The Chance of Love (The Book of Love 7)

by Meara Platt

  Joshua tore out of the shop and shouted to Captain Hume. “Summon the watch, Archie! Rawling was here! There’s a woman injured.”

  Holly feared Joshua would now take off in search of the marquess, but he returned to her side, frowning as he studied her. “Love, you’re not all right. Let me hold you.”

  “Thank goodness,” she said with a sob, falling into his arms.

  “I know, sweetheart. He frightened you.”

  She nodded.

  “I’d chase after him, but it would be futile now. There are so many little alleyways behind the shop. He could have run anywhere.”

  He released her after a moment to check on the injured woman. “How are you?” he asked, kneeling beside her and taking a gentle hold of her wrist to feel her pulse.

  By this time, the shopkeeper was able to sit up on her own, although she was still too unsteady to stand. When she tried, Joshua gently coaxed her not to get up. “Sit a moment longer, please. What is your name? Is there someone we can fetch for you?”

  “I’m Mrs. Mullins. Adela Mullins.” Her eyes were still unfocused as she spoke. “I live around the corner. My son will be at home and probably asleep. He works on the night watch for the harbor patrol and only gets home as I leave to open my shop. You mustn’t bother him. I’ll be all right in a moment. The cur pushed me, and I hit my head against the counter.”

  Joshua glanced toward the door, obviously impatient for more help to come soon. “I’ll run to the inn and see if I can get something cold to press against that lump.”

  Holly held him back. “Let me. It’s only a few steps away. I’ll be safe enough.”

  “Blessed saints! No, love. He may still be close by. I’m not letting you out of my sight for a minute.”

  “Oh, my dear Mrs. Brayden. Your husband is right. You mustn’t go out there on your own.” Mrs. Mullins emitted a ragged breath. “I’m so sorry you were caught up in his attempted robbery. Are you all right? Did he hurt you?”

  “He did me no harm, Mrs. Mullins. I fought him off.” She glanced at the door as Joshua had just done. “Where is the watch? Shouldn’t they be here by now?”

  “Holly, love. I need you to sit down as well. You’re ashen and still trembling.” She wanted to protest, but her legs were wobbling, and she knew Joshua was right.

  The woman suddenly noticed the fallen shelves in the back room. “Oh, the fiend! Look what he’s done!”

  Joshua quickly calmed her. “We’ll pay for the damage.”

  “You, Captain Brayden? Why ever would you do such a thing? None of this is your fault.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong, Mrs. Mullins. We know this man. He is obsessed with my wife and has been stalking her. We thought we’d left him behind in London, but he somehow managed to catch up to us.”

  “The beast!”

  “I don’t believe he was trying to rob you, merely gain information on our whereabouts. He knew we’d come to Harwich by boat. I don’t want you to worry about the damage he caused you. I shall make certain you have whatever you need to repair your shop.”

  The bell tinkled above the door again, signaling the watch had finally arrived. They strode in, two men accompanied by Archie. Holly gave them a description of the marquess and related all that had happened. Mrs. Mullins closed her shop for the hour while her son, who had been awakened by one of the local shopkeepers, arrived with several of his friends to put everything back in order.

  The damage was not as bad as first thought. The shelves had not been broken, and only a small patch of the plaster wall needed repairing. None of the merchandise had been ruined or stolen.

  To Holly’s relief, Mrs. Mullins also seemed to be recovering. Archie had fetched ice from the inn next door and wrapped it in a cloth before applying it to the woman’s head. The lump was small, and when she finally attempted to stand, she appeared steady on her feet.

  But Joshua held out his arm so that she could hold onto it before she took any steps. “I’ll leave an account for you at the Three Cups Inn. Use it as needed or close it out and keep whatever is left of it, as you see fit. It’s yours to do with as you wish.”

  The woman was surprised but obviously grateful. “Thank you, Captain Brayden. Oh, dear! What your poor wife must be going through. I hope you catch that horrid man before he does her any harm.”

  He nodded. “That is what I hope to do.”

  Although Joshua responded calmly, Holly knew he was quite overset. So was she. Lord Rawling had eluded not only his father’s Bow Street runners but theirs, as well. She knew how good Mr. Barrow was, and this caused her the most worry.

