The Duke's Dilemma Read online

  There were lights ahead and Robin’s voice called out. ‘Thank God! I was about to come in search of you, your grace. We had no problems here; one dead – one ready to be questioned.’

  Ralph felt a surge of excitement. The information he needed would be his before the night was out and tomorrow they could seek out their leader. None of the intruders was the man he sought; that person was well spoken, a gentleman, and these were no more than rough ex-soldiers.

  ‘James received a bullet through the shoulder. However there are seven cadavers to remove and I need Seth and Robert’s assistance with this.’

  He looked round the roughly circular space that had been hewn out of the ground, the walls were supported by beams, the ceiling also. There was a ladder leading up to a trap door at the far end. The two men nodded and grinned at him. ‘Well done; you shall not go unrewarded for this night’s work.’

  After glancing at the bodies on the floor of the cave it was obvious that one was dead, the other securely tied, unconscious. ‘Robin, you stay here. Tom, can you clean up at the Hall?’

  ‘Where do you want me to put the bodies, your grace?’

  ‘Outside. It’s so cold they’ll not turn putrid for a day of so. Pile them up in one of the outbuildings.’ He walked over to stare up at the trapdoor above his head. ‘Has anyone been up to discover exactly where this comes out?’

  ‘That we have, your grace, but there’s so much snow you can’t see a damn thing out there. We could be anywhere.’ Robin nodded towards the pile of empty barrels piled against the far wall.

  ‘It’s a smuggler’s den; somewhere they can hole up when the excise men are on their trail. From the looks of the walls this has been here a long time, probably when the house was built the owners were involved in free trade and had the passageway put in.’

  Ralph wasn’t so sure. ‘It’s more likely to have been a priest’s hole; the smugglers took it over. At least we know now how they were able to vanish. But God knows how the bastards found out about the passageway or the way to release the mechanism.’ He yawned. ‘No doubt I’ll discover the truth tomorrow.’

  Deciding it would be easier to interrogate the prisoner in privacy; away from someone less squeamish than himself or Robin, he waited until the others had gone. ‘Wake him up. The sooner I have the information I need the sooner I can get some shut eye.’

  *

  The kitchen seemed overlarge without Ralph. Hester turned to the girls who were waiting politely for instructions. ‘Polly, is there any milk in the pantry? I think I would like a mug of chocolate with a large dose of medicinal brandy in it. Would you like the same?’

  ‘That would be grand, miss, Meg and I can make the drink, but I wouldn’t know where the brandy was kept.’

  ‘Thank you, Polly. There’s some in the study, I’ll fetch it. I’m sure both Miss Bird and James would appreciate a glass as well.’ This time she was content to venture into the dark on her own. There was no need to worry about intruders; Ralph had dealt with them and she was safe.

  The cognac was in the decanter exactly where she’d seen it last and triumphantly she returned to the kitchen. Polly had already found the milk and it was gently steaming in a copper saucepan on the range. Meg was busy assembling the necessities for tea. The girl looked up at her shyly.

  ‘I thought that his grace and the others might prefer a brew of tea, miss, the gentlemen don’t generally like chocolate.’

  ‘Good idea; make a pot for James now, but leave everything ready for when the men return.’ She realized that in spite of all the excitement of the evening she was ravenous. ‘Meg, find the bread and butter and see if there’s any of that ham left from supper. We shall make them all a midnight feast.’

  Once she was certain they knew what to do sure you hurried upstairs to see whether she could be of any assistance to Birdie. James was sitting up, a neat bandage around his shoulder, a trifle pale but apparently in good spirits.

  ‘Good heavens! How are you feeling? There will be sustenance and tea arriving soon, but I have some brandy here for you both.’ He looked uncomfortable at being discovered without his shirt on.

  ‘Thank you, miss, I’m not too bad. Miss Bird has done a splendid job patching me up. She’s gone to wash her hands and then she’s going to find me something to wear.’

  Hester tipped a generous measure into the crystal glass she’d removed from the pocket of her skirt. ‘Here, drink this. I’m going to see Miss Bird.’ Her friend was drying her hands when she entered and greeted her with her usual calm.

