by Hatch, Donna
“I couldn’t have born it if you’d died, too.” Hannah sniffled. “Some days I feel God is taking every member of our family until we are all gone.”
“There, there. Don’t fret.”
But Alicia knew that if she had died, Hannah would be left to either marry quickly, or go with Willard and Robert to debtor’s prison. Her sister wasn’t in possession of the strength to survive either. If Alicia did nothing else in her life, she’d make sure Hannah remained safe. Marriage to the colonel seemed a small price to pay to ensure Hannah’s well-being.
CHAPTER 12
Cole took a bracing breath and knocked on the door of the Palmer family manor. The footman solemnly took his card and bid him wait in the front parlor. Once inside, Cole understood how desperate Willard Palmer had made his family. Large, bright rectangular shapes on the wallpaper revealed missing paintings. Few pieces of furniture sat the parlor as if missing several key pieces. Footsteps drew him from his observations and he turned to face Robert Palmer.
Palmer’s face paled. “You!”
“Mr. Palmer.” Cole removed his hat.
Young Palmer continued to stare at him. “You,” he repeated, his voice hushing.
“Mr. Palmer, I … deeply regret the incident that transpired in London, and the subsequent events.” Cole swallowed. “I never meant to cause serious harm to Armand.”
The young man stared at him as if he were the very devil. “He was not only my cousin, but my closest friend.”
Palmers’ words hit him like a punch to the stomach. “I’m sorry. I truly am. I did not know until recently that he developed an infection and lost his arm. That the opium…” With effort, he loosened his grip on his hat he was crushing in suddenly nervous hands. “I didn’t know he died.”
Robert sagged against the doorframe. “I was his second. I should have talked him out of it. But I wanted to see him humiliate you. You were always so confident. Arrogant. All the ladies wanted you, you could have had any of them. Instead, you wanted the one who showed interest in Armand.”
“She used us both.”
Young Palmer nodded and let his breath out with a great weariness. “She was poison. I told him so.” He chewed his lower lip. “He didn’t ravish her. She seduced him.”
“I know. That became painfully obvious later.” The raw pain revealed in Robert Palmer’s face made Cole want to beat a retreat, but he still had a task to complete. Even knowing he would certainly fail, he had to at least try. “Mr. Palmer, I need to speak to your father.”
He became wary. “What about?”
“I am trying to save your cousin from a forced marriage.”
Mr. Palmer stiffened. “My father is not forcing her. She’s refused two already. No one will put a gun to her head and drag her to the altar.”
“She is concerned about a looming deadline of marrying anyone who will have her by the end of the month. To save all of you.”
Robert’s ire melted. “We’ve tried everything. Father’s never had such a rash of wretched luck. Every investment—even the most conservative one—has soured. He used to be famous at cards, but lately every game he played has cost him.”
“I have a solution that can benefit you all.”
Robert studied him coldly. “Force her to marry you?”
Cole stiffened at the use of the word ‘force.’ “No. By asking her to marry me. I have doubts that she will accept the man who killed her brother, but I must try. I owe it to her. I owe it to Armand.”
“I should kill you myself.”
“Would that help your family out of your current straits?”
The younger Palmer considered. “Very well. Come with me.”
Cole followed him into a dark, dust-covered study where he found Willard Palmer standing by a fireplace with a glass of port in his hand.
“Father, Lord Amesbury would like a moment.”
The look of pure hatred on the elder Palmer’s face as he recognized the name nearly unnerved Cole. He steadied himself. “I have come with a business proposal for you.”
Beside Cole, young Palmer shifted.
Willard Palmer’s eyes narrowed. “I should throw you out.”
“It would be to your benefit to listen, sir.”
The elder Palmer shifted his gaze to his son. “I can’t believe you let that blackguard into our home. Have you no backbone?”
“My proposal is this, Mr. Palmer,” Cole cut in, “I will settle every debt you owe, finance Hannah’s debut in London next Season, and pay you an additional sum to help you form a new start, if Miss Palmer agrees—willingly—to marry me.”
