by Tamara Gill
“You bastard,” Callum said, for the first time in his life, feeling sorry for Robert. Yes, the man had been an oaf, had had no idea how to run an estate, or act with any sort of decorum, but to be killed solely due to another man’s greed was beyond forgivable. “You will hang for that.”
“I will not. It’s my word against yours. And if you’re dead…”
“And you think that two viscounts, mysteriously dead during the prime of their lives, while you’re free and clear to walk away with the viscountcy, will not look suspect?” Callum laughed. “Now who is a simpleton?”
Sledmere stared at him a moment, his eyes without any sort of emotion other than greed and hate. Callum realized the man was cork-brained and without sense whatsoever.
“It is fortunate for me I have friends where friends are needed in these situations,” his cousin said and grinned. “Not that you would know of such things, growing up poor, as you did. You have no friends. In fact,” he said, looking about. “You came alone. All alone, just as you will die alone. Alone. Alone. Alone.”
Fury ran though Callum like a river of revenge. If he was to die tonight, then he would go down fighting.
The cent per canter raised his gun and Liam clapped his hands, smiling “Yes, let’s be done with this already. I have a ball to attend, perhaps one where I shall court your delectable Lady Alice and have her on her back before midnight.”
“I will kill you for that.”
Liam pulled out a small item from his coat pocket and held it up to him. The most prized possession of the Duchess of Penworth glistened before him.
“It was you who stole the emerald brooch?”
“I did. The duchess droned on and on at the ball and told me all about her run-in with the Surrey Bandit, and eventually, she told me of her daughter finding the heirloom some weeks later. Most providentially, I might add. And so, when an opportunity arose, I went upstairs and stole it, since it was on the list of jewels our mutual friend here wished to acquire. It was merely a little bit of fun for myself, as I do love to see people upset.”
“You’re a sadist.” Callum didn’t try and hide the revulsion in his tone. Never had he known someone who went out of their way to injure and destroy others.
“But then,” his cousin continued, ignoring his words, “I watched you at the Cavendish ball, and I followed you and Lady Alice outside. I must say, your conversation was most lively and very interesting. You really ought to realize there is always someone about who can hear what you’re saying. And well, well, well, cousin. You have been a naughty boy.”
“I would declare you’ve been worse. I’ve never killed anyone.”
“La, death comes to those who get in my way. And when Lady Alice asked if you were the one who’d stolen the brooch, and the reasoning why she suspected you, I could not believe my luck. After you’re dead, I will place this brooch in your pocket, and when you’re found, Lady Alice will know you as the lying thief that you are, and I shall inherit, and all will be well.” Liam gestured toward him. “Now finish him off.”
Callum lunged at the moneylender, but the blast of a gunshot and the breeze of a bullet that flew past his ear made him dive to the ground instead. He hit the dirt-strewn courtyard hard. His cousin did the same, the man’s eyes wide with shock.
Callum looked about the buildings, trying to see where the shot had come from. Above the whorehouse, a plume of smoke floated up into the air, but the person responsible couldn’t be seen.
He gained his feet, noting his cousin’s henchman was dead, his eyes staring sightless toward the night sky.
Liam crawled toward the moneylender’s gun and Callum fumbled for his own, but not quickly enough. Shit.
…
“Touch that gun, Sir Liam, and you’ll be as dead as the man beside you.” Alice strode up beside Callum, not taking her eyes off his cousin. What a bastard, and how would she ever gain forgiveness from Callum? He would never have stolen from her, not after promising not to. What he must think of her being so cruel, so quick to point a guilty finger at him, after all that they’d shared these past weeks.
“You would shoot a baronet? I think not.”
“I think you should move so we can find out.” Alice glared at the lord, hoping he could feel the hate emanating from her for the trouble he’d wrought. “There are other guns aimed upon your person, and those who shot your friend will shoot you, if you try something stupid. Which, if the conversation I was privy to was anything to go by, you are wont to do.”
