Duchess Beware (Secrets & Scandals Book 2) (22 page)

“Then, my pet, allow me to begin pleasuring you.”

Ignoring the choking noise coming from Torie’s direction, Silver took Jeremy’s arm. 

Murmurs undulated through the crowd as he led her directly to the center of the room.  She paid no attention to their rapt audience as she stepped into Jeremy’s arms for the waltz.  Good thing she had used Torie’s dance instructor to brush up on the steps, she thought as the marquess pulled her close.

Starting on their second spin around the room, Silver heard whispers and gasps coming from the crowd.  The music waned and Jeremy, gazing at something behind her, halted.  He slowly withdrew his arms.  She frowned as the violin’s last note echoed through the room, then turned around.  Daniel stood there, arms crossed, eyes snapping in fury.

The bottom of her stomach fell away.

“Huntington,” Jeremy said at her side.

“Fielding,” Daniel clipped, his voice could freeze water.  “I do believe this dance is mine.”  He wrapped his long fingers around her arm.  The contact shot through her whole body, making her heart race.

Jeremy gave a slight nod.  “A pity you didn’t recall that a few minutes ago.”

Silver clenched her fists, vaguely aware the musicians had started the waltz again.  Her anger no longer simmered, but heated right on up to a raging boil.  She shook with the force of it.  How dare the rotten man behave in such an inexcusable manner then expect her to dance with him?

“Go to the devil, Daniel, because I am not dancing with you,” she stated through clenched teeth then started to turn away.  But he tightened his hold on her arm and pulled her back to him, bringing a stabbing pain to her injury.  She couldn’t contain a whimper as she stumbled back into place.  Just eight days ago, the wound had been stitched closed.  It still hurt.  And that he hadn’t cared enough to see how she fared in all that time elevated her rage.

“Not to worry, darling,” he said into her ear as he began leading her through the waltz, “you can return to your lovers just as soon as we finish this dance.”

Silver nearly lost her footing.  She snapped her gaze from the grape-size diamond sparkling in the center of his cravat to his stoic face.  Surely two minutes of dancing with Jeremy wouldn’t put that sort of idea into his head, would it?

“There is just one thing I wanted to say to you, the sole reason for this dance,” he continued in a low voice.  “I will not claim another man’s by-blow as my heir.”

Silver blinked, absorbing his words, then narrowed her eyes.  “Just what are you saying, Daniel?” she asked, hardly able to speak she was so furious.

A muscle leaped in his freshly shaven jaw.  “You get with child, and I’ll divorce you in a trice.”

Somehow, she managed to keep her feet moving.  Just when she thought things couldn’t get any worse between them, things would get worse.  And in that instant, she wanted nothing above the ability to strike back, to return some of the gut-wrenching pain he had caused the last several weeks.  Unfortunately, words were the only form of weapon available.  “Worry not, husband, I’ll be careful.  After all, I couldn’t bear the thought of losing the comforts that come with being the Duchess of Huntington,” she stated as the last chords of the waltz hummed in the air.

Giving no indication he had heard her, Daniel escorted her back to Prudence then turned and marched away.  He didn’t look back.

“Pray, may I have this dance?”

Slowly, she turned to her brother-in-law.  “Yes, of course,” she said numbly, then placed her hand on his arm.

Silver had no idea how she managed to keep herself together all night.  Perhaps it was because Daniel had closed himself in the billiard room and hadn’t returned or maybe it was because of all of the support she received from her friends.  She didn’t give one ripe fig for the rest of the people in the room, although she was grateful no one had given her the cut-direct.  Of course, Jeremy had to point out that being cut dead at one’s own debut would be something of an anomaly.  But not impossible.

After a few hours, however, the strain of keeping her tranquil façade began taking a toll.  She needed just a little time alone.  Seeking some fresh air after a dance with Nicholas, she slipped through the glass doors that led out to the terrace and breathed in the cool, night air.  Unfortunately, her solace lasted only a minute.

Hearing someone approach, Silver turned.  Standing against the far corner of the house, the shadows must conceal her, she thought.  The two women gave no indication of seeing her there.

“Poor Huntington, trapped in an unhappy marriage.”

Silver’s stomach clenched.

“Yes,” the other snickered, “no wonder he already has a mistress.”

The words struck like a blow.  A mistress?  Daniel had a mistress?  Her knees went weak, and she gripped the terrace rail to keep from falling.

“I watched him escort Susanna Davenport to the opera last week.  You remember Susanna, she returned from India last year when her husband died.”

“Yes, Jane.  I remember when Fredrick Davenport was forced to marry the chit when her father caught them together in the coat closet.”

