Chapter 4
“Gone? Whatever do you mean—gone?” Jack couldn’t quite believe his ears. He was completely gob smacked. How was it possible that Elizabeth Rotherford was missing when he was finally going to do the right thing?
A fire lit in his belly. The wench ought to be pulled over his knee for this.
Jack frowned. He had no earthly idea where that could have come from. He was never one that was prone to violence. And yet, the thought of baring her lovely bottom and tanning it red was doing something to his nether regions. Jack cursed the high cut of his superfine coat and wished he still had his cloak.
With a glare for the butler, Jack demanded to speak with Ellie.
Ellie and Horace met with the Viscount scarcely a quarter of an hour later.
“Terrible timing of course, but there is nothing to be done. Ellie, I seem to recall you saying something about a note for Jack?” Horace prompted Ellie.
“Oh yes, of course!” Ellie went to the side table and opened the drawer.
As she approached Jack, he noticed the familiar scrawl of Lizzie’s handwriting. His chest tightened and he fought the urge to rub the pain away. Jack, with his perfect manners, took the parchment from Ellie and frowned as he broke the wax seal and began to read.
Jack,
I hereby absolve you of our betrothal. I wish you happiness.
Warmest Regards,
Elizabeth
“What the devil?” Jack hadn’t realised he uttered the words until Ellie spoke up to defend her twin.
“I do not know what she has written to you, Jack. But I cannot allow you to speak ill of her. You must have known that she would not like being left in the country these ten years. It was almost as if she were an embarrassment to you—hideous or mad. No, she still has some pride left. You cannot take that from her.”
Jack’s ears reddened. He had never thought that Lizzie was hideous. In fact, it was her woman’s figure and glorious auburn curls that had kept him up late on far too many nights. And furthermore, Lizzie loved the country—didn’t she? Jack thought to himself.
Jack thought of her crooked smile when they were both missing their front teeth. Granted she had accidently pulled him into a stream and knocked one of his out. But that reprehensible smile was one that had him feeling something uncomfortable in his chest.
He didn’t like it. Jack especially didn’t like the fact that Lizzie had kept herself in the country because of him. Sure, there were plenty of people who had ribbed him about the engagement. But he never dreamed that she would take the same teasing.
“I know your mother would take Lizzie anywhere she wished to go.”
Ellie’s eyes narrowed. “So that the harpies could have another go at her? It is bad enough at the local assemblies. She would be a laughingstock in London. A spinster is one thing, but a spinster who has been engaged for ten years?”
Jack blinked, almost positive that he wasn’t hearing what Ellie had to say. Quiet demure Ellie had finally reached her boiling point.
“Furthermore, my parents have begged her to cry off for nearly a decade. Sadly, my twin is rather pig headed. If she has finally come to her senses, please know that we all whole-heartedly support her.”
Jack cleared his throat to speak but had no idea what to say. Somehow, he had never considered how Lizzie might feel or react to the long engagement. He had assumed that she would be a trifle upset. Was it honestly as bad as all that?
“You are lucky to be here when Edward and Andrew are out. They have both expressed the desire to run you through. It is only that I wished for the pleasure myself.”
Horace’s eyes bulged and he tucked Ellie into his side. Worried that he would be responsible for his wife’s challenge, Horace attempted to pull things back into check. “Now, there is no need for violence. I am certain that Jack knows what he is about. Besides, if Lizzie has called things off it should not matter one wit, water under the bridge.”
If the truth was brought to light, Jack hated to admit that he was damn near afraid of the girl. She had clapped eyes on him at the age of five and decided that he belonged to her. Jack had done everything in his power from that point onward to dissuade her of the notion. But Lizzie was insistent, Jack was hers.
Then there was the teasing of the other boys in the neighbourhood. Lizzie was forever following him around like a little lost puppy. That would have been bad enough, but her temper was always brewing just below the surface. She had given him more than her fair share of black eyes, and there was a time when she nearly broke his arm.
No, Jack had never wanted to be hers.
“I never thought there was something amiss with Lizzie,” Jack told Ellie in a low voice.
“Oh? I am certain you just adored her. You forget that I was there when you told the local assembly that you would rather dance with a wasp, you would likely to be stung less than with my sister. Or how about the time you took her over that jump, we all knew it was too high for her horse. She landed in the mud and was the laughingstock of your friends. No, Jack, you have never had any fondness for my sister,” Ellie countered in anger.
Jack’s eyes burned with righteous indignation. “Do you blame me? She has hunted me to ground from the moment we first met.”
“She loved you,” Ellie snapped. “But you need not worry on that head any longer. You have finally cured her of ever hoping that there might be a future between you two. Let her go and lick her wounds. She is finally coming to her senses.”
“I need to speak with her,” Jack said hollowly. He knew that he should be elated at the news that Lizzie had called off the engagement. Hadn’t that been his plan? Wasn’t that what he wanted? So why did it feel so terribly wrong?
“She has gone to London,” Ellie said in a low voice. “I am asking you to let her be.”
“By herself?” Jack quite forgot himself and sprang to his feet.
