by Jane Charles
“Hush.” Matthew leaned forward and brushed his lips against hers. As much as he wanted to rush Grace off to Scotland and be married immediately, the entire trip would be spent with her worrying about her father. He would not make her suffer in such a way. Besides, he hadn’t planned on spending his wedding night with a fretful bride. Though he was confident Mr. Cooper would recover in due time, he was selfish enough to want to spend the first night of his marriage in the most pleasurable way possible, which meant Grace should not have a worry on her mind. “I will see about obtaining a special license.”
“Thank you.”
“Isn’t it situations like this that has the town wagging their tongues about you?” Dr. Norton walked in chuckling.
Graces face took on a lovely rosy hue and Matthew removed himself from where he sat on the edge of the bed.
“I am sorry I wasn’t in church, Vicar Trent.” The man stifled a yawn behind his hand. “I was up most of the night over in the next county delivering a baby. Stubborn child didn’t want to make an appearance until the sun was rising.”
Though he was no longer the vicar of this village, Matthew was pleased that Dr. Norton hadn’t succumbed to the gossip and had a very good reason for missing services.
“I was just about to find my bed when Mrs. Trent started banging on my door.”
“She can be a bit determined,” Matthew agreed.
“Now, let me examine Miss Cooper. I’ll come for you when I am done.”
Matthew moved to leave the room and paused to glance back at Grace one more time. She simply smiled at him. He closed the door and made his way to Mr. Cooper’s. The man was lying back against pillows and alert. Perkins stood by the window.
“Might I have a word with Mr. Cooper, alone?”
Perkins nodded and left the room. Matthew took a seat beside Mr. Cooper who watched him with interest. There was so much intelligence behind those faded green eyes. How could anyone have ever believed he was incompetent?
“Sir, I would like your permission to marry Grace.”
His eyebrows rose and a smile formed on his lips.
Matthew explained to Mr. Cooper the situation he found himself in, his daughter’s current reputation and the decision to no longer be a vicar. Mr. Cooper simply watched him intently. What if he denied him Grace’s hand in marriage? No, he couldn’t think that way.
Mr. Cooper only showed alarm when Matthew told him what had happened at the church this morning but relaxed when he was assured Grace would be fine and her injury wasn’t much more than a scratch.
“I assure you that I am in a financial position to take care of Grace. I’ve never needed to work, on that you have my word. If you are in doubt, confirm what I am telling you with Lord Crew. He knew my father.”
The man gave a slight nod. Was he going to ask or did he accept what Matthew was telling him. Now had come the time to ask the question once gain and hope for the right answer.
“Mr. Cooper. May I have your blessing to marry Grace?”
The man smiled broadly and nodded his head.
Relief flowed through Matthew. There was nothing to stop him now from making Grace his wife.
“Your brother has arrived with Draker and is asking where to put him,” Perkins announced from the doorway.
Matthew’s first thoughts were Hades, then the barn, but he didn’t want the man to die from infection setting in before they had answers. “Put him in the most secure bedchamber upstairs. I then need you to send someone for Lord Crew and Lord Brachton.”
“Very good, sir.” Perkins left and Matthew stood. “I need to go learn what I can.”
Mr. Cooper nodded and Matthew quit the room. He hadn’t noticed until there was a crisis that it is deuced inconvenient not having servants around to do ones bidding. He had lived simply as a vicar with nothing out of the ordinary every occurring. Since Grace and her family came into his life he realized how necessary they were from the basic meal, to milking cows and summoning lords.
As he reached the landing Dr. Norton stepped out of Grace’s room. “How is she?”
“She talked me out of stitches. Her arm probably could have used a few, but if she refrains from using it until it is healed all should be well.”
“Can I see her?”
“She is changing and complaining about someone ruining a perfectly good dress,” the doctor chuckled. “I understand I have another patient.”
“Yes, Draker. He was shot after he shot at Grace.”
Dr. Norton merely shook his head. “None of this makes any sense to me. I’ve known them both since they were children. Why would he shoot at Miss Cooper?”
“That is the exact answer I hope to have eventually.”
Dr. Norton and Matthew followed the sounds of moaning until they came to an open door. Draker lay on top of the bed. John and Jordan were on either side of it watching him. Matthew entered the room and stood at the end of the bed. “Why did you shoot Grace?”
The man looked at the gentlemen surrounding him. “I am not telling you anything.”
Dr. Norton shrugged. “Call me if Miss Cooper needs anything. I will stop by and check on her father on my way out.”
“Thank you Doctor.”
“Wait,” Draker called out. “You have to get this bullet out of my leg.”
Dr. Norton paused by the door. “I will in good time. I’ve been up all night. I am tired. I don’t really want to help you right now.”
“You took an oath,” Draker cried.
“Yes, I did. I can’t recall it exactly now.” Dr. Norton shook his head and began to leave again.
“Wait. I can pay you, now.”
The man turned. “It isn’t payment I wish. When you give these gentlemen the information they requested then I will tend your wound.”
“You can’t do that.” He looked up at Jordan. “He can’t, can he?”
