Darkest Dreams

by Jennifer St Giles

  Gemini gave her warm cloak to Bridget and then caught Prudence’s hand. Bridget wrapped the cloak around Rebecca’s shoulders and gathered the child from the earl. As they passed by Sean, he reached out and gently touched Rebecca’s head. “Sorry, Becca,” he said softly.

  The minute they left the room, Sean faced his brother. Two men exactly alike, one pale, one dark from the sun, and both deadly, two dragons breathing fire at each other. “You are not welcome here, Alex! Leave now!”

  Alexander crossed his arms and widened his stance to an I-will-not-be-moved position. “I will after I get a bloody explanation from our father! There are things more important than you or me, and they take precedence over our individual feelings.”

  Sean stepped toward Alexander with one hand clutching his cane for balance and one hand fisted. “What?”

  I could tell the effort to restrain his anger cost him. The room seethed with a hellish tension so intense it almost burned my mind.

  “Are you ready to tell Sean what you told me, Dr. Luden?”

  “Yes,” came a voice from behind Alexander.

  Alexander stepped aside, and Cassie and I gasped to see the kindly town doctor.

  “Christ,” the earl said and sank quickly into a chair. “What’s the point in telling now, William?”

  “Unfortunately, it has become essential. Another woman died with the same marking.”

  “What’s going on?” Sean demanded. Cassie moved to Sean’s side, giving him her silent support.

  I wanted to go to Alexander. I could feel his pain and anger. His face twisted with disgust as he glared at the earl. “Our father has…God, I can’t even begin to describe it.”

  Dr. Luden stepped farther into the room. “I’m sorry, Seamus,” he said to the earl before he faced Sean. “Eight years ago, I was called to a woman’s murder scene in the gazebo here at Killdaren’s Castle. Her name was Lady Helen Kennedy. I’d determined at the scene that the cause of her death was from multiple blows to the head and chest by a blunt object. It wasn’t until later, when it was necessary to examine her completely for my report, that I discovered a symbol carved upon—” He coughed, looking uncomfortably at Cassie and then at me. “Let just say it was carved over her heart and had been done crudely with the blade of a knife. There was so much village unrest against you and Alex over the murder that I kept this bit of information private, only telling the earl and Constable Poole. By that time Lady Helen’s father had already killed himself, and there were no other relatives.”

  Alexander made an impatient movement. “What he’s trying to tell you, Sean is that—”

  “I paid the doctor and the constable to keep that secret,” said the earl, almost shouting out his confession.

  Sean looked stricken. He swung to face his father.

  “Why?” Alexander demanded, moving closer to Sean to face the earl. “Did you think Sean or I would do such a thing?”

  “No! But I damn well wasn’t going to leave your futures up to fate! The villagers would have thought the markings over the heart pointed to a scorned lover being the murderer,” the earl said bitterly. He stood and ran an agitated hand through his hair as he paced across the room. “Do either of you know what it is like to have someone you desperately love die? To have fate snatch away your very heart? Your mother’s greatest wish on this earth was to give me a son, and she died doing it. For a long, long time I couldn’t face that, nor accept the fact that twins had been born to me. The precious sons she’d left for me to love were cursed. One of you was destined to kill the other.

  “I took great hope at the closeness you shared as you two grew. It seemed as if your affection for each other would conquer any darkness from the past. The pact that you both took, vowing to never hurt the other, made me the happiest I’d been since your mother died. Then, before I even realized it was happening, the wheels had been set in motion for the Dragon’s Curse to take over. You were both in love with the same woman.”

  “You might as well tell them everything, Seamus,” Sir Warwick said, firmly, seemingly peering down through his monocle with great wisdom. When I glanced his way, I didn’t see a tremendous amount of empathy toward the earl or toward Sean and Alexander. Sir Warwick had an air of detachment that I didn’t like, but that suited his ennui well. He was very much a fatalist.

  “I paid Lady Helen to tell you both that she didn’t love either of you. Her father had amassed a huge gambling debt in London. I offered to cover his debt and pay Lady Helen enough money to live comfortably in her home for the rest of her life.”

