The Duke's Bride: Book 5 (The Clearbrooks)

by Teresa McCarthy

  Jane turned and hugged her aunt. “Sometimes we do things that hurt other people, thinking we are doing it for their own good. I suppose that’s what parents do too. They make decisions to help their children. And you are like a mother to me. I shan’t fault you for loving me and wanting the best for me. But if you dare try anything like that again, I shall have to—”

  Agatha looked up with fear in her eyes.

  Jane straightened. Her gaze became hard. “I hate to say it, Agatha. But I shall have to take away every parasol you have.”

  Agatha burst into tears. “Oh, Jane. I do not deserve you.”

  Roderick pulled his horse to a stop at the quaint cottage on the edge of town. So, this was the Baskers’ residence. The sun sat low on the horizon with ribbons of red and orange flowing over the fields.

  This was where his youngest brother had wooed Elizabeth when Stephen thought all had been lost. Roderick’s heart pinched at the possibility of losing his own wife. Well, confound it, he would have to address that at a different time.

  His son had to be here. He had ridden his horse at a ridiculous pace, but if it meant the life of his child, he didn’t care.

  Hope sprung in his chest when his keen gaze skimmed the premises. The thatched roof. The red door. The gray shed. The small garden. The freshly painted white fence. The scent of fresh baked bread. Someone was home.

  Yet the place seemed rather quiet. Perhaps, Lady Trayton had never made it to the Baskers’ home and had headed to London to make her escape. Perhaps Mrs. Baskers had cooked the bread and gone back to bed. Perhaps one of the maids Jane had hired was baking. He had no idea, but he did know a baby could keep a person up all night.

  Roderick slid off his horse and raised his hand to the men dismounting behind him. “Be careful. Take a look around. I will go in. Remember, there is a baby involved. No shooting.”

  The men moved about the grounds of small cottage while Roderick started for the door. He froze when he noticed movement near the window.

  “Ho there,” he announced. “This is the Duke of Elbourne speaking…”

  Before he could go any further, the cottage door flew open and a tall, older woman bolted toward him. “Your Grace! They’ve taken him! They beat my husband and took the babe! There was nothing I could do. The maid was off for the night! We could not fight them!” She clung to Roderick’s coat and sobbed. “Mr. Baskers is inside, bleeding. I don’t know if he will live. Oh, please, help him. Please.”

  For a second, Roderick felt his world tilt. Lady Trayton had his son!

  He patted the lady’s back, but his heart felt as if it had been split in two. He instructed a few of his men to enter the cottage. “Do what you can for the man.”

  He handed Mrs. Baskers a handkerchief. She blew her nose loudly and nodded her head. “Thank you, Your Grace.”

  He put a gentle hand to her cheek and frowned at the bruise he saw.

  “They hit you?” he asked, anger growing in his belly.

  She sniffed. “I tried to hide with the baby. But they found me. I heard them beating Mr. Baskers, but I dared not show myself.” She sobbed, looking back at the cottage. “Do you think they can help him? He’s all I have in the world.” She let out a heart-wrenching sob. “Married thirty years this coming November.”

  “William,” Roderick called to one of his men. “Fetch the doctor.” He turned to the lady and helped her back inside the cottage. “Now, madam, I wish you to tell me everything you know.”

  Mrs. Baskers straightened and boldly met his gaze. “I scratched the lady’s face, I did. She wasn’t too fond of me anyway. Wish I could have struck her again, but that’s when they hit me.”

  It took everything for Roderick to stay calm. If they hit a woman, what would they do to a baby? “Was my son alive when they left?”

  Mrs. Baskers stared at the cradle near the wall. “The lady didn’t seem as if she was going to harm the child. She was quite careful with him. Put him in that little basket I have.” She shifted a watery gaze back to Roderick. “Oh, my. Do you think she might hurt him? Who would hurt an innocent baby?”

  Roderick’s stomach knotted. Evil people would indeed hurt an innocent child. But he did not have the heart to tell Mrs. Baskers the truth. The poor lady had suffered enough.

