Jaded Moon (Ransomed Jewels Book 2) (24 page)

He clutched the pillow tighter. “I was hoping Lindville would take care of you for me but he didn’t.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Too bad.”

She shook her head and tried to speak but no words would come. She tried again. “No one knows. I promise, I won’t tell anyone.”

He laughed. “Oh, please, Miss Foley. What kind of fool do you think I am? I know you and Rainforth are lovers. He’s been determined from the first to stop the drugs.”

“If you leave now—”

“Oh, I’m going to leave. Just as soon as I gather what I need. But first I have to make sure you’re not around to tell anyone what you know.”

Josie’s heart thundered in her breast. She doubted she could scream loud enough for anyone to hear her. But surely, in time, someone would come to check on her.

“Why did you do it?”

“Smuggle in drugs?” His eyebrows arched high. “The money, of course.” He ran a hand over his worn black frock. “You know the life of poverty we lowly vicars are supposed to be content to live. Well, I don’t have the stomach for it. I’ve gone without my whole life while fools like Lindville have been handed life’s riches on a silver platter. I refuse to live out my days watching everyone else enjoy what I should have.”

“But why did you involve Lindville?”

“To keep from having to expose myself. He was my insurance. The person I could count on to take the blame if anything went wrong. And he did. Look how perfectly it turned out? Except…”

He frowned and placed a finger against her cheek. “Look what he did to you. You’re going to go to your Maker with some terrible bruises on your face. I’m glad he’s dead. He got what he deserved.”

Josie felt a sickening dread and moved her head to keep him from touching her. “How did you find out about the tunnels?”

The vicar grinned. “My grandfather was a smuggler of some renown years ago. The caves were a part of the stories we all listened to as children.”

“If you knew, then why involve me?”

“You were the most reliable person to make sure the passageway was open, then locked again when the goods were removed. You were also the perfect contact person for Cornelius Sharpe. You gave our little smuggling operation an air of credibility. Everyone knew about it, yet because you were involved, the whole countryside turned a blind eye to what was going on.

“You were so focused on the few pounds that were coming in for the children that not once did you consider something else might be going on. You were the ideal choice. So organized. So responsible. The perfect liaison between Captain Levy and the men who would come to remove the goods from the cave when it arrived. Baron Lindville certainly couldn’t be trusted. His dependency on the drug made him more useless every day. But you… As long as you received a small portion of the profits for the orphanage, we could count on you to do what had to be done and keep your mouth shut. The children were your Achilles’ heel. You’d do anything for them. And you never suspected a thing. Quite foolish of you, actually.”

“But why didn’t you—”

“Enough questions. Do you think I don’t know what you’re doing? Stalling for time won’t do you any good. I have to be gone before Rainforth and Major Bennett return from the caves. Not that they’ll find anything. Everything has been removed.”

He stepped back a fraction and looked at her. “What did you do with it? I looked all over and there was no sign of the opium anywhere. Where did you hide it?”

She glared at him and tried to turn away from him but he clamped his thumb and forefinger on either side of her jaw and turned her face back to him.

“How did you get rid of it?”

“I dumped it in the ocean.”

He laughed. “How brilliant. Even in the end you did me a favor. You destroyed any proof that might be used to incriminate me. I owe you a huge favor. Unfortunately, you’ll never be able to collect.”

Josie watched as he raised the pillow over her head then brought it down. She struggled to free herself but firebrands of burning pain shot through her. She scratched at him with her uninjured hand and felt her nails sink into his flesh. He muttered a vile oath, but he didn’t release her. He only held the pillow tighter against her nose and mouth.

She couldn’t breathe. Bright lights exploded behind her eyes and her lungs burned as if they were on fire. A thousand voices screamed inside her head but she wasn’t sure any of them reached beyond what she alone could hear.

She was going to die. She wasn’t strong enough to fight him any longer.

Ross’s face shone before her the way he’d looked when he’d seen his son for the first time. The way he’d looked when he’d made love to her. The way he’d looked when he’d smiled at her.

She held onto that image as everything around her went black.

Ross didn’t wait for Banks to open the front door but burst into the entryway at Clythebrook Manor and took the steps that led to Josie’s bedroom three at a time. Sam wasn’t far behind him but that didn’t matter. If they were right about Chadwick, Josie could already be dead.

All the way to her bedroom he tried not to think what might have already happened. But suddenly, the possibility that he might be too late to save her couldn’t be ignored and he realized he wasn’t sure he could survive without her.

Why had it taken so long to realize Chadwick had been involved? The clues had been there all along yet he hadn’t seen them. He threw open the door and stopped.

Josie lay beneath the covers as still as if she were sleeping—or dead. Chadwick loomed above her, the pillow that should have been beneath her head was over her face. The vicar jerked up when the door slammed open but the imprints of his hands still indented the downy feathers.

