Darkest Death, page 10
part #2 of Darkest Series
“I have heard some of this, though I hadn’t put it together that they were in war torn Spain.” Such a romantic story of love and loyalty. For King and Country. And she knew they’d been involved in Waterloo somehow from things she had overheard. Wistfully, she wished they were here to tell her about it, and for them to see her happiness with Lord Archer.
“They began to work together to foil the French conspirers. They were integral to unseating Joseph the First from the Spanish throne. I could hardly believe I was reading about the same people. They were not working as many active cases when I started, and plus, I saw them as the nobility they were, and as parents to you. Until I read their work. It’s fascinating reading on a historical case, and it reads like a text book for subversion war tactics.”
Tears began tracking down her face and turning almost to ice before they could dry up. She wiped her cheeks with one gloved hand. “I miss them so,” she said.
“I imagine you do.” His grip on her tightened for a moment, as if offering comfort.
“Even now, so many years away from their death, I want to hear their voices, be held by them as if a little girl. I’ve often wished I could speak with my mother about you, about my feelings which tore me up for years as you’re one of my best friends’ brother.”
“Despite that, you’ve grown up well. You’re quite the talk of the ton,” he teased.
“All fluff and nonsense.” She shook her head. She knew how to play the game and played it well. She’d seen the underbelly of London’s East End and wanted no part of it. It frightened her into behaving more appropriately than she otherwise might have. “Though, I do love showing off my gowns. They are a weakness of mine. But I like how I feel in them.”
“I can assure you that they are worth every farthing you may have spent. And you look ravishing again today, as always.”
Her cheeks held a pleasant warmth. The cold had started to bite the tip of her nose and her cheeks by this time. She bore it in silence. She did not want to be a whiney partner their first assignment together. “Thank you. Admittedly, I dressed hoping to please you.”
Revealing such a thing also caused an unwelcome vulnerability to rise up in her. She preferred being tough and independent, even a blue stocking.
“You accomplished your task well then, I’d say.”
“Thank you,” she mumbled again. After so many years of yearning, she couldn’t take much more of his compliments without blushing, yet her heart soaked them up like the thirsty summer ground at Bath soaked up the rain. They were walking in the middle off the forest, no idea where they might be, and he still made her feel better than many a swain on the dance floor.
She searched for a topic to change the subject with. “Did you glean any new information from the card?”
“No, just what I told you. Canterbury’s library at his country estate is quite well stocked, but the legends only said what I knew. That the raven and spider are basically death portends. Someone does not want you happy, that’s for sure.”
Understatement, she thought. Outright scared was probably more accurate. “So still no idea as to who?”
“Not even a clue. Lord Downing…this doesn’t fit his character or his attitude. This is over the top and dramatic in a way that would seem childish to him, in my opinion. However, as he is the only villain we have, then I have to keep him on the list. But…watch your surroundings. I don’t like it.”
“Nor do I.” Frustration gnawed at her, but she attempted to put it aside and enjoy her time with Archie. They talked quietly of people and places they knew. Sometimes, they simply walked, comfortable in the silence with each other. After a time, a deep ache began in the arch of her feet, particularly her left foot. Her heeled kid skin boots had been made for travelling—just not by foot. Rueful at her vanity’s cost this trip, she tried to hide her limp. Then the cold seeped through.
They travelled in companionable silence, though, as time passed, she kept her mouth shut to keep the chatters from becoming bad. The icy wind picked up, and the light fresh scent of snow came with it. “Snow,” she stuttered.
He immediately wrapped his arms around her and turned her face into him. Though her cape’s hood definitely helped against the cold breezes, her cheeks still burned with cold.
“We should be close and be there soon,” he said.
She closed her eyes, enjoying the warmth they built together. The timbre of his voice added to that warmth from the inside. Thankfully, she’d brought her fur muff for her hands, and they stayed between her and him as he held her close, warming even further.
Her whole body shakes began to settle until they’d quit completely. He held her a couple more minutes, then turned and started walking again. This time, her feet screamed at her, and an involuntary cry left her before she stopped it.
“What is it?”
She had to blink back tears. The comfort of someone caring so deeply hit her hard, surprising her with its intensity. With friends like Hermione and Lillian, she had good friends so shouldn’t be so blind-sided by it. “These boots were made for sitting in a carriage from inn to home, not walking for miles in the freezing cold of February in a forest,” she said ruefully. “I am sorry, but I am going to have to walk slower for this next bit.”
He put his arm around her, managing to wedge his hand under her underarm despite her cloak, and held her up against him. It took some of the weight of her sore feet and helped a great deal. “Thanks,” she said.
“You’re even tougher than your reputation,” he teased.
“Quite so. I rein it in for the sake of Lady Lillian and your sister. I have enough money to stay on my estates quite happily for years, and my title son jour would protect me more than most ladies. However, Lady Lillian’s brother has nearly wrecked her reputation too many times to count. Having me as her best friend has protected her more than once. And Hermione, she still believes in the innocence of people, even after the way the marquess treated her.” Duped her more like, but that wasn’t her tale to tell, particularly not to the brother.
