The Duke's Alliance Book Two: A Dangerous Husband (25 page)

*

The second time she sent them beneath the rising water Grey knew he had to do something drastic or they would both perish. When his head emerged he dragged in a life-giving draught of air. Then he wrenched her arms from his neck, held her up by her bodice and punched her hard on the temple. She went limp in his arms.

A few seconds later the moat was full and he was swimming strongly to the edge. He put his hand under her bottom and heaved her to safety. He clung on until he'd regained his breath and then joined her.

Whoever had tried to drown them would be disappointed – but not for long – as he intended to find them and put an end to their miserable existence as soon as he'd taken his beloved back to Blakely Hall.

He checked and found a strong pulse. His blow hadn't done her serious harm – thank God! He staggered to his feet with her in his arms and then half-slid, half-walked down the grassy slope.

He swore loudly and violently. The moat was full and it would be impossible to negotiate it with her in his arms. They were trapped over here. He put her down carefully in the shelter of the half-ruined outer wall. If he removed his shirt and scrambled back to the top of the mound where the tower was built he could wave it above his head and attract attention.

He was about to do this when he froze. Whoever had hit him and pushed him into the pit was still in the vicinity. They had only just filled the moat. At the moment they must think he and Madeline had drowned – if he appeared they would know they had failed and come across to finish the job.

They would be helpless against armed men. He couldn't risk alerting them. He would return to her side as silently as he could. If they weren't found before nightfall the elements would finish the job the water had failed to do.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Beau and his entourage were making excellent progress and were more than halfway to their destination. When they thundered into the posting inn he came to a decision.

‘Perry, we'll change horses here. I want to get to Blakely Hall before dark. Tell your brother when he arrives.'

Aubrey had dropped behind as his mount was blowing badly. Beau shouted for attention and immediately they were surrounded by ostlers.

'Do you have nags for us? I'll return for these in a few days.' He tossed the reins across and strode into the inn. Soon he was mounted on a massive gelding well up to his weight. An ugly beast, but strong enough to take him the next twenty miles when he would have to change horses again.

After this second halt he was within a few miles of his destination. A village clock struck four. He gathered his men around him and explained his plan.

'Lady Madeline and Lord Carshalton are unaware they are in deadly peril and are surrounded by potential enemies. All the men employed there could be dangerous. We can't give them warning of our arrival. We must approach cautiously.'

'Do we know the exact location of Blakely Hall?' Perry asked.

'I do. I got directions from the landlord here. We can approach along a little-used cart track – leave the horses and then complete the journey on foot.'

'And what do we do we get there? We can hardly shoot everyone we meet,' Aubrey said with a wry smile.

'I think we must reconnoitre and make our decision once we know how the land lies. My priority is to see that my sister and her husband are safe. Apprehending the villains can come after that.'

Aubrey walked amongst the men checking their weapons were primed and ready to fire. His brother was becoming a man to be reckoned with – his twin seemed to be less mature and still had a deal of growing up to do.

He looked around his band of hopeful soldiers. At first glance it would be hard to tell who was duke and who was the servant. They were all mounted on similar nags and whereas he had dressed in his oldest and most disreputable garments, his men had put on their best. This meant their appearance was similar. Only when he and his brothers spoke did it become obvious they were in charge.

Blakely Hall soon became visible in the distance and he gestured that they stop and dismount. Fortunately there was a well-fenced meadow by the side of the track which was ideal to keep the horses safe in their absence.

'I think it might be advisable to send one of the men ahead to investigate – they are less likely to be noticed than one of us.' Beau selected a suitable candidate. Then they made their way forward making sure they kept out of sight.

Suddenly three armed men stepped out in front of them. 'Hold it right there. Stick your paws in the air. Don't any of you bastards make a move towards your weapons.'

No point in arguing. Beau raised his hands as did the others. There was something familiar about these three. Then the man who issued the order lowered his gun.

'Beggin' your pardon, your grace, I never recognised you first off.' He touched his cap. 'Smith, I works for his lordship. This here is Jenkins and that's Slater.'

Beau explained why they'd come and the information he received in return filled him with foreboding.

