William pulled away. “You had better get dressed, the hour grows late. You have been away from the house far too long.”
She glanced down, feeling the cold now in her state of undress. She turned away from him, fumbling for her clothes, fighting not to cry. She fought the tears, fumbling for her bodice. He handed it to her, their fingers touching. She fumbled with getting her arms into it, buttoning up the front.
Not a word assed between them. Finally he spoke. “I should have stopped. I should have been more careful.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment, your grace.”
“It was meant to be one, my lady.”
She turned to finish dressing, when she looked down and found her legs speckled with virgin’s blood. William realized her dilemma. He left the room, returning with a damp cloth and a linen towel. Katherine accepted them, as William, pretending not to notice turned and walked outside, leaving her alone.
She joined him a few minutes, perfectly dressed, her hair smoothed into a bun at the back of her neck.
“If I learn of anything, I shall send word through Damien.”
“I told you, my lady, it is too dangerous. Stay out of Benjamin’s way. Do not ask questions.”
Smiling sweetly she replied, “Whatever you say, my lord. Now, will you help me up?”
He lifted her into the sidesaddle, his hands lingering a few moments at her waist. “Good-bye, my lady.”
“Good-bye, William.” She reined her horse away, fighting the urge to cry. She did not look back. She did not regret making love to him. She would never regret it.
As soon as she left Sussex Manor, she was heading for London. The Season was underway and she had to find a husband. William had made it clear that he was not interested in marriage, even if he had agreed to return her dowry, she would not wed him if he did not want her.
Katherine rode back to Sussex Manor, trying to decide the best way to begin. Benjamin stood in the doorway of the drawing room, where his last remaining guests had gathered for their breakfast. He frowned to see her sitting herself across from Lady Jane Cromwell, engaged in what seemed to be a cheerful conversation. Katherine was laughing at something Jane had said. Jane was hardly a woman of wit, or at least he had never thought so.
He watched the two women talking with a bit too much familiarity and hoped that Katherine had sense enough to keep her mouth shut about their doomed betrothal. Then he thought about the shrewd way Katherine had manipulated him. She was a worthy opponent for Jane.
Katherine smiled at another one of Lady Cromwell’s remarks. She had managed to gain a seat across from the woman.
“God’s truth, all men stray at one time or another.” She glanced at Benjamin, then back to Katherine. “Except for his grace, of course. I’m certain he’ll be quite the dutiful husband.” Jane laughed softly. She looked cool and unruffled.
The lie came easily. The both recognized it for what it was. Katherine smiled. “I’m sure he will, but if he is not, surely once a wife’s duty is performed, she should be allowed the same freedom as the man she has married.”
“You are far more intelligent than I had given you credit. Benjamin is very lucky to have found you.”
Katherine pushed the food on the plate in front of her around, then set her fork down without taking a bite. “You knew his brother?”
Jane sighed dramatically, eyeing Katherine with renewed interest. “I knew him. We were quite in love. William had meant for us to marry.”
Katherine nearly dropped the teacup she had lifted. “I wasn’t aware of that, that the two of you were betrothed.”
“It was not yet official. I was widowed only a few months. We meant to wait until after a suitable period of mourning before we announced our plans.”
“I see.” Katherine dabbed her napkin to her lips, happy to be able to compose herself. “Benjamin rarely speaks of him. I imagine the loss of his father and his brother are just too painful.”
“Yes, I’m sure it is. But aside from the night of the murder, the memories I have are pleasant.” She leaned closer to Katherine. “He was a magnificent lover. Nearly insatiable in bed. But I’m sure your future husband, being a Spencer and all, will serve you just as well.” She glanced toward Benjamin.
“I imagine it was terrible for you, witnessing a murder, knowing the man you loved would hand and the plans the two of you had made would die right along with him.”
Jane looked distraught. “It was dreadful. Poor Benjamin was so upset. Neither of us believed a man like William was capable of murder. For whatever reason, the duke was opposed to our marriage. William was determined for us to wed no matter what. He and his father argued violently. William lost his temper. He shot him. Benjamin arrived a few minutes later, but by then it was too late.
Katherine looked at the woman intensely. “I thought Benjamin said he tried to talk his brother out of it, but he wouldn’t listen. If he didn’t get there until the duke was already dead. . .”
For just a moment the duchess of Cromwell looked nervous, then she waved the words away. “I believe he was there before the shooting. I can hardly be expected to remember all the details now as this happened so long ago.”
Katherine sat back in her chair now and forced herself to smile. “Of course you can’t I’ve only heard bits and pieces of gossip. It’s a dreadful subject and I should not have brought it up.”
“Yes, there are more pleasant topics,” she replied, turning her attention to one of the other, younger male guests.
Chapter Eleven
William sat reading a society column in the daily paper. It hinted at real life as it used only the first initials of the people spoke about in the column. It spoke about whatever secrets the writer could unearth. In this issue, the duke of S has been jilted by the Lady K who could not make up her mind which one of her many suitors she wished to wed.
