The Rogue’s Dangerous Confession (Dangerous Desires Book 3)

by Ella Edon

  “How…” She licked her dry lips. “How many children did you conceive? How many girls gave birth because of you?”

  “Honestly? I have no idea. I lost count after fifteen.” Robert waved his hand. “I don’t really care, if I’m honest. Having children tied to my name would mean I couldn’t have my lifestyle.”

  “You had me.”

  “You were meant to be Judith’s daughter. Not linked to me except by blood.” Robert shook his head. “I was selfish. The only person I thought of was myself. I still do. That’s not going to change because someone decided they were going to spill the truth to my parents.”

  Jane felt like she was dreaming. The kick to the head had to have scrambled her mind. This had to be a strange dream she was currently experiencing. She pinched her hand and gasped as pain shot through her fingers.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Just making sure I’m awake.” Jane was now beginning to panic. “All this so you could carry on your lifestyle of being a selfish cad?”

  Robert sighed. “You wouldn’t understand, Jane. Things were very different twenty years ago. More so than now. Father’s not as strong as he thinks he is. Knowing I had played around would be devastating. Just like it would if he knew I never really stopped when he thought I did.”

  “You…” Then Jane remembered Carlotta Reyes. “That girl found just outside our boundaries. She was another one of your lovers?”

  “More like a brief fling, but yes,” Robert said grimly. “She told me when she found out she was with child that she wanted me to acknowledge the baby and provide for it or she would let Father know. I paid her to leave me alone and let Miss White know that she would need to talk the girl around. I don’t know if she did that, but if she did, it didn’t work. Carlotta kept bothering me. But I had nothing to do with her death.”

  “You may not have killed her, but you killed everyone else.” Jane stared at him. “How many more have you killed?”

  “No more.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  Robert snorted. “Of course, you wouldn’t. Because you don’t think you know me.” He reached out and brushed her hair off her face. Jane flinched and jerked back, but Robert didn’t pull back. He stroked her cheek. “But believe this, Jane. I would never hurt you.”

  Chapter Thirty

  “Believe this, Jane. I would never hurt you. Never.”

  Alexander stilled. That was Robert in the cottage. Lord Crawley’s guess about his son’s whereabouts had been correct. Anthony had led them to a small dwelling on the edge of the estate, where right over the low wall was the main road into Crawley from London. The three gentlemen dismounted as soon as the cottage came in sight and they ran to the front gate. Nobody seemed to be around, but there was light coming from inside the cottage.

  It was there at the gate that Alexander heard Robert. He heard a whispered response, but it wasn’t loud enough for him. It had to be Jane.

  They were in there.

  “That bastard,” Anthony snarled. “I’m going in there.”

  He started to barge past Alexander, who grabbed his arm.

  “No, don’t! He could kill Jane and then we’ve lost her.”

  “He murdered Megan!” Anthony shot back. “You think I’m going to let him get away with it?”

  “The fact he murdered Miss White means we know that he’s capable of doing it again.” Alexander glanced towards the cottage. “Jane may be his daughter, but she’s also proof that he was not discreet. Do you really think he’s going to hold back from hurting her?”

  “Alexander’s right, Lord Tiverton,” Lee added, coming up on Anthony’s other side. “We need to do this carefully.”

  Anthony snorted. “To hell with careful.”

  Before Alexander could stop him, Anthony pulled away and charged up the path. Growling, Alexander hurried after him, Lee close behind. If Anthony went in now, Robert could panic and run. Or he could kill Jane. That left a knot in Alexander’s stomach.

  Anthony barged into the house, with Alexander just behind him. He saw Robert kneeling on the floor beside Jane, who was huddled up against the wall on a pallet. She looked terrified. Alexander could see her shaking from across the room.

  Robert rose to his feet.

  Anthony snarled as he pointed at his brother. “You! You killed Megan!”

  “Anthony.”

  Then Robert froze. He was staring at something in Anthony’s hand. Then Alexander saw the dagger, the long blade pointed at Robert’s face. Anthony was breathing heavily.

  “What did she ever do to you, Robert? She never hurt you.”

  “Anthony…” Robert held up his hands. “Let me explain. Just put down the knife and let me explain.”

  “You can explain it to your God. If he’ll let you in.”

  He started towards Robert, only to stop when Jane screamed.

  “Anthony, no!”

  Alexander darted between the two brothers, pushing the dagger aside as he squared up to Anthony while keeping Robert in sight.

  “That’s enough, Anthony!” He bellowed. “No violence!”

  “Anthony,” Lee came up on his other side and reached for the blade. “Put the knife down.”

  But Anthony pulled away, slashing the knife through the air.

  “He doesn’t deserve to live after what he’s done!” he snarled.

