“Families often pay quite heavily to have an irrational relation sequestered for the term of their natural lives. My father had arrangements with many great families. I believe this man is one of those cases.”
Tobias cleared his throat. “So no one will be coming forward to claim the man that was saved?”
Merrow shrugged. “Most likely the family will wish he’d perished in the flames.”
Seventeen whimpered softly.
Blythe bit her lip and then let it go. “Tell them he died.”
“Excuse me?”
“Tell them Seventeen burned in the fire. I’ll take responsibility for him.”
Lord Merrow gaped at her. “My lady, have you lost your mind? You cannot control a man who has spent his life imprisoned amongst other madmen. They are not trained monkeys to be put on display.”
“Nevertheless, I wish to accept the responsibility. He’ll be better off with me than left to your questionable care. Look at him. He’s skin and bones and terrified of you.”
Merrow had the grace to look guilty. “I cannot stand around and make sure each man was properly fed. I have responsibilities elsewhere. Surely you understand.”
“No, I don’t. It is clear that you didn’t have the time to take more than the family’s money. He stays with me. Do you know any particulars from before he arrived at Skepington?”
“No. Just his name. Seventeen. All the records are lost to the flames.” Merrow’s expression darkened. “Very well, you may take your pet home with you, but don’t come crying to me when he murders everyone around you. Who knows what goes on in his mind?”
Merrow took his leave and Blythe let out a relieved breath when she couldn’t hear his footfalls any more. “Thank goodness that is over and done with.”
She knelt beside Seventeen. “Would you mind very much if I took care of you, sir?”
Seventeen lifted his head and his mouth curved into a small smile. “As much as I should like to accept the honor of submitting to your care, madam, I feel my brother might have some objections to such a proposal.” His gaze lifted to look over her shoulder. “You were correct earlier in the evening. She is an angel among the unworthy.”
Tobias pushed past her, caught Seventeen by the shoulders. “What did you just say? What brother?”
Seventeen glanced between them. “I may be a trifle befuddled, but I had thought you had referred to her earlier as your wife?”
“She’s not my wife,” Tobias said softly.
Seventeen grunted. “I could swear that I heard her called Mrs. Randall several times and you do seem inordinately fond on holding her in your arms. I would have claimed it a near absolute truth that she was yours. The fire must have muddled my mind.”
Tobias’ frown returned. “A near absolute truth?”
“Yes, surely. Ninety nine percent certain,” Seventeen said, voice cracking before he coughed.
Blythe’s heart raced as she realized Seventeen spoke in mathematical terms. Hadn’t Tobias said something about Oliver doing the same? But this man was old, or at least appeared so to her eyes. “What is your real name, sir?”
He shook himself. “Seventeen.”
Tobias frowned. “That isn’t your name at all. Who sent you to Skepington Hall?”
When Seventeen wouldn’t answer, Blythe caught his hand in hers and held it firmly. Asking him direct questions about his identity wasn’t going to provide the answers they needed quickly. They’d have to ask those questions in a different way. They had to gain his trust. “When did you first ride a pony?”
“I was five.”
“I had to wait until I was older,” she confided. “Was the pony your own?”
Seventeen shook his head. “No. I had to share.”
“With whom?”
Seventeen’s eyes closed. “With . . .” his mouth snapped shut.
Blythe stared hard at the man before her. Leopold Randall had once confided that he’d had to wait to ride a mount until his younger brother, Oliver, was five before their father purchased them a mount. But if this man was Oliver Randall, why wouldn’t he just come out and say so? Had he been treated as badly as Tobias?
“I had to share my mount with my sister,” Blythe continued, hoping that her chatter would slip under his guard and put him at ease. “My elder brother had his own and used to tease us that we rode poorly. Was yours any better? Was he bossy and cross all the time? What was the beast’s name?”
“Noble,” Seventeen said immediately.
Tobias fell back onto the floor, staring at Seventeen. “When we met, you said freedom was denied you. Why?”
Seventeen looked at the floor. “Innocent lives depend on my silence.”
