Notorious Deception

by Adrienne Basso

  “Mr. Rotherby,” Diana whispered in amazement. “What a surprise.”

  Rotherby laughed with genuine satisfaction. “Shall I comment on your wrinkled gown or your pale coloring this morning, Lady Diana,” he mimicked in a high-pitched voice.

  She simply stared at him. She could not believe the fawning dandy who had danced with her at Lady Harrington’s ball, gossiping so enthusiastically about clothes and fashions, was the notorious Jonathan Marlow.

  And what of Henriette? Was she too involved in this notorious deception? “Henriette?” She whispered softly.

  “That stupid cow,” Marlow sneered. “She knows nothing of this. Her friendship with Rotherby provided me a legitimate excuse to visit with Giles during their marriage.”

  Diana shivered at the coldness of Marlow’s deep voice. Yet she had to credit him: Marlow had certainly perfected an effective disguise. No one would possibly make the connection. Even Derek had insisted she dance with Rotherby at the ball. But now that Marlow revealed himself to her, did he mean to kill her? Her stomach turned at the thought.

  “Why have you brought me here, Mr. Mar—”

  “You may address me as Marlow, Countess,” he said with a broad grin. “’Tis, after all, my true name.

  “Why have you brought me here?” She repeated. She struggled to keep her voice steady. “Your note instructed me to meet you at the King’s Arms Tavern.

  Marlow’s eyes were feverishly bright as he answered. “I also told you not to tell your husband about meeting me at the ball, Countess, yet I knew even before you left the ball that evening you would tell the earl.”

  “But I—” she said, trying to deny his accusations.

  Marlow waved his hand in annoyance. “Please don’t insult my intelligence by lying to me, Lady Diana. Any fool can see how much you love your husband. And Rutledge loves you. Couples such as you rarely keep secrets from one another.”

  “Why did you abduct me?”

  “Your husband has a rather fierce reputation for protecting what is his. I can control him easier if you are in my custody. Besides, if any of that nonsense about your being an Ashton cousin is true, I am also up against Tristan and Morgan Ashton, two men with dangerous reputations. With you under my roof, I better my odds.”

  “What do you want?” Diana whispered with dread, fearing she knew the answer.

  He sneered at her, a most unpleasant smile. “I believe we have already discussed this at great length. I want the property Giles stole from me.”

  “Ah, yes, the famous black book,” she said, feeling its outline in the pocket of her gown. She was certain that, as long as she kept the book away from Marlow, she would remain unharmed. “The earl and I found it fascinating reading. I am sure Lord Atherton and Sir Benning are relieved to have the book out of your hands.”

  Marlow’s eyes brightened noticeably at her mentioning two of the names from the book. “I knew you would find it,” he said triumphantly. “Where is it?”

  “My husband took the book to the King’s Arms Tavern, as you requested,” she said, terrified he might decide to search her. If Marlow found the book, he would probably kill her.

  “I thought as much.” Marlow snorted. “I am sure he also devised a brilliant plan to capture me. But I have rather neatly outwitted him, haven’t I, Lady Diana? It is too bad that, after I recover my property, I shall have to get rid of you both. Not a fitting reward for such a clever couple.”

  Her already queasy stomach plummeted. She felt as if she might throw up. “Why the elaborate abduction with the blindfold if you plan to hurt me?”

  Marlow walked over to the window, gazing down at the woodlands surrounding the house. “The blindfold was a necessary precaution. I have learned over the course of the past few weeks you are neither a weak nor easily manipulated woman. On the very slight chance you might manage to escape the confines of this room, I had to make certain you would not be able to find your way back to town. After all, your husband will be exceedingly disappointed if he comes to rescue you and finds you have already departed.”

  “I have no doubt Derek will indeed find me, Mr. Marlow,” she replied with complete faith in her husband’s abilities.

  “Of course he will find you, Lady Diana,” Marlow sneered. “I am counting on it. One of my men, a footman in your household, will provide the essential clue, describing the mysterious coach parked outside your house just before your disappearance. I have left a difficult, but not impossible trail for the earl to follow.”

