The Passionate Love of a Rake (32 page)

He sighed. “I wonder how I have lived without you.”

Did she need any more reassurance that the others he’d slept with meant nothing? Her hand pressed against his damp chest as she pulled away again. “We are very similar, you and I. We
were
made for each other, weren’t we? I have spent my life hiding my hurt and pain behind pride. You’ve hidden it behind debauchery. Both of us have acted as though we don’t care. We do. We have both been through torment internally, while others thought us cold and dispassionate.”

He gave her a fierce hug, his hand running over her hair, but he did not speak.

It was true. They had endured enough silent pain. She had let hers out now, and she hoped he had, too.

She smiled and looked up. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For enduring this hardship for me. I believe in you.”

“Go change and tidy up, then I will take you for a drive in the park now that the rain has stopped, so everyone will know we are not at odds. And
thank you
, for loving me. It is not an easy task, I know.” He kissed her cheek and finally let her go to secure his falls, saying, “Now run along, sweetheart, and get changed.”

Looking in the mirror of her vanity table, as she sat before it, Jane watched Robert secure his latest gift from his mother’s jewels about her neck, a string of pearls. His hands brushed her skin, and he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her neck.

Her hand lifted and touched his hair as he pulled away. She looked up at her husband when he stood straight again, or rather, at his reflection. He met her gaze in the mirror. His fingers gripped her shoulders and caressed them gently, his thumbs rubbing her nape.

The action sent familiar shivers running down her spine, and an ache, a spasm, spiralled inside her.

“May we not go to the Yorks’?” she whispered, letting her head fall back to rest against his stomach.

His deep laugh resonated about the room, “I would
prefer
to stay at home.” His fingers slid downward into her bodice.

Since Robert’s outrage over his barring from White’s, she’d barely spent any time apart from him. They’d driven in the park, shopped, and loved, hiding themselves away, denying the world, a silent resolution forming between them that nothing would set them apart. She’d been wrapped up in him, as he’d been in her. They’d been sheltering each other, she knew, and she’d treasured the intensity, shutting her mind to anything else, though nothing had happened for three days. It only meant the next attack was imminent.

The dull thud of the front door knocker reached their hallowed ground.

She took a breath. “That will be Edward and Ellen.”

His hands lifted again and gently squeezed her shoulders. “Sadly, we must go then.”

She smiled and took his hand. “Solidarity, my Lord.”

“Solidarity,” he answered, lifting her fingers to his lips.

Her other hand touched his cheek. “If Joshua plays any games tonight, do not rise to it, Robert. Promise me?”

He smiled, placating. “I shall try, but I will not stand back and allow the man to ride roughshod over us. I have my pride.”

She took a breath and let it go on a sigh as a knock struck their bedchamber door. “My Lord, my Lady!” Jenkins called. “Lord and Lady Edward are waiting in the hall.”

Jane braced herself.

“Stop worrying,” Robert said in a low voice. “All will be well. I’ll not let it end otherwise.”

They left the room and proceeded downstairs.

“Ellen. Edward,” Jane called, smiling.

Once in the hall, Jane found herself embraced by Ellen. Robert’s fingers let hers go.

“Edward told me what happened the other day. He has an idea—”

“My Lord! My Lord!” Ellen was cut off by a shout coming from behind them.

“My Lord!” It grew louder as they all turned to the servants’ entrance in the hall. “My Lord!”

James, Robert’s groom, ran into the hall, arms wide. His face was dirt-stained, and his clothes were singed in places, wisps of smoke rising from spots on the cloth. He wiped his brow on his arm as he came to a halt and drew a breath. “My Lord,” he said to Robert, “the stables are on fire.”

Jane looked at her husband.

His eyes had narrowed, and the muscle in his jaw was visibly taut. “How?” The single word spoke the accusation. He moved forward. So did Edward.

“A torch was thrown over the wall, my Lord.”

Without a word, Robert shared a look with Edward then his pace increased. They were gone in an instant, James with them, as they disappeared through the servants’ door.

Jane gripped her dress, lifted her hem, and hurried in pursuit, hearing Ellen follow.

When they reached the courtyard, the stables were in flames, gold and orange tongues licking the jet night air. The fire was eating the stable block like a giant monster, crackling and growling. The internal beams groaned, and suddenly, a massive crack rang out as wood splintered and a quarter of the stable roof dropped away, collapsing with a loud, angry whoosh.

Flying splinters of burning wood and straw drifted about Jane, and the intense heat from the blaze seared her lungs and scorched her skin.