Blythe settled to her knees. “Circumstances have changed somewhat these last weeks. My sister is the current Duchess of Romsey, a widow. Her son, a child, is four. Young Edwin is a healthy, robust child. Very recently a Mr. Leopold Randall came to visit the estate and made himself known.”
She searched Seventeen’s face for signs of response, but he kept his face still and unemotional. “Leopold lives at Romsey and already manages the estate for the duchess and her young son. The boy bears two very deep dimples. Just as his father does.”
Seventeen’s eyes widened. “No, that cannot be possible.”
“Believe me; I was just as surprised by the discovery as you appear to be.”
Tobias shifted closer. “What are the chances that the Duke of Romsey was responsible for sending you to a mad house and warned you members of your family depended on your silence?”
Seventeen blinked. “Absolute.”
Twenty Seven
Tobias rocked back in shock. “I didn’t recognize you?”
“It matters little.” Oliver glanced at Blythe. “You’re not Mrs. Randall,” he accused. “Tis dangerous to say you are.”
“There is no danger now.” Blythe quickly assured him. “But I took the name for appearances sake while staying here. I am Lady Venables of Walden Hall. Blythe to my family and friends. It is wonderful to meet you, Oliver Randall.”
“Venables and the Duke of Romsey were acquaintances,” Oliver said suddenly. “But he poses no threat to us.”
“Oliver,” Tobias began. “We’ve come to bring you home.”
Oliver Randall smiled sadly. “I feared as much when you burst through my window. At first, I thought I was dead. However, your angel has convinced me otherwise. It will be good to see mother and father again.”
Tobias swallowed as a lump formed in his throat. “They’re dead. The duke murdered them.”
Oliver bowed his head and remained silent for a long while as he absorbed the news. “So, he got what he wanted in the end. I blame myself.”
Tobias carefully captured his brother’s thin hand in his. “Why would it be your fault? I’ve never understood any of it.”
“The duke wanted to guarantee our silence. I uncovered an irregularity in the construction of the abbey in the course of my studies and went to our father about it. When I returned to school, Father must have continued to pursue the matter. The duke was very angry when we met. He stripped me of my name and referred to me only by my birth date after that.”
Tobias forced his emotions down. “But there was no need for the extremes of what he did.”
Oliver sighed heavily. “That depends on your perspective. There was every need in his mind. We could have embroiled the duchy in scandal. He couldn’t bear to have his secrets exposed, but he couldn’t destroy us all. He needed us should his son fail to produce an heir, which explains why the young duke has dimples. Dimples run on our side of the family.”
“Well, none of that matters now,” Blythe said matter-of-factly. “We’re taking you home.”
“Harrowdale,” Oliver said somewhat wistfully. “I’m surprised he left it standing.”
“I’m taking you to Leopold,” Tobias corrected. “He’s at Romsey Abbey and will want to see you and hear the explanation for our separation from your own
lips.”
Oliver scowled at them. “The duke’s sanctuary is at Romsey. I’m not going anywhere near what started this mess.”
Blythe rose to her feet. “We know all about the sanctuary. We’ve been inside, but cannot see the sense of the room. Help him up, Tobias, and put him on the bed.”
Still unable to believe he had found his brother after all, Tobias tucked Oliver into bed and pulled the cover high up his chest.
“Rooms,” Oliver corrected. “It’s a maze down there.”
“Down?” Both he and Blythe said at once.
“Yes, the Sanctuary lies beneath Romsey Abbey.”
He exchanged a long look with Blythe. She gripped the bedpost, a frown marring her features. “What of the room off the drawing room, behind the carved rose?”
Oliver shrugged. “It’s just a storeroom. The real wealth of Romsey was beneath your feet.”
The duke must have been laughing very hard at them from his corner of hell. Their whole investigation of the room had been a waste of time, as Blythe had feared. He met her gaze. Well, perhaps not a complete waste of time. He’d always have fond memories of that storeroom as the place he’d first kissed Blythe.
