A Lady for the Taking Read online

  “Files? On Telford?” Suddenly, Nick was all business. There was nothing he enjoyed more subterfuge and spying. Not even matchmaking.

  “Just arrived this morning from Cornwall. It is regarding Miss Marshwood. And, well, Telford, too, to some extent, I suppose.” Harry waved the file in the air, thankful he had finally managed to turn the conversation away from what he had or had not been doing in Vauxhall last evening.

  Though he could only put off Nick and Marcus for so long. Eventually, they would demand answers. Hopefully after Harry had his morning tea, at the very least, however.

  From where he was slouched in his seat, Marcus frowned, all business now as well. “Aren’t you supposed to be ferreting out information directly from Miss Marshwood?”

  Harry tossed the file down on his desk where Nick promptly snatched it up and began skimming it. “This is regarding the other Miss Marshwood. A Miss Elizabeth Marshwood, to be precise. Not Penny.”

  “Isn’t that particular chit dead? I thought we discussed her already,” Nick grumbled, his nose buried in the papers. Well, no wonder, as the man had forgotten his spectacles again. He really should just admit that he needed them to read and be done with things.

  “She is still dead, but not from a brief yet aggressive illness as was initially reported. Nor did she die in either Cumbria or Cornwall, for that matter, despite several conflicting reports to the contrary.” Harry sank back down into his chair. Where was that infernal breakfast tray? He was developing a headache. Not to mention an even blacker mood than he had when he had awoken to find Nick peering down at him like some blasted mother hen! “It seems that Elizabeth Marshwood passed away right here in London by her own hand after she was supposedly spurned by our very own Phin. Her body was quickly sent to Cumbria though there was a brief discussion about taking her to Cornwall. Eventually, Cumbria was selected because it was a bit more remote and thus, easier to hide the truth.”

  Marcus winced. “Ouch. That isn’t good. Poor thing. And I’m assuming that Telford blames Phin, of course.”

  “It says here that, according to the gossip at the time, Elizabeth believed that Phin was madly in love with her after only one dance at a ball of some sort, and that she was convinced he would marry her. Is that true?” Once more, Nick squinted at the papers in his hand.

  “A dance at Lady Colbridge’s annual Starlight ball,” Harry said, digging in his desk for his extra pair of spectacles so that he might offer them to Nick. He tossed them in the duke’s direction, gratified when Nick caught them and finally put them on. “They danced again at Almack’s a week later, but supposedly, everyone in Town knew that Phin was about to become betrothed to Vicar Wilson’s daughter, Faith. His dance with Elizabeth Marshwood was simply to fill time, I suppose. Or to be polite.”

  “Ah, the grand love match,” Marcus supplied quickly, nodding in remembrance. “Phin and Faith. Stuff of fairy tales.” That was followed by an obvious snort of derision.

  This time it was Nick who interjected, Harry’s old spectacles now firmly settled on the bridge of his nose. “Or rather not love match, as you so correctly point out, Marcus, with your disgusting noises. I remember the incident now and back then, everyone I was working within the Home Office wondered what Phin saw in the Wilson girl. The chit was a shrew. The innocent angel bit was all an act. There were whispers that he might have preferred this Miss Marshwood or another lady entirely, but he was already far too committed to Miss Wilson. Her father was the vicar of Phin’s country parish, after all, and the marriage contracts were all but signed.”

  “So the Marshwood chit killed herself when she couldn’t have Phin because he was locked into an arranged marriage?” Marcus finally took another sip of his drink. Harry suspected it was for fortification. “Lud, I wouldn’t have. He might be my friend, but he can also be an idiot a great deal of the time. He wasn’t worth the effort. Certainly not worth killing one’s self over.”

  “When Miss Marshwood first passed away, Bow Street did conduct an investigation, as the entire situation seemed, well…odd to them, too.” Harry poured himself a drink, as it seemed breakfast wasn’t coming any time soon and he needed something bracing just then. “I wasn’t involved, but I knew of the investigation, of course. Everyone did. The matter was quickly dropped, as you might imagine, especially once the body was removed from Town, but the rumors persisted. Especially regarding Lord Telford’s lingering anger toward Phin, though I only learned of that this morning. Someone even claimed that Telford swore he would see Phin ruined for killing his daughter. I never heard that, but then I was busy with my own cases at the time.”

