Blakewood Read online

  “I was only trying to scare her into being quiet about me and Mildred,” he blurted.

  “You will leave Blakewood now. You will not come back. You will not say anything about what you think you know goes on here. And, if you ever touch Elizabeth Mason again, I will open you completely and leave nothing behind that will identify you.”

  “Leander?” Richard stood in the door of the stables, Elizabeth just behind him. She’d gone to the manor and had only found my brother there to bring back.

  “There you see? She’s probably sleeping with him, too!” George pointed at her.

  Hit him, Marcus taunted.

  When I hit him, it was harder than I should have, and I sent him flying backwards. I didn’t wait to see if he could stand before leaping forward atop him so I could drive my fist down into his face. A moment later, Richard’s arm circled around my neck, and he hauled me back and to my feet.

  “Calm yourself, brother! What is this all about?”

  “You will leave here, or I will kill you with my bare hands.” I told George as he groaned and struggled to his feet. He staggered to the door, and Elizabeth stepped aside to allow him room to pass. He didn’t even look at her as he left.

  “Get off of me!” I shrugged Richard away and faced Elizabeth. “Did he hurt you?” She shook her head. “I told you to keep to the house at night. Marcus was here, saw what happened, and did nothing to help you,” I snapped. “You are vulnerable when you are alone. What must happen for you to understand that?”

  She stared at me as if I’d struck her. “You think I looked for this to happen? That I am to blame?” She lifted her chin. “If that is how you feel, I retract my invitation for you to come to my room as you like. I must be careful and protect myself from all vulnerability.” She whirled and raced back toward the manor.

  I watched her go, feeling more the fool than George had looked. With a glance at Richard, I ran a hand through my hair in frustration.

  “I told you she would not be good for you,” he reminded.

  “I’ve had enough for the evening, Richard. Perhaps if you want to judge me or her, you can wait until morning.”

  He inclined his head and waited to follow me in silence back to the manor.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Taking a breath, I lifted my hand and rapped my knuckles against the door of Elizabeth’s room. She’d not come down earlier, and Richard had decided to take Ritchie with him to London for the morning. Nothing stirred from inside.

  “She’s in my room, sir.” Mildred called as she entered the corridor. “She’s been there all night.”

  I turned and faced the young woman. “Did she tell you what happened?”

  Her gaze dropped to the floor as she nodded. “I’m sorry, sir. You aren’t going to send me away are you?”

  My heart went out to her. “No, of course not.”

  I saw her breathe out with relief. “Are you going to tell my father?”

  “He will know the truth sooner or later. He may take it better if I’m the one to tell him.” I eased her responsibility of having to confront her father.

  “Thank you, sir.” She hurried past me and into Elizabeth’s room.

  “Is Elizabeth still angry with me?”

  “She thinks you blame her for what George did.” Mildred looked at me. “I’m the one who sent her out there, sir. I was so ashamed. It wasn’t her fault.”

  “I lost my temper.” I frowned. I wasn’t terribly proud of my behavior.

  Mildred smiled and nodded. “She told me. I’m not the least bit sad for George. He shouldn’t have put his hands on her. I’m glad you did what you did, sir. I wish you’d hit him again.”

  “It did nothing to resolve your predicament or hers,” I argued.

  “No, but it certainly made me feel better to hear about it,” she said over her shoulder as she set about tidying up the room. “If I had known how horrible George really was, I would have done better meeting up with Marcus Highcrest!” When she realized what she’d said, she looked at me with a look of horror. “Not that I would, sir. I’m not the kind to just lay down with any man. I only meant…”

  I held up my hand to stop her chattering. “I know what you mean, Mildred. I would suggest steering clear of men altogether until you find a gentleman who will marry you before you give away any part of yourself to him.”

  She snorted. “A gentleman wouldn’t want a maid, sir. And I doubt any man will be interested now. Most don’t want a woman with a child.” I saw the pain in her eyes and opted not to say anything. Instead, I left her to do her work and set off to the servant’s quarters in search of Elizabeth. She’d already left Mildred’s room, however, when I got there, and it was an hour later when I found her in the kitchen with the cook.

  “Leave us,” I told him.

  “He needn’t go anywhere,” she argued sharply, but the cook hurried from the kitchen as instructed.

  “I’m sorry for yelling at you last night,” I told her when she moved to stir the meat he’d been stewing. “I was angry at George and perhaps at Richard for intervening. I took it out on you, and I do apologize.”

  She didn’t look at me, so I stepped closer. “Elizabeth,” I whispered reaching for her shoulders. “Please, I was angry for what he’d done to you. So angry. That, on top of my father…” I stopped, surprised I would speak so easily about him.

  “Your father?” she repeated. Her voice revealed the tears she’d recently shed and that I’d been the cause shamed me. I never wanted to hurt her. Sliding my arms around her, I pulled her against me and bowed my head next to her ear. “I’m sorry.”

