The Countess Intrigue

by Andrews, Wendy May

  “M’lady!” Pansy was shocked by her mistress’ revelations. “But how could he go about society if he has been accused of killing his wife?”

  “Apparently it was never proven. And he is an earl who is well connected, through various relations, to the royal family. There would have to be irrefutable proof to make any accusations like that stick.”

  “Bring me with you. I’ll keep you safe,” the loyal maid declared faithfully.

  Elizabeth felt tears spring to her eyes at the other woman’s words. “Thank you so much. I do believe I shall take you up on that offer. But are you not afraid for your own safety?”

  “I have several strapping brothers who taught me how to defend myself before I went into service. I can protect myself and you.”

  Elizabeth clapped her hands with her first feelings of relief since the entire debacle had begun. “Do your brothers live anywhere nearby? Perhaps they could come and teach me a thing or two.”

  “All my family lives rather far away, m’lady, I’m sorry to tell you. But I think some of the footmen might know similar tricks. I’ll ask the butler and let you know.”

  “Thank you, Pansy, but swear him to secrecy. I cannot imagine Mother thinking this was a good idea.”

  Impulsively Elizabeth gave her maid a warm hug just as there was a knock on the door. A footman was there with a message from her mother.

  “His lordship, the Earl of Heath, has called to speak with your father, my lady. Her ladyship asks that you present yourself in the morning room as soon as possible in preparation for going for a drive with his lordship.”

  It was clear to Elizabeth that the footman was excited and nervous about delivering his important message so she did not give vent to her frustrations. It was neither of the servants’ faults that her mother was throwing her to the wolves. Or one wolf in this particular case. Despite all her misgivings her thoughts brought her amusement and she was able to smile at the footman and her maid as she accepted the summons and followed the footman down the stairs after one last glance at her reflection. If she was going to her doom she wanted to at least look presentable on the way.

  Thankfully her mother did not expect her to make conversation. It would seem that now that her objective had been reached she was content and allowed Elizabeth to sit in silence as they waited for the earl to present himself. Elizabeth tried to make some progress on her needlework, but her hands were shaking so much she was pretty sure she would have to remove all of the stitches she was making that morning. In frustration she wanted to hurl the fabric across the room but managed to restrain herself from such a display just as they heard male voices in the hallway.

  She could feel the blood ebbing and flowing in her head at the myriads of thoughts jostling for supremacy as the butler announced Lord Sinclair and he entered the room with her father.

  “Elizabeth, my dear, his lordship and I have just been working out all the details of your settlements. He has been most generous. And now he would like to spend some time with you. Your mother and I have agreed that it would be acceptable for you to go for a drive for an hour or two. And it has been determined that the nuptials shall take place next week. It will require a special license, but given the gossip that is sure to result after last night, we thought it best to sew things up quickly, before everyone leaves Town for the winter.”

  Jumping to her feet, Elizabeth felt she could do nothing but repeat her father’s words. “Next week?” she declared in horror. “But that’s not nearly enough time.” She broke off before she allowed the rest of her thoughts out of her mouth. It wasn’t nearly enough time to come up with a plan of how to get herself out of the wretched situation.

  It would seem the earl had read her mind as he smiled at her with a trace of amusement. “Your mother has assured me that it will be plenty of time to arrange the necessary details. It is actually perfect timing, if you ask me. Then we can start our life together at Heath comfortably ensconced in the country before the spring session of Parliament.”

  Elizabeth could feel a sense of panic threatening to close her throat, and she made herself inhale slowly and rhythmically for a few moments while her mother and the earl discussed her future as though she weren’t even present. It was becoming a farce. How is it possible? she wondered wildly. Just weeks ago, days even, she had felt as though she were in complete control of her life, despite her mother’s constant harping about marriage. Now she was sitting here like a spectator allowing her mother and a veritable stranger to determine her future just because she had the lack of sense to agree to meet him for a private conversation. She stood up abruptly.

  “Enough,” she tried to say it loudly but she was fairly certain it had barely come out above a whisper. But the earl had heard. She wondered if she would ever feel comfortable calling him Justice. Or if she would live long enough to get to that level of comfort. She fought the bubble of hysteria threatening to choke her again.

  “Are you ready to go, my dear?” he asked solicitously, his intelligent gaze scouring her face, making her feel like squirming.

  She didn’t bother answering, merely striding toward the door. This tension is turning me into a shrew, she thought with a twinge of guilt she immediately dismissed. Perhaps he would become disgusted with her and cry off before the week was out. She couldn’t prevent her hopeful smile at that thought.

  “What are you thinking now?” he asked her in his low voice, once again crowding too close for her comfort. She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination or not, but she thought she could feel the heat radiating from him as he stood at her back. She did not want to feel pleasure at his proximity, and she refused to think of how his low, deep voice made her belly flutter. She decided to be honest with him and did so in as flat a tone as possible.

  “I was wondering how I can get you to break our engagement.”

