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Jo Beverley - [Malloren 01]

Page 36

by My Lady Notorious


  Would he shoot Rothgar?

  Brand?

  Fort?

  Herself?

  With a cackle of insane amusement, Walgrave backed toward the door. “Don’t try to stop me!”

  “You may leave,” said Rothgar calmly. “Just remember my conditions. Unlike Vernham, I will lose nothing by making this paper public.”

  “Public,” Walgrave crowed. “Yes, public . . .” He opened the door and ran cumbersomely into the hall.

  Cyn leaped to his feet. “He’s mad. He’ll hurt someone.” He ran after him.

  Chastity struggled up too, hampered by skirts and domino, and followed with all the others.

  She heard Walgrave howling something about treason and Rothgar. He was trying to incriminate Rothgar . . .

  She dashed into the marble hall to see her father waving his pistol and ranting about traitors and fornicators like a mad preacher. Guests cowered behind chairs and pedestals. Chastity saw Fort enter the far side of the hall and move swiftly to control the earl.

  It happened so quickly.

  The earl’s demented eyes focused on someone in the gaming room. “You . . . !” he snarled. “You! The author of all my woes . . . !”

  Fort whipped out a pistol. “Father, no!”

  The earl aimed.

  Fort shot him.

  The earl’s arm jerked, and his own ball ricocheted harmlessly off a marble pillar. He crumbled in an ungainly heap. Chastity had the peculiar thought that he would hate to be seen in such an undignified position.

  She ran forward, but her father was quite dead. Shot through the heart. She looked up and saw Princess Augusta sprawled inelegantly unconscious in her chair, cards spilled from her hands. She had been the target and had fainted from terror.

  Chastity looked up at Fort, where he stood white and frozen, staring at what he had done. Then Verity and Nathaniel were at his side.

  Excited chatter, shot through with weeping, built all around them. Cyn pulled Chastity into his arms and away from the body.

  Brand and Rothgar’s pistols had disappeared from view. Rothgar moved smoothly to calm alarmed guests, but Chastity noted that he did nothing to prevent people from gathering in the hall. Elf appeared and ran forward to tend to the princess, untying Augusta’s mask and applying smelling salts.

  Word immediately spread as to who the mysterious lady was, exciting the gentry rather more than the corpse.

  Rothgar passed by and quietly instructed Cyn to take Chastity away from the center of the action. They accordingly moved back through the crowd. What now? How many of those events had been part of the clockmaker’s design? Surely even Rothgar would not have planned for a son to shoot his father.

  Would he?

  She looked over, but Fort had disappeared from view.

  “Cyn,” she said, “I must go to Fort. He must feel so terrible.”

  But Cyn grasped her arm. “Not yet. Verity is with him.” He edged them around the back of the crowd to a place where they could see and hear what went on in the card room.

  Augusta had regained her senses and was being tenderly assisted to a chaise. Rothgar bowed solicitously over her, assuring himself of her health.

  The princess pressed a cool cloth to her head. “That man. Walgrave,” she said in her German-accented English. “I have never liked him. He was a bad influence on my darling Frederick.”

  “I fear he went mad, your highness,” said Rothgar.

  Augusta moved the cloth slightly, clearly coming to terms with the situation. “He was shouting about treason. I think he accused you of treason, my lord marquess.”

  “Said you’d been a Jacobite in the ’45,” said Lady Fanshaw. “Man was crazed. You couldn’t have been out of the schoolroom in that year.”

  “True,” said the princess. “And you are so loyal, you Mallorens.” Chastity saw the flick of Augusta’s eyes toward Lord Bute, who had tactfully moved away. It would not be desirable for the rather conventional gentry to realize the mother of the king had come to this affair without attendants other than the man reputed to be her lover.

  “Completely loyal,” said Rothgar, pouring her some wine. “I cannot tell you how distressed I am to have had this happen while you were a guest in my house, your highness. We must find your lady-in-waiting.” He looked around. “Where is Lady Trelyn?”

  Nerissa Trelyn was a lady-in-waiting, but Chastity knew she hadn’t come with Princess Augusta tonight. The suggestion, however, neatly conveyed the impression of propriety. But how would Rothgar make the Trelyns dance to his tune?

