Page 30 of Her Scandalous Rake (The Worthington Legacy #8)

T ristan treaded as softly as he could up the stairs toward Diana’s bedroom. The house was quiet, and he feared everyone would be asleep. He didn’t care if the maids were asleep, but he needed Diana awake. They needed to talk this thing out.

He reached her door and stopped, lifting his hand to knock, but hesitated. What if she wouldn’t allow him entrance? He couldn’t very well carry on a conversation with a door between them.

Instead of knocking, he grasped the handle, turned it, and entered. The room was dark, but in the corner near her bed was a lamp that had been dimmed, illuminating Diana’s body as she sat at her vanity table and stared in the mirror. She didn’t look his way, so he assumed she hadn’t heard him. He waited a few brief moments before taking a step inside.

She wore the same nightgown and wrapper that she’d been in the first time he saw her after his kidnapping. Although he still thought she was the loveliest woman he’d ever seen, her eyes were swollen from crying and her desolate expression nearly brought him to his knees in agony. She was this way because of him.

“Diana,” he whispered.

Gasping, she swung toward him but remained on the chair. “Tristan! What are you doing in here?”

He walked in further, closing the door behind him. “We need to talk.”

Her surprised expression turned hard as anger appeared. “No we don’t. We have said everything that needs to be said.” She turned back toward the vanity mirror. “I would appreciate it if you left my room.”

“I fear that I cannot do as you request. You see,” he paused, stepping closer to her, “I cannot let things continue like this. It’s breaking my heart to see you so distraught, and this matter must be resolved tonight.”

“Tristan, please,” she said with a heavy sigh as her hands covered her face. “We have nothing further to discuss.”

“Yes, we do.” He reached her and knelt beside her, resting his hand on her knee. “I still need to tell you how much I love you, and how wrong I was to accuse Tabitha, and especially how wrong I was to doubt your word.”

Gradually, she removed her hands as she met his stare. Her green eyes glistened with moisture. “You were wrong?”

“Indeed, I was. Men don’t like to admit that, I know, but when I’m wrong, I say it.” He caressed a lock of her silky auburn hair as it hung on her shoulder. “I was desperate and grasping at anything as a means to bring us together. I’m so very tired of hiding my feelings for you. I want the whole world to know how much I love you and how badly I want to be your husband.”

A tear slipped down her cheek. “But why did you blame Tabitha?”

He shrugged. “Because of what Hawthorne and I had overheard. But I understand now how angry and hurt the maid was for my cousin’s violation against her, and I realize now why she is so disturbed with men in general. I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions and blamed her.” He moved his hand up and stroked her wet cheek. “As I pondered our conversation while in the barn, I realized I hadn’t trusted your word. If I love you as I have proclaimed then I need to believe in you. Forgive me, my sweet Diana, for having a weak moment. It will never happen again.”

“Oh, Tristan.”

She turned toward him more and wrapped her arms around his neck. He pulled her close as she cried silent tears against the crook of his neck. Moisture gathered in his eyes, and his heart ached with sadness for causing her so much pain. He kissed the side of her head and held her tightly.

“Tristan, I know Tabitha didn’t do it,” she said brokenly as she lifted her head and met his eyes. “She was too weak and her soul was broken. She wouldn’t have had the strength to kill Ludlow. And your cousin…” She shook her head. “Tabitha was here at the cottage watching over you the night Lord Elliot was killed. We gave you a sleeping draught because we both feared what you might find if you had awakened and caught us.” She sniffed and pulled back slightly. “You see, I had left Tabitha here to watch over you so I could ride out to get Sally from your evil cousin. I was there the night he was killed.”

Her words poured through him like ice as shock vibrated through his body. “You?”

“He’d beaten Sally and I had gone to his townhouse to rescue her. When I walked in on your bath the next morning, I had just returned. That’s why my boots were dirty and I looked so tired.” She took a deep breath. “Tabitha had been here the whole time and was still in her room.”

“Oh, Diana.” He grasped her shoulders. “How could you put yourself in danger like that? Do you know what he would have done if he caught you?”

