The Highlander and the Wallflower

by Michelle Willingham

  But love was about choosing what was right, not her own selfish needs. She’d had to give him the choice, the chance to walk away from this scandal. Letting him go was the right thing to do, even if it tore her heart out. Even now, she didn’t know what he would say or do when he saw her again. She didn’t know if he’d gone to help her father out of obligation, or whether he still loved her.

  Hobson continued drinking from the flask, and in time, his head drifted back, and he began to snore. Regina renewed her efforts to free herself from the ropes, though she wasn’t entirely certain what she could do, even if her hands were unbound.

  Even so, she refused to give up.

  Three days later

  The last thing Dalton expected to see was a pirate and a housekeeper charging into his father’s house. His grandfather’s hair was tucked beneath a cap, and he had a cutlass strapped to his side. A blend of exhaustion and excitement lined the old man’s face.

  His father, Lord Brevershire, was staring at his father-in-law. ‘Cairnross, is that you? What the devil are you wearing?’

  The older man came forward and brandished his cutlass. To Dalton, he said, ‘Laddie, we must go and rescue the princess. She was taken by ruffians, and we tracked them to the southern islands.’

  ‘Who took her?’ Dalton’s instincts flared up, and he immediately understood that Regina was in danger.

  ‘A thief-taker,’ Mrs Howard said. ‘Bold as you please. He rode up in a coach and snatched her out from under us. But Lord Cairnross and I followed her. We ne’er let her out of our sight, not once, did we?’

  ‘Not once,’ he repeated. ‘And we must go now to fetch her back. Now that we have reinforcements.’ The look in his eyes made it clear that he considered Dalton to be the reinforcements.

  And Grandfather was right about that. He would do everything to help Regina, but he needed more information. ‘Where did he take her?’

  ‘Near the Tower,’ he whispered. ‘I’ll have to show you where they are.’

  ‘The driver knows?’ Dalton verified, and his grandfather nodded. He told a footman to fetch his coat and hat.

  ‘Just how much have you had to drink tonight, Cairnross?’ Brevershire asked. ‘You seem rather deep in your cups.’ He folded his copy of The Times and set it aside.

  At that, the old earl glared at him. ‘How dare you, sir. Do not accuse me of being a drunkard when your granddaughter has been kidnapped.’

  ‘By ruffians,’ Brevershire repeated drily. His tone said that he didn’t believe a word of Cairnross’s tale.

  ‘Aye, of course. Who else?’

  But Dalton believed it. He was already putting on his coat and hat. ‘Let’s go now, Grandfather.’

  ‘At least your son has some sense,’ Cairnross pronounced. ‘Aye, laddie, we’ll go now and save her.’ He sheathed his cutlass and turned to go. To Mrs Howard, he commanded, ‘Stay here and gather a feast for us, so that when we return, we may feed the lass.’

  Mrs Howard bobbed a curtsy, and bid them, ‘Be safe, and bring our lassie home.’

  Lord Cairnross gave a strong salute. ‘So I shall.’

  * * *

  All during the coach ride, Dalton tried to sort out the fact from fancy. He’d learned that Regina was taken by a hired man and that his grandfather and Mrs Howard had tracked her all the way to London.

  ‘Did they stop at inns along the way?’ he questioned.

  ‘Nay, laddie. They changed horses and bought food, but they didna stay overnight.’ His grandfather added, ‘I was only going to bring one driver, but Mrs Howard said we should bring two, so they could take turns sleeping. She was right, as usual.’

  ‘Why did they take her?’ he wondered aloud.

  The question seemed to sober his grandfather. ‘I don’t ken, laddie. But we will save her, aye?’

  He nodded. His thoughts wandered back to the day he had gone after her father. Lord Havershire was now safely at home in the care of a physician and his wife. Dalton had spoken to the household, strictly reminding them to keep the earl quiet and rested. He still didn’t know why Havershire had left, but he knew he had to address the issue of Mallencourt’s death.

  To his surprise, he saw that the driver had brought them to the Mallencourt residence. A dark uneasiness caught in his gut.

