The Dark Lady: Mad Passions Book 1 (Mad Passions (Eternal Romance))

by Claremont, Maire

  “Yes. That is exactly what I will do. But it is true, Eva.”

  It wasn’t true. It couldn’t be true. No God would offer such impossible hope.

  “Believe it,” he urged. “But if you kill me, you will never find him.”

  An image of her son danced before her, his small arms reaching up, face back, laughing as he waited to be lifted into her embrace. A guttural hiss of rage ripped from her throat. “What did you do?”

  “You never saw the body.” Thomas shifted, squaring his shoulders. “You fainted and they brought the both of you back to the house. He’d been knocked unconscious and had a broken arm.” A faint hint of disgust curled Thomas’s lip. “The driver brought him back, but I stopped him in the stable. I took the boy and hid him, to see if he’d live or not.” Thomas blinked, the muscle below his right eye tightening slightly. “He lived.”

  “My God,” she gritted. She couldn’t even imagine what Thomas would have had to do. Loathing filled her. Thomas would have had to carry the little body, place it in some hay-filled basket. Or perhaps he’d just slung Adam down like a sack. Then he would have had to callously wait and watch through his own nephew’s pain. “Thomas, if one of us is mad, it is you.”

  “No.” He took a shaky step toward her. “It was the perfect opportunity to have what I always wanted. What I always deserved.” Thomas’s eyes flared, his gaze sparking with a frightening passion. “Don’t you understand? All my life, I watched. I watched you and Ian fumble at love and Hamilton’s pathetic attempts to be good enough for you both and our father. I was never going to be that fool. I learned after Mother died how important it was not to become attached. Not to care. So I kept myself separate. And when you’re separate, doing what I did is very simple. Easy. No looking back.”

  Eva’s insides twisted at his admission. Was that what he had been doing when they were children? Keeping himself distant, so he’d have no conscience in this world? And no affection. He’d closed his heart to any sort of love, so he would never understand the love she felt for Ian or her son. Her heart sank.

  Thomas smoothed his trembling hands down his creased waistcoat, the moment of emotion gone. “Money will buy a person anything, Eva, including silence. I paid off the servants who spotted the boy.”

  Again her finger itched to pull the trigger and kill him. But she couldn’t. Not while he held her future in his hands. “Where is he?”

  Thomas lifted a finger and wagged. “No. He is my one insurance against you. If you do not let me go now, you will never see him again. He will be lost and Lord knows what will happen to a friendless child.” Thomas tilted his head to the side, his eyes narrowing. “You’ve seen the beggar children on the streets, Eva. What they’re willing to do for a scrap of bread. Can you imagine that befalling your son?”

  “What you did to me was unforgivable, Thomas.” Her voice broke in her rage, but she kept on. “What you have done to Adam? You shall burn in the depths of hell forever.”

  “The afterlife doesn’t overly concern me.” Thomas stretched out his hand expectantly. “Now, if you would hand me the pistol?”

  Eva glared at him, wishing to God she could think of something. Anything to save her from this impossible situation. If she killed the bastard, she would never see her son again. If she gave him the pistol, he would have complete control over her.

  Where the hell was Wyndham? He was supposed to have followed her. And his imminent arrival would have been most welcome. He’d promised to be close behind her. But there was no sign of him.

  “It doesn’t really seem like much of an exchange,” Thomas said lightly. “The knowledge your son is alive weighed against your little life.”

  Eva closed her eyes, her throat closing. The feelings racing through her were the strangest mix she had ever known. Joy. Perfect joy at her son’s survival. She had not killed him. Somewhere out there he was playing a child’s games, laughing a little boy’s laugh, and he would grow into a beautiful man. It was more happiness than she could bear.

  But then there was Ian. She hadn’t gone to him for help. She’d cut him from her life brutally. After all he had done for her, how could she have condemned him so harshly?

  Even after all she had said, she knew Ian would have been there for her in a moment. Ready to hold her hand, to make her heart feel at ease. To protect her from the evils of this world.

  Despite all his faults and his fears, she loved him more deeply than she could love anyone, save her child. And now she most likely would never see him again.

