The Sweetest Love (Sons of Worthington Series)

by Higgins, Marie

  A servant walked into the coach house carrying trays of food. The young woman stood with the other two men as they partook of the meal. Tabitha pulled her gaze away from them as she looked out into the grand gardens of the estate. Although she had only been to a few estates in her life, one of them remained foremost in her mind. The Dowager Duchess of Kensington had the most beautiful flower gardens imaginable. Tabitha didn’t know the woman personally and had certainly never met her, but just that one time of seeing the gardens was enough to stay in Tabitha’s memory.

  Blowing out a frustrated breath, she glanced back at Lady Dashwood’s servants, still chatting and chomping down food. In a way, Tabitha wished she could talk with them just to keep her mind occupied. It was hard to think of other things when the fate of her future hung by a thread.

  It had almost been a week since she talked to Lord Hawthorne. Hurt and anger still ruled her emotions and fueled her melancholy. She’d thought he would do the right thing and convince Lord Tristan not to turn her in, yet because neither she nor Diana had heard anything—or even seen the magistrate—she still worried that at any minute Sir Felix would come to the door and arrest her.

  She blamed Lord Hawthorne for her fear and sleepless nights.

  Feeling restless, she strode out of the coach house and into the yard, but there was nothing there to keep her busy, either. She turned and slowly walked around the coach house, trying to waste her time. When she passed by one of the open windows and heard Lady Hollingsworth’s name, Tabitha stopped and moved closer to the window. Slowly she peeked inside. The driver, another man and the woman who’d brought the food were standing together talking.

  “I feel sorry for that wee woman,” Lady Dashwood’s driver said. “The lass has lived in a home where her husband hated her and her servants loathed her as well.”

  “Impossible!” the other man said. “That kind, sweet woman? It’s unbelievable the servants wud give ‘er grief.”

  “Aye, that is true,” the woman spoke up. “I heard that her lady’s maid had been raped by Lord Hollin’sworth because his wife cud not satisfy him.”

  “Just horrid!” the driver exclaimed. “That monster should have been horsewhipped.”

  “Aye,” the other man said.

  “But that’s not the worst of it for Lady Hollin’sworth,” the woman continued. “The reason her servants hated their mistress was because she wud not go to her husband’s bed. If she had given him an heir, his lordship wud not have taken the lady’s maid or the other women workin’ in the estate.”

  “Was the lady’s maid Martha Whitehead?”

  “Aye,” the woman answered.

  “I ‘ave ‘eard of Martha.”

  “She has a daughter who worked for the late Lord Elliot. I’ve heard that her daughter, Sally, wasn’t treated kindly by that lord, either.”

  “How utterly sad.”

  “Tis sad, indeed,” the woman continued. “I have heard that Martha is now a very angry and bitter woman.”

  “And who would blame ‘er?”

  Tabitha sucked in a quick breath and moved away from the window. Good heavens! This explained a lot. But not only did it explain the older woman’s hatred for Diana, pieces to the unknown puzzle started fitting together in Tabitha’s mind. Martha could have killed Lord Hollingsworth…and because Martha’s daughter had been abused by Lord Elliot, the mother could have killed him as well. Everything was so very clear now!

  Hope budded in Tabitha’s bosom as she hurried around the coach house and to the carriage. She needed to tell Diana, and she didn’t think she could wait for her to finish with her visit first.

  Tabitha prayed this was the answer to the end of their torment. She also prayed that Martha wouldn’t lie to the magistrate when he dropped by to ask her questions.

  As she paced the drive, she thought for sure she’d wear out the bottom of her boots before Lady Hollingsworth came out. She was ready to scream with frustration, and if she had to hold this information inside her for much longer, she would be barging in Lady Dashwood’s house just to let them know what the servants had said.

  From up the drive, another coach came her way with two riders beside it. Immediately, she recognized the emblem on the vehicle…and one of the men. What was the magistrate doing here? Her heart sunk, and fear expanded in her chest.

