His Impetuous Deputante (A Gentleman's Guide to Once Upon a Time - Book 1)

by Charles, Jane

  “Taylor, I have something I think I should tell you,” Phoebe began, looking at her hands. She was thrilled with the news, but would it bring up sad memories for him? He wanted a child. No, needed an heir. But would he be happy?

  “Yes?”

  “I believe I am carrying your child.” She quickly looked at him before going back to studying her hands.

  “Why do you believe that?”

  Phoebe’s face heated all the way to the roots of her hair. “I have my reasons which are much too personal to discuss.”

  “Too personal to discuss with your husband?”

  “Taylor, please,” she pleaded with him.

  He chuckled and pulled her into his arms. “I suspected myself.”

  “Are you happy?” she asked hesitantly.

  “Right now, I am more concerned with how you feel about the matter. You don’t seem happy.”

  “But I am. Very much. But, two wives have told you the same thing, and I was afraid of bringing up unpleasant memories.”

  “Phoebe, don’t protect me that way. You have done it before by not reading Bluebeard.”

  “You know about that?” She pulled back and looked up at him. How could he have learned? It was a ghastly tale that she never wanted to share.

  “Yes.”

  “I didn’t think you would have enjoyed the tale.”

  “I doubt that I would have.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I am very happy that you are carrying my child.”

  “We will be fine, Taylor,” she assured him.

  “Of that you can be certain because I am not going to allow anything to happen to you.”

  * * *

  Before she drifted off to sleep that night, Taylor broached the subject. “Have you told anyone of the child?”

  “No. I wanted to tell you first.”

  “Thank you.” He kissed the top of her head. “I have a request.”

  “Yes?” She leaned back to look up at him.

  “I don’t want you to tell anyone.”

  “Why? Are you afraid something will happen?”

  “Let’s just say I don’t want to tempt fate at the moment.”

  “Taylor, that is ridiculous.”

  “No, it is not.” He sat up and turned her to face him. “I am not sure the fire was an accident, nor does your brother. For the time being, please keep this our secret. Until I know for sure.”

  “Who would want to kill me?”

  “Any one of my cousins who could inherit.”

  “Nobody knows who that is.”

  “Maybe they are taking a chance.”

  “Then wouldn’t it make more sense to try and get rid of you?”

  “That is the one thing I have not been able to figure out.” It would all be so much simpler to just get rid of him. Had he been killed, two women would still be alive and probably married to someone else. “Just keep this between you and me at the moment. I have further plans. As long as your condition is a secret, I feel you would be safer. The others were until they conceived.”

  “If that is your wish.”

  * * *

  “I am returning to London for a few days,” Taylor announced after breakfast.

  “Without me?” Phoebe was slightly hurt.

  “It is part of my plan. I want others to believe you stayed here. Indisposed.”

  Phoebe blushed at what he inferred.

  “I’ll continue to return to London on a regular schedule for the same reason, until our child is born.”

  “And keep me hidden in the country?” She demanded, hands on her hips, facing him.

  “Of course, just where a good wife should be.” He pulled her into his arms.

  “And what will you be doing in London while I am indisposed?” Phoebe folded her arms across her chest indignantly.

  “A little Faro at Whites. Possibly place a few bets in the book. Perhaps the opera.”

  “Then I am glad I am staying here. Sounds like a horrible time.”

  “If I get lonely, I am sure I can find company.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “You had better be referring to my brother and your friends.”

  He thought about teasing her a bit more, but was afraid she would begin to think he was serious. “Of course, love.”

  “Then have fun and I will anxiously await your return.”

  * * *

  “Phoebe didn’t join you?” Parker asked when Taylor sat down next to him at White’s.

  Now was the time to begin the charade. Not even his friends would know the truth. At least not yet. “My dear wife is indisposed,” he ground out a bit angrily.

  “Surely you realize these things happen to women.”

  “That is not the point. We have been married over three months and it is still happening to my wife.” He put his glass on the table none too gently.

  “Two months isn’t that long,” Lavins offered.

  “Not when your life doesn’t hang in the balance on whether you can produce an heir.” Taylor sat back and took in his surroundings. A number of men had picked up on the conversation, just as he hoped they would. All of London knew the stipulations of his grandfather’s will. This would hopefully leave Phoebe safe for a short time, if someone was trying to kill her. But, if someone was, they hadn’t waited until she conceived. Perhaps they determined it wasn’t necessary to wait. After a year of mourning, he would be past his twenty-ninth birthday, too late to meet the deadline.

  Two hours after the men separated, Noah appeared in Taylor’s library. “What was all that about this evening?”

  “I wanted the world to know that my wife was not expecting my child,” he bit back coolly. He knew he was being irrational. If he could trust anyone, it was Noah. After all, Phoebe was his sister.

  “You think someone did try to kill her?”

  “Yes. The more I think about it, the more convinced I am. Both Nora and Heather were quite healthy. I want the world to think Phoebe cannot conceive, giving me time to determine what my cousins have been up to.”

