If You Were Mine (25 page)

Within
moments of the quiet settling between them, Isobel became aware of
the change in his breathing and knew he had once again fallen
asleep. Easing her head back against his arm, she moved slowly,
careful not to disturbed him, but had to look at his beloved
features. Tears trickled slowly from her eyes. Her heart ached as
she studied his chiselled jaw, darkened by the growth of stubble,
and a rainbow of yellow, blue and purple bruises mixed with small
cuts and grazes. Below the cuts, his skin was paler than she could
remember it ever having been before; a clear sign of his weakened
condition. She gently placed a hand upon his chest, directly above
his heart. Even through the bed clothing she could feel the steady
reassuring thump. Silence descended over the room as she lay beside
him, taking as much reassurance from his half embrace as she could,
while she could.

Clearly
Dominic was prepared to fight again, should he be challenged, even
in his weakened state. He was demanding details of culprits and
expecting Peter, Sebastian and Edward to report back, undoubtedly
itching to exact retribution. Isobel knew that as soon as he was
well enough, he would be heading out with the others to capture the
surviving thugs, and bring them to justice. She shuddered to think
what would happen should Peter and Dominic catch up with Rupert
personally. Both were filled with the urge to seek revenge from the
pain and misery the man had caused all of them. They had been
challenged, and as experienced soldiers of war, they never backed
down from an attack. Indeed, if there were four men who had
cornered Dominic on a darkened road, it was a testament to his
skill and dexterity with a sword that got him home
alive.

Isobel
knew Rupert had gone to ground to plan, she also knew that if she
told Dominic about the papers, he would insist on taking action,
regardless of his injuries. Wisely she remained silent.

Five
days later, feeling restored and with bruises fading rapidly to
blackish green marks, Dominic paced awkwardly across the length of
his study. There was a pile of papers on his desk demanding his
attention, but he would be damned if he could concentrate on
anything other than his wife.

“
Confound it!” He snapped as he paced. Luckily, despite the
doctor’s prediction, nothing had been broken during his skirmish on
the country lane. He had been left with several deep bruises that
were still sore and sometimes painful if he didn’t pay them due
heed. There were no injuries left that he couldn’t cope with, and
if he was honest, hadn’t had before.

“
Not had pie for breakfast again?” Sebastian teased from the
doorway, closing the door behind him.

“
It’s my blasted wife!” Dominic snapped, stalking towards the
oak cabinet beside the door and pouring them both a large brandy.
“Damned woman is as frustrating as anyone I have ever met.” He bit
back a curse as he handed his brother the goblet. Slugging down
half of his drink in one swift gulp, he refilled it and resumed his
pacing.

“
What has she done now?” Sebastian found it entirely amusing
that his beautiful sister-in-law could have his elder brother,
usually so cool and unflappable, turned inside out with such
ease.

“
She is up to something, I just know it.” Dominic shot his
brother a dire look.

“
What do you mean? What has she been doing?” Despite his
amusement, Sebastian was curious. Isobel had been ferocious the
night Dominic returned; the warrior-woman who had ordered everyone
about had stunned everyone, and earned her the immediate respect
and devotion of those who witnessed the spectacle. Sebastian had no
doubt that she was mot probably up to something.

“
She is not doing anything in particular,” Dominic muttered,
feeling somewhat foolish. Knowing he should just shrug and shake
off his concern, he turned to his brother. “She is almost too good.
She is being too careful in everything she says; very evasive, and
almost cautious with her replies whenever I ask her anything. She’s
hiding something.”

“
Ah!” Although Sebastian nodded slowly, in reality, he hadn’t
a clue what Dominic was talking about, but had seen enough of
Isobel to understand that if she was being careful, she was indeed
most probably up to something. He didn’t envy Dominic in the very
least, but could appreciate why they made such an excellent couple.
“Do you have any idea what it might be?”

Dominic
shook his head in frustration. “No, damn it, and I can’t keep my
eye on her all the time. She won’t allow it. She keeps shooing me
off like some pestering child. I get the distinct impression that
she is waiting until I leave, to do whatever it is she is up to.”
Knowing he was talking in riddles Dominic stopped, huffing a sigh
of frustration.

Sebastian shook his head in confusion. “Peter is going to
delay his return to Willowbrook.” He confided, glad to be able to
change the subject. He took a seat beside the fire, propping his
booted feet upon the hearth and settling back to watch Dominic sit
opposite. “Edward and I are at your disposal for as long as you
need us. Between us, we can keep a careful eye on her and make sure
she doesn’t get into mischief.” He watched as some of the tension
left the man opposite. “You seriously love her don’t you?” It
wasn’t a question. Sebastian had never seen Dominic behave so
possessively towards anyone, or anything, before.

“
There was a time when we believed she was dead. When we
searched for her, we were led to her grave. Peter even got so far
as to make arrangements for her body to be moved to the family
crypt while I grieved for her,” Dominic’s voice was harsh in the
quiet of the room. “All because of that scheming bastard who calls
himself her uncle.”

Sebastian knew just how devastated Dominic must have been,
and could understand what was behind his possessive attitude
towards his wife. He could only sympathise with his brother’s
current concerns, and hope that whatever Isobel was planning, it
wouldn’t cause Dominic any more heartache.

The men
had already met and discussed the latest information from the
Magistrate. In the time since Isobel had visited Hubert and asked
for his help, and Dominic appeared asking questions, Hubert had
discovered enough about Rupert’s debts, lies and duplicity to
convict Rupert of several charges which would send him to the
gallows, but first they needed evidence that Rupert had indeed
known about Isobel’s wealth.

“
The evidence is mounting; it won’t be long,” Sebastian said
into the silence. “Is there any news on the bodies of the men who
attacked you?”

