Love, Lies and Murder

by Catherine Winchester

  Chapter Sixteen

  Helen knew that there was something important she and Alex should be doing but a combination of his heady scent, his soft lips on hers and the growing ache between her thighs, made it hard to remember quite what it was.

  Alex had begun to pull her skirts up and Helen had slipped his coat from his shoulders, when they heard voices shouting. Reluctantly, they separated.

  Helen could read his expression perfectly, because she felt the same way herself; as nice as this was, they really should discover who was causing the ruckus.

  After a moment to catch her breath, Helen sat up and set about rearranging her skirts, while Alex stood up and pulled his frock coat on.

  “I’ll find out what the commotion is,” he assured her. “I won’t be long.”

  Rather than waiting, she followed him and as soon as the heavy wooden study door was opened, she could hear that someone was calling for Alex.

  “What is the meaning of this?” Alex demanded as he strode into the entrance hall, Helen so close behind that she almost ran into him when he came to a sudden stop.

  Everyone seemed to be in the hallway; her family, his family and Emma’s family, eagerly watching the drama. Along with them were four men who Helen didn’t recognise. One carried a medical type bag, two wore a dark uniform and one, the man who had been yelling, was talking to Pearl and Clarence.

  “I am sorry, Your Grace, I tried to close the door but these gentlemen,” Mr Graves indicated the uniformed men, “pushed their way inside.”

  “What the devil are you doing here?” Alex demanded of the man who had been yelling. “I thought I told you that you would never be welcome in this house again.”

  “Your mother seems to think otherwise,” he smirked.

  “Alex, he is your Uncle, show him some respect.” Pearl looked very upset with her son.

  Helen realised that this was Charles, Alex’s suspected-thief, possibly-murderous uncle.

  “I show respect only to those who deserve it, Mother.”

  “What I am here for, is this.” Charles gave Alex a wicked smile and stepped forward, handing over a piece of paper.

  Alex snatched it, tore the wax seal and began to examine it. Helen could see his knuckles turning white as he read but she couldn’t see what was on the document.

  “Absolutely NOT!” he roared, balling the paper up in his fist. “It will be a cold day in Hell before I let you get your hands on my wife, Charles.” He moved back and slightly to the side, so that Helen was behind him. She recognised it as a protective stance but, interested to discover what was going on, she peered around him.

  “Then indeed, Hell must be frozen over,” Charles couldn’t help the triumphant grin that spread across his features.

  “You know as well as I do that even if your ‘test’ proves she is a virgin, that is no grounds for annulment!”

  Helen’s eyes widened in shock, as did many of the onlookers.

  “Yes, but you see, Prince George would rather like the annulment laws tested, since he is so unhappy in his own marriage. He is the reason I was able to obtain this Order, and he is very much looking forward to the outcome of this Court case.”

  Helen didn’t understand how this would help the Prince, for his wife had given birth to their daughter back in January; proof positive that their marriage had been consummated, no matter how much they disliked each other.

  “Now,” Charles continued, rather smugly, “these two fine gentlemen will hold your wife down while the doctor examines her if we must, but can’t we be civilised about this?”

  “No we can’t! I don’t care who signed this,” he waved the fist that held the scrunched up paper, “but it isn’t going to happen.”

  Helen stepped around Alex and gently prised the paper from his fingers, which yielded surprisingly easily considering how angry he was.

  “My dear boy, this is going to happen and if this marriage is declared to be fake, I will petition the Courts not to turn the Trust over to you. You cannot use trickery to get around that clause in your father’s Will.”

  Both what was on the paper, which was an order by the Court of Chancery to determine the current state of her virginity, or lack thereof, and the conversation, made it abundantly clear to Helen what they wanted to do to her.

  She looked to the two men in uniform. They had been staring at her but quickly looked away when she glanced at them, their cheeks blushing red. If she was reading them correctly, it seemed that they didn’t want to do this anymore than she wanted it done. They were Officers of the Court however, so they would do their duty and considering their size, Helen would be helpless to resist.

