The Countess Intrigue

by Andrews, Wendy May

With a sigh of resignation, he reminded himself now was not the time to dally no matter how much he might wish it. He pulled back and searched her gaze, quite satisfied to see the haze of desire glazing her eyes. He lowered his head once more. The final kiss was fierce but swift as he hoped to imprint his taste upon her lips so he would not be far from her mind while he rode out on this necessary business. Pulling back, he remembered that he had not responded to her command.

  “Very well, my lady, I promise I will be back in one piece as quickly as possible.” With one more quick kiss, he strode from the room without a backward glance.

  Chapter 14

  Not even a backward glance, she thought, miffed, as she paced about the room. How am I to pass the time without losing my mind? she wondered for the umpteenth time. She was still in the billiards room. With a decisive nod she strode to the wall and rang for her maid. She was quickly joined by Pansy.

  “Thank you for coming so swiftly.”

  “How can I be of service, m’lady? Whatever I can do, I will be happy to.”

  “Play billiards with me.”

  It was obvious this was not what the maid had been expecting. “My lady?” she questioned.

  “I am going to go out of my mind with worry and frustration over being left behind. While I understand the earl’s reasons for refusing to allow me to accompany him, I cannot just sit here quietly and await his return. I need help to stay occupied.”

  Pansy giggled at her mistress’ words. “That is understandable, my lady, but I have never even attempted the game. And are you sure you should be playing such a game with your arm still bandaged?”

  Elizabeth dismissed her concerns with a wave of her hand. “I am perfectly fine. And it is not a problem that you do not know how to play, I have just learned myself. I can show you what I know already and we can practice together. It will serve the earl well if I can trounce him at this game when he returns.”

  Their nerves lent a degree of hysteria to their levity but they more easily passed the time while they played the game. Before she knew it the housekeeper was enquiring if her ladyship would be taking supper.

  “Oh, Mrs. Patrick, is it that time already? I am delighted to hear it. Thank you, Pansy, for your help in getting through the afternoon.” Elizabeth turned back to the housekeeper. “I daresay I shan’t be able to eat very much but no doubt I ought to give it a try. I do hope the dining table has not been set formally. As the earl has not yet returned, I would just as rather have a tray in my room.”

  “Very well, my lady. I figured as much. Would now be a good time?”

  Elizabeth glanced out the window, surprised to see that darkness was gathering. She chewed on her lip in concern for the men out searching for the villains, hoping they would return shortly.

  “Shall we say in half an hour? I might as well get comfortable first.”

  “Very well, my lady.” Uncharacteristically the usually talkative housekeeper had little to say. Elizabeth realized the entire household was on edge.

  With her maid in tow, Elizabeth made her way to her room. “I had thought to get into bed, but I doubt if I shall sleep a wink and I would rather be up and dressed in case I am needed.”

  “You mustn’t run yourself ragged, my lady. Keep in mind you have barely left your sickbed from being shot.”

  “I appreciate your concern, Pansy, and you are right, I will try not to overtax myself, but I know I will be too restless for a while yet.”

  The maid subsided from her protests. Before too long Elizabeth’s supper was served. Contrary to what she had expected, she was able to eat a good portion of the delicious food, relieved that the cook had made a light, tempting meal. The time continued to drag. She succumbed to Pansy’s urgings and lay down on the bed with a book but refused to get into her nightclothes.

  Elizabeth was alarmed to see the warm sunlight streaming through a gap in her curtains the next morning. She had a slight crick in her neck from the uncomfortable position she had slumped into when she fell asleep reading the night before. Sitting up she cast her gaze around the room. Her faithful maid was asleep slumped over in a chair nearby, obviously having remained by her side throughout the night. The slight stir Elizabeth made as she swung her legs over the side of the bed brought Pansy to alertness.

  She sprang from the chair. “What’s happening?”

