“Didn't he take him with you?”
Sam shook his head. “I ran. I told you I'm fast. I followed the carriage. Mr. Stubbs took the carriage to Baker Lane. A nob came out. Mr. Stubbs carried Annie inside the house. He had his hand over her mouth.”
“What did you do?”
“I hung around. After Mr. Stubbs left, I waited till it was dark. I crept up to the window. The nob was in and he was alone. I went to the back of the house. The window was high but I managed to hold on to the ivy and pull myself up. When I looked in, Annie was lying on a bed. Her hands and feet were tied up. There was a cloth tied around her mouth.”
“Why didn't you get help? Tell someone to take you to the police.”
The boy ran a finger across his throat. “Mr. Stubbs is always smiling pleasant-like but he is mean. Everyone knows what he does to snitches.”
“Why did you agree to work for him? Couldn’t you find some honest work?” Bessie bridled.
“Everyone works for him. He's always telling us to bring him information. I thought it was like that. I didn't know he wanted to take Annie. Now she will die and it will be my fault.”
“Why will she die?”
“The nob wants her dead. He says she is more valuable dead than alive.”
Bessie’s eyes widened. She stared at Sam. “What can he mean by that? You may not have understood.”
Immediately, Sam took affront. “I’m not one for telling Banbury tales! Mr. Stubbs was trying to get him to quieten down.”
“Do you mean to say they were quarreling?” Laura asked.
“Yes’m. On the first day I couldn’t hear anything. Mr. Stubbs always talks low-like. Yesterday the nob started shouting. Then Mr. Stubbs shouted at him and said he was being stoopid. They would hang if anyone found out.”
“Were they arguing about killing Annie?” Laura asked.
Sam nodded vigorously. “I don’t want her to die. It will be my fault if she dies,” he said, looking worried.
“You keep saying nob. Do you know his name?” Laura asked.
“Dunno. He is a duke. Mr. Stubbs keeps saying duke.”
Laura was stunned. She had suspected Anthony of many things but had never thought him capable of kidnap and murder.
“How will we rescue her?” Bessie asked, failing to see how pale Laura had become.
“Mr. Stubbs is away until evening. He has business at the docks. The nob will go out for lunch. We must free Annie out before he returns.”
“How will we go in?” Bessie asked.
“I'll pick the lock. I can pick any lock,” the boy said and extracted a handful of pins and bent metal pieces from his pocket.
“Lady Laura, we should go to his lordship immediately. He will know what to do.”
Laura was in a quandary. All her instincts were to rush home and tell Gareth everything. But Gareth was Anthony’s friend. He may want to give him the benefit of doubt and first check with him. If Gareth alerted Anthony, he might whisk Annie to some other place. There was only one course left. She would have to trust Sam. Though young in years, he seemed to have thought the matter out.
“Bessie, we must direct the cab to Baker Lane.”
“What are you thinking of, Lady Laura! We don't know what kind of neighborhood it is!”
***
The neighborhood was on the seedier side but not sinister.
“Tell him to drive down the lane. If the house is not locked, we will wait until the nob goes out,” Sam said, suddenly business-like.
Fortunately, the house was locked. On Sam’s instruction, Laura told the driver to stop a little away from the house. She also promised to pay double the fare if he agreed to wait.
“Let’s go,” Sam muttered.
Bessie looked imploringly at Laura. But Laura was determined. They followed Sam up the narrow garden path to the house and stood behind him as he picked the lock. In a matter of minutes, he had it open.
“She's in the last room, I'll wait here,” Sam said.
Bessie gave him a suspicious look. “You might lock us in.”
Leaving Bessie standing beside Sam, Laura ran to the room Sam had indicated. It was bolted from outside. Her palms sweating, she opened the door. Annie was on the bed. A pitcher of water stood at the bedside. Her hands and feet were bound and her ragdoll lay in one corner. She looked asleep. Laura picked her up. She also grabbed the doll and rushed out.
“The driver mustn't see you bringing her. He may tell. Stubbs knows everyone,” Sam warned.
Laura removed her shawl and wrapped Annie in it. Annie didn't open her eyes. With a shock, Laura realized she was unconscious.
“Let's go,” Bessie said. When they were inside the hack, Laura called Sam. “Get in!”
He shook his head. “Stubbs will know it was me if I disappear. I'll lock the house and go to the docks where he can see me.”
“Sam, you are a good boy. If you need help, come to Daventon House, Grosvenor Square, and ask for Lady Laura.”
***
Laura knew she would have to think of some explanation but for now, she was relieved. Annie was safely tucked up in a truckle bed in her dressing room. When she had discovered that in addition to being unconscious, Annie was burning with fever, she had directed the driver to find a physician. The driver had instead taken them to an apothecary.
Laura had rushed in even though he was seeing a patient. His frown had disappeared when he had seen Annie's condition. He hadn't wasted time on questions. Bessie had untied her bonds in the carriage but the state of her clothes and appearance pointed to neglect. Annie had regained consciousness after a draught of medicine. “The child needs good care. I presume you intend to provide it,” he asked Laura, and gave her instructions about further medication.
