“Do you have proof that His Grace isn’t really His Grace?”
“Of course not. They’ve been far too careful, and they’ve been using the butler to keep everyone away from the evidence. Appleton must be removed. Once he is, I can find out what I need and you’ll have enough money to live a peaceful and quiet life in the country for the rest of your days.”
“I can’t do it. Appleton’s an honorable gentleman, and even if the duke is someone else, he’s someone worth working for. I refuse to poison anyone else.”
The footman turned to leave but Mason grabbed his arm. “I’ll make you a deal. Either you take care of Appleton or I’ll find a way to take care of you.”
His eyes grew wide. “My lord…”
“I mean it, Fieldman. Either Appleton dies or you do.” Without waiting for a response, Mason got on his horse and rode off the property.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Don opened the door. “Francine, we have a visitor!” They walked through the doorway before he shut the door. “You remember what I said about owing you. She’ll be glad to see you.”
As soon as a young woman carrying an infant entered the room, she let out a cry of surprise and ran over to hug Jason, making sure she didn’t make the baby uncomfortable. “I don’t believe it! Is it really you, Alastair?”
“I…it appears so,” Jason slowly replied.
She pulled away from him and looked at Don. “It appears so?”
“He lost his memory. How long ago was it that you woke up at that estate?” Don asked him.
“October,” Jason replied.
“What happened in October?” Francine asked her husband.
“I’m not sure, but that’s what he’s here to find out,” Don replied. “I think we should get something to eat and drink. We can talk in the kitchen.”
Francine nodded and handed the baby to Don. “I’ll get some soup ready. Come to the kitchen. I don’t want to miss anything.”
The gentlemen followed her to the kitchen, and when Jason sat down, Don held the four-month-old infant to Jason. “Do you want to hold him? We named him after you.”
Though Jason wasn’t sure what to do with a baby, he took the boy in his arms and set him on his lap. “You named him Alastair?”
“We had to.” Don smiled and ruffled the boy’s hair. “If it wasn’t for you, Francine and I wouldn’t be together today.”
Shifting to better face Don, Jason studied him. “What happened?”
“You helped me escape from the circus. I told you I used to go by ‘fire eater’. That’s because I could put the end of a flaming torch in my mouth and extinguish it. I also juggled with fire and taught animals to jump through rings of fire. Well, Francine happened to be attending one of our shows in Nottingham, and we both saw her. You also fancied her, but since Francine wanted to be with me, you graciously bowed out.”
“I bowed out? So I’m not married?”
“No, and believe me, I’m very grateful for that since it allowed me to be with Francine.”
Francine smiled at Don, and Jason recalled how Anna had smiled at him in the same way. Francine and Don had the kind of love he had with Anna, and he’d never been more grateful that he’d stepped aside so that they could be together. He suspected it had been a hard thing for him to do, given the similar sweetness Francine and Anna shared, but no one could ever be as wonderful as Anna. And now he could return home to Anna! He fought the urge to jump out of his chair and return to Camden. Before he left London, Anna told him she’d be going back there, and he didn’t blame her since she took comfort in being in the country.
“You did more than let me be with Don,” Francine said, directing Jason’s attention to her. “You helped him escape.”
Jason chuckled. “Escape?”
“She means it exactly as she said it,” Don replied. “The circus leader, Iron Jim, was very possessive of those he managed.”
“Owned, you mean,” she added as she poured tea into their cups.
“As she said, owned. We weren’t people in our own right. We were his property. We were either born and raised in the circus or found as infants. My parents trained animals, and that’s how I came to learn to train animals. The fire was something new I added to the act.”
“And something Iron Jim didn’t want to lose. It was the highlight of the show.”
“So what happened?” Jason asked. “How did I help you escape?”
“We were on our way out of Nottingham when you came up with the clever scheme to hide me in a barrel,” Don began. “You had the task of disposing the garbage one night and as you collected it, you brought a barrel into my cage. In my place, we left some leaves and placed them under my blanket so when Iron Jim came by to check on everyone, he assumed I was asleep. You put the barrel and other garbage onto the wagon and took me safely away from the circus. I ran back to Nottingham, and Francine and I came here to get married. Since I was good with horses, I became a blacksmith.”
“And we’ve been happy ever since,” Francine replied and placed their cups on the table.
He winked at her and picked up his cup. “That we have.” He took a sip and looked at Jason. “It took a lot of courage for you to do that.”
Though Jason was honored by their words, he still had other questions. “How did I end up at the circus? Are my parents there?”
“No. You were sold into it when you were two days old. No one expected you to survive. You were sickly, but Iron Jim was sure with the right medicine, you’d survive. You were given to a couple who couldn’t have children. The man was an expert horse rider and the woman an expert acrobat. In time, you became an excellent rider and acrobat.”
“But I fell off the horse during one routine?”
“It was a new routine, but yes, you fell off and nearly died. It happened shortly before you helped me escape.”
Jason picked up his cup to drink, but the baby reached for it so he quickly put it back down before any tea spilled out of it. “Do you know who my real parents are?”
