The Marquess Meets His Match Read online

  She chuckled. “Yes, I suppose that would do it. Was the food very bad?”

  “It was, but we made the best of it. Seeing the poverty of the people in Spain made me grateful for the little we did have. There was so much suffering.”

  His voice was far away, and Alice wanted to call him back. She touched his sleeve. “I’m sure you did the best you could under the circumstances.”

  He tipped his head, obviously deep in thought, but didn’t say anything until they reached the horses. “I want to go back someday, and see how the people have rebuilt their country and their lives. The Spanish are some of the most resilient people I’ve ever known. If anyone could rebuild, they can.”

  In that moment, Alice saw a side of Christian Wolverton that she was sure he didn’t show to the world. Yes, he was a strategist, a spy, and someone who had fought and killed during the war. But darkness hadn’t truly touched his soul. He still looked for the light and goodness that could come out of such a horrific experience. That was a strength not many men had.

  “I hope you get to see Spain again in happier times,” she said, as she untied her horse’s reins. She was looking forward to the ride back, happy to be able to sit for a short while. Her ankle was starting to throb. “But first, my lord, we have a traitor to catch and a picnic to attend.”

  “What a harsh taskmaster you are,” he said as he helped her onto her horse. His hands lingered on her waist for a moment. “In the army, I might have chafed under such direct orders, but with you, I find I don’t mind as much.”

  Her heart skipped a beat as she looked down into the depths of his dark-blue eyes. The curve of his lips indicated he was teasing her, but the intensity of his gaze said there was an element of truth to what he was saying. She wasn’t sure what to make of that.

  “Get used to it,” she said with a smile of her own, before she urged her horse homeward.

  Chapter Eight

  CHRISTIAN STROLLED slowly to the lake, the happy conversation of the other guests floating through the air. He pulled at his collar, careful not to muss his cravat. Miss Penelope Beasley had been partnered with him for this outing, and she had kept up a steady commentary on the current fashions and the gowns she’d had made for the house party. All that was required of him was to nod at regular intervals, which left him free to focus on Alice. Something had changed between them in the wood that morning. Their thread of connection had become something much stronger, and the pull toward her was becoming hard to resist.

  And he was finding that he didn’t want to.

  He watched Pembroke help her into the boat, intent on rowing her to the privacy of the small island that boasted a Roman folly. Alice glanced his way, and when their gazes locked, she smiled and tilted her head in acknowledgment. Their growing attachment seemed mutual and Christian was glad of it. He’d never met a woman who’d captivated him so thoroughly.

  She sat down in the boat and turned her attention back to Pembroke. He was nervous, wiping his hands on his breeches before taking out a handkerchief and mopping his brow. Something was definitely troubling the man, and Christian had no doubt Alice could ferret the cause out of him. Christian just wanted to stay close and offer any assistance she might need.

  "Are you ready for our boat excursion?" he asked the woman at his side, lengthening his stride a bit to get to the edge of the lake and not be far behind Alice.

  "Of course, my lord," she said, hurrying to keep pace with him.

  He stepped to the next available boat and held out his hand to help Miss Beasley into it. She was quite unsteady and it took several moments before she was settled. The second she was, he climbed in as well, taking the oars in his hands, while a footman pushed them into the water.

  He started off at a leisurely pace, keeping Alice and Pembroke in his view. She was wore a fetching blue walking dress with a matching bonnet that framed her face just enough to leave room for a few curls to escape. He remembered how soft those curls had been against his cheek as he’d carried her to the horses after the attack. He’d been quite tempted to remove his gloves this morning to touch them again and see if his memory did them justice, but had decided against it. Touching her hair might have led to wanting to kiss her, and that wouldn’t do.

  Pulling back on the oars, he concentrated on Alice’s gestures and mannerisms to gauge how well her questioning was going. So far she looked quite relaxed and at ease with Pembroke’s conversation. He wished he were closer so he could witness her questioning skills. She was quite genius to use her standing in society to gather intelligence. No one would suspect a duke’s daughter of passing along details she gathered during ton events.