  “Graves, assemble every male member of staff as quickly as you can,” Alex ordered.

  Graves left to do his Master’s bidding but Helen didn’t want the staff getting hurt on her behalf.

  “Alex,” she rested her hand on his forearm and when he turned to look at her, she flinched; she had never seen him so angry before. He appeared almost demonic.

  Thankfully the expression softened as he looked down at her.

  “Alex, it’s all right.”

  “It is not ‘all right’, Helen, I will not let these vile men manhandle you!”

  “If I go willingly, they won’t have to.”

  “Helen-” he began but she turned to face the newcomers, cutting him off.

  “Gentlemen, if I might have a word with my husband, in private.”

  “I can’t let you out of my sight,” Charles sneered, and Helen immediately understood why Alex hated him.

  “Very well, we will remain within your sight but in the future, you will refer to me as Your Grace. I will not be so forgiving next time.”

  She pulled on Alex’s arm and led him a few feet down the hall, before reaching up on her toes to whisper in his ear, so they wouldn’t be overheard.

  “Alex, it’s all right.”

  “No, Helen, it-”

  “I didn’t have a mother to teach me about my wedding night but my boss told me a little of what to expect. I know what you did last night, in the bath tub. You tried to hide the pain in pleasure, but I still felt it, Alex, so he will not find the evidence that he is looking for.”

  “You think I care about that!” he demanded, loud enough for everyone to hear.

  “Hush. I think that you want to protect me but can’t you see that I also want to protect you. All of you,” she said, glancing at the growing number of male servants, who were congregating by the door which led to the servants stairs. “I couldn’t bear it if something were to happen to any of you.”

  “You should not be subject to humiliation because of my thieving uncle.”

  “But somehow, he has got a Court to declare that he can do this and if you disobey that Order, you will be punished. I couldn’t bear to see you hurt or in jail.”

  Alex seemed to be wavering so she pressed her point home.

  “Besides I just want to get this over with. I don’t want to go through the next few days or weeks, wondering when the Court is going to drag me away and hold me down. Here, we can do this on my terms, not theirs.”

  Alex remained silent for a long time but slowly the stubborn set of his features softened and finally he nodded, although it was half-hearted.

  “Very well, but I will remain with you the entire time.”

  Helen thought that odd; men normally didn’t want anything to do with a woman’s bodily functions, other than the fun parts, but she also didn’t want to go through this alone.

  “Thank you.” She smiled but it was tinged with nerves.

  They walked back to Charles and his group.

  “We will do as the Order says,” Helen announced. “Doctor, if you would accompany me to my bed chamber, we can do this there.”

  “I’m coming too!” Charles insisted.

  “No you bloody well are not!” The Court Officers restrained Alex before he could land a punch on Charles.

  “I have to make sure that you don�
�t bribe the doctor to declare her impure.” Charles argued.

  “Bessie!” Helen called and the girl came so quickly that she must have been listening to the conversation, just out of sight.

  “Yes, Ma’am?”

  “Have the screen from my dressing room moved to just inside the bedroom, make sure it completely blocks any view of my bed.”

  “Yes, Ma’am.” She curtseyed and ran off to fulfil her task.

  Alex had ceased struggling, at least for the moment, knowing that he was no match for two strong men.

  “Helen, this isn’t right,” Alex tried again to convince her.

  “No, it isn’t,” she agreed. “But I am taking comfort that when this unnecessary procedure is over, I can sue Mr Cavendish here for recompense. I wonder what the Courts award for the violation of a nobleman’s wife?”

  A slight smile appeared on Alex’s lips as from the corner of his eye, he saw his uncle blanch.

  “Are you sure you want to do this?”

