Shadowed by Sin (3 page)

Without a second to waste, Benedict fell into step with her on their way to the dining hall. He winked and whispered to her, “I do hope the weather takes a turn for the worst.”

She glared at him. His subtle suggestion that they engage in some of their own mischief was terrible, but how she loved him deeply. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for him. However, if they were caught in the middle of anything inappropriate, the wedding would be cancelled or even moved up. Then where would they live?

Estelle’s cheeks heated and she gently shoved him away. “Do stop, you are embarrassing me,” she replied with a hoarse whisper.

“If you think that’s embarrassing, I would hate to see what happens if I ever told you my fantasies about you.”

She smacked him then, and he only laughed at her. They were seated across from each other, as were Benedict’s parents. Oddly enough, she noticed the silent signals he and his father exchanged—wary glances, slight coughing, and petty small talk—when his mother spoke up.

“Dare I ask what is left of the wedding planning, you two? You’re obviously doing a fine job discussing it discreetly in the corner over there and it has become apparent that neither of you want our assistance, but I am rather put out over the exclusion.”

“We meant no offense, Mother. Everything is quite settled with the exception of our future home.”

“In that case, I will insist on aiding you both with the hiring of servants. I have already been seeking out names for all the staff you will require. All you will need to do is find the appropriate home for your future. Estelle needs a home befitting that of a countess. You cannot live in a hovel and call it a home. I will provide you with my recommendations for all of the above and you will not procure a home unless I approve all manners of its state.”

Estelle dropped her spoon at the countess’s tone. Of all the condescending, pig-headed, arrogant things the woman could say, she dared to interfere in the manner of what residence was selected.

“How generous of you, my lady. However I was thinking that Benedict and I could stay at the hotel until we have returned from our honeymoon. I do believe we will be going away for a time, so I would hate to rush things at this point.”

The countess snorted in an unladylike manner. Lord St. John’s eyes narrowed, and her gaze shifted between them. “Well, it would appear I’ve lost my appetite.”

Her mother-in-law rose from the table and retreated from the dining hall like a wounded animal.

“Oh, ignore her. She still hasn’t forgotten over her proposals you previously rejected for prospective brides. I mean no offense to you of course, Lady Estelle. My wife has been accustomed all these years to getting her way, and now she feels as if she needs to prove herself more worthy of her title and defend it. Lord only knows why,” Lord St. John drawled before tossing his napkin on the table.

A crack of lightning and thunder rattled around them. Rain pelted against the windows, making a frightening sound. Estelle raised her head to only find Benedict smiling.

“I guess this means you will be spending the night here, my love.”

“Indeed,” his father added. “Shall we move into the library and sit by the fire a while? I think a dram of brandy shall settle our nerves. It has been quite the exhausting day.”

Left alone in the library, Benedict flagged his father’s attention. “Father, I have a plan.”

Lord St. John paled, noticing Estelle watching them intently. He probably hadn’t expected for his son to share the information given the circumstances, but he hoped he would overlook that oversight.

“Do not worry about Estelle. I’ve told her everything and I trust that she won’t breathe a word of this to one living soul. We, meaning Estelle and I, received an invitation earlier today to attend Hawthorne Hall. The earl and his countess are hosting a masque in celebration of George’s return from the continent. This will provide me with the greatest opportunity to delve deeper into anything else Lord Cuthbert may be hiding.”

“You cannot mean to thrust your intended into the middle of this mess? It’s dangerous, Benedict. You don’t know what that man is capable of, and I could not live with myself if anything were to happen to Estelle.”

“Nothing will happen to me, my lord. Benedict will be there to protect me, and should anything go awry, I will be on the next coach headed home. Besides, I am certain my aunt will feel obligated to serve as my chaperone.” Estelle rose from her seat in an attempt to settle his nerves, but he lifted his hand to stop her.

“You do realize if we’re all found out, there will be dire consequences.”

Estelle nodded, as did his son.

“Very well, I do not want to hear any more of this plan. Estelle, I will see that one of the maids tends to you for the remainder of the evening if that will suit.”

“That would be appreciated, my lord.”

