The Countess Intrigue (19 page)

T
he steward had left
the room by the time they returned, leaving the butler to watch the errant footman. Justice was frustrated that he would not be able to discuss with him what they had learned from Fred, the footman, before he had left.

“Mr. Patrick, have you seen my steward?”

“He just left, my lord. He said he was going to catch a traitor. I thought you had sent him, my lord.” The butler was surprised by Justice’s question.

“In a manner of speaking, I did send him. I just wanted to have a few words with him before he left is all. Do not trouble yourself.”

Once more he clenched his jaw in frustration and stalked from the room. He found his wife pacing in the upper hallway.

“Is aught amiss with you, my dear lady?” She stopped in her tracks and he took her cold hands in his.

“Nothing is amiss except for the obvious, my lord. I cannot abide this waiting. It was better when I was questioning the servants, it gave me something to do.” Justice grew wary when she turned to him with a pleading gaze. “Couldn’t we go into the village and start asking questions? Now that we know most of the facts, it shouldn’t be that difficult to get the rest of the tale.”

“Absolutely not, my dear. I am not letting you out of my sight or out of this house until we have your assailant captured.”

He almost chuckled as she threw him a disgruntled look. “Truly, my lord, what if this doesn’t get straightened out today, or this week? Are we both going to be confined here, cowering in fear? That is not how I intend to live my life.” She renewed her pacing and Justice could not blame her for being frustrated and upset. He tried to distract her.

“How is your arm feeling today, my dear? Would you feel up to having that billiards lesson you were hoping for?”

It was impossible to contain his laughter as she looked at him with warring expressions of delight and disgust on her face. “You are just trying to turn me up sweet now, aren’t you, my lord?”

“Is it working?”

“No, but I will take you up on your offer anyway.”

With that they both laughed, even if hers sounded on the edge of hysteria. Justice was relieved to see her maintaining her sense of humour. The activity gave them something to do and helped pass the time while they waited to learn more.

They had managed to become so engrossed in their game that they were surprised to be interrupted by the steward some time later.

“My lord, my lady, I am sorry to disturb you, but I was sure you would want to hear from me at your earliest convenience.”

“Of course, David, please come in.” The earl gestured gracefully for the man to enter the room. “I must tell you, though, that I was disappointed that you had left before I could speak to you.”

David, the steward, bowed his head sheepishly. “I apologize, my lord. When you left to see to the countess, I was too anxious to get on with finding the cur who was conspiring against you. After what that numskull Fred said, I was certain I knew just who to speak to. And I was right.”

“What did you find out?” Justice was surprised to hear his wife’s voice but then reprimanded himself for not expecting it.
Has the chit not been investigating on her own?
She was not the shrinking violet he expected such a young woman to be. Forcing his attention back to the matter at hand and away from his beautiful wife, Justice focused on what his steward had to say.

“I found the contact at the livery. Not the brightest chap in the world. It would seem he was just a go between. He had no idea the messages weren’t from you, my lord. He thought he was doing you a grand favour by passing your messages along. Right disappointed he was to find out otherwise. And when he finally realized that he had helped in injuring her ladyship the bloke nearly wept.”

Justice was gratified to hear his wife’s giggle. “I shouldn’t find that funny, should I?” she asked rhetorically. “When this is sorted out we ought to go and visit the poor man to set his mind at ease.”

“You are a marvel, my lady,” was all he could reply in the presence of the steward but it was with difficulty that he tore his gaze back to the other man.

“What else was he able to tell you?”

“He had been passing messages to two different people, interestingly enough. One was usually another go between, but it would seem that on occasion Broderick himself came for the messages. Of course, he used an alias but from the description I am certain it is him, my lord.”

As the steward was talking, the earl’s secretary arrived. It was obvious from his anxious expression that he had news to share. Justice could see that he was unsure if he should tell what he knew with Elizabeth in the room. Turning to meet his wife’s gaze, Justice’s heart felt like it skipped a beat when he realized that she was amused rather than offended.

“Michael, please share whatever you have learned. Her ladyship is prepared to hear whatever you have to say and she has every right to be here while we figure this out.”

The secretary fidgeted nervously in response to his employer’s words but he didn’t hesitate much longer.

“Turns out I wasn’t much behind David with my questions, my lord. Seems your cousin, Hector, was using the same messengers to keep up to date on what was happening on your estate. He was in league with Sir Broderick as you had suspected.”

