Tempting Her Reluctant Viscount (20 page)

Just another loss Hope would have to deal with in her new life. Her future was not looking very bright at all, frankly.

With a sigh, Hope stood and waited for Jacobs to present Michael to her. It was only a moment later before he was there—standing in the doorway of the dim, cool parlor—and Hope nearly cried, it was so good to see him. And when he smiled at her with that loving way of his, the room suddenly brightened and warmed.

Hope was drawn to him like a moth to a flame, and he welcomed her into his open embrace. How long they stood there, just wrapped in each other’s arms, Hope would never know, but she savored it for as long as she could. It would very likely be the last time she would ever be held like that by him…or by anyone for that matter. She would love no other man in her life like she did Michael Ashmore, so what would be the point to even try?

Finally, Hope forced herself to pull away from him. As much as she wanted Michael to hold her for the rest of his life, this wasn’t making things any easier on her heart.

It was then that Michael apparently noticed what she was wearing.

“Hope,” Michael asked, “why are you dressed like that?”

Hope looked down at herself and the peach day dress she was wearing. It was one of her favorites and she had always thought the color very flattering on her.

“What? Don’t you like it?”

“No, no,” Michael assured her. “You look lovely as always, but…well, I rather thought you would dress in your disguise again today.”

Comprehension dawned on Hope and she suddenly remembered her plan for the day. Blast Michael and his befuddling presence! She had almost forgotten about her stroke of genius meant to keep them on the straight and narrow during their investigation of Cochrane’s claims.

“Oh, the disguise,” Hope said, in what she hoped was a nonchalant way. “I decided it was not necessary to wear it today. We are just planning to talk to a hackney driver, after all. Olive can accompany us for that. She is most discreet. I trust her implicitly.”

Michael frowned. “Trust is not the issue here, Hope. I thought we wanted to conduct our interviews as unencumbered as possible; not even an engaged couple can tour around the city without a maid. Mayfair affords us the familiarity of our neighbors, the city is different altogether.”

Putting on an affected pout, Hope said, “I have just gotten used to feeling like a woman with you again, surely you cannot begrudge me that?”

Hope trailed her fingers up Michael’s arm seductively and was rewarded with a goofy smile and a heated look from Michael.

“I can’t see how it would hurt, I guess. It’s not as if we are doing any actual spying. And you do look very attractive in peach, my dear.”

Hope giggled. “Thank you, Michael. I will just go and fetch Olive then, shall I?”

Without even waiting for his assent, Hope ducked past Michael and went to find her maid. She felt quite nauseous after her little act and wondered how much more of this she could handle before going stark raving mad.

When Hope returned with Olive in tow, the three of them got into Michael’s carriage and were quickly on their way. Watching the buildings pass by through the window of the vehicle, Hope realized that she had no idea where they were going.

“Where exactly are we headed, Michael?”

“I wondered when you were going to ask that,” Michael replied with a smile. “Well, Cochrane said the lying hackney driver was called William Crane. After doing a little research, I learned that Crane’s hackney coach proprietor was a man called Howard. I sent him a query late yesterday to ask which stand Crane was covering today, and he sent me a response this morning.”

Impressed by Michael’s detective skills, Hope had to smile. “Very well done. Now all we have to do is wait at the stand until we find the driver that answers to Mr. Crane.”

“Precisely.”

Good
, Hope thought to herself. Maybe this task wouldn’t take too long and she could retreat back into her room at Lady Lancaster’s. It was just so much easier to
hide
from her troubles these days. After waiting for hours in the brisk, late-winter air, and just when Hope and Olive were convinced their noses and toes were frozen enough to simply snap off, Michael received a positive response to his inquiry for William Crane. Waving at Hope, Michael asked the driver for a moment of his time. Crane, being an assiduous businessman, suggested they take a ride to someplace more private…at Michael’s cost, naturally.

Arriving just a few minutes later at a quiet corner of Hyde Park, Michael and Hope reluctantly left the relative warmth of Michael’s carriage (Olive asking to stay in the vehicle) and waited for the driver to join them.