Jane giggled.  “Poor Davenport.  That was unfortunate, especially since everyone knew Susanna was going to trap him into marriage.”

“And now it seems Huntington has suffered the same fate.”

Silver clamped a hand over her mouth, sickened by such despicable gossip.

After a brief silence, the two rattled on.  “What do you know of Huntington’s new wife?”

She slowly removed her hand, her ears straining to catch every word.

“I heard she had to be locked away in some asylum for a time.”

“La, Jane, but did you know that she is also a thief?”

“No doubt she is a thief because she is addled,” Jane said.  “It’s a shame Claremont and Kenbrook support her.”

“How do you suppose the chit managed to snare the duke?”

Silver gritted her teeth, growing angrier by the second.

“You know Kenbrook’s daughter broke the engagement to marry Claremont.  Huntington’s pride must have caused him to wed the first thing to come his way.” 

Silver bowed her head.  Could the entire world see the truth?

“Too bad I wasn’t the first thing to come his way,” the other said with a giggle.

“Nor I.  The duke is something to behold, even though he’s as frigid as his grandmother.”

“Ah, yes.  The Ice Duchess.”

“A block of ice for a heart and no love to give.”

Fury mounted within Silver so fast, she shook.  Enough of this nonsense, already!  Before she thought twice, she stepped out from the shadows.  “That is not only one of the most callous remarks I’ve ever heard, but one of the most absurd,” she said through gritted teeth, crossing her arms before the two astounded women.  “The dowager Duchess of Huntington has more love for her grandchildren than any other grandmother I have ever met.”  She took a step toward the cowering women.  “And if I ever hear you call her names again, I’ll make certain you pay dearly for it.”

The two scurried back into the house.

Silver turned back to the garden and wrapped her arms around her body.

“Why did you just do that?”

Startled, she spun around.  The dowager stood in the doorway, probably ready to throttle Silver for causing so much gossip.  No doubt, the woman would blame her for tonight’s catastrophe.  But she didn’t relish the idea of a verbal spar just now.  She hadn’t the strength for it.

“My sincerest apologies, madam,” Silver stated, turning back to examine the geometric designs of the lit candles in the garden below.  “It was not my intention to come here and besmirch the good name of your family.”

“Of that, I am certain.  But you needn’t apologize for something that is entirely my addlepated grandson’s fault.”

Startled yet again, she faced the dowager.

“Daniel’s behavior of late has been simply horrid.”

“Your grandson married me in haste, undoubtedly to soothe the pain of losing the lady he truly wanted to wed.”  The words stuck in her throat.  “His behavior merely reflects how much he regrets his rashness.”

The dowager pursed her lips.  After a moment of silence she spoke, her words low and soft.  “There is something I should have done a long time ago.”

Silver swallowed, wondering what was to come.  She glanced beyond the woman’s shoulder.  Perhaps she could dash by and—

“When you first arrived at Huntington, I believed you were a thief and sent you to the magistrate.”  The elder lady clasped her hands together and bowed her head.  “I shouldn’t have done that to you.  I am sorry.”

Feeling her mouth drop open, Silver couldn’t speak for several seconds.  Not until the dowager lifted her head revealed the earnestness in her eyes.  “Of course I forgive you, madam.”

Inclining her head, the lady turned toward the door.  “You may address me as Anne,” she said just before walking back into the ballroom.

Silver pressed her hands against her cheeks.  Such unexpected turns in her life.  She couldn’t go on like this much longer.  But one thing had become clear.  She let her hands fall down to her sides.  A truce between her and Anne Claiborne had just been drawn.

Now, if she only knew what to do about her husband.

She would simply have to find a way to stop loving him.

****

Every muscle within his body trembled.  The hunter threw his head back and squeezed his eyes shut.  Several minutes passed before he could catch his breath.  The air, filled with the musky scent of copulation tainted with blood’s sickly sweetness, made it difficult to draw in air.

He opened his eyes.  Glancing around the bedchamber, his heart thundered in his chest.  Thick, red liquid oozed down walls, had splattered over furniture, and dripped sporadically from the ceiling.  He shivered, his gaze traveling to the bed.  Covered in deep red rose petals, the mutilated body of a woman lay unclothed and bound on the crimson-soaked mattress.  Pain and horror were etched on her lovely face as she stared at the ceiling with white-glazed, lifeless eyes.

