The Sweetest Love (Sons of Worthington Series)

by Higgins, Marie

  “Three days,” she whispered. “I will leave for the cottage tomorrow and then you will follow in three days…just as we had planned.”

  “I cannot wait that long.”

  Smiling, she stroked his cheek. “Neither can I, but we must.”

  “You are correct, my dear. I will try to have more patience.”

  She pulled away and squeezed his hands. “Let me leave the room first.”

  “I will.”

  Diana turned and stepped to the door, but the floor creaked as he stepped behind her and took her in his arms once again. Closing her eyes, she grinned as his chest pressed against her back. She rubbed his arms circled around her waist.

  “Tristan…”

  “Yes, I know. I had a moment of weakness. But can you blame me? I just enjoy holding and kissing you so much.” He dropped a kiss to her neck.

  “No, I won’t blame you.” She pulled away from him once again and peeked at him over her shoulder. “I’ll see you in three days.”

  He nodded. “Three days, and not a moment longer.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Tabitha reached the cottage just as the sun descended in the horizon. The long ride made her dreary, but her conversation with Lord Hawthorne made her emotionally weak. She kept reminding herself that he would only see her as a maid. Nothing more. It didn’t matter if she was the bastard child of a nobleman, or if she perhaps had extended family with titles, she was too far beneath his station to live in his world.

  She climbed out of the carriage and hurried into the house before the driver could bring in Diana’s trunks. As Tabitha removed her bonnet, the stairs creaked, and she swung in that direction. Sally crept down the steps, her eyes wide with fear.

  “It’s just me,” Tabitha assured her. “But go back up to your room before the coachman, Mr. Coggins, sees you.”

  Nodding, Sally quickly retreated.

  Tabitha hurried to the front door and held it open for Mr. Coggins. She wondered how she could keep him from seeing Sally. Because it was too late in the evening for him to travel back to the estate, the man must stay at the cottage.

  Without speaking to her, the coachman carried the trunks and set them on the floor. Obviously, he was one of Lord Hollingsworth’s loyal servants because every time Coggins looked her way, he wore that same judgmental scowl as the rest of the servants wore.

  “Thank you, Mr. Coggins. If you will excuse me, I shall prepare us something to eat in the kitchen.”

  “I thank you for your offer, Miss Tabitha, but I will not be staying to take the meal with you. I have a brother that lives not far from here, and I would rather visit with him this evening.”

  She didn’t want to show him how happy that made her, so she tried to hold in her exhilaration. Nodding, she said, “As you wish. Have a safe journey to your brother’s place.”

  He turned and left without replying, but that was all right with Tabitha. The quicker he was gone, the better. She followed him outside, and stayed until he climbed on top of the carriage, then steered the horses back up the road.

  “Is he gone?” Sally whispered as she peeked out around the door.

  Tabitha smiled at the other woman. “Yes, thank goodness. I worried he would not leave until morning. I would have been watching him nonstop then to make certain he didn’t find you here.”

  Relief swept over Sally’s expression and she smiled. Moving away from the door, she walked outside toward Tabitha. The reed-thin girl was probably eighteen or nineteen, but because of her thinness, Tabitha thought she looked much younger. Today her pale face actually held a little more color, and her blonde hair looked more yellow in the shadows.

  “I would not have liked him here, either,” Sally said. “These past couple of days, I have enjoyed coming out in the yard and partaking of this warm weather. It pleases me to smell the fresh country air and walk through the paths decorated by lovely flowers. After Lord Elliot’s last beating, I feared I might not get through it alive.”

  When Sally stepped in front of Tabitha, she patted her friend’s arm. “I would not have let him touch you one more time. Neither would Lady Hollingsworth.”

  Tears welled in Sally’s eyes as she smoothed her hand over her brown dress, still sporting the rips that had happened during her last beating. Tabitha was thankful the other woman’s face was not as bruised as before, and the cut on Sally’s bottom lip was nearly healed.

  “Seeing how you turned out,” Sally said, “makes my will strong. Because you have endured, so shall I.”

