To Protect An Heiress (Zebra Historical Romance) (29 page)

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Authors: Adrienne Basso

BOOK: To Protect An Heiress (Zebra Historical Romance)
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Meredith held out her hand to the footman, who stood politely at the ready to assist her from the coach, but her husband waved the servant off. It was the marquess who possessively took her hand and assisted her down to the pavement.
Meredith stood for a moment and looked up. The mansion was ablaze with lights. Candles glowed from behind each window pane facing the street, and extra torches had been lit on the outside steps to illuminate the way to the front door. Delighted with the twinkling view, Meredith turned to her husband.
“Why are you frowning, Trevor? Is something amiss?”
Behind her, Trevor murmured, “No. I am just surprised so many people are here. I had no idea this sort of evening would be of interest to any but the most ardent of music lovers. To be honest, I expected only a handful of guests.”
Meredith quelled a sigh. She had been looking forward to tonight’s performance for weeks. It would be a rare privilege to hear the talented singers and musicians the duke had persuaded to entertain, for they seldom left their native homelands in Europe.
“My dear husband, you have yet to hear a note played or an aria sung, so please reserve your judgment.” Compressing her lips, she added, “If I wanted a grumbling man along, I would have asked your father to accompany us.”
“He was wise enough to formulate an excuse,” Trevor muttered under his breath.
“I heard that,” she quipped.
His features grim, the marquess took his wife by the elbow and led her up the stairs. Once inside, Meredith gave her wrap to a waiting servant and allowed her husband to steer her away from the crowd. It was his usual method when they first arrived at an event, so she knew precisely what to expect.
He had told her it was the most practical approach, for he needed to assess the guests and decide if there was anyone around who might pose a threat. However, on more than one occasion, Meredith had caught her husband casting a nasty, possessive growl at any gentleman doing nothing more than showing a flattering interest in her person.
Tonight she wore a red silk evening gown with a neckline that revealed a tantalizing glimpse of her breasts. Hers was hardly the lowest cut dress in the room. In fact, compared to many of the other women, she was almost matronly in her attire.
Yet as they strolled into the high domed conservatory where the performance would be held, Meredith noted Trevor was scanning the crowd with singular intensity, as though he expected her to be accosted at any moment.
“Is everything all right?” Meredith whispered after Trevor had located seats for them.
“I am uncertain. Alworthy has not taken his eyes from your bosom since you removed your wrap.”
Meredith felt the heat rise in her cheeks. “I have known Lord Alworthy for many years. I cannot imagine he would cause me harm.”
“He is a rake, preying on any female he can corner. I find his eyes too cool, his gaze too assessing. I do not want him near you.”
“Fine. I shall give him the cut direct if he approaches,” she said.
Trevor nodded his approval, and Meredith nearly screamed. She had been sarcastic when she suggested snubbing Alworthy, though in truth she doubted the man would have the nerve to come within twenty feet of her with Trevor guarding her so obviously.
Thankfully she spied her brother Jason across the room and signaled for him to join them. He did so eagerly, but his motives were soon clear. He was desperately searching for a glimpse of Miss Elizabeth Sainthill and wanted to know if either of them had had the pleasure of seeing her.
“It is my understanding Miss Elizabeth and Miss Harriet are house guests of the duke’s,” Meredith replied patiently. “It is therefore reasonable to conclude she will be here.”
“Thank goodness.”
Jason sighed dramatically and lifted his chin. Meredith soon realized her brother’s eyes were trained on the archway entrance and immediately fastened to any female who walked through it.
“Jason,” Meredith called.
“Hmmm?”
Her brother never even turned his head in her direction. Apparently it was too much to ask that he break his concentrated studied of the entrance and speak to her using actual words. Meredith scowled. “Though I did not see her when we entered, it is possible Elizabeth is with the duke, greeting the guests.”
Jason’s head whirled around so quickly it nearly made Meredith dizzy. “Of course! Why didn’t I think of it? Thanks, Merry.”
The young man dashed off without a second glance.
Trevor grinned wickedly and took his seat beside his wife. “That was well done.”
“Oh, be quiet. One difficult man by my side is more than enough for the evening. I shall not allow all these petty disruptions to ruin my enjoyment of what promises to be a spectacular night.”
