Ravished

Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Rupert still stood rooted to the spot after Nicholas Hatton had been taken away. Good God, they arrested him on suspicion of murder. Apparently, they don’t believe the shooting at Hatton was accidental! Nick’s shouts still rang in his ears: “Find my brother and fetch him to me immediately!” Rupert tried to recall Nick’s exact words when he had asked him where Kit was: He left for Hatton this afternoon. Said something about wanting to spend the evening with Alexandra. Rupert, suddenly mobilized, strode from Green Park and hurried to Clarges Street where his mount was stabled. He was halfway to Hatton when he realized that he didn’t know if Jeremy Eaton was alive or dead.

Reverend Doyle had not slept well. He was an early riser who was at the Hatton church altar by six each morning, and today was no exception. He owed his living to the Hattons and seldom criticized their actions, but he had been shocked when Lord Hatton had not attended church services on Sunday when his marriage banns had been read before the congregation. Christopher’s future bride, Alexandra Sheffield, had also been conspicuous by her absence, Doyle reflected. It was his duty to chastise them, and he would have done so immediately, had it not been for the fear of losing his living.

Doyle had allowed two days to slip by, but his conscience was now pricking him so badly, he decided that he must act. With prayer book in hand as a talisman, he closed the church door and with resolution set out for Hatton Hall.

Nicholas Hatton lay abed. Sleep had eluded him all night as he relived the events of the last few days. They all had a surreal quality, as if they were too fantastic to be believed. Yet he actually had robbed His Royal Highness, the Prince Regent, and been shot in the head for his efforts. He had discovered Alexandra in a brothel, and he had carried her off to his bed in Curzon Street. He had stolen her innocence, but only after confessing that he was in love with her. He had asked her to marry him.

Nick quit the bed with a foul oath and leaned his arms on the windowsill as he watched the sunrise. All evening he had waited for her to come to Hatton. Even now, he stubbornly refused to give up hope. If she loved him, she would come.

When Mr. Burke brought him a freshly starched shirt and neckcloth, he hesitated. Should he don clothes more suitable for working with his horses at the Grange or wear his best in case Alex came? He compromised, and put on the fresh linen Burke supplied along with fawn breeches and tan leather boots. He picked up the book he had tried to read in the small hours of the night and returned it to the library. He was about to cross to the windows when a paper lying on the desk caught his eye. He walked over to investigate and again an oath fell from his lips. It was a special license to marry, made out in the name of Christopher Flynn Hatton and Alexandra Sheffield.

When he read her name, his gut knotted. His heart told him that Alex loved him and would never marry his twin. His head, however, told him that he had neither wealth nor title to offer her. He had also betrayed her trust. Why should she not marry Christopher?

When Alexandra awakened at dawn she reached out to touch Nicholas. One heartbeat later, everything came rushing back and she realized that she was in her own bed at Longford Manor. Alex closed her eyes against the pain of reality and blushed at how closemouthed she’d been with her grandmother, even though circumstances dictated the things she had said and the things she had left unsaid.

“Margaret has taken a turn for the worse, darling, but I think she’s determined to hang on until she sees you and Christopher safely wed.”

“I must go to her!”

“No, the doctor dosed her with laudanum and she’s sleeping peacefully at last; don’t disturb her now.”

That’s when Alex had told her grandmother that the dress she had ordered for the wedding was not yet ready. She had said nothing to dispel the idea that she would marry Christopher. Her hurt over Nicholas had been too sharp and far too personal to share, but today she would have to find the words that would reveal the truth to Dottie. First, however, she would ride over to Hatton and speak with Kit. He and his twin had conspired to deceive her, and she felt an overwhelming need to confront him.

She put on her gray riding skirt but decided against the yellow jacket she usually wore with it. Her mood was not sunny today. Instead she slipped her arms into a matching gray jacket trimmed with black braid. As she brushed her hair, she absently noticed how long it was getting and pushed it back over her shoulders with impatient hands. She knew that food would stick in her throat, so she skipped breakfast and went to the stables to saddle Zephyr.

As she set out for Hatton Hall, she saw a rider in the distance. She stopped and shaded her eyes from the rising sun. Suddenly her heart jumped into her mouth. Only Nicholas rode at such hell-for-leather speed. As her vision focused, however, she clearly saw that it was not Nick but Rupert, of all people. Alex turned her mare and galloped to meet her brother.

“Rupert, what on earth is wrong?”

“I . . . er . . . I must get a message to Kit.”

“Something has happened! Tell me!”

“Nick just fought a duel in Green Park, and they arrested him.”

“A duel?” Alex thought he must be mistaken. “A duel with whom, for God’s sake?”

“With his cousin, Jeremy Eaton. He may be dead.”

“Nick?” Without waiting for a reply, she set her heels to her mount and galloped off.

