Alexandria stayed close to Julian as they quietly moved toward the kitchen and one of the many back doors to the grand house. It was obvious that Julian had indeed lived here before. How else would he know about all of the back rooms and how to get there? Yet, her insipid sister was so self-absorbed, she wouldn’t have believed it even if Alexandria pointed it out to her.
As they walked outside, Julian took Alexandria’s hand in his and stopped, waiting for further instruction from Joanna.
She closed the door securely and faced them, holding the pistol toward Julian. “Go to the stable. We need to get…those…tools,” she slurred the last words.
“What are you talking about?” Alexandria asked.
“You know…those…picks.”
Alexandria shook her head. “Joanna, you’re not making any sense.”
“Do you mean shovels?” Julian added.
Blinking, Joanna nodded. “Yes, shovels. We need two shovels.”
Alexandria wished she knew what was wrong with her sister. Although her words were slurred, she knew Joanna had not consumed any spirits tonight at the dinner table. Her sister even swayed a time or two, so perhaps she was slightly tipsy tonight. Perhaps it had something to do with her sister’s recovery from being shot. “Whatever do we need shovels for?”
“To dig a grave.” Joanna belted out an evil laugh.
Alexandria’s stomach twisted as bile rose to her throat. Julian didn’t argue, but instead, led the way toward the stables. With each step, tears burned in her eyes. How could they get out of this? How could they convince Joanna she was wrong? Julian wouldn’t hurt Joanna because he wasn’t the kind of man who’d hurt a woman. It would be left up to Alexandria to somehow turn the tables on her sister so that Julian could snatch the weapon away.
Anxiety pumped through her body, making her shake. Taking deep breaths, she tried to gain control. Be a character in your book. They’ll know what to do! Yet, although the idea was clever, fear had immobilized her mind. She couldn’t think of what needed to be done, and she felt like such a failure.
Julian didn’t say a thing, but casually walked into the stable and found a shovel hanging on the wall.
“Get two of them,” Joanna snapped. “Your lover needs to assist.”
“No.” Julian shook his head. “I shall dig my own grave. I don’t wish to cause further pain to the woman I love.”
The tears Alexandria had kept at bay fell freely down her face. Her heart melted. She finally found her Prince, and she’d lose him just as quickly. She clutched her hands against her chest, silently crying.
~*~
Julian gripped the shovel handle tighter. Couldn’t Joanna see what kind of agony she was bringing to her younger sister? Joanna was heartless! But he knew she didn’t care.
He bit the side of his cheek softly. Little did Joanna know, he now had a weapon to defend himself. She wanted him to dig his own grave, but he could do a lot with a sturdy shovel and some dirt. It must have slipped her mind that he’d been a decorated soldier in the War. His military skills were second nature to him, and he’d play Joanna’s game until it was time to change the rules.
Another thing in his favor was Joanna’s sickness. True, she was mentally deranged, but she was physically ill as well. Being in the war, he’d seen many wounded soldiers who couldn’t properly take care of their injuries. Infections could make his men sick. Infections were dangerous—deadly dangerous.
Joanna was close to death, he could feel it, and smell it. While they had been in her bedchamber, the odor permeating the room reminded him of some of the hospitals he’d been in during the many battles his soldiers fought in. Even after he’d been in the cannon explosion which had damaged his leg, the stanch scent in that hospital had permanently branded his mind.
He couldn’t help but notice how weak she was now. A few times she’d stumbled but gained her bearings quickly. Her confusion was obvious, as well. Inside her room, he noticed the moisture coating her pale face. These were signs that her wound was severely festering. If not treated immediately, she would surely die.
For now, he waited until she lost consciousness, which would be shortly. She blinked quite a bit, which told him she was fighting the darkness trying to consume her vision. He prayed she didn’t try to shoot him before she fainted. Thus, the very reason he took his time.
“Go…over there.” Joanna motioned the pistol to the grove of trees nearest to the stable.
“Over there?” he asked, taking a quick glance in that direction.