Shuffling closer, he found a jagged hole in the center of her chest.  The heart had been carved out.  His entire body jerked convulsively.  He staggered to her side and fell onto his knees.  Several rose petals fluttered from the bed.  Tears stung his eyes as he beheld her blood-sprayed face.  Her life’s fluid had drained from the deep laceration around the slender column of her throat.  It encompassed her pale shoulders in a wreath of red-black.  That had kept her quiet while he removed her heart.

He hung his head and took in deep gulps of air, his body numb with the grisly images.  Glancing at his trembling hands, he found them coated with the sticky, rust-hued liquid.  And on the palm of his right hand, the deadly knife, his Vengeance.  Between the blood stains, the sharp steel glinted wickedly, even in the low lamp light.

The punishment had been necessary.  His fingers tightened around the cold, ivory handle.  He lifted his head and brought the six-inch blade up to the woman’s hair.  After removing one of the long, ruby tresses, he leaned forward.  “Ah, Fran,” he whispered, “you did it again.”  He gritted his teeth against the rage flowing through him.  “How many times must I punish you before you remain faithful to me?”

He straightened and lifted the burning lamp from the nearby table.  After one last glance at his wife, he hurled it at her.  Flames erupted, the ravenous blazes engulfing the entire bed.  The room filled with thick black smoke and emanated ghastly odors of singed flesh and burnt wood.

Scrambling from the cottage, he inhaled deeply, placidity returning to him.  Peace always settled into him after punishing his wife for her disloyalty.  But the feeling wouldn’t last.  It never did.  Each time it grew in intensity…and more frequently.  The searing urgency to conciliate his raging need to avenge.  Even now, his tranquility ebbed somewhat.

Stroking the ruby tuft of hair within his pocket, the tuft he’d add to the others, he glanced over his shoulder.  A deep red rose petal fell from his shoulder to the muddy ground at his feet.  Observing the yellow-orange flames licking up the cottage, something tickled his memory.  Something about Fran.  He squinted into the flickering light and struck his head with the heel of his hand, trying to remember.  It had been important.  He struck again.  And again.

Then he went still.  He knew.

Fran had tried escaping.  She had changed her name to Silver.  Yes, he remembered all of it now.

Straightening his shoulders, he patted the blade in his pocket.  “We have more work to do, Vengeance.”

Chapter Twenty

“What about the Marquess of Amersleigh?” Anne inquired.

“Megan’s brother?  I-I don’t know, Grandmamma,” Torie said softly.

Silver looked up from her book and watched Anne frown over at Torie.

“The marquess would make an excellent husband.  You cannot wait forever, Victoria.”  Anne cut her gaze to Prudence.  “The shelf is a lonely place to reside.”

Prudence didn’t look up but continued to work on the sampler in her lap.  “I chose not to wed, Anne.  It wasn’t for the lack of opportunity.”

Silver removed her spectacles as she continued to listen.  So wrapped up in her own problems of late, she’d forgotten to ask her aunt about previously knowing Anne.

“Ha!  It’s because no one would have you after your scheme to ensnare Thomas failed to work.”

The needle stilled, then Prudence slowly looked up.  “You thought I was trying to steal your fiancé from you?”

Silver’s jaw dropped.

“Of course you were trying to steal Thomas from me.  Everyone knows that.”

Closing her eyes, her aunt clamped a hand over her mouth, then her shoulders started to shake. 

Silver closed her book.  She would go comfort the poor dear but halted when Prudence erupted in a fit of laughter.

“You thought I wanted the duke?” her aunt asked as she wiped the wetness from her eyes.

She glanced at Anne, who glared murderously at Prudence.

“I was in love, but not with the duke.  I was in love with his brother.”

“George?”  Anne’s brows shot up.

“Yes, you silly old goose.  I loved George.”

Anne leaned back in her chair.  “Well, why didn’t you say so?”

Folding her arms, Prudence sniffed.  “I tried to tell you, but you wouldn’t listen.”

“All this time I thought you were using George to try and send messages to Thomas.  It never occurred to me you had your cap set on the younger brother.”

The room went silent for several moments, except for the loud ticks coming from the ugly gold clock on the mantle.  Prudence resumed her sewing and calmly asked, “Did he ever marry?”

“When we return to the country, you can ask him yourself.  He resides at the old estate.”

Once again, the needle stilled in Prudence’s fingers.  She looked up sharply.  “You mean he’s still alive?”

Anne frowned and nodded.  “He is, the confounded old goat.”

Silver smiled as she perched her spectacles back onto her nose.  She heard Anne’s soft words to Prudence as she opened her book.

“If I had known it was George—”

“Is that an apology, Anne?”

A heavy sigh sounded.  “I suppose it is.”

“Then your apology is accepted.”

Silver’s smile widened.

“Daniel!” Torie said.

