The Earl’s Dangerous Passion (Historical Regency Romance)

by Ella Edon

  Now Amy was stunned. She had heard Anna talk with such confidence about her husband. They had such a strong bond. Now it looked like the bond was breaking.

  “You had a lot of faith in him before, Mama. What’s changed?”

  Anna swallowed hard. She took another sip of water.

  “I had faith in him before we got here. He’s always been devoted to me, looking after me whenever he can. And now he’s taken to prowling around the estate. I have no idea what he’s up to.” Anna made a face. “He thinks I’ve passed out due to the sleeping draft he gives me, but I know when he’s not there.”

  This was something Amy had not heard before. As far as she was aware, James deeply loved his wife. He had been like that since the start. It was why Amy was confident that James could look after her mother better than her father.

  “You…” It was unthinkable. “You don’t think he’s having an affair, do you?”

  “No, I don’t think so. He’s too loyal for that, and I know the signs.” Anna shook her head with a frown. “But he’s up to something. I just wish I knew what.”

  That was when Amy heard loud voices downstairs, and footsteps thundering up, getting closer. She slid off the bed.

  “Maybe that’s him now. Where did he go, anyway?”

  “He went to investigate the screaming we heard earlier.”

  “Screaming? I didn’t hear any screaming.”

  “Really?” Anna’s mouth curled in a smirk. “You’re probably deaf from the screams last night. I swear everyone heard them. Goodness knows what the servants were up to for them to be that loud.”

  It took a moment before Amy realized what her mother was talking about. Had she been that loud, her own mother had heard her? Amy turned away before Anna saw her red face. Then the door burst open, almost catching Amy in the face, and James came hurrying in. He stopped when he saw Amy, grabbing her as Amy swayed.

  “Hartley’s dead.”

  His words didn’t sink in. Amy thought she had misheard, but Anna had heard him clearly. Amy heard her gasp.

  “What?”

  Amy couldn’t believe it. Hartley couldn’t be dead, surely? She stared up at her stepfather.

  “Father’s dead? How?”

  “Poisoned like the others,” James said grimly. “But this time it was more brutal. Hartley put up a fight, and he was forced to ingest the poison.”

  Amy didn’t know what happened, but suddenly James was grabbing at her, leading her to a nearby chair. She bit back a flinch as she sat down, shifting until it was less sore. Anna had lost all color in her face as she stared at her husband.

  “Oh...I...I hated him, but…” she shook her head. “I would never wish that on him.”

  “That’s not all.” James went on, rubbing at his jaw. Amy could see a bruise just under his eye and realized James was wearing foundation powder. “Lady Beatrice and Lord Leicester are accusing Lord Derby of the murder.”

  That had Amy jumping to her feet. She swayed, her legs almost buckling, but she pushed away James as he reached for her.

  “No! I don’t believe it! Derby didn’t kill anyone!”

  James spread his hands.

  “Amy, your father died during the night. Everyone would have been in their rooms. No one would have known, and there are a multitude of stairs everywhere. Derby knows this house like the back of his hand.”

  “But Derby wasn’t downstairs last night.” Amy protested. “He…”

  Then she realized what she was about to say and covered her mouth with her hands. Of all the people to confess what she had done, it wasn’t meant to be to her mother and stepfather. Anna was staring at her as the penny dropped. James lowered his hands, confusion turning into a frown. He didn’t look pleased.

  “He was with you last night?”

  Amy flushed and shook her head.

  “Don’t judge me too harshly on my actions right now, James. It happened, and I don’t regret it. I don’t want you to chastise me about it.”

  James looked like he wanted to say more, but Anna cut him off before he could protest.

  “James, I don’t think we need to know the details.” She looked at her daughter with a pointed frown. “But make sure you’re absolutely sure about this, Amy. This is your reputation on the line now. And you will have to tell the magistrate what you and Lord Derby were up to.”

  Amy didn’t need to think. She squared her shoulders.”

  “I am sure.”

  She had never been so sure about anything in her life.

  * * *

  Lord John Radford looked like an ordinary old man. Late fifties, medium height with a full head of white hair. If he wasn’t dressed in finest cloth and walking around with the most ornate cane that Amy had ever seen, she would more than likely have seen him in the street and walked right past him. His physical appearance said nothing about his status.

  But he did have a piercing gaze. An intense gaze that made Amy feel like he was looking right inside her head.

  She had seen him briefly when she escaped out into the garden to get a breath of air, stepping into Derby’s office from the terrace. He had seen her, given her a slight bow, and then gone inside.

  At least they could breathe a little easier now. The magistrate was here, and the coroner was not far behind. Amy couldn’t see the poisoner being brazen enough to commit another murder when the magistrate was there.

  She would have to see him shortly. Amy wasn’t looking forward to it. She had nothing to hide, but she would have to confess what she had done the night before. It wasn’t relevant except giving Derby an alibi, but Amy was sure it was going to make Lord Radford raise his eyebrows.