“Yes. To the trees.”
“Are you certain?” he prodded. “There’s not much light when you enter the grove, and the moon isn’t full tonight.”
“Uh…” Joanna swayed again, but then blinked and shook her head. “Xandria, go back in the stable and fetch a…a…candle.”
“A candle?” Alexandria’s brows creased. “Do you mean a lantern?”
“Yes, of course that’s what I meant,” Joanna snapped.
Alexandria did as her sister commanded and was back within a minute. She walked with Julian toward the trees, holding the lantern high to light their way. He wasn’t sure just how far back Joanna was, but he knew she wasn’t close. He needed to ease Alexandria’s worries a little. Then again, he didn’t dare give her too much hope. There was still the chance Joanna could shoot him.
“Lexie,” he said softly.
She turned her head toward him, but didn’t answer. Her eyes were watery, and worried lines creased her beautiful face.
He kept his voice low. “Whatever you do, don’t make your sister upset.”
“I’m so afraid,” she choked on her whisper.
“I have a plan, but you mustn’t get her upset.”
Her eyes widened. “All right, I won’t.”
He paused for a brief moment before adding, “I really do love you, and I really want you to be my wife.”
She hiccupped on a low laugh and nodded. “Although it’s not the best place for a proposal, I eagerly accept. I don’t think I could love you more than I do right now.”
Love burst in his chest and it was all he could do not to take her into his arms and kiss her passionately. But she was correct in saying this was not the best place. However, he wanted her to know how he felt just in case his plans didn’t work the way he’d wanted.
No, he’d make them work. He been through many battles in the Military and had only been injured a few times. He wasn’t about to allow a disturbed slip of a woman to take his life and take away his happiness!
“It will be my goal to make you love me more every day for the rest of our lives.” He winked at her.
“And mine, too.” She sniffed as tears leaked down her cheeks.
They reached the grove and waited for Joanna to join them. She wobbled like a newborn calf, and he suspected she would lose consciousness very soon. But her stubbornness surprised him.
She pointed to the ground. “What are you waiting for? Start digging.”
He met Alexandria’s gaze again. Her lips trembled. He leaned down and kissed her briefly on the mouth before turning toward his task. Joanna wouldn’t shoot him before he dug a hole large enough to bury him, only because she didn’t want to dig the hole herself, so he must take his time.
Nothing was spoken between the three as Julian pushed the shovel into the ground and pushed back the dirt. Occasionally, he glanced at Joanna. A frown marred her face as she gently rubbed her injured arm. She flexed her fingers quite a bit which told him her arm was going numb. How much time did he have until she passed out, he didn’t know.
“Joanna?” Alexandria asked in a quiet voice.
“What?” her sister snapped.
“What will happen to me? To us?”
Joanna took a deep breath and released it. “After I kill your lover, I’m going to get rid of Walter. I’ve known about his mistress for a few months, and I have been displeased with him. I came to realize while I’ve been laid up in bed, that I don’t need a man in my
life. I’m the Duchess of Linden, and with my loving sister by my side, we can accomplish anything. The two of us will live like Queens. We’ll have men kissing our feet and doing our bidding.”
He watched Alexandria closely, and it appeared she was fighting with her emotions. She struggled to show her sister a pleasant smile as she bunched her hands into fists by her sides. He prayed she would keep her temper under control.
Alexandria took slow steps toward her sister. “I think I would like that.”
“Indeed, you wo-od…”Joanna slurred, continuing to blink rapidly. “We both dis-deserve this.”
“We, do. And, you are so very clever.” Alexandria shrugged. “You have always been the smarter sister. I certainly need you in my life.”
Julian tried not to grin. That’s my girl. Alexandria was actually the smarter one, and right now he was thrilled that she was using her wits to ease Joanna’s anger.
Joanna swayed again, but she quickly righted herself and focused her pistol back on Julian. “I shall always be here for you, Xandria.”
“You look like your arm is hurting,” Alexandria said. “Is there something I can do for you?”
