‘Innocence dwells with wisdom … ,’ he quoted Blake silently, thinking of his daughter. “‘ … but never with ignorance,’” he chastised himself aloud, ending the quote. “Guilty as charged!”
With a sigh, Jared wadded up another shirt and threw it into the portmanteau. Alissa, his mind whispered plaintively, wishing forlornly for her return, not just to Hawkstone but to his arms, as well. Surely, there had to be a way to win her love anew. Too late, he’d recognized that she’d truly loved him, unselfishly, completely. For, as he’d lain abed in a surly mood, bits and pieces of the happenings during his fevered state had come filtering back to him. Soft hands had gently cooled his brow and body. Whispered words had filled his ears and heart. I love you, Jared. Please, my love, return to me. Megan and I need you. Our child needs you.
Her remembered words ate deeper into his soul, and Jared struck his hand against the armoire. Damn his hide! How could he have been so stupid! After all that she had given him, he’d repaid her with heartless disdain. Indeed, as his father had stated, he was a blasted fool!
A sudden shout sounded in the hallway, and he strode from his room; Ian’s feet ran across the blood-red carpet toward him. “Come, man, Mr. Stanley’s been shot! The coach is overturned.”
“Where’s Alissa? Megan?” Jared asked anxiously as the men struck a course toward the back stairs. “Are they—”
“They’re nowhere to be found.”
Jared felt an ominous dread jolt through his chest. “And Thom? Is he … ?”
“He’s alive, but dazed. The shot grazed his temple. He keeps mumbling something about Alissa and Megan being spirited away by three men wearing masks. Other than that, I couldn’t make heads or tails out of his ramblings.”
Jared stopped just long enough to gather his pistols, shot, and powder, then headed toward the stables. With Thor saddled, the two men rode across country toward Falcon’s Gate.
“Thom … what’s happened?” Jared asked as soon as he saw his friend, noting the man’s head bandaged with a blood-soaked piece of linen. “Where are Alissa and Megan.”
Thom Stanley’s head rolled on the pillow toward his employer. “Gone … they’s gone. Nabbed by three men wearin’ masks. I tried to stop ’em, but … but …” His eyes rolled dizzily, and he blinked, fighting for consciousness. “They came out of the copse by the road. Was upon us ’fore I knew what was happenin’. I—”
Just then Dr. Drummond bustled into the room. “Step aside,” he said to Jared and Ian. Peeling the bandage away, he examined the wound, cleaned it, and stitched it up, a round of curses received for his efforts. “Lucky for you, sir, you have a thick skull.”
“Lucky fer ye, these gents was a-holdin’ me down,” Mr. Stanley snarled in return.
Dr. Drummond ignored him. “Keep him abed for a few days. He’s suffered a mild concussion, but he’ll recover. I’ll return on the morrow to look him over again.”
“Ye better brings an army with ye,” Mr. Stanley called after him. “These gents won’t be here to help ye.”
Jared nodded, confirming his manservant’s words, and Dr. Drummond rolled his eyes, then left the room.
“Thom, can you tell us which way the men went?” Jared asked, urgently wanting to be on his way.
“Cain’t say … sorry.” His suddenly watery eyes looked away from Jared’s. “It happened so quick-like … I reached fer me pistol … and everythin’ went black. When I woke, the carriage was in the ditch, the horses gone … so was the mistress and little Megan.”
“I found him stumbling along the road,” Ian supplied, “and brought him here.”
“Will you be all right?” Jared asked, squeezing his man’s arm, and saw Mr. Stanley’s nod. “Then you stay put. Ian and I will find these brigands. And ease off on Drummond. He’s only trying to help you.”
“Huh, the man’s a quack.” He saw Jared’s stern look. “Fine, I’ll be as docile as a babe.”
“I’ll take that as your solemn word.” Jared straightened from the bed. “We must be on our way.”
“When ye catch ’em, give ’em a good thrashin’ fer me ’fore ye kills ’em all.”
“I’ll do that,” Jared said, anger roiling inside him. “I promise.”
