“I’m telling you,” the valet said, “it wasn’t your mother—unless she hired someone to follow you, which would be ludicrous. I don’t think there’s a single person in the entire village who would pour water on her if she was on fire, and she hasn’t left Scotland in years.”
They reached the trees and knelt, examining the ground leading into and out of the small grove. After a few moments Niles found what they were seeking: a footprint pressed into the soft earth. A man’s footprint.
They looked around and found several more, the deepest ones very near the place Charity said she had first seen someone. Lachlan would have found him if his wife hadn’t tapped his shoulder when she had.
“None of this makes sense,” said Niles.
Lachlan glanced down the path. “We were sitting on that patch of grass when Charity grabbed my hand. I was looking down this way, toward the edge of the cliff where my father fell.” He wrinkled his brow, trying to get a thought to coalesce. Something had been about to click into place when Charity grabbed his hand, something that should have seemed obvious to him.
“Do you think your father’s accident was really an accident?”
“I’m beginning to wonder. He mentioned odd things that occurred in the months leading up to his death. A large rock fell from the outer wall of the keep and almost hit him when he was walking nearby. At the time we just thought the walls needed to be repaired, and I had that handled, but what if that rock was pushed?”
They turned and walked back up the path as darkness began to fall. Niles said, “You sent for the Duke of Blackthorne after the incident with the coach. Perhaps when he arrives we can begin to piece this together. He isn’t so close to the situation, and might see things you’re missing because you’re so aware of the need to be vigilant.”
Lachlan nodded. “He has a keen mind and an excellent feel for such things. In the meantime, we need to tell Lewiston. He can help keep an eye on Charity since she seems to enjoy his company. I can’t help but feel she’s in danger, too.”
The valet looked grim. “If those footprints belong to that Iverson character, there’s no telling what he plans. To follow you all the way up to Scotland . . . An obsessed madman is capable of just about anything.”
Thirty
It took a while, as it turned out, for Lachlan’s note to reach Sebastian. The messenger went first, as instructed, to Blackthorne Manor, where he learned the duke was not in residence. Having been instructed that might be the case, the messenger next made his way to London and presented himself at the Duke of Blackthorne’s town house.
“His grace just left for Blackthorne Manor,” intoned the haughty butler who opened the door.
The messenger sighed. “But I’ve just come from there!”
The butler raised his brows. “If you’ve been instructed to personally deliver that message, it appears you’ll have to go back.” Then he closed the door. The weary messenger turned and walked back down the steps. His horse needed rest. He needed rest. For that reason, he decided to stop for the night at the large inn he’d passed on the outskirts of London. He’d return to Blackthorne Manor in the morning.
Three days in a row Charity woke up feeling queasy. The first day she stayed in bed, hoping it would pass, but it didn’t and she had to lunge for the chamber pot on Lachlan’s side of the bed. By the third morning she figured out that she had time to make it to her own room if she got right out of bed and hurried.
Enid entered while she was still crouched over the bowl. Charity eyed her miserably. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I keep getting sick in the mornings, and then I’m fine for the rest of the day.”
A smile appeared on the young girl’s face, and she knelt next to her mistress. “My lady, you are with child.”
“With child,” Charity repeated numbly. “That is what’s making me ill?”
Enid fetched a cloth and dampened it in the bathing chamber. She brought it back and pressed it to Charity’s flushed forehead. “Your sisters have babies, my lady. Do you not know the signs?”
She shook her head. “They don’t live near Pelthamshire, and I only saw Faith toward the end of her time.” She stood up and then sat down heavily on the side of the bed. “With child,” she said again, wonderingly. The reality finally began to sink in, and she raised delighted eyes to Enid. “I’m having a baby!”
The maid nodded and laughed.
“I have to find Lachlan and tell him right away.” Charity took two steps toward the door and then looked down. She was still clad in only her dressing gown, and she looked a fright, having just been sick.