  “What are you planning?”

  Marlow’s look was decidedly sadistic. “After I have recovered my property and captured Rutledge and whoever else is foolish enough to accompany him, I shall dispose of the lot of you. If there are too many corpses, I shall have to resort to torching the entire house; if not, I shall merely remove the bodies and dump them in the river.”

  She shivered noticeably at the casual tone he used. He acted as if he were trying to decide between two items for dinner, not plotting the deaths of innocent people.

  “What could possibly be so significant about this book that would bring you to murder?” she asked breathlessly.

  Marlow’s face contorted in an expression of anger. “It has taken me the better part of seven years to collect the information contained in that book. It provides an essential part of my income and I refuse to relinquish it without a fight.”

  Seeing her puzzled frown, Marlow continued. “Blackmail, Countess,” he whispered reverently.

  “There are numerous members of society, as well as government officials, who prefer that their occasional lapses in morality and honesty remain a secret. They pay me handsomely for my silence.”

  “Was Giles paying you to keep silent about his two marriages?”

  Marlow stiffened. “Giles always maintained his marriage to you was a fake. I didn’t know he had actually married you until a year into our association. A slip of the tongue while indulging in too much wine and I knew his sordid secret.” Marlow smiled mockingly. “I first met Giles when he was searching among the more notorious inhabitants of London for a man skilled in forgery. As Marlow, I assisted him in the sale of many of your properties, supplying the required signatures. Apparently it became too much of an inconvenience for Giles to travel to Cornwall to see you each time he needed additional funds. As Rotherby, I avoided contact with him in society, but he began requiring Marlow’s services so often he eventually discovered my secret identity.”

  Horrified, yet spellbound, Diana asked, “What happened?”

  “Giles and I became partners. By then I knew he was a bigamist, so we each had a secret worth keeping. Giles provided Rotherby with access to even higher levels of society. With his help, I was able to ferret out many fascinating bits of information, greatly increasing the value of my black book. Ultimately, however, Giles became too greedy. He stole my book, my living, so I took his life. A fair exchange, do you not agree?”

  Diana began backing away from Marlow, repulsed by the reckless desperation she saw lurking in his eyes. “Derek will not allow your evil schemes to continue,” she said softly. “He will stop you, Mr. Marlow.”

  Marlow’s mouth curved up in a chilling grin. “I do imagine he shall try, my lady.” With a final parting glance, he left.

  Diana alternated between deathly calm and unbridled panic as she waited for Derek to arrive. The room she was locked in was small and spartan, with one unlocked window. After examining the window she understood why. It was a long, steep, four-story drop to the ground beneath. Even for someone without her peculiar fear of heights, it was a substantial drop.

  Discouraged, she craned her head out of the open window, trying to get a better look at the house. Although not an overly large dwelling, there were numerous windows, and she knew Derek would have a difficult task trying to locate the room where she was imprisoned.

  Diana decided it would be necessary to mark the window for Derek, but how? She shut the window and immediately picked up the single c
andle fitted tightly in its brass base, intending to leave it in the window as a signal. Yet she hesitated, wondering how her husband would react. A lone lit candle in the window. It might look suspicious. She thought for a moment and then wedged her linen handkerchief between the upper and lower cases of the double-hung window, hoping Derek would be able to see it and understand its meaning. Her task completed, she resumed her pacing.

  The linen handkerchief was immediately noticed by Derek, Morgan, and Tristan as they observed the house, covered by the protection of the thick underbrush several hundred feet away.

  “It could be a trap,” Derek said pointing toward the top floor window where the cloth was clearly distinguishable through the glass.

  “Yes,” Morgan said. “Or it might be a sign from Diana.” He squinted. “How do you wish to proceed, Derek?”