  How had he been able to track them down so fast? More importantly, what was to be done about him? More men from the harbor watch had arrived and were now going to fan out through the town to conduct a search.

  Holly did not think they would ever find him.

  Once they’d given their statements and made certain Mrs. Mullins was well attended to, she, Joshua, and Archie left the shop. “Blast, we canno’ leave yet,” Archie said, running his hand through his shock of red hair. “The tide’s too low.”

  “I’m taking Holly back to the yacht anyway. We’ll stay on board. Archie, let’s get out of here as soon as the tide allows.”

  Tears formed in Holly’s eyes, and she could no longer hold them back. “But what about Merry’s tea shop? We said we’d come by. And you, Archie. You promised her you’d stop in.”

  Joshua eyed her worriedly. “Love, it doesn’t matter. She’ll hear what happened and understand.”

  “No.” She turned to Archie, tears now streaming down her cheeks. “You have to go.”

  He and Joshua exchanged looks.

  What was wrong with them? Could they not understand? Lord Rawling may have upset their honeymoon trip, but she could not allow him to upset Archie’s chance at finding romance. What if Merry was meant to be his true love? “The tide’s out. We can’t leave Harwich, as you just said. You must go to her.”

  Archie appeared thoroughly confused. “Aye,” he said, obviously humoring her, “I will next time we dock in Harwich.”

  “But it might be too late by then. What if you never return? What reason would Lord Hume ever have to stop here?”

  When she grabbed Archie’s lapels and tried to shake him, Joshua swept her up in his arms and carried her back to the yacht. She wrapped her arms around his neck, then buried her head against his shoulder and sobbed.

  Archie kept stride with them. “Och, yer poor wife is in shock.”

  “I know. Bollocks, what a mess.” Joshua kissed the top of her head. “I’ll get her back to our cabin. Do you have brandy on board?”

  “Aye, Joshua. Let me know what else ye need, and I’ll send one of my men to fetch whatever we dinna have.”

  “Thank you. I’m hoping the brandy will be enough.” He kissed her again, and she sensed it was as much to calm himself as it was to calm her.

  He still held her in his arms as he strode up the gangplank and then across the deck toward the steps leading down to the cabins. “I can walk,” she said, not sounding very convincing. “Don’t take me down there yet. Please. It feels as though we’re descending into a tomb. Let me catch a breath of air on deck first.”

  He wasn’t happy about it, no doubt concerned she would make an easy target if Lord Rawling intended to shoot her. But he could have done so in the woolens shop had he really wanted to. Also, as he’d tried to carry her off, he had assured her that he would not hurt her. Could she believe him?

  To such a man, assuring her that he would not hurt her could mean locking her away in some hidden prison for the rest of her life. Hiding her where she’d never be found. Or burying her alive beside Walter’s grave.

  Her head began to spin, and she took in great gulps of air, suddenly feeling breathless.

  “Holly! Holly!” she heard Joshua call out, but she was beyond responding. The world had turned dark around her.

  Chapter Fifteen

  While several me
mbers of Archie’s crew looked on in alarm, Joshua made his way down to the earl’s cabin with Holly still unconscious in his arms. He had never felt so helpless in his life. No amount of battles fought, no matter how many times he’d been injured or faced death, had prepared him for the sight of Holly being dragged off by that demented creature.

  He set her gently on the bed and proceeded to remove her shoes and cloak for want of something else to do.

  “Is there anything we can do, Captain Brayden?” Rannulf asked, almost in tears himself. Holly had been very kind to him, had been sweet and pleasant to all of the earl’s crew, and Joshua knew they’d grown fond of her.

  How could anyone resist loving her?

  “Yes, Rannulf. I think Mrs. Brayden left a bottle of perfume on the earl’s dressing table.” He withdrew his handkerchief and handed it to the sailor. “Dab some of it onto this and bring it back to me.”

  “And me, Captain?” asked another crewman by the name of Donnall.

  “She’ll want some mint tea once she comes around. I’ll give her the brandy first, but this is her favorite tea, and she’ll feel better for having something familiar to calm her.”

