Chapter Twenty-Eight

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

LEVI OVERTON, DUKE OF LENNOX

"T herefore, you're not to leave my side." Levi crushed Miss Braddock to his chest, as though the very act would prevent anyone from attempting to take her from him again. "Is that understood?"

She glanced down at her ruined bodice, his favorite blush crawling into her cheeks. "Are you going to watch me change my gown?"

"I shall assist you," he replied, a grin tugging the corners of his mouth.

"Won't that lead to…" The blush darkened.

"To?" He knew what she meant, but the delightful pink coloring in her skin ignited his blood, and he didn't want the hue to fade.

"Relations." She whispered the word.

"Only if that's what you desire," he said, cupping her face. "I can restrain myself, Eveline. I'm not a brute."

Her teeth dug into her lower lip. "And if I don't want you to maintain your control?"

"Your brother will spend the night—and quite probably the next day—in prison. And you," he said, need flooding his body, "will scream my name until you know no other word."

Indecision flashed through her eyes, and the fact that she was considering leaving Mr. Braddock in prison caused Levi's heart to swell.

He leaned forward, pressed a searing kiss to her lips, and reluctantly pulled away before his body overrode his mind.

"However, I doubt your brother will allow us any time together if we extend his stay solely for carnal pleasure."

Miss Braddock pouted, a brief flash of disappointment crossing her face, then she nodded, climbed off Levi's lap, and rose. "I suppose he suffered quite a bit when I vanished."

"And we should end his distress as soon as possible." Levi lumbered to his feet and followed her across the parlor floor.

She spun in the doorway, scandal washing across her face. "Your Grace, you cannot remain in my chamber while I dress."

"I promise to face the hallway." Pasting on his most sincere expression, he slapped a hand across his chest. "I prefer your brother's support, not his ire, and releasing him from prison quickly will assist me with that quest."

Miss Braddock agreed, and, true to his word, Levi stood, body rigid, in her chamber doorway, with his back to her, imagining every detail of what was occurring behind him.

"I was thinking," Miss Braddock said in his ear, startling him from his fantasy. "If Miss Drummond was demanding money from me, it's probable she was doing the same to others."

Levi spun, disappointment sliding through him when he discovered Miss Braddock fully clothed.

"She knew you. To extort someone else, Miss Drummond would need?—"

"Merely to overhear a conversation and make an assumption." Closing her door, Miss Braddock placed a hand on Levi's elbow. "She pushed the wrong person."

"Can you think of any lady with that type of violent tendencies?" he asked as they strode down the hallway.

She hesitated at the top of the staircase. "I believe Mrs. Sinclair physically punishes her daughter for imagined transgressions. However, I have no proof."

"Would Mrs. Sinclair pay to keep that secret hidden?"

"If Mrs. Sinclair were concerned with her reputation, she'd escort her daughter to every function," Miss Braddock said as they descended the steps. "I haven't seen her for most of the season."

"Nor have I." Levi retrieved his jacket from the parlor floor, then stopped at the coat rack and grabbed a fur-lined pelisse, which he draped over Miss Braddock's shoulders. "Hopefully, Mr. Hughes, Roxburghe, and Miss Webb discovered the owner of the lace during their investigation."

Levi requested Miss Braddock wait in the doorway while he confirmed the shadowy garden did not contain Mr. Drummond—it didn't—before he signaled for Miss Braddock to join him on the snow-covered pathway.

When they reached the street, Miss Braddock said, "I don't remember much from your arrival, but shouldn't your coach be here?"

Gingerly, he touched his fingers to the cut on his forehead. "I made an error in judgment, which caused the coach to crash into a tree and throw me from the driver's bench."

"What was the error?" Her face paled.

"I instructed Mr. Spencer to speed." The corner of Levi's mouth pulled. "I'll be without a coach for several weeks."

She spun, her blue eyes wide, and blocked his progress. "Considering the outcome had you not risked your life and coach to reach me, I do not consider your choice a mistake."

"I'll be certain to share your gratitude with Mr. Spencer." Taking her hand, Levi brought her fingers to his mouth. "We should find a hackney before we both freeze to death."

