Andrews Brothers 02 - The Rescue (20 page)

When the man turned his gaze, Chadwick exhaled. If he was a betting man, and he knew that he was, then he would bet that was Vonda’s spy. Now he needed to find and exploit a weakness.

A barmaid stopped at his table. “Can I take yer order?”

“I’m comfortable, but I would like to order that gentleman over there a drink.”

“Oh, that fellow?”

“Yes.”

“Might as well save yer money. That man ain’t drank a drop since he entered. He just lifts an empty mug to his lips a couple of times and sits it back down. The other maids and I have a pool goin’ that he’s not right in the head.”

“Any other strange activities he participates in?”

“Well I don’t know if you’d consider it strange, but there’s a woman who comes in and meets with him in one of the rooms upstairs. He only seems partial to her company, and just between us two, she ain’t as pretty as some of the barmaids. A might old for him, too.”

“I see. Thank you, you’ve been very helpful.” He laid a coin on the table and she grabbed it and stuffed it between her ample breasts before moving away.

The effort to ply the spy with drink until he confessed Vonda’s scheme was discarded in light of the barmaid’s revelation. How very astute of Vonda to pick an individual not prone to drink. In another lifetime Chadwick would have admired her ingenuity, but now it he found it annoying.

Guilt over his past indiscretions and falsehoods assailed him. Would these feelings ever pass? Would he ever feel worthy? Maybe if he rectified Farrah’s situation. If he could return her family lands to her father, and secure Flannigan lands for Farrah, then she would be free to pursue her own life without worry. Whether that included him or if she found love with Angus, at least she would be happy.

The spy rose and scooted closer to a gaming table. He hovered on the edge, sweat beading his brow. Chadwick’s lips twitched with excitement. Vonda’s spy did have a vice—gambling.

The game participants ignored their watcher as he whispered under his breath, his face scrunched in disgust at their obvious mistakes, and he threw fake punches of frustration. The spy clutched the back of a chair, his knuckles whitening. Chadwick had him now.

Chadwick approached. “Excuse me?”

The man jumped a foot off the floor. “Yes?” His Adam’s apple bobbed with rapid swallowing. No doubt the spy was nervous that his subject had approached. Chadwick felt a sense of heightened power.

“I noticed you have acumen for the game.”

He ran a trembling finger around his cravat.

In a low tone, Chadwick added, “The simple mistakes of these gamers are enough to drive an experienced player mad.” Chadwick scooted two chairs closer and offered one to his newfound friend. “Did you notice the card he played? He obviously doesn’t know what he’s doing.”

Chadwick continued to offer comment and the spy relaxed. Eventually the young gentleman commented back and before long they conversed like old friends. A round ended, and they chuckled and pointed at the looser.

Chadwick returned to his table. Hope soared in his breast when the spy joined him.

“It’s rare to meet someone who loves the game as much as I. Tell me, where did you learn your craft?”

Chadwick fought to control a tremor in his voice. He cleared his throat. “Believe it or not, I learned from my butler.” The lie tasted bitter on his tongue but in a way it held a ring of truth. Kingsley had assisted in his current education.

“Your butler!” The spy slapped his thigh and horse laughed. When he calmed, he held out his hand. “Niles Max at your service.”

Chadwick grasped Niles hand in a firm grip. “Andrew Ravenlowe, Earl of Ravenwood. It is very nice to meet you.”

Niles made no indication of his position as spy and Chadwick wondered if perhaps he’d assumed incorrectly. On a fact finding mission, Chadwick asked, “What brings you to Rochdale?”

Niles peered into his empty mug.

“Can I have the barmaid fill that for you?”

Niles shook his head and scooted the mug toward the middle of the table. He drew his brows together, and kneaded his hands. His complexion became greenish, and Chadwick feared the young man would become ill.

“Niles, is something wrong? You don’t look so well. Is there anything I can do to help?”

The kneading of his hands increased. He peered over his shoulder several times. “Look, I’m kind of in a dire situation.”

Chadwick leaned on his elbows.

“You see a while back I stumbled into a certain gaming house. I didn’t have a penny to my name, but I was pretty good at turning coin in a game. I, well, I, I kind of stole another man’s purse and bet all his money.”

