Sins of an Intoxicating Duchess: A Steamy Historical Regency Romance Novel

by Violet Hamers

  “Not one thing?” Jasper asked, watching Lady Leah’s eyes widen. She shook her head.

  “Not a thing,” she confirmed. He remembered what she’d done. Stood there, while a blade was pressed to his throat. She could have easily cried for help. She’d done nothing.

  “If you recall anything more, please let me know, My Lady,” the Constable said.

  Lady Leah stood up and curtsied. “Come, Maria, let’s get you some tea.”

  She led her maid off. As soon as the door closed, Jasper looked at the Constable.

  “I feel like she’s a bit too calm,” he commented. “I was almost beheaded in front of her.”

  The Constable nodded. “You noticed that, as well, Your Grace?”

  “I did,” he said, standing up.

  “Well, I can have you seen safely to Gillingham Manor,” the Constable offered.

  “Thank you,” Jasper said. Selina peered inside the room. He walked to her. “I’m fine, as you can see, My Lady.”

  “Good. I heard what had happened, and I…”

  “She was a wreck,” Lord Windermere said from the hallway. “Do try not to get yourself killed, Your Grace.”

  “The Constable is going to accompany me home, My Lord,” Jasper said, tiredly. “I won’t stir until I’ve had at least another brandy.”

  Selina squeezed his hand in hers. He felt relief— “It’s over,” he told her, a warm feeling enveloping him as he said it.

  The next morning, Selina was walking the garden path. She’d been sworn that it was safe, watched. As she walked, she noted the gardener. In her hand, she carried a letter from her mother. She broke the seal, then began to read, stopping to sit on a white wrought-iron bench set back into the hedgerow, so she was hidden from view.

  Feeling cozily tucked away, Selina read her mother’s tidings.

  Dearest Selina,

  Your father and I are leaving Paris on the morrow. We will be back in London a day after, where we will remain for a fortnight before heading on to Staunton. You and Thomas can then leave Kirby Hall, and we can spend the rest of the summer as a family.

  I miss you, darling girl, and I hope that your summer in the country has brought those lovely roses out in your cheeks. Wait until you see what I’ve found for you to wear this Season! Everything is the absolute latest in fashions!

  Selina smiled to herself. Perhaps she’s even found something in a becoming white.

  She couldn’t wait to tell her mother about Jasper. She would be over the moon.

  Lady Araminta Drake, Countess of Quinton, had always told her—she wanted her to find love. She had always gone on about passion. Now, Selina knew why. Well, most of the why. As she recalled the rest of the why, she felt her cheeks go bright crimson.

  She heard voices, but thought nothing of it, until she realized that it was Leah. She was talking to someone angrily. It sounded like they were coming nearer. Selina froze. They were, luckily, on the other side of the hedgerow.

  “How could you fail me?” Leah demanded. “I was promised his death, twice now, you’ve failed.”

  Selina’s blood ran cold. She could barely believe her ears.

  “He’s gotten lucky, My Lady.” It was a man’s voice, low—too low to discern who it was. He might, even, be disguising his tone. Given their subject matter, no wonder.

  Selina knew—she was overhearing a conversation which she wasn’t meant to.

  “How much longer do you need?” Leah asked. “I don’t want to wait too much longer. He’s ended the engagement. Now, I want him dead.”

  Selina’s pulse was beating fast—her heart felt like it was about to pop a hole through her sternum.

  What if they find me here, listening?

  She could be murdered. She got down off of the bench, hiding herself as best as she could in the hedge, covering her mouth.

  “Soon, My Lady—I promise,” the male personage said. “And if he’s discovered, with Lady Selina with him, perhaps…”

  He trailed off significantly. Selina knew—she, too, was in grave danger. They all were. When Leah next spoke, her voice was farther away.

  “Don’t fail me another time.”

  “Third time pays for all, My Lady,” he replied.

  Who was that?

  As soon as she dared, she peered up and over the hedge. He was tall, with dark hair, but he was looking away, out over the fields of Kirby Hall, Leah clutching his arm.

  He turned, and Selina ducked back down, without seeing his face. Selina closed her eyes, trying to calm herself. It was most important that she wasn’t seen. She needed to get word to Jasper.

  Remaining bent over, Selina began to run, keeping the hedges in between her and the other two. As soon as she was out of sight of the rest of the garden, she picked up her skirts, running as fast as she could, toward Kirby Hall.

  It was now a matter of life or death. She needed to tell Jasper, immediately, what she’d heard.

  When she arrived at the house, she found Mr. Wickes.

  “I’m going to need the carriage brought around,” she said, breathing heavily. “I’m heading up to get my brother, to accompany me.”

  He looked at her queerly but nodded. “Very good, My Lady.” Mr. Wickes moved off. Selina went to fetch her brother.

  The gentlemen of Gillingham Manor had just sat down for their luncheon when some unexpected guests were announced. Sotheby opened the door.