'We ain't seen Lord Carshalton nor her ladyship since this morning. Mr Carshalton and Mr Frederick are frantic – I don't reckon either of them's involved,' Smith said.

'Then that means it has to be Lady Carshalton who has orchestrated these attempts. I can scarcely believe it.' Beau turned to his brothers. 'We'll confront the harpy in her rooms – she'll tell us what we need to know. I just pray we're not too late.'

He led the charge through the vast establishment to the suite of rooms the murderer occupied. He kicked the door open and charged in his pistol primed and loaded. His brothers were close behind him – Carshalton's men followed.

There was a flash, a hideous noise and the room was full of cordite. Thank God the bullet had missed its mark. There were two men confronting them and both had a second pistol raised. He fired without hesitation and one of them collapsed a red stain on his jacket front indicating he'd been hit.

Aubrey took care of the second villain and it was over.

'The Carshalton woman must be cowering in her bedchamber. How many other men does she have at her disposal?' Beau directed this question to Smith.

'Six, your grace. I reckon there's another two bastards to deal with. Leave it to me and my men – no point in you toffs getting shot.'

Beau stepped to one side, as did his brothers, and the three armed men approached the closed door like the professionals they obviously were. 'What's happened to the rest of our men?'

Aubrey pointed to the window. 'They've gone round to the terrace – they should be there by now. One of the grooms is taking them. The darkness will be to their advantage.'

Before he could reply someone shouted from outside and then there were further shots. Smith and his cohorts hurtled through the door and Beau was close behind. He'd expected to see the dowager cowering in a corner now she was unmasked.

Instead he was greeted by a torrent of vile words. 'You can do nothing to save your sister or her miserable husband. They will be dead by now. My son will have the title and my work will be done. I care not what happens to me now I've achieved my goal.'

In two strides he was beside her and barely restrained himself from striking her. Instead he held out his hand and Aubrey placed a loaded gun into it. He pressed it against her temple 'Where are they? I shall not hesitate to fire.'

Her breath rasped in her throat. He pressed harder and she flinched. 'They are in the folly. They will be drowned by now.'

'Have her locked in here. She is to receive no visitors. Lord Carshalton must decide her fate. She deserves to rot in prison for the remainder of her life.'

Perry grabbed his arm. 'I can see lights flickering out there. Someone is on their way to rescue Madeline and Grey.'

Beau swallowed a lump in his throat and stepped away from the vile creature gibbering to herself in the chair. 'I pray to God that they're not too late – that this day will not end in tragedy.'

*

'Madeline, sweetheart, can you hear me? You need to wake up now.' Grey was cradling his wife in his arms trying to transfer some of his own body heat to her. If she didn't wake up soon he feared she'd become too cold and never recover her senses.

Her eyes opened. 'I'm so cold. I thought I was going to drown and then you hit me.'

'I did, it was the only way I could get us both out safely. We can't walk about to keep warm but we must devise some other way if we wish to survive…'

Her fingers clutched at his shirt front. 'It's your grandmother – she's the one who's been trying to murder us.'

'Your wits are addled, my love, I fear the blow has confused you.'

'No, you don't understand. She invited me into her bedroom this morning but insisted I climbed in the window. I was half in when I was smothered by a blanket and the next thing I knew I woke up at the bottom of the tower.'

Everything that had happened now made sense. 'It was her men who made the gargoyles fall. As they weren't strangers, of course nobody reported them. I was always puzzled why she travelled with six outriders.'

‘Remember that one of them disappeared and then was replaced by somebody new – that must have been because you shot the other one.'

Her excitement at this discovery was exactly what she needed to restore her. Her cheeks were less pallid and her fingers a little warmer. 'The woman must be insane to think she could get away with it.'

Whilst he was talking he continued to rub his hands up and down her arms which was also of benefit to him. 'Why aren't you attracting attention? Someone must have missed us by now.'

He explained to her his reasons and she shrank back into his arms looking nervously over her shoulder. 'How will your men know to look here?' She shivered violently. 'What if your uncle and cousin are also part of this? They could have everyone murdered.'

'I'm sure they're not involved. I can only surmise my grandmother so hated my father she didn't want his son to inherit.'

'I think that Mr Carshalton is more biddable and she wished to remain in command.'

