His Perfect Game

by Jenn Langston

  “Don’t worry. It happens to me from time to time. I find it easier to set stones out in a line. Then you can dig under each one.”

  Joshua gently patted her shoulder before moving to the other side of the path where he worked. She watched as he expertly planted the flowers. With a sigh, she turned back to her task, determined to fix it. If she continued to mess up, Joshua might relieve her of her duties. She could not let that happen.

  After her first week at Merrick, she’d decided she wanted to cast off the confines of London and, for once, be herself. Sandra, who had accompanied her to Merrick, devised a scheme to allow her to have just that. Without hair powder or her armor, she donned Sandra’s clothing. The result no longer resembled the Lady Merrick who arrived. The final touch, her voice, had been an easy change as she dropped her English accent.

  Sandra had introduced Abigail as another of Lady Merrick’s maids. When dressed as Lady Merrick, Abigail confirmed the story, then claimed to have an illness requiring her to stay confined to her quarters for the majority of the time. She finally felt free. Everything had continued smoothly until Joshua found her wandering around the gardens.

  Seeing her not tending to “her duties,” Joshua had threatened to have her released until she offered to help him in her spare time. Over the past month, she’d learned a lot from him and discovered she enjoyed gardening. Overall, her life would be perfect if she could stop thoughts of Lord Merrick from assaulting her.

  She looked off down the path and was reminded of the night of Lady Laramie’s ball. That night in the garden, her husband had appeared happier than she had ever seen him. She wondered what had caused the elevated mood, and if she could do something now to make him smile. Then reality crashed upon her. Her throat ached. She would never have the opportunity to find out.

  “Are you all right, Abigail?” Joshua’s concern interrupted her memories.

  Blinking back her emotions, she nodded. “I’m sorry. I’ll get back to work at once.”

  As she started packing down the holes, she noticed Joshua didn’t return to his task. He stood, leaning against his shovel, watching her. In an attempt to ignore him, she continued moving the dirt, determined to succeed this time.

  “I think we need a break.” Joshua set his shovel down. “Would you like me to show you a short path to the water?”

  Not needing to be cajoled, Abigail smiled and sprang to her feet while stripping off her gardening gloves. Between her duties as Lady Merrick and the gardener’s assistant, she didn’t have much time to enjoy the grounds. In addition, she hoped a carefree afternoon with a friend would keep her mind off her husband.

  “I would be honored.”

  “Come on. There’s a secret way through the garden.”

  As they moved down the paths, Abigail inhaled the fresh air, enjoying the sweet scent produced by the myriad of flowers. The sun warming her face and the breeze tossing her hair no longer reminded her of all the work she had before her.

  The sound of rushing water increased as they neared the edge of the garden. Then she saw it. A picturesque spot on a perfect day. The water moved past them in a fury of anger, crashing against rocks and roots as it forced its way downriver.

  To the left she noticed a boathouse. Judging by the darkened and rotted boards, she didn’t imagine the structure housed boats any longer. Joshua must have seen the direction of her gaze, and he pointed in its direction.

  “That old boathouse has been abandoned as long as I have been here. Some folks say the old viscounts used it for smuggling.”

  Her interest piqued. “Smuggling what?” She knew very little of her husband and nothing of his family.

  “I don’t know. The story has never been verified. The current viscount used to play here as a boy, but I doubt he knows any more of the origins than I do.”

  “Tell me about him.”

  She hoped talking about her husband would help ease her fixation with him. Also, servants’ opinions of their masters told much more than that of peers. If his London personality was a façade, the staff here would be more aware of his true nature.

  Joshua smiled as his gaze drifted off into the distance. “Lord Merrick was a sweet boy. Although dealt a hard hand in life, he never let those problems get in the way of what he wanted. Now as a grown man, he still possesses the same determination, but life has stolen most of his spark. He is kind and thoughtful toward others, but he keeps everyone at a distance.”

  “Is that due to his parentage?”

