“Can you really effect my release?” Kit’s voice was intense.
“No guarantees, but I promise you I will do my utmost.” He rose to leave. “One thing more; be sure you wear the uniform tomorrow.”
As the morning sun streamed through the bedchamber window, Alex pondered what she would wear to the inquest. Since she was unable to speak with him, she wanted to send Nicholas a message of love and hope with her appearance. Finally, she chose a simple skirt and the bright yellow jacket. In such a vivid color, he would see her immediately, and see that she was brimming with hope and confidence in his innocence.
Her thoughts flew back to last night. Her husband hadn’t returned home until an extremely late hour. When she heard him on the stairs, she had pretended to be asleep. She avoided him again this morning by waiting until he departed before she emerged from her room. If she hadn’t gone to Berkeley Square yesterday, she would not have learned that the inquest was to be held today in the Old Bailey. She was glad she would be sitting with her grandmother in case the verdict was unfavorable. Unfavorable? What a vapid euphemism. It would be nothing short of devastating. Alex, banish those thoughts; don’t even put them in the air!
She sorted through her hats. Lady Hatton would be expected to wear a bonnet. She put on one decorated with a smart black ostrich plume and looked in the mirror. She snatched it off and threw it across the room. Convention be damned! I refuse to cover my hair; I shall wear it as a flaming beacon!
Just after one o’clock when Alexandra entered the grand jury room of the Old Bailey, she was shocked to see the room was filled to capacity by their so-called friends. She clutched Dottie’s arm.
“Jackals; I expected as much.” Dottie poked the Duchess of Rutland with her ebony cane. “Make room on the bench, Your Grace.” When they were seated, Dottie whispered to Alex, “Not to worry. When Nicholas is exonerated, the ton will fawn upon the Hattons.”
Alexandra felt many critical eyes examining her. She lifted her chin, then tossed her hair over her shoulder in a defiant gesture.
After what seemed like an eternity to her, a bewigged magistrate entered the room, followed by his court clerk and the men of the jury. Next came Jeremy Eaton, Lord Staines, Justice Stevenson, and Lord Hatton. Alexandra’s gaze was riveted on the door. When the prisoner entered wearing the faded uniform, she gave a swift gasp.
“Hear ye, hear ye! All stand!” ordered the clerk. When everyone obeyed he continued, “We are here to determine the cause and circumstances of the death of Lord Henry Hatton, whether it was an accident or whether it was a greater crime.” He cleared his throat. “All be seated!”
Nicholas, in the guise of Lord Hatton, listened attentively as Jeremy Eaton was called upon first to give his testimony. Eaton said that in the woods that day, he had been close enough to overhear a violent altercation between the accused and his father. At the height of the argument, a shot rang out, and Henry Hatton was silenced forever. He testified that he believed it was no accident but a deliberate act of murder.
By his testimony, Nick suspected that though Eaton had heard what went on that day, he had not actually seen it happen. Eaton did not confuse the issue by mentioning that it was actually Christopher who had argued with Henry Hatton that day; not Nicholas, and this told Nick that Jeremy feared the twin who had been a captain in the army far more than he feared Lord Hatton.
Eaton answered the questions put to him by the inquest jury, and Nick silently acknowledged that those answers were damning. When he was interrogated about the duel in Green Park, Eaton asserted that it had been forced upon him and that the prisoner’s clear intent had been to silence him about Henry Hatton’s murder.
Lord Hatton observed the grim faces of the men on the jury and knew he had his work cut out for him.
Colonel Stevenson, Justice of the Peace for Bucks County was called next. He testified that he believed the shooting to be an accident but admitted that he was called to the scene after the fact. “I asked Nicholas Hatton if the Heylin holster pistol found at the scene was his, and he freely acknowledged that it was. I took the word of the Hatton twins that it was a hunting accident as the gospel truth.”
Coroner Neville Staines gave similar testimony, then added that in his opinion it was a hunting accident, plain and simple, as he noted on the death certificate. When questioned, however, he admitted that his role was limited to events after the fact.