  “I’m going to climb up there,” he said. He pulled a length of rope from the saddle of his horse, who was tethered to a nearby tree. He crossed the rope over his chest and adjusted his two pistols. “If Diana is up there, I will bring her down. If I am discovered, order the soldiers to rush the house, Tristan.” Derek faced Morgan and Tristan squarely. “I want you both to swear you will see to Diana’s safety, should anything happen to me.”

  The two brothers exchanged looks and then nodded in solemn agreement.

  “Good luck,” Morgan murmured quietly as Derek waited to make his move.

  Tristan and Morgan watched as Derek dashed from the cover of the thicket toward the house. Once there, he pressed himself against the building and waited until he was certain no one had seen him before beginning his climb.

  Derek brushed aside the thick ivy vines and searched the aged brick for a hold. He dug away some loose mortar and wedged the toe of his boot into the opening. Grabbing tightly onto the ivy vine, he hoisted himself up. He waited breathlessly to see if the vine would support his weight before continuing. Miraculously it did, and within a relatively short span of time, he had successfully scaled the side of the house. He came to rest on the outer ledge of the top floor, pleased to have his feet on the strong, narrow stone.

  Carefully inching over on the ledge, he peered cautiously into the room he believed Diana occupied.

  Diana’s face appeared suddenly in the window. “Derek!” she said loudly. “Have you completely lost your mind?”

  What he nearly did loose was his balance, at his wife’s sudden and startling appearance. “For heaven’s sake, be quiet,” he said, wondering if Diana had just inadvertently alerted the entire household of his presence. “And stand away from the window.”

  Diana ignored his order and stepped forward, throwing the window wide open. She stuck her arm out, trying to grab hold of him, and she almost knocked him off the ledge. “Give me your arm, Derek, so I may help you inside.”

  It took tremendous strength of will for Derek not to shout at his wife. He knew she was only trying to help, but if she continued with her unwanted aid, she would probably push him off the ledge. “I do not need your assistance, Diana. Kindly step away from the window so I may enter the room” He spoke in a forceful, commanding tone. This time, Diana obeyed.

  With Diana no longer blocking his path, Derek was able to easily climb through the window. In a moment, he was standing safely inside the room, not certain if he wanted to throttle or embrace his wife.

  “I was terrified when I saw you standing out there,” Diana said, throwing herself into his arms. “What ever made you do such a foolish thing?”

  He grunted. He was vastly relieved to find Diana here and apparently unharmed. “I have come to rescue you. I was under the mistaken impression you would be pleased to see me.”

  “Of course I am happy to see you,” Diana said with a frown. “I was not expecting to see you outside my window. That’s all.” She shuddered. “You frightened me, Derek. I was certain you would fall.”

  He flashed a smile. “I very well might have fallen if my lovely wife continued helping me.” He pulled away from her embrace, his keen eyes scanning the room. He quickly removed the rope slung over his chest and tied one end to the base of the fireplace mantel. He then tugged vigorously on it, testing its strength.

  Diana watched in silent fascination. When he had completed his task, she asked, “What is the rope for, Derek?”

  “Climbing.”

  “Oh, I see. All your men are going to climb up here, so you can make a surprise attack from within the house. A clever plan.”

  Derek raised an eyebrow. “That is a very interesting approach to the problem,” he said casually, checking the rope a final time. “But hardly a practical strategy, Diana. Ten men climbing up the side of the house are sure to be noticed. You and I will climb down. Once you are safely out of the house, I shall confront Marlow.”

  Diana froze. “Surely, you are joking, Derek.” She licked her lips nervously when he did not respond. “You cannot possibly expect me to climb out the window, step onto that very narrow ledge, and then climb down the side of the house. I’ll break my neck.”

  “I will help you,” he said, acting as if he had not heard her protests. He held out his hand expectantly. “Come along, Diana.”

  She folded her arms across her chest. “You are not listening to me, Derek. I just told you I cannot go out on the ledge.” She let out her breath in a huff.

  “Sweetheart, it is not that difficult. The bricks and mortar are old and I have made numerous toeholds. Plus the rope is here to guide and support you.”

