The Duke's Dilemma Page 17

  "I debated interrupting, but I followed a strange man in this direction and lost him. I couldn't chance another shot at you or Lady Helena."

  "You lost him?"

  "Yes, one minute I saw him and the next he faded into the trees. Whoever I've been following these past few days knows his way around."

  "Or has information given to him by someone else,” Nicholas added. “Keep an eye on Lawson. He probably knows this area."

  "And your cousin, Harry?"

  "He grew up at the main estate, Covington Chase, but we did visit Ashton Court during the summers. Do you really think he hates me enough to be involved?"

  Franklin shrugged. “You know I don't trust many people and think the worst of the rest."

  "Follow me, Franklin. It has occurred to me how your suspect might have disappeared so easily."

  Nicholas led the way along a small dirt pathway behind the folly. A tall crop of rocks sat off the path a hundred yards.

  "Pull your gun, Franklin. I don't have mine."

  Quickly, Nicholas rolled the front rock away revealing a small area concealed by the surrounding rocks. It was empty.

  "He wouldn't have stayed here long,” Franklin said. “How did you know about this?"

  "I found the strange arrangement of rocks when I was about ten. I remembered getting Harry to help me put the other rock in front making a great place to hide. We used to drive my sisters to distraction when they couldn't find us."

  "Did anyone else know about this?"

  "Not unless Harry told them."

  "Well, he left for London, but my guess is he did tell someone before today.” Franklin glanced around. “It makes sense. Who else would benefit from your demise? He wouldn't want you to marry Lady Helena and have an heir."

  They rolled the rock back into place. “I hope you're wrong. Mother would be very hurt to find the boy she raised had betrayed us. Come on. We'd better get back. You can join the rest of my guests.” Nicholas smiled at Franklin. “Someone is anxious to see you arrive."

  Franklin cocked one eyebrow at his friend. “You enjoy seeing me suffer through the social demands of this job."

  "Correction—the social demands of your title and heritage. The lovely Mary Ann is waiting and hopeful you will attend. Have some fun, man. There is little time for dalliance in our job."

  Nicholas laughed out loud at the muttered words Franklin threw in his direction on leaving. The smile quickly left his face when he thought of Helena.

  He'd prefer to find the traitor and the ones who shot at him and Helena before their marriage. He didn't want to be looking over his shoulder when he would rather be giving his full attention to his wife.

  Today revealed what he always suspected. Her cool rational side hid a warm receptive woman. He would uncover that woman and relished the challenge.

  But first, and he stared again at the rocks, he would get rid of his rival and the enemy. Both had sadly underestimated him. He would take pleasure in seeing their shock and surprise when he removed or destroyed them. Whichever, it would be their choice.

  * * * *

  Crystal chandeliers cast prisms of light around the room. Soft music accompanied the hum of people talking.

  "The dowager duchess invited every old member of her family,” Mary Ann whispered to Helena. “And they are all frowning in our direction."

  Lawson smiled as he arrived at Helena's side before Nicholas came across the room. “Helena, you're lovelier every time I see you.” He bowed with a flourish.

  "Lawson, quit acting the gallant.” Helena snapped her fan together. “And stop trying to make Nicholas angry."

  "He had all your attention this afternoon. It's my turn. Let's walk outside. Several other couples are already enjoying the fresh air of the terrace."

  "This one time,” she said and frowned. “But only because I need to have a word with you."

  He took her arm and led the way. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a look of displeasure cross Nicholas’ face. She refused to let it bother her. She needed to make Lawson understand he must not continue to behave in such a manner toward her .

  "Here,” Lawson said. As they stopped in an area away from the other guests. Most of the couples drifted back inside. “At last I have you to myself."

  His hands reached toward her face and she slapped them down. “Don't!"

  "Please reconsider your decision to stay with the duke. You can come with me to America or where ever we choose to go."

  Helena stared at the man she thought she'd known so well. He was playing some type of game and she no longer had any trust in what he said. She walked back toward the doors of the drawing room, forcing him to follow, then stopped and faced him. “I'm not going to marry you and I certainly am not going to leave my family and go to America or anywhere."