  “Do you have anything else to go on?”

  Taylor raked his hands through is hair and paced the library. Noah had to be told. He would never forgive him if he withheld the truth and something horrible happened to Phoebe. “Hell, maybe I am just overly cautious. I don’t know. Maybe it is paranoia. But I need to know for sure. I have the same gut feeling I had with Heather and Nora. Now there is much more at stake.” Turning, he faced Noah. “I think you know what your sister means to me. More than any estate or title. She is expecting, making me want to take every precaution possible for her safety.”

  A slow smile came to Noah’s face. “I should have guessed. What can I do?”

  Taylor laid out his plan to Noah, who made only a few suggestions on how they would proceed for the next months.

  * * *

  Taylor had been gone one day when Holly approached her mistress. “Lady Phoebe,” she interrupted while she was playing.

  “Yes, Holly?”

  “I have known you since you were a babe and something has been weighing on my mind, but I wanted to wait until Lord Sandlin was gone.”

  “What is it?” Phoebe rested her hands on her lap.

  Holly closed the door behind her. “As your maid I notice things about you.”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, it has occurred to me that, ...well...”

  “That I could be with child?”

  “Yes.” Holly’s eyes shot up. “Then you are?” She beamed.

  Phoebe’s smile matched her maid’s. “Yes, but we are to keep it a secret.”

  “Why?”

  “Because of past history. Lord Sandlin doesn’t want to take any chances.”

  “Doesn’t that man know by now that while you suffer more accidents than the average person, nothing really bad will happen?

  “Not totally. That is why I promised not to say a word. You will keep my secret will you not?”

  “Of course.”

  * * *

&nbs
p; The third evening Taylor was gone on his second trip to London, Phoebe began to feel incredibly lonely and decided to take a book to bed, where she had a tray delivered. After Holly placed the dinner in her room, Phoebe began to pick at it while she read, not feeling very hungry. She had not even eaten half of her meal when the first pains hit, tearing at her abdomen. It was the worst cramping she had ever suffered. Breaking out in a sweat and feeling nauseous, she rang for her maid. Seeing her distress, Holly had a message sent to Taylor in London and another for the doctor.

  Before the doctor could arrive, Phoebe was in a near panic. There were spots of blood and she was close to hysteria at the thought of losing the child. She lay completely still in bed and waited for the doctor to arrive. Holly had returned to her side and placed the dinner tray out of the way. She held her mistress’ hand, much like she did when Phoebe was ill as a child.

  Tears coursed down her cheeks, anguished over the loss of the child and what the loss would mean to Taylor’s future. What if she lost his child? Would she have time to conceive and bare him another before it was too late? Did it really matter? This child was more important than estate and funds. She was just getting used to the idea of having a baby. She couldn’t be losing her son. It had to be a son.

  * * *

  Taylor sat brooding in White’s with his friends. He hated being away from Phoebe, even if it was for a good reason. Why hadn’t he learned anything yet? He should know what his cousins had been up to by now. At least one or two of them, anyway. But he hadn’t learned what any of the three had been doing. Only two more days and he could return home. Only to repeat this again and again.

  Taylor was just about to order another drink when he saw Charles, his valet, hovered at the door. He stood quickly and approached the door.

  “You need to return home immediately, Lord Sandlin.”

  “Why?” He was afraid to ask.

  “It is your wife.”

  Taylor returned to the table. “Something has happened to Phoebe.” He then bolted for the door.

  As he closed the carriage door, a hand reached out to grab it. Each of his friends climbed in.

  It took six hours to reach the estate and upon their arrival he was greeted by the doctor coming down the stairs. His face was worried, and Taylor’s stomach contracted. He followed the doctor into his library.

  “How is my wife?” Taylor finally asked.

  “She will recover.”

  “And the child?”

  “The child is fine for now.”

  The friends who had been kept in the dark about Phoebe’s condition exchanged surprised looks.

  “What happened?”

  “Lady Sandlin developed some significant pain. I believe the danger has passed and the child is well.”

  Taylor fell into a chair. “What would cause this?”

  “A number of things. Though it had all the signs as if she had taken something to rid herself of the child.”

  Taylor shot to his feet. “You are not suggesting...”

  The doctor interrupted him immediately. “No. I am not suggesting she would do any such thing on purpose. I am saying perhaps she accidently ate something. ”

  Taylor absorbed what he was saying. How could she accidently eat something? Anything she ever ate was prepared in his kitchens. He knew better than to think she would do anything to harm the child. The doctor watched Taylor. “Lord Sandlin, if I could speak with you in private.”

  “Why?”

  “There are things I would like to discuss that you may not want everyone privy to.” He gestured to the others in the room.

  Taylor looked around as if noticing his friends for the first time. “Anything you say to me can be said before them.”

  “If you are sure, Lord Sandlin.”

  “I am sure.”

  “I am reluctant, given the implication of what I am about to say.”

  “Go on.”

  The doctor stood straight and faced Taylor, hands behind his back. “Do you recall when your first wife lost her child?”