“I don’t believe so,” Jordan shrugged. “But I don’t believe I will tell anyone either.”
Draker looked at John, who simply shook his head. Finally, his eyes met Matthews. “Why did you shoot Miss Cooper?”
“Bloody hell.” Draker looked around the room, not focusing on anyone. Matthew waited patiently.
John reached down and pressed his hand against the wound. Draker cried out in pain.
“This is torture,” he said after a few moments, beads of sweat dotting his brow.
John leaned down. “This is nothing.” His voice was low and cold making Matthew wonder exactly what John had been doing as a spy besides working in the stables in Paris.
Draker looked to Matthew. “You are vicar. How can you allow him to do this?”
“I resigned this morning. I am simply a man who happens to be in love with the woman you shot this morning.”
Draker paled further.
John pressed harder on Draker’s leg. “Do you really wish to find out all that I am capable of?”
“It was Stillwaite.”
John eased away and Dr. Norton stepped back into the room.
“I need the money and this land is rich with ore.”
“How could killing Miss Cooper benefit you?” Matthew asked.
“If she were dead, then Stillwaite would inherit it all, when Mr. Cooper died.”
“Are there further plans for his demise?” John asked.
“No, and I had nothing to do with him being pushed down the stairs.” He turned his head, looking at each of them. “I swear, I knew nothing about that.”
Of course he didn’t since no one had pushed Mr. Cooper but Matthew wasn’t about to share that bit of knowledge.
“What promises did he make you? Was he paying you to kill her?”
“Once he inherited, I would mine for the ore and we would split the profits.”
“Do you have a written agreement?” Jordan asked.
“No, he said we shouldn’t have anything in writing so neither of us was carted off to Newgate.”
“Which is where you will be going,” Jordan
reminded him.
The man paled and sank back into the bed.
“When suffocating her with a pillow didn’t work, you thought to shoot her instead,” Jordan prompted.”
The man began shaking his head and started to sit. “That wasn’t me. That was Richards and he wasn’t supposed to suffocate her.”
“What do you mean?” Matthew demanded.
“He was supposed to kidnap her and take her off to Scotland. Once married the deal was set and Stillwaite would just sit back and wait for the money.”
“Then why try to kill her?” Matthew turned to find Brachton standing in the door. He was glad the man hadn’t arrived earlier given Jon would have undoubtedly tortured Draker further if need be.
“He didn’t want a wife and decided it would be more expedient if she were dead. Given her father’s state, Mr. Cooper would probably decline and die as well, leaving everything to us.”
Brachton stepped out into the hall and spoke to someone. He returned a moment later. “I sent two of my servants after Richards to bring him here.”
“Stillwaite was in a rage when he found out the guardianship had been denied him and decided that Richards had it right and to just do away with his niece.”
“And you went along with this outrageous plan?” Brachton demanded.
“You have no idea how far in debt I am. If I weren’t going to Newgate I would be in debtor’s prison. What difference does it make,” the man spit out.
“I am assuming Thorn will now make an attempt since both you and Richards have been unsuccessful?” Matthew asked. He would need someone to keep watch on Grace around the clock, and her father as well. If Stillwaite was becoming unhinged neither one of them was safe.
“No,” Draker answered. “Thorn didn’t want anything to do with this madness. It was one thing when the three of us made a pact to marry Miss Cooper and mine the land. He would have nothing to do with harming anyone. As soon as we left the day after Mr. Cooper was pushed down the stairs he broke the agreement and left town. He didn’t want to be around and risk being accused of murder.”
“It was so kind of him to warn us first,” Jordan offered dryly.
Draker jerked and looked up at Jordan. “He did?”
His brother chuckled. “You are an imbecile, aren’t you?”
Matthew pulled away from the bed. They knew everything they needed. John tied both of Draker’s hands to the bed so he couldn’t go anywhere and they left Dr. Norton to tend the man’s leg. It could fester for all Matthew cared. The man had tried to kill Grace and he was finding it difficult to have any pity for him.
The gentlemen gathered in the parlor where Perkins waited. He poured them each a glass of brandy as they took seats. Grace entered a moment later. Instead of brandy, Perkins splashed a spot of whiskey in her glass much to Matthew’s surprise. What else was there to learn about his future wife? Elizabeth asked for wine and sat next to her husband.
Brachton remained in the hall and spoke with a few more of his servants. Matthew could only assume that they were being sent after Stillwaite. The man would not come here easily. Lord Crew arrived a moment later.
“Grace was shot?”
“I am fine,” she assured him from her place by the fire.
Matthew quickly explained what they had learned. “It is best that you are married immediately. I’ve already written to the Bishop and I should hear back in a few days.
“If you need a special license, I am sure grandfather has a stack of them still waiting to be used,” Elizabeth laughed.
“Yes, he was very adamant last winter about marrying off his grandchildren.”
“I am sure they aren’t blank otherwise I would ask for one,” Matthew grumbled. Now that he made up his mind and knew this was what he wanted, he couldn’t wait to marry Grace. Not only did he want her in his life forever, and in his bed, but marriage was the only thing that would protect her from Stillwaite.
