The Duke's Dilemma Page 19

  Is this what she could expect of their marriage, closeness in the marriage bed and coldness the rest of the time? Maybe after an heir was born he wouldn't even want her. Hurt and confused, she was determined to have words with him before she left today. Dressing in a hurry, she went downstairs ahead of the others.

  She searched all the rooms, including his study without success. She hoped to find him in the dining room having breakfast, but only her mother and the duchess sat at the table.

  "Please join us, Lady Helena.” His mother smiled and motioned her to a seat. “You are early as usual. I told Nicholas you would be down soon. Nevertheless, he said he must leave right away and head for London. He asked me to tell you he would see you in a month, for the wedding."

  Helena sank into a chair. He left without speaking to her. Their time in the Greek Folly had meant nothing to him. She blinked, fighting back tears.

  The dowager duchess clasped Helena's hand. “I see you are disappointed. I must tell you a man has to learn that we ladies like to speak to them directly when they leave for an extended period of time. They are so independent."

  "She is right, dear. I'm sure the duke did not mean a discourtesy to you."

  Helena went to the sideboard and filled her plate with eggs, sausage, and a muffin. She wasn't sure how she would swallow any food past the lump in her throat. However, she did not intend to have others think that Nicholas upset her.

  She forced a smile and returned to the table. “It is perfectly fine. This gives me time to plan the wedding and,” she looked around the room, “I shall start to make plans to refurbish Ashton Court. It could do with some changes."

  The duchess laughed. “A woman after my own heart. Use their money and it will always get their attention. I quite agree we must have a complete overhaul of Ashton Court."

  * * * *

  Pacing around the turret room, Helena frowned and stopped herself. She went back to Nicholas’ painting. His intense green eyes stared at her. She had painted his mouth with a small curve, not quite a smile. Brown hair looked as though he recently ran his hand through the curls.

  She was pleased with her efforts. A few more touches and it would be finished. But peace eluded her. They had been home two weeks and she had received one short note from Nicholas. Her parents were determined they stay here until the wedding. She felt an overwhelming need to go to London and face Nicholas with her doubts and the uneasiness aroused from her dream last night.

  "Helena, I knew I'd find you here. It's time to join the rest of us. Are you going to stay cooped up here the whole month before your wedding?” Mary Ann smiled at her from the doorway.

  "You're the very person I wanted to see, Mary Ann.” Helena followed her sister down the stairs. This gave her an opportunity to convince her sister to support her decision to return to London.

  "Let me understand,” Mary Ann said, after Helena told her of her determination to make the trip. “You want to leave tomorrow?"

  "I do. I can't explain why. I only know there is a deep need inside me to see Nicholas and be nearby."

  "Are you worried about something specific?"

  "No... Well, I do want to discuss a concern with him, but... There is something else."

  "Very mysterious.” Mary Ann stared at her twin. “All right, I'm game. Mama and Papa will not be able to resist the two of us. We'll talk with them now."

  Helena grabbed Mary Ann, hugging her. “I knew you'd never let me down."

  "I hope we don't end up regretting this decision,” Mary Ann murmured.

  * * * *

  "Go to London? Tomorrow?” Their father frowned at them. “No, it is not a good idea. There is plenty to keep you busy here the next two weeks. I'm sure your mother will agree with me."

  "I'm sorry, Papa, but I have to go, with or without your permission."

  "Helena,” her mother gasped. “You have never refused to follow your father's wishes."

  "Please understand I don't want to hurt you, Papa. I can't explain but I must return to London and see Nicholas. It is imperative."

  Her father leaned back in his chair and put his fork beside his plate. Silence filled the dining room. Helena held her hands tightly in her lap.

  Her eyes silently pleaded with him. How could she explain the feeling of anxiousness she awoke with this morning and the driving need she had to be in London?

  "Helena, join me in my study.” He turned to his wife and Mary Ann. “Please excuse us. Helena and I need to discuss this issue further."