She nodded. “I’d prepared myself, I assure you. I had my pistol with me, but not a blade. I didn’t kill your cousin, but if he would have tried to attack me, I would have pulled the trigger.”

Blowing out a frustrated breath, Tristan stood and paced the floor. Several thoughts flew through his mind, and all of them were not good. “Diana, you should not have done that. Do you know what would happen if the magistrate ever found out?” He stopped and faced her. “Oh, my sweet love, he would not understand at all. He would believe you killed both men.”

“Yes, I know.” Her voice shook. “I fear every day that he will discover something and come arrest me. The two times I rescued maids from their monstrous lords, were the times someone decided to kill them.”

Groaning in despair, he hurried back to her and pulled her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her head against his chest.

“Tristan, we must find the real killer so I don’t go to prison.”

“We will.” Closing his eyes, he tightened his arms around her, praying to the Almighty that something would happen and Tristan would be able to save the woman he loves. He must save her this time since he hadn’t been able to three years ago.

He exhaled slowly, trying to release the panic rushing through him. “Diana, does the magistrate know about this cottage?”

“Yes.” She lifted her head and looked at him. “I don’t believe he knows the exact location, but I did tell him this was where I was when Lord Elliot was killed.”

“Then we need to hide you somewhere else. If the magistrate finds any evidence that you were at my cousin’s townhouse that night, you will be arrested. Until Hawthorne and I discover what really happened, we need to keep you safe.”

A small chuckle bubbled up from her throat, even though humor was not the expression on her worried face. “As hard as I’ve tried to rescue abused maids and keep them hidden, it now looks like I’m the one who needs the protection.”

“You are, and this time I will guard you with my life.”

Slowly, a smile touched her mouth. She lifted on her toes and placed her lips against his. He crushed her in his arms and kissed her with all the love and emotion inside of him. He didn’t want to think that this might be the last time they would be together. Even if it meant breaking the law, he was determined to keep her safe.

Diana was the one who broke the kiss. “Tristan, I love you so very much.”

“You are the light of my life, and I will do all I can to keep you here in my arms.”

“I think I have an idea.”

“What is it?”

“Lady Dashwood has always supported me and helped me in my endeavors. If I tell her of my plight, I know she will help. She has many estates and cottages all over Britain. She might be able to hide me.”

Bit by bit, relief eased into Tristan’s chest. He nodded. “Then let us go talk to her tomorrow.”

“No, only I must go. Remember, we still cannot be seen together.”

He frowned. “You are correct. But please, inform me or send me a missive after you have talked to her so that I know where you will be staying.”

“I promise.”

When he kissed her once again, he savored the moment. Kissing her had always been so right, so perfect. Indeed, they were meant to be together. Forever.

He just prayed fate had the same idea.

*

Diana fidgeted in her carriage seat as she stared out the window. She couldn’t arrive at her destination soon enough. It had been one very long night, and most of it she hadn’t slept. She thanked the Lord that Tristan had returned to finish their talk, and it pleased her to know he was now on her side.

Tristan and Lord Hawthorne left early this morning, and once Diana and Tabitha were ready, they took the coach and rode toward Lady Dashwood’s estate. Claudia would know what to do, Diana just knew it.

The carriage bounced Diana on her seat. She scowled and glanced up to where the coachman would be since she couldn’t see it from inside the vehicle. Because she didn’t have a driver, Tabitha donned the same clothes she’d used when she kidnapped Tristan and was now acting as Diana’s coachman. She just prayed that when they arrived at Lady Dashwood’s estate, Claudia’s servants wouldn’t get suspicious of the feminine looking driver.

Worry of the unknown wouldn’t leave her and gave her a tremendous headache. Groaning, Diana leaned back in her seat and rubbed her forehead. Would this nightmare ever end?

Trying to think positive, she sat up straight and stared out the window. Her life had to get better soon. She’d been living in hell for so long, it was time to bring things to a happy ending… with Tristan, of course.

She smiled, remembering their talk, and especially the loving words he’d said. And their kiss. She smiled. The kiss that could have lasted all night if he hadn’t pulled away and left her room. He was such a gentleman, because if it had been up to her, that wonderful man would have not left her room at all.

