Duke in Darkness (Wickedly Wed Book 1)

by Nicola Davidson

  “Your Grace? Are you well? You look a little pale.”

  About to snap she was just fine, Lilian hesitated when out of the corner of her eye she saw Gabriel leave the office he had been directed to. He briefly met her gaze and shook his head. Blast it all. He hadn’t found the ledger. Then he continued on down the hallway, and disappeared into the room next to it. Thank heavens the other clerk was currently occupied putting books back on the shelf of the bookcase that took up most of the west wall.

  Instead, she gave the clerk her sweetest smile. “I fear I am a little overwarm. Would you mind terribly if we sat here for a bit? I should so like to hear more of your stories. You tell them so well! My husband shakes his head and says I should not listen to gossip, but I shall let you in on a secret, Mr. Dennis. I do enjoy the scandal sheets. Apart from when I appear in them, naturally,” she continued with a false, high tinkling laugh. Ugh.

  The young man beamed. “I read them from cover to cover. All the parties, and the hunts and whatnot. Mr. Ormsby travels to the country every other week visiting stewards, but he never does anything fun. He has a magnificent carriage, though. As fine as any lord’s…”

  Lilian hid her hands in the folds of her gown so the clerk wouldn’t see her clenched fists. Oh, Ormsby liked to travel? And had a fine carriage, did he? No doubt paid for by all the funds he had stolen.

  Lord in heaven, she hoped Gabriel found the ledger. Then they could bring that awful man, and damned blasted Norris, to justice.

  The ledger had to be here somewhere. Had to be.

  As well as Ormsby’s office, Gabriel had searched two others and found nothing. This room was the third, but unlike the others, the large desk had materials scattered over it and several used ink pots and quills.

  Carefully so he didn’t disturb them, he shifted another pile of ribbon-bound documents to one side. They wouldn’t have destroyed the original ledger, because they would need the numbers inside it for their own record of costs and bribes. Based on altercations he’d witnessed, criminals were far harsher in their expectations for payment—and their reminders and warnings if they weren’t—than most others.

  And then, miracle of miracles, there it was.

  Nearly hidden amongst a pile of papers and a book on legal statutes, but when he opened to the first page, he immediately recognized the handwriting, and some of the familiar names that he and Fairlie and Lili had seen when they had studied this ledger together. Swiftly flipping through to the last pages, he found the double entries, and sighed in relief. Then he took the leather-bound book, lifted up his jacket and waistcoat, and shoved it down the back of his trousers. Not fun for him or the ledger, but the only way to discreetly transport the damned thing out of this building.

  Closing his eyes briefly, Gabriel perched on the edge of the desk. It actually made him a little lightheaded to know he had the proof to shut down such a longstanding fraud against himself and his relatives…hell. It felt good.

  “What are you doing in here, Your Grace?”

  His eyes flew open. Ormsby stood in the doorway, his arms folded and a dark frown of suspicion on his face.

  “Nothing at all,” he replied blandly. “Just enjoying the quiet for a bit.”

  “Those are confidential documents,” said the lawyer, leaping forward. “Private matters. I’m going to summon a Runner and have you escorted from the building.”

  Gabriel stood, and seconds later had the older man pressed against the wall with his forearm. “Don’t be a fool, Ormsby. I haven’t read them. I’m not interested…in anyone else’s business.”

  The lawyer began to struggle. Just when Gabriel thought he had him contained, a shoe heel stomped on his maimed foot. Pain exploded, and he cursed, black spots dancing in his vision as he stumbled back. While Gabriel remained off balance, near-blinded by the agonizing throbbing, Ormsby yanked open a nearby door and shoved him into an antechamber.

  A small, windowless antechamber. Dark and silent.

  “Stay inside while I find a Runner, little soldier,” chuckled the lawyer. “I know you are familiar with confined spaces…”

  The next thing he heard was the sound of a key turning.

  Locking the door. Trapping him inside.

  Icy fear paralyzed his limbs. He couldn’t move. Not a bloody inch. The dark pressed closer, suffocating him, crawling down the back of his neck and coating him in sweat.

