Song Of The Nightingale (DeWinter's Song 1) (13 page)

Raile moved to the door before turning back to her. “You might not want to be so frivolous with the money, madame. You will get no more from me. I will allow you to take one of the coaches and the six grays, and your personal effects, but nothing more. Remember, I said I want you both gone from here by tomorrow.”

After Raile departed, Hugh went down on his knees, gathering up the scattered coins. “I’ve never seen Raile so incensed.”

“Oh, shut up. Are you so witless you don’t understand the consequences of Raile’s anger? I will have to move into the pitiful house your father left me. My existence will become a drudgery. My friends will pity me— I will become a nonentity. It will no longer be considered fashionable to invite me to parties. I’m ruined— ruined!”

Hugh dutifully handed the money to his mother. “Perhaps we should instruct the servants to pack our belongings. I think Raile meant what he said.”

Lavinia’s eyes gleamed with hatred. “He has won this skirmish, but I shall win the war.”

Hugh glanced at his mother. “Did you do what Raile accused you of, Mother?”

Lavinia gritted her teeth. “Absurd boy, it’s as you said. Raile hates me, and he would say anything to discredit me in your eyes.”

16

Kassidy awoke in a gathering darkness. Storm clouds had blocked out the sun, and the sound of lightning ripped across the heavens in jagged splinters while thunder struck with a force that shook the house. She stared for a moment at the open window where lace curtains twisted in the wind.

She heard someone enter, and a middle-aged servant hurried to close the window.

“Who are you?” Kassidy asked in bewilderment. “And where is this place?”

“Well, bless you, miss,” the woman said, lighting a candle. “You must have been frightened waking up in a strange room. I’m Mrs. Fitzwilliams, housekeeper for the duke of Ravenworth. And this is his town house.”

At the sound of the dreaded name, Kassidy turned her face to the pillow, fear causing her slender body to quake. “So I am still a prisoner.” Her eyes went to the door, as if she feared the duke would enter at any moment. “Why am I here?”

Mrs. Fitzwilliams shook her head as she straightened the covers. “Now, miss, you are certainly not a prisoner.

In fact, it was his grace who brought you here and engaged Doctor Worthington to attend you. You have been very ill. His grace had me come in from the country to look after you. He wants to do everything that will help you recover.”

Kassidy moaned as weakness washed over her. “I don’t understand why he’s doing this.”

“Now, now,” the housekeeper said soothingly. “You are not to worry about anything. The doctor is very encouraged by your recovery. He just wants you to rest, eat well, and grow stronger.”

Kassidy stared at the woman suspiciously. She looked grandmotherly, with white hair, rosy cheeks, and soft brown eyes. But how could she trust anyone who worked for that dreadful man? She voiced her doubts to the housekeeper.

“Why would the duke want to help me?”

“I’m sure his grace will explain it all to you in time. You just rest now.”

“Are you from Ravenworth Castle?”

“Indeed I am. I have been in the DeWinters’ service for over forty years,” Mrs. Fitzwilliams said with pride.

Kassidy’s eyes were so heavy she could hardly keep them open—the bed was soft, and snuggled beneath the downy coverlet, she was warm for the first time in weeks. She could hear the gentle rain pattering against the windowpane, and she yawned, giving the housekeeper an apologetic smile.

“If you are from Ravenworth Castle, perhaps you can tell me about my sister’s baby.”

“Indeed I can, miss. The child enjoys good health and is a darling little girl. We all love her, and I’m afraid we have spoiled her terribly. Sweetness is what she is, and it is what we call her.”

Kassidy closed her eyes. Thank God, the child was well.

“Sweetness,” she murmured sleepily. “If only I could see her.”

“Soon, miss, soon. You must rest now.”

Kassidy was asleep before Mrs. Fitzwilliams extinguished the candle. The housekeeper stood over her a long moment, thinking her color was better, but she still did not look well.

“Poor little girl,” the housekeeper whispered compassionately. “Looks like life’s been hard on you.”

