She narrowed her eyes. “My lover? Are you referring to my husband?”
“Mr. Braxton is not your husband. He is married to your sister.”
“You are wrong. William Braxton married Mercedes Connolly, and my birth certificate states the name of Mercedes. I refuse to believe my father has lied to me all these years.”
The smirk remained on Henry’s face as he shook his head. “Your sister did mention how sick in the head you are. Now I can see why she would say such a thing.”
Mercedes’ heart sank. The pain from her head moved to her chest, making it hard to breathe. Kat was the sick one, not her. Tears stung Mercedes’ eyes, but she blinked them away. She wouldn’t give Captain Wilkes the satisfaction of seeing her this way.
Thundering hooves neared the stable, making her heart spring to life again. Please let it be William.
Henry grabbed his pistol and ran to the window. His shoulders relaxed and he sighed. “Your sister is finally here.” He tucked the pistol back in his belt before hurrying out to meet Kat.
Through the opened doors of the stable, Mercedes spied her sister dismounting. Kat ran to Henry, throwing her arms around him. Their mouths met in a hungry, slobbery kiss. Mercedes squeezed her eyes to cut off their hideous display.
Katherine’s shrill laughter made Mercedes snap her eyes open. The woman stalking toward her wasn’t the pathetically ill woman she’d talked to in the asylum, although malice still laced Kat’s eyes. Mercedes’ heart sank further.
Kat crouched to her level and snickered. “My dear, foolish sister. You fell right into my trap.”
“Why, Kat?” Mercedes whispered, tears threatening to spill down her cheeks. “Why did you lie to me about being sick…and faking your own death?”
Kat shrugged. “Because I wanted everything. William is a rich man, but I do not want a husband. When I saw the chance to marry him, I took it, but with the intent of making a better life for myself.” She glanced over her shoulder at Henry. “He has offered me that better life.”
“By pretending to die?”
“Of course. I could not have pulled any of this off otherwise.”
“But Kat...you are a spy now.”
“Indeed I am.”
“What about those people who love you? What about me, your own sister?”
Kat laughed. The eerie streak in her voice sent ripples of fear up Mercedes’ spine.
“Oh, my poor, pathetic sister. You still have your head in the clouds.” She leaned in closer. “When are you going to start thinking about you?” She pushed her finger into Mercedes’ chest. “Nobody is going to get you where you want to be in life. You cannot rely on anybody but yourself.”
“I do not think the way you do, Kat. The reason I came here in the first place was for you,” Mercedes explained, “to revenge your death and get your husband to pay your hospital and funeral debts.” A sob tore from her throat and her tears streamed down her face. “You are the only family I have.”
Kat frowned and cupped the side of Mercedes’ face. “Not to worry. I will take care of you.”
Mercedes scrunched her forehead. “You will?”
“Yes. The Blackwood Asylum for the mentally insane is still looking for you.”
Fear pierced through Mercedes like ice. Kat was going to commit her own twin!
Chapter Twenty
William squinted against the sunlight pouring upon his face through the window. Every muscle in his body screamed in pain, even his eyelids ached. An intense throb began in his skull. He jerked his head up from his desk and sat straight. Cursing, he rubbed his eyes as he tried to remember what had caused him to sleep in his study instead of going upstairs to join his wife in their bed. He stretched his stiff neck and rolled his achy shoulders.
The pitter-patter of small feet echoed outside his study mere seconds before the door flung open. James, still wearing his nightshirt, came running toward him. William stood and stepped toward his son.
“Papa,” James sobbed, his eyes puffy and red. “Momma is gone.”
William blinked to clear his tired vision. Kneeling, he took hold of his son’s shaky hands. “James, what are you talking about?”
The boy’s bottom lip quivered, his eyes filled with tears. “Momma is gone.”
William patted his son’s tousled hair. “Perhaps Momma just went riding this morning.”
“No, she is gone.”
A deeper pound vibrated through William’s head and he squeezed his eyes closed. “I am certain she will return momentarily.”