  The princess relaxed and sipped her wine. “I’m sure this fiasco was none of your fault, my lord. I wonder what turned the poor earl’s wits.”

  “I fear he was consumed with remorse, your highness.”

  “Remorse?”

  “Yes, your highness. You see, at this affair he met the scoundrel who brought about his daughter’s disgrace earlier in the year. He discovered, since the man was in his cups, that his poor child was innocent of all wrongdoing.”

  “You speak of Chastity Ware?” asked Augusta in amazed disbelief.

  “Indeed. It appears that Henry Vernham obtained the key to the lady’s room and slipped into her bed. He knew from family gossip that she is an extraordinarily heavy sleeper. He deliberately shamed Lady Chastity in order to gain her hand, and her large dowry.”

  “The scoundrel,” muttered someone in the crowd. “Horsewhip the wretch.”

  “I fear,” said Rothgar, “that is impossible. The earl’s anguish was so great, he shot the man.”

  There was a distinct murmur of approval.

  The princess was a little skeptical. “It is a strange story, my lord.”

  “Extremely strange,” agreed Rothgar, “but the earl insisted on recording one crucial aspect of the truth.”

  The princess took the paper Rothgar gave her and read it. “Extraordinary,” she remarked. “This does make it clear that poor Lady Chastity was more virtuous than it appeared. Perhaps her name suits her rather better than we had supposed.”

  “And I would like to add my word,” came a voice. Nerissa Trelyn walked forward. Chastity noted that though he faded away, Bryght appeared to have been with her, and for once he looked amused.

  Nerissa was composed, but she was as pale as her pristine gown. She curtsied low to the princess. “I apologize for being from your side when this dreadful event occurred, your highness.”

  Augusta could play a part, too. She waved a hand. “I gave you permission to absent yourself. But what word do you have to add, Lady Trelyn? Were you not one of those who reported Lady Chastity’s shame?”

  “Indeed, your highness,” said Nerissa demurely, “which makes it all the more important that I now right the wrong. Lord Trelyn and I—” The beauty directed her doe-like eyes at her doting husband, and he hurried forward to stand at her side. “—we hesitated to support the story, for we knew Lady Chastity a little and thought her to be virtuous. We felt that at the worst she had been guilty of an indiscretion. It was only when she appeared unrepentant that we were obliged to speak.”

  “And now you know better?” asked Augusta.

  “Indeed.” Nerissa was the picture of a beautiful, virtuous woman. “After your highness so kindly permitted me to dance with my husband, I was taken faint by the heat and perfumes in the ballroom.” She lowered her head coyly. “Your highness will understand. I am in an interesting condition . . .”

  “Ah,” said Augusta. “Of course.”

  Trelyn preened with pride.

  “I went into the cool of the conservatory. While I was there, people entered the small saloon off the conservatory, leaving me no way to depart other than by going outside. I could not risk a chill. I heard all that took place. Mr. Vernham confessed his wicked plot, and that he did not . . . did not sully Lady Chastity. The earl was distraught to think that he had so misjudged his daughter, as am I.”

  Augusta was no fool, and Chastity could see that she smelled a rat in al
l this, but she had nothing to gain by opposing it, and risked scandal if her presence here with Lord Bute were revealed.

  “A sad case,” she said. “I wonder what became of the unfortunate girl. Perhaps she can be found and we can do something to restore her good name. A respectable marriage would be in order.”

  Rothgar’s eyes found Chastity. She stood frozen to the spot, hating the thought of baring herself before this crowd, who were standing around as if watching a play.

  But Cyn’s hand firmly pushed her forward. Heart pounding, she walked shakily over to Rothgar. “This is she, your highness. May I present Lady Chastity Ware?”

  It was the telling moment, for presentation to royalty was the sine qua non of respectability.

  Augusta stared at Chastity for a long moment. Then she smiled, if a little thinly, and held out her hand. Chastity sank into a deep curtsy to kiss it.

  “You appear to have been hard done to, my dear,” said the princess. “Do you swear now before witnesses that you are pure?”

