by Rose Pearson
His smile was tender but there was heat in his eyes, the corner of his mouth curled in anger. “I will not be hurt, my love. Lord Darnsley is on the verge of madness from what I can tell. I doubt he will prove to be much of a challenge. I will not kill him, if that is what you are worried about. Besides, I doubt if there is any other way we will be rid of him entirely. Whatever is was that pushed him to madness, his debts, his sins, or the realization that he could not have you, the truth of the matter is that we will never be fully free and happy until your cousin is dealt with.”
Harmonia bit her lip as she sat back against the hard wood of the hackney seat, only for Lord Newford to come and sit close beside her, his arm going around her shoulders as he tugged her in towards him.
“Just be careful,” she whispered, as the hackney began to make its way slowly back along the road into London. “I could not bear it if he were to harm you again.”
Lord Newford said nothing but simply held her close, allowing his strength to flow into her. He held her tightly and held her close and Harmonia felt her eyes grow heavy as she succumbed to the tiredness and fatigue that swarmed in towards her. After such an ordeal, she was finally safe in the arms of her betrothed, secure in the knowledge that nothing would happen to her every again. Luke would be taught a lesson he was not likely to forget, and she would, finally, be able to live without fear.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Harmonia!”
Phillip stood aside as Lady Amelia practically flung herself at her younger sister, tears of relief running down her cheeks.
“My dear daughter,” the Duke rumbled, wrapping his arms around Harmonia as Lady Amelia came to thank Phillip. “You are safe now. Thank goodness.” The Duke raised his head and looked across at Phillip, his gaze filled with thankfulness.
“I cannot find the words to express my indebtedness towards you, Newford,” he said softly, as Harmonia smiled tremulously up at him. “You brought Harmonia back safely.”
Amelia nodded in agreement, wiping tears from her eyes. “Thank you, Newford. I knew we could depend on you.”
Phillip caught Harmonia’s hand as she came back towards him, seeing her eyes filled with a sudden pain. She knew what was coming and where he would have to go.
“Do excuse me,” he said softly, directing his words towards the Duke and Lady Amelia. “I have to go and finish this matter entirely.”
The Duke frowned as Phillip placed his hat on his head and pressed a light kiss to the back of Harmonia’s hand. “Might I ask where you are going?”
Harmonia sighed and pressed Phillip’s hand for a moment before releasing him. “A duel, father.”
There was a moment of silence, followed only by the Duke’s grunt of approval as Lady Amelia stared at him, wide eyed.
“It has to be done, I suppose,” the Duke murmured, coming towards Harmonia and offering her his arm. “I would have done it myself, of course but –”
“No, you cannot, papa!” Harmonia exclaimed, taking his arm. “I will not let you go. Luke is much too wily, and you are –”
“Much too old?” the Duke interrupted, with a wry smile. “And yet I find myself wishing I might be able to defend your honor, Harmonia.” His expression grew downcast as he shook his head, his gaze travelling towards Phillip. “I find myself indebted to you yet again, Newford.”
Phillip, seeing both the regret and the acceptance in the Duke’s expression, bowed again. “I feel it is my duty, your grace, since she is to be my wife. I am glad to be able to do such a thing, I assure you.”
“Very good, very good,” the Duke murmured, patting Harmonia’s hand. “Where is it to be?”
“Hyde Park,” Phillip replied, giving his betrothed a soft smile. “Swords, of course. I sent a servant to fetch mine from my townhouse the moment we arrived here, I hope you do not mind.”
“Not in the least,” the Duke murmured, passing one hand over his eyebrows. “You are skilled with the sword, I presume?”
Phillip nodded. “I have been trained since I was young. I fully intend to win, your grace, for I will not allow such an insult against Harmonia to stand.” A rattle of anger shot through him, sending heat into his veins. Trying to keep his composure, he cleared his throat and ensured his hat was firmly on his head. “I must go if I am to be on time. I would not wish him to believe that I am a coward with no intention of appearing!”
