Sweet Treason (Entangled Ignite) (21 page)

The wine was beginning to heat her stomach and make her a bit light-headed. Had she heard right? Marriage? “Me? You want to marry me?”

Sir Edmund smiled widely and brushed an imaginary speck of dust from his coat sleeve. “Unless you wish to be denounced as a spy and a traitor. And Sutton, of course. Why, I’d denounce Devaux and that charming little sister of yours just to get what I want. And others—were your servants involved? And perhaps even our hosts?”

Denounced?
Emily had never noticed how cold Sir Edmund’s eyes were. They actually gleamed in the darkness of the folly. She began to feel sick to her stomach.

“You asked me what I wanted, Miss Nevins. Well, I want
you
. And I want your inheritance. I thought Dodge was quite mad when he first proposed it, and that we’d share the assets, but it has all worked out rather nicely. For me. With Dodge eliminated, I will not have to share.”

“Mr. Dodge proposed this?”

“Not quite. He proposed I woo you, win you, and wed you. But you were elusive. Between Devaux and Sutton, I could scarcely find you alone. Cannot tell you how delighted I was to find you back in town. Second chances, eh? And Fate delivered me the exact means to acquire you.”

“Oh, I do not think—”

“I have the power to destroy you, Miss Nevins, and everyone you love.
Everyone
. And that is why I am so certain we will marry.”

From Dodge to Jennings—frying pan to fire. Emily would have laughed if she wasn’t so heartsick. “Ours will not be a tender marriage, will it, Sir Edmund?”

“Not likely, but I will break you if it is the last thing I do.”

“I shall hope that is prophetic, Sir Edmund.”

His right eye twitched, and he moved with such uncharacteristic speed that she had no time to duck. His right fist connected with her left temple and knocked her sideways. She was stunned as a burst of light and a wave of pain simultaneously engulfed her.

“I do not give a damn what you hope, but you will learn to hold your shrewish tongue. I am tired of your insolence. Henceforth, any opposition will be met with discipline. Do you understand?”

The tone of his voice raised the hair on the back of her neck. She wanted to reply, but her throat closed, and she couldn’t utter a word. She was more afraid of Sir Edmund in that moment than she’d ever been of Ryan. Even when he’d held a pistol to her back and made her lie to the soldiers.

Ah, but there was a sliver of hope, and she would grasp at it for all she was worth. She cleared her throat and prayed for a steady voice. If Sir Edmund sensed weakness— “If…if we marry, you will not denounce them? They will be safe?”

He looked amused. “You are hardly in a position to make bargains, Miss Nevins.”

“Why should I consent if there is no advantage to me?”

“Ah, here we are, the coldhearted farm girl. The advantage to you is that you will live.”

“Perhaps I would not want to live if everyone I love is gone. ’Tis true I stand to hang if you tell what you heard, but that threat will only work as long as I
want
to live. If death looks more agreeable to me, sir, I’ll tell what I know about
you
. That you are a blackmailer who would put his own wants above his country. Not a single respectable family in England would entertain you once I am done. And I’d hang with a smile on my face. But swear to leave Mr. Sutton, Lucy, the Davises, and Lord Devaux in peace, and I will say my vows to you. Otherwise….” She shrugged to show her indifference.

“I suspect Sutton is your first concern, is he not? For all that you quarrel, I see the way you look at him.” Sir Edmund tilted his head to one side. “No matter. I have terms, too. We will marry, and you will be quite obedient. At my beck and call in all things, m’dear. All things.” He smiled, and she shivered. “I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to that.”

Oh, Lord! She couldn’t think about that right now.

“Are we agreed?” His voice was brisk and matter-of-fact.

The horror of such a fate sunk in. “And if I do
not
consent to your terms?”

“You will. At least when we stand before a minister. The rest…” he shrugged, “will not trouble me to accomplish without consent. Why, there
is
no law to prevent me from taking whatever I want, whenever and however I please, once we are wed.”

“But—”

“Have I not made myself perfectly clear? If you do not stand before a minister and say “aye” to me, Lord Devaux, Ryan Sutton, Miss Lucy, the Davises and Emily Nevins will be swinging from the gallows.”

“They know nothing of this!”

“D’you think the magistrates will believe that? Are you willing to stake their lives upon it?”

“How can you think happiness lies at the end of this?”

“Your inheritance will buy me all the happiness I need. And I confess that having you to use as I please will give me considerable pleasure. Even more so if you continue to defy me. Yes, I like a bit of fight in my women. Janet, the delightful little trollop, has already suggested a ménage a trois. The very definition of happiness, eh?”

