The Disappearing Duchess (20 page)

‘Oh, you can’t beat these,’ Royston said with a confident smile and turned over three aces.

‘As I thought,’ Andrew said and turned over Hendricks’s cards, revealing two aces and two kings. ‘Since when did we play with a pack with five aces? I discarded
those aces and Hendricks picked them up and so I knew that you either had a royal flush or were bluffing—but it appears that instead you were cheating.’

‘Cheating?’ Royston’s face went white, then red. ‘How dare you accuse me of cheating? I had two aces from the start and then acquired a third. If anyone is cheating, it must be Hendricks.’

‘Why is this in your sleeve, then?’

Andrew inserted two fingers beneath the frill at Royston’s wrist and withdrew a card. He turned it over to reveal a king. A gasp of disgust issued from the lips of the men watching.

‘Damned cheat,’ Sir Michael Jones muttered. ‘I lost four hundred to him a week ago.’

‘I knew no one could be that lucky,’ another gentleman muttered. ‘Give us our money back, Royston.’

‘No…’ Royston rose to his feet shakily, his hand trembling. ‘It is a lie. Lanchester planted that card on me. I’ve never cheated in my life.’

‘I’ve been watching you all evening,’ Andrew said and rose to his feet. ‘Are you calling me a liar, sir?’

‘You are a damned liar. I did not cheat.’

‘Then how is it that there are five aces in the pack?’ Hendricks asked. ‘You are a cheat and a liar, sir—and I for one shall never play cards with you or invite you to my house.’

‘When news of this gets out you will be ruined,’ Andrew said, still in that pleasant tone. ‘If I were you, I should leave England as quickly and quietly as you can.’

‘Damn you, you’ll meet me for this!’ Royston said. He made a lunge at Andrew across the table. ‘I swear I’ll kill you.’

‘I should be only too pleased to teach you some manners,’ Andrew said. He glanced at Hendricks. ‘You will be my second—and you, Jones?’

‘Certainly,’ both men agreed with alacrity. ‘We shall arrange it for tomorrow at dawn. Ask your seconds to call on us this afternoon, Royston. It is too late to fight now and we’re all a trifle drunk.’

‘We shall meet at my estate tomorrow morning at first light,’ Andrew said. ‘I shall arrange for a doctor to be present, also a pair of Manton’s best pistols—which you or your seconds will be at liberty to inspect. I think I should warn you that I was a crack shot in the army, but no doubt you are proficient with the pistols yourself?’

‘I can acquit myself well enough,’ Royston said. He looked round the table at the men gathered there. ‘You all think I cheated, but it is a damned lie. Lanchester is the cheat here, but none of you will believe me.’

‘I suggest you take yourself off before I am tempted to give you a thrashing, sir,’ Hendricks said. ‘You have insulted one of the finest men I know. I would take his word above yours any day.’

‘I do not know why you’ve done this.’ Royston paused at the door and threw Andrew a bitter look. ‘I’ll get even with you, if it takes me the rest of my life.’

‘We shall settle our score tomorrow,’ Andrew said. ‘Shoot straight, Royston. I never miss.’

Royston looked sick, went out and slammed the door after him.

‘The snivelling rat,’ Sir Michael said. ‘I’ve suspected he was a cheat before this—but how did you know, Lanchester?’

‘It was his manner. He was nervous, sweating—and I thought I felt something on the corner of one card.’ He retrieved an ace from the pack and ran his finger over it. ‘There, tell me, is that not a pinprick?’

‘Marked cards. He must have slipped them in when it was his turn to shuffle the pack,’ Hendricks snarled. ‘I thought his luck had changed recently. For weeks he did nothing but lose, then suddenly he started to win every hand. Had to be something havey-cavey about that, don’t you know.’

‘Well, he has been exposed for the cheat he is,’ Andrew said calmly. ‘I trust we can make certain this rogue is never allowed to enter decent company again.’

‘Best way to do that is to kill him,’ Sir Michael said. ‘Bound to be some fools that will believe his story.’

‘Not when I’ve finished with him,’ Hendricks said. ‘Best to wound, but not kill, Lanchester. You don’t want to have to make a bolt for France until the dust settles.’

‘It might be worth it for the pleasure of seeing him dead,’ Andrew said, causing his friend to look at him in a puzzled way. ‘But I dare say you are right. If he shows,
I will put a ball in his shoulder and hope he learns his lesson.’

