Chapter 9
Jeremy was still furious with Montague into the next day. He pushed aside his full breakfast plate and lifted his coffee cup as his anger continued to boil. The way the man had frightened Evie last night, Jeremy shook his head. Her face had gone white and her eyes were filled with terror when she saw how enraged Montague had become at her dancing with Ghost. Clearly the deranged man had already marked Evie as his property and was making it clear to others to keep away.
“Something bothering you, my lord?”
Forgetting all about Myran in the room, Jeremy jerked his head up. “Ah, just some estate business.” He cleared his throat. “You did a fine job on my clock. It kept the correct time all night.”
Myran’s fair cheeks filled with color. He gave a shrug. “It was nothing.” He shoveled another pile of food into his mouth, then waved his empty fork up and down while chewing until he swallowed the bite. “Mr. Bentley mentioned that a few things needed to be fixed. The piano bench, a table leg in the dining room, and some old music box that belonged to your grandmother.”
Jeremy drained his coffee. “By all means, fix whatever you like.” He rose from his seat. “Now, please excuse me while I get some work done in my study.” He waved Myran back into his chair. “Stay and finish your breakfast. Have a third plate,” he said with a grin. For such a thin young man, Myran ate like a horse.
“Thank you, my lord,” Myran said and dove into the fresh pile of buttered eggs on his plate.
Jeremy had just left the breakfast room when Bentley stopped him. “My lord, a message has been delivered.” The butler handed him the note and lowered his voice. “Red owl seal.”
“Thank you, Bentley,” Jeremy said, knowing it was from the Guardians. He walked into his study and read the note.
Meeting. Noon.
There was no signature, nothing whatever to identify the person who wrote the words, but Jeremy knew Elder’s handwriting. He threw the scrap of paper into the fireplace, where the low burning flames grabbed hold of one corner and quickly spread over the note until a wavy charcoal square remained on top of the pile of red-orange coals.
Jeremy turned toward the door, then remembered something he was supposed to do today. He halted, his shoulders going tense. “Damn,” he whispered, glancing at the clock. Nearly eleven. Then an idea surfaced and he smiled. It could work.
Pulling the brass filigree key from his pocket, he turned to his desk and opened the locked drawer. Taking out a stack of pound notes, he quickly locked the drawer and set the block of money into a small leather valise and left the study.
Seeing Myran coming out of the morning room rubbing his stomach, he halted him. Standing nearly the same height, and close to the same build, Jeremy came to another quick decision.
“Myran, I need you to do me a favor.”
“Anything, my lord.”
Jeremy handed over the valise. “I need you to take this to my mother.”
“I will be happy to.”
He placed his hand on Myran’s shoulder. “First, I would like you to change clothes. Come.” He headed toward the stairs.
“My lord?”
Glancing over his shoulder, Jeremy smiled. “Change into my clothes, I mean.” When Myran still held a puzzled look, Jeremy turned around and crossed his arms. He nodded to Myran’s tattered clothing. “You won’t get through Mother’s front door looking like that, I’m afraid.”
“Oh, yes, of course,” Myran stammered, turning red, and followed Jeremy up the stairs.
Forty-two minutes later, Jeremy watched the Fielding carriage roll away. He smiled to himself. Myran’s hair was very nearly the same color, and wearing his clothing, Jeremy knew that Morris fellow assigned to follow him would be fooled. Jeremy rubbed his hands as he walked to the back of the house and outside where his horse waited.
Jeremy zigzagged through the streets and watched every shadowy alley and mews for movement. He arrived at the museum in sixteen minutes, certain he hadn’t been followed. Ghost stood beside the false door and waved him forward when an elderly couple finally made their way out of the room, then popped in after him. The lever was engaged and the giant stone panel slid closed with a grinding moan.
“Know what this is about?” he asked Ghost as they descended the steps.
“No. You keep from getting followed?”
Jeremy chuckled and told Ghost about Myran.
“Well done,” Ghost said and gave the password at the cave door.
Once inside, Jeremy noticed Evie at her chair and his stomach clenched. Something was wrong. Her face was even paler than last night and she still looked frightened half to death. He hurried forward. “What is it?” he asked, taking his seat.
Before she had the chance to answer, Elder held up his hand to get everyone’s attention. “I have something to show all of you,” he said and nodded to Belle.
