In the Garden of Deceit (Book 4)

by Cynthia Wicklund

  He lay on his back, feeling as though he had not moved for a very long time. More than anything he wanted to roll onto his side, to adjust his position. His thoughts sent the command, his body…well…refused to cooperate. However, he managed to shift a little—very little. Even that small movement forced from him a groan of agonizing misery.

  Where was he, and why did he feel as if he had spent a lengthy amount of time under a dancing horse? He made an effort to lift his arm and realized it was encased in something hard and unyielding. And it was heavy, too heavy to raise in his weakened state.

  James lay there for quite some time—on a mattress it felt like—eyes closed as he tried to gather his bearings. Perhaps he was still asleep and dreaming his current situation. But the pain that consumed him denied that possibility.

  Someone moved next to him on his right.

  James cracked open his eyes, but he had to concentrate to do so as if the simple act of opening and closing his eyes was no longer an automatic one. Would he forget to blink? His confined world now included a blurry view of an expanse of canopy over his head. He felt movement again. With careful deliberation he turned his head, his neck and shoulders screaming in protest. He squinted in an effort to clear his vision.

  Amanda lay alongside him, sleeping soundly. She was facing him, and there was a purple bruise on one side of her forehead and cheek that immediately angered him. What had happened to them? His memory was as blank as a new slate blackboard.

  He heard the chamber door open. With as much effort as it took him to turn toward his wife, he turned back to see who was now coming into the room.

  At once the canopy was replaced, in his line of sight, by an aging female visage. She wore a mob cap and a stunned expression. Nurse Bitters? Why was she here?

  “Lord Lonsdale! Are you awake?”

  He might be incapacitated, but he understood irony when speaking to the obvious. He raised his brows at the woman. “So it would seem,” he croaked. James was surprised by how difficult it was to actually speak. And it was then he realized just how thirsty he was. “Drink?”

  However, Nurse Bitters was already racing back out the door. Why was she in such a hurry?

  The mattress shifted wildly and now Amanda loomed over him. “James? Oh, dear Lord in heaven! I’ve missed you—”

  She leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on a mouth he realized was extremely sore. As sweet as that kiss was, he was unable to stifle the groan of pain that slipped passed his lips.

  “I’ve hurt you!” she exclaimed, stricken.

  “No, no.” He tried to comfort her, but truth be told, he was too weak and disoriented to be of much help.

  The door burst open again, and every close relation James had poured into the room, including his Great-Uncle Simon Fitzgerald and Simon’s wife Cassandra. The twins were there and so was Huey, along with Aunt Henry. It was chaotic, everyone talking at once. Very quickly it became clear to him that he had been hurt and apparently unconscious. Else why was his entire family hovering over him?

  James spent the next ten minutes reassuring everyone that he was doing better, not by saying anything but by merely lying there and looking somewhat alert. This, apparently, was a significant improvement on what he had been doing for the last several days. Then the nurse evicted everybody except Amanda.

  As soon as the company had arrived, his wife had dried her tears and climbed off the mattress, donning her wrapper and slippers behind a dressing screen. He had lost sight of her after that as she moved out of the way of the guests. She was the one person he wanted to see, however, thus he was relieved when Nurse Bitters sent them all away.

  He reiterated his need for water, and the nurse obliged him. It was quite a process as the woman placed a hand under his shoulders, lifting his head enough to drink without spilling all the contents of the glass on his nightshirt. He slurped noisily like a one-year-old child learning how to sip from a glass. It was a painful procedure, one where he began to weigh his need for fluid against the need not to hurt anymore.

  “What is that horrific pain in my side?” he gasped.

  “Two of your ribs were broken when you were attacked, my lord.”

  He swore. “Amanda,” he rasped out. “Where…are you?”

  His wife stepped into his line of sight. Her expression was drawn, the bruises on her face standing out in sharp relief against her pale complexion. She gave him a tremulous smile.

  “Welcome back my lord.”

  ***

  James had been back among the living for five days now. Those had been tough days as he endured the occasional setback. But for the most part, slowly he was making progress.

  Amanda stayed with him during the day but had decided to return to her own room at night, until she felt certain that her presence did not disturb him while he mended. He needed his sleep. Although still sore herself, she was significantly improved. When each morning came she was up, dressed and headed for her husband’s chamber. This morning was no different.

  She intercepted the servant bringing James his breakfast. “Is there enough for me?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” the girl said.

  “Thank you.” Amanda confiscated the tray and bustled into her husband’s room. She addressed the nurse. “Did we have a good night?”

  Nurse Bitters nodded. “His lordship slept very well. First night he didn’t need laudanum to get comfortable.”

  “Good. You can rest now. I’ll call if we should need you.”

  As the door closed behind the nurse, Amanda turned toward the bed to find her husband watching her.

  James smiled. “Morning, love.

  Oh my, he sounded much more like his normal self. His voice was gratifyingly stronger than it had been only days before. She felt a spring in her step as she crossed the room and placed the tray on the coverlet. Amanda leaned over and gave him a light kiss, allowing her lips to linger for just a moment. When she pulled back, he wore a wolfish grin, which was a disconcerting contrast to the discoloration that still decorated his face.

