To Love and Protect Read online

  “Your mama was the only woman for me, princess. And now you are.”

  “Well then, I guess I will just have to stay here and take care of you forever.”

  “No, you will find some fine, upstanding man, marry, and have lots of children. Then I’ll have lots of grandchildren to bounce on my knee.”

  “Papa, I’ll never find a man as good you. I would rather just stay with you and not marry at all.” Then his brow would crease as if something concerned him greatly.

  Clarissa rested her head on one of the squabs and stared out the window. They had just had one of these conversations shortly before he started courting Lorraine.

  Had she pushed her father into that woman’s arms? She never meant to worry him. And she had always meant what she said. She would rather be with her Papa than do anything else. Clarissa loved their time in the country where she could read and ride. Oh, goodness, she had caused all this. Whatever her father currently suffered, regardless of if Lorraine was behind it, Clarissa blamed herself. Clarissa bit her lower lip hard to try to stem the tears she felt building behind her eyes, but for once it did not work. They fell silently from her golden lashes and lightly ran down her cheeks.

  Clarissa heard a gate creak open, and soon they were passing through with two hounds chasing and barking after them. She bent her head and quickly dashed away any signs of the tears. No more crying. Tears will not bring Papa back, she mentally shook herself. Justin stretched awake on his seat and Clarissa gently shook Gertrude awake. “Gertie, we’re here.”

  “Already? Well, that was a quick drive, wasn’t it?” she asked, stifling a yawn. One corner of Clarissa’s lip quirked up in a grin. “Clare you are so beautiful when you smile,” Gertie caressed her cheek fondly, “you really should do it more often.”

  “When I know Papa is all right, I will. I promise you.” Gertrude nodded her head in acceptance.

  “Ladies, shall we?” Justin disembarked from the carriage and held out a hand to help the women. “Meet King and Prince. Do not be afraid, they have more bark than bite.” The big dogs went straight to Clarissa, butting against her legs for attention. Clarissa patted each dog in turn talking gently to them before following Gertrude and Justin inside. Justin stopped at the door and petted the dogs once more before uttering a command that sounded very guttural. The dogs perked up, before turning in opposite directions and running towards the perimeter of the property. When he saw Clarissa’s curious expression, he clarified, “The guard has been set.”

  “What about Franklin?”

  “Between the boys and my people, you have nothing to fear. You’re as safe as you can possibly be here.”

  “Thank you for your help. And I apologize for running off earlier this morning. I thought I was doing the right thing.”

  Justin inclined his head before turning and calling, “Barkley,” down the hall.

  “Yes, young master?” Justin rolled his eyes. Only Barkley still called him young master, making him feel all of about five-years-old sometimes. Barkley had flyaway reddish-white hair and always looked sedate in his butler’s uniform.

  “Barkley, we are going to have two guests for a few days.”

  “I will have two rooms readied right away. It is good to see you again, Lady Heathrow.”

  “You as well, Barkley.”

  “A few days? We should be searching for my father immediately,” Clarissa insisted.

  “Would you two ladies come with me?” Justin asked, ignoring her. They followed him into a very sedate parlor. The decor was done in cream and pale blue with manly accents scattered here and there. When his mother decorated, she tried to make every room welcoming to anyone who might occupy it.

  Justin shut the door and Clarissa whirled around, hands placed firmly on her slim hips. “Well?” She demanded.

  “Darling, hear him out. I’m sure Justin has a good reason for everything he’s doing.”

  “Thank you, Gertie,” he bowed to his godmother.

  Clarissa rolled her eyes and turned, crossing the room to look out the window. The dogs were frolicking off in the distance. She saw her father’s carriage disappear around a bend as if it were headed back to London. It traveled at a leisurely pace, and why not? Why should Franklin be in a hurry? He knew where he could find her, and evidently she would be here for a while.

  “Are you ready to listen?” She heard Justin ask from across the room.

  “I’m listening,” she said, refusing to turn around.

  “I have business in London tomorrow that I cannot get out of.” At that, she spun around, her hands fisted at her side, her mouth hanging open. He took a deep breath, deciding the only way she would be happy was if she knew the entire truth. He also did not care for subterfuge and did not like coming up with empty excuses time after time. “Clarissa, I work at the Foreign Office. I have a debriefing with the Director about my last assignment. There is no way I can miss this meeting.”

  Her mouth closed, and she spun back around to look out the window. Had she really employed the help of a government spy? He worked at the Foreign Office? He is half Scottish. Do they really allow people who are not pure English to work in such a lofty office? Of course, he is also half English. Clarissa Blackerby, you sound like a snob, she reprimanded herself.

  “Your mother never told me you were doing work for the government.”

  “Mother doesn’t know.”

  “Justin,” Gertrude sounded quite alarmed.

  “Now I will have to tell her. It would kill her to know that you know something about her own son that she doesn’t. Father and I felt it best that she not know right now, especially with the instability on the Continent.” He did not mention the death of his brother, but it weighed heavily on his mind. He looked at Gertie and saw how bright her eyes had become and knew she thought of Jonathan as well.

