by Liana Lefey
Her pale pink manteau was cut in the latest fashion, with pleats that fell loosely from the shoulders to gather in graceful folds down the back of her wide skirts. Turning to the side, she scrutinized her profile with a critical eye. Her bosom had grown significantly, and there was no masking it, not even with a fichu and lace.
Damn.
Amid the hubbub of preparations, she’d come to realize that the time for her menses had passed unmarked. Henry, of course, had been elated at the news. But like her, he feared Fairford’s reaction. They had agreed to keep it a secret from everyone save her mother for as long as possible.
Her hand moved to rest protectively on her abdomen, which had not yet begun to swell, and noise behind her made her turn.
In the doorway stood her mother. “May this be the first of many such happy events,” she said, smiling softly. “I am absolutely ecstatic, my dear, but I must say that I am also extremely concerned.”
“There is no need for worry, Mama. The house and grounds are bristling with armed men. The queen herself is more vulnerable,” Sabrina assured her. “I’m sure the matter will be resolved quickly. Henry has sworn to beard Fairford in his den if he does not show himself soon.”
“Nevertheless, I shall come and stay with you until things are sorted out once and for all,” her mother replied, her light tone contradicted by her gimlet stare. “You’ll need help with the arrangements for your lying in, and there are a thousand things that must be done before the babe arrives. The nursery must be looked at, nurses must be interviewed, clothing must be made for the little darling…”
Even though the blessed event was not due to happen for another eight months, Sabrina nodded agreement. It was pointless to argue. “Yes, of course, Mama.”
“Good girl. Now, Sheffield is waiting for you downstairs. Are you ready?”
“I am.”
As she spoke her vows for the second time before witnesses, Sabrina was touched by the sight of familiar faces. Several of her sisters were present with their husbands and children, and her friend Lavinia was here. Several members of Henry’s family were present as well.
All seemed pleased, with the exception of Lady Bidewell and her daughter. Lady Bidewell stared at her with undisguised rancor, and her daughter’s look was equally sour.
Miss Bidewell’s smile was particularly nasty as she congratulated them, yet still Sabrina’s conscience pricked her. No matter how unpleasant the girl was, she could not allow her to marry a murderer without giving her some form of warning.
Henry must have seen something of her thoughts in her face, because he quickly drew her aside. “You cannot!” he breathed in her ear. “Have no fear. She shall never marry him, I promise.”
Percy was there as well. Everyone had been quite shocked when he had arrived only moments before the ceremony, laughing and praising “the happy mistake that freed me from the incarceration of marriage.” She and Henry had made it a point to greet him with warmth, assuring everyone that they were on the best of terms.
Sabrina noticed the quiet and very pretty young woman on his arm and wondered who she was. Before she could think any more about it, however, another guest came forward to wish them well.
Taking Percy aside during a quiet moment, Henry ushered him into a salon and closed the door.
“Before you begin berating me for bringing a whore into your house, allow me to explain,” Percy began in a low, tight voice, walking directly over to the decanter and measuring out two glasses of brandy. “Fairford visited the Childers woman last night and left with her this morning.”
“And?”
“He must have been aware he was being watched, because he gave us the slip.”
Henry’s fingers tightened on the stem of the glass Percy had thrust at him. “How?”
“They visited several merchants, made a lot of purchases, and then, at the last one, he simply didn’t return to the carriage with her. When my man went into the establishment to investigate, Fairford was nowhere to be found. The proprietor claimed ignorance until pressed, and then he said Fairford had paid up and asked to be let out through the back. Another conveyance must have been there waiting for him.”
“And you’ve no idea where he is now?” Henry’s heart sank as the other man shook his head.
“You don’t think he’d actually come here, do you?” asked Percy. “It’d be tantamount to suicide.”
“All the same, if he does show, we’ll be ready,” Henry muttered. “I doubt he’d make any open attempt, but that doesn’t mean he might not try something. I’d better warn Sabrina. I’ll assign a couple of men to look after Raquel, too, while she’s here.”
