This chapter is dedicated to cesylia7 & PamJohn8. Special Christmas bonus chapter, as promised.

First Draft: The following chapters are not the published, edited versions

Suzanna, torn between calming her mistress and choking the fool, standing at the foot of Jade's bed, snapped as she charged towards him. "You bloody oaf! Do you have no mind of respect? I told you to stay out until I prepared Miss Fulton!"

​"'Tis, not a dream or a nightmare, 'tis real," Jade whispered while pulling the blanket to cover herself. "What in the blue blazes are you doing here, Mr. Winferd?" she asked slowly through gritted teeth.

​Not giving Alexander time to answer, Suzanna grabbed him roughly by the arm. "Under the bed... now!"

​"I've not answered the lady's question," Alexander protested, jerking his arm out of Suzanna's tight grasp.

​"All you shall be answering is a pistol at dawn if you don't hide quickly!" Suzanna declared with determination. Her patience waned, and she began to push Alexander towards the side of the bed.

​A loud noise sounded in the room as Abagail fumbled out of Jade's closet. Taking in the scene, while blinking to adjust her sleep-filled eyes, she let out a strangled cry, "What in the duce... Mr. Winferd?" Looking at Suzanna, and then Jade, in confusion, Abagail asked, "What is he doing in your bedchamber? How did he get in here?"

"Hello, Miss Abagail, fancy meeting you here. How do you find London?" Alexander asked, in a mocking tone, as he raked his eyes across her scarcely clad body.

​"Get your bloody arse under the bed, at once!" Suzanna demanded as she angrily pointed to the ground.

​"Easy, tiger. You got yourself a real spitfire here, Jade. I daresay, her temper could rival yours," Alexander announced with another wicked grin.

​The sound of footfalls approaching the bedchamber caused a pause throughout the room. Panic seemed to freeze everyone, but much to their relief, Alexander dove for the floor and managed to worm his way under the bed, just in time.

Lord Lennox and Lord Freeman burst into Jade's bedchamber without knocking. Worry lines creased the duke's forehead, while a frown marred Richard's face. Taking in the scene, they were relieved but curious. The three obviously women were shaken up over something.

​"What is going on, and are you all right, poppet?"Lord Lennox asked his niece, with concern, as he quickened his steps toward her bed.

​"'Twas, only a nightmare. I'm sorry for disturbing everyone," Jade replied softly, with a touch of anxiety impairing her speech."

​Abagail stood demurely, her arms crossing her chest and her head lowered to hide the deep blush burning her cheeks. She did not miss the delight, nor the shock, that appeared on Lord Freeman's face at finding her clothed in nothing but a thin chemise.

​"If all is well, you should return to Miriam, and I will see to the ladies," Lord Freeman announced to the duke while still staring at a barely clad Abagail.

​"Yes, Uncle, Lord Freeman is right. Go back to Miriam; everything is perfectly fine here. I fear the fire's stress has caused me unrest, and I would like to try to go back to sleep. I'm dreadfully fatigued," Jade spoke above the pounding in her ears, her heart striking hard against her chest, making it difficult to breathe. She sent up a silent prayer that they would both leave before Alexander did something to alert them to his presence in her bedchamber.

That would indeed be a nightmare of the worst sort. How would I explain Alexander's unwanted presence, and would anyone even believe me? Lord Freeman will tell William, and he shall think me a doxy. Jade's thoughts were muddling her already troubled mind, and she could take no more! She was going to kill the bloody bastard beneath her bed. Wait till I get my hands on him!

​"If you are sure all is well, then I shall check back in on Miriam and retire for a few hours," Lord Lennox informed the group before placing a light kiss on Jade's forehead.

​"I will make sure the ladies are settled, so, please go. You need some rest," Lord Freeman assured the duke as he held the door open for him to exit.

"Thank you, Freeman." The duke smiled fondly at the young marquess, and in return, Lord Freeman squeezed the duke's shoulder in a friendly manner, saying, "'Tis no problem, Lennox. Do try to get some rest."

​"I shall indeed, but if anyone should have cause to need me..." Yawning, the duke took his leave.

​Something felt off, and Richard knew there was more underfoot, as all three ladies looked very nervous. Would a nightmare have all of them acting so suspiciously; Lord Freeman wondered and studied each lady carefully.