Emily felt nauseated. Now she knew what Miss Turner had been hinting at.

Miss Turner. The masquerade. The robed man in the library. A bloody slash in the left arm of the robe. All of it came to her in a rush.
Sir
Edmund
had been Janet’s lover that night!
Sir
Edmund
had taunted Lord Peele into suicide.

Without thinking, she rose and reached across the distance to grip his upper left arm and squeeze to confirm her suspicion.

Sir Edmund winced and grunted in pain as he came out of his chair to deliver a punishing jab to her stomach. The blow knocked her back onto the sofa, and she doubled over, gasping for air. Retaliation would be foolhardy. They were too far from the festivities to hope for help.

Oh! She’d been such a fool. There had to be a way out. But what?

He laughed again, as if he had read her mind. “Do not think you can escape, my little heiress. You know I would do all I’ve promised. All I need is an excuse. Just the tiniest little excuse. Are you going to give me one, m’dear? Hmm?”

Emily curled her fingers into claws and clenched her fists. Only the pain of her nails cutting into her palms and fear for her loved ones kept her from launching herself at him.

“No.”

Chapter Nineteen

Brock and Devaux paced and cursed as Emily had never heard them curse before. She was quite dull-witted after two nights with no rest. Even with her wits about her, how could explain the unexplainable?

“Holy Mother of God!” Devaux finally wound down. “I’d credited you with more brains!”

Lucy’s knuckles were white where they gripped the arms of her chair.

“Let her explain—” Brock began.

“Explain? There are no explanations for such idiocy! A child of two has better sense than to do what she’s done! And damned Jennings has been spreading it all over town today, making it deucedly difficult, or impossible, for her to recant.”

“Lord Devaux, let Emily speak,” Lucy pleaded.

“Speak, then,” he conceded. “But you’d better have a damned good reason for what you’ve done!”

For marrying Edmund? She did, but she could never tell them. Her eyes filled with hot tears. “I…I don’t know why I consented. Edmund was so…uh, persuasive. He convinced me that marriage to him was my only choice.” That came as close to the truth as she dared without embroiling them in the whole sordid mess.

“Only choice? Good God, Emmy!” Brock howled. “There are dozens of men who would have you. Dozens! The only thing Ed Jennings wants is to get beneath your skirts! And your fortune would make a tidy little bonus.”

“Brock!” Lucy blushed.

“Nay, now is not the time for pretty words. Plain speaking will serve us best. Well, Emily? What d’you say to that?”

“Desire plays a part in all romances.”

Devaux tore at his hair and loomed over Emily threateningly. “Curse it all! ’Tis as much my fault as yours. I’ve always known what Jennings is, yet I allowed you to see him, because I knew he’d dare not abuse any woman under my protection.”

He was wrong, but… “Perhaps you’d best tell me what you mean,” she said.

“I should have told you the next day, but I thought you unlikely to countenance Jennings after what you saw the night…well. More the fool, I!”

“Will you just tell me rather than hint, Devaux?”

“The night I escorted you and Theodora Dodge to the theater, well, ’twas Jennings who attacked the orange girl. Sutton thrashed him soundly, but he was back at his tricks soon enough.”

No wonder Jennings hated them all. And no wonder he’d take delight in denouncing them. None of this surprised her now, though she felt the blood leave her face. “Edmund is my future—”

“No!” Lucy wailed. “Emmy, do not act in haste. Go slowly. Please?”

“I shall think the matter through carefully, but if I decide to honor my vow to Edmund, you must say no more about it. We could not continue our friendship, else.”

“If you marry Ed Jennings, ’tis an end to our friendship there,” Devaux growled.

Lucy buried her face in her hands. “Oh…”

“No, Miss Lucy.
I
would never end the friendship,” he said. “Edmund will. He will never allow your sister to nurture more powerful friends than his. He’ll cut her off from all who would aid her. Unless he can find a way to use me to further himself.”

Would Sir Edmund turn to blackmailing Devaux, using his friendship with her to hint at his guilt of something more once they were married? She couldn’t bear the thought. “I shall consider all you’ve told me,” she said as she stood and headed back to her room.

Alone, she threw herself on her bed and cried until there were no tears left. She must find a way out of this infernal mess. But today Sir Edmund was acquiring a special license, and tomorrow, he expected her to say her vows. And, deep in her heart, she knew that none of them would ever be safe again.

…

Evening had fallen before Lucy finally intruded on Emily’s seclusion. She stood by the hearth in her room, staring into the fire as she’d done all afternoon.

