Oh, please do not break my family now. Have I not suffered enough for that terrible mistake? If they cannot come to me, then let this stay buried between them. Let it be as nothing. I beg of you.
Teresa had to admit, it was rather clever of the Duchess to hide her personal entry in a stack of moldering letters. And yet, the confession made her heart break for the Duchess. It shone a light on what the Duchess had said to her, upon the staircase, when they had spoken of the highwaymen’s attack. The Duchess had suffered as Teresa had suffered, only she had not had Luke to save her before it could be brutally exacted.
You poor creature. Certainly, it started to seem more likely that Lord Harpington and Luke had kept their mother’s secret for the same reason that Teresa sympathized with her now. But, it still left one rather large question unanswered—if Luke and Lord Harpington both knew the secret, did they also know that the other knew? It was all very confusing. However, the Duchess’ private entry did not enlighten Teresa any further. She did not seem to know, either.
What am I to do with this? That, she definitely did not have the answer to.
Realizing that she had been alone with these items for much too long, she decided to dwell on the matter for a while. Taking the book and the letters, she hurried out of the bedchamber and crept along to the Duchess’ study. Entering, she went straight to the bureau and replaced everything she had taken, making sure there was not a single page or ribbon out of place.
With that done, she exited the study and headed downstairs, eager to clear her mind so that she might put everything together in more detail. She already had plans to return for the book, so she could continue her search for the Sphinx, but her head was too full for that right now. She needed fresh air, and a moment to herself, before she could contemplate that again.
Stepping out into the warm afternoon, she walked down the long driveway and out of the gates. With Luke captured, she did not feel the need to fear any highwaymen upon the road. After all, it was daylight still, and the highwaymen had rarely struck at such an hour. And, perhaps, deep down, she wanted to happen upon those cretins, so she might look them in the eye and ask them what they had done with Luke.
Strolling at a leisurely pace, she wished she could have enjoyed her surroundings. The day was a beautiful one, with a warm breeze sweeping through the trees that lined the road, whispering more secrets. I have had quite enough of secrets. If she did not hear another one again, in her lifetime, it would not be too soon. Yet the sunshine felt pleasant upon her face, calming her fractious nerves with its soothing touch.
Where are you, Luke? She glanced towards the open fields, hoping that, if she just thought hard enough, he would appear. But the fields remained empty of everything but the swaying grass. And Luke was still missing. She did not know how she might endure another day without him, for the longer he was away, the less chance there was of ever seeing him again.
In truth, she feared he may be dead already. If the Sphinx planned to blackmail the Rowfex family, he did not necessarily need to have Luke alive. He would have enough leverage, even without him. I cannot think like that. As long as I am breathing, there is hope for Luke. She struggled to convince herself of that, but if she gave in now, there would be no coming back.
Without her realizing, she had ended up a long way from the house, walking upon an unknown road that cut through the fields. She tried to envision it in her mind, wondering if she was near the place where the highwaymen had attacked her. It had been dark and rainy that night, the landscape nightmarish, where now it was glimmering and beautiful.
Presently, the path turned and began to curve along the tree line of some nearby woods. Caring little for her own safety, she headed along it, eager to put some more distance between herself and the Manor. The walk was helping with her thoughts, organizing them into neat boxes that she could dwell upon later. Finding the Sphinx was at the top of her list. As for the rest of it, she could resolve that another time, once Luke was safely returned.
She was about to turn back the way she had come, when voices in the woodland prompted her to pause. Her heart leapt into her throat, panic hitting her square in the chest. Eager to keep out of sight, she edged towards a nearby tree and ducked down, using the wide trunk to hide her.
“I would like to know what on earth is going on, and I would like to know now,” a familiar voice hissed.
“I don’t know, My Lord,” a different, strange voice replied.
“What do you mean, you do not know? How can you not know?”
Why do I recognize that voice? She wracked her brain, trying to place it.
“We thought it’d all be over by now, My Lord,” a third voice cut in.
“Well, clearly something has gone awry, and I should like to know what. You are to investigate, and bring word back to me, do I make myself clear?”
“Aye, My Lord. We’ll look into it right away,” the second voice assured. Teresa heard a faint rustle, as if people were moving through the trees. Fortunately, it sounded as though they were moving away from her.
She was about to make a run for it, when there was another rustle in the undergrowth, closer this time. And it was getting ever nearer. Terrified, she crept around to the other side of the tree and crouched down in the shadows. A moment later, a figure emerged onto the road beyond and began to make his way along the path. It was in that moment that she realized who the speaker had been.
Lord Harpington? She clamped her hand over her mouth to stop the gasp from escaping. What was he doing here? And who were those men he had been speaking with? She contemplated bursting out of her hiding place to confront him, but common sense kept her in her position.
Unable to believe her eyes, she watched Lord Harpington walk away, following the same route she had taken from the house. It seemed likely that he had been talking about Luke, but it had been much too vague to make any sense of.