  She turned in my arms, her red-rimmed eyes tearing my heart to shreds. “I know. I forgave you as soon as I got back to the manor. What is this about your father?”

  “Never mind. It doesn’t matter.” I lifted my hand to her face then kissed her lips gently. “I love you.” The words were out before I could stop them.

  What did you just say? Marcus’ shock swirled through my mind. Heaven help me. It was true. I loved her.

  “And I love you,” she whispered. Those three breathy words made my heart soar, and I kissed her again, deeply. Her tongue danced around mine, and her arms swept over my shoulders. I couldn’t hold her closely enough, kiss her deeply enough. Her scent filled my lungs, and I shook with need.

  “Leander.” Beatrice’s voice cut through that heated fog like a cold blade.

  I looked up to find her standing at the doorway. “Go away.”

  “Claudia is waiting.” Beatrice didn’t budge.

  “You’ve not fed?” Elizabeth asked softly.

  Reluctantly, I released her and stepped back. “Not yet.”

  “Leander, don’t do it to her.” Beatrice bustled forward. “She doesn’t know what loving a vampire means. She only knows her affection for you. It isn’t fair to her.”

  “What?” Elizabeth was frowning, looking between the two of us.

  It was Beatrice who answered. “If he keeps you as his, only his, which is what he will do if he follows his heart, he will feed off of you. Once you are bitten, things will change for you. You become his.” Beatrice frowned, her voice hardening, “He will feed as he likes from you, no matter how weak you become. He will keep you full of his offspring and feed and feed and feed.”

  “It doesn’t have to be like that,” I argued.

  “Doesn’t it?” She whirled to look at me. “Isn’t that exactly what happens? The two of you will crave what you are together and, while you become stronger, she’ll weaken. Her entire life will consist of producing sons and letting you drain her of her life. She will wish for death, but even that is robbed from her since your bite will slow down her aging process.”

  Elizabeth took a step backward, away from us. I shook my head. “My father was cruel. I am not. It wouldn’t be like that.”

  Beatrice faced Elizabeth again. “He will become jealous of your relationship with your children. He will resent you when your body cannot produce m
ore children. He’ll bring other women home while you are made to sit and watch him do to them what you crave—against your own will—that he would do it to you instead. Your hurt will make him angry so when he does feed off of you again, it will be with anger. And when he’s gone, when you are finally rid of him, you will hate yourself and still want for him.”

  “Stop it.” I told her. “You are frightening her.” I could see the fear in Elizabeth’s expression, smell it on the air.

  “She should be frightened! She should know exactly what loving a vampire means.” Beatrice’s gaze flashed. “It’s unfair not to tell her the truth. It would be less cruel to let Marcus have her in his way, where she won’t feel the tug in her heart, where she’ll just be an evening feeding. Don’t do this to her, Leander. Don’t. It will destroy you both.”

  I couldn’t hear anymore, and I didn’t want to watch the horror building in Elizabeth’s eyes. I couldn’t bear it. Turning from them, I left the room, fury and disgust heavy in my heart. Beatrice was right. It wasn’t fair to her. Upstairs, I slammed my door closed. It was safer to keep things the way they were. But would that be enough for me?

  No. Marcus answered the question for me. It won’t be enough. You saw what happened with Sebastian. You don’t want to become what he was. And you will if you take her as your mate.

  “It doesn’t have to be like that!” I yelled.

  But it will be. No matter how much you hate Sebastian, he is your father. You can’t fight what you are.

  “Leander!” Richard’s voice bellowed through the manor, shook the walls. Instantly, I was out the door, nearly running down the stairs. I slowed when I found him standing at the foot of them, glaring up at me.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Everything. I just found out that police officials are looking for Marcus Highcrest. He’s wanted for murder.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  “The woman was Opal Trevors. She was seen with Highcrest at a local pub an hour before her murder.” Detective Colville stood in the center of the green salon, arms crossed. “We were told this is his residence.”

  I frowned. “I wouldn’t call it his residence since he spends more time in London than he does at Blakewood.” The safety of my family and Blakewood was now in jeopardy. We’d worked hard to keep who and what were a secret and all of that could be pulled right out from under us. To make matters worse, the detective wasn’t one easily convinced. I could see suspicion in his eyes.

  “Is he here now?”

  Yes. He was always there, but I avoided answering. There was no way to explain Marcus’ existence—not to a detective at any rate. “Can you tell me exactly what happened, Detective?”

  Colville glanced around the room at my brother, Beatrice, Mister Simpers, and Elizabeth. “The victim was found in an alley, raped, and bludgeoned to death.” Mrs. Loman gasped, and Elizabeth lifted a hand to her mouth.

  Lies. Marcus thoughts found me. I wanted to believe him.

  “I told you, brother. It was only a matter of time until something like this happened. He’s unpredictable.” Richard scowled.

