A Grave Inheritance (42 page)

James jumped to his feet, and I quickly followed suit. The rumple of paper caught my attention, and I glimpsed a letter clenched tightly in the duke’s other hand.

Sophie curtsied. “As you will, Your Grace. I shall let her ladyship know.” She dashed from the room.

He glared at James. “Did you agree to play nursemaid to Miss Kilbrid again? Or did my son strong-arm you into the role?”

Nursemaid, indeed!
I pressed my lips together hard to keep from saying something I would soon regret.

James shook his head. “No, Your Grace. I came here to ask Miss Kilbrid of Lord Fitzalan’s possible route.”

“Have you learned anything?” The duke didn’t wait a reply before turning to me. “Where is my son?”

Once again, I was struck by the sensation that the man could turn me inside out with only his eyes. More footsteps came from the hallway, hurried as though people were running.

James cleared his throat. “Your Grace, we have a good understanding that he has gone to We—”

“What an unexpected surprise,” Cate said in a clear voice that preceded her physical form by a split second. Coming into the library, she ignored James and me, and went straight to the duke. “I would have met you in the drawing room, Your Grace, but I was waylaid by Lucy Goodwin. It seems the poor lady overheard two of the servants discussing her daughter. From what I can gather, Nora performed on stage tonight at Drury Lane and then ran off with a beggar child. Lucy is beside herself with grief.”

Tom came in a few steps behind Cate. He didn’t say a word, but went to the perimeter of the room to lean against the wall, his arms crossed casually over his chest.

The duke eyed the blacksmith, taking in the whole of the man. A small frown settled on his mouth when he returned his attention to Cate. “That is precisely why I am here, my lady. Lord Fitzalan has gone in pursuit of Nora and this beggar child who is said to have used dark magic against my footmen. I sought out Miss Kilbrid to learn their destination.”

James cleared his throat. “Your Grace, I know where they’re going, and will follow after Lord Fitzalan forthwith. If you could supply some men, I am certain we can get Nora to safety and bring the girl to justice. Time though, is of the ess—”

The duke sliced a perturbed hand through the air. “The Quaker girl is not my concern.”

“But Your Grace—” James started.

I jumped from the sharp crack of the duke’s cane against the wood floor. “Lord Fitzalan is my only child and heir. I almost lost him once this past spring, and will not put him at risk again. If Nora has decided to run away with the devil, it is her people’s responsibility to see to her safety. Not mine and not Henry’s.”

James exhaled sharply. “Other than her mother and Miss Kilbrid, all of Nora’s people are in the Colonies at present. To wait could mean her death. Unless your grace proposes that two ladies go off unattended in search for her.”

The duke scowled at me. “I would hope that Miss Kilbrid has more sense. She is most valuable to my son, and should stay in London to await his return.”

I crossed my arms in a huff. “I will do no such thing. Nora is my dearest friend. To abandon her could be paramount to murder.”

“That is your choice Miss Kilbrid, but be certain, my son will have no part of it. Now tell me, where has he gone?”

Tom shifted his weight against the wall. “Beg your pardon,” he said, in a voice that defied the very concept of begging. “I’ve heard of late that the Fitzalans have some claim to Irish blood. From a grandmother if my memory serves right.”

The duke glared at me before turning a sharp eye on Tom. “What of it?”

Tom shrugged. “Nothing of it, your grace. I was just curious as to her surname.”

The ticking of the mantel clock punctuated the tense seconds. “Her name was Lundlam,” the duke said dismissively.

“That’s an English name.” Authority and challenge laced Tom’s words. “What was the family called before they left Ireland?”

The duke stood stone still with an expression as empty as the silence. “Her name was O’Lughnane,” he said after a long moment.

Cate’s gaze did not leave the duke’s face, though her eyes widened ever so slightly. “How very interesting,” she said. “Please forgive me, your grace, but perhaps we can continue this discussion in the morning. I must return to Lucy, and desire Miss Kilbrid to accompany me. With her daughter gone, I believe a face from home will provide the greatest comfort.”

“Of course, my lady,” the duke said, pulling his gaze from the blacksmith. “Just as soon as I know where my son has gone. Miss Kilbrid, the location if you please.”

