THE LEGEND OF NIMWAY HALL: 1888 - ALEXANDRA

by Victoria Alexander

  “You’re saying no, then?”

  “I’m saying I would rather be torn apart by lions in the Colosseum than have anything to do with you whatsoever.”

  He winced. “That’s rather harsh.”

  “Not harsh enough!” She huffed. “If you’ve said everything you wish to say, I suggest you leave.”

  “If you’re sure you and I—”

  “Yes!”

  “Very well. Judging by the work I noticed upon my arrival, you probably don’t need this. Still …” He sighed in a resigned manner and pulled an envelope from his waistcoat pocket and held it out to her. “This is really why I came.”

  “What is this?” She accepted the envelope, withdrew a single page, and scanned it quickly. “Am I supposed to believe this?”

  “You are free to contact my brother in London for confirmation if you wish.” He eyed her regretfully. “You’ve become terribly distrustful, Alexandra.”

  “I can’t imagine why,” she said under her breath and sank into a nearby chair, rereading the note Julian had given her.

  “It’s not at all attractive.”

  She ignored him. “This says the money you stole will be returned and deposited directly into my accounts. I simply have to contact your brother to make the appropriate arrangements.”

  “And all will be taken care of.” He dropped into a chair and grinned. “Apparently, I’m not such a villain after all.”

  She waved the paper at him. “Explain.”

  “I did think I could arrange purchase of the Brynmore property—”

  “Although it was apparently never for sale.”

  “Yes, well, that was a bit of a problem.” He shrugged. “However, at the same time, I stumbled upon an investment opportunity that was too good to pass up.”

  “And you used my money for this opportunity.”

  “I didn’t have any of my own.” He cast her a chastising glance. “At least, not enough.”

  “So this opportunity proved worthwhile?”

  “It had its moments. All in all, it was not quite as profitable as one would have hoped. Your initial contribution—”

  Her brow rose. “Is that what you call it?”

  “—was ultimately recouped.”

  “And now you’re returning it.” It really was hard to believe. She’d thought these funds were gone for good.

  “Apparently, this is the price one pays to regain one’s position of employment, one’s place in one’s family, and oh yes, stay out of prison.” Indignation colored his words. “My brother threatened to send me to prison if I did not return this money. Can you imagine such a thing?”

  “Frequently. And with a great deal of satisfaction.”

  He aimed a pointed figure at the letter. “That includes interest, I might add. My brother insisted on that. Well, he insisted on all of it.”

  She glanced at the letter. “I see that.”

  “So when all is said and done, I made money for Nimway.”

  “Where were you three months ago?” she asked without thinking.

  If Julian had shown up three months ago, she would have had the money she needed to make all the required repairs to the estate. She could have paid off her loans. She never would have allowed Robert to stay at Nimway, let alone marry him. Who knew what might have happened then? Would she and Robert have found each other? She wanted to believe they would have, that Fate would have made certain of it. Really, if Julian hadn’t stolen her money, any number of things that had led her to Robert wouldn’t have happened at all. One could argue he was the reason for her newfound happiness. For that, along with the return of Nimway’s reserves, she might be able to forgive the man, although she doubted it. It had been a dreadful two years.

  “I think you should give me another chance,” he said with that charming smile of his.

  “Goodness, Julian, I already have.” She smiled in an overly sweet manner. “Why, I never had you thrown in prison.”

  “See? I knew you still had feelings for me.” He leaned forward. “You and I got on quite well together.”

  “A lot has changed in two years. I have changed in two years. And I have come to my senses about you, although I will confess that happened rather quickly.”

  “And yet there is still something between us.”

  “And I daresay you don’t want to know exactly what it is,” she snapped.

  “Give me one good reason why you and I shouldn’t be together.”

  “I can give you one.” Robert’s voice rang from the doorway. “She’s my wife.”

  “Your what?” Julian got to his feet and stared.