“I thank you,” Percy replied quietly. “Your willingness to help me protect her is quite appreciated, especially under the circumstances.”
Something in his eyes, in his tone, gave Henry pause. “Percy, you’re not…”
“In love with her? No. She’s naught but a child, and a broken one at that.” The grim fury in his brown eyes deepened. “She needs looking after, however, and I intend to see to it. No one shall ever harm her again.”
All Henry could do was nod in surprised agreement as his friend knocked back the remainder of the amber liquid in his glass. “Do you still plan to take her to France?”
“As soon as this business with Fairford is finished, yes. She wants to open a charity school for girls. I’ve agreed to provide the funds.”
“Damn me, you’re practically turning into a saint,” Henry said, chuckling.
Percy’s smile turned wicked. “Don’t start placing any bets at White’s, old boy. I’ve not changed so much that I’ll turn down a bit of pleasure when it’s offered. But only where it’s safe. I want no complications.”
“You mean to return to seducing other men’s wives,” Henry translated.
“Precisely,” agreed Percy, setting his now-empty glass on the table. “However, you may rest assured that I shall leave your lady wife unmolested. I have been well and truly cured of my fascination with her.”
Henry relaxed. “I can’t say I’m sorry for it. I hope you find happiness in your new direction. Do you think you’ll ever marry?”
“Perhaps one day I shall meet a female strong enough to withstand my blackened past in all its dubious glory,” mused Percy. “In the meantime, when were you planning to share the news?”
“What news?”
A wry brow lifted. “Oh, come now, Henry. I’ve seen enough women’s bosoms to know when a lady is expecting.”
“Damn. Is it that obvious?”
“As the nose on George’s face,” said Percy with a droll smile.
“Wait…what were you doing admiring my wife’s bosom?”
“I very nearly married the lady. Do you think I would not know every detail of my once-prospective bride’s appearance?”
Henry glared. “In the future, I shall thank you to keep your eyes above her neckline.”
“WOULD YOU LIKE some refreshment?” offered Sabrina, having at last made her way over to the young woman she now knew as Raquel.
“Oui—thank you.”
Sabrina signaled a servant and watched as Raquel took a glass of punch from his tray. It was a bit disconcerting to think of the wounds hiding beneath the silk of the young woman’s gown. Her mother’s descriptions had been chilling, to say the least. He might have done the same to me…
“I know you must be displeased to see me here, but Per—Lord Falloure insisted on my coming,” the girl said after a sip.
“I am honored to have you as my guest,” Sabrina insisted. “You need fear nothing while you are here,” she added quietly. “There are armed men everywhere. You’re safe.”
The girl’s shoulders relaxed a bit. “I wish I had been able to prevent what happened to you.”
“It makes no difference now,” Sabrina assured her. “We are both safe here. He cannot harm us anymore.”
The girl nodded, but Sabrina got the distinct impression she didn’t believe her. �
�I hope you enjoy the evening,” she added. “If there is anything you desire, you have but to ask, and it shall be done.”
Just then, Henry and Percy emerged from their conference and came to join them.
As Sabrina danced with her husband, he filled her in on the discussion.
“Fairford has come out at last, but he seems to be lying low for the time being,” he informed her.
“Do you think he might simply let the matter drop entirely without raising a scandal?” she asked, full of hope. The look on Henry’s face spoke for itself, and her heart sank. “It is probably very foolish of me, but I almost wish he would show himself now and try to cause trouble. I feel that the longer he waits, the worse it will be,” she said, with a meaningful glance down at her belly.
“You’ve nothing to worry about,” Henry assured her. “You will be safe as long as you are with me.”
“And what of Raquel?”
“Everything has been arranged for her to leave England,” he said. “As far as anyone need know, she is Percy’s distant cousin from France, recently orphaned and become his ward. She will claim a disagreement with the climate here, and he will take her back to France as soon as it is safe. Once she is settled, he will return.”
