Tainted Bride

by A. S. Fenichel

  Tears flowed freely. “You will be in Philadelphia and never even see my baby.”

  “I’ll visit. Perhaps, I can find someone to manage the business in America and I can stay in England. I think Mother might prefer to stay here.” He waved, dismissing the subject. “It is too soon to talk about this. Tonight, we will remain calm and wait. There is plenty of time for big decisions.”

  Sophia wiped her face on a lace handkerchief and smiled. “You are getting quite wise, Tony. I don’t know if I like this new you. I prefer you erratic and out of control.”

  “Sorry to disappoint you.” He grinned.

  Chapter 22

  Daniel lifted his arms over his head until the ache in his shoulders eased.

  The old boarding house with scratched and rickety furnishing had not always been so banged up. A large square of floor, where a rug had once been, was not as worn as the rest. The bars on the window shone with newness. Conversion to a prison was a recent event. Pundington must have thought that on the docks, a small holding house would go unnoticed for a long time. Maybe he even thought to make some extra money by making the women prostitutes here before he shipped them out of England.

  Had Sophia suffered being beaten or worse? Daniel clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. He pushed it from his mind. It would be dangerous to be distracted from the task at hand.

  The lock was simple enough. He needed a pin or wire, two would be better. Once, he would have had all the tools he needed to get out of this type of situation, but that time had passed.

  Perhaps a woman had lost a hairpin long ago when it was still a boarding house. Searching the floor produced nothing. He eased the mattress off the bed frame and checked both carefully, before restoring the straw-filled bed. He eased the dresser to one side and checked underneath. It was painstakingly slow so as not to alert the guards. Crawling on hands and knees, he inspected every crevice of the floor but still found nothing. He ran his hands up and down the walls looking for an old picture hook, but only small holes remained.

  The moon made its way across the sky. It was getting late. The door lock clicked and he leaped onto the bed. He was not prepared to make a violent escape. He moaned and let his head lull to one side.

  At the sound of rustling skirts, he opened one eye enough to see Susan walking toward him. She carried a tray, which she left on the dresser before coming toward him. The door locked as she sat on the bed and put her hand on his forehead.

  He opened his eyes.

  She gasped.

  He put a finger to her lips. “Shh, I’m fine, Susan. Do you know how many men guard this place?”

  “Usually four, but one went out with him, for protection. He’s always afraid someone’s after him.”

  A guard stomped down the hallway.

  “Get the food,” Daniel said.

  She went to the dresser and took the bowl of soup, the spoon and returned to the bed. She sat with her back to the door and the bowl in her hand. If the guard entered, he would only see her feeding the sick man soup. “What are you going to do?”

  “We are going to get out of here.”

  “How?” Her hand shook and the spoon clanked against the bowl.

  Daniel covered her hand with his. “Do not be afraid. Where do they keep you?”

  “One floor down, but I’ll have to go to the kitchen first. I have to bring the tray down.” She motioned to the large wooden tray on the dresser.

  “You will act as normally as possible. Go to the kitchen and then go back to your room and wait. Do you have a hairpin?” He asked even though her hair was loose down her back. She put the spoon in the bowl, reached between her breasts and pulled out a small hairpin, intricately etched with a pretty golden butterfly attached to the end. She looked at it before handing it to him. “It was my mother’s. A gift from long ago. Use it how you must.” Her voice edged with emotion.

  He took the bowl and drank half before handing it back and cringing at the bitterness. “It is a shame, but I preferred the dry bread and tea.”

  She took the bowl back to the tray. Looking back at him one last time, she gave the door a kick. The guard opened it and Susan walked into the hallway.

  Again, he waited after the door closed before he opened his eyes. He tucked Susan’s hairpin in his pocket and got off the bed. It was in such bad condition one good kick would have shattered it. Slowly and silently, he dismantled the bed.