“Of course. I am quite sure you will return to us victorious,” Amelia declared, coming to take Harmonia’s other arm. “We will await your return in the drawing room, I think? Harmonia can tell us all about what occurred, although I am sure I can guess Luke’s intentions.” She looked at her sister and smiled gently, although Phillip could see the tinge of pain in her eyes. “Come, Harmonia. You need to rest.”
Phillip smiled as Harmonia looked back at him, nodding to her as she shot him a look of concern. “I will return very soon,” he promised, as the butler opened the front door for him. “Have no fear, my love. It will all be over soon.”
She smiled back at him although a sheen of tears was in her eyes as she did so. Hating that he was required to leave her, Phillip strode back outside and down the steps before climbing up onto the stallion that was still waiting patiently for him, having been taken back to the house alongside the hackney. The servant sent to fetch his sword was standing by the animal with Phillip’s sword in his hands. Muttering a word of thanks, Phillip took it from him and buckled it to his belt as a wave of anticipation washed over him. Throwing his leg over the saddle, he turned the stallion in the direction of Hyde Park, ready to take Luke on.
Half an hour later and Phillip was still waiting for Luke to appear. The park was reasonably quiet, given that the fashionable hour was over, and Phillip was well in view of the entrance to the park. Luke still had not shown his face and that was making Phillip nervous.
Surely Luke could not be considering another ill-fated attempt at trying to get Harmonia for himself? That certainly could not be the case given that she was safely with her father and sister at home, as well as the fact that Luke would be practically hung, drawn and quartered by the Duke should he so much as make an appearance at the house. So, where was he?
Frowning to himself, Phillip began to pace up and down the small path whilst one of his groomsmen held the stallion and his sword. He was growing somewhat unsettled with each minute that passed, wondering where the man could be. After all, he had hidden himself from the Duke, Harmonia and Amelia for some time whilst evidently remaining in London so was he about to do the very same thing again? Go into hiding so that he might, one day, attempt to capture Harmonia again?
The man had been somewhat injured when Phillip had thrown his challenge at him, recalling how blood had been trickling down Luke’s face from where he’d fallen from the carriage. Mayhap he was simply having his wound seen to before coming to the park. Trying to settle his mind with that thought, Phillip continued to walk up and down, forcing some of the tension to drain from his body.
Seeing Harmonia hurrying towards him, her face pale and eyes wide with fright, had been one of the most wonderful moments of his life despite the terror she had experienced. Holding her tightly, he had felt himself awash with relief, closing his eyes and convincing himself that she really was there with him. He’d sworn to himself that he would always keep her safe from now on, that he would deal with the problem of Luke head on. He didn’t want her to be afraid any longer, kept in the house and worrying about what would happen should she step outside. She needed her freedom, needed her safety. To live as she had been was no life at all.
“I will find him if he does not appear,” he muttered to himself, running one hand through his hair in frustration. “I swear I will not rest until I deal with him.”
The promise he made to himself was not too long in its fulfilment for, a few minutes later, a sudden movement caught his eye. Clearing his throat, he frowned and planted his hands on his hips as a man hurried towards him.
It was no
t Luke Darnsley, but it was clear that Phillip was the man’s quarry. He came towards him without hesitating, his eyes sharp and breath coming quickly. Evidently, he’d been running towards the park and, from his attire, Phillip guessed him to be a servant of some sort.
“Lord Newford?” the man asked, stopping a few paces away and eyeing him curiously.
“Yes,” Phillip replied, briskly. “That is I. What is it?”
“I have news from Lord Darnsley,” the man replied, holding out a note to Phillip. “It is my duty to inform you that he will not be attending the park today.”
Something like molten anger flooded through Phillip’s veins as he took the note from the man’s hand. “Will not be attending?” he repeated, furiously. “The coward!”
“Yes, he is,” the man replied, calmly. “I am a servant in Lord Marlborough’s house where Lord Darnsley has been residing these last few weeks. I can assure you that he has been thrown from Lord Marlborough’s house and has quit London altogether.”