With somber eyes and a grim set to her mouth, she rose from her seat, holding a black box with a silver snake insignia on the lid. Viper’s insignia. Showing the Guardians at the far end of the table first, Jeremy watched their sickened reactions and wondered what horrid gift Viper had left for them to find. Must be pretty awful.
When the box reached Ghost, the man glanced down without reaction, but Evie gave a start and pressed a hand over her eyes. The box finally reached Jeremy. A bloody severed forefinger lay on a red speckled white satin cushion, with a gold ring still on the finger. Jeremy recognized Blade’s family crest and swallowed hard.
Belle snapped the box closed and handed it to Elder. Jeremy leaned back in his chair, repulsed and angry as hell.
“Dragon and Blade are not at the caves in West Wycombe,” Elder said quietly. “Scout returned from the search early this morning and found the place completely empty.” He held up the box. “Except for this. There were blood drops and footprints in the dirt to indicate someone had been held there, but they have been moved. Scout has gone back to see if he can locate where they have been taken.”
Jeremy was numb. Two good friends were running out of time. He knew it, and every Guardian around the table knew it. Dragon and Blade would be tortured until they talked. Or until they died. And if by chance they did give something away, they were still dead. After Viper got the information he wanted, he would surely kill them both. That meant the two had to be rescued, and rescued soon.
Elder’s fist came down hard on the table, making Evie jump beside him. “Something must be done now. Anyone have any suggestions?”
Ten full seconds ticked by, then Evie rose from her chair. Jeremy turned and watched her lift her ashen face to Elder. “I have some news,” she said in a soft, shaky voice.
Elder waved her forward. Jeremy drew his brows and watched her make her way to the center of the room. He didn’t like the sound of this, and wanted very much to take her out of here. He wanted to protect her and keep her safe, and that shocked the hell out of him.
Evie withdrew a folded piece of paper out of her drawstring purse and handed it to Elder. They spoke softly for several seconds, and just as Jeremy was about to leap up from his chair and demand to know what was going on, Evie returned to her seat.
He studied her bowed profile for several seconds, knowing he was going to hate whatever she had just agreed to do. His stomach knotted. Elder began speaking, and he tore his gaze away from Evie to listen.
“Falcon may have given us hope. She has just received an invitation to visit Montague’s country estate. As you know, no Guardian has ever been there, so this might just be what we’ve been waiting for. This could be the very location where Blade and Dragon have been moved.”
Jeremy sucked in a breath and turned back to Evie. “You can’t do this,” he whispered, knowing exactly what her acceptance would mean to Montague and what that bastard would be expecting.
“She leaves in three days with Belle as escort. Ghost, find some suitable disguise. A footman, perhaps?”
As Ghost nodded, Jeremy turned to Elder and raised his brows, waiting for an assignment. Surely, Elder would assign him something on this mission, anything. He wouldn’t leave him out, not of something this damn important.
“That is all,” Elder stated and dismissed the assembly.
“Wait!” Jeremy rose and rounded the desk to stand before Elder. “I have to be there.”
“Rogue, you must realize there is no possible way. Not only does Viper suspect you, but to show up uninvited would throw suspicion on Evie. It would look like she told you. And why would she ever do that?” Elder shook his gray streaked head sadly. “I am sorry, but you cannot go.”
“What if I go disguised, like Ghost?”
Elder sighed. “Remember the last time you tried that? You make a horrible servant, Rogue, unable to follow even the simplest order. You’re too damn used to giving orders, not receiving them.” He gave Jeremy a pointed look. “Hell, you can’t even follow my orders.”
“But—”
“Enough!” Elder said, slashing his hand through the air. “If you want to help, go visit Lady Wesley and see if she has any new information. Other than that, I do not want you involved in this.”
Jeremy had pushed Elder as far as the man would go. He turned to find Evie and Belle leaving the cave and blew out a breath. How was he going to keep her safe if she was out of his reach? He would have to give this some serious thought. Because he damn sure couldn’t allow Montague to get his hands on Evie.
As Evie directed her maid to inspect her wardrobe for ripped seams and loose buttons to prepare for the trip, all she could think about was what it would be like to sleep with Montague. Her stomach flipped over and she hugged her middle. When Belle had approached her with the idea of becoming a Guardian and informed her that this may be a part of the investigations, Evie couldn’t see past the thought of ridding herself of loving Jeremy. She honestly thought there was nothing worse than living the rest of her life pining over a man who didn’t love her in return.
