“Hearing their revelation shocked me so much I became disoriented, and when I turned abruptly to return into the ballroom, I tripped on a potted plant. They heard me. I ran into the house and hid behind a group of people. I saw the two men rush inside, their faces red with fury as they urgently searched for me. I was so scared, I ran outside the front doors and to my cousin’s buggy. That is what I traveled in to come warn you.”
Gertrude patted Halle’s shoulder. “There, there, dearie. We shall take good care of you.”
“Indeed we shall.” The duke squared his shoulders in authority then looked at the butler. “Mr. Pitt, please send a rider out to the magistrate. We need to have this matter investigated further.”
“Yes, my lord.” The man named Pitt spun around and hurried out the room as fast as his lanky legs could carry him.
Halle blew out a relieved sigh. So far, so good…for now.
The duke looked back at Halle. “I appreciate your concern for our welfare and wanting to warn us.”
Halle nodded, but Edward still held a wary expression. Distrust filled the gaze he aimed at her.
“Tell me, Miss Chapman,” Edward said, “how was it that you came to be underneath our tree—without the buggy?”
The more she talked to this insipid man, the more she wanted to slap his arrogant face. “Forgive me for not finishing my story about what happened.” She took a deep breath before continuing. “When I knew these men were not following me, I stopped at the nearest residence to ask for directions to your manor. It was dark, and I prayed I would find the way with only the help of the quarter moon. I do not know how far away from here it happened, but a wheel came off the buggy, and I was thrown to the ground. Only by the grace of God did I make it to your manor, my lord.”
The Duke of Harrington nodded, his expression hadn’t changed. “Indeed, you have been through a lot of turmoil since last evening.” He tapped his finger on the armrest of the chair. “Did you recognize these men at all when you saw them come into the ballroom looking for you?”
Halle shook her head. “No. I’m still quite new to England, and I have only met a handful of people.”
“Can you describe these men?” the duke asked.
Halle hesitated. She needed to create these men even if she had no clue who was behind the family’s attack—especially since she admitted to seeing them. For some odd reason, Nigel from the bed and breakfast popped into her mind. “One was in his mid-forties, I believe. He wasn’t as tall as you, Your Grace, but perhaps a few inches shy of it. He had black hair and a black mustache. He had a round face and a round middle and his rolls shook when he walked. And, he had a slight limp.” Another person came to her mind…one she hadn’t met, but hoped he resembled her. “The other man was much younger with wavy, sandy colored hair. He also sported a mustache, and he was built stronger than the first man. I would guess him to be in his late thirties.”
Finally, the duke’ expression changed as his face reddened with anger. Halle swallowed down that worry rising in her throat. A shiver passed over her again and she rubbed her arms. She hoped she didn’t describe anyone he knew…yet, Andrew’s father would have his suspicions about who would want to attack his family seeing how he’d been getting threatening letters already.
“I thank you, Miss Chapman. I’m certain these descriptions will help the magistrate when he looks into the matter for us.” He paused for a long moment before folding his arms across his broad chest. “I would ask one thing of you, Miss Chapman, that you do not say anything to my wife or my daughter about these men and their plans.”
She nodded. “I think that best, as well. The news might be too much for them to bear. However, I’m certain they will wonder why I’m here and unchaperoned.”
“Indeed, they will, Miss Chapman.” He scratched his chin. “So for now, let us just say you were traveling with a group on the stage and when the coach stopped, you had wandered away. You were found underneath the tree because you had been walking all night trying to catch up with them. I agreed to allow you to stay here while we searched for your relatives.”
“I thank you, Your Grace. I will stick with that story.”
He turned to the cook. “Gertrude, please let no one know of what really happened to Miss Chapman.”
“Yes, Your Grace.” The cook bobbed her head vigorously.
“And if you will, fetch Mrs. Stanley and have her prepare a room for Miss Chapman. This poor girl needs to change out of these wet clothes immediately.”
“I will, Your Grace.” The cook hurried out of the room.