An eruption of fury raged within Ross and he lunged across the room, pulling both the vicar and the pillow off her. The vicar slammed against the wall and Ross threw himself at him.

Ross was filled with an uncontrollable rage unlike anything he’d ever felt before. He swung out his fist, pummeling at Chadwick’s face with every ounce of strength he possessed. Even after the vicar sank downwards, Ross didn’t stop. He pulled back his arm and smashed his fist into the vicar’s face again. Then again. And again.

Not caring that blood was streaming from Chadwick’s nose and mouth. Not caring that the vicar could hardly stand on his feet. Not caring the groans and grunts after every punch were weaker and weaker.

“Ross! Enough! You’re going to kill him.”

Strong hands held him; kept him from striking out at Chadwick again like he wanted to.

“Let him go!”

He heard the words but it took several seconds for them to register. When they did, Ross shoved Chadwick’s body away from him and watched him drop to the floor.

Josie!

Ross rushed to the bed where she lay. He was almost afraid to touch her, afraid that if the bastard had killed her, even Sam couldn’t stop him from murdering him. He took a deep breath and leaned down to her.

“Josie,” he whispered, touching her cheek. Her face was pale, her lips tinged with blue, and her eyes rimmed with dark circles. But her flesh was warm.

“Josie.”

“Is she breathing?” Sam asked, pressing his fingers to the side of her neck.

“I don’t know.”

Ross lifted her head and gently cradled her against him. The minute he moved her she moaned.

“Take a big breath, Josie,” he whispered, keeping her in his arms.

“Breathe, dammit! Breathe.”

After what seemed an eternity, she opened her mouth and filled her lungs with air.

“Again, Josie. Take another breath.”

She took another. Then, as if her body told her she’d gone without air too long, she sucked in one gasp after another.

Ross coaxed her to breathe, then calmed her when the nightmare she’d just lived through came back to haunt her. He murmured in her ear, assuring her that everything would be all right now, and telling her she had to recover because the children needed her.

Ross knew the room was a hive of activity but paid little attention. He was more concerned with Josie’s struggle to break free of the haze that clouded her mind. That was more important than the commotion in the room.

Sam sent a footman after Agent McCormick who arrested Chadwick and took him away. Lady Clythebrook hovered close by for the next several hours, leaving only after Ross and Doctor Hallam assured her Josie would be fine and needed to rest.

A servant came in with fresh tea and plates of sandwiches and cakes several times, but Ross wasn’t hungry and Josie wasn’t alert enough to eat. Sam came back just before dark then left with his promise to come back in the morning.

Finally, the sun went down and the house grew quiet. And Ross was alone with Josie.

He sat at her bedside and held her hand in his. For long minutes her sleep would be deep and peaceful, then she’d toss restlessly and he’d gather her up against him and croon her back to sleep. It was hard for him to look at the bruises on her face that evidenced what she’d gone through. It was hard for him to imagine any hurt she’d endured and know he hadn’t been there to protect her. He loved her so much he vowed he would never let anything happen to her again.

“You’re still here?”

Ross lowered his gaze and saw Josie watching him, her eyes open as if she’d been studying him.

“Where else would I be?”

She shut her eyes briefly and sighed. “Perhaps with Major Bennett … standing guard outside my door … waiting to arrest me.”

He held her gaze and fought the inner turmoil that wouldn’t let go. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I thought I could stop them myself. I thought when I told Captain Levy … that Baron Lindville said it was getting too risky … the smuggling would stop.”

“But when you mentioned Baron Lindville, Captain Levy knew you were lying because Baron Lindville wouldn’t have made that decision. Vicar Chadwick would have.”

“I had no idea he was involved.” She winced, then closed her eyes.

Ross moved to sit beside her on the bed. “Why did you step in front of me?”

“Because I—”

She stopped, then continued with measured words.

“Because Charlie’s lost enough. I didn’t want him to lose his father, too.”

“You could have been killed.”

“So could you.”

“I know. It’s over now. We’ll talk later. You just need to rest.”

He lifted her uninjured arm and pressed his lips to the tender flesh of her palm. Pure molten heat shot deep in his belly and he kept her hand nestled in his own. He wanted to tell her he loved her; he needed her to know. But not now. Not until he could prove he meant every word he said.

Ross watched her for a moment then leaned down and kissed her lightly. “Sleep now, and don’t worry. I’ll see to it that you’re always safe.” He brushed his fingers down the side of her face. “It won’t be long and the cattle will bring in enough so the children will never have to go without again.”

Ross heard her breathe a contented sigh as she twined her fingers in his. This was where she belonged. Where he wanted to keep her forever.

He stared into the dying fire and thought of everything he wished he’d told her but hadn’t.

“I love you,” he whispered. “I nearly lost you once but I won’t chance losing you again.”

Ross relaxed into the chair, his hand still holding hers, content for the first time since his father had made the Rainforth name synonymous with traitor.

