Beneath Spring's Rain (Ashton Brides Book 1)

by Rebecca J. Greenwood

  She pressed her tongue to the roof of her mouth to control it from throwing words at him. She strode toward the door. The manservant scurried away from it with a look of alarm. She pivoted and glared back at Crewkerne on his settee.

  “I will say nothing of this, as we’ve agreed. And you will say nothing. Nor will any of your servants.” She must keep this from Daniel. She didn’t want a duel to ever take place. “If word of this situation comes to my husband’s ears, I will tell him where you are staying, and he will come for you for his righteous battle. I doubt you will survive. And then who will employ your servants?” She looked at the manservant. “They’ll need to find new positions.” The manservant had heard her, she could see by his face.

  She turned back to the earl. “Instead of cowering here with your mistress, you may want to leave for the country, Crewkerne. As a precaution.”

  “You’ve made your point, Lady Daniel,” he bit out the words. “Leave, for I begin to want that battle.”

  She pushed away her alarm at that statement, straightened her bonnet, and with a quiet prayer asking for anonymity, opened the door, and stepped onto the street, Betsey behind her.

  She looked barely right or left, but kept her chin lifted and her spine in correct alignment as they walked down the street. She sought a hackney that could get them away from here quickly. When they were safely enclosed inside one, Eliza clasped her shaking hands in front of her.

  “Thank you, Betsey. I shudder to think what might have happened if you had not been with me.”

  “Iffen you don’t mind, my lady, but could we perhaps take a footman next time we go out?” Betsey said. The maid’s hands were trembling.

  Eliza huffed out an ironic laugh. That would have gone differently then indeed. Eliza lowered her tone. “Please, let us try to not let this come to the ear of my husband. The earl’s location must be kept a secret from Lord Daniel. He’ll call him out and destroy his life over it.”

  “You don’t believe Lord Daniel could best him?”

  “I don’t want to risk it. A stray shot could kill him.”

  “Hopefully a pistol ball would meet the right mark and the world would be rid of that—” Betsey’s words cut off and she shivered.

  Eliza looked at her seriously. “I want Lord Daniel whole and alive more than I want that man gone.”

  Betsey nodded, wide-eyed. “Don’t worry, my lady, I’ll not tell a soul.”

  When they finally made it back to Ashton House safely, Eliza shut herself into her room and allowed herself to give way to a shuddering cry.

  Chapter 43

  Daniel stood outside Westminster Hall with his friend Thomas. The court had just adjourned for the day and Mr. Boughton was several yards away. His wife and daughters had met the man as he emerged from inside. Mrs. Broughton sent Daniel a deadly glare. He gave her a bow of acknowledgment. She curtsied with visible reluctance, and turned away, her nose held aloft. She joined in a conversation with her husband and his solicitor with an obvious dismissal.

  The young Miss Broughtons looked at Daniel, whispered behind their hands to each other, and looked at him again. Daniel’s eyebrows raised.

  “What are they on about?” Thomas asked.

  “I don’t know.”

  The girls looked between themselves and their parents. The taller and younger bit her lip and appeared concerned. The elder got a look of mulish determination and stalked towards Daniel.

  “Miss Broughton.” Daniel bowed when she reached them, and eyed her warily. “I would introduce my friend Major Thomas Yarrow, but I’m afraid your parents wouldn’t approve of my introducing you to anyone.”

  The blonde young lady didn’t curtsey. “Quite. I must speak quickly.” Her speech was clipped and unfriendly. “I have come to inform you—it is my Christian duty—I witnessed your wife, the former Eliza, enter the premises of Lord Crewkerne’s mistress. Lord Crewkerne is known to be residing there.”

  Daniel gaped at her.

  “I beg your pardon?” Thomas said.

  “You must be mistaken.” Daniel’s limbs went numb.

  “It’s true. She marched over there bold as you please, knocked, and was let in. We did not see her emerge.” Miss Broughton lifted her chin. “She must have thought we didn’t know who lived there, to be so bold and blatant, but we do. That’s where Lord Crewkerne’s staying. I wanted you to know you’re ruining my family for a woman not worthy of your name. There. A good day to you.” She gave a curt nod of her head and turned to go.

