“That is precisely what I came to speak to you about. How to go about hiring someone. I hate that Fran will probably not go to Scotland with me. She was so looking forward to it, but I’m afraid it’s best for her to remain.”
They entered the kitchen and Martha greeted her by motioning to the doorway. “Lucille just went out again. I think your cat is searching for you, Miss Genie. Poor thing.”
No sooner did the woman finish the sentence then Lucille appeared and pranced to Evangeline. The cat rubbed against her legs, purring with glee.
“I think Lucille should come with me. I miss this cat terribly,” Evangeline announced.
“What about Camren?” her mother asked. “I am not sure he will take well to a cat sleeping in your bed. That cat is very spoiled. It will be hard to keep Lucille away.”
Evangeline lifted the cat up and kissed the furry face. “We will have to work on a new sleeping arrangement for you, Miss Lucille.”
They drank tea and discussed finding a new maid with Martha who had her fingers on the pulse of what was happening around town. Many times, young women seeking employment would ask others at the market about any availability.
“Since Lord Singletary died, the entire staff was relieved of their positions. There are plenty looking for a position such as this. They come from a well-established home and will be trustworthy.”
“Will you seek someone for me please, Martha?” Evangeline asked. “I trust your judgment. You know me better than I know myself sometimes.”
She visited for another hour, mostly because she didn’t relish the idea of returning to the empty house even if only a few miles away.
“You should find things to do. Embroidery, reading, maybe start gardening,” her mother suggested. “I know it’s a time of adjustment, but with Camren having a tight schedule before returning to Scotland, it is understandable that he has to be away from home most days.”
“I am not complaining,” Evangeline said. “That is why I wish to bring Lucille and also I will train a new maid and that will occupy my time.”
They went out the front door together to the family carriage. It would take her back to the townhouse and Evangeline hugged her mother. “Please tell Martha to hurry. The chambermaid tries her best, but she had no idea how to style my hair. I am glad to only be coming here.”
After a hug and picking up a carrier with a very angry Lucille in it, Evangeline climbed into the carriage and headed back home.
Along the way, there were noticeably many people out enjoying the warm weather. Evangeline had not considered a day of shopping.
Upon arriving home, she’d make a long list of things to acquire before her move to Scotland. Rose would enjoy helping her acquire what would be needed.
Her lips curved at plans that would keep her occupied for a few days at least.
The house was quiet, and she spent a long while following Lucille about as the cat familiarized itself with the house. By late afternoon, the feline had claimed a chaise near a large window and slept soundly in the sun.
Evangeline sat at a drawing table and penned a list of things to purchase. Although she wasn’t sure about the common spaces at the keep in Scotland and knowing she’d not have any control over décor or such, Camren had told her their chambers included a sitting room and dressing room, as well.
She’d ensure there was a writing desk as she’d make use of it to maintain communications with her mother and Rose. Since the area where the Maclean home was located sounded rural, she would purchase papers, books and plenty of her favorite chocolates.
The list was becoming quite long. She and Rose would be occupied for days completing the task.
“Would you like dinner served now, Lady Maclean?” Flora asked while lighting lanterns around the room. “It is quite late.”
Evangeline frowned, doing her best to remember what Camren had said before leaving that morning. “Laird Maclean should have returned by now. Can you send a message to Mister Sutherland and find out if he is there?”
“Of course, Lady Maclean.” With a worried look directed at her, the woman hurried away.
Something seemed odd about Camren’s absence. Daniel was not there either, so she couldn’t inquire about his whereabouts.
Chapter Thirteen
Swaying movement brought Camren out of a strange sleep of sorts. He blinked and swallowed past his parched throat.
The surroundings were dim and stunk of rotted fish. A boat, a small vessel if he were to guess, was where he found himself.
His mind flashed to having come to the docks to meet a captain of a ship that was to bring whisky for his and Gideon’s company to England. He’d not found the man and, while waiting, had been overtaken by four or five rather rough-looking men.
Beefy fists had pummeled him until he’d fallen to the ground. The only good thing was that he’d managed to knock a few teeth out of a couple of their mouths.
“What in the bloody hell?” He struggled to stand, swaying from being unconscious and pain assailing him. He had no shoes and his jacket was gone. When he breathed in, Camren flinched. His ribs hurt. Probably had several broken ones.
They’d not bothered to tie him up, which was idiotic. Then again, it was evident the goons had been sent to beat him and get rid of him immediately.
At the sounds of footsteps, he dropped to the ground and pretended to be passed out.
“How you plan to get rid of ’im?” a gruff voice asked.
“Toss ’im overboard. The man’s out cold and will drown,” a second answered.
There were chuckles.
“We got what we wanted from the man. It seems cruel to let ’im die.” Camren held his breath, waiting for the others to reply. With broken ribs, it would be quite hard to swim. Not only that, he had no idea how far out they’d gone.
They grabbed his hands and feet and Camren bit back a cry at the pain the movements caused.
As the men struggled to stay upright, he assessed pain in his ribs, his left hip and face.