  That was going to be one of the most uncomfortable times in her life.

  Trying to distract herself, Amy went for a long walk around the gardens. She wasn’t hungry anymore. The shock about her father was beginning to set in, and Amy’s head was whirling with a series of emotions. She didn’t know whether to be angry, upset, or anything. Hartley had turned into a man she despised, and their final moments had not been something Amy wanted to remember. The final look he had given her before he left her room was one of hatred.

  How could a man hate his daughter so much?

  After aimlessly walking around, Amy found herself at the secret place where the tree Derby’s father had planted. There was no one there, and Amy momentarily dithered. It was somewhere that was special to Derby. She didn’t think he would mind too much if she took refuge there. Right now, Amy just wanted to be alone.

  She sat on the bench, staring up at the tree. If only things had been different. Would she be feeling different emotions? Would she actually be mourning her father? Amy didn’t know. Things were going around in her head. She couldn’t get a hold on anything.

  Hartley was a man who wasn’t easy to get on with. He was awful, violent, abusive, just a terrible human being. At some point when Amy was a little girl, he had changed, and Amy was still confused as to why he changed. Nothing to indicate that Hartley had experienced anything to become the man he had become.

  Amy had a few memories of her father when she was little. And that was what she wanted to remember. But, then again, she had mourned that part of him a long time ago.

  “Amy?”

  Amy looked up. Sarah was standing by the tree. She hadn’t noticed her friend appear. Just the sight of Sarah had Amy wanting to burst into tears. She swallowed the hard lump in her throat and reached out to her.

  Sarah hurried over and sat on the bench as she hugged Amy. Someone was trembling, but Amy wasn’t sure if it was her. Sarah drew back, clasping Amy’s hands.

  “You have my condolences about your father. I can’t begin to imagine how that feels losing him like that.”

  Amy shook her head.

  “I don’t know what to think, Sarah. My mind’s in a complete mess. He had become a man I disliked towards the end, but...he’s still my father.”

  “I know.” Sarah squeezed her hands. “There’s alw
ays going to be a part of you that loved him, no matter what has happened to him over the years.”

  At least someone understood. Amy didn’t want to sound like a fool saying it out loud. She shifted on the bench. There were no regrets about last night, but she did wish she didn’t feel uncomfortable afterward.

  It was worth it, though.

  “How was it with Lord Radford?” Amy tried to turn her mind away from her memories in her room. “Have you spoken to him yet?”

  “Just now. He’s a very respectful man. Considerate to my loss.”

  “What did you make of him?”

  Sarah frowned.

  “He looks like an old man who swans about, but he’s very sharp. I have an image of him being a snake waiting to pounce on the mouse he’s been circling.”

  “That’s an interesting comparison.”

  “It’s just what came to mind.” Sarah brushed some dirt off her skirt. “Has he spoken to you yet?”

  “No, not yet. I’m still waiting for him to call me in.”

  “Amy.”

  “What?”

  Sarah was looking at her friend closely.

  “You don’t need to look so nervous. You didn’t kill them. Lord Radford is going to know that.”

  Amy blinked. She hadn’t realized she was showing her nerves. She withdrew her hands from Sarah, twisting her fingers together in her lap. Oh, dear.

  “It...I’m not concerned about Lord Radford thinking I’m the killer. It’s…” She gulped. Somehow confessing to her best friend about being with her brother was more embarrassing than telling her mother and stepfather. “I know he’s going to disapprove of my...well, my actions.”

  “Actions for what?”

  “Well, my alibi for Father’s murder.” Amy could feel her face getting warm, and she looked away, trying to not catch Sarah’s eye. “He’s not going to be impressed.”

  “Why would he disapprove of your alibi? It’s not as if you were…” Sarah stopped. Amy glanced back to see realization dawning. Her friend’s mouth had fallen open, her eyes wide and round. “You were...well, I never would have thought it of you!”

  “It’s not exactly something I’m going to openly declare, is it?”

  “I suppose not.” Sarah paused. “I’m guessing that it was with my brother? He did mention about going to see you yesterday.”

  “Oh, God.” Amy buried her face in her hands. She couldn’t look at her. “Why did I say anything?”

  “I think I would have got it out of one of you pretty quickly.” Sarah giggled. “I’m just surprised the two of you held off as long as you did. When Daniel knows what he wants, he goes for it.”

  Amy was all too aware of that. Sarah was still giggling.

  “Sarah, this isn’t funny. You’re making me feel worse.”

  “I can’t help it.” Sarah tried to stop, but she started spluttering again. “It’s just the look on your face.”

  “Then stop looking at me.” Amy stood and moved away. “I just hope when I have to tell Lord Radford, he doesn’t disapprove.”