The last line said it all. It read, “Perhaps the competition was simply too keen for a mere duke when matched against a far more romantic figure of the highwayman who carried her away.
William tore the paper in two, throwing it across the room of the townhouse of Damien’s they were now staying at. He was hoping the gossips would leave her alone. He didn’t want her name dragged through the mud and they both believed that the amicable parting she had put on with Benjamin would put an end to it.
He cursed to himself for the part he’d been forced to play in her abduction. He cursed himself for giving into his lust. And yet in his heart he didn’t regret it. Making love to her had been beyond his wildest lust. The worst part was that he had wanted her again after she had left him.
The hunger still remained. Damien’s suggestion of a visit to one of the private pleasure barges didn’t excite him. He wanted Katherine Stoddard in his bed.
A knock at the door brought him back to reality. His manservant stepped in. He was the same man who had served him at Damien’s country castle. “A gentleman has arrived, my lord. The duke requested you join them in his study.”
“Thank you.” Following the man downstairs, William walked past him into Damien’s book lined study.
Coming around to the front of his desk, Damien looked at him and smiled. “My lord, may I present to you Mr. Henry Holcomb?”
“Good afternoon, milord,” said the stout little man.
“Mr. Holcomb.” William made a slight nod of his head.
“Lord Habersham is the man I mentioned. He is eager to see the truth of this matter unearthed. With your help, we mean to see our friend William Spencer’s name cleared of the blight that has darkened it these past years.”
William lifted the lid off a humidor and offered the man one of Damien’s expensive cigars. “How is your investigation coming? Have you found any information that might be helpful in our endeavor?”
The man reached in and dragged out a fat black cigar with his stubby hand. Instead of lighting it, he put it into the pocket of his woolen coat. “The search has not been easy as all these years have
passed since the murder.”
“I’m certain it has not been easy at all,” William agreed.
“We are not questioning the extent of your efforts,” Damien chimed in, “but you must know we are eager to see results. Your message implied that you had unearthed some information that might be valuable.”
“That is true, my lord.”
“Well, what is it man? What have you found?” William asked the stubby little man.
“My efforts at the inn unfortunately proved nearly worthless. Most of the servants who were there that night are gone. The ones who remain recall little of the actual shooting outside of the sound of gunshot and the woman’s scream.”
“But you have found something,” Damien prodded.
“Aye.” The man smiled, looking like a dog who had just unearthed a juicy bone. “I believe I’ve found the man responsible for the murder of your friend in prison.”
The clock ticked away for several seconds. Finally William responded. “Go on, man.”
“It was a man by the name of Avery Todd.”
“Is this Todd still alive?” Damien asked.
“That he is, or at least he was the last I heard. He’s a bad one. I haven’t yet tried to find him as I wanted to talk to you first.”
“You did exactly right,” Damien said. “we will speak to Todd. Just give us a list of places he might frequent and we shall do the rest.”
“In the meantime,” William interrupted, “you just keep doing what you have been, asking questions and stirring up answers. Right now that is exactly what we need.”
The stout man stood up as if on cue. “I’ll send word if I find anything out. Have a good evening.” He smiled and walked out the door.
Perhaps he would, William thought to himself. At last he could take some positive action. Except for an occasional foray to the less than fashionable parts of town, where there was no chance he would be recognized, he had been cooped up inside while his friend made the rounds of every gala his brother Benjamin or Lady Cromwell might attend.
William had yet to venture into high society. Though he believed his appearance had changed enough that if he was careful, he could perhaps move about unnoticed. He wondered what Katherine would think if she saw him. Would sh be glad to see him or if she now realized her foolishness in allowing him the offering of her body. He hoped he hadn’t gotten her with child. He wasn’t exactly sure what he would do if he had.
William sighed and shoved the unpleasant thought from his mind. He had more important things to attend to tonight than to grow hard with lust for her. Tonight he would begin to search out his first real lead. He wasn’t sure where they would find him, only that sooner or later they would. Once they did have him, they could discover if Benjamin indeed had been the man behind the attack William long suspected had been meant for him.
He looked over at Damien, who studied him from a few feet away. “I take it you are more than enthusiastic to go after this scoundrel.”
William smiled at his friend. “More than you know.”
A corner of Damien’s mouth curved up. “At least it will take your mind off of a certain lady of our mutual acquaintance.”
“I certainly hope so.” He smiled at Damien. He hadn’t mentioned what had happened between them at the cottage. If he had, his friend would know that the odds were good that the only way he could purge the woman from his thoughts was to bed her until he had his fill.
His hands behind his back, Benjamin stood before the window in the drawing room. Everything was going smoothly. He was free of Katherine and Elizabeth Stanwick was responding to his advances. She had already tentatively agreed to his overtures of marriage.
Her father wished it more because she was not enthralled with his charm. However, it didn’t really matter. She would consent to the marriage and they would be wed.