“Stop! Wait!” Rupert thundered after her and grabbed Zephyr’s reins. “Nick isn’t dead . . . I meant Eaton.”

“I must go to Nick if they’ve arrested him for shooting Eaton.”

“They’ve arrested him on suspicion of murder.”

“That’s ridiculous! Let me go!”

“On suspicion of murdering his father, Alex.”

Her eyes widened in disbelief, and her face turned pale as parchment. “None of this makes sense. Where have they taken him?”

“I don’t know. Nick asked me to get Kit and fetch him to London. There’s nothing you can do, Alex; it’s a job for Christopher. He’s a Lord of the Realm.”

As they stood arguing, the black berline coach belonging to Lord Neville Staines swept past them on its way to Hatton Hall. As they stared after it, Rupert muttered, “Hasty news travels fast.” Without another word the brother and sister followed the coach.

By the time they dismounted and tied their horses’ reins to a tree, Lord Staines, Colonel Stevenson, and the man with them had entered the hall. Reverend Doyle hurried his steps to catch up with Alexandra before she and her brother went inside.

“Mistress Sheffield, I would like a word with you, if I may.”

“Please forgive me, Reverend Doyle; I’m in a dreadful hurry.”

His face was set in stern lines. “You did not attend church service on Sunday when I announced your banns!”

Clutching Rupert’s sleeve so that he would not leave her behind, Alex replied, “I was unavoidably detained in London, Reverend.”

“And Lady Longford?” he pressed.

“My grandmother was busy nursing our invalid mother. Please excuse us; we must speak with Lord Hatton.”

Mr. Burke opened the door to Neville Staines’s urgent knock and admitted the three men. “May I help you, Lord Staines?”

“Yes, Burke. This is Sergeant Norton of the Bow Street Police. Kindly announce us to Lord Hatton.”

On his guard immediately, Burke asked, “May I tell his lordship what this is about, Lord Staines?”

“Nicholas has been arrested. We will be needed in London.”

Mr. Burke knew full well that Nicholas was in the library, therefore it must be Christopher who had been arrested. “I shall inform his lordship immediately, sir.”

Burke dashed upstairs, selected an elegant coat made by Schultz, then rushed down to the library. “Lord Staines, Colonel Stevenson, and a Sergeant Norton of Bow Street are in the hall. They insist that Nicholas has been arrested, and wish to speak with Lord Hatton. Obviously they’ve mixed you up.”

Nick frowned. “Did you straighten them out?”

Burke held the coat while Nick slipped his arms into the sleeves. “They wish to speak with Lord Hatton; I told them I would inform his lordship immediately.”

Burke ushered the three men into the library. “Will there be anything else, my lord?”

“See that we are not disturbed, Mr. Burke.”

“Christopher, this is Sergeant Norton from the Bow Street Police. They arrested your twin this morning on serious charges.”

Norton spoke up. “At dawn we interrupted a duel in Green Park and arrested your brother on suspicion of murder.”

“A duel?” The bloody fool! Is there no end to his folly? “There must be some mistake. Why do you think it was Nick Hatton?”

“There is no mistake, my lord. Your brother was wearing his Royal Horse Artillery uniform.”

Nick was stunned. Kit was deliberately impersonating me! “He killed his opponent?”

“His opponent, Eaton, was wounded in the duel,” Norton supplied.

Christ, which Eaton? John or Jeremy?“If his opponent is only wounded, why is he being held on suspicion of murder?”

Neville Staines cut in. “The suspicion concerns your father’s shooting. Apparently someone informed the police that it may not have been an accident. Since I was the coroner who signed the death certificate, and the colonel is Justice of the Peace of this county, Norton came to notify us. But before we left for London, I insisted we come here to let you know what has happened.”

“My father’s shooting was an accident.” Nick’s tone was implacable.

“Of course it was,” Lord Staines agreed. “Now, however, there will have to be an inquest to clear your twin’s name. In the meantime, they are holding Nicholas at Wood Street Compter.”

“That’s near the Guildhall, I believe. I shall leave as soon as possible, gentlemen. Thank you for bringing me the news.”

“Thank you, Lord Hatton.” Norton bowed; Staines and Stevenson nodded. When Neville opened the library door for them to leave, Alexandra and Rupert rushed in, with Mr. Burke on their heels. Reverend Doyle followed hesitantly and stood inside the door.

“I couldn’t stop them, Lord Hatton,” Burke apologized.

“There was no need to stop them, Mr. Burke.” Burke nodded and left the library to see the men out.

Nick’s hungry glance swept over Alexandra. Her hair was a riot of wildfire this morning, contrasting sharply with the sober gray riding dress. Her face was pale; her eyes full of apprehension.

“Nicholas has been arrested on suspicion of murdering your father. You know it was an accident. We must go and do something immediately!”

“We?” His hopes soared. She thought him in trouble and was ready to fly to his side.

