Devil Disguised (27 page)

Charles seemed surprised by Lily’s response and said, “Thank you, Lily. I brought Lord Hastings with me because I agreed with him that this would be a good opportunity for you to both meet and get to know one another. You have missed the first part of the Season and I thought you would both enjoy hearing my stories.”

Richard said, “I am certain something else can be arranged if you need to stay longer, Lady Montgomery. I hate for you to have to leave on my account.”

“You could borrow one of my horses, Lord Hastings. I assure you, I would not mind.” Duncan interjected.

Lily said, “Thank you, Lord Hastings. There is no need to change these plans; however, I would like to wait until the morning to leave. I arranged to have a final fitting for two new dresses and to pick up some other dresses from a seamstress in town. I would like to do that and to say goodbye to Lady Worthington, if that is all right?”

All three gentlemen spoke simultaneously and said, “Certainly.”

Lily laughed and then continued to giggle. Duncan smiled, enjoying the sound as some of his tension eased.

Lily said, “I am so glad you are all in agreement.”

The rest of the meal was finished in near silence. Lily excused herself to go into town.

The men stood as she left and Charles said, “Duncan, if you do not mind, I would like to speak with you. In private.”

Duncan replied, “Of course.”

Duncan looked at Richard and asked, “Lord Hastings, would you like a tour of the grounds?”

Richard replied, “No, thank you. I shall retire to my guest room. I need to go over some paperwork for my business meeting tomorrow.”

After all the men nodded at one another, Charles followed Duncan into the library. Duncan closed the door and then went to the sideboard to pour two glasses of brandy. He handed one to Charles and then took a sip from his own glass. Charles raised his glass and sat down in a chair near the hearth.

Charles started, “I am grateful for you watching out for Lily. I was just shocked to see you both riding up together on your horse. That image and the fact that you both looked completely disheveled was a bit of a shock, but now I understand your actions.”

Duncan nodded and took another swallow of his drink as he tried to think of a response. His actions had not been honorable in the least and if he thought of Lily from the night before his expression would surely give away what had occurred between them. He instead focused on remembering his fear for her while she was in the storm.

He said, “I was very worried about her, but that seems to be a daily occurrence now. I was happy there appeared to be nothing sinister at play with the storm and her disappearance, but I had my doubts until I saw she was safe.”

Charles nodded. “So, I see you believe me now. I am guessing someone is still trying to harm her. I received your letter about the masked carriage driver and did my best to finish my business in India as quickly as possible. What else has happened?”

Duncan set his glass down and began to pace. “Well, it actually all began with a strange occurrence one night.

Simon and I heard a noise and thought an intruder had entered the house, but we found no one. However, someone did break in the house and went into Lily’s room to steal a picture of you and her.”

Charles looked very concerned as he said, “That is strange. But, where was Lily when the person was in her room?”

“She had snuck down to the kitchen to eat something. Thankfully, she had not been in her room.”

“I see.” Charles did not sound like he was convinced, but said, “Go on.”

Duncan inhaled deeply and said, “Then she was almost run over by a carriage with the masked driver.”

“I assume you found no one responsible for the carriage incident?”

“Correct. We found no one.”

Charles stood and began to pace as well. “The man I hired in London has found no other information since I left for India. The man thinks it must be someone we know, but I cannot think of anyone who would harm Lily.”

“Andrew and I have asked Lily numerous times to think of who it could be. After our discussions, we only came to the conclusion that everything began after Martin’s death.”

Charles looked perplexed. “Hmmm. Now that I think of it, that is true. But, my nephew was a good man. I am not sure how this could relate to him.”

“Lily could not either.” Duncan paused and then sat down in the chair nearest him as he ran his hand through his hair. “There are two other things.”

“Tell me.” Charles sat down in the chair across from Duncan and looked exasperated.

“Lily and I went to a party at the Lady Livingston’s and our carriage became unhooked from the horses. The carriage driver and stable boys were horrified went they found out. I do not suspect them, but someone was able to get close enough to the carriage to loosen the horses and did it undetected. We never discovered who it was. Then, just a few days ago, we had a party here to celebrate my sister’s good fortune. That night someone put two snakes in Lily’s bed. It was a miracle that they were discovered before she went under the covers.”

Charles gaped, but remained silent.

Duncan continued. “We interviewed all the guests and did our own investigation, but came up with nothing. I went into town the day of the storm to see if I could learn anything, but nothing came of it.”

“Snakes!” Charles shook his head and then exhaled. “I am glad Lily is still safe.”

“Yes, for now. I hired a few extra staff to help watch the house and of course, you sent over the maid. Which, I must say at first I was very offended, but then it did add to my piece of my mind and Lily was happy.”

“What are you talking about? What maid?”

Duncan shook his head. “The maid you sent here.”

“I did not send over any maid! I told Lily you had ample staff on hand to take of her.”

“What? She arrived with a letter from you and Lily was thrilled. Her name is Mary.”

“Mary?” Charles look confused. “I released Mary from my employ a few days before I left for India. I did not have the heart to tell Lily because she liked her, but I found out Mary had been doing some questionable things.”

Both men stared at one another for a brief moment and then stood up simultaneously.

Duncan said, “Dear God.”

“Oh my God,” Charles echoed.

Both men rushed to the door as Duncan shouted for Simon.

Simon ran towards them. “Yes, my lord?”

“Has Lady Montgomery left for town?”

Simon looked worried. “Yes, my lord. She left with her maid Mary immediately after luncheon.”