“Regardless, I am not sure it is safe to wait. The two of you should head to Scotland,” Lord Crew suggested.
“I will not leave my father,” Grace insisted.
“We should wait until Brachton’s servants return with word of Stillwaite. If we can apprehend the man, then there is no need to rush,” Matthew offered though it was in exact opposite of what he wanted to do.
Grace glanced over at him and bit her bottom lip. Matthew leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Perhaps I should amend my statement. I don’t wish to rush our wedding.”
She smiled and he lowered his voice further, “night.”
Jordan stood. “I am going to find Stillwaite myself.”
Brachton’s men returned shortly before dinner with word that Richards was gone, along with his clothing and any other personal items. According to a maid, he left the day before after leaving instructions to close up the house for good. He would not be back and Grace didn’t really care where he was, only that it was unlikely he would try to harm her again.
Mr. Trent returned a few moments later. He could not find Stillwaite, but his things were still in his room at the inn. Nobody had seen him in hours and a feeling of foreboding settled into the pit of her stomach. “I did go through his belongings, however,” Mr. Trent offered. “The man is so far in debt I am not sure it is possible to recover.”
“He wanted the land for the ore,” Matthew reminded him.
“Yes, but that could take years. I don’t know how he thinks this will solve his problems.”
“With the promise of riches in the future perhaps he hoped to keep the creditors at bay,” Lord Crew suggested.
“It also makes him all the more dangerous,” said Matthew.
Mr. Trent moved toward the foyer. “I’ll return to the inn and remain there. Maybe he will be back.”
Matthew nodded.
“Well, there is no need for me to remain here. I’ll be at home if anyone needs me.” Lord Crew stood and left.
“I will, as well.” Brachton picked up his hat. “Send word if you find Stillwaite.”
“I am taking Draker to Brachton’s where he will be secured and held for trial,” John moved toward the door.
“Can he even travel,” Grace found herself asking.
“I don’t really care,” Matthew answered. “I don’t want him near you.”
“I’ve already instructed my servants to put him in the back of the carriage,” Brachton informed them. “He will remain secured in my home until he can be brought to trial.”
It seemed as though her parlor had been filled with people all day, now only she, Matthew and John remained. Perkins had long ago returned to her father’s bedside. Elizabeth entered a few moments later. “I’ve placed super on the table.”
Silently they followed her. Grace wasn’t even sure she had an appetite left. Her arm ached and all she really wanted to do was crawl into bed, but not alone. She wanted to be held by Matthew. Would he remain with her tonight? After these last few days she wasn’t certain she wanted to be alone in her room tonight.
There was not much conversation around the table and Grace assumed everyone must be as exhausted as she.
“Would you like something for your arm,” Elizabeth asked.
“No thank you. All I need is to sleep.”
“I am going to stay downstairs.” John pushed back from the table.
“I am taking the room at the top of the stairs and my door will be open,” Elizabeth announced and began clearing the table. John helped her stack the dishes. Grace knew she should assist but she couldn’t bring herself to move.
“I’ll escort you upstairs.” Matthew rose to stand by her chair. She allowed him to assist and guide her from the room. Why was she so numb? Or was she simply tired?
His hand settled at the small of her back and Grace couldn’t help but lean into him as they took the stairs to the upper level of her home. This is where she belonged, by his side.
They paused outside her door and Matthew leaned and kissed her forehead. “Call if you need m
e. I will be right across the hall.”
“I will.” Grace turned and entered her room, closing the door behind her. There was chill in the air and she bent to stir the embers before adding logs. She went through her evening ritual and readied herself for bed. The sheets were cool, but they would warm from her body shortly. She often was cold at first, but her bed never seemed so empty before.
The fire crackled and hissed. Shadows danced on the wall and limbs scraped the windows.
Grace pulled the covers up to her chin. She was being a ninny. Nothing could harm her now. Three people were in the house to protect her.
But what if her uncle still got in?
She rolled over to her side and willed herself to sleep but the thoughts kept coming. First the pillow and then the gunshot.
She knew she was safe, but that didn’t matter. Pushing the blankets aside, she rose from her bed and crossed the room. There was only one way she would find rest tonight and it wasn’t in here.
Matthew bolted up in bed as the door to his room was pushed further open. Grace stepped inside, a lamp held in her hands.
“What is wrong?”
“I can’t sleep.”
She stepped further into the room and closed the door behind her. It clicked in the silence and Matthew became aware of only her. Slowly she walked toward the bed. She set the lamp on a table and turned down the flame before she crawled into bed beside him.
Every part of Matthew became alert. Did this woman have any idea what a temptation she was? He did not have the strength to remain in this bed with her and not touch her.
Grace sighed and laid her head on his shoulder. “This is better. It is much warmer than my bed.”
“I don’t think you should be here.”
“Why not? My reputation is already ruined.”
“Because I don’t trust myself.”
She pulled away and looked up at him. He could see the reflection of the flames in her emerald eyes. “You would never hurt me.”
“No, never intentionally, but I can’t promise that I won’t touch you.”
“Like you did the other night.”
“Yes.”