Darkest Valentine

by Leona Bushman

  “I can handle hard. I hate that I can’t move out on my own without his permission or help unless I want to be ruined beyond the pale. If I were male, I’d be expected to be running my estates by now and not have to worry about being able to pay a companion or men thinking they can harass me for living alone. Queen Victoria rules a country. I bet they wouldn’t dare harass her if she were alone at one of her estates.”

  She felt like a petulant child, but she didn’t care. She was so angry at her father, at the stifling rules, at worrying that her brother could show up any moment, with no guarantee that she’d be protected over him. And, she ached all over.

  “The queen is never alone, dear. I understand you’re angry at your father. You know a secret? I am, too. I will try to make him see reason. But right now, he’d rather focus on the Canterburys as the bad ones. He’s struggling with the knowledge that his own brother may have hurt his daughter and his failure to protect you.”

  Fury ignited in her. “May have?” she sputtered, clenching her fists and trying to control the anger. “He won’t listen to anyone.” With a strength of will, she pushed the anger down and let it go. Nothing would be gained by arguing with her mother right now. She knew the truth. She held back the tears of shame. At least Clarence believed her. “The Dark Duke was as much maligned by his cousin as Father has been by Jarvis, and perhaps more so. I don’t see why he has to keep me from marrying him.”

  “If the Duke of Canterbury is half the man he’s reputed to be, he will find a way around your father. If you love him and want to be with him, have faith.” After one last squeeze, she stood up and patted Lillian on the head. “I promise to do what I can to help.”

  “Mother, how can Clarence find a way around Father without becoming a criminal?”

  Lillian wanted to hope but couldn’t see how it could be done. Mother smiled at her. “There are ways. I’ll come back later to peek in on you, dear.”

  After Mother left, the afternoon crept along like a snail on a leaf. She hated being trapped. With her feet so bound up and sore, she couldn’t even go shopping…not to mention she had no companion. “Grrrrr,” she growled and flopped over to her stomach. Then again, could she ever leave the house without worrying about Robert? It seemed this ordeal would leave her with two nightmares—rats and Robert.

  Few hours later, word came back that the countess was not at home at this time. Lillian nearly screamed in frustration. If her feet and ankles didn’t hurt so bad, she’d just go shopping anyway. Take the cook if she had to and wear a veil. That probably wouldn’t work. Her brother would still know her. When called down to supper, she refused. Her appetite wasn’t much. Depression had set in. All she wanted to do was lie there and keep her weight off her feet and ankles.

  For the next two days, she stayed in bed, barely eating. Both Mother and Father tried to talk to her. She put forth effort with Mother, but simply turned her back on Father. Despite her short acquaintance with the duke, she’d become used to seeing him every day, to having his smile warm her. She felt more confident since meeting him, less like an object. Though with Robert ostensibly not allowed in the house according to Mother, she didn’t feel as good or safe as when Clarence was there. He never treated her as if she were stupid or lacking in honor simply because she was a female. Still, doubts rolled in.

  Would he hate her more now that Jarvis had participating in a scheme designed to hurt him? Would he blame her for her family’s perfidy? Would he go back to not wanting to marry her because of who her family was? The idea rent pain through her which had nothing to do with her physical being.

  Having met his mother, she understood better why he was the way he was. That woman was a force of nature. She’d watched in awe as the Dowager Duchess ran two households with an iron fist. That second day of wallowing in self-pity, it hit her that the dowager had not particularly liked Lady Amber. Little things that, at the time, she’d been too worried about Clarence to really think about their implications.

  The dowager was astute. Mayhap, she could rope her into helping her deal with her father. When Sarah came back, they could make a visit of it. She went to sleep feeling a little better for having the beginnings of a plan, a candle burning brightly to keep the darkness at bay.

  On the third day, her feet didn’t hurt as much when she used the loo, so she decided she’d try her luck in the kitchens. As soon as Father and Mother left the house, she threw on her simplest outfit and left her room in a hurry, thereby nearly running poor Jacob over in her haste. Her hand jerked to her throat. “Jacob! What are you doing here?” She lowered her voice and stared up and down the hall to be sure no one eavesdropped. “Is Janice okay?”

