My Lady Vixen

by Connie Mason

  “We tried to find you, Alexa,” Maddy continued sadly. “Your father’s solicitor traced you to America and learned you had married that Lord Penwell. Is it true?”

  “Aye, I married Adam. It’s a long story and one day I’ll tell you. But why were the lawyers trying to find me?”

  “Why, to settle the estate, of course,” Maddy said, surprised that she should even ask. “It’s all yours now, this house, the country estate, the land, all the money; your father left everything to you.”

  Alexa’s eyes popped open and she gaped at Maddy in disbelief. “My father did not disinherit me? After all he said and did?”

  “You didn’t see him after you left, my lady. A sorrier man you’ve never seen. Once you were gone I think he began to realize just how much you meant to him. He wasn’t the same after that.”

  “But to leave everything to me,” Alexa whispered, still shaken.

  “It was his way of making amends,” Maddy told her. “And believe me, Alexa, your cousin Billy Ashley was enraged to learn everything had gone to you. I expect he was counting heavily on your father’s wealth.”

  Alexa frowned, remembering Billy as a distant cousin, a brash young man who would go through her father’s fortune like water through a sieve.

  “Now that you’re home you have but to sign the papers and move into your home,” Maddy expounded happily. “Is … er … your husband with you?”

  Immediately Alexa looked so distraught that Maddy was sorry she had asked. “N-no, Maddy, Adam is still in America,” Alexa finally answered.

  “No matter,” Maddy replied briskly. “I’ll have your room prepared immediately. Most of the old servants are still employed to keep the place in order. The same is true for the country estate.”

  “Maddy, wait! I can’t stay here. Not yet, anyway.”

  “Can’t stay here?” Maddy blinked. “Why ever not? Where will you go?”

  “I told you it was a long story, Maddy, but I’m staying with Charles Whitlaw for the time being.”

  “Charles! Your ex-fiancé? The man who deserted you? Surely you jest!”

  “I wish it were a joke, Maddy, but it’s the truth. And … and I’m not at liberty to leave his protection.”

  Maddy bristled indignantly. “What’s that scoundrel up to, my lady? Have you left your husband for Charles? I think you’d best tell me everything.”

  “Oh, Maddy, I don’t know where to begin or how to tell you all I’ve been or done.”

  “At the begining, Alexa,” Maddy said softly, settling her ample frame more deeply into the chair. “Start from the day you left here carrying Lord Penwell’s child. Where is the child, by the way? Did you leave it at Charles’s house?”

  “I lost the baby,” Alexa sighed heavily, recalling vividly that painful time in her life. Then she went on to relate all that had happened to her during the intervening years, leaving out nothing but her present pregnancy. When she began the story involving the Vixen, Maddy grew round-eyed with shock.

  “Oh, no, my lady! There’s not a person in England who hasn’t heard of the Vixen or the Fox. Are you truly her?”

  “Truly,” smiled Alexa impishly. “Blond hair and all. And Adam is the Fox. Only I didn’t know it for a long time.”

  “I’ve always known you were incorrigible, Alexa, but I never realized to what extent. You must love your adopted country greatly to defend it so vigorously. It’s obvious that you love your husband also. I’m happy you’ve found true love after all you’ve gone through.”

  “Oh, Maddy, I haven’t told you everything yet,” wailed Alexa, clearly distraught. “Adam thinks I’ve left him, to be with Charles. He thinks I no longer love him. I was forced by Charles to say terrible things to Adam and he probably hates me.”

  Comprehension dawned and Maddy drew in a deep breath. “Charles knows you are the Vixen and is holding it over your head! He released Adam only after he had your promise to accompany him back to England.”

  “Aye,” Alexa flushed darkly. “I had no choice in the matter. They were going to hang Adam. What else could I do? Evidently Charles wanted me enough to agree to my conditions. We have a … pact.”

  “And what of your husband, Alexa?”

  “He’s alive, Maddy, that’s all that matters. One day I’ll go to him and explain. After the war is over and Charles no longer is a threat to either of us.”