Evie held up a salmon-colored gown and pursed her lips. As awful as it was to think about making love to Montague, she still thought suffering unrequited love was even more unpleasant. She just wished she didn’t know what she was in for. Belle had explained the physical details, but Megan had told her long ago that it was supposed to be wonderful, a thing shared between two people who loved each other. Evie bowed her head. Making love wasn’t supposed to happen this way. It wasn’t supposed to be some dirty, sordid deed to slake someone’s lust. Just thinking about it made her feel soiled, like she would never get clean. God, what would she feel like after?
“There, my lady, I have gathered up everything that needs mending. A goodly amount, if you don’t mind my saying. Will there be anything else?”
Evie glanced up and realized she no longer held the salmon dress. “What?”
Her maid held up the clothes in her arms and gave a sigh. “I have to mend these today so we can begin packing tomorrow.” Her dark, thick brows rose. “Is there anything else, my lady?”
“No, thank you, Alice. That will be all.” Evie held up her hand at her maid’s sour expression. “Perhaps a bottle of sherry to keep your fingers from going stiff?” she asked, nodding to the clothes over Alice’s arm.
The maid’s expression cleared instantly and she nodded. “That should help a little.”
Evie suppressed a smile. Before her great aunt’s death almost two years ago, Alice had been hired as the elder woman’s companion. The two enjoyed evenings of rum cake, more rum than cake, and tall glasses of sherry. When Evie’s great aunt passed away, she didn’t have the heart to send Alice away, so the woman had become her lady’s maid. Rum cake and sherry had to remain, though, which Evie didn’t mind. She could always bribe the woman into extra work, to the point it was now but a game between the two.
When Alice left, Evie paced the length of her room. If she could just find some way to get the information without having to sleep with Montague. She came to a sudden halt and sucked in a breath. Yes! That might just work!
Evie glanced at the clock on her mantle, then hurried from her room. She flew down the hall to Belle’s room, then knocked on the door. “Belle, we need to go and see Amelia. Now!”
Twenty-eight minutes later, Evie nearly stumbled out of the coach in her haste. Belle laid a calm hand on her shoulder and gave her an assuring smile. Evie couldn’t believe Belle actually liked her idea and insisted she use it. Taking a deep breath, Evie engaged the knocker.
The door inched open, and Evie spoke in a rush. “I must see Lady Amersleigh right away, Farley, is she in?” she asked, leaning in to glance around the foyer.
The butler merely smiled and held open the door. “This way, my lady.”
Evie grinned at Belle and followed Farley to the back of the house. Beside the kitchen, Amelia had set up her workshop where she prepared medicines and healing ointments for the treatment of diseases and illness. They arrived at the open door where an acrid smell of burnt herbs greeted Evie, making her sneeze.
Amelia glanced up from chopping some dried leaves. “Evie, what a nice surprise. And I’m delighted you brought Belle with you.” She wiped her hands on her apron and moved around the table. “Thank you, Farley,” Amelia said, dismissing the butler, and held out her hands to Evie. “What brings you two?” Her brows drew together. “You’re not ill, I hope?”
Evie took Amelia’s hands with a smile. “No, no, nothing like that.” She prayed her story sounded convincing enough. “Remember when you helped me with Ash last September?”
Amelia’s brows shot up and she crossed her arms. “Don’t tell me your brother has ‘lost’ another piece of your mother’s jewelry and doesn’t remember where?”
Saying a quick prayer for the terrible lie and for Amelia never finding out the truth, Evie nodded. “Your tonic worked so well the last time, I was hoping to get more.”
Amelia turned to her herb shelf with a sigh. “Of all the awful things to do to a sweet, loving sister,” she grumbled as she began removing jars and vials. “Stealing the few things she has left of her mother and selling them to pay off gambling debts,” she added under her breath.
Evie glanced at Belle, who was obviously finding this subterfuge amusing, and chewed the inside of her lip as she turned back to Amelia. She hated lying to her friends. It made her feel a bit sick inside. Yet, the cause was incredibly important and would be worth the trouble.