Though his words comforted her, something in her gut just would not rest tonight. Her gaze struck out again, as it had countless times this evening—only this time it met with a pair of ice-blue eyes. Her step faltered, and a couple passed by, blocking her view for an instant. When they’d passed, the eyes were gone.
“What is it?” asked Henry.
“Nothing, I just thought I saw…”
Stopping, he turned to follow her gaze, his face hardening.
“No, I—I must have imagined it,” she assured him nervously, taking his arm again and allowing him to lead her over to a chair. Her heart pounded, and her palms were damp. “The waiting is getting to me, I suppose,” she said with a weak laugh.
“I have men everywhere watching for him, darling. Rest here for a moment,” he commanded. “I’ll get you something to drink.”
Fanning herself as he moved off, she told herself over and over again that she was being silly. Of course Fairford would never show his face here! He’d never even get past the door. Tilting her head back against the column, she let her lids drift shut and breathed deeply to restore her calm.
“Congratulations,” a soft voice murmured. “A shame this isn’t our wedding celebration.”
A shriek clawed its way up and out of her throat as her eyes snapped open to see Fairford standing before her—wearing a grey wig. All around her, people turned to see what the commotion was about. Before she could even rise, Henry was there.
“Much as it would delight me to do so, I can’t run you through where you stand without causing an uproar,” he growled. “But I guess you knew as much when you decided to come here tonight, didn’t you?”
A slow smile broke out across Fairford’s features. “Come now, Montgomery, let us be civil, here among all of our friends. We both know she’s not worth it, old boy. None of them are. Calm yourself. I merely came to offer my condolences to the newlyweds, and then I’ll be off.”
“You’ve just done so. Now begone,” said Henry with death in his eyes. “You are not welcome here.”
But Fairford did not budge. “Tell me, are you well pleased with your stolen bride?”
“You have offered your felicitations,” replied Henry. “Now I will ask you again to leave, or I shall have you thrown out.”
She watched as her husband’s hand strayed toward the folds of his jacket skirts.
“No need for any ugliness,” said Fairford, his gaze dropping to Henry’s hand as well. “I didn’t come to fight. At least not here.” His attention shifted to where Raquel stood peeking out from behind Percy. “I would, however, very much like to reclaim at least part of my stolen property before I depart. Come with me, Raquel. Quietly.”
“You’ll never touch her again, you miserable piece of offal!” spat Percy, stepping forward to face Fairford.
Fairford smiled and dropped his voice. “Unless you wish to see your erstwhile fiancée utterly humiliated, I suggest you return my misplaced goods to my possession immediately. You’ve no claim to the little baggage. She is mine. I bought her outright.”
“My wife’s reputation is my concern, Fairford,” replied Henry loudly enough for those around them to hear. “If you’ve an issue pertaining to her honor, you may take it up with me.”
Everyone nearby gasped, and Sabrina heard the whispers begin to spread.
“So be it,” murmured Fairford, his lips stretching in a crafty grin. “I challenge you,” he said more loudly, “on the grounds that you stole my fiancée. Lady Sabrina had agreed to marry me after Falloure abandoned her at the Pembroke ball, but you abducted her before we could make the announcement. I gave chase and tried to rescue her—as witnesses can confirm—but by the time I reached Scotland, it was too late!”
Several nearby ladies let out squeals of dismay. Sabrina caught a glimpse of Regina Cunningham, whose gleeful smile said she was enjoying this immensely. Fury filled her. Her husband, the father of her child, was about to risk his life, and the little wretch thought it entertaining!
“Yes. I rescued her from you, and we said our vows in Scotland,” replied Henry in a strong, clear voice. “I wasn’t about to let the woman I love marry a bastard like you.”
“You see?” shouted Fairford, turning to the crowd and spreading his arms wide. “He admits it! Tothill Fields at dawn, then. May the better man win—and trust that this time, luck will not be on your side,” he added through his teeth.