Trevor took her hand and squeezed gently. After a moment she returned the pressure. When the performance began, their fingers were still entwined.
 
 
His insides had begun to quiver when he saw her enter the mansion. She was here! For days he had not slept, hoping she would come, fearing she would not. He knew she had not appeared in Society much in the past week, no doubt frightened by his warning at the theater.
But tonight she had ventured out. What unbelievable luck! Nearly everything was ready for her. He needed to execute only a few final details. That must be done soon, for he knew he must strike quickly the moment the opportunity presented itself.
He frowned. It was an annoyance that the marquess had also come to the evening’s performance, but that would not change the final outcome of the night. He would have to be cunning and clever to outwit the nobleman, but his arrogant mind embraced the challenge.
Lady Meredith was a prize worth fighting for, and victory would be all the more sweeter if he outfoxed Dardington in the process.
He skirted the edges of the music conservatory, positioning himself in an unobtrusive corner just as the performance began. For several minutes, he merely watched her, sitting slightly forward in her seat so she could see as well as hear the performance.
Her lovely face registered her enraptured delight at the music. Beside her, the marquess looked less pleased. In fact, he looked downright bored. That was a good sign. It meant the marquess would most likely take advantage of the intermission to escape for a few moments. And if he left, there was a very good chance his wife would stay behind.
With a small sigh of satisfaction, he slipped away from the conservatory to set in motion the final pieces of his plan.
Though Meredith kept her eyes on the musicians at the front of the room, she was very aware of the man seated to her left. Trevor shifted, squirmed, crossed and uncrossed his legs, then finally stretched them out.
She cast him a stern glare of silent warning. He shrugged his shoulders and tried to look innocent. She was not fooled.
“The intermission will be starting in a few minutes,” Meredith whispered. “Why don’t you go to the other room and enjoy a quick brandy?”
“I’m fine,” Trevor insisted. “Besides, I do not want to leave you alone.”
“You are not fine. You are restless and bored. Now go.”
He hesitated, and she glared again. “All right, if you insist. But I shall be gone for only a few moments.”
She shooed him away with a dismissive wave, then turned her full attention to the incredible music being played. As the last crescendo faded away, Meredith stood up, along with many of the other guests, and clapped enthusiastically.
“I do beg your pardon, Lady Dardington, but there is a delicate matter that needs your attention.”
Meredith lifted her eyes to the man who had spoken. He had moved to stand in front of Trevor’s empty chair. She could tell from his garments he was an upper house servant, yet for some odd reason he seemed vaguely familiar. “Are we acquainted, sir?”
The man blushed. “I am flattered you would remember me, my lady. We met briefly a few months ago when you sought my assistance concerning a duel.”
Meredith’s face brightened into a smile. “Of course, now I remember. You are Mr. Wingate’s valet, are you not? Wait, don’t tell your name.” She tapped her foot impatiently as she tried to recall it. “Hawkins? Is that right?”
“Yes, it is, my lady.”
She nodded her head in satisfaction. “Without your help that morning, I never would have been able to prevent the duel. I do not forget a kindness, Hawkins. How may I be of aid to you?”
“I do not ask on behalf of myself, but for Miss Elizabeth Sainthill.”
“Elizabeth asked you to deliver a message to me?” Meredith asked incredulously. “I find that rather difficult to believe.”
His face reddened and Meredith drew back. He looked so fierce and angry for an instant it startled her, but then he hung his head contritely, and Meredith realized he was embarrassed.
“Forgive me, my lady,” he said softly. “I did not mean to be presumptuous. Naturally Miss Elizabeth did not ask me to get you. I saw her speaking with one of your brothers a few moments ago. Everything appeared very congenial between the couple, but then Miss Elizabeth suddenly turned and raced away. As she ran up the stairs, I could not help but hear her sobs of distress.”
“Goodness, that does sound serious.” Meredith bit her lower lip. “Did you notice where my brother went?”
Hawkins’s eyes darted away. “No. I have not seen him since the incident.”
“Well, you were right to come to me, Hawkins. I am very interested in anything either of my brothers are doing, especially when it involves a young, impressionable girl like Miss Elizabeth.”
