The Duke's Dastardly Mistake (Unlikely Pairs Book 2)

by Ginny Hartman

  “You've been badly cut. Your wound must be dressed.”

  “It will heal,” he said curtly.

  “Not without a scar.”

  “Then let it be an ever-present reminder to you.”

  She slowly lifted her eyes to his. “Of what?”

  He held up his left hand and pointed to the scar on the knuckle of his middle finger that jutted down towards his thumb. “Do you remember what I told you when you inquired about this?”

  Her lips twisted into a moue. “That you got it in a duel, fighting for a woman you loved.”

  He laughed, clearly enjoying the jealousy in her tone. “Yes, but what else did I say?”

  She was thoughtful for a moment before shrugging her shoulders and shaking her head.

  “I told you that a man would risk anything for the woman he loves.”

  Her voice was small as she asked, “Did you really love her?”

  Levi reached out and gently shook her. “Lydia, you're not hearing what I'm saying. I don't love anyone but you, woman. You drive me crazy, that is true, but you also provoke in me such extreme feelings and desire. I don't know how I ever lived before you. Life was certainly duller.”

  “I've always been in your life,” she pointed out.

  “But not like this,” he admitted as he lowered his head and kissed her.

  He wanted desperately to hear her say she loved him, but if the words never came, at least he could feel that she loved him by the way she responded to his kiss.

  Lydia didn't pursue anything with mediocrity, and that included him. From the first moment, he'd kissed her, his life had irrevocably changed. He wanted this slight, passionate, spirited woman for his wife and no one was going to stand in his way, least of all himself.

  All too soon, Lydia pulled back from his kiss. “You've rejected me already, Levi. I tried to give myself to you, and you refused my offer. What's changed?”

  He knew he was going to have to face this sooner or later. “I didn't refuse you, entirely. Lydia, I refused the offer of your body for one moment of pleasure. Though tempting it was, it wasn't enough. I want all of you, for all of time. I couldn't have that before, and I wasn't willing to cause your family the scandal of running off with their only daughter who happened to be engaged to another gentleman. But now, things have changed.”

  “We'll be facing worse scandal now,” she whispered sadly.

  “Yes, I'm afraid so.”

  The pair fell into silence, both of them thinking about the changes the future would bring. It was a time of quiet pondering, on both the good and the bad.

  “Levi, I want you to know that I've learned my lesson.”

  Levi's head snapped up as Lydia's words intruded upon his thoughts. “What's that?” he asked curiously.

  “Don't ever get involved in something you're not willing to suffer the consequences of. Levi had I known what I was getting into that night I slapped you in your stables, I would—”

  “Never have attempted to sneak out dressed as a boy?” he guessed.

  “No. I would never go back and change a single thing. I've seen every side of you, the good and the bad, and I love it all. I want it all. Levi, you're the only one I'll ever love.”

  “You love me?” he asked with a silly grin on his face. He needed to hear her say it again.

  “As improbable as it sounds, I do. But I'm warning you,” she said seriously, “don't ever push me away again.”

  “Never,” he spoke with conviction as his arms slid around her glorious shoulders. Pulling her close, he marveled at how she fit his body more perfectly than his favorite pair of riding boots fit upon his feet.

  He never wanted to let her go, but the halting of the carriage signaled he had to do just that. Glancing out the window at his sister's townhouse, he said, “There is still a daunting task ahead of us.”

  Lydia nodded soberly. The giddy excitement of newly proclaimed love couldn't mask the darkness that had become her reality. “I know.”

  Levi looked deeply into her sea-like eyes. “Do not worry, love. Storms don't last forever. Someday your eyes will be as clear as the sea again, your heart just as wild.”

  A soft sob escaped her throat. “But how can that be? My family has been destroyed. My mother will never recover.”

  A foreign lump of emotion clogged Levi's throat. He coughed to try and clear it. “Though nothing like your experience, I too know how damaging shattered expectations of family life can be. I never expected to be an orphan, especially so young, but I have learned a vital lesson because of my own tragedies.”

  “What is that?”

