Betrayed Countess (Books We Love Historical Romance) (32 page)

“But it had to do with your father?”

“Yes, my father’s business. I had no part in that. I was practically a child when
….” Bettina shut her eyes for a moment. “And is my mother safe? Did they go after her too? Whom can I trust, if a faithful family servant turned against me? And for what purpose?”

“How did your father die?”

“He had a bad heart, Maman said. Though no one had ever mentioned such a condition to me. His death was so sudden, he had never been ill.” She dabbed at her tearing eyes with the edge of the dressing gown.

“Here, darling, use this.” Everett pulled out his handkerchief. “So your father had a business?”

Bettina sniffed into the cloth. “It started as a hobby, rare antiques. But he found interest in the entire process, the search, proving authenticity. He told me it was more fulfilling to him than idle languishing at Court. My father was always his own man. He did not care what others thought.” She twisted the handkerchief. “But many of the nobility were involved in business ventures. The king’s brother, the Comte d’Artois, managed porcelain and iron factories.”

Everett leaned closer and drew her into his arms. “I wish I could answer all your questions and put your mind at rest, keep you safe.”

“I know a man is dead, but I am relieved he cannot pursue me. If he only made sense about my father. And Armand is even more confusing.” Bettina shook her head. “And his sour relation, Madame Hilaire. I never did trust her.”

“Who is this?”

“Armand’s ‘niece’ we stayed with right before I left for England. I heard an argument between them. She insisted they send someone to Paris, but Armand refused. They must have been talking about me. That has to be what Gaspar meant when he said Armand was to take care of it, but instead put me on a ship. Is she also a member of this bizarre group, Gaspar’s people? I suspected she had something to do with the revolution.”

“That’s most likely, considering the situation then and now.”

“Armand said that I would be no use, that they will have to solve it another way, I knew nothing about it.” Bettina sighed. “I did not remember half of this until later. It does follow to what Gaspar told me.”

“If only we knew the purpose behind it. You’re in shock, darling. Perhaps we should discuss this later after you’ve had time to rest.” He kissed her forehead.

“Armand had hoped I would perish somewhere—so dreadful.” Bettina took a ragged breath and sat back from him. “You could pour me another brandy, sir. I am still frozen inside.” She fanned her thick hair across her back, to encourage it to dry, leaning into the heat from the fire.

Everett rose, poured half a snifter full and handed it to her, then resumed his seat.

She swirled the golden liquid about and took a sip. “I am even more confused than when first sent from France. Even that old Baron in Exeter reacted with almost fear at the mention of my father’s name. Oh, and mon Dieu, that Gaspar, he said he murdered Stephen Tremayne! The man whose body the Justice found in the cove.”

Everett’s eyes widened. “Did he say why?”

“Stephen trailed me as well, Gaspar said, and he got in his way. But we cannot tell Trethewy that either … for obvious reasons.” She stared into Everett’s sympathetic gaze, ashamed she had ever suspected him of Stephen’s death.

He cradled her face between his hands. “Please do me the favor of not riding off unescorted again. I love you, and don’t want to lose you.”

Bettina nodded, comforted by the way he looked at her. “I love you, too,” she said, happy to tell him now, seeing the relief spread over his features.

When he raised her face to his and kissed her lips, she didn’t resist. She enjoyed the attention, the brief oblivion from the day’s events.

As their kissing deepened, he slid his hand beneath her breast. Her body responded, and she trembled in her desire for him. But her conscience flashed to Kerra—pale, shaking Kerra with blood streaming down her legs. Bettina pulled away. “I am afraid to continue. I cannot risk becoming with child until we are married.”

“I know, I know, we have much to discuss. That night we spent together was unforgettable, but I understand your fears.” Everett’s blue eyes glistened with longing as he caressed her face and neck. “I asked you to trust me, but I won’t add to your burdens today.”