The servant sighed with relief. “From the direction she fled, I assume she went to her chambers. If you like, I can take you to her. Or I can call a female servant, if you prefer.”
Meredith lifted her chin and scanned the room anxiously. Many of the guests had left their seats and were milling about the room. She did not see Trevor anywhere.
“Is there a problem, my lady?”
She shook her head. “I was looking for my husband.”
“I believe the marquess is in the green room with several of the other gentlemen.” Hawkins bowed politely. “Shall I fetch him for you?”
Meredith hesitated. If Elizabeth was upset over something Jason had said or done, she might want to discuss it. In that case, Trevor’s presence would be a hindrance. “I will go to see Miss Elizabeth first. If she asks me to stay with her, will you bring a message to my husband and let him know where I am?”
Hawkins’s chest puffed with obvious pride. “As you wish.”
Meredith nodded and smiled pleasantly. Then, with her mind focused on poor Elizabeth’s plight, she followed Mr. Hawkins from the room.
Nineteen
The hall clock chimed ten as they ascended to the third floor, but Meredith paid it little heed. She was trying to think of how best to manage the coming meeting and wondering why Elizabeth was so distressed.
Meredith had difficulty imagining her brother doing something to deliberately harm Elizabeth. He might be foolish, irresponsible, even thoughtless at times, but his affection for and infatuation with the young girl seemed genuine. Hopefully it was only a silly misunderstanding between the two that had caused this upset and could be easily rectified.
With that in mind, Meredith glanced at her surroundings. They were now in a very old and obviously little used section of the house. There was a musty, stale odor to the air and evidence of dust on the floors and carpet runners. Few candles were lit, casting dark and eerie shadows along the hallway that narrowed, twisted, and turned at abrupt angles.
Even though she was a rather minor guest of the duke, it seemed odd Elizabeth would be housed in such out-of-the-way rooms. Meredith frowned. The prickling of unease grew with each step she took, rapidly growing too strong to ignore.
Yet before she could voice her concerns, they arrived. With a polite bow, Hawkins knocked sharply on the last door at the end of the hall. He did not wait for an answer, but lifted the latch and pushed it open.
Meredith stepped into the room. It was dark, lit only by three candles on a wall sconce. There were surprisingly few pieces of furniture in the room—a large four-poster bed with dark curtains tied back at each post, an armoire with a missing door, a small table.
Meredith noticed Elizabeth was sitting in the only chair, her back to the door. Meredith stepped forward. “Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth’s head jerked, but she did not turn around, nor did she speak. Meredith turned in puzzlement to Hawkins, but the servant was no longer there. Meredith moved forward, then gasped.
She understood why Elizabeth had not answered. A scarf was tied across her mouth, effectively gagging her. Horrified, Meredith moved closer and noticed Elizabeth’s hands were bound together with a single cord. It was wrapped several times around the girl’s wrists, then pulled forward and tied to the bottom rung of the chair.
Meredith stared blindly at the young girl, unwilling to accept what her eyes were witnessing. “My God, who has done this to you?”
Elizabeth’s pale blue eyes widened with fright. She shook her head as tears fell down her cheeks, wetting the gag in her mouth.
“Oh, I am so sorry,” Meredith said when she realized the girl could not answer her.
Meredith tugged at the scarf, but it did not budge. She next fumbled with the knot at the side, her fingers clumsy and unsteady. Finally she loosened the material enough so she could slide it away from Elizabeth’s mouth.
The younger girl took several great gulps of air and then broke into sobs. Bending low, Meredith hugged her fiercely. “Hush now, ’tis all over.”
“He is a madman, a monster,” Elizabeth wailed. “I was frightened. I
am
so frightened.” She sniffled loudly, then took a shuddering breath. “We must hurry and get away before he returns.”
“Before who returns?” Meredith asked. “Who did this to you?”
“That servant, that horrible valet of Julian’s. I do not even know his name.”
Meredith was speechless. Hawkins did this? But why? And why had he now brought her here to find Elizabeth? It made no sense at all.
“But he led me to you,” Meredith said. “Why would he do that if he meant you harm?”
Elizabeth’s eyes again welled with tears. “I do not understand any of this, Lady Meredith. He told me Harriet was asking for me and wanted me to meet her; So I followed him here. The moment we were alone, he tied me up. Then he left. I have been so frightened. He never said anything specific, but I know he means to do me harm. Perhaps you also. We must escape.”
