“Connor,” his father said, placing his hand upon Connor’s shoulder. “That’s enough, Son. She needs to rest.”
Connor sighed in frustration.
Nobody talked for the next half hour as they waited for the doctor to be fetched. Allana slipped in and out of a fitful consciousness as Connor watched over her helplessly. Lilly and Martha had finished cleaning her and had placed a clean nightdress upon her broken body by the time Dr. Ivan Kernet finally arrived.
The doctor ushered Connor and Lord Tananguard out of the room while he examined Allana, leaving Lilly and Martha to assist him. When he was finished, he allowed the men to enter as he spoke to everyone.
“She has several broken ribs and some very deep bruises that will take time and rest to heal. Her nose is broken. I adjusted it to heal straight or as straight as possible. She will be in pain for some time, but I can give you something to help ease it. She will heal, and the damage to her face does not look permanent. Give her time and she will look as lovely as ever. The more rest she receives, the better, though” Dr. Kernet said solemnly.
Connor felt slightly relieved, but he still had something on his mind. “Her maidenhood, Doctor, what about her maidenhood? Did he defile her?” he asked bluntly. He had to know.
“No, he did not. I believe everything is still intact, Connor. Your sister is very lucky.”
Everyone in the room seemed to sigh in relief. This question had apparently been on all of their minds.
Connor ran his hand through his hair, exhaling slowly. Would Declan still want Allana if she’d been…he couldn’t finish the thought. She was still innocent. Thinking of Declan brought a knot to Connor’s stomach. How would they explain to Declan what had happened to Allana? Connor was certain Declan would be understanding, probably even as furious as Connor with this injustice. But there was always the chance Declan would reject her now.
He listened absently as the doctor gave instructions for Allana’s care.
“Thank you,” Lilly responded. “Is there anything else, Doctor?”
“Just time and patience,” was the reply. “But if you need me for anything else, do not hesitate to call on me. And please, my Lady, get some rest yourself,” he said, pointedly looking at her engorged stomach.
“Thank you, Kernet,” Lord Tananguard began. “You are a good man to come so late in the night. Please come with me downstairs, and I will reimburse you for your troubles.”
Connor followed his father and Dr. Kernet down the stairs to his father’s study. He waited in the hall while the two men had a drink and discussed the events of the evening. Connor didn’t want to hear any of it. He just needed a chance to breathe and gain some semblance of control before he made his way back to Allana’s side. He leaned up against the wall and slowly slid to the floor. He placed his head in his hands and tried not to see his sister’s broken body lying on the floor as he’d found her, yet every time he closed his eyes that was what he saw. He could have prevented this. If he had just listened to his instincts, he could have prevented this.
“Connor?” his father’s voice said. There was a hand on his shoulder. “Son, this is not your fault.”
Connor realized he was shaking and repeating, “My fault,” over and over. His eyes seemed to be leaking as well. This was why he needed to leave Allana’s side. He needed to get this senseless madness out. He could not lose control around the women.
“Here,” the doctor said. He nudged Connor’s shoulder. “Have a drink.”
Connor looked up and found a shot of whiskey being offered. “Thank you.” He took the drink and downed it. It burned, and for a moment, Connor forgot his worries.
He watched his father escort Dr. Kernet toward the front doors before pulling the man aside to share a few more quiet words with him. Connor picked himself up off the floor. He ran his hand through his hair again and waited for the doctor to actually leave before approaching his father.
“Is there anything you discussed I need to know?” Connor asked.
“I asked him not to mention this to anyone. It has been traumatic enough for Allana without wicked rumors being spread. The way the truth gets twisted by society is disturbing. I do not want her to be the brunt of it,” Lord Tananguard said.
Sometimes his father amazed him. Connor wouldn’t have thought to ask for secrecy from the doctor, but his father had for Allana’s sake. His father hadn’t crumbled under this event like Connor felt like doing. Instead, he instructed Connor to call Dalon and Jennings to his study. Jennings had answered the door when the doctor was fetched. He and Dalon both knew too much.
“Both of you know there has been an attack on this household,” Lord Tananguard began. The two men nodded. “There are only four of you who know the truth—Martha, the two of you, and young Fredric. I would like to keep it that way. No other servants are to know. No other person outside of this family is to know the truth for that matter. If you are asked, you are to say Allana had an accident. She chose to go riding in the early morning hours because she was restless. It was still dark, Lancelot was startled, and they both tumbled down a ravine. Both are in bad shape but will make full recoveries. Is that understood?”
The men nodded in reply.
Lord Tananguard turned his full attention to Dalon. “You will make certain Fredric hears this and keeps the truth to himself?”
“Of course, my Lord. The boy would never wish to hurt Lady Allana in any way.”
Lord Tananguard nodded in understanding. “Good, now I will relay this same information to Martha and Lilly. Not even Lord Cunningham is to know the truth unless Allana wishes him to know. Do I have your word you will keep our secret even from your fellow workers?” Lord Tananguard asked.
“Yes, my Lord,” both men said in unison.
Lord Tananguard heaved a sigh of relief. “Thank you. You may retire for the night now. I must see to the ladies.”
