Ravaging the Duke

by J R Salisbury

  The group rode down the road away from Alec's estate toward another road which ran down toward town. This would be the area they would search. He tried to remember what sat there, which were lived in, and which ones might be where he'd hide Margaret.

  The day was getting on, the shadows growing longer. There wouldn't be too much more daylight for them to search. He wouldn't stop until he was satisfied. Searching at night might be beneficial. An unused cottage would have no fire and no light coming from it. Night just might be their friend after all.

  The cottages were spread out. Some overlooked the sea, and some were across the road and tucked further back. Then there were those that were unseen, along with outbuildings. Alec sent his men to search these as he and Monty began to walk, looking for any signs of life in the cottages tucked away from the beach. He had a strong sense that this would be where Thaddeus would hide his wife. Thaddeus seemed a smart man to a degree. His common sense, on the other hand, was something else entirely.

  A half moon could be seen trying to rise as day became night. This would help their deed quite a bit more. They could move about easier.

  He took another deep breath as though he thought he could pick up some sign of where his beloved wife was. What he was hoping was that someone might have a fire going. Something with a strong odor of wood or peat. Nothing out of the ordinary caught his senses.

  Their search turned out to be futile. Alec headed the men back to his house. They would all start anew at first light. A few unused cottages came to mind. Ones he'd forgotten. Cottages which once belonged to former tenants. People his own father had driven off because of the ruins he had been making of the family estate. A place where families had lived for generations. A small sliver of hope ran through him. Maybe, just maybe, they'd find Margaret in one of those.

  "I have an idea for tomorrow," he said to Monty as they rode back in silence.

  "Good, because my only one is to try here at first light."

  "We'll send some men to do that. I want to look on the estate." He explained his thought to his friend. "It would be far easier to hold her nearby for a day or so. We can place men at all the roads leaving the estate in case I'm right."

  "And they try to leave at first light."

  "Exactly.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  The moon was high in the sky. It was only a half moon, but Margaret knew as long as her uncle could get them to the main road, they'd have no problem finding their way to the house. She didn't know her way around the estate well enough to tell where they were. All she knew was Thaddeus hadn't taken her off Alec's property. It was large enough anyone could hide, at least for a day or two. If one were quiet and kept their presence unknown.

  Margaret wondered if Alec and the others were out looking for her, or if they'd given up for the night. Knowing Alec, she felt her husband wouldn't quit after the sun went down, The moon wasn't full enough to make out all the hiding places tucked out of the way by the dark.

  As Thaddeus brought the wagon onto the main road, she had to smile. Thaddeus truly hadn't known what to do with her. He hadn't left the estate. She recognized they were on the service road which led to the kitchens.

  "I think it would be better if we used the main entrance," she said. Margaret stared at her uncle. She could tell, even in the paltry moonlight, he was scared to death. He had every right to be. She hoped it wasn't too late to undo what Thaddeus had done. If Alec had involved the authorities, it might be harder to get anyone to listen to her.

  "I suppose you're right."

  "I will do everything in my power to see you're not charged with any crime. The longer we wait, the worse it'll be for you."

  "And if your husband has involved the authorities, it'll be impossible to undo what I have done."

  "Let's not think that far ahead. I believe Alec will have gone looking for us. Around and in town, as well as on the estate. That means he' d have to involve his sister's husband and their men. I can only hope by doing this now, Alec will be more forgiving."

  "Let's just hope your husband is as forgiving as you are, niece."

  She smiled and nodded again. "Yes. I believe he will be once he hears your story."

  Thaddeus had turned the wagon away from the house. Under ordinary circumstances, this might have caused alarm, but she knew the only way to access the main drive to the front of the house was by going to the main road and then turning down the drive. She wondered if there'd be anyone to meet them or if no one sat guard.

  Slowly, the wagon made its way onto the main road, and then Thaddeus turned it onto the drive leading back to the manor house. The house appeared as it normally did. Nothing to lead one to believe there was something else going on.

