The light started fading faster as the walls moved closer, within an inch of her body.
“DOROTHEA!” she heard someone scream from behind the door, it was Rutland’s voice. She fought harder when she heard him, not wanting to let him go again, as she had the day he told her he loved her. Dorothea tried to stand again, the walls too close to allow any movement. She was set free, the hold on her let go and she fell face forward into the small confined space. Dorothea turned around to see the demon who had her enslaved. Hands came from the darkness, the nails dirty, and the skin purple and bruised. She tried to scream but her voice didn’t come out, paralysed with fear. The hands came closer as a face followed, showing it to be Lord Barrett. Dorothea fell, going down in a spiral, her heart lunging.
Dorothea awoke with a gasp, sweat and tears mingled on her face as she broke down. Her heart running fast and the beating too strong.
“No…” Dorothea moaned, crying about her life. “I can’t live like this.”
She pleaded to God to save her, to bring about a miracle, any, to free her of the shackles that suffocated her more and more each day.
Chapter 9
Secrets Revealed:
R utland paced his study, impatient and anxious for his informer to arrive. He had received word from the informer last night, stating that he had acquired information as Rutland had asked and that he would arrive today to share it, deeming it too risky to be shared through a letter. Hence, Rutland felt on edge and unsettled, waiting for the informer to arrive. It was nearing evening, and he hadn’t come yet. Rutland felt agitated and worried, wanting to have all the information gathered so he could do anything to help Dorothea. The wedding was only a few days away now, and Rutland feared he would be too late. It wasn’t about his heart anymore or him wanting to be with her. It had become about saving an extraordinary and good, kind-hearted woman from a doomed fate.
Rutland heard the clock behind him ticking relentlessly, adding to the tension he felt for losing precious time. The knock on the door made him jump, and he rushed to open it. The informer came in, carrying a sombre expression.
“What did you find?” Rutland asked, impatiently. If he didn’t learn, he would go crazy from the loops his mind was circling in.
“Sir, I looked into the Cavendish family’s relation with Lord Barrett, and it appears we have found some significant information,” the informer said.
“Go on,” Rutland said, eager to know.
“The late Samuel Cavendish found himself involved in a scandal long ago and was taken to court.” The informer said, “He was accused of forging documents to receive a loan from the bank for his cotton business.”
“And?” Rutland asked, surprised to hear this. He hadn’t heard much about Dorothea’s father but he had heard about his good heart and respectful reputation.
“It appears that Mr Cavendish did indeed do forgery,” the informer said and Rutland was shocked to hear so. “However, my sources tell me, he was advised to do so by a worker. The said worker was sent and paid by Lord Barrett to push Mr Cavendish to forge the signatures of certain advocates to receive the loan. When he was caught, Lord Barrett came forth as a witness and sided with Mr Cavendish, proving his innocence and accused the worker of the forgery, seemingly getting rid of the only person who knew the truth except, of course, him.”
Suddenly it clicked in Rutland’s head. The reason why Dorothea was forcing herself to marry Lord Barrett. She feared if she rejected this proposal, Lord Barrett would reveal the truth about her father, even though she didn’t know that her father truly was innocent and was used as a pawn. Rutland had to hurry if he wanted to inform her and prevent her from making the biggest mistake of her life.
“Will your source testify in court?” Rutland asked, getting up to get his coat.
“Yes, Sir. However, I’m afraid there’s more I must tell you.”
Had this not been enough? Rutland thought about what could be worse than this information, his hand wavering over his coat.
“Sir, it appears Mr Cavendish did not die due to natural causes,” the informer said, his voice sounding slightly upset. “Mr Cavendish was poisoned. He was murdered.”
Rutland froze, his limbs going numb upon hearing this. If he had learned anything so far, he could already guess who was behind the murder. There truly was no time left, Rutland thought as he put on his coat.
“We leave for London, immediately,” Rutland said, rushing out the study with the informer on his heels. As they raced to the carriage, the informer told him everything. The more Rutland heard, the more he wanted to get to London quickly. If he didn’t do anything to stop the wedding, Dorothea would be lost forever to a wicked man.
