Chapter 35
WILLIAM FELT LIKE HE was floating on a cloud. He wanted to find the tallest tower in the manor, open the windows and announce to the world that he was to marry the most beautiful, intelligent, intriguing woman to have ever graced the land.
His body ached for her. If it were up to him, he would sling her over his shoulder and take her directly up to her rooms again. The thought of ravishing her was only second to his intense need to know her more intimately. Indeed, the hour that they’d spent entwined together, discussing their lives and their future had been the most blissful moment of his life.
William grasped two glasses of champagne off the drinks table. When he turned, he was surprised to see one of the newcomers, Rob, talking to Mab. William’s body clenched, a primal desire to mark his claim on Mab flooding his veins. This was immediately replaced by a different primal need, the need to protect, as Mab uncrossed her arms and jabbed a finger to Rob’s chest, resulting in Rob snatching Mab’s wrist and squeezing. William just made out Mab’s hiss of pain before red clouded his vision.
William was unsure what he did with the glasses of champagne, for they were no longer in his hand as he marched across the room. Rob only had the briefest moment to react, in which he dropped Mab’s wrist and managed a single step backwards, before William had him pinned against the wall, his forearm pressed against his neck while his other hand clenched the fiend’s wrist at such an angle that William need only exert the slightest of pressure and Rob’s wrist would snap.
The entire room quietened, the band wheezing to a stop as all eyes fell on William’s back.
“Mab, did he hurt you?” William growled.
“I assure you, I only grabbed her wrist to stop her from prodding—”
“I did not ask you ,” William spat. “I asked my future wife if she was hurt.”
A few elated gasps came from the crowd and, despite being pinned to the wall, there was a brief flash of contempt that marred Rob’s face.
Mab’s hand came to rest on William’s arm. “Well, we didn’t manage to keep that a secret for long,” she muttered under her breath. “No, William, I am not hurt. You may let him go.”
William released Rob from the wall, ensuring to take a step in front of Mab. Rob stumbled but managed to regain his balance. It was only then that William realised three guards had joined the throng, Wilfred among them. He was surprised that none had intervened.
“Mab, do you wish us to escort Rob out?” Wilfred asked, a deep fissure between his brows as he glared at Rob.
Mab swatted William away, taking a step to his side. Her back straightened, her tone steely as she said, “That shouldn’t be necessary. I believe Robert was under the impression that I was available as I do seem to have misplaced my corsage. Now the question of my availability has been made crystal clear” – she glanced at William, her look disapproving if it weren’t for the fact that the corner of her lip was curled in amusement – “I think Robert will place his efforts elsewhere.”
Wilfred and the two other guards glared at Rob.
Rob straightened, fixing his jacket. “My sincerest apologies, Mab.” Rob bowed deeply. “I fear my emotions did briefly overcome me. It is only I was incredibly shocked to find you here, as I do believe you were engaged to me .”
The crowd sucked in a shocked gasp, one that only the fire still pulsing in his veins stopped William from sharing. William immediately recalled what Mab had told him in the greenhouse about the man her father had accepted a proposal from.
Mr Robert Alabaster. He was a despicable man, from what little I saw of him.
If Mab thought he was a despicable man, then William trusted her instincts. Indeed, the way he seemed to control the crowd, inserting his narrative into the exchange, was unnerving.
“I was disappointed when your father called things off. However, I suppose that with you being here, he most likely thought it the best decision at the time. I do so wish we might have had a second chance in meeting here,” Robert said, his voice laced with regret that did not match the tight features of his face, “but, alas, it was not to be. Please do accept my congratulations on your engagement, and I will not bother you further.”
Rob bowed once more before sweeping into the bewildered crowd.
As the music began again, the throng dispersed.
William turned to Mab, lifting her wrist for inspection. He could make out the red finger marks Rob had left, and he regretted not breaking his arm when he’d had the chance.
William was about to say as much when Wilfred appeared at Mab’s side and said, “I do not like him.”
Mab pulled her wrist from William’s hold and turned to face the guard. “Nor do I. But I believe my dislike stems simply from a gut feeling.”
“My gut is usually correct.” Wilfred glared at Robert, who had slinked into the dark corner of the room. Finally, he turned to face William, the barest hint of a grin on his face. “Speaking of gut feelings, congratulations on your engagement! I do believe I called the match on your first night here.”
Mab’s eyebrow raised in confusion, to which William answered, “Wilfred here claimed that he knew Benedict and I would be a perfect match for Tilly and you.”
“Is that so?” Mab said, disbelieving.
Wilfred nodded, his grin growing even wider as he stared at something beyond Mab’s shoulder. “It is so. And I do believe I am about to be proven correct for the second time this evening. Now” – Wilfred returned his gaze to Mab – “If you will excuse me, I shall take a turn about the room.”