Searching the area near the overturned carriage, Jared and Ian found not a trace of his wife and daughter or of the men who’d taken them. Alissa’s purse lay by the wreckage, several large bills inside, and Jared decided that robbery was not the motive. “What was the purpose of all this?” he inquired, not expecting an answer, yet hoping he’d receive one. “There’s no note for ransom. Nothing.”
“I cannot answer,” Ian said, his hand clasping Jared’s shoulder. “But I think we’d best alert the sheriff, then gather some provisions. I doubt they traveled the main road. Three men with a woman and child would be too conspicuous. If we’re lucky, we might find a trail through the woods.”
Both men agreed to meet at the site within the hour, then went their separate ways. Having apprised his father of the situation, Jared hurriedly collected several blankets and enough food for a week, should his search take him longer and farther than hoped. Two leather pouches of gold were slipped in with the rest to use as an incentive to free his wife and daughter.
“Are you certain you’re well enough to traipse the countryside, looking for them?” Edward asked, concerned. “What if there’s a confrontation? Your wound is barely healed. You can’t go it alone.”
“Ian will be with me,” Jared answered, making the last tie in a leather thong, securing the blankets. “I have no choice, Father. My wife and daughter are in danger.” And new babe, he thought, knowing in his heart it was his. He brushed past the duke, heading for the door. “Keep tight to the house, just in case a message comes with their demands. If it’s money, then pay them what they want. Give them the whole damned estate if that’s what it takes … all of it. Just so long as Alissa and Megan are returned to us.”
“Good luck, son,” Edward called after Jared’s retreating form. “Godspeed.” But the door closed before his last word was out. Releasing his breath, Edward went in search of Eudora to break the news to her and to offer his comfort. Together they anxiously awaited any news of Alissa’s and Megan’s plight.
After an hour’s search in the wood, Jared finally found a scrap of silk pinned to an overgrown thistle. Certain it came from Alissa’s dress, they fanned out, discovering hoofprints, which led in a northwesterly direction. On a continuous ride, following the tracks in the soft earth until it became too black to see, the two men camped for the night; at dawn they were on their way again.
Four hours later, they came upon an old woman with a pushcart, and she pointed them toward the central highlands. Jared tossed her several gold sovereigns, which she promptly bit with her sparse collection of teeth, then smiled and placed them in her purse next to the coin the other gentleman had given her earlier.
But in short order their progress halted as a sudden, violent rainstorm sent them in search of shelter. “Damn this delay!” Jared ranted in the confines of the leaky stable, water pouring through the shoddy roof. Frustrated, he raked his hand through his damp hair. “We should be out after them.”
“You can’t see a blasted thing through those sheets of rain. The wind alone will unseat you from Thor’s back,” Ian said as a gust hit the rotting boards, their rusting nails emitting an eerie creak. “We’ll be lucky if we leave this place alive!”
“In the meantime, their tracks are being washed away!”
“I’m afraid, my friend, they’ve been that long ago.”
Jared settled into the dank pile of straw, his forearms resting across his upraised knees. “What purpose did they have in taking them?”
Ian gazed at Jared. “A conspiracy, perhaps?”
Jared’s head snapped around; a harsh laugh erupted. “Toward what end?”
“Perhaps it’s a ploy to draw you out.”
“Me? I have no enemies!”
“You bear a sca
r that may indicate otherwise. I did not put it there. Nor did Alissa.”
Jared turned away. “I know that.”
“I’m happy to hear your admission,” Ian said, chuckling. Then he grew serious. “Since we are guiltless, then obviously someone else wants you dead.”
“Who, pray tell?”
Ian eyed Jared a long moment. “Where’s your cousin?”
“Robert? He’s in Edinburgh.”
“Are you certain?”
“I sent him in that direction. I was headed that way myself, until Alissa and Megan …” Jared’s eyes narrowed. “You must be daft! He hasn’t the nerve to shoot a pigeon, much less a man. Besides, what would he gain from it?”
“You tell me, Your Grace. As the heir apparent, you’ll be addressed as such one day. Has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”
Jared snorted, then just as quickly sobered. “What makes you think Robert is involved?”
“His actions while you were on death’s doorstep.”
“Which were?”