“Crane,” Michael began, once the driver had dismounted and stood before them, “we need to ask you a few questions.”

“Aye, m’lord. Wot can I do fer ye?”

“Well, I was recently informed that you have been called to provide witness in a case of fraud against Lord Cochrane.”

Immediately, a guarded look appeared on the driver’s face. “Aye, m’lord. T’is correct,” he replied gruffly. “Wot of it?”

“I would like you to tell me what you told the magistrate about Cochrane and why.”

“Why should I?

A touch of steel glinted in Michael’s eyes and he said with deadly calm, “Because I asked nicely, that’s why.”

The meaning behind the words was not lost on Crane.

Crane’s eyes flitted over to Hope as if asking for help and she said, in no uncertain terms, “I would answer him, if I were you. You do not want him to ask you again.” Then she leaned in as if imparting a great secret and added, “He will not be
nearly
as nice the second time.”

With a visible gulp, Crane decided that Hope’s advice was worth taking. “I told the magistrate that I drove that De Berenger to Cochrane’s ‘ouse on Tuesday last… and that, er, ‘e was wearing a gre— ah,
red
…uniform.”

Michael looked at Hope to see if she caught the slip, as well. With a nod, she indicated that she had.

Skewering the smaller—and now very nervous—man with a look that broached no argument, Michael said, “And who
told
you to tell the officials that De Berenger was wearing red, not green?”

Paling greatly, the driver began looking around frantically as if hoping some means of escape would magically appear.

“I don’t know, ah, wot ye’r talking about, sir.”

“I think you do, Crane…”

“No, sir, I-I-I…”

Sighing, Michael raised his eyes to the heavens briefly before taking the driver and shoving him none too gently against a nearby tree; holding him there firmly with his forearm pushed up against the man’s throat.

“Now do you remember, Crane?” Michael asked.

Despite what she had said earlier, Hope was shocked by Michael’s actions. Never before had she seen him physically attack anyone. Thus far, all of their interviews had been downright peaceful. Even De Berenger hadn’t put up much of a fight. But this…this was…was…well, exhilarating, if she were being honest. Suddenly, Hope could see the soldier in Michael. Strong, forceful, a man that gets results…by whatever means necessary.

“Oh my,” Hope whispered under her breath, suddenly very glad for the cold breeze blowing around them so that she didn’t have to expose her wicked thoughts by fanning herself.

Neither Michael nor Crane heard her breathy exclamation, locked in their own battle of wills, as they were. It was a short-lived skirmish, though.

“All right, I’ll tell ye,” Crane rasped out irritably. “Just let me go already…”

Michael gave him one last push just for good measure, but then stepped away slowly, clearly prepared to trap him again if giving the slightest provocation to do so.

Coughing and rubbing his neck gingerly, Crane eyed Michael warily. “It was this gentleman, ye see. Ah, Stuckeley were ‘is name. An older, portly fellow. ‘E ‘ired me to drive De Berenger around a bit and to tell the little tale, ‘e did. I didn’t see any ‘arm in it. It were just a uniform, after all.”

Hope felt as if all the wind had been knocked out of her. She stood there numbly as Michael finished his interrogation.

Sighing, Michael said, “There will be others who will want to hear what you just told me, so expect some visitors soon. And if I hear that you are still spouting that same claptrap told to you by Stuckeley, I will not be held accountable for what I will do to you.”

Wide-eyed, Crane nodded copiously and scurried back to his hack, taking off at a highly dangerous speed.

“He better not get himself killed before he can set the record straight,” Michael muttered as he turned to talk to Hope. The moment Hope saw his face, she couldn’t help herself. She ran. As fast and as hard as she could. She did not run far. The tears in her eyes made it impossible to see anything just seconds into her escape; but she had had to get away. Her father…her
father
!…had not only invested in the scam, he had participated in the most heinous, unforgivable way. From the very beginning, he had been in on the planning and execution of the crime. He had lied to her…lied directly to her face.