A nagging suspicion gnawed away at the back of her mind, as she stayed there in the gloom, surrounded by the damp scent of rotting vegetation. Upon hearing those voices, her first thought had been that they were highwaymen, plotting something untoward in the secrecy of the woodland. Seeing Lord Harpington, her mind had been thrown into disarray. He was not wearing the attire of a highwayman, and she had not been able to see the other two men he had been talking to.
Did Lord Harpington do this? She thought of his injuries, particularly the long gash that had torn his face from temple to jaw, covering some of his old scar. He had been wounded in the attack at Lidderdale Castle. Surely, that meant he was innocent of any crimes against Luke? And yet, he, above all others, had the most serious motive to see Luke removed from his station in the household. Luke was the rightful heir and, judging by what the Duchess had written, he knew it—they both knew it. And, what was more, Lord Harpington might know that the Duke had intended to see him removed from any inheritance.
Did Luke say something to him before they rode for Lidderdale Castle? She had not been there to overhear, but it could have been entirely possible. Then again, it seemed ridiculous that Lord Harpington should have been able to lay a trap so quickly. Or am I just trying to deny the obvious? She had grown fond of Lord Harpington in a friendly fashion and had seen his pain and guilt over the loss of Luke, and the response from his mother and the Duke. Unless Lord Harpington was an exceptional thespian, she did not believe he could have been pretending.
But what if I am wrong? There was enough scope to make her come to a sudden decision. She was going to watch Lord Harpington very closely, and follow his every move, if only to prove that he was, indeed, innocent of any wrongdoing. She hoped, very much, that Lord Harpington had simply been speaking with some men who might have heard of Luke’s whereabouts—some of the guards, perhaps. But, if that was not the case, she would soon know about it.
* * *
Edmund strode along the road towards home, a black cloud of anger hovering above his head. He could not believe the ineptitude of some individuals. How hard c
ould it be, to discover what was going on? He had acquaintances all across the country, and not a single one of them had been able to give him a direct answer regarding his brother.
As he walked, his mind turned towards thoughts of Miss Dowels. She had been instructed to take to her chambers, to overcome the shock of Luke’s loss. He felt sorry that she was having to endure such pain. It was part of the reason he wanted a swift answer from his acquaintances, so he could put her out of her misery.
Perhaps I will visit her and see if she would care for some company. A smile turned up the corners of his lips. He longed to take his mind off this unpleasantness, even if it was just for a short while. Luke had taken priority over his thoughts for much too long. It was time he diverted himself with far more enticing pursuits.
Dipping his hand into his waistcoat pocket, he felt for the object that he always kept there. It brought him comfort, to feel the smooth metal against his skin. Indeed, the prize had been hard won, and he was yet to receive his full satisfaction. But that day would come soon enough, even if he had to bide his time a little longer.
His acquaintances would return with word of Luke, and he would be able to move forward with his life, with every obstacle removed. Nobody would ever learn the secret that had plagued him for two years, after discovering the letter in his mother’s drawer. It would go to the grave with them, and with him. For, with Luke gone, and Thomas still so very young, they would not be able to deny him his right, not without risking the reputation of his mother.
You may tell your lawyer that, Father. A smirk turned up the corners of his lips. He did not know if his father was still corresponding with the lawyer in question, but he had seen several letters with that fellow’s seal on the back over the last few months. Seeing them had been the driving force behind speeding up the conclusion of his scheme. He would not have his inheritance snatched away. Not now.
He sighed and let the sunlight warm his face. For his long-drawn-out plan was finally coming to fruition, and it was all thanks to Miss Dowels and her curiosity. If she had not suggested they look for the Sphinx, Edmund would never have had the opportunity to lure Luke away from the house, creating a tragic tale that even he would not have been able to construct without her input.
He had been desperately seeking such an opportunity these past months, and she had given it to him. It had been his initial plot to have Luke attacked by the highwaymen, and killed in a brutal assault, but that had failed in the wake of the local militia’s involvement. Besides, Luke was much too swift on his horse to have made that viable. He realized that, now that he no longer had to rely on such means.
You are remarkable, Miss Dowels, and you will receive your reward.
Indeed, they were both remarkable, in their own way. Even before their official first meeting, he had gone to great lengths for her. It had not been easy to race back to the house and creep inside without anyone realizing he had gone. Nor had it been easy to dry the dampness from his hair and change his clothes before Luke and Miss Dowels arrived. However, he knew Luke, and he knew his brother would have taken his time to bring Miss Dowels to the house. It had given him that fleeting period, in which to make it look as if he had been there the entire time.
He took out the object in his pocket and held it in his palm, letting the metal warm against his skin. It was a very pretty necklace, belonging to a very pretty young lady. And soon, they would be reunited, and he would finish what he had started that night, in the driving rain, when she had evaded him.