  Miss Beasley watched him from beneath the brim of her bonnet. “I was so pleased to be partnered with you today, my lord. The weather is exceedingly fine.” She gave him a bright smile and twirled her parasol half a turn.

  Christian smiled politely. There were few topics of conversation that were appropriate for society events, and evidently they’d exhausted the fashions of the day and were moving on to the weather. Society hadn’t changed a bit since he’d left for war. “It is very fine weather we’re having,” he agreed.

  “I’m glad there’s no wind to rock the boat. As pretty as it looks, I’m ever so afraid of the water,” she said, looking at the side of the boat. “I hope we shan’t tip over.”

  Christian raised his eyebrows at the implication that he couldn’t efficiently row a small boat, but she was staring at the water as if it might suddenly attack her. “I won’t let anything happen to you, my lady,” he assured her.

  He glanced over at Pembroke and Alice. She was smiling, trailing her hand along in the water, and Pembroke was watching her closely. Did his shoulder pain him while rowing? Part of Christian wanted to confront the man and force him to prove whether he had indeed been the one Alice had wounded in the wood. But the duke wanted to draw out the French buyer along with the traitor, so, for now, he had to be satisfied with this cat-and-mouse game.

  “Have you ever seen a more picturesque view?” Miss Beasley asked. “Langford Park is quite pleasing to the eye. And how wonderful that the duke added a Roman folly to the island for a bit of flair. Very stylish for his generation.”

  “Yes, quite.” Christian kept up the steady rowing pace to the island, but glanced back at the Park. It really was quite beautiful. “I’m partial to Northfield Hall, my family’s country seat, though we do not boast a folly.”

  Miss Beasley giggled and twirled her parasol again. “I’m sure you could add one if you wished, my lord.”

  “Yes, of course.” He looked beyond Miss Beasley’s shoulder and watched Pembroke help Alice out of the boat. She was still limping slightly, but Pembroke didn’t seem to notice. How much pain was she truly trying to hide? Regardless, he had to admire her tenacity. She wasn’t letting anything interfere with the investigation.

  “The breeze from the water is heavenly, don’t you agree?” Miss Beasley leaned forward to catch his eye.

  He pulled his attention from Alice and focused on Miss Beasley. “It is quite nice.”

  “Perhaps you wouldn’t mind another turn about the lake so we can enjoy it.” She was clutching the edge of her seat with one hand as if she couldn’t wait to get to land, but looked at him in expectation of staying on the water.

  Christian couldn’t contradict a lady, so he smiled politely and bent to the task of angling the boat away from the island. This was going to be the fastest turn about the lake ever seen at Langford Park. Not only for Miss Beasley’s peace of mind, but because Pembroke had offered Alice his arm, and they would soon disappear around the bend that led to the folly. He would lose sight of them. Though Alice could take care of herself, he didn’t want her to be alone with the man who may have attacked her the evening before and had caused Alice such distress this morning.

  As if Lord Pembroke could read his thoughts, his gaze left Alice’s face for a moment and searched the guests who were close to the island. When his eyes met
Christian’s, Pembroke gave him a curt nod and then smiled down at Alice, pulling her closer to his side as they moved out of sight.

  Christian barely contained a growl. What message was Pembroke trying to send? Was he courting Alice, or planning her demise as an agent to the Crown? Either option was unacceptable.

  Stretching his arms, he rowed in a large half-turn before returning to the landing that would lead them to Pembroke and Alice. Once they had reached dry ground, he got out and pulled the boat more securely ashore. Miss Beasley released a small sigh, obviously relieved.

  Christian held out his arm. “May I escort you to the folly?” he asked.

  Miss Beasley reached for him, but stumbled as she was disembarking, and Christian barely managed to catch her before she ended up in the mud.

  “Oh!” she cried out, looking up at him with wide, blue eyes. “You’ve saved me from a terrible fall, my lord.” Her lower lip started to tremble. “I was so afraid of ruining my new gown, but you were my hero.”