  Gabriel gasped for breath, but couldn’t fill his lungs, and he staggered, seeking something—anything—to anchor him.

  But the room was dark.

  Cold.

  Silent.

  Laughter. So much laughter. It always echoed down the stone corridor of the prison, both a warning and a threat. “Wake up, colonel! We’ve come for you!”

  “No,” he whispered, holding his hands over his ears. But he could still hear the words, cruel and rough and somehow more disconcerting when spoken in elegantly musical French.

  “Some say because you share no secrets, we should just kill you. But you have in your family a duke, yes? A fortune for a ransom. So we’ll play instead. Warm yourself at the fire, my friend…” The hiss of a red-hot poker. Searing agony. The cloying, choking odor of flesh burning. Daggers flashing, and the itch of slow blood trickle from his shoulder, his arms, his side. But never the blessing of unconsciousness, for a blue coat always stood at the ready with a bucket of icy water to revive him.

  A strangled cry tore from his throat. No. It wasn’t real.

  He wasn’t in France, but England. The year 1815.

  “English scum, marching across France. You’ll never march again…” His foot, trapped between two bits of wood. Boots stomping. Bones breaking. Guttural cries. A prayer for an angel to save him…

  Lili.

  Pressing his fist to his mouth, Gabriel brought her image to mind. Light. She was his light. Lili had come into his life and eased him from the darkness he’d been mired in. Because of her, he’d begun to live again. With her came the promise of a future. Happiness. Children. Because she loved him.

  “Lili,” he said, then again, his voice gaining strength each time. “Lili.”

  Suddenly the antechamber wasn’t a pitch black prison of dank stone and wrought iron gate, but one with a thin wooden door. One he could vaguely see the outline of, thanks to a tiny sliver of light where the hinges were, and another the shape of a keyhole.

  Gabriel curled his shoulder and shoved hard against the door. It creaked and rattled, but stayed shut. Cold determination surged through him, and he took a few steps back, then threw himself at the door with all his might. The wood splintered and the door swung open, hanging drunkenly on one hinge as blessed daylight greeted him through the main room’s row of street-facing windows.

  He took several deep breaths in an attempt to calm his pounding heart, and when at last he wasn’t panting like a landed trout, he straightened his sleeves and cravat, touched his back where the ledger remained stuffed under his trouser waistband, and limped from the room. Only to come face to face with Ormsby, the weasel who had deliberately locked a former prisoner of war into a goddamned antechamber. The older man’s eyes bulged and he turned to flee, but Gabriel grabbed his jacket lapel, turned him back, and laid him out flat with a single blow to the jaw. Even Gentleman Jackson himself might have admired that speed and technique.

  Carefully stepping over the unconscious form of the lawyer, Gabriel carried on down the hallway.

  “Exton?” said Lili anxiously as he walked toward her. “Are you well? We heard some sort of crash and—”

  “Better than I’ve ever been. Come along, my dear. We are tardy…for another appointment. Good day to you,” he added to the first clerk, who backed away like a startled rabbit while his mouth hung open.

  When they were outside again, Gabriel took a huge lungful of air, before turning to Lili and kissing her, uncaring of any eyes on them.

  “Oh my,” she breathed, her cheeks pink. “What was that for?”

  He lifted his
hand and tucked a stray tendril of golden hair behind her ear. “I couldn’t wait…for my victory kiss.”

  Lili’s face lit up. “You found it?”

  “I did. Another thing I couldn’t have done…without you, angel.”

  “Well then,” she said with a mischievous smile. “We must get in the carriage and celebrate.”

  And they did.

  Chapter 21

  Early June, 1815

  “You look stunning.”

  Lilian met Gabriel’s gaze in the looking glass and smiled. “You always say that.”

  “Can’t help it if my wife…is the most beautiful woman in London.”

  “You always say that, too.”

  He shrugged, and brushed his lips against her bare shoulder, making her shiver. “Facts are facts.”

