Hours later, Freddy was halfway through another decanter of brandy when his butler arrived to announce that he had visitors.
“Tell them to bugger off,” Freddy said, hunching deeper into his armchair. “Don’t want to see ’em.”
“Afraid not, old fellow,” Mainwaring said with a meaningful look at the butler, who took himself away with a nod. “There’s news, and though from the look of things you are in no state to do anything about it, it’s important.”
“Don’t give a damn,” Freddy said morosely. “Not unless someone has figured out how to raise the dead. ’Cause I’d bloody well kill him again.”
“Kill who?” the Duke of Trent asked conversationally, dropping into a chair across from his drunken friend. “Not like you to be so bloodthirsty without reason.”
“Oh, I’ve got reason,” Freddy said with a laugh. “If ever a man deserved killing again it’s Anthony.”
“Don’t know any Anthony,” Mainwaring said, pulling up another chair for himself. “Though if you think he’s worth killing, I have little doubt he is.”
The butler returned then with a tray of coffee and sandwiches, and when he was gone, Trent set about pouring Freddy a cup of the steaming drink.
But Freddy would have none of it. “What the devil are you about trying to sober me up, man? I’m not half drunk enough.”
“Which is not usual for you since you got back from France,” Mainwaring said meaningfully. “What’s happened to put you in such a mood?”
“Normally I’d guess it’s a woman,” Trent said thoughtfully, “but I cannot imagine the lovely Leonora doing anything to jeopardize things a second time around.”
Freddy gulped down his glass of brandy, then frowned as he began to search for the decanter that Mainwaring had hidden from him. “There’s where you’re wrong, friend,” he said absently while he patted the chair around him. “For Leonora has ended our engagement. Again.”
“What?” Mainwaring exchanged a look with Trent. “That’s impossible. I’ve seen you together. You were like a pair of bloody lovebirds.”
“A lot can change in a day,” Freddy said, staring into his now empty brandy glass. “She’s doing it for my own good. Which would be hilarious if it weren’t so damned infuriating.”
“How so?” Trent asked, getting to the heart of the matter. “How could not marrying her be for your own good?’
Freddy sighed. “It’s complicated,” he said, thrusting a hand through his already mussed hair. “But the gist is that she cannot have children and thinks to protect me from myself by forcing me to marry some other woman who can.”
“But I thought one of the benefits of being a younger son was not having to worry about getting heirs and all that?” It was a subject Trent had often teased his friend about. Mostly because as a duke, Trent had no such freedom.
“One would think,” Freddy said, resting his head against the back of the chair. “But it is clear that Leonora doesn’t think so. And I did not help matters by mentioning children at some point. But dammit, that was just daydreaming. It didn’t mean I had my heart set on a dozen children.”
“And she won’t take you at your word?” Mainwaring asked. “Or am I wrong and it does matter to you?”
“It matters,” Freddy said, “but not enough to give up the woman I love. Especially after what that bastard Anthony did to her.”
“Ah yes,” Trent said, “who is this Anthony? Since he is not happily married to Leonora I suspect the answer is angry-making.”
Quickly, Freddy told the story of what Anthony had done to Leonora. Both Trent and Mainwaring swore when he was finished.
“And you’re sure he’s dead?” Mainwaring asked, flexing his hand as if anticipating a fight.
“According to Leonora he is.” Freddy leaned forward and clasped his hands between his knees. “Though I suppose it’s not impossible that she only said that to protect me. I can’t imagine her father allowed the man to get away without doing the right thing, though.”
“True enough.” Trent nodded. “Likely Craven was as angry at being denied a chance to bloody the fellow’s nose as you are.”
“That’s not all I’d have bloodied,” Freddy growled. “When I think about Nora abandoned and alone. Suffering a miscarriage that likely frightened her to death. I just want to carry her off and wrap her in cotton wool. She is strong, of course she is, but that doesn’t mean she should go through things alone. Unfortunately, she won’t bloody let me take care of her. For my own good.”
