“You would not dare.”
“For Lydia, I would do almost anything.” Edward stood to his full height, the two men facing off like wolves fighting over territory.
“You prize fool.”
“I am no fool. I know precisely what I am doing, and my reasoning is good.”
James shook his head in disbelief. “Now, I understand the problem you face. The Duke of Greenwick discovered who you were, did he not? I imagine he has reacted in much the same manner that I am doing. He understands the acrimony between our families. He has not forgotten, and neither should you.”
“Neither you nor the Duke of Greenwick will deter me from my hopes, Brother. I will marry Lydia. I am the Duke of Summerhill, I may wed whom I please. No man shall stop me. Not you, not the Duke, not my grandfather’s legacy, and not God himself.” Edward looked about ready to throw a punch, but James was equally riled. If it was a fight Edward wanted, he would receive one.
“We shall see about that,” James muttered, his body shaking.
You will not bring ridicule upon our house, Edward. I will prevent you. I know your secret—I overheard what you said to Phillip. I will let you believe that you have won, and I shall strike when you least expect it. You will not succeed.
“If you attempt to stop me, I swear to all that is heavenly that I will have you sent away. I will not have you in this house if you cannot support my wishes. Do I make myself clear? If you step a foot out of line, I want you gone.”
James frowned. “You would not.”
“Do you wish to test me, Brother? I can send you away now, if you would prefer? I am certain that Adrian can find a position for you in the military, and I will not hesitate to call upon his services if you proceed in your resentment for this match.”
James snorted. “You think Adrian would find this acceptable?”
“He is not cut from the same cloth as you and father, and grandfather. He would understand my perspective. Although he is a gentleman of the military, he also comprehends the need for peace and unity. He would see things in a different light—my light—I am sure of it.”
“We shall see about that. I will write to him this instant and let him know of what you intend to do,” James said curtly. “Then we shall see whose side he is on. I would tell Mother, if I did not think it would send her into another daze, from which she may never awaken.”
He turned on his heel and stormed up the staircase, his heart pounding in his chest. He had no intention of writing to Adrian, for he believed in Edward’s sentiment regarding their cousin. Both gentlemen were too soft to be true sons of the Summerhill dynasty. But I am not. I will do whatever is necessary to prevent this travesty from occurring.
Reaching his room, he walked to the window and looked out upon the grounds of Summerhill Hall. It was the same view he had enjoyed throughout the entirety of his life, and he would not stand to let a Greenwick set foot on this land.
Come seven o’clock, Brother, you will see your hopes dashed. In time, you will understand why this must happen.
Chapter 31
Adrian arrived in Chester, having ridden without pause throughout the day and night. Weary and starving, he found the nearest inn and took up a room there. The food was rich and warming, as he settled down to dine upon a fine broth of beef stew, but he could not enjoy it. A creeping feeling of dread had slithered into his bones and he could not shake it.
Perhaps I should not have abandoned Summerhill Hall so soon. He knew what James and Edward were like, when left to their own company. They argued like cat and dog, and this mystery wife-to-be was likely to cause some dispute between them. James liked to be in-the-know about everything that happened in Summerhill Hall, and Edward’s reluctance to disclose information would drive a wedge between them.
I cannot think on that now. I must discover Miss Veronica Simpkins and see if Edward has been telling the truth. If there is no mystery lady to worry about, then I might send word to James and have any future arguments dissipated before they may begin.
Finishing his evening meal, he walked up to the bar and hailed the proprietor. She was a buxom, plump older woman with graying hair and a stern face, but she smiled as she approached. Adrian tended to have that effect on ladies of all kinds.
“Good evening to you, Madam,” he said.
“And to you, Sir. What might I do for you?”
“I was wondering if you had heard tell of a young lady arriving here, perhaps a week or so ago. Her name is Miss Veronica Simpkins, and I am in earnest to find her,” he replied politely.
The proprietor frowned. “Pretty lass?”
“By all accounts, yes.”
“Friend of yours?”
Adrian smiled. “Not exactly, but I have reason to believe she may be in some trouble, and I am eager to discover her before such a tragedy can occur.”
“Truth be told, there was a young lass came in around that time, looking for a room. I don’t take waifs and strays, but she had coin. Even so, I’m not one to take single young lasses into my care. I sent her down the road to the Green Dragon. You might still find her there, though I ain’t seen hide nor hair of her since.”
Adrian nodded in gratitude. “My thanks to you, Madam. And, might I say, you make a rather decent beef stew. The most delicious meal I have eaten in a long while.”
The proprietor glowed with happiness. “Why, thank you, Sir. I makes it meself.”
“I will go to the Green Dragon in the morning and ask after this Miss Simpkins. Once again, I thank you for your help and your divine cookery.”