“You didn’t!” stated Chadwick, trying to assume an appalled look.

“I know it sounds bad, but truth is I doubled the man’s money. I counted it as an investment in my future.”

“I bet you did.” Chadwick pretended righteous indignation and went to rise but Niles drew him back down by holding his hand against the table.

“Wait, you have to let me finish.”

“No, I do not, but I will.” Chadwick settled once more and waited for the young man to share his secrets.

“I returned the purse.” Chadwick cocked a brow, and Niles continued. “It’s true! I returned the purse plus a percentage of my winnings, interest you understand.” Chadwick remained silent and Niles continued. “Anyway, while I played the game, a woman took notice of me. She was a mite older than myself and very sophisticated. She drew me aside and offered me a job, a real job. I’d been trying to get one for awhile. I can’t make my pa proud of me by gambling, trust me I’ve tried.”

“So the sophisticated woman gave you a chance to redeem yourself, interesting.”

“Yes, well, it wasn’t quite that simple. You see, she wanted me to be a spy.”

Chadwick placed a hand to his chest in mock horror.

“I know. I can’t believe I agreed to it. But she convinced me the man I watched was of the vilest sort and the world would be better off if his deeds were discovered.” He studied grooves in the table then shifted his gaze to Chadwick. “But I don’t believe her.”

“Oh.”

“You see I’ve had the chance to watch this person, and I’m thinking either she meant for me to watch someone else or this person has really changed his life, and I’m a firm believer in second chances.”

“As am I.”

“I kind of figured you were.” Niles snickered under his breath and rose. “You know I’ve been watching you, don’t you, sir?”

“Yes.”

“Yet you didn’t call me out.”

“Would it have helped?”

“No.”

“I didn’t think so.” Chadwick paused before adding, “Lady Vonda doesn’t control your life.”

“Humph.”

“I don’t know how, but I can help you. I’ll find a way for you to escape her clutches.”

“You are definitely not the person she described.”

They talked into the afternoon. Chadwick offered suggestions, and Niles listened. The young man agreed to continue with his act of duplicity. He would watch Chadwick and report falsehoods to Vonda, at least temporarily. Chadwick’s hope soared. Now that the spy had been neutralized, he was free to help Farrah without fear of his past being discovered.

Farrah reread the note that had arrived an hour earlier. Her cousin, Brigitta, was in Rochdale and would arrive on the morrow barring any incidents of trouble or inclement weather.

Farrah stared out the dining hall window. Tall grass bathed the hills. Cold wind blew, twisting and bending them. A sigh rent her lips. Was there anything for Brigitta to do? The matter seemed mostly settled.

She’d shared Lord Greywold’s offer with her father and he’d accepted it as gospel.
Anything to keep his
precious
land
, thought Farrah.

In light of the change, Brigitta’s haste seemed unwarranted. Farrah quickly penned a note giving Brigitta permission to slow her pace and left it on a table close to the front door.

Seeking a distraction, Farrah decided to wander the halls. The staff busily prepared rooms for Brigitta and her husband. Clovis’ room remained closed off. Besides who wanted to spend time in a suite where someone had died?

At the end of the hall a shadow passed. The shadow-maker stopped and looked from side-to-side. Farrah hugged the wall, and wrapped herself in a worn tapestry. The person moved away and Farrah hastened to follow. At the corner, she peered around the wall. The figure opened Clovis’ bedroom door, checked his surroundings once more, and slipped inside.

Farrah drew closer. The door hung ajar, and she peeked through a crack between the hinges. At first glance she presumed the intruder of the wedding chamber was Lucretia. The maid hadn’t been the same since her former lover had expired. She’d been sentenced to her room and was watched by the staff since her attack on Farrah. The stranger moved and the head covering fell backward.

Blond hair reflected in the candlelight and Farrah covered a gasp. Devlin rummaged through a drawer. At the sound he lifted his head, and narrowed his eyes to slits. She lay against the wall, her heart thumping madly against her ribs. When Devlin didn’t run out and catch her, she edged around the corner to find him bent back to his task. What could possibly be hidden in Clovis’ suite that would draw so much of Devlin’s attention?

Farrah hurried to summon Garrett. Maybe he could help her solve the latest mystery. If nothing else at least he could be trusted.

