Earl of Kinross

by Meara Platt

  “Papa, he has cohorts here. Lord Dunning, for one. It is obvious Edward has spent years plotting against you. He’s reached out to the dregs of Society, looking for anyone in need of funds and willing to lie for a price.”

  “Yes, yes, Lara.” He sounded so accepting of his fate, she wanted to grab her father by the lapels and shake him. But she said and did nothing more, allowing him to continue. “Hugh sailed off in anger, determined to confront Edward. I doubted the man’s guilt at the time, but it seems my children were right not to trust him. He is ruthless. By sailing into Montvey’s territory, and despite all his experience as a privateer for the Crown, Hugh fell straight into that devil’s hands.”

  “How so?” Marcus leaned forward, listening intently. “Hugh is no fool. His victories on behalf of the Crown are legendary. He was not without allies in the region.”

  “Among the royal navy, perhaps.” Her father poured more brandy, but set aside the glass without drinking its contents and continued. “But our naval forces were engaged in fierce sea battles with the Dutch over control of the area. Java, Sumatra, the stretches of water from Polynesia to the islands north of Australia. As Lord Governor, Montvey’s power stretches across all those regions, and he’s established strongholds for himself among these small, island nations.”

  “He has built up a mercenary force for himself, recruiting pirates who plunder the area,” Lara said. “He must be buying them off with Crown funds. He has no wealth of his own. So, while the royal navy is busy fighting the Dutch, he is busy solidifying his base of power, forging alliances with these ruthless killers.”

  Lara clasped her hands to stem her rising anger and frustration. “It was one of Montvey’s pirate henchmen who murdered your friend, Richard Harlan, and set Hugh up to take the blame.”

  Marcus nodded. She was referring to one of his and Hugh’s best friends. The three of them were inseparable during their school days. After graduating, each had gone their separate ways. Hugh, with typical flair, had become a privateer for the Crown. Marcus preferred keeping his feet on solid ground, so he had joined the army and was now one of its highest ranking generals. While he now went by his title, Earl of Kinross, on the battlefield he was General Marcus Brayden.

  Richard Harlan had joined the navy and been captain in command of one of the finest fleet vessels sailing the waters around Sumatra. “I’d heard he’d died, but I assumed it was while battling the Dutch.”

  “One of Montvey’s lackeys killed him,” her father said. “A merciless pirate by the name of Nikko. This is what the sailors who served on Richard’s frigate have told us. We’ve spoken to a few who have returned to England. They were astounded to hear Hugh was charged with his murder.”

  Lara tried to maintain an even temper, but could not stop it from flaring. “Anyone who’s ever met Hugh knows he could not do such a thing. Lord Dunning presided over the farce of a trial. Montvey’s witnesses said whatever they were paid to say. It was all a preposterous lie, but we haven’t the means to prove it while Dunning destroys all the evidence brought to him. Since he remains the presiding judge, he retains full control of the proceedings.”

  Marcus nodded. “Unless the matter is brought to the attention of the House of Lords or Privy Council.”

  “We’ve tried. Dunning also sits on the Privy Council and has important connections in the House of Lords. I’ve gone to both and been turned away. Father can’t go because he’s under house arrest.”

  “You say some of Richard’s crew came forward to absolve Hugh of the crime?” Marcus was now frowning fiercely, obviously as overset now as she and her father had been for the past two years.

  Lara responded, too impatient to await her father’s reply. “Yes, several are willing to testify now. They’re eager to testify, for they want the right man brought to justice. Richard was much respected by the men serving under his command. These sailors claim to have provided signed affidavits giving a true account. But those were either handed over to Montvey who must have destroyed them or if delivered to Dunning by the Admiralty, then he destroyed them. I believe these men, of course. But it is too late.”

  “Too late to proceed through the courts, perhaps,” Marcus said, “especially if all writs and petitions must still go through Lord Dunning.”

  Lara nodded. “Hugh sailed off the first time to confront Montvey about the treason charges against my father. He’s sailed off again to avenge Richard’s death. We are so afraid he’ll never return.”