At the mention of Halle’s damp garments, she shivered. “But I have no other clothes.”
“You appear to be the same size as my daughter, Georgiana, and she has plenty of dresses to share.”
“Oh, I couldn’t possibly—”
“I insist. You are now a guest at my home, and it would make my heart glad to help you any way I can.”
Although he said the words, the tone of his voice didn’t sound as sincere as Halle would have liked. And Edward…he still gave her the evil-eye.
“You are too kind, Your Grace,” she answered meekly.
It surprised her how different Edward was from his brother. When she had first seen their portraits, she thought Edward handsome, but now… He wasn’t even close. Edward’s hair was a dark brown instead of the black like Andrew’s, and they both had blue eyes, but for some reason Andrew’s shoulders seemed wider, and his face, kinder. Perhaps she disliked Edward from the first because he’d been so rude and full of himself. From the moment she’d met Andrew, he’d treated her with tender respect.
Within minutes, servants rushed in and out of the room. Mrs. Stanley was a buxom woman, and didn’t look as old as Gertrude. Her brown hair curled in wisps around her ears, the housekeeper instructed the maids on what do to. Smiling, the woman treated Halle like a special guest, which made her thankful Andrew’s staff were so accommodating to a stranger such as herself. Still, she could tell the duke and Edward were not totally convinced with her story, and that made her nervous.
When would she meet Andrew? Another chill ran through her—this one from excitement. He wouldn’t remember her since they met after his family was killed.
Soon, a tall, older, sophisticated woman entered the room, adorned in a lovely cream-colored day dress that made Halle envious. The woman was striking, and her kind smile erased any of Halle’s fears.
The duke stood and moved by the woman. “My dear, may I introduce Miss Chapman? Miss Chapman, my wife, the Duchess of Harrington.”
Remembering the manners of this era, Halle quickly stood from her chair and curtsied. “A pleasure to meet you, Your Grace.” It was hard not to notice that although Andrew was as tall as his father and had the same broad shoulders, his arresting looks and black hair came from his mother.
The quick tapping of a woman’s shoes echoed in the corridor mere moments before a young woman rushed in. When the duchess turned her gaze to the door, the younger woman slowed, patted her brunette ringlets, and took graceful steps toward Halle.
“Miss Chapman,” the duchess said, “this is our daughter, Lady Georgiana Merrick.”
The girl bobbed in a curtsy and Halle followed. “Miss Chapman, I hope you and I will become good friends. I fear I do not have any close friends and I grow anxious for some company from women my own age.”
“Georgi,” the duchess scolded, touching her daughter’s shoulder. “Miss Chapman appears to be quite a few years older than you.”
“I am six and ten.” Georgi grinned at Halle. “May I be so bold to ask your age?”
“I am twenty-thr…um, three and twenty,” Halle answered.
“Mother, I think we need to have Miss Chapman come to my room to change her clothes. I fear if she waits much longer, she will become very ill.” The girl’s sparkling blue eyes pleaded with Lady Harrington.
Halle shook her head. “That’s not necessary, my lady—”
“You are quite ri
ght, Georgi,” the duchess replied. “Miss Chapman, please do not disappoint. You must come with us straightway.”
“Well…if I must, than I shall go to your room and change.” Halle bundled the afghan around her shoulders a little tighter and followed Georgi and her mother out of the room and up the stairs. Just as they turned the corner, one of the bedroom doors opened and out stepped a man as he adjusted his cravat and smoothed down his waistcoat. With hair freshly damp, and a face clean shaven, his masculinity caused Halle’s knees to quake.
Andrew… A much younger Andrew, she reminded herself. And he was alive! Oh good heavens…he was more handsome than she could have ever imagined. There is a God!
Chapter Eight
Andrew closed the door of his chambers, his mind whirling with the events that had happened last evening and the anger which had roared through him. Mentally, he prepared what he would say to his mistress to get her out of his life once and for all. He’d tried to reason with Lucy nicely last night—to tell her their arrangement was over, but the overly possessive widow had not taken him seriously.