Amelia slapped a wooden bowl on the table, making Evie jump. “If I were you, Evie, I would lock all my jewels away from now on.” She shook a sprig of brown-green leaves at her. “Find a loose floorboard and put them there.”
“Sounds like excellent advice,” Belle said, patting Evie on the shoulder. “We will do just that, Amelia.”
“Good.” Amelia measured out herbs and threw them into a small pot to boil. Then she mixed several vials in and stirred a few minutes. “Just like last time, Evie, put five drops into his wine. The wine hides the taste and he will never know.”
The longer she stood there, the longer Evie wanted to back out of the plan. Deceiving her friends was something she found terribly difficult. She wiped her brow, wishing she could confide in them.
Belle, obviously reading her thoughts, squeezed her shoulder. “Think of Blade and Dragon,” she whispered when Amelia turned back to the herb shelf.
Evie recalled the severed finger and shivered, then gave a slight nod. She couldn’t forget about those men. Their lives were depending on her and she could not fail them. With a renewed spirit, she focused on the case at hand and pushed aside the guilt she felt at lying to Amelia. After all, two lives were worth all the lies in the world.
“This should do the trick,” Amelia said, applying candle wax to seal the cork for the journey. “I made more this time, just in case you wanted to ask Lord Ashton something terribly embarrassing and use it against him.” She handed the sealed vial over with a feline smile. “That’s what I would do.”
Evie couldn’t help it, she burst out laughing. That was actually an excellent idea. “I do believe, my dear Amelia, you have a devious side.” She grinned at her friend and took the vial. “I rather like it.”
Leaving the Amersleigh mansion with a spring in her step, Evie could relax now and quit feeling so terrified. A rush of relief washed over her, making her feel drained quite suddenly. She wouldn’t have to sleep with Lord Montague after all. She stepped up into the coach and held her draw string purse close to her chest.
“You’re certain this will work?” Belle asked as the coach heaved forward.
Evie gave a smile. “I just wished I had thought of it sooner.”
“How did Ash react when you gave it to him?”
“It took about half an hour, then he sat on the sofa with a distant gaze and this torpid grin on his lips.” Evie chuckled with the memory. “I asked him some questions and he answered every one. Truthfully.”
Belle’s right brow when straight up. “And what did he remember afterward?”
“When I was done, I simply told him to go to sleep and not remember anything we discussed.” Evie patted her purse. “And that is exactly what happened. The next morning, Ash asked me about the night before because he couldn’t remember.” She grinned. “He swore he’d never touch another drop of Scotch whiskey after that.”
Belle’s breath caught. “Dear God, Evie, do you know what this could mean to the Guardians?”
A glowing pride filled Evie’s chest. She took a deep breath and attempted a serious expression. Utterly failing, she giggled and shook her head. “I am amazed you find my silly ideas so useful.”
Leaning forward, Belle patted her arm. “Silly, no. Useful, very. You, my dear niece, are more cunning than anyone suspects.”
The entire way back to the mansion, Evie could feel the tight coil of tension leave her shoulders. She would simply administer the drops into Lord Montague’s wine, extract the needed information, then get the hell out before he knew what had happened. First, she’d give him a few suggestions on living a more decent life.
Evie had just warmed up to the idea of everything she’d say to that vile man when the carriage stopped before the mansion. Yet, before she had even stepped to the ground, the door opened and a footman rushed forward. “Pardon, my lady. Lord Ashton wishes to see you right away.”
With a start, Evie rushed through the door behind the footman. Her brother never summoned her in such a way. What could have happened? Evie’s mind conjured up a thousand horrible scenarios as she hurried into her private parlor where her brother was pacing before the fireplace.
Ash turned to her, his face somber. He came forward and took her hands. “There is something I just learned, Evie, something I thought you should know before you hear of it elsewhere.”
She squeezed his hands. “Oh, God, Ash, is it one of my friends? Megan? Torie? Silver?” It couldn’t be Amelia. She and Belle were just there.
He shook his head. “It’s not one of your friends.”
Now Evie was even more confused. She glanced over to Belle, who shrugged, then back to Ash. “Who, then?”
He pulled her into a tight hug. “I’m sorry, Eve. It’s Lord Fielding. He isn’t expected to live much longer.”
