All the Things You Never Knew (19 page)

Hargate Inn

“There you are, Lady Rose,” the Earl of Longsword greeted Rose as she arrived at the inn. “How are you–”
“May I get a cup of water and some ale, please?” she asked as she enters into the room.
“Most definitely,” the earl said with a bow. “Come this way.”
Rose followed him into the salon where another man was lying on the couch with the
Times
over his face.
“Here you go, Lady Rose,” Longsword said, handing her a bottle of ale from the cupboard along with a glass of water.
She gurgled up the water and ran to the open window to spit it out.
“Sorry,” she apologized for her unlady-like manner. The imprint of the marquess’s mouth on hers sends a feeling of disgust through her. “I have to get this nasty… feeling out of my mouth.”
“I see.”
Rose emptied the cup out the window and pour out a glass of ale to sanitize her mouth once more.
“That sure is one big disgusting feel,” came the voice of the man on the couch.
He had rose up from the couch now with mussed dark hair and a charming smile spread across his face.
“I’m sorry,” she said again.
“Apology accepted,” the man smiled again, getting up on his feet now to look at her. “Lady Rose Caralina Dawson.”
He knows her name.
“Yes,” she curtsied. “And who are you, if you don’t mind me asking?”
The man gave out a laugh and looked at the Earl before proceeding to introduce himself. “My name is Laguna Black, the Duke of Hargate.”
The Duke of Hargate?
“Oh, sorry, Your Grace,” she gave him another curtsy. “I didn’t mean to be so rude.”
“It’s all good,” he smiled. She can see that he’s a smiley duke. Quite charming, too.
But then it hit her that he was the Duke of Hargate that had taken Lord Lansing to the brothel.
If Rose hadn’t changed her mind on the marquess, she would have thrown a fit at His Grace, but then there’s really no point now.
Besides, he probably did it to help Leon.
Stupid foolish man they were, but yet it worked.
“So,” the earl cleared his throat. “I assume you found out where Leon’s held.”
“Why, of course,” Rose replied, almost forgetting the reason why she was here. “God, I’m so sorry. I–it was painful. I hurt him and…I don’t think he will ever want to see me again.”
“Don’t tell me you threw in a game of deception and fooled the slow wit of our dear friend,” said the duke. “He isn’t very good with games like that.”
“Yes. I see that now,” Rose sighed.
“Don’t worry,” said Lord Longsword. “We will explain things to him. He may not trust in you, but he will believe in us.”
“If you say so,” Rose nodded. She really hoped he was right. “Also,” she added. “I have to tell you something.”
“Yes, m’lady?” said the earl.
“Marcus…Lord Lansing is
not
the real marquess.”
“What?” Both of the men seemed shocked to hear.
“His father, the real marquess, is still alive. Marcus is not really the marquess.”
“Are you saying they had deceived society all this time, making the
ton
believed that the real marquess is dead? Absurdly ridiculous,” the earl answered.
“It could be,” Rose said with a nod.
“Maybe to cover himself from being discovered for his crime of killing Heartily’s parents,” the duke said.
“Could be it,” Lord Longsword agreed.
“All right,” said His Grace. “Where is Heartily? We must take action now. If I’m correct, the time limit in the stupid letter is almost up.”
“He’s pretty close to here,” Rose answered. “About half an hour or so.”
“How’s the setting of the place?” the earl asked. “Would we be able to get in there easily?”
Rose scratched her head nervously and shook her head. “I didn’t really think about that.”
That caused the duke to laugh. “You’re a lady. You’re not supposed to.”
She shrugged. “I guess.”
“Well, just lead us over there and Hargate and I will handle the rest,” said Lord Longsword.
Rose nodded, and then reached into the pocket of her cloak to pull out the dagger that she had found.
“My Lord, Your Grace, I almost forgot.” She walked over and handed the dagger to Lord Longsword.
He raised a questioning eyebrow. “This is…?”
“I believe it’s Leon’s.” she said. “The red stone in the center must be the garnet jewel the marquess wanted.”
“The garnet jewel of the Sacred Cave of Treasure?” asked the duke as he strolls over to look.
“I think so,” said Rose.
“Where did you find it?” Longsword asked, taking the dagger out of its sheath to examine it.
“In my room,” she answered. “Leon must have dropped it when he came over the other night before he got captured.”
“You two are naughty,” laughed His Grace. “Very naughty.”
Rose blushed and shrugged. “Maybe.”
“Well, we can’t waste time,” said Longsword. “We must go save Heartily.”
Hargate nodded and turned to Rose. “Miss Rosy Cary Dawson, are you ready to go save your fiancé? I’ve heard that you two are getting married.”
Rose loved the way the duke calls her Rosy Cary. He must really be a true friend of Leon besides Lord Longsword.
A radiant grin shone across Rose’s face and she answered proudly, “Indeed, I am!”
Laughter from the duke and earl filled the room with her enthusiasm and they nodded.
“Heartily, here we come!”

