The Viscount's Counterfeit Wife (54 page)

Melvin had failed him
this time. He was supposed to have killed the two ex-military and
Selwich, or Gordon as he was now calling himself, before they ever
reached England. Edgar had even provided his cohort with the
exclusive services of the Horde to accomplish the deeds, but every
attempt had ended in failure.

Adley was going to pay
for that. Failure could not be tolerated. Especially when it meant
the difference between Edgar’s being able to remain here in England
and his having to flee to some wretched and obscure part of the
Continent to live out his life. In a luxurious manner, it was true,
but forever hiding in the shadows. That did not please him at all.

He slit open the
envelope and unfolded the note and was surprised to see it was from
Chase Eames, Selwich’s younger brother. They’d been friendly at
school at first. That was prior to Eames joining that ridiculous
Brotherhood of Spares. What a bunch of fools they’d been. He’d
been invited to join too, being that he was also a spare, but since
he’d never had any intention of remaining one, he’d graciously
declined. Why be a spare when you can, with a little judicious
planning, just as easily become an heir?

After Cambridge, Eames
had remained friendly, despite Edgar’s patent derision of the
Brotherhood. They’d even run in the same social set for a short
while before Edgar began traveling abroad for business purposes. He
hadn’t seen Eames in ages.

And now, his older brother was
trying to bring Edgar down. What could Eames want?

Traubridge
,

I’ve come across some interesting documents that might be of
interest to you. As a fellow younger son, I can understand that we
spares must see to our own means of earning a decent living. It is
clear you have provided very well for yourself, indeed. I believe it
would be to both our benefits to work out a mutually satisfactory
agreement regarding said documents. I was prepared to ask for the
paltry sum of ten thousand pounds, which — from what I’ve read in
the documents — would prove no hardship for you. I realize,
however, it might be difficult for you to put your hands on that much
ready blunt in time, so I am willing to accept the Green Heart of the
Nile you acquired several years ago. In exchange for that piece of
jewelry, these documents can be made to disappear.

To avoid being seen together, I will be at St. Pancreas Old Church
in Camden, at midnight tonight. Come alone. Bring the necklace and I
will have the documents. This is the best I can offer. I am in need
of a secure future and this is my one opportunity to obtain it.

Faithfully,
Chase Eames

Edgar dropped into an
armchair. His heart was pounding so hard he could hear it in his
ears.
It must be a trap!
He dared not go. He was almost safely away.

But
what if it weren’t?

A tantalizing thought.
As matters were now, he’d never be able to come home again and that
bothered him. Living abroad was always more difficult, no matter how
much money you had to smooth your path. He also had plans for
assuming the title one day. Executing them from afar was not
impossible, but would be damned inconvenient.

But dare he take the
chance that Eames was truly out to fill his coffers at his brother’s
expense? He’d never seemed the type to betray a friend or family
but then, like Eames himself said, spares had to fend for themselves
and find their fortunes where they could.

Making a quick
decision, he went to his desk and scribbled a note. Tugging on the
bell pull, he waited impatiently for Clarence to appear. “Have this
delivered to Adley immediately. If he’s not home, he must be found
posthaste.”

If this was a
legitimate offer, he’d have the last laugh on his high-and-mighty,
purer-than-thou brother. And if it wasn’t, he had utter confidence
in the Horde’s ability to protect him from capture. For that very
reason and at great expense, he’d shipped the lot of them home with
Adley — his group of hardened Egyptian native fighters. They’d
been working for him for over a decade now and their loyalty to him
was unwavering.

His brother would not
be expecting him to have that many defenders and certainly none as
ferocious and ruthless. If the Horde arrived at the church well ahead
of time and settled into hiding places, they’d be able to counter
any plot to apprehend him. He knew the place well, having conducted
some of his illicit dealings there in years gone by. With that
advantage and careful planning, such as approaching the area by boat
on the River Fleet, he’d be able to arrive and be gone within a few
minutes. They’d never be expecting him to arrive by water.