Lord St. John quickly left the room.

Perhaps going to the masque is a mistake
, she thought.

The storm outside refused to relent, and the thrashing sounds of tree branches whipping around in the frightening atmosphere outside, kept making a clatter, hitting one of the smaller buildings on the property. Estelle loathed storms, especially when she wasn’t at home in the cozy town residence her father kept after her mother passed on. Staying on for the night in Benedict’s family home might prove to be a challenge after all.

“If I didn’t know any better, Estelle, I’d say you look frightened. Come here,” Benedict coaxed, trying to pull her into an embrace.

Estelle complied, feeling insecure. Butterflies in her belly fluttered, as uncertainty washed over her. How she loved this man, even if the way they met was unconventional and his family didn’t approve. He complemented her like lace on a bonnet, and to think they would serve a lifetime in holy matrimony in just a few short weeks.

“Ben, I should probably get to bed as I will need to leave early. My father will wonder why—”

“Do not worry about a thing. Your father and aunt will understand that the weather was not acceptable to travel in. Besides, if you are worried that I will compromise you in any way, I wouldn’t do anything unless you wanted me to.”

“It isn’t that. It’s everything else. Your father appeared truly dismayed that you had informed me of what has already transpired. For heaven’s sake, the man looked like he was going to swoon like a woman.”

“Yes, but that is only because there isn’t anything he would not do to protect us either. Nevertheless, I will not stand by idly waiting for him to take the blame for something he had no part in. We will get to the bottom of this. Ah, I believe I hear your maid coming along. Go on up with her and I will stop in and see you once the whole house has turned down for the evening.”

Estelle nodded and watched the parlor door open slowly. The glow of the candle the maid held cast frightful shadows against the wall.

“I’ll be tending to your needs tonight, Lady Estelle, if you will follow me. It did take me some time to find a nightgown that will suit you for the night. We will have your clothing laundered tonight as well. Everything should be nice and dry for you by morning.”

“Thank you kindly.”

They entered her bedroom for the night, making quick work of changing into a clean and modest night rail. A yawn escaped her lips as she stretched after sitting down at the edge of the bed. Her maid left her with a single candle burning, and a low fire that barely kept the room warm. She wondered if Benedict had any intentions of spending the night with her, or if he’d simply stop in to wish her well before bed.

She collapsed back and stared into the darkness above her, remembering how they’d played in the carriage on their way here. She wasn’t exactly obtuse with the way men viewed and wanted women. Her education—if one could call it that—came from the fanciful novels her aunt hid in her papa’s library. Mind, they weren’t for her virginal reading pleasure, but what her aunt didn’t know, wouldn’t send her into an apoplectic fit.

A quiet rap at the door strayed her from her thoughts.

“I wanted to see how you were getting along. I promise not to keep you too long.” He locked the door behind him and sat next to her on the bed.

Excitement welled up deep within her chest, and when he was this close to her, she had never felt safer in her entire life. Estelle sighed and whispered, “Ben, kiss me please.”

“I think I can accommodate that request.” He bent forward, capturing her lips, slowly ravaging her mouth. Her heart hammered in her chest, and she was gently coaxed to lie back on the bed. His one hand slid in behind her head, cradling the base of her skull. Every swipe of his tongue delved deeper and deeper, bringing her toward an unknown feeling of rapture. They’d shared many tender kisses, embracing until their privacy was infringed upon by her father, passers-by, or by the sheer stupidity of knocking a chair over. Yet, in this moment, everything shone in a new light. This man would be her husband, and she’d have a lifetime of these small pleasures. She quivered beneath his expert caresses, giving in to the wanton sensation fluttering about in her belly, clouding her sensibility of how they acted without decorum.

Estelle shifted her legs apart as the man she loved eased himself between them, lying atop her and delighting her with a slow need. She burned for him. He lifted her nightgown, leaving her thighs exposed to the cooling air in her chambers. A shiver crept up her spine and goose flesh swept across her legs. Lord, how the man drove her out of her wits.