“You are an amazing woman. I love you. The more we’ve talked, the more I realize I don’t want to wait. I want us to be the next legend in the agency, the next couple they talk about with reverent tones. I want you to be a part of every aspect of my life. You’ve been good to my sister through this hardship. I already knew I cared for you. I wanted to wait until I was more settled, had my own place.”
Sarah’s heart stopped then thudded loudly. Her heart swelled and ran over with love. “We-we can stay at my home. Work out whose estates once your parents need your help,” she offered tentatively, not wanting to offend him, but not wanting to give up her own home either. It was all she had left of her parents. Her home and a few personal mementos from places like France, Spain, Italy.
He stopped them again and turned to her, put his hands on her shoulders. “Look at me, Sarah.”
The commanding tone sent a thrill through her. For heaven’s sake. Next thing she knew, she’d be like one of those silly girls in the novels her and Lillian and Hermione loved to read. All giggles and nerves just because a man said he wanted her. “Well,” she pushed when he just stared into her eyes.
“Sarah, Countess of York, you are one of the most infuriating, outspoken, bluestocking women I have ever had the pleasure to meet. Your knowledge and strength are only beaten by your compassion and empathy for others. You’re intelligent, beautiful, and I never want to go another day without being in your presence. My beloved, will you marry me? As soon as we can get a license I mean?”
Happiness coursed through her as strong as a hundred horses galloping. She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him softly. “Of course I will. I have waited for you since I was sixteen. That’s when I knew I had more than a childhood crush on you. You’re infuriating, outspoken, and took forever to ask me to marry you. You’re intelligent and handsome.” She couldn’t stop smiling as she echoed his words with the twist all for him. “And I love you and never want to spend a day apart from you again. I will marry you. Say when and where. Only, know this. I will be having a proper wedding with everyone invited. So make sure you have room and time for that. As for dresses, I have one being made that can be altered slightly, and I am going to ask them to add some beading. It’s ice blue and shimmers under the light.”
His laughter rang out and echoed a short distance away. “I agree to those terms. Now, kiss me again.”
After kissing once again—she didn’t think she could ever tire of it—they set out still searching for anyone. Then, as they crested a hill, she saw the pub and inn. “Look! There’s smoke coming from the chimney. I can’t wait to put my hands next to fire.”
They moved as swiftly as her feet could handle. As she opened the door to the inn, she saw a woman and frowned, trying to place her. Then she heard Archie’s intake of breath, and a curse sprang from his lips.
“What is it, Archie.” She looked around again. People sat at the uneven wood for tables, and the promised fire permeated the whole room. She headed toward the fire, hands out. She wanted to have his hands on her and curl up on his lap at times. But his response stopped her in her tracks, and she met his gaze.
“Louisa.”
Chapter Eleven
Lord Archer
Seething with anger at her perfidy, he consciously loosened the fists which had formed. He’d only ever hit a woman in the course of work, and it had been extreme circumstances what with her holding a gun on him. Louisa had no visible weapon, though he would not count on it with her many volumes of clothing on.
He swiftly moved to her and grabbed her by the arm and drug her in front of the fireplace next to Sarah. She protested until she saw his face. Then real fear showed in her eyes. Gone was the belligerence at Canterbury’s estates. He thought he was angry, but the dark looks Sarah sent her way could have melted iron.
“You will answer my questions forthwith. If I do not like your answers or feel you are lying to us in even the most minute detail, I will turn you over to the magistrate.”
“You wouldn’t dare. I work for the same agency as you. It is against protocol.”
“It’s also against protocol to leave one another stranded in the middle of nowhere, yet, here we are. And your answer admits you know who I am.”
“I still don’t have to answer any of your questions,” she replied, but some of her bravado had receded, showing the fear again as she looked from him to Sarah.
“Then you will speak with the nearest magistrate. I will not allow you out of my sight until you are in custody.”
“You can’t. The agency will cover for me anyway.”
“The agency doesn’t know where you are and won’t know you’ve been caught.”
She paled. “But Lord Downing… This was his plan. He would know.” She didn’t sound very convinced, however.
“Lord Downing used you and the agency for his personal gains. Even if he would come rescue you—which he won’t want to get his hands dirty, so you will be left to rot—you left a viscount and countess on the road, guests of the Duke of Canterbury, one of the biggest employers in the area from here to Edinburgh. The Dark Duke is one of the most powerful men in the British Empire. I can have you jailed for a long time.”
“You cannot prove anything,” she whispered.
“They would hold you until the duke could be found or someone finds our carriage. Then they would prosecute. I promise you, Lord Downing has no desire to substantiate anything you might have to say. It would ruin his cover at the agency.”
A swamp of pity hit him at the devastation on her face, also, the denial. Part of him still wanted to deny that his mentor was capable of the atrocities he had arranged.
“Hello,” Sarah interjected. “I’m the Countess of York. What reason were you given to leave us stranded in the middle of a forest. And where are we?”
“You’re in a little village which is about an hour and half by horse, two and half by carriage because of a couple of problem spots in the road, from Edinburgh.”
