‘Well, I wouldn’t have, had either of us any idea there was a game on. Or maybe not,’ he admitted. ‘Once I saw her again, once she approached me, the...need to be with her, to try to finish what had been between us, would have been too strong to resist, whatever the danger.’
Will studied him for a moment. ‘Am I allowed to ask whether this will end once and for all what was between you?’
‘You can ask,’ Alastair said with a sigh. ‘I just don’t have an answer yet—and not because I’m trying to fob you off. It’s impossible, of course, to recapture the innocence of the passion we shared eight years ago. Too much has happened, to both of us. This business with the Duke interfered before I’d been with her long enough to decide whether this was the bittersweet epilogue to something ended long ago, or the start of...something new. Either way...she’s still in my blood. But all I mean to concentrate on right now is seeing her safe from his bullying—she and her son, whom, by the way, the Duke is also trying to take away from her so he may make the boy suffer. I’ll worry about what happens next afterward.’
‘He’d vent his pique on a child?’ Will said in disgust. ‘He truly is a piece of work! You do realise if the Duke continues to be unreasonable about this, there is no way, short of kidnapping and transportation—which I might be induced to attempt on a man vile enough to prey upon a defenceless woman and an innocent child—to prevent him from making the accusations public, however groundless they may be. You know how London loves a scandal. The demise of a duke, accusations against the widow, an illicit affair with a former lover when the earth has scarcely settled over her late husband’s grave—the penny press would make a fortune! Not that anyone who knows you would credit your being involved in such a scheme, but the hullabaloo might seriously damage your reputation. You are sure you want to do this?’
Alastair looked at his cousin incredulously. ‘You don’t truly think I’d turn tail and abandon a woman—any woman—to face slander and intimidation alone, after walking her into it?’
‘If you did, we’d have to ceremonially break your sword and drum you out of the Rogues,’ Will agreed. ‘I just wondered if, in your zeal to right this wrong, you fully understood the risk.’
Alastair shrugged. ‘If we fail, and scandal is the result, so be it. After years of snubbing virtuous young maidens in favour of actresses, widows and matrons of dubious character, my reputation isn’t that shiny-bright anyway. Whether the Duke’s vendetta succeeds or fails, if he convinces the Court of Chancery to give him custody of the boy, I’ll take them abroad. But I have a high regard for your powers of discernment and invention. If anyone can figure a way to pressure Graveston into reconsidering his attack, it’s you.’
Will made a bow. ‘Many thanks for the vote of confidence. Have you thought of speaking to our uncle? In case the Duke does manage to intimidate the local authorities into pressing forward to a trial?’
‘I don’t imagine the Earl would receive me with much enthusiasm. Last time we spoke, I left him in a cold fury for not defending Max—though I wasn’t bold enough to take him to task for not supporting his son during the scandal.’
‘Then you’ll be happy to know Max and his father have reconciled,’ Will informed him. ‘Max told me when we stopped at Denby Lodge on our way from Paris. Not that the Earl admitted he’d been wrong not to embrace Max’s cause, but he did apologise.’
‘He apologised?’ Alastair echoed incredulously. ‘Wish I could have heard that! Maybe he’s mellowing, now that Max has produced a grandson.’
Alastair fell silent, thinking furiously. He’d not meant to approach his uncle unless absolutely necessary—but if the Earl had belatedly developed some family feeling, perhaps he should rethink that decision. Someone of the Earl’s wide-ranging influence could be tremendously helpful in squelching whatever scandal the Duke could dredge up.
‘Maybe I will consult him. I’d like his support, but even if he won’t offer that, if yet another Ransleigh cousin is about to stir up a hornet’s nest of trouble that might come buzzing into the Lords, I should give him a warning before he gets stung.’