Footsteps pounded the floor as voices floated down the hallway. Andrew shook himself out of his thoughts and focused on the group coming his way. His mother in the lead, Georgiana followed as she chatted with a young woman who was wrapped in the orange, yellow and brown afghan, while three servants hurried behind. The stranger captured Andrew’s attention as she stared right at him.
Staying by his door, he waited for them to come closer before saying, “Good morning. I see we have a guest.”
Georgi swung her head toward him, her eyes widening by the second. She squealed and rushed to him, throwing her arms around his neck.
He chuckled and kissed her cheek. “I thank you for a heart-warming welcome, dear sister. If I didn’t know any better, I would think you missed me.”
“Terribly so.” She pouted. “I wished you lived here all the time. I miss going riding every morning with you.”
His mother stopped, which made her entourage come to a halt. “It is indeed good to see you again. But we do have a guest. This is Miss Chapman.”
Andrew bowed. “A pleasure to meet you.”
His mother turned to the strange woman. “Miss Chapman, may I introduce my son, Lord Andrew.” His mother puffed her chest as a glimmer of pride laced her tone. “He was invested with the title for his exemplary military service.”
The woman curtsied. “The pleasure is all mine, my lord.”
He wondered why she appeared as if she’d just awakened. Her ringlets drooped nearly to her shoulders and were terribly mussed. The hem of her dress was damp and soiled, and she clung to the afghan wrapped around her as if she wore nothing underneath. “Are you…all right?” he asked warily.
“Thanks…um, I mean I thank you, my lord, I’m all right—just slightly indisposed, unfortunately.”
“Oh Andrew, it’s just awful what happened to Miss Chapman,” Georgiana began excitedly, but Mother tapped her on the shoulder and shook her head.
“There will be time later to explain.” She smiled at Georgi, and then looked at Andrew. “Miss Chapman will be staying with us for a little while, so I hope you will make her feel welcome.”
“But of course.”
“Andrew dear, how long will you be with us this time?” his mother asked. “Between your duties at the Foreign Office and your new townhouse, I did not think I would see you as much.” She smiled and patted his cheek lovingly.
“I plan on staying at least a fortnight. I have made arrangements with the Foreign Office. I assume it is permissible to stay that long?”
“Of course. We shall talk later. Right now I need to get Miss Chapman settled.” She glanced at their guest. “Come, let’s continue on to Georgiana’s room.”
Miss Chapman’s huge green eyes remained on him even after she walked by. Strange woman. Most women he met were attracted to him, but they didn’t appear so obvious in their first meeting. Nevertheless, Miss Chapman had his sister to keep her company, which pleased Andrew more than he could admit. If his parents brought this woman into the home with the hopes of a matrimony in the near future…they would be sorely disappointed when he didn’t show Miss Chapman any extra interest.
He hurried down the stairs and toward the front door. Just as he reached it his brother stepped out of the sitting room.
“Indeed, you are here.” Edward aimed his scowl at Andrew. “Why did you not let anyone know you arrived home last night?”
“Because it was late and I didn’t wish to disturb the family.”
“Where were you last night?”
Andrew arched a quizzical brow. “Edward, when have you ever cared about my welfare?” It surprised him that his brother was being so interested when Edward had never involved himself with Andrew’s life at all.
“Did you see that woman?” Edward pointed toward the stairs.
“Miss Chapman? Yes, Mother introduced us. Why?”
“Because she said you were passed out by the tree out front.”
A chuckle escaped Andrew’s throat. “And…this surprises you? I have done that on a few occasions.”
“Are you admitting you were passed out at the tree last night?” Edward plunked his hands on his hips in a commanding manner.
“Actually, last night I was not. When I arrived home, I was quite sober, thank you for your concern.”
“Why then did Miss Chapman say you were passed out?”
“I don’t know, dear brother. That should be a question directed to her, not me.”