  Taking his piece of wood, he went to the door and waited. The guard walked up the hall and back again in about two minutes. Not much time. It meant he would have about half the time to trip the lock. It was a risk. A second guard entered the hall. The two men spoke of women and poor pay. The conversation might cover the noise of picking the lock, but then he would have two giants in the hall to deal with. He had no choice. It was his best chance.

  He took out Susan’s mother’s pin and silently apologized as he bent the heirloom. Carefully, he snapped off the other end and went to work on the lock. The tumblers clicked. His heart pounded. Tucking the wires away, he grabbed his wooden bludgeon and waited.

  The guards talking continued at the other end of the hall.

  Daniel’s muscles ached from lack of movement. It seemed hours before one set of heavy boots trudged down the steps.

  He waited until the guard paced the hall again. When he reached a point where Daniel thought he was just outside the door, he pulled the door open.

  Bill gaped unmoving.

  Daniel whacked the side of Bill’s head with all his strength.

  Bill bobbled and then crumbled.

  Daniel caught him and eased him onto the floor. Waiting, he expected to hear boots running up the steps. With no commotion from below, he started down the hall, skirted rotted floorboards, and listened at each door before opening them. Where was Sophia?

  Soft footfalls alerted him of someone running up the stairs. With his bludgeon raised, he spun into the face of Sir Michael Rollins.

  Michael grabbed his arm before inertia completed the blow.

  “What the hell are you doing here?” Daniel lowered his arm.

  Michael smiled. “Rescuing you, of course.” He looked down the hall at Bill. “Though, it looks as though you were doing a fine job on your own. Did that bloke give you those bruises?”

  Daniel touched the side of his face. “Some of them.”

  Michael smiled again and walked up the last step. “The police are surrounding the house, now. I think it’s best if we take the back stairs down and avoid all the mayhem.”

  Daniel plodded down the steps. “I have to find Sophia.”

  Michael caught up with him. “Lady Marlton is at home, Dan.”

  Daniel absorbed the information. The air rushed out of him. “You are certain?”

  “Positive.”

  Every moment in custody, he’d ached with the knowledge that he’d failed his wife. Leaning over, he grabbed his knees and caught his breath. “He never had her.”

  Michael shook his head. “He tried, but between your servants and Thomas he did not have a chance.”

  “Servants?” Daniel questioned.

  “I’ll tell you about it later. For now, we have to go.”

  “I don’t think so.” Alistair spoke from the landing of the lower stairs. He leveled a pistol at them. “I see you have recovered from your sudden illness, my lord. I’m glad of that, but I would prefer if you stayed.” Sweat streamed down his face and his cravat had come undone. He looked as if he’d run from town. The gun shook.

  Daniel shrugged. “I’m a quick healer.”

  “That is good news. It would appear I have a use for you after all. It seems, at least, your mother-in-law has some good sense. She is the only one in the family with any.”

  Michael scoffed.

  “I’m afraid your friend will have to die as he is of no use and can only hinder my plans. Too bad too, I understand he’s a hero in England.” He took aim.


  Gunfire resounded against the walls.

  Daniel cringed and spun to help Michael, but Michael remained standing and calm.

  Alistair cried out, dropped his gun, and fell to the floor holding his arm.

  Smoke and the sharp stench of gunpowder filled the hallway. Michael waved away the smoke and picked up Pundington’s gun. “Is that you, Tom?”

  Thomas stepped through the cloud of smoke. “Of course. Who else could have made that shot?”

  “It was a fine shot, but I would have preferred if you had killed him,” Daniel said.

  The three of them stood around Pundington.

  “I could have, but I thought it better to watch him hang,” Thomas said.

  Heavy footsteps clambered up the same back stairs Thomas had used. James Hardwig emerged, gasping for air. “Got them all rounded up.” He looked down. “Is that Pundington?”

  “That’s him,” Thomas said.

  “There is one more in the hallway above,” Daniel said.