Ellie sighed as she shook her head. “No, she is with her maid, Martin, and our cousins Edward and Andrew.”
Jack gaped at Ellie. “Who sanctioned that ill-fated group? I would not trust a fly in the care of those two idiots.”
Ellie bristled saying, “Well, I would not trust my worst enemy with you, not after the callous way you have treated my sister. Whatever crimes my cousins may have committed, they would not abandon her for a decade!”
Shame washed over Jack. Everything that Ellie accused him of, everything she said was completely true. He had abandoned her.
“If I know my sister, I would imagine that she has called off the wedding. So, if I may be the first to congratulate you.” Only there was no warmth or kindness in Ellie’s tone.
Jack had no idea where the words were coming from, but suddenly he said. “You may save your congratulations, madam. Your sister has not called off the wedding. Now, I must be off to catch up with my fiancé.”
Ellie stared in amazement and even Horace glanced up from the textbook that he had picked up during the unpleasant interview.
“What? No, that cannot be true,” Horace stood and walked over to where Jack was pacing back and forth. One could only assume that he wished to read the crumpled note that Jack held tightly in his hand.
Jack shook his head, carefully refolding the note and tucking it away inside his breast pocket.
“Please give my regards to your parents and alert them that we shall be having a wedding—on Christmas day!”
With that, Jack stormed out of Mangrove Manor, mounted Satan and rode for town. Never looking back, Jack missed the looks of astonished amazement that crossed Ellie’s and Horace’s face.
“Whatever has gotten into him?” Ellie asked her husband.
Horace shrugged, “I have not got the foggiest notion, but I do wish that we could witness when the two of them meet again. That should be very interesting.”
Chapter 5
Jack didn’t stop to alert his servant, nor did he even fetch a change of clothes. After throwing himself on Satan’s back he rode hell for leath
er towards London.
Now, hours later, as he guided his horse into the stables at an inn that was halfway, Jack was tired, sombre and colder than he could ever remember being.
He had plenty of time to think about what he would say to Lizzie. It ranged from wringing her neck to begging her to not cast him off. The terrible part was that Jack had no idea what approach he would take even after all of that time.
After dismounting and handing Satan’s reins over to the stable master. Jack slogged through the snow toward the inn. He had stopped feeling his feet more than two hours ago, and his boots were likely beyond repair.
For once, Jack didn’t care about his pristine appearance. He was more concerned about a warm bed and a bottle of the inn’s finest wine. He knew that old Ned had some nice bottles that had come from the days where it was rather tricky to get a good French brandy. Most bottles were tucked away after their rather nefarious journeys across the channel.
“Milord, is that you? You had best be coming inside before you catch your death!” Ned, the Innkeeper, ushered Jack inside the Spotted Crow. “Bless me! What a surprise this is! I’ll be begging your pardon sir, but our finest rooms have already been let. But never you mind, I will get you set up in a fine bedroom in a trice.”
Jack removed his cloak and shook the flakes from his clothing. Shivers raced through him as parts of his body began to thaw. “Stoke the fire, Ned. It is freezing in here.”
Ned frowned. “Are you travelling alone, Milord? Where is your man of service?”
Jack missed the question entirely because he could have sworn that he heard a familiar voice. It was coming from one of the closed parlours. He frowned moving closer. Jack just knew that he had heard a familiar laugh. He was halfway across the room when he realised that Ned was speaking to him.
“Milord, that is a private party!”
Jack didn’t bother to turn around as he called over his shoulder, “I will be welcome, that was a Rotherford.”
Jack didn’t care what kind of party it was. All her knew was that he was one step closer to finding out where Lizzie had gone. Wrenching the door open, Jack demanded, “Where is she?”
Ned came up behind Jack panting, “I am sorry! I tried to stop him!”
Edward waved Ned away. “Never mind, just bring us some more ale for the Viscount, would you?”
Andrew narrowed his eyes at Jack. “I have not any idea what you are speaking about, Cavendish. But it is not good form to be bursting into private parlours.”
Jack eyed Edward and Andrew with some degree of harm in their blue depths. “Are you going to tell me where she is, or am I going to rip apart this place board by board until I find her?”
It was only then that Jack noticed the barmaid that had moved behind Edward.
“Is he dicked in the nob?” she asked anxiously.
“A fair bit,” Andrew replied his eyes never leaving Jack’s face.
“He is handsome,” she replied.
Andrew snorted. “Leave us, run along and bring the Viscount something for supper.”
“Where is she?” Jack demanded again, his fists clenching.
“You have no ties to me or my family,” Edward said in a tight tone. “So, I must repeat my brother by saying I do not know what you are speaking of.”
Jack saw red, he took two steps forward and pounded his fists on the table. “You will tell me where she is!”
The barmaid raced from the room just as Ned returned and shoved the glass into Jack’s hands.
“Have a drink, Milord. It will warm you up.”
Jack frowned but did as he was told only now realising how very thirsty he had become. Jack took a large gulp and then another. When he drained the pint, Jack gave the glass back to Ned who quickly fled the room.
As soon as they were alone with just the three of them the polite masks that had graced the brother’s faces fell away.
