Once Upon an Earl_Heirs of High Society_A Regency Romance Book

by Eleanor Meyers

  “Come with us,” said a short man with a cruel voice. “There’s no reason for your family to witness this.”

  His family. That’s who Samantha and Lady Brandell were to him. At least he would die without his mother knowing his true identity.

  A carriage door opened, shocking him, and Selby stepped out.

  “Mr. Smith, a word.”

  “There’s no time,” the short man said. “We leave now.”

  “Mr. Smith,” Selby called. “Don’t. There’s no need—”

  A shot rang out.

  Nash dropped to the ground as the loud thunder of bullets and hooves spread through the crowd. He glanced up and from the street lamps, he noticed men coming their way. The ruffians scattered, or answered with their own guns.

  Someone cracked a fist against Nash’s head, forcing him to hit the stony ground hard enough to daze him. Then he was picked up roughly between two men.

  He fought, but his head made him disoriented. A hit to his gut had him down on the ground again.

  “We’ve to take him with us or we don’t get paid,” one of the men over Nash said.

  “Pick him up,” said the other.

  “Nash!” Samantha’s scream cleared the fog of his mind, but he pretended to be weak and allowed the men to raise him to his feet.

  Then he attacked. One man went down with an elbow to the face, Nash rushed the other and hit the side of his carriage. He managed to miss a hit aimed for his head and block a knee to the groin before landing two fists with quick succession to the ruffian’s stomach. A final hit to the head had the man down.

  Nash opened the carriage. “No time for pleasantries. Get out of here and stay together.” Then he turned and spotted his footman, and long-time friend, Luke, in the melee. He grabbed him, missed a fist that Luke threw him, and before Luke could apologize said, “Luke! Get Lady Brandell and Lady Coburn away! Now. That’s your one and only duty.”

  Luke nodded and started for the carriage while Nash went in search of the Selbys.

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  30

  CHAPTER

  THIRTY

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  The carriage was moved to the alley just a few feet away and then the door was open. All around her, Samantha could hear the fighting. She heard screams of pain and smelled the smoke. It was war in Mayfair.

  “Come quickly,” Luke said. He took Samantha’s hand first and then he took Lady Brandell’s, but when he started to lead them in the direction away from the fighting, Lady Brandell didn’t move.

  “I’ll not leave him,” she whispered as she ducked behind the carriage out of sight.

  Luke’s eyes widened as he joined her. “What? No. We have to go! We must go now.” He was panicking. He clearly didn’t want to let Nash down. Sam could only imagine what would happen to the young man if he allowed either her or Lady Brandell to get hurt.

  Samantha didn’t want to leave Nash either, but she remembered what he’d said about them being a distraction he didn’t need, and more than anything she wanted him alive. “Lady Brandell, please.”

  The woman shook her head and then when she turned to stare at Samantha, there was a wild look in her eyes. “I’m not leaving, Sam. I’ll not leave him again.”

  Sam’s shoulders fell, and she immediately knew what the dowager was thinking. “Lady Brandell, Nash is not your son. I told you I saw his arm. There’s no mark. You’re mistaken.”

  Lady Brandell shook her head. “No, Sam, a mother knows her own child.”

  “But you’ve mistaken others for him before,” Sam reminded her, being harsher than she wished.

  “No, I never mistook anyone but Nash for my son.”

  Sam paused. “How can you be sure?”

  Brandell’s eyes watered. “A mother knows, Samantha. I’ve seen him before. On the street. In the market of Padmore. How convenient that he grew up in an orphanage on the same street. Lady Selby repeatedly told me I was wrong, that he wasn’t mine, but he was. Nash is my son. I saw him again when he was older. You can’t imagine how much he looked like his father even though Selby once said he looked very much like me.”

  Samantha was amazed, but still…

  Lady Brandell grabbed her hands. “He’s twenty-nine. He writes with his left hand. We’ve the same eyes. His hair is red when in the sun. I noticed while we were in the country. He has both my and Wolfgang traits. It can’t be a coincidence.”

  “But the mark—

  “Maybe he outgrew it.” She turned away, looking back at the fighting. “But I’ll not leave him again, Samantha. A mother doesn’t leave her child.”

  “You could die!” Luke said.

  “Then I’ll die protecting my son.” She turned to him. “Now, would you kindly hand me your pistol?”

  Nash didn’t know how the other men had known to come, but was glad when he saw Manas. His other brothers, Broden and Grant were also there. Iverstone had taught all his sons to fight and they’d brought an army with them. Iverstone must have had Nash watched his entire time. Their debts were now settled.

  Nash’s side was winning.

  He found Lord Selby in his carriage, reloading his gun. His mother was a fright. Lord Selby turned to Nash and said, “I think I killed a man.” He was breathing far too quickly than was good for him. Sweat covered his face, making him look ill.