“You cannot prove a thing. Nothing that was said here can harm me.”
“Maybe not,” Alice said, shrugging. “But my brother is a duke, who, correct me if I’m wrong, has more influence in Society than you. And a friend of mine, Lord Thetford, told me of your conduct at Tattersalls yesterday, which raised my curiosity over your sudden interest in Lord Arndel.” Keeping her own attendance at the auction to herself. “I was confused as to why you would try and talk the value down of horse stock up for sale, your cousin’s no less. I had a hunch you would be here tonight, and would you look at that, I was right.” Alice could feel Callum’s gaze, but she dared not move her attention off Sir Liam. “You, sir, may not hang for your crimes, but I will ensure you never step out of line again, lest I feel like telling my family the truth of everything, and I mean everything,” she said, throwing a pointed look at Callum. “I have no doubt my papa’s cousin, the lord chief justice of London, will be interested in hearing what I have to say. He’s always loved us girls, and has made an effort to remain in our life after Papa died. My word is law to him.”
Alice smiled, watching with no small amount of triumph as Sir Liam’s color paled to a light gray.
“I wonder if he would be interested in hearing how you whored yourself to Arndel. I doubt he would trust your word, should he know you spread your legs for a highwayman. He is the law, after all.”
His words spiked a thread of fear through her, but she remained steadfast. He could not best her or harm Callum any further. Sir Liam took a step back, and she stilled. “Do I have your word that we shall keep your involvement of Richard’s death quiet, if you do not mention Arndel’s past?”
The baronet smirked, sliding a little closer to the gun lying on the ground. “I will have to think about it, as I’m unsure as to what I shall do.”
“Let him do what he likes, Alice. He cannot prove a thing.”
The comforting words from Callum spiked resolve through her and aiming at the man’s leg, she fired. Sir Liam went down howling, grabbing at his limb.
“You shot me. Damn it all to hell. How dare you shoot me?”
Alice walked over to the flintlock lying not far from him and kicked it away. She reached into the pocket of the moneylender taking back the money Callum had given him, and the brooch, slipping both into her pocket. Lord Arndel’s cousin rolled about as she came to stand over him. “I dare very much, sir. Let this be a warning to you. I shall hunt you down and destroy you, should you seek to ruin me or any of my family. I have more friends in high places, and I do not think you wish to embark on a war you will not win.”
An array of curses coursed from Sir Liam’s mouth as Victoria came to stand beside her.
Victoria raised her brow, smiling a little. “Does it hurt, Sir Liam? From what I can tell, it’s only a flesh wound. Nothing too serious. You are acting quite the baby.”
Alice laughed as her sister’s words only brought forth more ill manners from the fiend. “Good night, sir, and good luck with wherever your life may take you.” Alice clasped Callum’s arm, dragging him toward the street. The carriage waited a little up the cobbled road, and Alice sighed in relief, thankful the man had been true to his word and waited for them.
“Is that your horse, Lord Arndel?” Victoria asked, striding toward the brown gelding.
“Yes,” he answered, meeting Alice’s stare and sending a riot of emotions coursing through her blood. Expectation, relief, fear, and another emotion so great, that she was e
ven too scared to think it aloud.
“I will ride it back to Mayfair, if you’ll allow me. I do believe you and Alice have things to discuss.”
Alice watched with no small amount of awe as her younger sibling mounted without help and trotted off into the night. She turned and gestured for Callum to join her. “Shall we?” she asked, taking a step toward the carriage.
He followed without a word, only touching her to help her up into the carriage before seating himself across from her. Callum yelled out the direction to the driver, and Alice wondered what was going through his mind. Probably quite a lot, considering the night they’d had.
“Say something,” she said, unable to bear the silence a moment longer. Was he angry with her? Did he love her as much as she loved him? Was he repulsed by her actions or his own? All of those thoughts tumbled about in her mind as the wheels tumbled over the road outside.