The spectators began to whisper and shuffle their feet, but when Lord Hatton was called to the box to give his testimony, a complete hush fell over the courtroom.
“What I am about to say is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I have a grave confession to make, gentlemen,” Lord Hatton admitted. “It was I who shot my father that day of the hunt; not my brother, Nicholas.”
Those present gave a collective gasp then fell silent so they would not miss a word of Lord Hatton’s testimony.
“Ever since we were children, my twin protected me and shielded me from punishment. I was a fearful boy who shrank from my father’s wrath. As my protector, my brother was ever fearless, brave, and loyal. Whenever I did anything wrong, without hesitation he switched places with me and took my punishment. He even did my schoolwork, so that I would receive Father’s praise. As you can imagine, I never learned to stand on my own two feet, never learned to face up to life.
“The day of the hunt, my twin lent me his Heylin holster pistols. When I accidentally shot my father, I threw down the gun and panicked. As Nicholas rushed upon the scene, I saw him as my salvation. I reminded him that the gun was his and begged him to say it was he who shot Father. When he hesitated, I threatened to shoot myself, knowing that his love for me would persuade him to take the blame. I acted like a coward. To my undying shame, it was not the last time.” Nicholas looked at the jury, then glanced at Alexandra and saw that she, and they, were hanging on to his every word.
“When the will was read, we learned that Father left me everything. He left Nicholas nothing. When my twin was shunned by Society, he joined the army and rose to the rank of captain. No sooner did he leave England than my cousin, Jeremy Eaton, began to blackmail me. Unless I gave him money from my inheritance, he threatened to go to the authorities and lie, telling them that my father’s death was not an accident. As was my pattern, I panicked, and because my twin was not there to take my part, I took the easiest path and paid Eaton. When he saw that I was weak and easily threatened, like a bloodsucking leech he began to drain me dry.”
Now the eyes of the jury were focused upon Eaton.
“When my twin returned from war, I told him of Eaton’s lies and threats to me. When Nicholas encountered him at White’s, he accused our cousin of blackmail, and Eaton challenged him to a duel. Then he ran to the authorities with his lies about murder, no doubt hoping to silence Nicholas Hatton permanently.
“Gentlemen, I ask you to look at my twin. Nicholas Hatton has never done anything in his life to dishonor the uniform he is wearing. My brother had nothing to do with our father’s death; it was I who accidentally shot him. I am guilty of cowardice, but that is something my twin is incapable of.”
The magistrate said, “Thank you, Lord Hatton. You may step down.” He had never before heard a Peer of the Realm admit to being a coward; the testimony carried a great deal of weight.
The jury must have thought so too, for after a short deliberation they returned and handed a written statement to the magistrate, which he in turn handed to the clerk to read. The verdict of accidental death came as a surprise to none after the dramatic testimony of Lord Hatton.
A great wave of relief washed over Alexandra, leaving her feeling as limp as wet newspaper. She watched the magistrate confer with Staines, Stevenson, and Nicholas, then they left the room together. Then she saw her husband coming to join her. “Thank you, my lord.” Her voice was intense. “Is he free to go?”
“Yes. They are discussing laying charges of blackmail against Eaton.” He turned, accepting congratulatio
ns, pats on the back, and handshakes from those who had attended the inquest. He introduced Alexandra as Lady Hatton, which informed everyone that they were newly married. Suddenly, the atmosphere became festive, with everyone offering congratulations to the groom and happiness to the bride.
Under the circumstances, Alex realized it was impossible to run to Nick’s side. She forced herself to smile for the first time in days. She told herself she had much to smile about: Nicholas had been exonerated. She knew that she had her husband to thank for his twin’s freedom, and she would be forever grateful.
Lord Hatton kissed his wife’s cheek. “I shall see you at home. I won’t be late.” Then he departed the room through the door that the officials had used.
Alexandra and Dottie took a hackney cab to Berkeley Square. “Come up for a moment, darling. You left something upstairs. The cabby will wait for you.”
When they went upstairs, Dottie handed her the box from Madame Martine’s that held the lovely new gown. “You may need this tonight.” Dottie winked suggestively.