“It’s not like you to take no for an answer, man,” Mainwaring said, shaking his head. “In fact, I’m rather surprised you didn’t persuade her that you’re capable of making your own decisions.”
At his friend’s words, Freddy straightened up in his chair. “What did you say?” he asked aghast.
Mainwaring shrugged. “It’s just that I think you might have found a way to convince her that you want her whether she can have children or not.”
“She ran away, Mainwaring,” Freddy bit out. “Was I supposed to chase after her and take her by force?”
“Of course he doesn’t mean that,” Trent said hurriedly, glaring at Mainwaring who looked unrepentant. “I think perhaps what he means is that it is unlike you to back away so easily. Especially when Leonora has done this to you before. An imbecile could see that the two of you are meant to be together. But you cannot let her fears keep you apart.”
“Unless, that is,” Mainwaring said unrepentantly, “you truly would prefer to marry someone who can give you a nursery full of ankle-biters.”
“Don’t be an arse, Mainwaring,” Freddy said sharply. “I love her. I don’t give a damn that she cannot have children. Except for her own sake, because I know she would make an excellent mother.”
“Ah, good,” Trent said with a nod. “Then I believe we have some information that might assist you in persuading her. Or at least will get your foot in the door in the event that she refuses to see you.”
Freddy frowned. “What?”
“Not good news, I’m afraid,” Mainwaring said apologetically. “I followed up on the information you sent me on your return to London. It seems that the Darleighs were found murdered on the Great North Road just outside of London. And Jonny’s curricle wasn’t with them.”
“Gerard.” All traces of his earlier inebriation fled as the import of Mainwaring’s announcement hit him. “It had to be. My cousin had them killed. Because they fled.”
“It’s very likely,” Trent agreed. “And it also means that Gerard is tying up loose ends. He didn’t follow you to London, but that’s not because he doesn’t wish to make sure neither you nor Leonora is able to report your suspicions to the authorities.”
“Damn it,” Freddy burst out. “I was supposed to stay with the Cravens until this died down. I was so angry when I left their house, I forgot about it. Leonora and her father must be protected.” He rose and began unwrapping his cravat as he stalked to the door.
Mainwaring grabbed his arm. “Wait a minute, old fellow. There’s more.”
“What?” Freddy demanded impatiently.
“We need to figure out a way to stop Gerard once and for all,” Trent said. “And I think perhaps you and Leonora might be able to do it. If you work together.”
“I don’t want her put in harm’s way.” Freddy was not going to let anyone hurt Leonora ever again.
“We won’t,” Mainwaring assured her. “In fact, if the plan goes right, you’ll have plenty of time to persuade her to marry you.”
“Let’s hear it, then,” Freddy said impatiently.
* * *
“Are you sure that you don’t want a nice cuppa tea, miss?” Leonora’s maid asked again as she tidied her mistress’s bedchamber.
Leonora had wept herself to sleep almost as soon as she heard the front door close when Freddy left. She’d hoped to stay by Freddy’s side at least until they’d managed to close the net around Gerard, but it seemed that had been too much to hope for. She wasn’t sure why she’d felt so compelled to tell Freddy the truth this afternoon, but something about the sincerity of his proposal had made her own mendacity cut like a knife. It had been physically impossible for her to go another minute without telling him the truth of what had happened between them five years before. And indeed, why she could not marry him now, either.
Instead of the relief she’d hoped for, however, all she’d felt on seeing the betrayal in his eyes was a degree of hopelessness she’d not experienced since all those years ago when she’d lost both her child and Anthony in one fell swoop. Now, of course, she was glad not to be tied to a man like Anthony, but her heartbreak at the time had been genuine.
Turning over the lavender-water-soaked cloth on her forehead to capture the coolness of the other side, Leonora tried and failed to erase the memory of the hurt in Freddy’s eyes just before she left him that afternoon. She’d done so much harm to him at this point, she could never hope to atone for it.
