A Scandalous Deception

by Ava Stone

  “I think this calls for a little celebration.” Staveley motioned towards a tavern wench. “Your best whisky,” he called. Then he turned his attention back to Fin. “Luke must be over the moon.”

  Fin nodded. “Though suddenly having a daughter in his arms seems to have struck a bit of fear in his heart.”

  Staveley chuckled. “Years ago, I never thought I’d see the day he’d be a responsible parent.”

  Fin hadn’t either. But the rakish ne’er-do-well that Lucas Beckford had once been had certainly led the way to the devoted husband and father that he was now. “The only one befuddled by the whole thing is Ben. He can’t understand what all the fuss is about. Wrinkly baby girl who can do nothing but cry, but everyone seems enthralled over her.”

  Staveley laughed heartily. “Rachel was the same when Adam was born, and he was the same when Emma came along.” The tavern wench placed a couple glasses of whisky before the men and Staveley said, “Thank you.”

  “Pamela probably thought the same about me.”

  “Probably. Such is the way of things.” Staveley agreed with an incline of his head. He lifted his glass in the air and said, “To our new niece Georgina Beckford. May she make her namesake proud and her father regret each and every last one of his past sins.”

  “Here. Here.” Fin lifted his glass as well before downing the oaky drink in one large swallow. Then he lowered his glass and smiled at the studious viscount. It was so strange to be sitting in the middle of a taproom with him. “Now what are you doing in the middle of Northamptonshire, of all places?”

  Staveley dropped his own glass to the table, his smile vanished quickly and was replaced with a rather serious expression. “Heading to Prestwick Chase to find Felicity.”

  “Oh?” Fin’s brow furrowed. He couldn’t imagine a scenario that would lead to Staveley searching out Felicity in Derbyshire.

  “It’s all very convoluted, honestly.”

  “I have the time.” Fin shrugged, his interest more than piqued. “Besides, when is anything having to do with her not convoluted?”

  Staveley scoffed in an apparent agreement, then a frown settled on his face. “Well, it seems a fellow claiming to be her not-so-dead husband has come to Town and is looking for her.”

  A chill raced down Fin’s spine. “I beg your pardon?” he breathed out.

  “My thoughts exactly.” Staveley nodded. “It’s completely ridiculous. Not-so dead husband. Sounds foolish to even say. I might very well be on some wild goose chase concocted by that blackguard Haversham just to get me out of Town.”

  “Haversham?” Fin’s head began to pulse with pain. “What the devil does he have to do with this?”

  “He went to Caroline. Said this Pierce fellow was looking for Felicity and thought someone ought to warn her. Said he thought the fellow would find his way to Prestwick Chase very soon and that she should be prepared.”

  Oh, dear God! Why now? Why after all these years would Aaron Pierce suddenly get it in his head Lissy was alive? Had that indentured girl finally broken and revealed the truth? Had Lissy somehow slipped up and Pierce had recently found her out somehow? The fact that Haversham was involved didn’t bode well for anyone. “Why would he care one way or the other?”

  At that Staveley snorted. “The only thing I’m certain about as far as that man goes is that he’s bound and determined to capture my wife.”

  “Not that she’s willing to be captured.” Fin smiled at the man. Honest, dutiful Staveley. The last thing he deserved was that scoundrel Haversham chasing after his wife’s skirts.

  But thoughts of Staveley, Caroline and Haversham quickly fell aside as panic once again gripped his heart. Dear God. Was Aaron Pierce truly in London? If so, should Fin race there and put a ball in the man’s chest? Or race back to Prestwick Chase instead and keep Lissy safe? He didn’t even have to think about that for more than a second. He could easily pass Pierce on the road to London and never see the villain, leaving Lissy defenseless. So The Chase it would have to be.

  Staveley rose from his spot, completely unaware of the turmoil encompassing Fin. “Do excuse me, Carraway. Nature calls.” Then he started for the staircase at the back end of the room.

  Fin’s mind was awhirl. He’d traveled so much distance today. It would take quite some time to return. He’d need a fresh steed. “Actually, I’ll be on my way, Staveley,” he called to the man. “I’ll see you soon, I’m sure.”