  “I often vanquish any mud that tries to splatter on a lady.” He gently helped her to an upright position until she was standing on her own two feet.

  She giggled again. “A noble knight coming to my rescue.”

  “As any gentleman would.” He gave her an exaggerated bow, and she laughed.

  She took his arm once again, and they started up the path. “You are very different from what I imagined, my lord.”

  “Oh?” He gave her a sidelong glance. “How so?”

  “I expected someone with your rank to be more reserved and unapproachable, but you are quite amiable,” she admitted. A shade of pink touched her cheeks. “I hope it’s not improper to say so.”

  Christian drew his brows down and shook his finger. “Miss Beasley, you must go on thinking me reserved and unapproachable. I have a reputation to protect." His lips curved in a half-smile. “Anything to the contrary shall be our secret.”

  She giggled again and leaned closer. “Of course, my lord. Your secret is safe with me.”

  They were approaching a bend in the only path that led down to the folly and Christian felt his neck prickle. That could only mean one thing. They were being watched. He could feel it. But by whom?

  Scanning the crowds, he didn’t see anyone out of place. A gaggle of servants stood on the shore near the older guests who hadn’t come on the boat excursion. But no one seemed to be paying particular attention to them. Yet, Christian had learned long ago to trust his instincts. Someone was watching them. Closely.

  Quickening their pace, he steered Miss Beasley down the path. He wanted Alice in his sight. Now.

  Chapter Nine

  ALICE COULD SENSE THE change in Pembroke from the moment she'd taken his arm to go down to the boat. He’d seemed nervous, though he was trying valiantly to hide it. She’d done her best to keep up the appearance of ease in conversation until they crested the hill that led down to the folly on the island and had a moment of privacy.

  When they were alone, she squeezed his arm, keeping her steps slow and steady. “Is everything all right, my lord? You don’t seem yourself today.”

  He let out a great sigh. “I’m not surprised you noticed that I’m a bit out of sorts. I didn’t sleep well last night after my valet informed me of the stable fire. I rose when it was yet dark and stumbled over a chair and fell.” He grimaced and rubbed his right elbow. “I think rowing might have injured it further.”

  “Perhaps we should call my father’s physician.” She stared at his elbow. Last night she’d wounded her attacker on his right shoulder. Could Pembroke be hiding that injury with a story about his elbow? “Dr. Stenbridge is quite talented in healing.” And he could check Pembroke’s shoulder during his examination if her father asked.

  “I wouldn’t want to trouble a physician. It’s just an ache that is already improving.” He held out his other elbow to help her up the small step inside the folly. The raised gazebo-like structure boasted several marble columns. “Though there is something I’d like to talk to you about, my lady.”

  Alice could hear laughter echoing from the guests still on the lake. Christian couldn’t be far behind them. She’d felt his gaze on her several times this afternoon, and she'd had a hard time not looking his way. Pembroke led her to a bench on the left, which offered a bit of shade.

  “What is it?” she asked, smoothing her skirts.

  “It's a topic somewhat difficult to talk about, but I feel I must.” Pembroke took out his handkerchief again to wipe the drops of sweat gathering on his forehead. He couldn’t meet her gaze.

  Alice’s throat tightened. From his demeanor, whatever he was about to confess wasn’t going to be pleasant. Could he be the traitor, as Christian thought and would he confess as much to her? “Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

  Her thoughts raced. The masquerade was tomorrow, but if he confessed today, the intrigue would be over, and the Falcon Group safe― but Pembroke would be tried as a traitor. Could she have been so wrong about his innocence? It was hard to imagine, though she was acutely aware she wasn’t infallible.

  Pembroke was looking toward the wood, his brow furrowed. “It's such a beautiful day; it doesn’t seem proper to spoil it with something difficult.”

  Alice touched his hand. “What’s wrong?”