  “Aye, I’ll let Cook know.” He sighed and shook his head as he stared at Holly. “The poor lass. She’s safe aboard his lordship’s yacht. I hope she knows that.”

  Joshua nodded. “She does.”

  But what was he to do once they were back in London? He could not spend the rest of his life manacled to her at every moment. He would have to report back to duty in a couple of days. What then?

  Even if he were permitted additional leave, what would it accomplish? Holly would not want him following her into every room, hovering over her at every moment of every day.

  But twice now, he’d left her for an instant, and that fiend had appeared.

  He took the doused handkerchief from Rannulf and gently rubbed it across Holly’s brow. Then he dabbed it at her wrists and neck. “Holly, my love,” he said softly when she moaned and fluttered her eyes. “You’re safe here. We’re on the earl’s yacht. I’m right beside you.”

  She nodded. “He won’t let me break away from the past.”

  “But you shall, love. When you’re feeling a little better, we’ll set a plan of action.”

  She nodded again and slowly sat up.

  As she was now aware of her surroundings, she glanced over his shoulder to smile at Rannulf and two other crewmen who were peering in. “I am comforted knowing you are all looking out for me.”

  “Aye, Mrs. Brayden. That ye are.”

  The crewmen left as Archie came in with a bottle of brandy and poured a little into a glass. “Here ye go, lass. Have a sip.”

  Her hand still trembled as she took a gulp of the offered drink. “Ugh! How can you men drink this?” But she laughed and took another sip, making the same sour face as she uttered another ugh.

  Joshua took the glass from her hand and set it on the table. “Cook is boiling some mint tea for you. Is there anything else you’d like, love?”

  She shook her head. “No. I’ll be fine in a moment. I don’t know what came over me.”

  “Shock,” Archie said, still frowning as he regarded her. “But ye’ve let it all out now, so I hope ye’re back to yerself. I know he gave ye a fright, but just remember that he’s simply a man. He bleeds like the rest of us. He has strengths and weaknesses, just as we all do.”

  “For him to have reached us in Harwich,” Joshua said, “means he must have been traveling overnight. I doubt he’s slept in days. He cannot go on as he has, or his body will give out. The harbor patrol has spread the word to all the local merchants. If he sticks his head out from his hiding hole, someone will notice and summon the watch.”

  He tried to sound hopeful but doubted he was doing a good job of it. Holly’s eyes were once again shadowed. It saddened him to see their beautiful sparkle gone. He wanted to go in search of the bastard himself, but the worst thing he could do was leave Holly’s side now.

  Archie patted him on the shoulder. “I’ll go into town and see what more I can find out. We’ll set sail before dusk, Mrs. Brayden. Never ye worry. We’ll be on the open water tonight.”

  Joshua was alone once more with his wife.

  He’d left the door open since Donnall would soon return with her tea. Also, he wanted to encourage the sailors to pop their heads in to wish her well. “Do you feel well enough to talk to me, Holly?

  She nodded. “Yes. I prefer it. I need to keep my mind occupied, or I shall turn into a watering pot again.”

  “You are no such thing. You were very brave in that shop, fighting him and all the while looking around for something with which to hit him. I saw how your mind was working in those precious moments. You fought valiantly.” He leaned forward and took her hand. “Always be a fighter, love.”

  She cast him a fragile smile. “Ah, if only I’d had a candlestick.”

  He chuckled. “You and that candlestick could have taken down an entire Roman legion.”

  “A bit of an exaggeration, I think.”

  “No, I am entirely convinced you could do it. And I’ve also been thinking about making a few changes around our new house. First and foremost is to get us a dog. There are breeds known to be excellent guard dogs. I’d also like you to carry a pistol at all times. They make smaller ones that are popular with ladies. Miranda has several and isn’t afraid to use them.”

  Holly managed a soft laugh. “I’ve heard the wild stories about her prowess. I wish I were more like her.”

  He kissed her on the lips. “Heaven forbid. The world does not need another Lady Miranda. Besides, I like you just as you are.”

  “I’ve caused you nothing but trouble.”

