A Scorching Dilemma

by Shereen Vedam

  The bigger man rushed him and they skirted another willow. “You do not die easy, I will grant you that.”

  “You do not know the half of it.”

  “Why now?” Granger asked. “You have stayed away this long. Why come back to ruin our lives now?”

  “I do not care to be poisoned, I suppose.”

  Granger paused, and then nodded. “You are Trenton, that interfering butler from the Jones’s household.”

  Daniel bowed. “At your service.”

  Granger laughed. “A duke’s son reduced to serving as a servant. Mother would find that most amusing.”

  “Your mother belongs in Bedlam.”

  “You are acquainted with her then.”

  Daniel steadily drew him away from Faith’s mother. He did not want the duchess endangered when his opponent went down. “Why do you go along with her mad schemes? They earn you nothing.”

  “There, you are wrong, little brother. Mama loves me and her schemes gain me what I want.”

  “What do you want, Granger?”

  “I want Lady Faith.” Granger’s face softened. “I have loved her from the first moment I espied her at a ball.”

  Daniel’s fists clenched. “You mean, you lust after her.”

  Granger shrugged. “Love, lust, it is all the same.”

  “She despises you.” He took a step backward and water lapped around his ankles, soaking his evening shoes. Fear sped up his heartbeat as he sensed the depth of water at his back.

  “She would not look at me because I lacked a title.” Granger was grinning as he backed Daniel into the water. “When I approached her without mentioning my family connection, she would have nothing to do with me.”

  “She would not look at you because you frighten her.” Daniel tried to move toward solid ground, but Granger swung again, driving him knee-deep into danger. There was no monster in the lake. The only monster in the vicinity was facing him.

  “Have you not heard the gossip?” Granger said. “She is frightened of men.”

  “She is not frightened of me,” Daniel said, but his pulse raced as something brushed his shin. A weed. Just a weed.

  Granger’s grip was so tight on his weapon, his knuckles shone white in the moonlight. “She is naive about men, else she would never have turned to you for help. Once I claim her, she will love me. We belong together. And you, little brother, will not keep her from me.”

  Daniel glanced down as something floated past his ankle.

  Granger struck with lightning speed, his branch whipping across Daniel’s right arm. Intense pain shot up to his shoulder. He cried out and stumbled back. Buried twigs tangled his feet, toppling him into the water.

  Granger smashed with deadly force, but Daniel whirled aside and kicked his stepbrother in the stomach, sending him toppling backward. Holding his throbbing arm to his side, Daniel stumbled onto firmer ground and away from the lake. Racing toward a small hilly mound, he slid down the other side and lay still, listening.

  “Edward?” Granger sloshed his way onto the shore. “Daniel? How should I address you? Brother, perhaps?”

  Off to his left, Daniel heard shoes crunch dried leaves.

  “Brother it is,” Granger said. “Dear brother, it makes little difference if you wish to be a duke. Either way, Faith will still be mine. We have discussed our future and she is most amenable to the plan.”

  Daniel almost laughed in derision at that absurd claim.

  “I find her tender kisses delightful,” Granger continued. “And her passion. Did you know that we almost made love in the stables? The lady could not wait for me to take her.”

  Granger stepped past him, his breathing labored. “Now that she has agreed to marry Morton, she is as good as mine.” He chuckled. “By week’s end, no one will stop me from taking her. Andrew is a spineless pawn, her father’s as good as dead, and as for her mother, well, my mama’s promised to take care of that little problem later tonight.”

  With a roar, Daniel charged him from behind, crashing him to the ground. Granger rolled over. Daniel leaped over him and wrapped his fingers around his opponent’s throat and squeezed. The man struggled, trying to push at Daniel’s eye with his thumb. Too late, Daniel saw his other hand grab the branch laying nearby. The wood slammed against the side of Daniel’s head. Pain sliced into his temple and then the dark night claimed him.

