Christian was none the wiser. “What does?”
“All of the ladies who were taken were engaged!” Victoria shrieked. “Some were secretly engaged, while others were openly so, but all of them were engaged.”
“Why would that be of importance?” Christian pressed, feeling a small shiver of relief. If these kidnappers only took ladies who were engaged, then perhaps he would not have to face the prospect of Victoria being taken, after all.
“If my suspicions are correct, they plan to blackmail the families once they have captured enough ladies to make it worthwhile. They are seeking an extraordinary sum, if that is the case. In order to achieve such an extensive, collective payment, they need more interested parties—more individuals whom they can blackmail. If they only take engaged ladies, they double their hopes of gaining a monetary exchange for the ladies’ release.”
Christian nodded, as understanding dawned. “They would be able to blackmail the fiancé and the family.”
“Precisely.”
“But I have not received any blackmail notes, as of yet,” he said, his mind racing.
“They are biding their time, putting together a list of what they want in return. That would be my guess.” Victoria tapped her chin in thought and her jaw suddenly dropped. “That means… Miss Longacre is in danger still!”
Christian frowned. “Pardon?”
“She is recently engaged, though it has been kept secret. Yes, the kidnappers did not take her on the night of her coming-out ball, but that does not mean she is not a target. Oh dear, why did I not think of this before?” Victoria hurried away, forcing Christian to run after her.
“What are you doing? Where are we going?” he called.
She glanced back at him, her face pale. “We have to go to Miss Longacre. We have to protect her. She is the next target. I feel it in my bones.”
Christian ran after her, his mind clouded. If that is true, Victoria, then why were those gentlemen watching you?
Chapter 19
“McCarthy? I didn’t expect to see you until later this afternoon. Did you want to select a gown for this evening’s party?” Miss Longacre looked up from her bureau in surprise, as Victoria burst through the door with Christian in pursuit.
“Thank goodness you are still here,” Victoria gasped.
Miss Longacre tilted her head. “Where else would I be?” Understanding drifted across her pretty features. “Have you discovered something? Am I in immediate danger?”
“Yes, we have discovered some new information, which I believe may put you at risk.” Victoria stooped to catch her breath. “We have come to realize that all the ladies who were taken were engaged. The kidnappers clearly wish to extort as much money from their captives as possible, though they have yet to make demands.”
Miss Longacre gulped. “Do you think they know of my engagement?”
“They knew of Lady Jane’s, and she had been engaged in secret for a meagre fortnight.” Victoria crossed the room and perched on the side of the armchair, while Christian lingered awkwardly on the threshold of the bedchamber. It amused Victoria somewhat, to see him so hesitant, but she had more important things to focus on right now.
“What do I do?” Miss Longacre clasped her hands together. “Should I encourage my mother and father to take us all to the country?”
Victoria thought for a moment. “We must make our appearance at the Earl’s party this evening. However, we must lay a trap for the kidnappers.” Her mind whirred, as an idea came together. “Tell your mother and father to go to their home in the country and spread the word that you are to follow them tomorrow, with your chaperone. Make sure that the gossipmongers of London whisper it everywhere they can. That way, the kidnappers will believe you will be alone tonight, in your bedchamber. They won’t be able to resist such a tempting idea.”
Christian perked up. “You may have the use of my carriage, Miss Longacre, to deliver you to your home in the country. In case your mother and father fret about you.”
“Very wise. You should also tell your mother and father that you will be residing with myself and Lord Galbury, though do not let that information reach anyone else,” Victoria agreed. “When we return from the Earl’s party, I will position myself in the next chamber along, and will ensure that Lord Galbury and my other associate, Admiral Thomson, are stationed in the garden. We will guard you, Miss Longacre. We will not let them steal you away, but they must be caught in the act.”
“Oh goodness.” Miss Longacre trembled visibly. “I do not know that I have the nerve for such an undertaking as this.”
Victoria moved toward her and took up her hands, holding them tightly. “You do, Miss Longacre. Think of the other young ladies who have been taken, and I know you will find the courage to do this.”
“I am not like you, McCarthy. You are fearless. You laugh in the face of terror. And, what is more, what if… they manage to evade you? What if you are mistaken again?” Miss Longacre lowered her gaze.
“They will not evade us this time.” Victoria stood her ground. “And, if I am mistaken, then I do not understand these villains at all. If I am wrong, I will hand this case to Bow Street and remove myself from the equation.” It was a bold move, but she needed Miss Longacre to believe in her determination.
A muscle twitched in Miss Longacre’s clenched jaw. “I… will do as you have asked. I don’t know how I will convince my mother and father to leave me, but I will make sure that it happens.” She gave a nervous smile. “We will capture these wretches. We will bring their reign of terror to an end. It is due time I did something valuable with my life. How can I preach of wanting to help unfortunates, if I am not willing to help these ladies that have been taken?”
