Always Forever (Emerson Book 5)

by Maureen Driscoll

  “But it is easy to be a good husband and father when I love you and Anna so much.”

  She kissed him. “You are a good brother and friend. And I know you would do whatever you could to help those you love. Well, grant my request.”

  “Anything, my dear, sweet Irene.”

  “Please forgive yourself for what you perceive as your sins. Live with us here, without guilt. And together we will figure out what is to be done to help Rose and Nate. Can you do that for me? Please?”

  James slowly nodded, immeasurably reassured by his wife. “I thank God for you and my family every day,” he said. “And I am incredibly grateful that Anna and Letty are shielded from this. Thank God the girls are safe.”

  * * *

  “Anna,” said Letty from her place in bed beside her. “Anna, are you awake?”

  Anna turned to her, bleary-eyed, but waking up. “Yes.”

  “I’m worried about Rose,” said Letty, who had lain awake thinking about her sister.

  “Me, too.”

  “No one is telling us what is going on. It’s like they think we’re babies.”

  “But we’re not.”

  “No, we’re not. And I miss her.”

  “I miss Uncle Nate, too.”

  “So, do I. And it’s not fair that we can’t go see them. So I’ve been thinking of a plan. We’ll get up early tomorrow and walk to the castle. We’ll do it before anyone is even up. That will make Rose feel better, won’t it?”

  Anna smiled and nodded. “Letty?”

  “Yes?” said Letty, as she finally began to relax.

  “If you were in trouble I’d help you.”

  “And if you were in trouble, I’d help you, too.”

  The two girls smiled at each other and finally nodded off, knowing they had a plan.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  Rose started her morning the way she started all of her mornings – being awakened by her husband’s kisses, which escalated to making love. There was a part of her that wished they could remain in bed the entire day. And while she felt that way every morning, for some reason she especially did not want to separate from him today.

  “I am sorry, my love,” said Nate, as he pulled back the sheets, “but I must dress and start the day.”

  “Please stay,” she said, as she pulled him back to her.

  He kissed her. “As much as I would love to, I really must be on my way.” He drew back and studied her. “What is worrying you?”

  “I cannot explain it, but I feel a sense of foreboding.”

  “Did you see Charlotte again?”

  “No. And, as odd as it may sound, I actually find comfort from her. But I cannot help but think there is something about today which isn’t right.”

  He kissed her again, then gently pulled away. “Please do not worry, love. But this is all the more reason for me to continue my mission to find the ring. I do not want you to worry another moment.”

  Rose watched him go, helpless to stop him, but determined to do what she could to put an end to things.

  * * *

  For some reason, Nate was a bit unnerved by the day, as well. He could not shake the feeling that something wasn’t right.

  He had not seen his father much over the past few days, nor Jones his man of business. Canning had been his boorish self, never missing a meal and flirting with both Mirabelle and Rose. The duchess had seemed flattered by the attention, though not overly so when Bancroft had been about. Rose had maintained a polite distance.

  Nate looked forward to the day their company would depart.

  He ducked into the servants’ stairs, then followed them down to the basement. It had taken him almost a day to find the secret panel which led into the room beneath his father’s study, but he now could locate it swiftly, despite the darkness. His small candelabra provided little light, but he did not want to attract attention in case there were servants elsewhere in the basement. He slipped into the room, then closed the door behind him. He was about to light the candelabra he’d left the previous day when he realized he was not alone. He turned to see Frederick Mortimer in the corner with a gun trained on him.

  * * *

  Rose was unsettled. She was worried about Nate and also about her sister. While she was relieved Win and the babe were away from the castle, she was concerned about how pale her sister had been when Rose had last seen her. Win had been severely beaten by her former husband on more than one occasion. Rose prayed there hadn’t been lasting damage which would interfere with Win’s ability to safely carry a child.