  They knew. And if he didn’t do something, they might take their own vengeance out on Regina.

  Dalton didn’t know how he would approach this situation, but he thought a moment and made his plans. Then he told his grandfather of his intention. ‘Can you help me with this? We’ll split up and see if we can find her.’

  There was a flicker of unrest in the old earl’s eyes, but he inclined his head. ‘’Tis dangerous, but aye, I can indeed, laddie.’ He rested his hand upon his cutlass. ‘You can depend on me. I’ve had a great deal of experience in battle.’

  Whatever thoughts were going through the older man’s head, Dalton could not say. But they had only one chance to save Regina, and he would do whatever he could.

  Dalton left his grandfather behind in the coach and approached the front door. He sounded the knocker, though it was well past the hour for guests. He continued rapping on the knocker until at last, a footman arrived.

  ‘Lord Mallencourt isn’t receiving callers. Come back in the morning.’ Before he could close the door, Dalton pushed his way through.

  ‘I will leave, as soon as I have my wife,’ he said smoothly.

  At that, a look of alarm flashed over the footman’s face. ‘My lord, I don’t think—’

  ‘Let him in, Hugh,’ a voice spoke. ‘Lord Camford and I have much to discuss regarding his wife’s behaviour.’

  Dalton studied the younger man, Mallencourt’s brother, and likely the new heir. ‘We do have much to discuss. Kidnapping is not an offence I will allow to pass lightly.’

  ‘Nor will I allow her to get away with murder.’ Mallencourt’s face held a cool solemnity. His dark brown hair framed a face with stony grey eyes. ‘She will be brought to trial.’

  ‘I demand that you give Lady Camford back, before I bring the law to support my case,’ Dalton insisted. ‘As my wife, she is my responsibility.’ He hoped rather fervently that no one knew the truth about their marriage.

  ‘I have arranged a meeting with the local magistrate,’ Mallencourt said. ‘We will discuss the details of my brother’s death and determine whether new charges should be brought forth.’

  ‘His death was ruled an accident,’ Dalton said. ‘What do you hope to accomplish with this?’ He was stalling, trying to draw out the man into conversation. His grandfather needed time to search for Regina.

  ‘I want justice,’ Mallencourt answered. ‘The world deserves to know how my brother died.’

  ‘The world knows how he died. You cannot overturn anything.’

  ‘We shall see,’ Mallencourt answered. ‘In the meantime, you will be leaving.’

  ‘Not without my wife.’ He started to move forwards, but this time, two footmen flanked him on either side.

  ‘She is not here on the premises,’ Mallencourt said. ‘But I will bring her to the magistrate’s in a few days and send word. You may see her then.’

  Dalton didn’t know if the man was telling the truth or not, but he had given his grandfather all the time he could. He considered the idea of forcing his way in, but it might cause stronger consequences in the long run. At least he knew who had taken her and why.

  He turned his back on Mallencourt, turning over the problem in his mind. He was vaguely aware of the servants closing the door on him, and he wrenched the door of the coach open.

  There he found his grandfather happily sitting across from Regina. A breath of relief rushed through him. He didn’t know how Cairnross had found her, but the distraction had worked.

  Dalton could hardly blink before she was in his arms, half-crying. He
closed the coach door, and the driver took them away.

  ‘Well done,’ he said to his grandfather. ‘Did you have any difficulty finding her?’

  ‘I used your distraction to my advantage,’ Cairnross answered. ‘Went through the servants’ quarters and rescued the princess. There was only one locked door, so I knew that was where she was imprisoned.’ He beamed and added, ‘They were daft enough to leave the key in the lock.’

  ‘Did anyone see you?’

  Regina shook her head, still gripping him tightly. ‘They were too worried about you to even think about me. When Lord Cairnross showed up at my door, he unlocked it and took me outside the servants’ entrance.’

  ‘Thank God,’ he breathed. To his grandfather he added, ‘Well done, sailor.’ His grandfather saluted him, leaning back in the coach with pride.