  “Which is where Lady Penny now enters the picture, I would assume.” Marcus squinted at Harry and pointed a finger in his general direction, the alcohol on an empty stomach obviously affecting his movements. “So you’re thinking revenge?”

  Harry nodded and tossed back a good portion of his drink. “Exactly. Only Telford probably needed time to figure out just how to go about getting it. Now that Phin is looking for a new bride, perhaps Telford thought this was the perfect opportunity.”

  “Go on.” Nick, at least, was obviously interested in the plot that Harry had pieced together so far. And still sober enough to pay attention.

  “According to our man in Cornwall, the current earl holds little love for Penny and only a bit more for his other, younger daughter, Josephine. More commonly called Josie. As we discussed before.” Lud, the scotch was beginning to affect Harry, too, but he pressed on. “New Telford was devoted to Elizabeth, however, and still blames Phin for her death rather than accept the fact that she was never particularly stable to begin with. By all accounts, the man wants revenge and he is tired of waiting.” Harry shrugged. “I don’t know all of the particulars, but, as we suspected, Lady Penny was most likely sent here to seduce Phin into marrying her and then? Well, I have no bloody idea but I doubt it would have ended well for anyone, the lady included.”

  “And the threat against Lady Penny to coerce her cooperation? For I am assuming there must be one.” Nick sighed and took off the spectacles as he rubbed at his eyes before replacing them. “For I’ve met Miss Marshwood and she doesn’t strike me as the type to agree to something like this. It is hardly her style and I cannot imagine her being complicit in something like this.”

  “He beats her.” That came from Marcus who, a bit more focused now, had snatched some of the loose papers from Nick’s hand and was now reading furiously. “Several servants have testified to the fact that on more than one occasion, Telford has stripped Lady Penny nearly naked and whipped her bloody right in front of them. Damn the man to Hell and back.”

  As Marcus’ beloved wife Caroline was also the victim of similar abuse, such things were a touchy subject with him, which was why Harry had been hesitant to bring up that bit of information. However, he supposed that it couldn’t be helped. He was also a bit too tipsy to care just then.

  “Telford has also threatened to send his other daughter, Josie, to London to take Lady Penny’s place. He has spies at Lord Willfield’s town home and out in society spying on Lady Penny. When he feels it necessary, sends her letters prompting her to do as he directs, threatening to harm Miss Josie if Lady Penny doesn’t do as he commands.” That came from Nick whose nose was once more buried in the new reports. To Harry’s annoyance, he was still completely sober. “At one point when they were all residing in Sharpe-on-Edgecombe, Lady Penny served as Miss Josephine’s governess and companion. I suspect it was an economizing move on the new Lord Telford’s part, but it also served to bring the two women closer together. This report says that Lady Penny probably would do anything to keep her cousin, whom she views as more of a sister, from coming to harm. Likely even sacrificing herself in some fashion. Such as marrying a duke she doesn’t even know just to help her uncle get his revenge.”

  Harry nodded, his head starting to spin a bit and he put down his scotch glass. “There were several bits of correspondence waiting for me when I arrived ho
me last night.” He refused to admit that he had actually arrived home in the very early hours of this morning, which was part of the reason why his head still ached. “From what I can gather, as Miss Josie’s health declined for a time, the more protective Lady Penny became of her cousin until she all but took on the mothering responsibilities herself. Especially given their age difference. Once Miss Josie recovered, that closeness remained.”

  “So if Lady Penny fails to seduce and then ruin Phin, the cur Telford will then send his youngest daughter in to complete the job?” Nick shook his head, incredulous. “Even for me, that would go too far. And I am not a nice man!”

  On that point, they could all agree, though Harry didn’t say that. Instead, he sat thinking over all that he had learned so far this morning and wishing his head didn’t hurt quite so much.