  In truth, she did feel beautiful in the white silk ball gown trimmed with a silver sash under her breasts, cobweb-fine silver lace at the bodice and hem, and hand-sewn with crystals. Definitely Daisy’s finest work to date, and she looked forward to sending many more clients her dressmaker’s way. But feeling beautiful was especially important tonight, as they hosted their first ball as duke and duchess. A relatively small affair—only 150 guests—so they would rattle around a little in the enormous ballroom. But she’d wanted this to be a more intimate occasion for friends and family and trusted acquaintances, and less about the gossips and wolves of society.

  Sir Roger had not been invited.

  “I hope Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull are managing downstairs. It is certainly a grave test for a new butler and housekeeper to oversee a ball in their first month of employment,” she said anxiously.

  Gabriel raised an eyebrow. “Are you jesting? Those two are reveling in it. Haven’t heard so many barked orders…since the army. We must be certain to thank Emily…for the recommendation when we see her.”

  Indeed, there had been a great many changes. New lawyers, Norris unceremoniously dismissed from his post and led away by a constable, along with several footmen who had been running messages for him. They’d also dismissed Mrs. Barrett for sheer incompetence, and the few maids who remained loyal to her. The townhouse was actually a joy to live in now. The rooms were warm, bright, and spotless, the servants eager to please thanks to a wage increase and new clothing, and the flow of gossip between here and other houses, especially Kingsford House, had reduced dramatically.

  More importantly, she truly felt like the lady of the house.

  “I shall,” she replied softly. “I value her friendship greatly. And I’m enjoying being on the hospital fundraising committee. It is such a worthwhile cause, so many returning soldiers in need of care. But we should get downstairs. Don’t want to be late for our first receiving line.”

  “One moment, Your Grace. You are missing something.”

  “Am I?”

  “This,” said Gabriel, holding out a square, flat box inscribed with the name Rundell, Bridge and Rundell, and opening it. “I’ve been saving this…for a special occasion.”

  She gasped. Nestled in a bed of black satin lay the most exquisite necklace and bracelet set she’d ever seen. But different to the sketch, the necklace had a large sapphire shaped like a heart in the center, surrounded by three rows of perfectly matched diamonds in a delicate gold setting, and the bracelet was an exact replica in miniature. “Gabriel…”

  “You like them?” he asked, fastening the necklace and bracelet in place.

  “I love them.”

  He cleared his throat. “I changed the design. Wanted a heart…so you’d know you, er…have mine. Forever. Diamonds because you are…the light of my life. Ah, hell, Lili, don’t cry! It’s meant to make you happy…I’m saying it all wrong…”

  “No you aren’t!” she sobbed, throwing herself into his arms. “And I am happy!”

  “Damnation, woman,” he said, holding her tightly. “I can’t escort a watering pot downstairs. Even a beautiful one. Someone might think I don’t love you…and then I’d be forced to punch them. My technique has improved…according to Jackson.”

  Lilian giggled. “No. No fisticuffs in the ballroom, thank you.”

  “Then dry your eyes, sweet.”

  Soon they stood in the lavish entrance hall as guests began to arrive. Two of the first were Emily and Robert Castlereagh, but they didn’t get nearly long enough to talk as a long line formed behind them. Including, her sisters, brother, father, and grandmother.

  Xavier gave her a bear hug, and Georgiana and Pippa kisses to the cheek. Georgiana was bright-eyed with excitement, and even Pippa looked impressed with the guests and decorations.

  Lord Kingsford beamed. “Good decision in the end, eh pet? Thought that day in my study you and Exton might rub together quite nicely. The way you look at each other…reminds me of your mother and me. I know she would be best pleased at the match, God rest her.”

  Oh heavens, she was going to burst into tears again. “Thank you, Father.”

  “Still have to get your sisters wed, though. Perhaps you might take that on? I have enough gray hairs as it is. Pippa still refuses to even consider suitors, and I’m not sure if I like Gigi’s reported beau a’tall. Indeed, much better if you take charge.”

  Lilian stifled a groan as the heartfelt moment was swiftly checked by a rather typical comment. No one evaded responsibility like her father. Thankfully Gabriel had collected all his debts and paid them directly rather than handing over a draft, otherwise who knew where the money might have been frittered away. “I will do my best.”

