“I am ready now, sir,” Eva spoke decidedly though her eyes displayed her fear of leaving the protection she had found at Wynthall. “I have only to thank your kind staff and then I shall meet you in the great hall.”
Grey bowed silently, wishing for words which remained absent. The next moment he began to depart when again she stopped him. “My lord.” Turning to look upon her alluring frame once more, Grey caught the sense of hesitance in her expression and halting speech. “I—I hope our conversation this morning did not…” Eva searched for the correct words. “That is to say, I hope you did not think me an impertinent meddler, sir? I meant no harm but I know that I had no right to—”
“Please, madam.” Grey shook his head, his eyes softening at her apparent remorse. “You need not be sorry. What occurred in the library was the product of my own grief drawn out by the words of a man who would drive me to my grave. You were not at fault, my lady.”
Eva’s eyes were downcast, Grey’s words doing little to reassure her. “I owe my life to you, my lord, and my peerage and dukedom as well. I hope I have not already repaid that debt with poor judgment.”
“I assure you, Lady Eva, there is no debt and you have done nothing wanting of apology. If anything at all, I am the one to be convicted. I lost all means of self-control and reacted poorly in the presence of a lady such as yourself.”
Eva shook her head. “No, indeed, my lord,” she contradicted. “You acted out of love for another. A very admirable love.”
A small smile attempted to tug on the corner of Grey’s mouth. “Perhaps I did, my lady. And perhaps you acted out of the goodness to want to help my sorrow. Something no person has ever attempted in these twelve years. I thank you for it.” Upon hearing this a small smile graced Eva’s features, causing Grey to smile as well. “I shall send for the rig, Your Grace,” he spoke, “and meet you in the great hall.” Grey bowed and turned away again, striding down the hall to disappear out of sight.
Turning herself, Eva started back toward the Orange Room, her mind searching the workings of her heart in an attempt to define the small glow of warmth which seemed to have lit within her.
*****
Grey continued down the upper hall toward his bedchamber, finding his cold morning tea still on the cart untouched before the dark fireplace. The baron rang first for Merek and then went about donning some more appropriate attire for his journey to return Eva nearly home. As Grey began unbutton his shirt, the door opened and Merek appeared, bowing to his master. “You rang, my lord?”
“Yes. Cancel my meeting with Sir Walter. Have the rig brought round to the front and tell Dickson I wish to speak with him before we depart.”
“You are leaving, my lord?”
Grey nodded as he discarded the shirt upon a nearby chair. “I am taking our guest home and shall return directly.”
“She has told you who she is, my lord?” Merek asked, shock taking over his face.
Grey nodded stiffly. “She has. Now go and fetch the rig.”
“Not the carriage, my lord?”
“No, we shall not take the carriage.”
“Yes, my lord.” Merek bowed and quit the room with hesitance, puzzled by his master’s commands but knowing better than to question him too thoroughly. Grey pulled another shirt from his wardrobe and began to put it on in an attempt to take his mind from discontented thoughts of Lady Eva’s intended departure. He did not think well of her decision to return to her home. The prospect of her placing her trust once again in the hands of a man who had long since proven his corruption struck Grey with a worrisome discomfort, as though it were his duty to stop her from taking such a dire risk. Despite his fears, Grey knew there was nothing he could do in the way of persuading her otherwise; Lady Eva had made her decision according to what she presumed was her duty as the Duchess of Dawcaster and now she concluded to act as such.
Why the blazes do you care for her well-being in the first place? She is nothing to you. With her return to Covingdell, Alexander’s intent to become duke will be foiled. It is best for the entire kingdom as well as yourself! Grey’s mouth twitched as he reminded himself of the necessity of the lady’s return to Covingdell and of her insignificance to him and all that was his. Grey pulled on his red velvet coat and straightened his collar and frilled cuffs attempting to bring himself to order before making his way to the great hall. But how can you deny your own feelings, James? Again his mind interrogated him, or was it his heart, he wondered. It has been twelve years! This may be your only chance to break free of this snare. Grey clenched his jaw in annoyance with his own conflicting thoughts, determined to put them aside. He was powerless to aid the situation anymore then was already done and now he had only left to hope that her uncle had not been the one to take Eva from her home and that he would not make another attempt on her life were he guilty of the crime.