  “His wife.” Alex rose and tried not to smirk. “Julian, allow me to introduce my husband, Lord Brynmore. Robert, this is Julian Shaw, an old … mistake.”

  Robert strode into the room, the very picture of assurance. As if he had been trained from birth to be Lord Brynmore. From his air of authority to the steely look in his blue eyes, this was a man to be reckoned with. Alex’s heart fluttered. And he was hers.

  “Brynmore?” Julian’s expression fell as if all the air had been let out of it. “Brynmore as in …”

  “As in Brynmore Manor,” Robert said coolly. “As in the estate next to Nimway.”

  “I see.” Julian’s gaze shifted between Alex and Robert. “Well, this is an interesting turn of events.”

  “Is it?” Robert asked.

  “Indeed.” Speculation glimmered in Julian’s eyes. “And most distressing.”

  “Oh?” Robert’s brow rose.

  “Hardly.” Alex huffed then realized the two men were paying absolutely no attention to her whatsoever.

  “I came here today with the best of intentions to reclaim my fiancée.” He heaved a heartfelt sigh Alex didn’t believe for a minute. “The true love of my life.”

  “Good Lord,” Alex muttered.

  “My hopes and dreams for the future are now shattered.” He sniffed as if fighting back a tear. What an ass. “You have broken my heart, Alexandra.”

  “Utter nonsense.” She scoffed.

  Robert’s eyes narrowed. “What do you want, Shaw?”

  “Can one put a price on a broken heart, my lord?” Julian’s heartfelt tone belied the look in his eyes.

  Alex gasped.

  Robert chuckled. “Oh, I suspect you can.”

  “I’m certain a court would award a suitable amount to make amends for the emotional suffering and of course the public humiliation inherent in breach of promise.”

  “A suitable amount? For you? You?” Rage swept through her, and she wanted nothing more than to wrap her hands around his neck and squeeze. “You stole from me, and then you took off like a thief in the night. You broke your promise to me!”

  “You might see it that way, but one wonders if a court would agree.” Julian grimaced. “You do have a history of failed engagements and broken promises. Why, the hearts of innocent men trampled by the Dragon of Nimway Hall are littered all over the countryside.”

  “How dare you threaten me!” She moved toward him, but Robert stepped in her way.

  “How much?” her husband asked.

  She turned to him. “Robert!”

  “You seem like a practical sort, my lord. I suspect between the two of us we can agree on an appropriate amount.”

  “I’m certain of it. Although …” Robert paused. “I do wonder …”

  “I assure you, my lord, I am a reasonable man.”

  “Ha!” She huffed and crossed her arms over her chest.

  “And you strike me as such,” Robert continued as if she wasn’t even there. What was he up to? “But perhaps I am confused given I’m not from here.”

  “American, aren’t you?” Julian asked.

  Robert nodded.

  “I thought so. Clever people, you Americans.”

  “Well”—Robert shrugged modestly—“we do what we can. As I was saying, perhaps I’m confused as to the legal aspects of all this, and I would hate to run afoul of the laws
in this country.”

  “I have long held a position with my brother’s firm.” Julian shrugged modestly. “I’m not a solicitor, but I do have a fair amount of legal knowledge.”

  “Excellent.” Robert blew a relieved breath. “As much as I would prefer to avoid any of this becoming public—”

  “Without question,” Julian said quickly.

  “It might be best to let this charge of breach of promise play out in the courts after all,” Robert said thoughtfully.

  What an absurd idea. Surely Robert wasn’t serious.

  “Do you really think you wish to do that, my lord?” Julian’s tone was distinctly patronizing. “It will create something of a scandal for poor Lady Brynmore.”

  “Come now, Shaw.” He scoffed. “Lady Brynmore is made of sterner stuff than to let a little gossip trouble her. Aren’t you, my dear?”

  Alex glared but held her tongue.

  “Still,” Julian said in a considerate manner, “I would hate to put her in that position unnecessarily.”

