Heat burned the back of his neck. “Have I ruined the experience for you?”
“Yes,” she said quickly. The firecrackers display flickered in her eyes and across her pale skin. And he thought her magical. The entire moment seemed unreal.
He was at a masquerade.
He was with her in a tree.
She was smiling at him, her side pressed into his.
“You’ve ruined the entire experience,” she purred with mockery. “You’ll have to make it up to me. Amaze me.”
* * *
Everly was having one of the best nights of her life.
And she was doing it with the last man she’d ever thought it possible with.
His Grace, the Duke of Ayers.
He’d climbed a tree for her. He’d even told a joke.
She had been cold since they’d arrived outdoors and hoped he didn’t mind her nearness. His body seemed like a living furnace that continued to draw her closer.
She couldn’t read his expression. It asked her a question, though she didn’t know what.
Then his hand touched her cheek and she gasped.
Her hands went to his chest and her body moved closer, all in the fear that she’d fall.
His bare fingers moved to the back of her head, causing her to shiver.
And his head lowered.
His mouth touched hers.
Everly’s entire body went stiff in shock. “Your Grace?”
He pulled away and caught her eyes again. Then his widened as if just realizing what he’d done. His hand fell away. “Forgive me.”
Everly said nothing. She was still too astonished by what had just happened. Surely, he’d not kissed her. Yet when she tried to come up with another reason for his mouth to have landed on hers, she found nothing.
He’d kissed her?
Why?
“I didn’t mean to…” He turned away and held out a hand. “Let me help you down.”
She took his hand and gave a short squeal as her feet met the grass. Then he jumped down beside her, and she was quickly reminded just how large of a man he was.
And just how very small she was.
And that he’d kissed her.
The Duke of Ayers had purposefully placed his mouth on hers.
It wasn’t that men didn’t like her; she’d simply been sure that he hated her.
Until this night.
Until they’d laughed and climbed a tree.
Until he’d covered his mouth with her own.
She touched her lips.
He followed the motion in the flickering light of the fireworks. Then he frowned. “Good evening, my lady.” He left, and she said nothing.
She did nothing for long moments after that.
Everly was unaware of the continued fireworks or the noise of the merry crowd.
She tried to find a reason for his behavior…
And then she found it.
She’d asked to be amazed. He’d only been doing as she asked. Surely, he’d been out to shock her. Nothing more.
The realization should have made her happy, but for some reason, it was disheartening.
No longer in a mood to enjoy the night, she started to the hall.
Was Asher still around? She doubted it. Yet, at the same time, she found herself searching for him. She wanted to tell him that it was all right. She understood his strange act now. He didn’t like her, and she’d not be pushing for marriage. He had no reason to worry.
∫ ∫ ∫
0 8
At the end of a hall that Everly was unfamiliar with, a man stepped out. His dark uniform announced him as an official.
Another man stepped out. This one was dressed in ancient robes. He pointed at Everly. “There! That is her, I am sure of it! Grab her while she’s alone.” He looked familiar, but Everly couldn’t remember his name. He’d been part of Lord Renner’s wedding party.
Immediately, two more men came out of the room. They looked official as well and started toward her.
Everly frowned. “What’s the matter? Is everything all right?”
In the next second, her arms were grabbed from either side.
Her eyes went wide. “What is the meaning of this?” She tried to wrestle out of their grasp but found it too difficult to break free. Their fingers bit into her arms. “Unhand me at once!”
“It’s her,” the accuser said again. “I told you I’d find her. Now, take her away before anyone sees. I don’t wish to disturb the party.”
“What is the meaning of this?” Everly cried.
The man in charge ignored her. “Put her in the cart. We’ll check the hall once she’s secured in the cell.”
Cell?
Everly looked around as she was dragged farther down the hall, craning her neck to find aid, but there was no one else in sight. Everyone was still in the garden.
She fought the entire way. “I’m Lady Everly Wycliff. You will regret this!”
“No lady would wear pants,” the officer said as his men pushed her unceremoniously into the cart. “And we know everyone in town was invited to the party. There is no telling who you really are.” It started away before she could even catch her breath.
“Help!”
The men were with her on the cart and yanked her down when she tried to climb away.
“No! I don’t understand. I’ve done nothing wrong.” She tried to think of anything she could have done in the past few days to warrant such treatment. Nothing came to mind.
The main road was dark, but they didn’t have to travel far. The assembly hall was located in the middle of town, as was the constable’s office.
“This is a mistake!” she shouted as they pulled her from the cart and into the building.
She looked around and saw no one else in sight. Fear was pumping through her blood. “You’ll regret this.
“We’ll get your account and then send for your husband,” the constable said.
“I have no husband.”
Everly set her feet into the ground, but the men dragged her to the back nonetheless. She’d have bruises by the time they were done.
She heard the squeal of hinges and then an iron gate opened.
No!” She started to fight anew, but her strength was no match for theirs.
They shoved her into the cell and closed the door.