Neither Elizabeth nor Justice was overly surprised by this news but having it confirmed hurt more than he would have expected. He had never been close with his cousin but he had always considered that, as family, there was a certain amount of loyalty owed to the relationship. He was startled to feel Elizabeth’s hand sliding into his own. When he glanced down into her upturned face all he could see was her warm sympathy towards him. His hand tightened around hers.
I am no longer alone
. That thought filled him with a sense of joy and contentment that he had never felt before.

Clearing his throat, Justice returned his attention back to his secretary. “Was there anything else?”

Michael shuffled his feet, and flicked another uncomfortable glance toward the countess, but after another moment of hesitation he blurted out what else he had learned. “The other footman that had come with Lady Barbara didn’t go back to her family as you had thought, my lord. He stayed in the village, found a job in the stables at the inn. I have good reason to believe it was he who shot at the countess. He was seen speaking with your cousin on several occasions, so I believe they were in cahoots.” The secretary wrung his hands as he continued. “I’m right sorry, my lord. It seems your cousin wanted your estate. Whether he would have killed you or just hoped to have you deported and taken over by order of the crown, I cannot say, but I am pretty sure it was the footman who pushed your first wife, my lord. Even though she had been cooperating with Hector and Broderick, it seems they were no longer happy with her.”

Hearing his wife’s murmur of distress, Justice tightened his hold on her and nodded at the two men. “Thank you for your work. If you would meet me in my library in a couple minutes I will be right with you.”

As soon as they had left the room, he pulled his wife into his arms. “Are you quite all right?”

She gazed up at him as a tear trickled from the corner of her eye. She offered a low, watery chuckle. “It makes no sense to be distressed over it. I already was certain she had been killed. But to hear that it was by someone she no doubt trusted, it just makes me feel bad for her.” She shook her head and sighed. “I know she was asking for trouble by being involved with Broderick, who is a very bad man. And from what I can tell your cousin is just as bad or even worse. I cannot even fathom what she was thinking. But no one deserves to be pushed to their death.”

They stood there quietly for a moment. Justice felt as though he could remain like that all day with his wife’s slight frame leaning against him. She glanced back up at him and his stomach tightened. He wished he could do more than offer her comfort but there were serious matters to be handled before he could truly demonstrate his feelings toward her.

“Are you all right, my lord?” she enquired in a soft voice.

“Why do you ask, my dear?”

“You have just had it confirmed that your cousin has made attempts on the lives of both your wives as well as possibly your own. And he was successful at least once. That cannot be comfortable knowledge.”

He had to smile over her understatement. “You are quite right, my dear, it is not comfortable. But I am relieved to know the truth. Now it just has to be handled in such a way that there is no longer a threat toward you, and all shall be well.”

“But what about your family?”

He was gratified by her persistent concern. He rubbed her back slowly as she continued to lean against him. Justice wondered if she was even aware of it. Up until now she had shied away from much contact with him. Hoping to prolong the moment, he brought his attention back to answer her question.

“You, my dear lady, are my family now. I never cared too much for Hector anyway. I am angered by his wickedness rather than truly saddened by his betrayal. As you say, it is too bad about Barbara, but it is behind us. We just need to ensure that justice is served on her behalf.”

“What do you intend to do?” He could hear the worry in her voice and tried to ease it.

“There is nothing for you to worry about any longer. Now that we know what we are up against, we will be able to keep you safe.”

“That was not my foremost concern, my lord,” she returned, her tone dry, much to his surprise.

To his regret she pulled out of his arms to be better able to fix him with her stare.

“What is your concern?” he was puzzled. He was able to grab hold of one of her hands as she gestured to make her next point.

“What are we going to do about Broderick and Hector, my lord?” Justice had to smile over her aggrieved expression. She spoke as though she were explaining it to a child.

“I regret to inform you that you will have to remain here cooped up in the house a while longer. The men and I will ride out and deal with Hector. From what Michael said it would seem he is still in the vicinity.” This statement made her pull her hand from his grasp and take a step away from him. Her attentive gaze verged closer to a glare.

“You cannot be serious, my lord. Surely you cannot expect me to stay out of it while you go off on an adventure.”

Justice was incredulous. “This is not an adventure, my lady. These are very desperate men we are dealing with. I cannot have you anywhere near them. You shall remain here, where I know you will be safe.”

“I’m safest with you, my lord,” she answered stubbornly.

Taking his wife’s face between his hands, Justice held her gaze steadily. “I need to know you are safe, my dear. I cannot deal with this betrayal if I have the least fear that my cousin could harm you again. Please, Elizabeth, do me this favour. I swear to you I shall make it up to you for the rest of our lives. But you must promise me that you will stay here in the house with the doors locked.”

