The Duke's Dilemma (The Wolf Deceivers Series Book 2)

by Elaine Manders

  Edward lowered himself onto one of the chairs, catching a strong whiff of whiskey and tobacco. “It won’t take long.” He slapped Harcrumb’s threatening note to Cassandra onto the middle of the desk.

  Harcrumb recoiled as if the note might strike him. After several painful moments, he recovered. “So she went to you?”

  “How I came by it is none of your concern. What I wish to know is who are these servants you speak of?”

  “I’ve loaned a great deal of money to these women, and they’ve run out without paying. I call that stealing, and Lady Wayte has aided them in that crime.”

  “Holding people against their will is a crime as well.”

  “You can prove that?”

  “I think I can. Furthermore, the way this note is worded, it might be viewed as an attempt to extort money from Lady Wayte.”

  Harcrumb laughed, a derisive sound that bounced around the room. “I have no need of Lady Wayte’s money. My wealth exceeds hers by at least ten fold. I dare say, it exceeds yours.” He laughed again. “But theft is theft. I expect those women to return and work off their debt.”

  He stood and leaned over the desk with his hands propped on the edge. “I consider this interview over. Good-day, gentlemen.”

  Edward glanced at Charles and stood. “I shall leave you with this. If you contact or attempt to accost Lady Wayte in any way, I’ll call you out. Furthermore, if your businesses aren’t above reproach, I’ll make it my business. No respectable person in the country will give you so much as a nod in passing.” He turned on his heel and stalked out, Charles in his wake.

  “Was it wise to let him know we’re investigating his business?” Charles asked as they strode to the waiting horses.

  “I had to put him on notice in the hopes he’ll drop his persecution of Lady Wayte.” Edward pulled on his riding gloves and saddled, then waited for Charles to turn his horse. “If you have nothing pressing, I’d like for you to join us at Langsdale for a week or so.”

  Charles gave him a sharp sidelong glance. “I promised a little ladybird I would take her shopping later in the week. It’ll be bellows to mend for me if I don’t.” A grin spread across his features as he hoisted himself into the saddle. “Of course, since I can’t afford to take her shopping, your invitation might save me a great deal of aggravation.”

  Edward laughed, and Charles added, “I thought you wanted me to keep up with the investigation here. Why the sudden change of plans?”

  “You have good men engaged to investigate here. I’d like you to reopen the investigation into Lord Wayte’s death. Cassandra believes Harcrumb killed her husband.”

  They set the horses to a canter before Charles replied. “It’ll take some thought to plan an approach to that. Over a year has passed since Lord Wayte’s death.”

  “We don’t have much time.” Edward forced a stiff smile to his lips. “I just learned that Daphne was invited to Waytefield. You can guess why. But it occurs to me if you continue to pursue Daphne, you might have better access to Waytefield than I.”

  Chapter 16

  Cassandra refused to breathe easy until the duke’s carriage cleared the London traffic, leaving behind the shouts of street vendors, disputing tradespeople, and the constant sound of hooves against the cobbles. And the threat of Sir Harcrumb.

  The hope of escaping that menace made jostling over unpaved country roads welcome. In dry weather such as they enjoyed, the roads were rutted and rocky, causing the well sprung carriage to jerk and sway. In winter, the rain and snow would make travel impossible.

  In spite of the rough roads, the well-padded carriage seats promised to make their journey as comfortable as possible. The creaks and groans of the wheels could barely be heard above the incessant chatter of Gama and Lady Pugh, sitting opposite, discussing events from thirty years ago. Hetty, Gama’s maid, sat jammed up against the window, reading a book.

  Sitting beside Cassandra, Sarah regaled her with the adventures she’d planned. Cassandra ought to attend to what the excited child said. Sarah had already had to repeat herself three times. But Cassandra’s attention stayed riveted to the lone man in the corner, barricaded behind a newspaper.

  Questions burned within her. Had Edward confronted Harcrumb? Had Harcrumb challenged Edward? What might the consequence be? Of course there’d been no chance to speak to Edward privately.

