Redeeming the Earl

by Jenn Langston

  The magistrate scratched his balding head. “Don’t be hasty, my lord. You don’t know that. You can’t honestly tell me whoever made that cut knew the countess was outside. In this weather, it will be a surprise if she doesn’t catch a sickness after wandering out all alone.”

  Gripping the edge of his desk, Charles resisted the urge to shake the little man. This was Rebecca’s life they were talking about. There had been two attempts on it and, as far as he was concerned, that was two too many.

  “As I explained, this isn’t the first potentially fatal occurrence.”

  “Considering I wasn’t contacted for the first, I can’t speak to it. And as far as the tree, besides a discarded axe, we have nothing. You can be as angry as you want, but I can’t do much.”

  “Is this how the law works?” Charles practically spat. “Do nothing until it’s too late?”

  The magistrate shot to his feet. “Do you honestly think I want to come out here for that? I believe I’ve seen enough of your dead wives, my lord. Now, unless you have any actual proof, I’ll be on my way.”

  Charles gritted his teeth, but knew he could do nothing else. “If anything happens to her, the two of us will have problems.”

  “Then for your sake, I hope she remains well.” After pausing for a bow, the magistrate exited the study.

  Charles wanted to growl in frustration. Although he tried to keep his distance from Rebecca and remain aloof, he loved her more than breathing. He would gladly lay his life down for her. He couldn’t live without her.

  He set his elbows down on his desk and dropped his head in his hands. The tree falling was a direct attempt to harm Rebecca, but why? For months now no one had tried anything. The footman he’d assigned to follow her had become bored and her scared demeanor had disappeared.

  The child.

  His body shook as bile rose in his throat. The first attempt had forced her to lose the baby. And no harm befell her during her secret pregnancy. What if someone found out?

  Someone didn’t want him to have an heir. It couldn’t be the obvious choice of next in line. Not only did his nephew not want the job, but he had remained in London the entire time. Which was the same for his sister. Who did that leave?

  This new revelation made him question the deaths of his previous wives. Had a pregnancy really killed them or could it have been something else? They too never became threatened until their womb held his heir. With the exception of Allison, who took the chance with her own life.

  His head ached as thoughts swirled in his mind. Taking a deep breath, he cleared them away. This line of thinking was wrong. Miranda and the others suffered from unfortunate complications. What was happening to Rebecca was entirely different.

  An hour later as he sat with his steward, another thought formed in his head. Could the tenants be causing trouble again? The tree falling could be another sign of their rebellion. The intent could have been to cause damage and Rebecca an innocent who’d stood in the wrong place.

  “Josiah,” Charles broke the silence. “Have you heard any more problems from the tenants since the party?”

  The man took off his spectacles and wiped them on his shirt. “I would like to tell you everything was fine, but there are whispers.”

  “Just whispers?” Charles quickly queried. “Or actions as well?”

  “That’s hard to say. Nothing major like the fire, but small issues that could be the normal crime or neighbors quarreling. The tree, however . . .”

  Charles’s ears perked up. “What about the tree?”

  This was exactly what he been hoping for. Although not pleased to still have an uprising on his hands, he gladly accepted it over the possibility of Rebecca being a target.

  “I don’t know, my lord. The tree falling could have been one of the garden hands thinking he was doing a good deed. Or it could have been angry tenants who didn’t realize anyone would be out in the cold. Maybe even a coincidence that it fell and the axe discarded a while ago.”

  Rubbing his hand along his jaw, Charles thought over this. Honestly, all the incidents could have been attacks or accidents. Frustration bubbled within him. How was he supposed to live like this? He would take Rebecca back to London if it weren’t for the uncontrolled hackneys and how different she’d acted during their last visit.

  “You once told me that you believed my wife had something to do with the problems we’re experiencing with the tenants. Have you learned anything else that could lead to that?”

  “I’m not certain. Considering what happened to the previous countesses, I’ve only heard mention about her suffering the same fate.” Josiah held up his hands before Charles could bolt out of his seat. “That isn’t necessarily a threat against her. Just an observation.”

  “Do you think I killed them? Do you think I would kill her?” The questions popped out of Charles’s mouth before he could stop them. In the past, he never cared about what other people thought of him, but for some reason he wanted to know.

  Josiah straightened his back. “If I believed that, I wouldn’t be working for you. Don’t worry about the tenants coming after her. Since the gathering, I’ve heard mostly praises offered to her.”

  Charles tried to feel relief, but it didn’t come. Sitting back and waiting for the next sign of trouble was no longer an option. They needed a plan. He was a man of action, and it was past time he began acting like it.

  “I think we need to hear from the other side.”

  “What do you mean?” Josiah leaned forward, clearly interested.

  “You can pass around word that you are not happy working for me. Come up with whatever you wish, as long as it can be believed.”

  Light shone on Josiah’s face. “You want me to infiltrate their group and determine their intent?”

  Charles smiled. “Exactly.”