‘A good precaution. About your lady... I don’t think any man can offer truly useful advice on a matter so individual but...let me just say this. Regardless of the scandal that might ensue, if you can’t envisage life without her, don’t give her up. The Earl’s displeasure, the censure of those who know your name but not the man, the vast titillation you’d provide for Society’s tattle-mongers—none of that matters a pin. To build a life with Elodie, I was willing to risk a break with everyone—even the Rogues, and you know how much all of you mean to me. If what you feel for Diana is that strong, the Rogues will stand by you—regardless of our initial doubts about the lady. And if she must flee England to keep her son, bring her to us in Paris.
‘But enough of melodrama,’ Will pronounced before Alastair could get past the lump in his throat to thank him. ‘Let me pour you another glass while I put my reprobate brain to formulating a plan for evidence-gathering. I shall also have to think of an excuse to put off Elodie, lest she try to come along and keep a watchful eye over me.’
‘You think she might be induced to visit Barton Abbey instead?’ Alastair asked, taking another sip of his brandy. ‘Mama would enjoy seeing her, and Diana’s son is of an age with Philippe. James, I’m sure, would love to have another boy to explore with.’ He gave a short laugh. ‘Though Mama’s come round to supporting Diana, I don’t think my sister Jane has yet forgiven me enough for taking back up with her to lend me Robbie.’
‘If I can convince Elodie I don’t need her to guard my back, you could probably persuade her to visit. Our being safe and together, like her recovering Philippe, is still so new, we’re hesitant to be apart. Though she was a full participant during our adventures on the road from Vienna to Paris, I think she views disguise and subterfuge as unfortunate necessities, rather than tricks that add spice to the game.’
‘Still the same Wagering Will,’ Alastair observed with a grin. ‘Your journey being a continuation of the sleight-of-hand spectacles you organised at Eton to earn pennies? No, don’t tell me—I’m probably better off not knowing. I always thought, though, you enjoyed the thrill of besting the other boys—and the risk of punishment if you were discovered—more than the meat pasties you bought with your earnings.’
‘Spoken like a true privileged son, who’s never known what it is to be hungry!’ Will shot back, though Alastair noted he did not disagree. ‘Elodie is looking for activities to amuse Philippe, so he will be as eager to accompany us on our trips back to England as she is to have him with us. I’m sure she’d be delighted for Philippe to make an acquaintance he can look forward to renewing each time we return.’
‘Beginning a new generation of Ransleigh Rogue cousins?’
‘Something like,’ Will agreed. ‘You can ask her yourself at dinner. You will stay a few days, won’t you?’
‘Just the night. Diana will be anxious,’ he explained to Will’s murmur of disapproval. ‘I want to reassure her you will soon be in place, with our plan under way, and I think I’ll take your advice and consult our uncle in London before I return to Barton Abbey.’
Will whistled. ‘Your case must be serious indeed, if you’d rather face our censorious uncle than go rousting about with me.’
‘If I thought I could be useful slinking about Wickham’s End with you, I’d go without hesitation. But as someone once pointedly informed me that I look and act too much like a “privileged son of wealth” to pass unnoticed, I’d better leave subterfuge to the master.’
‘Probably wise. I do understand the need to do everything you can for someone you’ve pledged to protect, so I’ll not tease you any further. You’ll want to change out of the dust of the road before dinner; Susan will show you to a bedchamber. Did you bring your valet?’
‘No, I hired horses and brought only a portm
anteau. Despite the awful paces of some of the job nags, it was the fastest way.’
‘I’ll send Maurice up; he’ll fit you out in something of mine—we’re enough of a size.’ Will shook his head, a rueful smile on his face. ‘Oh, the necessities of presenting a proper appearance in official circles! Cor, if any of me mates from Seven Dials could see me now—a regular toff, with a French valet!’
Chuckling, Alastair downed the rest of his brandy. ‘I’ll see you at dinner, then.’
‘At dinner. And then, as quickly as I can run to ground the situation at Graveston Court, I’ll report to you back at Barton Abbey.’
* * *
Following the maid towards the guest bedchamber, Alastair took a deep breath. Had Will not agreed to help him, he would have come up with some other way to pressure the Duke into dropping his plans for revenge. But he couldn’t deny the vast uplift to his spirits, knowing that his ingenious—and if necessary, ruthless—cousin would be working for them.