He could feel her intelligent gaze searching his face. He had no idea what she saw there but it must have been convincing for she finally gave a small nod. She brought her hands up to cover his where they still cupped her face. “Very well, my lord, I will do as you ask. But you must swear to me that you will keep yourself safe. I have no interest in becoming a widow at this point of my life.”

His laugh was husky with relief and joy before he slowly lowered his head toward hers. He brushed her lips gently with his own. Justice could feel hers quiver at her sharp intake of breath. He was drawn to her warmth and he wanted to linger and savour the experience. Their lips clung as he deepened the pressure. She was oh so sweet, and he wished to spend the rest of his life enjoying this moment. An eternity passed although it was not many minutes.

With a sigh of resignation, he reminded himself now was not the time to dally no matter how much he might wish it. He pulled back and searched her gaze, quite satisfied to see the haze of desire glazing her eyes. He lowered his head once more. The final kiss was fierce but swift as he hoped to imprint his taste upon her lips so he would not be far from her mind while he rode out on this necessary business. Pulling back, he remembered that he had not responded to her command.

“Very well, my lady, I promise I will be back in one piece as quickly as possible.” With one more quick kiss, he strode from the room without a backward glance.

N
ot even a backward glance
, she thought, miffed, as she paced about the room.
How am I to pass the time without losing my mind?
she wondered for the umpteenth time. She was still in the billiards room. With a decisive nod she strode to the wall and rang for her maid. She was quickly joined by Pansy.

“Thank you for coming so swiftly.”

“How can I be of service, m’lady? Whatever I can do, I will be happy to.”

“Play billiards with me.”

It was obvious this was not what the maid had been expecting. “My lady?” she questioned.

“I am going to go out of my mind with worry and frustration over being left behind. While I understand the earl’s reasons for refusing to allow me to accompany him, I cannot just sit here quietly and await his return. I need help to stay occupied.”

Pansy giggled at her mistress’ words. “That is understandable, my lady, but I have never even attempted the game. And are you sure you should be playing such a game with your arm still bandaged?”

Elizabeth dismissed her concerns with a wave of her hand. “I am perfectly fine. And it is not a problem that you do not know how to play, I have just learned myself. I can show you what I know already and we can practice together. It will serve the earl well if I can trounce him at this game when he returns.”

Their nerves lent a degree of hysteria to their levity but they more easily passed the time while they played the game. Before she knew it the housekeeper was enquiring if her ladyship would be taking supper.

“Oh, Mrs. Patrick, is it that time already? I am delighted to hear it. Thank you, Pansy, for your help in getting through the afternoon.” Elizabeth turned back to the housekeeper. “I daresay I shan’t be able to eat very much but no doubt I ought to give it a try. I do hope the dining table has not been set formally. As the earl has not yet returned, I would just as rather have a tray in my room.”

“Very well, my lady. I figured as much. Would now be a good time?”

Elizabeth glanced out the window, surprised to see that darkness was gathering. She chewed on her lip in concern for the men out searching for the villains, hoping they would return shortly.

“Shall we say in half an hour? I might as well get comfortable first.”

“Very well, my lady.” Uncharacteristically the usually talkative housekeeper had little to say. Elizabeth realized the entire household was on edge.

With her maid in tow, Elizabeth made her way to her room. “I had thought to get into bed, but I doubt if I shall sleep a wink and I would rather be up and dressed in case I am needed.”

“You mustn’t run yourself ragged, my lady. Keep in mind you have barely left your sickbed from being shot.”

“I appreciate your concern, Pansy, and you are right, I will try not to overtax myself, but I know I will be too restless for a while yet.”

The maid subsided from her protests. Before too long Elizabeth’s supper was served. Contrary to what she had expected, she was able to eat a good portion of the delicious food, relieved that the cook had made a light, tempting meal. The time continued to drag. She succumbed to Pansy’s urgings and lay down on the bed with a book but refused to get into her nightclothes.

Elizabeth was alarmed to see the warm sunlight streaming through a gap in her curtains the next morning. She had a slight crick in her neck from the uncomfortable position she had slumped into when she fell asleep reading the night before. Sitting up she cast her gaze around the room. Her faithful maid was asleep slumped over in a chair nearby, obviously having remained by her side throughout the night. The slight stir Elizabeth made as she swung her legs over the side of the bed brought Pansy to alertness.

