More than a Masquerade by Adele Clee

Chapter 13

Anger seethed inside.Eli knew enough about evil people to know Jacob Hanaway was the devil’s spawn. Inflicting pain on others bolstered the brute’s confidence, and it was clear he would not rest until he’d gained Rachel’s inheritance.

Rachel sat in the carriage seat opposite, her gaze glued to the window, for she had not looked at Eli since leaving Shoreham.

“Say what you need to, Rachel. Don’t spare my feelings.”

She managed a sidelong glance. “Perhaps it’s best I don’t.”

“Aren’t emotions more painful when left to fester?”

She sighed. “I’m angry, Eli. And I’m so scared my stomach hurts. I don’t want to say something I’ll regret.”

“Angry because I told Jacob Hanaway where to find us?”

“Angry because he’ll raze your house to the ground with us both inside.” And yet fear had her shaking in the seat. “He’ll do anything to reclaim the inheritance.”

“Was it not your idea to come here?” he said softly.

“It was a mistake.” She covered her face with her hands. “I thought it would deter him, but it’s only stoked the flames of vengeance.”

On the contrary, it was the best course of action. The attack would come sooner rather than later, and Eli would be prepared. Besides, they had learnt something from the visit. In calling the boy a thief, Mrs Belton had a motive for murder.

“It wasn’t a mistake. We’ll deal with him and be done with it.”

She looked at him incredulously. “I don’t inherit until November. It’s February, and we’ll surely solve the case soon. What am I supposed to do for the next nine months?”

She was supposed to trust him to solve the problem.

“Hanaway is driven by hatred. I guarantee we’ll have dealt with him and solved the case within the week.” Or pretty soon after, depending on what Dr Baker said when they questioned him about his examination of Lady Meyer.

“And if not?”

If not, Eli would be her shadow.

Daytime. Nighttime. Any time she needed him.

“Rest assured, I’ll deal with Hanaway.” He would consult Lucius Daventry, have Hanaway beaten by a thug in a dank back alley. Have the resurrectionists murder him and dispose of the corpse.

Silence descended.

The carriage trundled along on its way to Brighton. According to the notes Truscott made whilst at Trēowith, Lady Meyer’s doctor lived in West Street.

“It’s but six miles to Brighton,” he said, attempting to distract her mind and have her focus on the case. “We must decide how to deal with Dr Baker. According to Mary Harcourt, Lady Meyer cannot be with child.” Yet they had seen evidence to the contrary.

Rachel thought for a moment. “Either Dr Baker examined Lady Meyer and can confirm she is with child, or he agreed to give false evidence. I doubt he’ll confess to perjury.”

“Let’s assume he’s lying. Let’s assume Lady Meyer is too.”

“We could trick him into confessing.” Rachel’s countenance brightened. “Your carriage is unmarked. Let’s pretend Lady Meyer sent us because she needs a document confirming her condition. I’ll say I’m her lady’s maid. You can play the footman sent to keep me safe.”

It could work. “We’ll need to be vague in our approach.”

She gestured to his black attire. “And you’ll need to change out of those clothes, change into something in keeping with your lowly position.”

Eli straightened his cravat. “Do I not look like a servant in his Sunday best?”

“A servant could never look so commanding.”

* * *

At the mention of Lady Meyer’s name, they were ushered into the doctor’s small townhouse and told to wait in the study. Having swapped clothes with his coachman, bar the greatcoat, Eli looked more like a man in service than a hunter on the prowl.

The doctor strode into the room, his attention absorbed by the book in his hand. He glanced up and barely gave them a moment’s consideration. He didn’t welcome them, didn’t ask about their journey or offer to send to the kitchen for refreshments.

“Lady Meyer sent you,” the red-haired man in his forties stated. He stole a look at Rachel. The lecherous glint in his eyes said he thought her pretty.

“Yes, sir.” Rachel dipped a curtsy. “I’m her lady’s maid. A replacement for Mary Harcourt.” She spoke in a broad East London accent.

“Mary Harcourt? Ah, a terrible business. When one considers your predecessor, you should have no problem pleasing your mistress.” He dropped the book on the desk, flicked his coattails and sat down. “And who’s this stern fellow?” he said, studying Eli’s broad shoulders.

“The new footman, sir. Hired to replace James Tinsley. Lady Meyer was glad of his confession, though best I say no more on the matter.”

“Quite right. Let’s pray the fellow is content in his new position.”

“He wasn’t keen on leaving, sir, but it will all work out for the best.”

“Lady Chadwick is less demanding. He should have no complaints.”

Lady Chadwick? So Tinsley wasn’t nursing his sick mother.