  "Are you very sure, my love? Life with the duke will be formal and confining."

  "Stop, right now. I mean what I say. I hoped we might be friends. I'm glad you're alive. But, I don't understand how you can leave your family again. Your mother will be devastated."

  "I can't stay."

  Helena shook her head in puzzlement and walked the few steps to the doorway. She spotted a strange man standing at the far end of the terrace.

  "Helena,” Mary Ann called. “It's time to go in to dinner."

  "I'm coming.” Helena hurried inside, as the man disappeared into the brush. “Thank you,” she whispered to her sister. “Your timing was perfect."

  "My dear.” Nicholas stepped from behind Mary Ann and put out his arm. “The guests wait for us to lead the way.” Flint green eyes met hers. His mouth held taut and a muscle in his cheek pulsed, but his hand was gentle when he placed it over hers.

  * * * *

  After dinner, Helena followed her sister and mother into the drawing room. The room filled with women relatives and close friends of the duchess. Prudence, a gleam in her eye headed in Helena's direction.

  "Haven't you done enough damage to our family? It is obvious you prefer your country gentleman to my brother. The proper behavior would be to release my brother from his obligation to marry you.” Her green eyes, so like her brother's, sparked with her disgust.

  "I'm sure Nicholas will not hesitate to tell me if he wishes to end our contract."

  Prudence threw back her head. “He is a gentleman, unlike the man you've brought into our home. What is his name? Ah, yes, Lord Falscroft, second son, no evidence of any future. He is exactly what you deserve.” With those words stated loud and clear, she moved across the room to a large group of young matrons.

  When laughter and quick looks came from them, Helena held her head high. She had to take Mary Ann's arm to hold her from going across to confront Prudence.

  "Don't. It will only cause more gossip."

  Mary Ann flushed red. “Some day I am going to punch her right in the mouth. Her mother didn't even come over to stop her ranting like she did previously."

  "I think she is saying what the dowager duchess and most of the others are thinking. I can't blame them. Hopefully my message got across to Lawson this time. Let's step outside, away from all this unwanted attention."

  Helena, pretending a nonchalance she didn't feel, hooked arms with Mary Ann and walked through the open doors. Several steps further and they were out of sight of the gossiping women.

  "It's black out here tonight,” Mary Ann commented. “There's only a sliver of moon."

  "Good, I want to be invisible for a few minutes anyway. Everywhere I go in the house someone stares at me or tries to pump me for information about whether our wedding is being rescheduled. I understand their curiosity but it is tiresome."

  * * * *

  "There they are, Dickey. Now which one did he say for us to take? Bother, ‘tis no tellin’ them apart."

  "Don't matter. We'll grab both and run like hell."

  They snuck around behind the bushes until they were close to the women. Then, seeing their chance they jumped out and grabbed Helena and Mary
Ann around the waists and mouths.

  "Stop your struggling or I'll knock you in the head."

  The twin he held gasped once, when his hand closed tightly over her mouth. She tried to hit him with her elbows and feet, kicking backwards.

  "What's that? Someone's comin',” Dickey moved his hand up and covered the nose of the twin he held. He tried to drag her into the darkness, but her struggling hindered his progress. “I'll kill you if you don't stop fightin’ me."

  Several men were gaining on them. They turned holding the women in front. “Stop, we don't care about your women. Come closer and we'll break their necks."

  One twin's sudden sagging body threw her captor off and as he let go of her face, she fell forward.

  * * * *

  Helena watched in horror when Mary Ann fell. Had he killed her? She was looking at the captor's face when a bullet went into the man's skull, right between his eyes. A brief startled reflex on his face and he fell backward.

  Helena glanced around and saw Franklin with his gun outstretched. His eyes fierce, an expression on his face that told her he would like to kill the man again.

  "Now, if you wish to join your comrade, my partner and I will be glad to oblige you,” Franklin said in a slow controlled drawl.