“Odd … very odd,” Ian stated, with frankness. “He seemed distressed, but not that you might die. Quite the opposite. He seemed more upset that you might live. You know his background. His father hated the Braxtons. When orphaned at thirteen, he certainly was old enough to carry that resentment with him when your father took him in. Perhaps his being the ‘poor cousin’ has festered in him all these years. With you dead, he has the chance to become the Duke of Claremore.”
“Ridiculous … we’re from the old Scots peerage; Megan inherits it all. She’ll hold the titles for her own son.”
“But what happens, Jared, if you, Megan, and your unborn child all cease to be? Who benefits then?”
The knowledge hit him between the eyes like the potent kick of a mule. His words grating viciously, he acknowledged at last, “The benefactor is …”
“Robert!” Alissa cried, her excited voice echoing through the cavernous interior of the old burnt-out kirk where they’d been held these past two days. Saved! her heart sang, joyously. Then, certain she’d see Jared step over the threshold, the remainder of their rescue party at his heels, she rushed forward, Megan directly behind.
“Stay back,” he ordered coldly, and she stopped short.
Hazel eyes emitted a feral gleam as Robert’s lip curled maliciously. Instantly, her heart sank like a lead weight. “You!” she accused, angrily. “You’re the leader of this vile group!” Protectively, she drew Megan close to her skirts. “Why, Robert? What madness has inspired you to have us carried here?”
“Not madness, Lady Ebonwyck. Cunning. You’re to be used as bait.”
A feeling of dread shuddered through her. Then her eyes widened as he withdrew a knife from his belt; his thumb scraped over its finely honed tip. “B-bait?”
He stopped his movement and sucked a drop of blood from his thumb. “There’s no other way I could find to get Jared here, except through the two … uh, three of you.” He looked to Alissa’s still-flat stomach. “Can’t forget the last Braxton bastard, can we now?”
He’s insane! Alissa thought, trying to remain calm. “What do you intend, Robert?”
“Intend? Why, I’ll await the arrival of your devoted husband. He’s surely that. You should have seen him these past few weeks, pining away for his lost love, his dear sweet Alissa. Sickening, to say the least. Too bad my original plan hadn’t worked. Quite brilliant of me to orchestrate the duel between my lovesick cousin and Ian Sinclair. A few seeds of jealousy planted—”
“You insidious bastard! You shot Jared!”
“Name-calling will get you nowhere. But you’re right. After he’d intercepted your note to Sinclair, I informed him, in a distraught manner, of course, that I’d seen you kissing the earl. I didn’t lie, exactly, for I did see you kiss the man’s cheek. I simply expounded a bit, played on his jealous nature, hoping he’d go off half-cocked. But after he’d left, I was afraid Sinclair might not follow through … possibly only a grazing of his flesh. So I followed Jared from Hawkstone to Falcon’s Gate, then to the glade, and hid in the trees. Unfortunately my horse bumped my arm … my aim was off a few inches. Needless to say, if the nag had behaved, I wouldn’t have had to stage this little abduction to lure him here!”
Alissa’s mind suddenly raced. The carpet on the stairs, the broken saddle girth, the statue in the garden, they weren’t accidents! “You were behind my mishaps, too!”
Robert laughed. “Knowing my cousin’s manly appetites to be overly strong, especially with a wife as pleasing as you, I knew he’d plant his seed, swiftly. Hence the ‘mishaps.’ It seems, however, that fate was with you, Alissa, all three times.” He edged a leg onto the scarred oak table, then jabbed the knife into its wood. “But this time, I’ll control the outcome.”
As the firelight reflected off the shiny blade, protruding from the center of the table, Alissa’s eyes widened again. Remain calm, she ordered herself. But the bile rose to her throat, and she suddenly became light-headed—a recurring effect of her pregnancy, she knew—yet she fought off the dizziness.
“Had my original plan worked,” Robert continued, “you and Megan would have met with a carriage accident … oh, let’s say, a month or so after my cousin’s funeral. But now, with Jared on his way, I’ll kill three … uh, four birds with one stone.” He sighed. “Such a pity. Of course, Jared will be the last to go. I must allow him the pleasure of seeing your deaths first.”