  Jacob’s whole face shone. “Yes, my lady. She is fully recovered from her injuries.” His face clouded over. “Though, she has great guilt, my lady.”

  “Jacob, you know what? There exists entirely too much guilt running around in the wrong people. Janice is entirely innocent. The only thing she is guilty of is being a good friend to me. If it wasn’t for her, I…” Lillian looked away for a minute then faced him again. “I’d not be able to go on. The rats… Jacob, I cannot describe to you what they did to me. I will have to go on with the rest of my life with that nightmare come to life. She was there for me. I will not forget it.”

  Jacob’s adam’s apple bobbed a few times. “Thank you. She will be relieved to hear you say so. She has wished for your company.”

  “And I hers. I am not allowed to leave without an escort, Jacob. And, as you have no doubt heard, Father has forbidden me to marry the Duke of Canterbury. I will check in on Janice as soon as Sarah is back and can go with me. However, you have not answered my first question, no doubt distracted by the mere mention of Janice,” she teased.

  His face turned ruddy, and he opened and closed his mouth for a second before answering. “The earl and countess have asked that a strong man remain at your door and at the front and back doors at all times. Young Robert is not allowed into the house when you are in residence.”

  It was Lillian’s turn to gape and snap her mouth shut. “For truth, Jacob?” He’d never lied to her, but the surprise had her questioning it.

  “Truth, my lady. They are concerned for your safety.”

  “That is…comforting.” And a bit disconcerting given her current anger toward Father. Still, it did set at least one question at ease. “Thank you, Jacob. Now, I want something to eat besides broth and plan to cajole something from the cook.”

  Jacob smile had her smiling back. “Very good, my lady.”

  Knowing that Robert was not allowed in and Jarvis was in jail relieved her mind a great deal, and she hummed as she made her way to the kitchens to beg treats from the cook.

  The cook, a lovely Irish woman named Jaime, rushed to her and gave her a big hug. “And right happy we are that you are doing better. Can I tempt you with something to eat?”

  “Jaime, I would adore some cookies.”

  “Tsk tsk. You not be getting any from me until you eat your meat. I have some partridge set by on the warming pan. I will bring you some with my brown bread.”

  Lillian’s stomach rumbled, and she laughed. “I am a bit hungry,” she admitted.

  The cook bustled around and hovered until Lillian sat at the kitchen table the way she since a child, hiding from Robert’s bullying with warm brown bread slathered with the cook’s own butter made under her guidance set in front of her. The partridge came shortly after with eggs next to it. For the first time since her ordeal, real hunger swamped her. She gratefully soaked up the egg yolks with the bread and savored every bite.

  When she finished, the cook allowed her some sugar cookies dusted with more sugar. “I’ll send more up after lunch if you are to be eating it properly,” Jaime promised.

  Lillian grinned and readily agreed to eat her luncheon as ordered. Despite her desire to go anywhere else at that moment, she returned to her room, albeit slowly as her feet still troubled her. Though ennui had long since set in, s
he no longer felt hopeless about her situation. If only Sarah would get home. For the first time in days, she felt like getting properly dressed so wobbled over to her wardrobe.

  The silver, green, and blue cloak and dress caught her eye. She took them out, memories of choosing it swamping her with strong emotions. She’d wanted it to wear special for Clarence. Impulsively, she decided to put it on and see if it helped her to feel closer to him. Mayhap, it would help her feel more up to finding a solution in case Sarah stayed away too long.

  The skirt buttoned in the back, but the matching jacket buttoned up front. As did the blouse which went under it and provided some lace to soften the hard edged collar. Mayhap, when supper was called this evening, she would go down and sit with her parents. She pulled up her stockings and added her boots, struggling to put them on as her ankles were still tender and she kept slipping with the hook to pull the ties through and smacking herself in her tender spots.