  He had no idea what Lady Trayton had planned. But if his suspicions about the woman were correct, and she had killed Garette, and also had a hand in her husband’s demise, there was no telling what she would do. Roderick knew his son’s life was in the balance - his son whom he had never seen.

  He clenched his jaw as a stabbing pain gripped his chest.

  If he did not find the child soon, there was no telling what might happen.

  But he would find him! He would not feel sorry for himself. He would find his babe or die trying.

  Jane’s eyes widened in fear when the carriage came to a halt. Shouts rang in her ears. The horses whinnied in protest. She peered out the window where a handful of robins took to the sky. To her left, the door suddenly opened and Captain Argyle stepped inside. His breath swirled in front of her. Unease filled her as she watched him pull the door closed and take a seat across from her.

  “Forgive me, ladies, but I need to speak with you.”

  Agatha growled, tapping her parasol on the floor. “You scared us half to death. Keep this carriage moving. We do not have a minute to waste!”

  The captain leaned forward and clasped his hands together. “I am thinking we are too late.”

  “Too late?” Jane gasped in horror. “We cannot be too late!”

  Agatha whacked the man in the shins. “You, sir, may depart the premises and get this carriage rolling. Now!”

  The captain’s lips thinned in annoyance as he eyed the parasol. “I am afraid I cannot do that. No, I am afraid, I will not do that, Miss Appleby. Not until I speak to you and the duchess.”

  Heartbroken, Jane tightened her hands on her cloak. Why was the captain doing this? They were not too late!

  “I think you have said enough,” Jane said, fighting back tears. “I want this carriage to move on to its destination. I am not going back to Lord Vexfield’s. And if you dare think about turning back!” She pulled out her pistol. “I shall shoot you.”

  The captain put his hands in the air and grinned. “A, a mother protecting her cub would do anything. I think you have just proven that fact.”

  Jane scowled. “I think you underestimate me, Captain. I would not like to shoot you. But you are not going to block my plans. Do I make myself perfectly clear?”

  The captain dropped his hands to his knees. His green eyes gave off a dangerous glint. “And I want you to listen to what I have to say. Give me two minutes.”

  “Jane,” Agatha replied with a frown. “Put the pistol away. I believe the captain believes your son may be somewhere else. Is that not so, James?”

  The captain sighed. “Indeed, dear woman. It may be a long shot, but I believe there is the possibility Lady Trayton has taken another route. At present, we are at the fork in the road.”

  “And where would the woman be going if not to the Baskers?” Jane asked, sick with worry. “Are you saying she already has my son?”

  “If you would let me finish,” the captain said, exasperated. “We might be able to find your baby.”

  Jane pressed her lips together, hating every minute that was lost. “Go on.”

  “If Lady Trayton already has your son,” he said, putting up his hand when Jane opened her mouth to protest. “And that is only an if, mind you. Nevertheless, if she does have him, the lady most likely came down this road and turned here.” He pointed out the window. “Her late husband, Lord Trayton owned a hunting lodge not far from where we are now. Heard at White’s a few years ago that Lord Trayton was having financial difficulties. He invested in the building, setting the lodge up as an inn.”

  Jane bit her lip hard, making it bleed. “Then you believe she is taking refuge there? With my son?”

  The captain
nodded. “It is possible. She has to hide somewhere. I know Roderick is already covering the Baskers’ cottage. And if your baby is there or anywhere near there, he will find him.”

  “I want my son,” Jane said with a halting sob. Pain clenched her chest.

  “I know,” he said, patting her knee. “But look at it this way, if there is a chance the lady doubled back, we probably would have seen her. She may not have your son at all. But we must face the facts. If she has kidnapped the child, I believe she would have headed this way. Not only that, she believes she has a good start on us because her note was to be delivered to you later this morning. We can catch her by surprise. But you have to be willing to take that chance and turn down this road. What do you say?”

  “What is the name of this illustrious inn,” Agatha put in.

  “The Red Fox and King,” he offered.

  Agatha scowled. “I have heard of it.”

  Jane watched the two exchange a knowing look. “What kind of inn is this place?” she asked, her fear mounting.