Miss Braddock's silence during their return to Mr. Venning's house greatly disturbed Levi. Despite the warmth of the hackney cabin, her coat, and his arm around her torso, she trembled, her eyes unwavering from the window.

"He'll not reappear at the ball," Levi said, hoping his statement was true.

"He knows where I live," she murmured and twisted around. "Do you intend to guard my house until our wedding?"

"Stay at mine." Before she could protest, he added, "With your brother, Miss Webb, and her sister."

Miss Braddock stared at him for a long moment. "And Mr. Philbert's ghost."

"Warwick has been residing at my lodgings for two days without incident." Levi drew her closer. "He thinks the house is secure. However, if it concerns you, we could request sanctuary at Roxburghe's estate."

She fiddled with the fur cuff on her sleeve. "Is the Duke of Roxburghe's conservatory as grand as yours?"

"It's not."

"Then I'll risk an encounter with Mr. Philbert's spirit."

Pleased by her admission, Levi leaned back on the bench, keeping Miss Braddock curled into his side. He told himself it was for her comfort; however, he immensely enjoyed the sensation of her body pressed into his.

When they arrived at the Venning residence, Mr. Venning stood out front, puffing on a cigar. Catching sight of Levi's face as he descended the carriage, Mr. Venning recoiled but made no mention of the bruising or the deep laceration.

"Your Grace," Mr. Venning said, expelling a large cloud of smoke. "We've sent home all the guests except for three families."

"Which three?" Levi asked, his hand finding its place on Miss Braddock's hip.

"Creasey, Sinclair, and Wilmington." Mr. Venning rubbed the back of his hand beneath his red-rimmed eyes. "It grieves me to think one of those ladies killed my niece."

Levi's gaze slid toward the house. "Has Mr. Hughes named the guilty party?"

"Not yet." Mr. Venning drew a long puff from his cigar, then exhaled, watching the smoke curl around his head. "My nephew, did you see where he got off to?"

"Mr. Drummond and I had unfinished business to attend, after which he decided to leave town immediately," Levi replied, unable to keep the growl from his voice. "He sent his regrets."

"Ah." Mr. Venning clucked, his gaze raking over Levi's face. "And I suppose your injuries resulted from that discussion."

Levi didn't confirm Mr. Venning's suspicion, but his silence was enough that Mr. Venning offered an apology anyway.

"Lennox!" Roxburghe froze halfway across the foyer when he spied them in the entryway. "What happened to you?"

"Mr. Drummond."

Roxburghe raised his eyebrows, asking a silent question.

"He's no longer a visitor to Wiltshire." Levi's arm tightened around Miss Braddock. "However, I think it wise to transport the ladies—and Mr. Braddock, once we free him—from Miss Braddock's home to a more secure location."

"And have you determined this new residence?"

"My home."

Roxburghe nearly choked. "May I please witness the moment you inform Mr. Braddock of this plan?"

Levi's eyes narrowed. "It will already be in motion by the time he's released from prison."

"You are assuming we're going to uncover the identity of Miss Drummond's killer." Roxburghe led them into the ballroom, where a small group of people gathered in the far corner.

"How long must we be held captive, Mr. Hughes?" Mrs. Creasey's irritation rolled toward them.

"Until I confirm your daughter didn't push Miss Drummond over the banister," Mr. Hughes snapped, rubbing his creased forehead.

"That's the issue," Mr. Venning said, keeping his voice soft. "It's impossible to match the lace to the gown as all three young ladies used the same modiste."

Miss Braddock glanced at Levi, her eyes lighting. "I may have a solution. Announce that a ledger recording the money Miss Drummond received in exchange for silence was discovered in her chamber and that we're going to decipher the scribbles in the study. Whoever attempts to stop us will be the killer."

"And if nobody does?" Mr. Venning asked, stepping in front of Levi and stopping them halfway across the floor. "This crime cannot remain a mystery."

"Have you an alternate idea?" Levi asked, his empathy for Mr. Venning's situation spiking.

"I suppose not." Mr. Venning sighed, straightened his jacket, then strode with purpose toward the small group, announcing, "We've discovered new evidence."