She sprang from the chair. “What’s happening?”

Elizabeth grinned at her sleepy tone. “Nothing that I know of, unfortunately, Pansy. It looks as though the men have not yet returned.” Seeing the maid wince, she continued. “It would appear that we both fell asleep waiting up and have stiff necks in return for our troubles. If you would like to run to your own chamber and freshen up, I can have another maid assist me.”

Pansy was appalled at the suggestion. “I shall not leave your side, my lady.”

She didn’t bother insisting as she was comforted by the maid’s presence. They made quick work of getting the countess freshened up. She was just getting fastened into her gown when they heard a commotion coming from the floor below.

“Hurry Pansy! That must be him,” Elizabeth was suddenly frantic to get to her husband’s side.

“My lady, you must stand still. If I don’t get this sash tied you’re sure to trip over it and have a broken neck to show for your troubles.”

The high pitch of Elizabeth’s giggles over her maid’s attempt at humour demonstrated just how nervous she had been over the earl’s longer than expected absence. Finally Pansy was done and Elizabeth could rush from the room.

The hallway had never felt so long as she tried and failed for decorum. She admonished herself to be careful, Pansy was right; a broken neck from tumbling down the stairs would be just what they needed to complete the chaos. But she couldn’t bear to slow her steps.

When she finally got to the top of the staircase she could see Justice in the foyer surrounded by some of his men. He glanced up. His wide grin reached his eyes, their warm invitation glinting up at her. Elizabeth hurried down the stairs and into her husband’s waiting arms. She accepted his comfort for a moment but then pulled back, and after a searching gaze to ensure he appeared to be in one piece, she hit him in the shoulder with the fist of her own good arm.

“Where have you been, my lord? We have been worried sick about you.”

The earl grinned at her while looking her over carefully. “You appear hale and hearty, my lady. Not at all like you have spent a sleepless night pacing the floors.”

Hot color rose in her cheeks and she bashfully admitted. “I fell asleep while waiting up for you. It could not be helped.”

“Of course not, my dear. I would never have wanted you to stay up all night.”

“But
you
did,” she protested. “Now you must tell me everything.”

He tucked her under his shoulder and dismissed his men before pulling her into the front receiving room. Before he could begin recounting the events of the night, she pulled on his hand.

“Are you absolutely certain that you are unharmed, my lord? I am sure the doctor would be happy to stop by and look you over.”

The earl smiled over her words but assured her, “There’s not a scratch on me, my dear, I promise you. As you shall soon find out the entire night was rather anticlimactic. We were able to catch both the missing footman and Hector without any difficulty. My cousin, it turns out, is a complete coward. That would explain why he targeted my wife instead of me. We took him down without any struggle on his part.”

Elizabeth nodded over his words. “That makes sense, now that I think of it. He is despicable for attacking you in such an underhanded way.”

“Well you needn’t give him another thought, my dear. He is on his way to Botany Bay as we speak. That is what actually took so long. We escorted him to the coast ourselves.”

“I didn’t think murder was a transportable crime.”

“You are right, it is not. But Hector wasn’t actually the one who killed Barbara. He actually paid her footman to do it. That Cretan has been entrusted to the care of the courts. My cousin may be despicable, but he is still a member of my family, and I feel a degree of responsibility toward him. I should have recognized his hatred for what it was and prevented his involvement with Broderick. The entire situation sickens me, but I am certain his vileness is due to Broderick’s influence.”

“There is no way you could have foreseen his actions,” Elizabeth protested. He waved aside her words and continued his explanations.

“Be that as it may, I could not hand him over along with the footman. But he is certainly not in for a comfortable future. He will be sentenced to at least seven years. It is doubtful he will ever return to England.”

“I cannot decide if I think that is too harsh or too lenient,” Elizabeth exclaimed. “What if he comes after you again ten years from now?”

“He won’t. I promise you.”

“You actually cannot promise me that, my lord. Will he not feel he has even more reason to hate you after spending seven to ten years in exile?”

“He agreed to being deported, my dear. I think the experience will either kill him or reform him. I firmly believe we shall have nothing more to fear from the despicable Hector.” They searched each other’s gazes, seeking comfort.

Elizabeth broke the moment with her next words. Even though she was weary from the ups and downs of the past weeks and was reluctant to bring an issue into their comfortable silence, she did so anyway. “There is one more thing that is of concern, though.”

“What else is troubling you, my dear lady?”

She almost didn’t say when she looked into his warm gaze but after swallowing to moisten her suddenly dry throat, she proceeded. “We have not apprehended Sir Broderick. Have you heard back from Wrentham?”