  His eyes flashed to hers. He studied her for a long moment before he responded. “People are cruel. Lord Merrick didn’t deserve the foul treatment, but he had to endure it nonetheless.”

  Abigail nodded, then turned back to face the water. Movement to the left caught her attention. She spotted a stable hand approaching. He’d only worked at Merrick for a couple of weeks, but he acted with friendliness and, from what Abigail saw, was a hard worker. When his eyes met hers, he shot her a big toothy grin.

  “Abigail, I didn’t know you were out here.” Alexander jogged over to her as Joshua snorted.

  Abigail enjoyed hearing the pleasure in Alexander’s voice. She only wished her husband shared the hand’s feelings toward her. “We are taking a break.”

  “I’m taking a break, too.” Alexander winked at her.

  As they walked along the rushing water, Alexander kept beside her, making flirtatious comments. Abigail sensed Joshua didn’t approve, but he didn’t express his feelings verbally, only scowled from time to time.

  The three didn’t get far before Joshua stopped, nodding back the way they came. “Come. We best get back to work.”

  Once in the garden, she saw Sandra hurrying toward them. She held her skirts above her ankles as she ran down the path. When her eyes rested on Abigail, she stopped, then placed her hand on her heaving chest.

  “Thank goodness I found you, my . . . Abigail.” Sandra was breathless and her words came out in a rush. “You are needed at once. Lady Merrick is requesting immediate assistance.”

  “What? Lady Merrick—” Abigail began, confusion coloring her words.

  “Needs to be dressed for her guest.”

  At that moment, Abigail saw Lord Jonathan strolling toward them. Perspiration built on her forehead as her heart began to race. He could not see her like this. Turning, she saw Joshua was close behind her, and Alexander’s retreating back wasn’t far beyond him. If she forced herself around Joshua to escape with Alexander, the action would raise too many questions.

  Dropping her gaze to the ground, she silently waited for Lord Jonathan to arrive and determine her fate.

  Lifting the mug to his lips, Greyson turned his head to covertly survey the occupants of the room. Not seeing the face he searched for, he moved his head back to the wall. He’d hoped Algers would show up today. Spending so much time in these filthy taverns wore on his patience.

  When Nathaniel’s contact confirmed a sighting of Algers around the docks, Greyson, Nathaniel, and two others had been frequenting the surrounding establishments each night in search of him. Eventually he would show up, or Greyson would go mad. It wasn’t as if he had something better to do, but recently his tolerance never lasted long.

  Over the past weeks, his life hadn’t returned to his pre-marriage existence as he’d expected. Something in him had changed, making him realize his previous life lacked something. Although his wife puzzled and infuriated him, she’d added so much more to his life. And he missed her.

  His attachment to her surprised him, but he could neither stop it, nor explore it. She didn’t want him. When she’d packed up and left London, she didn’t offer any parting words to him. He waited, but she’d never come to offer her “goodbyes.” To make matters worse, since then he’d never received a letter or any other news from her either.

  Thinking of all his written, yet unsent, letters to her made his grip tighten on his glass. He needed to concentrate. To forget about his wife, as she had forgotten about him.


  Turning back to the tavern’s patrons, Greyson was shocked to see Daniel among them. He sat alone with his mug, but didn’t appear to be waiting for anyone as his eyes never lifted from the table. Not wanting to move too quickly, Greyson waited until Daniel finished his drink.

  Keeping close, Greyson followed him out of the tavern and down the abandoned street. Not knowing how to corner him, Greyson sighed in relief to see Nathaniel exiting a building half a block in front of them. Daniel could not escape now.

  “Daniel,” Greyson called out, earning the attention of both men.

  Daniel’s eyes bulged, and he started to run, but made a sudden halt not far from Nathaniel. They closed in as Daniel’s gaze shot back and forth between them like the cornered rat he was.

  “What do you want?” Daniel asked. “I haven’t done anything.”

