Heartbreak and Honor (25 page)

Chapter 28

“What in heaven’s name has happened? Shona, have you been assaulted?” Chagrin coupled with alarm propelled Alexa from the window seat.

Her sister lurched across the room. Sobbing, she threw herself into Alexa’s arms.

Alexa staggered backward several paces. Thank goodness no one seemed to notice the untoward position she and Lucan were in when the others plowed into the salon unannounced.

Shona’s words registered at last.

Minerva wants me dead
?
No. Means to see me dead.

Alexa squeezed her eyes shut against nauseating fear.

“Forgive me. I should have come to you when I first suspected something nefarious, but I was confused. And afraid.” Mouth quivering and eyes red-rimmed, Shona dashed at the tears skimming her rounded cheeks. She clasped Alexa’s forearm. “Please understand, although thrilled to have a sister, I was terrified Mama’s well-laid plans for my life had been disrupted.”

She touched her battered face. “She has a vicious,
vicious
, temper when thwarted.”

“Did she strike you?” How else had Shona acquired her swollen lip and bruises?

Her sister nodded and sniffed. “Yes, although it’s not the first time. I missed last Season due to a severe beating. I refused to marry an ancient lecher with a fat purse.”

Shona’s life hadn’t been what Alexa assumed.

Lucan appeared at Alexa’s side and produced his kerchief. “Here, dry your tears and tell us what has happened. Devaux, I presume you escorted the ladies?”

Alexa veered a covert glance in Seonaid’s direction and found her taking in the room’s decor while pointedly avoiding looking in the baron’s direction. Whatever had occurred between them to cause such a rift?

“
Oui
. I needed to discuss a pressing business matter with Mr. Needham, and when I didn’t find him at the bank, I called at their home.” Lord Devaux-Rousset clasped his hands behind his back, his attention focused on Seonaid once more. “Most fortunate that I did so.”

“Suppose it depends on one’s idea of fortunate, no?” Seonaid murmured with a falsely sweet smile.

Lord Devaux-Rousset’s raven brows rose, and he nonchalantly smoothed his neat mustache. Male appreciation glinted in his dark eyes even as his lips moved the merest bit.

Alexa wrapped an arm about Shona’s waist and guided her to a divan. “Sit and let me have a good look at your injuries.”

Katrina tossed her bonnet and gloves on a table beside a bronze stag statue before plopping beside Shona. “Mama and Papa have gone to pay their respects to the family of one of Papa’s former clerks who passed yesterday. When Shona arrived disheveled, babbling hysterically, and begging to speak with you, Seonaid and I knew at once we must find you.”

“How
did
you find me?” Alexa tilted Shona’s face and suppressed a gasp upon spying partial fingermarks encircling her neck.
Minerva or Harrison
?

“When the duke came for you, he told our butler where you’d be in case someone sought you at Hyde Park.” A naughty smirk teased Katrina’s mouth.

Minx.

Houston rapped upon the doorjamb. “I have taken the liberty of ordering fresh tea and a light repast as well as have asked for cold water, ointment, and cloths for the young lady.”

“Excellent.” Lucan pulled the window covering aside and perused the street. What did he seek?

“Should I send for a physician?” Expression concerned, the majordomo’s troubled regard hovered on Shona.

Alexa blinked.
Why, his proper exterior hides a gallant’s heart.

Shona shook her head. “No, no. Nothing’s broken this time. Just a few cuts and bruises.”

Lucan glanced behind him to Shona huddled on the couch, and frowned. “Houston, please send for Mr. Thaddaeus Palmer of the Bow Street Runners. If he’s not available, request another runner come in his stead. Make sure they are aware the matter is urgent and discretion is mandated.”

Shoulders squared with self-importance, Houston inclined his head. “At once, Your Grace.”

Lucan turned away from the window and straightened his askew waistcoat. Nothing to be done about his awry neckcloth, however.

Had anyone noticed?

Renewed desire spurred Alexa to lower her lashes and focus her wayward thoughts elsewhere, lest someone detect her secret.

