Chapter Sixteen

"Are ye sure ye can fork over the forty quid ev'ry month, girl?" the gruff looking woman, maybe in her middle forties, haughtily lifted her thin eyebrow as she fisted the key to her boarding room.

Julianne pursed her lips, her outstretched hand paused in midair as she coolly returned her look, as if daring the foul woman to say more demeaning words to her. She will not let the woman who is now her landlady to treat her like trash. She had done so when Julianne first arrived at her crumbly lodgings.

She had been immensely rude to her, measuring her appearance from top to bottom before sneering and spitting the ground.

To be honest, Julianne would preferred to have her business somewhere else, but the boarding house was the cheapest that she could find in Stapleford, and she had run out of money.

Julianne need to find work fast as there is more important matter to deal with. She have to make a savings for herself and the unborn child that she is now carrying.

Her heart cried a bit as she thought about how she had become a fallen woman, a victim of false declaration of love and a promise of a marriage, all the while she was only his toy merely to fill his time.

Julianne mentally shook herself, no need to dwell on the past, she urged climbing the dilapidating wooden staircase with her battered luggage on tow. The staircase creaked under her weight and she wondered briefly if the woods beneath her would gave away and she would fall to her death.

"Don't be actin' high and mighty, girl! I will be chasin' ya out with me broom if ya don't pay me money the first day of the month!" Julianne slammed the door at the vile woman's bellowing.

Despite all that, Julianne managed to smile as she took a quick survey on her small room.

The room host no furniture, only a small bed with bricks as its legs stood in the middle of the room.

She sighed, clearly glad that she could finally rest after days of journey from London to Stapleford, in a cramped hackney while stopping only at taverns and inns along the way to appease her fatigue and hunger.

Julianne thought about returning to Long Bennington but she was afraid that the people who wanted her dead are still prowling her former home. Also, she could not settle too near to Long Bennington anyway as she do not want anyone she knew recognized her later.

So she came to a decision to travel to Stapleford in the same parish as Licolnshire and try to find work, maybe as a laundry washer. Julianne didn't mind the heavy work as long as she can feed herself and later the child she is currently carrying. She decided to pass herself as a widow, concocting a tale about her husband who had died in a war somewhere.

As Julianne examined the dusty bedding and decides that it had to go, her thoughts crossed to Gavin. She valiantly swallowed her tears, refusing to cry over him anymore. He most probably wooing Daniela at present, going to balls and the theatres. Maybe planning for their upcoming nuptials.

Damn him! Julianne paused, shutting her eyes for a moment, willing her tears to stop. He does not deserve your tears and anguish, Julianne thought, sucking a deep breath, suddenly feeling the slight movement in her abdomen. The baby had been constantly moved these days, Julianne noted , tenderly touching the spot where she felt the movement.

" I promise that I will keep you safe, little one" Julianne whispered brokenly as the baby moved again as if acknowledging his mother's words.

Julianne blinked as she returned her focus at the task in hand. " Even if your father did not care anything for us" she added under her breath, biting her lower lip hard in an effort to fight back the tears.

Now it is not the time to feeling sorry for herself. Julianne reminded herself again. She have to be strong for her sake and her unborn child. She need to find work in order to survive. Julianne could not predict what the future would hold for her and her baby. But she was sure that she have to fight on her own.

The past is in the past. It is time to move on. Julianne's heart ached as she could not help of thinking of the duke again. Infuriating man. Selfish man. Pig man.

Yet, at the farthest corner of her heart, Julianne could not deny the tiny shred of love she still felt for Gavin. She tried to discard it away as she shamefully still hoped that one day the duke will come and look for her.

Julianne stubbornly promised herself to hate Gavin until the day she died. She hated him. Julianne reminded herself.

Unpacking the used sheets from her luggage, she spread the cloth over the bed. She will sleep for a few hours before venturing out to the nearest post office to check on the advertisement for employment.

She decided sleepily. She will definitely find something suitable. Julianne was certain as she settled herself on the lumpy mattress. The said mattress smelt of vomit and mildew, Julianne wanted to throw up. There are no pillows so she make use of her folded dresses as her pillow. Keeping the vile smell at bay, she shut her eyes. Within minutes she was fast asleep.

* * * * * * * * * *

Gavin lifted his irritated gaze from his work papers to Daniela who was standing in front of him, with her hands on her hips looking down at him expectantly.

As usual, the chit had the audacity to show up in his bachelor lodgings and again, she didn't bring a chaperone with her.