  “I wish there was something I could do to help you, my lady.” Maddy shook her head sadly. “The thought that you are forced to … to … bed that cur against your will is reprehensible. If only your father still lived this wouldn’t be happening. This time he would protect you.”

  “I had hoped for as much, Maddy. That’s why I came today. But … I haven’t become Charles’s mistress, not yet, anyway. You see,” she confided, flinging aside her concealing cape, “I’m pregnant. With Adam’s child. I’ve been able so far to hold Charles at bay because of it, but once my baby is born, I don’t know.”

  “You’ve still a few months, Alexa. We’ll think of something before then,” Maddy promised, measuring Alexa’s girth with an experienced eye.

  “Perhaps,” Alexa sighed uncertainly as she started to rise. So much time had elapsed as she related all the events since she left England that Alexa had not realized the lateness of the hour. “I really must go, Maddy. Charles will be furious should he come home and find me gone.”

  “That coward hasn’t harmed you in any way, has he?” Maddy asked anxiously as she scanned Alexa’s features for telltale bruises.

  “No, nothing like that,” Alexa said, stifling a giggle. “I think he’s half-afraid of me. Of the Vixen, anyway. He’s seen her in action and knowns what she is capable of. But should he choose he can still turn me over to the authorities, and for now that gives him the advantage. That and the fact that I’d do almost anything to protect my child.”

  Soon afterwards Alexa took her leave, but not before Maddy reminded her to pay a visit to her father’s solicitors as soon as possible.

  Alexa did not arrive back before Charles. Fearful that it might prove too difficult to leave the house again, she decided to call on her father’s lawyer immediately. Mr. Carter, a partner in the firm of Carter and Bigelow, was extremely happy to see her, for his firm had spent considerable time and money looking for the lost daughter of Sir John Ashley.

  “I’m relieved you’ve finally showed up, my dear young lady,” enthused Carter vigorously. “We had just about given up hope. To make matters worse we’ve had that damn, ahem, excuse the language,” he apologized, “… rake, Billy Ashley riding us. He is determined to have himself declared heir. If you hadn’t shown up soon … well, you’re here now, and that’s all that counts.”

  “Thank you for not giving up on me, Mr. Carter,” Alexa smiled winningly.

  “It’s what your father wanted,” confided Carter. “I was with him when he died, you know. He charged me with telling you he was sorry for everything and hoped you’d forgive him. He said you’d understand what he was talking about.”

  “Aye,” nodded Alexa, choking back the tears. “All has been forgiven.”

  “Then let’s get to the papers, Lady Alexa. I’ve had them prepared and waiting for just this moment. You’ll find everything is in order.”

  “I’m certain they are, Mr. Carter,” Alexa smiled as she began the process of affixing her name to the legal documents.

  Then suddenly Carter noticed she was signing as Alexa Ashley Foxworth. Countess of Penwell. “You’ve married, my lady!” he exclaimed.

  “Aye, is there a problem with that, Mr. Carter?”

  “Well, no, not really. It’s just that under the law all your property passes into the hands of your husband.”

  Alexa had in fact forgotten those archaic laws but in this instance it made little difference to her. Should Adam ever come back to her and forgive her, she would gladly hand over to him everything she owned. Aloud she said, “When Lord Penwell returns to England I’m certain he will be happy to
administer my estate.”

  Carter sighed audibly, relieved that the sticky situation had resolved itself so effortlessly. “Then I hope everything has been handled to your satisfaction. Will you move in immediately?”

  “No,” Alexa hedged, rising slowly to accommodate her bulk. “Perhaps later. For the time being I’ve made … other arrangements. But I wish the staff retained and paid from the estate funds until either my husband or myself can see to things ourselves.”

  “Of course, Lady Alexa,” Carter assured her competently. “My firm will continue to handle your affairs just as we’ve done since your father’s death. I can see you are in no condition,” he tried not to ogle her bulging abdomen, “to take care of these matters yourself. Rest assured your interests are in good hands.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Carter,” Alexa said graciously.