  As the coach neared, she gradually stepped back underneath a tree and lowered her hat on her forehead so they would not be able to see her face. The footman hurried out to greet Sir Felix and they chatted for a few moments. Although she couldn’t hear what was being said, she was anxious to get away…and to find Diana and get her away from these men as well.

  Just as panic consumed her, she turned and darted toward the back of the house, but because her hat was blocking her vision, she ran into a low hanging limb. The branch knocked the hat from her head, and immediately, her long hair tumbled down her back and over her shoulders.

  She held in a frightened cry as she bent to retrieve the hat. But as she peeked toward the magistrate, he and the footman, along with the third man, were staring at her with wide eyes.

  “That’s her!” The footman stated. “That’s Lady Diana’s maid.”

  Sir Felix flew off his horse. “Halt, Miss Tabitha,” he yelled as he hurried toward her.

  She wouldn’t give up without a fight…and a good run. The chubby man was definitely not fit to run as fast as she was.

  Tabitha turned and sprinted across the lawn as fast as she could. Terror pumped through her legs and helped with her flight. She came closer to the corner of the house, and just as she darted around the bush, two strong arms reached out and grabbed her.

  “Sir Felix, I got her.”

  Groaning, she struggled against his hold. Tears burned her eyes. She couldn’t understand how she had forgotten about the third man—the one who’d come with the magistrate?

  He pulled her toward the front of the house where Sir Felix met her. His scowl was fierce.

  “Miss Tabitha, I have come—”

  “What is the meaning of this?” Diana demanded as she flew down the front stairs, Lady Dashwood close on her heels. Diana rushed to Tabitha and tried to pry her wrist from the magistrate’s grip. “Release her at once, Sir Felix,” she demanded.

  “I fear, Lady Hollingsworth,” he said, lifting his chin arrogantly, “that I cannot release her. I have come to arrest her for the murders of your husband and Lord Elliot.”

  “No!” Tabitha yanked her hands, but the other man’s grip was too strong. “I didn’t kill them.”

  “We have witnesses that say otherwise.” Sir Felix arched a bushy eyebrow.

  “Then they are wrong!” Diana folded her arms over her chest. “My maid did not kill those men, I assure you.”

  “Forgive me, my lady,” he replied smugly, “but your assurance holds no strength this time. Now, if you will step aside so I can do my duty, I promise not to arrest you as well.”

  Lady Dashwood huffed. “This is highly irregular, my lord.”

  The portly man threw a glare at the other lady. “And I suggest, Lady Dashwood, that you stay out of my business as well.”

  The portly man and his partner, tugged Tabitha to the coach. Horror like she’d never imagined clawed its way from her stomach to her chest, squeezing the air from her lungs. She turned pleading eyes to Diana. “I didn’t do it.” Her voice broke.

  “I know you didn’t.” Diana cried and clutched her hands to her chest.

  “Not to worry, dear Tabitha,” Claudia assured, “I will hire a lawyer and have you released.”

  Helplessly, Tabitha was shoved into the windowless coach as a chain secured the door. There was no escaping now. If Diana couldn’t find a way to release her, Tabitha would surely die in prison.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Laughter chimed around the room as the Worthington brothers and their wives sat at the dowager’s large dining table for a family dinner. Tristan tried to smile, but it was so hard when his mind wa
s occupied on trying to figure out this mystery of who killed the two lords. What made him that much more upset was not coming up with any leads. Tabitha wasn’t a suspect on his list any longer, but Sally was. Now he wondered how he could find out what really happened that night after Elliot had beaten her.

  Tristan glanced around the table, trying to act as if he were involved with the conversation. The oldest Worthington brother, Trevor, sat near his wife Louisa, their eyes sparked with love when they gazed at each other. Louisa was midway through her pregnancy, and simply glowing. Trevor and Louisa had a rough patch at the beginning of their relationship, but now Tristan could see they were destined to be together, forever.

  The youngest brother, Trey was just as happy with his wife, Judith. The two of them were either holding hands or Trey’s arm was around his wife’s waist. Sometimes they were this way in public, which made all the matrons’ tongues wag with gossip. Tristan wasn’t around when Trey and Judith were courting, but apparently it was quite the scandal.

