If the Earl Only Knew (The Daring Marriages) (20 page)

“Actually, we may not be far from Greystone,” said Kate, surprised the suggestion would emerge from her lips. Greystone Hall. A place that haunted her memories. A place to which she never wished to return.

“Greystone?” asked Emma. “Is it a nearby village? Have you friends or relatives who can help?”

“Greystone Hall is our…” Robert paused as if not sure what word came next. “Home.”

Kate stared out the window of the inn at the growing gloom. The sun had set and the sky had lost its battle against the encroaching darkness, turning from brilliant orange to dusky blue then muted gray, and finally fading into black. Even as night fell, it was not without its little beacons of hope, the stars twinkling white. As the darkness grew, so did the number of the sparkling lights spread out haphazardly across the dark night sky. It was strange to think that those faraway stars were always there, but it took the coming of the night to see them.

Four sharp raps at the door broke her reverie. It was the appointed signal. Emma’s maid roused herself to answer the door.

“It’s done,” said Wynbrook in apparent high spirits as he entered the room.

The maid looked suspiciously back and forth in the hallway before closing the door and locking it tight.

“Here are some clothes to make you decent.” He tossed a bundle onto Robert’s bed.

“It is fortunate you have arrived with my clothing.”

“Fortunate for you but think of poor Tristan, whose portmanteau I still have in the coach.”

“He will track you down.”

“Yes, I’m sure of it!” said Wynbrook with a laugh.

“Are they hitching up the coach?” asked Kate.

“Yes. I’ll bring it ’round as soon as the company is ready to depart and drive you to Greystone myself. Safer not to engage a coachman, who could tell the wrong people where we have gone. I also had the distinct impression we may need to deny ever being here.” He gave Robert a knowing glance. Of course, it would never do to have the general public know Darington and Emma had spent the night together, even with his gunshot wound and her maid present.

“Thank you, Lord Wynbrook. You are very conscientious.” Emma gazed up prettily at Wynbrook and batted ridiculously long eyelashes at him in a manner that made Kate’s blood run cold.

“I even asked them to warm a brick for you so you might ride in comfort,” said Wynbrook with a winning smile.

“We have no time for such frivolity. This is hardly the time to think about enjoying oneself,” said Kate severely.

“Oh yes, one should never think of comforts when one is in mortal danger,” agreed Wynbrook dryly. “For one runs the risk of enjoying the last few moments of one’s life. I cannot think of anything more tragic than to arrive at the gates of heaven with a smile on my face.”

Emma laughed out loud and dazzled the company with such a radiant smile that Kate bit her own tongue before she said something reminiscent of an outraged sailor, rather than a lady of society.

“If we are to leave this place, we should go now,” said Robert in a humorless tone. Though she doubted anyone else in the room noticed, Kate knew Robert also was not pleased by any hint of flirtation between Emma and Wynbrook.

Kate had to admit, Wynbrook and Emma would be a good match for each other. Both were of pleasant dispositions, and had easy smiles and comfortable manners. Wynbrook was terribly handsome, and Emma was bright, merry, and undeniably lovely. They would make a nice couple and produce adorable little children.

Fortunately, she didn’t care about such things. It made no difference to her what he did with his spare time. If he wanted to marry a girl who looked like an angel and had a bosom that quivered with every step, it was entirely his affair. She didn’t care in the least.

“Lord Wynbrook, maybe we should go prepare the carriage and bring it around to the inn while Miss St. James and her maid ready Robert for travel,” said Kate. She was just trying to be efficient and logical; the fact that she recommended Wynbrook to remain with her and away from Emma was completely coincidental.

Despite some anxious moments, particularly since they did not know where their attackers were, they all made it into the coach. Darington managed with some slight assistance to make it down the stairs on his own power but collapsed onto the velvet squabs as soon as he entered the coach.

Kate did not like to see her brother injured, though he seemed in competent hands. Emma did not reveal any anxiety regarding the eventual recovery of her patient, which helped Kate to be more at ease—at least when it came to her brother. Traveling to Greystone Hall was another matter entirely.