  Obviously her honesty surprised him as he released a bark of laughter before he quickly regained control of his features. “You are certainly going to keep me entertained,” he commented with a cheerful grin.

  Elizabeth didn’t bother trying to hide her put upon sigh. She nearly jumped out of her skin as she felt his warm palm settle on the small of her back. She could feel the flush steal over her entire body as she felt consumed with embarrassment. Clearly it could go from bad to worse. She was grateful that he pretended not to notice, or at least forbore to tease her about it. But he left his hand where he had placed it. She thought about squirming away from his touch but decided it was tolerable.

  * * *

  As he lifted her into his curricle for the second afternoon in a row, Justice wondered how long it would take his companion to forgive him for the nature of their relationship. It was not an ideal way to enter into a marriage, but he could not find it in himself to be disappointed that she would be his wife. He knew it couldn’t possibly be a less successful union than his first marriage and he actually felt optimistic that it could be a very positive experience for them both. He was surprised to find that he trusted the young woman at his side. Unfortunately he knew she did not return the sentiment. And trust was not something one could force or coerce. It had to be earned, and time would be needed in a case like this where she had good reason to doubt him. But he knew he was a trustworthy fellow; he had full confidence she would come to see that with time. So he struggled not to mind her anger and tried not to cajole her about it.

  “Were you able to get any sleep last night?” he thought to ask her, noticing the strained tension around her mouth.

  “Reasonably well, thank you for asking, my lord,” came her muted reply.

  “Do you think you might be able to call me by my name, my lady? I would appreciate your permission to call you by yours.”

  This finally brought her eyes to his face, even just briefly. He could see that she almost smiled but then she pulled her eyes away and turned her attention to her lap. He didn’t press the subject.

  “I thought you might like a drive in the countryside, my dear
. There is an inn a short way from Town where we could stop for some refreshments before we return. You might feel more comfortable talking with me if you aren’t forced to look at me. Would that be fine with you?”

  “That would be fine,” she answered, keeping her head averted. He could see that she was again nibbling on her lower lip. The sight nearly drove him to distraction before he thought to worry about her. She had never seemed like the nervous type to him. He had spent the weeks of the Little Season watching the young ladies of the ton in an effort to determine which was likely to make him a good wife. While he had not at the time considered Lady Elizabeth a suitable candidate, he had thought her a lovely, confident young woman. It scourged his conscience that he was to blame for her fears now. He was inordinately pleased when she suddenly turned to him and started talking until he realized what she wanted to discuss.

  “Are you really going to go through with marrying me, my lord?” He could feel her wide eyes watching him sharply. He glanced toward her and tried to offer her a reassuring smile.

  “I would very much like to do so, yes.”

  “Even though you know I do not particularly want it?”

  “I hope I will be able to change your mind eventually.”

  “How do you plan to do that?”

  He could hear the suspicion in her voice and kept his amusement from his face with a valiant effort. “If you get to know me, I am certain you will find that I am an excellent catch.” He tried to be cajoling and just hoped he didn’t sound like an arrogant dandy instead. It must have worked because he was gratified to see a slight smile pushing away the worry displayed on her face.

  “Do you not think it’s ridiculous that we have to marry just because of one lapse of judgment? Do you not think this is going to be a travesty of a life?”

  Justice tried not to wince with offense over her words. “I don’t think being married to you will be a travesty. I would like to think I am a decent husband. I promise not to mistreat you. I will do everything in my power to see that you want for nothing. Can you not make some sort of effort to come to terms with this?”

  He could see her cheeks brighten with color but he was uncertain if it was from embarrassment or distress. He hoped she would confide in him.

  “I apologize, my lord. I am being churlish. You are being a perfect gentleman. It is not your reputation which would be shattered if we do not wed. And you have not uttered one word of complaint about the situation. One would almost think you were delighted with the turn of events.”

  Justice thought there was a strange tone in her voice as she said that and he was about to question her on it but then she turned his attention with her next words. “You are right, there is nought that can be done now. I will do my best to be a dutiful wife. Now would you like to hear what I know about Sir Jason Broderick? Have you any idea how much time before we arrive at this inn you spoke of?”

  “I would love to hear what you know. We shall arrive in about twenty minutes.”

  “I don’t actually know very much I am afraid, so twenty minutes shall be plenty of time.” She paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts. “Do you remember my friend, Miss Rosamund Smythe? Her father is Lord Smythe, a baron from… I do not at the moment recall where. He is a diplomat and travels about. Most recently he was in Vienna and Miss Rose was there with him. Anyhow, she knows more about Sir Broderick than I do. She never did tell me everything she knew. I think she found out about him while she was in Vienna with her father.

  “A few weeks ago, when we were attending Lady Yorkleigh’s musicale, she overheard Sir Broderick plotting with Lord Austen to entrap the Duke of Wrentham into marriage with Lord Austen’s daughter, Lady Anne. Rose did her best to thwart their plot by telling Wrentham and redirecting Lady Anne. Sir Broderick abducted her two nights ago at the ball where you spoke to me for the first time. That is why, when you mentioned bad men, I grew suspicious about you, wondering if you were threatening me because of my association with Rosamund.”

