Romancing the Earl

by Darcy Burke

  Kersey tapped the sword box with his free hand. “Your assistance in this momentous discovery is greatly appreciated.” He inclined his head toward his band of villains and disappeared from the dovecote.

  The two men standing nearest looked at Elijah as though they wished they could eviscerate him, but in the end they took themselves off. However, the man who’d been holding Cate went over to Elijah and knocked the butt of his pistol against his temple.

  “Stop!” Cate tried to wriggle across the dirt to get to Elijah.

  The villain only laughed as he left the dovecote, leaving them alone.

  It took a great deal of effort, but Cate eventually reached Elijah’s side. She turned her hips and brought herself to a kneeling position. She leaned close and looked at his head, wishing her hands were free. A small rivulet of blood leaked from his blond hairline. “You’re bleeding.”

  “Am I?” He turned his head, his blue-gray eyes boring into hers. “Are you all right?”

  They were so close—close enough that she could kiss him. But he’d been clear about putting last night behind them. “I’m so sorry. You shouldn’t even be here.”

  “Why not? The tapestry belongs to me, and Kersey is responsible for my brother’s death. Our paths are irrevocably intertwined. You are the one who needn’t be here. I know you wanted the sword, but I should’ve insisted you go home to Monmouth.”

  There he went, being autocratic again. “You did, if you recall. But I wouldn’t change anything. You and Wade would’ve been overcome at Harlech, and you wouldn’t have been able to communicate with Berwyn, which is what led us to the sword.” They also wouldn’t have spent last night together—and that was something she could never bring herself to regret.

  “Can you sit behind me so that I can try to use my fingers to pull at your ropes?”

  She turned and flopped onto her backside behind him, then scooted up against him. “Will that work?”

  “It will take some time.” His fingers plucked at the rope between her wrists. “Hold as still as you can.”

  “Do you really mean to go after Kersey?”

  “Yes. But first, I’m taking you home to Monmouth. And this time, I’ll brook no argument.”

  She knew better than to offer one, but that didn’t mean she was going to follow his directive. Monmouth was scarcely ten miles from here and it would be good to discuss everything they’d learned with her father. She wanted—no, she needed—to know what part he played in all of this, if anything.

  Elijah worked his fingers slowly but methodically as he endeavored to separate the knot holding her wrists together. “I should have asked Kersey if he’d been working with Septon, since they’re both part of the Order.”

  “You’re assuming Septon is part of the Order.”

  “You seemed convinced that he was.”

  It did appear to be the only explanation for Septon’s secretive behavior over the years. However, to think that he could be in league with Kersey and stealing the sword made her nauseated. “I would still like to know what Kersey plans to do with Dyrnwyn.” She was frustrated that he wouldn’t say.

  “Perhaps he plans to sell it. What other motive could he have?”

  Cate thought it over, but couldn’t come up with one. She also couldn’t come up with a reason for him and Septon to be working together. “Kersey hates Septon. I can’t envision them aligning over this.”

  “Money is a powerful motivator and will unite the least likely of people—even foes.”

  “Just because they’re in this Order together doesn’t mean they share a common goal. Ifan mentioned corrupt members. Perhaps Kersey is one of them, while Septon is not.” And if her father was in the Order, she had to assume he wasn’t corrupt either. To imagine anything else would completely alter her world.

  “You must believe what you will, but don’t expect me to do the same.” With a final tug, he loosened the rope.

  Cate pulled her wrists apart until the rope fell away. She brought her hands in front of her, stripped her gloves off, and massaged her tortured flesh for a moment before starting in on the knot between her ankles. “Will you cast my father as a villain then too?” She finished untying the rope and thrust it away before pushing up and kneeling beside Elijah.

  His eyes met hers. “We don’t know that your father is even a part of the Order.”

  She focused on untying the rope at his wrists. “Just as we don’t know Septon is. All I’m asking is for you not to cast blame before we know all of the facts. We don’t even know that Kersey had anything to do with Matthew’s death.”