  Marcus took her hand. “He’s smart, Lara. He may have underestimated Montvey the first time, but he knows what he’s up against now. If I were Montvey, I’d be quaking in my boots.”

  Lara gave a small, mirthless laugh. “Thank you for trying to make us feel better, but it is of little comfort. Out there, on the other side of the world, our despicable cousin holds all the power.”

  Marcus was giving her a thoughtful look again. “No, Lara. He may be Lord Governor, but the Crown holds all the power. Always. Now that Napoleon’s war is over, the royal family will no longer be distracted. They will listen to me.”

  “Are you that influential?” Lara was surprised. But why should she be? He’d been made an earl because of his prowess in battle. Such titles were rarely handed out. “No one in the House of Lords would listen to me and I was denied an audience with the Prince Regent.”

  Marcus said nothing for another long moment. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  Since Marcus still had hold of her hand, Lara entwined her fingers in his. “I’m so sorry Richard fell victim to this diseased, power-hungry man. Hugh was torn apart by his death, and I fear he will always blame himself for it. I know how close the three of you were and how badly it has hurt you as well.”

  He gave a curt nod. “Thank you, Lara.”

  She was surprised when he continued to hold her hand.

  Her father noticed, but said nothing.

  Lara was not going to tell him about her earlier visit to Marcus’s townhouse. She trusted her father, but there was no telling what he might unwittingly reveal to Dunning’s spies planted in their household and always lurking close by. Their so-called butler Sykes was not the only plant within their household.

  Her father no longer noticed them. He’d been beaten down and was close to giving up. In truth, Lara felt her father had given up the will to fight long ago. Lately, she’d been the only one banging her head against brick walls.

  “I’ll help, of course,” Marcus said. “My lord, I know you’ve been placed under house arrest. But if Lara is free to come and go as she wishes, then I’d like her to join me. It’s time we put this matter to right. She has obviously been involved in the efforts to free Hugh. Her knowledge will be very helpful to me.”

  Instead of agreeing, her father grew alarmed. “No, it won’t work. Dunning won’t allow it.”

  “Papa! I’m not under house arrest. That toad has no authority to restrict my movements. Even if he had, do you think I’d care?” She scowled at him. “I’m going to save Hugh.”

  “Lara, my child. Don’t anger this man.”

  She was on her feet again, furious and frustrated that her father was so resigned to his fate. “I’m not afraid of him.”

  “You should be. I couldn’t bear it if he hurt you.”

  Marcus rose along with her, taking her hand once more to calm her. “Lara, enough. You’re only upsetting your father. He’s lost one child and fears to lose another.”

  She understood the logic of it, but it did not make her feel any better. “I want to help you.”

  “I know, and I want your help. Lord Stratton, I’m home now and so are many of the younger peers who would have taken a stand on behalf of Hugh in the House of Lords. Montvey and Dunning got away with as much as they did because all eyes were on Napoleon’s army and many of the best lords were away from home and busy fighting on the Continent.”

  Lara nodded in agreement.

  “I mean to take these odious men down,” he continued. “To succ
eed, I need to do it swiftly. Your daughter is the only one who can help me accomplish this. I promise you, no one will touch her while she is under my protection.”

  “You can’t protect her day and night.”

  “The Brayden name will protect her.” He shot Lara a quelling glance. “Not that I intend to marry your daughter, but Dunning will think twice before harming her if he believes I am courting her.”

  “You? Courting Lara?” Her father’s eyes rounded in surprise. “Do you think you can pull it off?”

  Lara ought to have been offended. Her own father considered the notion of their courtship laughable, but she was thinking the same thing. Marcus was not the sort to simper or fawn over anyone. “Will you call me your fair flower and recite verses extolling my beauty?”

  Marcus did not crack a smile. “If he dares harm Lara, he knows I will come after him and tear him limb from limb. Then I will go after Montvey.”

  Lara smiled. “I rather like the idea.”