Justice sighed. “Not yet. You are right to be concerned. I would have preferred to have him in my own hands, but I was much more interested in apprehending Hector as he was the one behind the threat to you and Barbara. There is no evidence to suggest that Broderick is the murderous sort.”

They heard a slight sound behind them just before someone said, “That is where you would be wrong, my lord.”

Elizabeth and Justice whirled toward the windows, which had been left ajar to allow in some of the unseasonably warm air. There stood Sir Jason Broderick with a pistol pointed straight at them. He must have climbed through one of the tall windows. It would not have been difficult as they were on the main floor of the house. Justice was quick to stand in front of Elizabeth.

“What do you want, Broderick? Why are you here?” Justice sounded calm but fierce as he glared at the knight who didn’t appear to be bothered by the earl’s obvious displeasure.

“And why aren’t you locked up?” Elizabeth demanded from behind Justice’s back. She was trying to get around him to face their opponent, but the earl would not allow it. “Didn’t Wrentham apprehend you after what you did to Rose?”

Broderick’s gleeful chuckle sent a chill of dread down Elizabeth’s back. “That young cub was rather easy to get away from.”

“I do hate to repeat myself, Broderick, but I must again ask you, why are you here?” Elizabeth couldn’t believe that her husband actually sounded bored as he asked the question. She marvelled at his ability to keep such control of himself.

“As I have no wish to have my neck stretched, and my plans have been foiled for the time being, I find I am in need of funds in order to make a fresh start. Your wife’s baubles will do nicely.” When Broderick heard Elizabeth’s gasp of outrage, he smiled with wicked amusement. “Not your debutante pearls. My girl, do not trouble yourself. Barbara was quite enamoured with the various gems her father had showered her with. I need them.” Broderick’s tone and manner both hardened as he spoke, as though he had been making an effort to appear pleasant, but it was growing difficult for him to maintain.

“Really, Broderick? I think you truly have run mad if you think I would help you in any way after all that you have done.”

If the situation weren’t so dire, Elizabeth would be amused by the incredulity evident in Justice’s voice. Any thought of amusement was wiped from her mind by Broderick’s next words.

“Well I could just shoot you, and then your new little wife could help me.” Broderick waved the gun at them, gesturing for them to move toward the doorway. “I am quite certain Barbara mentioned you kept her jewels locked up for her in your library. Shall we go and see?” His voice was again overly sweet, but Elizabeth could see that he was merely being sarcastic. “I shan’t trouble you too much, if you would just hurry along and fetch me what I’m after, I can be on my way and you needn’t spare me another thought.”

Justice backed up as Broderick stepped toward them. There was a slight movement behind the knight, as though the drapery were fluttering, but Elizabeth barely noticed as she had her attention solely focused on the pistol in Broderick’s outstretched arm. It felt as though her heart were beating in her throat. She was wracking her brain trying to come up with a plan of action.

Suddenly Broderick toppled over and the Duke of Wrentham stood over him with a bookend in his hand. “Thanks for keeping him occupied until I was able to get control of the situation.”

Elizabeth knew her jaw hung open but she struggled to comprehend what had just happened. Her eyes flickered between Justice, who had finally allowed her out from behind him, and the newly arrived duke.

“Did you know he was here?” she demanded.

“Not at first, but did you not notice the curtains moving?” At the shake of her head, Justice continued after putting his arm around her gently. “I noticed his boots below the drapes and chose not to bring Broderick’s attention to them. I didn’t actually realize it was Wrentham, but I figured someone was there with the intention of assisting us.” Seeing that his wife was somewhat mollified and regaining her composure, he turned his attention to the duke.

“I guess you must have received my message,” Justice finally answered the duke’s statement with a grin.

“He has been leading me a merry chase for the last couple of days. Now that we have him again, I will see to it myself that he dances at the end of a rope.” The duke bowed in Elizabeth’s direction. “I apologize for being so blunt, my lady.”

“Oh, pay me no mind, your grace. I shan’t be sorry to see the end of him.” She tried to put on a brave face but hoped the duke would be quick about departing with his wicked captive. It crossed her mind to wonder if she ought to offer the duke hospitality. She would be happy to under normal circumstances but she quite hoped to be rid of the nobleman at this time. Thankfully he took the situation out of her hands.

Justice was making short work of tying Broderick’s hands with the ties from the drapery. He stood over the prone figure and asked the duke what else he could do to help.