“No. As far as I know, no one knew, although…”
“Although what?” Jason pressed.
Don rubbed his chin in a thoughtful manner. “It’s possible Willie-the-juggler might know. He was Iron Jim’s right-hand man, so to speak. Anything Iron Jim wanted done, he did it, including acquiring new circus workers. If anyone handled your adoption into the circus, it was him. He’s probably in his early sixties by now, if he’s still alive. I haven’t had anything to do with the circus since you helped me escape, so I don’t know if you can find him or not.”
Jason thought over his choices. He could go back to Anna, assured that he wasn’t married to anyone else, or he could see if that twin brother who disappeared from the Camden estate twenty-seven years ago was him. How else could he explain that he looked exactly like the duke he’d replaced? As tempted as he was to return home, he knew Mason posed enough of a threat to find out if he had the right to the title. If it turned out he was the missing twin, then Mason’s argument that he didn’t have the right to the title would be null and void. Maybe then Mason would leave him alone, and if he didn’t…if he continued to give him problems, then Jason would seek out a legal way to handle it.
Jason turned his attention back to Don. “Do you know where I can find Willie?”
“If he’s still alive, he’ll be with Iron Jim’s Circus. Iron Jim does the same route every year, and right now, he should be in London.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s the least I can do for an old friend.” Don patted him on the back and chuckled. “It’s been good seeing you again. So you got married when you passed through here last time?”
“Yes, and she’s a wonderful lady.”
Francine placed the food and utensils in front of them. “Eat up. It doesn’t stay hot for long.” She took the baby. “I’ll put him down for a nap. Don’t mind me. I’ll be back soon.”
Don picked up his spoon and grinned. “It’s not exactly th
e kind of dinner you’re used to, seeing as how you’re a duke and all, but it’s better than how we used to eat in the circus.” He dipped his spoon into the soup and added, “Tell me what your life is like now.”
As they ate, Jason did as Don asked.
***
Two days later, Anna brought a small forkful of roasted lamb up to her mouth and debated if she had the stomach for it. She knew keeping something in her stomach at all times helped ease the morning sickness, but it was hard to get the first bite in. She took a slow, deep breath and put the fork in her mouth. The cook had done an excellent job of flavoring it so that she had an easier time of swallowing it. For some strange reason, certain types of foods were easier to eat than others. She waited for a long moment before her stomach settled.
Relieved, she poked another piece of the lamb with her fork and glanced at the seat where Jason used to sit. She recalled how much he wanted her to eat dinner with him in his bedchamber when he was still too injured to walk down the stairs. She’d give anything to eat with him in his bedchamber again. Blinking back her tears, she took a deep breath and focused on the baby. She had a new purpose, something to live for. A part of Jason would remain with her, in case he didn’t return.
From behind her, a loud thump hit the floor followed by a flurry of activity from the servants who stood nearby. Surprised, she turned in her chair and gasped when she realized Appleton had collapsed. Bolting out of her chair, she ran over to him.
“What happened?” she asked, shoving past the footman and maid who were kneeling by him.
“Please, Your Grace, don’t come close,” the footman warned her, holding his hand up to stop her from touching Appleton. “I don’t think he’s feeling well.”
“What’s wrong with him?” she demanded, not liking how pale he was.
“I don’t know. Move aside, please.”
She and the others who were hovering over Appleton backed up, and the footman lifted him in his arms. Appleton groaned, and she moved toward him. “Appleton, what’s wrong?”
The footman headed for the door. “Your Grace, I insist you not come near him. He is not well, and you have yourself and the child to think about. I’ll take him to his room and let you know how he’s doing.”
“Send for a doctor,” she told him, following him as he left the dining room.
“Yes, I will, right after I make sure he’s comfortable,” the footman called over his shoulder and hurried down the hallway.
She slowed her steps until they came to a stop. Everything happened so fast. Just that morning, Appleton seemed to be all right. He had reported feeling a little strange around noon but assured her it was nothing to worry about and now… And now he’d collapsed while she ate dinner. Her heart constricted and she pressed her hand over her stomach. What was going to happen to him? Was this a simple illness or was it something serious?
A maid came over to her. “Your Grace?”
Anna stared at the hallway as the footman turned down another hallway, disappearing from sight. She wanted to continue going after him, but she knew there was nothing she could do for Appleton. The doctor needed to take a look at him and tell her what to do. Tears welled up in her eyes. She probably lost Jason. Was she going to lose Appleton, too? Grabbing her handkerchief, she wiped her eyes. It was amazing she had any more tears remaining considering all she’d been doing was crying ever since Jason left. Was this her punishment for hiding her first husband’s death?
“Your Grace?”
Reluctant, she turned her attention to the maid who offered her a sympathetic smile. She knew the maid meant well, but the maid had no idea what was really happening. Except for Appleton, the servants had no idea Jason wasn’t the real duke and that he might not return. She sighed and turned back to the dining room. She needed to think of the baby. When the doctor came, she’d talk to him, but for now, she needed to eat the little she could manage.
***
It was close to midnight when the doctor finally arrived. Anna paced the drawing room, unable to sleep until she knew Appleton would be all right.
