The Queen's Gambit (The Wonderland Series: Book 4) Read online

  “Please don’t, Frances,” I replied, my eyes welling with gratitude. “You’ve waited long enough, and a little happiness is just what this house needs.”

  “How can we celebrate when you are suffering so?” Frances asked gently. As I looked at her in the gray January light seeping through the leaded windows, I suddenly realized how much she’d changed. Gone was the wide-eyed, fearful girl, leaving a composed and self-assured young woman in her place. Frances was now eighteen, a woman in her prime by modern standards, no longer a child. She was right; the thought of a celebration seemed almost obscene, but we had no right to ask Frances and Archie to put off their wedding. It was their time, and Hugo and I had to swallow our bitterness and give Frances and Archie our blessing. They’d earned their happiness, and we would be happy for them.

  “It’s the cycle of life, isn’t it? Hugo and I married a month after you lost Gabriel. Life is all about endings and new beginnings; I couldn’t possibly ask you to wait any longer than you already have.”

  “And his lordship?” Frances asked carefully.

  “He feels the same,” I replied. I didn’t think Hugo gave the upcoming wedding much thought, but I knew that he understood the importance of finding reasons to move forward.

  “I will miss you so much, Frances,” I said tearfully. “You are like the sister I never had, but always longed for.”

  “Neve,” Frances began, looking at my face in a searching manner, “Archie and I have been thinking.”

  “What about?” I wasn’t sure what Frances was going to say, but my voice trembled with hope.

  “Staying.”

  “Really?” I could barely keep the relief out of my voice.

  “This house is big enough for several families. The thought of leaving you after all we’ve been through feels rather like losing a limb… or two.”

  “How does Archie feel?”

  Frances gave me a sweet smile, one that had Archie written all over it. “Archie needs a bed, something to toss in his belly, and a few horses to commune with. He doesn’t care if we live in a cave. You know he’s not a man of many words, but he loves you all with all his heart.”

  “Oh, Frances, I would be so happy.” I froze momentarily, unable to believe that I’d just mentioned happiness. Was it possible to be happy after losing a child, even for a moment? The truth was that it was. The thought of Frances and Archie not leaving made me happy, and rather than push the feeling away and feel ashamed, I embraced it, and felt a tiny glow in my heart. I’d lost my precious baby, but at least I wouldn’t be losing two more people that I dearly loved.

  Frances watched the emotions playing over my face, and I could tell that she understood. She didn’t say anything, simply walked over and put her arms around me, and we stood like that for a few moments until Michael squeezed himself between us and tried to hug us both with his little arms.

  “It’s time for your nap, young man,” I said to Michael and scooped him up. He wrapped his arms around me and laid his head on my shoulder. He still smelled like a baby, and I inhaled the wonderful scent, thankful for the sweet little boy who loved me unconditionally.

  “I love you, darling,” I whispered, savoring the moment. Michael’s eyes were already drooping, so rather than make him walk up the stairs, I carried him up. I hadn’t realized how much heavier he’d grown, since I hadn’t spent much time with him since Hugo had returned from Reading. Now it was time to get a handle on my grief and be a mother to my two remaining children.

  “One day at a time,” I told myself as I trudged up the stairs with Michael snug in my arms. In the meantime, I’d thought of something that might make the wedding a slightly less somber occasion for all involved. I wasn’t sure my plan would work, but I had to try.

  Chapter 30

  Liza Timmins hitched the mule to the cart and made sure Johnny was sufficiently bundled up for the journey. It would take her close to two hours, but despite the cold, it was worth the trip. The news of Hugo’s return had dominated the gossip in the tavern for several weeks, poor folk having nothing to do but speculate about their betters, but the last piece of news got Liza’s full attention. Poor people’s children died all the time, and no one cared, but when a lordling’s child died, it was all anyone talked about. She did feel sorry for the little lass’s passing, God rest her soul, but it couldn’t have come at a better time. Too bad it wasn’t the boy who caught the pestilence, Liza mused as she set off for Cranley.