The mere thought of returning to Greystone filled her with foreboding. She had not returned since her father had died. The place represented all the misery of her childhood. She had never wanted to return.

After several hours of jarringly rugged terrain, they turned down a drive that, no matter how long she had been away, Kate would never forget. The carriage began to climb, winding its way up to the top of the bluffs where Greystone Hall held dominion, overlooking the ocean. They turned a tight corner, and the imposing house came into view, a yellow moon hanging low behind it.

Greystone Hall stretched five stories high and, true to its name, was made of gray stone. At night, however, it was a monstrous black tower. The tower dominated the scraggly bushes and windswept trees that dotted the landscape along the bluff overlooking the coastline.

“My, but that is a striking hall,” said Emma, leaning next to her to see out the window. “This is your home?”

Home? It was a long time since she’d thought of Greystone Hall as home. “This is where we were born and we spent the first few years of our life here. We have not been back since our father died thirteen years ago.”

“Thirteen years?” asked Emma. “But then, you haven’t been back since you were children. Is this not your countryseat?”

“It has been more financially advantageous for us to rent the property.” Kate did not mention that it had been the only way to try to overcome the immense debt they found themselves in once orphaned. “We’ve had a series of respectable families who have lived here, though it is vacant at the moment. We have kept the house fully staffed, as we expect our land agent to find a new tenant soon.”

“How fortunate it is that your home is staffed, as if it was waiting for you to return.” Emma smiled brightly at the prospect.

Fortunate? It would not have been the word Kate chose. She did not even bother trying to return Emma’s smile.

They pulled into the dark drive, a knot tightening in Kate’s stomach. She was not sure whether she was more concerned for her brother, who was clearly pained by the journey, or wounded by the memories that flooded back as they pulled slowly into the shadow of the great house cast by the bright moon.

“It is certainly quite a large house,” commented Emma with clear determination to be cheery.

“Yes, it is a very large house.” So large that Kate would never be free of the ghosts that haunted it.

The carriage rolled to a stop, and a moment later, Wynbrook opened the carriage door and helped the occupants out. “I trust I found the right place,” said Wynbrook through chattering teeth.

“Oh, you must be chilled through,” said Emma sympathetically. “What you need is a good bowl of wine punch.”

“Make that rum punch and I think you’ve about got it.”

Kate glared at Wynbrook and Emma. Yes, they would be very happy together. She, on the other hand, would never be free of the legacy of Greystone. She steeled herself to face the beast of a house. This was not so much a house as a mortuary. This was where her mother had died. This was where her father had died. She had no interest in having it be the final resting place of herself or Robert.

There was no one to greet the carriage, of course. At this hour, no one in the house could be expected to be awake. Wynbrook assisted Robert out of the carriage, who, between the pain and medication Emma had given him, was unsteady on his feet.

“Let us rouse the staff,” said Kate, wondering what sort of reception they would receive. To suddenly appear in the middle of the night without one word of advance warning was inconsiderate, even if one was going to one’s own house, but it could not be helped.

“Yes,” agreed Wynbrook. “I’ve hitched the horses to a post, but they should not be standing outside long.”

Kate walked boldly up to the door and rapped loudly on the dark wood. They waited for a while but heard nothing. “I fear the servants’ quarters are not close to the front door and they were expecting no one this evening,” muttered Kate.

She banged on the door several times more before she finally heard footsteps. The door opened a crack. The butler, with his white wig askew and hastily donned robe, stood next to the housekeeper with her wide eyes and quilted robe.

“Who goes there?” demanded the butler.

“It is I, Lady Katherine, with my brother the Earl of Darington, master of this house. Quick, man, let us in at once, for it is dreadful cold.”

The man at the door stared in surprise, then stepped back, opening the door wide enough to allow entrance, closing the door quickly behind them to keep out the cold. “Lord Darington?”

“We had no word that the master was coming,” said the housekeeper, much suspicious.

