, and all will be fine.”
“You wished to see me, sir?” Hicks strolled into the bedchamber, with Mrs. Jones at his side.
“Indeed, as I must apologize to you, both.” Dalton stood and approached what Daphne considered the combined backbone of Courtenay Hall. “In my desperation to identify the villain, I suspected your involvement in the nefarious caper. Owing to our brief acquaintance, I hid the truth of Sir Ross’s persona, and I am not proud of my behavior. In my wife’s defense, she never once doubted your constancy, and she objected to my accusations. To my everlasting shame, she was correct in her assertions, and you are true and loyal friends. I humbly beg your forgiveness.”
Hicks and Mrs. Jones stared at each other and blinked.
Then Mrs. Jones clutched a fist to her chest. “Sir Dalton, we have cared for the Harcourts as we would our own children, if we had any. It is to your credit that you confess your notions, however misplaced, and I bear no grudge.”
“Neither do I.” The butler, so long Daphne’s protector, shook Dalton’s proffered hand. “As I have served this family since before Mrs. Randolph was born, I must say it is nice to see happiness fill this grand estate, after so much misery, so we will consider the matter closed and dwell no more on it. Now, should I send in Mr. Anderson?”
The constable had once represented Daphne’s worst nightmare, given her raids on passing ships, but those days were no more, and he had no interest in the singular practices that had brought her to her husband. Now, he posited an end to a dark chapter in her life, one she was more than ready to leave behind.
“Remember what I told you, angel.” Dalton met her gaze and sat beside her, after she patted the empty space on the bed.”
“Stay with me.” She scooted close and rested her head to his shoulder. “I am afraid.”
Just then, the constable traversed the sitting room and paused in the entry to the interior chamber. “May I come in?”
“Of course, Mr. Anderson.” Dalton waved a greeting. “I have agreed to the interview, but under duress, as my wife is injured, and I would not risk her health for the sake of your report.”
“I understand, Sir Dalton, and I have only a few questions, as Richard has been very forthcoming.” The constable flipped through the pages of a small notebook and pulled a pencil from his coat pocket. “When did you first receive the threatening letters?”
“In London, just prior to my wedding.” She cleared her throat.
“And why did you not notify the proper authorities?” Mr. Anderson narrowed his stare. “Did you inform anyone of the situation?”
“I told no one.” Nervous, she swallowed hard. “Given I thought it was someone’s idea of a horrible prank, I did not wish to alarm my husband.”
“And what secret did Mr. Allen intend to reveal?” The constable inclined his head. “What manner of disclosure was at the center of the blackmail?”
As she had promised Dalton, she dissembled in that respect. But Mr. Allen, ironically enough, had provided her answer, that night in the study, and it coincided beautifully with the interrogation. “Mr. Allen threatened to divulge unflattering information about Governor Harcourt. It seems my father borrowed a great deal of money from Mr. Allen, and the blackguard threatened to disparage my family’s reputation unless I paid him to remain silent.”
Little by little, she recounted the details of the past month, providing as many particulars as possible, and the constable took copious notes. But the truth came easy, as she had lived the incidents, and she concealed nothing else excepting Richard’s part in the drama. It was, perhaps, for that reason Mr. Anderson never debated her responses. So when he put away his pencil, Daphne enjoyed a modicum of relief.
“Indeed, this has been a most distressing case, Mrs. Randolph.” The constable shifted his weight. “There will be an inquest, to record the facts, but I anticipate no difficulties, as the evidence and witness accounts match your statement. And Allen has a lengthy record of nefarious deeds. You will be notified of the date, but you are not required to attend, especially in light of your injury. I appreciate your cooperation and wish you a speedy recovery.”
“Thank you, for conducting a complete and thorough investigation, Mr. Anderson.” Dalton escorted the constable to the sitting room door. “If you need anything else, we are at your service.”
When her husband returned, he eased beside her, lifted her to his lap, and kissed her. “My angel, it is, at long last, over.”
#
A fortnight had passed, when Daphne fidgeted in her bedchamber, as Hicks unwrapped her most recent purchase. The previous week, a magistrate in Portsmouth conducted an inquest to review the facts surrounding Mr. Allen’s crimes and death. Dalton had attended the inquiry but had not been called upon to testify, and the entire matter had been closed.
Yet an invisible but very real barrier loomed between Daphne and her erstwhile fervent husband, and she intended to breach his imaginary walls, after consulting with Rebecca. If not for the former spy, Daphne would have lamented the apparent loss of her once passionate knight. But Rebecca explained that Dirk had suffered the same unwelcome symptom, owing to the depth of his devotion, as she had recovered from Varringdale’s torture. In short, her husband refused to make love to her. And to Daphne’s frustration, Dalton suffered the same malady.
“Should I leave it here, Mrs. Randolph?” Hicks stood upright and bundled the brown paper into a ball. “Or would you prefer I move it against the wall, as someone might trip and fall.”