  As soon as he pulled the wagon into the courtyard, the front door flew open. Footmen ran down the steps to the wagon. Alec wasn't far behind them. He looked panicked, but seeing Thaddeus with Margaret seated beside him changed his facial expression to curious.

  Margaret spoke up first.

  "Please don't harm him. You need to hear what he has to say, Alec," she said, accepting her husband's help from the wagon.

  "He can tell it to the authorities."

  "No, you will treat him with the respect you'd give any relative. No authorities. I don't believe that will be necessary."

  "Margaret, have you gone mad? He abducted you, held you against your will. For what purpose?"

  "Let us go inside. Thaddeus can explain himself."

  "He has a lot to explain," Alec said dryly. He shook his head in disbelief at this new turn of events.

  As Alec guided Margaret up the stairs, he held onto her tightly. "Did he hurt you?" he whispered.

  "No."

  "Why did he take you?"

  "You'll have to hear what he has to say. I believe him, Alec."

  He led her through the grand hall and to his study. Cameron and Monty were standing outside the door. Both looked in disbelief when they saw Thaddeus behind them surrounded by footmen.

  Once everyone was seated, Alec stood behind his desk. He stared at Thaddeus before he turned his attention to his bride. "Would you care to enlighten us, Margaret?"

  "I think my uncle can speak for himself."

  Alec nodded and looked hard at the man who'd hours before abducted his wife. "Go ahead."

  Thaddeus ran his hands through his hair. Slowly, he began to tell them about his obsession and jealousy of his only brother. How he had come up with a scheme he thought would make him a rich man.

  By having Margaret marry her cousin, Jacob. When that failed, Thaddeus knew he had to do something. He knew of the jewels. He thought by taking Margaret, she would tell him where the jewels were so he could sneak back into the house and take them.

  But Margaret had opened his eyes. How he couldn't continue being jealous of something that truly wasn't his.

  "Why should we believe you?" Alec bellowed with anger.

  "Give him a chance, Alec. Thaddeus has printing skills, but he also has been trained as a jeweler. By my father. Isn't there something he could do for you, Alec or Cameron or Monty?"

  "I need to think about this. For now, he can stay."

  "You're not going to allow him to freely roam the house?" Norwood asked. He glanced to Alec, then Evermont.

  "No. Of course not. For the time being, he'll be confined to one of the guest rooms. Is that understood, Thaddeus?" He stared long and hard at the man. He had to be a fool, but he trusted Margaret's instincts beyond a fault.

  "You'll post men outside the door?" Evermont inquired.

  "Of course." Alec glanced at Thaddeus and his unkempt suit. He motioned to the butler, who was still standing near the door. "Take him upstairs to the green guest room on the east side. Have a bath drawn and find him suitable clothing. Keep two men posted outside the room at all times."

  "Yes, Your Grace." The butler snapped his fingers, and two footmen appeared from what seemed to be nowhere. They surrounded the older man and began to lead him out of the
room. The butler followed, no doubt about to command orders about a bath and attire outside the confines of the room.

  Alec and the rest watched until the door was closed. "Margaret, how can you be so sure he isn't playing you?"

  "I've known Thaddeus all my life. I believe him. I'm sure there's a lot more than what he's telling us right now. In time, I'm sure he will tell us the rest."

  "I still don't understand why he felt the need to kidnap you. Surely he could have talked with you in another manner."

  "No, he felt threatened that you would turn him over to the authorities."

  "Which I still may."

  "Alec, have a heart. Give him a chance. Send him where you may, just please don't turn him in."

  "I need to discuss this further with Norwood and Evermont. Later, I'll talk with your uncle again. Until then, why don't you go take a bath and rest? It's been a long day for all of us."

  Margaret nodded. "Indeed it has been a very long day and night." She lifted her skirts and began walking across the room. There was no need to pursue this further. For now, Thaddeus had a reprieve. It would be up to her and her cousin to convince Alec to allow Thaddeus a second chance. Margaret felt he would do that.