  “The sun still shines. People still fall in love. Life goes on, and good things still happen. I admit things look rather bleak right now, Lydia, but that won't always be the case.”

  “Are you certain?”

  “Positive.”

  “Then I'll just have to trust you.”

  “I'd be honored if you would. Your love and trust are all I require.”

  “Then you shall have it, for as long as I live.”

  Levi smiled. “Such beautiful words spoken by the most beautiful woman alive.”

  Lydia's hand went self-consciously up to her wild, matted hair. “I'm not beautiful right now. I'm a mess.”

  He pulled her hand away and kissed her palm. “You could be wearing a pair of breaches and a sailor's cap, and I'd still find you the most enticing woman alive.”

  “You admit you liked it when I dressed as a boy?”

  “It drove me mad with distraction,” he confessed.

  “Then I shall have to do it again.”

  “But only for me.”

  “Only for you.”

  “Come, vixen, let us go inside before I change my mind and drive off to Gretna Green before settling things here.”

  “We can't have that,” she said, turning somber once more.

  “No, we can't. But I promise it won't take long.”

  “I'm trusting you on this, Levi.”

  “I won't let you down.”

  A whirlwind of activity followed Lydia and Levi's arrival at Lord Emberson's townhouse. As soon as Aaron and Alexandra arrived in the drawing room, they knew something was terribly amiss.

  Alexandra rushed over to Lydia and grabbed both of her hands in her own. “Lydia, what is wrong?”

  Feeling overwhelmed by everything that had happened that night, Lydia started crying. Alexandra wrapped her in a firm embrace and looked at Levi accusingly. “What did you do to my friend?”

  Levi backed away from her narrowed gaze. “Don't look at me like that, sister. I've done nothing but save her life.”

  Alexandra looked at Lydia skeptically. “Is it true?”

  “Yes,” Lydia finally managed to mutter. “My father hired someone to abduct me and deposit me in an abandoned warehouse.”

  Aaron stepped forward, looking rather perplexed. “Lord Phelps did that?”

  “Yes,” Levi interjected. “And that is only part of the wretched discoveries I've made this night. I must speak to the authorities at once. Please keep Lydia safe until I return.”

  With a final, tender look at Lydia, Levi excited the room, feeling quite anxious to be about his business.

  The closet grew more stuffy as Sophia waited for Lord Coldwell to allow her to act. The heavy footfalls from the men seemed to head in the opposite direction, causing Sophia to feel more anxious.

  “We must go after them,” she hissed, trying to break free from Lord Coldwell's grasp.

  “No,” he said firmly, without offering any explanation.

  Sophia groaned then startled when she heard a noise directly above their head. “What is that?”

  “I believe there is somebody else in here.”

  “Who?”

  “How would I know?” Lord Coldwell ground out irritably.

  “Well, let us go find out.”

  Sophia was surprised when he released his grip on her and said, “Very well, but have your pistol at the ready.
”

  “I'm not an amateur.”

  “Yes, so you keep saying,” Lord Coldwell retorted flatly then reached out and slowly turned the doorknob.

  Though the air was rank with decay, Sophia inhaled a deep breath, grateful to be out of the stuffy closet. Staying close to the wall, they tiptoed slowly down the hall, the voices of the two men growing louder as they went.

  “Did she put up much of a fight?”

  “Oh, yes, my lord. She's quite strong for such a little thing, and rather loud as well.”

  “She has proved to be quite the nuisance. No matter, tonight will be the end of her. I plan on silencing her forever.”

  The man with Lord Phelps laughed wickedly as if the idea brought him great pleasure.

  Sophia inhaled sharply and quickly found Lord Coldwell's face, noting he seemed just as surprised by Lord Phelp's admission as her. “This is worse than I imagined.”

  “Yes,” he replied gravely.

  Despite her need for adventure and her desire to assist the crown in enacting justice upon the criminals of the world, Sophia found the prospect of stopping a man from killing his own daughter quite unnerving. She silently admitted she was grateful to have Lord Coldwell at her side.