  ‘There you are, my dear. I’m about to venture upstairs to find something for poor James to put on. I thought this blanket could go around his shoulders for the moment.’

  ‘The girls will be bringing up chocolate and some cold cuts and bread and butter. I should like something to eat before I retire. Will James require any sutures?’

  ‘I don’t think so, my dear. The bullet had lodged in his shoulder bone and was easy to remove. If he rests I’m happy it will heal without further intervention from a physician.’

  Hester smiled wearily. ‘I’m relieved to hear you say so. There’s a blizzard outside at the moment and I doubt if anyone, however willing, will be able to get to town for a day or two.’

  There was the sound of footsteps approaching and she hurried to open the door. ‘Thank you, girls, I’ve cleared a space on the central table for you.’ She smiled at James, now decently dressed, his arm in a sling and as cheerful as usual. ‘I see there’s tea as well as chocolate, James. Which would you prefer?’

  ‘Tea would be grand, miss, and some of that plum cake to go with it, thank you.’

  ‘Miss Frobisher, you sit down and let me and Meg serve; it’s not right for you to wait on us.’

  ‘If you insist, Polly, then I’ll do so. I should like some of everything and chocolate to drink, please.’

  The trays and the chocolate jug were almost empty when they heard further footsteps on the stairs.

  Jet raised his head and thumped his tail and Hester relaxed waiting to see who would emerge from the door, praying it would be Ralph, disappointed when Tom appeared.

  ‘Miss Frobisher, his grace says to tell you everything is under control, all the men who have been attacking us over the past few days have been dealt with. Seth, Robert and I will help ourselves to the supper you’ve left out. No doubt you’re going to retire soon?’

  She understood this was more a suggestion than a question. Why should he want them … then she recalled there were several corpses to dispose of; not something he would wish to do in front of them. ‘I’ve finished and am off to my bed chamber. Perhaps you could assist James to his before you go downstairs, Tom?’

  She stood up knowing the other three would be obliged to follow. Leaving Birdie to arrange matters with the girls, she retreated to her room. Tonight she would use the facilities in there while she was alone. She could hear the murmur of voices and the clatter of crockery as Birdie directed the maids.

  *

  Ralph walked over to check the bolts on the inside of the trap were firmly across; he wanted to be certain no one else could break in. The rest of the gang might come to investigate when their comrades failed to return, but he thought the blizzard raging outside would keep them away tonight. Tomorrow, whatever the weather, he would take the fight to them.

  ‘It would be easier if we had a chair to tie this bastard to, your grace. Shall I attach him to a wall beam instead?’

  ‘Here, let me give you a hand.’

  The man smelt rank. Ralph’s nostrils curled in disgust as he assisted in hoisting the inert form upright and lashing it to a couple of beams. ‘Do we have water to throw over him?’

  ‘I collected some snow in their slop pail when I opened the trap; it’s melted a bit and will wake him up better than water.’

  Ralph stepped back allowing Robin to hurl the contents of the slop bucket over their semi-conscious captive. The man groaned and his eyes flickered open. His gaze was vac
ant as he stared around the chamber, until he spotted the body and then comprehension dawned on. Time to commence the interrogation.

  Without a second’s hesitation he stepped up and punched the man hard enough to split his lip, but not enough to render him senseless. He saw the victim’s head snap back and his eyes widen in fear. ‘I am Waverley. I wish to know the whereabouts and identity of the man who sent you here to murder me?’

  For a moment he stepped in close and raised his fist to strike again. The man’s bladder emptied, the liquid splashing noisily on to the beaten earth of the floor. Ralph moved sideways avoiding the noisome puddle and felt a flicker of sympathy for the humiliated man hanging limp and defenceless. He hardened his resolve. He was a soldier and this man would have cut his throat without compunction given the slightest chance.

  ‘I’m waiting. Don’t make me ask the question a second time.’

  The man’s head jerked upright and words tumbled from his lips. The gentleman behind the attempts was renting a house a couple of miles away, Bracken Manor. There were a further six men there to scare away whoever remained alive.