  “I am not going to sugar coat it,” the captain said. “It is a house of ill repute.”

  Jane clenched her hands. “An inn indeed. I am surprise you know about this place, Captain.”

  He flushed. “Are we going to turn down the road I suggest, or should we continue on to the Baskers’ cottage? It is your call.”

  Agatha stared at Jane. “He’s right. It’s up to you, my dear.”

  Jane clutched her reticule, her heart racing. She peered back at Agatha. “What do you think I should do?”

  “I cannot make that choice,” the older lady said. “He is your child.”

  Jane grimaced. “We go to the Red Fox and King Inn.”

  The captain smiled. “Good girl. Hang on. I am going to push the group at a hasty pace. It may be quite bumpy.”

  “I don’t care about it being bumpy,” Jane snapped, trying to hold herself together. “Just get me there.”

  The captain nodded and departed, closing the door behind him. The carriage started clipping along, the jangle of harnesses ringing in Jane’s ears.

  Frowning, Jane turned to Agatha. “Why would the lady take my child? I don’t understand a mother, of all people, doing such a thing. She must have wanted me to suffer. That is the only reason I can see why she even sent me that note. She could have taken my son without anyone the wiser. At least for a little while.”

  Agatha let out a shaky breath. “I believe she is not all there. Her son died about six months ago. I understand she lost her mind for a few days. I am thinking she never recovered.”

  Jane felt ill. “And then she went off to France to find my husband.”

  “I’m afraid so,” Agatha said, staring out the window. “Somehow, she discovered Roderick’s whereabouts, even though it was supposed to be a secret.”

  Jane rested her head against the back of the seat and frowned. “She wants Roderick. And because she could not have him, she took his child.”

  “Something insane like that, I suppose. You know, Jane, sometimes, I truly do not understand people. But greed and hate are funny creatures. Lady Trayton is not a stable person, that we do know.”

  Jane felt her heart in her throat. “Do you think we will find him? Do you think she took him? Oh, how I wished I had named him, but I was waiting for Roderick to come home. And now…” Her voice broke.

  Agatha closed her eyes and tightened her grip on her parasol. “One way or another, my dear, we will find your son. Do not fret.”

  Jane’s bottom lip began to tremble. “Oh, Agatha, I pray to God we arrive in time.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  An hour later the carriage came to a stop about a quarter mile from the Red Fox and King Inn. Jane peered outside. The sun was higher in the sky. Shadows fell over the woods, giving the air a slight chill. She shivered.

  Captain Argyle poked his head inside the door. “Ladies, I want you to stay here while I make inquiries. I fear your presence will set off a string of conversation. The carriage will be moved into the trees for obvious reasons.”

  “What do you expect me to do while you look for my baby?” Jane asked, gathering her things.

  Hard green eyes clashed with hers. “I expect you to sit here and keep quiet. The king’s guards are with you. And Duchess, make no doubt about it, I have given them strict orders to keep you here.”

  Jane glowered at the man. “I wish to go with you.”

  “I am going to look for your son. But if anything happened to you, Roderick would skin me alive.” His words were edge with steel, making Jane squirm.

  “I mean it,” he said, glaring at both women. “Stay here. I will take a few of the men with me. They are clad in their riding clothes, so they will look like travelers. Mind me now. Do not move from this spot.”

  Agatha looked on, saying nothing.

  The harsh tone in the captain’s words had taken Jane by surprise. She wondered if she had ever known this man. She stared at him in cool silence, feeling her temper rising. She was not about to listen to a word he said. Fear for her child took over any commands issued her way.

  Questions churned in her head. Where was Roderick? Did he have their son? Were they safe? What would happen if Lady Trayton had their child?

  “There is something about that man that reminds me of your husband,” Agatha said when the door clicked closed. “Stubborn and arrogant comes to mind.”

  Jane grabbed her reticule. “It matters not. I cannot wait here until he returns.”

  “Me neither.”

  Jane stared at Agatha and smiled. “You are with me then?”