  He ignored her. “It is no small thing to make an enemy of the Brayden clan. My cousin James is Earl of Exmoor. My cousin Tynan is a viscount now, but he will soon be Earl of Westcliff. My brother, Caleb, is the youngest field general ever to hold that rank. He’s also one of the most respected officers in the army. Need I go on? There are more Braydens than these men can handle, and I haven’t even mentioned the women in my family. They’re quite terrifying.”

  Lara’s father chuckled. “Indeed, I’ve met your aunt, Lady Miranda.”

  Marcus turned to Lara. “All jesting aside, if Dunning dares set a hand on you, I will kill him.”

  She swallowed hard. “Oh, when you put it that way…this might work.”

  Marcus nodded. “It will work. I’ll make my feelings for you known to Dunning.”

  “Just how deep will your feelings run for me?” Lara asked, herself a little lightheaded at the prospect. “On a scale ranging from mildly ardent to fiery ardent, how would you rate them?”

  He arched an eyebrow. “They’ve been burning in my heart from the moment I met you.”

  “Oh, Marcus. You’ll have to do better than that. I was an awkward, ungainly child and you paid me absolutely no attention.” It wasn’t quite true, but he’d certainly never looked upon her and thought, this is the girl I’m going to fall in love with and marry.

  “Fine, the burning in my heart arose when I saw you again just now.”

  She couldn’t help but laugh. “You make it sound like indigestion.”

  “Lara, for pity’s sake.” But he wasn’t really irritated, for he surprised her with a devastatingly appealing smile. At last! A full-out, real smile from this daunting man. “You’re not the one who has to believe it. I only need to convince Dunning. So, stop pestering me and go along with my plan. And by the way, you’d better be nice to me or he won’t believe any of it.”

  She cast him a speculative look. “Just how nice am I supposed to be?”

  Her father choked on his brandy. “Lara!”

  “It’s only a question, Papa. Shouldn’t we hammer down the details of this courtship before it begins?”

  “Don’t think too hard about it,” Marcus said. “It will come across as false if you do. Just follow my cues. Think of it as a dance. If I take a step, you take a step. On occasion, look at me worshipfully, as though I’m the most wonderful man you’ve ever met. A breathy sigh. An enraptured glance. But don’t overdo it.”

  “Fine. You’ll have to do the same for me.” She wasn’t certain it was a good idea, but she had no better suggestion. He needed to keep her close. How else was he to do it without simply blaring I’m coming to get you, Dunning.

  Still, courtship made her uncomfortable and not merely because of her broken betrothal. She hadn’t been in love with Wexley.

  However, she could easily lose her heart to Marcus.

  She cast a worried glance at her father.

  She dared not divulge the promise she’d already given Marcus. She had promised to marry him if all else failed. She couldn’t tell her father. He would realize she had slipped out of the house and already spoken Marcus this morning.

  She didn’t want anyone knowing she had been sneaking out. Marcus and her maid, Martha, knew. It could go no further.

  She looked up at this big, handsome man who overwhelmed her. “Can you love me? I mean, convincingly pretend?”

  Marcus wasn’t in love with her.

  He wasn’t even mildly interested in her.

  If anything, he looked too calm and in complete control of his feelings, almost yawning about the possibility of courting her. Indeed, this was not good. For him, this was merely a plan. For her, she did not know what this was, only that her heart was already at risk.

  “Lara, are you all right?” her father asked.

  She nodded. “I think so. I’m not averse to giving this scheme a try, but I’m worried Dunning will not fall for it. There’s an obvious flaw.”

  Marcus arched an eyebrow. “What flaw?”

  “It’s absurd to think anyone, least of all you, would seriously wish to court me.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re you…and I’m…”

  “An impertinent hellion?” He shook his head. “Let him think what he will. The uncertainty will buy me the time I need to investigate and find the proof to bring him down. Your father is safe for now. It’s Hugh I’m most worried about. We’ll need to have his conviction overturned before another of Montvey’s lackeys manages to carry out the sentence for this crime he did not commit.”