Nearly upsetting her book, Silver drew in a deep breath.  Slowly, she turned to the doorway and a jolt of varied emotions shot through her.  Alarm, excitement, and dread were just a few of the things whirling through her when she found her husband standing there.

Torie dashed across the room.  “Oh, Daniel, I’m so glad to see you.”

“Did you miss me that much?” he asked.

Hearing his deep voice caused a shudder of delight to race through Silver’s body.  Her eyes devoured every detail, and she noticed how his dark hair had grown beyond his collar.  God, how could he be so handsome?

“It has been an entire month since I last saw you,” Torie said, sounding muffled against his dark brown coat.  She pulled away and frowned up at him.  “The note you left said you were leaving to tour the other estates.”  She gave him another cross look.  “But did you have to leave the morning after the debut?  I’ve spent very little time with you since you left for Scotland.”

Silver turned away, trying hard not to want his arms around her so damn much.  Removing her spectacles, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes, wishing she could close her ears as well.  She wanted to escape.  She wanted to stand up and walk out of the room, but she couldn’t force her legs to obey.  As painful as it was to be near Daniel, she couldn’t miss a second of it. 

“You haven’t been to Huntington at all since you left London last month?” Anne asked.  “Haven’t spoken to anyone from the estate?”

“No, Gran, I haven’t,” Daniel said at the end of a sigh.  “Now, if everyone will please excuse us, I would like to speak to Silver alone.”

She wrenched her eyes open, her heart thudding painfully behind her ribs.  Daniel wanted to speak to her?  Alone?  She watched Prudence rise, give her a look of calm assurance, then depart with Anne and Torie.

The door closed with a soft click and Silver swallowed hard.  Daniel neared and she rose on trembling legs, slipping her spectacles into one of the pockets of her dress.  With a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and faced her husband.

Daniel halted three feet from her, his face void of any emotion.  “I have spent the last month visiting my other estates for a reason.”

Her insides wouldn’t stop shaking as she listened to his emotionless voice.

He is going to abandon you.
Silver gripped the sides of her dress, dreading his next words.

“I have decided you and Prudence shall move to one of them.  Clifton Castle.”

Her eyes slid shut, knowing he was going to abandon her.  She bowed her head, all hope she had been holding out for them reconciling now gone.  There was nothing left.

“Although it’s quite old,” he continued, “recent repairs have made it comfortable.  It sits high on a cliff overlooking the sea—”

“And the most distant estate of them all,” Silver interrupted, snapping her head up.  She did have something left after all.  Anger.  A beautiful, fiery ball of anger.  Her hands clenched at her sides, fingernails digging into her palms.  How dare the man do this to her?

His eyes narrowed, but he didn’t deny it.

She took a step forward, about to tell her rotten husband to go to the devil, when a commotion sounded at the door.  She turned just in time to see Jeremy strutting into the room wearing an enormous grin, followed by a disgruntled Jenkins who hadn’t had the opportunity to announce the marquess, as usual.  “Silver, my delicious little pet…” Jeremy halted, his words tapering off when he noticed she was not alone.

“Ah, my old friend, Lord Fielding.”  Daniel’s voice held not a bit of welcome.  “Still the biggest rake in the country, I see.”  He dismissed Jenkins with a wave of his hand.

Jeremy’s lips quirked in amusement, then he gave a slight bow.  “Without question.”  He straightened and started forward.

“Oh, Lord,” Silver whispered as trouble brewed in the air.

Halting before them, Jeremy’s smile widened.  “I’ve never known you to be the jealous sort, Huntington.”

“Disgusted is the more accurate word.”  Daniel glanced to her and back.

“Come, old man, you have no cause to be jealous.  Silver and I are merely friends.”

A muscle ticked in her husband’s cheek just below his right eye. 
Rot!
  Silver had to do something to defuse the situation before he grew any more furious.  Unfortunately, she couldn’t think of a single thing to say that would help.

“You haven’t had one female friend between the ages of twelve and fifty in your entire life, Fielding.”  Daniel crossed his arms, his eyes daring Jeremy to deny the statement.

“Quite true.”

She could not believe it.  Now she wanted to smack both of them.

“But,” Jeremy said, his smile disappearing, “there is a first time for everything.”

Daniel’s shoulder’s relaxed, the tight lines around his lips disappeared.  He shrugged.  “It really doesn’t matter.  She’s leaving for Clifton Castle at first light.  I’ll not have to look at her again.”  Then he turned on his heel and marched from the room.

Watching his swift retreat, Silver’s knees grew weak.  The wall tilted sideways.  She would have tumbled to the rug if not for Jeremy’s fast reflexes.