Willard considered, and the hope in his eyes nearly softened Cole’s distaste for the way he insisted on using his niece. Then the hope faded and his face hardened.
“You shot my nephew in a duel, inflicting wounds which ultimately killed him. The feelings my niece undoubtedly harbors for you will preclude a marriage to you. She may feel as if she must accept you for our sake, but I am not a heartless monster. I will not ask her to marry a man such as you.”
Cutting as Palmer’s words were, they actually earned Cole’s admiration for Palmer for protecting his niece from a perceived villain. Cole had viewed him as callous and grasping, using her for his own agenda. It was possible the man simply had no judgment of character, based on the men he asked Alicia to consider as suitors. Or he was truly desperate.
Cole drew himself up. “Then you believe Colonel Westin to be a better choice.”
Mr. Palmer pinned him with an accusing stare. “To my knowledge, he does not engage in dueling.”
Inwardly wincing, Cole raised his head. “Then allow me to ask her feelings on the matter. Let her decide if she’d rather have me or Colonel Westin.”
“No. She was terribly overset after your last meeting. I will not subject her to another. Good day.”
Not an unexpected response, but a foolish, senseless one, nonetheless. Cole ground his teeth and forced his voice to remain steady. “Sir, I urge you to reconsider.”
“She has accepted the Colonel. We have only to formalize the agreement. Remove yourself from my house.”
Conceding the battle, but not the war, Cole bowed to the father and turned to the son. “Will you see me out, Mr. Palmer?” he asked the younger Palmer quietly. He was almost surprised when the young man complied. In the foyer, Cole turned to the younger man. “Can you arrange a meeting with her?”
“She’s not receiving callers. She’s recovering from a snake bite.”
Alarm jolted Cole. “A snake bite?”
His expression very grave, Palmer rubbed a hand over his face. “An adder, apparently.”
His heart thudded. “Is she seriously ill?”
“She gave us a good scare, but she’s much improved now.”
Cole steadied his breathing, dismayed at how the news frightened him. He’d heard of people dying from adder bites. He held out a note to Palmer. “Give this to her. Please.”
Palmer stared at him for a long moment. Finally, he reached out and took the note, staring at it as if it were a poisonous serpent. Or an adder.
Keeping his voice barely above a whisper, Cole urged, “At least give her the choice.”
Palmer nodded. The note was only folded, not sealed, and Cole had no doubt Palmer would read it before deciding whether or not to give it to his cousin.
A light rain began as Cole rode, but he passed through it with little notice. He would have to resort to more desperate means. Cole had a daring, insane plan formulated by the time he reached his uncle’s house.
When he explained it to Aunt Livy, she pierced him with her gaze. “Cole, I fear no good will come of this.”
“I admit it’s not a perfect plan. I could simply abduct her. That would save her from anyone who might harm her.”
“And bring that kind of scandal upon her? You can’t be serious.”
It would also fuel her already strong hatred toward him. Cole fixed a baleful stare upon her. “Do you have a bet
ter suggestion?”
“Give me time and I’m sure…”
“There is no time. I must act now.”
She heaved a sigh. “Why won’t Mr. Palmer consider you? You could help them.”
“Because she hates me. They all do.”
A faint smile touched her mouth. “You do seem to have that effect on their family.”
He couldn’t blame them. “I have that effect on many.”
“Care to explain why?”
“No, ma’am.”
Her shrewd gaze left him with the urge to squirm. “Very well. I will help you with the arrangements, but I want you to know that I do not approve of this scheme.”
“I know. But I don’t know what else to do.”
Her gaze nearly pierced his shields. “Do you love her?”
Cole forced himself to look her in the eye. “Of course not. I’m just trying to save her.”
“You are the man she should be marrying.”
“That’s no longer a viable alternative.”
“So you would have Nicholas marry her? A stranger? It would be an arranged marriage. She’ll be terrified.”