Enid sprang into action. “Let me draw you a bath, and then I’ll lay something out for you to wear and send his lordship in to see you after a bit.” Her voice faded as she walked into the bathing chamber and began drawing the water.
Charity stood and wandered over to the full-length mirror. She stood before it, staring at her midsection. It didn’t seem possible that a baby could grow in there. She grabbed a pillow off the bed and turned sideways, holding it in front of her tummy. When that didn’t help her envision the future, she opened the sides of her dressing gown, stuffed the pillow inside, and pulled them closed again.
“Are you planning a costume?”
At the sound of her husband’s amused voice, Charity dropped the pillow and whirled. “You scared me!” she accused, but then smiled happily. She took a step toward him, but forgot about the pillow between her feet. Tripping, she fell in an undignified heap at his feet.
Lachlan laughed and held out a hand. Charity scraped the hair out of her eyes and accepted his help. Once she found her feet, she tilted her head to the side and regarded him steadily, a silly smile on her face and her eyes aglow.
“You look like you’re just bursting with news, kitten.”
“I am,” she said, and then stopped, feeling suddenly shy.
He raised his eyebrow. “Well? Better out than in, I say.”
Charity looked ruefully toward the chamber pot. “I’d have to agree,” she said and bit her lip. “I—”
“My lady, your bath is ready.” Enid emerged from the bathing chamber, saw the marquess, and curtsied. “Begging your pardon, my lord. I didn’t realize you’d come in.”
“It’s fine, Enid.” He smiled. “I’ll help Lady Asheburton with her bath.”
The girl nodded, exchanged a quick glance with Charity, and left.
Lachlan took his wife’s hand and led her into the bathing room. He pushed the dressing gown back off her shoulders and watched as it slithered to the floor. “You . . . are beautiful, kitten,” he said, awed as always by the sheer perfection of her body. Everything about his wife was petite but exquisitely proportioned, so that her legs appeared impossibly long although she barely came up to his shoulder.
He helped her into the hot scented water and then sat on the edge of the tub holding her hair up out of it so she could lie back. He draped the hair over the edge. “Now. Tell me this news.”
Her lips curved in a smile, and her entire face was transformed by the glow that stole across her features. She raised eyes filled with wonder to his. “I think I am with child, Lachlan.”
He drained of all color and didn’t respond.
The smile faded from Charity’s face when she saw his reaction, and she felt a tight knot form in her chest. She had been so sure he would be happy. “I mean, I’m n-not completely certain,” she stammered, and then looked down so that he wouldn’t see the tears that suddenly filled her eyes.
Lachlan realized his reaction was hurting her, when he was only concerned for her continued safety. If the person following them was after the title and his wife was now pregnant . . . “Oh, Charity,” he said. He reached under her chin and lifted her face so that she could see his face. “I am happy. You just surprised me, that’s all. It made me nervous. What if I’m a terrible father?”
“That’s not possible,” she said softly. “You take such wonderful care of me.”
Charity finished her bath and he helped her out, wrapping her in a giant towel before ringing for Enid. The maid arrived, and he smiled and instructed her to never leave Charity alone. Ever. “Make sure that if you have to be elsewhere you’ve found someone else to stay with her.”
“Lachlan!” admonished Charity, laughing. “I’m not an invalid.”
“Still,” he said, kissing her on the forehead. He left the room.
In the hall he stopped and stuck his head into his bedchamber, giving a cursory glance around, but he left when he didn’t see Niles. Walking down the corridor toward the stairs, he covered the distance with ground-devouring strides. The need to find out who was behind the attacks had just received a sharp kick in the rear.
“You wanted to see me?” Lewiston stood in the doorway to his brother’s study and glanced uncertainly from Niles to Lachlan. The valet, one hip perched on the edge of the desk, didn’t say a word, but the marquess stopped in midpace and motioned him inside.
“I’m leaving for England within the hour, and I need you to help me with something.”