  There was no choice. She had spent the last two years in anguish over her son’s death. Now that she knew he was alive, she could never give up Adam’s safety.

  She couldn’t.

  There was only one thing she could do. She’d cling to the knowledge that even though her son wouldn’t grow up knowing his true parents, he would grow up.

  And that—that was all that mattered.

  Eva slowly closed the small distance between them. “I will do whatever you ask,” she said.

  “Good.” Thomas grinned. “Now—”

  Eva lifted the pistol and rammed the muzzle into his heart, then cocked the pistol.

  Thomas let out a squeal of horror. “What?!”

  “I will do whatever you ask . . . after you tell me where Adam is.” In that moment, her weapon shoved into Thomas’s flesh, she knew with utter certainty what a fool she had been to send Ian away. She should have kept him at any cost. Love was far too valuable to cast it away as she had. Now there was no turning back. “Tell me.”

  “I can’t.”

  She shoved the muzzle deeper against his soft muscle. Her finger slid against the trigger, only wanting a little more pressure to do what it was created to do. “Tell me!”

  A crash of noise echoed through the small room. The door swung open, letting in a burst of dingy sunshine.

  It had to be Wyndham!

  Eva’s gaze whipped to the square of light. Her blinded eyes squinted at the figures in the door. Thomas shouted, then reached forward, wrenching her arm and snatching the pistol out of her hands. “I lied, you little bitch,” he hissed.

  Eva twisted back to Thomas. “What?”

  “The gardener drowned your son in the lake,” Thomas growled. “Dead. Just like you will be.”

  A pistol cracked.

  Pain tore through her body. White-hot, torturous pain. She screamed and fell to the floor.

  Shadowy figures raced into the room.

  Through the haze of agony, she spotted Ian, a pistol in his hand.

  The room blurred, but she had to say something. Had to get it out.

  She heard a snarl and then more shots. Sparks exploded in the dark room.

  As he knelt down beside her, Ian’s voice split the space. “Eva!”

  Tears slicked her cheeks.

  It was over.

  Ian’s face, so strong, so determined, hovered over hers, creased with fear. He had come for her.

  But now Adam truly was lost forever.

  Chapter 30

  Ian couldn’t tear himself away from the bed.

  Each breath she drew in and successfully blew out seemed to sustain him, giving him his own life. There was no peace to her sleep. ’Twas as if the laudanum had returned. Beneath their lids, her eyes flickered.

  Every single wince stabbed at his heart.

  Christ, how he wished he could force her back to him. To assure her that all would be well. That nothing would separate them ever again. Especially not his own idiocy.

  Soft steps lingered in the doorway.

  Ian shoved a hand through his hair before turning to see who it was.

  Wyndham stood on the threshold, his shirt neck open, a glass of whiskey in hand. “May I?”

  Ian wanted to tell him no. He’d felt momentarily betrayed when the spy had conveyed Eva’s meeting with Thomas. But that sense of betrayal had vanished when he realized Eva would have gone with or without Wyndham’s help. Ian’s desire to protect Eva would
never cease, but now he would never attempt to stop her from doing as she wished, not when his perverse sense of control had meant he’d almost lost her.

  All he longed for was to spend the rest of his life with her, and every day he’d say a damn prayer of thanks to Wyndham.

  If not for him, Eva would be dead. But it had nearly killed him. Eva had gone to Wyndham and asked for his help. All because Ian had been a complete fool.

  Wyndham sauntered into the room, shadows under his eyes. “How is she?”

  Ian stared at Eva, wishing he knew. “She hasn’t woken up.”

  Wyndham sat in a chair on the opposite side of the bed. He gazed at Eva. “She will. She’s a strong one.”

  Ian opened his mouth to agree. His throat cut off any sound. A tremor shook through him. God, how foolish could a man be? He’d been willing to throw everything away. For what? For someone who had proved a disappointment as a man and as a friend?

  Ian curled his hands into fists. It was like waking from a paralyzing dream. The realization that Eva was right. He had tried to put Eva on a high shelf away from love. And he’d chosen pain and guilt over embracing love. Because of his obsession, he’d wanted to treat their love like something to be ashamed of instead of flaunted to the world. That obsession had almost cost him Eva’s life.