  Agatha grabbed her parasol. “I have my weapon of choice. Let us start moving.”

  Jane opened the carriage door, peeking outside. The guards were brushing their horses down.

  Jane glanced at Agatha and whispered. “I think we should enter through the back of the inn and talk to one of the maids. What say you to that?”

  “I agree about entering by the back entrance,” Agatha said in a low voice. “But, my dear girl, I doubt it will be a maid we will encounter.”

  Jane blushed. “I do not care what kind of female I run into, as long as she can give me information. First things first, though. We must tell the guards we have to attend to our needs.”

  “Why, Jane, I never knew you to be so cunning.” Agatha smiled, tapping her parasol on the ground, alerting the guards.

  Jane shrugged. “I always wanted to work with you, but you never asked. And I admit, I was quite young.”

  “Well,” Agatha said, nodding to two guards coming their way. “Lead on, Duchess. I await your command.”

  Jane spoke to the guards, expressing their request for privacy due to their female needs. The youngest guard turned red in the face.

  “Very well, Your Grace. Take your time. I uh, mean, we will be waiting here for you to finish. I, uh—”

  Agatha bopped the young guard’s boot, making him jump. “We know what you meant. Now, wait here and let us see to our needs.”

  The two ladies walked past the trees. After they were out of sight, they picked up their skirts and starting running toward the inn.

  “Can you keep up with me?” Jane asked, concerned for the older lady. The wind had picked up, blowing against them as they darted across the forest.

  Agatha leaned against an old elm. “Go on. I just need to catch my breath.”

  Jane did not like to leave Agatha behind, but she needed to find her baby. She clutched her reticule and grimaced, knowing she would use the pistol if need be. She nodded to Agatha and sprinted across the field toward the inn where puffs of smoke rose above the chimney.

  Her heart pounded with fear. She had no idea if this was a wild goose chase. But something in her gut told her she needed to hurry. There had been something in the captain’s eyes that told her he was almost convinced Lady Trayton had headed this way. And if that were true, the woman had her son.

  Minutes later, Jane heard voices and snuck beneath the in
n’s kitchen window.

  Lady Trayton’s wild laugh made her blood freeze. “You are a bungling oaf, Captain. Or should I call you James? Goodness me, I have the child and you are tied up in knots.”

  It took all Jane’s self control not to rush inside.

  Her baby? The lady had her baby!

  Holding her breath, Jane peeked over the ledge.

  Her heart felt as if it would burst when she saw Lady Trayton standing over Captain Argyle who was tied to a chair. There was no sight of her son, but three men hovered over her friend. Suddenly, one of the men clubbed the captain in the head.

  Jane clenched her teeth when the captain tumbled and hit the floor. The chair went with him. He was out cold.

  “Stupid man,” Lady Trayton said, shaking her head. “Quite handsome, but very stupid indeed.”

  The lady lifted her gaze to the three large males still standing over the captain. “What did you do with the other men who came with him?”

  “Took them outside, my lady. Harry was going to shoot them.”

  Lady Trayton let out a sinister smile. “My, my you are bloodthirsty, are you not?”

  At that exact moment, Jane heard a baby whimper. Her chest tightened. She knew that cry! That was her baby! Her son!

  She watched in terror as a maid walked into the kitchen, holding a small basket with a baby inside. Her son had been wrapped in a blanket and was crying. Jane’s heart clenched. They had her baby!

  Lady Trayton stretched out her hands. “Give me the child.”

  Jane curled her hands against the sill. She wanted to snatch her baby from the lady’s arms. But she had no one to help her. She glanced over her shoulder.

  What had become of Agatha? Should she return with the king’s men? But what if the lady did something to her child? No, she could not risk it.

  She gritted her teeth, knowing she would have to do this alone. She bent down to pull the pistol from her reticule.

  The gun felt cold in her hand.

  She took a deep breath, ready to sneak into the kitchen when a strong hand slapped over her mouth, yanking her back against a hard, muscled chest. Horror filled her as she kicked and raised her pistol to fire at the culprit. The shot exploded in her ears. And that’s when all hell broke loose.