Face pinching, Mr. Hughes pushed through the people surrounding him and met Mr. Venning before he reached the corner of the ballroom. "What did you find?"

"A ledger," Mr. Venning boomed, "in my niece's hand, filled with names, dates, and amounts of money received, was uncovered in her chamber by my daughter."

Mr. Hughes' face remained neutral. "Do any of the ladies' names behind me appear?"

"We need time to interpret Miss Drummond's notes," Mr. Venning replied, glancing at Levi. "Arabella couldn't understand what was written."

He'd said that to protect his daughter, a strategic move Levi wholly understood because if the ruse didn't work, Miss Venning might become the killer's next victim.

"Show me this book," Mr. Hughes said, pointing toward the exit. "We'll look it over in your study."

He and Mr. Venning departed the ballroom, with Mr. Venning leaning in and murmuring low phrases as they exited through the doorway.

Mrs. Creasey released a dramatic sigh. "Thankfully, this ordeal will soon be over."

"Are you certain Miss Creasey's name isn't written?" Mrs. Wilmington asked, her arm wrapped around her daughter's shoulders.

Eyes narrowing, Mrs. Creasey stepped forward. "And you're wholly certain that Miss Wilmington's name doesn't appear?"

"Of course," Mrs. Wilmington said, tightening her hold. "Caroline has no secrets."

Mrs. Creasey snorted. "All ladies possess secrets."

"Miss Braddock?" Miss Sinclair's soft voice startled both Miss Braddock and Levi, who hadn't noticed her silent approach. "May I have a word with you?"

"Certainly." Miss Braddock strayed a few steps away from him, hovering just outside his reach.

Chewing on her lip, Miss Sinclair nodded toward Levi. "I'd like the Duke of Lennox to hear my confession as well."

"What did you do?" breathed Miss Braddock, her eyes rounding.

"You know that my mother disapproved of our connection," Miss Sinclair said, winding her fingers into knots. "A sentiment she shared with Miss Drummond and Miss Venning when they called upon us the day the first article was published about you."

Realization crossed Miss Braddock's face, and she reached out, placing a hand on Miss Sinclair's trembling shoulder. "Did Miss Drummond inform your mother that you'd visited me?"

Miss Sinclair nodded. "She'd seen me at the game night and, while my mother and Miss Venning were occupied, requested a large sum of money for her silence."

"Did you pay her?" Levi asked, his gaze sliding over a discolored portion of Miss Sinclair's face.

"I did." Her gaze met his. "My mother doesn't believe in mercy for transgressions."

"How many times will Mr. Hughes find your name in the ledger?" Levi moved to the opposite side of Miss Sinclair, trapping her between himself and Miss Braddock.

"Once." Miss Sinclair released a shuddering sob. "Before I could leave for the printer, Miss Drummond returned and demanded another payment. I had nothing left to give, and she informed my mother that I'd been consorting with Miss Braddock."

They meandered toward the exit, gliding slowly toward the doorway. Levi stayed two steps ahead to ensure he could stop Miss Sinclair should she attempt to flee.

"The punishment was severe, and I couldn't move from my bed for two days." Miss Sinclair paused just outside the ballroom and spun toward Miss Braddock. "I came here tonight for an apology. However, Miss Drummond merely laughed and demanded more money."

Miss Sinclair twisted around, anguish marring her features, and grabbed Levi's forearms. "She said if I didn't keep paying her, she'd write my mother daily with a contrived falsehood until Mother beat me to death… I had to push her to save my own life."

"That confession,"—Mr. Hughes stepped from the shadows—"will be enough to free Mr. Braddock from prison this evening. I'll have him transported to your residence, Miss Braddock."

Levi stopped Mr. Hughes before he escorted Miss Sinclair from the house and said, "Would you return Mr. Braddock to my home?"

"Won't he want to be near his sister?" asked Mr. Hughes.

"She'll also be residing at my lodgings."

For the remainder of her life. The thought warmed his chest.

