Season felt a sob rise from deep inside her. Edmund couldn't be The Raven! He just couldn't be! She could never have felt love for Edmund Kens worthy. Yet he must be. There was no other explanation for how he • had gotten her necklace.
She arose on shaky legs. "I. . . feel ill. I cannot talk to you now. We can meet as planned, and I'll talk to you then, Edmund."
"Where and when will you meet me, Season?" he asked looking at her strangely.
"I told you I will meet you as we planned," she said, knowing she would never allow Edmund to harm her husband. Not even if he were The Raven.
"Tell me where we meet, so I may know that you remember," he said, watching her closely.
"At the stream, at eight o'clock Friday night—just as you said the other night. Why do you come to me and tell me that you are going to harm Lucas? I didn't take you seriously the other night down by the river, Edmund."
"Let us just say I have been brooding on what my cousin robbed me of. Lucas hasn't long to live, Season. I always knew I would have to kill him one day."
Season saw Edmund's eyes glaze over, and she shivered. "Surely you must be mad. How can you think I would stand by while you harmed Lucas?"
"I don't see you as much of a threat, Season. Just do as you are told, and you won't get hurt. Tell no one you have seen me," Edmund warned.
"Just leave now," Season said, feeling sick inside. How could Edmund be The Raven? And yet it all fit together. He was in a position to know every move the British made.
She moved to the door, thinking that if she didn't get away she was going to really be sick. She raced up the stairs, and when she reached her bedroom, she picked up a cloth and wet it in the pitcher on her washstand. Then she placed the cloth on her face. She was trembling so badly she thought she would never make it to the bed.
Please, no! The Raven cannot be Edmund, she prayed silently. She had loved The Raven, and she was going to have his child. She could never love Edmund! Nonetheless, Edmund and The Raven were one and the same. How else could he have the necklace? Had he not as much as admitted to her that he was The Raven?
Season turned her head into the pillow and cried out in anguish. "I love him! But how could I love a man like Edmund, a man who would betray his country?"
Season felt so ill for the next four days that she could hardly get out of bed. Molly wanted to send for the doctor, but Season stubbornly refused. She knew what was wrong with her, and no medicine a doctor could prescribe would heal a broken heart. Each day she had hoped and prayed that Lucas would come home so she could confide in him. If Edmund was The Raven, she would have no qualms about telling Lucas of his treachery ... yet could she? He was the father of her baby.
As Season watched the sun go down, she paced the floor, waiting for the time to pass. She knew what she had to do now. She couldn't allow The Raven to kill Lucas. She must deal with him in her own way. Several times she checked the pistol to make sure it was loaded. She knew very little about shooting a gun, but tonight she would have to learn.
Would she be able to kill a man? She had to. Edmund had not only betrayed his country, he had also threatened to kill Lucas. There was little doubt in her mind that if she didn't stop him he would do just that.
As Season rode away from the stables, the night sky was alive with thunder and lightning, but so far the threatened rain had not fallen. She was overcome with a feeling of dread because of what she had to do. She had forced herself to think of The Raven not as a man she had loved, but as the enemy. How could she have been so wrong about a man? How had he been able to fool her so completely? It was still hard for her to realize that Edmund was the man who had stolen her heart.
The gun she carried in the lining of her cape felt like a heavy weight. Tonight she would take a man's life, even though tomorrow she would live to regret it!
As a streak of lightning flashed across the eastern sky, Season saw the river in the distance. Her hands tightened on the reins, and she slowed her horse to a walk. She was in no hurry to keep her meeting with Edmund, The Raven, or whatever he called himself. Tonight she would commit murder to save her husband!
25
When Season neared the stream beside which The Raven would be awaiting her, she slowed her horse to a walk.
When she reached the water's edge, she dismounted and allowed her eyes to scan the darkness. Lightning streaked across the sky and thunder rumbled in the distance. Wildfire was acting fidgety, so Season ran a soothing hand over his silky coat, trying to ease his fright.