​"Can I be of service to any of you?" he asked as he looked at each one, judging their response. A quick round of "No thank you, my lord" resonated throughout the room.

​"I feel much better now and wish to sleep. Thank you all for your concern, but there is no further need," Jade said with confidence; she didn't feel and made a show of sinking into her bed.

​"All right, as you wish. I will escort the ladies back to their respective chambers," Lord Freeman offered bluntly.

​"There is no need, my lord, as my chamber is right next door," Abagail babbled as a nervous laugh escaped her shaking lips.

​"Yes, and I wish to stay for a while until I am satisfied, and will go to my chambers once Miss Fulton is sleeping, my lord," Suzanna spoke to the marquess without taking her eyes off Jade. She needed him to leave, so they could deal with the dilemma, currently hiding under the bed.

What if the fool coughs or moves? I must get the marquess to bid us good night. However, he's pretty taken with Abby and seems to have lost his head over her. It wouldn't do to have her go back through the secret passage in the closet. No, that must remain our secret. 'Tis bad enough the bloody bastard under the bed knows about the passageway. Jade's thoughts were finally interrupted by the marquess bidding them a good night.

​"Whew, I thought he'd never leave. He could have stayed all night to feast his eyes on Abby!" Jade's laugh was light, but her eyes held the seriousness of the situation.

​Muffled words erupted from under the bed. "Good God, I'm smothering under here. Is it safe to come out now, or should I wait until you hens have finished gossiping about the bloody marquess?"

​"How dare you speak to us that way, in my very own chambers!" Jade spat as she clamored out of bed and managed to cover herself with a robe while favoring her injured arm.

​"Do not move until I can be sure that the marquess is gone, and I implore you to heed my command this time, Mr. Winferd," Suzanna exclaimed with authority and made her way to the door. Turning the knob slowly and opening it to peek out, the coast seemed clear. Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, Suzanna walked out of the room and stood in the darkness because they could not afford to make a mistake. She walked past Abagail's chambers and back by Jade's door to the old suit of armor and saw no one. However, with her back to the statue, a strange feeling caused her gut to tighten, and she felt the hair stand up on her arms. Suzanna ran back to Jade's bedchamber, breathing heavily, and said, "The coast appears clear."

​"Then why do you look frightened?" Jade asked nervously.

​"'Tis nothing, miss, the old armor in the alcove always gives me a bit of fright, "Suzanna admitted sheepishly. ​

Alexander stood and raked a hand through his disheveled hair with a grunt and a few unsavory words while smoothing the wrinkles from his clothing. "That was the longest five minutes of my life." ​

Jade, Abagail, and Suzanna advanced towards him. Fabulous! Three vexed females who all looked like they were out for my blood, Alexander surmised and waited for the lashing he knew was to come.

∞∞∞

Lord Richard Freeman held his breath and stood very still. He knew there was more to Miss Fulton's story than a bit of a nightmare. Seeing the young maid exit the bedchamber without a candle, and walking back and forth in the darkened hallway, proved his suspicions.

​Thinking she would discover him, hidden behind the armor in the alcove, Richard prepared himself for the second blood-curdling scream of the night. Fortunately, it did not come. He thanked God above and let out a long-overdue breath.

​Watching her shadowy form enter Miss Fulton's bedchamber, he counted quickly to one hundred and deemed it safe to proceed. Making his way towards Miss Fulton's door, he thought he heard the voice of a man. What in the bloody hell? Who, pray tell, could be in there, but better yet... why?" Lord Freeman paused momentarily to collect his thoughts.

​Knowing Lord Anson was fast asleep, Lord Freeman wondered who it could be. With his back pressed to the wall, he heard Miss Fulton and her lady's maid. They seemed to be admonishing someone, and he didn't envy the source of their tempers.

∞∞∞

All three females were speaking in hushed yet angry voices. Alexander rubbed his temples before putting a stop to the madness. "Stop uttering nonsense! I am here to talk to Jade, and Jade only," Alexander barked, a bit louder than he intended.