  “My lord!” She returned his grin with a coquettish one of her own. “Methinks thou dost feel greatly improved.”

  “I have one burning goal,” he said. “To get well enough to make love to my wife.”

  Amanda felt a blush rise into her cheeks as she sat in the chair the nurse had vacated. “Well…you are feeling better.”

  “Bah! This healing process is taking forever. Dr.Chilcott said it will take many weeks before my ribs can be considered mended. Until then the discomfort puts quite a damper on most activities.” The gaze he shared with her was intense and meaningful. “This dastardly episode interrupted my plans the other night. I’m feeling very frustrated today.”

  She reached over and took his hand, glad she could do so now without fear of hurting him. She lifted one eyebrow. “As I recall, some situations can be worked around. I suggest you and I make that effort when you feel able.”

  The hand she held grasped hers tightly. “Do not toy with me, love. I’m a weak man, and the disappointment could do me in.”

  “I’m not toying with, James. Please, just repair a little more, and I promise to participate in whatever won’t hurt you.”

  “Some things are worth a little pain,” he stated.

  She laughed softly. “A theory, I suspect, we will be testing soon. But I won’t put you in danger. You must agree to that.”

  He blew out a disgusted breath. “If you insist.”

  “And we had best make certain the nurse has other things to do.” Again, she couldn’t refrain from smiling, despite what she knew was a serious discussion to him.

  “You can release her as far as I’m concerned. I don’t need her anymore.”

  “I’m not so certain of that.”

  “Amanda—”

  “All right, we’ll check with Dr. Chilcott.”

  That seemed to satisfy him, but his next comment surprised her even though the subject he introduced was one she had expected.
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  “I think we need to talk about the night of the assault.”

  Her stomach tensed, the memories too fresh for her to feel detached. “All right. But as I told the authorities, I don’t remember much.”

  “I don’t remember anything, so whatever small pieces of the puzzle you have are more than I can contribute. Truth is, I remember you and me deciding to take a stroll in the garden and then nothing—absolutely nothing—until I woke in this bed. Did you see our attackers? I was told there were two.”

  “That’s what I reported, yes. I have a hazy recollection of a large man and a small one. Other than that…I didn’t really see their faces.”

  “Nothing else? Did they say anything?”

  Should she mention the two ruffians arguing over whether or not to ravish her? Maybe now was not a good time. He was on the verge of becoming upset. “I do remember a couple of things. The big man called the little man Freddie. And Freddie implied that whoever hired them would not regret our deaths and, in fact, perhaps there would be money in it for his employer.”

  An odd silence ensued. James stared at her, his piecing gaze so assessing, she felt the hairs on her neck lift.

  “Are you certain?” His voice was tight and edged with anger. “This is very important, Amanda.”

  “Yes, of course. I mean, I was dazed, I admit, but that one moment is quite clear in my mind. I don’t think I could have imagined it.”

  “That filthy little bastard!” James tried to sit up and a yelp escaped him for his efforts. “Damn it all to hell!”

  Amanda leapt to her feet, reaching to help him. “James, what is it?” she cried. She grabbed for the tray, as he had almost upended it on the floor.

  “He tried to have us killed.” He ground out the words through clenched teeth. “This is the last straw. I will have his hide if it is the last thing I do.” He relaxed his head against the pillow as pain forced his hand.

  Her knees felt weak as she sat back down. “You know who had us attacked?”

  He merely looked at her.

  “Oh!” Her hand flew to her mouth. “Derrick?”

  “It’s the only option that makes sense,” he agreed. “I should have known. I should have prepared for his need for revenge. How could I have been so stupid?”

  “You can’t blame yourself for his actions.”

  “He nearly had both of us killed, Amanda. I’m certain he wanted neither of us to survive that attack.”

  Amanda felt fairly certain also.

  “I can accept his need to hurt me, but he will not escape punishment for what he did to you. What sort of man has a woman beaten?”

  “I fared much better than you, James. I truly believe you’re the one he wanted to make suffer.”

  “Well then, I have a surprise for him because I’m about to return the favor.” He pounded the mattress then winced when the movement clearly jarred him. “Damn! I hate being unable to move. I need to get out of this bed.”

  “James, if you try to leave that bed, you won’t have to worry about Derrick doing you harm. You’ll do it for him.”

  “Now see here—”

  “I swear I will have you tied down if I have to. We haven’t come this far to watch you finish what Derrick started because you’re too stubborn to listen.”

  His expression was mulish, but he appeared to relent. “I’ll agree for now since I have no choice. But make no mistake, Amanda. Derrick will pay for what he has done to us.”

  Amanda watched him for several moments, breathing slowly in and out as she sought her equilibrium. Her own anger was boiling just below a surface that she struggled to keep calm for her husband’s sake. James was right—Derrick would pay. She would see to it.

  She reached for the teapot. “Are you hungry, sweetheart?”

  ***

  “You’re certain it was Derrick?”

  Aunt Henry stared at Amanda through owl eyes, her voice tremulous. The conversation they were having had gone from absolute denial on Henrietta’s part to fear that what was being said might have validity.

