It had taken nearly losing Meredith for Trevor to realize she was what he had wanted all along. She gave him a sense of completion that had long been missing from his life. Miraculously, she made him dare to envision that a happy, promising future was indeed possible.
There had been no occurrences since that fateful night at the theater, but Trevor refused to abandon his mission to protect his wife. True, Meredith had, at his request, severely limited her social engagements, so the opportunities for someone to harm her, if there was indeed a someone, were fewer.
More and more of late he wondered if perhaps he had overreacted to the situation. But Trevor then decided it did not matter. Better to exercise caution and be wrong than to relax his vigilance and have Meredith suffer the consequences.
After three more dances, Trevor was finally able to convince his wife it was time to leave the masquerade ball. The duke was also ready to depart, and the three climbed into the ducal carriage for the short ride home.
Trevor accepted his father’s invitation of a late night brandy, and the two men seated themselves in the gold salon to indulge. Meredith declined to join them. Instead, she bade them both a charming, sweet good night, kissing first the duke and last her husband. Yet the gleam in her eye and the possessive manner in which her hand fisted so tightly upon his lapel when she chastely pressed against his cheek told the marquess she fully expected to see him later.
Warmth unfurled in his gut and his lower regions. Just knowing she was eager to give herself to him brought on a tantalizing surge of both desire and emotion. Her enchanting Roman costume was a sensuous garment. It draped over her hips and breasts, clinging to every delectable curve of her body.
Trevor could so easily envision himself peeling it from her, inch by inch, exposing the creamy, white flesh he knew was underneath. He remembered how her skin glowed in the light of the candles, how her breasts peaked when he caressed them, how her eyes seemed to beg him to take her, possess her, however he wished.
“Egad, son, I expect to see smoke curling out of your ears any second,” the duke said with a hearty laugh. “Maybe it would be best if you forgo the brandy and head directly upstairs—with your wife.”
Though he hardly believed it was possible, Trevor felt the tips of his ears heat. Blushing at his age? Over his wife?
“I am fine, sir,” the marquess insisted. He took a large swallow of his drink to prove the point, and nearly started choking.
“Yes, I can see that,” the duke replied, grinning.
Trevor let the remark pass. He knew his father was trying to get a rise out of him, so he deliberately refused to be baited.
“Did you enjoy yourself this evening?” Trevor asked.
“Certainly,” the duke responded. “Linny always did know how to throw a first-class party, even if he is an idiot when it comes to other aspects of life.”
Trevor nodded in agreement. They discussed a few of the other guests and some of the outlandish costumes, shared a laugh over a bawdy joke, then argued over a bill on land reform that the House of Lords was going to present to Parliament.
As he accepted another inch of brandy in his goblet, Trevor admitted he vastly enjoyed having these pleasant, mostly nonconfrontational conversations with his father. It was yet another thing he owed to Meredith. Her presence in their lives had formed the bridge he needed to cross over and reach out to the duke.
“Meredith would like to attend a musical evening at the Duke of Shrewsbury’s tomorrow night,” Trevor said. “Will you be joining us?”
The duke’s dignified features scrunched together in distress. “Meredith is a wonderful woman, but for the life of me I cannot understand why she likes these musical evenings so much. Screeching singers and whining strings. It drives me positively mad. Did you know she made me take her to the opera once?”
Trevor lifted his glass to his lips to hide his smile. “I recall hearing something about that evening.”
“It was awful. My teeth were aching by the time we were able to leave.” The duke sighed. “I will therefore be very much in your debt if you can assist me in concocting a reasonable excuse to decline. After all, I do not wish to hurt dear Meredith’s feelings.”
“She already mentioned to me yesterday afternoon that she fully expects you to find at least three reasons why you cannot be there.”
The duke threw back his head and laughed heartily. “Clever girl. She knows me all too well.” Sobering, the duke then asked, “Are you still convinced she is in some sort of danger?”