  Nash put a hand on his shoulder. “They could have hurt your mother. Are you hurt?”

  Selby shook his head.

  “Stay here. Protect your mother. This will be over soon.” Nash closed the door and reentered the fight.

  He heard a shout from an alley. The voice sounded like Samantha’s. He rushed in that direction and before he could see anything he was hit. Then again. And again. The strikes seemed to be coming from the shadows. There were three men. Two dragged him farther down what seemed to be an empty alley except for the carriage. The horses were gone. Nash could hear him in the distance. At least his mother and Samantha got away.

  And then his head was lifted, and he met Lord Brandell’s eyes.

  The earl grinned. “You didn’t think I’d let you get away, did you?”

  Nash said nothing. The two men at his side held him with his back to the wall. His uncle stood before him and before Nash could formulate a way to move, Lord Brandell hit him again in the ribs.

  He pulled in a breath at the pain and saw white lights dance in his eyes.

  “How dare you come in and take what is mine!” Lord Brandell asked. “What has been mine for over twenty years!”

  If Nash was going to die, he’d do it with dignity. “It was never yours. You stole it from my father.”

  Lord Brandell smacked him. “Your father didn’t deserve it. He was useless when it came to the issues. All my friends thought so. I make a finer earl than either you or your father could have ever been.”

  “I’m surprised you came tonight,” Nash said. “I’m surprise you didn’t get Mr. Reed to do your dirty work.”

  Lord Brandell shrugged. “Well, Mr. Reed made his own plans before I could reach him.”

  “What do you mean?” Nash asked.

  “Killed himself,” Lord Brandell said. “He also left a very detailed note to his many scandals. I’m ruined! I can never show myself in England again, but before I go, I plan to make you suffer for this.”

  Nash was still trying to wrap his mind around the fact that Mr. Reed had killed himself when a blade appeared in his uncle’s hand.

  “I’ll finish what Mr. Reed should have, the night you were born,” Lord Brandell said.

  Nash closed his eyes and didn’t bother bracing. He only wished he didn’t taste the fear in his mouth. He wished his heart didn’t race. His only regret was not having more time with Samantha.

  A shot rang out. Something heavy dropped to the ground.

  Nash felt himself released and then noticed the two men at their side had their hands up
.

  Luke stepped out from behind the carriage holding two pistols and tossed one. “Sorry, old friend, but you know how long it takes to reload these weapons.” In prison, Luke had often boasted at his speed of reloading a pistol. Luke addressed the two men, pointing the last pistol at both. “I’ve a single bullet more. Your benefactor is already down. Must I shoot one and fight the other, or would you both…”

  He didn’t finish. The men ran.

  Nash looked around and then dropped down to his uncle’s side. He turned him onto his back and heard Lord Brandell groan. He was still alive. The shot had struck his side. Nash grinned. “You can’t imagine how glad I am to know you’ll be around a little longer. I can’t wait for you to meet my friends in Newgate. I’m sure they’ll give you a warm greeting upon your arrival.”

  Brandell groaned again and then cursed.

  “Nash?”

  Nash turned to find Samantha.

  Luke moved past him to deal with Lord Brandell, but Nash paid him no mind.

  She stepped out of the carriage and he ran to her. She was in his arms instantly. He kissed her and touched her hair. “I thought you left on the horses.”

  She shook her head. “It was the ploy to make Lord Brandell think we left, but we couldn’t leave you. Lady Brandell wouldn’t…” Her words trailed off and she looked behind her.

  Nash lifted his eyes and watched Lady Brandell step out of the carriage. Her face was white and as he stared into her eyes, it became clear to him that she knew. She’d heard the argument. What must she think of him?

  “I thought you were dead,” she whispered.

  Nash released Samantha and went to her. He remained silent, because he didn’t know what to say. Would she have preferred him dead?

  Lady Brandell covered her mouth and looked him up and down. Then she shook her head.

  Nash closed his eyes.

  “I knew it,” she whispered. “A mother knows her son.” A hand touched his cheek and a flood of emotions unlocked for Nash.

  He gathered her in his arms and she clung to him.

  “My son,” she whispered with anguish and happiness. Her hands moved over his hair and down his back in a soothing motion. “I’m here now. I’m here. I’ll never let you go. I love you so much.” It was only then that Nash realized he was weeping, likely squeezing his mother far too hard, but he’d dreamt of holding her. All these years, he’d wanted little more than this moment.

  “How did you know?” His voice was rough with tears.