  “But think about Megan,” Lee insisted. “Would she want you to do this? Or would she want you to make sure her killer is caught and dealt with accordingly?”

  “He won’t be dealt with,” Malcolm snorted. “Father will make sure of that.”

  “But I won’t. You have my word on it.” Lee tugged his arm down. “Put the knife down, Lord Tiverton.”

  Alexander heard a slight noise behind him and glanced over his shoulder. Robert had been silent, but now he was smirking, looking very confident. Alexander felt sick at the sight. The bastard thought he could get away with this. Again.

  Anthony looked like he was allowing Lee to calm him. He lowered his arm, his shoulders slumping. Then he charged, knocking Alexander aside. Alexander stumbled and fell to his knees, hearing Jane scream. He rolled over to see the two brothers in a clinch. Robert’s eyes were wide, his face slack with shock. Anthony drew back and stepped away as Lee grabbed his arm and hauled him back.

  Then Alexander saw the knife sticking out of Robert’s belly. Jane had her hands clamped over her mouth, making stifled sobbing noises as her father slumped to his knees, clutching at his stomach. Anthony spat on the floor.

  “That was for Megan.”

  “Enough!” Lee pushed the Viscount towards the door. “Go and get reinforcements. And be thankful that I don’t arrest you for your actions.”

  “You really think…”

  “Go!” Lee bellowed.

  Anthony scowled, but he left. Lee went to Robert and got him to lie on his back, keeping pressure on his wounds. Alexander crawled over to Jane, who was watching Robert with wide eyes, her whole body shaking. He rested on his knees, reaching for her.

  “Jane. Jane, it’s all right. You’re safe now.”

  “He...he’s my father.” Jane was still staring at Robert. “He...my father.”

  “I know.” Alexander wrapped his arms around her and drew her close, cradling her against his chest as she started sobbing. “I’ve got you. It’s all right.”

  This broke his heart, but she was safe. That was all that mattered to Alexander.

  * * *

  They went back to the house, Jane huddled in Alexander’s arms. She couldn’t bring herself to pull away. His embrace was comforting, and Jane didn’t stop shaking until they got back to the house. She was still reeling from Robert’s revelation.

  How had this been kept from her? How could Robert be so callous as to make it look like his own sister had been the one who was the one with a bad reputation? There were so many questions going around Jane’s head, and she didn’t think she would get any proper answers. Not from Rober
t, anyway. He was unconscious after being stabbed by Anthony. The servants had to carry him over the back of Lee’s horse, slower than Alexander, as he rode back to the house with Jane in his arms.

  When they arrived back, her grandparents were already waiting. Lady Crawley burst into tears and flung her arms around Jane, sobbing into her shoulder. Lord Crawley wasn’t as emotional, but there were tears in his eyes as he tugged Jane close and kissed her head. Jane almost started crying again. These people were her parents; she couldn’t see them as her grandparents. They were the ones who were always there no matter what she did. Even after her stupid actions in recent years and their scolding, they were the people who never deserted her. Jane knew she was incredibly lucky to have them.

  It probably wouldn’t have been the same if Miss White and Rosemary had sent her away to another family. Then Jane might not have met Alexander.

  Once her parents had stopped hugging her and checking that she wasn’t harmed, Lady Crawley spirited Jane upstairs, telling her that she needed to rest. Jane had tried to protest, but she was too tired to argue too much. And she didn’t want to upset her mother further. So, she did as she was told and allowed herself to be hustled into her room. The bed had been made up for her, the fire was burning in the hearth and the candles were lit. Claire was also there, finishing lighting the candles. Jane had taken one look at her maid and they had embraced. She had been so scared for Claire. Robert could have killed her, and her maid had fought for her. The bravery she had had been remarkable.

  Jane couldn’t ask for a better maid and friend.

  Her hands were shaking, so Claire helped her to undress and put her nightgown on. Jane didn’t think she would be able to sleep, but the thought of snuggling down in her soft bed was tempting. She could make a cocoon around herself and pretend that she hadn’t just been harmed. Or that she hadn’t been told that her brother was actually her father.

  Jane hadn’t realized that she had fallen asleep when she awoke to the door opening. Someone stepped inside and closed the door. Jane sat up.

  “Who is it?”

  “It’s me.”

  Jane relaxed with a heavy sigh.

  “Alexander! Thank God, you scared me.”

  “That wasn’t my intention.” There was a click. He had locked the door. Then Alexander crossed the room. “How are you feeling?”

  “I don’t really know. It feels like a strange dream.”

  “I can imagine. All that is too much for anyone.” Alexander paused. “Would you like some company?”

  Jane nodded. She didn’t want to be left alone right now. Not after what had happened. Her parents were close by and more than likely suspected what was going on, but Jane was past the point of caring. She just wanted to be close to the gentleman she loved.

