Chapter Four
Dane had been correct in his assumption that it would take more than a few days to discover the identity and location of his would be assassin. After leaving Violet’s grand townhouse on Park Lane over a week ago he had made little headway in the investigation. Inquiries had been sent out to all agents on the continent who might have some knowledge of the Frenchman’s movements. This morning it was confirmed that the Shadow of Death was believed to have boarded a ship bound for England a fortnight ago but again that could not be confirmed with complete accuracy.
To make matters worse Maria disappeared three days after the shooting complicating matters further. He had no idea if she was involved in the attempt on his life but he was pretty damn sure she knew something about it. Alexander was was sent to follow up leads concerning the Spanish beauty leaving Dane to hunt the Frenchman alone.
Dane having just left the office of Herman Matherson leaned back against the velvet squabs of his luxury carriage. He let a heavy sigh leave his lungs puffing out his cheeks as he thought over everything the spymaster had to tell him. Alexander messaged that Maria had been seen traveling north by mail coach but he had lost her trail near Leeds. It was uncertain if she made contact with the English traitor at the Dewaldington ball or any time prior to leaving London. If she had Dane was unaware of when, for after the attempt on his life he had been preoccupied with the well being of Miss Price to give much thought to the dark haired Spaniard. A lapse in performance that had never occurred before and it troubled Dane greatly.
In the meanwhile Alexander had been called back from Leeds and assigned another case. A chemist under the employ of the home office who had been developing of secret formula for a disappearing ink had been murdered. Shadow of Death suspected as the culprit. Alexander was now on the search for the chemist’s son Will who it was believed had work alongside his father and was in possession of the formula that home office was desperate to get into their hands.
Nothing more was known of the whereabouts of L’ombre du Trepas, Shadow of Death, he had completely disappeared again. Dane left Matheson's office with his assurance that several of the best homeland agents were on the case. He now faced the unpleasant task of informing Violet and Miss Price that their confinement would extend longer than first thought and that Matherson wanted them sent to a safe house. Knowing Miss Price’s view on the entire situation and the reasons behind them would not make this easy and really he could not blame her.
Shaking his head he recalled of the many times she slipped into his thoughts over the past week. She would appear at the most inopportune times with images of her standing among the crowded ballroom and instead of him dancing with Violet it was Charity that he twirled around the floor in his arms. Other times icy fingers of fear would jolt him when he would hear her scream as he re-lived those moments when she was in the hideous grip of remembered horrors. But it was when she visited his dreams that he was disturbed the greatest.
His dream would always start out the same, with the view of her standing in front of the parlor window, sunlight bathing her satin soft skin in a warm glow. Instead of turning to him with words of anger and disdain she would look at him with amber eyes so full of life and come into his arms with an inviting smile that he would cover with his own lips. She would respond by pressing her lush body into his hardening build and opening her lips to his questing tongue. They would remain locked in the heated embrace for several long arousing minutes his mouth tasting the sweet honey of her moist mouth and the softness of her lips. Then he would bring his hand up to cup her abundant breast that spilled from her dress into his palm. He would brush his thumb over her hard pointed nipple making her gasp into his mouth and arch her back. He repeated the motion but this time he felt something warm and wet against his hand and when she gasped it sounded more out of pain than pleasure. He would pull back to look down at her and she would push out of his arms and then he would see it. See the his hand covered in her blood, see the big gaping hole above her luscious breast that he had just been fondling, see the blood pour from her wound spilling her life source onto the floor. He would watch helpless as her bright amber eyes would fade and stare at him unseeing as two men dressed in hospital uniforms, Bedlam embroidered on their lapels, came and carried her away. It was then that he would jolt awake covered in sweat with the words starvation, beating and rape ringing repeatedly in his ears.