  The local gossips said that it had been Hugo himself who’d brought the sickness home, a fortuitous coincidence. Hugo had always had a longing for children, and Liza knew with absolute certainty that he would be devastated by the loss of his child; not only devastated, but feeling guilty and vulnerable, especially with Christmas just come and gone. Now was the time to strike, if there ever was a right time, and she would not let this opportunity pass. She’d taken her chances with Lionel Finch, and had assured herself a life of comfort for over two years, and now she would take her chances with Hugo. They’d been close once, and she knew how to manipulate him better than he might expect. Hugo would never respond to threats or demands, but he would respond to kindness and humility. She only hoped that witch of his wasn’t there to ruin the moment. Liza would have to bide her time and catch him out on his own.

  Johnny fell asleep soon after they got on their way, so Liza laid him down in the cart and enjoyed her solitary ride. It wasn’t often that she was out and about, enjoying the day, cold though it was, rather than doing endless chores and looking after her mam. Well, today the girls could do it while she saw to their future. If things went her way, they could be set for life — all of them.

  The pitched roof of Everly House came into view shortly before noon, and Liza felt a momentary panic before she admonished herself and drew a few calming breaths. She just had to stick to the plan, and everything would be right as rain. Going up the drive might alert Lady Everly to her arrival and get her hackles up, so Liza stabled the cart at the inn in the village and walked the rest of the way. Johnny was heavy in her arms, but he was awake now, looking around with interest as they approached the big house. Liza positioned herself behind a large oak where she had a good view of the front door. She hoped Hugo would come out soon since it was cold, and she could do with a warm drink and a meat pie for her trouble.

  Liza was beginning to despair when the door finally opened, and Hugo strode out. He took her breath away as he stopped on the top step for a moment to pull on his gloves. She hadn’t seen him in over three years, but the draw was still there, the heart still not indifferent to the man who’d once shared her bed. Hugo had changed in subtle ways; his hair now longer and his face leaner. He was a little thinner, but he looked stronger and perhaps a little meaner, or maybe those were only the lines of grief etched into his face. Hugo walked down the steps and set off for the stable, likely to fetch his horse. He liked to ride without a saddle whenever possible, so wouldn’t have been expecting a groom to lead out the horse.

  Liza took a deep breath and stepped out of her hiding place, materializing before Hugo like a restless ghost. She didn’t say anything, just curtsied prettily, not an easy thing to do with a child on her hip.

  “You dare to show your face here?” Hugo demanded as he took her measure. He didn’t look angry, just wary, and tired.

  “I’ve come to offer my condolences on your loss, Hugo,” Liza answered demurely, her eyes searching his face for signs of weakness. If only she could find the chink in his armor.

  “It’s Lord Everly to you, and I have no need of your sympathy,” Hugo replied, his head tilted to the side, his eyes watchful.

  “’Tis a terrible thing to lose a child.”

  “What do you want, Liza? Don’t imagine that I don’t know you’d betrayed me to Lionel Finch. So how much was my life worth?” Hugo asked, a bitter smirk on his handsome face. So, he knew. That would make her mission more difficult, but not impossible, Liza mused as she tried her best to look contrite. He hadn�
�t walked away, so there was still a chance she could talk him ‘round.

  “Your life is priceless to me,” Liza replied, her color rising in indignation. “You don’t understand, your lordship; he threatened me. I was frightened, and had no one to turn to.”

  “Really?” Hugo asked conversationally. “And how did Lionel Finch come to know of you, or of your connection to me?” Hugo asked, leaving Liza momentarily speechless. She hadn’t thought of that, but it didn’t matter.

  “He was a very resourceful man, Lionel Finch was,” Liza replied, hoping that would put the matter to rest.

  “Leave now,” Hugo said. His voice was quiet, but laced with threat. “If you were a man, I’d have you horsewhipped.”

  “I thank you for your mercy,” Liza persisted. “I only wanted to tell you that you have other children, besides the one you’ve lost.”

  Hugo remained silent, waiting for her to go on. This was her big chance; the reason she’d come. Liza took a step forward, turning Johnny to face Hugo. Johnny was wide awake, his dark eyes studying the man before him. He was a friendly child, and smiled at Hugo in his disarming way. Liza noted the softening of Hugo’s features. He wasn’t indifferent to the child, so perhaps this would actually work.