  Taylor had blocked the memory of Nora, in those early months, bent over in pain, the blood and the miscarriage. It was not unusual for a woman to lose a child and Taylor gave it no further thought. Nora conceived again three months later.

  “I don’t believe that miscarriage was anymore an accident than the near one Lady Sandlin almost suffered.”

  “What do you mean?” Taylor shot to his feet again.

  The doctor took a step back. “Your first wife showed all the signs as Lady Sandlin upstairs. I never had proof so I said nothing. This is not something you accuse a lady of without proof. And, a miscarriage is not an unusual occurrence.”

  Six shocked faces stared at the doctor. Instinctively Taylor knew Nora would never have tried what was being suggested. She knew the importance of an heir for their station. Selfish as she may have been, she knew the rules of society and inheritance and would never intentionally shirk that duty.

  “Then, after this evening and Lady Sandlin’s apparent distress, I thought over your losses.” He paused, looked at the group of men. “Is it possible, Lord Sandlin, that somebody doesn’t want your wives to live?”

  “I am afraid you are right,” If the doctor, a learned man of medicine, was beginning to believe they may not have been all accidents, perhaps he wasn’t far off. This meant he had to form a new plan. He paced the room thinking of different scenarios to keep Phoebe safe as well as reveal the culprit desperate enough to kill twice already and willing to kill a third. An idea finally came to him. The key was to keep the attention away from Phoebe, in seclusion and safe. “Doctor, could you do me a favor?”

  “Of course, Lord Sandlin.”

  “Could you let the word slip out that my wife has lost the child.”

  “I am not supposed to discuss my patients.” The doctor became indignant.

  Taylor gave him a half smile. “I know you are not, but in this case it is important that you do. If someone is trying to kill my wife or child, I would like to make them believe they have at least succeeded in part. It will give me more time to investigate.”

  The light dawned in the doctor’s eyes. “Of course, Lord Sandlin. I will selectively repeat the sorrow.”

  A few minutes later a soft knock came at the door and Holly entered. “Here is the food you requested, doctor.” She handed a cloth to the man.

  Taylor watched suspiciously.

  “This is what is left of your wife’s dinner. The meal she was eating before the pains began. I had requested her maid wrap it up for me so I might examine the contents.”

  “Do you think someone deliberately put something in her dinner?” Martin asked.

  “It is the only possible answer. It was all she had eaten since earlier in the morning.”

  “Let me know what you learn.” Taylor escorted the doctor out of the house.

  Chapter 21

  Phoebe slowly opened her eyes to Taylor standing by her bed and looking down at her. She tried to give him a reassuring smile but failed miserably as tears began to form. Taylor sat immediately, pulled her into his arms and rocked her as she sobbed. “Hush, Phoebe. All is well. You are fine, as is the babe.”

  “I was so scared.”

  “I know.”

  “Why would anyone do such a thing?” Phoebe cried, tears coming again, truly afraid for the first time in her life.

  “That is what I am trying to determine.” He laid her back against her pillows, then crawled onto the bed and pulled her into his arms to offer protective comfort.

  Eventually she fell asleep in that haven.

  It wasn’t until she was in deep slumber that he remembered his friends waited downstairs. He would need their help in finding the man, or men, who was behind all of the accidents.

  Without proof he knew one of his three cousins was behind the deaths and attempts on Phoebe. They are the ones who would gain the estate and wealth and as long as there was no heir, Boris would inherit the title. But, n
obody knew who would get the rest if he continued to live without wife and heir.

  Though he tried to think of any other enemies he may have made over the years, none came to mind. Besides, his gut told him it was a relative and he assumed it was Boris, but the other two could not be dismissed either.

  Further evidence was a missing maid and stable hand, husband and wife, who had joined the household shortly after he inherited the title and married Nora. Unfortunately, the two had disappeared without a trace and Taylor wondered if the needles had been intentionally left in the saddle and the horse given poison as well. It also brought into question Nora’s fall.

  With no clear answers, Taylor believed his worst nightmare was coming to life.

  * * *

  Phoebe was recovering and her body exhibited no signs of danger to the child. It was time to leave again and put his plan into motion, but he hated leaving her.

  “I don’t want to leave you,” Taylor insisted once again. “How can I protect you while in London and you remain here.”

  “I could join you?” Phoebe offered for the tenth time.

  “You know as well as I do that the doctor doesn’t think it wise for you to travel so soon.” He lifted his hand brushed the hair away and cradled her cheek. “I don’t want to risk harm coming to you or our child.”

  Tears pooled in her eyes, but Phoebe nodded her acquiesce. “I will be careful if you promise to do the same.”

  Holding her close, they fell asleep the night before he was to leave. Once again he found himself in Heather’s garden. Waves of relief flowed through him. She would have the answers.

  “Heather. Thank you for coming.”

  “I wanted to assure you that Phoebe and your son are healthy.”

  “Thank you.” A feeling of great dread lifted from him.