And he’d been right when he said she was patronizing him not to let him make the decision for himself. But she knew him so well. He would do the right thing no matter how much it hurt him. If she could, by some miracle, conceive, then perhaps things would be different. But she would not let that insidious hope flourish in her breast. Her courses were due in a few days, which would put a rest to such wishful thinking. And the sooner that happened, the better.
A brisk knock on her bedchamber door broke her from her reverie.
“I told them you weren’t to be disturbed,” her maid grumbled. Leonora didn’t move, but she could hear Peggy’s skirts rustle as she crossed the room to the door.
When she heard Freddy’s voice, however, she sat bolt upright, flinging the cold compress aside.
“Miss,” Peggy said, aggrieved, “I told him you weren’t to be disturbed, but he won’t take no for an answer.”
“It’s important, Leonora.” Freddy pushed past Peggy into the room and stood watching her. “I’d not have disturbed you otherwise.”
Searching his face for some other explanation, she saw only fatigue and determination.
“It’s all right, Peggy,” she told the maid. “Leave us alone. We are betrothed after all.”
At the lie, Freddy’s brow quirked. But Leonora refused to feel bad about the obfuscation. He was the one who’d barged into her bedchamber. A little white lie was the least he could give her.
“All right, miss,” Peggy said with a frown. “But you just call out if you need me.”
When the door had closed behind the maid, Leonora was suddenly aware that she was alone in her bedchamber with him. A glance at Freddy told her he was thinking much the same thing.
Swallowing, Leonora climbed down from the bed and walked in stocking feet to the door that led into her sitting room. She heard Freddy following behind her.
When they were seated across from one another, she indicated with a hand that he should state his business.
“Lord and Lady Darleigh were found murdered on the Great North Road this morning,” he said without preamble. “Jonathan’s carriage was missing. I’ve sent a man to search South Haven but haven’t heard back yet.”
“Dear God,” Leonora said, pressing a hand to her chest. “It’s what they both feared from the moment Lord Darleigh decided to leave the club, but now it’s happened, I can hardly believe it.”
“My cousin has shown no compunction about killing anyone who dares to leave the club, or anyone who tries to uncover his illicit dealings as Jonathan did,” Freddy said. “Or as you and I have.”
“If this is about finding someone to protect my father and me—” Leonora began.
But Freddy raised a hand. “We can discuss that later. What we need now is to find some way to trap Gerard once and for all. And to do that I need your help.”
Leonora was ashamed to admit that in the aftermath of their confrontation that afternoon, she’d not spared more than a moment’s thought for Gerard. Or her brother for that matter. “Of course I’ll do whatever you need,” she said firmly. “He should be punished for Jonathan’s death as well as those of Lord and Lady Darleigh.”
“Well, since we no longer have the curricle to offer as evidence against him,” Freddy said, “it will be more difficult to prove his guilt. Which means we’ll need to lure him into killing someone else.”
Leonora’s eyes widened. She understood the need to catch Gerard in the act, but was it really necessary to use someone as bait? She had little doubt of who the proposed victim would be.
“Surely there is another way,” she said, shaking her head. “You do not need to risk your life again to catch him.”
But Freddy gave an elegant shrug. “I don’t mean to let him succeed.
“I have too much to live for,” he added, his eyes intent.
She held his gaze and felt her heart quicken. “I do not want to see you hurt,” she said finally. Looking away.
Whatever he’d seen in her look must have satisfied him, for he moved on, saying, “I mean to make him an offer he cannot refuse. I’ll invite my cousin to race our curricles from the Cumberland Gate of Hyde Park to the Golden Hind in Greenwich. A shorter route than your brother’s race but enough, I believe, to catch out Gerard.”
Gasping, Leonora shook her head. “Why in God’s name would you wish to do that? Hasn’t Jonathan’s death been enough?”
She was surprised to see that her hands were trembling. Closing her eyes, she tried to block the image of Freddy’s broken body on the roadside, just like Jonathan’s.
