A Perilous Marriage (23 page)

* * * *

Lucie was not surprised to be roused from sleep by the gentle caress of a hand that found its way under her nightgown as she lay on her front, paused briefly over her thigh and bottom, then lightly went on to stroke her back before curling round to fondle her breast.

“Hmmm, that feels nice,” she murmured.

“I can make it nicer if you are interested, sweetheart.”

“I’m always interested, my dearest, but have you time? Aren’t you riding?”

“Not today. I want to spend time making love to you, and then we’ll talk.”

“Talk? Good gracious. What about?”

“Not yet, my love. I have a need for you to be silent except for your cries of ecstasy while I hold you in my arms and prove you are wholly mine and I adore you. Stay where you are, I will move you where I want you.”

“Hmm, this will be something new, I collect?”

“Shush, obey me!”

He pushed her right leg up and slid over until he could slide his fingers into the warmth of her body, finding her wet and ready for him. Then, covering her with his body, he thrust his erection into her sheath, filling her completely and making her gasp as he withdrew and did it again. Setting up a regular rhythm, he slowly brought her to almost begging him to let her finish. Then, sliding his fingers under her stomach, he found the spot that sent her sky high and pressed it. She screamed and climaxed with titanic force, gripping him so tightly he had to let himself follow her. Together, they hit the sun and joined in rapturous wonder.   

It was later, sated with happiness, that she lay alongside him and said, “Now talk.”

“Ah, persistent, aren’t you? Just when I was enjoying the glow.”

“Richard! Stop teasing.” A humph of displeasure as she turned to slide out of bed told him she was not amused, and he had better desist.

“Anyway, it’s late now, and I have a lot to do—”

His hand shot out and grabbed her before she left the bed. “I’m sorry, sweet. It is just that I am loath to tell you what I must and spoil the morning. Come back to bed.”

“Is it something bad?”

“It could be if you count Tasker coming back here and perhaps causing trouble.”

“It is not a surprise, Richard. I have always felt he is a devil and will wreak what harm he can, however he can. The men in Clun were not able to hold him? So you are concerned we have to bring him to justice whichever way we can.”

“Your perceptiveness is, as ever, direct and to the point. The main problem is how to protect you...” He held up his hand as she tried to interrupt.

“Lucie, if he gets at you, it is far worse to deal with than merely seeking him out.”

“But if he gets at
you,
how will I survive without you? Richard, I’m scared for us both.”

“I know, love. So am I, except that Aaron Buckley brought the news, and he is staying to help. Oh, and one other thing he had to say. Amberley Hall was torched to the ground two days ago. I hardly need to say who was responsible.”

She shot up in bed and stared at him, shocked to the core.

“Burned down? All of it?” He nodded. “Oh, my dear, I am so sorry. You had such fine dreams to live there. How could he? He is a mad felon to do such a thing!”

“I fear you are right, which is why we have to take precautions. I would forbid you leaving Ashbury, but I know you would protest...” He held up his hand again as he saw her take a deep breath and before stating to speak. “Hear me out, Lucie. We have to do the best we can, and you must promise not to leave my side while we promenade the festival. We shall go to the church first, to attend the service, come back here for lunch, then return to show ourselves at the fair. Once you have given out the prizes, which I gather will be mid-afternoon, then we leave and return here where I know you will be guarded. I may have to go out again, but I promise I will let you know if I do. Are you with me in this plan, Lucie? It is the best that Aaron and I have come up with. He is as determined as I am to see Tasker brought to justice and will be of immense help to me.”

  “As I will fulfil my duty to the town and give out the prizes as my grandmother did, then yes, I promise to stay with you. I cannot see trouble starting in the midst of the fair. A lot of people attend each year, and the place will be crowded. I shall be perfectly safe.”

Despite being sceptical that crowds could prevent Tasker from carrying out an attack, he forbore to say more. He did not want to frighten her, and the fact she accepted the safety measures had to suffice. They could not live their lives imprisoned in fear, so the sooner Tasker was dealt with, the better.

* * * *

  It was two of the clock before Richard drove his wife in his curricle back into the town. The place was massed with people enjoying the offerings the stalls presented. With Rowten and two keepers to escort them, Richard and Lucie made their slow way through the crowds, stopping now and then to talk to friends, but pressing on up the road to where a rostrum had been erected for the speeches. The Town Clerk was the first to talk. He was a long time in the rendering, as he named and thanked almost everyone who had contributed to the day. Richard had declined to say a word, feeling it was his wife who held the important place in carrying on the tradition that the late duchess had felt was so important. Besides, Lucie was presenting the prizes, and as such, would obviously have her own speech ready.

  Someone called for quiet, and dressed in a primrose gown with a matching light shawl over her shoulders, Lucie stepped forward and began. “It is an honour to be here today to greet you all. I have particularly taken pleasure in seeing how much everyone has enjoyed our yearly thanksgiving and entered into the games and contests with great talent and, may I say, having to suffer the amusement and comments from the onlookers.” A flurry of laughter acknowledged that sally. “Not the best help when trying to present one’s efforts. For great efforts they have been, and I say well done all of you, especially the children.”

Cheers and whistles greeted that remark, particularly from the parents. “The children have done us proud, and as they have been particularly keen to enter, I will begin with the prizes for them. I am sure you adults will not mind waiting until it is your turn.”

Aided by the vicar, who called out the successful winners, she began handing out the prizes which in fact were small gifts for every one of the children who had entered. Richard had been edged back from the rostrum, and from his height of well over six feet, he had turned to look at the crowds behind him so was not watching his wife. The first thing he heard was the report of a gun, and taken by surprise, he still scanned the people behind him. Then, hearing the uproar at the stage, he realised Lucie was not to be seen. In a flash, almost berserk with dread, he fought his way to where he had last seen her. He found Rowten bending over her and discovered the primrose dress was laced with scarlet.