Peering from under his eyelids, he caught sight of how far shore was. He could barely make it out. By the pains shooting from his sides, he hadn’t the strength to fight and resisting would only bring more injuries that he could ill afford.
Going limp made the men stumble as his weight became uneven.
“I think ’e passed out again,” one of them said.
“Hopefully, ’e’ll die quickly. Poor bastard.”
Just as they swung him to toss him overboard, Camren took a deep swallow of air. But at the shock of the cold water, it was forced from him. For a moment, he let his body adjust and then painfully arched his back and floated up.
He’d have to be careful to ensure not to be seen. So despite the desperate need for air, he waited a bit just under the surface.
When his lungs began to burn, screaming for air, he carefully surfaced but just enough to gulp in air.
He waited a bit more and then came up fully for air, coughing and choking. He turned in every direction as he looked for the boat. Whatever way they went had to be toward shore. He finally caught a glimpse of it. He was weak, cold and in pain. How far could he swim before succumbing?
A sleepy Daniel opened the door when Evangeline pounded for the fourth or fifth time. His eyes widened. “Lady Maclean…” he peered around her. “Is something amiss?”
“You could say that. It is late morning and I have not seen my husband since yesterday morning. He said he was going to the docks, but never returned.”
She tapped her foot impatiently. “May I come in?”
“Oh, yes… of course. I do apologize.”
By the smell of his breath, he and whoever was there had done a lot of drinking. She stopped in the entry and remained standing since there were no furnishings. “Is he here?”
“I will search immediately. However, Mister Gideon and I went to bed quite late and he was not here then.”
A shirtless Gideon appeared at the top of the stairs. “What is g
oing on?”
“It seems Laird Maclean is missing.”
“I will get our horses immediately.” As if someone pushed him from behind, Gideon raced down the stairs, grabbed a shirt from the banister, tossed it on and ran past her. He reappeared moments later wearing a coat and boots. His gaze moved to her.
“Please contact the constable. Tell him and his men to meet me at the docks. I will come to the townhouse to let you know of any news.” Without another word, he raced out. She guessed to find his horse.
“We will find him.” Daniel was a bit slower. But he, too, appeared dressed and hurried out after giving her a curt bow.
It wasn’t until she stood in the empty house alone that Evangeline’s chest tightened. Where was her husband?
She turned to the waiting cabby in a daze. “To the constable’s office please.”
Two hours later, she paced the parlor at the townhouse while her mother and Rose sat in silence.
“Why hasn’t someone come to bring news yet?” Evangeline said with exasperation. “I am of half a mind to go to the docks myself.”
“That is no place for a woman. There are too many ruffians and undesirables there,” Rose said, sounding more like her mother.
Her mother patted the seat next to her. “Sit for a moment, dear. We can only get in the way if we go down there. I am sure Gideon and the constable have things well in hand.”
“I waited too long,” Evangeline said, sinking down to sit. “What if he was killed? I should have checked on him before going to bed.”
“I would have probably done the same,” Rose said. “You don’t know Camren well enough to ascertain what is normal or not in his habits.”
Her mother patted her hand. “We should pray for his safety.”
Three bangs on the door made them all jump. A maid hurried past and, moments later, a young man in uniform entered.
“Lady Maclean?” He identified himself as a policeman, his face solemn. “We found someone who witnessed your husband being assaulted by three men. He was taken out on a boat. We have several out now searching the water in case he was tossed.”
Evangeline’s breath caught. His words seemed to float over her. Was she to become a widow just a week after marrying? How was it possible?
“Did no one try to help him?” Rose asked, her face pinched with worry.
The man shook his head. “These are everyday occurrences there, unfortunately.”
Evangeline jumped to her feet. “So, the answer is no. People stood by while my husband was beaten by a group of men. How can this be? Aren’t your people assigned there to keep watch?”
“There are several, yes, but we cannot see everything.” The man took a step back, as if expecting to become a victim of a beating himself.
Her mother came to her side. “Thank you for informing us. Do they know how long it’s been since he was taken out on the boat?”
“This morning, Ma’am. Perhaps two or three hours ago.”
The man was shown out by Rose.
When Evangeline closed her eyes, the tears trickled from the corners of her eyes. “He cannot possibly survive that long out there. What will happen, Mother? What about his family?”
“Let’s not think the worst, darling.” By the tremble in her mother’s voice, she, too, was expecting that news would not be good.
Throughout the rest of the day, men stopped by to give reports. Camren had not been found. Both Gideon and Daniel were on two different boats, refusing to give up searching. However, as the morning turned to afternoon and then to evening, hope of finding Camren alive diminished each hour that passed.
Finally, when it became too dark to continue searching, Daniel return. He looked haggard and refused to look Evangeline in the eyes.
“I should have gone with him,” he said, sinking into a chair near the hearth.
No one said anything.
Both Evangeline’s mother and Rose continued to sit with her. Moments later, her father appeared. Evangeline was shocked to see he looked as tired as Daniel.
