Ian left the house, climbed atop the coach and urged the team forward, pushing them as fast as they could run. After he arrived at the castle, he ran into O’Toole, who was the first servant he saw. Ian paused to catch his breath. “Is Charlotte home yet?”
“No, Master. She left with you earlier and hasn’t returned.”
Ian swore under his breath, the ache in his gut growing. His hand clutched his side and he tried to slow his breathing. “Quickly, get the servants together and search the castle anyway!”
“What’s wrong?”
“She’s missing.”
“Sir? Before you leave, an urgent message was delivered for you.”
Ian didn’t have time for this nonsense, and was going to refuse the missive his servant held out, but doubt snuck in through his worried mind. What if this was a letter from Charlotte informing him she was leaving? Ian took the letter from his servant and opened it.
We have your wife. And just like three years ago when you robbed us of our money, we demand one hundred thousand pounds in twenty-four hours. Your time started at eight this evening, so we encourage you not to waste a minute. Your wife’s life is at stake, and rest assured, this time we’ll kill her. We’re also going to lead you on a little scavenger hunt. We want to have a little fun at your expense, just like you had with us three years ago. We also want to test your skills to see if they are any good. By eight on Tuesday evening, if we haven’t received any word from you, we’ll kill your wife.
In a frightened rage, Ian crumbled the paper in his hands. What had he gotten her into? If it were not for him, she would be back home right now, safe with Allison. Why had he insisted on her staying?
His gut wretched with apprehension…he had to find her! But how? He already guessed by the note that these were the same blackhearts who had kidnapped her three years ago, but what were they doing in Bath? And how did they find her? The only thing he could presume was that they were somehow linked with Jeffrey Franklin. Was Ewan part of this? Ian didn’t think so since the man was still passed out at his home and the commissioner were missing.
Ian looked at O’Toole, standing still, wringing his hands against his middle. “She’s been kidnapped.”
His servant hitched a breath as color seeped from the older man’s cheeks. “Oh, no. What can we do?”
“Nothing yet. I need to find out where the commissioner has her first. If I need your assistance, I’ll let you know.”
Ian turned and dashed out the door. As he untied one of the horses and mounted, he prayed she was safe and the commissioner hadn’t touched her improperly. He’d kill the man with his bare hands. Oh Charlotte, my love…I’m coming!
When he reached Ewan’s house, he stopped his horse and jumped down. Instead of knocking on the front door, he threw it open and entered. “Stout?” Ian yelled. “Stout? Where are you? Answer me!” He didn’t hear an answer, so he sprinted up the stairs in a panic, his heart beating so hard he thought it would break a rib.
Just as he reached the top floor, Ewan trudged out of his bedchamber, wearing a black robe. The man’s thin brown hair looked like it hadn’t been combed in a week, and a growth of stubble covered the lower half of his face. Ewan rubbed his red, tired eyes, blinking them into focus.
Once he recognized him, he gasped. “Fielding? What do you want? And please, lower your voice,” he complained, holding his head in his hands.
Ian took Ewan by the elbow and led him downstairs into the kitchen to prepare the coffee.
“Am I seeing right? Is it really you?” Ewan asked.
“Yes.”
“But...but...I thought you were in hiding.”
“I am, so don’t tell anyone you saw me.” Ian placed the kettle on the stove. Not too long ago, they’d done this together as friends, each helping the other when they had drunk too much.
“So, Ewan, how was your night?” Ian asked.
“Aw,” he groaned as his head pounded. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Well, that is too bad, because I do.” Ian sat at the table by him. “What happened to the commissioner during your little party?”
Confusion crossed Ewan’s brow when he looked back at Ian. “How did you know the commissioner was here?”
“Because the party was mainly for that imbecile. Jacqueline and my wife planned everything. I won’t go into it right now, but I need to know if you have seen Jeffrey Franklin.” He tried to keep the impatience from seeping into his voice.
“What makes you think I know?” Ewan’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.
“Because he was here in this house when I dropped off Charlotte and Jacqueline. When I came to pick them up, they were gone. All three of them.”