The coach hit another bump in the road, jerking her on the seat. “Tabitha! Will you watch where you’re going?”

“Sorry, my lady,” she called back.

Diana frowned. Tabitha hadn’t been the same after last night’s events, even when Diana told her of Tristan’s confession. Something had happened between the maid and Nic, but Tabitha would not discuss it. Diana noticed the fun-loving energetic woman was quiet and withdrawn from everything this morning as they’d readied themselves to travel. It broke Diana’s heart to see her friend that way, and she wondered if Nic had apologized to Tabitha as Tristan had done.

When the carriage slowed to a stop, Diana peered out the window and looked upon Claudia’s grand estate. At least Claudia’s husband was generous enough to leave her money and the house when he died. Ludlow’s excuse to Diana was that because she hadn’t given him an heir, she didn’t deserve any of his money. But the truth of the matter was that she didn’t want his money. The quicker she could break free of that miserable life, the better she’d be.

The door opened and there stood Tabitha, still dressed as the coachman, offering to help Diana out of the vehicle. Once she was out and the carriage door was shut, Diana leaned into Tabitha and whispered, “Stay low until I’m ready to leave.”

“Yes, my lady.”

She missed seeing the twinkle in Tabitha’s eyes and her adorable quirky grin. One day the maid would get them back, Diana hoped.

She was shown to the sitting room and within minutes Claudia swept in, wearing a beautiful yellow day gown with scooped neck and puffy sleeves. Claudia always wore the latest fashions and was the envy of most ladies of the ton. Her blonde hair hung in ringlets and was decorated with pearls and a golden ribbon.

“Lady Hollingsworth, what a pleasure it is to see you.” She hugged Diana. “Let’s sit and have some tea and biscuits. My cook has just made a special batch that I haven’t sampled yet.”

“I thank you for the refreshment. I’m eager to taste what your cook has made. He’s always creating such mouth-watering treats.”

The ladies sat together on the sofa as a maid brought in the tray of tea and another servant carried in a tray of biscuits. Lady Dashwood poured Diana a cup of tea before pouring her own and sipping.

“Thank you, Gladys and Junie. That is all for now.” Claudia dismissed the other women.

Diana watched the two servants leave, and once the door was closed, she switched her focus back on her friend. “Claudia, I apologize for the unannounced visit, but it was urgent that I speak to you.”

“Good heavens, dear. What has happened?” Claudia set her teacup down.

“Lord Tristan and I fear that the magistrate will find evidence that I was at Lord Elliot’s house the night of his murder and he’ll arrest me.” Tears spiked her eyes, and she wished she wasn’t so emotional all the time. “Claudia, you are the only one that can help me.”

“Oh, my dear Diana.” Claudia reached over to take Diana’s hands. “You know I will do anything to help.”

“Sir Felix knows about my grandmother’s cottage, and so that is not a safe place for me—or Tabitha and Sally—to stay. I apologize for being so desperate, but I beg you to help me. Do you have a place we can go to hide?”

Claudia narrowed her gaze on Diana. “Is Lord Tristan not going to help you at all?”

“He is going to try and find the real killer, Claudia, but if we are seen together, the magistrate will suspect we are in cahoots together.”

The other woman nodded slowly. “Does Lord Tristan believe he can find the killer?”

“I don’t know.” Diana shrugged. “He’s going to do all he can to find this person. Once the person is caught, then Tristan and I can be together.” She smiled softly. “It’s been too long, Claudia. I want a real marriage, a marriage where the husband and wife love each other.”

Flipping her hand in the air, Claudia pulled away from Diana. “My dear friend, that is not a real marriage at all. Most of the ton marriages are loveless. You know that.”

“Yes, but I also know that marriage can be one of unconditional love. That’s what I want, and it’s just within my grasp. Please Claudia, help me achieve this.”

“Of course, my friend. You know I will help you any way I can.” She sat back in her chair and tapped a finger on her chin. “One of my estates in Essex is not in use right now. I will need to get a few servants over there to ready the place for you and your maids, but it will take at least a week.”