The duke suppressed the urge to sigh , as he constantly reminded himself to keep the appearance of him being in love with Daniela Harlow. Truthfully he was utterly tired of her. Gavin nearly forgot that she was a self absorbed person, overly demanding for his attention. She was not kind to his servants and his associates, compared to Julianne who had more warmth in her little finger than that of Daniela.

The duke arched an eyebrow, his face expressionless, he could not help it. For weeks since his last encounter with Edward, he did not have any leads and Daniela was getting more attached to him which suffocates him to the end.

Quickly he wiped off the smirk from his face and placed a blissful look, which he silently remembered reserved only for his Julianne. His heart dropped as he silently thought about Julianne. How he missed her and wondered fervently how her conditions are.

The ends of his lips lifted in an attempt to smile benignly but it came out as a grimace.

"Hello my dear. What brings you here?"

Daniela humphed and stuck out her left hand to him. "My engagement ring. The one that were inherited by your arriere grand-mere from Queen Matilda?" Queen Matilda was Gavin's ancestors, apparently he was descended from a long line of the Plantagenets.

The duke cocked an eyebrow, leaning back in his seat he spoke. "I am sorry my dear but the said jewel is presently in the vault of the Bank Of England as we speak"

It will be a cold day in hell if she ever could get her hands on Julianne's ring. He thought angrily. Daniela almost thumphed her feet in protest "Why? I should think that I as your fiancé should have the possession of that ring" She looked at Gavin suspiciously. "Did you gave her to wear?" By she, she meant Julianne. Gavin sucked in a sharp breath as he wrestled with his anger to keep from surfacing.

Instead he smiled as he answered "No dearest. Why should she wear it when she is not affiliated with me?" Daniela's pout vanishes replaced by a bright smile somewhat victorious . She flew to the duke's side. "That is what I thought, Gavin" she chirped happily as she hopped on his desk. "You should know what will happen to her if she ever comes back to you, don't you?" That put Gavin instantly on his guard. He sat up, his attention sharpened as he try to reel in Daniela as inconspicuous as he can.

He smiled and reach for her hand. "Whatever do you mean, dearest?"

Daniela pouted as she ran her fingertips on Gavin's lips. "Well. Let's just say that the attempted assassination on her was not exactly 'attempted'" Daniela smiled with pure glee when she noted the duke's startled reaction. ""I made him missed the target" She laughed, apparently pleased with herself. Gavin felt sick to his stomach.

Daniela shrugged as she jumped down from the desk.

Gavin's heart plummeted, yet he willed himself to stay calm as he wanted to know what Daniela will say next.

Daniela whirled to face him, her expression sobered "That was just a warning Gavin. Next opportunity strikes, I will not let her come out alive" the subtle warning sunk as Gavin was silent.

Daniela walked to the back of Gavin's chair, bent down near to his ear and whispered. "You know you will always be mine, don't you?" she was so close that the hair on his neck stood eerily.

The duke slowly let out a difficult breath. He was struggling to retain his control of not ripping Daniela into two, instead he calmly got up and whirled around, facing her.

"Do not worry, Daniela" He whispered, forcing himself to look her in the eyes. Inside, his demons howled, his heart crying for Julianne. "I assure you she will not be returning to our lives anytime soon"

Daniela happily drew Gavin into her arms. He welcomed her, albeit hesitantly "You are sure?"

Gavin nodded. "Last I heard she had gone far away" Daniela looked up, the look of suspicions lurking in her eyes. Gavin fabricated a laugh.

"I swear I will not come to her, dearest. You are the only one for me" Gavin whispered as he hugged her more closely to his chest. His smile faded replaced by a menacing scowl.

"If perhaps, may I know where she had gone to?" the question caught the duke off guard.

"Why?"

Daniela shrugged. "Just.. curious.."

Gavin thinned his lips, briefly wondering what she is up to. "Last I heard, she is now in Sussex" the duke lied, watching her reaction closely.

"Sussex? Where precisely in Sussex? East? West?" the duke laughed again. As he wanted not to make it too obvious he stalled a bit. "What is with all the questions, darling?"

Now it is Daniela's turn to laugh. "You know.. as a security.. for me.."

Gavin smiled down at her. "Security?"

Her smiled faded as she looked him directly in the eyes. "Tell Gavin. Or I will acquire the information from Kelly"

If Gavin was startled by her bold warning, he did not show it. This is it. His mind clicked. This is the trap that he had been waiting for in months.

"Horsham" Gavin was not at all disappointed at Daniela's reaction, she almost sneered wickedly.