Islington
“So this is the place, isn’t it?”

The Duke of Hargate step up to the gate of the
‘House of Doom,’
as the marquess had put it to Rose.
They had gotten out to Islington just before nightfall and were examining the mansion before them for a route to enter without being notice.
“Well, this is more complex then I have thought,” said Hargate as he saw two guards coming out to guard the door.
“Duck down, will you,” said Lord Longsword to His Grace. “If they see you, we will be killed.”
“I think I have a plan,” said Rose, as she pushes the gate open.
“What are you doing?” asked the Earl of Longsword, pulling her back. “It’s dangerous now.”
“I’m going to divert their attention,” she explained. “Once that’s done, you guys go ahead and find an entrance somewhere. I will get in and distract Lord Lansing and his father if they are to be present.”
“Be careful,” said Hargate. “Leon would thrash the life out of us if you are to be harm in any way.”
“I will be all right,” Rose assured them. “Take care. Good luck.”
They nodded the same to her and Rose trotted off to meet the guards.
Longsword and Hargate watched as Rose said something to the guards and they escorted her inside.
“This is our chance then,” said Longsword as he jumps over the gate.
“Thank you, Lady Rose,” Hargate chimed as he followed. “Now where do we go?”
“As Lady Rose explained on the trip here, he’s down in the dungeon. Maybe we can find a low window somewhere that might allow us easier access to–”
“To the dungeon,” Hargate said, rushing off around the corner as he spotted a shimmer of light.
“Yes,” Longsword nodded. “To the–Hey! Where are you going?”
“Lights. Come!” Hargate called to him.
Longsword caught up to him, hiding behind a bush before a low window shining off a glimmering light.
“Could that be where Heartily is held?” asked Longsword as he peeks over Hargate’s shoulders.
“Possibly.”
“That’s Lansing and his father,” Longsword pointed out as he focuses on the two figures walking inside.
“Then I assume that woman in there is to be Lady Rosy,” Hargate replied as a female swiftly came in with a curtsy.
“She’s fast,” Longsword answered. “Now where are they going?”
“It seems Lady Rosy–no, Mrs. Heartily, that’s more like it. She seems to be taking them elsewhere to make it easier for us to enter.”
“Heartily’s got a brave woman.”
“Indeed,” Hargate agreed. “Do you think we can open that window and slip in?”
“How will I know? We’ve got to try and see.”
“All right.”
Hargate went around the bushes and bent down in front of the window to push it open.
It creaked and then swung forward, almost causing Hargate to fall in.
“Got you!” Longsword said, pulling Hargate back.
“Thanks,” he answered. “Now let’s be careful.”

“So why are you back here again?” asked Lord Lansing’s father for the third time since Rose had dragged them upstairs to discuss a few matters to allow the duke and earl to get in to save Leon.

“Like I said, m’lord, I want Marcus and I to resume our engagement. We had set it off to be half a year or so before it takes place, but I’ve thought about it and I want to marry him before that despicable man downstairs have any more chances to hurt him.”