“No, because that mean lady will not let her.”
He didn’t know if his headache grew worse from stress or his son’s words. He looked at his son. “What mean lady?”
“The lady me and Lizzy don’t like.”
William rubbed his forehead. Where was Jane? He couldn’t take any more of this, and Jane would certainly set things right with his children.
He inhaled, hoping to clear his head. “Son, we can discuss this later today. Right now, I have to get cleaned up and meet some men. Gabe is still in jail, and we need to help him.” He patted James’ cheek. “Do you understand?”
His son’s mouth drooped, tears fell down his face. “But Papa, that mean lady—”
“James.” William’s tone turned harsh. “We will talk about this later.” He stood, urging his son ahead of him. “Now run along and get dressed. Mercedes is probably out riding, so have Jane help you.”
The boy’s chin trembled, his chest rising and falling with deep breaths. His son shook his head, turned and fled from the room.
William’s heart wrenched, which certainly didn’t make his stressful headache any better, but he couldn’t concentrate on his son’s problem right now. Freeing Gabe was of utmost importance, and he needed a clear head in order to think.
He hurried out of the study and up the stairs to his bedroom. He rushed through his morning ritual of readying for the day, and within an hour, he exited his room feeling more refreshed. Yet his heart still hurt for his friend.
On the way down the stairs, he passed Beth.
“Mornin’, Mr. Braxton.”
“Good morning. Have you seen my wife?”
She nodded. “Mrs. Braxton left the ‘ouse early to go ridin’, sir.”
“Thank you.”
He continued down the stairs and into the dining room. Breakfast had been prepared and set out on the table. James and Lizzy looked up at him when he entered, both wearing drawn expressions, both having red eyes that swam with tears.
“Why do you look so glum?” William asked.
Lizzy sniffed and swiped the back of her hand under her nose. “Momma is gone.”
He rolled his eyes skyward. “Lizzy, she will return, I promise. She is just out riding.”
“No,” James shouted, slamming his hands on the table.
William jumped and scowled at his son’s eruption. “James, you will explain this outburst.”
Squaring his shoulders, the boy pushed away from the table and stood. “Papa, you have to believe us. Momma is gone.”
William growled and ran his fingers through his hair. He strode around the table and grabbed his son’s arm. “I have heard enough. If you continue with this, you will spend the rest of the day in your room.”
“Papa.” Lizzy sobbed as she rushed to him and grabbed his free hand. Big, soulful eyes, pleaded with him. “James not lying. Momma is gone.”
He studied his children, their little hearts breaking over what must have been a misunderstanding. Yet they’d never acted in such a manner before.
He knelt and wrapped his arms around them. “Please do not cry. I am certain she will return—”
“No, Papa.” Lizzy’s blonde ringlet head bounced as she shook her head. “Momma is gone. But that mean lady you married is back.”
His brows furrowed, a different pain sneaking into his chest. All the air in his lungs left in a rush. With a deep calming breath, he gathered his wits. “What do you mean, the wom
an I married?”
James wiped his eyes and swallowed. “Momma—the lady who loves us—is gone. The mean lady you married is here, instead.”
Confusion swam in his head, making his stomach churn. The idea was impossible. Mercedes’ sister was dead. “Kat’s back?”
Both children nodded, their eyes wide with fright.
“How do you know?” William asked.
“She yelled at us this morning.” James hiccupped a sob. “She called me and Lizzy mean names again. Our momma loves us and would not do that. We tried to find her, but she’s gone.”
William’s blood turned to ice, chilling every inch of his body. Kat was still alive...and had returned? What had that woman done with Mercedes? His gut clenched as if a knife had been driven clean through. He knew Kat had never been in her right mind, but if she were still alive…would she cause her sister harm?
He leaned over and kissed James’ head, then Lizzy’s. “No need to fear, I will find her.”
“Promise?”
“Yes.” He stood. “I will also get rid of that mean woman.”