And if it wasn’t a
trap… Suffice it to say, he had no intention of leaving Chase Eames
alive to be able to blackmail him again later. If he thought Edgar
was about to surrender his most desired possession, Eames was sorely
mistaken. The poor fool would never know what hit him. Traubridge
didn’t even try to hold back his evil cackle, not even when his
butler came into the room. He felt a sadistic pleasure at the fear he
saw grow in the old buzzard’s eyes. The Vanisher would make Chase
Eames vanish, never to be heard of again!

* * *

They’d chosen the
meeting place well. Reed glanced around, pleased with the choice of
location.

To minimize the
possibility of innocent people being harmed, he had suggested this
almost abandoned church on the outskirts of town and the Chief
agreed. A plaque on the church said it was one of the oldest
Christian sites of worship in Britain. Looked like it had suffered
with the expansion of the parish. It had obviously been reduced to a
chapel of ease long ago.

It was a well-devised
site, with a wooded park along one side, fields leading down to a
river and a cemetery at the back and to the side of the church. Best
of all, it was far removed from any residences.

Hallmoor… Olvin! It
was going to take some time to become accustomed to his new title…
knew his brother well. So did the three men who had tracked his
dealings for almost two years. They were all well aware that
Traubridge would have his imported band of foreign fighters on hand
and in place, well before the agreed hour. The Vanisher’s Horde
were capable of undertaking any atrocity he asked of them.

But
so are we well prepared
. A plan had been drawn up and Jace
had called a hurried meeting of the Brotherhood of Spares — where
Reed was now considered an honorary member — to explain their role
in it. The entire Brotherhood’s former military unit was on hand.
They’d been uncommonly lucky during the wars and had only lost one
of their group, on the very last day in the battle at Waterloo. Or so
they thought, until he’d reappeared a few years later.

There were also
numerous government sharp shooters and a covert, well-trained militia
under the Chief’s direct command. At present, over eighty men were
stationed in every possible nook and cranny of the church, in
culverts near the river, and behind almost every bush and tree in the
surrounding graveyard, church grounds and park. The culmination of
all their work was going to play out here tonight, and the Chief was
not taking any chances.

It was past time to end
this investigation. Traubridge was too dangerous. He’d killed too
many people, ruined too many young ladies’ lives, and smuggled too
many forbidden artifacts. It was time the man himself vanished,
preferably at the end of a noose.

“The men are in
position. There are so many of us, we’ve been able to double up in
crucial spots, just as we’d hoped,” Luke Townsand, the Earl of
Treynor, said. He looked at Reed and added, “When the Horde begin
to spread out, they will be silently apprehended by at least two men,
then tied and gagged. They haven’t a chance.” His voice brimmed
with anticipation. “My men haven’t had this much excitement since
we returned from the Continent.”

“I hope they aren’t
so primed, they go off half-cocked,” the Chief bit out.

Luke stiffened. Reed
jumped in. It wouldn’t do to have them at each other’s throat
before the confrontation began. “No need to worry, Chief. The
Spares are well accustomed to battle. They know what to do and will
accomplish it without fail.”

“Quite. I’ve heard
of your stellar record, Treynor,” the Chief allowed. “I trust we
don’t put a blemish on it tonight.”

Luke was becoming
annoyed by Olvin’s gloomy attitude. Reed made a sign to Jace to
distract the Chief. Not that he didn’t have a lot of sympathy for
the Marquess’ circumstances. It couldn’t be easy knowing you were
setting a trap to catch your own step-brother.

Max hurried up to the
foursome. “They’re coming,” he reported. “It’s just as we
expected, there are at least three dozen of them.”

“Looks like your
suggestion to bring in the Spares was a wise one, Selwich,” Luke
commended him. “Or should I say Gordon? Which are you answering to
these days?”

“Tonight, I’ll
answer to anything.” Now wasn’t the time or the place to quibble
over names. They were about to engage in combat.

“We’re going to
need every last one of them,” Olvin sounded relieved that the
skirmish was about to begin. He moved toward his chosen position, an
alcove at the side of the church. “To your places, men. It’s
time.”