  “Good God!” Sean said, reeling on his feet. Cassie grasped his arm, moving closer to him.

  Alexander stood stoically. “Is there no end to your deceit?” The deadly calm of his voice made me shiver.

  “No!” the earl shouted. “The chit didn’t truly love either of you, and I could have killed her for what she was doing to you, pitting you against each other, playing you for fools.”

  “Did you kill her?” Alexander demanded. “Did she change her mind, and you killed her?”

  The earl paled, like he’d been given a death blow. “Good God, no! Listen, the woman’s only interest in either of you was your wealth. She wanted to save her father and to have a life of ease. If she had loved either of you, she would have thrown my offer in my face. As for paying off the doctor and the constable? I’d do it again. You were both under heavy suspicion in Lady Helen’s death, and I wasn’t going to let the villagers or the law get anywhere near you. The details of how Lady Helen died weren’t important. I would and will do anything to keep from losing my sons, no matter what the price.”

  Alexander gave a bitter laugh. “Unfortunately, the price you paid was the one thing that has cost you this son. Don’t come back to Dragon’s Cove. Tell them the rest, Dr. Luden.”

  Dr. Luden cleared his voice. “I put this in my report and had expected it to be common knowledge at this point. I’ve been away since the young woman’s funeral and only just returned today.”

  “Enough!” Alexander interrupted. “Just say it!”

  “What?” Sean demanded.

  “Your wife’s cousin, Mary, had the same carving over her heart as Lady Helen.”

  Chapter Nine

  “Do you hear that, Father?” Alexander asked. “By suppressing the facts you’ve harbored a murderer for eight years! Your actions have cost another woman her life!”

  “No,” the earl said, shaking his head, reeling as if he would faint. “No! That can’t be! I didn’t…”

  Cassie and Sean were keeping each other upright. She turned to the doctor, a hint of anger in her voice. “Why weren’t we, as Mary’s family, told about this?”

  “Because Constable Poole insisted that we keep this quiet while he made his investigation. He didn’t want to jeopardize his chances of getting the truth. I was present when the constable showed a drawing of the carving to Mrs. Frye, and she didn’t know what it was, didn’t react to it at all.”

  “Why are you just coming forth now?”

  “As I said, I’ve been away. As soon as I discovered that Mrs. Frye was still being held for Mary’s murder, I felt it imperative to speak up. It is my personal belief Mrs. Frye might try and hide someone’s accidental death if she felt she’d be blamed, but I’ve known her for a long time and do not believe she would carve a woman up. After repeated questioning, her story has never wavered from that of Mary hitting her head and Jamie carrying Mary into the tunnel.”

  “Could Jaime have cut Mary then?” I asked, finally entering the conversation.

  Dr. Luden winced. “That means at fifteen Jamie would have murdered and carved up Helen Kennedy. I don’t know. It’s possible, but at the very least, no matter that she’s confessed to the crime, Mrs. Frye is not responsible.”

  I shut my eyes a moment, realizing more than ever that Rebecca’s nightmare was true. A killer lurked in Dartmoor’s End, and I might be the only person who could put the pieces of the puzzle together.

&nb
sp; “Can you draw the symbol for us, Dr. Luden?” Sean asked. “Maybe we could glean a clue to what happen to Lady Helen and to Mary and why.”

  “Yes, it’s crudely simple but distinct.”

  “You can use my desk in the library. I’ve another question or two for you as well.”

  “I will join you,” Alexander said firmly to Sean. “I demand to speak to you and Dr. Luden privately.”

  “This doesn’t change anything.” Sean’s voice was like jagged glass, sharp and cutting.

  “I didn’t expect it to,” Alexander replied, jaw clenched. “But you will accord me the respect of hearing me out.”

  Sean nodded and turned to Cassie. “Settle Rebecca and your sisters. I’ll be with you shortly. Dr. Luden, Alex, this way.” Sean motioned them to follow him.

  The earl moved to join them, and Sean stopped him at the door. “You’re not a welcome party to this discussion, Father. I’ll speak to you tomorrow after I’ve had time to think.”