She tugged the dressing gown closer around herself and took another sip of brandy. Her life remained full of too many alarming problems and she didn’t know who she could trust. She touched his cheek. “You, Monsieur Camborne, cannot put me off much longer.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

A man brushed up against her in the taproom the following evening. Bettina cringed and moved aside. She stared into the stranger’s face. Did she perceive something sinister in his expression? Was he someone sent out to replace the Hunter? Bettina snatched up dirty tankards and hurried toward the kitchen. She had to stop skittering like a rabbit at every shadow. But she kept hearing Gaspar’s body smack the well bottom. The thought of the pear puffs splattering with the force of impact increased this macabre image.

“Chop them vegetables,” Ann snarled, pointing to the small table.

Bettina took a cleaver and hacked at the turnips and onions, eyes watering, longing for the hot bath she’d take to wash the food stench from her skin.

“You let my boy go off ramblin’, when I entrusted him to you. After a local man be found murdered, ’taint safe.” Ann crimped the pas
ty crust over the mixture Bettina handed her. “What happened out there? People sayin’ the Justice suspect Camborne in that business with Tremayne. Seems you attract more men than you need.”

“Should she share one with you?” Kerra asked as she entered and swept a broom across the floor, picking up flour dust and food remnants. Her green eyes glittered with mischief. “Might have to tie him down first.”

Ann glared at Kerra. “Neither o’ you will come to a good end. An’ don’t think I don’t know what you did to hide your sins.”

Bettina almost felt relieved that the harridan spread around her accusations. “I am glad Morley made it home safely.” Or had the boy sneaked around and witnessed Gaspar’s murder? She chopped more and agreed about attracting too many men.

Kerra stopped sweeping and smirked at Ann. She held the broom out to her. “You can borrow this, in case you need to fly about an’ do some errands ’round the village.”

Ann snatched the broom and swiped it at Kerra’s ankles. Kerra snickered and slipped behind the table. Bettina laughed for the first time in days.

“Not amusin’, Miss Duchess. I seen that fat man who always asked for you. They smell a tart when they sees one.” Ann’s small eyes shone cold under her drooping lids. “An’ God punishes them that needs it.”

Bettina’s cheeks burned. She could no longer claim virginal status and shuddered at the mention of the Hunter. What if someone discovered his body? “Ann, I am certain it is not charitable to pretend to be holier than those around you. Why do you dislike me so?”

“My God knows the cruelty I’ve suffered.” Ann turned and stomped down the hallway.

Bettina picked up the tray of pasties and put them in the oven. “My being French cannot be the only reason she is so nasty to me.”

“Pay her no mind.” Kerra leaned against the table. “I should o’ told you, that girl her husband run off with years back, was real young an’ had lots of thick black hair like you. She were an Irish chit, so a bit foreign. That might be what sets Ann’s teeth on edge.”

“My teeth are on the edge.” Bettina sighed and flicked moist tendrils of hair from her forehead. “I cannot endure anymore of this waiting.” Waiting for someone else to come and demand information, waiting for Everett to admit all. “The next time I see him, I will insist Everett tell me about his wife.”

* * * *

Bettina smiled at Frederick in the Camborne library that Thursday at the manor. “You did well, today. Tr
ès magnifique.”

“I am ten years old, since last week. Merci, Mademoiselle.” He made a lively bow.

“Ten, yes, so very old.” Bettina laughed, but it was forced. How naïve she’d been at that age, with both her parents loving and close. The world was simple, or so she’d thought. Then she remembered this child hadn’t had an easy life either.

“Are you to remain my tutor now?” He nudged at the chair leg with his shoe. The boy’s golden curls, now a darker blond, tumbled about his face.

She felt guilty that she wanted to be gone from Cornwall, traveling forward. “I am not certain for that yet.”

“I heard uncle say we might move to London.” His vivid eyes studied her.

“
Vraiment
?” She gripped the chair arm, her stomach flipping. “What do you mean?”

The library door opened and Everett entered.

“We will discuss that later. You are dismissed. I must speak to your uncle.” She stood, her words a little curt.