  "Of course, dear. Mary Ann and I will have our dessert and tea, and you can join us later."

  Helena remembered previous meetings with her father in his study, sometimes for a lecture, but more often to play chess with him during their quiet evenings at home. She followed him now, as he strode briskly down the hall.

  "Sit here by the fire, Helena.” Her father moved a chair closer to the warmth of the fireplace. He sat in a nearby chair.

  "Explain why you feel such an urgent need to leave home two weeks before your wedding."

  "I don't think I can make you understand, Papa. You will have to trust me. It is urgent. I must go to Nicholas tomorrow."

  Her father picked up his favorite pipe. “Will the smoke bother you?"

  She smiled. “You know I love to watch you smoke and smell the pipe tobacco."

  He nodded and proceeded to fill his pipe and light it. She watched the procedure closely, the same as she had done many times in the past. The sweet scent of tobacco filled the room.

  "I have always trusted you in making decisions,” her father said.

  She hoped he did not see the guilt that filled her at his words. Her face flushed with heat. She took her father's hand.

  "I love you, Papa, and thank you for your belief in me.” She stood and moved with a restless gait around the room. “I fear something is going to happen in London. I don't know if my going can stop it or help the matter.” She faced her father. “I only know I must be there and try.” She shook her head. “You must think this sounds very strange. In some ways I feel like I'm losing my mind, but I can't ignore this feeling of dread that has come over me since last night."

  "Then we will leave first thing in the morning.” He stood and emptied his pipe in the fireplace.

  "Oh, Papa, thank you.” Helena ran to him and hugged him.

  "Now, now, I'm sure it is nothing, but we will check it out and then return home in time to finish your preparations to marry the duke."

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  Chapter 23

  Lawson sat in the back of the Grey Goose Pub, his eye on the front door. He had taken a devious course here to make sure no one followed him. He hoped Miles would be as careful. They'd arranged to meet at nine o'clock. He should have arrived by now.

  The short plump waitress came to his table. “Want another beer, love, or maybe you have other desires I can help you quench?” She moved her hips seductively toward him.

  "Perhaps later, my girl.” He smiled and threw her a coin. “For now, fill my mug again and keep it full."

  She took his glass and sashayed toward the bar. Turning his attention to the door, he spotted Miles and Odell stepped in right behind him. Raising his hand, he motioned them over.

  "Lawson, Odell suggested he join us. I told him last week that we planned to meet here.” Miles explained.

  Lawson shook hands with Odell, but was fuming inside that Miles had let Odell know about their meeting. Odell acknowledged him with a nod and sat.

  Lawson studied Odell. Although short, he had broad shoulders and a thick chest. Large square hands picked up the mug placed in front of him and he took a long swig of his beer.

  "Satisfied?” Harold asked, lowering his mug to the table and eyeing Lawson.

  "Miles, I thought we were keeping this business between us.” Lawson said, ignoring the other man's question.

  "Harold wants to help and I knew he could. Trust me. You'll be glad I brought him along."

 
"How will you help us?” Lawson swung his attention to the man sitting across from him. “I've already helped you by passing messages to Harry, the duke's cousin, and helping arrange the unsuccessful kidnapping. It's not my fault that the hired men were idiots. We're even. You said you'd forget what you know of my past indiscretions."

  "I will tell you when I'm finished with you. If the authorities knew of the spy work you did for France while pirating, you'd hang. Humor me and listen to what I have to say. Miles tells me you still want to have revenge on the Duke of Monteroy and you want to leave the country. Correct?"

  "Yes."

  "I also wish to see the fall of the duke,” Harold said, and his jaw tightened.

  "Why?"

  "You don't need to know."

  "Oh no.” Lawson shook his head. He took a last swallow of his beer and stood to leave. “I don't like my partners knowing all my business and I don't know any of theirs. If you expose me, I'll tell the duke about you. Looks like we have an even draw.” He started to walk off.

  Harold Odell's voice stopped him. “Wait. Sit down and we'll discuss this further."