Almost complete silence
reigned after that. All movement, all sound was curtailed. At first,
a series of furtive noises could be heard by those listening
attentively for them. Reed hoped that meant the first part of their
mission was accomplished and that the Horde were safely secured. The
churchyard seemed too peaceful with nothing but the occasional hoot
of a lone owl to disturb the silence.

It was just going on
eleven when Traubridge arrived with his shadow, Adley. As predicted,
well ahead of the appointed hour. The pair found seats on a small
bench in a tree-covered area in front and to the right of the Church
and sat there silently waiting.

Approaching midnight, a
carefree whistle was heard in the distance. Reed shook his head.
Trust his brother to sound like he hadn’t a care in the world.

He had argued against
Chase acting as a decoy, but Chase, himself, had proposed the idea.
Spare to spare had the best chance of appealing to Traubridge, he’d
claimed, and Reed agreed it was likely their only means of capturing
the Vanisher without endangering innocent bystanders and before he
fled abroad.

Reed pointed out to his
brother just how dangerous this task was, but Chase insisted he
wanted to carry it out and, though Reed was worried about his younger
brother, he was also very proud of his resolve.

Soon Chase sauntered up
the path. He came to a stop at the fountain in the center of the
churchyard. Several tense, uncomfortable minutes ticked by while
everyone held their breath, waiting for something to happen.

Chase leaned his
backside casually against the fountain, half-sitting with long legs
crossed, looking utterly unperturbed.

“Eames.”

Finally!
He’s taken the bait.
Reed turned to look at Jace, whose
expression showed relief and anxious anticipation. This was the
culmination of all their efforts.

Traubridge moved from
the darkness into the moonlight by the fountain. “Well met.”

“I see you’ve
arrived early.” Chase said, “Eager, were you?”

The wild laugh that
erupted from the Vanisher sent an icy chill slithering down Reed’s
spine. Even Chase looked a little spooked for a few seconds before
his usual, cynical smile returned.

Reed raised his gun,
ready to protect his brother. He didn’t trust Traubridge one iota.
Without taking his eyes off the target, he sensed Jace and the others
in their vicinity doing the same.

“Where are the
documents?” Traubridge asked.

“Well hidden, until
we’ve worked out a deal. I’m not foolish enough to carry them out
here, where I’m alone and could easily be made to disappear.”

Chase was nothing if
not blunt, but Reed wished his brother would shut his mouth.
Traubridge had enough evil ideas to begin with!

“You don’t trust
me, Eames.” Traubridge let loose another maniacal laugh.

“After reading those
documents, you bet I don’t.”

“Word of a gentleman,
I won’t harm a hair on your head.”

“No. But your
sidekick there might.”

“Melvin?” Yet
another insane cackle that had even Adley looking uneasy and sidling
backwards. “He’s no danger to you. He’s just along to carry the
jewel.”

“I hope you brought
what I’ve asked for because, from what I understand, you’re well
able to afford it. And with the evidence in those documents, if
you’re ever apprehended, you’ll never live to enjoy it.”

Reed saw Traubridge
bristle. With a quick gesture of his finger, Reed motioned the
others, wordlessly viewing the scene, to be ready for any move on
Traubridge or Adley’s part. He was relieved that, because he had
planned this operation with his brothers, the Chief suggested he be
the one in charge of this ambush. He wasn’t sure he could have
stood by and followed another’s orders when his brother was in such
peril.

He swore he could hear
all of their hearts galloping with nervous anticipation. Could feel
the tension all of them were feeling. If the blood was rushing
through their bodies like his was… It was almost painful! He knew
that, to a man, they were primed and ready to shoot. It was an
anticlimax to see Adley advance timidly with a bag, but Reed’s
finger eased not a jot on his rifle. Traubridge’s trusted ally may
look like a weakling but his lethal skill with knives was well known
to the three who had been investigating the Vanisher and his gang for
the past two years.

“When I have the
documents in my hands, Eames, you will be well rewarded.” To Reed,
Traubridge’s evil leer implied
but
not with money
. He felt dirty just watching this scene
play out. He prayed for it to end. He was anxious to get Chase away
from that monster as quickly as possible. If Traubridge shot Chase in
the head, there was little Reed could do to protect him. He wished
he’d thought to bring up that argument earlier.