  For the first time Helena realized another man stood to the left of Franklin. She saw Nicholas walking toward her and her captor. He stared at him with cold, hard eyes.

  "Let her go."

  "Hah, you think me the fool. You won't hurt me as long as she's coverin’ me front. You all step back and let me go. I'll release her at the edge of the woods."

  "You think I'm a fool,” Nicholas responded. “You won't take her anywhere."

  Helena glanced around frantically trying to find a way to bring this to an end without more violence. Was that another shadow? It must be another guard. She strained her eyes to see. Suddenly a gun shone from around the edge of the tree.

  She bit her captor's hand and threw herself sideways, throwing him off balance. She screamed out as his hand slipped from her mouth. “A gun, Nicholas."

  Gunfire erupted and bullets flew through the air. She hit the ground hard and rolled into a ball. The silence afterwards was deafening. Cautiously Helena raised her head.

  The man standing beside Franklin had turned toward the tree, his arms still outstretched with the gun pointed. Nicholas stood over the last captor, his gun at his side. He moved to Helena and knelt down.

  Pushing back her hair, he touched her face. “Did he hurt you?"

  "No, I'm all right, but Mary Ann?"

  They both looked over to see Franklin holding her. Mary Ann gasped for breath. Helena ran to her.

  "Mary Ann, oh Mary Ann.” Tears ran down Helena's face.

  "I'm just catching my breath,” Mary Ann said in a whisper .

  "She'll be fine. He was smothering her, passing out probably saved her life,” Franklin said. “Give her a moment."

  "Mary Ann, Helena.” Lady Steeples ran to her daughters. “Oh, Mary Ann.” Lady Steeples fell in a faint, almost hitting the ground before her husband caught her.

  "Go inside,” Nicholas commanded, as the guests surged toward them. “It may not be safe yet.” Helena noted a slight cynical twist of a smile cross his face on observing the quick turn around of the crowd.

  "Well done,” Lord Steeples said. “That will turn a crowd around most any time. Let's remove my wife and daughters from this scene."

  Nicholas agreed and picked Helena up in his arms. She watched as Franklin followed with Mary Ann and their father helped her mother to her feet, supporting her.

  "We'll go in the back door and take them to their rooms,” Nicholas instructed, holding her close against his chest. “Then we'll meet in my study."

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  Chapter 21

  "Gentlemen, I believe we all need a brandy.” Nicholas handed glasses to Franklin and Lord Steeples. “After tonight it is imperative we find out who is the enemy and soon. Too bad we had to kill all three of those men. They might have been able to give us some information, but I have another idea.” He looked at Lord Steeples. “Believe me, sir, we are and will be working on finding out the leader of this gang."

  "I'd like to know what you plan to do, Your Grace. It is quite unsettling to see my daughters in danger twice now."

  "I understand, but I can't tell you more.” Nicholas held up his hand to stop Lord Steeples from interrupting. “National security is at stake and although I trust you, Lord Steeples, I won't put you in danger or expose any further information."

  He moved behind his desk. “You can help us though. Please get my mother and the two of you reassure our guests everything is all right. Tell them robbers tried to steal your daughter's jewels. That should suffice for now."

  Nicholas waited until Lord Steeples left the room. “Whoever is after us is getting more daring. It is best Lord Steeples not know yet, that we suspect his neighbor, Falscroft, of being an accomplice in this affair."

  "I agree. I was just coming to talk with you when all of this happened. One of our guards reported two men meeting earlier at the back of the property. One was Harry. The other man's description fit Falscroft. What do you want to do now?"

  "Ask Falscroft to join me. It's time for a confrontation. In fact, it's long overdue."

  Franklin nodded and slipped out of the room. Nicholas stationed himself by the fireplace. In his mind's eye, he saw the men with their arms wrapped around Helena and Mary Ann and that man's filthy hands gripping Helena tightly to him.

  A smile crossed his face at the memory of her bravery, throwing the man off and yelling to save his life.

