by Laura Landon
Major Bennett was the first to speak. “We have to find Partmoore.” Bennett set his empty cup and saucer on the table in front of him. “As long as Gilchrist has him, he has the advantage.”
“What about Lady Isobel and her sister?” Barnaby asked, directing his question to Alex. “Do you think we should move them to another location?”
“No.”
The firmness in his response elicited shock from his family.
“Lady Isobel and her sister will remain here. We’ll hire guards to be on the safe side, but I don’t want to take the chance of moving them.”
Alex walked to the sideboard and picked up a decanter of brandy. He carried three glasses to the cluster of chairs and handed a tumbler each to Barnaby and Sam. After what they’d gone through, he needed something stronger than tea. Evidently so did Barnaby and the major, because they took a glass when he offered them one and let him fill it with brandy.
“Lady Isobel will reach her majority next week,” Alex said, “so after next week she at least will be safe from her father’s machinations.”
“But her sister won’t,” Claire said.
“No, her sister won’t.”
“How do you see this tragedy ending?” Barnaby asked, taking a sip of his brandy.
“I only see one path for us,” Alex answered. “We have to use the same tactics Gilchrist would use were he in our place.”
“What would that be?” Claire asked.
“Blackmail.”
A smile lifted the corners of the major’s mouth. “You’d make an admirable government agent, my lord. Your thinking is not exactly what one would expect from a member of the nobility.”
“I doubt any of the nobility have experienced what I have,” he countered.
The mood turned somber. “No, I doubt any have,” the major agreed. He took a sip of his brandy, then continued. “What information do you intend to use to blackmail Gilchrist?”
“The murders he committed. As you know, Belle wasn’t the only one who witnessed Lord Harbinger’s murder. So did two of Gilchrist’s stable hands. And Gilchrist may not have committed Springton’s murder himself, but he ordered his man of business to see that it was carried out.”
“I’m sure it won’t be difficult to convince the three of them to confess to everything they know,” Barnaby said. “A hangman’s noose is powerful incentive.”
“That will be the proof we need to force Gilchrist to reveal where he has Partmoore held and stop his plan of a marriage between Lady Vanessa and the Duke of Balsam.”
“All we have to do, then, is keep Gilchrist from discovering his daughters are here until Lady Isobel reaches her majority, and Sam and I find our witnesses and convince them to admit what they know,” Barnaby said.
“Do you believe you can do that?” Isobel asked from where she stood in the open doorway.
Alex rushed to her side and escorted her into the room. “How is your sister?”
“She’s sleeping now, but she’s still frightened. She can’t believe she might have escaped marriage to the Duke of Balsam. And she’s terribly worried about Lord Partmoore. She’s afraid what Father might have done to him.”
Alex led her to the vacant chair next to him, then Claire handed her a cup of tea.
“How long do you think it will be before my father discovers that you were responsible for Vanessa’s disappearance?”
Alex looked from Barnaby to Major Bennett. “Probably not too long. A few days perhaps.”
“Then what?”
“He’ll no doubt come for you and your sister. But he won’t find you.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because you won’t be here. At least you won’t be in the house.”
Belle was confused, as was the major. But when he looked at his brother and his sister, there were smiles on their faces.
“The garden,” Claire said. “Of course.”
“What about the garden?” the major asked.
Alex got to his feet and extended his arm. “Come with me,” he said, taking Belle’s hand.
With her at his side, he led the way down the hall. When he reached his study, he crossed the room, then exited the double glass-paned doors that led to the terrace.
“Oh, I haven’t thought of this in years,” Claire said as they followed the path through the garden.
“Remember how angry Mother would get when Mr. Brumley came to give us piano lessons and no one could find us?” Barnaby said.
“We were fortunate Father had disliked having to practice as a lad, or he’d have punished us more than he did,” Alex said. They’d reached the far corner of the garden, and Alex stopped. “Look carefully, Belle. What do you see?”
Both Belle and the major looked in front of them. Then they turned a complete circle.
“What do you see?” he asked.
“I see a beautiful garden enclosed by a thick hedgerow. I see stone paths circling perfectly manicured flower beds and a small fountain with a marble statue of a young girl standing in the center of the water with water pouring from the pitcher in her arms.”
She stepped closer to the fountain. “Three benches have been placed around the pool, and over each bench is a closed-in latticed archway resembling an alcove, with vines and flowers covering the arches.”
“Do you see anything else?” Claire asked.
Belle and the major walked around the pool, stopping several times to take a closer look.
“I don’t see anything,” Belle said when they’d completed a circle around the pool and over the area.
“Neither do I,” the major admitted.
Alex couldn’t help but smile when his gaze met his brother’s and sister’s. “Would you like to show them, Claire?”
Claire walked to one of the benches, then stepped around the latticed canopy until she was out of sight . . . and disappeared.
Major Bennett followed his wife around the canopy but came out the other side without finding his wife. “This is bloody amazing,” the major said. “I don’t see an opening anywhere.”
Belle followed the major behind the canopy. “Neither do I.”
“Follow me,” Alex said, then stepped beside them.