“But Emily, you haven’t left your room since Devaux told you about Sir Edmund. If you are not ill, then what ails you?” Lucy pleaded.

She wished she could tell Lucy the labyrinth of lies, deceits, and treachery her life had become. But she knew too well that to know it was to become a part of it, and she would not condemn her sister to that. She remained silent.

“You’ll have to come out sooner or later, Emily. Sir Edmund has called twice. He seems quite angry that you will not see him.”

Again, Emily shook her head, finding words beyond her.

“Well, at least Devaux has something besides you to worry over now. He nearly forgot this problem in all the excitement.”

“What excitement?”

“Mr. Sutton has been arrested for treason.”

Stunned, Emily sank into a low chair. Sir Edmund would never have exposed Ryan—that was his strongest hold over her, and he knew it. Perhaps the leak Ryan had spoken about had discovered and exposed him. How ironic that Sir Edmund’s plans had been overreached by an unknown ally. But that would do her no good, because there were still Devaux and Lucy she must protect. She was safe enough for the time being, because Sir Edmund would want her to suffer and would need a firm hold on her inheritance before he could rid himself of her.

“His trial is to start next week. He’s accused of spying! Devaux says the evidence is conclusive, and the trial is a mere formality. Oh, Emily, the situation is very grim. Devaux said they are readying the gallows at Tyburn even now.”

Emily pressed her temples where the pounding had begun again.

“Devaux said he suspected something of the sort for quite some time. He said he tried to warn Mr. Sutton, but there’s very little he can do to help him now. He said he would bribe the guards so that Mr. Sutton will have better food and a private cell, but that is likely all he can manage.”

Something between panic and fury seized Emily in a tight grip. She embraced the anger, so pure and strong that it cleared her head. She stood and clenched her fists, her mind finally beginning to function again. Sir Edmund had almost made her forget who she was. But Ryan’s words reminded her.

You’re a fighter, Emmy.

“Oh, you
do
love him!” Lucy exclaimed. “I knew it! I can see it on your face! Emily, I’m so sorry. But at least you aren’t involved in this. Thank heavens for that much.”

If Lucy only knew…thank God her sister had Devaux and Brock to protect her. Emily sniffed and hugged herself tightly, “Lucy, I have an idea, but I need time to think.” Whatever it took, whatever was necessary, she would do.

“Sir Edmund said he would be back in an hour. What shall I tell him?”

“I shall see him in the parlor when he returns. Meantime, send me Bridey.”

Lucy gave her an encouraging smile and a sigh of relief. “Yes, of course. Oh, Emmy, I am relieved to see you are better. I was so worried. Devaux, too.”

Alone again, Emily tried to force order to her chaotic thoughts. Like pieces of a puzzle, half-formed fragments and ideas began to form. Ryan was going to hang because of Sir Edmund, that unredeemable reprobate. Why, she’d rather hang with Ryan than marry Edmund.

Ryan… Edmund… The plan began to take shape.

…

Emily stared out the window where dense gray storm clouds were gathering, the sort that hinted at heavy rains for days to come. “I don’t care if Ryan is guilty of treason, I…I love him. I think I always have.”

Bridey sighed sympathetically. “Oh, my poor dear. If there were only something we could do. But do not worry about Oak Hill. The Major will die before he gives you away.”

“There may be something we can do, but it’s all or nothing, Bridey. Are you willing?”

Bridey barely hesitated. “Aye. For you, miss. And for the major.”

Emily sat at the little escritoire in one corner and pulled paper and ink from the drawer.

“You mustn’t tell a soul, not even Lucy.” She scratched a few lines across the paper, folded and sealed it with a drop of red wax, and handed it to Bridey along with coins from her purse. “Hire the fastest courier you can find to carry this to Sussex at once and place it in Simon’s hands only. Pay him well, and tell him if he does not rest before he has delivered it, there will be more upon his return.”

Bridey took the letter and the coins Emily gave her and nodded her understanding. “Aye, miss.”

“And take care you are not followed, Bridey. There may be trouble coming our way. Who knows if the king’s men might be watching even now.”

“I’ll keep an eye out for ’em, miss.”

When Bridey closed the door behind her, Emily went back to the desk, removed another piece of foolscap, and dipped a quill in ink.
My dear Devaux, if you are reading this, you will know what I’ve done. Forgive me, if you can. Herein is an account of the things I’ve done to insure Lucy’s future, and mine. Though my future is forfeit, I know, my honorable Devaux, that you will do all you can to insure Lucy’s inheritance and shield her from my folly. You see, I…

Half an hour later, Bridey appeared in her doorway. “I done as you said, miss. But that nasty Jennings fellow is in the parlor waiting for you.”