“Oh, no.” The orientation suited her purpose, so she shook her head. “Is dinner ready?”
“It should be delivered, any second.” The butler bowed. “Shall I summon Mrs. Jones?”
“No, you need not.” The housekeeper snorted. “As I am right here, you old hawk.”
“Then I will leave you ladies.” With a smile, Hicks arched a brow. “Am I still to send Sir Dalton precisely at half past six?”
“Yes.” Enclosed in her lair, Daphne kicked off her slippers and turned, so Mrs. Jones could untie the laces of her dress. Since Dr. Langdon had removed the stitches and the sling, she had only a bandage to draw attention to her wound. And while the injury still hurt, an ache of a different sort had become unbearable, and she decided to act. “Hurry, Mrs. Jones. Dalton will be here in ten minutes, and I want to take his breath away.”
“I doubt that is seriously in question, Mrs. Randolph.” Mrs. Jones snicke
red. “I’d wager my bonnet, as I think it remains safe. Now which nightgown would you wear, though I wonder why you bother?”
“The sapphire, as I wore it on my wedding night.” And she thought it past due to redeem it. “And I want to take down my hair.”
“Oh, and I reassigned Daisy.” The housekeeper removed the pins and brushed Daphne’s locks. “When I explained that you were comfortable with me, as I have acted as your lady’s maid since you were a girl, Daisy understood. Daresay she is happy to have an occupation.”
“Thank you.” Daphne stood and scrutinized her reflection in the long mirror. The diaphanous material hid nothing, and that was exactly what she wanted. “You are family to me, and I could not part with you.”
“And I was loathe to relinquish my responsibilities.” Mrs. Jones picked up the slippers and the other garments and conveyed them to the closet. Then she checked the sitting room, discovered the trolley loaded with covered dishes, and rolled the cart into the bedchamber. “Now then, everything is in place, and I wish you a lovely evening with Sir Dalton.”
Alone in the quiet solitude of her haven, Daphne twiddled her thumbs. As she surveyed her surroundings, she evaluated the efficacy of various poses and positions, which might show her figure at its best. In a last second change of plan, she unbuttoned the robe and dropped it to the floor and stood before the candelabra on the small table for two, which Hicks had situated, and hoped the candles provided fortuitous illumination—just as Dalton entered their quarters.
“Daphne, is everything all right?” When his gaze settled on her, unmistakable stillness invested his large frame, and telltale sparks flickered in his amber eyes.
“Hello.” She rotated, so he could look his fill. “Are you hungry?”
To her surprise, Dalton stood stock-still and mute, and she sensed the indecision waging war in his brain, given his rigid posture. So she strolled to her reticent spouse, kissed his cheek, and unhooked his breeches. When she slipped her hand inside, she found him raring to go, just as she had anticipated.
“Ah, you are hungry.” In a replay of an earlier scene, she worked his length, and on the third tug, as usual, her chivalrous knight gritted his teeth, emitted a feral groan, and sprayed his seed in an impressive cannonade. In that moment, the irrational worry she had denied ever existed seemed to melt, and she sighed, as his response affirmed he still desired her. “Oh, thank heavens. I had thought, perhaps, you no longer wanted me.”
“What?” Dalton flinched and grabbed her wrist. “You think me an indifferent husband?”
“We share a bed.” She shrugged. “But you refuse to make love to me, and I am not happy about it.”
He opened his mouth and then closed it. “I am angry with you.”
“I beg your pardon?” Daphne blinked, as she never would have fathomed the cause of his detachment. “What have I done to displease you?”
“You have to ask?” He snorted. “You put yourself between me and a lunatic bent on evil and took a lead shot for me. I want to spank you for being so careless with your person, when I hold you so dear.”
“All right.” With ruthless determination, she marched to the four-poster, lifted her nightgown to bare her bottom, and bent over the side of the mattress. “Do your worst.”
Studying the delicate scrollwork sewn into the counterpane, she swallowed hard, when he settled his palm to her flesh. Bracing for impact, she bit her lip, until he massaged her derriere.
“You are incredibly beautiful, my angel.” The sadness in his voice spoke volumes, and her heart yearned for him. “I love you so much it terrifies me, and I know not how to cope.”
“Oh, Dalton.” She gasped, when he lifted her in his arms, carried her to the overstuffed chair by the windows, sat, and nestled her in his lap. Framing his face, she kissed him. “I love you, too. And I could not conceive of my life without you, especially here on Portsea, as this is where we met, and everything about my childhood home reminds me of you. That is why I could not let Mr. Allen hurt you. Without you, I am lost.”
For a while, they simply touched each other, learning their respective peaks and curves anew, and saying with their hands what could not be conveyed in words. When Daphne lifted her chin, Dalton met her halfway, covering her lips with his, and they ignited.
Desire blossomed, slow at first, but it gathered strength, as a zephyr wind, which carried them into the conflagration. Together, they shed the stress of the past months, finding comfort in mutual pleasure, until they parted. Dalton nipped her nose and chuckled, and she giggled, in response.
