Rupert’s mind was racing ahead of him as his gut turned to a heavy weight and ice crept into his veins. Why would he go to so much trouble to marry her and then kill her?
It made no sense. Unless he had another bride in mind…
He’d stopped paying attention to the conversation but Everley’s next words brought him back with a jolt.
“Do not worry about the details. The land will be mine as soon as I’m wed and now that I’ve been granted special license, I plan to get the deed done first thing in the morrow.”
The sailor let out a cackle. “Then my best wishes to you, sir.”
He planned to wed her tomorrow? Terror plagued him. If this man’s plans included a wedding in the morning, he must have eyes on her. Did he know she was not at her home?
When he turned to face Tolston, the other man’s face was set and determined as he jerked a head toward the door. Go. Protect your woman, his stern gaze seemed to say.
Rupert was just about to leap into action when the sailor spoke again. “You’re marrying tomorrow and yet you’re here with me. Ain’t your bride-to-be waiting on you, my lord?”
Everley’s smile was cold. “Do not fret about my bride. She is in good hands. As we speak, my partner is ensuring that she will be ready, willing, and able to marry me at first light.”
My partner.
The words somehow felt more ominous than anything else Everley had said this night. Tolston had frozen as well and the other men were exchanging glances that held one question.
Who is Everley’s partner?
Since when did he work with an accomplice? If he was telling the truth—and he had no reason not to be—then that meant they’d underestimated him. They hadn’t properly planned. That meant he’d…
His heart plummeted into his stomach.
He’d left Delilah vulnerable.
He had to get to her. His mind was already working out the fastest way out of this warehouse without alerting Everley and his men to his presence. He could be out of here and back to the School of Charm before this partner had a chance to nab her.
“If your bride has any sense, she’ll have run for the hills by now,” the sailor said with another chuckle.
“If my bride had any sense, she’d have fled her own home years ago,” Everley answered, his voice so mild. So uncaring. He was talking about Delilah like she was some stranger, someone of no worth or merit.
It made him want to shove a hand through the man’s chest and rip out his cold, useless heart.
Rupert wanted to end her miserable father’s existence while he was at it. He’d never thought well of the old man, not even as a child, and any respect he might have had for him died a quick death when the man promised his beautiful, surprisingly sweet, incredibly strong, and utterly vulnerable only daughter to this vile man.
But now, what Everley was suggesting…
Her father could not have known that Everley intended to kill her…could he?
“You’re awfully sure of your partner,” the sailor said.
“As well I should be,” Everley said. “She is highly competent.”
His head whipped to the side to meet Tolston’s hard glare.
She.
Everley had said…she.
And just like that it clicked. The only person it could be. The one woman who’d been there all along, negotiating Delilah’s wedding and the dowry that would come with it.
The woman who’d sent Delilah off on her own in a carriage bound for her ruin.
Tolston edged toward the warehouse doors at the same time he did, and when they met outside, there was no debate about what next to do.
They had to protect their women.
Lord Tumberland met them as well. “What about Everley?” he asked.
Rupert shook his head. “If our men don’t grab him tonight, we’ll chase him down eventually.”
Tolston added, “Between the shipment we saw tonight and what we heard, we have more than enough to prove that he’s a criminal. But for right now…”
Rupert was already ahead of them, his blood pounding in his ears as panic and determination and a million emotions he never knew he could experience took over.
“You go to the school,” he said to Tolston and Tumberland. “Make sure the ladies are safe.”
“Where will you go?”
“Her family home,” he said. “Just in case Everley is right and Delilah has been caught.”
Tolston froze. “You think this partner he spoke of lives at her home?”
Rupert’s jaw clenched in anger. “I know it.”
Everything in him ached to head straight to the school.
She’d be at the school. She had to be. He was just being overly cautious by keeping an eye on her stepmother.
He’d make sure the stepmother was not a threat, and then he’d go to her. He’d seek her out at the school, and when he found her there safe and sound…
Well, then he wouldn’t let her out of his arms until she promised to marry him.
Chapter Fifteen
Delilah stared at the man lying unconscious on the ground before her, her mouth bone dry with horror. “Is he…” She tried to swallow. “Is he dead?”
“Hmm?” Her stepmother looked up from the letter she was reading as that blasted clock ticked away the hour. Her gaze fell on Delilah’s guard who’d been unceremoniously attacked and felled the moment they’d entered the house.
The baroness sniffed. “Really, Delilah. I never took you to be so morbid. Of course he is not dead.”
Delilah continued to stare at the man’s back, hoping to see some movement that would indicate breathing. She was not convinced her stepmother was correct.
“I never thought you to be one for dramatics either.” Her stepmother huffed as she set the letter down. “But first sneaking around your fiancé’s private study and then rushing off with your knight in shining armor like some sort of slattern.” She made a tsking noise as Delilah’s jaw fell.
Her mind was still struggling to catch up but she could not quite reconcile this new turn of events. It did not help that, aside from her guard’s attack, her visit to her family home felt absurdly…normal. The drawing room was still filled with that cloying scent, the servants still cowered in silence and ignored what was going on around them.