  “As would I. One never knows what kind of information might come out in the course of a legal inquiry.” Robert shook his head. “Things like, oh, I don’t know, swindling her out of Nimway’s financial reserves then fleeing with the funds. Seems to me, that’s not the kind of thing a loving fiancé would do. Might paint him in an, oh, questionable light.”

  Julian’s face paled.

  “He could even end up in prison, I would think.” He glanced at Alex. “What do you think, dear? Would prison for Shaw here be worth the scandal of a breach of promise suit he might pursue?”

  “Goodness, Robert.” She smiled slowly. The man really was brilliant. “You said it yourself—scandal has never bothered me.”

  “That’s that, then.” He cast Julian a cordial smile. “To court it is.”

  “Might I point out Nimway’s funds have been returned,” Julian said, a distinct note of discomfort in his voice. “With interest.”

  “And while you are obviously much better versed on the law here than I am, I suspect the return of the stolen funds does not negate the fact of the crime. Does it?”

  “No,” Julian muttered. He thought for a moment then brightened. “What if we forgot the whole thing? The breach of promise, the borrowed—”

  “Stolen,” Alex snapped.

  “Funds. All of it?”

  “And you will never cross our paths again?”

  Julian nodded. “Never.”

  Robert glanced at his wife. “Alexandra? Is this amenable to you?”

  “I’m not sure, Robert.” She sighed. “I do relish the idea of him rotting in prison.”

  “He did return the money.”

  “There is that.” She considered Julian for a moment. “I do so hate to give up the thought of him in prison … I know.” She cast him her brightest smile. “Why don’t you just thrash him for me? I think that will do.”

  “If that’s what you want.” Robert smiled and took off his coat.

  “My lord.” A distinct look of panic shone on Julian’s face. He and Robert were similar in height, but it was apparent just by looking at the two men, Robert was in much better physical condition. “Alexandra, is this really necessary?”

  “I’m not sure it’s necessary, but it would be most gratifying.” She adopted a pleasant smile. As much as she had considered what she might say to Julian should she ever see him again, she hadn’t expected it to be quite this much fun. “Oh, I suppose we could forgo giving you what you so richly deserve. Robert, what do you think?”

  “If you’re sure.”

  She nodded.

  “Then I say we let him go.” Robert turned his attention back to Julian, smiling a distinctly icy sort of smile. The kind of smile that would strike fear into the heart of any man foolish enough to cross him. Good Lord, her husband was magnificent. “Depending of course on whether or not we ever set eyes on you again.”

  “I assure you, my lord, you won’t.” Relief rang in Julian’s voice. “And I should be on my way. Good day, my lord, Lady Brynmore.” Julian nodded and fled from the room.

  “You, my lord”—Alex stepped close and threw her arms around her husband’s neck—“were quite, quite wonderful.”

  “Well, that was kind of fun,” he admitted with a rueful smile.

  She studied him thoughtfully. “How did you know about the money?”

  “Pearson told me right before I came in.”

  She grinned. “I have Nimway’s money back, Robert. With interest. Isn’t that wonderful?”

  “I’m happy if you’re happy.”

  “Of course I’m happy. I’m ecstatic.”

  “Good.” He kissed her in an oddly perfunctory manner then unwrapped her arms from around his neck and stepped back. “I have some urgent correspondence that needs to be dealt with today, so if you’ll excuse me.” He smiled politely and strode from the room. As if he couldn’t get away fast enough.

  She stared after him. What on earth had gotten into the man? They had Nimway’s money back. Julian was no longer a threat, even if Alex had never imagined he would be. But there was definitely something bothering her husband.

  Of course. The answer was obvious. Even though Robert knew there had been men in her life before him, coming face-to-face with someone she’d once planned to marry was surely difficult for him. Even if that someone was a dreadful mistake. Why, the dear sweet man might even be a tiny bit jealous.

  She’d just have to show him later that he had absolutely nothing to be jealous about. Alex grinned. And wouldn’t that be fun?