  “How do you know it’s Crewkerne’s location?” Thomas asked, forestalling her.

  She scowled. “People may think we’re unintelligent, that we don’t see things, but we do.”

  “Where? Where was this happening?” Daniel finally found the capacity to ask.

  Her mouth twisted, and she didn’t answer.

  “Where is she?” He glared at the girl. Her expression remained mulish. He clenched his fists and ground out between gritted teeth, “Where is my wife?”

  “It’s been several hours since. I’m sure she’s home waiting for you now, planning to play at being dutiful.” The infuriating girl turned up her nose.

  Daniel’s face twisted, and he took a step toward her.

  “It’s on Frith Street, off of Soho Square. We were shopping.” The younger, taller Miss Broughton had joined them. Daniel whipped his face toward her. She spoke quickly. “That is where we met Eliza, Lady Daniel. Then she went haring off after some girl dressed like a ladybird, wearing the most shocking colors. She must be the earl’s mistress.”

  “Do you have the address?” Thomas asked.

  The girl shook her head. “Frith street. The door with the green paint and brass knocker.”

  That should be enough information to locate the house.

  “What’s this? What’s this?” Mr. Broughton, the ineffectual blowhard, bustled over, his sharp-faced wife at his heels.

  Daniel didn’t wait for niceties. Ignoring the raised voices behind him, he sprinted up the street and hailed a hackney. He repeated the direction over and over in his mind so as not to lose it. He left the hackney door open for Thomas but barely waited for him to climb in before urging the driver to hurry.

  If Eliza was still there . . .

  He would not let his mind linger on the horrific possibilities. Or on the insidious thought that she had gone there deliberately. It was not to be countenanced.

  Thomas stayed blessedly silent as they swayed through the crowded London streets, as grim-faced as Daniel.

  There was, thankfully, only one green door on Frith Street. When a servant girl answered, Daniel pushed past her with no consideration, calling out “Crewkerne!” as he thundered up the stairs. He intended to search every room in the house.

  He threw open the first door on the left. The room beyond was empty. He shut the door in frustration and turned back to the hall.

  A young woman with brown hair loose around her stood in the next chamber doorway. She was in a dressing gown, her hands clasped in front of her like she was waiting for him to approach her. She tipped her head up as he came near.

  “Where is she?” he commanded.

  The girl opened her mouth to speak, but a voice interrupted.

  “I’d never imagined you being so barbaric, Lord Daniel. Rampaging through a private residence. I could have you arrested.” Crewkerne stepped out of a room further down the hall.

  Daniel’s mouth twisted. He glared down at the man. “Where is she? Where is my wife?”

  “Not here any longer. Though we did have a comfortable coze earlier this afternoon.” The earl affected unconcern, twitching his shirtsleeves, tugging his waistcoat.

  Daniel took a step toward the vile man, ready to grab him and shake everything from him.

  “Lord Daniel, Eliza’s not here.” The girl spoke.

  “What I want to know is how is it you know Eliza was ever here at all?” Crewkerne interjected. “She promised she wouldn’t tell.” He gave a suggestive sm
ile.

  “Nothing happened to her while she was here.” The girl spoke again. “I can vouch for that.” She gave a nod.

  “You. You look familiar.” Daniel studied the young woman. “One of the girls from the Magdalen Hospital?”

  She nodded. “I was at your wedding and everything. Got special permission.”

  “How do you know Eliza isn’t here now?”

  “I have a good view of the street from my room. She left.”

  “I grow weary of these interviews.” Crewkerne sneered. “Pauline, your mouth is causing me trouble. The men are talking. Go into your room, and shut the door.”

  Daniel shared a glance with Thomas, who stood as rear guard at the top of the stairs behind him. He turned back to Crewkerne and gave him a narrow-eyed glare. “I trust her word over yours, Crewkerne.” He ground out the words with a snarl. “If she leaves without answering my questions, I will have no choice but to tear this building apart, to be doubly sure Eliza is not being held in one of these rooms against her will.”