The sound of feet shuffling down the hall brought her awareness to the present. She pressed her palms against Benedict’s chest and whispered, “We need to stop. Your parents cannot find us in this compromising state.”

He kissed her hard, robbing her of any further thought and then he stopped, slowly easing himself off her. “Very well, my love. Until tomorrow; and I trust you will have pleasant dreams.”

Estelle bit her lower lip as she watched him walk away.
Only a few more weeks until we are married, darling.

“I will avenge you, dear Helen. Just you wait and see.” Edwin Cuthbert locked the secret passageway leading from his sister’s old room. The dank smell of mold and mildew in his uncle’s manor made the river-rock walls slick with slime. The decayed flesh of rodents littered the floor. Cobwebs hung loosely near the rooms he frequented, and while they would normally upset the fairer sex, he found their presence pleasant.

When he learned of his uncle’s decision to host a masquerade in honor of his son’s return from the continent, betrayal beat fervently in his chest, leading him directly to Helen’s room.
How I miss her so.
Not only did the fool invite the very man who had once associated with his cousin, George, but also it’d been George himself who led poor Helen to her death. Were it not for him she would have never insisted on departing to the country. Coming to her room offered him comfort in times of helplessness.

Never mind the issue that the very woman who had cut him down was due to arrive at any time today with her fiancé. He desired to speak with her during the snobbish event, and perhaps find a way to lure her away from this place. The masquerade ball would provide him the proper cover he required to get her to slip away undetected. However, the only question that remained was, how could he convince her to leave? If she lingered at Hawthorne Hall, George would likely find a way to scandalize her, and he could never allow it to happen.

Edwin could not comprehend, nor find the necessity in the extravagant show being held to honor a son who had never worked hard in his life, and on the anniversary of the day his sister departed this realm most suspiciously. While society and the gossip rags all speculated—to some degree—that he had his hand in the death, only he knew the truth. To lift a hand and cause harm to his sister was a deplorable and idiotic notion. Edwin seethed with fury. Blind with rage, he pounded on the walls of the passage. “I will end it all. Make no mistake.”

He tried to control his anger yet reality swallowed him whole. Despair over losing everything he had ever loved gripped his heart. The entire family would soon be exposed for the true shams they were. The Earl of Hawthorne’s crimes would be uncovered soon enough. How his uncle’s shady dealings had not been caught astounded him profoundly. If only the investigators had looked deeper into the deaths of those men found in the Thames. George would pay dearly for his indiscretions, and his aunt, the countess, would forever burn in purgatory. Her sins would earn her that special place in the Devil’s arms.

He reached the end of the corridor that opened to the servants’ wing. Edwin swung a flap of fabric to reveal the empty hallway.

Edwin smirked reaching for the latch, and quietly stepped out into the hall. Checking his pocket watch, he noted he had enough time to descend the stairs to his quarters before anyone would notice.

Next week the games begin.
Edwin unlatched the panel and slipped down the hall toward the service stairs the servants used, but stopped when someone whispered his name harshly from the steps leading from the attic.

“What in God’s name are you doing here, Master Edwin? Trying to get into the attic like your cousin George?”

“I beg your pardon? George came up this way? How long ago?”

“Indeed, and I am going to tell you exactly what I told him. Be gone from this wing. There is nothing here for you boys.”

“We are not boys. We are men. The sooner you understand, Evan, the better things will be. Last I recall you are in no position to be telling me where I can, or cannot go.”

“Never you mind. Run along, and do not let me see you this way again, or I will be telling the earl.”

Edwin scoffed over Evan’s, the first footman’s, warning. If that man was not careful of the threats he tossed about, he would end up dead too. Danger hung like a black cloud here at Hawthorne Hall, but it was not him. While there were those who would speculate his comings and goings, he could not take the entirety of the credit for the worry and fear clenching around people’s hearts. A fear so deep and hideous, it was like the serpent of Eden coiling around the organ, squeezing the life out of its victim at the behest of its commanding lord. A demon that lusted after possessions that did not belong to him lurked these halls, planning and coveting things and people in unconventional and devious ways; a lecherous fool whose sole purpose in this existence tormented Edwin at every turn.