Shadowed by Sin (2 page)

Darkness shrouded the street, as if evil lurked for its first victim of the day. He stepped in, and gave his driver directions to Mayfair. A quick scout of the area would give him an idea of where there might be some opportunities. His future countess deserved the best. After scouring some neighborhoods, he’d collect his lovely bride and return home for dinner.

A few minutes into the drive, he pulled out the letter and opened it.

Lord Benedict St. John,

You are formally invited to Hawthorne Hall as a guest of Lord George Cuthbert. Celebrations are expected to last a week, and we hope that you will stay for the duration. Several festivities, including a masque, will be held in honor of George’s return from the continent. We hope you will attend, and look forward to being introduced to your lovely bride-to-be.

Regards,

Lady Cuthbert, Countess of Hawthorne.

Nothing made sense. Why would Lord Cuthbert send a letter blackmailing his father, and then invite him and Estelle to attend a party at Hawthorne Hall? It had to be a ruse of sorts, but then again, he could use this as an opportunity to dig more into the situation with his father. Yet, was it wise to introduce Estelle to this particular crowd of society, especially when there were other sinister things being plotted? If anything happened to Estelle while she was in his protection, he would never forgive himself. Nevertheless, if he told her about his plan and what was happening, she might be willing to aid him in freeing his father from the devil’s clutches. Lord…what was he to do? He needed time but unfortunately he didn’t have any. His father only had a fortnight before his private meeting with Cuthbert.

He scanned the streets of Mayfair and found nothing of interest. But, of course, he should probably also include Estelle in the house-hunting too. He’d discuss it with her when he picked her up. Benedict knocked on the window. “Take me to Lord Humphrey’s townhouse. I think it is high time I pick up Estelle.”

The carriage turned around, exposing the sky growing darker by the second. Tonight he would formulate a plan, and in no time they’d be free from the clutches of a crooked aristocrat.

Twenty minutes later, he arrived at Estelle’s doorstep, pondering if he should even tell her at all about the invitation. He really should; after all, she’d notice if he began to behave peculiarly, or noticed him disappearing to take advantage of an empty library or such. It was settled then. He would inform her of his plan, but only within the privacy of his carriage on the way to dinner.

Benedict had barely stepped out when the Humphrey’s butler opened the door. “My lord, you are here quite unexpectedly. Come in before the downpour begins.”

He hadn’t been present in the hallway for a minute when Baron Humphrey came out to greet him. “My dear fellow, I was hoping you would stop by soon. I wanted to discuss with you some of my own plans for the wedding. Follow me, and we will have a brandy before I summon Estelle down.”

Benedict raised a speculative brow, but nevertheless smiled at his future father-in-law’s request. He glanced about the parlor, observing the finer nuances of the small room; fine furniture, intricate and ornate woodwork on the fireplace mantle. The townhouse was deemed comfortable for a small family. Just how on earth would Estelle react to being placed in a large household without having ever run one before? It was clear their transition would have to be a slow one. He’d certainly consult with her on her desires for the neighborhood, decor and staff. Ultimately he wanted her happy and would do anything to keep in her good graces.

Baron Humphrey extended his hand to his future son-in-law. “Lord St. John—”

“I’ve already told you, we are family. Please, call me Ben.”

“Very well, Benedict. Here is my plan. I know that you expressed a desire in taking my only daughter on a honeymoon but the girl seems to think you needn’t spend a fortune on one. My sister and I wish to contribute funds toward the trip. We have secured a passage for you and Estelle on a tour of the continent.”

Pride swelled in his chest to know that the baron truly loved his daughter enough to contribute in such a manner. He could picture her face though. She’d certainly be cross, but who was he to deny her father’s wish?

“While that sounds wonderful, Lord Humphrey, what will Estelle think on the subject?”

“That, my son, matters not. The both of you will already be preoccupied by the preparations of the necessities, so this is our gift to you.”

Benedict couldn’t argue with the man, but he dared not think on what his lovely fiancée would have to say on the arrangement.

