Lavender Lies (Historical Romance) (22 page)

"No, sir, I am not English." Her eyes challenged him even from the distance. "I am an American!"

In the hallway, Grimsley had his ear to the closed door, trying to listen to what was being said in the room. When he heard the movement behind him, he stood up with a guilty expression on his face. His eyes twitched anxiously, and his mouth gaped open in shocked surprise when he saw the Duke of Mannington. "Your Grace," he sputtered, "what are you doing here?"

"I will ask the questions, and you will answer them, Grimsley. I want to know what in the hell is transpiring in that room, and why you thought you had permission to transport Miss Daymond away from Virginia?"

Grimsley saw the tired lines under the duke's eyes, and he wondered how the duke had found the strength to make the journey in his condition. "You need have no worry, Your Grace. Miss Daymond's trial is in progress at this very moment. She will be punished to the full extent of the law. You have my solemn word on that."

Julian had ridden horseback all night to get there, but he was hardly aware of the pain in his back because of the anger that burned in his heart. "How dare you take it upon yourself to conduct a trial for Miss Daymond without first consulting me." Julian then demanded, "Has she been well treated? By God, she better not have been harmed in any way."

Colonel Grimsley shook his head. "She has not been mistreated, Your Grace, and every care has been taken for her health. As a matter of fact, when she fainted yesterday I called in a local doctor to examine her." Grimsley saw Hendrick standing just behind the duke, so he lowered his voice. "The doctor was not aware of her true identity, so he will never be able to connect the hanging with the woman he saw here yesterday."

Julian's eyes narrowed, and if Grimsley had known him as well as Hendrick did, he would have recognized the danger signal. "What was the doctor's finding?"

Grimsley lowered his voice to a whisper. "Miss Daymond is expecting a child, Your Grace. I am sure she is not aware of her condition, and I decided not to inform my three officers who sit in judgment of her today, since they might be squeamish about such a delicate matter. They may not want to condemn her to death if they know she is with child."

Julian completely lost control. Grabbing Grimsley by the shirtfront, he slammed him against the wall. "You bastard, I will see you in hell for this! If anything has happened to her, I'll kill you!"

Grimsley was trembling as he stared into dark eyes that were filled with rage. "I .. . thought this was what you wanted, Your Grace. The first day we met you said—"

"To hell with that. Do you think I would be a party to murdering an innocent baby?" Julian bit out, releasing his hold on the man, and watching as Grimsley's eyes dilated with fear. Julian's eyes were contemptuous as they burned into Colonel Grimsley's. "Did you say the trial is in progress at this moment?"

"Yes, Your Grace. It is taking place just beyond that door."

Julian pushed the door open far enough for him to view the  proceedings.   He saw Lavender standing before the three stern-faced officers, her back straight, her gaze unfaltering. He thought how alone and defenseless she looked. He glanced over his shoulder to Grimsley. "Is there a woman who can look after Miss Daymond?"

"Yes, there is the maid, Holly."

"Send for her. I want her to take Miss Daymond upstairs immediately. After you have done that, come back here to me."

Grimsley scrambled to his feet and lost no time rushing down the hallway to do the duke's bidding. He had assumed what he was doing would please His Grace. He now knew he had been wrong, and was eager to make amends.

Julian listened as Captain Linton spoke to Lavender. "You come from a rebellious lot, you Americans. You are rabble-rousers and troublemakers. But you will find in the end that victory always goes to the strong. It has always been thus, and I suspect it will always be so."

"What about David and Goliath?" Lavender boldly reminded him.

"Do you make mock of the Bible, Miss Daymond?" Captain Linton fired at her.

"Not at all, I was merely pointing out to you that the strong do not always win."

Captain Linton stared at her in irritation. "There are always exceptions to everything," he said heatedly. "I was speaking in general."

"Then I will speak in general to you. Another like case of David against Goliath is America against England. England has her superior military strength, and a trained army that would rival any fighting force in the world. But with all her might, she will not withstand America's ragtag armies, which are made up of farmers and shopkeepers. When a nation is fighting against tyranny, they can always find an inner strength."

Captain Linton gasped with hot indignation. "Again you condemn yourself out of your own mouth. You would do well to guard your tongue, Miss Daymond."