  * * *

  Regina kept her hand in Dalton’s, so thankful that he was here with her now. She could hardly tear her gaze from his, and when they arrived at his father’s residence, he led her up the stairs to his bedchamber.

  ‘Are you all right?’ he asked, when they were alone. ‘Did anyone hurt you?’ He reached out and touched the bruise on her cheek.

  She shook her head. ‘It’s nothing serious. Just a few bruises.’

  ‘This looks like someone hit you.’ His thumb caressed the spot, but she caught his hand.

  ‘I don’t want to think of that now. I’m home safe, with you. That’s all that matters.’ She brought his arms to her waist and rested her arms around his neck. Right now, she refused to consider what lay ahead or what scandal could impede their happiness. Instead, she needed to be in his arms, to let him know how much he meant to her.

  ‘Let me defend you, Regina,’ he murmured against her hair. ‘With whatever lies ahead.’

  She lifted her face to his and kissed him. ‘I was wrong to leave you. And whatever happens, we will stay together,’ she promised.

  He undressed her slowly, and she did the same to him, savouring each touch. It felt like an eternity since he’d held her, and she welcomed the hard lines of his body against hers.

  ‘I am sorry for pushing you away,’ she said. ‘I thought at the time, that I was protecting you from the scandal. I never meant to doubt your ability to defend me.’

  His hands moved over her bare breasts, and she gave a soft cry as her body grew aroused to his touch. ‘The danger’s not over yet. Mallencourt wants to overturn the coroner’s cause of death.’

  She had suspected as much, but hearing it brought the terror only closer. ‘Do you think he can?’

  Dalton trailed his mouth down her throat, his hands sliding lower. ‘He can try. But I won’t let him hurt you, Regina.’ His mouth closed over her breast as he parted her legs. She gripped his hair, raising up her knees as she grew wet with need. ‘And when this is over, I want you to marry me.’

  He entered her in one swift stroke. Her body welcomed him inside, and her heart was so filled with love and fear for the future, she could hardly bear it. ‘I will,’ she promised.

  He clasped her hands in his, and his green eyes held the intensity of a lifetime. Slowly, he made love to her, and with every stroke, she felt their bodies becoming one. ‘I don’t want to die, Dalton. Please...don’t let them bring charges against me.’

  ‘I won’t let anything happen,’ he swore. ‘I will hire attorneys for you, if needed...but it is my hope that nothing is overturned, and we will put an end to it.’

  To underscore his words, he seized her hips and thrust deeply inside. She squeezed him within and wrapped her legs around his waist. He quickened his pace, and she felt her breathing mimic his thrusts. As he penetrated her, she felt herself rising higher, straining as he pushed her to the edge.

  ‘I love you, Regina,’ he said. Over and over, he took her, and he demanded, ‘Let yourself go. I want to watch you reach the edge.’

  He ground against her, and the contact was a searing touch that fisted inside her and then shattered into a thousand pieces. She clenched his length as she shuddered, and he rode her release, echoing her pleasure when he took his own. She heard his groan against her lips as he emptied himself and collapsed atop her.

  ‘I love you,’ she whispered. ‘And I have faith in you.’

  He held her close, but neither knew what the future would bring. They lay together in the darkness, and she asked, ‘Was there any word from Anne?’

  He shook his head. ‘She refused to accept my call a few days ago. Which was not surprising.’

  ‘What will you do about her?’ She traced her hand over his hard shoulder, marvelling at his lines of strength.

  ‘Sidney thinks I should leave it alone. I disagree.’ He caught her hand and brought it to his heart. Beneath her fingers, she could feel the beating, and she pressed a kiss to his bare skin.

  ‘I am going to meet with an attorney before we go to the magistrate. He will represent you and ensure that we follow the law. I believe that, in the end, we can prevail.’

  She didn’t voice her fears, for there were two enemies against her—Mallencourt and Lady Anne. Though she wanted to keep faith that there was a chance of acquittal, a part of her feared the worst. She had heard of women who had been hanged for murder. A cold chill flooded through her at the thought. She didn’t want to die—especially when she had been a victim of Mallencourt’s violence.