Her eyes spun about the courtyard as voices broke her shock.

Several chains of servants passed buckets of water between them. Horses screamed and whinnied. Men shouted, calling for more water. She could not see Robert or Edward, but it appeared all the horses were out, and yet, the carriages and tack would still be lost. The flames licked higher in the air, threatening the house.

“Ellen.” Jane caught at her sister-in-law’s hand and pulled Ellen with her to join a chain forming on the side by the house. At once, a bucket was passed into her hands. She passed it on again towards the corner of the stable closest to the house, where people sought to stop the fire from spreading. Jane took another bucket from Ellen’s hands and looked for Robert in the chaos. The fire was a bright torch against the cloudy, indigo hues of night. Another bucket was passed, and Jane handed it on, and then an empty one back.

“Another bucket!” It was Robert’s voice.

Her eyes turned to him. He was by the stable, pouring water on to the burning wooden frame above a door, as grooms ran through trying to save what they could. “Another!” he yelled, frustrated at his chain’s slow pace. Jane saw Edward at the head of another chain. She worked to speed up the passing of her own, calling ahead for everyone to hurry and listening to Robert’s orders for the targets of their battle. Two additional chains formed under Robert’s direction as servants from the houses around his own came to help, but they made little headway against the raging fire, its flames leaping like fingers reached out towards the house. Jane passed back an empty bucket to Ellen. Their eyes met and Jane said, “We will lose the house.”

“Not if we can help it,” Ellen responded, her fingers catching Jane’s for a moment before passing the bucket on.

A flash of light suddenly filled the sky, and lightning stretched to earth like a crack, breaking through the black night. Thunder shook the air about them. High-pitched female squeals of fright joined masculine cries to continue the chain. Then, in answer to an unspoken prayer, the heavens opened. Rain fell in large, heavy drops hammering down, drenching the stables within minutes and subduing the flames.

Jane stopped and looked up, as did everyone about her, and some held their hands to the rain.

The fire smouldered, tamed from flames to wisps of smoke in moments, and the air stank of charred wood and burnt leather.

Buckets fell to the ground, and people hugged and laughed, thanking God.

Jane felt exhausted as she walked over to Robert. His face was upturned to the rain, and his arms hung loosely at his sides.

“Robert?” She gripped his hand.

His hair was plastered to his brow, and his coat was welded to his powerful frame. Everything about him spoke of authority and silent strength.

He lowered his head and looked at a passing stable lad.

“Is there a saddle?”

The boy stopped and turned. “Aye, my Lord.”

“Then saddle me a horse.”

The boy did not move.

“Now!” Robert yelled.

The lad tugged at his forelock then darted off.

“Where are you going?” Edward asked.

Jane turned.

Ellen was holding Edward’s hand. Her damp dress clung to her figure.

“This ends now,” Robert answered stiffly, his fingers slipping from Jane’s.

Jane saw the boy throw a saddle over the back of a chestnut mare. Robert walked away.

She followed. “Robert. No.”

He glanced back. “
No, Jane?”
The words were flung at her, but he did not stop moving. “Do you still not believe in me? I am going to settle this.”

“Not when you’re angry.” She tried to grip his arm, but he pulled it free.

“Trust me.” He no longer looked at her, but at the horse. She could see his mind racing towards a fight with Joshua. He may as well already be riding there. He was obviously picturing the violence he planned in his head.

“Robert, I trust you. I do not trust him! Don’t go!”

“Then maybe I shall not fight fair. Or would you rather I wait until he’s killed us both.” His loose arm swung to incorporate the smouldering charred remains of the stables as he walked. She hurried after him. “
If this had spread to the house?
” The conclusion of that question, of how much they could have lost, he left hanging as he halted and turned to face her. “It stops now, Jane, one way or another.”

She moved in front of him. “No.”

“I can’t not.” He pressed her aside and walked on.

Jane looked at Edward, who’d followed. “Stop him! Stop him, please! He will not listen!”

Edward did not acknowledge her, but moved past her as Robert mounted.

“Robert, don’t go!” Jane cried, spinning about and facing him again, rain dripping down her face.

He sat back into the saddle, ignoring her imploring words, and the look he gave her was an apologetic denial as he struck his heels to the horse’s flanks, hard.

But Edward grasped the animal’s reins and held it steady. “Wait! I have an idea. Just give me a moment. You know you’ll never stand against Sutton alone. He won’t let you anywhere near him.”

“So now my own brother thinks me too weak.”

“I don’t think you weak. I have a secret weapon.”