Alissa felt Megan edge closer to her, and she held the child tight. He truly was insane. “Why are you doing this?” she cried, praying Jared wouldn’t find them. At least, then, he’d be safe. “What motive could you—”
“The money, the lands … Hawkstone. And, of course, I plan to be the next Duke of Claremore. But, in order to ascend to such distinction, I, first, must be rid of the Marquis of Ebonwyck. With all of my uncle’s heirs tragically deceased—killed by some unknown brigands—I plan to console him on his loss. In time he will decide the line must continue … he’s too conceited for it not to. He’ll simply need to petition the Queen, along with the Lord Lyon, and the title can be passed to me without a hitch. Then, when the time is prudent, poor Uncle Edward shall meet with an accident of his own. Naturally, I’d like to enjoy the bounty while I’m still young.”
“You’re insane, Robert,” Alissa said, finally voicing her thoughts. “You won’t get away with it.”
“Won’t I? I almost succeeded once, through Celeste.”
Alissa pressed Megan’s head close to her and covered her ear. “Celeste?” Then the entire picture came into bright relief. “You made Jared believe he’d been cuckolded by Ian.”
“It only took a few love letters, signed supposedly by Ian’s hand, offering a few promises of finer jewels and more fashionable gowns, trips to Paris … all of which Jared was, toward the end of their marriage, unwilling to give. The woman was a shallow, frivolous bitch, just like Patricia. But I should have known Jared couldn’t be provoked to challenge Sinclair. He didn’t love her enough. You, on the other hand, are quite a different matter. He truly does love you. A shame that such a flatulent emotion will lead him to his death.” He rose from his perch. “Now, into the corner. We have a short wait ahead of us. A few hours … more or less.”
“With luck, he won’t find us!” she cried angrily.
“That won’t happen, I assure you.”
“What makes you so certain?”
“I’ve spent a small fortune to ensure he does. A few coins, and a willing finger will point him this way. He’s being led like a lamb to the slaughter. Now get over there.”
Alissa led the frightened Megan to the far corner as Robert had instructed, then whispered, reassuringly, “We’ll be all right. Don’t let him distress you, dearest. He is deranged. And because of it, he thinks he holds a great deal of power. He underestimates your father’s strength and intelligence, however. It will be his downfall, I promise.”
If her words were only true, instead of wishes, she thought
as she huddled close to Megan. Oh, Jared, she prayed. Stay away, my love. Stay far, far away.
Under the cover of darkness, the Marquis of Ebonwyck pressed himself to the rough stones and edged silently closer to the man standing guard at the far side of the kirk. Barely inches from him, Jared’s hand snaked out and tapped the man’s shoulder. Startled, the brigand turned; a fist met him square in the jaw, sending him to his knees. A well-aimed boot followed, and he fell to his face, unconscious.
Two down, and one to go, Jared thought as he quickly wrapped a length of leather thong around the man’s hands and feet, then stuffed a gag into his mouth, leaving him like the first. Again, he edged along the stone to the corner. A quick glance and he espied the man guarding the entry. Damn! Where’s Ian! he wondered, anxious to make a clean sweep of it.
Having found the kirk with suspiciously little trouble, the two had hidden on a nearby hillside in a stand of trees, lying in wait until darkness had settled. Together, they’d planned to take down the first of the brigands, then Jared would take the second, himself. Once done, he’d wait for Ian’s signal and create a diversion, while Ian attacked the third from the rear, leaving Jared to storm the interior and face the final and most treacherous of all.
If he’d had any doubts that Robert might have been involved, they had disintegrated the instant he’d seen his cousin riding down the lane toward the kirk. Anger directing him, Jared had almost given himself away as he lurched to his feet. Thankfully, Ian had tripped him up, then sat atop him. “Cool your head,” he’d ordered, in a harsh whisper. “Before you reach him, Alissa and Megan will be dead!” The moment the words had left Ian’s mouth, Jared’s hot anger had turned to cold cunning. Robert would rue the day he was born! This he’d promised.
Another glance around the stones, and Jared caught the flash of white cloth from the opposite corner of the building, Ian’s signal that he was in position. With a scuff of his boot, Jared began kicking loose stones across the ground. The sound turned the third brigand’s head, then his body. He moved toward the noise, his pistol drawn, ready.
Masque of Enchantment Page 32