  “If you are in need of funds,” Carter reminded her as she prepared to depart, “you have only to draw them from your bank account. I’ll apprise them immediately of your return and instruct them accordingly.”

  Charles was waiting for Alexa when she returned, anger turning his handsome features almost ugly as his mouth twisted in a menacing snarl. Alexa had hoped he hadn’t returned yet from his duties, or his club, or wherever he disappeared to during the day. It had been a long, eventful day and she had not eaten since breakfast. Hunger gnawed at her and the beginnings of a headache threatened.

  “Where in the hell have you been?” Charles demanded to know. “I distinctly remember forbidding you to leave the house. I arrived home early today so I might have dinner with you, we spend so little time together. But I arrived to find you gone and the servants not even aware of it. Where have you been sneaking off to?”

  “You don’t own me, Charles!” Alexa challenged hotly.

  “I damn well do, my lady Vixen,” contended Charles, sneering complacently. “Have you forgotten you owe me your life? And the life of your child? Not to mention your husband.”

  “I’ve forgotten nothing, Charles,” Alexa retorted. “And I’ve kept my part of the bargain. I went to see my father, that’s all. Why didn’t you tell me he was dead?” Alexa asked, her violet eyes so filled with accusation Charles was forced to turn away.

  “I’ve just found out myself,” Charles defended weakly, shuffling his feet uncomfortably. “I would have told you when the time was right.” Deliberately, Alexa turned her back on the enraged Charles. “Don’t play the haughty aristocrat with me, Alexa,” he warned, grasping her arm to swing her about. “Everyone knew your father disowned you and left his entire estate to Billy Ashley, a distant cousin.”

  Alexa’s eyes gleamed but she wisely refrained from informing him of her father’s change of heart. Instead, she shouted, “Take your hands off me, Charles! I’m tired and hungry and in no condition to deal with your childish tantrums!”

  “Childish tantrums!” Charles stormed, his face mottled with rage. “How dare you call me names! You’re a slut, my fine lady Vixen! Everyone knows you gave yourself to that impostor, Lord Penwell, on the eve of our wedding. I have a good notion to take you right here on the floor, big belly or no. You deserve no better from me.”

  As if to reinforce his vile intentions, Charles flung her to the floor and calmly proceeded to unbutton his trousers. “You lay one finger on me, Charles, and I’ll kill you!” gritted out Alexa from between clenched teeth. “No man has the right to make a victim of me. I learned many things in my role as the Vixen, and one of them was how to defend myself. If you harm me or my child I swear you’ll find a knife in your back when you least expect it.”

  Charles froze, his fingers, already on the fly of his pants, stilled as a shudder passed through his body. He was certain he never wanted the look in Alexa’s eyes directed at him more than once. “What about our bargain? You’re still a traitor and it’s not too late to bring you before the authorities. From what I understand King George would feel little remorse over your death.”

  “I will keep my word. Charles, as long as you hold to yours. You are not to touch me, either in anger or … or otherwise, until after my child is born.”

  “And afterwards? You’ll share my bed willingly?” Alexa nodded, hiding her crossed fingers behind her back. Flushing darkly, Charles turned and stomped from the room.

  After that scene, Charles moved swiftly to curtail Alexa’s outside activities. She found herself guarded both day and night by a burly thug whom she was certain Charles had hired off the streets. She was not allowed to leave the house except to walk in the gardens, and then only in the company of her guard whose name she did not bother to learn for she had neither the occasion nor the inclination to speak to him.

  Unbeknownst to Alexa, Charles had gone so far as to engage a midwife of unsavory reputation who was quite willing, for a price, to fall in with his devious plans. It was arranged between them that when Alexa’s baby was born she would be told it had died. The small coffin Charles intended to bury would be empty and the baby given to a couple who would raise it in the country away from London. Charles wanted no whining brat around to remind Alexa of her dead husband.

  Alexa had seen no one since she had called on Maddy and her father’s solicitor weeks before. Though not ill-treated by Charles she nevertheless remained wary of him, uncertain whether or not to trust him or the midwife he had engaged for her. She had even gone so far as to suggest that Maddy come and attend her, but Charles quickly disabused her of that idea. In the end Alexa realized she had no one but herself to rely upon.