She glanced away, a blush flooding her cheeks with color. “And what wealth would be hidden beneath the Romsey Abbey now? Do you know?”
“More riches than ever the dukes of Romsey could have obtained without breaking the law quite a few times. His Grace was a smuggler and also a thief. He was extremely good at getting what he wanted.”
Blythe caught Tobias’ hand and squeezed it tightly. “That’s why someone is trying to drive Mercy from the estate. They want to find the entrance and gain the riches they believe are still there. Someone knows.”
“Wilcox,” Tobias growled. “And we’ve left Mercy and Leopold at Romsey.”
Blythe gripped him tightly. “Wilcox already knew about the sanctuary. He saw me leave the room a few days ago. It’s only a matter of time before he finds a way down.”
Oliver chuckled softly. “The book room doesn’t give one access to the sanctuary. It’s just a store room for the duke’s harmless treasures. The entrance to the sanctuary is concealed in another place.”
“And you know where it is?”
Oliver nodded. “Yes, unfortunately I do.”
“Excuse us for a moment, Oliver.” Tobias caught Blythe’s hand.
“Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.” Oliver closed his eyes and heaved a heavy sigh.
Tobias pulled Blythe toward the window. “If we leave now, we could reach Romsey just after nightfall. Do you think Oliver is well enough to travel?”
“He’s weak, but perhaps he might sleep the entire way.” She squeezed his hands. “I want to get back to Mercy and Edwin, too.”
“So do I. Stay with Oliver.” He brushed his knuckles along her jaw. “I’ll see what I can do about procuring a larger carriage.”
“Are you sure you can manage?”
“Yes, because you’ll be there to distract me with your beauty.” He kissed the back of her hand and strode for the door, casting a quick look over his shoulder at his sleeping brother. He still couldn’t believe that Oliver was found. But the trick would be to keep him alive to tell his tale. To keep them all safe.
~ * ~
As Tobias rush downstairs in search of the innkeeper, Blythe’s heart was lighter than she’d expected it to be. She closed the door behind him and turned around to face Oliver.
“You’re fond of him,” Oliver said bluntly.
Blythe nodded, realizing it was true.
“What about your husband? Does he know you’re staying at an inn with another man?”
“My husband passed away some time ago.” For the first time ever, Blythe felt no pain as she said the words. She would always wish they had longer together, but she wasn’t so sad anymore. She pulled a chair up close to the bed and studied Oliver Randall.
He was quite unlike Tobias in appearance; hair cropped close to his skull and heavily peppered with steel grey strands, face thin and sallow. Perhaps the lack of similarity was the result of his condition. “Forgive me for asking, but are you ill, Mr. Randall?”
He shook his head listlessly on the pillow. “Meal times were never what one could call regular. Given time, I’ll come good again.”
“Good. I should hate for you to be truly unwell. Your brother wishes to return to Romsey Abbey today, if at all possible.”
“I look old, don’t I?”
She nodded slowly. “I thought you a good deal older than you must be. Leopold’s hair is only touched with grey at his temples.”
“My hair changed soon after my incarceration. Worry caused it, I expect.”
She patted his hand. “I’m sure it’ll make no difference to the people who love you.”
He sighed heavily. “I never gave a thought to my appearance before.”
“Most people take what they have for granted.” She paused to wait while he coughed again then fetched him some wine to ease his throat. “Tobias mentioned you were a curious minded fellow. Your time at Skepington must have been terrible.”
“I am, as ever, a keen observer of human frailties. I learned a great deal during my time there.” Oliver sipped slowly and then handed the glass back. “To say I was obsessive about the study of architecture when I was young would be kind.”
“And you’ve changed?”
“Somewhat. I believe my best interests lie outside of England. I hope to travel the world one day.”
Oliver made travel abroad sound so easy. But surely he knew about the war. She put the glass down. “It is very good to have met you, Mr. Randall. Leopold has spoken of you from the moment we met. He never gave up hope of finding you. He will have many things to discuss with you when you meet again. Do not be too quick to decide your future.”