Relief flooded Diana. “Thank you, Claudia. That will be perfect.”

“But until that time comes, you must stay here with me. I cannot have you at your grandmother’s cottage unprotected. My servants are devoted to me and they know what hell you went through, as well. They will not say anything, I assure you. Both Tabitha and Sally can be maids here during our wait. They will have nothing to fear.”

“Oh, Claudia.” She reached over and hugged her friend. “You truly are a gift from God.”

Lady Dashwood chuckled. “I don’t have many close friends, and I will do anything I can to keep my friends protected.”

At long last, Diana’s future was starting to look clearer. Now she needed to pray that Tristan and Hawthorne could find the killer quickly.

*

Tabitha huddled in the corner of the coach house and pulled her overcoat around her neck a little tighter before lowering her hat. A few of the grooms mulled about and only glanced at her a few times. Thankfully, they didn’t act as if they knew Tabitha was a woman.

She prayed Lady Dashwood had ideas of where Tabitha could hide. She didn’t want to bring harm or more suspicion on Diana, but Tabitha also didn’t want to go to prison, either. Diana was correct when she said Tabitha turning herself in was not the right thing to do because the true killer was still out there and might kill again.

A servant walked into the coach house carrying trays of food. The young woman stood with the other two men as they partook of the meal. Tabitha pulled her gaze away from them as she looked out into the grand gardens of the estate. Although she had only been to a few estates in her life, one of them remained foremost in her mind. The Dowager Duchess of Kenbridge had the most beautiful flower gardens imaginable. Tabitha didn’t know the woman personally and had certainly never met her, but just that one time of seeing the gardens was enough to stay in Tabitha’s memory.

Blowing out a frustrated breath, she glanced back at Lady Dashwood’s servants, still chatting and chomping down food. In a way, Tabitha wished she could talk with them just to keep her mind occupied. It was hard to think of other things when the fate of her future hung by a thread.

It had almost been a week since she talked to Lord Hawthorne. Hurt and anger still ruled her emotions and fueled her melancholy. She’d thought he would do the right thing and convince Lord Tristan not to turn her in, yet because neither she nor Diana had heard anything, or even seen the magistrate, she still worried that at any minute Sir Felix would come to the door and arrest her.

She blamed Lord Hawthorne for her fear and sleepless nights.

Feeling restless, she strode out of the coach house and into the yard, but there was nothing there to keep her busy, either. She turned and slowly walked around the coach house, trying to waste her time. When she passed by one of the open windows and heard Lady Hollingsworth’s name, Tabitha stopped and moved closer to the window. Slowly she peeked inside. The driver, another man and the woman who’d brought the food were standing together talking.

“I feel sorry for that wee woman,” Lady Dashwood’s driver said. “The lass has lived in a home where her husband hated her and her servants loathed her as well.”

“Impossible!” the other man said. “That kind, sweet woman? It’s unbelievable the servants wud give ’er grief.”

“Aye, that is true,” the woman spoke up. “I heard that her lady’s maid had been raped by Lord Hollin’sworth because his wife cud not satisfy him.”

“Just horrid!” the driver exclaimed. “That monster should have been horsewhipped.”

“Aye,” the other man said.

“But that’s not the worst of it for Lady Hollin’sworth,” the woman continued. “The reason her servants hated their mistress was because she wud not go to her husband’s bed. If she had given him an heir, his lordship wud not have taken the lady’s maid or the other women workin’ in the estate.”

“Was the lady’s maid Martha Whitehead?”

“Aye,” the woman answered.

“I ’ave ’eard of Martha.”

“She has a daughter who worked for the late Lord Elliot. I’ve heard that her daughter, Sally, wasn’t treated kindly by that lord, either.”

“How utterly sad.”

“Tis sad, indeed,” the woman continued. “I have heard that Martha is now a very angry and bitter woman.”

“And who would blame ’er?”