“I know.” His voice sounded as hollow as the place in his heart. “It’s the only way to save her.”
“Then who will save you?” she asked quietly, with tears shimmering in her eyes.
More frightened than he cared to admit, Cole left to see to one last detail. The light rain had turned into a drenching downpour when Cole went outside and remounted. André’s hooves slogged over the seldom-traveled road to Colonel Westin’s manor house. Soaked and grimly determined, Cole pressed on. Trees leaned mournfully under the rainfall against a darkened sky.
At Colonel Westin’s manor, an elderly footman opened the door and eyed Cole with disdain.
As if completely unaware of his clothes dripping on the doorstep, Cole solemnly handed him his card. “I would like a moment of Colonel Westin’s time, if he would be so kind.”
The footman read the card and eyed Cole suspiciously, convinced any man with such a shocking appearance could not possibly be a viscount. “A moment, if you please, my lord.” He disappeared without taking Cole’s hat or coat.
Cole waited in the foyer and dripped on the floor. No candles burned, leaving only the faint light from outside the windows to illuminate the room. Not only the temperature, but the ambiance of this house felt cold. Though the décor whispered of money of an era long gone, gloom drowned out the opulence of the room.
The spreading puddle at Cole’s feet reached the first doorway when a balding man approached. Though customary for a servant to lead a guest to the host, the master probably came to him because he did not wish to have his carpets sodden by an unseemly visitor.
The Colonel perused Cole with disdain. “Lord Amesbury, I presume.”
“Yes, sir. We met briefly at the race.”
“To what do I owe the honor of this unprecedented visit?” His tone suggested he felt anything but honored by Cole’s call.
Cole kept his voice deferential. He clearly outranked the Colonel in social standing, but the man was still Cole’s elder, and that, at least, required respect. “It is my understanding that you have been courting Miss Palmer.”
“I fail to understand why this is your concern.”
“Her brother Armand and I were old friends.” The lie rolled glibly off his tongue. “Now that he is departed, I feel it my duty to look after her welfare. I do not believe either he or her father would approve of a match between you.”
The colonel stiffened. “I have much to offer her.”
“She’s the age of your granddaughter.”
The colonel’s mouth tightened. “Our age difference may not be as much a hindrance as you suppose.”
Cole hated stripping the man of his dignity, even if he was an overbearing cad who publicly degraded Alicia. His purpose was to convince the man to lose interest in Alicia, not question his manhood. “You are on a different maturity and intellectual level.”
The colonel’s bluster faded. “She…she needs a husband quickly. She has few choices. And I am weary of being alone.”
Cole poured a soothing tone into his voice. “She still has other options, do not be concerned for her. You, however, are a respected war hero. You deserve a mature wife who shares your interests. You don’t want a wife who marries you because she has no other choice, do you? That’s a bit insulting.”
The Colonel deliberated. “I had considered going to London next Season in the hopes of meeting a more mature widow.”
“Splendid! My aunt Olivia is one of the most well-respected ladies of the ton. She may be able to garner a few introductions for you to ladies of your station. I will speak to her immediately. I understand you’ve hunted in Africa?”
The colonel’s chest puffed out. “Yes. A number of times. Capital game there.”
“The ladies adore tales of travel, especially Africa. I’m confident you’ll have no trouble finding someone who appreciates all you have to offer. All you need are a few introductions.”
The colonel considered. Cole curbed his impatience.
“Very well, my lord, I accept.”
“Excellent. My aunt loves to play matchmaker. In no time, she’ll have an impressive list of suitable prospects for you to consider.”
The colonel stood a little taller and shook Cole’s hand. “Thank you, my lord. Forgive me, may I offer you a drink?”
“Thank you, Colonel, but I am expected at another engagement shortly. However, I appreciate your time.”
Cole affected a bow and departed. Now that the competition had been eliminated, he could implement the final stage in Alicia’s rescue. If only he could just carry her off and marry her himself. Abduction sounded more appealing every moment.