“I knew I could rely on you.” Victoria gave her hand a squeeze, before turning to Christian. “We have much to arrange, and not a great deal of time to arrange it. We need to inform Ben of the change in circumstances and ensure that we have everything together before this evening.”
Christian nodded. “My carriage is at your disposal, as ever.”
“I will come back, Miss Longacre, so that we may travel to the Earl’s party together. I will keep you safe.” Victoria gave the young woman’s hand one final squeeze of reassurance, before she got up and headed across the room to where Christian waited.
“I believe in you, McCarthy,” Miss Longacre said, in a small voice.
Victoria glanced back, with a smile. “As I believe in you, Miss Longacre.”
“I imagine you are pleased that I am no longer putting myself in harm’s way?” Victoria murmured. They sat in the parlor of Miss Longacre’s townhouse, awaiting her.
Many hours had gone by, and all the arrangements had been made with Benedict. He would meet them at Miss Longacre’s townhouse later this evening, after they had attended the Earl of Russell’s party. In the meantime, Miss Longacre had somehow managed the impossible. Her mother and father had departed for their country home already, with the expectation that their daughter would follow on the morrow. And, if Miss Longacre was to be believed, news of their departure, and Miss Longacre’s remaining, had already trickled its way through most of Mayfair.
“I would not say that I am pleased, as we still have the kidnappers to contend with. However, I would be a liar if I did not say that I was somewhat relieved.” Christian offered a smile. In truth, he was very much relieved that she was no longer the focus of the plot. Never in his life had he been so glad that a woman was not engaged.
Although… perhaps I may remedy that, when all of this is done. Miss Longacre’s pointed words at the theater had made him wonder as to the longings of Lady Helena’s heart. He had never been arrogant enough to believe that she loved him, in the romantic sense. But he had never supposed that her affections were directed elsewhere, either. Now, he had cause to think that she did, indeed, feel something for another. And that, in turn, gave him hope that he might yet break free of his betrothal.
“You ought to look closer at y
our moral compass, Christian.” Victoria fidgeted with the skirt of her violet gown. That vibrant purple made her look utterly otherworldly, standing out against her raven hair and her milky white skin. The amethyst at her throat drew Christian’s eye time and time again, his lips itching to place a kiss upon that elegant neck.
“How so?” Christian replied, though he already knew the reply he would receive.
“That you would take relief in putting another woman in danger, over me.”
He chuckled drily. “You forget who you are. I am not putting another woman in danger, in your stead. You are putting yourself in a position where you can save her, and save the rest of the captives. I should say that is a fair exchange, for a moment of peril. Not forgetting, of course, that the Admiral and I will be on our guard, ready to come to your aid the very second you signal for us.”
“Pfft, you comfort yourself with the minutiae, Christian.” She folded her arms churlishly. “I would rather they had come for me directly, so they might have discovered, first-hand, why Bow Street calls me Vixen.”
“I imagine they would wish they had never begun on this awful path.” Christian chuckled.
“Oh, they will still wish that. I will just have to delay the gratification of seeing them frightened for their lives.” She flashed him a mischievous look that made his heart pound and his throat tighten.
The door opened and Miss Longacre entered, her face pale and her demeanor anxious. Christian noticed that she looked as beautiful as ever, but there was no comparison, in his mind, between her and Victoria. The latter could have been wearing that potato sack, that she used to curl up in to sleep when she was younger, and he would still have thought her the more radiant beauty of the two.
“Shall we?” Miss Longacre said, her voice shaky.
Victoria nodded. “Let us bring those ladies home, Miss Longacre.”
Traveling by carriage, they arrived at the home of the Earl of Russell, to indulge in a much more subdued event than the one that had taken place for Miss Longacre’s coming-out celebration.
As the trio entered, for Victoria and Miss Longacre had decided to be one another’s chaperone that night, they immediately drew the attention of the entire household. Indeed, Christian could have sworn the string quartet faltered in their jaunty tune, as all conversation halted. Christian understood why. Victoria and Miss Longacre were resplendent.
“May I bring you both a beverage?” Christian whispered.
Victoria nodded. “A large one. The largest you can find.”
Smiling, he went off to do as he had been bidden, plucking three goblets of champagne from a passing tray and returning to the ladies with said refreshments. Victoria took a hefty gulp of hers, while Miss Longacre merely held it for comfort, her eyes drifting around the room as if she might be able to spot the kidnappers.
It is no use, Miss Longacre. Victoria and I have tried to espy them in collective company, and we have failed. He remembered the strange figures standing in the shadows of the trees at Hyde Park. The only sure glimpse he had managed to catch of the criminals—the perpetual thorns in the side of polite society. By the time dawn rose, he hoped he would finally come face to face with them and have the pleasure of seeing them clapped in chains and taken away.