He was too exhausted to visit the other inn now, and he needed time to come up with a course of action. He did not wish to startle the young lady and have her take off, so he needed to be careful. As he headed up the stairs to his room, an idea came to him. He would wait outside the establishment the following day and keep alert for any sign of Miss Simpkins.
If she emerged, he would follow her until he could find a safe place to approach. After all, no harm had befallen her reputation as of yet. Edward was at Summerhill Hall, which meant that no potential elopement had happened. He did not wish to add to gossip by visiting her directly. No, that would not do at all.
Tomorrow morning it is, then. With a loud yawn, he retired for the night, his heart heavy with thoughts of Edward and James. He prayed they did not kill one another before he had the chance to bring peace.
* * *
Lydia jumped in fright at the sound of something tapping against her window. She glanced at it, wondering if a poor bird had flown into the pane. She paused, and another tap hit the glass. A small object had been thrown, causing the noise.
She went over to investigate and opened the window wide. Below, her sister stood with Lord Chalmers at her side. It was a peculiar sight, for the sun was almost ready to set, the clock having struck six. Caroline was not the sort of lady to meet with gentlemen after dark, without a chaperone, regardless of her affections for them.
“Caroline?” Lydia gasped the word, for she prayed her sister held good news. Her father had ridden out several hours ago and had not returned. Headley was a good distance from Greenwick Abbey, prompting Lydia to wonder if he had stayed the night there, rather than make the return journey in one day.
“My dear sister, Lord Chalmers brings news for you from Edward,” Caroline replied, in a hushed tone.
John nodded. “I spoke with Edward himself. He has asked that you be ready to depart this very evening, in the small hours of the morning. He is sending a carriage to collect you. It shall wait at the gates at the top of the driveway, and he will be there waiting with it.”
“How can I ever thank you?” Lydia felt tears spring to her eyes. And yet, a doubt remained. “Wait…how am I to flee this room? The door is locked.”
Caroline looked sad. “I will open it for you at midnight, darling sister. I know where Papa hides the key.”
“Oh, Caroline. I owe you my life.”
“I hope that it may bring you hap
piness, Lydia. That is all I have ever desired for you. Indeed, without you, I would not have found my own contentment.” A bittersweet smile tugged at the corners of her lips, as she gazed up at John, who was already smiling back.
“It is we who owe you a debt of gratitude, Lady Lydia,” John said, keeping his gaze upon Caroline.
“But please, Sister, be careful, I beg of you.” Caroline looked back up at Lydia, with tears glittering in her eyes, too. Lydia understood the reason for such sadness. The moment Lydia settled inside the carriage and took off for Summerhill Hall, the future of the sisters would be uncertain. If their father continued in his displeasure, it was unlikely they would ever see one another again.
“I will, Caroline. I will wait for you tonight. Bring Mary if you can, for I should very much like to say farewell before I depart,” she said urgently.
“I will insure it, sweet Sister. But, for now, we must go, before anyone discovers us.”
As they left the gardens below, Lydia retreated back inside her bedchamber and stared fixedly at the clock on the mantelpiece. She had six hours to wait until her freedom could be achieved. Undoubtedly, they would be the longest six hours she had ever endured.
* * *
An hour later, countless miles away from Greenwick Abbey, Edward had dressed and was on his way to meet Phillip in front of the house. A stillness had settled over Summerhill Hall, and it unnerved him. After their dispute in the entrance hall, Edward had not seen James again. And that worried him.
What if he overheard my plans to rescue Lydia? What if he has already sabotaged the operation, by going to the stables and preventing the preparations from being made? He knew he would find out soon enough, as he wrenched open the front door and looked out. To his relief, the carriage and his horse awaited.
Phillip held the reins. “Good evening, Your Grace. I have made all the preparations, as you asked. And I have not mentioned it to a soul. The ostlers are content in believing that you are collecting a friend from London and are ready to await your return in the early hours of the morning.”
“Thank you, Phillip.” Edward took the reins from him and leapt up into the saddle.
“It is my pleasure, Your Grace.” Phillip hopped up onto the driver’s box of the carriage and snapped the reins, with Edward leading the way up the long drive. He glanced back at the house but once, expecting to find a shadow in one of the windows. Instead, the house stared outward, blank-eyed and vacant.
Satisfied, Edward turned his gaze towards the gates and ploughed on.
However, the moment they neared the gatehouse, he realized something was wrong. The gates were shut tight, the bolt drawn across the interior. A horse whinnied in the nearby trees, on the inside of the house’s fortifications.
“Phillip, hold,” Edward whispered. Immediately, the valet drew the carriage to a halt. “No matter what happens, you must go to Greenwick Abbey and wait at the top of the drive there, do you understand?”
Phillip nodded nervously. “Yes, Your Grace.”
“I will pay you handsomely, but you must do as I ask.”