The men exchanged glances before Duncan ordered, “Ready our horses immediately and get one of the grooms. Lady Montgomery may be in danger.”

“Danger?” Richard asked as he hurried towards them from the staircase. “I am going with you all as well.”

Duncan shook his head, “No. Charles and I can handle this.”

Richard stood up taller. “I insist. I will not stay behind. She is to be my intended.”

Duncan cringed as he looked at Simon. “Ready all the horses, immediately.”

Simon nodded and turned to do as bidden. All three men rushed to their rooms to change into riding breeches, then met at the front door, and hurried to their waiting mounts.

The groom, Thomas, was ready and waiting as Simon came rushing forward. “My lord, let me ride with you. I will follow behind.”

Duncan shook his head, “No, Simon. I want you to stay here. If Lady Montgomery returns keep her occupied and do not let her be alone with Mary.”

Simon nodded as Duncan took his horse’s reins. He now knew who was very likely trying to hurt Lily and he needed to get to her before anything happened.

Lily stepped out of the store and watched as Mary followed and placed the dresses in the carriage. The weather had suddenly cooled and clouds covered the sky. Another storm looked as if it might be approaching. Peter came forward, helped her into the carriage without his usual banter, and even kept his head down. How odd. Lily went into the carriage and gasped. A man was slumped down on the seat across from her.

She screamed as Mary came into the carriage and said, “No need to scream, my lady. I assure you, he is not dead.”

Lily paled as she looked at Mary while the carriage lurched forward. Mary was holding a small pistol that was pointed at Lily’s heart.

Mary said, “Just sit back and relax, Lily. It will all be over soon.”

“What?” Lily tried to breathe as her fear nearly overcame her senses. Now recognizing Peter as the man slumped down across from her, she touched his cheek. He was warm and appeared to be breathing.

Mary grinned wickedly. “Chloroform. He will wake unharmed, unless you give me trouble.”

“Mary, what in Heaven are you doing? I have done you no harm!”

“Maybe not, but your family has harmed me in ways unimaginable.”

“What are you talking about? My family employs you and you seemed happy!” Lily’s mind whirled thinking of what her family could have possibly done to this woman and why she was threatening her now.

“Oh, did you not hear? Of course not. Your uncle released me from my employment before he left for India. But see, I know how secretive your family is, so I took the chance that you were not aware of my dismissal and forged a note so I could stay with you.”

Mary grinned. “I had to finish what I started when all my prior plans failed because of the incompetent people I hired. I decided to handle your demise myself. I truly thought the snakes were perfect, but you managed to avoid that death as well!”

Mary chuckled and added, “It is amazing how you manage to live on after all my attempts to kill you. I laughed when I realized you might die in the storm. After all my efforts, something I had nothing to do with may have ended your life, but of course, that did not happen.”

Lily’s mind raced to find any reason for Mary’s actions. She looked at the gun trying to see if she could even have the courage to try and grab it.

Mary saw the glance. “Please do not think I am a fool. If you somehow attempt to get the gun from me, I have a driver and another man following us who will do what needs to be done.

Lily could barely speak, but managed to say, “Please, I don’t understand why you are doing this.”

Mary glanced outside and responded, “We are almost there. I will help you to understand as my farewell gift
to you since you have survived all my prior attempts to kill you.”

Mary smirked before she continued in a voice as if she was telling a child a wonderful story. “Once upon a time there was a handsome young lord named Martin that met a maid named Mary. Despite their class difference, they fell in love and made love every chance they could. Soon a baby was to be born, but the young lord had to go away to a faraway land and he never returned. The maid felt comfort in the written promise the young lord had made that he would marry her upon his return. This was wonderful news because despite his position and title, he loved her, but the letter meant nothing to his parents. One day angry words were exchanged with Lord Martin’s father.”

Mary stopped and looked out the window as tears began to form in her eyes, then she looked at Lily and waved the gun violently. “Your father! He pushed me and I fell down. I lost the baby that night. I lost the only part of Martin I had left. I had already threatened to tell others my story and I mailed your brother’s letters to someone I trusted. Your parents, in their guilt, agreed to provide me with a continued place on the staff and a very large sum of money in compensation for my loss and my silence.”

“But see, they lost a grandchild as well, yet they refused to admit it! I took their damn money and demanded more, but it did not satisfy me. I was to be part of your family and I deserved better. Why should they go on as if nothing happened? Then your father said it was over and he would find me a new place to work. I agreed, but then I received one more letter from your brother, which was written
just before he died. It was his desire to leave something for me, it was his dying wish. Your father accused me of all sorts of things and that is when I decided to plot my revenge. Why should your family go on happily without Martin while I could not? I made certain their carriage would fail.”

Laughter erupted from Mary before she said, “I was so happy when they died. For a moment I was satisfied, but then you lived and would go on happily married to another while living on the money that should be Martin’s and mine! So I knew you had to die as well. Nothing can be tied to me and I have enough money now to make it happen. I bet no one told you of the great sum left to me by your parents or the reason Charles added me to his staff?”

Lily shook her head in response.

“Of course not! Well, once you are dead, I will consider allowing Charles to live, but he did release me from my duties quite unexpectedly.”

Lily realized she was dealing with a calculating mad woman. She said, “You will not get away with this. Everyone knows we left together and it will be most obvious if you shoot me.”

Mary laughed and continued to giggle as the carriage began to slow down. She shook her head and said, “Oh, my dear. This is your suicide note.”