The Duke of Ravens

by Monroe, Jennifer

  “What do you mean? He is not here for the wedding? I thought…”

  “It was meant as a surprise, but I have no reason to keep it from you now. I have arranged a honeymoon for us.” He smiled as if he had bestowed the greatest of gifts on her.

  She was not as ecstatic as he seemed to be. She pulled away and stared at him aghast. “Honeymoon? But I thought this marriage was meant to be a farce, a way to save Oliver, not one that is genuine.”

  He chuckled. “My sweet Caroline,” he said. “Surely you understand what marriage means. Must we live separated as you and Reginald did, existing in misery?”

  “No, it is not that…”

  Neil placed his fingers on her chin. “Then we shall have a happy marriage together, bringing up Oliver and his siblings in a home where they are loved.”

  That unknown emotion in his eyes grew as he spoke, and Caroline stifled a shiver at the thought of how those other siblings would come about. Her heart screamed no, but she nodded instead in agreement. And passing by the ledgers, she gave them one final glance, wondering what secrets they held.

  ***

  The pathway that led from the back of the house was flanked by well-tended grass before it passed between a set of sculptured hedges until it reached a small covered shelter. Fear coursed through Caroline as she walked beside Neil toward where a man dressed in black clerical clothing stood. Mr. Thompson waited to the side, a solemn look on his face. Thoughts ran through her mind as she remembered the cold man beside her who only months ago had wanted her in his bed in order to gain the wealth that was meant for her son.

  It was those thoughts that had her once again doubting his intentions. Indeed, he had made changes in his life. Everyone deserved a second chance. However, she knew in her heart she did not wish to marry this man, and his words about having more children frightened her. However, one glance at Mr. Thompson told her she had no choice.

  That man did not look her way, and an odd feeling of suspicion came over her. The man wore a smug smile, only making her suspicions grow.

  “Neil, might I have a moment?” she asked, hoping being in the presence of the Vicar would pressure him into agreeing.

  “But only a moment, my love,” he said with what she recognized was an imitation of a smile.

  She gave him a quick nod and walked over to Mr. Thompson. “I would ask you something, if I may?”

  “Of course, Your Grace,” he replied, though he pulled at the cravat at his neck as he answered.

  “How long have you been in the employ of the magistrates?”

  The man swallowed, his eyes shifting. “Ten years now,” he said.

  “Caroline,” Neil said as he came to stand beside her, “is this necessary? We have a ceremony that must be completed. I am sure the Vicar has other business to which he must attend.”

  He gripped her arm, but she pulled away and rounded on him. What she saw in his eyes was clear. Greed. It had been concealed before, but now it shone as bright as the sun above them. Oh, what a fool she had been!

  “We are not going to be wed,” she said with a jut to her chin.

  Neil leaned in, his face inches from hers. “Listen to me,” he hissed, his eyes narrowing as he grabbed her arm once again, the grip so tight she cried out in pain. “You will wed me now. You do not deserve my brother’s wealth. I do!” He pulled her before the Vicar. “Let us get this over with.”

  The Vicar gave him a dubious look. “My Lord, the Lady does not wish…”

  “Do it now,” Neil growled, “or I will have you removed from your position and cast out into the streets, along with her! And do not believe I cannot make it happen.”

  The Vicar nodded and began the words Caroline had heard before. She tried to pull away again, but the hold Neil had on her arm was much too tight. Tears ran down her face as the clergyman spoke the incantation that would see her married to yet another man she despised, and feared. And what would happen to Oliver once the ceremony was concluded? For he was the rightful heir to the Duke of Browning Title and Estate. She trembled. If Neil wanted it, he would see that an ‘accident’ took Oliver from her, she had no doubt.

  As the ceremony continued, Neil shifted beside her. “Get on with it!” he shouted.

  Then all went quiet as the sky above them darkened. Looking to the sky, Caroline’s eyes went wide; hundreds of ravens flew above them, their cries deafening, their numbers such that they blocked the rays of the sun, creating a shadow on those in attendance.