Eli was forced to suppress a surge of admiration. Rachel Gambit was an expert in manipulation. A force to be reckoned with. Having met Jacob and Peter Hanaway, he understood why.

Rachel curtsied again. “We’re not supposed to talk about that until after the trial. Best I tell you why we’ve come.”

Dr Baker did not offer them a seat. Perhaps he imagined after such a long journey, they wished to stretch their legs. Perhaps the man was an arrogant ass who thought himself superior on all levels. Either way, Eli couldn’t wait until they revealed the true purpose of their visit. He couldn’t wait to see Dr Baker squirm.

“So, you’ve come at Lady Meyer’s behest.” Dr Baker sat forward.

“Yes, it’s a delicate matter, sir. But Lady Meyer wants a letter for the magistrate saying you examined her and she is with child.”

Dr Baker paled. “A letter? We agreed she could mention the examination, but I made no arrangements to provide written proof.” He thought for a moment. “Tell your mistress I’m sorry, but I’ll not put my name to paper.”

So he hadn’t examined Lady Meyer. Else what had he to hide.

“Oh, but I can’t leave without it, sir.” Rachel feigned tears. “Her ladyship needs it desperately. She said I’ll lose my position if I return home empty-handed.”

“We need written proof,” Eli pressed. “A sworn statement.”

Being a man with a short temper, Dr Baker pushed out of the chair. “Tell your mistress that’s not what we arranged.” He snatched the tiny handbell from the desk and rang for his housekeeper.

The stout woman entered so swiftly she must have had her ear pressed to the study door. “You rang, sir.”

“Show these people out, Mrs Green.”

Eli cleared his throat. “You’ll do nothing of the sort, Mrs Green.” He did not disguise his voice. “Else, I shall knock every door on this row and tell your affluent neighbours Dr Baker is to be prosecuted for giving false evidence.”

Dr Baker’s cheeks flamed. “Prosecuted? You’ll not threaten me in my own home. Tell Lady Meyer she can go to the devil. Tell her, should they call me to the witness stand, I’ll not lie for her.”

In his confusion, the doctor presumed they were issuing threats on Lady Meyer’s behalf.

Eli smiled inwardly. “You’ll tell them you didn’t conduct the examination confirming she’s with child?”

“I’ll tell them I didn’t conduct the examination. Tell them she is presumed barren, and therefore the whole story must be a lie.”

Barren? In using a clever disguise, Lady Meyer proved she was a skilled deceiver.

“We’ll need that in writing, sir,” Rachel said.

The man threw his arms in the air. “How many times must I tell you? I’ll not sign my name to anything that might incriminate me. Now get the hell out of my house.”

“I’m afraid you’ve no choice.” Eli removed Peel’s letter from his pocket and slapped it on the desk. “We don’t work for Lady Meyer. We work for the Home Office. We’re seeking a reprieve for Mary Harcourt. You’ll either make a statement in writing, or we’ll report your offence to the local magistrate and have you transported to London in a prison cart.”

With a trembling hand, the doctor took the letter and dropped into the chair. He read Peel’s words, knew he was considered a witness, which meant he would have to take the stand and give his version of events.

“Why did you lie for Lady Meyer?” Eli knew the answer. It was the reason Sir Oswald forgot to record important details. Both men were dazzled by her beauty. “What story did she weave to gain your confidence and trust?”

The doctor dragged his hand down his face and groaned. “The same story all temptresses use to get a man to do her bidding. She roused my pity, acted the injured female needing a strong man’s support. Led me to believe she enjoyed my company.”

Had Lady Meyer batted her lashes and whispered sweet nothings?

“You’ll tell us what she told you,” Eli demanded. “You’ll tell us, or you’ll tell the magistrate.”

After some thought, Baker gave a sigh of resignation. “She told me about Mary Harcourt, said she couldn’t stand the shame of anyone thinking her husband had seduced the dumpy maid. She said Mary stole the jewels and lied about the affair. That’s when she asked if she could mention my name, say I’d examined her and could confirm she was enceinte. She appeared to be with child, and so I saw no issue.”

“But you said she was barren?”

“After a dreadful riding accident ten years ago, she was considered so, but doctors make mistakes.”

“You made a huge mistake.” Eli frowned. “You presumed no one would question your word.”

“She said her staff would testify to her condition and so no one would question my involvement.”

He wasn’t wrong. Had Mary’s case not been brought before the Council, no one would have contested Lady Meyer’s word.

“You gave no thought that an innocent woman would hang?”

“A thief deserves to hang.”

