The Duke's Dilemma

by Rachel McNeely

  "My sister pleaded with our father to bring us to town because she was worried about you,” Mary Ann spoke up.

  "I suggest we put them in irons in the dungeon until morning, Your Grace,” Franklin added smoothly after Mary Ann's statement. “A little company with the rats down there should give them cause to think before they act."

  Mary Ann gasped and started to rise from her chair. Helena caught her hand. “Don't worry, Mary Ann. He and Nicholas are making jokes at our expense. There is no dungeon."

  "I do have a cellar though,” Nicholas added, in a dangerous tone of voice.

  "I will fight you to the death,” Helena said.

  A smile broke across his face. “I'm sure you would and you might hurt yourself, so we will not risk such a feat. Although, it might teach you a lesson in the future, such as to follow my directions. You were to stay at your home in the country."

  It was too much. All of the anxiety to see him, the rush from home, and the danger of going out tonight. Helena bowed her head and started to sob.

  * * * *

  Nicholas went to her and started to pick her up. “Don't touch me.” She put out her arms warding him off. Nicholas straightened, unsure how to proceed with the tearful woman sitting in front of him. Part of him wanted to hold her and comfort her. The other half wanted to turn her over his knee for the risk she took coming here tonight.

  He heard Mary Ann yell out. “Keep away from me, you big bully.” Franklin laughed, picked her up, and threw her over his shoulder.

  "We'll be outside if you need us,” Franklin said. He grinned as he carried Mary Ann out, her fists beating against his back.

  Helena stopped crying to watch with shock as Franklin carted her sister out the door and shut it. Nicholas waited and saw her tearful gaze come back to him.

  "Now do you want to tell me what this is all about and the reason you had to see me tonight?"

  Desire flickered along his nerve endings while he watched her chest move rapidly up and down from her hard breathing. Her red rimmed eyes and tangled hair did not dim his wish to throw her down on his nearby sofa and take her. His memory of the taste and feel of her had not dimmed one iota.

  He smiled when she tilted her chin upwards. “I had a very important reason or I'd never have come."

  He studied her face, then leaned down and brushed his lips across hers. Sitting close, his full attention tuned to her, he nodded for her to proceed.

  * * * *

  Why had he kissed her? Her body yearned to move against him and be close. She forced her mind back to the more immediate concerns. The quiet of the room, with the blue drapes closed, gave Helena a feeling of intimacy and peace for the first time in days.

  She hesitated. “I know this will sound weird."

  "You can tell me anything.” His words evolved a feeling of trust.

  "Three nights ago I awoke with a feeling of dread. My room seemed darker than usual and I wasn't sure if I was dreaming or awake. Later when I awoke in the morning, I was still unsure what occurred during the night, but I felt intense fear and the certain knowledge that I needed to come to London."

  Nicholas poured a small amount of whiskey in a crystal glass. “Here.” He handed it to her. “You can use this and if my mother can enjoy her toddy occasionally, it should not hurt you. Now, continue."

  Helena took a sip of her drink and felt the warmth curl inside her. “In my dream, or whatever it was, I saw a man. I couldn't see his face. He is someone you know and trust, but he will betray you. There is a plan. Others are involved, and they want to kill you."

  Nicholas smiled and took her hands into his. He rubbed his thumb along the top of her right hand. “You had a nightmare brought on by all the recent shootings.” He saw her start to interrupt. “Wait, let me finish. I'm not surprised after what you observed on the night of your attempted kidnapping. It is amazing to me that you and Mary Ann did not fall apart at the time."

  "I don't think it is just a nightmare, Nicholas,” she protested.

  "Also,” he continued. “I left without seeing you the morning of my departure. The morning after we made love. You must have thought I had forsaken you and I can't blame you."

  Helena pulled her hands free. “Do not be condescending to me. You had business to take care of and you had appeased your need for me, for the time being. I am fully aware, Nicholas, that we will have a marriage of convenience, nothing more."