Lady Mary was shown into the salon, where Raile was waiting for her. It had been only three days since she had received word that her niece had been located.

Lady Mary looked anxiously at Raile. “Is my niece well? I want to see her at once.”

“She has been very ill, but I am told she is recovering nicely.” He looked uncomfortable. “You will understand about her illness when I tell you where I found her.”

“Where was she?” Lady Mary was alarmed.

Raile had been dreading this moment. He drew in a deep breath as he prepared to recount what had befallen Miss Maragon. He did not spare Lavinia or Hugh, or for that matter, himself.

He watched the horror on Lady Mary’s face turn to anger and indignation. When he finished, she rose to her feet, furiously pacing the floor.

“I will hold that woman and your brother both accountable for this atrocity. They have not yet paid for their crime.”

“You have my pledge that I will deal with them. I thought you might want me to handle this matter delicately so your niece would not have to suffer public knowledge of her humiliation.”

“It was a great deal more than humiliation, your grace. I am not prepared to let that woman get away without punishment. What I don’t understand is why she would have done such a thing to Kassidy.”

Raile lowered his head, feeling the dishonor of his family weighing heavily on his heart. “We all mistakenly thought Kassidy was her sister, and when I insisted Hugh marry the girl he had wronged, Lavinia concocted this plan to be rid of her.”

Lady Mary’s eyes blazed with wrath. “But that’s ridiculous. Your brother was already married to Abigail. I want to see your stepmother suffer the same degradation she forced Kassidy to endure. And my husband can make certain it happens.”

“If that’s what you want to do, then we shall. I am willing to help you in any way I can. Certainly Lavinia deserves to be punished for what she did. But that will not make up to Miss Maragon for what she has suffered. It might, in fact, make her suffer more.”

Lady Mary dropped her head in her hands. “You are right. I must consider what this would do to Kassidy. I will not have her exposed to a public trial.” She looked at Raile, seeing the pain in his eyes. He had been deeply affected by what had happened to Kassidy. “How will we punish them if not through the law?”

“I have already turned them both out of my home. And as for my stepmother, I am no longer answerable for her expenses. I have thought about sending Hugh out of the country to get him away from his mother’s influence.”

Lady Mary shook her head. “It’s not enough.”

“I agree. What would you have me do?”

“For now, nothing. I want to hear my husband’s views on the matter.” She reached out and touched Raile’s hand. “I do not blame you in any of this, your grace. Without your help, we would never have found Kassidy.”

“I don’t excuse myself, Lady Mary. A young girl has suffered a great deal because of my family.”

“I want to move my niece to my house as soon as possible. I intend to see that nothing like this will ever happen to her again.”

“Before you go up to her, I wonder if you would allow me to speak to you about another matter.” Raile watched the way the sunlight streaked across the oak floor. “I . . .” He paused as if trying to find the right words. “I would like to discuss Miss Maragon’s future with you.”

“I will take care of her future,” Lady Mary said with assurance. “She will come and live with me.”

Raile had never proposed marriage before, and he found the words stuck in his throat. “I would consider it an honor if you would allow me to ask your niece to become my wife.”

Lady Mary stared at Raile as if he had lost his mind. “You cannot have said what I think you said. You don’t even know Kassidy.”

“Many marriages are arranged before the parties are well acquainted. I would make her an amiable husband.”

“A marriage of convenience?” Lady Mary was astounded. “It wouldn’t be a good match. Besides, I have always wanted Kassidy to marry for love. You would not be marrying her for that reason.”

“That’s true, Lady Mary. But I can give her all the advantages, and she will never want for anything.”

“Kassidy has never been impressed with wealth.” Lady Mary surveyed Raile. His dark good looks would make him popular with the ladies, even if he weren’t wealthy and titled. He was the catch of the season—of the decade for that matter.

“What would be the advantage to you if you married my niece?”

He looked into her eyes, deciding to be truthful. “The prince has advised me to take a wife. I thought your niece might be willing to fill that role for me.”