“She is right, Lady Meredith. You would do well to listen to her.”
Meredith looked up to find Hawkins watching them. She had not even heard him enter the room, though perhaps he had never left. She returned his regard with a calculatedly blank expression, hoping to somehow bluff her way to freedom. “Miss Elizabeth and I are leaving,” she said, tugging ineffectually on the cord that bound the younger girl’s hands.
He smiled then, a feral grin of such evil intent Meredith felt momentarily dizzy. “I knew you had the spirit to fight me,” he replied. “But your arrogance and courage exceeds even my expectations. I am well pleased by it.”
Meredith was at a loss. Her defiance seemed to excite him, yet being compliant might put them in even graver danger. “Mr. Hawkins, I am sure we can settle whatever has upset you in a calm and rational manner. There is no need for threats or violence.”
Anger blazed from Hawkins’s eyes. “I make no threats. I have planned this all so carefully, so thoroughly. There is no need for you to be frightened. Yet.”
Meredith swallowed hard. The chamber door was still open. Hawkins stood to the side of the doorway, just inside the room. He was not a tall man. In fact, she topped him by several inches. If she rushed him suddenly, she might be able to knock him down and escape.
Meredith glanced down and gazed at Elizabeth. Though the gag was gone, her hands were still bound to the chair. In the shadowy darkness, the girl’s lovely face was so pale it was nearly the same color as her white gown. Her lower lip trembled and tears coursed silently down her cheeks. Meredith knew she could not leave her.
She struggled to contain her nearly paralyzing fear. “You are a very clever man,” Meredith said softly.
Hawkins’s expression was one of pure triumph. “I spent many hours formulating my plans. I had noticed your husband is often in your company, and I was unsure if I could lure you away. Yet in the end you made it so easy, so effortless.”
Meredith took a step back. Hawkins followed, his eyes afire with harmful intent.
“What are you going to do?” Meredith somehow forced the words through her lips.
“Why I shall kill her, of course.” Hawkins cocked his head to one side. “And you shall watch her struggle to take each breath until finally there are no more.”
Elizabeth’s shoulders sagged, and she whimpered pitifully. Without conscious thought Meredith moved to stand protectively in front of the younger girl. Her mind was racing, her blood pumping hard and fast. “Why would you want to hurt Miss Elizabeth? She has done nothing to offend you.”
Hawkins’ eyes glittered. “That might be true, but she is clearly someone you care about. Her death will distress you.”
A sliver of dread sent shivers along Meredith’s spine. “That is your true aim, isn’t it, Hawkins? To cause me suffering?”
He smiled at her again, as if she were a clever child and he a doting teacher. “I should not be surprised at how quickly you grasped the reality of the situation. Congratulations, Lady Meredith.”
Meredith tried to say something, but her tongue felt stuck to the roof of her mouth. She glanced down and saw Elizabeth struggling against her bonds furiously. When she made no apparent progress, she slumped in the chair; defeated.
Meredith’s heart thumped madly. The only chance they had to survive was to stall for time. No doubt Trevor would notice she was gone when he returned to the conservatory. He would not wait long to begin looking for her. Yet it would take time for him to find her, buried back here in such a remote section of the house—if he even thought to search for her within the house.
“I cannot think what I have done to warrant such strong feelings of hatred, Mr. Hawkins. However, I should like to make amends. Will you accept my sincere apologies?”
Her contrite manner seemed to puzzle him. His mouth opened, shut, then opened again. “I shall accept your apologies, Lady Meredith. After all, you are only a woman, weak of mind and body. But I shall still kill Miss Elizabeth.”
“What is going on in here?”
Meredith and Hawkins turned in startled amazement toward the female voice. Harriet Sainthill stood in the open doorway, her hands planted firmly on her hips. She saw Hawkins the same instant he spied her. Her mouth formed a perfect O of shock as the valet lunged toward her.
“Harriet, run!” Meredith screamed.