“Another thing I would like to know is why does she refer to you as Andrew? She even had the audacity to call you the gardener.” Edward cocked his head arrogantly. “My first thought was that she was your mistress.”
Surprise shook through Andrew and he barked a laugh. “Lucy? No, Lucy and Miss Chapman look nothing alike.”
“So pray, why was Miss Chapman so personal with your name?”
Andrew rolled his eyes. To think his brother was still probing him with questions was certainly out of character. “Once again, dear brother, if you need to know these answers, why don’t you ask the young woman yourself?”
“Actually,” Edward said, slowly circling Andrew, “I would think you would want to know these answers. After all, it is your reputation.”
Andrew’s gut clenched and held his breath. Who was this woman and why had she been so personal with his name? He knew his parents wanted to marry him off, but they wouldn’t have brought in a strange woman and tried to create a scandal, would they? Or was this a stunt Edward had put together? It had been a few years since his brother tried to get their parents upset at Andrew.
He pushed that suspicion aside, not wanting to let his brother know what thoughts were really running through his head. “Edward, if I felt my reputation was in any danger, I would do something about it. As it is, I’m quite bored with this conversation so I’m leaving. I shall return shortly.” He pushed passed his brother toward the front door, but before he could reach it, Edward clamped his hand on Andrew’s shoulder.
“Before you go, I have some good news to share with you.”
Curious, Andrew arched an eyebrow. Now this was a shock—that his brother would want to share something personal. “What is your good news?”
“I have decided to ask Agnes to be my bride.”
Andrew wanted to laugh, but refrained. “Lady Agnes Caldwell?”
“The very same, yes.”
Inwardly, Andrew groaned. Lady Agnes didn’t love Edward…she only wanted the attention that came with the title. “When I see her next I shall relay my condolences, then,” he joked.
Edward scowled. “You will do no such thing. Lady Agnes and I shall be very happy together.”
“I’m quite certain she will be very happy,” Andrew nodded, “since she is so fond of spending money.”
“And you are not a spendthrift?” Edward snapped.
“You have misunderstood, Edward. Lady Agnes only turned
to you when she could not sink her claws into the Duke of Elwood. The very minute his engagement was announced, she was by your side, fluttering her eyelashes.”
“Do I detect jealousy?”
Andrew chuckled. “Not in the least. I have never been jealous of you, Edward, it’s just that I do not approve of that woman.”
“I happen to think she and I suit perfectly, and there is nothing you can say to sway my decision.”
Holding up his hands in surrender, Andrew shook his head. “Then go ahead with your life and I wish you well. Now, if you will excuse me, I have errands to run.”
“Before you go,” Andrew’s father bellowed from down the hallway as his long strides brought him closer. “I need to speak with both of you. Now.” He motioned toward his study then led the way. Andrew walked beside Edward, closing the door once they were in the room.
“I need your help.” The older man pinned a hard glare on both his sons. “I have reason to believe Miss Chapman is not on the up and up.”
“Do you think she is deceiving us?” Edward asked.
“Actually, I do. I have found a few holes in her story.”
“But her fingers were not dirty as if she’d been digging in the ground,” Edward muttered. “So do you think—”
“That’s exactly what I think,” the duke answered.
Andrew shook his head. “What are you two talking about? What is Miss Chapman’s story? I have yet to hear it.” Andrew had never seen his father so edgy—or distrustful.
His father quickly relayed what Miss Chapman had told them. Worry encased Andrew’s chest, making it tight. “Why would anyone want to attack our family?”
“If you must know,” his father said, “I have suspected my cousin, Nimrod, to be up to no good. For years, he has wanted my title and estates.” He motioned his head toward the hallway. “While talking to Miss Chapman, she described the two men she’d heard. One of the descriptions fit Nimrod perfectly.”
“It did?” Edward asked, his eyes growing wider.
Confusion continued to fill Andrew. “Father, Edward and I have not seen your cousin since we were small lads. We don’t remember him.”
Love Lost in Time (Victorian Time-Travel) Page 10