  “I would hardly call it ‘want’ but yes, let’s get this over with, once and for all.” She turned to where the staff had assembled. “Thank you for coming, gentlemen. If two of you would remain to escort Mr Cavendish, and restrain him should he overstep his bounds, the rest of you may go back to your duties, with my thanks.”

  The servants looked among themselves and seemed to silently decide who should remain. Two men stepped forward and the rest headed back towards the servants’ stairs.

  “This is Stemson, our head gardener, and Billy, a groom,” Mr Graves informed her. They were both strapping young men, probably because they spent a good portion of their days shovelling heavy soil or carting hay and straw bales around.

  Helen smiled at them both. “Thank you for your assistance. Please escort Mr Cavendish to my dressing room and ensure that while he can hear any discussions, he does not venture around the screen that has been erected.”

  “Right you are, Your Grace,” The gardener said. He was older than the groom and probably much less likely to be intimidated by Charles.

  With her back straight and head held high, Helen headed towards the stairs but was intercepted by Jane.

  “Do you want me there, another woman?” she asked, concerned.

  “Thank you,” Helen took her hand. “But the fewer people there to witness my humiliation, the better. I wouldn’t say no to some of your secret stash afterwards, however.”

  Jane nodded and patted her friend’s hand in solidarity, before turning to everyone else in the hallway.

  “Right, those involved in this despicable act, follow Helen, those with nothing better to do than gawk at my friend, make yourself scarce or I’ll find something for you to do.”

  Jane clapped her hands to make people hurry along and while the doctor, Charles, the gardener and the groom followed Helen and Alex, everyone but the Court Officers, who went to stand at the side of the entrance, soon disappeared.

  Jane threw one last look at Helen, then followed her upstairs, heading to her own room to retrieve her hip flask.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Helen refused to undress, wanting this over with as soon as possible, and spent the entire time holding Alex’s hand and looking into his eyes. She flinched a few times as the doctor and his instruments were cold or uncomfortable.

  Alex did his best to hold her gaze but couldn’t help glancing towards the screen every few seconds, just to make sure that Charles didn’t emerge. The doctor seemed unhappy at having to perform this examination and thankfully, it was over quickly.

  “You can sit up now, Your Grace. I’m truly sorry that you were subjected to this.”

  “Then why did you agree to do it?” she asked the doctor, sitting up and arranging her skirts to cover herself, then taking hold of Alex’s hand again.

  Alex had detected a slight tremble in the doctor’s hands and if he had to guess, he would say the good doctor had either a problem with drink, or drug use. Such people often found themselves in financial straits, which made them much more likely to accept work that they might normally refuse.

  The doctor opened his mouth a few times but couldn’t think of an acceptable reply.

  “Your findings, Doctor?” Alex asked in a loud voice, glaring at the screen. “For the record.”

  There was a scuffle from behind the screen, a thud, a cry, then everything went silent. After a moment’s hesitation, the doctor coughed, then answered.

  “My findings are, that Her Grace, Helen Cavendish, Duchess of Crowham, is no longer intact. The marriage has indeed been consummated and is lawful and binding.”

  “That’s outrageous!” Came Charles’ yell from behind the screen. “This marriage is a sham!”

  It appeared that neither Stemson nor Billy appreciated that declaration and the resulting commotion knocked the screen down, while the men tried to restrain Charles. Like Alex however, he was no match for two strong men and they held him tight. Bessie watched everything from just inside the dressing room, terrified by the fighting.

  “There you go, Charles, you have your verification of the sanctity of our marriage and should you try to bribe your doctor here, I have three witnesses who heard the doctor’s verdict. I also intend to have your doctor here sign a declaration for us to keep.” Alex looked to the men holding Charles. “Escort him off the property, if you please, and send the Court officials up, so that they might witness the doctor’s statement for me.”

  “With pleasure, Your Grace,” Mr Stemson said with grim satisfaction and between them, they hauled Charles out through the dressing room.

  “Are you all right?” Alex asked Helen.