“I accept and you have my gratitude, Lord Humphrey. I was wondering if perchance I could steal away my lovely fiancée for dinner tonight.”

“Absolutely. I imagine she would not mind one bit in breaking away for a little while. Where will you be dining this evening?”

“With my parents, of course.”

“Perfect. William!” the baron shouted out to his butler. “See that Estelle is ready to depart. She shan’t keep the earl waiting.” Lord Humphrey returned his attention to Benedict and asked, “Have you found a home yet for the both of you?”

“No, I have not. I was hoping to get some idea of where Estelle wanted to live. Sir, not to get off topic, but have you heard the gossip about that body they found floating in the Thames last summer?”

The baron pulled off his spectacles and covered his light cough with a handkerchief. “I have, but it is hard to say how much is fact or fiction. Some of my associates seem to think there is more to the story other than the gent being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

“How so?” Benedict asked, hoping that any speculation would lean toward the Earl of Hawthorne.

“Well, the gent, they say, usually gambled with the higher echelons of the aristocracy. Some have heard the rumors he recently lost several horses and the deed to a rather large estate to Lord Cuthbert, but there is no evidence to support the suspicions. I suppose we may never know the truth of the matter. Anything that could shed some light on the case has probably drifted off to the North Sea. Pity that. I’ve heard some nasty words mentioned about Cuthbert too.”

A sinking feeling burrowed deeper and deeper into Benedict’s belly about the earl. How was it even remotely possible for the man to create so much havoc and not leave a trace of his actions behind? There was only one type of man capable of such chaos and deception, and heaven forbid if he’d created strife over his ruling at Hawthorne Hall. If there were one case, there would certainly be others and if that was the scenario, how many other secrets about the family’s history was questionable?

Aware someone had joined them, a delightful figure appeared at the parlor door. Estelle curtseyed, acknowledging her father and then Ben.

“I thought you could join my family for dinner tonight.” Benedict turned to face the baron. “I will return your lovely daughter just as soon as post dinner refreshments have completed.”

“Thank you, son. You two have a wonderful evening while I try and figure out what my sister, Mrs. Black, is planning for the rest of the night. Lord only knows she’s got some kind of tea and gossip party to attend.”

Estelle smiled warmly at her fiancé, counting the days in her head before they were married, before turning her head to look out the window.

“I’ve missed you, dearest. I wondered what was taking you so long but then I saw the weather was turning so I imagined you held off on coming until you knew the weather would cooperate,” Estelle said in a soft voice.

Benedict squeezed her hand and lifted her onto his lap. She twisted so that she could kiss him only now; he slid her from his lap so that her back lay flat on their seat. His lips crushed to hers in one swoop. Estelle couldn’t think with all her emotions rising to the surface.

“Lord, I cannot wait for our special day,” Benedict grumbled, viciously prying away from her.

A giggle escaped her lips as she propped herself up. “Soon enough, my darling, soon enough.”

“Let us right your hair before I get a sound thrashing from my mother if you appear in such a state.”

“Not to worry, my love, I’ll set everything right. What were you and my father discussing when you arrived? It almost felt as if I interrupted something important.”

He raised a brow at her question then eased back into his seat. “Aside from wedding plans, we were discussing real estate, and current affairs.”

“The current affairs part sounds dreadfully boring. That is, unless, you are referring to something positively scandalous. Has there been a murder? Corruption from the House of Lords; how about some industry about to meet financial ruin?”

“Slow down, my love. It almost sounds as if you have been keeping yourself occupied with current gossip and news. What would you know of financial ruin or murder? Have you heard of something that I have not?”

“Did you not hear about the man floating in the bloody river a few months ago?” Hell, she’d surprised herself with the language, but she doubted Benedict would comment on her choice of words.

“Yes, I heard. In fact, I only just found out about it this afternoon.”

“The details around the death are sketchy. They have no suspects, and it’s supposed whoever the vagabond is, has probably retreated from London by now.”