  As they approached the end of the hall, they were caught by surprise when the warehouse door slid open. Lord Coldwell quickly pulled her back into the shadows. Sophia held her breath as the light of the moon illuminated a silhouette she recognized at once as Gilbert.

  “Lord Phelps, are you here?” he called out, his booming voice echoing against the dilapidated walls.

  As eerily calm as the air before a storm, Lord Phelps emerged from the back room and said, “Yes, though I have a slight matter of business to see to before we can take care of our transaction.”

  “Well make it quick. I have your goods in my carriage.”

  “The girls?” Lord Phelps inquired eagerly.

  “Yes.”

  “Most excellent. I'll see to the task at hand at once; then we can finish our business.”

  Lord Phelps began walking away before pausing and turning slowly back towards Lord Whitworth. “You won't be too upset with me if I disfigure your fiancé, will you?”

  Sophia watched as Gilbert's face registered confusion. “In what way, and for what purpose?”

  “She's become quite the problem and has threatened to divulge my secrets. Yours as well.”

  “What do you mean? How does she know?”

  “Apparently the little hoyden has been dressing as a boy to gain access to the boxing matches. I didn't recognize her among the crowds, but she saw me, and followed me too.”

  Gilbert's usually sure voice shook ever-so-slightly. “Where did she follow you to?”

  “To the den. Where else do I go after watching you fight?”

  Even in the dark, Sophia could see Gilbert's face turning purple. “How long ago was this?”

  “Three nights ago. The night you brought the Betterdon girl in to entertain us.”

  “Dammit, you fool,” Gilbert swore as he ran one hand through his hair. “So she knows of my involvement with the illicit acts?”

  “And mine as well,” Lord Phelps spat out indignantly. “We both face ruin if she is not silenced.”

  “Indeed, I see that it must be done. What is your plan?”

  Brandishing a knife, he held it up before his face and said, “I intend to cut out her tongue.”

  An evil smirk distorted Lord Whitworth's face. “I think I shall like it quite well if she can't protest. May I have the honor?”

  Sophia's hands went to her stomach. Part of her was relieved they weren't planning on murdering Miss Phelps, but part of her felt as if she was about to cast up her accounts. Of course, she'd known for quite some time that Gilbert was a depraved character, but she didn't think he'd resort to such heinous acts of mutilation to cover up his crimes.

  “Of course not. This is a task I will see to myself. Wait outside. I will come find you once I am done.”

  Sophia watched as Gilbert nodded his head, but instead of leaving, he slunk back into the shadows and waited, as if he wanted to be privy to the gruesome act of torture that was about to take place.

  As soon as Lord Phelps disappeared, Sophia turned to Lord Coldwell, her voice shaking, and urged, “We must stop him.”

  “Yes, we must. You stop your brother from leaving; I'll save Miss Phelps.”

  Sophia nodded her head heartily as her hand clutched her pistol tightly, her finger finding the trigger. Holding the weapon out before her, she stalked from the shadows at the same moment that Lord Coldwell disappeared into the back room.

  “You're not going anywhere, Gilbert,” she said in a loud, commanding voice.

  Gilbert's head snapped towards her in surprise. “Sophia? Is that you?”

  “You know that it is.”

  “What are you doing here? How long have you been here?”

  “Long enough, Gilbert, long enough.”

  Gilbert's face turned a ghostly white, yet he still attempted a smile that was supposed to put her at ease. It didn't. “Sister, you've got the wrong impression. Put that gun down before you hurt someone.”

  “No,” she replied firmly.

  “Sophia, don't be absurd. You're acting like a fool.”

  She laughed mirthlessly. “No one in this family is a bigger fool than you. But your evil ways are about to be stopped.”

  Gilbert glanced around the room dramatically. “By whom? Surely you don't have the heart to injure me. Do you, Sophia?”

  She found it ironic that he was so concerned about his well-being when he'd given no thought for Miss Phelps's own.

  “I won't hesitate to do so if that's what it takes.” Her voice sounded surprisingly confident considering how her knees were shaking in her breeches.

  “She's not here, you fool!” Lord Phelps cried out, causing both Sophia and Gilbert to turn towards his voice. “How could she have escaped? You said she was bound.”