***
The streets of London were abuzz with talk of the upcoming lavish wedding of Lord Barrett to Miss Dorothea Cavendish, his loving, devoted fiancée. The invitations had been sent out, and the announcements had been made. Women ironed their best dresses for the day after tomorrow, when the two lovers would marry in Church, for better or worse. They all wondered what the beautiful, blushing bride was going to wear. Unbeknownst to them, she sat forlorn in her room, staring out of the window.
“Mrs Williams?” Dorothea called out from near the window. Mrs Williams was getting Dorothea’s belongings packed for her to move to the Barrett residence. After much persistence from Dorothea, Lord Barrett had allowed Mrs Williams to remain in Dorothea’s service and was going to move with her. He had also cajoled Dorothea to hand over the papers of her family house and had said he would have it sold. Dorothea had not wanted to, but she didn’t have any other choice. Hence, she had quietly handed them over.
“Yes, dear?” Mrs Williams asked, folding another dress.
“What was Mama like?” Dorothea asked, still looking out the window intently.
“Oh dear, your mother was one of the finest and strongest women I ever knew,” Mrs Williams said, smiling. “Second to you, of course.”
“I’m not strong, Mrs Williams,” Dorothea said, her eyes moist. “If I were, I wouldn’t be here.”
“Sometimes, doing the thing you despise the most is the one that marks you a strong person,” Mrs Williams said, walking towards Dorothea to hold her hands. “I see your mother in you, in every aspect.”
“Mrs Williams, I’m scared,” Dorothea said, frowning. “I don’t know how I’ll survive in that household.”
“Something tells me you’re going to be just fine, miss,” Mrs Williams said, smiling knowingly.
Before Dorothea could ask any further questions, Mrs Williams turned back to the dresses and put them in the suitcase and closed it.
“If that is all, miss, I would like to ask for a few hours to run an errand,” Mrs Williams said, avoiding Dorothea’s eyes.
“Of course, Mrs Williams. But you’ll join me for dinner tonight?” Dorothea asked, not wanting to go alone.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Mrs Williams said, winking. Dorothea cracked a smile, wondering what errand had Mrs Williams in such high spirits.
“All right,” Dorothea said and Mrs Williams left.
Tonight, Mrs Williams was going to accompany Dorothea to the Barrett Residence. Dorothea would join Lord Barrett for dinner and Mrs Williams would go on to move her belongings into her new bedroom. The day after tomorrow, at noon, Dorothea would be married to Lord Barrett. She had only two nights to spend in her own home, by herself. The night of the wedding ceremony, Dorothea would have to sleep in the same bed as Lord Barrett. Dorothea had resigned herself to not think of Rutland, for it hurt too much and made her think of a future she lost by marrying Lord Barrett.
The thought of Rutland was a difficult one and Dorothea had refused to wander over it. It only added to the despair she felt. She couldn’t handle it, not with a noose waiting for her to hang the morning of her wedding, in the form of Lord Barrett.
Chapter 10
The Sinner Pays:
“M rs Williams, for the remainder of this conversation, I
require you to be honest without worrying about the consequences,” Rutland said to Mrs Williams, who sat on the sofa opposite him. Rutland had sent word to her to meet him, in order to discuss the information he had received.
On his way to London, the duke had been told by the informer of the reasons he had concluded Samuel had been murdered. From what Rutland knew so far, the informer had conversed with Lord Barrett’s manservant, after striking a deal which involved an exchange of money. The cost had been nothing compared to the information which Rutland had gained.
The manservant had told the informer how Lord Barrett had sent him to an apothecary situated in a shady part of London’s East End, known for its illegal business exchanges. There the manservant had given Lord Barrett’s name to the shopkeeper who in return had handed him a brown paper bag containing a small bottle. The shopkeeper had said to handle the bottle with care and to not jostle it too much. The manservant had thought it was a special draught, since he had heard Lord Barrett, drunkenly, discussing it with an associate and how he had acquired it for Mr Cavendish, to end his pain.
