She knocked lightly on the door.
“Enter,” she heard a voice gruffly bark out. She walked into the dim room and saw Derek sprawled in a chair on the far side of the bedroom. As she walked closer she saw the remains of a shattered glass littering the fireplace hearth.
“Rough night?”
“I thought you were Watkins. I’m going to the office.”
“We need to talk first,” she pulled the empty chair closer to his and sat down.
“I really don’t want to talk right now.”
“Too bad. Mother isn’t here and someone has to knock some sense into you. First of all, how do you feel?”
“Drained. I stayed up most of the night just thinking about Tessa and what she said. I should have had the decency to tell the woman she is my wife. My God, last night she felt Newgate preferable to living with me.”
“Do not blame yourself. You were doing what you thought best. I am just as upset that she overheard us, but all we can do is go on from here and make things better. I believe the change of scenery you ordered would be a good thing for all of us.” Another knock sounded on the door. “That will be Watkins. Allow him to make you presentable and let Tessa have a day to adjust. Everything will work out.”
“Thank you, Pest.” She smiled impishly as she made her way across the room to let Watkins in.
* * *
Tessa spent the day sitting in her room nursing her headache and mulling over everything that had happened. Overnight she went from being no one to a member of the beau monde. The thought sent a wave of panic through her. What did she know of society, a simple soldier’s daughter? She gasped at the thought and her heart raced. She had finally remembered something significant about her life. Up until now, simple things like her mother singing her softly to sleep at night and playing with children from the village came to her.
She sat in her window seat with her knees tucked up under her chin looking out over the park. A fine drizzle fell today and only servants could be seen dashing to and fro. She stared out vacantly contemplating her thoughts. She really should have figured out on her own this latest development, she chastised herself. She had blindly ignored so many clues, such as the fine room she had been given, the new clothes, Sarah’s verbal slips. Knowing what she knew now, they all made sense.
A figure dashing up to a tree near the edge of the park caught her attention. The person huddled underneath the wide, full branches and gazed at Derek’s, no, their house. He wore a black cape that ended mid-way down his calves and a faded black hat pulled low over his face. Tessa found it difficult to determine the sex of the person, but on first guess, his stance looked like that of the man who had been watching the house the other day. In fact, this would be the third time that Tessa had caught him.
She wanted a closer look, but did she dare risk it? She had to. Perhaps this person searched for her. Maybe he looked for Blackburn. What if this person wanted to do harm to him? She didn’t know why she should care, but for some reason she did. Tessa crossed to the wardrobe and pulled out a hooded cape that had been delivered with the new clothes. She twirled it around and settled it on her shoulders then escaped her faux prison. She fairly flew down the servant’s stairs hoping to avoid anyone.
Once in the herb garden, she took a deep breath of the moist, scented air. The first smell of fresh air in almost a week assaulted her senses and she could not pass up the opportunity to enjoy it for a brief moment. She readjusted the hood and pulled the cape tightly about her. Keeping to the shadows cast by the house and trees, she made her way towards the park area. Tessa concentrated so much she did not realize someone followed her.
Reaching the edge of the house, she saw the man still stood there, and it was definitely a man. He leaned against the tree, watching the house, as if he had not a care in the world. What could he possibly want? Tessa slipped onto the walk and made her way down a few houses before crossing over to the square. She turned back towards Derek’s townhouse searching the trees for the man only to find he had disappeared.
She moved toward the tree where he last stood. Tessa located where his feet had left deep impressions in the soft earth and stood in them. He had a clear view of the front door and where her rooms were located. Bending over, she searched the ground to see if he had dropped anything that would identify him. A sunbeam fought through the clouds and glinted off of something. As she reached for it an arm snaked from behind her and pulled her up. Before she could scream, another hand clamped over her mouth.
“You made this too easy, Contessa,” a voice rasped in her ear. “The Earl must not care too much for what is his.” Tessa began struggling against the man’s hold, but he squeezed tighter cutting off her breath. She stilled when she could not breathe. He must have realized he held her too tightly for he relaxed his hold a bit allowing her to draw a breath. “What have you told him Tessa? Am I going to have to do away with just you or him as well?”
He pulled her farther into trees that were thicker in this area of the small park. Panic set in because nobody knew she had left the house. Think, she commanded herself. If she allowed this man to take her, her life would be forfeit, of that she felt certain. At least Derek provided her a chance to prove her innocence and possibly have a future. Tessa looked at the ground and saw that her heels were leaving a trail in the wet, muddy ground. That would do little good if no one knew to look for her.
The overhead limbs and high bushes were making things darker. The man pulled her to a circle of trees that were covered by thick overgrowth. He let go of her middle and bent down. She heard the sound of a knife leaving its sheath. She had to act now if she were to survive. She lifted her good arm and pulled it back sharply, ramming her elbow into the man’s ribs. She ran, but he caught her arm after a few steps and dragged her back. Tessa swung around and raked her fingernails down his face, drawing blood.