Harriet’s face was frozen in surprise. She tried to dodge away, but Hawkins was too quick. In one swift move, he slammed the door shut and captured Harriet. He backhanded her across the face to stun her, then put one strong arm around her shoulders, trapping her against him. He reached for something held within his coat pocket and Meredith sickened when she saw a flash of light reflected off the blade of a long knife.
Her eyes darted around the room, searching for something she could use to attack Hawkins, but the room appeared to have been stripped bare. There was not even a candlestick.
Meredith put her hand to her mouth. Harriet seemed stunned by the blow, but Meredith could not take her eyes off that deadly knife.
“Well, well, things are certainly getting interesting. Somehow I knew I could count on you, Lady Meredith, to keep things lively.” Hawkins lowered his head and looked indifferently toward Elizabeth. “It brings me far greater pleasure to use my hands on a female’s throat, but I need both of them to accomplish the task.”
Hawkins dragged Harriet across the room. Meredith backed away slowly, pressing herself against the wall beside Elizabeth. He said nothing, only tightened his grip on the now struggling Harriet. When he reached the bound girl, he raised his knife. Elizabeth flinched. Harriet screamed.
“Mr. Hawkins, please,” Meredith cried desperately. “Miss Elizabeth is Miss Harriet’s younger sister. Miss Harriet is going to marry Mr. Wingate. I dare say your employer will be most distressed if anything happens to his future sister-in-law.”
Hawkins’s expression turned smugly condescending. “How little you know of Mr. Wingate’s true feelings. He does not care a fig for this cow, else he would have married her long ago. He will be pleased by this surprising twist of fate, for it will free him of any obligations toward her. You see, now I shall have to cut her throat, too, since she has seen me.”
He pulled Harriet harder against his chest, and she moaned softly. Meredith was unsure if Hawkins’s rough handling or his words had wounded the other woman more. She gripped the edge of the window ledge beside her and tried to make her mind function. Somehow she had to keep him talking.
“Why do you prefer to use your hands, Mr. Hawkins? Is it faster that way?” The words nearly made her sick, but Meredith forced them through her lips.
The valet slowly lowered the knife. “What tricks are you playing at, Lady Meredith? No woman of quality wishes to hear of such things.”
Meredith steeled herself for what she must do.
They are only words
, she admonished herself silently.
Listening to them will be difficult, yet it might save you all
. “My interest should not surprise you overmuch. You have said I am unlike most other females.”
Hawkins’s face was a mask of astonishment. He seemed to be weighing her sincerity, wondering if her interest was genuine. “I use my hands so I can feel the final breaths of life as they leave the body. As I hold the throat between my fingers, life slips away and death takes its place.”
Meredith cringed at the pride and excitement in his voice. She did not have to ask another question to prompt him, for it suddenly seemed very important that he explain himself to her, brag about what he had done.
“I choose my women very carefully, you know. The English shop girls are the best. So sweet and fresh-faced, yet they fight and struggle like warrior queens.”
“We are not shop girls,” Harriet said breathlessly. “We are all women of quality.”
“I have killed a noblewoman,” he insisted, “though Lady Lavinia died quickly and without the tiniest of struggles. I received little pleasure from it.”
Meredith’s face twisted with shock. What was he saying? He had killed Lavinia? Was that possible?
Meredith could barely hear his next words, for a sudden pounding had overtaken her head. Her skin grew clammy and the blood drained from her face. Though it might create a much needed diversion if she became violently ill, Meredith did not wish to test that theory.
“You killed the former Marchioness of Dardington?” Harriet asked. “Why?”
“I did not mean to kill her. It was a mistake.” He laughed, but the sound was not in the least humorous. “Lady Meredith was meant to die that afternoon, for the insult she had shown Mr. Wingate. She rejected his honorable proposal of marriage most cruelly. I could not let such a slight go unpunished.”
His words tore through Meredith, making her stomach roll. She rubbed her damp temples and breathed deeply, trying to quell the dizziness.
“So you came to the duchess’s garden party intending to kill me?” Meredith whispered. “How did Lady Lavinia become involved?”
Hawkins’s eyes took on a feverish intensity. “She was wearing your shawl. I followed her to the folly, thinking I at last had you alone. I attacked from behind, taking only a moment to enjoy her final gasps of life. It was not until later, when I spied you weeping beside her lifeless form, that I realized my mistake.”

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