If Julian had not been so angry, he would have been proud of Lavender as she bravely stood her ground. "Why shouldn't I say what I feel? You have already convicted me in your minds. If I am to die, I will have my say."

Julian chose that moment to push the door open all the way and move into the room. Colonel Grimsley, having summoned Holly, entered just behind him.

"Gentlemen, excuse me for interrupting this so-called tribunal," Julian said in a decisive voice. "But I will also have my say."

At the sound of Julian's voice, Lavender whirled to face him, her heart pounding in her throat. His dark eyes moved briefly over her before he glanced back at Captain Linton. So, she thought in anguish, he had come, after all—most probably to watch her die.

"How dare you interrupt these proceedings, sir," Captain Linton stated angrily. "Colonel Grimsley, will you please have this gentleman escorted out of the room, so that we may continue with this hearing."

Grimsley caught the burning anger in the duke's eyes, and he spoke hastily. "I think I should inform you, gentlemen, that this is His Grace, the Duke of Mannington."

Silence fell heavily as Julian walked casually across the room. He passed by Lavender without a glance. He stopped before the three officers. "By whose authority do you sit in judgment on Lavender Daymond?"

The coolness of his voice struck fear in Captain Linton's heart. He knew the Duke of Mannington by reputation, and it was well known that the duke was the first cousin to the King of England. He stared at Colonel Grimsley for a moment before answering the duke's question. "I was led to believe that you gave the permission, Your Grace."

"No, not I. I suggest you each leave as quickly and inconspicuously as possible. If any word of this gets out, it will go hard with all of you. If I were in your place, I would practice discretion where these proceedings were concerned."

Lavender could not believe her ears. Had her love come to save her? She was startled when Holly came up to her and took her arm, gently leading her out of the room. She prayed Julian had not rescued her only to send her to England for a trial as he had once threatened. She heard Grimsley's voice as the door closed behind her and Holly.

"What about Miss Daymond?" Grimsley asked. "Surely you will not set her free?"

Lavender did not hear Julian's reply as he swung around to fix Grimsley with a cold glare. "She is none of your concern, but my responsibility from here on out."

Grimsley bowed and took a step back. "It will be as you say, Your Grace."

While the other men were gathering up their papers and making a hasty retreat, Julian pulled Grimsley aside. "I will be remaining here for a day or two and need to make several arrangements."

Grimsley was delighted he would be playing host to such a distinguished guest. Perhaps he would redeem himself in the duke's eyes. "You are most welcome, Your Grace. It would be my pleasure to personally see to your comfort."

"That will not be necessary, Hendrick will make any arrangements I need. I want to say something to you in confidence."

Grimsley's eyes sparkled. "I would be happy to be in your confidence, Your Grace. You can always depend on my discretion."

"I am counting on that, because I want to talk to you about the baby Miss Daymond is carrying. Was the doctor positive that she was with child?"

Colonel Grimsley was puzzled by the question. "He seemed to be quite sure."

Julian's hand fell heavily on Grimsley's shoulder. "If you ever tell anyone about Miss Daymond's condition, I will see that you are drummed out of the Army. If I were you, I would have a lapse of memory. Do we understand each other?"

"Yes, Your Grace," Grimsley said hastily. "I have already forgotten."

Julian nodded grimly, his eyes still showing his anger. "Now that we understand each other, come with me, I have something I want you to do."

Grimsley bowed. "As always, 1 am at your service, Your Grace."

"Go into the nearby town and see if you can find a vicar, or someone who is eligible to perform a wedding ceremony. On your way out, send Miss Daymond's maid to me."

Grimsley blinked his eyes, completely befuddled. "Is someone getting married, Your Grace?"

Julian sighed impatiently. "Yes, you fool, I am getting married. Now hurry with my instructions. Time is of the essence."

Grimsley stood as if rooted to the spot. "Do you mean that you and Miss Daymond—" His mouth clamped shut as the truth dawned on him. For godsakes, he had almost made the biggest blunder of his life. Was it possible that the duke was the father of the child Miss Daymond was carrying? Of course, he must be, otherwise the duke would never marry Miss Daymond and make the unborn child his heir! He trembled at the thought of how near he had come to hanging the woman who might be the mother of the future Duke of Mannington!