The baron ran his hands through his mussed hair, knowing it must look askew from his lack of care for its shagginess, and then exited his room into the gallery, dreading every step that would bring him closer to the lady’s departure. Again he began to wonder if it were right of him, and indeed his duty, to urge her to stay out of harm’s way until Alexander was proved guilty or the man who had taken her was caught. They both knew well of what her fate could be should she return and another attempt be made to harm her. Grey had nearly convinced himself to try once more to dissuade her when it all was struck from his mind by the frantic, masculine call of his name from down the hall.
“Lord de Grey! Lord de Grey!” In a moment, Grey saw Merek running toward him, his chest heaving as he gasped for breath. “My lord—you must come!” he panted, reaching Grey in the midst of the corridor.
“What is it, Merek?” the baron questioned, disturbed by his gentleman’s obvious panic.
“It—it’s him!”
“It’s who, man?”
“L-Lord Alex!” Merek exclaimed. “He’s come back, my lord. He—he claims the girl you found on the road is the missing Lady Eva!”
Grey’s face fell instantly, his brow furrowing as all previous worries escaped him to make room for his rising dismay. “What? How can that be?” Grey took hold of Merek’s shirt, his jaw clenching. “How did he find out?” the baron demanded.
“You—you mean it’s true, my lord?” Merek’s expression grew shocked.
“Where is the lady?” Grey demanded.
“She is with him even now, sir!”
“He has seen her!” Grey’s booming voice echoed down the gallery, and in a moment he had released his valet and took off in a run toward the great hall.
~ 24 ~
As he neared the stairway leading to the front of the manor, Grey could already hear voices from the hall, including that of an enraged Alexander Vastel, whose viscous cries carried through the walls as he displayed his anger. The baron had little time to come up with words he might say to save them all a definite ruin before he rounded the corner to the top of the stairs and was faced with the very havoc that he had gone to such lengths to prevent. Maids and houseman were gathered about the open front doors where Lord Alex thrashed against the hold of Byrum and the gatekeeper, both men struggling to prevent his entry. Stablemen leaped the stairs onto the porch to assist with the row, and beyond on the front lawn four of Lord Alex’s own aids abandoned their mounts to come to his assistance.
Standing partway down the stairs was Lady Eva, one hand gripping the rail while the other clapped over her mouth in shock from seeing her uncle. The moment Grey appeared at the top of the stairs he was spotted by Lord Alex, who cried out with a great anger. “You took her, you scoundrel! I might have known it all along!” He made yet another attempt to break free of the arms that held him but failed to venture beyond the opened doors. “Give her back or I shall take her, you hear me!”
“Stop this unsightliness this moment!” Grey’s voice echoed off the walls of the great hall and traveled onto the lawn, startling those below him into submission. Eva turned her head to look
up at the baron, fear etched on her face as she inwardly pleaded with him. The room immediately fell silent and the struggle ceased, all eyes falling on Lord de Grey as he descended the stairs to just beyond where Eva stood.
“Take your hands off me! Tell them to unhand me this moment!” Alexander demanded of the butler and gatekeeper both of whom looked to Grey for instruction.
The baron nodded stiffly. “Release him.”
With reluctance, both men took their restraining hands from Lord Alexander, who immediately pointed an accusing finger at Grey. “You took my niece! I should have known it from the moment you refused to aid in the search. You will die for this! I will see you hung!”
“Uncle, please! Lord de Grey did not—”
Eva’s attempts were overridden by Alexander Vastel’s harsh words. “You stay silent! I will have you out of here in a moment.”
“But, Uncle Alex, you do not understand—”
“I told you not to speak!”