There was a space of about three feet separating the wooden canopy and the hedgerow. He reached into the hedgerow and pulled. A wall of greenery, the size of a door swung out, exposing a small portal through which he entered.
“Oh my,” Belle said when he disappeared. She followed him through the portal and stopped. “Oh, Alex. This is incredible.”
Because it was daylight, narrow rays of sunlight penetrated the area enough that they could see. Slats of wood were placed about every three feet to form the frame of a room, and wire fencing formed the ceiling and walls.
Two narrow benches lined either side of the area. The hollowed-out grotto inside the hedgerow wasn’t overly big, and probably not more than three to four adults could hide inside it at one time.
“How did you find this?” Isobel asked, shifting her gaze about the cozy area.
“We didn’t find it,” Alex admitted. “Barn and I built it. With Father’s help.”
“Where did you get the idea for such a place?” the major asked.
“Barn came up with the idea. He’d read a story about a band of thieves who’d hollowed out a cave in a hedgerow to escape the authorities, and found it fascinating. Being the older, wiser brother, I told him it couldn’t be done. So he set off to prove me wrong.”
“It didn’t take Alex long to realize that not only was it possible to hollow out the inside of the hedgerow,” Barnaby continued, “but that it would be the perfect place to hide, should we ever need to escape our dreaded piano lessons.”
“But we owe much of the interior to Father.”
“Your father helped you?” Major Bennett asked as if he couldn’t believe the Marquess of Halverston would condone his sons hollowing out the hedgerow in their garden.
“Yes,” Alex said. “Mother
sent him out to check on us.”
“We think the gardener informed her that we were destroying his hedgerow and sent Father to discipline us,” Barn added.
“Do you blame him?” Claire teased.
Alex and Barn laughed. “No,” Alex said, “but fortunately, Father was intrigued by what we were doing. He not only helped, but it was his idea to space the planking for the wall and add the fencing to hold back the vines when they grew.”
Alex looked at Belle. “Now that you know where you can hide, you need to know how to get here. There are three exits from the house that will lead you to the garden: the one we took from the study, a second exit from the library, and a third exit from the rear of the house.” Alex turned his attention to his brother-in-law. “I want you to know how to get here, too.”
Major Bennett nodded, then turned to lead the way out of the hiding place. When they all exited, Alex had Belle practice locating the spot that would create an opening. Then he led her out through the library and showed her the exit from an entrance at the rear of the house.
“Tomorrow we’ll show your sister how to get to the hiding spot without being seen,” Alex said when they returned inside. Alex had shown them to the receiving room their mother had most often used when entertaining guests.
“Speaking of Vanessa, I’d best go up to see if she’s awake.”
“If she is, bring her down,” Claire said. “I can’t wait to meet her.”
Isobel rose, then addressed Alex’s family. “I want to thank all of you. You’ve put yourselves at risk on our behalf, and I want you to know how grateful Vanessa and I are.”
Alex saw the emotion on Isobel’s face and wanted to go to her and take her in his arms. But he could hardly show such a display of emotion in front of his family. Thankfully, his sister acted on his behalf.
Claire rose from the sofa and rushed to Isobel and embraced her. “My husband and brothers won’t let anything happen to you or your sister. You couldn’t be in better hands.”
“I know,” Isobel said, brushing at a tear that spilled from her eye. Then she walked to the door and left them.
When Isobel was gone, Claire sat back beside her husband and took his hand in hers. When she did, the major wrapped his arm around his wife’s shoulder and pulled her against him.
“All I can say,” Barnaby said, splashing fresh brandy into his glass, then lifting it toward Alex in a mock toast, “is that you couldn’t have chosen a more perfect lady to be your marchioness.”
Chapter 23
Alex looked up from his ledgers and turned his gaze to the opposite side of the room, where Belle and her sister were reading. As if Belle realized he was watching her, she lifted her gaze and smiled. His heart shifted in his chest.
His love for her was potent. As was hers for him. He’d never imagined loving someone was so powerful. Never imagined the emotions were so consuming.
It had been two days since they’d returned to London. Two days since they’d rescued Belle’s sister from their father’s clutches. Every night since they’d arrived, Belle had come to his room after the house had gone to sleep. And every day, Alex had kept her close to him. He couldn’t bear the thought of her father coming for her and she not being where he could protect her.
They spent their time in either the library or his study. If Gilchrist came and Belle and her sister had to make a quick exit, these were the two rooms where they could reach the hiding place in the hedgerow the fastest and easiest. Today they were in the study because Alex had work that needed to be done, although he found it difficult to concentrate on the numbers in front of him.
According to Barnaby and Sam, the Earl of Gilchrist had been livid when he’d discovered Lady Vanessa was missing. He’d had men scouring London for any sign of where his daughter was and who’d taken her. Alex was certain it wouldn’t be long before Gilchrist appeared on his doorstep.
Even if the Gilchrist butler was able to stand up to Gilchrist’s threats, there were other servants in the house who had no doubt seen him—a footman or maid who perhaps recognized him and would break under the threats of their master.
Alex rose and walked to the cluster of chairs where Belle and her sister sat.