  “Don’t,” Wyndham’s voice cut in. “I see it on your face. Don’t beat yourself up for the mistakes you made.”

  “I almost lost her. In more ways than one,” he whispered. He could still envision it. The look in Thomas’s eyes as he pulled the trigger. He didn’t think he’d ever be able to put Eva’s prone, bleeding body from his mind. “I almost—”

  “Yes, almost. But you didn’t. I don’t think you ever truly let her go.”

  Ian wiped a hand over his face, his palm coming away slightly damp. Jesus. He was crying. A ridiculous tear had betrayed his usually unshakable nature. “Well, I think I fooled her. I’m sure she thinks I just walked away.”

  “We all have paths we must finish when we mourn. You were mourning your mistakes and your friend in the only way you knew how.”

  The weight of Wyndham’s wisdom eased his guilt ever so slightly. But not enough. “I very nearly ended up mourning Eva.”

  “You have the chance to live free of it.” Wyndham fingered his glass. “Now, if you lose that, then you’re a fool.”

  Nodding, Ian reached his hand out and took Eva’s limp one in his. She stirred. Ian tensed, willing her to awaken.

  Very gently, her eyes flickered, then opened. For one moment there was a look of peace on her features. Instantly it vanished. She gasped. “I’ve lost him.” A sob racked her body. “I’ve lost him.”

  Struck with alarm, Ian climbed onto the bed, gently pulling her into his arms, taking extreme care not to jostle the wound in her shoulder.

  Wyndham sat frozen in his chair, completely at a loss.

  Ian eased her head back and looked into her pain-stricken eyes. “Lost who, darling?”

  She looked away, her whole body shaking violently. “Adam.” She sucked in a jagged breath. “Oh, God, I’ve lost him again.”

  Ian took her face gently in his hand and forced her to look back at him. Of course, she was full of grief. Full of wild regret. “No. You have not.”

  “Wh-what?” Her deepest blue eyes lit with confusion. Her face twisted. “Thomas said—”

  Wyndham cleared his throat. “That sod? He wouldn’t have known the truth if it had bit him in the arse.”

  Eva twisted and narrowed her gaze at the earl. She seemed to calm slightly, realizing they were not alone. “I—I didn’t even realize you were here.”

  Wyndham smiled, though it was clearly forced. “Ever the sneaky bastard.”

  Eva didn’t smile.

  Wyndham shifted uncomfortably on his chair.

  “We found the driver and the gardener that Thomas bribed,” Ian said gently.

  “You did?” Her voice was a gentle note of hope tinged with fear.

  “You didn’t think I was just going to stand entirely by, did you?”

  She frowned. “No, I suppose not. But does that mean—?” She licked her lips. “Does that mean—?”

  Ian nodded toward Wyndham. The earl strode quickly to the door and leaned out into the hall.

  “Ian,” she whispered.

  “Wait just a moment.” Ian cradled her close.

  The shuffle of footsteps echoed down the hall. Then a man entered, his scruffy clothes hanging about his wiry frame. The man kept his gaze down as he entered.

  Eva gasped. “I know you.”

  He tugged at his forelock. “Aye, my lady. The name’s Johnny.”

  “You’re one of the gardeners,” she said softly.

  “I am, at that. And . . .” He hesitated, sneaking a glance at Ian.

  Ian nodded. The man had been terrified when Ian had found him and his wife. “Go ahead.”

  Johnny’s hands fidgeted a moment before he lifted his gaze and looked Eva full in the face. “I’ve been a father to your son these last years.”

  “Adam?” Eva cried, her voice rich with emotion.

  “Yes, my lady. I saw what Lord Thomas was up to and I couldn’t bear it. I went into the stables and stole the child off. Adam’s been with my wife and me ever since.” A smile pulled at Johnny’s lips. “He’s a beautiful boy. Always was. Always had my heart in his little hands. That’s why I couldn’t just stand by.”

  Ian waited, having no idea how she would react.

  A laugh so full, so pure, bubbled from her. She beamed. “Thank you—” Tears of joy slipped down Eva’s cheeks. “Thank you so much.”