During the short ride from Berkeley to Curzon Street, Alex clutched the box in clenched hands. The very last thing she would wear this evening was the sea-foam green dress she had worn for Nicholas on their last night together. Our last night … our last night … it truly was our last night together. How will I ever bear it?
As she paid the cabby, she glanced up at the sky. Dusk was already falling; night was rushing upon her before she was ready. Alex took her bath quickly; nothing was more conducive to daydreams than lingering in warm water. Wrapped in a towel, she opened the wardrobe door to select a gown. She shuddered involuntarily as she pushed aside Nick’s garments and chose the cream silk faille.
Alex dressed, then brushed her hair. Before she set down the brush, she heard her husband speak to Fenton, then she heard his footsteps ascend the stairs. She felt as if her heart was in her mouth, her very dry mouth. Her fingers trembled as she smoothed out the peacock ribbon on the high-waisted dress. How can I do this? How can I play wife to my beloved’s identical twin? He has the same black hair, the same gray eyes, the same cleft in his chin, the same deep voice. Alexandra, you must put one foot in front of the other and take it one step at a time. She swallowed hard and stepped into the drawing room. Slowly, but without hesitation, she crossed over to her husband. “Kit … Flynn … I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. What you did today took a great deal of courage.” She raised her fingers to touch his cheek. “You called yourself a coward, but you will never be that in my eyes.” Dear God, Nick’s scent is on my gown because it lay against his garments in the wardrobe; it is filling my senses.
Her husband looked into her eyes, then bent his head to brush his lips across hers. Her fingers left his cheek, slipping up into his dark hair, and suddenly she felt the stitches she had put there! In a heartbeat she knew this was Nicholas; knew that the twin he had saved today was Christopher; knew that the devil kissing her was deceiving her. Outrageously deceiving her!
She felt hurt and betrayed, yet as his scent enveloped her she also felt gloriously happy that somehow, some way, she was married to Nicholas. She couldn’t instantly understand what game he was playing, but it was a game two could play!
She pulled away. “Will Nick return to Hatton, do you think?”
“No. He’s decided not to bring charges against Eaton because he wants to leave the country and go abroad.”
“I think that’s a very wise decision.” She wanted to show him that Nick’s leaving would not break her heart. “Are you dining here with me tonight?”
“Yes.” He looked surprised that she had changed the subject.
“Then perhaps we should think of it as our wedding supper.” Her words held a subtle invitation.
“Perhaps we should, since our first one was such a disappointment.” His words were guarded, his eyes wary.
“My … appetite has improved since then.”
Alex saw his nostrils flare. Anger? Lust? “Perhaps we could dine in bed?” This time the invitation was anything but subtle.
“You’ve enjoyed dining in bed before?”
Alex wondered if he was deliberately reminding her of the intimacies they’d shared. She smiled inwardly. “Not that I recall. If I did, it was so unremarkable that I’ve forgotten it.” She watched his eyes darken as she goaded the lion’s pride. “Why don’t you find out what delicious surprises Fenton has for us, while I light the candles in my chamber and turn down the bed?”
Nick hardened in spite of himself. Alexandra was a born coquette; perhaps she couldn’t help flirting. He had been so gratified that she had kept him at arm’s length since the wedding, because she thought him to be Kit. But now she had thrown him completely off balance. He glanced after her with a puzzled frown and went to find Fenton.
The first thing she did when she entered her bedchamber was change her stockings. She found the white-and-black striped pair she’d worn at Champagne Charlie’s, the ones she’d been wearing when she did the private striptease for Nick. She pulled them on, secured them with black garters, then covered them with the demure skirt of her cream faille gown.
When he opened the bedchamber door, Alex was stretching across the bed to turn down the covers. As he glimpsed her ankles, clad in stripes, a full-blown picture jumped into his head of the night she had worn nothing but the provocative black-and-white stockings. His arousal became even more marked. Now, however, he was perversely fighting his attraction.
Alex looked at him, cast down her lashes, and said shyly, “I don’t have a maid.” Then she raised her lashes and said boldly, “You will have to help me undress.”