“Of course, Your Grace.”
No sooner had Phillip replied than a shadow loomed out of the trees and came towards them. James sat astride his horse, blocking the route out of Summerhill Hall. Edward could not reach the gates without going through him. And I will, if I must.
“If you will not listen to reason, Brother, you must be forcibly stopped,” James said coolly. His eyes glittered in the darkness.
“Stand aside, James.”
“I will not.” He lifted aside the edge of his coat and revealed a pistol, the dark metal dull in the moonlight.
Phillip gasped.
“You would shoot me, Brother?” Edward jeered. “Need I remind you that I have already evaded two gunshots and survived. What do you think your chances might be of killing me now? Would you truly hang for the sake of the woman I love?”
“A grave injury would suffice, for who would believe you? I would deny it, and it would be your word against mine.” He looked to Phillip. “You have a wife, do you not?”
He nodded. “Yes, My Lord.”
“And a child on the way?”
“Yes, My Lord.”
“I wonder what would happen if you were suddenly to find yourself unemployed?”
Phillip paled, but Edward cast him a reassuring look.
“You do not have the authority in such matters,” Edward said.
“If you are injured, and unable to perform your duties as Duke, I should say that I would be in exactly the right position to make such judgements upon the staff,” James replied, with a smirk. “Perhaps you will hit your head again and do us all the great favor of forgetting who you are.”
Edward glanced at Phillip. “Remember what I said?”
Phillip nodded uncertainly. “Yes, Your Grace.”
Without another word, Edward dug in his heels and charged at James, letting out a fearsome cry as he did so. It was enough to spook James’ horse, who reared and backed away, refusing to listen to the insistent jab of James’ heels. It darted to the side, before James could get the creature back under control. By which time James had drawn his pistol and aimed it at Edward’s chest.
“You will not kill me, Brother,” Edward spat, keeping one eye on the gate.
“I do not need to. I only need to stop you.” James cocked back the hammer of the pistol, readying it to fire.
Edward waited until the very last moment, the shot ringing out in the silent night as he dove away from his horse and hit the ground with a terrible thud. Pain ricocheted through his injured shoulder, but he could not waste a moment on his agony. Dragging himself to his feet, he sprinted for the gate and yanked back the bolt with a screech of metal on metal.
“No!” James bellowed, as he struggled to get his horse to obey. The gunshot had terrified it, the poor creature showing the whites of its eyes as it tried to break away. James tugged harder on the reins, a pinkish foam appearing at the beast’s mouth.
“You must go, Phillip! Now!” Edward yelled, as he hauled open the gates, just wide enough for the carriage to pass through. For a moment, Phillip hesitated, before snapping the reins and urging the carriage through. It rattled past with a clatter of wheels and hooves, turning precariously onto the main road. Edward did not linger. He lunged at the open gates and forced them shut, driving the bolt across once more.
If I am trapped, then you will be, too.
“You fool! You wretched fool!” James screamed, as he leapt down from his unruly horse and ran towards Edward. Edward ducked the first blow that his brother sought to land, but the pain in his shoulder was overwhelming. He felt certain something was damaged, but he could not dwell on it right now.
He dodged another ill-placed blow and rounded on his brother, ramming into him with the full force of his weight and knocking them both to the ground. They wrestled in the dirt and gravel, James’ eyes staring up with vivid fury as he fought to hurt Edward.
Edward was not the sort of gentleman who liked conflict of any kind, but this was life or death. Lydia’s life or a future of eternal misery. He would not see her locked in a convent, all because she loved him—a gentleman who had no quarrel with the Greenwicks and sought only to restore peace between their families.
“You will not succeed, Edward!” James hissed. “I will not allow it.”
“You have little choice, James.” Edward reeled back and pummeled his fist into the side of his brother’s face. It impacted with a sickening crack, blood spitting from James’ mouth as he took his hand away. James lolled beneath him, his eyes rolling back into his head, his breath easing to a slow rhythm.
Panting and grimacing in pain, Edward sat back and wiped the sweat from his brow. His brother was unconscious, but he knew it would not stop here. He may have won the battle, but he did not know if he would win the war. He was not sure Lydia would even agree to get in the carriage if he was not there.
Leaving James on the ground, E
dward hauled himself to his feet and strode towards the gatehouse. He hammered on the door until the guards answered, their expressions wary and frightened.
“Your Grace!” one cried.
“I expect my brother paid you well for your turning a blind eye?” Edward gasped for air, his lungs on fire.
“We did not know he sought to prevent you from leaving, Your Grace. He told us he wished to apprehend one of the valets, who had been accused of theft,” the second guard said, his tone pleading. These men could not afford to lose their jobs. “Had we known, we never would have agreed to it.”
Wicked Temptations For The Seduced Duchess (Steamy Historical Regency) Page 23
