The Irish Duke

by Virginia Henley

  Louisa decided that while James was out, she would go into the other room and get some of her clothes from the wardrobe. When she turned the knob on the adjoining door and found it locked, she was outraged. Molly locked me in!

  She began to pace her boudoir to rid herself of her choler. She stopped at the window and looked down into the courtyard. She was shocked to see James and Kitty in deep conversation walking toward the stables. She felt a stab of jealousy. “Where the devil is he taking her?”

  She stood staring after them until they disappeared. “Lying swine. You told me you loved me. How can you do this to me?” Slowly, it came to her that the only time James had told her he loved her was in her dreams. She searched her memory and could not recall him vowing his love. Her heart sank. She began to turn from the window and saw Kitty Kelly. She was returning to the house without James. Kitty turned and waved, and Lu realized that James must be riding out somewhere alone.

  She got a letter opener from her writing desk and tried to pick her boudoir door lock. She realized it wasn’t going to work and moved across the room to try the lock on the door that adjoined their bedchambers. She concentrated hard, trying over and over, but her endeavors were unsuccessful. She threw herself down into a chair feeling thwarted and frustrated. She cursed her husband for being the author of all her misery. On such a lovely sunny day, she wished she could be swimming in the lakes. Instead, she was locked up with absolutely nothing to occupy her, save her thoughts.

  Her memory flew back to the day James had rowed her up the three lakes and back again. It was such a perfect day. Her memories moved on to the day he had taught her to swim, and how patient he had been with her. I put my full trust in him . . . that’s why I learned so quickly.

  When I let him make love to me, it was a huge leap of trust for me. How can he accuse me of not trusting him? The answer came back immediately. Because you accused him of fathering Kitty’s baby. She said that James was the father, yet he was a picture of outraged pride when I threw the accusation at him. What was it he said? “Don’t concentrate on whether you can trust me, Louisa. Trusting yourself is the key . . .”

  A phrase floated to her from her girlhood Latin lessons: Chi ama, crede . . . Who loves, trusts . . . “James was telling me that if I loved him, I would trust him.”

  Lu sat quietly, digesting her thoughts.

  I do love him! I love him with all my heart!

  Then why don’t you trust him?

  Because he’s a man.

  But James has proven to you over and over that he is different from other men. What if Kitty is lying and Abercorn is not responsible? Girls have been known to lie about inconvenient pregnancies. I myself lied about a pregnancy.

  Louisa opened her window and made her bed. Then she poured water from her jug into one of the golden bowls that had once belonged to Josephine Beauharnais. The water was cold, but as she washed, she thought about the empress and Napoleon Bonaparte. Were they in love? Mother told me he wrote Josephine impassioned, reproachful love letters, but I warrant he never fully trusted her.

  Louisa thought she heard voices and moved to the window. She caught a glimpse of James and the eldest Herdman brother as they left the courtyard and disappeared around a corner of the house. He’s been to the mill. The Irish devil is conducting business with never a thought for me, holed up here in my prison. I shall go mad if I am confined much longer!

  Lu thought of her private journal. I shall put the venom I am feeling down on paper so I won’t soon forget it. She went to the wardrobe, opened an old shoebox, and took out her diary. Then she opened her jewel case and retrieved the small key.

  When she opened it and read the last entry, she blushed. She had written about her feelings and emotions the morning after she and James had made love. The pages were filled with the outpouring of her heart:

  I never realized how I hungered for my husband’s love and adoration, yes, and I freely admit I was starving for his body. Last night was rapturous and this morning he gave me proof that he cherishes me. I have trusted my heart to his keeping and know that I will never regret marrying my Irish lord. From now on, my journal will be one long love letter to him. When I think of James, my very breath stands still.

  Louisa was caught up in the heartfelt words she had written. The venom she was harboring melted away like snow in summer. She closed the book, locked it, and put it back in its hiding place.