  Elizabeth grinned at her sleepy tone. “Nothing that I know of, unfortunately, Pansy. It looks as though the men have not yet returned.” Seeing the maid wince, she continued. “It would appear that we both fell asleep waiting up and have stiff necks in return for our troubles. If you would like to run to your own chamber and freshen up, I can have another maid assist me.”

  Pansy was appalled at the suggestion. “I shall not leave your side, my lady.”

  She didn’t bother insisting as she was comforted by the maid’s presence. They made quick work of getting the countess freshened up. She was just getting fastened into her gown when they heard a commotion coming from the floor below.

  “Hurry Pansy! That must be him,” Elizabeth was suddenly frantic to get to her husband’s side.

  “My lady, you must stand still. If I don’t get this sash tied you’re sure to trip over it and have a broken neck to show for your troubles.”

  The high pitch of Elizabeth’s giggles over her maid’s attempt at humour demonstrated just how nervous she had been over the earl’s longer than expected absence. Finally Pansy was done and Elizabeth could rush from the room.

  The hallway had never felt so long as she tried and failed for decorum. She admonished herself to be careful, Pansy was right; a broken neck from tumbling down the stairs would be just what they needed to complete the chaos. But she couldn’t bear to slow her steps.

  When she finally got to the top of the staircase she could see Justice in the foyer surrounded by some of his men. He glanced up. His wide grin reached his eyes, their warm invitation glinting up at her. Elizabeth hurried down the stairs and into her husband’s waiting arms. She accepted his comfort for a moment but then pulled back, and after a searching gaze to ensure he appeared to be in one piece, she hit him in the shoulder with the fist of her own good arm.

  “Where have you been, my lord? We have been worried sick about you.”

  The earl grinned at her while looking her over carefully. “You appear hale and hearty, my lady. Not at all like you have spent a sleepless night pacing the floors.”

  Hot color rose in her cheeks and she bashfully admitted. “I fell asleep while waiting up for you. It could not be helped.”

  “Of course not, my dear. I would never have wanted you to stay up all night.”

  “But you did,” she protested. “Now you must tell me everything.”

  He tucked her under his shoulder and dismissed his men before pulling her into the front receiving room. Before he could begin recounting the events of the night, she pulled on his hand.

  “Are you absolutely certain that you are unharmed, my lord? I am sure the doctor would be happy to stop by and look you over.”

  The earl smiled over her words but assured her, “There’s not a scratch on me, my dear, I promise you. As you shall soon find out the entire night was rather anticlimactic. We were able to catch both the missing footman and Hector without any difficulty. My cousin, it turns out, is a complete coward. That would explain why he targeted my wife instead of me. We took him down without any struggle on his part.”

  Elizabeth nodded over his words. “That makes sense, now that I think of it. He is despicable for attacking you in such an underhanded way.”

  “Well you needn’t give him another thought, my dear. He is on his way to Botany Bay as we speak. That is what actually took so long. We escorted him to the coast ourselves.”

  “I didn’t think murder was a transportable crime.”

  “You are right, it is not. But Hector wasn’t actually the one who killed Barbara. He actually paid her footman to do it. That Cretan has been entrusted to the care of the co
urts. My cousin may be despicable, but he is still a member of my family, and I feel a degree of responsibility toward him. I should have recognized his hatred for what it was and prevented his involvement with Broderick. The entire situation sickens me, but I am certain his vileness is due to Broderick’s influence.”

  “There is no way you could have foreseen his actions,” Elizabeth protested. He waved aside her words and continued his explanations.

  “Be that as it may, I could not hand him over along with the footman. But he is certainly not in for a comfortable future. He will be sentenced to at least seven years. It is doubtful he will ever return to England.”

  “I cannot decide if I think that is too harsh or too lenient,” Elizabeth exclaimed. “What if he comes after you again ten years from now?”

  “He won’t. I promise you.”

  “You actually cannot promise me that, my lord. Will he not feel he has even more reason to hate you after spending seven to ten years in exile?”