Lord Archer tightened his grip when it became obvious she didn’t plan on answering the rest. “You must answer, or you may be implicated in treason.”
“No!” she gasped. “He said you and she plotted together to overthrow the queen.”
“Smart move when he himself is the one who has already attempted her death multiple times. I heard him tell a man to plan the next part myself,” Sarah said when Louisa tried to deny it. “He also planned to marry me and take over as regent over Queen Victoria’s daughter once the queen was dead.”
Louisa’s eyes flashed with true anger. “No, he promised to marry me as soon as the two of you were caught.”
Lord Archer couldn’t help the very cold laugh which left him. “You have been in the agency long enough to know that although he has a stellar reputation for bringing in his man, he rarely goes undercover in the lower parts of society. He leaves that to the rest of us. When has he spoken to you before now? For say, a month? Maybe two? After how many years? Because, yes, now that we are standing so close, I recognize you. The fake bits of makeup changing your eye shape is well done, by the way, and something you can teach others should we all make it out of this. You started young, like I did. You have worshipped him, like we all did.”
Tears fell down her cheeks even as she shook her head in denial.
“Yes, of course,” Sarah said. “He knows how to manipulate people’s feelings and make them do anything for him. He had Canterbury’s cousin posing as him, remember, Lord Archer?”
He nodded an acknowledgment to Sarah, but then went into it. “You’re Andrea Livingstone. Your parents are good, hardworking, middle class people who made their money selling steel.” He spoke with care, keeping his anger out of his voice. He had to get through to her. Then suddenly, he knew.
“You came into this agency, were given more respect than you’d had in your young life, and you craved more. Even though life was easier at home now, too many people still brush you off. The rich and titled because you are of the nouveau riche, the poor because you have bettered yourself above their station. The middle-class merchants and secretaries are still growing, and you don’t know where you fit in. But the agency gave you all of that. Respect, a home, friends, and money. You don’t have to marry if you do not want to. But your heart is lonely still. You want someone to love, children to hold in your arms.”
“How do you know all this,” she said, the tears now streaming unchecked.
“I didn’t until just now, really. But I know the same way Lord Downing would know, the same way you would know in my situation. We are taught how to get under people’s skins. Now, Andrea, I believe you were following orders. Tell me precisely what those orders were and if you know why he asked it of you.”
He glanced over to Sarah while awaiting Andrea’s reply, and the look on her face nearly had him dropping the agent’s arm and go ask to secure a room. Good thing she’d agreed to be his wife as soon as possible, because he would have a hard time keeping his honor otherwise. He swallowed and turned his attention back to Andrea.
“You love her,” she said softly. “I see now where Lord Downing did and said the right things, but only just. Only sometimes. As you said, it was in the last month. But that look you gave her? That wasn’t playacting. That was pure love and need. I want that. You’re right. I want to have a husband and babies to love. I don’t believe you two have done what he’s accused you of. Come with me. Well, first rest. We can arrange for a horse here, and we can either go back and get your carriage or rent one here from the owner. I know them,” she added with a twinkle. “They’re cousins of mine. I promise. While we eat, we can discuss what he told me. I have felt awful leaving you there with this awful weather. Now I feel worse.”
He again looked to Sarah, who nodded. They found a table and soon a large shepherd’s pie and a tankard of ale came to their table via a bosom woman with a heavy Scots accent. He could barely make out her words, but Andrea laughed and told her thank you for them.
“Is there a room here?” he asked.
“Nay. All rooms be taken.”
He would worry after he ate. A few moments of silence at their table while taking those first bites, and he enjoyed the break. Even at the duke’s residence, he’d been on high alert, not knowing who to trust. Right until they left.
“How’d you manage to be our driver?” he asked, finally.
“I knocked poor Wilfred on the head. I hope Miss Charlotte or someone found him before too long. I really feel bad about it. But Lord Downing had said by whatever means necessary.”
Lord Archer sat straight up, his food turning to char in his mouth. “He what?”
Andrea and him exchanged a significant stare for a long moment.
“What does that mean, precisely. I mean, I understand the words, but in spy speak.”
“It means, she could have killed us. What, exactly, were you supposed to do by whatever means necessary?”
“Keep you from returning to London for a fortnight at least. Longer would be better.”
Lord Archer sat back. He needed time to plan. It was getting late. Maybe they needed to rest. “Is there a place to stay around here?”
“There is a cottage near here we can stay,” she said, her eyes downcast.
“What is it?” Sarah asked. “Why did you say it so reluctantly?”
“It-it’s my home. It is where we came from. That is how I know this area so well. Though a bit off the beaten path, it is a shortcut from the north to Edinburgh if you know about it. My father had planned on selling it when we moved to London, but I asked him not to. Said I needed a place to go to see my cousins.”
“I see. It must be important to you. I agree that we need to rest before going to Edinburgh. I appreciate that you are sharing your private space with us,” Sarah said gently. “We are forgiving you for your part…as long as your story holds true. Are we not, Lord Archer?” She stared at him so pointedly, he almost felt the cad for cornering Andrea on the subject.
