Laura could see that this might not be as easy as she thought, so she held out her other hand, turned her wrist, and opened her hand to show her palm. In the center of her palm was the shiny coin. She looked at the housemaid, whose eyes had gone wide, and nodded at her once again. In a brief second, the housemaid had taken the letter, taken the coin, and was quickly walking away from Laura.
Laura could do nothing but stand there and hope that the letter got to the Duke. If it was intercepted, the poor maid would probably be excused from her duties, but Laura was at the point where she had nothing to lose, and even though the maid might lose her job, at least the Duke would know once and for all that he was still in grave danger.
Alexander was fuming. He was pacing the sitting room in a rage.
How DARE she lie to me.
It seemed as if all of the feelings he had for Laura had totally disappeared. She came here to kill him! How could he not demand she leave his home? He felt that he was being very generous, indeed, to at least let her stay overnight simply because the sun was beginning to go down and he didn’t want to feel responsible if something happened to her as she made her way home.
The things that had happened between them…the kiss, especially, still burned in his mind, but Alexander was so angry, he pushed the thought away. This is what happens when you fall in love, your heart breaks and the other party betrays you.
“Your Grace?”
He quickly turned and saw Robert standing in the doorway. Surely, he had heard the shattering of the vase and come to investigate.
“Robert…I…”
“Lord Woodworth here to see you,” said Robert, showing no sign that he had actually heard the vase breaking.
“Oh,” said Alexander with surprise. “Please send him in.”
Alexander could use a friend right now, and Bernard would do nicely. He watched as the door opened and Bernard walked in with a smile.
“Hello, friend,” he said. “How are you feeling?”
Alexander stepped forward and shook Bernard’s hand. “I have been better.”
Alexander could tell that Bernard sensed something was amiss with him, but he didn’t want to simply come out and tell him everything.
“Please have a seat,” Alexander said. “Would you like some wine? Ale?”
“Yes, wine sounds wonderful,” Bernard said. “I get enough ale at the brewery.”
Alexander chuckled and said, “I’ll have the same.” He turned to the footman and nodded. He then turned back toward Bernard.
“Did you get any more information about the rider who attacked me?” asked Alexander.
Bernard shook his head. “We couldn’t find him. A couple of farmers said that they saw a figure dressed in black crossing their fields on a horse, but no one was close enough to see him.”
“It would not have mattered,” said Alexander solemnly. “He was wearing a mask, too, so even if they saw him close up, they would not have been able to identify him unless the mask was removed.”
Bernard sighed. “I’m sorry he got away. I can only wonder if it is the same person who attacked you in the brewery. And if they are connected to John Howe’s business.”
The footman brought two glasses of wine on a tray and presented it to the men. They each took a glass of the burgundy liquid and took a sip.
“I will have to be more careful, of course,” said Alexander matter-of-factly. “Someone is certainly out to hurt me.”
Suddenly, he remembered his conversation with Laura.
“Bernard, I have something to say,” said Alexander.
“Oh?” asked Bernard.
“Emily’s governess, Miss Elkins, came to me today. She admitted something shocking, and now I am wondering if it is all connected.” explained Alexander.
Bernard leaned forward, clearly interested in what Alexander was about to say.
“She said that she was approached by a stranger. He gave her false documents claiming that she had a history being a governess.”
“What?” Bernard said, obviously surprised.
“There’s more,” admitted Alexander. “She said that the man threatened her and said she had to kill me.”
“No,” said Bernard loudly. “This is hard to believe.”
“I know,” agreed Alexander. “She said the he told her that I had killed her brother. Oh, and the governess…her name isn’t really Miss Elkins. It’s actually Laura Irving.”
“Wait!” said Bernard excitingly. “Laura Irving? The farmer’s daughter.”
Alexander nodded. “Yes, one in the same.”
“Wait, wait, wait,” said Bernard, waving his hand in front of him. “Are you telling me that Emily’s governess is Laura Irving, whose brother James was mysteriously killed? And now she is here to kill you because she thinks you killed James?”
Alexander nodded again and took a sip of wine. “Precisely.”
Bernard shook his head. “Alexander,” he said looking at his friend. “This doesn’t make sense. Who is this man? Why would he tell her that?”
Alexander shrugged. “I don’t know, but I am now wondering if this is all connected to the attempts on my life.”
“It certainly could be connected,” said Bernard. “Where is Miss Elkins, er…Miss Irving now?”
“I hope she is busy packing up her belongings,” said Alexander. “I told her she had to leave by morning.”
Bernard seemed a bit shocked. “I understand that this is upsetting, but it sounds like she was caught up in this, too. Perhaps you made that decision too quickly?”
Alexander quickly and firmly said “No.”
“Fine,” said Bernard, “I can appreciate your hesitation. It is just a shame because it seemed as if she had made a great impact on Lady Emily’s life.”
“She made a great impact in both of our lives,” said Alexander, not realizing what he was saying.