  “Yes, I believe she should know,” the older woman said getting herself under control.

  “Back to the matter at hand,” Justin directed them back to the conversation. “There is no way I can get out of this meeting other than death, and since I am not planning on an untimely demise, I will be leaving for London in a few hours.”

  “When do we leave to look for my father?”

  “Two days at the most.” She nodded her head in agreement.

  “Gertie, I have some bad news.”

  “I can’t go along, can I?”

  “I’m afraid not. It’s going to be too dangerous. I wish Clarissa would change her mind about going but since it is her father, I don’t foresee that happening.”

  “You do not have to talk about me as if I am not here.”

  “Pardon my callousness,” he gave a deep bow to Clarissa.

  “Nor do you have to be sarcastic.”

  “Are you positive the two of you can do this without killing one another?”

  “We’ll see,” they said in unison.

  “You two make yourself comfortable. I have some things to see too before I leave.”

  “Two days?” Clarissa asked before he left the room.

  “I promise,” he turned and paused at the door. “Do you promise not to run off on your own again?”

  “I promise,” she said, sounding much too sweet, and blinking her eyelashes innocently.

  He looked up to the ceiling, muttering under his breath, and walked out of the room.

  Chapter 3

  Justin thought back over the verbal skirmish he had engaged in with Clarissa. She had made the blood pound through his body and not only in anger. She enticed him as no one woman ever had, not even Mikala Simmons. Clarissa was a surprise. You thought you were dealing with a fragile woman, and then all of a sudden this hellion showed through. The difference in her personality challenged and excited him. He did not know which one he would be dealing with at any given time.

  Then there was the physical aspect of Clarissa. She was beautiful, and no other words could describe her better. He caught himself wondering how her silvery blonde hair would loo
k cascading down her back. Justin could imagine catching a fistful and smelling her fragrance that he knew would be clean and fresh. His body tightened as he imagined what she would look like reclining in his bed, her hair covering her nakedness, teasing him with glimpses of her creamy skin.

  He shifted on his horse and shook his head as if that would clear his thoughts. The moon shone full tonight, so he let the horse from his father’s stables have his way on the open road. He made good time and arrived in London in the early hours of the morning. Justin passed the Duke of Hamilton’s lumbering coach on the outskirts of London. If Franklin were smart, he would gather what he needed, namely his sister, and then come after Clarissa, which is what Justin counted on. After arriving home and removing his clothes, he climbed into bed and caught a few hours sleep.

  The next morning began a busy day. Justin found himself in his director’s office in an attempt not only to give his report, but also to receive counsel and to seek more answers about the missing duke.

  “Good morning, Lord Bathurst.”

  “Southerby, come in, come in,” the older man said gruffly. “Still haven’t lost that Scottish accent?”

  “No, my lord.”

  “Pity your father had to marry a Scots lass.”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  “I have a new assignment for you.”

  “About that, my lord.”

  “Yes?” The older man looked up at the younger man’s hesitation. “What is it?”

  “What do you know of the Duke of Hamilton?”

  “William? We were school chums. He is a solid, upright man. Married for love. They had a daughter, and he is fiercely protective of her. Recently remarried. Must admit that surprised me quite a bit. Didn’t think he would ever remarry after losing Elizabeth. Widowed for almost twenty years, lost her in childbirth along with the babe.”

  “What do you know of his daughter, Lady Clarissa Blackerby?”

  “She is an obedient, sweet girl. Plays hostess for William. Should have married several years ago, but felt she couldn’t leave her father. That is what William feared, at least. I think that is one reason he remarried.”

  “I see.”

  “Why all these questions about William and his daughter?”

  “His Grace is missing.”

  “Missing?”

  “So Lady Clarissa fears.”

  “What is the evidence?”

  “He was scheduled to attend to some business in Liverpool. It has been almost a fortnight since he left, and he has yet to arrive. He has also not arrived at his estate between London and Liverpool.”

  “I must admit that does not sound like William. He was always one for punctuality.”

  “I also found, after visiting his solicitor, he recently changed his will, and it was not favorable for his daughter.”

  “Do you suspect Clarissa of foul play?”

  “No, I hope not. I am curious as to how many people knew of the change to the will. My lord, if it is not too much of an inconvenience, I would like to investigate further into His Grace’s disappearance.”

  The man eyed Justin up and down before answering, “Go, before I change my mind. I think you are just being led on a wild-goose chase by a girl with nothing to do but worry over her father. William was right, she should have already been married with a babe of her own to fuss over.”

  “Thank you, my lord.”

  “I want a full report when you return.”

  “Yes, my lord. I am letting word be spread that my father is ill, and I have been summoned.”

  “Fine, fine,” the older man waved him away. “And see if you can’t lose some more of that brogue.”

  “Aye, m’lord,” Justin said, thickening his accent on purpose before shutting the door behind him.

  He made several stops to visit with some of his informants and let them know the evidence he sought. Justin left them his solicitor’s name and then went around to the man.

  “Good morning, Mr. Strait.”

  “Lord Southerby, it is good to see you. How are your parents?”