  With hot tears running down her cheeks, Caroline remembered the story her mother had told her years before while brushing her hair.

  “And the Ravens knew of the Duke’s love for her, and so they guided him to where she was being held, leading the way and giving him strength so that neither would suffer ever again.”

  Neil glanced about, his face etched with fear. Then his eyes widened as he looked down the path. “Who is that?” he hissed.

  Startled, Caroline pulled her arm from Neil’s grasp and turned to where he indicated, shocked to see five men making their way down the path. One man walked with long strides before the rest, his dark hair flowing behind him. The birds above filled the nearby trees, their song bringing joy to her heart. For the first time, she understood the truth.

  “It is the Duke of Ravens,” she said.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  “What is the meaning of this!” Neil shouted as he grabbed Caroline by the arm and pulled her toward him. The words were filled with panic despite the mockery he made of his supposed position. Then his eyes widened. “You!” he said pointing at the man who stood in front. “No gardener will interrupt my wedding! How dare you!”

  With some effort, Caroline withdrew her arm from his grasp and moved away from him.

  “What? Do you not recognize me, Lord Hayward?” Philip asked with a cold smile.

  “Of course I do, you imbecile,” Neil sputtered. “You are that wretched gardener who kidnapped Oliver.”

  Philip pulled his head back and laughed. “You truly do not recognize me.” He shook his head. “Interesting.” As he circled the man, Neil turned, an animal trapped by that which had hunted it.

  “You have no idea with whom you are dealing, gardener,” Neil hissed, though his back was arched like a cat ready to attack. “This is madness, I will inform….” He then glanced at the other men who had accompanied Philip.

  “Inform the watch?” Philip asked with an evil chuckle. “No need; they are here.”

  Two of the men stepped forward and each took hold of Neil’s arms. “Unhand me, you fools!” he shouted, attempting to pull away without success. He stopped his struggles and glared at Philip. “Who are you?”

  With a sniff, Philip replied, “How is it that you do not recognize Philip Ravencroft, Duke of Greenwich? Surely you know the man whose wife and child you stole?” He towered over Neil, who shied away in fear. “Your days of kidnapping and murder are now over.” Then he turned to Caroline. “Are you all right?”

  Caroline looked up at the man she loved with all of her heart and replied, “I am.” Then, movement in the corner of her eye made her turn her head. “That man,” she said, pointing to Mr. Thompson who had inched his way toward the path leading back to the house. “He says he is a representative of the magistrates.”

  Mr. Thompson gave a small cry and turned to run only to be held by another man Caroline just now recognized.

  “It was him!” Mr. Thompson shouted, pointing at Neil. “He paid me to say it! I didn’t have nothing to do with any of it. He did it all, the kidnappings, the murders. He’s been at it for years!”

  “Quiet, you fool!” Neil said.

  Lord Mullens tightened his grip on the man’s arm, bringing about a string of words that would have made a sailor blush. The Baron drew back his fist and struck Mr. Thompson in the jaw, which silenced the man immediately.

  “Take his other arm, Grant,” Lord Mullens asked of the fifth man, a man Caroline did not know, and Mr. Thompson sagged betwee
n the two men.

  Philip walked over to Caroline. “Now, what did that man tell you?”

  “He said he would take Oliver away. He claimed I am unfit as a mother and that if I did not marry, I would lose my son forever.” Tears welled up in her eyes at the thought.

  Lord Mullens walked up and bowed to Caroline, having left an unconscious Mr. Thompson in care of Mr. Grant. “Your Grace, rest assured that all of my business ledgers, as well as my testimony, will see that Lord Hayward is unable to bother you again.”

  Neil struggled against the arms that held him, but to no avail. “I will see you dead, Mullens,” he hissed.

  The Baron snorted. “Perhaps the threatening of a Baron can be added to his charges?” he asked the true magistrates.

  Both men nodded, and one replied, “You can count on our testimony of his threat to kill you, My Lord.” The smile the man turned on Neil was not friendly.