“I have always liked you, Cavendish, and that is the only reason you are still standing with all of your teeth,” Edward said sharply. “You have disgraced my cousin and have no right to pursue her now.”
Jack scowled at Edward. “I have no cause for an argument with you. I must speak with her. There has been a misunderstanding.”
Edward raised a brow, and in his haughtiest tone replied, “You have managed to bring low one of the happiest and brightest stars I have ever known. I do not know why we did not intervene before now.”
Andrew drew himself up, fists clenched. “I suppose we never knew how much it hurt Lizzie to be forgotten by you. I hardly remember a time when you were not engaged to her. But to see her cry, no that is too far. “
“What?” Jack expostulated. “I do not believe you. Lizzie never cries. Now, she gets right angry about things—but never cries.”
“She was crying today,” Andrew replied in a low voice. “She thought we could not see the way her tears made silent tracks down her cheeks. I suppose that she did not reckon we would notice the faint way her shoulders shook.”
Edward’s eyes were slits as he added, “I could run you through, Cavendish. I know you are heir to a dukedom, and I am a mere mister. But I do not give one jot about that.”
Jack felt the room tilt just a little.
Was it possible that he had hurt her that much?
Jack tried to clear his thoughts. He had watched her in dozens of situations that would have a grown man sobbing into his cravat. Lizzie hadn’t shed one single tear—until today.
The room seemed to go from freezing to rather warm. In fact, it was so warm that Jack felt like removing his coat.
“I say, are you feeling well?” Andrews voice seemed to be hollow, as if coming from far away.
Why was there so much black in his vision?
Wasn’t the fireplace supposed to be on the other wall
Were the walls moving?
There was a thud as Jack slumped to the floor.
The brother’s looked at each other with a knowing glance before Andrew uttered, “Blast!”
Chapter 6
“Have you killed him?”
Lizzie could scarce believe what her eyes were telling her. Viscount Cavendish, the man that she had loved her entire life, was lying as if dead on the floor. She was frozen in the moment. Surely it couldn’t be happening.
The Rotherford brothers swivelled in unison to see Lizzie with her hand still on the doorknob looking as if she might pass out.
“You were to stay upstairs, Lizzie!” Andrew huffed with exasperation.
His chastisement seemed to free Lizzie from her spell. She rushed to Jack, sinking to the floor, and trying to place his head in her lap. He was dreadfully handsome, even in this terrible circumstance. He had a nasty bump where his head smacked the table. Anger boiled inside of her. How dare her cousins do such a thing?
“How did you do it?” she demanded.
Edward cleared his throat, one dark brow rising, irritating Lizzie to no end. She had a married brother who would give her just such a look when he thought her actions were in haste or foolish. Sadly, that meant she had seen it more times than she wished to count.
Edward began soothingly, “If I might interject a little bit of sanity into this farce—we did not do anything to put the Viscount in such a state.”
Lizzie’s mouth dropped open as she glared at her cousins. It was almost as if they were implying that Jack passed out on his own. A man with Jack’s health and vigour didn’t just fall over without any cause.
In a pinched voice Lizzie asked, “He is lying on the floor as if he was dead. Are you trying to tell me that neither of you had anything to do with this?”
Andrew shrugged innocently as Edward straightened his cravat.
“Neither of you seem very concerned about this! What if you have killed him?”
Andrew’s lip curled up for the briefest of moments. “His chest is moving up and down indicating that he is breathing.”
Edward added, “You can believe what you want, Lizzie. The man came
in here demanding to see you. Ned was only trying to help!”
Ned paled as Lizzie’s head whipped around to see him standing at the door.
“I am sorry Miss. Mr. Rotherford left strict instructions not to admit the Viscount. I was trying to make him sleepy, that’s all.”
Andrew nodded. “Just as I suspected, laudanum?”
Ned’s cheeks were ruddy. “Aye, I must have a heavy hand.”
“Did you give him the entire bottle?” Lizzie tapped Jack’s check and then slapped it, but neither brought any response.
“There is nothing for it but to put him to bed to sleep it off.” Edward said with determination. “He will be fine in the morning.”
That put Lizzie into another panic. This time she realised that once Jack awoke, he would be mighty angry. Not only had she run from him, granted she felt she had just cause, but when chasing after her he ended up drugged with a goose egg to boot!
“We have to leave!” Lizzie promptly stood leaving poor Jack’s head to slump back onto the floor.
“You cannot just leave him here with me!” Ned implored. “The misses and I, what will we do? We have children to think about!”
Ned’s children were in their thirties, but he saw no need to go into specifics at this tender moment.
Andrew frowned. “We are not going back out into that storm.”
“I am,” Lizzie insisted. She turned to leave the room, but Edward was faster. With a swift move, he picked up Lizzie and tucked her under his arm. Despite her flailing she could not touch the ground.
Over her screams for release the gentlemen debated on what would be the best course of action.
“Nobody has to tell Jack that Ned poisoned his drink,” Edward said, causing the older innkeeper to visibly relax. “All we have to do is derive a believable story as to why he blacked out. With a bump that big, surely, he will be foggy as to what happened. Let us suggest another set of events.”
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