Black Hessians appeared in her line of vision. Lord Devaux-Rousset? He would do nicely to distract her from her carnal thoughts. She tilted her chin. “So, my lord, you felt the need to accompany my sister?”

That Seonaid consented to ride in the same carriage as the baron without smacking him with her umbrella indicated much.

“Yes, his lordship insisted on assuming the role of our protector.” Seonaid glided to an armchair and gracefully sank onto the cushion.

Devaux-Rousset’s hawk-like gaze swept her before his lips inched upward. “Lady Atterberry vowed you were in jeopardy,” he said with the slightest French accent. “Given her unkempt state, I felt her concern valid, and I couldn’t permit the ladies to venture outdoors without an armed escort.”

He pushed aside his Spanish-brown greatcoat to reveal a sleek pistol tucked into his waistband.

Lucan perched a hip on the divan’s arm and laid a hand upon Alexa’s shoulder. “Lady Atterberry, why did you think Alexa was in danger?”

Shona darted him a shy glance, before her gaze skittered away, and she lifted one shoulder. “I’ve known for some time that Mama and Uncle are involved in something . . .
untoward
. I overheard snatches of conversations, which made no sense, and more than once,” her face glowed crimson, “I saw Uncle Harrison sneak from Mama’s chamber.”

“Harrison in Minerva’s chamber?” Alexa’s gaze collided with Lucan’s before careening to Katrina’s and Seonaid’s mutually flabbergasted expressions.

“Yes.” Shona tittered, pinkening. Her embarrassed snigger ended abruptly, and she touched her injured mouth. “Mama often sent me to bed without supper. I’m too plump, you see.”

All women were too plump compared to Minerva’s pole thin figure.

Katrina made a tsking sound, her robin’s-egg blue eyes sparking angrily.

Shona grimaced then scowled at her full middle. “I learned to pick the lock and often sneaked to the kitchen when my hunger grew too awful to bear.”

“You poor dear. How often did she lock you in your chamber?” Katrina grasped Shona’s hand, and the girl bestowed a grateful smile on her.

“Oh, Mama locked me in every night.” Shona winked, or at least tried to. Her reddened, puffed-up eye scarcely moved. “But once I learned to escape, I prowled the house, spying on them.”

Her sister possessed more mettle than Alexa had credited her.

“How clever and daring. I’m sure your excursions proved interesting.” Lucan grazed Alexa’s shoulder with his fingertips.

Shona nodded, so eager for approval that Alexa’s stomach ached in compassion.

A shadow passed across Shona’s face, and she pursed her lips, her focus fixed upon her tattered slippers.

“Forgive me, Alexa, for not saying anything sooner. I saw Mama steal the letter from your papa when no one paid attention. She stuffed it into her reticule. The moment we got home, she and Uncle Harrison sequestered themselves in the study.”

Shona twisted her lips and wrinkled her nose. “Mercy, the row they had.”

Houston re-entered the room. “Here, miss. It’s ice cold.”

She gratefully accepted the damp cloth Houston handed her and patted at her discolored face.

“How did you learn what happened, Miss Atterberry?” Lord Devaux-Rousset stood behind Seonaid’s chair.

“I know I’m wicked, but I took the letter and read it. Then I hid it.” Shona inhaled a ragged breath. “Your nurse had been Steafan’s too, Alexa. He trusted her more than anyone else, according to what I overheard, eavesdropping on Mama. She said Harrison and her cousin caught Nurse sneaking you away.”

The doll’s shoe beneath the willow.

Tears surged to Shona’s eyes. “That beastly cousin killed the poor thing and dumped her body, heaven knows where.”

Oh, God.

Such evil boggled Alexa’s mind. “Probably in the same area my mother found me hiding.”

She scarcely believed what Shona had revealed. At great risk to herself, her sister had sought Alexa to protect her.

“The letter?” Lucan prompted, kindly.

“They beat me, but I wouldn’t tell them where I concealed it. I knew you’d need it as evidence, Alexa.” Pride colored her words as she opened her reticule. She handed Alexa the badly crumpled paper. “Here. Read it.”