“This is my house, Vastel!” Grey warned. “Here I will give the orders and you have not the right to speak so to Her Grace the Duchess, whether she is your niece or not.” Alexander looked first to Eva and then to Grey then to the surrounding servants who all watched to see what he would do. “Come into my library and we Shall discuss this matter like civilized human beings,” Grey demanded, knowing the servant’s had already seen and heard too much.
Lord Alex, however, would not comply. “I wouldn’t dare be seen in your house, de Grey! You have destroyed the honor of my niece!” he accused. “And I shall see you on the gallows for it! Eva, come down here. We are leaving this wretched place!”
“Uncle, you must listen,” Eva spoke more confidently now, desperate to make her uncle understand her. “It is not as you have said! Lord de Grey did not steal me away from my home.”
“No? Then you went with him willingly. You consorted with this scoundrel and allowed him to take you from your dying father!”
“Uncle Alex, you know that is not true!” Eva exclaimed, appalled by his claims.
“Perhaps not, my dear niece.” Alexander sneered. “But I have found you in his home after you’ve been missing for three months. I do believe the people of both Calgar and Covingdell will have something to say about such an escapade.”
“Hold your tongue, Vastel!” Grey barked, his ire aroused like never before. “You will speak of the lady in this fashion no longer, or I shall be forced to have you removed from my home.”
“And without my niece?” Alexander huffed. “I do not believe you understand, James. You will allow her to come back with me or I shall see to it that all of England hears of this scandal.”
“There is no scandal with which you might use to slander our names, Alexander,” Grey spoke determinedly. “The lady was kidnapped from her room in the dark of night, and I came upon her on the road after her escape, to that my staff will attest.”
All present in the room nodded though their word to the honor of their master seemed to have little effect on the duke’s brother. “And yet when I was here three days ago, you said nothing of her,” he stated. “And only this very morning I was here again and even then you said nothing. I daresay your honor is hardly spared, Grey.”
All eyes fell on the master of the house to see how he would react to Alexander’s threats. The baron looked first to his unwelcome audience below him and then to Lord Alex, whose sneer displayed his victory. Grey’s eyes then fell to Eva’s tearful ones, filled with fear as she met his glance. You cannot fail this time, James, his heart called to him. You are the only person who stands between the lady and her destruction! He must be guilty! You cannot let her go with him to her death!
“Forgive me.” His lips formed the words to Eva before he turned to face Lord Alex once more. “What you say is true, Alexander, I did not tell you of her presence here, but neither I nor the lady were at fault for such a concealment. It was not yet for you to know…” Grey glanced about him and drew in a breath. “Of our recent union. We were married.”
Gasps of surprise and shock filled the great hall as murmurs again went up from the gathered servants. The duke’s brother, however, seemed to lose his domineering manner, the sneer falling from his face. Grey could see all eyes on him, but it was only Eva’s that he could feel boring into his back from where she stood a few steps above him. From her he had heard no shock, no gasp of surprise nor correction of his blatant lie. Only their collective breathing could be heard as a stone silence fell over Wynthall.
“E-Eva!” Lord Alex exclaimed, seeming for the first time to be at a loss for words. “Is what he says true, Eva? Have you united yourself to this—this unprincipled maggot? This baron?”
Again all was quiet and Grey held still, not daring to face her abhorrence as he was certain she would expose him. For a long moment they waited, masters and servants alike to hear what the lady would say. “He—he saved my life, Uncle.” Her voice spoke with a tremor, so quiet it was barely heard.
“And for that you married him? Have you taken leave of your senses?” Alexander exclaimed.
“Yes,” Eva whispered, her words melting into Grey’s heart. “I do believe I have.”
Too taken aback to speak, Alexander stumbled as though he had been struck. “And—and now you have made this worthless rogue as good as yourself!” he cried. “You dishonor the name of Vastel and the Dukedom of Dawcaster with his filth! How shall the likes of him represent you at court and before the king? You have brought ruin to your father’s good name, Eva! I am glad he is dead so that he might not behold your disgrace!”