Bernard certainly seemed to notice, though, and he looked at his friend and business partner strangely. Alexander realized that he had slipped, and a quick feeling of panic set in.
“Alexander…are you saying what I think you are saying?” asked Bernard.
Alexander remained silent and took another sip of his wine. He looked downward toward the floor and tried to think of a white lie, but nothing came. He looked up at Bernard and said quietly, “I am falling for her, Woodworth.”
Bernard’s eyes widened as much as they physically could, and then his face fell. “I have been wishing for you to find love for many years. Now, you have possibly found it, with a commoner, no less, and this happens.”
Alexander could do nothing but nod. Now that he had said it out loud, he was filled with such mixed feelings about Laura and this situation. At the same time, he had made his decision, and he couldn’t go back on it now.
Bernard, too, didn’t seem to know what to say. The awkward silence filled the room. Finally, he spoke.
“Alexander. I am sorry this happened. I can’t imagine going through this. It makes my relationship with Louisa seem rather perfect, though we have the same struggles as other couples. As a married man furiously in love with his wife, however, I have something to say to you. I think you should talk to her before she leaves. At least listen to her side of the story.”
Alexander shook his head. “I appreciate your concern and your opinion, Bernard, but my decision has been made.”
Bernard nodded and he finished his glass of wine. “I understand.” He looked at the clock in the corner. “I want to stop back at the brewery before heading home, so I should take my leave.”
Bernard stood up and placed his empty glass onto the table. He looked at Alexander and said, “Stay safe, friend, and I will see you tomorrow.”
Alexander nodded and took the final sip of his wine. The footman walked over and refilled the glass. I might as well have another.
“Your Grace?”
Alexander turned the door to look at Robert. Bernard stopped before walking out of the room.
“
The Earl of Kirkwall is here to see you.”
First Bernard, and now Graham. “Please send him in,” said Alexander.
Alexander took a sip of his wine, and within a moment, he heard Graham walk into the sitting room.
“Alexander,” Graham said. “Oh, and Woodworth,” noticing Bernard standing near the door. “Seems as if all of your friends have come to support you.”
Alexander smiled and nodded. “I guess it takes a man getting attacked for him to really find out who his friends are.”
Graham chuckled loudly. “Now, now. I didn’t come here to see how you were doing. I really came to see you because I heard something about John Howe’s brewery, and I thought you might want to know. It makes it even better that Woodworth is here.”
Alexander sat up in his seat very interested in what Graham had to say, and Bernard walked back over to join the men. “What did you hear?” asked Alexander.
Graham sat down in the same chair where Bernard had sat only moments before while Bernard remained standing. “I will tell you, of course, but first I would love a glass of wine.”
Alexander nodded toward the footman, who quickly brought a full glass of wine to Graham. He took a sip, sat it down, and began to speak. “This is a lovely wine, man.”
Alexander sighed. He knew his friend was making this torture last as long as possible. “Kirkwall? Your news?”
Graham smiled, and then said. “Here’s what I heard. John Howe has been telling people that your brewery is going to close down. It’s not much news, but it’s something.”
Alexander thought about this for a moment. “Why would he be saying that?”
Graham shrugged. “I don’t know, but it seems to be working. I still think that he is behind the attacks.”
Bernard nodded, and said “Me, too. It makes sense.”
Alexander didn’t know what to think. Could it be John Howe? Yes. Could it be the mystery man that Laura told him about? Yes. Could they be one in the same? Yes. Anything was possible.
“I have kept that in the back of my mind, but you both should know that there is another suspect now, too,” said Alexander.
“Oh?” said Graham. “Who is the other suspect?”
“Well, I don’t know who he is, but Emily’s former governess informed me that she had been approached by a mysterious man who asked her to kill me,” explained Alexander.
Graham shifted in his seat, and then said, “Did you say former governess?”
Alexander nodded, feeling sad, and said, “Yes. I excused her from her position, today.”
Graham seemed to be thinking about something, and then said, “Has she left? Why did you dismiss her?”
Alexander shook his head. “I don’t think she has left. I told her that she must be gone by morning. As for why she was dismissed, well…I caught her in a lie.” It was too fresh for Alexander to really talk about it again. He would give Graham all of the details at a later time.
“What did she lie about?” said Graham, acting very surprised.
“Her name, for one. She’s not Laura Elkins. She’s Laura Irving, the farmer’s daughter. You might even know her family.”
“Oh, yes,” Graham said. “I don’t know her personally, but I am familiar with her father, Edwin.”
“I can’t have a farmer’s daughter teaching my sister how to be a lady,” said Alexander.
“Sad news,” said Graham. “She seemed to be a nice woman. I’m sure you can find someone else, though.”
Alexander nodded slowly, and tried to think about how to change the subject. “Would either of you like to stay for dinner? I’m sure Emily would love it,” he then turned to Bernard. “You could send word to Louisa and have her come, too. It would be nice to have a few other people here tonight.”
“I must go home tonight,” said Bernard, “But I appreciate the invitation.” He then turned toward Graham. “Kirkwall, is this all you know about James Howe?”