  She wanted to walk to her sister’s home. It would only take a quarter of an hour. But she had promised Nate that she wouldn’t go beyond sight of the house. She had already walked to the very edge of the garden. And while she wanted to continue on to Win’s, she knew her sister would be furious with her for walking there alone and Nate….she didn’t even want to think about how upset Nate would be.

  So, she turned to go back to the house when she came face to face with Viscount Canning. The last thing she wanted was to be waylaid by the boorish viscount. “Good morning,” she said, even as she tried to walk around him, though he kept blocking her way. “Are you joining his grace for a ride this morning?”

  “No, Lady Grayson, I have come to see you,” he said, as he reached out for her wrist and held it.

  “Unhand me, sir. It is most inappropriate.” She tugged at her wrist, but he was holding her securely. She figured this was simply his awkward attempt at seduction.

  “I am afraid I cannot do that, Lady Grayson.”

  “You have no choice, sir, because in a moment I will show you how I have successfully evaded unwanted attention in the past. And it shall be most unpleasant for you.” She pulled again and when he tightened his grip painfully, she realized it wasn’t seduction he had in mind.

  “Before you attract attention, I suggest you have a care for your younger sister and your niece. We’re holding them captive and if you do not accompany me, they will be killed. Though, of course, it pains me to say such a thing.” The smile he gave her was so insincere she wanted to scratch his eyes out.

  “What are you talking about?” Rose prayed this was an elaborate bluff.

  “Am I not being clear?” he asked as he twisted her wrist. “You can save yourself or you can save them. Sadly, you cannot save all three.”

  Rose had no choice. She would lay down her life for Letty and Anna. “If you have harmed them, I’ll kill you.”

  Canning had the audacity to laugh. “You are a spirited one, aren’t you? I can only imagine the passion you bring to the bedchamber. Mayhap I’ll get to experience that very thing later today.”

  “How do I know you’ll release the girls unharmed if I go with you?” Rose looked around, but no one was near enough to see her distress.

  “You will just have to trust me. Now walk, but no sudden movements.”

  As Rose walked by his side, she plotted how she would save Letty and Anna, and, hopefully, herself.

  Canning pulled her arm through his, then anchored it to his side as they walked beyond the castle to a tiny copse of trees, where he had a horse tethered. That was when he pulled his pistol.

  “Up on the horse, and do not try to run away with it if you do not wish to see the girls killed.”

  “I will not run. Their lives are more important than mine,” said Rose. “I am highly protective of those I love and have no fear for my own life. You’ll keep that in mind if you are wise.”

  * * *

  Mrs. Lyons stood at the drawing room window wondering why Lady Grayson was going anywhere with the wretched Viscount Canning. Mrs. Lyons had already had to keep watch on the girls in her employ to make sure he didn’t seduce them. While she hardly thought Lady Grayson was walking with the viscount for any illicit purpose, she had to wonder why they were together at all.

  * * *

  Nate was armed. He was always armed. But he decided to hear Mortimer out to learn why he was there. “Ma
y I?” he asked, indicating a chair across the room.

  “Of course, my lord. I would not want you to be uncomfortable,” said Mortimer.

  Nate took his seat. “Did my father send you to kill me?”

  “I am holding a gun on you. There is no way I can miss. Does it matter who wants you dead?”

  “In the end, I suppose it will matter little to me, since I’ll be dead. But I am concerned about my wife.”

  Mortimer considered this. “I do not have plans to harm her, though I cannot guarantee she will be safe.”

  “What would guarantee her safety? I have money my father does not know about. Do what you will with me, but I can make you a very rich man if you leave her in peace.”

  “What makes you think I won’t kill you, take your money, then kill her, as well?”

  “I hope there is some honor in you. And at this point, I am so desperate I will try anything to save her.”

  “You do not sound like a desperate man.”

  Nate shrugged. “Did my father hire you to kill me?”

  “Who else do you think it could be?”

  “My dear stepmama comes to mind. I do not believe she wishes to share the estate after my father passes.”