Ewan shook his head, holding it in his hands as if it were going to fall apart.
“Think really hard, Ewan. This is a matter of life and death.”
“Whose death?” He looked up expectedly.
“Charlotte’s and possibly Jacqueline’s.”
Ewan’s eyes widened. “Jacqueline?”
“I believe the commissioner has kidnapped them.”
Ewan’s hands massaged his forehead as he squeezed his eyes closed. “I thought it was a dream.”
“Tell me all you can remember,” Ian urged.
Ewan opened his eyes, staring into thin air for a long moment. “I vaguely recall a man trying to awake the commissioner. I also believe this same man was yelling at that new girl who Jacqueline brought.”
“That was Charlotte in disguise.”
Ewan’s eyebrows lifted. “It almost seemed as if they were upset at her for some reason.” He paused. “I remember them tying her to a chair.”
“Think. Was there anything else?”
“I can’t remember. I don’t think I even remember them leaving,” Ewan said.
Ian slammed his fist on the table and cursed.
Ewan jumped, and then moaned as he held his head again. “Wait…I think I do remember something else.”
Leaning forward, Ian grasped his friend’s arm. “What?”
“I think the commissioner’s brother came. I remember seeing him…”
“His brother?”
“Yes, his younger brother, Benji.”
Ian pulled away from the table. “Thank you, Ewan. You don’t know how much you’ve helped me.”
“Ian? Are you going to get Jacqueline back, too?”
“I’ll get them back. They’re holding Charlotte for ransom.” He moved to leave then turned back to Ewan. “By the way, where did you get that bracelet? You know the one you gave Jacqueline?”
His face turned a deep red. “I—I—I stole it from the commissioner. He has so many pieces of fine jewelry, I didn’t think he would miss one.”
“Do you know where the commissioner got it?”
He shrugged. “No. I figured since he’s blackmailing me and Jacqueline, he’s probably getting money and jewelry the same way.”
Ian grabbed the collar of Ewan’s robe roughly, jerking him out of the chair. “Ewan, did you tell the commissioner about some of my clients? Did you divulge information about their secret rooms and where they kept their jewels? Did you?”
Once again, Ewan held his head as if it would explode. “Please…I need a drink...a strong one.”
Ian let go of the man, shoving him away. He quickly hurried to his liquor cabinet and poured him a whiskey. Ewan gulped it back, choking as tears filled his eyes.
“Ewan, please. I need to know.”
Ewan nodded. “He tried to get me to confess. I wouldn’t, but he knew things about me...things I didn’t want others to know.” He sank into his chair, lowering his head, and covering his hand over his eyes. “Forgive me, Ian, but I had no other choice. He threatened to tell everyone.” His voice tightened.
“Ewan, although not directly, I still have connections with the King. Will you tell him what you just told me?”
“Will it get Franklin arrested?”
Ian nodded. “He’ll get his
comeuppance, I assure you.” He patted his friend’s shoulder. “I must leave so I can rescue the woman I love.”
“Ian? Thank you. You’re a good friend.”
Ewan’s squeaky voice stopped him. Ian nodded, and walked to the door then he heard Ewan call out again. “I think the commissioner might have taken the women to his cottage in the country.”
“He has a cottage?”
“Follow the road leading north out of Bath. It’s about three miles northwest.”
“That’s where I’ll go.” He hurried out the door and mounted his horse.
* * * *
“Your plan won’t work,” Charlotte told Henry as he paced the floor in front of her.
So far, Henry had been ignoring her angry outbursts. Since the commissioner had brought them here, she’d been taunting both Henry and Benji. She detected that Henry was the meaner of the two, and she’d overheard the commissioner instruct them not to lay a hand on her. So she felt safe enough to continue her insults.
Henry walked past her again and she snickered. “Ian will see past your tiny little brain and fool you once again. He did it before when you first tried to kidnap me. And he’ll do it again. You spineless fool!”
When he spun around and moved toward her, she realized this time she’d gone too far. She trembled and an oddly primitive warning sounded in her brain.