  “You have a son, Hugo. This is Johnny. Won’t you come and meet him?” Liza cajoled, inching closer to Hugo. Johnny reached out a chubby hand and Hugo took it, despite his obvious misgivings.

  “And how old is Johnny?” Hugo asked as he studied the little boy.

  “Why, he’s nearly three,” Liza replied proudly. “A few months older than your eldest girl. And a fine, strong boy he is; just like his father.”

  Hugo remained silent as he studied the boy, so Liza, feeling emboldened by his silence, went on. “I didn’t come to ask you for anything; just wanted you to know that you have another boy. Your eldest, you might say,” she added.

  Hugo suddenly smiled. It was a smile she recalled well, warm and genuine. He’d smiled at her like that before that slattern who was now his wife showed up. Well, she’d done it. She’d hooked him. Was it really going to be so easy? Liza wondered as she smiled back, already hearing the jangle of coins in her nearly empty purse. Hugo would take care of his boy; he’d take care of them all. Despite his gruff exterior, he was a kind and honorable man. He’d take care of his spawn, not like so many other men who left a trail of bastards in their wake, as indifferent to their fate as they were to the fate of the women they’d ruined. She’d trusted her instinct, and once again it had seen her right, Liza crowed to herself as she stepped closer still, bringing Johnny almost face to face with Hugo.

  “I would dearly like to strike you,” Hugo said softly, “but that would be ungentlemanly and might frighten the child. So, I will put this in a manner you will understand. If I ever see you here again, or if you ever again presume to try to trap me, you will live to regret it, and so will your poor fatherless bastard. Get off my property, and never show your face here again.”

  “I took you for an honorable man, Hugo Everly,” Liza fumed. “A man who would not turn his back on his own flesh and blood.”

  “And I wouldn’t, except that this child is neither.” Liza took a hasty step back as Hugo moved toward her, his eyes filled with menace.

  “I’m going,” she spat as she turned on her heel and fled. Liza didn’t stop until she was halfway down the drive, her heart hammering in her chest like a jackrabbit. Johnny was smiling happily, having enjoyed the bumpy ride. “More,” he begged, as he tried to bounce in her arms.

  “Sorry, my lad, but you’ll have to walk from here,” Liza said as she lowered him down on the ground. Johnny gave her a pouty stare, but accepted her hand and began to walk, his attention instantly taken up by two squirrels who seemed to be fighting over a pine cone.

  Liza stood quietly for a few minutes, allowing Johnny to watch the squirrels while her heart slowed down to a normal pace. Her scheme had backfired. She always knew it might, but she’d been so close. Hugo seemed taken with the boy, and he had listened to her, rather than just throwing her off his land at first glance. Perhaps he would have a think and change his mind, but if he didn’t, there was more than one way to skin a cat, as her mam used to say, and she was far from defeated.

  Chapter 31

  Hugo watched Liza hurrying away, her back rigid and her arms straining with the effort of carrying the child. He wouldn’t have actually done anything to hurt her, but she took his threat seriously, the fear visible in her eyes. The boy gazed at Hugo over her shoulder, his dark eyes watchful as if sensing his mother’s distress. He was a sturdy child, with round cheeks pink from the cold and a sweet smile, which he bestowed on Hugo before turning away. Hugo mentally wished him well and turned toward the stables.

  Seeing Liza had been unexpectedly disturbing, and Hugo felt a sudden twinge of guilt gnaw at his soul. He’d never made advances to Liza, but she had been an ambitious girl who made it clear that she was there for the taking should he wish it. And he had wished it. He hadn’t realized how lonely he’d been until Liza came to his room one night and simply climbed into his bed. He meant to tell her to leave, opened his mouth to chastise her, but the need for human contact proved stronger, and he’d taken what she was giving, allowing himself a few hours of emotional and physical release. Liza had not been a virgin, and she knew what she was about — in bed and out. She was lively, playful, and knew how to lighten his mood, which was often dark in those days.