Daniela smiled serenely yet there was something sinister that lurks behind her smile.

"Thank you" She whispered softly in his ear.

"I will take my leave now Your Grace. I suddenly remembered I have pressing matter to attend to"

Daniela muttered hastily but not before placing a lingering kiss on his lips.

As soon as Daniela left his townhouse, Gavin bellowed for Ward and Reeding.

The two burly men came running, huffing as they received their orders.

"You. Find Kelly and bring him here now" Gavin next pointed to Reeding "And you. Follow the girl"

Gavin growled as he continued with fresh anger "Discreetly"

Both men scrambled to do the master's bidding.

The duke turned on his heel and stormed back into his study.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Gavin chanted. What a bumbling idiot he had been!

It is undeniably Daniela Harlow's doing at the very beginning. With Reilly as her henchman.

The anger he felt was overwhelming, he had to suppressed the great desire to throw her over the balcony.

She even had the cheek to warned him of not going to look for Julianne.

Now he will undoubtedly catch her red handed. Gavin could not believe that someone could easily planned for someone's demise just so she could get what she wanted.

He waited for Kelly in vain, deciding to bellow the house down if Kelly did not show up for another minute, when the man in question came running with Ward barely keeping up.

The duke began shooting his commands. "Have three or four men dispatched immediately to Horsham now. Reeding is on her trail as we speak"

Kelly looked confused. "She? Who? The duchess?"

"No" Gavin snapped impatiently. "Daniela" the Duke turned to Ward. "Are Horne and Salte still

on Reilly's tail?"

The man nodded vigorously. "Good. Meet them now and do not lose Reilly's shadow"

"What is going on, Master?" Kelly questioned when Ward rushed out from the master's study.

His Grace turned to Kelly, his expression hard. "I will tell you on the way to Horsham. We have to move now and fast" Kelly, still perplexed followed his master anyway. Gavin bellowed for his traveling attire to Rigby and requested for his horse to be ready.

"Horsham, Yer Grace?"

The duke settled himself on the horse's saddle, he made a final check on his flintlock pistol before placing it securely in his breast pocket did he urged the beast forward. Mentally Gavin calculated the distance and predicted they will arrive in Horsham around two to three hours time, providing the journey ahead of them ran smoothly. The duke gloomily conceded that Daniela or Reilly will surely arrive before them, given the delay from his side.

He will not lose this opportunity now, he had to catch them in the act so that he could move on to his next cause, finding Julianne and beg for her mercy.

Just then, Kelly's horse drew alongside his. "Yer Grace? Mind telling me now?"

Gavin pulled his rein to a slower gallop. "Yes. Before that" He looked over to the man. "Did you carry out the task I have assigned to you?"

Kelly nodded. "I have included Bielby to the entourage since he is our fastest rider, Yer Grace"

Gavin grunted his approval. "Good man" then the duke proceeded telling him about his findings and his conversation with Daniela.

Kelly truly astounded, uttered an expletive remark. His Grace nodded sharply. His look turned savage.

"If that was not the indication that Daniela Harlow is the mastermind, I'll eat my hat" The duke mumbled, inwardly still feeling unsettled about the disturbing conversation he had with Daniela.

"What will we do when we or 'em reach Horsham?. D'ye have a plan in mind, master?"

Gavin hesitated, that was what he had been thinking since he left the city. They have to somehow fabricate the tale of witnesses who saw Julianne somewhere in Horsham. He told Kelly about his thoughts.

His personal groom stroked his chin in thought. "There is no other way, Yer Grace" Kelly muttered.

Right before the fork near Midhurst, they were met with another three riders. Gavin recognized them

as one of his many cronies. He did not bother to remember their names. That was Kelly's job.

The new riders, obviously heavily armed underneath their coats, flanked to their master's side, the third man rode behind Gavin's horse.

"Maybe Cooke ' ere can give his thoughts, Yer Grace" Kelly gestured to the man on his side.

The man tapped his hat lightly in greeting. "Cooke and his brother hailed from Horsham" he added again.

Gavin expectantly cocked an eyebrow to the Cooke brothers, silently directing the question.

"Aye Yer Grace. We have been informed about the Duchess predicament" the man called Cooke, undoubtedly the older brother began.

"Wha' we can do fer now is t' spread some gossips about the sightings of Her Grace whereabouts in Horsham fer which Freddie 'ere jus done that. With yer permission of course, Yer Grace" The older Cooke added quickly at the look of surprise from the duke.