“I’m struggling to form the words.” He ran a hand over his jaw and she waited, trying to remain patient while he debated within himself.
“Are you angry and upset?”
He smiled a little, shaking his head. “Not at all. In fact, I’m wracking my brain to find the words to explain how much I adore you.”
Relief swamped her and without thought, Alice threw herself into his arms, welcoming the feel of his tight, strong hold about her body. She pulled back a little, staring up at him.
“You don’t know how pleased I am to hear that, for I adore you, too. I’m so sorry I thought you a thief. I should have trusted your word. I understand you were desperate. Those awful men blackmailed you, and your daughter’s safety was paramount. I’m sorry, so sorry that a debt that was not yours was foisted on your back.”
He pushed a lock of hair from her face that had come free from her wig, running a hand across her jaw. “I did not give you much reason to trust me. I was the Surrey Bandit, after all.”
“You promised me you had stopped, and I should not have doubted you.” Alice sat more comfortably on his legs, holding her arms about his neck. “Tell me you forgive me. Please.”
Callum nodded. “I forgive you, of course. There is no choice for me.”
Unable to deny herself, Alice kissed him, loving the feel of his lips, and the fact he could not seem to get enough of her in return. “Tell me,” she asked, regretfully pulling back just as the kissed turned molten. “What will you do now that you’ve sold all your horses? Will the money I took back from the moneylender help you to gain your financial feet?”
“I cannot afford to purchase the horses back, for even if Liam tried to sully their value, they fetched a worthy price. The money will go toward fixing the estate and planting this year’s crops, now that you’ve taken it back from the moneylender. Horse breeding will have to wait.”
The pain that flickered across his visage tore at her heart, but she kept to herself that she had, in fact, bought his horses and so, not all was lost. “I’m so sorry, Callum. But know you’ve done all you could to remedy a problem that was not yours to begin with. Yes, you were forced into becoming a highwayman, but it was not of your choosing.”
“The Surrey Bandit was never who I was, and I shall never forgive Robert or Liam for creating a mess that was left for me to clear up. I was desperate to keep Amelia safe, the moneylenders had shown just how easy it was to get to her, and I could not take their threats lightly. And while there are members of the ton who shall never receive back the jewels that I stole, I’m heartily sick at the thought of all that I put them through.”
She smiled. “When people are faced with dilemmas that seem beyond their ability, people are wont to act rashly. You have fought against those who bade you wrong, found another way to get what they wanted at no cost to anyone else but yourself, and I admire you all the more for it.”
Callum chuckled, and the deep rumbling caused her insides to flutter. “Callum, I have a question for you.”
“What is it?” he asked, pulling her closer.
Alice adjusted her seat, shifting to close the space between their bodies even more. Warmth spread through her limbs, and she inwardly purred when Callum’s gaze darkened with desire. “Will you marry me, my lord, and make an honest woman of me?” She smiled as his eyes widened in shock. “And if you do, I promise you that Amelia will want for nothing. Not now or in the future when she’s presented to Society. Let me love you both.”
His eyes glistened and he blinked quickly. “I’m supposed to ask that question and be the man who looks after you. Not the other way around.” He paused, concern clouding his gaze. “I don’t deserve you.”
Alice shushed him. “Like I said, my lord, I didn’t have a conventional upbringing, duke’s daughter or no. We do things differently in the Worthingham household. And we do deserve each other. Don’t ever say otherwise.”
“My actions this year are proof enough that you’re too good for me. On top of my treatment of you last Season, it only illumines what a cad I’ve been.”
“Will you tell me why you called me a rich, spoiled child? Not that I think you believe me to be one, but I am curious as to why you were so disapproving of me.”
“I have no excuse other than the stresses of being the new Viscount Arndel and the financial problems that came with it. I’m sorry I called you that name. You may be rich, and spoiled, but it has not tarnished the soul inside. You’re as pure as an angel and loving toward anyone in need. I love you, Lady Alice Worthingham. More than I thought possible for a man to love a woman.”