  Helen turned to Bessie. “Go and fetch Jane for me, please.” The girl scurried off and Helen turned to her husband.

  “Are you all right?” he asked again, gently squeezing her hand.

  Helen had tears in her eyes as she answered but furiously blinked them back. “I have never been so humiliated,” she admitted. “But I take some comfort in the fact that he was a medical man, used to dealing with events such as birth, and the discomfort I felt was nothing compared to bearing a child. So no, I am not all right just at the moment, but I will be.”

  Alex smiled at her fortitude. “I am truly sorry, I-”

  “This wasn’t your fault, Alex.” She reached up and traced his cheek bone with the tips of her fingers. “Your staying with me through this ordeal has meant the world to me. Thank you.”

  Alex brought her hand to his lips and placed a soft kiss on her knuckles.

  With some surprise, he realised that he cared far more deeply for her than he had realised. It wasn’t just her beauty or unusual colouring. Nor was it solely admiration for her strong spirit and courage. Yes, he liked, admired and respected all those qualities but he suspected that what had really won his heart, was her selflessness.

  Emma had been a pious person but she had never made a sacrifice like this, nor he suspected, would she have. For her sons, he knew she would have gladly given up her own life, but not for him because no matter how much affection and respect she had for him, she did not love him.

  If he was honest, he had felt the same way. He would have protected Emma as a gentleman, but not out of love, as he would for his children.

  Helen however, well yes, he would endure any humiliation, any sentence, and even protect her with his life. Although he knew that would leave his boys orphans, he had every faith that Helen would do right by them, loving them as a mother should.

  He didn’t quite feel able to voice those feelings yet though, especially with the doctor still in the room, so he bent down and placed a reverent kiss on her lips, hoping that he could show her the depth of his affection.

  When he pulled away, she was smiling warmly although her eyes remained closed.

  “Knock knock!” came Jane’s call from the dressing room. “Is the coast clear?”

  “Come in,” Helen called and Jane appeared, taking in the fallen and battered screen.

  “My, it looks a
s if you’ve been having all the fun,” she said, taking her hip flask from her pocket and handing it to Helen.

  The quip was irreverent and cheeky, making light of the situation, which was just what Helen needed and she laughed, before taking a long sip from the flask.

  “The official types are on their way up with pen and paper, while Charles is being escorted, none too gently, to the edge of the property. I suspect he’ll be black and blue by the time he reaches there.”

  Alex chuckled. “Actually, I only meant that they were to see him to his carriage, although this will do just as well.”

  “Indeed,” Jane smiled. “And now I will leave you to your own devices. No, my dear, you keep the flask, your need is greater. Now I must go and help Joe and Jules with their lessons, so don’t worry if you are unable to visit for a while. I will keep them occupied.”

  And with that, she strode from the room.

  Moments later, the Court Officers arrived to hear the doctor’s declaration and watched as he wrote the affidavit, which they then witnessed. Alex sealed it with wax and the family crest stamp, signing his name over where the paper met, so that no one could open or alter it without tampering being evident.

  And then everyone was gone.

  Alex looked to Helen and sat down beside her on the bed.

  “How do you feel?” he asked putting an arm around her shoulders and drawing her to him.

  “Wrung out but rather hollow. I’m restless, yet I can’t think of anything that I want to do.”

  “How about a walk,” Alex suggested. “I think one of the ratters had a litter of pups a few weeks ago, perhaps we could pay them a visit?”

  Helen nodded and Alex fetched her pelisse for her, then they headed down the back stairs and out into the garden. They walked in silence for a time, not in any particular hurry.

  “How did he know?” Helen finally asked. “I’ve told no one the truth about our marriage, except for my old boss in London, and I would trust her with my life.”

  “I have been wondering the same thing myself,” Alex admitted. “He could just be grasping at straws. He knows that I married to get around the clause in my father’s Will, so I suppose it is natural to assume that we were not in love.”