  Caroline shivered, and the second magistrate turned to her. “There is no need for you to worry any further. He will not escape, I assure you. I have brought with me several armed guards.” He glared down at Neil and added, “If he tries to escape, the guards have been commanded to kill him.”

  This caused Neil to stop fighting, and he paled as he lowered his head in defeat.

  “Well, as exciting as all this has been,” Lord Mullens said with a smile that would have been better suited for a ball, “I must be on my way. Rest assured that I will speak to both of you,” he directed his attention to Caroline and Philip, “in the coming weeks. Oh, and before I forget. Madam, may I introduce His Grace, Philip Ravencroft, Duke of Greenwich.” Then he turned, motioned to the Vicar, who had stared in aghast during the entire event, and they joined the remainder of the group at the entrance to the area, leaving Caroline and Philip alone.

  “Oh, Philip!” Caroline cried as she threw herself into his arms. “You are alive—and here!” She pulled back when he winced. “I am sorry. Does it still pain you?”

  He reached up and wiped a tear from her cheek. “I will heal soon enough,” he replied. “And yes, I am here, my love, where I belong.”

  “You are the Duke of Ravens,” she said in awe. “I do not understand, and yet, somehow, I believe I do.” She laughed. “That makes no sense whatsoever, yet none of this does.”

  Philip chuckled. “There is so much I must explain, and I promise I will.”

  “Oh, yes, you had better explain,” she said in a rebuking tone, although she hoped the smile would smooth some of the edge in her voice.

  He offered her his arm. “Then let us go inside, and I will tell you everything.”

  She put her hand on his arm. The others had already left, Neil and Mr. Thompson in tow. However, Caroline gave them little thought, for she could only set her attention on the man beside her. He had changed somehow. Not physically, for he still looked like the Philip she knew, but he stood straighter and held his head higher. Even his clothing was regal.

  “Get us some tea,” he said to the butler when they arrived in the office where Caroline had stood not an hour earlier.

  The butler gave Philip a diffident bow and was soon gone, and Philip led Caroline to a sofa in front of the empty fireplace.

  “Fourteen years ago,” Neil began, “I was twenty years of age, naive, and married not a year to my love, Catherine. One day, I returned home to find her gone, a note left in her place demanding a large sum of money for her safe return. Like you, I attempted to pay the ransom; my only concern was to have my wife returned to me. However, when I arrived at the location where I was to collect her, I found her dead.”

  Caroline brought her hand to her breast. “Oh, Philip,” she said, her heart breaking for him.

  He patted her hand before continuing. “For years, I hunted down those responsible, finding them scattered throughout the land. However, none could have coordinated such an act, for they had not a single wit between them; therefore, I knew I had not found their leader. Then something Lord Mullens said one day turned my suspicions to one man.”

  “Neil,” Caroline whispered.

  “Yes. I overheard a servant speaking of your husband needing a gardener, and I knew it was my one chance to get close to his brother.”

  “Then, your reasons for coming to Blackwood Estates…”

  Philip nodded. “Were to avenge the death of my wife…” He took a deep breath. “And my child.”

  Caroline gasped. “Your child?”

  “Catherine was with child when she was killed. I found out later that I would have had a daughter.”

  “So, the stories were true,” Caroline mused. “The Duke of Ravens had avenged the deaths of both his wife and child.”

  “They are true in that sense, yes,” Philip replied, amused.

  “And Lord Mullens?” Caroline asked. “Was he involved somehow?”

  Philip shook his head. “No. He was used, much like many others. For many years, Neil has engaged in various illegal activities, and kidnapping and murder were only two; although, they were the worst. Apparently, he would find a way to earn money and then he would gamble it away only to repeat the cycle again and again. When he became indebted to a man who demanded payment in all sorts of sordid ways—I will spare you the details of such manners—Neil became desperate. That was when the kidnappings began. When he realized that holding people for ransom was such a lucrative business, it became his main source of income.”

  “Was Reginald involved?” Caroline asked, sickened by the idea that she would have been married to such a man.