CHAPTER 13
Alicia awoke to a knock at the door and a terse whisper calling her name. The sun had set hours ago. She threw on a robe and opened the door, pushing her hair away from her face.
“What is it, Robbie?”
“Colonel Westin has withdrawn his offer.”
Alicia’s mouth fell open. She shrank from the prospect of marrying the overbearing colonel, but without him, and his money, she had no hope of saving her family. Panic edged in.
“What are we going to do?”
“There’s a new suitor, some baron from Northumberland. A distant relation to Viscount Amesbury, I believe. I hear he’s badly scarred. He walks with a limp and wears a mask.”
Alicia’s heart dropped to her stomach. She’d been spared the man who had tried to force himself upon her, as well as the complaining stuffed-shirt who publicly humiliated her, only to face a scarred, masked stranger. She pressed her hand over her eyes.
“The baron’s agent is here with his offer. He and father have been speaking for hours.” He paused. “Alicia, there is a way to save yourself.”
She lowered her hand and searched Robbie’s face.
“Lord Amesbury has offered for you, but Father wouldn’t consider it. Amesbury asked me to give you this.” He held out a folded paper. “He wants you to elope with him. He promises you an honorable marriage and vows to be generous with the family.”
Aghast and breathless, she stared. “You wish me to wed Armand’s killer?”
Looking anguished, Robert scrubbed his hand over his face. “I think he’ll treat you better than the others. And I don’t hold Amesbury entirely responsible for the duel. I should have stopped them, but Armand was so eager for it. And that woman was there, egging them both on, demanding her honor be defended. Amesbury only shot Armand in the arm. He didn’t intend to kill him.”
Bitterness welled up inside her. “His intent does not change the outcome. You may forgive him, but I cannot.” She crumpled up the note and threw it down. “I’ll take the scarred stranger over Cole Amesbury.” Chill spread through her limbs and her words choked her.
The following morning at breakfast, Uncle Willard announced that their transaction had been agreed upon
, and all they lacked was Alicia’s cooperation.
“The baron will meet you this afternoon. Unless you object, he will wed you after he obtains a special license.”
Alicia sat with her head bowed, absorbing the news that her marriage to a stranger had already been arranged. “Have you any notion of his character?” she asked numbly.
“His agent was most loyal to him and assured me that the baron lacked the vices that normally plague the aristocracy. He doesn’t gamble or drink excessively, and has never kept a mistress. He said his lord is most generous and is viewed as a kind and tolerant man by his servants and peers.”
Alicia was frankly surprised that Uncle had taken such care as to inquire about the baron. None of the other men he insisted she consider had appeared to have undergone any sort of scrutiny.
With Hannah’s aid, she dressed with care to prepare to meet her future husband. Hannah and Alicia waited nervously in the parlor for the baron’s arrival. Uncle promised to be present, but Robert had already drunk himself into oblivion.
“A grand coach is here,” Hannah said from the window.
Alicia listened with pounding heart as the footmen spoke. The other voice was too low to carry to her, but footsteps neared.
“Lord Amesbury to see you, Miss.”
Alicia shot up out of her seat. “Lord Amesbury!”
Uncle Willard strode in. “Ah, excellent. Show the baron in.”
Then she realized her error. Not Cole Amesbury, but rather that distant relation, the baron, had come as promised. Her mingled relief and disappointment left her reeling, but she did not have time to examine her feelings.
A large man stood in the doorway, his face covered by a loose, cloth mask. A billowing, dark cloak concealed all but his legs and head. An ominous sight, he executed a stiff bow and limped into the room, leaning heavily on a cane. Her imagination conjured images of a monstrous, twisted face. The dark form stopped too close. Gulping down her fear, she refrained from stepping away. Hannah’s hand felt icy in hers.
As Uncle Willard made the introductions, Alicia and Hannah sank into curtseys.