  “We just want to talk.” Greyson stopped several feet from him, hoping the distance would assuage Daniel’s fear and make him more agreeable.

  “About what? I told you everything months ago.”

  “Not everything,” Nathaniel corrected. “You forgot to mention Algers’ role in the thefts at Ravenhurst.”

  “What does it matter now that he’s gone?” Daniel relaxed his stance a little.

  “Gone where?” Greyson demanded.

  Daniel narrowed his eyes, and immediately Greyson regretted his harsh tone. His patience teetered on the verge of snapping, so he needed to take extra care to make Daniel feel comfortable. At least until they learned what they needed to know.

  “I’m not his servant nor do I study his movements. Besides, I don’t see how giving you free information helps me any.” Daniel crossed his arms across his chest.

  “The more you talk, the higher your chances are of surviving the night.” Nathaniel patted his pocket, indicating the pistol he kept hidden in his coat.

  Containing his groan, Greyson quickly added, “Also, if the information is helpful, I may decide it’s worth more than your life and give you an added bonus.”

  Taking in a deep breath, Daniel regarded him with suspicion in his eyes. Greyson remained silent, willing Daniel to accept their offer. If not, there were always ways to make people talk. Unfortunately, not only did it take time, but the process was messy and unpredictable.

  When Daniel’s eyes darted around, Greyson knew they had him.

  “All right. I’ll talk. But first, you can buy me a drink.”

  Not wanting to give him an opportunity to change his mind, Greyson nodded. Then the three men entered the tavern Nathaniel recently vacated. Although as loud and crowded as the other one, they managed to secure a table. Once Daniel settled with his drink, Greyson turned to him, anxious to have this over with.

  “Where is Algers?” With difficulty, Greyson modulated his tone.

  “I don’t know exactly, but—” Daniel held a hand up to silence Nathaniel’s protests “—let me explain what I do know.”

  “This better be good,” Nathaniel threatened.

  “Around a month ago, Algers approached me. Said he had a job to offer. Needing the funds, I agreed to at least listen.” Daniel took a long drink. “Before he could explain, some street kid brought him a letter. After Algers read it, he took off without a word to me.”

  “Where did he go?” Greyson didn’t see how any of this would help them, and his anger increased at the delay.

  “I didn’t follow him, but the man you had tracing me did. That is when he made a huge mistake and lost him.” Daniel shot them a smug smile. “The next day, I went to the room Algers rented, but found he'd cleared it out. Once I checked with his usual companions, I found out no one knew where he disappeared to.”

  Greyson noticed the grim expression on Nathaniel’s face. Obviously Daniel’s story matched the information from the informant. The mistake had been leaving Algers to report his findings. When their man made it back to track Algers, he’d already left.

  “That was a month ago. Has anyone seen him since?” Nathaniel asked.

  “Not anyone I’ve spoken with. He is either hiding from something bad, or he discovered something very good.”

  Although Greyson agreed with the statement, he wasn’t happy about it. Even if he remained in hiding for now, Algers would resurface. Considering he had not taken his revenge, Greyson knew this wasn’t the end of it.

  The result of their failure taunted Greyson. Lady Merrick would never be safe until Algers was found.

  Abigail’s hands shook as she poured Lord Jonathan some tea. After handing him the cup, she resisted the urge to smooth her hands down her gown, or pat at her hair. Considering she’d dressed in a hurry, she could not shake the feeling that he could tell.

  “What brings you here, my lord?”

  “My father is ailing, so I have spent some time at his estate, Linwood. Merrick sat in my path as I returned to London, so I thought it would be nice to see how you were fairing. I personally would have beat Greyson over the head if he suggested I spend my days in the country all alone.”

  “I enjoy the solitude, and I assure you, everything is very well here. Thank you for your concern.” Her words came out in a rush. She bit her lip as his eyes narrowed slightly.

  “I heard you have been ill lately. Has your condition improved?”

  “It was nothing serious. Left me a touch under the weather for a week, but I’m better now.”