Opening the note, Phillip scanned it quickly. It was a signed note from Lord Darnsley, stating that he had quit London for good and would not be returning. It was a harsh scrawl, a note written in haste, with only the very basic information contained within it.
The man was a scoundrel and a coward, it seemed. Crumpling up the note in his hand, Phillip drew in a long breath, feeling a mixture of relief and frustration that he would not be able to give Luke Darnsley the sound hiding he deserved. Now, it seemed, he was not to get the revenge he had hoped for, would still be somewhat uncertain as to where Lord Darnsley might be.
“Lord Marlborough, you say?” he muttered, looking at the servant who nodded. “Ask him to call upon the Duke of Westbrook as soon as convenient please. I am sure he will have a lot of questions as regards Lord Darnsley.”
The servant inclined his head. “But of course.”
“And be assured that I shall be making my own enquiries as to where Lord Darnsley has gone,” Phillip continued, as severely as he could. “I will not be satisfied with a mere note until I find out his exact whereabouts.”
The man in front of him did not buckle or look in any way disturbed by Phillip’s firm tone, but instead simply nodded. “I shall relay such things to my master, Lord Newford. However, I would be disingenuous to neglect to tell you that Lord Marlborough made sure that his guest left with nothing but the small case he took with him and, I believe, made sure that he was followed for a time to be quite certain that he left London.”
Surprised that a gentleman could be so thorough, Phillip lifted one eyebrow. “Oh? And why was that?”
“I believe that news of what Lord Darnsley had attempted to do to Lady Harmonia reached my master’s ears,” the servant explained. “When he appeared with blood trickling from a cut to his forehead, my master realized that it was all quite true and, of course, he could not allow such a man to continue to reside in his home and trample on his generosity! Lord Marlborough is a good man, my lord, and I think he was as surprised as anyone to realize what Lord Darnsley was truly like.”
That helped Phillip’s conflicted mind to settle somewhat, for even though he did not know Lord Marlborough, the rest of what the servant said rang true. Nodding again, he looked down at the crumpled piece of paper in his hand and let out a long breath.
“Thank you,” he said, dismissing the servant in front of him. “It appears that this is now all at an end.”
Turning around, Phillip took the reins of his stallion from the servant, flung his leg up into the saddle and began to make his way back through Hyde Park. Lord Luke Darnsley was no longer in London, if the man was to be believed, and, on top of which, Phillip knew Luke would not dare show his face when there was a duel to be settled. The sooner he married Harmonia, the better, for then he would be able to have her by his side, always.
A weight lifted from his shoulders as he arrived back at the townhouse, his heart finally released from all the worry and anxiety he had once felt. There was nothing more to grow concerned about, for Luke would no longer be a part of their lives.
A deep weariness settled over him as he climbed the steps of the Duke’s townhouse. Handing his hat, coat and sword to the butler, he was immediately ushered into the drawing room where the Duke, Lady Amelia and Lady Harmonia sat. They rose as one, staring at him for a moment, before Harmonia let out a soft cry and hurried towards him.
“All is well,” he promised, holding her tightly and seeing the look of relief on the Duke’s face. “Come, my dear. Come and sit down and I will explain everything to you.”
The Duke held out his hand and shook Phillip’s hand firmly as he came to sit by them, whilst Amelia rang the bell in order to fetch refreshments for him.
“You look very tired,” Harmonia whispered, placing her hand atop his as they sat together. “Was it a long fight?”
“He did not appear.”
His words hung in the air before crashing to the ground, with both Harmonia and Lady Amelia staring at him in surprise.
“You mean, Luke did not show up for his duel?” the Duke asked, his voice a little hoarse. “The coward!”
Quickly, Phillip sketched out the details, making sure to include the information about Lord Marlborough’s actions.