Tabitha sucked in a quick breath and moved away from the window. Good Heavens! This explained a lot. But not only did it explain the older woman’s hatred for Diana, pieces to the unknown puzzle started fitting together in Tabitha’s mind. Martha could have killed Lord Hollingsworth, and because Martha’s daughter had been abused by Lord Elliot, the mother could have killed him as well. Everything was so very clear now!

Hope budded in Tabitha’s bosom as she hurried around the coach house and to the carriage. She needed to tell Diana, and she didn’t think she could wait for her to finish with her visit first.

Tabitha prayed this was the answer to the end of their torment. She also prayed that Martha wouldn’t lie to the magistrate when he dropped by to ask her questions.

As she paced the drive, she thought for sure she’d wear out the bottom of her boots before Lady Hollingsworth came out. She was ready to scream with frustration, and if she had to hold this information inside her for much longer, she would be barging in Lady Dashwood’s house just to let them know what the servants had said.

From up the drive, another coach came her way with two riders beside it. Immediately, she recognized the emblem on the vehicle, and one of the men. What was the magistrate doing here? Her heart sunk, and fear expanded in her chest.

As the coach neared, she gradually stepped back underneath a tree and lowered her hat on her forehead so they would not be able to see her face. The footman hurried out to greet Sir Felix and they chatted for a few moments. Although she couldn’t hear what was being said, she was anxious to get away, and to find Diana and get her away from these men as well.

Just as panic consumed her, she turned and darted toward the back of the house, but because her hat was blocking her vision, she ran into a low hanging limb. The branch knocked the hat from her head, and immediately, her long hair tumbled down her back and over her shoulders.

She held in a frightened cry as she bent to retrieve the hat. But as she peeked toward the magistrate, he and the footman, along with the third man, were staring at her with wide eyes.

“That’s her!” the footman stated. “That’s Lady Diana’s maid.”

Sir Felix flew off his horse. “Halt, Miss Tabitha,” he yelled as he hurried toward her.

She wouldn’t give up without a fight, and a good run. The chubby man was definitely not fit to run as fast as she was.

Tabitha turned and sprinted across the lawn as fast as she could. Terror pumped through her legs and helped with her flight. She came closer to the corner of the house, and just as she darted around the bush, two strong arms reached out and grabbed her.

“Sir Felix, I got her.”

Groaning, she struggled against his hold. Tears burned her eyes. She couldn’t understand how she had forgotten about the third man—the one who’d come with the magistrate.

He pulled her toward the front of the house where Sir Felix met her. His scowl was fierce.

“Miss Tabitha, I have come—”

“What is the meaning of this?” Diana demanded as she flew down the front stairs, Lady Dashwood close on her heels. Diana rushed to Tabitha and tried to pry her wrist from the magistrate’s grip. “Release her at once, Sir Felix,” she demanded.

“I fear, Lady Hollingsworth,” he said, lifting his chin arrogantly, “that I cannot release her. I have come to arrest her for the murders of your husband and Lord Elliot.”

“No!” Tabitha yanked her hands, but the other man’s grip was too strong. “I didn’t kill them.”

“We have witnesses that say otherwise.” Sir Felix arched a bushy eyebrow.

“They are wrong!” Diana folded her arms over her chest. “My maid did not kill those men, I assure you.”

“Forgive me, my lady,” he replied smugly, “but your assurance holds no strength this time. Now, if you will step aside so I can do my duty, I promise not to arrest you as well.”

Lady Dashwood huffed. “This is highly irregular, my lord.”

The portly man threw a glare at the other lady. “And I suggest, Lady Dashwood, that you stay out of my business as well.”

The portly man and his partner tugged Tabitha to the coach. Horror like she’d never imagined clawed its way from her stomach to her chest, squeezing the air from her lungs. She turned pleading eyes to Diana. “I didn’t do it.” Her voice broke.

“I know you didn’t.” Diana cried and clutched her hands to her chest.

“Not to worry, dear Tabitha,” Claudia assured, “I will hire a lawyer and have you released.”

Helplessly, Tabitha was shoved into the windowless coach as a chain secured the door. There was no escaping now. If Diana couldn’t find a way to release her, Tabitha would surely die in prison.