She watched him go, shaking so hard that her teeth rattled against one another as though she’d taken fever.
That night, she slept in her husband’s chamber—not for safety’s sake, for the house was secure, but for comfort.
“How can you be sure he won’t employ some foul trickery? Raquel says—”
“I’m well aware, my darling,” he said, stroking her hair. “Knowing that we possess intimate knowledge of his doings, he wouldn’t have challenged me unless he’d arranged for it to come out in his favor. I fully expect him to act in an underhanded manner. Percy shall second me and ensure the confrontation is agreeably finished. Sheffield and your mother will remain here with you, along with a large contingent of men, to ensure the blackguard doesn’t send someone to harm you while I’m otherwise occupied.”
“I suppose there’s nothing I can do to help you, then. This is all my fault,” she sniffled, fresh tears brimming from her already puffy, sore eyes. “I should never have—”
He took her face between his hands. “You couldn’t have known. As for helping me, you can do so by remaining safe and bearing us a healthy son or daughter. As long as I know you and our child are safe, I can do what must be done.”
She did her best not to cry as she bid Henry a heartfelt safe return the next morning. In spite of the danger, she wanted terribly to go with him. Had it not been for the babe she carried beneath her heart, she would have rebelled and done so; but for the sake of their child, she remained behind to anxiously await the news. Percy would ride straight to Pembroke with all swiftness the instant the outcome was clear.
Grim-faced, the men departed, the physician Henry had hired to accompany them grumbling about the idiocies of dueling, despite the fact that this morning’s confrontation was handsomely lining his pockets.
As the carriages rolled away, her mother put an arm around her shaking shoulders. “God bless them. May His swift hand deliver justice to those that deserve it, and likewise deal mercifully with those on the side of good.” She led her away from the window. “Come. Let us have breakfast.”
“I couldn’t eat anything, Mama,” Sabrina protested, feeling green about the gills at the very idea.
“You must, for the child’s sake,” admonished her mother. “Come; a few bites and you’ll feel much better. A lady in your condition cannot go wit
hout eating.”
“Let us at least wait for Raquel to come down,” Sabrina begged. “I cannot believe she would let Percy leave without seeing him off. Perhaps she was overwrought? You don’t think she’s in love with him?”
Her mother’s smile was sad. “No. I think she cares for him, certainly, but I doubt she’s capable of loving any man in that manner now. I’m still in shock over how she was treated. As for Lord Falloure, I never would have taken him for the knight-in-shining-armor sort, but he’s certainly proven himself so where she is concerned. He’s become positively paternal.”
Sabrina laughed through her upset. “He’s turned into a complete mother hen, you mean.” Looking at the clock on the mantelpiece, she frowned. “She ought to have been down by now.” She called for a servant, and bade the girl look in on their guest and report back.
When the servant returned, it was with unhappy news. “My lady, I’m afraid I was unable to find Lady Raquel.”
“Has her bed been slept in?” she demanded urgently.
“No, my lady. It was still made, and…”
“Yes? What is it?” she asked the nervous maid.
“It’s her clothes, my lady. They’re here, all of them—the shift she borrowed and the gown she arrived in.”
She looked at her mother for a long, terrified moment. “Call everyone together and search the house and grounds,” she said softly to the waiting servant. “If she is not found within one quarter of an hour, we shall send for the constable.”
THE MORNING WAS clear and the sun bright as Henry prepared himself while Percy and Lord Fenton, Fairford’s second, readied the pistols.
Just as Fenton was about to call paces, however, a carriage rounded the bend. It was an unmarked, hired affair of poor quality. The vehicle rolled to a stop, and a passenger disembarked.
“Who is that?” demanded Fairford.
Henry squinted. It was a footman, one from Pembroke, by the look of his livery. A piece of parchment fluttered in his hand as he walked across the field.