  “Godspeed,” Staveley called back over the din, then hurried up the staircase when he noticed a man waiting behind him.

  Fin pushed his way through the taproom and out, once again, into the coaching yard. He hailed a young groom and said, “I need your fastest, most rested horse.”

  “R’ght away, sir.” The lad raced towards the stables.

  To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the sun. At least that was the verse from Ecclesiastes that Aaron Pierce’s father had always pressed upon him as a child. And for all of Aaron’s life, he’d found those words to be quite poignant.

  John had encountered Thurlstone just as Heaton and Pierce Shipping was at the precipice of financial ruin, bringing the Englishman and his investments into the business at the precise moment to keep them afloat.

  Aaron had been in the right London club at the right time to learn that his wife was somehow miraculously alive.

  Thurlstone had gladly offered Aaron and John use of his traveling carriage to take them to Derbyshire, which was kismet as Aaron didn’t have one of his own in this godforsaken country and his funds were particularly low.

  But just now, those old words of his father’s had never been more true. If he hadn’t been seated at exactly the right spot in the raucous taproom just now, he’d have never overheard that bespectacled, scholarly looking Englishman mention Felicity or of the fellow’s plan to warn her of Aaron’s imminent arrival.

  Across the taproom table from Aaron, John scratched his head. “Why do you think that Haversham fellow sent him to warn Felicity?” he asked softly.

  That Aaron didn’t have an answer for. He hadn’t cared for Haversham at all upon meeting the man a few days ago, though he hadn’t seemed the interfering sort. The prick had seemed self-serving and smug, mostly. But he also seemed cleverer than he tried to let on. Though Aaron had noticed that, no one else seemed to. Regardless of the reason, however, Haversham would be dealt with once Aaron had taken care of the Felicity situation.

  “Do excuse me, Carraway,” the scholarly looking fellow at the next table said as he pushed up to his feet. “Nature calls.”

  To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the sun.

  Aaron glanced towards the man tasked with warning Felicity about his presence, then turned his attention back to John. “I’ll find out though.” Aaron pushed out of his chair and followed the bespectacled man towards the back staircase.

  “Actually, I’ll be on my way, Staveley,” the scholar’s friend called to the man. “I’ll see you soon, I’m sure.”

  Perfect! No one would even realize the scholar was missing then.

  “Godspeed,” the man replied, then seemed to notice Aaron and hastened up the steps.

  Aaron followed the scholar, at a much slower pace. There was no reason to attract attention in the taproom. After reaching the top of the staircase, the corridor that met him smelled of dank ale and was dimly lit, but Aaron could make out his quarry perfectly well. He retrieved his dagger from the scabbard he always kept strapped just inside his boot, then he rushed after the scholar, who was easy to catch, as he had no idea he was being followed.

  Aaron quietly wrapped his left arm around the man’s neck from behind, which made it very simple to thrust his dagger into scholar’s back and twist it just a bit, puncturing the fellow’s lung, making it impossible for him to call out for any sort of help, a nice little trick he’d learned a while back. After a moment, Aaron released the man who fell to the floor in a heap, gasping for air.

>   “Nothing personal,” he said into the darkness, retrieving his weapon from the fallen man’s back. “But I would rather surprise my wife in my own time, if you don’t mind.”

  The scholar grasped into the darkness as though that was going to help him somehow. Then his arm went limp and Aaron wiped his blade clean before replacing it in the scabbard in this boot.

  Now, where to put the body?

  He was able to make out what looked like a doorframe in the corridor and Aaron moved quietly towards the door. Sure enough, there was a handle and he pulled it open. Supply cupboard.

  The space looked just large enough to place the scholar for the night or at least until someone found the fellow. But by that time, Aaron would be long gone. He turned back to the lifeless form in the middle of the corridor, bent at his middle, hefted the man over his shoulder and then made quick work of depositing the fellow inside the cupboard.

  To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the sun

  He dusted his hands across his trousers and then started back for the taproom. John was looking anxiously in his direction, but there was no reason to look anxious. Their problem had been easily dealt with.