He smoothed back a wet lock of hair from her forehead and kissed her tenderly. 'We just have to remain out of sight until we're rescued. You’ve been missing for hours and I already had my men searching. I'm sure it won't be long before they find us.'

The sun would be setting soon and it would become much colder. He had to keep her warm and active until someone arrived. He could think of only one way and he wasn't sure making love in the open air when they could be discovered at any moment was a sensible solution.

*

Madeline saw his eyes darken and the telltale flush appear along his cheekbones. An unexpected bubble of laughter escaped. 'Dearest Grey, much as I love you, I draw the line at being intimate with you out here.'

His smile was wicked. He wasn't to be put off. 'We need to keep warm, darling, and I can think of only one way to do this if we're required to remain on the ground.'

His arms tightened and he pulled her closer. His head blotted out the light and for a few delicious minutes she almost succumbed. Then she pushed on his chest and immediately he relaxed his grip. Her heart was pounding and she was certainly much warmer.

'Well, that certainly worked. Don't look so shocked, my sweet, I wasn't going to take things to their natural conclusion.' He settled her more comfortably and resumed his rubbing.

'What will happen to Lady Carshalton?'

'She will be incarcerated in an asylum for the insane – we can hardly hang her as she deserves. Although her minions will meet their maker at the end of a rope.'

'I can't understand why your grandparents hated your parents so much. It's not as though your mother was somebody beyond the pale – a vicar's daughter is perfectly acceptable.'

'My father never talked about his family and my uncle could shed no light on the matter either. Perhaps she'll explain her motives before she's taken away.'

He continued to massage her limbs and she wriggled, kicked and waved on command. His intention was to keep them both alive, but as time passed she was finding it increasingly difficult to stay awake and she knew if someone didn't come soon this might be her last hour on this earth.

'I just want to say that if we are to perish then I'm glad I'm here with the man I love. I don't regret anything…'

His snort of laughter jerked her awake. 'God's teeth, Madeline, we're not in one of your romances. I've no intention of kicking the bucket today and I'm damned sure I won't let you either.' He surged to his feet and dragged her up beside him. 'It's dark enough now to walk around safely without being seen. Come along – quick march.' He turned her and gave her a sharp slap on her posterior which had the desired effect.

She shot forward clutching her rear end. 'Don't you dare do that again, sir, or I shall inform my brothers you're a wife beater.'

His arm snaked around her waist and she was lifted from her feet. 'You’re my property – I shall do what I want with you.' Before she could protest he crushed her to his chest. His kisses were hard, demanding, and she was able to put aside her fears for a few moments.

Abruptly he set her down. 'I can hear something. Listen.'

She stilled and sure enough there was the sound of voices approaching. Was it a rescue party or the villains come to finish the job?

Grey shouted. 'Smith, we're over here man. We can't get across the moat; someone will need to work the sluice gate and drain it.'

Less than a quarter of an hour later she was enveloped in a warm blanket and being carried through the grounds and back to the house. Grey barked questions at his men and from the answers she gathered that Beau and her brothers were here – and that they had taken care of Lady Carshalton.

The house was ablaze with candlelight and she was vaguely aware of a circle of worried faces staring down at her. There was a hurried conversation before she was taken upstairs to her new apartment. She'd expected her maid to be waiting for her, but the rooms were empty.

'There's a hot bath waiting for you, all of the fires are lit, and a supper tray will be sent up in half an hour.' He stood her by the tub and without a by your leave stripped off her ruined garments and lifted her into the lemon-scented water. Tenderly he soaped her limbs until she was quite recovered.

'You are as wet as I was, my love, you mustn't remain in those garments a moment longer.'

His smile made her sit up so abruptly the water sloshed over the edge. 'I've no intention of remaining clothed, my darling. What I have in mind requires me to be as naked as you.'

Her eyes widened as his shirt, breeches and stockings were tossed aside. His intentions were obvious. 'There's no room for two in this bath.'

His answer was to reach in and lift her out. He wrapped her in a warm bath sheet and carried her through to the bedroom. 'Dry yourself, sweetheart, whilst I remove the filth from my body. I'll not be more than a minute or two.'