“I see that you have given this a great deal of thought. But why Kassidy?”

“My family has caused a great deal of harm to your niece. I want to make it up to her in any way I can.” He dropped his gaze. “I feel I owe her that much.”

“Surely you are far too noble,” she said bitingly. “You want to marry my niece because of your guilt?”

“I prefer to say it’s for honor, rather than guilt. And, as for being noble, I would say it’s more selfish. Miss Maragon is from an old and respected family and would make a suitable duchess. She does not love me, so therefore would make no demands on me. And I would have a wife when I am ready for an heir. I like a well ordered life.”

Suddenly Lady Mary burst out laughing. “You don’t know my niece if you believe life with her would be peaceful. Be warned that she has a way of making her presence known. You met her—you should know that.”

“I admit she has intensity for one with so ... modest an appearance.”

“What?” Lady Mary said, straightening in her chair. “Kassidy? You think she’s unattractive? Are we thinking of the same girl?”

Raile hoped he had not offended her. “I beg your pardon, Lady Mary. In my long association with the army, I have grown accustomed to plain speaking. Let me assure you that Miss Maragon’s appearance is of no importance to me. Am I right in assuming she has no other prospects of marriage?”

“Why would you presume that?”

Raile looked uncomfortable. Surely Lady Mary knew that her niece was no beauty, and it was obvious that she was destitute. She did not seem to have much to offer a man. “Perhaps I was wrong.” He decided to be gallant. “Is there a young man she would prefer to marry?”

“Kassidy has lived a secluded life. There is no gentleman in her life,” Lady Mary admitted. “But, it’s difficult for me to believe there is no lady you fancy. I’m sure you know you are considered to be a most desirable catch, your grace.”

Raile smiled slightly. “Every man would like to think that’s true about himself.”

“It’s not difficult to hear glowing comments about you. One has only to approach a group of unmarried ladies at a ball to hear them speculate how fortunate they would be to catch your eye, while the gentlemen speak of your daring exploits as a hero.”

Raile had the strangest feeling Lady Mary was mocking him. “I have had little time to attend balls, and little liking of females who want only a title.”

“Surely, your grace, you underestimate your other ... attributes.”

Raile’s eyes gleamed with humor. “Can it be that you are trifling with me, Lady Mary?”

She caught her breath at the melting look in his dark eyes. She could only wonder how devastating he would be for a young and inexperienced girl like Kassidy.

“No, your grace. I was merely making a statement of fact. I am a wife who is content with my husband. We are very happy together.”

“You don’t think I’d make your niece happy, do you?” he observed shrewdly.

“On occasion someone will come along who is extraordinary in every way. Kassidy is just such a person. She has not known a great deal of happiness in her life—she needs to be cherished.”

“I’m sure she is all you say,” Raile agreed, thinking every aunt had a favorite. Kassidy obviously was hers.

The girl he had met had spirit, but he had seen nothing extraordinary about her.

“She is intelligent,” Lady Mary continued, “and has probably already deduced that your family was involved in her abduction. She may see an offer of marriage from you as an affront.” Lady Mary was certain her niece would never accept this arrogant man, who somehow felt it was his duty to make her his duchess as an atonement for his family’s misdeeds. “I will release you from any feelings of guilt concerning my niece. And we shan’t ever tell her about your proposal.”

“I cannot wish my guilt away. I would consider it an honor to have her as my wife.”

“Perhaps you should reconsider, your grace.” Lady Mary could not suppress a smile. “If Kassidy were your wife, she would lead you a merry chase.” She came to her feet in a whisper of silk. “I would like to see my niece at once. I have been most anxious about her well-being.”

Raile gave a curt nod. “I’ll have the housekeeper take you to her.” Suddenly his eyes were probing. “You do not think your niece will look upon me with favor?”

“If you want my advice, abandon your plans to marry Kassidy. She is not the person you believe her to be.”

“But you have no objections to my suit?”

She laughed with amusement. “None at all, your grace, but Kassidy will.”