  Aaron descended the steps, resumed his spot across from his old friend and lifted his pint to his lips.

  “Well?” John prodded. “What did he say?”

  “Man of few words,” Aaron replied.

  “He had nothing to say?” John frowned. “Seemed talkative in here.”

  Indeed he had. Still, Aaron shrugged in response, as it seemed to be what John was expecting. “The fellow has problems with his own wife, apparently. So I simply explained that it would be best for him to return to London to deal with his wife and let me deal with mine.”

  “And that worked?”

  In a manner of speaking. Aaron smiled. “Very reasonable fellow, actually.”

  John nodded as though that made sense. But then John had always been easy to appease. He never looked any further than the most simple of explanations, and at times Aaron had the feeling that his friend and business partner didn’t want to look any deeper, and that suited them both perfectly.

  “I still have a hard time believing that she’s alive.” John scrubbed a hand across his brow. “That note and all of that blood…” He heaved a sigh. “I am sorry, Aaron. I searched every inch of the bay, hoping for some sign of her. I was certain she’d been washed out to sea.”

  Which was exactly what she’d wanted them to think. Aaron tipped back his pint once more. Felicity was much more crafty than he’d given her credit for. A mistake he wouldn’t ever make again.

  The sun was just coming up over the horizon of the Peak District as Fin rode up to Prestwick Chase. Exhaustion had set in over an hour ago, but he couldn’t stop. Any delay could mean dire consequences for Lissy. So he’d pushed on, changing horses when necessary, but never stopping for longer than just a few minutes.

  He handed the horse off to a groom and then made his way to the manor entrance. Keeton greeted him at the door, surprise splashed across his face. “Lord Carraway?”

  “Lady Felcity, Keeton. I need to see her right away,” he said, stepping over the threshold and wishing he’d gotten at least of wink of sleep the night before. “Find her as fast as you can.”

  “Good God, Fin!” Luke Beckford said, rounding the corner into the foyer. “This is like déjà vu. You arriving unannounced and bellowing for her. Except it’s not the middle of the night this time.”

  And neither was Fin bellowing, but he was in no mood to argue the semantics with Luke. He sent the butler his most formative glare and said, “Find her quickly.”

  “Of course, sir.” Keeton started down the corridor at a spritely clip.

  “What’s wrong?” Luke asked, all traces of humor from his voice long gone.

  “She’s in trouble,” Fin replied. “And we have to keep her safe.”

  “Keep her safe?” Luke echoed. “What sort of trouble is she in?”

  But before Fin could answer that question, Lissy’s voiced filtered down the corridor. “Fin!” she nearly sang, appearing a moment later. “You are quick when you put your mind to it.” Then she rushed forward and threw her arms around his neck. “How are you possibly back already?”

  Fin caught her about the waist and held her against him. Just having her in his arms was a relief. He didn’t truly think it was possible for Pierce to arrive at The Chase before he did, but that niggling thought had plagued him the entire journey back to Derbyshire. Thank God she was safe!

  Fin inhaled her soft lilac scent, relishing the calm before the storm. But he couldn’t foolishly waste whatever lead they did have. So, he pulled back from her and said very calmly, “Aaron Pierce is in London, or was. He’s apparently headed this direction.”

  Lissy’s mouth fell open and she began to tremble like she was freezing, though Fin knew her reaction had nothing to do with the temperature at The Chase.

  “Aaron Pierce?” Luke asked. “What are you talking about?”

  Fin squeezed Lissy’s hand. “It’s all right, sweetheart. I won’t let him touch you ever again.”

  “Did you say Aaron Pierce?” Luke asked once more.

  Lissy met Fin’s eyes and nodded perceptibly, silently accepting the fact that they had to confide in Luke, that the tale she’d told for so long was about to unravel before them.

  Fin turned his attention to her brother-in-law. “He’s alive,” he confirmed. “Dangerous and cruel. And he’s headed here.”

  Luke’s brow furrowed as though he was trying to sort through this sudden development. After a moment, he gestured in Lissy’s direction with his head. “Take her somewhere, then. Somewhere he won’t find her until we can figure out how to handle the situation.”