Getting Annie into the house proved to be easy. Gareth wasn't home. Her aunt was out visiting and her mother was taking a nap. A footman who was sweet on Bessie carried Annie up through the back stairs.
“The poor mite! What would have happened to her if Sam hadn't thought to take your help?” Bessie murmured. She had sponged Annie clean and wrapped her up in a bed sheet. Laura had fed her small portions of bread and milk until Annie had drifted into a deep sleep.
“It was fortunate we went today. Sam wouldn't have known where to find me.”
“You must send a note to Mrs. Forsyth that Annie is safe and you will be bringing her.”
Laura chewed on her lower lip. “Will Annie be safe there? That might be the first place the kidnappers will look for her.”
“Where will she be safe?”
“Here.”
***
Twice during the night, Laura went into the dressing room, to check on Annie. Bessie was with her. She had insisted on sitting up, in case Annie woke up and was frightened.
“Do you think she had anything to eat at all?” Bessie asked.
“The apothecary said they had given her laudanum, to keep her drugged. There was water beside her bed but no food.”
“They would not have fed her. Sam said the man wanted to kill her,” Bessie said, wiping away a tear.
“You must not dwell upon what might have happened. Annie is safe now. The apothecary’s powder has brought the fever down. She will be much improved in a day or two.”
It was almost dawn. Laura sent Bessie off to bed with the promise that she would keep checking on Annie.
Until then, she had shut Anthony from her mind. When Sam had unlocked the house in Baker Lane, she had been terrified that someone would raise an alarm and they wouldn’t be able to save Annie. After they had Annie in the hack, she had feared they would be followed. She had never been so frightened in her life. She had thought Annie would die in her arms! Every moment had been fraught with worry for Annie and fear of being discovered.
Now that Annie slept peacefully in her dressing room, Laura could think of nothing else but the Duke of Wimberley. She was appalled by how easily she had been taken in. A few hours ago she had been sorely tempted to believe
that Anthony was an honorable man. His words to her at the ball and Gareth’s belief in him had almost swayed her. When he had told her that she mustn't think of him, that he wasn't the man for her, his eyes had looked bleak. She had wanted to smooth back the lock of hair from his forehead. She had wanted to help him heal. She had barely been able to sleep that night. She had thought that she would wait for Anthony. After the scandal blew over, she would marry him. Her brother approved of him. He wouldn't if Anthony was what the gossips said about him.
She had always thought she was a good judge of character. Anthony had proved her wrong. He had destroyed her faith in her own self. She would never trust her heart again. In a way, his betrayal was a boon. He had taught her more about the world than she would ever have learned.
She was well rid of him.
***
Laura did not want to tell the truth about Annie. She didn’t want to lie, either.
She had never kept a secret from Gareth. She loved him and believed in him. She trusted him with her life. But she wasn’t sure if she could trust him with Annie’s life. Without meaning to, he might endanger her.
Bessie was mystified. “Why don’t you want to tell his lordship?”she asked.
“I’m worried Stubbs and that man may find out. No one must know about Annie.”
“His lordship will keep her safe. He will inform the police and they will catch those villains.”
Laura seized upon Bessie’s words and used them to her advantage. “That’s why we mustn’t tell him. He will inform the police. They’ll try to nab Stubbs and the other man. You can’t be sure they will succeed in catching them. If they fail, Stubbs will come to know Annie is here. Remember, Sam told us he has informers everywhere?”
“He will try to kidnap Annie again!”
“He may also kill Sam for betraying him.”
“We can’t hide Annie. The upstairs maid will see her when she cleans the dressing room.”
Laura nodded. She would have to think of something.
“We could say Annie is an orphan. She is an orphan so that will not be lying,” Bessie suggested.
“There are many orphans in London. Why have we chosen to bring her here?”
“Because you found her lying on the road?”
“If we say that, Gareth will send her to an orphanage. He may even send her to Mrs. Forsyth’s home.”
“He mustn’t do that! You said the kidnappers will look there first.”
“I’m sure they are asking Mrs. Forsyth’s every day,” Laura said, clenching her teeth. What a villain Anthony was! To kidnap Laura and to pretend such concern that Mrs. Forsyth was taken in!
“I have an idea! My mother, bless her soul, used to mention a cousin in London.”
“Annie is your cousin’s daughter!”
“I went to see my cousin yesterday. A neighbor told me she died last month. Annie was starving on the streets so I brought her here, to ask for help.”
Laura nodded. “Excellent. Gareth can’t tell you to leave her in an orphanage because she’s your family. When we go home, we’ll take Annie with us. She will be safe.”
Bessie didn’t look happy. She had a conscience as active as that of her mistress. Laura was also miserable. They had concocted a story but how was she to tell it?
She needed time to prepare.
***
“Laura dear, why didn’t you come down for breakfast? Cook tells me you didn’t order a tray either,” Lady Catherine asked, coming in.
Laura looked at Bessie for help. Bessie mutely shook her head and disappeared into the dressing room.
“Why do you keep looking at the dressing room? Do you want Bessie?” Lady Catherine asked.
When Laura didn’t answer, she went across the room and pushed open the door to the dressing room.
“Mother! Wait!” Laura said, scrambling up from her bed and going after her.
