The Duke's Deception (19 page)

‘Ask how I
organized this, Miss Devenish,’ his voice was the hiss of hatred. She was to be
forced to play his game. She had no choice.

‘How did you
organize this?’ She heard a sharp intake of breath and saw his forearms
stiffen, she had to be more conciliatory. ‘It was a complete shock to find you
here.’

He relaxed,
mollified. ‘It was carefully planned and expertly executed. Did you not wonder
how word of your behaviour reached London
so quickly?’ She was unsure whether to nod or shake her head so did a mixture
of the two.

‘It was I. I got
my friends to start the whispers; it does not take long for slander to spread.
Everyone likes to see someone brought down, my dear.’

She forced words
out through stiff lips. ‘But this house? I don’t understand.’

He smiled. It
didn’t make her feel any better. ‘I knew you would be driven away. I had my man
waiting to offer you an escape route. Sampson was desperate to be shot of you
so he didn’t study the lease, he was just glad you could leave swiftly before
your presence contaminated his household.’ He waited, predatory, enjoying her
struggle to speak.

‘This is your
house?’

‘Clever puss, it
is indeed - vile rat hole, I never come here. I spend my time in Town.’ He sat
back, apparently less aggressive. ‘You escaped me once and made me a laughing
stock,
you shall not do so again.’

Perspiration
trickled down her spine. She could not answer. She was too nauseous.

‘I have here,’
he patted his pocket, ‘a special license. And tomorrow a reverend gentleman
arrives to conduct our wedding ceremony. You have no escape. You will not leave
here until we are man and wife.’

‘I will not
marry you, not now, not ever.’ Her voice was surprisingly firm. ‘My reputation
is gone, you have seen to that, so holding me prisoner cannot make it any
worse.’

‘You will be
pleased enough to marry me when your belly is full of my child. Even you would
not wish to bring a bastard into the world. After all a baby is an innocent,’
he sneered.

‘You can rape
me, get me with child, it will make no difference. I will never marry you and
give you access to my fortune.’

His face
convulsed and he leapt to his feet smashing the chair against the wall in his
fury. She closed her eyes and waited for the blows to fall, praying that God
would give her the strength to endure without capitulation.

Then he laughed,
a chilling sound in the empty room. ‘No, I have a better idea, my love.’ He
walked to the door and shouted, his two henchmen appeared at a run. ‘Boys, I
have a treat in store, a pretty girl next door just waiting for your loving
attentions.’

Marianne jumped
her feet. ‘No, you cannot!’ Too late, the leering Ellison and the footman burst
into the bed chamber and emerged, dragging a screaming Annie between them.

‘Now, my dear,
you have a choice. Either you - or your maid. Remember I don’t need her alive
to complete my schemes.’

There was no
choice. ‘Release her. If you give me your word you will not harm my staff, I
will marry you tomorrow.’

‘A wise choice.
Let the girl go.’ Annie dropped weeping quietly to the floor. ‘You come with
me, Marianne. I’ve no wish to share a bed with your two snivelling serving
wenches.’

Marianne stood,
her face expressionless, no hint of pleading in her voice. ‘I have agreed to be
your wife, sir; I believe matrimony is a sacred state and I intend to honour my
vows, be the best wife I am able to be.’ She held him with her stare. ‘I would
like to come to you unsullied, as is normal for a bride. Will you allow me that
one thing, Sir James?’

For a moment it
hung in the balance. ‘Very well. I’ll wait until we are wed. You have tonight
to prepare yourself. You will wear your prettiest gown. I shall expect you
downstairs, suitably attired, at ten o’clock tomorrow morning. Is that clear?’

‘Yes, sir, it
is. And I thank you. I shall not forget what you have done this evening.’

He nodded believing
she was referring to his kindness in refraining from raping her before her
wedding. Marianne watched him go. She would never say her vows to him, she
would die first.

Chapter
Nineteen

Theo rode Lucifer
the short distance to Frating Hall. The meeting he had planned with young
Charles Devenish should prove illuminating for him and unpleasant for Charles,
at least that was what he anticipated.