  By the time she finished, she lay back, exhausted and hurting. How long would it take to recover? It frustrated her to no end. How was she to help herself when the simple act of dressing herself hurt so much? If Jarvis were to show his face in her rooms tonight, she would cheerfully strangle him with no guilt.

  When supper came around, a tray was brought to her rooms as her parents had decided to leave for the evening dinner party at the Countess of York’s home. Lillian nearly decided to sneak out and go herself as boredom and the frustration of being unable to help herself bit at her heels to just do something. She thought better of it, though. Robert had a very real reason to hate her now. He was vicious enough before. She dreaded to think what he’d be capable of now if he managed to procure her. He’d probably drive her to the docks himself. She shuddered. No, best to wait until she and Sarah could devise a plan.

  The cook had spoiled her with her scrumptious foods. Tender cuts of beef, green beans, and some yeast bread with fresh butter rounded out her meal. And, inside a little silver dome, she found more of the cookies from earlier.

  Amazing how much better she felt upon finishing her meal. As she nibbled on the cookies, trying to make them last, a soft knock came.

  “Yes?”

  Clarence came into her room and shut the door behind him. “I need you to come with me. Do you trust me?”

  Joy spilled through her. She flew to him and hugged him tight and whispering words of happiness and love and thankfulness that he wasn’t hurt, with him whispering similar words back. It was many moments before she could answer. “Yes. After everything, despite everything, you’ve been there for me. How’d you get past the guards?”

  “Jacob had them called to the kitchens. And now, I have something to ask of you.” He peered down at her solemnly, that well of sadness seeming deeper. Had he missed her, too? “Will you marry me, now, tonight? Well, leave with me tonight.”

  Her heart sped up, banging against her chest, and she found it hard to breathe. Did she dare? Mother would be hurt to not be at the wedding, but Father… She pressed her lips together. “Yes, I will. Let me pack some things,” she said in an undertone.

  “No need. I have your things you left at Mother’s, and Lady Sarah has been kind enough to help in arranging for more attire for you. I…took the liberty to paying for a wedding trip’s worth.” He suddenly appeared shy, as if he worried about her approval.

  That made things easy. She snagged her matching cloak and took his hand as he opened her bedroom door and peeked down the hall. “Wait,” she whispered. “Isn’t that Father’s cloak? Why are you wearing his cloak and not one of your own?”

  “I thought it the safest approach in case.”

  He didn’t say in case of what, and they’d reached the end of the hall. He cautiously opened the back door and peered out before widening the gap and allowing her through. The lamplights gleamed off his red hair.

  “I thought it would be safest, in case anyone saw us, if I appeared to be your father. At least, until you’re safely ensconced in my carriage.”

  Was it no wonder she loved this man? She took his hands in both of hers. “Then, let’s go. Is Sarah coming, too?”

  A quick laugh escaped him. “Only until we are married. We have made arrangements for her to have her own rooms in the inn, while we go to my estates. She will follow a few days later.”

  Lillian’s happiness spilled over. She stood there, holding his hands in hers and just staring at a man she’d come to love despite all things. And here, here was the proof he loved her, too. She turned to get in the coach, then froze when she heard an all too familiar voice.

  “Now, isn’t this a touching scene,” the voice of Jarvis sneered. “You’d almost think he cared for her, wouldn’t you, Robert?”

  Goosebumps raised on her arms, and her insides turned to jelly. How had the bloody bastard escaped? Or had he even been held in goal? Slowly, she turned to stare at the uncle she’d hated for so long. He held a revolver on her and Clarence, and Robert had a flint pistol and a dagger. Fear, then anger shot through her, giving her courage where before she’d been frozen with dread.

  When she took a step toward them, Clarence put himself between her and them. She put her hands on her back and leaned her head against him. Of course he’d moved. He was a protector by nature.

  However, Jarvis just laughed. “You are as much a fool as your father. His piousness got him killed, and yours is about to get you killed.”

  Clarence stiffened, the muscles in his back so tight, she feared he’d break in half if touched wrong. “What do you know about my father’s death?” he asked silkily.