  “But she was, My Lord. I don't understand.”

  “How can I silence her if she's not even here?” Lord Phelps raged like a lunatic.

  Aiming his pistol at Lord Phelps, Lord Coldwell emerged slowly from the shadows and said coldly, “You can't. Nor will you be able to harm her from Newgate where you will be taken shortly.”

  “Fiend seize it, who are you?” Lord Phelps sneered as his eyes took in Lord Coldwell's impressive stature.

  “You may refer to me as Lord Justice,” he quipped snidely.

  Sophia was so distracted by what was going on, that she failed to see Gilbert coming after her until he'd lunged at her, knocking her angrily to the ground. The breath whooshed from her lungs as her back hit the ground with a resounding thwack, causing her hand to release the pistol which flew across the floor. Lord Phelps ran after it while Gilbert held her pinned down.

  Lord Coldwell ran towards her pistol as well, but Lord Phelps beat him to it. Clasping the pistol tightly in his hand, he aimed it at Sophia's head. “I didn't intend to take a life tonight, but it appears that my plans have changed.”

  “Shoot her,” Gilbert urged, a coldness in his voice that pierced Sophia to the core.

  Her own brother was advocating for her death. She tried to search his face, but he refused to look at her. Something inside of her died as a lump of emotion clogged her throat. She felt a hot tear escape down the side of her face and disappear into her hair. She wanted to reach up and wipe the moisture from her cheeks, but Gilbert was pinning her hands down so roughly she couldn't break free.

  “I'm afraid,” Lord Coldwell said icily, “I'm going to be the only one with blood on my hands this night.”

  With that, he pulled his trigger. Sophia watched in shock as Lord Phelps crumpled to the ground, a pool of dark red blood seeping out beneath his body.

  Looking dangerous, Lord Coldwell then aimed his pistol at Gilbert. “If you move a muscle, you'll be next.” Without even turning his head towards the unidentified man still in
the warehouse, he spoke to him as well. “Same for you. The authorities will be here in a minute. I suggest you behave yourselves if you want to live.”

  Though she could hardly breathe with Gilbert lying atop her, combined with the heartache that his betrayal had caused, Sophia found relief in knowing there would be help soon. Lord Coldwell walked over to Lord Phelps and picked up her pistol and stuffed it into his jacket pocket then nudged the man with the toe of his boot.

  “Is he dead?” Sophia managed to squeak.

  “It would appear so.”

  “Did you really send for the authorities? I thought I told you to wait.”

  “I thought you weren't an amateur,” he quipped.

  Before she could respond, several men burst into the warehouse. Lord Coldwell looked relieved as he ordered, “Bind these men and remove this body. I'll explain everything to you back at the station.”

  Realizing it was too late to fight, Gilbert showed no signs of struggle as two men pulled him off of Sophia and began binding his wrists behind his back while two other men did the same to the unidentified man.

  Lord Coldwell put his pistol away and came and offered Sophia, his hand. Lifting her from the floor, he gripped her hand tightly for a moment before letting it go. “I think a thank you is in order.”

  “Thank you for sending for the authorities,” she reluctantly bit out, still annoyed he acted without her consent.

  “And?” he pried. “What about thanking me for saving your life?”

  Sophia looked into his gray eyes and managed a small smile. “For that, I'm most grateful, My Lord.”

  “Grateful enough to offer me a favor in return?”

  Her eyes narrowed into skeptical slits. She was temporarily distracted from her heartache. “What sort of favor?”

  He leaned in close, and Sophia searched his face. His gaze dropped to her lips, and she wondered if he'd ask for a kiss. Perhaps she'd oblige him. “Resign your position as a spy tonight. It's too dangerous.”

  Pride welled up inside her, with an equal measure of disappointment that she tried to ignore. “Never,” she hissed. “But I will request one thing.”

  “What is that?”

  “That I never be assigned to work with you again.” Turning on her heel, she fled the warehouse, anxious to get a breath of fresh air and get away from the infuriating Lord Coldwell. She rued the day she was ever assigned to partner with him.