Henry grasped her shoulders roughly and jerked her once. “Then Ian will have a dead wife, won’t he?”
“Henry,” Jeffrey said calmly as he descended the stairs to the cellar where she was tied to a chair. “Please handle my woman a little better than that.”
Charlotte shivered and her stomach churned.
Looking over his shoulder, Henry gave him a quizzical stare. “Yer woman? When did that happen?”
Jeffrey laughed. “From the very first moment I laid eyes on that lovely creature. She’s like a spirited filly that just needs to be reminded who really holds the reigns.” He moved to Charlotte, and caressed her cheek softly. “Say the word, my beauty, and I’ll not let this beast lay a hand on you.”
“May the devil take you!” she snapped.
He shook his head. “Tsk, tsk, Charlotte. Those are not the right words, but I’ll give you another chance.”
She decided to hold her tongue. She didn’t want to ruin her chances of having the commissioner’s help when she needed it, but she also didn’t want to give him the wrong impression, either. She tilted her head beguilingly, the way women often did to charm men. She flirtatiously batted her eyelashes, lowered, and then raised them demurely, looking through them at him. She smiled sweetly, turning her shoulders. She felt like a complete idiot, but what other choice did she have? None!
The commissioner laughed and shook his head. It was rather unnerving, waiting, praying, and hoping against hope to be rescued, but that was all she could do in her position. She had to pray Benji would deliver her ransom note before the commissioner gave up restraining himself. She also hoped Ian was as good at investigating as she’d been told. He just had to find her at the commissioner’s country cottage. She deeply hoped Ian knew the man of the law had two residences.
Benji stumbled through the cellar door, bringing in the wind as he entered. He turned and latched it tight, holding the piece of wood as if the horrendous wind would blow more leaves and dust into the house. After he accomplished his task, he walked into the room and smiled. “Mr. Fielding should be reading ’is note any time now.”
“Where did you deliver it?” Jeffrey asked.
“To the castle. That’s where you told me to.”
“Why the castle?” asked Henry. “I thought ye said Ian wasn’t there.”
Jeffrey bestowed upon Charlotte a wicked grin. “That’s what Lord Thatcher and Mrs. Fielding told me, but I think differently. If I know Ian the way I think I do then he wouldn’t stay very far away from his lovely wife.”
“So, how long should we give ‘im to arrive?”
“Not more than twenty-four hours.”
“And if he doesn’t respond?” asked Henry.
“Then we’ll kill her,” Jeffrey answered with a shrug. “But not until after I have had my way with her.”
Charlotte panicked. She’d rather die than let him touch her. With a silent plea, she prayed Ian would come rescue her. He just had to come. But he could not get caught. She wondered if these men knew of his many disguises. She certainly hoped not. Her salvation depended on it.
* * * *
Lord Thatcher needed to make another performance. That was the only way to save Charlotte. If Ian was spotted, he’d be arrested. Ian gathered the hooded cape around him as he descended the carriage. Ahead of him stood the commissioner’s cottage. Taking deep breaths, Ian tried to calm his anger. He was Lord Thatcher now, not Ian. He reached the door and rapped hard. Within a minute the heavy oak opened, the commissioner peering into the near-dawn morning as he held a lamp.
Recognition must have struck the imbecile, because he gasped, his eyes widening.
“Lord Thatcher?” Jeffrey swallowed hard. “What do I owe the pleasure of your company this early in the morning?”
“I have an urgent matter which needs discussing. May I come in?”
“By all means.” Jeffrey stepped away, opening the door wider. “Would you like some tea?”
“No.” Once Ian was inside, he removed his cloak, showing the commissioner his gruesome scarred face. “I’m here to pay the ransom for Mrs. Fielding.”
Jeffrey lifted his brows. “What ransom?”
Ian swept quickly upon the insipid man, trying to intimidate him with his large frame. “You know what I’m talking about, so I suggest you get to it. I have the money to pay for Mrs. Fielding’s ransom, so if you will please get her for me, I’d be most obliged.”