However, the manservant felt uneasy, feeling something was amiss. Against his orders, he had taken the small bottle out of the bag and smelt it. The stench was strong and potent, it had made him feel dizzy, and hence, he had put it back in the bag. Although he had transferred it to Lord Barrett, he had guessed as much that it was not a draught to treat. It had occurred to him that it may have been poison, having seen a vicious side to Lord Barrett many times before. Yet in order to protect his job and life, he had stayed quiet.
Rutland had known for sure it was poison, and hence, he had called on Mrs Williams to gather more information before undergoing the actions to expose Lord Barrett.
“Of course, Your Grace,” Mrs Williams said, worried about what was happening.
“Mrs Williams, I won’t be wrong when I say you care about the Cavendish family, especially for Miss Dorothea,” Rutland said.
“Yes, Your Grace. I have served the family for a long time,” Mrs Williams said, sincerely.
“Then, Mrs Williams, you need to help me protect Miss Cavendish and bring justice to her late father,” Rutland said, looking at her with compassion.
“Sir, I will help in any way I can,” Mrs Williams said.
“On the night before Mr Cavendish’s death, did anyone visit him?” Rutland asked, eager to find out.
“Yes, sir…” Mrs Williams said as her eyes grew in fear. “It was Lord Barrett.”
“How long was he there?” Rutland asked, more eager. “Did you converse with him?”
“He was there for about an hour, Sir. He had told me to not wake Miss Dorothea, and that he had come only to give Mr Cavendish, may he rest in peace, an elixir. I believe he called it the elixir of laudanum for his increasing pain,” Mrs Williams said, feeling confused. “He had gone on to present it to Mr Cavendish and then left afterwards when Mr Cavendish slept.”
“Mrs Williams, it is of the utmost importance that you find me the vial that held the elixir,” Rutland said, his own heart racing fast. “Can you do that?”
“Yes, sir,” Mrs Williams said.
“My man will go with you. You are to pass the bottle to him and not inform Miss Dorothea, not yet,” Rutland said.
“Is everything all right, sir?” Mrs Williams asked, feeling afraid.
“I’m going to make everything all right, Mrs Williams,” Rutland said, determined to save Dorothea.
***
Dorothea took a small bite from her plate, the chicken tasting like charcoal in her numb mouth. Ever since her father had died, Dorothea was unable to eat without throwing up afterwards. Her stomach could not handle the diet she required to survive. However, when Lord Barrett was present, Dorothea had to eat, even if she felt sick, for he would taunt her and scold her. He sat opposite her now, eating his food. Mrs Williams was upstairs, unpacking Dorothea’s bags. Dorothea noticed she had been on edge ever since returning from her errand. She was worried if something had gone wrong. She wanted to ask Mrs Williams but had been unable to talk to her. She decided to ask her after returning home.
“My Lord, there is a constable here to meet you, sir,” the Barrett butler announced.
Dorothea watched Lord Barrett’s eyes grow in fear before he quickly hid it with a perfected expression of confusion.
“Please take them into the foyer,” Lord Barrett said, wiping his lips with a napkin and getting up from the dinner table. Dorothea wondered why the constabulary would visit at such an hour unless something had gone wrong. Despite being afraid to get caught, Dorothea sneaked behind him to listen in and know what was happening. However, she did not need to hide for the sight in front of her called for her presence.
“You are hereby arrested for the murder of Samuel Cavendish,” the constable said, as the other one put handcuffs on Lord Barrett’s wrist. Mrs Williams came rushing down, just as Dorothea felt her legs give way. She thought she had misheard, but when Mrs Williams looked at her with pity and sympathy, she knew what they said was not a lie.
“This is absurd! I demand to have my rights declared!” Lord Barrett shouted, resisting.
“Sir, if you resist, we will have to force you to leave with us,” the constable said.
Before Dorothea knew it, she was lunging towards Lord Barrett, wanting to scratch his face and hit him. She saw only red as she looked at him with rage and wanted to make him pay for the hurt and pain he had caused her.