Alice bit her lip to stem the flow of tears. “You do?” He’d never said those three little words before and hearing them was the most wonderful moment of her life.
“I do,” he said, his tone serious.
“Well then, I suppose I better say that I love you, too, and always will.”
He grinned and she kissed him. Hard. The embrace went on for some time and Alice had to push him away lest the kiss take them to another scandalous rendezvous like the one in the cottage.
“You still haven’t answered my first question.” He waggled his brows and she slapped his shoulder. “Callum, answer me.”
He pushed off her wig, running his hand through her long locks. “I will marry you and you will marry me and we shall love each other wildly.”
“Wildly?” Alice liked the sound of the word, as in all truth, it suited them. “And pray tell me, how soon can this wild marriage take place?”
“As soon as may be, for I would hate for you to be with child.”
Alice frowned. “But I’m not. I already told you that.” And thankfully, her courses had gone as quickly as they had arrived.
His wicked grin made heat bloom on her cheeks. “We cannot do that here, my lord.”
Callum flicked open the top button on her waistcoat. “You shot a lord in the leg…I think you, Lady Alice Worthingham, can do whatever the hell you like.”
She ought to feel shame at his statement, but she didn’t care enough about Sir Liam and his vile actions to do so. Instead, she delved into the scandalous behavior of her betrothed and enjoyed the ride back to Mayfair, both in the carriage and on his lordship’s lap.
Epilogue
Callum looked up from his desk as his library door swung open and the two women he loved beyond distraction waltzed into the room, holding hands, with smiles that were wont to melt anyone’s heart.
They had been married a month and Callum had to admit, it had been the best month of his life. To find another woman to love and trust him, be his best friend and confidant, was more than he ever could’ve hoped for. And that Alice knew his faults and loved him still, made his affection for her tenfold.
He adored her.
“Come, Amelia and I have a surprise for you.”
He stood, coming about the desk and picking up Amelia, swinging her about as she liked. “What is it?”
Amelia giggled, wagging her finger before his nose. “We cannot tell you, Papa. You have to see it for yourself.”
“Hmm,” he said,
taking Alice’s hand and letting her lead him toward the front of the house.
“Now, close your eyes,” she said, taking his daughter. The front door opened and the cooling breeze of outside passed across his skin. Taking his arm, she guided him toward the entrance and stopped him at what he assumed to be the threshold.
“Now you can look.”
The first thing he spotted was Amelia running down the front steps, before movement brought his attention up to see Bandit, his prized stallion, who stared at him with something akin to boredom. Behind Bandit were all the horses he’d sold at Tattersalls.
Callum wasn’t a man who succumbed to emotions, but even his eyes smarted at the sight. “You purchased them all. How? When?” He stepped outside and strode toward Bandit, checking him over as Alice followed close on his heels.
“It was easy. I had my brother’s friend, Lord Thetford purchase them for me. I threatened to shoot him should he not buy the horses at Tattersalls. He agreed, of course.”
Callum laughed, pulling her into an embrace. “Tell me you did no such thing.”
Alice smiled up at him and his heart burst with affection for the woman in his arms. How he loved her. “Of course not.” She smiled. “I merely sweetened the deal by telling him I would put in a good word for a lady he’s interested in, and he agreed.”
He laughed again. “I cannot believe you’ve done either of those things.”
She wrapped her arms about his waist smiling. “I did all those things, because your happiness is mine. We have known Lord Thetford many years, and he’s a good man. And now,” she said, looking back at Bandit, which Callum did also. “Your horses are home again.”
Callum nodded. Home. Two years ago he never would have thought Kester House would be ever termed so, but now, now it was their home—a place to raise Amelia and, God willing, more children when the time came. A place to make memories and to live their life to the fullest.