The boy looked from her to his uncle as if calculating their emotions. Then he walked from the room with all the dignity of his advanced years.

Bettina turned to Everett, her pulse thrumming. “You are moving to London, Frederick says? Where do I fit in? I think it is past time you explained everything, about your wife especially. No more excuses, please.”

He closed the door. “Indeed, I have much to clarify. You deserve to know.” Everett pulled the leather wing chairs side by side, took her hand, and they sat. His lips thinned to a grim line. “I’ll try to explain, the best I can.” Even so, he paused. “I told you that my marriage was a mistake. I didn’t realize the extent until we moved out here to Cornwall. Miriam had always been flirtatious. But I didn’t suspect any infidelity until she dallied with my
… I hate to admit this, my brother-in-law. Clare’s husband, Hollis.”

“Frederick’s father?” Bettina sucked in her breath, though she’d heard this rumor. No wonder he’d never wanted to speak of the boy’s father before.

“Yes. I didn’t love Miriam anymore. I don’t think I ever really loved her. I couldn’t bear to see everything disintegrate, so I threw myself into my work in London and spent little time here. Hollis came from a good family. He was a suave charmer who turned out to be a corrupt scoundrel. I took him into my employ to please my sister. Clare professed to be in love with him.” Everett stared into space, his jaw tight. “Yet their marriage, too, was a travesty.”

Bettina reached over and squeezed his hand. “Continue, please. I know it is painful.”

“Miriam and I had a terrific fight that last evening, the last time I saw her. While we’d been sniping at each other for some time, this was by far the worst. I’d had no actual proof of her indiscretion with Hollis, but an associate of mine had seen her with him in Truro while I was away in London. They were brazenly kissing at some fete in the public Assembly Rooms. Of course, she denied it. Then she accused me of having other women tucked away in London.

“I learned too late she was a heartless, shallow person. She cared little for my happiness, or my sister’s. When I grew angrier, pressing her about the affair, she flung a vase at my head. Pieces shattered all over the dining room. I’m afraid I lost composure. I raised my hand to slap her.” Everett’s grip on her fingers hurt. Then he dropped her hand, rose, and paced to the
fireplace. “But I decided she wasn’t worth it. And I couldn’t resort to such violence. Then she laughed because I didn’t strike her, taunting me.”

“Oh, my poor dear.” Bettina now understood her abhorrence for that room. In some way she’d sensed the cruel happenings there. She wanted to rush and embrace him, but sat still.

“I saw her for the malicious shrew she was. I demanded she get out, pack her things and leave. I never wanted to see her again.” He ran his fingers through his hair; his eyes looked dark and tortured. “Her chambermaid, a strumpet of a girl named Vida, had witnessed the entire incident. She was huddled on the staircase behind me, and at first I didn’t know. But Miriam did and spewed every foul slur she could muster. She accused me of abusing her throughout our marriage. She said Vida would bear testimony to that fact.”

“
Quel dommage
.” Bettina held out her hand. “Please, sit again.”

“It was the most wicked of lies, but Miriam was adept at vicious slander. And Vida was the rare person devoted to her, so I had no doubt whose side she would take.” He finally returned to the chair. “Miriam announced she’d leave, because if she stayed I’d end up killing her. Though that might have crossed my mind, it’s something I hope I’m incapable of.” His fingers clenched and unclenched. “But I spoke before thinking and agreed that killing her would be a pleasure.”

“You were pushed beyond all sanity.” Bettina ached at the despair in his expression. She clasped his hand again, to caress the tension from his fingers. “Anyone would have been.”

“Miriam did leave that night, taking little with her. She came to the library to tell me she’d send for her baggage. For some reason I’ll never fathom, she didn’t take Vida with her, nor did she inform the girl she was going for good. Selfish to the last.” Everett shook his head. “That proved unfortunate for me. The next day Vida couldn’t wait to spread word in the village that I threatened to kill my wife and now Miriam was nowhere to be found.”