“Are you unwell?” Evangeline asked.
“No,” her father shook his head. “I’ve been out looking for Camren and have failed to find him.”
Everyone remained in the parlor, Rose and her mother dozing with blankets tucked around them. No one wanted to leave the room in case news came. Evangeline went up to her room to retrieve a shawl. Upon spotting the last shirt Camren wore, she lifted it and smelled it.
She didn’t even realize her knees had given out and that sobs racked her body until someone came and hugged her.
“I know, darling, I know.” Rose tightened her hold and they cried together.
Chapter Fourteen
“Evangeline.” The deep voice roused her from a fitful slumber, and she looked up to see Gideon stood over her.
It was early morning, the sun barely filtering through the window. Pale with dark purpling under his eyes, the man looked about to pass out from exhaustion.
“Yes?” Evangeline straightened and immediately was wide awake. Rose, who’d fallen asleep with her on a chaise in the parlor, also sat up.
Gideon smiled. “We found him.”
Her heart thundered and she gasped, not quite sure she wanted to hear the rest. “Where is he?”
“At the hospital. Camren is alive.”
Once again, her knees threatened to give out, but Evangeline refused to fall. “I must go right away. Let me just freshen up.” She hurried from the room, rushing up to the bedroom.
There were voices and lots of talking as the others rose and were now peppering Gideon with questions. Evangeline had heard the three words she’d been praying for. Camren was alive.
On the carriage ride to the hospital, Gideon met her gaze. “You have to be prepared. He was beaten and has broken ribs. It was a miracle that he survived for as long as he did in the water. Thankfully, a fisherman spotted and rescued him from certain death.”
“We will find the man and pay him handsomely,” her father stated. They were crowded into the carriage, but no one wanted to be away from each other. Rose, Evangeline and her mother were on one seat. Across from them were Gideon and her father. Daniel drove the carriage at a fast pace through the early morning, almost empty London streets.
Upon arriving, they were quickly guided to a private room where the nurse hesitated and met Evangeline’s gaze. “You may bring one other person with you.”
Evangeline took her mother’s hand. “My mother will come inside with me.”
They walked in silently, the only sounds those of people in the hallway outside.
The bed upon which Camren lay was slim. He filled it both width and length. His face was a swollen, both eyes with dark bruising, and his bottom lip was cut. There was a long cut on the left side of his face that had been stitched.
“Oh, goodness,” her mother whispered. “The poor man.”
Both of his hands were wrapped with white cloth, probably because his knuckles were cut and battered.
“He’s sleeping right now because we gave him a sedative. It’s best he rests to allow his body to recover. Other than the visible bruising, he has several broken ribs and a cut just above the hairline… here.” She pointed to right side of his head. The area has been shaved and stitched. Evangeline leaned over him to inspect the area, but she could not see because of the bandages.
“Has he been awake and spoken?”
The nurse nodded. “Yes, he was conscious when they brought him in, but he was a bit confused.”
After a stern warning not to wake him, the nurse walked out. Evangeline turned to see all the faces outside the door and then to her mother. “Gideon and Daniel should be able to come in. After they leave to get some rest, I will remain here with him. Why don’t you and Father take Rose home and sleep for a bit?”
Her mother looked to Camren for a long moment. “I will return early this afternoon and take you to have something to eat.”
Evangeline nodded, just then remembering
she’d not eaten anything since the morning before. Even though Flora had cooked dinner, she’d been too worried to eat, her stomach in knots. The food had little appeal.
“Thank you,” she said, accepting a hug from her mother.
“He is a strong man and therefore I am sure he will recover fully,” her mother assured her.
Gideon and Daniel entered the room when she and her mother emerged. Rose hugged her, also promising to return once she changed clothing. When her father’s strong arms held her for a bit longer than necessary, Evangeline sagged. “I don’t know what I’d do without you and Mum,” she murmured against his chest.
Her father patted her back. “We’ll always be here for you.”
“I will stay here with Evangeline. Both of you should go get rest,” Gideon told those present.
Daniel scowled. “I prefer to go to the docks and do some investigating.”
“Please don’t go there. The same men are probably still there and could hurt you, as well,” Evangeline told him.
Daniel pressed his lips together. “Very well. I will go speak to the constable then and find out if anyone has been detained.” He stormed from the room, leaving Evangeline with Gideon.
“Who was he supposed to meet?”
“A shipper we are hiring to transport the whisky from Scotland to London. The man is well known and trustworthy. He did not show up for the meeting because a message was delivered to him putting the meeting off for another day. Although he was at the docks when Camren was attacked, he was too far from where it happened to see anything.”
Evangeline straightened. “So, the attack was planned then? Who would do something like that?”
“We have competition. Someone who is afraid we will dent their profits. I have an idea of who and I’m hoping once Camren comes to, he will confirm my suspicions. They are not aware Camren is still alive. The constable has agreed to keep it a secret in hopes that those responsible will return to the docks.”
The Lyon's Laird: The Lyon's Den Page 11