“Bloody hell,” he roared, letting go of her in a reflex action to grab his face. She ran, but tripped and fell over some vines as she neared the edge of the trees. He grabbed her by the feet and pulled her into the thick underbrush. The twigs and dried leaves scraped her legs. She clawed the ground trying to gain purchase against him when she heard the blessed scream of someone calling for help. The man pulled her in a little further before two brawny stable lads came running towards them.
“This is not the end of it,” the man called as he disappeared into the undergrowth. The stable hands and a young boy ran up to her as she began pushing herself up. She shook all over.
“My lady, are you all right?” the blonde man questioned as he and the dark headed one leaned down to assist her up. She nodded her head, her mind still reeling at what had happened. “Where did he go?”
“Over there,” she vaguely waved towards the dense bushes near the other entrance. The blonde took off running trying to find the culprit, while the larger, dark haired one stayed with her. The child squirmed under her arm, to help her stay standing.
“Are you all right, m’lady?”
“Thanks to you. What’s your name?”
“Lucas, ma’am.”
“Well, Lucas, you have my utmost thanks and the best dinner tonight that you could imagine. I will have to send a note round to your employer.”
“Oh, but m’lady, you’re my employer.”
“Oh?” she looked a bit shocked at that news, but quickly recovered. “Well, that will make your reward easier for you to get, won’t it?”
“Yes, m’lady,” he gave her a toothy grin and then helped her to her feet after rising himself. The bush rustled before the blonde reappeared.
“He got away, my lady.”
She nodded her understanding and thanked him for trying to find the man.
“Would you gentlemen escort me back home please?”
“Of course,” they all answered in unison, but Lucas squeezed her waist tightly seeming to sense her nervousness. She squeezed him back gratefully and summoned the courage to not fall apart. Once safely delivered int
o Ramsey’s capable hands, the stable hands went back to work; however, Tessa could not seem to let go of Lucas. The boy looked to Ramsey for guidance, knowing he did not belong in the house. The wise butler just nodded his head and herded the two into the sitting room. They sat on the settee, and he kept up a one-sided conversation attempting to distract her.
“Tessa, what’s wrong.” Kala noticed Lucas and the death grip Tessa had on him. “Well, hello Lucas, how are you?” she asked pleasantly.
“Miss, I think we should send for the master. Someone attacked the lady.” At this, a lone tear trickled from the corner of Tessa’s eye, but she said not a word.
Kala nodded and gave Ramsey the order.
“It has already been taken care of Miss Kala.”
“Thank you Ramsey.”
Kala sat on the other side of Tessa. If anybody wanted her brother’s wife, they would have to come through Lucas and her.
It seemed like hours later when they heard thundering hoof beats outside and someone rattle the doorknob. When it would not open, they started pounding on the door. Kala felt Tessa stiffen, her eyes widening in fright. They all breathed easier when they saw Derek come through the library door. He hobbled quickly across the room and knelt down in front of Tessa and looked suspiciously at her clothes and then at Lucas.
“What happened?”
“She has not said a word,” Kala informed him.
Derek took her other hand between his and chaffed it. It felt cold, stiff and caked in mud. Bits of grass and other debris were wedged under her fingernails. He studied the rest of her carefully. Her hair looked tangled and had twigs and leaves caught in it. The front of her gown and cloak were wet and soiled. “Tessa, what happened?” Silence.
“I think Lucas may know something, Derek,” Kala spoke softly.
“Lucas?”
“A gent attacked the lady.”
“Attacked?”
“Aye.”
“Where?”
“Across the street in the park.”
“Doing what?”
“I don’t know, m’lord. I saw ‘er sneak out of the house and followed ‘er. A man hid in the trees cross the street. By the time she got there he disappeared, but then he doubled back and sneaked up on her. He ‘ad her, but she clawed ‘im real good in the face. She ran and tripped, and he started pulling her into the trees. That’s when I yelled for ‘elp. Thought she might get away on her own before that. Jeremiah and Jason came and chased the man off. Jeremiah tried to give chase, but he had already disappeared. She talked a little bit right afterwards, but she’s been like this most the time.”
“Thank you Lucas, I owe you a great debt.”
The boy simply nodded his head.
“M’lord?”
“Yes, son?”
“I can’t feel me hand.” Derek heard Kala chuckle and spared Lucas a smile.
“Let us see if we cannot fix that,” Derek said prizing Tessa’s fingers from the boy’s hand. Tessa clamped onto Derek’s hand once he had freed Lucas.
“She ‘as a good grip for a girl,” Lucas warned Derek.
“That she does. Kala take young Lucas and see if cook can’t whip up a treat for our hero. I will talk to Jeremiah and Jason later.”
“Of course. Come with me Lucas.” Lucas left with Kala, wiggling his fingers and massaging his hand. Derek took Lucas’s seat and he and Tessa sat in silence while he let everything that happened soak in. He had very nearly lost her again. He felt Tessa squeeze his hand and then hers slipped from his grip. He rested his forearms on his knees and stared unseeingly at the patterned rug.
“I shouldn’t have gone out.”
“Yes, you made a foolish decision.”
“I put not only myself, but others in danger.”