Season didn't bother to look about for The Raven because she knew that when he was ready he would show himself to her and not before. She was in no hurry to encounter him, knowing what she had to do.
Why had she come? Surely this was madness. Just when she had almost decided to return to the house, a dark form detached itself from the shadows and appeared at her side.
"I wonder how you have the nerve to face me after the other day," she said, feeling inside her cape to make sure the gun was still there.
"Was there ever any doubt in your mind that I would be here?" The Raven asked in his raspy voice.
"You don't have to disguise your voice since I know who you are. I have to admit that you had me thoroughly fooled. I was taken completely by surprise when I found out your true identify, Raven."
"What is this, my lady? Who do you think I am, and how did you discover my identity?" She could hear the amusement in his voice. She searched the darkness, feeling confused. The Raven didn't sound anything like Edmund, but then he was disguising his voice.
"What game do you play, Edmund? I told you when you came to see me the other day to return my necklace that I knew who you were. I am just sick to find out that you are The Raven. I will admit I had actually begun to admire some of the things you stood for, but that was before I learned you had sold out your own country. When you told me you would kill Lucas I knew I had to stop you some way."
The Raven grabbed Season by the arm and held her firmly. "What are you talking about? I didn't give you a necklace, my lady."
"I don't want to play your little game anymore. I detest you. I suppose you are going to tell me you didn't threaten to harm my husband either. You really must be out of your mind, Edmund."
Suddenly The Raven became tense. "Did you tell Edmund you were coming here to meet me tonight?"
"I said I wouldn't play your—"
"Answer me, dammit! Did you tell Edmund you were coming here to meet me tonight?"
"I….yes, but—"
"At last, we meet, Raven," Edmund's voice penetrated the darkness.
The Raven pushed Season behind him. "I must admit you were very clever, Edmund. It seems you found my one weak spot and used her against me."
"Yes. It was a mistake to get so involved with a woman. I doubt that you would ever have been found out if you hadn't lost your heart to my cousin, Season. How very foolish of you, Raven."
Edmund stepped out of the darkness, and when a flash of lightning flickered across the sky, Season could see that he was pointing a gun at The Raven. What had she done! Edmund had tricked her; he wasn't The Raven! He had used her to get to The Raven.
"I am wondering how to handle this, Raven. I could force you to unmask now, or I could shoot you first and then remove your mask. The unmasking isn't necessary for me, you understand, since I already know who you are. It will be strictly for Season's benefit. How do you think she will react when she finds out who you really are?"
"You found the necklace, but that alone couldn't have led you to me," The Raven said.
"No, you are right. Actually, I didn't realize you were The Raven until Season told me only The Raven could have that necklace. I came here as a jealous suitor seeking revenge. How could I have imagined that my jealousy would lead me straight to you?"
"Let me guess," The Raven said. "You found the necklace among my possessions and knew it belonged to Season."
"That's very clever. I wondered how you happened to have it."
"Neither of you are making sense to me," Season said. "What has my necklace got to do with anything?"
The Raven laughed. "Edmund was nosing around in my belongings. I'm sure it was the day I allowed you to bring your . . . lady friend to my home. You saw the necklace and recognized it as Lady Season's. You knew she had worn it the night of the ball, and you wondered how it happened to be in my house. In a jealous rage, you decided to find out why I had the necklace. I think we can assume you found the necklace before you heard about Lady Season's marriage."
"That's right. Pity you don't have long to live, Raven. Can you imagine how I felt when I started putting the pieces together and realized who you were. I am now considered a deserter, because I went a little crazy when I learned that Season was married. Now I will probably get a medal for exposing you. I know I'll get a sizable reward."
The Raven reached back and thrust Season away from him. "The reward will be paid whether I am dead or alive. Which is it to be, Edmund? Do you want me dead or alive?"
"Dead I think."
"Can I have a moment to explain some things to the lady before you fire that gun?"