  “When I went through Reginald’s ledgers, I noticed no issues, so I doubt he knew of his brother’s exploits. It was when I searched the ledgers belonging to Neil that I found a notation for a large sum of money. He had invested into a business of which I had never heard, and this was immediately after I had paid the ransom, and for the same amount I paid. It was too much of a coincidence to ignore.”

  The door opened and Lord Mullens entered. “Ravencroft,” he said, extending his hand to Philip.” Then he bowed to Caroline. “Duchess.”

  “Thank you for your help in this,” Philip said, offering the man a chair.

  As Lord Mullens took his seat, the butler came in with a tray laden with a teapot, several cups and saucers, and a plate of small cakes. “A gift from Mrs. Houston, the cook,” he said with a bow.

  “Thank you,” Philip said.

  Caroline studied the man who had once been her gardener but now she knew as the Duke of Ravens. He made himself at home in the house of the man who had murdered his wife. Perhaps it was a way of seeing justice done.

  “I cannot express how sorry I am for all that has happened to you,” Lord Mullens said as he accepted a cup of tea from Caroline. “My sister…”

  “Oh, yes,” Caroline said. “What had been her involvement in all of this?”

  Lord Mullens looked at Philip. “Shall I explain, or would you prefer to do so?”

  “By all means,” Philip replied.

  The Baron sighed. “It appears that my sister was a mistress to Lord Hayward for some time before moving on to his brother—that is to say, your former husband. It is embarrassing to say, but when she learned of his gambling debts, she was the one to suggest the first kidnapping.”

  Caroline gasped. “How do you know this?”

  The man grimaced. “When I learned she had been killed, I went to her home to retrieve her possessions, and I found her journal hidden beneath the mattress. It detailed every criminal act she and Lord Hayward had committed, including who else was involved and the amount of money they had gained.” He gave a hollow chuckle. “She kept better books than even I do.”

  “I am sorry about your sister,” Caroline said quietly. “It cannot be easy for you.”

  Lord Mullens studied her for a moment. “You are an incredible woman, Madam,” he said finally, setting his teacup on the table.

  She gave a light laugh. “How so?”

  “Not many women would have tea with the brother of the wom
an who had been mistress to her husband and had played a part in the kidnapping of her son.”

  “What your sister did should not reflect upon you,” she said with a smile. “That would be unfair to all of the good people in the world, for every family has one who, shall we say, does not conform to society?”

  “Indeed,” the man replied. “As it was, I also learned that Lord Hayward and my sister had planned to blackmail your husband, but he died before they could implement that plan. I believe that was what prompted them to take your son.”

  Caroline shook her head. “To have so much hatred, so much evil, inside had to be a heavy load to bear.” As far as she was concerned, Neil and Miss Mullens had created their own burdens, and now both would pay dearly for their misdeeds. Miss Mullens already had, in all reality.

  “Well, I must be off,” Lord Mullens said as he stood. “Again, I apologize for everything you have been through.”

  “Thank you,” Caroline replied.

  He bowed once more, shook Philip’s hand, and then left the room.

  “Come,” Philip said. “Let us go outside.”

  Arm in arm, they made their way to the garden once again, now alone. The sun shone on them, warm and comforting, yet Caroline could not help but feel sad.

  “I was such a fool,” she whispered.

  Philip stopped and pulled her close. “You are no fool,” he said in a low voice. “It has taken me years to unravel all this, but now, my heart is at peace and Catherine’s death has been avenged.

  “Will you be in trouble for the murders you committed?”

  He laughed. “Not at all. Let us just say that they were done in defense of my life, for when I confronted each man, he struck at me.” When he saw the concern on her face, he added, “Truly, I killed those men, but I did so in retaliation for the lives of my wife and child.”

  “I am sorry for your loss,” she said, wrapping her arms around him, gingerly so as not to add pressure to his wound.

  He smiled down at her. “Thank you. She was a great woman, a woman of courage and strength…like you. I told you before that I was not ready for love, but for the first time in a very long time, I am. From the moment I first saw you, I loved you, and with each passing breath, that love grew. I am sorry I lied to you, but I hope you understand now why I had to do it.”