  “Father is a little under the weather,” Justin said to make certain his story would be the same if someone checked up on him. “I am just leaving for Scotland. There will be some correspondence coming for me here. I must warn you, some of the men bringing it look a little rough.”

  “Yes, my lord.”

  “I need you to forward anything you receive for me to my parents’ house in Scotland.”

  “I will see that it is done. Have a safe journey and I hope your father feels better soon.”

  “I plan on it, and I am certain he will.”

  He left his solicitor and had almost left town when he decided he needed to make one more stop. Justin needed to see Mikala for two reasons – to ensure himself of her happiness and make certain he did not imagine his acute reaction to Clarissa. He rode up to the Duke and Duchess of Hawkescliffe’s house in Grosvenor Square. He left his horse tied up to the post out front and knocked on the door. Justin presented his card and heard an ear-splitting cacophony leaking out the door.

  “Lord Southerby, Her Grace will see you now,” Mikala’s butler announced over the noice.

  “Justin,” Kala stood, leaving the piano.

  “Kala, you are looking well,” he hugged her in a brotherly manner. No physical response. Had there ever been one? Had Mikala merely been convenient?

  “Thank you. What brings you by?” Mikala asked, bringing him out of his reverie.

  “I’ve been asked to help a friend. In fact, I am only in town due to a previous engagement. I just wanted to come by and wish the newlywed happy before I left. It appears I will be out of pocket for a while.”

  “That was nice, but unnecessary,” Kala did not sound quite like herself.

  “Kala, you don’t exactly sound ecstatically overjoyed like a new bride should.”

  “Perhaps because I’m not,” she snapped. “Forgive me, Justin. Things just aren’t turning out as I had hoped.”

  “Is there anything I can do?”

  “Just promise that no matter what you hear in the next few months that you will remain my friend.”

  “I could do nothing less,” he said, noting the frown that marred her features. There was something truly wrong in this marriage. A deep male voice cleared itself from the doorway.

  “What is this, Mikala? Giving me another reason to seek a divorce?”

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Justin demanded, shocked at the accusation.

  “Ignore him, Justin. I am glad you stopped by and please come back when you get back in town.”

  “Like bloody hell, you will,” the Duke of Hawkescliffe said, then turned on Justin. “Stay away from my wife.”

  “Perhaps you should treat her more like one,” Justin knew he aggravated the situation, but the man needed to know what he had before it slipped through his fingers.

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean? Mikala, what did you tell him?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Anyone can look at her, Hawkescliffe, and see she is not happy. That is anyone who knows her well enough. So that leads me to a question for you. Just how well do you know your wife?”

  “Well enough.”

  “Really? I think not. It seems to me that if you did, there would be a smile on her face that couldn’t be removed by the greatest tragedy. I think I would know how to put that smile on her face.” Hawkescliffe snarled and pushed Justin against a wall, knocking over a table that had bric-a-brac on it. Kala stumbled her way to the two men, her hands held out in front of her.

  “Get back, Mikala,” Hawkescliffe commanded.

  “Let him go. He’s just aggravating you,” she tried to pry the two men apart. “Hamlin, help me,” she called.

  “If you don’t let me go, I’ll fire every one of you,” Hawkescliffe proclaimed.

  “No, you won’t. Don’t let him go,” Kala instructed. “Justin, I think you should leave.”

  “If you
should need me, send a note to the Foreign Office, they will know how to contact me,” he paused on his way out. “You know, Hawkescliffe, you should really treat your wife better and work harder at putting a smile on her face. You would be surprised at how many men would like to do the job for you.”

  “Justin,” Kala said, exasperation entering her voice. He casually brushed a kiss over her lips before strolling out the door, whistling. Justin mounted Galahad and left the Hawkescliffe townhouse still whistling. He truly hoped that would wake up the pompous ass. Justin also realized he felt absolutely nothing but friendship for Kala.

  Before he left town, he rode by the Duke of Hamilton’s house. A flurry of activity made the house seem as if it were alive. A ducal carriage rolled up to the front of the house and a woman with coal black hair and light blue eyes rimmed in black lashes left the house on the arm of Franklin. So this must be Lorraine. The two looked almost morose, a little too much so for Justin. Once they were in the carriage, Justin turned his horse and left for the country estate.

  ***

  Justin arrived reasonably early in the evening. Ready to get the grime of the road off of him, he passed the room Clarissa used. The sight before him stopped him dead in his tracks. Clarissa stood before a mirror, a lock of long blonde hair in one hand, shears in the other.

  “What in the hell are you doing?” he demanded as he strode into the room and jerked the shears out of her hand.

  “That’s none of your business! Give them back!”

  “No. When you came to me for help, everything about you became my business, do you understand? Now, what were you planning on doing?”

  “Cutting my hair.”

  “What?” he asked incredulously. She thought to destroy what he had so recently fantasized about? He would not allow it.

  “I was going to cut my hair,” she repeated slowly as if he were daft.

  “Why?”

  “I thought it would be easier if I posed as a boy while we traveled. I could tie my hair back in a queue. Perhaps even darken it and my skin with crushed walnut shells.”

  “No.”

  “Why not? Besides, what do you care?”