Dane was always left shaken and puzzled by the dreams. Most of it he understood was because of his sense of obligation and duty to keep the woman from harm and the fact that the Shadow of Death was still at large and therefore a threat. What puzzled him the most was the amorous bent of his dream. When he first saw Charity, no Miss Price, he had thought her quite plain, not at all the sort of woman he was attracted to. There had been only that one time in the parlor just before she accused him of being a snob and biget where he thought her lips were quite lovely and had for just a briefest of moments wondered what it would be like to kiss her. Other than that he could very positively say that he was not attracted to her which made his dreams that much more disturbing.
He was pulled out of his deliberations when the carriage bumped to a stop in front of Violet’s townhouse. As he climbed the stairs to the front door he discreetly glance about noting the two agents that were watching the front of the house, he knew there were another two men stationed in the back. When the door swung open and he was ushered inside he couldn’t help but smile. The entire house was filled with the sweet sounding tones of someone playing the pianoforte in the music room. As he stood and listened he recognized the tune to be Beethoven's piano sonata number five.
Music by the masters, Beethoven, Bach and Mozart being his favorite was one of Dane’s great loves though few people knew that of him. Violet did and it pleased him that she had obviously been studying to improve her skills. In fact he was amazed by her performance that was so smooth and flawless that he would say she had become a virtuoso. A spectacular feat considering the last time he heard her play she was mediocre at best.
Handing his gloves and coat off to the butler Filbert he crossed the polished marble floor with a wide smile upon his face intent on joining Violet at the pianoforte. He had some talent and skill himself and relished the notion of performing a duet with his friend. He only made it halfway across the floor when Violet stepped out of the parlor to greet him. She smiles at his look of confusion and bracing a hand on his arm reaches up to kiss his cheek. She was wearing a dress of blue silk with a square cut neckline that shows just the beginning of her curves and her blond hair is swept back from her face to fall in a riot of curls down her back. At one time Dane found her very beautiful and yet pictures of Miss Price flashed in his mind more that Violet when he thought of beauty.
Shaking his head to disperse such thoughts he looked quizzically in the direction of the music room. “Who…?”
Violet linked her arm with his as she moved him slowly toward the room, “My dear cousin Charity. She was exceptionally gifted as a child but now her talent knows no boundaries. She says that her blindness allows her to see the music better than a sighted person that is distracted by the things they see around them. She can hear and understand the notes clearer and with precision without the distractions a sighted person has.”
“But how can she read the music?” Dane didn’t think such a thing was possible but he was in awe of her talent just the same.
“She uses enlarged cut outs of the notes and myself or her lady's maid Anna places them upon raised lines or the stave on a table and she reads them from there. She has such a remarkable memory that she only needs to read them once and she can play the piece faultlessly.”
Together they stood in the doorway listening, watching as her fingers danced over the keys. Dane marvelled how not once did she miss a note, never did she stumble over the keys when the tempo abruptly changed. Her right hand would rise off the keys then fall with fluid grace as her left continued to stroke the ivory and his body began to tingle with the thought of her brushing them against his skin. He watched her supple body move and sway in time with the music and the look on her face was one of sheer rapture as if she was transported into the heavens. He let himself float with the music being carried away to a different plane where only bliss and euphoria existed. He was not alone, she was there with him.
“Remarkable,” he whispers so low he was sure that even Violet who was standing right beside him did not hear him.
The language of the piece quickly changed to deep thunderous tone and instead of continuing to the natural end of the song Charity abruptly stops. The vibrations of her final note rain over him like the downpour of a summer storm crashing him back down to earth.
He stands speechless, enthralled by her grace and skill and for the first time he saw her as something other than the plane wallflower he first thought her to be. The sun streaming in from the large open windows behind her lights her brown hair with ropes of copper that crown her with a golden halo. Skin he first saw a pallor and sickly glowed with the essence of a pure and perfect pearl. The few freckles that dance across her nose onto each cheek he did not see as a flaw but as an extension of her charm.
“Duke Westbrock what news do you have?” Charity’s unexpected question shook him out of his veneration. How did she know he was there? He thought they had be quiet as a church mouse.