Lavender did not know what was happening. She had been moved to a bedroom on the second floor where a procession of servants and shopkeepers had been parading through all afternoon. Boxes containing hats, petticoats, gowns, and shoes were stacked on every available space. She stood at the window, unimpressed by it all, while Holly shooed the lady from the millinery shop out the door.

"There, miss, that's the last of them. They hardly give a body room to breathe."

Lavender did not hear Holly because her mind was on the duke. Why was he plying her with gifts of wearing apparel? By rights, she should have been hanged this morning. She had little doubt that if the duke had not intervened on her behalf, she would now be dead. She had not seen him since he swooped into the makeshift courtroom with all the power of a hurricane, but it was for certain his was the authority that had stayed her executioner's hand. He must also be responsible for her being moved to this luxurious bedchamber.

"Miss . .. Miss."

Lavender realized that the maid had been speaking to her and she had not heard one word that she had said. "Please forgive me, Holly, I was thinking about something else. What was it that you wanted?"

"I was reminding you that His Grace had asked if you would attend him downstairs."

Lavender ran her hand down the yellow silk gown she wore. She thought she knew now why the duke had spared her life. He still wanted his revenge, but in a far more hurtful way than merely taking her life. He wanted to shame her, to parade her before the world as his harlot. Did he really believe she would value her life above her principles?

She straightened her back and sailed out of the room. She had been ready to take on the whole of England, why should she fear to match wits with one duke? She might not have a title before her name, but she was a Daymond and that counted for something. She would never agree to be any man's mistress or doxie—not even if he happened to be the Duke of Mannington!

15

Julian came to his feet with an impatient oath. "Did you deliver my message to Miss Daymond? Does she not know that she was supposed to be here an hour ago?"

Grimsley nodded. "I gave your message to the maid, and she was to tell Miss Daymond. Should I find out what is keeping her, Your Grace?"

"Were you able to find a man who could perform the ceremony?"

"Yes, Your Grace, a Reverend CresswelL As you instructed, I did not tell him you are a duke. He believes he is coming here to unite a common man and woman in marriage."

Grimsley noticed that the duke kept watching the wall clock. "Do you want me to find out what is keeping Miss Daymond?" he asked again. Grimsley was learning that the duke was accustomed to everyone jumping at his command and became quite incensed when anyone did not immediately comply with his demands.

"No, that will not be necessary," the duke barked with ill humor. "Go and find out what is keeping the minister. If Miss Daymond has not come down in precisely ten minutes, I shall attend to her myself."

In Grimsley's haste to leave the room, he almost collided with Lavender. After what he had put her through, and knowing she was about to become the Duchess of Mannington, he avoided her eyes.

Lavender listened to the door close behind her, feeling as if she had just been sent into the lion's den to deal with the lion. Her eyes met the duke's dark gaze and she felt her courage waning. Before she faced his imposing presence, she had decided what she wanted to say to him, but now she was not so sure of herself.

"You sent for me, Your Grace?" she managed to ask in a stilted tone.

He was dressed in a formal black suit, with an elaborately tied white cravat. Lavender's eyes were drawn to the contrast of his stark-white shirt against his deeply tanned skin. His stance was arrogant, his face handsome, his eyes probing as he assessed her with a curl to his lips. "Yes, I did. But that was over an hour ago. It would seem you took your time in obeying my command."

Fire sparkled in her blue eyes. "You will have to forgive me, Your Grace, but, you see, I was not aware that you had issued a command. Had I known, then I would have rushed to you immediately," she snapped.

Julian walked over to a green velvet chair and rested his arm across the back, while his eyes moved lazily over her face, with the same look of indulgence one would bestow upon an errant child. "There is nothing to be concerned about now that you are here. I have something to say to you, which may take some explaining. Would you care to be seated?" he asked, indicating the chair he leaned against.

Lavender was further angered by his attitude. "No, I do not want to sit down because I will not be staying long enough to get comfortable. I know what you want of me, and I can tell you now, my answer is no!"

A smile curved his lips. "Would you mind if I sit down then?"

"Do as you like. You will anyway, with or without my permission."

Again he smiled, and dropped down in the chair, all the while his eyes fastened on her pale face. "Just what is it you think I want of you?"