…

Josie sat propped up against her pillows and watched Ross doze in the chair beside her. Except to meet with Major Bennett and Agent McCormick for a few hours yesterday, he hadn’t left her side since she’d been shot three days earlier.

She knew why. He felt he owed her. She’d saved his life, after all. But he couldn’t ignore St. Stephen’s much longer or the cattle venture he was determined to set in motion. And the business with the smugglers still wasn’t settled. She’d overheard Major Bennett tell him he’d have to go to London to verify everything. No, it wouldn’t be long now before he’d be too busy to stay with her. Before he’d leave to go back to the life he’d left behind.

She had no idea falling in love was anything like this. She’d never realized it would hurt so much when it was over. Or that watching him leave her would be so hard. But he didn’t belong here. He needed to return to London and take his place in Society. It’s what he’d wanted from the very beginning.

He didn’t talk of London much, only when she asked him a direct question. But when he did, she could hear the excitement in his voice. She could picture him in his formal blacks, going out for an evening, either to a ball or the opera or to one of his clubs.

Even though he didn’t admit it, she knew he missed being a part of that life. As soon as word reached the drawing rooms that he’d been instrumental in shutting down one of the largest opium suppliers in England, there wouldn’t be a hostess in all of London who wouldn’t proclaim him her guest of honor, or a proud papa who wouldn’t try to snare the infamous marquess for his daughter. And that was how it should be.

Josie pressed her hand over the heavy weight crushing against her chest. It hurt every time she thought of how this would end. She’d been so foolish, so very, very foolish. She’d fallen in love with the Marquess of Rainforth.
A marquess
. Exactly like her mother had done. Only she would not hold onto the delusions her mother had refused to abandon—that someday her marquess would give up everything to marry his mistress. That had been her mother’s fatal error. Josie wouldn’t make the same mistake. She wouldn’t live her life dreaming of something that could not happen. Or believing in miracles. Even if the moon were full and filled with magic.

She watched him sleep a little longer. He was the most magnificently handsome man she’d ever met. It wouldn’t take long at all before some beauty snatched him for her husband. For as much as it hurt to imagine him in someone else’s arms and someone else’s bed, she wished him well. And she would always have the memories of him in her arms and inside her body to remember. To cherish. She would make those memories last a lifetime.

Josie swiped at a tear that escaped from her eye and looked up at the soft knock on the door.

Major Samuel Bennett took a step into the room then stopped when his gaze rested on where Ross slept in the chair. “I told him country life was making him soft.”

“I’m afraid it’s my fault. I’ve been very demanding of his time. He’s under the misguided assumption that my injury is his fault and that he must devote endless hours to be at my beck and call.”

Ross moved. “The injury
is
my fault and I’d be lying in that bed instead of you if you hadn’t foolishly stepped in front of me. I am not,” Ross opened his eyes and sat up in his chair to finish his sentence, “devoting endless hours at your side because of some misguided guilt. I am devoting endless hours at your side because I cannot bear to think of being separated from you. You’ve captivated me, Miss Foley.”

Josie made a very unladylike snort and rolled her eyes in an effort to hide the redness she knew was growing on her heated cheeks.

Ross stood. “Are you leaving, Sam?”

“I need to get back to London. McCormick’s set up a meeting with the Queen in a week’s time. Be ready to join me. As soon as the Queen hears the role you played in capturing the smugglers, she’ll no doubt want to reward you for your service. It’s no more than you deserve. Her recognition will make it impossible for Society to ignore you.”

“Perhaps.”

“More than perhaps, Ross.”

Sam leaned over Josie and kissed her gently on the cheek. “Thank you for what you did. I’d like to explain the part you played in stopping the smuggling ring and saving Rainforth’s life, but it’s best if the authorities don’t find out you were connected with the smuggling.”

Josie knew exactly what the major was implying. “Thank you, Major.”

“My pleasure. Take care of yourself and recover quickly.”

“I will. Have a safe journey to London.”

He nodded and turned to the door. Ross followed him. “I’ll see you out,” he said and left after promising to be back shortly.

Josie stared at the empty door until he returned. She smiled when he walked back into the room and kissed him back when he kissed her like he was used to doing for no reason at all. That was another memory she would cherish.

“Will you go to London?”

He nodded. “I’ll have to. I’ll accept all the pomp and accolades even though I cringe at the thought of such exposure. I don’t have a choice though. Being accepted back into Society isn’t just for me, but for Charlie. I’ve sent word for my solicitor to draw up the papers that will make him a Bennett, and someday inherit St. Stephen’s. I want the Bennett name to be one he can wear with pride. And I want him to be able to walk into any home in London with his head high and the scandal my father placed on our shoulders a distant memory. Can you understand that?”

She nodded. She understood that and more.

She understood that this was the end. She understood that once he left she could never let him come back.

She put a smile on her face and looked up at him. She wouldn’t let herself regret what she’d done. The passion they’d shared was the one perfect, magical memory she could hold onto.