  Alexander began to undress, tugging off his shoes and socks along with his coat. He unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it off over his head, but he left his trousers on. Jane shuffled over as Alexander slid into bed, arranging the covers around them. Then she snuggled into his arms as Alexander tucked her into his side, so she was lying with her head on his chest. She could feel his heartbeat against her cheek.

  “I checked on Rachel before I came in here.” Alexander stroked her hair. “She’s awake now. She was able to speak to me, and she confirmed that it was Robert who attacked her.”

  “You actually managed to get a word out of her?”

  “We had a very civil conversation. She even apologized for accusing me.”

  Jane couldn’t help but giggle.

  Alexander smirked. “I’m not holding out hope on becoming best friends with her, but it’s nice to talk without being accused of something.” Alexander kissed her head. “Rachel asked to see you.”

  “I’ll talk to her tomorrow.” Jane tightened her arms around his waist. “Right now, I just want to stay here.”

  “Of course.” Alexander rested his head back against the pillows. “Robert had been tended to by Lee’s doctor. He’s going to be fine. Right now, he’s locked in his room and the burliest footmen I’ve ever seen are standing guard.”

  “I see.” Jane swallowed. “Will Lord Surrey charge Anthony with anything?”

  “Probably not. I think his actions pale in comparison to Robert’s. Lee is taking him to London tomorrow.”

  Jane knew she should be relieved that this was all over, but she just felt numb. Robert was supposed to be family. She loved him. And he had betrayed everyone.

  “Do you…?” She licked her lips. “Will he hang?”

  “I think Lee’s going to recommend transportation. Having a son who has done what Robert did is bad enough, but Lord and Lady Crawley won’t be able to cope if Robert is hanged.”

  Transportation. Either to Australia or the West Indies. More than likely, Robert would be told he could never come back. Jane didn’t know how she felt about that.

  “This is ridiculous.” She rose up onto her elbow. “All of this to cover up the fact he had children out of wedlock? Mother and Father would have forgiven him in time. It would have been a big scandal, but they could have ridden it out.”

  “Even when he’s had at least twenty children out of wedlock?”

  “As many as that?”

  “I have a feeling it’s even more over the last twenty-five years.” Alexander scowled. “But Robert didn’t cover it up because he was scared of his parents finding out. He did it because he didn’t want to own up to his mistakes. Your father wanted to be able to do whatever he wanted without repercussions. He made sure people got rid of the times he could get found out, but he never learned his lesson and went back to do it again.”

  Her father didn’t care about anyone except himself. Jane was just beginning to realize that. Her birth father was not who she thought he was. She hadn’t really known him at all.

  “Do you think he would have killed me?”

  Alexander’s jaw tightened. “I don’t know. I don’t want to think about it.” He cupped her jaw. “You’re safe, and that’s what matters to me.”

  Jane believed him. She trusted him. Alexander had promised that he would come for her, that he wouldn’t let anyone hurt her, and he had kept his promise. She stroked his hair.

  “I love you, Alexander.”

  Alexander blinked. Then he smiled and drew her close.

  “And I love you.” He gave her a tender kiss. “Lee says I’m free to leave in the morning. He knows where to find me if he wants anything further. And when I go, I want you to come with me.”

  “Really?”

  “Really.” Alexander backtracked a little. “Of course, I’ll let you stay for a while to look after your parents and make sure things are settled. But when that’s over, I want you to be with me.”

  He wanted her to come with him. Jane wanted to say yes immediately. It was such a short space of time, but Jane knew that she wanted to go with Alexander. She wanted to walk away with the gentleman she loved. But she managed to maintain her composure, even as she felt Alexander’s half-naked body shifting against hers.

  “The only way I’m going to do that is if I know there’s something at the end of that declaration.”

  “There’s me.”

  Jane rolled her eyes.

  “Apart from you. You know what I mean.”

  “I do know what you mean.” Alexander took her hand and kissed her palm, never taking his eyes off her. “How about my name? Jane Harrison sounds like a good name, from my point of view.”

  Jane stared. Then she burst out laughing.

  “If that was a marriage proposal, it was the worst one possible.”

  “Be nice to me. I haven’t proposed to a lady before. And I didn’t know how to say it.”

  “Then how about I say it?” Jane leaned over him, her hair brushing over his chest as she kissed him. “Alexander Harrison, will you marry me?”

  Alexander laughed. You really are forward, aren’t you?”

  “Only with you.”

  “Good.” Alexander tug
ged her down, rolling over so he was leaning over her. “Only for me.”

  Epilogue

  Alexander woke to find Jane’s side of the bed empty, but he didn’t panic. Jane was an early riser, and she would often be out of bed before Alexander woke up. She liked to go for a walk outside while the sun was still rising and making the most of the quiet.