“Are you quite certain?” asked Lord Lansing as he turned to take her hand. “You’re not jesting, are you?”
“I wouldn’t waste my time back here if I am,” she answered, holding her head high to not lose confidence.
“Have you been faithful to my son?” asked Lansing’s father.
He gave her a glance that brought a chill down her spine.
“Of course!” she said, though she knew that’s far from the truth, but she could have been faithful. Then she countered with the same question, “Has your son been faithful to me?”
They all knew the answer, but she wanted to ask just because she could.
“I believe my son to be the most faithful gentleman alive,” the old marquess answered courageously.
Rose almost snorted at the absurd reply.
Lord Lansing and her both knew he wasn’t faithful at all.
“True. True. Most faithful gentleman in the world. You don’t find one like him very often.” Rose was merely being sarcastic, which brought a deep flush to Lord Lansing’s bruised cheeks.
“Yes,” his father answered. “You should be grateful to have him.”
“I’m truly blessed to have him,” she said, faking a smile at the marquess who she really doesn’t know what to call anymore. “I love him.”
“More than that bastard in the dungeon?” asked the old man.
“A million times more,” Rose answered, wrapping her arms around Marcus’s neck. She would have said
never in a million years
, but in this situation she can’t.
“So you still have your virtue intact for me on our wedding night, right?” Marcus asked, leaning to nip at her lips.
She pulled away, for she doesn’t want his lips on hers anymore. “That and something more,” she said sweetly, cupping his cheeks. “We will have fun.”
“And if I find you’re not a virgin?”
“You can do whatever you wish,” she smiled again. He’s never going to find out. Over her dead body would he think she’ll ever give herself up for him.
“I truly can’t wait,” he said, casting her a crooked smile.
“I can’t wait either,” she said, smoothing his hair. “I–”
There was a sudden crash below them, and then a thud and other rackets that cut Rose off.
“What in the–” the old man’s eyes settled upon Rose. “This is all your stupid little plan, isn’t it?”
“What?” Rose pretended to feign ignorant, but it failed.
“Little whore,” Marcus laughed, holding tight of her arms.
“Let me go!” she struggled.
“Who did you bring?” the old marquess inquired, walking to face her.
“No one,” she said. “Marcus, that hurts. Let go of my arms.”
“Not until you tell father and I what you’ve been plotting. I know you didn’t just come here to discuss our engagement. You would have waited in the morning.”
Or not at all
, her mind offered, but that wouldn’t be wise to say.
“Don’t be ridiculous–”
“Doesn’t matter,” said the old man. “My guards should all be out on duty. There’s no escape for the fools that had come in.”
“No…no escape?” It was merely a whisper that slipped out of Rose.
Had she just led the Duke of Hargate and the Earl of Longsword into their deathbeds with Leon?
No. This can’t be happening. She has to do something.
“Please,” she pleaded. “Please don’t hurt anyone. I will do anything.”
“Too late,” Marcus answered. “Although there is something else planned for you. Come. Father, please take care. I’m taking this little whore of mine back.”
“
You
are the
manwhore
here!” Rose snapped angrily.
He suddenly struck her hard across the face, making her flinch. “Shut up! You’re lucky I haven’t sliced that face of your lover downstairs for taking you before me. I know there’s something between you two. When we get back to London, you will be soiled once more and thrown out in disgrace.”
Rose spit at his face and said through clenched teeth, “You can go to hell!”
He was about to strike her again, but his father stopped him. “Don’t argue with whores, son. It’s a waste of time.”
That sparked all nerves inside of her into a raging forest fire that if her arms weren’t locked to the side she would have tried to kill them both.
“Guards!” Marcus called out.
Three men in steel armors came through the door and saluted at him.
“Take this little bitch out and tie her inside my carriage. I will be in with her shortly. Make sure she doesn’t escape.”
“Yes sir!” they answered in unison.
Rose screamed and hollered as Lord Lansing thrust her into one of them.
“Let me go! I hate you! You devil man! You–” A cloth came over her mouth by another guard that only allows little incomprehensible noise to escape.
“You be good and obey,” Marcus said. “Or you will never get to see that old lover of yours again!”
If he thinks that’s going to make her submit to him, then he can go to the devil.
Rose knew it doesn’t matter what she does. If the marquess wants to kill Leon, he would.
There’s nothing now that she can do about it. She had failed at everything.

“Damn you!” cursed Hargate when Longsword accidently stepped on a trap. “Now we’re in trouble.”
“At least we found Heartily,” said Longsword, as he pointed to the far wall of the room where Leon hung unconscious.
They had managed to get in when Lady Rose had led the marquess and his father out, and found the dungeon where Leon was kept.
“You fool, guards are coming. Can’t you hear the stampede descending towards us?” said Hargate. “Go free Heartily. I would take care of them.”
“Are you certain you can take a stampede?”
“I’ve deal with more than that,” he answered, heading out towards the coming guards. “Get Heartily out now. I will meet you outside by the horses.”
Longsword nodded and head towards Leon while Hargate strolled off.
“Heartily,” he said as he approaches Leon. “Damn, you look almost as bad as that Lansing. Maybe worst.”
“L-Longsword?” Leon managed to say.
His eyes slowly open to meet that of his friend.
“It’s me, old pal. Hargate and I are here to save you.”
For a minute, Leon couldn’t believe it. He thought it was all a dream. Hargate and Longsword can’t be able to find him this quick, unless Rose…
No way. She hadn’t betrayed him.
“W-where’s H-Hargate?” he asked, looking around.
“No time to explain. Probably ambushed outside. I have to get you out of here. Now where’s the switch to unlocking these chains?”
“L-left wall, r-right button,” Leon replied.
Longsword rushed off and worked the switch, unlocking the chains around Leon’s arms and legs, making him fall to the ground.
“Can you get up, Heartily? We have to run.”
Leon tried to stand but his muscles were so worn out that he couldn’t.
“Never mind.” Longsword came and guided him up on his feet. “I guess you’ve been hung for too long that you’ve became an old cripple.”
“C-cripple my ass.” Leon wasn’t in the mood for joke. “Hargate. We m-must go h-help him.”
“In your condition? No way. You will kill us all.”
“S-Shut up!” Leon pushed Longsword away and worked his leg to stabilize and hold him up. “W-we can’t l-leave him.”
“I’ll get you out, then I will come back and help him.”
“I-I’m not a c-coward to l-leave y-you two to fight for m-my life.”
“Stop being so stubborn. You need a high amount of rest before going into battle with a hundred guards.”
“I’d rather die fending for my friends than run for my life!” There’s no more stutter in his words now. He was serious.
“Seriously, Heartily. You are in no condition–”
But Leon was already heading out the door where Hargate had gone through.
“Oh, well,” Longsword shrugged to himself, pulling off his cravat. “Battle time.”