  As Josiah prattled on about ways he could be dissatisfied, Charles further realized the merits of their plan. Not only would they find the intent, but who they were up against as well.

  For the first time in a long while, hope flooded his veins. Although his wife didn’t trust him, and possibly cared even less for him than ever, he would keep her safe.

  He loved Rebecca. She was his fifth and final wife.

  Chapter 14

  “I’m with child,” Rebecca admitted without preamble as she stood in front of Charles’s desk.

  He leaned back in his chair, and she squirmed as he studied her. “I know.”

  Her mouth fell open as shock permeated her body. He knew? How could he know? He hadn’t said anything to her. She didn’t understand.

  “How could you possibly know?”

  “Gloria told me,” he stated.

  Another wave of shock hit her, practically knocking her backward. “How could she do so when she doesn’t know herself?”

  His eyes moved down her, stopping at her middle. “Considering your confession, I would say the baroness was correct.”

  Unable to remain standing with all the confusion, she dropped down into a chair. “How long have you known?”

  Charles shrugged. “Does it matter?”

  “Do you have no thoughts on this? Or must you contact the doctor first?”

  “No doctor. I think you have been managing well enough without him. Clearly Madam Hershal has this under control. There is no reason to call another person.”

  This conversation wasn’t anything like she thought. Charles watched her with cold, dispassionate eyes. Where was the anger she’d expected? The words of betrayal? Anything. The worst part was she couldn’t even bring herself to experience relief. Instead, his cool reception brought fear.

  “You have nothing to say.” It wasn’t a question. After all, she saw the truth in his eyes.

  “I’m finding it difficult to understand what you
want from me. Considering how long it took you to tell me, this only came about because soon enough no secrets would be able to hide the truth. So, what is it that you need?”

  She took in a shaky breath. The one thing she needed was impossible. Therefore, she had no answer for him. She didn’t want him to be angry or upset or to disappear like the last time, so his distant acceptance should have been sufficient. But it wasn’t. Not in any fashion.

  “I suppose acknowledgment is enough.”

  “Oh, I acknowledge that the child is mine. I clearly remember every second of its conception.” His eyes darkened as he looked at her.

  This small reaction from him bolstered her. He wasn’t as indifferent as he tried to appear. Even if he didn’t want to, he desired her. The idea of her pregnancy could have been what had kept him out of her bed these past months.

  “Where does this leave us?” she asked in a small voice.

  “I don’t see any reason for anything to change. You are still my wife, and this isn’t the first time you’ve carried my child.”

  The spark of passion dissipated, leaving miles of distance between them. She wanted it back. However, in the end, desire faded. What she wanted was something deeper. Something real. Something she couldn’t have.

  “Then I suppose I’ll see myself out.”

  He stood as she did, but made no move to approach her or say anything else as she left the room. Depression settled in the pit of her stomach. At least he hadn’t decided to kick her out.

  A thought hit her, and she stopped on her way to the drawing room. His concern over her safety during her pregnancy was gone. He hadn’t even wanted to call the doctor. She swallowed down a sob. He didn’t care if she lived or died.

  The remainder of the day, she floated through as if in a trance. When spoken to, she responded, but nothing truly registered. Gloria took this as an opportunity to talk more, while Sylvia remained even quieter.

  It wasn’t until she lay in her bed, fully dressed, that the weight of his disinterest hit her. She rolled over to see their adjoining door. Never again would he use it to come to her at night. Once the baby was born, he would have his heir, and he’d want nothing else from her.

  “Get up,” Anna demanded as she walked into the bedchamber. “You’ve been in a mood all day. That isn’t good for the baby.”

  “Why should I have to get up? The baby is fine.”

  Anna put her hands on her hips as she glared down at Rebecca. “Do you really want to sleep in your stays?”

  Grumbling, Rebecca agreed and pulled herself out of bed. She didn’t know why her maid was being so hostile, but she was also right. Remaining fully dressed only brought discomfort. And she already had enough of that.

  Her maid’s quick fingers began unfastening her dress. “Do you intend to tell me why you’re acting like this? Sylvia said you weren’t sick.”

  “I told the earl about the baby,” she blurted.

  “Finally.” Anna let out a long sigh. “That man is relentless in his interrogation.”

  That brought Rebecca spinning around to face her maid. “What do you mean?”

  “Several weeks ago, Mrs. Callie came to me with questions about you. I don’t know how she found out about your pregnancy, but she asked all types of questions. I knew I would lose my job if I didn’t tell her.”

  “But you said that man. Did you mean Charles?”

  She nodded. “Soon after, his lordship called me in to fill him in with any updates. Then it became a routine.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me? I could’ve done this a long time ago, and we wouldn’t have been forced to continue this ruse.”

  “He told me not to. Rebecca, I truly like you, but I can’t lose my job. I have nothing else.”

  Although she wanted to be mad, Rebecca wouldn’t fault her for protecting herself. In addition, this proved Charles did care something for her. Otherwise, he would have not approached Anna.