​A loud crack resonated in the room as Jade's hand made direct contact with Alexander's cheek. The room fell silent, but only for a moment. The urge to strangle the chit was strong as he cradled his stinging cheek. Instead, Alexander closed his eyes and took a long deep breath. Exhaling slowly, he opened his eyes and focused his malice on Jade. "Do not ever be foolish enough to strike me again!" Alexander hissed in an eerily, frightening whisper.

​"Do not ever enter my bedchamber and dare to threaten me, or next time it will not be, merely your cheek I strike," Jade spat with whispered venom, matching his malicious tone. ​

The air was thick with tension, and Alexander silently cursed this turn of events. He knew better than to goad Jade. She was not some simpering, mawkish female a man could control. He needed to turn this around quickly, but he feared it would not happen tonight. I've allowed my temper to hamper my goals. I will play hell turning this around. If I can't turn it around, then I shall be forced to play dirty.

​"Miss Fulton, pray, forgive my outlandish behavior. I implore you to hear me out! 'Tis no excuse, but the voyage was quite rough and dreadfully long. I am in London, in my father's place. He had fallen ill, and we are to purchase a new and much faster ship for your line. I arrived gratefully earlier than expected, but I happened upon the burning theatre. I caught a glimpse of you, but I was busy rescuing someone from the burning building. I rescued her just in time. I merely came to make sure you and your mother were unharmed." ​

His declaration answered some of Jade's questions but did nothing to quell the anger bubbling inside of her. She could see right through him, while others could not. Jade knew what type of man he was, and she wanted him out of her bedchamber and her home.

​"I understand being fatigued, but you somehow managed to gain entry into my house and bedchamber. You have no care of my reputation or propriety. While you stand before me and apologize for your deplorable manners, I have to question your honesty. Tired or not, a gentleman would never speak to me in such a manner or threaten me. I don't take kindly to threats, Mr. Winferd. I suggest you get out the same way you came in!" Jade held eye contact with him and refused to back down.

​"Very well, and I'm sorry you feel that way. I shall call on you tomorrow in the afternoon. Mayhap you will be rested and clearer-headed," Alexander declared, hoping his eyes didn't give away his real emotions.

​"No, you shall report to my mother and the duke. My uncle, the Duke of Lancaster, will be assisting us in our business matters. Make sure you call on him first thing in the morning. I hope your father's illness was temporary. I am fond of him, as was my father." Jade's voice was cold, only warming when she spoke of Alexander's father, Harrison. He was a kind and loyal man, and Jade wondered how he sired such a barbaric son.

​"I will do that and forgive my intrusion. I'll take my leave straight away," Alexander announced curtly.

​"Abagail, please assist Suzanna in getting Mr. Winferd out of the house. No one can see him, so take him out the back, but do not go outside. He can find his way off of the grounds, on his own. Report back to me as soon as he is gone, but grab a dressing gown first, Abby," Jade spoke kindly, a slight smirk lifting the corner of her mouth.

​"Of course, I'd be much obliged." Abagail glared at Alexander before digging in the closet for something to cover herself.

​ ∞∞∞

Lord Freeman struggled to hear the conversation inside the lady's bedchamber. There was no doubt in his mind, a man was in the room, and the mere thought sickened and angered him. Hearing only snatches of the conversation was highly frustrating.

​Fighting the urge to bust in the door, he strained to hear anything of importance. Although the words were muffled, Lord Freeman sensed this was not, in any way, a pleasant conversation. Hearing the strange voice near the door, he quickly took up his post behind the armor's suit.

​I must find out who this blatantly forward man is and why he is in Miss Fulton's bedchamber. William is in no shape to hear such news from me; he's fallen hard for her. If I keep this information from him, he will never forgive me.

​Candlelight illuminated the hall as three figures exited the bedchamber. Abagail, Suzanna, and a man Richard had never seen before were making their way towards him, so Richard pressed himself further into the wall. Why is Abagail with this man, and where are they going? ​

The need to reach out and throttle the bastard was overwhelming. It took everything in Richard's power not to make his presence known. He didn't want Abagail anywhere near this man. They passed him quietly without so much as a glance, and Richard knew he must follow them. 

***

Whew, I pulled it off! Special Christmas chapter!!!! Happy Holidays to all of you! Please remember to vote and comment. Much LOVE
Lady Lisa 💜💜💜