  Alec waited until the door closed behind his wife. He walked over to a brandy decanter and poured three glasses. "Well, what do you two think?" he asked as he handed each man a snifter.

  "I say talk with him one on one," Evermont said as he swirled his brandy.

  "That's along the lines I was thinking," Alec replied. "What say you, Norwood?"

  "I agree; it does seem the best solution. Find something that keeps him away from you and Margaret for a while. Makes him accountable for his actions as well."

  Alec took a swallow of brandy, letting it burn his throat with its heat. "Good idea."

  "Yes," Norwood agreed. "If he's sincere, he'll agree to whatever you come up with."

  "Then it would be a perfect solution," Evermont drawled.

  "Yes," Alec replied.

  "You still need to keep a close eye on him until he leaves. Just in case he's using Margaret's suggestion to see his agenda through," Evermont replied.

  "That shouldn't be too hard. Once we all return to London, I'll find something for Thaddeus. Something that matches his skill sets. Then we can see if he's as serious as he says about wanting to start over," Alec said.

  "Keep someone you trust near him," Norwood added.

  "I shall, though right at the moment, I'm not sure whom."

  Evermont sat back in his chair. "If you have the jewels here, make sure they're well hidden. Don't take the risk of returning to London with them. At least not yet."

  "They're quite safe." Alec smiled before lifting his glass to his lips.

  It was quite late. In a few hours, dawn would be upon them. The trio split up, Evermont leaving to return to his own home. As his carriage pulled away, Alec and Norwood headed up the stairs. They bade each other goodnight as they split up.

  Alec was anxious to see Margaret, make sure she was truly unharmed. He knocked on the door to her bedchamber. Getting no answer, he opened the door and headed inside. A sound from inside the bathing chamber caught his attention.

  Chapter Thirty

  Two days later, all the houseguests had left the Somerset home of the Duke and Duchess of Wexwood. Rain continued to pour as it had for nearly a week. Margaret and Alec stood at the top of the stairs as they watched the last coach leave.

  "I won't say I'm not happy to see everyone leave," Alec muttered.

  "Alec!"

  "Having to be host and being hospitable when one has their own matters to take care of make a man short tempered."

  Margaret smiled up at her handsome husband as he led her back into the house. "Are you speaking about you in particular or all you men?"

  "All of us. I'm quite sure Evermont and Norwood were glad to get back to their own lives. For entirely different reasons, I'm sure."

  "Yes. Norwood is captivated by Anna. I expect him to offer her brother for marriage."

  "Do you think she'll accept?"

  "Honestly, I don't know. She's a very hard person to get close to."

  "Jacob was anxious as well."

  "I can't blame him. I hope he stays away from his father and takes advantage of what you've offered him," she said.

  "To be honest, I'm not sure if I completely trust either of them yet. They're both difficult to know."

  Margaret nodded. "I'm sure he still feels conflicted when it comes to his father. Thaddeus bullied him a lot. And I can only hope my uncle will move on with his life. You gave him a chance, too, by not turning him into the authorities"

  "I can understand that. Jacob will be fine. His father as well."

  "I'm sure he will be. They both will be fine, though it's going to take time."

  "Enough of everyone else. I'm ready to spend time with my wife."

  "It has been hard, hasn't it?"

  He smiled. "Yes. Even in the privacy of our own rooms as you've been quite tired most nights, wife."

  "I know. I had no idea entertaining could take so much out of me."

  "It wasn't simple entertaining. A house party takes up far more of my wife's time than I'd like."

  This time she smiled and linked her arm with his. "Then I suppose we won't be hosting too many."

  "No, we won't," he replied.

  "What would you like to do with the rest of our day?"

  "Since it's still raining, I believe I'd like to ravish my wife. However, first I need to spend a couple of hours going over my correspondence and books. Do you mind?"