  “Right then. I see we have to get this one to a surgeon. They’ll keep overnight. I’d appreciate it if you would come in tomorrow for a chat, my lord.” James caught his breath. He was all puffed up with pride.

  Daniel started down the hall.

  “This way,” Thomas said.

  “I’ll be along in a moment.”

  His two friends followed, while James stayed to watch Alistair carried down the steps.

  Daniel tried a door and it was locked. He put his shoulder to it and it gave-way easily.

  Susan screamed.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  “Is it over? I heard gun shots.”

  “It is over, Susan. Come along now. We’ll get you home.”

  They walked down the hall and past the detective. Daniel stopped. “I think it might be in your best interest to check the cargo in his boats. I would do it tonight if I were you. I have a feeling little Susan here is not the only Englishwoman who has been kidnapped.”

  “I already sent some men down there, but I’ll go myself as soon as we have this cleaned up,” James said.

  Daniel put his hand out and the detective took it. “You have done a fine job here, detective. I’ll see your superiors know about it.”

  “Thank you, my lord.”

  Thomas gave James a friendly shove then he followed Daniel down the stairs.

  James Hardwig’s smile was so big he looked a bit daft.

  * * * *

  When Daniel arrived home, the candles remained lit in the front parlor. He opened the door slowly and poked his head in. Anthony sprawled in a large chair, his long legs draped over one overstuffed arm, one arm hung over the other, and his head lolled to one side. It looked miserably uncomfortable. Dorothea and Elinor huddled on the couch fast asleep and Lady Burkenstock dosed in the corner on the settee.

  Sophia stood near the window and must have seen the carriage arrive. When he opened the door, her head was down, but she gazed at him. Her eyes were half the tigress he loved and half the frightened lamb he was just starting to understand. She looked as if she didn’t know whether to run and hide or jump into his arms. Traces of her bruised cheek showed through the powder applied to hide it.

  Thomas and Michael had regaled him with all that had happened in his absence.

  He smiled, though his own heart was beating so fast he had to gulp down a breath. Believing she was in mortal danger and now seeing her safe, he might lose his wits. He stepped fully into the room and opened his arms in hopes of solving her internal dilemma.

  A cry escaped her lips and she flew across the room and into his arms.

  Pain shot across his ribs, but he crushed her in a hug. The pain would wait for later.

  She kissed his face.

  He made an effort not to cringe when her lips touched his bruised cheek. But when she cradled his head and made contact with the lump on his skull, he couldn’t contain it anymore. “Ouch.”

  * * * *

  She took a step back and really looked at him for the first time. She’d been so thrilled and nervous when he first opened the door she hadn’t noticed how beaten he was. His discolored cheek and tattered clothes were obvious, but the lump on his head concerned her more. “My goodness, Daniel, what on earth did he do to you? I’ll send for a doctor immediately.”

  He pulled her back into his arms and buried his face in her hair and the crook of her neck. “No doctor. I’m fine, Sophie.”

  They stayed wrapped in each other’s arms until Thomas tapped him on the shoulder. “Um, we are all just going to go now. Glad to see you home safe. I’ll come by and collect you in the morning and accompany you to see Hardwig.”

  Sophia pushed her husband away and looked around at seven pairs of eyes all watching them and looking exceedingly uncomfortable. Her cheeks warmed with a blush and she didn’t know what to say. She’d forgotten all about the people who had graciously spent the evening waiting with her.

  He pulled his wife back against him. “It’s already morning. Come after two and we shall put this thing behind us. And thank you.”

  His three friends smiled.

  Michael slapped his back. “You will return the favor someday, if necessary. Besides, there are more than just the three of us to thank. Nearly everyone in this room played some part in the scheme to retrieve you.”

  Daniel narrowed his eyes. “I look forward to hearing the entire story and I thank you all for waiting here for my safe return. I had not realized how many truly good friends I’m blessed with.”

  Sophia allowed her tears to flow and even Daniel’s eyes misted a bit. They said farewell to everyone and started up the steps.