Rachel stepped closer to the desk. “Lady Meyer hid the jewels under the boards in the maid’s room. The only woman who deserves to hang is the liar you’ve protected.”

Baker’s head fell into his hands, and he bemoaned his stupidity.

“You cannot undo your mistake.” Eli imagined there were a host of men who’d fallen foul to Lady Meyer’s wicked wiles. Indeed, why hadn’t Truscott sent a man to question the doctor? “But you can make amends. Draft a statement informing Peel that Lady Meyer spoke in error. That she tricked you into believing she’s carrying her husband’s child.”

And if she had tricked the doctor, she had tricked the authorities. If Mary Harcourt had told the truth about the lady being barren, perhaps she’d told the truth about giving birth to Lord Meyer’s child.

The doctor began a rambling conversation with himself. “Yes, I could lay the blame at her door. Yes, I could say I’ve heard about her lies and felt compelled to set the record straight.” He took to nibbling his fingernails. “Yes. Yes. That might work.”

Eli coughed into his fist. “Write the statement, Dr Baker, so we can be on our way. We have another call to make today.”

In truth, Eli hoped the doctor spent hours mulling over his account. He hoped the man ran out of ink, then paper, and didn’t finish until nightfall. It was imperative they returned to London to continue the investigation. With luck, there would be no time to visit Chichester.

But being in a state of agitation, the doctor finished within minutes.

“There!” Baker thrust the letter at Eli. “I trust that will suffice.”

Eli scanned the document. “Excellent. Sign it. Fold the letter and press your seal into the wax.”

With a huff of frustration, Baker did as commanded.

Eli slipped the note into his coat pocket. “I doubt we’ll have cause to visit again. We’ve all been deceived at some time in our lives. Let’s hope you’ve learnt that honesty prevails.”

Baker lamented his involvement in the sorry affair and then rang for his housekeeper, who came bustling into the study to escort them out to their carriage.

Eli opened the carriage door for Rachel before pulling out his watch and checking the time. “It’s a three-hour drive to Chichester. We’ll not reach Hunston Hall until seven.”

Rachel considered him through narrowed eyes. “I’m happy to travel through the night if you’re desperate to return to London.”

His heart sank to his stomach. “I’m not thinking about myself.” The lie would eat away at him, too. “I’m thinking about my coachman.”

“Then we find a coaching inn and stay the night.” She touched him gently on the upper arm. “Every part of your body is fighting against the idea of going to Chichester. But trust me, Eli, you’ll be glad you’ve taken the plunge.”

Eli arched a challenging brow. “Are you glad we visited Jacob Hanaway?”

“Not at present, but I’m sure I’ll look back on this journey and be glad I conquered my fear.”

Fear was the right word. Eli was afraid he’d lose his temper, afraid of rejection, of receiving a frosty reception. He was afraid he would see Dominic and feel the loss more profoundly. Afraid to acknowledge he was no longer part of the family. Preferred to live in ignorance.

“Are you worried you might still feel something for Felicity?” Rachel tilted her chin as if the answer would hurt as much as a savage blow. “Perhaps you’d rather remember her in a poor light, for it makes the pain easier to bear.”

Had they been alone in a private room, he would have captured her proud chin and kissed away her obvious insecurities. Still, the question forced him to face the fact that Rachel meant more to him than Felicity ever had.

“I’m not worried in the least. There is nothing between us. I’m willing to push my own anxiety aside to prove my affections do not lie with a woman from my past.”

She swallowed deeply. “Where do they lie?”

With a woman who made him breathless at the mere thought of kissing her again. With a woman who filled his every waking thought, visited him in his dreams.

Eli smiled. “You’re an enquiry agent for the Order, Miss Gambit. I’m sure you’re able to draw a logical conclusion.”

* * *

Hunston Hall sat amid the darkness, the facade a flushwork of flint and stone that made the house appear like a dull, lonely figure on the landscape. Candlelight streamed through the lower windows. A welcome sight to a weary traveller. To Eli, it brought a deep sense of despair.

Upton stumbled back in shock when he opened the front door. The butler had served the family for three decades, and no doubt had lost count of the days since he’d last seen the master.

“The family are in the drawing room, sir.” Upton gave Rachel a surreptitious glance. “Shall I inform them of your arrival, or do you wish to catch them unawares?”

Eli patted the fellow on the upper arm. “We shall wash before greeting my mother. Have a pitcher of warm water sent up to my chamber.” He needed a moment alone with Rachel to calm his volatile spirit. “And a decanter of brandy and two glasses.”

Upton grimaced. “Begging your pardon, sir. I can have a maid prepare another room. Your brother and sister-in-law occupy that bedchamber.”