  Margaret sighed and grinned at him. "Would it do any good if I did?"

  He looked hurt by her comment. His crestfallen face told her.

  "Go on, finish what you must. I'll see you upstairs shortly."

  He kissed her forehead. "I promise I won't be any longer than I have to be."

  She fiddled with a button on his waistcoat. "I know you won't. In fact, I believe I'm going to go upstairs and lie down."

  He nodded and was gone. Margaret sighed and walked across the great hall to the stairs. She hadn't felt herself the past few days and had dismissed it. Too much food, late hours with Alec had to be the cause. She'd been so busy seeing to her guests’ needs Margaret hadn't taken care of herself.

  A short nap and everything would be right as rain. If she wasn't, she'd have some tea. Tea always cured everything. Or so she remembered her mother telling her a long time ago.

  She rang for her maid. The young woman came quickly and helped Margaret get out of her clothing. There was no way she could sleep with all that on. Not comfortably. Women's clothing was never meant to be comfortable. Not like men's attire. She found herself under the sheets, her eyes heavy.

  Falling asleep came easy. No dreams filled her head, just restful, peaceful sleep. That is, until she found her husband straddled on top of her. She was dressed in only her combinations and he in only his smalls.

  "Alec..."

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Two weeks later, Alec received not one, but two letters he dared hope for. He had to share them with Margaret. She would be pleased. Time had a funny way of working things out if left to their own devices.

  Margaret was sitting on the terrace enjoying the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks in the distance. The weather had been glorious, and she spent more time outdoors than in. Winter would be here too soon, and they wouldn't be able to enjoy quiet times like this.

  "There you are," he said, trying to contain his enthusiasm.

  "Yes. I'm going to miss Somerset."

  "I know you are. It pleases me that you've come to love this place as much as I do."

  She smiled. "I know that isn't the reason you're here. You look like you're going to burst."

  "I've had news."

  "What?"

  "I received a letter from your cousin."

  "Yes?"

  He arched a brow. "It seems Jacob has rethought my offe
r and decided to take me up on it. He also mentioned he had dinner with his father, and that Thaddeus has accepted a job running a print shop."

  "That's wonderful for Uncle Thaddeus," she exclaimed. "I wonder what changed Jacob's mind."

  "He mentioned something about how miserable London was in the summer. He looks forward to going to Scotland."

  "It's the answer to a lot of things you were worried about."

  "It is."

  She cocked her head. "What's your other news?"

  He looked shocked. "Whatever do you mean? Isn't that enough?"

  "It is, but you're bursting to tell me something else. Is it Monty?"

  "Yes. It seems he asked Miss Grover for marriage and she accepted, as did her brother."

  "How wonderful!"

  "They are announcing their betrothal at his London home in a fortnight. I responded that we would be there."

  "I guess this means a trip back to London."

  "I'm afraid so, and sooner than I'd planned."

  She reached across and took his hand. "We must be there for Monty and Jacob."

  "How would you like to see Scotland in the autumn? I can't let Jacob go to Scotland alone."

  "Could we take the train this time?"

  "Yes. We could as far as Edinburgh."

  "Wonderful. When do we leave for London?"

  "Is three days too soon?"

  She blinked. "Not at all. I can begin getting ready today."

  Alec stared out at the railing that overlooked the sea. He hated to leave, but they would return soon. For Christmas perhaps. He was so thankful Margaret loved this place as much as he did.

  "How about a picnic? On the beach?"

  "What? When?"

  "Today. There won't be time once you begin getting ready for London."

  She squeezed his hand. "I think it's a marvelous idea. I'll go instruct cook to prepare us a basket," she replied. "I also have some news."

  He looked at her curiously. Then it dawned on him. Could she be with child? So soon? It certainly made sense. She hadn't been feeling well. Especially in the mornings. They'd both put it off to the guests and house party. He would let her tell him if that was indeed what her news was.