Gavin turned questioningly to Kelly. "What do you think?"

Kelly thinned his lips as he weigh the possibilities. "As you have said, Yer Grace. We have to act now and fast"

Gavin was silent as he negotiated his horse down a small ledge. "Time is running short, Yer Grace. Moreover, we have to start looking for the Duchess"

The Duchess. His Julianne. Gavin's heart ached whenever he thought of her. He wondered where she had gone to. How is she? She had no money. She had no home to return to. She had nobody to turn to. She is basically an orphan. His ire resurfaced, angry at himself, at Daniela and furious at Julianne. For abandoning him, for leaving him with Daniela. Angry at Julianne for not trusting him with all her heart.

"I have dispatched our people to Long Bennington and the whole parish of Lincolnshire" Kelly supplied, looking expectantly at his master. "Hopin' that meets with your approval, master?"

The duke smiled, somewhat sour. Trust Kelly who would go all the way to see to his comforts. "You are doing it discreetly?"

"Of course, Yer Grace"

"What about Sandhurst? Any news of him?" It has been awhile since he last saw Edward given his angry departing weeks ago. Since then, Edward did not visit him or came to call to his lodgings anymore.

Apparently, Edward was crossed at him and he too had abandoned him. Gavin realized that he will have a lot to explain to Julianne and Edward when all of this is over. He misses his friend. Not to mention Julianne. Gavin misses her the most. He wondered again where had she gone.

"His Grace?" Kelly's voice snapped him back to the present. "Last I heard, he had gone north with his men to look for the Duchess" That piece of information effectively silenced Gavin.

But it cannot be help. Gavin has the most important task of all, clearing the pathway for Julianne's safety. And he will not rest until he accomplished the job.

Within minutes , Gavin's and his band reached the Stopham Bridge. Beneath it ran the River Arun, the calm stream cascade freely, its crystal clear water reflected brilliantly in that afternoon light.

Amidst all of that, the duke couldn't help thinking of Julianne. She would love to go boating,

Gavin reflected, briefly throwing his gaze longingly at the beautiful landscape before him. He thought of her again, wondering feverishly where she is at present.

He was getting restless as he was anxious to let the matter of Daniela and Reilly to end so that he could start looking for her.

"Yer Grace? " Gavin jumped.

"What?"

Kelly's mouth curled. "I said we await yer orders, Yer Grace" Kelly gestured his hand. "We have reached Horsham"

He paused as he absently surveyed the surrounding around him. "We have to make it not too obvious for people to start noticing us"

The duke looked over to the Cooke brothers. "You just said that the rumors had circulated?"

"As we speak, Yer Grace" the younger Cooke quipped in for the first time. Gavin nodded.

"Good. Cooke, find Reeding. He will lead us to Daniela Harlow" Both men looked at each other,

obviously hesitant.

"You heard the Master?" The brothers dispersed immediately at Kelly's clipped question.

Gavin nudged his horse forward as he addressed his directive look to the third man.

The man nodded knowingly. "Aye Yer Grace. We got word from Horne that he saw the Reilly chap in Southwater"

Gavin grunted his displeasure. Only at the mere mention of Reilly's name make his blood boil.

"Horne indicates that Reilly and the girl will meet somewhere there" the man continued.

Kelly prodded when the duke was silent. "Yer Grace?"

"How Horne concluded with that information?" He asked instead, for what it's worth, he had to be cautious. Gavin could not entirely trust underlings. Judging by the mess he made by trusting Reilly too much, he unbecomingly revealed excessive information about Julianne.

The man raised his eyebrows. "Well for starters, Reilly has the fancy for a tipple. But the boy c'not hold his liquor fer long" the man paused looking over at the duke. "Just afore he gets wankered, there is where Salte swoop in. Pumped all the info from him, he does"

The simple yet important facts digested, Gavin seems satisfied yet somewhat unnerved by the turn of the events.

"Yer Grace?" Kelly quipped again.

Gavin pursed his lips. "How far is Southwater?"

"A good four miles, Yer Grace"

Gavin nodded his approval. "Are you full?"

The question was directed both men.

"To the teeth, Yer Grace" Kelly answered. Gavin could not mistake the excitement on Kelly's tone of voice. The other man grunted his answer.

"Whatever you do, I need both of them alive" The duke threw his gaze simultaneously to both men which they both nodded.

"There is no reason whatsoever to kill people today" Gavin paused, looking at the road before him and added "I need to know why they are doing this to Julianne"

* * * * * * * * *