  ‘Cut him down, Robin, but make certain his bonds are secure. He can wait down here until the militia arrive to collect him.’

  Robin completed his task and picked up a lantern. ‘Do you wish to leave him with a candle?’

  ‘No. He’s fortunate to be alive, that’s comfort enough.’ He headed back along the tunnel, his thoughts whirling. There were still too many unanswered questions. He didn’t know who lived at Bracken Manor nor how he came to know so much about this place. It had to be someone Aunt Agatha knew, a distant relative, someone who might have visited Neddingfield in the past and learnt its secrets.

  He scowled. If his aunt had known of the existence of the passage she would have told them about it. This was a conundrum that wasn’t going to be solved tonight. He was exhausted, his brain foggy; in the morning, after a good night’s rest, no doubt they would come up with an explanation.

  The faint glimmer of light ahead told him they were approaching the exit. ‘Robin, we’ll not leave for the manor until I’ve made sense of what I’ve learned tonight.’

  ‘Very well, your grace. Shall we meet in the library after breakfast?’

  ‘Yes; the animals must be seen to, the snow cleared from the paths before we leave. I wonder, do Seth and Robert ride?’

  ‘Doubt it, sir. But if the choice is walking thigh deep in snow or hanging onto a saddle, I reckon they’ll manage right enough.’

  The house was quiet, everyone retired. There was a light coming from under the kitchen door and Ralph paused, had Hester ignored his instructions and waited up for him after all? His fatigue vanished and he threw open the door to discover it empty.

  ‘Look, Robin, tea, brandy and food. Will you join me for supper?’ He smiled, guessing who had arranged this welcome for him. The kettle was bubbling and whilst Robin made tea he pulled out a chair. After several slices of bread and ham, three cups of tea and a generous measure of brandy, he was feeling less fraught and more confident that morning would provide him with answers. Whoever he was, the man was a formidable opponent and he would need all his tactical skills to beat him.

  *

  At last! Jet was banging his tail against her door; Ralph must have returned safely. It couldn’t be Tom, who was already in bed. She heard him pause, obviously fussing the dog, then his footsteps faded away and there was the click of his bedchamber door.

  The gentle snores coming from the bed of the far side of the room told her Birdie was sound asleep. Once her companion was in the land of nod she would remain there, unless shaken awake, for at least five hours. After that her friend would wake at the slightest noise; a life spent rising with the lark made her more responsive as dawn approached.

  Hester wasn’t sure how long to wait. She closed her eyes to visualize him taking off his outer garments, his boots, next his shirt … a flood of heat raced around her limbs as a vivid picture of him semi-clothed, then sitting naked on the end of his bed, made her tremble with an odd mix of fear and excitement.

  Should she go now or wait a while longer? A long delay might mean her courage would fail her and Ralph might be asleep. She swung her feet to the floor, not bothering to find her slippers, but just in case she met anyone, she slipped her arms into her robe. Her hair hung in a thick plait almost to her waist - should she stop and loosen it? Like a wraith, she stole from her bedchamber and closed the door quietly behind her.

  ‘Hush now, Jet, I’m going to see Ralph, you must be a good boy and remain silent.’

  The animal heaved himself to his feet and padded along beside her. She hadn’t bothered to bring a candle as she’d made sure the fire had been banked up before she had retired. The glow from the coals was more than enough to light her way.

  She hesitated outside his door. Should she knock? What if he thought her an intruder and she was hurled to the ground as before? Such a commotion might disturb the girls; sound travelled further in the silence of the night. No, she would have to slip in and close the door behind her before she announced her presence and pray she remained unharmed.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Ralph tossed his boots away and peeled down his breeches, flinging them onto the floor also. He was too dammed tired to bother about niceties. He yawned, stretching his aching arms above his head. He was getting too old for this and sincerely hoped this was the last time his military skills would be called upon. His taste for violence, for killing, had gone; what had occurred had left behind a sour taste.