  Excitement had prevented her from eating much at breakfast and hunger pangs began to gnaw her stomach. The route was familiar and Cassandra knew they’d bespoken a table at the small inn up the road. Perhaps she could get a moment alone with Edward at the stop.

  That didn’t happen. They barely had time to eat and visit the necessary before boarding the carriage for the next leg of the journey.

  Edward decided to ride his stallion. The animal had been tethered to the rear of the carriage in the event he wished to go along by himself…or to escape the female chatter.

  Cassandra envied him that freedom.

  As the afternoon wore on, Gama and Hetty began to nod, and Lady Pugh took out her cross-stitch. Cassandra joined Sarah in a game of riddles, but she’d make sure she cornered Edward at the large posting inn where they were staying the night. She’d simply hang back when the ladies retired after supper. Very improper, of course, but her patience was more at risk than her reputation.

  Gama solved that problem. She declared herself fatigued and asked that a tray be sent to the room assigned to her and Lady Pugh.

  Smothering a yawn behind her gloved fist, Lady Pugh followed Gama, with Hetty bring up the rear.

  Cassandra, Sarah, and Edward were shown to a corner table beside a window and away from the other diners.

  Before they were seated, Sarah stretched her arms overhead and exaggerated a yawn. “Could I have my supper sent up to our room too?”

  “Of course.” Edward ruffled her hair and gave the orders to the waiter.

  Cassandra took the chair the waiter held for her. “Good night, Sarah.”

  “Good night. I shall probably be asleep before you come up.” Sarah sent Cassandra a wink before dashing off.

  The little minx. She took every opportunity to make sure Cassandra and Edward were alone together. Nothing got past her.

  Or Edward. “It would appear Sarah thinks we should be alone.” He sent a meaningful grin her way as soon as the waiter left.

  Tension fell from her shoulders, and she answered his grin with a wide smile. “And I was worried all day that I might not get a chance to speak to you alone.”

  He hitched one brow. “You wanted to be alone with me?”

  She blushed and ducked her head, befuddled by his flirtatious tease. When she lifted her gaze, the smile had vanished and candlelight shone in his dark eyes. “Worry is never profitable. You should have known I’d want to speak to you.”

  “All I want to know is did you confront Harcrumb?”

  The waiter brought their tea. Edward sipped the steaming brew before speaking. “I did, and I believe I managed to put his nose out of joint.”

  What did that mean? “You challenged him?”

  Edward set his cup on the table. “Not exactly. I told him if he continued harassing you, I’d make sure he wasn’t received by any respectable person. You may be assured he covets respectability above all.”

  True enough. Most rich men from humble beginnings desired the nobility’s acceptance. But the duke spoke as though Harcrumb was a normal, sane person. Edward didn’t know the depths of Harcrumb’s depravity.

  This trip came at an opportune time. If she were safer away from London, so was Edward. They should be safe at Langsdale.

  Their meal arrived, and after fussing unnecessarily over the table for a few minutes, the waiter withdrew.

  “I love pheasant.” She inspected the plumb bird on her plate and sniffed the delicious aroma.

  “These came from the estate.” Edward pulled a leg from his roasted bird. “I hope to get in some hunting before returning to London.”

  S
he wished it were possible to join a hunting party. That wouldn’t be possible, but opportunities would arise to ride over the countryside. With him, she hoped.

  Anticipation of what lay ahead made her want to forget the past. She’d wanted to say so much, yet now that the time had come, could think of nothing, or nothing she dared voice. A companionable silence fell over them as they ate.

  He glanced at her from time to time, and she knew he enjoyed her company. She smiled as they communicated without words. A moment like this might easily lull her into thinking she had no problems. She might have a future with him.

  Such a moment couldn’t last, and time was passing. She had to voice her concerns while she had the chance. “Is it not strange that Lady Ashford should choose this time to visit Millicent and George?”

  Edward wiped the grease from his fingers with a serviette. “Lady Ashford is nothing if not an opportunist, but she need not bother us.”

  “She intends to give Sarah a birthday party.” Daphne probably intended to inveigle herself into other events at Langsdale as well.