"No, I don't think so. I believe I will explain everything to her when you are dead."
Season saw Edmund moving closer, and she knew within moments he would fire at The Raven. She felt for the gun beneath her cape, realizing she could never stand by and watch him kill The Raven. Everything was all mixed up. She had come here tonight for the express purpose of killing The Raven, and now she would be the one to save him.
"You have only seconds to live, Raven. Do you have any last request?"
"Just one, Edmund," The Raven said in his deep voice.
"Let me guess, you want to know what the fate of the lady will be?"
"My lady," The Raven said in a deep raspy voice, "I just want you to know that I never really lied to you. When I said I cared about you, it was the truth."
Season felt tears in her eyes. The Raven knew he was going to die, and he was telling her he loved her.
Edmund cocked the gun. "How very touching. Never fear, I will see that the lady is well cared for. I may not be as considerate of her as you have been, but I have plans for her. I think perhaps I'll spirit her away as you once did. Don't you think that would be justice?"
Neither man was watching Season, so she raised the gun and pointed it at Edmund, hoping she would hit the target. She realized she dared not hesitate or Edmund would shoot The Raven. The hand that held the pistol trembled so badly she had to steady it with the other one. Just as she squeezed the trigger, a jagged streak of lightning flashed across the sky, and she saw Edmund crumple to the ground, an amazed look on his face. She stood transfixed, pondering the horrible deed she had done.
When The Raven ran toward Edmund and bent down to examine him, Season felt sick. She couldn't believe she had just taken a man's life. "He's dead, isn't he? I killed him!" she cried, throwing the gun down and burying her face in her hands.
The Raven stood up and in two strides he pulled her into his arms. "Yes, he's dead."
Season raised her head to the sky, and a strangled cry escaped her throat. "I didn't want to shoot him, but he was going to kill you!"
The Raven engulfed her in the folds of his cape. "Hush, sweet lady. You must not blame yourself."
"I have committed murder! How will I ever be able to live with myself?" she cried. "I had to do it, I just had to. It was because of me that he found you!"
"You saved my life, my lady. 1 will be eternally in your debt." His strong arms tightened about her, and Season wanted to lean on him, wanted him to help her forget the awful deed she had just done."
"What is the penalty for murder?" she asked in a small voice.
"There is no penalty for killing a British spy, Season. Edmund was an English soldier, out of uniform. The penalty for that is death."
"That is so easy for you to say. I am torn between two loyalties. I am English by birth and American by marriage. I just killed Edmund, and he was doing no more than trying to catch a spy working against the Crown. He was never a traitor, as I suspected. He was only doing his duty!"
"Sweet lady, do not suffer so. Had the English got their hands on Edmund, he would have suffered the same fate. He deserted the army."
Another bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating Edmund's body which lay on the ground, and Season shivered. Even if Edmund deserved to die, she was grieved that she had been the one to end his life.
"What will we do with ... his body?"
"Because of his family, no one but you and I will ever know about the deed tonight. I will attend to everything. Do not reproach yourself."
"I must tell Lucas what I did. Edmund is—was—his cousin. He will never forgive me for what I did."
"Why must you tell your husband, my lady?"
"Because ... he is my husband. I will not lie to him. I will also have the burden of telling him that you were here and that I killed his cousin to save you. I fear I will earn his contempt."
"Does it matter so much, my lady?"
"Yes, oh, yes. It matters a great deal. I have wronged Lucas in many ways. I should never have gotten involved with you again. Why did you have to come back?" she cried, moving out of the comfort of his arms.
"I had to see you, my lady."
"Why can you not leave me in peace? I never want to see you again."
The Raven reached out and drew her into his arms. "I wanted to tell you the other day how happy I was that you are carrying my child, but you gave me little chance." His voice was soft and caressing, and his hand moved around from her back to her stomach where his child lay.