He was nearly certain, given the long estrangement between Blankford and his sire, there was some animosity that could be turned to their advantage. With Will to sniff it out, he was more confident than ever their plan would prevail.
Then, with Diana safe, he could return to figuring out what the future might hold for them.
Chapter Eighteen
Four days later, on a late autumn afternoon whose crisp wind gave a foretaste of the winter to come, Diana stood at her easel in one of the north-facing parlours, a bowl of blooms set out on the table before her. For years, she’d only observed the colours of nature, barred by her defiance of Graveston from access to the supplies that would let her reproduce them on canvas. Now that she’d got a brush back in her hands, she found herself increasingly fascinated by the play of light over the vivid petals—rust and amber and coral, fading to ochre and chocolate in the shadows. At least twice daily, while morning and afternoon light lit the room to its brightest, she left James to his soldiers in the nursery and returned to her canvas.
‘Beautiful hues—I like it.’
Her pulses leapt at the sound of Alastair’s voice. Setting down the brush, she whirled around to find him standing in the doorway, smiling at her. Without further thought, she ran to him, leaning into his embrace as he took her in his arms.
‘I’ve missed you,’ he murmured into her hair.
‘I’ve missed you, too,’ she acknowledged, knowing as she said the words what an understatement they represented. Oh, how she’d missed him! His physical presence, his companionship—even the support she didn’t wish to depend on but, from prudence and necessity, had accepted in order to prevail in the second-greatest challenge of her life.
With seeming reluctance, he set her at arm’s length. ‘I don’t want to interrupt your work, but I did want you to know I was back. I expect you are anxious to know what transpired with Will.’
‘I am. Can you tell me now?’
‘I’ve estate business to tend, but it can wait until later. I’ll have Wendell bring us some tea.’
He dispatched a hovering footman, then returned to take a seat beside her on the sofa. An almost tangible fire sparking between them, Diana found herself intensely aware of him.
A rapid series of images flashed through her mind—his mouth on her; his hands on her body; riding him, borne away on a tidal wave of pleasure. Heat flushed her face, spiralled through her body.
She looked up to see him watching her, an answering passion glittering in his eyes. With a little murmur, she angled her face up, her eyes drifting closed.
His kiss began gently, but rapidly turned hungry. Just as famished, she opened her mouth to him, her tongue urgent against his, then cupped his face and dragged him closer. Not until she almost succumbed to the impulse to work loose the buttons of his trouser flap so she might straddle him, right here in the parlour, did her brain manage to loosen the hold of her senses. Trembling, she broke the kiss.
She would have been embarrassed by her lack of control, if Alastair’s breathing had not been as erratic as her own. ‘How I miss Bath!’ he said on a groan.
‘Despite the necessity for it, I’m discovering that chastity is a good deal harder than I thought it would be,’ she admitted. Shackled to a husband who neither aroused nor attempted to incite her desire, she hadn’t realised, when she’d tumbled into an affair, how compelling and addictive passion could be.
‘When we began this, I expected it would be of short duration, affecting only the two of us,’ Alastair said, setting her gently back against the cushions. ‘How wrong I was! But there’s nothing for it now; I’ll not abuse my mother’s hospitality by forgetting myself again.’
‘A wise resolution,’ she said. ‘Despite my reaction to the contrary, I entirely agree. Besides, I’m very concerned to hear what you’ve discovered.’
‘Despite my reaction to the very great distraction you pose,’ he said, running a fingertip along her lips, ‘I’m very keen to give it.’
She’d closed her eyes on a sigh, savouring his touch, when Wendell arrived back with the tea tray. The ritual of pots, cups and cream gave them further opportunity for passion to cool while they sipped hot tea.
After Wendell bowed himself out, Alastair began. ‘I’m happy to report Will has agreed to investigate at Wickham’s End and Graveston Court. He’ll pose as a pedlar; such a man, he told me, is welcome everywhere and can tease out the most interesting details while mesmerising the unwary with his shiny wares. He should be there by now, poking about to see what he can turn up.’ Alastair laughed. ‘If he finds no one else suitable, Will promised to hire us some witnesses, if circumstances require it.’