  “I don’t believe it. I can’t. Marcus…he couldn’t do such a thing,” Elizabeth whispered.

  “He’s capable of anything,” Richard argued.

  “No, not this.” Elizabeth shook her head.

  Beatrice lifted her chin. “I agree with Miss Mason. Marcus Highcrest is a lot of things, but he didn’t do this. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him raise his voice at a woman. It would be beneath him to do so.” She stepped forward. “I believe you are investigating the wrong man, Detective.”

  “We know from witness accounts that Highcrest was there the night of the murder. We know he had relations with the victim. We also know the two of them were seen together an hour before she was found in the alley.” Colville glanced between Beatrice and Elizabeth before bringing his attention back to me. “You won’t mind if we search the house and grounds?”

  I didn’t do it. Marcus insisted silently.

  I lowered into a chair and looked down at my hands. These hands, I thought, my hands killed someone.

  No! Marcus argued.

  “Mister Overton?” Colville called. When I looked up, I found him watching me.

  “I’m sorry. It’s just a shock.” I took a breath. “Of course. Feel free to search wherever you like.” I watched him nod before exiting the room to call in the officers that were still outside.

  “Something needs to be done about him.” Richard waited until the door closed behind the detective. “He’s ruining this family.”

  Elizabeth stepped forward. “Leander, he didn’t do this. Why would he? Beat a woman to death? You know he didn’t do this.”

  “You defend him at every turn,” Richard accused.

  “And you convince yourself he is the worst of men, but I know he is not,” Elizabeth snapped. “He and I were alone a number of times, and he never once showed any sign of violence. I’ve cut him to the core before and not even so much as a shove. Now, suddenly, he takes to killing women in alleyways? You know it’s not true of him!”

  “I know that he is capable of anything and has the morals of the very devil.” Richard frowned, but I could see there was a trace of doubt there behind his eyes.

  I didn’t do it.

  “He says he didn’t do it,” I echoed.

  Richard laughed coldly. “Of course, he does. I suppose he denies even knowing the woman.”

  I allowed Highcrest to come forward so he could speak himself. “I knew her. I knew her well. And I was with her that night, but I did not kill her. Why would I kill something that was submissive to whatever I wanted?”

  Elizabeth rushed forward and threw her arms around me. “I know you didn’t do it, Marcus. You don’t have to defend yourself any further.” He lifted my hand to her back and kissed the top of her head. I could feel his affection for her, and it surprised me.

  “Thank you, love. I only wish those who’ve known me the longest had such conviction.” He looked at Richard over her head.

  “Why should I believe anything—”

  “Why shouldn’t you?” Marcus demanded. “Didn’t I protect you as much as I did Ander? Didn’t I take the beatings so that you were spared? Wasn’t I the one that tended to your mother when your father had drained her to near the point of death because neither of you could bear to see her like that? What more do you need from me Richard?”

  Elizabeth’s face was filled with pain when she looked up at me. Pain and pity. I closed my eyes. Don’t.

  “I did not do this,” Marcus said. I searched his memories. There had only been a few times when he’d blocked me out, left me only in the dark with no knowledge of what was going on. He’d done it more when we were children, so I wouldn't see my father’s rage. Now he opened his memories to me completely, and I could see he was telling the truth.

  I opened my eyes. “He’s telling the truth.”

  “When they search the manor, how will we explain Claudia and the others?” Elizabeth whispered as she took a step away from me.

  “They know what they are to say if asked about their presence here,” Beatrice assured her.

  “I should go to Ritchie. He will be frightened with all the strangers in this place.” Elizabeth turned and hurried from the room. When she was gone, Beatrice ran a hand across her forehead.

  “Sebastian would know what to do.”

  “No!” I didn’t mean to say it so loudly.

  “He could make all this go away,” Richard agreed.

  “He is not coming back to Blakewood,” I said with finality, but I could feel he was close and getting closer. He was moving fast. I would have thought him responsible for the murder himself except for the rage that came with him.

  All three of us turned toward the door moments before it opened. My throat closed. Before, in the dark, he’d not appeared so imposing. Now he seemed bigger than life. Hate raged through me but behind that, to my horror, was relief.

 
; “Beatrice, collect the staff and inform them of the men in this house.” I forced myself to think past his presence. For a moment, Beatrice just stared at him, as if unable to move. When he looked at her, I saw his eyes soften.

  “What are you doing here?” I demanded as I strode forward to stand between the two of them.

  “Trying to keep this family’s secrets safe, son,” he answered. “Go, Beatrice.” Behind me, she finally moved to do as she was instructed.

  “Richard, have Francine and Elizabeth take the children away from here. Put them up in a hotel in London for the next few days.” When Richard looked as if he might argue with me, Sebastian sent him a glare that silenced anything he thought to say. I watched my brother lower his gaze before doing as he was told, reminding me very much of when he was a boy.