  THE FEELING OF water lapping around his midriff brought Daniel awake. Someone was dragging him into a river by his legs. The feeling was familiar, very familiar. . . .

  I love you, Edward, his father had whispered to Daniel as he tucked him into bed earlier that night and kissed his forehead. With your mama gone, we only have each other now. You mean the world to me. You are my whole life.

  Then he recalled Charles shaking him awake, and inviting him out on a lark. A picnic in the dark. Just the two of us. To prove that we are brothers who will care for each other, always.

  They had raced across the countryside on horseback. Once they reached the river, he and Charles had shared a meal. Soon afterward, he had started to feel dizzy.

  Help me, Mama. He is heavy.

  Hurry before his papa comes looking for him. There is not a minute that his precious brat does not slip into that one’s thoughts.

  I love you, Edward. His father loved him. How could he have forgotten that? You are my whole life.

  Press harder, boy. We must be sure he is dead.

  That had been his stepmother’s harsh voice.

  I am tired, Mama, Charles had said. He has stopped struggling.

  Weigh him down with stones until he sinks. Look out, he is slipping away. Go back.

  Ow! He burned me. I will not touch him again.

  What if he is not dead?

  If he was alive, he would be splashing.

  A job well done, Charles, should not leave behind loose ends. Now go after him.

  Someone grabbed his neck and held him underwater. Water surged into Daniel’s mouth and he thrashed. His breath escaped in bubbles. The more he coughed, the more water he swallowed. His chest throbbed and his mind eased toward darkness.

  Be calm, Daniel. Faith’s voice swam into his consciousness. The water is your friend. It will support and embrace you and help you find your air. Trust me, Daniel.

  He stopped fighting. The hold on his neck eased and he was shoved away. He bobbed to the surface, the night air cooling his backside.

  Close your eyes, Faith whispered, let the water turn you onto your back. The water will sustain you, if you allow it.

  Daniel gently rolled over, and, suppressing a cough, he quietly dribbled water out of his mouth. He opened his eyes to a starlit sky and took a breath.

  Splashes heralded Granger’s retreat to shore. Once he reached the willow tree, he paused to wring out his coat.

  A quiet anger burned within Daniel. His brother should have listened to his mother. A job well done does not leave behind loose ends.

  Daniel maneuvered toward shore, amazed at how smoothly his body moved though the lake, even in darkness. His feet touched bottom and he rose.

  Granger swung around to look at him. “Damn you! Why will you not die?” He grabbed another branch and ran toward him.

  Daniel backed away until his right foot lodged in something. He was trapped. Daniel’s panic rose and heat flared in his chest.

  Granger splashed toward him, his branch raised to strike. Daniel caught the weapon with his left hand. In a powerful instinctive surge, flames raced along his arm and burned the wood. Daniel’s startled gaze flew to his attacker. And the flame he had created followed his line of vision, enveloping Granger in its sizzling embrace. His stepbrother screamed.

  Alarmed, Daniel doused the fire. But Granger was still screaming. He ran into the water.

&nbs
p; “The fire is out,” Daniel shouted.

  But Granger lumbered deeper into the lake, thrashing.

  “Stop.” Daniel knew that the lake bottom dropped sharply near where Granger was stumbling around. He struggled to loosen his leg from whatever it had become tangled in.

  Finally, his foot slipped out, free of his shoe. Ignoring the pain as his bare foot struck sharp stones and prickly branches, he followed his stepbrother. Granger had vanished from the surface. Daniel splashed into the lake calling his name.

  He ducked his head under the water but it was too dark to see. When he came back up to the surface, his arms keeping him afloat, he saw Granger’s still form to his left, far out of his reach. He swam over and with a grip on the man’s singed arm, Daniel towed him toward shore.

  Once they were both on land, he turned Granger over on his front, opening his brother’s mouth to get him to spit out water. Granger remained still, eyes open and lifeless. It was too late.