“Easy, pet,” he stated softly in her ear as he held her up.

After a minute and several deep breaths, the numbness left.  She straightened, grateful her legs decided to support her.  “Thank you.”  Her words would not come out above a strained whisper.  “If you don’t mind postponing today’s Russian lesson, Jeremy, I’ll excuse myself.  I’ve suddenly developed a rather nasty headache.”

“Of course,” he said, his brows crinkled in concern.  “Are you going to be all right, Silver?  You’re very pale.”

She forced a tiny smile.  “I’ll be fine.”

Within the solace of her bedchamber a few minutes later, Silver moved to the windows.  She sat on the cushioned seat and stared at the orange and gold leaves falling from the trees below.  How did everything get so muddled?  One minute she and Daniel were happy, the next…

She shook her head, breaking off the thought.  Truly, she couldn’t even bear to think of her disastrous marriage. 
Oh, my God, was he really sending me away?

The door opened and Molly scuttled into the room holding a large tray.  “Here, Your Grace.  I know you haven’t eaten a thing since yesterday, so I brought you one of Cookie’s delicious meat pies.”

As soon as the smell hit her, Silver’s stomach twisted, flipped over, and filled with nausea.  And when her mouth began to water, she dashed for the chamber pot behind the privacy screen.  After the ghastly deed, she rinsed her mouth then shuffled to the bed, completely drained.  Thank God Molly had enough sense to remove the odious meat pie.

Oh, what a mistake to think of food!  With a groan, Silver squeezed her eyes shut and began to recite the Greek alphabet.

A few minutes later, the little maid scuttled into the room wearing a face-splitting smile.  “Why didn’t you tell me, Your Grace?”

Fatigued, she closed her eyes.  “Tell you what?”

“That you’re with child,” Molly stated with a giggle.

Silver popped her eyes open.  “What?”  She moaned when her stomach twisted.

The smile slid from Molly’s face.  “You mean you don’t know?”  She sat down on the edge of the bed.

Trying to keep the panic from exploding within her, Silver took a deep breath.  “How does one know?” she asked, then thought that a ridiculous question to ask a young unmarried girl.

“Two of my cousins have had babies.  Mary is on her third.”

“But why would you think I…”  She stopped, unable to finish.  No, she couldn’t be with child.  The terrible things Daniel told her the night of her debut flooded her mind.  Oh, God.  She could not be with child.  Not now.  Her husband would divorce her, and it would be her fault since she’d confirmed his ludicrous accusation of taking lovers.  She had been so angry at the time, she just wanted to strike back.  Now, if she had a baby, he would not believe it his.  Oh, why did she have to lose her temper and act so foolishly that night?

“Both of my cousins were dizzy, tired and ill, just like you have been, Your Grace,” Molly said.  Her eyes turned questioning.  “But they knew for certain when their monthly didn’t come.”  Her cheeks flooded with color.

Silver drew her brows, trying to recall her last cycle.  As she counted back the days, her desperation grew.  Dear God.  She was with child.

Her gaze flew to her maid’s.  “Not a word of this to anyone, Molly.”

The delight on the girl’s face altered to confusion.  “Your Grace?”

Silver sat up.  “Promise me.  Not a word of this to anyone.”

“Of-of course, Your Grace.  If that is your wish.”

She nodded absently and rose from the bed, grateful her stomach had settled.  Needing to think, she began to pace.  Her mind raced furiously.  If Daniel learned about the baby, he wouldn’t merely send her and Prudence to another estate.  He’d throw them out entirely.  She almost groaned.  That couldn’t happen.  Not until she found a place for them to live.

Her heart protested the idea of never seeing Daniel again, but she pushed the thought aside.  She had to think of Prudence and the baby right now.  Closing her eyes, she sent up a silent prayer for guidance.  And the second she finished the entreaty, a picture of her brothers flashed into her mind.

Thank you, God.
  She turned to her maid.  “I need your help, Molly.”

The girl’s blue eyes grew round.  “You need
my
help, Your Grace?”

“Yes.”

“Of course I’ll help.”  Molly squared her shoulders.  “What will you have me do?”

“I need to leave the house without being noticed.”  Prudence would try to stop her, and the interrogation would begin.  Silver swallowed back a sigh.  It wouldn’t take the keen lady very long to learn everything.  And then her aunt would insist Daniel be told about the baby.  She could not have that.  No, she’d send for Prudence after arriving at her brothers’ estate.  She also needed to make certain her brothers would allow them to stay.

“Very well, Your Grace, I will help you.  But I’m coming with you.”