Now the lady’s barren expression bore a mark of pain as tears began to gather in her eyes, which only sparked a greater ire within Grey’s burning soul. “That is enough!” the baron barked angrily. “You have said all that need be heard, Vastel, now get out of my house and don’t dare to step foot in it again!”
“And what of her? What of Covingdell?”
“I shall lay claim to what is now rightfully mine by law. Of that you may be assured, Alexander.”
With a cry of anger, Lord Alex spat on the tiled floor. “This is not the end of it, James. You shall not win so easily.” Turning away the duke’s brother stormed out of the manor, the three men in his company following. Byrum wasted no time in pulling the double doors closed, his eyes still wide with shock. The moment the door’s shadow fell over the room Grey turned to Eva, her head bowed in an attempt to hide the tears that pressed on her, and extended his arm to the lady. In a moment, he felt her hand take hold of his elbow and he began to lead her out from under the gawking eyes of the servants into the upper hall where the two disappeared without a word.
~ 25 ~
Down the shadowed halls they walked in silence, Eva’s arm linked with Grey’s and her expression void of any emotion that the latter might uncover other than her dampening eyes, which she attempted to conceal. Briskly they walked, not daring to look back where they had left the servants in a state of shock. Grey led Eva but a short distance from the sitars before he paused at what was assumed to be one of the upstairs drawing rooms. The baron pulled open the doors and stepped back, allowing Eva to enter the chamber before he followed, closing the doors with a raw thud behind him.
The drawing room was large and beautifully furnished with sofas, cedar tables, and red carpets. The chill in the room proved its disuse though it was kept in good order. Grey led Eva to a chair before the dark fireplace and then moved to draw open one of the curtained windows, which extended to the tall ceiling. In a moment, the room was flooded with light, revealing the dark corners and bits of dust that had collected since the maids were last present. Grey paused before the window as its panes were unveiled, almost fearing to approach the lady and become the victim of her certain displeasure at what he had done.
What a blasted fool you are, James! How she must despise you and your lying tongue! Was it not enough to ruin yours and Dahlia’s lives that you had to ruin her own as well? Grey shut his eyes against his s
colding mind, against the truth that it spoke to him in his own words. Every life which had seemed to be placed in his hands he had brought to ruin, every chance he had been given to right what he himself had made wrong was wasted by his own inability and the thought of Eva’s certain hatred for him caused Grey’s heart to clench. Feeling the burn of her gaze on his back the baron turned from the window to behold the lady as she looked upon him with misty eyes from her spot on the chair, her expression overwhelmed with the emotions that raged through her. His stare meeting her own, Eva looked again to her lap, attempting to shield a single tear that had managed to escape her failing facade.
Withdrawing his handkerchief and approaching the duchess, Grey extended the folded white cloth to her. Eva accepted it without a word, pressing it to her cheek to catch the second tear. “Forgive me,” her timid voice, hoarse and raw with emotion, whispered quietly, her offering the handkerchief back to its owner who only shook his head.
“You need not apologize, my lady.”
“Were it not for me, sir, none of this would have come about. You saved my life and I have in turn involved you in a terrible ordeal.”
Grey turned away from the lady and shook his head bitterly. “The fault is none but my own and Lord Alexander’s,” he spoke. “He is a scoundrel and I am a fool.”
All was again silent as Grey continued to stare into nothing, wondering what his next words could be and if indeed there were such words that might amend the lie he had told to free them both from such a disgrace as Alexander would have imposed on them.
Do not tell yourself yet another lie, James, his mind addressed him again. Do you truly regret a few moments in which you could claim her as your own? An annoyed grunt escaped him as he fought his own thoughts. What he wanted mattered not, his desires were least of all to be granted, his life already spent and long since run out. “I am a fool,” his voice spoke this time aloud. “A senseless fool.”
Wynthall Manor- The Wynthall Manor Trilogy Page 18