The whole of Brown was now visible. He stared at the abbey with fixed attention, shifting slightly as he looked up at the walls.
Leopold looked too and gaped.
A dark shape, a man, clung to the abbey walls and was slowly ascending toward Mercy and Edwin’s floor. Leopold stepped from the shed’s safety, stunned by the intruder’s audacity and astounding ability. Good God, the man possessed skills more akin to an ape than a gentleman. How could he hang there without any apparent effort? He scaled the abbey walls slowly, clinging to the stone work as if he was simply climbing steps. Although Leopold’s first thought was to fire at the intruder, he skirted the abbey via the shadows to get a closer look.
The man wore no harness or apparatus that he could see. He was completely vulnerable clinging to the walls the way he did. If they shot at him and scored a good hit, he’d fall from the wall and be dashed to pieces on the flagstone path below for sure when he landed. He wanted to question the stranger first before any punishment was handed out. But how the devil was he to catch a fellow who climbed like that?
Leopold jumped out of his skin as a shot rang out. Brown had fired, but had luckily missed his target. The intruder clung to the stone work a moment, glanced over his shoulder to where Leopold stood and then, quicker than he could blink, scuttled sideways and disappeared out of sight, around the corner of the building.
“Damn it. He’s getting away!”
Leopold hurried after him at a run. He collided with Brown who’d had the same idea and then took up the chase in earnest. But by then the intruder was down and off the abbey walls, fleeing across the grassy grounds quicker than Leopold could believe possible. The man was also hooting with laughter, as if what he was doing was a great game to him. It wouldn’t be a lark once Leopold got his hands on him. He’d rip him to bloody shreds for threatening his son.
The wind blew hard against Leopold as he ran through the long grass, hampering his progress. But he clearly heard the intruder’s taunting float back to him on the wind. “Run, run, Randall, before there’s a scandal. Don’t let Papa catch you with your hand on your candle.”
More laughter whipped past on the wind before the stranger left the path and disappeared into the tree line without looking back.
Damn it!
Leopold stopped, gasping for breath, as more shots rang out. Bark splintered and rained down on the path ahead where the intruder had vanished moments before. Too little, too late unfortunately. Whoever it was that had come to Romsey was quick, efficient, and far wilier than Leopold had considered. Given the rate of his disappearance, he knew the grounds and paths around the estate very well to have gotten this close without being noticed. He’d be a mile away from them by now or hiding up one of those blasted trees, out of sight in the darkness. Who the hell was this man?
Eamon Murphy puffed up the rise and joined him. “How the devil did he get past us like that? We had three men near the paths from the trees.”
How indeed? Leopold scanned the darkness around him and then shook his head as he remembered something from his childhood. He pointed. “He came up through the dry stream, keeping low and out of sight of the watchers. Damn it. He knows the duchess has reinforcements now; we’ve lost the advantage of surprise. Bring everyone in. We’ll need a new plan and we need it now.”
When Eamon scurried off to do his bidding, Leopold scanned the tree line. How the hell had anyone else recognized that the low gully was the perfect approach to the abbey on a dark night? Only someone born and bred on the estate might notice the possibility and take advantage of it to get a closer look at the abbey. How could he protect them from a man who knew the abbey as well as he?
~ * ~
Mercy sobbed into her fist to muffle the sound from Edwin. He slept the sleep of an innocent, while Leopold might very well be dying. Despite his earlier warning, Mercy crept to the window and peered out. Below, a large group of men had gathered on the grounds. She scanned them quickly, looking for Leopold among their number. It was hard to tell who was who from this distance and her heart hammered painfully when she could not make him out in the crowd.
It was too dark, the weather too wild, and she had little patience tonight.
Suddenly a dark shape turned and looked up. Leopold. Thank God. He raised a hand in greeting and turned back to the other fellows. Mercy sagged onto the nearest chair and buried her face in her hands. He was alive and well enough to move about with ease. He had survived the night and the danger despite the shots she’d heard.
Blythe came closer. “Is it over?”
“I don’t know. They are all milling about on the grass below.”
Blythe peered out the window. “They will tell us what we need to know. In the mean time, I think you should plan to leave this place at first light. We must get Edwin to safety.”
“Go where?” Mercy demanded. “If one is not safe in one’s home then we’d have little chance upon the road.”
Blythe sighed heavily. “I suppose you are right, but I do not like to leave all the decisions about Edwin’s safety to this Mr. Randall. He has taken control of the duke’s life far too easily.”
“His own life is in danger, too,” Mercy reminded her. “He is a Randall and my son’s heir. Who knows what that deranged fellow wants with Edwin, but he could very well turn his attention on Leopold. I could not bear it if he should be hurt in the defense of us. His family has suffered enough.”
“Must you speak so informally of Mr. Randall?” Blythe fussed with her peach silk wrapper. “You encourage him to overstep his bounds at every turn.”
What would Blythe say if she confessed she’d thought of little else but Leopold for the whole day? What would Blythe do if Mercy confessed she was considering marriage to him? “Family cannot overstep, Blythe.”