The marquess shrugged. “I am not as certain, but think it would be foolish to relax my guard. Besides, I’ve discovered I very much enjoy being in my wife’s company.”
The duke snorted. “It’s about time you realized it. The woman is a treasure, a rare jewel that needs to be cosseted and protected.”
Trevor regarded his father solemnly. “We are completely in accord on that matter, sir.”
The duke smiled slyly at his son. “Well, now that you have finally gotten your marriage sorted out, will there be grandchildren coming along soon? Little mites who will fear my booming voice, my strict demands for proper behavior, but adore how I grant their every wish?”
This time Trevor did choke on his brandy. “I am doing my best.”
“Well, get yourself upstairs at once and work on it harder. I’m not getting any younger, you know. I’ve already decided I want to be nimble enough to chase the little rascals about the room.”
By the time they reached the Duke of Shrewsbury’s mansion, the number of guests in attendance had swelled to nearly one hundred.
Meredith held out her hand to the footman, who stood politely at the ready to assist her from the coach, but her husband waved the servant off. It was the marquess who possessively took her hand and assisted her down to the pavement.
Meredith stood for a moment and looked up. The mansion was ablaze with lights. Candles glowed from behind each window pane facing the street, and extra torches had been lit on the outside steps to illuminate the way to the front door. Delighted with the twinkling view, Meredith turned to her husband.
“Why are you frowning, Trevor? Is something amiss?”
Behind her, Trevor murmured, “No. I am just surprised so many people are here. I had no idea this sort of evening would be of interest to any but the most ardent of music lovers. To be honest, I expected only a handful of guests.”
Meredith quelled a sigh. She had been looking forward to tonight’s performance for weeks. It would be a rare privilege to hear the talented singers and musicians the duke had persuaded to entertain, for they seldom left their native homelands in Europe.
“My dear husband, you have yet to hear a note played or an aria sung, so please reserve your judgment.” Compressing her lips, she added, “If I wanted a grumbling man along, I would have asked your father to accompany us.”
“He was wise enough to formulate an excuse,” Trevor muttered under his breath.
“I heard that,” she quipped.
His features grim, the marquess took his wife by the elbow and led her up the stairs. Once inside, Meredith gave her wrap to a waiting servant and allowed her husband to steer her away from the crowd. It was his usual method when they first arrived at an event, so she knew precisely what to expect.
He had told her it was the most practical approach, for he needed to assess the guests and decide if there was anyone around who might pose a threat. However, on more than one occasion, Meredith had caught her husband casting a nasty, possessive growl at any gentleman doing nothing more than showing a flattering interest in her person.
Tonight she wore a red silk evening gown with a neckline that revealed a tantalizing glimpse of her breasts. Hers was hardly the lowest cut dress in the room. In fact, compared to many of the other women, she was almost matronly in her attire.
Yet as they strolled into the high domed conservatory where the performance would be held, Meredith noted Trevor was scanning the crowd with singular intensity
, as though he expected her to be accosted at any moment.
“Is everything all right?” Meredith whispered after Trevor had located seats for them.
“I am uncertain. Alworthy has not taken his eyes from your bosom since you removed your wrap.”
Meredith felt the heat rise in her cheeks. “I have known Lord Alworthy for many years. I cannot imagine he would cause me harm.”
“He is a rake, preying on any female he can corner. I find his eyes too cool, his gaze too assessing. I do not want him near you.”
“Fine. I shall give him the cut direct if he approaches,” she said.
Trevor nodded his approval, and Meredith nearly screamed. She had been sarcastic when she suggested snubbing Alworthy, though in truth she doubted the man would have the nerve to come within twenty feet of her with Trevor guarding her so obviously.
Thankfully she spied her brother Jason across the room and signaled for him to join them. He did so eagerly, but his motives were soon clear. He was desperately searching for a glimpse of Miss Elizabeth Sainthill and wanted to know if either of them had had the pleasure of seeing her.