  “And you will.” Tabitha smiled. “Nobody should be put through the torture that we have. And God might strike me down for saying this, but I’m vastly relieved Lord Elliot has met his Maker. I assure you, God will not be merciful.”

  “I pray you are right. There were many times while he hit me when I wished I could…could…” She sobbed and brought her hand to her mouth.

  Tabitha moved closer and put her arm around Sally. “You were not the only person feeling that way. I’m sure many of his servants wanted him dead.”

  “I’m truly grateful for all that you and Lady Hollingsworth have done. It’s just very unfortunate that Lord Elliot had to die on the same night she rescued me. I hope the magistrate does not know she was there.”

  “I will do everything in my power to keep Lady Hollingsworth safe.” Tabitha folded her arms across her chest. “What people don’t seem to understand is that Lord Elliot deserved his fate. In fact, I think he should have gotten worse. I would have enjoyed driving a knife into his chest one last time.”

  In the stillness of the night, a noise was heard in the shadowy hedge other than the rustle through the leaves. It almost sounded like…a gasp!

  Tabitha swung toward the hedge and fixed her stare on the dark shadows. “Did you hear that, Sally?”

  “Hear what?”

  “It sounded like…” She stepped closer as her heartbeat frantically pounded against her ribs.

  “Like what?” Sally asked, her voice softer than before.

  “I pray I’m wrong, but it sounded like someone is hiding in the hedges.”

  Sally released a panicked squeal and darted inside the house. Tabitha continued toward the spot where she’d heard the sound. The closer she came, the more her legs trembled. Yet, if someone were hiding—and listening—wouldn’t they be trying to get away right now? The hedges remained unruffled and there were no other sounds. She stopped inches away from the greenery and peered as hard as she could through the darkness, but couldn’t see anything.

  Perhaps she’d been wrong. After all, it could have been a small animal. So then why did it sound like a man’s gasp?

  Shaking her head, she turned away and hurried back inside the house. Her imagination was playing tricks on her again. Why would anyone be this far away from the town without making their presence known? It definitely wasn’t Mr. Coggins because he had traveled in the opposite direction.

  She settled her panic and convinced herself it had indeed been a small animal. As she entered, she closed the door behind her. “Not to worry, Sally. I think it was a rodent.”

  “Are you sure?” Sally’s voice came from the kitchen.

  “I saw nobody trying to run, and I couldn’t detect anyone still hiding. So yes, I’m certain it was a rodent.”

  Sally slowly exited the kitchen, running her fingers through her hair. “That relieves me greatly.”

  “Forgive me for frightening you.”

  “There is nothing to forgive. We all need to be very cautious. At least until Lord Elliot’s murderer is caught.”

  “I agree.” Tabitha rubbed her hands together. “Now, let’s forget all of this nonsense and fix us something for dinner. I’m famished.”

  As she made her way into the kitchen, unease grew inside of her. Something wasn’t right, and she couldn’t shake away the feeling. From time to time throughout her life, she’d experienced these kinds of feelings. More often than not, she was right and horrible things had occurred. N
ow, the apprehension growing in her gut hinted of a danger that lurked in the future. One she could not control.

  * * * *

  Tristan paced the floor in his study so much that he feared the rugs needed to be replaced. And to think he still had to wait three more days. How could he do it? Even now, the wait was killing him.

  Since his return from the cottage after being kidnapped, he’d ridden his stallion by Diana’s estate every day, but never saw her sitting by a window or outside. However, eavesdropping on his servants proved informative. That was how he’d heard about Diana’s dinner party with close friends last night. And this morning, the servants had mentioned how they’d seen several trunks loaded on Diana’s carriage.

  Although he wanted to go to her now, there were still things he must do to ready his family and friends for his traveling abroad story. He must let his mother know so she wouldn’t worry, and for certain he needed to let his brothers and Hawthorne know so they would not panic. Tristan would only tell his older brother, Trevor, the truth just in case the magistrate wanted to arrest him.

  Deciding not to put this off a minute longer, he snatched his coat jacket off the back of a chair and left the study. “Gentry,” he called out as he marched down the hall.