Lewiston sat down in one of the brown leather club chairs facing the desk. “Of course, Lachlan. Anything.” He watched as his brother circled around behind the desk and waited for him to speak, wondering what this was all about.
“I need you to keep an eye on Charity for me. There have been some . . . incidents since we’ve come to Scotland.”
“Incidents?”
“It is possible the incidents were directed at me, but I can’t be certain. Given the circumstances of my marriage to Charity, she might be the target as well. And there might be other reasons.”
“Hold on, Lachlan. You’re not making sense.” Lewiston leaned forward. “I don’t know the circumstances of your marriage, nor am I aware of any incidents since you’ve arrived.”
“The axle did not simply break on my coach that day I took Charity into Ashton; it was sawed almost completely through so that it would come apart during the trip.”
“Sawed through? That’s insane. Who would do such a thing?”
“Someone who wanted to hurt either me or Charity, obviously. The bottom line is that I need you and Niles to keep her in sight at all times while I am gone. He can fill you in on the rest of the details, so that you understand why I think she might be a target. I need to get on the road, however, so that I can reach my destination and return as quickly as possible.”
“I’ll do everything I can. Are you going to London?”
“No. I’m going to get her twin sister and her brother-in-law. He’s a doctor,” Lachlan reported, as if that explained everything. Nodding to Niles and Lewiston, he turned toward the door.
“Wait!” Lewiston stood and faced the marquess, who paused briefly, an impatient look on his face. “Why are you going all the way to England for a doctor? If someone is hurt . . .”
Lachlan shook his head. “Nobody is hurt. Charity is pregnant. Gareth Lloyd trusted Dr. Meadows implicitly with his wife, and Charity won’t feel so isolated from her family if her sister comes for a visit.” He left the room, his booted feet echoing down the long stone floor until he turned the corner.
“Pregnant,” repeated Lewiston in a stunned voice.
Through the night and with little regard for safety, the Duke of Blackthorne’s coach made swift, inexorable progress toward Scotland.
“I will not stay in bed! This is ridiculous. I feel fine.” Charity stalked through the bathing chamber into her husband’s room, followed closely by her protesting maid. She found Niles standing there with his arms crossed. “Where is my husband?” she demanded.
“His lordship had to go out, my lady. He left orders that you were to get some rest,” said Niles in his gravelly voice. He attempted a smile but then gave up and resorted to his more usual crabby expression.
“I cannot stay in bed for the entire pregnancy, Niles. Be reasonable. I’d like to understand what’s going on around here.” She glanced from Enid’s worried and confused face to Niles’s stubborn one and threw up her hands. “Fine. If you won’t tell me, I’ll find someone who will.” She turned toward the door.
Astonishingly, Niles stepped in front of her. “Why don’t you wait here and let Enid go find whomever you wish to speak with, my lady?”
Charity snorted. “So you can coach them into saying nothing upsetting to the nice pregnant lady? No, thank you. Now, kindly move out of my way.”
Niles sighed and moved aside, and then fell into step beside her in the hall. “He’ll be back in a day or so.”
Charity kept walking. “What do you mean by ‘or so’? And, where did he go?” She reached the top of the stairs and started down them, lifting her skirts slightly with one graceful hand.
“Please, my lady. Assist us a bit. You’re making me wish I’d let you strike me with that fire poker the morning we met.”
Charity suppressed a smile. “You won’t be able to distract me, Niles.” She swept into the great room and walked directly to the fire to stand before her mother-in-law. Beth rose from the stool beside her mistress’s chair upon which she sat, legs curled beneath her.
Lady Eloise looked up but did not rise. She raised disdainful brows. “To what do I owe the dubious honor of this visit, Charity?”
“Where is Lachlan?”
The older woman sneered. “Oh, have you lost him?”
Beth giggled.
Charity glared at the maid and then returned her attention to Lady Eloise. “He wouldn’t have left without telling me where he was going unless he thought the knowledge might worry me.”