“No, I shall be fine. I assure you.” She swung her attention to Julian and scowled. “Keep digging. You’re too slow.”
“Forgive me. I’m tired,” he lied and moved the shovel faster. He took a deep breath. “I’m just so, very tired.” He spoke the words slow, hoping it would make an effect on Joanna and make her more tired as well. When she swayed, he nearly shouted with joy.
Alexandria glanced up. He was certain she’d not be able to see the sky very well, so he wondered what she could possibly be searching for. He couldn’t stop from gazing upward as well.
“Oh, my,” Alexandria said in a soft voice. “Look at the white owl. I’ve never seen one so lovely.”
He snapped his attention back to Joanna. Thankfully, she took the bait and lifted her eyes heavenward. She swayed, and this time she closed her eyes and crumbled to the ground.
Alexandria gasped and rushed to her sister. Julian dropped the shovel and hurried to their side, grabbing the pistol out of Joanna’s cold, clammy, and weightless hand.
“Is she breathing?” he asked in a rush.
Alexandria leaned her face closer to Joanna’s mouth. “I cannot tell.” She switched directions and placed her ear on Joanna’s chest. “I don’t detect a heartbeat,” she sobbed.
Julian moved Alexandria’s head so that he could listen. Holding his breath, he tried to hear her heartbeat, but he feared Joanna’s infection had finally claimed her body. Because she had looked up at the owl, this had caused the blood to stop flowing to her head, which was the reason she finally collapsed. Perhaps her body decided to stop working then, too.
He placed his fingers to her neck, trying to feel for a pulse. Once again, he didn’t feel anything.
Blowing out a frustrated breath, he sat up and met Alexandria’s teary eyes. “My love, I’m afraid she was too sick. The infection had been in her body too long. I’m surprised she didn’t die sooner.”
Her body shook with silent sobs as tears streaming down her face. He moved around closer to her and gathered her in his arms. “Don’t fret, my love. I shall take care of you.”
“I just wish,” she sniffed, “I wish my sister hadn’t killed your father and brother.”
He kissed her forehead, hating how her crying twisted his heart. “I’ll tell you what.” He withdrew just enough to look into her eyes. “Your sister’s terrible secret will be buried with her. We’ll continue to let the world think that my father and brother died from a sickness.”
“Truly?” She blinked with wide eyes. “You would do that for her?”
He shook his head. “I’m doing it for you.” He pressed his lips against her forehead again. “I want you to remember your sister the way she was before.”
She nodded. “Thank you so very much. You don’t know how much this means to me.”
“I think I do.” He tightened his arms around her. “And for your happiness, I’ll do anything.”
The next few minutes she cried in his arms and he comforted her. He studied Joanna’s still form, knowing that he would have to inform Walter about his wife’s death. Julian would have to make up a story for Walter about how Joanna died—leaving out the fact that she held Julian at gunpoint, and that she’d killed before. Unfortunately, he had no clue what he was going to say to his cousin, but it needed to be done tonight.
Clearing her throat, Alexandria pulled away from Julian and looked into his eyes. “We must find Walter now and let him know.”
Julian nodded. “I was just thinking the same. But…what shall we tell him?”
Slowly, a smile stretched across her face. “I have a plan. Just go with me and agree with what I say.”
Before leaving the grove, Julian quickly filled in the hole he’d been digging. Thankfully, he hadn’t dug the hole very deeply.
Taking Alexandria’s hand, they walked back to the house. She was still wearing her nightgown and wrapper, and he worried this would be a problem, especially when confronting Walter and his friends. But she strode toward the room with her shoulders back and head held high. He loved seeing her so determined.
They neared the drawing room and she slowed her steps just before reaching the door. She peeked her head around the corner and quickly withdrew. She glanced over her shoulder at Julian and smiled.
“There are only three of them now,” she whispered.
“Try to get only Walter’s attention and not the others. You are in your night clothes, my love.”
Her face turned red as she glanced down at her attire. “Oh, dear.”