  “Yes, my lord.” The servant rushed out of one of the rooms.

  “Please have my horse ready to ride quickly.”

  “As you wish, my lord.”

  Gentry hurried down the hall as fast as his boney legs could carry him. He reached the front door and opened it, but came to a halt. Standing with his fist raised to knock was Dominic Lawrence.

  “Hawthorne,” Tristan called and motioned his friend to enter. “What brings you to my door this morning?”

  Dominic walked in, but he wasn’t wearing his usual cheerful smile. Instead, worry laced his eyes and frown.

  “Worthington, I need to speak to you in private.”

  “Certainly. Let’s adjourn to my study.”

  As they walked to the study, Tristan noticed something else different about his friend. The dark circles under Nic’s eyes, wrinkled clothes, and his unkempt appearance reminded Tristan of how he used to look after returning from a late night of drinking. Although—Tristan took a deep sniff—Nic didn’t smell strongly of spirits at all.

  Once they reached the study and Tristan closed the door behind them, it was Nic’s turn to pace the floor with his hands clutched behind, resting on his lower back. His expression was unreadable, but Tristan could see there was much turmoil weighing on his friend’s mind.

  Tristan walked to his chair and sat. “I’m assuming you have heard bad news.”

  Nic stopped and faced him with wide eyes. “How do you know?”

  Tristan wanted to chuckle, but refrained. “Because of the way you are acting.”

  Hawthorne nodded. “What I have to say is not good at all.”

  “Then please, tell me what is on your mind.”

  Running his fingers through his hair, Nic breathed in deeply then exhaled in slow measurements. His gaze dropped to the floor. “The other day when I met Diana’s maid, the girl intrigued me, and I felt as if I knew her somehow.” He shrugged. “She looks so familiar, but I cannot figure out how we met.”

  Tristan groaned and rubbed his forehead. “Stop right there.” When Nic’s eyes jumped up and met Tristan’s, he continued. “Are you going to tell me you seduced Miss Tabitha into your bed?”

  Confusion swept across Hawthorne’s expression for a split second before he rolled his eyes. “Of course I didn’t seduce her. What would make you think such a thing?”

  “Because you have a way with charming women, and I noticed the way you had acted around her the other day.” Tristan arched an eyebrow.

  Nic flipped his hand in the air. “Well, remove that idea from your mind because it did not—and never will—happen.”

  Tristan couldn’t believe how relieved he felt right now. He nodded. “Then pardon my intrusion. Please continue.”

  Clearing his throat, Nic straightened. “As I was saying, the girl interested me enough to watch her closely. Something just was not right about her. Last night I caught her in Diana’s carriage with Diana’s trunks, yet I knew Lady Hollingsworth was at that party which you had attended. When I talked to Miss Tabitha, my suspicion grew so I followed her to a place I have never been before—a few hours southwest of here. She arrived at a small cottage that sat on a beautiful piece of land surrounded by a magnificent grove of trees.”

  Tristan nodded. “That’s the place she took me when she kidnapped me. It’s Diana’s grandmother’s cottage.”

  “As it were, I continued to spy on her.” He paused and cocked his head. “Were you aware they are keeping one of Lord Elliot’s servants there?”

  Surprise washed over Tristan and he blinked. “No, I was not.”

  “Apparently, Lord Elliot had beaten her severely, and Diana is now caring for her.”

  A smile stretched Tristan’s mouth. Diana had such a loving heart. “That is something she would do.”

  “However,” Nic said, folding his arms across his chest, “were you aware that Lady Hollingsworth had taken this maid from Lord Elliot’s townhouse the very night of his murder?”

  “Of course not… Don’t be ridiculous. I was at the cottage during that time. There was no way Diana had taken this servant on that night.”

  “Well, she did. Both Tabitha and the servant girl had spoken about it while I was listening to their conversation.”

  Tristan’s mind scrambled to remember details about that night. Wasn’t that the night the women had given him a drink of tea laced with sleeping draught because he’d had a bad dream? Come to think of it, that next morning when he was soaking in the tub and Diana had walked in on him, he realized her boots were caked with dried mud and she looked tired.