  "With all our cards on the table?"

  The other man squinted at him with his cold eyes. “With all our cards on the table,” he agreed. At least all you need to know for now and when I'm finished with you, I won't have to worry about what I've told you..

  * * * *

  The family arrived in London two days later, early in the afternoon. Helena encouraged her mother to send a note to Nicholas asking him to dinner that evening. Lady Steeples upset over the hurried trip to town didn't want to have a guest so soon. But, she gave in to her husband and daughter's insistence.

  Helena feared Nicholas would send back a note regretting he was unable to come tonight. If so, she had an alternate plan in mind, and with Mary Ann's help, they were set to use it.

  "If Mama and Papa found out we are planning to make a visit to Nicholas’ home, they would lock us in our rooms,” Mary Ann warned.

  "There is no reason to worry them. They will never know. Perhaps you will get to see Lord Gates. I believe he often stays with Nicholas when he is in town."

  "Lot of good it will do me. He is simply not interested. I suppose I deserve it. Look at all the men I turned away and now I am getting my comeuppance."

  "Nonsense, I saw the way he looked at you the night those men almost kidnapped us. For whatever reason he is keeping his distance, it is not because he lacks feelings for you."

  Mary Ann stepped completely into Helena's room. “You didn't tell me this right after our rescue."

  "Mary Ann, what I observed of his behavior and his expressions seemed too personal to share with anyone. However, I see you're serious about your feelings for him and you've been sad since he left.” She squeezed Mary Ann's hands. “I don't think you should give up hope yet."

  Mary Ann took a shaky breath. “I hope you're right."

  Nicholas's note came back within the hour giving his regrets and suggesting dinner tomorrow evening.

  "Are you sure we can't wait?” Mary Ann asked.

  "It took us two days to get to London. Too much time has passed. If you'd rather not come with me, I'll understand."

  "Nonsense, I won't let you go alone. What will we do about our bodyguards or do you plan to let them follow us?"

  Helena whispered, “I have been considering that problem. Do you remember Mama's little bottle of sleep medicine?"

  Mary Ann nodded.

  "I've seen her use it. She puts exactly two drops in a cup of tea before bedtime and you have seen how quickly she starts getting drowsy. Well, I slipped into her room and took a small amount.” Helena pulled a small bottle out of her reticule.

  Mary Ann's eyes widened. “You're going to drug our guards?"

  "I can think of no other remedy. We don't want them to know we went to Nicholas’ town home."

  "Are you my sister, Helena, or has a witch taken hold of her body?” Mary Ann squinted at her sister.

  "Silly, I'm only doing what I've seen you do over the years. Go after what you want."

  "I knew somehow this was going to be my fault.” Mary Ann groaned. “I hope we don't kill them or we'll be in jail or worse.

  "It has never hurt Mama and she is much smaller and frailer than those two big men."

  "True. All right, but you have to add the drops to their drinks."

  "They always have an after dinner drink in the kitchen. We'll go in and you can divert their attention while I put the drops in each of their glasses. It will be easy."

  "I don't like this plan, but I suppose if I don't help, you will try it anyway and get into all kinds of trouble."

  Helena ignored the fast beating of her heart and her dry mouth. She knew her plan could backfire badly on her sister and her.

  Agnes arranged to have a hackney waiting on the next corner to take them to Nicholas’ home, but insisted on accompanying the twins or she would tell their parents. Reluctantly, Helena agreed for her to come with them, but she warned Agnes she'd have to stay in the carriage.

  * * * *

  Nicholas frowned at Franklin. “I admire Lady Helena's independent nature, but I hoped this time she would follow my directions and stay in the country."

  "Our men said her father agreed, and the whole family came to town."

  "One more thing to worry about just when things are heating up."

  Franklin stared into the darkness outside Nicholas’ French windows. “You talked with Harry?"

  "I did. He did not admit any part in the attempted kidnappings or shootings. Nevertheless, he has agreed to move to the continent, where he will receive an annuity to keep him comfortable in his new surroundings."