What the blazes!

“On who’s authority?” he snapped.

“Your mother’s, sir.”

Rachel slipped her hand into his and squeezed gently. “I’m sure your mother will understand why we’re a little dusty and dishevelled.” She spoke to Upton. “Please announce us at once.”

Noting Eli had no issue with Rachel giving orders, Upton bowed. “Of course, madam. If you’ll kindly follow me.”

Eli gritted his teeth. He may have been absent for three years, but he knew his way to the bloody drawing room.

The slow, methodical trudge along the hall was like the walk to the scaffold. In a few short steps, his life flashed before his eyes. Hunston Hall had been his home since birth, yet the thought of living under the same roof as Felicity filled him with revulsion.

Upton paused outside the drawing room. “Shall I announce you formally, sir?”

“Yes.” Why the hell not?

“May I enquire as to your companion’s name, sir?”

“Companion? Rachel is my wife.” The words left his mouth before his brain engaged. Indeed, she looked almost as shocked as Upton.

“I thought we were going to wait before telling your family?” she said, masking her surprise.

Eli shrugged. “I think we’ll tell them now.”

He had the utmost faith she’d play the role like a seasoned performer. And the devil on his shoulder desperately wanted to create a stir.

All conversation died when Upton entered and cleared his throat.

“What is it, Upton?” Eli’s mother snapped. “You look so pale one fears you’ve seen a ghost.”

“May I present Mr and Mrs Hunter, madam?”

“Have you been at the port again, Upton?” Eli’s mother laughed. “Go and smell his breath, Dominic.”

At the mention of his brother’s name, Rachel looked at Eli and whispered, “We can leave now if you’d rather. But know I’ll support you in whatever you decide.”

The heart that had withered years ago blossomed like a bud in spring. Heat filled his chest. After the trauma of visiting the Hanaways, he owed it to Rachel to tackle this problem. Else how could he ever move forward?

Eli gripped her hand and strode into the drawing room. “I can assure you, Upton hasn’t touched a drop.” Good God! He felt sick with nerves. “I imagine he would have been less shocked to see a ghost.”

A heavy silence descended.

Eli refused to look at the couple lounging on the sofa, but Felicity’s lavender perfume hung thick in the air, assaulting his nostrils, clawing at his throat.

Violet Hunter pushed to her feet. Her hair was more grey than brown now, the crinkles around her eyes more prominent. Little else had changed.

“Eli!” She clasped her hands to her chest. “You should have written. You should have told me you were coming home.”

Home!

It was anything but. Indeed, he felt like a nun in a whorehouse.

“I’d have had your room prepared,” Violet continued.

“According to Upton, my room is occupied.”

His mother paled. She cast the figures on the sofa a sidelong glance.

Eli did not.

“It’s the largest room in the house,” came her mumbling excuse. “Little Edmund struggles to sleep and likes to be close to his mama. It’s a temporary arrangement. Yes, just temporary.” It was then Violet noticed Rachel, noticed their crumpled attire, and recalled Upton’s lofty announcement. “Did I hear correctly?”

“Allow me to introduce Rachel, my wife.”

A man who valued honesty shouldn’t lie, least of all to his family, but he could hardly say he’d hired her to catch a traitor. And he didn’t want them thinking his life was meaningless, empty. That he spent his nights alone embittered by the past.

“Good evening.” Rachel’s tight smile said she was equally nervous. “Forgive us for not giving you prior warning, but we were in the area and thought to inform you of our wonderful news.”

“In the area?” Violet observed their shabby attire. “When did you marry? And why did I not hear of it until now?”

“Looking at properties,” Eli said. “We married a week ago.”

Violet frowned. “Properties?”

“For a family home where we might raise our children.”

“But Hunston is your home.”

Eli cleared his throat. “Hunston is your home, Mother. It’s Dominic’s home, not mine. Please tell me you don’t expect us all to live as one happy family.”

Violet groaned. “For goodness sake, Eli. Surely you’re not still angry about what happened all those years ago. It’s done with now. You read my letters. You know how happy they are.”

Anger and resentment burned inside. Eli looked at Dominic’s handsome countenance, expecting to see the charming smile that captivated most women. Thankfully, his brother’s pained expression went some way to cooling the inferno.

Dominic stood. “Perhaps we might speak privately.”

“We all know what happened. We can discuss it here.”

Rachel hugged his arm. “Maybe you should speak alone.”

Eli turned to her and took comfort in her compassionate blue eyes. “You know my reputation, Rachel. You know I need you beside me to smother fury’s flames.”

Dominic stepped forward. “What do you want me to say, Eli? That I’m sorry? That I’ve missed your company these last three years? That I never meant to hurt you?”