  He relaxed on the bed certain tonight he would be instantly asleep and his eyes began to close. As he settled back, he tensed without sitting up and his eyes opened and focused on the door. Yes! There was a faint sound, the door was opening. My God! What now? How could the bastards have got in after all his closing of trapdoors and barricading of windows? He didn’t have his pistol with him, no weapon of any sort and would have to rely on his bare hands.

  Alert, his head clear, waiting to pounce on this unwary attacker who would be expecting him to be oblivious. Breathing in slowly through his nose, making no sound, he sighed: he knew that aroma as well as his own. A different kind of excitement flooded through him.

  ‘Come in, my darling, an unexpected visit, but nonetheless a welcome one.’

  *

  His words coming from the darkness made Hester jump and the door slammed shut. The noise echoed and she paused, waiting to hear Birdie’s voice calling out, or Tom clattering downstairs to investigate. He was holding his breath as well. There was a faint creak and he was beside her.

  All her wild imaginings had not prepared her for the true splendour of his nakedness. The logs were burning bright and threw a red glow across his broad shoulders. She held her breath; she’d never seen anything so beautiful, so enticing. As if in a dream she raised one hand and her fingertips began to trace the outline of his muscles.

  His skin was burning. The heat travelled up her outstretched fingers, along her arm and down to the very core of her being. Why didn’t he move? Why didn’t he say something? Had she offended him by coming to his chamber so brazenly? She should drop her hand, turn and flee before it was too late, but something held her there, she was unable to step away from danger.

  Ralph seemed to be having difficulty speaking - was he ill? His chest was certainly far hotter than it should be. ‘Are you unwell, my love? Have you caught a chill from roaming around underground? You’re trembling and I can feel your skin hot beneath my fingertips.’

  Still he didn’t move. Then finally he spoke, his voice deep and strained as though in pain. ‘Sweetheart, I don’t know what possessed you to come here like this but unless you go this instant I shall be unable to hold back. I burn for you, darling. I want to make love to you, make you mine, smother you with kisses, bury myself deep inside you and hear you cry out my name.’

  She wasn’t quite sure of the exact meaning of his whispered words, but his sincerity and passion was
clear. Taking a steadying breath she explained why she had come.

  ‘I decided earlier tonight, that if you came back I should come to you. Who knows what tomorrow brings? I want you to know how much I love you. If anything should happen to you then I shall have tonight to treasure.’

  ‘You have not thought this through, my love. What we are about to do could result in a child, have you considered how you will be viewed if you produce a bastard?’

  A baby? She hadn’t thought of that, but she vividly recalled the despair in a letter she had received just before setting out for Neddingfield; it had been from a married friend enduring her fourth confinement in as many years; it told her it only took a single visit from her husband to the marital bed to result in pregnancy.

  Her lips curved at the possibility of holding his baby in her arms in nine months’ time. ‘I love you and if tonight means I have a child, then so be it. I don’t care one jot for society and have more than enough to provide for myself and a baby.’ She felt a bubble of laughter welling up. ‘I must say, my love, that I would prefer it to be a legitimate offspring and that you are there to share in its upbringing.’

  With something more like a groan than anything else he drew her tighter until he was pressing every inch of her against his burning flesh. His arousal dug into her stomach and for a moment she felt fear as well as passion. Then she forgot everything as he scooped her up and carried her across to his bed.

  ‘Darling, I’ve dreamt every night since we met of being able to run my fingers through your hair, allow me to release it for you.’

  Deftly he pulled off the ribbon allowing her hair to cascade around her shoulders. She loved the way his fingers dipped into it, letting her tresses flow. She swayed towards him, wanting to feel his heat again. Laughing he held her still.

  ‘Wait a minute, my sweet, there’s more to do before we make love. Both of us have items of clothing to remove.’

  His hands took the edges of her wrap and slid it slowly over her shoulders sending shivers of anticipation down her spine. As it pooled around her feet his hands traced patterns on her back, molding the shape of her buttocks, her waist, shoulders and then around her collarbone to grasp the ends of the ribbon that held her nightgown firm.