  As her laughter faded, she winced. “Good God, that hurts.”

  “Bullet wounds are usually thought to be painful,” quipped Wyndham.

  Eva ignored him. “I’m going to see my son again,” she marveled.

  “Yes, Eva,” Ian said. “As soon as you’re recovered.”

  She smiled a smile so full, its beauty shone from within her. “I can’t believe it.”

  Johnny shuffled his feet for a moment. “You won’t—you won’t take him away right away now, will you, my lady?”

  Eva’s smile deepened, her eyes full of love. “I should never take him from the family that loved him so much. That saved him. But will you and your wife come to live with me?”

  Johnny smiled a fast, relieved smile. “Yes, my lady. The boy should know and love you, good lady that you are.”

  With that, Wyndham opened the door and Johnny quickly made his departure, a lightness to his step.

  “Thomas is a bastard,” Ian said tightly.

  “A dead bastard,” Wyndham added brightly.

  Eva’s smile dimmed. “Are you safe, Ian? The courts. They won’t prosecute—”

  Wyndham snorted. “There is a flood of confessions happening these days. Ian and I found the driver as well. He and Johnny both confessed to what Thomas did, hiding the boy. We both witnessed Thomas’s attempt to kill you . . . The man is lucky his body hasn’t been chucked in a dung heap.”

  Ian stilled. He didn’t quite know how to say this to Eva, but he knew how important it was. “Wyndham has gone to Palmer’s asylum.”

  Eva’s gaze swung from Ian to Wyndham. “Mary?”

  Ian shifted his gaze to the earl. “She’s not there.”

  “What?” She gasped.

  “Apparently,” Wyndham said, “your friend is quite the young woman. She’s escaped.”

  “We must find her,” Eva pleaded. “Will you help, my lord?”

  Wyndham bowed. “For you, Eva, anything.”

  “Thank you,” she said, full of hope. Her face positively radiated. “I have so much to thank you both for.”

  Wyndham batted his lashes. “Please. All in the day’s work for a chivalrous—”

  “I do beg your pardon, Wyndham, but is there a reason you’re still here?” Ian asked, pierced by the need to have Eva entirely to himself.

  “I was telling . . .” Wyndha
m glanced from Ian to Eva, then nodded. “Right. I see how I’m loved.”

  “You are indeed,” Eva said, but at the same time she wove her fingers around Ian’s. “I shall always be grateful to you.”

  Wyndham smirked at them, then made a quick exit.

  “And you, Ian. You’ve given me back my son.”

  Ian drew in a long breath. It would be so easy to focus on the events at hand, but at long last he was ready to say what truly needed to be said. “I must ask for forgiveness.”

  “For what?”

  “I wasted so many years trying to earn the love of an old man with a promise that never should have been given. I loved Lord Carin, but I never should have put his memory before us.”

  “Oh, Ian.” Eva’s eyes shone with tears of amazement as she looked at him. “How do I thank you for being such a wonderful soul?”

  God, he didn’t deserve her gratitude. He didn’t deserve her. But he would never let her go again. “You can forgive me? Please. For being such a fool.”

  She arched a dark brow. “We’ve both taken turns at playing the fool.”

  Ian stroked her cheek. Anticipation touched with a hint of apprehension filled him. What if she told him to sod off? She had every right. “There’s another role I’d like to play.”

  “Yes?” Eva asked, her voice soft.

  “Lover.” His heart beat furiously in his chest as he waited before he said, “Husband. Father.”

  Eva opened her mouth, ready to reply, but then she frowned. “I have to ask. What about India and Hamilton?”

  “What I did in India had to be done. If I hadn’t acted, Hamilton would have sent more men to their early graves . . . And it doesn’t matter anymore.” Ian clasped her hand, loving its warmth and the feel of its smallness in his. “I’ve been so dim.”

  She grinned. “You have indeed.”

  “Will you help me, then?”

  “With what exactly?”

  “To be my partner in living life with as much joy as we can grab on to?”

  Eva lifted her hands to his face and gently pulled him down to kiss her. “Let’s grab on now,” she whispered.

  “Absolutely, my love. Absolutely.”