“Mother, I can explain,” she said, fighting an insane urge to laugh. Annie, her mother, and Bessie made a tableau that could well be out of a comic play. Her mother looked as if she had seen a ghost. Bessie looked up from her crouched position on the floor. She must have been attempting to hide under the bed. Oblivious to either of them, Annie slept on with the rag doll clutched to her chest.
“Of course you can explain, dear,” Lady Catherine said.
“That is Annie. She isn’t well.”
“And who might Annie be? Stop looking like guilty children up to some mischief. Bessie, did you bring the child here?”
“We both did, Mother.”
“The child looks ill-used. Bessie, do you know the parents?”
“She’s an orphan, my lady,” Bessie mumbled.
“Laura, I want to speak to you. Bessie, stay here.”
Laura followed her mother into the bedroom. “You mustn’t blame Bessie, Mother. It was I who told her to bring Annie here.”
“I’m not blaming her, Laura. Bessie has done the right thing in bringing the girl here. I know Bessie. She will think she is imposing on us. You must see to it that the child doesn’t want for anything. Tell Bessie to buy clothes for the child. She can’t very well stay in your dressing room. Have one of the rooms prepared for her.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“If Bessie thinks the child may be frightened to stay by herself, she can keep her in her room.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Bessie crept out of the dressing room after Lady Catherine left. She immediately saw that Laura looked downcast. “What’s the matter? Does her ladyship want Annie to be sent away?”
Laura shook her head.
“Is she annoyed with me?” Bessie squeaked. “Does she want to send me away?”
“She wants you to care for Annie. She said you did the right thing. You can have her stay in your room or in any of the other rooms.”
Bessie understood. “You are feeling bad because you had to lie to her.”
Laura nodded. “Shall I go and tell her the truth?”
“Lady Laura, if you tell her you will only cause her to worry. Her ladyship will not want to keep Annie a secret. It is best you continue to pretend Annie is my cousin’s daughter. She will be safe here. We can also look after her well.”
Laura sighed. “You are right, Bessie. It is only that I feel the most undeserving of daughters.”
“That is your stomach talking, my lady. You will feel better after breaking your fast.”
Chapter 32
Laura took the coward’s way out. She avoided Gareth when he was home. She told her mother and Lady Maria that she was not inclined to attend any of the Season’s entertainments. To her surprise, they agreed. Lady Catherine even said she was happy to keep Laura away from the scandalous gossip doing the rounds. She wished she could stay at home.
The hostesses who inquired about Laura were told she had taken to bed with a chill. Her suitors were given the same excuse. Laura felt like a fraud when they sent extravagant bouquets with cards wishing her good health. The Duke of Berkley stayed for a full fifteen minutes in the drawing room, asking questions about what care Laura was receiving.
Maria and Gareth assumed Laura was staying at home because she had come to care for Anthony deeply and found the gossip hurtful.
“There is no truth in it, dear,” Maria assured her. “Fanny and Wimberley have known each other since they were children. There is no romantic attachment between them.”
“I have the least interest in that man,” Laura answered.
Maria only patted her hand and said she understood. To Laura’s annoyance, her sister-in-law was singularly obtuse. She was convinced that Laura was pining away for the Duke of Wimberley. She was also convinced that the duke had formed an attachment with Laura. She said it was truly shocking about the outrageous stories doing the rounds. She mustn’t let them upset her. Fanny and Wimberley have not the slightest tendre for each other.
Gareth was the same. He told her everything would work out. It was a matter of time before Anthony cleared
his name. “You must wonder at Wimberley’s absence,” he told her two days after Annie’s rescue.
“Gareth, how many times need I tell you I have no interest in the man?” Laura snapped at him.
“Did I say you were interested in him?” Gareth said, patting her head as if she was once again a child who had to be lied to in order to be kept happy.
“I am telling you because he is a friend. The child you heard rumors about is missing. The police traced the house where she was kept captive. But she has vanished from there. They aren’t able to find her at all. Anthony is also searching. He left London a day ago, to follow some leads.”
When Laura kept her mouth mutinously shut, he sighed. “Give him some time, Laura. He will tell you everything. Until then, you must take my word that he is innocent.”
“You could be mistaken,” Laura ground out.
“I’ve known him for years, Laura. He is not capable of harming anybody. It’s good you’ve stopped going out. Do you know what he is accused of now? Kidnapping and murder. Gossips are accusing him of kidnapping the child and murdering her. It is of no import that the police have caught the real culprits and they have confessed.”
“He may have planted them. He is a duke, Gareth! It is the easiest thing for him to pay somebody to take the blame!” Laura cried.
Gareth stared at her. “You have heard the gossip about Anthony. I can’t believe you have believed it. You know Anthony.”
“Do you?” Laura said and left the room.
Laura had only to look at Annie to despise Anthony afresh. Annie was like a silent shadow. She did not speak about her ordeal but it was easy to see how much it had affected her. When Laura had first met her at the home, Annie was a withdrawn child who often crept away to her crib to shed tears for her mother. Laura had managed to make her smile, and to take delight in books and the doll.
Not Just Lovely Laura Page 19