‘He’ll more than likely make a bolt for it,’ one of the other gentlemen said. ‘Cheats are usually cowards…’

‘Y
ou’ve done what?’ Justin stared at Andrew in disbelief. ‘Why on earth did you provoke him? If you kill him, you may have to leave the country for a spell.’

Andrew shrugged carelessly. ‘I have friends in Paris and Spain. I shall not let the possibility of an extended holiday weigh with me.’

‘Had you waited, I had intended to offer him a bribe to leave the country. I thought we might catch him picking up the blackmail money and threaten him with prison.’

‘It might have worked, but Royston is a cheat and a liar. He might have taken your money and come back for more.’

‘Not if we scared the life out of him,’ Justin said grimly. ‘However, your plan may be better. He is ruined and will not be welcomed in most houses. Besides which, he may well run rather than meet you.’

‘Hendricks said the same, but I think he will show. He is a fair shot and will try to best me if he can—without my testimony he might bluff his way back into society.’

‘I would back you against any man I know,’ Justin said and frowned. ‘I’ve played a hand or two of whist with Royston myself and did not notice anything amiss.’

‘I dare say he became desperate,’ Andrew said, looking at a spot beyond his shoulder. ‘I shall certainly shoot to wound rather than to kill—but if my aim should be a little off we shall at least be certain he will never trouble the duchess again.’

‘I’m still not convinced this is the best way to deal with Royston, however. It was possible to get away with a duel to the death in our grandfathers’ days, Andrew, but it is frowned upon now. Indeed, you may find yourself up before the beak just for taking part in the affair.’

‘It is a price worth paying, wouldn’t you say? At least this way no scandal attaches to you or the duchess.’

‘You have my gratitude—but we shall say nothing to Lucinda or Miss Lanchester of this.’

‘Certainly not. No point in upsetting the ladies.’

‘Then I shall say thank you for your help, my friend. I know I have no need to mention that Lucinda’s name must be kept out of this affair.’

‘None at all. It is the reason I undertook the business myself. Royston might have been wary of you.’

‘Very true. Lucinda told me she had confided in
you—and I had meant to myself, once I had her permission. Her secret…well, least said the better.’

‘I just wish I had the opportunity of addressing Sir John,’ Andrew said. ‘He would not have found me so accommodating as to offer him a chance to live.’

‘Had she told me his name sooner, I should already have given the man the thrashing he deserved. For a man like that hanging would be too good.’

‘She is blameless,’ Andrew said. ‘How anyone could be so cruel as her father…?’ He shook his head and smiled. ‘It is beyond me. I dare say you are proud of her courage in all this, Justin. I should be were she my wife.’

‘Would I be right in thinking you admire Lucinda?’

‘Greatly,’ Andrew replied promptly, looking him in the eyes. ‘Had I met her again before your wedding I might have asked her to marry me—but I know that she loves you and I am honoured simply to be her friend.’

‘You are a man of honour, Andrew. We are both lucky to have you as a friend,’ Justin said. ‘I should like to be present at the duel—at least I should like to observe it without Royston being aware.’

‘If you wish. However, it might not be wise to let him see you. He might think it was all a plot to trap him.’

‘Very well. I shall remain out of sight, but I wish to know what happens.’

It was decided between them that Justin would go to the agreed spot and wait hidden so that he could watch
the proceedings without being seen. After that the two men left, shaking hands in a cordial way.

Only after Andrew had gone did it occur to Justin to wonder why Royston should think it a plot. He had after all been caught red-handed—or had he? Had Andrew somehow engineered that showdown?

No, it was not possible. Andrew Lanchester was the most honourable man alive. He would never falsely accuse a fellow gentleman of cheating or plant a marked card on him. Certainly not! It was a rogue thought and must instantly be dismissed—though a man might go to extreme acts for a woman he loved. Justin would have preferred to catch the rogue picking up the blackmail money and given him a good thrashing himself, but perhaps this way would work just as well.

* * *

‘Why are you so kind and generous to me?’ Mariah asked as she and Lucinda walked together in the gardens that morning. She bent to pluck a yellow rose and hold it to her nose, inhaling its scent. ‘You do know that I came here intending to make trouble between you and Justin?’