That blasted clock still ticked too loudly in the otherwise too-quiet room.
And yet…
She stared down at the man who’d been told to keep her safe.
He still had not moved.
“My father,” she started slowly, feeling like an absolute imbecile for having to ask. “His health…”
“Is the same as ever.” Her stepmother’s normally cool voice was laced with irritation. “Stubborn man. The old goat refuses to die.” Her mother’s sudden smile caught her off guard and she blinked. “But that’s all right. It’s for the best that he hung on this long. Just long enough for you to marry the man of my choosing.”
Delilah blinked again. “Your choosing?”
Her stepmother let out a short humorless laugh. “Delilah, dear. Your father has barely been alive, let alone awake, for two years now. You did not think that he had a hand in your betrothal, now did you?”
Delilah’s mouth opened but no sound came out.
“I’ve been handling all the decisions around here for a long time now.” Her eyes were hard when they landed on Delilah. “I’ve been running this household, raising his spoiled brat of a daughter, ensuring sure his properties are making money as his mind failed him. I’ve been doing it all…and for what?” She leaned forward. “Do you have any idea what your father left me in his will?”
Delilah swallowed and shook her head.
“Nothing,” her stepmother hissed. “A paltry allowance, barely fit for a pauper. Whatever was not entailed all goes to you and your precious dowry.” She sneered those last words, years of disdain finally breaking through that icy façade. “The land by the sea, the money…it’s all wrapped u
p in your dowry, you ungrateful little cur.”
Fear was stealing over her, finally…belatedly. She should have been terrified the moment she’d entered and realized that there was no doctor here, and then she should have screamed in horror when her stepmother’s footman and carriage driver took her guard down from behind.
She ought to have been fearful from the start, but she hadn’t because…this was home. And her stepmother had been as placid and cool as ever. They’d sat together in silence like they’d done a hundred times before as they waited for the carriage to be brought ‘round to take them to a soiree or a ball.
But now…
Now her stepmother’s words were beginning to register and understanding dawned. Her stepmother had formed an alliance with Everley. She’d been behind this from the start.
Running off with your knight in shining armor. She knew about the carriage accident and, what was more…she knew about Rupert.
That was what finally had terror setting in. Too late, perhaps, but at least she could say the fear was on behalf of another.
For an ungrateful, spoiled brat she supposed that was something to brag about. She probably ought to be worried about her own safety, but all she could think about was Rupert.
Was he safe? Had he found Everley?
Would he finally get his revenge?
Her gaze settled once more on the stranger who lay at her feet, seemingly forgotten by her stepmother.
Just so long as Rupert was safe. That was what mattered.
As for her…
She took a deep breath and lifted her head. Years of practice had her sliding into the role she’d adopted a lifetime ago. Leaning back in her seat, she squared her shoulders and feigned a bored apathy. “What do you plan to do with me now?”
“You’ll marry Everley, of course,” her stepmother said. “As planned.”
She too seemed to have caught herself and settled once more back into the role she’d perfected. Cool, calm, unperturbed, and unfeeling.
“How will that benefit you?” Delilah asked. “If I become Everley’s wife and he obtains the dowry…” Her voice trailed off as ice stole through her veins.
Delilah knew. Of course she figured it out. She was spoiled, perhaps, but not stupid.
Her stepmother gave her a small smile and Delilah caught a flash of triumphant cruelty in those beautiful blue eyes. “You will not be his wife for long.”
“He will murder me,” Delilah whispered. Her stepmother did not confirm the matter, but she did not need to. “He will end me and you will take my place.”
“Once your father finally dies, yes,” she said. Her eyes were starting to glow with pleasure. “And then all that ought have been mine, will be.”
It was clear that her stepmother was glad to be telling her this. Despite her calm, Delilah sensed a shift in her stepmother. A new energy.
Elation, perhaps. Triumph, definitely.
She’d won, and she knew it.
Meanwhile, Delilah hadn’t even known they’d been at war.
How odd.
The clock ticked the seconds, and Delilah shivered despite herself at the ominous sound. It was a monotonous countdown to the final moments of her life. And then it clicked. Her slow, shock-addled brain made the connection at last. “You were behind the carriage incident.”
Her stepmother smiled as though Delilah were a dull student who’d finally gotten the right answer. “Yes, that was me. Well, that was me and Everley.” Her smile turned affectionate. “He and I make for a wonderful partnership. At long last I’ve found someone who respects my intellect and understands my worth.”
Delilah nearly choked on bile at the thought of her stepmother and Everley plotting her murder together as some sort of romantic interlude.
Her stepmother’s smile faded. “But again with the melodrama. You would not have been killed.” Her lips curved in a momentary sneer. “I would not have cried if you were, but it was not part of the plan.”
Delilah forced herself to refrain from reacting.