  For the first time ever, she understood how people could believe him to be The Dark Duke. It wasn’t the part where he made people hold up their bargains. It wasn’t that he could hold a grudge for years. It was the voice. It held death and fire and brimstone.

  Jarvis must have heard the same thing she did, for he didn’t answer. But Robert apparently held no survival instincts, for he started babbling.

  “We know more than you do, you sodding fool. He was killed for standing in our way, just like we’ll be doing to the two of you. I’ve longed for this day, the day I am rid of my troubling sister.”

  “Who killed him?”

  “Jarvis.”

  Jarvis smacked Robert. “Shut up, you fool.”

  “Why,” Clarence asked in that voice again, and she wanted to cry for him. Her uncle had killed his father? Would the problems never end? “And another thing, how are you out of goal already?”

  “As you’re not going to live to tell tales, I supposed I can tell you.”

  “Why?” Clarence demanded.

  “Your father cottoned on to a bigger plot than he could handle. Bigger than me even. I was just sent to carry out the punishment.” He shrugged. “No skin off my back. You know, come to think of it, I owe you a debt of gratitude. You killed someone higher than me, and I’ve been able to move in and take over most of his interests.”

  “Don’t you kno—” Clarence reached back to squeeze her arm, and she stopped talking. Jarvis didn’t seem to know that the person he’d been working for was Lady Amber. But how…then she thought of the masks, the hats, the scarves. Lillian hadn’t recognized her, and she’d been around her more than Jarvis. What did it matter if they told… Realization dawned. Cousins. Lady Amber had said they were cousins, and Jarvis already hated him enough for his interference.

  “I know enough to have guessed you’d try to make a break for it. I knew my silly brother would forbid you to marry after the tales I told him. I’m just surprised it took you so long.” Jarvis laugh slithered through her like snakes moving in her, and she pressed harder into Clarence’s back for a minute then stepped away.

  “What tales,” she demanded.

  “Your father actually believed me when I said I was there to rescue you.”

  Her face drained of all feeling. Had she told Father about Jarvis? She didn’t. Not really. Everything happened so fast, and they were leaving. He probably believed… “H
e let you go, didn’t he?” she whispered past the pain and betrayal. Mayhap, she hadn’t told Father because he would not listen to her or talk to her, but from what Clarence said, they knew how she’d been kidnapped. How’d he believed his nefarious brother so easily?

  “Of course he did, me and Robert. Then, he blocked Robert from the house. I’m not sure what changed.”

  “Maybe it was the bullet hole found in her blankets,” Clarence said, wrath searing every word.

  She gasped. Bullet hole? No wonder she’d had new sheets and blankets on her bed.

  “I could see how he’d be cautious. Still, he never came to me. He’s too much of a do good honorable lord to honestly believe it of his brother or son.” Jarvis and Robert both laughed. “It’s made our job easier. I was so happy when the higher ups okayed me finally getting my own back by killing the lot of you.”

  She gasped, anger again pushing past the fear. “Why? What do you get?”

  “Money, titles, freedom,” Robert said gleefully.

  But she’d seen something in Jarvis’ eyes. “You…you don’t get anything unless all of us die, Father, me, and Robert. That means…”

  “Can’t an uncle just help out his nephew?”

  “Yes, but you are not a very good uncle.”

  Robert had circled around and now stood to their left. It split her focus and made her antsy. Clarence apparently noticed too, because he subtly shifted himself so that he was partway between both of them, the cloak billowing, and was slowly pushing her back toward the carriage.

  “Uncle Jarvis appreciates me and my talents, unlike Father,” Robert sneered. “He understands that a man should have the titles, not a chit like you.”

  “Maybe he thinks only men like him should have a title. Not like your father,” Clarence said mildly. Her heart froze at the implications.

  “No, it should be mine already. He doesn’t properly enjoy it and use his power. Take care of the women and the servants.” Robert spit on the ground. “They are to be taking care of us.”