At the unexpected statement, a strange numbness settled over Evie, and she went cold. She could hear her own ragged breathes, could smell the crisp, new material of her brother’s coat, but she couldn’t control the whirlwind of thoughts or the varying emotions raging within her. Ash was speaking, his subdued words tickling the top of her left ear, and she struggled to sharpen her senses on his words.
“…Three large men. Thieves. Happened about an hour ago. Lady Crandall’s footman saw them kick Fielding as he lay on the ground. Over and over. Then they noticed the footman and ran away.”
Evie shivered and closed her eyes. She had been certain she’d know the exact moment of Jeremy’s death, and she always thought he’d die an old man. A strong connection existed between them, something ancient and spiritual. He could walk into a room and she’d know before she turned to look. She knew when he had fallen from his horse and broke his leg, or the time he had a life-threatening fever. She also knew when he had suffered at the hands of Lord Ravenwood’s brother just months ago. But today, she knew nothing. How could she not know?
Pulling away from Ash, Evie shook her head. “Lord Fielding hasn’t been hurt. You must be mistaken.”
“I went straight from White’s to Fielding’s house.” Ash’s somber eyes held certainty in his steady gaze. “I’m sorry. His butler confirmed what I just told you.”
The cold, numb shock of hearing something so painful made it difficult to breathe. Evie wrapped her arms around her middle and turned away. “I would like to be alone for a while,” she heard herself say, the words weak and hollow.
“Yes, of course. I have cancelled my plans for tonight, so I will be here.”
Evie glanced out of the window before her and found the grass overgrown and weeds invading the iris bulging up from the dark brown soil. She turned when she felt a hand on her arm, surprised to see Belle there and Ash gone.
“We must talk,” Belle insisted with a quiet urgency in her voice. “I will understand if you would like to postpone our plans to attend Lord Montague’s—”
“No.”
Belle’s thin, honey gold brows shot up. “Are you certain, Evie? You can still do this?”
“Yes,” Evie whispered before she changed her mind. “Now, if you will excuse me, I would like to be alone for a while.”
Beautifully composed, Belle gave a nod. “I must speak with Elder about all that has happened. Will you be all right, Cherie?”
“Yes.” Evie turned back to the window, wondering where the gardeners had gone. “I will be fine.”
As soon as Belle’s carriage rattled down Brook Street and out of sight, Evie moved away from the drawing room windows and walked to the front door. She knew it would take her exactly four minutes, twenty-three seconds to walk to Jeremy’s house if she wasn’t in a hurry. A left on Brook Street and another left at Grosvenor Square, then four houses down. His was the largest house along the square and, in her estimation, the most handsome with red brick and tall white Corinthian columns lining the front.
Today, it didn’t take half as long to reach. This time, instead of walking by the house and turning left on Grosvenor Street and another left on Davies Street, to come full circle back to Brook Street, Evie dashed right up the front steps.
With her heart in her throat, she raised her hand to engage the lion-headed brass knocker, but the door opened. Startled, she came face-to-face with Dr. Benson, who wore a grave expression. “Pardon, my lady,” he inclined his head and took a step back.
“How is Lord Fielding?” she asked in a rush, praying he would tell her he just got summoned for nothing. That Jeremy really wasn’t hurt and it was all a big misunderstanding.
Instead, Dr. Benson shook his head in a grave manner. “Not good, my lady, I am sorry to say.”
The breath lodged in Evie’s throat. So, what Ash told her was true? “Will he die?” she managed to squeak out.
“Come, my lady, you look like you are ready to swoon.” The man took her arm and led her inside the mansion before she had the wits to protest. He spoke to someone and she somehow managed to sit on a chair. For several minutes, everything became a blur. The doctor spoke to her, but she could not recall a single word. She had no idea what she replied, if she did at all.
Evie glanced down at a cup of tea, not having any idea how it got in her hands, then back to the doctor sitting across from her.
“Would you like more tea, my lady?”
“No, thank you.” She set the cup aside. “May I see him?” she asked before she thought better of it. For some reason, she still couldn’t believe Jeremy had been gravely injured. She had to see if for herself.
The doctor turned to the elder butler hovering in the doorway, who simply inclined his head.
Then Evie followed the men up the stairs, down a long hall, through a sitting room, and halted before a polished oak door. “You may speak to him, my lady, but do not be surprised if he doesn’t respond. He is unconscious. There are bandages around his face, just so you understand what you will see when you go in.”