A maid rounded the corner. “Please ask Garrett to attend my room.”

“Yes, my lady.”

The maid scurried away and Farrah raced to her bedroom. Rugs ruffled under her feet as she stalked from one side of the room to the other.

Garrett knocked.

“Come in.”

“My lady?”

“Garrett, yes, someone is stalking around the house, entering closed rooms and pilfering through drawers.”

“And?”

“And,” she drew out the word, “I want—no need—to know who it is. I mean, I need to know for sure, because I already suspect it is Devlin. But I honestly don’t know why. Why disguise yourself to walk around a home you claim as your own?”

“Are you asking me, my lady?”

“Not now, Garrett, can’t you see I’m pondering aloud?”

“Of course, proceed.”

The smile he enacted reminded her of when she was a young child caught in the kitchen taking a treat. Ignoring his expression, she continued with her rant. “The only reason for a disguise is so you can search unimpeded, so people won’t know you searched. And why would you skulk about in costume if you didn’t have something to hide.” She squeezed Garratt’s arm. “You’re a genius!”

“My lady?”

She’d already spun, but yelled, “Many thanks,” over her shoulder as she exited into the hall. She would find the male beast and confront him. Whatever devious plot he planned would be thwarted.

****

Chadwick arrived at Ravenwood, stowed his horse, and rushed inside. Relieved the spy had reconsidered his status of employment, he fairly skipped to his mother’s library. Lady Vonda’s conniving trickery had been stymied.

Rowena lounged on a sofa with a rag covering her eyes. He entered and she said, “Oh, Kingsley, what is wrong with Andrew? I raised him to stand up for people, not throw them under the curricle.”

Chadwick’s heart pained with her disappointment.

“How can I help him understand?”

He dropped beside Rowena’s prone form, grabbed her hand, and removed the covering from her face. “Mother?’

She blinked a few times. “Andrew?”

“None of this is your fault. It is entirely mine. From the moment of our introduction you have been nothing but a model of morality that anyone would be proud to emulate.”
Except for the episodes
of madness
. “I am sorry I’ve caused you such distress, but I promise I’m prepared to rectify the situation.”

She sat up. “You are?”

“Yes. But I will need your assistance.”

She sighed and studied her nails as her lips arced into a grin. “I would be delighted to help. When do we start and what do we need to do?”

“First thing, we’re going to plan a celebration.”

She clapped. “Ooo, I love parties.”

Chadwick smiled and patted her leg. He couldn’t have hoped for a better response.

****

Luke tossed and turned throughout the night. The springs on the inn’s bed poked into his back and increased his discomfort. Fortunately, his erratic movements failed to disturb Brigitta. With her hands cradled beneath her cheek, and her face buried in the pillow, she slept like a baby.

Luke rose and sauntered to the window. Moonlight struck the empty sidewalk. If he closed his eyes he could almost see Chadwick. A cane twirled at his fingertips, his lips twitched in a smile. Baffled, Luke paced the room and tapped his forehead. Where had Chadwick acquired his attire? All knowledge of his location had been lost after he’d stolen the curricle from a mail coach station. Chadwick had left all his belongings behind. The only clothing he had owned had been on his back. Now he paraded along the streets of Rochdale in the latest fashions. It made no sense.

Brigitta stirred and Luke halted. His wife had been so happy. What would happen if she discovered Chadwick was near? Would she demand he be imprisoned? Would she forgive him of his dastardly deeds? Did Luke want to know what she would do?

And what of himself? The credit slips from Chadwick’s gambling debts had their own drawer in his desk. The mound had dwindled considerably with the coin from the tours, but what if Chadwick inquired more debt? What would he do if new bills poured in?

Luke slammed his fist into his open palm. He wouldn’t be held captive by his brother’s dishonorable deeds. No longer would Chadwick be able to enact Machiavellian plots against his family. Tomorrow he would search the town until he found Chadwick, and he would inform his brother he never wanted to see him again.

****

The door to the library hung slightly ajar. Farrah peered through the chink. The room had become Devlin’s sanctuary. If he was in the house and not abed then he was in the library. Whether the tomes of literature, the masculine furniture, or the wealth displayed comforted him, was never stated.