She turned and reached for the bars. “I demand to know what it is you believe I’ve done!”
A bag of diamonds was stolen,” the constable said.
Diamonds! A bag of them? “I know nothing about that. You must release me at once. I demand it.”
“To who do you belong?” the man asked.
The question filled her with rage. “I belong to no one but myself.”
“And the gold?” The Constable’s dark eyes raked over her. “From where did it come? Did you steal that as well?”
“I’m wealthy in my own right, you idiot!”
His eyes widened and then narrowed. “Perhaps, we’ll hold off on your questioning. Perhaps, a few hours or even a night in here will settle you.”
“No! Wait!” He started away, ignoring her.
Everly rattled the door of her cage. “You can’t leave me in here! I am the daughter of an earl.”
“An earl’s daughter wouldn’t wear pants!” the man shot back from somewhere else in the room. Then she heard the shuffling of chairs and more talking. In a normal tone, he said, “Deal the cards.”
They were playing cards while she was imprisoned? “You can’t do this to me.”
“Quiet,” the man shouted. “Or I’ll send one of my men over to quiet you.”
Everly closed her mouth and shivered. She’d heard of the horrors of Newgate, and though this was nothing compared to London’s most notorious hell, she didn’t wish to test the guards here.
What had happened? She’d been having a wonderful night. She’d done nothing to deserve this.
Despair began to eat at her heart and filled her eyes with tears, but s
he refused to weep.
She’d been locked away before. Her father had made a special room for her whenever she’d acted out. An attic that hadn’t been tall enough for her to stand in even at ten.
She looked around.
At least her new prison was large enough to accommodate her full height.
She’d survive and when she was released, she’d make them all pay dearly.
She awoke hours later. She was huddled in the corner. Sunlight slipped into the cell through the small window that was too high up for her to reach.
She’d tried to touch very little of the room last night, still unable to accept that she was there at all. It smelled of things she didn’t wish to imagine. The stone floor was hard, and she’d been frozen for half the night, her mind unable to fall into a complete rest.
She’d remained close to the bars, listening to the conversations that went on but finding little of any use.
She looked up when feet passed and stopped before her.
It was the constable. “We searched the cloaks that were left at the party last evening.” He held up a green wool she recognized immediately.
“That’s my cloak!” Everly stood. “You had no right!”
The constable held up a small leather pouch. “We found this in your pocket.”
Everly stared at the dark bag and then turned to the constable. “I’ve never seen that in my life.”
He ignored her comment. “The gentleman is willing to let the matter go if you return his diamonds to him.”
“What diamonds?” She grabbed the bar when her limbs began to shake. She was unable to believe this was happening to her. “I’ve never seen that bag, and I know nothing about the diamonds.”
“The assize will arrive in a fortnight,” the man of authority warned. “I hope you change your tale before then.”
Everly gasped. The judges who left London to hear cases in the country over presided over the most serious offenses.
She could go to Newgate.
“Sir, listen to me. I am Lady Everly Wycliff. My father was the Earl of Ellervear. Now, my cousin holds the seat. He will tell you who I am if you get him.”
“Ellervear is gone,” the man said. “As are most of the guests who attended the party last night.”
Everly recalled that many had planned to leave, including her cousin Diana and her husband. Everyone wished to get to London for the Season.
Everly hung her head as she tried to think.
“We found only one who was willing to come and see if you were who you claim to be.” The constable looked to his side and motioned someone over.
Hope filled her, and Miss Abigail Christensen appeared.
“Miss Abigail!” Everly smiled as her heart eased. “Tell that man who I am.”
Abigail blinked and then turned to the constable. “I’m not sure. She looks like Lady Wycliff… vaguely, but I fear I’m not sure enough to warrant the freedom of a criminal.”
“What!” Everly’s eyes widened.
Abigail turned to her, but she still spoke to the constable. “In fact, I believe I saw this woman kissing a gentleman who was not her husband.” Anger filled her gaze. “No true lady would ever do such a thing as kiss a gentleman who belonged to someone else.”
They’d been seen? Everly wondered if Abigail was the only one who’d noticed. Likely so. She’d clearly been following Asher’s every move last night.
And the woman was clearly mad. By no means did Asher belong to Abigail.
The duke belonged to no one.
Was the woman truly upset about a kiss that both parties clearly regretted?
“She seems to know your name, Miss Christensen,” the constable said with a frown.
“She probably heard it somewhere.” Lady Abigail smiled at the constable. They seemed to know one another.
Everly swallowed. “Miss Christensen, we sat in my cousin Diana’s sitting room just days ago.”
“Did we?” Abigail’s lips twitched. “I should have a better look.” Then she leaned forward. Her eyes narrowed, and she whispered in a harsh voice, “How dare you! I trusted you! You’ll regret crossing me, Lady Wycliff.”
Everly was too dumbstruck to speak.
“Woe unto you,” the crazed woman went on. “Woe!” Then she leaned back and pursed her lips at the constable. “I’m terribly sorry that I’ve wasted your time.”