  Soon afterwards something happened to irrevocably alter the fabric of Alexa’s life. Insulated as she was from the world outside Charles’s home, Alexa heard little news but for servants gossip. So you can imagine her shock when she heard the butler and footman discussing the news that was on the tip of everyone’s tongue. The war in America was over! A ship just recently arrived from America bearing word that Cornwallis had surrendered and Clinton was sailing back home to England. For all intents and purposes the war was all but ended. Later a delegation of Americans would arrive to work out the terms of the peace treaty.

  Alexa was jubilant. Along with peace came the end of her subjugation to Charles. Her word was no longer a valid reason for remaining under his domination. Nor was the fear of being unmasked as the Vixen, for one of the terms of the treaty was bound to be amnesty for all persons convicted of war crimes. At long last she was rid of Charles, Alexa rejoiced, and once her baby was born she was free to return to America to find Adam. She prayed fervently that he had come through the war unscathed. He looked so wretched the last time she saw him.

  Alexa began to pack immediately, determined that she would not remain with Charles a moment longer than necessary. When he returned home late that night after cavorting passionately for long hours with an actress talented in more than one of the arts, Alexa was waiting.

  “Why aren’t you in bed, Alexa?” He frowned when he found her seated in the drawing room with several lamps lit and her arms folded stubbornly. “Is it the baby? If so you should have had one of the servants summon the midwife.”

  “It’s not the baby, Charles. The war in America is ended. The English are beaten and have sued for peace.”

  “Oh,” Charles replied blandly. “I had heard talk of some such today.”

  “Is that all you can say? My God, it’s over! Don’t you understand? You no longer have any say over me! I’m free to go and do as I please!”

  “And what is that, my dear?” Charles asked snidely. “Where will you go and what will you do?”

  “I have a home, Charles. I didn’t tell you before but my father left everything to me, the houses, the land, all incomes. I am wealthy and shall want for nothing. I am more than capable of providing for myself and my child.”

  “When did you learn all this?” Charles asked curiously. “I suppose that housekeeper of your father’s imparted that information to you the day you went to Ashley House.”

  “Aye,” Alexa admitted defiantly. “I visit
ed my father’s solicitors that day, too. I signed the papers and everything is now mine.”

  “And you saw fit to keep that information from me,” contended Charles, glowering.

  “It had nothing to do with you.”

  “What about your word, Alexa? Does the word of an Ashley mean so little that you break it so easily?”

  “I consider the promise I made to you under coercion now null and void. It was given under duress. I never intended to keep it. Once my child was born I would have found a way to keep from honoring my promise to … to become your mistress, or wife, if that’s what you intended.”

  “I had thought to marry you, Alexa,” Charles admitted crossly. “Had I known you were wealthy I would have already done so.”

  “Have you forgotten something, Charles? I already have a husband. I would not commit bigamy and you have made no move so far to obtain a divorce, not that I would have agreed to it.”

  Suddenly Charles burst out laughing, shocking Alexa. He laughed until tears slid down his cheeks, until Alexa thought he was mad. “What’s the matter with you? Have you gone crazy?”

  “Oh, Alexa, how naive you are,” Charles gasped, wiping away his tears of mirth. “Did you really believe I would allow Fox to live so that he might come after you one day? Give me more credit than that!”

  “What … what are you talking about?” Alexa paled, her body tense with dread as she stared fixedly at Charles. “I saw Adam leave the ship with my own eyes. I watched him disappear into the night.”

  “What you failed to see were the two men I hired to kill him the moment he walked out of your sight,” Charles informed her, grinning maliciously. “That man had nine lives and I dared not trust the hangman to claim him. A rescue was always possible no matter how well-guarded he was.”

  “You despicable bastard!” spat Alexa, quivering with impotent rage. Then abruptly something occurred to her. “How do you know for sure he is dead? We sailed almost immediately and he could have escaped your trap. Didn’t you just say he had more lives than a cat?”