Resting his forehead to hers, he said, “If you ever do anything like that again, I will—”
“Nothing like that will ever happen, again, as I will not allow it.” She scored her fingernails to the nape of his neck. “Now may we enjoy our evening?”
“It would be my honor.” Then he averted his gaze and frowned. “What is a two-seater bench doing in the middle of the room?”
“Oh—that?” Daphne untied his cravat and tossed aside the yard-length of linen. “I bought it on Rebecca’s recommendation.”
“What for?” Furrowing his brow, Dalton huffed a breath. “As we have no need of it.”
“I beg to disagree.” Daphne whispered in his ear the primary function of the item in question, explaining Dirk’s preferred use.
Choking violently, his eyes widened. “You can’t be serious.”
“But I am, and I demand you indulge me.” She unbuttoned his waistcoat and shirt and splayed her palms to his impressive chest. “Else I may conk you on the noggin with my hairbrush and have my wicked way with you, sir.”
For a few minutes, he simply stared at her. Then his demeanor changed, and her naughty knight emerged from his cocoon. “All right, my angel.” With Daphne in his grasp, Dalton stood. “Hold tight, as you are about to take a ride on the wild side.”
THE LUCKY ONE
EPILOGUE
December roared onto Portsea Island with a blizzard, and Dalton had opted to forgo a return to the city, as he fretted for Daphne’s health, which had become downright tenuous. To his frustration, his wife showed no inclination to slow her busy schedule, which included her customary charitable visits and mediation of community issues for the newly appointed governor of Portsea Island, her cousin Harold.
To further compound the situation, she had invited the entire family to spend Christmas at Courtenay Hall, and the Brethren of the Coast were set to arrive in a sennight. As he sat at his desk in the study, he audited her ledger entries and was nonplussed to discover no errors, given he had made two trips to the Continent to transport injured soldiers home and had not checked her numbers in three months.
“Good afternoon, darling.” He glanced up to discover her lingering in the doorway, holding a blanket, and he smiled.
“Hello, my angel.” Dropping the pen to the blotter, he pushed back the chair and then stood. “Ready for your nap?”
“Indeed.” As was her way, she marched to their usual spot—the overstuffed chair near the windows, which afforded a spectacular view of the harbor.
After untying his cravat, he flung it to the daybed, unfastened the top button of his shirt, and sat. True to form, Daphne stepped about his legs, eased to his lap, unfolded the blanket, and draped it with care. As she snuggled close, he tucked the cover beneath her chin and kissed her forehead.
“How do you feel?” Resting his cheek to her crown of curls, he sighed. “What did Dr. Langdon say? Could he prescribe a tonic?”
“No.” Skimming her hand beneath the fine lawn, she pressed her palm to his chest. “But not to worry, as it will work itself out. And I had a letter from Blake.”
“Is he returned from the voyage?” In light of Dalton’s reluctance to leave Daphne, given her fragile constitution, Blake had volunteered to assume the latest mission. “I owe him a debt.”
“So it would seem.” She drew imaginary circles on his flesh. “He accepted our invitation and is bringing guests.”
&nbs
p; “Oh?” Sifting through the skirts of her blue gown, he finally located her bare calf and stroked her supple skin. “Who?”
“Two young ladies, one of whom has caught his special attention.” Daphne snickered. “At least, that is what Caroline’s missive said.”
“Bloody hell.” Dalton laughed. “Never thought I would see the day the great Blake Elliott fell victim to the fairer sex. Well I can’t wait to meet her, as she must be a paragon. And it will be no trouble, as we have plenty of rooms.”
“Speaking of rooms, I would send a note to Mr. Benson, as I require a change to our home.” She parted his shirt and trailed feathery kisses between his nipples.
“I beg your pardon?” He dropped his head on the back of the chair and stared at the ceiling. “What more would you have, as we just renovated the entire house?”
“But we have a very important person coming to stay with us, and I would have everything perfect.” She teased him with a playful nibble.
“Who is this very important person, and why would they find none of our accommodations satisfactory?” He inched his hand higher and squeezed her supple thigh. “And when do they arrive?”
“I know not, as we have yet to be introduced,” she replied in a flirty lilt. “And they will not arrive for another seven months, according to Dr. Langdon.”
Whatever he had intended to say, words failed him, as the full import of her statement dawned, and Dalton peered at his wife. “My angel, you are with child?”
“Happy Christmas, a tad early.” With an arm wound about his neck, she hugged him. “Are you as thrilled as I am?”
“Oh, sweetheart.” So many emotions surged in his veins he could identify none of them. “I am beside myself with joy. I gather that is the source of your fatigue, of late?”
“Yes.” Once again, she reclined and closed her eyes. “And I should take my nap, as Dr. Langdon prescribes it.”
Brethren of the Coast Box Set 2 Page 89