Smiles crossed his children’s puffy faces, and his heart melted, yet it still felt heavy from Mercedes’ loss. Panic surged through him, more powerful than it had when he’d heard of Gabe’s capture.
* * * *
William paced the parlor, each step increased his anger. He fisted his hands at his side, eager to take his frustration out on somebody. Anybody. Kat hadn’t returned, and it had been three hours since the children told him about the switch. Yet when had she made the switch? And why hadn’t he detected it? His stomach churned. He stopped at the window, looking toward the stable.
Strange how his children would know the difference between the two women. They never once mentioned they knew Mercedes was a different woman, and even if they didn’t fully understand now, they knew enough to warn him.
Off in the distance a rider approached. He gritted his teeth and scowled. It was Kat. Even from here, he recognized the haughty tilt of her chin, the straight edge to her back as she slowed the horse to a stop. She jumped down, and the higher-than-thou way she tossed the reins to Hyrum, confirmed his suspicions.
Kat had indeed returned.
But not for long if he had his way!
Exhaling the contained anger in one gush, he ran his fingers through his hair. Did she make the switch last night? Could she have been the reason Mercedes’ plan went awry and Gabriel was still in jail? Events from last evening during the ride home and her actions when they’d entered the house made sense now.
The echo of her boots outside the front hall had him hurrying to the parlor door to catch her as she passed. The clinging, red riding habit was not the one Mercedes usually wore, but the one Kat had liked to taunt him with. The first time she’d purchased it, he’d compared her to a fancy-dressed strumpet. Holding her head high, she’d told him it fit her true nature.
But he mustn’t let Kat know he suspected. Not yet.
“There you are, my dear.” He stepped out of the parlor and into her path.
Her sudden stop caught her off balance, and she reached out to grasp onto his shoulders. When she righted herself, she yanked her hands away as if she’d been burned. The smile she gave him looked forced. Kat’s eyes had never twinkled like her sister’s.
“Oh, you startled me.” She chuckled. “What are you about this afternoon?”
He stepped closer, closing the space between them as he slid his arms around her waist. Her body stiffened, just as he knew it would. “I missed holding you last night. I thought we could rectify that situation.”
The laugh she forced grated his nerves, and all he wanted to do was shake her senseless, demanding to know where she had taken his wife. But he wouldn’t get aggressive. Not yet.
“But...but...right now?” she stuttered.
“Yes.”
“Uhm... what about the children?”
“They are with Jane.”
Her gaze darted around the hall, her brows creased in worry. “But...but what about Gabriel?” Her focus darted to his eyes. “I thought you were going to devise a plan to rescue him.”
“Others are working on that this very moment. Right now, I need to hold my wife since I missed doing so last night.” He leaned in and buried his face in her neck. Another man’s scent clung to her skin and his stomach lurched. Lifting his head before vomiting, he growled and hoped it didn’t emphasize his anger, and swept her in his arms. “Come, my love, for I cannot wait another moment.”
Panic slashed across her face, making her eyes wide, her face pale. Her body stiffened, but he tightened his hold and rushed up the stairs to their room. After entering, he kicked the door closed then dumped her on the bed. Taking his time, he yanked off his jacket and vest. Her eyes widened and she scooted back toward the headboard.
She placed her hands over her bosom as if to protect herself. The shining gold ring he’d given Mercedes glimmered as the sun’s rays hit it. That’s not her ring! Anger tore through him once again, but he tried to maintain his composure.
“Please, think of the hour of the day,” she said.
He laughed. “It did not bother you the other afternoon.”
“Yes, but...but...I do not feel well today.”
He stopped his hand from unfastening his shirt. “Indeed? You looked fine just a moment ago in the hall.”
She placed her hand to her belly. “I do not know what ails me, but it is churning my stomach.”
He knew exactly how she felt. He knelt on the bed and stroked her face. She withdrew into the pillows. “Do you think you are in the family way?”
She grimaced. “Of course not.”
He leaned over her and wrapped a lock of hair around his finger. “Then perhaps we should do something to fix that.”