Nick knew he would be damned if he did, and damned if he didn’t. It’s the twin thing. She knows Kit is her husband, but because our looks are identical, she’s pretending I’m Nick. Then he had a far more disturbing thought. Because we are twins, perhaps she wants to be made love to by both of us! He approached her with reluctant steps, slowly unfastened the buttons, and stepped back.
With a teasing smile, she pulled the gown from her shoulders, let it fall to the carpet, and stepped out of it with feline grace. Then she lifted her foot to the bed, pulled back her petticoat to expose her legs, and unfastened the garter.
“Striped stockings are not worn by ladies.”
She gave a provocative laugh. “Whatever made you think I was a lady?” She shot the garter at him and licked her lips when he deftly caught it. “You forget I’ve been wooed by Hart Cavendish,” she taunted.
Now Nicholas was not only jealous over his twin but livid over the Duke of Devonshire. He stepped forward, took hold of her leg, and stripped the stocking from it. Then he lifted her petticoat off over her head and cast it away with a deliberate gesture.
“You are impetuous! What other delightful, wicked secrets will I learn tonight, my dearest lord?”
He crushed her in his arms, and his mouth came down hard and possessive on her soft lips. He forced them apart and thrust inside to the hot wet cave. He didn’t release her mouth until she had been thoroughly kissed.
Alex slid her fingers into his black hair, then touched her lips to his ear. “Don’t you think it’s time I removed your stitches?”
Nick blinked in surprise, then groaned, crushing her in his arms again. “Damn you, Hellion! You enjoyed torturing me.”
“When were you going to tell me you were not Lord Hatton?”
He put her at arm’s length and held her gaze with pewter gray eyes. “I am Lord Hatton. If I were not, then you would not be Lady Hatton. Try never to make the mistake of calling me Nicholas even in private. Call me Flynn.”
His hot hungry mouth was on hers again before she could reply, then suddenly the talking was done, replaced by far more meaningful and intimate communication.
Two hours later, as she lay in her lover’s arms, replete and languid, she murmured against his heart, “I love you, Flynn Hatton.”
Epilogue
Hatton Hall, July 1815
> Lord and Lady Hatton, along with their guests—Lord and Lady Staines, Viscount Longford and his wife, Olivia, their little daughter, Amanda, and his new heir, baby Rupert—were celebrating the victory of Waterloo. They had dined alfresco in Hatton’s fragrant garden.
“Thank you for a lovely party, Alexandra. We must go; it’s time for baby’s feeding.” Olivia handed the heir to his proud father.
“I’m glad the weather was glorious. We have so much to celebrate,” Alex said happily.
“The weather wouldn’t dare to do other than cooperate,” Dottie declared, “once I agreed to attend. Come, Alexandra, why don’t we take these exquisite roses you’ve gathered to Margaret’s grave? I could use a walk after that decadent trifle.”
Alex rose and handed her son to his father. She bent to kiss her husband and murmured temptingly, “Flynn, darling, if you amuse your son and keep him from crying for a little while, I’ll let you watch me feed him when I return.”
Dottie watched the pair exchange an intimate look that told her they were deeply in love after a year of marriage. She hooked her arm through her granddaughter’s and, using her ebony cane, still managed to keep her back ramrod straight. When they had walked a safe distance from their men, she said, “Though I pretended otherwise, I always knew you had a crush on the other twin, Nicholas. However, I was wise enough to know that infatuations fade away. Do you suppose he went back to his regiment and fought at Waterloo?”
“No, Nicholas had had enough of war. I feel quite certain my husband’s twin didn’t fight at Waterloo.”
“I saw your husband’s eyes on you in that green gown with its pretty love knots. Tell me, darling, now that you’ve been wed for a year, have a beautiful son, to say nothing of this magnificent home, aren’t you glad that I insisted you marry the heir, Lord Hatton?”
Alexandra smiled her secret smile. Mr. Burke was the only one who knew. “I’m more than glad; I am deliriously happy! I thank you with all my heart.”
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