  “You can’t think he was blameless in that—not when it’s obvious this group of miscreants has been carrying out his commands for quite some time with the goal of obtaining the sword.”

  She didn’t know what to think. Her mind was still grappling with the fact that Kersey had been behind all of the attempted thefts. She pulled the knot loose and swept the rope away. Plucking up her discarded glove from the dirt, she used it to dab at the blood that had caked along his temple. “We should find some water. Do you suppose our horses are still outside?”

  “I doubt it,” he said. “Kersey didn’t want for us to follow him, but he knew we wouldn’t remain bound forever. Honestly, I wonder why he let us live, particularly when his comrades seemed so keen to commit violence.”

  Cate shuddered. “Kersey may be a thief, but I can’t yet call him a murderer.”

  Elijah turned his head and her hand fell away. “I can.”

  Elijah ground his teeth as he jumped to his feet. He helped Cate stand, then stalked from the dovecote. Angry energy coursed through him as he strode to where they’d tethered the horses. As expected, they were gone.

  He turned to see Cate approaching, her expression wary. He stared at the tapestry in her arms, and wondered why Kersey had given it to her. Guilt? That single act changed nothing in Elijah’s mind. Cate might doubt Kersey’s involvement in Matthew’s death, but Elijah did not. The blackguard would pay for his crime.

  Elijah had started this journey intent on finding out what had happened to Matthew. But with every truth they uncovered, the matter had become clear and was even more nefarious than he’d thought—Matthew had been coldly killed to find this sword, his entire existence negated by another’s greed.

  Elijah had sought to bring the criminal to justice, but now, knowing that the perpetrator was a nobleman, he realized just how difficult that would be to accomplish without solid proof. He thought through all he knew, and it seemed likely that Kersey had been the one to secure Dalby a position at Stratton Hall in exchange for his continued help with the maid at Cosgrove. The connection seemed obvious now that Elijah knew Kersey had been after Dyrnwyn all along.

  If Elijah could persuade Dalby to testify against Kersey, justice might yet be possible. But first he had to find Dalby, and if he did, would the man agree to speak against the heir to an earldom? Or worse, was he truly unaware of Kersey’s involvement? He’d claimed not to know the identity of the person in charge.

  Prosecuting Kersey seemed unlikely. The man would get away, and who knew what he would do next? He had to be stopped, and Matthew’s death would be avenged. Elijah would be doing society a favor by getting rid of him.

  Cate walked to him, her brow creased. She reached up and touched his jaw. “You look particularly furious. If Kersey had something to do with Matthew’s death, we’ll have him arrested.”

  “If? Need I remind you that his hirelings are responsible for attacking us on the road as well as shooting Grey? He’s demonstrated his ability to condone violence.” He realized he sounded brutal, but he didn’t care. She needed to acknowledge her cousin’s depravity. “You can’t deny he’s a criminal.”

  She blanched and let her hand fall from his face. “I know, but he’s my cousin. I just . . . I need some time adjust my thinking.”

  Elijah thought of his own family and didn’t understand her misplaced loyalty. “We can’t choose our relatives.” H
e turned from her stricken expression. “We need to find transportation. I’m not certain I want to alert the Scudamore family to our presence.” A thought occurred to him and he faced her again. “What would we have done with the sword if Kersey hadn’t shown up? We found it on their land, doesn’t it belong to them?”

  She looked utterly defeated. “Yes, I suppose it does. I wonder if they knew it was even there. I doubt it, otherwise they surely would’ve removed it from the dovecote, don’t you think?”

  “That seems logical. What do you want to do?”

  “Until we recover the sword, it seems moot to tell them about it.” She glanced away briefly. “Unless you plan to see Kersey arrested for its theft.”

  “I will certainly add it to his crimes once we track him down.” He pivoted. “Let’s start walking—we should be there in a few hours.” They couldn’t ask for assistance. It was one thing to make up an elopement story for a country farmer and his wife and another to outright lie to a member of the gentry—people Elijah might very well see in his new role as earl.

  She tucked the tapestry beneath her arm.