‘At the start I thought you might feel a little put out at finding another woman as the mistress of your home.’ Lucinda smiled at her. ‘I could hardly blame you, though you had your chance to wed Justin, I believe?’

‘He never loved me,’ Mariah said and laughed. ‘His papa made a mess of administering my fortune. My guardian’s unwise investments lost much of what was left to me. Justin did his best to repair the damage,
but he could not restore all I had lost. It was no matter since my husband’s fortune is more than even I could spend—and most of it invested in solid blue chips, which provide me with a generous income.’

‘Oh…I thought Justin was in love with you then.’

‘Yes, I suspected you did,’ Mariah said and smiled. ‘I wanted you to think that—I wanted to hurt you, Lucinda, but I’m sorry now if I did.’

‘You did not,’ Lucinda replied. ‘You could have taken nothing from me that I had.’

‘But you are in love with him, aren’t you?’

‘Yes, I love my husband. I am not sure how he feels about me.’

‘He loves you, of course. Why else would he have married you?’ Mariah’s gaze narrowed. ‘There’s something wrong between the pair of you, isn’t there? I’ve sensed it more than once. Justin is always meticulous about family matters, of course—but he is not usually as sharp tempered as he has been of late.’

‘There are things that have tried his patience,’ Lucinda replied. ‘Do not ask, Mariah, for I cannot answer you.’

‘I love secrets. If it were anyone but you, I should ferret them out, Lucinda, but I do not wish to distress or harm you. I have come to think of you as a friend and I shall miss you when I leave.’

‘Must you go? This is your home for as long as you need it, Mariah. I am certain Justin would say so.’

‘Yes, possibly—but I cannot stay forever.’ Mariah
blushed. ‘I needed somewhere to hide while I considered my position. I have received a proposal from a man I find attractive, but the man is a gambler, reckless and possibly a rogue. He may want me for my fortune rather than my person.’

‘No, how should he?’ Lucinda looked at her in surprise. ‘Have you spoken to Justin about him? Did you want his advice?’

Mariah laughed prettily. ‘Yes and no. My head says that I should ask Justin to investigate his circumstances, but my heart tells me to run to him, to throw caution to the winds and marry him. I am tired of being a widow. I want to be loved and petted again. What would you do in my place, Lucinda?’

‘I am not certain what to tell you. Normally I would say follow your heart, but if he is a reckless gambler it might be unwise. He could ruin you and break your heart, Mariah. You are beautiful. If you wait for a while, you will find someone who loves you.’

‘I dare say he may break my heart in the end,’ Mariah agreed. ‘But would it not be worth it for the glorious fun I should have first?’

‘Perhaps, I cannot say.’ Lucinda looked at her anxiously. ‘I should not wish to see you cheated or made miserable. Please ask Justin for his advice. I am certain he will know what you should do.’

‘He would no doubt tell me to forget the rogue and marry one of my very worthy and boring suitors.’

‘No, you are unjust. I think he would advise you to
wait—until you can marry with a whole heart to a man you both respect and love.’

‘I think I shall go to London soon,’ Mariah said. ‘Would you come with me, Lucinda? I should like you to meet Sebastian and give me your opinion of him.’

‘Go to London with you?’ Lucinda was uncertain. ‘I am not sure of Justin’s plans…’

‘Do you always do exactly as he says?’ Mariah pulled a face. ‘How very boring for you both. You should tease him a little, Lucinda—make him aware that he cannot always have what he wants.’

‘Do you think so?’

Lucinda was thoughtful as Mariah chattered on. Perhaps because of her feelings of guilt she had been too meek—and perhaps that was why Justin found her so boring that he had never returned to her bed. She had thought it was because he was disappointed in her, but perhaps he simply found her dull.

She was not sure what she could do about it, unless she took the very daring step of going to his room and demanding her rights as his wife.

No! He would think her shameless. Yet unless one of them made an effort this sterile marriage would continue and Justin would not have his heir.

Aware that she was soon to lose her precious daughter, Lucinda dreaded the empty life ahead of her. She had all the material comforts she needed, friends and a busy life—but what was any of it worth without someone to love?

If she had Justin’s child, she would at least have a part of him to lavish her affection on.

‘So, shall you come?’ Mariah asked, breaking into her thoughts.

‘Perhaps—if you delay your departure for a week or two.’