  She leaned away enough to wipe the tears from his eyes. “You almost called me ‘mother’ at Mrs. Weston’s house the morning you brought me the flowers. I suspected then that you knew who I was to you, but it took me a moment to recognize you. At first, looking at you brought too many bad memories.” She touched his hair again. “I would see you on the street when you were a boy, but knowing you were dead, I questioned my sanity. You looked like a Wolfgang, Nash. It was so hard for me to look at you, and not see your father.”

  He hugged her again, almost unwilling to be apart. “I wanted to tell you, but I was ashamed of what I’d become. My past. My anger.”

  “Yes,” she said in understanding. “I know. It’s all right. We’re together now.”

  He didn’t know how much time passed in the alley, but he realize the noise in the street had died before the sound of more horses rang out.

  Nash turned as soldiers came down the alley.

  Lord Brandell spoke from his place on the ground. “Help me! That criminal attacked me.”

  Nash moved his mother out of the way.

  The soldier looked at Nash. “Grab the criminal.” Two soldiers moved forward, but instead of coming to Nash, they grabbed Lord Brandell.

  The leading dragoon spoke to Lord Brandell. “We’ve evidence through correspondence that you arranged the death of your wife, brother, and nephew. We also have a missive you sent to Mr. Reed asking him to kill Mr. Smith, before it could be revealed that he was your nephew. All of this had been left out in plain sight on Mr. Reed’s writing desk.”

  Nash was still surprised that Mr. Reed had not only killed himself but left evidence for the soldiers to find. He would also be thankful that the man saved his life, but would find it hard to forgive him for the murder of his father, and the aunt he’d never met.

  Luke left, and came back with Lord and Lady Selby. Once everything calmed, Lord and Lady Selby dismissed themselves, deciding they’d rather go home than join the family for dinner, but Nash knew he’d have to tell his siblings what happened, and neither his fiancée or his mother wished to leave his side.

  He was glad for that.

  * * *

  31

  CHAPTER

  THIRTY-ONE

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  “Were you ever going to reveal to me the truth?” Samantha asked as they walked through the gardens behind Lord Obenshire’s house that night. She’d met Nash’s family and had enjoyed the warmth she’d gained from his sisters. His brothers were courteous, but polite, and while Chris didn’t offer her a smile, he had welcomed her to the family even though Samantha and Nash were not yet wed. Reuben and Rachel’s wedding was set for next week, and Samantha found herself excited for the ceremony. It was hard not to be excited when around the Smiths. They were loud, but good at heart. The family she never had.

  And all, with the exception of Christmas, were lords. Nash would regain his title once the court settled the matter with the current Lord Brandell. “If tonight had not happened as it did, Mr. Reed hadn’t left out the evidence to prove who you were, would you have ever told me you were the rightful Earl of Brandell?”

  “Eventually,” he said. “Though I admit I was not looking forward to it.”

  “Why not?”

  He stopped then and turned to her. “I didn’t want you trying to find a way to see that I received the title that had been taken away from me. I wanted you to accept me for who I was, and what I could offer.”

  She sighed and touched his jaw. “When will you learn that I love you?”

  He leaned down and rested his head against hers. “I don’t know. I’ve had twenty-nine years of doubts. It might take me more than two weeks to adjust to that fact.”

  She understood his reasons. She loved this man with her whole heart. He’d have to learn what that meant. Now that he had his mother in his life, Samantha thought it would become easier for him to put the past behind him and heal his pain.

  He wrapped her in his arms in the shadows of the night. “There are moments when I believe myself to be dreaming, times when I can’t believe you’re real.”

  She smiled. “I feel the same for you.”

  “Samantha.” His fingers trailed down her side. “You’re everything I’ve ever imagined and more.” He lifted his head. “I don’t want to court you forever. Let’s just run away.”

  Samantha laughed. “Absolutely not! I agree with your mother. We should wait. We’ve still two months until the Season ends.”

  He closed his eyes and groaned.

  Lady Brandell seemed ready to embrace life as never before, and one way of doing so was to plan the most extravagant wedding of the season. Rachel and the other ladies had all volunteered to help, but Samantha had remained silent since Nash had not formally asked for her hand.

  He opened his eyes and caught her look. “What are you thinking?”

  She shook her head and put on a smile. “Nothing.”

  He narrowed his gaze. “Now who is keeping secrets?”

  She laughed and then inhaled. Then she shook her head. “No, this is not something a lady discusses with her suitor.”

  “Fiancé.”

  “You never asked for my hand,” she corrected. “You asked my father. He said no. Then you informed him of what would take place.”

  Nash’s lips twitched as he took her hands. “Is that not a proposal?”

  She sn
atched her hands away with embarrassment, believing him to be laughing at her. “No, it’s you, being a brute.”

  He leaned forward and kissed her. His hands captured her cheeks and then he whispered, “Lady Samantha Coburn, will you do me the great honor—”