“Perhaps we should retire to the parlor where we are less exposed to the outside world.” Dane felt perturbed that Charity seemed careless of the fact that anyone on the exterior of the house could clearly see her seated at the instrument. Did she think so little for her well being that she would take such a risk or was she just not as aware of her surroundings as she seemed? Somehow he didn’t think so.
“That’s an excellent suggestion,” Violet chimes. “I’ll have Filbert bring us tea and biscuits shall I Charity?”
“As you like cousin.” Charity rose off the bench as Violet went to find her butler.
Dane stopped Charity with a touch on her arm as she moved to pass him, the warmth of her skin sent little fusions of spark through his fingers and up his arm.
“Miss Price I feel I must point out that the reason for your confinement is to keep you out of sight from possible assassination.”
“And it has been very successful to date.” She shook of his hand turning to step out of the music room. Her expression of smug poise told him that she was very aware of his irritation with her and this only served to increase his ire.
Trailing after her he told her, “I fail to agree. Sitting in a room surrounded by glass with the drapes open is not out of sight Miss Price.” He felt his temper rising as she perched upon a green and cream paisley chair seemingly unconcerned for her own well being. He cursed himself for noticing how her gown the same color of green in the chair she was seated upon hugged her supple body to perfection. Accentuating her firm high breasts and trim waste that he felt the sudden urge to put his hands around to cup her softness and pull her into his hardness.
Storming over to the window where just a few days ago Charity had stood basking in the sunlight he grabbed the drapes and pulled them closed with more force than was necessary.
“One well placed shot Miss Price and your life would be forfeit.”
“Surely the guards posted outside are meant to prevent such and occurrence.”
“Oh drat, I hoped you would not notice them,” Violet said, Filbert following in behind her with a tea service. “Dane please stop scowling so and come have a seat so you can share your news.”
“Of course I noticed them. They tramp around the gardens like an invading army. I don’t see how they could possibly be agents in our country’s service with their lack of stealth.”
“You must remember Charity dear that the rest of us are not in possession of your keen hearing.” Violet told her cousin as she passed her a cup of tea which Charity took with the easy of a sighted person. After setting a cup down beside Dane Violet pour one for herself then settled into the cushioned seat of the settee next to Dane.
“What news do you have Dane?” Violet asked.
“Yes when will we be released from this prison where it seems that even sunlight is a threat?”
Charity was feeling a little more that agitated at the duke’s high handed behavior. It was already more than the few days he had stated it would be and the confinement was starting to wear on her nerves. She was feeling caged in and her nightmares of her time in Bedlam were coming with increasing frequency making her afraid to even close her eyes in slumber.
She heard his exasperated sigh and rushed in before having to listen to him admonish her one more time. Keeping her voice more cordial than she had earlier she asked, “Have you made any progress in identifying your assailant?”
She noticed his hesitation, it was very brief but it was there nonetheless and when he spoke his voice changed ever so slightly. “We have several very good leads that we are working on.” He shifted in his seat as if not quite comfortable with the lie.
Hating it when people lied to her especially with their misguided assumption that it was for her best Charity slid to the edge of her seat and hoped that she faced him squarely.
“You already know who the fellow is, you knew just by my description that I gave you immediately follow the attempt on your life so please do not insult me by lying to me now.”
“Is that true Dane, do you have knowledge of the person that you did not share with us?” Violet looked at him incredulously. Charity could feel the heat of his glare. He was not a man accustomed to having his honor brought into question.
“It was believed for the best that you did not know all the details.”
“Did you believe that because we are female we are to weak to handle it?” Violet demanded her anger evident.
“No Violet that was not the case…”
“Then tell us.” Charity snapped the softened her speech, “Please Your Grace. You insist, pardon the pun, that we blindly follow your commands with little to no knowledge why. I’m sure you can see how that is difficult for us.”