  The earl stood stunned as Sean quit the room.

  Sir Warwick leisurely rose to his feet and clapped the earl on the shoulder. “I think I could use a drink. Ladies, please excuse us,” he said as he led the earl out the door.

  I looked at Cassie at the same moment she looked at me. We both discarded our shoes without saying a word. With any luck the library door would be shut, and we’d make it to the adjoining room to eavesdrop without being seen.

  This time there was no sense of naughtiness nipping at us as we sneaked to listen. The gravity of the situation was too dire, and everyone’s emotions had been ripped bare.

  “There’s no need to discuss anything, Alex,” came Sean’s voice. “I’m making arrangements to leave Killdaren’s Castle and Dartmoor’s End forever.”

  “Damn it. That isn’t necessary. In eight years I’ve never intruded into your space.”

  “That’s because I’ve stayed a prisoner in my own home.”

  “Christ, Sean. Is there no bloody forgiveness? It was an accident. I didn’t realize we were so close to the edge of the cliffs. I didn’t push you over.”

  “I don’t know that. And you were so crazed that you don’t know that either.”

  “Gentlemen. I tended both of your wounds after the accident. I was there when you were born, and have taken care of your cuts and fevers and whatever else ailed you through the years. And quite frankly, you are both being dunderheads and have been for quite some time now. Sean, a man who pushes another man over a cliff does not risk his life by jumping over the cliff after him. In my opinion, Alex was damned lucky he didn’t hit rocks like you did. He only broke his leg minimally from the impact rather than shatter his bones. Still, he managed to get himself and you to the shore.”

  “You weren’t there in the fight,” said Sean.

  “No, but I’ve heard about the curse all of my life, and I’ve watched it destroy you two and your father. So what if there had been a real curse? So what if both of you were crazed with drink that night? So what that Alex almost killed you? He didn’t. He saved you. Now, do either of you recognize this symbol?”

  “No,” said Sean.

  “Not at the moment. But you can bet I’m going to do some searching about,” Alexander replied.

  “I’ve had no luck in determining what it means,” said Dr. Luden. “If either of you learn anything, please let me know.”

  “I’ll have your word first that from now on you’ll give a full report and not be accepting bribes to suppress evidence. I won’t hesitate to make this whole sordid affair public if need be,” Alexander said.

  “If I thought for one moment either of you was guilty of the crime, even the crown jewels couldn’t have swayed me from making a fact public and assuring you paid for the crime. I gave the money to the church. I knew neither of you were at fault, but no other viable suspect appeared, so I kept it quiet and kept my eyes open,” said Dr. Luden.

  “Before you go,” Sean said, “I must ask because we need to know what kind of monster we are dealing with here. Were either of the women assaulted in another manner as well?”

  “You mean in a sexual way?” asked the doctor.

  “Yes.”

  “I can’t answer that. Lady Helen had been beaten. Whoever killed her undressed her enough to carve up her left breast and then redressed her. Mary’s body had decomposed enough to make any such determinations impossible.”

  “Before or after?” Alexander asked harshly.

  “What?” asked Dr. Luden

  “Were their breasts cut before or after he killed them?”

  “I don’t know. I pray to God it was after,” the doctor replied.

  Cassie lurched away from the wall, holding one hand to her stomach and one to her mouth. I knew instantly she was ill. I rushed to the French doors and swung them open and pulled her outside into the fresh air. We knocked over a statue on the way out.

  “Oh God,” she said. “Poor Mary.”

  I wrapped my around her shoulder. “I know. But you found her, and she’s safe now, resting in just the place where she loved to paint.”

  “What is going on out here?” Sean asked, pushing open the French doors from the library.

  “Just getting some fresh air,” I told him, looking back.

  Both Sean and Alexander stepped outside.

  “My stomach,” Cassie cried, doubling over. I caught her from falling and read the thought reverberating through her mind. My babies. I’m losing my babies.

  “Cassie!” Sean yelled, rushing toward us, moving swiftly despite his need of a cane.

  “Get the doctor,” I shouted at Alexander.