  “James said Derrick has two cohorts, a small man named Freddie and a larger man named George. That describes the two individuals I saw.”

  “But you only heard Freddie’s name?”

  Amanda controlled a moment’s exasperation but nodded in the affirmative. “Who would benefit from James’s death, Aunt Henry? Derrick would more than most since James has no brothers, and your son is not just his first cousin but his only first cousin. He would be designated closest male relative for the purpose of inheriting the title and all entailed properties. Add to that Derrick’s attitude that he has been mistreated…”

  “But it seems so farfetched. Derrick has a temper, can be spiteful, I admit. But initiate a murder, let alone two? Could I be that blind to whom my son really is?”

  Amanda let the question go unanswered, as she suspected it wasn’t really directed at her anyway.

  “What is…what is James intending?” Aunt Henry asked.

  Amanda felt her heart well with pity. The older woman looked thoroughly defeated, although her eyes remained dry, her demeanor stoical.

  “James is not prepared to take on anything stressful right now. However, allowing Derrick to think he has escaped detection for this appalling deed is untenable. And to be honest, I’m so furious at him for nearly succeeding in killing my husband that I’m unwilling to let this situation rest for even a day.”

  “A-are you going to report him to the authorities?”

  “I have an idea that I believe is equitable for all concerned.”

  “You do?”

  Amanda took her hand. “I will tell you everything, I promise. But I’m not prepared to reveal my intentions just yet. I have some plans to make.”

  Now the old woman did cry, pulling out a hankie from the bodice of her gown to catch her tears. “I feel as if it’s all my fault. Surely, there is something I could have done.”

  “Never say that. Sometimes we simply love too faithfully. Why blame the misdeeds of another on the one with the trusting heart?”

  “Thank you for that.”

  “Please promise me that you won’t tell Derrick that we have discovered his subterfuge. If you give me away, it will be up to James to seek revenge. And I fear that outcome may be far more severe.”

  “You have my word.”

  ***

  CHAPTER 21

  Amanda rode in her father’s elegant carriage on a mission that required more than a little discretion. She had chosen this particular conveyance, not because it was opulent but because it was the roomiest one they owned. Of course, the carriage might be recognized, she supposed. But Archie had been the commonest of commoners, his wealth notwithstanding, and his fancy vehicle sported no crest as an identifier. Most likely persons on the street would simply “see” a rich man out for the evening.

  She was wearing mourning black, gown and a heavy veil, and for once she was glad of the anonymity her clothing afforded her. Next to her on the seat sat her jittery maid Betty, serving as a chaperon on tonight’s little jaunt. And on the seat facing Betty and her were two of the biggest and most ferocious looking men Amanda had ever met. Hence the need for a large carriage.

  Tonight’s undertaking had required several intense days of preparation. Amanda had called on James’s Great Uncle Simon for assistance because she could think of no one else with the power and motivation to help her succeed. As always when she saw him, she was amazed by what a handsome man he still was, a ramrod-straight octogenarian with a full head of white hair. He was intelligent and kind with a commanding personality, and she was always pleased to see him. She took him aside after one of his visits to see her husband.

  “I always knew that young man was trouble,” Uncle Simon had said, referring to Derrick. His brow was furrowed with anger. “Couldn’t like him no matter how hard I tried. Why don’t we simply have him thrown in the gaol? Attempted murder is something for which he should be held accountable.”

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nbsp; “I agree, but I fear what it would do to Aunt Henry if her son were to be taken to prison.”

  He shook his head. “What a silly goose she is. She always coddled her son, trying to compensate for the fact that he had a terrible father. She should have spent more time trying to make certain he didn’t become like his father.”

  “She has the kindest heart of anyone I know. At any rate, I suspect he inherited most of his bad qualities. How was she to fight that?”

  “Yes, yes, I know it’s not her fault. I’m simply frustrated. What a maddening situation.”

  Amanda touched his sleeve. “Will you help me, sir? I need to make certain Derrick never has the opportunity to hurt James again.”

  Of course, he had agreed. Bless him.

  And thus she found herself riding in her father’s carriage, staring blindly out into the night, her mind filled with what the immediate future might bring. She was headed for a destination that could prove unsafe, with nothing more than her indignation to see her plan through. Well, indignation and Alfie and Liam, the two behemoths who sat on the seat across from her.

  Uncle Simon had said he would provide able-bodied men and, by Jove, he certainly had. She suspected he was unaware, however, of her plan to be part of the entourage this evening. Actually, she knew he was unaware since she had gone to great lengths not to tell him. If anything should go wrong, the last thing she wanted was for Uncle Simon to be blamed. And she wanted to make certain he didn’t do something to stop her. There was no chance of her being willing to sit at home waiting for this evening to play out.

  Leaving the house had not been easy. James had wanted her to keep him company. He was finally allowed to sit in a chair, and with that came his demand that the nurse be released from her duties. Dr. Chilcott had reluctantly agreed. Amanda knew why James wanted the nurse gone. Whatever intimacy they could achieve was important to him. She smiled a secret smile. Even laid low by a beating, her husband was consumed by the earthier aspects of their marriage. Amanda had to admit lovemaking had been on her mind also.