Her Majesty’s Scoundrels

by Christy Carlyle

  Before he stepped inside, he stopped and turned back to her. “Why did you come tonight? Why now? Why not wait a little longer?”

  His question angered her. “How much longer would you have me wait to show my face again, Your Grace?”

  “Perhaps until your husband’s death wasn’t quite so vivid in Society’s memory.”

  “It has been fourteen months since Kendrick’s death. If the multitude of scandals that have happened in that time haven’t dulled Society’s memory, what makes you think another six months, or twelve months, or ten years would make any difference?”

  “Perhaps a little more time would have helped. But I think there is another reason. What is it?”

  Alyssa considered what she was about to say. What could be hurt by telling him? “Very well. If you must know. There are actually two reasons it’s important that I am accepted back into Society. The first is my daughter. Elizabeth. She will need to have her come-out in a few years, and I couldn’t force this upon her until I’d paved the way for her acceptance.”

  “And the second reason?”

  She hesitated. Not sure of what to say. Finally, she said aloud the plan she’d kept hidden inside. “It is my suspicion that someone in Society is responsible for my husband’s death. I intend to find out who that person is.”

  The surprise on the Duke of Townsend’s face was startling.

  “You cannot be serious.”

  She smiled. “Can’t I?”

  “Why would you be so foolish as to put yourself in danger?”

  “I did not kill my husband, and I refuse to allow my daughter to live with the scandal that Society has labeled her mother a murderer.”

  Alyssa stared at the Duke of Townsend and saw the shocked look on his face. “Now, please give me a moment alone before I must face the lions again.”

  He gave her a respectful nod of farewell, then turned away from her. She couldn’t allow him to leave before she asked the one question that nagged at her.

  “Your Grace? Why did you ask me to dance?”

  He hesitated for several long seconds. When he spoke, his words were like a punch to her stomach.

  “Because I owed your husband a debt. I now consider it paid in full,” he said. And he left her.

  The Duke of Townsend stared at the flickering flames in the fireplace. They were dying. The logs were almost ashes, and still he stared.

  He didn’t know how long it had been since he’d returned from the Billingsworth ball, but knew it had been a long while. And he still couldn’t get her out of his mind.

  Over and over he asked himself why he’d danced with her, but had yet to come up with a reason that was believable.

  At first he told himself it was because of that day in the schoolyard when her husband had defended him. He tried to convince himself he owed the late Earl of Lindleigh a debt, and wanted to repay it. Then he told himself it was because she’d been embroiled in a scandal very much like the scandal that could have destroyed his own family.

  But the truth of the matter was how alone and unprotected she’d looked standing at the top of the stairs. How brave she’d appeared standing before hundreds of the most influential members of Society. All of whom hated her as fiercely as they’d loved Lindleigh. He could see his daughter Winnifred braving those same lions if Ernesta’s crimes had become public and he prayed there would be someone to come to her aid.

  For some reason he couldn’t explain, he believed her when she said she hadn’t killed her husband. And even more frightening, he believed that she intended to find her husband’s murderer.

  Edward sat for several long minutes and drank the brandy in his glass. He knew he had no choice but to see the Countess of Lindleigh again. The queen had commanded him to do so. Even if associating with another female was the last thing he wanted to do in this lifetime.

  He’d had enough dealings with females he didn’t trust to last an eternity.

  Chapter Four

  “You have a guest, my lady.”

  “A guest?”

  “Yes, the Duke of Townsend.”

  Alyssa’s breath caught. She closed the book she’d been pretending to read and placed it on the table in front of her. “Show him in, Hawkins. And have tea served.”

  “Yes, my lady.”

  Her butler left the room and Alyssa tried to slow the pounding of her heart. She couldn’t imagine why His Grace was here. He’d made it plain enough last night that he hadn’t danced with her as a favor to her, but because of a debt he considered he owed her husband.

  If he considered that debt paid in full, why was he here? Unless he’d come to reiterate to her that he didn’t believe her when she’d told him the gossip was wrong and she’d had nothing to do with her husband’s death. That he didn’t believe that she intended to search for Kendrick’s killer. Or, unless he was here to warn her to cease her attempts to be accepted back into Society’s good graces because that would never happen.

  She clenched her hands into tight fists, then stood when she heard his footsteps near the room.

  “The Duke of Townsend, my lady.”

  She curtsied politely. “Your Grace.”

  “Lady Lindleigh.”

  The Duke of Townsend greeted her without a hint that his visit was anything but a polite social call.

  “Please, won’t you have a seat?”

  “Thank you, my lady.”

  His Grace neared the chair opposite her, and Alyssa noticed several distinguishing characteristics about him that she’d missed the night before. Most notably his thick, dark hair. There were hints of gray at his temples, but the coloring only made his appearance more distinguished.

  She hadn’t underestimated his height, nor the breadth of his shoulders. If anything, his powerful physique was even more impressive in the daylight.

  He was a handsome man, but that had been obvious the few times she’d been in his presence. Which hadn’t occurred all that often.

