Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

T he entire ride back was in silence, except for the sound of horses’ hooves pounding the road. When they turned into the drive, the three men handed the reins of their horses to the footmen and rushed up the steps.

“Where’s Melanie?” Jonathan asked as Rupert opened the door.

“My lord, the ladies and Shep decided to scour the woods for the Yule log and asked that you join them when you returned,” Rupert replied.

“Thank you, Rupert,” Jonathan said. “Do you recall the direction they went?” His heart hammered with uneasiness. He needed to see her and make sure she was safe. Logically, he knew with Diana gone, the danger had passed. But still couldn’t shake the feeling of impending danger. Was he simply overreacting in light of Diana’s murder? Who knew? But he wasn’t taking any chances.

“We talked about looking behind the stables this year,” Rochester said. “It’s heavily wooded, and with the storms we’ve had of late, we thought there would be felled trees to choose from.”

“Lord DeLacey,” Rupert said, holding out a silver salver. “Your valet handed this missive to me. He said it came shortly after you left this morning, and he seemed most anxious that you receive it as soon as possible.”

Jonathan nodded and took the note, tucking it into his waistcoat pocket. He’d look at it after he made sure Melanie was safe.

They found the women exactly where Rochester said they’d be. “Melanie,” Jonathan called out to her, relieved to see her. Melanie stood and waved, beaming at him. She was a vision in red. Wearing a red and gray pelisse, her head was adorned with a red woolen hat tilted at a jaunty angle, a matching red woolen scarf was wrapped around her neck, and her hands were sheathed in matching red woolen mittens.

His first instinct was to enfold her in his embrace, but he couldn’t allow himself to do that just yet. Make such a public declaration. Not until Talbot was caught. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind that Talbot had killed Diana. But realizing that Talbot was on the loose made Jonathan even more worried.

He had to deal with the issue of Talbot, but he owed Melanie an explanation about Diana. He needed to tell her everything, but was there time to do that today?

Melanie stood and smiled, waving, and gestured that he join her. “I’m glad you made it back so quickly,” she said as he reached her side.

“It appears you’ve picked out the Yule log,” Jonathan said as Worsley and Rochester perused a huge log with numerous branches sticking out from its core. “That didn’t take long.”

“There were a lot of good prospects, but that one was clearly the winner,” piped up Lady Angela Wilde, Worsley’s younger sister.

“And what made you determine that?” Rochester asked with an arched brow.

“It’s the biggest and, therefore, clearly superior over the others,” the lovely brunette said.

“Really, biggest is best then?” Rochester said.

Jonathan bit back a laugh. Rochester’s meaning was lost on Lady Angela, who gazed up at the tall earl with bright blue guileless eyes. Jonathan had observed his friend over the past few days looking decidedly at odds whenever Lady Angela was nearby. Poor Rochester. Known for his quick temper, his constant cursing, and his preference for buxom widows, Rochester had had several vociferous exchanges with the outspoken yet na?ve beauty over the past few days. If he’d noticed the sparks between the two, he wondered if Worsley had noticed.”

Jonathan glanced at Melanie, who’d stopped to pick up evergreen branches for the mantel. Melanie was just as innocent as Angela.

“I think the Yule log is perfect, and once we finish decorating, it will look very festive,” Maggie said. “You could probably use one more man to help with that, dear. I don’t want you complaining of back pain over Christmas.” The countess’s voice was gentle but teasing.

“I promise I won’t complain,” Max said, kissing his wife on the cheek. “If you promise to save me all the gingerbread.”

Melanie gazed up at the striking features of the man beside her, captivated by how effortlessly he could coax a smile from her with just the slightest lift of his lips. It was a warmth that no one else had ever managed to evoke within her. “Would it help to reposition the log among the three of you? It might feel more secure that way,” her voice gentle and encouraging. The path ahead stretched long and unyielding, and she could see the strain in their postures. She noticed relief washed over Worsley and Rochester when they repositioned the heavy log. Besides, this gave her a way to speak with him at the rear of the log. With Angela and Rochester engaging in cheerful banter further ahead of them, she couldn’t help but wonder if her brother was beginning to feel something deeper.

She had been so relieved when the men had returned. She’d had an eerie feeling all morning. As though someone was watching her. But every time she turned around, she felt as though she’d just missed seeing a movement in the forest bordering the estate. Perhaps it was her mind playing tricks. Perhaps it was the fact that she’d had a restless night of poor sleep. Even so, she was happy that Jonathan was with her.

Jonathan had been helping her sort through boughs of ivy and garland. They were some distance away from the others. It was a good opportunity for her to speak her mind while they had a semblance of privacy.