  “He agreed to being deported, my dear. I think the experience will either kill him or reform him. I firmly believe we shall have nothing more to fear from the despicable Hector.” They searched each other’s gazes, seeking comfort.

  Elizabeth broke the moment with her next words. Even though she was weary from the ups and downs of the past weeks and was reluctant to bring an issue into their comfortable silence, she did so anyway. “There is one more thing that is of concern, though.”

  “What else is troubling you, my dear lady?”

  She almost didn’t say when she looked into his warm gaze but after swallowing to moisten her suddenly dry throat, she proceeded. “We have not apprehended Sir Broderick. Have you heard back from Wrentham?”

  Justice sighed. “Not yet. You are right to be concerned. I would have preferred to have him in my own hands, but I was much more interested in apprehending Hector as he was the one behind the threat to you and Barbara. There is no evidence to suggest that Broderick is the murderous sort.”

  They heard a slight sound behind them just before someone said, “That is where you would be wrong, my lord.”

  Elizabeth and Justice whirled toward the windows, which had been left ajar to allow in some of the unseasonably warm air. There stood Sir Jason Broderick with a pistol pointed straight at them. He must have climbed through one of the tall windows. It would not have been difficult as they were on the main floor of the house. Justice was quick to stand in front of Elizabeth.

  “What do you want, Broderick? Why are you here?” Justice sounded calm but fierce as he glared at the knight who didn’t appear to be bothered by the earl’s obvious displeasure.

  “And why aren’t you locked up?” Elizabeth demanded from behind Justice’s back. She was trying to get around him to face their opponent, but the earl would not allow it. “Didn’t Wrentham apprehend you after what you did to Rose?”

  Broderick’s gleeful chuckle sent a chill of dread down Elizabeth’s back. “That young cub was rather easy to get away from.”

  “I do hate to repeat myself, Broderick, but I must again ask you, why are you here?” Elizabeth couldn’t believe that her husband actually sounded bored as he asked the question. She marvelled at his ability to keep such control of himself.

  “As I have no wish to have my neck stretched, and my plans have been foiled for the time being, I find I am in need of funds in order to make a fresh start. Your wife’s baubles will do nicely.” When Broderick heard Elizabeth’s gasp of outrage, he smiled with wicked amusement. “Not your debutante pearls. My girl, do not trouble yourself. Barbara was quite enamoured with the various gems her father had showered her with. I need them.” Broderick’s tone and manner both hardened as he spoke, as though he had been making an effort to appear pleasant, but it was growing difficult for him to maintain.

  “Really, Broderick? I think you truly have run mad if you think I would help you in any way after all that you have done.”

  If the situation weren’t so dire, Elizabeth would be amused by the incredulity evident in Justice’s voice. Any thought of amusement was wiped from her mind by Broderick’s next words.

  “Well I could just shoot you, and then your new little wife could help me.” Broderick waved the gun at them, gesturing for them to move toward the doorway. “I am quite certain Barbara mentioned you kept her jewels locked up for her in your library. Shall we go and see?” His voice was again overly sweet, but Elizabeth could see that he was merely being sarcastic. “I shan’t trouble you too much, if you would just hurry along and fetch me what I’m after, I can be on my way and you needn’t spare me another thought.”

  Justice backed up as Broderick stepped toward them. There was a slight movement behind the knight, as though the drapery were fluttering, but Elizabeth barely noticed as she had her attention solely focused on the pistol in Broderick’s outstretched arm. It felt as though her heart were beating in her throat. She was wracking her brain trying to come up with a plan of action.

  Suddenly Broderick toppled over and the Duke of Wrentham stood over him with a bookend in his hand. “Thanks for keeping him occupied until I was able to get control of the situation.”

  Elizabeth knew her jaw hung open but she struggled to comprehend what had just happened. Her eyes flickered between Justice, who had finally allowed her out from behind him, and the newly arrived duke.

  “Did you know he was here?” she demanded.