  A tremble caught her, and she clutched at the thin coverlet. If Anne had been the blackmailer, why would she turn against her? Regina had mistakenly believed that they were friends. Though she had known of her friend’s poverty, never had she imagined that their friendship was false.

  What had Anne witnessed? Had she truly been there that night, waiting for her? Or was that a lie, too? She didn’t know. Though she tried to sleep, it would not come. All she could think about was the meeting with the magistrate and whether she would survive the outcome.

  ‘What of my father?’ she asked Dalton. ‘Have you seen him?’

  He shook his head. ‘He has kept to himself. Thus far, he has remained with your mother at home.’

  She was glad to hear that he had arrived there safely. And although he had bid her farewell, she could not relinquish her worry. Perhaps his illness had worsened, and he wanted to spend the remainder of his days at home with Mother. But she didn’t want to think of him suffering.

  Another thought occurred to her, and she asked, ‘Will Papa have to speak to the magistrate on my behalf, as well?’

  ‘I think it’s best if the attorney handles his testimony,’ Dalton countered. ‘We cannot afford a moment of madness.’ She knew he was referring to her father’s act of violence against Miss Goodson.

  His arms closed around her, and she knew she was putting her life in his hands. Everything came down to this meeting with the magistrate—and she feared the worst.

  * * *

  Over the past few days, Lord Brevershire had been more demanding than Dalton had ever known. Both of them had stayed up late each night, going over their plans. And yet, he could not have been more grateful for his father’s help. Dalton had offered to live in Scotland, retiring to a quiet life with Regina, if they managed to save her.

  Instead, John had demanded that he take on more responsibilities, including caring for all the estates and handling their investments. He had no choice but to take on the full weight of the earldom, though the title was not yet his.

  Dalton wanted to believe that he and his father would succeed, but the truth was, he had no idea. They had set their plans in motion, writing countless letters until his fingers were stained with ink and sore. Right now, he felt as if he were in the midst of a war, fighting for his wife’s survival. But he would spend every coin he had if it meant protecting her.

  He had hired the best attorney in London for her, and they had spent all morning discussing her case. Mr Hortense Whitley had listened, taken c
opious notes, and he had also sent word to the magistrate, moving the meeting to later in the afternoon.

  ‘You have a good chance of winning,’ he said to Dalton, ‘but do not let your wife or her father speak to the magistrate. They could incriminate themselves without even knowing it.’

  ‘Regina will do as we ask,’ Dalton said. Earlier that morning, they had agreed that she would remain in hiding to keep her safe. ‘It’s her father who could be questionable. I asked him to join us this morning, so you can advise him.’

  ‘We have a few advantages,’ Mr Whitley said. ‘Namely, the cost of a trial would be high, and Mallencourt’s family would have to pay for it. It has also been several years since the ruling, so time is on our side. Last, the blackmail would only incriminate Lady Anne—or it could possibly be used against the Mallencourts. It all depends on whether that comes out in the meeting.’

  ‘What is the purpose of resurrecting this case?’ Dalton asked. ‘What do they hope to gain?’

  The attorney shrugged. ‘Power and influence, I suspect. If they believe they have an advantage over your family, it would be a means of intimidation...’

  And likely that was the true reason. The threat of scandal had forced Havershire to pay thousands of pounds to protect his daughter’s good name. The Mallencourts might have the same goal, of extortion.

  It was rather like an elaborate game of chess. The winner would have to make sacrifices and accept losses for the overall good. And Dalton had already made his first move.

  The door opened, and Lord Havershire walked inside. Dalton stood and greeted the man, asking, ‘Won’t you sit down and join us?’

  The earl did so, and he folded his hands in his lap. The attorney was about to go over their plans, when Havershire suddenly broke into a racking cough. He covered his mouth with a handkerchief and took a moment to clear his throat. Then he said, ‘Forgive me. I fear, my health is not what it used to be.’