“Suppose it wasn’t a vagabond, and it was a peer?”

“Now that would truly be a scandal, Ben. Do you think it was a member of one of those clubs I hear Papa discussing with guests? There are always those kinds of deals going on. At least that is what I’ve gathered from my eavesdropping, which I am aware is terribly wrong and ill-mannered, but sometimes there really isn’t anything to do at night besides reading. Drat. Ben, what am I to do with these thoughts of intrigue and murder?”

Ben sighed, as he always did when he grew weary of her questions, although, he raised a brow at her mention of eavesdropping.

“I apologize if I’m being a bother. I’ll say no more on the matter,” Estelle added with a frown.

“It’s not that, Estelle. Here, I want you to read this and tell me your thoughts.”

Estelle took the invitation and read it.
Why in the world did the words Cuthbert and Hawthorne Hall sound so familiar? Cuthbert…who do I know with that name?

“So…do you think you want to attend?” he asked.

“I suppose, but do you know them?”

“I went to university with their son George, and at best he was only an acquaintance. Our affiliation ended there. However, there’s a matter of the other things I’ve heard over the years. Estelle, the reason I bring this up now is because there’s a bit of a complication with this trip.”

He paused and then turned his head away from her.

Estelle couldn’t understand why he seemed so worried. “What sort of complication, Ben? You’re worrying me.”

“There was a letter sent to my father today by the Earl of Hawthorne. He’s being blackmailed after witnessing something he shouldn’t have and if he does not come into information within a fortnight, he will be framed as the murderer of the man found floating down the river.”

Estelle hadn’t meant to gasp so loudly but finding the courage not to was even more difficult.

“You cannot be serious. Blackmail. How absurd! But why?”

“I do not know for certain; but all I know is that my father would never do anything to jeopardize his family in the least. The Earl of Hawthorne is up to no good and I will not tolerate his interference, which leads to my next question. If we go to this masque or whatever the Countess of Hawthorne wants to address it as, I may drift away from your side. It is my intention to use that opportunity to investigate from within the earl’s home. I hope you will agree with what I intend to do, but would certainly understand if you wish to decline the invitation.”

“I refuse to bow out. We are in this together, Benedict. Our families will become one soon enough that we must learn to work together. If there is anything I can do to aid you, I want to help.”

“I thank you for your support, dear, but I do not want to endanger you either. There will be times I must slip away, and when that is the case, I do not want you to follow. Should the earl suspect that I am there for other reasons than his son’s entertainment, who knows what they are capable of doing? One man has ended up in the river. How many others have there been and never been found? I do not want you to get that close, and should you ever stumble on anything so horrifying, you are to inform me immediately. The second I know you are no longer safe amongst the guests; you will be on the next coach home.” The intensity in his voice wavered and she observed the flurry of emotions crossing his face; anger, fear, sadness, and rage. She understood the need to protect his family, but at what cost?

I cannot lose him to this
, she vowed silently.

Estelle prayed that whatever happened during their stay at Hawthorne Hall, nothing too drastic would occur. Every manor had secrets, and hopefully Benedict wouldn’t have to dig too deep to uncover them.

The carriage came to a halt, and a rush of attendants greeted them.

Ben exited first and aided her down, while servants lined up at the door. When they reached the main room, she was greeted by her future mother-in-law, who made it no secret she was still not pleased with their betrothal. In fact, if she had to bet her life on it, she probably had some other doe-eyed debutante picked out for him. Estelle shuddered to think what she might have thought of her the first time, when her son professed his love for her.

“How nice of you to join us, Estelle. Come and sit with me for a bit. Dinner should be ready in a quarter hour. Tell me of your plans so far.”

“The plans are coming along nicely, my lady. Although, Benedict seems to be keeping me in suspense with the plans for our new home.”

“I’m sure it will be quite lovely. My son is quite adept at procuring oddities, and I’m positive he will find you something fitting.”

Her words bit, and with the sting of the insult Estelle only smiled, and was saved by a servant announcing dinner was ready.