  A muffled call drew away Daniel’s attention. Faith’s mother! Daniel limped toward her.

  After he took off the gag that bound her mouth, the duchess only uttered one shaky command. “Kindly take me to my husband, this minute, sir.”

  BEFORE LONG, THE two of them arrived at the back garden gate. To avoid a scandal, they bypassed the balcony that led to the crowded ballroom on the ground floor and entered the house by climbing the stairs one flight up and came in through the Duke of Burley’s study window. Other than a raised eyebrow at Daniel’s expert skill at breaking into her home, the duchess did not comment.

  Daniel escorted her to her husband’s bedroom door on the second floor. While she went inside, he told the alliance member Sir Phillip had arranged to guard the door not to allow anyone to enter that room, and to be on the lookout for the Duchess of Morton.

  He then hurried downstairs to the ballroom. His second entrance to the festivities garnered more amusement than curiosity from the guests. Playful calls came asking where he had received his dunking. He ignored the lively questions and rushed off in search of Faith, Sir Phillip, or Lady Roselyn.

  “Sir,” someone called. “Confound it, halt, I say.”

  Daniel swung around and came face-to-face with a large and irate Prince Regent. He immediately bowed low.

  “What do you mean by this, sir?” The prince waved aside his courtiers and came closer, circling Daniel in inspection. “Why have you arrived here in such disarray?”

  Daniel straightened, trying not to drip on the prince’s pristine evening shoes. His bare right toes curled in abject embarrassment. “I seek Sir Phillip or Lady Faith, Your Royal Highness. It is a matter of grave urgency.”

  “So it would seem,” the prince said. “As a royal guest, you would think I would be kept informed of the reason behind such strange goings on as has happened here tonight. However, my needs apparently are of no concern to anyone. A rum go, sir, I say this entire night has been a rum go. I am not pleased.”

  “I must find Lady Faith.”

  “How is Lady Faith connected with you?” The prince took out his monocle attached to his waistcoat by a black silk cord. “You are that Killian fellow. The one the Duchess of Morton insists is an imposter. So who are you, really?”

  Daniel hesitated.

  The guests crowding around them seemed to be holding their breaths, as if waiting for Daniel’s response.

  Daniel stood straight and tall. “I am the man who loves Lady Faith.”

  Gasps abounded. Their audience no doubt remembered Faith’s announcement of her engagement to Andrew. But Daniel no longer cared whom he offended with his declaration of love.

  The prince held his monocle to his eye. “Your features seem familiar. Have we met before?”

  “We have never met, sir,” Daniel said. “And although I am cognizant of the privilege of meeting you now, I must beg of you, do you know where Lady Faith is, or Sir Phillip? I must find them immediately. This is a moment of crisis.”

  “Sir Phillip, too, spouted some such stuff and nonsense before he rushed off, despite the fact that we had business to discuss. My aid tells me Wellington’s carriage has arrived. I sent Terrance to stall him, but he is bound to be here soon and I remain empty-handed.”

  “If you mean the business of the buckles, sir, I believe my brother has them,” Daniel said. “If you will pardon me, I shall fetch them as soon as I have found Lady Faith.”

  The prince’s eyes widened. He looked around at the spectators and with a wave of his hand, the crowd inched backward.

  Daniel took advantage of his distraction to turn and race for the doorway. He probably should not have mentioned the buckles in public. Or rushed off before receiving permission to leave. Sir Phillip would have to sort it out. Daniel’s only concern was to find Faith.

  Chapter Twenty Two

  AFTER LEAVING the prince, Daniel snagged a servant to ask if he had seen Sir Phillip or Lady Faith. Learning that Faith had left in the Duchess of Morton’s company, he pulled the protesting footman into the east wing so the man could point out the exact room the ladies had entered. There, he encountered Sir Phillip eavesdropping at a keyhole.

  “It is about time,” Sir Phillip said. “Where have you been?”