“Of course, my Lord.”
“Thank you, my Lord.”
The men bowed then turned and left the study.
Lord Tananguard sighed, shaking his head. “I hope I am doing the right thing.”
“I believe you are, Father. It was very wise,” Connor said.
“I’m not so certain it was. Perhaps the truth would be wiser, but I cannot bare the pain she will suffer if the world knows the truth. Who will believe she was not defiled?” he asked.
“I agree. We must keep it secret, but do you not think Cunningham should know?” Connor asked.
“That is a decision I cannot make. Only Allana can decide. Come, let’s return to her.”
Connor nodded and followed his father back up to Allana’s room. He listened yet again as Lord Tananguard relayed the same information and story to Lilly and Martha. He made Martha make the same promise Jennings and Dalon had made.
“I understand completely, Master Tananguard, and I swear to keep tonight’s events to myself,” Martha replied. “I shall not tell a soul.”
“Thank you. Now, go and get some rest, Martha. We will need your strength for the following days.”
She nodded and curtsied before turning to leave the room.
“Martha,” Lord Tananguard said before she could leave completely.
“Yes?”
“Thank you for your quick actions. If not for you…,” he trailed off as tears finally entered his eyes. Lilly went to her husband and embraced him.
Martha silently slipped out of the room and left the Tananguards to themselves to comfort each other.
The night went by slowly for Connor. He volunteered to watch over Allana so Lilly and his father could get some rest. He sat by her bedside in a high-backed rocking chair while she slept, falling asleep himself a few times only to be awakened by her frantic dreaming.
“No, please stop,” she whimpered in her sleep as she tried to thrash about. Connor rushed to her side to sooth her back to sleep before she could hurt herself further. Finally, in the early morning hours, both Allana and Connor slept soundly.
“Master Connor? Please wake up, Master Connor.” It was only Martha, and it brought Connor back to the dismal reality of last night.
He blinked several times, forcing himself to wake.
“Sir, I am sorry to wake you, but you must come downstairs at once,” she said nervously.
He yawned. “Why? What’s happening?” He was still groggy from his dream.
Allana moaned next to him. She was waking too.
“I—we don’t know what to do. Lord Cunningham has just arrived, and he is asking questions,” Martha confessed.
Connor was suddenly quite awake. “Why would he be asking questions? Did somebody say something to him?”
“Well, you see, he took his horse to the stables and saw Lancelot’s condition. He is concerned for Miss Allana.” She looked apologetically at Connor like it was her fault Declan had seen Lancelot. The mention of Declan’s name pulled Allana from her sleep.
“Oh, Connor. He cannot know. You cannot tell him anything. Please don’t tell him,” she pleaded. Her voice sounded almost as terrible this morning as it had last night. She tried to sit up and fell back with a cry of pain.
“Stay where you are, Allana,” Connor ordered. “The doctor said you have to rest as much as possible for the next few days. You have broken ribs that will not mend if you try to get up.”
“Please, do not tell him, Connor,” she pleaded again. Apparently she was unconcerned about her condition. She was more concerned about Declan finding out what had happened to her.
“Allana, I think he has a right to know. It will not change anything, I’m certain of it.” Connor didn’t like the idea of lying to Declan. He wanted to tell him everything that had happened last night instead of the lie they had created.
“No, Connor. He cannot know. I couldn’t bear it if he knew.” The tears started falling again. “It’s too humiliating. I couldn’t face him again,” she sobbed then moaned from the pain of it.
Connor’s heart broke. He couldn’t bear her tears. “It won’t matter to him, Pet,” Connor pleaded.
She shook her head.
“Very well,” he relented. “I will do as you ask.”
“What will you tell him?” she asked as she gradually calmed. She was breathing shallowly, taking in sharp, short breaths to avoid pain.
Connor told her the story their father had created. She relaxed as the fear subsided, finally breathing normally.
Connor sighed. “I must see to him. Try and get some more rest. Martha, make sure she doesn’t move,” he ordered.
“Yes, Master Connor.”
Connor rose and kissed Allana on the forehead before exiting her chambers.
Declan was found pacing in the sitting room. As soon as Connor entered the room, he turned to him, looking for answers.
“What happened last night?” Declan demanded. “Nobody will talk to me. Is Allana all right? Connor, I’ve seen Lancelot. When I asked Fredric what happened, he refused to say anything. And then when I inquired of Allana, the boy grew so angry I knew something had happened to her. Everyone is too solemn this morning. Something unpleasant happened, and I demand to know what it was.”
Connor reluctantly rehearsed to Declan the lie they had created. He hoped it would satisfy Declan’s questions, but deep down he wished it wouldn’t. He wanted to tell him the truth.
“It was dark, I don’t know exactly how it happened, but somehow Lancelot slipped, and they fell down a small cliff face. Both sustained severe injuries. Lancelot, as you have seen, has several deep cuts and scratches. It took Dalon quite a while to calm him and dress his wounds. Allana, I think, got the brunt of the fall. Lancelot must have rolled over her. She has broken ribs, and she’s bruised all over. The doctor said she would make a full recovery with the proper rest and care, but she looks terrible. Her face is almost unrecognizable with the swelling and bruising, and any movement causes her pain. It has been quite traumatic for everyone.”