“Yes, you did.”
“I went out there to confront him because he’d been watching the house on several occasions. I thought maybe he would tell me why. I worried perhaps that he lay in wait for you. I never thought anyone would be after me. No one even knows that I am here or exist. All my family is dead. Why would anyone be after me?”
“You went to confront a man you thought might want to cause me harm? And you thought he would merely tell you?”
“Yes.”
“And then what did you expect him to do? Just turn and walk away?” She remained silent. “You do not realize the danger you are truly in, do you?”
“I know nothing, remember?” she retorted. “Besides, I think I am beginning to have some idea.” Finally the shock of all that had happened sunk in. She shook violently and blinked quickly to dissipate the tears that tried to form. Derek pulled her into his arms and held her instructing her to cry all she wanted to. “I just want to be normal again. Is that too much to ask?”
“No,” he whispered soothingly, rubbing her back. The pressure of her body pressed against his became difficult to ignore. Her breasts pressed enticingly against his chest. He kept a firm hold on his physical desires while he held her. Slowly the tears and the snuffling noises subsided. He moved her away from him and against the back of the settee then stood pacing back and forth. He took a deep breath before beginning his tirade created of anger and frustration.
“Do not dare leave this house unescorted ever again,” she looked at him with wide eyes as his voice rose in decibels. “Do you understand me?” She nodded, a little dumbstruck. “Do you realize you could have been killed, and no one would ever have known if it hadn’t been for Lucas? And do not ever confront someone because you think they are after me. I may be a cripple, but I can damn well take care of myself, you, and the rest of my family.” He paused in the middle of his tirade waiting for her agreement. “Do you understand?” She nodded mutely.
He stormed out of the room and then from the house. Gooseflesh rose on her arms with the slamming of the front door. The air felt electrified. She heard his horse gallop down the street. Tessa found herself shocked at the vulnerability he showed about his disability and wondered why that beast had reared its ugly head. She could have cared less about his limp.
“Stupid man,” she muttered to the empty room.
Chapter 12
The ever present Ramsey met Derek at the door late that night.
“Do you ever sleep?” Derek demanded, agitated.
“Occasionally, my lord, but not as much as when Lord Percival lived.”
“Why, Ramsey, is that sarcasm I hear?”
“Perhaps, my lord. Will you need anything else this evening?”
“No, thank you.” He trudged upstairs, too tired to seek out the meal that he had missed earlier. He let himself into his room and found a dressing robe and loose trousers laid out for him, along with a snifter of brandy with the amber liquid warmed and ready.
“Good man, Watkins” he commented under his breath. He took a sip of the brandy before sitting down the snifter and proceeded to change out of his rumpled clothes into the ones laid out for him. He pulled on the trousers and robe and began soaking his swollen knuckles when he heard a thump from the countess’ bedchamber. Fearing that someone had broken in, he took a pistol from the nightstand and sprinted to the connecting door, tearing it open. He looked around the room, but saw no one, not even Tessa.
He crept further into the room looking in several places that would be deemed excellent for hiding. Nothing. He heard a soft snuffling sound coming from one of the large chairs in front of the fireplace. Then he noticed a feminine hand hanging down the side and a book lying on the floor.
Confident they were not in danger, he went back to his room and put the pistol away. He returned to Tessa’s room and pulled up the other chair so that he could observe her better. He reclined in the chair and looked his fill. She had an understated beauty about her. Her riotous auburn curls floated about her head. The spattering of freckles glittered like gold across the bridge of her nose in the firelight. Her hands were work-worn where before they appeared almost delicate. What had she done these past months away from him to earn more c
alluses than most men?
Unable to keep from touching her a moment longer, he reached over and tucked a wild lock of hair behind her ear. He caressed her cheek. No, he could not reconcile her to the woman he married. This woman was stronger, more mature, braver. Tessa blinked several times at his light touch trying to clear her vision.
“Hello,” she said softly.
“Hello, yourself. Have you read anything good lately?” he teased.
“I must have fallen asleep,” she flushed slightly. “I tried to wait up for you.”
“Oh?”
“I worried about you,” she declared while looking him in the eyes. His caramel colored eyes sparkled in the fire’s light.
“Oh?”
“Yes. After you stormed out I didn’t know what you might do.” He leaned back and crossed his legs. She could not help notice how masculine his bare feet were compared to hers. He linked his fingers over his flat belly. She followed all of his movements avidly and noticed the swollen, bruising knuckles. “Where did you go?”
“For a ride,” he answered evasively.
“Oh really? And how often do your knuckles swell and bruise while riding?” She noticed he showed no marks on his face. He just shrugged instead of answering. “Oh, you stubborn man.” She pushed herself off the chair and paced in front of the fire.
Derek enjoyed the outline of her voluptuous body this view afforded him. It teased his imagination and he shifted in the chair to hide his physical response.
She stopped pacing and turned the full force of her energy on him. “I swear to you, if you ever say something as asinine as you did this afternoon, I will beat you.”
“Truly?” he asked, his lips quirked in a half smile.
A Traitorous Heart Page 9