  “Do you want me to carry that?” he asked.

  She shrugged. “I suppose it does belong to you.”

  It did. And now that he’d recovered it and would be returning her to her parents, they would part.

  He took the tapestry from her. The moment he’d been anticipating the last several days was nearly here. It was time to end their association. Time to let her go.

  Chapter 19

  Walking up the familiar road toward her home gave Cate a welcome jolt of warmth. Though the journey from Kentchurch had been long and hot, her mind felt as if she’d traveled even farther and was even more exhausted than her body.

  Elijah strode beside her, but had kept his attention focused stoically forward. She’d never seen him truly angry before. Could she blame him? He’d finally determined who’d killed his brother—or at least he thought he had. Cate worried about what he might do.

  Yet she was also furious with Kersey for stealing the sword. And yes, he might very well have killed Matthew Hollister.

  She peered over at Elijah. His profile was so familiar now. As was his voice. His scent. His touch. Was it just last night that he’d made love to her and changed her life irrevocably? He’d said it would be just the one night, but she still felt a connection between them. In the dovecote sharing their excitement at finding the sword, watching his fury as Kersey’s man had threatened her, she’d thought he’d felt it too. She longed to talk to him about it, but to what end? She didn’t think he would want to be the husband she needed, someone who would support her passion for antiquities and adventure. No; as far as she knew, he didn’t want to be any kind of husband at all.

  “Turn here,” she said, leading him up the main drive to Hollyhaven. She’d always loved the charm of her home with its stone façade and mullioned windows, and she’d never been happier to see it.

  As they neared the front of the house, she turned to face him. “Before we go in, I would ask that you allow me to explain our circumstances to my parents. They will not be . . . enthused that we are traveling alone together.”

  “I can’t imagine they would be.” His tone was dark, irritated.

  “They’re not going to make any demands upon you. I wouldn’t let them, anyway. They’ll understand how we came to be in this situation once I tell them what happened to Grey.” Cate felt a pang of remorse. She couldn’t help but think of what Elijah had said. If not for Kersey, Grey would be uninjured and would’ve discovered the sword along with Cate.

  He gave a slight nod. She walked up to the door and put her hand on the latch when it came open, startling her.

  “Cate! I saw you through the window.” Her mother, Margery Bowen, clasped Cate in a tight hug. When she pulled back she looked down at Cate’s clothing. “Goodness, why are you dressed like a man?”

  “It’s quite a tale, Mother. Allow me to introduce my traveling companion, Lord Norris.”

  Mother scrutinized him quite thoroughly. “Good afternoon, my lord. Do come in, both of you.” She opened the door wide and stepped aside so they could move into her father’s office, which was situated to the left of the entry hall, with a view of the front drive. “Rhys, it is Cate, and Lord Norris.”

  Father came forward, his dark brows practically meeting over his eyes as he looked at Cate with concern. “I’m glad you’re home. Septon is here, and he had me quite worried.”

  Cate turned her head and saw the moment Elijah’s gaze found Septon across the room. His complexion darkened by a shade and his eyes turned to ice. She rushed to stand beside him. “Father, come meet Lord Norris. He escorted me from Harlech.”

  Father assessed Elijah in much the same way her mother had. He offered his hand. “Thank you for seeing my daughter home safely.” He turned and gestured for Septon to come forward. “You’ve already met, have you not? Septon told us he’d made your acquaintance when Cate stopped in at his house party.”

  “Indeed.” Elijah’s tone carried frost to match his eyes. “And what are you doing here, Septon? Instead of at your house party.”

  Septon pursed his lips. “I was worried about Cate. There’s an item missing from my collection. After interviewing my staff, I determined that she’d been in my private library.” The look he delivered Elijah said he knew that he’d been there too, but for whatever reason, he didn’t say so. Cate was grateful, since convincing her parents that they needn’t demand anything of Elijah might actually be more difficult than she’d let on outside.

  “I presume you took it?” Septon asked Cate.