“No,” her stepmother said with a weary sigh. “We could not have you die before Everley got your dowry, otherwise all that money and the land Everley needs would end up being passed along to your father’s heir.” She leaned forward. “Even if you’d died, I would still not get what I deserved.” She narrowed her eyes. “Your father never knew what he had in me. He married me and then treated me like I was the hired help. I was your nursemaid and then his.” She trailed off with a sound of disgust.
“If you did not intend to kill me…” Delilah started.
“Well, we could not have you prodding about and stirring up trouble, now could we?” The baroness made it sound so normal. So reasonable. Like they were discussing what dessert to serve at their next soiree. “They would not have killed you, dear.” Her lips curved up slowly. “Though they might have ruined you.”
Delilah fought a shiver at the sheer delight in her stepmother’s eyes.
She’d never fooled herself into thinking her stepmother loved her. She’d never even believed she liked her.
But she’d had no idea the baroness hated her.
“I’ll admit, it would have been a treat to watch the spoiled, perfect daughter be ruined in society…” She sighed regretfully before leaning forward eagerly. “But perhaps you were?” Her eyes lit with an eager glow. “We never did find out who saved you that day, only that he looked like a ruffian.” She clasped her hands together gleefully. “Your precious Miss Grayson might have lied on your behalf but my spies told me you never returned to the school that night. So tell me, princess…” She sneered the nickname that her father had given her as a child. “Did my dreams come true? Did the precious princess finally suffer?”
Finally? Finally? She swallowed down a wave of rage that felt blessedly good after being so frozen in fear. Did this woman truly think she’d never suffered?
She’d spent a lifetime in a household that held no love, and yet her stepmother believed that she’d gone through life without hardship?
She might have been spoiled with material goods, but she’d have given all of that up for a kind word from her stepmother. For a hint of attention or affection from her father.
She shoved the bitter thoughts aside and focused on what mattered.
Rupert.
She might have been caught by her stepmother, and she held little hope of escaping with her stepmother’s men on the prowl. But Rupert was out there, and he would stop Everley, and more than that…
Her stepmother did not know who he was.
He was not in imminent danger so long as he stayed at the docks and dealt with Everley.
Her spine stiffened as she faced down her stepmother as she had a million times before. Delilah could handle the baroness, just so long as Rupert was safe.
Her stepmother was waiting for an answer. “I hate to disappoint you, but the man who rescued me proved to be a gentleman at heart. Far more of a gentleman than the man you’ll be marrying upon my demise.”
She said it sweetly, serenely. For once her sharp tongue and haughty manners served her well.
Delilah caught a flare of fury before her stepmother could cover it.
Had she always been this angry behind that cool façade?
Had she always been so…insane?
She suspected yes. Although, perhaps this was the result of years’ worth of mistreatment at the hands of her father. She, too, had been ignored and undervalued.
Even so, Delilah couldn’t quite summon up any pity, what with her life being threatened and all.
“You have no idea what sort of man Everley is,” her stepmother said once she’d regained her composure. “He is a true nobleman—he takes what he wants, and he uses his power to help those he loves.”
The way her eyes shone made it clear that she believed he loved her.
Delilah leaned forward. “Tell me, my lady, has it ever occurred to you that your precious Lord Everley might just be using you to get to me?”
<
br /> Her stepmother blinked and then that cold façade slipped so fast Delilah stiffened in shock. She didn’t move away quickly enough though, and her stepmother’s instant fury came out with a swift slap to her cheek that left her head reeling. The side of her face throbbed but even so, a stab of satisfaction had her grinning.
“How do you know he will keep his promise and marry you?” she continued as if she hadn’t been interrupted with a slap. This time she moved back, out of her stepmother’s reach. “How do you know he will not leave you even more desperate and alone than you already are?”
Her stepmother’s face turned a motley red as she lunged out of her settee—the composed baroness nowhere to be seen as he reared toward her. “You ungrateful little—”
Her words were cut off with a screech and Delilah lowered the hands she’d held up in defense as she watched her stepmother be unceremoniously picked up of her feet, her arms and legs swinging wildly as she shrieked.
“That’s enough of that,” Rupert said mildly.
Delilah’s jaw went slack and her eyes grew wide at the sight of Rupert towering over her, her stepmother dangling from beneath one arm like she weighed nothing at all.
His furrowed brow and darkened eyes were filled with a devastating fury. “Are you all right?”
She nodded quickly. “Y-yes.”
His gaze fell to her cheek and his eyes narrowed. He seemed oblivious to the shrieking going on just beneath his arm as her stepmother cried for help.
“I wouldn’t bother,” Rupert responded. “Your men have been dealt with.”
Delilah let out a sigh of relief and pointed to her guard. “Your man, is he…?”
With one foot, Rupert rolled him over and the man groaned. “He will live.”
“And you?” she asked, her voice high and uncertain. “What happened with Everley? Why are you here? How did you know?” The questions came tumbling out.
He gave her a small smile filled with affection. “I will tell you all just as soon as you are home and safe.”
She nodded. Home. Her mind called up an image of his parlor, of his arms wrapped around her. Her breath caught in her throat. That was her home…
The School of Charm: Books 1-5 Page 39