Dane didn’t miss the smallest tremble in her hand as Charity set her tea cup on the table next to her chair on the right then she slid to lean against the back of her chair. He waited debating on how much he should tell the two women as he watched Charity twist her fingers in her skirt no doubt wrinkling it. Then he realized that having all the information possible was the only way Charity would find peace of mind in this entire sorted matter. If he could give her that he would.
“No one knows his real name but he goes by the moniker L’ombre du Trépas.”
“Shadow of Death.” Violet translated.
“That sound ominous.” Charity added.
“It should. There is little known about the man other than his skill as a killer. He seems to be able to move among people unseen like a ghost. In fact you Miss Price are the first to get that close to him and that makes him very dangerous. He will not rest until he has eliminated you.”
“Dane really there is no need for such dramantics.” Violet scolded him indicating with her a look in Charity’s direction that she was more concerned for her cousin than herself.
“No Violet I appreciate his honesty.” Charity conceded.
Dane felt a rush of heat at her words. “Everything is being done to locate him but extra precautions must be taken to ensure both your safety.”
“What of your safety Your Grace?”
Charity’s softly spoken question took him back. It had been a long time since someone expressed concerned for his well being and it touched him somewhere down deep that this woman who has seen more hardship in her life than most people would be the one to affect him so.
Before he could find his voice to answer Violet asked, “What extra precautions are you talking about Dane?”
This was the part that Dane was most apprehensive about telling them. He was certain that, Charity especially would not be pleased to hear what he had to say. He knew it was the right decision yet a part of him did not want to cause Charity anymore anguish. Needing to put some distance between them he pushed to his feet and crossed the room to stand before the window where moments ago he had closed the drapes.
“Lord Berkshire and I feel it would be safest if you ladies were secreted away to a safe house until such a time as we deem it safe for your return.”
Charity bounded out of her chair as if someone had lit a fire under her. “Out of the question,” she stormed.
Violet came out of her seat to Charity’s side putting a hand on her arm, “Charity at least hear him out, perhaps it won’t be all that bad, I’ll be there with you to guide you through it all. We could think of it as a small vacation.”
“Actually,” Dane held his hand on the back of his neck looking at both ladies apologetically. “For your safety you will each be sent to a different house.”
“No!” Both ladies cried. Charity grabbed for Violet’s hand needing her strength as she felt the impact of his words. Going to new and unfamiliar places was something that Charity was still getting accustomed to with the help of her cousin but she had never done it alone. Violet had for the last year been there helping her learn how to count the steps so she could navigate around a room without stumbling into furniture or bumping into people. Charity had memorized the lay out of her home so well and staff were trained to never move anything out of place that she could move throughout the house with the same ease as a sighted person. If she had to uproot to a new home without Violet it would be like being trapped in a dark cave never knowing which direction led to the outside world.
She collapsed back onto the chair she had just left the roar in her ears caused by her racing heart and strangled breathing nearly drowning out Violet arguing with Dane. She listened as Violet tried to get Dane to see reason listing all the reasons Charity needed her and though she loved her cousin for caring so deeply for her welfare she understood that by having Violet with her it put her life at greater risk. With Violet hidden at a different location she would be saved from harm when the Shadow of Death came calling.
Anger unlike she had ever known raced through her veins at the thought that once again her life was being dictated by men who knew nothing of her yet felt they could deem what was best. It started with her uncle then moved on to the doctors, nurses and guards of Bedlam. Even Dr. Phillips as much a champion as he was toward her cause always held her back, never allowed her to live to her full potential. Now just when she finding a place in the world where she felt secure, as if she could contribute something meaningful it was being snatched away. All because of two men.
What angered her further was that the duke dared to lay the blame solely at her feet when in truth had he not been involved in espionage there would be no assassin determined to end his life. If he had not been at the same ball as her, had he not wandered into the same gardens as her, she would not been in this situation at all. But what infuriated her the most was that she knew that the duke was right, that putting distance between her and Violet was the only way to keep her beloved cousin safe.