  * * * *

  He caught the hurt in her eyes and the quick bite of her teeth along the edge of her lip. Never had he wanted to hold her and reassure her more. But, she had erected a wall between them and he wasn't sure how to proceed. He felt like a scoundrel for creating this turmoil on top of the many other dangerous problems swirling around them.

  "I'm not certain anything I say tonight will make you feel better. Please give me time and I will explain everything to you. Trust me. Go back to your home in—"

  "No.” Helena stood and stamped her foot. “Nothing you say will convince me to leave town. I'm sorry, Nicholas, but this time you are wrong. There is a reason I need to be here and I plan to find out what it is with or without your help."

  Nicholas walked around his desk and sat in his chair. “I will call your guards to see you back home.” He noted her flushed face. “Where are your guards?” His voice although quiet, held a hint of steel in it.

  "You must understand, Nicholas. They would have tried to stop us.” She ended in a rush of words. “We had no choice but to drug them."

  * * * *

  At any other time, the incredulous expression on his face would have brought a smile to hers. Not tonight. The crackle of tension spread between them.

  "You drugged my men?"

  "They will be fine. I only gave them a few drops of Mama's sleeping tonic."

  Slowly Nicholas came toward her. “I have never laid a hand on a woman in my life, but there is a time for everything."

  Turning away from him, she tried to run but his hands grabbed her and he sat, pulling her across his lap. She didn't believe he'd hit her.

  "Let me go. Papa has not spanked me in years.” She yelled at him and wriggled trying to get loose.

  "Then it is obvious that it has been too long."

  His large hand came down, hitting her across her backside.

  "Stop,” she demanded as tears filled her eyes.

  But his hand came down three more times before he turned her over and glared into her eyes. “You had better hope, my dear that my men are all right or I may not be able to protect you from your actions."

  He stood abruptly and set her on her feet. Tears trickled down her cheeks.

  "I will have Franklin see you home."

  She watched him go the door and tell Franklin to take them home in his carriage and to pay for the hackney sitting somewhere outside. He also instructed Franklin to check on their men. He didn't look at Helena again.

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  Chapter 24

  Franklin, as furious as Nicholas after he heard the story, glowered at both girls all the way home. Agnes snuggled close to the twins as they all three sat across from the large angry man.

  They slipped in the back way. The guards sat at the table with their heads down, sleeping. Franklin aroused them and directed Agnes to make coffee.

  With a last withering look and a sharp, “Go", he sent Helena and Mary Ann away.

  "And tonight was supposed to help my relationship with Franklin?” Mary Ann said in near tears when they collapsed in Helena's room.

  Helena sat with her hand over her heart. It might beat right out of her chest at any moment. “Thank goodness the guards are all right.” She took a deep breath. “Not that I didn't expect them to be, but Nicholas got so upset about them that it frightened me."

  "I heard you yell. I tried to get to you, but Franklin held me back. What did the duke do to you?"

  "He hit me."

  "Hit you? How dare he? You must break off your engagement. Mama and Papa would
not want you to marry such a man."

  "You must admit he did have provocation."

  "There is no reason to ever beat a woman."

  "He didn't beat me, Mary Ann. He spanked me, as though I was a five year old child. It was more humiliating then painful.

  Mary Ann sat with her mouth open, speechless as laughter began to bubble up.

  "If you must laugh at me, cover your face with this pillow,” Helena said, handing Mary Ann one of her bed pillows. “Otherwise, you will wake our parents and we don't want to face their wrath."

  Mary Ann wiped her eyes. “I'm sorry. I'm sure sometime in the future you will see how funny this whole evening has been."

  "Funny or not, at least I got my warning to Nicholas. We are not through yet though. We must still try to find out more information to help Nicholas and Franklin."

  "Are you mad?"

  "No, and I promise we will not drug the guards again or go out in the middle of the night. I have to admit I have not the nerves to repeat such an outing."

  "Thank Heavens!"

  "Except if we can stop the attempt on Nicholas life and in that case, we would have to do whatever is necessary. Of course we would take the guards with us, if that occurred."