  “Fighting off a villain and rescuing Faith’s mother. Granger’s dead. I will explain later. What about you? Is Faith all right?”

  Sir Phillip looked sheepish. “She is fine, for now. Was her mother poisoned?”

  “No, that was planned for later tonight. What is happening in there?”

  “The duchess is having a royal ruckus with her son. If Lady Faith’s mother is safe, we should extricate your brother and Lady Faith before the duchess loses all control.”

  Daniel agreed and reached for the door handle.

  Sir Phillip placed a restraining hand on his arm. “Do not tell her about Granger’s demise until the other two are safe.”

  Commotion down the hallway drew their attention. The regent, who had apparently followed Daniel, was moving toward them with surprising speed for such a rotund gentlemen. His courtiers followed behind him.

  “You go in,” Sir Phillip said. “I shall restrain His Royal Highness as long as I can. Be careful, Trenton. I sense the duchess is on the edge of a mental collapse.”

  Daniel opened the door and slipped inside so quietly, even underbutler Randal would have been impressed. He found Faith struggling on the floor with the Duchess of Morton, while his brother unsuccessfully attempted to break them apart.

  “Get off her,” Daniel said.

  “You!” The duchess scrambled to her feet and ran toward the desk.

  Daniel knelt to assist Faith.

  “Daniel, look out!” Faith said.

  He ducked and a bust sailed over his head and crashed against the wall, shattering.

  The duchess then ran to the other side of the study and tugged at a heavy battle-ax on the wall.

  “Sir Phillip is outside,” he said to Faith and Andrew. “Go to him.” He gestured to his brother to take Faith outside and then he cautiously approached a furious, and now armed, duchess.

  “How dare you interfere with my plans!” the woman said, eyes wild.

  “I had little choice, your grace, since your plans required my demise. Of late, I have found myself rather fond of my existence.”

  She lunged at him, and he jumped aside, putting the settee between them. She swiped at him and the blade ripped open his coat sleeve, drawing blood.

  “Daniel!” Faith cried.

  “I am unharmed.” Why had Andrew not taken her away? Then again, Faith could be stubborn. His unplanned swimming lessons were proof of that. But without them, he would have died tonight.

  He did what he could to lure his opponent to the far side of the room, away from Faith and Andrew. The duchess followed him with a d
emented, determined expression. Like mother, like son. Since she held the ax, the only weapon he could wield was reason. “The game is up, your grace. Andrew will swear to all tonight that I am his brother.”

  She laughed. “You and the brat can swear all you want. You have no proof.”

  “That is not true, Mother,” Andrew said.

  Shut up, Andrew.

  The duchess’s gaze did not waver from Daniel but her head tilted, as if she was listening.

  “I have a painting,” Andrew said, “that proves Daniel’s heritage beyond a doubt. I brought it tonight.”

  “Foolish boy.” His mother turned and charged him.

  Daniel pounced on her. They crashed to the floor and he wrested the ax from her grasp. He tossed it aside and it slid across the floor and under the settee.

  “Get off me.” She elbowed him sharply.

  He scrambled off her, holding a hand to his throbbing ribs. She struggled to her feet, breathing deeply, her fists clenched. “What a strong man you have grown into, Edward. At our last meeting, you were naught but a scrawny brat.”

  “Thank you, dear stepmother,” he said wryly.

  “But not strong enough. You may have bested me, but my Charles is bigger and has the strength of ten elephants. Say goodbye to your precious life. You will lose it soon.”

  Daniel raised his chin, wanting to shout that Granger was dead, but heeded Sir Phillip’s warning. He could not risk testing the duchess’s sanity with Faith still in the room. “We shall see who survives the night, your grace.”

  “Do you not believe Charles can best you?” She laughed. “He did once before, in wit and strength.”

  Out of the corner of his eyes, Daniel spotted the door opening behind the duchess. Sir Phillip peered inside.