"I am not a fool. I know what it means when a man showers a woman with expensive gifts." Two rosy spots appeared on either side of her cheeks. "You do not know me at all, if you thought I could be persuaded to be your ... your ... mistress."

Humor creased his brows. "That is a novel thought. Pity it never occurred to me."

In frustration, she tapped the toe of her yellow satin shoe. "I am glad you are amused, because I find nothing humorous about this situation. You would have done well to let them hang me, because I will not be agreeable to you, Your Grace."

"I can remember when you called me Julian. Must we be so formal?"

"Why do you not state what is on your mind so I can leave. I do not relish the thought of standing before you like a schoolgirl being called to task by her teacher. Keep in mind that I am not impressed with who you are, Englishman, and you do not have enough money to buy me."

In a smooth motion, he came to his feet and towered above her. "I happen to know that everyone has their price. I wonder what yours is."

Her steady gaze met his. "As I said, you do not have enough money to buy me, Your Grace."

Julian heard her words, but he also saw distress and uncertainty in her lovely eyes. A strong instinct to protect her took hold of him. After all, he reasoned, she had been through so much, and she was carrying his child. If the baby turned out to be a son, he would be the future Duke of Mannington. Pride and ownership took possession of him. This woman was carrying his child, and nothing could keep him from claiming that which was his. He thought how innocent and unworldly Lavender was not to have realized that she was with child. It never occurred to Julian that the child might not be his. She had been untouched when he took her at the Swan Tavern. And he knew she had been with no other man since him.

"What makes you think I would want you for my mistress? Why would I want a woman who is as disagreeable as you to warm my bed?"

She looked uncertain. "What other reason would you have to rescue me and then shower me with gifts. Which," she continued in an icy tone, "I have no intentions of keeping. I would not have worn this gown tonight but for the sad repair of my own clothing."

He smiled. "So you do not want to be my mistress, and you shun my gifts. What can I offer you that would persuade you to become the next Duchess of Mannington?"

The duke stared at Lavender so long and hard that her throat became tight and she could hardly catch her breath. Could she have heard him correctly? Had he just asked her to marry him? He was so overpowering, she took a step backward. "I don't know what you are asking of me."

He was so near now he emanated leashed strength. She was reminded of how intimately she knew this man. Her eyes were drawn to his hands, reminding her how gentle his touch could be, how disturbing, how sensuous. He smiled as if he had read her thoughts. "I have just asked you to marry me, Miss Daymond, dare I hope you will accept me in spite of the fact that I am English born. We cannot all be hotheaded, fire-breathing Americans. But would you hold it against me because of an accident of birth that divided our loyalties by an ocean?"

She shook her head. "I do not understand any of this. You do not love me. In fact, you have pursued me relentlessly over the past months with the intention of seeing me hanged. You may think so, but I am not a fool, Your Grace. What is the game you are playing?"

"My God, what an innocent you are. Do you know nothing about your own body? Do you not know that you are with child—
my
child?"

Her face paled, and her hand moved involuntarily down to her stomach. "No! It cannot be true." Distress shook her small frame while tears clouded her eyes. "No, no, what will become of me now?"

"I have just told you the obvious solution to your little dilemma."

Frantically she searched his eyes. "Can this be true?" She asked for assurance. "You would not just say this to hurt me, would you?"

He shook his head. "No, I can assure you I would not go to such lengths to cause you pain. I was told that a doctor examined you and came to the conclusion that you will deliver a child in the not too distant future."

Her mind moved back over the telltale evidence that should have been obvious to her—the nausea, the fainting, and other more indisputable signs. Suddenly she felt trapped. Glancing around the room as if it were her prison, she edged away from Julian. "Just because the child is yours, that does not make you responsible for me. I do not want you, and I know you do not want me. There is no love between us."

His eyes darkened. "Do you think I am doing this out of any love we might have for each other? No, Lavender, you owe me a life. You will give me this child to replace the brother you robbed me of."

Her lips trembled when she realized he had found his final revenge. "No, no, this is ludicrous. If that is your motive, you could not possibly want a child from me."