“It has to be punishment,” she whispered and swallowed the lump in her throat. There was no other way to explain it.
She heard a set of footsteps come down the hallway and steadied herself so she could focus on what the doctor would tell her. Whatever he recommended, she’d do it.
Doctor Unger entered the room and placed his leather bag on the table. “Your Grace…please have a seat.”
She froze in place, her heart racing with dread. “Is it that bad?”
“Your Grace?” He motioned to the settee.
She closed her eyes for a moment and gathered her strength before she walked over to it. It was bad news. Horrible news. It was the same tone he’d used when her first husband took ill. Back then, she hadn’t cared, but now… She opened her eyes, gulped and sat down. I’m being punished, she thought. Appleton, her dear friend, was being taken from her in the same way her first husband had been.
Dr. Unger sat in the chair across from her. “He’s sick to his stomach and is having trouble holding solids down. He’s also developing a fever. This is the same illness that your husband had. But there’s hope. Your husband survived, so there’s a good chance your butler will, too. I’ll leave the same medicine for you.”
He had no idea how wrong he was, and knowing it was the same illness that afflicted her first husband—the same illness that sealed his fate—caused tears to fill her eyes. He handed her a clean handkerchief and waited as she sobbed into it. Her dear friend was doomed.
“There’s hope, Your Grace. You must take courage from the fact that your husband survived.”
She couldn’t respond. All she could do was cry harder. Despite his optimism, she knew better. And that was the bitterness of the whole thing. She couldn’t tell him why he was wrong. She couldn’t tell him this was her punishment for lying about her first husband’s death. For the first time since Appleton saved her from the gazebo the night she tried to end her life, she was alone. Even with a house full of servants, she was utterly and completely alone.
Chapter Twenty-Three
After dinner that evening, Anna slipped into Appleton’s room. Despite the footman’s protests that she needed to stay away from Appleton in case she caught his illness, she knew better. She’d never caught it from her first husband, and she wouldn’t catch it from Appleton.
Though the maid had cleaned the bowl he’d vomited in, she caught the foul smell in the air. But the smell mattered little to her compared to the sad state he was in. She shut the door softly behind her and approached his bed. After all he’d done for her…all he’d saved her from… He didn’t deserve this.
He opened his eyes and turned his head in her direction. Forcing a smile, he said, “I was hoping you’d come.”
She grabbed a chair and pulled it up to his bed. Grabbing his hand, she pressed her forehead to it and cried. “Appleton…”
With his other hand, he patted her hair. “Your Grace, I’ve lived a full and happy life. I’m grateful you’ve been the duchess of this estate and that you found love with His Grace. He’ll return. There’s no doubt in my mind about that. And when he does, he’ll comfort you.”
“No! Don’t talk like that. You can’t leave me. You must hold on. There has to be a way we can get you better. There must be some medicine we haven’t tried.”
“I have no regrets.”
She lifted her head. “Stop talking like that!”
He sighed and looked at her with his caring eyes. “It might not be my time, but if it is, I need you to know I’m all right with the way things ended.”
She shook her head and bolted to her feet. “I can’t believe you’ve given up. You need to fight this thing. You have to try.”
“I am trying, Your Grace. I just want you to know I only wish the best for you.”
Wiping her eyes, she turned her back to him. Would she ever stop crying? It seemed all she could do was cry. Surely, at som
e point she’d have no more tears. Her gaze fell to the empty pitcher by his bed. Taking a deep breath, she picked it up. “Do you think you can drink anything?”
“I might. Sometimes I can keep liquids down.”
“I’ll bring more water.”
She headed out of the room and placed the pitcher on the kitchen table. Since the kitchen was vacant for the moment, she retrieved a fresh pitcher and filled it with water. When she returned to Appleton’s room, she reached for the glass on the bedside table but knocked it over by accident. It shattered on the floor. With a sigh, she left the pitcher on the table and cleaned up the broken glass. Afterwards, she returned to the kitchen and asked the maid for a glass before she returned to Appleton’s room.
Fortunately, she was able to pour him a glass of water this time. After she helped him sit up, she gave him the glass. “If you sip it, it might stay down.”
He nodded and did as she instructed. He took a few sips and pushed the glass away. “I’m done.”
She set the glass back on the table and helped him settle back into bed. “I’ll stay with you tonight.”
“Your Grace, there’s no need for that. You need your rest.”
“I can rest as easily here as I can in my bedchamber.”
“But you need sleep.”
“No.” She shook her head. “I haven’t slept well since Jason left, and I can’t sleep at all now that you’re ill.”
“You have a child on the way, Your Grace.”
With a sigh, she pulled the covers up to his neck. “I know, Appleton. I haven’t forgotten. I can’t will myself to sleep, but I feel better when I can be here with you to see how you’re doing. Do you want me to close the curtains?”
“Yes, but I also want you to rest. The footman and maid have been coming in to help me.”
“Then I won’t do much more than keep you company, much like you kept me company when I had given up on everything.”
Her Counterfeit Husband Page 19