Wilfred tilted his head to where he’d been staring before slipping into the crowd. William and Mab turned in sync to find the crowd parting for Benedict and Tilly, walking towards them, arm in arm. The two disbelieving guards followed them into the ballroom, having abandoned their post at the door to catch a glimpse of the couple.
Mab looped her arm in William’s, her head resting on his shoulder as she let out an excited “ Aw !”
Benedict was practically quivering in delight as he escorted the young girl slowly through the crowd. Tilly’s gaze was on the floor, but William could still make out the blush of her cheeks and the smile on her face. Her gloved fingers held on to Benedict’s outstretched arm for support, while the other hand clasped at the pendant around her neck, which William could only assume to be the shell Benedict had presented her with.
Dutifully, no one made eye contact with Tilly, but the moment she had passed them, an excited hum permeated through the crowd.
Only when the pair came to a halt in front of William and Mab did Tilly finally raise her gaze from the floor. She practically beamed at Mab, who returned a knowing look to the young girl.
“Would you like to tell them, dear?” Benedict said in barely a whisper to Tilly.
Tilly shook her head, her cheeks reddening as she whispered, “Would you?”
William knew that Benedict had most likely intended to whisper so that only William and Mab could hear. Alas, his excitement seemed to get the better of him, and he loudly proclaimed, “We are to be married!”
A series of gasps and the sound of hands clasping against mouths issued around the room. Tilly must have caught sight of the stunned crowd behind William, for her eyes widened, her face drained of colour, and she began to shake. A split second later and she bolted. She was through the doors before anyone had a chance to register what had happened.
“Tilly!” Benedict called, spinning on his heel and racing after her.
Wilfred’s voice boomed through the crowd as he made his way towards the exit, beckoning the other guards to follow him.
Mab and William followed, pushing through the crowd until they made it to the hallway.
“Where is Jones?” Wilfred asked, glancing at the vacant position on the stairs.
One of the guards who manned the door said, “I saw him escorting an inebriated guest to the front door just before Tilly came down.”
“And why weren’t you at your position?” Wilfred snapped.
“I, em, we popped our heads into the ballroom for just a second,” he replied sheepishly.
Wilfred, wearing a look of exasperation, marched to the stairs and hollered, “Davis!”
“He was escorting Emily to the infirmary,” William said. “I believe she had twisted her ankle.”
Wilfred slapped his hand to his face. He drew out a deep breath before saying, “Alright. We need to find her. White, go directly to her rooms. Smith, alert áine and Angus. Flint, search the east wing. Mab, William, would you check the west wing as we are so few on the ground?”
“Of course,” William and Mab said together .
“Good. I will search the grounds in case she attempted to go to Arabella’s cottage.”
A guard came panting out of the ballroom. “Someone saw her from the terrace. She’s outside!”
Wilfred looked at the guards. “Well? Go on!”
There was a flurry of motion as all the guards ran towards the front door, and a moment later, William and Mab were alone in the corridor.
Mab’s eyes were wide, her brows knitted in concern.
“Don’t worry, my love,” William said, pulling her close to him. “It was likely just overwhelming having her engagement announced so publicly.”
William decided that the moment he had Benedict alone, he would remind him just how timid a creature he had wooed and that he would need to school himself in the art of subtlety.
Mab slipped her hand into his, directing him to the closest table to retrieve a candle. “I’m sure that’s it. It’s only ...”
William picked up a candlestick and handed it to Mab before selecting one for himself. “Only what?”
Mab blew out a breath. “I’m really not quite sure what it is that I’m trying to articulate.” She directed him towards a dark corridor. “It is just ... she didn’t appear overwhelmed, but rather ... fearful.” Mab shook her head. “It was rather like the night she first bolted from my room. One moment she was fine, and the next thing I knew, her demeanour changed in a split second.”
The shuffle of cloth had them both turning on their heels, glaring into the darkness. William stared for a moment but saw nothing.
Satisfied that nothing was amiss, they continued down the corridor. William presumed Mab had a destination in mind, for they didn’t check any of the rooms they passed.
“What had you been discussing when she bolted?”
Mab finally came to a halt in front of the last room. She twisted the door handle and stepped inside. A fire cast a soft glow over the room, catching on the foiled letters of the many, many volumes that lined the walls. A table with a tall stack of books sat at the far end of the room, a few of the books opened and earmarked as if the reader had been disturbed in the middle of an intensive research session.
“Blast,” Mab said, crossing to the window and inspecting the latches. “I thought if she had tried to get to Arabella, she might have used the same room as before. Anyway, we had been discussing the reason as to why I was sent to Aunt áine’s. I was just telling Tilly about my father accepting a marriage proposal to Robert when a crash sounded from the room beside—”
Something clicked inside William’s ivory dome. “Mab,” he interrupted. She glanced up at him as he crossed the room to her side. “Did you mention Robert by name?”
Mab stared up at William in confusion. “I ... I don’t recall.”