  The earl’s lip curled up in a derisive snarl. “Fine. Pauline, tell the man what happened.”

  “Eliza—Lady Daniel—she chased after me in the square. I hoped I had lost her. Turns out I hadn’t.”

  “Did you lure her here?” Daniel gave her his sharpest captain’s stare.

  “No! She chased after me! I tried to evade her. I didn’t want her anywhere near . . .” She indicated the earl.

  “Your protector.”

  “She wasn’t happy to see him. They had words. His lordship sent me upstairs. But it was only a few minutes later I saw her leave from the window. She was safe and unharmed. She had her maid with her.”

  Daniel narrowed his eyes. “Describe the maid.”

  “My age, bit taller than me, dark curls. She stood up to Lord Crewkerne. As did Eliza. Lady Daniel.”

  “A couple of harridans descended upon me,” the earl said. “I find I dislike harridans disrupting my peace. A terrible influence on my mistress.”

  Pauline’s eyes averted, but her mouth tightened.

  “Are you satisfied? They both left unharmed,” Crewkerne said.

  “On this issue, I will rest, and on this issue only.” Daniel drew to his full height and looked down at the man.

  “At the very least. Pauline. Now, go,” the earl bit out.

  She turned into the room behind her, but before closing the door, she paused. “If you’re going to fight, don’t fight here. There’s a family with a baby in the next house. Pistol shots can go through walls.”

  “We will not fight here. You have my word.” Daniel gave her a solemn nod.

  “Thank you, my lord.” The young woman curtsied and closed the door behind her, her head held high.

  “Now there is our former issue.” Thomas stepped forward and pulled Daniel’s challenge letter from his coat pocket. “Here is the letter, my lord, that I have been charged with delivering to you.” He thrust it in front of Crewkerne.

  The earl gave it a narrow-eyed stare.

  “No need,” Daniel said. “Now that the rat has finally been flushed from his nest, we can arrange this meeting as we should have been able to weeks ago.”

  “You are insulting, sirrah,” Crewkerne said through his teeth.

  “Intentionally. I challenge you, Lord Crewkerne, to meet me on the field of honor. I contend you do not have any. Shall you prove me wrong?”

  “Name the time and place,” the earl spit out, his body tensely straight.

  “Tomorrow, dawn. Hampstead Heath. I want this overdue conference done with.”

  “As do I. I name the weapon. Pistols.”

  As Daniel expected. “If I find Eliza at home and safe, we will meet you tomorrow. If she is not, we will be back tonight, with the magistrate.”

  “Fine.” The earl narrowed his eyes. “But that begs the question. How did you hear of her visit to me, if it was not from herself?”

  Daniel opened his mouth to tell him, but Thomas beat him to it.

  “The Broughtons told us.”

  “What!” The earl looked flummoxed by Thomas’s statement. His hands tightened into fists and rage kindled in his eyes. “After all I have done for them,” he said through clenched teeth.

  “Indeed? What have you done for them, sir? Pray tell.” Thomas watched him.

  The earl seemed to realize his slip and regained control of himself, his hands loosening, and his expression smoothing. “It is of no matter.”

  “It was the young Miss Broughton who brought us the news, in fact. It appears the girls witnessed Lady Daniel enter here, and were appalled, as they knew you resided here with your mistress. I found it fascinating that they could identify this residence on sight. Miss Broughton seemed to be incensed that no one pays attention to how much they see. A very interesting thing for a young lady to say.”

  Crewkerne shut his mouth, his face red, a snarl he tried to suppress twitching his mouth.

  “As we were leaving, Mrs. Broughton was chastising her quite severely. I wonder why?” Thomas said.

  Crewkerne looked away, a muscle under his eye twitching.

  * * *

  As they rode in a hackney to Ashton House, a mix of emotions stole over Daniel—nerves, frustration, but the predominant one was relief. Now he would get this done, fulfill his duty as a gentleman who protects his own, and then, God willing, go on with his life.

  The life he was beginning to build with Eliza, a life which had become so sweet.

  “My question is, are you going to kill him tomorrow?” Thomas asked.