“Yes, Mrs. Brooke, you would not have, for we did not know we were driving here ourselves until earlier this day.” Kate quickly recalled the names of her staff. “Thank you, Mr. Foster,” she said, handing the butler her wool coat and bonnet.

Kate had considered the story she would tell on the drive here, and now came time for her performance.

“There’s been a terrible accident,” she began. “We were traveling to Portsmouth and our coach was overcome by robbers. Lord Darington defended us bravely and scared them off, but he was shot in the process.”

“Oh my stars and garters.” Mrs. Brooke gasped, staring at Darington who was being held up by Wynbrook. “I can see he is not well. I shall call for the doctor at once.”

“I do not believe that is necessary. He has already been seen by a capable physician, but we were not in a place where we could stay comfortably and we judged that we must bring him back to Greystone as quickly as possible so he can recuperate.”

“Oh, my dear. Such goings-on.” Mrs. Brooke looked from Robert to Kate to the others, clearly unsure how to proceed.

Kate quickly took command. “Send a groom to take care of the coach and horses, for they should not be standing out in the cold. Please prepare rooms for myself and my brother, and our friends, the Earl of Wynbrook, and Miss Emma St. James. Miss St. James is traveling with her maid, Sally Winters.”

“At once, milady,” said Mr. Foster with a bow.

“Thank you, Mr. Foster. And if a bowl of punch”—she glanced at Wynbrook—“rum punch could be brought to the drawing room where we shall rest until all is provided for, it would be much appreciated. It has been tremendously cold and we are all chilled to the bone. My brother in particular needs his spirits revived.”

“Yes, milady. At once, milady.” Mrs. Brooke had always seemed through her letters and various correspondence to be an efficient, clearheaded sort of woman. Kate was glad to find that this impression was not false, for after she had recovered from her initial suspicion and shock, Mrs. Brooke brought the household to action at once. Fires were laid in the grates, beds were turned down, maids and footmen appeared to take care of every need, and, most gratifying, warm punch and biscuits were provided as a welcome reprieve from the chill.

Despite all the excitement of the past few days and the discomfort she felt on entering the house, Kate had difficulty keeping her eyes open over her punch, and she noted the others were no better. They soon all retired to their respective bedrooms.

Once she had seen to Robert’s care, ensuring that he was safe, Kate retired to her bed, which had been deliciously heated with a warming pan. Allowing herself to relax, she realized how tired and sore she was. The excitement of the past several days had afforded her very little rest. In spite of the nagging concerns she felt for all the turmoil in her life, she fell quickly into a deep and abiding sleep.

Wynbrook awoke to a bright January day with the knowledge that he needed to speak to Lord Darington. He had been much too long in the company of the man’s sister to do otherwise. He generally found Darington to be a decent sort of man, but he also could be imposing, with a hint of danger to him. Wynbrook was well aware that even the most rational of men could become irate if his sister’s reputation was at stake.

Wynbrook rapped gently on the door of Darington’s bedroom, not wanting to wake the man, especially considering he was still recovering. A voice from the other side bade him enter at once. Wynbrook turned the knob and entered the room, finding Dare sitting up in bed, looking pale but better than he had the night before.

“Feeling better, I hope?” asked Wynbrook.

“Feel like I was shot,” said Dare. “I expect you’ve come to talk about Kate.”

The man certainly did not waste time with pleasantries. “Yes, I thought we should have a discussion.”

“Help me up, will you? What I have to say can’t be said rightly when I’m not even wearing my trousers.”

“Is the invalid allowed to leave his bed?”

“If the invalid can do so without being caught in the act.” Darington attempted to stand up and grimaced in pain.

Wynbrook was about to ask if it was a good idea but held his tongue. From the determined look on the man’s face, he would not be dissuaded, and Wynbrook did not wish to irritate him.

Wynbrook called for a footman to play the office of valet and, once his friend was dressed, helped Dare downstairs. On the way, Dare asked the butler to call for the local magistrate, a different man in that part of the country from the man Miss St. James had tried to approach, so they could report the incident of the robbers.

“That should be an interesting conversation,” Wynbrook commented.