Lord Grierson
greeted him coolly and he didn’t blame him for doing so. He was a blackguard in
anybody’s book. But when the woman he loved had been within arm’s reach he had
not been able to control his passion. She made him feel like a green boy not a
mature, experienced man of eight and twenty.

‘I wish to speak
to Charles. I hope that is acceptable?’

‘Go ahead, sir;
the boy is starved of company with Edward away.’

Theo sauntered
down the airy corridor every inch a man without a care in the world. He knocked
softly on the door of the sickroom and waited to be bid to enter. No footman or
parlour maid rushed about opening doors here, as Lord Grierson too frequently
said, “We do not stand on ceremony at Frating Hall.”

Charles was out
of bed, his broken leg supported on cushions and a footstool. Theo noticed the
young man’s face was thinner and there were dark circles under his eyes but
otherwise he appeared remarkably robust.
The love of a good
woman, no doubt.

Charles’s face
lit up. ‘Sir Theo, I’m delighted to see you. It is devilish boring, cooped up
here all day. My Arabella is coming later, but that is not for hours yet.’

Theo carefully
closed the door. He didn’t wish to be overheard. Thirty minutes later he
strolled off again, a pleasant smile on his lips, not a hair out of place. He
met Lady Grierson in the hall.

‘I believe your
son has suffered a relapse, Lady Grierson, and requires your immediate
attention.’

Outside Theo
waited enjoying the sunshine on his face, leaning, seemingly indolent against a
convenient wall for his mount to be brought round to him. He rode back to
Bentley Hall satisfied young Grierson saw the error of his ways.

Vincent saw him
return and followed him to the study. ‘How did the interview go, sir?’

Theo grinned. ‘I
enjoyed it, but I cannot say Grierson did.’ His smile faded. ‘I was sorely
tempted to tip him out of his chair and break his other leg but sanity
prevailed.’

‘Thank the Lord
for that. Captain Seymour the customs man is here to see you. Shall I bring him
down?’

The captain was
enthusiastic about the part he and his men were to play that night. ‘Mr Smith
will hand the parcel over to the
Frenchie
then we let
the bastard get as far as the beach and thunder down, guns blazing and by some
miracle the man escapes.’

‘That’s about
right, Captain,’ Theo replied. ‘The letters must go and this will hurry the
courier on his way.’

‘Is Mr Smith
returned from Town yet, sir?’

‘No, but he will
be. Travelling post is damned expensive but highly efficient. Be at Thorrington
Creek at eleven o’clock but remember to keep your men quiet.’

Theo ran his fingers
through his hair relieved the young captain hadn’t enquired too closely how the
letters came to be in his possession. This false attack was essential. The
Frenchman had to be prevented from talking to the smugglers who would be
waiting to unload his boat and thus discovering Charles was injured, Edward
absent and John an impostor.

At
ten thirty
that evening, John
disguised as Charles and riding Edward’s horse, set off for the
rendezvous.
It was a beautiful night and
by tomorrow Theo would be finished here and able to do return to London to
claim his bride.

John handed over
the package; the man who received it tucked it out of sight and turned to jog
over to join the group of waiting free traders. He was almost up to them when
Captain Seymour led his men out of the darkness and firing their pistols they
galloped down the track towards the Frenchman.

The man knew he
couldn’t be caught in possession of the letters so turned and raced back to the
water’s edge. He threw himself into the waiting dinghy and rowed like a madman
out into the creek to
rejoin
the vessel that had
brought him. The group of smugglers scattered, vanishing like phantoms into the
woods. No illegal goods would be unloaded that night.

‘A good night’s
work, John, thank you for your help,’ Theo called as they cantered down the
drive to Bentley Hall.

‘My pleasure,
you grace. Glad to be of help.’ They dismounted in the stable yard and a groom
emerged rubbing his eyes to take care of the horses.

‘We can have a
decent night’s sleep. I wish to set off for town about nine o’clock, if that
suits?’

John’s reply was
lost as three sweat-streaked horses clattered into the yard. Edward and the
boys had arrived. Theo’s good humour vanished as he waited for Edward to dismount.
Should he leave it until the morning? Then a picture of Marianne in boy’s
regalia flashed across his mind and an icy rage swept through him.