Before long, a small group of dancers had collected in one corner of the Earl’s ballroom. Christian glanced at Victoria, wondering if he ought to ask her to join him in a dance.
She caught him staring. “Don’t even think of asking me, Christian. This is not the time for dancing.”
He grinned. “You said one should always find humor, even in the darkest of times. Well, what about enjoyment? The simple pleasure of dancing with a radiant young lady, whom I care about?”
“We must keep a watchful eye over Miss Longacre. And I cannot concentrate on anything other than you, whenever we dance. So, I do not think it would be prudent,” Victoria replied, with a smirk.
His heart leapt. “What if she were to join us? I am certain she could find a partner with ease, among these willing gentlemen.”
“She is engaged, Christian. She cannot dance with anyone else, and her bridegroom is not in attendance.” Victoria offered him an apologetic look.
“But the engagement has not been announced,” Christian protested, desperate to have her close again.
“We cannot do anything that may alert suspicions. That includes dancing.” Victoria’s smile widened. “We will just have to save it for tomorrow, when all of this unpleasantness is finally over. My bedchamber has a spacious floor, as you know. And I much prefer our way of dancing, to this stuffy nonsense.” She gestured to the rigidly-formulaic movements that were taking place.
He sighed. “I suppose that is worth waiting for.”
“High praise indeed,” Victoria retorted sarcastically, though not unkindly.
“My goodness, listen to the two of you.” Miss Longacre laughed unexpectedly. “There is so much romance sparking between you that I feel as if I am interrupting! You will have me blushing furiously if you continue on. Not to mention, you will have everyone wondering if there is something untoward occurring between you if you don’t speak with more care.”
As if on cue, Christian’s cheeks warmed. “My apologies, Miss Longacre. I forgot myself for a moment.”
“I don’t mind it,” Miss Longacre assured. “But, perhaps, you ought to keep your emotions tempered until we have completed our task. Then, you may indulge in all the flirtation you desire, and I shall be right there, championing it at every step.”
Victoria chuckled, but it sounded hollow. “And I shall be standing by, watching Christian and Lady Helena as they bind themselves together in holy matrimony.”
Miss Longacre gasped. “No! I will not permit that. If I am to find the courage to endure this night, then the two of you must find the courage to overcome the obstacles before you and be happy.” She hesitated. “Just as I hope Lady Helena will find the same courage.”
“What do you know?” Christian asked, intrigued. “Is Helena in love with another? You may tell me. I will not hate her for it. How could I? Why, it would… well, it would almost be a relief.”
“I will tell you tomorrow,” Miss Longacre promised. “Once we have captured the criminals, and we know the stolen ladies are safe—then, I will tell you what I know. Only then.”
Christian sighed. “Tomorrow cannot come soon enough.”
But there was still a great deal to do between that moment and the sun rising. Namely, putting an end to the kidnappers’ spree of despicable terror, once and for all.
Despite his unrelenting belief in Victoria, he prayed, harder than he had ever prayed before, that she could pull this endeavor off. And that he and Benedict could play their part, in aiding her. For, if they could not execute it perfectly, he knew there may well be two new names added to the list of lost ladies, when that fateful dawn came.
Chapter 20
After spending the rest of the evening mingling among the small crowd, and chatting among themselves, it came time for the trio to leave. Victoria had briefed Miss Longacre beforehand, instructing her to make a subtle, yet clear, show of her departure. As she said her farewells with Victoria, Christian was to slip out unseen and take a different carriage back to Miss Longacre’s house. There, he would meet with Benedict in the gardens, making it appear, to anyone watching the front of the house, that only Victoria and Miss Longacre were present.
“Now?” Miss Longacre whispered. They stood in the entrance hall, preparing to gather their coats.
Victoria nodded. “Now.”
“Wait.” Christian took Victoria’s arm and led her into a side-corridor, away from prying eyes. Miss Longacre looked on, a small smile upon her lips that Victoria only barely understood.
“What is it?” Victoria turned her attention to Christian. “This is not the discretion we talked about.”
“Nonsense. If anyone wonders where we have gone, they will presume I am scolding you for something or other,
as a cousin ought to.” He kept hold of her arm. “I just wanted to say something, before all of this proceeds, as I may not have the chance again.”
Her chest clamped tight. “What did you want to say?”
“Be safe, do you hear? I will be waiting. I will be right where I am supposed to be, and I will come to you the moment you need me.” He gazed deep into her eyes. “I need you to be safe. I need you to keep to the plan. For my own sanity.”
She nodded slowly. “I will be safe, Christian. And when I call, you had best come running.”
“Have we not had this conversation before?” He chuckled nervously.
“Perhaps, but the sentiment still stands.”
“I will run as fast as these legs may carry me.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it gently, sending bristles of excitement through her body.
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