Page 42 of The Remarkable Myth of a Nameless Lady
He brushed at the tears upon her cheeks and let her go, moving back almost reluctantly, giving her a moment to herself, she realized.
“You will find that not every man is a monster. I would not have beat the answers from you for anything, nor would I ever raise a hand to a woman, regardless of my right to do so. I am not one to take something that is not freely given. The man who does otherwise is a coward,” he said. “Though I will ask again, what are the Ribbonmen planning?”
“Truly, I do not know. They sent me to watch, but I am not privy to all their meetings. Some things are only for the men to know, and even then, only a select few. In the past they have caused all manner of bedevilment of the Englishman, but there is something going on, something that feels more serious than the cutting of a crop or the breaking of a fence to set the animals free.”
“They are like as not behind the ruination of our dairy,” he muttered, and let out an angry breath. “But you have the right of it. A guest list is not needed for pranks such as those.”
Alicia chewed on her lower lip as she thought. “I could…”
“No.”
His answer was immediate and she glanced up at him in surprise. “I have not even made the suggestion yet, Your Grace.”
“Whatever it is, you have done quite enough already. Had you not been there today I like as not might have killed my own flesh and blood. Even now my brother is nowhere to be found—”
“You might ask Meghan. She is a maid who works at Ravencliff.”
He blinked. “Why would a maid at Ravencliff know something that I would not?”
Alicia’s lips twitched in amusement. “Your Grace, I wager there is much the servants at Ravencliff know that you do not.”
His look was rueful. “Point taken.”
“As for Meghan, let us say that she is more knowledgeable of your brother than any of us. If any were to know, she would. Though you would be well advised to use a…gentler…tone in your questioning, and perhaps a promise that she will not lose her position within the house, where she to answer honestly.”
Jacob’s eyebrows shot up. “It will be as you say. But what of you?”
“I will go home. It is there I will find the one man who can answer all of our questions. I suspect he is responsible for much more than I have credited him for.” Alicia stood up, and brushed off her skirts, and shook out the cloak.
“He will hurt you!” Jacob protested.
“No, he will not,” she said softly, though she could not hide the trace of doubt in her voice. “I won’t allow him to hurt me again. He always says he’s sorry afterwards, and I have put up with his brutality thus far, as there has never been another option. But he will not strike me again. If he does, he will receive my wrath, and I have enough gathered over the years to prove myself a mighty adversary for once…”
This time when he reached for her hand she did not pull away. “Promise me you will not do anything dangerous. If he…if he is violent, you will leave. There is nothing so important that it is worth your life.”
Her heart beat wildly in her chest, as his fingers twined around hers. “I promise. I will only defend myself where necessary, and if he leaves me no further option,” she said softly, aware of just how close they were standing. “I should go…”
“The boy will take you back on his horse,” he said, releasing her hand so slowly she felt the loss of each finger individually.
“Aye. I expected he would,” she said, and fled through the trees to where the boy stood waiting, knowing if she stayed another moment she would lose the courage to do so.
* * *
Behind him, a figure stepped from the trees. “You heard?” Jacob asked softly, his voice little more than a whisper.
“Every word.”
“Watch over her. Keep her safe.”
Tom nodded and melted into the underbrush, moving so silently he might never have been there in the first place.
Chapter 31
He had missed dinner, but the group was still at play as he entered the drawing room. Jacob stood a moment, watching the couples whirl about the room gaily as one of the ladies played a lively tune upon the pianoforte. This was an impromptu dance, he could see, with much laughter and a relaxed air that made him long for London. As an officer, he had been to many such gatherings, and always found them congenial.
Maybe it would not be such a bad idea to leave Ireland, he thought, wondering if by returning to London, he could recapture the life he had led there. Of course, his mother would insist on some manner of townhouse. Something on a fashionable street.
There would also be balls there, tedious things, he had no doubt, aimed at finding him a wife. The change in his station would be notable. He was no longer merely a Captain, but a man of means. A Duke had certain expectations placed upon him, after all. He would be required to entertain, to set an example. To engage in politics.