Freddy moved to her side, took her hands in his large ones and rubbed some feeling back into them. “If there were any other way, Nora, you know I’d consider it. But my cousin is just cocksure enough to suppose he’ll be able to commit the same crime in the same place twice. And I have every intention of turning the tables on him.”
“Will you have help from Mainwaring and Trent?” she asked, staring at their joined hands. If she dared look up she knew the tears that threatened would spill. And she wanted to appear strong even if she did not feel it.
“Of course,” Freddy replied, rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb. “They insist upon it.”
At least someone was thinking sensibly about the matter, she thought.
“What do you need me for?” she said aloud, hearing the querulous tone in her own voice, but preferring it to the naked fear she felt on his behalf. “It sounds as if you and your friends will be able to take care of things.”
“Oh, we will,” he assured her. “But I have a sneaking suspicion that his wife will attend the race in some fashion. She might claim to find his lifestyle revolting but she won’t miss an opportunity to see him defeated. Perhaps she will confide her knowledge of his crimes to you. I think you have proven yourself quite capable of handling her.”
“But if we are no longer betrothed—” Leonora began.
“That won’t necessarily mean that we no longer have feelings for one another,” Freddy said patiently. “Nor does it mean you are no longer Jonathan’s sister. You have just as much reason to fight back against them as I have. Perhaps more. And my cousin has made it clear that he is willing to kill to keep from having their secrets exposed. Hopefully, he’ll make some mistake that will lead to his downfall.”
“So we are both to serve as bait to them, then,” Leonora said.
“I do not think you’ll be in danger,” Freddy said. “But, yes, in our different ways we are meant to lure these two into revealing themselves in public. And I think it might be a good idea if you invite your friends Lady Hermione and Miss Dantry along. If only so that you will have reinforcements if needed.”
She didn’t like it. But neither of them had been able to come up with a better plan. And Leonora was not sure she could bear to let her brother’s killer escape with no punishment at all. It would be the height of injustice. And she had made a vow to see that Jonathan’s death was avenged. This might be the only chance she’d ever have to do it.
“All right,” she said, “I will write to Ophelia and Hermione at once. I feel sure both of them will not wish to miss such an opportunity for excitement. And I believe Lady Fincher cut Ophelia once so she will be glad to return the favor.”
Freddy nodded, and now that their business was settled, an awkward silence fell upon the sitting room.
Finally, Leonora said, “If that’s all you needed, I’d best go send those letters. And I’ll need to find someone to watch the house this evening.”
“You cannot possibly think I’m going to leave you and your father to the mercy of some hired hand, do you?” Freddy shook his head in disbelief. “I will stay here just as we agreed before our row this afternoon.”
“But Lord Frederick,” she protested. “It’s not necessary.”
“It’s Freddy to you,” he said sharply. “And it is absolutely necessary. Leonora, I have no intention of letting you go without a fight. I will not press you on the matter yet, but know that I have every intention of wedding you before this year is done.”
Leonora closed her eyes. “Why do you insist upon this? I have already let you go. Why can’t you let me go, too?”
“Because I’m in love with you,” Freddy said, rising to stand before her. “I know you think your decision was what’s best for me, but I am a man grown. I know my own mind. And I won’t give you up again.”
Before she could respond, he took her hand and pulled her to her feet. They stood facing one another for barely a moment before he turned and strode to the door leading into the hallway.
“I have a few things to take care of this afternoon, but I will be back in time for dinner,” he said as he walked. “In the meantime, do not go out unescorted. I have two guards watching the house to make sure no one attempts to break in.”
Knowing that protest would be useless, Leonora said simply, “Very well.”
Turning before he opened the door, Freddy said, “It will all work out, Nora. I promise you. We will avenge Jonathan’s death, and find some bit of happiness for ourselves.”
When he was gone, she dropped back into her chair.
Though part of her was frustrated at his insistence upon the match between them, a larger part rejoiced at his passion for her. Though she knew it would be better for him if they parted ways, she was quickly coming to realize that losing him again would mean something more than simple sadness for her.
It would be the end of any chance she had at happiness.