Rupert spoke up. “I don’t want Alexandra involved in this.”

“Were you there, Rupert, when my brother was arrested?”

“Yes. Nick and I went to White’s to get back your marker from Jeremy Eaton. Suddenly, in front of everyone, Eaton accused Nick of cheating. Nick asked me to act as his second and insisted the duel take place at dawn. When he came to Green Park, he was wearing his army uniform. I tried to get him to call it off, but he wouldn’t hear of it. When they were pacing off, patrolmen came to halt it. Nick fired his pistol anyway and hit his mark. I don’t know if Eaton is alive or dead.”

“He is wounded, according to Sergeant Norton who just left.” It was a deliberate plan to rid himself of Eaton, and if anything went wrong, I would get the blame. Even Rupert believes it was I who provoked and fought the duel.

Alexandra was staring at her brother in disbelief. Nick went gambling to White’s after I left him, while I rode home brokenhearted? I thought I knew Nicholas Hatton better than any other person in the world. Apparently, I was wrong!

“Will he go on trial for murdering your father?” Rupert asked.

“Neville Staines says they will hold an inquest into Father’s death. If there is evidence of foul play, it will go to trial.”

“No!” Alex cried. “They cannot try him for murder; Nicholas is incapable of such evil. Kit, you must go and tell them so!”

Gray eyes bored into green. “Are you in love with Nicholas?”

Alexandra’s pale cheeks turned to flame. She tore her gaze from Kit, glanced at her brother, then looked at Reverend Doyle, who stood silent as a church statue, witnessing everything. I must not alienate Christopher. He is the only one who can help Nicholas. “No, of course I’m not in love with Nicholas.”

Doyle stepped forward to defend her. “She is your betrothed, the future Lady Hatton. How can you ask such a thing?”

Nick looked at Doyle, then at Rupert. “Would you excuse us? I would like a private word with my bride.”

Alex waited until they were alone, then spoke quickly. “Kit, we must postpone the wedding. Your brother’s trouble is far more important right now.”

“Not to me,” he said quietly.

Alex was shocked. “You will go and defend him, and do everything in your power as a Peer of the Realm to prove his innocence and gain his release, won’t you, Christopher?”

“That depends upon you.”

“Me?” It came out in a whisper, for she sensed what was coming.

“If you marry me, I will try my utmost to prove him innocent.”

“I have promised to marry you.” She tried not to sound evasive.

“Do you mean it, Alex?”

She knew she would say anything to persuade him to help Nicholas.

“Yes, of course I mean it.”

He crossed to the library door and opened it. Rupert and the reverend reentered the room, and he summoned Mr. Burke to join them. Nick walked back to the desk and picked up a paper. “I have a special license here, Doyle. I would like you to marry us.”

Alexandra’s hand went to her throat. The twin standing in front of her somehow knew her heart belonged to Nicholas. He had made it plain that he would only go to London after she had married him.

He raised his eyebrows, asking her capitulation. At that moment his presence and his will dominated the room.

“If you will keep your promise to do all you can for Nicholas.”

“Trust me, Alex.” He held out his hand.

With the greatest reluctance, Alexandra placed her hand in his.

Doyle stepped before them and opened his prayer book. “Wilt thou have this woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”

“I will.”

Doyle then charged Alexandra with the same question.

She moved her lips, but no one heard her whispered “I will.”

“Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?”

“I do,” Rupert said with solemn pride.

“Repeat after me: I, Christopher Flynn Hatton, take thee, Alexandra Sheffield to my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance. And thereto I plight thee my troth.”

When it was her turn, Alexandra stumbled over the phrase to love, cherish, and obey, and her hand trembled like a leaf as the groom intoned, “With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee honor, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow.”

When Doyle pronounced them man and wife, Alex was infinitely relieved that her husband did not try to kiss her.

Mr. Burke stepped forward to shake the groom’s hand. “Congratulations, Lord Hatton.” He turned to Alex. “Lady Hatton, let me be the first to welcome you to Hatton Hall.”

“Alex, I shall leave you in Mr. Burke’s capable hands. Rupert, I assume you are coming to London?”

“I’m coming too!” Alexandra’s voice was suddenly loud and clear. And brooked no refusal.

Her husband appraised her with a long, steady look. “As you wish, Lady Hatton.”

“I have to pack a bag and, of course, tell Dottie about all that has happened. Will you wait for me?” Alex asked stiffly.

“Perhaps Rupert will be good enough to bring you in his carriage. If I ride alone, I can be there in less than an hour.”

Rupert pressed his lips together but did not demur. “If you think it best, Kit, I am happy to be of service. Let’s hurry,” he urged, leading the way from the library.

As she turned to leave, her husband’s deep voice stayed her.

“Trust me, Alex.”

“You are a devil, Kit Hatton,” she hissed. “I shall never trust you again. Neither you nor your twin, Nicholas!”