“So just try and get Walter out here by himself.”
She nodded and peeked back into the room. Julian stood against the wall and watched her. She kept quiet, but soon her eyes widened and she motioned her hand quickly before pulling back and standing next to him.
“He’s coming,” she said.
Julian grasped her hand and pulled her into the music room. He worried that Walter’s friends would still be able to hear them in the hallway.
It didn’t take long before heavy footsteps came from the drawing room and into where Julian and Alexandria waited. As soon as Walter noticed Julian, his eyes widened and he hitched a surprised breath. Julian quickly shut the door, keeping their conversation private.
“What—what—” Walter stammered and blinked. “I have definitely consumed too much alcohol tonight, because I fear I’m seeing ghosts.”
“No, you’re not seeing ghosts,” Julian said. “It is I, Julian Grey Stratford, the rightful Duke of Linden.”
“But I was told you were killed in battle.” Walter’s face paled.
Julian nodded. “I was wounded, but I was never dead.”
Walter’s gaze jumped back and forth between Julian and Alexandria before finally coming to rest on her. He scanned her body as anger tightened his features.
“What are you doing dressed like this and in the company of a man?” Walter snapped.
“Walter,” Julian growled and stepped forward, but Alexandria held up her hand, stopping him.
“It’s all right, Your Grace,” she told Julian. “I can explain.” She licked her lips and faced Walter. “I met him yesterday while riding my horse. He was hiding in the grove of trees behind the stable. He was weak, and I nurtured him back to health. I didn’t quite believe him when he told me he was Julian Stratford, but he slowly convinced me.” She took a deep breath, grasping her hands against her middle. “I was going to bring him to you, but he begged me to wait until he was stronger.”
Walter looked at Julian, arching an eyebrow in question as he scanned his length from top to bottom, but he remained quiet as Alexandria finished her tale.
“Tonight, I went out to take him more food, and Joanna caught us,” Alexandria continued. “She saw me sneaking away from the house and she followed. When she recognized Julian, she begged me to bring him
in to show you that your cousin is still alive.”
A scowl suddenly appeared on Walter’s face. “Joanna? Where is she? I thought she had retired for bed.”
Julian waited for Alexandria to continue, but tears filled her eyes and her body trembled. He quickly moved to her and wrapped his arms around her. She released a sob and buried her face against his chest.
“Walter,” Julian took over, “your wife was very ill, and very weak. She collapsed, and…and…” He swallowed hard. “She’s dead, Walter. Joanna’s health gave out on her and she died in the grove of trees while in her sister’s arms.”
Walter’s face paled and he stumbled back against the door. “No. This cannot be right.”
“We’ll take you to her,” Julian said.
He turned to lead the way, but Walter ran past him, down the hallway and to the front door. Julian and Alexandria walked slower, giving Walter more time to grieve alone with his wife.
Finally, Julian breathed easier than he’d been able to for several months. Soon, he’d take over his dukedom, and soon he’d marry the woman who’d stolen his heart.
Epilogue
Three months later
The summer sky was so lovely this morning, and Alexandria just couldn’t stay inside the house, her house as Duchess of Linden, one moment longer.
She smiled so wide it made her cheeks ache, but she didn’t care. She was so very happy and wanted everyone to know it. Being kidnapped by Julian had been the best thing that could have ever happened to her because it brought her out of her shell. No more was she the shy wallflower, afraid to meet new people, or talk to men. Julian had cured her. His love had made her blossom into a rose.
Bundling her pages and writing pen, she headed for the wicker chairs Julian had purchased for her after they were married…chairs and a table that she could use outside to write. He was such a thoughtful husband. How had she become so fortunate?
Their wedding took place only a few weeks after he’d made the announcement to society that he was not dead and would take over his duties as Duke of Linden. Walter sulked for a few days before finally admitting to Julian that he really didn’t enjoy being the duke. He’d not been raised to take over that title as Julian had, and Walter felt that he failed miserably because he couldn’t take on those responsibilities.
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