  “Lilian,” said her grandmother coolly.

  “Grandmother,” she replied, equally coolly, making the old woman blink in surprise.

  “A new butler I see. Not nearly as dignified as the previous one.”

  Lilian smiled. “Ah, but not guilty of fraud, which Gabriel and I both prefer.”

  The other woman’s eyes bulged. “That is a rather insolent tone, young lady. And how vulgar to refer to one’s husband by his first name rather than his title.”

  Gabriel leaned toward them. “I don’t find it so. In fact I prefer it…when Lili calls me that.”

  Lady Kingsford turned pea-green. “Lili?”

  “Oh yes,” said Lilian extra sweetly. “My preferred name. You aren’t going to be tiresome about it, are you? These are modern times, Grandmother, and we have a modern marriage. Now, do carry on. It is vulgar to hold up a receiving line, and as Duchess of Exton, I have many guests to greet.”

  Her grandmother’s jaw dropped, her mouth opening and closing several times. But then she curtsied stiffly to Gabriel, and continued on into the ballroom.

  Stunned, Lilian turned to Gabriel, to find him grinning. “What just happened?”

  “I told you,” he murmured. “Avenging angel.”

  “I couldn’t have done that before. Your unwavering support has made me so much stronger. Freed me to be my true self.”

  He ducked his head so his lips were directly next to her ear. “I look forward to being thanked properly…later this evening.”

  “I’ll be sure to write you a pretty note,” she replied primly, even as laughter bubbled in her throat.

  Turning, Lilian smiled at the next guest in line, her heart full to overflowing. To think she’d once believed that a curious, hot-blooded lady had to transform herself entirely to be loved. Thank heavens a wicked duke had proved her wrong…

  And shown how love truly could conquer all.

  War was imminent.

  Crumpling up the private note from Castlereagh and tossing it into the fire, Gabriel exhaled wearily. Having been proven correct in what Napoleon might do brought him no satisfaction whatsoever, and knowing that the powerful and huge force of L’Armee du Nord had marched, eager to engage with Wellington and the Prussian General von Blücher’s forces somewhere near Brussels…hell. This would be a defining month, he was sure of it. The balance of power in Europe hung on tenterhooks, and unfortunately there were brilliant military minds on both sides. It could come down to somet
hing as simple as sheer luck. One minor decision. Even the weather.

  Castlereagh and Liverpool had asked him to remain in London as an advisor, and he had been visiting Whitehall several times a week. It was the reason he and Lili had postponed their planned summer trip around his estates, although it was probably a good thing as she had been feeling under the weather recently, to the point that he had summoned a physician. He couldn’t endure the thought of her suffering with illness.

  “Excuse me, Your Grace?” said a footman from the doorway.

  “Yes?”

  “The physician has left, and the duchess asked to see you.”

  Gabriel nodded and made his way as quickly as he could upstairs to their bedchamber.

  “Lili?” he said, swallowing hard at the sight of her looking so pale. She held a cup of something, and peered at it with an expression of acute distaste.

  “I am told if I drink this herbal concoction I will feel better,” she grumbled. “But I think this cure might be worse than what ails me. It smells as bad as your balm.”

  He sat down on the edge of the bed, his stomach twisting into a knot. “So the physician knows…what is wrong?”

  “He is reasonably confident, yes.”

  “Do not worry. I’ll get the best doctors…the best treatments…travel anywhere…”

  She took a gulp from the cup and made a face. “Ugh. I was right. And I’ll politely decline any travel, thank you. I prefer the familiarity of my own chamber pots.”

  Confused, he stared at her. “What do you mean?”

  Setting down the cup on a tray, Lilian shifted closer to him on the bed and rested her head on his shoulder. “It seems I am a duchess in a delicate condition. So no ships or rocking carriages, if you please.”

  Shock surged through him, making it hard to breathe. “You’re with child?”

  Lilian laughed. “Surely you aren’t surprised, Gabriel. We don’t just use the bed for sleeping. Or the desk for working. Or the copper tub for bathing…”

  “And you will persist…in pouncing on me…in the middle of the night.”