  One of his men spun around and instantly took the man out, at the same time Nicholas shot the man trying to hold onto Helena. Even now, he clenched his glass tight to calm the tremor in his hands. So close to losing her, enough was enough. Lawson Falscroft would help them or face his wrath.

  "Your Grace, Lord Falscroft is here to see you.” Franklin motioned Lawson into the room. “Shall I stay?"

  "No thank you, Franklin. Lord Falscroft and I have personal issues to discuss."

  Lawson entered the room with a sly smile on his face. “Nice of you to ask me to join you for a drink."

  "You may not think so after we talk.” He poured a glass of brandy and handed it to the other man. “Have a seat."

  Lawson sat, crossed his legs, and appeared relaxed and confident. Nicholas stood in front of his desk.

  "Tonight was a sorry mess. Three men dead and Lady Helena and her sister almost kidnapped.” Nicholas watched Lawson's expression carefully.

  "I wonder who had the nerve to invade the grounds of such a prominent member of our parliament,” Lawson retorted. “I'm sorry I missed all the action."

  "Yes, I was surprised you didn't rush to Lady Helena's aid."

  Lawson took a sip of his brandy and brushed a fleck of lint from his sleeve. “I feel terrible that I was not there to rescue her. I had returned to my room for a moment and missed all the excitement."

  "Excitement is a strange term to use when the lady you profess to love so deeply almost lost her life."

  "Oh, I doubt it was anything but a kidnapping for money. Once you paid the ransom, she'd have been returned unharmed."

  His fierce dislike for this man rushed over him. “How can you be so certain? Unless of course you knew the men involved."

  Lawson laughed. “Me, know such rabble? I've only recently returned home."

  "Ah yes, you recently escaped from being a prisoner. How convenient you arrive back home right now."

  Steely blue eyes clashed with green. “What are you insinuating, Your Grace? Surely you do not seriously think I'm involved in any of this?"

  Nicholas sat in the opposite chair so their eyes met on the same level. “I know you are involved. No,” he waved his hand, “don't deny it. My men have been investigating. In the past four years, you've had regular deposits made for you into a London bank. You've accumul
ated a large sum of money and become a wealthy man. How could a prisoner accomplish such a task?"

  Lawson's expression didn't change. His eyes held a steady regard of Nicholas. He's good, Nicholas thought.

  "You are a traitor. Admit it. You worked for the French. That pirate tale was a lie to cover up your spying."

  "No!” The word exploded from Lawson's mouth and he stood.

  "Sit down.” Nicholas stood to confront him.

  Lawson swallowed, hesitated, and took his seat.

  "I'm not a traitor. I got shot during the battle of Trafalgar and fell off the ship. The waves bounced me around and I thought I would drown. After the battle ended, no one saw me amongst the debris."

  "So how did you manage to live?"

  "Two pirate ships moved in, after the other ships left, to look for any spoils floating in the water. One of the men saw me and pulled me in.” Lawson took a swallow of his brandy. “After I healed, they forced me to join the crew."

  "You were a pirate? You think I will believe you?"

  "It's the truth."

  Nicholas paced around the room. His mind sped around the many scenarios he could envision.

  "The money came from pirating?” he snapped at Lawson.

  "Yes, from the spoils of our adventures,” Lawson said.

  "You are no better then a traitor. Innocent people are killed by pirates on the high seas and you were part of it."

  "True, but I had no choice. I admit I didn't refuse a part of the spoils. Enough to get a start in America or one of the islands. I won't have to stay here and see my brother with his riches and privileges of being a baron."

  "You know the traitor."

  "No, I don't. What traitor and why do you think I'm involved in any of this?"

  "But you can find out. You're as comfortable in the underworld as you are in society."

  Lawson did not reply.

  "Here is my only offer.” Nicholas sat back down in front of Lawson. “You are going to help me find the traitor and his men, the ones who are trying to kill Helena and me."

  "No one tried to kill Helena tonight,” Lawson protested.

  "Someone shot at her in London and tried to kidnap her tonight. Are you involved in any of this?"