  Alyssa hated to admit it, but in the past she’d had a tendency to feign illness, or make her excuses because of a prior commitment when she and Kendrick were invited to private dinners where the Duke and Duchess of Townsend would also be in attendance.

  Alyssa didn’t enjoy being around the duchess. In fact, she would use any excuse at her disposal to avoid such occasions. Any excuse was better than being forced to pretend acceptance of a woman who seemed to take great pleasure in destroying anyone she didn’t deem her equal. And Alyssa was sure the Duchess of Townsend considered very few her equal.

  Alyssa quickly studied the Duke of Townsend and wondered how anyone who seemed to possess so many admirable qualities could have married a woman who lacked any commendable traits, as well as any compassionate qualities.

  Hawkins brought in a tea tray, and Alyssa poured. “How do you take your tea, Your Grace?”

  “With milk, my lady.”

  Alyssa prepared his tea as indicated, then handed him the cup and saucer, along with a plate of pastries. She took her tea without milk or sugar, and they discussed such mundane topics as the weather and the abundance of rain so far this year.

  When His Grace finished his pastries and tea, Alyssa refilled his cup, then sat back in her chair. She knew he’d get to the point of his visit soon.

  “I’m certain this isn’t a social call, Your Grace. Since the rumors surrounding my husband’s death circulated through Society, I haven’t received any such calls.”

  His expression turned more serious. “Society can be quite unforgiving at times.”

  “So, why have you come? After our conversation last night, it is apparent that you are of the same opinion as the rest of the ton.”

  “My comments are partially the reason I’m here today. I would like to apologize for having drawn the conclusions I did without knowing the facts.”

  “Are you saying that you believe I had nothing to do with Kendrick’s death?”

  “I am saying that I would like to hear the facts surrounding Lord Lind
leigh’s death from you.”

  Alyssa felt the first rush of hopefulness. The Duke of Townsend was the first person to show interest in the facts surrounding that night. The first person who was willing to keep an open mind about what happened until he knew the details. The first person who might…who might believe her.

  But could she trust him?

  Alyssa placed her saucer on the table in front of her and rose. She walked to the window on the other side of the room and looked out onto the garden below.

  She still had no idea where Kendrick had been that night. Innocent jaunt, illicit tryst, or clandestine meeting, she hadn’t a clue. If the answer to her quandary sullied Kendrick’s good name, she’d never forgive herself.

  Alyssa slowly turned to face him. He’d risen from his chair and stood in the center of the room. He shouldn’t have seemed to consume as much of the room as he did, or seemed as close to her as he did. The room was large, and he was half the length of the room away from her. And yet, she felt that if she reached out her hand she could touch him.

  His nearness made it more difficult to stand up to him.

  “Everything happened exactly as I told the authorities. It was late when Kendrick came home. I’d already gone to my rooms. I heard him climb the stairs. He was agitated, worried because he was certain that someone had followed him home. He said he would deal with it, but it was clear he wanted me shielded from what he thought might happen.

  “He ushered me to our daughter Elizabeth’s room and insisted I stay there until he came for me. I heard him go back to the stairs. Next I heard him shout at someone to leave. Then I heard the commotion.”

  “Did you recognize anything the intruders said?” His Grace asked.

  Alyssa shook her head. “It sounded like the intruders climbed the stairs. Kendrick fought them, then…” Alyssa paused and swallowed past the lump in her throat. “Then, everything was quiet. Too quiet.

  “I left Elizabeth’s room and made my way to the stairs. At first I didn’t see anything. Then I…then I saw Kendrick. He’d fallen…or been pushed, over the balustrade onto the marble floor below. I knew before I reached him that he was dead.”

  Alyssa closed her eyes as everything from that night played out in her mind. The anxiousness in Kendrick’s voice, the urgency in his words when he ordered her to stay with Elizabeth until he came for her.

  She shook her head to bring her thoughts back to the present. When she opened her eyes, the Duke of Townsend stood before her, his fingers clasped around her upper arms. He held her steady, and for the first time since Kendrick had died, Alyssa felt safe.

  “Thank you, Your Grace,” she answered. Her voice was thick. She was shocked by her reaction to his nearness. To his touch.

  She struggled with a flurry of uncomfortable emotions she didn’t want to have to deal with. Not now. Not yet. Not ever.

  As if the duke realized her discomfort, he dropped his hands to his sides and stepped back from her.

  “Please, sit down,” he suggested, then encouraged her to return to the chair where she’d sat before.

  When she was settled, he sat in the chair facing her. He gave her a few moments to control her emotions, then asked his first question.

  “How much did you know about your husband’s business activities?”

  Alyssa smiled. “Very little. He was of the same mindset as most of Society.”

  His Grace’s eyebrows lifted. “Which is?”

  “That no female is capable of understanding the business side of anything, or could possibly be interested in any business ventures her husband entertained.”

  “Then perhaps I should rephrase that question. Other than business, what interests did your husband have?”

  “Kendrick was quite interested in helping several charities. He gave quite generously to the homes for wounded soldiers who returned from the war. He also funded numerous orphanages in London. He was specifically interested in starting a new home for children on the east side of London.”