  “Is that why you require the use of two maids?”

  Tilting her head as if confused by his statement, Abigail swallowed her worry. Thinking back over the botched conversation in the garden made her stomach roll. He’d spoken politely but clearly he’d known something was amiss. Joshua hadn’t offered much help, but it appeared his minimal words had achieved more success than she and Sandra had.

  “I do have two maids, but I can’t see how my illness accounts for them.”

  He took a sip of his tea while studying her over the rim of the cup. “When I asked for you, I noticed your maid going out into the garden. Mistakenly believing you were enjoying the beautiful day, I followed her. As it turns out, she met with your other maid, who, I was told, needed to inform you I arrived with the first girl.”

  “Oh, I see your confusion now. I don’t require two maid’s assistance at one time. As I’m not sure of Sandra’s motivations, I can’t answer for her. But, I can call her if you would like.” Abigail held her breath, waiting for his decision. She wasn’t sure what she would do if he insisted upon questioning Sandra.

  “No, what your maid does is none of my affair.”

  His tone made it clear he referred to her husband’s right to know what occurred on his estate. Considering his close relationship to Lord Merrick, she imagined his entire experience here would be detailed to her husband. The thought filled her with dread.

  The remainder of their conversation passed in either small talk or uncomfortable silences. When he finally took his leave, Abigail slumped in relief. She genuinely liked Lord Jonathan, but her worry he would discover her secret put a strain on his visit.

  Heading directly to her bedchamber, Abigail wasn’t surprised to see Sandra falling in step behind her. The girl had been shaken by Lord Jonathan’s sudden arrival.

  “Did he suspect anything?” Sandra asked as soon as the door closed.

  Abigail sat on the edge of the bed, trying to force the tension from her body. “Yes, but I’m not sure what.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “He knows I’m withholding something from him, but I don’t believe he has any idea what.”

  Sandra sighed deeply then crossed the room to sit beside Abigail.

  “I’m relieved your secret will not be revealed to Lord Merrick, but I think you need to give up being a servant, regardless.”

  “Why?” Abigail’s heart constricted at the idea of losing her freedom.

  “It’s only a matter of time before you are caught. Also, I can’t stand seeing that gardener treating you like you are beneath him.”

  “Joshua isn’t cru
el or mean. Besides, he doesn’t know to act any better toward me.”

  Abigail couldn’t believe she was having this conversation with Sandra. From the beginning Sandra had been the one encouraging her and planning everything. Either Lord Jonathan had scared Sandra more than Abigail suspected, or something more happened that she didn’t say.

  “I still believe you need to end this charade.”

  “Please tell me what is really going on,” Abigail pleaded.

  Sandra turned her face and sat silently for a long moment. When she stood and crossed the room, Abigail worried she would leave, but she stopped halfway to the door.

  “There has been some talk,” Sandra began. “It isn’t your fault, but since you are playing two roles, you don’t have time to befriend anyone below stairs.”

  “Are you telling me the staff already knows my secret?” Abigail’s breathing increased. If someone wrote to her husband in London, describing her deception, surely he would require proof. Was that why Lord Jonathan arrived unannounced, to check up on her?

  The idea of her husband knowing of her charade shot her to her feet. Her body filled with the desire to act, but there was nothing she could do. Thoughts and plans flooded her mind as she grew desperate to prevent disaster, but none of them were feasible. She could only wait for him to come and punish her for her trickery.

  “No. It’s nothing like that.”

  It took a few moments for Sandra’s words to sink in and calm Abigail’s racing mind. Gently sitting back down, she took a deep breath and then slowly released the air.

  “Then what is the talk about?”

  “Both Matthews and Mrs. Coushings have discovered several items have gone missing. Although they have questioned most of the staff, the consensus is that you are the thief.”

  Abigail’s mouth dropped open. The fact such a thing had happened shocked her, but that she was suspected confounded her. She had never done anything that could be misconstrued as dishonest.

  “Why me?”