“It is my understanding Miss Elizabeth and Miss Harriet are house guests of the duke’s,” Meredith replied patiently. “It is therefore reasonable to conclude she will be here.”
“Thank goodness.”
Jason sighed dramatically and lifted his chin. Meredith soon realized her brother’s eyes were trained on the archway entrance and immediately fastened to any female who walked through it.
“Jason,” Meredith called.
“Hmmm?”
Her brother never even turned his head in her direction. Apparently it was too much to ask that he break his concentrated studied of the entrance and speak to her using actual words. Meredith scowled. “Though I did not see her when we entered, it is possible Elizabeth is with the duke, greeting the guests.”
Jason’s head whirled around so quickly it nearly made Meredith dizzy. “Of course! Why didn’t I think of it? Thanks, Merry.”
The young man dashed off without a second glance.
Trevor grinned wickedly and took his seat beside his wife. “That was well done.”
“Oh, be quiet. One difficult man by my side is more than enough for the evening. I shall not allow all these petty disruptions to ruin my enjoyment of what promises to be a spectacular night.”
Trevor took her hand and squeezed gently. After a moment she returned the pressure. When the performance began, their fingers were still entwined.
His insides had begun to quiver when he saw her enter the mansion. She was here! For days he had not slept, hoping she would come, fearing she would not. He knew she had not appeared in Society much in the past week, no doubt frightened by his warning at the theater.
But tonight she had ventured out. What unbelievable luck! Nearly everything was ready for her. He needed to execute only a few final details. That must be done soon, for he knew he must strike quickly the moment the opportunity presented itself.
He frowned. It was an annoyance that the marquess had also come to the evening’s performance, but that would not change the final outcome of the night. He would have to be cunning and clever to outwit the nobleman, but his arrogant mind embraced the challenge.
Lady Meredith was a prize worth fighting for, and victory would be all the more sweeter if he outfoxed Dardington in the process.
He skirted the edges of the music conservatory, positioning himself in an unobtrusive corner just as the performance began. For several minutes, he merely watched her, sitting slightly forward in her seat so she could see as well as hear the performance.
Her lovely face registered her enraptured delight at the music. Beside her, the marquess looked less pleased. In fact, he looked downright bored. That was a good sign. It meant the marquess would most likely take advantage of the intermission to escape for a few moments. And if he left, there was a very good chance his wife would stay behind.
With a small sigh of satisfaction, he slipped away from the conservatory to set in motion the final pieces of his plan.
Though Meredith kept her eyes on the musicians at the front of the room, she was very aware of the man seated to her left. Trevor shifted, squirmed, crossed and uncrossed his legs, then finally stretched them out.
She cast him a stern glare of silent warning. He shrugged his shoulders and tried to look innocent. She was not fooled.
“The intermission will be starting in a few minutes,” Meredith whispered. “Why don’t you go to the other room and enjoy a quick brandy?”
“I’m fine,” Trevor insisted. “Besides, I do not want to leave you alone.”
“You are not fine. You are restless and bored. Now go.”
He hesitated, and she glared again. “All right, if you insist. But I shall be gone for only a few moments.”
She shooed him away with a dismissive wave, then turned her full attention to the incredible music being played. As the last crescendo faded away, Meredith stood up, along with many of the other guests, and clapped enthusiastically.
“I do beg your pardon, Lady Dardington, but there is a delicate matter that needs your attention.”
Meredith lifted her eyes to the man who had spoken. He had moved to stand in front of Trevor’s empty chair. She could tell from his garments he was an upper house servant, yet for some odd reason he seemed vaguely familiar. “Are we acquainted, sir?”
The man blushed. “I am flattered you would remember me, my lady. We met briefly a few months ago when you sought my assistance concerning a duel.”
Meredith’s face brightened into a smile. “Of course, now I remember. You are Mr. Wingate’s valet, are you not? Wait, don’t tell your name.” She tapped her foot impatiently as she tried to recall it. “Hawkins? Is that right?”