Her hands splayed across his chest and pressed. “William, no.”
He grasped a handful of hair and yanked, putting his weight on top of her. She cried out.
“I thought I told you once never to call me William.” He scowled. “I would rather a hussy not be so personal with my name, Katherine.”
She gasped, color fading from her cheeks.
“Yes, I know who you are.” He narrowed his eyes. “And you have exactly two minutes to tell me where Mercedes is.”
Her expression changed, and laughter filled her eyes, her lips curling into an evil grin. “And if I don’t?”
He tightened his hold on her hair. “I will not be held responsible for what I shall do.”
Tilting back her head, she laughed, the high-pitched sound raked over his nerves. “You know I shall never give you that pleasure.”
He growled. “Why did you not die as you led Mercedes to believe? Who did you charm to get released from the hospital?”
“I charmed no one. The physician Mercedes spoke with that evening was a friend of mine. It was all part of my plan.”
“What plan?”
“To send my sister here to play me so I could sneak behind your back and spy on you and the others. It was rather entertaining finding ways to trap the Sons of Liberty.”
He widened his eyes. “Gabe? You were the woman he met?”
She laughed again. “Correct.”
He narrowed his eyes. “And were you perhaps the one who tried to kill me on Colonel Burwell’s foxhunt?”
“Unfortunately that part of my plan did not work.” She rolled her eyes. “I was never a good shot with a rifle.”
He tightened his grip on her arms. “Where is your sister?”
She stretched her evil grin and shrugged.
He shook her once. “Men are searching the city to find Mercedes. I have instructed them to shoot whoever stands in their way. I would prefer not to kill anyone right now, but what if one of your lovers takes a bullet? Is it worth your silence?”
She shrugged. “Sorry, my dear Mr. Braxton, but I shall not tell you a word.”
He’d never hit a woman before, but Kat made his hands itch to do so now. He gro
wled and moved off her, but kept hold of her wrist. “Come here.” He yanked her out of the bed and over to a chair. “Timothy?” he called.
The servant hurried into the room, holding ropes. “Do you need these now, sir?”
“Yes. Help me tie her up.”
Kat squirmed and kicked at the servant. “You traitor! You should be taking orders from me, not him.”
“I serve Mr. Braxton now, Miss Katherine.”
William tied her hands, then held her struggling legs while Timothy wrapped the ropes and knotted them. William turned to his dresser and pulled out a pair of Mercedes’ stockings. “I think we shall have to stuff this in her mouth to keep her quiet.” He grinned and stalked toward her.
Her eyes widened. “Don’t you dare!”
“Those will be the last words I hear from you right now.” He wrapped the stocking around her head, stuffing part of it into her mouth. Once done, he pulled off Mercedes’ ring then stepped to his closet and retrieved his pistol and saber. He glanced over his shoulder at the servant. “Come, Timothy. My wife is in danger and we need to find her.”
* * * *
Mercedes’ body screamed in pain. Her skull had long since stopped throbbing, but being in one position for a lengthy amount of time stiffened every muscle in her body. When Captain Wilkes was not looking, she’d tugged both her arms and legs, trying to free herself from the ropes. But to no avail. After several hours, she slumped in the corner in exhaustion.
She leaned her head against the wall. Where was William? She blinked back tears threatening to streak down her face. Crying wouldn’t assist William in rescuing her, so why waste her energy?
Henry had stepped outside the barn, and relief flooded through her, if only for a moment. He’d wanted to touch her improperly, but Kat’s jealousy overrode her revenge. Kat had instructed Henry not to lay a finger on Mercedes.
Without wanting it to, a tear slid down her cheek. Her stomach knotted and she bent over. Agony washed through her body and mind from Kat’s betrayal. What had happened to Kat to make her so evil? Kat had always been the twin who could wrap their father around her finger. She’d always received everything she asked for. Even Mercedes had given in to her sister’s spoiled antics. But Kat had always wanted more. Much more...this time at the cost of her own sister.
Take My Heart (Heroic Rogues Series) Page 24