“Why would she go riding in the dark?” Declan asked in exasperation. “Could she not wait for the sun to rise?”
“I really do not know,” Connor replied. “Perhaps she couldn’t sleep.”
“She could have been killed.” Declan ran his fingers worriedly through his hair. “May I see her?”
The look on his face was desperate. He was worried. Connor was at a loss for words. Should he let Declan see Allana? Would she want him to see her in the condition she was in? Then Connor remembered the bruises on Allana’s neck. Those would give the lie away for certain.
“I don’t believe that would be wise. She was finally sleeping soundly when I left her, and I don’t think we should wake her. This is the first time she’s been able to relax, and I feel your presence would deter that,” Connor said apologetically.
“I understand. I was simply hoping to see her before I left,” Declan answered sadly.
“Of course, you’re leaving for London today,” Connor said, feeling relieved that Declan wouldn’t be around for the next few weeks. Now he wouldn’t have to worry about trying to keep Declan away while the bruises on Allana’s neck mended.
Declan nodded solemnly. “If you will permit me, I would like to at least leave a short note for her before I go.”
Connor nodded and waited for Declan to write what seemed like a very long letter instead. When he was finished, he handed it to Connor.
“I may not make it back until the week before the wedding. My secretary is making the necessary wedding arrangements as we speak. If you need anything, you may contact him. He will also know how to get in touch with me if needed.”
“Thank you, Declan. Take care on your journey, and we will see you when you return.”
Declan nodded. “Until I return, then,” he said before turning to go. “One more thing, Connor.”
“Yes?” Connor responded.
“Take care of her.”
“I will, my friend. That I promise.”
Chapter 21
Lucas returned to his home after leaving Allana. He had never let his rage interfere with The Game before, but Allana wasn’t some ordinary conquest. He wanted her in every way possible, which meant by his side for the rest of his life, to have and to hold whenever he wanted. Normally, had it been any other conquest, he would have ignored what he’d seen transpire in the garden along with her engagement to the Earl, continuing to pursue her until he conquered. But he couldn’t ignore those things with Allana; she belonged to him. Earl or no earl, she would always be his, or she would be no one’s. Tonight’s actions were to make her realize that. He always got what he wanted, and he wanted her. They were meant for each other. If she couldn’t see that, then he would have to force her to see.
A part of him felt guilt, though, for what he’d done to her. He had never hurt a woman so brutally. He wouldn’t have either had she just succumb to him. Why did she have to fight so? He shook his head. Her spirit is what made her impossible to give up. He would still have her. Things were simply a little more complicated than usual.
He schemed for days after his attack on her, trying to develop the perfect plan to bring her back to him. On the third day of locking himself away, it finally came to him. He would force her into submission by making the man she was to marry reject her, and when Declan did reject her, along with every other eligible suitor, Lucas would be the only one left for her. She would practically beg him to take her back. It was too perfect, and he already had the means to pull off this malicious plan.
First Lucas would plant a seed, a small seed to grow and poison everyone around Declan. Lucas would plant this seed among the local servants first. Gossip spread quickly among them. It had only been a few
days since he visited Allana, and he had already heard about her supposed fall down a ravine. In fact, it was that lie which gave him this very plan. That lie would help him spin his own lies, eventually leading Allana back to him because no one would dare refute them.
After he planted the seed with the servants, he would move the seed to London and let it grow there. He knew Declan had gone there on business; thus, the Earl was bound to hear the lies, severing any trust or love he might have for Allana. It was all too easy and wicked.
Lucas smiled as he thought of Allana by his side again. If all went well, she would be his in a matter of weeks. If not, it would be a matter of months, but he would still have her. He just needed to plant the seed first.
He was eating breakfast when the opportunity to plant that seed finally presented itself. The beautiful Maggie Whiting entered the dining room to clear his breakfast plate.
“Are you done, my Lord?” she asked, motioning to his breakfast. He nodded in reply, watching her purposefully. As she reached down to take his tray, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him. Her protests lasted only seconds before she gave in to him. She was in love with him, and he took advantage of her love every chance he could. She’d been the most recent woman, besides Allana, who had resisted him the longest. She believed in love and saving herself for the one man she would someday marry. But in the end, he’d manipulated her into believing he was that man, and now he bedded her whenever it pleased him. She was too smitten with him to refuse, willingly doing anything to keep him.
He kissed her gently. “Come upstairs with me, my love. I need you.”
“But I have work to do. I will get in trouble if I disappear now,” she replied nervously.
He laughed. “No you won’t. I’ll make certain of it. Now, come upstairs with me.” He stood and pulled her behind him.
They spent the entire morning and afternoon together in his bedchambers. He needed to make her believe he loved her in order for his plan to work, and what better way to do that than by making love to her over and over?
“You’re quite a woman, Maggie,” he said to her afterward. They lay next to each other on his large bed, her beautiful, dark hair flowing over her shoulders and down her back. She was on her stomach watching him with so much love in her eyes. He almost regretted having to use her.
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