  Earlier tonight, Trey had announced Judith was pregnant. Tristan’s mother was as ecstatic as any woman could be as she clapped cheerfully as tears of joy swam in her eyes. Tristan prayed that one day he and Diana would have children…yet for some reason fate had not been smiling on either one of them lately.

  Tristan frowned. Maybe fate was never going to be a ray of sunshine in his life. Mentally, he shook the thought from him head. He must stay positive. Diana was destined to be his wife! And Tristan would do all he could to see it happen.

  “What is going on with the murder investigation, Tristan? Do you know?”

  He snapped out of his thoughts and looked at Trevor who’d asked the question. All eyes around the table were now on Tristan, so he tried to replace his forlorn expression with a cheery disposition, although he knew he failed miserably.

  “The last I have heard, the magistrate has no leads to the killer, I’m afraid.”

  “Does he still suspect you?” the dowager asked softly.

  “Yes Mother, but I’m doing my best to try and change his mind. We all know I didn’t do it, but for some reason, the magistrate now has it in his head that Lady Hollingsworth and I were working together to rid the world of her husband and my cousin.” He shrugged. “What a wild imagination that man has.”

  Murmurs of agreement went around the room.

  “However, just this past week, Hawthorne and I overheard a conversation between Lady Hollingsworth and two of her maids.”

  Both Trey and Trevor’s wide-eye gazes bounced back to Tristan.

  “It seems,” Tristan continued, “Lady Hollingsworth has a maid who was recently in Lord Elliot’s employ. He had been very abusive to this girl. Hawthorne and I are suspecting she might be the one who killed Elliot, but were not sure if she had the motive to kill Lord Hollingsworth.”

  Gasps burst through the room. “Did Diana’s maid confess to anything?” Trevor asked loudly.

  “Her name is Sally, and she didn’t confess, but she did state how she’d wanted Elliot dead.”

  “Did you say anything to Lady Hollingsworth?” Judith asked, swiping a light, chestnut ringlet away from her ear.

  “Indeed, I did. Unfortunately, we still need to find the proof before anything can be done.”

  “Oh, dear.” His mother fanned her face. “Tristan, you must make certain the girl is indeed the killer before you lay blame.”

  “Yes, Mother. I do know this, but I heard her practically confess.”

  “Practically?” Trey asked. “But that’s not going to hold up very well with the magistrate, my dear brother.”

  “Have you even talked to Sir Felix yet?” Louisa asked before she sipped her dinner wine.

  “No.” Tristan sighed heavily. “It’s like I had said before, I need proof first. I don’t want to cause any undue problems with Diana or her maid.”

  “Are you…still in love with her?” Judith asked softly.

  He arched an eyebrow. “Sally? Of course not. I have never held those feelings of such nature for the maid.”

  “No,” Judith corrected, “I was referring to Lady Hollingsworth.”

  Louisa leaned forward as if waiting for his answer. It seemed his sister-in-laws were more interested in that particular aspect of his life than his brothers, or even his mother. “Yes, I am still in love with Diana.”

  Knowing grins shaped Judith and Louisa’s mouths. His brothers, however, nearly scowled at Tristan—enough to burn holes through him.

  “No wonder you haven’t said anything to the magistrate,” Trevor barked. “I think you are trying to protect Diana more than you are trying to find a killer.”

  “Now Trevor, dear,” Louisa said as she patted her husband’s hand. “Have you forgotten how confused you were when you realized you were in love with a thief…only to discover how wrong you were?”

  Not very often did Tristan get to see his brother blush, but Trevor’s cheeks darkened a pinkish color.

  “You are correct, my love.” Trevor brushed his fingers lightly against her blonde curl by her ear.

  Tristan quickly continued before the two of them became any more zealous in their love. “I haven’t said anything to the magistrate until I have something that backs up my theory.”

  “That’s a wise thing to do,” his mother said.

  “Do you think she might be innocent?” Judith asked.