  “I’d forgotten Sarah’s birthday was so close.” With a scowl, Edward dropped the napkin. “Daphne and Aunt Chloe laid plans for the party some weeks ago, so I suppose Daphne will go ahead with it.”

  Cassandra didn’t like the way he used Daphne’s given name so easily.

  They had been friends, of course, but it galled her that he might still think of the woman thus. He’d kissed Cassandra, and that should give her greater claim on him than Daphne. But for all she knew, he might have kissed Daphne too. She found that thought even more galling.

  He twisted the other leg off his pheasant, and she watched him tear the meat from the bone with strong, white teeth. His lips glistened with grease, mesmerizing her. Would he kiss her again? He caught her staring, so she dipped her head, taking up her knife and forcing her attention back to her plate.

  “Lady Ashford called on me yesterday.”

  He lowered the half eaten pheasant leg. “Whatever for?”

  “I believe she was trying to dissuade me from going to Langsdale.”

  “I’m glad she wasn’t successful.”

  “Only because her story was so preposterous. She said you were investigating me.”

  When he didn’t respond, she glanced up and read the truth in his features even before he spoke. “How could she have known that?” he asked.

  The food she’d thought so delectable a moment ago suddenly nauseated her. “It’s true?”

  He sighed deeply. “I’ve made some inquiries on your behalf, but Daphne couldn’t have known.”

  “She went to Viscount Galloway’s boarding house to retrieve a piece of jewelry and discovered a bill from some Bow Street runners for keeping a watch on me.”

  Edward leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. When he opened them, his expression pleaded for understanding. “Only for your protection.”

  She’d been so certain Daphne’s story was just another of her malicious schemes. The realization that Daphne spoke the truth hit her like a bolt of lightning on a clear day. “My protection? Did it ever occur to you to ask if I needed protection?”

  “I knew you wouldn’t confide in me.”

  “When I didn’t confide in you, you should have realized I didn’t want you to know my business.” Her voice rose with each word until she was shouting, but she didn’t care. “Lady Ashford must have thought me a fool for defending you, for refusing to believe you’d do that to me. Go behind my back.”

  Edward reached over to take her hand. “Please, Cassandra, don’t cause a scene.”

  It was true other diners were looking their way. She drew in a ragged breath and snatched her hand from his. “Was Daphne right about why you want me at Langsdale? Because you’re re-opening the investigation into Lord Wayte’s death and want to implicate me?”

  “Of course I don’t want to implicate you. I want to find the truth, which is what I thought you wanted, to prove that Harcrumb was responsible, or find out who was.”

  His explanation was reasonable, but she was beyond reason. The fact that he’d send spies to investigate her hurt beyond reason. “What if you find evidence I am the one responsible?” She felt burning at the backs of her eyes, but refused to give way to tears. Pushing against the table, she shot up.

  “Cassandra, what’s come over you? Sit, please. You haven’t finished your meal, and I can explain.”

  She’d been such a fool.

  He didn’t care for her. She was only a mystery, a diversion to alleviate his boredom. While she savored the memory of his touch, his kiss, it meant nothing to him. “My appetite has left me, and I need no further explanation. I shall continue on to Langsdale for Sarah’s sake, but as soon as the portrait I’ve promised her is finished, I shall return to London.”

  Ignoring his protests, she fled.

  ***

  The great manor house loomed before Edward. He squeezed the stallion’s flanks in a sudden desire to be home. After crossing the bridge, he sent one backward glance to where the carriage lumbered along in the distance.

  Sunlight glinted off the stone walls of the massive structure he called home. It reminded one of a medieval castle, complete with towers and turrets. The only thing missing was a moat, though the little mere bordering it gave the illusion of a moat.

  He’d wanted to experience his homecoming with Cassandra at his side, but her anger hadn’t abated. In fact, she’d stared out the carriage window in stony silence until he had exchanged his comfortable seat for the horse’s saddle.

  Thoughts had argued in his head all night and morning. How was he to regain Cassandra’s trust, and what connection did she have with Sir Harcrumb? What did she have to hide?