  "Why do you not leave it all to the duke? I've no doubt he is quite capable."

  "True, but I find I rather like the excitement of being involved."

  Mary Ann stood to go to her room. “Did you learn nothing tonight?"

  "Yes, if I tell Nicholas something I know he won't like, I best prepare to run.” She grinned. “Go to bed, we have a busy day tomorrow."

  "Don't tell me what we will be doing. I prefer happy dreams, not nightmares."

  * * * *

  Dawn found Helena awake. Outside, a dull yellowish color caused from a mixture of fog and smoke colored the day. It suited Helena's mood.

  How could she protect Nicholas when he ignored her concerns and refused to give credence to her feelings? She headed to Mary Ann's room. They'd go shopping and make visits. Perhaps they'd overhear information to help her understand what was going on.

  "Mary Ann, wake up.” Helena shook her shoulder.

  "Go away. We didn't get home until almost morning. I'm sleeping."

  Helena pulled Mary Ann into a sitting position and went to pick out a gown for her to wear.

  Mary Ann frowned at Helena. “I will be glad to see you married. I'll finally get some rest. You've gone daft this past week."

  Helena handed her a pale yellow muslin gown. “Put this on and quit complaining. You did get to see Lord Gates last night."

  Mary Ann snatched the gown. “A lot of good that did me. Even before the final fiasco, he manhandled me out of the room and lectured me on the perils of stupid stunts.” She pulled the dress over her head. “He said,” she added with emphasis, “if he were my husband, he would lock me in my room. The nerve of the man. He and Nicholas are apparently very much a like. I'd never marry him!"

  Helena turned so Mary Ann wouldn't see her expression. No one ever dared to speak so firmly to her sister. Lord Gates was most definitely the man for Mary Ann.

  "You are already dressed. Did you sleep at all?"

  "Not much,” Helena admitted. “I awoke at dawn."

  "What are we going to do at this ungodly hour?"

  "We will be detectives. During our shopping and visits we'll listen closely to the gossip and see what we can learn."

  Mary Ann looked at Helena, her eyes staring and her mouth gaping. “Do you even know what we're trying to find out?"

  "No,” she put her hand up to forestall Mary Ann's reply, “but that is part of the adventure."

  "If we are not dead when this is over, I believe the duke and Franklin may shoot us,” Mary Ann pronounced on leaving her room behind Helena.

  * * * *

  The horses worked their way through the trash and spoiled food littering the streets. The pungent odor of rotten food and unwashed bodies made more than one of the riders cover their noses with a handkerchief.

  "You're sure these men will do the job?” Lawson asked.

  "Yes, they've done other jobs for me satisfactorily. And they are not squeamish when it comes to killing women.” Harold Odell moved ahead, not looking back at Lawson and Miles.

  "Whoa.” Lawson rode up beside him. “What women?"

  "Surely, you know we will have to use bait to draw the duke and Gates out of their protective circle."

  "You mean Helena Steeples and her sister?"

  "Yes. My men have watched Gates. They think he cares for the other twin. It will be a strong motivation for the duke and him to come after us."

  "They're protected by guards all the time,” Lawson said.

  Pulling up, Odell shifted in his saddle and faced Lawson. “They were careless the other night. I've heard reports the two women were able to sneak out and go to the duke's home. I wish I'd had my plans made and we'd have easily captured them. As it is, they'll be careless again or we'll find a way to grab them. Whichever.” He shrugged.

  A chill ran down Lawson's spine. He'd met men before who were cold and hard. Men, who didn't mind killing, sometimes they killed even when it wasn't necessary. Odell was such a man.

  He had hoped to have his revenge on the duke and Helena and then escape to America. It was not going to happen. It went against his grain to help the duke. He'd think Lawson was trying to save his own skin. He would be wrong, Lawson thought. He might want to do something to annoy the duke and Helena but he'd never agree to assist in killing her.

  Lawson stared across at the man facing him and nodded agreement. For now. He'd need to contact the duke soon. They continued on their way, to meet the men they would hire to help with Odell's plan.