My shoulders tightened stubbornly. The duke stared at me. I stared back, prepared for a full-scale contest if need be.

“Your Grace,” James said calmly. “Miss Kilbrid told me their destination.”

I shot James a look of warning.
Don’t you dare tell him!
As much as I wanted Henry home, at present he was all that stood between Nora and the wretch.

“Yes, James,” the duke prodded.

“To France, Your Grace. Nora and the beggar girl are riding toward Dover to secure passage across the channel.”

My mouth popped open in surprise. I snapped it shut just as quickly.

“Thank you, James,” the duke said. “And the location of the oak grove?”

A confused pause followed.
How do you know about that?

“I don’t understand, Your Grace,” James said cautiously. “Lord Fitzalan said nothing of a grove.”

The duke gripped his cane until his knuckles turned white from fury. The letter crinkled in his other hand. “Perhaps a night at the Tower will help your memory—”

I blurted out the first place that came to mind. “It’s near Paris. On the bank of the Seine.”

The duke breathed a relieved sigh. “That wasn’t so hard, now was it, Miss Kilbrid?”

“Not at all,” I said truthfully.

A thin smile did little to soften his expression. “James, a party of men will leave at first light if you wish to accompany us. With luck we can cut Henry off before there is time to sail. Otherwise, we shall be for Paris.” He raked me with a look of stern disapproval. “Try to stay out of trouble while we’re gone, Miss Kilbrid. From what I’ve heard that beggar child has the devil about her, and should be avoided at all cost.”

I stifled a bitter laugh. “How very astute—”

“Thank you for the concern, your grace,” Cate interrupted. “This child sounds a menace of the worst sort, and I can personally assure you that Miss Kilbrid will remain in London and tend to Lucy Goodwin while Henry is away.” Her expression held a different type of sternness, one that expected absolute obedience. “Let me accompany you to the door. With so much to do, dawn will be here before you know it.”

The duke didn’t move at once. He studied my face for a moment longer before tossing the rumpled letter on the floor near my feet. “Henry left this for you, Miss Kilbrid. The servant tasked with delivering it saw the wisdom of placing it in my care.” He turned toward Cate. “I am done here, my lady.” He offered an arm and they left the library together.

I picked up the letter. The broken seal flapped loose as I tucked it into the folds of my gown.

Tom pushed away from the wall. “I’ll see myself out.” He went a few steps, then stopped. “Selah, just so we’re clear, you are to listen to Lady Dinley and stay in London. The two of us will see to Deri. Do you understand?”

“Perfectly,” I said. For the second time that night, I had been instructed to stay out of the way. What my great grandparents failed to understand though, was that I didn’t always do as I was told.

I spun toward James the moment the door clicked shut. His gaze dropped to the letter. “Read it,” he said. “I would know Lord Fitzalan’s intentions before we act.”

The parchment shook slightly when I unfolded the creases and skimmed the hastily penned words.

My Dearest Selah,

Please forgive me for leaving you once more in James’s care. I take full responsibility for what befell Nora at the theater, and refuse to place others in danger for my errors. Neither will I allow those who claim my best interest to put me aside while Deri is still at large. My wish is for you to remain in London at Lady Dinley’s. As there is little chance of this, I will do all in my power to finish this folly before you reach the oak grove. Upon my soul, once this matter is resolved, I shall claim the right to call you mine forever.

HF

I dropped my arm to my side. Henry knew me well. So well, in fact, he hadn’t expected me to stay behind while he ran headfirst into danger.

James shifted his weight. “What have you learned, Miss Kilbrid?”

How could I tell James that Henry intended to defeat death and gain life? Would he believe me? Would he understand that even the best of intentions sometimes went awry?

I sighed. “He is headed for Wexford to find Deri and Nora. I...I believe he means for us to join him there.”

James’s eyes locked on mine, and for half a heartbeat, a question hung in the air between us.
What will it be?

“Do we have an agreement, Miss Kilbrid?”

The options were far from enviable. Banned from joining Cate and Tom, I could either set out on my own or accompany a man I detested above all others. As much as I wanted to deny it, there was power in numbers, and even our meager two would increase the chances of success.