“Arf!” Shep barked playfully, his tail wagging to make his presence known as he looked up at them with a smile on his face. Privacy, not counting Shep, of course, she thought as she bent down to pet Shep.

“Goodness! I had forgotten Shep was with you.” Jonathan grinned. “He’s a very intuitive dog. It’s impressive how he seems to read the atmosphere around him.”

“You’re fortunate he likes you,” Melanie said. She dug a treat from her pocket. “Shep, lie down. Lie down, Shep. The small white dog obeyed and slid down on his stomach, looking up at her expectantly.

“Good boy, Shep! Good boy!” Melanie fed him a treat.

“How clever.” Jonathan chuckled, squatting down to pet Shep, who wagged his tail with enthusiasm.

“I’ve watched him carefully observe everyone, but he has a soft spot for you,” Melanie said. “Don’t think I didn’t see you spoil him with crumbs from the shortbread the other night. I’ve never known him to be such an easy mark.”

“He’s just an astute judge of character,” Jonathan said, his grin widening.

“If there’s a stranger or a gentleman he doesn’t know or trust getting too close to me, Shep goes on high alert, giving them his famous side-eye.”

Jonathan laughed. “He gives the side eye?”

“Oh yes! But you won him over with hardly any effort. Even Gavin—who spoils Shep with treats, occasionally gets a growl.”

“In Rochester’s case, I don’t blame Shep. Rochester generally growls at everyone, too.”

Their shared laughter at her brother’s notorious temperament made her realize one more thing about Jonathan that she appreciated—their history. The fact that he had always been a part of their lives. Part of the family. Melanie took a deep breath and decided to plunge ahead with what she had to say. “May I speak with you on a matter of some importance?”

Jonathan inclined his head, a faint smile playing at his lips. “Certainly. I had hoped to speak with you as well, but pray, do go on.”

Melanie nodded. The sooner she did this, the better. “Jonathan, yesterday I behaved rather poorly, and I need to apologize. I’m sure you saw me standing at the window of the parlor yesterday when you were speaking with the Dowager Duchess of Aumale. I apologize for spying on you.” She rolled her eyes. “Poor choice of words given your work. In any case, I knew you had wanted to speak with me. Rachel told me. But I remained in my room for the rest of the day.”

“You have nothing to apologize for, Melanie,” Jonathan said softly.

“No, I need to because I behaved foolishly, dare I say, like a silly little girl.” She sighed. “You see, when I saw Diana making moon eyes at you and whispering in your ear, I went a little… I became a little…”

“Jealous?” he asked, his lips twitching.

“Well…yes. Darn it, Jonathan, I’ve loved you my whole life, but I realized it was a foolish girl’s fancy, but then it changed into something more and…” Her words faded away as she realized what she’d said in a frustrated burst. She could feel the flush of embarrassment creeping up her neck and was grateful for the knitted scarf and the cool bite in the air that had already pinkened her cheeks. Melanie watched his eyes widen. He opened his mouth. Then closed it. Then cleared his throat.

Oh Lord, why oh, why did I say the L word? She wished she could go back in time and un-say what she’d just blurted out. What if he didn’t feel the same way? What if he only cared about her? What if she’d read too much into their late-night kiss in the kitchen? Why won’t he say something?

“Melanie…” he said finally. “Melanie,” he said again. “I am involved in a final case. A serious case. The very last one,” he began. “Please trust that while I have always cared for you, my feelings for you now are different. Something more to use your words…” He hesitated. “This is probably not the best place to have a discussion. Your brother keeps shooting me dirty looks. I believe he thinks I’m shirking my log-carrying duties. So, after we bring the Yule log in, why don’t you say that you lost your hat.” He reached up and gently removed her hat, looking about to make sure no one had noticed, before stuffing it in his coat pocket. “I’ll go with you to find it.”

Melanie smiled. Small waves of butterflies did somersaults in her stomach. “I will if you promise to kiss me,” she said boldly. “Like you did the other night.” Oh Lord, there was no turning back now . Mama, I’m taking your advice and fighting for what I want. It felt good to do that. To act. Even if it meant risking a broken heart. Because what was the use of being in love if you didn’t take a chance?

“That is an excellent suggestion,” he said, winking at her. “I can’t think of anything I’d like more at this moment.”

They hauled the log into the parlor, and as the women were decorating it, Jonathan remembered the note in his pocket. “Rochester, Worsley, may I have a moment with you in the study?”

“Oh dear! I’ve discovered my hat is gone. I’ll need to go back to look for it,” Melanie said with a glance at Jonathan.