  Through the open window she heard a female voice and hurried across the chamber to see who it was. She saw Kitty walking through the courtyard flanked by Abercorn and Herdman. The trio was heading toward the stables. Where the devil are they going? They must be taking her to see the mill. Suddenly Louisa was filled with concern. Kitty shouldn’t be riding in her condition. If it happened at Christmas, she’s almost seven months along. Then she realized that Abercorn would take the carriage. Louisa sighed. James didn’t even look up at my window.

  To pass the time, Lu picked up an emery board. Her nails were in need of repair since she had planted her herb garden with the cuttings the tenants’ wives had sent her. As she worked on her nails, thoughts of Kitty filled her mind. She must have been frightened to death when she discovered she was with child. Just as Georgy was. Being alone in London, unable to work, must have been extremely daunting. Lu didn’t know whether she felt more pity for Kitty or for herself.

  When the afternoon light began to fade, Lu went to the window to watch the sun go down. She heard the sound of boots and looked down. She saw James coming back from the stables, and he was alone. She hadn’t expected Herdman to return, but it seemed odd that James had not brought Kitty back to Barons Court with him. Her mind ferreted out an explanation that made sense.

  “O my God. The eldest Herdman brother is called James!” Lu stood at the window, stunned at the revelation that had just dawned on her. “It couldn’t be,” she murmured.

  “Yes, it absolutely, positively could be! When I asked Kitty if James was the father and she said yes, she wanted me to think it was my husband.”

  Louisa crossed over to the mirror so she could have a serious conversation with herself. “No wonder Abercorn was offended to his very core when you accused him of being the child’s father.” She bit her lip. “Judas Iscariot, what have you done, Lady Lu?” She had done James a great injustice and felt remorse, but she searched for an excuse. “The Irish devil could have told me!” Then she realized his towering pride would prevent him from issuing denials. James expects, nay demands, trust from his wife.

  Lu raised her chin at her reflection. He may not be guilty of fathering her child, but the Irish devil is certainly guilty of imprisoning me! If Abercorn thinks he’s going to get off scot-free, he’s in for a bloody revelation!

  When she heard movements in the adjoining bedchamber, she gathered her indignation. She would go on the attack the moment he opened the door. She saw it move but was thrown off kilter when Molly came in carrying her dinner tray.

  Molly set the tray down, along with some bed linen. “I brought you fresh sheets, my lady, but I see you’ve already made your bed.”

  “Thank you, Molly, I’ll put them on in the morning.” Lu nodded toward the other room. “Is Abercorn in there?”

  “Yes, my lady.” Molly hesitated. “His lordship sends you an invitation.”

  “An invitation?”

  Molly lowered her eyes. “He says . . . if you are ready to beg his pardon, he is ready to listen.”

  Louisa gasped. “You may tell his lordship that I shall be ready to beg his pardon in a hundred bloody years!” She dug her fists into her hips. “Be sure to lock the door to ensure Abercorn’s safety. I’m demented; it will take me that long to regain my senses.”

  Molly retreated through the adjoining door and closed it quietly.

  Lu ran to the door, put her ear against it, and heard Molly say, “I’m sorry, my lord, but Lady Abercorn says . . .”

  “Yes, I heard what she said, Molly. Thank you, that will be all,” Aberco
rn replied.

  That won’t be all. Not by a hell of a long chalk!

  Lu pulled up a chair and thoroughly enjoyed every morsel on her dinner tray. Full as a tick, she rubbed her belly. Ah bliss! I must remember to give my compliments to Barons Court’s cook.

  An hour before dawn, Louisa took the sheets from her bed and took them to the window. She added the pile of fresh sheets Molly had brought. She tied them together with tight knots and secured one end to a sturdy bedpost.

  Lu removed her petticoat and, clad in her busk and ruffled drawers, climbed onto the windowsill, gathered her confidence, and then began to slowly and carefully climb down the sheets. If I don’t look down, I’ll be all right. She knew her self-assurance was buoyed by a thirst for revenge. She was looking forward to her encounter with her husband, and she intended to give as good as she got.