Chapter 28
Luke blinked awake as the door to his cell scraped open and Stuart entered, devoid of the usual cloth around the lower half of his face. Seeing that Luke already knew who this fellow was, he supposed Stuart had come to the conclusion that he no longer needed to hide his identity. It was already much too late for that.
“Let me go,” Luke rasped.
“There ye go again, with the same old pleas.” Stuart rolled his eyes. “I’ve already told ye, yer aren’t gettin’ out of here anytime soon, so ye might as well get used te it.”
“Why are you doing this?”
Stuart smirked. “Why does anyone do anythin’?”
“Is it money you want?”
“At least ye haven’t lost all yer sense.” Stuart chuckled darkly. “‘Course we want money. Why else would we have gone te all this bother fer ye?”
“Then why not hold my brother to ransom instead? He is the heir. You would have received more for him.”
Stuart smiled. “Come now, M’Lord, we both know that ain’t the truth. Yer brother were the one te tell me everythin’ we needed te know, though it ain’t exactly worked in his favor. He were mighty put out, railin’ about how yer father were continuin’ te try and take his inheritance away.”
“What?” Luke frowned in bemusement. Why would Edmund have told these ingrates the truth about his heritage?
“Hoisted himself by his own rope, did yer brother,” Stuart replied smugly. “If he’d not have told me that, he’d have got what he wanted. And you’d be dead as a doorpost. See, the thing is, I weren’t lyin’ when I said I didn’t want te work for the Sphinx no more. And this is me way out. I blackmail your family; I get me freedom from that cretin.”
Luke shook his head. “I do not understand you.”
“No, I don’t suppose ye do.” Stuart grinned. “He wanted ye dead, M’Lord. But a group of us got together and decided we didn’t want to obey no orders no more. And he gave us exactly what we needed, to get our way out. That filthy little secret is goin’ te be part of the bargain. And yer brother won’t want it gettin’ out, since it’ll ruin all his plans. Bet he’s wonderin’ what the devil’s goin’ on. He don’t even know where we’re keepin’ ye.”
“You are not making any sense.” Luke tried to comprehend, but it was proving impossible.
“And they say ye wealthy folks are better educated than the rest of us.” Stuart gave a cold laugh. “Who’d ye think put all of this in place, M’Lord?”
“I… I do not know.”
“Yer brother is the Sphinx, M’Lord. Has been these past two years, since he found out yer father wanted him gone, and he weren’t entitled to aught. Being a bastard and all.” He smiled grimly. “And he’s the one who attacked that lass of yours. ‘Tis why I took pity on her, knowin’ the company she were keepin’. Though yer brother used it against her—he’s got a way of doin’ that. Crafty devil. Well, he ain’t gettin’ his way this time. This time, we’re gettin’ our way, and he’s goin’ te be the one te pay.”
Luke gaped at him, open-mouthed in horror. “No… no, you must be mistaken.”
“I don’t think I am, M’Lord. He told us his secret right before he told us of his plan te stage an attack and have ye killed. Though he don’t remember tellin’ us the first bit—he were blind drunk that night. Anyway, seems a shame that yer lass were the one who helped him do it, without knowin’ she were, of course. If she’d not said aught about that Lord Fontaine, he’d have had to come up with somethin’ else. Anyway, he said that were why he wanted ye out the way, so ye couldn’t threaten his position and his father wouldn’t be able te oust him. Said he thought ye’d found out, somehow.”
“No…”
“Aye, M’Lord. ‘Tis the truth, and no mistake.” Stuart shoved his hands into the pockets of his overcoat to keep out the creeping chill of the cell. “We were meant te have killed ye by now, but that ain’t goin’ te happen. Ye should be thankin’ me. This way, ye might get te see that lass again. If yer father pays up, that is.”
Luke shook his head. “You told Miss Dowels that it was the Sphinx who attempted to brutalize her.” He paused, letting the facts sink in. “Are you telling me that it was Edmund who did that?”
“Ah, he’s finally puttin’ them pieces together.” Stuart smiled. “It were a despicable thing he tried te do. I told that Miss the same thing. I don’t agree with men touchin’ women like that, nor hurtin’ them. But it were him all right. Me pal told me as m
uch.”
“Well, then you cannot be telling the truth. Edmund was already at the house when we arrived.” Luke was desperate to find some way to prove Stuart wrong. There was no way he could be telling the truth… could there?
Stuart shrugged. “The Sphinx be a clever sort of fella. Did ye ride home slow that night?”
“Yes, but—”
“Then that’s how he did it, M’Lord. It were him who shot ye in the arm, as well, just so ye know. That were his first failed attempt at killin’ ye.” Stuart paused. “Did ye not think it mighty queer that he didn’t come te help when the Miss did? He were already out in the fields, with the rest of us. I saw him meself. He raced back when the Miss were seein’ te yer wound. I bet he met ye at the front of the house, didn’t he?”
An Untamed Governess For The Rogue (Steamy Historical Regency) Page 23
