Redeeming the Earl

by Jenn Langston

  Going through the last of the papers, Charles had come to one conclusion. Two or more of his wives had been murdered. As an invisible tourniquet squeezed his heart, he wondered if Rebecca would be next.

  “Trevor,” Rebecca called, happy to see the boy. “What are you doing out here?”

  Seeing a familiar figure standing behind him, she froze. Bridget Harrow stood close by her son. Had she been the one Rebecca was to meet? Ever since the holiday party, Rebecca had wondered what the woman had intended to tell her. However, she still didn’t trust her.

  “Lady Dunmore, I’m so pleased you agreed to meet me.” She turned to Paul. “You may leave now. I can see to our guest from here.”

  “No,” Paul stated. “I will remain as long as she does.”

  Relief washed over Rebecca. Her trust in Paul grew at his desire to keep his promise to her. Especially after seeing Mrs. Harrow’s calculating eyes, Rebecca didn’t want to be left alone.

  “Very well,” Mrs. Harrow responded with tight lips. “Please, come in.”

  Although uncomfortable, Rebecca followed her inside. On the outside the house looked the same as all the others, however inside was anything but. Lavish decorations and furniture spanned everything Rebecca could see. The drawing room rivaled that of Dunmore’s.

  “You have a beautiful home,” Rebecca gushed, unable to keep her amazement in.

  Mrs. Harrow inclined her head in acknowledgment, but didn’t appear pleased at the compliment. “Please have a seat. Would you care for some tea?”

  “No, thank you. I’m simply wondering after the purpose for this strange meeting.”

  “I can imagine. This is not simple or an easy conversation to be had.”

  “Considering how this meeting came about, I didn’t imagine otherwise.”

  “Both my husband, God rest his soul, and I, have much to atone for. As you can see, I live in luxury. My child never wants for anything, and I am looked to as an example in our community.”

  “That is wonderful for you. And I’m glad to hear Trevor is well taken care of.”

  After straightening the scarf around her neck, Mrs. Harrow leaned closer to Rebecca. “Yes, but it all came at a price. One we never should have agreed to.”

  “Forgive me for interrupting, but I’m not sure how you’re fortunate situation has anything to do with me.”

  “My husband was the coroner. He investigated the deaths of three of the Earl of Dunmore’s wives.”

  A chill ran over Rebecca. She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear this. “Then he understood the pain Lord Dunmore has suffered.”

  “With the first countess, yes. The poor dear lost her life due to that baby. Not the second one, though. She was murdered.”

  Rebecca swallowed as a wave of heat ran over her face, and her stomach churned. Mrs. Harrow could be lying, but why? She had no reason to invent such a story.

  “No. She died from the baby as well,” Rebecca squeaked.

  Mrs. Harrow shook her head. “She was smothered.”

  Jumping to her feet, Rebecca glared at the woman. This couldn’t be true. “There would be signs. The case was ruled by the doctors to be accidental.”

  As if unfazed by Rebecca’s declaration, Mrs. Harrow dusted her shoulder. “Nothing a little face paint couldn’t cover. It takes an investigator, not a doctor, to look at all the evidence.”

  “Then why didn’t your husband disclose it? You are making this up. Is that how you get your lavish lifestyle? You intend to blackmail me with this nonsense?”

  That got through to Mrs. Harrow because she shot to her feet. “We were bribed. Don’t you see? The Prince Regent sent his man to take over the case. When my husband told them what he found, he kept his mouth closed in exchange for all this.”

  Realization hit Rebecca like a punch in the stomach, and she fell back into the chair. Could it be true? Charles had said they hadn’t known why Diana died. Had Prinny not intervened, Charles probably would have been hanged, regardless of fault.

  Mrs. Harrow sat back down and gently touched Rebecca’s arm. “I know this is a lot to take in, but please let me finish my story.”

  Rebecca nodded as she leaned back in her chair. If this was true, she owed it to herself to hear it. And she owed it to Charles.

  “The third countess ingested something that thinned her blood, then sustained a blow directly to the stomach. With the medicine she took, the bleeding from a miscarriage never stopped.”

  “That explains the pool of blood,” Rebecca whispered, more to herself than to be heard.

  “After that, the guilt drove my husband mad, and he killed himself.”

  “Like Allison.”

  “I tried to talk to her as I am to you, but she wouldn’t come. Trevor did his best, but her marriage to the earl didn’t even last two full months.”

  Feeling sick, Rebecca rested her elbows on her knees. “Why are you telling me this?”

  “To save you. A number of us on the estate are trying to cause problems for the earl to distract him. Come with us. We can make you safe.”

  Rebecca straightened her back. “Leave my husband? Why? And why would you want to cause problems for him? Isn’t he taking care of you?”

  The woman averted her eyes. “Yes, but he murdered those women. We can’t sit by and allow him to get away with it.”

  “You have proof that it was him? I’d like to hear that now.”

  From the way Mrs. Harrow’s eyes darted to Paul, and how she shifted uncomfortably on her seat, Rebecca had her answer. She refused to sit here and allow this woman to accuse Charles of premeditated murder. He was guilty of indifference to his spouses, her included, not murder.