“Yes,” said Graham. “Though I have also been privy to some information that he gets involved in schemes that he often can’t find his way out of.”
“Like attempted murder schemes?” asked Bernard.
“Possibly,” said Graham.
“Interesting,” said Bernard with furrowed brows. He glanced at the clock and then announced, “I’m sorry, gentlemen, but I must take my leave now. I must stop in at the brewery before going home. Kirkwall, it was lovely to see you, and Farnworth, I plan on seeing you tomorrow.”
Bernard left the sitting room, and then Alexander turned to Graham. “You are planning on staying for dinner? Like I said, Emily would love to see you.”
“Of course!” said Graham. “I’m sure I have some sweets for her in one of my pockets, too. If not, I have a bag in the carriage which is sure to have some sweets.”
“She will probably need them,” sighed Alexander. “I must inform her at some point about her governess.”
Laura still couldn’t stop the tears from coming. Though it had been several hours, and it was now getting late, she was still so sad about Alexander’s response.
She was hoping, by now, that he had received her letter, and would come through the door at any moment to thank her for the warning, but he hadn’t, and as the minutes ticked by, she was losing hope.
Her bags were packed, except for the night dress she planned to wear that night and the dress she would wear tomorrow. She had done her best to clean up the schoolroom and even left a note on the table for the next governess to explain where Emily was in her lessons. She had cried through most of this, only drying her tears when her dinner arrived, which still sat cold on the desk.
She wasn’t sure how she was going to tell her parents that she had failed, and if the mysterious man was going to make good on his threats, she might not even make it home in time. She thought about simply leaving the estate tonight and going home, but not only was it very dark out, it was also pouring rain, which it often did at this time of the year. So, she really had no choice but to wait for the morning.
Laura felt as if she would always wonder “what if” when it came to the Duke. He would always be the first man she ever saw the possibility of a future with, and thanks to her foolishness, being with him would never come to be. She kept going through the events of the day, and she wished that she had never told him the truth. However, she knew if she didn’t tell him, he could be in great danger. At least he knew. If losing his affection was the sacrifice she had to make to keep him safe, it was worth it to her.
She closed the door between the school room and her sleeping quarters, and slowly removed her clothes before pulling her night dress over her head. She knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep well, but there was now a chill in the air, so she might as well get under the blankets and try to rest.
As Laura was walking toward the bed, she thought she heard a noise in the schoolroom, so she paused. She waited a moment, but not hearing it again, she slipped under the covers.
Chapter 14
Emily hadn’t taken the news about Laura leaving very well. She saw Alexander as the villain, and there was really nothing he could do about it. He couldn’t tell his sister the real story about Laura, that she was here to kill him, so he had to just tell her that it wasn’t working out.
Thinking back on it, there were many things he could have told her, but in the moment, it was all he could think of. She had left dinner quickly after he gave her the news, and she had refused to see him since.
So, there he was, in the sitting room once again, with a fire and a glass of wine, mostly feeling sorry for himself. Graham was still around somewhere, he presumed trying to talk to Emily, who he saw as his special niece, and Alexander was hoping he would come in to keep him company.
It could be lonely being a Duke, and though he was always surrounded by people, and not technically alone, he felt lonely when he wasn’t with someone he cared for. Bernard had left hours ago, Emily refused to see him, Graham was nowhere to be found, and Laura…well, Laura…he sh
ouldn’t think of Laura any longer.
Alexander asked the footman for more wine and continued to drink. Though he normally wasn’t one to overdrink, tonight he felt he deserved it.
“Your Grace?”
Robert came through the door. “The Earl of Kirkwall to see you.”
“Of course,” mumbled Alexander.
Robert opened the door wide and Graham walked into the sitting room. “I won’t stay much longer, but I wanted you to know that Emily is going to be fine. She’s simply upset because she really liked Miss Elkins.”
“That’s not her name,” said Alexander, annoyed that they were talking about Laura once again.
“Yes, Miss Irving, then,” said Graham. “Emily is tough. I daresay she will have more losses in her life to deal with, too.”
Alexander was a bit confused by that statement, but as he was so much older than Emily, it would only seem obvious that he would pass before her. Perhaps that’s what Graham was talking about.
“Can I tempt you to stay for one more glass?” Alexander asked Graham. “It’s been a hell of a day.”
Graham looked at the clock, and then at his empty glass. “Yes, I think I can have one more. I do have to leave shortly, though. Important task to do tonight.”
“I should be heading to bed, soon, myself,” said Alexander. “After the attack this morning, the revelation about the governess, and Emily not speaking to me, I am ready for this day to end. Oh, and I can’t forget the incident with one of the maids who was passing notes. Francis told me about that after dinner. She was disciplined, of course. What could possibly have been so important that she would risk her job over it?”
Graham settled into the chair next to Alexander holding a full wine glass. “We have responsibilities, I suppose, though it seems as if your responsibilities have been enormous, lately.”
Seduced by the Brooding Duke Page 12