“Thank you, Dr. Benson,” she said, took a deep breath, and entered Jeremy’s dim room.
She was so startled when she felt his presence, Evie stumbled to a halt. “How can this be?” she whispered into the darkness.
When her eyes adjusted, she noticed the heavy dark blue curtains covering the windows were pulled tightly closed, and the only source of light came from a low burning lamp near the bed. Evie walked slowly forward. A pungent herb she did not recognize tickled her nose and she took two deep breaths to keep from sneezing. She approached the crack in the bed curtains and found a still figure lying there. His head was completely wrapped in strips of white linen. A red-brown blotch about the size of her palm covered the left side of his forehead. There were holes cut over his eyes and nose, and honey-wheat hair sprang up out of the top of the dressing. The exact color of Jeremy’s hair.
With a trembling hand, Evie reached out. “Jeremy?” she whispered, but stayed her hand and drew back before touching him. He was so still, as though death already had him in its grip.
Tears scorched her eyes with the thought of never seeing him again. There was so much she wanted to tell him. He couldn’t die yet. He just couldn’t. A small, secret part of her had hoped he would fall desperately in love with her, just as she had with him. Evie dashed the tears from her cheeks, mad at herself for allowing those silly, childish fantasies to surface from the farthest reaches of her heart. But she was utterly shattered that there was no longer any chance she’d ever be with Jeremy. And she was outraged. Furious that someone had done this to such a vibrant, beautiful man. Everyone loved being near him. He could hold the attention of an entire room for hours at a time. His stories were interesting, amusing, and captivating. People adored him, imitated him, and wanted to be him.
Tears stung her eyes as she straightened her spine. “I will find those thugs who did this to you, Jeremy, and I will make them pay,” she said softly.
A sound in the far corner of the room caught her attention. Perhaps a servant held vigil and stirred from his slumber. With one last teary glance at Jeremy, Evie fled the room, hurried down the steps, then nearly knocked Amelia down.
“Goodness, Evie. Are you all right?” Amelia shifted her heavy black bag from one hand to the other. “I just heard what happened and thought, perhaps, I could help. Julian went to tell the others, who will probably be here soon, if you’d like to wait.”
Evie shook her head, unable to stay any longer. Grief suffocated her, and she had to get out of this house. “Sorry, Amelia. I have to go.” She raced back home as fast as her feet would carry her, knowing when Jeremy died, a part of her would die right along with him.
With her heart beating so fast and hard, Evie almost missed Belle calling out to her. She turned from the stairs as her aunt came forward. “I thought you had left.”
Belle pulled her into the drawing room and shut the door. Glancing around to make sure no servants overheard, she spoke softly. “Elder had Ghost intercept my carriage before I made it to Bond Street. They know about Rogue.” She moved closer. “It was a planned attack, not the work of thieves as everyone suspects.”
“Planned?” Evie shook her head. “How do you know?”
“Lady Crandall’s footman saw one of the men throw this card down before leaving with the others.” Reaching into her pocket, Belle pulled out a black calling card with the silver coiled snake insignia embossed on one side.
Viper’s symbol.
Evie’s breath caught. “Does this mean they know who Rogue is?”
Belle pursed her lips and held out the card. “Take it. There is a message on the back.”
Really, she didn’t want to touch the thing, but Evie reached for it anyway. She read the back and a shock went through her.
If you survive, stay away from Lady Evie. She’s mine.
Jeremy had been beaten near to death because of her? Evie’s stomach twisted. Belle was speaking and she struggled to pay attention.
“I believe Viper’s men would have taken Rogue if they knew who he was. They would have taken him to the same place as Blade and Dragon to try and get information out of him.”
Evie handed the card back to Belle, not wanting to touch the thing another second more.
“Cherie.” Belle reached out and placed a hand on Evie’s shoulder. “Are you certain you can pull yourself together? The way you look right now…” Her hand slid away. “You may not be pleasing to Montague.”
Taking a deep breath, Evie knew Belle was right. She had to pull herself together. Dragon and Blade had to be rescued. That was all she should consider for the next few days. Nothing else. No one else.
Throwing her shoulders back, Evie nodded. “You are right. I promise, I will be ready when the time comes. You’ll see.”