He bent over and saw her eyes were closed. “For Christ’s sake, Rowten, is she dead?”

“No milord, she is alive for now. I beg you leave me to see to her and hunt this—this contemptible swine. You are the only one who can do it.  Go after him, find him…kill him, please, for me and all the others at Ashbury Mead.”

Scarcely taking in his words, Richard cried out, “I can’t…I won’t leave her!”

“You must! We all depend on you. Please, milord, I won’t let her die. I have loved her since a babe!” The tears in his eyes bore testament to this words. “Go quickly! Get this madman. I swear I will look after her.”

Knowing Rowten’s devotion, he nodded and leapt to his feet, at once roaring out, “Aaron! Where are you?”

A voice answered back in the crowd, and ignoring everyone, he headed in that direction.

“How is she?” Aaron murmured as Richard reached him.

“I’m not sure…wounded, I don’t know how badly, but she is in good hands. We have to find this killer—now, with all speed. Did you see anything? Anything at all?”

“I caught a glimpse of someone who might have been him and have the direction. Do we get horses or follow on foot? What about your bow?”

“No time. You have a gun?”

“I have two, so they will suffice. Let’s make haste.”

It was no surprise to Richard to find the direction they took was towards Tasker Hall.

“He’s going to ground, thinking he might get away.”

“If I have to follow him forever, he won’t escape me,” vowed Richard. “You and I put down varmints, and he is one brute that will give me great pleasure to kill.”

“Or perhaps I might get to him first,” said Aaron with a sneer. “One never knows.”  

The house was empty. They searched every room and found nothing except a bed that had been slept in. “Funny smell,” said Aaron. “His housekeeper wasn’t too particular, I suspect. He will have taken to the woods, I wager. Do you want me to fetch the horses?”

“We’ll see if his mount is gone. If it is, we’ll go back and get men to scour the area. He has a sizeable estate, and even if we are close behind, I don’t want to be caught in an ambush. At least there are no caves to hide in, thank goodness. Whilst one served me well as a boy, I can do without them now.”

They went downstairs and through the kitchens to the outside, pausing on the threshold to listen. Aaron sniffed the air again but did not speak.

“The stables are on the left.” Richard said. “We look there, and then we follow the plan.”

Rounding the corner of the house, heading for the mews, they came to a sudden halt.

Lying propped up against an outhouse was Tasker, the gun in his hand pointing in their direction. But as Richard instantly saw, it was held by a hand that could barely hold it level.

Aaron sniffed again and Richard glanced at him quickly, wondering if the man had taken a chill, then his eyes went back to the figure on the ground.

“Jesus, gangrene!" Aaron whispered, "I thought I smelt something strange in the house. Now I’m sure. He’s a dead man, milord. He’s going nowhere; that wound will kill him, but watch that gun. He still might have a bite in him.”

Stunned, Richard also sniffed. “You’re right. I’ve only come across it once, but as I recall, the smell was pungent. Much like the odour I smell now.” Louder, he said, “We meet again, Tasker. Why are you against me that you continue with this vendetta?”

“Good day, Martell. Forgive me for not facing you as a gentleman should. I’m a little tired. It has been strenuous time with much to do. Especially killing your woman, even if she was the woman I wanted. She was beautiful woman and a pity to destroy, but essential for my plan to be successful. She’s dead now, so I have deprived you of her and also your house. A fine blaze it was too. A shame you missed it. At least I got some revenge.” He tried to raise the heavy gun and point it at Richard but coughed and held a hand to his side.

“No, she is not dead.” He watched the sense of his words creep into Tasker’s brain.

“And neither do I care about the house. I would never have lived there.”

“Not dead? But I saw her fall.” The gun wavered, then his other hand came to steady it. “If not her, then I’ll have you.” A shot rang out and the gun he held went flying away.

“Thanks, Aaron, your aim is as good as ever,” Richard said, bleakly grateful.

“My pleasure, milord, I am always happy to be of service.”

They watched as Tasker held up his bloodied hand to look at it, then his face creased in a gaping grimace as a sudden tremor seemed to race through his body, twisting it into an ungainly posture before it suddenly flopped, lifeless, into a limp corpse.

“I believe I’m also pleased it seems neither of us is responsible for his death. It would have done us no favour. We have the good Lord to thank that retribution has been settled on his account. Now, get you back to your lady and see her well.”

“I, too, am relieved,” Richard said wryly. “Despite the necessity, in earlier times, when I’ve had to defend myself, I abjure killing if there is another solution. Thankfully, in this case, there was. Others will dispose of this carrion, and the details will be recorded. I don’t suppose we’ll ever learn the truth about Duchess Eleanor’s death, though I have no doubt this man was responsible. As for Amberley Hall, I have no regrets that I’ll never rebuild it again, though I won’t give up my allegiance to Clun and its people. The house represented all that was miserable in my youth, and I want to bring up my family in a loving setting which I know is here. We won’t lose touch, Aaron, and if you have need of me, you only have to ask.” He held out his hand to his friend and grinned. “The hunting is prime here if you want a change of scenery. But come, we must return and find out if I have to face yet another disaster. Although Rowten assured me he could cope, I feel sick with dread.”

* * * *

“Her ladyship bent over to give a prize to a little one at the time of the shot. The ball scored her underarm, just below the shoulder. It bled furiously, so she is a bit weak, but the doctor says she will recover with good nursing and the scar won’t show.” Rowten’s smile was as austere as ever, but Richard could see the relief on his butler’s face as he gave his report while they were still standing in the hall. Although he was desperate to climb the stairs to see his wife, Richard had paused to talk and reassure the man that Tasker was dead.