  Justice listened in silence as she told him what she knew. Once it seemed like she hadn’t anything more to add, he pressed her for details with a few questions. “Did Miss Smythe think there was more to their plot than a desire to get their fingers into the duke’s purse?”

  “Yes, she thought it might have something to do with his being a duke, maybe something to do with the government. I have taken very little interest in the workings of the government, I am sorry to tell you, so I didn’t understand why she thought that. Rose took a much greater interest in that sort of thing, probably because of her father.”

  The earl knew he should ask her more but he wanted to learn more about his future wife. “Does that sort of thing bore you to tears?”

  Elizabeth finally looked at him again, and he tried not to squirm under her scrutiny. “Do you wish I was an empty headed miss, my lord? I am sorry to have to tell you that I am not. It doesn’t bore me — I just have not had a chance to investigate it. My father has always been of the opinion that it is an important matter that must be left in his capable hands, and I ought to just concern myself with my needlework.”

  “I don’t think you are empty headed, Elizabeth, quite the contrary. Did it bother you that your father had such an attitude?” He was trying to see into this woman’s mind and finding it rather difficult. He had never been so intensely invested in getting to the bottom of someone’s thinking. It made him nervous. But he persisted anyway.

  Elizabeth offered a brief shrug. “I guess I accepted it as normal. My sisters and cousins were satisfied with needlework and such. I wanted to play with my brothers and be just like them. Of course, they were not much interested in my company, but I always knew I wasn’t normal. I learned how to pretend but it is a challenge.”

  “I would really rather you don’t pretend with me. Please ask me whatever you would like to know. If I can help you learn something I would be happy to. If I do not have the answers for you, I will make sure we find a way to get them.”

  “Really?”

  Justice felt his heart clench at the eager look on her face. It was poignantly charming to see how utterly hopeful she looked. “Really and truly,” he promised her. He could see that she was mulling over his words, but the wariness embedded deep in her expression had not been fully dissipated. He decided not to press the issue and returned to the matter of Broderick.

  “Do you know if Miss Smythe ever found out what was behind Broderick’s interest in the Duke?”

  “I don’t think she knew everything before he abducted her. Her parents sent me a message yesterday that she was safe, but that they would be retiring from the city so I have not been able to speak with her. She probably knows now, if Broderick told her after abducting her. I do know that she spoke with Lady Yorkleigh. Perhaps you could ask her.”

  “I actually already have.” Justice tried not to be disappointed. It would seem his betrothed was right. She did not have much information for him. Compromising her had not gotten him any further in his investigation of Broderick. And he couldn’t even be sure that Wrentham had Broderick in custody. The dastard could not be left to wreak havoc upon any more innocent victims. He glanced at his companion. One could even say Elizabeth was now a victim of the cur. Justice’s hands tightened on the reins as he struggled to contain his frustration. The cloud of dread that had hovered over him since he had begun looking into Broderick seemed to intensify. The sensation that he was going to run out of time before someone else got hurt made him nauseous.

  He tried to turn his thoughts by looking on the bright side. At least now he no longer had to worry about finding a countess. He could finally get on with his life. Once he could put the matter of dealing with Broderick behind him, he would be content. Elizabeth drew his attention back with her question.

  “Was she able to help you?” Elizabeth’s interest encouraged him.

  Justice shrugged. “Somewhat, but most of what she knew I was already aware of.”

  * * *

&nb
sp; Elizabeth gazed at the earl, her worries about her future fading a little as she enjoyed the conversation. It was so rare that a gentleman would expect a level of intelligence from a woman. It made her eager to learn more and be of assistance.

  She allowed her face to relax into a genuine smile for the first time since they had met in the morning room. “So why are you investigating him, anyway? If you did not know about Rosamund and the Duke of Wrentham, it must be some unrelated matter.”

  “It is an unrelated matter, but I would really rather not say at this point,” came his unbelievable response.

  Elizabeth stiffened in outrage. She turned to look at the earl knowing her tumult of feelings must be written on her face and not much caring. “My life has been irrevocably changed by your quest to learn more about the dastardly knight and yet you do not think I have a right to know why?”

  She couldn’t decide if she was more hurt or angry. Her dearest wish in life had been to find a mate she could love and be loved by in return. It would seem what she was getting was a murderer who couldn’t give a fig about her feelings. Stiffening her resolve, she determined that she would have to harden her heart. There was to be no escape for her. She would make the best of the situation and just figure out a way to stay alive. Perhaps once she was increasing with his heir, she could see about having the earl killed. Then she would be free to live her life however she liked. She derided herself for the ridiculous thought but her amusement warmed her slightly and helped her hold onto the fragments of her composure.

  It was obvious to her that the earl did not know what to make of her question. She was surprised to see a tinge of pink heating his cheeks as though he were embarrassed by her words. She mentally shrugged. He ought to be uncomfortable, she thought, since she wasn’t likely to ever be comfortable again.