Edward, taking
one look at Theo’s face knew what to expect but walked forward anyway. Theo
struck him across the face with such force the boy crashed backwards into the
brick archway. Edward pushed himself upright and waited.

Theo reached out
and grasped him by the neck intending to floor the boy again but the look of
resignation on Edward’s face gave him pause. The boy wanted to be beaten, knew
he deserved it. His hand fell and he stepped away. Edward didn’t move, not sure
his punishment was over. John took his arm none too gently and pushed him
through the archway.

‘
Disappear
boy, whilst you can. You’ve got off lightly.’

Theo came
through flexing his fingers thoughtfully. ‘He’s a courageous lad, like his
brother. I have made the right decision to keep them out of this.’

‘He is a lucky
lad, if I’d got to him first he would have fared much worse.’

Billy, grey with
fatigue, joined them. ‘You wanted to speak with me, sir?’

Theo nodded.
‘Yes, I wish to know how you left Miss Devenish and Mrs
Smith?
’

‘They were not
at Brook Street. We got a frosty reception, I can tell you. It seems someone
had spread gossip about Miss Devenish and she was sent packing.’

‘God’s teeth!
What next?’ He was instantly alert, all
thought of sleep gone. ‘Where is she, do you know?’

Billy smiled.
‘Yes sir; Mr Sampson found her an estate in Hertfordshire, let me think…’ he
scratched his head. ‘Yes, I have it, Drayton House. Miss Devenish and Mrs Smith
have removed there.’

Theo relaxed.
‘Good, you have the directions?’ The young man nodded. ‘Excellent. You get some
sleep. You will be coming with us tomorrow.’

Theo had just
removed his boots and handed them over when his bedchamber door crashed open
and John burst in his face ashen. ‘It’s bad, your grace, worse than either of
us could ever have expected. Drayton House – I’ve remembered who owns it. It
belongs to Sir James Russell.’

For a second Theo
stared at John, his face blank,
then
he understood.
‘The bastard from Bath?’ He snatched his boots from Vincent and rammed his feet
back in. ‘Vincent, my pistols, now, man. John, have Lucifer and three fresh
mounts saddled.’

‘It’s being
done, your grace.’

‘Vincent, pack
for me and follow in my carriage, travel post
wherever
 
possible
.’

Pistols primed
and loaded, but not cocked, he pushed them into his belt. Taking the stairs in
threes he was back outside and on Lucifer before John arrived at the door. He
was glad to see Billy and Tom mounted and ready.

‘Where in Hertfordshire?’

‘This side of St Albans, your grace.
I reckon we can cut
across country and avoid London
altogether.’

Theo turned to
John astride a massive a hunter. He spoke urgently but so low only John could
hear. ‘Marianne will have been there for a day and night before we can reach
her.’ John nodded, his expression grim. ‘I promise you whatever
has
transpired I shall make her my duchess. Nothing will
change my determination to marry her, nothing at all. Is that clear?’

‘I
understand,
your grace. It’s the best part of eighty miles
to Drayton House. We’ll kill these horses if we try and do it without a break.’

‘We shall stop
at Brentwood. We should be there by dawn. We can rest there. These are good
horses, John. They can gallop all day if they have to.’

‘Very well, sir.
I believe it’s about thirty miles from Brentwood. We should be at Drayton House
by ten o’clock, let’s pray that’s in time.’

*

Marianne
returned to her bedroom. Annie stood up. ‘Mrs Smith is stirring, Miss Devenish,
but she has a fearful lump on her head.’

‘Let me see.’
Marianne lifted the wet cloth. ‘It’s not as bad as I feared. I’ll watch her
now,
you try and get some rest.’ The girl hesitated. ‘Go on,
you need some sleep. Lie on the bed. If I need you I promise I’ll wake you.’

‘Thank you,
miss.’

As soon as
Marianne was certain both her companions were asleep she stood up and taking a
candlestick slipped into the dressing-room. All three trunks were closed but not
strapped which would make her task easier. She thought back, trying to remember
which one she had to search for what she wanted.