Season was overcome with self-contempt. All The Raven had to do was touch her and she betrayed her vows to Lucas. A jagged streak lit up the sky, and she glanced up at the dark, hooded man. She was so relieved that Edmund had not been The Raven. "I am so mixed up. When Edmund came to the house the other day, he led me to believe he was you. He threatened to kill Lucas if I didn't come here tonight. I brought the gun so I could keep him from harming Lucas. I ended up killing him because he was going to shoot you." Season was trying not to cry, but tears of grief spilled down her face.
"My lady, I wish there was something I could say that would make you feel better. Edmund Kensworthy isn't worthy of one of your tears. There were many things about him that you don't know. Your General Clinton has placed a price on his head. Edmund not only deserted the army, but he killed one of his fellow officers in the process."
Season listened to The Raven's words but nothing he said could erase her feeling of guilt. "Why did you ask me to come here tonight?" she wanted to know.
"Perhaps I cannot stay away from you," he suggested. "Perhaps I had to know how you felt about me.
"I think you came here, in the hope that Lucas had told me something about the British movements. You thought I might betray his confidence. If that is your reason, let me tell you I know nothing, and if I did, I would never betray Lucas."
"Would you betray me to him?"
"No, but I will tell him all about tonight, however hard that might be."
"It is my belief you will tell him nothing. I will tend to Edmund's body, and no one need ever know what happened here tonight."
"You are wrong. I will tell Lucas everything. It is my belief that a husband and wife should not keep secrets from one another."
The Raven was quiet for a moment. "Did you tell him that you carry my child?"
"Yes, he knows."
"Did you tell him I raped you, or that you submitted to me willingly?"
"I told him the truth. Now if you have nothing further to discuss with me, I shall leave."
Season started for her horse, but The Raven caught her and spun her around. "I love you, my lady. If only I had known about the child, I would have given you my name."
"What name would that be? As far as I have been able to determine, you have no name. If you think you can come back into my life and I will
willingly fall into your arms, you are mistaken."
"I love you most when your eyes flash, my lady. Did you know that when you are angry your green eyes seem to spit fire?" He removed his glove, and gently stroked her cheek. Season wanted to run, and she wanted to stay. She was mesmerized by the tone of his soft voice.
"I have thought of little else but you since the last time I saw you, my lady. Admit that you have also thought of me sometimes."
Suddenly Season realized The Raven had removed his hood! His lips burned a trail across her face. "I have thought of you,'" she admitted. Before she could move, his mouth settled on hers, and she moaned at the wild feeling that moved through her body.
The Raven raised his head. "Lucas Carrington can never have you," he said in a hoarse voice. "You will always belong to me."
When she heard her husband's name on The Raven's lips, Season realized that, without intending to, she had betrayed Lucas! Backing up, she covered her face with trembling hands. "Leave me alone and never come near me again, Raven! If you care for me as you say, you will never bother me again."
Quickly turning away, Season ran toward her horse, fearing The Raven would try to stop her. She could hear him pursuing her, and she turned just as he drew near. She raised her riding crop and struck out at him; then she grabbed the reins and pulled herself into the saddle. Spinning her mount around, she urged it forward at a run. She had to get away!
"Season, come back!" The Raven called as he ran to the top of the rise, attempting to catch her. Suddenly a jagged streak of lightning pierced the sky, striking a nearby tree. Wildfire reared on his hind legs and sent Season flying through the air. She landed heavily on the hard ground and an agonizing pain ripped through her body.
The Raven ran to Season and knelt down beside her. Finding that she was unconscious, he quickly examined her to see if she had broken any bones. He was not even aware that the first drops of rain had begun to fall. His eyes laced with grief, he carefully wrapped his cape about Season and lifted her into his arms. She was still breathing, but he couldn't tell the extent of her injuries. Looking down at her gown, he saw that it was covered with blood. He was grief-stricken, knowing it was his fault that Season had been injured; he didn't dare allow himself to think about the child. His tears mingled with the rain as he hurriedly carried her toward his horse.
Velvet Chains (Historical Romance) Page 32