  Lu experienced a moment of panic when she got to the end of the sheets and found she was still ten feet from the ground. She closed her eyes, crossed her fingers, and jumped. She offered up a prayer of thanks when she landed unhurt in a flowerbed.

  She was pleased as punch with herself. Now comes the tricky part. She knew that avoiding the servants would take ingenuity, although not many would be up this early. She entered Barons Court through a back door. It was a food storage room next to the kitchen. She picked up an apple from a basket and listened at the door. When she heard nothing but silence, she slowly and cautiously opened the door and crept up a back staircase. Then she went into the guest wing and entered one of the unoccupied suites. She stretched out on the bed and waited.

  James opened his eyes and his first thought was the same one he’d had yesterday and the day before. Damn, I hate waking up and not finding Lu in bed beside me. It took such a hell of long time to get her to share it with me, and before you know it, it’s separate bloody rooms again. I must be raving mad to put up with it.

  He threw back the covers and swung his feet to the carpet. Since Kitty is no longer in residence, and the bone of contention has been removed, there is no sodding reason why I should put up with it. I’ll settle this trust business once and for all—even if it means a knockdown, drag-out fight!

  James reached for his robe but then changed his mind. He’d have more authority if he was dressed and booted. He donned shirt and riding breeches, and then pulled on knee-high boots. He was no sooner finished than Molly was at his door with a breakfast tray to take through to her mistress.

  “Thank you, Molly. I’ll do the honors this morning.” He saw the look of relief on the young maid’s face and watched with amusement as she made herself scarce. He unlocked the adjoining door between their bedchambers and then, balancing the tray, he kicked the door with his foot and watched it swing open. He stepped through and found the chamber empty. “Jaysus!” James abandoned the tray and rushed to the window. A certain amount of relief swept over him when he saw Louisa was not lying in a heap below the string of tied-together sheets.

  Then his heart plummeted. “She’s gone!”

  James took the stairs two at a time, shouting to the servants as he descended. “My wife has left the house! Has anybody seen her?”

  He rushed outside and looked up at her boudoir window. His heart constricted. It’s such a long drop. I warrant she hurt herself. My God, what if she’s injured and crawled away somewhere? James was covered with guilt. It’s my fault. I never should have locked her up when I know what a reckless little bitch Lady Lu can be when provoked.

  Any lady with enough guts to perform at Covent Garden incognito has enough pluck to throw caution to the wind and climb out a bloody second-story window.

  James ran to the stables and asked the grooms and horsemen to search the grounds of Barons Court. “She could be injured. Look in the woods when you’re done scouring the park.” He went to the paddocks where the horses were grazing and searched meticulously. James found no sign of her, and the stablemen reported they had no luck.

  With a heavy heart, James returned to the house. He summoned Mrs. Connelly and the indoor staff. “No one can find Lady Abercorn. Would you be good enough to search Barons Court for me? There are so many rooms; she could be anywhere.”

  After two hours the staff assembled in the rotunda. No one had anything to report. Lady Abercorn had simply vanished.

  “Thank you all for your help.” His face was grim; his mood had gone from optimistic to hopeless. He went into the great hall and leaned his head against the black oak mantel of the stone fireplace. Louisa has left me. She’s doubtless on her way back to England. Lu has neither clothes nor money, but she won’t let that stop her. Perhaps she went to see Rowan Maloney for travel money.

  James summoned a footman. “Would you have one of the grooms ride into Omagh to see if Rowan Maloney has seen Lady Abercorn? Thank you.”

  James didn’t feel optimistic. Lu could have climbed out the window last night. She could be long gone by now. Dear God, I love her so much; I can’t bear to lose her. Abercorn made his decision instantly. The stubborn little wench has gone home to Woburn, so I have no choice. I’ll simply have to go and get her and bring her back to Ireland where she belongs! A sudden thought hit him. What if she refuses? His jaw clenched along with his fists. I’ll drag her back by the bloody hair if I have to!