  Damn Odell. In many ways, Lawson had changed, but he wasn't able to stand aside and let Odell's plan go forward. Not if he could help it. He didn't care for Helena as he once did and he knew she did not love him. /But his conscience wasn't completely gone. Perhaps she kept him from becoming like Odell because she'd been a part of his youth, a part he still held deep inside of him. One of his good memories that kept him from becoming the man riding in front of him, that kept him from losing the last remnant of good in his soul.

  * * * *

  The Westerly ball was a huge success. The crush of people milled around greeting each other. Ladies with decorated fans opened them and fanned themselves to combat the heat created by the mass of bodies.

  "Do you see the duke or Franklin?” Mary Ann asked.

  "No.” Helena looked all around the room. “Perhaps they decided to stay away. Neither cares for balls and such."

  Helena saw disappointment flicker across her sister's face. “But the gossip we heard this morning was correct. Lawson is across the room surrounded by an admiring group of young women."

  Mary Ann did not bother to glance in the direction Helena indicated. “Harry will probably show up too. This is going to be another boring ball."

  Helena did not hear her sister's words. She stared across the room at a man entering from a side door. He looked vaguely familiar.

  "Helena, what is it?"

  The man slipped into a room before Helena could see him well enough to place him. She glanced back around and smiled in relief. “Nicholas and Lord Gates have arrived,” she informed Mary Ann.

  The men spotted them almost immediately and worked their way toward them. Helena smoothed the skirt of her orchid colored silk gown, her hands trembling. She was not at all sure how Nicholas felt about her and their marriage after last night. She looked over at her sister. Mary Ann, dressed in a deep blue gown with silver trim, had her heart's desire showing through the expression in her eyes. Before Nicholas and Franklin got across the room, a man stepped in from of the twins.

  "Ladies, how lovely you look. Lady Helena, may I have this first dance?” Lawson made a low bow.

  Helena saw Nicholas had stopped to speak to an older man. Music started and couples began to fill the dance floor. “Yes, thank you,
Lawson."

  This was a chance to pump Lawson for information and give her more time to regain her composure before facing Nicholas. Lawson was a good dancer and Helena enjoined the movements of the dance and the music, but it left little time for conversation.

  "Walk with me to the dining room? You can cool off, while I get you some lemonade."

  Helena saw Nicholas and Franklin standing with Mary Ann. Her opportunity to converse with Lawson would be gone if she returned to the group.

  "Yes, I am hot and lemonade sounds delicious."

  Lawson put out his arm and led her away. After finding her a seat, he left to get her drink.

  "Lady Helena Steeples, am I correct?” The short blond man made a bow in front of her.

  "Yes, but I'm afraid I do not remember meeting you, sir. Though you do look familiar."

  "We met once briefly several years ago. I do not expect you would remember. We were in a crush at a ball, such as tonight."

  "Odell, I didn't know you planned to be here tonight.” Lawson frowned at the man.

  "I forgot to mention it when we talked yesterday. Good to see you again, Lord Falscroft. But I see I am interrupting, please excuse me.” Before either one of them could reply, he left the room.

  "Such a strange man. I don't remember meeting him."

  * * * *

  "He's been abroad most of the time over the past few years. Here is your lemonade. Tell me how you are doing.” Lawson attempted to draw her attention away from Odell.

  Did Odell suspect he didn't agree with his plan and was only playing along? The man had been watching him closely the past few days and he was not a man to be crossed. Lawson felt his throat tighten, as though someone had a noose around his neck and gently pulled on it. He walked a thin line, a dangerous line if he betrayed Odell. Not for the first time, he cursed at himself for getting involved with the man. It had been financially advantageous at the time.

  Lawson saw a couple coming in their direction. “I see some of your friends coming to speak with you. Please excuse me for a moment."

  He walked across the room looking for a pen and paper. On a desk, that was pushed aside to make room for the table of food, he found what he needed. He quickly wrote a short message and slipped it up his sleeve. He was relieved the couple had diverted Helena's attention.