A scowl crossed Blythe’s face. “Well, since all seems in order now, perhaps you should get some sleep while you can. If the intruder hasn’t been run off completely, then he surely will be gone for the rest of the night.”
Mercy slewed around to stare at her sister. “Are you not afraid?”
Blythe blinked. “Of course I am afraid. But there is no sense in getting hysterical over something I cannot control. I learned that lesson years ago. You should do better to control your anxiety from those around you, especially around Edwin. You will make him prone to fret.”
Mercy gaped. Even in the midst of danger, Blythe thought to give her a lesson in raising her child. Damn it all if that didn’t make her see red. She might be correct that she should hide her emotions better in front of her son, but when this was over the pair of them were going to sit down and thrash out their differences. She would not tolerate this any longer.
When Blythe lay down on the bed next to Edwin, curling her arm over him protectively as he slept, Mercy’s heart gave a thump. She was so very good with Edwin that if anything ever happened to Mercy she could be assured Edwin would have her love and support in the years to come. It was the only thing keeping her sane.
That, and the journals. Together, she and Blythe had begun work on the code, finding surprising translations for names. Using the dates and Blythe’s idea of using the family bible for reference, they had determined that the duke referred to women as flowers. Mercy had been dubbed Poppy. Her mother-in-law he called Ivy. And someone, Mercy couldn’t determine who yet, was called Blackberry and mentioned extensively in Edwin’s book. Not a nice way to think of a woman. She must be an utter termagant and someone the duke disliked immensely.
Males were named a little differently. The old duke had had a very religious view on them. He referred to his son as a fallen angel by the end of his life; the stranger in her bed he termed Lucifer, the devil. None of it was proof absolute that Leopold had been that man. But the dates matched what little Mercy knew of his birth year. It was a fairly obvious conclusion to her that he was the one. Did she care now?
No.
Mercy pressed the heel of her hands to her eyes. She wanted this ordeal to b
e over so she could get on with her life, find Leopold’s brothers and sister, and be happy once more.
She was so tired of being afraid. She dropped her hands, crossed to the bed, and lay down beside her son. Tomorrow she would speak to Blythe and Leopold about the past. With luck, her life would begin to move forward from then.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Leopold staggered as a small pair of arms wrapped around his legs and prevented him from moving forward. He’d had a long and frustrating night and hadn’t noticed Edwin barreling across the room toward him. He glanced down at the boy and his heart skipped a beat. He could not get used to such greetings, but he did enjoy Edwin’s enthusiastic displays of affection.
Reluctantly, he pried Edwin’s arms from his legs. “Good morning, Your Grace. How are you this morning?”
“Good.” He replied excitedly. “I want to show you my generals.” Edwin grabbed his hand and drew him further into his playroom. Leopold looked around, spied Mercy smiling and Lady Venables scowling, and let go of the boy’s hand before they reached their destination.
“Good morning, Your Grace. Lady Venables,” he said quickly.
Mercy approached. “What happened last night? I’ve been worried sick.”
Leopold checked that the boy was far enough away to not overhear them. “The bastard climbed the walls of the abbey. I’d like to say we almost caught him but I’d be lying. He’s a phantom.”
Mercy wilted against him, while her sister gasped. Thankfully, Lady Venables turned her attention to her nephew and fussed with him as Leopold carefully embraced Mercy to calm her down. “It will be all right. We know now what he is capable of and just how determined he is to reach you both.”
Mercy burrowed her face against his chest. “I was so scared for you all alone out there.”
He held her closer, keeping one eye on Lady Venables and Edwin. “For me? Why? I was hardly alone. The whole damn village was out there.”
“You know why,” Mercy whispered. “Don’t make me say it where my sister can hear. She will screech the building down and likely say something very cutting.”
Leopold’s heart raced at Mercy’s protectiveness. He had done nothing to deserve it. Reluctantly, he stepped away from her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t you?” Mercy wiped at her eyes and he was astounded that she’d been worried enough for tears. “Do you really have no idea what you’ve become to me?”
He held up his hands in supplication. “Stop. It’s just the stress you’ve been under. When the danger has passed you will see you were mistaken and will regret your words.”
Mercy crossed her arms over her chest. “I know my own heart. I know what I want for my life.”
“So do I.” He wanted Mercy and Edwin in his life. “Wishing for the best has never made it happen.”
She shook her head. “This time can be different. Will be different, if I have my way.”
Mercy’s jaw had clenched stubbornly and he marveled at her determination. They were all wrong for each other, despite the attraction.
He shook off the sadness that gripped him. There were more important things to talk about right now. “In light of the danger this man poses, I want you to remain in one part of the abbey only during the day. It is far easier to guard you that way. I have organized a rejuvenation of the gardens on the east side of the abbey. We will have servants in the grounds on that side and no one will get past them during the day.”
“What about inside the abbey? It’s a vast space.”
Leopold smiled and caught up her hand. “Taken care of already. Come with me.”
He led her toward the door of an adjoining chamber and opened it wide. Wilcox and the housekeeper were in the next room, polishing the already perfect silver contained within.