“No, you’ve been most helpful,” the constable said.
“You will come for dinner, won’t you?” Abigail said as she started away. “My father expects you.”
“Of course,” the constable replied in the distance.
It made sense that the constable would be friends with the powerful in town.
“No! Wait!” Everly tried reaching for them. “Come back. I’m Lady Wycliff!”
Why was this happening to her?
Falling back onto the floor, she struggled not to weep as she tried to come up with a plan of action. She paid no one else any mind as they passed her in the hall. She had to find a way out of her cell.
∫ ∫ ∫
0 9
Asher woke up to the sound of a blast. He reeled from the gunshot as it tore through his body. It was only after he managed to take a calming breath and listen beyond his racing heart that he heard the knocking on the door.
Not a gunshot. Just a dream and knocking at his door.
He took another breath and wiped the sweat from his upper lip. He was covered in it. Fear and anxiety caused by his dreams.
The knock came again.
“Enter.”
His valet approached. “A Mr. Goodman is downstairs. He needs to speak with you.” His valet, George, rarely interrupted Asher’s sleep, even when it grew late in the day.
This meant the matter was of some importance.
“Did he say what this was about?” Asher couldn’t think of a single reason the man would ride to Ayers’ Castle or feel the need to have him woken.
“It’s about Lady Wycliff, Your Grace.”
Everly?
He nearly said her name aloud but stopped himself in time.
He thought about their kiss.
And then her expression afterward.
What was Everly’s connection to the blacksmith? Their business should have been finished by now.
“I’ll be down in a moment,” Asher said.
After bathing quickly, he dressed and met Mr. Goodman in the drawing room. The rest of the house was strangely quiet. He wondered if everyone had gone to Lore’s home, which wasn’t far from the castle.
“Your Grace.” Mr. Goodman bowed. “I’ll get straight to the point. Lady Wycliff was taken prisoner last evening. She’s being held by the constable. You’re the only person of authority I know who knows her at all.”
Asher stiffened. “Lady Wycliff is in a cell in town?”
Mr. Goodman nodded.
“What for?” he asked, even as he started for the door, shouting for someone to have his horse readied.
“Theft,” Mr. Goodman said as he tried to keep up with Asher’s long strides.
Theft?
“There has been some mistake.” Asher didn’t know Everly well, but he was certain that she was no thief.
Asher rode faster than ever before and reached town quickly. “Why didn’t they release her once you gave her identity?”
“I’m but a blacksmith,” the man riding at his back said. “They would not let her go on my say so, especially when one of the town’s wealthiest members said it wasn’t her. ”
Asher’s blood boiled. The blacksmith would have been overlooked for someone with a family of more power in town.
Often with crimes, the constable was unsure of what to do in a matter. He was elected every year by the wealthy and used his power to aid his friends.
At the constable’s office, he slammed open the door and looked around. A young man with wide eyes stared at him.
“Who is in charge here?”
“Lord Ayers?” Everly’s
sweet voice called him from the back of the room, tinged with panic.
He went to her, moving anyone in his path out of the way. Her hand slipped through the bars and, without thinking, he took it. “I’m going to get you out of here.”
She stared at him in wonder.
He looked at the cell door with the thought to break it since the young man was taking too long with the key.
Why was she here? It made no sense. She was far too lovely for this place. Could no one see that but him?
Seeing her as she was, still in the costume from last night, his anger grew, pounding in his skull.
“Get her out of here,” he roared.
* * *
Everly thought to pull away from Asher at his shout, but his fingers were far too tight on hers for her to move anywhere. But that was all right, she decided a moment later. She was trembling or had been until his arrival.
His hand was rough and warm. She was so cold.
He was angry. She couldn’t recall ever seeing him like this. Was all of this emotion on her behalf?
She took in the hardness of his visage and thought him more godlike than ever before. She was astonished when a storm did not fill the skies and lightning didn’t strike the ground.
Still clenching her fingers in his own, he glared at the young man who tried to unlock the cell. The lad’s fingers shook terribly. The keys jingled. He was clearly frightened.
Everly calmed, knowing she’d be all right. Asher would save her.
The door opening seemed so very unreal. She stepped out slowly and then allowed Asher to gather her into his arms.
“Are you all right? Have you been harmed?” He didn’t allow her to answer but instead did his own inspection. His hands touched her hips, spun her around, and then again. Then he touched her cheek and spoke in a terribly dark tone. “Are you hurt?”
“No,” she whispered.
“Why didn’t you plead privilege?” Asher asked.
Since Everly was a lady, she could privilege of peerage to her first offense.
But this was not her first offense.
Everly bit her lip. “I… might have already used that one.” It had been a trifling matter in her youth.
Asher stared at her for a long moment and then stepped away before turning to the guard. “Where is the man in charge?”
The Perfect Duke (Valiant Love) (A Regency Romance Book) Page 4