  “If that’s all, I’ll be leaving now.”

  Rebecca stood and left the house. The idea that Charles’s wives had been murdered shook her up, but certainly her husband was incapable of poisoning or suffocating.

  The sensation of cold metal across her throat resurfaced. She swallowed down a lump in her throat. He only wished to give her a gift. The necklace had been a good gesture, not a murder weapon.

  “Wait for me, my lady,” Paul called from behind her.

  “Why should I?” she shot back to him, not slowing her pace. “You work for the earl, yet you agree with this rubbish.”

  “Of course I do. Anna and I both have seen how he treated those women. They were objects to him.”

  She stopped walking and faced him. “Then tell me why he did it. He needs heirs, so why kill them before a baby could be born? Why not wait until he had a son?”

  “I don’t know. I can’t see in his mind. Maybe he cared about Lady Miranda, and after her, he couldn’t bear to have a child that wasn’t hers. Clearly the man is mad.”

  “I can’t listen to this.” She began walking, faster this time. “Does Anna believe like you too? Maybe I was wrong to insist she help me.”

  “Anna doesn’t believe the earl killed them, but she does believe they were murdered.”

  “Good, then she can attend me. You, however, have no reason to follow me any longer. After all, if there is a threat to me, you might miss it when you’re busy watching my husband.”

  Irritated, she stomped away from him. She was done with this. With the entire day. Her hands shook. True, she occasionally felt concern around Charles, but she never truly believed he would harm her. And to have other people believe this of him infuriated her.

  Entering her bedchamber, she paced the room. She didn’t know what to do with herself. Should she tell Charles what she’d learned? If he knew what happened to his wives, surely he would begin an investigation to discover who did it.

  On the other hand, would the renewal of the accusations anger him? Seeing his anger in her mind’s eye wasn’t difficult. The image of him stalking towar
d Diana while she slept, clutching a pillow, filled her. It just couldn’t be true.

  As a chill made her entire form shiver, she walked to the wardrobe, needing something to cover her freezing limbs. When she pulled the door open, she screamed as the lifeless body of Anna fell on top of her.

  Charles paced his study as fury reverberated through his body. Why would someone kill his wife’s maid, especially right after she’d been reassigned? None of the ongoings here made sense. Even Josiah was stumped. This made his blood run cold.

  Logically, it appeared to be three different people delivering these attacks. One committing smalltime crime on his estate, another attacking Rebecca, and now the death of Anna. Another question he couldn’t answer was why.

  The magistrate appeared at his door. “May I come in?”

  “Please.” Charles offered the man a seat and closed the door before sitting down behind his desk.

  “After examining the maid’s body, we’ve confirmed she was strangled by the curtain tieback that was left around her neck. After killing her, the murderer must have locked her in the wardrobe, perhaps hoping the countess would find her.”

  “You have an idea who could have done this?” Charles asked, chilled at the thought of a murder in his house. Well, he conceded, one and a possibility of two others.

  “Can’t be sure at this moment. There was no evidence left. I’ll have to follow my usual procedures. First, I must ask where you have been today.”

  “I’ve been here in my study the majority of the day. And, although my butler and steward joined me for part of it, no one else can confirm my whereabouts,” Charles answered honestly.

  He’d been through this too many times to not understand what was expected. When he left here, the magistrate would verify his statement, so there was no reason to withhold anything.

  “Would you like to know what I find curious?” the magistrate asked as he tapped a pen on his paper. “The fact that one of the suspects from your wife’s poisoning should be murdered so quickly after the incident. Strange. Wouldn’t you agree?”

  “Yes. However, I don’t see how they’re connected. If Lady Dunmore was the intended target, why attack the suspect?”

  The man shrugged, but his face held no confusion. “Perhaps in the killer’s mind she wasn’t a suspect at all. He could’ve been acting out to avenge Lady Dunmore.”

  Charles’s teeth clenched. This was also not the first time this man had accused him of murder. Honestly, he was tired of dealing with this. He could easily send word to the Prince Regent again and have this matter clear, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to. Unlike the other times when he thought the women died of natural causes, he wanted answers. As much as he hated the man before him, he knew the magistrate could be the only person capable of getting the truth.

  “That could be a possibility,” Charles agreed, leaving his voice emotionless.

  “Should I expect a missive from His Majesty?”

  “No. I want you to find out who was responsible. And if you have any desire to reopen old cases, do so as well.”

  The magistrate’s head reared back as shock widened his eyes. “My lord?”

  “I’m tired of the uncertainty, and I want answers. New information has come to my attention, and I believe Prinny’s doctors and coroners may have been remiss in their investigation.”

  “Are you saying you would like me to look into the deaths of the previous countesses?”

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying.” Charles opened his arms and spread them out to encompass the room. “You have my permission to use anything at my disposal. Choose a room and live here if you like, just as long as you find the responsible parties.”

  After staring at Charles for a few minutes with his mouth wide open, the magistrate blinked, then straightened his shoulders. Clearly the man was ready to do his job. That’s exactly what Charles had been hoping for.