Dominic
was aware that the two thugs he had slain had been removed to the
makeshift mortuary in the tavern’s cellars, and had been thoroughly
searched for identification. “They were from London we know that
much. I can only assume they are in DeLisle’s employ given Rupert
doesn’t have the funds to pay anyone.”

“
That means DeLisle is just as duplicitous in all of this, as
Rupert. Is he in debt too?” Sebastian raised the question Dominic
had also considered as he had considered all of the
possibilities.

“
Yes. Not as deeply as Rupert, but deep enough to worry him as
all of his sources have run dry. Relatives’ doors are closed to
him. Entry to gaming houses has been denied. Which explains why
they are so desperate to get to Isobel,” Dominic added.

“
Do you think they want her for ransom?” Sebastian leaned
forwards to rest his elbows upon his knees. Dominic had already
informed them of Isobel’s financial situation, and had been shocked
by the numbers Peter had confirmed were involved.

“
Most definitely. Whether it is my money or hers, they won’t
care,” Dominic’s voice dropped to dangerous levels. “They have to
get to her first though.”

“
They won’t,” Sebastian replied confidently, one again
settling back in his chair. “We outnumber them at least ten to one.
They can’t get anywhere near.”

It was
becoming a habit, Isobel thought to herself later that night, as
she accepted glass of brandy from her husband and watched as the
assembled men took seats around the room.

Once
again, they had finished their meal and retired to the drawing room
to discuss what to do next. Isobel was aware of Dominic’s dark
frown as he glanced at her, and wondered what she had done this
time. She waited patiently until a brief moment of silence settled
over the room.

“
Does anyone want to hear my news?” Isobel asked, aware of the
studying look that passed between Sebastian and Dominic before they
turned cautiously to her.

“
What news do you have for us, my dear?” Peter asked, sensing
the wariness in the other men. She had a look of mischief about her
that made him feel deuced uncomfortable. He was unsurprised to see
Dominic scowling darkly at his wife.

“
I know how we can get the evidence to prove Rupert knows
about my fortune.”

She felt
decidedly smug as stunned silence settled over the room before
Dominic’s voice lashed across the room.

“
What evidence is it?” He wondered just what she had been up
to while he had been away.

Isobel
took a sip of her drink and sat back in her chair. “You asked me to
write an account of events that drove me onto the streets. Well,
writing everything down in sequence helped me remember something I
had previously forgotten.” The tension within the room rose several
notches. Isobel turned toward her husband. “The betrothal
document.”

Dominic
looked blank. “Pardon?”

Isobel
fought the urge to roll her eyes. “They, or rather Rupert, tried to
force me to sign a betrothal document naming DeLisle as my
intended. I refused.” She didn’t add that she had been beaten as a
result, but didn’t need to. The knowing glances the men exchanged
confirmed they all understood the consequences Isobel had suffered
for her defiance.

“
Do you think they still have it?”

“
Probably,” Isobel said, blocking out the memories of those
dark evenings. “He put it before me several times. I did note it
had been signed by DeLisle already, and Rupert. They needed my
signature on it too apparently, to make it a legal document, but I
refused to sign it.” She frowned at the thoughtful silence that
descended around them.

“
Don’t you see? Rupert knew he had told people that Peter was
dead. If he could produce a document clearly stating that I was
betrothed to DeLisle, it would indicate they had plans for my
wealth. The sums indicated on the dowry section couldn’t possibly
be found by Rupert because he didn’t have the funds.”

“
They needed your money, or more importantly for you to sign
the betrothal document to get access to your wealth,” Peter
added.

“
But that wouldn’t release the funds to them until you were
married,” Sebastian added with a frown.

“
But the betrothal document would be enough to secure a
special license and force me into marriage. Without my signature,
they couldn’t force me to do anything. Rupert drew up this document
knowing he wasn’t my guardian and therefore, if we can get hold of
the document, it confirms that Rupert was trying to fraudulently
obtain my funds.” Isobel felt a surge of excitement at the new
information and the importance it had on Rupert’s
downfall.

“
Rupert isn’t stupid enough to leave something like that lying
around; he would almost certainly keep it with him.” Isobel fought
the urge to jump up and down.

She
tried hard not to sigh in frustration at the strange silence that
had settled over the men. Why weren’t they leaping up and making
plans?

“
But he could have easily thrown it into the fire, especially
knowing that you are now married to Dominic,” Peter reasoned,
hating to be the one to dampen her joy with logic.

Isobel
huffed a put-upon sigh at their hesitancy. “Rupert would no doubt
want to use it to argue that I was already betrothed to DeLisle
when I married Dominic. The signed document could give them
sufficient grounds for argument in the hope of receiving payment in
lieu of a failed contract.”

Dominic
swore roundly. “The document must be at Rupert’s house across
town.”

Isobel
beamed proudly at him, delighted that he had followed her train of
thought and understood.

“
I’ll go,” Peter said softly, relishing the challenge of
getting Rupert to confess all.

“
No, I will,” Dominic replied, his voice harsh and determined.
He didn’t need to add that he hoped that Rupert would be in
residence at the time.

CHAPTER
TWELVE

The huge
grandfather clock chimed midnight when Isobel glided silently down
the stairs. She paused briefly to allow her eyes to adjust to the
gloom of the cavernous hallway and moved slowly toward the faint
flicker of light visible under the library door.

From the
doorway, she watched the imposing figure of her husband who was
dressed entirely in black, strapping his sword around his waist.
She slowly entered the room and studied his the change in his face.
All trace of softness had been replaced with a battle-hard
determination that made his eyes hard, and dangerous. The
flickering of the candle giving his face a shadowed glow that
turned him into a menacing stranger who was so unfamiliar to her
that she shivered.