Charity lifted to her feet on shaky legs as the two continued arguing ignoring her completely as if she was not in the room and as if her opinion mattered not. Never being on to raise her voice in anger both her cousin and the duke were startled into silence when she yelled at them to stop.
Now that she had their attention she calmly stated, “Violet, Duke Westbrock is correct. If we stay together you are in greater risk of being harmed and I could never live with myself should that happen.”
Charity hated the way her voice broke and had to stop and take a deep inhale, her chin trembling. She felt Violet step close and when she took her trembling hand in her own and with her softly spoken words Charity nearly broke down.
“But dear cousin how will you manage?”
“By trusting that you have taught me well cousin for I would not have the courage to do this without.”
All Charity could think of was that she faced being imprisoned again, that her hard fought independence was being stripped away. The despair was almost more than she could bear. With a strangled cry she tore from Violet’s hold and on unsteady legs went straight to the door leading out into the garden. Not thinking of her safety she rushed outside, the overwhelming need for fresh air made her lungs hurt. The surface of her skin ached with the demand for the feel of the sun upon it. Ignoring Violet’s cry for her to come back Charity stumbled along the garden path.
∞∞∞
Charity moved so quickly that Dane had not been able to stop her from flinging the door open and rushing into the garden. Both he and Violet stood in stunned disbelief for several long seconds until they heard a scream slice through the air followed by a loud gunshot. Violet screamed for Charity as was out the door in a flash.
“Vi no!” Dane yelled as he grabbed her and pulled her to the ground. He held her there until he heard the thunder of footsteps approaching from his left. Whipping the pistol he had hidden beneath his coat he swung it around the that direction, lowering it only when he saw the agents that were posted at the front of the house coming toward them, their own weapons drawn. With hand signals he motioned for one of the men to fan off to his right then he rolled to his feet pulling Violet with him. Shoving her into the hands of the other agent he gave him orders.
“Take her to number three, Matheson has sent word ahead. My carriage is out front take it out of the city then exchange it for something less conspicuous.”
Dane didn’t wait to hear Violet’s arguments, knowing that the agent in charge would follow his orders explicitly even if it meant he had to toss the woman over his shoulder to get her to comply. Confident that his friends safety was in reliable hands Dane moved further into the gardens. He spotted two of the agents assigned to guard the house and wondered where the third one was.
Dane moved as quickly as he dared and silently as he could despite his laboured breathing. All he could think of was his need to get to Charity and his promise to keep her safe and how in the span of mere seconds he had failed to do so.
A slight sound off to his right had him stopping, the agent signaled that their prey was a few feet ahead hidden behind a row of hedges that lined the path he was on. Relief welled in him when he heard Charity’s muffled voice but he knew he had to move quickly. Circling around he came into the small clearing beside a fountain, the tranquil sound of trickling water in contrast with the gravity of the situation they found themselves in.
On the opposite side of the fountain Dane saw Charity in the grip of a man, one hand covering her mouth while the other had a stranglehold upon her delicate throat. He could see fear written all over her face as she struggle for breath, her fingers clawing at the hand blocking her airways squeezing the life from her.
The man that held her was dressed all in black with a dark hood over his head obscuring the view of his face. Dane didn’t dare fire off a shot, Charity was between him and his target. His only hope was that the other agents creeping up on each side of him would be able to get to the man before he snapped Charity’s neck.
Nevertheless he kept his pistol leveled at the man’s head, “Release her L’ombre du Trepas. There is no escape for you this time.”
With reflexes faster than a cobra the assassin swung the pistol strapped to his side up and fired at Dane at the same time throwing Charity to the ground. At the last second Dane flung himself to the side, feeling the bullet pull at his coat sleeve as he moved. There was a flurry of footsteps, shouting and a couple of shots fired but Dane did not join in the pursuit. His only thought was to get Charity to safety.
Keeping low, using the fountain as protection Dane moved to where Charity lay upon the ground. She cried out and shrank away from his touch.