  “No!” Lissy almost screamed. She was shaking even worse, her teeth nearly chattering, but she shook her head. “I’m not leaving. I’m not leaving Juliet and the children. If he got here and I’m not—”

  “You think he would hurt children?” Luke’s jaw hardened and his green eyes darkened dangerously.

  Lissy’s arms wrapped around her middle as though she could stop herself from shaking. “I don’t think there’s anyone he wouldn’t hurt.”

  “Who exactly is this man?” Luke breathed out.

  “A nightmare,” Lissy returned. “The worst man I’ve ever known, and I’m so sorry that I’ve put everyone in danger.”

  Fin slid his arm around her shoulders, hoping to comfort her. “This is not your fault, Felicity.”

  But she shook her head most stubbornly. “No, Fin, it’s all my fault. I should have—”

  “You should have what?” Fin asked. “Let him continue to torture you? Let him kill you?”

  “I made the mistake in marrying him, not anyone else.” Tears began to trail down her cheeks. “It isn’t fair that I’ve put the rest of you in danger.”

  “The treatment you suffered at his hands isn’t fair. Nothing is your fault.”

  “I don’t care who he is.” Luke started in the direction of his study. “He’s not entering my house and he’s not putting anyone in any danger.” Then he bellowed, “Keeton!”

  “Sir?” The butler fell into line behind Luke.

  “Send for Sir Nigel. Tell him to come at once and to bring those burly sons of his.”

  “Sir Nigel?” Lissy echoed, looking up at Fin in alarm, the remaining color in her face draining away. “Is that necessary?”

  Fin nodded. Luke’s plan was actually a good one. Of course, his would-be brother-in-law had already dealt with one murderous villain in the past. It would stand to reason Beckford would have a good idea of how to begin. “Having the local magistrate on our side before I threaten to kill Pierce can only be to our advantage.”

  “Fin!” She shook her head. “Please don’t do that. If Aaron hurt you—”

  “He’s not going to hurt me or you, not ever again.”

  She didn’t look convinced, however; and she shook h
er head once more. “You don’t know what he’s capable of. I—”

  “I won’t lose you,” Fin vowed fervently. And he wouldn’t, no matter what he had to do or what it would cost him. He loved her completely and facing life without her wasn’t an option.

  Lissy’s belly twisted in panic. Every fear she’d had over the last three years was coming true. So many questions flooded her mind. How had Aaron discovered her deception? How did he know where to find her? And what would he do to her once their paths crossed again? She suppressed the tremor that washed over her.

  She glanced up at Fin, at the dark circles around his blood-shot eyes and his pained expression. Poor, dear Fin, the best man she’d ever known. He looked as though he hadn’t slept in a fortnight.

  She forced a smile she didn’t feel to her face and slid her hand into his. “You need to rest, Fin.”

  His hand tightened around hers, a silent promise of love and devotion. However, he shook his head. “I can rest later. I can—”

  “You won’t be any good to anyone if you don’t get some rest now,” she interrupted, hoping to appeal to that sensible side of him that she loved so dearly. “Come on. ” She tugged him in the direction of the staircase. “I’m rather tired myself. I’ll stay with you.” At least until he fell asleep.

  “Lissy,” he complained, even though he kept his pace even with hers down the corridor.

  “You always take care of everyone else, Fin. Now it’s my turn.” And one way or the other, she would take care of him. She’d take care of Juliet and Ben and little baby Georgie too. It wasn’t fair for everyone else to suffer because of her foolish mistake all those years ago. One way or the other, she would have to face the choices that she’d made, but she’d need to face them without putting anyone else’s safety in jeopardy.

  Luke had mentioned his dueling pistols the other night, and though Lissy’s father hadn’t been a terribly attentive parent, he had taught her how to shoot at a very tender age. She didn’t imagine, however, that Fin or Luke would be in favor of her retrieving either of the pistols. So she’d just have to figure out how to get her hands on the weapons without anyone else being the wiser. Aaron would, after all, come for her, and she would need to be prepared.