  Chapter Twenty- Nine

  When Louisa heard the hue and cry and knew that James and everyone else at Barons Court were searching for her, she slipped from the guest wing, went into the master bedchamber, and closed the door.

  With great anticipation, she relished the thought of the confrontation she knew would erupt when she and James came face-to-face.

  She saw her abandoned breakfast tray and sat down to enjoy it. She sighed with satisfaction and then used his water to wash. She brushed her hair until it crackled, applied powder and rouge, and finally placed a drop of jasmine perfume between her breasts. She picked up her apple, set it on the bedside table, and propped herself up on the pillows of the wide bed where her husband had recently slept. She took a deep breath to appreciate his provocative male scent that lingered on the linen.

  It was hours before Louisa saw the knob turn and the door swing open. She picked up her apple and took a bite.

  “Lu! You didn’t leave after all.” Abercorn’s amazed expression turned to one of relief. “Thank God you are safe!”

  She gave him an indifferent glance and took another bite of her apple.

  The gesture angered him. “I should tan your arse for being so willful and causing such unnecessary alarm.”

  Louisa held up her hand imperiously. “Don’t come one step closer.”

  His dark brows drew together as the storm gathered.

  “I know you are not the father of Kitty’s child, but don’t think for one moment I will ever forgive you for taking me captive and keeping me locked up, you Irish devil!”

  “And don’t you think for one moment I will ever forgive you for suspecting I was the father of Kitty’s child.”

  “I want a profound and heartfelt apology, Abercorn.”

  “I’m truly sorry you behaved like a lunatic and needed locking up, Lady Lu.”

  “I have emerged from my defensive crouch.” She threw the apple at him.

  He deftly caught it and took a bite. He arched a dark eyebrow and a wry smile played about his lips. “The woman tempted me.”

  “Don’t quote the Bible to me, you uncivilized heathen!”

  “Me, uncivilized? You are the one climbing down sheets in your drawers.”

  She raised her chin defiantly. “I’m a marchioness; I can do what the hell I please.”

  “Only with my permission. I am lord and master of Barons Court, madam.”

  “You are delusional, Lord Bloody Abercorn!”

  “You need a good beating or a good bedding. I think I’ll give you both!” James launched himself onto the bed and pinned her beneath him.

  Lu squealed and tried to free herself.

  “You may as well stop struggling. To the victor
go the spoils.” He rose onto his knees and pulled off her ruffled drawers. “Which will it be, the beating or the bedding?”

  She made a little moue with her lips. “You decide. But if you choose the latter, would you mind removing your riding boots?”

  James grinned. “Since you ask so nicely, Lady Lu, I’ll remove more than my boots.”

  She watched avidly as her husband undressed and then came back over her in the dominant position. “You cannot resist me.”

  “I don’t want to resist you—there’s a difference. I intend to be master in my own house, Lu. But I wouldn’t change you if I could. I want you just the way you are.” He removed her busk and her luscious breasts spilled into his palms.

  Her silvery laughter spiraled about them and James thought it the loveliest sound he’d ever heard. “Vow you will never keep me locked in a room again. I won’t yield to you until you swear it.”

  “Won’t yield to me?” He swept his hands from her breasts to her waist and lifted her so that her face was close to his. “I warrant it will take about three kisses to wear down your defenses.”

  In fact, it took only one.

  His hot mouth took possession of hers and their tongues mated wildly. He slipped the head of his cock inside her and urged her to wrap her legs about his back so he could bury himself to the hilt. He made passionate love to her until she could no longer think. She could only taste and smell and feel. When her climax came, he spilled his seed into her slippery satin sheath.

  James rolled beside her and cradled her in his arms, whispering love words that made her very bones melt. He kissed the corners of her mouth then put his lips close to her ear. “I love you, Lu.”

  His intimate whisper made her heart sing.

  “I’m sorry I accused you of fathering Kitty’s baby. When I saw her and found out she’d been here at Christmas, I felt threatened and vulnerable. To love is to trust, and I love you with all my heart, James.”