“Well, I can promise you I know nothing. Lachlan hasn’t informed me of his comings and goings since he was ten years old and constantly disappearing to visit that old man on the bluff.”
Charity tilted her head and regarded the older woman steadily. She thought she detected a thread of pain in her voice, so she softened her tone. “You really don’t know, do you?”
Eloise looked toward the window. “No,” she said. “I don’t. Now, if you would be so kind, I was having a rather peaceful afternoon until you swept in here with your”—she flicked a glance toward Enid and Niles—“entourage.”
Charity knelt beside her mother-in-law’s chair. “I’m sorry we didn’t come here before getting married, my lady,” she said softly.
Lady Eloise furrowed her brow but didn’t respond.
Beth stepped forward, eyes spitting green sparks. “You didn’t come here before you got married because you had to get married.”
Charity slowly stood, her eyes narrowed on the blonde girl’s normally pretty face. It was now twisted with hatred.
“That’s right,” the girl said. “Lachlan told me everything.”
Charity paled and said nothing.
“Do you really think he spends that time in his study alone? He trusts me. He’s known me since we were children, and we were once engaged.” Beth smiled slyly. “I know that he had to marry you after you ran off with someone unsuitable. He rescued you. Such the gentleman, isn’t he?”
“Leave.” Charity’s voice was flat, and Enid looked at her in surprise. Niles stepped up behind her in a show of support, a look of pride on his craggy face.
Beth shook her head. “You can’t make me leave. I am employed by the Marchioness of Asheburton.” She looked at Eloise. “Aren’t I?”
Lady Eloise pressed her lips together and glanced first at Beth and then at her daughter-in-law. She lifted her chin and gave Charity a regal nod. “I’m sorry,” she said, and then turned to Beth. “But I’m afraid Charity is the Marchioness of Asheburton. If she wishes for you to leave, then you must do so.” She gave the girl a scathing look. “My reasons for bringing you here might not have been well intentioned, and of that I find myself unexpectedly ashamed. Your words and low common actions this morning fill me with contempt.”
Surprised warmth filled Charity’s heart, and she smiled swiftly at the older woman, who looked, for the first time, as though she had human feelings. Bet
h stared from one woman to the other before turning and leaving the room without another word. A second later the front door slammed.
“For the record,” said Niles, into the silence, once again taking rather incredible license for a servant. “Beth was never alone in the study with Lachlan. The time you encountered her there, she was waiting when he came in and he sent her away immediately. Also, anything she might know about your marriage she’s learned by eavesdropping on our conversations. I can guarantee that my master does not tell her anything.”
Charity gave the valet a grateful smile. “Thank you,” she said. “Now, are you going to tell me where my husband has gone, or do I have to go question the staff in the stables?”
“He’s gone to get Matthew and Amity, my lady.” Lewiston’s voice rang out from the foyer, and they all turned to stare at him. “For God’s sake, Niles. Can’t you see not telling her is more upsetting than just giving her the truth? Why not just be honest with her?” He walked across the room to join the group and placed a hand on Lady Eloise’s shoulder. “That was well done of you, Mother.”
Before she could reply, they all turned toward the foyer at the sound of a deep male voice. “Excuse me. Where might I find the Marquess of Asheburton?” The Duke of Blackthorne stood in the entryway. He pointed down the foyer. “And you should know that the blonde maid who let me in wasn’t at all helpful.”
Everyone in the room burst into laughter.
Thirty-one
The Marquess of Asheburton entered the foyer of his home and found utter silence. No butler, no dogs barking, Minerva didn’t even come running for attention, nothing. He walked slowly down the steps to the great room and stood in the middle of the floor, looking around. Even his mother, nearly always seated in her chair before the fire, was missing. It was as though the place were deserted.
After a few moments his guests appeared in the foyer behind him. Amity and Matthew eyed him curiously. Mercy, who had been visiting her sister when Lachlan arrived, popped up behind them, jumped down the steps, and looked around. “Fairly deserted castle you’ve got here, Ashe,” she remarked.
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