  “You’ve given me joy beyond anything I could ever have imagined. None of this is your fault. We’ll get through it together. Where was I? Oh, yes. Dog. Pistol. Miranda, who will burn a path through London, hunting him down. In addition, surveillance. I’m going to keep Mr. Barrow and his men on to protect you whenever I’m not around.”

  “For how long? What if years go by before Lord Rawling comes out of hiding?”

  “Then that is how long those Bow Street runners will be watching you. I’ll hire additional footmen on top of the butler, cook, and maids we will keep on staff.” He took both her hands in his. “Dog. Pistol. Miranda. Bow Street runners. House full of servants. Me. You will not be alone.”

  In truth, having a plan of action was calming him down. He knew Lord Rawling was devilishly clever, but how could he get past all these precautions?

  “What do you think, love? Anything you’d like to add?”

  She nodded. “Two dogs, not one.”

  “You may have ten if you like. Why two?”

  “One to guard me, but I’d like the other to be a good tracker, able to pick up my scent if he does manage to abduct me and hide me in a hole somewhere. If I cannot get out, I’ll need you to find me.”

  Joshua’s heart twisted in knots. Blessed saints! He wanted this man dead. Holly locked away? Never able to get out? “So be it. Four dogs. Two of them guard dogs, and two of them trackers.”

  “My love, I fear we shall need a bigger house to fit us all in.”

  He nodded. “Very well, a new house it shall be.”

  “No, I jest.” She laughed lightly. “I love the house you purchased for us, and Dahlia did such a beautiful job helping me decorate it. I do not want to sell my dream home.”

  Donnall brought in a pot of mint tea for Holly. Rannulf and several other crewmen stopped in again to see if she needed anything else. He hadn’t seen Archie in a while, but he was likely occupied with the harbor patrol. Right now, those men were the best hope they had of finding Lord Rawling, assuming he was still in Harwich.

  A half-hour later, there was a light knock at their open door. Archie stood there with a small tray in his hands. Joshua was sure it was cakes or tarts by the heavenly aroma wafting out from under the cloth draped over the hidden contents.
<
br />   “Come in, Archie. Any news?” Joshua was eager to hear his report.

  “The harbor patrol is still searching for him. They’ll come to me straight away if they catch him. But Mrs. Brayden has a visitor. I made a stop in town, as ye suggested.” He cast Holly a broad grin. “Merry made these for ye, and she’s come to see how ye’re doing.”

  “Truly?” Her eyes widened, and her smile was suddenly beaming. “Do let her in.”

  Joshua moved the chairs so that they faced out from the table while Archie set down the tray and removed the cloth.

  “Oh, Merry! Are these apple tarts? With cinnamon? And apricot tarts, too? Is this one cherry? How beautiful they all look. Please do sit down and join us. You as well, Captain Hume. Please stay. We’ll need more tea.”

  “Och, dinna bother. Yer husband and I will have brandy.” He winked at her. “I think yer husband could do with an entire bottle all to himself.”

  She nodded. “Our first few days of marriage certainly have not been dull. Merry, may I pour you a tea?”

  “Yes, thank you, Mrs. Brayden. We were all so dismayed to hear what happened. I’m sure the villain will be found soon. Poor Mrs. Mullins! I’m glad she’ll fully recover. My parents sent over some pies to her, as well.” She shook her head. “What an ugly business.”

  They moved on to speak of more pleasant things until Merry made her apologies. “I must return to the shop now. It’ll get busy soon, and my parents will need me to help out.”

  “Thank you for stopping by,” Holly said. “Your visit was the best medicine for me.”

  Merry blushed. “It was my pleasure, Mrs. Brayden.”

  Archie took the girl’s arm. “I’ll escort ye back, lass. I dinna want ye walking alone.”

  When they were out of earshot, Joshua shook his head and laughed. “I’ll be damned. Did you notice the cow-eyed looks they were giving each other?”

  Holly was grinning from ear to ear. “I told you they liked each other.” She held up her hand to stop him from saying anything more about them. “I understand nothing may ever come of it. But it eases my heart to know at least they gave each other a second look. And I know it has nothing to do with Lord Rawling. But I needed to know that love continues no matter what evil rains down on us.”