Elizabeth, however, had made it clear that she expected to wait at least a year before the wedding. Benjamin had smiled and said he understood, while he secretly calculated how he would force the girl into marriage.
A knock at the door sounded that he had been expecting. He crossed the room and opened the door, allowing Frederick to enter the room.
“Have you done as I have asked?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“All right. For the next two weeks, Sir Stanwick will be out of town on business. He has left his daughter in the company of her friends. They are all scheduled to attend the big soiree this Friday next. That should well serve our purpose.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Do you remember what to do?”
“I’m to see that the girl receives word that her father has fallen ill.”
“That is correct. The note is to say that she should tell no one. That she is to seek out the duke of Sussex, that he will escort her safely to where her father is.”
“Yes, I’ll take care of it myself.”
“Good. The inn is on the road to York. You’ll be sure to arrange that as well?”
“Yes, my lord.”
Benjamin slapped the huge man on the back. “Our troubles are about to end.”
Frederick nodded and turned to leave. Watching him, Benjamin smiled.
Why shouldn’t he? By Saturday next, he would be a man of wealth and position again. Pretty Elizabeth Stanwick would be warming his bed. The duke of Sussex would soon be a happily married man.
Benjamin waited for the door to close, but it never did. When he turned around Frederick still stood in the room.
“Is there something else?”
“I almost forgot, my lord. Lady Katherine. She was asking questions at Sussex Manor about your brother. I heard her talking. You said that I should tell you if anyone ever asked questions.”
“That’s right, I did. But in this case, I’m sure Lady Katherine was simply curious about the man who would have been her brother-in-law.”
The man nodded. “She was very curious. I know because after that I followed her. I saw her talking with the upstairs maid. I made her tell me what they was saying. She said Lady Katherine wanted to know about your brother and what happened the night of the murder.”
Benjamin stood still. His heart began racing in his chest. “I don’t like this. Why would Katherine be interested in my father’s murder?”
“I don’t know, my lord.”
“Neither do I. Perhaps we should find out?” He walked back across the room. “I want you to have one of your men keep an eye on her. If she continues asking questions, I want to know. If anything occurs that seems out of the ordinary, I want to know that as well.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Good. That’s all.” This time the man left the room, closing the door behind him. Benjamin stood there contemplating this new twist of fate.
Katherine had been a thorn in his side almost since the day he decided to marry her. Why was she so interested in his affairs? He wasn’t too worried about it, by the end of the week he would be married to a very wealthy woman. He would be back in control. If Katherine turned out to be a problem, he would just eliminate the problem. Benjamin smiled to himself and looked out the window at the garden.
“You look magnificent this evening, Lady Katherine.”
“Thank you, my lord.” dressed in an apricot silk gown atop an underskirt of brown, trimmed in gold, Katherine smiled up Lord Stanton, standing beside her at the edge of the dance floor. For the past couple of weeks, the earl had been paying her court, rather a surprise, considering the gossip that surrounded her. That and the fact that in the beginning he had seemed more interested in Elizabeth Stanwick.
“You’ve been dancing all evening,” he said. “Could I get you a glass of punch?” The earl was broad shouldered and tall with thick gold-blond hair. His features were not fine, but deeply curved. All in all, the effect was very definitely male, the kind of man she might have been attracted to, if it weren’t for William Spencer.
Katherine smiled at him. “I’m not really thirsty. I should however, rather
have a moment away from the crush, if you don’t mind. It’s unfashionable, I know, but in truth I grow weary of these nightly forays.”
“I do believe I’ve discovered what it is I like about you, my lady.” His eyes lit with amusement.
“And what might that be, my lord?”
“Your honesty. It seems to be a rare commodity.”
She let him guide her toward the French doors leading out onto the terrace into the cool night air. “a bit cynical, aren’t you, my lord?
“Perhaps.”
“Actually there are times when I’m a bit too outspoken. With my brother’s illness and such, I’ve grown used to responsibility. Most men loathe such forthright behavior in a woman. If you do not, you are a pleasant exception to the rule.”
“I shall take that as a compliment, my lady.” He smiled at her. “Alright, since we are both so outspoken, my lady, I will tell you what I have been thinking.”
“My lord?”
“It’s hardly a secret that I have entered the marriage mart. I am sure you have heard the gossip.”
“I detest gossip. Unfortunately thought, it is difficult not to succumb to the lure of it.”
“In my case, the gossip is true. I am searching for a wife, and in fact it is rather hard to do.”
“I cannot imagine you having trouble attracting a woman.”
“A woman is one thing, my lady. A wife is quite another.”
“For a time, I thought you might be interested in Elizabeth Stanwick.” She ran her hand along the stone railing, feeling the cool surface beneath her gloves.
“You are very plainspoken, my lady.” His mouth curved up into a smile.
“I warned you of that, my lord.”
He sighed. “My family was opposed to the notion of a match between us. They prefer an alliance with a member of the nobility, but in truth I found myself taken with Elizabeth. For whatever reasons, Miss Stanwick has made it clear that her interests lie in another direction.”
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