  Edward was now able to believe Charles was right. Daphne and her friends were deliberately targeting Cassandra in an attempt to discredit Cassandra and eliminate her as a rival.

  Being the opportunist she was, Daphne might be using Harcrumb to that end. Edward was in a muddle as to what it all meant.

  One thing was clear. Daphne’s conniving turned Aunt Chloe’s plans to dust. Instead of getting Cassandra away from her troubles in London, Daphne was dragging it out here. He could no longer depend on Charles’ help. Since Daphne had stumbled onto those runner’s papers, she wouldn’t trust Charles.

  The only thing left for Edward to do was to somehow ingratiate Daphne…make her think she’d won. That might be enough for her to drop her campaign against Cassandra.

  But how could he play court to Daphne and woo Cassandra at the same time?

  How could he prove that he loved Cassandra?

  And he did love her. The fear crouching over him at the thought he might lose her was proof enough.

  He rode into the yard, not knowing what to do. Only God could help him out of this mess.

  A carriage stood in the circular drive. Edward recognized it as belonging to Sir Ralph Westcott whose estate lay on the other side of Waytefield. Sir Ralph was Daphne’s cousin, and Westcott Hall her girlhood home.

  Daphne obviously didn’t waste time.

  Simpkins, the elderly butler, opened the door. “Bless me, if it isn’t Master Edward…I beg pardon…your grace.” Simpkins bowed to below the waist, and Edward feared he wouldn’t be able to right himself.

  He grabbed the old man in a bear hug. “Simpkins, don’t you dare go pompous on me. You used to sneak me sweets from that deep pocket of yours.” Edward stood back, smiling. “I’ve missed you.”

  “And I you, Eddy.” Simpkins chuckled.

  “The rest of my party will arrive in a moment. Why is Westcott here?”

  “They’re in the morning room. Sir Westcott and Lady Ashford. Said they must wait for you, though they’ve been here for over an hour.”

  Edward debated whether to let them wait a while longer so he could bathe and change clothes, but he didn’t want them to set upon his guests, so he made wide strides to the morning room.

  Daphne and Ralph rose toge
ther, and Daphne glided across the floor to lay her hand on Edward’s forearm. “You’ve arrived at last. I was beginning to worry, fearing there might have been an accident.”

  Edward removed her hand. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?”

  Ralph stepped forward. “You may blame me for that, your grace. Lord Avery mentioned that you were coming and intended to hold some races. I wanted to secure a spot before they were all taken.”

  The races hadn’t even been announced as yet. It was unlikely any spots were taken. “I’ll hold one for you.” Edward smiled to hide his irritation.

  “Lord Avery said there would be a race for the ladies to participate in.” Daphne flashed a simpering glance. “I hope you hold a place for me as well.”

  “That I will, but if you would excuse me, I have much to attend. The ladies will arrive at any moment, and I’m sure they’ll want to rest after their arduous journey.” He could hardly make it clearer unless he threw them out.

  Still, Daphne stared at him from under her lashes. Sir Ralph looked down at his feet as the uncomfortable seconds ticked.

  Edward relented. “Please join us for supper tonight.”

  That’s what Daphne was waiting for. She threw her head back and gushed. “We should be delighted. Ralph, we’ve detained his grace long enough.”

  Edward watched their backs as Simpkins showed them to the door. Sometime during the evening, he’d find out what Daphne was up to if he had to shake it out of that blonde head of hers.

  Chapter 17

  “That’s the manor.” Sarah bounced up and down on the carriage seat with such vigor Cassandra had to brace herself to keep from being shaken.

  Cassandra leaned over to get a better view. “You have a beautiful home, Sarah.”

  “And it might be your home too,” Sarah whispered.

  The little girl clearly believed it was only a matter of time before her brother proposed. Cassandra didn’t share her enthusiasm. Since her disgraceful outburst at the posting inn, she doubted it was possible to get back into Edward’s good graces, or if she even wanted to. Every passing mile had snatched away another fragment of her confidence.