“It’s alright Charity, it’s Dane. He’s gone.”
When she sank against him in relief he pushed his hand through her soft curls that had come loose in her struggle, holding her against his chest for a brief moment before the necessity of extracting them from imminent danger became forefront in his mind.
“We have to move Charity.”
When she frantically shook her head he took her small soft hand in his, “Trust me Charity, just hold onto my hand and I will see you out of this.”
He couldn’t wait for her acquiesce instead he told her to keep close steering them in the direction of the mews hoping there was a horse they could both ride out of there. More shots were heard in the distance as he pulled Charity into the stable. The three horses kept in the stalls were dancing about nervously as he and Charity approached slowly, Dane checking every shadow carefully. Finding no threat he pushed Charity into a dark corner.
“Stay here while I saddle one of the horses.”
When she clung to his arm not wanting to let him go he took a moment to brush his hand across her cheek marvelling that she had not completely broken down by now.
“I’ve got you,” he whispered against her hair as he held her until he felt her stiffen in his arms. He stepped back but she did not release him completely. Instead she was studying him, leaning forward slightly and her nostrils flaring infinitesimally as if she is sniffing him.
“Are you injured? You’re injured, I can smell the blood.” Her voice had an edge of panic as she wet her lips and swallowed. “I taste the copper in the air surrounding you.”
Dane looked down at his arm where the bullet had torn through his coat not realizing the it had torn through more until he saw that indeed his blood was dripping of his finger tips. Pulling the edges of his coat and shirt apart he saw where the bullet had grazed his skin leaving and angry track across the muscle of his upper arm.
“It is just a scratch,” he told her not wanting to alarm her unnecessarily.
Before he knew what she was about Charity lifted the hem of her skirt and grabbing hold of her petticoat torn a wide strip and handed it to him but not before he got a glimpse of her leg from knee down to her graceful ankle.
“Use this to staunch the flow.” She pressed the clothing into his hand and he did her bidding quickly before turning to a stall. Dane knew that Violet would not begrudge them the use of her horse.
He made quick work of saddling the animal and was adjusting the stirrup when he suddenly swung around with his pistol drawn. He heard Charity’s gasp but was quick to reassure her the second he realized that he had drawn on his fellow agents.
“I’m afraid Your Grace he gave us the slip several streets over. There was a mishap in the street with a produce cart just as he passed allowing him to slip out of sight,” the agent with blazing red hair told him.
“An obvious diversion.” Dane stated as he moved to the opposite side of the horse.
“Our thoughts as well,” the other agent said, “We questioned the cart owner but he refuse to admit any odious intent, just that he was paid well to tip his cart if needed. Nor could he give an accurate description of the culprit.”
“Nothing can be done of it now.” Dane said as he finished up with the saddle, “Report back to Matherson that I’m taking Miss Price to the location that we discussed and fill him in on every detail, no matter how small, of today's events.”
“Will do,” replied the redhead taking a furtive glance at Charity blending into the shadows before tipping his hat and saying, “Good luck to you both.”
Once the agents departed Dane moved over to where Charity stood taking with him a heavy cloak he pulled down from a peg. It was made from rough wool and obviously belonged to a man for it swallowed her small frame when he dropped it over her shoulders. At least it would keep her warm and with the hood raised no one would be able to see into the darkness that hid her face. She had to pick up the hem to prevent from tripping over it as he lead her over to where the horse waited. As they drew near she hesitated and then planted her feet refusing to go another step.
Gritting his teeth Dane tamped down the impatience he felt, they needed to depart from here quickly but he knew that because of her blindness he could not rush her.
“What is it Charity?”
“I can’t ride,” she squeaked out childlike.
God he didn’t think he would get used to all the things she couldn’t do that he just took for granted. Running his hand over the cloak where her arm was hidden beneath he tried to reassure her, “You won’t be alone Charity. We’ll ride together and I’ll be right there with you. I won’t let you fall.”