  Lara nodded. “I’ve been fighting to have it overturned. It’s hopeless until Dunning is removed as judge. But how?”

  “As I’ve mentioned, I have important connections. Hugh is a viscount. A peer of the realm. This should not be happening to him.”

  “It won’t be easy to uproot Dunning,” Lara warned.

  “Yes, it will. He’s destroyed affidavits. Tampered with evidence. Whatever petitions should have been sent over to the Privy Council or House of Lords were purposely thrown away. The blame falls squarely on Dunning’s shoulders. I’ll make certain everyone is made aware.”

  Her father’s eyes welled with tears. “I should have done more to help my son.”

  Lara immediately jumped to his defense. “How, Papa? You were purposely kept in disgrace and isolated to prevent you from reaching out to those who might have helped you. Marcus, thank you for all you’re doing. I’ll help in any way I can.”

  She turned to her father, wondering what he was thinking. For herself, she was elated to be doing something productive on behalf of her brother. But she was also scared of what might happen while thrown together with Marcus during this time.

  Dunning was dangerous.

  So was Marcus.

  For him, it was just a necessary ruse, a means to keep her close as he investigated.

  For her, it would be yet another precious thing to lose. Well, she’d lost everything already. Losing her heart to Marcus was a risk she’d simply have to accept.

  She turned to him. “Consider this the official start of…whatever this is.”

  “Courtship,” Marcus said simply.

  “Yes, well…” In truth, she would do anything to save her brother. Marcus obviously felt the same, for he’d made her promise to marry him if all hope was lost.

  She would go along with this pretense for as long as necessary.

  “It’s time you started keeping company with my family. My aunt, Lady Miranda Grayfell, will invite you to her home for supper tomorrow evening,” Marcus said, not bothering to smile. “You are going to accept.”

  She shook her head. “Dunning won’t allow it.”

  “He’ll allow this invitation.” He took her hand and kissed it lightly. “Put on your prettiest gown. I’ll see you tomorrow, Lara.”

  “They’re all two years out of fashion.”

  “It doesn’t matter. You’d look beautiful wearing a grain sack.” He kissed her hand, but her heart responded as though h
e’d kissed his way down her body. Hot, torrid kisses. Seems this was to be her response whenever Marcus touched her. She knew she had to acclimate herself to it, for this feeling wasn’t going away.

  Marcus seemed unaware of her turmoil, obviously feeling none of his own. He casually nodded to her father and strode out.

  Lara stared after him.

  Her father came to her side and gave her an affectionate hug. “It’s good to have Marcus home. He’s quite something, isn’t he?”

  She nodded. “Yes, Papa. I pray those villains won’t destroy him.”

  “Who, Marcus?” He gave her another hug. “He’ll eat those scoundrels alive.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  THE FIRST CALL Marcus made the following morning was to his Bow Street runner. The day proved crisp and blustery, the wind cold and biting despite the bright sunshine. The sky was a deep blue in contrast to the gray buildings he passed along Fleet Street.

  Gazing out of his carriage window, Marcus absently watched the people walking hurriedly to work. They stepped carefully, for a light coating of snow remained on the ground and hid slick patches of ice.

  Some ladies were already out shopping, no doubt preparing for the upcoming Christmas celebrations. Several hawkers were setting up their carts on the street corner and others were pushing their wheelbarrows up and down these busy streets in hope of selling their wares.

  His carriage turned down one of the quieter streets not far from the Inns of Court and halted in front of a nondescript building. Marcus stepped down and entered the cluttered office of the Bow Street runner he’d engaged only yesterday. “I want you to put more men onto the task, Mr. Barrow,” he said after they exchanged greetings and he took an offered seat.

  “As you wish, m’lord.” Homer Barrow was a portly, older gentleman with an affable disposition. He had a jowly face and a bulbous red nose, but his eyes were keen and little escaped his notice. He came off as a cheerful fellow, but Marcus knew from their prior dealings that he took his business quite seriously. He was highly intelligent and had keen instincts. He’d earned his reputation as the best, and had connections with those who operated within the underbelly of London.