  “Do you know where?”

  “Not exactly, but he’d spoken about it more than once. He’d mentioned that he was in the process of purchasing a building that would work remarkably well as a home for children.”

  “Do you know the location of that building?”

  “No, but it’s possible the address would be in his papers. Would you like to look at them?”

  “Yes, if you don’t mind?”

  “Not at all.”

  Alyssa rose from her chair and led the way to her husband’s study. When they entered, she pulled the drapery behind Kendrick’s desk to allow sunlight to brighten the room.

  “Everything is as Kendrick left it. I’ve had no need to move anything.” She looked at His Grace, then pointed to the chair behind the desk. “Please. Make yourself comfortable, Your Grace.”

  The Duke of Townsend sat behind the desk and began by looking at the papers on the top of the desk. When he’d finished those, he opened one drawer after another and perused the papers in each drawer.

  Alyssa sat in one of the large wing chairs in front of the desk and watched His Grace read the papers, then set them aside when he finished.

  “Have you found something?” she said when he read the paper in his hand a second time.

  “I may have.” He lifted his gaze to hers. “Did Lord Lindleigh ever mention interest in a property on Conner Street?”

  Alyssa shook her head. “No, I don’t remember Kendrick mentioning a particular property on Conner Street.”

  His Grace gathered the papers. “Perhaps it isn’t significant, but would you mind if I took these with me?” he said holding up the papers.

  “Of course not,” Alyssa answered, then rose to her feet. It was obvious His Grace was ready to leave. He walked around the corner of the desk and met her in the center of the room. He held out his hand to bid her farewell and Alyssa placed her hand in his.

  She didn’t anticipate the rush of emotions that stirred inside her. She didn’t expect to feel the intensity of his hold, but it was impossible to deny the force of the swirling in the pit of her stomach. Her flesh heated where their hands touched until she thought she might be on fire.

  She pulled her hand from his. She wasn’t ready for this. She couldn’t allow herself to fall into this trap. She wasn’t yet cleared of Kendrick’s murder. The last thing she wanted was to embroil the Duke of Townsend in her scandal.

  She turned, then made her way to the door. She heard his heavy footsteps behind her and knew he followed her. Hawkins held the door open for him to leave and he stepped to the threshold.

  “Do you have plans for this evening?” he asked.

  Alyssa hesitated. “I haven’t yet decided.”

  “I don’t mean to be forward, my lady. I’m only asking so that I may be of some assistance if you have need.”

  “I won’t have need of your help, Your Grace. This is something I must do on my own.”

  The expression on his face turned hard and the look in his eyes indicated his impatience. “We all need help at one time or another, my lady. I will repeat my question and I expect an answer. Do you have plans for this evening? If so, what event will you be attending?”

  Alyssa lowered her gaze, then brought it up to meet his. “I’ll be attending the Countess of Plinkton’s ball.”

  The Duke of Townsend gave her a polite bow, then took his leave.

  Alyssa watched him make his way to his carriage, then returned to the study and sank down into the chair she’d recently left.

  She could still see him sitting behind the desk and a knot formed in the pit of her stomach. She didn’t want to have the feelings that stirred inside her. She didn’t ever want to feel like that again.

  The risk was too great. The loss was too painful to endure.

  Chapter Five

  Alyssa stood at the top of the stairs overlooking the Plinkton ball and looked down at the hostile glares staring up at her. One by one, couples in attendance gave her their backs
. Alyssa knew it was going to happen. She was prepared to see it, but that didn’t make it any easier to live through.

  Yet, what choice did she have. Especially if she wanted to make a place for Elizabeth. More importantly, if she wanted to prove that she wasn’t guilty of her husband’s death.

  She let her gaze take in the crush at the Plinkton ball, then slowly descended the stairs. Lady Plinkton wasn’t there to greet her, but Alyssa didn’t expect her to be.

  The orchestra was playing and at least tonight they didn’t stop their tune when she arrived. Alyssa thought that was a good sign. An indication of progress.

  Alyssa would have loved to have hidden behind one of the huge potted plants decorating the ballroom, but that wouldn’t have shown Society that she didn’t fear them. That she was more determined than they gave her credit for being.

  The Duke of Townsend stood on the opposite side of the ballroom. She knew he’d be here. Knew he wouldn’t let her go through this alone, but she couldn’t allow him to come to her rescue yet. She had to let Society know that she intended to face them on her own, without the help of one of the most powerful men in England.

  His Grace kept his eyes focused on her, then shifted as if he intended to approach her. Alyssa locked her gaze with his and gave a slight shake of her head. He understood her meaning and turned back and continued his conversation.

  Alyssa walked through the ballroom, keeping mainly to the sides where few people were gathered. When she had no choice but to walk near a group of couples conversing privately, she paid no attention to them when they gave her their backs, but continued as if she hadn’t noticed their slight.

  She’d made a complete round of the ballroom and stopped at a refreshment table in a small alcove. She’d endured as much as she could for the moment. She needed a place where she could be by herself for a while, a secluded corner where she could compose herself so she could brave the cruel comments she knew were yet to come.