  “I’m not working for Mirabelle,” said Mortimer. “I learned long ago not to trust her.”

  “Just how long have you known her?” asked Jones as he walked into the room, with his own pistol out.

  Unless Nate was mistaken, Mortimer was surprised to see the man.

  “You’re certainly taking your time, Mortimer,” said Jones. “His grace has been waiting on this for a while.”

  “So it is my father who wants me dead,” said Nate.

  “You should have left well enough alone, yer lordship,” said Jones. “The duke had a good business for quite some time. You already interfered with him making money. He mighta forgiven you that – though I wouldn’t have. But you made advances on his new duchess.”

  “I did no such thing,”

  “That’s not what she said. And for some reason he believed her. There’s no fool like an old fool, after all.”

  “So that’s why he sent you to kill me? He thought I wanted Mirabelle? Nothing could be further from the truth.”

  “Don’t matter now,” said Jones. “Dead is dead, no matter the reason. What are you waiting for, Mortimer?”

  “Did you follow me here to make sure I did the job?” asked Mortimer.

  “Matter of fact, I did. See, I’m not so sure you’re not working for the Home Office. So, if you don’t kill his lordship now, I’ll just have to kill both of you.”

  “There’s no need for that,” said Mortimer, as he raised his gun toward Nate.

  Nate threw the candelabra and reached for his own weapon, just as two shots rang out. The first was Mortimer hitting Jones and the second was Jones firing at Mortimer, just as he was falling to the ground, where the man of business now lay dead. Nate had his own weapon in his hand, as he ran to Mortimer, who was bleeding profusely from the leg.

  Nate pulled off his cravat and tied it around the man’s leg.

  Mortimer was already an ashy grey, even as Nate pulled the cravat tighter. Mortimer winced. “I have…message from Vanessa Kellington….”

  Nate looked at the man. “The Home Office sent you?”

  Mortimer nodded. “They found evidence. They need you to get Bancroft to London.” The man was close to losing consciousness.

  “Stay with me, Mortimer,” said Nate, as he looked for something to carry the man above ground.

  They were interrupted by the arrival of Mrs. Lyons and two armed footmen. For a moment, Nate was not certain if they were friend or foe.

  “Mr. Mortimer!” said Mrs. Lyons, as she knelt beside the man. “Thomas, Gareth, help him.” She turned to Nate. “I’m worried about the marchioness. She went off with Viscount Canning.”

  “What!”

  “I was too far away to stop her. I sent word to her brothers at the dower house and I’ve been looking for you, only to walk into this when I heard the shots.” She turned to look at Jones. “I suppose he’s…”

  “Dead. Where did Canning take Rose?”

  “Through the woods. But he must have had a horse waiting for him, for when I went after her myself, I could find no sign of her.”

  “I think Canning is working with Mirabelle,” said Mortimer. “She’s not who she seems. She’s dangerous….killed before.”

  Nate was out of there as quickly as possible, leaving Mortimer in Mrs. Lyons’s efficient care. He had to find Rose.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  Rose had never been to the area of the estate where she was heading with Canning, yet there was something familiar about it. It was an isolated area, save for a small stone cottage. Rose’s heart was pounding when they came to a halt in front of the cabin and Canning slid off the horse. She tried to prepare herself for what she might see when she entered the cabin. If he had harmed the girls, she would kill him.

  She slid off the horse, then Canning pushed her toward the small hut. He still had his pistol trained on her and Rose was trying to figure out what she could use as a weapon. She would need to hold him off long enough for the girls to get away. But what happened after that would be up to God.

  Rose opened the door, then was pushed inside by the viscount. To her shock, it was the same cottage from her dream where the Mad Duke had slain Charlotte’s lover. “Letty! Anna!” The one-room hut was empty. She turned to Canning. “What did you do with them?”

  Canning laughed. “They were never here! Apparently even Ridgeway is smart enough to keep them from visiting you. For all I know they’re back at home, or maybe on their way to the poor house with your embarrassing brother who couldn’t find a rich bride despite his title. He must have been so relieved when you married Grayson. Little did he know he’d get no money out of it and you’d be killed for your trouble.”