The larger brown
trunk - she recalled Jane had packed them in there. She closed the door and
quietly opened the box. She lifted item after item dropping them haphazardly on
the floor. Soon she was surrounded by a froth of clothing and tissue paper.

Finally her
searching fingers found what she wanted. Satisfied, she sat back her sewing kit
clutched tightly the hand. She glanced around bewildered by the chaos she had
created.

No matter, she
would not need these clothes— they could stay on the floor. Her feet sank into
the carpet of gowns and chemises but she scarcely noticed. She opened the
dressing-room door and returned to sit beside Jane.

‘What were you
doing for so long in the dressing-room, Miss Marianne?’ Mary’s voice was quiet
but clear.

Marianne jumped.
‘Jane, you’re awake. How is your poor head?’

‘It aches. I
expect I shall have the headache for a day or two, but I will be fine, don’t
fret.’

‘I’ll fetch you
a drink, there’s some lemonade left from supper.’ Marianne supported Jane’s
shoulders as she drank.

‘Thank you, that
was good. I don’t feel nauseous, nor dizzy, and my vision is clear. I’m not
concussed. There’s no need for you to sit up beside me, Miss Marianne. Come and
lie down, I will shuffle across, there’s ample room for all three of us in
here.’

She shook her
head. ‘Thank you, Jane, but I cannot sleep. I intend to sit in the parlour.’

Jane pushed
herself up. ‘Edward and the boys will be here; they must have stopped over but
will arrive first thing.’

‘No, they will
not. If they had been coming here they would have arrived earlier today. Edward
must have realized I had sent John with the letters and followed him to Great
Bentley.’

Jane flopped
back. ‘Then what shall we do? How long will the evil man wait before he takes
what he wants from you?’

‘I have agreed
to marry him at ten o’clock tomorrow. I had no choice; he would have given
Annie to his men to rape and murder if I had not.’

‘You cannot
marry him, I’ll not let you.’

Marianne patted
Jane’s clammy hand. ‘We must have faith. Don’t worry
so,
it will make your headache worse. It was a ploy to gain us time. I have no
intention of marrying him.’

Jane thought she
understood. ‘Time for John and Sir Theo to arrive and save us? They will

be
here,
I’m sure of that.’

‘Try and sleep.
Your head will be much better in the morning.’ Marianne bathed Jane’s forehead
with a fresh, cool cloth and checked both women were asleep before bending down
to retrieve her sewing kit. ‘Goodbye, Jane, I’m sorry, but there is no other
way,’ she mouthed. Sadly she walked into the parlour closing the communicating
door softly behind her.

The
curtainless
windows were inky black, she relaxed - she had
a few hours left. She carried one of the two remaining chairs and jammed it
under the door knob locking Annie and Jane inside.

Then she knelt
in front of the second chair and resting her arms on the seat began her
prayers. What she intended to do was a heinous sin; she needed to explain to
God why she had no choice, pray for his forgiveness and pray for a miracle.

*

Lucifer stumbled
and Theo was almost unseated. He swore. ‘We’ll have to stop; there is an inn
somewhere ahead, if I remember rightly. We can eat and rest the horses.’

His companions
were too tired to answer. Billy and Tom had been riding for hours and had only
avoided falling from the saddle by sheer willpower. The inn yard was empty so
early and the two ostlers on duty were glad of the opportunity to earn a coin
or two.

‘Water, feed and
groom the horses, they are cool enough, we have walked them this past
half-hour.’

Theo swung from
the saddle and waited for the others to dismount. ‘Billy, Tom, get an hour’s sleep,
find a quiet corner somewhere. I’ll send food out to you.’

The boys
stumbled off following the horses and he and John headed inside. The place was
being cleaned; a scullery maid was scrubbing the flagstones in the hall and was
obliged to move her pail to allow them by. A sleepy landlord appeared in answer
to Theo’s ring.

‘We wish to wash
and shave, then eat. We have an hour to do it in.’

‘No problem at
all, sir. Follow me, I take it your man will see to your needs.’ Theo was about
to explain but John forestalled him.