  “It will be my pleasure.”

  Once matters were settled, Charles made his way upstairs, anxious to be with Rebecca. He’d taken care to ensure she hadn’t been left alone after the incident, but even that couldn’t compare to being with her. In an effort to ease her, he had even instructed Eloise to settle Rebecca in his bedchamber. After what she saw, she shouldn’t have to be in that room alone.

  Anxiousness increased his steps as he entered his bedchamber. Seeing an empty bed in the candlelight sent fear through him. Had she simply chosen to remain in her own bed or had something happened to her?

  Barely able to breathe, he bounded to the door adjoining the countess’s chambers to his own and threw it open, praying to find her inside. The burning candle provided enough light to show a balled figure under the covers. He swallowed. Please let her be all right.

  “Rebecca,” he softly called.

  No answer. Was she asleep or . . . He couldn’t finish the thought. Biting down on his teeth, he approached the bed and slowly slid the coverlet down. When he saw Rebecca’s frightened eyes, he let out the breath he’d been holding. She was safe.

  “What are you doing in here?” he asked. “Didn’t Eloise tell you to sleep in my bed?”

  She didn’t respond, simply continued watching him with a horrified expression. Indecision raked him. He wanted to grab her to him and take her to his bed. However, she clearly was afraid, and he refused to make it worse.

  He stretched his arms out to her. “Come with me. I’ll help you forget.”

  After a few loud heartbeats, she lifted a tentative hand out to him. Keeping in mind how gentle he had to be, he clasped her cold fingers and put them around the back of his neck as he slid her into his arms. His heart ached for her. No one should have to endure such terror.

  As he carried her into his bedchamber, she snuggled into him, and he wanted to rejoice. She would make it through this. He would get her whatever she wanted. Whatever she needed.

  He laid her on the bed, then took a few steps away. “Just give me a minute.”

  She sat up. “You’re not leaving me, are you?”

  He unbuttoned his waistcoat, and shrugged it off. “Not a chance.”

  Her sigh weighed heavy upon him. He couldn’t blame her for her fear. After all, he felt it as well. If the magistrate didn’t do his job soon, Charles would be forced to tie Rebecca to him to ensure her safety.

  “Is the Prince Regent sending someone?” she asked in a small voice.

  Discarding his shirt, he then pulled on his dressing gown before removing his trousers. “No. I haven’t contacted him.”

  “Did you those other times?” Her knitted brow proved her confusion.

  Although not sure why she would care, he decided telling her what she wanted would help keep her mind off of Anna. Heaven knew he would benefit from the distraction as well. The idea it could have been Rebecca . . .

  “Yes. I did.”

  “Why?”

  Now he was the one confused. Had she wanted him to be tried for murder? He shook his head. She simply had to work some difficult things out in her mind, and he refused to deny her the information.

  After discarding his trousers, he sat on the bed next to her. “The investigation with Diana had been going well, but it took a lot more time than I imagined. Then someone suggested we pull in some help. I’d been exceedingly grateful to His Majesty.”

  Saying the last sentence put a sour taste in his mouth. Prinny meant well, but in this case, he brought more sorrow than solutions. How many more times would the Prince Regent send someone to absolve him? Charles didn’t want to find out.

  “Well I understand you asking for help, but I’m still confused as to why you chose our sovereign.”

  He sighed. “I honestly don’t remember. Perhaps a suggestion from someone, although I can’t remember whom. Are you trying to ask me something specifically?”


  She shook her head as she looked down at her hands, guilt spread across her face. He felt like an ass. After all, he hadn’t intended to upset her.

  “Would you like to sleep or would you like me to distract you?”

  Her mouth wobbled as she looked at him. Berating himself, he pulled her to rest against his chest, then laid them down on the bed.

  Tonight they both needed their sleep more than anything. Tomorrow, on the other hand, he needed answers.

  Chapter 16

  “Why is everyone in such a somber mood?” Gloria demanded as she walked into the drawing room.

  “Not more than a fortnight has passed since Anna . . . died,” Rebecca reminded her, using her most tolerant voice. “We wish to show our respect.”

  “I know, my dear. That is what the black wardrobe is for. There are no rules stating you must also be devoid of emotions.”

  Sylvia grunted, but made no other comment.

  Although Rebecca wanted to throw Gloria from the room at this moment, she kept her calm. Gloria meant well and surely didn’t understand how close both she and Sylvia had to become to Anna.

  “At this time, I don’t feel as if I am capable of sustaining any other emotion. If our sadness offends you, please don’t feel obligated to remain.”

  Gloria sat next to Rebecca, her bright skirts whooshing beside her. “Don’t be silly. I didn’t know your maid, but I’m not unfeeling. I’m just trying to help you out of this. To make you enjoy life once again. Even Charles has succumbed to this melancholy. I can’t convince him to come out for one small ride with me.”

  “Give us time.”

  Rebecca patted her friend’s shoulder. She understood the woman’s boredom. From what she could tell, both she and Charles were Gloria’s only friends. Loneliness clung to her.