“Yes, it is, my lady.”
She nodded her head in satisfaction. “Without your help that morning, I never would have been able to prevent the duel. I do not forget a kindness, Hawkins. How may I be of aid to you?”
“I do not ask on behalf of myself, but for Miss Elizabeth Sainthill.”
“Elizabeth asked you to deliver a message to me?” Meredith asked incredulously. “I find that rather difficult to believe.”
His face reddened and Meredith drew back. He looked so fierce and angry for an instant it startled her, but then he hung his head contritely, and Meredith realized he was embarrassed.
“Forgive me, my lady,” he said softly. “I did not mean to be presumptuous. Naturally Miss Elizabeth did not ask me to get you. I saw her speaking with one of your brothers a few moments ago. Everything appeared very congenial between the couple, but then Miss Elizabeth suddenly turned and raced away. As she ran up the stairs, I could not help but hear her sobs of distress.”
“Goodness, that does sound serious.” Meredith bit her lower lip. “Did you notice where my brother went?”
Hawkins’s eyes darted away. “No. I have not seen him since the incident.”
“Well, you were right to come to me, Hawkins. I am very interested in anything either of my brothers are doing, especially when it involves a young, impressionable girl like Miss Elizabeth.”
The servant sighed with relief. “From the direction she fled, I assume she went to her chambers. If you like, I can take you to her. Or I can call a female servant, if you prefer.”
Meredith lifted her chin and scanned the room anxiously. Many of the guests had left their seats and were milling about the room. She did not see Trevor anywhere.
“Is there a problem, my lady?”
She shook her head. “I was looking for my husband.”
“I believe the marquess is in the green room with several of the other gentlemen.” Hawkins bowed politely. “Shall I fetch him for you?”
Meredith hesitated. If Elizabeth was upset over something Jason had said or done, she might want to discuss it. In that case, Trevor’s presence would be a hindrance. “I will go to see Miss Elizabeth first. If she asks me to stay wit
h her, will you bring a message to my husband and let him know where I am?”
Hawkins’s chest puffed with obvious pride. “As you wish.”
Meredith nodded and smiled pleasantly. Then, with her mind focused on poor Elizabeth’s plight, she followed Mr. Hawkins from the room.
Nineteen
The hall clock chimed ten as they ascended to the third floor, but Meredith paid it little heed. She was trying to think of how best to manage the coming meeting and wondering why Elizabeth was so distressed.
Meredith had difficulty imagining her brother doing something to deliberately harm Elizabeth. He might be foolish, irresponsible, even thoughtless at times, but his affection for and infatuation with the young girl seemed genuine. Hopefully it was only a silly misunderstanding between the two that had caused this upset and could be easily rectified.
With that in mind, Meredith glanced at her surroundings. They were now in a very old and obviously little used section of the house. There was a musty, stale odor to the air and evidence of dust on the floors and carpet runners. Few candles were lit, casting dark and eerie shadows along the hallway that narrowed, twisted, and turned at abrupt angles.
Even though she was a rather minor guest of the duke, it seemed odd Elizabeth would be housed in such out-of-the-way rooms. Meredith frowned. The prickling of unease grew with each step she took, rapidly growing too strong to ignore.
Yet before she could voice her concerns, they arrived. With a polite bow, Hawkins knocked sharply on the last door at the end of the hall. He did not wait for an answer, but lifted the latch and pushed it open.
Meredith stepped into the room. It was dark, lit only by three candles on a wall sconce. There were surprisingly few pieces of furniture in the room—a large four-poster bed with dark curtains tied back at each post, an armoire with a missing door, a small table.
Meredith noticed Elizabeth was sitting in the only chair, her back to the door. Meredith stepped forward. “Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth’s head jerked, but she did not turn around, nor did she speak. Meredith turned in puzzlement to Hawkins, but the servant was no longer there. Meredith moved forward, then gasped.
To Protect An Heiress (Zebra Historical Romance) Page 27