Mr. Hughes' eyebrows raised, and he leaned in, lowering his voice. "That's bordering on scandalous. Are you certain you wish to proceed with this notion?"

"It keeps Miss Braddock protected from Mr. Drummond should he return seeking vengeance," Levi said, taking Miss Braddock's hand. "In addition, Miss Webb, her sister, and, I'm quite certain, most of my friends will be relocating to my residence until our wedding."

"And after our union?" Miss Braddock asked, turning to him. "Do you intend to evict each one of your friends?"

"Yes." Levi wiggled his eyebrows and brought her hand to his lips.

"Miss Braddock?" Miss Sinclair reached out but didn't touch Miss Braddock. "Please forgive my desperate action."

Pulling free of Levi, Miss Braddock flung her arms around Miss Sinclair. "We'll speak with the magistrate and explain the extraordinary details surrounding your situation."

"Thank you." Tears streaming down her face, Miss Sinclair turned to Mr. Hughes and nodded, allowing him to lead her from the house.

"Such tragedy." Mr. Venning appeared in the doorway of his study and shook his head. "My sister's children were extremely unruly when they were younger. I hoped time had changed their natures, thus my invitation to them both. However, it appears quite the opposite occurred, and I must offer my apologies for the suffering they caused."

"Did you inform your sister of her daughter's death?" Levi asked, keeping Miss Braddock at his side as he walked toward Mr. Venning.

"I'll write her this evening. Although, I suspect Humphrey will recount the horrific details to his mother before my letter arrives." Mr. Venning sighed and glanced at the spot on the foyer floor where his niece died. "You'll receive no further trouble from Humphrey. I'll advise his mother that he's no longer welcome."

Levi opened his mouth to express his gratitude, but Mr. Venning waved his hand.

"Consider the act an apology for inviting trouble into your and that of your lovely fiancée's peaceful lives." Mr. Venning clapped his hand to his heart, bowed, and then trudged toward the ballroom.

A loud cheer and several gasps met Mr. Venning's announcement that those remaining were free to leave due to Miss Sinclair's confession.

Mrs. Creasey, her head bent close to her daughter, appeared in the doorway and sniffed. "I always suspected there was something amiss with that girl."

Bristling, Miss Braddock marched over to them, stabbing her finger at the older woman. "Miss Sinclair was a victim, preyed upon by callous individuals who only cared for themselves."

"She is a murderer," Mrs. Creasey hissed, not hiding her judgmental tone. "And she's exactly where she belongs."

Miss Braddock leaned closer. "When you're wondering why no man has proposed to your daughter, look to your unforgiving attitude as the cause."

Mrs. Creasey's eyes nearly burst from her head. Snapping her mouth shut, she grabbed her daughter's wrist, yanked her around Miss Braddock, and stomped toward the exit.

Levi wrapped his arms around Miss Braddock's trembling body. "Am I to assume the Creaseys will not be invited to our wedding?"

Snorting, Miss Braddock lifted her eyes to his. "And when will our wedding be, Your Grace?"

"Yes, when?" Roxburghe asked as he emerged from the ballroom with Miss Webb on his arm.

Levi flicked his gaze to his friends as they spilled into the foyer. "There's an important matter that needs to be discussed after we transport Miss Braddock, Miss Webb, and Miss Fernsby-Webb to my home."

"Why your residence?" Roxburghe's eyes narrowed.

"It would be improper for Miss Braddock to reside there alone," Levi said, his arms unwilling to release Miss Braddock. "And since Mr. Drummond is aware of the location of her current living situation, none of the ladies should remain there until we're certain the threat has passed."

"We'll transport their belongings immediately," Roxburghe replied, then grinned. "However, since my fiancée will be changing locations, my presence at your lodgings will become permanent until we are married."

Levi's mouth twitched. "Is that your argument against allowing me your wedding date?"

"I'm not giving you my date," Roxburghe snapped.

* * *

One week later, five dukes, less Grisham, gathered in Levi's study to officially witness to his downfall.

Raising his glass, Levi stood before them and acknowledged each man in turn. "My friends, I've requested your presence this evening to formally admit my loss and ask for a favor."