‘Very well,’ Mariah said and linked arms with her. ‘I am in no particular hurry. It will do Sebastian good to kick his heels a little longer.’

* * *

Justin reached the appointed spot a few minutes before the hour. He was the first to do so and found himself a place where he could see everything and not be seen by climbing into a tree. From his vantage point, he would be able to witness the duel and hear what went on without Royston being aware.

He had settled himself in the branches when the first party arrived. Andrew and his seconds, a doctor and an independent witness were the first to arrive. For a moment Justin thought the plan had failed for it was striking the hour and Royston had not shown. However, before the church clock finished its strike a small party of horsemen cantered into the clearing and dismounted.

‘I was uncertain of the exact place,’ Royston said. ‘I would not have been tardy for this meeting, my lord.’

If he had been on edge or nervous the previous night, he had recovered his usual arrogance. Watching, Justin frowned as the two men were offered pistols and Royston’s second chose a pistol for him. They were
loaded and checked by the independent witness, who then asked if they were certain they wished to continue.

‘Of course,’ Royston said. ‘It is a matter of honour. I am not a cheat and I mean to clear my name.’

‘We continue,’ Andrew said a trifle grimly.

They were asked to stand back to back and then to take twenty paces forwards.

‘On the count of twenty you will turn and fire,’ Hendricks said. ‘I shall begin the count now. One, two, three, four…’

Justin watched as the men took their measured steps. He was aware of tension amongst the seconds, then, as Hendricks spoke the number nineteen, Royston turned and fired. His ball struck Andrew in the back of his left shoulder, causing him to stagger. On the count of twenty he turned, lifted his arm to fire, but Royston turned and fled without waiting for the shot.

‘The damned coward,’ Hendricks said. ‘He fired too soon, Lanchester. Are you much hurt?’

‘Not so very much,’ Andrew replied faintly, clutched at his left arm, sank to his knees and then fell flat on to his face.

Hendricks and the doctor bent over him. Justin shinned down the tree and ran to them. He saw the startled look on the other men’s faces but ignored it.

‘Is he alive?’

‘Yes, still breathing, your Grace,’ the doctor said.

‘I have my chaise close by,’ Justin said. ‘Take him to my house. I shall follow once I’ve dealt with Royston.’

‘To your house?’

‘Do you want to upset Miss Lanchester by taking her brother home half-dead? My people will know what to do. I have other business.’

Ignoring their startled looks, Justin caught Andrew’s horse, leaped into the saddle and set off in pursuit of Royston. The man had run like a scared rabbit and left his horse behind in his panic. He could not get far. Justin was determined that the man would not get away with what he had done this night. A duel was one thing, but Royston had fired early. Had his shot not gone wide, he would have murdered Lanchester.

The man must be apprehended and punished for his crimes. Andrew’s plan had misfired for there was bound to be scandal now, but it could not be helped. Royston could not be allowed to escape.

* * *

Lucinda was woken by the noise downstairs. Pulling on a silk wrap she went down and discovered that the butler and a footman were arguing with several men in the hallway.

‘What is happening here?’

‘Forgive us, Duchess,’ a gentleman she vaguely recognised as Sir Michael Jones said apologetically, ‘but your husband bade us bring Lord Lanchester here rather than upset Miss Lanchester. He has been wounded in a duel, you see.’

‘Wounded?’ Lucinda stared in astonishment. ‘Lord Lanchester—how dreadful. You must bring him
upstairs at once. Melkins, the best guest chamber, if you please—and a doctor, we need a doctor.’

‘I am a doctor, your Grace,’ one of the gentlemen said. ‘I was there in case of some such thing, but we never expected to see such treachery. Lord Lanchester was shot before the count ended and it is a mercy he is not dead.’

‘Who shot him?’ Lucinda had a shocking thought. ‘It was not the duke?’

‘No, madam. Your husband appeared from nowhere and took charge when Mr Royston shot Lord Lanchester and then ran before his lordship fired. Shockingly bad form,’ Sir Philip Hendricks said. ‘But there, the man was a cheat and it was only to be expected.’

‘Mr Royston fought a duel with Lord Lanchester?’

Lucinda could not hide her shock as she followed the men upstairs. She waited outside the best guest chamber until Sir Michael came out to her.

‘Is there anything more I can do for you, sir?’