  “I don’t think you have to worry about that.” Sarah’s voice still held some mirth. “Even the sternest of people committed indiscretions when they were younger. You don’t think everyone over the age of thirty is a saint, do you?”

  “Well, Father certainly wasn’t.”

  “Exactly.” Sarah sat up. “Watch out; I hear someone coming.”

  “Where?”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Then Amy heard the swishing of skirts, the loud whining voice along with a hushed, strained female voice. Rebecca Colburn and her poor Aunt Helen. Amy had wondered how Helen hadn’t snapped on her niece a long time ago. She groaned.

  “Oh, great. I don’t want to deal with her today.”

  “Too late.” Sarah nodded towards the exit. “Here she comes.”

  Amy turned and saw Rebecca looming between the hedgerows. She was dressed in pale blue, her hair perfectly done up, and kept off her slim neck. Her eyes were blazing when they landed on Amy.

  “You!” She advanced on Amy. “You are such a whore!”

  Amy saw Rebecca’s arm moving, holding onto her fan, and dodged to the side. The fan narrowly missed her face, and Amy backed away, putting the bench between them. Helen came hurrying over.

  “Rebecca, don’t!” she pleaded, grabbing her niece’s arm. “There’s no need for this!”

  “Leave off, Aunt Helen.” Rebecca shrugged the older woman off and pointed at Amy with her fan. “This whore thought she could waltz in and take my man away from me?”

  “And that requires you to assault my friend?” Sarah asked coolly. She hadn’t risen, but her stiff poise and her hands folded in her lap gave off a frosty edge.

  “She shouldn’t have seduced your brother into her bed last night,” Rebecca shot back. “I know it was them last night. I could hear them from the other end of the house, and I certainly heard the name Daniel.”

  “And you assume that it was Miss Hartley?”

  Rebecca snorted.

  “How many Daniels are in this house? And I don’t see your brother sleeping with his servants. He’s got a bit more self-respect than that.” She gestured at Amy again with her fan. “Lord Derby was mine, Amy! He knew it, and you had no right to take him from me!”

  Amy was getting a headache with this stubborn girl. She was certainly leaning towards Rebecca being just stupid.

  “I believe Lord Derby has told you on multiple occasions that he is having nothing to do with you,” she pointed out.

  “We’re not having this out here. Not today.” Sarah stood, placing herself between Amy and Rebecca. She faced Rebecca now. “Miss Colburn, as Miss Hartley had just pointed out, you knew where you stood with my brother before you came here. That’s not going to change. Stop trying to fight for something that you’re not going to have.”

  “But…”

  “Persistence does not always pay off, and my brother prefers women who are not openly brazen and single-minded.”

  Amy had rarely seen Sarah like this. She seemed to have grown two inches taller, and her composure was rock-solid. She looked every bit a Marquess.

  Rebecca’s lip curled, sneering at Amy over Sarah’s shoulder.

  “Well, I’ve got more of a claim on him than this whore.”

  Helen gasped. Amy opened her mouth for a retort, but Sarah got there first. She slapped Rebecca. It was so sudden, Rebecca was caught by surprise. The sound of the slap reverberated around the small space. Rebecca clutched at her face, staring at Sarah like she had grown another head.

  “You assaulted me!”

  “And I’ll do it again if you don’t get it into your head that you’re fighting a battle that you’ve already lost,” Sarah said sharply. “Get off your high horse, Miss Colburn. Stop calling Miss Hartley a whore and have some respect for your contemporaries. She’s just lost her father, and she does not deserve to be treated in this way.”

  Rebecca snorted.

  “We all know that they didn’t get on. We’ve heard the arguments.” She sneered at Amy. “And I can see she’s not torn up about it.”

  Amy bared her teeth. But before she could respond, she heard a harsh voice behind them.

  “Miss Hartley’s feelings are none of your business, Rebecca.” Derby advanced on the group. “And I think it’s time you went back inside. Lord Radford is looking for you.”

  “Your sister hit me!” Rebecca cried, gesturing at her cheek. It was turning bright red and clearly showed finger marks. “You can’t let her get away with that!”

  “If my sister hit you, I’m just surprised she didn’t do it much earlier.” Derby glanced at his sister, Sarah’s expression remaining blank. “Your restraint is getting better in your old age, Sarah.”

  “Less of the old age, thank you, my lord.” Sarah beckoned at Helen. “Miss Maudlin, I think it’s time we escorted your niece back into the house for questioning.”

  “I’m not going anywhere with you!” Re
becca shrieked, but Derby held up a hand.

  “You will do as you’re told and respect your peers, Rebecca. Now get out of here. This is a private part of the garden, and you were not permitted inside.”

  Rebecca stared at him. Amy could see tears in her eyes and, just for a moment, she felt sympathy for her. Just a little. Sympathy for a girl suffering from unrequited love had run out a while ago. She knew how painful it was, but Rebecca Colburn had gone about it in the wrong way.