“I know Lord Marlborough a little,” the Duke murmured thoughtfully, as Harmonia clung to Phillip’s hand. “Something of a recluse – a little like me, I suppose. Tends to keep himself out of society for the most part and isn’t privy to the latest gossip. It is little wonder he didn’t hear of Luke’s actions until much later.”
Phillip nodded slowly, squeezing Harmonia’s fingers. “You think him gone for good this time?”
“I do,” the Duke replied, firmly. “With news about what Luke did to Harmonia in attempting to abduct her already making its way around London, Luke will have no other option but to flee the town. He will have no friends here any longer and, with very little money, I cannot imagine that he will have any other option but to either mortgage or rent out his manor house in the country.”
“What do you think will become of him, papa?” Lady Amelia asked, as two maids entered with trays in their hands. “Where will he go?”
“I do not particularly care, Amelia, if I am honest,” the Duke replied, with a slight shrug. “He is not any of our concern any longer, and I am glad of that. Now Harmonia can go on without any kind of fear or concern.”
Harmonia let out a long breath, looking up at Phillip with so much love in her expression that, for a moment, he was caught by the intensity of it in her gaze. “Thank you, Phillip,” she whispered. “I cannot imagine the courage it must have taken for you to go to the park with your sword in hand.”
“You have been more than courageous, my love,” Phillip replied, softly. “You managed to keep your head and escape from Luke’s clutches when he threw you into the carriage. Had he managed to leave London with you, I would not have given up. I would have searched for you until I found you. Nothing could separate me from you, my love, not even Luke Darnsley.”
She smiled at him, her expression softening and eyes clear. It was as though a great, heavy weight had been pushed from her shoulders, leaving her completely free. Phillip felt it too, as the band of anxiety that had been around his chest for so long finally loosened and fell free.
“I doubt you shall want to remain in London any longer than necessary,” the Duke interrupted, his smile spreading across his face as the worry lifted from his expression. “Shall we return home a little earlier than planned, Harmonia?”
Phillip chuckled as Harmonia turned to her father, her face lighting with a delighted smile.
“Oh, yes, papa!” she exclaimed, her eyes shining as she looked back at Phillip.
“Newford, you are more than welcome to stay with us, of course,” the Duke continued, with a broad smile. “As I said, it is a little sooner than we had planned, and I would not want to inconvenience you in any way.”
Harmonia’s gaze fixed on his, a sligh
t worry in her eyes. “You would not mind, would you, Phillip?”
“Of course, I would not,” Phillip replied, thinking that the sooner he could marry his dear Harmonia, the better. “I find London to be somewhat stifling these last few days. Thank you, your grace. I would be glad to come with you to your estate whenever you are ready. I believe I can be prepared within a few hours!”
The Duke chuckled as Harmonia smiled from one to the other. “As I think my daughter could be! Well, Harmonia, it has been a very long ordeal for you and I cannot tell you how proud I am of you – as well as how relieved I am that you are safe.” His gaze grew tender as he regarded his younger daughter. “Once you are wed, I think I shall feel a lot more at ease. I am glad you have found such a suitable man as Lord Newford for your husband, my dear. He has already shown great care for you, and I know he will be an excellent husband.”
Feeling a little abashed, Phillip cleared his throat. “I shall do all I can to make Harmonia happy, your grace,” he promised, as Harmonia smiled up at him. “She is the only woman in the world I could think of as my bride. I love her with all my heart.”
“As I love you,” Harmonia replied, softly.
There was silence for a moment, only for the Lady Amelia to reach forward and begin to pour the tea.
“The servants seemed to know what had occurred almost before we did,” the Duke mumbled, shaking his head as he accepted a cup from Amelia. “I swear news travels around this place faster than lightening.”
Aware that this was certainly true of London, Phillip gave Harmonia a wry smile, remembering how so many people had watched the events unfolding from their carriages. “I’m sure that is true, your grace.”
“And with all the gossip that is sure to be whispered, it is probably best that we return home,” Lady Amelia added, with a wry smile. “I cannot think that you would like to remain here and be the center of attention, Harmonia.”