  “I understand,” Rebecca assured, then allowed Anna to continue helping her dress for the night.

  “I brought you your milk. Sylvia said your body would improve if you began drinking it again. You should begin by drinking it all tonight.” Anna set the glass down in front of her.

  “Thank you.”

  Rebecca scrunched up her nose to see the brown flakes floating on top of the milk. Sylvia had forced this vile concoction down her before to stop her sickness in the morning. Considering how bad it tasted, Rebecca wasn’t sure which torture was worse, nausea all day or drinking that disgusting beverage.

  Anna rolled her eyes. “Just drink it quickly, then it will be over with.”

  Not wanting to be ungrateful, Rebecca took a gulp, then gagged. “This is so horrible. I must take time to prepare myself before I can allow it to pass down my throat.”

  “At that rate, you will never finish, so if there is nothing else you require tonight, I’ll leave you to it?”

  After dismissing Anna, Rebecca eyed the glass. She really didn’t want to drink it. With the day she’d had, she shouldn’t be pushed to suffer further by forcing down all that vile liquid.

  Deciding she’d had enough, Rebecca stood. Her legs felt weak, and her head spun. What was wrong with her? Blinking, she tried to focus her eyes, but they refused to work properly. Her stomach rolled.

  Panic set in. This had never been the reaction she’d had to the drink before. Something else must have been added. Sweat beaded up on her face, and she tried to keep herself together. She would survive. Charles would help her.

  With heart hammering in her chest, she stumbled to their adjoining door. The process took longer than usual as she continually fell against the wall, but she finally made it. Help was close by.

  Throwing open the door, she saw Charles standing by his dressing table. She couldn’t make her voice work, so she reached her arms out, but he didn’t come.

  The last image she saw was him continuing to stand there and watch as she fell to the floor.

  “Get out!” The feminine scream followed by a loud banging reached Charles’s ears as he moved up the stairs toward Rebecca’s bedchamber. Moving faster, he bolted up the steps.

  Reaching her chamber, he threw open the door and halted at the sight. Madam Hershal stood beside his wife’s bed. The woman, dressed in her nightclothes with hair in disarray, glared at the doctor with wild eyes. Considering how well put together she always was, Charles was taken aback. Had something bad happened?

  “Lord Dunmore,” she screeched. “Make him and his leeches leave. He’ll kill her.”

  The doctor growled. “No. It’s that devil woman who will hurt her. Not I.”

  Charles glanced at his wife’s motionless form on the bed. She was still breathing now, but not stable by any means. Anguish formed a lump in his throat. He didn’t care who saved her, as long as it was done. And soon. His head demanded the doctor heal Rebecca, but his insides demanded a different solution.

  Torn between the two, and knowing he didn’t have time to waste, he looked into both pairs of eyes. The doctor’s professional calling is what brought him here today. That alone recommended him. When Charles’s gaze slid to Madam Hershal, he sucked in a breath. It was personal for her. The motherly feelings she held for Rebecca drove her.

  “Doctor, please come with me. I have need of your services elsewhere.”

  The man pinched his lips tight, but followed him regardless. In the event the midwife could do nothing for Rebecca, Charles refused to anger the doctor or allow him to leave.

  “What is more pressing out here than your wife’s condition?” the doctor demanded the second they exited the bedchamber.

  “Nothing,” Charles admitted. “However, if I don’t allow her to try, I’ll never have any peace in my house.”

  The doctor grinned, and Charles hea
ved a sigh of relief. Although he couldn’t find the levity, he needed the doctor too much now. Calm wasn’t an emotion Charles had in excess at the moment.

  “How do you manage to live with that woman? I must admit, I was very surprised to see you have her here in the first place.”

  While leading the way to the drawing room, Charles forced himself to respond. “As men, sometimes we have to make concessions to make our wives happy. The countess has developed a friendship with the midwife, so I tolerate her presence.”

  Sympathy crossed the doctor’s face. “You are a generous man. I know I—”

  “My lord,” Davins interrupted. “The magistrate has arrived. He’s waiting in your study.”

  Charles turned to the doctor. “Please excuse me. My butler will escort you to the drawing room.”

  Quickly heading in the opposite direction, he made his way to his study. The magistrate had come quickly, Charles would give him that. Especially now that the person responsible could still be inside the house.

  “So, Lord Dunmore, here I am again. Roused from my bed, no less. Is your wife dead?”

  In a flash, Charles rushed to the man and pulled him to his feet by his jacket. “She’s dying, you bloody bastard. So you better watch your tongue. I’m not in a forgiving mood.”

  Releasing the man, Charles allowed him to fall back into the chair.

  “I see. So, will his Majesty’s man be coming to take over the investigation in a few days?”

  “He will if I determine you are incompetent. In which case, the Prince Regent will have you replaced.”

  Although Charles couldn’t promise that, the threat had the desired effect. The magistrate’s eyes bulged as he looked upon Charles with a new understanding.