  For both of them.

  Chapter 16

  Thunder again rumbled in the night sky, forewarning of the rain to come. The sound echoed in Robert’s chest. How appropriate. At least he was feeling something in the exact spot where he’d been feeling nothing at all. Ever since the confrontation in the library late this afternoon, a cold numbness had settled in his chest. But then learning the hard facts would do that to a man.

  He pushed back from the library desk and got to his feet, welcoming the twinge in his joints from sitting too long. Any feeling at all was good. He’d been sitting here most of the day and well into the night, staring at correspondence that was nothing more than a ruse to be alone. He’d passed on dinner, sending word to Alex through Pearson that he needed to continue to work and then telling the butler he didn’t wish to be disturbed. Even so, shortly thereafter, the old man had returned with a dinner tray, which still sat untouched on a side table.

  It was time Robert considered exactly what he was doing, what he wanted, and what he had gotten himself into.

  When he’d asked Alex to marry him, it wasn’t merely because she was an excellent match for Viscount Brynmore in regards to both business and society. Nor did it have a great deal to do with the endless erotic dreams that dominated his sleep every single night. There were ways to deal with that kind of frustration without committing to one woman forever.

  No, both were excellent reasons—and eminently practical—but he’d asked her to spend the rest of her life with him because, even if he hadn’t admitted it to himself at the time, he loved her. He couldn’t imagine a future without her. The woman had claimed his heart possibly from the first moment he’d seen her.

  The fact that she had married him for his money hadn’t bothered him in the beginning. He was confident that one day, his feelings would be returned. How could something this remarkable not be shared?

  “Where were you three months ago?”

  He hadn’t intended to eavesdrop, but he hadn’t avoided it either. When Pearson had described the situation with Shaw, Robert had immediately headed to the parlor, pulling up short when he reached the open doors. He’d ignored the twinge of guilt at listening to a private conversation, but Alex was his wife, after all, and it was his responsibility to protect her. In his experience, it was always better to know what lay in wait at the bottom before jumping over the cliff.

  He absently selected a cigar from the box
he kept on the shelves nearest the terrace door, opened the doors, then lit the cigar. In spite of the distant thunder, the rain hadn’t yet started.

  It wasn’t so much what Alex had said as the way in which she’d said it. The way regret shaded her voice. He’d been certain she felt as he did, but he’d never said the words out loud, and neither had she. There was no hurry. They had the rest of their lives. Besides, it was a new feeling for him, and he wasn’t entirely sure how to deal with it. Now he was glad he hadn’t said anything. Glad to avoid the humiliation of having declared himself only to have her admit she might well like him—she might well want him—but love was another matter entirely.

  “Where were you three months ago?”

  A cold knife had lodged in his heart at her words. Logically, he knew he could be mistaken about her meaning or intent, but it didn’t seem to matter. Apparently, this had nothing to do with logic or reason. He had truly believed she was as in love with him as he was with her. He wasn’t used to being wrong. He didn’t like it one bit.

  He leaned against the doorjamb and blew a long stream of smoke into the dark, humid night.

  Robert had always known what he wanted in life. As much as he and his brother weren’t overly fond of their father, living up to his standards was, for good or ill, at the top of that list. Success was expected. Robert was smart and ambitious and hardly ever failed at anything. Until now.

  He was a means to an end for Alex. The way to live up to the responsibilities of this ancient estate of hers. Nothing more than that. Nor had she promised anything more than that. Still, he had thought, had hoped …

  Nimway was her first and only love, and it always would be. It was quite obvious now that there was no place in her heart for him. Could he live with that for the rest of his days?

  It was clear he needed to decide what he truly wanted in life. And what he was willing to sacrifice to get it. Especially now that he understood the truth.

  Love on one side alone wasn’t enough.

  The door to the library creaked open. He knew without looking it was Alex.

  “What are you still doing down here, Robert? It’s late, you know.” She paused. “Aren’t you coming to bed?”