  “Lord Windermere and Lady Selina,” he announced. All three of them stood up as Selina and her brother entered. Selina was pale, her eyes wide. Immediately, Jasper knew something had happened.

  “Selina? What’s wrong?” Jasper asked, walking to her.

  She placed her hand on Jasper’s arm. She was breathing heavily, as though she had run all the way from Kirby Hall. “I was just in the garden at Kirby Hall,” she said, speaking quickly. “I overheard Leah talking to someone, that she had arranged for your death and that he’s failed her twice now.”

  Jasper’s mouth dropped open in surprise. He believed her—Selina would never lie to him. He would have never expected this to be the case.

  Lady Leah! Conspiring to have me killed?

  “Could you tell who it was that she was speaking to?” Reuben asked.

  Selina shook her head. “No, I couldn’t. He was speaking in a low voice. It was almost hard to make out what he said.”

  “Come, sit, My Lady. You look pale,” Jasper said, pulling out a chair for her at the table. She sank down into it, breathing a sigh of relief.

  Sotheby, who had stayed, poured her a glass of bourbon. “Here, My Lady,” he said. “It’ll do you some good.” She sipped it, wincing at the taste as she set it down again.

  “What are we going to do?” she asked. The four gentlemen all looked at each other. It was clear that they were all still in shock at the news.

  “How do we prove that a well-bred lady has conspired to murder someone?” Stephen wondered aloud. It sounded like a fanciful bit of fiction from the imaginative writer Mrs. Radcliffe.

  “We’ll have to catch her at it,” Reuben replied. “She might be the weak link that leads us to them at last. Good listening, My Lady.”

  “It was hard not to overhear,” Selina admitted. “I was sitting quietly, reading a letter from my mother.”

  “You’re lucky they didn’t see you,” Lord Windermere said gravely. “You could have been killed, yourself.” The thought of it sent a frisson of panic through Jasper.

  “I was tucked away,” she replied. “As soon as I heard them, I just tucked myself away a little more.”

  They were all silent; every one of them lost in thought as they tried to come up with a feasible plan. Jasper knew that it would have to be his move. He’d have to get Lady Leah out. Get her to lead her helpers into the open. Jasper was sure that they would make a mistake, revealing themselves.

  “I’ll have her meet me,” Jasper said. “I’ll tell her that I need to speak with her. That I’ve had a change of heart.” The other gent
lemen were all nodding.

  “No,” Selina said flatly. They all turned to her.

  “No?” Jasper’s brows were raised in shock.

  “You cannot risk your life like that,” she said.

  “I must,” he replied, kneeling in front of her, and taking her hands in his. “I must do this, to put an end to all of this.”

  A stray tear fell from Selina’s eye, and she looked away from him. He kissed her hand, then got up, looking at everyone who was gathered.

  “I’ll write her a letter, immediately,” he said. “You all eat. Be ready to go.”

  The letter was written, quickly, then sent off to Kirby Hall. The gentlemen all decided their plans forthwith. Selina sat, listening, and making her own plans.

  “I’ll remain here with my sister,” Thomas offered. He glanced over at her meaningfully, and she knew—he would ride with her to Bridesdale to get men of the law. She nodded to him gratefully.

  She would have Aphrodite saddled, and she would find out how quickly the mare could go.

  Finally, Jasper turned toward her. Their eyes met. She stood, taking his hands in hers. She was terrified of losing him. Especially now, when they could finally be together.

  “If you die,” she stated firmly, “it will kill me, too.”

  He held her hands, his eyes looking into hers. “Then I won’t die,” he told her. Even though they were not alone, he pressed his lips to hers. She kissed him back, worried that it would be the last time she saw him alive.

  “I love you,” he said, his hand on her cheek. She tilted her head, leaning into his touch even more.

  “I love you, too.”

  He gave her one last, lingering look. She hated how she felt like he was remembering her. As if he thought he was going to die. He sighed, then waved for the others to follow him.

  Jasper, Lord Munro, and Lord Sandbourne walked out. She and Thomas peered out through the window, watching as they all climbed up and into their saddles.

  They rode off, heading for the decided meeting spot.

  “I take it we’re riding for Bridesdale?” Thomas asked.

  “Yes,” Selina replied. “We’re going to get more firepower.”

  “Very good,” Thomas said. “We’d best get going, then. We don’t want to show up too late.”

  “I’ll have some horses brought around for the two of you,” Sotheby said from the doorway.

  “Thank you, Sotheby,” she said.

  “Anything to help, My Lady,” the butler assured her.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Jasper’s heart was thudding anxiously in his chest as they rode toward the World Tree, where he’d told Lady Leah to meet him. There was a large chance that she wouldn’t bite.

  The three gentlemen dismounted, leaving their horses tethered by the gate into the pasture, walking toward the World Tree.

  But Jasper didn’t know Lady Leah like he thought he had. She appeared much the same as she usually did, dressed demurely in a pale-peach muslin dress. She wore a simple bonnet, in cream.