"The answer is still no," Roxburghe replied, the corner of his mouth pulling into a smirk.

Levi scowled at him. "Mr. Braddock is constantly underfoot."

"And now, you are suffering through my predicament." Draining his cup, Roxburghe set the glass on a small table beside him. "Miss Fernsby-Webb is quite tenacious herself when it comes to protecting her sister."

"You need a distraction," Beaufort said, gesturing between them with his glass. "Someone who will entertain both Miss Fernsby-Webb and Mr. Braddock."

"Are you volunteering your services?" Levi asked, exchanging a glance with Roxburghe.

Beaufort shrugged. "Warwick has been here nearly a fortnight, and Mr. Philbert hasn't once tried to possess him. I suppose I could stay here as well."

"Perhaps he's waiting for your body," Warwick grumbled, slashing his cane in Beaufort's direction.

Suddenly, the study door opened, and a gaunt man with hollowed cheeks and dark hair strolled into the room. The glass slipped from Levi's fingers and hit the rug, shattering and soaking the bottom of his trousers with sherry. Disbelief flowed through him.

"Richard?" Levi took a step toward his brother. "I thought you were in the country."

"I arrived a month ago." His brother swiped his shaggy hair from his eyes. "Your friends saw me in the corridor a few days ago. How could you not know I was here?"

"Only Roxburghe knows what you look like!" Levi flung his hands in the air. "We thought the house was haunted."

Richard burst out laughing and doubled over, placing his hands on his knees. The riotous sound drew Miss Braddock and Miss Webb from the parlor, and they appeared in the study doorway, their faces sharing various shades of confusion.

"Eveline," Levi glided to her side and drew her into the study, "I'd like to introduce Mr. Philbert's spirit… my brother, Mr. Richard Overton."

She laughed, then curtsied. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Glancing at Levi, Richard—his face devoid of emotion—asked, "Is this my future sister-in-law?"

Levi nodded once. "She is."

"Thank the Lord!" Leaping forward, Richard enveloped Miss Braddock in a gruff hug. "I feared if he waited any longer, I'd have to carry out the duties of the firstborn."

"That's enough," Levi said, only partially teasing as he pulled Miss Braddock from his brother's arms. "If you want a wife, there's only one available woman in this house."

"Actually," Miss Webb said, strolling toward Roxburghe, "my sister may already be spoken for."

"By whom?" Beaufort demanded and slammed his glass down beside Roxburghe's.

A ghost of a smile flitted across Miss Webb's face. "I don't recall the gentleman's name."

Miss Braddock snickered and pressed her face against Levi's chest, hiding her smile.

"What is it?" he asked quietly, hooking his finger under her chin and lifting her eyes to his.

"Miss Webb is scheming again," she whispered.

"Again?"

Gesturing between them, Miss Braddock blushed. "You were her first endeavor; the Duke of Beaufort is her second."

"Then, I must thank her," he said and bent his head, his mouth stopping a breath from hers. "She knew my heart before I did. Perhaps she knows Beaufort's as well."

The intoxicating scent of lily of the valley washed over him, lighting the desire that never seemed to extinguish.

"Where's your brother?" he murmured as the delightful fire raged through his body.

"Waiting for me in the parlor," Miss Braddock replied, the vibrations of her voice tickling his lips.

"He's going to be waiting for you for a while." Taking Miss Braddock's hand, he led her from the study and down the corridor toward the greenhouse. "Have I ever told you where to find my favorite place in the world?"

She gestured at the—repaired—glass door. "I assume it's your conservatory."

"Incorrect." He lifted her hand to his lips. "It's any location that contains you."

The End

Three members of the Wiltshire chapter of the Wayward Dukes' Alliance remain unattached, but Cupid has already turned his attention toward a new victim.

Falling to the charms of Miss Fernsby-Webb, the carefree Duke of Beaufort finds himself attempting to convince a lady uninterested in marriage that he's the sole man worthy of her hand.

Preorder Never Beguile a Duke (Dukes and Wallflowers, #3) - part of the Wayward Dukes' Alliance series – and discover why one should never beguile a Duke.

Alyssa