  Sean swung Cassie up in his arms and struggled to balance her. “What is it? What’s wrong?” Cassie burst into tears.

  Alexander rushed out of the house with the doctor in tow.

  I prayed my sister would forgive me, but everyone had to know. “She’s pregnant, Sean. And she’s worried sick that she’s going to have twins. If the babies’ father and uncle aren’t speaking and believe the family is cursed, what hope does she have for their future?”

  “Better get her in bed so I can examine her,” said the doctor. “Have someone get my medical bag from your carriage, Blackmoor.”

  “I’ll get it myself,” said Alexander. “It will be quicker that way.”

  Sean just stood there, holding Cassie in his arms, staring at her. She cried harder.

  I grabbed his arm. “Let’s get her to bed, Sean.”

  “Hold my neck tightly, Cassie,” he said. Using his cane, Sean gracefully maneuvered them both. His only hindrance was that his pace was slower. I had to snatch my hand away once he was completely balanced. The emotional storm swirling within him was so intense that when I touched him I felt as if my whole being were being sucked away into a deep pit of angry despair.

  The doctor and I followed Sean as he carried Cassie across the castle to his wing, a wing I’d never been in before. Dragons were the theme of the décor here in Sean’s domain, but with an ominous flair. Weapons of all kinds lined the corridor, from medieval maces, axes and shields to dueling sets and swords. We reached the bedroom, and I took one look at the biggest bed I have ever seen and immediately backed up from the thoughts that ran through my mind. I knew the intimacies Cassie and Sean shared there, and I had sudden images of Alexander with me on a bed of that size. It wasn’t a bed one climbed into to sleep. It was a bed of decadence made for…play.

  I backed directly into a hot hard body. Alexander.

  “What’s wrong,” he said, catching my side as he peered into the room over my shoulder to where Sean was laying Cassie in the bed. “Very interesting,” Alexander murmured, and with the words came a very clear picture of the two of us naked, his hands on me, touching and rubbing my feminine sex. His mouth devouring my breasts. My eyes went wide with shock as he knelt between my legs, grabbed my hips and impaled me with his sex.

  “Wait here,” Alexander said as he moved past me. The moment he released me, the image faded, and
I gasped for air. He handed the doctor a black bag and turned back to me.

  Dr. Luden cleared his throat. “Give me and Mrs. Killdaren a few moments of privacy, and I’ll be able to determine the problem.”

  “I’m not leaving her side,” Sean said. “She’s pregnant.”

  “I should have told you,” Cassie said. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to make things right before you found out so that you could be happy about it. I’m not hurting like I was just a few minutes ago.”

  “You’re sorry! Good God, woman! Have you no idea how I feel about you? How I will feel about holding our child? Don’t you know that I am doing everything within my power to see that the Dragon’s Curse never touches us or our children? We’re leaving here. We’ll move across the world. Move to America. Anywhere. Our children will never hear the word curse from anyone, ever. I’ll break it, do you hear me? I love you and nothing will ever stop that!”

  The room rang from the fervor of his declaration.

  Cassie stared at Sean, all of her love shining in her eyes. Alexander backed from the room and quietly closed the door.

  “Come on,” he said roughly. I was surprised to find him moving down the corridor with angry steps.

  “What wrong?” I said hurrying after him.

  “My brother is a fool,” he said. He popped open a door on the left and entered the room. It was a study, lit by only a small, dim oil lamp on the desk. He crossed immediately to a sideboard and uncorked a bottle of wine.

  “How can you say that? That was the most beautiful thing I have ever heard in my life.”

  “All the declarations of love in the world aren’t going to change the seed of doubt in Sean’s mind, and it will eventually poison his life wherever he goes, no matter how far he runs.” He turned from the sideboard and brought me a glass. I immediately recognized the aroma of spiced wine. My fingers tingled as I took the glass from him. He’d filled it to the brim.

  “What do you mean?” I drank several large sips, feeling my insides heat from the elixir. I’d barely eaten dinner, and the warmth soothed the ache in my stomach. Aphrodite’s ring on my finger reminded me what properties the spiced wine was supposed to have…an aphrodisiac.