“Thank you.” Alexa turned the missive over. A long, jagged tear bore witness to the missive’s violent opening.

“When they left the house today, I picked the lock and practically ran the distance to the Needhams’ to warn you.” Shoulders sagging, Shona drooped against the divan, dejection crumpling her face. Biting her lips and wringing her hands, tears trickled from her eyes.

“Mama plans to hire someone to kill you. For your inheritance.”

Katrina choked on a ragged gasp.

“The devil you say!” Lucan sprang to his feet, his nostrils flared and eyes glinting threateningly.

“I’m a despicable daughter for betraying my mother, but I couldn’t let them harm you.” Giving a wobbly smile, Shona winced when her lip’s dried blood cracked anew. “I’m sure you must hate me, Alexa, because the committee awarded me the title. I’m not sure who was more surprised, Mama, Uncle Harrison, or me.”

“You are not a despicable daughter, and I don’t hate you. You risked so much to deliver the truth to me, which says a great deal about your honorable character.” Alexa squeezed Shona’s hand. “I much prefer you have the title.”

“Truly?” Doubt warred with hope in her eyes. “Mama said it went to me because the Hinton sisters’ cousin was on the committee, and he abhors Scots and gypsies. He persuaded the others to vote against you.”

Well, at least Alexa knew the why of it now.

Shona dropped her gaze and fiddled with her cuff’s torn lace. “I feel just dreadful, Alexa. The barony should have gone to you.”

“Miss Shona, you’ll have to tell the runner what you’ve seen and heard.” Though softly spoken, the gravity of Lucan’s words struck home. “The scandal will be immense, perchance even insurmountable, but they cannot be allowed to commit murder or remain free.”

“I know.” Shona sucked her lower lip into her mouth, fresh tears balancing on her stumpy lashes. “I . . . I don’t want to be like her.”

“You’re not, Shona. You’ve already proven that.” Alexa embraced her. “You have me now, and my family.”

Teary-eyed, Katrina nodded and hugged Shona. “Yes, we shall pretend to be sisters too.”

Alexa unfolded the wrinkled mess. Neat writing covered the page, and she tried to smooth the creases. She couldn’t read the lone communication she’d ever receive from her father while observed by others, keen interest riddling their gazes, as they gauged her reaction.

“Excuse me.” She retreated to the window seat once more. The day’s gloom had deepened further, and an occasional snowflake sifted from the sky onto the deserted street. Angling her back to them, she read and reread the words.

If you are reading this, my beloved Alexa, then I’m dead.

Forgive me for sending you away, but I had to be positive you were safe, that Minerva couldn’t find you until you were old enough to read this and know the danger she presents to you.

Whatever you do, my darling daughter, do not trust her. Ever. I learned too late that I had been taken in by the scheming witch . . .

After refolding the letter, Alexandra held it to her chest. How her heart ached for a man she barely remembered astonished her, but the biting pain throbbed fiercely.

“I think we should return home and tell Mama and Papa what has occurred.” Katrina’s soft voice yanked Alexa back to the salon.

She sighed and stood. “That’s wise.”

Sliding on her gloves, Katrina tilted her head. “Shona, I’m sure they will want you to stay with us until this, er, situation is sorted out.”

Until Minerva and Harrison are apprehended and jailed, you mean.

Alexa
caught Lucan regarding her, concern shimmering in his eyes the same shade of deep gray as the laden skies. “Alexa, I’d like you to remain until the Bow Street Runner arrives, then we’ll also return to the Needhams’, and Miss Shona can tell the runner what she knows.”

“Of course.” If she’d an inkling of today’s impending events, Alexa would have remained abed, her head firmly buried beneath her pillows. Pasting a smile on her face, she bid the others farewell. “I’ll be home after I’ve given the runner a statement. Katrina, please make sure Shona has a bath and meal. She can share my chamber.”

Lucan shook the baron’s hand. “Devaux, are you able to stay at the Needhams’ until the authorities arrive, in case the dowager or Peterson dares to call? They are not to be admitted.”