Sinking down on a nearby boulder, Hope began to cry in earnest. She told herself she was being ridiculous. Hadn’t she already admitted to herself that her father was guilty? Hadn’t she made all these painful decisions for her future based on that belief, for goodness sake? Why should this new information be so disturbing? It was just added confirmation that her father was…was…

“… not the man I always thought he was,” Hope whispered, wiping the tears from her eyes.

But that was not quite true, really. If Hope were being truly honest with herself, she would remember all those times she “helped” her father with his gambling and his taxes and his investments. Every so often after aiding her father in some unexpected way, Hope would wonder fleetingly if a father should be relying on his daughter in such a manner. Involving her in things she should not know about.

It was one thing to get a gifted child’s help with balancing the household accounts or running a sum of figures or whatnot, but to rely upon that child for the continued financial security of the family, the estates? Even Hope had to admit that was not normal nor was it a particularly positive trait in a parent.

With a sigh, Hope wondered what she should do now. Clearly the authorities needed to be notified about her father’s part in all this, but really, nothing else had changed. She still needed to find a way to care for her family once her father was arrested, and she still needed to break things off with Michael. Now, more than ever.

It was at this point in Hope’s musings that Michael appeared.

Kneeling before her, he asked quietly, “Are you all right?”

Looking up at the man she loved more than even her own personal well-being, Hope replied, “Yes, Michael. I’m sorry for running off. I guess hearing that man say my father’s name came as a bit of a shock.”

“Of course it did, dear. I was rather shocked myself.”

Hope looked over her shoulder toward where they left the carriages. “Where is he now?”

“I suppose he went back to his hack. The authorities will know where to find him when they are ready.”

“And will you tell them about my father?”

Michael hesitated. “I won’t, if you don’t want me to.”

Hope’s heart nearly burst with love when she realized that Michael was willing to forgo his own beliefs about right and wrong and not turn in a guilty man, all for her. All to protect her and her feelings.

Oh, I am a fool to let this man go
, Hope thought miserably. But what other choice did she have? She could not bring her shame upon Michael. She just could
not
.

Reaching up to cup Michael’s cheek with her hand, Hope said, “Tell them, Michael, it’s all right. My father brought this upon himself. I can no longer deny the truth.”

“I am so sorry, Hope.”

“I know, but all there is left to do is to pick up the pieces. I have my stepmother and siblings to think about now. We will all be out on the street once news of this breaks.”

Michael straightened with a start.

“Don’t be ridiculous. You and your family will come live with me as soon as we are married.”

Reaching into his pocket, Michael pulled out a ring box.

Opening the small, velvet-lined box to reveal a truly beautiful diamond and sapphire ring, Michael said, “Hope Stuckeley, my dear, will you please marry me?”

Hope’s breath caught in her throat. She had been dreading this moment for days. She had begun to realize Michael’s feelings for her were growing into something very real. It probably wasn’t love, like she felt, but she suspected he felt responsible for her. It only stood to reason he would propose in earnest.

“No, Michael. I can’t. I can’t marry you.” Hope looked up at him with truly stricken eyes before leaping to her feet. “I’m so sorry…so very, very sorry.”

Then she turned and ran in the direction of the carriage.

…

Michael stayed on his knees, stunned by what had just happened.
No?
he thought numbly. Had Hope really just said
no
to his proposal? How was that even possible? He knew there was a distinct possibility that she didn’t love him. Their relationship was not built on love and infatuation. It was built on logic and, friendship…but love had never been part of it. Although, even Michael could admit he had hoped for love in the future. Once they had settled into
normal
life. They had plenty of passion and respect. What better building blocks for a good marriage?

Why would she say no? Getting married was the most logical thing to do here. He could take care of her, for God’s sake. What else did she expect to do once her father was arrested? Get a
job
?

Well, he was damn sure going to find out.
You can’t just say ‘no’ and ‘I’m sorry’ and then leave with no further explanation
, Michael thought angrily.

Getting to his feet, he stomped purposefully back to his carriage and all but tore the door open, only to find…nothing. No Hope, no Olive, no nothing. Shutting the door, he asked his driver where the ladies went. Completely nonplussed, the servant told Michael that the two women had run over to the nearby stand and hired themselves a hack not one minute ago.