“If you can give me ten minutes to show the men something important, I’ll be happy to escort you back over the path to look for it,” Jonathan said, tucking her red woolen hat further into his pocket.

“Thank you,” she replied with a smile. “I’ll be waiting.”

Jonathan wasted no time showing the missive to his friends. “This note confirms what we already suspected. We need to plan what to do next. If he killed Diana, and it does appear that way, he’s become even more dangerous. I suspect that they were lovers…or even partners.”

“Perhaps she was X,” Rochester suggested. “I wouldn’t have put it past her.”

“She was certainly some sort of contact…I don’t know if she was the contact,” Jonathan said. “If it hadn’t been for that bottle of wine, I wouldn’t have put Talbot and Diana together.”

“You could be right,” Worsley said. “I am familiar with several cases connected to him where he used arsenic to kill a foe.”

“Yes. Exactly. I avoided sharing his bottle of wine when he offered it to me until I saw him drink from it just before we arrested him in Paris,” Jonathan said.

“It was an unusually colorful label on the bottle. Sometimes, it’s the small, seemingly insignificant details that trip them up,” Rochester said.

“Unless he wanted us to know,” Jonathan said. “I wouldn’t put it past him.”

“Whatever his reasoning, the man is a fiend and needs to be stopped,” Worsley said. I will speak to Maggie and let her know I’ll be assisting you. I cannot in good conscience let you go on your own. That’s a recipe for disaster.”

“I’ll speak with Grandmama,” Rochester added. “She’ll understand?—”

“No,” Jonathan interrupted. “The women will need someone here to watch over them. Worsley and I will go. Besides, this is my case, and I need to end this.” Jonathan was anxious to leave, but he had to speak with Melanie before they left. He would not have time for their walk or their talk, and most importantly, that kiss he promised her.

Rochester nodded grimly. “Very well, I’ll stay and keep watch here. But be careful, Talbot is as slippery as an eel.”

They discussed what they had planned, and then, as they began to make their way back to the drawing room, they heard a woman’s scream.

Jonathan’s heart leaped to his throat as they rushed into the drawing room just as Angela burst in from another door. Her face was pale, and her eyes were frantic as she cradled an unconscious Shep in her arms. “Help! Melanie has been abducted!” Her voice shook with urgency, her eyes wide with fear.

“Tell us everything that happened,” Jonathan said calmly but urgently, not wanting to upset the girl any more than she already was.

Angela was trembling, but she quickly told them everything. She’d suggested to Melanie that they look for a few more of the large pinecones, and she had been standing a few yards away when a masked stranger suddenly attacked Melanie. Shep, brave as ever, had bolted after the mysterious man, managing to tear a piece of the man’s clothing in his desperate attempt to stop him. He’d also bitten through the dark wool pants, his teeth sinking into the man’s leg. The assailant had howled in pain, picked Shep up, and hurled him against the cold, unforgiving stone wall of the house, leaving the little dog limp and in distress. Then he pressed a cloth to Melanie’s face, and she fainted straight away. He hauled her over his shoulder and turned to run for the woods.

The color drained from Jonathan’s face, and his heart pounded with fear. “Where exactly were you?”

“Out back—behind the kitchen,” wailed Angela, trembling as she cuddled Shep.

“Oh, dear God! You’ve got to find my darling granddaughter,” Grandmama cried out, her voice filled with desperation. She and several of the older guests were laden with vibrant, satin ribbons. Their eyes were wide with shock.

“This is all my fault,” Angela lamented, her eyes glistening with tears.

“No, it’s not your fault, Angela,” Rochester said in an uncharacteristically gentle voice as he took the unconscious dog in his arms. He seemed as though he’d wanted to say more just as Maggie moved forward to wrap her arm around her sister-in-law’s shoulders.

“Do you remember anything else?” Worsley asked, taking his sister’s hand in his. Anything the assailant may have said?”

Her eyes widened. “He-he told her he had been waiting a long time to have her.”

“It’s Talbot. It must be,” Jonathan ground out.

“I’ve sent for Doctor Jones,” Rupert said, rushing into the parlor.

Jonathan turned to Rupert, his expression serious and focused. “Also, can you round up as many footmen as possible? We need to search the grounds thoroughly.

Without wasting a moment, the servant nodded and rushed from the room, moving with speed seldom seen from him, even in his younger days. Jonathan noted how it contrasted sharply with the household staff’s measured pace. He turned to the dowager countess, who stood tall despite the tears streaming down her cheeks. His gaze steady, he spoke with compassion and resolve, “I promise…we will find her.”

And he would make Talbot pay.