“I have thought of nothing but an alternative future to the one I lived. Once my health is restored we will go. There is nothing to hold us here.”
“Us?” Blythe shifted on the chair uneasily. “Who are you taking with you?”
“My family, of course, and a friend. By my calculation, there should be sufficient funds to support us for years.”
Blythe gaped. “Surely you don’t imagine Leopold would leave his child and the woman he loves? He is planning a life with them.”
Oliver stared at her. “Emotions are more of a nuisance at times like these. I suggest you step back and see the possibilities. I’m sure Tobias will agree with me.”
“What will I agree to?” Tobias asked from the door.
“Your brother and I were becoming better acquainted.” Blythe’s throat thickened and she forced the words out. “He’s mentioned he has plans to travel and take you all with him.”
“I’m not leaving England,” Tobias said instantly. “I’ve seen enough of the world.”
Blythe relaxed at Tobias’ tone. He’d only just returned. She couldn’t imagine not seeing him every day. Perhaps he could be talked out of his travels plans, at least for now.
Oliver’s gaze narrowed. “Well, I haven’t been anywhere.”
“We can talk this over with Leopold when we return to Romsey Abbey,” Tobias suggested. “We have a closed coach and grooms, and one to follow along with your chaise, too, my lady. The innkeeper was very keen to speed our departure.”
Blythe stood and gathered her things. As she laid Tobias’ small bundle on top of hers, her heart beat faster. They had not spoken about the future, but she supposed now Oliver had been found their time alone, their closeness, would come to an end.
She followed behind Tobias and Oliver as he was helped downstairs and into the waiting carriage. The innkeeper had supplied blankets and pillows for Oliver’s comfort and Tobias tucked them around him, covering him from head to foot so he would stay warm.
When Blythe saw her bag secured, she stepped into the carriage and pulled a blanket over her knees. The innkeeper’s wife set a heavy wicker basket at her feet. “You’ve a g
ood man there. My best to you both.”
Tobias climbed in, gave her a queer look and thumped the roof of the carriage to get them underway. Across from them, Oliver closed his eyes and grew still.
Tobias smiled, his eyes glowing with a warmth that filled her soul. “You found him.”
“We found him,” she corrected.
His lips curved into a wicked smile. “See, I told you we needed to work together.”
Blythe laughed. “I’ll allow you to be proud of yourself for a little while.”
He chuckled and caught her hand in his, lacing her fingers together. “When we get back to Romsey there will be questions to answer. What do you want to say about us being together? Mercy and Leopold could be worried. We’ll have been gone two days without a chaperone.”
A pang of disappointment threatened her good mood. “I imagine we should stick to the facts. We had an idea about where Oliver might have been, but didn’t want to raise anyone’s hopes without better reason. You insisted on accompanying me so I came to no harm, and it turned out to be a good thing as you rescued Oliver from a burning building this morning. I think they will be so distracted by the last and Oliver’s return that they will not ask too many more questions.”
“And if the subject of where either of us slept last night comes up? What should I do? Propose?”
Blythe stared at him as he licked his lips. She’d known that if word of their journey came to light that there would be gossip and an assumption of an arrangement existing, especially by her sister. Mercy would likely pressure Tobias into marriage. However, Blythe did not want to be proposed to under those conditions. She’d married the last time because of love and she’d only marry again if such a state existed. However, when it came to Tobias Randall, she had no idea if his thoughts aligned with hers on the subject of the reason to marry. “Then I hope you will be a gentleman and say you slept elsewhere.”
He smiled and kissed her brow. “I can do that for you.”
Blythe let out a relieved breath. It would be better for both of them not to be forced together just because of one night. Even if it was a very pleasant, very exciting night. Blythe laid her head on Tobias’ shoulder and he shifted until she was in his arms. She would miss being able to do this when they returned to Romsey. There would be no excuses to linger in what she now knew to be merely a storeroom. What would Tobias say if he knew she’d been yearning for the pirate to visit her bedchamber even before they had spent last night together? Her bedchamber window wasn’t locked.
Forsaking the Prize Page 24