I nodded. “Anything to bring Nora and Henry back safely.”

“You have an hour. Pack sparingly and be prepared to ride.”

I darted a look toward the windows. “Are we to go in the dark?”

James gave a mirthless laugh. “I am sufficiently familiar with the westerly roads to find our way.”

“As you wish. There’s an old well in Cate’s back gardens. We can meet—”

He shushed me with an abrupt hand. Then his eyes narrowed and his head tilted toward the French doors. I followed his gaze, and saw that one remained ajar a fraction of an inch after Tom left.

Damnation!
The last thing I needed was for my overly protective grandfather to have overheard our plans.

James moved on silent feet to the door and yanked it the rest of the way open. A sharp cry followed as a man stumbled off balance into the library.

“What are you doing?” James demanded.

Standing upright, the young footman yanked his waistcoat straight. “Nothing, sir. Ye caught me off guard is all.” Color stained his cheeks, just as it had the day he had flirted with my maid.

“I caught you eavesdropping,” James snapped. “Did someone send you or are you snooping of you own accord?”

My eyes went to the letter he held in one hand, to the demi lion rampant over the letter S pressed into the red wax seal. I tensed at once. “Who is that letter for?”

“No one, miss.”

My stare narrowed to match James’s. “I assure you, Lord Stroud did not send a letter to no one. Now tell me who it’s addressed to or I shall find out for myself.”

The footman edged back a step. James moved with him. “It arrived for me, miss, not but five minutes ago.”

James crossed his arms in disbelief. “And why would Lord Stroud be writing to a servant at this hour?”

“He...” The young man cut his eyes toward me before looking back to James. “His lordship has asked that I keep him informed of Miss Kilbrid’s whereabouts.”

Indignation jumped like hot pins through my skin, and I clenched my teeth to keep from screaming the next question. “How long have you been working for his lordship?”

“He first inquired about ye the night her ladyship brought ye to meet the king.”

“That dirty rat—”

“And the letter,” James interrupted.

“Lord Stroud was at the theater when the riot broke out tonight. This letter is him asking for confirmation that Miss Kilbrid arrived home safe and sound.” The young man gave me a pleading look. “That’s all, miss. His lordship was just worried for yer welfare and passed along a few coins for me to keep an extra eye since ye got in town.”

A brief pause lapsed. “How long had you been listening at the door?” James asked.

“Less than a minute, sir.”

I raised a suspicious brow.

“Sophie can swear it,” he rushed. “She saw me stand for the Duke of Norland when he left.”

I sighed ready to be done with the interchange. “Very well, you may assure Lord Stroud that I am safe.” My stare turned to nails. “And that I’ve eyes enough on me already without adding his to the company.”

The footman bowed, his relief evident. “Aye, miss. I’ll inform his lordship at once.” He spun on his heel and hurried out of sight.

“Do you think he’s lying about Lord Stroud’s intentions?” I asked after a moment.

James scrubbed a hand over his face. “I don’t give one whit why his lordship paid him to watch you, so long as the duke and Lady Dinley remain ignorant of our plans.” He grabbed his great coat from the armchair. “Meet me at the well in one hour, Miss Kilbrid.”

My resolve hardened to a sheath of armor. “I’ll be ready.”

With a curt nod, James strode from the room.

Alone once more, I went to the hearth and took a precious minute to get my mind in order. There was too much at stake to waste time on Julian’s crime. So I cursed him for a scoundrel and shoved him aside with the silent promise of a future reckoning. Richard Fitzalan met a similar fate, swiftly forgotten as he would soon be for France.

Cate and Tom could not be dismissed with the same aplomb. They wanted me to remain in London, and heaven knew how far they would go to get their way. But the board was set, the first pieces moved, and James had given me an hour to play the obedient granddaughter before I slipped unnoticed through the walls. We each had choices to make, and nothing short of death would stop me from following after Nora.

A fresh wave of nausea rolled through my stomach. For hours now, my dearest friend had been traveling in the company of a devil. The blame was mine to shoulder from the selfishness that had bridled my tongue. To protect my own secret, I had refused to share the truth about Deri. And now the truth laid bare at Nora’s feet.