  Pain throbbed behind his eyes and he tried to rub it away. No! This couldn’t be right. Nic must not have heard correctly.

  “Tristan,” Nic said as he walked closer, “I believe Lady Hollingsworth knows more than she has told you. From what I had overheard, I received the impression that Miss Tabitha killed Lord Elliot and Lady Hollingsworth knows about it.” He placed his hand on Tristan’s shoulder. “And if Miss Tabitha killed Lord Elliot, then she was the one who killed Diana’s husband.”

  The confusion inside Tristan grew thicker and it felt like his head was being squeezed by giant hands. Not only that, but his chest tightened, making it harder and harder to breathe. If what Nic said was true…

  “No!” Tristan pushed his friend’s hand away, rose from his chair, and stormed to the window. The throb in his head had intensified. “What you say cannot be true. If Diana knew Tabitha was the killer, she would have said something to the magistrate.” He swung and glared at Hawthorne. “Mine and Diana’s reputations are at stake here. She knows neither of us wants to pay for a crime we did not commit.” He raked his fingers through his hair as frustration built inside of him like a fierce volcano, ready to explode. “She wants to be with me as badly as I want to be with her, yet we both know making our relationship public is out of the question because of this very issue.” He breathed deeply. “And if she has known all this time who the killer was, then she bloody well better report it to the magistrate.”

  Sighing, Nic leaned back against the edge of the desk. “Do you think Miss Tabitha is blackmailing Diana then?”

  Once again, Tristan thought back to the time he was held prisoner, remembering the way Tabitha and Diana acted around each other. “No. Tabitha is not blackmailing. Diana loves her maid too much to be fearful of her, and Tabitha has too much respect for her mistress to do such a thing.”

  That conclusion meant only one thing. Diana knew who had killed her husband and Lord Elliot and wasn’t about to say anything. If Tristan got arrested, would she then speak the truth to free him? He wasn’t sure he wanted to wait until that time comes to know of her loyalty.

  “I cannot believe she wouldn’t tell me,” he w
hispered brokenly.

  “There must be a reason.”

  Tristan shrugged. “The time we were apart, we each held onto the love we had once shared even though we tried to hide it those years. And now, when we can finally be together, she is the one stopping it…all because of her maid.”

  “Let’s not assume anything yet,” Nic said. “Because of what I heard Miss Tabitha and the other girl say, I believe Miss Tabitha is the killer. But I will continue to watch them both closely. Perhaps I’m wrong and Diana doesn’t know—”

  “Then we must find out.” Tristan’s heart broke—a feeling he had never wanted to experience again. “From what I have observed between Diana and her maid, they are as close as sisters. If she is protecting Tabitha, I want to know now—not after I’m arrested.”

  “But how can you find out? If she hasn’t said anything to you…” Nic threw up his hands and began to pace. “Does she not love you more than her maid?”

  “I want to think that,” Tristan said in quiet tones as he stared blankly at the floor. “And I want to trust her. If I lose that trust, I cannot fully give her mine. And love without trust is no love at all.”

  Hawthorne stopped in front of Tristan. “What will you do now?”

  “I don’t know. I was actually going to join her at the cottage in a few days without anyone knowing I was there. But now…” He sighed heavily. “I will leave today. I cannot go on any longer without knowing the truth.”

  Nic gave Tristan a quizzical glare. “Are you addled? Why would you go now? What if Miss Tabitha makes you her next victim? And…what if the magistrate finds you with Diana? He would certainly believe you two are in this together.”

  “Not if you go with me.” Tristan nodded as confidence built inside him. “You must go with me, mainly so nobody gets suspicious. I need to talk to Diana in person, or at least hear it for myself that Tabitha is the killer. We need hard evidence to present to the magistrate to clear my name from their suspects’ list.”

  Pausing, he scratched his chin as thoughts rushed through his head. Silence filled through the room for the next several minutes while memories flitted through Tristan’s head. All that he and Diana had been through, why did it have to end up like this? Why couldn’t love win out…for once in his life?