"I can assure you I have every intention of making you my wife tonight." His eyes bore into hers. "I have you now, Lavender, and you cannot get away." He moved in closer to her and stared deeply into her eyes, making her feel as if she would drown in the brown, liquid depths. "I do not need to have you hanged in order to punish you. I will make you my prisoner, and every day of our life together I will remind you that you are responsible for my brother's death."

She could feel the trap closing in around her. What torment it would be to marry this man she loved with all her heart, knowing he only wanted her with him so he could torment her with the past. "I will not marry you," she declared in a bid to save herself from heartbreak. "Nothing you can say or do, Julian, will force me to marry you."

He picked up her hand and held it in a tight grip. "Is there not? What would you sacrifice to keep the shame of bearing a child out of wedlock from touching the life of your aunt and brother? Would it break their hearts, shame them before their friends, if you delivered my baby without benefit of marriage? What if the whole of Williamsburg became privy to the fact that you gave yourself to the enemy? Do you think they would take into consideration that your only motive had been to use your body to save yourself from being captured?"

She swallowed past the lump in her throat. "My aunt and brother would feel the shame far greater if I were to marry an Englishman, and a duke at that. This baby is my problem and does not concern you."

"The hell it doesn't. This child you carry could very well be my son. Therefore he would someday be the heir to my dukedom."

"Do you always offer to marry the women you .. . that you ..."

"That I impregnate," he offered as his lips curved into a sneer. "No, you have the distinction of being the first I have offered that honor."

She stared at him suspiciously. "You cannot tell me that you are interested in a child I might give you, a child that was conceived in a moment of. . ." •

"A moment of passion?" he supplied.

"What can be your motive? I am a nobody, while you are destined to marry into the nobility. You
are
nobility!"

"I already told you, I want a life for a life."

She jerked her hand away from him. "Please do not do this to me. I promise I am reformed. If you will let me go, no one will ever hear from the Swallow again. Suppose I give you my word of honor?"

"I cannot let you go, Lavender. Although we did not know each other at the time, you have belonged to me from the moment my brother drew his last breath. You owe me, and I intend to collect."

"But you are a duke, and I a commoner."

He smiled. "There is nothing common about you."

"What if I do not agree to become your wife? You cannot force me?"

His eyes narrowed. "No, but it would take but a suggestion from me to bring Grimsley and his tribunal back into session. Would you really give up your life, and that of our unborn child, rather than take me as your husband?" He pulled her against him so tightly she could scarcely breathe. "Would you, Lavender?"

She saw the trap slam shut around her. There was no escape for her. "If we were married, would you insist on taking me to England to live?"

"I am afraid 1 must."

"What would your friends say if you married an American? What would your cousin, the king, say if he learned you were married to an American spy?"

"I will take you to Mannington, which is a long way from London. No one will ever learn our little secret."

"Are you forgetting about Colonel Grimsley and General Cornwallis? They know who I am."

Grimsley will not talk because he is too frightened to say anything. Cornwallis will not talk because he is my friend. Even if the truth were to come out, no one would care." He smiled. "They would only say how much in love we must be to overcome our differences."

"Will I not be required to pay the penalty for my crimes against England?"

His eyes darkened. "As the Duchess of Mannington, no one would dare reach so high as to punish you."

"The king?"

"Not even George."

She was beginning to understand the power he exerted, the control he had over her life. Lavender was defeated, and she knew it. "Do I have any choice in this matter?"

"I have pointed out your choices."

She met his eyes. "I can assure you that you will not like having me for a wife."

"We will not have to suffer each other's company for very long. Once you have been installed at Mannington, I will be off to London, leaving you to deliver the child. After that, you can do what you damn well please, and go to the devil in your own way."

She felt a spark of defiance, but pushed it aside. She had no choice, and he knew it. "Tell me the rules, before I agree to anything."

How cold and remote she was. He could feel her withdrawing from him, and for some reason it angered him. "The rules are very simple. You will live at my country estate, under the guidance of my grandmother, the Dowager Duchess of Mannington. You will conduct yourself in a manner befitting to a duchess. When you are called upon to entertain, you will do so as befitting my wife. Should any of my friends come for a visit, you will convince them that ours is a marriage created in heaven. On the other hand, you will have everything that you desire in the way of comfort. You will be provided with the best medical attention.