Eli shrugged. “It would be a start.”

“All those things are true. But I should have come to you, at least tried to explain.”

Felicity stood, and Eli forced himself to look at her.

The glossy red curls that had felt like silk between his fingers were styled for a relaxed evening at home. Her figure had altered since bearing a child, her willowy frame being fuller now. She looked tired, wore the same sad pout that usually had men scrambling to give her attention.

He expected to feel something, anger, inadequacy, regret.

He felt nothing.

“Would you like to see your nephew, Eli? He’s sleeping upstairs in his crib.”

Typical Felicity, using manipulation to control a situation. If Eli refused, he’d look like a heartless devil who didn’t deserve a woman’s love. He’d be the villain of this piece, not the victim.

“Of course.”

Rachel released his arm. “You go. I shall wait here.”

He felt something then. A burning need to protect Rachel from the wolves. A reluctance to put any distance between them, no matter how short.

“Would you care for refreshment, Rachel?” Dominic said, playing host. “We have sherry, or I can ring for tea.”

She smiled. “Thank you, may I have a small sherry?”

“Certainly.”

Felicity crossed the room. “Come, Eli. Edmund looks so angelic when he’s sleeping.” She led him upstairs to the bedchamber that belonged to him but had been captured by the enemy in his absence. “Hush. Tread carefully.”

Eli entered the room. He peered at the beautiful child sleeping peacefully in the crib. Edmund had Dominic’s dark hair, Dominic’s dimple, Dominic’s chunky thighs. That didn’t stop Eli feeling a rush of affection for the boy.

“He’s a handsome chap. Do you have plans for another?”

Felicity shrugged. “Dominic’s not the same since you left. He used to be so attentive, but guilt eats away at him, and he misses you, Eli. He misses you terribly. We both do. You left in such a hurry, I never got a chance to explain.”

This wasn’t a means to introduce him to his nephew but for her to complain about her husband. An opportunity to plead for forgiveness.

“Fate brought you here tonight, Eli.”

“No. My wife suggested I come.” And yet fate had brought Rachel to Vauxhall. Fate had bound their lives together. Fate or Lucius Daventry. Eli often thought they were one and the same. “I understand the situation perfectly. We were made to believe we suited, Felicity. We did not.”

“You loved me desperately and would have married me.”

“I thought I loved you but was wrong in that assumption, too.”

Her mocking laugh almost woke the baby. She set her hand to the boy’s chest and rocked him gently.

“We were made for each other. In a moment of folly, I lost sight of that.” She faced him, moved closer. The hand that had soothed the baby came to rest on Eli’s chest. “Your brother seduced me. He’d always wanted me for himself, and I was swayed by his constant attention.”

Eli suspected it was the other way around.

She smoothed her hand over the hard planes. “You’ve changed. There’s a darkness behind your eyes that’s so beguiling. There’s an air of authority about you that’s so appealing. More fool me for being so susceptible to flattery.”

“Please don’t tell me you married the wrong person, else you’ll have destroyed a family for nothing.” He gripped her hand to remove it from his person just as the door creaked open, and Rachel and Dominic entered.

Rachel took one look at the cosy scene and fled.

Hellfire!

Eli released Felicity’s hand. “Goodbye, Felicity. I doubt I’ll have cause to see you again.” He hoped never to lay eyes on this conniving temptress.

“Of course you will. Now you’re married, you will come and live at Hunston. Things will be just as they were before.”

Eli reached into the crib and stroked Edmund’s tiny fingers, then he crossed the room to speak to Dominic. “Should you wish to discuss our estrangement, Mother has my direction.”

“I’ve been to London, visited that address, watched and waited.” Dominic’s voice was choked with emotion. “It’s clear you don’t live there, Eli.”

No, he’d not wanted anyone to find him.

“It’s a house I own and lease, though the butler knows to forward all correspondence. If you decide to come, tell him who you are.” He glanced at Felicity. “Come alone.”

Eli wasn’t sure why he’d extended an olive branch. Perhaps he pitied Dominic. Perhaps there was no longer room for hatred in his heart. It didn’t matter.

“Excuse me, I must find my wife.”

Eli left the room, but Rachel wasn’t waiting on the landing. He hurried downstairs, but she wasn’t waiting in the hall nor the drawing room. Seized by panic, he shouted for Upton.

“Mrs Hunter left the house,” Upton pronounced.

“Left the house?”

“Yes, sir. In somewhat of a hurry.”

“Did she say where she was going?”

Upton shook his head. “No, sir, though I got the impression she wasn’t coming back.”