William rather thought Mab had rubbed off on him. He took a leaf out of her book and decided to take a cognitive leap that he certainly would not have been capable of just a few days ago. He took the candle out of her hand and set it on the desk alongside his own. If he was correct in his thinking, having a flame in her hand in a room of flammable objects was a recipe for disaster.
“Do you not think it odd that she bolted the first time when you were discussing your forced engagement to Robert, and bolted again when she was in the same room as him?”
Mab sucked in a breath, her eyes widening as she brought her hands to her face. “You don’t think—”
“Well, this does rather put a kink in my plans.” Robert’s icy voice pierced the room.
In a single movement, William twisted on his heel, pushing Mab behind him. He would have lunged at Robert, the fire in his blood demanding justice for Tilly and for what could have happened to his Mab had her father not called off the engagement. However, Robert was pointing a double barrel Flintlock at him, and William’s only thought was to use his body to shield Mab .
“Do you know just how much effort I put into finding the perfect heiress?” Robert sighed. “I really thought I’d found the ideal candidate in you, Miss Dubarry. No living male siblings. A father who was old enough that a sudden death was explainable. I even went so far as to begin to learn the family business for a swift takeover. Your uncle dying so suddenly was unfortunate. I hadn’t quite ingrained myself in the business as much as I had wanted to, but it was a boon that your father was desperate to secure a marriage, even if you weren’t. I had planned to force your hand, Miss Dubarry. But your father was quite adamant that it was not to be, and to stop calling at the house as you would soon be journeying to look after an ailing aunt. All that hard work for nothing . And not even another notch on my bedpost as a consolation prize.”
William took a short step backwards, Mab following his lead. If he could just get her to the window, she might be able to unlock it. They just needed to keep him talking.
“Was that your plan for Tilly too?” Mab asked over his shoulder.
“Matilda!” Robert barked a laugh. “I have to say it came as quite a shock to see – what does she call herself now? Tilly? – here! You know, I applied to be here as a last-ditch attempt to find an heiress. What a shock that both you and Matilda were here! You alone, I could handle. But poor Matilda ...” Robert stared off wistfully before clacking his tongue against his teeth. “What I did to that poor child in my attempt to gain her apparent fortune ... The moment she recognised me, it would only be a matter of time before the entire manor knew what I’d done to her. Just look at the pair of you! You figured it out in no time. Unfortunately for you, I do intend to escape this situation unscathed.”
“And how do you plan on doing that?” William asked. He felt Mab stiffen behind him and heard the barest clink of the window lock.
“As fortune would have it – or, rather, as I planned it – there appear to be no guards around as they are all outside looking for Tilly . There will be no one to hear the gunshots when I get rid of the pair of you. Then I simply have to find Matilda and that buffoon.”
“And then what?” Mab called, her voice loud enough to cover the creaking of the window latch. “How will you explain four dead bodies?”
“I won’t. I’ll simply make one of you look like a suicide and let everyone come to their own conclusions. Matilda did it because she was frightened. Benedict did it because he couldn’t cope with how timid Matilda was. William did it because he was jealous. Mab did it because she found out William had attacked Matilda. I do not care what speculations people come up with, so long as they keep my name out of their mouths.”
“You can’t possibly think anyone would believe such a ridiculous narrative?” William bellowed, covering the creak of the latch once more. Fear prickled over his skin.
No.
The latch was stuck.
“I don’t think you understand just how little choice I have in the matter. If I do nothing, I will be found out as the man who defiled Matilda. And just the slightest enquiry would reveal a bevy of similar crimes, some of them quite bloody. You have pushed me into a corner. And a desperate man must take his chance and see where the cards fall.”
William had one chance. If Mab couldn’t escape through the window, he would need to lunge and hope that Robert was distracted enough that she could slip past him. He just needed to get close enough to him—
The noise was deafening to the point that William thought he’d been plunged under water. He barely registered Mab’s scream or the prickling sensation that consumed his body. It was all he could do to remain on his feet and shield Mab, hoping he could stand long enough for Robert to have to use his second shot on him instead of Mab.
William’s prayers were not to be answered, though. His gaze fell to his chest, his white shirt now almost entirely stained with bright red blood. When his legs finally gave way, the moment his knees hit the floor, a second shot went off.
His vision began to blur as his face met the Persian rug, and he was quite surprised to see Mab’s face in front of him. He managed to focus his vision just enough to take in the tear rolling down the side of her cheek, and her bloodied, outstretched hand as it came to rest on his face.
With the last of his strength, William brought his hand to rest atop of hers.
“ Shhh . I’m here,” he said, attempting to keep his voice steady.
He was determined to remain awake, to not allow his Mab to be alone. He watched her eyes flutter, her gaze unfocused.
Another gunshot sounded around the room, but William put it to the back of his mind. Only when her eyes closed and her hand went limp beneath his did the last of his strength leave his body.
A single thought echoed through his mind, just as darkness took him.
He might have come into this world with nothing, but he was leaving it with the woman he loved.