“I shall see him now, Bridey. Directly after he is gone, I must go out for a bit.”

…

Talented in a ruse from her earliest experiences with Henry Dodge, Emily now outdid herself with Sir Edmund. “As we are to be married, I think you should understand the true nature of my relationship with Ryan Sutton.” She paced in the Davis parlor, the doors closed, to keep him from touching her.

He watched her from his chair, a suspicious light in his pale eyes. “Have you seen reason, Emily? Are you currying my favor?”

“Yes…yes,” she answered impatiently. “But I must explain, because there is something I would ask of you.”

“Tell me, then.”

“Mr. Sutton tricked me into passing the information you overheard. He used me for his own purposes, Sir Edmund! I was relieved to hear he will hang. Glad! Now I am free to tell the truth. I want a measure of personal vengeance, but I am afraid to do it alone.”

“What do you have in mind?”

“I want to…to slap his face, to sneer at him. I want to show him that he has not ruined my life.” She whirled, facing Sir Edmund with an earnest expression. “Take me to Newgate. Stand by my side when I confront Mr. Sutton and denounce him. Demonstrate to him that you are stronger and smarter and that we will dance at his hanging and celebrate his burial. Do this for me, Sir Edmund, and I will give you everything you want for the rest of your life. Help me, and I will be your willing servant.”

His cold eyes narrowed. “Interesting proposition. Why do you not simply go by yourself?”

“I do not know how to arrange such a thing. Who to approach. When to go. How to keep from being seen. And…I fear he will retaliate.”

“Hmm. I confess I am intrigued.”

Encouraged, she wondered if she could add temptation to the mix. If Sir Edmund found Janet Turner alluring, she would follow the woman’s lead. She took a little breath and forced a smile as she crossed the room to his chair. She trailed a finger along the rim of his ear and ended up at his mouth, the tip of her finger coming to rest on his lower lip. She gave him what she hoped was a seductive sigh as she traced her lips with her tongue.

Edmund smiled, and she knew he was considering her proposition. Perhaps aroused. Taking a page from Janet Turner’s book was easier than she’d thought.

“Have you really forgotten your anger at me so soon?”

Emily barely hesitated. “Now that I am free from Mr. Sutton, I am free to be myself. Yes, I have put it behind me, now that I know why you did it.”

“Why did I do it, Miss Nevins?” he tested.

“I tend to willfulness, and you found it necessary to demonstrate that you are my master now. I…I had baited you unmercifully, and you had a right to retribution. You needed to show me your strength. I can only be grateful you did no worse. But there is something I must know, if you please. Miss Turner—how much does she know about me? About our arrangement?”

“Just that I know something that convinced you to marry me.”

“She does not know what that secret is?”

“Why?”

She gave him another sloe eyed smile. “The balance of power, Edmund.” She went around his chair and leaned over to whisper in his ear. “I do not mind being
your
slave, but I will not have her over me in your attentions. I do not want her to have anything to bribe me with.”

He laughed. “How delightful. But never worry. I never share my secrets. What good are they if everyone knows? Janet knows nothing of this. Please me, and Janet will have to be content with your leavings.”

Thank heavens their secret had gone no further. She nipped his ear lobe and tugged, hiding her relief. “Then I shall have to please you very well, indeed, and leave very little for her.”

A grin split his face. “Excellent! You begin to understand me, my dear. You are so sensible you surprise me. Our marriage will be titillating, now that we are attuned. Once I teach you the finer nuances of pain and pleasure—”

A chill of fear coiled up her spine. “Yes, yes! But will you take me to Newgate or not?”

“If that is all you will ask of me in exchange for our wedding afterward, of course. Now that I think upon it, I should like to see Sutton’s face when you denounce him. And when he realizes that I have won.”

“Then you will take me to Newgate?”

“Do you agree to lift your skirts afterward?”

Her heart stopped, and she blinked. Would he believe such a bald lie? Oh, but if her planned failed…no, she couldn’t think of that now. Unable to speak the words, she merely nodded.

His eyes lowered to her breasts, and she exhaled a little sigh of relief. He’d believed her.

“We have a bargain, my little novitiate. This will be worth delaying our wedding by a day. It would not be prudent to go openly. I shall come for you tomorrow night. I need time to make preparations for us, and to bribe a gaoler. I shall send you word when everything has been arranged.”

Sir Edmund really did think of everything. A lifetime of underhanded dealings had taught him well. “Whatever you wish, Edmund. Shall I wear a cloak with a hood so we will not be recognized? Shall I find one for you?”