  “Not at first, but did you not notice the curtains moving?” At the shake of her head, Justice continued after putting his arm around her gently. “I noticed his boots below the drapes and chose not to bring Broderick’s attention to them. I didn’t actually realize it was Wrentham, but I figured someone was there with the intention of assisting us.” Seeing that his wife was somewhat mollified and regaining her composure, he turned his attention to the duke.

  “I guess you must have received my message,” Justice finally answered the duke’s statement with a grin.

  “He has been leading me a merry chase for the last couple of days. Now that we have him again, I will see to it myself that he dances at the end of a rope.” The duke bowed in Elizabeth’s direction. “I apologize for being so blunt, my lady.”

  “Oh, pay me no mind, your grace. I shan’t be sorry to see the end of him.” She tried to put on a brave face but hoped the duke would be quick about departing with his wicked captive. It crossed her mind to wonder if she ought to offer the duke hospitality. She would be happy to under normal circumstances but she quite hoped to be rid of the nobleman at this time. Thankfully he took the situation out of her hands.

  Justice was making short work of tying Broderick’s hands with the ties from the drapery. He stood over the prone figure and asked the duke what else he could do to help.

  “I have about a dozen men outside, Sinclair, waiting to support me so I do think that will be sufficient. Once again, I appreciate your assistance. I daresay I shall have to pay you a visit when my wife can accompany me. Until then, I will bid you adieu.”

  Shockingly, when Elizabeth glanced at the clock, she realized it hadn’t even been a half hour since they had been confronted by Sir Broderick. She was certain she could be quite content with no more drama for at least the next decade. Justice helped the duke carry their foe from the room but he quickly returned. She was still standing in the same spot where he had left her.

  He pulled her toward him into a warm hug, holding her close and rubbing her back for a moment before leaning back and searching her gaze. “Are you quite all right, my dear?”

  She offered him a shaky smile. “I do believe so. None of this has been an experience I would care to repeat, but it would seem that all our cares have been looked after.”

  There was a slight pause as Elizabeth allowed the earl to draw her toward the settee after he had poured himself a glass of brandy. She arranged her skirts quickly and grasped his hand once more. Fidgeting with their fingers, needing a few more minutes and several deep breaths to calm the shaking t
hat had set in after the fright had passed, she was grateful that Justice sat peacefully by her side, allowing her the time she needed to regain her composure. She could have used a few more minutes or hours but then he broke the silence.

  “Now that it would seem we are once more safe, there are a few things we need to clear up between the two of us. Would you not agree, my dear?”

  Elizabeth felt the color ebb and flow from her face at his words. She hung her head, embarrassed over her previous assumptions about her husband.

  “Don’t look like that, my dear. You have nothing to be ashamed of. I am just as guilty of being suspicious. I will admit to you that I had briefly suspected that you were complicit in your ruination. For that I offer my sincere apologies. It had seemed just a little too convenient how quickly we were caught together. But I fully understand why you suspected me of being involved in my wife’s murder. It took a great deal of courage for you to marry me anyway.”

  Elizabeth smiled and shrugged. “It was not as though my mother gave me any choice.” She hesitated for a moment but then was compelled to ask. “When did you accept that I had nothing to do with us being found in a compromising situation?” she was curious to know.

  He chuckled. “When I realized that you truly believed that I had killed Barbara. No lady of sound mind would arrange to be compromised into marriage with someone she feared might kill her. Finding out that you were questioning the servants about Barbara’s death and that you actually suspected me was the final piece of evidence I needed. Of course, getting to know you was quite convincing as well. You are one of the most straightforward ladies I have met. Tricking me into marriage would be out of character for you, in my opinion.”

  “Why thank you, my lord.” She dimpled at him.

  “Now there is something else we must discuss. I am starting to find it terribly irritating to have you constantly so formal with me. Can you not find it within yourself to call me Justice? Or even Sinclair or Heath would be preferable.”

  Elizabeth was gratified by his complaint but resisted momentarily. “But my lord, was it not one of the things I vowed to do when we married? I thought I was being deeply respectful.”