  Her eyes took in that he was not alone. Her face didn’t reveal what she was thinking. Her mouth was a grim line.

  Jasper dismounted, walking over to her, confidently.

  “You come accompanied,” she said, clearly not trusting him for a moment.

  “No one should be traveling without protection,” Jasper replied, noting that she had come alone— not even her lady’s maid was in sight. This, in itself, was odd. “Especially not me, as I am clearly being targeted.”

  She nodded, looking at him with those brown eyes. He could feel the anger and resentment emanating from her.

  “You wanted to talk to me?” she asked.

  “I wanted to talk with you,” he said.

  “Your letter said that you believed yourself to be wrong,” she said, her tone accusatory. She’d spotted the ruse, and yet, she’d still come. “That you want to marry me.”

  “I lied,” he replied. “I believe you’ve conspired to have me murdered.”

  She smiled, her eyes were cold. There. This was the real Lady Leah. Calculating, mean, angry. “So I have,” she replied. Two masked men in dark clothing come out of the nearby stand of trees, the very same who had attacked him only the day before.

  “I thought there were three,” Jasper said, wondering where the third was.

  “There are,” Reuben said. As Jasper turned to his brother, Reuben shot Stephen in the shoulder. Stephen crumpled into a heap on the ground. Reuben turned his pistol toward Jasper, keeping it on him as he walked around to stand beside Lady Leah.

  “Kill him, My Lord,” Lady Leah urged.

  “I have to reload,” Reuben replied, reloading. Jasper pulled his own pistol, aiming for Reuben. He turned when Lady Leah growled, grabbing the pistol from one of the masked men.

  “I always have to do everything myself,” she said, cocking it, then aiming it at Jasper.

  Jasper didn’t quite know what to do—to shoot a lady? Unthinkable.

  Selina and Thomas and the men of the law who were accompanying them arrived at the World Tree.

  “No!” she yelled, as she rode Aphrodite out of the woods, like an avenging warrior queen of old. Leah, clearly surprised, aimed the pistol at Selina, instead. Looking down the barrel of a pistol for the first time in her life, Selina’s mind paused. She was like a scared deer.

  Jasper lunged at Leah, knocking the pistol out of the way, just as Leah pulled the trigger.

  Selina froze, feeling the air around the bullet hit her cheek as the bullet rushed by her, close—almost too close for comfort. Aphrodite spooked, dancing about.

  She exhaled a sigh of relief. Jasper turned to her, his eyes wild with fear. She smiled at him.

  “I’m all right,” she assured him. Her fingers clutched at Aphrodite’s reins and mane. “Shh, girl,” she soothed, patting the horse’s sleek neck. The mare tossed her head, exhaling loudly as she calmed.

  The men of the law were already surrounding Reuben, who was sulking, and Leah, who was in tears. In all the hustle, the two other men had vanished.

  Thomas was eyeing her from his borrowed horse’s back. She nodded to him, assuring him that she was unhurt. He smiled, his eyes were wide, though.

  Selina slipped off of Aphrodite, running over to Jasper. They hugged, then he turned toward Lord Sandbourne, who was struggling to sit up. His shoulder was bloody.

  “Stephen!” Jasper exclaimed, rushing over to kneel down beside his friend. “Here, let me bind it. We need to get you to a physician.”

  Selina tore a strip from her petticoat, handing it to Jasper. He bound up Stephen’s arm, and then Jasper and Lord Windermere got him up and on to his horse.

  They all rode back in the direction of Gillingham Manor. The lawmen took Leah and Reuben with them, on the way toward Bridesdale.

  “I’ll go and fetch a physician,” Lord Windermere offered, riding off toward the village with the lawmen.

  Their arrival at Gillingham Manor was chaotic. Grooms ran from the stables, Sotheby came out of the house, and a large group surrounded Stephen, helping him down from the horse.

  Sotheby directed the grooms who were assisting Stephen into one of the bedrooms.

  Jasper handed Pilot to one of the stable boys, then followed, Selina gripping his hand. The Dowager Duchess was near the doorway, pale as a sheet.

  “Jasper? Lady Selina? What’s happened?” she asked.

  “Stephen’s been shot,” Jasper explained as the three of them walked up the stairs.

  “By whom?” Her Grace asked.

  Jasper felt pained. He stopped, taking his mother’s hands in his own. “Reuben,” he said, watching her eyes widen. “Reuben was behind all of it. He and Lady Leah have been taken into custody.”

  Her Grace placed her hand on her chest. “I—I don’t—”

  She seemed like she was about to faint. Luckily, Selina stepped in, taking his mother gently by the arm.

  “Come, Your Grace,” she said. “Let’s
go and sit in the parlor, and I can answer all of the questions that you have.”

  Her Grace nodded, her eyes sparkling with tears. Selina smiled at Jasper. “You go and see to Lord Sandbourne.”

  “Thank you,” he mouthed.