  Their association, for he couldn’t call it anything else, lasted for about a year. No promises had ever been made, and no future had been discussed. What future could there have been? Hugo liked Liza, indulged her when he could, and tried to make her feel appreciated, but she was a servant. They both knew their place, or so he thought. Hugo had taken every precaution against pregnancy. He wasn’t the type of man whose morality was elastic enough to allow for bastards. There were those who gave no thought to the consequences, but Hugo was not one of those men. Had Liza ever gotten with child, he would have taken care of her and his offspring, but this child couldn’t be his, especially given the timing. But, the fact that Liza had chosen to approach him at a time when he was at his lowest, proved once again that she wasn’t as naïve or helpless as she once pretended to be. Liza was a survivor, and she would latch onto any opportunity that presented itself to further her own ambitions. She’d nearly cost him his life once, and if he knew anything, it was that Liza wasn’t finished with him. Not yet.

  Hugo mounted his horse and took off for Nash House. He hadn’t seen Brad since he left him in Beth’s care just over two weeks ago. It’d been seventeen days, but it felt like seventeen years. Seventeen days ago he had three children; seventeen days ago he’d been whole. But he had to be grateful; he still had Neve and the children.

  Hugo smiled ruefully as he thought of Neve, his fingers going subconsciously to the scratches on his face. What had he done to deserve a woman like her? Whatever his past transgressions, God had seen fit to put Neve in his path that fateful day — a day that changed both of their lives forever. Neve was his lifeblood, his heart. She understood him like no other, and although he was deeply ashamed of his behavior the other night, he knew that his wife had known exactly what to do to break through his self-imposed exile. Had she allowed him to leave for London, their marriage would have been irrevocably altered, their relationship forever fractured. Perhaps some part of Hugo felt that he no longer deserved to be loved or have a family, but Neve brought him back. She broke through the wall of grief he’d erected around himself, and allowed him to release some of his pain without blaming him or seeing him as being weak.

  There were times when Hugo wished that he could erase all previous liaisons from his past, but as Neve pointed out, his experiences made him who he was, and shaped him as a man. She didn’t seem to mind that he’d been married before, or that he had taken other women to his bed. And he felt a deep sense of relief at the knowledge that he could tell Neve about Liza’s visit without havi
ng to hide the truth. Neve knew he’d been with Liza before he met her, and she would believe him when he said the child wasn’t his. Strange what it takes for a man to realize how blessed he is, Hugo thought as he galloped toward Nash House, his heart suddenly lighter than it had been in weeks.

  Chapter 32

  Brad was fully dressed and downstairs, sitting by the fire in the front parlor with a book in his hands. His injured leg was propped up on a stool, and the thickness of his thigh beneath the cloth of the breeches indicated that it was heavily bandaged, but at least Brad felt well enough to get out of bed. His normally ruddy complexion had lost some of its healthful glow, and he’d lost weight, but he looked remarkably well for a man who’d been close to death only a few weeks ago.

  Beth sprang to her feet from her seat by the window where she’d been working on some embroidery. Her face was anxious as she approached Hugo, her needlework forgotten.

  “Hugo, how are you?” she asked, her question encompassing everything from his physical well-being to his emotional state.

  “I’m all right,” Hugo replied as he took Beth’s hands in his. “Really.”

  “And Neve?”

  “She’s managing; we all are.”

  “I suppose that’s all anyone can expect,” Beth replied as she threw a grateful look at her husband. “I’m sure you two have much to talk about. I’ll leave you to it.”

  “Thank you, sweetheart,” Brad said as he smiled tenderly at his wife. “Just have Millie bring some refreshments for us.”

  “As if you have to remind me,” Beth said with an indignant scowl, which instantly transformed into a smile as she saw the look of contrition on Brad’s face. She blew him a kiss and left the room, closing the door softly behind her.

  “Hugo,” Brad said as he clasped Hugo’s hand warmly. Brad looked sick with grief as he beheld his friend. “Nothing I say can possibly make up for what you’ve lost, and I feel so responsible for the part I’ve played in Elena’s death. Is there anything, anything at all I can do?”