  Franklin whirled around, his body tense, anger tightening his mouth. “You are letting him go free? You know we could find evidence of his involvement in the attempt to kidnap Lady Helena. He has the most to gain from your not marrying and having an heir."

  "It would hurt my mother immeasurably and cause undo gossip. He will not return or his allowance will stop. Also, I informed him a letter addressed to the authorities telling about my suspicions of his involvement in the kidnappings will be given to them, if he returns or causes anymore problems."

  "I don't like his getting away without any punishment., Nicholas."

  "You are a good friend and I appreciate your concern. When you have time to consider it, you will admit my decision is best."

  Franklin returned to his previous spot by the window, facing the small garden surrounding the side of Nicholas’ town home.

  "Whatever are you studying so intently?” Nicholas questioned.

  "I'm making sure no one takes advantage of your candlelight to take another shot at you. We've spread our men so thin, I'm your only protect— Blow out the candle,” he ordered.

  * * * *

  The carriage stopped at the corner of the block. Mary Ann and Helena sighted Nicholas’ house and the few lights shining out the windows.

  "He is probably getting ready for bed, Helena. This is insane."

  "Insane or not, I will talk with him tonight. Are you coming?"

  "Bother, you are getting worst than me. I never did such a dangerous stunt as this one.” She jumped from the coach and waved at Agnes to stay inside. “Wait for me,” she whispered at Helena as she strode ahead.

  Helena slowed so Mary Ann could catch up. They had dressed in long cloaks, with the hood pulled forward to cover most of their face and hair. Heart tripping, hands holding tight to the edges of her coat, Helena ducked behind the nearby bushes and crept toward the lights at the back of the house. She heard Mary Ann's heavy breathing behind her.

  "Thank goodness for the light, otherwise it'd be black as pitch out here tonight,” Mary Ann said.

  Helena nodded and continued to creep forward.

  The sudden loss of light caused Helena to stumble and Mary Ann crashed into her, tumbling them onto the ground.

  "What the—"

  "Shh,” Helena w
arned.

  "He's going to bed, silly. Do you realize the time,” Mary Ann whined softly to her sister, but shut up when she saw two shadows come out the French windows, with what looked like guns in their hands.

  Both girls fell flat on their stomachs, barely breathing. Helena tried to see if the closest man was Nicholas, but the walk seemed different. She debated yelling out, but seeing the gun caused her to hesitate.

  A hand reached down and dragged Mary Ann up against him, the gun pointed to her head.

  "No, Lord Gates, it is us.” Helena cautioned.

  He shoved Mary Ann away. “What the hell? Nicholas, bring a light."

  The other shadow moved into the doorway and room. A scrap of flint and light lit the room, moving toward the door.

  Lord Gates put his gun in his pocket and reached down, helping Helena to her feet. “Look who I found admiring your plants."

  "Lady Helena? What are you doing here?"

  Helena brushed her skirts off and straightened. “Do you think we could have this conversation inside?"

  "Certainly my dear.” Helena saw Nicholas frown, “You have chosen to visit me in quite an unconventional way."

  "You gave me no other choice,” she said. Her voice trembled from nerves frayed with anxiety.

  Nicholas motioned for her and Mary Ann to enter his home. Helena felt his regard on her the whole time as she settled herself into one of the chairs in front of his desk.

  Franklin stood with his back to the now closed French windows. His facial expression blank, but Helena saw him stare intently at Mary Ann.

  Helena turned her gaze back to Nicholas. “Your Grace, I can explain."

  "I should hope so, my dear. And I see we are back to my being, Your Grace."

  Helena flushed. “I'm sure you'll understand when I explain.” She moved her arms along her sides and down her dress. “ As you can see we did not come armed. Although the thought did cross my mind,” she admitted.

  "Thank the Lord you didn't or you might have shot each other,” Franklin stated cryptically from his stance at the door. Helena caught his quick smile when Mary Ann frowned at him.