  “Is that why you’re killing me? Bancroft didn’t want to pay my family’s debts? He needn’t have bothered. Colin wouldn’t take his money.”

  “Oh, this isn’t Bancroft’s doing. He has a surprising fondness for you. At least he does for that heir you’re carrying.”

  Rose couldn’t help but put her hand to her stomach at just the thought she might be with child. It was another reason she had to get out of this alive. And now that she knew Letty and Anna were safe, she would fight for herself – and her possible child. “Did Mirabelle put you up to this?”

  “We both devised it. We’re soon to be together, you know.”

  Rose raised her brows, even as she slowly made her way to the fireplace. She had to see if the sword was still there. “I imagine his grace would have something to say about that.”

  Canning snorted, even as he kept the same distance between them. “He’s an old fool. He’ll not be able to resume his business arrangements, now that he’s under suspicion. He’ll need someone new to run them.”

  “And you think you are the one to do so?” asked Rose, as she inched closer to the fireplace.

  “Of course I am. I’ve been doing more and more of the work. I was the one who sent those ruffians after Layton. He only got away because he hid behind his wife’s skirts.”

  “Nick will be very interested to learn that you were the one to place Kate and him in danger. I expect you will soon discover just how formidable of a fighter my brother is.”

  “But he’ll never find out, will he? It’s not like you will be able to tell him.”

  “And you think Nate will let you live once he realizes what you’ve done to me?”

  “There’s not much chance of your beloved husband doing anything, since he’s already dead.”

  Rose felt the blood drain from her face. She almost crumpled from the shock. “What?”

  “Your husband. The whoring wastrel. Mortimer’s been tasked to kill him and Jones went along to make sure it was done. That’s what makes this plan so good. Bancroft does not realize he killed the one man who could
have saved him. Oh, well. That was his last mistake. Now, unless you are going to bargain for your life by offering yourself to me, I believe we have come to the end of the line.”

  Just as he raised his arm to shoot, Rose kicked a nearby bucket toward him. It startled Canning so much that his shot went wild. At the same time, Rose reached above the mantel. Her heart sank as she felt nothing. But after dislodging a layer of grime, she found it. She reached up with both hands to grasp the sword and hold it in front of her.

  Canning’s look of shock was priceless. Until he started laughing again. “You think I’m scared of you? What are you going to do? Run me through?”

  “As a matter of fact, yes.” The old sword was heavy and encrusted in what appeared to be a century’s worth of grime. It didn’t look all that sharp. But she could possibly strike him with it if he didn’t back away.

  He walked toward her. She slashed at him, cutting a gash into his midsection. It had hit mostly cloth, but a ribbon of blood was appearing. “You bitch!” he said, staring at the blood in disbelief. “I’ll make you suffer before I kill you.”

  As Rose held tightly to the sword and prepared to strike out again, the door opened with such force it slammed into the wall. Alex Lewis stood there, his pistol out. Canning grabbed a second pistol from his pocket. But Alex shot before Canning could even aim. Canning fell to the floor, dead.

  Rose ran to Alex. “How did you know to come here?”

  “Mrs. Lyons sent word to bring me to the estate. I just happened to be near when I heard the shot. Are you hurt?” He looked her over.

  “No, but I fear for Nate’s life. Please, we must find him.”

  “Are you bringing that?”

  It was only then that Rose realized she was still holding the sword. “I think I am,” she said, as they ran outside.

  They both mounted their horses, then set out for the castle.

  * * *

  The Duke of Bancroft was on top of the stone parapet of his ancestral home. It was cooler than normal for this time of year, with storm clouds on the horizon. He could tell the ground would be wet in a few hours. He felt the dull ache in his bones that he’d once attributed to changes in the weather, but he now knew was caused by the illness his surgeons could not cure.