  Chastity rose, knowing her face had flamed. She prayed it be taken for embarrassment and sought words of truth. “I vow before heaven that I was a virgin when Henry Vernham sneaked into my bed, your highness, and that I did not invite him there. Thanks to Divine Providence he did not have opportunity to despoil me before I was rescued.” She turned to Nerissa Trelyn. “You cannot know how grateful I was that you came at that time, my lady. I do understand how hard it must have been to believe me virtuous.”

  Nerissa managed to squeeze real tears from her big eyes, and embraced Chastity in a cloud of familiar rose perfume. “You poor dear innocent!” She turned to Augusta and knelt theatrically. “Your highness. We must do all in our power to correct this wrong, or my conscience will never be at ease.”

  “Of course we must,” said the princess, though with a jaundiced air. She considered, then said, “This event has been a sad shock to my nerves. I will rest here a few days, Lord Rothgar, if that is possible.”

  “Rothgar Abbey will be honored, your highness.”

  “And as Lady Trelyn is in a delicate condition, I will need additional ladies-in-waiting. Perhaps Lady Chastity and Lady Elfled will fill those posts pro-tem.”

  Both ladies curtsied deeply. “It will be a great honor, your highness,” said Elf.

  “Information about this revelation must be sent to the news-sheets which have delighted in spreading the scurrilous falsehoods.” Augusta looked at Chastity and her eyes did seem to soften. “Lady Chastity, I’m sure your experiences have been shocking, but a marriage would be wise, especially one that would keep you away from London for some time.”

  Chastity wished she knew her lines in this play. She curtsied again. “I am willing to be guided by you, your highness.” She saw Augusta’s brows rise and realized her rings were visible. Oh, Lord.

  Rothgar stepped forward. “I believe my brother, Captain Lord Cynric Malloren, would be willing to marry Lady Chastity. He has served the country well in the army, and is, I think, now interested in doing so in the administration of the Canadas.”

  “The Canadas,” said Augusta dryly as Cyn came forward. “An excellent notion, and so very convenient, my lords. It could almost have been planned.”

  Chastity wanted the earth to swallow her. Cyn took her hand and squeezed it.

  “As the lady is recently bereaved,” said Augusta, “it would be as well to have the marriage performed privately and soon. I assume that too presents no problem.”

  “It will be as you command,” said Rothgar, admirably straight-faced. A sparkling look flashed between him and Augusta.

  The princess’ lips twitched with genuine humor. “Rogue,” she said reprovingly. “I suppose you intend that I crown all this by standing witness to the match. Why not? I’m sure my son can be brought to attend too.”

  Chastity stared at the princess in shock. The king as well. Rothgar lost not one whit of his calm. “Your highness is, as always, supremely gracious.”

  “Indeed,” said Augusta. “You will remember that, my lord. Now, after such drama, I require a room in which to rest.”

  She sailed toward the door but halted near the cloak-shrouded body, eyes fixed on a distant point. The corpse was hastily dragged out of the way and a small carpet flung on top to cover the blood. The queen then continued, Elf and Chastity in her wake.

  “Good,” said Lady Fanshaw. “Now can we get on with the damn game?”

  Later, much later, the Mallorens, Frazers, and Wares gathered to celebrate and wonder. Except Fort. Fort—silent and deeply anguished—was with his father’s body.

  “My lord,” demanded Chastity of Rothgar, “how much of that was planned?”

  He smiled slightly. “Shall I claim all of it, and supernatural powers to boot? No, but the secret of genius is to be ready to grasp opportunity. I confess I hoped to push your father into more damning admissions, but then I did not expect to push him into madness and violence. I am sorry for it.”

  “I’m not, except for Fort’s part.” Chastity faced their shock. “Not because of what he did to me, but because of what he was capable of doing. I knew he was mad, but he could conceal it so well. No matter what sword hung over him, he would never have ceased to weave his plots, and he cared nothing for anyone else. Think if he had gained power over England.”

  “I fear you are right,” said Rothgar. “The business of the false letter was planned, of course. I hoped that, if all else failed, it would throw him off-balance. As it did.”