  “I know you’ve heard whispers about me. I was the last to see Thomas Norwich alive.” He stopped and ran a hand through his hair. “We had words that night, but it wasn’t what the gossipmongers are saying. You see, Thomas had come across an investment with a spice ship. A high return was almost guaranteed, and the captain had a sound record of delivering the promised goods. Thomas had made a tidy sum from the last shipment and thought to offer me the same opportunity.”

  “But I heard that the conversation between you was most heated. A good investment would be cause for celebration. Did you speak of anything else?” So far, nothing untoward had been confessed, but he obviously had more to tell.

  Pembroke closed his eyes briefly before looking at her. “The ship sank, and we lost everything. Thomas had come to tell me the news. I was devastated.” He ducked his head, as if he didn’t want to tell her any more, but was determined to go on. “My estate is in need of funds, and I was counting on that shipment to provide it. When I realized all the money I’d invested was gone, with no hope of a return . . . I was angry.”

  “So, what happened then?” Alice gently prodded. People would be coming down the path any moment and their moment of privacy would end. She had to know.

  “I’d just come from the club, mind you, and was a bit foxed. I grabbed his shoulders and shouted that I would lose everything. He backed up and made his apologies, said he wished there were something he could do. He’d lost a lot of money in the venture as well. He said he had a way to find out about more investments and that he’d get us another. I shook him, hard, and said I had nothing left. Nothing. And I took my leave.” His eyes raised to hers. “He was alive and hailing a hackney when I last saw him. I didn’t kill him. I need you to know that.”

  Alice watched him closely. He seemed so sincere. His breathing was steady, his voice was, as well, and he held just the right amount of eye contact. Every instinct she had told her he was being truthful. “I believe you.” Despite the evidence piling up against him, Pembroke could very well be innocent.

  He let out a long breath as if a large weight had been lifted from his shoulders. “Everyone looks at me differently now. Ladies whisper behind their fans when I enter a ballroom. I know there are some who go so far as to accuse me of murder. To hear you say that you believe me . . . I cannot tell you how much that means to me.” He took her hand and drew it to his lips. “Though I do not deserve the company of a lady such as yourself, I’m grateful that you are here with me now.” He kissed her knuckles and then clutched her hand to his heart. “And I hope we have many more moments like these.”

  Alice was deciding how best to respond when she felt a stir of energy surround her. Christian was near.<
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  “There you are, Lady Alice. We’ve found you at last.” Christian’s voice was all that was polite, but she knew him well enough to hear the thread of tension underneath his words. She squeezed Pembroke's hand before she turned to greet Christian.

  “How wonderfully clever of you to have found us. The shade of the trees on this side of the folly is such a relief from the heat.” Alice tried to pull her hand away from Pembroke, but he gripped her tightly. She gave him a reassuring smile before wiggling her fingers. He released her, but his gaze lingered as she turned away. “And how are you enjoying the day, Miss Beasley?”

  “It’s been magnificent. Lord Wolverton took me on an extra turn about the lake so we could feel the breeze awhile longer.” Miss Beasley looking into Christian’s eyes, her adoration evident. “He also saved me from a terrible fall.”

  Alice raised a brow. “Is that so? Well, Lord Wolverton was hailed as a war hero in all the papers.”

  Christian scowled at her, and Alice could hardly refrain from laughing at the sight. “It was nothing, really.” He approached the bench opposite the one Alice was sitting on with Pembroke, and helped Miss Beasley before taking a seat himself. “How are you enjoying the day, Lady Alice?”

  His eyes captured hers and were focused and intense. It was as if he were silently interviewing her with just a look. “It’s a fine day. I especially have enjoyed the conversation.”

  Pembroke looked over at her with a small smile, but her eyes were drawn back to Christian's. “But I really should go soon in case my help is needed for our al fresco repast. My mother decided to have the picnic set up at the old abbey ruins on the east side of the estate.” She leaned toward Miss Beasley. “The ruins are said to be haunted, you know.”

  Miss Beasley’s eyes widened. “Are you sure it’s safe for ladies?”