Dare merely nodded as he made his way slowly into the main drawing room, where he practically collapsed onto the settee. The drawing room was sparely furnished, with nothing more than two chairs, a settee, and a few side tables. There were no decorations of any sort or personalized touches that made a house a home.

“Now tell me what you wish to say about my sister,” said Dare grimly.

“You are aware she asked me to help find you and we have been on the road together for some two days in the process,” said Wynbrook with some anxiety as to how this conversation would progress.

“Yes, and I also know how you met with her in the study the night before we left Arlington Hall.” Dare met his gaze evenly, his tone and facial expression revealing nothing.

Wynbrook felt his blood run cold. How much did Dare know? “Kate told you?”

“No. But it is my responsibility to look out for her. I am wondering what you think your responsibility is to my sister.”

“An offer of marriage will be forthcoming, if you approve.”

“It is not my approval you need concern yourself with. Kate won’t like it. There are things you ought to know about her, but they are not for me to tell.”

Wynbrook waited for a moment, hoping Dare would continue, but the grim man said no more, leaving Wynbrook to wonder what secrets Kate hid.

“Things about her past?” asked Wynbrook, hoping he could prompt Dare to be a bit more forthcoming.

“Yes, things in her past that still affect her. Kate is unlike any other lady you will ever meet.”

“I am well aware,” said Wynbrook.

“I understand there may be some attraction between you. I also understand that you have performed admirably in protecting my sister and the lives of Miss St. James and myself. I want you to know that I do not hold you obliged to make an offer of marriage. If you wish to walk away, please do so with my thanks for services rendered to my family.”

“Thank you, but I do not choose to walk away. In truth, my wish to marry your sister goes far beyond any sense of obligation.”

“In that case, I need your word as a peer of the realm that if you make such an offer to Kate, you will not rescind the offer once you know her history more fully.”

A sense of foreboding hung heavy in the stark drawing room. Wynbrook wondered what horrible secrets lay in Kate’s past that would cause her brother to make such a statement. Wynbrook paused a moment to consider if there was anything about Kate that would change the way he felt about her.

“You have my word, my offer of marriage will stand firm. There is nothing about her past that would dissuade me.”

“I hope you have the fortitude to match your words with action.” Dare gave him a look so severe and so solemn, Wynbrook had to fight the urge to stand to his feet and snap the man a smart salute.

Wynbrook was saved from one difficult conversation by the arrival of the magistrate, which was fraught with its own difficulties. Darington began relating a version of the tale told by Lady Kate to the servants, while Wynbrook called on the butler to bring some tea and biscuits, noting in a friendly manner that it was cold outside and the magistrate must have come in a great hurry to arrive so soon.

The magistrate informed them he had been on his way to visit friends in Brighton and the messenger had caught up with him on the road. It seemed prudent to come at once, so as to know whether or not his planned visit needed to be postponed. Dare soon related the facts such as he felt fit to be shared, and Wynbrook regaled the man with cheerful banter.

If the man began to ask questions down a dangerous line of reasoning, Wynbrook made sure the man was offered more food and artfully changed the subject. He found the man was an avid fisherman, and they talked of hooks and baits and the best places to ply one’s craft.

As the magistrate prepared to leave, he reassured Wynbrook and Darington that he would set his fellow magistrate straight regarding the true nature of the crimes and begin to look for the men responsible. The magistrate was in quite good humor and felt confident enough that the highwaymen would soon be apprehended.

“Well played,” said Dare after the man left.

“And you as well,” said Wynbrook. “Do you think the magistrate’s men will be able to apprehend them?”

Dare slowly shook his head. “They seemed too crafty to stay in one place long. I guessed they had tried to hold Kate for ransom, but they never asked me for money or even took my watch.”

“Did you ask them why they had abducted you?”

“No. I was either unconscious or pretending to be, waiting to escape. I hoped they would talk freely and I would learn more that way, but other than going to meet a captain, I learned nothing more.”

A mystery to solve and a marriage to propose. Wynbrook had quite the full schedule ahead of him.