  “Yes.” She tossed Elijah a look that she hoped he would interpret as instructing him to remain quiet. Fortunately he did. “I was going to return it.” Thank goodness she’d kept it on her person instead of storing it in her saddlebag, or it would be gone now. She pulled the folded page from her coat and handed it to Septon with a wince. “I apologize for its current state.”

  Septon frowned at the parchment, but didn’t comment. When he looked up at her, his gaze was expectant. “Well, did you find it?”

  She knew what he meant by “it.” “Yes. But it’s gone. Kersey stole it from me.” The crushing defeat of losing the sword washed over her again.

  Septon flinched, and her father inhaled sharply. Her mother touched his arm.

  Septon shook his head. “Blast. Have you any idea where he is now?”

  “No,” Elijah said. “But there are many things we don’t know. For instance, I should like to know whether or not you are a member of the Order of the Round Table.”

  Septon paled. “Please sit.”

  “I prefer to stand.” Elijah’s response came fast and clipped. “I beg you to answer the question.”

  Septon looked him in the eye. “Yes, I am a member.”

  Cate’s chest constricted. She longed to take Elijah’s hand, but didn’t dare. Instead, she looked to her father. “Are you?”

  Father, thankfully, shook his head. However, he didn’t look surprised by any of this.

  “You are aware of the Order, however?” she asked.

  “I am.”

  Suddenly it was all too much. All of the secrets. All of the lies. Cate looked from her parents to Septon and back again. “What else have you kept from me? This Order, that poem by Anarawd . . . ” Her father’s nostrils flared, but she didn’t bother hiding the bitterness in her voice—she couldn’t. “I’d wager Penn knows all about them.”

  “Cate, we didn’t lie to you,” Father said.

  “But you kept secrets. Why, because I’m a woman? I’m a woman who tracked down the flaming sword.” And who should have it in her possession. Fury and disappointment blazed inside of her. She glared at first her father and then Septon. “But maybe you already knew where it was.”

  “Actually, no, we did not,” Septon said. “The Order strives to keep Arthurian artifacts secret and safe. We don’t necessarily go looking for them. We do what we ca
n to leave them buried, which is why that de Valery document was locked away in my private library.”

  Cate rankled beneath his condescending tone. “Well, Kersey was looking for the sword, and he’s a member of your bloody Order.”

  Septon glanced at her father. “No, he’s not.”

  Cate’s neck prickled. “He indicated he was.”

  “He most certainly is not,” Septon said firmly. “I am aware of every member, and he is not one of them. Perhaps you misunderstood.”

  She thought back to their conversation. He hadn’t actually confirmed his membership, but neither had he denied it. He’d certainly been aware of the organization and its secrecy.

  If Kersey hadn’t taken the sword for the Order . . . “Why did he want the sword, then?”

  “I can’t say,” Septon said.

  He couldn’t have chosen three worse words to utter in that moment. “Of course you can’t. If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to transform myself back into a woman, not that any of you would ever mistake me for being a man.”

  Cate pulled the hat from her head and stalked from the drawing room, not even caring that she was leaving Elijah to the wolves.

  Elijah felt an urge to applaud Cate’s exit. He was, however, too upset over what he’d just heard.

  Cate’s mother, Margery, moved close to her husband. “I’ll go after her in a moment,” she said quietly.

  Elijah looked at Septon. “Are you certain Kersey isn’t part of this Order?”

  “Absolutely. I am one of the highest ranking officials,” Septon said. “As I said, I know of every new member—and there are very few.”

  Perhaps that explained why Septon hadn’t known of the men who’d come to Cosgrove. If they were part of Kersey’s band—which Elijah believed—and Kersey wasn’t part of the Order . . . Well, who the hell were they? And why had Ifan said they were the Order? “I’m very confused by this secret organization. Kersey and his crew wore masks. They followed us from Septon House, held up Cate’s coach, attacked us and stole the tapestry at Harlech, then stole the sword from us at Kentchurch. Kersey may not have outright confirmed his membership in the Order, but he didn’t deny it either.”