  “I don’t care if there are steps in the bloody bricks. I am not climbing out on the ledge.”

  He threw up his arms in frustration. “Diana, I am not about to debate the point with you.”

  “You are right. There is no cause for debate,” Diana said. “If this is your brilliant plan to rescue me, you will have to rethink it. I must admit, Derek, I am sorely disappointed.”

  “Diana,” he said.

  “I swear to you, I would rather face Marlow alone than climb out the window. You will simply have to come up with an alternative plan.”

  “There is no time for an alternative plan,” he said impatiently. “Morgan and Tristan are waiting below for us. We must leave now.”

  “I cannot,”

  Derek shot her a look of pure annoyance and strode purposefully toward her. Without uttering another word, he picked her up and hoisted her over his shoulder. She would have screamed if she hadn’t been taken so completely by surprise. When he began to climb out the window, she again found her voice.

  “Derek, wait. Please listen to me first. I have discovered some very important information that will help you formulate a new plan. To rescue me. And capture Marlow.”

  “I already have a plan to rescue you,” he said through clenched teeth. “It is a fine plan. A sound plan. And it shall be a successful plan, if you will only cease complaining and allow me to execute it.”

  She grew more apprehensive at her husband’s words. He was not going to easily give up on this idea, she concluded with dismay. She started speaking again, but lost her voice when Derek straddled the ledge.

  Diana thought she was going to faint. Good Lord, he actually was going to carry her down the side of the house. She pulled hard on his coat, desperately trying to get him to listen. “Marlow is expecting you, Derek. He planned for you to find me here.”

  Derek paused a moment, and her voice rose with excitement when she realized she had captured his attention.

  “I know who Marlow is too. You won’t believe it. He is really Rotherby, that foppish dandy. And I found his stupid book. It was hidden in the hunting picture in the drawing room—you know the one with Giles holding a fox. Marlow and Giles were partners in a horrible blackmail scheme. And—”

  Derek slowly lowered his wife to her feet, inside the room. He held up his hand for silence. She was starting to babble, and although he was clearly amazed at the array of impressive secrets she revealed, she was starting to confuse him. “Slow down, Diana. You are going too fast for
me to make any sense of this.”

  Diana took a deep breath, and in the ensuing silence, Derek heard the ominous sound of footsteps approaching. “Someone is coming,” he whispered urgently. “Quick, stand over by the mantel in front of the rope.”

  Diana reacted automatically and followed his orders. She gasped loudly as Derek slipped back outside onto the ledge, but her attention was diverted by the opening of the door.

  Jonathan Marlow took only three short steps into the room before Derek burst through the window, shattering the top panes of glass as made his daring entrance.

  Even though Diana had just informed him of Marlow’s identity, Derek was shocked to see the fawning dandy he knew as Rotherby standing before him. His moment’s hesitation afforded Marlow time to reach for a pistol hidden in his coat pocket. When Derek saw the weapon, he instantly lunged for Marlow and they struggled briefly for the pistol.

  Marlow would not relinquish his grip, and as they rolled on the ground, Derek could feel Marlow’s hand tighten on the trigger. He was able to push the gun away from his chest and toward Marlow, just as the other man released the trigger.

  The noise was deafening. The smell of smoke and blood instantly assaulted Derek’s nostrils. He felt Marlow’s body slump limply, heavily, on his own and knew the other man was dead.

  “Derek,” Diana said. “My God, are you injured?”

  He looked calmly at Diana’s horrified face bending over him. “I am fine, sweetheart.” He shoved Marlow’s body off his chest. At her shocked gasp, he glanced down at his blood-soaked shirt and jacket. “’Tis Marlow’s blood, Diana. I fear he is dead.”

  “I am glad.”

  Derek looked at his wife. Despite her bloodthirsty response he knew she was terrified. He wanted to hold her close and comfort her, but he could not, not while his body was covered in Marlow’s blood. Instead, he comforted her with gentle words. “It is all over, Diana. Marlow can never hurt you. And the secrets he carried about Giles are gone too.”