  “Now what?” Marcus tossed the papers back on Harry’s desk and ran a hand through his already messy hair. “Phin can’t stay in the country forever. According to Ben, he is already growing restless. He wants a wife and what with his recent success at matchmaking, he feels as if he needs to be in London sooner rather than later.” He yawned, indicating that Nick had likely roused him from his bed early that morning as well. “Can’t say that I blame him, either. Not if he’s looking to wed.”

  Both Harry and Marcus turned to look at Nick just then because he was likely already thinking up some kind of plan that would result in the innocent being saved and the evil-doers brought to justice. That was simply how Nick was and he hadn’t earned his nickname of “The Bloody Duke” because he was known to be kind.

  “Then let us bring Telford to London, along with Miss Josie.” Nick shrugged far too carelessly for Harry’s liking. “Let the man believe that Lady Penny has failed.”

  “Ah, but she has failed,” Harry reminded Nick none too gently. Really? Was the man’s mind slipping? Even slightly foxed, Harry knew that much. “Rather spectacularly.”

  “Oh, right. Because you’re bedding her. Nearly forgot. Old age. My mind must be going. Happens to the best of us.” Nick waved the comment away with a grin as if it was nothing.

  “I am not bedding her!” Harry nearly roared, knowing full well that Nick was, in fact, still completely in control of all of his faculties. The duke had also likely hoped his jab would make Harry reveal exactly what he and Penny had been about the night before. As if Harry was the sort to kiss and tell! “We merely kissed and…”

  “And?” Marcus teased, a knowing light in his eyes.

  Because of course, neither of his friends could let this matter rest.

  “And nothing that is any of your bloody fucking business,” Harry repeated tightly. Lord, he hoped he wasn’t flushed red like some randy schoolboy, especially when he remembered the feel of the sweet curve of Penny’s bare breast in his hands. “But I swear to you both, on my honor as a Runner, the lady’s innocence is still intact. That is all you need know about the matter.”

  Nick’s lips twitched with mischief and he looked as if he was about to say something before obviously thinking better of it. For once in his life.

  “It hardly matters, really,” the duke finally said. “In fact, you can marry the chit either before or after you are named your wretched father’s heir and resign from Bow Street. I don’t care. Either way, the result is the same. Happily ever after and all that rot.” Nick gestured toward Harry’s desk. “Best get working on that resignation now, actually. There is much to do with the viscountcy, from what I understand. The current Lord Westerly has left things rather a mess, which I will, of course, attempt to correct long before you inherit. That’s what friends do for each other after all. Isn’t it?”

  Harry stared at Nick, his mouth agape and suddenly very sober. “What…what did you say?”

  Nick held up his hands, all innocence as Marcus once more shook with silent laughter. “Oh. Didn’t I tell you, Harry? Your rotten bastard of a father is about to formally recognize you as his son and name you as his heir.” He shook his head and gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “I could have sworn that I mentioned it earlier. Must have slipped my mind.” He tapped his temple. “The mind is the first thing to go, you know.”

  Harry sat back down in his chair with a thump, unable to believe this turn of events was real. “Why on earth would he do that? He despises me.”

  Leaning back against the bookshelf, Nick studied his fingernails rather intently now, his earlier humor gone. “Yes, well, let’s just say that your bastard of a father rather fears me a bit more than he loathes you, so there is that.” Another casual shrug. “I merely suggested he do the right thing and name you his heir now while the whole mess is still salvageable. Someone has to oversee that bunch of silly chits he calls his daughters, after all, and Lord knows, you’ll need coin to do it. Not to mention a wife of unshakable constitution.”

  “Suggested?” Harry asked, still dumbfounded.

  “Suggested. Encouraged. Demanded.” Another shrug. “It makes little difference, really. What does matter is that you are soon to be heir to Viscount Westerly and you need a wife.” Nick gestured to the pile of papers on Harry’s desk. “You seem to like the Marshwood chit well enough. Or at least more so than you’ve liked any lady in recent years. So why not her? She does have an excellent pedigree and she’s an earl’s daughter. You could do far worse.”