  Tristan shrugged then took a drink of his wine. “I don’t know. I just know that I if I were in her place and had been beaten like she had been, I would have wanted to kill the man responsible.” He shrugged. “So I have two different arguments pulling at me. I have logic that says once the true killer is put away, Diana and I can live our lives the way we’ve always wanted. And then my heart tells me that I shouldn’t blame the maid because she was so abused and mentally broken.”

  “Tristan?” Louisa asked. “Why don’t you follow your heart?”

  Inwardly, he sighed. He should have known she or Judith would say something like that. And for the life of him, he couldn’t hold back from telling her the truth. “My heart tells me Sally is innocent, but it’s only because Diana trusts her maids…and I trust Diana.”

  “Oh, Tristan dear.” His mother bunched her hands on the table. “Please do not do anything rash. Please make certain of your feelings before you pursue Lady Hollingsworth any further. You mentioned that Sir Felix thinks you and Lady Hollingsworth are in this together. I would hate him to have his suspicions confirmed if he saw you and the widow together in public.”

  “I’m very much aware of how it would look, Mother.” He rubbed his forehead, hoping the pounding in his skull would disappear. “But I don’t think you will have to worry about that any time soon, Mother. Until the true killer is caught, Diana and I will not be seen together at all. I just hope this ends quickly because I cannot see going through live without Diana as my wife.”

  “Tristan,” Louisa said, shaking her head, “don’t give up. If you love her, fight for her. I would not be married to your brother if he had given up on me so easily.”

  “Same here,” Trey added as he gazed into Judith’s eyes and smiled. “I don’t know what kind of man I would be right now if Judith had given up on our love.”

  Judith returned the tender smile and grasped Trey’s hand. “We certainly would not be here and starting a family together.”

  Everyone around the table chuckled and nodded. Except for Tristan. Once again, all he could manage was a weak smile. Maybe it was jealousy, or maybe it was just that there were too many obstacles keeping him from love.

  Perhaps what his family said was true. After all, they had all been through trials in their lives, and they were now all very happy. Blissfully happy…which was what he wanted to be.

  After dinner, he returned to his room. His mind was churning with ideas. Between Hawthorne and himself, they would find Lord Elliot’s servants and question them all…even if they had to bribe them with money. One way another, they’d find something to u
se that could lead them in the killer’s direction.

  From the corner of the small table near his bed, his attention caught something different. A letter—sealed with Lady Dashwood’s crest embedded in the wax. He snatched the letter and broke it open, his heart beating with anticipation.

  “Dear Tristan. Something dreadful has happened. Earlier today the magistrate arrested Tabitha and took her to Newgate Prison. We are beside ourselves and don’t know what to do. Please meet me late tonight in Lady Dashwood’s stable so that we can discuss what to do next. My heart is broken for this terrible injustice that has happened, and I pray that you and I can figure a way out of this mess. Please burn this letter once you have read it so that Sir Felix doesn’t think we are planning something. Most affectionately yours, Diana.”

  Tristan groaned and sank on the edge of his bed. Poor Tabitha. Indeed, she was not guilty, so what made the magistrate think she was? Surely Diana could speak to the man and assure him of Tabitha’s location during both murders. Tristan could even attest to being in the cottage when Tabitha was there. Even if he had to stretch the truth a bit, he could explain to Sir Felix that he’d been sick and Tabitha was nursing him back to health. At this point, he’d say anything to get her released.

  Yet…would that bring more suspicion on Diana?

  He growled and hit his fist into the mattress. This would drive him insane! He definitely needed to be with Diana, because that put him in better spirits. He could think better around her as well.

  Turning his head, he glanced at the clock on the mantel. It was only thirty minutes past eight. Still too early to meet her, and if he left now, he’d surely get caught by someone.

  He took the letter to the fireplace and threw it inside. The flames licked the paper quickly, turning it to ashes.

  As he stared in the fire, his mind wandered to Hawthorne. What in the devil was that man doing, and would he be able to help Tristan find the killer? When they had left Diana’s cottage this morning, Nic hadn’t been talkative…which wasn’t like him. By the faraway look in Nic’s eyes, Tristan could see something bothered him greatly, but the man never said anything.