“Has there been any news concerning Lord Partmoore?” Belle asked. “Vanessa is quite concerned over him.”
Alex shook his head. “Barnaby and the major are still looking for him. The fact that he hasn’t been found is a good sign.” Alex focused his attention on Belle’s sister. “If your father was responsible for his disappearance, he is holding him until you are married to the Duke of Balsam. He doesn’t want to take any chance that Partmoore will attempt to rescue you.”
“How can any father think so little of his daughters?” Lady Vanessa asked. She blinked her eyes to stop a tear from spilling down her cheek.
Belle turned toward her sister and brought her close to her. “The man who fathered us isn’t capable of love, Vanessa. He only considers children possessions to be used to his advantage. Perhaps it would have been different if one or both of us had been sons, but even then I doubt it.”
Belle’s gaze locked with his, and Alex saw the hurt in her eyes. She’d never known a man’s love. Not even a father’s love. He vowed he would spend every day of his life showing her the many blessings of a husband’s love. And, if they were fortunate enough to have children, he would show her what a father’s love for his children was like. He looked forward to that day.
“How long do you think it will be before Father discovers that you were responsible for taking Vanessa from Gilchrist House?” Belle asked.
“Perhaps never,” Alex said with what he hoped was a confident expression on his face.
“But not likely,” Belle added. “Is that why you’ve kept us near you? To protect us should Father come?”
Alex attempted a smile. “You don’t believe I’ve kept you and your sister with me because I enjoy your company?”
“Of course, my lord,” Belle answered, “but I also think it’s possible that—”
A loud rap on the door stopped Belle’s sentence, then Channing stepped into the room.
Alex knew from the worried expression on the butler’s face that something was wrong.
“A carriage just pulled up in front of the house, my lord. I believe it belongs to the Earl of Gilchrist.”
“Thank you, Channing. Delay the earl as long as possible.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Alex rose and rushed Belle and Lady Vanessa across the room to the French doors that led to the terrace. “Go to the hiding place,” he said as they sped across the terrace and down the steps. “Stay hidden until I come for you.”
“Alex—” Belle started, but Alex cut her off.
“Go.”
Belle grabbed her sister’s hand and raced down the path to the hiding place in the hedgerow.
Alex reentered the study and sat behind his desk. He’d just picked up his pen and pretended to be busy working on his ledgers when the door flew open and the Earl of Gilchrist stormed into the room.
Alex looked up as if he was surprised by the earl’s appearance. “Lord Gilchrist,” he greeted. “What a surprise.”
“Where are they?” he demanded. “And don’t pretend you don’t know who I’m talking about. Or that they aren’t here.”
Alex put a smile on his face. “Then I won’t pretend I don’t know who you’re talking about. But as you can see . . .” He gestured around the room. “ . . . they aren’t here.”
“Where are they?”
Alex broadened his smile. “Where you will never get your hands on them.”
“You bloody bastard!”
Alex rose. “Do you think I don’t know why you’re willing to marry one of your daughters to a murderer?”
“They are my daughters, and you have no right to object to any plans I make for them.”
“Perhaps I don’t. I’m sure Society will think differently when they discover what those plans really are.�
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“How dare you!”
Alex stepped around the corner of the desk. “I dare because I know what you are capable of.” He took another step toward Gilchrist. “I dare because I know more about you than you want to risk me telling the authorities.” He took another threatening step toward Gilchrist. “And I dare because I know that you have the Earl of Partmoore and are holding him captive until you can force Lady Vanessa to marry someone as vile and abhorrent as the Duke of Balsam.”
Gilchrist’s face paled, but the fire in his eyes turned more deadly. “You have no right to hold my daughters.”
“And you have no right to sell one of them to the Duke of Balsam so he can abuse and murder her the same as he did the two wives before her.”
“Lies! All lies! You have no proof that Balsam was responsible for either of his wives’ deaths.”
Alex approached Gilchrist in slow, threatening steps. “Are you sure that I don’t?”
Frown lines deepened across Gilchrist’s forehead.
“What if I told you that not only do I have proof that Balsam murdered his wife, but that I’ve discovered several skeletons in your past, too? And that I have proof of what you did.”
Gilchrist’s eyes opened wide as shock—and a look that Alex could only describe as cold fear—consumed him. “Your threats are empty words with no basis.”
Alex stared at Gilchrist for a few moments, then separated himself from Isobel’s father before he wrapped his hands around his neck and strangled the life from him. “Are they?” Alex stopped when a leather wing chair stood between them.
“Yes! And I don’t take kindly to being threatened.”
“Then I don’t doubt you’ll take it even less kindly when you’re convicted of murder.”
Gilchrist’s glare smoldered with hatred. “Hand over my daughters! Or I will go for the authorities and bring you up on kidnapping charges.”
Alex shook his head. “That wouldn’t be wise, Gilchrist. It would force me to bring charges against you. And you know what charges they would be.”
Gilchrist opened his mouth several times but wasn’t able to speak. Alex refused to allow him to think he was bluffing. He knew the exact words that would convince Gilchrist of how serious he was.