Impatiently, Robert’s horse twisted its head against the grip of the bit.

“What weapon?”

“Pembroke … ”

Robert had reached the end of his tether. All he wanted to do was face Sutton and put an end to this. His palms itched to do it.

“Pembroke’s influence outweighs Sutton’s by miles. Imagine if we get Pembroke on your side!” Edward still gripped the reins.

“Let me deal with this!” Robert’s anger was intense. He wished this done.

“Don’t be a fool. You cannot take him down alone! You know you cannot!”

Impatient, Robert inwardly cursed. He knew Edward was right, and yet, every element of Robert’s being wanted to go after the man who had abused Jane and was now attacking
him
.

“Robert!” Edward yelled.

Looking at the hubbub in the courtyard, Robert saw Jane. She watched him with wide, dark, terrified eyes. She was soaked, as he was, as they all were, but the bedraggled state of her hair and dress brought him back to sanity. How would she cope if Sutton retaliated with a fatal strike? This had all begun because he’d ridden away and left her. He couldn’t do the same again. She needed him.

Hell!
In one movement, he swung down from the saddle.

“Tell me your idea,” he growled at his brother.

Jane lost all reserve, flew at him, and hugged him hard, sobbing.

She had scaled his rakehell walls long ago, and now, he knew he had broken her defences, too. Less than a month ago, she would not have shown any feeling.

A half hour later, all still in a state of dishabille, they clustered in the drawing room, he and Edward in their damp shirts, the women with shawls wrapped about them as the fire, having been stoked, burned brightly. Both women clasped a hot chocolate in shaking fingers, while Robert and Edward gripped glasses of brandy.

“Why do you think Pembroke would let himself be dragged into this? I cannot imagine him agreeing to it,” Robert challenged.

“Because he is interested in anything which involves John. You know, as well as I do, Sutton’s strikes could get broader. Let us help. Let me get help. After all, you helped Ellen and me once. Let us return the favour.”

“And what the hell can Pembroke do?”

Jane set down her chocolate, and her fingers wrapped about his arm. He could feel her willing him to listen, even though she never said a word, as she pressed closer to his shoulder.

“He can do to Sutton what Sutton did to you. He has the influence you do not. He can draw people to your side and threaten Sutton financially and socially. With Wiltshire’s influence, too, and the influence of the other men in Ellen’s family, Sutton won’t stand a chance.”

Bloody hell
, this was the cannon fire Robert had been looking for, the big guns. Robert’s fingers covered his mouth. He so wanted to bring Sutton down alone, but to bring him down at all was more important. Robert slipped his arm from Jane’s grip and, instead, wrapped it about her shoulders, then nodded at Edward.

~

Five days later, sitting in a winged armchair in the drawing room, Robert listened to the men of Ellen’s family, who were spread about the room, discussing their counterattack.

Jane stood behind his seat, gripping its back.

Of course, it would be aboveboard, no setting fires, but Robert’s palms were itching again.

The Duke of Pembroke’s man of business had investigated Sutton’s trading accounts and had identified illegal practices, blackmail, and bribes. Now, Pembroke’s man was buying up stock around Sutton’s, pulling the same trick Sutton had played on Robert. Meanwhile, Ellen’s family was planning the Duke of Sutton’s final humiliation.

“Where is it best to face him?” James, the younger of Ellen’s sister’s husbands, asked.

“At White’s, I would say,” Richard, the eldest of the group, responded.

Jane’s hand pressed on Robert’s shoulder. Looking up, he caught her emerald gaze before she looked away. “I want to be there,” she said to the room.

“She has a right.” Edward backed her up, glancing at Robert.

Robert gave Edward a look which must have appeared sheer steel. Robert didn’t want Sutton anywhere near her.

He reached up and covered her hand.

“Leave it to us,” he answered, looking up at her.

Her eyes shone with challenge. “I am the one who has been his victim.”

“But no longer, with my father-in-law’s influence and ours combined. How do you wish to play it, Barrington?” It was Richard who spoke. Robert looked back at him, having watched Jane do the same, and felt Jane’s fingers stir beneath his own, but he caught her hand and lifted it, then used his grip to encourage her to come about the chair so he could see her more easily. “Jane, sweetheart, it is better if you stay out of it. We have no idea how Sutton will react.”

“He will be angry. If he lashes out—” David Stewart, the Earl of Preston, husband to Ellen’s second sister, contributed.

“If he lashes out, I shall get out of his way. You will all be there,” Jane said to the room before looking back at Robert. “You cannot deny me a part in this.”