“Miss! No!” Mrs Williams said, constraining her. “He is not worth it!”
“You contemptible man! How could you? He was my father!” Dorothea screamed as Mrs Williams forced her out of the room. The moment the constable led Lord Barrett through the foyer and out of the residence, Dorothea broke down, allowing herself to release the tears she had left. She could not believe Lord Barrett had stooped this low. Dorothea wondered what a horrible mistake she would’ve made by marrying her father’s murderer. The thought alone made bile rise up her throat, making her feel sickened to the stomach.
“Let’s go home, miss,” Mrs Williams said, cajoling her to move. Dorothea willed herself to move, knowing she was free forever now.
Chapter 11
Happy at Last:
D orothea felt peace after a long journey of obstacles and hardships that had left her staggering to survive. Although Dorothea grieved the loss of her father and his untimely death, always thinking how he could’ve been here if Lord Barrett hadn’t done what he did. From what the constabulary had told her, Lord Barrett had poisoned her father with arsenic and ended his life. Mrs Williams had told her about her conversation with Rutland, and how he had been the one to figure it out. It was because of him that Dorothea was free now, to live on her own as she pleased.
Dorothea had been happy, thinking she would now be able to be with her one true love, Rutland. However, the happiness had been short-lived when Dorothea remembered how brutally she had pushed him away. Why would he want to love her anymore? He had figured it out because he was a compassionate human being who wanted help everyone. Dorothea tried to ignore the guilt she felt for pushing him away but she knew she didn’t have any other choice at the time.
Today, Rutland was going to arrive at her house, to tell her exactly what had happened. After much debating between her heart and mind, Dorothea had mustered up the courage to declare how she truly felt for him. After that, she would leave it up to him to choose whether he loved her or not. Regardless, Dorothea would understand his decision and would not question it. Her heart flipped when she heard the knock on the door. She excitedly went downstairs to see Rutland, having longed to see him so much every day since he left.
***
“I met Mrs Williams, and well, you know the rest,” Rutland said at the end of recalling the events of the past few days. Dorothea wiped her tears, her heart filled with love for this man. He had undergone so much to ensure she was happy, to ensure Lord Barrett would not get his way with her.
“Thank you.
Thank you, so much, Duke Rutland, for doing this,” Dorothea said, her tears spilling as gratitude consumed her. “I will never be able to thank you enough.”
“It was my duty to protect you,” Rutland said, sincerely. “I did the right thing, that’s all.”
“Of course,” Dorothea said, heartbroken to think he meant he didn’t do it out of love.
“There is another thing you must know,” Rutland said. “Your father was innocent, he was tricked into forging the documents.”
Dorothea felt as if her heart had been set free, the chains that imprisoned it had been let loose. A small smile played on her lips as the thought of her father’s innocence made her feel elated. “Thank you,” she said, sincerely. “I have to say something as well.”
“I do too. If you don’t mind, I’d like to go first,” Rutland said, fearing he’d lose his courage if she said anything first.
“Of course,” Dorothea said, fearing she wouldn’t be able to tell him the truth any longer.
“I understand if you do not wish the same, but I… I am in love with you, Dorothea,” Rutland said, hiding his gaze. “I love you and everything about you. And I wish to spend my life with you. I know you didn’t love Barrett and I… I’d like you to give me a chance.”
When she didn’t reply, Rutland felt his heart drop. He willed himself to look up and saw her weeping with a sweet smile on her lips. He immediately rushed to her side, cradling her face tenderly in his hands.
“Don’t cry, Dorothea. I understand if you do not want me the same way. I understand,” Rutland said, not wanting her to feel forced. “You are not obliged to reciprocate.”
Dorothea moved her face towards him, kissing his lips softly and putting her hands on his chest. He was frozen for a moment before he kissed her back, reflecting her desire. “I love you, too,” Dorothea declared, her heart singing his praises. “I have always loved you. I want to be your wife.”
Regency Romances for the Ages Page 116