Leopold nodded to them and closed the door again. He drew her to the other door next and opened it wide. Allen and his boys were stationed inside the next smaller room, talking quietly to each other as the boys bent their heads over books.
Allen glanced up. “Everything all right, Mr. Randall?”
“Everything is fine.”
Allen gave a tight smile and then ignored them.
Satisfied with the arrangements, Leopold closed the door again and turned to Mercy. She was frowning. “What bothers you?”
She tipped her head to draw him away from the door. Leopold followed her.
She clenched her hands together. “What do you know of Allen?”
“What do you mean?”
Mercy scowled. “You are being evasive again. Don’t do that.”
“Beg your pardon, Your Grace.”
“Don’t do that again either.”
Leopold sighed. He was too tired to fence with Mercy today. “I see I cannot win today.”
Mercy’s eyebrow rose. “Are we engaged in a battle?”
“Since the day we met. You would know everything that I am? I am not used to sharing my thoughts so freely.”
“Then you will need to change.” She shook her head. “Tell me what you know about Allen.”
Leopold hid a grin. She was the most determined woman he had ever met and he loved her for it. “Allen is good with horses.”
Her glance turned sullen. “Then why would you bring him into the abbey?”
“Because I trust him.”
“Why?”
“I knew him when I was a boy. He and my father were on friendly terms.”
Mercy’s frown grew. “Then he lived in the district before? He never mentioned that he was from the district when he interviewed with Wilcox.”
Had Allen lived close to the abbey before? Leopold couldn’t remember precisely where he might have lived, and he doubted that Wilcox had actually interviewed Allen. The man wasn’t even on the estate books to be paid each quarter day. Leopold would have to see if he could change that when this was over.
He stroked his hand down Mercy’s arm to reassure her. “I remember him visiting with us infrequently. He was on good terms with my mother, too.”
Mercy set her hands to her hips. “I still find it odd that a groom should be stationed so close to us. There are other servants in the abbey that have served the family for far longer than Allen.”
But none that Leopold could trust to be completely loyal and place themselves between the duke and danger. He was uncertain how to phrase that without revealing the facts around his illegitimate birth.
“Don’t even think of lying to me again. I simply won’t stand for it, Leopold.”
Leopold ground his teeth. Damn this was awkward. “I trust Allen because he has good reason to help me and your son. That will have to be enough to satisfy you, Your Grace.”
Mercy stepped close, her hand landing on his chest, fingers spread wide. Leopold quaked as she pushed at him. “Just be aware that every time you lie to me, or withhold your confidences from me, that you give me pain.”
Leopold licked his lips. “Some secrets cannot be shared without causing pain.”
“I’m stronger than you think, Leopold. There is nothing you cannot tell me that I do not want to hear from your lips. When will you believe that I am not your enemy?”
But she was. She was the embodiment of everything he had wanted and lost. She roused in him such feelings of possessiveness that he struggled to hide how he felt. She had come to mean the world to him and he could never tell her the truth. She would hate him for his part in Edwin’s making and he was not prepared for that day to come just yet.
Her hands slid around his chest, under his coat. “Let go of your fears and tell me.”
Leopold swallowed. “There is nothing to tell.”
“Liar.” Mercy drew back.
What could he say to that? Every word he’d spoken to her was calculated to spare her discomfort, pain, and embarrassment. He couldn’t admit to the truth.
“I’m not done with you, Leopold Randall. I shall never be.”
She turned away toward her son and Leopold w
as profoundly grateful. If she’d pushed much harder against his resolve he would have ruined what little happiness he had. He’d been moments away from confessing everything. He wiped his hands over his face as weariness tugged at his senses. He stumbled, fell, into a nearby chair and set his head to the plush back. He hadn’t slept properly in days and couldn’t afford to now. Not with the danger circling them. He watched Edwin at play, sure that the boy’s noise would keep his attention.
Edwin was a very lucky boy.
He was loved unconditionally.
~ * ~
“I’ll be right back,” Mercy whispered to Blythe as she eased Edwin’s head down onto the blanket.
Blythe stirred from her doze. “Where are you going?”
“I need to speak to Leopold.”
She glanced toward the playroom door. “Do you think he’s awake already?”
Mercy pushed a strand of hair behind her sister’s ear and smiled gently at her sleepy state. “I don’t know. He’s been so quiet. But I wanted to check on him, too.”
Although Blythe frowned, she didn’t prevent Mercy from leaving. Mercy quietly crossed the room and slipped into the play room where Leopold had fallen asleep earlier. He lay exactly as she had left him, sprawled across the narrow settee that was far too small for his large body. She’d been half afraid he’d tumble off while he slept.
She smiled at how still he was. Just like Edwin. He didn’t twitch when she passed him to sit on a nearby chair. He didn’t snore at all. But Mercy was aware of every breath he took, the rise and fall of his wide chest, the look of peace about him as exhaustion held him in a tight grip. How long had it been since he’d slept a full night?
Part of his exhaustion was her fault and, although she smiled at the memory of sharing a bed with him, she did feel a little guilty. He needed someone to look after him as much as she needed the same. She would do better by him as soon as he agreed to their marriage.
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