  “And Henry Vernham?” asked Verity.

  Rothgar shook his head. “A greedy fool, but I hadn’t expected such an end. I must confess that at that moment, I began to think as Chastity does. The earl shot him like a dog. That is a very dangerous man to leave loose upon the world.”

  “And Fort shot Father in turn,” said Chastity. “He is heartsick over it.”

  Cyn took her hand. “It had to be done, love, and he was the only one with a clear shot.”

  Chastity wasn’t sure about that, but she let it pass. “What of the princess?” she asked. “Why did you invite her?”

  “Acceptance by royalty was essential to my plans,” said Rothgar. “I admit that I did not forget the deep enmity between her and Walgrave. I hoped that she would support us if she saw it as a means to thwart him. I did not, you see, expect him to die.”

  Chastity shook her head admiringly. “Now tell me, my lord. How was Nerissa Trelyn brought to act? The letter?”

  “That is Bryght’s story.”

  Bryght Malloren smiled wryly. “Dear Nerissa was delighted to seduce me in the conservatory. I didn’t have to do a thing but lie back and enjoy it. Then, as planned, we were trapped. She became rather worried, for I am the one man of whom her stupid husband is jealous. We listened, but she had no urge to clear Chastity’s name until I showed her the letter. I’m afraid Nerissa is not at all pleased with any of us.”

  “I’m not sure the princess is either,” said Verity.

  “True, but she is a sensible woman overall,” said Rothgar. “She is annoyed to be embroiled, but rather grateful to me for casting a cloak of respectability over this jaunt.” He raised a brow at Chastity. “I understand Cyn promised that if you were restored to honor, he would not insist upon marriage, but we have rather forced your hand.”

  Chastity looked at her rings. “For once, my lord, he had already broken a promise.”

  “Yes,” said Rothgar somewhat severely, “and those rings could have ruined all. In future, you will kindly not embellish my plots.”

  Cyn kissed Chastity’s hand by the rings. “In future, we hope to be free of your plots.”

  “Now that’s gratitude for you,” said Rothgar, but he was smiling.

  Soon Chastity and Cyn found themselves alone in a house, resting deeply after the excitement. Most of the public rooms were still being cleaned after the ball, and all the spare bedrooms were full of guests who had elected to stay. So they ended up in Cyn’s bedroom, in each other’s ar
ms on the bed.

  “But no impropriety until we’re married,” he said.

  “In two days,” Chastity said in wonder.

  “As long as your brother keeps his word and consents.”

  “Why would he object?”

  Cyn’s tone turned wry. “Because the Mallorens are once again at odds with the Wares. He thinks Rothgar forced him to pull the trigger.”

  “How could he think that? No one even knew my father would try to shoot the princess.”

  “No, but Rothgar sent Fort to the far side of the hall, so he was near the princess. When the moment came, either Rothgar or Brand could have fired at your father, but they didn’t, forcing Fort to it.”

  “I saw Rothgar hold Brand back,” said Chastity. “I did wonder.”

  She could tell Cyn was troubled too. “I think it was because no one would think Fort inspired by malice, whereas the enmity between Rothgar and Walgrave is well known.”

  Chastity shivered. “I quite like Rothgar, but at times he makes my blood run cold. Poor Fort.”

  “Poor everyone. I hope this doesn’t mean continued bitterness, but if your brother and mine are going to show their teeth, I thank God that we, at least, will be far away. You’ll like Acadia, love.”

  Chastity leaned back with a contented sigh. “I’m sure I will. It should be called Arcadia—a perfect place.” She rolled and reached up for a kiss. “Our own special heaven.”

  Cyn kissed her but said wryly. “Have I misled you? It’s a beautiful place, but wild and rough.”

  “You’ll be there,” she said simply.

  The next kiss grew dangerously deep, but Cyn found the strength to end it and push her to her feet. “Come on. To your room. After all this, we’re not going to start again by having you found in a compromising situation.”

  “Ah,” said Chastity mischievously, as he steered her toward the door, “but at least I could be persuaded to marry you, sir . . .”

 

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