She grimaced. ‘I hope it won’t come to that—though I’m certain Graveston wouldn’t hesitate to hire witnesses if he thinks it necessary.’
‘There was one other favourable development. On Will’s recommendation, I stopped to see our uncle in London. I’d steeled myself to forewarn the Earl of the scandal that might turn up on his doorstep in the Lords, expecting to receive a proper jobation for getting myself into it. To my astonishment, he welcomed me with an apology for the harsh words we exchanged the last time we met, when I was defending Max’s conduct in Vienna.’
‘An apology?’ Diana raised her eyebrows. ‘As I recall, the Earl never apologised.’
Alastair laughed. ‘Indeed! I couldn’t have been more surprised if the stone dogs on the fireplace had leapt up and bit me. The Earl proceeded to explain that, after holding on by a single vote to the majority he’d ruled over in the Lords for thirty years, he’d realised that his decades of work could be wiped away in a few sessions—and that only what he accomplished with the family he’d ignored for so many years would live on. He said he regretted not having spent more time with us boys while we were growing up, and that he intends to change that now. Then, when I told him of your dilemma, he seemed positively enthusiastic. It appears he did not much like your late husband, and if the matter should make it to the Lords, found the idea of being able to put a spoke in the wheel of Graveston’s son very attractive. He also pledged to tap his network of friends, acquaintances, and colleagues, if we have need of them.’
Diana felt a stir of excitement as a new thought occurred. ‘Might he know any of the judges from the Court of Chancery?’
‘Very possibly. With the Earl volunteering, not just to assist in the Lords, but to do whatever he can to prevent it coming to that, I’m more hopeful than ever that we can convince Graveston to give up his intention to harass or publicly accuse you. By the way, the Earl’s last admonition was for me to bring you by to see him after all this is over.’
‘Heavens! He has changed! I don’t believe he even bothered to have me introduced when we were engaged!’
Alastair’s smile faded. ‘He was present at that political dinner the night you appeared in front of all of Graveston’s gue
sts wearing only your bruises for jewellery.’
She gasped as the memory of that evening’s shame and desperation slashed through her like a sabre cut. ‘He told you about the dinner?’
‘No. Your former friend, Mary Ellington, now Lady Randolph, asked me to call on her in Bath. Not knowing we’d already met, and hoping to blunt any anger I might express if I encountered you, she told me about it. The Earl thought your bravery that night magnificent, as do I. But Heaven forfend, Diana, how could you have risked further angering a man who’d already brutalised you?’
‘It wasn’t bravery—not at all. Papa was gone, you were lost to me, and I hadn’t yet borne James. I no longer cared what happened to me—and I wanted the world to know what kind of man Graveston was. I even taunted him when he came up later, furious.’ She smiled grimly at the memory. ‘The high-born Duke, who lost control and beat me like some gin-soaked labourer with a two-penny harlot. I’d thought it might incense him enough to finish me for good. Instead, it seemed to smite his pride; he never struck me again after that. Or perhaps it was the knowledge that beating me wouldn’t make any difference.’
‘Praise the Lord for that mercy, anyway,’ Alastair spat out, a look of revulsion on his face. ‘It sickens me that you were forced to live under his hand for years afterward. Well, soon you’ll no longer need to fear the malice of a Duke of Graveston. With Will’s help, and the Earl’s if necessary, you will be free of their menace for ever.’
Reluctant as she’d been to reveal her tawdry circumstances, cautious as she knew she must remain about depending on help from anyone else, she couldn’t help feeling a wave of relief and gratitude.
‘Thank you for all you’ve done. Even now, it’s difficult for me to place reliance on others, though I know you have only my best interests at heart. How can I resist, though, when you are risking your own reputation to protect mine?’ she said, marvelling at the depth of his sense of honour and the strength of his resolve.
The Rake to Rescue Her Page 19