  Daniel’s stomach tightened. “That would be the question if you were fighting the duel. But I don’t intend to delope. I will shoot at him, and he will shoot at me. Only God knows what the outcome will be.”

  “Then we must have marksmanship practice tonight.” Thomas gave him a serious expression.

  Daniel tightened his fists and nodded.

  “Crewkerne is the worst type of lord. Anything he desires must be right, hang society, ethics, or morality. We could do with less such men in this country. But if you must flee the country because you’ve shot a peer of the realm in a duel, you’ll be separated from Eliza.”

  “I know.” Daniel’s throat tightened.

  “And still you persist.”

  “Yes.” He steeled himself. This was duty and honor.

  “Would Eliza go with you?”

  “I wouldn’t ask it of her. She has made it quite clear to me how much she hates the thought of duels. I have been working with Frederick’s solicitor to draw up a proper wedding settlement for Eliza. But this evening I will write up a quick, simple draft of a will. In case.”

  “That would be wise.”

  “I’ll leave all I have to her, of course. If you will witness it?”

  Thomas nodded. “You’ll also need your bags packed for a flight to the Continent. Should you succeed in killing him.”

  “Yes. And you will secure a surgeon?”

  “Of course.”

  Chapter 44

  Upon arriving at Ashton House, Daniel asked the butler, “Is Lady Daniel on the premises?”

  “Yes, my lord, in your rooms. She has been for a few hours, I believe.”

  Relief flooded Daniel. She was here and safe.

  “I’ll wait here,” Thomas said. “Let me know if I am needed.”

  “Thank you, my friend.” Daniel clasped him by the arm in gratitude, then hurried up the stairs. Wariness warred with his relief. He didn’t know what sort of reception he would find, but he steeled himself for what he must do.

  Tomorrow’s duel must be kept a secret. He had to conceal from her that he knew of her misfortunate adventure today.

  “Eliza?” He tapped on the door and waited for her answer with tightness in his neck and shoulders, determined to not let anything slip.

  “Come in.”

  She sat in the dim room, turned toward the window, the late afternoon light rimming her silhouette. Her posture was straight, but her
shoulders were tense and high. Her hands were in her lap, clenched around a handkerchief.

  The atmosphere in the room was heavy. His heart squeezed. “Eliza?”

  “How was your day, Daniel?” She didn’t turn towards him but stayed facing the window. Her voice was controlled, polite, with a wobbling edge he caught only because he was listening for her emotional state.

  “It was fine, just fine,” he said with offhand distraction, solely focused on her.

  Her posture wavered, her shoulders rolling forward before she forced them back again.

  His throat tight, he shut the door and went to her. He knelt by her side and gathered her hands between his.

  She looked down, keeping her face from his view.

  “How was yours?”

  “Noth–nothing much of interest.” She stumbled over the words. “A little shopping.”

  He caught sight of her eyes. They were red and her lids were swollen.

  It was no use, he couldn’t pretend he didn’t see how she had been crying. “What is it, my darling?”

  “Daniel.” Her shoulders did curl in now, her head lowered further, her voice seemed small, a pleading note to it.

  “What’s wrong?” Would she tell him?

  “It’s nothing, nothing, only a bit of the headache.” She shook her head, her face still downcast.

  Disappointment tensed his shoulders. It was better for him if she concealed her meeting with Crewkerne—he wouldn’t have to lie to her, or avoid promising he would stay away from the man now that he had been discovered if she didn’t admit to seeing him at all. But Daniel could not help a lowering feeling overtaking him.

  “I’m sorry you have the headache. Shall I call for lavender water?” He kept his tone gentle and tried to keep the disappointment out of his voice.

  “No, I’ve been well-supplied.” She gripped his hands, pulled him closer. “But, Daniel?” She paused, her eyes still downcast.

  “Yes?” He leaned in, wishing to hold her and ease the sorrow he could feel encompassing her.

  She freed her hands, placed them on his shoulders, then ran them both over his arms, and back up to his neck. His skin tingled from the pressure of her touch. He watched her face, his hands on her knees.