  “Because she lied to him and refuses to tell him why she’s really in London? Because she is attempting to harm our friend on her uncle’s behalf? That is perhaps why not her?” Marcus supplied. Harry could always count on Marcus to be blunt and to the point. Not to mention far too eager to contradict Nick.

  “Bah!” Nick pushed away from the bookshelf with a dismissive wave. “Details. They are inconsequential when the heart is involved.” He pointed a finger at Harry. “And I do think your heart is finally involved. Is it not?”

  “Perhaps.” Harry refused to allow the duke to have the upper hand. Not when it came to any matter involving Penny anyway.

  Nick snorted. “You want her. You need a wife. Phin needs to return to London. As does Telford so he can receive his comeuppance. End of story. Or at least it is a story that needs to be ended. Sooner rather than later. So I shall end it. It really is a simple matter.”

  “By bringing Lord Telford to London?” Now even Marcus sounded skeptical.

  “And his daughter, Miss Josie. Don’t forget her, for she is integral to my plans, or at least she will be an interesting diversion,” Nick added a bit too gleefully for Harry’s liking. “Why do you two look so worried? This is me, the Bloody Duke, remember? I have everything under complete control and I am certain it will all go to plan. You really do need to trust me more.”

  Harry rather doubted that, but he also wasn’t about to be the one who questioned Nick’s decisions. And he was suggesting that there might be a way for Harry to make Penny his. Possibly permanently. Which suddenly didn’t seem like such a terrifying idea. “Very well. What do you want me to do?”

  “Seduce the girl. Take her to bed. Make her believe she can’t live without you. That sort of thing.” Nick chuckled. “You know you want to, and you’ve all but done it anyway.”

  “That?” Harry was incredulous. “That is your grand plan?”

  “Part of it anyway.” To Nick’s left, Marcus shook with silent laughter again. “The rest you need not worry about. Marcus and I shall attend to the details.”

  Suddenly, Marcus wasn’t laughing any longer. “We will?”

  “We will,” Nick affirmed breezily. “Which means that we are about to be very busy so I would suggest you, Marcus, go home, see your wife and then come to my place straight away. Or better yet, let us retire to Noroc. Plenty of privacy there, provided Stillborough and his lot have cleared out for the day.” The duke shrugged. “If not, I shall remove them. I need space to plan and uninterrupted time to do so.”

  “And I am to seduce Lady Penny?” Harry wanted to make certain he understood Nick clearly. “And then what?”

&nbs
p; “Then you wait until I am ready,” Nick supplied, as if that should be the most obvious answer in the world. “Oh, and do be quick about the seduction bit, Harry. Be seen in public with her or whatever you have to do, but do be quick about things. I haven’t got all month for this. I have a house party to plan for in the summer, remember, and Eliza shall be ever so put out with me if I don’t provide her with my half of the guest list soon. The last thing a man wishes to do is anger his wife. At least if he knows what is good for him.”

  Then the duke was gone in a swirl of perfectly cut, dark blue superfine morning coat and well turned out breeches, Marcus hurrying after his old friend as fast as his injured leg could carry him and leaving Harry with nothing to do but stare after them.

  “Seduce her? Penny?” Harry asked himself softly once the other two men had gone. “He cannot be serious.”

  Except that Harry was certain Nick was serious. Just as he was serious about having Harry named his father’s heir and formally recognized as his son. Something that Harry had been secretly wishing for since he’d first learned what the word bastard meant.

  Perhaps he was functioning on too little sleep or perhaps his mind was muddled because his cock was still throbbing from lack of release last evening, but somehow, all of Nick’s plans made a certain degree of sense. After all, wouldn’t the best way to free Penny from the mess she had found herself in was to somehow remove the threat of her uncle? If she knew she was safe from harm, wouldn’t it be more likely that she would tell Harry everything she knew and confess every last detail of her uncle’s plot to destroy Phin? Of course she would!

  Or so Harry hoped.

  Because just then, he wasn’t certain of anything, really, except for the fact that he desired Penny now more than he had last night. And Nick had just given him permission to pursue her.

  So of course, Harry planned to do just that.

  Chapter Thirteen