  Fenton loudly cleared his throat. “Excuse me, my lord.”

  “What is it, Fenton?”

  Fenton gripped a footman by the arm.

  Jasper clutched the man’s other arm.

  “My lord, as requested by her ladyship, I have found the snitch. This is Colby.” He gave the footman’s arm a shake. “He’s been selling information to the papers. He was approached first by the man who attacked her ladyship and then realized he could make a bit more from the papers.”

  Daniel returned to the foyer. “Colby, is it? Have you been unfairly treated while you worked here?”

  Colby’s cheek was smudged with dirt. He looked his employer in the eye. “No, sir.”

  “Why then, would you jeopardize your position?”

  “The money was good.” His voice was gruff and unrepentant.

  Daniel sighed. “Give him a month’s wages and put him out on the street, Fenton.”

  Fenton stared wide eyed for a long beat. Straightening, he jerked Colby’s arm. “As you wish, my lord.”

  Daniel returned to Sophia.

  “That was generous of you, Daniel.”

  He shook his head. “Without references, he will be hard pressed to find decent employment. I was not as kind as you might think.”

  “Still, I’m not sure I would have given him a penny.”

  “He was lured in by Pundington just as your father and brother were. He will pay dearly for that, but it will not be by my hand.” Daniel took her hand and they climbed the steps.

  * * * *

  When they reached the top, Sophia let go of his hand and proceeded into her own chamber. Too tired to argue, he watched her go and moved to his own door. A steaming bath stood in the corner. Daniel sighed. He must remember to thank his valet.

  He rubbed his face, but a shave would have to wait, so he stripped out of his filthy clothes. They wouldn’t be salvageable. When he sank into the tub, his whole body screamed in both pain and pleasure.

  As he dozed, a gentle hand caressed his face. He grabbed it and opened his eyes. “You are in my room.”

  She tried to pull away, but he held her. “I thought it was our room.”

  “It should be. But when last I saw you, that was not your desire.”

  “A lot has happen
ed since you were taken from me.” She gulped for breath.

  His own breathing came in short gasps and his heart thundered. “Tell me.”

  She looked at him and then at the bath. “It’s a rather long story. You will wrinkle up and the water will go cold before I can tell you half. Would you like to finish your bath and then I’ll explain as much as I can?”

  “Will you help me?” He handed her the washcloth.

  She took it and her cheeks turned the brightest shade of red.

  His wife was stunning and his body teemed with desire for her.

  They remained silent throughout the bath, and she blushed but didn’t turn her head as she handed him a towel and then his dressing robe.

  She walked to the bed and sat. In her nightgown and wrapper, with her hair brushed out so it fell around her shoulders, she was irresistibly beautiful. Her voice remained just above a whisper. “If you would prefer me to go to my own room, I will, Daniel.”

  He came and sat next to her. “Why would I want that?”

  “I have not been a good wife to you.” Her hands twisted into tight fists in her lap.

  He pried her fingers open, cradled her hand, and rubbed the tension out of her palm. “Why do you think you have not been a good wife?”

  “I sent you from my bed.”

  “Why did you do it?”

  Her brows drew together. “After my father died, I had dreams that disturbed me.”

  “Tell me about the dreams.” He massaged her hand and wrist.

  She explained how he’d somehow replaced Alistair in her recurring nightmares.

  Daniel’s hand stilled. He’d become the villain in her dreams. The only woman he’d ever loved feared him. His heart was breaking. “You know I would never harm you.”

  “I believe you will never intentionally hurt me.” She tried to pull her hand away.

  He held it firmly but gently, not allowing her to run from the conversation. “What is it you are afraid of?”

  She pulled away and dashed across the room. She hugged her waist and stomped one foot. “I tried Daniel. I really did. I know it does not seem as though I made an effort, but I have been thinking of little else since you disappeared. And I did not know where you were. So, really, it’s not so sudden.”