Jeffrey remained standing where he stood. His expression wavered between fright and confusion. “Well now, Lord Thatcher, I don’t believe I can do that,” he said, stepping away. “If you’re as smart as I think you are, coming here to find the lady when the ransom note clearly said nothing of her whereabouts. I’m certain you can also figure out that I’m a desperate man. And you must be aware of the animosity between Ian and myself. So, I really must insist that Ian deliver the ransom.”
Ian clenched his fists, reminding himself this was not the time to pummel the commissioner. “Fielding isn’t coming. He’s far away and smarter than you think. He knows you’ll ambush him as soon as he approaches your property.”
Jeffrey scowled. “I cannot turn the lady over, my lord.”
Ian moved like a panther, swift and effortlessly. He took Jeffrey’s lapels in his fists and lifted him off the floor. The man of the law gasped and tried to kick out, but Ian ignored his protests. “I said, get her—immediately!” he growled.
Through Jeffrey’s frightened face, another emotion crossed his features, and he lifted his brows. “I think we can work something out.” His voice took on a conspiratorial tone as he tried to peel Ian’s hands from his shirt. “I think if we can act like gentlemen then we’ll be able to come to some sort of compromise.”
“A compromise?”
“Well, it occurs to me you are in love with the woman.”
Ian hardened his expression. He didn’t say anything, but Jeffrey probably guessed the answer.
The so-called man of the law chuckled. “Now my lord, we might be able to help each other out. You want Mrs. Fielding, and I want her husband. If you help me get her husband, she’ll be free for you to have for yourself.”
“What makes you think I can get Mr. Fielding?”
“I have a strong feeling Ian is hiding in your castle.”
“Why would you think that? You and your men searched it thoroughly and left empty-handed.”
“True, but I still think he’s there.”
“Why?”
“Because, Lord Thatcher, if you had a wife as lovely as Mrs. Charlotte Fielding, would you be away from her side for very long?” He paused, shaking his
head. “I think not, my lord.”
“And are you willing to risk a woman’s life on that theory?” Ian snapped. “Shame on you, Commissioner. I thought you were smarter than that.”
Jeffrey lifted an eyebrow. “Can you prove differently? Has Mrs. Fielding been in your company twenty-four hours a day so that you could honestly say that Ian has not been with her?”
Ian scowled. “No, I cannot honestly say I’ve kept watch on Mrs. Fielding twenty-four hours a day, but from what she has confided with me, she hasn’t seen her husband since you accused him of thievery.”
“Then she’s lying,” Jeffrey stated. “The woman is obviously seeing her husband.”
“How are you so certain?”
He shrugged. “Why else would she proclaim he’s innocent and that he’s going to rescue her if she doesn’t know where he is?”
Ian’s heart softened, yet emotion tightened his chest. Charlotte waited for him to rescue her. Ian prayed he could fulfill her wish. “I don’t see how Mr. Fielding could possibly know where she is, because I was the one who received the ransom note.”
Jeffrey laughed. “You don’t know the man as well as you might think. Fielding is clever and full of surprises. Are you not aware of his investigating talents?”
“Very much so.”
“Well, that proves right there he’ll come for his wife. Trust my words, Lord Thatcher, he’ll be here soon.”
With a nod, Ian turned and limped to the nearest chair, sitting down on the expensive piece of antique furniture. “I suppose I’ll just wait right here until the time comes.”
Anger creased the lines on Jeffrey’s face. “I have a better idea. Why don’t you return home and tell your servants to spread the story of Mrs. Fielding’s kidnapping? That way, Fielding will eventually hear.”
Ian grinned haughtily. “That has already been done. Don’t you think the servants knew when I did? They were Mr. Fielding’s servants before coming to my castle.”
“Well, Lord Thatcher, you’re welcome to wait.” Jeffrey’s eyes narrowed and his mouth pulled into a thin line. “If you’re quite certain Fielding will get the ransom note then feel free to stay.”
“I will, Commissioner, but while I’m waiting, I’d like to see Mrs. Fielding—just to make certain she’s unharmed, mind you.”
Belong To Me (book 4) (The Fielding Brothers Saga) Page 25